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[Episode 46]

Your Majesty, what happened?

- You were definitely... - That's right.

I was definitely on my way to the hot springs.

But... before I go...

I should take care of urgent state matters first.

Yes...

The empty seat of the Crown Prince...

I'll have to decide on the Crown Prince now!

Vice Premier...

I'm going to put Grand Prince Bongrim on that seat.

Sire... forgive me, but what do you mean?

Didn't you hear me?

I said I'd install Grand Prince Bongrim as the Crown Prince.

Grand Prince as the Crown Prince?

You definitely said you'd give the seat to Prince Seungseon!

Did I?

- I did? - Sire!

There is already a decree with your approval!

"What do you think of this?"

I believe you asked me the question.

Sire, I was also there!

- You told us to go ahead... - But...

But I didn't nod, Vice Premier.

Yes, that's definitely how it went.

Grand Prince.

Ma'am! My lady!

What are you saying? Bongrim will be the Crown Prince, not Seungseon?

Ma'am...

Did His Majesty already lose his mind in his old age?

Did he go crazy?

Sire, what is the reason for doing this?

You gave approval to Prince Seungseon!

Still, I didn't allow you to create a decree on your own.

I, the King, is the one who can give an order to the Royal Secretariat.

Not you, as a mere official.

But it was following your wish...

That wish has changed, Vice Premier.

Prince Seungseon is as young as the Grand Heir and not of the proper blood either.

No matter how much I think about it...

there is no reason for that when I have the Grand Prince!

The Grand Prince has connections with Prince Jungmyung.

Sire, do you really plan to give this country to the Princess and her followers?

Chance... Did you just say, "a chance"?

No...

According to you...

I am such a cowardly man.

Even if such a chance came to me...

what's going to change, Princess?

Right, I wasn't qualified for the throne from the beginning.

What would I possibly change at this point...

and what could I possibly do?

Sire, we haven't announced this yet.

Since the decree has not been out either

please take back the decision now...

No. Just announce the installation of the Grand Prince.

Your Majesty!

What? You don't want to?

You can't do it?

Then I'll send an order to the Royal Secretariat.

Father, I guess this is the way it will go.

There is a royal command to decide on the Crown Prince Installation Committee.

How can it be the Grand Prince?

I had no doubt that Prince Seungseon would receive the title!

If it turns out this way, it's no different than the Crown Prince!

No, now he carries His Majesty's support on his back.

Doesn't it mean he even has wings?

This is really...

Hey, Shi Bang...

Didn't you two plot with them, and already know about this?

What?

Hey, isn't it why Shi Baek refused to give the decree?

Sir, if that was the case, would I be here now?

I'd have gone to their office.

What?

Right...

Then what is it?

Did Shi Baek have some extraordinary sense?

Was he so good at picking the right line?

Now, let's hurry up.

We have the royal command to issue the decree right now.

Yes, sir.

Let's go!

Jicheon... What brought you here?

I came to see you, Chief Secretary.

I heard that you refused to issue the decree that Vice Premier ordered.

Thank you, Shi Baek.

It doesn't deserve thanks.

I only did my job as the Chief Secretary.

But there are many more people who can't do their own jobs.

I'm going to the palace to see the Vice Premier right now. Get ready.

Yes, sir.

If it really happens, it wouldn't affect you, would it?

My lord, please say something!

"There is power that can never be broken in this world."

Did you say that about your own power, Father?

Where do you think you are?

Do you realize it now?

That you were wrong.

- You... - You'll be the one losing everything.

You'll end up paying for

fighting against the rightful power and order with your corrupted power.

Step aside!

Step aside! I'll meet and ask His Majesty myself!

How many times do I have to tell you before you understand?

It won't change even if you get involved!

- Vice Premier! - The decree has been issued already.

The King's decision is firm!

For some reason he flipped his decision all of a sudden.

Yes, that's why I will go ask him myself!

Why is it the Grand Prince?

Why did he steal away the throne that was promised to Prince Seungseon?

Sir!

I found out who His Majesty met with outside of the palace today.

Yes, sire. That's right.

You shouldn't have been the owner of the throne to begin with.

And it's also true.

Even if a chance came to you now

it's possible that you may not be able to change anything.

Princess...

So I'm telling you to give that chance to Grand Prince Bongrim.

You may not be able to do it...

but you wanted to do it in the past.

Don't you feel the sense of responsibility for the last duty as the King?

That's what I realized about you after hating and blaming you for a long time.

I couldn't forgive you for all those times...

but I came to understand you.

Did you say that you understand me?

I would have a tiny sense of responsibility as the King, at least?

I'm sure you don't want to give away all of the power to Kim Ja Jeom.

If it happens

I'm sure you know very well what would happen to this country.

But if Prince Seungseon becomes the Crown Prince

you can't turn it back, sire!

It won't be just the King as a scarecrow!

The whole country will groan under his feet!

Sire, Grand Prince is here.

Once the installation ceremony is over, rule as a regent.

Your Majesty!

That's not possible! Please take back your words.

No, I won't.

Since you'll become the Crown Prince at an advanced age

that's what you should do in order to learn the state affairs.

And I'm also curious.

As the Princess said...

I wonder if you can do well.

But...

But it won't be easy, Grand Prince.

Do you think it would've been different for Sohyun?

Do you think it will be different for you?

No.

Don't take it so lightly.

Once you sit here...

you will also suffocate... from its weight.

Father.

But still...

it should be better to hand it over to you than Kim Ja Jeom.

Yes!

So try it for yourself!

Keep an eye on Lady Soyong. Make sure she doesn't leave her residence.

Yes, sir.

Princess...

It's the Princess?

Just wait and see, Princess.

I'll definitely put this ceremonial robe on my son!

Even if I have to kill you, wench!

Even if I have to kill you...

Joo Won.

Did you raise the security around Her Highness?

Yes, Commander Kang from the Special Armory will give us more people.

She'll be in more danger now.

Since she will be behind the Grand Prince, who will be the Crown Prince.

That's why we should hurry up and finish this fight.

We'll have to guard the Crown Prince as well.

Ma'am.

I get to see you here, Vice Premier.

Now you're in a position with no guarantees.

As you said, the King is weak...

But since the King made the decision

everything will become tough for you.

Ma'am, I still have power.

You know who has the government of this country.

That's why I'm also getting prepared.

For the last fight, with everything I have.

Your Highness the Crown Prince!

Your Highness.

Have a seat.

I will lead the meeting today instead of His Majesty.

Was it a dream about a pig? But it was bleeding so much...

I can't figure it out...

Shi Bang! I'm glad you came!

I was on my way out.

Come on! Come here!

- I had a dream last night... - Yes, and?

Can you interpret dreams, by any chance?

- What? Interpret dreams? - Yes!

I had a dream about a pig covered in blood last night.

What's this?

Is this a lucky dream, since it's about a pig?

Or is it an ominous one, since it was bleeding like a flood?

So, we lowered the rice tax in Pyongan Province because of severe famine

and we're sending medicine to the Office of Public Relief and the Medical Clinic.

Shouldn't we just follow the decision from the Border Defense Council?

I don't think I need to hear it anymore, Prime Minister.

Pardon?

But Your Highness, as a regent ruler, should give an approval...

Go ahead.

It's a decision by the officials who've worked on it for a long time.

I'm sure they are right.

To be honest, this is what I wanted to say in the meeting today.

Since I still don't know much

I will follow the wisdom of everyone here.

- Sire, would you do that? - Yes.

And to make up for the parts I lack...

I plan to study.

Did you say you plan to study, sire?

"Past as the mirror of present."

It means, 'Consider the past as your mirror and proceed with the present.'

Yes, Vice Premier.

That's why I plan to look back in the past first, not the coming days.

These are the daily journals of the Royal Secretariat so far.

The administrative affairs of His Majesty and the government are here.

Thank you, Chief Secretary.

- Take them to the East Palace now. - Yes, sir.

Therefore, the first thing I looked at...

was the record of the most humiliating incident, from the war with Qing.

Sire...

After I read this...

I realized why this country was twice attacked by Qing.

It's because...

the powerful who committed crimes against this country weren't punished.

Pardon? War with Qing...

Excuse me, how would I know about interpreting dreams...

Hey! You should know more than me at least!

I got the job because of my family's merit

but you took the civil service exam!

Seeing blood in a dream could mean

unfortunate death of yourself or your family...

What? Unfortunate death?

Hey, it wasn't me! It was a pig!

Who is the Minister of Taxation Kim Gyung Jing?

Sir!

Kim Gyung Jin would be me...

Hey! Who are you to bring up a minister's name!

- It's him! Arrest him! - Yes, sir!

What? What are you doing?

Arrest him? Who?

- Arrest him now! - Yes, sir!

Why are you doing this? Why?

Hey, do you know who I am? I'm Kim Gyung Jing!

I'm Kim Gyung Jing!

Vice Premier, it can't be, can it?

My son will be safe, right?

Say something!

- Hey! Why... - Gyung Jing!

I swear that I didn't run away to save myself!

I was going to go there first and wait!

Gyung Jing! Gyung Jing!

Father! They're saying that I'll be exiled and be poisoned to death!

It's not true, is it? You can get me out, right?

- Father! - Of course! Don't worry!

Let go of me!

Father! Help me, Father!

Father, spare me! Spare me!

- What are you doing? Take him away now! - Yes, sir!

- Gyung Jing! Gyung Jing! - Save me, Father!

Gyung Jing!

Look, Vice Premier!

Gyung Jing, my son!

Sir, what should we do about this?

What? "Past as the mirror of present"?

It means that he'll get us using the Qing war as an excuse.

Didn't you expect this?

Taking in Kim Gyung Jing is a warning that it's starting now.

Vice Premier, it's different from being taken for tributary payment trades.

My secret communication with Qing at the time...

could be construed as high treason.

So what do you plan to do now?

Do you have any solution at all?

Why do you ask me that every time?

We can't kill off the second Crown Prince now.

What do you mean?

He's grabbing my lifeline, so if it's necessary, we have to!

Please calm down, sir.

If we start anything now, it could lead to a bigger loss!

What do you mean by that?

Are you saying that you're fine even if things happen to me?

- Lord Kang! - Vice Premier!

The military power that you have now!

Commander of General Defense and

Commander of Royal Guards under your control!

Who do you have to thank for them becoming your men?

If it wasn't for my money, how would you have done it?

Lord Kang, how could I not know that?

I'm just saying that we need to find a solution together, not fight between us!

- Sire. - Your Highness.

Sire, it's safe to meet in the Special Armory, so I invited you here.

Yes, I also said that I'd come out to inspect the Special Armory.

Please. Her Highness is waiting for you.

Please this way, sire.

It's starting...

I guess we'll see the end now.

Anyway, our Lord Grand Prince... Oh, that's not right.

He is the Crown Prince now.

Our Crown Prince looks really strong.

Yes, he does. He looks like a real man, too.

What? Honey, you can't do that when your husband is next to you.

Husband or not, a handsome man naturally comes to your vision.

He looks strong and healthy. He definitely has the looks!

Right, Mom? He's a real man!

You're right.

Kim Gyung Jing is only a tail.

We need to hit the body, Kim Ja Jeom and Kang Joo Seon soon.

But you have to be cautious, sire.

Don't take their power lightly.

Yes, she is right, sire.

Although Kang Joo Seon's power has weakened

he can still mobilize enormous wealth.

And Kim Ja Jeom has had control over the military since the war.

If he mobilizes the military power...

You mean he could plot a revolt.

We still lack the power to fight against them.

- So, please be cautious... - But we don't have time for that, ma'am.

If we loosen the leash, we could be attacked instead.

Then what should we do?

If we can't be hasty... but we can't delay any longer either.

Sire, there are two violent beasts in front of us.

But we only have one arrow left.

I'm sure you know since you hunted for a long time in Qing, sire.

In this situation... what would you do?

Deliver this to the Commander of Royal Guards

and the Commander of General Defense in Gyeonggi Province in secret.

Tell them to get the soldiers ready and wait for my order.

Yes, sir.

You were here so late at night, Vice Premier?

Sire!

You're a true Vice Premier.

You work harder than anyone in this palace.

Ma'am, I'll get going too.

Do you think this will be successful?

As Jicheon said

we should bark like wolves when we fight against wolves.

At least one of them will make a move.

Are you trying to guess what I am thinking?

Of course you would.

For me to invite you in for a drink.

We are not on such cozy terms.

It is the relationship of the king and the retainer in the future.

It will be some day, right?

How about today for that 'some day'?

Vice Premier...

I hope tonight becomes the beginning of it.

Joo Won...

What brought you here?

I have something to tell you in private.

Although our relationship was in the past

I hope you'd consider our past relationship and give me some time.

What did you say just now?

I could be pardoned?

That's right, sir.

If you will stand with His Highness now...

he would be willing to pardon you.

But why? Why me?

What would be the reason?

It must be the power that has supported you to this day.

The dethroned previous king kept you by his side instead of punishing you.

The wealth you have.

He realized that's what he needed in politics.

I also realize that power is necessary now.

So if you'd stand with us...

we'd be happy to hold your hand.

And? The Crown Prince held his hand out to you?

That young one said something pretty interesting.

He said that the powerful shouldn't be made an enemy of in politics.

Bongrim has been different from the late Crown Prince Sohyun since he was little.

He was more practical, and saw reality as it was.

Yes... if I can gain Bongrim...

there is actually a way.

But how could we trust him so easily?

He may be planning to trick us.

Of course.

I don't trust all of his words either.

So why don't we hit the Princess?

Princess?

Whose fault is it that we've been pushed this far?

It's all that wench's fault.

Don't say foolish things.

It's not time to make a move over personal grudges.

It's not personal, Vice Premier!

We should use the Princess to shake up Bongrim!

- What? - Think about it.

If that wench is in trouble

Bongrim will fall apart with her.

Right...

If one collapses, both of them will collapse.

I have an idea to get the Princess.

If we get the Princess and the Crown Prince

we can install Prince Seungseon again.

Princess... We'll use the Princess?

Hurry up. Let's hurry.

How is... the Crown Prince doing?

I hear that he's managing all the state affairs very well.

So you don't need to worry...

What? Don't worry about it?

I am still the King of this country!

Even you are ignoring me now?

Sire, that's not possible!

Sire, the royal physician is here.

Bring him in.

It's time for a checkup and acupuncture, sire.

Forget it. I don't need it.

It's not getting any better.

Forgive me, sire!

You're a royal physician in name only.

You don't know anything!

I'm not the only one like that in this palace.

Sire, you still have to get acupuncture.

What are you doing? Hurry up.

Hurry up and get ready.

And? His Majesty's condition is still serious?

I'm sorry.

According to the Head Servant

the illness has already spread to his lungs

so there may not be any more techniques left...

Your Majesty!

No matter how His Majesty gets upset

you have to serve him the medicine.

Don't forget the medicinal food in a timely manner either.

Yes.

Sire! Why are you outside?

How bad... is it?

Pardon?

You've served me for over a decade.

Would I not know what you're thinking?

Sire.

So don't waste my energy, and answer me.

How long... do I have left?

What? Is it true?

His Majesty's illness is serious?

The Royal Medical Bureau is still keeping quiet, but I believe it's true.

It seems that it'll be difficult for him to recover.

Then... we really can't wait.

We have to rush to take care of this matter.

- What about Lord Kang? - He hasn't made a move yet.

Princess... You mean, you want to hit the Princess?

That's right.

Since the one behind the Crown Prince is the Princess...

let's set a trap for the Princess first

and then aim for the Crown Prince.

But would it be that easy?

The Crown Prince would step in and take the Princess' side.

Not the King, Lord Kang.

Although he handed over all his authority to the Crown Prince now

if the Princess' matter gets blown up

the King will be confused like before.

Yes, that's right.

He's more than capable of it.

The whole time the King has been on the throne

his enemy has been the Princess.

We have a great idea. We just need a little help from you.

Me?

This is Lord Kang's order. You have to prepare as written.

Yes, ma'am.

And, one more thing.

We need to gather more people.

People who wouldn't cause trouble even if we run into some messiness.

People? For what?

In Woo... We should take care of him, too.

Ma'am!

What? We'd lose everything, and pay for it?

No.

He'll be the one paying the price...

for running amok without realizing his place.

Got it. Report this to Lord Hong and continue to keep an eye on them.

Yes, sir.

Ma'am.

It seems that Kim Ja Jeom and Kang Joo Seon have begun.

Would they really move the way we want them to?

Both of them have experienced everything.

They could see through our plan.

That may be exactly why our plan will work.

People act like themselves in the most critical moments.

They've experienced everything, there is nothing that they can't do.

That's what I also think.

As it always has been, there is nothing that they can't do.

But even now, I wish it wasn't my father...

Even then, nothing will change.

I'm sorry, sir.

That's how I've always felt towards you.

For taking this difficult path with us.

No, ma'am.

Please don't say that.

Didn't I tell you before?

I don't want to hear 'I'm sorry' from you.

Young Master In Woo.

Still, it's a relief that you look fine.

Young Master, I...

Just in case...

If you are going to say sorry, I'd like to decline.

You may not know this

but it hurts pretty badly to hear those words after getting a rejection.

And more than anything...

I think it's too early for those words.

It was childish behavior back then...

but it has a different meaning now.

I chose this path, so I don't want to regret it.

- Sir. - So, ma'am...

no matter what comes in the future

please tell me 'thank you' rather than those words.

If I meant in such a way to someone...

my life wouldn't be so lonely.

If they've started to move...

we'll see the result, whoever it turns out to be.

But why is it?

I feel like that time is coming...

and I'm afraid.

Even if we win, would it really be a victory?

Because someone will get hurt.

That's how Officer Kang must feel.

Maybe the Crown Prince, and also the young, innocent Prince Seungseon.

There will be countless people.

The ones we have to fight against are also someone's father

someone's child, and a friend.

But, ma'am...

what we are trying to do now is to cut off the restraint.

So that no one will shed innocent tears because of injustice.

Ma'am, we shouldn't stop the work, should we?

She's coming.

Here!

What about Eun Geum?

I believe she received the goods from Lord Kang's man and is preparing now.

Lord Kim.

Is it proceeding without a hitch?

Yes. There will be a repair at the building tomorrow

so it will be found easily.

Did you make sure to check on the goods?

Please don't worry. I prepared it as you ordered.

My lord, it will go well.

As it always has before.

Your Majesty, how do you feel today?

Do you ask because you don't know?

Or, do you pretend not to know?

Father...

Make it happen, Crown Prince.

Yes...

Whatever you try to do...

I hope you're better than me.

[Prince Seungseon's Residence]

We have to finish repairing Prince Seungseon's residence today!

- Hurry up! - Yes, sir!

Sir?

What is this?

What's going on over there?

Look, Jicheon!

Chief Secretary, what's going on?

Did you hear the news?

Evidence of a treason plot was found in the palace just now!

What? Evidence of a treason plot?

What on earth is this...

The Princess' treason plot was uncovered? Is it true?

Sir...

Is this it? Is this the evidence?

Give it to me!

Let me see...

This...

- Then I'll come back again. - Yes, ma'am.

Your Highness.

Hurry! It's a treason plot! It's a criminal of a treason plot!

What is this?

Sir, I don't know either.

What about Vice Premier? Did he see this too?

I don't think so. He heard that this was found

and headed to the East Palace.

Goodness...

No! It can't be!

No!

What's going on, Vice Premier?

Forgive me for saying this

but there is evidence of a treason plot, sire.

What did you say? Did you just say treason?

Yes.

The evidence was found

that Her Highness is trying to dethrone the current King

and help Your Highness to the throne, sire.

Ma'am...

So, did you come here to arrest me?

You'll try to do something to me with false evidence?

Sir! Sir!

False evidence?

And, did I come here to arrest you?

Vice Premier!

I did not.

I came here to protect you, ma'am.

What do you mean by that?

You came here to protect me?

So you came here to arrest me?

I tried to set up the Princess with a false treason plot?

I did that?

My lord.

Yes, that's right, ma'am.

Just like you said

it's false evidence, and a terrible setup.

That's why the State Tribunal is arresting Kang Joo Seon now

who tried to set you up for this crime, ma'am.

Vice Premier! Vice Premier!

Vice Premier!

Vice Premier... You shouldn't. You shouldn't be doing this!

Did you say that this was false evidence of a terrible setup?

I'm not sure.

According to the report His Highness received just now

it seemed very reliable.

What do you mean by that, ma'am?

Did you know what was written here before you came?

'Dethrone the Crown Prince and the King, establish Prince Seungseon.'

Dethrone the Crown Prince and the King

and take Prince Seungseon as the owner of the throne.

- What? - That's right.

This is evidence that you were plotting treason, not the Princess.

This writing that says to dethrone the King and the Crown Prince

and establish Prince Seungseon...

We also have a statement that someone buried this on your orders.

And we also have a secret message you sent

to Commanders of General Defense and Royal Guards to get soldiers ready.

Are you still going to deny this crime?

Kang Joo Seon...

Kang Joo Seon, he tried to...

There is only one arrow left.

But when we have two violent beasts in front of our eyes...

We should make the two beasts see each other.

Yes, if we can turn them into enemies

at least one of them will collapse.

No.

Our target is not the Princess, Yeo Jung.

It's Kang Joo Seon.

What?

We'll blame Kang Joo Seon for trying to set up the Princess.

We'll hand him over that way...

and hold Bongrim's hand.

Once we gain Bongrim, we can push out the Princess.

But, sir, what about Prince Seungseon?

Were you... planning to do this from the beginning?

Were you planning to abandon Prince Seungseon, too?

More so since the King can't guarantee the future!

We won't be able to stop Bongrim from ascending to the throne!

That's right. I won't get rid of the Princess.

I will set a trap for Kim Ja Jeom.

If I can live after handing over Kim Ja Jeom

I'd hand him over a thousand times.

Between the two violent beasts...

I thought one of them would bleed.

I thought maybe one would bite the others neck.

But it was both of you.

You and Kang Joo Seon. Both of you betrayed each other.

Then... was everything a trap?

Do you remember, Vice Premier?

I said to you that I'd win using a different method from you.

And you are losing because of your own method.

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