Original subtitles

Empress Ki

Only one candidate passed the test.

We made sure everyone was graded equally.

So accept the decision and return to your homes.

Dokman, escort Her Grace to be examined.

Your Majesty.

If you please.

Where are you going?

To be examined.

Examined? The girl was selected?

If you please, sir, she is now 'Her Grace.'

Shall we?

She knows our secret. What now?

I killed her. I shot her.

We should tell the Regent before its too late.

And tell him what? "We kill Lady Pak?"

When the governors find out it will be awkward for Father.

And he'll take it out on us.

Having her here is risky.

We have no choice but to trust Bayan.

The examination will be conducted by myself, Hongdan...

and your Koryo ladies-in-waiting.

It's nothing to worry about.

Thank you, my lord.

If it pleases Your Grace...

I am your servant now.

Her Majesty is here.

I should have been more careful. I have myself to blame.

I underestimated the tramp.

We took the Empress Dowager at her word.

We helped you get her reinstated and look what it got us.

Some Koryo bit of fluff chosen over MY daughter?

It's a disgrace. Tell the Dowager that from me.

Her Majesty tried her best.

It wasn't enough.

Come on.

Right.

More of a backlash than we expected.

We may lose their support.

El Temur invited them to his home tonight.

They've opposed him before.

He's means to prevent that.

It goes one of two ways with El Temur.

Destroy them or keep them crawling.

Father. What are you saying?

We need more consorts.

After all my work to stop that from happening?

So he gets more girls, so what?

Father, think of my feelings.

There will be no more tramps...

Tanasiri.

We're discussing politics, not feelings.

Politics?

The new consorts will be the daughters of the governors.

What if they are?

The Emperor...

needs to step down.

Abdicate the throne?

Your son will be named heir apparent.

You will rule in his stead.

But first we need the governors with us.

Who needs that wimp's imperial favor when you can have it all?

If that suits you, talk to the Dowager about the papers.

Rule in his stead...

Listen and obey.

Lady Ki of Liaoyang displayed exceptional wisdom and decorum.

You are hereby named imperial consort of the fifth rank.

I hear and obey.

Lady Oh of Yunnan, imperial consort of the fifth rank.

I hear and obey.

- Lady Bu of Lingbei. - I hear and obey.

- Lady Jok of Shanxi. - I hear and obey.

Lady Sol of Sichuan.

I hear and obey.

Nyang has been officially named.

Great Khan, this is one more step to wipe away your tears.

Just wait.

You will have El Temur's head on a platter.

That was great.

Which room?

The one on the end.

What's this Batolu or Yon Feisu or whatever up to?

Something isn't right. Be careful.

It's Yon Feisu. May I come in?

Enter.

Allow me to pay my respects.

No need for all that.

Meeting you here is almost unreal.

I imagined you riding on the plains somewhere.

My tribe has been scattered.

Some Western traders helped me open this courtesan house.

But what brings you here?

I heard Bayan was posted as governor.

I came to see him.

So former enemies meet again.

Fate is funny.

I plan to do some trading myself.

I understand all the traders come here.

Will you help me?

You saved my life.

How could I not?

Keep an eye on him.

Yes, ma'am.

Whoa, she pretties up real good.

Knock it off.

Be careful.

No scum allowed.

Yes, Sire.

Nothing from Musong yet?

You call yourselves guards?

I like you more and more.

Where did you study?

I was dismissed from the imperial guard.

Ah, I thought it was something like that.

What happened?

Ah. Well.

A court lady, huh?

Big-nosed guys are all the same.

Nevermind.

Welcome. This way.

The vouchers are coming in tonight.

How many are they sending over?

Thirty thousand, they said.

Bayan has been cracking down.

Send a carrier pigeon.

Tell them we'll meet them.

I will.

The signal?

A flaming arrow...

Who's there?

Yes, sir?

Someone was out here.

Search the grounds.

Sir.

Here's the culprit.

He got loose, sir.

You're dismissed.

Sir.

Spare change? Thank you. Bless you.

Thank you.

It's freezing out here.

Here he comes.

Get ready. You're blind.

Right. Blind.

We're freezing. Spare change?

Spare change? Spare change?

We're starving. Spare change?

Spare change? We're starving.

Thank you, Your Worship.

Bless you, Your Holiness.

- Thank you. - Thank you!

What's it say?

A voucher shipment tonight.

How long till Hoksu gets here?

The note said midnight. A couple more hours.

We have to act fast.

Arrow.

Sire.

Stand down.

Come on out.

This wasn't the place.

You're early.

You have the vouchers?

Of course.

Show them.

No different than the real thing.

The best we've ever done.

Excellent.

[Daidu, Capital of Yuan]

Place our people in the Pavilion of Women.

Watch everything they say and do.

It has been done.

Just wait.

I'll make the consorts lives a living hell.

But Your Majesty, the Emperor will grace one of the consorts this evening.

He's unwell. How can he?

Congratulations, Your Grace.

Congratulations.

Dismiss them and send me girls from Koryo.

I cannot.

Dokman gave instructions.

Her Majesty selected them herself.

Leave us.

Stay.

Did I stutter?

It's more than your lives are worth.

Now you may go.

Her Majesty instructed me to see to your needs.

I speak for her.

Try to live with it.

Oh. One of the consorts is to go to the Emperor tonight.

You might want to gussy up.

Tonight you will grace a consort.

Unless you're unwell, of course.

I see. Never mind.

He will do his duty.

Oh?

Then I'll send Lady Oh.

Why not Lady Ki?

Lady Ki?

She served here before. He's comfortable with her.

Lady Ki, then?

See to it.

Your Majesty.

Dokman.

Enter.

Pak?

You're alive?

He is the eunuch assigned to you.

Eunuch?

At your service.

The Commander spared me so I could protect you.

I've been given a new life.

I dedicate it to you.

Pak.

You need to get ready.

His Majesty chose you tonight.

My Liege, Lady Ki.

Nyang.

Dismiss them.

You may go.

Gorgeous.

Still feeling insecure?

That again?

It's why I'm here.

I won't see more innocents die... because of me.

Your reasons for running are low and cowardly.

Do you know why I came back?

Because there is no honor in living for myself.

I owe something to those who died for me.

Excuse your inadequacy if you like.

Trying to survive alone.

El Temur wants me to abdicate.

You know why he allowed the consorts?

To hold them as hostages.

He'll kill those who oppose him.

I'll abdicate before more blood is spilled in the palace.

That's why I'm acting like a mute.

If I'm the only fool...

If I step down...

it will stop another bloodbath.

What's this?

Read it.

The Blood Vow?

The butterfly...

Father... it's my father...

Father.

What does it say?

Read it.

He shed his own blood to write that.

You should honor that by learning to read.

The world will see this.

When they do, they will rally to you.

And when they do, you can take the imperial seal back.

Then you can give in to your anger.

I will help you.

What?

The Emperor graced Nyang last night?

Yes.

Right under my nose.

They didn't even wait a day.

Wheedling her way into his favor.

Who knows how far she'll go?

Lady Yon.

Your Majesty.

Nyang... no...

The consorts need to be grotesque.

Then the Emperor won't want them.

I quite understand.

Your Grace, your ablutions.

It smells good.

What is it?

Iris water for your skin.

Marring the faces of the consorts is one of the oldest tricks in the Inner Court.

Marigold leaves.

And this, hellebore.

Finally, leopard plant.

They all smell nice.

But their extract causes hives.

Smell them.

The scent of hellebore.

Come closer.

Why are you scared of iris water?

Clever girl.

And so it begins.

Have you eaten?

Not yet.

Poor things.

Here. Eat.

I'm fine.

I know how hard it is to be a servant.

Here.

I'm not hungry.

Is that an insult?

Your Grace.

I can only assume you put something in my food.

Eat every bite.

Or take the beating you deserve.

The servants can't take much more of this.

We can't leave it to them any longer.

Isn't that lovely.

It's time I took a hand.

Even then, we can't just scold her.

Now listen closely.

Your Majesty.

It's time, Your Grace.

Watch those grins.

Pardon?

Or I'll rip them out.

Well now, YOUR face is fine.

Stupid-dumb-hateful...

What's that on your head?

Didn't your girls tell you?

Tell me what?

Well, Her Majesty...

Her Imperial Majesty.

How dare you?

Strip the smug little tramp.

What is this?

No ornamentation on my mother's memorial day.

You dare ignore my orders?

I wasn't told.

Silence.

You insult me and dishonor my mother.

Get the whip.

I've heard how smug you are.

This should tame your insolence.

Here it comes.

She's the Empress. You want to lose your head?

Come again?

Lady Ki is being whipped?

Her Majesty is furious.

Where is she?

The pavilion.

You cannot.

I won't have her whipped.

You can't speak, remember?

What would you say?

Stubborn.

Not a whimper, nothing.

She's as bad as they say.

In the pavilion...

my word is law.

Disobedience will be dealt with.

Remember that.

Get out.

Now do you see how things are?

Thank you for the lesson... Your Majesty.

You don't sound grateful.

I'll be watching. Behave.

Your Grace.

My clothes.

Help her.

General Bayan would like a word.

Did you cry in front of her?

I have no tears left to cry.

To an enemy, tears are better than blood.

I won't have my people making an enemy happy.

I'm perverse that way.

Pain and sadness are nothing to me.

But injustice...

That I cannot bear.

I can't bear it.

And I won't stand for it.

The greatest injustice is the loss of my self-respect.

Don't stop.

You're all I have left.

Lie back.

I'm fine now.

I wanted to see you again.

But not like this.

I'm of no use to you.

It's all right.

I'm here to help you.

I'm not all right.

This breaks my heart.

You truly think you can't help me?

Emperor in name only.

A fool, a wimp.

Come to the pavilion tomorrow.

You will see what you can do for me.

- I saw. - Oh, yeah.

I knew it.

Her Grace sent for you.

Follow me.

You failed to communicate Her Majesty's commands.

Instead, you dressed me better than ever.

Who was behind it?

I'm not sure what you mean.

Oh?

Your Grace.

You're not to blame.

You were just following orders.

Unless you don't know what I mean.

Then it was you.

Liars.

We serve the Empress.

Attack us and you attack her...

Have mercy.

It's too late for that.

It was Lady Yon.

Yonhwa?

Yes. She told us to do it.

You have a choice.

Die by my hand.

Or tell the Empress what you did.

Yes, we'll tell her.

Spare us, Your Grace.

Don't fall for Her Majesty's lies again.

I have the Emperor behind me.

Yes, Your Grace.

Clutz. Take it easy.

Yes'm.

What...? I'll tell!

Everyone will know what you did.

To what do we owe the honor?

He didn't say, seeing as he can't speak.

He was walking and decided to come here.

Tramp...!

You're late. Explain yourself.

I did Your Majesty a grave disservice.

Why bring that up again?

I was set up.

By Lady Yon.

I would never.

Her Grace is mistaken.

Tell her.

Who told you to prepare my headdress?

Tell the truth. Who was it?

It was...

Lady Yon.

It's done and forgotten.

Why bother me with it again?

Lady Yon wants to drive a wedge between you and the consorts.

Surely this is a crime for which there can be no pardon?

Failing to punish her will reflect poorly on Your Majesty.

May I suggest twenty lashes...

to demonstrate who truly rules the Inner Court.

Do as she says.

Your... Your Majesty!

On the tush. Such a waste.

You like Lady Yon?

Hush.

I avoid court ladies like the plague.

Just having you there is a tremendous help.

You are far from inadequate.

You get it?

Good work.

Where is the King?

You're brooding more than usual.

Everyone has bad days.

When you miss someone...

Can you tell me about her?

I'm not in the mood.

I should go.

Thanks for the drink.

I'll say goodnight.

Come on.

The new guard?

Then the voucher thieves...

This is what we're after.

Manufacturing dates.

Transactions.

There's another delivery tomorrow.

One word from me and Wang Yu is dead.

Dead.

Welcome.

I left the door open last night to catch a rat.

What do you know?

A rat is what came in.

Can you guess who?

My new guard, Choe.

He killed Hongga and was in on the voucher heist.

The rat has a fake ledger.

Tomorrow night he'll try to stop a fake delivery.

What will you do?

Kill them all.

Choe...

And all the rats with him.

Out for a walk?

Is something wrong?

Or did you have something to say?

We couldn't stop Lady Ki.

And all the maids you assigned have run off.

Then...?

Her staff is made up of Koryo girls.

Lady Yon?

Badly beaten. Worthless.

She wants a war.

She'll get one.

The nerve tonic I gave you before.

In light of recent events, I thought you could use it.

Enjoy.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Why don't you drink?

Surely you don't suspect me?

Drink.

Now!

[Subtitles provided by MBC Translated by D. Bannon]

[Next on Empress Ki]

Your Majesty...

He's with that tramp again tonight?

The lech, that's all the ever does.

There are crimes and there are crimes.

I'm going to frame Lady Ki.

This time I'll make the first move.

I can't take any more of this.

Time she learned a lesson.

Be ready.