Episode 62
The corpses of Royal Ladies Um and Jung...
are to be torn and fed to wild beasts.
Princes Anyang and Bongan are to be exiled!
Kill everyone who...
agreed or turned a blind eye to my mother's killing!
If they're dead, behead the corpses and grind their bones!
Tear down their houses and make lakes!
Yes, Your Majesty.
If any of you...
dare go against me, I'll kill your whole family.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Ja-won.
Yes?
I've avenged my mother at last. So why don't I feel better?
I just can't even breathe well.
Hold a banquet. Minister Lim...
brought in more dancers.
I don't think drinking and dancing will help.
Then shall we go hunting?
No. I'll go to my chambers and rest.
Your Highness.
Why are you here when you said you'd never see me again?
Your Majesty.
How could you...
kill your father's concubines?
What would your father say when you see him in the afterlife?
Royal Ladies Um and Jung framed and killed my innocent mother.
What's wrong with punishing them as I see fit?
What? I'm just at a loss for words.
I'm not done yet.
I'll arrest everyone who framed my mother and avenge her.
Considering how my mother died, the fools deserve to be skinned alive.
I'm the one who had her killed.
Will killing the ministers and royals make you feel better?
Punish me instead.
I killed your mother, so make me drink poison too.
Smash my head with an iron mace.
If you think you did any wrong, kneel and beg at my mother's shrine.
Wouldn't that be the right thing to do?
You won't get away with this.
Your mother was killed because she tried to poison Queen Junghyun.
Reinstate and avenge her all you want, but the truth remains the same.
Watch what you say, Your Highness.
Even you can't get away with insulting my mother, you know.
Get a grip!
Do you really want to be a tyrant who ruined his nation?
I'm being powerful, like King Sejo. Why does that make me a tyrant?
King Sejo came to power to save the falling monarchy.
But what is your cause?
You're ruining everything just so you can avenge your mother.
I'm very tired now.
I don't want to talk with you.
Please leave.
Your Majesty.
Listen to me!
Your Majesty. Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
Goodness...
It's all my fault.
My fault...
The king is so angry.
What should we do?
Why don't you talk to him?
He's ignoring Queen Insoo.
Would he listen to Lord Kim?
Anything can happen.
I don't even feel like eating anymore.
Ja-won's making things worse.
If we don't do something, our department will take the blame.
She'd be dead if she weren't my father's mother.
Why doesn't she see I'm trying not to lash out at her?
She wants you to do what is good and right.
Try to accept her advice, Your Majesty.
What?
Everyone...|
is shocked by what you did to Royal Ladies Um and Jung.
What did you just say?
Do you think I'm a tyrant too?
Please don't get me wrong.
What I do and say is the law. How dare you try to lecture me.
Have you sided with my grandmother?
It's not that...
Forget it!
I wanted to rest and be comforted. You're not on my side after all.
The king and queen are drifting apart. You might be able to become queen.
A common slave like me...
wouldn't dare dream of that.
Look at me, a mere eunuch who has more influence than a minister.
The king loves you more than anyone. Of course you can become queen.
It takes more than the king's love to become queen.
Why not try to get on the senior royals' good side?
I bet the king wanted to feed me poison and smash my head in.
How can you say such a thing?
He's just a bit angry and confused.
I'm sure he'll come around soon.
I don't think he ever will.
He only loves his mother so much. Why won't he listen to his own queen?
I just don't know how to make things right.
Your Highness, Royal Lady Jang is here.
Tell her I don't want to see her.
She doesn't want to see you.
Let me speak to her.
She is your senior. How dare you ignore palace rules.
How dare a court lady stop me. Move.
Your Highness, I heard you're ill, so I made you some porridge.
Open the door.
Don't you dare come in!
I heard of a base slave who is fueling the king's anger.
How dare a witch like you dare come into my chambers.
Your Highness, I...
I don't want to see you again, so don't ever come here.
But I'm a concubine, a royal lady.
How can you insult and embarrass me like this?
The king appointed you, but I haven't acknowledged you.
Get lost.
I don't want to see her. Close the door.
How dare you mock me.
You don't acknowledge me either?
Get going before Queen Insoo beats you up.
Your Highness.
The king loves her very much. What's so wrong about her past?
It's not about that. It's about how she's egging the king on.
She's a scheming witch.
Keep her on a leash or she'll ruin you both.
Keep your distance.
I'll take that.
Queen Insoo, I will repay you for that.
Mr. Lee, are you running an errand?
I'm tired of your antics.
I'll kill you for the sake of us all.
What?
Let go!
What are you doing?! Let go!
You fool!
What? Gong-shin kidnapped him?
I saw them with my own eyes.
You're giving us all a bad name.
You're not doing your duty properly.
How dare you accept bribes and make corrupt deals.
I didn't do it for my own good.
It's to replenish our assets.
Shut it!
I won't let you ruin the king's reputation any longer.
Mr. Lee.
What's this about?
We're classmates from the eunuch school.
Don't do this.
You're no friend of mine.
Stop it!
What are you doing?
I was about to kill him for our honor and the department's.
Please let me.
That's enough.
Let him go.
Sir.
Do as I said.
What he did was wrong, but he had a just cause.
You can't let anyone get away with attempted murder.
You must punish him and throw him out.
I will demote him for this.
So let it go.
If that's what you wish, I'll let it go.
Ja-won.
Mr. Jo served seven kings and enjoyed much power and riches.
But all he left behind were his testes.
Power comes and goes.
Don't let your craving for power ruin your life and others'.
I won't.
Sir, he's fueling the king's anger.
You must let me kill him.
Then the king will want us dead.
So you'll just let him carry on?
The king will get rid of the villains when he returns to his senses.
I believe so.
The king is here.
Why didn't you attend the banquet?
It was boring without you, so I came over.
Serve me some wine.
What is it? Is something wrong?
Noksoo.
Look at me.
What's wrong?
I can't stand such abuse any longer.
Please send me away.
Who the heck made you cry?
Tell me what happened.
Then I'll decide that person's fate.
Now I know why your mother begged to be deposed back then.
It was so insulting, Your Majesty.
What? What do you mean?
Your grandmother refused to see me because I was a slave.
You mean that?
That was alright, but even the court ladies mocked me.
I don't want to stay here anymore.
I guess...
they really did abuse your mother as her family had no influence either.
Noksoo, what did you just say?
The court ladies abused my mother?
Mr. Kim knows the details.
Ja-won, where are you?
The court ladies ganged up on my mother to get her deposed?
I just overheard some maids talk.
Go on. Tell me everything!
Your mother was too upright for them.
So they got together and...
hid arsenic and thread in her room.
That ended up getting her deposed.
I won't forgive them.
Bring in the ladies who were involved!
I will.
Stop!
Why did you frame my mother?
You thought you could get away with it?
Why would we ever frame the queen?
It's just a rumor.
A rumor?
You got my mother's court lady to hide arsenic and thread.
Don't you know that got her deposed?
I served your mother as best I could.
Please believe us.
So you're innocent too?
I served Queen Junghee back then.
I know nothing.
Right, of course you're innocent.
I believe you.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
It's your eyes, ears, and tongue that did all the wrong.
They should be punished.
Let us live, Your Majesty...
Burn out their eyes.
Cut out their eardrums...
and cut out their tongue so they can't talk.
Proceed!
Where is Lady Hong?
She wouldn't come outside.
What?
Let's go get her.
He arrested the head court lady and Lady Jang?
Your Highness, please save me.
Only you can save me.
The king won't dare come in here to get you, don't worry.
You served me all your life. I'll protect you.
Thank you. You have my trust.
Where is Lady Hong?!
Where is the old witch hiding?
She's...
Announce me.
Queen Insoo doesn't want any visitors.
How dare you disobey me!
You mustn't do this.
- How dare you block my way! - Your Majesty.
I don't want visitors, so please leave.
I'm coming in, grandmother.
Where are your manners? Go away.
I'm here for Lady Hong. Let me take her and I'll leave.
Your Majesty, Lady Hong has served me for decades.
Accusing her means you're accusing me.
Must you punish her and insult me in the process?
Now how would I dare insult you?
I just want to punish Lady Hong for framing the then queen.
I'll question her myself.
If she did do anything wrong, I'll send her to be interrogated.
Leave immediately.
I will interrogate her right now.
You heard me! Take her away!
Stop right there!
How dare you come in here when you're not welcome at all.
Get out of here!
Your Highness.
You insist on challenging my authority?
How can I not challenge a tyrant?
If you won't give in,
then I'll force you to.
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
- Your Majesty! Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
- Save me, Your Highness! - Why are you doing this?!
- Move! - Your Highness!
Your Highness!
- Forgive me. - Your Highness.
Please forgive me.
Your Highness!
Cut off her nose and mouth and throw her out of the palace!
Your Highness, help me!
Your Highness! Your Highness!
Excuse me, then.
You will pay for this!
I did nothing wrong at all. I will pay for nothing, Your Highness.
You will be deposed sooner or later.
No, I will be king for a long time.
You should take care of yourself and live for a long time too.
So you can insult me for years on end?
So you can watch me avenge the person you hated, had deposed and killed.
So you can watch me be honored and praised.
When that time comes, I'll make you beg at my mother's shrine.
You'll what?
How can you be so immoral?
You can't do this to your grandmother.
Out of my way, Lord Kim.
Your Majesty, please beg for forgiveness.
I said out of my way!
- Your Majesty! - Wake up, Your Highness!
Your Highness.
What, Queen Insoo is unconscious?
Lord Kim treated her, but she isn't doing well.
Lord Kim, how is she doing?
She's old and in shock, so recovery will be slow.
It's important that she stay calm and get some rest.
Your Majesty, Queen Junghyun is here.
Let her in.
What brings you here so late, mother?
I have something to say.
I'm listening.
I know how much you miss your mother.
That's why I've never rebuked or lectured you.
But I can't bear this any longer.
How could you barge in and hurt your grandmother like that?
How many more people must die in the name of revenge?
Please stop it.
I'm sure this isn't what your mother would want.
Are you rebuking me, mother?
Yes, I am.
I didn't, for fear you'd retaliate, but I guess I should have.
Watch what you say.
I might take this out on Prince Jinsung.
Then do so, if he deserves it.
And I'll apologize if you think I should.
But I've had enough.
Beg for Queen Insoo's forgiveness and console her.
Kick out the dancers and stop having fun.
Get rid of the tags that everyone is wearing.
Listen to the court officials and accept their advice.
If you don't do as I say, I will punish you myself.
Why didn't you say this sooner?
Why didn't you rebuke me when I did wrong?
You were very good to me.
Why didn't you know how much I wanted to be rebuked as a son too?
I envy Prince Jinsung so much.
Your Majesty...
Are you feeling better?
Why did you take care of me, Lord Kim?
Don't say such a thing.
I've known you for years.
I misunderstood you. I thought you were disloyal.
I deserved it, Your Highness.
Lord Kim.
I fear the monarchy will fail with Prince Yonsan.
It mustn't happen, even if it means replacing him.
Lord Kim, take care of the king.
I will.
You need to get some rest.
You have my trust.
How is Queen Insoo?
She's still in shock.
She's old.
I fear her condition will worsen after tonight.
I can't stop thinking what's going on happened because I didn't stop it.
Don't blame yourself. What more could a eunuch do?
I don't know what to do now.
Now do you see why Chi-gyum went in to kill him?
When Chi-gyum betrayed your father and ruined the revolt,
I yelled and threw wine at him.
Then he killed King Yejong.
I couldn't forgive him then either.
Back then I thought he did it for his own sake.
But now that I look back,
I see that's all he could do as a eunuch who serves the king.
What will you do?
Will you replace the king or let him continue his wrongdoings?
It's so good to see you're recovering, Your Highness.
I have a favor to ask.
Will you hear me out?
I will.
If this goes on, some people will want Prince Jinsung to become king.
Please don't say that.
But whatever they say, you must not give in.
I will never give in.
Good, I feel better now.
I want to lie down.
Wake up, Your Highness.
Lady Han, call the doctor.
Your Highness, wake up.
Your Highness.
Why do you look so upset?
I got rid of the court officials and hired dancers for my mother's sake.
I'm worried what the historians will make of me.
You shouldn't be so weak.
What?
You made a woman out of many dancers.
That means you think very highly of the basest of people.
And you have a son to inherit your legacy.
Who would dare degrade all your accomplishments?
You think so?
I know so.
Stop worrying, have a drink, and dance.
Sure, I will.
Something terrible has happened.
What's that?
Queen Insoo is gravely ill.
What do you mean, she's gravely ill?
Your Highness, wake up.
Dr. Yang, Lord Kim, do something.
Make her better. I'm ordering you.
I'm sorry.
I'm not done avenging my mother yet.
You can't leave me now. Wake up.
Your Majesty...
Feeling better?
I want to talk to you in private.
Leave us.
They've left. You can talk.
Your Majesty.
I deposed and killed your mother...
for the sake of our nation.
I'm sure she accepted it because she knew that.
I don't regret what I did.
I made you king because I trusted your intelligence.
I knew you'd build on what your father had accomplished.
I still believe in you.
Your Majesty.
Stop this tyranny and bloodshed.
Protect Prince Jinsung.
Don't let me down.
Your Majesty... I...
Your Highness.
Grandmother.
Why did you hate me so much?
How come you never gave me a single hug?
I resented you.
Grandmother.
How are my people?
You are a great king, who looks out for them.
Everyone praises you, even from the faraway provinces.
You're the greatest king ever.
Naturally.
There are no corrupt dealings anymore.
My repository is full, everyone enjoys equal opportunities,
and I listen to my people. Of course I'm a great king.
You are.
I'll hold a banquet to thank you for your work.
You may bring your wives to brighten things up.
I want everyone to attend it.
The people are starving and complaining more every day.
Yet the king wants to entertain our wives too.
It's such a pity we're not allowed to talk freely.
It's all because of this tag.
No one dares to speak up now.
I'm embarrassed...
to even be a minister.
We need to do something.
Soo-geun, why won't anyone tell the king what's going on?
He's holding larger banquets every day. We'll run out of money soon.
He does like to enjoy himself, but he's not harming anyone.
We can just collect more tax money.
The people are complaining.
Why doesn't the king see that?
I'm afraid he might get into trouble.
Who would dare challenge him?
Stop worrying.
I invited all you ladies too to thank you for helping my men work.
Thank you.
You all are just as important as your husbands, the ministers.
Forget all your manners today and drink and dance all you want.
Why aren't you dancing?
How dare you disobey me.
Ja-won, list up those who won't dance.
I'll have them hung and quartered.
Your Majesty... Don't...
What happened?
I found him sleeping at the gate.
Take him inside.
Why are you drinking again?
Everyone's insane.
I couldn't bear being sober.
Here, have some water.
I'm alright.
Go throw a bucket of water on the king's face.
He's inviting more and more dancers to the palace.
He made bars out of all the schools,
and leveled villages to make hunting grounds.
He'll ruin our nation.
How am I supposed to be sober and bear all this?!
What if someone hears that?
Am I wrong?!
The king spends all his time with a Jang-something.
And a eunuch...
basically runs the country.
What's going on?!
Get some sleep.
The king's just not over Queen Insoo's death yet.
He used to be so gentle.
I fear for you...
more than the king.
In case you try talking to the king...
when even the ministers don't dare to.
What brings you here, Minister Yoo?
We must talk.
The king has gone too far.
His people are starving,
yet he holds banquets and invites our wives too.
He'll ruin our nation for sure.
Some ministers want to revolt.
You mean commit treason?
We can't just sit and watch.
If you side with us, we can do it without bloodshed.
I can't do that.
How dare we, as subjects, even think of treason.
So you'll just watch our nation fall into disarray?
Starving commoners are revolting and attacking provincial offices.
Don't you see it'll get out of hand if we don't do something?
We must replace the king when we can.
Prince Hwang has a good temperament.
He will put everything in order when he becomes king.
But Prince Yonsan is young. We can't wait that long.
We'll be in ruins before then.
There are rumors...
of a revolt, mother.
Don't say that, it's nonsense.
I'm afraid of the king.
There's no need to be.
He wouldn't harm you.
I'm not afraid he'll harm me.
I'm afraid for his sake.
I'm afraid for the monarchy.
Lord Kim.
Take care of the king.
Can I come in?
You didn't eat much, so I brought some snacks.
Your pretty hands are so rough now.
I'm old. It's only natural.
If you hadn't found me all those years ago, and taken care of me...
I would've been eaten by wolves, or starved to death.
Why are you mentioning that now?
I've done nothing for you except cause you worry.
Please forgive me.
Is something wrong?
I guess I've grown up at last.
I feel bad for Mrs. Oh,
but I always thought of you as my son, even though I didn't give birth to you.
I know how you feel. You're the only mother I ever had.
I'm going to tell the king I want to resign.
If that's what you want, then go ahead.
I've been fearing for your life every single day of my life.
I guess I won't have to anymore.
Sir, we're ready.
Gong-shin.
I'm going to talk to the king one last time.
I don't think I'll leave the palace alive.
You mustn't, sir.
Look after my mother for me.
I'll go in with you.
If you do, who will protect the king?
I need you to be loyal to him till the end.
Will you promise me that?
I will... do as you say.
I can't let you go.
I have to go to work now.
You saved my life.
You're the reason... I found hope.
You can't leave me alone. Not when I found my will to live.
I must keep the promise I made with the woman I loved.
Only then can I be true to her and do my duty as a eunuch.
I will be waiting for you.
Your Majesty, stop enjoying yourself.
Why did the music stop?
Hello, Lord Kim.
Come have a drink and watch me dance.
Noksoo, pour him some wine.
Your Majesty, you must stop enjoying yourself.
What? What's wrong with you?
Stop holding banquets.
Think of your suffering people. Remember when you used to cry for them?
What?
Your Majesty.
Why are you being so tyrannical?
Don't you see you're threatening our nation?
Don't you see your people are suffering?!
Don't you hear them cry out, begging you to stop this?!
What are you talking about?!