Original subtitles

Subtitles by DramaFever

Episode 16

So imagine... how curious I must be.

Who you are, and what your goal is.

My goal?

Are you... an informant for the king?

I'm asking if Gwanghae is behind you.

Following the command of the emperor of Great Ming

we came to say our greetings to the highest elder of Joseon first.

Ma'am.

His Majesty has arrived!

Your Majesty, I get to see you here.

It's been a long time, my king.

Isn't that right?

But what do we do about this?

I didn't mean to, but I'm about to receive greetings...

from the envoys from Ming before you.

Where on earth have you gone, Hwa Yi?

- Move aside! Move aside! - Move!

What do you mean by that?

Is the king behind me?

King... I know a bit about him.

A snake-like man you just can't figure out.

Just like me.

My thoughts reached to this point...

'Maybe the bureau case was a game that the king had planned with a purpose.'

Plot an accident, solve it, and turn the game around to make it beneficial for him.

Sure... he's more than capable of fooling everyone.

Is he... by any chance...

Then there was you who rolled into the center of the accident.

And you're aiming for Gyungwoon Palace now.

So how could I leave you alone?

Now...

If you want to preserve your life, open your mouth.

What is Gwanghae trying to do with you at the frontline?

What is the truth of the Eye of Mercy Goddess that the queen dowager is chasing?

Your goal is the king.

Am I wrong?

That's what I hear...

Your treacherous mind.

Do you not understand this situation?

You're the one who needs to answer, not me!

No, you're the one who doesn't understand what's going on.

Yes, whoever you are, if I am right...

you're barking up the completely wrong tree.

That's because...

I'm not an informant for the king.

I have the same goal you do.

- What? - Do you understand?

I also want to take down the king!

Summon an official meeting right now.

Right now!

- Yes, sire. Let's hurry. - Yes, sir.

You want to take down the king...

You do?

So, how about it?

To share the same goal together...

why don't you untie me?

Shut up!

How dare you make fun of me!

Why should I trust you?

Eye of Mercy Goddess.

The prayer beads I left at Gyungwoon Palace...

Didn't you say you wanted to know what it is?

It's important to the queen dowager.

That's why I delivered it to her.

It's important to the queen dowager? How?

Why?

What are you doing?

Why should I trust you and tell you?

Don't we feel the same way, that we can't trust each other?

- You... - That's why...

If you want to open my mouth, you need to make a gamble.

If our goal together is Gwanghae.

Isn't that right?

What should we do about him, sir?

I'm not sure...

What should I do about him?

I don't know if rice is going down my throat or my nostrils.

Where did Hwa Yi run off to again?

And why did the envoys go that way?

Is something going to explode again?

- Your cheeks will explode first. - What?

Even if the envoys came quietly, we don't know what they would pick on.

How can you still eat?

- I barely had a bite. - Because you have no appetite...

this is your second bowl of rice.

You don't understand what's going on, you don't have a head to think...

What don't I have? Are you making fun of my head?

You're dirty and you're ignorant!

Your head to think! Not that kind of head, but to think!

What?

Again, there you go again! I'm so busy! Who's going to clean this up?

Here, have one more bowl.

Yes, we're really busy.

Hey Soo Deok, clean this up too.

- Hey hey, what's that? - So ignorant...

And why are you giving me more rice?

I have no time to clean up right now.

So you should eat more rice and clean up afterwards.

Eun Seol, we're so busy! What are you still doing here? Hurry!

- I'm coming, Mom! - What's going on?

What's going on with them?

Why do you think?

In the middle of chaos, something strange rolled into our weaponry bureau.

Sir.

You're the workers from the bureau I saw in the northern border area last time.

- So did you bring what I told you? - Yes, sir. Eun Seol, show him.

I brought ashes from the sulfur kiln.

It's as fine as I heard. Go in there and sprinkle it!

Pardon? Oh, yes.

Eun Seol, let me have it.

Go in there and sprinkle the seeds.

I heard the ashes from the bureau are the best

to increase the texture in vegetables.

I'll come and check often

but they are precious ones that will go on His Majesty's table

so you should take responsibility, and take care of them.

Pardon? Are you saying that you'll grow vegetables here, sir?

I heard there was a big ruckus at the palace now.

Don't you need to go there and check?

That's why I'm more focused here.

His Majesty will start a fight soon, so I should support him.

All the officials are gathered in the hall and are yapping about useless things.

They don't have a speck of loyalty!

- Hurry up and sprinkle them! - Yes, sir.

- Line them up straight. - Yes, sir.

With loyalty in each and every seed!

That's why he's called 'Minister of Japchae.'

That's why high officials don't like including him.

Sire... I pray for your health for ten thousand years to come!

Everyone, pay extra attention so that it won't become a problem at the bureau.

Yes, sir.

Sir.

How can one with the title of councilor decide to show up this late?

Forgive me. But what's going on in the palace?

His Majesty has arrived!

Sire!

Transcriber, leave us.

Sire!

Transcriber, do you not hear me?

Forgive me, but that's impossible, sire.

Transcriber's job is to record everything that happens.

How can you make him leave?

Then... should we leave?

The reason I'm letting the transcriber out

is that all of you, and I...

should say the truth in our hearts without worrying about anyone today.

Do you understand?

At least for today!

Let's set aside everything

your ill feelings towards me, and your factions!

Let's talk about this country Joseon.

But I wonder... if it went too far.

What's going on? You suggested that I should use the queen dowager.

You said that the king of Joseon will know his place if I take it that far.

Yes, you're right, Your Highness.

For the king who is not even of the proper blood

Whose grace is it that he still has his seat

even after he kicked out the queen dowager?

It's because His Majesty the Emperor has been understanding.

But even then, the king of Joseon is refusing to send troops?

How dare he refuse the order from His Majesty the Emperor!

That's right!

The envoys from Ming must've done this today

in order to press the issue of sending troops

To humiliate the king of Joseon...

and to tell me to follow the order quietly.

So I'm going to ask you...

When you call Ming the country of Heaven's son...

does it mean that it's fine if Ming rules Joseon?

Is it all right for Joseon to respect Ming as its master

and Ming to consider Joseon as its subject?

That's what I'm asking.

If that's not the case, then tell me.

Lift your hate towards me just for today

and tell me if I should accept this rude behavior that happened on our land today.

We're in a very difficult situation.

It's true that the envoys from Ming were rude.

Anyway, the current king is surely the king of Joseon...

but it went against principles and moral obligations.

I can't speak for or against sending troops...

I can't go forward or backward.

I don't know if the Westerners will really stand on His Majesty's side.

Still, the mood in the meeting was solemn.

They always consider justifications and big purposes

so in this case, it's clear what's right and what's wrong.

Would they?

But even if the Westerners stand with His Majesty this time

it will be hard not to send troops.

What? Why?

I've been supporting His Majesty so far

but not on this matter, to be honest.

He won't be able to hold out in the end.

Joseon is still a weak country. That's the reality.

'The reality'?

Yes, what a good comment!

Everyone needs to focus on the reality in front of him.

Look!

Sir!

Did you find out what Heo Gyoon has been up to?

He's like a fox, so it wasn't easy to follow him.

What?

Maybe he noticed, he kept hiding this way, that way...

Look at this bastard...

Do you think I gave you that money to hear something like that?

But, sir, I did find something out.

What is it?

Heo Gyoon is careful, but the ones who work for him are a bit clumsy.

So I saw them kidnapping someone.

Kidnap? Who did they kidnap?

Then I'll leave it to both of you.

I have to go to the palace, so please look for Hwa Yi just a little longer.

- Yes, sir. - Yes, yes.

He might've gotten lost since it hasn't been too long since he came to the city.

So please go to the police bureau and the city office, too.

I'll go check. I just wonder where he went all day...

- Sir, you should hurry. - Yes. I'll leave it to you then.

I'll go to the police bureau, so why don't you go to the city office?

Sure. I wonder if he ran into gangsters and got into trouble.

He looks so weak...

Those are ominous words...

Just wait until he's back! I'll pull all of his hair out!

- Go! Go now! You talk too much... - Yes, yes.

What? Who did you meet with?

The sulfur technician named Hwa Yi...

the one who fooled you last time.

Why would you do that?

What do you mean, why? I need him.

I don't meet with useless human beings.

By the way, sir...

He said something really interesting.

That he's on our side.

What?

It's a surprise to see you at this hour.

Isn't it time for you to be at a courtesan's house?

Once in a while, I do my duties as a human being.

Duties as a human being?

Is that why you got in the way of your father's work?

I heard what you did with that lowly technician at the weaponry bureau.

You did a good job of cornering your father.

Of course, 'the wife follows her husband's lead.'

There is nothing you don't know about.

Father must feel so secure!

Even if I get a little out of line.

What's that?

I'm going to pay my respects to my father now.

Even if I can't do anything else, I should at least do that.

Don't go to the main house.

He's with a visitor right now.

And...

I'm giving you a clear warning...

If you interrupt your father's plans again

then I won't leave you alone.

Do you understand?

Yes, of course.

But it's too bad.

Is it because I have lowly blood mixed inside me?

If you tell me not to do something, I want to do it more.

So you really let him go?

How can you trust him?

We really need him if he can move the queen dowager.

- And he'll be very useful. - Useful?

What are you going to do after you use him to move the queen dowager?

I have plans, sir.

It won't be too long before Gwanghae is taken down...

so you should hurry up and look for a new scarecrow.

Since we're already on the same boat

if you want...

I can also do that for you.

Brother!

In Woo!

What... brought you to our house?

Why from the main house...

It's because...

I asked you to introduce me to your father, but you didn't say anything.

So I came here, although it's an embarrassment to myself.

What?

I did my best, so you should also...

Gyosan!

What are you doing here at this hour?

I feel like it's a big crime for me to show up here at this hour.

Mother was surprised, too.

Was she?

Please give it some thought, sir.

I came suddenly without notice. Please forgive me.

Don't worry. I'll give some thought to that matter.

See you later. Let's have a drink.

Yes, I'll send you a message.

So, you know Gyosan.

Is there any hooligan in the city that I don't know?

Don't see him anymore. Do that at least for your father.

Yes, Father.

Ma'am, please lie down.

No, I'm fine.

You had a big shock today. You need to rest.

I saw Gwanghae's face, so how could I be fine?

He's well and alive.

Even after he so shamelessly stole my children from me.

Ma'am.

But how long could he last?

I'll make sure to see Gwanghae shed tears of blood!

Yes, ma'am...

so you must endure until that day.

Court Lady Jung...

Have you heard from both of the lords?

I wonder what's going on with the favor I asked...

Forgive me. I checked the soil collectors...

but I haven't seen the sulfur technician yet.

How come? Is there a problem?

To be honest, he disappeared yesterday, so we're looking for him.

He disappeared? Suddenly?

Yes, I also requested the police bureau and the city office look for him.

But Lord Ohri, why are you looking for him?

If you can't trust me, of course you don't need to tell me.

I'm just worried since it's a request from the queen dowager.

Sir.

It's... because of the princess who passed away.

Pardon?

Sir... did you just say, the princess?

Right, I have no other means.

I have to meet with Mother, even if this is what it takes.

You're good at keeping your promise.

I wondered if you would actually show up.

Now, should we check?

If these are the hands that can clap or just wave in the air.

There is only one thing I want.

Deliver this letter to the queen dowager, and let me meet with her.

You're full of confidence!

If I give her this

you think the queen dowager will meet with you right away?

This...

Yes, the queen dowager will meet with me.

The Eye of Mercy Goddess belonged to the dead princess.

You...

How do you know...

My younger sister was a court maid who served the princess.

On the day she passed away...

she burnt to death with her at the dock.

What?

I served the princess with my sister that day.

And I saw everything...

how they were dying.

That's the resentment I have towards the king.

And it's also the reason I need to see the queen dowager.

Do you mean to tell her the truth about that day?

What really happened...

I've endured my life to this day for that one purpose.

How it feels to lose my family... and someone just like family...

a person like you wouldn't know.

Right, that can't be erased.

The scar of having your family stolen... and someone like family...

Anyway, sounds good.

So if I help you meet with the queen dowager

what can you give me?

Whatever you want.

'Whatever'?

I'm in the weaponry bureau.

I earned trust from what happened last time.

So I think I'm very useful.

What's really going on?

Why is Hwa Yi with Gyosan?

- You came. - Sire.

You should've said something.

Why? Did I look too miserable?

So, did you look into it?

The envoys at Mohwa Hall will be leaving tomorrow.

They also said they won't come to the palace unless you go to Mohwa Hall.

So they're telling me to come to them and lower my head.

Come and surrender... Send troops...

This map...

On the day of rebuilding Changdeok Palace...

this is the first thing I did here.

I hung this map in my office here.

Do you know what's different about this map?

Joseon is in the center just like Ming.

Although it's small

it doesn't look like it's a subject country to Ming.

Yes, that was my dream.

No, the bigger dream I really had was...

to place Joseon in a bigger center.

And for that... I won't give up until the end.

I lost a lot of things I should've protected because of it.

But I won't regret it. I will keep walking this path.

For as long as I can. Absolutely.

Are you really leaving?

I'm sorry. Please tell him that I'm sorry for leaving without saying goodbye.

Goodness, really...

Still, you should at least wait until daybreak.

Hwa Yi!

Sir.

What happened? Where have you been?

- What happened was... - How can you do this?

Do you know how worried I was?

Is it so hard to say where you were going?

How can you just do whatever you want?

You're the same!

I asked you to tell me when he comes back, so why didn't you send me a message?

- I... - Excuse me, sir...

He said he was leaving... That's why...

What?

What do you mean, Hwa Yi?

Then... are you leaving the city altogether?

The weaponry bureau, too?

Yes. I'm sorry it turned out this way.

But the smelting technique at the sulfur office won't be any problem.

Manager Lee at the sulfur office learned quickly.

And I also wrote important stuff in this letter.

But... I'm a little taken aback.

You made this decision out of nowhere.

It wasn't out of nowhere.

To be honest... it's been hard the whole time.

It's been hard?

Yes. Very much.

Is it because I'm a woman, just like you said?

It's not a place that someone like me should've come to begin with.

Hwa Yi... it's...

So I think leaving is the right thing to do.

If I stay, I'm sure it'll be trouble for everyone.

You and everyone there, too.

Just what do you mean by that?

'It will be trouble if you stay'?

Hwa Yi!

That's because... you and I are different.

You and I will never be able to serve the same king.

- Look! - Yes, sir!

Where is he? Where did Hwa Yi go?

Hwa Yi!

Hwa Yi!

- Make sure not to miss anything. - Yes, ma'am.

Court Lady Kim!

What brings you to the palace at this hour?

It's because... I felt like I needed to talk to you about this.

I received something strange.

Ma'am!

- What's going on? Why the scream... - Ma'am... over there.

Ma'am...

We have to... find a way to get out right now, Court Lady Jung.

Ma'am, that's not possible.

It's him!

The one who left the Eye of Mercy Goddess here

is asking to see me because he wants to tell me about the princess.

Ma'am, please calm down.

- First, we should take it slowly... - No... No, I can't do that.

I have to go, Court Lady Jung.

I have to meet with him no matter what!

When the bell for the night curfew rings, near Jeong-dong forest.

You shouldn't miss the time.

Please. The one Her Majesty is indebted to is seriously ill.

We will only make a quick trip.

You can't! Do you want to see me be punished?

I heard you have a lot of family members.

Nothing will happen.

Really... This is tough...

Look... please.

Here!

Who else knows about this?

I haven't told anyone yet.

If it's true, it's my accomplishment!

So I closed my mouth.

Should I even be telling you...

So, you're just telling me now to make it your accomplishment?

No, no... I just... wasn't sure...

The content is too absurd...

That, that woman...

What the...

What happened?

I thought my neck was falling off waiting for the change.

I'm sorry. I brought someone from the palace on my way here.

Palace?

Lord Gyosan Heo Gyoon sent him.

He told me to let this guy in.

Hurry up!

Nice!

- Is Cheon not here yet? - Yes, he came.

So why are you still here?

- Didn't you switch with him? - He told me to wait for a bit.

Someone from the palace came.

- What? Palace? Who is it? - How would I know?

We just do what we're told.

Where did he go?

Who did he come to look for?

What are you saying? He can't see Her Majesty?

- It's... - Please, I'm asking you.

It'll only take a moment.

Tell her that I came to tell her about the princess.

What?

Ma'am, wasn't it around the time when the curfew bell rings?

Yes, that's what was written.

- Then why... - Your Majesty!

What do you mean by that? Something about the princess?

Please, just tell her. We don't have time for this.

It's not that...

By the way, why are you here?

What?

Are you the one who sent this letter?

Her Majesty went out to meet with you.

What did you just say?

She went out to meet with me?

No... I didn't send this!

Ma'am!

Lord Lee!

What brought all of you here?

What do you mean, ma'am?

Didn't you tell us to meet you here?

What did you say?

All of us came here with your letter.

Because you wanted to discuss something in secret regarding the king.

Ma'am!

This is a trap.

Hurry up and leave! If you stay here...

Find them! There are traitors here!

Ma'am!

Let's go now.

Could it be...

Did Heo Gyoon...

Mother!

[Mohwa Hall, where envoys from Ming stayed]

Welcome, sire.

Is it true?

Was the queen dowager in Gyungwoon Palace really involved in the treason plot?

The police bureau arrested the ones involved in the plot last night

and they're being transferred to the state tribunal right now.

I basically caught them myself.

Goodness, how did you find out about it?

That's amazing, Lord Yoo.

It's all about intelligence!

The queen dowager was involved in a treason plot? Is it true?

Minister of Defense!

So... my answer is still the same.

Sending Joseon troops will be tough.

Tough...

Joseon doesn't even have enough soldiers to guard the border area right now.

I believe I reported about the situation several times.

Yes, and Ming sent the command several times

but Joseon's answer has always been the same.

That's why I came here myself.

Sire, I didn't come here to ask.

I came to deliver the command of His Majesty the Emperor!

Emperor! Did you say, 'command'?

Aren't your words too harsh?

A relationship between a master and a subject.

You seem to forget often, but that's the relationship of Ming and Joseon, sire.

So 3,500 shooters, 5,000 muskets, and all the necessary gunpowder...

Joseon will have to offer them.

Unless you want the emperor to find Joseon more rude than Later Jin.

Sire.

Let's go. We didn't expect to be able to talk to him from the beginning.

This is a power struggle after all.

Ming and Later Jin... and Joseon.

Sire, you should return to the palace as soon as possible.

It's big trouble!

- A treason plot was reported. - What?

- Let go of me! - Let go!

Your Majesty!

It was a trap. It was Gyosan's trap!

What? You had the queen dowager involved?

Yes. Thanks to Hwa Yi, I was able to take care of it very easily.

The queen dowager fell for it easily.

Are you out of your mind?

You said you'd catch Gwanghae, so what have you done!

Please calm down, sir.

When it happens this way... you should sense what's going on.

What?

Move aside!

This is the blade pointing at Gwanghae.

Now Gwanghae will charge the queen dowager with treason and dethrone her

based on this fabricated treason plot.

Are you saying that you'll blame this on Gwanghae?

Yes.

Gwanghae's blade pointed at the queen dowager was fabricated.

What would happen if this gets out to the public?

This is what we should do, sir.

Gwanghae kept the throne through this kind of trickery in 1613

as he shed innocent people's blood!

So, through the same method

he'll end up stepping down from the throne.

Brother!

I get to see you here again.

In Woo, you...

Tell me, bastard. What are you planning to do?

Hey, you must be mistaken...

Listen.

I inherited my father's blood, so I like the knife better than words.

What are you trying to do with Hwa Yi?

Really? They are sending troops for sure?

Then what about us?

That means we have to fight the war too.

Hey hey, that's not the only problem now!

The palace was turned upside down over a treason plot last night!

What? A treason plot?

Sir!

- That... Hwa Yi! - Where have you been, punk!

Sirs, where is Councilor Hong?

I have to see him right now!

You missed work without a word, so you should be punished first...

Please! There is no time for this now.

Man, so scary...

You could really stab me like this.

I won't hear your nonsense.

Why did Hwa Yi meet with you? What did two of you do?

All right, fine. I'll tell you.

Even if I do, you won't report your father.

Am I wrong?

You know what kind of a man your father is

but you've kept silent to this day.

You...

Hwa Yi?

Yes, I started a game with him.

I found out...

that he also wants to get Gwanghae.

What?

And it was with your help, too.

Thanks to you, I learned that he was connected to the queen dowager.

What are you saying?

Why would Hwa Yi be connected? How?

Go ask him yourself.

You're keeping a busy man here...

The prayer beads...

I heard they belong to dead Princess Jungmyung.

I don't know how it happened...

that's what he had. That's how the queen dowager...

Say that again.

- What did you just say? - Let go of me first...

What Hwa Yi had belonged to the princess? What do you mean by that?

Father! Did you hear the news about Gyungwoon Palace?

Yes, I'm on my way to the palace.

This has to be a set-up.

You should go to the bureau.

I'll let you know how the situation is.

I heard it belongs to dead Princess Jungmyung.

I heard it's very important, something her mother gave her.

- The princess was not found. - What?

So she may be alive. She could be, somewhere.

No way...

No way...

I have to see Councilor Hong! Somehow, this matter...

Hwa Yi!

Young Master!

I'm glad to see you here!

Young Master, have you seen Councilor...

Hwa Yi!

Is that... really your name?

Excuse me?

Answer me!

I'm asking... if that's your real name.

Young Master... why on earth...

Princess Jungmyung...

Your Highness?

By any chance...

are you the princess?

Hwa Yi!

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