Original subtitles

(All characters, locations, organizations, and incidents...)

(in this drama are historically irrelevant and fictitious.)

(Production guidelines were strictly followed...)

(when filming with children and animals.)

(Ilgyeong: The 10 hours from 7pm to 5am were divided into 5 watches.)

("Ilgyeong" refers to the 1st watch of the night, from 7 to 9pm.)

(Episode 1)

Do you still feel tightness in the chest, Your Highness?

I had started feeling better after taking the medicine you gave me,

but the same symptoms returned sometime in the evening.

It could be caused by the turbulent weather,

so please try to relax and put your mind at ease, Your Highness.

I will do so.

Are there any other symptoms?

No. I feel fine otherwise, thanks to you.

I am much obliged, Your Highness.

Then I will now go and make an herbal decoction for Your Highness.

(Queen Dowager Sosu)

(Haejong, the current King)

Your Majesty.

What are you doing out here?

I was feeling anxious for some reason,

so I came out to get some fresh air.

Anyway, how is the Queen Dowager?

Her pulse is on the rapid side,

but you need not be concerned.

I am relieved to hear that.

Your Majesty.

What is the matter?

I have bad news. A group of rebels has invaded the palace.

Is the situation urgent?

We are under attack. Also, I believe...

some of the palace guards on duty were in on it.

You should go inside now and take shelter.

(Gangnyeongjeon)

(Gangnyeongjeon)

Hurry. The palace guards will be here in no time.

See you on the other side.

Come on.

The soldiers will arrive any moment now.

If you wish to be spared, put down your sword and beg for your life.

I did not come here,

expecting to walk out of here in one piece, Joong Young.

Identify yourself!

You are...

He led the deposed king's Royal Guards.

(Pyeju: A deposed king)

I heard you died while fleeing with the deposed king.

I was resurrected to slay you scoundrels who stole the throne...

and you, the ultimate traitor.

Shut your mouth.

The deposed king you served...

kicked out his mother and killed his own sibling.

Addicted to carnal pleasures, he extorted from his own people.

He was a foolish tyrant.

Do you not know that?

Shut your mouth at once!

Whatever excuses you make,

it does not change the fact that you are traitors who stole the throne.

Now, you will pay for it.

Die.

The royal physician is hurt. Go and fetch a physician at once.

Your Majesty, you should...

I am fine. Go and fetch a physician.

Now!

Your Majesty.

You need not worry about me.

The East Palace. Send someone to the East Palace at once...

and make sure the Crown Prince is safe.

Commander of the Royal Guards, go to the East Palace...

and make sure the Crown Prince is okay.

Your Royal Highness!

- Where is the Crown Prince? - What is the matter?

Is the Crown Prince inside?

Yes, he is. What is the matter?

Your Royal Highness!

His Royal Highness is asleep. Please leave.

Your Royal Highness.

He is fast asleep at the moment,

so I suggest you come back in the morning.

You are the Crown Prince's secretary and bodyguard.

(Sejagungbyeolgam: Crown Prince's secretary and bodyguard)

Why are you here?

Where is His Royal Highness?

Tell me the truth at once!

Well...

The thing is...

"A scholar from the countryside who was in town for the state exam..."

"was wondering around in Gurigae in the middle of the night..."

"after having a drink with a friend of his."

(Gurigae: Near Euljiro in Seoul in present days)

"All of a sudden, four men showed up and started pummeling him."

("Collection of Folktales")

- How scary. - My gosh.

Then they threw him into a sack and said,

"Say one more word, and we will beat you to death!"

- Goodness. - Gosh, that is scary.

- They threatened him like that. - They threatened him.

- Those scoundrels. - Oh, dear.

(Then they started running, with the scholar on their shoulders.)

"Then they started running, with the scholar on their shoulders."

"The dumbfounded scholar had no idea where they were taking him."

Oh, boy. They kidnapped him.

- Goodness. Be quiet, will you? - Be quiet!

- My gosh. - Goodness gracious.

- So? - All right, focus.

"After running like that for a while, they let him out."

"When he came out of the sack,"

"he saw a fancy mansion before his eyes."

Then he entered the room...

and saw a beautiful lady wearing nothing but her undergarments!

- Oh, my! - My goodness.

The rest of the story is in this book.

- What? - If you are curious,

- What is he saying? - come and buy a copy.

- Hey! - Come on!

- You cannot do this. - We have to buy it?

- How petty. - Gosh.

- Hey, how could you do this? - You are so mean!

("Collection of Folktales")

I will take a hundred copies.

Meet me at midnight...

at the pavilion in Namsangol.

I have one question though.

What happens to the scholar?

Does he sleep with that beautiful woman?

I bet he does. Am I right?

I see. So he sleeps with her.

What?

This way.

One moment.

Say hello.

This is the hidden son of His Majesty, who was unfairly...

banished after being forced out of the throne by the traitors.

Prince Haesung.

I heard you came from Jeolla Province.

- Yes, my lord. - I am glad you are here.

He must have told you all the details already,

so I shall get straight to the point.

If you help me raise military funds...

to assist me in starting my own army,

you can live a life filled with wealth and prosperity...

alongside me, as soon as I reclaim the throne.

Military funds? How much would you need?

Would a thousand nyang do?

A thousand nyang?

What is the matter? Is it too little?

It is not a small amount of money, but the more, the better.

Then...

how about 10,000 nyang?

We should have met sooner.

Your loyalty will surely go down in history.

We are much obliged, my lord.

By the way, where is the money? Did you bring the money?

Well...

I left it at the place where I am staying.

Let us go there now. Where are you staying?

Maybe not today. I can bring it to you tomorrow.

No.

I must save my father as soon as possible.

With that money, I can raise an army right away...

and take down those traitors who stole the throne from my father...

What are you doing?

- Gun. - What?

This scoundrel dared to call Father a traitor.

As his son, how could I stand back and do nothing?

My gosh. You and your temper.

Even so, how could you punch him?

We should have coaxed them into telling us who is behind them.

Do you actually think these rats are planning a coup?

Can you not tell?

They are just swindlers who steal money from the pockets...

of clueless wealthy people in the countryside.

Am I wrong?

Who are you?

I am none other than...

the Crown Prince of Joseon.

- Oh, my. He is the Crown Prince. - Gosh. Crown Prince?

- I have never seen him before. - Why is he so handsome?

(Lee Gun, Crown Prince)

Such insolence.

You had better beg for forgiveness at once.

How dare you lie that you are a royal and speak of a coup?

You deserve to die a hundred times.

- What shall we do? - What do you want to do?

The thing is, we have to fight them anyway.

- Then I will take the guy in green. - I will take the one in pink.

We will throw a punch on the count of three.

- One, two... - One, two...

- Oh, boy. - Goodness.

Darn it. He is a good fighter.

You drive me nuts.

- Please calm down. - I am hurt.

- Hey, go and fight. - No, you first.

- Darn you! - Get out of my way.

Why, you little...

What the...

Get him.

Nice, I actually punched him. I did it.

Hey, Dosung. Your brother is dying here.

I must say, I did not expect you to be such a good fighter.

My gosh. Had we actually gotten into a fight...

Who knows what would have happened?

Hey, you are dead meat now. I did not hit you.

- Your Royal Highness. - I really did not hit you.

All I did was push your face a little. That is all.

Hey, you hit him. I did not hit you at all.

Hand them over to the Police Bureau.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness, please have worthy on us!

"Mercy," not "worthy."

Please have mercy on us!

Hey, seriously.

What are you waiting for? Take them.

- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!

Your Highness, please take our lives!

Hey, I do not want to die.

Hey, I am just saying.

- What if he really kills us? - No, he will not kill us.

You said you were sure they were planning a coup.

But we caught those swindlers, regardless.

Fine. I am very proud of you, my dear brother.

(Prince Dosung, Crown Prince's half-brother)

Fine, I admit I made a mistake this time.

Rumor has it that some are hiding...

in the slums just outside the South Gates,

so we should search that area.

Like I said, I admit I made a mistake this time.

I did not say anything.

We should get going too.

You will return to the palace looking like that?

What is wrong with the way I look?

Oh, my! Very nice.

My gosh! How nice is this?

My goodness.

Have you lost your mind?

I know that you like to have fun,

but did we have to come to a kisaeng house in this situation?

We are here because of the situation we are in now.

I brought you here because I have a plan,

so just follow me quietly.

Do you truly mean it?

- Yes. - Must I do this?

Is this the only option we have, brother?

Yes. There is no other option, brother.

Even so, I am not a clown. I have to wear makeup?

Then what? Will you return to the palace looking like that?

If Father and Mother see you, they will faint.

Also, if they ask you what happened,

what will you say?

If you tell them the truth,

you will never be allowed to leave the palace again.

Fine, do whatever you want.

Okay, fine.

Here, go ahead and put it on my face.

Goodness.

You should have dodged.

I cannot believe you let those rats punch you.

What on earth happened that you have lost your nimbleness?

Try letting those teachers at the Tutorial Office lecture you...

from sunrise to sundown until you get blisters on your buttocks.

You will end up like me too.

It is not like you do everything you are told to do.

You could be smart about it like you were at the Royal Family School.

I want to,

but they keep talking about the Royal House, the country,

and the safety of Joseon.

(Jongmyosajik: The Royal House and the country)

How could I be smart about it?

It is not easy being a crown prince.

My point, exactly.

Despite that,

I have never once you heard you say you want to quit.

If I suffer a little,

the people of Joseon can live more comfortably,

so how could I quit?

You little... I am your elder brother.

I did not say anything.

The way you were looking at me just now...

Whatever, forget it.

Anyway, this is enough, is it not?

Stop.

It is too heavily scented.

Stay still, will you?

If we want to return to the palace before they wake up,

we must hurry.

Be gentle, okay?

I have not even touched your bruise yet.

Goodness. You are such a crybaby.

(Yoon Yi Kyum, Left State Councilor)

I hear the Crown Prince is nowhere to be found.

Based on what the Crown Prince's secretary has told me,

I believe he went out in disguise.

He went out in disguise?

You mean, he left the palace?

I understand that he is still immature,

but at this critical time...

He must understand the weight of the crown.

I am gravely concerned.

Such insolence. Watch what you say.

The Crown Prince is thoughtful enough.

If he is thoughtful,

he should never secretly sneak out of the palace in disguise.

That is not important now.

Magistrate.

Are you not worried about the safety of the Crown Prince?

What?

Clearly, I am saying this out of concern.

We do not have time for this.

We ought to send out the soldiers at once...

and find His Royal Highness.

His Royal Highness has returned.

There was an incident last night.

Do you know about it?

Yes.

Then you must also know how many people...

were worried and anxious because of you.

I deeply apologize for causing you concern, Father.

Why did you sneak out in disguise without even telling me?

(Jamhaeng: Going out in disguise)

I was curious about the lives of the people.

To assess public sentiment...

You have got to be kidding me!

Was that the only reason?

Yes.

What is this scent?

I smell makeup. Do you not?

(Jibun: Makeup)

Oh, my apologies.

It is not makeup.

My perfume pouch broke.

It must be what you are smelling.

The Queen Dowager...

stayed up all night, waiting for you.

Follow me at once.

Yes, Your Majesty.

At this critical time,

he dared to sneak out in secret...

to spend the night with a woman?

Is it because he has the Namin Faction's blood in him?

I am concerned about the safety and the future of our country.

So am I.

However,

it is not like we can install someone else as Crown Prince.

If it is necessary,

it must be done.

We have Prince Dosung, the Queen's son.

(Yoon Yi Kyum, Prince Dosung's maternal grandfather)

My goodness.

That is enough. Let us go.

At the moment, our priority is to take care of the traitors.

We are all concerned, you see.

Come along.

Where were you all night? What did you do?

Tell me.

I went to see Dosung.

Dosung?

Why did you have to see him, all of a sudden?

I felt bad, knowing he lives alone outside the palace walls,

and I wanted to see how he was doing.

(Queen, Prince Dosung's mother)

The two brothers are very close.

It truly is nice to see, Your Majesty.

They are too close.

I think they even went to a kisaeng house together.

Pardon me?

Crown Prince, is that true?

We went there because...

If you tell them the truth,

you will never be allowed to leave the palace again.

I am sorry.

So you sneaked out in disguise...

to spend time with girls?

Do you take your responsibilities as the Crown Prince that lightly?

Shall I crown Prince Dosung instead of you?

Your Majesty, you are being too harsh.

Calm down and talk to him instead of flying into a rage.

He used to live freely outside the palace walls, so I bet...

he has been feeling trapped and frustrated.

I am certain that he will not do it again.

You always defend and coddle him like this.

No wonder he cannot get his act together.

His behavior is out of control.

He is the Crown Prince of Joseon.

(Gukbon: Crown Prince)

Please treat him with kindness.

The rebels who support the deposed king...

are vying for the chance to overthrow His Majesty.

You must not leave the palace on your own again.

Do you understand?

Yes, Your Highness.

From now on,

I will always seek Father's permission first.

What did you say?

Clearly, you have not learned your lesson yet.

Why? Do you wish to visit the kisaeng house again?

That is not the reason.

Shut your mouth!

How about we marry him off?

If he has a reason to stay in the palace,

he will not sneak out to wander around.

Then by any chance,

is there a family you wish to marry him off to?

Yes, there is.

You must be thinking of Royal Physician Choi Sang Rok.

Correct.

Your Majesty, if it were not for him,

you could have gotten hurt last night.

Correct.

I have always been aware of his deep loyalty,

but he is not a military official.

I did not know he would get stabbed to keep His Majesty safe.

It is a subject's duty to protect his king.

The problem is that they all expect to be compensated...

for merely doing their duty.

However, Royal Physician Choi made the greatest contribution...

out of everyone in the Restoration Group,

yet he is still working faithfully as a royal physician.

I believe he is the only one...

in the Restoration Group who is not greedy...

for money or power.

It seems like the Queen and I are in agreement.

What do you think, Your Majesty?

Knowing that he is a man of high integrity,

we will not need to worry about his family...

trying to control the Crown Prince even after he ascends the throne,

so I think it is the best choice we can make.

Then now that the three of us are in agreement,

we should soon issue a decree regarding...

the appointment of the Crown Princess.

Yes.

I will discuss the matter with the ministers and decide on the date.

Sorry to interrupt.

Do you not wish to hear...

my opinion on the matter?

I told you to shut your mouth.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Royal Physician Choi's daughter is very beautiful and elegant.

Even before she reached the marriageable age,

there were so many families eyeing her.

I hear matchmakers keep visiting her.

Dream on. You are being ridiculous.

Stop talking such ridiculous nonsense.

Hey! What nonsense?

Now that you have seen my bare skin,

you must take care of me. Am I wrong?

Shut it.

Clench your teeth.

- Why? - All right.

Be gentle!

Do not be such a crybaby!

I told you not to drink because it could fester.

My goodness.

Come on.

I must drink, or there would be nothing to look forward to!

Why?

Will you marry me if I quit drinking?

Forget it. As if I can expect a dog to never poop again.

My lady, please.

People can hear you.

It is okay. They all know already anyway.

They would not even believe it if I tried to act like a lady now.

This is done. Next!

Missy!

Gae Ttong, what is it?

They are back. They are trying to take my father.

What? Those scoundrels. I shall teach them a lesson.

- Come along. - What?

Wait up, my lady!

My gosh.

I promised my wife that I would never gamble again.

Please let me go.

Just one more game, okay?

It is a big game.

Look.

Why do you think I had to cut off my own finger?

Please let me go.

Hey, your left hand is fine.

Just play one game with us, okay?

I will make sure you can win big.

- Pardon me? - Hey!

- "Hey?" - Goodness.

This is not the clinic.

I told you never to show up again.

Are your ears plugged?

Did you not hear what I said?

My lady, calm down and talk it out.

- Gosh. - Hey.

Here we go again.

- Come at me. - Hey, teach her a lesson.

- Bring it on. - Whack her.

- You little... - Gosh!

Darn it.

Why, you little...

Hey, you piece of...

- Hey, let us go. - Okay.

- You rats. - Father!

Gosh, my child.

You had better not show up again.

What?

It is not like you can come here every day to guard them.

They will come back again, you know.

So what is the point?

Father.

Father...

Gosh, that darned wench.

She always has to punch me in the same spot.

Next time,

I will gouge her eyes out.

What did you say about my eyes?

Goodness.

What now?

Come out.

Gosh, I just got here.

Come out, where?

If you guys pass out before I do,

you must stop bothering Gae Ttong's father.

But if I lose,

I will not care what you do to Gae Ttong's father.

- Understood? - "You guys?"

Not just me?

You want to go up against all of us here?

Have you lost your mind?

If you are intimidated, go drop dead.

I am a little intimidated, but I do not want to drop dead.

Where did you learn to talk like that?

Fine.

Let us do this.

Nice.

My goodness.

- What are you staring at? - You are so small.

And yet, you can hold your liquor.

Quit talking nonsense, and drink.

- I lost. - What?

I lost, all right?

From now on,

I will call you missy.

"Missy," my foot.

Others will point fingers at you for calling me that.

Who cares?

You are better at fighting and drinking than me.

That makes you missy.

Am I not right, guys?

Altogether.

- Missy. - Missy.

- Missy. - Missy.

- Missy. - Missy.

Fine.

Then, everyone...

is to stick their heads on the ground.

- Right now? - No, scratch that.

Pour me a glass, will you?

Come now. Stop, my lady.

You are already drunk.

Do not worry, Oh Wol.

I am not one bit drunk.

What will she do if the lord finds out?

- Gosh, seriously. - Gosh.

Is it that bad?

Your daughter Myung Yoon...

was born to bring catastrophe and become a widow.

Other bad events can be prevented by exorcism.

But the so-called widow's fate,

one that gets her husband killed, cannot be avoided.

If Myung Yoon marries His Royal Highness as is,

His Royal Highness will die early,

and Myung Yoon will become a young widow.

Is there no way out of it?

There is one way.

But I wonder if you can execute it.

What is it that I must do?

There is a possibility everything you have achieved until now...

can go down altogether.

Will you be okay with it?

Because I did not listen to your words,

my life was a fiery pit.

I do not wish...

to live another life filled with regret.

Please tell me.

- Goodness. - Oh, no.

Wait.

Good grief.

What? Did she sober up already?

Good gracious.

Sober up, my foot.

Even so, my lady,

you are indeed amazing.

I am not drunk at all, you hear me?

I got it, so can you get up?

You should wash your feet before bed.

My feet?

I should wash them.

Let us wash them before going to sleep.

Gosh.

What? Oh Wol.

- Yes? - Oh Wol...

What is it?

My feet are nowhere to be seen.

Where are my...

Where are my feet? I wonder where they are.

Take off your socks, and you will find your feet.

So here they are.

Good grief.

Gosh.

I am thirsty, Oh Wol.

I am about to die from thirst.

All right, I will bring some water shortly.

But this, too, is water.

- Do not drink it. - All right.

Seriously...

Wait.

Wait a bit, Myung Yoon.

Wait. Wait for her, Myung Yoon.

My lady!

This is bad, my lady!

His lord is looking for you.

- My father? - Yes.

What now?

Do I look drunk?

Your face is...

Is it as red as a tomato?

It is as red as a tomato and redder than the reddest.

What will you do, my lady?

His lord will definitely find out today.

Right.

Here I go.

My lady!

Father.

Did you have a safe trip?

Yes, I did.

I heard you went outside of the South Gates again.

Yes.

Stop going to the clinic from now on.

Why all of a sudden?

I did not say anything about it as it was nothing bad.

However, from now on, you must be more prudent about your behaviors.

I have told you before.

You are the future Crown Princess.

People may start talking about you,

so stop going to the clinic.

One cannot choose to become the Crown Princess herself.

There is no certainty I will be selected as one.

I want to continue to work at the clinic.

Please allow it.

- Myung Yoon. - Yes, Father?

You have...

already been chosen as the Crown Princess.

Pardon?

The bridal selection order will be issued for the procedure.

However, His Royal Majesty has already decided.

Keep that in mind.

My lady!

Did his lord find out?

But how did he?

You do not look red anymore.

Was it the smell?

No, you do not smell of alcohol.

Pardon? The Crown Princess?

Is that true?

Gosh.

The Crown Princess...

My lady is the Crown Princess.

Congratulations, my lady.

What is it?

Why are you sighing about such a happy occasion?

You usually do not keep your dignity.

Laugh if you are happy about it, just like me.

Are you happy?

Of course, I am.

My lady will become the Crown Princess.

That means when the Crown Prince becomes the King,

my lady will become Her Royal Majesty.

In short, this country's queen.

This feels like a dream.

The lady I serve will have...

the highest status among all women in this country.

- Oh Wol. - Yes?

When I enter the palace,

you will have to as well.

Then, you cannot get married.

You will have to grow old all alone. Are you fine with that?

Gosh. What is the use of getting married?

Even if I give birth and raise children,

they, too, will live as servants their whole lives.

Whatever. I want to enter the palace with you...

and live the rest of my life in luxury.

You see, I...

My lady. You will take me, yes?

Without you, I am useless.

So you will take me, yes?

I am already excited!

By the way, my lady.

I am very curious.

You are, too, right?

I am talking about His Royal Highness.

What he is like, and how he looks.

What if he is good-looking?

The children you and His Royal Highness will have...

will be so handsome and pretty.

How many children will you have?

I am in this poor state...

because of my master.

But someone is enjoying fishing.

I wonder why life is so unfair.

Gap Dol.

Thanks to that master, you are no longer a servant.

You are now the Guard of the Crown Prince's Palace.

Have you forgotten about those?

It is Gap Seok, not Gap Dol.

Yes, Gap Dol.

Did I not give you that name when I dismissed you...

as a servant?

Because Your Royal Highness drank all of my mother's milk,

I barely had any to drink.

Hence, I cannot remember things well.

You always bring that up whenever you are in a pinch.

Do you not think that is cheap?

Oh, the fish took the bait.

Here I go.

Gosh, it must be a big one.

- Come and help. - Yes.

What is this?

Hold on.

Here we go.

What is...

Is that a ghost? A water ghost?

It is not a ghost but a dead body.

- "A dead body?" - Yes.

Good grief, Your Royal Highness!

Stop making a fuss. Go call over some people.

Did you know the girl?

(Autopsy)

Yes.

Please do not feel too bad.

Let me know...

once the autopsy is complete.

Of course.

I have committed a mortal sin.

Do you like yakgwa?

Pardon?

Have some.

It is all right since I ate it first.

I hope I am not overstepping my bounds,

but may I take this to my mother?

In a few days' time, I will be taking my regular break.

(Sunhyuil: A regular day-off every 10 days)

I hid the yakgwa to take it to my mother...

and younger sibling.

You are a sweet girl.

Prepare some yakgwa for this girl.

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

Have your mother and younger sibling enjoy them as well.

Do you hear me?

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

Your Royal Highness.

I received word from the Office of Palace Physicians.

She took her own life.

(Jajin: Suicide)

It was suicide?

Yes.

Jong Geum was not the type to commit suicide.

A girl who hid a yakgwa...

to bring to her family...

would not have taken her own life.

Right.

Where are you headed?

(Autopsy Report)

(Suicide)

(Jong Geum, court maid of the Queen Dowager's quarters)

(Recorder Heo Jin Soo)

Your Royal Highness.

Are you Physician Heo Jin Soo...

who examined the dead body of Jong Geum,

the court maid of the Queen Dowager's quarters?

That is correct.

It says you only conducted a preliminary examination.

(Chogeom: A preliminary examination)

Why was there no follow-up?

Her death was obviously suicide,

so I deemed it unnecessary...

to discomfort the Queen Dowager by further looking into the case.

It is why I did not continue with a second autopsy.

You are sure...

she committed suicide?

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

It says here that another court maid...

of the Queen Dowager's chambers took her own life.

(Recorder Heo Jin Soo)

You led the autopsy in that case as well.

- Is that true? - Yes.

Does it not seem weird that two of her court maids...

took their own lives?

Forgive me for saying this,

but I am not an officer of the Police Bureau...

- but a physician. - Such insolence!

All I did was examine the dead body...

and determine the death as a suicide.

It is a human being that died. Surely, you were curious.

During an autopsy, it is imperative...

that one remains objective.

I only let the dead body speak to me.

I see.

I hear you loud and clear.

You are dismissed.

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

Your Royal Highness.

Does this not seem oddly suspicious?

We will know more...

once we look further into the matter.

Your Royal Highness.

I will keep digging.

Your Royal Highness.

What brings you by all the way out here?

Once I heard you stopped by the Office of Palace Physicians,

questions I had regarding the matter suddenly dawned on me.

It is why I conducted a second autopsy.

Did you find something?

Forgive me for saying this,

but I agree with the preliminary report.

She took her own life.

Is there no possibility of it being a homicide?

Someone could have...

made it look like a suicide after her death.

There are no defensive wounds or any other wounds for that matter.

And judging by the water in her lungs,

it seems likely that the poor girl committed suicide.

However, since I could have missed something,

I will conduct a third autopsy...

should you still have doubts.

Do not bother. I doubt that will change anything.

You were not able to find evidence of foul play,

so who could possibly do a better job?

I am humbled, Your Royal Highness.

I appreciate your consideration.

You must be busy, so do not let me keep you.

I guess we were wrong to question her death.

She must have taken her own life.

Stop talking and come with me.

I have a feeling that we are wasting our time.

Buyong Pavilion, second watch of the night.

It is way past the second watch of the night.

We should head back down.

Sure. Let us do that.

Your Royal Highness, did you see what I saw?

Could my eyes be playing tricks on me?

What will you do about this?

We should immediately take this to His Majesty.

Your Royal Highness?

What is that?

That is an acupuncture needle canister...

carried around by physicians.

Not all needle canisters are the same, Your Royal Highness.

There are those valuable which are made from ivory.

Some are made from bamboo or royal foxglove wood.

And like mine,

some are made from cupronickel.

Your Royal Highness.

Can one easily obtain a canister like this one?

I am afraid not.

I received it...

when I first joined the Royal Infirmary...

as a gift from Royal Physician Choi.

Your Royal Highness,

your evening meal has arrived.

I am not feeling well and do not have the stomach for it.

I shall call a physician.

I only feel a slight tightness in the stomach,

so do not fret.

Of course, Your Royal Highness.

Please come back quick, Your Royal Highness.

Anyway, where are you headed?

To someone with extensive knowledge regarding needle canisters.

Pardon? And who may that be?

Darn.

You are home from work, Father.

Moo Baek, are you there?

Did you call for me, my lord?

Do not ever...

let Lady Myung Yoon step inside the clinic again.

But Father...

Yes, my lord.

Come with me.

I do not intend to marry.

- What? - I...

I am aware of my own fate.

I heard the man I marry would meet an untimely death.

Am I wrong?

So how could I possibly...

become the Crown Princess?

I wish to spend my life aiding you...

working at the clinic.

That is admirable of you,

but I have a way.

(Bibang: A secret method)

I will take care of everything,

so just do as I say and follow my lead.

I have never gone against you,

but this will be that one time.

And I just said I would take care of things.

Squash your pointless worries...

and get ready to move into the palace.

- But Father... - I must rest.

You are dismissed.

Handle the affair well, and I will pay you that much more.

However, a single mistake will not be allowed.

- Do you understand? - Do not worry.

So that it does not backfire,

the affair will be neatly managed.

I will hold you to those words.

- Yes, my lord. - Yes, my lord.

My lady, where are you going?

Do not ask if you are not following me out.

The night air is chilly. You should head inside, my lady.

Can you not turn a blind eye?

I apologize.

Then, can you at least tell me what my father...

is planning to do?

You, of all people, will be aware of it.

Tell me what it is.

Forgive me, but I cannot tell you.

However, please know...

that everything is for your own good.

Can you promise me...

that what he plans to do will not hurt others?

I only say that because I have my suspicions.

Why else would I have chosen the option to run away?

My father must be stopped.

If he chooses a dangerous route for my sake,

how could I live in peace...

even after I become Crown Princess?

Help me.

Please.

Royal Physician Choi is not home at the moment.

Do you not know when he will be back?

He will at least be back by the end of the day.

Good work. Let me pour you a glass.

Thank you.

Master Lee?

- Why you... - Master Lee?

Get over here!

Master Lee?

Master Lee?

Your Royal Highness.

Master Lee!

(We thank Seo Beom Sik, Cho Jin Se, and Kim Won Hun...)

(for their guest appearance.)

(Missing Crown Prince)

Are you sure it is the Crown Prince?

It does not seem to be the Royal Highness.

We have no idea...

of what kind of danger His Royal Highness is in.

But you are telling me you have found no traces of him.

How can you suddenly tell me...

to give up hope on the Crown Prince?

You must choose.

Is it the Crown Prince...

or the throne?

- Please reconsider, Your Majesty. - Please reconsider, Your Majesty.

Do you believe that killing me...

will keep your dirty hidden affair from surfacing?

He will choose to give up on the Crown Prince.

Did my father order you...

to kill me?