Original subtitles

Episode 18 Although, I've been through hell [from death to life] and back...

the fact that I was able to come here, safely,

is because...

of a woman.

It was a lady whom I met, during my travel through Manchuria.

It was quite impressive! Even if it was a very short encounter.

Every time I was in a deadly situation...

I said to myself, "I have to live."

"I have to go back to Joseon and meet her."

With that one resolution, I came this far.

Why did you go around Ming and Manchuria with so much danger?

It's the same reason for Your Highness to dispatch spies to Manchuria. Isn't it?

Then, you must have had a great experience, since you were exposed to the vast surrounding areas of Joseon.

You don't need to mention it. That's not all...

During this time, I made many expeditions to the surrounding parts of Manchuria and Ming. As if it was my own back yard. Nonetheless,

the most beautiful thing in the world is my country's, Joseon,

woman.

Hey there, do you have any Jukro (Bamboo-dew) green tea here?

I am not being finicky.

If I drink like this, I may lose my taste buds.

In this age, how can you find such a luxury tea as that?

If you don't have it, you don't have it. You don't have to be annoyed.

His position of eyebrows and eyelids are nicely aligned and harmonized. Therefore, he will always be followed by popular sentiments.

However, because his chin line is weak, he has to be careful in personal relationships.

He has a genuine personality, but his weak nose is the issue.

Since the tip of his nose, as well as nosewing, is weak,

it may be difficult for him to show his full potential.

Crown Prince.

Whether I can be trusted or I am talking nonsense,

are you analyzing me?

Heo Kyoon

Not only are you very street smart, but you're also very tactful and highly intuitive.

It looks as though, you've been embarrassed by some women.

How did you know that?

Now, for saving your life, repay me.

Yes.

However, Crown Prince,

I have never seen the Crown Prince before.

So, before I give you this very important item,

I need to confirm whether you really are the Crown Prince.

What did you say?

Look here!

Seriously, I'm in "save a stranger from the sea,"

"and he´ll turn your enemy" situation.

I apologize.

But the item I have to show you is...

an extraordinary thing.

You can never be too sure. It's wise to error-proof everything, even a stone bridge.

Please, don't feel offended and show me your proof.

Jongsagwan (Aide-de-camp) Seo.

Yes, Crown Prince.

Arrest, shackle and drag him to the station. Punish him with a flogging.

How dare he lie that there was a secret letter, when there wasn't one.

In order to save his own ass, he got very desperate and used me.

Of course, he is a traitor. So, lock him up immediately!

Yes, Crown Prince.

Oh, okay.

I like this kind of confirmation; I like it.

What are you guys doing?

Quickly drag him away.

Crown Prince. Crown Prince!

Crown Prince. Your Royal Highness!

It's proven that you're the Crown Prince!

Crown Prince.

Ga Hee.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Didn't you say you lived as a boy and was a friend to the Crown Prince when you were young?

That is correct, Your Majesty.

But the Crown Prince,

even if you lived disguised as a boy,

did he only know you as a boy?

Seeing how fair [pretty] looking you are,

he didn't have a clue?

Yes.

He had no clue.

How can he be so obtuse?

Ga Hee.

As for me...

even if you weren't the woman who could guard my facial features,

I would have wanted you beside me.

A long time ago,

on the rainy day when I saw you shivering...

from that moment on, I thought of you frequently.

Thank you for your grace.

Lady Kim.

I came to see the King for a moment.

Please announce me.

Now is not the best time...

I know already.

Upper court Lady Kim is in there.

Your Majesty.

Lady Kim is here.

Lady Kim?

Please have her enter quickly.

Tell her to enter.

Upper court Lady Kim, you were here, too.

That's good.

What brings you here, Lady Kim?

Your Majesty, isn't the death anniversary of Our Queen, fast approaching?

Therefore, I've personally made some Yakgwa (fried honey cookies), in memory of Our Queen.

I remembered how you enjoy those cookies.

That's why I brought it. For you to taste it, while they are still hot.

It truly is delicious.

Ga Hee,

why don't you try one as well?

No, it's fine.

Concubine Kim, please try one as well.

Here...

Yes.

It's delicious.

Some day, I'm going to feed you a poisonous cookie! You, bitch!!

Your Highness,

I have been serving you since I was 14.

I have given you 4 sons.

But how can you cast me aside?

This letter was given to his subordinate from the Military Commander Nurhaci.

Through several courses, it finally landed in my hands.

That object is the reason why

they wanted to kill me.

What is this?

I know of the Mongolian, Spanish and Uighur alphabets,

but I have not seen this language.

It's Manchurian letters.

Most recently, Nurhaci created this alphabetical system.

Because he has not announced it, there are very few who can read it.

However,

I can read it.

The first sentence says...

"Kill the King of Joseon",

"and raise a bright ocean."

"Gwang of bright, hae of ocean."

Wouldn't it mean to kill His Majesty

and elevate the Crown Prince to the throne?

Is it that you want to die?

How dare you speak so nonchalantly?

Those aren't my words.

That is what is written on the scroll.

How can I trust the scroll

that only you can read?

It says "the end of this month"

so there are exactly three days left.

What?

Since the scroll is already in my possession,

the date will probably change.

They are brutal people,

so you will have to be prepared.

If you can't believe what I am saying,

go and ask Ga Hee

whether I am a person to be trusted or not.

Ga Hee will know.

Crown Prince.

Crown Prince, I have looked into him but Heo Kyoon is not a person to be trusted.

He is good at writing, so he was offered a few government posts,

but he couldn't last a few months and got dismissed every time.

So, what you heard you heard today?

Yeong Sin, I am going to have to meet Ga Hee.

Assistant Commissioner, you must have seen her facial features.

When she may die suddenly,

did you not see any of those signs?

It's not a time for you to laugh.

To separate that girl Ga Hee from His Majesty,

I want you to find a way.

His Majesty and Court Lady Kim are fated to be, based on their physiognomy,

so it will be hard to separate them.

His Majesty is a tree, and Court Lady Kim is water.

A tree needs water,

so His Majesty is meant to look for her day and night.

So, you just want me to just watch all this?

There is a way.

What is that?

Isn't the seat of the country's mother empty?

If His Majesty takes a new queen,

Court Lady Kim will not be able to carry His Majesty's heart anymore.

Is that the

only method?

I will secretly follow Court Lady Kim.

I am sure I will find something to use against her.

I had a question to ask you in private, so I called you here.

Yes, Crown Prince.

Do you know of a man named Heo Kyoon?

Have you met that person?

How do you know him?

Recently in Southern Manchuria, I became indebted for life

to Scholar Heo Kyoon.

I heard that Nurhaci's aide pestered him to stay in the house.

If he is Nurhaci's aide

then his words can't be all nonsense.

Although he is a bit unique, he is a very trustworthy person.

He brought a very important secret letter from Southern Manchuria.

The content was so shocking,

that from the Jurchen people's perspective, he is someone they will have to kill.

What is that content?

You do not need to know to that extent.

Forgive me.

I forgot my place for a moment.

If you want to confirm that his information is trustworthy,

I believe that you can trust him.

It seems that the Jurchen are trying to unite their tribes

and start a war with the Ming.

I'm certain that the ripple will reach Joseon...

so please protect Father at your side.

Yes.

Please take care of yourself as well.

♬ Even if it seems like I can reach you, a person like you is far away. ♬

♬ You are my love, my everything, ♬

I am sorry. ♬ Even if it pains me to death ♬

♬ ... and my heart is bruised ♬

I didn't even know about this foolish side of me. ♬ From a distance, I will always wait for you! ♪ ♬

I know very well about

the intentions you had to stand by Father's side...

♬ Because of that one word, I couldn't say to you ♬

but I still don't have the confidence to look you in the eye. ♬ Because of that one step ♬

♬ that I couldn't take to get closer to you ♬

You don't have to look at me.

Please do whatever makes you feel at ease, Your Highness. ♬I can see you before my eyes.. ♬

♬ As my tears flow down... ♬

♬ I realize that I miss you even more... My love... ♬

The Ming troops have just notified me of their withdrawal plan.

What should we do about this?

Your Majesty.

Although the Japanese have retreated from this land for now,

concern remains about how they will act in the future.

So, if the Ming says they will withdraw their troops,

we should ask them to stay.

I have done everything they asked for.

Even when I couldn't pay my officials,

I raised the pay of the Ming troops.

Is that all? Wine, meat! Even if I had to eat barley rice,

I gave them a table to feast on for their meals.

But they are withdrawing?

Your Majesty.

How about personally meeting

the Ming envoys that are staying at Taepyeonggwan?

Before that,

find out what their real intentions are.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Thanks for coming just in time.

The Crown Prince wants me to take you to him.

Crown Prince, since you have saved me once again,

you must be paying attention to the scroll now.

By any chance, did you meet Lady Ga Hee?

Did you say that you traveled through Ming and Manchuria as if they were your own yard?

Yes, I did.

Then, you must have seen, heard, and felt things from your experience.

Why do you think Nurhaci

wants to assassinate the King?

Right now, Nurhaci has a great ambition of reviving

the glory of the Jin Dynasty of the past.

But His Majesty only treats them as barbarians.

Even during the Imjin War, he declined Nurhaci's

offer to help twice.

So, he has a grudge against the King?

Yes.

However, for Your Highness,

Ming has declined the approval of Crown Prince several times.

So he thinks you must harbor an evil will against the Ming,

and he probably considers that it is possible to convince you to be on his side.

Isn't that so?

He is planning to assassinate a king of a country just for that reason?

Crown Prince.

Besides having the great steel-clad cavalry,

they are also exceptional at spying.

If they are determined to assassinate the King,

they will follow through with it.

Now that I remember, the day is today.

It's the day that they set to assassinate the King.

Since they lost the secret letter to me, they probably would have changed the date.

Those guys will try to kill you again.

For the time being, dwell with Yeong Sin in his quarters in the palace.

What?

I'll entrust myself to you.

Crown Prince...

How did it go?

We have failed. There was a person who helped him.

Because of Heo Kyoon, our secret message probably is known by Joseon.

We are going to change the plan.

Yes!

However, as to tonight's plan...

we'll continue as planned.

What does a slave at the palace want?

Aren't you a eunuch newly assigned to the palace?

It is so.

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Head Guard, do you remember the case long ago of the thief in the palace library?

Yes, Crown Prince.

Perhaps it was before you became the chief when Byeol Kam was the chief.

Yes, that is true.

I believe your loyalty to the King is unquestionable.

Am I right?

For the King, I am always prepared to die.

Then, from now on, you will have to be even more determined.

There are signs that someone is going to assassinate the King.

What?

I am saying it because I thought that the Head Guard should know.

Therefore, from here on out, dispatch all the Royal Head Guards' soldiers around the vicinity of My Royal Father..

Don't take off your eyes on the King even for a moment. Do you understand?

Yes, Crown Prince.

Crown Prince.

Where is the King?

He, right now, is at Kwangyeongjeon with Kim Ga Hee.

Of all people, why did he have to be with Ga Hee?

Nothing will happen today.

Don't they know that their secret message is with me?

They are going to have to choose another day.

What is that?

I'm going to try for a psychic reading.

I'm trying to find out if my adversaries chose me as bait.

You want to pick one?

Oh, that's right. It won't do.

You'll bring bad luck.

The way to separate Ga Hee from the King...

The only way is to bring in a new concubine.

We're trying to restore Bong Soo Dae [A defense station/tower] which was damaged during the war. Please consider our request.

That is what is written.

Yes, is that so?

Your Majesty, it might be wise for you to read this, yourself.

Why? What is the content? Is someone mocking me or such?

That can't be! How can anyone dare to mock Your Highness?

Then, you tell me, Ga Hee.

It's an appeal to ask the question why must the poor pay more taxes than the rich?

What do you mean?

The person who is farming on leased land

is paying the land owner's tax, which is unfair. That's what it says.

- Chase them! - Yes!

That will be enough.

Yes.

What is the matter?

Who are you?

I ... I apologize.

Your Majesty...

Head Guard.

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Your Majesty, are you okay?

I am okay.

Were you startled much?

I am okay.

Your Majesty, I'll call the Court Ministers immediately.

No. Don't do it.

Your ... Your Majesty.

Somebody dared to have me killed. Assistant Commissioner.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Make sure you find out who tried to kill me.

Yes, Your Majesty.

In order for us to capture the culprit, we must do it discreetly.

Chief Eunuch, make sure that news of what happened tonight doesn't get leaked to the outside.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I will take milady to Hwayoogwak.

Do so.

What are you doing?

As much as you would rather die than be embraced by an old man,

did you really want to hit me that much?

Why? Are you afraid?

I guess there are times when the great Kim Do Chi reveals what's inside of him.

Don't act rashly. If the King finds out about you and Gwang Hae,

what do you think will happen?

If that's the case, it will be the end for Kim Do Chi as well.

Both of us will self-destruct. The Kim Do Chi I know

will be revealed to the King as well.

I really didn't think they would try to kill the King today.

Even the Head Guard has been killed.

If I knew it was going to be like this, I would have put up a better defensive measure.

Are you saying that you already knew about this.

I have obtained information that the Jurchen are trying to assassinate Father.

The Jurchen? Why?

During the war, the reinforcements Nurhaci sent were not accepted by my father.

They have a grudge because of that.

The person who tried to assassinate His Majesty

was dressed as a eunuch.

This means, all over the palace,

there are hidden spies, doesn't it?

Teacher, I am looking for ways to meet with their leader.

To find whether they are trying to kill the King because of the grudge or for other another reason.

Until I solve the matter, I'll entrust His Majesty to you.

"Kill the Joseon King and raise a bright ocean"?

How can something so absurd happen?

It's a face born to be a military commander. The allegiance and mettle are also great.

But, it will be difficult to reveal that his facial features are Jurchen.

He is a Jurchen.

How do you know that?

Among the Mongols and Jurchen...

there are many people that have a split pinky toenail.

Maybe it's because they ride horses a lot. I'm not quite sure.

Then, the Jurchen according to the contents of the secret orders...

We knew about this, but weren't able to prevent it.

I was careless.

Didn't you say that nothing would happen, sir,

that they were secret orders that were already exposed?

Oh, over there! If they've infiltrated the Royal Eunuchs,

then they probably already have spies here and there inside the palace.

Possibly ... right here, already...

there may be one.

Why have you come all the way to this place, Crown Prince?

There has been an incident affecting the King's life. How could I stay still for that?

I heard your actions were great last night.

I only did what ought to have been done.

Yes, in the occurrence this time it appears you were given a command as a lessor official and

we will take a look and completely reveal who was behind this.

Clearly, the person who died was a Jurchen.

You gave me this bow and arrows.

intending that the old Kim Ga Hee would be discarded.

That was so.

However, I am again returning this bow to you.

I heard that you could have met with disaster yesterday.

To Kim Ga Hee, the person who was once my most faithful servant,

I am issuing a new command.

Protect His Majesty with this bow and arrows.

Your Highness.

Can you do that for me?

Won't you always be at his side, guarding him?

I believe in your skill as an archer.

Can you follow my order?

I accept the command, Crown Prince.

Lady Kim, the King is coming right now.

Yes?

Your Highness, hurry and leave.

No. There is nothing to conceal from His Majesty.

What is there to be concealed?

Royal Father.

Didn't I ask a question? What is there to be concealed?

I requested a favor of Lady Kim.

While the matter might offend you,

I wanted to tell Lady Kim about the concerns I have.

The favor is?

Kim Ga Hee is the best archer in Joseon.

The closet person to you is Lady Kim.

The favor I asked was that she guard you.

However, I was concerned because receiving a helping hand from a woman may offend you,

I said that.

Is the Crown Price telling the truth?

Yes, Your Majesty. How could he say that a lowly female would dare

to keep you safe?

Yes. Ga Hee is correct.

But it's not because you are lowly.

Naturally, a man must protect a woman. Would it be right for the opposite to happen?

You are right.

You don't need to worry about me any longer, Crown Prince.

Yes, Father.

If you're finished with your business, you can leave now.

Yes, Father.

Even if you were childhood friends, there is a distinction between man and woman.

How could a nation's Crown Prince disregard those rules?

Do not let any men into here.

I apologize.

As I live, I see the strangest things.

You are even buying me drinks?

Did Lady Kim ask you to keep on eye on me?

Hyungnim, you may not accept me,

but from an early age, I deeply admired your broad minded and unreserved character.

What?

You really are making me laugh.

My mother is a very strict person.

So I never once said anything that I wanted to say and did anything I wanted to do.

After Sin Seong died,

my mother's obsession about me has gotten bigger.

So much so that I had a hard time breathing.

Do you now know why I yearned for you?

I am also your younger brother.

Take it.

Yes, Hyungnim.

How is it that everything in Joseon, including the service of alcohol, is like this?

Starting from the King to the Royal Court and even down to the giseangs,

is there nothing in this land called Joseon that is satisfactory?

Oh, my goodness, just look at you!

That is why this nation is in this state!

Hyungnim, please hold yourself back.

I think he's a Ming General.

How can a Joseon Prince hear that and say that I should hold myself back?

Who are you?

Just who the hell are you that you would dare, to a Ming General,

look me up and down so impudently?

General, that man is the Joseon King's first born.

Then what do you want me to do about it, huh?

We saved a country that was in ruins...

so why don't you crawl over here and pour me a drink.

Your Father did the same.

You bastard! You dare say that about Father?

Hyung!.

A mere general dares to do this to a Prince!

You bastards don't have any courtesy, do you?

Are you out of your mind right now?

Moreover, at a time when the Ming soldiers are wanting to withdraw,

you swing your fist at a Ming General?

If they withdraw all their troops because of this incident, what are you going to do?

Do you think this nation of Joseon will be safe without the Ming soldiers?

Then, after a nation's Prince is thus affronted by a mere General,

are you saying that I must bear it?

That bastard insulted our Joseon and you, Father!

Are Im Hae's words true?

Since Hyungnim drank a lot of alcohol, I think he heard incorrectly.

What?

What did you just say?

I didn't hear it, Father.

Now that I look, you...

Even if the Ming General was drunk and spoke carelessly,

the nation's existence and safety hang on this.

For a nation's Prince, his actions and words have an influence that reaches countless people.

Therefore, he must not become overcome by emotion and act on it.

Jeong Won, you bastard...

You lowered my guard with words of flattery,

and you stabbed me in the back like this?

You shouldn't have fallen for it in the first place.

What did you say?

Since the Ming made a fuss about not accepting a Crown Prince that was not the first born,

as to whether you could be my rival, I wanted to confirm it again one last time.

Also, thanks to you,

I gained confidence.

Since you only enjoy alcohol and pleasure seeking,

it seems you have been lazy about your martial arts training lately.

What do you think you are doing right now?

Crown Prince.

Jeong Won.

What did you dare to do to Hyungnim Im Hae?

I didn't do anything, Crown Prince.

It's just that I didn't get hit by him so easily.

I was defending my self.

I've always thought of you as a young kid but you know how to act like an adult.

Yes. So, I became good enough to face my foes.

Jeong Won. For the past few years during the war,

I have killed countless invaders with my sword.

That was, first, because I had to survive. Second.

It was because there were things that I had to protect.

That war isn't over yet.

So, if there are enemies that are going to attack me, I will not hesitate using my sword.

Therefore, be careful.

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Scholar.

- Scholar! - Oh my, you startled me!

Lady Ga Hee!

Since you are dressed up that way, I almost didn't recognize you.

Even though there is a famous saying about a woman's transformation being innocent,

this isn't a joke.

Now that I see you in person, Lady...

it makes me realize that you have become the King's woman.

I should speak respectfully towards you now.

Why are you in the palace? Did the Crown Prince call for you?

I am naturally a free soul,

but since my power is needed for matters of the nation, what choice do I have?

Is that really the only reason?

Isn't it that you wanted to watch and see if the Crown Prince is worth serving as your master?

Since you say it so pointedly,

I'm not sure what to say...

You're right. You're right.

Yes, you're right.

Father, your face is full of worry.

Crown Prince, didn't you say this once?

That the King must be the most unhappy and anguished in that nation.

Yes, I did say that to you once.

The Ming have given notification that they will withdraw all their soldiers.

On top of things being extremely difficult, Im Hae has swung his fist at a Ming General.

Father, the Ming solders need to withdraw now.

Due to the war, about half of the population died and the land is in ruin so it is hard to come up with provisions.

Those men have looted private homes, and violent acts against passing women have occurred often.

Please have them withdraw now.

Where does your sense of confidence come from?

Do you think you can protect the people with just your passion?

- Your Majesty. - Go away.

To Kim Ga Hee who was my most faithful servant,

I wish to give you a new command.

Protect His Majesty with this bow and arrows.

Who is there?

Aren't you the Lady Kim's servant?

What were you doing here?

Were you eavesdropping?

Court Lady Oh, take her and have her treated.

Yes, Your Highness.

What is going on?

Court Lady Park, like a thieving cat, was eavesdropping at Hwayoogwak.

Lady Kim, did you have her do this?

How can I order her to do such a thing?

Your Majesty, it's a misunderstanding.

It seems like Court Lady Park just did it out of loyalty to me, even when she was not ordered to do so.

So, it's something you didn't know anything about?

Yes, I never knew.

However, because I didn't teach her properly...

I will gladly accept the punishment.

I am very disappointed in you, Lady Kim.

Your Majesty, how can you say such a regrettable thing?

I am a woman who looks only to you.

I can no longer trust you, Lady Kim.

Really ... I feel resentful.

How can you say such things to me?

All my life, I have lived looking only for you,

wondering when you will walk toward me.

I only look forward to that but you only want to go to Hwayoogwak.

Do you know how long it has been since you came to see me?

Court Lady Park thought how pitiful I was and

went there to see what was going on out of curiosity.

Go away.

Your Majesty!

Really ... you are being too unfair, Your Majesty.

Were you very surprised because of Court Lady Park?

I came here to apologize to you.

What do you mean "to apologize"? It's not something that you should be apologizing for.

No. Of course I should apologize.

You are like a mother figure to me, since you are serving My Royal Father.

Although, you're a low ranking Concubine, I'll treat you with my utmost respect.

Prince, I apologize. I'm speechless.

You, bitch! I'll make you pay for your sins of breaking my mother's heart...

Someday, I'll repay you by "death" !

The person who was trying to assassinate His Majesty was dressed in a eunuch's uniform.

This is an indication of implanted spies [moles] everywhere within the Royal Palace.

Do you understand?

Did you say that you were personally going to intercept the spy yourself?

By catching the spies, I'd like to meet their leader.

What are you going to do by meeting him?

The more I think about it, I don't believe it's only because of their resentment towards My Royal Father.

I'd like to meet their leader, and personally ask him the reason.

Then, do you have a method to get connected with the leader?

Aren't they looking for you with all of their energy? That their eyes are on fire?!

-You must become their bait! -Huh?

Sir, what are you talking about?

But, are you really staying within arm's reach?

My goodness! Yes, indeed! I've told you many times already.

Why don't you leave, now.

Even if you're standing very close to me, all they have to do is slash me with a sword right in front!

What if I die?! What are you going to do?

Uh, huh! (Oh my!)

How can you use your own people like this? When supposedly, you care so much for them?

If you truly care for us people, then I will do as you say.

Highness!

Why did you try to harm My Royal Father? Answer me!

I'll block all of you bastards! Even if you use any type of tricks at all cost.

I'll make sure that My Royal Father will never have to face any type of danger.

Even at this very moment aren't you asking him for help?

We are faithfully carrying out our mission.

What does that mean? Can't you answer immediately?

His Majesty!

Where is he right now?

Isn't he entertaining the Ming generals at the Taepyueonggwan today?

The King approaches.

Far away in a foreign country, you are undergoing a great deal of hardship.

The food will suit your tast perfectly.

I wish to forge a stronger bond of peace among us.

Please enjoy the food.

Are you asking for more silver now?

But of course.

We have to pay our Ming army 50,000 hannyang each month.

If you wish to keep them in Joseon territory, then won't you need much more silver to do that?

The fact that Joseon does not use silver

everybody knows this. When we don't even have silver...

Your Majesty, are you okay?

What are you doing? Get some water quickly.

What do you think you are doing?!

Your Majesty, it's a trap.

General!