(Characters, places, and events associated in this series...)
(are not historical facts but fictional.)
(Episode 12)
Can't you live for me?
Since I entered the palace,
I went through many crises.
Every fatal moment,
I desperately wanted to live.
Even if it was just for a day,
I wanted to be with you.
By your side,
I wanted to hear you smile...
and live together with you...
And live together with you.
For a very long time.
Please...
live...
for me.
Your Majesty.
Charge!
Get them!
Please wake up, Your Majesty.
Vice Minister of War.
Please don't go any further.
Let me apologize for his lack of manners.
Please forgive Chief Royal Secretary Lee's sin.
He should be apologizing to me,
not you, Great Lord of Goseong.
What are you doing? Beg for his forgiveness.
That I can't do.
What?
I'm here as His Majesty's servant...
unlike you who are here for his personal gain.
I will not dirty this nation or my king...
just so that I could save my life.
Do you not fear death?
What reason do you have for being this confident?
Why would I be scared...
if my death can maintain the amity...
between Joseon and Ming?
Even the Emperor...
wouldn't want our relations to end,
isn't that right?
They say sly words are better than a sword.
Who knew that Joseon...
had a loyalist like you?
I appreciate the high praise.
However, there are more in Joseon that even I can't hold a candle to.
Tomorrow, I will be at the palace.
The one receiving and serving the envoy...
will be the Great Lord of Goseong though.
Of course.
Do as you like.
I wondered why he went against the courtesy...
and arrived a day in advance.
It was your doing.
Don't blame me...
for His Majesty's absence and your mistake.
This nation is faced with a crisis,
and I'm only doing my best as a loyal subject.
Being a puppet of a Ming envoy...
isn't what a Joseon's official should do.
Go ahead and send His Majesty a message or something.
If he's absent tomorrow too,
things will go beyond your control.
You better hurry.
Are you not hurt?
I'm anxious.
Why aren't you saying anything?
Am I dreaming?
I was so frightened.
Thinking I'd lose you,
I went blank,
and my heart dropped.
I was...
even more scared than dying.
Are you...
giving up on dying?
I felt guilty for being ignorant of my own sin,
and I thought I needed to pay for it with my life.
But now,
even if the whole world criticizes me...
and throws stones at me,
I'll bear it.
I'll live...
by your side.
You just...
saved two lives.
If you hadn't given up on dying,
I would've killed myself too.
Lie down now.
I'm worried about your wound.
Close your eyes and get some sleep.
I don't think I can sleep.
I'm worried you might disappear.
Don't worry.
I won't go anywhere.
I'll stay by your side.
Promise me.
I promise.
He was attacked?
Where is he?
Officer Jang escorted him to a nearby physician.
Did you catch them?
We chased after but we lost them.
Is he badly injured?
He was unconscious...
until I left the place.
Okay, go back to his side.
Chief Royal Secretary Lee.
Shouldn't we go escort him here immediately?
The Ming envoy will come here early tomorrow morning.
Until he returns,
I must be present in the Hall of Convenience.
Goodness.
Where is His Majesty?
Chief Royal Secretary Lee.
Where is His Majesty?
Didn't you say he'd be here today?
This isn't what we promised.
I heard Joseon was the country of courtesy.
Has the King of Joseon...
no courtesy...
towards the Emperor's message?
You speak our language fluently for a Ming envoy.
When did you learn how?
This is the least qualification...
to be the Emperor's envoy.
You must've been aware that I was coming to see you.
So why were you away from the palace?
Don't you know disrespecting the Emperor's envoy...
is the same as disrespecting the Emperor himself?
It's understandable to take it that way.
Bring it in.
What is that?
What is going on?
Look at that.
This is the whole skin of a tiger.
I went hunting for game to serve you at the banquet...
and this tiger held me back.
It's the best I caught recently, so present it to the Emperor.
However,
the tail...
Did you notice that?
I realized it had no tail only after I caught it.
Isn't it fascinating?
A tiger without a tail.
It's very valuable and hard to come by.
I hope you tell the Emperor that.
I will.
On hearing that you had dismissed...
one as loyal as Shin Chi Soo from his office,
the Emperor was greatly shocked.
Laws govern master and vassal states,
and such laws exist between king and subject also.
You should have Shin Chi Soo reinstated.
That is the Emperor's wish.
You are right.
I heard that while I was away,
the Great Lord of Goseong received and entertained you.
I shall give the Great Lord of Goseong another title.
I thank both...
the Emperor and...
Your Majesty for your grace.
You managed well.
Is that where you were hurt?
I was afraid you would not return in time.
I gave you my word that I would.
If Eunuch Cho hadn't tipped me off,
when the envoy suggested I reinstate Shin Chi Soo,
I might have caused a scene out of anger.
You did well by holding back.
The envoy arrived a day early...
and asked for Shin Chi Soo to accompany him.
It's most definitely a ploy...
Shin Chi Soo arranged to get back in office.
He's even using the Ming envoy.
It's getting harder for me to forgive him.
Did you find who attacked Ha Seon and the Queen?
I apologize.
We gave chase but couldn't catch them.
They attacked both the King and Queen.
Who would do such an unimaginable thing?
I don't know who actually did it, but as for the mastermind,
I have someone in mind.
Who is it?
The only person who noticed you weren't in the palace.
The one who came here...
and demanded I hand over your seal and plaque.
Do you mean the Queen Dowager?
How can you not even do something this simple?
"The King will have..."
"followed the Queen to visit her father."
"Follow them and kill him."
I told you what to do.
I even told you how.
Answer me.
Can I trust you, Lord Jinpyeong,
and make you part of my future plans?
Of course.
Who other than me can assist you...
and preserve the royal family?
If you were as good as your word,
you'd be on the throne already.
Your Highness, Lord Younghwa is here.
Let him in.
You can leave.
Welcome, Lord Younghwa.
When you said you'd return, I thought you meant your chambers.
Why are we in...
this rundown place that's almost haunted?
I will return to my chambers after this tea ceremony.
Bear with me for three days.
Who are you serving this tea to?
It's someone you don't know.
Your Highness.
Over there.
Your Highness.
You decided to come back.
I don't know how to thank you enough.
You do not need to thank me.
I fled to avoid my punishment...
and only returned to pay the full price as I should.
Now my only duty...
is to protect that person we both know.
If it's to protect him,
I will do anything willingly.
I once heard someone...
say something similar to that.
The man in the King's office...
once narrowly avoided death.
That is what he said to me afterwards.
To protect something precious,
he said he wanted to obtain power.
I will give you my word.
I will stake my life to protect both of you...
and our country.
You have been a great help to me.
I will make up for it all my life.
The only reason I want you back in office...
so that I could present 10,000 of Joseon's soldiers to the Emperor.
- Do not forget that. - Of course not.
Do not worry.
Let's drink.
You should still be resting,
so why did you come all this way?
I was too worried and felt sorry...
to stay under my warm sheets.
Can you give me your hand?
Give me your hand.
Do you recall?
If you crack open a hazelnut and make a wish,
the goblin that protects the house...
will appear and grant it.
When things get bored,
crack open one and make a wish.
You never know.
A goblin could actually be living here.
Until when will you keep addressing me formally?
Sorry?
I'm back at the palace now,
so you should drop the formal tone and address me like you used to.
It's more comfortable for me...
and will better ensure your safety.
How could I dare to...
Then...
I'll do as you say.
When will you be back at your chambers?
Three days. It's all I ask for.
Three days?
All right.
It's So Woon.
My name, I mean.
It's Yoo So Woon.
So Woon.
Yoo So Woon.
It's a pretty name.
Please tell me your name too.
My name is Ha Seon.
Ha Seon.
It's such a warm name.
Ming will ask for our soldiers?
What are you talking about?
For many years now,
Ming's relations with Later Jin has been worsening.
Just with their troops alone,
it will be impossible to defeat Later Jin.
That is why they'll ask for our soldiers.
What if we decline?
Before they go to war with Later Jin,
they'll invade us first.
However, if we assist them with our troops,
Later Jin won't let it slide.
They're already threatening us at our borders anyway.
No matter whose side we take, we'll end up spilling blood.
Another war might occur again in this nation.
Why can't they go to war without involving us?
Is there no way to avoid this war?
Have you walked a tightrope before?
I'm a clown, so of course.
Why do you ask though?
Starting now, you and I...
will take a walk on one.
Are you with me?
Congratulations on becoming the Head of Privy Council.
You sure suffered enough.
Thank you.
I owe it all to His Majesty's generosity.
Even his son Shin Yi Gyum made it back in court.
One might think...
that he's back as Left State Councilor.
What can we do though?
Not even His Majesty...
can go against the Emperor's orders.
Your Majesty.
The barbarians have betrayed their masters...
and announced a full-fledged attack.
We must fulfill our duty as a vassal state.
Sending 10,000 soldiers or 2 to 3 times more...
can't be considered as a waste.
Your Majesty.
It is only right to discuss with the court...
regarding the matter of our soldiers.
Chief Royal Secretary Lee is correct.
Although it is our duty to serve them,
drought and the cold wave have produced...
less rations this year.
I humbly suggest that you write a letter...
declining their request.
That's absurd!
Your Majesty.
During the last war, Ming aided us with troops.
You must not forget who helped us win it.
If we show signs of hesitation,
it will be considered as us betraying its own father.
Please...
Please reconsider, Your Majesty.
- Please reconsider. - Please reconsider.
I will not.
But Your Majesty.
Your Majesty,
why are you choosing to be an ungrateful son?
If Joseon is the son of Ming,
then I am the father to my people.
How can I send my sons into the fire pit...
when I know that it'll lead to their deaths?
I'd rather commit a sin towards Ming...
then do so to my people.
You're saying...
that you're willing to betray all laws and courtesy.
How will you endure the scholars' appeals...
after saying such horrific and heinous words?
Is it killing you inside that I refused...
to be loyal to Ming?
Then let me grant your wish.
You may battle alongside Ming...
with the officials and other scholars.
Why are you not saying anything?
I give you my permission.
Will you be going or not?
Your Majesty.
You are not making any sense.
Shut it.
Which nation do you serve?
You cherish your own blood,
but you don't care about the people of this nation.
You should be ashamed of yourselves.
Your Majesty.
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
You cannot disobey the Emperor's orders.
You cannot!
Your Majesty.
How will you deal with the aftermath?
Please reconsider.
- Please reconsider. - Please reconsider.
What's the delay? Move already.
Yes, my lord.
Vice Minister of War. I've come to greet you.
I'm sure you aren't here to ask me to kill you.
What brings you here?
I'm here...
to deliver His Majesty's message.
Spew a word of nonsense,
and I'll take your head to the Emperor.
Please listen to his message before you do so.
Unlike in Ming, in Joseon,
we don't train farmers and soldiers separately.
In order to provide military support,
the country needs to draft new soldiers and train them.
But we're short on time.
Besides,
we didn't get to collect enough taxes due to draught and cold wave.
That is why...
His Majesty rejected the request.
If you give us time,
we'll be able to train newly drafted soldiers...
and prepare for provisions.
What do you say?
How much time do you want?
Two years.
Make it a year.
I'll give you a year.
All right, I'll deliver your message to His Majesty.
[VIU Ver] tvN E12 'The Crowned Clown' "Procession" -♥ Ruo Xi ♥-
What is this?
It's a letter to General Nurhachi.
It's about how we won't provide troops to Ming...
nor attack Aisin Gurun...
even if a war breaks out.
This letter will stop...
Aisin Gurun from attacking us for the time being.
If you agree with me,
stamp the royal seal on it.
I don't know if I have the right...
to do this.
Who else could do it if not you?
It's the secret letter from the King. Please deliver it.
Leave it up to me.
Why did you ask me to come here? What if people see us?
Someone wanted to see you in person,
so I called you in here.
What is this?
Lord Jinpyeong prepared this for you.
So you were right about...
his dedication to Ming, Lord Shin.
This is nothing compared to your kindness.
Chief Royal Secretary Lee asked for a year of grace period,
which made me very upset.
But I'm relieved with you now.
Please remind the Emperor...
that Joseon has some loyal servants...
who are dedicated to Ming.
Don't worry.
Instead,
keep your promise of providing 20,000 soldiers...
within half a year.
What will I not give...
to sit on the throne?
- Your Majesty. - Your Highness.
The Queen is back in the palace. We're here to greet you together.
How have you been, Your Highness?
Have you no sense of shame?
It's only right you kill yourself to avoid humiliation.
I can't believe you came back here like a sly fox.
Stop insulting her.
I approved all this.
That is the problem.
Because you go easy on her,
she's disgracing her title.
I can't stand watching her arrogance any longer.
Your Highness.
If you have conscience,
step down from your position...
before the court decides...
to depose you and have you drink poison.
I apologize,
but I can't do that.
What?
So you intend to...
disgrace His Majesty and the royal house?
I'd never doubted your loyalty,
but it was all your sly scheme...
to save your traitor father...
and to save yourself from the position.
Enough.
Stop harassing her,
or I won't stand idly by any longer.
Then what?
Will you threaten me again that you'll send me away?
I'm well aware...
that you don't feel the need to fulfill your filial duty towards me.
Kick me out to the secondary palace. Do whatever you like.
See if I will go down or you.
While I was absent,
you demanded Lord Lee hand over my seal and plaque.
Do you not mind that the people find out?
That was...
That was unavoidable.
I had to do so because you were absent.
You would want to say so.
But what if others were to hear I was attacked by assassins?
Who would believe you, Your Highness?
Do not insult the Queen anymore.
If you do,
I will not forgive you, even though you are my mother.
I will take that to mean you accept the Queen's return.
We shall leave you.
Your Highness.
We can implement the rice payment law this soon?
You did very well.
I am glad that you see that.
The Chief Royal Secretary won't agree,
but even I think that I did pretty well.
I have much more to show you.
Look forward to it.
I will. You are excused.
Already?
If there's more you wish to know, you can ask me.
He said you are excused.
I can explain more...
Your Majesty. Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Before we implement the law,
I would like to know what the people think.
Since it failed once before.
Then will you go on a procession?
A procession?
Go into the streets,
hear their opinions on the rice payment law,
and comfort them for their hardships.
That will help you too.
Will you do it?
Yes, I will.
Where are Dal Rae and Gab Soo?
You wish to see them.
I'd love to see them again,
but I cannot anymore.
Is that what you think?
For those who follow me,
for the things I must do as king,
and for Dal Rae and Gab Soo.
I knew the day would come when I would have to...
cut ties with my past.
Only then will Dal Rae be safe.
Get both Dal Rae and Gab Soo to a safe place as soon as possible.
Then...
it'll be easier for me to move on.
Very well. I'll do that.
Give this to Dal Rae for me.
Okay.
I'll pass it on.
If I'm to calculate everything...
My lord.
I'm a lord now.
Officer Jang. What is it?
A message from Chief Royal Secretary Lee.
He will come for those staying at your home.
Prepare them tomorrow night.
Tomorrow night?
That soon?
I believe I told you I would not eat snack at night.
These are dried persimmons from Sancheong.
I just cannot stop eating these.
Are these that delicious?
- Eunuch Cho. - Yes?
Send the rest to the Queen.
Good food must be shared.
Pardon?
Very well.
This is for you.
Pardon?
Your Majesty.
Your Highness.
The King sent a snack.
Dried persimmons.
And...
there's a letter too.
Tomorrow, I plan to leave in a procession to check on the people.
Will you come with me?
Have some breakfast.
I grilled some mackerel.
You are packing.
You were empty-handed when you came here.
How do you have so many things now?
What? It's not like that.
You cheeky thing.
Isn't this my top?
- It's not. - What's this?
Don't touch that.
This is...
a poster.
It's just that...
How come...
You should've said so.
Do you adore the King as much as I do?
- What? - What do you mean?
The face on this poster is really the King's?
Come on.
You kept this not knowing that?
That's right.
Today, the King will come into town to see the people.
Which way will he come?
The people...
will get a change to see his handsome face.
Hasn't the world changed?
I will return before you leave.
- Wait for me. - Sure.
I will serve you one last feast.
Take care, sir.
Bye.
Gab Soo.
Still, we can't leave this place.
He said that Ha Seon looks exactly like the King.
We have to leave the capital tonight,
so I must see it with my very own eyes.
- What? - Stay here if you're scared.
But... Dal Rae!
Lord Lee.
Is Ha Seon not coming to see Dal Rae?
I'm afraid so.
Woon Shim, I need you to pass this along to her.
Dal Rae will be truly upset.
All right. I'll do as you say.
Your Majesty, where will you be heading?
I'm thinking of a place...
where people would least expect the King to go.
Halt.
Make way for His Majesty!
- What? - It's the King!
- Here? - My gosh.
No way.
- Goodness. - Your Majesty!
- It's His Majesty. - You may stand.
- You may stand. - Your Majesty.
- You may stand. - My goodness.
- Your Majesty. - You may stand.
- You may stand. - Oh, dear.
You may stand.
You may all stand.
Madam, I'd like a bowl of soup and rice.
Coming right up.
How has life been treating you?
Thanks to your generosity,
life has been great for us.
- Right. - That's right.
Be honest with me.
That way, I can work to make things better.
Are you worried about getting flogged...
if you say the wrong thing?
Don't worry and say what you wish.
Sure. Then I'll just say this.
Go ahead.
Well...
It has been hard to make ends meet,
so I cultivated an unclaimed worthless land.
However, the nobles came flocking...
and took it away from me insisting that its theirs.
Please allow me to own the unclaimed land...
that I cultivated myself.
Those obnoxious rats!
All right. You have my permission.
My gosh.
Thank you for your boundless generosity!
I am working to implement the rice payment law...
that takes taxes from land owners.
Do you still wish to own one?
Of course.
What's the problem with paying taxes according to your wealth?
Paying taxes when you're broke is the issue...
That's the issue.
Exactly. You are right on point.
- Goodness. - Your Majesty.
I had to take out a loan of rice just to get by,
but I was told to pay 70 percent in interest.
70 percent?
In my case, my master...
stole my wife from me!
Please appease us, Your Majesty.
My gosh. Your Majesty.
Please hear me out too.
Your Majesty, me too.
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty!
- Please. - Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, please hear me out.
Me too, Your Majesty.
Life has not been fair!
Do not worry.
I'll listen to every one of you.
- My goodness. - Form a line.
- Gosh. - Move!
Get out of the way!
No, stop pushing!
My gosh.
- Gosh. - My goodness.
Has he lost his mind?
What's with all the ruckus?
Please hear me out, Your Majesty.
I'm terribly sorry.
What is His Majesty doing here?
Let's go.
Gab Soo, he must be over there.
It doesn't matter. We shouldn't go there.
You just never listen, do you?
What's wrong?
It's as if you saw a ghost.
Dal Rae.
Is that him?
Excuse me. Can she stay here a bit?
Yes, of course.
I won't be gone long, so stay here.
I'm sorry. Maybe some other time.
Where did she go?
She was here a second ago.
Was this really...
in the hands of that clown's sister?
Yes, my lord.
I might be able to expose Haksan's traitorous mind.
The young girl must be startled.
Make sure she feels comfortable.
Yes, my lord.
What about Yi Gyum? Is his injury severe?
No, my lord.
He's just in shock and the wound isn't deep.
All is good then.
Get ready. I'll be seeing the Minister of Punishments.
Yes, my lord.
Your Majesty,
I have something urgent to report.
What is it?
There was an incident...
that violated moral principles in the capital.
I ask for the three investigative bodies...
to be involved in the matter.
The three investigative bodies?
You must report it in detail for His Majesty to allow it.
When you were out on the streets today,
Lord Shin's son Shin Yi Gyum...
was attacked at the marketplace.
Shin Yi Gyum?
What exactly happened to him?
Well,
a lowly clown named Gab Soo...
attacked him out of the blue.
I need to go see him.
No.
Shin Chi Soo has been looking for you.
It's most likely his trap.
That's why I must go.
Dal Rae and Gab Soo are in danger.
Calm down.
Things might get even more dangerous if you go.
Then what am I supposed to do?
Trust me and wait.
I'll go check the situation.
I'm telling you.
A girl named Dal Rae must've been taken here along with Gab Soo.
I told you. She is not here.
Goodness.
Kyu.
You heard the news about Dal Rae and Gab Soo?
I'm glad you're here.
Ask him where Dal Rae is.
I didn't know you were his acquaintance.
- You should've told me earlier. - What...
I'm here to see the criminal under the King's orders.
Was Gab Soo taken here alone?
Wasn't he with a girl named Dal Rae?
He was alone all along.
There wasn't any girl named Dal Rae.
Okay.
Go back to work. I'll call you out again later.
Yes, my lord.
Why...
He's lying.
Dal Rae must be captured here.
How are you so sure?
Dal Rae had a dagger decorated with a dragon...
that looked like it belonged to a king.
I assumed she was arrested...
because she had such a thing in possession for a peasant.
Kyu.
What's wrong? What's that dagger?
It's a royal dagger.
The former king gave it to...
His Majesty when he became Crown Prince.
What?
How did such valuable thing end up in Dal Rae's hands?
Kyu. Kyu!
Inform His Majesty that I'm here.
Your Majesty.
Shin Chi Soo is here to see you...
regarding the clown named Gab Soo.
Let him in.
But I don't have a good feeling about this.
Why don't you just refuse to see him?
No, it's about Gab Soo.
I need to hear him.
Your Majesty.
I have something to tell you in private.
Please let us be alone.
I heard the news.
Your son was attacked in the marketplace.
Is he badly injured?
The problem isn't his injury.
The strict discipline of the royal house...
went out of order.
What is it that you're here to say?
I'd like you to take a look at this.
Please open it.
Do you remember what that is?
Why do you have this?
Actually,
I found this from a girl named Dal Rae.
She was with the clown who attacked my son.
The Ming Emperor gave that dagger to you...
as a gift.
But the lowly clown had it. I was so shocked...
that I brought it to show you.
Isn't this the dagger you always carried around with you?
Please check.
I remember.
I carried it with me when I stepped outside earlier today.
I guess I slipped it then.
Your Majesty.
Are you certain?
Yes, I'm certain.
During the last war,
the former king installed...
His Majesty crown prince,
left its eradication up to him,
and gave that dagger as a token.
You.
Reveal yourself.
Or that girl's life...
will be in danger.
Tell me the truth.
Who are you?
Fine.
I am the one whom you paid two yang.
(The Crowned Clown)
To survive in this position,
I must withstand such pain.
I know that.
Why did you not hold back?
You told me that...
there are only two ways to survive.
Go on your knees.
I will tell you what to do to save your sister.
Will you fight me to the end?
Have Chief Royal Secretary Lee brought in as a criminal.
Then I will put your sister on the stand as a witness.
I have only one option left.