Subtitles by DramaFever
Welcome, Queen Majesty. His Majesty has been waiting for you.
I haven't seen that palanquin before.
Is there an important guest inside?
Well, it's for Your Majesty.
You mean, it's a gift from His Majesty? Did he call me for this?
She's the one you're giving a palanquin for a gift...
She's also the mother of Joseon...
As well as the mother of the Crowned Prince.
Well, well, the room is not collapsing, so please, sit down.
Master Jin here has been providing large sums for my political endeavors.
Is that so?
By the way, Your Majesty...
While I was traveling the countryside recently...
I met a woman who used to be a court maid on a ship...
And I heard something strange.
Heard something strange from a woman who used to be a court maid?
What's the story?
She was working in the royal kitchen chamber...
She was involved in a conspiracy so she had to leave the palace and Seoul.
Conspiracy? What kind? Tell me.
Was there an incident with poison in rice wrapped in lotus leaf?
An incident with poison in the palace?
Yes, according to her...
Poison in the palace?
It sounds like the time when you became ill...
from eating that bad rice wrapped in lotus leaf.
Pardon?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Rumors tend to run wild.
The court rumors are mentioned by merchants...
from China, not even by those of Joseon?
I will give a serious warning to the eunuchs and the retainers of the court.
So Queen, please make sure everyone keeps quiet in the internal court.
Yes I'll do so, Your Majesty.
I don't know who the maid you met on the ship was...
But it seems that a different story was created when it moved from one to another.
They tend to get exaggerated with a line like 'someone did so-and-so.'
If that's the case, I made a big mistake.
She spoke with no sense of order, so I was suspicious if she was sane...
But it was very scandalous, so my curiosity went ahead of my manners.
Queen Majesty, you were looking for him.
Why did you look for me? As the mighty Queen Majesty.
I looked for you to ask a favor.
What kind of favor from a mere merchant from China? Please tell me.
Don't hang around His Majesty anymore.
My... there must be a misunderstanding.
I'm not hanging around His Majesty...
His Majesty asks for me.
As you know, His Majesty has a lot that he needs...
And I happen to have a lot of things His Majesty needs.
Chi Soo, I'm not joking around! I mean it.
I'm not joking around either, Queen Majesty!
You rose to the Queen of this country, what makes you so nervous and anxious?
Did you desire the seat you have now that much?
Enough to play a game and put your life on the line?
What game are you talking about?
Do I really have to say it?
Lee Soon... is a much scarier person than you think he is. Can't you tell?
He probably knows that the poison incident was your own fabrication.
No. His Majesty doesn't even allow any trace of fault.
If he knew, he wouldn't have forgiven me or appointed me as the Queen.
No, he probably had something he wanted more...
enough to let go of your fault.
The child you were pregnant with... the son.
Anyway, don't hang around His Majesty anymore.
Otherwise, I'll consider you as my enemy as well.
Enemy?
I gave you a warning, so don't blame me later.
What if Lee Soon didn't let go of the incident completely...
What if he only put a cover on it for a while?
Then the Queen Min who got dismissed might not be much of a stranger after all.
No, that will never happen.
I have the favor of His Majesty...
And His Majesty will never let go of my hand.
Ask my brother Hee Jae to come by right now.
Yes, Your Majesty.
'I am Jang Ok Jung. I won't become a human pig.'
That's what she supposedly said, to the Queen Majesty!
Really? How about this one?
She went out to the main hall with all the retainers gathered around...
Should I leave the palace? Me, Jang Ok Jung...
who is pregnant with His Majesty's child?
That's what she supposedly said to those scary retainers.
Does that mean even we can become the Queen if we get pregnant?
Of course, heir means everything in the palace.
Hey, let's try to look pretty.
Should I drag them here and give a good beating?
It bothers me, but they are not wrong.
How rude! Get out of here!
- Your Majesty, forgive us. - Please take my life, Your Majesty.
Take your life over this?
Let's go.
Your Majesty... just kill me. I'll gladly die.
You were flirting in the middle of that.
I really wish I could get pregnant with His Majesty's child.
Me too.
Take them out.
What's going on?
Queen Majesty is coming.
- Is everything ready? - Yes, Queen Majesty.
Drag her out here.
What is this?
The medicine that will save your life.
Instead, you will never get pregnant.
Queen Majesty...
If you drink it, you will save your life...
- If you don't, you will die in my hands. - Please forgive me just this time!
I will never do that again!
What do you mean?
I was flirtatious, just a little, with His Majesty.
But I will never, ever do it again.
So you should drink it.
If you'll never be flirtatious again, you won't need to get pregnant at all.
What are you doing? Make her drink it!
Your Majesty!
Stop!
Stop it.
Queen Majesty, your brother is here to see you.
Queen Majesty, why did you look for me at this late hour?
Hee Jae, do you remember when I was released after being kidnapped?
- From Chi Soo... - Of course.
He is the wealthy merchant Master Jin from China.
He knew about the kitchen maid adding poison to the rice.
You said that maid left Seoul.
But Chi Soo met her on the ship coming into Seoul.
No way... that can't be.
- Could it be... - What is it?
I ran into that maid in the market a while ago...
So I ran after her because it bothered me, but I lost her.
You mean that maid is back in Seoul?
Hee Jae! How can you work like that?
First, I'll try to find the maid.
By the way, is this why you look so pale?
I don't know how, but Chi Soo seemed to know...
all about the poison in the rice incident.
His Majesty also seems to know something...
In fact, I'm very nervous and scared these days.
So what makes you nervous now is Chi Soo Master Jin?
That's true.
And my instinct tells me His Majesty is distancing himself from me these days...
Is His Majesty interested in another woman?
No, that's not the case.
And it's not that I'm treated in a bad way.
Queen Majesty, don't worry too much.
If I feel anything is blocking your way or causing trouble for you in the future...
I won't just sit and watch.
Who sent you?
- Is it Jang Hyun? - I don't know anything.
- I just got money. - Just got money?
I'll pay you five times what you received. Say it.
I don't repeat myself.
Jang Hee Jae!
- Who? - Jang... Jang Hee Jae.
Brother of the current Queen.
Jang Hee Jae...
I gave you a warning, so don't blame me later.
Jang Ok Jung?
You got your brother involved and tried to kill me?
I brought the one you wanted.
Thank you, Uncle.
Without wealth, controlling the internal court is tough.
It takes a lot of wealth to make my own people.
Of course it does.
Queen Majesty, it's time to give me your answer.
Answer?
If an ocean dries out, the bottom is visible...
But the heart of a person is not seen even after his death.
I am disappointed that I feel Your Majesty's heart in such way.
How could you be disappointed? Please tell me.
When you achieved your dream...
You said you'd make me the father-in-law of this country...
And relieve my dead Hong Joo from her deep resentment.
But now, even with Min Yoo Joong kicked out...
How come there is no word to this day...
Uncle, you're like my father and like the grandfather of my Crowned Prince...
Who doesn't know that in Joseon?
And because of that, I hear your warehouse is full with bribes...
But you still need the title?
Queen Majesty...
The title makes people live and die.
Do you know what I did for that title?
You did something?
I rushed the life of Min Yoo Joong's wife and killed her...
And do you know who else's life I pulled tight?
I moved up the death of the Queen Mother who kept getting in the way.
Uncle! How could you do something so horrible...
You pretty much became the Queen by overthrowing the previous one...
But the blood for it is on my hands. So the father-in-law is...
His Majesty has arrived.
It seems that I cut off a warm conversation between family members.
No, Your Majesty.
I thought you'd be working now, so what brings you here?
I heard Officer Jang was here, so I came to talk with him.
I want to bring in some cannons and gunpowder. Can you make that happen?
From where? It can't be from China, can it?
Of course from China.
Your Majesty, China is the foundation of my wealth.
If I bring in gunpowder and get on the wrong side of China...
I will lose everything including my status and my business.
So I can give you all the wealth...
So you can't do it?
Unfortunately that's the case this time.
If there is another way I can help...
No, help in many other ways is already full.
Fine, you may leave.
This is Master Jin who's been providing political funds to our Western Party.
He'd like to help you with your political restoration going forward.
He may be able to provide political funds for the Western Party...
But you'll help me with my restoration when we've never met before?
I've been helping Lord Min in many ways.
So I believe that the Western Party needs to get the control of the court...
With Your Majesty in the center.
Because that's more beneficial for my business.
Is that the only reason?
There is another reason...
But I'd rather not say here.
Fine. Have you thought of any plans?
We need to grab hold of the people's heart.
People's heart...
And the way to do that?
Next, national defense.
The southern ridge of the Hengju Fortress has collapsed...
So prepare to rebuild quickly...
And the office of the military and the office of...
construction will discuss the labor and material...
And submit the plan.
We receive your command, Your Majesty.
Next is the matter of the Baekdusan National Boundary Monument.
Why don't I see any progress?
Your Majesty, we've been negotiating for a few months...
But it's a matter of the national border, so both countries are very sensitive.
Is there anything not sensitive when it comes to the issue of northern border?
I am sick of your incompetency.
Checking out the mood of China, and checking out my mood...
You've improved a lot on checking the mood of everyone.
Send a message to Kim Man Gi.
At the usual place outside of the palace.
Yes, Your Majesty.
How long has it been since I had a drink with my father-in-law?
To be called upon again as a retainer who's been dismissed...
Your grace is immeasurable.
You are my father-in-law before you're my retainer.
How would I forget you?
Do you make frequent visits to the tomb of the late Queen?
You haven't forgotten about the tomb of my Queen Inkyung?
Don't consider me such a cold person.
Queen Inkyung has always remained as guilt in a corner of my heart.
Your Majesty, your grace is immeasurable.
I miss the days when I was arguing with members of the Western Party in court.
With the Southern Party in control...
Silence is golden with the matter of letters, the offices of inspection and the press.
There is not even a single letter.
Jangdari will last one season, but Minari will last for all seasons!
Minari will last for all seasons, Jangdari will last one season!
Interesting lyrics.
Minari Jangdari...
Let's go to a pub to check the mood of the people.
I'll make the way.
You've waited long!
- What kind of song is that? - Pardon?
Jangdari Minari song?
It spread all over the market in the last few days.
It did? Well, it's interesting, so no wonder it spread in the market.
By the way, what does 'Jangdari Minari' mean?
From what I heard...
Jangdari will wilt soon...
Minari is still green under the ice.
Meaning, His Majesty has fallen for Jangdari Jang for a season...
But he will come back soon to Queen Min who is evergreen...
That's what it meant by 'Jangdari of one season and evergreen Minari'?
Of course.
His Majesty cares so much about people...
But he fell for that vamp and abandoned his legitimate wife.
That's not all...
Jang even drank poison on purpose to kick out Queen Min!
How scary...
She's not human!
Your Majesty.
Why don't we return to the palace?
Jangdari will wilt soon...
Evergreen Queen Min will return soon.
Evergreen Queen Min is me?
It's the same tactic as Seo Dong.
Seo Dong made a song to spread a rumor among the people...
So that he can marry Princess Seonhwa.
Anyway, the people's heart is leaning towards you.
I hear His Majesty considers the people's heart the most important.
But who thought of spreading a song like this?
Well...
The people's heart that His Majesty considers the most important is...
Going really against Jang Ok Jung...
Isn't it good news to you?
Sometimes it's not always best to fight out in the open.
Then what's next?
A plan to divide.
A plan to divide...
You will come between them?
Use an enemy to destroy another enemy.
Meaning, fight Jang through another concubine?
Yes, that's what we'll do.
They promised their whole lives to each other.
It's not the wall that could crumble easily with a plan of division.
Yes it is. An embankment is destroyed from a thread-like crack.
Just watch.
Queen Majesty!
Like a fish caught in the net.
Thump, thump.
Oh, that thump, thump fish.
Do you know Master Jin?
Jangdari will last one season, but Minari will last for all seasons!
His Majesty cares for the people so much...
But he fell for that vamp and abandoned his legitimate wife!
Jang even drank poison on purpose to kick out Queen Min!
I'm going to the Queen's quarter, so get ready.
Did you miss Yoon that much to run over here in the middle of work?
It's hard to remember when you came to see me like that recently...
Today...
I came to see the Queen, the mother of this country.
Your Majesty, did I make a mistake...
The King needs to know how to fear the people's heart.
Regardless of what choice the King makes...
As long as he is justified by the people's heart...
He has a stronger weapon than any kind of arms.
No one can do well from the beginning.
It was for me, too.
But when mistakes repeat themselves...
It's not a mistake, it becomes a fault.
And the price of that fault has to be paid.
Your Majesty...
Did I make a mistake...
No...
It's coming from my wish that you'd...
embrace the people's heart just a little more.
The power of the King has been strengthened...
through the change of the controlling party.
First, he kicked out the Southern Party and brought in the Western Party...
Next, he dismissed the Western Party again and brought back in the Southern Party.
He is beyond smart.
With the base of military power and popularity from the people...
He's making everyone aware that power can only come from himself.
Strengthen the power through change of the government...
Sucking out the blood of the retainers who are sacrificed every time...
Then does he want to change the government again?
Use the Southern Party as a sacrificial offering?
Since he spilled his words through various channels...
We could think that way.
Since we're on the subject...
Why don't we send a flower and verify His Majesty's heart?
A flower?
It's the same tactic that Officer Jang used to call in Jang.
Send a flower to check His Majesty's heart...
That's a great idea.
Is there a flower good enough to send?
She should suit the King's taste.
There is a pretty flower I have in mind.
Hey, I'm supposed to wash His Majesty's shirt...
- But you snatched it away? - Who cares about who?
Anyone good at it can wash it.
Hey! This rude wench!
Hey!
It should be a flower like a wild horse, but not a predictable one.
You have the same opinion?
But timing is the most important factor in this.
His Majesty's heart is surely shaky...
But even if we offer him a flower...
It has to be a day with justification.
Tomorrow is my birthday.
The birthday of a Queen who's been kicked out that no one remembers or celebrates.
But there is only one loyal court maid who remembers.
How is it?
We won't find better timing.
But I wonder if she would do this...
From what I can see, she'll be better than anyone else at stealing.
- Hyun Moo. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Go to the royal doctor right now...
Bring the record of my Mother's illness and her treatment.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Doctor Hwang of the medical office?
Yes, that is me...
This is the record of my late Mother's illness and her treatment.
So why...
There is no treatment of aconite prescribed by the medical office in the record...
But you added it in large quantities?
That's impossible! I've never done that!
Come out.
Start adding more aconite from today.
Aconite at this point may be too much...
What does a maid know about a doctor's decision?
Yes, I will start adding.
You are...
I just followed the doctor's order...
Doctor, you definitely gave me that aconite then...
There is only one thing I'm curious about.
Who ordered you to add that aconite?
Your Majesty!
Please spare my life!
Your Majesty, in fact...
- Lord Jang. - Doctor Hwang.
You don't have jaundice, so why is your face all yellow?
That's...
If you do what I say, I won't kill you.
Until I give you an order...
You will have to face Jang Hyun as usual like nothing ever happened.
What jaundice...
I just had to work and didn't get much sleep.
Why don't you treat me to a nice dinner again sometime?
Let's do that.
Doctor Hwang, let's go for a drink sometime!
Jang... Hyun.
Jang Hyun.
Queen Majesty, Lady Yoon came to see you.
- Mother! - Your Majesty.
Mother, did you check out the thing I asked for?
Yes I did...
But do you have to do it?
I should strengthen the succession to hold onto His Majesty's shaky heart...
I should have more sons.
His Majesty's shaky heart?
Does that mean His Majesty is...
No, Mother. It's not that.
He's too busy with his stressful work...
This is the undergarments of the woman who gave birth to six sons.
And this is a talisman that will help you have a son.
I should be able to have more sons with these, right?
I should be able to grab a tight hold of His Majesty's favor, right?
Of course. You will be able to give birth to more sons.
Southern Party...
Jang Ok Jung...
Jang Hyun, Southern Party, Jang Ok Jung.
Father...
In the end, I have to go alone?
Even the woman who gave birth to my child...
In the end...
Who are you?
And why are you alone in the special quarter this late?
I am...
It's the dethroned Queen's birthday today...
But no one remembers it...
So I was setting a humble table by myself.
Today is... the dethroned Queen's birthday?
What was your relationship with her that you set a birthday table for her?
I'm a court maid that belonged to the dethroned Queen's quarter...
And she was kind to me, the lowly maid.
But I hear that the Queen Majesty always blames herself for being a sinner...
And she doesn't care for meals...
So I tried to bring together her favorite dishes on her birthday today...
Please consider.
Sure, there is no reason I couldn't.
But why did you have to set the table in this special quarter?
When His Majesty decides on his walking path...
If he's with Jang Ok Jung...
He'll stop by Chwi Seon Dang and head to the garden.
But if he's frustrated in the middle of work and plans to walk alone...
He'll walk towards the special quarter.
So I should pray...
That he walks alone that night.
I had this place in mind...
It's usually empty, so I thought no one would come by...
Please consider...
So when did you enter the palace?
I'm not a formal court maid...
I'm helping the court maids of the tailor's chamber.
It must be very tiring.
Yes, it's so tiring I want to escape from that kind of work soon.
Then what kind of work do you want to do?
I'd like to serve Your Majesty.
When you come on to me so bluntly like this...
How am I supposed to answer you?
Your Majesty.
Queen Majesty.
- Did you get a message? - Yes, at the special quarter...
The light has been turned off.
Okay, that's good.
Your Majesty, it's only part of the process to return to the palace.
Please don't be upset.
The ironclad castle of Jang Ok Jung could be destroyed like that...
I've never even dreamed of it.
Just in one shot...
Receiving her means... that His Majesty is leaning towards our Western Party.
It's too early to tell.
It means he could accept the Western Party...
But he's probably not ready to accept us whole-heartedly.
Then how would we know if he's ready to accept us whole-heartedly?
It has to get to the point of kicking out the current Queen...
And reappointing the dethroned Queen back to her place.
What's this?
That's the gold bedding of His Majesty.
That means?
She received the grace of His Majesty?
- Bring her right now. - Pardon?
Drag that wench here right now!
His grace...
Lord Jo, a court maid who received His Majesty's grace?
How could he leave the Queen?
His Majesty is a man.
Who said he would only see one woman in his life?
Because there is a rumor that she's connected to the Western Party!
Shouldn't you go find out?
How did we get here?
We can't have it taken away by the Western Party again!
Look! The court is not a game that children play...
Just because there is a court maid who received His Majesty's grace...
Do we have to worry about political dynamics?
The problem for the Southern Party is not the maid with His Grace...
It is incompetency that angers His Majesty.
Please come to your senses!
Maybe there will be more members of the Western Party in the court.
We'll watch for now.
It's important how much His Majesty likes that court maid.
She's a maid helped by the Western Party...
It's turning out to be interesting.
Congratulations... on receiving His Majesty's grace.
But I should tell you...
What is it?
It's about His Majesty.
And it has to do with me, too.
Up to this point.
This should be more than enough.
The light's been turned off...
And my maids will come soon and prepare my silk bedding.
Then I think you'll at least make it to Special Court Lady.
Your Majesty... then...
You said your work is tiring so you want to escape from it.
If you become a Special Court Lady...
You'll be guaranteed of your whole life without doing any work.
And you can tell those who ordered you to do this...
That you received His Majesty's grace.
Then they'll find another way to flirt with me.
Your Majesty...
Is it still so hard to let go of Jang's hand?
Bullseye!
I quite like the bow you brought in this time.
There is plenty in Jeju Island, so we don't need to import it from China...
And there is no worry of the glue melting like the buffalo horns in bad weather.
Yes, I heard Your Majesty gave all the training officers their own.
By the way...
Was it your work to send in the maid to the special quarter?
Or was it the work of Min Yoo Joong?
I'm not sure what you mean...
I'm aware that you've been connecting actively with the Western Party recently.
Especially, you connect with my father-in-law Kim Man Gi...
And even with Min Yoo Joong on exile.
My...
Your Majesty's intelligence lets you see miles away from your seat.
Then what do you think I'll do now?
Wasn't it that Your Majesty decided on the answer before accepting her?
His Majesty's heart going somewhere else...
that's only been going to the Queen means...
The power that's only been given to the controlling Southern Party...
But now it's possible for the Western Party, too.
Isn't that the case?
Are you the low court maid Choi?
And?
- Let's take her. - Yes, Ma'am.
Why are you doing this? How dare you grab me!
How dare?
- Take her right now! - Yes, Ma'am.
Let go, let go! Let go of me!
My Yoon, you must miss your Mother.
Should we go look for your Mother?
Then I'll get ready to head to the Queen's quarter.
Let go! Let me go!
Let go!
Wait.
You're the one who came with the dethroned Min back then...
Yes I am.
I used to be a slave for Lord Min's family...
Now I come to work to the palace as a Low Court Maid.
And you received His Majesty's grace?
A low court maid like you?
Yes.
I received His Majesty's grace.
- Leave the one you stole. - I didn't steal anything.
I'm going to be like you when I grow up.
Like Jang Ok Jung.
What an unusual fate.
How did you receive His Majesty's grace in the special quarter?
In the middle of setting the birthday table for the dethroned Queen...
His Majesty came in.
You were setting the birthday table for the demoted Min?
Yes, that's right.
Court Lady Eom, bring me a stick right now!
Yes, Queen Majesty.
Let go!
You approached His Majesty with the order of the demoted Min?
No, that didn't happen!
That's a lie. Tell me the truth!
No, I just set the birthday table for the Queen Majesty!
No, the demoted Min ordered you to do it...
To come back to the palace and take away my seat.
Isn't it?
I just set the table for the Queen Majesty! Why are you doing this to me?
You're still not going to confess the truth!
You must have heard it from the elders, too...
At the end of the favor of His Majesty, he's not a man, he's just a king. Isn't it?
Enjoy your seat.
You'll be nervous as soon as you take the seat.
His Majesty is arriving.
Your Majesty.
Leave with the Crowned Prince.
Yes, Your Majesty. Let's go.
- Move aside. - Your Majesty.
Even with the baby wrapped in blanket...
I couldn't possibly show him this side of his mother, so I told them to leave.
Court maids, move aside right now!
Queen...
You are this kind of person? When I'm not looking...
Your Majesty, it's not that...
Even horses and cows are not treated that way.
How can you whip a person so cruelly like this?
Your Majesty, it's not that... Please listen to me...
Your Majesty!
Please...
Take my life.
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