Original subtitles

One must remain decent and loyal

in our dealings with relationships, judgments, and objects,

There is a right decision for everything under the heavens and on the land.

The heavens sincerely worry for and care for all creatures of this world.

Before the heavens created the world, all was foreordained.

When they ended the world, all they had intended was brought to pass.

The 64 pillars and 384 teachings

reflect the holy workings of the heavens,

and a mastery of them helps us progress.

Ok Nyeo is far more advanced,

than any priest I have seen at the Bureau of Rites.

With the sole exception of To Jung Lee Ji Ham,

I have yet to see one so well read in the Confucian bible.

I only thought that she was an initiated shaman.

I never knew how well-educated she was.

Would it be alright if I took her with me to the Bureau of Rites?

To the Bureau of Rites?

Yes. If you would give permission to do so, I would like to take her to the Bureau of Rites and have her work for me as an scholar administrator.

I also always thought her talents are too great to be wasted as a government slave.

I trust you will be able to sort things out for her at the Ministry of Human Assets? (Ministry that deals with slaves and their binding documents.)

Of course. Thank you, Governor.

Ok Nyeo!

Ok Nyeo, you will be accompanying the Head Priest of the Rites Bureau to Hanyang.

Pardon, Yeong Gam?

Then that means...

I wish to appoint you as an administrative scholar at the Rites Bureau.

I will be working things out at the Ministry of Human Assets to change your status from a slave to a commoner.

Will you go with me to Hanyang?

Were you looking for me?

Come with me to meet with Queen Dowager.

Pardon me? Why would I...

What do you mean, why? She is your aunt! Why not?

If you do well, you may even gain the support of Queen Dowager.

Let's go then.

Your Highness, Daegam Yoon Won Hyung is here to see you.

Let him in.

Who is this?

This is the child I told you about last time.

My name is Yoon Tae Won.

Oh, Great! Come closer and have a seat.

You must take after the Minister in looks, here. You are dashing and handsome.

He not only takes after me in looks, but also my brain.

He found out some dirty business at a trade company

and played a big part in replenishing the government funds.

So I've heard.

I have great expectations for you.

You flatter me, Your Highness.

Your Majesty, the Queen Dowager has decided to renovate the Bongeun Buddhist temple.

The Bongeun Buddhist temple?

Yes, Your Majesty. The Bongeun Buddhist temple is where Monk Sunjong (禪宗) Bou is the head monk.

If that is true, than Bou must be the one that egged on Queen Mother to do it.

Due to the prolonged years of famine, there are countless people who are starving and naked, with next to nothing.

During such times, we cannot waste government funds on renovating a temple.

Your Majesty, this time you simply must stop her.

I understand. I will look for a way.

You did well!

His Majesty, the King!

Minister, you're here.

Your Majesty, what brings you here?

Thank you for today. I'll see you next time.

You have no reason to see her again, so don't come looking for her!

I came because I had something to discuss with Queen Dowager.

Your Majesty, this is my son.

Your son, you say?

Yes, Your Majesty. I apologize for not telling you earlier.

What are you doing? Show your respects to His Majesty.

I am Administrator of the Ministry of Marketplace Order, Yoon Tae Won.

Then the reason why you abolished the Birthright Discrimination law was for him?

Although he benefited from it, abolishing the Birthright Discrimination right was a long term goal of mine.

Is that so?

He played a big role in replenishing the government funds.

He will be a great support for you in the future, too, so please look on him with fondness.

I will serve with you the best I can, Your Majesty.

Please, head on in.

First he said he was some Chief from the Ministry of Justice. Now he tells me he is a secret undercover inspector!

A secret undercover inspector?

What are you playing at here? Why are you making advances on Ok Nyeo, huh?

Tae Won, drag this punk outside

and let's give him a good beating. You deserve it.

You're the inspector? I am the secret undercover inspector!

Ok Nyeo! Wait!

You punk!

Where did you crawl in from?

- Please relax! - My FATHER is the Chief of the Ministry of Justice.

What is your identity? Tell us now!

Hurry up and tell us, punk!

Please don't kill me.

Withdraw your swords.

I heard that you will fund the renovation of the Bongeun Buddhist temple.

Yes, King. Is there a problem with that?

Mother, right now the people are in anguish due to the long years of famine.

How will you cope with the anger the people will direct towards you when you spend away government funds on such a thing?

That is not something you need to concern yourself with.

I will prepare the funds needed for the renovation.

Mother, it is at times like this that the royal family must be the leading examples.

Do you really not now why I plan on renovating the Bongeun Buddhist temple?

It is to send proper prayers and rites for the well-being of Your Majesty and the people!

While I understand your intentions,

this time... I cannot grant you permission.

What did you just say? "Cannot grant permission," you say?

That's right, Mother.

I cannot accept this.

How is it that I need your permission for a trivial item such as this?

You are humiliating your mother.

You of all people are the one that completely disregards me.

What did you say?

Are you trying to gain the blame of the people

to see me become a tyrant?

Your Majesty!

I have let you go many times on your personal agendas,

but this time the livelihood of our people is on the line.

I will never permit the renovation of the Bongeun Buddhist temple, so let it be known.

Your Majesty!

Hasn't the nation been rather chaotic, both inside and outside of the palace walls?

Therefore, I hope to show my offering of faith to Buddha by renovating the Bongeun Buddhist temple.

What do you think, Minister?

Your wish is my will, Queen Dowager.

But in order to renovate the Bongeun Buddhist temple, we would need a sizable sum of government funding.

Will you take charge of securing the funds needed for the renovation?

I will do as you command.

Tae Won,

this will come as a great opportunity for you.

If you fulfill her order well this time round,

the Queen Dowager will create bigger opportunities for you in the future.

Use any means at your disposal to secure those funds.

Yes, Daegam.

Who are you two?

If you don't want to get hurt, you better get lost.

I'm asking who you two are.

So you're saying I was really been tailed?

Yes, Your Ladyship.

It is most likely those that are spying on Daegam Lee Jung Myeong.

I apologize. I will be more wary.

By the way, have you looked into Ok Nyeo's whereabouts?

Yes, Ok Nyeo was alive at the Haeju provincial office as a government slave.

Is that true?

That is a big relief!

Is there any way for us to help her out of being a slave?

Even if we don't pull any strings on our end,

she will come to Hanyang soon.

You said she was a government slave there. How will she come to Hanyang?

Ok Nyeo will be coming back to Hanyang

as an administrative scholar at the Rites Bureau.

Pardon me?

How did it go?

We failed.

What? Why you useless punks!

We apologize. The one who interfered

was Lord Kang Sun Ho.

What?

Did you look into it?

Yes, Daegam.

Do you perhaps remember Lord Kang Sun Ho?

Of course. Why do you bring him up all of a sudden?

I suspect that Lord Kang Sun Ho is conspiring with Daegam Lee Jung Myeong.

What?

Keep a close watch on Lee Jung Myeong

and keep close tabs on the identities and details of those who come in contact with him.

Yes, Daegam.

Lady Kim from the palace is here.

Please let her in.

Have a seat.

Yes, Madam.

Long time no see, Lady Kim.

What is it?

Today the Minister and the Administrator of the Ministry of Marketplace Order

were here to see Queen Dowager.

What did you say?

Yoon Tae Won did?

Do you know why they visited the Queen Dowager?

I apologize, but I was not able to overhear that much.

I understand.

Thank you, Lady Kim.

I will be off then.

Please continue to be my eyes and ears in the future.

Yes, Ma'am.

Why would that punk have met the Queen Dowager?

He is Daegam's son and now he holds a government office.

There's no reason why he couldn't.

I no longer wish to butt heads with you, Ma'am.

Daegam has made a difficult decision and bestowed me with a government office.

How will I benefit from being hostile towards you?

I'm not that foolish of a man.

If you withdraw the dagger you have pointed towards me,

I also will never go against you, Ma'am.

Please trust me.

Sir!

I'm off to Hanyang now.

Good. I'll send you a message soon.

Yes, sir.

For our plan to unfold, we must make numerous thorough preparations.

Don't do anything to draw attention to yourself.

I won't, sir.

Good. You be careful then.

Yes, sir.

Hyungnim, take a long swig.

- Ok Nyeo! - Ok Nyeo, I don't see Chun Deuk Hyung anywhere.

Oh! Ajusshi went to Hanyang ahead of us.

Well, he should have told us then!

When are you planning on leaving?

I'll be accompanying the head priest of the Rites Bureau.

Really?

Oh! This is for you.

- What is this? - Take a look.

Two thousand...

Two thousand nyang?

Where did you get all this money?

I will tell you the details later on.

When you go to Hanyang, with this money

first purchase a manor for us to establish a trade company.

A trade company? You're going to open a trade company?

Yes, I am.

Ok Nyeo, you are to be an administrative scholar.

How will you run a trade company?

I'll tell you that later, too.

You must do it very secretively

so that neither Jung Nan Jung nor Gong Jae Myeong's trade company find out.

Got it. We will.

- Hyungnim, I'll hold it. - Hands off!

What is it?

Younggam, I regret to ask you this, but I would like to resign from my office.

What do you mean resign? Why all of a sudden?

It must be because of your father...

Despite your constant care and special considerations on my behalf,

I feel I've been a nuisance to the provincial office. I apologize, Younggam.

I understand. If you feel that way, I won't hold you back.

When you are able to find peace again, come back to me any time.

Yes, Younggam.

You were looking for me, sir?

Yes, I was.

I have submitted my resignation to the Governor just now.

Pardon, sir?

Why, all of a sudden?

There's nothing sudden about it.

I've thought of it since the beginning of my father's funeral rites.

It's really sad to see you go, sir.

I have a favor to ask of you.

Yes, tell me anything.

Would you like to work with me?

Work on what, sir?

I plan on making an offering to Buddha

by renovating the Bongeun Buddhist temple.

What is your opinion, Minister?

Your will is my will, Your Highness.

But in order to renovate the Bongeun Buddhist temple,

we need a sizable amount of government funding.

Will you secure the funding required to renovate the Bongeun Buddhist temple?

This order will be a big opportunity for you, Tae Won.

If you fulfill her order this time around,

Queen Dowager will continue to give you more opportunities.

Use all means at your disposal to secure the funds.

Life is just so unfair.

How could the King be so handsome?

I've never seen such a handsome man.

But I still think sir Yoon Tae Won is better looking.

You're right. Where could you ever find a man like sir Yoon Tae Won?

Both of your eyes have problems.

That is why you both have a long way to go.

Do you know how many times I locked gazes with His Majesty?

When he looked at me with those warm dewy eyes,

I thought my bones were about to melt.

What a joke. "Ooh! I thought my bones were about to melt!"

I don't know who's the joke around here.

Oh well. I guess you've never even seen His Majesty. That's why you can say such nonsense.

What did you just say?

Go ahead and wear 100 fragrance pouches.

With your face, you will never get to serve His Majesty.

Do you want to die today?

Do you? Huh?

Do you want to die?

Let me go!

- What? Are you a thug or something? - That's right! I'm a thug!

What is all this commotion?

Da Jung, Chae Sun, follow me.

Today you two will serve Chief of the Royal Investigation Bureau Park Chang Joong,

and the Minister of Rites Jung Sung Woo.

Pay special attention to your composure and...

You remember the special orders given to you by Administrator Yoon, right?

Yes, Sungnim.

I just have to report to you on what they talked about, right?

Yes. It is very important.

So stay on your toes and get a good grasp on the conversation.

Don't you worry.

Don't you worry.

This nation's scholars are enraged at the

the relationship between Queen Dowager and Monk Bou.

You're right. If we don't prepare preventative measures in advance,

their opposition and rebellion will spread like wildfire.

Do you have any good solutions?

What would anger these scholars

who spend their days with their noses in books with their back towards fame and government posts,

and talk of the corrupt government?

It is all because of their hunger for power and authority.

The way to quieten them down for now is state exams. (Gwageo: the highest-level state examination to recruit ranking officials during the Joseon Dynasty)

Not only literary liberal arts exams and military exams,

but if we even hold exams for other fields

their complaints will all die down.

That is a wise thought, indeed.

Then when should we hold the state examinations?

We should consult this with Queen Dowager

and gain approval from His Majesty.

We would need around three to four months, right?

You're right.

What are you both doing? Pour the drinks?

Yes, Daegam.

You two keep talking of things we have completely no idea about!

I think I have a migraine now!

Tell us something fun, Daegam.

Yes, Daegam. Go on!

Of course we should!

Sir.

What is it?

There will be a state exam held very soon.

It includes literary and military/martial arts exams as well as other miscellaneous fields.

Are you certain of it?

Yes, sir. Today the Head of the Royal Investigation Bureau Park Chang Joong,

and the Head of the Ministry of Rites Jung Sung Woo, gave us a visit.

They discussed it, so it has to be true.

You've been well?

Hey! Walk straight!

Aigoo! Sir!

- Clerk Ji!! - Clerk Ji!

What brings you here to Jeonokseo?

Are you thinking of working here again?

Yes, sir, starting today.

You made a great decision!

Yes, yes. You made a good decision, indeed.

Well now, let's head in.

- Yes, sir. - Yes, let's go!

What you looking at? Huh?

Am I your friend? Do I look like your friend to you?

Why those punks...

Constable, sir!

Constable sir! Clerk Ji is here.

Clerk Ji!!

You! Are you back for good then?

Yes, sir. I'm sorry about my past absence.

I will let it go this once,

but if you just up and leave one more time,

I will fire you for sure! Got it?

Yes, sir.

You made a good decision. Bury Ok Nyeo in your heart,

and move on and focus on your work.

There won't be a need to bury Ok Nyeo anywhere, sir.

What do you mean?

Our Ok Nyeo...

is alive!

She's alive?

Really? She's really alive?

She is, I'm telling you.

Then what about being attacked by the mountain thieves?

She escaped and survived narrowly,

and now she is in Hanyang as an administrative scholar at the Rites Bureau.

- What? - Administrative scholar at the Rites Bureau?

Yes, a scholar.

A scholar?

Wow! Great weather!

Kids, should we go eat some goodies?

Orabeoni (oppa), shouldn't we hide a bit longer? I'm a little nervous.

I told you. You only live once.

If that Dong Chang punk tries to pick on us again,

then I'll just... Wham! Wham! Wham! And then I'll BAM!

He'll be dead. You know my temper, right?

I don't. If we meet him, you'll be all like, "Hyungnim," anyway.

That time I wasn't prepared.

Hyungnim! Look over there!

- There! - What is it?

Ok Nyeo Noonim (noona). I think I just say Ok Nyeo Noonim.

What? Ok Nyeo?

You punk! Did you get heatstroke or something? Now you're having hallucinations?

Just say you saw a ghost or something.

I really saw her!

What are you talking about, Man Su? Do you really have heat stroke?

What did you see?

You guys are driving me insane! I really did see her!

Let's just continue on our way.

Huh?

It's Dong Chang!

- Run! - Ah, I knew it!!

Catch that bastard!

Aigoo, goodbye! Come again!

Yeoju Daek!

O-Ok Nyeo!

You really are Ok Nyo! You are!

What in the world happened to you? I heard you were dead!

Have you been well?

After I heard you'd died, you have no idea how much my heart ached.

Aigoo! How are you alive, Ok Nyeo?

It's a really long story.

Did Elder To Jung come here?

- Here he is! - Ok Nyeo!

Master!

You heartless girl!

My lifespan was reduced by a half just worrying over you!

I missed you so much, Teacher!

Let's head in. Let's head in first and chat.

- Yes, Teacher. - Yeoju Daek, please bring in a spread for us.

Aigoo, of course, Elder! Ok Nyeo, head in, head in!

Aigoo! I'm so happy our Ok Nyeo came back alive!

- Eat up! - Thank you!

When I heard you were alive I went straight to Haeju,

but it looks like we missed each other there.

Why did you go all the way to Haeju! It must've been tiring for you.

Of course, I should!

You were alive! Where wouldn't I go to see you!

Master...

By the way! You became a administrative scholar at the Rites Bureau? How did that happen?

Oh! In Haeju, the head priest of the Rites Bureau came to Haeju for the Rite of the Seas.

Thanks to your teachings on the Confucian bible, I was able to gain his fond interest.

Aha! So that's what happened!

Your comprehension of the Confucian bible was always leaps and bounds ahead of even the Sunggyunguan scholars.

Not only that! In order to avoid serving men in bed,

I even pretended to be possessed!

Possessed?

Even then they asked you to wait on someone in bed?

Yes!

If it weren't for your teachings on fortune reading and physiognomy,

I would have had a very hard time.

Thank you, Teacher!

No, no. I was completely useless

when we sent you off as a government slave. It wouldv'e haunted me for life!

So thank you for returning alive and well like this!

Ok Nyeo, thank you!

Let me pour you a cup.

Very well.

Take a cup from me, too!

Let's drink up.

That tastes good.

Now then, what will you do now?

Master, do you remember why I wanted to become a damo at the Police Bureau when I was young?

I don't know. You always said you wanted to be one, but I don't believe you ever told me the reason why.

In truth,

my mother was found stabbed

and passed away while giving birth to me at Jeonokseo.

Is that so? So that was what happened...

She was stabbed by a sword? Why?

I wanted to be Police Bureau damo to find the answer to that question myself.

It is also the reason why I chose to become a chaetamin.

Who my mother is and why she had to be stabbed to death...

I became a chaetamin to answer those questions.

But ever since Lord Park Tae Soo died at the hands of Daegam Yoon Won Hyung,

I have set another lifelong goal.

To avenge Lord Park Tae Soo's unfair death,

and to take revenge on Daegam Yoon Won Hyung.

But I was so very weak and foolish while going against Daegam Yoon Won Hyung...

Don't be too hard on yourself. That is not your fault.

Daegam Yoon Won Hyung and Jung Nan Jung

were just a lot more cruel and persistent than we had thought they would be.

No, I was wrong about it from the very beginning.

I thought that when I became a Police Bureau damo or a chaetamin

I could do anything I put my mind to...

That I, a Jeonokseo damo,

could take on Daegam Yoon Won Hyung and Jung Nan Jung.

All of it. All of it was my false assumption.

From the very beginning, what was missing from my plan was power.

Master, I no longer wish to be weak

and look on as I get wronged.

I'll obtain both fortune and power and fight on equal ground.

Master, please help me.

Why did she keep telling me to go into this room?

I'm so busy, though. Hello, sir.

Huh? What?

Orabeoni!

The ghost speaks! Are you really Ok Nyeo?

I'm Ok Nyeo, Orabeoni! Have you been well?

You were alive? You were?

Of course, Orabeonl!

Why you! Ok Nyeo!

This is amazing! What a relief!

Really though! Do you even know the trouble I went through trying to find you?

Oh, Orabeoni...

It's so good to see you!!

Myung Geul, tell Min Dong Ju's trade company and inform them there is a meeting of Head Merchants.

Yes, sir.

Sae Ho, you relay the message to Gong Jae Myung's trade company.

How about Head Merchants of other merchant groups?

Just relay the message to those two merchant groups. Hurry and pass the message.

Yes, sir.

Uncle! Uncle!

Come again.

Head Merchant.

What is it?

There is a message from Sir Yoon Tae Won!

There is to be a conference for Chief Merchants at the Ministry of Marketplace Order.

Tae Won must have another great deal for us!

I'm not going. Jak Doo, you go.

Excuse me? Why would I go?

What do you mean, "Why?" If I say I'm not, then I'm not going!

Uncle! No, no. Chief Merchant!!

Wait now...

Hey, what's up with our Chief Merchant?

Well... Sung Hwan Ok's death must still bother him.

I think he still doesn't feel comfortable seeing Tae Won.

Why? These days I love seeing Tae Won!

Ever since he became an administrator, look how much profit he's allowed us to make!

You're right.

Head Merchant.

What is it? I received a message from Yoon Tae Won.

He wishes to meet you at the Ministry of Workplace Order.

Got it.

Prepare to head over to the Ministry.

Yes, Head Merchant.

Clerk!

Hello!

Why are you two here instead of Head Merchant Gong Jae Myeong?

Well you see, Head Merchant had a personal emergency come up,

so we came in his stead.

Anyway, what is the purpose of this conference?

You'll find out when you meet the administrator.

Oh, of course. Is Tae Won ins...

Hey! You have to call him "Administrator Sir."

Oh, of course! Is the administrator inside?

Go on in.

Yes, sirs.

- Aigoo! Administrator Sir! - Tae Won!

What about Head Merchant?

- Oh, you see— - The Head Merchant doesn't want to see you.

- You punk! You're so tactless! - I just said the truth.

No, no. I expected as much, so it doesn't matter.

Have a seat.

- Of course Administrator Sir! - Aigoo, just come sit down.

Oh, alright.

You look great in your uniform!

Have a seat.

Yes, sir.

May I ask why you called us in in such a hurry?

I have a favor to ask from the two companies' head merchants.

Do you both know that the state examinations are to be held soon?

The next state exam isn't until a year and a half from now, right?

The state examination that will be held is a special state exams ordered by the the King himself. (Special state exams were held to celebrate a special occasion.)

Not only will there be literary and military exams, but miscellaneous exams to select translation officers and medical officers.

Well... What do trade companies like ours have to do with state exams that you would call us in?

We have everything to do with it. On years where state examinations are held, various types of paper are used in extraordinary amounts.

Paper? Why paper?

You nitwit.

To take the exams, you need paper!

Oh! You're right. Paper, huh?

I hope that you two will be in charge of trading and supplying all the paper that will be used for the state exams.

What?

That means we will be given the paper distribution rights for the Ministry?

Aigoo, if you do so there is no reason for us to refuse!

It's not something to be so thrilled about.

What?

What you are doing is to have our two companies compete,

trying to lower the cost of paper the government has to dish out, right?

In that case, both companies will suffer great losses.

Losses?

Is that really your intention?

Not at all. That will not happen.

This time, there won't be a paper trade between the government and the companies.

We will make the examination candidates buy the paper themselves.

In that case, you putting us in charge of paper like this,

does that mean you're giving us the right to monopolize paper sales?

Yes, I am.

This information is for the two companies alone.

I will even let the two companies decide what price to put on the papers.

What is the catch?

You can't possibly be giving out such information for free.

You're right.

Pay the government 30% of your profit as tax.

30%?

If you think about the profit you will have left at the end of all this, I assure you that is nothing in comparison.

Chief Merchant!

Is the Chief Merchant inside?

Chief merchant...

Chief Merchant!

Why did Tae Won call us in?

So, the state examinations will be held this year.

And he gave us and Jung Nan Jung's trade company sole distribution rights for the paper that is to be used.

What?

You're saying that an administrator of the Ministry of Marketplace Order is giving away illegal monopolization of goods?

Yep!

He told us to pay 30% of the profit as tax to the government in exchange for the intel.

Chief merchant! We must take on this deal!

I agree! Only two trade companies will be selling paper in this entire nation!

Wow! The money that will fall into our hands at the end of this!

I can't even imagine, Chief Merchant!

I can't either, punk!

I can't, I say!

- Head Merchant. - Yes?

The ma'am is here.

Sungnim.

Why did Yoon Tae Won call you in?

He granted us a monopoly on all the paper required for the state examinations coming up.

The paper?

Yes.

He said that we can even select the price at random.

- What is the catch? - Pay 30% of the profit as tax.

When considering the profit we will gain in the end, it's not too bad at all.

Sungnim! Yoon Tae Won is truly a different man now.

Last time he told you he will no longer go against you, right?

You believe him?

No reason not to, really.

Yoon Tae Won is not Daegam's person.

From what I've heard, Queen Dowager even asked him to be in charge of preparing funds for renovating Bongeun Buddhist temple.

With that order alone, he needs us to fulfill this deal.

Sorry! I was in a rush!

Oh, sorry!

Sorry!

Sorry!

Hello!

There are guests here. Why are you running around like a headless chicken?

Is the Head Merch— Ah, no! Is Tae Won Hyung— Dang it!!

Is Administrator Sir in?

Yes, he is. Why? Is something the matter?

Thank you!

Well, would you look at him?

Even lower class people like him come in and out of here like it's their own house.

Tell Tae Won to restrict entrance to the Sosoroo.

Yes, Leader.

Hyungnim! Hyungnim!!

What is it?

Ok Nyeo! Ok Nyeo is alive!

What?

Ok Nyeo wasn't sold to the Ming! She is alive and well and in Hanyang!

Where?

Wait. You can't see her right now.

She became a administrative scholar at the Rites Bureau.

She is probably at the palace right now.

An administrative scholar at the Rites Bureau? How could a girl who was sent as a government slave end up as an administrative scholar at the Rites Bureau?

Well that... She ran away right before she was to be sold off to the Ming traders.

Then after that, even after being stabbed, she returned to the provincial office in Haeju.

She was stabbed?

Yes, she was. But don't worry. She seems healthy now.

Anyway, after that she became a government slave at the Haeju provincial office.

Then coincidentally, she received fond attention from the Head Priest of the Rites Bureau who was in Haeju, and so she became an administrative scholar at the Rites Bureau.

How did Head Merchant Yoon Tae Won become Administrator at the Ministry of Marketplace Order?

How did you know that?

Tell me how it happened first.

Well you know. His father is Daegam Yoon Won Hyung.

Daegam Yoon Won Hyung even abolished a national law to give Tae Won hyung a government post.

He obtained permission from the Queen Dowager for his concubine's son to be able to hold a government position.

So simply put, he became an administrator with the power of Daegam Yoon Won Hyung.

These days, his influence is no joke around here.

The biggest headmerchants of Hanyang all bow down before him now.

You know Sung Hwan Ok, right?

Tae Won Hyung went all the way to Songdo

and flipped his trade company upside down.

That person... I hear that he died from the shock of it all.

And these days, it seems like he's even working hand in hand with Jung Nan Jung.

With Jung Nan Jung's trade company?

Yep. But don't misunderstand him. There must be a reason why he's doing all this.

Daegam! You're here!

Long time no see, Gyo Ha!

Why didn't you come in more often?

How could a poor king's relative like myself come to a lavish place like the Sosoroo for a drink? (Prince Deuk Heung)

Don't you worry about the price of the drink.

Although I'm famous for getting free drinks here and there, I can't do that to you of all people.

Once upon a time, you were the one I loved, Gyo Ha.

If I drink free liquor at your expense, that would make me a wretched man, indeed.

It is sad to hear that you speak of our relationship in past tense.

Let's head in!

Let us.

Lord Kang is on his way.

Long time no see, Daegam.

Welcome. Have a seat.

If you need anything, please call for me.

Of course. Thank you.

Have a cup.

So, why did you want to see me?

To convey the wishes of Daegam Lee Jung Myeong.

Go ahead.

Daegam Lee Jung Myeong wishes you to support us, the Dae Yoon party, with your power.

What power do I even have?

No, no. We cannot just watch on as Yoon Won Hyung and Jung Nan Jung

and Queen Dowager go on with their antics.

Not too long ago, I went to the Haeju provincial office, and Ihave an interesting anecdote to share.

A government slave girl I met there was an initiated shaman,

and she looked into my fortune and said something odd.

She said that one of my sons will rise to a high position in the nation.

When asked what position that is, she said that revealing that would be revealing the secret of the heavens.

When I heard that my son is to become king, rather than the fear of being called out for treason,

it made me happy.

I never knew I harbored such feelings.

Now is the time for you to show the political ambition that you've held hidden all this time.

But Daegam, wasn't the girl's name... Ok Nyeo?

How did you know that?

Ok Nyeo! Yes, her name was Ok Nyeo!

She is someone I have known for quite some time.

She has become an administrative scholar at the Rites Bureau and is in Hanyang.

Is that so? That's good to hear.

I want to meet her again.

You were looking for me?

Yes. There are state examinations to be held soon.

State examinations?

In the theology exams, we will be selecting officials to join us here at the Rites Bureau, too.

New officials?

I plan on asking a question from Gong Zi's treatise, so please head over to our library (MoonEunJeon 文言傳: Gong Zi's treatise on the Confucian bible)

and bring the relevant books for me to take a look at.

Yes, Younggam.

Oh and also, you must keep any information on the exams under wraps.

Yes, Younggam. Don't worry.

Scholar! You may need to step outside for a second.

Someone is here to see you.

Ok Nyeo!!

You, kiddo. Do you know how worried I was about you?

If you are alive you should have at least sent me a message telling me that you were alive!

No, no. How could I say all this when you just narrowly escaped death.

But still! If you came back to Hanyang you should have told me. Should I hear news that you are alive from Chun Doong?

Well, even so, I'm not in the least bit disappointed.

Why do you look down?

I heard you were stabbed by the mountain thieves. Have you not recovered yet?

I heard that you became the administrator at the Ministry of Marketplace order.

Yes... Well, things just turned out that way.

Have you seen a doctor yet?

Sir, when you first told me you were Daegam Yoon Won Hyung's son,

do you know how confused I was?

Daegam Yoon Won Hyung killed my teacher, father, and friend, Lord Park Tae Soo.

And someone tried to frame me for it.

So I vowed that I would someday take revenge for Lord Park Tae Soo's wrongful death.

- Ok Nyeo... - Even so,

the reason why I told you everything and depended heavily on you

was because, even though you were Daegam Yoon Won Hyung's son,

Daegam Yoon Won Hyung and Jung Nan Jung had inflicted an irreversible scar on your heart,

and because I believed that our goals were aligned in that we both wanted revenge on those two.

But now, did you obtain your position as an administrator with the help of Daegam Yoon Won Hyung's power?

Why are you working hand in hand with Jung Nan Jung?

Ok Nyeo, it's not what you think.

It is not important why you have decided to join forces with those two.

The important thing is that, because of that decision, many people have already been hurt.

With that alone, it burdens me to see you like this.

Ok Nyeo, please listen to what I have to say!

No! No matter what you say, I can't accept you like this.

Ok Nyeo!

I will head back in then.

Sir, you may need to step outside for a moment.

- What is it? - There is someone waiting for you outside.

What was the purpose of doing such a thing to my father?

Tell me! Why did you kill my father?

I also regret that things turned out that way.

However,

I had no intention of killing him.

I am being sincere here.

When I arrested you and brought you into the Police Bureau, you told me I was Jung Nan Jung's lapdog, blinded by ambition and power.

Then what now? Have you also been blinded by ambition and power and become Yoon Won Hyung's lapdog?

Don't speak so mindlessly! Daegam Yoon Won Hyung is my father!

Shut your mouth!

I've decided not to be trampled upon anymore by powerful people like you.

That is why I obtained the position of administrator. And so what?

Do you not know what kind of man Daegam Yoon Won Hyung is? Is that why you can say things like this?

I know a lot more about my father than you.

Then do you also know that Daegam Yoon Won Hyung killed my grandfather and my parents?

And on top of all that, you! You killed my adoptive father, too.

So don't you dare ask me for forgiveness.

I will never forgive Yoon Won Hyung and Jung Nan Jung.

I will avenge them a hundred and a thousand-fold for what they have done.

Then go for it.

Things will never turn out as you intend them to.

The reason why I let you hit me a couple of times was out of respect for the late Elder Sung Hwan Ok.

I am not the Yoon Tae Won you used to know.

If you don't want to get hurt, don't you dare come close to me again.

Ok Nyeo!

Aren't you Ok Nyeo?

- Sir! - How could this be?

How could you be inside the palace?

Your Majesty, the captain of the Royal Protectorate has something he must inform you.

Let him enter.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

What is it?

Your Majesty, Ok Nyeo is alive!

She's alive? How could that be?

She narrowly escaped the mountain thieves,

and while she was at the Haeju provincial office as a government slave, she caught the eye of the head priest of the Rites Bureau

and now is an administrative scholar in Hanyang at the Rites Bureau.

When you say she is an administrative scholar at the Rites Bureau... You mean she was in the palace all along?

Yes, Your Majesty!

Got it. You may take your leave.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Ok Nyeo was alive...

You buy me a meal this time. You always expect me to buy it for you!

Supervisor Yang!

- Aigoo! Sir! - Sir!

Long time no see.

I heard of the unfortunate event regarding your household.

Although I wanted to go and pay my respects, things didn't work out.

We apologize.

No need. Thank you for thinking of me.

Supervisor Yang.

I have something I must discuss with you. Will you spare me some of your time?

Well, of course!

Sir, what about me?

We can grab a drink sometime later.

- Sure. - Go!

- Let's go. - Yes, sir.

Sir, you even went to my hometown of Haeju!

Did you like it? Haeju is well known for their shikhye. Did you try some? (Shikhye: sweet rice drink.)

- Why? - Th-Th-That! Isn't that person the Captain?

Omo! You're right. He is!

Miss! Miss!

Miss! Miss! Miss!

What is all this fuss about?

The captain is in Hanyang!

Is that true?

Yes, Miss.

Where is he? Where is he now?

We don't know that,

but we know for sure that he is in Hanyang right now.

Sir!

When did you arrive in Hanyang?

It's already been three or four days.

Are our preparations going according to plan?

Yes, sir. Very secretively.

Nice work.

I feel that Yoon Tae Won is trying to use the state examinations for his personal agenda.

His personal agenda?

He instructed Jung Nan Jung and Gong Jae Myung's trade companies to monopolize paper distribution for the state examinations.

State examinations require a large quantity of paper,

so he's trying to have them monopolize paper sales and randomly select a high price.

We need to use his plans and have it backfire on him.

Will you think of a solution for us?

Yes, sir.

Welcome.

I am going to renovate the Bongeun Buddhist temple.

Have you heard already?

Yes, Your Highness.

But in order to do so, you need an astronomical amount of government funds.

How will you handle it?

I've asked the administrator of the Ministry of Marketplace Order

to prepare the funds.

You mean... Yoon Tae Won?

Yes, him. The Minister's son.

Why? Are you disappointed that I met with him?

Not at all.

Your Highness, I will also help prepare the necessary funds.

You will? Do you have a plan in mind?

Yes, Your Highness.

If you manipulate the head priest of the Rites Bureau for me,

I will hand you a large sum of money for the royal family.

The Rites Bureau... the head priest there?

Yes, Your Highness.

Tell me the details of your plan.

Ok Nyeo!

Sir!

Yes, hello.

What brings you here, sir?

I should be asking you that.

Why were you gone for so long?

I've... had a couple of things come up.

Did anything bad happen to you?

By the looks of it, your status seems to have improved, but you've grown noticeably thinner,

and your complexion has deteriorated somewhat.

Yes. In fact, not just a few unfortunate events,

but a long array of unfortunate events came my way, sir.

Can you tell me what happened to you?

Please enjoy.

Here, take a cup from me.

Sure.

This is so refreshing!

Now I can breath.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Huh? Oh! Huh? Nothing!

Now tell me what happened to you so far.

I was in Haeju for a short while.

After my trial at the Ministry of Justice, I was sent there as a government slave.

Yes, yes... I mean... er... really?

What was the crime?

I can't tell you that, sir.

I understand. I won't probe further then.

How did you become an administrative scholar at the Rites Bureau then?

While I was being dragged away as a government slave, we were attacked by mountain thieves.

Then I narrowly escaped and went to the Haeju provincial office.

Then I was recruited by the head priest of the Rites Bureau, who just happened to be in Haeju,

and became an administrative scholar at the Rites Bureau.

How could a government slave become an administrative scholar at the Rites Bureau?

To tell you the truth, since I was very little, I had Elder To Jung as my master and teacher and learned about the Confucian bible.

The Confucian bible, you said?

You know the Confucian bible, then?

That's right, sir!

I have always known you were a tad strange,

but the more I know you, you are more suspicious than strange.

What? Sir!

I'm just joking around.

Anyway, I'm glad you have returned alive and well.

I didn't know you were at the Rites Bureau. That poor guy over there went through a lot of trouble for nothing then.

Pardon? What do you mean?

Huh? Oh... Nothing! Nothing!

Jae Seo... er... worried a lot about you is what I'm trying to say.

Wow, it's hot. Have a drink!

By the way,

why didn't you look for me when you were in so much trouble?

I could've helped you significantly.

I don't even know where you live, sir.

I don't even know your real name!

I never told you my real name?

Well the only name I know is "Lee Gi Joon," the pretend chief of some sort at the Ministry of Justice.

But that's not even your real name, as we both know.

No, it's not.

See? How could I have found you when I don't even know your real name?

True...

My name is...

My name is Lee Hwan.

Lee Hwan. This is my name.

Got it.

Let's have another cup.

Eat up.

You sure went through a lot, indeed.

Here are the resources you asked for Younggam.

You worked hard.

Younggam, Jung Nan Jung sent a message saying she wishes to meet with you.

Jung Nan Jung?

Yes, Younggam.

She didn't tell you why?

She said that she needed fortune telling assistance for her household.

Fortune reading?

Yes, Younggam.

Fortune reading is something you do best isn't it, Ok Nyeo?

Come with me.

It will beneficial for you to be on good terms with madam Jung Nan Jung.

Ma'am, the Head Priest of the Rites Bureau is here to see you.

Escort him in!

Welcome!

Ma'am, long time no see.

You wench! What are you doing here?!

I'm asking you what you're doing here?!!

♪ Because my floating memories of you may slip away ♪

♪ So I cover them with my hands and cry every day ♪

♪ As if for you, and only you Like my heart has stopped ♪

♪ I live through another day ♪

The Flower in Prison - Preview -

I heard blood trumps water.

You sure have an extraordinary son!

Now that we've started this war, we must give it all we've got.

In order for you to gain bigger power, you must become stronger.

These are my mother's keepsakes.

Is Gap Ee truly my mother?

In her face, I saw the late Gap Ee's face.

She may be... his daughter.

This is my son.

He is your son, Minister?

- Sir! - Are you prepared?

Yes, sir.