Subtitles by DramaFever
[Episode 18] Even through the dangers of life and death
the reason I was able to make it here safely was
because of... a certain lady.
I met her while I was traveling in Southern Manchuria.
Althought we only met briefly, but it was such a striking one.
Every time I fell in the risk of life or death...
'I have to live. I have to go back to Joseon and see that lady!'
I came all the way here only with that determination.
But, why did you travel around Southern Manchuria despite all the dangers?
Wouldn't it be the same reason as why Your Highness sent spies?
Then you must've seen powerful countries nearby
and learned a lot.
Of course I did.
I've traveled to Ming and Southern Manchuria as if I'd walk into my own yard.
But the most beautiful thing in the world is... my country, Joseon...
It is the women of this country.
Look... do you have any bamboo dew tea?
I'm not trying to be difficult.
I just feel like I'll ruin my taste buds if I keep drinking like this.
Where would we find such an expensive tea in times like this?
If you don't, forget it.
No need to get upset over it.
There is a good balance between brows and eyelids
so he should be popular anywhere he goes.
But his jawline is weak
so he should be careful in dealing with people.
He has an innocent character
but his nose is too weak.
The tip of the nose and nostrils are also weak
so it will be hard for him to show all his capabilities.
Your Highness...
whether I am worthy of trust or I just speak of nonsense...
Are you examining me?
[Heo Gyun]
As high as your knowledge is, you are also quick to notice others' feelings.
Now I'm looking at you, you must've had embarrassing moments over women.
How did you know that?
Now, it's about time that you give me the price for saving your life.
Yes, sire.
But, sire...
I've never had an audience with His Highness Crown Prince.
So, before I hand over this important thing
I should confirm if you are indeed the Crown Prince.
What?
Look!
My goodness...
It's like saving someone from drowning and being asked for my bag.
Forgive me. But what I'm about to show you is...
is such an extraordinary thing.
'It's always better to be ready.'
Shouldn't I knock on the stones before I go across the bridge?
Please don't be upset and show me a proof.
- Secretary Seo. - Yes, sire.
Take this man to the Magistrate's Office and give him the punishment of flogging.
He dared to lie to the Crown Prince that he had a secret document
and used me to save himself.
He's sure to be a criminal of high treason
so lock him up right away.
Yes, sire!
Good! I really like this type of hard punishment!
What are you doing? Take him away now.
Sire, sire! Sire! Your Highness Crown Prince!
This is enough for a proof!
Sire!
Ga Hee.
Yes, sire.
When you were living as a boy in your childhood
you were friends with the Crown Prince.
I did, sire.
But, for the Crown Prince...
even if you were dressed as a boy a long time ago
did he really know you only as a boy?
You are such a beautiful woman.
He had no idea that you were a lady?
Yes, he had no idea.
How can he be so slow?
Ga Hee...
For me...
even if your face didn't complement mine...
I'd have tried to keep you by my side.
A long time ago... it was raining that day...
Since I saw you shivering from getting soaked in rain...
I've thought of you often.
Thank you.
Gwiin Kim...
I came to see His Majesty. Announce me.
Right now...
I know.
Court Lady Kim is here?
Your Majesty, Gwiin Kim is here.
Gwiin Kim?
Please let her in.
Let her in.
You're here too, Court Lady Kim.
I'm really glad.
What brought you here?
Sire, the memorial day for the late Queen Majesty is coming up.
So I made honey cookies in rememberance of her.
I remembered that Your Majesty likes honey cookies
so I brought them for you to have a taste while they are still warm.
It's really delicious.
Ga Hee... you should try one, too.
- No thank you. - You should try one, too.
Here.
Yes.
It's delicious.
Someday, I will feed you a honey cookie with poison in it.
Sire, I've served you since I was 14 years old.
I gave you four sons in your arms.
So how could you... push me aside like this?
It's a secret message that Nurhaci sent to his soldier.
It came into my hands after this and that.
This is why they tried so hard to kill me.
What is this?
I know the letters of Mongol, Western and Uyghur...
but there were no letters like this.
They are the letters of Manchuria.
Nurhaci created them recently.
They're not announced yet, so only a few can read them.
But...
I can read them.
This is what's written in the first line.
Kill the King of Joseon...
'and establish the Bright Ocean.'
Gwang of bright, hae of ocean.
Wouldn't this mean to kill His Majesty and establish Your Highness to the throne?
Do you want to die?
How dare you move your lips so carelessly?
I didn't say it.
That's what's written in the secret message.
How can I believe that secret message that only you can read?
It says 'the end of this month'
so we have exactly three days left.
What?
Since the secret message is already in my hands
the date will probably change.
They are cruel, so you should be ready in all aspects.
If you can't believe what I said
please ask Lady Ga Hee
whether I am worthy of trust or not.
Lady Ga Hee should know very well.
Sire.
Sire, I checked on Heo Gyun. He really can't be trusted.
He's prettty good in writing, so he's offered a few government posts.
But he couldn't last a few months and got dismissed every time.
- So, what he said today is also... - Young Shin...
I think I should meet with Ga Hee.
You must've seen her face, too.
You didn't see any sign that she'd just collapse and die?
This is no time to laugh!
Find a way to separate that girl from His Majesty.
His Majesty and Court Lady Kim are connected through their faces.
So it won't be easy to separate them.
His Majesty is a tree, and Court Lady Kim is water.
A tree needs water, so His Majesty is meant to look for her day and night.
So, are you telling me to just watch?
There is a way.
What is it?
The seat of the country's mother is empty.
If His Majesty greets a new queen
Court Lady Kim won't be able to carry His Majesty's heart anymore.
Is that the only way?
I will follow Court Lady Kim myself.
I'm sure I'll find something to use against her.
I had a question to ask you in private, so I called you here.
Yes, sire.
Do you know a man named Heo Gyun?
Have you met him?
How do you know him?
I owed my life to Scholar Heo Gyun in Southern Manchuria.
I heard he was staying at the house of Nurhaci's close aide.
Nurhaci's close aide...
Then his words can't be completely nonsense.
He is a bit unique... but he is trustworthy.
He brought a very important secret message from Southern Manchuria.
Its content is so shocking...
so from the Jurchen people's perspective, he became someone they have to kill.
What is the content?
You don't need to know.
Forgive me.
I forgot my place for a moment.
If you want to confirm that his information is trustworthy
I believe you can trust him.
It seems that the Jurchen is trying to unite its tribes and start a war with Ming.
I'm sure the ripple effect will reach Joseon.
So please protect Father from his side.
Yes. Please take care of yourself as well.
I'm sorry.
I didn't even know about this foolish side in me.
I know very well why you went to Father...
but I still can't look at you in the eye.
You don't need to look at me.
Please do whatever makes you feel at ease, sire.
The Ming troops just notified me of their withdrawal plan.
What can we do about this?
Sire, the Japanese retreated from this land now...
but the worry remains about how they will act in the future.
So, if Ming says it will withdraw its troops...
we should ask them to stay.
I've done everything that they asked for!
Even when I couldn't pay my officials
I raised pay for the Ming's troops!
That's not all!
Wine, meat...
Even if I had to eat barly rice
I gave them a table of feast for their meals!
But they are leaving?
Sire, would you meet with envoys from Ming who are staying at Taepyunggwan?
Before that, find out what their real intention is.
Yes, sire.
Thanks for coming just in time.
His Highness wants me to bring you.
Sire, you saved me once again...
So you must be paying attention to the secret message now.
By any chance, did you see Lady Ga Hee?
Did you say you traveled Ming and Southern Manchuria as if they are your own yard?
Yes, I did.
Then you must've seen, heard and felt things from your experience.
Why do you think Nurhaci wants to assassinate Father?
Nurhaci has a big ambition of realizing the glory of the Jin Dynasty from the past.
But His Majesty only treats them as barbarians.
Even during the Imjin War, he declined Nurhaci's offer to help twice.
So, he has a grudge on Father?
Yes. On the other hand...
Your Highness has been declined several times for the approval as the Crown Prince from Ming.
So he thinks that you must harbor an ill will against Ming
and he probably considers that it's possible to convince you to be on his side.
He's planning to assassinate a king of a country just for that reason?
Sire... Jurchen people are very skilled with their horses and strong army.
But they are exceptionally skilled in intelligence combat.
If they decided to assassinate His Majesty...
they will definitely execute their plan.
Now I think about it...
It's today!
Today is the date that they announced to kill His Majesty.
Of course, since they had the secret message stolen by me
they should've changed the date.
They wil try to harm you again.
Stay with Eunuch Im in the palace for a while.
Pardon?
Thanks.
Sire!
- How did it go? - We failed.
Someone was helping him.
Our secret message must've been exposed by Heo Gyun now.
We'll change the plan.
Yes.
But...
we'll proceed with our plan for tonight.
What brought a palace slave to the eunuch's quarters?
Are you the one who was newly assigned to the Main Hall, sir?
I am...
Chief of Security...
do you remember when thieves got into the library a long time ago?
Yes, sire.
You were promoted as the Chief of Security from a head guard.
Yes, sire.
I believe your loyalty towards Father is higher than a mountain.
Am I right?
I'm ready to offer my head for His Majesty.
Then you should make sure your determination stays strong.
There is a sign of an assassination plot on Father.
Pardon?
I am telling you because you should be aware of it.
So increase the number of security soldiers assigned to all the places that Father is.
Don't take an eye off from Father.
Do you understand?
Yes, sire.
Alright.
Sire.
Where is Father?
He is at Kangnyung Hall with Court Lady Kim right now.
Why Ga Hee, of all people...
Nothing should happen today.
They also know that I have the secret message.
We should make a guess on when it would happen.
What is that?
I'm getting a prediction from a tin.
I'm going to find out which date they decided on.
Do you want to pick one?
Oh, right.
No, you can't.
It'll bring bad luck.
A way to separate Ga Hee from the King...
Bringing in a new queen is the only way.
'We'd like to repair a beacon fire tower that was damaged during the war'
'so please allow us.' That's what it says.
I see.
Sire, I believe it's better for you to read this one.
What does it say?
Does it speak ill of me?
How could that be? Who would dare to speak ill of you?
Then tell me, Ga Hee.
'Why does a poor man pay more tax than a rich man?'
That's the question written in the petition.
What do you mean?
A tenant farmer who borrows land to farm
feels unjustified that he pays taxes for his landlord, too.
- Chase them! - Yes, sir!
- That's enough. - Yes, sire.
What's going on?
Who are you?
Forgive me... sire...
Chief of Security.
Sire, are you all right?
I'm fine.
Did it shock you?
I'm fine, sire.
Sire, I'll call the officials now.
No... don't do that.
Sire!
Someone dared to kill me.
- Chief Kim. - Yes, sire.
You have to find out who tried to kill me.
Yes, sire.
To find out who did it
this should be done in secret.
Eunuch Song, make sure what happened tonight doesn't get out.
Yes, sire.
I'll escort Court Lady Kim to Hwayoogak.
Go ahead.
What are you doing?
Did you want to hit me so badly, enough to get in the arms of a geezer?
Why? Are you scared?
Almighty Kim Do Chi shows his true feelings.
Don't act haste.
If the King finds out about you and Gwanghae, what would happen?
If that happens, it'll also be the end of Kim Do Chi.
We'll all be destroyed together.
His Majesty will also get to know everything I know about Kim Do Chi.
I didn't know they'd try to assassinate Father tonight.
Even Chief of Security died...
If I knew this would happen, I should've been better prepared.
Did you already know about this?
I found out that the Jurchens were planning to kill Father.
Jurchens?
Why?
Father didn't accept help from Nurhaci during the war.
That seems to have bought their resentment.
The one who tried to assassinate His Majesty was wearing an eunuch's robe.
This means that spies are hiding in various places in the palace.
Teacher... I'm looking for a way to meet with their leader.
If that's really the reason they tried to kill Father
or if they meant something else...
Until I resolve this issue, please take care of Father.
'Kill the King of Joseon and establish the Bright Ocean'?
How could such a foolish thing happen?
His face shows a born soldier.
His loyalty and spirit are also superb.
But it's hard to figure out that he's a Jurchen by reading his face.
He really is a Jurchen.
How do you know?
Among Mongolians and Jurchens...
many have a split pinky toenail.
I'm not sure... if it's because they ride horses all the time.
It means, the Jurchens executed what was writted in the secret message.
I couldn't stop it even when I knew about it.
I was careless.
You said nothing would happen!
You said the secret message was already out.
Over there!
If he came in as an eunuch of the Main Hall...
there should be spies in various places in the palace already.
Maybe...
Maybe he's right here, too.
Your Highness, what brought you all the way here?
An unsettling accident happened to His Majesty
so how could I just do nothing?
I hear you had a significant role last night.
I only did what I was supposed to do.
It looks like you're assigned as a lead office for this case.
So take a careful look and get to the bottom of who did this.
He definitely said that this dead man is a Jurchen.
I thought that you left me with the bow and arrows to lose Kim Ga Hee from the past.
I did.
But I need to give this bow back to you.
I heard you could've been in big trouble last night.
To Kim Ga Hee who once was my most loyal retainer...
I'm going to give a new command.
With these bow and arrow, protect my father.
Sire!
Can you do it for me?
You're the one who always stays by Father's side.
I trust your archery skills.
Can you follow my command?
I will follow your command, Your Highness.
Lady Kim, His Majesty is coming right now.
What?
Sire, you have to leave now.
No, I won't hide it from Father.
What won't you hide from me?
- Father. - I asked you a question.
What won't you hide from me?
I asked Court Lady Kim for a favor...
but she was worried that it might upset you, so that's what I told her.
A favor?
Court Lady Kim is the best archer that I've seen in Joseon.
She's the one closest to you
so I asked her to protect you, Father.
But she was worried that lending a woman's hands might upset you, Father.
Is what the Crown Prince said true?
Yes, sire.
How would a lowly girl dare to say she'd protect Your Majesty?
Yes, you're right, Ga Hee.
But not because you're lowly...
but a man should protect a woman.
It shouldn't be the other way.
Of course that's true.
You don't need to worry about me anymore, Crown Prince.
Yes, Father.
If you are done, you should leave now.
Yes, Father.
Even if you were childhood friends, men and women should be separate.
How could the Crown Prince go against such custom?
Don't let him in again in the future.
Forgive me.
All kinds of things happen in life.
For you to ask me to have a drink like this.
Did Gwiin Kim tell you to keep an eye on me?
Brother...
you are not too happy to see me...
but I've admired your manly spirit since I was a child.
What? You're really trying to make me laugh.
My mother is very strict and harsh.
So I've never been able to say what I wanted to say or act out what I had in mind.
After Shinsung died...
my mother's obsession over me got worse
so it was even hard to breathe.
Do you now understand why I envied you?
I am also your younger brother.
Accept a glass.
Yes, Brother.
How can you bring this wine and table?
Starting from the king, government officials and down to courtesans...
there is nothing proper in this country of Joseon!
Look at this nonsense...
That's why the country is in this shape!
Brother! Stay calm.
He seems to be a general of Ming.
As a prince of Joseon, how can you say 'stay calm' after hearing that?
Who are you two?
Who the heck are you...
to dare to look down on a general of the powerful Ming dynasty like that?
Sir, he is the first son of the Joseon royal family.
So, what do you want me to do?
We saved a country that's about to collapse...
Crawl up here and pour me some wine.
That's what your father did, too.
This bastard! How dare you mention Father!
Brother!
A mere general to a prince of this country?
Have you got no manners!***
Are you in the right mind?
The Ming troops are already trying to withdraw...
but you swung your fists at a general of Ming?
If they said they'd withdraw their troops over this, what will you do?
Do you think Joseon can be safe without Ming?
When a prince gets humiliated by a general
do you mean that I should've held back?
That bastard insulted Joseon and Father!
Is that true?
He seems to have heard wrong from too much drinking.
What?
What did you just say?
I didn't hear that, Father.
Now I see that you...
Even if he made a mistake of a word or two while he was drunk
a country's existance and collapse depends on this.
A prince's word and action have an effect on numerous people.
So, he shouldn't act so emotionally.
Jungwon, how dare you!
You dulled my senses with your sweet talk...
How can you betray me like this?
You shouldn't have fallen for it to begin with.
What?
I heard Ming was adamant about approving only the first son as the Crown Prince...
so I wanted to check for one last time if you could be my match.
And thanks to you...
I gained confidence.
You were only enjoying wine and fun...
so you must've been lazy in martial arts training.
What on earth are you doing right now?
Your Highness.
Prince Jungwon... what did you dare to do to Prince Imhae?
I did not do anything, sire.
I just didn't get hit by him.
It was only minimal defense.
I only thought of you as a child...
but now you've come to act like an adult.
Yes, so I am also able to fight off enemies.
Jungwon... for me...
I spent the last few years in battlefields
and slayed countless enemies who had murderous eyes with my sword.
First, I did it to survive.
Second, I had people to protect.
The war is not over yet...
so if there is any enemy who attacks me
I will slay him without a moment of hesitation.
So, be careful.
Scholar.
- Scholar. - What a scare!
Lady Ga Hee!
Now you're all dressed up, I almost didn't recognize you.
There is a famous phrase that says 'a woman's transformation is innocent.'
I'm not joking.
Now I see you in person...
I can really accept that you became His Majesty's woman.
Now I should speak in a formal form...
Why are you in the palace?
Did the Crown Prince bring you here?
I am a free spirit to begin with...
but the country needs me...
so I have no choice.
Is that the real reason?
'If it's worthy for me to serve him as my master'...
You're getting right to the point...
I don't know what to say.
Yes, you're right.
It's true.
Father, your face is filled with worries.
Didn't you say this a while ago?
The king has to be the person with the worst luck and most pain in the country.
Yes, that's what I said.
I was already troubled after getting the notice of the Ming's withdawal...
but Imhae swung his fists at a general of Ming on top of that.
Father, the Ming troops should withdraw now.
Half of the people died because of the war.
And the land has been ruined, so it's hard to supply military ration.
But they often steal from the commoner's houses and violate women.
Please make them withdraw now.
Where does your confidence come from?
Do you think you can protect this country and people with your high spirit alone?
- Father... - You are excused.
To Kim Ga Hee who once was my most loyal retainer...
I'm giving a new command.
Protect Father with this bow.
Who are you?
You... belong to Gwiin Kim.
What were you doing here?
Were you spying on me?
Court Lady Oh, take her with you and get her treated.
Yes, my lady.
What's going on?
Court Lady Park snuck into Hwayoogak and eavesdropped like a stray cat.
Did you tell her to do it?
How could I possibly tell her to do something like that?
Sire, that's a misunderstanding.
It seems that she did it out of loyalty when I didn't even ask her.
So you don't know about this?
Yes, I had no idea.
But... this is my fault for not teaching my servants.
I will gladly accept punishment.
I'm really disappointed in you.
Sire, how could you say such thing that saddens me?
I live my life only looking at you.
I can't trust you anymore.
This is a shame.
How could you tell me such a thing?
I've lived my whole life only looking at Your Majesty.
I only look forward to when you'd come visit me...
but you only head to Hwayoogak.
Do you know when was the last time you came to visit me?
Court Lady Park took pity on her master...
and she must've gone to Hwayoogak out of curiosity.
You may leave now.
Sire!
This is... too harsh, sire.
Were you surprised because of Court Lady Park?
I came to apologize to you.
Apology? It's not worthy of your apology, sire.
No, of course I should apologize.
You serve Father, so you're like a mother to me.
Although your rank is low, I'll show my respect the best way I can.
Forgive me, sire.
Your sin of hurting my mother's heart...
Someday, I will pay you back with your death.
The one who tried to assassinate His Majesty was wearing an eunuch's robe.
Wouldn't this mean that spies are hiding in various places of the palace?
You will catch the spy yourself?
I want to catch the spy and meet their leader.
What will you do when you meet him?
No matter how much I think about it...
I don't think they're doing this just over a resentment towards Father.
I will meet with their leader and ask the reason myself.
Then, do you have a plan to meet with the leader?
They are looking for you with lights on their eyes.
You'll have to become the bait.
What... do you mean by that?
Will you really stay closeby?
Yes, I will! How many times do I have to tell you?
Go ahead now.
Even if you're nearby, if someone cuts me with a knife right away, that's the end.
What if I end up dead?
You said you care about your people... How could you use your people like this?
If you really care about your people...
I will do it.
Sire!
Why did you try to harm my father?
Answer me.
Regardless of what you try...
I'll make sure to fight you off.
I will make sure that Father doesn't face any kind of danger.
Even at this moment when you're hanging on to me
we are dutifully carrying out our tasks!
What do you mean by that?
Answer me right now!
Father!
Where is Father right now?
He is greeting the generals of Ming at Taepyunggwan today.
His Majesty has arrived.
You must be having a hard time in this faraway foreign land.
Please enjoy the food.
We hope that both countries can continue a peaceful relationship.
Please enjoy and have fun.
Did you just ask for 10,000 more silver coins?
Yes.
We're supposed to give one nyang 50 jeon a month to our Ming soldiers.
But to hold on to them in Joseon...
wouldn't we need more sliver coins?
Everyone knows that we don't use silver in Joseon.
We don't have any silver, so how...
Sire, are you alright?
What are you doing? Bring water right now.
What are you doing right now?
Father, it's a trap!
Sir!
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