Original subtitles

ALL CHARACTERS AND EVENTS ARE FICTITIOUS

FILMING OF CHILD ACTORS DONE UNDER BROADCASTING GUIDELINES

Then, what is the brass key Hong Deok-su has?

It was my father's.

It is the only item of his that I have left.

I will know once I confirm it.

Deok-su.

Come with me to the Summer Palace in the summer.

The Summer Palace?

Later.

I want to go there with you someday.

Deok-su, will you come with me?

Hong Deok-su is…

a woman?

Deok-su!

Hey.

Gu-sil, welcome.

What? Who are they?

I trained with them as apprentices.

My colleagues at Yongcheonru.

Cheon Jun-hwa

and Lee Eun-ho.

You can call me Gu-sil.

They are Joseon's finest men. Look how handsome they are!

She…

- is my betrothed. - What?

- Sure. Wait, what? - What?

I said she was my betrothed.

Hong Deok-su, you have a betrothed?

We promised a long time ago to marry

after I became an official clerk at Yongcheonru.

Right. I am…

Hong Deok-su's betrothed.

Oh, of course. You must be friends of my betrothed.

Did you escort my mother here safely?

Of course, my love.

Your mother is at Geumok Hall.

My love, I missed you dearly!

Remember how we agreed on a steamy night tonight?

You cannot say that in front of them.

- Let us hurry. - Sure.

Sorry, but I must bolt first.

See you around.

Right, I hear you.

I have also been counting the days.

Deok-su, did you get caught?

What? Of course not.

Really? Then what was with those handsome lads?

There is no way I got caught.

I wonder why.

What if you end up getting kicked out?

What? No way.

Anyway, you saved me, Gu-sil.

We have been in cahoots for so long that our teamwork was on point.

Hey, why are you changing the subject?

I did not do such a thing. Come on.

- What was that odd mood I sensed? - What?

Why were the handsomest men in Joseon acting like rivals

with you between them?

Not with me, but with you of all people.

Cut the nonsense and get going.

You turned a maiden into a taken woman.

For that, I deserve an explanation.

I do not get to see fine men every day.

Gu-sil, what is this?

You used to pester me to marry you, remember?

Do not be ridiculous!

Wait for me.

Hurry up, then.

Link yours with mine.

Yes, my love.

- I cannot wait to see Mother. - Come on.

We meet again.

Consider it consolation money for Hong Deok-su.

Are you the one who invited us?

I have no business with you.

It is still not too late

to leave with Hong Deok-su.

Is that why you showed up out of nowhere and gave me money?

You must get far away from Yongcheonru as soon as possible.

What exactly…

are you saying?

What are you doing?

I will be waiting.

- Pardon? - Why would you wait for my mother?

Then…

Deok-su.

I almost forgot. I made reservations at Dohwa Hall.

Goodness me. Dohwa Hall?

The place that transforms anyone

into Joseon's greatest beauty Park Chun-hui?

Yes. That Dohwa Hall.

I made reservations for you.

Be pampered with Mother. I will pick you up afterwards.

You heard him, Mother. Let's go.

Yes, Mother. Go on.

Come on. Your hands will be soft and smooth again.

Goodness me.

- Try these. - Sure.

Hong Deok-su is betrothed.

What a shocking revelation.

Tell me about it.

I was extremely shocked.

Jun-hwa, did you not say you had feelings

for a woman?

Right. What?

That I did. Yes.

- But the confession earlier... - I was practicing.

I was testing out that line you recommended

on Hong Deok-su.

You were practicing?

She is more likely to say yes the more I practice.

Right, of course.

Has your family not been pressuring you to wed?

In my case,

my elders will someday settle on a wife for me.

Goodness. I feel bad for you.

My father also micromanages me in every aspect of my life.

If only I could date someone of my choosing.

Then do you plan on marrying this woman you like?

If I could, I would.

Cheon Jun-hwa.

Come to me if you ever need my help.

I will help you the best I can.

Thank you, Eun-ho.

If we had met under different circumstances,

we would have become the best of friends.

I thought we were already good friends.

Was I the only one being sincere all this time?

You are right. We are friends.

True men do not pat each other on the back.

He is an envoy from Qing.

The Qing envoy is here to celebrate Prince Seonyang's birthday.

Without telling me,

he invited an envoy for Prince Seonyang?

Go ahead and drink that up.

My lady.

Pack me the herbs of this drink.

Who would you gift these expensive herbs to?

An envoy arrived from Qing.

For the crown prince appointment ceremony?

Something is off.

Even Prince Muyeong is nowhere to be seen.

I need it as an excuse to visit Yongcheonru.

- Yongcheonru? - Yes.

Just pack me the herbs.

And also the fine wine we recently received.

Then take me with you.

HI-MO DOUBLE THE HAIR

They have been falling out like leaves in the fall.

You are the big tree of Yongcheonru.

It is only natural for that many leaves to fall.

What good does being the big tree of Yongcheonru do

when I am close to losing the hair on the lid?

Allow me to inspect.

Why you…

Darn.

Do not fret.

I will present a magnificent hairpiece just for you, Lord Cho.

Let me see.

Get me a geun and a half of hair.

And a ja and a chi long.

As for color, dark brown number two.

Now, all you have to do is wait.

You are the only one who understands the pain of those going bald.

Mother, it tastes like honey.

Right. It is honey and adlay.

This is next-level bullshit.

We have on our faces what is a luxury to consume.

Who cares when it is free?

Just enjoy it.

Now I know why noblewomen have clear skin that glows.

No one could tell.

Right. It looks like my own hair.

This is the me I remember.

The big tree of Yongcheonru!

I am impressed.

Thank you.

Thank you. Goodness.

Keep up the good work.

- My lady, we were not expecting you... - You have a free bed, no?

- Well… - Unbelievable.

Dohwa Hall is not how it used to be.

It is now frequented by all kinds of riffraff

and is no longer luxurious or posh.

Deok-su,

will you come with me?

Hong Deok-su is…

a woman?

No way.

There is no way.

They could not have found out.

What on earth?

What are you doing here?

I had something to ask.

Let go first.

What is it?

Do you perhaps…

have a female…

relative?

No, I do not.

It is just me and my mother. Why do you ask?

I saw a woman who looked like you.

That being said…

Clerk Hong Deok-su.

Yes, Grand Proprietor Cheon.

So, has your mother arrived?

Yes, she is currently at Dohwa Hall.

I wanted to greet her in person, but I guess I was late.

And why are you also here?

No reason, Lord Cheon.

I will head inside to escort my mother.

Sure. I will come by to greet her tomorrow.

Yes, my lord.

Who could you be looking for?

I heard you were looking for a woman.

Shall I look into it for you?

It is none of your business.

You are also at the age to be wed,

which must have prompted your interest in women.

You. Go find out where the Qing envoy is staying. Be quick!

Yes, my lord.

What?

Wait, Eun-ho!

No two men should do that.

Why are you playing hide and seek with the Minister of War?

It is not your concern.

Unbelievable. You have a weird way of thanking someone.

Thank you.

Just so you know, I would have hidden just fine on my own.

Either way, all this mischief keeps me entertained.

Get away from me, will you?

Hush, or he will hear us.

Seriously?

Halt.

My lord.

You. It is you from before.

Please spare my life!

I could let you keep your life

if you do as I say.

Lead the way.

Give me that.

Open the door.

- Cheers. - Cheers.

Fine wine.

One that is exquisite.

Did you confirm it?

I must look for another way.

Look for Kim Du-pal whose name is on this poster.

I must meet him in person.

Yes, I will, Your Highness.

GEUMUI CHAMBER

My Deok-su.

You are the smartest in all of Hanyang.

If you are drunk, Gu-sil, just quietly go to bed.

Hong Deok-su.

As if you know what it is to be in love.

The fluttering of the heart.

Do you know how it feels to have your heart tickled with love?

You should live as a woman now.

Life is too short.

Gu-sil.

When your heart is tickled and it flutters at the thought of someone…

is that love?

But you see…

I do not have the luxury to harbor romantic feelings for another.

YONGCHEONRU

Did your talk with Deok-su go well?

What? Oh, right.

You said you would be talking to Deok-su.

It flopped miserably.

What?

Was flopping even an option?

Confessing something is harder than I thought.

Hold on.

- Did you confess your feelings to Deok-su? - Yes.

Eun-ho taught me a line that has worked on countless women.

It was in the wrong order.

What? What order?

You should have told her you knew she was a woman first.

She is living as a man for some reason,

but you outright confessed your feelings for her.

No one would accept that.

Then, have I not been rejected yet?

Of course!

Su-ra, have you confessed your love to someone before?

Eun-ho gave me some pointers, but I need a new strategy.

That right there is the issue.

Strategizing how to get the girl?

How should I go about it then?

- What should I do? - The world is a mess.

Tell me.

Good morning, fellas.

Here comes another strategist.

Have at it together.

Did Deok-su sleep at Geumok Hall last night?

How would I know?

But he is your roommate.

He must be enjoying himself since his betrothed is visiting.

A steamy night when they have not wedded?

What has this world come to?

Goodness.

Sorry about that.

I said something inappropriate to an innocent young man.

"Innocent"?

Roar!

Call me a beast.

As in a tiger?

Where did it all go wrong with you two?

Su-ra, you must help me out.

Forget it.

I was almost late.

You're here.

- Did you sleep well? - Yes.

Right, I see.

Running late when you are a rookie clerk? Unbelievable.

He is a disgrace to us clerks at Yongcheonru.

- Are you coming from Geumok Hall? - What?

Yes, Gu-sil and I enjoyed some wine last night.

Your betrothed that they talked about?

What has the world come to?

I mean, how come you have a betrothed, Deok-su?

Stop it.

The manly Hong Deok-su. It calls for a celebration.

What?

What? Oh, right. Yes, of course!

I am the manly Hong Deok-su.

Performing the duties of a man last night left me exhausted.

- Oh, is that so? - Whatever.

You must be worn out.

That is enough.

DAILY ASSIGNMENTS

Kim Myeong-ho, Maeng Seok-sam, and Min Du-sik to Chinyeongrae.

Hong Deok-su, Lee Eun-ho, Ko Su-ra, and Cheon Jun-hwa to Jeongju Hall.

A guest at Geumok Hall has dismissed breakfast thrice already.

Now, get to your stations.

- Yes, my lady. - Yes, my lady.

This is not it!

I will serve another soup.

Where is Deok-su?

He went to work ages ago.

How much wine did you two have last night?

A bowl of your soup and rice would sort my stomach right out.

Of course.

I should make some for Deok-su before I leave.

Please make some.

Please?

Where do I remember him from?

I have definitely seen him before.

What are you mumbling about?

Wait.

Let me think.

Who was he again?

I must enter the palace, so have my attire ready.

What for?

Prince Seonyang's appointment ceremony.

Did you think I would be going there to play board games with His Majesty?

Now that I have entertained the Qing envoys,

he cannot delay it any longer.

There is a limit to using Prince Muyeong as an excuse.

Him! It was Prince Muyeong!

My goodness!

It finally came to me.

What the… What about Prince Muyeong?

Guess who I saw at Yongcheonru yesterday?

Prince Muyeong was there.

What?

But I wonder why he was dressed in a clerk's uniform.

No wonder I could not put two and two together.

I knew it.

Those cunning rascals.

May I?

My gosh! Damn it.

This smells incredible.

What could be your secret?

All I do is boil everything.

If I had brought enough ingredients, I would have offered some to everyone.

Well…

I cannot believe I forgot the radish water kimchi.

- Move. - But…

Mother, where are you going? You do not even know your way!

Goodness gracious.

Are you kidding me?

He does not want soup with meat or one with clams.

I know he is a guest from a foreign land, but I can only do so much!

The dried radish greens kept their original scent.

Its richness is divine.

- You startled me! - Likewise!

Hold on. What is this?

Some random woman was making it.

Why? What is it?

This reminds me

of my mother in Qing.

It is delicious.

Who stole the soup I made for my son?

Damn it.

Do not look at me like that.

I do not know anything. It was not me.

That gaze is wrong.

Mother?

Goodness, Deok-su.

You must be his mother.

Hello, I am Cheon Jun-hwa.

Hello, madam.

Are you Deok-su's friends?

What are you doing in Jeongju Hall though?

Right! Before I had to go home,

I made a bowl of soup for you to enjoy,

but some rascal stole it without saying anything.

What is with the ruckus?

This is the one you want. He stole your soup.

An order for not one extra bowl but 100 more?

Forget it. No way.

Of course. Why work when you are here to rest?

Decline.

Hong Deok-su, hey.

Help me out this once.

How dare you keep calling my son like that?

He is not just anyone but the Director of Hospitality.

He is of high rank here.

Team Meat, to your posts!

Team Vegetable, to your posts!

All right. Let us begin!

Smells incredible!

Mother, you only had to ask.

Here you go.

You are of good use being tall and all.

I am also strong.

Mother, sit tight and just order me around.

Thank you for being a good friend to Deok-su.

Nonsense.

I am Deok-su's closest friend in Yongcheonru.

And it will stay that way, so put your faith in me.

Do not be cheeky, Jun-hwa.

Damn that man. He ate every drop of the soup.

What did she say?

She said, "Damn"…

She said it was a special soup and rice.

Mother.

This sorted me right out.

He was not able to eat well being away from home,

but he thoroughly enjoyed this.

He has a sophisticated palate.

GEUMUI CHAMBER

You all did a good job. Please enjoy.

You are the one who worked the hardest.

This reminds me of home, Mother.

Is that so?

Swing by whenever you want more.

I can gladly offer Deok-su's friends a bowl.

Goodness.

Stop nibbling like a squirrel and eat huge mouthfuls.

Goodness. Are you all right?

Water.

Goodness me. Here you go.

Thank you.

Mother.

Mother, dig in. You worked hard all day.

Watching you all eat is enough to satisfy me.

I only hope you continue to be good friends.

Do not worry, Mother.

Of course. Once a friend, always a friend.

Please help Deok-su

when he is in need.

Of course, Mother. I am the man to trust.

Cut it out and dig in already.

That temper of yours.

My love,

listen to your mother.

Your love?

You are all awfully talkative today.

Dig in.

Go ahead.

Him and that temper of his.

Please do not make a big deal when his temper happens to lead to mistakes.

We are well aware of that.

Hey. As if you know how sour I can be.

Underneath all that is a delicate soul.

We are aware of that as well.

I am truly relieved to know that Deok-su

has great friends looking out for him.

You dug yourself a cave here

to play king, I see.

It is only a mere painting.

Maybe I should send one to your residence.

How sly and cheeky of you.

This is none other than treason.

That it is.

If I recall, you stood beside me.

You are not even bothering to hide your transgressions.

Are you reckless or just that stupid?

So, what brings you by today?

Prince Muyeong is at Yongcheonru, is he not?

I know all about it.

I figured you knew. Are you saying you did not?

What?

You dare to trick me after keeping mum all this time?

This is fine tea. Please enjoy.

I did not come here to idly have tea.

To enjoy fine tea,

one must wait for it to infuse.

As is the case with everything in life.

Do not change the subject!

Have Prince Muyeong and Lady Do-gyeong's engagement

held at Yongcheonru.

What?

Is that not what you wanted?

Once Prince Muyeong marries into your family,

no one will be able to challenge you.

The royal family will be under your own roof.

It will be the event of the century, so do not worry.

How could I agree to that when he is of the royal family?

There is an order to things.

His Majesty must approve of it first.

The order of things can easily be shifted around yourself.

I believe you still have the sword found at the murder scene.

Your Majesty,

I apologize for my negligence.

Please forgive me.

I was too engrossed in Prince Seonyang becoming crown prince and his birthday

to properly notice your concern.

All of that is negligence on my part.

What are you so elaborately prefacing?

Prince Muyeong is at the age to take a wife.

He must wed soon

to further stabilize the royal line.

I will call for candidates when it is time.

Of course you could,

but it is the trend among youngsters these days

to date and wed those they meet in casual settings.

I will summon my niece from Onyang.

Who are you to interfere with the duty of the Internal Court?

The palace law shall not be ignored.

Bring it in.

If Prince Muyeong gets investigated as a suspect of a murder…

it will surely ruin the reputation and authority of the royal family.

Murder? I warn you to watch your words.

This is hardly easy on my part.

However, since the evidence speaks for itself,

we must find a way.

Times like this call for a distraction.

By a distraction,

you mean his wedding?

Should Prince Muyeong become family,

I will have to take action.

I…

Will surely find a way.

Minister…

With your approval,

I will first proceed with their engagement.

The ceremony will be held at Yongcheonru.

Your Highness.

Is the one who put up the poster in there?

Yes. Shall we?

Lady Seol.

Did you find Hong Jae-on?

Why are you...

I asked if you knew where Hong Jae-on was.

Did Grand Proprietor Cheon have you put up the poster?

Where on earth is Hong Jae-on?

Is it not the brass key that you actually seek?

What happened 12 years ago?

Please tell me.

Because of the one who chased the brass key,

a family was ruined.

As in Hong Min-sik's family?

What significance does the key have that it led to a family being ruined?

You yourself are looking for it as well.

So tell me.

Will you make the same choice

to obtain the brass key?

The brass key may be of great value,

but it cannot outweigh a human life.

I am only in search of it to set everything straight.

To set everything straight?

Does His Majesty share your sentiment, Your Highness?

Your Highness Prince Muyeong.

How long have you known?

Please forgive me

for putting your intentions to the test.

What do you mean, you tested me?

I am the one who sent

the drawing of the key to the palace.

What is your true intention?

There is someone precious to me that I must protect.

Were you somehow involved with that family?

Look into the incident from 12 years ago involving the brass key.

That is the priority.

I invited you here to be pampered,

but you spent the day working.

As long as I am with you, I am happy whatever I do.

Likewise.

I must ask, though.

Mother.

Yes?

Tell me it will be all right. It has been a while since I heard it.

You know what.

When I used to wake up at night crying,

you would tell me that I was safe and that it would be all right.

Mother.

It will all be all right.

So do not worry too much.

Your child Hong Deok-su will make sure of it.

Sure.

It will be all right.

You will be all right.

Help me.

Please, help me.

Find Hong Min-sik's daughter, Hong Jae-on!

Little one.

It will be all right.

I will protect you.

You will be all right.

Plague patients!

I heard it was mayhem last night.

What happened?

Hong's family in Namchon was annihilated.

Annihilated? By whom?

As if anyone could know.

No one saw the assailants, for they hid behind masks.

- What a scary world this is. - I know.

Those who survived must carry on.

It will be all right.

You will be fine.

It will be all right.

Absolutely.

It will be all right.

It will be all right.

It is still not too late to leave with Hong Deok-su.

You must get far away from Yongcheonru as soon as possible.

I will be waiting.

Mother, let us visit Dohwa Hall once more.

Was the adlay facial not an absolute treat?

Mother, where are you going?

Halt.

Is your mother leaving today?

Yes. I appreciate the invitation.

I heard she had to make 100 portions of soup and rice yesterday.

So tell me. How should I pay for her trouble?

Ten nyang per portion will do.

I did not know a bowl of soup and rice was that pricey.

Her soup at the market is only five jeon,

but one served at Yongcheonru should be of higher value.

Is it because it will never be served here again?

Humans are wired to desire what is considered pricey.

Especially within Yongcheonru.

You sure are a cheeky one.

You wanted to tell me

who is after my Deok-su.

Can you tell me now?

I have horses ready for you at the back gate.

Bring Hong Deok-su with you as fast as possible.

If you do not act quickly, Deok-su…

I mean, Jae-on will die.

Deok-su!

Deok-su.

Deok-su…

Are you Hong Deok-su's mother?

I should have greeted you sooner, but I am only now getting the chance.

I am the proprietor here at Yongcheonru.

Plague patients!

You cannot enter.

Did you find the girl?

Forgive me.

Goodness. Are you not feeling well?

No, I am fine.

Do not work yourself too hard.

Yongcheonru is in huge debt to you for the soup you made.

Right.

It is sad to hear you will be leaving today.

We will meet again.

Gu-sil!

Gu-sil!

Mother, what is it? What happened?

Bring Deok-su here this instant!

What for?

- It is him. Him! - What?

Get going already!

All right, Mother.

I told you to get Deok-su…

Why are you in such a rush?

Could there be an urgent matter?

Of course not.

What brings you to this room?

Well…

There is something I forgot to tell you earlier.

What could that be?

You raised your son to be a fine young man.

He is a talent I wish to keep at my side.

You are too kind.

You have done the greatest deed imaginable.

You even saved him from the plague.

It must not have been easy…

to raise a girl as a boy.

The second piece of this brass key.

Is it in Hong Deok-su's possession?

It was you.

You hid Hong Jae-on 12 years ago

and nursed her back to health.

Do not lay a finger on my baby.

Do you know how much blood

has been painted on these hands because of you?

The sky will punish you for this!

The sky will punish me?

The sky and I are one and the same.

Deok-su!

Hong Deok-su!

I ran all the way here after hearing you urgently needed me.

But earlier, she was urgently looking for you.

Mother, are you asleep?

Unbelievable.

Mother.

Mother.

Mother, wake up.

Mother?

Mother, open your eyes. Mother?

What is it, Deok-su?

Gu-sil, get me the physician! Hurry.

- What? Right. - Mother, open your eyes.

Mother. Oh, no.

Mother, Deok-su's here. Open your eyes.

Mother, come on.

Mother, no.

Mother?

Mother, you must stay awake.

Gu-sil went to fetch the physician.

Deok-su.

Yes.

Him.

It was him.

Him as in who?

The one who chased you to kill you.

It is the grand proprietor of Yongcheonru.

You must get to safety.

Mother.

Mother, wake up.

Mother…

Mother.

Mother!

Mother, no!

Mother, what is wrong?

Open your eyes, Mother.

Mother, please!

Mother…

Well, I hope you gave your mother a proper send-off.

Maybe you should rest longer to recuperate from the wearing funeral.

It is all right.

I feel terrible.

One would never expect a healthy lady to meet a sudden death.

I wish to get revenge.

Revenge?

My mother…

was murdered.

Murdered?

By whom?

Someone

stabbed my father to death 12 years ago.

And now my foster mother.

Someone stabbed your father to death?

Who...

Seol Mae-hwa.

It was Lady Seol Mae-hwa.

That means your father is…

Min-sik of the Hong family.

He was my father.

Are you his...

Yes, I am…

Hong Jae-on.

This vengeance is mine.

I will serve you in every possible way.

I heard there would be a royal engagement banquet at Yongcheonru.

That day, I will obtain what I desire.

This revenge of mine will garner everyone's attention.

Hong Jae-on.

The more I see you, the more I see myself in you.

Mae-hwa, come on in.

Are you still feigning ignorance?

Why did you not tell me that Hong Deok-su

is Hong Min-sik's daughter?

The Minister of War demanded that you be betrothed.

Let him proceed with the engagement banquet.

The Minister of War is a sly wolf.

A clash between Prince Muyeong and the Minister of War…

From beginning to end. My engagement banquet must be grand.

I would not mind one of them suffering a fatal blow.

What is with him?

You asked to see me?

Where do you stand?

Choose to stand behind me instead.

Listen to me carefully. There is a lot to be done.

My revenge…

has just begun.

Subtitle translation by: Hyelim Park