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Episode 22

The current Queen is the evil concubine Gyo in the Story of Sa!

Gyo! The concubine!

What on earth are you doing to the mother of this country?

On your knees! It's His Majesty of Joseon.

Did this Queen do harm you in any way?

She volunteered to come here and help...

Why does she have to suffer through your heckling?

Queen...

Are you okay?

I think it's better for me to return to the palace.

This uninvited guest is a bother to a happy occasion on a happy day.

No, let's go back together.

That must have been a shock to you. Go get some rest.

I feel ashamed.

Your Majesty.

About what you said before... not to repeat the same mistakes...

These days, I feel like the harder I try not to repeat mistakes...

the deeper I'm digging myself into a hole...

It's okay for me, but I'm scared that it will affect our Yoon.

I will make sure to protect our Yoon so that no one can even touch a strand of his hair.

Yes, Your Majesty. Please do so.

You were looking for me?

Yes... it's been a while since we had a drink.

Do you still have a lot on your mind?

I should be used to this by now...

but every time I face it, my heart sinks again.

That's how I feel... so I can't imagine how the Queen feels.

But she's endured it well to this point, so she will continue to get through it.

Uncle Dongpyung, how could the heart of the people turn away so much?

All the political issues, the wild Western Party, and the incompetent Southern Party...

I've been able to stand against all of them with wits and reason...

but the heart of the people I faced at the clinic was a real shock.

Even considering the popularity of the Story of Sa...

it's still the heart of the people I have to embrace.

Your Majesty...

The reason I kept changing the controlling parties even at the cost of shedding blood

Was because I wanted to govern for the people.

But the people I love so much...

are not accepting Ok Jung whom I love. It really breaks my heart.

Jang Hyun wants to see me earnestly.

Now what is he going to say to me from jail?

What is the reason you wanted to see me?

Your Majesty, I have one request.

A request from a criminal!

I will receive the full punishment for my crimes.

So please hold an official interrogation.

What? Interrogation?

I've received generosity from His Majesty that is as deep as the ocean

despite committing the crime of cutting short the life of the Queen Mother.

I'm uncomfortable with the charge of bribery, a petty crime that is as light as a feather.

So I'd like to confess every crime I committed through an interrogation

and receive the appropriate punishment.

I believe it will have quite an impact in the court.

But what could I do? I'll have to follow the order of nature.

Order of nature?

With an excuse like the order of nature...

you're trying to get the Queen and the Crowned Prince involved.

Even after committing such an atrocious crime

you're desperate to find a way to save your life rather than atoning for your wrongdoing.

I am already dead...

Why does it matter what happens from here?

There is a saying among the merchants...

'If I don't get paid for my goods, I'll get paid in life.'

It wasn't an easy decision to make.

It's the weakness that came about since the first time Ok Jung was taken.

So... what are you trying to gain from me?

I want to relieve the resentment of my Hong Joo

who faced an untimely death from the loving Prince Boksun

and live as the father-in-law even if it's only for a day.

Fine.

I will make you my father-in-law.

But you will have to keep your mouth shut forever.

The current Queen? She's the evil concubine Gyo in the Story of Sa!

Gyo? The concubine!

Court Lady Eom, I'm going to Gam Go Dang, so get ready.

For the owner of the internal court to leave the palace so often...

So, what is it today?

I came to teach you something.

To speak so informally...!

- Leave us for a while. - But...

Yes...

My manner of speaking comes from the heart.

Although you're demoted, I've considered you my elder for a long time...

So I couldn't speak in an informal way to you.

But after yesterday, I don't feel it's necessary anymore.

Queen Min who never lost her sense of dignity or formality regardless of the situation

didn't look any different from the crude behavior of my old days to become the Queen.

So you came to nitpick on that?

No, I came to make something clear.

Although the heart of the people is leaning towards you...

the Queen within the boundary of the custom

is me, Jang Ok Jung, not the demoted Min.

And I will turn around the heart of the people some day.

But do you know what the limit of the Queen Jang Ok Jung is?

It's only relying on the favor of His Majesty.

How futile is the favor of His Majesty.

There is an old saying. 'To be fond of the leftover peach.'

Although its simple meaning is 'leftover peach'...

there was someone named Mizi Xia favored by a certain lord in the period of Wei.

When Mizi Xia was young, she found a peach so delicious she gave the leftover to the lord.

The lord was touched

but time passed and Mizi Xia's beauty faded...

Then the lord's favor also faded.

So the lord got rid of Mizi Xia.

Do you know the reason?

Because Mizi Xia fed him the leftover peach.

No matter how deep the favor stands

when it's lost, it becomes trouble and can lead to death.

After becoming the Queen from His Majesty's favor

can you be certain that your future will be any different?

That may be true...

but the fact is, the current mother of Joseon is Jang Ok Jung.

So, if you ever show up again to the place of the Queen...

I'll punish you according to custom. Keep that in mind.

Jang Hyun has been appointed as the father-in-law, so show your bow of gratitude.

Hong Joo, your love with Prince Boksun did not come to fruition...

But I became the father-in-law and relieved your resentment.

I feel like you became the Queen through Ok Jung, so I can't be happier.

Is it Ahn?

How dare you... At this late hour...

I came to show you something.

This is the letter from the King.

'Appoint Jang Hyun, the middle class merchant, to the father-in-law.'

How do you feel?

Min Yoo Joong of the most respected noble family

and Officer Jang Hyun the lowly merchant

are now at an equal class.

How do you feel?

With a piece of paper, you dare to call it 'the same class'?

The wall of class cannot be climbed over unless you are born again.

Have you already forgotten about your dead daughter?

I'm still living because of my dead daughter.

Without being born again, class is something I can buy with wealth

and it is also obtained if you have power.

I really wanted to show that to my daughter.

Even if you try, will there be any real changes?

No matter how much you maneuver through it...

can you truly be the father-in-law?

Is that a big deal? The letter of the King will settle everything in Joseon.

You killed my daughter mercilessly and tormented me

but in the end, that crude blood became the King's first-born son

and that child will take the throne.

He hasn't taken the throne yet.

No no no... it will definitely happen.

When the child with my vulgar blood becomes the King

the noble class who always cries about blood

Will have to lower their heads to the child with the vulgar blood in him.

How is it? The feeling of lowering your head to the child with vulgar blood?

But there are as many days left as there are feathers on a bird.

The infant with your blood also has a long way to go.

Who knows what's going to happen in the mean time?

That's right... the child has many days remaining.

So I'm going to cut off your life that has as many days left as feathers.

Do you get it?

That's how the child's future path will become smooth.

- Kwang Sun! - Yes, sir!

Hong Joo...

I became the father-in-law of this country.

I became the father-in-law and ended the life of Min Yoo Joong.

I relieved the resentment of my Hong Joo.

Hong Joo...

Hong Joo...

I was going to use Min Yoo Joong to fertilize your grave.

Your way of thinking is wrong!

Differentiation of the class comes first, then comes the people.

Once you're born as a dog in Joseon...

you remain a dog even after death.

Your father learned that today.

Hong Joo!

Hong Joo!

Bulls-eye!

Jang Hyun left.

But there was someone else who moved before me.

Who was it?

Contact my father in China...

Tell him it's taken care of.

Take this and save your life

or just go to the afterlife.

There are more crimes you committed than sand particles on the beach.

What's going on? You seem to be headed to Choi Suk Won.

Choi Suk Won has fainted...

and it seems that she's pregnant.

What? Pregnant?

Why do I feel so dizzy...

I feel like throwing up and I'm nauseous...

Could it be that I'm pregnant?

What happened? What's the illness?

She's pregnant.

Choi Suk Won is pregnant?

I'm going to slowly start on Jang Hee Jae.

By the way, what's the other card you're holding?

The card that can crush the Southern Party and Jang at once?

I'll tell you about that card when I show it to you.

It's a very secret card.

Queen Majesty, do you like him that much?

Of course. Get married soon and have your own to find out.

And don't cause any more headaches for Mother.

- Queen Majesty. - Why do you keep calling me?

What would you do if His Majesty had another child?

Hee Jae... Did you hear a rumor?

- Did His Majesty... - No, it's nothing.

It's not that. But he is also a man... Just in case.

My heart dropped.

I don't even want to think about it.

His Majesty always tells me to have lots of children as cute as bunnies...

I see...

Are you getting used to life in the palace?

Yes, it's all thanks to you.

Thanks to me? What did I do?

I just need to follow the path that Queen Majesty walked.

What? The path I walked?

It'll be my birthday soon.

Since it's my first birthday in the palace...

I'm looking forward to the food that day.

Are you? Then I'll tell the kitchen chamber to get ready.

It's okay. There seem to be many people who want to take care of me that day.

If that's the case...

Did you give the poisonous herb that you had set aside?

Yes, my lord.

I'll just have to wait to find out if he'll get caught in the trap.

What's the occasion for you to come into the kitchen?

Oh, just to check on the rice punch.

Now you're doubting my cooking skills of making rice punch?

By the way, who is this for? You seem to be paying special attention to it.

You don't need to know that. Anyway, what looks good tastes good...

So just make it look really delicious.

No mistakes. Make sure this is from Choi Suk Won's family.

Of course. I already got the message.

I hear the food in the palace is tested for poison first with a sliver spoon.

Why don't you try dipping it in first, Lady Suk Won?

Who would harm a lowly concubine like me?

I'll just drink it.

Well then, should we taste it too?

What's wrong? Lady Suk Won!

Please! Call the doctor now!

Lady Suk Won!

Call the doctor now!

Your Majesty, there is trouble.

Lady Choi Suk Won is unconscious after drinking poisoned rice punch.

Choi Suk Won drank poisoned rice punch?

Are you saying someone tried to kill Choi Suk Won?

- What about her life? - Yes, Your Majesty...

Luckily it was a small amount, so she's unconscious but alive.

Another poisoning incident in the palace?

I won't let this slide.

Bring in the royal magistrate and get to the bottom of this.

Stop.

Confess now who brought the rice punch!

I don't know anything! The rice punch came from the Suk Won quarter...

I don't know, either. I don't know anything.

Lady Suk Won had the rice punch, so where did it come from?

If the kitchen chamber maids don't know about it, you're the only one left.

- Continue until she confesses! - Yes, sir.

- I'll confess! - Stop.

So, who was it?

It was Lord Jang Hee Jae.

What did you just say?

It was definitely Lord Jang Hee Jae.

He told me to say it was from a distant relative of Suk Won...

Not possible. Why would my brother do that?

That's why Lord Jo Sa Seok also sent a message in the middle of the interrogation.

- Hee Jae. - Queen Majesty, why did you look for me?

- Hee Jae, tell me the truth. - About what?

Do you have anything to do with the poison in Suk Won's food?

No. Why are you asking?

Suk Won fainted after having rice punch from her family.

But it bothered me that you asked about another child His Majesty might have...

And your name was mentioned during the interrogation.

My name was mentioned in the interrogation?

What's going on?

His Majesty ordered everyone who may be involved in this poison incident to be interrogated.

Are you saying that I'm involved?

Lord Jang Hee Jae has been pointed out as the prime suspect.

Arrest him.

Who said that I'm involved in this?

She already confessed. The court maid who delivered the rice punch.

Hee Jae!

No, I'm framed! I'm caught in a trap!

- Arrest him now! - Yes, sir.

Queen Majesty!

Where is His Majesty?

Your Majesty, my brother is involved in the Suk Won incident?

I'm also puzzled by it, so I ordered a thorough investigation.

My brother wouldn't do that.

Suk Won... He tried to harm Suk Won?

I found it odd that she confessed so easily after trying to kill her with poison.

If there is no crime, that will be revealed. So don't worry too much.

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

The gate was opened by stirring up the heart of the people with the Story of Sa

and started a fire with Jang Hee Jae's attempted murder of Suk Won with poison...

Now if all the scholars of the eight provinces rise up

the King won't be able to protect the Jang family any more.

With the help of the scholars from the eight provinces

I hope the restoration of Her Majesty comes to realization.

Of course, it should.

I wonder how long the King will be able to hold onto Jang's hand...

I'll keep an eye.

Your Majesty, kill Jang Hee Jae and restore the previous Queen Min!

Your Majesty, depose Queen Jang and restore the demoted Queen Min.

Please consider, Your Majesty.

'Execute Jang Hee Jae...'

'Depose the Queen who shares the same blood with the atrocious Jang Hee Jae...'

'Depose the Queen and restore Min!'

Why is the restoration of Min mentioned in the request of deposing the Queen?

We could get to the demotion of Jang with Jang Hee Jae's poison incident...

but it may not be enough to push for the restoration of Queen Min.

Then, now it's time to use the card I've been hiding.

The card you've been hiding?

About the poison incident of Queen Jang...

But there is only suspicion and no proof.

I have the proof of that.

The court maid who added poison in the food.

Your Majesty, regarding the attempted murder of Lady Suk Won with poison...

our Western Party and the scholars have two courses of action.

One is to dethrone the current Queen Majesty

and the other is to restore the demoted Queen Min.

The Queen didn't commit the crime herself...

Can the seat of the Queen be replaced so easily like a snack in the market?

If there is a real crime that was committed, deposing her is a possibility.

A real crime committed?

When the Queen Majesty was Lady Hee Bin

the late Queen Mother couldn't find the proof even at the cost of throwing up blood...

Now our Western Party has the proof for it.

The court maid who disappeared at the time...

So...

You'll use that card to depose the current Queen

and restore the demoted Min?

If it's discussed in the court that the mother of the Crowned Prince fabricated a poisoning

it could leave a big stain.

Get out.

I said, get out!

Your Majesty, kill Jang Hee Jae and restore the previous Queen Min.

Your Majesty, depose the Queen Jang and restore the demoted Min!

Please consider, Your Majesty.

Queen Majesty, your safety and our Southern Party's safety are one.

You can't be pushed out from here, Queen Majesty!

Yes, of course.

Your Majesty needs a tight grip of the Queen title for Jang Hee Jae to save his life.

So please, make a request to His Majesty.

I'll give a careful consideration and make a request to His Majesty.

- Court Lady Eom. - Yes, Queen Majesty.

I'm going to His Majesty, so get ready.

If it's discussed in the court that the Queen fabricated her own poisoning...

it could leave a big stain...

- Your Majesty, Queen Majesty is here. - Good. Bring her in.

- Queen... - Your Majesty...

I came here to tell you something.

Tell me something?

Your Majesty.

I think it's time.

Time for what?

Time to let go of my hand.

Queen!

Please demote me and dismiss me from the palace.

Even if you do that, I'd know very well that you didn't let go of my hand.

Why? What crime did you commit?

I'm too ashamed to say it...

but I committed a big crime.

Big enough so that our Yoon would be embarrassed if he heard it.

As his mother and as the mother of the country...

Enough, stop. I don't want to hear it.

Yes, I have to tell you.

I thought I could love you all I wanted only if I climbed to the Queen's seat.

I thought no one would ignore me for my low class only if I became the Queen.

I was foolish to think that everything would be settled if I became the Queen.

Enough, you can stop. Please stop.

So, that's why I did it.

To kick out the demoted Min and take the seat of the Queen!

I took the poison on my own.

Why did you say that!

Do you know what it took for me to keep it covered?

You mean, you really knew...

but you still made me the Queen?

It took so much to get you there, so why do you want to step down from it?

I have to say it myself so that you have a reason to depose me!

You wouldn't possibly be able to do it on your own.

So please depose me.

And please remain as the wise king for ten thousand years to come.

Your Majesty!

Hee Jae.

Your Majesty, please just kill me.

Because of my stupidity, I caused trouble for you and the Queen Majesty.

I came to find out about something.

Just why did you try to poison Choi Suk Won?

You should know very well that my heart is only with the Queen...

What more did you want as the brother of the Queen?

That's...

Did you hate the existence of a concubine?

Worried that she'd be a threat to your sister?

To be honest, I heard something.

Heard what?

Forgive me for saying this...

I heard that Choi Suk Won was pregnant.

- Choi Suk Won got pregnant? - Yes, Your Majesty.

In fact, I put a maid in Suk Won's quarter...

and she said that Choi Suk Won was pregnant.

So, Your Majesty... I'll take the blame for everything.

The Queen's only crime is having this foolish brother.

Please consider, Your Majesty.

I put a maid in Suk Won's quarter...

She said that Choi Suk Won was pregnant...

I've thought a lot over this... and I think Choi Suk Won is your work.

My work...

To be honest, I participated in sending Choi Suk Won into the palace.

But what would a simple merchant know?

I just pay an offering and eat the rice cake.

Is that why you participated in the restoration of the dethroned Queen, too?

My my... It doesn't matter to me if she's restored or not.

But I am curious about what will happen to the current Queen.

I guess the Queen who committed a crime will be dismissed from the palace.

A thought just occurred to me...

The quarter in the palace you wanted to have...

Is it... Chwi Seon Dang by any chance?

Chwi Seon Dang...

Oh, the quarter Your Majesty paid special attention to build...

If you'd give that to me, I couldn't ask for more.

She's the person you'll give the palanquin to as a gift...

As well as the mother of Joseon and the mother of the Crowned Prince.

Who the hell are you?

Why do you ask now?

Yes, I've always felt it...

There is something in your eyes.

Did you... know the Queen in the past?

Know her in the past?

You ask me as if it's an interrogation...

and it sounds like an inappropriate relationship, which makes me feel uncomfortable.

Stop with the jokes, just say the truth.

Did you know the Queen in the past?

No. I just need my revenge.

Revenge?

Jang Hyun took away the store of my adoptive mother

and he even set it on fire.

But as long as the Queen with Your Majesty's favor was doing well...

it was difficult to destroy Jang Hyun.

That's why I wanted to provoke your suspicion that day and put Queen Majesty in trouble.

But I'm not interested anymore.

Jang Hyun is already dead.

I plan to put things in order and leave soon.

I'm not interested in what you'll do.

But if you take another step towards me...

you will not avoid death.

Your Majesty.

It's been a while since I've seen the moonlight with you.

I should've brought our Yoon, too.

No. I want to be alone with you right now.

Ok Jung...

Your Majesty.

Do you remember when I said that we should live in Chwi Seon Dang for a long time

and have lots of children as cute as bunnies?

How could I forget?

Looking back, it was the happiest time when I was Hee Bin.

You gave me Chwi Seon Dang...

and our Yoon was born.

Hee Bin...

Looking back, it was the happiest time for me, too.

Shall we go back to then?

If we did, could we become happy again?

We can't turn back time that's already passed, Your Majesty.

I am happy just to look back on the memories I've had with you...

no matter where I am after being demoted.

I don't like memories

if you're not next to me.

Your Majesty.

- Hyun Moo. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Strengthen the military camps within the city gates

and have the royal troops on standby.

And tell the Secretary

to quietly prepare the dismissal of the Head of Training and Minister of Military.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I'm going to execute the reform.

From the Southern Party to the Western Party.

But before that, I'm going to meet with Min Yoo Joong alone.

Have him come to the palace.

Your Majesty.

Why did you ask for me?

Regardless of who I talk to in the Western Party, the answer will come from you.

I'm more than flattered that Your Majesty thinks so highly of me.

I'll get right to the point.

I will depose the current Queen Jang

and I will have the Crowned Prince, with no trace of any blemish...

be registered as the son of Queen Min.

Forgive me, Your Majesty...

In order to prevent any unfortunate incidents that might happen in the future

Queen Jang should be demoted and dismissed from of the palace.

Then what should I do about Choi Suk Won?

Choi Suk Won?

The start of having the Western Party become the controlling party

and the restoration of Min.

The whole story of the attempted murder of Choi Suk Won.

Of course I know about it. What should I do about it?

I won't dig into it anymore.

I'll also leave the current status of Choi Suk Won.

The reform of changing the controlling party...

Given the current political situation, it is possible.

I'm sick of the incompetency of the Southern Party

and the difference in political directions.

And the thing that the Western Party desperately wishes for

and what the heart of the people want...

The restoration of the dethroned Queen Min.

I'll accept them.

But it's impossible to dismiss the current Queen Jang.

But Your Majesty, the current Queen Jang already lost the right to be the mother of Joseon.

The mother of the country can't have any trace of fault

for her son the Crowned Prince to take the throne safely.

That's for the mother of the country, but there is room for a concubine.

Meaning...

Queen Jang will be demoted to Hee Bin

and she will stay in Chwi Seon Dang.

I'm restoring the demoted Min as the Queen.

I will say no more.

Queen Majesty...

His Majesty said it's only a move from the Queen's quarter to Chwi Seon Dang...

Your Majesty...

can you still not let go of my hand?

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.

I'm deeply moved.

Queen Majesty...

You live up to the title of Min Yoo Joong's daughter.

Please establish the pride of the royal family in the palace.

Yes, Father.

Clear the way! The Queen Majesty is arriving.

Queen Majesty, congratulations on your restoration!

Thank you.

Please help me restore the order of the internal court that must have fallen apart.

Yoon, I won't be able to raise you anymore.

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