Original subtitles

Did you say... that the princess is alive?

Episode 21 Yes. The princess... is alive.

And because of it...

there is something I need to make clear. That's why I wanted to see you.

It's a warning not to touch the princess.

Isn't that right?

Are you worried that I may harm the princess again?

At that time in 1613...

you were afraid of Nam Sa Go's prediction about the princess.

So you tried to kill the princess.

But, that's not the case for me.

I don't believe in such predictions.

What Your Majesty believes is not important.

Foolish people will fall for it.

Gae Shi...

Wang Geon of Goryeo shook the heart of the people with a prediction.

'Son of tree (Yi) will gain the country.' King Taejo also used a prediction.

Is that all?

The ones who established King Jungjong did the same.

Yes... Why would they do so?

Because things like that shake up the hearts of the people!

But the princess is a woman.

She cannot be the owner of the throne.

Why does it matter?

If I were a man who could covet the throne, sire...

I'd seize the hearts of the people with the princess in front

and aim for the throne.

Do you really not see this, sire?

You're trying to convince me right now

but you also know that what I say is correct!

Sire, this is your servant.

I have something urgent to report to you, sire.

Sire!

How dare you! What kind of trick are you pulling?

Are you saying that I put poison in the medicine?

Why would I do that?

No?

Then why don't you drink it?

What?

If there is no poison in this medicine, drink this in front of me!

Why? Can't you do it?

It must be because you put poison in here.

Ma'am...

What on earth did you do?

Tell me! What were you trying to do just now?

Ma'am, did you hear? At the medical bureau now...

Leave the palace right now.

You'll have to be a runaway for the rest of your life.

But you'll get to live, if you can call it that.

What will you do then?

It's certainly poison, sire.

Sire, I will investigate who's behind this.

No, you don't need to do that.

I know who did this.

Take her to the secret house now.

Also... bring in Court Lady Kim.

Sire, did you just say Court Lady Kim?

Sire!

I'd like to hear an answer from you, sire.

That day in 1613...

what is the truth of that day, sire?

Princess...

Why did Yeongchang have to die?

Why did I have to run away as if I was being chased out of my home?

Please tell me!

Why did you and I... how did we turn out like this?

- Sir... - Forget it!

Sir! Sir!

So Lee Yi Cheom asked me to come too?

Yes! He said he would share the best liquor that he's been saving.

What liquor...

He must be happy about Gyosan's death.

Even then, how can they be excited after tearing someone apart?

Still, wouldn't it be better to go?

If you get nailed...

'Nailed'? You bastard...

Is he a hammer? How can Lee Yi Cheom nail me?

It's not that...

You seemed to be infatuated with me for a short while...

Did you switch over to the minister of defense now?

'Switch over,' sir?

Make your lines clear.

If you try to stretch your legs that are not even long

they might get torn apart!

- What's this ridiculous sight? - What?

- My words are ridiculous? This man! - It's not that, sir...

Please look over there, sir.

Isn't that Court Lady Kim?

Right, sir?

Court Lady Kim is being taken away now, right?

What did you say? Court Lady Kim was taken away?

That's what I said!

I saw it clearly with my own eyes, sir.

It looks like... you don't know the reason either.

Is that right?

Sir!

- Lord Lee! - Huh?

Take your time and enjoy yourselves.

The truth?

Did you say... you wanted to know the truth about the day in 1613?

Yes, that's right.

Up to now, I believed that everything was executed under your command, sire.

Kim Gae Shi and Lee Yi Cheom just work for you...

and the one who killed Yeongchang and chased me away was you, sire.

Then why... are you trying to protect me?

So, was it my misunderstanding?

Did you have nothing to do with this...

No, that's not the case.

How could I avoid the responsibility of something my servants did?

Sire...

At the time...

the ones who chased you were Kim Gae Shi and Lee Yi Cheom.

But I... buried it, even after I knew about it.

Do you understand?

I knew what they did, but I buried everything...

That was me.

Why... did you do that?

Why did it turn out that way?

Yes, I wanted to ask you. I need to hear it from you.

Why they killed such an innocent child...

Why you buried everything...

Also, why they're trying to kill me again at this point...

Why? What did little Yeongchang and I do wrong?

No, it wasn't the fault of Yeongchang or you, Princess.

It is... because of that hard-to-believe prediction.

'Prediction about me'?

Sire! What on earth do you mean by that?

Then Gyeokam's words were about the princess, not the grand prince?

That's right.

That's why they tried to kill the princess.

I don't think anyone could have even guessed it.

That's why they aimed at the grand prince at first.

But since Her Highness is back now

would the ones who know about this fact stay still?

- Is that why... - Yes.

Lord Ohri and I will be leaving for exile tomorrow

so we're asking you to care for her safety.

Ma'am...

I know how hard my request is, Lord Hong.

But when I think about the princess who will be put in danger

I'd even kneel in front of you.

- Jungmyung... - No, sire.

I can't believe it.

People believe such nonsense?

Those absurd words from someone?

Yes.

Because... people always believe and follow those words.

That's why they foresaw you being a flame for political strife and treason.

'Flame of political strife and treason'?

I'm the one referred to in that absurd prediction?

No, that's not true.

I'm not anything...

That can't be.

That can't be true!

- Is this... true? - Yes.

A soldier from the medical bureau sent a message in a hurry.

Kim Gae Shi was taken away by the royal servants?

On top of that, the servant called Hwa Yi 'ma'am'?

I also found it odd, so I checked a few times.

Hold on... Wait.

Could it be...

Could it be...

What are you doing? Light it right now!

But all of this belongs to Young Master...

How dare you! Do you want to become ash as well?

Burn it. Why would you put your life in danger for me?

How dare you walk in here?

I felt that it was my duty to say my farewell.

Duty?

Is it your duty to pay back the kindness of raising you with vengeance?

That's enough!

What is this ruckus about?

My lord!

I have nothing to say, as you're probably well aware.

Still, listen. I have something to ask you.

Was it because of a girl?

The reason you tried to stab me in the back?

What do you mean by that?

The princess!

It must be the princess.

The technician at the bureau called Hwa Yi.

Father...

Am I wrong?

Princess Jungmyung who was considered to be dead... was alive!

You can't tell me? Look!

Forgive me, sir.

But I don't know anything regarding Court Lady Kim's case. Then...

So it's true...

Did His Majesty... take Kim Gae Shi?

But why?

Just why did the king cut off Court Lady Kim who is like his own body?

Minister Lee!

Here is a letter from Lord Kang Joo Seon.

He asked me to deliver it to you in secret.

What? Kang Joo...

Where do I have to go now... to see Lord Kang Joo Seon?

Just leave him as is?

My lord, he's a tiger cub who bit your neck!

I'm saying this because I can train him.

My lord!

My lady, In Woo will prove to be useful material.

I have a good catch for him

so he'll prove himself as part of my bloodline soon.

- How? - Just wait.

The time will come soon.

Gwanghae started to dig his own grave...

so this time, I will use my child to catch him.

Councilor Hong called him, 'ma'am'!

What? 'Ma'am'?

Did Councilor Hong really call Hwa Yi 'ma'am'?

That's what I said!

My sixth cousin is in charge of documents in the medical bureau.

He said there was a big ruckus because of Hwa Yi.

So His Majesty went all the way there.

And I heard Councilor Hong called him, 'ma'am'!

Are you sure it wasn't 'man'?

Punk, does that make sense?

'Man, man'... Is that what he said?

- He even lowered his head? - That's why it's odd!

You're right, it is strange.

Now that I think about it, there was something weird.

Hwa Yi is a man, but a female nurse was taking care of him!

A female nurse? Why not a doctor?

My goodness, I got it! I know!

I knew it...

Those hands were skinny like a girl's.

What? Then maybe Hwa Yi is...

Yes, it's 'mama.'

Hwa Yi caught 'mama' (smallpox).

- Smallpox? - Smallpox!

Right, right, right! It fits perfectly!

When you catch the smallpox

don't people lower their heads and say 'mama' to get rid of it?

Right, people try to please 'mama' to hope for a clear departure!

You can also see why His Majesty made a visit!

When a serious contagious disease starts

the king is the one to take the lead and look into it!

What do I do?

I touched... those hands.

What do we do...

Now that I think about it...

I touched it like this to take her hand out.

Go away! Over there right now!

Come here right now!

I also went to see him.

How can this happen?

Hwa Yi has smallpox?

Hwa Yi has smallpox!

Smallpox! Smallpox!

- Smallpox! - Don't come near us!

Ma'am...

I bring His Majesty's message.

Did you decide to reveal the princess after all?

Yes, His Majesty believes that presenting you to everyone is the best way.

Only then, he believes that you don't need to hide anymore

and he can protect you.

He said he'd protect me so that I wouldn't hide?

For the celebration of Clear Season

the royal family will have an ancestral rite of the season tomorrow.

I know.

There is an order to start a new flame this time every year.

His Majesty's new flame is passed to town leaders and all the people.

At the seasonal ancestral rite

His Majesty wants to present you in front of all the officials.

His Majesty would like me to deliver the decision to you.

The decision...

Then... do I have to follow it?

Ma'am... it will be difficult

but could you put your faith in His Majesty's true intention?

I don't mean to say to forgive everything in the past.

I'm not asking you to forget all of his sins, either.

No? If that's not the case

how can you tell me to borrow His Majesty's power?

But it's... Right now, it's... the best possible way for your safety.

So if what you want is not the end of His Majesty...

If you acknowledge him as the king at least...

could you lower the blade pointed at His Majesty for a while now?

Sir!

More than anything...

I... don't want to walk a different path from you.

I'd like to become your support, be by your side.

This... is what my heart has kept from you for a long time.

You may not have room in your hands anymore

but this is also my truth that's existed for a very long time.

- It's a weak decision. - I know.

- It's also not like you, sire. - I know that too.

You will regret this someday.

That you let the princess live and were kind to her.

Yes, that may happen.

Then, sire...

Please... stop.

No, Gae Shi.

I want to do this for once.

Even if I protect her now

I won't be able to wash away all the horrible blood on my hands.

Yes, I will keep making the same choice, betraying the same way, murdering

in order to protect the throne...

But at least to her...

I want to become her older brother, not a political enemy.

I want to be her family!

Sire!

So... if you can't follow my way of thinking

then you'll never be able to come back to the palace.

Please...

don't let me lose you.

Why... couldn't you get rid of the rest of the human being in you?

Why... are you handing them a sword to use against you?

Minister of Defense, you came!

I ran late after I asked you to come.

No, I got to take a look around...

By the way, your house is very unique. Like some secret house.

If you like it, please stop by often.

Before that, let's talk about that girl first.

That Hwa Yi was the princess...

Is that true, Lord Kang?

Here is the permit to travel.

It's tomorrow, Princess.

Lord Hong Young will help you leave the city.

So, leave the city.

Mother, it's...

You should never trust Gwanghae.

Do you understand? You shouldn't fall for his sly tricks!

- Ma'am... - Young Master In Woo.

I'm going to escort your way tomorrow.

The palace and the city will be busy with the Clear Season celebration

so you will be able to get out safely.

It's Yanghwa Port, ma'am.

I will wait until you come.

Man, with Councilor Hong and Young Master...

her relationships with men have gotten complicated.

And the standard got higher, too.

Yes, you're no longer the Hwa Yi that I knew.

Your Highness...

Did you decide? Are you going to leave or stay?

Ja Gyung!

Man, if it's hard to decide, let's swim away to Japan together.

What?

Why? Wasn't it nice?

If you think about it, the time at the mine wasn't complicated like here.

Yes, you're right.

I wasn't a princess there.

And I was able to trust any words from Lee Ja Gyung.

But here... I can't trust anyone.

If you can't trust anyone...

trust yourself, Your Highness.

That's it.

To tell you the truth, I don't know anything...

about what's happening in this country, or what your situation is.

Nothing.

But I know the person who used to be Hwa Yi.

Ja Gyung...

Whatever your destiny is...

you still decide the path that is in front of you.

A long time ago, you chose to live...

You chose to become an animal.

Then you chose to return to Joseon.

The Hwa Yi that I knew from Japan walked the right path based on those decisions.

So why can't you do it here?

Now, whatever it is, just make a decision.

Whatever you decide, I'll stay by your side.

Everyone, is it true?

That Princess Jungmyung is alive?

I guess the recent rumor is true.

I heard that she will be coming to the seasonal rite today.

My goodness, how could this happen...

- Is this a dream or reality? - Right?

The only proper bloodline of the late king is alive!

Damn it!

Why does His Majesty plan to show the princess to the officials?

The fact that the princess is alive is shocking enough.

Why is His Majesty taking the lead to establish her status?

That's what I mean!

This situation can't be helpful for His Majesty!

He's always been fussy about that girl from a long time ago.

This is such a big blow to all of us, not just to His Majesty.

So what do we do now...

What can we possibly do about this?

That's what I'm worried about, Minister of Defense.

Too many people know that you tried to kill the princess that day.

But if he keeps the princess by his side

what will happen to your power?

I wouldn't worry about my power now.

He already cut off Kim Gae Shi...

Would he leave me alone?

Whether she dies or I die...

Yes, we'll see the result soon, sire.

I have nothing to lose.

It could be your turn too, sire.

Sire, preparation is complete and all the officials are gathered.

What about Jungmyung? Did she come?

Young Master.

Your Highness...

Move! Move quickly!

Hey there, up front!

Did you load everything?

Hurry up, everyone! Once the seasonal rite is over at eleven

then lighting a new flame is in order!

Hurry!

Sire, we cannot delay the ceremony any further.

Everyone is waiting, so you have to finish the ceremony soon

and head to the lighting of a new flame.

Yes, I got it.

It was greedy of me

that I had hoped for her to open her heart.

Just when is Her Highness coming?

I couldn't understand from the beginning.

Why would she partner with His Majesty now?

Now now, hurry up and move the sulfur!

We have to finish the lighting ceremony without a mistake!

- Yes! - Hurry up!

I command the lighting of a new flame now!

Following His Majesty's command

begin the ceremony of lighting a new flame!

Be on your toes!

When the smoke comes up from the branch that the soldiers light

we'll pour sulfur in the heater and start a flame!

- That's our job. - Yes!

- Hear your voice... Do you understand? - Yes!

Manager Lee...

It's me, Hwa Yi.

What? Hwa... Hwa Yi?

Can't you recognize me?

What... It's true!

It's Hwa Yi!

Have you lost your mind?

What's this look for a guy?

Why are you wearing this?

Manager Lee...

I heard you caught smallpox...

Did you lose your mind from fever?

Ma'am!

Your Highness.

Pardon? What did you say, sir?

Ma'am... ma'am?

I thought this was where I should stand, sir.

So would you help me so that I can stand as a technician of the bureau?

Manager Lee, find a place for her so that she can participate in the ceremony.

Excuse me, why are you doing this?

Why do you call her, 'Your Highness'?

Did you... catch smallpox as well?

At the ceremony today, we'll throw out the old flame and light a new flame.

It's an important ceremony where we pass the new flame to the people.

So we'll light a flame with sulfur brought in from the weaponry bureau...

Your Highness...

Princess...

That's...

Could it be...

She must be the princess.

Did you say that you're not going, ma'am?

Yes, Young Master.

I'm going to stay behind as a sulfur technician at the bureau.

Ma'am... you shouldn't.

The king won't be able to protect you.

Even so, it's my decision.

So please continue with the lighting ceremony, sire.

Erase the old flame and light the new flame

so that your grace reaches everyone in the country.

That's what the ceremony is for.

I will also light a new flame by your side, sire.

What are you doing? Start the fire now!

This is a new flame lit by His Majesty and Her Highness together!

Blow the horn and start the ceremony now!

This is a new flame of Joseon that was lit today.

This flame will be delivered to everyone in the country.

From this flame, Joseon will have a new beginning.

No way... no way... no way!

Hwa Yi was a princess...

Hwa Yi didn't have smallpox! She was a princess!

She wasn't a flower bachelor...

She wasn't even a bachelor.

Girl, that's not a problem right now!

What are you going to do about not knowing your place and grabbing her hand?

Soo Deok, pinch me.

I'm too lost to do that...

I really...

I mistreated her so much...

I'm a dead man walking.

Punk, it can't be worse than me!

With my hands like an iron lid, I hit her head so many times...

Grabbed her by the collar...

Hwa Yi is a princess...

She was Her Highness!

- My goodness... - My goodness!

In Woo...

At the end, you... convinced Her Highness.

Again, not me... but you.

It's not like that, In Woo.

- She wanted... - This...

She gave it back... to me.

'Now that I think about it'...

'I can't accept it if it's not given as a friend.'

That she thought something else would occupy her wrist.

But... why is it you again, Hong Joo Won?

Why?

Why do I have to be after you again this time?

Sire, Her Highness is here.

I didn't forgive you, sire.

Yes, I know.

That day will probably never come.

Yes, Princess.

But even so, I'd like to remain at the weaponry bureau.

If I could.

This is my decision, sire.

You're the king that is needed in this country now.

And I will do what I can today by your side.

No, sire...

You will regret lighting this fire in the end.

In the end...

You don't like this house either?

The house... is too old.

And it's small.

Pardon? This house?

What kind of house are you looking for?

I told you that I'm looking for the biggest house in the city.

I'm the best realtor in the city.

There aren't bigger houses than this in Hanyang.

All the houses you saw...

Really?

Then, what's that over there?

Which one?

That's the palace!

Yes, the palace! Look...

A house should be at least that big.

Pardon?

Please take our lives, Your Highness!

Why are you doing this?

Your Highness!

- Please kill us, ma'am! - Kill us!

Please don't do this and get up.

Manager Lee...

Manager Jang...

Ma'am, please forgive our sin!

- Please! - Please!

Why would you speak to us in the respectful form?

We wish... that you'd beat us until just before we die, ma'am.

Manager Jang...

Please beat us until just before we die.

Ma'am! Girl, lower your head!

Ma'am, please forgive this immature girl! Ma'am!

- Ma'am... - Sir.

Ma'am!

- Your Highness! - Please take our lives!

It seems that I put everyone in a difficult situation.

Everyone is just so shocked, so please don't be concerned.

It'll get better eventually.

Still, it will be uncomfortable for a while because of me.

I wonder if I was stubborn for no reason to remain at the bureau.

Do you plan to quit the bureau then?

You can't do that, ma'am!

Pardon?

What I mean is...

The weaponry bureau is not a place you can come and go as you please.

Ma'am... that's...

Since you gave it to me, I didn't want to leave it.

I just put it on my wrist since it's for a wrist.

Yes, I'm sure.

I didn't think there was another meaning either.

Of course, how could I think that you have the same feelings...

I have business in the palace...

- 'Nerd'? - Pardon?

How can you do that as a man?

'This is my heart. I've wanted to give this to you for a long time.'

Where did that courage go?

Ma'am, why are you getting angry...

You should know what it means when I have on what you gave me.

'Yes, I knew it.' That's it?

Forget it!

I'm busy too.

Ma'am...

what you just said means...

Sir! Sir!

Sir! Sir!

Why? What's going on?

Sir, we have a big problem!

It's a war!

What?

Later Jin attacked the border of Ming!

A war broke out between Later Jin and Ming after all!

So how is the current war situation?

Ming is getting pushed back without a solution.

We won't be able to refuse to send troops anymore, sire.

Now is the time to show your usefulness.

Move the westerners so that they will never agree to send troops.

Do you understand?

Yes, I will do that, sire.

And one more thing...

Check the situation in Ming.

With your contacts in the royal family in Ming...

Sire!

Forgive me, but I have an urgent matter to report.

What is it?

You'll have to look outside of the palace now.

Prince Neungyang is requesting that troops be sent to Ming on the ground!

What did you just say?

Who?

Prince Neungyang...

Prince Neungyang Yi Jong...

Your Majesty, this is Prince Neungyang Yi Jong.

Do you remember?

Your younger brother Prince Jungwon's eldest son...

Prince Neungyang!

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