Original subtitles

ALL CHARACTERS AND EVENTS ARE FICTITIOUS

FILMING OF CHILD ACTORS DONE UNDER BROADCASTING GUIDELINES

HERE LIES KANG OF PYEONGHAE

TAVERN

We brought some medicinal herbs.

Thank you for all your help these past few days.

Is he still in there?

Yes…

Hong Deok-su. You should have some porridge, at least.

Wait. You should just let him be for now.

I will make sure he eats some later.

Get up.

Get up, Hong Deok-su.

Are you just going to give up? Will you just wait for death to come?

It is my fault.

It is all my fault.

Beating yourself up will not change anything.

Pull yourself together, Hong Deok-su!

Just…

Just let me be.

Just let me…

What are you doing?

Stop.

Don't…

Mother!

She is gone.

Deok-su.

You need to let her go now.

That is what she would want too.

Mother…

Mother!

Whose son are you?

Mommy's!

That is right.

Mother!

Will I be able to live without her?

What do I do now?

My mother is gone…

and I am all alone.

You are not alone.

You have us.

Everyone is waiting for you.

Come back now.

I am not who you need to get revenge on.

The one who chased you to kill you.

It is the Grand Proprietor of Yongcheonru.

My father…

How did he pass away?

This all started with the Grand Proprietor's ledger.

12 YEARS AGO

OH YEONG-RAK TRIBUTE PAYMENTS LEE HYEON-WI TRIBUTE PAYMENTS

It is an exorbitant amount of money.

I said power is no different from a blade.

Do not worry.

I promise you that the profits will be 100, even 1,000 times that.

I worry this may put you in danger too.

Min-sik.

I am the Cheon Mak-dong. Do you not trust me?

Hold on.

Let us add this as well.

What is this?

That will be our lifeline.

I am doing all this for us...

What are you talking about?

Do you remember?

When everyone in the market refused to do business with me,

you were the first to give me a chance.

Now, the time has come for me to give you one.

I, Cheon Mak-dong, am your friend. Have some faith in me.

Why are you doing this?

I am merely trying to trample on those who looked down on me

and dismissed me for my lowly origins to climb up that ladder.

The world will be turned upside down tomorrow.

What in the world have you been up to?

Lord Hong.

We received all of the supplies for this month.

How long have you been there?

My apologies.

Look.

We will talk later.

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Brother!

His Majesty has passed away.

What?

The state funeral bureau has already been established.

The world will be turned upside down tomorrow.

Physician Lee Sang-yong.

Court Lady Jeong Seo-i.

OH YEONG-RAK TRIBUTE PAYMENTS LEE HYEON-WI TRIBUTE PAYMENTS

Cheon Mak-dong…

The late king's death?

The ledger contains not only a record of his tribute payments

but all the secrets about the late king's death.

So my father died because of that ledger?

Your father's hidden chest contains Lord Cheon's ledger.

And that chest can only be opened with both halves of the brass key.

Nothing else.

This is a key…

to that chest?

One half of the key ended up in Lord Cheon's hands that day,

and the other disappeared with you.

So, Lord Cheon is after this key, not me.

That ledger is their biggest weakness.

Once it sees the light of day,

it could be wielded to bring down those who were behind the insurrection,

the Minister of War, Lord Cheon, and even the sitting king.

It will be a dangerous weapon.

And the one who gets their hands on the ledger will wield that power.

Lord Cheon already knows that you are Hong Jae-on.

So you must flee while you still can.

No.

I cannot do that.

I will reclaim the other half of this brass key from Lord Cheon.

Let the souls of the past deal with the bygone vengeance.

My mother was wrongfully taken from me.

I must…

avenge her.

I will return to Yongcheonru.

My revenge…

has just begun.

My mother…

was murdered.

Murdered?

By whom?

Someone stabbed my father to death 12 years ago.

And now my foster mother.

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.

I cannot believe this…

I was…

your father's…

I was Hong Min-sik's closest friend.

Hong Jae-on.

After what happened 12 years ago,

I have been desperately looking for you.

Finally, everything has returned

to its rightful place.

Jae-on.

Let me help you now.

You must never forgive the enemy who murdered your father.

Lord Cheon does not trust anyone.

He will attempt to test our relationship.

I will make him trust me.

Without a shred of doubt.

But…

how did you find out that it was Seol Mae-hwa?

I witnessed it myself.

- You witnessed it? - Yes.

After I saw her stab my father,

I ran away.

I see.

Seol Mae-hwa.

Seol Mae-hwa…

I will never forgive her.

I will…

make her pay, no matter what.

You went through a horrific ordeal at such a young age.

If only you had come to me sooner…

By the time I heard about what happened to you all,

it was already too late.

Having someone I can lean on is more than enough for me.

Seol Mae-hwa could not have acted alone. There must be someone else behind it.

Is there anything else you remember?

Perhaps, something he said to you in passing

or an acquaintance of his?

My father only ever allowed Seol Mae-hwa to enter our home.

I see.

Let us be patient until we find the mastermind.

Jae-on.

I will share in your endeavors now.

You must discuss all further pursuits with me first.

Do you understand?

Yes, my lord.

I am…

truly grateful.

Hong Min-sik!

Seol Mae-hwa, you wench!

How dare you betray me!

Where did you hide the safe chest?

Is that all you have to say to your old friend?

Hand it over.

Hand it over right now!

What is this? What does this inscription mean?

Do you think I will not be able to find it if you do not tell me?

Hey, Cheon Mak-dong.

It is all over for you now.

You are wrong!

It is not over yet!

I, Cheon Mak-dong…

will climb up higher than the royal throne with my gold

until my influence reaches the heavens!

Watch me from your grave and see if I am wrong.

FOR JOY

Are you not curious about what choice your daughter will make?

I am sure

she will prove me right.

Su-ra?

What is all this?

You are finally here. The meat is about to grow cold.

Jun-hwa?

Jun-hwa made everything.

Come now. Sit down first.

Wait… You made all this?

It was only for one day, but your mother taught me herself.

Now… Have a taste.

Although I am certain I have a long way to go.

You should have taken more time off. You did not need to rush back.

I…

I want to thank you for back then.

It was quite reassuring

to have you all there as I laid my mother to rest.

Hey, that is what friends are for.

Ever since Elementary Room, we have been the disagreeable quartet.

Right.

But where is Eun-ho?

I do not know. I have not seen him all day.

Eat up.

Gosh. This just melts in your mouth.

This tastes superb. Well done, Jun-hwa.

What did I tell you?

There is nothing better than Korea Pork for an energy boost.

It is really good.

It reminds me of my mother.

It is time for you to leave Yongcheonru.

But, Your Majesty, I am close to achieving my objective.

If I could just have...

The Minister of War has requested you become engaged to his niece.

Engaged?

Has he threatened you again?

He was not looking to threaten me.

He has your dragon-engraved sword in his possession.

My sword…

I shall see the murder investigation through

to catch the culprit.

He fabricated that incident to spread slander.

Your Majesty is already aware of that.

The truth is meaningless to them.

Even 12 years ago, they shamelessly brought such a calamity.

What exactly happened 12 years ago?

Just what caused you so much distress, Your Majesty?

The Minister and Grand Proprietor, Cheon…

assassinated the late king.

Are you saying…

they committed regicide?

Why did you not eradicate such treasonous individuals immediately?

I could not.

I had no evidence of their treason.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Then… were you looking for the brass key to prove…

The late king's assassination.

Before Hong Min-sik, the grand proprietor's business partner,

was murdered,

he hid that ledger in his safe.

If I only had that back then…

So that is why Hong Min-sik was killed.

The Minister of War is a sly wolf.

He will do anything to ensure Prince Seonyang

ascends to the throne.

Father...

With the Grand Proprietor by his side…

I cannot risk your safety as well.

I will…

bring all those traitors to justice.

Let him proceed with the engagement banquet.

I will take care of the rest.

A royal engagement will soon be held at Yehwa Hall.

Yongcheonru is to host a royal engagement?

The Minister of War's niece is to be engaged to Prince Muyeong.

As in Lee Eun-ho?

Did he agree to it without objection?

A royal marriage is nothing but politics.

How he feels is of little importance.

I assume Prince Muyeong will proceed accordingly.

I am not sure.

Let us see what he does.

If the battle between the Minister and Prince Muyeong

leads to fatal wounds, it will be even better for us.

It shall be an amusing spectacle.

Lord Cheon. It is Mae-hwa.

ACCOUNTING LEDGER

Is that you, Lady Seol?

I came to give you the budget report for the Minister's royal engagement.

I have already asked the Director of Hospitality to oversee that.

Hong Jae-on has returned.

Hong Jae-on?

Are you still feigning ignorance?

Why did you not tell me

that Hong Deok-su is Hong Min-sik's daughter?

I chose not to because she remains in the dark about that incident.

She told me that she witnessed you killing her father.

She seems to believe I am her father's friend and is relying on me.

It leaves me no choice but to help her.

The Uiju Guild has been full of complaints recently.

Go and stay with them for the time being.

Surely, seeing Jae-on must be uncomfortable for you as well.

Do you have something else to say?

You are doing well, Myeong-ho.

Myeong-ho, did you hear?

Yongcheonru is to host a royal engagement ceremony

for the Minister of War.

How could I not know when it involves the royal family?

I have already sent word to Uiju.

It is high time for Uiju to make a royal connection.

He is right.

After the late king passed 12 years ago,

Yongcheonru swiftly made that royal connection

to grow to what it is today.

Watch what you say.

The late king's death?

The ledger contains not only a record of his tribute payments

but all the secrets about the late king's death.

Hey…

You came back pretty late last night. Are you heading out again?

I am taking time off to deal with family matters.

Why are you back to work already? You should have taken a few more days off.

I am back. What else would I be doing?

Oh, right. Hey, did you hear the news?

A prince is coming to Yongcheonru.

What?

Do you remember the guest we dealt with at Jakyakjae?

We went to the lake with her.

She is to be engaged to His Majesty's elder son

at Yehwa Hall. Everyone is in a frenzy about it.

That royal engagement will not happen.

What do you mean?

Do you know something?

Well… I hear Prince Muyeong is

quite picky and a perfectionist.

Finding him a spouse will be difficult. That is what I meant.

Hold on.

By chance…

Prince Muyeong…

Do you know him personally?

I also know him.

Did you not know? I know His Majesty as well.

And so does everyone in the country.

I have only myself to blame for taking you seriously.

Unbelievable.

Wait, Eun-ho.

What?

Earlier when you…

Thanks.

Should I go?

I should. I am off.

Prince Muyeong and the Minister of War's niece are

to be engaged?

And you are to oversee the royal event?

The Grand Proprietor has finally acknowledged my abilities.

Acknowledged your abilities?

It seems Lord Cheon is making a mistake.

I am sure he has his reasons.

He must have sent Lady Seol to Uiju for a good reason.

Oh, that? That was a demotion.

I have an in with them.

When I asked the guild about it, they thought she was already fired.

As long as this engagement goes well,

I will be the innkeeper.

When the moth gets too close to the flame,

it burns to death.

Keep a safe distance.

Do not get too close.

Rude…

I have decided to send Seol Mae-hwa to Uiju.

Pardon?

You should not serve revenge in one go.

Rushing will only give them a pretext and may lead to repercussions.

You must take your time to drain your enemy's energy

and slowly suffocate them.

What is the matter? Do you find my decision disagreeable?

No, my lord.

I will make him trust me.

Without a shred of doubt.

By his side,

I will bide my time, waiting for a chance to take the key.

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

By chance, may I assist in any way?

It is the Minister and the royal family.

I am well aware of what this means to you, my lord.

So?

Let me be of service to you, my lord.

Hong Jae-on.

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

Before all that,

you should pay Seol Mae-hwa a visit.

Go and retrieve the seal from her.

That way, she will know that you have my support.

Yes, my lord.

Follow him.

I am here for your seal.

Why are you here? If anything, a director should be here.

Are you fleeing because of me?

You can look forward to the royal engagement ceremony.

That day, I will obtain what I desire.

It will not take long.

I am sure you believe everything will go your way now.

I was just as foolish in the past.

You should be aware of the dangers ahead.

Just hand over the seal!

My goodness.

To what do I owe this pleasant surprise?

Please come in.

I am here to confirm something.

You did not need to come all this way. We will meet at Yongcheonru soon anyway.

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

You must find my royal sword at the Minister's residence.

While I keep him distracted and stall for time,

you shall search and retrieve the sword.

We should go inside and continue this conversation.

Will you walk with me?

My engagement banquet must be grand.

You are a minister, and this is a royal event.

Yes, I suppose so.

Since Lord Cheon is to fund it,

let him put on an ostentatious display of wealth.

Yes, I understand. Why do we not go inside and discuss further?

A celebration!

It must be a grand celebration.

It must be extraordinary.

I thought you appreciated modesty.

Squawk!

Bird. A parrot.

I hear the bride-to-be has a pet parrot.

Yes.

Let her know I will not condone such frivolous hobbies.

Just now, you stated you wanted an ostentatious display.

Do you not feel bad for that poor bird?

Sure…

I will make sure

that she observes all her duties.

Unaware of the Three Obediences?

How could I not?

As a child, you obey your father.

As an adult, you obey your husband…

That is right.

I will send a letter that outlines the details to Yongcheonru.

When every requirement is satisfied…

Then, I shall happily go ahead with the engagement ceremony.

That is all I have to say. I shall now take my leave.

What is with him?

It has been a while.

You look to be enjoying yourself in your official uniform.

You know that was all thanks to me.

Yes, my lady.

Did your Onyang trip go well?

After throwing a fit and sending me all the way there,

my uncle managed to finalize a royal engagement.

I will be serving you until the royal engagement.

At least, I will be able to breathe now…

We are busy enough as it is, but now there is even a festival?

The future monarch should not abuse his powers so.

- Prince Muyeong? - Yes. Him.

He seems to be unreasonably particular.

He gave strictest orders not to let anyone near his room.

Maybe he does not wish to be engaged…

What?

Maybe he is just looking

for any excuse to run because he is being forced into it?

We cannot let him do that.

You asked to see me?

I should at least offer you my praise

to thank you for all your hard work.

I am simply honored to have this chance to serve you.

I was able to make my decision thanks to you.

What would you say

to also hosting…

my crown prince appointment?

You and the Minister are not a good fit.

Choose to stand behind me instead.

My goodness.

I am deeply honored, Your Highness.

How will you proceed now?

Beom-ho,

you shall stay here as Prince Muyeong.

Pardon?

Until the engagement ceremony?

In the meantime…

I will search for Lord Cheon's brass key.

I will find it

and resolve this matter myself.

I will alleviate Father's suffering

and dispel the palace's concerns.

I am here with your refreshments.

What is he doing here?

Is that not Hong Deok-su?

You go. Hurry!

He knows my face.

- He does. - Yes.

Then, what are we to do?

Figure it out!

May I come in?

You cannot open that door. Good luck.

How could you just abandon me like this?

How shall I proceed?

Leave it there and go.

The tea will grow cold.

What a nuisance you are!

Must I have you flogged for you to listen?

What the…

Prince Muyeong?

Where are you haphazardly rushing off to?

Did you…

Did you see Prince Muyeong?

Prince Muyeong?

Your hat is crooked. Let me fix it.

Do not touch me!

Good now?

What was that about?

Are you back to work now?

Jeez… Prince Muyeong is such a nuisance.

He is not a bad person.

How would you know?

Why do you keep taking his side?

Everyone has their reasons for what they do.

You should not assume and resort to slander without knowing.

You have a point.

That is why I went over there earlier to find out more.

But…

He refused to see me.

Maybe his face looks like…

a brick that fell out of the sky?

That is not true! He is not half bad-looking. I hear.

No…

He must either be a reclusive eccentric

or possess a major character defect.

He just ran away when I kept calling for him.

So…

Did you get to see his face?

Well, just a bit of his backside.

But you know… quite the physique.

Really?

But then,

that body was made with swordsmanship training, after all.

I just pray that he stays put

until the engagement ceremony.

You know what?

I should keep my eyes peeled and on him at all times.

Deok-su.

Why are you working so hard to make this happen?

It is an important day.

That day is important to you as well?

I will make sure it is the grandest celebration

that garners everyone's attention.

That day…

must be so.

The grandest day…

Too bad I will not be there.

Where will you be?

Unfortunately, I have to attend to some important business that day.

Deok-su.

I hope your wishes come true.

BY THE END OF THIS MONTH…

My salary will not even cover the interest payment.

You received a letter?

From home?

It is nothing.

You look terrible. Are you sick?

Su-ra, can you help me?

With Deok-su?

You are the only one I can trust.

- First… - First?

Tell her you know she is a maiden.

Apologize for not telling her sooner. That should happen first.

Okay. And then?

Jun-hwa, you really do have feelings for her.

Then, you need to be ready for rejection as well. Will you be okay?

I am prepared for as much.

Go on, Su-ra.

Slow down.

A masquerade?

He is just a nuisance all around.

I agree. He is quite an unusual character.

Do you not agree?

I am sure he has his reasons.

Let us hurry up.

- Hurry. Let us go. - Okay.

Excuse us! Here are the masks!

Over there is fine.

Well done.

There.

My goodness…

Make your choice.

Do I look handsome?

What is this?

It is called the Knot of One Heart.

It is all the rage with young lovers across Hanyang.

You tie it onto your lover's wrist.

Jun-hwa!

You asked for me?

What do you need to say?

Well…

I thought you could use a break from all the event preparations.

Seriously?

Then, maybe a short break.

I was getting tired anyway.

Gosh.

Look. Eun-ho and Su-ra are coming as well.

Hey!

Hey.

Oh, no! I totally forgot.

Did you leave something behind?

We should have checked on the masks for the clerks.

What is going on?

Please help me.

Just help me out.

- But you can... - Let us go.

Let us go.

Maybe they forgot something? Why are they going back?

I almost forgot.

- This is for you. - What?

What is this?

What?

Where did you get this pumpkin taffy from?

I was craving sweets.

That is so tasty.

Deok-su.

Yes?

Well… Deok-su…

What?

Go on.

I need to apologize to you for something. You will forgive me, will you not?

Do not be silly. We are friends.

I have known that you are a maiden.

For a long while now.

I am sorry for taking so long to tell you.

Since…

Since when?

How did you find out?

I do not know why you are hiding it,

but let me know if you need help.

Wait, is that why you…

It is called the Knot of One Heart.

They say it can even bring together the earth and the heavens.

Can I stop being your friend and become Cheon Jun-hwa, your man?

Jun-hwa, I am sorry, but…

You do not have to give me an answer now.

Just please think it over.

I will head back now. You should rest some more.

Eyes on the prize, Hong Deok-su.

Today is the day.

Here you go.

As if things could not get worse…

Now, I have to attend a masquerade.

What a royal nuisance this prince is.

Why? You look great.

You are coming, right?

Come on now. I cannot be by your side all night.

I will sneak off when I get the chance to.

You should try to strike up a conversation with him.

We should go now.

Prince Muyeong is the one wearing the nobleman mask.

We prepared that mask for him.

His physique is not bad.

You should go and say hello when he is alone.

Shall I?

I shall grab some refreshments.

Tell me what you want.

Why did you not just stab me?

You must have stopped because you want something.

I only have one half of it.

What will you do with just half?

Here you go.

Who are you really?

What are you doing here?

That was originally mine.

I also need the brass key.

So that's why you approached me.

Did something happen between you and Deok-su?

He is a friend who requires attention.

Maybe not "just a friend."

Did you break off your engagement because of Hong Deok-su?

Your Highness.

Are you in love with her?

- That is enough. - We live in different worlds.

If you truly wish her happiness, please let her go.

I, Prince Muyeong, shall be the next crown prince.

What?

You must shatter it.

Please allow me to have a few men, Father.

Are you not responsible?

Please let go of me…

If, by chance, something happens

to Hong Deok-su while I am gone…

please keep her safe on my behalf.

Deok-su.

Subtitle translation by: Justin S. Kim