Original subtitles

(This program is a work of imagination...)

(based on historical figures.)

(It may include fictitious details and psychological description.)

All people could live a comfortable life...

or fall into misery because of me.

That is why I cannot rest even for a moment...

and be swayed by personal interest.

Do you not want to help those who work that hard...

for no reason?

He has been making desperate efforts to become a good king.

Of course, the Crown Prince would not need a mere court maid's help.

(Classic of Poetry)

You worked hard.

Your Highness, we will bring water for washing.

(Classic of Poetry)

(Episode 6)

You, come here.

There.

Wipe properly with all your heart.

Master.

You forgot to take this fan.

Thank you.

I need to meet with Dongdukhoe.

I am here to deliver His Highness' orders.

Tell them...

to check on Jung Baek Ik, the son of Princess Hwawan.

He's full of wiles and schemes.

They must watch him closely.

Yes, Your Highness.

In order to lift the curfew,

I need someone to help me.

Tell them to find...

whoever can advise to His Majesty.

I'll check on Royal Secretary Jung's moves...

by visiting the Royal Secretariat often.

However, about finding someone new to be of help to His Highness...

Master Hong, do you have anyone in mind?

How about the chief royal physician at the Royal Infirmary?

His Majesty visits him often these days.

His Highness has ordered never to recruit anyone...

from the Royal Infirmary.

We would've considered him already hadn't it been for that order.

What should we do then?

There's no one good enough.

How about...

Maybe someone from the relatives?

No.

Perhaps, someone from the Royal Relative Department.

I can take charge in that case.

Right now, the problem isn't who will recruit how.

The problem is whom to recruit.

Do you mind if I ask?

Pardon?

What you were going to say earlier.

What you couldn't bring up to say.

I was puzzled, to be honest.

Why no one was having that person in mind.

If a mere junior ninth rank maid can easily think of that person,

it's definitely someone that grazed my mind.

Yes, of course.

There's just one thing that I didn't see coming.

I had no idea a woman would be a member of Dongdukhoe.

Not just any woman,

but a junior ninth rank woman from the Internal Court.

(The Internal Court consists of titled court ladies.)

A court lady.

Men like us can't dare have her in mind.

It's an insult just to think of her,

so persuade her in private?

However,

you are different from us.

Right?

I delivered your orders as you commanded.

Good job.

Did they find a way?

I think I did.

You?

I will go.

I'll meet the Queen in person and beg her to be on your side.

I'm a woman, and I'm the only one who can pull this off.

So,

I shall do it, Your Highness.

Gosh, I hate worms.

Me too. Goodness.

I despise those useless.

But I don't hate them because they give us silk.

No, I don't.

I don't. I don't...

I don't.

- I don't. - No.

- I don't. - It's okay.

- Don't do it. No. - I don't.

I don't hate them.

I like those useful.

Silk, silk threads, silkworms.

Silk, silk threads, silkworms.

Because of you, we have 10 more baskets to finish.

Well, I didn't know...

the inspector court lady would be outside.

She was there to watch wenches like you.

Young Hee, Kyung Hee's scary.

Kyung Hee, please.

I should've been a personal maid like Duk Im.

Then I wouldn't be doing this darn chore.

This is only temporary to prepare for the silkworm ceremony.

But the preparations last a month.

I'm from the Sewing Department.

I should be sewing, not cutting leaves.

I think this is better than carrying toilets.

You and I aren't the same.

Well, we're the same court maids.

You always make it show that your department is higher than mine.

Why isn't Duk Im coming?

She should be helping us out.

- She wouldn't be able to make it. - Why?

She comes to the residence only to sleep these days.

Even if she comes, she's busy thinking.

About what?

I don't know. I'm worried.

Rumors say that the Crown Prince is confined.

Could it be true?

Could that be her concern?

I don't know.

That's why it's a nuisance to be a personal maid.

Their lives depend on their master's circumstances.

It's best to be a sewing maid.

I thought you hated it.

Take a break, higher-up. I'll do the rest.

Get some rest.

Enjoy your break.

Don't watch and rest up. I've got it.

I can do a good job.

Everyone is looking forward...

to seeing what you will wear for the silkworm breeding ceremony.

I am sure you will look more glamorous and beautiful than anyone.

I hope ladies do not gossip about it.

My goodness.

Who would dare to compare with you?

You are right.

You are also beautiful.

You.

You wrench.

How dare you appear in front of me?

Have you been well, Your Highness?

Where do you think you are?

You are a mere court maid of East Palace.

I called her.

Queen Hong sent her to my palace.

She told me to keep her for a while...

since I am busy getting ready for the silkworm ceremony.

Your Highness.

This lady here wants to visit the palace in Onyang.

So I granted it.

You should have discussed it with me first.

Lady Sook. The palace in Onyang must be vacated.

We never know when the King would leave for Onyang.

Yes, Your Highness.

I can ask Father myself...

and get his permission.

He would never refuse my favor.

Enjoy your trip, Lady Sook.

I will never forget your kindness, Your Highness.

You are welcome. Enjoy.

Yes.

I must have appeared ridiculous to you today.

That would never happen.

It happens often.

Did Queen Hong really send you here...

because there is not much work in East Palace?

Actually...

the reason I am here is...

I am bored.

Do you want to play riddles with me?

I will start first.

What is the deepest in the world?

What is the hardest hump to cross?

What is the most precious flower...

in the world?

So?

You got everything wrong?

You did not get one right?

The Queen did not tell me the answers,

so I asked Court Lady Seo.

She said all my answers were wrong.

Were the Queen's questions that hard?

She asked what is the deepest in the world.

One's heart.

- And? - She asked...

the hardest hill to cross in the world.

The barley hump.

And?

The most precious flower in the world...

The cotton flower!

I am sorry.

It is okay not to know.

You should have given her a riddle. A hard one.

I did, and she could not solve it.

No?

Who is the king with three bells?

- Sejong the Great? - Yes.

Are you serious?

It is not that the Queen could not solve it.

She chose not to solve it.

Your Highness.

The last question she asked...

was very profound.

Here is the last question.

How much does the Crown Prince respect me?

I knew I could never neglect her.

She distracted one foolish court maid...

with riddles...

in order to get the information she wants.

The King's lecture is about to be dismissed.

The King may come. You shall leave.

Yes, Your Highness.

Duk Im.

It is the first time you said my name.

Well done today.

I need the Queen's help.

I can never take the throne without her support.

Yet, I did not know what to do.

Thank you for coming forward for me.

The sun will rise from the west tomorrow.

I cannot believe you complimented me.

I shall compliment you when you deserve it.

You work for me.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Goodnight.

Sejong the Great.

She lost already.

I think the deepest is...

the universe that can hold nature.

The hardest hump to cross is...

the age of 100.

(The age of 100)

One's lifespan is set by nature.

It is not up to the person to cross.

The most precious flower is...

the flower each person needs.

A rice flower is precious to those who starve.

A licorice flower for a medicine practitioner.

To those who need padded clothes,

a cotton flower must be precious.

Did you say your name is Sung Duk Im?

Yes, Your Highness.

Here is the last question.

How much does the Crown Prince respect me?

Like a mirror.

A mirror?

A mirror reflects everything.

Just like a mirror,

as much as you respect the Crown Prince,

he respects you.

As much as you show generosity to the Crown Prince,

he will show his filial love to you.

"A mirror reflects everything."

Will the sun rise from the east?

Hong Duk Ro!

I am glad to find you. I need your help.

So, the Crown Prince ordered you...

to deliver a secret order to Dongdukhoe.

But you forgot what it was about?

Yes, but I did not forget everything.

I remember two of them.

But I can never...

recall the last one.

What do you expect me to do?

You always know what is on my mind.

Help me out here, will you?

Help me out just this once. Come on.

Just this once.

You said the same thing last time.

Military officers are not clever.

Yes, we are dumb.

Civil officials are smart.

And the Crown Prince's Lecturer is the smartest of all.

An educated person should have compassion.

Never mind.

I will help you. But you should cooperate.

I will cooperate with anything.

Think you are standing...

inside the East Palace.

Me?

I am...

standing inside the East Palace.

When the Crown Prince is thinking about his enemy,

he always looks at the Four-Dragon Sword.

Find out if Second State Councilor Hong Jung Yeo has been meeting...

Yoon Yu Jik and Hong Baek Ri privately...

and if he has, how often he does...

and report to me.

Yes, Your Highness.

It is the anniversary of my father's death soon.

I need someone to visit Sueunmyo for me.

(Sueunmyo is Jangjo's grave.)

Tell Prince Consort Kwang Eun and Prince Consort Heung Eun...

that Cheongyeon and Cheongsun should go.

Yes, Your Highness.

When he is thinking about the late Crown Prince,

he always looks at the painting.

When he gave you the last order,

where was he standing?

Not the Four-Dragon Sword.

Not the painting.

His Highness...

His Highness...

I remembered it. He was holding "Classic of Poetry" in his hand.

"Classic of Poetry"?

(Classic of Poetry)

I hope she does not do something dangerous.

- Left Wing Guard. - Yes, Your Highness.

I have one more order.

Please give the order.

You must...

protect them.

Yes, Your Highness.

"You must..."

"protect them."

He told me to protect every worker at the East Palace...

until the confinement order is lifted.

He cares for all these people.

Is not His Highness such a good master?

The person he really wants to protect...

must be only one.

What?

As he cannot go out and protect her himself,

he must be anxious.

- What do you mean? - You do not have to know.

I will get going now.

There is no touch of humanity about him.

Anyways, thank you, Master Hong.

I will count on you again next time.

All right. Let me organize it.

His Highness' first secret order.

Attend Dongdukhoe and...

(To be continued)

Attend Dongdukhoe and...

I am screwed. Master Hong!

There is a woman I cannot bear.

From the first day I met her,

she was extremely insolent.

But no matter what she does,

His Majesty always takes her side.

I need you to do something for me.

- Pardon? - If you do it,

I will be on the Crown Prince's side.

Do you mean it?

Please give the order, Your Highness.

What should I do?

Silkworm breeding ceremony is the Queen's day.

A mere princess cannot dare to challenge my authority.

I need a justification.

An ample justification...

that can restrain and control Princess Hwawan.

That even the King cannot take her side.

A clear justification...

that everyone in the world will approve.

Try finding one.

You look quite smart.

Not much time is left until the silkworm breeding ceremony.

You should hurry.

I need a justification.

That can restrain and control Princess Hwawan.

Duk Im.

You have not eaten all day. What have you been doing?

Did something happen?

Guys.

I am so incompetent.

What are you talking about?

You should tell me what it is so that we can help you.

She is His Highness' personal maid.

She might not be allowed to say it.

If you do not want to say it, forget about it.

Who cares?

Here. Have a look.

It is the silk my father got in Qing.

Kyung Hee whose father is the best interpreter in Joseon.

I envy you. Let us exchange our fathers.

I have never seen silk as pretty as this.

I heard Qing's best artisan weaved this silk.

No wonder.

You cannot even make clothes with it. It is all spin and no substance.

The Princess bought all of them.

The Princess?

Princess Hwawan?

Yes. It is for the silkworm breeding ceremony.

I think she will appear in a dress made with this silk.

Imagine the Princess saw me...

wearing clothes made with this silk.

These will be my grave clothes, not ceremonial clothes.

- Kyung Hee. - What?

You definitely said it.

That the Princess bought all this silk...

imported from Qing.

That she will appear in a dress made with this silk...

at the silkworm breeding ceremony.

Yes.

It is done.

It is solved.

Duk Im.

It's a way...

to oppress Princess Hwawan during the silkworm ceremony.

Standing here...

makes me feel like...

I'm the Queen.

Are you done looking around? Let's go back down.

Hey, Young Hee is standing guard.

We picked mulberry leaves all month long.

We've got to enjoy this much.

Goodness.

Duk Im, has your concern been resolved?

I'll have to see how it goes until the end.

What happens here tomorrow.

What will happen?

Hey, let's hurry down.

Okay. Just wait.

Hey.

The princess...

- Why, is someone coming? - The princess...

The princess is coming.

- Who, Princess Hwawan? - Yes.

Are you okay, Your Highness?

Hurry.

Hurry up.

Your Highness.

This makes no sense!

That woman Hong can not take the higher seat than mine!

Does she think she's still a crown princess?

She's no longer a crown princess.

I'm more valuable than her now.

I fully understand your anger.

You must be devastated

about this unfair treatment.

Do you understand how I feel?

Yes, of course.

Of all the women in this palace,

no one is as valuable as you are.

You are the King's daughter.

Your noble blood can't be compared...

to the other women.

Queen Hong may be valuable,

but she's just a daughter of a scholar-official.

She was simply lucky...

that she was chosen to be part of the royal family.

It's the same for the Queen Her Highness.

She was lucky to earn her title overnight,

but her blood comes from a servant.

She's the child of a servant,

so she's siding with Hong who has the same circumstances.

No matter what others say,

you're the most honorable woman in this nation.

My father isn't as attentive to me as he used to be.

He must be bewitched by Queen Kim, that young woman.

I understand your agony.

I'm mortified...

that I'm not influential enough to support you.

No.

You're my only support in this palace.

I'm getting by this much...

all thanks to you.

I'm grateful to hear that.

Let's go back now.

Okay.

What did we just see?

I feel like I saw something frightening.

Head Lady Cho is Princess Hwawan's person.

I already knew.

Still, I didn't expect her to be this open about it.

She's not even scared of Queen Lee.

Head Lady Cho is impressive.

She's something, I must say.

Bow.

Up.

Bow.

Up.

Bow.

Up.

Stand.

Back to positions.

Your Highness, I've never seen any silk this beautiful.

Indeed, you have such a discerning eye.

Your beauty is making me go blind.

I'm quite satisfied with this silk from the Qing Dynasty,

so I plan to get some more of it.

If you want, I'll share some with you.

- Thank you. - You must be happy.

What is it, Your Queen Highness?

Why are you staring at me?

Kneel down, princess.

Pardon?

Go down on your knees,

and ask me for forgiveness.

Didn't you hear me?

What in the world did you say?

Bring her to her knees.

- What are you doing? - Gosh.

Let go of me.

- My lady. - Let go.

Let go of me, you all.

Let go!

Your Highness.

Why are you doing this to me?

Do you really not know what you did wrong?

What did I do...

to deserve this humiliation?

I'll tell my father.

If he finds out about this, he will...

Since I became a queen at the age of 15,

I've been troubled and confused to deal with many difficulties.

Especially Princess Hwawan.

As someone seven years younger than her,

I hesitated and wondered if it was right...

to act like her mother.

I have forgotten my responsibility and duty as a mother.

There is only one reason for the silkworm breeding ceremony.

As a Joseon lady,

I shall make my clothes with Joseon silk.

That is the only reason.

However, Princess Hwawan...

showed off silk from the Qing...

to the ladies of the Internal Court.

What is left now is...

the ladies of the Internal Court...

who will buy silk from the Qing after Princess Hwawan.

Princess Hwawan's fault is...

my fault for not teaching her.

Because...

I have not been her mother.

I...

beg you.

I am sorry, Your Majesty.

Princess Hwawan deserved it.

You are her mother.

As a mother, you shall teach her.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Now that you approve of me as your wife,

I could die...

in peace.

Queen Kim. If...

you hold any grudges,

you should let them go.

Then...

is it okay to inform you of one more thing?

Tell me.

You should forgive the Crown Prince.

I know this better than anyone else.

You confined the Crown Prince...

because you cherish him and love him more than anyone.

You only wish the best for him.

However, if it goes on for too long,

it would hurt the Crown Prince.

Please show mercy.

Your Majesty.

I know you are worried...

about meeting the ambassador from the Qing,

but do not be worried as I have an idea.

What?

Worries? Me?

Since the Crown Prince is confined,

there is no one else to greet the ambassador...

Confinement?

I have never ordered...

to confine the Crown Prince.

I beg your pardon?

I said I have never done that.

I think you have.

I said no.

Royal Secretary Jung.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Have I ever issued an edict against the Crown Prince?

No, Your Majesty. There was no edict.

See? Nothing.

Oh, have you heard that rumor?

That I locked up the Crown Prince in East Palace...

and took away all his favorite books?

Yes, Your Majesty.

This must be how Taejong felt...

about Sejong.

When Sejong was a prince,

he read books all day.

Taejong was worried his son would become ill,

so he took Sejong's books away.

This is what Minister Seo told me.

Do you remember?

Yes, Your Majesty.

I heard...

all the Crown Prince does is...

reading all day in East Palace.

Studying is good,

but what if he becomes ill?

So I took all his books away...

and told him to rest for a few days.

I never expected that would cause a misunderstanding.

If Master Hong is here,

step up.

Did you want to see me, Your Majesty?

Refrain the afternoon lectures for a while,

and hold only the morning and evening lectures.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Tell the Crown Prince to rest...

and enjoy archery outside.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Highness.

Thank you...

for staying sound and healthy.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

You will not be able to return to East Palace for a while?

Queen Kim ordered me to stay in her palace for a few more days.

- What for? - I would not know.

Your Highness. I am sorry,

but I must run her errand.

Are you leaving already?

I am sorry, but Queen Kim is...

above you.

She is not moving to the Queen's Palace for good, is she?

You are Lady Jang from the Queen's Palace.

Master Hong.

Do you remember me?

Of course.

I asked you for water by the well.

Bull's-eye!

Is it Queen Kim...

who asked the king to lift the confinement?

Yes, Your Highness.

She would never step out without a reason.

Bull's-eye!

Perhaps someone must have changed her mind.

I heard Maid Sung is working in the Queen's Palace.

Maybe...

it was Maid Sung.

Why do you think highly of a mere maid?

She may be trustworthy,

but I believe she is not capable of it.

Bull's-eye!

Do you?

I believe she is capable of it,

but I do not find her trustworthy.

I think she must have done something.

If you talk her into it,

you will be able to pry into more information.

Should I...

meet Maid Sung?

Bull's-eye!

I thought that arrow would not hit the target.

You always...

make miss the target with the last arrow.

I shot them without thinking and made all of them hit the target.

I failed to show the virtue of modesty.

You do not have to care about Court Maid Sung.

You do not have to meet her privately either.

When she comes back to the East Palace,

I will ask her in person.

Your Highness, His Majesty is looking for you.

I see. I will go to the King's Palace.

He is at the Royal Office.

Last time,

I went too far.

My heart ached so much...

that I could not sleep.

You would not know.

How much I treasure you.

Do not resent me...

for too long.

I did wrong...

and received a punishment I deserved.

How can I dare to resent you?

San.

I...

did many wrongdoings in my life.

It is not that I do not know...

about my wrongdoings.

Still, I did the best I could do...

at every moment.

As the King of Joseon, only for Joseon.

One day,

you will sit there...

and fully understand me.

For sure,

it will happen someday.

Right?

(To be continued)

Yes,

Your Majesty.

Yes.

The lowest maids and servants are not allowed to pass at this hour.

Go away.

Master, I am not the lowest maid.

Are you saying you are an aristocrat or something?

Get out of here.

My goodness.

Excuse me.

Yes, my lady.

(Entrance Pass)

You can go.

Why do you want to enter the palace?

(Entrance Pass)

You can go.

Do not reveal that you are from a noble family to others.

Just quietly act like you are my servant.

All right?

Yes. Thank you for helping me, my lady.

I can give this court robe to my brother thanks to you.

Your brother is very lucky...

to wear a court robe made with such care.

He has never worn a new court robe.

We always got an old one from others.

So my mother and I mended it.

We were very lucky to get new fabric. It made me so happy.

I made clothes all night and waited.

But no matter how long I waited, he did not return.

Your brother will be very happy.

Brother.

Dan.

I did not know she is the younger sister of Master Hong.

It is so pretty.

The palace is a beautiful place.

Dan. Do you like the palace?

Yes, Brother.

I am glad to hear that.

He is glad to hear that?

Why?

I did not expect my sister to come with you.

I also did not expect that.

I did not know she was your sister.

Anyways, thank you.

She gets discouraged easily.

She must have felt sad if she could not meet me.

I cannot believe that you just thanked me.

But next time,

I hope it does not happen again.

Even if it is trivial,

do not make my sister owe you.

Did I try to take any credit for helping your sister?

Do not think of being friends with my sister.

You two are not supposed to do so.

I will not have a chance to meet her anyway.

Do you think so?

She owed you. Let her older brother pay you back.

I will tell you a piece of news you might be interested in.

The Queen persuaded the King secretly.

Thanks to that, the confinement order against him was lifted.

Oh, no.

You already knew.

So you really persuaded the Queen?

I did not know you had such amazing talent.

You might take away my position...

as the Crown Prince's closest advisor at this rate.

I'll see you again,

Lady Sung.

- My lady. - My lady.

- Please. - My lady.

- My lady. - My lady.

- My lady. - My lady.

- Please. - My lady.

Know some shame!

You should be able to deal with His Highness even without her.

Why don't you try it yourself then?

I've never seen him like this before.

He's in an incredibly bad mood.

- He's frightening to death. - I know.

Duk Im is good at serving him.

Couldn't we bring her over?

I know it's just an excuse.

You simply want to make that newbie do all the work.

Don't ask for who isn't here.

I have a brilliant idea.

Don't follow me.

My lady.

Couldn't we please prepare a bath for His Highness?

With more than plenty of medicinal herbs...

that would relax his body and soul...

along with soothing his anger,

we'll throw him into the bathtub...

I mean, help him rest.

I'm the only one who can attend to his bath.

But I've been feeling dizzy since this morning.

So I don't think that's possible.

My lady, please.

Okay.

Your Highness, we're going to mix peonies to the water...

for a special medicinal bath today.

Peonies are for relaxation.

Are you telling me to please...

soothe my anger?

No, that's not it. Well...

Are you okay?

Yes, I'm okay.

No, you are not.

Take her to the Royal Infirmary and have her examined.

However...

Now.

Escort her carefully.

What do we do? We must put the herbs in the water.

Who's going to go in there?

Wol Hye.

You guys are all here.

What are you doing?

Your Highness, they are Master Hong and Lady Sung.

Why are they alone together at this hour?

Why alone together?

No...

Your Highness, we will bring the medicinal herbs in.

The water has gotten cold. Get me some hot water too.

Yes, Your Highness.

Leave when you finish.

Yes, Your Highness.

Hey.

What are you doing here?

Your Highness, I'll put the herbs in.

Wait. Turn around.

I'm good now.

I thought you'd be at the Queen's Palace.

When did you come back?

I came back to attend something for a bit.

You did?

Your Highness, I will put the herbs in.

I see.

You.

You met Master Hong alone last night.

- Pardon? - Master Hong...

went too close to you.

What if others saw you?

- Did you see us? - Yes, I did!

You should've come and scolded him for harassing your maid then.

Why did you let it happen?

You know that he always harasses maids like that.

And that he pries into secrets through maids.

I see you're scolding me, the powerless maid,

instead of him, your competent right-hand man.

I don't care about other maids.

I care only about...

Only about...

my person.

Are you perhaps worried about me?

Yes.

I'm sorry for causing your concern.

Now you know.

I'll pour the hot water now.

I'll do it.

(The Red Sleeve)

Did anything happen?

No.

Do you have someone in your heart?

The person I like is the Crown Prince.

You must recruit an officer of the Royal Infirmary.

Something must have happened in the Royal Office.

Are you suspecting the central army?

The King is also human.

Find a good woman.

I want to make you the Crown Prince's royal concubine.

Grandfather. I am different from you.

I will never love like you.