Original subtitles

CAPTIVATING THE KING

EPISODE 9

How come I never realized that you are a woman?

I only had eyes for you and wanted you from the outset.

Goodness.

Why are you running away when you are here to see me?

Here.

Oh, that is cold!

I finally understand...

why my heart was torn into pieces

after sending you to your death.

Return this stone...

to its original spot.

Convey these words to Mongwoo.

"There is absolutely no meaning...

behind saving you."

"Our bond

has been severed

and my regrets have faded away.

I wish you a peaceful life."

Go this instant.

What do you mean Mongwoo disappeared?

After Courtesan Hongjang died,

he ran away in shock, only to end up falling off a cliff.

However, his whereabouts are unclear.

According to the patrolmen,

a tiger probably took him.

Shut your mouth.

That cannot be.

Order the men to find Mongwoo this instant.

Respectfully,

I have already searched the cliff he fell from

and even every corner of the area.

Yet, I still could not find a trace of him.

It is for certain

that Mongwoo has died.

No...

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Do not touch me.

I truly do not understand, Your Majesty.

What could he have meant to you for you to suffer so?

He...

was my left-hand man.

My left hand that I had to cut off to ascend to the throne.

You should be careful too.

You never know when I might cut off my remaining hand.

Back then,

the royal physician

who claimed to have treated the wound on your back was lying.

I would have gotten caught if I were treated.

And as getting caught would only lead to death,

I desperately pleaded with him.

If you are intending to punish him,

please punish me instead.

You have deceived me on all counts.

Was there any truth

to your words to me so far?

If you order me to answer,

I shall do so, Your Majesty.

I will not...

ask any questions of you.

I will not ask what your real name is,

why you are disguising yourself as a man,

or what you have done and where you have been...

for the past three years

to finally return before my eyes to drive me into madness.

Since long ago,

without my conscious knowledge,

I have fallen in love with you,

and you have felt the same way.

For now, this is enough.

I will not bed you...

nor dismiss you from my quarters.

Your Majesty.

You cannot be crueler than this.

How could you ask me to endure such indignity?

I, too, am enduring one.

You must endure as well.

That is a royal command.

My lord.

A letter arrived from the palace.

His Majesty did not bed Senior Court Lady Dong

and left the palace instead.

I thought he would at least pretend to bed her.

His Majesty's affection for the gidaeryeong

must run deeper than we expected.

This consummation was clearly set out to fail.

As the court forced this on him,

it was only natural for His Majesty to run away.

The court did insist,

but it was Her Royal Highness's wish.

So what?

Would you take your life should she insist?

Great Lord!

Please do mind your tone to the Chief State Councilor!

I am holding back.

Do you really want to see the worst?

Great Lord.

The Border Defense Council has gathered here

to discuss important state matters on His Majesty's behalf.

If you cannot keep your temper under control, go home and rest.

I apologize, Lord Park.

I was over the line.

It has been over a month

since we have received word that the Qing's envoy

has reached Paju.

They are inspecting various areas under the pretense of sightseeing.

A recent report requested an immediate dispatch of an envoy escort,

citing financial burden

as the envoy's party spends at least 1,000 nyang in silver for each feast.

An envoy escort?

If we send a nobody,

they may feign dissatisfaction

and threaten to return to the Qing.

Podan, the chief envoy,

is not the type to cause trouble without reason.

However,

Jung Je-pyo, the vice envoy, is different.

Then who do you suggest

to send as an envoy escort?

Why are you all looking at me?

The title may sound grand,

but the post only exists to serve Jung Je-pyo.

Now that he has been promoted to vice envoy,

he will expect more compensation.

I am sick and tired of pouring money into a bottomless pit.

I will have you know that my fortune is not unlimited.

If you refuse, we will not force you.

There are many others who are willing to supply funds.

Is that so?

The Royal Treasury's funds cannot be used without His Majesty's permission.

Who in their right mind

would bear such a huge expense other than me?

Let him in.

Podan carries a letter declaring the Emperor's ascent to the throne.

The envoy escort should at least be a full minister!

The Third Minister of Rites is too lowly!

Vice Envoy Jung Je-pyo and I

are old acquaintances who get along well.

I am confident that I can escort them to the capital in a few days.

Please entrust me with this task.

Those of you who are against sending him,

raise your hands.

Except for one vote, we are all in agreement

to send Yoo Hyun-bo as the envoy escort.

His Majesty will not approve of this.

I shall secure his approval,

so you need not worry.

I will not forget the generosity and the trust

you have shown me today.

Is anyone outside?

Have you woken up, Your Majesty?

I will return to the palace.

Get ready.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Sang-hwa, you will remain here

and convey my command when the gidaeryeong awakes.

Please speak.

"As you evaded my men and intoxicated yourself last night,

thereby abandoning your duties, your crime is grave."

"You are not to come to the palace for the time being

and to await my orders while confined to your lodgings."

Yes, Your Majesty. I will convey your command.

That cannot be for your father's court robe.

Why are you embroidering it?

This is for Hongjang.

She has taken good care of me,

but I have never returned her kindness.

My lady.

Your father is home.

Father.

Hee-soo.

Is it that you dislike marriage or Kim Myung-ha?

I will get married.

When I find the right man, that is.

You mean someone who can beat you at baduk?

What if he is a white-haired sage?

If that is my fate,

I must accept it.

Well, that is troublesome.

I am traveling under a royal command.

As a criminal.

I will return safely

like I always have.

Father...

My dear.

You must also

stay safe and sound.

Do you understand?

You look as if you have seen a ghost.

When one encounters the fearsome captain of the Special Firearms Unit,

anyone would be surprised.

I have a royal command for you.

Please speak.

You are not to come to the palace

and stay confined to your lodgings.

If I am to stay confined, that means he has given me a punishment.

May I ask the reason?

The crime of neglecting your duties due to intoxication.

An incident like last night cannot reoccur.

While serving your penalty, you are not to leave the premises.

Do you understand me?

I shall do as you say.

My lady!

My lady!

Goodness.

Gosh, you startled me. My heart almost skipped a beat.

Is Lady Hee-soo not here?

She did not stay with you last night?

What are you saying?

Lady Hee-soo stayed out last night?

What if she was taken by the patrol troops overnight?

If that were the case, she would have sent word in the morning.

I guess she would have.

This is the first time she has disappeared since three years ago.

Wait, where is Master Chu?

He left upon paru to see Master Choam.

PARU: THE CURFEW LIFT BELL

I will go wait outside the palace just in case.

-What in the world... -My goodness.

My la...

-My lord! -Gosh, my lord!

Goodness, my lord.

We were worried sick about you.

Where have you been all night?

I apologize for worrying you.

Things happened.

You should come in and rest.

I will prepare breakfast.

-Go ahead. -All right.

My goodness.

I will leave you to rest, my lord.

Goodness.

Are you so bent on being the death of me?

Seriously, are you doing this to drive me crazy?

It does not seem like you spent the night outside.

Tell me, where did you spend the night?

My lady, this is...

I went to my house.

For what reason, all of a sudden?

You told me not to even look in that direction

in case we run into someone we know.

You must be deeply distressed.

You should have told me if you wanted to go visit.

Stay here and rest.

I will bring your breakfast soon.

We should hurry before you are late.

I cannot go to the palace for the time being.

I have been ordered to stay confined.

What?

Confinement?

Is that not a punishment?

What could they possibly punish you for?

What happened?

Tell me the reason.

Goodness.

Did the King become enraged over the rumors of his attraction to men

that delighted Jeomine so much?

What do we do?

The Qing's envoy will arrive soon.

Let us not worry too much, my lady.

They say you can always

find a way out of a tiger's den if only you pull yourself together.

I am sure some other means will come up.

It is not that.

Then what is the reason?

Why? What is it?

The King has found out...

that I am a woman.

Senior Court Lady Dong is missing.

Actually, due to the incident yesterday,

she has fallen ill and feverish.

I ordered her not to come to serve you today.

I must see Court Lady Dong.

Go summon her.

Why are you standing around?

I ordered you to summon her.

I beg for your pardon.

Your Majesty!

Please take my life!

Did the Queen Dowager command it?

Where is Court Lady Dong?

Drag her out.

If you value your lives,

step back.

You wench!

How dare you disobey Her Royal Highness's order?

As I serve His Majesty,

I will only take orders from him.

His Majesty's orders?

No one will fall for that now.

Your lies were uncovered due to yesterday's event.

How dare you act high and mighty?

What are you waiting for?

Drag her out this moment!

If any one of you

dares to lay a finger on me,

I shall make a request to His Majesty

to have every limb of your body severed, starting with those fingers.

Why are you having so much trouble dragging out a mere court lady?

My apologies.

She put up a fight with such a vicious attitude.

It was impossible to lay a finger on her.

Order the adjunct overseers to expel her from the palace.

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

Your Royal Highness, His Majesty is here.

Let him in.

I hope you had a comfortable night, Mother.

I did indeed, Your Majesty.

Mother.

I am thinking of bestowing

the former First Senior Consort's abode on Senior Court Lady Dong.

What do you think?

Your Majesty.

For what reason are you allowing her to have her own place?

From what I heard,

you and she did not even consummate your union.

Such an event is a mere formality.

She has served me for long

and will continue to do so in the future.

It is only right for her to have her own place.

If Court Lady Dong wishes for it,

I will appoint her as a concubine as well.

That is ridiculous.

You should not allow her a personal residence either.

Why do you disapprove of it?

Did you not want her to bear my son?

I am only trying to honor you and the court's wishes.

Are you trying to mock me?

As the feeble Queen could not bear you an heir,

I approved of the consummation

in tears and heartbreak only to secure an heir to your bloodline.

Forgive me,

but the feeble one is not the Queen

but me.

We should not be so greedy.

How could a bud sprout

when no seed has been sown in the field?

Do you not agree, My Queen?

Mind your words, Your Majesty!

Look at her.

How pathetic.

I apologize, Your Royal Highness.

No man can understand heaven's will

as no child can ever fathom their mother's heart.

I do not want to see any of you.

Everyone, leave this moment!

Your Royal Highness, I am to blame for this.

Please do not be upset and forgive us.

-Please forgive us, Your Royal Highness. -Please forgive us, Your Royal Highness.

Mother.

I shall excuse myself as I have matters of state to tend to.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

You have my approval

to skip today's greetings and return to your quarters.

Pardon?

For what reason...

Forgive me for saying this,

but I have learned that a greeting is not to be skipped

as it goes against the etiquette

and is deemed a failure of filial duty.

Has the Queen Dowager taught you that

whenever I skipped my greetings?

Yes.

The Queen Dowager is deeply upset, even more so than ever.

Do you think you can handle it?

Living in the palace,

at times, I must carry out duties that I do not desire.

Also, such are things I cannot entirely avoid.

Her fury finds itself back to me in the end.

I have learned a lesson from you, Grand Prince Munseong.

Make sure you greet her properly

and return to your duties.

Lord Park!

Do you not know what His Majesty thinks of Yoo Hyun-bo?

He will not approve of this recommendation.

His Majesty will approve of the Border Defense Council's decision.

If he wishes to keep Gidaeryeong Kang at Yeongchwijeong, that is.

What do you mean by that?

I have brought what you have asked for, Lord Park.

These are the petitions seeking an immediate removal of the gidaeryeong.

Gidaeryeong Kang Mong-woo...

is indeed useful in many ways.

Do you not agree?

All right.

Let us go speak to His Majesty.

Lord Park.

I have an urgent matter to report.

Save it for later.

I am on my way to make a request to His Majesty.

It concerns that very matter.

Last night,

His Majesty ordered the gidaeryeong to be confined as a punishment.

He seemed to be so fond of him.

His Majesty would not expel Kang Mong-woo like this, would he?

Who knows?

He may just give out a royal command to behead Kang Mong-woo tomorrow.

My goodness.

Do not say such an awful thing even as a joke.

His Majesty

is more than capable of such things.

Do not tell me

you have already forgotten how my father lost his life.

What shall we do about this?

Your Majesty.

May I truly take up my abode in the concubines' quarters?

If you wish, I will appoint you a concubine as well.

As Her Royal Highness

would never allow the appointment,

I will only accept the house.

As you wish.

I am grateful, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

The Principal Director requests an audience.

What shall I do?

Let him in.

You must have heard about what happened to the gidaeryeong.

What took you so long to seek an audience?

I merely seek

to report what was discussed by the Border Defense Council

and to ask for your opinion on the matter.

However,

I shall speak of the gidaeryeong's matter as you have mentioned it.

If I may be candid,

a part of me was hopeful.

As you have broken our promise,

I hoped that you would adhere to my wishes this time.

However,

you punished the gidaeryeong by ordering him to stay confined.

I did not expect you to jump ahead and punish him

before I could speak with you.

I could not sit back and watch

when your next move was so obvious.

I warned you

when Prince Deokseong died, did I not?

That I would not hold back should it happen again.

Have you forgotten already?

As the envoy escort who will receive the Qing's envoy,

we seek to send Yoo Hyun-bo, the Third Minister of Rites.

Please give us your approval.

He is not an appropriate candidate as the envoy escort.

You are well aware of the kind of man Jung Je-pyo is.

There is no one better than Yoo Hyun-bo to handle a man like him.

Since when was Yoo Hyun-bo such a capable man?

The Qing's envoy is visiting many areas under the pretense of sightseeing,

looking for any opportunity to fault us.

It would be best to have them at the capital as soon as possible

to receive the Emperor's letter and send them back.

Your argument

has merit.

You have three days.

You may appoint Yoo Hyun-bo as the envoy escort.

However, if the Qing's envoy does not reach the capital in three days,

both Yoo Hyun-bo

and you, who recommended him, shall be held responsible.

I also have a condition.

If the Qing's envoy arrives in the said period,

please dismiss Gidaeryeong Kang Mong-woo

and exile him from the capital.

Would you accept the terms?

I will pour my heart and soul

not to betray your trust in me, my lord.

You must confirm one matter when you meet Jung Je-pyo.

Please speak.

See if there are other letters other than the Emperor's letter.

By "other letters,"

whose letter might you be referring to?

Prince Rui's.

Confirm if Jung Je-pyo has brought Prince Rui's letter first

before compensating him with the riches.

Do you understand?

Yes, my lord.

Move aside!

The Principal Director must have lost all sense of propriety.

How dare he demand such an absurd condition to His Majesty?

Yoo Hyun-bo would never be able to escort the envoy here in three days.

I hope His Majesty takes this chance to reform

the corrupt Border Defense Council.

Park Jong-hwan is His Majesty's uncle

and the Queen Dowager's only family member.

I feel heavy at heart

that I seem to have gotten you on his bad side needlessly.

I only deferred to him until now for your sake, Your Majesty.

And how did he treat the both of us?

The Principal Director must come to understand

that even he cannot have his way in all matters.

Your Majesty.

Grand Prince Munseong is here to greet you.

Let him in.

Welcome, Grand Prince.

It has been a while, Great Lord.

Your Highness.

It has indeed been a while since the gisinje.

Had I known the Great Lord was here, I would have visited you later.

There is no need.

The Great Lord was on his way out.

Is that not right?

Pardon?

Yes.

Please excuse me, Your Majesty.

Bring in the refreshments.

Your Majesty.

Would you like to take a walk in the Royal Garden afterward?

The sky today is exceptionally clear and blue.

Is that so?

Then we must go.

Please invite Princess Jangryeong as well.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Sixth Royal Secretary.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Have you made any progress with the peach tree?

I acquired a compost known to enhance soil fertility.

I am currently observing the tree after scattering some.

Your Majesty.

What is the difference between an act with knowledge and one without it?

Even done with knowledge, an act is meaningless without virtue.

Even done in ignorance, an act will see fruition

if it holds virtuous intent.

Have we not heard back from Kim Je-nam?

He seems to be uninterested in a government post.

Dispatch a messenger and have my wish conveyed clearly.

You may leave.

I will head to Yeongchwijeong.

Summon the...

Shall I summon the gidaeryeong?

I have misspoken.

There is no need.

Has there been any progress on finding what was lost?

We have combed through the capital,

but we have not found anyone who knows of or holds the item.

They will be sending word again soon.

I shall discuss it with them then and find another way.

You must find it at all costs.

-Do you understand? -Yes, Your Majesty.

It has been a while, my lord.

Do you recognize me?

Has the gidaeryeong sent you?

Yes, my lord.

You have been called to an urgent meeting.

Lead the way.

I will follow you.

Have you decided to live as Kang Hee-soo?

I only dressed like this as a disguise.

I would be asking for trouble

to meet you while receiving my punishment

as Gidaeryeong Kang Mong-woo.

The King's refusal to consummate and his order for your punishment

has the entire court in turmoil.

As they cannot fathom the reason behind his actions,

they must be confused and frightened.

And you are not?

I, too, was afraid at first.

However,

the King's bet over you with Principal Director Park Jong-hwan

changed my mind.

The King

seems to have placed you in confinement to protect you.

What I do not understand

is the fact that he proposed the three-day period first.

Yoo Hyun-bo will do his best to make that happen.

Why did the King propose a condition unfavorable to himself?

The King has set up a trap

that the Principal Director cannot avoid.

A trap?

What could he have up his sleeve to set up one?

That much

is unknown to me.

I suggest we pretend that our conversations did not take place.

My priority is the well-being of Their Highnesses.

I came by to tell you that.

I understand your wishes, Lord Kim.

However,

I do not think we can pretend they did not take place...

with the Qing's envoy on their way.

What do you mean?

What does the Qing's envoy have to do with us?

If my assumption is correct,

a difficult ordeal will be upon Their Highnesses.

I have returned, my lady.

I have heard about the confinement.

I should have waited around the courtesan house

and brought you home, my lady.

It is in the past.

Tell me.

How is Master Choam doing?

He is doing well.

A court official was dispatched again to convince him to take up a post.

He said he did not give them an answer.

Did you tell him not to refuse, but to accept the offer next time?

He promised that he would.

However,

if Yoo Hyun-bo returns in three days

and the King does not summon you again,

what will you do?

Even with Kim Myung-ha's support and Master Choam's return to the court,

what could possibly change?

What are you trying to say?

If your plan goes to shambles,

I will take the initiative

just as you promised me before.

Nothing is set in stone.

Even if I am dismissed,

I will not give up.

I truly wish that things turn out the way you have planned.

Your Majesty, the Chief Royal Secretary is here.

Your Majesty.

The Qing's chief envoy, Podan, has arrived at Mohwa Guesthouse.

Your Majesty.

Please prepare to head out to receive the Emperor's letter.

I do not think I will be able to go as I am suddenly feeling ill.

Please go and receive the Emperor's letter on my behalf, Uncle.

To my eye, you seem very hearty.

I am afraid that the envoy might be enraged if I go in your stead.

If we hold a welcoming feast tonight

and relieve the exhaustion of the envoys,

there will not be a problem.

Your Majesty.

The three days we have promised have not yet passed.

I hope you have not forgotten the promise you made...

to dismiss and expel the gidaeryeong.

I have not.

Then I shall abide by your royal command.

We shall go to the Mohwa Guesthouse to receive the envoy.

Get ready.

-Yes, Lord Park. -Yes, Lord Park.

My lord, have you summoned me?

Immediately arrest Gidaeryeong Kang Mong-woo

and bring him to the State Tribunal.

Yes, my lord.

Lord Park.

He is the Fourth Investigator of the State Tribunal.

It is not like Kang Mong-woo committed high treason.

The crime of disturbing the king's heart, defiling the order of the court,

and weakening the people's hearts.

Tell me.

What are these crimes, if not treason?

The Principal Director is determined to kill the gidaeryeong.

There is trouble, Myung-ha.

The Principal Director gave the order to arrest Kang Mong-woo for high treason.

I must meet His Majesty immediately.

Please request an audience.

I have already told you that you cannot.

Please return.

Eunuch Kim.

How dare a royal secretary

behave so crudely before His Majesty's quarters?

I apologize, but there is an urgent matter I must inform him.

It is an important matter that His Majesty must know about.

Is that matter more important than the Qing's envoy?

Your important duty is to prepare to receive the envoy.

Return to your post and get back to work.

Immediately!

Where are you going, my lady?

After being stuck here for the last few days,

I feel suffocated.

I will go get some air.

Getting air, my foot. You should be running away.

The Qing's envoy has arrived.

And where do you say we run to?

Are you sure we will not be caught?

Well...

It is better than waiting for the noose.

I will be back shortly.

My lady.

My lady.

Gidaeryeong Kang Mong-woo?

That is me.

Arrest his man immediately.

-Yes, my lord! -Yes, my lord!

My lord!

-Back off! -Goodness.

Jageunnyeon.

These officers are harming innocent people!

I shall follow you obediently.

Please refrain from needless violence.

Why are you standing about?

Arrest the criminal this instant.

-Yes, my lord! -Yes, my lord!

I commend you for your efforts in making such a long journey.

I was concerned as I heard that you had fallen ill.

It is of much relief that you seem to be feeling much better now.

It appears my concern for your ill health was unnecessary.

As I felt bad for not being able to receive the Emperor's letter myself,

I tried my best

to attend this feast at the least.

He has brought himself to receive the letter.

I do speak Joseon's language.

Do not try to deceive me and interpret properly.

I apologize. Please forgive me.

I hope the feast is to your liking.

I am rather disappointed.

I expected to see something better.

Something better?

Please tell me what you mean by it. I shall have it brought here.

I heard of the gidaeryeong on my way here.

Word has it

that he is quite an excellent baduk player.

Is that so?

Did you perchance forget that I like baduk?

How shall I forget?

Our close friendship was formed

thanks to baduk games all those years ago in Shenyang.

Right. That is true.

Where is the gidaeryeong?

Who is it...

among them?

The recent development must not have reached you, Chief Envoy.

As the gidaeryeong was dismissed and expelled from the capital,

he is not present here.

I beg for your understanding.

His Majesty can simply summon the gidaeryeong back, can he not?

Am I wrong, Your Majesty?

You are not wrong.

I shall summon him should you wish.

Your Majesty, that cannot happen.

You would be breaking the promise you have made to me.

Is your petty promise so important

when we have our treasured guest to serve?

Are you attempting to humiliate me before the Qing Emperor's envoy?

What I do not understand

is the fact that he proposed the three-day period first.

The King has set up a trap

that the Principal Director cannot avoid.

A trap?

What could he have up his sleeve to set up one?

That much

is unknown to me.

He had set up a trap

with the envoy up his sleeve.

Principal Director.

My apologies, Your Majesty.

Please forgive me for my discourtesy.

Hear my command.

Bring the gidaeryeong here.

He is young.

I thought he would be around my age.

Did you not mention that you were a famed baduk prodigy

from a young age as well?

I played baduk before I walked.

I would like to play baduk with the gidaeryeong this instant.

Would that be possible?

Your Majesty.

Would you allow me to speak on this matter?

You may speak.

With all due respect to the envoy,

that man is a criminal who was dismissed and expelled.

Your authority will be weakened if you allow a criminal

to play baduk with the envoy in front of everyone.

Your Majesty.

Might I propose another idea?

The gidaeryeong...

No, the criminal and I

will play a baduk with a bet.

If I win,

I shall decide his fate however I see fit.

If I lose,

the Principal Director shall decide his fate.

How does that sound?

As you insist on playing with him,

I will not go against you on this matter any further.

Your Majesty.

Mong-woo.

What do you say?

I would not refuse such a great honor

to play against the Emperor's subject.

All right.

Shall we begin?

Bring a baduk table and the stones.

CAPTIVATING THE KING

You are my gidaeryeong.

You must come running whenever I summon you.

I have missed you.

How can you get revenge when you love him?

The King is my one and only family before he is my lord.

We are bound by the heavens.

I implore you, Your Majesty.

Please do not command me to marry Prince Rui.

I desired power.

I thought it was the only way to protect those that I wished to protect.

Through this marriage,

I seek to plant a spy in Prince Rui's inner circle.

Are you suggesting a substitution?

Subtitle translation by: Jea-heon Chung