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Sure, tell us to dig for gold.

But looking for nonexistent treasure?

It's been four days.

Look as deep as you want.

There's nothing there worth finding.

It has to be.

It's there somewhere.

Anything to report?

Yes, sir.

How's my father?

Sir.

Well? How is he?

He was executed.

He and Talahai's bodies are displayed in the thoroughfare.

For all to see.

Father.

I couldn't help him.

Forgive me.

Father... Father...

...Father...

Good riddance.

To bad rubbish.

He was a murderer.

He deserved it.

Now things will change.

Father, are you watching?

Your killer is cold and rotting.

Your Nyang has avenged you.

Rest in peace, Father.

What is it?

Nothing.

Who's the beauty?

Is that the great and famous Lady Ki?

It is.

Hail the Emperor! Hail Lady Ki!

She may well be invested as empress.

The King will return to his throne.

And Lady Ki will be empress.

Calm down.

Calm? They killed my father.

And displayed his body for the rabble.

I have to go. I have to see the Emperor.

Your Majesty.

Please.

His Imperial Majesty.

Feel better now?

Look at the big man.

So righteous you couldn't spare your own father-in-law.

Not when killing him meant more power.

You still haven't changed.

I have.

My anger has turned to rage.

My regret to curses.

I curse you.

May you rot in hell.

May everything you touch turn to ruin.

Your Majesty.

Don't stop there.

I have nothing left.

My father and Talahai are dead.

Tangqishi has left.

Rage is all I have left.

Now I can use it to curse the ruler of all the land.

I have nothing to lose.

Thank you for giving me that courage.

Thank you, 'My Liege.'

I will have poison sent to you.

Poison?

Kill me. Do it yourself.

Tear me limb from limb yourself!

Your Majesty.

Admit your wrong, apologize to those you wronged.

Before you die.

At least try to act human.

Your Majesty.

Maha will avenge me.

When he learns how I died...

he will pay them out 1000, 10000 times.

Just wait. It's not over.

I will have my revenge.

Your Majesty.

Tell my son what happened.

How I was persecuted, how I was murdered.

Your Majesty.

Have him sharpen his sword on thoughts of vengeance.

What is all this?

You heard Her Majesty.

Gifts from the governors.

Gifts?

Yes.

For whom?

Ah, well...

For Lady Ki?

Just so.

Go on.

From Lingbei province.

From Shanxi province.

From Yunnan province.

These go to the treasury.

Take them away.

Pardon?

All of it?

Your Worship, if you please.

From the Koryo royal house.

Koryo?

Rare indeed.

Hm? There's a letter here.

Your Worship, a secret letter.

Secret?

My father sent a letter?

Yes, Sire. Here it is.

My son.

I'm told Lady Ki may well be invested as empress.

A woman of Koryo on the throne cannot help but be a blessing to us.

Help her to the throne any way you can.

A Yuan empress from Koryo will be a feat above all others.

Remember that.

The nerve.

We're dragged off and he does nothing.

Now he sends Your Worship secret notes?

Why don't you tear it up?

Don't you see?

Concubines, slaves, he didn't care then.

When my friend went back to Koryo she was branded a hussy.

What did the Koryo court do for us that they...

Enough. Discretion.

Your Worship?

I won't deal with it now.

You've done all you can.

What more can you do?

I agree.

The sooner you're done with her...

...the better.

Sire.

Sire, Tal Tal is searching El Temur's chambers.

He wants to find the treasure.

We have to find it.

I'll talk with Bayan.

Every record, every secret.

Every cent.

Yes, sir.

This can't be everything.

Do you know anything about El Temur's treasure?

Only conjecture. No facts.

Did you find Tangqishi?

He's disappeared.

That was a mistake.

We shouldn't have left him to the governors.

May I ask why you're using El Temur's office?

Time is pressing.

I'll be regent soon enough anyway.

Why stand on formalities?

You will have your throne soon.

Koryo will work closely with us once you're king.

How so?

Need you ask?

As a dependent of Yuan, of course.

Even El Temur didn't call us a dependent.

If he's this bad now, imagine how he'll be as regent.

Don't trust Bayan.

He's a true descendent of the Blue Wolf.

A real Mongol.

To him the fact that you're from Koryo...

...is a liability.

I understand.

One more thing.

Try not to show your face at formal events.

The more followers you have, the more enemies you have.

The slightest mistake can turn a follower into an enemy.

You are wise but still naive about the nature of power.

Pardon my presumption.

He doesn't give advice lightly.

It wouldn't be right to distrust Bayan.

He put me here.

Lady Ki is Bayan foster daughter.

Why would she listen to us?

She betrayed her own for power.

There's not a drop of blood between them.

Her Worship.

We trust you enjoyed the gifts?

That's neither here nor there.

Why did you ask to see me?

In the current realignment we want you on our side.

What side is that?

There is a hierarchy among the provinces.

Bayan is at the bottom.

Now take Lord Oh here.

He's the regent for us.

I would prefer not to be involved.

Speak to the Emperor...

If Bayan is regent...

...the Emperor will forget all about us.

Your investiture is under discussion.

If you help us...

Now is not the time for new positions.

Help you?

Fair enough.

In exchange you will never betray the Emperor.

Where were you?

Have you decided who will be what?

I've never done this before.

What a headache.

Well?

See something?

Lords Oh and Pu rank highest among the governors.

It's clear they will dissatisfied.

I had the same concern.

They won't want to share the regency with Bayan.

Perhaps we could try this.

Wait... this...

If they won't share power, they can share glory.

It's perfect.

After the realignment you will truly be the ruler of this nation.

Congratulations.

No.

You left out the most important person.

It wasn't Bayan or the governors that rid me of El Temur.

It was you.

You will be rewarded accordingly.

Thank you, My Liege.

My Liege, Her Imperial Majesty.

Enter.

Welcome, Your Majesty.

I thought we might discuss...

What's this?

The new postings.

Have a look.

Excellent.

Is this your doing?

With some help from Lady Ki here.

Your pardon. His Majesty asked my input.

He's lucky to have you.

I needn't worry with her here.

We were too late.

Advising the Emperor on who will be what?

If that's not your place, what is?

Your Majesty.

Clever schemes and actual politics are vastly different.

Acting too soon can be lethal.

That's politics.

What did the paper say?

You'll see.

Bayan's face will be something to see.

This realignment will be more than she bargained for.

His Imperial Majesty.

El Temur's depravity was a burden on our people.

But thanks to all of you, he is gone.

Rewards are in order for each of you.

Lord Zhang.

Bayan of Liaoyang is named imperial regent.

At your service, My Liege.

Lord Oh of Yunnan is named prime minister.

At your service.

Lord Pu of Lingbei is named grand vizier.

At your service.

Soldokan of Sichuan is named first chancellor.

At your service.

Wang Yu of Koryo is restored to his throne.

He may return in his own good time.

My Liege, minister, vizier and chancellor are archaic positions.

And now we deem them useful again.

I will trust the four of you to work together for the good of Yuan.

My Liege, at your service.

At your service, My Liege.

Now hear me.

As of today, I have chosen a new empress.

As you know, we owe our victory over El Temur...

...to Lady Ki.

Therefore...

My Liege.

You have not yet addressed Tanasiri.

It is fitting to deal with her punishment first.

Following this council Tanasiri is to be executed.

Therefore...

Then at least wait till it is over.

There is time.

But Your Majesty...

Please, My Liege.

Her Majesty is quite correct.

Reviving positions equal to the regency?

If that's not a check, what is?

Perhaps you should ask His Majesty yourself?

It wasn't his decision.

Your Majesty.

The check on your power came from Lady Ki.

The three titless are meant to be honorary only.

It was meant to appease them in light of Bayan's new position.

Bayan won't see it that way.

A title is a sword and shield to those who seek power.

It was meant to end the struggle.

So the governors wouldn't turn against the Emperor.

At the cost of losing Bayan's support.

He's not the type to betray the Emperor over this.

If there is a misunderstanding,

you can clear it up.

Lady Ki would not betray me.

Why else would the governors support her investiture as empress?

Is that true?

You'll see soon enough.

She's from Koryo.

Her son Ayu will be crown prince.

The imperial line will be tainted with Koryo blood.

You're all that Yuan has left.

You must stop her being named empress.

Your king has his throne back.

Congratulations.

Thanks.

What will happen to Prince Maha?

Who knows? Once Lady Ki is empress...

...no one will care much.

May I see him?

What for?

Wang Yu is responsible for El Temur's clan being destroyed.

He is concerned for the young prince.

Exactly the same.

Eyes, nose, mouth.

You'll have no one when Tanasiri is gone.

What then, Your Highness?

What then?

The Empress Dowager.

What did you want?

Spare my boy.

No one else can help him.

You're all he's got.

Oh?

He didn't do anything.

Swear you'll protect him and I'll die willingly, gladly.

Lady Soh and Yon just did as they were told.

Spare them.

Spare my boy.

Get up.

Please. I'm begging you.

Spare my little boy.

Spare him.

Please.

Lady Ki is a formidable woman.

The Emperor is wrapped round her finger, and now the governors, as well.

She revived the three offices and diluted your power.

How can you restore Yuan's glory now?

Unless you marry your family to the imperial house.

Marry?

I understand you have a lovely niece.

If the Emperor is your nephew you can remove the three offices once and for all.

You sent for me? It's quite late.

Have my niece trained for the imperial house.

I'm not pleased with the direction Yuan is going.

It's time I set things straight.

But Lady Ki will be empress...

That Koryo woman?

Sir.

All I want is a strong and prosperous Yuan.

I won't let anyone stand in my way.

Not Lady Ki, not anyone.

What do you want?

Take her away.

Sir.

What are you...? Unhand me.

Your Majesty!

Unhand me. I won't have it.

Let go, unhand me.

Enjoying the show? Happy now?

You like seeing me like this?

You've had your fun. Now go!

Tanasiri, it is time.

Bring me the Emperor.

Go on. My Liege, where are you?

Come out here.

Come see what a big man you are.

My Liege!

Keep it up.

We'll force it down your throat if we must.

My Liege.

You killed my father and my brother.

They paid for your father's death.

Why must you kill me?

You have to ask?

I'll tell you.

You killed Lady Pak and countless attendants.

That's not all.

Your atrocities are so vast I won't soil my mouth saying them.

You still don't see who made me this way?

You ignored me from the start.

You turned me into what I am.

Am I alone to blame? Did I do so wrong?

Why should I die?

Still you refuse to repent.

And Maha? What about him?

Will you kill my boy, your own blood?

You share in the blame.

You're just as guilty. It's unjust and I won't drink.

Enough.

Ah, it's you.

I have you to thank.

You and your crusade to put your brat on the throne...

made me this way.

My Liege, she does not deserve a death by poison.

What?

Please hang her in the market square.

Hanging?

Killing me isn't enough for you?

Take her away.

My Liege.

Your Majesty.

My Liege.

My boy, spare my son.

My dying wish... spare my son at least.

Please. I beg you.

Where is he?

Where? The palace...

Ah, the fraud.

The boy you poisoned nuns for, the boy not your own.

Watch from the afterlife.

I'll expose Maha.

And end your line for good.

You're to blame.

If I hadn't trusted you...

Like a fool I let myself care for you.

Even in death I will not forgive you.

I curse you both. Now and forever.

Blame it all on me.

If it will ease your passing even a little...

...blame me.

Don't come to watch.

I wouldn't have you see me.

Not like that.

There.

Tana.

You'll get us all killed.

Unhand me.

Scum. I'm the Empress.

Unhand me.

The hood.

Kill El Temur's brat!

Kill her!

Kill! Kill! Kill!

Forgive me for failing you.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Tanasiri.

Father... Tangqishi... Where are you?

I'm scared.

Lady Pak, are you watching?

My friends, my little Star.

Rest easy now. Wipe away your tears.

Tangq...

Congratulations, Your Majesty.

Majesty?

You will be soon enough.

As you well know.

The whole of the Inner Court is excited about it.

I will ask His Majesty to give you all promotions.

You will?

Thank you.

Ayu will be Crown Prince now.

Sweetie, I'll look after you.

Don't worry.

You won't end up like Star.

Ah.

Maha, you have imperial blood.

The first born.

You won't lose your crown to some Koryo half-breed.

Won't Maha be like his mother?

You can't hide a mother's love.

I could see it.

Even in death.

Your Majesty.

They are meeting to discuss the imperial investiture.

I'm on my way.

Who would dare oppose her investiture?

We're not alone.

All the governors will follow Your Majesty.

Your word is our command.

I am pleased to hear it.

Thank you all.

My Liege.

The Empress Dowager is making a formal protest.

A protest?

My Liege, Lady Ki cannot be empress.

The very idea is absurd.

Please, My Liege.

Mother, please.

As your guardian I forbid it.

Why now? After all she's done?

I know that.

She taught my ward letters.

She was invaluable in ridding us of El Temur.

Then why oppose her now?

Would you taint the royal line with barbarian blood?

It is an affront to the late Emperor.

As your guardian I forbid it, even if it means my life.

You there, assist Her Majesty.

You will not touch me.

None of you.

Your Majesty.

I will not budge from this spot until you honor your guardian's wishes.

Other people I can understand, but the Empress Dowager?

Do not worry.

If I have to move heaven and earth, you will be empress.

Welcome, Regent.

I'm counting on you to talk to the Dowager.

What's this?

A list of all those opposing Lady Ki's investiture.

The three officers and the governors all agreed.

Who is in opposition?

If you please.

Bayan?

Not just me. The six heads of state.

And the privy council.

Make her your empress...

... then you will have to kill them all.

She's your foster daughter.

Why...

Since the Great Khan empresses have come from a Qongirat tribe.

Who are you to break tradition?

No marriages will be allowed across the land until an empress is named.

Because I'm from Koryo?

Or did you plan this all along?

You came here to get revenge of El Temur.

You got what you wanted.

The rest is just greed.

You'll be chief consort.

Now look here.

That's the best I can offer you.

I see.

I see quite clearly.

Don't trust Bayan.

To him the fact that you're from Koryo...

...is a liability.

Your Worship, the candidates for empress are arriving.

The fate of our clan rests on this.

You must win over the Emperor.

I understand.

She is Bayan's niece.

She is said to be lovely, intelligent and quite refined.

His Imperial Majesty.

Pay your respects.

Bayan Hudu.

As lovely as her reputation.

I'm honored.

Bayan?

My Liege.

You will never be empress.

Go home.

Your Majesty...

...will indeed choose me.

It's lucky I'm so fond of you.

Bayan has demanded 300 new concubines from Koryo.

Is this true?

It is.

Tell Wang Yu I want a word.

Your father sent me a letter.

He wants us to work together to end Yuan oppression of Koryo.

You needn't worry.

I'll speak with my father...

Will you work with me?

I let myself forget their faces.

I got caught up in my own vengeance.

But now I will fight for Koryo.

And for myself.

Make me empress.

My son must be crown prince and, ultimately, emperor.

Will you work with me?

[Next on Empress Ki]

How may I help you?

You nearly poisoned me.

Am I supposed to forget that?

How long will you bear El Temur's clan a grudge?

Your Majesty.

I name the niece of Regent Bayan...

...Empress.

Assassins.

Who sent you?

I did.

A tiny... tiny whiff of what's to come.