Original subtitles

Are you sobered up?

Yes.

Do not mind what the Empress said.

That was just the wine talking.

I will return to my chamber now.

I want you

to spend the night here.

How long will you make me feel lonely?

-Your Imperial Majesty. -How long will you keep your distance?

I want you.

I will wait

until the day

you will reach out to me first.

You are right here.

But I miss you terribly.

You must focus on

restoring your sovereignty.

You are the one who made me like this.

So do not make me wait too long.

You may return to your chamber and rest.

Is something bothering you?

I am...

starting to feel afraid.

What could a strong woman like you possibly fear?

Your Imperial Majesty.

Why did you come here so late at night?

That wench, Ki, is in His Imperial Majesty's place.

Even here, she is making a mockery of me.

After tonight, the two will never be able to

break your heart again.

Are you all ready to kill her?

Not just her.

What do you mean?

-No. -Yes.

They will die together.

You did not say you will hurt His Imperial Majesty.

It is Father's order.

The Emperor and Concubine Ki

will both die.

Perfect.

Those scum will do anything

to capture the game.

They must be after some big game.

Make sure it does not show.

Yes, Commander.

-Get started. -Yes, Commander.

Did you poison the arrows?

Yes, of course.

If one of those hits them, they will die.

Let us wrap this up and return.

Yes, Commander.

We will destroy that trap as soon as they leave.

The sun will rise soon.

How can we destroy everything?

Should we just do nothing, then?

Let us do what we can.

Those scumbags.

They want to clean out the animals.

How many traps are there?

A total of 30.

They are primarily concentrated here at Cheon Ridge,

where they will be hunting.

That will be...

her grave.

Select a few you can trust and lay an ambush.

Yes, General.

Do not go hunting tomorrow.

What do you mean?

I will witness Ki's death with my own two eyes.

Did you sleep well?

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

Today,

let us put on a real match.

You lost the race yesterday, Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty.

I thought you said you won.

Golta, I said

I nearly won.

I did not say I actually won.

Well, today is the real match.

Let us see who catches the biggest game.

Yes, I am up for anything.

-Your Imperial Majesty! -Your Ladyship!

What are you doing? Follow them!

They are coming.

The Emperor and Concubine Ki are coming.

Get to your position!

What happened?

It seems like the rope broke.

You idiot!

It cannot be.

-Check the trap. -Yes, Commander.

-Test it. -Yes, sir.

Go and check the other traps too.

-Yes, General. -Yes, General.

-We should go this way. -Nonsense.

I saw it running that way.

Then you can go that way.

I am going this way.

Fine.

See you here after I catch the game.

I will show you what I am made of.

I found a trace of boar's blood.

It has been hit. It cannot have gone far.

Your Majesty.

Why are the Kheshig hiding there?

One of their traps is there.

Traps?

Last night, they were running all over

setting the trap everywhere.

They must really want to win this competition.

Something does not seem right.

If it really is a trap, they should not be seen nearby.

You are right.

With them there, animals will not go that way.

There will be quite a sight.

I plan on hunting something big.

They may not be

hunting animals.

What? What do you mean?

What else would they be after on a hunting ground?

Where are the traps?

Some are over there,

and many of them are over at Cheon Ridge.

At Cheon Ridge?

The Emperor and Seung-nyang are hunting there today.

What?

Wait, are they after--

Eunuch Bang, go tell Governor Baekan.

We are heading for Cheon Ridge.

-Yes, Your Majesty. -Yes, Your Majesty.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Closer.

Closer.

Darn it.

Kill her.

I want her dead immediately.

Go bring more men.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

Stop!

Get her.

We will not even catch a rabbit today.

Let us go back, Concubine Oh.

I cannot go back empty-handed to save my face.

Concubine Oh, look at that.

Stop!

Get her!

What in the world is going on?

We have to tell His Imperial Majesty.

All right.

I will kill you all.

This should be enough

to impress Yang.

This time, you won for sure.

Do you not think Concubine Ki is running a bit too late?

Your Imperial Majesty!

The Kheshig are trying to kill Concubine Ki.

What? Where are they?

At Cheon Ridge.

I know you are out of arrows.

Come on out!

I guess you lowly wench know how to protect yourself.

Like I said,

None of the consorts has my kind of skill with a crossbow.

This way.

Do you wish

to kill me?

There are no witnesses.

Who is to know that you died in this desolate hunting ground?

Then get on with it.

Why? Are you in a rush to die?

That will not happen.

I will kill you slowly,

watch your painful death,

and remember it for a long time.

I guess you did not know the price you had to pay

for being with His Imperial Majesty.

Even if I was to die now, I do not regret anything.

Do you know what he whispered to me

every night he spent with me?

He said that I am

the true Empress of this nation.

What?

He said he does not even see you as a woman.

He said you are nothing but a figurehead of the Inner Court.

Shut your mouth.

She will miss if she loses her cool.

I truly pity and find it amusing to see

an empress that the Emperor has no care for.

I told you to shut your mouth!

Killing me will not change anything.

The Emperor will never want you,

and even after you die,

you will wander about, wanting to be loved.

I will rip you to death.

I... am the Empress.

Do you think you can get away with killing me?

Drop your weapon immediately.

If you do, I may spare your life--

You cannot kill me.

There are no witnesses.

Who would know if you died right here?

You started this fight,

and I will...

end it here.

Spare me.

Please.

Spare my life.

Do not kill me. Please.

You killed the innocent Concubine Park

and the maids who came from Goryeo without mercy!

Is your life

worth more than their petty lives?

I am sorry. Forgive me.

Please.

Do not kill me. Please, Concubine Ki.

Silence!

Death is...

too good for you.

I will let you live.

Live

and suffer a pain worse than death.

I will

make sure...

you go through that pain.

-Welcome, Father. -What happened?

The Emperor and Concubine Ki are still in the mountains.

I sent the Kheshig after them. It will be over soon.

We are going out there too.

Are you going to step up yourself?

If he is dead, we need to bring his body.

If he is alive, we need to end his life for good.

Your Imperial Majesty!

Your Imperial Majesty, you are bleeding.

What took you so long?

I beg your pardon.

Concubine Ki just left. Go after her and kill her.

Make sure you kill her.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

What has she done to make Your Imperial Majesty bleed like this?

Now is not the time.

I have to see that brat's death.

Your Imperial Majesty!

At last.

-Yang! -Your Ladyship!

Where are you, Yang?

Your Imperial Majesty.

Yang.

Your Imperial...

Yang!

Are you all right?

Your Imperial Majesty!

Your Imperial Majesty. Protect him!

Your Ladyship.

Your Imperial Majesty.

I am fine.

I am glad you are fine, Yang.

It is my fault.

Kill them all.

If we fail, we are done for.

We already failed.

We have to kill them now to succeed.

But, Commander--

I will kill anyone who does not follow me after everything is over.

Follow us!

It is an ambush. Protect His Imperial Majesty!

Take the Emperor and leave.

Go!

There is the Emperor. Kill him!

Kill him!

Kill the Emperor!

-Kill him! -We have to stop them.

There are too many.

-Kill the Emperor! -It is too dangerous!

-Kill him! -Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

This is the Grand Councillor's order. Move aside!

You may go over my dead body.

You traitor.

Kill him!

I will kill you all!

Your Imperial Majesty, are you all right?

I cannot see, and I am...

having chills.

Look at me.

You have been shot with a poisoned arrow.

We have to suck it out.

Doing so...

could put your life in danger.

You will die if we just leave it.

It is too risky.

Stay with me, Your Imperial Majesty.

You have to overcome this.

Your Imperial Majesty.

That is Wang Yu.

He betrayed us.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Do not let any of them go after Seung-nyang.

You must stop them

even if it costs you your life. Do you understand?

Yes, Your Majesty.

This is your chance.

Shoot.

Come on, Your Imperial Majesty.

What is with me?

Why can I not kill him? Why?

Your Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty, stay with me.

You have to get up.

Stay with me, Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty.

-Your Imperial Majesty! -Your Ladyship!

-What happened? -He was shot with a poisoned arrow.

Escort him.

-Help him. -Yes.

You lost a lot of blood.

You must go down and control your bleeding first.

Did you tell Governor Baekan?

He is his way here with his men.

We have no time to lose. I will carry you.

I can still walk.

I am more concerned about Seung-nyang's safety.

Your Majesty.

Her life is not the problem now, Your Majesty.

You must look after yourself.

You are going to lose your life first.

-Kill us! -Kill us, Grand Councillor!

-Kill us, Grand Councillor! -Kill us, Grand Councillor!

You useless idiots.

Must I do this myself?

I cannot offer any excuses, Grand Councillor.

Father, look.

Surround them.

-Yes, Commander! -Yes, Commander!

Is Your Imperial Majesty

feeling ill?

Your Imperial Majesty, I will let you be in peace shortly.

Father, it is Baekan.

How did he know?

Governor Baekan.

What happened to His Imperial Majesty?

He was shot with a poison arrow.

Come with His Imperial Majesty.

Baekan.

I will escort His Imperial Majesty.

I will escort him. I insist.

Are you disobeying me?

Stand down, Baekan!

I cannot stand down until I can escort His Imperial Majesty.

Did you plot treason, Grand Councillor?

Treason? What kind of nonsense is this?

His Imperial Majesty fell into some hunting traps.

We all saw it.

How dare you lie?

Silence. How dare a eunuch speak up?

If the Emperor dies here,

the governors cannot help but suspect you, Grand Councillor.

Let us go, Grand Councillor.

Baekan.

He is in a serious condition.

Look after him.

Come along.

Your Ladyship, allow me to escort His Imperial Majesty.

I will follow right behind.

We cannot let them go like this.

You should just kill them--

Father.

Do you want the world to know that we conspired treason?

-I beg your pardon. -Get rid of all the evidence.

Dismantle the traps and take care of the Kheshig's bodies.

Yes, Father.

THE YUAN IMPERIAL PALACE IN YEONGYEONG

Your Imperial Majesty, please wake up.

You must take the medicine, Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Ladyship, are you awake?

What happened?

You have been asleep for a day and a half.

Physicians said you seem to be drugged with poison.

-Poison? -Thank goodness

it was only a little.

What about His Imperial Majesty? How is he?

He is... still unconscious.

I have to see him.

Get ready.

How is your wound, Your Majesty?

Do not worry.

Are you all doing all right?

Barely a scratch, Your Majesty.

Do not worry.

What brings you here?

Grand Councillor sent for me.

Grand Councillor is suspected of treason.

He is likely to blame you as well.

I urge you...

to be careful.

Did we not agree to go our own ways?

I am afraid...

I must decline your interest and concern

for me.

Do not bother with him anymore.

He has been too close to Yeoncheol lately.

Your Majesty!

Seung-nyang is watching.

Do not show your concern.

Let us stop by the pavilion and change your bandages.

Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Ladyship, are you all right?

I am fine.

He cannot swallow his medicine.

What should I do?

Allow me.

You?

His Imperial Majesty got hurt saving me.

It is my turn

to save His Imperial Majesty's life.

You must let her try, Your Highness.

If he gets better, send for me.

Yes, Your Highness.

What about the governors?

We sent word early today. They will be here soon.

There are witnesses.

Even the Grand Councillor cannot escape this one.

I will hold him accountable for treason

and behead him with my hands.

But what if he threatens us with his men like he did before?

We will stop such danger by surrounding the Emperor's palace

with our men.

I am worried about His Imperial Majesty.

I hope he gets back up soon.

Are you sure you will be all right by yourself?

I am.

Your Imperial Majesty.

You must swallow the medicine.

You have to.

Your Imperial Majesty.

The Emperor does not seem to get better?

Yes, Father.

Seeing how they are stopping me from entering his chamber,

he must be in a critical condition.

Why did you want to see me?

We need witnesses to help us.

I want you to testify on our behalf.

Not him.

No?

Ki is from Goryeo.

Blood is thicker than water.

How can we trust him--

Now is not the time for that, Your Imperial Majesty.

The governors will swarm in demanding to hear the truth.

We need your help with our defense.

I wish to hear Grand Councillor's plan.

How will you handle this issue?

The best thing we can do

is to get rid of all the evidence of treason.

The next best thing we can do

is to make one of my trusted men

take the fall.

The least favorable option would be

using force and shedding blood.

If the governors unite to stand against you,

it will not be easy to use force.

A dagger at the neck is scarier

than a scimitar in the distance.

I have the city guard on my side.

We ordered the city guard

to be ready to fight just in case.

I do not wish to use force.

That is why we need your testimony.

Expose their treason and change their plans.

We cannot get rid of Yeoncheol with this incident anyway.

Do as he asks

and wait for another opportunity.

Eunuch Bang, tell Governor Baekan

what Yeoncheol is planning.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You must be in a lot of pain.

You are holding out rather well.

One word from me,

and they will find out who you really are.

Then,

why did you not say anything?

Make no mistake.

To be exact,

I have not told just yet.

Go tell them

that I killed the Kheshig and saved Concubine Ki.

Are you...

still in love with her?

Is that why you risked your life to help her?

I am not in love. It is my duty.

Your duty?

What duty do you owe to her?

Your Imperial Majesty has no idea

what Concubine Ki had done to save me

when my life was hanging by a thread

after General Dang Gise hit me with an arrow.

And now...

I have paid off my debt.

She means nothing to me now.

Do you expect me to believe you?

I do not care if you believe me.

I am just sharing my principles.

So you should also act according to your principles.

You will have to help my father.

If you do not, you will also die

when Concubine Ki dies.

Hello, General.

My father is in deep trouble

because you did not do your job.

I greatly regret it too.

If things go worse than we expected,

you will deal with this.

How can we deal with this?

You will have to confess

that the Kheshig conspired the treason.

Pardon?

Are you telling us to take all the blame?

That is...

the only way

that we will both live.

This is high treason against the Emperor of all crimes!

You will not be charged with treason.

Wang Yu will help us.

However,

there is no way we can avoid execution.

Do not worry.

We will get you out before that.

I will do as you command.

So,

please keep your word

that you will save us.

You have my word.

You can trust me.

Dang Gise, the governors are here.

Yeoncheol got the city guards ready?

That is what Wang Yu said.

Darn it.

We should wait and see for now.

Why did you try to kill the Emperor and Concubine Ki?

On what ground are you insisting that?

Concubine Ki and the guards witnessed the account.

Let me ask Concubine Ki.

Who tried to slay His Imperial Majesty?

The Kheshig.

The Kheshig?

We saw them too.

The Kheshig tried to kill Concubine Ki.

Then, was I among the people who tried to kill His Imperial Majesty?

Or were my sons among them?

You only saw the Kheshig.

Therefore, I captured the principal offenders of this account.

Bring them in!

Confess the truth in your words.

It was me.

I planned everything.

What?

You acted on Grand Councillor's order.

A mere commander of the Kheshig cannot dream of conspiring treason.

I was after...

Concubine Ki, not the Emperor.

It was clearly a mistake

that His Imperial Majesty got hurt along the way.

Your Highness, we cannot trust his words!

Why did you want to kill her?

She held a grudge against me for bringing her here as a tribute woman.

She wanted revenge

as soon as she became an Imperial Concubine,

so I attacked her first.

Silence.

How dare you lie?

Your Highness, he is a traitor.

You should not believe any of his lies.

You must shut his mouth

and find out the truth.

You are quite right.

You will have to prove your words.

Both Yeom Byeong-su and Concubine Ki were Wang Yu's subordinates.

Wang Yu will confirm the truth.

Tell her.

Is Yeom Byeong-su telling the truth?

Every single word he said

is true.

Take them away!

Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty, are you awake?

Yang.

Where is...

Where is Yang?

All right.

It seems like the case has been resolved.

Therefore, we cannot let such a conspiracy

divide up the public opinion.

It is not over.

His Imperial Majesty was wounded.

Concubine Ki and the eunuchs must be held responsible

for what happened to him.

This was not a part of the plan.

Empress Dowager, have Concubine Ki and the eunuchs detained.

The law of the Imperial House must be observed.

If you cannot do it,

I will.

Take Concubine Ki away

and detain Eunuch Golta and the guard eunuchs.

Hold yourself back.

I am not going to let her have her way.

It is a powerful curse that can kill someone.

Can we use that to kill Ki?

Have you heard of a curse called gyeongosul?

I know a great shaman who can cast the curse.

Did Ki die or something?

Subtitle translation by Eun-sook Youn