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Episode 55

It's fine. Drink, Your Highness.

Your Highness, wait.

What's wrong?

Please wait a moment.

[Kim Chi Yang (Finance Commissioner)]

Look at my eyes.

Pardon? Is there a problem?

You're hiding something.

Did you put something in the tonic?

I-I don't know what you mean.

Then why are you so nervous?

No, I'm not...

It's not poisoned. Sa Illa and I both checked it ourselves.

Speak the truth now, or I will have you beheaded!

Speak. Did you poison the tonic?

No, please! It's not poison!

It's not poison?

[Empress Dowager Cheonchu]

Then you did add something else.

Yes, I...

Speak the truth!

Give me death!

The Emperor ordered me to add the concoction.

I-I had no choice.

The concoction? What concoction?

A concoction that will terminate the pregnancy...

What?

I know I deserve death, but please spare my life, Your Highness.

Then drink it.

Pardon?

If it isn't poisoned, prove it by drinking it yourself.

Then I'll let you live.

Here. Drink!

I'm done.

Did the Emperor really order you to terminate my pregnancy?

Yes, Your Highness. Please forgive me.

Leave us.

A tragedy was narrowly missed, Your Highness.

Physician, what's wrong?

You must be very careful about everything you consume from now on.

Inspect everything even more thoroughly.

We can check for poison

[Cheon Hyang Bi] [Sa Illa]

but how will we know if it's anything else?

Hyang Bi tasted the tonic,

but she was unable to detect anything.

Hyang Bi! Hyang Bi, what's wrong?

Hyang Bi! Hyang Bi!

What happened?

I don't know.

She just fell to the floor coughing up blood.

Is it poison? The physician just fell dead outside!

What? The physician?

Call another physician at once! Go!

Yes, Your Highness!

What happened to her?

It is poison judging by the symptoms, but I cannot discern the type of poison.

What happened?

He died by poisoning according to my preliminary examinations,

but I do not know what kind of poison was used.

I don't understand. Explain.

Yes.

There were substance traces that appear to be poison in the Royal physician's

bloody mucus, but it's odorless and colorless.

I have analyzed the herbal tonic as well but found nothing.

How about Hyang Bi? What will happen to her?

We can't prescribe an antidote not knowing what is in her system.

She only consumed a small amount, so her breathing and pulse is stable, but...

Then why is she still unconscious?

[Gang Jo (Minister of War)]

Bring her back no matter what it takes.

If anything should happen to her, I will hold the two of you responsible.

We will do our best.

And listen carefully.

No one must know about what happened here today.

You will keep this to yourselves until we get to the bottom of this.

Do you understand?

Yes, Your Highness.

How do you feel about what the Emperor said?

I agree with him.

If we're going to have the Emperor and the Empress butting heads all the time,

[Chae Choongsun (Minister of Investigation)]

the country is better off with Prince Daeryang on the throne.

But the Empress Dowager will never approve.

[Hwangbo Yui (Vice Minister of Finance)]

Besides, Prince Daeryang is too young.

Don't you see the real reason why

[Kim Shimon (Minister of Punishment)]

the Emperor wants to abdicate the throne?

The real reason?

He is wary of the Empress Dowager giving birth to another male heir.

Another male heir? You mean the Empress Dowager might...

It's more than a possibility.

Emperor chose this abdication to forestall the possibility of

Kim Chi Yang's son being brought to the throne.

That would be an outrage!

If this is indeed His Majesty's intent,

[Choi Suk (Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel)]

we must support this abdication.

That's right.

We cannot serve Kim Chi Yang�s son as our emperor.

[Choi Wonshin (Vice Minister of the Office of Ceremony)]

No.

I may be Empress Dowager's relative, but I can't accept that.

Then I take it no one objects to this

[Han Ingyeong (Minister of Finance)]

abdication in favor of Prince Daeryang.

How could we object?

The Imperial line might change otherwise.

What's more, this court will be full of soldiers,

and we won't have a ground to stand on if things don't change.

Goryeo will belong to the warriors.

We can't let that happen. No way.

They have already taken our land.

And if we don't stand up and fight,

we'll end up dispensing everything we own to the warriors, including our women!

That's why we must help the Emperor.

First let us speak to the Emperor and confirm his will so we can

really follow through this time.

But the Empress Dowager will know right away if we see him in the palace.

We can't see him in the palace. We must bring the Emperor here.

Do you really think the Emperor is behind this?

The dead physician said he ordered him to alter the tonic.

To add a concoction to terminate the pregnancy, not to add poison.

If it were poison, he wouldn't have drunk it so readily.

You don't know that.

I would have made him drink if he had refused.

He got caught, so he gave up everything and chose death.

Your Highness, just look at what's been going on.

The Emperor's animosity for you has gone past the point of reason.

But he wouldn't try to kill me. He would never.

How could he kill his own mother no matter how much he hates me?

Perhaps there were others encouraging him.

Others?

Anti-war civil officials are quite disgruntled with you because

they were forced to return their land for military use.

They could've encouraged the Emperor.

Why else would this issue of abdication suddenly come up out of the blue?

Your Highness, I know you're in shock but you must keep a clear head.

Watch the Emperor very carefully from now on.

If you fall, this country will fall.

I think I'm the root of all of this.

Renounce me and remove me from my post, Your Highness.

I don't care what happens to me, but this country must be protected.

And that means you must stay alive no matter what.

No matter what!

Have you been to Cheonchu Hall?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Was there any commotion?

No, Your Majesty.

Was the Royal physician there at Cheonchu Hall?

[Mokjong (7th ruler of Goryeo)]

I did not enter the building, so I'm afraid I do not know, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, if I may have a word...

What is it?

Minister of Personnel, Kim Shimon, is requesting to see you.

Send him in.

No, Your Majesty.

[Goh Hyun]

He is requesting

a secret meeting outside the palace tonight.

Outside the palace?

Yes.

He said he hopes you will not deny his request for the sake of Goryeo's future.

You can't die on me, Hyang Bi.

Wake up. Open your eyes.

Aren' t you going to marry me?

Hyang Bi, please wake up. Please.

Poison?

[Sa Gamun]

To kill the Empress Dowager?

Who could be the culprit?

My guess is the Emperor put the physician up to it.

The Emperor?

But a crisis has become an opportunity for us.

This puts the strained mother and son relationship beyond repair.

Now the problem is Prince Daeryang.

He has become our last problem, as I feared.

Sa Illa made a huge mistake letting the child live.

To fulfill our great enterprise, he has to die.

What are you mumbling about?

It's really odd.

What is.

I tried to pay coins to make a purchase

[Yi Jujeong]

at the market place and the merchant woudn't accept them.

The merchant didn't want to be paid? Why not?

He wanted me to pay him with grains like we used to before the coins came out.

There's an overabundance of coinage these days.

They were so rare in the beginning.

Even gisaengs don't like it if you tip them with coins.

They don't know what it's like to be poor.

By the way, have you seen Duyan?

She was quacking like a choking duck earlier with an upset stomach

and went off somewhere.

She might have gone out to get some medicine.

Steward Yi.

Yes?

Speaking of medicine, did you by chance show the Empress Dowager's herbal blend

to anyone before taking it to the palace?

How did you know? Duyan took a peak at it.

Duyan?

She wanted to see them so she'd know what to take when she gets pregnant.

Why do you ask?

It's a eunuch's robe. Please put it on.

I already told you what I want.

I am abdicating my throne to Daeryangwon.

But Your Majesty, will the Empress Dowager allow that?

We are gathered here out of concern that she will not.

Concerned? Then do you have any suggestions?

If you are serious about bringing Prince Daeryang forward and

having the Empress Dowager relinquish her regency,

we will wholeheartedly support you.

You will? Why?

Because we believe that the

Empress Dowager is leading this country in the wrong direction.

Also, there is a chance the Empress Dowager will bring her new child

forward to continue the Imperial line, and we want to forestall that possibility.

But aren't you going to change your stance if my mother raises her voice?

No, Your Majesty, this is different.

That's right, Your Majesty.

This is to preserve the imperial line of Goryeo.

Please give us your trust.

They're gathered at the home of the Minister of Finance?

Yes, Your Highness.

All right. You may go.

Emperor, are you really trying to kill me?

I'm your mother. Your mother...

Empress Dowager.

Relinquish the regency and invest the Emperor with full power!

Invest the Emperor with full power!

Install Prince Daeryangwon as the Crown Prince of Goryeo

and preserve the Imperial line!

Install Prince Daeryangwon as the Crown Prince!

Remove the military officials

from the stipend land* policy!

[*Stipend Land Law: A system in which grants of land was allocated for pay of government officials.]

Remove the military officials

from the stipend land policy!

I don't need to read them. Take them out and burn them!

Yes, Your Highness.

Is Hyang Bi still unconscious?

Yes.

General Gang was with her all night, but she has yet to regain consciousness.

Are the National Academy students still protesting outside?

Yes.

Thanks to you, the country has been turned upside down.

Are you satisfied?

Students are calling for me to relinquish the regency,

revise the stipend land policy and install Prince Daeryang as Crown Prince.

And petitions are pouring in from every section of this government

complaining and criticizing my policies.

On top of that, the Emperor taking your side, is refusing to conduct his duties!

Your Highness, what you see is the ministers and officials of the

court standing by the Emperor supporting his decisions.

Yes, Your Highness.

His Majesty is firm on his will to bring Prince Daeryang forward,

and it would be wise to abide.

No, Your Majesty.

His Highness is a young man and you are still healthy and strong.

Abdication is out of the question.

This is an exploitation of the young prince and an underhanded

scheme in pursuit of selfish interests.

Watch your words, Sir.

Selfish interest?

We are doing our duty to the Emperor by supporting his decisions.

Our duty as the Emperor's men is to stop him from making a mistake.

But you are goading him instead.

What makes you think bringing Daeryangwon forward is a mistake?

I don't understand this.

The Khitan are watching for an opportunity to attack us.

How can we put a young child on the throne at a time like this?

Do you truly believe this is prudent?

Why not?

We've already built a military force that's strong enough to fend off any invasion.

If we just abandon the ridiculous idea of invading Liao first, we will be fine.

Minister Kim.

How can you speak

[Dae Dosu (Minister of Punishment)]

so lightly about the Khitan when

you've experienced the war of 933?

Yes, the war of 933 has indeed taught us a lesson-

that nothing good can come from provoking the vicious Khitan.

Excessive ambition always brings injury.

You called for surrender of land when we were at war and

now you say don't provoke the Khitan?

Which country do you serve?

Your Highness, the issue of abdication may be unsuitable

considering Prince Daeryang's young age.

[Choi Hang (Royal Undersecretary)]

But I think it is prudent to have him invested as Crown Prince just in case

just as the former King invested His Majesty as his heir early in his reign.

Yes, Your Highness.

As I've previously advised,

[Gang Gamchan (Minister of the Office of Ceremony)]

focus on national defense and foreign affairs

and turn over the control of domestic affairs to the Emperor.

And attend to the future of Goryeo by installing Daeryangwon as Crown Prince.

I think that would be meeting half way.

No, it is not.

That would be asking me to give up all of my policies.

If I give an inch, you will prod the Emperor to take two, and ultimately,

you will ask me to undo everything I've accomplished.

Why would you call for a revision of the stipend land policy if this was not the case?

This is a scheme to remove me from power.

No, Your Highness.

We only have the Emperor's interest at heart.

Silence!

I don't care what you say or do.

I will not step down until the Khitan are defeated!

If the Emperor wants me gone,

have him devise policies that are superior than mine and prove himself first.

If the Emperor shapes up and prove himself worthy,

I will leave even if he begs me to stay.

And to prevent this commotion from stirring up the court again,

I am having Prince Daeryang shaven and sent into priesthood.

So be advised.

Your Highness, I don't understand? Send the Prince into priesthood?

I will no longer tolerate any more of these audacious challenges against me.

So do not discuss this any further.

Your Highness!

Send Prince Daeryang into priesthood? Turn that child into a monk?

Yes, Your Majesty. That is the Empress Dowager's order.

Your Highness, this is an unreasonable command.

His Highness is without an heir, so it's prudent to install Prince Daeryang as Crown Prince.

But send him into priesthood? This is unfathomable, Your Highness.

Think about Lady Seol. How can you do this to her son?

I beg you to withdraw your order.

Don't speak of my sister Seol in haste.

She meant more to me than Prince Gyeongjuwon meant to you.

Then why are you trying to send your sister's son into priesthood?

To protect him. To protect my young nephew's life.

If I do nothing, evil forces will use him to plot treason against me.

Do you think he could be spared in the center of high treason?

This is the only way to protect him from the whirlwind of political war.

High treason, by those who are discontent with your policies?

You're thinking too far ahead, Your Highness.

Yesterday, a physician drank the herbal tonic that was meant for me and fell dead.

Now tell me if I'm thinking too far ahead.

What do you mean?

Are you saying that someone tried to kill you?

Yes.

The physician died after drinking it and Cheon Hyang Bi is still unconscious.

This happened simultaneously with the Emperor's declaration of abdication.

Do you think it's a coincidence?

Unbelievable!

Your confidant, Prince Gyeongjuwon, spent his life running away from the throne.

He was wise to do so, and his son Daeryangwon must do the same now.

Or he will die.

But in the end, Prince Gyeongjuwon couldn't escape death either.

If someone wants you dead, there is nothing you can do.

What do you mean? Didn't he commit suicide?

Well, that's...

Your Highness, His Majesty the Emperor wishes to see you.

Please leave us, Minister Gang.

Yes.

Did you come to see the Empress Dowager about Prince Daeryangwon?

Commissioner Kim.

Do not lay your hands on Prince Daeryangwon.

What... do you mean?

You have been warned.

As long as I am alive, anyone who tries to harm the prince will not survive.

Why don't you make me a monk instead?

If this is about Prince Daeryang, you can leave.

Why are you punishing an innocent child? Does power mean that much to you?

Or are you really planning to continue the Imperial line of

Goryeo with Kim Chi Yang�s child?

I see. So that was the reason.

Is his unborn child the reason why you tried to hurt me?

Did you order the physician to put poison in my tonic because of this child?

There was no other option.

Kim Chi Yang will try to depose me and put his son on the throne if the child is born.

That's why I tried to abdicate my throne to Daeryangwon before the child is born,

but you shot that down.

As the Emperor, I had to stop the Imperial line from being replaced.

How can you acknowledge this so easily?

I am your mother who brought you into this world.

I fought with my life to get you back from the late King.

How could you attempt to kill me and speak as if it is nothing?

Kill you?

It was a potion that terminates pregnancy.

I would never hurt you.

You lie!

The physician fell dead after drinking that potion and Hyang Bi is comatose!

What did you discuss with the ministers sneaking out in the middle of the night?

Do you think peace will reign over the land and

you will sleep soundly at night once I'm dead?

Only a monster could do such a thing. How could you?

No, Mother. No! There must be some mistake.

I only ordered him to add something that would terminate your pregnancy.

No, I don't believe you anymore.

You have shattered my heart!

How could you know this grief that I can't share with no one?

Mother...

But hear me loud and hear me clear.

I will forget that you transgressed moral laws and tried to kill me.

I'll try my hardest to try to forget it.

But I will not tolerate any scheme to hurt my country!

Even if my own son is behind it.

Mother...

Leave. I never want to see you again.

You failed?

Yes.

[Duyan]

The physician drank the tonic instead and died.

Then try again.

They'll take impenetrable security

measures now that they know someone's after her life.

There's nothing more I can do.

Nothing is impossible if you try hard enough.

Do it.

It's your redemption for betraying the country.

[Jiemei]

I'm sorry. I can't help you anymore.

You would dare defy the Prime Minister's order?

This was my last act of loyalty to the Prime Minister.

So you show your true colors at last.

There's only death for traitors.

Are you all right?

How did you know I was here?

I followed you.

Talk.

Don't you have something to tell me?

Did you poison the Empress Dowager's herbal tonic?

Yes.

How could you betray me so easily?

What did you expect from a girl who betrayed her own country?

Did you want to leave me and go back to Liao?

Is that why you did this?

It was the Prime Minister's order.

I owe my family's life to him.

I couldn't defeat him.

How could you be so stupid? If this gets out, you'll be executed!

I don't care.

Do you think I'll be spared if they find out that you did this?

Then I'll leave.

And go where?

You're not welcome in Liao anymore.

Don't worry.

It won't be hard to find a place to rest my bones.

We will keep this just between us.

What do you mean by that?

I don't think I can let you go.

No, I'm not letting you go.

Stay with me.

Please stay with me.

You mean you failed?

Yes.

After all that bravado!

In any event, we had no part in this.

Why did you come here anyway?

No part in this?

That's right.

I told you this was a bad idea from the beginning and tried to stop you.

[Kim Won Soong]

It makes no difference whether you tried to stop me or not.

The important thing is that you knew

there would be an attempt on the Empress Dowager's life and you did nothing.

Isn't that right?

Is that a threat?

[Lady Yunheung]

I'm simply reminding you that we are in the same boat.

What do you want?

I want to know the time and place of the Empress Dowager's

next trip out of the Imperial palace.

I will take care of the rest.

Brother.

Hyang Bi!

You are alive! You are alive!

Brother...

Are you alright? Are you hurting anywhere?

How is your stomach?

Yes. What happened to me?

I will never put you in danger again. Thank you for being alive, Hyang Bi.

Thank heavens she is all right. I was very worried.

I'm going to marry her.

I will marry Hyang Bi as soon as she recovers.

That's wonderful.

Select an auspicious date and tie the knot.

This is long overdue.

So what can I do for you for your wedding?

I only have one wish.

I don't want Hyang Bi carrying a sword anymore.

I understand.

And don't be concerned about my safety. I still have Sa Illa.

Thank you, Your Highness.

I feel like my friends are leaving me one by one.

It saddens me a little.

Your Highness...

I'm sorry, General Gang. I shouldn't have said that.

There is something I want to ask of you.

The world must never find out about my herbal tonic being poisoned.

What would people say about the Emperor if they knew that

he tried to kill his own mother?

It must never be known.

I understand. Don't worry.

And I know that you're heartbroken, but persevere, Your Highness.

Someone to protect Prince Daeryang?

[Yang Kyu]

Yes.

I don't think I can stop him from being sent into priesthood.

We can bring him back when the time comes, so it is all right.

But I'm certain there will be attempts on his life once he leaves the palace.

You mean someone would want him dead

[Kim Sukheung]

even though he has become a monk?

Yes, they'll still come after him if my hunch is right.

So I need you to find someone capable and reliable to protect him.

Don't worry, sir. I have a perfect man for the job.

Do you? Then please attend to the matter.

The future of Goryeo is at stake.

This country cannot afford to lose Prince Daeryang.

Empress Dowager, Prince Daeryang is the future heir to the throne!

He must not be sent into priesthood! Please reconsider!

Please reconsider!

He must not be sent into priesthood!

Break up the protest.

Yes, Sir.

Empress Dowager!

[Wang Sun- Prince Daeryang (future King Hyeonjong)]

Your Majesty, Your Highness, I've come to bid farewell.

[Empress Sunjeong]

You're going to Sung-gyo Temple?

Yes.

Your Majesty, it's fortunate that

he is going to your temple.

You'll be able to visit him often.

Yes, Your Majesty.

It isn't far, so I will see you when you come for worship.

I am truly sorry.

It's my fault.

This is happening to you because I'm powerless.

I'm sorry, Sun.

No, Your Majesty.

I've always wanted to study Buddhism.

I've learned a lot in the palace, and I'll learn many more new things in the temple.

And I will pray for your health and happiness.

Thank you. Thank you, and I'm sorry.

Your Highness, Prince Daeryangwon has come to bid his final goodbye.

I'm sorry. Her Highness does not wish to see you.

She bids you well.

Your Highness, then I shall leave now. I wish you good health.

He's leaving for goodness sakes. Does she have to be so cold?

I know.

[Kim Hoon] [Choi Ghi]

It wouldn't hurt to send him off with a lighter heart.

What do you expect from a woman who is

dumping her own nephew?

[Yu Bang] [Yi Hyunoon]

Watch your mouth!

We should be on our way.

Is he gone?

Yes?

He performed a deep obeisance at the door before he left.

Why didn't you see him when you're feeling this way?

It's all right.

From now on, I am a heartless, tearless woman.

That's the only way I can protect this country.

Hyang Bi, forget about the palace once you are married.

General Gang is a strong man on the outside, but he is very lonely.

Give him lots of love and make him happy.

In the 6th year of Mokjong's reign,

Prince Daeryangwon Wang Sun was sent into the priesthood at Sung-gyo Temple.

He was twelve years old.

Buddhism was the national religion of Goryeo,

and royal princes became monks every so often.

It was in part a political move by the Royal house to protect the chosen

successor from being challenged by other royal princes.

She failed?

Yes, Your Highness.

The poison was administered, but it was unsuccessful,

and Duyan has refused to get further involved.

She is refusing to obey my order?

Yes, Prime Minister.

[Yelu Dilie]

This proves that she has indeed betrayed us.

What do we do now?

What does Jiemei suggest?

[Han Derang (Khitan Commissioner)]

She is requesting twenty trained men to wrap up the mission herself.

[Yelu Pennu]

I will go, Your Highness.

[Yelu Wuji]

I have a score to settle with Empress Dowager Cheonchu.

I promise you I will bring back her head.

No.

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

You will be easily recognized,

and you still have a job to do in our war with Song.

How do you feel about this?

She's talking about an assassination. I'm not comfortable with it.

Duyan would've left no trace, but if this fails, there is too much at stake.

Then we won't fail.

I will send my personal guards to do the job.

We must think this through, Your Majesty.

This could destroy our alliance with Goryeo.

That alliance is bound to break anyway!

Mother, let me do this.

Empress Dowager must be eliminated before we fight the Song Chinese.

[Shengzhong (6th ruler of Khitan)]

That's the only way we will have peace of mind.

Empress Dowager Cheonchu will be traveling outside the palace?

Yes.

A wedding is scheduled to be held at the Two Armies headquarters.

The soldiers and the guards

will be drinking to celebrate,

[Jo Du] [Jo Sun]

so go after the Empress Dowager on her way back from the wedding.

She will still be heavily guarded. Are you sure you are up to this?

Don't worry.

Liao's most competent warriors will be coming to help.

What's wrong? Is it indigestion?

No, it's...

Are you...?

You...

You're pregnant!

I don't believe it! Since when?

It's been a while.

How long?

Since about the time we learned about the Empress Dowager's pregnancy.

Why didn't you tell me?

What's the use? I could die anytime.

Sa Gamun, are you in?

Yes, My Lord.

I need to see you for a moment.

I'll be right out, sir.

Stay here. I'll be right back.

On General Gang's wedding day?

Yes.

Go to Sung-gyo Temple and take care of Prince Daeryang.

But why that day?

He may be a monk but he is still a royal prince.

I'm sure arrangements have been made by Gang Gamchan or

another to safeguard his life.

But there will be a celebration that day, so it'll be easier to get through the security.

I understand, sir.

And I want you to take a subordinate whose face is not known to kill the child.

There is no room for another mistake. Do you understand?

I won't let you down, sir.

You brought who?

We spoke about this before,

that we need a woman of matchless beauty to bring the Emperor to our side.

And?

Come in.

Bow. This is the former King's dowager.

My name is Milhwa.

What do you think? How can any man resist?

[Kim Milhwa]

Over here! Come and get us!

Where are you?

You slippery little devils!

Your Majesty, be careful!

Let go!

This feels great!

Everyone jump in! Let us play in the water!

Your Majesty, please come out of there. You will catch a cold!

That old man is always ruining my fun!

Fine, I'm coming out.

You-you're Yu Han Gan!

Have you fared well, Your Majesty?

[Yu Han Gan]

What are you doing here?

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Five!

That's enough, fellows!

Seven!

You are a peerless beauty.

You will be the Emperor's woman. Right, Your Grace?

You're become a eunuch?

Who has helped you?

I knew how lonely you were and wanted to be of some comfort.

Where is Prince Daeryang?

Protect the Empress Dowager!

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