No, Your Majesty! It is not her fault!
Please listen to me! All this was planned by me!
Her Majesty had nothing to do with this! Please believe me!
I swear to you that she had nothing to do with this!
It was all my doing! Her Majesty tried to stop me!
She told me that I shouldn't do this and tried to stop me!
She tried to stop me from using the explosives to kill the prince!
Please believe me, Your Majesty! It's the truth.
What did you just say?
What do you mean she tried to stop you?
Are you telling me that she knew about this beforehand?
Your Majesty, that is...
How can this be!
- Your Majesty, that's not what I meant. I... - Take him away!
- Your Majesty! - Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
- Your Majesty...! - Leave me, all of you.
Let me go! I have to speak to His Majesty!
- Don't, Dae Su! - Dae Su!
One more word from you and I will cut off your head!
So shut your mouth! Do you understand?
What is the matter with you? Did something happen inside?
- It was the queen all along. - All along what?
It was the queen who was behind the assassination!
What?
- The queen? You must be mistaken! - No.
Lord Kim Gui Joo was the one who said it.
She knew exactly what was going to happen during the Year-End Festivities.
According to Chief Hong Gook Young, the person behind all the assassination attempts...
The leader of the enemy... It was the queen!
- Your Highness... - I want to be alone.
Yes, Your Highness.
Are you telling me that she knew about this beforehand?
Her Majesty tried to stop me!
She told me that I shouldn't do this and tried to stop me!
She tried to stop me from using the explosives to kill the prince!
I have heard many ugly rumors circulating around the palace.
Although the rumors all malign the prince, I do not believe them, Your Majesty.
The prince is a cautious and thoughtful young man.
There is no reason for him to have done such an outrageous thing.
How could you have ordered the prince to rule in your stead at a time like this?
How could you not have expected the opposition and rejection the prince would have suffered?
I kept the Imperial Decree.
I did it to protect the prince and the chaos in the government that would ensue from it.
- Deliver this letter to the Minister of Personnel. - Yes, My Lord.
- Is Secretary Jung here already? - Yes, Your Excellency.
Is that the only plan we have?
And if we turn Her Majesty over to them?
If His Majesty finds out about this, he will not spare her life.
Then what should we have done? Should we have offered our necks up as well?
Do you think we did this simply to save our own two necks?
We had no other choice. If we don't give up Her Majesty, we will all die!
- Will it work? - It must.
How?
We must all say that it was Her Majesty who wanted to kill the prince all this time.
The only people found to be involved in this incident is Her Majesty and her brother.
There is no evidence that any of us were involved in that attempt, Your Excellency.
Even though the prince found our account books, he cannot get rid of us simply because of that.
If we insist that it was monetary gifts from the princess, they will not have any case against us.
This may all be over with a mild disciplinary action.
But trying to assassinate the prince is a different matter.
We must deny any involvement.
Therefore, our only solution is to blame everything on Her Majesty.
It was Her Majesty who called in Lord Kim and create this mess.
Her error has cost all of us. She must take responsibility for that.
What will you do now, Minister? Do you still insist on being on her side?
What will we say to the queen? She will not go quietly.
I will meet with her.
- Your Majesty, it is Attendant Kam. - Enter.
What is His Majesty doing now?
- Is he still not receiving any visitors? - That is not the important thing, Your Majesty.
- What do you mean? - I heard news of Lord Kim while I was there.
He is said to have been imprisoned in the tribunal dungeons last night.
What? The tribunal dungeons?
Yes, Your Majesty!
- I must go to the tribunal now. - No, now is not the time, Your Majesty.
- People are watching... - I don't care!
Your Majesty, Lord Kim Gui Joo cannot have any visitors by His Majesty's orders!
That is why I am meeting with you now. I must see my brother now.
What are you doing just standing there? Tell me how I can see my brother!
Yes, Your Majesty. Please wait a moment.
- Move aside for a while. - Yes, Sir!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
What has happened? Are you alright?
Your Majesty! Please have me killed!
Tell me what happened? Were you kidnapped by the prince?
Did you tell them everything?
This is not the time for emotions! Tell me so that I can think of something!
It's no use! It's too late, Your Majesty!
We were tricked by Secretary Jung and Princess Hwa Wan, Your Majesty!
What do you mean by that!
Stop being so frustrating and tell me! What is going on?
Your Majesty...!
I went to your chambers but was told you were here, Your Majesty.
Insolent fool! How dare you...!
How dare you do this to me!
- Forgive me, Your Majesty! - Shut your mouth!
How dare you speak?
Do you think I will be defeated so easily? Do you think I will let you beat me?
Please forgive me, Your Majesty.
This is all because of my inadequacy and unworthiness.
But what can we do?
You know full well that there is no other way.
What?
You already know that there is no other way.
You also know that you must keep the others alive for the future.
You.... how dare you...!
Please accept my apologies, Your Majesty.
Please forgive me for not having been able to serve you well.
But you will have to take the full blame.
It is our creed to take the blame for everyone else when we have been found out.
It was you that created that creed, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty...
I will go to the Grand Palace.
Your Majesty, the queen asks for your audience.
Your Majesty!
- Your Majesty, he is not responding. - Announce me again.
- But he has ordered us not to let... - Your Majesty, it is I!
I have something to tell you! Please grant me an audience, Your Majesty!
- Your Majesty! - Let her enter.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Please go in.
Your Majesty, I have just seen my brother in the tribunal dungeons.
While I was there, I heard something shocking and outrageous.
Your Majesty! All of this is a trap and a misunderstanding!
I can explain everything! You trust me, don't you?
You know my character better than anyone, Your Majesty!
I thought so too, at one point.
Your character...
Your thoughts...
I thought I knew.
- Your Majesty! - I don't need explanations from you.
From now on, you will no longer speak in front of me.
And from now, you will listen to what I have to say.
Your Majesty! Are you alright?
Your Majesty!
What is happening with the queen?
Why is His Majesty refusing to see her?
Nothing is certain yet,
but I think that it has something to do with Lord Kim's involvement in the incident at the festivities.
Are you saying that it wasn't an accident?
We cannot dismiss that possibility.
As you well know, the prince's life has always been threatened.
Because we could never find evidence, no one believed our claims.
They even accused the prince of being insane.
But this time will be different.
We will reveal the identities of his enemies and prevent his life from being threatened again.
Do you think that the queen was involved in this incident?
I hope not, but we cannot dismiss the possibility.
Your Highness, Chief Hong is here.
- Let him enter. - Yes, Your Highness.
- Then I will leave you. - No, you must hear this as well.
Please sit down.
Lord Kim Gui Joo has been imprisoned in the Tribunal dungeons per His Majesty's orders.
Does that mean that you have confirmed his involvement in the incident at the festivities?
Yes, but that was obvious from the start.
We have discovered the mastermind behind this whole thing.
- Who was it? - It was Her Majesty, the queen.
I know how shocking this is for both of you.
But the person most hurt by this revelation is the prince.
Although I have found out the truth, I do not know how to soothe his wounded heart.
It is now your chance to help the prince.
Your Highness, the Minister is here.
Let him enter.
Your Highness, we heard from Chief Hong.
I was so shocked to hear that it was Her Majesty.
Are you alright, Your Highness?
I am trying to accept it.
I am more worried about His Majesty.
His Majesty will be suffering more than me right now.
The queen was his source of comfort and strength.
This must all be so shocking for him.
Where did he drink so much? Dae Su! Dae Su!
Come to your senses, Dae Su! Dae Su!
Song Yeon!
- Song Yeon, help me with him. - Alright.
Come to your senses, Dae Su!
- Come to your senses! - Here, over here.
I wonder if something happened. He's never done this before.
- I'll go get some water. - I'll get it.
Dae Su, what's wrong? Why did you drink so much?
- Song Yeon... - What is it? Tell me.
Song Yeon, what should we do about our poor prince?
What do we do with him?
What happened?
We found out who was behind the plot to assassinate the prince, Song Yeon.
It... it was....
It was the queen.
How could that happen, Song Yeon?
How could she do such a thing?
Our poor prince...
Our prince...
Have you all received the notice? We're supposed to gather for a meeting.
Yes.
I'm scared to attend! I feel like we will all be executed there and then!
But if Her Majesty takes all the blame, then we will be safe!
How is that possible? He will want to find everyone involved!
Don't you know His Majesty's personality?
What will happen to us? Do we just wait until His Majesty orders us killed?
Shouldn't we put up a petition on Her Majesty and Lord Kim Gui Joo's innocence?
Don't be foolish.
Everything has been revealed. His Majesty won't believe us.
- Then what do we do? - Let's wait and see what His Majesty says.
I think this may be your last Cabinet meeting, My Lord.
But at least your life will be spared.
Your Majesty, the Ministers have arrived.
Alright.
His Majesty, the King!
The reason I have called this meeting is to discuss the incident at the festivities.
A few days ago, I appointed Inspector Hong Gook Young to Chief Inspector.
I asked him to investigate this incident.
I asked him to find who it was that had tried to commit such an outrageous thing.
But investigations revealed that it was merely an accident.
- Please forgive me, Your Majesty, but... - Remain silent, Chief Inspector.
The explosions occurred because the Arsenal Chief prepared the fireworks incorrectly.
There was no one after the prince.
But even so, this accident ruined a royal event,
put the lives of the royal family in danger, and thus cannot be forgiven.
Therefore, the Minister of Rites and the Second Royal Secretary Kim Gui Joo
will be stripped of their positions and exiled.
With this, I will close this case. Do not make mention of this incident to me again.
- Do you understand? - Yes, Your Majesty!
Your Highness, how could this happen! How could he forget what we found?
- How could he do this? - What is going on, Your Highness?
Didn't you say that His Majesty heard him confess everything?
They may have gotten to His Majesty! I will meet with him.
- I will speak to him and find out... - Enough.
You mean... you mean you won't fight against this?
Really? Is that true?
His Majesty said everything was an accident?
Yes, Mother. That's what he said.
The prince was surprised as well by his decision.
I think His Majesty has determined to cover everything up.
- What about the queen? - Doesn't this mean he is forgiving her?
No, that is not possible.
I heard that Her Majesty was at the Grand Palace.
She was in there for a long time.
But when she came out, her face was said to be pale and lifeless.
I don't understand it. What is His Majesty's intention?
Does that mean that he is going to forgive Her Majesty and Lord Kim?
Although this has been classified as an accident,
the Minister of Rites and Lord Kim will be held responsible and punished.
- But they will not be executed. - Do you understand His Majesty's intention?
How could he make such a decision when he knows they were trying to kill the prince?
If this situation is further revealed, there will be hundreds of people found guilty.
- He cannot punish them all. - But even so, how can he let them live?
How is that different from encouraging them to continue threatening the prince's life?
- Please be calm, Your Highness! - How can I be calm at a time like this?
He had his own son killed, but why is he being so merciful now?
I don't understand it! I can't accept this decision!
But investigations revealed that it was merely an accident.
With this, I will close this case.
Do not make mention of this incident to me again. Do you understand?
- Has His Majesty not retired to bed yet? - Yes, Your Highness.
- It does not seem so. - Let him know I am here.
Yes, Your Highness.
Why do you not ask me any questions?
Aren't you here to question why I made that decision?
Your Majesty, why did you make such a decision?
Why have you decided to cover up this outrageous crime?
I do not understand at all.
I am sorry.
Your Majesty!
I am sorry for putting you through this.
I am sorry for putting you through all this and covering it up after it's been revealed.
- Your Majesty, why do you say such things? - No.
- I must ask you to forgive me a hundred times over. - Your Majesty...
At first, I decided to have the queen exiled.
But I couldn't do that.
I first saw the queen fourteen years ago, when I was sixty-six.
Because the nation needed a queen, I approved her coronation.
At that time, she was only fifteen years old.
I felt pity for her.
But my desire to treat her well was always overshadowed by my work.
I lived in my office surrounded by my Ministers.
I never said an affectionate word to her.
The queen has committed an unpardonable sin.
She cannot be forgiven.
But if she didn't have her greed for power, how would she have survived this far?
I couldn't get that thought out of my head.
Your Majesty...
The queen is no longer the queen.
I will address her again, and she will never be allowed to leave her palace.
Even though she will be alive, her life will never be the same again.
I told her to be thankful for her life and to live out her days quietly.
I told her that I never wanted to hear her voice or her breath again.
I told her to never show herself before others and to live as a ghost.
I will never forgive her.
I am sure you feel the same.
But I could not take her life.
Can you understand my decision?
Even after my death,
can you keep her alive?
Father... What should I do?
What should I do now?
Why is it so quiet?
What's the matter with you today? You've been pacing back and forth all day!
Just go to the toilet!
According to what Dae Su said, there should be bloodshed in the palace!
- But isn't it too quiet? - What?
- What are you doing out here? - Something's strange.
What's so strange?
The Royal Guards are here, but they look terrible and told us not to come in.
Where are your intuitions, girls? Just do as they ask.
What?
Stop drinking! What's the point of this?
It's because I'm on fire! If I don't drink this, I'll burn up in flames!
This can't happen! They've been trying to murder the prince all his life.
They are the same people who framed the late Crown Prince!
If they live through this, they will surely try to kill the prince again!
How could we allow them to slip through our fingers?
Song Yeon! Song Yeon!
Hurry! Something big has happened outside!
- Something big? What happened? - Hurry and come out with me!
- What is it? - Just come with me!
- Congratulations, Song Yeon! - Congratulations!
What is this about?
Congratulations on being the Attendant Damo for the royal portrait!
So this was all a trick to get me out here?
- Here, take this. - What is this?
We got you a deer tail brush to congratulate you!
- Chobi... - Don't be too thankful to her.
- She paid the least amount of money! - That's right!
- But I chose it! - Thank you!
Oh, and go to the art studio. Artist Tak is looking for you.
- Really? - More confetti, more confetti!
So you're going to take Song Yeon?
You were so mean to her before. Are you acknowledging her talent now?
Not at all. I'm merely giving her an opportunity.
What nonsense! You're trying to use her!
What? What kind of man do you think I am?
What kind of man? I think you're a manipulative man!
- Did you look for me, Sir? - Oh, yes.
- You know the Royal Portrait is today? - Yes, Sir.
We have to enter the palace before the Hour of the Ram (1-3pm),
so hurry and make preparations.
Is the Royal Portrait really happening as planned?
What do you mean by that?
I heard something has happened at the palace.
What? Something? What happened?
No, nothing.
At the Hour of the Dragon (7-9am), there is a Cabinet meeting.
After that, there is a briefing by the officials.
And at the Hour of the Ram, the Bureau will be here to paint the Royal Portrait.
Your Majesty, your face is clouded.
Are you unwell?
No, but I am tired.
In that case, I will cancel all your appointments and call for the physician.
No, keep all the appointments. I have delayed them for too long.
Are you alright, Sir?
I don't know! I don't know why my hand is doing that.
His Majesty, the King!
- You may begin. - Yes, My Lord.
- Bring me another sheet of paper. - Yes, Sir.
- I can't do it. - Sir!
What is the problem? Why are you taking so long?
You...!
What is it?
- I asked you a question. - It's... it's nothing.
The artist is too nervous...
So will he do the Royal Portrait or won't he?
Your Majesty!
Start the portrait again! How dare you do this in front of His Majesty?
If you do this again, you will pay!
I will do the sketch for you.
What? How dare you!
Is something else wrong?
No, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, the sketch will be done by this girl with your permission.
What are you saying? How dare a Damo female paint His Majesty!
She is not a Damo, but an Artist at our Bureau.
Silence! How dare you speak such nonsense!
Wait a moment.
A Bureau Artist? That girl?
Yes, Your Majesty. That is so.
Even though her position is a Damo,
her talents have been acknowledged by the Bureau and she is receiving training as an artist.
Is that so?
But even so, a lowly female cannot paint the Royal Portrait, Your Majesty!
That is not so.
I am curious to see how talented you are to have been made an artist from a Damo.
Since I am here already, why don't you start painting the portrait?
You are gracious, Your Majesty!
Thank... thank you, Song Yeon. I avoided trouble because of you.
Not at all! I just did what you instructed me during your lessons.
I don't know what happened today, but I will fix my hand for the next time.
Yes, Sir.
Wait a moment.
- What is it, My Lord? - Not you. The girl.
You will stay behind. His Majesty has ordered you to his chambers tonight.
Wh... what? Me?
What do you mean he wanted her in join him in his chambers tonight?
How stupid can you be? What else could it mean?
Her Majesty became queen when she was only fifteen.
That means that His Majesty likes young girls!
My goodness! Does that mean she's going to sleep with the king?
- Oh my goodness! - She's so lucky!
I'm so jealous!
- Change her clothes and prepare her. - Yes, My Lady.
Sit down.
So what is your name?
I am Sung Song Yeon, Your Majesty.
It is a good name. It suits your lovely appearance.
Thank... thank you, Your Majesty.
- Bring it in. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Do you know how to paint Maehwa*? (*A painting of a plum tree)
- What? - I feel like looking at a Maehwa today.
You seem to have quite a talent.
Will you draw a Maehwa for me today?
It is very similar.
It looks almost the same.
It looks like the painting drawn by someone long gone.
You possess a great talent.
Where did you learn how to paint?
My late father was an artist.
Is that so? Then did you learn from him?
Yes, Your Majesty.
When he came home after work, he used to teach me.
I always begged him to teach me, and he never turned me away.
He must have been a wonderful father.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
That is what a father should do. A father should always support his children.
But I... Even to my only son...
... and even to my only grandson... I have never done so.
But the person most hurt by this revelation is the prince.
It is now your chance to help the prince.
- Your Highness, it is Attendant Kim. - Enter.
What did you find? How is the prince doing?
Your Highness, the prince is not at the Eastern Palace!
What? Where is he?
His attendants don't know either!
What? How could they not know that?
What do you mean His Highness isn't here?
You mean he didn't let you know either?
This is bad! Where could he possibly be?
I searched the entire palace for him, but he was no where to be found.
- What did you find? - No one has heard from him.
I checked with all the Royal Guards, but no one is with His Highness.
It was the same with the Capital Army.
Then where can His Highness be? He's not here and he didn't ask any of us to go with him!
Where could he have gone?