Original subtitles

Subtitles by DramaFever

Check if it's what you asked for.

No. You took care of it, I'm sure it's good.

- Take it. - Yes, ma'am.

Ma'am?

I buried it under the tomb of Queen Euiin.

- Did anyone see you? - No. Don't worry, ma'am.

Good job.

Episode 4

It's warm wine.

It will help you warm up.

Thank you, ma'am.

This is where I was born and raised.

I lived here, and when I was six years old

I was sold off for my father's gambling debt, and entered the palace.

She's a lowly class, so she's never learned it.

But she finished Elementary Learning.

She's smart, she'll be quick to understand.

But to be used in the palace, her looks need to be up to par.

Then maybe just for five nyang...

Fine, her face could improve as she grows up.

But it didn't turn out the way the Head Court Lady hoped.

In the end, I became one of many useless court maids in the palace.

Until that day.

It's not Classic of Poetry either. Just what did you find?

Forgive me, Sire.

'Think of him for his accomplishment. Whose fault is this?'

- Find the book with these phrases. - Yes.

Wait.

Can you find it, by any chance?

I see you reading books here once in a while.

'Think of him for his accomplishment. His accomplishment remains past you.'

It's in the Book of Documents.

'Endlessly blue sky, whose fault is this?'

It's Wang Bo's in Classic of Poetry.

You may have been confused with the two phrases, Sire.

How dare you, in front of His Highness...

You're right. I was wrong.

Your name is Gae Shi, right?

[Gae Shi - 'Dog poop' written in Chinese characters]

The world got it wrong.

To call someone so precious by such an insignificant name.

It was from that time

that I became someone useful.

Even the court maids I shared the room with didn't know my name.

But he said my name.

But...

Ma'am!

But your usefulness has come to an end.

Don't be sad.

For everyone, life is vain to begin with.

But while people are alive

they should blaze...

- Switch! - Yes, sir!

Even if I have to burn myself...

Fire!

and burn everything else.

[Queen Dowager Inmok] Hurry up. As soon as possible.

But, even then, it doesn't mean that the prime minister is on your side.

Yes, I know.

But we have to make sure the prime minister is the grand prince's man.

[Kim Je Nam] Queen Mother!

Did you finally open your eyes?

No, it was a long time ago.

Yes, I regretted it...

that I didn't put the grand prince on the throne that day.

[Dongja Bongdan - records of the candidates for a princess' husband]

Assistant State Councilor, what are you doing?

[Yoo Hee Boon, Gwanghae's brother-in-law]

Shut up.

Candidates' records started to come in for the princess' marriage.

Sire, you must stop this wedding.

The matter of the princess' marriage belongs to the internal court.

Why would I interfere?

Sire...

don't you know Hong Young and Kang Joo Seon's sons

are mentioned as candidates?

The queen dowager is trying to get them to support the grand prince...

Didn't you know that they'd act that way?

Do you know that Prime Minister Lee Deok Hyung

is leading this procedure?

Not just the Western faction...

now everyone except for the Great Northern faction

is plotting together, Sire.

Don't be that way. Take a bite.

I will feed you...

I don't want to! I'm not going to eat!

Grand Prince...

Don't get married.

If you are not around, then what about me?

Who will I play hide-and-seek with?

And who will I go see flowers with?

I'd hate it if you're not around.

- Eui... - Jungmyung...

Please... Yes?

Did you say this was for Yeongchang?

This is my fate, since I was born as a princess?

Your brother was born as the grand prince of the proper bloodline

but he wasn't able to ascend to the throne.

You should know by now what that means.

Through this marriage, Yeongchang will be able to keep his life.

Do you understand?

You have to protect your younger brother.

Your Highness, how can you be so calm?

You're getting married... at such young age.

Stop with your tears, Court Lady Choi.

Just like what Mother said, as a princess of this country...

I have duties to fulfill. I know that much.

I should put a new knot on Yeongchang's card.

Even when I'm not around in the palace, he can look at it instead.

Do you even know how?

You can't even do embroidery.

Still, it's fortunate

that sons of prestigeous families seem to want to become your husband.

Of course! You're the best lady in Joseon!

Of course you should have the best husband in Joseon.

From what I found out

there is a word that the son of the police chief got picked.

And...

also a rumor that it's the son of the city mayor.

- What? - Pardon?

What did you just say?

Who?

I am Hong Joo Won.

And my father is the police chief Hong Young.

No way...

You can still read with everything that's going on?

You came.

I lost. I'll put both of my hands up for you.

- What brought you all the way here? - That's enough...

Let's go somewhere and have a drink.

Hey!

Fine, water. Happy?

Your head is as messed up as mine.

Am I wrong?

To meet the princess again at this bar...

Could we have imagined it?

You know, we met her when we were little.

Let's run away. If you get caught, you'll become 'it.'

Good. Where are you from?

What are your names?

So, what do you think about what's going on?

I liked the princess from the beginning.

Don't you remember?

I said five years ago that I'd become the princess' husband.

And?

What do you mean 'and'?

You should give up.

What?

The princess' husband can't hold a government position.

You know that.

Still...

it's for the grownups to decide.

That's the order of the royal court and the noble class.

I hear things, Joo Won.

Since people come to our house all the time.

I'll take that seat.

Get yourself out, Hong Joo Won.

[Kang Joo Seon's house]

[Guhyuljang - shelter for the poor run by government or a family]

[Haneum Lee Deok Hyung]

Lord Haneum...

Prime Minister.

[Hansung (current Seoul) Mayor Kang Joo Seon]

Please.

The First Full Moon Day of the new year...

[Record Room of the Police Bureau]

I found it.

Bring it to me.

This is the case where an undecayed corpse was found, right?

- Why, all of a sudden... - It's nothing.

Something bothers me a little.

This is the last prophesy Gyeokam left behind?

The last sentence here...

'The destined one who possesses the purest of the bloodline'

'will come to rule the land.'

It must be referring to Grand Prince Yeongchang.

So if this gets out, what do you think will happen?

Everyone is at the shelter

so there is nothing much on the table.

It's fine.

I feel bad for coming on a day like this.

Yes...

I knew you would answer me that way if I said that.

To be honest, I told them 'We're so busy, just bring out anything.'

You always do examplary good deeds.

You help people with your own money all the time.

The only thing I received is the wealth from previous generations.

And I also don't have dignity and take interest in making money.

But you're using all the money you earned on saving people.

This is the real dignity of the noble class.

It's not about stealing from people while pretending to be respectable hypocrites.

Goodness, please don't say that anywhere else.

You'll be hated by other noble men.

The reason you came to me again...

Is it because you need an answer?

To offer the eldest son who'd carry on the family as the princess' husband

is a tough decision, I know.

- Therefore... - No.

Then you didn't have to come.

Lord Hong Young and I are both servants of this country.

The priority, before family, is government and the royal court.

Either way, we are ready to follow the queen dowager's wish.

Lord Kang...

But...

I'm not sure if this wedding can happen without problem.

What do you mean by that, Lord Kang?

I am in business, Lord Lee.

My family, for generations, has always encouraged trades...

and there are merchants' words that I get to hear.

Since they're the quickest ones on rumors.

The Western faction's trend...

and more than anything...

His Majesty's heart...

They seem to be heading down a risky path.

[Park Eung Seo's Report]

[Seven men, including Park Eung Seo, attacked silver dealers]

[to fund enthronement of Grand Prince Yeongchang with Kim Je Nam]

[Lee Yi Cheom] Sire! What will you do?

I met a man who supplied goods there.

But it was hard to believe...

[Namhan Fortress]

Hey!

Pass!

Sulfur?

- What are you doing? - Who are you?

Who are you?

I am... Prime Minister Lee Deok Hyung.

I've also used my sword quite a bit, but I don't want to cause a disturbance.

So... guide me to His Majesty.

Sire.

This cannon has a higher chance of misfiring than this one.

So this is the one that makes up for that cannon.

Sir, this is a restricted area!

What's going on?

Stop!

Don't you know the prime minister of this country?

What is this place?

Sire!

Follow me, Prime Minister. We were about to test something anyway.

Sire, it's dangerous. You should step back...

I'm going to watch it up close.

- Begin. - Yes, Sire.

We failed... again?

Sire, forgive us!

She is Soo Ryun Gae, a royal shaman.

[Royal Shaman Soo Ryun Gae]

Mother?

[Namhan Fortress]

[Chimgwejung (Weaponry Production Plant]

That's right.

I am producing weaponry and making explosives here in secret.

I've done it for a pretty long time.

And I've failed as much.

But I'm determined not to give up.

I'm actually glad that you found out.

I was going to reveal it soon, and push forward anyway.

Weaponry Bureau...

That will become the name of this bureau.

Sire!

You must also know... how weak Joseon is.

We don't have proper weaponry to begin with.

And we can't even produce the most important explosives ourselves.

So we're just getting by with what Ming gives us.

Ming has been doing that for a long time.

They would use Joseon as the front line when they need it.

But they're also afraid of Joseon becoming strong

so they keep how to manufacture the explosives secret.

That's how they keep us dependant.

But...

my Joseon will be different, Prime Minister.

It's strange.

The fates of the two young masters...

are harmonious with the princess.

One will become fire, one will be water.

One will help the princess be ablaze

and the other one will comfort her.

So, what's strange?

It's about the princess.

What?

There is an ominous energy floating around her that shouldn't be there.

Something that a woman can't have, this country's...

But this is not just Your Majesty's country!

You are definitely the master, but not the owner of the country.

The king is the boat that floats on the sea of people!

Why are you trying to move that boat alone?

The officials of the government should've known!

No matter what the grand purpose was, it can't justify deceit and trickery.

No, I had to do it this way.

Relocation to Gyoha...

'Move the capital and prepare for an attack from the Jurchen.'

Do you think that's all there is for my dream?

Defense in preparation for a war that might happen someday?

You're wrong.

In order for Joseon to survive, it needs to become a leading power.

Power that can defeat not just Jurchen, but the Ming as well.

Only the countries that can attack can be freed from being attacked.

That's what I learned through wars.

But...

Officials are even blocking my way to move the capital.

Do you think they'll agree to developing explosives?

Do you think the Western faction will support me when I stand against Ming?

- Sire! - So I'm going to ask you one thing.

If the day comes when I stand against the Western faction...

who will you stand with?

In order not to have deceit or trickery, in order for me to rule properly

if I have to cut them out, who will you be with then?

What do you... mean by that?

Sire.

- Where have you been all this time? - Please get up.

At the party table I set up, just eat rice cakes.

It's tomorrow.

That day.

Your Highness!

Did you hear?

Candidates for your husband are entering the palace now.

Your Highness, should I go and take a peek?

- Whose son is more... - Court Lady Choi.

I... am an ominous girl.

Pardon?

I am...

Court Lady Choi!

What do you mean by that?

[Queen Munseong] Please start the final selection, ma'am.

Just a minute.

My father hasn't arrived yet.

It is the custom...

to have the family members of the woman's side attend the final selection.

He just entered the palace...

so let's take time and have tea first.

It's hot.

It's too hot.

Your Highness!

Yeongchang?

Eui!

Where are you?

Where are you?

Where are you?

Lord Kim has arrived.

Welcome, Father. Brother!

Ma'am...

Please come up. We've been waiting for you.

Stop!

What's going on?

Forgive me, but the final selection should be postponed, ma'am.

Tie up Criminal Kim Je Nam and his sons.

Yes, sir!

What?

What on earth...

They are all traitors, so drag them out right now!

How dare you! What are you saying? I am a traitor?

You scoundrels! Ma'am! Ma'am!

Brother! Father!

- Brother! Father! - Ma'am!

- Father! Brother! - Sir...

Father...

Eui! Eui!

Eui! Eui!

Why is it so quiet all of a sudden?

Court Lady Eom! Yeon Sil!

Your Highness...

- Take him away. - Yes, sir.

Grand Prince!

- Jungmyung! - Grand Prince!

What are you doing? Why are you taking away Grand Prince?

It's a treason plot.

Your Highness, Grand Prince committed treason.

What?

- Take him away! - Yes, sir!

No! Let him go!

- Grand Prince Yeongchang! - Jungmyung!

- Eui! - Jungmyung!

No! Eui! Eui!

[Ohsung Lee Hang Bok, Ohri Lee Won Ik]

Lord Lee...

Haneum...

It doesn't look like this is all there is, sir.

Move!

I'm going to the grand prince!

I'm going to see the grand prince!

How dare you...

My father committed treason?

My father tried to help Yeongchang to the throne?

Who framed my father and my son?

Fine, then I'll see His Majesty.

I wil ask His Majesty directly about the reason he plans to kill my son.

Forgive me, but Your Majesty cannot enter the Main Hall.

Inspector Court Lady!

That one, that one... and drag out that wench, too!

Yes, ma'am.

Ma'am! Ma'am!

What on earth are you doing?

Goodness, this is...

This cursed stuff was found in the tomb of Queen Euiin.

During the time of the late king

those court maids reported that they buried this in the tomb.

It is thought that the late king's illness was caused by the curse of Queen Euiin.

What?

Therefore, following the law, until the truth is revealed

you cannot leave the residence.

Inspector Court Lady!

Ma'am! Ma'am...

This... this is how you will bind me?

So that I can't save my son...

The criminal who stole from silver dealers in Mungyeong of Gyeongsang Province!

This is the confession that Park Eung Seo wrote.

'In 1613, Park Eung Seo, an illigitimate son of Park Soon'

'Seo Yang Gap, an illigitimate son of Seo Ik'

'Shim Woo Young, Lee Gyung Joon, Park Chi Eui, and Kim Pyung Son...'

'seven illegitimate sons of the noble families plotted treason.'

Therefore, we stole from silver dealers in Mungyeong...

and planned to gather funds for a revolt and raise an army...

[Park Eung Seo]

Together with Lord Kim Je Nam...

'it was to pull down the foolish king and enthrone Grand Prince Yeongchang.'

Who will you stand with?

In order not to have deceit or trickery anymore

for me to rule properly, if I had to cut them out...

then who will you be with?

Was this what you meant, Sire?

However, this is only Park Eung Seo's confession.

Others are denying the crime.

That's right. We can't conclude treason with this alone.

It's an accusation of a fabricated plot of treason.

Same goes for the charge on the queen dowager!

- Please reconsider, Sire! - Please reconsider!

This will be revealed clearly through interrogation.

So, Sire...

Allow me, Prime Minister Lee Deok Hyung, to say a word.

Forgive me for saying this, but Your Majesty... is wrong.

In order to rule properly and have no more deceit or trickery.

Is that what you said?

No, it's wrong.

That one decision...

that deceit and trickery right now...

will lead your rule to tyranny, in the end.

Refuse the hand of the cunning underling!

Hold onto the time when you pledged examplary government, Sire!

Proper ruling happens not next time, not in the future, but right now!

When you withstand this false temptation...

that's when it begins.

Otherwise, Your Majesty's big plans will fade... and someday spoil.

Prime Minister!

Tyranny? Deceit and trickery?

Step back!

You don't trust me... after all.

I... wanted to go with you.

You can't believe this confession?

Fine then. I will lead the interrogation myself.

Sire...

Would that make you happy?

If I prove it to you myself?

- Lord Lee. - Mayor!

Did you check on the situation in the palace?

It seems that His Majesty's interrogation will begin soon.

He means to push this through.

What about Joo Won and In Woo?

Since it's an emergency situation, they aren't able to leave the palace yet.

But don't worry.

Even with the marriage involvement

they wouldn't be able to take our families lightly.

Was this... what you meant?

It's not just the government and the royal court.

Didn't everyone know that something like this would happen after all?

We just didn't know it would be so soon.

You're so simple and honest to begin with.

Your father too.

That's why I thought it would be better for me.

My lord... I mean, my father too.

He seems soft outside, but he's not a pushover.

But it's not all because of you.

Like I said, the princess...

Yes, Her Highness...

Will the princess... be all right?

You cannot, Your Highness. Not the Main Hall!

Step aside.

If you insist, you will get hurt too!

Yeongchang... and Mother are locked up.

My younger brother... could die.

My lady...

I'm going to see His Majesty.

He will listen to me.

Brother will know Yeongchang's innocence!

My lady!

Sire...

Sire...

It's not true, is it?

What happened to Yeongchang... and what happened to Mother...

It's not true, is it?

You believe in them, right Brother?

Please... spare Yeongchang's life, Brother.

He didn't do anything wrong. He's just a little child.

There is... no little child in the royal court.

There is no one without crime either.

So Yeongchang will have to pay for his crime.

So, Brother...

Please do the same for me next year.

Next year, and the year after...

For a very long time... please.

Your Highness.

Your name is Joo Won, right?

Son of the police chief...

That time...

My lady...

Help... my younger brother.

If you do that...

I was told I would be able to protect Yeongchang...

if this marriage goes through.

Your Highness!

Please... marry me.

Please... so that I can protect my younger brother...

Please, please, please...

- Your Highness! - Your Highness!

[Grand Prince Yeongchang's Residence]

Your Highness!

No, I'm not leaving! I'm not leaving!

Sire...

I know. I heard it all.

When I stepped out of the palace, I heard that I'd get killed.

I heard that the ones holding swords would be waiting for me.

That's not true, Sire!

- Please,think of it as a short trip... - No!

Bring me my mother.

Find my sister.

Maybe with my sister... but I'm not leaving alone!

I'm scared.

I'm not going by myself!

Sire...

I can't send him away.

I can't send him away like this.

What did that little one do wrong?

His only crime was to be born as the grand prince.

Because of that crime, he has to be exiled as a commoner?

Ma'am, you have to compose yourself.

If you do this, it'll be more dangerous for the grand prince.

Court Lady Jung...

Spare Yeongchang's life.

If he leaves the palace now...

that child will die, Court Lady Jung...

Please spare Yeongchang's life...

Please spare him...

What about His Highness?

He is still holding out. He's asking for Her Highness...

What should we do, ma'am?

If he keeps refusing the order to leave the palace

His Highness won't be able to keep his life.

Soldiers...

Your Highness.

You shouldn't do this, please...

I'm going with Yeongchang.

If he's leaving, I'm leaving too!

My lady!

He can't spend a day without me.

On the night when lightening strikes, he has to hold my hand to fall asleep.

So how can I let that child go alone?

How can I stay behind in the palace?

Then... kill me before you go.

Until then, you won't be able to take a step!

Court Lady Choi!

Please go with him, Your Highness.

Court Lady Jung...

The royal order was rendered that it's fine to do so.

So please leave with the grand prince.

Eui!

Eui!

Jungmyung!

Are you all right, Eui?

Did you get hurt anywhere?

Jungmyung... I was scared.

I was so scared... by myself...

No, it's fine now.

I'll be with you.

So don't worry about anything now.

I will never be apart from you.

I'll make sure to protect you.

It's fine, Eui.

This is nothing.

We're just leaving the palace for a while.

We'll be back soon.

Is that true, Jungmyung?

Of course. Have I ever lied to you?

Here, take this.

It's your card. I put a new knot.

You're the grand prince of this country, Yeongchang.

You should never forget that.

So you shouldn't cry anymore, and get through this.

I'll stay by your side.

Yes, Jungmyung.

Let's go.

You have to let go of the grand prince's hand now.

You should get on the palanquin.

- Escort His Highness. - Yes.

Sire, you have to let go of her hand.

No! I'll take it with the grand prince.

What are you doing? Hurry up and separate the two.

Jungmyung! Jungmyung!

Jungmyung!

What are you doing? You said we could go together!

Please! Hurry up!

Jungmyung! Spare me! Jungmyung!

Eui, no!

Let go of me! Please let go!

Eui! Eui!

Eui, no!

No!

No! Eui! Eui...

No, Eui! No!

Subtitles by DramaFever

[Hwajung]

You promised me...

You said that you'd protect that child.

We have to sort out everyone... to the scraps.

Is there anyone outside? Please call someone, anyone!

No... No, Princess!

Tell me.

'Purest of the bloodline...'

That Grand Prince Yeongchang will gain the throne...

The current king... is not the owner of the throne?

What on earth...

I must find it.