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Detain Lady Ki.

And the imperial eunuchs.

Patience.

Take her away.

Sir.

His Imperial Majesty.

My Liege, feeling better?

How dare you lay hands on her?

I'm pleased to see you.

Lady Ki is a criminal.

Criminal? What crime exactly?

She failed in her duty to you and must be punished.

Lady Ki...

...saved my life.

By taking poison in her own mouth.

We'll hear no more about it.

My Liege... My Liege.

My Liege.

He's burning up.

I'll get Dokman.

Why not the doctor?

Quietly.

His Majesty's orders.

It would put you at risk.

He said no doctor, no matter what.

As bad... as bad as he is...

Yet he still insisted on helping you.

My Liege.

It's Yon Feisu.

Come in.

I saw the blood on your clothes.

A tribal remedy.

Perfect for stab wounds.

Leave it.

It's hard to apply it alone.

Was it Sungnyang?

The one you said you miss.

That's in the past.

It didn't look like it.

During the hunt...

It's late. Get some rest.

I'm leaving.

Before dawn.

You've taught me a lot.

Where will you go?

To the head of Eagle House.

You know where he is?

I'll pick up his trail.

It's risky.

You said he'd enslave you.

Or kill you.

Relax. I have my methods.

What methods?

It's dangerous.

Stay here.

My life is my tribe's.

I won't be stopped.

Take one of my men.

No thanks.

We'll meet again.

Here I am.

The King assigned me to you.

What, you think I want to?

Not that I mind.

Wait up.

My Liege, are you all right?

My Nyang watched over me all night.

How could I not be?

Send for General Bayan.

The baghatur?

I have orders for him.

Will El Temur keep his word to save us?

We have no choice but to trust him.

Why haven't we heard anything?

How should I know?

If you don't, who does?

Raising your voice to me...?

Why not? You're a convict just like me.

You little...!

Those two.

Sir.

What do you want?

Spit it out.

Who told you to kill the Emperor?

Just kill me.

Count on it.

Whether it's by flailing or boiling,

that's the question.

The more you hold out, the more it'll hurt.

What is this?

Still not done with them?

The Emperor's orders.

The Emperor?

Take them away.

We haven't finished yet.

They are to be executed.

They tried to kill the Emperor. They can't be allowed to live.

Take them out and kill them.

Yes, Father.

- Move out. - Sir.

General.

Follow them.

Yes, sir.

Yom the Scum.

It's over. Don't drag it out.

Halt.

Use the hoods.

Hoods.

Sir.

General. General.

You do it.

Yes, sir.

- Move out. - Sir.

Execution for treason can't be left to them alone.

I'll follow them to be sure.

I want to see Yom die with my own eyes.

Kill them.

Come with me.

Yes, sir.

Where you're going and what you're to do.

My father places a premium on this.

It's an indication of your value to him.

Yom, you're in charge.

You serve him.

Sir.

Sir?

Remember.

If you're found out, it's more than your lives are worth.

Yes, sir.

Um, captain...

Want a few more?

S-sorry.

Where are we going?

This may well change everything.

Hongdan.

Your Grace?

Tonight I entertain the Emperor.

You are dismissed.

It's...hard to read.. with you looking like that.

Will you put out the light?

I'll do it.

Now I'm whole, thanks to you.

No one moves me... like you do.

Two things maintain El Temur's power. [One month later]

One, his unfathomable wealth.

The other, his use of that wealth for his troops.

And? What is it you want?

Take over the capital garrison.

As long as they're in place, we can't touch El Temur.

How is your army coming along?

We couldn't get funding so it wont be much.

At the same time, a siege would be irresistible.

The garrison?

You want command?

Shouldn't I?

It's beneath you. What for?

I'm told it is essential to the regent.

Good enough?

You've given me no reason to doubt you.

Then there's no reason not to.

Tell Wonjin he's demoted to captain.

Father.

Not Wang Yu...

I won't stop you.

Good luck.

Thank you, sir.

Well?

He agreed.

Just like that?

He hands over his garrison, as paranoid as he is?

What about the current commander, Wonjin?

Demoted to vice captain.

So that explains it.

What does?

It's that Wonjin.

He's a hero to the garrison.

They won't stand for him being ousted.

So the reason you agreed?

The guards wont stand for it and Wang Yu will end up leaving.

El Temur recognizes Wonjin is a competent officer.

If you two butt heads, El Temur won't side with you.

What's more, Lady Ki and the Emperor are alive thanks to you.

No more of that.

Lady Ki doesn't know you helped them.

Why hide it?

Misunderstandings can breed hatred.

Let it.

Both in giving and receiving...

hate has its uses.

I can't believe it, that Wang Yu nearly got you...

Hush.

Your Majesty, Lady Ki.

Enter.

At your service.

Sit.

You look tired, Your Majesty.

Imperial finances always do that to me.

I'm told things are difficult.

Not ‘difficult' so much as 'dire.'

May I see?

Years of famine have taken their toll.

The more likely cause is excess and debauchery.

The imperial house spends some 300 in gold each year.

One hundred of which is spent in your pavilion.

Decreasing expenditures for New Year, Tano and Autumn festivals...

and saving money on clothing and food...

could save you well over 100 in gold.

You're good with numbers.

I spent my childhood among merchants in Koryo.

You might try overseeing the living expenses.

Your Majesty, it's not my place.

Not permanently.

But for now, till things improve.

Her Imperial Majesty.

Lady Ki will be in charge of the imperial house's expenses from now on.

My lady.

Get to work.

Finances are tight right now.

The Inner Court has to cut back.

With your help.

Your Grace.

Inner Court events will be cut back.

Or removed altogether.

No more new clothes will be made.

The tailors will focus on repair and upkeep.

The kitchen will prepare simple fare over fatty foods.

Portions will be cut in half.

Drinks and snacks will be cut to the bare minimum.

Any servant that disobeys will be demoted and fined.

You know what you did?

Where's the rest?

That's it.

My meat? It's side dishes and salads.

Get me the kitchen girls.

It's not them.

It's Lady Ki.

Lady Ki?

Yes. Now she's an accountant too.

Even my dinner is an insult.

It's not about your dinner.

All of the events in your honor have been cancelled.

What? Who would dare?

Who else? That nasty Lady Ki.

She dares cancel my boy's celebration?

I won't have.

Why did you cancel it?

Outside the walls thousands are starving.

I asked you why.

The thousands in gold can be used to save countless lives.

You would use my boy's offering to the Buddha for a bellyache?

You know what got us to this point?

Your shameless extravagance.

Stop lecturing and just do it.

I cannot.

Cannot?

If you insist, as your family for it.

Your Grace.

Your Grace!

- Wake up. - Your Grace.

Stay with us.

I hope she dies.

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

What?

Is it bad?

Not at all...

Not at all?

Well, spit it out.

She's with child.

With child?

Yes. There's no doubt.

Is the baby all right?

Perfectly.

My Liege.

Congratulations.

She's unconscious?

Yes, Father.

I pushed that smug face right in.

Lady Ki isn't so easily overcome.

Don't you believe me?

Tell him what I did.

She was like a tiger.

Your Majesty!

Dignity.

I came from the palace...

Is Lady Ki dead?

Not exactly.

She's with child.

With child?

Pregnant?

I'm afraid so.

Ah. Tonic for the baby?

Yes, My Liege.

It's not fitting for you...

Proud father.

You're awake?

Don't move.

Easy, easy.

I'm fine.

Why did you bring the tonic?

Nyang.

What is it?

We're having a baby.

Thank you, Nyang. Thank you.

What's the problem?

You lead the men.

Wang Yu is nothing.

So I can handle things my way?

Now you've got it.

Chase him away, you follow?

Sir. They're here.

Welcome to the capital garrison.

General Wonjin.

I've heard of you.

How is it the men aren't paying obeisance to their commander?

They refuse to serve a man from Koryo.

Serve THIS!

All of you.

Soldiers obey their commanders.

For 10 years they've served only one man.

They won't serve another.

How do we deal with insubordination?

Arrest. And death.

Tell them.

I'm in charge from now on.

They will serve me with their lives.

That's an order.

Tell them what I said word-for-word.

Take his head.

Protect the general!

Take my head...

and my men will take yours.

El Temur said you're quite a man.

And a leader of men.

I hope I can count on you.

That's settled.

Show us to our quarters.

Ah.

This way.

You'll conduct your affairs...

Quite a reception you gave us.

Now we'll return the favor.

On your knees.

You disobeyed a direct order.

Anything to say?

Take my head if you want.

If you insist.

Sir.

Don't move.

Any foolishness...

will be your last.

You think my men will put with this?

I don't need men that won't obey.

If you won't serve me, leave.

This is your only chance.

Failure to obey in the future will be met with death.

That didn't go so good.

There's no one left.

It's desertion. Stop them.

This is better.

We'll post for new recruits.

With only one requirement.

That they serve me.

You'll let riff-raff into the capital guard?

The Imperial Edict.

Lady Ki has shown herself to be of a kind and upright character.

She bears the imperial child and as such...

we name her consort of the third rank.

Hear and obey.

I obey, My Liege.

Congratulations, Your Worship.

Congratulations.

Maha, don't you worry.

Even if the tramp bears a son, you're still Crown Prince.

You will be emperor.

The Emperor is a piece of work.

He hasn't called on you, not even once.

Your Majesty.

The Emperor.

The Emperor?

Well, now, it appears I spoke too soon.

You should have warned me.

I was just passing.

Of course.

Our son...

You know Lady Ki is with child.

I wouldn't want you being jealous like you were with Lady Pak.

Maha and Lady Ki's baby are both my children.

I expect you two...

to get along.

You won't even hold your son.

Much less look at him.

Both your children?

I doubt you'll treat her brat like that.

You promoted her two ranks?

Are you so happy then?

Does her brat mean so much to you?

Maha gets plenty of hugs as it is.

From his uncles. And the world's best grandfather.

But Nyang's child has only me.

For hugs, for protection...

Only me.

If it's a boy, he still won't be crown prince.

It's still in the womb and you're already positioning for power?

He won't be.

Maha is Crown Prince.

I pity you.

So much I can barely look at you.

Your Majesty.

Are you all right?

Your Majesty, this way.

Drink this.

Your Majesty... wait...

Have you heard of a maledictum?

A what?

It's a curse. A death curse.

Can we use it to kill Lady Ki?

I know a shaman that can do it.

You want to meet her?

There's something you should know first.

The maledictum can kill, of course.

But if it fails, it turns on the one who cast it.

Are you still willing?

Does that happen often?

It's rare, but if the one cursed is especially strong...

it can happen.

I don't care. I want her dead.

I will need her chart.

Here.

She has a son?

She's pregnant.

Why?

Her son is destined for the throne.

Listen to you.

Read it again.

And Her Majesty's chart?

Well?

Is my boy destined for the throne?

You don't have a son.

What? I do, too.

How odd.

Odd?

What's odd about it?

You're not here for a chart. You want a maledictum.

We must prepare for the curse to work.

We'll need her undergarments.

And fresh dog's blood, unspoiled.

After that, we'll need an altar in the palace.

I'll do anything, I just want her gone.

I'm not afraid for my soul.

She's here.

Get started.

Your Worship? Are you ok?

Are you all right?

A nightmare, that's all.

Your Worship... your arm...

She will have nightmares every night.

If she can't fight it, eventually she'll stop drinking...

and die of dehydration.

How long will it take?

Thirty days.

Burn one a night.

She will die before they all burn out.

Bury this in her front yard tonight.

What is it?

The name of the dead.

Eat this.

Why won't you eat?

Nothing sets well with me.

You don't look good.

Are you feeling sick?

Nightmares every night, you say?

Yes, for three nights now.

I was scared to fall asleep.

If I can't sleep,

what will happen to the baby?

Do you have any wounds?

How did you know?

I'm guessing it's a dog bite.

What is this?

The maledictum.

Maledictum?

I read about it once.

A curse using a death hound.

It's said that the Han's first empress, Lu Zhi, was killed with it.

Do you know how to break the curse?

Defeat the hound.

But that's very rare.

If you do, they will turn on the one that cursed you.

And that would be...?

Tanasiri.

It has to be her.

Spirit or hound, whatever you are.

You won't have me tonight.

Tanasiri, I curse you.

I send it back to you.

[Subtitles provided by MBC Translated by D. Bannon]

[Next on Empress Ki]

A curse?

Nyang.

I want to fight El Temur.

Huizong.

Is there a way?

But you have to rise to the occasion.

I'm a failure.

A king without a throne.

Tell him he will have his throne back.

Well done.

Father. Father.

Tanasiri, Maha, you... you're all dead!