Subtitles by DramaFever
Episode 36
Give me the knife.
Your Highness!
I will die right here and save my son's life!
So give me the knife!
Now!
Your Highness! Your Highness!
Out of my way!
Get out of my way! I will go see the King!
Suk Chul!
- Suk Chul! - Don't just stand and watch! Take her home!
I said I'll die right here!
I cannot leave Suk Chul here.
Suk Chul!
Grandfather! Grandfather!
- Your Highness! You must not do this! - Grandfather!
Why did the Princess try to take Prince Suk Chul outside the palace?
Why aren't you answering me?
- Your Highness-- - Tell him the truth.
Pardon me, Your Highness, but
Prince Suk Chul wanted to go to the temple to pray for the Crown Prince.
You can at least make the lie realistic.
Then what other reason would there be?
She probably wants to send him to China with the men from China.
Send Suk Chul to China?
She's probably trying to send him somewhere far from your reach.
That wretched girl!
Grandfather! Grandfather!
Please let me leave the palace, grandfather!
That boy...
I will accept your punishment if I can just leave.
Why that boy!
Your Highness, he is just a young boy.
- Just ignore him. - Out of my way!
He's barely 10 years old! What would he know?
He's just taking his mother's words and resenting you.
That is why I need to ask him.
Just why he wants to leave the palace.
Out of my way!
Your Highness!
What are you doing? Go and stop him!
Did you want to say you want to live outside the palace?
Yes, grandfather.
Tell me why.
Why are you saying you want to live outside the palace?
I cannot drink a single drop of water without worrying.
Why is that?
Are you saying you think your water might be poisoned?
Do you think the people that killed my father will let me live?
What?
I am not scared of dying
but when I think of how sad my mother will be...
I cannot let myself die.
Grandfather, please save me!
Who are you saying is trying to kill you? Who?
Grandfather!
Let me see.
Okay.
As your grandfather, I will protect you.
I will protect you!
Don't worry about a single thing.
My goodness...
What were you thinking trying to get Prince Suk Chul away from the palace?
They are the exact people that poisoned Prince So Hyun to death!
Your Highness, your actions were in vain!
There are rumors that you were trying to send the Prince to China!
Yet in the midst of that you go and--
Thinking about it makes me so anxious.
Whether my eyes are open or closed
I see images of Suk Chul bleeding from being poisoned and I cannot breathe.
Why don't you understand that your thoughtless actions give them that much more motive?
You must also know when to give in!
The Prince's killers fear Prince Suk Chul the most.
Because when he rises to the throne they will all die!
Yet you are fueling fire to their fear!
Are you trying to get Prince Suk Chul killed?
You should be guiding the Princess down the right path!
How dare you act so thoughtlessly when everyone is prepared to attack!
I... am Prince Suk Chul's mother!
Do you even understand what it's like to be a mother?
Good job.
What good would it do to scold the young Prince?
His mother is the one to blame.
My mind is telling me to let Prince Suk Chul live outside the palace
but seeing him crying...
Do you want to be the butt of all jokes?
How can you think to release your anger on your young grandson?
True... not like he did anything wrong.
It's his mother's fault for raising him that way.
They say that old habits die hard.
What do you mean?
The things his mother has said are probably engraved into his heart
so he probably will not be able to stop resenting you to his dying day.
Are you saying it's my fault Prince So Hyun died?
Who said it's your fault?
It's the Princess's fault for making him believe so.
Why that Princess I ought to--
Your Highness, you must calm down right now.
The Chinese envoy will arrive shortly
so you shouldn't be so hard on the Princess.
Why does that matter?
China is putting pressure on us to crown Prince Suk Chul.
We can't possibly afford to go against them!
If they come barging in here with their army--
Just the thought of it alone is frightening.
You must handle this wisely.
You must figure out what's best for you.
What are you talking about?
Just what is Kim Ja Jeom doing?
He was so confident he'd get approval to crown Prince Bong Rim...
Your Highness, there are many ways for you to survive this.
Stop talking about it like that!
Well if not Prince Bong Rim, you can always crown Prince Suk Chul.
Forget about it.
After I die, my daughter-in-law
will try to dig me up and get rid of my corpse.
That's why I'm telling you to not be so hard on her.
Nonsense!
Why do you think China is so strongly opposed to Prince Bong Rim?
That is because--
They're afraid Prince Bong Rim will ally with their enemies and attack them.
That way he can avenge the humiliation I endured.
Well I'm telling you that you cannot crown Prince Bong Rim!
It's just that if you go against China and crown Prince Bong Rim
China's armies will immediately come to attack us.
This nation is bound to be ruled by Prince Suk Chul eventually.
I'm telling you that cannot happen!
If not Prince Bong Rim nor Prince Suk Chul
then will you pass on the throne to Prince Jing?
Jing?
I'm just saying.
There's no reason I can't...
The things you say when you're angry!
I have dreams about Prince So Hyun every night.
He is standing in front of me bleeding from the eyes, nose and mouth.
Yes... I'm sure he will haunt my grave
because he'll think I killed him.
Your Highness.
Such a thing will not happen for as long as I'm alive.
How dare he haunt your grave!
Jing and I will protect your grave to the end.
I cannot sleep these days.
Bring me some wine.
I need to drink something.
Is Uhn Yuhn outside?
- Yes, Lady Gui In! - Bring us some tea.
Yes, Lady Gui In.
I said I want to drink wine!
Alcohol is bad for you, Your Highness.
You'll be able to sleep well when you try the tea I have.
You also will not have any nightmares.
Good work.
You must live a long life.
You must live until Prince Suk Chul is old enough to handle matters on his own
so that people will stop accusing you of killing his father.
Have some, Your Highness.
I told you alcohol is bad for your health.
And if you suddenly die because of it
What are Jing and I supposed to do?
The Princess will definitely exile us from this land.
Try this, Your Highness.
What do you think?
It's a very strange taste.
It is, isn't it?
They say the royal family in Myung drank it.
Finish it.
Let's go inside.
- Jang. - Yes, Lord Kim.
Send a man to the palace immediately
and bring me Jo Gui In.
Yes, Lord Kim.
Is there an urgent matter?
One wrong move and all our efforts will be wasted immediately.
What?
What do you mean?
You look so pretty tonight!
Did you say the royal family in Myung drank this tea?
Yes, Your Highness.
After Myung crumbled
the people who escaped from the palace sold it to make money.
Fortunately, I was able to get a bit for you to try.
Is that so?
Maybe that's why but this just relaxes my entire body.
Really?
It's great.
Give me one more cup!
Yes, Your Highness.
Feels so good!
My body feels as light as a feather!
The Emperor told his men to thoroughly investigate Prince So Hyun's death.
Then Prince Bong Rim...
Needless to say, they think that Prince Bong Rim is allying with
the Chuk Hwa Pa to revolt against them.
So crowning him is out of the question.
Unless we act carefully they will use the request against us
to unearth the complete truth behind Prince So Hyun's death.
But that is not good news...
Come closer.
If Prince Suk Chul rises to the throne
we will all die.
So if we cannot prevent that from happening
we will make a mess of it.
How so?
We will take the lead
in revealing the truth behind Prince So Hyun's death.
What?
If we say the person that poisoned Prince So Hyun is the King himself...
We have enough evidence to prove it.
Are you suggesting we frame the King?
First we get orders from him to kill the Princess and Prince Suk Chul
then question those orders to get rid of the King--
Then... won't we need to kill Jo Gui In as well?
We must spare your daughter's life for now.
That way we can make Prince Jing the King.
I'm not sure I understand...
A man only lives once.
I plan to risk my life for this.
You... will most likely share my fate.
Yes... Lord Kim.
What do you mean?
They said to find out the cause of Prince So Hyun's death?
The Emperor ordered that no matter what
his men must find out who killed Prince So Hyun and to bring that person to him.
Your Highness... we've found a way to make things right.
What is it?
Lord Kim has returned.
He has requested to see you.
Right now?
Wait here.
Yes... forget about everything else going on
and sleep comfortably.
And when you walk across the memorial in your dreams
I can only imagine how nice it will be.
The men from China will go to pay respects to the Prince's grave.
Stand around the corner and wait for them.
You must then tell them every piece of detail behind the Prince's death.
Yes, sir.
There must not be any room for doubt.
Do not worry sir.
I will do everything I can to make the truth be known.
Is Advisor Cho outside?
Yes, Your Highness.
Bring it in.
Yes, Your Highness.
Please bring it to me.
Please bring it here.
Look.
Can you tell what this is?
It is Prince So Hyun's clothing.
I was going to leave it on the Prince's corpse...
but there was so much rotten blood on here
they couldn't...
let him keep it on.
One of the men carrying the coffin and a family member
changed him into new clothing
and was told to burn the clothing he was wearing.
But an unnamed gentleman
secretly hid it and brought it to me.
Take a look.
Your Highness!
Look closely.
Since it is Prince So Hyun's blood
if he was poisoned then wouldn't there be traces of it left?
Isn't that so?
Yes, Your Highness!
Find it.
Find what kind of poison was used.
I'm telling you to find out what poison the shot doctor used!
Yes... yes, Your Highness!
I will make sure to find it!
You should have told us in advance.
That you were in possession of Prince So Hyun's clothing.
I wasn't going to bring it out until much later.
Your Highness!
Once Prince Suk Chul rises to the throne...
Then...
I may have kept it to myself to my last breath.
If the King is connected to this in any way...
Yes...
What good would it do to find out the truth?
However...
If it means saving Suk Chul...
It's a revolt!
What do you mean a revolt?
If not Prince Bong Rim, then we can crown Prince Suk Chul.
Does it make sense to set up the King and kill both Prince Bong Rim and Prince Suk Chul?
I'm telling you I'll make Prince Jing the next King.
Is that not what you want?
Make Jing King--
You're saying you want to make him your puppet.
What are you thinking?
Do you think such a careless plan will be successful?
Make a decision.
Either take my side
- Or-- - Or?
If not, will you kill me right now?
I will make Jing the next King on my own accord.
Jing is not related to you in any way!
When His Highness finds out about it...
how do you think he'll react?
If you want to kill me
you'll have to do it now.
Otherwise, I will make sure I kill you myself
and eat your flesh.
Would you like me to go after her and get rid of her?
Lord Kim!
Let her be.
That girl wouldn't have come alone.
I thought I was raising an ally but I've raised my own worst enemy instead.
[State Councilor Kim Ryu, Left State Councilor Hong Suh Bong, Right State Councilor Shim Yeol]
[Minister of Defense Park Hwang, Governor Jo Ki, Governor Choi Myung Kil, Ranking Official Kim Ja Jeom]
My Lord!
What are you doing? Hurry and come out!
What's with all the ruckus?
It's not very classy.
Forget all that! You've been named a governor!
- What? A governor? - Yes!
Congratulations, Governor! Please accept the position.
My goodness!
Both Choi Myung Kil and Kim Ja Jeom have stepped away from the State Council?
They have.
With the exception of Kim Yeol
Both the Right and Left State Councilors are insignificant.
Isn't it a good sign that Kim Sang Hun also stepped down from his position?
All the men that supported Prince Bong Rim have stepped down...
So we can look at it that way.
Plus Park Hwang who looked after Prince So Hyun in Shimyang
was appointed as soon as he returned from Shimyang
so that is also a good sign.
His Highness basically gave us a winning hand.
His Highness would never do such a thing.
Minister of Defense is just a title
but the position that gives you real control over the army was given to Jo Gui In's father.
That crossed my mind as well.
But isn't what matters that Kim Ja Jeom is out of the picture?
Jo Gui In's father is like Kim Ja Jeom's eyes and ears
and that very Kim Ja Jeom was given a minor position...
What happened with the men from China?
They will arrive in Hong Jae Won today
and will figure out their schedule then.
Please meet with them first and get the conversation going.
I need to meet with them before they go to the palace.
China's envoy arrived three months after Prince So Hyun's death.
Kim Ja Jeom had gone to get approval to crown Prince Bong Rim.
Instead of returning with an approval, Kim Ja Jeom returned
with a group of men determined to find out the truth behind the Prince's death.
Welcome, State Councilor.
Congratulations.
Congratulate me for what?
What do you mean come back later?
Once the Chinese envoy has left
you will be allowed to go inside to pay your respects.
I came to speak to him about just that!
- Let him know. - Then--
Please go back. I will do as you say.
Close the doors.
How dare he!
What do you mean?
Speak to him later?
You said that they came with the Emperor's letter demanding Suk Chul to be crowned.
Wait a bit more.
I'm sure they will contact us upon meeting the King.
Have you not heard His Highness has not taken a step outside Jo Gui In's quarters?
Jo Gui In has full control over His Highness!
If the Chinese envoy enters the palace first
there is no way to guarantee what Jo Gui In will do.
Welcome.
Please step inside.
Why does the Joseon King want to see us in the middle of the night?
He doesn't understand why the King would like to see us so late at night.
Please go on inside.
They have something to tell us in private.
Tell her to listen to every single thing they talk about.
Just drink it, Your Highness.
I've made sure she knows.
Where is His Highness?
Have a seat.
His Highness is not doing well
so he is lying down.
How dare a concubine greet an advisor from the great nation of China!
What use would it do to bow to an empty seat?
Just have a seat.
What is she saying?
She'd like us to have tea.
Court Lady Kim.
Yes, Lady Gui In.
Please bring in the gifts.
Yes, Lady Gui In.
Open it.
Yes, Lady Gui In.
It is a gift from His Highness.
Jo Gui In is in the main palace instead of His Highness?
Yes, Your Highness.
What do you mean she is greeting the men from China?
What is this I am hearing?
I'm sure she's not speaking directly with them on matters.
Just where is His Highness?
One time, I split open a pregnant woman's stomach and pulled the baby out.
What?
I first numbed her using a shot and then performed surgery.
She was so deep asleep she didn't know anything, much less feel any pain.
So is His Highness deep asleep right now?
He is.
His Highness is very ill.
He's been suffering from a chronic disease
when he lost his oldest son.
The sadness only deepened his illness.
Which is why he's hesitant about crowning the young prince.
If His Highness suddenly dies today or tomorrow
he is worried about who will be able to lead the nation.
Doctor Yang is going through all the medical records.
What for?
He's looking for the poison that killed Prince So Hyun.
What poison?
That's what I overheard him saying to one of the medical advisors.
Not just that--
I think he noticed the opium that's disappeared.
You should have told me sooner--
Did you find it?
I've compared all the records with what we have but nothing appears to be missing.
Exactly!
Are you suspecting it was Doctor Hyung Ik?
What is that?
It is what Prince So Hyun was wearing when he died.
What?
I am sure Lee Hyung Ik poisoned his needle
and killed Prince So Hyun.
That evidence is in this cloth!
I hear the Emperor would like you to find out exactly how Prince So Hyun died.
China may be a great nation
but if you search for a truth that does not exist
you will have more to lose than gain.
It is hectic enough for China trying to transition Myung.
Is yet another war with Joseon really necessary?
China does not want a war.
Is it good news?
He says you do not need to worry about going to war.
I will tell the Emperor the exact state that Joseon is in.
One moment.
She'd like you to wait one moment.
His Highness asks that the Emperor give him one year.
Once his health is restored, he will crown Prince Suk Chul
but if his health does not improve, he wishes to crown Prince Bong Rim.
This is a gift from Lady Gui In.
Ginseng, leather, cigarettes, black pepper, sword, and cloths.
They are all goods that are hard to come by in China.
He says they are gifts prepared by Jo Gui In herself.
Let Jo Gui In know she will get what she wants.
The men from China left already?
Yes, Lord Kim.
The men dedicated a drink to Prince So Hyun and returned to Beijing.
It's all because of Jo Gui In.
So did she say she feels much better after running me out of my position?
She says for you to not cause trouble.
And if not?
That is all she asked me to relay to you.
I made that girl who she is today!
Your Highness, Her Highness the Queen is here.
Let her in.
Please go on in, Your Highness.
Are you eating now?
Please make sure to chew your food so it digests better.
What brings you to my room?
- It's been so long since I've seen His Highness. - Have a seat.
Have you heard?
The men from China promised that they would not oppose whomever we choose to crown.
Would you like to stop eating, Your Highness?
Why are you all just standing there? Have a seat.
Would you like me to have them take the food away?
What?
I want to rest and eat more later.
Why am I so tired?
Is he ill?
He was fine last night but it worsened this morning.
Your Highness, take a deep breath and exhale. You will feel better.
Times like this he's like a young child.
Father, would you like a back rub?
What?
Yes... yes go ahead.
Yes... that feels good!
That tickles!
Yes... our dear Prince Bong Rim seems to have healing hands.
That feels good...
How dare she treat His Highness like a child!
Jo Gui In's audacity knows no limits!
You should be glad you were able to see His Highness.
What did His Highness say?
I did not get to exchange a single word with him!
Jo Gui In butts in every single time
so there is no way a conversation is even possible!
Father, Jo Gui In called the men from China into the main palace
and armed them with a load of gifts.
I also heard about it.
Jo Gui In is acting as though she is the King or something.
Jo Gui In said this to the Chinese councilor.
That if His Highness does not get better, Prince Bong Rim will be crowned instead of the Young Prince.
While if the King lives on, Prince Suk Chul will eventually be crowned.
Do you know what that means?
She will not give the crown to neither Prince Bong Rim nor Prince Suk Chul.
So does she mean to crown a boy whom it is unsure who the father is?
Your Highness! Please lower your voice!
I want Jo Gui In to hear about this!
His Highness laid down to sleep in the middle of his meal.
Even I could tell that His Highness was not his usual self!
Yet no one called on the doctors to check the King's health?
It has been a long time since I've seen the King myself.
Is that something the King's advisor should be saying right now?
We must do whatever it takes to bring him back to the main palace.
Even the change in council was done by Jo Gui In calling a meeting
and relaying the King's message.
Even the council is now a product of Jo Gui In's schemes!
I cannot stand back and watch anymore.
Uncle, you've made a mistake!
If Princess Min Hwe had met with the men from China first
then this would not have happened!
I cannot take this anymore.
I must see the King and have one last fight!
- Otherwise-- - It is not time yet!
Brother!
Prince Bong Rim has not been crowned yet!
There is no way the Emperor would turn his back on Prince So Hyun.
Of course not.
I think you should send a man to China to find out what the Emperor's thoughts are.
The Emperor has turned on Prince So Hyun!
Do you think they did all that just over some goods?
- Your Highness. - Come back in a bit.
Court Lady Kim from the palace is here.
Has something happened at the palace?
No, Your Highness.
I asked if something has happened to Prince Suk Chul.
No such thing.
I apologize but Lady Gui In asked that you come to the palace...
She's the very person preventing her from entering the palace!
Has His Highness given permission?
Yes, Your Highness.
Is that the truth?
Please prepare to leave.
I will escort you to the palace.
Hurry. Why are we moving so slowly?
Yes, Your Highness.
Please move a bit quicker!
Where is Prince Suk Chul?
Please come this way.
Here! Right here!
Such innocent children, aren't they?
Prince Suk Chul is only nine years old.
Look at him. He's still at an age where he needs his mom.
Oh no.
Got you!
Looks like you are it now.
I was afraid Suk Kyung might have been hurt so I was helping him.
But still, that's too bad.
How so?
How can you use the young prince as an excuse?
They remain unscathed.
What more could you ask of those children?
Mother!
I tied a red cloth around the pillar of the old home.
Tell them not to make any mistakes this time.
Come here.
Mother!
I am killing your father a second time...
Subtitles by DramaFever
Write down exactly what these men have done.
This is unfair!
Are you going to stand by and watch?
You must bring back Lee Hyung Ik and find out the truth!
What did you put in the King's tea?
His Highness is already addicted to opium.
How much are you going to unveil?
I do not mean to go as far as the King.
Do you believe that Jo Gui In will die alone?