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Sir.

You know who just stepped out of the palace?

I got word from my men.

That nasty piece of work Sungnyang...

...is out in the open.

Muster the men.

Yes, sir.

Sire.

Yon Feisu sent word that Lady Ki is in danger.

Protect Her Worship.

Who are you? Who sent you?

The gods... have granted my fondest wish.

Tangqishi.

I'll sprinkle your blood...

on the graves of my father, my brother, my sister.

My thoughts exactly.

Murderer.

Today I avenge the blood of my mother.

We'll deal with them. Get away.

She's mine.

No one move.

I should have killed you when you were a concubine.

Oh yes?

Go ahead and try.

Oh yes. A miserable death.

Stop.

Lady Ki is in danger.

Sir. Wang Yu is coming.

After them!

Are you hurt?

I'm fine.

After them.

Filthy...!

Pull yourself together.

Sir.

You can't lose consciousness.

Stay with us.

We've got to get out of here.

Sir.

You lost Tangqishi?

Feisu searched everywhere.

Nothing.

He's like a poison as long as he's here.

Have the men keep searching.

Yes, Sire.

How goes the search for the treasure?

It's not at the mine.

It's not?

Apparently it was a decoy.

Tangqishi's being here confirms as much.

Bayan's people are forcing the issue.

You have no clues at all?

There was a song the children kept singing.

What song?

The Eight-Eight King is gone.

He reached for a nest...

...and fell in the dung.

When will we feast on the fields?

They've sung it for years.

But only in that particular mining town.

Can you write the whole lyric?

I will, Your Worship.

Bayan, do you remember what I told you...

...the night before you got here?

I remember.

Why did I make you Empress?

To control the imperial house and forge your vision of the future.

And what vision is that?

A world dominated by the Yuan, that embraces the Mongol way.

I'm told your wedding night wasn't much to speak of.

Lady Ki has her claws in deeper than I thought.

Not just the Emperor. The whole court.

I understand.

We'll start with the imperial treasury.

There isn't much, not with the military spending.

I'll see to that.

Yes, Uncle.

Lady Ki managed to oust Tanasiri.

Can you do this?

I already have a few ideas.

Eight-Eight King... a nest... a field...

This life and the next.

What does it mean?

It sounds like more of a lament than a clue.

Your Worship, the Empress has convened the consorts.

Why now?

Something on your mind?

What is your interest in El Temur's treasure?

Someone broke into my office.

But all they looked at were El Temur's ledgers.

Why do you think it was me?

Because no one else is interested.

In which case surely you can see why.

I want to hear it from you.

I still oversee the imperial funds.

Naturally I'm interested in recovering the treasure.

Please ask my permission in the future.

I am pleased to cooperate.

Of course.

That seems straightforward enough.

It's too early to tell.

And I'm not one to be taken in.

I don't think he suspects anything.

He could read the heart of a stone Buddha.

Be careful.

Your Worship.

I'm not difficult to please.

I ask only two things.

Observe proper decorum.

And do not break any of the rules.

Is that clear?

Why don't you answer?

Her Worship Lady Ki.

Your Worship.

Lady Ki. At your service.

I've been curious to meet you in person.

A woman of refinement, I see.

You honor me.

I'm quite serious.

No wonder the other consorts do not have the Emperor's favor.

Who would dare when his love is yours alone?

The consorts are in your keeping.

And the imperial treasury.

I am truly blessed to have someone like you around.

I entrust the Inner Court to you.

Your Maj...

The law forbids it.

That rests with Your Majesty...

And I'm asking you.

It is beyond me.

Your Majesty...

You all heard?

Lady Ki will remain in charge of the Inner Court.

I trust you will give her every assistance.

Your Majesty, what could you be thinking?

It gives her that much more power.

Did you see the look she gave me?

The look?

You don't know.

Her every glance is a threat.

A threat?

The consorts, the servants, none of them accept me as empress.

And if that isn't a threat to me, what is?

It's well within Lady Ki's power.

She scares me.

I would never have come here had I know what I was up against.

Your Majesty.

She's so frightened.

Perfect.

Perfect?

Report this to the Dowager.

Right away.

You think I don't know you report to the Dowager?

There's more than one way to skin a cat.

Enjoy your fight with Lady Ki, Your Majesty.

The Eight-Eight King is gone.

He reached for a nest...

...and fell in the dung.

When will we feast on the fields?

This life is scarier than the next.

Anything?

Want to hear it again?

No.

We're wasting our time.

We should be looking for Eagle House or Tangqishi.

Where has Yon Feisu been?

She hasn't been the same since she found out we're working with Lady Ki.

Tangqishi?

He's probably in the capital, but who knows where?

Everyone. No exceptions.

Sir.

Remember, he hurt is eye. Clear?

Sir.

Keep it up.

Great. All thanks to Tangqishi.

Let's ditch him and get out of here.

Without him we'll never find the treasure.

You'll help him when the head of Eagle House won't?

We have a choice.

Dump him or help him.

No harm in waiting.

Pardon?

The head of Eagle House is here?

He agreed to see you.

Discreetly.

Yon Feisu.

It is an honor.

Tangqishi is searching for El Temur's treasure.

Do you know where it is?

He does not.

How shall we deal with Tangqishi?

Give the word and he's dead.

Help him.

Yes, sir.

It hurts... so bad I can't stand it...

Hang on, sir.

Nothing from Eagle House yet?

Today. Any minute now.

We're moving out.

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.

Tanasiri, I failed you.

I'm sorry.

Father... Tangqishi... where are you?

I'm scared.

Tangq...!

Sungnyang, to lose an eye to the likes of you.

That's a pain worse than wound.

Sir.

I brought it on myself, of course she's avoiding me.

After all that stuff about me making her empress.

Kolta?

Kolta.

My Liege?

Where's Kolta?

He was detained elsewhere.

My Liege.

I am here

My mother is ill.

With everything going on...

...you're out loafing?

Loafing? Never.

Another shadow play.

My Liege? A play?

I've been thinking.

If I'm sad, imagine how Lady Ki feels.

I want to make her happy.

My Liege, you've done more than enough.

It's time she saw how stern you can be.

Did I stutter? Or ask your opinion?

I just...

...seeing you like this...

Kolta.

My Liege. As you command.

There's nothing in El Temur's ledgers on this 'Eight-Eight King.'

We just don't know what it is.

Keep looking.

Your Worship, the Empress Dowager.

Welcome, Your Majesty.

What do I value above all things?

The law and discipline...

And yet you dare to ignore both in your treatment of the Empress?

Did the Empress say so?

And if she did?

Am I to allow you to mistreat that sweet, innocent child?

This may be a misunderstanding.

I'm...

You had yourself installed in the Xingde pavilion.

The Three Offices are at your beck and call.

Misunderstanding?

The Empress will have all that I gave you restored to her.

The treasury key and seal.

You heard her.

In the future you will submit to the Empress.

Understood?

Your Majesty. As you say.

The Empress is a crafty one.

Acting innocent while sneaking up on you from behind.

I can't be bothered with her right now.

But you lost the treasury.

What do I care for an empty vault?

She can have it.

I'll keep the real treasure in my secret room.

Your Worship, the Emperor's eunuch.

Come in.

Yes?

His Majesty invites you to attend a shadow play.

Tell him I'm not well.

He went to considerable trouble. Keep that in mind.

You should go.

I just saw the Empress Dowager.

That was not my intent.

I hate to think I caused you any trouble.

Not at all, Your Majesty.

I wasn't mistaken.

I could tell you have a generous heart.

There you are.

My Liege, what brings you...?

I've come to escort you.

I was just on my way.

My Liege...

We're ready. Shall we?

Is there some event today?

Never you mind.

No doubt she would enjoy the shadow play.

If you please.

My Liege, I enjoy shadow...

Today is for you.

I'll order a second performance.

You can watch after we're done.

No one could blame you for being jealous. Or angry.

Actually, I don't care for shadow plays.

You don't?

Then that works out.

I'll be resting in my chambers.

Is she quick or dim-witted?

I can't tell.

The late Empress would be throwing a fit about now.

Your Majesty.

We'll see how long the Emperor coddles his precious Lady Ki.

Something on your mind?

No.

Something you can't bring yourself to say?

It's starting.

Eight-Eight King... a nest... a field...

This life and the next.

The lyric must mean something.

But what?

People might see.

Eyes front.

You look better than any shadow play ever did.

My Liege.

You watch the show.

I'll watch you.

Different shapes have different meanings.

Rearrange and combine them for new meanings.

That's the secret of the Eight-Eight King.

That's it.

Have you found the treasure yet?

We're rooting out Eagle House.

But they aren't easy to find.

Jadan, muster the men.

Catch them and we'll have the treasure.

Yes, sir.

Where is the Emperor?

Watching a shadow play with Lady Ki.

He can't seem to give her up.

Request an audience.

Sir.

Tal Tal.

I finally have the strength to make my dreams a reality.

Is being with me so tedious?

We saw the show, ate, had some tea.

But you haven't thought of me even once.

I might as well be a ghost.

Your pardon, My Liege.

I'm fatigued. I should retire.

Are you tired of me?

Or is this because I didn't make you empress?

It's not that.

It's not?

Then tell me what it is.

My Liege.

The regent has requested an audience.

Leave me.

My Liege.

Where?

The main hall.

What is it this time?

I dare to ask Your Majesty a favor.

Go on.

I would see you a greater khan than Genghis or Kublai.

Greater? Don't be absurd.

My Liege, El Temur watches from the afterlife.

Free yourself from her skirts and be the khan you're meant to be.

Her skirts? You overstep yourself.

My Liege.

You're sounding more and more like El Temur.

Hear me, please.

I have long dreamed of annexing Ilkhanate, Chagatai, and Koryo for you.

You mean by conquest?

Yes.

Conquest requires money.

My people are starving at the gates. It's ridiculous.

El Temur amassed a fast reserve of funds.

I did not become regent for personal aggrandizement.

I will lay down my life for you.

I will restore the imperial house to its former glory.

Grant me this.

I will prove my loyalty.

You are a great and loyal warrior.

I have my faults, but I swear by all the gods...

...we will see this done together.

My life is yours, My Liege.

Bayan is up to something.

If he finds the treasure, Koryo will be in danger.

How so?

Paper and brushes.

Your Worship.

Rearrange 'eight' and 'ruler'...

'Girth.'

Eight-Eight King... another 'eight'...

'Treasure.' It spells treasure.

Is that the location of El Temur's treasure?

Finding it is one thing.

Getting it is another.

Wang Yu has a man in Eagle house.

You know him?

He's a she.

A she?

Yes. Yon Feisu.

She has helped him many times.

Your Worship.

Yon Feisu.

Thank you for coming.

Tell me what you wanted.

Sir.

She's inside.

I sent for her.

I trust you weren't followed?

Not to worry.

But judging by the urgency...

Yes. I have found El Temur's treasure.

Where is it?

As you suspected, the Eight-Eight King song held the secret.

What does it say?

Sire.

Of all the places.

The heart of the mountains.

Bayan wants to use the treasure to fund a war.

He means to annex Koryo.

He cannot do that without imperial sanction.

The Emperor is of the same mind.

That will never happen.

Why did you want to see Yon Feisu?

I understand she is against us working together.

Of course. You cut into my share.

And bring nothing to the table.

She found the treasure.

Is that enough to suit you?

Lady Ki figured it out.

She's quite a lady.

Yeah, well, where is it exactly?

Tell me already.

Maybe you should learn to read.

Who needs it?

I do my writing with my fists.

So that was Sungnyang?

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.

Protect the regent.

'If you want El Temur's treasure, meet me in two hours.'

'Come alone.'

I will go.

He knows my face. I have to go.

We don't know who it is.

He may mean you harm.

The arrow missed didn't it?

Don't fret so much.

Betraying Wang Yu is fine.

But not the head of Eagle House.

Relax. I've got a plan.

Your sword.

Yon Feisu of Eagle House.

You look familiar. Have we met?

Here and there.

If you know where the treasure is,

there's no reason to tell me.

I want to make a deal.

What do you want?

The entirety of Eagle House.

Starting with head of the Capitol branch.

Is that it?

After which I want exclusive rights to trade with the imperial palace.

On a contract bearing the imperial seal.

Where is the treasure?

I'll tell you once you've met my conditions.

How can I be sure your information is good?

Many people in the palace are looking for the treasure.

I can manage the imperial seal.

But Eagle House won't be easy.

Details on the Eagle House in the capital.

One of the places listed is where they're keeping Tangqishi.

When Eagle House falls and I have the imperial contract...

...then you will have your treasure.

Regent.

Sir.

This is a surprise.

Will you excuse us?

Now hold on. She belongs here.

This is urgent.

I'll leave you to it.

The young prince.

Your Worship.

Thank you, Lady Ki.

It won't take long.

Wait outside.

Now what is this about?

I have information on El Temur's treasure.

Leave us.

Your Worship.

You heard me.

Her name is Yon Feisu.

She wants the Capitol branch of Eagle House and exclusive trading rights.

Is her information reliable?

Feisu went to Bayan.

Alert Wang Yu.

Your Worship.

I came right away.

What is it?

Who knows?

I can't read so they never tell me nothin'.

Ignorance is a burden.

So learn. People don't study for no reason.

Thank you for coming.

What is so secret, may I ask?

You'll see in a minute.

It must be good from the look of you.

What's this?

Open it.

They're all filled with vouchers?

How much is it?

Relax.

They're counterfeit.

Counterfeit? Fake?

From Eagle House in Liaoyang.

What will you do with it?

Take it to the mining town.

Huh?

What do they need with counterfeits?

Don't ask me.

I can't read. I don't know nothin'!

Sire, Lady Ki just sent word.

Yon Feisu told Bayan about the treasure.

Huh?

Feisu betrayed us?

Musong.

Sire.

Muster the men. We're going to Eagle House.

Yes, Sire.

Let's move.

Time to hand down a beatin'.

What's going on here?

Yon Feisu, a traitor?

Who are you?

And how dare you?

Scum!

Eagle House?

Moron.

Take them away.

What is it?

Tangqishi is in the capital.

Eagle House is harboring him.

My men are rounding them up now.

Where did you get this information?

One of my retainers.

It's the same one you have.

We were just about to arrest them ourselves.

You've saved us the trouble.

I'll get the seal.

You question them.

Yes, sir.

The gates are barred.

We'll go tomorrow at dawn.

What happened to Eagle House?

Isn't it obvious?

A traitor on the inside, naturally.

What? A traitor?

Is that it?

What, am I wrong?

Whose fault is it anyway?

- You! - Easy, easy.

Isn't that Yon Feisu?

Something isn't right.

All of Eagle House arrested... except her?

Wait here. I'll follow her.

I'm going with you.

Your contract.

Exclusive trading rights with the imperial house.

If the head of Eagle House finds out about this I'm as good as dead.

I'll keep your secret, not to worry.

Where is El Temur's treasure?

A tin mine?

The mining town has a smithy.

Blacksmith?

It's in the warehouse.

Yes.

What? In the mining town?

Just out of sight.

Right in front of us.

The mine, sure. But not in the town itself.

We have to get it before Bayan does.

Find a way to get us out of the capital.

Yes, sir.

Not the smithy?

It's somewhere else?

It all depends on you being a convincing traitor.

Rather than share in the treasure...

I get the Capitol branch and exclusive trading rights.

It's good business.

Then it's a deal?

But in that case...?

The treasure... is right here.

[Subtitles provided by MBC Translated by D. Bannon]

[Next on Empress Ki]

The song...

The treasure is in the mining town?

There.

Bring the cart.

Stop it.

People are laughing at you. Saying you're weak.

And she's a monster.

Your Majesty.

Nyang, I will not be seen as a fool.

Time is short. Muster the men.

We can't afford any mistakes.

Sir.

That was the last time.

For what?

I'm returning to Koryo.

To your throne.

I will not lose it.

Tal Tal knows about the treasure.

We have to hurry.