Original subtitles

THIS SERIES IS A WORK OF FICTION. CHARACTERS, ORGANIZATIONS,

NAMES OF PLACES AND INCIDENTS MAY NOT BE HISTORICALLY ACCURATE.

What happened?

It… It's nothing, Your Majesty.

Your Highness.

I was frightened to find you gone while I stepped out.

I was out for some fresh air and to get some things off my chest.

You should've asked for Ae-young to escort you.

I will serve you some tea to warm you up.

Your Highness?

I won't need it tonight.

I've been warmed up already.

Where on earth did you go

in that short second I stepped out?

To the outhouse… I was going to burst.

The outhouse?

Calling for assistance whenever I need to go is a bit…

I will call someone from now on.

"Bring the chamber pot!" I will call someone…

even for passing gas.

You've already adjusted to the palace, have you?

Yes, well… Sort of.

But then again…

Fools rush in where the gods fear to tread.

Do not let your guard down.

Someone may already be suspecting,

"Something's not right with His Majesty, he's changed."

Both your arbitrary decision to spare the Grand Prince

as well as the incident with the hunting dogs…

His Majesty would never have done it himself.

Wasn't it you, my lord, who let your guard down first?

What do you mean?

There was a man who aimed his arrow at me earlier today.

Why are you just informing me of this now?

Then when were you planning to inform me that

I may become a living target and face a gruesome death?

Though I was prepared for death,

I never said my death would be in vain.

If you deceive me once more, I won't overlook it next time.

All right.

If the need ever arises for me to use you as bait,

I will most certainly let you know.

That day will be the day of your funeral.

Does that please you?

I would have that any day over being deceived.

I am to blame.

I was preoccupied with Prince Jinpyeong.

I will confess my sins and be punished.

That can always wait, it will never be too late.

First, we must find out who aimed that arrow

toward His Majesty.

To be honest… I was attacked then I lost Prince Jinpyeong.

I'm certain that he sent the assassins to the palace.

We cannot report based on our suspicions.

We need concrete evidence.

I will start by tracing the source of the arrowheads.

Move discreetly, so you remain undetected.

Yes, my lord.

Eunuch Jo.

I have a favor to ask.

Ask away, Your Majesty.

Could you teach me how to read?

Pardon? Teach you how to read?

On the hunting grounds, thanks to my life as a clown,

I may have averted danger.

But in this palace, that will not help me.

I need to protect myself,

but no matter how much I think about it

there is no other option but for me to become literate.

However, I've never taught anyone

how to read and write.

I suggest you make that request to the Chief Secretary…

No use asking him!

"Don't do anything useless."

That's what he'll say!

I am not hoping to read everything that is on here.

But please, slowly teach me. One by one.

Fortunately, I am quite confident in memorizing.

I even memorized the commoner's letters right away with just a few lessons

from a storyteller.

All right, then.

Thank you.

What… What is all this?

Well, they are the most recent books His Majesty read.

You mean, he read all this?

Day and night, and even into the late hours…

One of the King's duties is relentless learning.

I asked you to teach me letters, I never asked for this!

There's no time to start with The Thousand Character Classic,

so let me translate it into the commoner's alphabets

for you to read and memorize.

How does that sound?

No. This is just too…

Then how about we start with The Book of Odes?

Eunuch Jo…

I asked you to teach me one at a time, not…

"How the monsoon rain blesses the millet and rice."

"How the monsoon rain blesses the millet and rice."

"A noisy fly has sat on the hazelnut tree…"

"The words of the sly never stop and so drive people apart…"

"Why not stop for a rest under the willow tree?"

Then, Your Majesty, I will bring you some tea.

What are you doing?

He said he wanted to learn how to read.

Then I will tell him to stop.

No.

Let him be.

I see His Majesty has no intention of returning anytime soon.

Your responsibility is

not estimating the date of His Majesty's return,

but keeping a good eye on that man.

Yes, of course.

"The willow tree had been thick and dense when I left,

but now that I am considering returning…"

Snow…

Yes.

"Snow and rain are falling."

"The path ahead is rugged, and you are thirsty and hungry."

"Yet no one knows of your suffering and pain."

Ha-sun.

Goodness, I'm almost out of breath.

Hey, Ha-sun!

You take over from here.

I'm too exhausted to do this anymore.

Gosh.

My goodness.

What, you're tired just from that?

Jeez, you must be getting old, then.

What the… What was that?

Are you done talking?

What, did I say something wrong?

Right, Dal-lae?

You're the one who should be apologizing.

The reason he's grown so old and fragile is

because he worked himself to death trying to feed us!

Poor Gap-su… Now he can't even get married!

Do you really want me to teach you a lesson?

Dal-lae…

Gap-su…

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, what's the matter?

Eunuch Jo, will you do something for me?

When he was about to get a taste of that porridge,

the chestnut jumped out of the fire and headed for his eye!

And the tiger was like, "Someone help me," and…

Dal-lae, take a look at me.

Then the tiger was like, "Somebody help me!"

But then he slipped, then rolled on his back, and…

Dal-lae?

Gosh, I said look at me!

What are we going to do with you?

You need to get better before Ha-sun comes back.

Oh, man… I really don't know what to do anymore!

It's all right.

She's still shy, this one…

We're sorry to trouble you like this.

But I promise we won't stay too long.

Even if you stay just a day, make yourselves comfortable.

Thank you.

What… Isn't that a pheasant?

But I thought this was a temple, serving the Buddha!

It is.

And you are our Buddha.

Eh?

What on earth did he mean?

Excuse me.

Is there a gisaeng here by the name of Woon-sim?

Yes.

But it'll be hard to meet her if it's your first time here.

I only need a second.

If you'll pass this on for me…

Chief Secretary! Finally off work?

"Before we even had the chance to promise to meet again,

we've been separated for many years."

"So here I am, picking up my brush, wondering what you are up to…"

My lord.

Why continue sending letters

when you haven't gotten a single reply?

Because you never know.

Your obsession is turning into madness.

That's enough already.

Look at what's become of you.

What happened to that gallant man

whom Lord Gil once treasured?

Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up,

but leaves you with sadness.

Woon-sim,

take my example.

Her Highness is ready to see you.

Though I am still clumsy, I made my best efforts for you.

It's truly beautiful.

I'm envious of your talents.

But then again, you were a seamstress for ten years,

so you'd manage that with your eyes closed.

Even if I were a seamstress for not 10, but 20 years,

I would still have a difficult time catching up to you.

Will you teach me your secrets someday?

Just say when, Your Highness.

Your tea will get cold.

Please, go ahead.

What's wrong with me?

-Call a physician right away! -Yes, Your Highness!

Sun Hwa-dang collapsed while having tea with the Queen?

Is the Queen all right?

Well, yes.

The Queen and the other concubines are unharmed,

except for Sun Hwa-dang.

But when I saw her last, she was as healthy as a horse!

So why…

Make way for His Majesty the King!

My Queen.

Your Majesty.

Why are you standing out here?

The Left State Councilor is here waiting for you.

The Left State Councilor?

Your Majesty.

Welcome back.

Your Highness, please.

Do not force yourself to get up.

My apologies, Your Majesty.

What is her illness?

We will need further observation,

but based on the symptoms alone, it seems she consumed poison.

Poison?

Your Majesty, to tell you the truth…

My stomach had been upset

and I'd been running a fever since a few days ago.

I did not know the reason so bore through the pain,

but today, I believe I finally know the reason.

Are her words true?

It is true she has had the symptoms for a few days now.

And it is also true her symptoms worsened

after having tea with the Queen.

But we have not yet confirmed

whether poison was added to her tea.

I will have my ladies bring the teacup she used,

so you may do so right now.

What good will investigating my teacup do now?

There's no need.

What do you mean, there's no need?

Court Lady Jo.

Show His Majesty.

What… What is this?

This is evidence of witchcraft,

wishing for my death.

There's even a maid who saw it being buried under my bed.

Reveal all you've seen to His Majesty.

It was a few days ago, on the night of the full moon.

I was about to retire,

when I saw someone burying it in the dark.

And who was that?

It was Court Lady Park, Your Majesty.

Take another good look, and answer us.

Are you sure it was Court Lady Park

who's with us now?

Yes, Your Highness.

That was the face I saw, all right.

Your Highness, this is a conspiracy against me.

Please, believe my innocence!

Your Majesty.

I beseech you.

Please expose the villain who tried to kill me with black magic

and punish her severely.

Do not get involved.

But the Queen may be framed!

So how can I ignore this?

What if she isn't?

What if Sun Hwa-dang truly is a victim?

The Internal Court is where the King's women

and their families engage in a battle of evil

over their power and influence.

One wrong move could lead to a blood storm,

which may threaten His Majesty's authority.

Therefore, His Majesty always chooses to remain a spectator

rather than take sides.

I don't understand a single word of what you're saying.

Do you remember how I said

there were just two ways to survive in court?

Yes. Stomp on your enemies and silence them, or…

ignore them completely.

Exactly.

Therefore what you can and must do is

ignore it completely.

There is no other option.

But… my lord!

Arrest Court Lady Park!

Yes, my lady.

Your Highness, I am innocent!

I am innocent!

Let go of me!

Let go of me… Your Highness…

Court Lady Kim, you know me.

Please, believe my words.

I've never done such a thing to Sun Hwa-dang.

Do not stop until she confesses who instructed her.

Yes.

No… No! Please, no!

Your Highness.

They say Court Lady Park refused to speak

despite terrible torture.

Your Highness?

I must go see His Majesty.

If Court Lady Park does not say a name,

the Queen will be in danger?

What does that mean?

In the palace, your senior is forever your senior.

Therefore, absolute obedience is expected.

Thus, if Court Lady Park continues to hold her silence,

everyone will suspect that

it was the Queen who gave her orders.

Your Majesty, I beseech you.

Please expose the villain who tried to kill me with black magic

and severely punish her.

Your Highness, what is it?

I can't, after all.

Let us turn back.

But Your Highness, you came all this way…

Your Highness!

If you get it in…

a goblin may not grant your wish.

Your Majesty.

If that's not what you want…

were you simply just hurling stones?

Your Majesty, how did you…

I saw you turn back

right in front of my door, so I followed you.

There must be something you wanted to say to me.

So why did you turn back?

As you saw, I had come to beg you to believe in me.

But once I was there, fear came over me.

What if you do not believe in my innocence?

I believe in your innocence.

I never doubted you even from the very start.

After hearing you say that, I am shrouded with a greater fear.

For you might then say,

though you believe in my innocence you cannot take my side.

Well, about that…

My Queen.

Please do not say anymore.

It's enough for now that you believe in my innocence.

Please be patient.

I will find a way to save you, no matter what.

You had me astounded again, my lord.

There is nothing gold can't solve.

More than three times a day may prove fatal.

Make sure it's well-hidden under Court Lady Park's bed.

Three times a day. Make sure of that.

It was a wise decision to actually feed her poison.

She may be a greedy child, but she is still softhearted.

If we had told her our plans and had her fake the symptoms,

they would've seen through her.

I thought you had her in mind to be the next Queen.

I have plenty more nieces who are fair and obedient.

There is one more thing left for you to do.

Get rid of Court Lady Park.

We could just leave her like that, so why…

A queen who conjures witchcraft

at the sacrifice of her loyal subjects…

What better reason for her dethronement?

Have these distributed to all the offices.

Yes, my lord.

So, did you find out who the source was?

I searched all the smiths in and around Hanyang,

but none of them crafted arrowheads like those.

The arrowheads used by Prince Jinpyeong and the others

also weren't a match.

I knew they wouldn't leave their traces behind so easily.

What now, then?

There have been three attempts to harm His Majesty already.

Though the heavens have been on his side,

we cannot continue to rely on luck for his safety.

Keep an eye on Prince Jinpyeong and his relatives.

If you notice anything suspicious, report to me right away.

Yes, my lord.

It seems a bloody storm is brewing.

The entire Internal Court may be swallowed up by it,

so please tell me if there's anything I should know.

-Prince Jinpyeong. -Yes, Your Highness.

Leave the Internal Court to me,

so you focus on what you ought to do.

I can't have you come back empty-handed like last time,

after all the airs you put on about the hunting event.

I will take that to heart, Your Highness.

What would you like me to do?

Proceed with it.

What if someone sees you?

Have some.

Thank you.

Please let the Queen Dowager know…

that I will never confess

to what I'd been ordered to do to the Queen,

so she can rest her concerns.

Why?

Thank you for your service.

May you go in peace, this is her last favor.

How… How could she do this to me?

How…

How could she…

Your Majesty.

It's already time for bed.

I cannot just do nothing!

What… Where are you going?

Court Lady Park passed away last night?

Yes, Your Highness.

I am sorry to bear the news.

What happened?

If any illegal methods were involved in her interrogation,

I will not forgive you.

How could I dare do such a thing in a palace

overseen by Your Highness and His Majesty?

Though I can't be sure,

it seems someone…

silenced her by poisoning her.

Your Highness!

Someone must've killed her in order to frame the Queen!

That's what you think.

Everyone else will probably suspect that

it was the Queen's doing, in order to silence Court Lady Park.

Your Majesty, Officer Jang requests an audience.

Let him in.

Your Majesty. We have the cause of death.

-Was she poisoned? -Yes.

And… it was the same poison found in your late-night snack

that killed the court maiden.

Are you sure about this?

I had my men confirm three times to be sure.

I am confident.

Could it have been the Queen Dowager all along?

The mastermind behind this

may not be Court Lady Park's assassin.

It shows the Queen Dowager is hiding something, too.

But now that there is an excuse to escape punishment,

someone will be overwhelmed with joy.

So it wasn't you who killed Court Lady Park.

Then perhaps…

was it the Queen?

No, my lord.

When I went to relay the news, they had not expected it.

Really?

This is turning out to be quite interesting.

All right.

Now is the time for you all to step forward.

Yes, my lord.

Your Majesty! Court Lady Park's sudden death

is no different from the Queen confessing her sin.

Former queens who persecuted the King's concubines in a fit of jealousy

have been dethroned before.

So you must come to a decision, in order to uphold discipline.

Your Majesty, many officials have started to raise their voices

about dethroning the Queen.

If your decision is delayed, the scholars will start submitting their protests,

and that will endanger your reign.

Please listen to us, Your Majesty!

Heed our advice!

Heed our advice!

Heed our advice!

Heed our advice!

Heed our advice!

Please be patient.

I will find a way to save you, no matter what.

My lord. Tell me once more.

What was it that you just said?

That the officials will gather their opinions

and protest so the Queen is dethroned.

I must have a new dress made!

Actually, I can't look too pale, so I should have some decoctions.

Court Lady Jo!

Court Lady Jo! Where are you?

She's that happy?

What about the letters of protest I asked you to prepare?

They are ready.

However, it's obvious that

the Chief Secretary will try to intercept them. What do I do then?

It doesn't matter.

There's no need for him to see the letters,

because I will take them to His Majesty myself.

I must get his approval this time,

so you round up the scholars and ready them for the protest.

Yes, Father.

Ae-young, don't cry.

Gosh, would you look at me!

Your Highness, let me go to His Majesty's quarters,

and ask the maids there how he is.

Don't.

But Your Highness…

As soon as morning breaks, go visit Court Lady Park's family.

But why…

Though she died guilty,

Court Lady Park served me well for many years.

I hear her old, sick mother lives on her own,

so as soon as morning breaks, pass on my condolences.

Your grace is immeasurable.

How could anyone dare frame you?

This is definitely the place…

Who are you?

Is this Court Lady Park's place?

I am from the palace.

Are you one of the Queen Dowager's ladies?

She sent a different person today.

What?

Yes, everyone else was busy!

I see.

Just wait here, I'll go bring it right now.

Sure.

Court Lady Park's mother mistook you for one of the Queen Dowager's ladies,

and gave you this letter and scroll?

Yes. I sensed something wasn't right,

so I handed her the goods you asked me to pass on,

and took these in return.

Who would do such a thing?

Please take a look for yourself.

It's a letter.

"Your Highness the Queen Dowager."

"I have completed the spell that you ordered…

targeting the Queen."

The scroll you must bury under her quarters this time

contains the curse of a powerful shaman,

so you must pay me handsomely.

You mean Court Lady Park wasn't targeting Sun Hwa-dang,

but rather you, My Queen?

Yes.

Perhaps…

we may just be able to clear your name with this.

Your Majesty, Sun Hwa-dang has a witness

so these won't be enough to clear my name.

Though it's useless to me,

I thought you may find it useful.

That is why I brought it here, so do not mind me,

but use it for yourself.

No.

Proving your innocence comes first.

I will make sure it happens, so be patient.

Chief Secretary!

Where are you?

Your… Your Majesty.

How did you…

What brings you here?

Well, this…

Take a look at this.

What do you think?

This is great news.

With this, we can dethrone the Queen Dowager.

I am sure His Majesty will also be delighted.

Pardon?

What do you mean, dethrone the Queen Dowager?

I came to ask whether this will save the Queen.

Our foremost priority is His Majesty's safety.

We do not know when she will try to harm His Majesty next,

so the Queen Dowager shall be dethroned first.

Then what of the Queen?

Does it not matter to you what happens to her?

Did I not tell you? In the palace…

You must trade one for another!

Is that what you are about to tell me?

But sometimes, you must give up ten or even a hundred for one!

Damn it!

So what if you're wielding power, dressed in silk,

when your head is full of beastly thoughts!

When there is no humanity left in your heart!

I don't know why I am wasting my time with you.

After all, this is for His Majesty to decide.

But…

I will bring His Majesty back, so make preparations.

Proving your innocence comes first.

I will make sure it happens, so be patient.

Your Highness, the Queen Dowager.

I have completed the…

Your Majesty. What brings you here without notice?

Your Highness!

His Majesty is here to see you!

Your Majesty! How rude of you.

What is this?

It seems Court Lady Park

went through a lot of effort for it,

seeing as how she left a letter

asking you to pay her more handsomely than usual.

I won't say it twice.

Hand over Court Lady Park's murderer.

If you do,

I will overlook this.

But if you do not, I will notify the court,

and have the Left State Councilor discuss your dethronement.

Your Majesty!

You're up to all sorts of things to save the Queen, aren't you?

Go on and notify the court.

Because I am afraid of nothing.

Even if more evidence comes from Court Lady Jang?

I will give you four hours.

After that, I cannot guarantee anything.

Your Majesty!

Are you feeling better now?

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

What happened?

Yul…

He keeps whispering into my ear.

Your Majesty…

Your Majesty…

Why have you done this?

Please…

Please don't do this!

What more do you want me to do?

What more do you want me to do, Your Majesty?

I remember when I first entered the palace.

You were 16, and so sweet.

You were a young maiden who had entered the palace all by herself.

I was by myself, but never alone.

You were always with me.

The heavens granted me Prince Gyeongin,

but that joy did not last long.

I lost my father,

then I lost Prince Gyeongin, who was my life.

Without you, how could I have withstood all these years?

I shudder just thinking about it.

Your grace is the reason I am here today,

so it is my honor to die for you, Your Highness.

The day I tear the King apart and get my revenge,

I will hold a proper funeral for you.

Your Highness…

Until the day you get your long-awaited revenge,

please be in good health.

Your Majesty.

I am under the Queen Dowager's orders

to confess my sin.

Go on.

But before that, please keep your promise with Her Highness.

Left State Councilor.

What is it, Father?

I laid the trap for a rabbit,

but a fox has walked into it, too.

The Chief Secretary said he'll be back with His Majesty,

but I don't know what's taking him so long.

Your Majesty,

the Left State Councilor is here to see you.

Your Majesty…

Tell him I will see him.

Your Majesty,

the Queen Dowager has done the unspeakable

as a mother of this nation.

Her sin is grave and not even her children can defend her,

so how could we overlook this, as your loyal subjects?

I am here to spearhead the call for her dethronement,

so please, exercise your wisdom.

If you are worried about the scholars' protest,

I will gladly step forward to defend our great cause.

So please, do not overlook this chance to satisfy

your long wish and grudge.

First, you wanted me to get rid of the Queen, and now,

the Queen Dowager as well?

Do you truly wish to make me an unfilial bastard?

Your Majesty.

Your words are most unfair.

I have served you through your hardest times,

and you already know how I suffered an injury to my knee

after taking the blade for you as your most rightful subject!

Yet, how could you undermine my loyalty?

The Chief Secretary must have planted doubts…

Shut your mouth!

Though Court Lady Jang has been found guilty,

that matter has nothing to do with the Queen Dowager.

Moreover,

her confession has also proved the Queen's innocence,

so I will not make a subject of this issue again.

That is my decision. You may leave.

No one will mention the Queen's dethronement for a while now.

But why do you suppose

he did not hold the Queen Dowager responsible?

I guess he does not want to dethrone his own mother.

Am I not right, Left State Councilor?

Your Majesty, what was your wish?

My wish was to see you with a bright smile, even just once.

That's what I wished for.

Don't smile like that.

Don't smile like that, please.

Eunuch Jo.

You must come and see this.

THANKS, EUNUCH JO

This isn't the time for that.

The Chief Secretary will be here with His Majesty soon.

But isn't this fun?

I only wanted to make you laugh.

Your Majesty…

Do well and I live, do bad and I die.

Whatever the case, I'll end up dead someday.

Don't worry too much.

Take off the royal robe and get changed.

If you do not wish to die, step back.

My lord.

My lord.

Why are we only walking up?

So…

Is His Majesty up on the mountain?

I promised I would let you know beforehand.

Today…

is the day of your funeral.

My lord…

My lord! No!

Ha-sun the clown is dead.

You are now the King of this country.

It took us a long while, but now's the time.

I can't hide it anymore.

The reason my heart is fluttering.

I'm thinking of re-building the world that Lord Gil and we once dreamed of.

Why can't we receive rice in the first place?

I do know a man who is a genius at calculations.

Will you join me?

I must've taken the King's duties too lightly.

Resign from your position, Left State Councilor.

I've also a message for you. Have a good trip to the underworld.

Subtitle translation by: Jeong-yon Kim