Subtitles by DramaFever
[This is to clarify that the upbringing of the characters, "Prince Jing" and "Princess Ho Myung" were dramatized for this series.]
[We apologize to anyone who was offended by their portrayal.]
Episode 44
Your Highness, Prince Bong Rim is here.
Your Highness--
Wait for her.
I'm sure she'll say something eventually.
Your Highness...
Who is waiting outside?
Prince Bong Rim has been waiting for quite some time.
Ask him to come inside.
Her Highness asked to serve you noodles for lunch.
How dare he show his face here!
Welcome, Prince Bong Rim.
I was writing a letter I need to send off urgently.
I didn't even hear that you'd come.
Have a seat.
I've heard that the Chinese envoy arrived
and stopped by Prince So Hyun's grave
so I wrote a letter thanking the Emperor.
Princess Min Hwe--
I am not holding in my anger because I am weak.
Was it ten years?
That we all spent together in China?
The reason we were able to endure such difficult times
was because of the Emperor.
Because he looked after Prince So Hyun more than his own brother...
Yes... the Emperor was no different than his own brother.
What did you write?
What do you think I wrote?
Princess--
How Prince So Hyun died...
And how Prince Suk Chul soon after faced the same fate...
Yes, I wrote it all in exact detail and asked to punish accordingly.
Princess!
I have no power so what else can I do?
Even if it means borrowing China's power
I'll have to avenge Prince So Hyun and Suk Chul's deaths.
If you wait just a bit I will make things right!
Please believe me, Princess!
Is anyone outside?
Yes, Your Highness!
Come inside.
No matter what, you must hand this to the Emperor yourself. Do you understand?
Yes, Your Highness.
You will have to put your life on the line to do so.
Yes, Your Highness.
Leave immediately.
What if the Emperor orders his armies to invade Joseon?
I told you, didn't I?
- Since I have no power-- - Princess Min Hwe!
If you try to borrow power from China
everyone supporting you will turn their backs on you.
Then that's the way it will be!
When Prince So Hyun was wrongfully killed
who stepped up to protect him?
That's not all.
When the innocent and young Prince Suk Chul and his two younger brothers were exiled
was there even one person who stepped up to protect them?
Even right now.
Prince Suk Chul left this world screaming for help
yet in addition to no one working to unveil the truth behind his ill-willed death
nobody even knows where he was buried!
Yet!
What else am I supposed to wait for?
My sons are being killed off.
Not too far from now I will receive news that Suk Lim and Suk Kyung also died.
Yet I'm supposed to continue to sit around and watch?
You must still have patience and wait!
Just what am I waiting for?
In order to build the new world that my brother wanted to build--
I'm asking you to have a little more patience and wait.
Should I kill the King right now?
Should I kill the King and dethrone him
and then arrest Kim Ja Jeom and Jo Gui In?
Of course you should!
If it was the King that ordered Prince Suk Chul be killed
then he has gone mad.
If such a man remains King much longer
the nation will crumble.
His Highness bowed 300 times to the Chinese
as he hit his head to the ground each and every time.
We haven't even washed him of this terror.
So how can we dare try to gather men in our country?
Whatever the costs are, we must free this nation of such a humiliating history!
That way Prince So Hyun and Prince Suk Chul's deaths will not have been in vain!
Wait.
Until the King dies naturally.
Are you going to stand in my way?
I'm asking if you're going to stop the letter from getting to the Emperor.
That is a revolt, Princess!
Yes! Kill me!
How can a woman who lost her husband
and son live on?
Lady Gui In! The Princess is here!
Welcome.
Are you here to see His Highness?
I was worried about the King's health.
He is not doing well.
He must be sadder after hearing the news that Prince Suk Chul died.
I have not yet told Him his grandson died.
So are you saying he does not know?
Go back. Right now is not a good time.
I told you to not let anyone in until His Highness wakes up.
Why is everyone having so much trouble understanding me...
Do you feel better now, Your Highness?
You were in the rain for so long it's only right that you get sick like this.
Is someone here?
I guess the Princess has come to pay respects.
Then she should be invited in...
You don't want your daughter-in-law to see you like this.
There's something I want to say to the Princess.
Later. Tell her later.
The doctors said you'll need lots of rest for the time being.
If you exert yourself and your stomach fills with liquids
then you will never be able to sit up again.
I keep having dreams of Prince So Hyun...
He keeps showing up in my dreams
so I can't sleep.
It's because your body has become much weaker.
I feel so guilty about having Prince Suk Chul exiled...
I didn't need to have him sent all the way to Jeju Island...
The more you value a child the more strict you are with them.
You didn't send him there because you don't like him.
It was because of his mother.
True...
Yes, take another nap. Sleep is the best medicine.
You'll have to answer truthfully to whatever the Prince asks you.
Yes...
Tell me.
His Highness...
Will not be able to live much longer.
You must know what illness the King is suffering from!
I... I... I...
Must we punish you for you to answer truthfully?
How can I dare lie?
Is it terminal?
According to Lee Hyung Ik
His Highness...
His Highness?
has tumors that have spread so deep into his bones that he will not live much longer!
He has less than three to four months left.
- Isn't that so? - Yes, Lady Gui In.
Even with the best medicine he may not live more than a month or two...
There is one thing left to do before then.
Are you talking about Prince Bong Rim?
When the King dies, Prince Bong Rim will inherit the throne.
So we must get rid of Prince Bong Rim before then.
How?
I will take care of it.
I just need you to clean up the mess.
If you reveal what you've said today you will be killed immediately.
Yes...
But if you keep your mouth shut, once His Highness rises to the throne
you will be awarded with a large reward.
Yes, Advisor Kim.
Lady Gui In! How will I... to Prince Bong Rim...
What are you saving all that poison for?
I cannot administer acupuncture to a healthy man!
If not then poison his food!
Do you understand?
You must do whatever you can to kill Prince Bong Rim.
That way, we can live.
I trust that you will take care of this.
Your Highness! I am ready to leave!
Wait!
Your Highness, Prince Bong Rim is right.
The moment that letter is in the Emperor's hands
you will have committed a serious crime.
Have a safe trip.
Your Highness!
I have to save at least Suk Kyung and Suk Lim.
Even if you send the letter after looking into the
cause of Prince Suk Chul's death it will not be too late.
He couldn't have died because of an illness.
If that was the case then his corpse would have been sent back to us.
There is no reason to rush burying his body!
I will go to Jeju Island myself.
Please just wait until I come back.
This family has been torn apart to shreds!
Her Highness has lost her husband and son.
And I!
I have lost five sons.
What more are we supposed to sit around and wait for?
Your Highness, if not the mother of those barbarians, you must seek help from the spirits!
What do you mean he lost him?
It seems he realized he was being followed.
I told you that you must catch him no matter what!
For what reason...
You can send an urgent message to the guards at the border to close the gates.
I told you we must take care of this quietly.
If you tell me what this is about...
He has a letter to the Emperor that Princess Min Hwe wrote.
Is that letter so important?
Please send more men out to bring him in.
You must catch him before he crosses the river. Do you understand?
May the spirits rest in peace
and take pity on those left alive.
Let them live on in peace.
We pray! We pray!
We pray to the gods! We pray!
Prince Suk Chul died a wrongful death.
Please let him go to heaven.
Suk Chul...
Aren't you tired?
I was thinking about father.
When I look up to the sky
it feels as though he will wave his hand and smile at me.
Do you miss your father?
Yes... I miss him.
I... failed to protect you...
Who are you?
Are you a ghost or human?
Your Highness... it is I, Kim In.
It's you, In!
I thought I was in the afterlife.
The dead Prince So Hyun comes to me in my dreams holding Suk Chul's hand...
and keeps waving for me to come to him.
Telling me to come... to come to him...
He keeps waving me over to him--
Your Highness!
I don't think I have much time left...
I keep seeing things...
Prince Suk Chul was wrongfully killed!
What did you just say?
- Prince Suk Chul... - Prince Suk Chul?
What are you saying happened to Prince Suk Chul?
Did you really have no idea, Your Highness?
Prince Suk Chul died on Jeju Island...
Are you saying Prince Suk Chul is dead?
Your Highness!
How did they say the Prince died?
We received a notice that he died of a disease
but I do not believe it, Your Highness!
Bring me Jo Gui In!
I will ask Jo Gui In!
She asked you to deliver this to the Emperor?
Yes, Lady Gui In.
Read it.
I said to read what it says!
What does it say?
It doesn't say much.
There is a lot of friendly banter--
Is that all?
Are you mocking your illiterate daughter?
Do you honestly believe the Princess wrote a letter to the Emperor just to say hello?
Is Hyung Ik outside?
- Yes, Lady Gui In! - Come in here!
What are you doing? I said come inside!
If you tried to lie to me, I will be known as the woman who killed her own father.
Read this.
Your Highness!
Bring Jo Gui In to me! Bring Jo Gui In to me immediately!
Your Highness! Your Highness!
Let go!
I will ask Jo Gui In why she hid Prince Suk Chul's death from me!
Let go of me, I say!
What does it say?
Why are you hesitating?
Yes, Lady Gui In...
I am grateful for your men stopping by Prince So Hyun's grave to--
Take out the greetings!
She wrote that Prince Suk Chul died after he was exiled
and that the reason for his death is unclear.
And then?
Prince Suk Kyung and Prince Suk Lim were also exiled to Jeju Island
and it is unclear when they will die
so she asked that the Emperor take them in as his own...
- Is that all? - Yes, Lady Gui In.
If that's all, then I will now--
- Write it again. - Excuse me?
Write it again as I tell you to.
Write it like this.
Write that Prince So Hyun was poisoned to death
and that Prince Suk Chul was also killed by the King.
- What? - So to seek revenge on my behalf.
That's enough, Lady Gui In.
What do you mean?
If the King sees this letter, the Princess will not be able to avoid death!
That is exactly what I want!
If the Princess is faced with death--
How much more blood must you see for you to be happy?
Why? Do you miss your first wife who hung herself?
I can no longer just stand by and watch!
Such a shame!
A dirty concubine's daughter has disgraced the Jo name!
Why are you looking at me?
I can not walk around in public because of you.
It's not like the Jo family is so great or anything.
Is there really no other man in this town?
Hurry and write it.
Lady Gui In, I...
Write as I told you!
Add one more thing to that.
That His Highness has lost his mind and he has gone insane.
So send an army right away
and take the King away to China.
What are you doing? I told you to write!
Yes, Lady Gui In...
That will be enough to change your life and then some.
Thank you, Lady Gui In.
Go hide out somewhere for the time being.
One day when my son rises to the throne
I will call on you to be the head Advisor.
Thank you very much, Lady Gui In!
Good work.
My handwriting is different than the Princess's...
What are you worried about?
The King will throw a fit as soon as he sees this.
Anyways, you shouldn't have to tip toe around that old man.
What do you mean?
Why are you letting your skills go to waste?
One shot from you and the Lord of the house here will just count down the days to his death.
How can I dare think to become the head of the home here?
I am asking you to do it for me.
Excuse me?
My mom was nearly beaten to death by his wife...
And when I came here crying and asked him to help, he pushed me away
absolutely ruthlessly... that man that I call my father...
My life is on the line with this one, anyways.
If I fail to kill the Princess I will die.
And if I die, that man will rejoice that it's for killing his wife!
I cannot allow such a thing to happen!
Then... are you serious right now?
Do you understand what my wish is?
It is to watch those that looked down on me go down.
Acting as though they're so precious and important...
To my face they act so sweet and innocent and when they turn around they're
blinded by greed and wealth...
Do you understand? If I think of those people, I feel sick to my stomach.
I'm sure you were looked down on just as much as I was.
So I propose us illegitimate children have the time of our lives while we're alive.
Do you understand?
Bad news!
His Highness is asking for Jo Gui In!
What do you mean he's looking for Jo Gui In?
It seems as though Advisor Kim told him that Prince Suk Chul died.
Oh no!
It seems His Highness is back to his old self!
This is no laughing matter!
We just need to reap the benefits.
This is not for me to take part in.
Lady Gui In! Bad news!
His Highness has woken up and has been asking for you!
Let's go.
Lady Gui In!
He is very angry you hid the fact that Prince Suk Chul died from him!
I don't think Jo Gui In will live to see the sun come up ever again!
Now that the King found out she hid the truth about the Prince's death from him--
His Highness will believe that Jo Gui In killed Prince Suk Chul.
Why are you sighing?
It's just that she is such a conniving girl.
She will not be able to get out of this one.
If Jo Gui In is able to get out of this one as well, I will cut off all 10 of my fingers.
Stop right there!
Listen, Jo Gui In. You cannot go to the main palace right now.
Avoid tonight and go bright and early tomorrow morning instead.
There's the saying that you must first avoid the rainstorm.
I will not forget your generosity.
Jo Gui In! I told you to avoid the storm!
You will be attacked if you go in there right now.
Trying to act so smart...
Why is the King calling us together so late at night?
It seems the King did not know until tonight that Prince Suk Chul died.
His Highness has ordered an arrest.
But where is the councilor?
He probably avoided coming here.
Since he is on the same side as Jo Gui In.
Have you still not found Jo Gui In?
Hurry and find Jo Gui In! Hurry!
Your Highness, it is not urgent that you find out the truth behind Suk Chul's death
so why don't you speak to Jo Gui In in the morning?
What do you mean it's not urgent?
I am more concerned that you are making yourself more ill.
Prince Suk Chul is dead!
I didn't even know that!
How do you think that makes me look?
What do you mean the Prince suddenly died?
That is Jo Gui In's doing!
Suk Chul needs to die in order for Jing to inherit the throne!
Am I wrong?
I'm sorry, Your Highness
but Jo Gui In wouldn't dare dream of such a thing.
Do not take Jo Gui In's side right now!
I was fooled by Jo Gui In!
- Open the door. - Lady Gui In!
It was hard enough that you were ill!
Was I supposed to tell you that on top of all that the Prince had died of a disease?
A disease?
Are you implying that someone killed the Prince?
It is your doing!
That is why you hid it from me!
Why can't you answer me?
Explain yourself!
There's nothing I can do.
What use is it explaining myself when you suspect me?
I will drink the poison you punish me with.
Poison?
Advisor Kim, no matter how much you don't like me
you should not tell the King such things about me.
I am ignorant so I do not have the ability to say things tactfully
and yes I am a bit too truthful because I care so much about the King
but how could I have possibly killed the Prince all the way in Jeju Island from here?
However, even if I were to die because of your wrongful accusations
I will not resent you.
It is hard to come by a man who cares for the King as much as you.
You simply did your job.
It's just that...
It's just that when I think of what His Highness will have to endure once I'm gone,
I am blinded by my tears.
What will I have to endure?
I am being accused of killing my grandson!
What could possibly be worse than that?
Your Highness! How can you look at the world with your ears and eyes closed?
You are the one who closed my eyes and ears!
Your Highness, I left the palace in the middle of the night
because I received an urgent message from my mother.
What?
A man that served Prince So Hyun since China
gave my mother a letter and then disappeared.
I was told the details of the letter were too frightening to even speak of.
To who? To whom was the letter for?
Why can't you answer my question!
Forget about it, Your Highness.
I do not want to make a big deal of something that will be resolved if I die.
You are speaking of the letter from the Princess to the Emperor of China!
No, not that, Your Highness!
What does it say?
Your Highness, do you want people to point at you and say you killed your daughter-in-law as well?
If she did something to get herself killed, then she must die!
Give me that letter!
Your Highness!
Give it to me now!
It is a letter that will do you no good if you read it!
The Princess just lost her husband and son! She was not in the right state of mind when she wrote it!
Jo Gui In is right. Please let it go now, Your Highness.
The Princess still suspects me!
How can I let it go?
How can you say that?
Give me that letter now!
Do not regret it.
Like spilled water, you will not be able to take it back.
Your Highness!
Give it to me now!
Why! Why!
That wretched bitch!
How can she tell them to send an army and take me to China?
Bring the Princess to me immediately!
I will punish her with the death sentence! Death sentence!
The person that killed Prince So Hyun and Prince Suk Chul is no other than
their very own father and grandfather?
Does she expect to live after this?
Your Highness!
Bring the Princess to me!
Considering the Princess's character
she wouldn't have written such things.
I'm sure Jo Gui In modified the letter and gave it to the King.
If the Princess comes here and tells His Highness that--
Do you think His Highness will believe the Princess?
He is the same man that cursed his own daughter-in-law.
There's no way he'll trust her.
I... almost killed you...
Were you really going to kill me?
How can I die peacefully when the world thinks
I killed my own son and grandson?
I am sorry.
Had I sent the Princess instead of the Prince to Jeju Island nothing would have happened...
I thought the Princess would give in to you if we sent the Prince away.
But rather than giving in, she took it beyond that
and sought help from those barbarians!
What a wicked girl...
Your Highness! Hurry!
The King has ordered for you to come to the palace immediately!
Wait!
Your Highness, I have one question for you.
Did you request help from the Emperor just as you told me?
It seems the King got a hold of the letter you wrote.
You have nothing to worry about.
I did not write such things in the letter.
I did write this.
Prince Suk Chul unfortunately became ill and is no longer with us
so to please consider adopting Prince Suk Kyung and Suk Lim instead.
If that is all you wrote...
You're okay then.
Regardless of how upset and disappointed I am
I cannot bring the barbarian army into our nation.
So are you saying you were joking earlier?
Your Highness! Please hurry, Your Highness!
It's actually for the better.
I am thinking of taking this opportunity to talk to the King about what's been building up.
What will you say to him?
Prince So Hyun and Prince Suk Chul dying couldn't possibly be the King's fault.
I'm sure it's not...
Even if they were
I'm considering just moving on.
I already lost my husband and son.
I can't afford to lose my remaining two sons.
You've made a wise decision.
If things go well, you may be able to restore your relationship with the King.
Yes... I must make it happen.
Stop!
I am a criminal.
I will walk from here.
- Your Highness! - Open the palace gates!
The Princess will be walking herself inside!
Your Highness! Please take care of yourself, Your Highness!
We must do whatever we can to save the Princess this time!
If the Princess truly sought help from China as the rumors say
then you should not get involved, Your Highness.
If the Princess falls then Jo Gui In will come after me.
That is why we must help the Princess.
Your Highness!
Depending on how you look at it, the Princess has committed a serious crime.
What do you mean a serious crime?
She tried to use China's power to dethrone the King.
If that isn't a serious crime, then what is?
I told you I'm not doing this because I feel bad for the Princess!
If the Princess falls, then the barricade protecting me from the storm is disappearing.
I am still the Queen.
Please use me to gain the council's power.
- Do you understand me, father? - Yes, Your Highness.
You go to the palace and find out exactly what is going on!
Yes, Your Highness.
Father, I cannot even drink water without fearing for my life.
I can't even trust Court Lady Park these days.
Even if I am alive right now, I'm really not.
Your Highness...
I am embarrassed to see you.
Do not worry.
I understand very well how you're feeling right now.
What are the guards doing? Have them bring the Princess here immediately!
I said to close the palace gates!
Have them close the main gates as well as all the side entrances!
While I am questioning the Princess
do not let anyone leave the palace!
Your Highness, you can always do that after you hear what the Princess has to say.
Shut your mouth!
Do you think I do not know that there are still council members supporting the Princess?
Once we have confirmed all her crimes
I will also punish those supporting her!
Your Highness, if you do that--
That's enough from you!
Or I will charge you with the death sentence as well!
Did the King just say I've committed a serious crime?
That is what I heard.
A serious crime?
Your Highness! The Princess has arrived!
Tell her to come in!
Please go on in, Your Highness.
- Court Lady Kim... - Yes, Your Highness.
Please do me a favor.
Yes, Your Highness.
If I am unable to leave this palace alive
please tell my mother
not to cause trouble with whatever the King may do.
To always support the King's decisions.
That way, Suk Kyung and Suk Lim may live.
- Do you understand? - I will tell her so.
Open the doors.
Look into my eyes.
Now!
Is this the letter you wrote to the Emperor?
Is it?
Is this funny to you?
You are a criminal!
- Your Highness-- - Read it carefully!
If it is the letter you wrote!
Shouldn't you go to the main palace now?
I'm sure His Highness is doing a good job.
What if the Princess denies writing the letter?
You need to sit by and watch what happens closely
and cut in when you need to so she can't say otherwise.
The more the Princess makes excuses, the more upset the King will become.
But if she says yes then she won't be able to avoid the death sentence...
It's a dead end either way.
The Princess has got herself into quite a difficult situation.
Did you write that?
I asked if you wrote that yourself.
Yes, Your Highness.
This is the letter that I wrote.
Your Highness, please look over it closely.
Would I not recognize something I wrote myself?
Did you want this throne that badly?
Your ambitious greed has killed my son and your son!
Subtitles by DramaFever
Why are you trying to get yourself killed?
For as long as I'm alive, the King will kill each of my sons one by one.
The Princess has said that once she dies, she will return to the palace as an evil spirit!
Is that what you wish to do?
I will kill you!
Dethrone Princess Min Hwe and exile her.
And give her the death sentence by poison.