Episode 61
Bring Prince Jinsung to the palace once you hear we've taken over.
Kill all the people on the hit list.
You two kill Kim Ja-won,
and take over the department.
Be sure to make no mistakes whatsoever.
Yes, sir.
Sir, we're ready.
Today, some will live and others will die.
What do you mean...
Mr. Jo is planning something?
I think he's plotting treason.
Treason? That's impossible.
Yeah.
I wish I were wrong too.
Geum-pyo.
If I fail, leave the palace without me.
I will wait here for you, even if it costs me my life.
Mr. Doh's men are on the move?
Yes, sir.
Send some soldiers to guard...
the royals and ministers' houses.
Yes, sir.
Tell the palace guards to reinforce patrol.
Yes, sir.
Whatever you're planning, you won't get your way.
Your Majesty, Mr. Jo is here.
Let him in.
I'm glad you're here. I was feeling a bit lonely.
Drink with me.
You shouldn't drink so much.
However much I drink,
I just can't stop missing my mother.
The girls sing and dance for me,
but it's not fun.
I still feel sad and lonely.
So I'm drinking again.
What brings you here anyway?
I want to ask permission if I can give you some advice.
Let's hear it.
I'll listen to anything you have to say.
Have you forgotten how you once swore to care for your people?
How could I ever forget?
I do love and care for my people.
Then why is the palace full of sweet-talkers and dancers?
Don't you hear the starving people cry?
You'll be in danger if you don't get a grip.
Who would dare try to harm me?
Gentle Prince Jinsung?
No. The ministers fear me, so who would dare challenge me?
You're old. You worry too much.
Stop worrying and just pour me a drink.
You must decide whether to take the blame or replace the king.
The call is yours alone.
Mr. Doh's men are watching the royals' and ministers' houses.
What?
Something isn't right here.
Where is Mr. Jo?
He went to see the king.
Sir, are you alright?
It's all over.
It has been done.
Is Mr. Jo still with the king?
He left a few minutes ago.
What is the king doing?
He seems to have fallen asleep.
What?
Announce me.
Your Majesty, Lord Kim is here.
Your Majesty, it's me.
Let me in.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty. Your Majesty.
Wake up.
Your Majesty!
Wake up! Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
Sir, what's going on?
Your Majesty!
What is it, Lord Kim?
Are you alright?
I just fell asleep after drinking a bit.
What's the fuss about?
I rushed over in case Mr. Jo had harmed you, Your Majesty.
I'm glad you're alright.
What do you mean, in case Mr. Jo had harmed me?
He plotted treason.
What? Treason?
He was planning to replace you.
How dare you say that when you have no proof.
Didn't you rush over because you feared the same?
That's nonsense.
Why would such a loyal man plot treason?
But he did.
What is this?
Mr. Jo must've brought it to kill you.
Mr. Jo really wanted to kill me?
Lord Kim.
Send soldiers to arrest the traitor now.
Take him alive.
I will find out why he tried to kill me!
Yes, Your Majesty.
So he really did it.
I still don't believe it.
All the traitors who tried to attack the ministers and royals are dead.
Where is Mr. Jo?
The leaders of the revolt are on the run.
We can't let others find out our seniors led the revolt.
We must get to them first and kill them to save our reputation.
If we don't, the king might abolish our department.
Gong-shin.
Send men after them.
Yes, sir.
We can rest, now that we left the capital.
Why didn't you ask why I didn't go through with it?
I just do as I'm told.
Thank you for that.
It's an ambush.
We'll take them on. Mr. Doh, you escort Mr. Jo.
It was an honor to have served you both.
Sir, we must go.
I can't leave without them.
Don't let their lives go to waste.
The soldiers won't come this far.
We'll cross the river after dark.
Dozens of men died for me. I don't deserve to survive this.
They won't regret dying for you.
I'll stop them. You must go.
I won't leave without you.
I should've died 50 years ago.
I could wish for nothing more than to die for the man who saved me.
I won't forget you, even in death.
You must go.
You must kill me to pass.
Who'll go first?
I don't want to hurt you.
Return with us to the capital.
What chance does a traitor stand?
Force me with your sword.
Serve the king and Lord Kim with all your heart.
Take my life.
He said he wanted me to take his life!
A traitor deserves no mercy.
Go on. Shoot the traitor!
After the leader!
Is Geum-pyo dead?
We killed him.
Jo Chi-gyum, you're under arrest.
Geum-pyo was a loyal servant. How dare you insult him.
Now you're a mere traitor on the run.
Will you be arrested, or slaughtered right now?
I refuse to speak with a fool like you.
Kill the traitor!
Yes, sir!
Stop!
He refused to give himself in, sir.
How dare you insult your senior.
But he nearly killed the king.
Shut it.
Mr. Jo has served seven kings.
How dare you insult his honor.
Step aside.
- I'll speak to him. - But if he escapes...
How dare you disobey your superior's order!
Why did you do it?
I lost my mind. A eunuch dared to try to save his nation.
You really refuse to be arrested?
I let the king down. I wouldn't dare face him again.
I wish to die.
Why didn't you kill him when you had the chance to?
Look at the sky.
Whether it's clear, cloudy, or stormy,
we just can't get away from beneath it.
Whether the king is a good man or a tyrant who threatens us all,
we just serve in the shadows.
My replacing the king would change nothing.
I realized that while I was watching the king sleep.
Your father took his own life here.
I lived and he died a traitor, but I still honor his loyalty.
And I also loved your mother.
Do you believe me?
Chuh-sun.
I have a favor to ask of you.
I want to pay for what I did to your parents.
Will you let me?
Time has passed and the seasons changed
Days we spent together are mere memories
But my love for you is still so strong
I can see your smile in the sad moon
I can't forget your touch, your breath
I yearn for you, but I'm helpless
My love, please don't forget about me
Dear heavens, let my love come true
Let my love come true
I told you to bring him back alive. Why'd you let him kill himself?
He used to be my father. I let him keep his honor.
I'll accept any punishment for it.
For his honor?
Alright, I won't punish you for it.
But I can't forgive Mr. Jo, even if he is dead.
Pickle his flesh and feed it to the wild animals and birds.
Then grind his bones and throw them in the wind.
But then...
Lord Kim.
If you disobey me again,
I'll punish you severely for defending his actions.
He's plotted treason, so he can't expect to rest in peace.
But with his remains scattered, his soul will wander the world too.
His testes are all that's left.
I'm more worried about the future. It won't end at this.
My closest servant plotted to kill me.
I will never trust anyone again.
Mr. Jo wouldn't have planned it alone.
What?
I'm sure he had...
the royals' and ministers' backing.
I bet they even chose someone to be king.
You're saying Prince Jinsung is involved?
You have 1 5 half brothers, don't you?
One of them must be involved in this revolt.
Are you trying to alienate me from them?
Not at all. I'm just telling you what I think.
I hope Prince Jinsung isn't involved in this revolt.
Queen Junghyun.
The king can be quite violent, but he's not a fool.
He'll know the truth when he sees it.
I don't even dare look him in the eye.
However violent he gets, he won't be able to harm you.
You brought him up when he had no one to turn to.
You did well by telling the king that Mr. Jo had someone's backing.
Why are the ministers silent when the king nearly died?
They fear for their lives too.
You are the king's most loyal servant.
I'm so glad the king has someone loyal like you too.
We must make sure the king controls every single department.
If he's deposed, we'll both get in trouble.
Do you have a plan?
We must get rid of everyone who might harm the king.
These are Mr. Jo's remains.
Offer up a service so that his soul can rest in peace.
Sure.|
I will.
Chun-dong.
Can you forgive him...
for what he did to you?
I'm not sure I have the right to forgive him.
What do you mean?
My father killed himself when the revolt he led failed.
And my foster father killed himself trying to save our nation.
I've been a eunuch for over 30 years,
but I still can't tell loyalty from treason.
I don't know what is right when it comes to being loyal.
Why did Mr. Jo leave the knife when he could've killed the king?
He realized a eunuch can only serve the king in the background.
But he got so many of his men killed, including Mr. Doh.
Killing the king would've made it worse. So he decided not to do it.
I believe he proved his loyalty by leaving the knife behind.
Post these on the walls. Make sure no one sees you.
Yes, sir.
Return to your rooms!
- Get rid of them. - Yes, sir.
Move!
''The king is insane and he's killing everyone. ''
''The people are crying out in pain, ''
''but the palace is full of dancers. ''
'What a pity. ''
''Enthrone Prince Anyang. ''
''He will save our nation and people... ''?
We found these all over the palace.
How dare someone post such nonsense!
Why aren't you doing your job?
You're supposed to make sure these things never happen!
I'm sorry.
I swear I'll find out who posted them.
They want to enthrone the foolish Prince Anyang?
I must see who's behind this!
How dare you tell the king about the anonymous posts.
Don't you know it's customary to just burn them?
I told the king because I thought it was about the revolt.
What?
How dare you make such decisions on your own like that.
You think you're above the law?
Forgive me. I should've been more careful.
Don't you do this again.
I won't.
You're excused.
The king is very agitated these days. What should we do about it?
I think Mr. Kim planned it himself.
What? He did it himself?
A trainee saw his men sneaking around late last night.
Thank you for inviting me over.
I heard the king loves you very much.
I believe it's because he feels sorry for me as I was a slave.
Now that you're his concubine, you must abide by our royal laws.
Make sure you do nothing to tarnish our reputation.
Teach me all I must know, Your Highness.
And don't talk about politics.
I will remember that.
I promised the king that I wouldn't covet your title.
But I will take full control. You can act like queen all you want.
Your Highness, please save my sons.
Someone put up the posts to frame Princes Anyang and Bongan.
Only you can save them.
Stop crying, Royal Lady Jung.
If posts could get someone killed, everyone would've put up posts.
Queen Insoo is right.
It's customary to ignore such posts.
Would you say that if Prince Jinsung had been mentioned?
The king kills ministers and officials every day.
Would he really ignore such a post?
Your Highness, please save my sons.
I can't believe even we have to live in fear of the king now.
Life is like torture these days.
I feel like I'm walking on thin ice.
He won't harm his brothers.
Not when his grandmother's alive.
He doesn't think much of her now.
I have some bad news.
What is it?
The king called your sons over.
What?
Prince Anyang, pour me one.
Here, your turn.
Prince Bongan, have a drink.
I'm too young to drink.
You're refusing the king's offer?
No, Your Majesty.
All royals need to be able to drink and flirt with women.
My father loved your mother very much.
If it hadn't been for me, one of you would've been king.
Do you want to be king?
Please forgive us.
What did you do wrong? You look like you want to cry.
Boys shouldn't cry so easily.
And you're royals too.
Why did you want to see me?
I came to ask a favor of you.
Go on.
Jo Chi-gyum...
is now dead, but I need you...
to get the ministers to help get rid of the traitors.
But the revolt...
already ended in failure.
Why do you want to bring that up again?
You visited Mr. Jo often...
shortly before the revolt took place.
Are you threatening me?
I'm giving you a chance...
to prove your loyalty to the king.
I'll take it that you'll do as I say.
I can't believe I'm being threatened by a eunuch.
If the king sees this, it'll be the end of you, Lord Kim.
What? You want to get rid of everyone involved in the revolt?
I'm sure Mr. Jo wanted to replace you.
If you don't get rid of them now, they will try to attack you again.
Tell me, Minister Shin. Who did he want to make king?
I think... it was Prince Anyang.
Prince Anyang?
Mr. Jo was a traitor, but he was thorough.
He wouldn't want to enthrone a boy who wouldn't last three days.
I think you should question him.
If I do, it will make me look bad.
I think you made the wrong call.
I'll ignore the posts, as is customary.
He refused to give in to the ministers' petition.
He made the right call.
I'm glad to see he has calmed down now.
Right.
He was so kind when he first became king.
I'm sure the worst is behind us and we can move forward.
Why did you bring another one of Mr. Jung's records?
I was reading them one day...
and realized something strange about your mother's deposal.
What is strange?
Read for yourself.
Take this.
What is it?
They think you need to kill the queen.
What?
Not after what happened to mine.
I think I can help you get back at her.
Please depose the queen.
Depose the queen.
We're putting our own lives on the line.
We can bear the queen abusing us out of jealousy,
but cursing Queen Insoo and hiding poison is beyond forgiveness.
Royal Ladies Um and Jung framed my mother and had her killed?
And my grandmother turned a blind eye?
Ja-won.
I will avenge her not as king but as her son.
Your Majesty.
Send guards to arrest Princes Anyang and Bongan!
Prince Anyang, why did you take sides with Jo Chi-gyum?
I didn't.
Please let me live.
Prince Bongan, you wanted your brother to be king?
Not at all. Let me live, please.
You're lying, just like your mother did.
- Torture them until they confess! - Torture them!
- Your Majesty, no... - Yes, sir!
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, save us...
He's torturing the sons of his father's favorite concubine?
How could he do such a thing?
He must've misunderstood something.
No, it's not that.
His insanity is just getting worse.
His mother's ghost is haunting him.
Your Majesty, Royal Lady Jung is here.
Let her in.
What brings you here?
Please save my sons' lives.
They are innocent.
The ministers told me to question them.
The interrogator will see if they're innocent.
If so, they'll live. If not, they'll die.
It's all my doing.
Punish me instead and let them go.
What did you do wrong that makes you say that?
Your Majesty, I... I...
I know already.
You led the concubines in petitioning for my mother's deposal.
I regret doing that.
Please forgive me.
My mother was innocent, yet she died...
a painful and miserable death to protect me, her young son.
Could you do the same for your sons?
If you can't, get going.
Why is the king so upset today?
He misses his mother. You know how much he loved her.
Why are you so down when you have good food and pretty ladies?
Shall I dance for you?
I just want to drink tonight.
Why are you ruining my banquet?
Your Majesty.
I will pay for what I did with my life.
If you will spare Princes Anyang and Bongan.
Can you really die to save your sons?
If you promise you will let them live.
I will.
Get the royal lady some poison.
Do it.
Your Majesty, please spare my life!
Royal Lady Jung.
Now do you know how devastated my mother must've been?!
Forgive me!
If you can't drink it, I'll feed it to you!
Your Majesty...
Open her mouth!
Yes, sir.
Your Majesty, she's dead.
Your mother killed herself to save your lives.
- Mother. - Mother...
- Mother. - Mother.
- Mother... - Be quiet!
You fools.
You can't even mourn her because I might kill you.
And you call yourselves her sons?!
- Mother. - Mother.
- Mother... - Mother...
I used to lament the fact that I didn't have a son.
Who'd have thought it would save my life?
Your Majesty, what brings you here?
Your Majesty... What's wrong?
You wanted to be loved?
You wanted to become queen?
I don't know what you're talking about.
You think I don't know you used Miss Hong to get my mother deposed?
My mother suffered and died while you lived in luxury until now.
How unfair.
I'll punish you myself!
Your Majesty.
Save me. Please let me live.
Your Majesty!
Mother.
I killed everyone who framed you.
But why do I feel so empty and alone?
Mother...
Mother!
My love, please don't forget about me
Dear heavens, let my love come true
We swore we 'd be together for life
Though we first met so long ago
I still can't let go of you, my love
I can still hear you...