Original subtitles

-[drum beating] -[marshal proclaiming]

-[gong resounding] -[person] It's starting! It's starting!

-[ceremonial music playing] -[chattering]

-[hooves clopping] -[flags flapping]

[people chattering]

[horse whinnies]

I trust that Your Majesty is in good health.

[drum beating]

[Chil-seong] You've already said your goodbyes,

so why do you want me to take your clothing out?

[Won sighs]

[sniffs] Oh, my goodness.

-[sniffs, grunts] -Good heaven! Confound it!

[groans]

All right.

You go ahead. Go to Hanyang first.

You… You mean alone? Why?

Hey, fool, what do you think?

That I came here for leisure?

Can't you see?

His Majesty sent me to survey the construction site.

And now I've wasted a whole day.

I'm pretty busy as well, idiot.

Go on. Go ahead.

[groans] I just got to see Eun-sil.

[whispers] My lady.

My lady.

-[door opens] -My lady.

[Hui-yeon gasps]

I've brought you a change of c…

clothing.

Wait.

Oh, my lady. But when did you find the time to change?

Here.

This is…

How did you… Well…

Where did you even find these garments?

You are… remarkably quick.

There.

[horse blusters]

[Eun-sil] My lady.

-Are you awake? -[knocks on door]

Excuse me, I'm coming in.

All right.

My lady?

My lady!

[Hui-yeon] Since my husband's passing,

I have been burdened with shame and guilt

that I did not immediately follow after him.

But now it seems the time has come.

I shall leave rejoicing,

because I know I will see my husband again.

[master] Hui-yeon.

[Hui-yeon] May you remain in good health.

[master] Hui-yeon!

[panting]

[master] It seems Hui-yeon has come to see her brother for the last time.

She has gone far away.

[sobbing]

Now listen.

Search the riverbed and every single well

and, if you must, every single mountain within ten miles.

But come back with Hui-yeon's remains.

[servants] Yes, sir.

Eun-sil, go right now to see the Left State Councilor

and tell him Hui-yeon has passed away in dignity.

-Yes. Y-Yes, sir. [sniffles] -[servant] Oh, my goodness.

[birds chirping]

My lord.

Yes? What is it you wish to say?

The truth is, since that day I've known

that taking one's own life is an unpardonable sin.

Naturally, since God forbids bringing harm to others,

it's just as bad to do it to yourself.

I felt I'd been given knowledge I shouldn't have had.

That scared me.

And what made it worse is that circumstance is how we met.

The same day you gain knowledge you shouldn't have,

you run into someone you shouldn't have met.

[sighs]

Despite it all…

I do love you very deeply.

[passerby] My lord!

Have you had a pleasant journey?

It's been a while.

How have you been?

Fine, fine. Well, good tidings to you.

Young master! Oh, my! Young master! [chuckles]

-Has all been well with you? -Yes, sir.

-[servant] Ah, I see. -I'll be staying in the guest quarters.

-[Hui-yeon] Well, yes, quite so. -You can let this person use my room.

As you wish, sir,

but you want me to put a servant in a bedroom of your house?

This person's not a servant.

And there are reasons, so let's get to it, shall we?

This way, I'll show you.

[Won] "Since reading the letter in the tobacco box,

I have been captivated by your masculine charm, my lord."

That is what the young widow said.

Dear cousin,

she is about to lie back.

Her undergarments are within reach, shall we say?

[Yun sighs]

That scent is so enchanting.

[servant] Please wait here. I shall go find the young lady.

All right.

"Filial piety and brotherly respect

lead to kind and compassionate action."

"Fine words," Confucius says.

[In-ho] "Fine words and insinuations"…

…"and insinuations are only rarely"…

[In-ho] …"are only rarely associated with virtue."

Concubine?

[crying] How can that be?

[sobs]

[scoffs]

Look at this handwriting.

Wretched girl.

I should've been the one staying here.

Oh, look at the clock.

[gasps] Crazy bitch broke it.

Huh?

[gasping]

Oh, my.

[paper rustling]

[panting] Mother!

[Bun-hui] Yes? Oh, you've come.

Did you find something?

I went to So-ok's room, and I found this there.

Go on, read it to me then.

I'm drowsy. I can't keep my eyes open.

[sighs]

-Mmm. -Uh…

"Young master, I'm not sure you'll believe me.

It takes my breath away to think of you, young master.

It makes me wet to imagine you, and I quiver all night in my bed.

My legs…

keep spreading apart constantly,

and I have no thick hands to unravel me.

I miss you so much, young master."

[screams, gasps]

[gasping]

You may leave now.

You may leave now. Quickly! Quickly!

[panting]

[gasps, grunts]

Wait. What's this?

Did you really find this among So-ok's things?

-Yes, Mother. -[gasps]

Then I just can't think why…

Why?

[shrieks]

"Young master."

"Young master"? "Young master"? My!

[laughing] So-ok, you little minx.

I guess she must playact with his lord, calling him a name of young master.

-Pardon me? Oh-Oh, surely not. -[laughs]

What do you mean, "surely not"?

What do you mean, "surely not"?

Then what do you think So-ok…

[both gasping]

Oh, my.

[sighs] It's, uh, not that.

-Oh. Oh, Mother! -Please. That wench.

[sobbing] After I sent her to serve as his concubine!

-[wails] -Oh.

[chuckles]

[servant] Oh.

Are you going out?

To see my brother-in-law at Janganmun Gate.

Look after her well.

She may be tired from that long journey.

You know, you're the only one in whom I can really trust.

Yes, sir.

Have a safe trip.

[Won] Everything in the letter I sent the day before was a lie and a joke.

[Hui-yeon] "Everything was a lie and a joke."

-"Everything was a lie." -[Won] I was reminded of the feelings

I once harbored for Lord Cho Won,

so I teased him as a jape.

I pray you take my letter in good spirit and pay it little mind.

I pray you do not trouble your heart.

And I humbly beg your gracious forgiveness.

"Everything I wrote as a joke and a lie."

"Feelings I once harbored."

[worker] Let us through!

For goodness' sake, there's too much to do right now.

[sighs, scoffs] Goodness.

[sighs]

The 60th birthday banquet for Her Royal Highness requires men.

The palace will send people,

but there is much to do to prepare the work.

You've made a good point,

but construction is advancing faster than anticipated.

If we were to needlessly reassign people while the work is coming along so well,

this would surely invite complaints.

That won't happen with me.

That's what I'm trying to prevent with my plan.

[officials grumble]

[sighs] I think this is precisely the way to see this project through to the end.

Come this way, will you?

-Well, I guess it's all rather… -I thought at last we could…

-Brother-in-law. -Could what?

You're very busy now, I see, so I shall take my leave.

[sighs]

I hope you will forgive me.

The matter's quite serious, and we have much to deliberate.

Oh. Come to my quarters later.

A good chance to speak ill of your cousin in her absence, don't you think?

[both chuckle]

[Won] All right then.

-[whispering indistinctly] -Of course. I can confirm that right away.

[sighs]

[workers clamoring]

We have now furnished all the paper, as arranged.

How shall I ever repay such a favor?

His Majesty's kindness is no favor to be repaid.

All of Hwaseong is its beneficiary.

Yes, sir.

[worker] Ah, what are you doing? Hurry it up!

Do you think we have a week to move one rock?

[tools clanging]

[Won] My lady, it is I.

May I enter?

[door opens]

[door closes]

Have you been crying?

Do you have regrets?

No, I chose to act as I did.

What could I possibly regret?

Then what is troubling you?

It was written that everything was a lie and a joke.

I could tell something was amiss.

Still and all,

if you are only toying with me…

-If that's all this comes to-- -In my haste to escort you without delay,

I had completely forgotten about that letter.

My apologies, my lady.

You're in such distress.

You should've come to see me about it sooner.

You read the previous letter, have you not?

There was another letter, you mean?

What?

[sighs]

[Won] It would seem you have passed that letter along to the young widow.

I am moved to tears by your deep consideration,

handing the young widow over to me

so that I may reap the reward, dear cousin.

Well, it's come to this,

so I ought to begin with the first letter.

The story I'm going to recount is rather intricate.

So I beg you, please make sure your heart is prepared, my lady.

There was a time when I roamed the provinces of Joseon,

writing of tobacco.

I met a tobacco merchant during that time who was well-versed on the subject.

She said she could be of assistance.

[sighs]

When I was intoxicated by the taste of tobacco,

my mind was in a haze,

her lustful appetite for me was made very plain.

Indeed, one day she went so far…

[sighs]

…as to demand my attentions.

Not wishing to appear unmanly, I feigned bravado.

[sighs]

And by the end, I acceded to…

to her lascivious and unspeakable demands of me.

-[Hui-yeon gasps] -[sighs]

[breathes shakily]

However…

just as the heat of summer falls quickly from the red and brown autumn leaves,

my wandering period came to an end.

And I believe the time I spent with that woman

has faded before it could become a scandal.

And, alas,

having somehow found where I reside, she recently sent me a letter.

And in that letter that she wrote to me…

she told me how she still lusted for me in language so indecent.

[sighs]

I did not deign to answer.

Indeed, I intended to burn it,

but through my negligence,

it was mixed with my other letters and found its way to you.

[sobs]

I was so ashamed and dismayed.

I had no idea of the proper way to handle this matter.

So I went and sought her out

and beseeched her to write that every word of that letter

was nothing but a lie and a bad joke.

I begged her on my knees.

[gasps]

How could you with her kind?

Because what I feel for you, my lady…

[sighs]

…is truer than ever it was,

and more sincere than anything I've felt in my whole life.

It'll all be all right.

Now that you've told it all to me…

that horrible emptiness in your heart shall be filled.

I can fill it.

[gasps]

This wretched past of mine…

These most shameful days I have lived,

and that have torn your poor heart asunder…

[sobs]

[sighs] How shall I ever express it to you, my lady,

this self-punishment that I desire so?

[crying]

It will all be all right.

[Won sighs]

I am so grateful, my lady.

[wails] My lady!

What am I to do with this? Oh, woe is me!

[sobbing] What am I to do with this wretched past of mine?

Oh, wretched me!

[sobbing]

[laughs]

How might you ever…

truly…

forgive me for my wretched past?

How could you ever respect ever again?

[Won] I gave the young widow some flowers, and she smiled a little.

Mrs. Asan taught her how to make hwajeon, and she made some.

And she told me that although the wind may carry the fragrance away,

yet it shall linger in her heart.

And so I should gather some flowers again around this time next year.

So hooray for spring, you say?

So you intend to stay until next spring, when the brooks have thawed?

[sighs] Oh, dear.

So you do not intend to die.

You want to go on living?

The young widow wishes to continue living, I see.

[sighs]

[Lady of the First Rank] Did you say she came back alone?

[Eun-sil crying]

[servant] Oh, dear. What's happened?

-[Lady of the First Rank] What? -Oh, my.

-What has happened? -[Eun-sil] Madam.

My lady has passed away to the afterlife.

[gasps] Oh.

-[Eun-sil sobbing] -[gasps] Oh, my lord.

[sighs]

[So-ok] My lady.

Is there something troubling in your heart today?

Now, why would you ask me that?

Well, there's a bit of anger in the flowers that you're painting.

[chuckles]

Oh, that wit.

I wonder which of your parents bequeathed you that.

[chuckles]

[Gye-hwa] Madam! It's Gye-hwa!

I have something urgent to tell you.

I have news about the Left State Councilor's daughter-in-law's servant.

I'm told she has returned, but alone.

[Yun] That was to be expected.

Tomorrow at sunrise, I shall call upon the Lady of the First Rank.

Yes. I'll get everything ready.

[palanquin bearer] All right, let's go.

I get the impression you're very unwell.

Is that the impression you get?

-Yes. -[sighs]

My daughter-in-law's household has sent word to me today.

It would appear,

she has breathed her last while staying in their house.

[gasps] What?

Am I understanding you?

Your daughter-in-law has passed on?

He will no longer be lonely, my Geum-ho.

-[gasps] -I can take solace in that.

Although,

whether she purposely threw herself into a river

or into a well, I cannot know.

[sighs]

Her body has not yet been found.

[sighs] Good heavens.

I can't begin to imagine the…

the pain that you must be in.

Having shared fellowship with your daughter-in-law,

I, too, am in a state of grief and pain.

But I cannot fathom how much sorrow her death has caused your family.

[sighs]

Thank you, I…

My lady,

if I may be so bold,

there is one thing you could do if you wish to help me.

Yes. I'd be happy to.

Please tell me how.

Surely a virtuous lady such as yourself

could present a petition to His Majesty, should…

should any ungracious gossip get around.

That is, I--

Couldn't Lord Yoo be of any assistance to you in this matter?

Yes.

I shall see to the matter.

[footsteps pacing]

[Yun] "Surely a virtuous lady such as yourself

could present a petition to His Majesty."

"My lady." [scoffs]

Whoever thought one day you'd entreat me like that?

[chuckles]

-So-ok. -Yes, my lady?

I won't be gone for very long.

Please do nothing to invite gossip while I'm away.

I understand, my lady.

Safe journey.

[palanquin bearer] All right. [grunts]

Let's go.

[servant] All right, come on, come on. Hurry. We must finish before sundown.

[So-ok sighs] Hmm?

[In-ho] There is something I must tell you.

Pray come. I need you here.

I shall wait for you at the study annex all night.

"Pray come."

-Hey! You wretch. -Oh, you startled me! Who… Who are you?

-[Bun-hui] Be quiet. Quiet. Quiet, quiet. -Mom?

[chickens clucking]

In here. Come on, get inside.

[gasps] Goodness' sake.

This love letter.

You were going to give it to the young master?

-Yes. [gasps] -[exclaims] You crazy little…

-For heaven's sake! -[gasps]

My lady gave me her permission of course.

Mother, what would you know about the life of a Bukchon lady?

What is the meaning of that?

Whose permission did you get?

Your lady's?

Y-Y-Your lady…

Then do you mean to say

the lady of this house is apprised of what's happened?

Yes, Mother, that's what I'm saying.

She also said that it was quite all right with her.

Oh, and she also said that Lord Cho Won would be of great service to me

and that I should go beseech him to lend his assistance.

Now can't you tell?

There's no way I could have made that line up alone.

Lord Cho Won…

Don't you think I know what is worrying you, Mother?

Of course I do.

There's nothing to worry about at all.

You know, my lady and all the domestics who work in this house,

they do not regard me as merely a child-bearer.

Mother, are you listening to me or not?

Hush, you wretch.

And you wrote this love letter with Lord Cho Won?

Well, I told you I did, so…

[gasps]

-[sighs] -[gasps]

Oh, could it be you know Lord Cho Won too?

So-ok. Tell me plainly…

other than being schooled in writing by that lord,

did something else… Did anything happen when you were together?

What do you imagine we'd do?

Tell me the truth. Nothing happened, really?

I told you. Nothing.

[Bun-hui] Huh?

[So-ok] Hmm…

[sobbing]

Then I suppose you never noticed the mark in the shape of a tiger on his chest?

[gasps]

Oh, does he have one?

Damn! I was the only one without my clothes.

He never removed his garments, so I saw nothing.

-You… -[groaning]

[Bun-hui sobbing]

Actually, now that I think about it, I was in my undergarments.

[wailing]

Oh, I forgot.

What did you forget?

Could there possibly be something else?

-Mm-hmm. -Seriously, you little--

Hey! It's not about me.

It's just something I heard.

I overheard when they were in the lady's room whispering.

They said the Left State Councilor's

daughter-in-law's maidservant came back alone in secret.

Of course, I don't know what their true intentions were,

but I heard what the servant girls were saying.

The daughter-in-law who was supposed to be dead

might instead have skipped out and fled by the light of the moon.

[groaning]

[whimpers]

Fled by the light of the moon?

-[sobbing] -[Ganghwa] Eun-sil!

Go on ahead.

[sighs]

I know how sad you are the lady you served has passed,

but that's enough now.

[sniffles]

This family indeed is greatly honored by this.

But unless you can stop your crying, you'll be the object of disdain.

So then, what can I do?

Now that my lady's gone,

I know I won't be treated better than a dog.

[sighs]

I have no idea.

Hey, stop weeping or you'll earn their reproach.

Go see what's happening beyond the gate.

What was it, Chil-seong? Pal-seong?

The servant of the lord who stayed at the annex is waiting there.

I was going to chase him away,

but I felt sorry for you, so I'm telling you.

-Did you say he's called Chil-seong? -Mmm.

[gasping]

[Ganghwa] Oh, dear.

How are you?

Heavens, you're so pale and thin.

I heard the lady you served has passed away.

This is beef. Dried beef.

Here.

You must eat well, despite the grief you taste.

The living must go on… must go on living.

It wasn't easy obtaining this,

so I hope you enjoy it.

[whimpers, sniffles]

[servant] Young master!

Young master, you have a visitor.

[Won scoffs]

Well now, how is it that you come without a word of warning?

Could it be…

that you have decided to reward me today?

There is something we must discuss.

Dear cousin.

Pray speak.

All Bukchon is reeling

because they all think that she's passed away.

That's how it should be.

And now that's put a noose around both of our necks, I must say.

[sighs]

Well, I'll be. [scoffs]

Things are getting interesting.

Won, listen.

You must stop this now.

Just put it back the way it was.

Surely you don't mean…

You want to put an end to our bet?

[scoffs]

But why?

What a preposterous proposition.

If we continue, if we let this wager go on,

our family's reputation could fall along with your honor.

[scoffs]

With my honor?

Huh?

You said my honor?

[chuckles]

[dramatic music playing]

[chuckling] Oh, cousin.

Are you truly concerned over my honor?

From the beginning of our correspondence,

all I've done was according to your wishes.

Though I longed to show the world my independence

after failing so miserably.

Well, I began to think that I could never do anything against your wishes,

as long as I live.

The bet stands.

And let the chips fall where they may.

[sighs]

[yawns]

[sighs]

All right then, you wait here.

Yes, ma'am.

[door opens]

[teacups rattling]

Miss Yun?

Is that really you, Miss Yun?

It has been much too long.

You're quite right, it has, Mrs. Asan.

[gasps]

[Mrs. Asan grunts]

[Hui-yeon breathing shakily]

My lady?

My lady, it is you.

[whimpering]

[Yun sighs]

I thought you would never be with me again.

Is this really how you're living now?

How could you be so imprudent, my dear?

I am so very ashamed.

If you had come to me, if you had just explained, I…

I thought you were really gone without saying goodbye,

just disappeared without a word.

How are they bearing up, my father-in-law and mother-in-law?

All of those in Bukchon think that you have died.

They all believe it was suicide.

You can never go back there again.

There is no going back.

What on earth did you want to achieve by this act?

Did my dear cousin bring you here, my lady?

I decided to come.

It was my choice to follow the lord and come here.

For just a little while,

I wished to remain by his side

as any ordinary woman might.

How I envy your resolve, my lady.

I wish I could be so…

I wish I could be more like you, I guess.

I…

Hui-yeon is who I'd most like to be.

As a girl,

I learned proper writing skills from my father.

I can imitate his writing now perfectly.

[Hui-yeon] My lady, what is that?

"The Cheongyu Cho clan's scion, Won,

and your esteemed daughter, Lady An Hui-yeon,

seek to form an honorable match and bond.

I humbly make this request

and await your consent, as is customary."

I am only his cousin, you see.

I can't consent on my own to this.

Madam, I… I'm not…

You said that you wished

to remain with my cousin as an ordinary woman,

no matter how short or long.

Then do so.

Then you…

may pass away with grace and honor.

You must follow the destiny which has been placed before you.

That's the only way to make amends,

to honor a woman who will, for as long as she still draws breath,

never be called by her own name.

It's important you're aware.

My lady, I'm doing this for you.

[sniffles]

Of course I'm aware.

Though I may call myself honorable no longer…

I shall seek atonement through death in the end, I know.

Do one thing for me.

But of course, tell me what.

The letters my lord and I exchanged are in my room somewhere.

I should've burned them long ago.

I could not bring myself to, so I left them there.

I only wished…

I could long for him just a bit longer.

Do not be concerned.

I'll take care. I shall see to all this.

My lady, as you go,

all you need to do is put remorse behind you forever

and live out your days to your heart's content…

in the company of my dear cousin.

Pray, do just that.

[sighs]

[Mrs. Asan] Young master.

You are late.

My cousin, has she departed yet?

Yes. She left already,

right after she saw the guest in the room across the way.

My Lady Cho wrote it for you and me.

I wish to remain by your side.

Come, come.

We've scorned duty and decency.

Yet, I don't care what others think.

Pray, say those words back to me.

I, too, wish to remain by your side, my lady.

I don't care what people think.

[sighs]