Original subtitles

Empress Ki

His Majesty is sleeping.

Nyang.

Why are you doing this?

Why would you do this to me?

Ayu is crown prince at last.

I have no more need of you.

Nyang, how could you?

Enemy of my father, my king.

You will die by my hand.

No. No, Nyang.

You like that?

Mother.

What did I tell you?

The throne killed your brother, your father!

Silence. Stop it!

My naive little ward.

Dead before your time at the hands of Lady Ki.

Stop it, stop, stop.

No more! Stop!

Nyang, no, don't do it.

Nyang... Mother...

My Liege.

Nyang, please... not you... not you...

My Liege.

Don't shoot.

My Liege.

What were you dreaming?

You... you wanted to kill me!

You got your power and drew an arrow on me.

It was a dream.

You were dreaming.

My Liege, My Liege...

My Liege.

Pull yourself together.

I'm sorry.

Were you drinking again?

Not a drop. Don't be a nag.

I'm sorry, Nyang.

My Liege.

The court has petitioned the removal of the regent.

What?

His Imperial Majesty.

Lady Ki established that the former empress tried to kill Maha.

And frame Lady Ki.

This is tantamount to an attempt to usurp the throne.

Her uncle should be stripped of office.

- An investigation... - Enough!

We all agree on this.

Hear our plea.

Hear us.

My Liege.

Strip me of office.

My Liege, remove me.

Remove me from office.

Regent, you had nothing to do with the assassination attempt.

Yet my fool of a niece brought danger to the throne.

My failure can never be wiped clean.

I am unworthy of my office.

See that?

He would rather resign than cause me despair.

For me.

Grant his request.

Yet none of you does a thing for me.

Other than try force your views on me.

My Liege, for the good of Yuan...

What's good for me is good for Yuan.

The regent is loyal to me.

My Liege.

To question him is to question me.

And that...

is treason!

Getting the court to do your dirty work.

Well played, Your Worship.

Not as well as you.

Begging to be dismissed only brought him closer to you.

With me gone you would have everything.

I won't have you destroy Yuan.

So it's war, then?

War comes when opponents are equally matched.

Do you imagine you're my equal?

We don't fight because we're enemies.

We're enemies because we must fight.

I won't stop till you're gone.

You and all the Koryo scum.

All I want is peace.

And we'll only have that when one of us...

...is gone.

It won't be long.

That day of peace.

The sooner the better.

Please.

You'll only make yourself worse.

He'll be here a few days offering prayers.

Sire, will you speak to him?

For Lady Ki's sake, you can't tell him you're his father.

What are you praying for?

Wang Yu.

Are you here for revenge?

I'm here to see you.

You've had your fill of misery.

If you're not a prince, you're nothing?

There is much inside you.

Whether your father is emperor or beggar...

...you are still you.

A prince with nothing inside can ruin a nation.

A beggar's son with much to offer...

can build one.

Is that pity? Why bother?

Act with dignity and no one will pity you.

I'm sorry, my son.

This is all I can offer you now.

Sire, I'm afraid we have to go.

Will I see you again?

I'll come here now and then.

I see the resemblance now.

Sire.

Lady Ki wants Maha taken to Koryo?

When he is fully recovered.

The poison didn't spread, but still...

I'll take him when the time is right.

Let them know.

You're not going to tell Maha?

He won't spend his life alone.

I'll tell him Lady Ki and I are his parents in Koryo.

Yes, Sire.

The knowledge can't hurt him there.

His what now?

Wang Yu and Lady Ki?

He's their son?

Over here! Catch me!

Where?

Well? Say something.

Ah-hah, a trick, is it?

Fine. We'll see who wins.

Come here.

Got you. I win!

I got you, I'm...

You.

I got you. Your turn.

My Liege.

Not another word.

I'm feeling too good today.

Why is that?

Here.

Look.

The sky is clear, the flowers are in bloom.

And...

I caught my lady.

Right, Lady Ki is it.

I caught her.

How could I not feel good?

Have you forgotten?

If you keep drinking you'll collapse...

When I drink I don't dream.

I don't see you trying to kill me.

My Liege.

Nyang, Nyang.

Let me be me for once.

My Liege.

Ah, regent.

Bayan, good timing.

I was tired of drinking alone.

Join me.

Some things requires your attention.

I swear, again?

It's important. They need your review and seal.

Kolta, give Bayan my seal.

Shouldn't you at least read them?

I'm him and he's me.

What he does goes for me.

But my Liege, your imperial seal...

Don't just stand there.

Get my seal.

My Liege. This way, sir.

Regent. Off you go now.

Maybe next time.

Let's drink.

It's a gorgeous day.

What are these?

Cleaning house. Posting the right people.

Sir.

What is it?

These are men of unquestioned ability and integrity.

Finance, personnel, affairs of state...

All Lady Ki's men.

Postings aren't based on politics.

This country doesn't need ability, it needs loyalty.

Can't tell the difference? What are you thinking?

But uncle, our nation is in decline.

If you really want what's best...

I speak...

for the Emperor.

See that seal?

My judgments, my decisions...

...are his.

Not just these. Ministers, chancellors, military personnel.

Anyone siding with Lady Ki...

will be removed.

That's what will save this country and restore it to glory.

The treasury is nearly empty.

Find a way to fill it.

Halt.

Lady Ki, mercy.

Lady Ki.

Mercy.

What is this?

The spoils system has led to corruption and graft.

I insist on seeing the proof.

Seals from the throne and the regency.

They could be spared. But that would be treason.

They are innocent.

If you want me gone,

attack me directly.

Hardly innocent.

They have contributed to the ruin of this nation.

Meaning me, I presume?

You disagree?

You are the ruin of this nation.

Tyranny is rotting it from the inside.

You're wrong there.

This is not your country.

It is mine, ours.

The Mongols.

I am the mother of the crown prince.

From Koryo.

Regent.

Blood will tell.

And bad blood must be removed.

Before it spreads.

That 'bad blood'... is in your next emperor.

Or have you forgotten I am his mother?

We'll see whose blood spills first.

Your Worship.

Lady Ki.

Ayu.

You must be a strong and brave emperor.

A warrior, a rider, a conqueror.

Mother says I must protect the weak.

To do that you need strength.

How can a powerless emperor protect anyone?

Koryo and others are waiting to attack us.

The weak get eaten, it's how it is.

Isn't Koryo my mother's country?

Did she say that?

The servants did.

When I'm emperor, Koryo and...

Ayu!

Never mention Koryo in my presence again.

You're my son. Understand?

You're scaring me.

Mother.

What is it?

Take him away.

My Liege.

If you please?

My Liege, you have to stop Bayan.

What he does, he does for Yuan.

Removing good men is for Yuan?

Tell me, why does it bother you?

My Liege.

Are you so upset over losing your people?

Focus on your role as a mother.

And leave Koryo or whatever out of it.

So that's it?

All you see is a woman from Koryo?

That's not it.

You still don't see what people think of you butting into state affairs?

For Ayu's sake, mind your place.

Bayan isn't acting for Yuan.

More than anyone, I've...

Which is why...

Wang Yu had to die.

You saved him, right before my eyes.

Him, a traitor to Yuan.

My Liege.

Enough of this.

Stay out of state affairs.

I command you!

Mind your place!

Sir.

Meet with Bayan?

He'll kill us on sight.

Take this to Bayan and do as it says.

You'll earn his trust.

Have you decided about Bayan?

Lady Ki is out of favor.

Bayan may just win.

Whoever wins, we'll use them increase profits.

The day will come...

...when money rules the world.

From Eagle House?

Sir, I trust you've been well?

You come to me?

You must have a death wish.

My life...!

Before you take it,

read this.

Information on foreign traders?

Confiscating their assets will fill the treasury.

And remove a few headaches.

Two for one, as they say.

Eagle House helped El Temur.

Why help me?

Foreign traders, especially Koryo traders, have cost them.

Remove them...

and you will have Eagle House behind you.

What is this?

Take them away.

Those lousy...!

The vendors ruined by Bayan are absorbed by Eagle House?

What about our traders?

Koryo is suffering the most.

We have to fix this right away.

But how can we approach Lady Ki?

We are no longer allies.

Sire?

Yes, Sire.

First get in touch with Suri.

He'll know what Eagle House is up to.

Yes, Sire.

Look at all these.

A few confiscations and we're rolling in it.

Earning Bayan's trust is just a matter of time.

Sir, it's been too...

What is it now?

Your fancy talk is clouding Bayan's judgment.

Sir.

These are all seized assets.

And that's just the capital...

Silence.

The best asset I can think of is your necks.

No, wait...

Lower your weapons.

Uncle.

Please stop this crackdown.

Immigrants are sucking our country dry.

Immigrants built this nation.

And look where it got us.

The country is on the verge of economic collapse.

Destroying the commercial sector will lead to nationwide starvation.

When the nation prospers, her people prosper.

They're destitute. Who is prospering exactly?

So it comes to this? You oppose me?

Only on this.

Killing people to save Yuan...

Enough!

How dare you lecture me?

You or anyone else.

Ignorance must be corrected.

What?

Courage without wisdom brings ruin to us all.

Mouthy...!

Sir. Please!

Tal Tal.

Anyone but you. Not you.

One at a time.

Spare me. Please.

We're not going to kill you. Just brand you.

Those branded may never return.

Begin.

Mercy! Mercy!

What's going on here?

Stop this.

This is not the place for you.

Coward.

You can't stop Bayan's tyranny, so you join him?

I cannot do as you ask.

Not can't.

Won't.

He has the Emperor's favor. He can't be touched.

So you're giving up?

Not giving up. Declining.

I cannot do it.

Viceroy.

There is one thing I can do for you.

End this fight.

You won't just lose all you've gained.

You'll lose your life.

I'll fight to the end.

I'm no coward.

What are you praying for?

That if my parents are dead, their passing was easy.

If they're alive, that I'll see them again.

What did you pray for?

That your prayers come true.

A smile?

Yes. But I'm not sure why.

You don't look well.

I'm fine. Try not to worry.

My Liege, want to see something interest outside the palace?

Something... interesting?

Food.

You call this interesting?

Your pardon.

You wouldn't have come if I told the truth.

So I lied.

Let's go.

My Liege.

Every day hundreds, thousands are dying of starvation.

Bayan's vain pursuit of past glory is making it worse.

That's not your concern.

I fed your people with funds from Wang Yu.

Because I feared they would rise up against you.

Lady Ki.

It's not too late.

Forget fame and glory. Save your people.

Save them from Bayan's tyranny.

And if he stops, what of the honor of my house?

Your people are dying.

Who will honor you then?

I believe in Bayan.

His passion, his strength...

...will save this country.

I'll hear no more about it.

Make way. His Imperial Majesty.

Make way.

My Liege, look at your people.

They hate you.

Do not turn away.

Wang Yu.

What is it?

Wang Yu... It's Wang Yu.

Seeing things again?

It was him.

Laughing at me.

My Liege.

My Liege!

My Liege. Wake up.

My Liege!

Get him to the palace.

Will he be all right?

Too much wine. His heart is weak.

What do we do?

He's out of danger.

As to when he'll wake...

The Emperor cannot die.

Save him.

Of course. We'll do all we can.

Son.

My Liege, what are you doing in bed?

You cannot leave us like this.

How long has he been like this?

I'm not...

You should go.

Pardon?

I'll see he gets to Koryo.

Yes, of course.

Gold.

Enough to make a life for yourself.

Thank you.

Your Highness.

Your Highness. Stay with us.

Your Highness.

Your Highness!

Your Highness... Your Highness...

You found a wagon for Maha?

Yes. Drawn by two horses.

What's keeping them?

You look happy today.

In Koryo I can call him my son.

What's not to like?

Lady Soh.

I'll go get them.

Pak.

The prince...

...is dead.

He can't be, he can't.

The king is waiting outside.

Your Highness... Your Highness...

Sire.

What is it?

Sire.

What's wrong with him?

He is with the gods now.

Maha. Open your eyes.

Sire.

Maha, it's your father. Your worthless old...

- Sire. - Sire.

Maha... Maha... you can't die.

Maha... Maha...!

Maha...

Sire.

Maha, stay with me.

Maha...!

My Liege, someday you will know how I truly feel.

You'll know all I've done for you.

Get better.

You're not alone.

Your Worship.

I'm back.

How is Star?

Don't tell Lady Ki he's dead.

What do you suggest.

Later.

Tell her I took him to Koryo.

She's been through enough.

I won't have her keening over Maha.

A little better every day.

Your Worship.

Dokman sent word.

Bayan and the Dowager are up to something.

Gather the chancellors in the main hall.

Your Worship.

This is our chance to oust Lady Ki.

How so?

With my ward laid up her last protection is gone.

The doctor doesn't know when he'll recover.

We can remove Lady Ki and all her supporters.

The gods are smiling on us.

But when the Emperor wakes...

We'll use the time to frame her.

A coup.

A coup?

Yes.

She and her supporters used the Emperor's collapse to stage a coup.

And traitors must be dealt with.

Your Majesty.

Trouble.

Trouble?

The chancellors are meeting to empower the Regent.

Regent?

You mean Lady Ki?

What are you doing there?

What?

The Emperor is indisposed.

Naturally his heir must rule in his place.

In light of his age, we have empowered the Empress Regent to rule.

With our support.

You would have her ruling Yuan?

Bayan, who are you to ignore protocol?

This is our nation's survival.

Not protocol!

Which explains why protocol means nothing under your tyranny.

Ki!

As regent I can rebuild...

...what you destroyed.

This is absurd, you sitting on the dragon throne...

Your Majesty.

We can only interpret your refusal as opposition to the throne.

Hear me.

The imperial treasury is nearly empty.

The Dowager has shown herself unequal to the task.

She will step down.

Dokman will now run the treasury.

A eunuch?

The imperial and city guards are now under...

...Pak Pulhwa.

As you command.

The most powerful positions in the land in Koryo hands.

Bayan will deliver the imperial and regency seals.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

You are not worthy of office.

We protect the Emperor and Lady Ki.

With our lives!

Power struggles are like hunting rabbits.

Success goes to the quickest and surest.

Any later and you would have been gone.

The hunt has to be finished before the Emperor wakes.

You still refuse to help?

Look in my book of tactics.

That's my answer.

What is it?

Charges of corruption in Bayan's staff.

There are no facts here.

The elbow turns in.

Naturally Tal Tal covered up for him.

We won't find proof.

He's bold, but he's not greedy.

What about the officials named here?

Ayu's birthday is coming up.

We'll invite them to a feast.

A feast? They're Bayan's advisors.

And worthy of special treatment.

We should move the Emperor to Xingde pavilion.

See to it.

Your Worship.

Thank you all for coming.

Bring in the feast.

Fresh, cool water.

Is this a joke?

The crown prince can hardly feast while his people are starving.

I've had enough.

I'm not done yet.

Chancellor, you are guilty of receiving graft.

As are you, Minister.

Forgery, forfeiture, racketeering.

And you, you built a mansion from taxes.

There's more of course.

I have proof of a spoils system that rewards corruption.

Even water is too good for you.

But it is the prince's birthday.

So I added something special.

Something special...?

Essence of arsenic.

If you insist you're without sin, drink up.

I will step down as a murderer of innocents.

But if you don't drink, it will be a confession of guilt.

And you will pay.

I will count to three.

One.

Two.

Uncle.

Let go.

She said she'd step down.

There was no arsenic.

But the others have confessed their guilt.

Bayan and Tal Tal may stay.

Take the rest away. And lock them up.

Your Majesty.

Take them away.

Sir.

What is it?

I need a word with the Emperor.

He's not receiving right now.

It's important.

Kolta.

My Liege, you're awake?

My Liege, may I speak with you?

Yes. Go ahead.

My Liege, Maha is actually...

[Subtitles provided by MBC]