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Many happy returns for the young prince.

Many happy returns.

Thank you all.

My Liege, perhaps a few words for our son?

My Liege, some words of blessing?

The governors expect it.

Kolta, bring Prince Ayu.

My Liege.

This is Maha's birthday.

There, there.

No doubt you're all curious about the succession.

But I'm in no rush.

After they've grown a bit,

we'll decide who is most worthy of the investiture.

What? 'Decide?'

Kublai Khan decreed the first born inherits the throne.

El Temur put my little brother on the throne.

Have you forgotten?

All the same.

You heard me.

We'll hear no more about it.

I'm a little late.

Welcome, Regent.

Father.

So that's Lady Ki's boy?

He's pretty enough.

But this is Maha's birthday.

Explain.

She has a burn scar.

She's still in the palace. Find her.

You're sure she was at Huanggak?

Why else would she run?

You'd think she'd count her blessings and keep quiet.

Not threaten my boy.

I thought you should know before the investiture of the fake prince.

Are you willing to testify to this?

Yes.

For my dead sisters, the truth must come out.

We need more proof for you to be believed.

There is a secret that only the Empress and her attendants know.

That should be proof enough.

What is the secret?

On the child's foot...

Your Worship.

The Empress has men searching for the nun.

Which men?

El Temur's private soldiers.

El Temur is here?

Yes.

It's too soon.

We need to make preparations before this comes out.

Where are you now?

Outside the capital in Sonop Temple.

Close enough for Eunuch Bang.

It's risky for us. He can escort her back.

Sonop won't be safe if the Empress found out.

Is there anywhere else?

There's a crypt in the hills beyond.

I'll hide there.

The archive, too.

Your Worship, they're coming here.

Here, too.

So many men. Why is that?

It doesn't concern you.

Still, it's odd.

On Maha's birthday of all days.

What's it to you?

Perhaps you prefer it remain... a secret?

Let's go.

Has she gone? We can't find her anywhere.

Sonop, you said?

Send the men there.

Your Majesty.

You'll be safe here.

It's late. Get some rest.

No.

I have to leave before dawn.

Eunuch Pak never did think the baby was hers.

You can relax. Pak's like family.

It's true.

And she burned the hermitage?

It's my karma.

If I hadn't found the child under Turtle Rock two years ago...

Please.

Wait.

Turtle Rock? Near the hermitage?

Yes. I was passing by.

A man had fallen with the baby in his arms.

I placed beads on the body and took the child.

Beads?

I went back to Turtle Rock.

The baby was gone.

There were beads on the body.

You didn't find its body?

Sungnyang, he's dead.

No, he can't be.

Sungnyang.

My baby isn't dead.

Sweetie, sweetie! Let go!

Please.

Star...

Star.

Nyang.

Star!

Sungnyang called its name.

It broke her heart.

What was its name?

Star, she said.

Star.

Hm. For the three stars on its foot.

The King has the same birthmark.

Oh? That's family for you.

Did the baby have three birthmarks on its foot?

How did you know?

Bang, what is it?

Huh?

Nothing.

It can't be.

Not like this.

Just like this.

The...the King's son....

What now?

It comes to this.

This won't do.

Then what will?

If this comes out the King and Sungnyang are as good as dead.

We've got to make sure the nun doesn't talk.

I'll talk to her.

Sister.

She's gone.

Always something. Sonop, you said?

What now?

El Temur's men.

What are they after?

Those scum mean to kill the nun.

No.

We're too late.

The Empress did this.

A nun...Merciful Buddha...

Cut her down.

The nun disappeared?

Yes.

There's no telling where she's gone.

Not that way.

Here.

If you please.

May I hold him a minute?

Pardon? I suppose...

What is the secret?

On the child's foot...

What is this?

Your Majesty.

You dare touch my son?

You. Take the prince away.

Your Majesty.

Don't imagine your brat will take my son's place.

You may be the favorite.

But your boy will never rule over mine.

If you want it so bad, take it.

What?

The crown. Maha can have it.

Granting favors now, are you?

I'm quite serious.

You're not one to give up.

What's your reason?

Peace in the imperial house is more important than any crown.

Running the Inner Court now, are you?

I'm just trying to avoid squabbling.

We're supposed to believe that?

Believe it or not, she said it.

And that's that.

You really shouldn't have said that.

It will come back to bite you later.

It doesn't matter.

We'll be at war...

long before that.

Faster.

What do you think?

They look impressive to me.

Turning that rabble into this.

Wang Yu is quite a man.

Welcome.

The King will see you inside.

It's time to deal with El Temur.

Tell me your plan.

After I leave this memorial will be submitted to the throne.

El Temur and His Majesty read the memorials together.

Quite right.

It warns El Temur that troops are mustering for war.

You're surprised?

Lady Ki could be in danger.

Not just her.

Your life is at risk, too.

My life hasn't been mine since I took command.

- But... - Exactly.

You, me, everyone involved.

We're all in danger.

It's the only way?

It's the best way.

All of our options carry risk.

I want you to leave before we get started.

There's no telling what El Temur will do.

I want you...

I'm not leaving.

Nyang.

I'll help you. And see the end of El Temur.

No one knows how this will work out.

All the more reason I won't leave you to face it alone.

I'll fight.

And we will win.

You sent for me?

Demons chased me in my dreams last night.

They trapped me in the palace and drew swords against me.

Then you appeared.

You took my hand and got us out of there.

To your secret place.

A cliff overlooking a bottomless precipice.

Please, Father.

I saw flames reaching up to us.

I've never seen such a thing.

The fires of hell.

And you pushed me in.

The demons didn't want me. You did.

It was just a dream.

Explain yourself.

Father.

If I don't like what I hear, you're dead.

Kill me.

I have failed to serve you. I deserve it.

A dream or hell itself, I still deserve it.

I like what I hear.

You're too valuable to kill.

He's been under a lot of pressure. You understand.

He feels pressure too?

He's very thorough. Even obsessive at times.

Look after him. This country needs him.

Not to worry.

He'll be back to his old self soon enough.

Get up, get up! Well? I said up!

You all right?

Of all the filthy places to end up.

All the Koryo villagers are here. That's something.

You there.

No loafing.

Come on.

Welcome.

Maksaeng didn't have the Blood Vow. Why let him live?

El Temur wants us to work him to death.

Is this all you've done?

Your pardon.

The slaves are sick.

We've got a delivery to make.

Just three days...

Eagle House will be here today.

Three days?

Your pardon.

Bleed them, sweat them, but have it ready tomorrow.

Yes, sir.

Step it up.

Any loafers will go hungry.

There's nothing quite like gold.

The imperials have nothing on me.

Sir, Eagle House.

One minute.

Enter.

Sir.

Welcome.

You don't have my delivery.

I'm afraid not.

You'll have it tomorrow.

You can stay here tonight.

Your dinner.

Come in.

- Yon. - Did you find out?

You're certain El Temur keeps his treasure here?

I got it from Eagle House. I'm sure.

It's not in the mines. But there is one place.

What place?

There's an abandoned shaft that Yom won't let anyone near.

It's odd.

A shaft?

No one enters, not so much as an ant.

Sir.

Come along.

Sir.

El Temur's treasure will be at the end of this shaft.

EEK!

Sorry, sir.

We didn't find it before. Why not leave it?

It's deep and has many roads, it's too much for us.

All the same, without any men...

Patience.

Our chance will come.

What makes you so sure it's here anyway?

Why else would El Temur value it more than life itself?

This is the place.

Get this to Wang Yu.

Wang Yu should be told.

About what it took to get back into Eagle House.

That's enough of that.

You love him, is that it?

Enough.

Your pardon.

Wang You and I are comrades-in-arms.

Never mention it again.

Yes, ma'am.

Now the fight begins.

Write.

To my allies, hear your emperor.

El Temur has no honor and inflicts vast cruelties on our subjects.

This angers the gods and so we are cursed with famine and disease.

Therefore my punishment must be swift to appease their anger.

My friends, the gods will not turn their backs on us.

Virtue needs fertile ground to grow.

Wickedness must be torn out root and stem.

To that end I have drawn my sword.

I ask your help to cleanse the land of El Temur.

The eight governors are all here, save Bayan.

Thank you for coming.

We would move heaven and earth to answer your call.

You read my letter and know my intent.

Now I want to know yours.

We have long waited for this day.

You have the mandate of heaven.

We are at your service.

My Liege, we are yours to command.

Muster your men.

We need to raise an army.

There's a reason we haven't done so before.

El Temur has men positions throughout the provinces.

The moment we do he accuses us of treason.

If we muster our men the whole country will be engulfed in war.

I know.

So we'll have to make him want you to raise men.

You can do that?

The men are ready.

Have the centurions to move out in secret, each hour on the hour.

We'll be out of Liaoyang by the time the cock crows.

It will take three days to reach Daidu through the mountains.

Warriors.

We fight to the death.

We move like tigers, strike like eagles, hold out like bears.

The heavens are with us.

Our lives are yours.

The memorials at last.

What was it you wanted?

A storm is coming to the palace.

A storm?

A storm that will sweep El Temur away for good.

Ah, you've forgotten.

I don't need your help anymore.

Tibetan Affairs seems to be short-staffed.

Don't be hasty.

I haven't decided about that yet.

Your servant Bayan dares to appeal to Your Majesty.

I have often detailed El Temur's many crimes.

And just as often asked for action.

I can take it no longer. I draw my sword at last.

Please enlist the governors to do the same.

Help your humble servant.

I have a secret weapon stronger than El Temur's thousands.

The Blood Vow of the late Emperor.

I march with my men to punish the traitor and murderer of the late Emperor.

Please understand your servant's intent.

This is from Baghatur Bayan.

This Blood Vow he mentioned needs to be explained.

Let's have it.

This is the real Blood Vow.

My Liege, Bayan means to deceive this court with a fake.

Read your father's will for yourself.

Go on.

My boy, I have only myself to blame.

When you are emperor, rely on El Temur.

He is the only one who can protect you and Yuan.

I'm sorry, son.

Hear that?

It even bears the late Emperor's seal.

This is my father's Blood Vow.

Rather than use the official seal, he drew a sign only I would know.

This.

A butterfly.

That is proof this is genuine.

My Liege, Bayan is a traitor.

We march on Liaoyang.

Yunnan will raise men to put down the traitor.

With your permission.

Lingbei will not stand for this.

Sichuan is at your service.

As am I.

- And I. - And I.

As am I.

- And I. - And I.

My Liege, you see their loyalty.

What else can you do?

Agreed.

Muster your men, put down the rebels.

And bring me...

Bayan's head.

First there is one order of business.

The traitor's adopted 'daughter' is flaunting herself in the imperial palace.

My Liege, by law I ask for her head on a pike for all to see.

I must protest.

Protest?

You would risk the imperial house for her?

And Prince Ayu?

Would you kill a prince's mother?

My Liege, kill her.

Or you make a travesty of the governors' loyalty.

My Liege, send her to the ice palace.

Surely there is no rush.

The ice palace?

Yes.

El Temur may bathe the palace in blood.

But the ice palace is impregnable.

The ice palace? I can work with that.

Lady Ki...

is exiled to the ice palace.

I'm sorry, Nyang.

Our plan is going perfectly.

The thought of you in that freezing place...

It rips my heart out.

My Liege, Bayan fights with arms.

We fight with our hearts.

Be brave, be bold.

If we falter even a step El Temur will win.

Look at you now.

The favored little tramp.

Pathetic.

You think so?

You can feel the cold in your bones there.

Death will feel like a mercy after that.

Laugh it up.

You'll be crying soon enough.

She'll be dead soon. Why is she so full of herself?

She's so scared she can't think straight.

I hope she dies a painful death.

Need you ask?

She'll pay a thousand, ten thousand times... for what she did to me.

Ugh. Brrrr.

Did you get word to the consorts?

They'll come here when you call.

His men are few but well trained.

If we let them hole up...

it will be a long warm.

Our combined forces will take them out in one blow.

I agree.

Station your men here.

Jungchu Field.

It will take a while.

The men are marching from all the provinces.

We'll strike first in the meantime.

We meet at Jungchu Field in four days.

Right.

We're moving out.

Take Bayan alive.

He betrayed me. I'll kill him myself.

Yes, sir.

When you get back...

I'll show you my treasure.

The men, the treasure, they will be yours to command.

Father.

You will be the new regent.

You trust me?

I never didn't trust you.

You're my first born.

If I can't trust you, who can I trust?

Father.

Go.

Look after him.

Don't worry. Go on now.

Move out.

Let Byol know it's started.

Yes, Sire.

Sire. Yon Feisu.

Long time.

I got your note. What brings you here?

I heard what's going on.

You're here to help?

You know how dangerous this is?

I had business this way. They don't suspect a thing.

Getting back into Eagle House can't have been easy.

I hit luck. They believed my story.

Maksaeng?

In the mines with the other Koryo villagers.

Go to my quarters and rest.

Going to war for the King.

How about that?

She's loyal, I'll give her that.

It's freezing.

We'll die at this rate.

Your Worship, are you all right?

I'm fine. Relax.

My Liege.

Leave us.

You shouldn't be here yet.

I had to come. Just for tonight.

My bed felt like sleeping on nails...

without you.

My Liege.

You...

You're freezing.

Just for now.

Just for a while.

That's all.

Where are the governors?

It's past the day. The closest provinces should be here at least.

Something's wrong.

Wrong?

Sir. Reporting.

Liaoyang?

There were no men.

None at all?

Just a flag fluttering in the wind.

Get my men. I'm going myself.

Yes, sir.

There's no one here.

Sir.

There.

You can have Liaoyang.

I'll take the world.

A trick. They're marching on Daidu.

And the governors?

It'll take time to gather and start the attack.

Send word to my father.

Yes, sir.

Just wait, Bayan.

I'll have your head yet.

Thanks for this.

They didn't suspect a thing, thanks to you.

What's more, Tangqishi rode out.

El Temur is left with the garrison.

A fine strategy.

It wasn't my idea. It was Tal Tal's.

Time is short.

Tangqishi should be at the capital in three days.

That's how long we have to take the garrison and El Temur.

Now down to business.

There are eight gates into Daidu.

North, South, East, West. And alternating points between.

The north gate is vital. Bayan will take that.

Each of you will take the remaining seven.

Open up.

An urgent message from General Tangqishi.

What message?

Bayan and the governors have joined forces and are marching on the Daidu.

Report to El Temur as instructed.

Yes, sir.

Here. A drink.

We're all the capital has now.

A bit early in the day for me.

What are you afraid of?

You expecting Bayan to march in?

Father, a messenger.

Ah. Report.

Victory. Tangqishi is riding back with Bayan now.

Ride out to meet them.

Yes, sir.

I'll tell the Emperor.

Sir, close the gates.

What now?

It's not Tangqishi. It's Bayan.

What?

Bar the gates and get me Wang Yu.

- Move! - Sir.

Bar the gates!

There it is.

Once we take that, the world is yours.

Move out.

It is all up to us.

On open gate leads to victory.

A closed gate, to defeat.

The enemy has his thousands,

moving in a thousand different directions.

We are only one hundred.

But we act as one.

And so we do not fear millions.

My Liege, Tangqishi reports victory.

He's bringing Bayan here now.

I'm pleased to hear it.

This calls for a celebration.

Join me for a drink?

Of course. No reason not to.

Odd. It seems awfully quiet.

It does.

Your Majesty, how may I be of service?

I thought I'd take tea with the consorts.

Where are they?

In the lecture hall.

What for?

If he knows the gates are breached,

El Temur will kill everyone in the palace.

The imperial guards, his private soldiers.

They all serve El Temur.

The only we can protect the Emperor.

With the eunuchs and the servants.

Our war...

...starts here.

[Subtitles provided by MBC Translated by D. Bannon]

[Next on Empress Ki]

You still want to rule?

I do.

The next emperor of Yuan...

will be me.

I will join in the fight.

I won't have others dying in my place.

How dare you?

Let me hear you scream.

Join me.

This cup... may well be our last.