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Episode 16

Usurpation of the throne notice: The current throne occupant, Lee Kang,

usurped the throne from the young king in exile in a treasonous manner.

As his blood brother, I urge the people to help me rectify this situation.

- Are you done? - Let's go.

The sky is dark (profound mystery) and the earth is yellow (warm).

(This is the first line of the "Thousand Character Classic," a poem used as a primer for teaching Chinese characters.)

"Chun Ji Hyeon Hwang." (The sky is dark and the earth is yellow).

The sky is dark and the earth is yellow.

Isn't the sky blue?

Its meaning is connected to "Woo Joo Hong Ang" that will come later.

Between the sky and the earth, space is large and broad, so it is limitless.

So, it's shedding light on how large this world is.

This won't do. I'll start by teaching you easier things.

Let's see. This is "in," meaning a person.

A person cannot live alone.

We have to lean on each other, that's what the word signifies.

But, instead of this,

I want to learn Hwi's name.

I did see before

how to write Hwi's name, but...

Look closely.

Hwi

Hwi

Why is it so complicated?

When you practice, it'll get easier.

Oh, but, what are they talking about in His Highness' room?

I don't know.

Do you want to know?

It wasn't enough to push the king out of the way and

send him into exile, but now he wants his life too?

He's feeling the burden of the former king.

As long as he's alive, he will be accused of stealing the throne.

Could it possibly be a trap?

To give you the order among so many others he could have given it to.

Even if it's a trap, we must go and save His Majesty.

We can't go, but we can't not go.

Even if you declined, Uncle would have sent other assassins.

Let's say we'll receive the order and bring the former king back.

Pardon me?

What are you doing there?

The Moon is bright so I was learning martial arts from Roo Shi Gae.

- If you're curious, come in. - Your Highness.

What is there to hide between us or keep secret?

Don't be anxious out here and just come in.

The more heads, the better.

I will not be going by myself.

Grand Prince Yang Ahn attached security to me.

We have to take His Majesty away before the assassins arrive.

It won't be easy but can you delay their travel as much as possible?

We may be able to get rid of some of them by ensnaring them in a trap along the way.

If we go head to head with the guards posted at the king's exile,

we will suffer casualties.

If you consider all of that and care about it, we can't fight.

You just have to focus on saving the former king.

I have a thought.

Can you get us court ladies uniforms?

Usurpation of the throne notice

The king we have now

is not who you thought he was.

Usurpation of the throne notice

How big is the group of traitors

that they're disturbing the capital like this?

They're all the same people.

They took the lady from the Seong family, tried to kill me,

and put up the posters accusing me of usurping the throne.

They are all of the same group.

Let's lower the guards.

If they become complacent, they might slip.

Find out if the chief's scholars go anywhere on a regular basis.

Check it again.

I said you can't. You need to protect the mountain temple here.

Then, how is this different from a Jeongubwon (temple for female monks)?

It's dangerous.

That applies to you, too, Your Highness.

- If I tell you to not go, will you listen to me? - Please.

You said that we'd do it together, but when we're actually doing it, you tell me to stay aside since it's dangerous.

When you said you respected me, were they just shallow words?

I am not insisting for no reason.

There is a place for me in our efforts to save the former king.

I think we can eat this now.

Ho Chi!

Keep digging.

What is this?

You've got a rash.

Is it poison again?

There was no issue with the food tasting.

Hurry and take it away.

Don't you dare touch.

Call the royal doctor. Get the royal guards to shut down the royal kitchen.

Arrest everyone who had anything to do with the meal preparation today.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Let go! Let me go!

Let go!

Let's go.

- Do well with your work. - Yes, sir!

It is not some type of drug.

It appears to be an allergic reaction to a food you're not compatible with.

What food made His Majesty like this?

When I looked at the foods, I noticed there was marinated crab.

Raw crabs can affect some people and

cause rashes and itchiness.

What nonsense are you saying?

You think I've never had marinated crab before?

Raw or cooked, I've never had such reaction from eating crab before.

Are you on the same side as them? Do you wish for me to die, too?

Your Majesty, please calm yourself.

Your Majesty, reactions to food can come and go.

It may start to reoccur even after an absence of it.

After you rose to the throne,

since you couldn't get sleep and lost your appetite,

the reaction can happen when one becomes weak.

What kind of remedy is there for reaction to crab?

If the reaction goes away after your treatment, then we will know it's due to the crab.

Tree bark from five different trees

will be boiled for the tonic,

and you will be given acupuncture to regain strength.

Looks like the rash has gone down a bit.

If you drink the tonic and watch the progress,

it might prove that it's from the food and not poison.

There is not a hint of a lie in what you're saying?

I will put my life on the line, Your Majesty.

Advise the royal kitchen to not serve the marinated crabs again.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Majesty, why are you doing this?

After I wore these clothes, my body felt itchy.

They even put poison on my arrow. Wouldn't they do the same to my clothes?

Take this and inspect it to see if the inner layer was coated with something strange.

Yes, Your Majesty.

What he eats, what he wears, and where he sleeps,

he inspected every spec of dust,

and trusts none of the guards or the court ladies.

According to the doctor, this has to do with his sensitive mind.

Given what he went through the other day,

his unease is understandable, but the severity of it is worrisome.

Won't he get better with time?

The problem is that

every day for His Majesty has become hell.

He thought that if he came into the palace and rose to the throne, everything would be settled.

But, he gets worried about something new every day.

You must hurry and have a wonja (to-be crown prince).

If a son is born,

the king will feel stable.

If you sit in a spot where you weren't supposed to,

your whole life will feel uneasy. There will never be a relaxing day.

At night, you won't be able to sleep.

You will be suspicious of every spoonful of rice and every drop of soy sauce.

Silk clothes will cut into you and the royal bedding will feel like a bed of nails.

Your Highness, it is hard for you too, right?

Are you missing the time when you went about with no political power?

I do not like it either.

Rather than smiling in a poor thatched roof house,

I prefer to cry in a luxurious palace.

Even if I'm lonely or in pain,

I like this clothing and the Gyotaejun (Queen's pavilion).

Mother.

Hey.

Hey!

Ho Chi!

Oh la la!

Are you okay?

Looks like we will have to stop and replace the horse.

What are you doing?

Find a horse, then hurry and follow me.

Let us go.

- This was never planned. - How can there be a person like that?

To dismount his subordinate and take the horse.

Captain, let's follow them.

In a situation like this, we have to follow them no matter what.

It will be hard to get ahead of them.

Let's hurry.

Who are you?

You are working hard.

Did you come from the palace?

We came from the queen's palace.

After the queen sent her young son off, she was worried.

So she asked us to bring something for the hard-working guards

to build up your strength.

Would it be alright to receive such a thing?

It's not a bribe, nor is it money.

It's just food you can eat.

Our Hanga (court lady to-be) brought the drinks that the king drinks too.

Do you guys drink?

Wine that the king drinks?

Set up the table, quickly.

We really shouldn't do this.

Ah, really.

Honestly.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Uncle.

I came to get you out of here.

Will you take me

to my mother?

We will take them on, please hurry.

We will take His Majesty. Make way!

- No way. - What group do you belong to?

Let go of His Majesty!

Grand Prince Eun Seong?

Shut up!

I will take the one running away.

You people!

They arrived here too quickly.

They didn't get snared in the trap.

They were pushing very hard to get here.

Then, what do we do now?

Please go to the capital.

What are you going to do?

I will lure them to another direction.

Once we take care of them we will follow you on the horses.

Stop!

I found it suspicious that you kept delaying our journey.

You were a part of the traitors.

You must have taken them out of Gyodong Island too.

You're the real traitors.

Today this will turn into your grave.

Go, Grand Prince!

Gi Teuk!

Get on and leave first.

Let's go.

From here on, you should take care of His Majesty and go by yourself.

What are you saying?

You must get out of this area, Your Highness.

So, hurry and get on.

Until now, I've had a job to do.

But from here on, I will only be a hindrance to you.

What are you talking about?

Put simply, three people cannot be on one horse.

You will get caught by those riding the horses on their own.

I cannot leave her behind.

You're not leaving me behind. You are taking care of His Majesty.

Eunuch Park and I will find the others and follow you immediately.

Why are you being so difficult?

Please go. I am not a weak woman you need to protect.

I am your companion who fights alongside you.

Trust me, please. We have the general, Eunuch Park, and the others.

Don't worry about me and please get out of here quickly.

Uncle.

We'll meet in the capital.

I'll trust you with the lady.

- Lady. - Do not follow me. I'm taking the wench.

Stay where you are! Don't get close!

If the enemy holds you like this, use the elbow.

Hey!

Bastard.

This way!

Bastards, honestly.

Thanks to you, we lived.

- Are you alright? - Yes, what about Hwi?

He took the His Majesty and left.

We've lost him.

I will take care of him. Please get to the capital now.

- I'll trust you with the lady. - Do not worry.

Let's get going.

- Let's go. - Let's go.

Thank you for making the difficult decision.

It's a long and arduous trip to Ming China.

If I go there safely,

there is a request I must make to you, Your Majesty.

Tell me.

I would like my daughter, who is at the Jeongubwon

to be returned.

If you do the country an honor,

you can take whatever reward you want.

When I get an opportunity, I will request it from Queen Mother.

Thank you for your grace.

You could have greater fortune visiting upon your household.

- Chief Scholar became the king's envoy? - Yes, Your Highness.

Is there no one else?

He was a traitor and the father of Ja Hyeon, who caused turmoil in the king's life.

There is no one as qualified as him to take care of the important document.

No one who's willing to take on the hard work either.

If his power becomes stronger,

would he leave his daughter at Jeongubwon?

He should have had her commit suicide for the sake of the family.

Please pay a visit there.

See if she's quietly praying to the Buddha with her head shaved,

or what nonsense she's thinking of in her head.

I think it's time I heard about it.

Understood, Your Highness.

It's tasty!

How do you know about this type of berry, Uncle?

There was a time when I had to live only off of these berries.

Why did you have to eat only these?

You should have eaten rice and meat as well.

When you get older, you must remember, Your Majesty.

In this world,

there are people who must pick berries from the mountains because they have no rice or meat.

A king must take care of those people first.

A flea can't run very far. I was expecting to see you here.

- You traitor. - You people are the real traitors.

Rebels who betrayed the king and his people.

The former king was not at the place of his exile.

Isn't this the security I attached to you?

He was a spy for the enemy.

When I was chasing after the people who took the former king,

he blocked my way.

He was killed so I brought him here.

It looks like you will have to drag out

those among your servants who are communicating with the enemy.

Your Highness!

- Your Highness! - Your Highness!

Are you all okay?

Are you hurt? Did you get stabbed?

It's not my blood.

Did you go close enough to get their blood on you?!

I'm safe. I'm not hurt anywhere, so don't worry.

We're the ones who fought them off, and we're the ones who got hurt.

They slashed my arm.

My arm hurts so badly too.

I can't see. I can't see!

Why you! I ought to just...

Oh, I can see!

I can see. I can see.

I can see.

I think I can understand how Roo Si Gae feels.

Roo Si Gae?

It can't be compared to being together for three years,

but now that I've gone through life and death situations and joy and sorrow with you,

I feel closer to you.

And it feels as if we are inside each other's hearts.

No thanks.

I don't want to go through this suffering of the heart again.

Next time, stay behind quietly.

If you follow me one more time, my heart will not survive.

Will we able to protect him well?

- Protect them. - Your Majesty.

You have to protect our family.

Don't let anyone die.

You have to save our bloodline.

He asked me not to let anyone die.

I...

In order to carry out my brother's will,

I have made myself into someone who is

no longer in this world.

Everyone thinks I'm dead, don't they?

The day you go out into the world again

will be a day of victory when you show them

that truth and justice have won.

But even if that day comes, I'll be in pain.

Because the one who has to be punished

is none other than... my brother.

Because we are now destined to fight within the family

pointing swords at our own blood relations.

That has now become our destiny.

Ow, it hurts! It really does.

Such a crying baby for a big guy.

We found the wrong hiding place, I'm telling you.

If you want to recover your strength after a fight, you have to eat some meat

and other stuff of nutritional value.

But we settled down in a temple where we can only eat greens day and night.

No matter how we try, how can our bodies recover at this rate?

Shall we go hunting outside?

We can grill and eat the game outside the temple.

Don't you know that Grand Prince Jin Yang did the same thing and got blasted by the chief priest?

That's why I said let's eat the game outside the temple.

Didn't you say it hurt?

♫ If I just keep walking like this endlessly ♫

♫ It feels like I'll be able to see you ♫

♫ So I keep walking till shadows disappear, one, two, three, ♫

♫ As I keep walking, I meet the moon ♫

♫ The weaning and filling up, ♫

♫ how much more do I have to watch it to know? ♫

♫ I don’t think I can do it anymore ♫

♫ no matter what I blame ♫

♫ But wherever I look, it’s only painful roads for me ♫

♫ I just wanna follow this path to a place no one knows ♫

♫ When I get there, will I call out only then? ♫

From: Mai Jin Myeong, Governor of Gangwon Province, Senior 2nd Rank Officialdom. Date: May 10, 1453. Notification of offense: The rebels committed a tyrannical crime and together with unknown men, took off with the former king.

Two guards from Yeongwol County Bureau died by arrows shot by three unknown men who took off with our former king. Our guards have searched everywhere but in vain. They have sneaked into the county and are hiding within it.

You couldn't capture that child?

No, Your Majesty.

Rebels entered the place of exile and

fought off the guards and took the former king away.

What did I tell you?

Didn't I say they're the same people?

I am issuing an order to Chief Investigator.

Investigate everyone in the court no matter whom.

Find out who's leading the rebels.

And make sure you find the lost child.

I will obey, Your Majesty.

But if you fail again, be ready to leave your public post.

I will definitely catch the rebels and bring you peace of the mind.

From: Governor of Hamgyeong Province, Hong Chun Pil. Date: April 29, 1453. Chieftain Li Man Zhu of Jurchen's Huligai Tribe seeks permission from Your Majesty to allow him to send an entourage to attend your ascension ceremony.

It's a letter from the Governor of Hamgyeong Province. In the past, with regrets, please forgive your subject for such invitational oversight. The Jurchens will bear substantial congratulatory gifts. Please advise a time for dispatch.

The Jurchens want to send an entourage to congratulate you on your ascension to the throne.

They want to see me.

Send the Hayangtongsa (regional representative).

They want to congratulate me, so I should accept it.

Queen Mother, let me leave the palace.

I don't know where in the country my Myeong is wandering now.

I don't know if he is alive and safe.

I have to find him myself.

This might be the beginning of hope.

But Myeong has disappeared!

Who would know which bastards took him away?

If they intended to harm him,

they would've done it then and there.

The reason why they took him away from the house of exile

is probably because they wanted to save him.

I will find out who's behind this

by talking to Chief Royal Secretary.

How did you manage to live, Queen Mother?

My blood is running dry like this because I don't know if my son is dead or alive.

You lost His Majesty, and then you had to send away Grand Prince Eun Seong.

How did you bear it?

I'd already been dead

as a mother.

To make my only remaining son, Kang

not bother the former king any longer,

that's my remaining duty to the royal household.

Because of that, I can't die.

So I live.

But, who would've tried to kill my brother?

All the servants who could go against Grand Prince Jin Yang have been killed.

People think you've died, as well, Your Highness.

We never made a move,

but there is another group who is trying to kill Grand Prince Jin Yang.

That can only mean an opposition is brewing in the royal court.

We can think of it backward.

To make you, Your Highness, a traitor,

he turned our wedding into a bloodbath and harmed himself.

Then, this time, too...

They were close enough to get their hands on Grand Prince Jin Yang's bow and arrow.

Why wouldn't they have poisoned his food right away?

Only his skin was affected but his life was not in danger.

Who would have benefitted from that situation?

As a result, the former king was dethroned

and sent away in exile.

After that, Grand Prince Yang Ahn ordered us to assassinate him, as though he was expecting it.

Right. Grand Prince Yang Ahn.

He was the one who dragged you to the north and entrapped you.

Did Hyungnim order it or was he acting independently?

What makes me believe that Grand Prince Jin Yang did not order it himself

is that the horror he was experiencing from it seemed real.

All the people around Grand Prince Jin Yang are not safe.

They are all paranoid thinking someone's after their lives.

Then... let's attack my uncle.

I heard this from my mother once.

The reason why my eldest brother did not have an heir for a long time was due to someone's scheme.

My brother's queen and concubines endured problems each time any of them were pregnant.

So the former queen was sent to her home during her pregnancy.

How should we attack Grand Prince Yang Ahn?

We have to let Hyungnim know that Grand Prince Yang Ahn is the culprit.

Court Lady Hong who's been his spy from the time he was at the private house,

the royal doctor and the nurses who were able to be near him,

and all officers and ministers who are close to Uncle.

We should be able to find evidence by looking into them.

If Grand Prince Yang Ahn is the culprit,

how would Grand Prince Jin Yang react?

He won't stay still about it.

This time, the line has been crossed.

Buy sweet toffee.

Buy some rice cakes.

Buy sweet toffee.

I'm from the Royal Investigation Agency.

What's the matter?

There is something I need to investigate.

- Please come. Escort her. - Yes.

What are you doing?

Let go of my hand!

Let go!

What is the matter?

Criminals look at the face of the crime.

Here is the witness right here.

Hurry and speak!

If this continues, there won't be anyone left in this palace.

People working at the royal kitchen feel like they are putting their lives on the line with every meal.

And now he's going after the infirmary.

His Majesty at least listens to what you have to say.

Please, stop him!

Why is it that if I wear your clothes, my body itches and hurts?

I used the exact same material as the ones used

for previous royal robes, Your Majesty.

Then, is it you people? Did you put something on the clothes that were brought over?

No, Your Majesty. This is an unjust accusation.

- This is an unjust accusation, Your Majesty. - We do not know about it.

Your Majesty, the reason why you have hives

is because you have not been eating properly from stress,

and you are malnourished. That is why.

If you eat properly and take the tonic regularly,

you will be able to recover from it naturally.

Try it on.

Prove that my robes are safe, just as the doctor said!

Y-Your Majesty.

Wearing your robe is a treasonous act!

So? You won't wear it.

Your Majesty, Grand Prince Yang Ahn and Chief Royal Secretary are here.

Bring them in.

Let them hear the confessions of the traitors with me.

Your Majesty.

Welcome, Uncle. We had another attempt on my life today.

Now, they have put poison on my robes to kill me!

Everyone, leave.

Uncle, we have to get their confessions.

- Leave, I said. - Everyone, leave.

Hurry!

- What's going on? - We've found the culprit that caused his Majesty's illness.

Who is it?

Why are you doing this, Uncle?

Your Majesty.

Right now, you are suspicious of a traitor that does not exist.

A traitor that does not exist?

Did you not see it yourself?

You saw those countless attempts on my life.

You are suffering from a mental illness.

I am responsible for having caused it at the beginning.

What are you saying?

Get yourself out of here, Secretary!

Your Majesty, Grand Prince Yang Ahn is the traitor.

A royal guard and the doctor confessed.

The guard contaminated the arrow,

and the doctor falsely claimed that it was poisonous.

Then, that wasn't poison?

Your face was affected because of poison,

but it was not put on to harm you.

- If not— - I needed an excuse to

depose the former king.

To bring down the innocent former king,

you risked harming the king's body?

Misguided loyalty can be treason, Your Majesty.

I will take Grand Prince Yang Ahn to the investigation agency.

Why did you do it?

It was for you, Your Majesty.

Do I still look like a child who shakes in fear

and cries over the death of a young maid?

The reason why I got rid of the former king

was to cement your position on the throne,

and to secure your position in the royal line.

I could've done it!

To have wise servants and to bestow grace upon the people,

so as to bring a prosperous, long future to this country. I could have done that.

Uncle, do you not believe in me, either?

Just like my mother who doubted me endlessly.

What is the difference?

I wanted to make your path easier.

Uncle, you have made me into a puppet.

♫ Believing and believing ♫

♫ In a life together ♫

What happened today did not happen.

Your Majesty, even though it is not poison,

to do something like this is a treason.

If the news of this event goes out in any way,

I will behead everyone who is here.

But, Uncle, you will be relieved of your position as prime minister

and go back to being a grand prince.

- Your Majesty. - Do you understand?

You are now unable to go out into the world.

Until the day you die, inside your room, your house,

you will live,

longing for the monster you made.

♫ Believing and believing ♫

Chief of Royal Guards will take him.

Be careful of Do Jung Gook.

I sent him to take care of things and he had our guys killed.

And put a wedge between me and the king.

- Are you sure? - I have no proof but doesn't the result speaks for itself?

Is anything suspicious going on at the chief scholar's house?

There is a temple her maid goes to often.

She doesn't escort a superior or anything,

but she suspiciously carries bags of things back and forth.

Where is that temple?

This way.

Thank you all for coming such a long way to see me.

Our chief wanted to congratulate you as soon as possible,

so we hurriedly made our way here.

Along with the famous horses and leather we've brought from our land,

and special gifts of silk, we give you our greeting.

You are good at speaking our language.

I will not need a translator.

We have to live together.

There are many people on our land who speak Joseon's language.

We will prepare you gifts as well. Please take them to your leader and make him happy.

There is something else our leader is waiting for.

We would like you to fulfill the promise you made before you ascended to the throne.

And fulfill the protocol as a tertiary state to our tribe.

That will ensure the long-lasting friendship between us.

This is what our leader is waiting for.

Keep my promise?

Did you come to threaten the king of Joseon?

What do you mean threat?

We are merely asking you to keep your promise.

One can have a different feeling going than coming back,

but when was it when you rose to the throne with our help?

Are you pretending to not remember now?

Subtitles brought to you by The On Fire Penguins Team @ Viki.com

What in the world are you doing?

What is this?

Deliver this message to your tribal leader.

Since he dared to keep one of our princes a hostage for three years,

it makes sense to punish them,

but we have not taken revenge because

a child king was at the helm.

Now that I'm on the throne,

I am prepared to show our strength.

So if he doesn't keep to etiquette, I, along with a large army, will pay him a visit and demolish you.

You cannot, Madame. The lady is in hiding right now.

If the whole family visits her like this, she will be found out.

Nothing's happened even though you've been coming and going all this time.

I will pretend to be praying to the mother earth and see my daughter's face.

She's fine. She must feel very compatible with the place.

Her face has gotten round and plump.

Let's go.

Young Master.

Don't worry. I will be escorting you so nothing will happen.

It's been some time since the person keeping an eye on our household disappeared.

If something happens on our way there, I'll take care of it.

But... Ow!

Madame! Oh, gosh!

Madame, Madame!

Wait a minute, Madame!

Please wait here for now.

To make sure the lady doesn't get shocked, I'll go in and tell her.

You're sure she's in there, right?

She will be at her living quarters.

Madame! Madame!

Wait here.

Hold on. You're caught.

Hold on.

Hey, hey!

Be careful with her. She could get hurt practicing with you.

Have you seen an attacker acting like it's just practice?

That's that, but...

I'm fine, Your Highness.

Ja Hyeon.

Mother.