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Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Majesty.

My Liege.

Your pardon, but Her Majesty forbids...

I beg your pardon.

Be grateful he can't speak.

Or it would be your neck.

Nyang, Nyang!

What? The Emperor went to the archive?

Yes. He's with Lady Ki now.

If he insists on taking her out...

Lead the way. I'll put a stop to this.

Your Majesty.

Nyang, are you with me?

I dozed off.

Get up. We're leaving.

Just a few more to go. Then I'll leave.

No food or drink for three days.

You could die.

Nyang.

How can I help you?

Tell me.

Anything I can do...

Such as?

Can you read the Rules of Conduct?

Or can you write this for me?

Or use your authority to deal with them?

You even tried to give away...

... what's left of the Emperor's authority.

There is nothing you can do for me.

And nothing I will do for you.

So please. Just go.

My Liege, what are you doing in there?

Lady Ki is subject to disciplinary action.

How dare you interfere with Inner Court business?

It's undignified.

Think of your position.

My Liege, can't you hear me?

My Liege!

Kolta.

My Liege.

I was wrong to want to give up everything for Nyang.

My Liege.

I'm going to start studying again.

Your Grace.

Lady Ki.

One hundred volumes.

All done.

Now you understand the rules of conduct?

Thanks to your imperial generosity.

Now that you've experienced my generosity...

never challenge me again.

'Clouds soar...'

'...to end in rain.'

My Liege.

Lady Ki is out of the archive and in her chambers.

Don't tell her I'm studying again.

Why not?

I want to show that I can do it.

To make her happy.

I understand.

How long will you keep acting mute?

When El Temur announces the abdication...

...my voice will be heard.

My Liege.

As you say.

'Clouds soar...'

Sungnyang, where are you?

I miss you.

There is someone you care for.

Next card.

Care for very deeply.

But such a rare and precious jewel cannot be hidden.

You must travel far if you want to be together.

Nice routine. Let's go.

I'll be back after I look into this.

Be safe till then.

Sire.

I'm back.

Anything on Musong?

The village headman is helping Bang.

We'll hear something soon.

Enough.

Speak up. Who sent you?

This is your last day.

One more time.

Who sent you?

I was sent by...

Yes?

Your mother.

Mother THIS...!

If you don't talk...

we'll strip your flesh to the bone.

Talk now.

Or die screaming.

Who are you?

Wrong place.

Where do I dump the wash basins?

Get out.

Yes, sir. Going, sir.

Sir. Sir.

What kept you, beggar-boy?

Never mind that, feed me.

I haven't eaten all day, I can't breathe for needing to eat.

Begging from a slave?

Did you find out?

Huge guy, big nose?

That's him. Well?

They're torturing him now.

Better hurry or he'll die.

Musong, Musong.

Musong... Musong...

Wait, my rice ball.

We just going to think about it? We have to get hm.

Brood on Sungnyang later.

We've got to save Musong.

He'll die if we wait too long.

- Sire. - Sire.

We go now.

A frontal assault.

Huh?

Now?

In daylight?

The sun will set soon.

Kill him ten times, he won't talk.

I can kill him anytime.

But someone else is on my mind.

The fire arrow.

He set the explosives.

It had to be an inside job.

You mean we have a traitor?

What else would explain it?

My lord.

Someone to see you.

Who?

Wang Yu from Koryo.

Wang Yu? Never heard of him.

Then I'll send him on his way.

Wait.

Wang Yu from Koryo...

The deposed king.

He stopped my counterfeit scam.

If he's here, he may know what we did in Koryo.

I run this trading house.

You're Wang Yu?

You're Hoksu?

Your reputation precedes you.

How may I be of service?

I'm here to collect my retainer.

Retainer?

So the voucher thieves...

Not vouchers. Counterfeits.

Wang Yu is making a mistake.

They may kill him.

Shall we help him again?

Once was enough.

Walking into hell to save your man.

You're brave, I'll give you that.

Enough chit-chat. Bring me my man.

You there.

Do Koryo royals have ten lives?

You think you can kill me?

We deal in lives here, too.

You think I'll spare someone that stole and murdered my men?

You cannot kill me.

Not for lack of you asking for it.

Kill them.

W-w-wait.

Do you know who he is?

Well? Kill them.

He...

...is El Temur's niece's husband.

What?

The Regent?

Harm one hair on his head, just one!

You'll burn for it.

I had no idea. I beg your pardon, Wang Yu.

You catch on fast.

His retainer. Now.

Sir.

Now that we've been introduced...

let's get down to business.

We heard about what happened.

She gave me time to think.

She'll keep it up as long as you're in the pavilion.

Which is why I'm taking the fight to her.

'Exploiting her weakness,' as it says in the Art of War.

You mean to force her to do wrong?

Very much so.

A wrong so great she will lose her official seal.

The symbol of her power and position.

I will make her lose the power she uses for such ill.

Now isn't the time for a frontal assault.

Victory requires preparation...

You can prepare for war, but not for victory.

War is fought like this.

When you're furious, when you have to.

That's when you fight.

But, sir...

Everything in the palace has risks.

Take your best shot.

Excuses don't matter when you lose.

An arrow, once loosed, cannot be recalled.

There is a lot of anger there.

I wouldn't have used her if I had known.

Now all we can do is wait.

See that?

The way she looked at me?

Perhaps if you told her you're studying?

After I memorize all 1,000 characters.

Aren't you being hard on him?

It's what he needs right now.

I'll wait till he's had enough.

Your Grace.

The consorts are with Her Majesty.

What for?

To give her gifts, they said.

Gifts?

Silk from Lady Oh.

Lovely.

I'm so pleased that you like it.

It will make a nice diaper for little Maha.

From Lady Pu.

Celadon.

Celadon?

Very rare.

A perfect chamber pot for little Maha.

Now what made you all decide to bring me gifts?

To ask a favor.

Go on.

Perhaps the daily tonic could be discontinued?

If you please.

You little...!

You think you can buy my favor?

We only thought...

Take this trash away.

What a waste of time.

No kidding.

It just made her mad.

There may be...

another way.

Lady Yon gives us the tonic.

If we can get her on our side...

How naive.

Did you really think you could buy Her Majesty's favor?

This doesn't concern you.

Hear me out.

Nothing you say could interest me.

They think you stole the Emperor from them.

They curse your name.

Keep an eye on them.

Your Grace.

Enjoy, Lady Yon.

I'm told the tonic can make one sterile.

You're in charge of it.

Who's to know if you change it to something healthy?

That's correct.

Help us and you'll get more of the same.

Really?

Her Majesty would have my head.

Switch the tonic?

Absurd.

You made a mistake.

You think you can bribe a lady-in-waiting?

Lady Yon knows whom to fear.

She won't risk her life to keep her word to you.

But she took our bribes.

She's no fool.

If she gets into trouble, she need only trot out the bribes.

She'll be rewarded.

And none of you can squirm out of it.

That's the palace for you.

One mistake and you can lose it all.

Then... what should we do?

You know a way.

Tell me.

What was that for?

I just showed you the way.

What's that?

For Her Majesty from Eagle House.

Eagle House? What for?

A letter from Hoksu.

What's it say?

He is asking if we can present items for the pavillion.

The Empress, not the Dowager.

He catches on fast.

I'll deliver it. Here.

Yes, sir.

Eagle House has lots of men. Why Hoksu of all people?

Wasn't he the one that sold us Lady Ki?

Maybe he found another angle.

You never know, of course.

I have much faith in Lady Ki's plans.

These are all from the west?

Yes.

From traders based in Ilkhanate.

Can I keep them?

Hoksu sent them.

He works closely with Father.

He does? Excellent.

Your Majesty, there's trouble in the pavilion.

Trouble?

The consorts are fighting.

Who's fighting whom?

You hit me?

Who started it?

I'm a governor's daughter.

Not some servant girl from Koryo.

We're both consorts now.

Whoever your daddy is.

You're begging for it.

That goes for the rest of you.

Call me a servant girl again...

and I'll snap your wrists like twigs.

What's all this?

Have you lost your senses?

Where do you think you are?

It isn't fair.

I didn't start it...

Silence.

You'll get yours tonight.

Understand?

Lady Yon. Don't forget the tonic.

Your Majesty.

Lady Ki won't take it again.

I hope not.

Pardon?

If she refuses we'll use the rack to cripple her.

She was fighting.

When will I get another chance like this?

Ah. Even the Dowager won't be able to help her.

Be ready.

What a piece of work.

Don't let it go.

Your dad will take care of her.

What do you want?

Persimmons from Lady Ki by way of apology.

Take it away.

She'll kill me if I do.

Little...!

An apology? Shameless.

Wait. You're eating it?

I haven't eaten all day.

More of the tonic?

Her Majesty's orders.

She won't have them getting pregnant.

Trashy. Look at that makeup.

Forgive me.

No more eyebrow pencils.

Answer me.

Your Majesty.

Fighting in front of the others.

I beg your pardon.

You don't beg my pardon?

I did nothing wrong.

Listen to you.

You think the Emperor can protect you here?

I can look after myself.

Oh? We'll just see about that.

You're all too tense.

Take our nerve tonic.

Don't drink.

The moment you don't, you're dead.

I said don't, you...

Your Grace.

Wake up, Your Grace.

What happened?

What is this?

Lady Oh drank her tonic.

I need a silver pin.

Poison.

She drank poison.

Poison?

Explain yourself.

It can't be.

Quick. Get the doctor.

Help me.

Give me Lady Oh's bowl.

I'll look into this myself.

The inspectors will be very thorough.

Rest assured.

What happened?

Answer me.

I have no idea.

Worthless. You were in charge.

Please. Remain calm.

What?

Lady Oh was poisoned?

Yes. The pavilion is up in arms.

Nyang? Is she all right?

Lady Oh collapsed before Lady Ki had hers.

Your Majesty.

What has happened?

The Empress finally went too far.

Then the poisoner...?

Who else?

Spread the word.

Everyone will know what the Empress did.

Right away.

Father.

Did you do it?

Never, as heaven is my witness.

Neither did Lady Yon.

Someone set a trap.

Any idea who?

Who would dare pull a stunt like this?

The Dowager?

Yes. Without a doubt.

Father.

The governors have arrived.

They heard about this already?

The game begins.

What should I do?

Now, now, calm down.

There's no proof that didn't do it.

Nor evidence that you did.

Hold tight.

They'll push you to the brink.

But I'll be there.

Well?

It wasn't a fatal dose.

She only had a little.

Do you know what she ate for dinner?

She didn't eat all day.

Oh, she had Lady Ki's persimmon.

Right.

She's in no danger.

You can relax.

What are you doing?

Her Imperial Majesty has summoned you.

My Liege. The Inspector General.

At your service.

We're all waiting.

Get started.

Is there enough to make your assessment?

There is.

Are you done?

I am.

Go on.

The tonic has no poison.

You're certain?

None of the silver balls changed color.

I trust you no longer suspect me?

I never suspected you.

Of course not.

Your Majesty, this is Inner Court business, but it affects the governors.

We have to find the culprit.

We will.

I will look into this personally.

The consorts are restricted to the pavilion for the duration.

Your Majesty.

What was that?

You had your chance and you flubbed it.

There was no proof that she poisoned the tonic.

Those items were sent to her in Eagle House's name.

Who would dare search the champers of the Empress?

'Kick them when they're down.'

Push them down the well. Then pile on the stones.

So what are you planning exactly?

'Sacrifice to victory.'

Sacrifice yourself, you mean?

She will try to prove I did it.

If I use myself as bait...

the imperial seal will be mine.

You're sure?

Yes. The only thing she ate was Lady Ki's persimmon.

If the poison wasn't in the tonic, it was in the fruit.

Definitely.

Are there any left?

Ah, well...

Well what?

The servants ate the rest.

How are they?

They're fine.

What? Fine?

Then they weren't poisoned?

If you need a scapegoat, make one.

My father's words.

It's just as well the persimmons are gone.

So you...?

...will frame Lady Ki.

She and Lady Oh were fighting.

In front of witnesses.

The only thing Lady Oh ate was the persimmon.

Her five viscera and six entrails were poisoned.

What more do we need?

Quite so. She definitely did it.

Spread the word.

If enough people believe it, it must be true.

The persimmons were poisoned?

How else could she do it?

Lady Ki nearly killed her in the fight.

They never did like each other.

Maybe so, but poison?

My Liege.

His Majesty is furious.

And you're rambling on?

Your pardon.

They'll have her convicted next.

Keep me informed.

About the pavilion and Nyang.

My Liege.

She did it for sure.

Well then.

What is it you wanted?

No doubt you've heard the rumors.

That you tried to kill Lady Oh?

I have no time for gossip.

I don't believe it.

It's not gossip.

It's not?

I provided the poison.

Provided it how?

I made her eat it.

Your Majesty, Lord Zhang.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty?

Did something happen with Lady Ki?

What is it?

Welcome.

Introductions. The head of Eagle House.

Hoksu.

Yon Feisu.

He's my guest. Look after him.

Everything is ready.

Ladies.

Is he working with Eagle House now?

Something isn't right.

Again, I apologize for the trouble the vouchers caused Koryo.

At least we met because of it.

My lord will be pleased about that.

When can I meet him?

I'm afraid you can't.

I'm told no one in your organization has seen him. Is that true?

Not even me.

Here. Tonight we drink.

Ma'am.

Hoksu.

Send him in.

Had enough?

Yes.

You're working with Wang Yu now?

I'll explain later.

Your orders from my master.

I'm to kill Wang Yu.

He knows too much about us.

It's to be expected.

If you'll excuse me.

Wang Yu just put out his light.

Wang Yu, it had to end like this.

Don't hold it against me.

The Empress seems set on laying this on Lady Ki.

We'll see who falls after the morning ceremony.

When we're through, you'll be arrested for attempted murder.

Drink.