(All characters, places, and incidents in this drama...)
(are fictional and unrelated to historical events.)
Let me take care of...
this marriage.
Why...
did you change your mind?
Let's just say I have a debt to repay.
I'm also responsible...
for you two not getting married.
Why are you responsible?
For failing to fulfill my duties as a matchmaker.
Are you confident?
About what?
You're not just Kim Soo, an aristocrat.
You're the king of this country.
Will Gae Ttong stay with you even after finding that out?
That's...
My job is merely to open the way.
The choice will be hers.
So you'll have to try to win her heart.
But until I'm ready,
please keep this secret.
For now,
I'm a powerless king who can't even protect himself.
When I finally have the power to protect Gae Ttong,
I'll talk to her myself.
Sure, Your Majesty.
Beware of the Chief State Councillor.
Do you know him?
Who in this country doesn't?
Father.
This time,
I'll protect the girl by all means.
Do not lay a hand on her!
Do not lay a finger on this lady.
He didn't mean anything by it.
People can say whatever in danger.
I know. I do know.
I know where I'll be going back to.
Still...
Don't get hurt.
Pardon?
I can't stop thinking about it. What can I do?
I know you're up.
Come out. I have something to tell you.
Do you still want to become a noble lady?
Why are you even asking?
You're not going to help me anyway.
I'll give you the chance.
Are you serious?
I will...
help you so that you can be with Kim Soo.
So that I can be with Soo?
Didn't you want to become a noble lady...
because you want to be with him?
I will expose your dirty lies to the whole world...
and sell you and your brother as slaves.
Now that you found Soo, you'll go back once you find your brother too.
Go back where?
Where else?
Where you belong.
Aren't you going to regret it?
Your life will change completely.
I'm not going to regret it.
Fine.
But be prepared.
I'm quite strict.
If that's what you meant by where I belong,
I'll do it.
Chapter 15 of Flower Crew's rules.
As a matchmaker,
do not mix your client's wedding with personal emotions.
Don't.
(Episode Nine: A Secret Love)
(The Ninth Flower: Marguerite)
A noble lady?
How could she ever become a noble lady?
Kim Soo. He's become an aristocrat.
Kim Soo?
Isn't that the guy who put us out of business?
Did you find that jerk?
Watch your language,
or you'll regret this moment later.
Do you think I'd be scared of him just because he's an aristocrat now?
I gave you my warning.
Anyway, we'll be taking care of Gae Ttong's second wedding.
You take charge of her makeup.
Make sure she looks like a proper noble lady.
No matter what happened to that Kim Soo guy,
it'd be easier for me to become a noble lady...
than making Gae Ttong one.
I'm up for it.
We've already done this once before.
Are you guys serious?
It's our duty to see every marriage through to the end.
Our duty?
We almost ended up on the streets because of Three-Month Temp.
In any case, I'm not doing it.
10 new products.
You can choose whatever you want.
Take it or leave it.
I didn't mean I wasn't doing it.
It's not because you promised to buy things for me.
I just feel sorry for that girl.
I only want to help her.
I'd love to help her.
What an obsession with new products.
- Your task is... - Posture correction, I guess.
One thing though. You're only putting her back where she belongs.
Why would you look so sad?
It's not like you're losing your bride to someone.
Losing her? I can't wait for her to be gone.
Are you sure?
Anyway,
do you know anything about His Majesty?
His Majesty?
I was offered a job, but it's a total mystery.
A mystery?
I can't seem to find anything.
Where he used to live, what he used to do,
how he looks,
how he ascended the throne... Nothing is known about him.
If even you don't know anything, why would you ask me?
I just had a feeling that you'd know something about him.
Something's fishy.
How is Jung Suk doing?
I don't know.
I just let her stay in a spare room.
I don't care how she's doing.
Please close the door behind you when you leave.
You practically live at the courtesan house.
And you suddenly want to sleep here?
I don't live anywhere.
I sleep wherever I please.
Your Majesty, it's Eunuch Jang.
Come in.
You're here.
May I ask why you're working in your bedchamber?
Why?
You should already know.
Pardon?
I'm not going to hide it from you anymore.
That way,
you'll stop searching my bedchamber.
Kill me, Your Majesty.
If you're killed for such a trivial matter,
you'd need more than a hundred lives.
Your Majesty.
Just continue to do what you're supposed to do.
But I want you to keep this secret from the Chief State Councillor.
If you get replaced,
I'll be too lonely.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, we have a problem.
Your Highness.
The Royal Infirmary made this herbal medicine for you.
Okay.
I am afraid my health might deteriorate further,
so tell them to make more of this.
More?
Yes. Of course, Your Highness.
Your Highness, His Majesty is here to see you.
Mother, are you all right?
Oh, you're here.
Please don't get up.
How come your health has deteriorated so much?
It is probably because I am deeply distressed.
Even things that deserve high praise...
are being awfully delayed.
It is all because I have no power.
You are right, Mother.
We should give praise where it is due.
Hence if you give her a commendation in front of everyone...
for being such a virtuous lady,
they will not be able to look down on you any longer.
Please allow me an opportunity to be a good son to you.
King, it's not that. I'm...
You must be having a hard time...
all alone in this huge palace as a woman.
I will be more attentive to you from now on.
King.
Then...
I'll think that we're on the same page.
I'll be off, then.
Sure, you may leave.
He is more thoughtful than I thought he'd be.
Gae Ttong.
I will survive in this place.
I will survive and carve a path through which you can come to me.
These masters will turn you into a noble lady within 15 days.
Please take good care of me.
Whether you can actually become a noble lady or not...
is completely up to you.
I'm just going to say three things.
First, if you fail three times,
you won't have another chance.
That's not fair!
Second, you cannot go out.
From this moment on,
you cannot step out of this place without my permission.
I can't even go places that I want to go with my own two feet?
And last but not least, do not talk back to your masters.
You may give up if you're not confident that you can do it.
This is your last chance to back out.
This is...
the last chance for me as well.
- Gosh. - Hurry back inside.
- I don't want to. - Come on!
I won't be able to visit you for a while.
So make sure you always eat well.
Don't let anyone hit you again.
I will...
come back for you soon.
It's hot!
My hand!
Wait. 8, 9, 10.
All right, let's see.
Three-Month Temp, when was the last time you took a bath?
Hey, don't count. Just don't.
Stop counting. I get the idea.
This water was boiled with crushed yuzu seeds.
Bathe yourself in the water and give yourself a full-body scrub.
Gosh, that was gross.
I consider myself clean.
Mr. Lee told me that he only washes himself on the holidays.
Hold this.
What is this?
Eggs make your skin glow.
It's an egg facial mask.
Stay still.
My gosh. You want me to try on all of these dresses?
This is only the beginning.
- But... - Go on.
Come out when you're ready, okay?
I feel like something's missing.
You want me to try on another dress?
What?
I knew it.
I think your face is the problem.
What?
Three-Month Temp, how dare you!
Three-Month Temp!
Thank you for finding me a place to stay.
But I have to say,
you are a competent, smart young man.
If you practically live at courtesan houses,
your mother will be worried.
My mother abandoned me and eloped with another man,
so she won't have time to be worried about something like that.
Must you go through all this and get remarried?
Yes, I must.
You're ruining your daughter's future to get remarried,
so I hope...
this path you've chosen is a happy one.
Mother, let me out.
Mother! Mother! Let me out.
Mother, Mother!
My lord! My lord.
Let's go inside.
You need to make a reservation.
I'm quite a busy man.
Where is Hwa Jung's mother?
How would I know that?
I've never seen her since Joon's funeral.
There's a limit to being tolerant just because you're my son.
People say it's your world now.
Isn't it so strange?
Things are going so well for you after the Crown Prince's death.
What is it you want to say?
I just want to congratulate you.
Bring me Hwa Jung's mother.
If you taint the reputation of this family,
I won't let it slide, even if you're my child.
Did you finish rummaging around?
Why didn't you look more thoroughly?
You may find what you're looking for.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Good day, then.
I advise you not to get on my lord's nerves.
You must've become...
the son of our family since I last saw you.
Why don't we shake hands as brothers?
You're hurt.
I was scratched by a cat.
Is that so?
Be careful.
You may be bitten by a tiger next time.
Did you find her?
She's not here.
Of course, she isn't.
Keep your eyes on Hwa Jung for the time being.
I'm certain they will attempt to communicate.
My goodness, eat slowly.
Anyone who brings me good food is a nice person.
Pal Pun, you better not get into trouble ever again.
I'll never bring you food again. Got it?
You're quite handsome, as long as you don't open that mouth.
Oh, my. My gosh. What was I thinking?
It's just because I'm so lonely.
My lady needs to get married first so I can go next.
She's just too picky.
She doesn't like the Chief State Councillor's son...
or even the king.
Does it taste good?
Eat slowly.
I've never seen such an abundant dinner table in my life.
Can I really eat all of this?
Yes. It's all yours.
Thank you for the meal.
That is, if you can eat.
What is it this time?
According to the rules, when you eat,
you must not scoop large spoonfuls of rice.
You must not make any sounds.
You must not chew too slowly,
nor too hastily.
Aren't these the ribs that only aristocrats can eat?
Beef ribs.
What do you think chopsticks are for?
Place one chopstick between your inner thumb...
and your ring finger.
Place the other chopstick between your index and middle finger...
and press down lightly.
Use only your index and middle fingers to move them.
Like this.
Straighten your back.
The distance between the table and your body...
should be just enough for a fist to fit between.
You mean, like this?
Like this.
I can do it. I'll do it.
Sir, you have a guest.
He's calling for you. You should go.
Practice what you've learned until I return.
Let's focus. Focus.
Come on.
Why can't I eat with all these delicacies in front of me?
Let's say I'm done practicing.
That's your first failure.
Wait. Shouldn't you at least feed me when you're teaching me?
Please give this to Lady Yim.
Who is this from?
Tell her...
it's from the owner of the wall, and she'll know.
Bye then.
The owner of the wall?
Could this be a love letter?
Is that young man the reason...
why she's been turning down every man we've introduced so far?
(Wolhyanggwan)
My dear.
Some eunuchs had a meeting here the other day.
According to them, His Majesty used to be...
a blacksmith.
In Bukjeong Village.
Moreover, he believed the Commander of the Royal Guard was...
his father for 20 years.
The King used to be a blacksmith?
The lady will be so shocked.
Was your client a lady?
You're the only lady I know.
Then we're flying sky lanterns...
together on the seventh, okay?
A blacksmith in Bukjeong Village?
Bukjeong Village...
Joon.
What brings you here?
I'd like to see Jung Suk.
Thank you.
Jung Suk.
I think I should cancel your marriage.
You don't wish to get married again anyway.
Hwa Jung is the one who should get married.
How did you know that?
When you said you exchange letters...
with Hwa Jung through the wall,
I thought it was strange.
I know you two are very close,
but you two live together.
Why would you leave letters...
your in-laws might disapprove of in the wall?
So the love letter was written to someone else.
There is no young man like the one who delivered the letter to me...
in our family.
Also, the jade ring he was wearing...
It's the ring...
given to the ladies born into the Ma family.
Hwa Jung must have given her ring to her fiance.
If you were to be recognized as a virtuous woman,
the family might enter Hwa Jung in the queen selection process.
To prevent that, you decided to get married again.
That's right.
Hwa Jung is...
engaged to a man.
[VIU Ver] jTBC E09 'Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency' "A Secret Love" -♥ Ruo Xi ♥-
(Dear Hwa Jung, spring is coming.)
(Thanks to you, I became the luckiest woman in Joseon.)
Her fiance...
filled the emptiness...
in Hwa Jung's heart I could never fill.
When a woman gets married,
she becomes a part of a new family...
and has to live for that family for the rest of her life.
Knowing how lonely that path can be,
I wanted Hwa Jung to have at least one person on her side.
So I beg you.
Please make sure...
the family doesn't take away her happiness...
out of greed.
My niece-in-law is at the courtesan house.
The courtesan house?
- Court Lady Choi. - Yes, Your Highness.
Take the other court ladies and bring Lady Yim here.
- Yes, Your Highness. - You can't do that.
What is a courtesan house?
It's where officials hold secret meetings.
And court ladies show up there?
Imagine His Majesty finds out.
Then what are we supposed to do?
Lady Yim has to enter the palace in only two days.
I have a plan.
Write what I say...
imitating this handwriting.
Can you do that?
Yes.
Let's start.
Do you like it?
It was fermented for days.
It tastes very sweet.
Su Yeon.
It's been a long time, Lord Yun.
How did you know...
I was here?
It's the anniversary of Lady Su Yeon's death today.
At least you remember it.
I think...
it's time to let her go.
I wanted her to stay alive...
at least in the family register.
(Family register: household information...)
(updated every 3 years by the local government)
But it was my greed.
Please leave it the way it is.
Someone needs those family registration papers.
(Family Registration Papers: Household registration documents...)
(submitted every 3 years)
I'm here because of the promise you made back then.
Now, bow to each other.
She's always wanted to get married before she dies.
It was Su Yeon's last wish.
No one was willing to marry her,
but thanks to you,
her wish has come true.
I'm only a fake groom, and this wedding is fake as well.
However, I made sure to prepare the ceremony as if it's real.
So please smile.
It is a happy day.
I will.
Thank you so much.
I promise I will repay you sometime in the future.
Just like Su Yeon, she is kind and always sacrifices herself.
Would you give her a chance to use Su Yeon's name...
so that she can see a better world?
Darn it.
Now, I can breathe a little.
How do all the noble ladies actually put up with all this?
You mean, like this?
Like this.
I must only think about my brother.
Only my brother.
Anybody there?
Something must've happened to Lady Hwa Jung.
What?
Mother, there is an urgent matter.
"I have to talk to you about something,"
"so please..."
"come by for a brief moment."
"You have to come,"
"Mother."
(You have to come, Mother.)
This is good enough.
She'll have no choice but to come.
(You have to come, Mother.)
My gosh.
What should we do?
Then I'll...
From this moment on,
you cannot step out of this place without my permission.
Where did everyone go?
I'll go speak with Lady Yim. Please keep an eye on Lady Hwa Jung.
Okay.
I coaxed some information out of one of their servants.
The Chief State Councillor is secretly looking for...
his brother's daughter-in-law.
A virtuous woman said no to the honor and ran away?
My gosh, Chief State Councillor.
Now, there is a flaw on what was once considered pristine.
You must be awfully anxious now.
Father. It's me, Ji Hwa.
You may come in.
Did you wish to see me?
Go to the draper's and get your measurements taken.
Why do I need new clothes out of the blue?
Once they start looking for the King's bride-to-be,
all the yellow jackets and red skirts will sell out.
Hence, you should get them made in advance.
I never said I'd put my name forward as a candidate.
I am not interested in your opinion.
And I do not care about the family's opinion.
- Ji Hwa. - After all,
the man I will marry can either make or break my life...
for I am a mere woman.
So I will choose who I will marry.
She should've been born a boy.
Are you going somewhere, my lady?
- I'll go alone, so don't follow me. - My lady.
It is dangerous for you to walk around alone.
My lady.
Why did I come here again?
Are you here to see me?
Get out of my way.
You blushed as soon as you saw me.
Were you also reminded of what happened that day?
I don't know what you're talking about.
Step aside.
I've found out something about the King.
Why don't we go somewhere quiet...
so that we can talk privately?
(You have to come, Mother.)
Did you run all the way here to give me this?
Yes, it seemed urgent.
You're such a wonderful young lady.
I hope you can meet a nice, kindhearted man.
Right, did that thing get sorted out?
"That thing"?
That foolish client you told me about.
I heard she's decided to go back to her fiance,
whom she had been waiting for.
It's great news, isn't it?
It is great news for everyone,
except for that client.
Is this...
the quiet place you talked about?
It'll become dead quiet once we start focusing on our conversation.
Does it feel more private now?
Every time I see you,
you have a knack for making me feel uncomfortable.
People call that my charm.
I've wasted my time.
His name is Soo.
As you may know, his name means "water".
He was born on the year of Jeongyu,
month of Eulsa, and day of Gihae.
He's turned 23 this year.
Did you call me to tell me something everyone knows?
Don't be so impatient.
According to my sources, before he took the throne,
he used to be a blacksmith at Bukjeong Village.
With that beauty that can dominate the land of Joseon,
why are you so obsessed with choosing your husband?
What's so important about that darned king?
Since...
he sits in the highest position.
I'm not surprised.
Whether it's night or day,
all you do is collect information at courtesan houses.
What would you know?
What is this mess?
Hoon.
Where is Gae Ttong?
I don't know. I just found this mess and there's no one here.
I told you to keep an eye on Gae Ttong.
Where in the world have you been?
Why are you getting mad at me?
Where have you been?
- Well, I... - I told you not to go out.
You can't even put on your shoes properly.
How can you become a noble lady in this state?
Just give up if you're going to keep acting like this.
Listen to me for a second.
Well, even if you don't quit, you'll be fired soon.
Since you've failed twice.
I want to do a good job too.
I'm trying my best, but...
I kept sitting up and down until I got cramps in my legs,
and I can't even breathe well because of that tight belt.
You don't even let me eat because I can't use chopsticks,
so I'm starving.
I'm trying as hard as I can.
Still, it's my first time.
Do you even know what it feels like to live a life...
where you don't have time to eat a decent meal?
I'm not the only failure.
You're a failure too! With that stubborn attitude!
Why are you being so hard on her?
This is all my fault.
It's not Hwa Jung's handwriting.
How do you know that?
Hwa Jung writes...
using thinner and smoother strokes.
On top of that, she always...
added a small flower in her letters,
but there is nothing on this one.
This is a trap.
Still, I better go back home.
If I don't return,
my uncle will really hold Hwa Jung as a hostage.
You'll return even when you know it's a trap?
How can I stay here and do nothing...
when my child is about to be in danger?
There's no need for you to go home.
But...
You must go somewhere further.
Come out for a second.
What am I, your dog?
Do you think I'll come and go as you please?
If you're the son of the Chief State Councillor,
why did you build Flower Crew on such a narrow road?
You must be rich.
Since this is an equal road for everyone.
This road is too narrow...
for horses or carriages to pass through.
Those who want to come here must climb off and walk.
Whether it's a slave or an aristocrat,
everyone is equal.
This is a place that brings people together.
They should all have equal opportunities, don't you think?
I called you out to give you this.
What is this?
(Yun Su Yeon)
A reward.
Su stands for "excellent", and Yeon stands for "lovely".
Yun Su Yeon.
Become an excellent and lovely lady.
This name...
It was the one I used at the tea ceremony.
Will this...
become my official name now?
It's my first time...
receiving a name.
I never had a name,
and I was just randomly called as Gae Ttong.
Do I...
really have my own name now?
That name will represent your identity from now on,
so memorize it without any mistake.
But what about the real Lady Yun Su Yeon?
Where is she?
Lady Su Yeon...
is no longer in this world.
Then...
what about her father?
Did he lose his daughter?
So you must do your best not to disgrace her name.
Because if you fail,
he'll be heartbroken.
I'll do my best.
I promise not to let him down.
Thank you.
She's the king's woman now.
The king's woman.
Yun...
Su...
(Yun Su Yeon)
Yeon.
My name.
I want to...
pay my respects to the person...
who gave me this name.
He wouldn't want that.
He's been away for a while now too.
Still, I want to...
Fine. I'll go to sleep.
(Yun Su Yeon)
Nothing out of the ordinary is happening.
Go to Wolhyanggwan with the others...
and bring my niece-in-law to the palace.
Yes, my lord.
Search!
Search thoroughly.
- Yes. - Yes.
Chief State Councillor.
Is she not here yet?
Your Majesty, the woman disobeyed...
a royal order.
I ask you to withdraw your order and punish her according to the law.
(A royal order: the King's order)
Your Majesty.
Lady Yim Jung Suk is here.
Send her in.
As you had predicted,
the Chief State Councillor's men raided the courtesan house.
Jung Suk must have arrived at the palace by now.
Are you going to send Gae Ttong to the palace too?
You stopped talking about the arrowhead at some point,
which I found strange.
So I started collecting more information.
The Crown Prince's death benefited your father more than anyone else.
And the biggest obstacle in your father's way is...
the King's first love, who he is still in love with.
That's our newbie.
It's to protect the newbie from your father...
that you're working on this marriage again, right?
You...
The Second State Councillor's daughter is here.
I better go. I don't want her to see me.
Wait.
Did you borrow money from the Second State Councillor's daughter?
Is she here to get you?
She's more aggressive than you think.
You're not allowed to come in here.
Young Soo.
Will you excuse us?
Three-Month Temp.
We should listen in.
Have a seat.
What brings you here?
Would you like to...
marry me?
(Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency)
Let's get married.
Are you really going to marry that mean lady?
Do you know how scary she is when she glares at you?
You two get along only at times like this.
Are you sure you can handle it?
What can I do?
She'll be safest there.
Will you be mine?
What can you give me?
Let me meet His Majesty.
Accidents usually happen on a day like this.
Why are you looking at her so lovingly?
See my love for you clearly.