Original subtitles

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[10 years later, the border between Joseon and Later Jin.]

[Episode 39]

Look!

It seems like our Joseon citizens have escaped from Later Jin again!

Sound the alarms and alert the General! Quickly!

Yes, sir!

Hang in there! We're almost there!

We'll be under Joseon protection as soon as we reach that tower! Hang in there!

The Joseon prisoners have run away!

Catch them! Catch them all!

General.

Are you okay, Miss?

I... I think this is the end for me.

What are you talking about? Didn't you leave your husband behind in Hanyang?

You need to go back and see him again!

Get up now. We just have to pass that tower over there.

Our Joseon soldiers will protect us!

Get up now. Quickly! Quickly!

General, you can't do that. Those people are Joseon citizens.

They are innocent prisoners who were captured by the Later Jin soldiers.

Those people have escaped so they could survive, sir.

Don't you think I know that?

However, what about the treaty we agreed upon when we surrendered to them?

If they don't serve their time...

not a single one of them will be able to return to Joseon.

If we accept them, then the Later Jin will see it as an act of war.

General, please!

Get the soldiers ready. We will shoot them if they try to cross over.

What... what is that?

Are the soldiers aiming their guns at us?

Look here! We're from Joseon! We're Joseon citizens, you punks!

Oh my gosh, what do I do? Where... where do I go?

Ma'am, are you okay? Oh my! Oh my, look at this sweat!

Goodness, this sweat.

I'm fine. I'm still... I'm still...

Oh my! Oh my, this won't do.

I think we need to notify Lord Joo Won right away.

No, he's in the palace right now.

Today, there's going to be...

Ma'am! What do we do? Oh, goodness!

Oh my goodness, the baby is ready to come out. It's ready to come out!

- Princess! - Ma'am!

This won't do. We don't have time to wait for the midwife to come.

Ma'am! Your Highness! Your Highness!

Your Highness, please push a little more! Your Highness!

Your Highness!

A little more. Just a little more!

So, how is it going?

It's taking longer than we expected. There is still no news yet.

How many hours has it been already?

Ma'am, is Lord Joo Won inside the royal library?

The crown prince is in the middle of his studies. Why do you ask?

There is an urgent message from Lord Joo Won's residence.

Princess Jungmyung is in labor!

What?

[Crown Prince Sohyun]

It's been two hours already.

I can't believe there isn't any news yet.

Please focus on your studies, Your Highness.

Worrying won't change anything.

Teacher, does it look like I can study right now?

Look at this. I'm so nervous that my hands are all sweaty.

Next is the Book of Odes. The consumption chapter.

Please look kindly upon me just this once, Teacher.

Your Highness, why are you being so fretful?

When a woman is in labor, there is nothing a man can do.

You must be calm at times like this.

- Teacher! - Your Highness, it's Court Lady Kim.

There is an urgent message for Lord Joo Won.

You may enter.

What's going on?

You must return home immediately.

Princess Jungmyung has started her labor.

What? Princess Jungmyung?

When?

It's so soon. When did it start? How is her condition?

- Teacher. - Yes?

You told me to be calm and prudent. What's going on here?

Your Highness.

The truth is, Princess Jungmyung had two breached pregnancies before

and she suffered very much trying to give birth to them.

You said there's nothing a man can do when a woman is in labor.

You know quite a bit.

Forget it, Teacher.

Then... how about we call it a day, okay?

We must continue your studies. Even if it's late tonight.

Of course. How can I avoid your nagging?

Don't worry, and just go.

Well... please excuse me then.

Yes, yes.

- Quickly, quickly! - Yes.

Okay, so how is her condition right now?

He's always been so rigid, like a birch tree.

At times like this, he is such a worry wart, don't you agree?

When it concerns Princess Jungmyung.

Yes, it seems so.

How is the Crown Princess doing?

Father!

Man Young.

- You came. - Yes, Father.

How is Princess Jungmyung?

Joo Won!

Goodness! It came out! It came out!

It's another strong and stout son!

What about the Princess? How is she doing, Ok Joo?

Oh my word, look at him smile.

How can a newborn baby be so sweet like this?

Weren't the two young masters like this, too?

My husband was hoping for a little girl.

Goodness, what are you talking about?

There are people who can't have sons even if they try. You have three.

Princess.

Husband.

Hello, sir.

Congratulations, My Lord.

You must've been so worried.

I had no idea you were in labor.

Why did you come here? This wasn't anything to worry about.

Nonsense. There's nothing more important than this for me.

Husband.

I should've been by your side.

- I had no idea. - No, it's fine.

The baby was in a hurry to come out.

But, what about the palace? What about the Crown Princess?

It's your first grandchild, Your Majesty.

What?

My first grandchild, you say?

- Is it a boy this time? - Yes, Your Majesty.

The Crown Princess finally gave birth to a son, Your Majesty.

My goodness.

What good news.

Congratulations, Your Majesty.

It's been such a long time since the palace had something to celebrate over.

Yes, it has.

Sukwon...

This country has only been in turmoil.

The Crown Prince and Princess have given me such a joyous gift.

Princess... good job.

Thank you so much.

[Gang Bin]

Your Highness.

In a difficult time like this.

Still, I can't believe I have a son.

Is that so?

Princess Jungmyung had a safe delivery

and the Crown Princess also gave birth to a son?

Yes, My Lord. That is what they say.

It seems we have hope again.

Even so, new life will always be born.

Don't you think a day like that will come for this land, too?

Husband.

Yes, Princess.

That will happen for certain.

It's a war, Your Majesty!

The Later Jin's army is closing in!

Your Majesty, we must flee! The palace will be seized!

To where?

Where do we flee again?

Granted, the Later Jin's army could not be stopped.

- Ma'am! - Ma'am!

- Your Majesty! - Princess.

I pray...

I pray you and this country will be safe... I pray...

- Mother! - Ma'am!

- Your Majesty! - Mother!

- Your Majesty! - Ma'am!

My Lord. Lord Won Ik.

You guys...

will have to endure this difficult time.

Forgive me...

for leaving first.

My Lord!

Lord Won Ik.

My Lord.

We've lost many precious people.

Please save us!

Please let us rest in Joseon!

Sir! Sir!

Please do not return us to the Later Jin!

I beg you! Sir, please save us!

Sir, please...

Why are you taking us back to the Later Jin?

We don't want to go back!

Hey, Soo Deok. Am I doing this right?

Come on now! Since you've never been married, of course you don't know!

Hand it over.

Honey.

- You still have a ways to go? - No, it's almost done.

What about the feast?

What feast? It's just going to be a modest meal.

I'm just going to make a couple of jeons, that's all.

I see.

Goodness, that's better than nothing in this day and age.

It's more than enough.

Oh my, where did you get these peppers? They're so tiny.

Your Highness, congratulations on the birth of your first son.

Thank you, Prince Bongrim.

If Mother was alive to see this... She would've been so happy.

[Prince Bongrim]

However, hope will come, Princess.

Ma'am.

- Mother. - Mother.

Man Yong. Man Young.

The two young masters wanted to see their little brother.

Sit down.

What do you think?

Even in the midst of tribulation, we must end it.

That's only if we do not give up.

Court Lady Jung, prepare the coach. I need to leave.

Pardon? Ma'am, what do you mean?

How can you leave right now, in your condition?

I'm all right and we don't have time for this, so please hurry.

- You came, Lord Ryoo. - Yes.

Are the other officials who want to see me here as well?

Huh?

Yes, they're all inside the assembly hall right now.

Seriously, it would be nice to get some rest on a day like this.

Seriously, this is quite annoying.

I swear.

Father.

Is that so?

An incident like that occurred at the border again?

During the last war against Later Jin...

About 50,000 of our people were taken as prisoners.

But we couldn't do anything to bring them back.

The prisoners decided to escape and risk their lives so they could live.

Goodness, everyone knows that.

- Teach us what we don't know, Lee Pan. - Secretary.

Do you think Lee Pan is trying to teach right now?

He is telling us the officials should not forget about those people!

Therefore, we've been negotiating constantly, have we not?

By returning the prisoners to the Later Jin.

Yes, of course we're doing that.

But you know it is not an ideal situation, Father.

You're right.

I hear the wealthy nobles have been making deals with the Later Jin

in order to get their captured family members back.

Because of that, the price of the prisoners is going up drastically.

Later Jin is refusing to negotiate with us.

I swear...

Father! Over there!

So Jung!

- Father! - My baby! My precious daughter!

There's no need to worry anymore. It's all fine now.

- Goodness... - Take it.

It's okay, it's okay.

This is the money we promised.

Yes.

But there are rumors going around

that our own officials are involved in those deals as well.

Because of that...

the price of the prisoners have increased to several thousand pieces of silver.

The poor and weak citizens are not capable of getting their family back.

Your Majesty!

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

Please stop the illegal dealings of the nobles!

If this continues...

People like us will never be able to get our family back, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

So, it's settled.

Due to the officials' selfishness, the people have no other choice!

In the end, the Joseon people are risking their lives to flee their imprisonment.

But we are forcing them to return!

Yes, well... that's very unfortunate.

Our hands are tied behind our backs.

The Later Jin will throw a fit if we don't return the prisoners.

Talking about this without taking any proper measures...

Why do you think this happened?

Why do you think we're in this situation, and we can't do anything about it?

You startled me.

Why are you taking your anger out on me? Is this war my responsibility?

That's right! It is your responsibility!

It's a crime that we can't do anything about it. It's all our responsibility!

I mean, seriously, what is the matter with him?

Did we feign ignorance, or am I Huang Taiji?

Why is all of that my responsibility?

Come to think of it, you kind of look like him.

Really? That barbarian dares to look like me?

Yes, I've seen a picture of him before...

That's enough. Now is not the time to be talking about nonsense like that!

And you.

Tell it to me straight.

Rumors are that your father secretly got your sister back

by dealing with the Later Jin. Is that true?

And that he gave them 1,000 pieces of silver in return.

The thing is...

Look, I'm Kim Gyung Jing.

Fine, it's just between us.

The truth is, we gave them 500 pieces of silver on top of that.

- What? - Be quiet!

1,500 pieces of silver, then?

That rotten barbarian's word doesn't match up.

At first he only asked for 1,000 pieces of silver, but he knew we had money

so he just kept asking for more and more...

Look here! Look here, Gyung Jing! Are you serious right now?

Sir, why are you worried about such a thing?

Then... was your daughter supposed to wait for her death?

Of course not.

But as a man of power...

Yes, because of your high position

you were able to make such a deal with the Later Jin through me.

I did my best to help you out, but it seems this is all my fault.

Somehow, I feel sad about it.

No, not at all! That's not right, either.

You're the one who got me connected to the Later Jin. You're our savior.

Please drink, My Lord. It's a rare tea I bought from a Later Jin merchant.

Ah, yes, yes. Thank you.

Well... this is definitely different.

Now then, I believe it is your turn to interfere, sir.

A problem just occurred with Later Jin they're hoping will be taken care of.

- When you say 'problem'... - What do you think it is?

The prisoners who recently escaped are causing them a headache.

Well... Sir... I'm not very familiar with that issue.

My Lord, the Later Jin are planning something grand right now.

And that plan will be revealed soon.

I do not think it is wise

to test their patience at a time like this, don't you agree?

If there is a problem... we must take care of it for them.

Yes, if it's about that incident, I've received a report about it as well.

I heard our army was returning the escaped prisoners to the Later Jin

but they were attacked by unidentified individuals.

That's not the only thing.

There are rumors that they are scheming with certain officials of this court.

If not, that would be impossible.

Your Highness, by any chance, do you know anything in regards to this incident?

We must be very careful right now.

But I'm afraid that Your Highness might get caught up in this mess.

There is no way. You're talking nonsense.

Like you said, we must be very careful right now.

So, I'm going to get to the bottom of this.

Your Highness.

Crown Princess, I must speak to you for a moment.

Sure, what is it?

Princess Jungmyung is waiting for you outside.

She wants to pay her respects to you.

Is that so? Princess Jungmyung is here?

Princess Jungmyung.

Welcome.

Your Highness.

Prince Bongrim, you're here too.

Yes, Ma'am.

I heard news of you several days ago.

Is it okay for you to already move around like this?

Regardless, I need to pay my respects to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

Is it not a joyous occasion the whole palace has been waiting for?

Please come inside, Ma'am. My son and the Crown Princess are waiting to see you.

Yes, Your Highness.

Father.

The former queen was a thorn in my side, and when she finally died...

I thought my time was coming.

Princess Jungmyung and the crown princess all have sons.

Why can't I have one?

You must be at ease, My Lady.

Then the baby will come to you.

But I can't be at ease.

I am not in the King's favor right now.

Plus, Kim Ja Jeom, who always looked out for me

is now out of the king's favor and is working outside of the palace.

I hear all of that is the Crown Prince's fault.

His Majesty trusts the Crown Prince very deeply.

I hear he confides in him about many national affairs.

Kim Ja Jeom was pushed aside because of that.

And behind that... was Princess Jungmyung.

I'm sure that sly fox was there.

The Crown Prince took her husband as his teacher.

Yes, but the king is not suspicious of it at all.

I'm telling you, it's strange.

No matter how much I tell him, he pretends not to hear it.

Even if I tell him that the Crown Prince follows the Princess more than him.

So... you came to pay your respects to the crown prince and his princess.

Yes, Father.

Then, Aunt Jungmyung as well.

I'm sure that's the case for Aunt Jungmyung, too.

Since it's the law for the royals to pay respects to each other.

Absolutely, Father.

A royal grandson is born. It would be more of a problem if she didn't come at all.

Yes, that is why I came.

It would be more of a misunderstanding if I did not come and pay my respects.

You made the right decision, Ma'am.

In any case, I had to see you immediately.

Is there something going on, Your Highness?

It is about the border incident.

It seems the officials will start an investigation soon.

- An investigation will start? - Yes.

It was decided at the meeting initiated by Yong San.

He's handsome.

Look at this rascal. He looks exactly like you.

This innocent and stubborn-looking face.

He's going to be exactly like you some day.

Is that an insult? To become like me some day?

No way, I'm so jealous of you.

You have three kids already.

But... shouldn't you get married again?

Once was enough.

Not a chance.

In Woo.

It was a forced marriage.

And she suffered every day for it.

She lost her life during the war, too.

That kind of tragedy should never happen again, Joo Won.

So, there's no time for us to be dilly-dallying around like this.

Princess Jungmyung.

Gam Jo Gam, what about the favor I asked of you?

This is the money you received from selling your land, Ma'am.

You can trust him.

It was an urgent sell, but he sold it for a good price.

Thank you.

Please sell the rest of my other properties as soon as possible.

But Ma'am, why do you want to keep selling that good land?

That is none of your business.

All you have to do is sell it for her, got it?

I'm going to go outside the palace to get some fresh air.

If anyone is looking for me, just relay that to them, Princess.

Your Highness.

Must you do this? Isn't there another way?

Princess, what do you mean?

I am your wife.

I know what you are thinking.

Princess...

But Your Highness... I am scared.

If His Majesty finds out what you're doing with Princess Jungmyung...

Yes, I know.

I know that by doing this I am going against my father's will.

Your Highness.

But I can't allow our innocent people to die in a foreign land.

They have lost their faith in this country's rule and government.

Now it's our turn to risk our lives for them.

My Lord!

- My Lord! - What happened?

Has there been any word from Jang Bong Soo?

Yes, they will be taking the path to Uiju.

It seems they will be reaching the country safely.

My Lord.

Sir. Jang Bong Soo.

Oh it's you, Ja Gyung.

I received word that you would come here.

Good.

Here.

This is the gunpowder we're going to use, from the Weapons Bureau.

And this... is money given to us by Princess Jungmyung.

What about you, sir?

Are you really going to join us?

That's right. I'm going to join you guys today.

My wife is one of those prisoners. How can I just give this to you and leave?

Sir.

My Lord.

- Is everyone here? - Yes, My Lord.

But the young master has still not...

What happened?

He received a message during training and left right away.

Is that so?

Princess Jungmyung.

My Lord.

Everyone is waiting. Please come inside.

Let's start the meeting now.

As you all know, Later Jin is being more aggressive due to the prisoners escape.

But... just what on earth are you all doing?

Where and who is causing this mess...

How is it that we can't find out?

- Please let us go! - Please save us!

- Don't send us back! - Please save us, sir!

Please!

Soldiers and a boat to Later Jin will be waiting for us.

- Let's go. - Yes, sir.

Sir, please save us!

Please do not send us back!

- What are you doing? Let's go! - Sir! Sir!

Sir! Sir!

- Get going! - Please!

- What is going on here? - General, I think it's an attack!

- They're trying to save the prisoners. - What?

How did they know about our plan?

You must not shoot the prisoners! We have to save them, no matter what!

Do not retreat! We cannot let go of these prisoners!

General, it's impossible! Their guns are much more advanced than ours!

What?

We must retreat, General! The gunpowder is almost gone!

- We will die if we continue! - Damn it!

Really? So, who is that person?

Every time there is an attack...

They come armed with guns and firepower!

And time after time...

They knew the secret whereabouts of the prisoners!

Hurry! We must leave immediately and get them to safety!

Thank you! Thank you!

It's okay.

Let's go. Can you walk?

Wife.

Honey.

Wife.

Honey.

Wife.

Sir.

Wife.

Without a doubt, they have money and power.

And they have intel.

- Is the money in transit? - Yes, Your Highness.

The rescued prisoners were being chased.

The money will be used to find them a new place to live.

What about the gunpowder and weapons?

That is being provided by the Weapons Bureau.

The Weapons Bureau will be audited in several days. Will there be any problems?

I'll take care of that from my end, so do not worry.

My Lord.

Lord Gang Joo Seon is still safe.

He has not been able to get any particular information, Ma'am.

And...

these secret border missions will continue and be provided for by the east palace.

And without a doubt, there is a powerful supporter behind that movement.

We must find him.

We must find that power, no matter what.

Many more eyes and ears will follow us from now on.

All of you will have to be very careful.

I will not give a single innocent life to the enemy anymore.

Yes, even if that means I have to disobey every royal command and law.

To me, it's more important than a royal command and more precious than any law.

This country.

I am going to protect the lives of my people.

- Your Highness. - Your Highness.

What did you say? The army at the border got attacked again?

Yes, Your Majesty.

They were unable to return the prisoners to Later Jin

because of the surprise attack last night.

They lost everyone, Sire.

So... will those barbarians send a special envoy again?

Are they going to send one and insult me again?

- Where is Later Jin's emissary? - He's waiting inside right now.

Look here, sir!

Do you think we went easy on you during the war so we could be insulted like this?

Please calm down.

We still do not know who the culprit is.

It is only a scheme to save the poor souls.

Joseon has no intentions of going against Later Jin.

If that is the case, then you must show us that loyalty.

Our Khan is looking kindly upon you, sir.

- Don't you think this is unfair? - Please do not worry.

The officials are involved now, and the prisoners will be captured soon.

No, no. That is not enough.

Once you catch those prisoners, Joseon will have to submit to us completely.

The Khan has finally made a decision, sir.

Chief Inspector.

- When you say it's Khan's decision... - Yes.

So, that titled envoy will come to Joseon soon.

Ma'am, you're here.

Have you heard the news?

I heard Jang Bong Soo's wife was rescued last night.

- Is it true? - Yes, Ma'am.

They've been traveling all night and she's hiding in the storage right now.

Thanks, Eun Sol. Here you go.

Go ahead and changes your clothes first.

Oh my word, that lovely face of yours.

I can't believe how much you changed.

Ms. Ok Joo.

Change your clothes quickly and let's get you something to eat, okay?

Eun Sol.

Yes, I'll go and make some porridge for her.

- Great. - Hey... wait for me.

You can't make that by yourself.

Change your clothes first.

I'm... not sure if I deserve this kind of hospitality.

What do you mean? You did nothing wrong.

I hid behind our child during the war.

I don't deserve to live.

Woman, are you serious right now?

What about me? Haven't you thought about me?

- Huh? - Honey...

We lost our only child during the war against those barbarians.

When I found out you were captured by them, how do you think I felt?

I was sick with worry if you got hurt or if you were even alive.

- Every day was torture for me. - Honey.

I swear to you, nothing happened to me!

If something did happen to me, I'd rather die...

Stop! That's enough! Don't say such things.

Who cares if something did happen. It doesn't matter to me.

You're back, and that's all that matters.

That is all that matters.

One of the rescued prisoners was Jang Bong Soo's wife?

Yes, Your Highness.

This all thanks to your support, Sire.

If you had not given us that intel about the border...

We would not have been able to save those prisoners.

No, Princess Jungmyung.

If it wasn't for your strength and support

I would not have had the courage to continue.

Your Highness.

But this is only the beginning.

Because of these past events

any officials connected to Later Jin will pursue you more aggressively.

Also, I don't know what kind of countermeasures

Later Jin will attack us with.

- And the King will comply. - I know.

But we will come up with a plan as well.

More than ever, you must protect yourself and your family first.

Do you understand?

Yes, Your Highness. You too, Sire.

You've come to the east palace again, Ma'am.

Prince Bongrim.

Please forgive me, but I would like to talk to you for a moment.

Do you have the time?

Find out if there's anything going on

between the Crown Prince and Princess Jungmyung.

If you find evidence that they have conspired together...

you will be able to turn the King's heart around.

Get the coach ready. I'm going to see the Crown Princess.

Yes, Ma'am.

Prince Bongrim, what do you mean by that?

You want me to keep my distance from the Crown Prince?

No, you know very well what I'm talking about.

The whole world knows that you and the King are at odds with one another.

You're afraid that the King will spurn the Crown Prince because of me.

I'm very sorry for saying this.

I'm the Crown Prince's brother, Ma'am.

Moreover, I have no choice but to look out for him.

Prince Bongrim.

My father and brother's relationship must not break.

The royal family has suffered many tragedies because of these problems.

So, please do not leave even a trace of bad luck behind.

If you care about Prince Sohyun...

Please... please do this.

I've already received your gifts.

Why are you giving me these trinkets again, Sukwon?

Princess, saying those words is not enough to communicate my heart.

Words are not enough to express one's joy.

I have always wanted to support you.

When the former queen was alive, I could not bring myself to interfere.

I was afraid it wasn't my place to do that.

Sukwon.

But from now on, I will support and take care of you.

I have seen the Crown Prince grow since he was a little boy.

Granted, I'm not his birth mother...

But the Crown Prince is like a son to me.

Thank you for those kind words.

I am happy to know that you think of him with a mother's heart.

Princess.

My Lord.

Did anything happen last night? What about my father?

It's hard to see your face these days.

Father.

What is it?

Did something happen?

No. I have matters to attend to at the training center.

There are also things I have to take care of right away

due to the border incident several days ago.

I wanted to talk to you about that. Come inside.

What is this? Just what in the world... What does all this mean?

Father, what should we do? This is a royal letter from Later Jin.

How can I give this to the King?

I swear...

Father, I'm the secretary, and I have to give this to the King.

I'm really scared.

Father, can't you give this to him instead of me?

What if he gets angry and throws something at me?

Ah goodness. By any chance, is this what I think it is?

Later Jin's plan that Kang Joo Seon talked about?

Damn it.

Goodness.

Did you just say the Khan has sent a royal letter?

That's right. It probably arrived at the palace by now.

Just what on earth is the letter about, Father?

What is it that it's making you so nervous like this?

Father.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

How dare they! Those damn barbarians!

Sir, then you mean...

The one thing we're afraid of is coming to fruition.

The Khan's true ambition is being revealed.

I heard you two were here.

- We need to talk... - Princess Jungmyung.

Princess Jungmyung.

What is the matter?

Did something happen?

Your Highness, what should we do about this?

Where is that letter the Khan has sent?

Father!

- Father. - Your Majesty.

What is this, Crown Prince? What are these barbarians talking about?

They want us to be under their rule now?

And they want me to call that bastard my king?

Also... what is this?

They want the Joseon army to join theirs?

Sir, then that means...

Yes, that is correct, Ma'am.

It's a declaration to Joseon to cut off all ties with the Ming dynasty.

But, Joseon cannot do that.

How can the royal family and officials do that?

That is why this should be considered another act of war, Princess.

Yes, this is a second declaration of war.

Subtitles by DramaFever

Later Jin is full of confidence now.

They plan on conquering Joseon.

Ultimately, the Crown Prince must get involved.

He must greet the Later Jin's party.

Both of them will get into trouble. You must stop the Crown Prince.

When the country is in turmoil, shouldn't our family prepare the next king?

The Crown Prince. The Crown Prince, you say?

I'm telling you what you need to do now.

That war is going to happen again.

That is why it breaks my heart more

because I have to go against my father's will.