(Characters, places, and events associated in this series...)
(are not historical facts but fictional.)
(Episode 14)
Eunuch Cho.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Before Lord Yoo arrives,
I'd like to do something for the Queen.
Do not hesitate to tell me...
what you have in mind.
You look nice.
Your Majesty.
Where are we going all of a sudden?
Why, you can't trust me?
I do.
Let us go.
I've never seen...
such scenery before.
What a relief.
I wanted to make you feel better at least by a little bit.
When I heard the diagnosis result from the physician,
I was troubled.
I felt like...
I lost the right to be with you and the means to protect you.
I was sad and lonely.
It was so painful...
that I forgot for a while.
That I have someone...
who cares for me more than I do for myself.
I'm going to keep this scenery in my heart.
So that I can reminisce about it any time...
even after going back to the palace.
Let's go enjoy flowers in spring.
And get rained together in summer.
It'd be nice to go pick hazelnuts in mountains...
in autumn.
Are we coming to this place again in winter?
I'll make you a pretty snowman next coming winter.
Do you promise?
I promise.
Isn't this...
black locust?
That's right.
I remembered passing this road...
on my way to the palace the other day.
I wanted to show it to you.
They're two separate trees from different roots,
but how did they end up getting tangled like this?
Maybe the two were meant to be together.
There is an old legend about this tree.
Lovers are said to stay together forever...
if they walk under these trees together.
Won't you...
stay with me forever?
I promise.
I'll live up to your expectation and become the great king.
So promise me.
That you'll never cry alone.
That you will share everything with me...
whether it's sad or happy.
I promise.
Lord Yoo.
Lord Yoo!
You're back already.
Where is Lord Yoo?
Your Majesty.
Your Highness.
Lord Yoo...
is dead.
What...
That cannot be true.
He was healthy when I met him last time.
There must be a misunderstanding.
It cannot be true.
I apologize, Your Highness.
Did he really pass away?
What was the cause?
He was...
murdered by someone.
My Queen.
Father...
I was very unpleased about his reinstatement.
Great job.
You've finally made a satisfying move.
I'm very pleased to see that you are pleased.
I must go and see the King and Queen's distraught faces.
Your Highness.
Stay calm.
The King might catch on.
It would be best if you hide how you feel.
Yoo Ho Joon's murder...
was expected ever since the King...
killed my father and Prince Gyeongin.
He's only reaping what he sowed.
The Queen Dowager is behind this.
It's obvious that...
you'd gain power with your father-in-law's return.
I will not let this slide.
The Queen Dowager...
and the person she sent to carry out the murder...
Your Majesty. The Chief Royal Secretary's request is out of line.
Yoo Ho Joon cannot be cleared when he committed a crime.
You cannot give permission.
Lord Jinpyeong.
He opposed Lord Yoo's reinstatement most strongly.
I'm positive that he killed Lord Yoo.
I think so as well.
But if you order his arrest with circumstantial evidence,
the attack can backfire, so you must be cautious.
Your Majesty, it's Eunuch Cho.
What is the Queen Dowager up to?
Lord Jinpyeong has been with her for a while now.
Officer Jang.
The arrowhead from the arrows that were aimed at me and the Queen.
Where is it?
I have it.
It was different from the one aimed at you during the hunt,
so I was asking all the blacksmiths...
in the city who made it.
Search Lord Jinpyeong's residence.
Pardon?
I will.
Wait.
Why are you stopping him?
What will you do if you search...
Lord Jinpyeong's residence and find nothing?
You will fail to catch him...
and only tip him off that we suspect him.
You could also be criticized for framing...
an innocent subject just to persecute him.
Shall I not cook for fear of fire...
or not hike for fear of tigers?
If we hesitate now, we'll lose the evidence and...
the Queen Dowager and Lord Jinpyeong will get stronger.
I will carry out your command.
Wait.
If you don't find anything in Lord Jinpyeong's residence,
take the arrowhead you have...
and make it evidence.
I'm to fabricate evidence?
Yes.
Open up on the King's command.
- Search thoroughly. - Yes, sir.
Officer.
Search for any more arrows.
Yes, sir.
Why are you here so late?
We received the King's summons.
Did you not, Lord Jinpyeong?
My lord, come with us.
Step aside.
Don't kill me.
Lord Jinpyeong, what are you doing?
Please...
I said step aside.
Step aside.
My goodness.
Lord Jinpyeong.
My lord!
What happened?
The King's bodyguard raided the house...
and found the arrows we used to try to kill the King with.
The arrows?
I never kept them at my house. How...
The King set a trap...
to make me look like a traitor.
Summon our soldiers.
Yes, my lord.
Minister of War.
I heard Lord Jinpyeong injured you.
Are you okay?
Yes.
I am grateful for your concern.
Your Majesty.
There was a traitor in out midst...
who threatened your safety and even your life.
It is my shortcoming that I failed to notice or prevent it.
I plead that...
you punish me severely.
Punish me severely as well.
- Punish me severely. - Punish me severely.
If you truly care for me,
help me dethrone my mother.
Your Majesty.
I cannot do that.
Lord Jinpyeong almost took your life.
Why are you against this?
We cannot say the Queen Dowager...
is responsible for what Lord Jinpyeong did.
Lord Yoo was killed and Lord Jinpyeong got away,
and still they won't oust the Queen Dowager.
There's no other way.
At tomorrow's court assembly, I'll order she be dethroned.
You can't do that.
If you give the order without cause,
the scholars and officials will retaliate.
- But... - Find Lord Jinpyeong...
and make him confess.
Then I'll lead the ministers in a petition for her dethronement.
Your Majesty, Officer Jang is here.
Did you apprehend Lord Jinpyeong?
I apologize.
Your Majesty, the Department of Justice sent a message.
Shin Chi Soo wishes to inform you of Lord Jinpyeong...
and asked to see you urgently.
Who does this ancestral tablet belong to?
A friend of mine who came and went like the cloud and wind.
That's it.
You came, Your Majesty.
Considering my state,
I am unable to show my respects. Please forgive me.
I heard you had information regarding Lord Jinpyeong.
Chief Royal Secretary Lee will hold the Queen Dowager responsible...
for Lord Yoo's death and ask for her to be deposed.
I will not listen to his request though.
You'll only be doing what Lord Jinpyeong wants.
You asked me here just to say that?
Playing the King must be a blast.
Of course.
Sitting on that throne will make you think you're really the king.
However, you are only Haksan's puppet.
The one who's really governing this nation...
is Haksan, not you. Isn't that right?
You're wrong.
He's not like that.
How gullible.
No wonder Haksan killed the King...
and chose you over him.
What did you just say?
Did you really not know...
that Haksan killed His Majesty?
Nonsense!
The King may have been weak,
but it's odd that he'd die so suddenly.
Also, I'm sure that...
only Haksan witnessed his death.
Your looks resemble the King's...
and you follow Haksan's commands.
For some time, Haksan will surely treat you well.
However, if you go against him in any way,
he will kill you too at any time.
He's someone who's capable of that.
What are you getting at?
If you're going to play the puppet,
it doesn't actually have to be his.
What do you say? How about you take my hand instead?
I will bring you...
wealth and power that you've never even dreamed of obtaining.
The taste of power that Haksan will never approve of.
I will let you enjoy all the perks of the throne.
Shut it.
Do you not know why you're incarcerated?
It's because you take me lightly...
and consider Lord Lee to be as disloyal as you.
Is the lowly clown...
now trying to patronize me?
You're the one who's lowly.
Even with your death drawing near,
you choose to play me against Lord Lee.
How pitiful.
Your Majesty.
I have urgent news.
Tell the Queen Dowager that I'm requesting an audience.
I didn't expect you at all, Chief Royal Secretary Lee.
I have...
something to ask you regarding Lord Jinpyeong.
I heard what happened.
He planned to commit treason.
I'm aware...
that he was particularly attentive to your needs.
Whatever it is,
if anything about him is bothering you,
please let me know.
Something odd?
I'm not sure.
Lord Jinpyeong was a friend who informed me of the news outside.
There was nothing odd about his behavior.
Is that...
really all?
What are you saying?
From what I can tell,
he doesn't have the guts to take actions alone.
However, he made many attempts on His Majesty's life...
and even murdered Lord Yoo.
Without a guarantee of being next in line for the throne,
he wouldn't have taken such big risks.
The King had his brother and father killed in the name of treason.
He must've wanted revenge.
It's odd that you know exactly how he's feeling.
It's only human nature.
That reminds me.
It is soon the anniversary of Prince Gyeongin's death.
I didn't know you remembered.
How could I possibly forget?
I still remember his last days as if it were yesterday.
He thoroughly enjoyed his dinner.
What are you saying?
Rice with other coarse grains and assorted vegetables.
Even though the meal was not fit for a prince,
his small delicate hands managed his chopsticks quite well...
not knowing that it was his last meal on Earth.
It was you, not Shin Chi Soo.
You killed my son.
Yes, for His Majesty,
I ended Prince Gyeongin's life.
After vomiting blood, with his last breath,
he called out for his mother.
How dare you!
Instead of His Majesty, I should have killed you first!
Is that why you ordered...
Lord Jinpyeong to kill the King and Queen...
and Lord Yoo?
Yes!
I ordered Lord Jinpyeong to kill the King and Queen.
The same goes for her father.
What about it though?
I only punished those who had a hand...
in killing my own son.
What did I ever do wrong?
Your confession...
was well heard.
Now that you admitted your crimes,
I will order your deposition.
How dare you...
How dare you.
How dare you!
Just wait and see.
I swear on my son's grave...
to rip your limbs apart and scatter them all over the nation.
They'll be eaten by crows and be gone without a trace.
I will see your souls...
drop into a pit of fire and suffer for eternity.
How dare you.
How dare you...
How dare you!
How dare you.
I was worried...
you might not make it on time.
I'm going to get the Queen Dowager's confession.
I'll send you a message through Moo Yeong,
so be there on time.
You heard our conversation,
so you must have questions.
Let's talk at the Hall of Convenience.
You poisoned Prince Gyeongin to death for His Majesty.
Then whom did you kill for me?
His Majesty?
Who told you that?
Shin Chi Soo.
He told me.
That you killed His Majesty...
and that you'll kill me one day when I become useless.
Is this true?
Yes.
I murdered His Majesty.
Earlier as Officer Jang delivered your message,
he confessed...
that he fabricated the arrowhead found in Lord Jinpyeong's house.
He asked me to punish him for losing Lord Jinpyeong...
even after pulling such a scheme.
He isn't to blame.
I made him do it.
I thought...
we needed some kind of evidence...
to justify deposing the Queen Dowager.
Take it.
What is this?
It's the letter of resignation.
I'm going to step down from my position.
The Queen Dowager and Shin Chi Soo...
found out about what happened to Prince Gyeongin and His Majesty,
so I might...
get in your way.
I'm going to pay...
for my sin.
That isn't your sin.
It isn't your sin.
It is mine.
The King's sin.
Please stop...
bearing horrendous sins alone now.
You once said...
the throne is a dreadful position...
which takes lives and sheds blood.
I want to be the real king.
The throne...
takes lives and sheds blood.
It is the seat of a beast that ignores loyalty and duty.
To protect the nation and stay on the throne,
to do nothing but that,
you must give up your all.
Even your own heart. That is how cruel it is.
You bore such cruelty all alone.
No wonder why people like Shin Chi Soo...
were mistaken that you were trying to play king.
But I think differently.
Though I can't imagine...
what your intention was,
it breaks my heart.
Just how hard and lonely it must have been.
I can't even imagine.
You discovered all my deeds.
Aren't you afraid of me?
Do you think you can still trust me?
Why would I fear and doubt you?
I trust you.
The arrowhead is one example.
It was because of my reckless behavior.
You only tried to help me.
I won't approve of your resignation.
If you really think I'm the King,
protect this nation and its people...
by my side with me.
I was anxious, to be honest.
Anyone who sits on the throne...
changes and corrupts in a split second.
In the end,
they become irreversible. I know too well about it.
So I was afraid...
you might end up the same.
That I might end up failing.
But now I know.
You aren't like him.
I chose you because you were different,
but I didn't put my full trust in you.
You've taught me how important it is...
to trust someone.
Your Majesty.
I won't be afraid anymore.
As your loyal servant,
I'll trust and serve you.
Please forgive...
all my misdeeds.
Your Majesty.
I'm going to...
treat you with courtesy from now on.
Thank you for trusting me.
Your Majesty.
It is the petition to depose the Queen Dowager.
Please consider it.
Your Majesty.
If you depose the Queen Dowager,
you will be remembered as a disgraceful king...
who failed to fulfill his filial duty.
Please show mercy.
I agree with the Minister of Punishments.
To follow moral laws and guide the people,
you must not depose her.
Your Majesty.
The Queen Dowager has already confessed...
that she abetted Lord Jinpyeong in plotting high treason.
She might attempt to cause a rebellion...
with other evil forces.
It is only right to root it out...
and prevent a national crisis.
Watch what you're saying, Chief Royal Secretary Lee.
She might cause a rebellion?
The bond between His Majesty and the Queen Dowager...
cannot be belittled that easily.
Your Majesty. The Queen Dowager became a traitor herself...
and betrayed your trust in her...
as a mother and a subject.
Depose her send her away from the palace.
Your Majesty.
She sided with the treacherous Lord Jinpyeong...
and tried to kill you.
Her involvement and crimes are clear.
I also request that you dethrone the Queen Dowager.
Please accept it.
- Please accept it. - Please accept it.
I shall...
accept your petition.
Chief Royal Secretary.
Welcome.
I rushed over when I heard the petition was accepted.
The officers and scholars will rebel.
Can you manage?
The Queen Dowager's crimes are clear...
and the King is determined.
You have nothing to worry. Just trust in the King.
Very well.
I almost forgot.
A member in Hamgyeong Province sent a letter.
You may leave.
Thanks for informing me of the border situation.
I'll soon resign my post and join you.
Until then, report to General Kang In Bok...
who is in charge at North Hamgyeong Province.
You made the outfit with such care for your father.
He never got to wear it once.
Ask my relatives...
to put this in his coffin...
before he is buried.
Okay. I will do that.
Your Highness, it's Court Lady Myung.
Your Highness.
The King accepted the petition that the Queen Dowager be ousted.
His Majesty is finally getting revenge for your father.
I must see the Queen Dowager.
Why now, when your father isn't yet buried?
I must stop her from leaving the palace.
What? Why?
If she is dethroned,
she'll become a huge threat to the King.
Yul.
I was going to avenge you by killing them all.
But I fell into a trap they set...
and only added to my fury.
But don't worry.
Your mother will never give up.
Your Highness.
The Queen wishes to see you.
Let her in.
I am in mourning.
Forgive the simple greeting.
Did you rush over to enjoy the sights...
on hearing I'll be ousted?
I will not mention the shamanistic jinxes you placed on me,
or the flower tea that made me barren.
However, I cannot forgive you for killing my father to prevent him...
from being reinstated.
So I wished to...
lead the ministers in the petition for your dethronement,
but I clenched my teeth and held back for the King's sake.
You're finally showing how you truly feel.
This is much better.
Your sweet lies and fake niceties made me sick.
Before you're dethroned,
resign of your own accord and move to a temple.
What?
I must become a Buddhist nun?
For the King and the government,
and to prevent a bigger disaster from ruining us all.
If you spend the rest of your days praying for...
the spirits of your father and son,
I will pray to Buddha that you be forgiven for...
the crimes you committed in this life.
Queen.
You are so despicable.
You should be...
shamed in public and stoned to death.
How will you make up for damaging the royals' reputation?
I have no intention of hiding my shortcomings.
If you will come clean and accept to be punished,
I will do the same.
Why are you so dignified?
There's no reason not to be.
What will you do?
I can't do it.
Rather than beg a lowly clown to let me keep my place,
I prefer to be dethroned.
You have gotten very sly.
Your Highness.
I plead you to think again.
I have nothing to say. Get out.
Your Majesty.
How can you send the Queen Dowager to the West Palace?
You cannot do so!
- Your Highness. - Your Highness.
- You cannot go. - You cannot go.
- Your Highness. - Your Highness.
- You cannot go. - You cannot go.
Your Majesty.
Now that the Queen Dowager has been deposed,
I wish to ask a request.
What is it?
The war between Ming and Aisin Gurun is imminent.
The border areas have never been this chaotic,
so I wish to resign from my post as Chief Royal Secretary...
and lend them my help.
I will do my best in any position you bestow on me,
so please allow it.
I still need you by my side.
Must you do this?
I'm aware...
that a Chief Royal Secretary has many responsibilities.
However,
it's more crucial that we stabilize the border areas,
so please...
accept my petition, Your Majesty.
Lord Lee, what's going on?
You're suddenly addressing the King formally...
and have asked for a position in the border area.
I can't understand any of it.
I was wrong...
to have waited this long to address His Majesty formally.
You're acting like I'm doing something wrong.
Also, I'm only resigning...
because it's about time that I did,
so there's nothing to be alarmed about.
But...
How is the Queen Dowager doing?
There has been no moves so far.
Lord Jinpyeong may contact her at any time,
so don't let your guard down.
Of course.
Also, instead of reporting to me,
report to His Majesty directly.
Sure.
Kyu!
Why did you ask for me? I was just about to leave.
How are the land survey and rice payment law coming along?
Everyone's shaken up by the deposition...
of the Queen Dowager.
Don't worry though.
I'll be strict with them if I have to...
and make sure that everything is on schedule.
I'm putting my faith in you.
Is that it?
What's with him today?
He's like a man with a death sentence.
Hold on.
Does he perhaps have a deadly virus?
I'm only joking.
You're not as bold as you seem, are you?
You must have some good news.
That's right.
It's as if I met an old love of mine.
I feel great.
I just said that I met an old love of mine.
How are you not jealous?
I have...
always wanted for someone...
to share the burden on your shoulders.
If someone can,
even though it's not me,
I will be more than glad.
I was lying,
but your response still upsets me.
Then why on earth did you lie to me?
All this time,
I tried my best not to look back on my life.
I've lived in many regrets before,
so I promised myself not to feel that way again.
Regrets?
Are you talking about what happened to Lord Gil Sam Bong?
That is true.
However, there's something else...
that I regret just as much.
Back when...
you had just completed your training,
you asked me to spend the night with you and do your hair up.
You...
rejected my request in a heartbeat.
Ever since then,
I've regretted not leaving...
with you.
Then, from time to time,
I wonder if there's still...
a chance for us.
If I ask you to come with me to the border,
would you?
You...
have no idea how much I've been wanting...
to hear you say that.
I don't care...
if you call me foolish.
I'm delighted...
to finally hear you say it.
We're ready to communicate at all four gates.
Generals of the Military Training Corps and Five Military Divisions...
have sent word that they'll stand by you.
Those combined will add up to 3,000 men.
We will move on your order.
A card I need is still within the capital.
That...
is what I must obtain first.
Eat up.
(Jailbreak)
Were you able to send your father away in peace?
Yes.
Thanks to you, the funeral went well.
I'm sorry.
I didn't keep my promise.
I said we should share our sorrows.
Don't say that.
I know that things were urgent in court.
I was unable to share the burden with you.
I apologize.
To be truthful,
it's quite hard.
I was told before, so I thought I knew.
But being king is different every day.
I'm realizing that...
I must handle difficult and heavy burdens alone every day.
Are you afraid?
I am.
Do you want to go back to your old life?
To be honest,
I sometimes thought of that.
If you wish to run away, I will run away with you.
If you will withstand it, I will stand with you.
Thanks for saying so.
I won't run away or avoid it.
I'll fight with all I have.
Watch me do it.
I will forever be at your side to give you strength.
Then will you help me?
Tell me whatever you need.
Those.
Aren't they the reports from all the provinces?
Yes.
Until now, Eunuch Cho translated them...
despite his dim eyesight.
Could you do that now instead?
I will.
This is from Gyeongsang Province.
You can take your time.
Why don't you try reading it?
Okay.
Those who returned from the war with Japan...
seem to be suffering at the hands of others.
Did I read that correctly?
Yes.
You did very well, without a single mistake.
Keep on reading.
"I plead that..."
"you resolve the situation."
My lord, the peddler is here.
Where is he?
What's going on?
What happened?
I was attacked shortly after we met.
The secret letter. What happened to it?
The men who attacked me took it.
I was out cold for a few days and only managed to come here.
The King's royal seal was affixed to that letter.
Who on earth took it from you?
I was hit from behind, so I didn't see his face.
Before I blacked out,
I heard the men talk.
The Left State Councilor will be pleased.
He definitely said the Left State Councilor would be pleased.
What?
Shin Chi Soo?
What brings you to this lowly place?
How much longer will you be an obstacle to the King's reign?
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Try to make a bit more sense.
The King's secret letter. Where did you hide it?
That treacherous note, you mean?
It represents the King's resolve for...
his country and people.
How is that against our morals?
I just don't understand you.
Born into a noble household,
you grew up with all you could ever want.
Why do you mix with the lowly...
and live a life against the rules and morals?
I was born in a humble household...
and got here with my own might.
If I were you,
I would enjoy what I was given,
increase it many times,
and leave it to my descendants.
You'll fulfill your own desires...
in the name of your descendants?
Is that truly what you believe is right?
Aren't you the one who's using a puppet...
to fulfill your own interests?
I told you once that...
you and I are of the same mold.
Don't deny that.
I won't deny it.
But you and I have taken different paths.
Different paths?
What do you mean?
Fortunately for me,
I twice met a king who understood what I wanted.
I got lost and floundered once,
but this time, I will not lose my way.
Because I plan to take leave.
Take leave? You?
Do you think you can deceive me?
I don't care if you don't believe me.
Where's the secret letter?
I can't tell you.
Why don't you just kill me?
Must you be like this to the end?
If I'm bound to die,
it would be interesting to die by your hand.
Why do you hesitate?
Why? Is it because you have no sword?
I looked for a sword,
and I was given one.
I guess the heavens are on my side.
The heavens...
must reek of corruption then.
It won't matter.
As long as the heavens agree with me.
What's that?
My lord, we have a problem.
It seems a war broke out.
What?
I'll look into details about the situation. You...
- Open the gates. - Yes, my lord.
It's a rebellion.
The rebel forces are coming.
(The Crowned Clown)
Bring me the royal seal and the fake King's head.
What's lowly, and what's fake?
Everything he did...
was for the sake of people, so it can't be considered lowly.
And he's fake? It's even more absurd.
You have to face them alone at the court assembly,
and it makes me anxious.
We couldn't find the secret letter.
His Majesty becomes bolder the more he's threatened.
You cannot go out like this.
Don't worry. I'll come back safely.