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I honestly cannot understand kids these days. It was so hard to get accepted in my day.

Isn't it frustrating?

If he had just written anything down, he would have passed.

Said he could not figure out the answer and turned in a blank page.

Then when does he leave?

Probably, sometime in the morning.

What was the question for the test?

Your Highness,

There is a place you need to go. Urgently.

What?

Y-Y-Your Highness, P-Princess?!

I have committed a sin deserving of death!

So you know.

Princess!

Fine. I will do as you wish!

Halt.

Crown Prince!

If you hold it that way, you will hurt your hands. Give it to me.

Brother...

What are you all doing?

Take this man to the criminal court.

Yes Sir.

Criminal Court? Nine out of ten men die in there.

Princess, you have exchanged letters with a man from outside.

I need to find out exactly

what kind of joke he was playing.

Then, they will all find out about this.

I will make a special request to his Majesty.

What?! To father too?

Hurry and take him away!

Yes Sir,

Please, change your order, Brother!

I do not wish to make this into a bigger problem.

Then, what should we do with him?

If you kill him here, would that make you feel better?

You aren't a person who is capable of hurting others.

Let's go now.

Princess!

I am sorry.

I did not consider that fact that

ghost writing could hurt someone this much.

I sincerely apologize.

Why aren't you telling him? He will soon find out anyway.

Because he will soon find out anyway.

Then, with all the servants I have, I will earn one more.

I think I'll feel regret if he looks at me like they do.

Each Royal Palace has graded your answers.

When called, pick up your papers.

It is alright, it is almost over.

Everyone is at his feet, and he can have whatever he wishes.

But he looks hungry for something more.

What could a poor soul like me do to fill that void?

There may not have been times you have felt hungry... But I think your heart has been hungry many times.

I, who has the richest heart in all of Joseon!

This is the affection that I, Hong Sam Nom, give to you!

Answer key. By Hong Sam Nom.

Your Highness, you only need to stamp fail. Why are you checking it?

Pass?

Your Highness, why did you pass an empty answer sheet?

I have already heard his answer before.

What is that answer?

Chicken thigh.

Fail!

Hong Sam Nom!

Yes!

Pass!

Thank you, I...

What? Pass? Not fail but pass?

Why? I turned in an empty sheet, how?

Why is it a pass?

That's what I said. I cannot understand what the Crown Prince is thinking.

Crown Prin...

This question came from the Palace of the Crown Prince?

Hong Sam Nom, you've been assigned to Jip Bok Hun (living quarters inside Chongkyung Palace). Go there starting tomorrow morning.

If it hits the target at least once, you pass.

However, the arrow will need to either circumvent me or go through me.

What? That's can't happen!

How can they...

Shoot!

What to do?

If everyone fails, no one will be going home tonight.

Next, shoot!

I thought my heart was going to stop beating!

At that?

You haven't seen have you? His name, Gat (short for satgat, a traditional bamboo hat) Byeong Yeon!

I-I saw.

When he was out on patrol with the Crown Prince, he wore his satgat just so.

That's right. He looks the most handsome when wearing his gat, so he is called Gat Byeong Yeon!

It is strange. When I watch, you always have a tendency of training them so that you shine,

Gat Byeong Yeon.

You're mistaken, Your Highness.

Your Highness! Your High-

They met! Huh? Wow, Your Highness!

Hey,

Hey, Puppy. When your owner arrives, you should greet him.

Don't come close or I might bite you again!

It's dangerous since I'm not in a good mood right now.

Hah! I'm scared.

Keep your distance.

Where are you going?

To the Palace of the Crown Prince! I must see go see him in person.

For what reason?

I need to ask him something. Exactly why he is doing this to me.

Step aside.

Is he someone you can meet with just because you want to? The Crown Prince?

That's true. He is someone as high as the heavens, so how could I dare...

I'm ruined because of the Crown Prince!

What did I--

What did the Crown Prince do?

I'm someone who's not qualified to become an eunuch

but because of the Crown Prince, I'm stuck in this palace now!

Why did he hold onto you when you're not qualified?

Honestly, I think he's planning to keep me here and bother me because of a grave sin I've committed.

What should I do when I save his life and hear such unfair words in return, Guard Kim?

Should I kill him, Your Highness the Crown Prince?

Both of you, follow me!

I didn't know that the palace was this big.

You said that you were someone who wasn't qualified to become an eunuch, right?

Pardon?

Yes...

For someone who was born here and thus, is his home, what right does he have to live in the palace?

The palace is his home?

Ah, so what I mean is--

I've never once had my own house.

Looking at it now, I've never even said the words "my house".

Ah, well, a house is nothing big. If I just live there with my possessions, then that's my house.

No one likes the palace.

When you start to like someone in the palace, the palace simply becomes bearable.

Is that so?

Then, will I be able to become like that too?

Moonlight Drawn by Clouds

Your Majesty!

There's trouble! You have to escape now!

Exactly what's going on?!

The soldiers are rushing into the Grand Hall.

Stop there for a moment. In which part of the palace do you work?

I-I've never seen you before.

You're a murderer who ruthlessly took away the lives of countless innocent citizens.

N-No! No!

Those people are our enemies, they're traitors!

The blood of the citizens you've spilled

will become the tears of this Joseon. It will return as a curse to you!

Murderer. Murderer.

-No, no, no!-Murderer!

-No! Stop it! Stop!-Murderer! Murderer!

Stop!

Jip Bok Hun. Concubine Park's living quarters.

Your highness, I am Eunuch Hong who has been assigned to your quarters.

Eunuch Hong, please take good care of us from now on.

Yes, Your Highness.

Are you okay, Your Highness?

In my stead, would you please help my daughter take care of the flower garden?

Princess Yeong Eun

Yes, Your Highness.

His Majesty's neurosis seems to be getting worse every day. Royal Consort

I supposed he had that nightmare again.

Yes.

My body is already not the same as before, and since he keeps having a fitful sleep, it's killing me.

It's hard and exhausting.

Even if it's just until my morning sickness calms down, would it be possible to have separate sleeping quarters--

Especially at a time like this, you should be more aware and keep him close.

Everything will settle down soon. Put forth effort so you don't act recklessly and blow this up into a bigger situation.

Yes...father.

7 years ago

Your Highness!

You were here?

I'm fine.

Aren't you in pain?

I said I'm fine.

If my mother knew that I couldn't even bear this mere wound, how would she be able to close her eyes peacefully?

Yes, Your Highness. You're very admirable.

But Your Highness,

there is something Her Highness the Queen asked me to tell you when no one else is around.

M-mother did? What is it?

A man's courage is also being able to cry when sad.

When you're really having a difficult time,

she told me to allow you to borrow my embrace in place of hers.

Is that...true?

Then, Seok Hui, please allow me to borrow your embrace.

I'm in...so much pain right now.

Yes, Your Highness.

These weeds are really stubborn, aren't they?

They have to be stubborn to survive.

They can only survive if they grow tall and healthy without a ray of sunshine or a drop of water.

They're different from the precious flowers that grow daintily--

As I was talking, someone I knew came to mind.

He lived his entire life as a dainty flower, so he's very meticulous and fussy.

If his nature was only half as pretty as his face--

If I was, then what?

Well, if he was, then he would be a bit good--

I mean, what brings you here, Flower Scholar?

Then, what about you? What are you doing here?

I'm working, of course.

But really, I wonder what it is you do...

Do you want to know?

I want to know.

I mean, you were an eunuch, then a guard-- And now you're like a man about town.

Be careful, Flower Scholar.

Careful of what?

If you keep wandering around outside like this, what will you do when the higher-ups dislike you?

I'm just telling you this because I'm worried for you as a friend. Just listen.

Ugh, I just shouldn't say anything...

A friend?!

Since when did you and I become friends?

Well, if we aren't friends, then what are we?

Owner and puppy!

Ah, seriously! Stop calling me a puppy!

I'm Hong Ra--

I have a perfectly fine name, Hong Sam Nom.

Is Sam Nom a "perfectly fine" name?

Then what is your name, Flower Scholar?

Your Highness, are you awake?

His Highness the Crown Prince is here.

You're a man, what is this?

Anyway, everything you do is strange. I don't like it.

I mean, you can't even--

Ah, seriously! If he didn't want to tell me his name, he could have just said so.

Oh, oh, goodness.

Who is this?

It's been a while, Princess Yeong Eun.

Did you come here personally? It makes me feel about rejecting you.

Your Highness, his Majesty is waiting.Han Sang Ik

Would you please just tell him that you didn't see me?

This isn't the first time I've left my quarters.

Yes, I know very well.

Because even two nights ago, I escorted His Majesty all the way here.

Why? Did he have something to scold me about?

On the forenoon of that day, I saw your Highness

stopping by and leaving the King's living quarters before meeting him.

Your Highness, I'm sorry to inform you but

According to Scholar Non Woo, the father hides for the sake of his son

and the son hides for the sake of his father.

Thus, will the both of you

be content with simply staring at each other's backs?

Have you asked for me?

I feel as if I'm turning into a madman.

I constantly hear voices...

Even what happened yesterday...I cannot remember very well how much of it was a dream...

Prepare yourself.

I will soon order to appoint you...as the Regent.

I refuse.

Do you think--!

This is not a seat that you take because you like it!

Before you are my son, you are the Crown Prince of this nation, are you not?!

- Crown Prince.- Yes.

I could not choose in becoming the Crown Prince,

however, is it not up to me to decide what kind of Crown Prince I become,

Your Majesty?

This is my letter to His Majesty the King. Please deliver this to the Palace eunuch.

Yes, Your Highness.

Eunuch Hong, please make sure to deliver that letter to Father.

Of course.

Do not worry, I will make a promise.

What is this?

- Can't you tell by looking at it? This is His Majesty the King's reply letter. The letter of His Majesty the King.- Pardon?!

He has yet to even read the letter, so how could a reply letter already be prepared?

Did you not hear anything before coming here?

Hear what?

In order to do a good job, you only have to pretend that you're doing your job.

Since he always replies with blank letters, we just prepared this beforehand to decrease his workload.

Just take it and deliver it to her.

Still, how... Just give be back the letter then.

You rascal! Do as you are told! Does it seem like I am joking?

What is this fuss about?

Oh yes, how is Seok Hui's condition these days?

I do not know very well but she's having a difficult time due to her constant coughs.

But it seems she still has enough strength to write a letter.

Pardon?

Come closer.

Maybe it's because I'm pregnant, every small disturbance is tiring.

I won't say this twice so pay attention and listen.

Reply letter? Shut up and just take what the Palace eunuch gives you.

Go. Go!

My Lord!

Eunuch Hong, do you have some time right now?

You'll have to go somewhere with me.

Where?

You'll know when we get there. Now, come on.

T-This was the place you had to go?

W-Why me...

Just because. Palace life won't be easy from now on either.

I'm telling you to come here and rest in those moments.

Are you telling me to play truant?

It seems like that's what you need right now.

Whenever I'm in a tough position or whenever I'm having a hard time,

you always appear. It's amazing.

Why do you phrase it in such a long way?

You call that "fate".

Do you know what I'm most thankful for towards you?

I know.

You know?

Pretending not to know. Is that not it?

You're right...

When a woman doesn't want to tell, it's a man's duty to pretend to not know.

What do you mean a woman?!

Of course, it's also a man's duty to protect another man's secret.

Anyway, thank you for not asking.

Let's rest here a bit before going.

Skipping your duties feel best when you enjoy it knowing it won't be enough time.

I have to deliver this for my work to be over today...

Should I just accept what the Palace eunuch gives me?

- Are you okay?- Where are you paying attention to?!

I'm sorry.

These are the scrolls that are to be delivered to His Majesty...

I'm sorry--

Moonlight Drawn by Clouds

Your Highness, His Majesty has read the letter and has sent his reply to which he gave a lot of time to.

Is that true?

Yes. I'm sure of it, Your Highness.

The letter even smells nice.

Your Highness.

Now, I guess I should stop bothering His Majesty.

Through you, I guess he wanted to make it clear to me that that is exactly what he seeks from me.

By any chance, this time too...

I'm sorry!

It's not your fault.

You can leave now.

Eunuch Hong. Will you please listen to one more favor of mine?

Because of useless lingering attachments, I don't have the confidence to do it with my own hands.

Please take these and burn them.

Your Highness...

Timing and Subtitles brought by The Moonlight Lovers @ Viki

Repentence Hall

Oh!

What is all this?

These are the letters Her Highness Seok Hui requested I get rid of.

You were the person that delivers the letters?

Isn't His Majesty just too much?

How could he reply to her with a blank letter every single time?

This isn't His Majesty's reply letter,

because either way, Her Highness's Seok Hui's letter won't even be delivered to his Majesty.

It's different this time.

This is the reply letter His Majesty personally ordered me to deliver to Her Highness.

If he was going to send the same blank letter, why did he personally call me?

What's the reason for that?

How did you deliver the letter?

Ah, well...I slipped it between the scrolls.

Yet, he replied with a blank letter...is that what you're saying?

Yes.

You've cut off what little thread of hope she had.

Seok Hui's health does not seem well.

Please make your way to her just once.

I'll send her a physician.

That is something even I can do.

Say I went, what help could I offer?

Just visiting her will give her strength.

That is something you can do, something only you can do, Father.

The Queen is pregnant so she's incredibly sensitive.

I'll wait for the right time and then think about it.

What are you afraid of?

What are you afraid of that you cannot do anything?

No--that you will not do anything?!

Back then, you said this when my mother passed away.

Father! For what reason did mother suddenly pass away?

Crown Prince, the Queen has left this world due to an unknown illness. That's all.

I heard what the palace maids said. They said that she wasn't ill!

Who are the people after my mother?!

Crown Prince! You can never speak those words again, understand?!

Father! Please uncover her death! Please find them!

Please catch the people who made my mother fall ill!

Crown Prince!

You couldn't do anything,

you didn't do anything--and in this spot where we are right now,

you only told me to wait...

Even if nothing would have changed if you had stepped up, even if your efforts would have been useless,

you should have done if you were going to be hiding here, trembling!

Because you are this nation, Joseon's...

King.

It's not right of me to just keep these letters when she asked me to burn them, right?

What attachment do you have with those letters? They aren't even yours.

I know.

The scent is nice, it makes my heart hurt even more.

- It's scented?- Yes.

It has a very sweet apple smell.

What brings you here so late at night?

Didn't I tell you that I would visit everyday until your cough settles down?

What if I'm not getting better because I welcome the sound of your footsteps?

I threw all of the blank reply letters away...

It's been 7 years at the least.

It's been 7 years since I haven't been able to meet His Majesty, since I started to send letters.

I've missed the time to stop long ago.

7 years ago,

you warmly comforted me when I had lost my mother.

When did you grow so much like this?

Will you allow me to repay you for

the debt of that day?

Ah, you scared me! Seriously, please just use your mouth if you have something to--

What...What is this?

It's apple vinegar. The writing only appears if you hold it next to a fire.

Hyung Kim!

I can treat you as my older brother now, right?

I never agreed to any type of brotherhood.

Come on, why are you like this? I like the sound of "Hyung Kim". I like it.

Oh! Flower Scholar! I figured it out!

His Majesty's blank reply letters weren't blank, they were secret letters.

- What?- Well, anyway, let's talk again later.

H-Hey, hey!

Your Highness! May I enter?

- What is this fuss?- It's me, Eunuch Hong, Your Highness!

Let him enter.

You have to go out immediately, Your Highness. His Majesty is waiting for you right now, Your Highness.

What are you talking about? Start from the beginning, slowly.

Seok Hui. I send this letter half in the hopes that you will see it

and half in the hopes that you will not know until the end.

I am an incapable King, a powerless husband,

and a cowardly father.

Please forgive me for only being able to convey my feelings for you in this way.

While waiting for the day that you read this letter,

I go out to the pavilion where we used to go together, every night.

Even if it would have been useless,

you shouldn't have just trembled here alone! You should have done something!

Because you are this nation's, Joseon's...

King.

I--! I can't do anything!

I shouldn't do anything!

For her to be safe...

For you...

When I acted as the King,

I lost 2,000 of my own people!

When I acted as the King, I lost my Queen!

All of my teachers and friends, they all left that way...

The only way the useless me

won't lose any more of my people...is to do that.

Not doing...

Not doing anything!

It's truly a relief that His Majesty's sincerity

could be delivered to Her Highness Seok Hui.

But, why would he have tried to deliver his feelings towards her in such a secretive way?

When His Majesty is the King who rules over this land?

Exactly what does he have to hide and hesitate for?

It is only now that I finally understand.

That before he is a King who bears the crown,

he is the admirable husband of the woman he loves

and my one and only

father.

"It cannot be, it cannot be, it cannot be--"!

When I say left, you say right is the answer. When I say go right you say to go left!

You always stand on the opposite position of me,

and simply repeat all that I say is wrong, do you not!

- Your Majesty.- You all--!

It's not that you all don't like the answer I give you...

you just don't like the person sitting on this throne! Isn't that right?

Your Majesty, your grace is immeasurable!

By any means,

it would be best for the Prime Minister, who is respected by all of the people and the officials here,

to sit here on this throne.

Your Majesty,

please calm down.

Why? You don't want the throne?

Then,

Oh Mahn! Will you sit?

Your Majesty!

Or what about you? What do you think?

Your Majesty!

Ah, that's right.

We have the young and smart Crown Prince!

Right, that's right...Eunuch!

- Yes, Your Majesty.- Go immediately and tell the Crown Prince to

come to the Royal Palace!

Oh, Crown Prince! Crown Prince! Welcome!

As you all know, because of my incompetence,

there has been various difficulties in this nation!

Therefore I accept what I see, and am thinking to appoint the Crown Prince as my regent!

What do you all think?!

Your Majesty!

He's been hurt so he's whining for consolation, let's give him what he wants. Blow gently on the wounds.

You mustn't, your Majesty!

Even in history, there has been no occurrence of regency!

Please repeal your commands!

Please repeal your commands!

What do you think, Minister?

If the Crown Prince is willing,

I do not think there will be a happier event.

Tell us what you think, Crown Prince!

I...I am so startled that I do not know what to say.

I may look to be a bit more adult due to my attire,

in reality, I am still nothing but your young child, your Majesty!

To me, who is so afraid of leaving the arms of his parents,

why do you insist that I accept these hardships that I cannot even bear?!

Like father like son. Look at him trembling.

It's such a pity to see them like this when they pretend like they have so much power.

However, come to think of it...There doesn't seem to be any reason why I couldn't do it.

I will, Your Majesty's command,

willingly, happily receive it.

They're both out of their minds.

I have something to tell you.

I will bear a portion of your burdens.

At tomorrow's assembly, appoint me as the regent.

In exchange, there is something I need.

Alright, what is that you need. Tell me.

The one I can depend on when I get weak and grow fearful.

My father.

Lee Yeong.

You are going to be at the Poo Palace starting today.

So you should have done better last time!

Hong Sam Nom.

Why are you so surprised here when you live so well in the Repentance Hall fending off all the ghosts?

Oh. I couldn't fend off all the ghosts, but we've become friends and live fairly happily.

Yes. You are the junior that I was looking for,and the talent that the palace was looking for.

Here. Take this to the Crown Prince's study.

And since the Crown Prince is currently reading, do it quietly.

Yes.

Eunuch Jang!

The Crown Prince is there?! I-I can't...

Flower Scholar.

What are you doing here?

- What about you?- Oh. Chores.

But by chance, have you not seen the Crown Prince? I was told he would be here.

H-Huh? Uh-huh...

Oh what a relief. My heart was shriveling, I thought I'd die!

What are you doing there!?

This is the personal study only entered by the Crown Prince.

If you're done, hurry and get out! Hurry!

Y-Yes. I understand.

Flower Scholar.

You heard him, right? Let's hurry and get out.

He says this is a place only the Crown Prince may enter.

What are you doing? I said hurry and let's go.

Before we run into the Crown Prince.

Why aren't you telling him? He will soon find out anyway.

Listen to me carefully since I'm telling you this as a friend.

Friends? Since when did we become friends?

What are we if not friends?

Then what is your name, Flower Scholar?

You, you asked me what my name was.

It's Lee Yeong, my name.

Timing and Subtitles brought by The Moonlight Lovers @ Viki

♬ If you call for me, saying I love you ♬

♬ I'll try to be more courageous ♬

♬ The petals that fall ♬

♬ Embrace you ♬

♬ And on the day you come to me with the wind that blows ♬

♬ I will pray ♬

Moonlight Drawn by Clouds♬ You won't pass me by ♬

You can treat me like a friend when we're alone.

No. You must.

What kind of relationship do you and I have?

A relationship that shares secrets?

Let's put them to a fight. An ambassador overusing his powers, and the angry Crown Prince.

Ae Sim will take on the role at the finale of the dance.

It's very important for the Crown Prince.

There are many who will try to damage it, so he will grow weary.

She is to be following this performance but the soloist is nowhere in sight!

What?

Isn't this Ae Sim's uniform?