Original subtitles

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

NAMES OF PLACES AND INCIDENTS MAY NOT BE HISTORICALLY ACCURATE.

But I can't hide it anymore.

The reason my heart is fluttering.

I've finally fallen in love with you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, are you all right?

I'm… fine.

Your Majesty.

I'm… fine.

Your Majesty.

I'm… fine.

Your Majesty, try holding your breath.

I've already tried that many times, haven't I?

It's no use.

Then… we'll have to use our last resort.

Stick your tongue out,

hold it, and hold your breath…

I don't think I…

Forget it.

There is another way.

Lie down like this,

bring your knees tightly to your chest,

then hold your breath…

Eunuch Jo. Eunuch… Jo!

It's all right.

I'm sure it'll stop on its own.

It's been two hours already.

Should I call for the royal physician?

It's all right.

I'm sure it'll stop soon.

I'm afraid this is all because of me…

No!

Not at all.

It's been chilly lately…

So it must be the cold.

Will you truly be all right?

Of course.

I'd like to lie down,

so you should also return to your quarters.

All right, then.

I will leave you to rest, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

It's stopped!

I guess that was enough.

Thank goodness.

I will get your pajamas ready.

I'm only getting better at lying with each passing day.

Your Highness, is something troubling you?

No.

I just wanted to slowly walk away.

Pardon?

The moon and stars seem to be shining brighter than ever tonight.

But it's so cloudy tonight.

Good work.

Please call me again, if you should ever need me.

Father.

Father, my apologies for acting without your permission.

I thought I couldn't eliminate Ju Ho-geol

without the Chief Secretary gone.

So is this evidence that Ju Ho-geol is dead?

Yes.

You paid him without confirming the body with your own eyes?

How could you be so careless?

My apologies, Father.

Yi-gyeom, you must always see to the end of things.

Otherwise, they'll come back to haunt you.

Take that to heart.

Yes, Father.

I've finally fallen in love with you, Your Majesty.

I've finally fallen in love with you, Your Majesty.

But why…

Your Majesty.

Is something troubling you?

You insolent brat!

My apologies.

I was simply worried because you didn't get much sleep…

That wasn't meant for you.

I was just lost in my own thoughts.

Eunuch Jo.

Do I really look that similar to His Majesty?

Well, that's…

I was quite surprised when I first saw you,

but ever since you returned with that wound on your chest,

I sometimes get mistaken that His Majesty

has really returned.

Mistaken?

Mistaken, did you say?

You are quite right.

It must be His Majesty, not me.

Your Majesty.

This way leads to the Queen's quarters.

How did I end up here?

Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Queen is here.

Your Majesty, I was just about to visit you.

Were you perhaps on your way to visit me?

Actually, I was on my way to the office,

but I must've lost my way while I was lost in my thoughts.

You look haggard.

Were you hiccupping all night?

I've finally fallen in love with you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

No.

It stopped right away.

I was only reminded too late after seeing you

get hiccups last night.

I'll offer you ginger tea that you used to enjoy as a Crown Prince.

It aids digestion, so hiccups will not plague you again.

Do as you wish.

Please excuse me, then. I've got urgent matters to attend to.

How's that report for tomorrow going?

According to the investigation,

the document has nothing worth particular attention,

so that should be enough reason

to have Lee Han-jong punished.

But it's that Ju Ho-geol I'm worried about.

If the Chief Secretary uses him to detect records of embezzlement…

Then the tables will turn against us!

Don't worry.

Because something like that won't ever happen.

No word from the Chief Secretary yet?

No, not yet.

My apologies, Your Highness.

But His Majesty is currently absent.

This is the ginger tea from Her Highness.

It seems it has already gotten cold. Should I just take it away?

No.

You may leave.

I can't eat ginger.

Was it when I was seven?

I followed Gap-su to some aristocrat's mansion,

stole some ginger cookies, and almost choked to death.

They were so spicy…

I can still feel the burning sensation in my chest.

They weren't mine in the first place.

You should not touch what you cannot handle.

Otherwise, you may get sick.

All right.

Then I will clear this away.

Why don't you have some, in my stead?

Pardon?

I wouldn't want the Queen's hard work to go to waste.

You must've spent too long waiting outside the King's quarters.

I will tend to the ginger tea for His Majesty from now on,

so please refrain from going out in the chilly weather.

Thank you for your concern,

but I'd like to serve the ginger tea to His Majesty myself.

Should I serve you some white tea to warm you up?

Please do.

-Left State Councilor. -Left State Councilor.

Yes, Minister of Taxation, and Minister of Rites.

But I don't see the Chief Secretary.

I heard he is yet to arrive.

What, so he won't be attending the reporting?

I am afraid that adds to his misconducts I must convey to His Majesty someday.

Your Majesty, it's time to leave for the office.

The Chief Secretary isn't here yet?

No.

Let's go.

Your Majesty, our investigations concluded

that there is nothing questionable in the documents.

Therefore, you must punish the Minister of Taxation

for raising unnecessary suspicion and fueling conflict.

Your Majesty! I was simply fulfilling my duties

as the head of the Office of Taxation.

If my efforts to screen for embezzlers are truly a crime,

I would rather step down from my post and retire.

You will do no such thing!

Your Majesty, you must severely punish the Minister of Taxation

for attempting to avoid punishment with nonsense excuses.

Your Majesty, the Minister of Defense is absolutely right.

You must punish the Minister of Taxation

to demonstrate discipline.

Your Majesty, hear our plea.

-Hear our plea! -Hear our plea!

I…

Your Majesty, the Chief Secretary has arrived.

Your Majesty, my apologies for being late.

Welcome.

But why are you so late?

I was late because I was gathering evidence

of embezzlement from the documents.

Evidence of embezzlement?

Your Majesty, there is no such thing.

You must punish the Chief Secretary

for neglecting his duties, and for slander.

Your Majesty, please hear directly from the man who detected

signs of embezzling to decide the truth for yourself.

Let him in.

I greet you, Your Majesty.

Chief Secretary, what is the meaning of this?

How dare you allow a slave to enter this sacred hall

for His Majesty and his officials?

Your Majesty, please order this slave to be removed

and add to the Chief Secretary's punishment.

Though he may be a slave, he is under the Ministry of Taxation

and detected embezzlement in the documents.

He is more than qualified to report to you.

Report to His Majesty.

Your Majesty, I have compared the documents with our books

and found that some have been collecting rice as tributary tax,

charging a higher price than the market for their own benefit.

Do not lie!

How would you know that the tribute goods, which have no set prices,

were received at a higher price than the market?

You've raised a fine point.

So although it was not easy, I compared all goods to rice

to make that comparison.

Impossible!

No man could ever possibly do it alone.

Your Majesty. This is the said comparison of the documents against our books,

which reveals the misconduct.

You were right, Minister of Taxation.

Your Majesty, the Minister of Taxation has managed to provide evidence,

but that can't be an excuse for his misconduct

that he has still delayed the appointments of new governors.

Therefore, before you address the issue of embezzling,

you must punish the Minister of Taxation first.

Your Majesty, the Minister of Personnel's words

are merely empty excuses.

You should punish him for seizing the said documents

and for giving leeway to the embezzlers.

You are right, Left State Councilor. I will severely punish

the Minister of Personnel as well as the governors who have embezzled.

Your Majesty.

May I dare make a request?

Continue.

There is a man who tried to have me killed last night.

Who was it?

Who commissioned you to kill Ju Ho-geol?

The son of the Left State Councilor.

I will pay ten times the amount you were promised.

Go to him and report as I tell you.

Your Majesty, please punish the man who tried to have me killed!

Who is this man?

He is Shin Yi-gyeom, the son of the Left State Councilor.

How dare you!

Do you realize who you're speaking to?

My assassin is in prison right now.

Should I call for him?

Bring Shin Yi-gyeom here!

What is the punishment for a failed murder attempt?

Though he should be beheaded for holding such thoughts in his heart,

he is the son of an Official of Merit and a senior sixth rank official himself.

Even if you try to punish him,

the Left State Councilor and the Office of Censor will try and pardon him,

with the excuse that you are trying to contain your opposition.

You mean they will turn a blind eye?

We cannot have that!

If we cannot behead him, then we must at least flog him.

There is one way to humiliate him and teach him a lesson.

And what may this be?

Your Majesty.

Officer Shin Yi-gyeom, rise.

According to the royal mandate, any murder attempt

is a grave sin that must be duly punished.

But your father is an official who has done a great deal for me and the nation,

and Ju Ho-geol was unharmed,

so I will excuse you.

However, I will give your father a chance to discipline his son

and to let this be a warning to all.

Left State Councilor Shin Chi-soo, come forward and flog your son,

Shin Yi-gyeom, a hundred times.

Father…

Your Majesty, how could you reprimand him

for cultivating moral excellence in his household?

Nothing could be more shameful. Please withdraw your order.

Your Majesty.

I beseech you to punish my son with the royal mandate instead.

My lord, how could you refuse His Majesty's immeasurable grace?

Proceed.

One!

Two!

Three!

Four!

Five!

Six!

Stand up straight.

Seven!

Seventeen!

My lord, what will happen to me now?

My lord!

I know how difficult it must've been for you to make

all those calculations overnight.

What is this smell?

My apologies, Your Majesty.

I had to spend the whole night among corpses,

and the stench just won't go away.

I truly commend your courage.

I must admit, I didn't have the courage at first.

When the Chief Secretary told me his plans,

I immediately rejected him, saying it was nonsense.

If Officer Jang hadn't shown up, I never would've found my courage.

I didn't do anything, Your Majesty.

I was just abiding by the Chief Secretary's orders.

I ordered him to watch over Ju Ho-geol, just in case,

and it worked.

I plan to make you a free man and appoint you to the government.

What position would you like?

A junior ninth rank position under the Ministry of Taxation.

A junior ninth rank position?

You could've asked for a higher position.

Why a junior ninth rank?

You picked a fine position.

Should you have asked for anything higher,

the Ministry of Taxation and others

would've been in opposition.

But as a junior ninth rank,

you won't sour relationships with senior officials,

and you'll be free to focus on your duties,

thereby contributing greatly to the Uniform Land Tax Law.

If he can train our staff at the Ministry of Taxation,

then we may be able to enforce the law much earlier as well.

You're going to enforce the Uniform Land Tax Law?

Your Majesty, do you truly plan on collecting taxes

only from those who own land?

Yes, that has long been my wish.

I will do my best to train our men!

My Queen.

Your Majesty, I had heard the news that you managed to secure rice,

and was waiting for you.

I don't know

how to express my gratitude, Your Majesty.

It's me who should thank you.

So thank you.

I did something worthy of a King for the first time.

The first time? You are too humble.

I'm just saying…

Your Majesty, I must say today was a painful day for me.

How was it painful?

Despite all the ill rumors spread by those who envy me,

you believed in me and entrusted our state's affairs to me.

Yet instead of repaying your grace, I brought shame upon you and the court,

and don't know how I should atone.

If you had ordered to have me removed from my post and beheaded,

I would not be feeling this terrible right now.

So what is it that you are trying to tell me?

Because of one lowly slave, not just I, but also my son,

were put to great shame.

My only concern is that this will undermine discipline.

After I, the Left State Councilor was humiliated like this,

who would now offer you honest advice

and step forward to take initiative?

I beseech you, in order to uphold the dignity of the court,

you must right today's wrong.

Left State Councilor, I'd like to ask you something.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Please ask away.

You say you are my loyal subject,

yet why are you blind to the suffering of the weak?

Why are you deaf to the desperate cries of the innocent?

Did you say "a lowborn slave"?

My and the court's dignity you so desperately wish to uphold

means nothing when compared to the value of his life.

Even if it's something small,

if it brings harm to our people,

I swear to the heavens that I shall not let it pass.

However, Your Majesty--

I do not wish to hear any more! You are dismissed.

Yes, Your Majesty…

Gosh.

Are you off to collect your alms?

I will be back before dark, so do not cook dinner.

That sounds good to me!

Have a safe trip!

I bet he'll be bringing us goodies again.

Let's go collect some firewood, then.

No! I can't leave you alone here.

I won't be assured unless I have you right next to me.

Come on, off we go.

What… What is it?

What? Right now?

What do I do?

But we need to collect more.

All right. Then make it quick.

That way is the cliff,

so don't go that way. All right?

Run along, then.

Don't go out on the road where people might be passing.

One coin.

Please, just one coin.

Thank you, my lord.

Head to that gisaeng house there, and tell them Haksan sent you.

Take your friends too,

and eat to your filling…

Why did you…

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

Let's go!

Darn it, why couldn't he have woken me up?

Why did he have to go ahead without me?

My lord, are you all right?

My lord!

Hey, what's going on?

Haksan. Haksan!

Haksan! What happened…

Haksan!

Oh, no. I will go call a physician!

No.

Can you hear us?

Yes.

What do you mean, don't call for a physician?

He's the Chief Secretary who serves His Majesty.

It wouldn't do any good if word about him got out.

Jungsaeng!

Call for Jungsaeng.

Jungsaeng?

You mean, the Jungsaeng I know?

My lord, I will send someone for Jungsaeng,

so, please…

Please hang in there.

You mean, the Chief Secretary applied for leave?

Yes, it caught me by surprise, too.

But he hasn't rested for a long time,

so I guess it makes sense.

You look like you didn't get any sleep last night.

It must be the discomfort in my chest

I've had for the past couple of days now.

Your Highness, are you all right?

What's wrong with me?

I must go see His Majesty…

Your Highness!

My Queen.

Your Majesty.

My apologies, Your Majesty.

No, why are you sorry?

There's no need to be concerned. I'm sure it's only a cold.

Don't say any more. Just lie down and rest.

Why did the Queen collapse?

She must've been suffering from fatigue for many reasons.

However, if left like this, her condition may worsen.

Why not send her on a vacation?

Vacation?

Your Majesty.

This is all to aid Her Majesty the Queen's recovery.

Why the hesitation?

That's true, but…

Should I make such a big decision in the Chief Secretary's absence?

Even if the Chief Secretary were here,

he would have made the same decision.

This is a good chance

for both you and Her Highness.

All right.

Good work.

So, how is the Queen's condition?

All her meridians have been blocked, and her health is fragile.

So?

Can we expect a child from her to succeed the throne?

How could I possibly dare say anything about that?

-However… -However?

It may be difficult if her condition does not improve.

You are dismissed.

It seems the Ming will soon be requesting reinforcements

with the excuse that the Later Jin are trespassing on their borders.

The border conflict is good news for us.

Even if the King realizes the existence of soldiers,

there is always the excuse that we are nurturing them

to guard our nation against the Later Jin.

Here are the two who failed the test this round.

Did they pledge to put their lives on the line

when they entered here?

Yes. One is a butcher, and one is a runaway slave.

They came here with the desire to become free men.

I will only spare the man who holds this sword.

I won, my lord.

Well done.

You should've done so earlier.

Then you would've passed the test.

Your Highness, the Queen is here.

I will see her.

I see that the King cares deeply for you.

Do not worry about the palace, focus on your recuperation.

Please be assured, I will return in full health

to support His Majesty by his side.

Of course.

Go on, before the tea gets cold.

Who will be guarding the Queen?

I've selected our best men

after those already guarding His Majesty.

Good work.

My lord,

when do you plan on informing His Majesty of your condition?

I do not plan to.

But you must seek out those who harmed you and have them punished.

Whoever it was, if he really wanted me dead,

he wouldn't merely have sent those street kids.

I'm sure he had another intention.

For example, disturbing the court by making this public

is precisely what those who are after me have in mind.

Which is why you must never mention this to the King.

Do you understand me?

Yes, my lord.

These are hazelnuts, aren't they?

If you bite a hazelnut,

the goblin that guards your house gets startled by the sound

and grants your wish, a legend says.

I am here to be with you.

I am here to laugh and cry together.

I will endure it with you.

So please do not give up.

Your Majesty, what was your wish?

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

That's what I wished.

Now that I see her, I miss her even more.

The days have gotten cold. I advise you to go back inside.

Ae-young, prepare to return tomorrow.

Pardon?

Already? It's only been three days.

Your complexion is much better, so why not stay longer?

I'm already much better.

Didn't the physician also say my recovery has been remarkable?

But…

I think I'll only regain my full health

once I'm back in the palace.

It's only been a few days, and you miss him already?

I already feel much better, thinking about my return.

When will the Chief Secretary be in court?

I'm not sure.

He said he would be gone five days, so I suppose after five days.

And no news of Dal-lae?

Well, no.

To be honest…

I couldn't pass that letter on to her.

Why have you kept this from me, all this time?

Actually, the gisaeng house you asked me to pass it on to…

The Chief Secretary resides there, so…

He does?

Yes.

So it will be quite difficult.

I must go myself, then.

Your Majesty…

I advise you to just give up.

But as her brother, I should at least know how she's doing.

I will come back as soon as I hear that she is fine.

All right, then.

I will go make preparations.

I will go alone.

It'll be a nuisance with all the attention if you come.

No, Your Majesty!

Don't worry. I'll fly like the wind.

But you can't.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

What brings you here?

Don't tell me you secretly came out here, alone?

Well…

Yes, I did.

Are you here to see the Chief Secretary?

No, I just…

I'm just here to see our people enjoy the Double Ninth Festival.

Your Majesty, please let me escort you.

All right, you may.

It's noisy outside.

Is there something going on?

It must be the Double Ninth Festival.

I see it's that time of year already.

Your Highness, do you remember?

When we all made flower pancakes

and had a picnic on that hill.

Of course I do.

That was the first time you got drunk on chrysanthemum wine.

It was so much fun back then…

Your Highness, can't we go take a quick look around?

Please, Your Highness.

Who knows when we'll be allowed out next?

Just briefly.

All right, then.

Stop the palanquin.

Everyone is in high spirits because of the festival.

It's nice to see.

Your Majesty, I'm anxious because I'm your only guard.

It is best you make a swift return to the palace.

But I feel very safe with you here with me.

I am honored to hear you say so.

Hey guys, let's all write our wishes on our kites.

Go on, write your wishes.

I want to be able to eat every day!

I want meat.

MEAT

That looks like fun.

Shall we also write our wishes down and fly them?

My apologies, Your Majesty, but I have no wish.

No wish? That's impossible.

Go on, you can tell me.

What is your wish?

It's not much of a wish, but…

There is something I've set my heart on.

And what is it?

My wish is to follow in my late brother's footsteps,

who died a glorious death while defending you

in the previous upheaval.

Die a glorious death, as my loyal subject…

Sure, that's commendable.

But I'd rather you live for what you hold in your heart

than die a glorious death for me.

Your Majesty…

I must be seeing things again.

Your Majesty.

Is that truly you, Your Majesty?

Your Majesty,

have you been well?

I have been well.

Why did you return so soon, instead of taking more time to rest?

Three days is enough.

I was afraid I would fall ill if I was there any longer.

Are you out here to observe our people?

Yes.

I heard it was the Double Ninth Festival, so here I am.

Since we've met, we should return to the palace together.

Your Majesty.

Can't we stay just a little longer?

Just a little longer is enough.

I cannot become a bird that flies high in the sky,

nor a fish that swims deep in the ocean…

So who knows when I will be out next?

Can't we?

All right.

Dal-lae!

Dal-lae!

My goodness, Venerable!

Venerable!

Did you see my Dal-lae anywhere?

She was right here, just a second ago!

I think I know where she is.

Let's head to the city.

What? The city?

Oh, dear… Dal-lae!

You wench!

So you're the newest concubine, are you?

Let me take a look at that face of yours, you wench!

Your Highness, why are you doing this?

Concubine, you wench! Get away from His Majesty at once!

How dare you butt in?

Goodness, the Queen is killing me!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty! I will tell His Majesty about this!

Why are you doing this?

The jealous, evil Queen has angered the heavens,

which is why our nation is in a state of decline!

Am I not right?

Here you are.

Here you are!

Red beans, to ward off evil spirits!

Where is His Majesty?

He was right here just a second ago.

Your Majesty, why…

I could not have you watching that any longer.

I had to bring you to where no one else was around.

I'm sorry.

I am to blame for all this, so why are you apologizing?

Your Majesty, I am fine.

Rather, it feels like a dream

that I am here, with you.

If this is a dream… If this is truly a dream…

Then my actions will be excused.

Am I not right?

Your Majesty.

Let's go.

Ha-sun…

Ha-sun…

Ha-sun…

Ha-sun!

Ha-sun!

He's disappeared.

Have you already forgotten your manners?

There's a man who entrusted his life to me.

If I do not go, he will die by the King's hands.

Take him to the mountains and feed him to the tigers.

Tell the Bureau of Astrology to change the date for tomorrow.

It's all right even if you get lost as long as you come to me.

I will always be there, waiting at the end of your road.

My destination is already set. I will return to the palace.

Subtitle translation by: Jeong-yon Kim