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Episode 31

No!

No!

You call this... victory.

Yes... I am defeated by you.

Since I didn't accomplish my goal.

My biggest fault is...

to hand over the throne to a wicked one like you.

Please spare Her Highness, sire!

You'll bring on the most painful defeat to this land someday.

Shut up!

You will push this country to its darkest period.

Her Highness is innocent, sire!

That day, you will experience worse pain...

- and humiliation than you do today. - Stop... I said, stop! Stop!

Sire! Please, sire!

Shut that mouth now!

Sire!

Make sure that they never call for Princess again!

Even if you do that, do you think they'll recognize you as the king?

What is this? What did you just babble about?

Head Servant! Where are you?

It's no use, Prince Neungyang.

You won't be acknowledged by anyone, ultimately.

What?

Yes, that's what's going to happen.

People of this country, history in the future...

will remember you as the most wicked king this country has ever had!

No... that can't be.

You wench! I am the king!

I am the king who pushed out the tyrant.

I am the king of this country...

I am the king of this country!

Sire, what's going on?

You wench!

You wench... How dare you...

Sire, did you have a nightmare?

Why are you sweating...

Sire! Sire!

Sir! Sir!

That's him! He was plotting treason!

How dare you!

You approached me first, criticizing the king!

You complained to me about the king's unjust revolt!

Shut up!

You dared to slander His Majesty, and still tried to deny it?

Take him to the police bureau right now!

Yes, sir!

My lord! Sir!

What did you say?

Another report of a treason plot?

Sire.

A treason plot again...

Just how long...

Just how long will the people not acknowledge me as the king?

Let's go. Hurry up.

Really? There was another report of a treason plot last night?

Yes, ma'am.

The main hall was chaotic again last night because of that.

How many times has it been?

It's been almost a month since he's climbed to the throne, hasn't it?

Ma'am, would you please hold off from your daily visit to the main hall today?

Yes, that's what you should do.

He must be feeling upset already...

No, I can't do that, Mother.

Even then, he needs to hear what he needs to hear.

Princess!

Ma'am!

Send a message to the main hall...

that I will be making a visit again today to speak to him.

- Ma'am, please! - Jungmyung!

Goodness... should I thank you...

Or what should I do?

You still consider me a king...

so you don't forget your daily visit, Princess.

Please, sire.

Since I paid my respects

I will say again what I said yesterday, sire.

What you said yesterday?

You will say that again now, Princess?

Yes, sire.

Can't you hear it when I say stop?

You don't consider my words as the king's words?

Ma'am!

Forgive me for saying this, sire...

but I must hear your answer today.

Princess!

We have already had extreme drought for a long time.

Then we had a flood last year to a degree we had never seen before.

People are dying from famine and contagious diseases from that.

You are also aware of it, sire.

And?

Are you teaching me in case I had forgotten?

The fact that my people are dying from starvation...

tears my heart more than yours!

Yes, so please, sire...

I'd like to suggest that the royal court should help people first.

The royal treasury that manages finances of the royal court

took the lead more than any other department to exploit the common people.

With people who don't even have anything to eat right now

didn't they charge high interest rates and steal away their lands

to expand the royal court's farm?

Did I do it just for myself?

All of it is for the stability of the royal court...

But how could the royal court exist without the people?

Princess!

Sire, please prohibit the royal treasury from charging high interest rates

and be on alert for excessive expansion of the farm.

Please become the king who cares for the people's lives before the royal expense.

Then, Princess...

why don't you give a royal command?

Sire!

Yes, I feel like I can't take care of the people as well as you can.

Princess, you should try it.

Attend the meetings with officials and compose official instructions.

Yes! You can have this throne too!

'Then you should play the king'?

My, my... How could he hand over the seat so easily

when he had a hard time getting it?

You're laughing? How can you laugh now?

Should I cry then? After hearing such a funny story?

Lord Kim!

My king is a very interesting character.

He has no shame in exposing himself.

Of course, that's the power the king has!

Lord Kim, it's no time to be at ease and say such a thing.

Will you just watch that wench Princess?

You should stay calm, Yeo Jung.

Just because the king is up in arms, how can you dance along with him?

The king is not the only one. I can't stand that girl either.

Jealousy...

It's jealousy for the king and you.

Pardon?

Of course, jealousy is the power that moves people.

But this is the palace, and what we do is politics.

Why would you mess up because of jealousy?

- Sir, I am... - Yes, I know.

You're content only when you can do what you want to do.

Before we remove that girl, an official appointment is meaningless!

Even if I become a concubine...

I'm below the princess until I become the queen!

But everything has its order.

Just wait and see.

I'll stuff the mouth of that incorrigible girl soon enough!

Such an arrogant girl...

You can't acknowledge me as the king after all?

Sire, that wouldn't be the case.

Whose side are you taking now?

- Are you my servant? - Forgive me, sire!

Bring in Royal Secretary Kim Ja Jeom.

- Right now! Hurry! - Yes, sire.

Where are you rushing off to, Princess?

What more is a girl like you trying to accomplish?

The weaponry bureau is abolished as of today.

It is to be downgraded to a special armory under the training guards.

Wait, In Woo.

Please watch your words, sir!

I came here as the lead commander of the special armory.

What are you doing?

Take down the signage and seize the bureau!

Yes, sir!

Wait... wait!

Sir!

Don't ever think of this... as your victory.

Her Highness and I, and everyone else here...

will not get on our knees so easily.

Sure, hold out.

It's no fun for me either... to have an enemy who surrenders easily.

Sir! Sir!

Why aren't you coming in? Why are you standing here?

I was just about to enter.

Please hurry! Please go inside now!

There is someone you'll be glad to see.

- Glad to see? - Yes! Please hurry!

- Ma'am! Ma'am! - Your Highness!

There isn't much, but please enjoy.

Both of you should sit down too.

Goodness, could we do that?

Thanks to you, we get to enjoy this luxury.

Goodness, there is meat here!

In this time and age...

Ma'am, the table is completely full! How could you say there isn't much?

Yes, all of us technicians are put aside these days

so we barely get a bowl of rice.

I'm getting teary.

Same for me.

Giving watery radish soup every day...

was so upsetting for me!

Anyway, it must cost a lot to prepare all the food here.

I feel so bad.

Don't worry.

My status was restored, and I've returned to the palace.

So I have a pretty big sum of wealth now.

Pardon?

Did everyone hear that?

Her Highness became rich!

Then we shouldn't refuse it! We should enjoy it!

- Of course, of course! - That's how we show gratitude!

- Let's eat! - That's showing our gratitude!

Wait! Wait!

Sir!

- Ma'am! - You came, sir.

Since the bureau's downgrade to the special armory

you must've been worried that the technicians' morale may be down.

- Would that be all? - Pardon?

I also get to use this as an excuse to see you.

- Ma'am! - Why? You don't like it?

No, ma'am. Of course not.

This is all I can do for you and everyone else right now.

Having no power...

I experience it again and again every day what it means.

Please don't say it that way.

To me and everyone else

it's a big deal just to have you, ma'am.

How could you ignore it?

More than that, I am worried about you being alone in the palace.

Sir...

I'm sure you know

but Royal Secretary Kim Ja Jeom's moves are suspicious, ma'am.

People's lives are falling into distress every day

but he's planting fear everywhere in the country with the king as a shield.

Why don't we start now?

I'm sure everyone knows

but there was another report of a treason plot last night.

Oh my...

But everyone in-the-know knows how that report of a treason plot happens.

Yes, I heard about it too.

Spying.

He's using the royal secretariat's authority

and spying on people he deems suspicious.

Spying? Spying...

Yes. I believe he started it through the royal secretariat

and Police Chief Lee Gwal.

Still, spying on people?

How and what will he do with it?

[Royal Secretariat]

Its origin is the royal secretariat in Kim Ja Jeom's grab.

He's coming up with the list of people to spy on from there.

And?

Just what right does Prince Neungyang have to climb to the throne?

What wrong did the king do to be kicked out?

Sir, we shouldn't be just watching this.

We need to bring back the previous king!

After that, it follows this order.

They approach the target first and throw out some bait.

- If the target shows any interest... - This is unfair!

they charge him with treason.

It's a setup! Let go of me! Let go!

Such nonsense!

Are you saying that all the reports of treason plots so far happened that way?

It's not nonsense. It's smart.

With that scheme, he can wipe out any political enemies ahead.

He can also show off his power to the Western faction and threaten them.

He knows how to use his brain better than I thought.

He knows how to play with power.

That's why I'm telling you, Father.

I wonder if it's really wise to go against Kim Ja Jeom now...

Why don't you meet with him, at least?

Pardon? You want me to be a messenger?

Ma'am, isn't it a job to go in and out of the palace and deliver letters?

You're right. I'll be writing letters now

and she's the one I can trust.

Ma'am, I'll do it! Of course I will help you!

I'm so grateful that you'd trust me and give me the job, ma'am.

Thank you, Eun Seol.

By the way, why would you go outside without even an escort?

What is Lady Jung doing?

She nags too much.

And you're walking with me because I came alone.

Still, it's dangerous. So don't go out alone from now on.

If you keep doing this, I won't see you.

Goodness, are you threatening me?

No, this is not a threat.

- Ma'am, just for a moment... - Sir, what's going on?

I must be a watch target of the royal secretariat.

I've had a tail for a while now.

Pardon?

Please go, ma'am. You could be in danger as well.

Who the heck are you?

I must have surprised you.

You are...

I am Royal Secretary Kim Ja Jeom, ma'am.

By the way, I get to see you at a place like this.

'Meeting in person'?

Does it mean that you will meet with people in person?

Yes. I discussed with Royal Secretary

and he gave me that great idea!

He suggested that I go out to Heungan Gate and meet with the people in person.

As I was hearing his suggestion, I thought this was the best advice!

I need to let people know who I am as the one who got on the throne.

I should hear the people's difficulties to get closer to them.

You'll do better than anyone else.

You were close to people to begin with before ascending to the throne.

- They will be very happy, too. - I'm sure they will.

They're tired from a long period of drought and flood.

If I take the lead as the king and comfort them personally.

Of course.

They'll know clearly...

how you're different from the dethroned Gwanghae.

What a sage king that people of this country gained!

'A sage king'?

I remember this place as the previous king's secret house.

Are you using this place now?

Yes. I believe the use changes with the one in power.

But ma'am, you should watch your words.

Did you say, 'the previous king'?

If you're referring to Gwanghae, you should say, 'the dethroned king.'

I have no intention of referring to him that way.

Then will you also lock me up for treason?

Since that's the job you must be doing now.

Of course not, ma'am.

Although it is clearly treason...

I'll go easy on you, ma'am.

The reason I asked you here today

is to become friends. I'm not asking to be enemies.

Friends? Between you and me?

I understand, ma'am.

If you're uncomfortable with the word 'friend,' I'll take it back.

I know what I did to you through Yeo Jung, so how would you forgive me so easily?

But ma'am, you need to know this.

You need to be able to face me with a smile.

Only if you want to be in politics.

That's why I'm telling you this.

I'm going to make an offer now.

An offer, you say?

You'll make an offer to me?

Let's go.

Ma'am! What on earth did he say?

He made a very interesting offer.

He said that I should grab power first if I wanted to be in politics.

So, the king really said that he'd give you that much of the royal land?

Yes, Mother.

Not only for the ones who participated in the revolt

but he said he'd give me land separately from the royal land.

But, ma'am... Why? For what?

Because it will provide justification

for the king and the retainers who receive land.

The justification will be complete only if they drag me in.

That's right.

And also they'll be able to keep you quiet.

Royal Secretary!

Ma'am, I'm letting you know this is what politics is about.

Yes, you can visit the main hall again tomorrow

and say, 'stop the royal treasury's abuse'

and 'don't take land from people to expand the royal court's land.'

But what would you gain from it?

It won't be just the royal court and the officials who become empty-handed.

You'll be left empty-handed too.

You won't gain any power in the end.

I won't gain any power either?

Do you want to voice your own opinion in the royal court?

But, with whom?

With Councilor Hong and the technician faraway?

What would you be able to do with them?

Demonstration that won't reach the government?

Some other meaningless gesture?

Ma'am, does the world care at all about things like that?

No, it doesn't.

They're not the people you like.

Politics is about being with people you can't stand!

Just like how you're facing me right now?

You're quick to understand, as I expected.

So ma'am, please give it careful consideration.

The power that will move the officials of this country

and protect the people who follow you.

Whether you'd grab a great amount of wealth that will support the power

or you'd take away others' and lose yours as well?

And did the princess react in any way?

Please wait, sire. It will happen that way for sure.

She only pretends not to care, but who in the world refuses wealth?

But the princess... that girl is a bit different, isn't she?

That's why we should make her just like everyone else.

If we can't get rid of the princess now because of the eyes of the people...

Ma'am, I'm letting you know this is what politics is about.

Gain power first...

Close my eyes for now, and become just like them first?

Jungmyung, remember this...

Even if you kneel before injustice today, don't be disappointed in yourself.

This is not the end. Do you understand?

Even if I leave, as long as you and your people are around...

as long as you don't give up on this fight...

it's not the end.

I wanted to give you better things, as your brother...

but forgive me for leaving you with only heavy loads.

Brother!

I'm sorry.

And... thank you.

So please... protect this country and its people.

Deliver this to Councilor Hong.

Yes, ma'am. Trust me.

Everything is going well with the preparations for His Majesty's meeting?

Yes, I believe they are getting ready for every little detail.

Now, let's not worry too much and leave it to them.

Your sons and my son are in charge of preparing for this meeting.

That's exactly why I'm worried.

This has to go smoothly, without any problems...

Don't worry about that!

I don't know about your children

but my eldest son is very good at this.

What? What did you say?

It's a joke.

His Majesty will be visiting here too, so be prepared in every possible way!

And this path...

Can't you see that it's slippery?

Even if you have to dig up all the sand in the city

cover it up soft and dry!

Yes, sir.

What the heck is that?

Get rid of anyone who is so skinny he can't even support his own weight!

Yes, sir!

Hurry up!

What are you doing? Get rid of this!

Do you know the Korean alphabet?

What we're giving you are the questions you'll ask His Majesty.

Keep in mind.

Do as what's written here...

and when His Majesty asks you a question

you can just say, 'Your grace is immeasurable.'

Yes, sir.

Do it right. Keep in mind where you are.

- Yes, sir. - I'll keep it in mind.

Jicheon, it's almost time for the event! Let's hurry!

[Choi Myung Gil]

Sir.

Forgive me...

but I never got to learn the alphabet...

Could you tell me what my question is here?

What are you curious about?

Pardon?

That's what's written here.

Ask what you really want to ask.

- Can I really do that? - Why couldn't you?

That's what the meeting is about.

So all of the land in this area is yours now. Is that right?

Yes.

And you decided to accept the offer of the king and Kim Ja Jeom?

Yes.

What are you planning to do, ma'am?

You don't mean to become like they are...

so I'm asking if you're planning to do anything dangerous.

This is not dangerous, Ja Gyung.

It's only natural.

Ma'am!

So please help me.

Give this to the officer who manages the land

so that farmers on this land are aware of it.

I'll leave it to you. I have something else I need to do.

Your Highness!

I was in the area, so I stopped by.

I heard you were staying here.

So she went to look for Lord Ohri?

To convince him herself?

Yes, Father.

She seems to be determined to participate in politics.

She decided seeing him would be her first step.

Ma'am, that means...

I heard you received an offer to be the prime minister for the king.

Isn't that right?

That is right.

But I declined.

Why is that?

What the king and the ones who plotted the revolt need right now

is not my knowledge. It's my face.

The name of this useless hag still remains...

Wouldn't that be the reason?

I left the government because I was against the previous king now in exile.

But I can't be in with the current power either.

But for you to come here to convince me...

To be honest, I can't understand.

It's because I'm also in the same situation as you are.

I also know that I remain in place because they need my name.

Ma'am!

But sir, even then...

whatever the reason that they need us is...

how we'll use our names and the power that comes with it

could depend on us, right?

- What does it say? - Why don't you read it for us?

Is it for real?

It's really going to happen on the land under Her Highness?

- Wow, she'll waive taxes! - What? Taxes will be exempt?

- What about the meeting? - It should have started just now.

For such a busy man, why would you bother going there?

You are...

The palace seems to be empty for once.

Why don't you give me a bit of time, sir?

So you almost lost your family because of the famine this time?

Yes. But I was able to feed my family with relief food Your Majesty sent us.

So how could I not be grateful, sire?

Really? With relief food?

Following the royal command

we provided 2,000 bags of rice and 1,500 bags of beans in the worst famine areas.

So there are a lot of people who avoided the difficulty in the area, sire.

That's not all, sire!

With Your Majesty's grace

officers at the public clinic got the diseases in the area under control.

We are only grateful for your immeasurable grace, sire!

Your grace is immeasurable, sire!

My worries were as high as a mountain, but I am truly relieved.

And? What else do you want to tell me?

Everyone, tell me honestly!

I will hear everything from this seat today.

Hearing the words of the people...

Isn't that the real job of the king?

Then... may I ask a question, too?

Who is he?

Don't worry. He was also prepped ahead of time.

Yes, tell me. You can ask me anything you want.

I will hear your request and solve your problem, too.

Lord Kang Joo Seon wants to see me?

Yes. I believe you two will get along very well.

Isn't it always that way, especially when the two have things to exchange?

Royal Secretary, are you inside?

- Lord Kim! - What's going on?

There will be another big ruckus in the palace.

Someone from the police bureau brought this just now.

Princess!

What on earth is this...

What did you just say?

What did you hear?

Sire, it's...

Sire, please end the meeting now. Its planned time has already...

Aren't you going to step aside?

I'm talking to my subject right now!

Now, don't be afraid and tell me.

What did you say that you heard?

What will the princess do with the land she owns?

I heard she would waive all the taxes, sire.

Based on what people are talking about

people farming on Her Highness's land

will be exempt from paying taxes

and be forgiven of taxes in late payment.

What?

Sire... forgive me for saying this...

would it be possible to provide this kindness from Her Highness

from the country as well?

'Provide the kindness'?

Just like the princess? I should too?

If you'd only do that...

Sire, we will be able to breathe.

If you would provide a little bit of kindness, just a little...

a path to life will open up even for the likes of us, sire!

Sire!

Sire, please return to the palace now.

I don't think it's worth hearing any more.

Sire, please consider this!

I couldn't handle the heavy taxes

so my wife and children starved to death!

Sire! Please provide Her Highness's kindness in other lots of land, too!

Sire! Sire!

How dare you! Stop right now!

How dare you speak up in a place like this?

Sire, please return to the palace.

We will clean up this area.

What are you doing? Hurry up and escort His Majesty!

Yes, sir!

Sire!

Jungmyung... is it you again?

To me? Are you trying to humiliate me, the king of this country?

Ma'am! Ma'am!

Princess... She is... in the end...

She's planning to go against the king in the end.

She is... running towards fire with hay.

Ma'am!

What should I do, Lady Jung?

So what should I do about her now?

Go deliver the message that I need to speak to the princess.

Yes, my lady.

Did you already know about this?

Did you know what she was planning to do?

Yes.

Hong Joo Won, are you of your right mind?

Don't you know what this means?

Did you say that Her Highness is not here?

That's right. She's not here.

That's fine.

Then I'll wait inside until she comes back.

What? You wench! Are you out of your mind?

Where do you think you are?

What? 'You wench'?

Ma'am!

Lady Jung...

What did you say to me, thinking of yourself as a lady?

I am His Majesty's maid, waiting for an official appointment!

You... How can you...

Maid Jo... what on earth are you doing?

I know.

Her Highness and me both.

She took the lead

and did something that the king and the officials could never do.

It must be a tremendous burden to those who are stuffing their own coffers.

So now she will be a political enemy to everyone.

Joo Won!

But she decided on her own that she'll gladly be the target.

Not the method used by you or them...

Using different means

she is planning to prove how power should be used.

Lady Jung, are you all right?

Ma'am!

What did you just do?

A maid in your residence didn't know manners

so I gave her a lesson.

What?

Ma'am, since I am here

I will also say something for you as well.

Maid Jo!

The reason I am doing this

is because I know these are His Majesty's thoughts.

So please listen.

Ma'am, forgive me...

but your behavior goes too far.

So please just focus now on your duty as a woman in the royal court.

Try embroidery, and learn lady's manners.

Out of nowhere, which woman of the royal court

would take the lead on a job that's for the country and the king?

- You wench! You wench! - Wait.

Wait, Lady Jung.

Ma'am!

I should focus on my duties as a woman in the royal court?

Yes, I should keep that in mind.

I forgot that I had such duties for a while.

Maid Jo...

As the elder of this royal court, and the princess of this country...

I will teach you a lesson since you don't know the court customs yet.

You cannot touch the people of your elder!

Ma'am!

And I am the princess of this country.

As a humble maid, in front of me, without my order

you shouldn't even straighten your neck!

So I will make sure you understand today the strict royal customs.

Lady Jung, take this girl out.

- What did you say? - Can't you hear me?

I'll ask about her fault myself, so take her out right now!

Subtitles by DramaFever

[Hwajung]

Take her out right now, and get ready to punish her!

Let go of me! You can't be doing this to me!

You must know what you did, right?

This will be a starter for everyone.

You should be cautious now, more than any other time.

The king must be aiming for you.

Is the princess really in her right mind?

This will spread everywhere in the city

so if we don't do anything about this...

You'll be on the side of Her Highness?

You picked the wrong person.

Who are you? What are you doing?

Why were the two taken to the police bureau?

I heard for treason!