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Episode 33

[Empress Dowager Xiao (Emperor Shengzhong's mother)]

Smells lovely.

Me or the tea?

You, of course.

[Han Derang (Khitan Commissioner of the Security Council)]

There's no scent more beautiful than yours.

Thank you.

I feel better after a hot bath.

Good.

Then what is your plan for those two?

Are you really going to have them executed?

Why?

It's unlike you.

I'm surprised you're discarding them when you wanted them so much.

Do you think I should let them live?

Yes.

Their potential value as subordinates aside,

Kim Chi Yang has a very good point.

What would be better than if we could incite a split in the royal court,

causing it to self-destruct by sending Lady Sungdeok back?

It would be worth it to find out where she stands in Goryeo.

I don't plan to kill her.

I just want the word to get out that I am.

Oh? For what reason?

First to capture Gang Shin.

I can't let anyone get away with betraying me.

If I do, others will follow, and that'll eventually bring down the empire.

He betrayed me to save Lady Sungdeok,

and he'll come back for her.

And the second reason?

To soften the woman up a little.

She's much too rigid and hard right now.

I don't think threat of losing her life will weaken her.

A warrior does not fear death,

but a woman does.

When a woman falls in love, she has another reason to live.

Did you have another talk with Kim Chi Yang?

Kim Chi Yang

Do you wish to live?

Then seduce Lady Sungdeok and put her under your control.

That's impossible right now.

No, right now is the best time.

When you're on the verge of death,

this is the best time to win a woman's heart.

Lady Sungdeok would choose death over submission right now.

But what if someone precious came into her life and gave her a reason to live?

You're going to have to be that reason for me.

Do you understand?

Win Lady Sungdeok's heart.

That's your only ticket to survival.

What about Foreman Kim? Where is he?

[Lady Sungdeok-Hwangbo Su (future Empress Cheonchu)]

What's the meaning of this?

You're both scheduled for public execution.

Duyan

The Empress is kindly allowing you to exchange your final goodbyes.

I'm so glad I can see you again.

Thank you.

Thank you for being alive.

I was afraid that you might be gone, I couldn't rest.

Then, is that why you look so exhausted?

Do I look bad?

No, my Lady.

You're always beautiful to me.

Don't you want me?

What are you afraid of?

I'm the departed king's wife.

I can't betray him.

I want to face him with a clear conscience when I join him in death.

If I were him,

I wouldn't want you to live and die alone.

We're going to be executed.

Is your position still that important to you?

I can proudly shout out to the world that I love you.

And if it's for you,

I'll gladly give my life.

I'm sorry.

I'll call the physician.

It's not the physician that I need.

All I need are words of affirmation from you.

You... are already in my heart.

But it makes me very afraid.

[Imperial Palace of Liao]

I'm Chief Minister of the Goryeoan Supreme Council, Park Yang Yu.

In the name of the King of Goryeo,

[Park Yang Yu (Chief Minister of the Supreme Council)]

I seek Your Majesty's audience.

I'm the first secretary of the Supreme Council, Gang Gamchan.

[Gang Gamchan (First Secretary of the Supreme Council)]

Thank you for coming.

We had a comfortable trip thanks to Viceroy Xiao of the East Capital's hospitality.

Your Majesty,

I present to you a letter from my King.

I'm the mother of the emperor and the regent of Liao.

It was my intent to rule Goryeo

with an iron fist for serving Song, although it's neighboring Liao.

That's why I sent my army to demonstrate my intent.

I trust your King knows and understands this.

My King is well aware

that a Goryeo and Liao alliance would prove to be mutually beneficial.

That's why we initiated a truce first

when the tide of war was in our favor.

You're a humorous man.

You speak as though Goryeo and Great Liao possess equal strength.

Goryeo is strong enough to defeat the massive Liao army of 800,000.

Army of 800,000?

Yes, Your Highness.

That's what the Supreme Commander of Liao army, Xiao Sunning, declared.

Is that right, Viceroy Xiao?

Well... at the time...

[Xiao Sunning (Khitan's Chief General)]

Forgive me, Your Highness.

The war is already behind us.

My King sincerely wishes

to build and maintain close a friendship with Liao from now on.

Emperor, why don't you say a few words?

I'm most pleased that Great Liao has established diplomatic ties with Goryeo.

And I hope that we'll both give our best effort to build on this friendship.

Your grace is infinite, Your Majesty.

His Majesty has prepared a banquet

in appreciation of your visit.

Everyone, join us.

Gang Jo

The Lady and the hostages

were captured again in another escape attempt and brought here?

That's what I heard.

Do you know if a man named Kim Chi Yang is with her?

Sa Gamun

I don't know the name, but I'm sure he's among them if he wasn't killed.

How about Shin?

Is my brother Shin with them?

No.

Luckily, General Gang Shin got away.

I see,

Then where is the Lady being held captive?

Give us her location.

That I don't know.

What do you mean you don't know?

You just said she was brought here.

Sir, there are dozens of detainment facilities in the city.

We've been at war with Song, Balhae and this time with Goryeo.

So there are a lot of war prisoners and detainment facilities to house them.

Find out for us.

We must find out where the Lady is being held.

I'm sorry, Sir.

This is the limit to how much I can help.

Besides, Lady Sungdeok is

scheduled to be executed.

What?

Where? When is she due to be executed?

Sa Illa

I don't know the details.

Then find out!

Do you think I'm going to let them kill her?

Find out where she is right now!

Why are you doing this?

I did you a favor for old time sake.

Get me the information!

I'll kill you if you don't comply.

Brother, don't do this. This man did nothing wrong.

He works for the Khitan who are trying to kill the Lady.

That's enough reason to kill him.

Then kill me.

I'll do my duty to the Empress Dowager of Khitan.

She gave me and my family a new life

when we had nowhere to go.

So kill me. Kill me!

What are we to do?

Shouldn't we tell Secretary Gang about this?

Is this true?

The Lady is alive?

I'm sure of it.

But the Emperor has ordered her execution.

We've to find her, Sir.

We have to find her before she's killed.

Unbelievable!

What now?

First, we've to find out where she's being held.

Then what?

Then we break her out, of course.

Are you out of your mind?

This is the Imperial City of Liao.

You want physical confrontation here?

They're going to kill her!

We have to break her out!

No, we have to be rational about this.

You'll never get her out if you act hastily,

and you'll jeopardize Goryeo's relationship with Liao as well.

So you'd sacrifice the Lady's life?

No.

I'll speak to the Chief Minister

and figure out a way to get the Lady out diplomatically.

I won't permit aggression.

Safety and welfare of Goryeo is at stake.

I had forgotten that I'm a woman.

Indignation and pain had consumed my life.

Why did I live that way?

In retrospect, I feel like I've been a fool.

Yes, you've been a fool.

I'm going to die soon; I feel so calm and at peace.

It's strange.

It's because our hearts have become one.

Is it?

My Lady...

but I don't want to die like this.

It's all my fault.

I'm so sorry.

No, I don't want to die because I finally made a connection with you.

I don't want death to part us.

What can we do?

This is as far as fate will take us.

No, my Lady.

You can't give up just yet.

If we can somehow let the Goryeoan envoys know that we're alive,

we still have a chance.

To do that,

we have to buy time, even if it means lying to the Empress Dowager.

I can't do that.

I can't kneel again even it's on pretence.

I though you wanted to build a strong nation that can defeat the Khitan.

And what about your son, who will be left all alone if you die?

It's the only chance we've got.

What's so hard about pretending submission to deceive the enemy?

It's time. Let's go.

If you're going to kill us, kill us together.

Yayul Jukleul

Take her away.

Gang Shin

If you're going to kill me, do it quickly.

Locking me up in a cell won't make me change my mind.

Don't worry.

You'll get your wish as soon as the envoys are gone.

Goryeoan envoys are here?

That's right.

You just sit there and think about what you're going to say to the judge of hell.

Gulp it down.

Secretary Gang.

Have you seen Chief Minister Park?

He's enjoying the honor of having a private chat with our Prime Minister.

Here, let me pour you a glass.

We're comrades of war although we fought on opposite sides.

Why? Is the glass too large?

No.

If we're comrades of war like you say we are,

why did you lie to me?

What do you mean? I never lied to you.

I heard Lady Sungdeok is alive.

Where are you holding her?

What do you mean?

She was killed and I had her cremated.

Is that true?

Are you sure it's not a lie?

No!

Where did you hear this outrageous story?

I'll end up behaving like a silly old drunk if I keep this up.

That's alright. I'll get drunk with you.

I would never disrespect you with improper behavior.

I'm the highest-ranking official of Liao

and you're the highest-ranking official of Goryeo.

And now that our two countries have forged diplomatic ties,

we should let down our guards and develop a friendship.

I appreciate your remark.

There is one thing I've been meaning to apologize for.

What would that be?

For the regrettable death of King Seongjong's sister on our soil.

It's regrettable indeed.

But it happened during the war.

No one is to blame.

I do appreciate your understanding.

My only hope is that this peace between our two countries

will endure so that the Lady's death isn't in vain.

My sentiments exactly.

By the way,

I heard she didn't have a very good relationship with the king.

Is that true?

She's gone now. So my knowing could do her no harm.

It's just that my curiosity keeps me up at night.

Won't you indulge me?

Oh dear...

Please.

Here, let's have another.

Is that all you're eating, Your Highness?

Queen Munwha

Jeong, say "Father, please eat some more."

Father, please eat some more.

[Seongjong (6th Ruler of Goryeo)]

I'm sorry.

Daddy can't eat anymore because his tummy is full.

Your Highness, you're hurting your health.

Please put the tragedy behind you now.

What are you saying?

Lady Sungdeok is alive?

Yes, Chief Minister.

That's impossible.

Prime Minister Han told me himself that she was dead.

Isn't that what Viceroy Xiao told you as well?

Yes.

But shouldn't we reconfirm since we've this conflicting information?

This is ridiculous.

I confirmed her death just a few minutes ago with my own ears.

Where did you get this information?

From an old Balhaean friend, Sir.

He's a Khitan soldier now, so it's credible information.

It's not credible.

You expect me to believe a Khitan soldier

over the word of the Prime Minister?

It's absurd!

No, Sir.

The Lady is alive.

Silence!

I won't let you sabotage this diplomatic mission.

Don't cause trouble over ridiculous hearsay!

You're to do nothing for the remainder of this trip.

If you do anything to cause trouble,

I'll punish you to the fullest extent!

The Goryeoan vice-envoy confronted you

about a rumor that Lady Sungdeok is alive?

Yes, Your Highness.

He said he got the information here.

There might be a mole in the palace.

I doubt that.

The soldiers have been notified of her execution,

so the word must've leaked out somewhere.

Prime Minister is right.

Besides, they're powerless, so there's no need for concern.

My concern is capturing the man who betrayed me and fled.

Has Lady Sungdeok been moved to a visible location?

Yes, Your Highness.

He's certain to come back for her.

Loosen up the security where Lady Sungdeok is being held.

And when he bites the bait, get him.

Yes, Your Highness.

It's going to be a long night.

We're hunting a fierce tiger, so be ready.

Yes, Your Highness.

Prime Minister is refusing to believe it?

Yes.

What are we to do now?

We'll have to break her out ourselves.

But how?

We don't even know where she is being held.

We kidnap the Empress Dowager.

Pardon?

We kidnap the de facto ruler of Liao and trade her for the Lady.

Is that possible?

She must be surrounded by guards.

We'll have to lure the guards away.

You three can cause a distraction.

I'll go after the Empress Dowager.

Where is the Empress Dowager?

Who are you?

My Lady!

You're...

Open the cell.

What happened? Why did you come back?

I have to take you back with me if I'm going to meet my brother.

Foreman Kim... Foreman Kim is being held elsewhere.

We don't have time for him. We've to go now.

Welcome back.

We've been waiting for you.

Darn it! Was it a trap?

You figured it out.

We moved her to this obvious location to get to you.

It was the Empress Dowager's idea.

Put the weapon down if you want to live.

Why don't you make me?

Don't shoot.

Her Highness wants him alive.

Get him.

Stop!

After them!

The Empress Dowager!

Forgive me, Your Highness.

I'm unable to get up because of my injury.

That's alright.

So, were you able to persuade Lady Sungdeok?

I need more time.

I gave you another chance but you've achieved nothing.

You don't deserve to live.

But I'm making progress, Your Highness.

She's wavering.

Haven't you invested too much on us to discard us now?

Your Highness, Gang Shin took the bait and showed up at the detention facility.

Are you sure?

Yes, Your Highness.

You were right on.

He came back for her.

Drillmaster Gang!

My Lady, are you alright?

How did you...

Brother!

Shin!

Is that really you, Brother?

Let's talk later.

- You're still pretty good with that spear. - Better than you, I bet.

I doubt that.

Are you sure? You've gotten old.

You want to see who knocks down more?

You're on!

Stop!

Stop!

I'll kill her if you continue to resist.

Drillmaster Gang, don't mind me.

[Royal Palace of Goryeo]

An envoy, Your Highness?

We can't send an envoy to Song, Your Highness.

We declared that we would sever ties with Song in an agreement with Liao.

We can't flippantly break our promise.

[Seo Hui (Vice Minister of the Supreme Council)]

That's right, Your Highness.

What's more,

it's inappropriate to discuss this matter

[Yi Ji Baek (Inspector of the Board of Punishment)]

when our diplomatic mission is in Liao as we speak.

Then how long do you suggest that we live in this shame?

[Choi Sum (Councilor of the Royal Secretariat)]

We can't live the rest of our lives yielding to the barbarians and using their era name.

But we can't change anything by rushing this matter.

We made it through this war,

so it's time to start building our own strength.

The only way to get revenge

is by strengthening our military and national defense.

That would take decades.

Kim Shimon (Commissioner of Diplomatic Affairs)

Your Highness,

it would be smarter to dispatch an envoy to Song and seek aid.

But we don't know if Song government would be willing to give us military aid.

Han Ungong

And if the Khitan found out about our secret contact, they wouldn't stay idle.

That's why we must secretly send an envoy and find out whether or not they're willing.

[Han Ingyeong (Minister of the Interior)]

My Lord.

Why aren't you at the Royal Court today, Sir?

Jo Sun

[Kim Won Soong (Chief of the Office of Astronomical Observation)]

You can't see stars in daylight anyway.

What's the point?

All they ever talk about are comets and constellations.

All that mumbo-jumbo gives me a headache.

Darn...

Don't they have anything better to do with their time?

I'm back, Sir.

Good. Did you get a count?

So how many sacks of rice do we have left?

Jo Du

We've so many rats that we're down about a hundred sacks from last year.

What?

A hundred sacks?!

Why can't you get that rat problem under control?

Just how many sacks of rice do I have to give to the rats each year?!

I'm sorry, Sir.

We never let the ones we see get away, but there are just so many of them.

My income is down to a fraction of what it was

and now the darn rats are giving me grief!

Sire, I wish our country was like Song China.

Huh? What are you talking about?

They don't use grain as currency in Song like we do,

so there's no unnecessary loss of assets.

There's a lot of loss incurred trading with grains,

so it would be great if silver or metal coins were used instead.

That's easier said than done.

First you need silver if you want to make silver coins,

and for effective circulation...

Wait.

Did you just say metal coins?

Yes. What's wrong, Sir?

Yes.

Why didn't I think of that?

Metal coins.

That could work.

Oh, that's good.

Yi Hyunoon

Poor me.

Back in Anyoongjin,

I used to have a feast fit for the king, with pretty girls pouring my drinks every night.

But here I'm hiding in a corner drinking all alone...

Oh, woe is me...

Wait.

Colonel, Lieutenant, isn't that Yi Hyunoon?

That crazy bastard is drinking in the palace in broad daylight.

I guess old habits die hard. That despicable moron!

You!

What are you doing here?

Are you out of your mind?

How dare you drink alcohol on palace grounds?!

No, no.

Someone left this bottle here,

so I was just checking to see what it was.

You little...

Help! Someone help me!

What's going on?

What's this commotion in the palace?

This little twit

is getting drunk in the palace in broad daylight, Sir.

What?

Dae Dosu

Is this true?

No, Sir.

I found this bottle and I just looked inside.

It's the truth, General.

You reek of alcohol. You're lying through your teeth.

I did have one sip, Sir.

Take him.

And give him a good flogging so he won't repeat this offense.

Yes, Sir.

No! Please, Sir.

I'm still recovering from the flogging I got the other day, Sir.

Take him away.

Yes, Sir.

- Let's go. - Aww! That hurts!

Your Grace, you looked concerned.

Court Lady Jo

What's troubling you?

His Highness has been so depressed.

And he hardly touches his food.

Jeong's voice was all it took to make him smile before,

but not lately.

How could I not be concerned?

What can I do to lift up his spirits?

I don't know.

Books are his only interest

when he's not attending to state affairs.

What's Prince Gaeryeong doing?

Well, he's at the archery field.

Again?

Why does he keep going out there when he should be reading?

He has the King's permission.

His dead mother was an archery fanatic.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

[Prince Gaeryeong- Wang Song (future King Mokjong)]

Hold it right there.

Hold it firmly.

Push out.

I beg your pardon?

Members of my retinue

broke into the palace last night and killed Khitan soldiers?

That's right.

How do you explain this?

Is this how you express your desire to build and maintain a diplomatic relationship with Liao?

No, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, this can't be true.

There must be some mistake.

Wait a minute.

Your Majesty, why did they break into the palace?

There must be a reason.

They were trying

to break Lady Sungdeok out of the detention facility.

You mean Lady Sungdeok is alive?

Please answer the question!

If she's alive,

that means you've been lying to us.

Whether she is or not,

your men committed an unpardonable crime.

And they'll be duly executed.

Executed? You can't!

Yes, I can.

But war is another alternative if you don't want them dead.

Is that what Goryeo would prefer?

Brother, do you remember that one time?

What else?

That time when I went chicken stealing with my friends at Oh Hyeon-myeong's farm,

Oh's men had us cornered running off with the entire chicken coop,

but you showed up and saved us.

Yes...

You were quite a little troublemaker.

I remember Father gave us both a good whipping for that.

And do you remember what he said to us?

It was such a long time ago.

He said, "Boy, if you're going to steal something of Oh Hyeon-myeong's,

steal a cow like a man.

What's a measly chicken?"

Yeah, I think I remember.

Maybe that was the seed of bad karma I planted,

but you don't know what I went through after Oh Hyeon-myeong became the Emperor.

Father was gone and I thought you were dead too,

so I had no reason to live.

I'm sorry.

I would've gone back for you

had I know you were alive.

I know.

Why didn't you come to my rescue then when I was locked up?

Then my life would've been different.

I used to dream about you coming to break me out.

Shin...

When I heard you were dead, I tried to kill myself too.

I had no will left to live when I thought I was all alone in the world.

But thank goodness I didn't die or I wouldn't be here with you now.

I'm sorry, Shin.

I'll never leave you again.

Never.

Guards!

I want to talk to the Empress Dowager! Guards!

What do you want?

- Get him out. - Yes, Sir!

Where are you taking him?

He betrayed the Empress Dowager, so he's going to be executed.

What?

No. I won't let you! Shin!

Brother!

- Shin... - Brother.

Shin, no.

We just reunited after fifteen years of being apart.

It's okay, Brother.

I got to see you before I die, so it's okay.

The truth is, it's been a hard struggle for me.

I was ashamed living under the Khitan, our ancestors' enemy,

but I went through the motions,

abandoning myself, thinking that you were dead.

But it's different now.

I can die a happy man now that I got to see you.

No, Shin. You're not going to die.

We're going back to Goryeo together.

I'm a man too, Brother.

Just as you swore loyalty to Lady Sungdeok, I swore loyalty to Empress Dowager Xiao.

But I betrayed her, so now I must pay the price.

You can live my share of life for me, Brother.

Shin...

Shin... Kid...

What are you waiting for?

- Let's go. - Yes, sir.

- Shin! - Brother!

Shin, don't give up!

You can't die!

Shin! Shin!

Shin!

Your Highness,

Lady Sungdeok has requested to see you.

Send her in.

What brings you?

I'll do as you ask.

I'll be a servant of Khitan if that's what you want.

But spare my subordinates in return.

I beg you.

Brought to you by WITH S2 Written In The Heavens Subbing Squad

Main Translator: KBS WORLD Spot Translator: plegend2007

Transcriber: KaKaK Timer: kazuh

Editor/QC: melica

Coordinators: mily2, ay_link

Please do NOT hardsub and/or stream this episode using our English subtitles.

I'm not afraid of death, but I wish I could've spent more time with you.

Bring back my brother Shin!

Any last words?

- Shin! - Brother!

I'm a Balhaean.

I'd like to send her as Goryeoan king's consort.

Where's Kim Chi Yang?

He's in confinement.

He's a traitor. He can't be trusted.

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