Episode 28
Sire, I came here today to ask for a favor.
Favor?
What is it? Tell me.
Just what are you trying to tell me
to be so hesitant like this?
It's... about my marriage, sire.
What?
I'll marry the eldest son of Lord Kang Joo Seon, sire.
Please allow me.
Who... will you marry?
Did you just say the eldest son of Lord Kang Joo Seon?
Yes, sire.
Leave us alone.
Yes, sire.
Who did you meet with?
- Sire... - Tell me! Is it Kang Joo Seon?
Who would dare to use you?
Sir, what's going to happen to us?
Wait.
We're killing all of the Joseon soldiers.
We sent a letter but we'll kill them first as an example, a warning.
All of them will die today.
As an example?
A warning?
A letter?
They sent a letter to Joseon?
Step aside! I'll see the general now!
Step aside right now!
What's going on?
General, execution? This can't be happening!
When Joseon soldiers surrendered, Khan promised our safety himself!
So how can you execute Joseon soldiers?
General!
Execute Joseon soldiers? What do you mean, General?
Answer me, Princess! Who was it?
It's not important, sire.
What's more important is that this is what I want.
Jungmyung!
Marriage of a royal member is part of politics.
I'm old enough and at a status to know that.
And?
I'll marry the eldest son of Kang Joo Seon and gain power.
I only realized that it's necessary.
This is... for me, isn't it?
For me, to move the officials?
You... because of me, after all...
No, sire. It's not just for that.
What about Councilor Hong?
What will you do about Councilor Hong?
I'm sure he's alive! I'm sure he'll be able to return!
And then you'll cut out his heart?
Sire...
Do you think I'll allow this marriage?
To protect the throne, by putting you in front?
That's what you have to do! You have to do everything!
I know what your wishes are.
How you've endured for your purpose.
What?
So you must protect the throne, regardless of the cost.
I have to do... everything?
No matter what price I have to pay...
protect... the throne?
While you endured the long years in the past
I know what you dreamed of and what you wished for.
Yes, that's why I had to protect that earnest wish.
Sire, please let go of today and plan for the future!
Please don't fall apart like this today...
You must protect the throne, sire!
Even you are telling me this now?
I have to do everything?
You're telling me to do so even if I have to give you away?
Sire, please...
Jungmyung!
Put them on the gallows!
I received an order to execute them for the crime of humiliating Khan!
No! No! Let go!
Let go of me! Let go!
Sir! Councilor Hong!
Let go of me! Let go of me right now!
Let go!
All of you!
Stop! Stop the execution!
Stop!
Councilor Hong!
You are...
What's going on, all of a sudden?
How would I know?
Marriage between Princess and the son of Kang Joo Seon?
Princess, in the end...
That's enough. I won't hear it anymore.
I understand it's a tough decision.
What about you? Was it easy for you?
I am... fine, sire.
You are fine with it?
No, I don't believe it. You say you're fine...
but it's just a lie to put me at ease.
Then will you destroy your wish like this?
Will you lose Joseon soldiers detained in Later Jin?
If I'm asked about what's more painful...
that is it for me, sire.
That I can't do anything in this situation.
That I just have to watch powerlessly.
So please let me do what I can, sire.
I made the decision for myself, not for you, sire.
Jungmyung!
Where is Father right now?
Did you say that Princess made up her mind?
Yes. I received a letter just now.
That she'd go to the palace and get permission from His Majesty.
Father.
Yes, in this situation, it's a risk no matter which side I take.
Let's try this. If we can gain Princess
the Western faction will move too.
It must be tough for you!
What's with this in this blazing summer heat?
Don't even start.
To stop that load of crap letter...
it'll kill us all to stop it from getting sent!
What about His Majesty? Is he still being stubborn?
Yes, from what I heard...
Why is he doing this?
By the way, is it fine for us to do this?
We have no choice.
If we lose the public sentiment, our faction will be shaken up too.
If the Greater Northern faction is shaken up
His Majesty will lose the final bastion.
I believe you are right about that, Minister.
The mood in the city is beyond chaotic.
Even the rumor that His Majesty is holding the barbarian's hand on purpose.
Don't say such a thing!
Speak with some sense!
That fan! Wave the fan properly!
Why is it only aimed at Minister Lee? What about me?
What? I am trying to be fair...
What are you all doing here?
You know what's going on at the department of foreign affairs!
How can you relax in the office?
What is it? What's going on at the department?
- Can we withdraw? - That's Lord Kang Joo Seon's request.
But...
Excuse me.
What are you doing?
As you can see, we decided to withdraw for now.
What?
But the Western faction was supposed to be in on this together!
I don't mean to abandon the promise.
Let's step back for a while and look for a point of negotiation.
Negotiation?
How?
We can't stop governing the country forever over this.
So I believe Lord Kang Joo Seon is having an audience
with His Majesty in private.
In private... Kang...
Joo Seon...
But we're only holding off for now.
If we can't find a common ground...
the letter won't be delivered after all.
Is the common ground the marriage between Princess and your eldest son?
And handing over my weakness that you have in your vault.
We'll be in-laws...
Shouldn't you show me your trust?
Do you think I will accept that offer?
If not...
you can abandon the Joseon soldiers.
How dare you, Kang Joo Seon!
No matter what happens to the country
as long as your safety and status are secured, you're fine with it?
Sire, they're the officials in charge of state affairs.
Doesn't their safety mean the safety of the country?
What?
Sire, you've been doing well so far.
Hold hands with anyone, happily abandon anyone.
That's how you've protected the throne.
In that regard, you and I are similar.
You can do the same this time.
Keep your seat, and I will also gain what I want.
Princess is willing to be the bridge for it.
So you should be yourself and make a decision soon, sire.
To be honest, the one in a hurry now is not me.
Isn't it you, sire?
What? Who's getting married?
Princess?
That's what I said!
And it's with the eldest son of Lord Kang Joo Seon!
What? Really?
I'm speechless.
Is it because it's too hot? Why do you keep saying nonsense?
I heard about that too... when I went to Gyeongun Palace to collect soil.
She even requested the marriage.
What?
My goodness. But why?
When she has Councilor Hong, why?
Right! So tell me. Why would she? Why, why, why?
How would I know that?
I'm not her...
- Ma'am. - Ma'am.
Everyone is here.
Ma'am, is it true?
Are you really getting married to the son of Lord Kang? Not Councilor Hong?
Ma'am, you shouldn't do that.
Then what about our Councilor Hong?
By any chance... you're not doing this thinking that he's already dead, are you?
No, Councilor Hong will definitely come back!
Eun Seol!
Ma'am...
I also heard the news.
But, ma'am... will you be really fine with this?
Others may not know, but I do.
A part of this decision was also to save my son.
Lord Hong.
If he comes back eventually...
I'm not sure how I can face him, ma'am.
For His Majesty and everyone else...
if he finds out about what decision you had to make.
What on earth is happening?
Here in Later Jin, and in Joseon!
Councilor Hong, are you all right?
General! Governor!
You went through a lot, Councilor Hong.
If I didn't arrive in time, you'd have gone through even more.
Then you met with His Majesty?
He said he'd definitely send a letter?
That's right. With the condition of sending back the captives.
But the officials in Joseon will never accept it.
So if His Majesty proceeds with it, his throne will be at risk.
That's what I think, too.
Based on what I found out, the king of Joseon is being locked out.
Please, Governor.
Please ask Khan again to give more time to Joseon.
- As it is right now, His Majesty... - Unfortunately...
I can't do that, Councilor Hong.
A promise is a promise.
No matter what price he has to pay, Joseon's king has to keep the promise.
If he wants to get you and his soldiers back as he wished.
- Take him back to the cell! - Yes, sir!
Sir, right now!
Sir, are you all right?
What happened? How are you here?
Let's go. We have to get out of here first.
They'll find out that you disappeared, so they'll call the soldiers.
We have to get to the border before that.
Didn't you leave for Joseon?
Why are you here?
Why do you think?
Hwa Yi. It's for Princess.
Let go! Let go! Let go of me!
Let go!
What are you doing? Escort her right now.
Yes, sir!
Please wait.
Hwa Yi...
Didn't I tell you? I'd protect her too.
But the one she wants to protect with her life is...
What would you do if that person was you?
- I have to take you back. - Look...
So let's hurry.
We need to go back to Joseon, where your princess and king are waiting.
I'm sure you heard that it's the most unstable place right now.
Sir!
Princess started trouble after all.
But the king seems very conflicted.
But he will have no choice but to accept it.
If Princess steps up and leads Kang Joo Seon and the Western faction...
it will be better than anything else for the king.
Even then, is it still Prince Neungyang?
If Princess gains Kang Joo Seon and gives him to the king
wouldn't it be more disadvantageous to Prince Neungyang?
And? Are you afraid?
Do you want to drop out?
Not at all.
This Jo Yeo Jung?
Yes... that's why I promised you the seat of the queen.
You're qualified for it.
Selection of the next king is complete, and the time is right.
So... let's go, Yeo Jung.
We can just get rid of stones in front of us, right?
'Act based on the situation'?
This is...
That's what the king suggested to Kang Hong Rip.
'Act based on the situation.'
What would he really mean by, 'decide based on the situation'?
The king had no intention to fight against Later Jin from the beginning.
He planned to betray Ming.
Yes, even if I hand over the princess to Gwanghae...
that will be enough justification for rebellion.
If it really is...
How did it go? What about Yeo Jung?
I opened the box that is always used for messages
but I still didn't get a message today.
Could it be...
- Is she... - She's probably not.
If she was someone's spy, she couldn't have fooled me for so long.
How can you be so sure? It's a person!
We have to find her right away.
She knows too much.
Lady Kim! Are you inside, Lady Kim?
Isn't that the voice of Head Servant?
- Sir. - Hurry up and get ready.
His Majesty is looking for you.
Ma'am.
What about Princess? What is she doing?
She may be having a hard time sleeping. She's still at the garden.
Why wouldn't she?
A sudden marriage for her...
Ma'am, will you just watch this marriage happen?
- She likes Councilor Hong... - How foolish!
Who in the royal family gets betrothed to her beloved?
But, ma'am...
I don't like that Jungmyung stepped up for Gwanghae.
But if it's the Kang family...
That family will be the biggest support for Princess, better than anyone else.
But what if that's not the case?
In such unstable times like this
in this complicated political marriage...
if she becomes the unhappiest person...
what do we do?
Can you see it, sir?
Are you looking at that moon from somewhere just like me?
It's over there.
Once we go over that ridge, we're at the border.
If you are, that's enough, sir.
As long as you are alive.
But... once that moon wanes
I will no longer miss you.
I... I...
Ma'am.
You've suffered... a lot.
Even so, your eyes looking at me...
don't have a speck of resentment.
That's why I needed you more on a day like this.
My mistakes, my faults, and my greed...
You know all about them.
Even at the moment I turned away from you
you didn't let go of me.
I met with Her Highness.
I thought that was a possibility.
I asked her to protect Your Majesty with her decision.
Yes, you would've done that.
So, sire...
please don't look at me with those eyes.
I committed another sin against you, sire.
No, you're wrong.
I made you commit the sin.
Now and back then...
And the one that made me commit the sin was...
the throne right here, Gae Shi.
The royal wedding will be announced tomorrow, ma'am.
So I hope this is the last time I see you like this.
I'm sure you accepted it after making that decision.
But I want to break away from this sin now.
Sire!
I've decided to become a human being now, not the king, Gae Shi.
Sire, what... do you mean by that?
Sire...
Yes, that's how I was.
To become the king, there was nothing I couldn't do.
No, I had to do everything.
So it was... true.
You weren't framed.
You really plotted treason...
Is that it?
Did you really covet the throne?
Hon...
It wasn't just Prince Imhae.
You were about to stand on a dangerous spot.
It's too high for you.
I don't want to!
Are you... scared of me?
Yes, I feel the same way.
You are so small... and young.
Even that little Yeongchang...
Prince Neungchang, Gyosan...
so many countless people, and...
even Haneum!
I had to kill them with my hands.
Kill Haneum Lee Deok Hyung.
The ones who killed my father...
Yes...
I decided to gladly hold your hands.
Yes, I decided to become the king.
I'll erase the remaining human in me and gladly become the king.
So for me... there is nothing I can't do anymore.
But, Gae Shi...
Princess... I can't give her up.
Sire!
When Princess came back...
I finally realize now what made me feel so emotional back then.
This cannot be!
When I met her alive again...
I was happy that I earned another chance to be human again.
Through her, by becoming her brother again.
Sire...
Just what are you trying to do?
I'm going to make a choice as a human being, Gae Shi.
Just like her...
for myself... not for her.
I came to see Kim Jae Jeom.
So, what is your plan?
First, we'll have to stop the princess' wedding.
A combination of the king, the princess, and Kang Joo Seon?
This will be really tiring.
But, how?
Unless we kill the princess...
at this point...
- By any chance, are you... - I'll do my job.
Please do what you need to do.
Did you ask me to look for someone?
It's a girl named Yeo Jung. We have no time, so please hurry.
But what is this for?
Also, please keep in mind, sir.
That you won't make it out alive if His Majesty falls apart.
So no matter what happens, protect His Majesty.
Only if you want to survive.
Look, Lady Kim, what are you doing?
When did I say I'd betray His Majesty?
No, even if you wanted to, you can't do it anymore.
You missed a chance to switch over your line.
So remember that your life is with His Majesty whether you're dead or alive.
Are you going to the palace, ma'am?
Marriage is the business of the internal court.
I will meet with Queen Majesty.
- Ma'am, even now... - Please stop, Lady Jung.
It's already been decided.
Your Highness!
I'm glad to see you here!
You're the court maid from the other day.
You remember me!
It's an honor, ma'am.
- Sir. - It's you?
Prince Neungyang!
I guess you were on your way to the palace.
Yes yes... By the way...
If you would, let me have a cup of tea.
- I liked the tea from last time. - That... is my seat.
Sir, I have to go to the palace now...
Be careful you don't make a decision that you'll regret.
What's that?
Also, if you want to keep your life and have bigger power in your hands...
bring me the tea.
I'll tell you a very interesting story.
His Majesty... looked for me from a secret house instead of the palace?
Yes. It is a difficult talk that can't be done in the palace.
Is it?
Oh my, please hold on.
An insect is sitting on your collar.
Such a rude creature! How dare it sit there?
Please. We're almost there.
By the way, where is that secret house?
Pardon?
It's different from how I got there last time.
You've been there before?
Yes. I see that the way to get there is different...
Is it a place managed by the administrative office?
The one I've been to was managed by the royal guards.
Yes, that's right!
It's the one managed by the administrative office.
Who... are you?
Pardon?
There are two secret houses that His Majesty uses in the city.
Yes, I've been to one of them in Chang-dong.
The one managed by the administrative office.
But this path is definitely not leading us there.
So answer me! Who are you?
Where are you taking me?
Goodness, I got caught.
As I expected, you're pretty smart, ma'am.
I don't usually get fooled.
What?
- You... - But, ma'am...
it's already too late.
Doesn't it feel that way?
What are you saying? Are you really...
Yes, exactly that feeling.
The feeling of shortness of breath
the feeling of your heart burning
and the feeling of immediate death! That feeling!
What did you do to me...
It's made with the sap of nerium oleander.
Just a tiny amount of it touching the skin
will put someone in such pain.
And it will stop the breathing.
Move her without getting noticed.
Yes.
You were here, sir!
We should go to the meeting.
Let's talk in private.
What?
- Come this way. - What's going on?
We'll approve the letter soon in the meeting
and the royal wedding will be announced.
That's not what's important right now!
- What is it about? -It's...
I saw Prince Neungyang before I came to the palace.
He told me a truly tremendous story.
What on earth is this about?
What about Princess?
I believe she'll be at the queen's quarters soon.
- Yes, let's go. - Yes, sire.
It's the letter written by the foreign affairs office, sire.
As you can see, it's the seal of a governor, not the official seal.
But it is written in the form of an official royal letter
so Later Jin won't be able to make it an issue.
Are you not opposed to this?
- Sire, but this is... - That's enough.
The tide has turned already.
In that case, fine. I will approve this and send it to Later Jin right away.
Your grace is immeasurable, sire!
Send a messenger right away. He shouldn't delay for even a moment!
Yes, sire!
Now, it's time to talk about the next subject.
About Princess Jungmyung's royal wedding.
- Hurry up, now! - Yes, sir!
- Everyone move! To the meeting hall! - Yes, sir!
Everyone knows this
but Princess Jungmyung is the bloodline of the late king
and the only princess in this royal court.
When she came back alive after I thought she was dead for a long time
I was more pleased than anyone else
and I promised myself that I'd fulfill for her as much as she had lost.
Therefore, in this meeting today
the marriage between Kang In Woo and Princess
will not be allowed.
What? Not allowed?
Sir... What did His Majesty just say?
Did he say he wouldn't allow it?
I think he did.
Sire, forgive me for saying this...
but what do you mean by that?
You'll understand what I mean now.
Is Lieutenant of the state tribunal here?
Yes, sire.
Arrest Kang Joo Seon.
Sire!
Criminal Kang Joo Seon plotted treason with Heo Gyoon last month.
The statement proving the fact is in my hand.
I will arrest the head of the traitors today
and reveal every detail of his crimes!
Sire, what on earth are you doing?
After you dare to do this to me, you think your throne is safe?
What are you doing? Take him out right now and shut his miserable mouth!
- Remove the criminal! - Yes, sir!
Let go of me! Let go!
Sire!
Let go of me! Let go! Let go! Sire!
Sir...
What did you say? What happened to Lord Kang?
He was dragged out of the meeting for the crime of treason.
How... can you say such a thing?
How is it even possible?
Catch the family members of Criminal Kang Joo Seon!
Gwanghae... How dare you, King!
How dare you...
Did you hear about what happened in the palace today?
About how the king arrested Kang Joo Seon.
I did. Even Heaven is on your side now.
To push away the last saving grace Kang Joo Seon...
The king took dry hay and willingly jumped into the fire.
Then, shouldn't we move up the big day?
Today, or even tomorrow.
Otherwise, it could be our turn next.
He placed a camp in the background and took out his sword, so it's possible.
But you don't need to worry.
We have a weapon that can grab the king's life in hand.
A weapon? What is it?
The one who made the king jump gladly into this fire.
Sir, the king has nothing anymore.
Victory is ours.
Now, what will you do?
Will you follow me and re-establish the government that's fallen apart?
- Ma'am! - Lady Jung! What about Princess?
We haven't heard from her yet.
She never made it to the queen's quarters either.
Then... Then where could she possibly go?
In this situation... where could she go?
Sir.
Let's hurry. Let's not delay even a moment.
Close the gate! Heighten the security of the city!
Yes, sir!
What is it? Why are the soldiers...
What on earth were you doing?
When you knew Princess didn't make it to the palace, why didn't you look for her?
I'm sorry, sire.
We didn't know until we received a message from Gyeongun Palace...
Find the princess right now. Do you understand?
Find her even if you have to take all of the soldiers in the palace!
Sire! Sire!
Sire!
Please come outside right now. Outside... out there...
Councilor Hong!
Sire!
Ma'am.
Please get up, ma'am.
It's time to go catch the king now.
Sire!
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