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What is it you wanted?

How is the Emperor?

Not well since the governors joined El Temur.

Open it.

The means to stop the abdication.

The means?

What do all these names mean?

The agents of Eagle House in the provinces.

How will this help sway the governors?

My Liege, listen closely.

The finest sword in all the land...

is only as good as the hand that wields it.

This is a weapon to stop the abdication.

But only you can sway the governors.

My Liege.

Welcome.

You're speaking...?

Relax.

My mute act was meant to deceive El Temur.

El Temur changed the emperor three times.

Now he wants a fourth?

But this time he picked the wrong opponent.

I'm not the easy mark the late emperor was.

I need your influence.

Will you help me?

Fighting El Temur on the abdication is not to be taken lightly.

'Lightly?'

Just so.

Following El Temur is for the good of the imperial house and the nation...

And when my father died?

Did you whine like this then?

You betrayed him by doing nothing about his death.

I'm giving you a chance to prove yourselves.

As you say, we failed to protect the late emperor.

We don't want to lose you, too.

What?

The abdication will save your life.

Understand our intent, My Liege.

Understand, My Liege.

Intent?

A few years ago your provinces were flooded with counterfeit vouchers.

You turned to El Temur for help and incurred tremendous debt.

Were you aware Eagle House was behind the fraud?

This is news to me.

Then you were unaware that Eagle House funds El Temur?

Is this true?

He has plants in your provinces.

They've been exploiting you all along.

He creates a need, lends you money.

Then forgives the debts for your loyalty.

You're pawns in his hands.

Who are these plants?

You want to know?

Tell us, My Liege.

Who are they?

Think what you can do for me first.

How...?

Did you know El Temur was behind Eagle House?

We sorted it out when Eagle House tried it in Liaoyang.

What now?

What else?

We stop the abdication by whatever means possible.

He's right.

With this new information we can't possibly support El Temur.

We need all ten governors to stop him.

Can you convince the others?

There are no guarantees, but we'll try.

No one is to know the Emperor can speak.

Quite right.

We have to catch the Eagle House plants before the Kurultai council.

Move fast. We don't have time.

We can at least catch those in the nearest provinces.

Yes, sir.

Stopping the abdication will mean war.

What are your plans?

What did you want?

You must reclaim the seal from El Temur at the Kurultai.

That is your chance to reclaim your power.

It is time you ruled this nation yourself.

Is that possible?

Very much so if you rally the governors and stop the abdication.

He is right one hundred times over.

Reclaiming the seal and your authority...

is the only way to prevent El Temur from retaliating.

My Liege.

Increased training?

The Regent is reinforcing the borders in the event of any unforeseen events.

Unforeseen?

What events exactly?

We just follow orders.

Your pardon, Your Grace.

He's doing this to threaten the governors.

We may not be able to stop the abdication.

He isn't the only one that prepares for unforeseen events.

Tal Tal is apprehending the provincial plants now.

He is?

Yes, My Liege.

That should stop the governors from backing out.

When the governors see that you're mobilizing troops...

they won't dare back out.

The day Maha is named emperor my life's ambition will be fulfilled.

You hold the imperial seal.

Why not take the throne?

What do I need with wealth and prosperity at my age?

But a family that reigns a millennium...

That will be my legacy.

Father, a man from Eagle House.

My lord Regent.

What is it?

A message from the master of Eagle House.

What's it say?

He believes I killed his man Hoksu.

And what's this?

The plants in the provinces have been arrested?

On your orders, perhaps?

Tal Tal.

He killed Hoksu, too.

Now he's bringing in the plants.

I'll deal with this.

I'll write a reply for your master.

Sir.

Look at that.

I used to love it as a kid.

Give me a nice tasty fatty part.

Oh, no, lean pork is best.

That over there.

You kidding? The fatty part.

Lean meat makes you bald.

Fat and lots of it.

- Lean. - Fat.

- Fatty. - Lean-y.

- Lean. - Fat.

Sheesh!

As you wish.

...Lean...

That's the Yenching contact.

Is there a base of operations?

Only as needed.

There's no base like in Liaoyang.

You know who's in charge?

Not on sight.

But I do know this.

Only the Yenching boss has seen the head of Eagle House.

Keep an eye on things.

Let's go.

Yes, Sire.

Don't even think about it.

You're alive?

How?

He spared me.

He's of my tribe. We can trust him.

Watch the rear and follow us.

What did El Temur say?

He means to kill Tal Tal at the north gate.

Deliver this to Eagle House.

Don't raise any alarms.

You two go reconnoiter the north gate.

- Yes, Sire. - Yes, Sire.

How many men can we muster?

Ten at most.

- Get ready. - Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Welcome, General. This way.

Thank you kindly.

It's no picnic.

We don't have enough men for a direct assault.

Tal Tal doesn't have many either.

You gave the list I decoded to Tal Tal.

Why are you helping him?

Tal Tal is helping Sungnyang...

To hinder El Temur. That's all.

Use fire.

Burn them out?

It's the only way when you're outnumbered.

Lady yon.

What are you doing?

Watch your mouth.

So that's it.

Just keep an eye out.

Ah-ha. I knew it.

The ice palace must be awful.

Poor thing. Let's have a look at you.

Help me.

Name it. Anything.

Her Majesty is sick over the Crown Prince.

Oh? And?

She wants me to bring the baby to the ice palace tonight.

If you're caught, you'll have to pay.

Exactly.

If I'm to do it I need you to escort me.

You're taking all the risk.

And you're the one that will get it right here...

Naughty, naughty hand.

Meet me at 7 o'clock.

It was worth it anyway.

There's no resemblance whatsoever.

Not to the Emperor or the Empress.

Your Majesty, Lord Zhang.

Enter.

Your Majesty, tomorrow is the Kurultai at last.

Be back before dawn.

Not to worry.

Off you go.

Be here at seven tomorrow morning.

Fine, fine.

What was that about?

What was what?

That will get you killed. Hadn't you heard?

That's not...

We're helping the Empress, that's what.

Something must have happened. Where are they?

Your Majesty, if you're discovered...

He's my son.

You're being punished.

I don't care.

If she doesn't make it,

I'll go see Maha myself.

The Crown Prince.

Maha.

My baby, my boy.

I've missed you. So much.

Your Majesty.

Actual battle conditions!

Halt.

- Archers. - Archers.

Fire.

Left face.

Stand down.

The Regent is waiting.

Not exactly pleasant.

It was a threat.

Right.

Welcome.

Take your places.

No civilians, no soldiers. Something's not right.

What is this?

This is General Tal Tal of Liaoyang.

El Temur has condemned you as a traitor.

Surrender your arms.

Or die where you stand.

What...?

Oil.

What? Oil?

Who is that?

Fall back!

Stay with the prisoners.

Sir.

Scared?

Do I look scared?

How about now?

Dignified. A man to trust.

My Liege, it is time.

Go on.

A little longer. I'll have good news soon.

The Emperor isn't here yet.

He already abdicated.

I have his seal right here.

The only issue before the Kurultai...

is the investiture of the Crown Prince.

We'll open the discussions then you will...

His Imperial Majesty.

We were detained in bringing His Majesty.

What do we need with this mute?

I am here...

regarding the abdication.

You can talk?

You may sit.

The document.

What are you up to?

Pretending to read now?

Isn't he illiterate?

'Let it be known.'

'We wish to lay down the trappings of office.'

'We name Maha as heir apparent.'

'The Empress will rule as regent until he comes of age.'

This is not my wish.

I withdraw my abdication.

Nor...

...do I name Maha as heir apparent.

Who's this?

Stand aside.

No one enters without El Temur's say-so.

I said move.

Why don't you make me?

Are you so eager to die?

What is this?

Let them pass.

Your Majesty, the Kurultai is in session...

Have you forgotten who I am?

Now stand aside.

What are our legal options?

According to the law of the Kurultai...

the repeal of an abdication requires a unanimous vote.

Then let's vote.

All those in favor of the Emperor, step forward.

Bayan of Liaoyang. I oppose the abdication.

Keep your word.

I do not believe El Temur planted agents in my province.

I won't act without proof.

Are you done?

My Liege, it appears you failed to achieve a consensus.

Not yet.

Is that...?

You, you...

My Liege, the men of Eagle House planted to distribute counterfeits.

Each time the counterfeits appeared, El Temur profited from the discrepancy.

Do you think that's a coincidence?

My Liege, are you insulting my father?

He has no connection to Eagle House.

Jukaso of Jiangxi. I oppose the abdication.

Yi Kisuk of Jiangzhe. Opposed.

I oppose the abdication.

My Liege, congratulations.

The abdication is repealed.

Congratulations.

The governors have spoken. I support...

One moment.

We're not quite finished.

In your role as regent you have done much to ease my burden.

But it is time that authority returned to the throne.

You mean to rule?

I appreciate all you've done.

Now give me the seal.

Kurultai tradition requires another unanimous vote.

Quite right.

Lead your people, My Liege.

Lead us.

Yes, sir?

We march on the palace.

Sir?

Kill every governor there.

S-sir.

Steady. It really won't do.

Won't do? You can't back out now.

My father is in trouble.

And the Emperor?

Shall we kill him and the Dowager?

Is that what you want?

Not even your father can fix that.

We'll all die together.

It must be stopped.

The Kurultai must be stopped.

The Crown Prince.

He's still in the ice palace.

He's what?

I restore the seal and full authority to the throne.

All in favor, rise.

Your Majesty.

The Crown Prince is missing.

Missing?

He's gone?

He hasn't been seen since last night.

It's an emergency, My Liege.

The Crown Prince.

We will adjourn the Kurultai

and resume discussions after the Crown Prince is found.

Something isn't right.

Why now of all times?

My Liege, now or later, your votes won't change.

Quite so. Not to worry.

Quite so, My Liege.

Is he really missing?

Yes.

I just came from his nursery.

The prince? Where is he now?

The ice palace.

The ice palace?

The Empress took him?

Maha, sweet little guy.

What do you want?

The Empress Dowager commands the boy be returned.

No.

Tell her I'll look after my son.

Well? Escort the Crown Prince.

Raise one finger and I'll bite my tongue and die here.

Your Majesty.

You think you'll be safe then?

Now leave.

Go ahead. Bite.

What?

You haven't hurt enough to bite off your own tongue.

But you will soon enough.

That day will come.

Just not yet.

What's that even mean?

Dokman.

Your Grace.

No more food or water for the ice palace.

You...

The Empress Dowager's orders.

Your Majesty, give them the child.

You can't rear a baby here.

Your Majesty.

Sweetie, sweetie...

Sweetie.

Maha. Give me my baby.

- Your Majesty. - Maha.

Escort the Crown Prince.

Maha. My baby...

Your Majesty.

Maha, Maha. Give me my baby.

Sweetie, sweetie.

Your Majesty.

I am the empress, the mother of the nation.

When I return...

your life will be a living hell.

Be ready.

You had better hurry.

A house won't remain without a new woman for long.

What? A new woman?

She actually believes she can be empress.

We found the Crown Prince.

The Kurultai reconvenes tomorrow.

Why did you betray me?

Have you forgotten who made you a governor?

My allegiance was to Khutughtu Khan.

What could be more natural than to serve his son?

Silence.

You were my hero.

You fought your way across the desert, the bravest of the brave.

You wept for the fallen. I saw it with my own eyes.

But the man before me is not the hero of my youth.

Rather than build an empire you got a taste for power.

A blind old fool.

You dare?

Go on.

Our nation is foul and rotten.

Thanks to you.

The Emperor should reign, we owe him allegiance.

That is all I'm doing.

I follow no emperor, only the mandate of heaven.

I show my allegiance by ruling this nation.

I won't forget your betrayal.

Bayan.

Tal Tal.

Yes, sir.

If I ever turn into an El Temur...

kill me.

Better to die a man...

than live as an old fool blinded by power.

I underestimated the Emperor.

I didn't know he had it in him.

But what changed him?

Lady Ki.

The ice palace, Bayan's change of heart, the new Emperor.

It all started with her.

What a joke.

The earth trembled at my feet.

Brought down by a consort.

Time is short.

We must act to keep the seal before tomorrow's Kurultai.

Father.

Captain Yom.

Yes, sir.

How many prisoners are awaiting execution?

Three.

May I ask why?

I'll take a look.

Do you have a family?

My old mother is alone.

A sick wife and child.

No one, sir.

- Kill him. - Sir?

My lord. Spare me.

You can't avoid execution.

But do as I ask and your families will be taken care of.

Well? Do we have a deal?

Keep our word and I'll do anything.

Clean them up.

Dress them as eunuchs.

Sir?

Yes, sir.

With the guard's help you will enter the Crown Prince's chambers tonight.

Father, what are you planning?

Arm yourselves and slip inside.

Father.

Tonight you are assassins.

They are to fail.

When they are questioned,

they will confess who sent them.

One of the governors.

Exactly.

'Flush out the snake.'

'By beating the grass.'

We will make an example of one governor.

That should take care of the rest.

If we pull this off, hanging onto the seal with be nothing.

The Crown Prince's chambers are ready?

Not to owrry.

I took care of it.

This is a sham.

You are to let yourselves get caught.

Lady Ki has shown you mercy.

The child is never to go to the ice palace again.

Yes, sir.

Wait.

Halt.

Identify yourselves.

I know every eunuch in the palace. Now speak up.

Assassins.

Keep that one alive.

Sir.

Is the Crown Prince safe?

I just came from there.

They wanted to kill the Crown Prince.

What kind of man has no fear...

Take them away.

Sir.

I'll report to the Dowager. You inform the Emperor.

Yes, sir.

You impressed me today.

The other governors are singing your praises as well.

I owe it all...

...to you.

If I may.

When will you make the Blood Vow public?

When I have El Temur's head.

I hear my father's voice each time I read it.

When I am truly Emperor,

I will see my father's will done.

That won't be long now.

My Liege.

Assassins just tried to kill the Crown Prince.

What? Assassins?

Who were they after?

Forgive me. It was your son.

My... son...?

No. They tried to kill my baby?

Yes.

Who would dare?

Your Majesty.

Wake up. Your Majesty.

Quick. Her Majesty has fainted.

Right away.

Your Majesty... Your Majesty...

Please. Kill me quick.

Did you forget your deal?

Suffer through it then...

Her Majesty.

- Begin. - Sir.

Halt.

Your Majesty.

Is this him?

Yes.

Who sent you?

Tell me now.

There you are.

He tried to kill my grandson.

I'll question him, if you don't mind.

There will be no Kurultai tomorrow.

We'll convene after we've gotten to the bottom of this.

Suspicious?

How so exactly?

I overcame them easily. They were amateurs.

He was a combat instructor. He knows.

Amateur assassins?

'Shift the blame.'

Place blame for a crime on someone else. El Temur's favorite.

But place the blame on who?

Lady Ki is a clever one.

Quite an irritant.

She betrayed Wang Yu as well.

The assassin mentioned Lady Ki's name.

She, Bayan and Tal Tal were behind it.

He can use this to keep the imperial seal.

To do that, one of the governors will take the fall.

We're the most likely candidates.

No, not again.

Figure out something.

I can't see how, not if Tal Tal is right.

I'll call on El Temur.

You mean to bait him?

To cool water it must first be taken off the fire.

If he created this to frame us...

then we'll create something in return.

Use his own tactic against him?

There is no other way.

I'll come with you.

Leave it to me.

If you'll excuse me.

You can relax.

I lost the abdication, but I won't lose the seal.

Father, Lady Ki to see you.

What? Lady Ki?

I'll send her away.

Send her in.

Why even bother with her?

How dare you...?

I'm not here to see you.

I want a word with the regent.

You're a bold one.

Walking into the tiger's lair.

A tiger?

How is it you plan something like a kitten?

What?

[Subtitles provided by MBC]

Next on Empress Ki

Why am I here?

You should know.

You will become the one who sent the assassins.

Sure you will.

You have to frame someone. I'll be looking forward to it.

The Empress left the Ice Palace?!.

You have to suffer through it.

I just want to protect my son.

The hunt is on.

There will be a show. I will hunt a beast.

Only the beast are the Emperor and Lady Ki.