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Episode 13

King, Lee Yoong

First Vice Premier: Sin Soo Geun, Important

Young Lady, these Snail Brides pulled off another incident.

I thought they were only giving rice to starving people, [Ryu Ja Gwang following orders...]

but they also caught corrupted officials.

This is what the king should carry out.

No way.

Sin Soo Geun, with marriage we could bring him to our side.

Sin Soo Geun, with marriage we could bring him to our side.

The moment Yeok has a will of his own, it is a traitorous mind

and everything he does contributes to treason.

No way.

Grand Prince.

What is this? Why is it like this?

Try to see if anything is missing or if someone entered here.

- What's going on? - The lock on the door was broken and door to the secret room was left open too.

What?

It's nothing.

- Who's there? - What is it?

Catch him!

Sin Soo Geun, with marriage we could bring him to our side.

Your Majesty, you already knew about everything

and asked me to become a spy?

Why?

Do you really want me to kill the Grand Prince with my own hands?

Is that why you had me marry him?

What kind of a punk...

Yeok.

I think it was a petty thief.

If it was the Royal Chief Secretary's people, the Royal Forces would be here already. But nothing happened.

Please handle it well so there won't be any consequences.

Why is he so pale? It's as if he's seen a ghost.

Seo No's father turned out that way and the secret room was exposed. How can he be alright?

That's true. Look at us. Even a petty thief broke in.

I will go to the Queen Dowager.

Seo No.

Why are you so surprised? We have to work. Customers will be here soon.

Still, you should take the day off...

I am going to move my father's grave next to grandmother's grave located in Dongjukjeon village.

In order to do so, we need to drive away the current king.

There is no time to rest.

Oh my! Oh my! You scared me.

Where is Chae Gyeong?

Weren't you two together?

If not, where did she go?

Your Majesty, please deliberate on this matter.

Your Majesty, please deliberate on this matter.

I have been unfairly treated, Your Majesty.

After reading the Snail Bride's bulletin,

you pushed for Ryu Ja Gwang's impeachment. Still, it's unfair?

That is so.

You should show your loyalty to me through work,

yet you dared to write an anonymous petition criticizing me. And this is unfair treatment?

It's for you, the royal family, and for this country of Joseon,

I had no choice—

You show absolutely no sign of remorse.

Do you think you're being unfairly treated as well?

N-n-no. Your Majesty.

That's good. Then, pay for your crimes.

Remove their bodies.

After discovering the betrayal of my loved one,

finally, I face the real world that was unknown to me before.

The king whom I supported for a long time

had become a ruler who reigns with tyranny.

I

was a very foolish and dim-witted girl.

Chae Gyeong.

Chae Gyeong!

Chae Gyeong broke into the locked pawn shop?

Yes. She hit the pawn shop door lock several times with a blunt object.

It finally has begun. Suspicion, a crack in their relationship, and monitoring.

Chae Gyeong will soon be here to give her report.

I will catch the evidence and make a move then.

So until then, watch over the pawn shop more thoroughly.

Yes.

The late king's secret order is engraved on a woman's body.

That scribe really had this with him?

Yes, while preparing for his funeral, I went through Seo No's father's belongings, just in case.

Seo No's father had this sewn into his clothes. I found it.

A woman's body.

The secret order is engraved on a woman's body as a tattoo.

I will have the late king's palace maids and concubines checked.

For someone to have her body engraved with the secret will ordering abdication of the throne to Yeok,

she must be someone who can help him.

It won't be the late king's concubine.

Every single one of them wants her son to become the king.

Why would they help Grand Prince Jin Seong to the throne?

Tattooed onto a woman's body.

The Queen Dowager is talking about the woman of the secret order.

Did they find out the identity of that woman?

Not yet.

If we find the woman of the secret order, what will you do next?

As soon as the Queen Dowager makes her move,

we will have to step forward first.

Whoever that woman may be, she won't be favorable to us.

Favorable or not, why does it matter?

We just need to see that wench's body.

That tattoo engraved on her body.

If my men kill her and bring her to me,

you could

look over her body.

Yes. I will do that.

Give it to me. I will do it.

You must feed this to her.

♫ You approached silently ♫

♫ You smiled at me while offering your hand ♫

No matter how much I think about it,

I can't watch you die again.

♫ Is going far away like a dream ♫

♫ I can't stand the longing now which is growing so ♫

How can I let you die by my own hands?

♫ Why didn't I know loving would be that? ♫

♫ Why didn't I know loving would be that? ♫

Before your traitorous mind is discovered by anyone,

I will change your mind.

♫ I know now that I can't live without you ♫

I was being selfish.

Even though I knew it would hurt you like this,

I desired you.

♫ I love you once again ♫

♫ The promise that we shared ♫

♫ Became words we could no longer keep ♫

♫ We know. Our destiny ♫

♫ is inevitable ♫

As soon as you find out, come to Biseoseong library in the palace.

♫ Even if we are far apart, it's alright if we are under the same sky ♫

♫ I will be able to see you again someday ♫

♫ Even if I can't see you again if I turn away ♫

♫ I will love you once again. You ♫

♫ Forever and ever us. ♫

I will cancel the exile of Vice Minister of Defense, Ryu Ja Gwang,

and promote him to Minister of Defense.

- Your Majesty. - Please deliberate on this matter.

You are not punishing the criminal but promoting him to a higher position?

Your Majesty, the people know about this matter already.

However if you cover up his crimes like this—

Naturally, they will come to believe that the contents of the bulletin are false

and my decision is the truth.

As long as the people believe me more than

the Snail Brides or whatever ratty people.

If someone believes the words of the Snail Brides and criticizes my decision,

that is challenging the superiors and treason. Don't you agree?

Deputy Commander.

Yes, Your Majesty.

It seems like you have many grievances against me.

That is not true, Your Majesty.

That is not true?

But what can I do? I have many grievances against you.

When you should be checking the coming and going of the Capital Defense during their night duty,

you were leisurely enjoying your time in the alleyway pawn shop.

- I guess you don't want to work? - I am deeply sorry, Your Majesty. I meant—

I am ordering that the Capital Defense Deputy Commander Park Won Jong be put on probation.

You don't have to attend the court sessions for a month.

Your Majesty.

If I see your face in the palace,

I will take it as disobeying the royal command

and punish you with the crime of challenging your superior.

I will uphold your order.

Oh, what nice weather.

Look at those annoying people. They are still monitoring us. They should just leave.

Welcome. Long time no see.

- Do you really give rice? - Of course.

The officials who submitted the Defense Minister's impeachment petitions had their heads cut off.

They died for writing an impeachment petition?

My uncle was suddenly ordered to be on probation too.

Lord Ryu Ja Gwang was reinstated, even promoted.

The king has finally gone crazy. That's like burying his head in the sand.

He must have felt that not the King, but the Grand Prince was running politics behind the scenes.

If he will be like this about everything, bulletins will be useless.

Now people won't even try to read the bulletin unless they are very brave.

Still, we can't stop what we were doing.

We cannot stay put worrying about the unpredictable king's next step,

when there are so many corrupt officials everywhere in Joseon.

We have to eliminate them as soon as possible for Joseon to run properly.

By the way, where is the Grand Prince?

His wife is sick so he's with her.

If something arises, I am supposed to hide the bamboo scroll under the terrace stone of the men's quarters.

Please become the king as soon as possible.

Once you're the king,

you can protect the remaining people.

Lady of the House, you're here.

My lady, are you recovered?

They are all spies.

Miss! Are you finally feeling better?

I've been aching for a few days and it's time I should get up.

That was fast!

The Grand Prince toiled quite a bit to lower your fever.

I thought he might collapse from fatigue at that rate.

Regrettably he's just fine.

I laugh thanks to you.

As long as you laughed, it'll do.

Oh, speak of the devil.

Why are you out here?

You can't be well yet.

Greetings to the Grand Prince and the Lady of the House.

I can't let them catch on no matter what.

I heard you toiled a lot due to me these past few days.

Well... toil...

Let's go on in first.

What?

This place is full of palace staff.

We can't trust anyone besides my nanny.

So?

We don't know how they will report to the superiors

or whether they'll make up matters that never happened,

so I'm just taking precautions.

That's very unlike you.

That doesn't suit you, Chae Gyeong.

If it's something you believe in, you do not cower.

You always behave according to what you see

and according to what exists. That's your charm.

Me?

I can no longer do that.

I am married now.

If I just carry on so innocently,

how will I protect my family?

Hence...

are you saying you will protect me?

When I made my marriage promise, I already committed my mind to it.

Grand Prince, no, dear husband,

you will also safeguard me and us.

Your fever is gone.

We want to be alone.

Leave.

- Grand Prince. - Go sleep in the Row Corridor (servants row).

Today we will have sleep in the same room.

S-s-same room?

At once!

You startled me.

You got caught red-handed. What is that?

Give it.

Wait till I catch you.

Hey.

You!

Think about it.

A newlywed couple.

Is there something more ridiculous

than using separate rooms?

Isn't it a common occurrence in the palace?

But the issue is this isn't the palace.

We are just ordinary people.

Even if our eyes just meet, we smile.

And we sleep under one blanket.

Then we dread having to come out from that blanket.

Well, anyhow, isn't that what a newlywed couple means?

The newlywed couple as I know it,

is when the wife awakes in the morning, the husband fetches washing water.

When she's tired and her shoulders are stiff, he massages them for her.

When they go to the market together, he carries the heavy load for her.

Until she falls asleep, he will hug her tight. That's what newlywed...

Until you fall asleep, I shall hug you tight.

So stay here tonight.

Your Majesty, it's already past the Hour of Rat (11pm - 1am).

Please go to your chamber.

She's not coming today either.

How are the two of you together?

Your subject was on the way to deliver appeals to Your Majesty.

I ran into the Queen Dowager by chance and I was inquiring on her well-being.

And I was on the way to the Queen's Palace.

But Your Majesty, have you been drinking until now?

The two of you are a true family now.

Chae Gyeong and Yeok are married.

Now the two of you are family too.

Your affection for your family

is well-known to anyone in Joseon.

And Royal Mother's love for her son

doesn't need repeating.

Your Majesty.

Did you know it already, Minister?

In the end,

will you stand by Grand Prince Jin Seong too?

I ask, are you harboring a desire to rebel

to push me out?

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, what do you mean by a rebellious mind?

If not,

how could Chae Gyeong remain so quiet?

She said we were family.

She didn't want my feelings hurt

so she said she would share Yeok's punishment.

But now that child

is blinded.

Your Majesty.

Are you alright?

Queen.

Queen. The First Vice Premier

and Chae Gyeong, help me keep them.

Your Majesty.

You and the crown prince,

the First Vice Premier, and Chae Gyeong too.

You're all my family and my people.

You're all my people.

Yes. We are all your people.

Let's go in.

Now that the kids are married, you and I sit across like this,

and we get to drink tea.

However, His Majesty's suspicions are growing deeper by the day and that is a worry.

Since ancient days, suspicion has been said to be one of the virtues of a monarch.

If the Grand Prince is faithful, this matter shall end at suspicion alone.

You don't mean you are also suspicious of Grand Prince Jin Seong?

His behavior in the past was...

You cannot trust him, thus you are investigating him personally?

It's not that.

What am I investigating?

My recent investigation is only about the Snail Brides.

I wonder why you are taking heart on that matter?

Is what I am investigating

linked to the Grand Prince Jin Seong in some way?

How should I know what you are investigating, First Vice-Premier?

I just spit out those words without a thought.

I earnestly request it, Great Queen Dowager.

Please think only of their happiness as a parent.

Are you saying that I'm making those two kids unhappy?

Didn't you say so yourself?

You said that Chae Gyeong and Grand Prince Jin Seong are destined to be together.

When I think back, I realize that even the late King tried to bring those two together.

So they were destined to be together a long time ago.

Destiny isn't something that needs assistance

but it flows as if everything is predecided — that's why it's called destiny.

What do you think of us just watching over them to make sure that they live well on their own?

If he went as far as to engrave the secret order to abdicate the throne to my Yeok, it must be someone who can help him.

Even the late King tried to bring those two together.

How in the world did I forget about that?

I will grant you one of your wishes if we meet again.

Listen, please call Eunuch Song over here.

Yes, Lady of the House.

You're here.

The lady just went out.

Went out? Where did she go in that condition?

That's what I'm saying, for goodness sake.

She said that she's going to the palace.

The palace?

Yes, she said that she was going to visit the King.

And Eunuch Song went with her as well.

Brew this herbal tonic and give it to her later.

I will report to the King.

Your Majesty, there's one more hour left until the council meeting.

Head Eunuch, I am not in the mood for hearing those old men nag.

How about you taking my place?

Why don't you experience stamping the imperial seal and even sitting on the throne?

Your Majesty! How could you say that?

That's utterly unreasonable.

Your Majesty, Eunuch Song is here.

It looks like Chae Gyeong is here.

Do you also think this is unfair?

N-n-no, Your Majesty.

Then you should pay for your crimes.

Your Majesty, are you alright?

You are here at last.

Were you waiting for me?

You should write a letter when you need me.

- Since when did you— ? - Since when you ask?

Are you asking when I got here or...?

are you asking how long I've been waiting for you?

For a long time.

It's been a long time.

Your Majesty.

You told me to find out about that pawn shop.

I did. Now, what did you see there?

I didn't see anything.

Before I received the royal command,

I realized that I completely forgot about the most important thing.

That there is something I need to ask you and hear the answer to.

What do you want to know?

Since when did you start being suspicious of the Grand Prince?

Since he returned.

How come?

It's because he probably came back for revenge and to take the throne.

He believes that I was trying to kill him.

Your Highness the Grand Prince.

Where is my brother?

Did you really command for the Grand Prince's death?

I did. I was the one who killed him.

Even if I didn't kill him with my own hands, every night

I stabbed him in my dreams.

I wanted someone to kill him in my place.

But still you weren't the one who killed him.

No. If I have the chance and the justification to do so, I would love to kill him with my own hands.

Even now, can't you work out all of the misunderstandings and make up as brothers?

This may be the only chance to bring everything back to the way things were.

If so, you'll be doing the same thing.

If I resolve all of our misunderstandings and make up,

then you will also forgive him and get along well with him again.

Your Majesty.

Now you also have a line of suspicion as well.

And now a crack in your relationship has started.

I really do not want to see you two happy again.

Your Majesty, what are you...?

Don't you know?!

Now, rather than making up with Yeok,

it has become more important for me to see you two hating, resenting each other and growing apart!

So that way,

So that way...

Your Majesty. You made a promise that you would grant one of my wishes.

Do you remember?

If we meet again in the future, I will grant one of your wishes

I was going to use it once before...

But you didn't let me for my own sake.

This time it's only for me.

Your Highness the Grand Prince!

Please give me the royal permission to leave town with the Grand Prince so we can be together.

Leave town?

The Grand Prince of Joseon leaving the capital and living elsewhere

is against the law of the country and I'm well aware of that.

So I beg of you.

We as a couple should go to a place that's far away from the capital as possible.

And once we get there we will live ordinary lives.

Only this will take away your suspicions.

And I feel like this is the only way for all of us to be in peace.

Did you work it all out with Yeok?

A secret order?

"When Grand Prince Jin Seong becomes an adult,

give him the royal throne."

It's the secret order where my royal father's will is written on.

Exactly where is that secret order?

The late king engraved it on a woman's body.

Now it's your turn to answer.

What did you see at the pawn shop?

Did you find evidence of Yeok's rebellion?

I do not know what you mean.

If it's not that, then why did you come out from the pawn shop looking so dazed?

Have you been monitoring me?

Speak.

I will speak.

You rascal!

Don't come near.

How dare you!

She's my wife.

Both of you, please stop.

♫ Suddenly the whole world is filled by you ♫

From now on, don't come meet my brother alone.

Isn't it dangerous?

Aren't you the one who is more dangerous to me right now?

♫ I couldn't bring myself to look at your eyes ♫

What if you keep going like this and fall?

♫ What do I do now ♫

I can just grab you tight.

No matter what happens, don't let go of me and grab tight.

♫ I want to hold you, the one whose brilliance chills my heart ♫

♫ I'm afraid you might fly away when the wind blows ♫

♫ Because your smile and tears fill my heart, ♫

Don't come near.

How dare you!

She's my wife!

♫ I will always love only you ♫

Your Majesty.

What is it?

I've summoned women at the Thousand Autumn Hall.

Would you like to look through them personally?

You see to it.

Yes.

No.

There's a girl I want to summon.

Yeok's girl that frequents the Queen Dowager's Palace.

Do you mean the Deputy Commander's niece?

They are in-laws with my royal father so that girl

is also one of the late king's women in a wide sense.

Yes. I will message for her to enter the palace.

Miss.

Oh my. What on earth! What's happened?

Oh my goodness!

What were you doing while at her side?

Nanny.

I'm just upset. I'm sorry.

Let's hurry on in.

Oh my word. What's happened.

Oh this is upsetting me.

To be sure. The new groom isn't doing what the new bride tells him to do.

I just don't know what he's wandering around doing.

I don't think I can die even if I wanted to.

Now it's done.

Rest up.

Where is that secret order?

Please really keep this a secret from my husband.

I came by His Majesty's summon.

Please announce me as Yoon, Deputy Commander Park's maternal niece.

Your Majesty, Deputy Commander's maternal niece, Miss Yoon is here.

Send her in.

Come out.

I greet Your Majesty.

Do you know what happened today because of you?

Because of that rascal, Yeok, Chae Gyeong got hurt.

So you should pay the price for saving that rascal.

Starting now, answer what I ask you.

If you can't answer,

the clothing you are wearing will be slashed away by this sword one by one.

When all your clothes are slashed away, then your flesh too. And after that?

Your life.

Your Majesty.

Who's the captain of Snail Brides?

What do you mean Snail Brides?

I asked who's the captain of the Snail Brides.

Is it Grand Prince Jin Seong?

I don't know.

I had no care about the likes of your body.

But if you continue to carry out like this, it can't be helped.

Today you and I will become very close.

Isn't that right?

Do you know why I haven't killed Yeok yet?

Because it's fun.

Let him squirm in nervousness not knowing when he will die.

Just to stay alive no matter what,

he wears a mask and puts on an act in front of me.

He looks so funny to me.

When else could I get another funny spectacle like this?

He gave me a fun time, so when he dies, I will give him a prognosis equal to that.

I will torture him. Then I will brand him with hot-iron.

Then I will rip his limbs to shreds.

I will put him outside the city gate like some food for beasts.

Do you know why I haven't killed Yeok yet?

Because its fun.

Just to stay alive no matter what,

he wears a mask and puts on an act in front of me.

When else could I get another funny spectacle like this?

If he went as far as to engrave the secret order to abdicate the throne to Yeok, she's someone who'd help Yeok.

Is that what people call 'sacred tree'?

Yes, it's the tree that chases away evil spirits and makes your wish come true.

It's over 200 years old.

There's a headstone there as well, granted by a previous king.

Why did you cast such a heavy mission on me?

How could I choose with my hands, choose the throne?

I am just a lowly woman who wants to live ordinarily.

Announce me.

The Queen Dowager is here.

You're here, Queen Dowager.

Bring her.

How are you running the security in and out of the house?

Some girl has been stealing glances of the house for a while and no one stops her.

I'm innocent. I was just roaming, looking for my relative's home.

I have no other foul motives.

The life of someone like me

a lowly girl without a hill to lean on, is obvious.

She's a suspicious girl. Take her to the precinct and lock her up.

Please stop.

I know this girl.

This girl, you mean?

Yes. She was one of the girls I had with me in Geochang.

I summoned her.

Then I misunderstood.

Lately there are so many unsettling events happening in and out of the capital, so we need to be more than careful.

Miss.

I think it was very hard on you looking for this house.

Nanny.

By the way, what brings you all the way here so early in the morning?

I came to set the date of the marriage consummation.

Pardon?

Come on in.

Have a seat.

You and our Miss met in jail, I hear.

Yes. It's such a relief that she remembers.

Our Miss tends to have a selectively good memory and it's always on these matters that her memory is good.

But in this house, is it possible to work for room and board instead of an annual salary?

I don't have a reasonable place to stay.

How can we let in someone who goes in and out of the jail?

I am motivated to straighten out my life. Please help me.

How did you know our Miss is tender-hearted that a fox like you came to find her?

I was just talking to myself.

Since your health has recovered quite well, I think we can prepare for your marriage consummation.

Pardon?

I got the dates already.

Once Grand Prince Jin Seong becomes an adult, I shall abdicate the royal throne to him. The secret order where my royal father's will is written.

The Queen Dowager's palace must be in a fit looking for that right now.

By chance, did you already know?

I don't see Yeok.

Yes. He went out early in the morning on an urgent matter.

I see.

I hear it's a stress on you that the Grand Prince is so fond of his friends that he goes out frequently.

But once you have a child, he will be home often, right?

So you put some work into it.

And I wish to see a grandson who resembles Yeok as well.

Yes, Queen Dowager.

We are family now. Shouldn't we set our addresses straight?

Yes, Royal Mother.

She says she came to look for a job.

Do you really plan to use that girl as a servant?

How in the world?

Miss.

Miss. Please allow me to work in this house.

I want to serve you, Miss.

In order to find the secret order from me.

Everyone has started to deceive me.

Chae Gyeong.

I greet Your Highness, the Grand Prince.

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♫ I want to hold you, the one whose brilliance chills my heart ♫

♫ I'm afraid you might fly away when the wind blows ♫

♫ Because your smile ♫

♫ and tears fill my heart, ♫

Chae Gyeong, what is this deed I'm doing to you?

Why are you trying to become king? Must you become king?

I will be with Chae Gyeong even if I turn into a ghost.

To have the marriage consummation suddenly is to confirm through the consummation, isn't it?

What are you scheming this time?

If someone tries to verify a tatoo engraved on a woman's body by force.

If we get rid of the secret order, my seat shall be safe, no?

You bastard!

Let's leave, Chae Gyeong.