(All characters, places, and incidents in this drama...)
(are fictional and unrelated to historical events.)
Gae Ttong.
Go.
Go! Go, you jerk!
Why are you here?
Why did you show up now?
You must have been doing well.
How could you never get in touch with me?
How could you not write me a single letter?
Go. Go, you jerk!
Hit me harder.
This won't do. Hit me more.
Did you really...
abandon me and run away?
Then did something come up?
Some relatives I'd never met suddenly showed up.
They told me...
I was an aristocrat.
That's a relief.
Gae Ttong.
My Soo would never do such a thing.
I was sure something had come up.
And I was worried something bad had happened to you.
Do you know how worried I was?
I'm relieved...
that you're fine.
I'm so relieved.
I'm sorry, Gae Ttong.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'll find a way...
to come back to you.
When everything settles down, let's get married again...
like we promised.
Go inside.
Okay.
Bye.
Matchmaker Ma.
Why are you back here?
The queen selection process will begin soon, and you'll get married.
She's finally pulling herself together.
Do not sway her any further.
I'm not trying to sway her.
I'm trying to hold on to her.
For what?
I'll keep her by my side.
- Your Majesty. - I considered giving up on her.
I ended up as the King even though I didn't wish to.
If I kept her by my side,
she'd become unhappy. So I told myself...
I should let her go.
But I can't.
No matter how difficult it may be,
I want to be with her.
I must take this path however impossible it may seem.
My love for her...
will never change.
Stop coming here now. It's cold outside.
I will never change my mind.
I'll come back tomorrow.
So...
please help me.
(Episode Eight: Hopeless Love)
(The Eighth Flower: Resurrection Lily)
I finally found Soo.
Why am I not happy?
You finally found Soo. Why don't you look happy?
Has my Soo left?
What did you two talk about?
Didn't he look amazing in that robe?
He was glowing.
If he didn't look good in that expensive robe,
what would be the point?
Well... With Soo back,
what will happen now?
What do you mean? Now that you found Soo,
you'll go back once you find your brother too.
Go back where?
Where else?
Where you belong.
I'll forget about you becoming a noble lady. Go to bed now.
There's a problem.
I keep thinking...
this is where I belong.
What? "My Soo"?
After I fed, dressed, and taught her,
she wags her tail and says "my Soo"?
I shouldn't have taken her in, to begin with.
I'm not trying to sway her.
I'm trying to hold on to her.
For what?
I'll keep her by my side.
Your Majesty.
Have you really chosen to take that difficult path?
This doesn't belong to you.
So...
don't treat it so recklessly.
How dare you?
- Did you ask around? - Yes.
Lady Yun Su Yeon from the tea ceremony turns out to be...
the daughter of Lord Yun Dong Seok, the former supreme commissioner.
- However... - However?
She is said to have fallen ill and gone on pijeop...
with her father a few years ago.
And that was the last anyone heard of her.
(Pijeop: Resting in the countryside to recover from illness)
I don't think we can obtain more information than that.
I cannot do that.
Why not?
Must I say yes to everything?
I cannot believe...
how you are changing your words.
Do you not see this?
You clearly said to me...
that I can have another chance.
I promised you a chance,
but I never said I'd turn you into a real noble lady.
I have no reason to do so,
nor do you have the capability to achieve it.
That gives me a second chance.
Why? Because your dear Soo, whom you missed so much, came to see you?
Did you have a change of heart for your husband,
who you thought ran away,
because he came to see you in a fancy robe?
- No, it's not that. - Then what?
You said you'd always live as Gae Ttong to find your brother.
Why did you change your mind?
That's...
Now that you found Soo,
you'll go back once you find your brother too.
Why do you say...
that I can't do it?
Can someone like me not even covet it...
because I was born like this?
There is a class structure even for people's hearts.
Did you not know?
Hoon!
Hoon.
Do you know what this is?
This is a thing called "sugabu" from Russia.
"Su" means "exquisite", "ga" means "beautiful", and "bu" means "silk".
An exquisitely beautiful piece of silk.
What do you think? Don't I look so stylish?
Anyhow, I will not give up.
What's with her these days?
Did you two fight?
She keeps pestering me...
for something that she should not covet.
Both are incredibly stubborn.
They are like two peas in a pod.
If Three-Month Temp doesn't listen to you, just fire her.
This arrived in Mapo Port earlier today.
It is the only white porcelain jar of its kind in Joseon.
I saw that porcelain jar at a different store earlier.
And it's cheaper there.
Gosh, what are you talking about?
I'll take two yang off for you.
I'd like to buy this.
No discount is needed. I will pay the full amount.
My gosh, sure.
Then I'll go bring some wrapping materials.
Why pay more on purpose?
A product's value is decided by the person who prices it.
Isn't this flawlessly beautiful?
Such a noble being...
since birth.
You are full of thorns and are about to burst into tears.
But in my eyes, you're more beautiful than this.
No! My porcelain jars!
Run.
Gosh, my jars!
Eunuch Jang, what is the matter?
My stomach is upset from...
the fish porridge I had for breakfast.
- I apologize, Your Majesty. - I'll attend the jocham by myself,
so go take care of your business.
I apologize, Your Majesty.
(Jocham: A quarter-monthly meeting...)
(attended by all civil and military officials)
Do you expect these pieces of paper...
to help me understand His Majesty?
I'm sorry, Your Majesty.
Only two have the character for "fox" in their names.
And one of them was off that day.
The one who was on duty that morning...
was Yun Sung Ho.
Why are you drawing a circle around those squiggly letters?
You don't need to know.
I may not know anything else,
but I sure know the character for "fox".
What do you think?
I can write those squiggly letters.
(Slave)
Go get ready to greet the guest.
Is there anything you need?
You can make me do hard labor without paying me. I'll do anything.
But please reconsider my proposal in return.
Hoon, are you ready?
What?
And he calls me stubborn?
Please begin.
That's Lord Kim of Namsangol.
His wife passed away three years ago.
I do not think it is right...
for him to consider getting remarried...
when his wife passed away only three years ago.
This one divorced his wife a little while ago.
He is the son of the former Minister of Personnel.
So he does not have a title of his own.
He seems to be relying on his father's position,
which tells me that he is incompetent.
This is the last one.
Doesn't this seem familiar?
Can we eat something before we go on?
This isn't going to work.
If you tell us your ideal type,
we'll try to find someone.
He just...
has to be an ordinary man.
Thank you.
Wow, she's rather picky.
Does this run in the family?
We can't really say she's picky. She wants someone flawless...
as if she's looking for someone who doesn't exist.
Come on, why would she do that?
Maybe she just finds it difficult.
It was tough to get another chance, so she doesn't want to ruin it.
Hey, Three-Month Temp.
People say, "Practice makes far-fetched."
You aren't so bad.
You mean, perfect?
What should I do now?
No pay, manual labor. Just put me to use.
There's no use in saying that.
Just ask me to do whatever you need.
Hey. Where are you going?
Have I been left behind again?
Something is definitely going on between them.
Your Majesty, these are petitions from all over the country...
asking you to name Lady Yim as a virtuous woman.
This is how everyone feels.
Do not postpone this any longer,
and erect a gate on her behalf...
to encourage what she has done.
What her Highness said is only fair.
Please grant your permission, Your Majesty.
- Please grant your permission. - Please grant your permission.
You're working as a matchmaker?
You, Gae Ttong?
Of course.
He's a bit feisty,
but it pays three times more than working at the Public Dispensary.
It includes room and board, pays a lot,
and I'm paid upfront too.
What do you do?
Recently, a woman who will soon be named as a virtuous woman came by.
The King is supposed to give her a gate as a gift or something.
His Majesty is so odd.
She suffered so much, but living alone for life is her prize?
What kind of prize is that? That's torture.
He has such beautiful women...
anywhere within his reach,
so he probably has no idea.
He knows.
How do you know how the King feels?
What?
Oh, I thought that he might.
I apologize.
I just remembered something interesting.
Your Majesty, do not give your permission.
My nephew's wife is definitely good-natured and respectful,
all deserving to become a virtuous woman.
But I am worried...
that you may question my loyalty because of that.
Please do not grant your permission.
That's what the Chief State Councillor says.
Who's going to go against him?
That's not right.
How can I be suspicious of anyone for recognizing a good deed?
Of course, I should give my permission.
However,
I wish to congratulate her myself...
on such an honorable affair.
Your Majesty.
My niece-in-law is a woman from a noble family.
How can a mere woman meet you over such a petty occasion?
There is nothing petty about recognizing someone's good deed.
If you are that worried, I will see her with you.
Have here come into the palace in three days.
I will give...
my royal permission myself.
- Thank you for your generosity. - Thank you for your generosity.
I can't believe you haven't found her!
A mere woman doesn't have a lot of places to hide.
I apologize.
She may abandon everything else but her child.
I will contact Hwa Jung at any cost,
so keep your eyes on her.
Yes, my lord.
You can take it off.
What... What are you doing?
I have to wash that, so take it off.
You wore that yesterday too.
Forget it. Get out.
Come on. Hurry up.
- You can't! - I can too!
Help me become a noble lady. I need to.
Why do you keep saying no?
I want to be with her.
Even if it doesn't happen, I need to go down that road.
No matter what you say, it just can't happen.
We can't let the sky fall apart.
Will the sky have to fall apart for me to become a noble lady?
Do you have any idea where he lives?
There's an obvious secret.
Fine. I'll do that.
I'll rip the sky apart.
My lady.
Can you give me a hand?
Are you all right?
I am.
I have a question.
How can I become such an elegant lady like you?
Hold yourself back.
Hold myself back?
Hold yourself back even if you get...
pricked by a needle many times while embroidering things.
Hold yourself back even if your back hurts...
and when your mother-in-law says you have killed your husband.
And even if you see a man that you might like,
you hold back by all means.
How do you hold back from all those things?
If you can't hold back anymore, drink that.
It's very strong. One sip of it...
takes a load off your mind.
Now I can see...
why you didn't want to become a virtuous woman.
This is how tea should taste.
Do you think you can become a noble lady by doing that?
Why can't I?
Would you like to see my tea-preparing skills?
Gae Ttong, you...
This is alcohol.
Do you get hiccups?
Startle me.
When you're startled, your hiccups...
Do you want to stop your hiccups?
Then promise me to make me a noble lady.
Gae Ttong, you...
Promise me.
- You... - Three-Month Temp, where are you?
Gosh.
Why? Why are we hiding?
Young Soo keeps bossing me around.
We're doing the Bakseokgol lady's damjang today, remember?
See?
(Damjang: Light makeup to make the skin look brighter)
That's strange. She said she'd be in here.
Is anyone here?
Three-Month Temp, don't you dare...
pull a prank on me.
I must be imagining things, I'm sure.
Of course, it's just my imagination.
You...
What did you just do?
It was to stop your hiccups.
You asked me to startle you.
And I couldn't think of any other way.
Still...
Your hiccups stopped anyway.
Why couldn't you promise me...
you'd turn me into a noble lady?
Is she just reckless...
or does she have no feelings?
What did you do?
I'll find a way...
to come back to you.
When everything settles down,
let's get married again...
like we promised.
Soo.
I'm supposed to marry you.
If I feel happy right now,
that's weird, right?
Yes.
That would make me a bad person.
There you are.
Were you hiding because you didn't want to do errands for me?
Young Soo, what's this scent?
It smells lovely.
Right?
It's a perfumed sachet Hoon got me.
By the way, why is your face so red?
I tend to have a lot of heat in my body.
Good job.
Even if it's to help His Majesty,
this is not...
You may leave.
Still...
Leave!
What's all this?
Portraits of officials?
While we thought he was spending time with women,
we were giving him time to study!
These are the police guards who were on duty that day.
Thank you.
Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.
I don't know about other things, but when it comes to luring women,
you have my admiration.
I'm not sure. I don't always succeed.
Which of you is Yun Sung Ho?
That's me.
Roll up your sleeves for me, will you?
Sure.
The rest of you too.
You may leave now.
There was blood under the Rogue's fingernails.
It must've happened while trying to defend himself.
The culprit probably has a scar from it.
But the question is,
who can freely walk in and out of the Police Bureau...
and get the case closed this easily.
We must find out who got killed...
in order to find out who killed that person.
Find out if anyone who holds the junior third rank or above...
or anyone in the royal family died recently.
Even the Second State Councillor made a move,
so it must be someone very important.
Got it.
What's gotten into you though?
You are volunteering to do something I never asked you to do.
It's full of mysteries, so it's piquing my curiosity.
Leave it to me. I will satisfy your curiosity soon.
I have to step out again to work on Jung Suk's case.
Why aren't you asking again?
You'll need a lot of my help.
Your answer will probably be the same even if I ask you again.
Am I wrong?
That woman who said no to the virtuous woman title and ran away.
What does she look like?
Does she come across as heartless enough to abandon her own child?
Come and find out for yourself.
Find a nice man for her.
She is ruining her child's bright future for selfish reasons.
Don't jump to your own conclusions.
We all have a story to tell.
A woman who abandoned her own child...
can never justify what she did.
- Young Master. - Young Master Joon!
Let go.
Your mother abandoned all her children...
and ran away to go live with another man.
She utterly destroyed our family.
Let go. I said, let go!
Why are you doing this to me?
I said I wish to take the civil service examination.
Married men's affairs are forgiven.
But in women's cases, it won't be forgiven for generations...
as stated in the List of Indecent Women.
How will you take the civil service exam?
Father.
You won't be able to do anything.
Forget obtaining a position in government or even getting married.
This is all your mother's fault.
If you need someone to resent, resent her.
Burn everything.
- Yes, my lord. - Yes, my lord.
This is about a woman's marriage,
which will make or break her life.
I just need you to check whether he visits this courtesan house.
Well, I told you that I don't know.
That man visits this courtesan house once every three days.
He always looks for a courtesan named Mae Hwa.
Last night, they even spent the night together.
I heard he'll have her move in as his mistress after he gets married.
Is that enough information?
Where did you get that information?
I just heard it through the grapevine.
It's just useless gossip, you know.
To me, it is useful.
Would you sell your information to me?
It'd be even better if I could buy you as well.
Is something bothering you?
One of our clients...
is waiting for her fiance who is far away at the moment.
But apparently,
she can't stop thinking about a man,
who is all prickly toward her...
but is always there for her at the same time.
She said that she keeps on forgetting about her fiance.
Ma'am, don't you think it's absolutely horrible?
It is, indeed.
Right?
Her heart is telling her the answer, but she refuses to see it.
What a foolish lady.
Please tell her...
that she'll be heartbroken later on, just like I was.
You think so?
What is this?
It is my gift for you.
- You didn't have to... - It is too small for me.
I think you should wear it.
I'm not sure if I can accept something like this.
Just do me a small favor in return.
I heard Lord Yun Dong Seok is in Hanyang at the moment.
He has been wandering around the mountains and valleys.
He is in Hanyang now?
My daughter must be worried.
Could you please deliver that letter to her?
How could you steal from someone who is asleep?
- Darn it. - Run!
Those punks.
Look, wake up. Mister!
An egg thief will steal an ox later on because of your inattentiveness.
Gosh, I was fast asleep.
Oh, boy. What's with all this noise?
I saved you.
What? It's you again?
Goodness, I don't need this.
Listen. If you keep losing things like this,
you'll end up losing what is truly dear to you later on.
Once you lose something, it is very hard to retrieve it.
So keep this someplace safe.
On top of the wall at the back of the annex.
It is where we used to leave each other letters for fun.
You can leave the letter there.
It looks great.
I think it's almost there.
- Come on. - Right?
Let's do that.
My gosh. Take one.
Goodness.
- My gosh. - Did you get a lot?
Goodness, it's practically summer.
Exactly, it's hot.
What do you mean? Summer is almost gone.
(Flower Crew)
That darned accident.
Aren't you going to stay focused?
All of these are burdens that you brought, Hoon.
Burdens?
Three-Month Temp, whom you said you'll only keep for three months.
And...
that lady who's picky because it runs in the family.
We need to find someone for her and let them go.
Right?
I should find someone and let her go.
Then what? Will you keep them here for life?
Young Soo.
If I continue to think about an accident,
why is that?
Did you get into an accident?
I mean,
if you keep thinking about an accident,
could it be some kind of warning?
A warning?
A warning that tells you to avoid it because it's an accident-prone spot.
That's why you keep thinking about it.
An accident-prone spot.
Not the Second State Councillor, not the widows' town,
but she went to Hoon's?
Yes, I couldn't check her face because it was covered...
by her long hood,
but the long hood was definitely...
embroidered with a peony blossom, the Ma family's symbol.
It looks like she asked him to find her another husband.
Are you saying that she tried to get married again,
knowing that it will ruin our family?
What should I do?
I don't care where she is.
You will make sure...
to bring Hwa Jung's mother in front of me tonight.
Yes, my lord.
The gate is just an excuse.
We all know that he's only trying to take part...
in the queen selection process.
I can't believe we have to let him have his way.
Goodness.
It all happened...
because the Crown Prince was killed.
I can't believe some bandits attacked him.
How does that make any sense?
Be quiet.
That hasn't been announced yet.
Pour me another one.
My lord, I'll bring more liquor.
Yes, go ahead.
Okay.
The Crown Prince?
The only ones who died recently are the Crown Prince and the late King.
His Majesty passed away in his palace,
but the Crown Prince passed away outside of the palace.
Which one do you think it is?
And he was attacked by some bandits.
Doesn't it all fit together?
The Crown Prince.
How dare anyone attack the Crown Prince?
That's what makes this more interesting.
What more should I find out?
That's all I need today.
Then you should go.
I have a lot to do too.
Did he go to a courtesan house?
Why is he running so late?
Where have you been?
Stone Head, I don't know what to do with you.
- Gae Ttong! - No!
(Slave)
I may not know anything else,
but I sure know the character for "fox".
(Fox, slave)
(Slave)
You're...
Where in the world did you go?
I've been worried sick about you.
Man, what is this?
I was afraid someone held a grudge against me.
This is exactly why your niece-in-law ran away.
Darn it.
Who did you bring back?
Bring the right one immediately.
Even if you search everywhere,
you won't be able to find her.
Listen to this little brat.
Do not lay a hand on her!
Do not lay a finger on this lady.
The least you can do is help our family.
Why are you being such a nuisance?
How do you call yourself my son?
You're the one who's meddling with my business.
If you ever lay a hand on my people,
I will not just sit around doing nothing.
Let's go.
"My people"?
Why are you sulky this time?
Are you annoyed?
You brought me out of there like that before.
How dare you step in?
You almost got hurt!
Why are you getting angry at me?
People might think you're the one who got hurt.
If you keep thinking about an accident,
could it be some kind of warning?
A warning?
A warning that tells you to avoid it because it's an accident-prone spot.
With Soo back,
what will happen now?
What do you mean?
Now that you found Soo,
you'll go back once you find your brother too.
Go back where?
Don't get hurt.
Pardon?
If you get hurt, who would do all the delayed work?
We're short-handed as it is.
Why does he have to be so mean?
Don't worry! I'll never get hurt!
I'm a high-wage worker, after all.
Wait for me!
Do not lay a hand on her!
Do not lay a finger on this lady.
I'd never seen that girl before.
- Hyun. - Yes.
- Find out who that girl is. - Yes.
Also, find Hwa Jung's mother by all means.
We have only three days left now.
- Understood? - Yes, my lord.
Poison? Where did you get this anyway?
I bet it was done by the rogue, whom we haven't seen...
- in the past few days. - "The rogue"?
The only ones who died recently are the Crown Prince and the late King.
And he was attacked by some bandits.
Doesn't it all fit together?
Someone with enough power...
to cover up even the assassination of the Crown Prince...
The fox... That police guard...
It's not "fox".
The character means "slave".
Hyun, my father's henchman.
We must find out who got killed...
in order to find out who killed that person.
Who benefited the most...
from the Crown Prince's death?
It's my father.
At the center of all these incidents is my father.
My father is not after just an ordinary girl.
He is trying to kill...
the King's fiancee, Gae Ttong.
What brings you here at this hour?
Your Majesty.
Do you still wish to proceed with this marriage?
Yes.
By doing this, you'll deceive everyone in Joseon.
If anything goes wrong, no one can be safe.
Do you still intend to do this?
Yes.
Fine.
Let me take care of...
this marriage.
(Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency)
I'll take you to Kim Soo.
Are you going to send Gae Ttong to the palace too?
These teachers will turn you into a noble lady within 15 days.
The Second State Councillor's daughter is here.
What's the big deal with becoming the queen?
You, who collects information at courtesan houses, don't understand.
She has to enter the palace in only two days.
Do nothing.
That will at least save that girl, Gae Ttong.
You'd better quit.
It's impossible to talk to you. You're too stubborn!
Separate your emotions from your client's wedding.