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The Crowned Clown
The characters, organizations, locations, and events in this drama are fictional and have no relation to historical facts.
I said I would tell you beforehand.
Today is your funeral day.
W-Wait...
My Lord. My Lord...
The clown Ha Seon has died.
Now, you...
You are the king of this country.
Episode 5
What happened?
I need a clean cloth and aclean set of the King's sleeping attire.
Yes, I will bring some right away.
I can't find a pulse. Has this happened before?
There were times when he was troubled as he could not fall asleep,
but he has never harmed himself before.
Don't worry about his ear.
It's a good thing he stabbed it where he did. It looks worse than it is.
I haven't seen you this way since the Elder passed away.
Do you remember when I said that I would take on a government position?
You tried to dissuade me
and asked me what I was going to do in such a rotten royal court.
You were angry at me.
We've come a long way, but I feel it is finally time.
I wish to try creating the new world again, the one that the elder and the other members had dreamed of.
Why is now the right time?
It's now or never.
We cannot delay it any longer.
This may be the last chance given to me.
Am I alive or dead?
Stop complaining. It isn't even a deep wound.
Complain? You half murdered me!
Seeing you speak, it looks like you won't die.
What was that?
When you said... I... was now the king.
Where is His Majesty?
Far away.
Far away?
Then, when...
When he will return is a secret. Even I'm not allowed to know.
Whether he will return suddenly like thunder and lightning,
or quietly like the kill of a dawn hunt...
Until then, you need to protect the throne.
You cannot flee or die.
You say not to flee or die.
But why did you stab me?
His Majesty has a scar on that very spot, from the uprising.
You must be a true king in order for both you and me to survive.
Mark my words.
His Majesty is refusing his health examination,
so just send in medicine that helps nourish the body.
Why are you refusing the physicians when His Majesty is unwell?
I'm not refusing them; His Majesty is.
His Majesty is?
Don't make a fuss.
If someone were to hear, they'd think something has happened to His Majesty.
Is His Majesty alright?
If something was wrong, does that mean you can act so rashly like this?
My apologies. I was just concerned.
There have been a lot of rumors inside and outside of the palace due to the incident with the court lady.
In order to set things right again, he is taking a bit of rest.
So don't think useless thoughts.
Yes, sir.
Huijeong Hall
I'm not to go to his bedroom. Is that what His Majesty commanded?
So it would seem.
If His Majesty needs you, he will call for you. So stay put for now.
I need to see His Majesty.
- Please announce my arrival. - My apologies, My Lord.
His Majesty has declared that he will not accept visits today.
We heard that it was just a light cold and that he even refused to see his physicians.
Has he awakened? Is it really a cold?
Oh, the thing is...
Move aside. I'll meet him myself and ask.
Ah, I—
The queen has arrived!
Your Highness, you're here.
I was on my way here and coincidentally heard.
You should know that His Majesty is weary both in his heart and in his body from taking care of multiple incidents as of late.
Yes, Your Highness. I just—
Yes. I'm sure you were concerned about his well-being.
I will relay your loyalty to His Majesty,
so please leave for today.
Then we will leave and return another day.
Let's go.
Don't worry too much. It's a light cold.
This is a medicine to replenish your energy.
If you drink some, your cold may subside a bit.
Don't smile like that.
Please don't.
Your Majesty, what is the matter?
Are you in pain?
No, it's nothing.
Your Majesty, the queen dowager is here.
Will you be alright?
Don't worry about me.
Your Majesty, no need to rise.
You are sweating so much. I fear your illness is worse than I thought.
Don't worry.
It just looks like that because I have a fever. It's just a passing cold.
Your fever is this high, and you say it is a mere cold?
Your well-being is this country's well-being!
Queen, how could you not take care of His Majesty's health?
I apologize. It is my fault for not fulfilling my duties.
Good that you know.
Therefore, from now on
I plan to serve His Majesty with all my heart and strength.
If it's something that may bring harm to him, I will not let anything pass.
And also for attempts to use me to harm His Majesty,
I will not let that pass either.
So Queen Dowager, please don't worry.
You must be heartbroken after what happened to Court Lady Jang.
If I could measure up in any way, please call upon me should you feel lonely.
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It appears as if your fever is worse than before.
Your face is all flushed.
This is not that kind of a fever.
When the queen dowager hid her own wrongdoings
and turned on you,
I became angry.
But when I saw that before I even got the chance to speak,
you went ahead and said everything that needed to be said, I was relieved.
I... wanted to say more, but held my tongue because you were there.
Hearing you tell me so is like a heavy weight off my chest.
Is that so?
I'm relieved now.
Your countenance was dark, so I was quite worried that you weren't happy to see me.
That's not true!
It's because I don't feel too well.
Now that I think of it, you've been sitting up for quite some time now!
Hurry and lie down.
I'd better sleep for a bit.
I'll stay by your side until you fall asleep.
Do you have anything you wish to ask of me?
Nothing. I am tired, but I don't think I'll fall asleep too quickly.
In that case, I'll read a book for you.
No, I'm fine!
Odes of Wang: Gathering Artemisia
Your Highness! How is it that the Book of Odes is annotated in common characters?
Well, that...
I wanted to learn common characters.
I heard that many of our people use it.
I had no idea you had such thoughts
and advised you to try to be closer to our people.
I'm quite embarrassed.
Don't be. Your words helped me.
Then where should I read from?
There, from where you opened up.
The overgrown kudzu vines,
it feels like three months have passed if I don't see them for even one day.
Prince Jin Pyeong.
I came to seek an audience with His Majesty. Is someone already with him?
The queen is with him.
How is His Majesty doing?
Thanks to your concern, I'm sure he will be alright soon.
I'll have to escort His Majesty to the hunting grounds once he's recovered.
We'll have to hunt down that deer we missed last time.
If he were to go hunting again, perhaps this time he will hunt down a savage beast instead.
For example, the wolf who preys after something
that the tiger caught.
We can look forward to it.
Use Her Highness as an excuse to turn away all visits today.
Yes, sir.
Huijeong Hall
That can't be...
Chirp, chirp, loud is the buzz of the insects.
Jump, jump, the grasshoppers are at play.
My heart that yearns to see my lover is restless.
If I were to see my lover, and if I were with my lover,
would this heart be at peace?
Such a happy way to read a sad ode.
My apologies.
I was suddenly reminded of a forgotten past.
The past?
Have you forgotten?
When you were a crown prince, we had just married, and I couldn't fall asleep.
You caught me a cricket.
I did that, did I?
You told me that I would fall asleep easily listening to the sounds of the cricket.
Later I found out that, His Majesty who fears nothing in this world,
the only thing you feared were bugs.
I was very surprised
and very happy.
Your Majesty, what's wrong?
I'm sorry. I feel I need to be alone to fall asleep.
I apologize. I'll leave now so you can rest well.
I must have been pierced in the heart.
My heart aches so much and feels as if it is weighed down.
Seonpyeong Gate (King's Quarters)
Your Highness, should we head back towards the king's palace?
No need. Let's come back tomorrow. Show the way back.
Yes, Your Highness.
He's only letting the queen in and turning away all others?
The queen dowager visited for a short while as well.
She probably used her status to barge in, using the excuse to check on the king's health.
What will you do now?
His Majesty seems to plan on protecting the queen.
Did His Majesty say so?
Not quite. Just my thoughts.
Did anyone ask for your thoughts?
My apologies.
The king's mind changes twenty times a day.
You just do your best to regain your post as the king's court lady,
so that I can decide whether to continue holding your hand
or to let go.
Got it?
Your Highness, we can do it.
No.
From now on, I will personally prepare medicine for His Majesty.
Pardon?
Yes, Your Highness.
Have you thought about what I told you last time?
Do you mean your offer to go back to the times when we worked together?
Look here.
In order to properly serve His Majesty,
you need to know how to make alliances with people.
There is no reason for us to quarrel this way, is there?
What you said is not wrong.
If you were to yield on one thing, I will consider it.
Alright, what is that?
Step down from your post as the left state minister.
If you do so, I will join hands with you
and make the king one who will be praised throughout history
and will make sure you are recorded as the one and only, most loyal of servants.
Was that such a humorous suggestion?
In order for His Majesty to be seated on the throne, not a day went by when I did not bloody my hands.
A treacherous servant who brought bloody winds wherever he went...
A hideous ghoul who is less than a beast, but wears the mask of a human...
A hound dog who doesn't hesitate once before committing a dirty deed.
With every additional demoralizing nickname I got, I became all the more proud.
For His Majesty, I was prepared to withstand any insult
and any pain.
Such is the loyalty of Sin Chi Soo.
But what about you?
While I was standing in the middle of those bloody winds,
you were hiding behind His Majesty's father-in-law, so dignified and clean, without so much as a drop of blood on your hands.
Even when His Majesty ordered the execution of the queen's father, you did nothing.
From the mouth of a coward who can stomach neither sacrifice nor shame,
the fact that I heard you say that you would make me the most loyal servant of His Majesty...
How could I not laugh at that?
Is that why you went behind His Majesty's back
and squeezed the sweat and tears of the citizens to fill your desires
and coveted power unceasingly?
Is that something a loyal servant that would suffer both sacrifice and shame would do?
Perhaps for you, "choong" does not mean the "choong"(忠) in loyalty, where you devote yourself for the one you serve,
but the "choong"(蟲) where you live like an insect, living, a maggot that feeds off of human flesh?
They say dust and greed, the more it piles on, the dirtier and foul it becomes.
Even if you wrap yourself in silk clothes,
and adorn your rooms with all the precious things money can buy, that foul stench...
cannot be hidden.
If you have even an ounce of loyalty left for His Majesty,
don't tarnish His Majesty's regime with that dirty greed of yours,
and step down on your own accord.
To honor the times we once worked together,
I am giving you this last chance.
My Lord, did something happen?
Yes, many things. This and that.
They don't appear to have been good things.
Does it seem so? Then you read me wrong.
I feel like my vision has cleared and my footsteps are lighter.
I feel as if I can fly away. I should have done this a long time ago.
Any replies from the members?
Why do you ask that?
I've realized that I also have regrets, just like you.
You mean—
Send news to the members.
It is time for another gathering.
It's been exactly a week
since I've seen you with such a bright countenance.
There's no need to go through the trouble of preparing my medicine.
I've never thought of it as trouble.
I'll be preparing medicine for you for another 10 days, so please don't refuse.
Your Majesty, how about you rest for a few more days before attending court matters?
Don't worry. I'll take it easy.
Your Majesty.
I... actually have a request.
The memorial day of your birth mother is fast approaching.
I heard that the tributary rice that we gave out to the people for the annual memorial has run out.
I apologize for bothering you, but please find a way for us to share rice with the impoverished.
I will.
What could possibly be hard about finding rice to save the impoverished people of this nation?
Your Majesty. I apologize, but it will be hard for me to honor your order to prepare the rice.
Hard? What do you mean?
Traditionally, the rice that we shared to honor the annual memorial service
has never come from the court budget and resources.
Every year we would use those of the Ministry of Finance,
but this year we're expecting a large number of resources to be used in the building of the additional palaces, so that won't be easy either.
Can't we postpone the building of the palaces, and prioritize procuring rice for the people?
How could I not be aware of your concern and care on behalf of the people?
Due to the chaos that the court went through due to incidents of late,
restoring your honor as the king has become of utmost priority.
This cannot be delayed longer.
So you're telling me that there is no way at this time?
For me, carefully serving you
and serving the people are the same.
It is just that there are priorities.
I feel that serving you should be first at this time.
If you really wanted to prepare rice for the people, the only way is to command the Ministry of Finance
to increase tax rates.
Understood.
I'll consider this. You may leave.
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There are people starving, and yet he wants to build palaces first?
Are those words or sh*t? Nonsense!
The left state minister oversees much of the palace's resources.
As he has the good excuse of building a palace on your behalf,
he probably won't budge.
Then what do we do now?
Call for the minister of Finance, Lee Han Jong.
The left state minister advised me to order your ministry to raise taxes in order to prepare rice to be donated.
What do you think of that?
Your Majesty, that can't be.
If we were to raise taxes on the people, saying that we're trying to help them,
what difference is there in outright deceiving them?
My thoughts exactly.
I have no desire to prepare the rice by raising taxes.
To be honest, there is rice that has been gathered by various provinces for this very purpose.
But officers from those provinces confiscated it for various reasons,
and it is not being used to help the people.
Is there really no way for us to obtain rice?
There is a way.
What is that?
To ask for tributary payments.
Tributary payments?
Gae Hwan, how did you end up in the palace?
I apologize, but my father was unable to pay tributary payments...
I heard that some had to sell their own children because they were unable to make tributary payments.
When I was performing on the streets—
When... I heard news from the streets, I heard that some offerings were rejected
and some were forced to sell their rice and pay for expensive items.
Court officials receive bribes and reject them on purpose,
so that merchants can profit from the transactions.
Then we should receive it as rice in the first place! Goodness.
Your Majesty, are you suggesting that we bring back the Dae Dong policy?
(Dae Dong Policy was when the decree to offer specialty produce from a subject's province as a tribute to the court was changed, so everyone paid with rice.)
Yes!
Hearing Your Majesty's thoughts,
I feel the weight on my shoulders melt away.
Of course, to bring the Dae Dong policy back, there are a series of mountains to climb.
Dae Dong policy is only applied to those who own land,
so you will no doubt be met with powerful opposition from those who own a lot of land.
They'll oppose claiming that if we were to administer the Dae Dong policy, rice prices will go up
and will cause increased strain on the people.
So if you were to go from receiving prized specialty produce from each province to receiving rice,
you should analyze the value of those items and make sure you calculate the right amount of rice to receive.
But unfortunately, in the Ministry of Finance, we have yet to see one who is able to do such calculations.
Then you're saying there's no way.
Although he isn't a government officer, there is one who possesses extraordinary mathematical skills.
Who is that?
A man named Ho Geol from the Joo family.
I had no idea you would remember the name Joo Ho Geol.
After I met with him at the request of Lord Joo a long time ago, I have never forgotten his name.
Those otherworldly calculations skills... How could I forget?
If we had him, we would be able to vanquish those who siphon away resources meant for the people
to fill their own bellies.
We could also cut off all connections and funding that goes to the left state minister.
If the left state minister were to find out, he will exert all his energy to prevent it.
Before then, would you be able to find Joo Ho Geol?
I've already sent a word out here and there, so we should be able to find him soon.
I'll first review the human resources records in the Ministry of Finance
to figure out who may cause trouble.
That sounds good.
(Two eights)
All in.
(Nine)
Two nines. I'll take this pot.
There is no way.
What do you mean no way? Even after seeing my hand, you don't believe me?
I've been counting each card.
Let's see here. You have a three and a six.
(Three & six)
You have a four and an eight.
(Four & eight)
And you? You don't have two nines. You have a nine and a seven.
Let's see here.
If I indeed have two nines, I'm going to hack off your wrist.
If it is a nine and a seven, I'll hack off your head.
Don't make me laugh. How could you possibly memorize 40 cards?
Try mixing 80, let alone 40.
I can memorize it all with just one look.
(Nine & seven)
Look at this.
Nine and seven.
I have eight and a zero.
I've played too much.
Here, I'll pay for the drinks and leave.
Get him!
Why are you acting like this?
I was wrong, please save me.
I see you were just a pretty faced coward.
Let go!
You're still the same.
You can't even fight, and yet you just take people on without a thought.
You haven't changed a bit either!
Your bad habit of crushing someone without even giving them a chance.
How come you didn't even visit me once when you have such a grudge against me?
I tried. I heard that you were a court official, so I wanted to see if I could take some of that wealth.
But, not only do you not have any wealth accumulated,
I also heard that you didn't get any inheritance, so I gave up.
You've become a thief since then?
What is there that a wandering low-class man can't do?
If there was a way for you to hold your ground in this world,
and if there was a way for you to contribute to making a new world that Elder Gil Sam Bong and our members dreamed about,
would you join me?
Do you think such a thing would exist in Joseon today?
Nonsense!
Just for harboring such a dream, you would get killed for treason.
Like Elder Gil Sam Bong and the members.
Ho Geol.
Don't you dare follow me? I don't want to see blood.
How long could I just meander around as a rural officer?
I request it of you.
How could I act like I don't know about
your caring loyalty to His Majesty?
You will be promoted to the provincial governor's post, so rest assured.
I'll leave it up to you then, Left State Minister.
My Lord, I received a letter from the members.
I think it would be good if I went and met them alone.
There's no need for that.
Where are you to meet them?
I wonder if it would be alright to meet them in broad daylight like this.
If the members are seen and suspected of plotting treason,
if someone were to see us all together...
Isn't the spirit of Dae Dong to live together in harmony, in a bright world?
There is no need for us to meet while hiding in the dark.
However...
Don't worry.
I won't let such a thing happen ever again.
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Look here, Woon Sim. How is the royal chief secretary here with you?
I called all of you here.
Woon Sim, I'm disappointed in you.
How could you team up with a traitor and fool us?
Let's all go.
Wait a moment.
Back then, when Elder Gil Sam Bong and the members
were being tortured to death for treason,
I came here today to confess my crime of not doing anything.
Please,
forgive me.
Bring Elder Gil Sam Bong and the members back to life.
Then you'll be forgiven.
Don't send us a letter ever again.
My Lord.
I didn't think it would be easy to get their forgiveness.
It just shows how much they miss the Dae Dong Society.
Don't worry.
I won't ever give up.
(Writing in common characters.)
I think I took the tasks of a king too lightly.
I thought that all I needed to do was memorize a few books.
How could there be so many letters from rural officers and secret royal inspectors?
When am I supposed to read all of this?
Exactly.
When will I ever be able to write all of these in the common characters?
What I'm saying is...
You're suffering a lot because of me.
Go rest.
It's okay.
You'll only be able to read this if I'm here.
After I memorized the Book of Odes, I've begun to recognize characters here and there.
I'll figure out the documents somehow,
so rest for a few hours.
It's an order.
Alright. I'll follow your order.
Your Highness, it seems like the Chief Eunuch has stepped out for a moment.
Should I announce your arrival to His Majesty?
No.
I'll just hand him the medicine and come right out, so wait here.
Why did you so return so quickly?
Hurry and look at thi—
I'm sorry.
I thought you were Eunuch Jo.
Were you very shocked?
Yes. A little.
What brings you to the library?
It's time for you to take your medicine.
I went to your palace and heard you were here, so I came.
I hope that I'm not intruding.
No.
I was going to go to bed once Eunuch Jo returned.
What should we do? It has already cooled.
I'll go and make a new one, so—
No.
It'll still have the same effect even if it's cool.
I drank it well.
(Translator notes: Reports written in traditional and reports rewritten in commoner's characters side-by-side.)
This is my first time in the library.
There are more books than I had imagined.
I had no idea you enjoyed books this much.
I'll allow it, so come in whenever you please.
I'm grateful.
What is your favorite book?
I enjoy the works of the poet Do Hyeon Myeong.
Like the birds soaring in the high skies and the fish swimming in the deep waters,
I like things that are pure and close to nature.
If you like things that are pure and close to nature,
living in the palace must be a bit stifling for you.
I apologize, but
in the past, I have had such thoughts.
And if I were to be even more honest with you,
there were times when I've dreamt of living somewhere that's not the palace.
But not now.
I can't bear to imagine living somewhere that is not the palace.
Your Majesty.
Eunuch Jo!
Aren't you the court lady from the queen's palace?
Why are you here?
Perhaps, is the queen here?
I was just looking for you.
His Majesty asked for some tea,
but I have no idea what tea he drinks.
So, please.
I'll take care of it.
Sir!
Your Majesty. It is I, Eunuch Jo.
Welcome back. I told you to rest. Why did you return so quickly?
I knew that you were alone.
How could I rest comfortably?
Your Highness.
Your Majesty, I'll take my leave now.
Alright.
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Your Highness, your cheeks are as rosy as if they were soaked in gardenia flowers.
Were you thinking of His Majesty?
Does it show that much?
If it weren't for the Eunuch Jo, it would have been perfect!
He's so slow with everything else, yet so quick when it comes to serving His Majesty.
I agree.
I don't know if I should reward him
or punish him.
How dare you. Coming in here without being summoned.
Then you should have turned me away. Why did you call me in?
Diamond Sutra (Geumgang Gyeong)
I've heard many things about you.
Eight out of ten of them are most likely false. Who did you hear them from?
I heard from the late king.
He said that he hadn't seen anyone as effective in resolving issues as you are.
When he had to send you to the crown prince's palace, he was so disappointed.
If he were to find out that immediately after the late king's death
you turned to stand on the new king's side,
he would be grinding his teeth with anger, even in the afterlife.
Your Highness...
Don't worry.
I meant to say that I value your talents.
- Then... - Go on and do what you do best.
I'll be judging you myself to see how good you are
at resolving my issues.
Gosh! So prickly!
Yikes, this is prickly.
So prickly.
I told you to pick chestnuts, but you're picking up hazelnuts.
Hazelnuts are too small!
You do whatever you want. I'll roast and eat all the chestnuts myself.
Look for big, sturdy chestnuts like these, got it?
What are you doing here?
Didn't I tell you to stick by my side?
Why won't you listen?
I tell you to pick up chestnuts, and you don't.
Here.
85... 86...
I have 86.
I have 83.
Wait.
86, 88, 90...
You should be at 93. I won.
A commoner like you. How are you so good at playing games for nobles?
My dad was an expert at this game.
I grew up watching my father play this and have played ever since.
You commoner, you're crossing a line. Don't lie to us.
I'm speaking the truth.
A truth that sounds like a lie.
Don't speak nonsense, and set up the next round.
First, the betting money.
Here.
What is this?
Aigoo, what is this?
Are you Joo Ho Geol?
Yes?
I've received a report that you hacked off a person's wrist as payment for a gambling match.
- Drag him out immediately! - Yes!
No, no! Let me go!
Let me go! No!
Is this your doing?
Can you misuse your authority as a chief royal secretary like this?
Can you lock up an innocent citizen like me under such a ridiculous claim?
Tit for tat. I'll use my power like this,
and you will waste your talent through gambling.
Is that it?
What will you do? Will you join me?
First, get me out of here,
and pay me the money I was about to win today.
How much do you want? Name an amount.
Such big talk from someone who doesn't have any accumulated wealth.
The one who will compensate you is not me.
If not you,
then who?
Please show your respects to His Majesty.
I'm Ho Geol from the Joo family.
How dare you.
Chief Eunuch Jo, that will do. Leave him be.
I heard that you can make calculations that ten minds cannot, in just one moment.
You must have heard some false rumors.
To my memory, be it 10 or 20, I never did such a thing.
Aren't you interested in using talents for the affairs of your country?
I had such thoughts for a short while in the past,
but now,
I have no desire whatsoever.
I heard you like bets. How about you make one with me?
The loser must yield to the wishes of the winner. Do you accept?
I hope you don't regret this.
I have never lost.
(Two sevens)
I have two sevens.
I think I won.
Two nines.
Two ni—
(Two threes.)
- I have two threes. - I have two fours.
Why in the world are the fours—
(Eight and two) (Eight and six)
Four strokes.
You have won.
(Six and seven)
You can't possibly have... three strokes?
Come on, come on.
I got it!
Two nines!
Two tens! (In this game of Tujeon, two tens, or two "jangs" was the highest possible combination.)
There is no way...
Now, will you follow my wishes?
How can I not follow your royal command?
I need your talents, but I have no desire to force you to do anything.
Once you decide, come on your own accord.
You may take your leave.
Have you seen someone like him?
A mere government officer, yet he didn't even pay any respect to me.
Wait a moment. Where have I seen that face before?
He is—!
You won all the games.
What trick did you have up your sleeve?
Didn't I tell you? I never lose.
What if he leaves like that and never returns?
Don't worry. You've already won him over.
You won't understand even if I were to tell you. I'm just born with it.
You saw the commoner son of former Minister of Finance Joo Se Woong in the palace?
Yes.
I thought I had seen him somewhere,
then after some thought, I recognized that he was the commoner son
of Joo Se Woong who brought upon the downfall of his clan due to the revolt of Dae Dong Society.
Dae Dong Society...
Are you sure about this?
Absolutely.
Upon hearing the words of the minister of general affairs, I also remembered.
Though he was born of a commoner mother, he is a genius with supernatural mathematics ability.
I've heard the late Lord Joo boast about him before.
After the minister of fFinance reviewed the human resource records, such a character entered the palace.
It seems they plan on using his talents to look through the records to reveal embezzelment.
I feel it is time for you, Minister of General Affairs, to step up.
What are you doing?
Gather up all the records, not a single one should be left behind!
Yes, sir!
Minister of General Affairs, what is all this about?
Your Majesty, due to the delayed assignment of rural officers,
I'm receiving reports that the citizens are being extremely inconvenienced.
This is because officers are holding on meaninglessly
to the records without handing them over to the Ministry of General Affairs.
It was to right this wrong, so please understand.
Please understand, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, the minister of finance is the one in charge of the reassignment of rural officers.
Minister of General Affairs stepped out of line in trying to address this issue.
No matter how I think of this,
I can't see it any other way than as a trick to cover the crimes of certain parties.
Trickery? Stepping out of line?
If the minister of finance had done his job properly from the beginning, there would have been no need for this rush from the Ministry of General Affairs.
Why don't you answer in front of His Majesty?
What exactly was the issue with the records that it took so long for you to take care of this?
That...
Are you saying there is an issue or not?
Your Majesty, you must command an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General
and clarify who is at fault in this situation.
If we carry out an investigation, what happens?
If the Office of Inspector General concludes that there is nothing wrong with the records,
for the fault of delaying processes and not meeting deadlines,
they will ask for you to punish the minister of finance.
If Finance Minister Lee Yeon Jeong is fired from his office,
it'll be difficult to administer the Dae Dong policy.
Is there any way to prevent that from happening?
We can prevent this by finding evidence of embezzlement from the records.
I'll meet with Ho Geol tonight and end this here.
How could one initiate a meeting, yet be so late?!
Would you look at that?
If you had been but 15 more minutes late, I was going to just leave.
Ho Geol!
I went through an entire bunch of medicine to prepare them.
As one would look upon the stars or the moon, I would look towards the king's palace for long stretches of time.
Be it the garden or library,
I don't know how many times I went in and out.
I think... I needed an excuse.
There is no way for me to hide any longer
the reason why my heart flutters so.
I have come to love you, Your Majesty.
I have finally
come to love you.
The Crowned Clown
Subtitles brought to you by The On Fire Penguins Team @ Viki.com
Preview
Don't be delusional. She doesn't love me. She loves the king.
Did you just say a mere government official?
How could you do this?
Do you think we'd be able to see an heir from the queen?
I see you often, so my heart feels it too often as well.
Why are you hesitating?
If this was a dream. If this really was a dream.
No matter what I do, it won't be a crime.
You there!
♫ I will wait for your heart ♫