Subtitles by DramaFever
Am I still only a king to you?
After so many coincidences, it's time you accept it as fate.
Not even a commoner, but a lowly slave is my mother.
You are higher than the sky and deeper than the earth!
Take a look!
That sky will fall on you.
How dare you speak of the king!
What are you doing? Kick this wench out now!
You were thrown out on the street even with the love of the king...
Even without the love of the king...
Min Yoo Joong's daughter took the seat that you can't even dare look up at.
I will take what I want regardless of what anyone else says.
That's why I came back.
I want to have my child with you.
I'm looking forward to a child with you.
You'll never get pregnant.
Pour it into her mouth!
If I can't get pregnant with a child of the precious one...
I'd rather kill myself!
Please dismiss Jang Suk Won and turn around our lack of virtue!
The natural disasters will end with the dismissal of Jang Suk Won?
As soon as Jang Suk Won's kicked out?
It looks like Jang Suk Won's pregnant.
I'll take care of it.
He was so looking forward to this baby!
Do you know how much anger I'm holding in right now?
It's the same thing as if Jang Suk Won gave birth to a prince.
As the leader of the internal court, appoint Jang Suk Won to Level 1 Bin.
Suk Won.
I won't be stepped on anymore.
What do you mean?
Did you really not know about my pregnancy?
I really didn't know.
Sure, you're always, 'I didn't know anything, I just followed the custom.'
But thanks to you, I learned my lesson.
When I can't protect myself because of my lowly status...
I could lose the most precious thing I have.
I won't be stepped on or lose anything precious in the future.
You won't lose anything precious? What is that?
The one seat there is.
The one seat to becoming the mother of the one who will succeed the throne.
It's not for anyone to take.
It's not for anyone to take...
It's the seat I, Jang Ok Jung, can have.
And I won't lose that seat to anyone. Even to you, Queen Majesty.
Suk Won, your audacity is through the roof.
I'm not high class like some...
I'd pierce the sky just to show everyone how much I want this.
I'll excuse myself now.
It seems that Jang Suk Won's pregnant.
There are three of us, but this is everything for the palanquins?
Queen Majesty, I'm not used to riding a horse, and...
- Your Majesty. - Lord Min, what's going on?
Queen Mother, please protect my Queen Majesty.
To protect the royal family from being tainted with even a drop of dirty blood.
I made the decision.
If anything happens to me...
The Queen Majesty could be ousted because of me.
You're always, 'I didn't know anything, I just followed the custom.'
Lady Hee Bin is coming!
My son, I did you wrong.
I am sorry.
It has taken some time for me to accept it, too.
Her miscarriage...
I am sorry.
I'll consider your feelings for her...
I'll never call her 'Jang.'
She's been appointed to Hee Bin as you wished...
I'll call her by that title, Hee Bin, every time.
Thank you, Mother.
Instead, please be good to the Queen.
Forgive me, Mother.
Queen Mother, if you act this way, I won't be able to do anything.
You should continue to be mean to me...
So that I can get back at you.
Lady Hee Bin, someone from the Queen Mother's quarter is here.
Lady Hee Bin, I'd like to escort you to the Queen Mother.
Since I'm not feeling well, you don't need to bow.
Just have a seat.
Drink it.
- Your Majesty, this is... - Why? You think it's the infertility medicine?
- I didn't mean... - Drink it.
I had it made special. It will help get you pregnant.
But, the Queen Majesty...
I've been taking care of her for a long time...
You're also my daughter-in-law, I should take care of you, too.
Now. Drink it.
This, too.
Welcome, Queen.
Sit here.
The reason I called you both in is because...
I'm not too far from the end...
So I think it's useless to be greedy anymore.
There is only one thing I wish for.
To solidify the succession of the throne.
- Forgive me. - Forgive me.
So I consider it my last duty to help with the succession.
That's why I have you both here.
- Therefore, Hee Bin. - Yes, Queen Mother.
Since you don't know much about the customs...
of the royal family, I'm advising you.
All children from the royal concubines are the children of the Queen's.
Your Majesty, how does my child become the Queen Majesty's...
That's the custom of the royal family.
All the children of the concubines call the Queen 'mother'...
And they'll be raised by the Queen.
Your Majesty, that might be the custom...
but the child should be raised by the mother...
No, swear it right here.
Any child you have, a daughter or a son, will be raised by the Queen...
And they will all be children of the Queen's.
So promise me that you will give up all your children to the Queen.
If you don't promise right here...
You won't make it out alive.
Are you going to threaten me again like last time?
No, I can't do that again.
My son's completely fallen for you.
If I do that, he would never want see me again.
This is the only way.
- Your Majesty! - Mother!
How about it?
Should I kill myself right here and make my son the disrespectful one?
What on earth is the problem now?
The fact that Hee Bin is from the low class?
Or that she's with the Southern Party, on the opposite of the Western Party?
Both of them.
Both of them are perfect reasons.
As the King of a country, I let my beloved go through a miscarriage...
That's because the two you cannot abandon is your mother and your beloved.
I feel so bad for Hee Bin.
After several coincidences, I believed in our connection...
And I believed it was fate.
That's why I told her to come look for Lee Soon in the palace.
But the woman who came to look for the Chief of the Royal Guards Lee Soon...
Found me as King Lee Soon, not the Chief of the Royal Guards...
I've made her go through so many hardships that are beyond words.
As long as Lady Hee Bin has your love...
She will be happy even if the world is collapsing on her.
So please, don't change your heart and protect her.
I wanted to make her the happiest woman in the world...
after she finally opened her heart to me.
To make her suffer this much for being my beloved...
Yes! Yes, I swear.
If I give birth, I'll give up the child to the Queen Majesty.
I swear.
But it's only for His Majesty, not for anyone else.
I appreciate it.
Now I know you're part of the royal family...
Now I can accept you as my daughter-in-law.
Your Majesty, the doctor's here.
How can you get an exact diagnosis like that!
Remove the thread and do it right!
Forgive me, Your Majesty.
Tell me exactly, without a trace of lie.
I've been a doctor all my life, but I've never seen a womb as cold as this.
Tell me in detail.
The womb is so cold, it's like freezing weather in snowy cold winter.
No matter how much you plant the seeds, the earth is freezing cold...
The seeds will die from the freezing cold of the earth...
So the heartbeat is...
You mean, I could be infertile?
Please take my life, Queen Majesty, Queen Mother.
Tell me everything you know.
It is... infertility.
So this is it.
I doubted it after hearing it from the fortune-teller...
But the doctor diagnosed it the same.
Mother, please dismiss me.
How could I dare to keep the seat of the Queen...
when I can't even produce an heir to the throne?
No. Regardless of who gives birth, it's the son of the King.
Mother...
He'll be raised by you and educated by the Western Party.
He'll be the King supported by the Western Party.
Then there is no problem.
Then...
Of course, you'll have to borrow Hee Bin's womb.
Mother!
If you can't have children anyway...
we'll take the child Jang Hee Bin gives birth to...
get rid of his mother and make him the King.
Keep this in mind...
You and Hee Bin can't share the same sky.
I told you before... that I'd build a place only for you.
A special place for just two of us.
And have children here.
Your Majesty, I can never forgive your mother.
Even before the pain of losing my baby is healed...
She's plotting to steal my child that I haven't even had yet.
I will never forgive her.
I heard five of your sons have exams this year.
One would take a lot to support, but five one after another...
It's nothing, but I'd like to help you.
Please don't. I don't know anything.
Don't worry about things like that.
I already know that it's hard for the Queen Majesty to get pregnant.
Is that so, Lady Hee Bin.
Isn't that a lot of trouble...
If the Queen Majesty can't get pregnant, I should have a solution.
Who knows? I might give birth to a prince who will succeed the throne.
Is it really impossible to cure? About the Queen Majesty...
Forgive me, Lady Hee Bin. The Queen Majesty's womb cannot carry a baby.
If you can't have a child anyway...
we'll steal the child that Hee Bin gives birth to...
get rid of his mother and make him the King.
We know each other so well.
Even without a message, we know exactly where to find each other.
No matter how much the retainers tell me to let go of your hand...
I'd rather let go of their hands. But I'd never let go of yours.
So don't leave me even for a second.
Yes, Your Majesty. I'll stay by your side.
Did... Mother make you uncomfortable again?
No... no, she didn't.
She called me Hee Bin... and treated me kindly.
I see... that's good to hear.
Your Majesty.
Even if I cause trouble...
I do it because I love you.
Ok Jung...
[Queen's Quarter]
Shi Yeon, do you know why there is no dragon on the roof of the queen's bedroom?
Why is that, Lady Hee Bin?
A dragon signifies the King.
So there can't be another dragon in the room where the king sleeps...
And that's why there is no dragon on the roof of the queen's bedroom.
Because the Queen has to produce the next dragon...
It is to prevent the energy of the dragons from clashing.
Send a message to call for my Uncle.
What should I do... I might not be able to keep my promise with you.
Not keep your promise with me?
The promise that I'd make you the father-in-law of the King.
Ma'am, what's this lightening out of the blue sky?
Although I'm appointed to Level 1 Bin...
A concubine is a concubine.
The custom is to give up my child to the Queen Majesty.
I won't even be able to take care of my own child.
How could I possibly ensure your father-in-law title?
According to the royal custom, I'll have my child stolen by Queen Min.
And you'll have your father-in-law title stolen by Min Yoo Joong.
I even had to swear that I'd give up my children to the Queen.
No no... that could never happen.
Even now, when I think about my dead Hong Joo...
It's not enough to chew up Min Yoo Joong's stomach...
I can't have the father-in-law title stolen by him.
Then?
You have a goal, so I believe you called me to ask for a way.
A way? There is only one way.
For me to take the quarter without a dragon on the roof.
Before I give birth to a son.
By 'the quarter without a dragon on the roof,' you mean, the queen's quarter?
Will you be able to find a way?
It's obvious.
There is one queen's quarter. And only one master of it.
So one of the two has to either die or leave.
Or at least pretend to be dead.
The only thing left is to put my life on the line.
Either I take the quarter without a dragon...
Or give up my precious son.
Ma'am, this Uncle of yours is here for you.
Queen Mother... who interrupts the path of my Lady Hee Bin.
Shouldn't I help to reduce her life little by little?
Ok Jung, just take the path I lay out for you.
- Is this medicine for the Queen Mother? - Yes.
Start using more aconite root from now on.
The treatment should be stronger.
Aconite root at this point may be too much.
I'm giving you orders from the higher-ups!
How dare you to talk back at a doctor as a mere medical maid!
Yes, I'll add it!
Your Majesty, isn't there a court lady who does the tasting?
It's my pleasure, I don't want anyone else to take it away from me.
But this is a palace where you can't take your guard off even for a minute.
What if there was poison?
I agree with you.
No matter how many times I tried to stop her, my Hee Bin doesn't listen to me.
To give up my life for Your Majesty...
is my honor and pleasure.
What's going on?
The inspectors that were sent to eight provinces are back.
Inspectors...
The good times are over. I have to go now.
At this late hour?
They move about in late hours.
Why do you all look so haggard?
It's not an easy thing to do.
How dangerous it is to keep it a secret...
until I reveal myself with the badge...
That's why you're secret inspectors.
Tell me the complaints and things to improve.
Your Majesty, please give me a badge that will allow for more horses.
- How many more? - Four?
You're only on your third year, what a show off!
Fine, I'll tell the office and raise it to three.
Your Majesty, due to the people's urgent situation...
I fired the magistrate of Namwon.
I fired first, then wrote a report, so please take a look.
Okay. Since I gave you that right, I'll take care of it.
Let's see the report on each province and discuss.
Minister of Taxation, here is the inspector's report...
on Samsu and Gapsan of Hamgyung Province.
I've told you a long time ago to find a solution...
Are you just killing time because the magistrate there is your relative?
That's not it, Your Majesty...
According to the inspector's report on Gangwon Province...
The ban on wild ginseng was ordered last spring.
But your relatives are harvesting it...
in secret and taking excessive profit out of it?
My relatives are so far away, it's hard for me to watch over them.
Plus, from the report of the inspector to Hwanghae Province...
The county leader you recommended is corrupted beyond reason.
Have a sense of responsibility when you recommend someone for a position.
All the retainers here and the countryside...
only try to take advantage of the people.
I'm too embarrassed to collect taxes.
Your Majesty, if you don't trust the retainers you appointed...
Enough to send secret inspectors there...
How could the magistrate of each town focus on their job?
Yes, Your Majesty. They'll be disappointed that you can't trust them.
The real goal in sending out the inspectors was...
To put the people's minds at ease.
I hear the phrase 'Inspector Coming!' is popular in the countryside...
Imagine how oppressed the people must feel to be comforted by that phrase?
Oh, and about the coins...
I plan to check on that myself...
Let's come up with a positive solution instead of just trying to abolish it.
- But... - You may leave now.
Using the secret inspectors...
The King is trying to seize intelligence...
to understand the organization of the countryside.
His skills are improving day by day.
He's definitely different from the late king.
So you want to check for the fake coins?
I have to know the problem so that I can pressure the retainers.
What is this?
Spend it wisely. Buy only what's necessary and don't waste it.
They call that 'nagging' outside of the palace, right?
I really like that you share the same thoughts as I do.
Because I feel like you're looking in the same direction as I do.
I am also happy that I can look in the same direction as you do.
So now they'll try to change the commercial...
paradigm with these coins in Joseon...
That's the fake coin...
This is the real one.
I thought fake coins were everywhere just in China.
The fake ones will be popular anywhere people and greed exist.
How's the King of Joseon?
In what sense?
Reputation among the people or something...
As the King or as your rival in love?
How scary. I just made a guess after being a courtesan for decades...
Guess I got it right.
The womb is so cold...
It's like freezing weather in the snowy cold winter.
It is infertility.
Queen Majesty, Lady Hee Bin is here.
Let her in.
What's... this?
It's a snack that His Majesty enjoys.
If I put it in commoners' terms...
'He's crazy about them.'
Why did you bring these?
To be honest, I was very upset by...
what the Queen Mother said the other day.
How she made me swear that I'd give up my children to you, Your Majesty.
Sure, it's a possibility.
- But that's not my wish. - I know.
I know it's not your wish. But I'm still a human and a woman.
How could I be at ease giving my child to someone else?
But that's the custom of the palace and it's for His Majesty...
It's the pain I have to endure as long as I serve His Majesty.
As long as His Majesty is happy, I can endure anything.
That goes the same with you, right?
Of course. We're here to care for His Majesty.
By the way, I'd like to go to my mother's house tonight.
Since you're above me, I came to ask for a favor and permission from you.
You want to go to your mother's home?
Yes, would you allow me?
Of course, go ahead.
Thank you, Your Majesty. And I'd like to make another request.
What is it?
Please taste these and if you like them...
I'd like you to make these for His Majesty tonight.
Me?
Since he likes them so much, it'll be good for you to have them with him.
You...
Queen Mother said she'd accept me as her daughter-in-law.
She gave me medicine to help me get pregnant and said kind words to me...
I feel grateful everyday...
Please have the happy time that you couldn't because of me.
Go buy something. I want to see your sense of style.
There isn't anything I need.
I receive your command.
I'll take this one.
- Here... you take the coins? - Of course.
Is this enough?
It's five won, so I'll give you change.
Here.
You shouldn't take those coins.
What are you talking about? Of course I should take the coins.
- They're fake coins. - Fake coins?
You mean, illegal coins...
It's my guess... that they distribute fake coins on purpose.
What do you mean, fake coins?
- Is that true? - Are you trying to ruin my business?
Who'd distribute fake coins on purpose?
Then the county office will determine that.
I'll report this to the county office and have them investigate...
So tell your story there.
Hold on.
Can you explain it to me? Why those are fake coins?
If you look closely, it's poorly made, and the top of the back is different.
And the numbers on them are all over the place, that's why I think they're fake.
Can we... have tea together?
I don't drink tea. Alcohol is different.
Wait, I believe it's the first time we've met, but you're not speaking politely.
And you could've just passed by, but why did you help me?
Being tricked by others could happen to me, too.
Letting the fake coins circulate will destroy the order of the market.
The order of the market...
Because I'm going to start a big business now.
Wait.
You'll grow your business here...
I don't know what kind of business it is, but let me in on it.
Are you a spy?
Why are you bothering me?
Withdraw your sword.
Unless you want to be taken away for treason.
- Treason? - Withdraw the sword and lower yourself!
He's the King of Joseon.
I don't reveal myself in the market...
But with the point of a sword on my neck, I had to reveal myself.
Your Majesty, please return to the palace.
I should do that.
Your story was very interesting.
Maybe we'll see each other again should our paths cross.
Withdraw.
Ok Jung.
The King of Joseon.
- Aside! - How far will you follow him?
What's it to you? Move aside!
Even if you follow him, what will you do now?
To the front gate?
Knock out the gate guards and beat up the royal guards, then to the main hall?
Unless you'll go to the king's bedroom, you'd better stop.
His Majesty really enjoys this?
Yes, Lady Hee Bin always asks me to make them.
It's the Queen Majesty's special order, so do your best.
Lady Hee Bin, Queen Majesty gave an order to the kitchen chamber.
Since you're going home, she's probably trying to do something with His Majesty.
Then let her try.
By the way, why do you take so much time...
to prepare yourself for going home?
You look more beautiful than other days...
when you're getting ready for His Majesty.
Do I? Then should I not go?
Why is she so late? She should've arrived a while ago.
Hee Jae, you should go check. I wonder why she's so late...
Mother, please just go inside.
Lady Hee Bin won't be coming.
What are you saying? I got a message that she'd be coming.
Something came up... Please.
Turn around the palanquin.
Please tell His Majesty.
He just left for a walk, but he's about to go to bed.
Is he? Then can I wait inside for now?
That's...
Please do.
How can you...
Yes, I was on my way to my mother's, but came back.
I got a message from His Majesty to wait for him in the bedroom, so I'm here.
That must be the snacks I told you about earlier.
His Majesty has arrived.
Hee Bin, you're here.
What brought you here?
Your Majesty, Queen Majesty prepared some snacks you enjoy.
You did?
Then let me...
I'll taste them, so please stay and have some, Queen Majesty.
Your Majesty, I'll taste them first and then offer it to you.
Why do you taste it? There is a court lady for that.
I do the tasting for His Majesty.
Your Majesty, it's truly delicious.
It seems fine to eat. Please, Queen Majesty.
Then let me try it.
Queen Majesty, please try some.
Hee Bin, what's wrong?
Ok Jung!
Is there poison in the food?
Your Majesty! No, there isn't! How can this...
Doctor! Call the doctor now!
Ok Jung!
I need you to die.
That's how you are reborn.
You need to let it all go.
Hee Bin is fine, right?
Nothing's wrong with her, right?
She's in critical condition, but she still has a heartbeat.
Save her. You have to save her.
Yang Goon, are you outside?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Call the Justice of The Royal Magistrate...
Investigate what happened today, the culprit and everyone behind it!
Yes, Your Majesty.
Are you... suspicious of me, by any chance?
I didn't say I was suspicious of you.
I'm just investigating.
And you'll be included in it, too.
Ok Jung! I heard Ok Jung fell ill.
I have to see her. I have to check...
You can't.
No one can go in right now.
Jo Hyun Moo! I'm Prince Dongpyung Lee Hang.
- I'm the closest relative of His Majesty... - No!
His Majesty wants to stay inside alone.
Prince Dongpyung, please calm down and come back another time.
Hee Bin fell ill? What on earth happened?
I wonder what happened, too. I'm looking into it.
The Western Party... Did they make a move?
They're more than capable of it!
But Your Majesty, it's just like treason, how could they be so bold?
For now, we should watch how things go.
Lord Jo, His Majesty is urgently looking for you.
Your Majesty, Jo Sa Seok at your service.
You'll have to take charge of this investigation.
I'll get to the bottom of it without a trace of doubt, Your Majesty.
Hee Bin's life is in danger... What does that mean?
So the palace has been turned upside down.
Hee Bin tasted the food that Queen Majesty brought for His Majesty...
- There was poison in that food. - My my...
I'm glad that the King wasn't hurt...
But why was it from the food that the Queen brought?
That's big trouble.
But why did the Queen go to the King's bedroom when Hee Bin was there?
Hee Bin asked her to care for His Majesty...
while she was out to visit her mother.
But Hee Bin came back on her way out and went to His Majesty's bedroom.
Hee Bin asked the Queen to care for the King...
But she came back?
Your Majesty...
Hello, Lord Min.
With Hee Bin on your back, you're always in and out of the palace.
He volunteered to care for my Lady Hee Bin...
and stayed by her side all night long...
His Majesty himself did.
The rumor I heard on the way here sounded ominous.
The Queen Majesty is behind the poisoning of my Lady Hee Bin.
What's that? You must be insane!
Even with an ax under your tongue...
Will you come to your senses only after you taste that ax?
Lord, what's the fault of the ears that heard it?
It's already spread in the palace...
and His Majesty already started his investigation.
That's why you're so busy...
You must have a lot on your mind already, I started useless chatter...
Please go on with your business.
What about Hee Bin? How is she doing?
She's still unconscious.
What do I do... what should I do?
Forgive me.
I should go.
Lord Min is here.
How were you involved in this unfortunate incident...
I'm not sure.
I had good lotus leaves... And Hee Bin suggested it, too.
So I just took them to His Majesty.
Did you say Hee Bin suggested it?
Yes.
It seems that Hee Bin plotted this.
A plot? If it's a plot, His Majesty or I should've been hurt...
But to put her own life in danger?
That's the strange part...
From what I found, a maid from the kitchen chamber...
missed reporting to duty today.
You mean, this was a conspiracy?
That's scary, for someone to plan such a horrible thing...
What's worse is...
The lead investigator is Jo Sa Seok.
Isn't Jo Sa Seok... on Hee Bin's side?
That bothers me.
Queen Majesty, let me confirm one thing.
You definitely had nothing to do with it, right?
Father!
It's my old age.
It's been bad with that Jang.
Stop!
You are still not going to confess?
Who put the poison in the food that His Majesty was going to eat?
I don't know who ordered it!
But I left for a moment in the middle of cooking.
Other than that, I have nothing to confess.
What are you doing! Keep torturing!
I'll check the reports later, so leave for now.
Are you awake, Ok Jung?
Your Majesty...
Did I really make it back?
Of course. You did great hanging in there.
Thank you for hanging in there.
- Doctor, what are you doing? - No, Your Majesty.
I just want to be with you alone, Your Majesty.
Are you really going to be okay?
I thought something went wrong with you... my heart dropped.
Your Majesty, who put the poison in there?
We're still investigating.
If it was aimed for me or you...
But I really couldn't do anything until you woke up.
Yes, how unfortunate that it happened...
with the food the Queen Majesty brought.
I am afflicted and regretful.
Your Majesty.
What's going on with you?
I'm just so happy to come back alive and see you again.
I feel the same way. The same way.
I thought I'd never see you again...
I felt hopeless.
Your Majesty. Whatever I do...
It's because I want to love you whole-heartedly.
That much is my truth.
This is what Uncle got us.
You'll only be unconscious for a while.
But...
Will you be able to come back safely?
I have to try it.
Is there anything that can be achieved without putting my life on the line?
Uncle said that you have to fool the maids, too.
The only people who know about this are Uncle, you and me.
Of course.
Even if it doesn't work this time...
If I keep trying, I'm sure I can destroy them.
If I don't remove the Min's before my son comes...
Then there is nothing I can own.
That's a relief that Hee Bin is awake.
I was so worried that something might go wrong...
Pardon me.
I'll go see Hee Bin now.
His Majesty is still there by her side...
I see. I'll go tomorrow.
Move aside!
How dare you barge in here!
The Queen Majesty has been mentioned...
as the one behind the poisoning of Lady Hee Bin.
You may not leave the queen's quarter without the permission of His Majesty.
Behind? I'll talk to His Majesty now, so move aside.
We only receive His Majesty's command.
Please go inside.
- Escort her. - Yes!
Stop!
Without your force, I'll go inside the queen's quarter.
And I'm the mother of this country Joseon.
I won't forgive you for your rudeness regardless of the situation.
Take her to the investigation grounds and start the search!
If you find any evidence, make sure to save it!
Yes, sir!
Queen Majesty!
Court Lady Joo!
Do you know, Queen Majesty...
the seat you just had to go to from the beginning.
But I've had to put my life on the line to love His Majesty.
The Queen Majesty and I share the fate.
But it seems doomed that we live under the same roof.
I've come this far, so I can't back down now.
I'll try to the end.
Wherever the finish line is, I'll get there.
Subtitles by DramaFever
How dare you discuss dethroning the mother of this country!
Isn't it an obvious fact that the queen's...
quarter is the center of this horrible accident?
More than finding out the truth...
Maybe I was more afraid of the decision I have to make after that.
To save the Queen, I have to make the decision.
Who ordered you to put poison in the food that His Majesty will eat?
That... that's...