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Today, on the 26th day of the 4th month, in the year 1694,

Lady Chun Dong Yi will be appointed Royal Consort of the 4th Rank.

She will thereby accept this decree.

Royal Consort Chun, as you are now, continue to serve His Majesty with all your heart,

and be a pillar within the Inner Court.

I shall obey, Your Majesty.

Congratulations, Your Highness!

Congratulations, Your Highness!

One year later...

Give me the next petition.

This is unacceptable!

Inform the Tribute Bureau to take into account next year's demand

and reduce the mandatory rice tributes.

How should we make up the difference?

Use the royal funds first,

and in the meantime, find out if taxes can be levied on palace estates and government land.

Yes, Your Majesty, I shall carry out your orders.

What's next?

These are reports sent in from the Secret Inspectors from all the provinces, Your Majesty.

Show them to me.

Your Majesty, your lunch is ready.

I don't have time. Send it back.

Begin!

You were the most remarkable, Officer Cha!

You honor me, Your Majesty!

- So is that the end of the troop inspection? - Yes, Your Majesty.

- When is the presentation from the Three Offices? - 3pm, Your Majesty.

Indeed? That means I have thirty minutes to spare!

You're going to go again, Your Majesty?

What about you? Don't you want to go with me?

No, Your Majesty, I have duties to attend to.

Is that so? Then go on your way!

Where is His Majesty going?

Don't you know where he goes whenever he has some free time?

- Has the bath been completed? - Yes, My Lady.

- It's warm today. Serve Maximowiczia tea. - Yes, My Lady.

- My Lady! My Lady! - What? What is it?

- His Majesty is here! - What? Again?

- Yes! - But he was just here two hours ago!

Yes, he's here again!

- Goodness...! - His Majesty the King!

What is Consort Chun and the Prince doing now?

How can he be so beautiful?

It's all right. I'll do it.

- Did you hear that? - Yes, Your Majesty!

The Prince is already trying to talk!

What is it? Did something happen?

- Your Majesty! - You're here too, My Queen.

So, did something happen?

Your Majesty, the Prince is already trying to speak!

- Indeed? Already? - Yes, Your Majesty!

It was so strange. I heard it too.

Yes, here...!

Yes... He's only two months old and he's already trying to speak!

How clever of him!

Yes, that's right. Say Father!

Father!

His Majesty is here! This isn't nice enough!

- Send it back. Bring another one! - Make sure it has nicer food.

- Yes, My Lady! - Lady Bong!

Sanghee!

If you're here to see Her Highness, you'll have to wait. His Majesty is inside.

- What? Again? - This is his third time today!

People are going to say that he rules the nation from Consort Chun's palace!

- I know! - He must really be overjoyed!

Of course he is! He's been waiting for this child, and he's a boy!

My Lady, Her Highness is here!

Your Highness!

It's been a while, Lady Yu.

Your Highness, what brings you all the way here?

I heard you came to my palace. Besides, I wanted to speak with you.

Please come this way, Your Highness.

It seems the hospitality at the Office of Investigations is not what it used to be!

My Lady? Shall I serve you some tea?

Well, I won't stop you if you insist.

Please come this way.

Then shall we have a look around? Ae-Jong, let's go.

Yes, My Lady.

- Consort Chun has all the power! - I know.

Who would have known that she would give birth to a son?

We went with the wrong team!

- What if the Crown Prince is re-designated? - What do you mean by that?

- You didn't hear the rumors? - What?

Your Highness!

Where is she?

- Your Highness...! - I asked you where she is!

Die, you bitch!

I pray to all the gods in the heavens!

Please kill Chun Dong Yi and her child!

- Your Highness! - What are you doing?

Your Highness, I...!

Did you think this would help me or the Crown Prince?

Please forgive me, Your Highness!

We were just worried about you and His Highness!

- Mother! - Yes, I was the one who made her do it!

I felt like I would die of fury if I didn't!

- Mother! - Your Highness, there is nothing I wouldn't do.

I would do anything to kill Consort Chun and her child!

Don't you know that people are saying her son will take over the Crown Prince's position?

Doesn't that anger you?

Will you just sit and watch?

Is that why you made them do this childish thing?

How can this change anything?

Do you think I'm sitting here just waiting for time to pass by?

Do you think that without this doll I wouldn't be able to reclaim my position?

No, of course not!

I'm just waiting for the right time.

Your Highness...!

- They wish to speak in private. Leave us. - Yes, My Lady.

What... what did you just say?

As I said, if a change of Crown Prince is needed...

Watch your mouth!

How dare you speak of such things before the Queen?

Minister...

That is also what I want.

What...? Your Majesty...!

I know it is dangerous to speak of such things.

I too have reconsidered when I think of the young age of the present Crown Prince.

Your Majesty...!

If the Crown Prince ascends to the throne while Consort Hui is still in the Palace,

it will bring tumult to the government again.

But even so, Consort Chun is from a slave family.

- How can her offspring become...? - Minister, you will watch your tongue.

Consort Chun's son is also His Majesty's son.

Your Majesty, the West Faction will surely oppose this as well.

Wouldn't it be better if we bring in a new consort from a noble family and crown her child?

No, it has to be Consort Chun's son who ascends to the throne.

That is what I have decided.

It is clear that we need to tread carefully.

But it is also necessary for the future of the royal family.

My Lord, what do you mean by that? Crown Prince?

I know that I'm treading on dangerous ground.

But you should know by now how it is in the Palace and what kind of person Consort Hui is.

In the Palace, you must possess everything in order to stay alive.

And Consort Hui knows that better than anyone else.

She won't step aside so easily.

And if that happens, who do you think will be in the most danger?

It's no longer the Queen.

It's Consort Chun and the son she gave birth to.

And if that happens, who do you think will be in the most danger?

It's no longer the Queen.

It's Consort Chun and the son she gave birth to.

- When will he be reaching the capital? - It will be in ten days, Your Highness.

Fine, tell him that it is better to be cautious than to be quick.

Yes, Your Highness.

So, Your Majesty, are you happy with your new son in your arms?

Yes... I want you to be happy.

Then you'll know what true suffering is.

Be quiet. I think he's going to fall asleep.

Rascal... He must be tired.

But he's too curious to sleep. Look at how wide his eyes are!

Your Majesty, you should retire to your bedchamber too.

No, my fatigue has gone away just looking at the Prince!

By the way, I have something for you, Dong Yi.

Your Majesty, this is...!

Yes, this is his name. It's Young Soo to signify long life.

Young Soo...

I stayed up nights trying to think of his name,

and the only thing I want from him is to live a long life with us.

The Royal Physician has said he is healthy. And why wouldn't he be?

You used to run around the whole capital too!

Of course! Actually, I was really worried that he would be weak like you!

What? Weak? Haven't you heard from Officer Cha?

I'm not like I used to be!

Really? He didn't mention anything.

Fine! At the Prince's 100th day celebration, I'll show you my archery skills!

Don't you faint when you see me hit the bullseye every time!

I'll believe what you say, so can you show me your archery some other time?

I was hoping we could cancel the Prince's 100th day celebration.

Cancel? What do you mean?

Dong Yi!

You wish to open a welfare office in the capital with the funds for the 100th day celebration?

Yes, Your Majesty. I heard the famine is so bad that the capital is overflowing with refugees.

I know His Majesty and the government is deeply troubled,

and I want to help the people rather than have a lavish party.

But it's the first celebration for the Prince.

It is not a mere party.

The celebration is to pray for blessings and longevity for the Prince.

Yes, that is why I'm making this request.

To receive blessings, one must share blessings too.

The Prince wanted porridge from the Welfare Office even when he was within my womb.

I believe that the Prince would be happy to know

that his first act as Prince was to share food with the people.

I can't stand against that kind heart of yours.

- Your Majesty... - All right then.

If that is what you want, then go ahead.

What can I do to help you?

- Let's go! - Yes, sir!

What does it say? Is Consort Chun opening a welfare office or not?

Yes, she is!

Instead of celebrating the Prince's 100th day, she's going to help the people!

What a gracious woman she is!

That's because Her Highness is from the same lowborn class as we are!

She knows how much we suffer.

Yes, she does!

The King is going to give us porridge because the Prince is turning a 100 days!

How wonderful!

Where can I possibly go? Why do you keep following me everywhere?

We are only doing as we've been commanded.

I have to relieve myself! Do you want to go with me?

- My Lord! - The guards are near.

Where is the letter?

Here it is.

Things are going as planned.

Pull it over there!

- Put these over there. - Yes, My Lady.

- What about these? - Put more cabbage.

- Your Highness! - Your Highness!

What brings you here?

I felt bad that you have to do all the work.

Not at all! Even so, you didn't have to come here to such a dangerous place!

Dangerous place? This is where I came to satiate my hunger.

Just give up, Lady Jung! It won't change her mind.

Look, there's no one left at the Palace!

Thank you, My Lady!

Stand this way!

Come this way!

Go and stand in line! No one will be turned away, so stand in line!

- Bring more grain from the warehouse. - Yes, My Lady!

My Lady!

More people came than we expected!

All the attendants from the Office of Investigations and Consort Chun's Palace are helping out,

but we're still short-handed!

Speak to the city office and have them send us some servants.

Here!

I was looking forward to His Highness' banquet! Why do we have to suffer like this!

I feel the same way!

I heard she wants to use royal funds to continue the welfare office!

What if she wants us to make porridge every day?

No! I didn't quit being a Lady Investigator to make porridge!

This is all your fault! You talked about dragons and enticed me!

What? You're the one who wanted to come with me!

Hey! Why are all of you outside? Where's Her Highness?

- She told us to help. - What?

How can you leave her alone?

You're all going to drive me crazy!

Why did you do that?

Your Highness!

I knew it! She's going to send me to an early grave!

This is what I'm good at. I can't miss out on the action!

I hope Lady Bong doesn't see me.

Thank you, My Lady!

Don't push me!

- Eat a lot! - Thank you, My Lady!

Finish this and come back for more! We have enough for everyone.

- Is that true? - Of course!

Thank you! Thank you!

Eat up!

We've run out of porridge!

- Someone bring more rice! - Yes, sir!

The grain warehouse should be somewhere here.

Sorry! I'm sorry!

Wait! You dropped something!

This...!

Did you see a man come through just now?

No, My Lady.

Your Highness! What are you doing here dressed like that?

I'm sorry, Lady Bong, but I have to go somewhere.

But...!

How could this happen in broad daylight?

Dead...!

Your Highness...!

What?

The Director of the Welfare Office was murdered?

Where was he murdered?

He was stabbed while inspecting the warehouse.

What?

How could this...?

Sir...!

- Where is the body? - Inside.

Inside? Let's go, sir.

Whoever did this, it was a massacre!

It looks like an act of vengeance. The body's been stabbed even after death.

There's something here.

This is it.

This is... a manifesto!

A manifesto?

Your Highness, did you want to see me?

Chun Soo...!

What is it, Your Highness? You wanted to see me urgently?

You've been to the Welfare Office, haven't you? It's about the murdered Director.

Yes, I heard you were there as well.

Are you all right?

That's what I wanted to talk to you about.

I think I saw the man who murdered the director.

What? You saw him?

But... he dropped this.

- Your Highness, this is...! - Yes, it's the insignia for the Sword Fraternity.

Relief aid is merely show and not the true way to help the People.

This will not change discrimination against the lowborn by the nobles.

The only way to change things is to take all the nobles and...

Your Majesty!

It claims that they will begin exacting judgment on all the nobles.

Who can be behind this?

- So he really dropped this? - Yes, Chun Soo.

- Could the Sword Fraternity have reunited and...? - No.

That's not possible, Your Highness.

Even if it did, if its Chief was a true follower of your father, he wouldn't do such a thing.

I'll try and find out what's going on.

Why did that horrible thing have to happen when Her Highness was doing something good?

A murder! Who could have done such a thing?

- My sixth sense is telling me something. - What's that?

This is the act of lowborn against the nobles. Like the Sword Fraternity!

- Sword Fraternity? What's that? - You ignorant fool!

Come to think of it, you must have been a little kid back then.

Back in the days, some lowborn got together and killed all of these nobles!

But fortunately, they all got caught and were killed.

- Yes, I remember hearing about that! - One of them was a royal musician.

- Sulhee, you remember, don't you? - What? Oh yes... vaguely.

You mean this is their doing?

- But you just said they were all killed! - Who knows? Maybe they're crawling back out.

You're making too much of this murder.

No, my instincts are telling me something. I have goosebumps all over!

It's the same feeling as back then!

What instincts? I'd rather believe in a dog's instincts!

What? Are you comparing me to a dog?

Stop hitting me! I'm no longer a royal musician or your lackey!

I'm the maestro at this gisaeng house!

You're still a government employee!

And once a lackey, you're forever a lackey!

You don't want to see me anymore?

- I wasn't going to say this, but I'm going to get mad! - Get mad? How?

You rascal... You might actually hit someone with that fist!

- Fine, show me what you've got! - Hot!

You deserved that!

I'm so tired! Oh, what a fate I have!

How can someone live in a place like this?

Madam, look over there!

That can't be... Is that my husband and Ho-Yang?

My Lord! Ho Yang!

- My dear! - Mother!

My Lord! Ho Yang!

My goodness, both of you look like beggars!

Mother, this is so delicious!

- My dear, you should have some too. - I'm all right. Go ahead and eat up.

Then can I have this last meat patty?

Rascal! That's mine!

How did you two end up like this? Don't they feed you in exile?

Don't even talk about it, Mother!

You work all day and all they give you is a bowl of rice and vegetables!

How do the lowborn live like this?

I know! I think I could murder someone for one meat patty.

Please eat up, my Lords.

By the way, have you heard the news here?

- What news? - Nobles are being murdered in the capital!

- What? - Nobles are being murdered? By who?

No one knows! I heard the news during the journey here.

But everyone's saying that it must be the lowborn.

Go on and eat up. Eat this and the apples too.

This is not the work of the Sword Fraternity. They were all killed years ago.

But there may be survivors.

Just like you.

Even if there were survivors, they couldn't have done this.

It is not the objective of the Sword Fraternity to murder nobles, my Lord!

I want to believe that too. But this is the Sword Fraternity's insignia, is it not?

What if someone is masterminding this?

What if they are using the Sword Fraternity again

to obtain their personal goals like they did many years ago?

First, we should keep this quiet until we have confirmed everything.

- Who is investigating this case? - The City Prefecture.

Now the most important factor is to see who is going to be in charge.

City Prefecture

My Lord!

Welcome, Governor.

I will only accept such a noisy greeting today. (Jang Mu-Yeol)

- Let's go in. - My Lord...

It's not that way. It's this way, my Lord.

You must be tired from your work as a Secret Inspector.

I have prepared the girls to ease your fatigue.

How dare you think this of him?

- Remove them immediately! - But sir...!

Enough. Don't shout.

A man can make mistakes.

But don't do it twice. Do you understand?

Yes, My Lord!

His name is Jang Mu-Yeol.

He is the eldest son of the late Inspector-General Jang Ik-Hun.

My Lord, Inspector-General Jang Ik-Hun was...!

Yes, you're right. Jang Ik-Hun was the man you found.

Jang Mu-Yeol is his son.

Welcome!

Your Majesty, I, Governor Jang Mu-Yeol of the City Prefecture, humbly greet you.

Have you been well, Governor?

Yes, Your Majesty.

What? Jang Mu-Yeol has returned?

Yes, Excellency. He was brought back as Governor of the City Prefecture.

Why did that position have to go to to the late Inspector-General's son?

I've heard about him too.

A man's true character is not easily known.

But people say that he's a upright and just fellow.

When he was a Secret Inspector, he was equally stringent with his fellow South Faction members.

The South Faction has cast him aside, but His Majesty favors him deeply.

Is that so?

But why do you ask?

It's nothing.

If he's such a man, wouldn't he help us?

Help? How do you mean, Your Highness?

If he's the son of the late Inspector-General, wouldn't he want to find his father's killer too?

If this is someone is masterminding this, they might be the very people we've been looking for!

This could be an opportunity for us to find them!

My Lord, someone is here to see you.

- My Lord! - It's been a long time.

How long has it been since we've met?

It was when you left for Jeolla province as a Secret Inspector, so it's been ten years.

I've been hearing about you.

If a man like you has been put in charge of the Royal Guard, government must be doing something right!

You're treading on shaky ground! What if your fellow South Faction members hear you?

Let them hear! One can't keep silent for fear of someone hearing!

Actually, I came to ask you something.

Yes, I knew you had something on your mind. What is it?

Please have a seat.

Are you asking me if I consider this an act by the lowborn against the nobles?

- That's right. - Are you referring to the Sword Fraternity?

You were in charge of their case many years ago.

I ask because you may consider this to be the same case.

What is your opinion?

If you want my true opinion, then I will say that I will not jump to conclusions.

It's possible that they may have re-formed, but they haven't done anything.

I will not suspect the lowborn people simply because of one murder.

- Sir... - Did you see him out?

- Yes, sir. - Get ready. It's time.

Yes, sir!

- Make sure we weren't followed. - Yes, sir.

Welcome, sir. She's waiting for you inside.

This way.

- Your Highness! - It's been a long time, Inspector.

No, I suppose I should address you as Governor now.

Yes, Your Highness.

You look like you're in shock.

I promised you power to control the South Faction.

That is the secret.

So now everything depends on you.

Their lives now rest in your hands.

Your Excellency, you have a guest.

- At this hour? - Yes, Excellency.

It's been a long time, Your Excellency.

You...!

What is it that you want?

You haven't even given me time to ask about your health.

You're still cold towards me, Your Excellency.

Why is that? Is it because of my father?

Wh... what?

What do you mean by that?

I met with Consort Hui before I came here.

She told me that it wasn't the lowborn who killed my father, but that it was you.

Now... I don't know what she told you, but that's...

Don't worry, Your Excellency.

If I wanted vengeance, would I have come here so calmly?

Please forget about it. That's what I came here to say.

- What...? - It happened a long time ago.

What good will it do to bring it up now?

If I were in your shoes, I would have done the same.

That's all. I want to lend my strength to raising up the South Faction.

I wanted to show you that there is no sword hidden in my hand, Your Excellency.

Sir! Are you sure you're all right?

He killed your father! Do you really intend to work with him?

Work with him...? Does it seem like that's what I'm doing?

I'm going to make Oh Tae-Suk work for me the rest of his life like a dog.

- I have obtained a precious treasure! - Your Highness!

Do you understand, Lady Cho? An honest man cannot succeed.

But a man who pretends to be honest can obtain what he wants quickly.

Jang Mu-Yeol knows this.

It's in his bones.

I finally have a dependable and intelligent supporter.

- You're the Third Minister of Justice. - Who are you?

Who... who are you?

My Lord!

- What? Another murder last night? - Yes, my Lord!

Move aside!

My Lord!

- How could this happen? - He's the Third Minister of Justice, Hong Ju-Ho.

What happened?

It wasn't just him. A Third Inspector was also murdered at the same time.

- Chun Soo! - Your Highness!

I heard there was another murder last night.

Two government officials were murdered last night.

Another manifesto was delivered to the city prefecture office claiming more murders in the future.

How dare they try to negotiate with me and the government?

This is outrageous.

If the city prefecture's resources are insufficient, you may use any government guard to find these criminals.

Yes, Your Majesty!

How dare...!

I can see this has troubled you as well, Your Highness.

Both Chief Suh and Officer Cha seemed that way too.

Why are you so worried? Do you think the Sword Fraternity is involved?

That is...!

I knew who your father was.

So please be honest with me too.

My duty is to help you, Your Highness.

Please allow me to investigate this further. But I need some time, my Lord.

But you...

If this is truly the work of the Sword Fraternity, I will be able to find out.

My Lord!

So the man who killed the Director was in possession of the Sword Fraternity's insignia?

Yes, but it wasn't the Sword Fraternity. This is most certainly another conspiracy!

If that's true, that they could be the same people who framed them all those years ago.

Your Highness, the hand signals that late Inspector-General showed you...

- Could you show it to me? - The hand signals?

Yes, Your Highness.

Do you know what it means?

I tried for many years to find out the meaning, but I couldn't find anything.

It didn't seem to be a code or metaphor.

Perhaps it's Chinese signs for numbers...

What?

The hand signals...

When I was in Uiju, I saw merchants from Qing using those signs.

- Are you certain? - Yes.

If that's the case, then they are signaling numbers.

But what could it mean?

If these signs mean numbers in Qing, what do they mean?

Eight and five...

Ten and five, Your Highness.

But that confuses me even more. If those signals are numbers in Chinese,

what could they mean?

Eight and five... Ten and five, Your Highness.

But that confuses me even more. If those signals are numbers in Chinese,

what could they mean?

Eight, five, ten and five...

What could it possibly mean?

Consort Chun, what is this request you want to ask of me?

Your Majesty!

What? Consort Chun is leaving the Palace?

- She's taking a holiday outside the Palace? - Yes, Your Highness.

The Queen has arranged a house for her to stay in.

Indeed?

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