Subtitles by DramaFever
Episode 2
Sire!
Father...
Sire!
Your Majesty!
No... Sire!
Sire! No, sire!
Please open your eyes, sire!
Open your eyes, sire...
You can't do this...
You can't leave like this, sire...
Look at Jungmyung. Look at Yeongchang, sire!
Who's going to protect these children now?
What's going to happen to these children, sire?
Sire!
[1608, King Seonjo's death]
Your Majesty!
[Lee Deok Hyung] Sire!
Sire, please return! Sire, please return! Sire, please return!
Sire!
- Queen Majesty! - Father!
How devastating is this!
Gather your tears.
It was going to happen someday.
[King's father-in-law Kim Je Nam] Your Majesty...
What's important now is... to protect my children, Father.
Both Yeongchang and Jungmyung.
Did you check on that thing I mentioned to you?
It seems that your guess was correct.
Last night, someone broke into Grand Prince's chamber.
Someone tried to kill Grand Prince.
Two soldiers disappeared...
but they didn't have time to get rid of blood stains.
How... How could that possibly happen?
It means that the crown prince won't let the grand prince live.
Just as everyone suspected!
Still...
But I still trusted the crown prince.
I trusted his character.
No...
The truth of someone's character is only displayed when they are cornered.
You shouldn't give the throne to the crown prince!
But how?
Right now, with the king passing on
Your Majesty is the top ruler of the palace.
If the crown prince can't receive the royal seal and the royal instruction
he cannot ascend to the throne!
[Prince Imhae (Prince Gwanghae's older brother)]
You look... excited during the national mourning period.
Sir.
You should try to control your facial expressions.
He was still my father!
[Lee Yi Cheom] Forgive me.
Since I'm serving His Highness Crown Prince...
Still, it's pretty fortunate. Maybe it was Heaven's grace.
Thanks to the late king dying when he did
His Highness is about to safely ascend to the throne.
What's that, you bastard? It's fortunate?
His Majesty's death was Heaven's grace?
Why are you doing this, sir?
Please forgive me!
My mouth is the trouble!
What a son of a bitch.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Heaven's grace? Not at all!
Even without that, His Highness would've ascended to the throne.
Because I'd have killed Yeongchang!
I could've gotten rid of Yeongchang if not for the emergency bell sounding.
What did you just say, sir?
What did you do?
How useless are you?
Imhae was stupid to shake up the queen.
Damn it! It took so much to accomplish this with you.
That damn bastard...
If she was left alone, the soft-hearted queen couldn't have done anything.
Since her child has been threatened... now she will show her claws.
What should we do?
Do we take care of the queen...
[Kim Gae Shi] No.
[Kim Gae Shi] Wait.
Now His Highness Crown Prince will do it...
in his own way.
How can you be so foolish?
Sire, I did it for you...
I told you to do nothing. Nothing at all!
Sire!
The royal seal is still in the hands of Queen Majesty.
That means I'm not a king yet.
If it changes Her Majesty's mind, then what will you do?
It's not just me. Now you're in danger too.
Why couldn't you just be cautious instead of messing everything up?
Still, how could I just do nothing?
Your business is like my own.
Leave.
Sire...
There is nothing more for you to do, so please leave!
You want me to resign? Me, at this point?
How much have I done for you!
What are you doing? Escort Prince Imhae out.
Let go!
I'm walking out on my own.
How many private soldiers can you gather up right now?
Pardon?
[Yoo Hee Boon (Gwanghae's brother-in-law)]
Unless we ambush them, we can't fight off the royal guards.
I'm not going to fight the royal guards.
I'm trying to find a way for all of us to survive.
His illness was grave, so we have been preparing...
but this was so sudden...
Still, there is a ray of hope...
Crown Prince gets to ascend to the throne.
I'm not sure.
[Lee Won Ik] We don't know yet...
whether the crown prince can safely take the empty throne.
Pardon?
[Lee Deok Hyung] Lord Lee...
What do you mean by that?
Lord Lee!
If the crown prince ascends to the throne
we'll be all dead anyway.
Bleed your blood for the sake of the grand prince.
[Yoo faction - supporters of Grand Prince Yeongchang]
[led by Yoo Young Gyung]
- Is Lord Yoo Young Gyung here? - He left to take care of some business.
Then what about Minister of Protocol and Premier of the Right?
They are not here.
Lord Haneum!
[Grand Prince Yeongchang's chamber] Your Majesty!
[Grand Prince Yeongchang's chamber]
Find Grand Prince and Princess.
I'm asking you for a favor, Lord Lee.
You're the only one who can go through the Royal Secretariat.
But it's not possible.
This is clearly overstepping authority, sire.
I know. But the ends justify the means.
I mean to stop a political fight in the royal court.
It is to prevent blood.
For all of us, including Yeongchang and me.
I want to avoid a sword-fight with the throne between us.
Sire...
I hung on for the past 16 years, Lord Lee.
To become a real king of this country
to reestablish Joseon, which has been trampled
and to become the king who protects his people...
I have no forgotten this pledge for even a second.
If you feel that I am not qualified...
Fine. Turn your back on me.
But if you trust me, Lord Lee...
please help me.
So that I can prevent tragedy in the royal court.
So that I can become the king and realize my wish.
Can I trust your words?
The words that you will protect the grand prince...
That you won't point swords at each other...
Can you give me your promise?
Yes I can.
That's how it will be in my country.
As long as they don't covet the throne, no one will get hurt.
It is so that blood won't be sprayed.
For everyone, including Yeongchang and me.
But... that's...
[Record Room in the Royal Secretariat]
We don't have time! We have to catch everyone, no stragglers!
Everyone!
My kiddo princess...
I knew you'd be here.
[Princess Jungmyung] Brother...
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Why are you hiding here?
You hide here when you play hide and seek.
- I'm scared. - You're scared?
Father passed away...
and I had a dream...
and my younger brother died.
Scary people hurt my younger brother...
Brother!
It's not true, is it?
It's just a scary dream, right?
Everything's fine, right?
Yes, Jungmyung, it is.
It will be.
Jungmyung.
Here.
This brother will make a promise to you.
That something like that will never happen.
You trust your brother, right?
[Gyoji - King's official command]
[(carried out by the queen in case of king's death)]
[Yoo faction]
Prepare to make an announcement right away.
- We'll depose the crown prince... - Your Majesty!
We can't find Her Highness.
She's not around...
What?
Your Majesty, rush the command...
What are you saying? What happened to the princess?
- Queen Majesty! - We cannot!
Until we find the princess, we can't!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Find the princess right away!
Search the entire palace! Now!
Jungmyung! Princess!
Are you looking for this child, Your Majesty?
Your Highness!
My baby!
Mother!
What are you doing, Crown Prince?
Crown Prince!
'What are you doing'?
Are you afraid... for me to be near her?
- Look, Crown Prince! - Shut up, Lord Kim!
How dare you!
I would like to ask you what you were doing, Queen Majesty.
Why are you with those people? What did you do with them?
You really can't trust me at all?
Do you think I would harm this child?
And that I would harm Yeongchang?
What are you doing?
Apprehend Crown Prince immediately!
He's the criminal who tried to assassinate the grand prince!
Lord Kim!
Hurry up, bastards!
Who are these people?
They are the criminals who broke into the grand prince's chamber.
The ones who tried to kill His Highness Grand Prince last night!
Forgive me. It's all my fault.
But... are you saying that you didn't know about this?
Really?
All of them will be sentenced to death.
I'll destroy three generations
for the crime of attempting to kill the grand prince.
But, just for Imhae... please let him keep his life.
I know that the crime can't be washed off
but please forgive his momentary foolishness.
- Crown Prince! - And for Yeongchang...
I will protect him with my own hands so that no one can ever harm him again.
Both children, Yeongchang and Jungmyung.
Can't you believe my promise?
You will protect Yeongchang? You will?
No, I can't believe it.
Whose words can I trust in this palace?
Even if you mean it now...
the moment you sit on the throne, things will change.
More so as the grand prince grows up.
If that's the case...
a tough time will come.
- This is... - It's Father's will.
The one that was kept in the Royal Secretariat.
The will that says he would leave the throne to me
the will he didn't get to change.
How can you have this?
Of course, you can hold out in spite of that.
In the end, between Your Majesty and me with the will
bloody wind will blow in the palace.
Are you sure you can win that battle?
Do you really want it?
Is this what you want to see?
Why...
You have the will in your hands, so why did you come to me?
Because I wanted to deliver my sincerity.
Because I didn't want to stand against you.
I know what your wish is.
Isn't it the safety of Yeongchang and Jungmyung?
I feel the same way.
I don't want to become the king atop my family's scattered ashes.
So please... help me become the king who begins a new era.
Your Majesty... can't you hold my hand?
Brother.
Mother!
Princess!
Are you all right? You must've had a big surprise.
Yes. But, Mother...
Why did you do that earlier?
Everyone got mad...
Did you have a fight with Brother?
I should call him 'His Highness Crown Prince'...
Dear, do you really like calling the crown prince your brother?
It's fine. Tell me.
Yes, if I can...
Because he's my older brother. I really like my older brother.
Did you say the royal command is out?
Yes, at the Royal Secretariat.
After the king's passing
succession of the throne has to be done after five days.
So why this soon?
Then... is it the command of deposement after all?
Sire, you shouldn't accept this!
Let's go.
Listen, Crown Prince.
At this moment, with the authority of the queen
I am instructing Crown Prince.
This will be a command for the peace and accomplishment of the royal court.
I am announcing the royal command today
and...
passing the throne to Crown Prince.
Your Majesty!
How could you say such a thing? Passing the throne?
No! Not Crown Prince!
- Stop, Prime Minister. - Your Majesty...
You will regret this. You'll end up losing the grand prince!
What are you doing?
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Your Majesty.
Crown Prince, receive the royal command.
But it's only been a day since His Majesty's passing.
- How could I dare... - Chief of Staff.
After King Yejong's passing, no successor was set in place.
Queen Junghee appointed King Seongjong that day.
There is such precedent.
This is the same as that case.
The throne cannot be left empty, even for a moment.
Bring the royal seal.
Please, for these children...
Death upon death, a bloodbath will take place where everything shall fall.
Queen Majesty!
Please protect the royal court
and become the king who rules wisely.
My King.
Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty!
King Majesty!
[First year of Gwanghae, Move to Changdeok Palace]
Did you just say we should bury this?
Haneum, this ominous document is definitely...
Yes, you're right.
If my memory is correct...
the undecayed corpse is... Gyeokam Nam Sa Go.
I'm sure it's the great seer during the reign of the late king.
Then... is this the last prophesy that Gyeokam left behind?
A very long time ago...
I followed another seer, Tojung Lee Ji Ham...
and saw him.
Tell me, Gyeokam. What did you see?
Is there any way to stop it?
[Tojung Lee Ji Ham] Can't we stop tragedy in the royal court?
Does the blood of innocent people really have to cover the land and sky?
[Gyeokam Nam Sa Go]
So why? Even when you know that!
Seeing the world through astronomy is not just simple superstition.
Especially if it's from Gyeokam Nam Sa Go.
That's why. That's why we should bury it.
The last sentence...
'the destined one who possesses the purest of the bloodline'
'will come to rule the land.'
It must be referring to Grand Prince Yeongchang.
I this were to get out, then what happens?
Are you worried about political strife?
We finally stitched up the strife in the royal court
and saw the new king.
We can't restart the fire with this.
But... if this prophesy is true...
If the owner of the throne has to be the grand prince, not the crown prince...
then what happens?
I studied astrology and Book of Changes.
Since you did the same
you understand that the logic of Heaven can be used to predict the human future.
But I also remember Tojung's words
that human will is stronger than Heaven's intention.
- Sir. - Yes?
You must've heard it.
You did.
A long, sad winter might be coming to this land.
Pardon?
Shining stars will fall...
and poor lives will fall...
Days of lying and injustice will continue.
You will have to live through that world.
But still, don't forget this.
It's the human being who gave victory to barbarism and injustice.
It's also those people who can get it back.
Human will is stronger than Heaven's intention.
I will believe in that.
I'll believe in the human being.
It's Haneum, isn't it?
What brought you here?
I just stopped by on my way...
[Kang Joo Seon] Oh, I see.
I came to deliver these two kids.
This is Hong Young's eldest son.
[Kang In Woo] And this is my son.
How do you do? My name is Joo Won.
My name is In Woo, sir.
I see.
I heard a lot about you from Teacher.
You are taught by Ohsung...
They already got through the Mencius.
Joo Won is reading Doctrine of the Mean.
He is?
Sir, may I ask for your teaching sometime?
I'd like to study Great Learning and accomplish big things.
Me too!
Please take me in as your pupil as well.
Kids...
Yes, they are very cheeky.
If you take them in, you'll regret it.
Hey, let's just play one round.
I can't. I have to memorize through Chapter Three today.
That nerd...
I don't care! I'll just lose to you!
What?
I'm studying... because I don't want to lose to you.
I could end up... not becoming a government official.
What are you saying? Why wouldn't you?
By the way, I have a new goal.
I'm going to become the king's brother-in-law.
- King's brother-in-law? - Yes!
Princess's husband.
Remember? We met her that day.
Your Highness, should we play hide and seek?
Then what about throwing darts? You like that game.
Your Highness, you don't eat much at all these days.
Do you not feel well?
- It's not that... Court Lady Choi... - Yes?
- I keep dreaming... - Pardon?
It's hot!
It's too hot! Court Lady Choi...
Your Highness!
Please wake up!
What's wrong?
What happened to Princess?
Mother!
Yes, I'm here.
They're dying, Mother!
- People keep.... - What?
You must know who they are.
They're nomads who were kicked out because they couldn't pay heavy taxes.
The city is full of people like that.
But the royal court ignored those people...
and only made an effort to rebuild the palace.
- You're criticizing. - Forgive me.
Rebuilding the palace was unavoidable.
For the sake of the people, we have to properly establish the royal authority.
But I'm also not going to turn away from the people in trouble.
I'm going to start the Uniform Tax Law.
Uniform Tax Law?
Senior officials' opposition will be fierce.
Since it means that the noble class will pay taxes.
That's what I'm trying to do.
The noble class should pay, not the commoners with nothing.
With that money, I will save the people and establish the country.
Do you also have the confidence to get it through the opposition?
Of course.
Because I will do it together with you as the new prime minister.
Pardon?
Please become Prime Minister, Lord Lee.
Sire, it can't be. How could I possibly...
The Uniform Tax Law is your longtime wish.
And my wish was to govern the country with officials with no ulterior motives.
So... let's do it together, Haneum.
Become my right arm.
Sire...
Haneum? Did you say Haneum?
I worked hard to pound the mortar...
but he's the one who gets to eat the rice cake?
Out of everyone, Haneum?
Were you expecting a minister position to start off?
Not exactly...
but how pathetic is an officer in the Ministry of Defense?
I'm the one who enthroned His Majesty!
And?
Are you going to tell His Majesty that you killed the late king?
Look!
Don't worry. That's Court Lady Woo, who took me in.
The one she served passed away, so she came out of the palace, like me.
She's been helping me.
Haneum is necessary to His Majesty.
For the wish that he's held for a long time.
But...
he will find out soon... what the throne is about.
How many promises he will have to betray from that seat.
Leaving will be helpful for you. That's what the doctor says.
I hope she gets better with some rest.
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
There is big trouble. Right now, in the palace...
What's going on? What happened?
Do you know anything?
I'm the eldest son! Let go of me!
Sire! It's a treacherous plot!
Criminal Imhae gathered a small army and planned to strike the palace!
Everyone who was brought in confessed to the crime, sire!
Imhae's crime must be punished with death.
But only a few weapons were found...
and Prince Imhae is pleading his innocence.
Please be cautious, sire.
You should be cautious in other things...
Someone pleading his innocence runs away wearing a skirt?
Then is dressing like a woman his hobby?
To commit sodomy?
Lord Lee!
You went too far. We're in the palace now.
The situation went too far.
Do you know what Imhae said to everyone?
'I yielded my throne to His Majesty. The seat was mine to begin with.'
So he wants to get it back.
He dared to covet the throne
and His Majesty's only direct brother tried to backstab him!
Enough!
Please stop now.
Lord Lee!
Me?
Don't disturb His Majesty's mind. He needs honest advice right now.
I did give my honest advice.
I worked so hard to put His Majesty on the throne. So why wouldn't I?
I have a big loyal heart.
- Officer Lee. - Sir.
Stop caring so much about your own image and show your real loyalty.
You've been sleek since you were young.
You know we're distant relatives.
So I know a little bit about you, sir.
You've always run a smooth, big road...
so you wouldn't know about me.
I do know about you.
But now, I can't stop at knowing you. I should keep an eye on you.
Keep an eye on me?
Loyalty?
No, it must be ambition. A very substandard one.
- What did you say? - But...
you shouldn't think about grabbing power with such substandard ambition.
As long as I'm here...
I'll stop that from happening.
I believe you looked for me too soon.
I should be staying at the retired court maids' lodging.
I know.
If I keep you by my side when you were a court lady for my father
people will start talking.
But it doesn't matter.
You've been a comrade and a friend for a long time.
[Kim Gae Shi]
That's why I'd like to ask you about something.
Envoys from Ming will be coming tomorrow.
I heard.
It's to discuss the appointment of Your Majesty?
Yes, I have to be appointed by Ming
so that I can be recognized as the king of Joseon.
The ones who ignored me completely when I was the crown prince...
are finally throwing an appointment letter at me.
But...
they are demanding to see Prince Imhae before that.
Envoys want to see Prince Imhae? How come?
The reason Ming didn't acknowledge His Majesty for a long time
was because he was born to a concubine, and not the eldest son.
When our envoys visited Ming a few years ago
they made an issue of His Majesty taking the throne
when the eldest son Prince Imhae was around.
But, as you know...
our envoys made up a story that it was because Prince Imhae lost his mind.
And now they want to check that fact?
Whether Prince Imhae really lost his mind or not?
But...
Prince Imhae has no reason to pretend to be crazy and put them at ease.
Maybe in the past, but Prince Imhae now is...
If Imhae really had a treacherous plot...
then he would reveal the truth in front of them.
And if that happens...
So everyone must be saying that Prince Imhae should be killed.
Since we can't show him to the envoys in his current condition.
I don't know what to do.
Imhae is claiming innocence. He says he didn't plot treason.
I want to believe it, Gae Shi.
I want to believe my older brother.
In that case, sire...
put Prince Imhae in front of them.
If Your Majesty's heart believes in him.
But, sire... there is one thing you should know.
He'll try to kill me.
I heard it's definitely today.
Criminal Imhae, receive the royal command!
Sir, I said that Prince Imhae is ill.
So please, next time...
This is the emperor's command.
If you keep responding like this
then I have no choice but to doubt the king of Joseon.
What's the reason you can't show us Prince Imhae?
What on earth are you hiding?
Sir!
Sir, right outside...
Tell me, Prince Imhae.
We're trying to help you.
That is, if your mind is clear.
Sir!
I am...
Sir!
So I am...
Please, Prince Imhae...
Poison for death penalty? That's not the case.
His Majesty believes in your innocence.
I only received a royal command to bring you in.
Sir?
What am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to do?
Fine, I'm crazy! That's why I'm here in this shape.
The only brother of His Majesty with the same mother!
That's why I'm here in this shape.
Sir!
The only brother of His Majesty!
Did he really do that? Imhae did that for His Majesty?
Yes, Your Majesty. All the envoys left.
What a relief!
For both His Majesty and Imhae.
It couldn't have been easy.
I'm thankful that His Majesty believed in his brother.
His Majesty...
Now that the palace has stabilized and Her Highness is doing better
it should be fine to return to the palace.
Yes.
How pretty.
Dear...
Mother!
It's still cold outside. Let's go in now.
We should return to the palace tomorrow.
Yes, Mother.
What is that?
I took it from the temple a little while ago.
It's so pretty.
It must be used in the temple, so you shouldn't...
Wait.
This is...
I will clear your name and give you a comfortable place soon.
I'm going to stop the officials' opposition.
Since it's proven that you didn't hold a treacherous mind.
- Hon... - And...
Forgive me for doubting you, even for a bit.
Although I knew you wouldn't...
I was foolish...
Imhae.
I'm a crazy bastard.
I deserve to die.
Hon!
Please...
Please forgive me.
What... are you doing, Imhae?
All human beings have desires, Your Majesty.
Just like you do.
The throne you are sitting on is the destination of many desires.
Soon... you will find out worse things than the past 16 years.
So it was... true.
It wasn't an accusation.
You really had a treacherous mind...
Is that it? Did you really covet the throne?
Hon...
I didn't mean it.
I was out of my mind for a while.
That's how it was then.
I felt unjustified!
I yielded the throne for you, but you...
'Yielded'?
- Did you say that? - Yes.
Since I was the eldest son of Father.
That seat was mine to begin with.
Imhae.
So once you became the king, I thought you'd make me Crown Prince.
Naturally I'd be the next one in order.
I didn't know you'd drive me out like that.
It's not too late.
Crown Prince?
Are you asking... for that title?
Hon, can you do that for me?
If you'd do that for me, I'd pour my loyalty to you.
Of course, I won't be greedy, no matter how long you're on the throne.
Hon... trust me.
We are brothers!
You will find out...
that a human being's promise is empty and no one can be trusted.
The throne is strong and beautiful, like fire...
Sire!
Please leave it to me.
but it can also swallow you, sire.
Subtitles by DramaFever
[Hwajung]
In order to earn this seat
I thought I paid a tough price.
If someone else, not me, was the king
wouldn't it have been different?
Yeongchang is eight years old. He can play the role of the king.
It seems that Queen Dowager started making a move, too.
His Majesty's heart seems to be taking a dangerous turn.
It might be added tinder to an already unstable government.
I can't even do this much?
It's for your younger brother.
You're the only one who can save him.