Original subtitles

At one time, Episode 9

I did try to save the citizens who suffer from the proxy tax payment.

So the moment I rose to the throne,

I installed Jeong Gong Do Gam (Directorate for Rectification of Tribute).

That was the first reform Your Majesty

tried to implement.

However, in the end, I failed.

Prince Gwang Hae said he would fulfill that dream.

Does that seem possible?

Prince Gwang Hae is very much like you, Your Majesty.

Chief Eunuch...

Although I have burned The Manual of the King's Face,

I haven't burnt my ambition to become a sage king.

Prince Gwang Hae

rekindled my original intention.

Did you say that the Queen sent this?

Yes. She said to hang it in your room.

The peony represents wealth and honor.

I understand. Please relay my gratitude.

Yes.

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Why would the Queen draw a present for you, Your Highness?

She is telling me to have hope. What else would it mean?

Everything proceeded without a problem.

The maid of the Queen's quarters left Hanyang.

Let go of me.

How dare you? Do you even know who I am?

I am the brother of Lady Kim, Kim Gong Ryang.

Wanted

In the end, did you do this for me?

Ga Hee.

Your Highness, please come out.

I was about to go out to get some groceries.

It will take a while since I have many things to buy, so

please take your time.

Your Highness. What are you doing?

Please come outside.

I will excuse myself.

Are you there your Highness?

It is Ga Hee.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Your Highness! Your Highness!

Your Highness.

Your Highness. ♬ When it is tomorrow, you, who will just see the same ♬

♬ Once again, you, who can be heard ♬

Your Highness. Why are you like this? ♬ Between the falling tears ♬

This can't be, Your Highness. ♬ Between the falling tears ♬

I have so many things to tell you. Gradually will be farther away. ♬

♬ Even if I try and try to erase ♬

♬ I can't do it. Letting you go, ♬

♬ Pretending to not know both sadness and longing, ♬

♬ And not holding on. ♬

♬ You who will not become something which never happened ♬

♬ Because you are my everything, I again ♬

♬ Somewhere for a long time ♬

♬ am waiting for you in tears. ♬

Your Highness. Are you alright?

Can you recognize who I am?

Ga Hee.

How did this happen to you?

Are you sick?

Your face...

I can't see your face clearly.

This must be a dream.

I don't want to wake up.

Your Highness.

This is...realgar...

It's arsenic!

Arsenic is often used as a poison to kill people.

Prince Gwang Hae, it's a beautiful, arsenic embraced peony.

The poison will spread throughout your body resulting in a painful death.

I hope you enjoy the pain slowly.

This is my warning

to stop what you are doing.

Your Highness!

The painting had arsenic.

He must have been poisioned from having it in the room.

Who on earth would try to kill His Highness?

The doctor neutralized the poison and said he will be okay.

Your Highness.

Your Highness...

Why are you suddenly asking about this?

Answer me. Three years ago, who was the person who gave my dad's Astronomical Chart to the King?

I've already heard it from the Chief Enuch. Please tell me frankly.

The Chief Enuch told you?

The person who gave the Astronomical Chart to the King then

was not His Highness. I did.

Three years ago, His Highness was going to take on the guilt by himself

so that he can save everyone.

I could not let the Prince get hurt.

Everything was my fault.

I ... wanted to tell you on many occasions, but...

the Prince held me back.

He ended up taking the brunt of all of your resentment.

Nonetheless, he stopped me from telling you!

My Lady... !

Please don't forgive me.

That's enough.

You've been acting like this for a quarter of the day.

What on earth is going on?

Brother,

the Elder Baek Kyung from Mt. Myohyang was right.

It was never my destiny to hold an arrow in my hands.

Ga Hee...

For three years, I hated him day after day.

I hated him with a passion! And I kept on despising him, endlessly.

I couldn't forgive myself for loving him so dearly!

During that time, I continued living by blaming the Prince.

But Brother...

that Astronomical Chart...

Prince Gwang Hae didn't do such a thing.

I even tried to kill him.

He is not to be blamed for it.

Stop blaming yourself.

You didn't live your life hating him, for the last three years. Did you?

You hated him

for your own survival.

It was your struggle for survival, right?

Don't tell the Prince that I've heard the truth.

When did Ga Hee leave?

She left in the afternoon, some time ago.

Your Highness, if it wasn't for Lady Ga Hee, you would've been in big trouble.

How can you laugh at a time like this?

Someone tried to kill Your Highness under the guise of the Queen.

We must find out who is behind it, immediately! And make them pay.

Isn't it obvious?

The fact that the Gui In Lady Kim enjoys drawing those pictures...

I forgot about it for a brief moment.

What?

It did cross my mind that she just wouldn't sit still, but...

she did stab me in the back, for good.

Oh well, I'm just glad to be alive.

Thankfully, Ga Hee...

Your Highness!

You don't get it?

It must be a dreadful torture to Her Highness Gui In, that I'm even alive, like this.

Since, I'm alive and not dead,

I'm sure this will not be the end of it.

Then, what happened to Prince Gwang Hae, at this moment?

Regretfully, he is alive and well.

Oh my! That was too hasty of you.

I don't plan on backing out quietly to become a defenseless Elder! Never! Even if it kills me.

My brother is imprisoned.

And you are not being too considerate, so I at least must do something.

Lady Kim, I'm fully awake from you scolding me!

By your laughter,

you must have a way out? Right?

You know the ledger that contains the corruption of proxy tax payments.

The King also tried to root out the corruption of proxy tax payments, but

he always failed.

However, if Prince Gwang Hae is able to accomplish that all by himself...

His Majesty will become annoyed and irritated by that.

His Majesty will become jealous of Prince Gwang Hae.

That is what I plan on using!

Due to the shortage of crops, there is a famine in this nation. But isn't there any way to save them?

We've been conserving and strictly following the expenditure guidelines,

yet, how are the government's coffers empty?

Your Majesty.

Each year, there's a greater increase in numbers of commoners becoming servants due to their unpaid debts.

Half of the nation is becoming servants.

It's natural that there's a drop in tax revenue.

That issue

is an endemic problem, isn't it?

Your Majesty, I supposed that it's right to set those slaves free and

give them the tax exemption benefit until they settle again.

I didn't expect to hear it from you.

I tried to solve the problem of proxy tax payments a long time ago, but

you guys were so against it. Now, what is going on?

The Directorate for Rectification of Tribute that Your Majesty tried to install

was an unfeasible plan because the government officials resisted, but

this tax exemption policy can be enforced without a problem.

Is this your thought?

No, Your Majesty.

This is Prince Gwang Hae's excellent plan.

Gwang Hae?

Regardless of whose idea it was, the tax exemption is a very good idea.

Since the Ministers are willing to work on it actively, proceed, immediately.

Thank you for your grace.

Your Majesty, The Chief Minister kept his promise.

This was possible because the King gave the permission.

What is written over there?

I can't read because I'm blind.

Yes, Elder.

It's a governmental announcement.

Those who used to be commoners but became slaves due to the proxy tax debt will be set free.

Those who may want to apply can come to the government office.

They will be exempted from paying taxes for 3 years.

That is what is written on there.

That's just like a dream!

Pardon?

Why would you say that?

This is an order from the King who cares about the people who suffer.

You're even more blind than a blind person.

Do you think that is caring for the people?

For me, it seems to be

"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."

Elder.

See you in 10 days. You will see if I'm right or wrong by that time.

Oh my.

Are you searching for me?

Did you possibly bring this for me?

I heard that eggs cure arsenic poisoning, so I made it.

Eat it before it gets cold.

I will be going.

Wait a moment.

If you wait a bit, I will quickly eat this and return the container to you.

This is the most delicious food I have had since I was born.

I will be going now.

Oh no.

What is wrong? Are you hurt anywhere?

It must be from the arsenic poisoning.

I can't move my arm.

What should I do?

My arm is so stiff that I can't eat such a delicious egg porridge.

Please give it to me.

Your body is still unwell, but why are you outside?

Your Highness, what is the matter?

I can't...

I can't breathe.

I'll bring a doctor.

♬ The radiance of your smile ♬

♬ The freshness of your fragrance ♬

The person who can save me is right here, so where are you going?

♬ Love cannot hide. ♬

♬The only person within me.♬

♬ You are that person. ♬

Your joke is too harsh.

♬ Whenever I breathe.♬

♬Because the whole world♬

♬ is filled by you, ♬

It has been a very long time since I have seen you smile. ♬ While longing for you I feel what I cannot say ♬

♬ It keeps growing larger. ♬

♬ I love you. ♬

♬ When I approach one step ♬

♬ You are two steps farther away. ♬

♬ What should I do now? ♬

♬ It's awkward now but ♬

♬ How much more will I hurt? ♬

♬Will I be able to laugh about it? ♬

I will go by myself from here. ♬ Like a fool, ♬

All right. ♬ I desire only you. ♬

It was a good idea to exempt taxes for the ones

who returned to be free citizens.

You saw exactly

what caused the people to suffer.

However, I am worried about how they will live independently

since they have been slaves for a long time.

Daedong Society will help them.

How will Daedong Society help them?

We will lend them money without charging interest.

Ga Hee, did you do this for me?

No, it is not.

It is because Your Highness' goal is the same as Daedong Society's goal.

That feels good.

Who would have known that there would be a day in which I praise His Majesty?

Thanks to the King, I have ended my life as a slave after 10 years.

This is great.

Didn't you hear? It was not the King

but Prince Gwang Hae who made this all happen.

Yeah. That is correct. The tax exemption was

also Prince Gwang Hae's doing.

The Prince who got kicked out?

But why did they kick a person like him out?

I don't have a piece of land to feed myself today!

I'm staying as a slave.

True. Even if I find a piece of land

I'll be in debt after three years because of taxes!

I'll be back as a slave anyway!

That's true!

I heard that there's a place

that lends money without charging interest, right?

Don't get me started. I was so shocked.

Without questioning or nagging, they will lend you all the money you want.

Exactly where is that place?

Let me go with you.

If you are asking where that place is ...

Sir, please help me.

Where are you from? Who are you?

Your Highness. Those people seem to be the people that Lady Ga Hee was talking about.

That's right. Those people must be part of Daedong Society.

They are worthy of praise.

This will let the ones who recently became commoners breathe again.

What are these guys doing?

- Wow... - Did something good happen?

Prince Gwang Hae.

What are you doing here, Jang Soo Tae?

This isn't your territory, is it?

Of course. I heard that this place had people who were lending out money without collecting interest.

It is against business policies,

so I came to see their faces.

It isn't enough that you are reflecting on your wrongdoings,

but you are here to cause a ruckus.

Leave immediately. Unless you want to be buried in dirt again.

Why are you treating me like an enemy?

Yeong Sin, it looks like you need to bring a shovel.

- Yes. - Shovel?

My Lord, we should leave now.

Yeong Sin, go get a really BIG shovel.

Yes, Your Highness.

- Moo Cheol. - Yes. - Let's go. I said let's go.

I think he got really scared.

Your Majesty, Prince Gwang Hae is very amazing.

Is that what you think as well, Sook Yong Hong?

It isn't only me. People in the palace, here and there, are all praising Prince Gwang Hae.

Is that so?

But your Majesty, why are you not summoning Prince Gwang Hae back to the palace?

Hasn't his name already been cleared?

Why are you not giving any reward to him?

Your Majesty, why are you being like this?

Talking about politics with you is making me tired.

Did I do something wrong, Your Majesty?

Let go.

I am only complimenting Prince Gwang Hae.

Is that wrong?

I said, let go.

Stop with the tears.

More than anyone else in the world, the King has the most lonely heart in the world.

It is our duty to protect him and stay by his side.

I just remembered my parents and siblings

so I complimented Prince Gwang Hae.

That must be hard for you to endure.

Court Lady Oh. Bring some snacks for Sook Yong Hong.

Yes, Your Highness!

Your Highness,

can I have a glass of wine?

Are you alright?

Your Highness Sook Yong Hong,

why are you walking in the palace drunk?

I only drank a bit because I was feeling gloomy today.

Am I not allowed to drink?

If you don't want to be kicked out of the palace, please be careful.

I am the King's talisman. Why would I be kicked out?

Go San, you said so yourself.

You would make me the King's talisman and let me live in luxury.

Go San, how are my parents and siblings doing?

Why has there been no news?

Please rest.

Go San!

It has been 3 years that I have been apart from my parents. Isn't it time for me to see their faces?

I miss them so much

that my heart is crumbling.

Are my parents and sibling even alive? Please, Go San.

How dare you!

What has brought you here again?

Your Majesty, have you been well?

It has been a long time since Baek Kyeong has come to pay his respects.

You really have a long life.

Are you still alive?

What is bothering Your Majesty that you are drinking alone this late at night?

If you know what it is, will you resolve it for me?

Today, I have come to tell you something in private.

Go ahead.

This is not the time for Your Majesty to hold a glass of wine.

All the mystical creatures of Joseon's eight provinces have began to move about.

Your Majesty, there will be a big event that will shake the Heaven and the Earth.

"Shake the Heaven and the Earth" you say? What do you mean?

I will leave after pouring a glass of wine for you.

Your Majesty, it is Eunuch Song.

Come in.

Your Majesty, Lady Sook Yong Hong ...

What happened?

Sook Yong Hong ...

Are you saying that Sook Yong Hong is dead?

Based on the slight warmth that remains in her body,

it has been six hours since she passed away.

Why did she die so suddenly?

Did Sook Yong Hong originally have a chronic disease?

She did not have a chronic disease but...

Say it.

That is ...

Hurry up and say it.

She seems to have been poisoned.

What did you say?

Poisoned?

Can you find out how this child died

by reading her physiognomy?

Yes, Your Majesty. I will definitely discover the cause of her death.

You have worked hard. Was the King suspicious?

He has ordered the Physiognomist to investigate.

It will be a matter of time before he finds out that it was not poisoning.

You must not forget that this is a secret that you must take to your grave.

Of course.

Then, I will take my leave.

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You did a lot to complete this task.

It was a brilliant idea to disperse the maids who are on our side to Sook Yong Hong's place.

It is said that bad news travels fast.

Now there will be a rumor in the palace that the Queen poisoned Lady Sook Yong Hong.

I know. That is how it should be.

- Did you hear? The person that poisoned Lady Sook Yong Hong... -Shh.

was the Queen.

No way.

The night before, the Queen called for Sook Yong Hong,

and served the poisoned refreshments.

Is that true?

I am asking, is that true?!

What are you saying?

The death of Lady Sook Yong Hong will be an opportunity for us?

There is a weird rumor going around.

That the Queen poisoned Lady Sook Yong Hong.

It is an opportunity for us.

It will be an excuse to get the ledger back from Prince Gwang Hae.

Your Excellency, Lord Jeong Cheol who retired

is planning to place Prince Gwang Hae as the Crown Prince.

With this matter, Sin Seong might not be able to become the Crown Prince.

Before Lord Jeong starts his action,

we need to tie this up.

Why did you want to see me?

It looks like Your Highness has not heard of the news yet.

Last night, Lady Sook Yong Hong passed away.

They say that she was poisoned.

Who on earth would poison Lady Sook Yong Hong?

That could be...

depending on your decision, Your Highness,

the Queen.

Minister Lee!

Did you just say that you will accuse the Queen?

That is how the rumor is spreading around.

However, if your Highness cooperates

that rumor will melt away like snow.

Are you doing this to take the ledger away from me?

I am very disappointed in you, Chief Minister Lee.

Father would never think that way.

He will trust the Queen.

Before Lady Sook Yong Hong's corpse leaves the palace,

I hope that this gets resolved soon.

Having that in your possession means you have the lives of many officials in your hands.

It means you will stand at the

tip of their swords.

What should I do?

The Queen has become a victim of it.

Why did you risk such dangers to come all the way here?

There is a strange rumor going around. I could not stay at home.

Hon, I am alright.

You shall not give in because of this.

Your Highness.

What they want right now is the ledger in your hands.

No matter what happens, that ledger must not fall into their hands.

Because of that, Your Highness has fallen into danger.

I ...

I don't know what to do.

It is not your fault.

This happened because I have no power.

You should not sacrifice anything for me.

Your Highness.

I'll ask for one favor.

Please marry the daughter of Lord Yoo Ja Shin (Chief Censor).

If you have a person other than me to protect you,

I can rest assured.

Prince Im Hae, please protect your brother.

Please don't worry, Your Highness.

Once I become Crown Prince, no one will be able to touch Prince Gwang Hae.

Your Highness, the King is coming this way right now.

Open the side room right now.

What are you doing here at such a late hour?

I am here to console the Queen.

I have something to discuss with the Queen in private, so take your leave.

Father.

The strange rumor going around in the palace about the death of Lady Sook Yong Hong

is definitely from the mouth of Gwiin Kim.

What did you say?

Far from reflecting on what Kim Gong Ryang did, Gwiin Kim is setting up the Queen.

Please don't be blinded by the rumor and punish them.

Are you making Im Hae tell me that?

Pardon me?

Father, this is entirely my thought alone.

Take your leave.

Father!

I said, leave!

I am very disappointed in you, My Queen.

How can a queen of a country be involved in this kind of rumor?

Although you couldn't give birth to a child,

I thought you were qualified as a queen.

I guess I was wrong.

Not only that you're the main culprit of the rumor, but

you even call Prince Im Hae to frame Gwiin Kim.

Your Majesty, how could you not trust me?

I ordered a thorough investigation.

If it is revealed that you are the true culprit,

I will never forgive you.

Subtitles brought to you by The Face Readers @ Viki

If there's no fleshy spot but a thin and smooth face, it means a short life,

but that shouldn't be the reason for an unnatural death.

What do you think? Was she poisoned?

My eyes do not see that.

Why?

The start of her eyebrows are close to each other and tangled.

The stem of her nose is thin, and she has dark spots under her eyes.

It shows that her heart has always been weak.

Why did the medic suspect that she was poisoned?

You should learn politics before you read a face.

If you keep talking regardless of the situation,

your life will be unsafe.

Your Majesty, the death of Sook Yong Hong can't be buried like this.

Please examine the hideous rumor,

and reveal the truth as soon as possible.

Please appoint an investigation officer for this case and reveal the truth.

It's also to dispel the suspicions for the Queen.

I agree, Your Majesty.

Until the investigation is completed, the Queen must be in confinement in Gyotaejeon (Queen's quarters).

Your Highness.

What happened? Did you find out?

Yes, Your Highness,

he Queen is in confinement in Gyotaejeon (Queen's chamber).

There is a rumor in the palace that the Queen will be deposed soon.

What should we do?

Yeong Sin, I need to send someone to the Royal Observatory.

I think that we should forget about the marriage with Prince Gwang Hae.

Father.

I am also disappointed to let go of Prince Gwang Hae,

Since the Queen has become like this,

I can't find any other way.

Father, I have already...

given my entire heart to him.

Jeong Hwa.

Father, I...

believe in him.

Didn't you say that I can change this world?

Since you said there were people who took the people's laughter away,

I want to punish them.

I believe his thoughtful and sincere heart

and that he will change the world at the end.

So, I plead with you.

Father, please protect my Prince Gwang Hae.

Jeong Hwa.

I am partly to blame for the current situation.

For the first time, Gwang Hae was led to the merchant inn

and saw how corruption happens through gambling.

I was the one who showed him.

What?

Father, please help Prince Gwang Hae.

Why did you look for me?

Please hear my request.

At the last special examination, I was watching you from afar.

At that time, I saw your exceptional face reading ability and moreover,

I was moved by your honesty and boldness.

It's just a humble skill.

Since you are in the palace, you must have heard the news already.

The Queen has been wrongfully framed.

Can you help the Queen clear her name?

Since I am in the palace, I hear all sorts of rumors.

I heard the reason why the Queen is being framed

is all because of you.

-That is... -There

was a time I saw your face and was impressed.

However, I have not yet found a reason to help you.

Then...

Look here, Kim Do Chi.

Go out to the street,

and take a look at the result of what you started with your naive affection for the people.

Go look for yourself.

Then, you will see why I am reacting this way.

As reverted civilians were having a hard time making a living, they abandoned their children.

All over Hanyang, there are streets full of kids who have become beggars.

They can't afford to pay taxes when it comes to counting noses.

Once they become commoners, even if they want to be slaves again out of hunger,

nobody will let them stay.

Then they have no way out.

To get the ledger back from Prince Gwang Hae,

they will do everything they can.

There has been an order to confine the Queen in Gyotaejeon.

Then, is the Queen really going to be deposed?

The Prince is falling into a trap set by himself.

He shouldn't have used the ledger like that.

The Queen was Prince Gwang Hae's only support but

she's gotten into a dangerous situation.

The Prince missed his golden chance.

Then is there no way for Gwang Hae to go back to the palace?

He already made the powerful Eastern Faction as his enemy.

The only way

is to marry Lord Yoon's daughter, and make him

his father-in-law.

But with his personality, will he accept such

a political marriage?

The only way for him to survive

is to marry her.

♬ The closer I get, the more the tears fall ♬

♬ Even if I extend my hand, I cannot reach you. ♬

♬ Even if I desire you ...♬

Your Majesty!

It's a letter for you.

♬ Even if I want to abandon you, you can't be disposed of. ♬

I will wait for you at the residence of the Buddhist nuns.

Yeong Sin, prepare the horse. ♬ Because of that one word, I couldn't say to you ♬

Yes, Your Majesty.

♬ Because of that one step that I coulnd't take to get closer to you ♬

♬I can see you before my eyes.. ♬

♬ As my tears flow down... ♬

♬ I realize that I miss you even more... My Love. ♬

Buddha,

I came to repent my sins.

Deep in my heart,

I loved a man.

But because I was foolish and weak,

I could not trust him.

For me, he threw away everything and stood on the edge of the cliff...

but I always blamed him, hated him,

and loathed him.

What can I do with my foolishness?

I even directed the arrow toward the man I love,

and destroyed his life.

What can I do to cleanse myself of this sin

and what can I do to protect that man?

Don't cry.

I'm the talking Buddha.

It's okay.

Everything is okay.

Your Majesty, it's all my fault.

What do you mean?

I am so happy

that you are alive.

Ga Hee...

For making your parents die like that...

I'm very sorry.

Since I'm back here, I should pick a star for you.

This...

How is it? My skill with picking stars...

Because I'm with you,

I now feel like I'm alive.

Were you worried?

Foolishly, I thought that I could change the world.

But still, the people are having a hard time...

and even the Queen,

who raised me like her real son...

is in danger.

I am...

for my overconfidence...

and foolishness,

I'm being punished.

The despair and sense of inferiority that you are feeling right now

is felt by all the people in this land everyday.

Even if everything is taken away and they lose their family,

they still live on.

With a drink and a song that helps them forget about their worries,

they blow their worries away, forget them,

and continue to live another day.

You already saw those people.

With my hands, the fact that I cannot do anything for them...

is very frustrating.

You need someone's strong shoulders right now.

You need a strong shoulder for you to rely on.

Your Majesty...

you should quickly get married.

What did you

just say?

I told you to get married.

The reason why I came here before

was because of my destiny,

in which I was meant to live as a man.

It was also part of my destiny to meet you like that...

and it is also...

part of my destiny to send you away.

Stop it!

It's not for your sake.

It's for me,

and for the people.

How can you...

say those cruel words to me?

Did you forget that we promised to marry right here? How can you...

leave me?

I'm not trying to leave you.

I'm trying to send you to a bigger world.

I have to send you to a place...

where the commoners, who found out the meaning of hope...

because of you, are.

I will also be there.

♬ When I approach one step ♬

♬ You are two steps farther away. ♬

♬ What should I do now? ♬

♬ It's awkward now but. ♬

♬ Even several times a day ♬

♬ I yearn for you.

♬ Like a fool this heart ♬

~ ♬ Endlessly always searches. ♬

♬ Because You ~ ♬

♬ Are my love, ♬

♬ Even if its hard and painful ♬

♬ This foolish love ♬

♬ I can't stop it. ~ ♬