- I caught you! - Oh no, I've been caught!
Father!
- Were you playing hide and seek? - Yes, Father! And I caught you!
Yes, and now I have to be the seeker!
~Recites Chinese poetry~
Do you know what that means?
It means that our bodies were given to us by our parents. (Crown Prince Moon Hyo)
Good. You have learned your lessons well.
Thank you, Father.
He has been studying new passages,
and he never fails at memorizing them!
Look at that! How can such a young boy produce such calligraphy!
Do you know what that character means?
It means Mother and Father.
Don't you think his intelligence is far beyond anyone his age?
- Yes, he reminds me of you at that age. - No, Advisor.
No, I was never that smart. He has surpassed me!
I'm going to take that and boast about his progress to the Gyujunggak custodians!
The Crown Prince's intelligence will bring great fortune to your reign, Your Majesty.
It won't only bring fortune to me. He will change the nation and government.
He will become Crown Prince and become heir to the throne!
Your Highness, the sweets you ordered have arrived.
- Indeed? Send them in. - Yes, Your Highness.
Bring them in.
Did you bring the pine pollen cakes too? It's the Prince's favorite.
Yes, Your Highness.
When is he coming? Send another message to Concubine Sung.
Yes, Your Highness. I will do so.
You did? You wrote a character for your father?
Yes, Mother. He was very pleased and praised me!
You must show me next time. I want to see your calligraphy as well.
Yes, Mother.
- Your Majesty. - I came here to walk with the Prince.
- I'm glad I wasn't too late. - Yes, Your Majesty.
- Our prince has grown overnight! - Thank you, Your Majesty!
Your presence here indicates that Mother has grown impatient again.
Yes, Your Highness. She has been waiting all day.
You must hurry. Mother waits all day to see the Prince.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Let's go.
Indeed? Our prince has already learned how to hold a brush?
Yes, Grandmother.
Thank you! I will wait for the day when you write me a letter!
- Here, this is your favorite Pine Pollen Cakes. - Thank you, Grandmother.
Is the king still giving the prince his lessons personally?
Yes, Mother. He is still teaching him in the midst of his other duties.
His Majesty is so pleased with the prince's progress.
Of course he is. How can he not be pleased at the progress of his own son?
How remarkable you are, my Prince! How can you be so intelligent and so mature?
Father told me that I must focus on my studies as I will become Crown Prince.
Is that so? Did your father really tell you that you would become Crown Prince?
Yes, Grandmother.
You look troubled. Is it because of what the prince said inside?
The ministers barely acknowledge him as a royal prince.
So how can His Majesty publicly state his desire for him to become Crown Prince?
It is only normal that the prince will become Crown Prince when he becomes older.
Why do you worry yourself over this?
There is still an opportunity for you and Concubine Yoon.
- You can still bear His Majesty's heir... - No.
The heir to the throne is that child.
No matter what the ministers say, that child is the heir to the throne.
I believe that as the only male heir of His Majesty, it is clear that he becomes the Crown Prince.
- Your Majesty... - I know what you're worried about.
There will be more chaos than the time when he was acknowledged as a royal prince.
But this is an obstacle that we must face.
Do not be weak.
No matter what others say, that child has a right to become heir.
Your Majesty...
- What about the water supply? - Excuse me?
- Is there a reservoir in the area? - There is no reservoir but there is a large river.
Give me the other map.
- Your Majesty! - You're back.
What is that you're holding up?
Nothing, Your Majesty. What brings you all the way here?
Please have a seat.
What a mess you have here!
- Even so, this is organized. - Organized?
You mean this chaos here?
The area you sitting has information regarding a dam for Suwon.
Over there are plans for fortification, over here are design plans,
And way over there is information about Suwon's trade and industry.
- Then everything is going to plan? - Yes, Your Majesty.
- Then let's hear what you have to say. - Yes, your Majesty.
This is a location called Yoochun, south of Mt. Palda.
Indeed?
It is not mountainous and has roads leading to Chunju and Naju.
It is a perfect location due to its proximity to Anju and Daegu.
How are preparations going for my father's new tomb, Hyun Ryoong Won?
Let us tell you about that, Your Majesty.
We are in the midst of setting up the Office of Ceremonies in Suwon.
- Then where are their duties being performed now? - We are using a school for the time being.
But we will need to move to a new location soon.
This are the names of the landowners who own the land in Yoochun.
Alright. I will think of ways to acquire this land when I return to the palace.
Your Majesty, what is your purpose in purchasing such a big piece of land?
When government moves, the people will follow. We need land for them.
But Your Majesty, the land you wish to purchase is half the size of Hanyang.
Why is such a big piece of land necessary?
It may not be big enough.
I plan on moving the people of the Capital here.
Your Majesty, did you just say the people of the Capital?
That's right. My plan is to create a new capital here to replace Hanyang.
Forgive me, Your Majesty, but what do you mean a new capital?
The noblemen have their power in Hanyang. They will not let you do this!
Yes, that is precisely the reason why I want to move the Capital.
I will move the Capital to Suwon and focus on our trade and agriculture here.
Now do you understand? This is the reason I moved my father's tomb here.
I am going to use this as a trigger for reform in our nation.
Yes, Your Majesty. This is the third time this month.
He has been sending the Gyujunggak custodians there as well on private business.
It is clear that he is planning something in Suwon.
Yes, whatever that is, it will be something that will endanger us.
What did I tell you? Moving Crown Prince Sado's tomb was only the beginning.
Who goes there?
Have the custodians followed and use our spies in the Dragon Guard to...
My Lord! It is I.
- What is it? - Something is amiss. You must leave here.
What?
- Take her Majesty via the road I showed you earlier. - Yes, My Lord.
Move aside! Move aside!
Out of the way!
What happened?
The palanquin was empty and only these men were here.
- What? - Looks like they got away.
- Arrest these men and take them away. - Yes, Sir.
- Go and prepare my bath. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Where have you been at this hour?
My King...!
What brings you here to my palace at this hour?
Why don't you answer my question first?
It is not strange for me to visit you here.
But is it not strange that you left the palace at this hour?
My uncle is sick and I went to visit him.
I sent you a message regarding this. Did you not receive it?
Doesn't your family live near Gyodong?
But according to the guards, you were headed towards Jungwonbang.
That's headed Bukchon, isn't it?
I had to go to Bukchon because I ordered some medicinal herbs from there.
But why are you asking me such things?
Are you implying that I am lying to you and left the palace for some suspicious reason?
It is true that she went to a herb shop.
- Indeed? It's the truth? - Yes, Your Majesty.
Yes, the men we arrested were servants of a herbal shop.
But members of No Ron did seem to visit that shop more often than normal.
It may be a famous herbal shop, but even so, for ministers who live
in Gyodong and Jongro to go so far... It is very strange, Your Majesty.
Yes, there must be something going on. Keep investigating.
Yes, Your Majesty!
He must have had me followed!
He must have been investigating me to find a reason to destroy me!
I won't fall victim so easily.
Tell Min Joo Shik to send someone into the palace.
Into the palace? Your Majesty, you don't mean...?
Are you saying you want to attack the Grand Palace?
That is extremely risky, Your Majesty.
Security is high at the palace right now. Why don't you be patient and wait...
Wait? Until when?
I can no longer be a mouse to the king's cat.
I have to get whatever he has against me no matter what it takes!
- It has been a long time. - Yes, Your Highness.
- Have you been well? - Yes, Your Highness.
Then I'll be seeing you.
Her face is always clouded ever since she lost the princess to the pox.
How can she not be when she lost her cherished child?
I heard she's been trying to get pregnant again, but how can she do it alone...?
Now look here!
- You have the night shift, don't you? - Yes, Sir.
Too bad. We're going to have a drink.
You should go home early tonight. Don't you want to see your wife and children?
If you envy us, tell us so!
I have to do my rounds, so I'll be on my way now.
- Alright then. Go ahead. - Yes, Sir.
- Officers on duty for the Royal Study! - Cho Young Won!
Yoon Suk Yin!
Everyone must be on time for their duties. Do you hear me?
Yes, Sir!
Carry on!
- I'm going to go inside. - Go ahead.
Why are you alone? Where's the other guard?
He went to check the area.
Indeed. Carry on.
Are you on duty tonight?
- Excuse me? - Are you sure you're on duty here?
- We changed shifts because of personal reasons. - By whose authority?
- You can't do that without my approval! - Forgive me.
- Who was it? Who...? - Who goes there?
- Stay here and guard this place! - Yes, Sir!
- What happened? - It appears we have an assassin inside the palace.
What?
- Go and guard the Grand Palace! Hurry! - Yes, Sir!
- Men! Let's go! - Yes, Sir!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Something terrible has happened!
- What is it? - We have an assassin in the palace!
What?
Your Majesty, it is dangerous here. Please go to the Grand Palace.
- Is it true there is an assassin? - Yes, Your Majesty!
- Your Majesty! - What happened?
One was killed, but the others have escaped.
Put out an alert and arrest those who have escaped!
Yes, Your Majesty! Let's go!
What happened? Did you find it?
Forgive us, My Lord.
Fools!
How could you not find it?
Do not come into the Capital again until I summon you.
Yes, My Lord.
Your Majesty!
How could this happen?
Someone brought in assassins to distract us while they searched your study, Your Majesty!
- What is that, Your Majesty? - This is most likely what they came for.
Your Majesty! What do you mean?
You mean there is someone else who knows about the contents of the secret box?
That's right, Advisor.
Who is that?
I'm certain it is the Dowager Queen.
What? You mean the one who ordered the search was...?
Sir!
Han Dae Shik and Jang Myung Hu are nowhere to be found.
Han Dae Shik and Jang Myung Hu?
We changed shifts because of personal reasons.
We must find them! Send men to their houses and close off the gates of the Capital!
- Yes, Sir! Let's go! - Yes, Sir!
He created chaos in the palace and yet he found nothing!
Don't you realize why I risked everything to do this?
The king has my hands and feet bound, and yet I cannot do anything about it!
What am I supposed to do?
Perhaps he threatened you with something that does not even exist.
No, that is not possible. He definitely has something up his sleeve!
We must have that in our possession. That is the only way you and I will survive!
Do you understand?
Your Majesty, you want to designate the Crown Prince now?
Yes, Advisor. Inform the Ministry of Rites to set up the Office of the Crown Prince.
Hasten the announcement to Qing as well.
But the prince's status is still unstable. How can you suggest designating him now?
- Perhaps you can wait until he is older... - No, I will not do that.
Your Majesty!
Like you mentioned, I was going to wait until the prince was older.
But I realized with this incident that the position of Crown Prince must be filled immediately.
Our priority is to stabilize government.
You must help me by supporting me in this.
I understand, Your Majesty.
This shade is called orange.
If you add yellow to red, it lightens and becomes like the color of the sunset.
Your Highness, it is Attendant Yang!
- Your Highness, I have urgent news! - What is it?
His Majesty has ordered the Ministry of Rites to hasten the prince's designation as Crown Prince!
What? Crown Prince?
Yes, Your Highness!
- Is His Majesty inside? - Yes, Your Highness.
I have something to tell him. Announce my arrival.
Yes, Your Highness.
Your Majesty, he is not yet ready to be Crown Prince.
- Please take back your orders. - Song Yeon!
It is too fast. He is too young, Your Majesty!
He is not too young. My grandfather became Crown Prince at the same age.
- But Your Majesty... - What is the reason you are opposed to this?
What is the real reason you don't want him to become Crown Prince?
Is it because you used to be a Damo at the Bureau?
Do you regard yourself as low-born just like the ministers and officials?
- Do you think the prince is unworthy as a result? - Your Majesty...!
But is that not the truth, Your Majesty?
It is an unchangeable truth that I am born of low status.
Furthermore, the Queen and Concubine Yoon are of noble status and still able to bear you children.
You can still have more heirs.
Please take back your orders.
Please do not cause hurt to the prince because of my low-status, Your Majesty.
Song Yeon!
Your Highness, your father is here.
- Your Highness... - Have you heard about the Crown Prince designation?
Yes, Your Highness. That is why I came here.
Father...!
So Minister Yoon has asked you to put a stop to the designation of Crown Prince?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Then you must gather the others to support him.
If he appoints a Crown Prince, the king's power will grow.
We have to stop that at all costs.
Everyone knows the prince is too young and unworthy to become Crown Prince.
Since we have justification, you must influence the scholars and the ministers.
You must stop him.
Alright, Your Majesty.
We oppose the designation of Crown Prince!
Please take back your orders to designate the Crown Prince!
Let us go, Your Highness. Your mother is waiting.
I knew this would happen.
I knew this would happen when she gave birth to a son!
That is why I am here to ask for your help!
As an elder of the royal family, please support Concubine Sung.
You cherish the prince more than anyone else!
Yes, I love him more than anyone else.
But how can the ministers acknowledge an heir from a low-born concubine?
Mother...!
I am worried that this will cause a lifelong wound in the young prince's heart.
What did you say? The prince didn't want to paint with me?
Attendant Yang!
Forgive me, but I think the prince overheard what the young palacemaids were saying.
Overheard the palacemaids? What were they saying?
Attendant Yang!
I was looking for you everywhere. Are you playing hide and seek here?
Aren't you supposed to be with your mother learning how to paint?
Why are you here?
Hyang...!
What does it mean to be of low status, Father?
What do you mean? Why are you asking me this?
Is that the reason why I like to paint?
I don't know who said that to you, but I will scold them when I find out!
You're wrong. You don't say someone is of low status when they like to paint.
Let me tell you what is noble and what is low-born.
What did you do when your pet bird died?
I was so sad that I buried him with my own hands.
And what did you do when that palacemaid accidentally scratched your face?
I was worried she would be punished because of me.
So I didn't tell anyone who it was.
Yes, that is what you did. People like that are noble people.
Low-born people are people who look down on the powerless.
They mistreat them and mock them.
So based on what I just told you, are you a noble person or a low-born person?
- I am a noble person! - That's right.
You're noble beyond any other. And not because you're my son.
It is because you take after your mother and have a warm and caring heart.
- Do you understand? - Yes, Father!
My mother, Concubine Choi, gave this to me.
Take it.
I want to give this to you as a token of my appreciation for your painting.
No, Your Majesty, how can you give me such a valuable object?
I heard you were a childhood friend of San.
Take it.
Thank you for being a good friend to a boy who lost his father because of me.
I hope you will continue to be a good friend to him.
Stay by his side with that warm heart of yours.
Stay with him and comfort him for all of his life.
Your Highness, it is Attendant Yang!
- Give that to me! I'll do it, Your Highness! - No, I'll do it.
Who gave you that ring, Your Highness?
It must be a cherished object for you to clean it yourself.
Yes, it is a cherished object given to me by a cherished person.
- Go and fetch a palacemaid. - A palacemaid?
Yes, I want to make a necklace out of this ring.
This is the ring your great-grandfather the king gave me before he died.
You must keep it safe and never lose it.
- Do you understand me? - Yes, Mother.
As I am born of low stature, I have no power or authority.
But never forget this, my son.
The late king, your great-grandfather, is now with you.
He will be with you and guard and protect you.
- The prince is outside? - Yes, Your Highness. What shall I do?
Your Highness...
He said that when he learned how to write, he would show you first.
He asked me to give this to you, Your Highness.
Your Highness...
Wait a moment, my Prince!
Grandmother!
My Prince!
I heard you were ill. Are you alright, Grandmother?
Yes, I am well now.
When I saw your writing, my health recovered miraculously!
Is that really true?
Let's go inside. I will order your favorite sweets for you!
But... What is that around your neck?
Mother gave it to me.
- Indeed? Your mother gave you this ring? - Yes, Grandmother.
She told me it used to belong to the late king,
and I must keep it safe.
What did you say? This ring belonged to the late king?
Yes, Grandmother.
- Can you show me this ring? - Yes, Grandmother.
Your Highness, Princess Hae Kyung is here.
Mother...
I've come here to ask you a question.
I heard you gave this jade ring to the prince. Is this so?
Yes it is.
I know this ring. This ring was a treasured possession of the late king!
Everyone in the royal family knew about it.
We all knew how much he treasured it and how much it meant to him.
So tell me! When and where did he give this to you?
Mother...
Your Majesty, the ministers have all gathered at the Audience Chamber.
Are you really going to insist on this?
Their reasons for opposing the designation is justified.
Even the people are aware. If you insist on pushing this through,
I am worried that this will create negative feedback for your other proposals.
Your Majesty, Princess Hae Kyung is here.
- Mother! - My son...
I have something to say to you.
As the prince is intelligent beyond his peers and mature for his age,
I hereby designate him as Crown Prince.
I also hereby bestow his mother, Concubine Sung, the position of first rank Royal Consort.
She shall be known as Royal Consort Ui.
Your Majesty, we cannot acknowledge such a decree!
Your Majesty, how can you designate the young prince so quickly?
You are still strong and the Queen is still healthy!
How can you give such a decree? Please take back your orders!
How strange.
When Wan Poong was to become Crown Prince, did you not all ask me to hasten it?
But now you oppose me saying that it is too hasty.
What am I supposed to listen to?
Please forgive us, Your Majesty, but we are not doing this for no reason.
This matter of designating Crown Prince is a matter of state!
The Queen is still young, and the prince's mother is low-born.
This is something that cannot be changed.
So how can we accept the hasty designation of such a Crown Prince?
That is impossible, Your Majesty!
Indeed? In that case, get up, Councilor.
I said you may get up.
- Chief Secretary, you may show him. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Since you served him, you should know what that is.
Isn't this the ring that the late king treasured? The ring given to him by his mother?
Yes, and if you know that, then you should also know its significance.
When His Majesty was ill, this ring was lost and the royal court looked for it.
But it was not lost. Before he died, he gave it to Concubine Sung.
It has been in her possession all this while.
So if there is anything else you want to say, go ahead.
I am curious as to who will be brave enough to stand against the late king.
Which of you will refuse to accept the prince as Crown Prince?
You are in the palace! How dare you prance about!
I have good reason to! You would do the same if you were me!
- I have heard the news. - Excuse me?
Your good news is being delivered to Concubine Sung by the Queen herself.
Is that truly what His Majesty said?
Yes, His Majesty designated the prince as Crown Prince before his ministers,
and gave the decree to make you Royal Noble Consort!
- Congratulations, Consort Ui! - Your Majesty!
- This is? - Yellow!
- And this? - Red!
- And this? - Yellow! Blue!
- And this? - Sky blue!
- Song Yeon! - Your Majesty!
Why do you cry? Why do you show tears on this fine day?
Mother! Why do you cry?
Father! Why is Mother crying?
She is crying because she is happy, Hyang.
She is crying because she's overjoyed.
My son...
Tomorrow, we will have the royal ceremony for the designation of Crown Prince.
- You must all work hard tomorrow. - Yes, Sir.
Don't worry, Sir! I will give all that I have!
You are so full of air! Let's get back to work!
- Yes, Sir! - Let's go, Sir.
If you give all that you have tomorrow, then what about the future?
There are more important things in the future!
More important things than tomorrow? How?
We have to draw all of that too, don't we?
You're right.
The future is bright! I will stay and work hard in the Bureau!
- I'll be the one to paint all of that! - Me too, Sir!
They're mine! I'll do them all!
It's free! It's free! Come on in!
You folks love free food!
- Are you sure this is for free? - That's right. Isn't it, husband?
Don't worry and eat your fill. Today, all food and wine are free!
Alright then.
- Here you are! - I'll get you more food!
- Hey Maksoon, we need more wine! - Already?
We're going to go bankrupt at this rate!
So what if we do? Concubine Sung has become a royal noble consort!
And the prince has become the Crown Prince!
Then let's just go bankrupt tonight!
Go and ask for ten more barrels of wine!
Alright! I'll fly like the wind!
Hurry up!
Eat up, all of you!
Congratulations, Your Highness!
Please let us take full responsibility in the safety of the Crown Prince, Your Highness!
We will guard him with our lives!
Dae Su...
- Leave us for a while. - Yes, Your Highness.
Are your robes uncomfortable?
I am fine, Mother.
Come closer.
You will going to be the Crown Prince of this nation. Do you know what you have to do?
Yes, Mother.
Above me, I will serve His Majesty the King.
And below me, I will serve my people.
That is right, Crown Prince. Now how will you treat the royal family?
I must be filial and observant of customs.
That is correct, Crown Prince. You must never forget those words you have spoken.
Write them in your heart and make them as stone in your mind.
Yes, Mother. I will heed your words.
There is nothing else that I want, my son.
Please grow up to be healthy and strong.
And become a great king like your father.
Mother...
The Crown Prince is the foundation of this nation.
He is unshakeable and unchangeable.
Therefore, I as king of this nation,
hereby declare the prince the Crown Prince of this nation.
I entrust all duties to him as such before the royal court and the people.
- Be a Crown Prince that serves his people. - Yes, Father.
Bow to the Crown Prince!
Long live the Crown Prince! A thousand years to the Crown Prince!
Episode 72