Original subtitles

Episode 57 I'll send undercover investigators...

to each province to check on the people.

I will also reinforce law and order in the court.

It's the ministers' duty to watch over the court officials,

while the officials make sure that...

there is no corruption whatsoever.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Savage tribes are plundering villages on the northwestern border.

Come up with a solution.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Yes, Your Majesty.

How do you plan to move those living near the palace walls?

Your Majesty.

If you offer to pay them,

every household in the capital will demand payment.

Then the nation will go bankrupt.

Why don't you order their houses to be demolished instead?

You want me to be a king who oppresses his own people?

That's not what I meant...

Does this mean you don't want to contribute to pay the expenses?

The Dept. of Eunuchs has been spying on you all.

This is a report on all the bribes you gave and took.

There's even a section on how many mistresses you have.

If the court officials got a copy, they'd impeach at least half of you.

Your Majesty...

Are you threatening us?

Would I ever threaten you?

Help the people move and feed them, then this report goes unnoticed.

What do you say?

Will you contribute or run the risk of being impeached?

I'm sure you'll make the right choice.

Lord Kim, what's with the gloomy face?

Is it about what Han-soo told the king?

I don't know what to do with him.

Have you forgiven him?

How can I forgive the person who framed Mrs. Yoon and got her killed?

But...

the past 2 0 years must've been more painful than death for him.

He'll go on paying for what he did forever.

Yes, life outside the palace is torture for a castrated man.

Then just let him be. Life will be hard to bear as it is.

Mother, I swear I will work as a eunuch again.

I'll get my job back and pay you the respect you deserve.

Lady Han will send maids to look after you.

I'm at your service.

Thanks so much.

You deserve this at least.

Call me if you need anything.

I'll help as best I can.

Thank you.

I owe you so much, Mr. Kim.

I'm just doing my duty.

How is the king?

He always drinks, thinking of Mrs. Yoon.

He was very close to her.

You should visit and comfort him.

I would love to, but I don't dare go near the palace.

Then I'll visit with the king.

Give this to him when I do.

What is this?

Don't ask questions, just do as I say.

Then Mrs. Yoon's name will be cleared and your son will receive a title.

Where's the job you promised?

I'm doing all I can, so it'll work out soon.

Bear with me.

I risked my life to see the king because you asked me to.

And I'm still a criminal on the run.

I have nothing to lose. If it doesn't work out, you die with me.

Remember that.

Trust me.

Did you check?

He's meeting Ja-won, like you said.

Birds of a feather... I knew Ja-won could cause trouble.

If we let them be,

our dept. will fall into disarray again.

You must do something.

Your Majesty, why didn't you shoot?

I'm sure she has chicks.

Wouldn't the poor chicks suffer if I killed their mother?

Let's return to the palace.

Your Majesty, why don't you visit your grandmother?

You mean my mother's mother?

She moved back to the capital a few years ago.

I'm sure she'd appreciate it if you dropped by.

The king is here.

The king came by to see you.

Your Majesty.

Is this for real? Am I dreaming?

Please stand up. I'm here as your grandson.

I wouldn't dare stand up. You're the king and I'm a commoner.

I might be king, but I'm your grandson.

Now that I've seen you... I have nothing more to wish for.

Do you remember me?

I'd never forget you, uncle.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

You look so much like my mother.

If only she were alive to see how you'd grown...

- Stop crying. - I'm sorry.

Mother.

Don't worry. The king will clear my poor sister's name.

I've been waiting for this day to come.

It hurts to think what my mother went through.

But I can't undo what my father did.

Still, I'll take good care of you two.

Do you have all you need?

Minister Lim and Mr. Kim are very good to us.

Minister Lim?

He's a very giving and generous man.

Do you have anything of my mother's?

Something to remember her by.

Just a moment.

She wore that the day she died.

This is... really my mother's blood?

Yes, it is.

Someone stole Mrs. Yoon's dress and jacket?

I don't know what happened.

Everything else is there, just her clothes are missing.

Did you look carefully?

Yes, I searched every room.

I'm sorry. You cherished it so much.

Why do you have that with you?

I found it in the yard.

Thanks.

I wouldn't have been able to live with the guilt of losing this.

It isn't yours?

It means a lot to me. It belonged to someone I loved.

Thank you so much.

I saw who tried to steal it.

It was a young man with no beard.

I think he's a eunuch too.

Mother!

Mother!

Mother...

Mother...

Mother...

Mother...

Your Majesty, Lord Kim is here.

Let him in.

Lord Kim.

Do you know what this is?

My mother was wearing this when she died.

I heard you were there... when she breathed her last.

Are you sure this is hers?

Yes, I am.

But who gave it to you, Your Majesty?

My grandmother did.

Look at the stains of blood and poison.

I can feel the pain she felt before she died.

Surrounded by soldiers, she had to die with dignity.

She couldn't even scream in pain.

It really hurts me to think about it.

Please don't cry.

She wouldn't want you to cry because of her.

I never thought about her suffering. I even resented her at times.

I did miss her, so much that I'd cry for hours.

But I hated her for leaving me alone.

I tried to make everyone happy, so no one would single me out.

I even wished Queen Junghyun were my real mother.

My mother...

suffered alone and died in pain without my knowing.

Yet I ate all I wanted and lived as if nothing had happened.

There could never be a worse son.

You mustn't hate anyone for what happened.

Your mother wouldn't want you to take it out on anyone.

Who could I hate or take it out on?

I just hate myself... for not caring about her suffering.

Mother...

Mother...

Mother...

Mother...

Mother...

Why did you take the king to see his grandmother?

I couldn't ignore the feelings he had for her.

I thought seeing his grandmother would do him some good.

Did you give him his mother's bloodstained clothes?

No, his grandmother did. I knew nothing about it.

You really didn't take them from my mother's house?

I swear I did not, sir.

Alright, then. You may leave.

Your Highness, the king found out how you died.

I'm afraid he'll take out his anger on the royals and his subjects.

I will protect the king with my life.

Please show him the right way.

I will not let the tears you shed go to waste.

I will clear your name and avenge you.

I have a favor to ask of you, my loyal subjects.

I want to reinstate my mother and give her a title.

I know very well that doing so means going against my father's will.

But she's my birth mother and was queen for six years.

This isn't an order but a request.

I ask you to gather a consensus and get my mother reinstated as queen.

Reinstate her as queen?

You can't be serious. Take your order back.

- Your Highness... - Your Majesty!

I believed you'd never mention her again.

So I let you move her tomb and erect a shrine.

Now you want her reinstated? That's nonsense.

But she gave birth to me.

I lack the authority for as long as I'm the son of a criminal.

I'm doing this for the monarchy, so please understand.

If you reinstate your mother's title,

what would that say about your father and Queen Junghyun?

Your Majesty.

Queen Junghyun raised you. She deserves better than this.

Nothing you can say will make me accept this.

I heard my mother was framed.

What? What did you just say?

I heard the government, concubines, ladies, and maids were all part of it.

Your Majesty!

Are you afraid I'll reinstate my mother and kill everyone who took part?

How dare you say that!

Who told you such nonsense about her?

She was killed for being jealous.

I have no intention of killing people over the past.

I just want to do my duty as any son should.

Please don't stop me.

If you insist on reinstating her, then I will make a stand.

I've already made up my mind.

You visited Queen Junghyun?

Yes, we were just about to leave.

Princes Anyang and Bongan, you've grown.

Thanks to you.

Royal Lady Jung, you'll be sad to see them leave the palace.

I'm sure it hurts the same whether they're young or old.

I envy you. You have a mother to look after you.

I'm sure you know what I mean.

See you later.

I heard you fought with your grandmother.

Do you think I'm wrong?

I know how you feel,

but I think this is a bad time.

Give it some time. Appease your grandmother first.

I can't do that.

Please don't let me down.

Do you fear you'll lose your place if I reinstate my mother?

What?

Did you raise me as well as you did, out of guilt?

How could you say that?

I loved and respected you as my real mother.

Nothing will change even if I reinstate my mother.

So please don't stop me.

Queens Insoo and Junghyun let me down.

What do you mean?

They used to say they felt bad for my mother.

But they're so against my reinstating her.

It's devastating.

I think you should...

give in to them.

What? You're against it too, are you?

I don't want you to go against your seniors.

Whatever!

I thought you'd be on my side. Do you want me to give up too?

Your Majesty.

You wouldn't be like this if only you knew how she suffered!

Wait. Your Majesty!

Are you alright?

Your Majesty... Why have you changed?

I'm afraid of you now.

The king has summoned you.

Come sit over here.

I want to discuss the reinstatement of my mother.

I knew I'd be opposed,

but the government, even my seniors are being too forceful.

You're doing what is right as king and son. Who'd dare oppose you?

If you give the order,

I'm sure you'll get your way.

Hearing that has lifted a weight off my shoulders.

What do you say, Lord Kim?

I know how you feel, but I think you should give up.

What?

Do you think my mother deserved the treatment she received?

She requested to be deposed for your father's sake.

And she died for your sake.

If she were alive today,

she would want you to give up for the nation and the monarchy.

Please accept my advice.

I understand what you mean.

Leave me so I can think about this.

You used to want to clear her name. Why are you against it now?

I still do believe she's innocent. I'd even die to prove so.

But...

I had to say what's right for our department.

Then you should've agreed to her reinstatement.

A bloodbath will ensue soon.

We must obey the king, whether it's right or wrong.

That's what you must do for the king and our department.

The king wants to reinstate his mother.

What you said before...

has given him a strong resolve.

So he'll hire me back soon?

Yes, he will.

But we have an obstacle to take care of.

What's that?

Lord Kim has a grudge against you.

You can't be hired back for as long as he's around.

Chuh-sun.

You'll either become a hero or get thrown out. Which will you choose?

What do you mean?

A powerful king succeeded by a benevolent one is always good.

But when it's the other way around, something always goes terribly wrong.

Either the king will trust you, or he'll hate the mere sight of you.

The king is very bright. I trust in him completely.

I hope it all works out too.

We should plant more grass.

Sounds like a good idea.

He doesn't even come by on his own mother's memorial day.

He's still on the run. I bet it's killing him too.

So-woon's right. Han-soo loved his mother very much.

What are you doing here?

We have enough. There's too much already.

Eat up.

Aren't we eating all you have?

It's been a while since we ate together.

Who cares about that?

Are you sure your wife won't mind?

Yeah, I do fear her more than anyone.

Han-soo, let me pour you one.

I gave you such a hard time.

Why have you been looking after my mother's grave?

We're all schoolmates.

We chose different paths, but we're still friends.

Yes. Your mother is our mother too.

We went through so much together. Doesn't that make us a family?

I hate what you did... but I don't hate you too.

Yeah. It's good to see you again.

Here.

I'm so sorry.

Let's forget about the past and drink all night.

- Go on, drink up. - Have a drink.

There...

- Here. - Thanks.

Han-soo.

Stab me if you want. But it won't do you any good.

Chuh-sun, will you forgive me?

What are you doing? Get up.

I hated the world for what happened to my family.

So I became a eunuch to change things.

I swore I'd look after my mother.

I swore I'd make the world bow at my feet.

But...

my overambition ruined me.

But I did what I did for the king and our department.

Believe me.

Of course I believe you.

You were a great eunuch.

Thanks for saying so.

I'm going to leave Josun.

That is...

the least I can do for the king.

I'll live out my life repenting.

Han-soo...

I might not come back. Look after my mother's grave for me.

Take care.

We still care about you.

What is it?

It's time you pay for what you did in the past.

Can you please let me go?

I won't ever come here again.

It's too late. Mr. Jo gave the order.

Alright. Then let me die in dignity.

So I want to become a eunuch.

You'll have no descendants. You mustn't betray your ancestors.

Mo...

Mother...

We buried him with care.

It wasn't his fault.

He was too ambitious to just serve a king.

I told you to...

reinstate my mother. Why haven't I heard from you yet?!

I will reinstate her, and bestow the title Queen Jehun.

Her tomb will be upgraded too, so carry out my order.

We can't, Your Majesty!

Please take it back!

All who object will be punished for high treason!

Your Majesty, take it back!

Please take it back!

Dr. Yang, why has she become ill?

She is weak, which is why she's feeling dizzy.

Don't worry, I'm just upset.

Your Highness, the king is here.

Let him in.

I heard you are unwell. How are you feeling?

Dr. Yang, brew and serve her medicine with the utmost care.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Grandmother, I reinstated my mother.

And I upgraded her tomb.

Please announce it to all the ladies.

Why are you telling me this?

You started this against my will.

I don't care what you do in the future either.

Please don't be angry.

If I don't have your support,

what chance do I have against the ministers?

You brought it upon yourself.

I don't want to see you. Please leave.

How is Queen Insoo?

She's feigning it to get the king to back down. Medicine won't work.

The king has lost her favor as well as the government officials'.

I wonder how he'll survive.

He won't bring Mrs. Yoon up once this blows over.

Then things will go back to normal.

If only life were that easy.

Drink all you want. Let's celebrate my mother's reinstatement.

Congratulations, Your Majesty.

I was always upset...

by the fact that your mother had no title.

Today really is a joyous day.

Thank you for that.

You're welcome.

Why are you all looking so upset?

You're not happy about this?

Of course we are.

We congratulate you too.

Minister Yoo.

Are you afraid I'll kill you for not preventing my mother's death?

I trust you'd never do that.

You're right. I won't, as long as you do as I say.

Drink up.

Your Majesty.

The court officials are petitioning against your mother's reinstatement.

What? Is that true?!

What do you think you're doing?

Please take your order back!

Take it back!

I already gave my order. Why oppose it now?!

Withdraw!

You can't reinstate a criminal, even if she is your mother.

Take it back!

Take it back!

Your father forbade anyone from mentioning her for 1 00 years.

Why are you going against your own father?!

Why do you care about him and not even try to see how I feel?!

Are you my subjects or my father's subjects?!

We're just trying to tell you what's right!

Take it back!

I let you have your say, but now you're trying to control me!

Please accept our advice!

Head of Palace Guards, arrest them for barging in and disobeying me!

Yes, Your Majesty.

Arrest them!

- Yes, sir! - Your Majesty!

The guards arrested all the court officials.

Oh no, the king's going too far.

I must talk to him.

Now isn't a good time.

Wait until the king has calmed down.

How dare a eunuch think that when the king's life is in danger.

Let's go.

Your Majesty, Lord Kim is here.

Let him in.

Are you here to tell me to release the officials?

Your father hired them to help govern the nation.

They are here to help you govern too.

Punish them each time they oppose, and they'll turn against you for good.

It's to your disadvantage.

They don't think my mother deserves this.

Your mother was an elegant woman who cared for her people.

If you want to honor her memory, do the same instead of reinstating her.

Release the officials, for her sake at least.

Very well, very well.

I should, for her sake. But I'm not like my father.

He hired them to help govern the nation,

but they accepted the office because they wanted to become rich.

I will make sure I rule the nation.

Why are you going against your father?

You lead your department differently from Mr. Jo.

I will do the same with my nation.

You can't compare yourself to me, Your Majesty.

I read about Mr. Jo in our records.

He signed to revolt against King Sejo,

but instead, he killed the treacherous Kim Ja-myung to save the monarchy.

Your Majesty...

What did you just say?

This is what loyalty should be like.

Mr. Jo was remembered as a traitor,

one who killed his own superiors.

But that's what made him loyal.

You should take after him,

instead of thinking what's right.

The moonlight reminds me of the nights I trained with Ja-myung.

I miss him even more these days.

It's getting cold. You should go inside.

What brings you here so late?

Did you betray and kill my father?

What did you just say?

I asked if you betrayed my father.

My love, please don't forget about me

Dear heavens, let my love come true

We swore we 'd be together for life

Though we first met so long ago

I still can't let go of you, my love

I can still hear you call me