(All characters, places, and incidents in this drama...)
(are fictional and unrelated to historical events.)
It's aster tea.
It'll warm up your body.
You wanted to become a noble lady...
to get your brother back.
Is that right?
Lady Kang promised to set my brother free...
if I gained the approval of everyone at the gathering.
When is the gathering?
It's in seven days.
That was...
the only way I could...
get my brother back.
Don't hold it back.
When you're having a hard time, talk about it.
If it's still hard after talking about it, you cry.
If crying doesn't help either, you wait...
until you feel okay.
Until you feel okay,
I'll be with you.
(Episode 12: I'm Worried About Your Love)
(The 12th Flower: Aster)
That blacksmith became the king?
Should I leave Hanyang?
What did I do so wrong though?
And Kim Soo will meet Three-Month Temp?
Has he lost his mind?
So what if he's an aristocrat? What can he do?
I probably should leave Hanyang. No.
Maybe I should leave Joseon.
I'll go find out when the earliest boat leaves.
And then...
(Marriage Ban)
What's that?
(Marriage Ban)
What does it say?
It's a marriage ban.
His Majesty must be finally selecting the queen.
This is not good.
A marriage ban has been issued.
If no one is getting married, we'll go bankrupt, right?
Is that what you're worried about?
Worry about submitting your bridal application instead.
Why would I worry about a bridal application?
All unmarried ladies from noble families are required...
to submit their applications for the selection by the law.
You're no exception.
Three-Month Temp, especially you...
What's the point of submitting an application though?
The queen will be the Chief State Councillor's...
second cousin once removed anyway.
(Second cousin once removed: Second cousin's child)
It's already been decided?
That's a problem.
What does it matter to us if the queen is already decided?
Wait for me!
Young Soo...
I guess the law should be observed strictly.
Or will there be room for extenuation?
It all depends on the severity of the crime, I suppose.
Extortion?
No. It didn't belong to that person in the first place.
So technically, it's not extortion.
Who did you steal it from?
There's this person higher up.
I didn't steal it though.
Then just put it back quietly.
Without that person knowing.
But I don't want to.
Then pay for it.
Young Soo seems to be getting ready to leave Hanyang.
Maybe I should follow him.
No. After the gathering...
Do you mean the one hosted by the Second State Councillor?
Why do you suddenly want to go there?
I need to save someone.
Guys!
Guys, we have a problem.
Why do you look so haggard today?
That's not important.
A marriage ban has been issued.
That was quicker than I had expected.
That's not the point though. The queen is already decided.
What will you do with Gae Ttong?
We have a plan, right?
Young Soo, why couldn't you wait for me?
Young Soo, did you do something wrong again?
What? Well... No.
Don't worry about anything. Focus on getting ready for the gathering.
Yes.
I'm getting more and more suspicious.
About both the gathering and you two.
You seem to spend more and more time here lately.
Shouldn't you be at the courtesan house by now?
If Lady Kang finds out, Pal Pun is dead meat.
Wait, I have no reason to protect Pal Pun.
Chun Sim, which looks better?
Are you picking out an outfit for the next time you meet him?
By the way,
are you really going to sell Pal Pun?
You won't, right?
Property is worth keeping only as long as it has value to you.
Why would I keep an idiot that only eats and does nothing?
- Here. - Thanks.
Why did I keep quiet?
If I had told her, she might have given me old clothes or something.
Pal Pun, listen up.
You're not to talk about Gae Ttong ever again, okay?
Otherwise, both you and Gae Ttong will die.
But I love Gae Ttong.
She's my little sister.
I've warned you.
This is all I can do out of my loyalty to you.
- Chief State Councillor. - Second State Councillor.
Are you here to see the Section Chief?
That's too bad.
His Majesty has forbidden any personal meetings...
with the Section Chief for a fair investigation.
I'm afraid you must go back.
Take it easy, Second State Councillor.
The queen selection process will begin soon.
You don't want to get on the wrong side of the Dowager Queen,
who is in charge of the Internal Court.
The Section Chief said something similar to that.
It must run in the family.
By the way, the Section Chief said something strange too.
That he changed the history of Joseon with his hands.
What could he have meant by that?
Chief State Councillor. Do you truly think...
I am not catching the real culprit because I do not know who it is?
You should catch the culprit if you know who it is.
You will lose him if you stall.
That sly snake.
I cannot be too certain as I only saw her from afar,
but I think I saw Gae Ttong on Unjong Street.
She was with a handsome man.
She was with a man?
Yes, sir.
You see,
I should be able to track her down...
if I wander around Unjong Street for a few days.
But I cannot leave my forge unattended for days.
If you find out anything new, I will pay you double that.
My gosh, sure thing. I will certainly find out something.
You can count on me. Oh, my.
I am Choi Jong Hyun.
(Choi Jong Hyun)
Beautiful lady,
may I dare to ask you what your name is?
My name is...
Hey, you with the pale face. Stop.
How dare you make a move on her?
This lady is taken,
so you'd better leave now. Go!
- Still... - Go on.
I saved you from all your families being exterminated.
Leave. Hurry. Go!
Goodness.
What's with you all of a sudden?
What do you mean?
I've always been protective of you.
Lady Yun, you shouldn't carry heavy things like this...
with your delicate hands.
Follow me. Come on.
- Gosh. - This is so heavy.
What is wrong with him?
Are you feeling sick or something?
What is the matter with him today?
Shouldn't we tell the newbie now?
Who the King is.
What about you? Shouldn't you tell your lady...
who you really are?
She may get angry if I tell her.
You know how she is.
And you know how Gae Ttong is.
I will tell her...
after the gathering ends successfully.
At the moment,
that alone is more than she can handle.
How did we end up like this?
Did you volunteer to play the King not expecting this outcome?
Stop seeing the Second State Councillor's daughter.
A long tail is bound to be seen.
How are you going to handle the consequences?
I cannot do that.
This is a promise between His Majesty and me,
not you.
Even if you have feelings for her, you must give up.
The ending is obvious.
Have you forgotten?
I never worry about any consequences...
for I have no future.
Guys!
Hi, guys. We're back.
Oh, my.
Look at these.
Gae Ttong received...
The men who were smitten by Lady Yun gave her these name cards.
(Choi Jong Hyun)
Choi Jong Hyun, Jo Young Gwang,
Kim Dong...
How could you accept these from men whom you don't even know?
I was not the one who accepted them.
I suppose that is our cue to give them some privacy.
Yes, I agree.
I kept them so we can take them on as clients after the King's wedding.
Why did you throw them like that?
These jerks don't even qualify.
Are you...
being like this because you're jealous?
No, I just don't like their names.
Someone once told me being startled stops hiccups.
Well...
About what happened yesterday...
It was my mistake.
Is that so?
I failed to recognize my own feelings...
and let all of this happen,
so it was my mistake.
I should have neither ignored...
nor denied my feelings.
Boss.
From now on, I will do what my heart tells me.
I will embrace you,
hold your hand,
and kiss you if my heart tells me to.
Boss.
The thing is...
I mean, this is too sudden.
I will do so after we wrap up everything...
successfully.
This is enough for now.
Boss.
We should rescue your brother first.
Yes.
By the way, what is that?
It's information on the candidates for the King's bride-to-be.
What will you do with this?
Each of them will pay us five pun for writing and submitting...
their applications on their behalf.
Hurry up and write their applications.
I have to do it?
Yes, of course.
You have the finest handwriting...
in the city of Hanyang.
What Section Chief Yun did is not enough...
to end the regency.
Instead, why don't we pressure the Ma family...
by giving Section Chief Yun a harsher punishment?
Then this time,
we shall take a step back.
Are you all right, Your Majesty?
I heard you have been immersing yourself...
in state affairs since meeting Gae Ttong the other day.
Eunuch Jang is very concerned about you.
Commander Kim.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Did you...
not resent my father?
In order to protect me and my mother,
you had to abandon your own family...
and couldn't even get married.
No, it was my pleasure.
I was happy every day for I was able to protect you and your mother.
And having a son who is proud of me...
gave me so much joy.
So please...
do not be afraid and cause your own misfortune, Your Majesty.
My son, of whom I am proud,
did not grow up like that.
This will soon be over.
Back off.
Section Chief, wake up!
An assassin?
Who dared to hurt my brother?
Make preparations.
- I need to go meet His Majesty. - Yes, Your Highness.
Just give up on him!
Until when will you protect that foolish boy...
who does nothing but make trouble trusting his sister?
Would you say the same if it were Hoon?
No matter who it is, including my child,
if someone tries to hurt my family name,
I will cut him out with my own hands.
You're not an exception either.
Do you understand?
Your Highness.
Your Highness. Are you all right?
Your Highness.
(Flower Crew)
It must be so comfortable to be a king.
He puts up a notice and women line up to marry him.
The king didn't seem so comfortable to me.
You talk as if you've met him.
It's obvious even if I don't meet him.
All right.
Here you go.
All you have to do is tie the dongsimgyeol knot now.
Dongsimgyeol?
It's a special knot that you tie...
when you send a letter to your fiancee.
Here.
Follow me.
Hold the center of the string...
and make a loop in the middle and two more loops to the side.
Is there anything you can do properly?
Here.
Even your smile makes my heart flutter.
Like this.
Why are you staring at me so much?
How many women did you hit on like this?
You are the first.
There. It's all done.
Why do you tie such a complicated knot?
It means to tie your hearts together hoping for happiness.
It means to tie two loving hearts together.
Why?
It's like a promise to become one and live happily.
If you tie it up like this, it's very difficult to cut loose.
That makes no sense.
No matter how sturdy this is, people's hearts can be broken.
You're right.
Don't tie a dongsimgyeol knot on my bridal application.
Your bridal application?
Yes. I heard all unmarried ladies from noble families...
are required to enter the queen selection process by law.
But it's just a formality since the queen has already been decided.
Still, don't tie the dongsimgyeol knot on mine.
I don't want my heart tied up to a king that I don't even know.
Do not worry.
I won't enter you in the queen selection process.
Seriously. My lady.
You know that sneaky informant from Wolhyanggwan?
That jerk told me to give you this.
How dare he...
covet you, who will become the queen soon?
My lady, this red ribbon looks perfect on you.
Are you looking for me?
What brings you here?
I have something to tell you.
And I think I'll only have the courage to say it today.
What is it?
I missed you.
Is that...
what you wanted to say?
I've met you, so that's good enough.
You should go back inside.
If...
I'm not the king,
would you still meet me?
Don't make such assumptions.
You are currently the highest person in this country,
and that fact won't ever change.
So I guess that will never change.
Hello?
- Hello. - Yes.
- Can I help you? - This is Lady Yun Su Yeon...
who came to take measurements.
It's nice to meet you.
You need to make her the finest yellow dress.
Of course.
Wait here for a second.
What do I need a yellow dress for suddenly?
Come on. Spending time and money always pays off in the end.
That's what they say.
We have a reputation to maintain. How could you go like this...
to the queen selection process?
I probably won't even make it to the first stage.
- This is totally meaningless. - Stop talking back.
This is the finest yellow color.
Yes, thank you.
My lady, please raise your arms.
Okay.
A special scented ornament made of jade...
will arrive at noon.
I'll go bring it.
(An ornamental perfumed sachet made of jade.)
I'll be back, my lady.
You're buying more perfumed sachets?
Please turn around.
Didn't you buy one a few days ago?
Is he obsessed with perfume or what?
My lady, welcome.
Your dress is ready.
Follow me.
How is the preparation for the gathering going for you?
There's not much to prepare.
I've been a noble lady all my life, after all.
I'll just be my usual self.
I do hope that boy who resembles your brother...
won't be sold away.
I doubt that will happen.
Don't tell me...
you're preparing for the queen selection process.
You can never...
become the queen.
We don't know about that until I try.
Apologize to me.
Who knows?
If you admit everything and kneel down in front of me,
I might stop you from getting dragged to the government office.
You'll have to...
apologize to me.
Also, do keep your promise.
I'll see you at the gathering then.
My beautiful babies.
Hello.
One perfumed sachet, please.
Just a second, please.
How beautiful.
Look at that.
It smells absolutely lovely.
That's craftsmanship right there.
Why would anyone import perfumed sachets from Qing?
Joseon makes amazing products too.
You're right.
Come here. Nice to meet you.
Not bad.
- How much is it? - "Not bad"?
Do you even know what this is?
This new perfume was made...
by carefully blending 11 scents on a lucky day.
Also...
I got here first.
What?
It's okay.
You must have been scared.
My dear!
Why did it suddenly get so serious?
Why would a man wear makeup...
and carry a perfumed sachet?
Are you a woman?
What an embarrassment.
Gosh, it stinks.
Something smells rotten.
This punk smells disgusting.
Gosh, it stinks!
He smells disgusting!
Let go!
You don't deserve to keep this.
Let's go.
- Okay. - Wait.
No! Give that to me!
Give that to me!
Are you okay?
How could you gang up on him like this?
Aren't you ashamed of yourselves?
You...
I already reported it to the Police Bureau.
I wonder if they're on their way.
Let's go.
Did you fall for that? Idiots.
Why didn't you let me come with you?
Here.
Are you hurt?
It's just a little scratch.
It looks pretty bad.
Three-Month Temp.
Do you think I'm weird too?
Yes.
I see.
Everyone is a little weird.
That's why everyone is interesting.
You're the second person to say that.
Who was the first person?
What are you doing? We're late. Let's hurry.
Aren't you going to thank me?
Uncle must be abandoning Joon Hyun.
If another assassin comes, Joon Hyun will die.
What should I do?
Court Lady Choi.
- Yes, Your Highness. - Get ready.
Pardon?
We're going to the King's Palace.
Your Majesty.
The Dowager Queen is here.
Mother.
Your Majesty, please save my brother.
Mother, please get up.
Your Majesty, what do you want me to do?
Mother.
The investigation has to be fair.
If he stays in prison,
he'll die.
How about ending the regency?
I'll do anything you tell me to do.
Please just save Joon Hyun.
He's my only brother.
Your Majesty.
I thought the Chief State Councillor's son,
who ran away from home, was the only crazy one.
The son of an adulterer who frequents courtesan houses...
and a male maebungu who does makeup for women?
(Maebungu: cosmetics peddler)
Why did His Majesty visit this place?
Lord Kang.
The village chief is here.
Send him in.
Among the bridal applications that have been submitted...
in Hanseong so far,
these ones have a relation...
to the Chief State Councillor.
(Lady Ma)
In the end, the Chief State Councillor is...
entering his second cousin's daughter in the process.
Good job.
When more profiles are submitted,
I'll bring them here.
If your daughter becomes the queen,
my son's civil service examination...
I'll never forget your contribution to the great cause.
I'll not only make sure your son passes the exam...
but have a good position ready for him.
Thank you, Lord Kang.
I appreciate it.
That man...
Do you know who my boss's father is?
He's the Chief State Councillor!
I'll tell on you to him!
I mean it!
I swear I've seen him before.
Do you recognize someone?
I'm sure I've seen him before.
Oh, now I remember.
When I was an inspector at the government office five years ago,
he ran away.
The reward for his capture is the biggest ever.
He is wanted?
It's this crook, Chil Nom. There is a 100-yang reward for him.
(Chil Nom, Reward 100 Yang)
I was wondering where he was hiding.
I can't believe he is pretending to be a nobleman here in Hanyang.
This punk is dangerous.
I will arrest him at once.
Chief Choi.
Yes, my lord.
You must not tell anyone about this.
Pardon me?
It is for the sake of the great cause.
Do you understand?
Tell me what Mencius' five moral disciplines are.
Mencius said that intimacy must exist between a father and son.
Loyalty must exist between the sovereign and his subjects.
Distinction must exist between a husband and wife,
the younger must give precedence to the elder,
and faithfulness must exist between friends.
Those are his five moral disciplines.
You can now pass for a noblewoman,
Lady Yun Su Yeon.
Stop it, please.
I really can't do this again.
I like being Gae Ttong.
Gae Ttong.
Yes.
I must tell you something.
What is it?
Three-Month Temp.
Three-Month Temp! Three-Month Temp.
Ta-da.
Have a look.
An exquisite skirt that is sure to win all men's hearts...
and an elegant jade-colored jacket.
What do you think? The King...
You can wear these when you go see your dear one.
Is it time for that already?
Yes, that's right. I prepared these for you,
so go to my room and put them on.
Hoon, you still haven't told her about the King?
Whose fault do you think it is?
Never mind. Just forget it.
Forget what?
The queen selection process will commence shortly.
She needs to know to get ready.
You know what? Just let me tell her.
I will tell her myself.
But when?
In a few days, after the gathering is over.
Why bring up the gathering out of the blue?
I bet you're hiding something from me.
What are you getting out of it? New jewels or ornaments?
Gosh, Hoon!
Follow the Dowager Queen's wishes...
and just remove Section Chief Yun from his position.
However,
if we bury it like this, it will be hard for us...
to punish the likes of him who use their power to exploit others...
even in the future.
Your Majesty.
At the moment, your priority should be solidifying your position...
and making the throne solely yours.
This time, you must join hands with the Dowager Queen.
I would like to make an important announcement today.
As the Dowager Queen, I have been acting as a queen regent as well.
However, it has been over 100 days since the King took the throne,
and he is 23 years old.
Hence, I would like the King to take this burden off my shoulders now.
Your Highness.
Since His Majesty grew up outside of the palace for most of his life,
His Majesty will have a hard time...
looking after all the state affairs on his own.
Please reconsider Your Highness' decision.
- Please reconsider. - Please reconsider.
The King is old enough,
and he is capable enough to make executive decisions on his own.
Thus, I will stop acting as a queen regent as of today.
Your Majesty, please be a sage king.
- We're much obliged, Your Highness. - We're much obliged, Your Highness.
Who made that wench the most powerful woman in Joseon?
How dare she renounce regency without even consulting me?
Who says she can do that?
- Hyun. - Yes, my lord.
I will catch that girl, Gae Ttong,
and bring her to you at all costs.
My dear, why haven't you been visiting the courtesan house at all?
You'll never see me there from now on.
Is it because of that noble lady?
It's okay.
You should be with her and even marry her.
You can still visit me from time to time.
I'm sorry, Seom Seom.
I don't think I should see you again.
About your rendezvous with Kim Soo...
Don't show up.
I caused it, so I will take care of it.
I am the one who crossed the line,
so I will get it all sorted out.
Soo is...
He's like family to me.
He took care of me like a big brother in my own brother's absence,
and he was also there for me as a friend.
- So... - That is why this must be...
so heartbreaking for you.
Still,
I will take care of it myself.
Let me do it.
Is there anything I can help you with?
Would you take...
just half a step closer?
Is this enough?
Just this much.
Stay within my reach.
For now,
this is good enough.
Gae Ttong.
Why do you keep hesitating to say something?
Did you do something wrong?
If there is, you better tell me now.
It takes just a second to lie,
but forever to be forgiven.
I'll tell you after the gathering is over.
Whatever it is I say,
will you forgive me?
Hold out your hand.
(Try Again)
This is...
If you need another chance too,
I'll give it to you.
So whatever it is, you should tell me as soon as possible.
Soo.
Why are you dressed...
Follow me.
Wait.
I have something to tell you.
I do too. Let's go.
What?
Soo.
How did you...
Do you remember this?
We used to eat here every day.
The bowl my father used,
and the spoon you used.
Doesn't it look exactly the same?
Soo.
Look at me.
I have something to tell you.
Come this way.
The hydrangeas we planted together are still here.
- Soo. - You promised me!
That you'd become my family for the rest of our lives.
You said you'd become my family.
Soo.
We have changed.
No, I have changed.
This place changed too.
But I brought everything back.
I brought everything back...
and it looks just like how we used to live before.
We can also...
go back to how we were before. I'll make that happen.
I'm sorry.
I can't.
Why?
Because you like that matchmaker?
I wanted to go back to you.
Since that's where I belong.
But...
I can't.
I know I'll be punished by the skies.
I know how mean I am. But...
Still...
It's just something I can't control.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, Soo.
My lady.
You are...
Where were you?
I've been looking all over for you.
I have something to say.
I have plans, so come back later.
It's about that swindler...
whom you're on your way to meet.
Flower Crew is playing you for a fool.
I was choosing a book that you'd like.
What are you?
A pimp that sells information at courtesan houses...
or a lowly matchmaker that toys with the hearts of women...
by using their marriages?
You're mistaken.
I will tell you everything.
If you succeed in this,
did His Majesty promise you an official position?
Or were you promised a large amount of money...
for meeting me instead?
Why on earth did you meet me?
Because of you.
I just met you because I missed you.
Liar.
I'm sorry. But my feelings for you were true.
The promise we made last time...
The person I made a promise with...
is not a lowly matchmaker,
but the king of this country.
If I'm not the king,
am I meaningless to you?
Yes.
If you won't become the king, let go of me.
Who on earth is it?
The lady who met the king instead of me?
How miserable do you intend to make me?
It's Lady...
Yun Su Yeon.
Did you say what it holds inside is important?
You're wrong.
This ugly thing...
cannot hold anything nor be used.
If you wanted to have something noble,
you should've been born noble.
Instead of a useless man...
who can't even take the civil service exam.
I will have her stay beside me.
How?
I'll become more powerful.
Powerful enough so no one would hurt us...
even if Gae Ttong is beside me.
I'll find a way...
to come back to you.
When everything settles down, let's get married again...
like we promised.
I took this path for only one person,
but that person doesn't want to take this path.
Without Gae Ttong,
what am I supposed to do...
on this path?
Who on earth is it?
The lady who met the king instead of me?
It's Lady...
Yun Su Yeon.
What's so special about that girl?
Wait and see.
Whomever she may be,
I will reveal her identity to the whole world.
Where is Matchmaker Ma?
He said he was meeting an important client.
He left early in the morning.
Why is he meeting a client when marriage is banned?
See you.
Who are you?
It hurts! Gosh.
It hurts!
Take it easy.
This silk arrived through Mapo Port yesterday.
I brought him, Second State Councillor.
Second State Councillor.
Why did you want to see me?
Many people seem to be desperately looking for you.
(Chil Nom, Reward 100 Yang)
Second State Councillor.
Chil Nom.
What good would it do me to report you to the government office?
Do something very simple for me,
and I'll let you keep wearing nice clothes...
and pretending to be an aristocrat.
What can I do for you?
Flower Crew.
I'm very interested in it.
Give me some information.
What kind of important people come there? What do they talk about?
What do they do there? Tell me everything you know.
I'm sure...
you don't want to go back to where you used to be.
This way, please.
She's waiting for you.
Have a seat.
My family's tea is quite delicious.
They say the sammyo harmonize with each other exceptionally.
I thought the gathering was today.
I canceled it.
The stakes are too low for the gathering.
The queen selection process gathers Joseon's finest ladies.
Prove yourself there.
Then I'll give you both my apology...
and that slave.
What do you say?
Would you like to try?
What do you mean?
You brought many friends,
Your Majesty.
Why did you want to see me outside the palace,
Matchmaker Ma?
Have you submitted Gae Ttong's bridal application yet?
I will not submit her profile.
Your Majesty.
I will consider this marriage canceled.
I will not...
send Gae Ttong.
(Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency)
This is a marriage proposal letter for Gae Ttong...
from matchmaker Ma Hoon, who has nothing.
I'll do my best to eliminate you from the queen selection process.
Who is Yun Su Yeon?
Do you want me to take you back there?
A report was made.
Transfer him to the Department of Justice.
Wait until Gae Ttong can make a choice.
What if I can't?
Don't make me become the king.