The families that have been invited...
were five.
- Did you receive the list? - Yes.
You invited Chancellor Wang's daughter.
And I invited one more young lady.
We have a total of seven.
Here, we have seven of the most beautiful...
and gifted young ladies in Goryeo.
Step forward.
Do not hide in the shadows.
The Minister of Finance's only daughter.
Her name...
is San.
Why is this young lady here?
People say this young lady...
has a scar on her face because she was attacked as a child.
However, she met a great doctor, so her scar is completely gone.
As if there was never a scar on your face.
Mother, this is the young lady.
She is engaged to the Chancellor's...
Will you show us your face?
It is your Queen's command.
How did you keep that pretty face hidden all these years?
Did your father tell you to do so?
People are coming up with...
cunning ways to avoid being sent to Yuan as tributes.
Some shave their hair to look like a Buddhist nun.
Some spread a false rumor about a scar on their face.
And some...
force themselves to marry someone.
Dan.
Yes, Your Highness.
Did you hear such rumors?
I did not expect to see you here today.
What did the Crown Prince say when he invited you?
He said...
(Three days prior)
You are my first.
First what?
Once you find out my secret...
and see what I did...
and will do,
you will probably end up disliking me.
You will never understand.
However,
you are my first.
Never forget that.
I also have...
- something to say. - Say it.
Whatever it is you say,
I will hear you out.
What is that?
Take it.
What is it?
I made it when I made the bracelet I gave you.
And?
It is my mother's keepsake.
It is too big for me, so I wore it like this.
Take it.
I cannot take it. It is too precious.
- Consider it a promissory note. - A promissory note?
One day,
show this when you wish to ask for a favor.
Then I will do anything for you.
Will you really?
- Do you mean that? - Yes.
- Anything? - That is what I said.
- Why? - Leave it, then.
I did not say I did not want it. Let me think.
You must never be so regretful.
There.
Tada.
How do I look? Does it suit me?
You are late.
Who are you?
We met yesterday.
- In the palace. - My goodness.
It is just my luck.
Anyone who is everyone tries to get my attention.
I am here to discuss something.
I know nothing,
and even if I did, I doubt I would want to tell you anything.
Go on your way.
My lady.
Lady San.
I have a carriage waiting for you.
We can talk here.
No.
It is too dark here.
You kept such a pretty face hidden.
What a waste.
Had the King seen you, he would have cherished you.
Do you have a habit of speaking nonsense?
Shall I teach you a lesson?
My wrist hurts.
You just called me, "my lady". What is wrong with you?
Does the Crown Prince know?
- The Crown Prince too? - This will not do.
I should ask him myself.
If he knows a Lady San.
If he kept your secret for you.
And if so, why?
Or should I go to the King first?
I heard Dan was sick. Is she better?
She ate a little porridge this evening.
I shall wear the clothes my mother sent.
I need to please her.
Yes, Your Highness. She will be pleased.
You can relax. I will not send her away.
She cannot go as tribute.
I shall go and see my mother.
I will beg, plead, or whine. Anything it takes to keep her here.
What is it?
It is not about Dan.
Master Wang Lin is with the Queen.
Was he summoned?
He was, and has not yet come out.
What do you mean?
What brings you here, Crown Prince?
I did not call for you.
Did you eat dinner?
What is he doing here?
I asked for his help.
I have a lot to read and check before the envoys leave.
You know how little...
the King cares for such affairs, so...
Lin.
Look at me.
Look into my eyes.
Why are you here?
To beg she not send your sister?
Did she listen? I bet she just insulted you.
You came to the wrong person. You should have come to me.
- It is not about that. - I shall ask.
That is why I am here.
You need not concern yourself.
You do not trust me.
I will ask my mother.
I will plead with her even if it takes me 3 or 4 months.
Then she will listen to me.
You should not do that.
Watch me.
Please stand up.
Lin told me about his brother's wedding.
He told me to stop his own brother's wedding.
You should not get down on your knees in front of anyone.
He told me about it because he thought it could cause me harm.
He thought of me instead of his brother and sister,
and he came to me.
I treated you like a superior...
from the moment you were born.
I treated you like a superior since you were a newborn baby.
"Welcome."
"I will protect you."
I did it because you will become the king one day.
Promise me first.
I raised you with respect.
What are you doing? Stand up.
She told you to stand up.
Please do not send...
Lin's sister to Yuan.
Then I will stand up.
Your Highness.
Your precious friend's...
- sister? - Yes.
Dan.
I already...
took her out of the list.
Lin,
he would only believe me if you told him.
She did.
Dan is going to be fine, Your Highness.
Do you really have to look at my face for a long time?
The woman...
that the Crown Prince has called his looks like this.
Did he say you were his first love?
Do you not like this kind of conversation?
You are dressed like a doctor,
but you act like a kisaeng.
I do not know which one you are,
but you should watch your mouth.
Why?
If you do not like me, will you kill me with your blade?
You have the blade at all times, but you have never killed anyone.
Their eyes look different.
People who have killed before have different eyes.
Do you not have people who talk to you all day?
Or...
do you have to stay quiet all the time?
Was I that talkative?
Tell me about the person who is waiting for me.
He knows you well.
There are not many people in the Capital who know me.
Well, he told me this too.
"If I were from the Wang family,"
"I would not have given Young Lady San to anyone else."
"I would have kept her as my own."
You should go outside.
The person who said this is waiting for you.
- Oh, my. - Oh, my.
The whole family has died.
This morning,
a young girl from this family was taken away to be sent to Yuan.
- Mommy! - Sister!
No!
- No! Do not take her. - Mommy!
- You cannot take her! - No!
- Sister!
Goodness!
- Mother! - Mother!
She was 13 years old.
After watching his wife getting beaten up,
the girl's Father could not refrain himself and confronted the soldiers.
You scums!
No man would have been able to refrain himself.
His daughter was being sent as a present to Yuan,
and his wife was spitting blood after getting beaten up.
So...
he confronted them.
He confronted the soldiers that had spears and swords alone,
without any weapons.
The man that fed their family by delivering wood...
lost his life just like that.
She was a bad wife.
She should have prepared the funeral for his husband.
But she hung herself.
She was also a bad mother.
She did not think at all about her children...
who would be left alone.
- Oh, my. - Goodness.
- Oh, my. - Oh, my.
The girls that are being sent to Yuan...
all have stories like this.
Their father and mother might not have been killed.
But their sad cries...
have spread all over Goryeo.
- Oh, my. - Mother.
- Oh, my. - Oh, my.
Why did you bring me here to tell me...
about this family?
You have only heard about this.
You have never seen it in real life.
So what if...
I had actually seen it?
You are indeed bold and sharp...
just like Master Lee's student.
I have heard about you.
I hear there was a female student...
that Master Lee valued.
You know too much.
I heard he once said,
"There are many students who are good at writing and fighting,"
"but she has the largest heart..."
"that can care for the weak and the poor."
"That is why she is my best student."
You must have spies everywhere.
You even have one...
next to the King.
I do not ask the same thing twice, but I hear no response.
Goodbye.
Please be on my side.
Please...
be on my side...
for the weak and the poor.
Young Lady San?
Young Lady San, is that you?
Who are you?
- Who are you? - Please do not kill me.
What is your relationship with the Minister of Finance?
The Minister of Finance...
is my father.
So are you the young lady of that house?
Yes.
If you are the young lady, whom were you calling just now?
Please do not kill me. Please do not kill me.
Answer me. Who are you?
Do you want me...
to leave another scar on your right cheek as well?
Will you answer me then?
I am the young lady.
(Two days ago)
Your Highness, why have you come so far?
I have been thinking, but I cannot find an answer.
What do you mean?
What will be the best? Gold dish, silver dish.
We have them all.
How about some ginseng?
What is this?
Goodness, you have a lot of ginseng here.
What would be the best?
If you tell me what you are looking for, I will...
- I would like to give... - Yes, Your Highness.
a present to the Emperor. What do you think?
So that was what you were thinking about.
I really miss my grandfather.
I want to give him a gift to make him happy.
But he has everything he wants in this world.
Anything?
I do not see it.
I am sure you have a list of tribute girls.
Why do you want that?
You know why. You do not have to ask.
We have not received it from the Queen yet.
She said she needed to make changes.
Is that so?
I think I might be able to help you.
Your Highness.
I have heard about what the Emperor likes.
It is...
Your Highness!
His Highness needs someone suitable to spar with,
but he could not find one, so he needs Wang Lin.
Lin is currently working under my orders.
Tell him that he is quite busy.
"Young Master Lin must be working hard under the Queen,"
"but the Queen is concerned about her son's health."
"So she will let him go." He also said this.
What if I still decline?
In that case, the Prince will have to come here to spar him.
But since you loved the quietness, you would not want that.
If we use swords, you will end up bleeding.
Let us spar bare-handed.
We have to fight to see who will bleed.
You have never fought me properly.
- Your Highness. - Do not call me that while we spar.
You can continue to watch.
See? You are still not fighting me with everything you have!
Why are you beating around the bush?
If you have something to say, just say it.
When we run, you are always a step behind.
When we shoot arrows, you always miss a few.
I fought you hundreds and thousands of times,
but you have never...
won against me.
- Your Highness. Are you okay? - Your Highness. Are you all right?
I will isolate him.
Do not touch him.
No one can touch Lin.
No one but me.
I will not let anyone do that.
The Prince is...
deceived by me.
Move aside, all of you. Move.
You.
Did you think you could deceive me forever?
Did you think you could hide from me,
then leave without my knowing?
How could you think such a thing?
What? A non-service hostage?
I was going to tell you.
- When? - I apologize.
For what?
You broke your brother's wedding for my sake,
thus putting Dan on the list. And you thought of going yourself?
Are you apologizing for that?
As I thought, His Highness does not have any idea.
If you leave like that, what about me?
I wish to leave...
not because of His Highness.
Do you really wish to see me become furious?
Is that what you want to see? Is it?
I wish to leave...
because of me.
It is because...
my heart is crumbling...
piece by piece every day.
You cannot go there. Excuse me, wait.
He is him, right?
While I lived here,
I overheard what the warriors were talking about.
I heard he is here.
I heard he is the owner of this place.
Who is this guy you speak of?
The Crown Prince.
Was he the Crown Prince? I am getting the chills.
I mean, he and I talked like we were close friends.
I would talk to him, and he would answer.
And this was not a one-time thing.
The man who just got his nose broken.
Wait.
Did you not know?
If he is the Crown Prince, I am the Minister of Finance's daughter.
Oh, sure.
What did she say?
She does not know anything. Or maybe she is pretending.
Here you are.
What do you want me to do?
Put it on your face like this.
Leave it on like this.
- That is so cold. - This way, you will not bruise.
Your parents will go crazy if your nose turns all blue.
Leave it on.
Since when have you been watching us spar each other?
Long enough to know that you two were fighting, not sparring.
Did you hear everything we said?
I was not that close.
You are supposed to watch fire and fights from afar...
to be safe.
Are you not going to ask why we fought?
I have never heard of a good reason for why two guys fight.
Since when?
These two will not look into each other's eyes.
- My gosh. - My hands hurt. It is so cold.
Instead, she looks at me.
Withstand the pain.
She talks to me in a kind voice.
You are really bad at being patient.
And she smiles.
And the guy who cannot fake a smile or lie...
looks elsewhere, stops talking, and goes into hiding.
Now, he is determined to leave far away.
So Hwa, have you been sick? What is with your face?
It must be because I have not been drinking much.
It is not that they do not wish to see one another.
But they try hard to ignore each other.
So Hwa.
Will you please just stay still?
Do you know what a non-service hostage is?
I do. Sons of the royal family or noblemen sent to Yuan.
They are basically hostages.
- What about it? - His name is...
on the non-service hostage list.
He volunteered without telling me.
There are a lot like me who volunteer.
I can learn more and make personal connections in a great country.
Why would you need connections?
Do you want to get a government post there?
Is this true?
Yes.
That is why we fought. We had a reason.
I hit him well.
Although I did get hit as well...
I should get some medicine.
If it leaves a bruise, I could get into a big trouble.
Do not worry. I will not let him go.
Then I am not worried.
If you will not let him go, I am no longer worried.
You have great trust in me.
But it is going to be difficult.
I might need to overdo myself to keep him here.
Can I do something to help?
You should keep one thing in mind.
What?
Who is my first?
Me?
That is enough for me.
(Episode 18)
Goodness, that was too much. That was too hard.
I heard five families received invitations.
On the surface, it is simply a tea time with the Queen,
but everyone who has sense would know what that means.
Actually,
it was a time for her to choose the Crown Princess.
When will she return?
- Whom do you speak of? - She went out to get herbs.
I did not hear from her yesterday or today.
She may seem like a pharmacist on the surface,
but in actuality,
we are trying to remove anything that can be problematic...
while we have troops of Yuan's envoys...
around the palace.
So it would be wise for you to be patient.
I am the most problematic thing in this palace.
Then you should get rid of me first.
My tongue must have slipped again.
While we are at it, what do you think about going hunting?
What about the Queen's tea party?
Let us go to Bora Mountain. And call her too.
She is good with medicine, so I need her for hunting.
She has called five families,
but she did that for a show. In actuality...
Why do you have so many actualities?
I heard there is someone else...
that the Queen wishes to place as the crown princess.
Your Highness.
What brings you to this humble place?
I came to see how humble your house is.
Show me around.
Let us go to that place first.
Where do you wish to go first?
Your daughter's place.
What are you talking about?
I knew you had no idea.
I only found out later.
Are you sure my son's name was on the non-service hostage list?
I knew it.
The Queen was after us.
She will send Lin this time and send me the next year.
I wonder where she will send me.
- Be careful with what you say. - How much more can I do?
- What is the use anyway? We will... - Jeon.
I have a question to ask, and I need your permission on something.
Please do ask, Your Highness.
Did you try to marry Jeon to Minister of Finance's daughter...
for Dan's sake?
Please forgive me. I did not think that through.
Is it because no one gets drafted...
as a tribute girl or a hostage if a family member gets married?
She is the fake one.
Lift up your head.
Look at me.
You are the real one.
I did not know you had such intentions with his marriage.
I misunderstood.
I wish to make up for what I have done,
but I would need your permission first.
Hong Kyu's daughter shaved off her head.
"She cannot become a tribute girl because she became a nun."
They were extremely wicked.
I am the one who planned this entire thing, Your Highness.
She just followed what I have told her.
That is exactly what Hong Kyu said.
"I did this as the father."
What happened to them?
You told me to lash his daughter with an iron whip...
so that there would not be a sound bone in her body.
And we did as we were told.
We beat the father until he was barely alive, and exiled him.
Then we confiscated all of their assets.
I will take any punishment you give.
However, my father is not well.
Please let me receive my father's punishment too.
If my father lives,
he will be of great help to you.
Are you trying to make a deal with me...
with that petty money of your father's?
His assets are not bound to the things you can see.
He knows the trading areas, has information,
and knows people all around the world.
These things are only worth when he is alive.
Please ignore my foolish daughter's words, Your Highness.
No matter what you tell me,
I will do exactly what you say.
There is...
one way around this.
With my daughter, Dan?
Do you want to take in Dan as the crown princess?
Does it make you feel so appalled...
to hear that I will be your brother-in-law?
Meet the Crown Prince in two days at the tea party.
If you get chosen as the crown princess,
I will forget all about what you have done...
as well as what your family did.
This is what I tell you as the Queen of this land.
My queen.
I will repay you for your endless mercy.
I will never forget your generosity.
Please stand up. This makes me uncomfortable.
You will be my father-in-law.
Is that not right, my brother?
Can you tell Dan...
that I understand it is late, but I wish to see her...
because I have something I must tell her.
Yes, I will tell her.
This winter is extra long.
The wind is still cold.
I have little power and many people to tiptoe around.
This is the best I can do.
My methods are pitiful,
but I hope you understand.
The wind is still cold. Why are you outside?
To see if spring is coming.
Come and look at these.
I picked out a few nice outfits.
What should you wear to the Queen's tea party?
Let me see. What about this?
I do not know...
if I should be happy or scared for you.
You must make the Crown Prince fall for you,
or you will die? What a horrible threat.
My lady?
What are you thinking about?
Nothing.
I was just breathing.
Were you thinking about him?
If you are concerned about him, do not be.
Forget about him.
Does your heart pound when you think of him?
What do you mean?
The man who saved you.
He was tall with broad shoulders, like a mountain.
You are changing the subject.
You must make the Crown Prince like you to save your life.
I should...
risk my life?
Why?
Do you think he will be upset if the Crown Prince likes you?
One will be pleased.
He might even clap.
And commend me.
Do you mean there is yet another man?
The other...
will be very sad.
Not because of me but because of the other man.
He has to go very far away.
What are you talking about?
Because of me,
both are about to become very unhappy.
Then they will both hate me.
Pretty soon.
- Was that hard? - I did not get it at all.
We speak the same language.
We do.
Knowing a man's heart is the hardest thing of all.
My master never taught me that.
I miss him.
- Shall we visit him? - Stick to one subject.
Let us go.
My lady.
Goodness.
Dan.
Are you asleep?
Lin?
- Did I wake you? - No, I was awake.
Wait, I will put something on.
No, we can talk like this.
I will stay out here.
I prefer this.
It is cold outside.
I like the cold.
Did you have a drink?
I had been thinking I could do with...
a few drinks.
Earlier on,
the Crown Prince came to see me.
I heard.
He asked me to marry him.
You do not...
have to marry him.
Your name is no longer on the list of tributes. So...
You heard as well.
What he said.
Is that why you are here?
Out of pity?
What did he say?
That I will never become his first priority.
He asked if I would mind.
What did you say?
That I am okay with that. That I am still pleased.
You will not be okay.
How will that please you?
I get to be close to the Crown Prince.
The closer you are, the worse you will feel.
12 times more.
You do not know how it feels...
having to wait endlessly for someone...
you never know when you will see...
just to hear his voice or see his face.
That is why...
you must give up.
Say that all you want, but I cannot.
I just cannot.
My heart...
is out of control.
Do you think I am a fool?
No.
You are smiling.
I think we are so much alike.
- Dan. - Yes?
I am sorry.
I am really sorry.
I came to say that.
Lin.
Lin. Why did you apologize...
(One day prior)
Get changed, and come outside.
I will be waiting.
It is quiet up here.
I am not cold.
Your outfit is...
I am glad you are here. I wanted to ask you something.
I came to take you somewhere, not to talk to you.
Take me where?
The Crown Prince is at Geumgajeong.
And?
Go and tell him.
- Tell him what? - Who you are.
- Why? - You'll be attending the tea party.
I guess everyone in the Capital knows.
I knew a few of the Queen's maids.
It is not a secret.
You know a lot of the palace maids.
What happens if...
I tell the Crown Prince who I am?
Then he will not make the wrong choice.
Is the wrong choice...
your sister?
You knew?
There is someone who wishes to befriend me.
He told me everything.
Who is that?
Do you know Song In? He is a librarian.
Did you meet him? Why?
It was not my choice.
I was dragged to him.
Lady San, I know our first meeting...
was very unpleasant.
I was that desperate.
You think I am evil, do you not?
Evil?
You are a rebel who thinks little of the value of a life.
The world is not that simple.
The person you trust...
is considered evil by the people.
He could be an even worse murderer.
You are a schemer, and everything you say can be twisted.
The reason we forced your marriage with Master Jeon...
was not only because of your father's wealth.
Then what?
Was it for my beauty?
The Chancellor's daughter, Lady Dan.
You know her.
She got on...
the Queen's bad side,
and ended up on the tribute list.
A wedding in the family...
was the only way to guarantee she could remain in Goryeo.
Was that true?
It was.
My marriage fell through,
so now, she must go to Yuan.
Not anymore.
Because you are going instead?
We must go. The Crown Prince will awake soon.
Your sister...
loves the Crown Prince.
Get up.
Was it you...
last time...
Get changed.
I will wait outside.
Now, I know...
whose hands...
held me safe that night.
If I ask why,
he will say his friend sent him to watch me.
Now, I know...
why every now and then...
my heart pounded and ached.
They have a beautiful friendship.
They look great together.
I am afraid...
I will ruin that friendship.
He will still be inside.
He will go to the palace soon.
Then you will not get a chance to see him.
Go inside.
If he knows who you are,
he will be...
very pleased.
I have only one thing to do.
I must do all I can...
to ensure that...
they can stay close to each other...
as they always did.
It would make me feel lonely,
but that is my friendship.
(And today)
I did not expect to see you here today.
What did the Crown Prince say when he invited you?
He said...
This is...
what I said.
"The Queen is hosting a tea party..."
"and will invite young ladies from noble families."
"Everyone who attends will know that..."
"this is not just a tea party."
"I have to pick whom I shall marry."
Were you aware of this?
Yes.
And yet you asked that favor of me?
Yes.
You knew everything?
About me too?
Yes.
I am awake. Stop knocking, and come in.
Hey.
How are you here and so early?
Is something wrong?
You said you knew the Crown Prince.
We are pretty close.
I need a favor.
What is it?
My mistress...
was invited to the Queen's tea party.
The Queen invited her in person.
The Queen did so in person?
Even if...
the Crown Prince likes her, he must not notice her.
He must act like she is invisible.
Can you ask him to do that?
Does your mistress not want to marry the Crown Prince?
- That is right. - That borders on treason.
How could a citizen of Goryeo...
insult her own Crown Prince?
She likes another man.
- So... - Even if he likes her,
he is not to touch her?
Correct.
He must act like she is invisible?
Correct.
We all know what we are here for.
It would be rude to keep you here...
as if I am weighing my options.
I have made my decision.
Let me introduce...
the lady I have chosen.
Dan.
Stand next to me.
Chancellor Wang's daughter, Dan.
- Congratulations, Your Highness. - Congratulations, Your Highness.