What do you mean I can't tell anyone about Her Highness' phantom pregnancy?
It's as I said. I will trust that you will comply, Doctor.
But I can't do that, Secretary Hong. There is no pregnancy!
- How can we pretend otherwise? - I will take care of that.
I will take care of everything. I promise you will not come to harm.
So please follow my request.
Take care of what, Secretary Hong?
Your Majesty.
What were you discussing with the Physician just now?
Explain yourself. What did I just overhear you say?
It sounded like it was about Concubine Hong's pregnancy.
What is this about? What is it that you'll take care of?
Secretary Hong!
Well...
We were talking about the tonic for Her Highness.
- Tonic? - Yes.
The Physician was worried about the herbs the queen gave him for Her Highness.
I was just telling him not to worry.
- Is that so? - Yes, Your Majesty.
- You may leave, Doctor. - Yes, Your Majesty.
The Royal Hospital is responsible for tonics.
- Leave it to them next time. - But Your Majesty...
Concubine Hong is pregnant. Don't you know what that means?
It is an important event that not only I but the only country has been waiting for.
But what if something goes wrong after you have intervened?
If the baby is fine, then we have no problem. But if something goes wrong, you will be blamed!
So leave these matters to the physicians at the Royal Hospital.
All the eyes and ears of the palace are directed to Concubine Hong's palace.
So do not cause anyone to suspect you.
I do not want you to be harmed because of this!
Yes, Your Majesty. I will heed your advice.
Give the items to Concubine Hong's attendants and tell them how it is to be used.
Yes, Your Highness.
Mother!
I told you not to come out. Did you not hear me?
Please don't say that, Mother.
Mother, what is all this?
- They are gifts from Her Highness to you. - What?
- You may leave us. - Yes, Your Highness.
Mother!
I obtained these from an envoy who returned from Qing.
If a pregnant woman wears luxurious and precious things,
the baby will receive the good energy.
- So please wear these well. - Thank you, Your Highness!
According to the day of your conjugal night, you should be two months pregnant by now.
You should be feeling some cramps in your lower abdomen. How do you feel?
What? Yes... yes. The Physician is taking care of that.
That is good news! I was so worried about your pulse not confirming your pregnancy.
But based on what you're telling me, it seems certain that you have conceived!
The future of our country now depends on you.
I will take good care of you until the day you give birth to a son.
You must also take care of yourself.
Y... yes, Your Highness.
- Are you here to visit your sister? - Yes, Your Highness.
Yes, even though the queen and I will help, she will need her blood relatives near her.
You must visit her often and take good care of her.
Yes, Your Highness.
I am very grateful to you.
If she gives birth to a prince, His Majesty's reign will be strengthened.
I am finally able to let go of my worries because of you.
I am honored, Your Highness.
Go on inside.
What do I do, Older Brother?
Every time I think of Mother, I am so filled with anxiety that I cannot sleep at night.
She is taking such good care of me.
But if she finds out the truth, she will certainly have me punished!
She will decrown me and send me out of the palace!
She will not stop at that.
If Her Highness finds out, you will not only be stripped of your titles,
our entire family will be annihilated.
What? Annihilated?
Lying to the king is punishable by death.
- You should know that! - Then what do we do?
Are you saying that I can cause our entire family to be executed?
Do you now realize the foolish thing you have done?
Because of this, I have also lied to His Majesty.
- Now we have no other choice. - Older Brother!
I have silenced the Physician, so you will tell them you have miscarried later.
We must put an end to this lie.
But what can we do? My pulse has not confirmed the pregnancy yet.
What if they do not believe that I have miscarried?
What if someone plots against me...?
That is why we must ensure that no one can question you.
I will take care of that.
You must try your hardest to conceive again quickly.
That is the only way you can cleanse yourself of this sin. Do you understand me?
Yes, Older Brother.
Your Highness...
I'm going to be alright. My brother will take care of everything!
Did you summon me, My Lord?
Yes, there is something you must look into for me.
You must not divulge this to anyone else and move in complete secrecy!
What? What is this about?
- Your Majesty. - What is it?
The Dowager Queen is waiting for you in your study.
What?
What are you doing here?
Welcome, my King.
I came here to see how you handle the state affairs.
Now that I have seen your study, I am deeply touched.
If I feel like this, I wonder how proud your grandfather would be...
when he look at you from Heaven.
What do you mean by that?
Are you telling me to send back the High State Councilor to Changnyung?
That is so. He will certainly be an obstacle to your reign.
I am telling you that getting rid of him should be your first priority.
If you do this, I will ensure that you will have support from the No Ron members.
Don't you think that this would be of great help to your reign?
You mean you will influence No Ron to support me?
That is correct.
- As I said, I will do anything to be of help... - Your Majesty.
If that is your sincere wish, then please return to your palace.
If there is something you must do for the sake of this country, it is to do nothing.
Alright then. I have no choice.
I must have overstepped my boundaries.
- Your Majesty, Minister Chae is here. - Your Majesty!
- What is it?
Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!
Lord Min Joo Shik has run away from his captors on his way to be interrogated!
What?
His captors have been sent to the Royal Hospital.
You should go speak with them.
I will take my leave now. However...
Do not forget my words of caution regarding Lord Jang Tae Woo.
- So that is what happened. - Yes, My Lord.
Your Majesty!
Stay where you are.
How is their status?
They are still under partial paralysis from the anesthetic darts that were used.
They must be monitored.
Forgive me, Your Majesty! Please punish me for losing the criminal!
No, but more importantly, tell me the circumstances of his escape in detail.
What exactly happened?
I am certain that Lord Jang Tae Woo was behind the escape!
Don't jump to conclusions. The Councilor is a righteous man.
He wouldn't stoop to those measures.
No matter how upright a tree, this is always a knot on the branch.
If you corner anyone, they will think of hasty ways to evade capture.
You can safely say that explains Lord Jang Tae Woo's situation, Your Majesty.
Do you remember giving me full authority to handle this case, Your Majesty?
I remember.
I will not only solve this case, but I will ensure that this cannot happen again.
I will reveal their crimes and leave no stone unturned for them to hide under.
What do you intend to do?
Please give me full authority over this case again, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Alright, if that is what you want, I will put my faith in you.
- Make sure you handle this properly. - Thank you, Your Majesty.
Take a look at this, Your Excellency!
We have all received summons to be investigated because of Lord Min Joo Shik's escape!
What do we do, Your Excellency?
The Imperial Guard has been given full authority to investigate this case.
Bring in anyone that may be involved in the escape.
We must set an example so that no one
ever dares to attempt something like this again.
All methods will be permitted and any protests arising from them will be ignored.
So the Imperial Guard shall show them
what will happen to those who disobey His Majesty's orders!
- Do you understand? - Yes, My Lord.
- Let me go, you fools! - How dare you touch me?
What is the meaning of this? Where are you taking all the officials?
Did you not receive the notice, Councilor?
- This is government matters. Please cooperate. - What?
- How dare you...! - Your Excellency!
Secretary Hong has something to tell you. He is waiting for you.
Look here, Secretary Hong!
Please wait a moment until I finish this report. You may take a seat.
How dare you be so disrespectful?
I told you to wait because I'm a bit busy at the moment...
How dare you greet me in this manner?
Stand up and greet me properly!
I think you are greatly mistaken about something.
You are here to be interrogated. This is not the appropriate place to be so indignant.
So unless you wish to be interrogated with unpleasant means, please answer my questions.
Interrogated? Is this about Min Joo Shik?
I know nothing about that. But if you wish to interrogate me nonetheless,
you may do so at anytime. However...!
Send the others back. There is no reason for you to interrogate them as well!
That is not possible, Your Excellency!
I barely got them in my control. Why should I let them go so easily?
- Secretary Hong! - Do you still not understand the situation?
The officials outside are all the men that supported your boycott.
That is why I am grateful to you for having brought this to this stage.
I have received my opportunity to show them a taste of their own medicine because of you.
Everyone will most certainly find out what happens to those who disobey His Majesty.
Is that right?
But this looks more like a punishment for going against Hong Gook Young,
than going against His Majesty.
Think whatever you wish.
No matter what you think of me, I will uphold His Majesty's authority
and show you what it means to be a loyal subject.
What is the meaning of this?
Did that Hong Gook Young order this? How dare you be so impudent!
- Shut your mouth, Minister. - What...?
We are carrying out His Majesty's orders.
If you have another outburst, you will be accused of disrupting His Majesty's orders!
So if you want this to end quietly,
you better cooperate and answer all of our questions quickly.
Do you understand?
Please reconsider, Your Majesty!
Reconsider? Reconsider what?
Your Majesty, Secretary Hong has overstepped himself to threaten the other officials.
He is using Min Joo Shik's escape as an excuse to threaten them!
How interesting.
Just a while ago, you arrested everyone involved in attacking the No Ron officials.
You begged me to punish them accordingly.
And was that all? All of you came to me and begged me to interrogate Secretary Hong.
But now that he is in charge of investigations, you are telling me that he has gone too far?
According to you, it is appropriate to interrogate those who are innocent.
And it is an inappropriate use of authority to investigate guilty parties?
Your Majesty!
If you are innocent, it will be revealed. So you must all be investigated!
The Chief of the Imperial Guard Hong Gook Young is doing everything according to my orders.
Trying to get out of being investigated will be seen as guilt and punished accordingly.
Do you understand?
Will you allow this to continue, Your Majesty?
Your Majesty!
Just let it be, Minister.
Let Hong Gook Young do as he wishes.
It will not be a bad thing if Secretary Hong finds a way to subdue Jang Tae Woo.
It is also not a bad thing for government to turn its back on Hong Gook Young.
Either way, we have nothing to lose.
More importantly, what is the situation of what we discussed earlier?
I have taken care of it, Your Majesty.
Minister!
What did you say? The one who rescued me was the Dowager Queen?
Her Majesty was saddened by how you were being used as a scapegoat.
She thinks that you have more important things to accomplish.
But because Jang Tae Woo does not acknowledge you, she has rescued you instead.
Your Excellency!
I know you are uncomfortable, but while Her Majesty is behind you, you can live.
You may even be able to return to the palace at a later time.
Her Majesty is waiting for your answer.
Can I go back to her and tell her that you have sworn your loyalty to her?
If there is something you must do for the sake of this country, it is to do nothing.
I can't do that, my King.
Why would I have tried to hard to return to
the inner court of the palace if I couldn't do anything?
- These are the matters that must be settled today? - Yes, Your Majesty.
- Then send them to the Secretariat to be processed. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Is there something you wanted to say to me, Minister?
What is it? You may tell me.
Your Majesty, are you really going to let Secretary Hong handle this investigation?
Why do you ask, Minister?
It is my opinion that Secretary Hong has overstepped his boundaries.
It may even affect this investigation. Please have a talk with him.
No, Minister. I intend to just monitor the situation.
- But Your Majesty... - Secretary Hong is my most trusted subject.
And that will not change in the future.
You once said yourself that you have never seen anyone as talented or courageous as him.
It is only fair that Secretary Hong now possesses great authority and power.
Right now, he has to learn how to wield that authority and power.
He has a genius mind, but he also has the capability to be weakened by that same mind.
He will most certainly make mistakes.
But even so, he is capable of learning from his mistakes.
I plan on being patient and waiting for it to happen.
Your Majesty...
They have been waiting for you for longer than an hour, My Lord.
Oh, welcome!
Why are you lowering your heads to me, Your Excellencies?
Would we do so if you didn't deserve it? Don't concern yourself about such things!
Let's not just stand here. Let's go inside!
We were worried you wouldn't come.
Thank you for coming!
Please tell me the reason for this gathering.
You certainly have an impatient temper!
Why else would we want to see you?
It's because of the investigation, of course!
We are completely innocent of the attack on the custodians and the escape of Lord Min.
That's right. Please trust our innocence!
Let's see. If that is the case, then shouldn't you show it by your actions?
If you want me to believe your innocence, a few glasses of wine is not enough.
In the future, why don't you watch those loose lips of yours?
What?
If you continue to block His Majesty's reforms and insult his authority and reign,
how can I trust any of you?
So if you want to earn my trust, you must keep those mouths closed.
Do you understand what I am saying?
I said that's not it!
This isn't sensual. It's perverted, you rock head!
- But Master... - The lifeblood of erotica is subtle sensuality.
You can't just paint a nude shoulder and think that is sensual!
Look at me.
When a woman is facing away, approach her and look into her eyes.
How is it? Isn't it sensual?
But shouldn't we still show some nude shoulder, Master?
What?
And this position is infamous in the Capital for arousing the passions of all the men!
Show a little shoulder and turn the head...
What man will have a nosebleed looking at that position?
- What if she's raising her arms and... - Master!
- What? - What about this?
That's the same position as mine!
That's it!
When you put your arms like that, you show off the outline of the arms!
- And you emphasize the body! - What?
- Really? - You are becoming a prodigy!
Thank you, Master!
Wait. Take your tongue and lick your upper lip.
That's better. That's much better!
Master!
What... what are you doing?
Song Yeon, it's urgent! We have to go to the palace right now!
- Why? - Concubine Hong is demanding her folding screen now!
But she said that we can have until the 25th day of this month to finish it.
I know! She told us to take our time, but now she wants it immediately!
You sent Concubine Hong an Aecho tonic?
Any royal pregnancy must be examined carefully.
That is why after the Physician has confirmed the pregnancy, an Aecho tonic is prepared.
I heard that the tonic had yet to be given to her,
so I instructed the Royal Hospital to prepare it.
The Aecho tonic is safe for the baby,
but Concubine Hong will be suffering from abdominal cramps for half a day.
Please go to her and see if she needs anything.
Yes, Mother.
Please remain seated, Concubine Hong.
How are you feeling? Are your abdominal cramps bad?
Abdominal cramps? I haven't had any, Your Majesty.
Really? Did you not drink the Aecho tonic today?
What? Aecho tonic?
Did the nurse not bring you the Aecho tonic today?
I was in the outhouse and did not speak with the nurse.
What tonic did she bring me?
This tonic is used to confirm pregnancy.
What?
- Why are you surprised? - You want to confirm my pregnancy?
Why are you doing this?
- Are you suspicious that I have lied about...? - Suspicious? Of course not.
It is merely a custom of the Royal Court.
Are you sure you have had no abdominal cramps?
- As far as I know... - I had cramps! I had them!
I don't know if it was the Aecho tonic, but I did drink something.
And my stomach hurt after that!
I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry about me!
- Is that so? - Yes, Your Majesty.
What a considerate person you are. Why did you hide such a minor thing from me?
- Forgive me, Your Majesty. - Lady Kim, give her the plum juice.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Plum is an excellent fruit for pregnant women. Have some.
First it didn't hurt, and then it hurt. Is she playing games?
But Your Majesty, something was odd about the way she accused you of being suspicious...
You didn't say anything, but she was so defensive...!
That's enough. Pregnant women are known to be highly sensitive.
And Concubine Hong is a sensitive person to begin with, so I'm sure it's worse.
- Why didn't you tell me the nurse was here? - Forgive me, Your Highness!
I didn't know what kind of tonic it was and put it aside to give to you later.
That's enough. We are safe now, but who knows what the queen will do.
Hurry to my brother and tell him to handle things quickly!
Yes, Your Highness!
Why is my folding screen still unfinished!
Forgive us, Your Highness, but you told us we had until the end of the month to...
Silence! Is this how the Bureau handles things?
It seems like it is not just you that is impudent!
Forgive us, Your Highness.
Your Highness, it is time for your tonic.
Tonic? Didn't I just drink it?
This is a special motherwort tonic your brother sent you.
My brother?
He gave special instructions for you to drink it five times a day.
Alright. I'll drink it in my chambers.
My goodness! I have never met anyone more difficult than myself!
I'm afraid she'll appear in my dreams!
She's gone, right?
I followed the Physician like you told me to.
This is a list of all the people that he met the last few days.
- Thanks, Uncle. - Why is Secretary Hong making you do this?
I don't know, but perhaps it has to do with Concubine Hong.
Well, since she's pregnant, it's good to be careful.
Go.
As you wanted, we had the Physician followed.
There were a few things that were odd.
Alright. Well done.
Why are you having him investigated?
Do you think he is going to harm Concubine Hong?
- No. - Then why...?
Forget about this incident. And keep everything to yourself.
Yes, My Lord.
Give that to Her Highness and tell her to do everything as written.
Yes, My Lord.
Today, a feast is being in Concubine Hong's honor.
You have all heard His Majesty's order to make this feast a momentous occasion.
There must be no mistakes today.
- Do you hear me? - Yes, Sir!
Then I will call out your responsibilities, so make sure there are no mistakes!
Royal Artists Tak and Yi shall be responsible for painting the dancers...
Your Majesty! What brings you all the way here?
I have come to accompany you to the feast.
Your Majesty!
I have not paid you enough attention because of my work.
But today we will celebrate. It will be good for the baby as well.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
Let's go.
Now that I know your true feelings, I will treat you as before.
I hope you will do the same for me.
- Concubine Hong! What's wrong? - Your Majesty, Her Highness is bleeding!
Take Her Highness to her chambers immediately!
Take her to her chambers and call the Physician!
Your Majesty!
- Your Majesty! - How is she?
The Physician is examining her at the moment.
This is not good. I will go and see her myself!
How is she? Is she and the baby alright?
Say something! Her Highness has asked you a question!
Your Highness, I deserve to be executed!
Executed? What are you saying? Tell me!
I believe she has suffered a miscarriage, Your Highness!
What?
What did you just say? A miscarriage?
Your Highness!
A miscarriage? That cannot be!
How could this...?
Mother! Come here and take care of her!
Mother! Please come to your senses!
Mother! What do we do?
Go and fetch the other physicians!
Your Majesty!
What is the matter? Why are you out here?
Your Majesty, Her Highness has lost consciousness!
Mother has lost consciousness? Why?
Has Concubine Hong lost the baby?
Please forgive me, Your Majesty! Please have me executed!
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
Are you alright, Mother?
This cannot be happening!
It was such a long-awaited pregnancy. How could it be lost so easily?
This is all my fault.
Please forgive me, Mother.
Mother...
Your Majesty...
My Queen!
Your Majesty!
Why haven't you return to your palace? Why are you still here?
I couldn't go, Your Majesty.
The baby is lost and Mother had lost consciousness.
How could a sinner like me rest in my chambers?
I couldn't do that, Your Majesty.
Why do you call yourself a sinner, my Queen?
No, Your Majesty. This is all because of my unworthiness.
I am not able to fulfill my duty as Queen to bear you an heir.
And now I have lost our heir from Concubine Hong.
This is all because I did not pay enough attention to Concubine Hong.
How will I ever find atonement for my sins?
My Queen...
Do not think that way.
Everything is the will of Heaven.
How can you claim responsibility for this when no one has control over it?
Your Majesty...
- How is Her Highness? - She is laying still as the Physician ordered.
Now there is no way to undo this. You must take extra care now.
Yes, My Lord.
Your Majesty, Secretary Hong is here.
- Your Majesty... - You're here.
Have a seat.
Will you have a drink with me?
No, Your Majesty.
Do you know something? I never said anything,
but I was very happy when I heard Concubine Hong was pregnant.
When I was alone, I would pretend I was holding the baby
and laugh quietly to myself.
I never showed it, but I think I wanted to be a father badly.
Your Majesty!
I'm sorry, Secretary Hong.
I don't have the courage to face you.
I feel so guilty that I cannot even look in your eyes.
Your Majesty, please don't say that.
How can you say that to someone as disloyal and guilty as me?
No. I brought your sister here and didn't even take care of her properly.
How much suffering have I brought her?
And how much will you suffer because of what has happened to your sister?
Your Majesty!
I'm sorry, Secretary Hong. This is all my fault.
Please forgive me.
Your Majesty!
I'm sorry, Secretary Hong. This is all my fault.
Please forgive me.
Your Majesty...!
Stop it already! Other people will think you've miscarried instead!
How can you say that, Aunt? This is worse than miscarrying my own child!
We may have lost the future king of this country!
Alright, we know you're upset. We're upset too!
How could this happen?
She was fine all long! How could she have miscarried?
- Something's strange, Uncle. - What?
It was strange when Secretary Hong asked me to follow the Physician around.
- I think there's a plot behind this. - What? A plot?
Yes, and I think Secretary Hong got wind of it beforehand.
If only I had done things properly... This would never have happened!
Take her to her chambers and call the Physician!
Your Majesty...!
No, Mother, you can't! You have not yet recovered fully!
Mother...!
What do you mean by that, Mother? You want an investigation?
That's what I said.
She was perfectly fine until yesterday.
The baby was growing perfectly well until yesterday.
So how could she bleed and miscarry the child so suddenly?
- Mother... - This child was eagerly awaited by everyone.
This child would have been your heir to the throne!
We cannot let things lie when we have lost this child!
If this is the Physician's fault, I will have his life for his crime.
And if someone else is responsible, I will reveal who it is.
I will make them pay for causing harm to the royal heir!
So what are you saying?
Are you saying that you will tell them that Her Highness was never pregnant?
Then what do you want me to do?
I will be held responsible for her miscarriage when she wasn't even pregnant!
- I have no choice but to tell His Majesty... - No.
You won't be able to do that.
What is this?
You seemed to have purchased a lot of land
with bribe money from medicine merchants.
This should be enough evidence to remove you from your position.
- Now look here, Secretary Hong... - I told you I would take care of everything.
So if you don't want to be harmed, do not do anything rash.
What are you planning to do?
If we cannot give a reason for the miscarriage, I will be tortured and interrogated!
- Then we must find a reason! - What?
That means you will have to find the reason why Her Highness miscarried.
Really? Secretary Hong was with the Royal Physician?
Yes, they looked like they were discussing something in secret.
How interesting.
What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?
He should be enraged by the miscarriage, but he is strangely calm.
And now he's in secret talks with the Royal Physician...
Go to my private residence.
Go and bring that physician from before.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Sirs, have you seen Secretary Hong? I've looked for him everywhere!
- He is at the Gisaeng House. - What? The Gisaeng House?
Yes, he said he wanted to drink.
Can you imagine how he's feeling right now?
My Lord!
- You're here. - What are you doing here, My Lord?
You shouldn't just sit here! You should go find the culprits!
What? The culprits? I should go find them?
- My Lord! - Forget it. Here, have some wine.
I feel like I've fallen in a mudpit.
My Lord!
Do you know that feeling, Dae Su? The more I try to escape,
the more it sucks me back in.
So what is it that you came here to tell me?
Your Majesty, I obeyed Her Highness' orders
and investigated the cause of the miscarriage.
I am here because I think I know the reason.
What? Is that so?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Then tell me! Why did Concubine Hong have a miscarriage?
There were no mistakes made by the physicians and nurses.
But the tonics from outside the palace
might have had harmful ingredients that affected Her Highness and the baby.
What do you mean by that? The tonics from outside the palace?
Who could have done such an outrageous thing?
Speak, Physician!
It was the tonic that was sent by Her Majesty the Queen!
As far as I know, there can be no other reason
why Her Highness miscarried.
It was because of the tonic that the queen gave her?
Are you telling me that the reason for the miscarriage was...
the Queen?
Your Majesty...