Original subtitles

(Moon River)

(A Good Friend to Meet)

(All people, incidents, and backgrounds...)

(in this drama are fictitious and unrelated to reality.)

(5 years ago)

You must die for the Crown Prince.

Your Highness!

Your Highness, the Crown Princess!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Your Highness, the Crown Princess!

Your Highness. Your Highness, the Crown Princess.

Your Highness, the Crown Princess!

Your Highness!

Your Highness, the Crown Princess.

Your Highness.

That is the mark of a sealed red thread of fate.

What is a red thread of fate?

Everyone is born with a red thread of fate.

It is the thread that connects them to their fated one.

Now that her red thread of fate is sealed,

all her memories and ties to her past have vanished.

- So you are saying... - The first words...

she hears on waking...

will become her memory. So, make up a good story.

It is human nature to search for what is lost.

You must stop her from remembering what was so painstakingly erased...

and from reuniting with her lost soulmate.

Be careful.

Since the thread has been severed once,

it will pull them back together with an even stronger force.

Your Highness.

Who are you?

You fell into the water,

and it seems you have lost your memory.

Your name is Park Dal, and I am your aunt.

Not your real aunt, though.

You are family to someone I was very close with.

You were a slave in a wealthy Hanyang household,

but when you were five, you tried to escape.

A slave hunter killed your parents and your entire family,

and you were the only one who barely survived.

So you must never...

ever come to Hanyang.

Park...

Dal...

is my name.

Wait here. Do not move an inch.

The face is unrecognizable due to severe decomposition.

Your Royal Highness, please identify the body yourself.

I refuse.

I will not.

She is not my Crown Princess. Why would I identify a random body?

Please just look.

Is it the deposed Crown Princess Gang?

If I ever do my sword dance,

it will be a private performance just for the Left State Councillor.

I will behead the Left State Councillor...

and avenge the Crown Princess and Mother.

I have had one question from the start.

Of all things, why the Gyesa Year incident?

To avenge the Crown Princess and Her Majesty, the Queen,

would it not be better to investigate the Queen's poisoning?

I have already tried that.

And I have failed every time.

Whenever I found anyone even remotely involved,

they all ended up dead.

After losing the Crown Princess, I thought about it every day.

How far back do I need to go?

The death of the Royal Mother.

The Gyesa Year incident.

The case where Queen Jangjeong was framed for adultery.

How far back do I need to go?

It was only after long contemplation that I realised.

You cannot take back a fired arrow,

and time is like an arrow.

If I cannot turn back time,

then my only choice is to strike the fatal blow.

Chief State Councillor Han Su Hun.

Minister of Public Works, Han Chi Hun.

The first to report the deaths of the Queen Dowager's brothers.

Kim Han Chul.

She died from an acupuncture treatment to restore her vitality.

Royal Physician Lee Dong Hyun.

First Day, Tenth Month of the Year of Gyesa.

Physician Lee was recommended by Kim Han Chul as Royal Physician.

First Day, Ninth Month of the Year of Gyesa.

The Crown Prince died at around 1 to 3pm,

and the Late King died at around 3 to 5pm.

However, the time when the two practised with wooden swords...

was between 11am and 1pm.

The one who prepared the wooden swords...

was the Crown Prince's tutor.

Left State Councillor Kim Han Chul.

The beginning of his absolute power.

The Gyesa Year incident.

Your Royal Highness.

What brings you here, Your Royal Highness?

I would like to use that room.

Prepare it for a comfortable stay, and set up an area for physicians.

Forgive me,

but may I ask what you intend to use it for?

And why are you summoning physicians here?

True beauty comes from good health.

Inner health must be sound for outer beauty to flourish.

For the head of Royal Office of Attire...

that deals with beauty to not even know that... My gosh.

Are you sure this physician is any good?

They say a truly great physician...

- is also an expert in poisons. - Of course.

He must be, right?

Go ahead. Ask me about any poison you wish.

Okay, then. A wood splinter, one needle prick, and a drink.

A poison fatal in one sip,

but it does not react to silver, and the body does not blacken or rot.

What poison could this be?

No such poison exists!

Get out.

A wood splinter.

- Get out. - One needle prick.

- Get out. - One sip of drink.

- Get out. - A poison fatal in one sip.

- Get out. - It does not react to silver.

Get out!

- And the body does not blacken... - Get out!

Or rot.

Get out!

What poison could this be?

A poison like that in this world...

- Your Royal Highness! - Get out!

- Your Royal Highness. - They all claimed ignorance,

but the few who said more all said the same thing.

Where on earth would you find a poison like that?

Unless you are talking about Jimdok Poison.

Your Royal Highness.

The poison of the Jimjo Bird.

Jimdok Poison.

But is it not the Jimjo Bird a myth from ancient Chinese legends?

That is what the Left State Councillor took advantage of.

A vengeful spirit or a legend, they are both just nonsense anyway.

He created a more interesting story for the people to gossip about.

If the Jimjo Bird were real, Qing would have to investigate it.

It is too dangerous to investigate this yourself, Your Royal Highness.

You need an ally outside the walls.

That is what I was thinking.

Someone who will not see this as my revenge,

but as their own. That would be ideal.

You are Grand Prince Je Un from Sinjusa?

I am. And who might you be?

I am the Crown Prince.

Your Royal Highness, though reinstated...

by the grace of His Majesty and Your Royal Highness,

yet I have been ungrateful and failed to pay my respects.

I deserve death.

You hate me, do you not?

You hate the King and the Left State Councillor, right?

Lift your head.

I have come to borrow that hatred.

Will you join me in my revenge?

So,

what did you learn from your trip to Qing?

I found an old man, a neighbour of the man who raised a Jimjo Bird.

According to that old man in Qing,

the man bragged he sold a Jimjo Bird for a fortune in the Year of Imjin.

Your Royal Highness.

In Imjin Year, the Left State Councillor went to Qing as an envoy.

Right.

He was Minister of War back then, so his belongings were not inspected.

He could have snuck a huge bird in like a Jimjo Bird, and no one knew.

That old man could be involved, then.

Let me know as soon as you hear anything from Qing.

As for the watch, I will send someone for it tomorrow.

Did I not already tell you?

I am telling you, the watch is broken.

Bring it to me, broken or not. I will say I am the one who broke it.

Why would you go to such lengths?

Look, the Left State Councillor knows that we fought over the watch.

But if I go back empty-handed, he will think that I lost to you.

But here is the thing.

I...

never lose.

Gosh, what a show-off.

I know it is a courtesan house, but why is it so rowdy?

Hey, Yoon Se Dol. Do not try to change the subject.

Well, it beats dying.

Darn it.

So the red thread of fate has finally gone to find her match.

(Chapter 2: The Red Thread of Fate, Part II)

Goodness. That hurts.

Would it have killed you to put me down gently?

- She is talking. - What is he on about?

Gosh. Thank you.

Do not tell me you are trying to escape.

- Of course not. - Looks like she can be touched.

What is he going on about?

Are you treating me like a ghost?

- She says she is perfectly normal. - Hey!

Do you know this girl, Brother?

"Brother"?

He is my older cousin.

But Brother, do you know this girl...

Oh, my.

I have missed you, my lady.

Excuse me?

"My lady"?

Hey. Excuse me.

Gosh, what are you doing?

Hey! Give me back my clothes, you thief!

Okay. I will take them off right now.

- I said, give them back now! - My apologies. It is so cold.

- What is this? - You must be freezing.

Did my ID token grow legs? Where did it go?

Looking for this?

When did you take that?

Did I not tell you? Do not even think about running away.

- Give me my ID token back. - I do not think so.

- Hey, why are you taking that? - Park Dal?

Yes. I am a peddler from the Park family's inn in Boryeong.

Why did you go to Boryeong?

It is my hometown.

The innkeeper there is my aunt, and my parents live there too.

You have parents?

- Since when? - What kind of a question is that?

Since the day I was born, of course.

That cannot be.

You have got to be kidding me.

Why are you questioning my birth?

Wait. Come on.

What? Hey, why are you putting it in there?

Oh, my gosh! What time is it?

It must be around 9 to 11pm.

- I will be right back. - Where are you going? It is late.

I have something important to do.

If this works out, I will be rich. It may not cover everything,

but I will do my best to pay you back.

Here, take my ID token and my pack.

So you know I am not running away. I will be back, I promise.

Gang.

I never saw the Crown Princess because I was in Sinjusa,

but do they really look that much alike?

Look like her? They are identical.

Really?

At night, for a lot of money.

It must be a dangerous job.

A dangerous job?

That is right. It is a dangerous one.

(Around 9 to 11pm, Eunwol Pavilion, Stage your suicide)

Steward, are you there?

Is there a noble widow nearby?

I hear she is Lord Heo's daughter.

You must mean the household of Inspector Kim.

The young lady of that house is Lady Heo.

- That is all. You may go now. - Yes, my lord.

I cannot tell if she is fearless or just reckless.

She should not be wandering around Hanyang so carelessly.

What do you mean by that?

That wretched girl. Just wait till I get a hold of her.

Why did she go to Hanyang?

Does she expect to strike it rich?

Hey, did you remember to pack it?

Pack what?

Our daughter's common sense. She leaves it behind everywhere,

and that is how she ends up in these huge messes.

You should have packed her wits too. My goodness.

But I bet she left that behind too.

- How can you be joking now? - You are scaring the child.

Do you think this is some fun trip to Hanyang?

If anyone recognises us in Hanyang, we are dead too.

If she gets caught, she is facing the chopping block.

Who am I kidding? I am the crazy one.

Who else is there to blame?

She brought this on herself.

All right, take my arm. Come on, let us go.

- For goodness' sake! - That is right.

- Gosh! My goodness! - Goodness.

It seems she is a slave who ran away from Hanyang.

A slave, you say?

It seems she has gotten herself into some serious trouble.

It is absolutely maddening. Good grief.

- But why are you getting involved? - Well,

I have taken on a new role.

A debt collector. Scarier than tigers, apparently.

What if the Crown Princess survived and is still alive...

and was sold as a government slave? Is that not a possibility?

The body decomposed in the water, so her face was unidentifiable.

But what if, by some slim chance...

You were also powerless, Your Highness.

Who could have kept Her Highness, the Crown Princess, safe?

My apologies, Your Royal Highness.

Your Royal Highness,

the peddler cannot be the Crown Princess.

If she is the Crown Princess,

that means she fled His Majesty's death order,

making her a traitor.

If that girl truly is the Crown Princess,

if she is just alive,

I would just take her hand and run away.

But if that girl is not the Crown Princess,

if she is just a simple peddler or a runaway slave,

that girl will be killed.

So then, this feeling...

I will choose to call it pity.

Excuse me, can I ask you something?

I came for the Five-Day Market. Why do I not see it?

Are you nuts? It is around 9 to 11pm. Of course it is closed.

- My gosh. - Oh, no!

I am ruined! I have only just arrived!

Why would it close so early? Gosh, my whole day is ruined.

Hey, we merchants need to sleep too.

Now get going. I am busy.

Gosh.

What? Where did she go?

You all seem busy. Do not let me stop you.

Hey, you! Go that way and find her!

Oink, oink.

Around 9 to 11pm. The back alley of Eunwol Pavilion.

Appear as if you have decided to take your own life.

What do you think you are doing?

I just need to confirm something. Excuse me for a moment.

What is the meaning of this?

I knew it! You are that peddler.

Show me the bundle you are carrying.

What for? Why do you need to see my things?

Let go of me. Let me go!

No! Stop! Why?

No!

- Young Mistress! - No!

- What are you doing out here? - Let go!

We have been looking all over for you.

Let go of me!

No!

You have to run!

I will figure out a way to handle this.

- Run! - No, you cannot.

Our Young Mistress has a place she must go.

My lord!

My lord, what brings you here?

Go.

How will you take them all on by yourself?

Worry about me when you have time.

Right now, it would be wise for you to listen.

- But I... - This is supposed to be a secret.

The thing is...

I am actually a master fighter. You can trust me and go.

All right. I will leave it to you, my lord.

My lord, I do not know who you are, but...

I am only tolerating your insolence...

because you do not know who I am.

I should have given my name sooner. My name is Je Un...

What?

His Royal Highness orders you to stay out of this matter.

Involvement with the Kims' affairs is political overreach for a prince.

Halt.

- What are you doing? Let us go! - And if I do?

Where would you go? How far do you think you would get?

Even if she gets away, do you really think you will be safe?

I do not care, so mind your business and get out.

It is too late.

- Young Mistress! - Young Mistress!

It is...

all over.

No!

You cannot take her!

This makes you accomplices, you know!

If anything happens to her, you will be just as responsible.

- Escort the Young Mistress. - Yes, sir!

This way, Young Mistress!

Young Mistress, wait!

Let go of me! Hey!

My lord, you are even worse than they are.

They are just following their master because their lives depend on it,

but you side with your fellow nobles for your so-called Moral Law.

You are a runaway slave from Hanyang, are you not?

Who told you that?

If you want to hide who you are, first, lose your Hanyang accent.

So...

are you threatening me with my status now?

I am not trying to blame you. Much less hold you accountable.

You are very fortunate.

To have run into me with a face like that.

I will give you the fortune you spoke of,

so wash your hands of this and leave Hanyang at once.

And why would you give me money?

Is this not all about money for you?

Silver daggers, "The Virtuous Woman's Handbook,"

"Suicide Anthology," "Chunhyang".

- That is... - You sell books...

making women virtuous...

or sell items to encourage them to take their own lives,

but you hate the idea of a woman you know actually dying?

Do merchants like you have no principles whatsoever?

That is just my cover.

Why on earth would I sell garbage like that?

Garbage, you say?

You are supposed to stop suicides,

not encourage them to read "The Virtuous Woman's Handbook".

Use a knife to stab the bad guy, not slit your own throat.

What a novel interpretation.

Then what would the virtuous Chunhyang say?

Great, another nobleman who misses the point about Chunhyang.

Listen up.

It was not about her chastity. She was protecting herself.

- Is it fun? - Yes.

I never knew the Crown Princess was so interested in chastity.

Or is this a signal of some kind?

The story is quite risqué, you know.

Is that all you got from "Chunhyang"?

I feel like I am constantly being scolded.

Chunhyang was not trying to protect her chastity but her dignity.

Chastity was merely a tool.

A tool to protect her own self-worth.

A tool, you say.

It was a tool to protect herself from Magistrate Byeon,

who insisted she was a gisaeng out of greed,

even though he knew she was not.

Like a suit of armour against a cruel world.

Where did you hear that interpretation?

I did not hear it from anyone. It is my own thought.

That is impossible.

What, you think lowly people like me cannot think for ourselves?

If you...

happen to catch a falling flower petal,

do you know what happens?

"If you happen to catch a falling flower petal..."

"If you happen to catch a falling flower petal..."

And why should I tell you, my lord?

I will be on my way now.

I have no desire to speak with a rude, petty man like you, my lord.

Hey. If I solve this for you, will you give me an answer?

- Pardon? - I am asking,

if I solve this for you, will you give me an answer?

I will take your silence as a yes.

Now, go get that treated first.

That wound is an eyesore.

What? Hey, let me go! What is going on? Let go of me!

What are you doing?

Why are you manhandling me?

Where are you taking me?

What are you doing? Goodness!

Look, my treatment is done, so why are you stopping me?

Hold on. The nobleman told me you cannot leave until he returns.

But I am the one who wants to leave,

so why am I stuck here on the orders of a total stranger?

Gosh! That is not my problem.

Besides, he has not paid me yet.

I see. Money.

Money is important, indeed. But what can you do?

You are about to lose a fortune, doctor.

You are facing years of extra duty. Years and years of it.

What are you talking about?

Why me?

So, should I spell it out for you?

- What? Oh, my. - Gosh.

- Hey, you punk. Take it easy. - It is a thief!

- Where? What is going on? - Over there! That guy!

- What is going on? - Darn it.

- Where? Where is he? - Over there.

Go on.

Give them a bit of a show and come back.

Get him!

Gosh.

Dodge and kick.

Strike. That is it.

Hey, move it.

You have got more coming from behind.

Well, what do you know? Plum blossoms in a place like this.

Gosh, you startled me.

You punk. You knew I was here. You did that on purpose, right?

You are not supposed to even hit anyone with a flower.

So much for my principles.

If you had just revealed your identity,

you could have stuck to your principles.

But where is the fun in that?

Please open the door.

- Shin Won! - Hey, go get the door.

My gosh.

- There is trouble! - What is going on?

- Come. Gather around. - What?

Inspector Kim is trying to get a stele for a Virtuous Woman...

by forcing his young daughter-in-law to take her own life.

But that is not the point!

If he gets caught, this entire town will suffer for it.

Suffer how?

Taxes and public labour will go up. Several times over!

That is the punishment for fabricating the whole thing.

- Downgrading of the town's rank. - Taxes?

- Public labour? - They are raising them?

Darn this nation!

- Exactly. - But what are we supposed to do?

We have to storm in there right now...

to prove we are not involved. We came to save his daughter-in-law,

and they need to see we are just innocent, good people.

Are we all going to take the fall because of that nobleman?

Then what are we waiting for?

- Let us teach that noble a lesson. - Let us go!

- Let us go! - We have to help her!

- Let us go! - Go!

Die with honour as a daughter-in-law of the Kim family.

I made a promise to my husband.

That I would never follow him in death.

We promised to meet again, many years from now...

and grow old together then.

This death, which my husband and I do not desire.

Who is it for?

How dare you use my dead son's name to beg for your life?

I can just forge the suicide note, and for your life...

I can sever it.

- That is not happening. - Right. It is not.

Who is there?

Wait. You are...

Let us see here.

An ornamental silver dagger to slit her throat,

a rope to hang herself with, and brine to burn her throat?

You are totally busted.

Who are you? How did you get in here?

Is anyone out there?

All right, forget about killing this woman.

If I hear a whisper that she is dead,

you will not get the memorial stele.

Three generations of your family will be barred from the state exams.

If this woman dies,

you die too.

- Open the door! - Who is there?

- Wait... - Hey, you rotten jerk!

Open the door!

Who is it?

Gosh, you...

You crazy... That...

That rotten Inspector Kim. Serves him right!

My lady.

Thank goodness.

What a relief. Are you hurt anywhere?

- Goodness. - What stunt did you just pull?

- What do you mean? - There has been a misunderstanding.

Yes, it really looks that way.

If you go back without him, they might kill you, Your Highness.

In that case...

- For now, just smile. All right? - Smile?

This way! Over here.

That is the guy! He is the one who...

My lord!

What is going on here?

We responded to a report of a break-in.

That is not what happened.

He drove her to suicide for a stele, and my lord here...

saved her.

Is that true?

Well...

I mean,

She is telling the truth. I witnessed it myself.

For defying the law of the land...

and insulting His Majesty the King, arrest these criminals!

Arrest them!

- Hurry up and take them away. - But who are you, sir?

This gentleman is His Royal...

He was specially appointed by His Royal Highness.

He is a Secret Royal Inspector.

May I see your Horse Token, please?

My Horse Token?

You.

Are you not Shin Won?

Then...

- Your Royal Highness! - He is appointed by His Highness!

He is the Secret Royal Inspector!

- The Secret Royal Inspector? - The Secret Royal Inspector!

His Royal Highness...

In that case, Lord Inspector, I await your command.

Right. Let us do that.

- Arrest the criminals! - Yes, sir!

Quiet, everyone.

It is all over now.

Do not worry.

For crying out loud.

Will you answer my question now?

What happens when you catch...

a falling flower petal?

You know what they say?

If you catch a falling petal,

your first love will come true.

What? Why?

You do not know, so why are you still following me?

Who said I did not know?

I said you will be the one to catch the flower petal.

Exactly. That means you do not know.

My business with you is over. You can go home now.

Wait. But...

I am not finished with you.

I have business with you.

Thank you.

For saving the Young Mistress.

You do not need to thank me.

I did it for myself, after all.

Technically speaking, the one I saved...

was her dead husband.

If he knew his wife had died that way,

he would be doomed to wander as a restless spirit.

And...

I did it for a certain weak man...

who would have been haunted by regret.

Forgive me. It is just that you seemed...

so sad.

Are you trying to comfort me?

What right would I have? Your sadness is not about me.

It is.

Because of you, I have been...

trapped in a dream.

A long-awaited...

nightmare.

You look sad saying that too.

In that case,

how will you comfort me this time?

Should I buy you some rice soup?

All of a sudden?

They say a full belly warms the heart.

It is a pretty good remedy.

My Lord, it is late. You should head back...

Fine. Buy it for me.

The rice soup.

His Royal Highness solved...

the fraudulent case of a Gate of the Virtuous Woman?

Was he just trying to look virtuous?

Come on, I doubt it.

He just got lucky.

A prince only interested in luxury, not politics...

A virtuous king? Not a chance.

Whether it was by luck or by design,

even a tiger must be leashed if it runs wild.

Is Tak here?

Yes, you called for me?

I sent a letter to U Hui ages ago. Why is she not here yet?

The thing is, Lady U Hui is being stubborn.

Send a palanquin at once.

Drag her here if you must.

(The Crown Prince...)

The Crown Prince must have his royal wedding,

so hurry back to the capital.

If you do not go back this time,

your father says he will burn this shrine to the ground.

Then we will buy all Yeongdeok's pots...

and bring them here with water.

What is the big deal?

Gosh, this fight between father and daughter...

is good for the local economy.

So are you cancelling the Royal Wedding?

My lady!

You are well past the age to marry, you know?

Do you plan on dying a lonely spinster?

- Not at all. - Then how long will you hold out?

My lady, do you really think you can marry the one you love?

(1 year ago)

Would you like to try?

I would rather not.

It is an object meant to harm people, is it not?

It is meant for protection.

If I were ever to aim this gun at someone,

it will only be to protect what is precious to me.

Do not use this gun.

Because I will always...

be there to hold your hands tight.

Then now,

it is my turn to protect you.

Hey, look.

Park Dal!

What in the world are you doing?

Mom, Dad? What are they doing here?

Secret Royal Inspector!

Let us get that soup another time.

- What? Push it? - Have it some other time.

I have to get going now!

- What is she saying? - Hide!

- She wants us to hide? - We just got here.

Where are you going?

Besides, if you are postponing today's soup,

you need to be clear about when we are rescheduling for.

Okay, let us meet here tomorrow between 11am and 1pm.

What? Between 11am and 1pm?

Will I get to see you here between 11am and 1pm tomorrow?

What is going on?

I really have to go now!

Hey, you. Hold on.

She actually has parents.

Is there anything else you need to confirm?

No.

In that case, you must break tomorrow's promise.

But, Shin Won...

Even when I touch her, she does not disappear.

That is why I find myself wanting her more.

Just for a moment.

Can I not be shameless for just one moment?

(Tavern)

What were you thinking, coming here? This is Hanyang, the capital city!

The city where the palace is. Were you thinking at all?

If something were to happen to you, what would I do all alone?

For goodness' sake.

- Those are my lines! - Look who is talking.

And she is throwing a huge fit too. My goodness.

How could I not be furious?

A eunuch and a court lady in love became traitors on the run...

and dared to waltz into Hanyang?

How did you know? That we are a court lady and a eunuch?

- Did your aunt tell you? - What are you talking about?

With Dad acting like that?

I would have to be an idiot not to notice.

Dad keeps taking his moustache off and putting it back on again.

And you, Mom. You keep blurting out palace jargon.

It is pretty obvious. A eunuch and a court lady...

fell for each other and ran off together.

She is brilliant.

Did you see that? Our son... I mean,

our daughter is brilliant.

- Should we really celebrate this? - Gosh!

Well, this could get us all killed.

Before we really do get killed, you two should pack up and go.

I have some business to take care of first.

No, you do not. Where do you think you are going?

Think we are the only fugitives here? You are one too.

Do you want to get caught running around and live as a slave?

I spent years hiding. I had the mole on my nose removed to avoid capture.

I have my ways. I know how to be careful and hide.

Right, just let her be. Her face is so plain now,

she must want to decorate it with a nice slave tattoo.

That will be so glamorous. You will really stand out.

Fine. I swear I will not set a foot outside.

- Oh my. - Gosh.

- What are you doing? - Just going to sleep.

- Right. - Sleep.

Go on and sleep.

- You wretched girl. - I am going to the restroom. Why?

A court lady may have eyes, but she must not see.

She may have a mouth, but she must not speak.

That scared me.

With their acting like that,

how could I not know their background?

Thank you so much.

- Goodness. - I will never forget...

your kindness, even after I die.

Please forget it.

Forget all the bad memories.

And from now on, only make good ones.

I am just going to grab a bowl of soup,

and I will be right back, okay?

Look at the nerve of our daughter.

Risking her life for a bowl of soup.

Oh, dear.

- What was that? - Over here.

My lord.

As you are a peddler,

you must know merchants and guilds.

Do you know any Qing interpreters?

In Uiju, a major city in Joseon connecting Hanyang and Pyeongyang,

I was kind of a big deal.

It is the heart of all the trade with Qing, you know.

Can you find people too?

Is that even a question? Travelling all over is what I do.

Just assume we, the peddlers, are everywhere in the country.

I have found a use for you. We must make a contract. Follow me.

I have a prior engagement.

I am having rice soup with the Secret Royal Inspector.

- The Secret Royal Inspector? - Your cousin from yesterday.

He is a Secret Royal Inspector now?

Yes.

I guess you two are not that close.

But how can a grand prince's cousin...

hold a government office?

Well...

He is my maternal cousin.

Oh, I see.

Right. Come to my home after your meal.

To a man's home where he lives all alone?

Alone?

Do not worry, I have many servants. Now,

I will see you later. Ask my cousin for directions.

And if you try to run away again,

we will be seeing each other at the Police Bureau.

Goodness.

Gosh! My goodness.

Hey, watch where you are going.

- You should watch out. - What?

- What? - The nerve of this girl.

- What? - Gosh, not worth my breath.

He is the one who ran into me. What is his problem?

What is taking her so long? I hope nothing happened.

Your Royal Highness.

I am starving over here.

Can I not please eat first?

What do you think?

You rented out this entire tavern for that peddler,

but for me, after all the years I have served you,

- you cannot even spare some soup? - You dare compare yourself to her?

How are we any different? The time we have spent together,

and the loyalty I have shown you.

How am I less deserving than that peddler?

My heart feels different.

Darn.

"Darn"?

Look at you.

Lose the glare.

Smile.

Gosh, unbelievable.

This guy is hopeless.

The broth is rich.

From this strange man...

comes a familiar scent.

A chin that has never known a razor.

So perfectly smooth.

A crude, obviously fake moustache.

A strangely timid area.

Seemingly a man,

yet not a man.

You...

who is man-like.

Hey, why are you pulling me?

Gosh, why drag me like a dog?

Are you crazy?

Was he not a eunuch?

So you thought so too, right?

It has been a while since we have been to Hanyang.

- I am running into my old juniors. - And you are happy about that?

A eunuch, a military official, and a nobleman. Who could it be?

Usually a king or a prince.

The Crown Prince!

Come to think of it, the nobleman with Dal yesterday...

Was he not the Crown Prince?

You have got such a sharp eye, dear.

The best.

Honestly. Since you are so dense,

I have to be sharp for both of us for us to get by, do I not?

Anyway, where are we going to find Dal?

Though I may be going to serve the wife of Minister Ja Gyeong,

my heart will always remain here.

And the last task I gave you? Did you handle it well?

Of course.

That wench who ran off with the Young Mistress...

will not get away unscathed.

Gosh! My goodness.

Hey, watch where you are going.

- Hey. - That hurts.

People are so shameless.

Hey, you thieving wench! Coming through.

Hey, you thieving wench!

Hey! You thieving wench!

What are you doing? Let go of me!

My goodness.

How can a girl be this strong?

Do you not ever underestimate a peddler again.

It is her! That wench stole my things.

What nonsense are you talking about now?

Did you have dog food for breakfast?

You are making too much nonsense.

Here, let me see your pack.

Wait. What do you think you are doing?

I am telling you, it is nonsense. Go on, look.

Why is this...

- Why is this here? - See? I told you she was a thief.

This is it. This is the pendant.

- How did this get here? - That is all the proof I need.

- Take her away. - Yes, sir.

Slave hunters are still after you,

so you must never go to Hanyang.

Never.

I cannot go to the Police Bureau.

Goodness.

I am a peddler, The sub-unit squad must handle this.

It must be handled according to the law of peddlers.

The mat-rolling punishment?

Gosh, there is going to be a lot of crying.

You can say that again. There will be lots of screaming today.

Our rules. Do not lie, do not be lewd, do not cause trouble,

and do not steal.

Sir, it was not me.

If I were guilty, I would accept it. But I have never stolen anything.

So please, if you would just investigate the matter further...

Silence. The evidence was found in your pack.

- How can you deny it? - I do not know how it...

- Guards! - Yes, sir!

For breaking the peddlers' code, wrap her in a mat, give 30 lashes,

and then cut off her legs.

- He ordered to cut off her legs. - Yes, sir.

Cut off my legs?

Sir, I am innocent! It is a mistake!

- I am telling you, it was not me! - Wrap her up.

What is happening?

You cannot cut off my legs! Please spare my life!

Flog her!

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

Stop right there.

What is the meaning of this? We are carrying out a punishment.

Even a nobleman such as yourself cannot interfere with our justice.

Then I will just have to show you.

That I am the exception.

My lord...

How did you...

You made a promise, did you not?

Let us go.

Let us go get some rice soup.

(Moon River)

Leave Hanyang this instant.

This is the price for having a face like yours.

And why should I listen to you, my lord?

Where are you going?

- To propose to her. - Did you not promise me?

Are you talking about the coup?

So...

you must make your decision.

Gang, do you trust me?

I do.

Because you are my family too.

(Watch exclusive unseen footage on our official online channels.)