Original subtitles

Gaettong.

Go.

I said go.

Go! Go, you jerk!

Why are you here?

Why did you show up now?

You must have been doing well.

How could you never get in touch?

How could you not write me a single letter?

Go.

Go, you jerk!

Hit me harder.

This won't do. Hit me more.

Did you really try to

abandon me and run away?

Then did something come up?

Some relatives I had never met suddenly showed up.

They told me

I was an aristocrat.

That's a relief.

Gaettong.

I knew my Su would never abandon me.

I was sure something had come up.

And I was worried something bad had happened to you.

Do you know how worried I was?

I'm relieved

that you're fine.

I'm so relieved.

I'm sorry, Gaettong.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'll find a way

to come back to you.

When everything settles down,

let's get married again

like we promised.

Go inside.

Okay.

Bye.

Mr. Matchmaker.

Why are you back here?

The queen selection process will begin soon, and you'll get married.

She is finally pulling herself together.

Do not sway her any further.

I'm not trying to sway her.

I'm trying to hold on to her.

For what?

I'll keep her by my side.

-Your Majesty. -I did consider giving up on her.

I ended up as the King, although I didn't wish to.

If I kept her by my side,

she'd become unhappy. So I tried to tell myself

I should let her go.

But I can't.

No matter how difficult it may be,

I want to be with her.

I must take this path however impossible it may seem.

My love for her

will never change.

Stop coming back, okay? It's getting cold.

I won't change my mind.

I'll be back again tomorrow.

So please,

help me.

I finally found Su, the one I've been longing for.

Shouldn't I be happier right now?

You finally found Su, but you don't look so happy.

Has my Su left?

What did you two talk about?

Doesn't he look amazing in that robe?

He was glowing.

That was an expensive robe he was wearing.

It would've been a waste if he didn't.

Well...

With Su back,

what will happen now?

What do you mean?

Now that you found Su,

you'll go back once you find your brother too.

Go back to where?

Where else?

Where you belong.

I'll forget about you becoming a noble lady. Go to bed now.

There is a problem.

I keep thinking

this is where I belong.

What? "My Su"?

After I fed, dressed, and taught her,

how could she wag her tail and say, "my Su"?

I shouldn't have taken her in, to begin with.

I'm not trying to sway her.

I'm trying to hold on to her.

For what?

I'll keep her by my side.

Your Majesty.

Must you take that difficult path?

It doesn't belong to you.

So

handle it with care.

How dare you?

Did you ask around?

Yes.

Lady Yun Su-yeon from the tea ceremony turns out to be

the daughter of Lord Yun Dong-seok, the former superintendent.

-However... -However?

She is said to have fallen ill and gone on pijeop with her father

a few years ago.

That was the last anyone heard of her.

PIJEOP: RESTING IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

I think that's about all the information we can get.

I can't do that.

Why not?

Don't put it like you earned it.

I can't believe how you say one thing

and go back on it the moment after.

Do you not see this?

You clearly said to me

you were giving me another chance.

I did promise you a chance,

but that didn't mean I'd turn you into a noble lady.

I have no reason to do so,

nor do you have the capability to become one.

That's the second chance I need.

Why?

Because your beloved Su came back?

You thought your husband ran away, then he came back wearing a fancy robe.

Did that change your mind?

-It's not like that-- -Then what?

You said you'd always live as Gaettong to find your brother.

Why did you change your mind?

That's because...

Now that you found Su,

you'll go back once you find your brother too.

Why are you so sure

I can't do it?

Just because I was born like this,

can't I

even dream of becoming something like that?

Even people's hearts belong to different classes.

Did you not know?

Big Sis!

Big Sis!

Do you know what this is?

It's called sugabu, and it was imported from Russia.

Su means exquisite, ga means beautiful, and bu means silk.

An exquisitely beautiful piece of silk.

What do you think? Don't I look so stylish?

Anyhow,

I will not give up.

What's with her these days?

Did you two fight?

She keeps pestering me

for something that she should not covet.

Both are incredibly stubborn.

They are like two peas in a pod.

If Three Months doesn't listen to you, just fire her.

This arrived in Mapo Port earlier today.

It is the only white porcelain jar of its kind in Joseon.

I saw that porcelain jar at a different store just now.

And it's cheaper there.

Gosh, what are you talking about?

I'll take two yang off for you.

I'd like to buy this.

And I will pay the full price.

My gosh, sure.

Then I'll go get some wrapping materials.

Why pay more on purpose?

A product's value is decided by the person who prices it.

Look how flawless it is.

Isn't this beautiful?

Such a noble being

since birth.

You are full of thorns and are about to burst into tears.

To my eyes, that's more beautiful than this.

No! My porcelain jars!

Run.

Gosh, my jars!

Eunuch Jang, what is the matter?

The fish porridge I had for breakfast

seems to have gone bad.

-I apologize, Your Majesty. -I'll attend the jocham by myself,

so go relieve yourself first.

I apologize, Your Majesty.

JOCHAM: A QUARTER-MONTHLY MEETING ATTENDED BY ALL OFFICIALS

Do you think these pieces of paper

can help me understand His Majesty?

I am sorry, Your Majesty.

Only two officers have the character "ho" for "fox" in their names.

And one of them was off that day.

The one who was on duty that morning

was Yun Seong-ho.

Why are you drawing a circle around those squiggly letters?

You don't need to know.

I may not know anything else,

but I sure know the character for "fox."

What do you think?

I can write those squiggly letters too.

SLAVE

Go get ready to greet the guest.

Is there anything you need?

No pay, hard labor. Just put me to use.

But please reconsider making me a noble lady in return.

Big Sis, everything is ready.

And he calls me stubborn?

Please begin.

That's Lord Kim of Namsangol.

His wife passed away three years ago.

I do not think it is right for him as a man

to consider getting remarried

only three years after his wife passed away.

This one divorced his wife a little while ago.

He is the son of the former Minister of Personnel.

Instead of having a title of his own,

he seems to be relying on his father's position,

which tells me that he is incompetent.

This is the last one.

Doesn't this seem familiar?

Can we eat something before we go on?

This isn't going to work.

If you tell us the type of man you want,

we will try to find someone.

I just want

an ordinary man.

Thank you for trying.

Gosh, she is quite picky.

Does this run in the family?

We can't really say she is picky.

She is asking for someone flawless,

as if she is looking for someone who doesn't exist.

Come on, why would she do that?

Maybe she just finds it difficult.

It was tough to get another chance, so she doesn't want to ruin it.

Hey, Three Months.

People say, "Practice makes far-fetched."

You aren't so bad.

You mean, "perfect"?

What should I do now?

No pay, hard labor. Just put me to use.

That won't work on me.

Just ask me to do whatever you need.

Hey. Where are you going?

Have I been left behind again?

Something is definitely going on between them.

Your Majesty, these are petitions from all over the country

asking you to name Lady Im as a virtuous woman.

This is how everyone feels.

Do not put this off any longer

and please erect a gate on her behalf

to honor her fidelity.

What Her Highness said is only fair.

Please grant your permission, Your Majesty.

-Please grant your permission. -Please grant your permission.

You're working as a matchmaker?

You, Gaettong?

I sure am.

He can get quite cranky,

but the job pays three times more than the Public Clinic.

It includes room and board, it pays a lot,

and I'm paid upfront too.

What do you do?

Recently, a woman who will soon be named as a virtuous woman came by.

The King is supposed to give her a gate as a prize or something.

His Majesty is so odd.

She has already suffered enough.

And her prize is living alone for the rest of her life?

That's not a prize. That's torture.

After all, he has such beautiful women

anywhere within his reach.

He would never understand.

He knows.

How do you know how the King feels?

What?

Oh, I just thought he might.

I apologize.

I just remembered

something interesting.

Your Majesty,

please do not give your permission.

My nephew's wife is definitely good-natured and respectful,

all deserving to become a virtuous woman.

But I am worried

this will make you question my loyalty.

Please do not grant your permission.

Now that Councilor Ma has said that,

who is going to go against him?

That is absurd.

How can I be suspicious of anyone for recognizing a good deed?

I should, of course,

grant my permission.

However,

I wish to congratulate her myself

on such an honorable affair.

Your Majesty.

My niece-in-law is from a mere aristocrat's family.

It is inappropriate for a mere woman

to be granted an audience with the King.

What could be inappropriate

about recognizing a good deed?

If you are so worried, I will see her in your company.

Come to the palace in three days.

You have

my royal permission.

-Thank you for your generosity. -Thank you for your generosity.

I can't believe you still haven't found her!

A mere woman does not have so many places to hide.

I apologize.

She may abandon everything else, but not her child.

She will try to get in touch with Hwa-jeong at any cost,

so keep your eyes on her.

Yes, my Lord.

Go ahead and take it off.

What... What are you doing?

I have to wash that, so take it off.

You wore that yesterday too.

Forget it. Get out.

Come on. Hurry up.

-You can't! -I can!

Help me become a noble lady. I need to.

Why do you keep saying no?

I want to be with her.

I must take this path however impossible it may seem.

No matter what you say, it just can't happen,

just as we can't make the sky fall apart.

Will the sky have to fall apart for me to become a noble lady?

Do you

even have any idea where he lives?

It's The King Has Ass's Ears all over again.

Fine,

I'll just do it myself.

I'll rip the sky apart.

My Lady.

Can you give me a hand?

Are you all right?

Yes, I am all right.

I have a question.

How can I become such an elegant lady like you?

Hold yourself back.

"Hold myself back"?

Hold yourself back even if you get pricked by a needle

a hundred times a day while embroidering things.

Hold yourself back even if your back is killing you

or your mother-in-law blames you for your husband's death.

Even if you see a man that you might like,

you hold back by all means.

How do you hold back from all those things?

When you think you can't hold back anymore, drink that.

It is very strong. One sip of it

takes a load off your mind.

Now I can see

why you didn't want to become

a virtuous woman.

This is how tea should taste.

Do you think that will make you a noble lady?

Why can't I become one?

Would you like to see my tea-preparing skills?

Gaettong, you...

This is alcohol.

Do you get hiccups?

Startle me.

Hiccups go away when you're startled...

Do you want to stop your hiccups?

Then promise me that you'll me a noble lady.

Gaettong, you...

Promise me.

-You... -Three Months, are you there?

Gosh.

Why? Why are we hiding?

Yeong-su keeps bossing me around.

We're doing the Bakseokgol lady's damjang today, remember?

See?

DAMJANG: LIGHT MAKEUP THAT BRIGHTENS UP THE SKIN

That's strange.

She said she'd be in here.

Is anyone here?

Three Months, don't you dare

pull a prank on me.

I must be imagining things, I'm sure.

Of course, it's just my imagination.

You...

What did you just do?

It was to stop your hiccups.

You asked me to startle you.

And I couldn't think of any other way.

Still...

Your hiccups stopped anyway.

This wouldn't have happened

if you just promised me

that you'd turn me into a noble lady.

Is she just reckless

or is she heartless?

What the hell did you do, lip?

I'll find a way

to come back to you.

When everything settles down,

let's get married again

like we promised.

Su.

I'm supposed to marry you.

If I feel

kind of happy now,

that's weird, right?

Yes.

That would make me a bad person.

There you are.

Were you hiding because you didn't want to do errands for me?

Mr. Matchmaker,

what is this scent?

Something smells lovely.

Right?

It's a perfumed sachet Big Sis got me.

By the way,

why is your face so red?

I tend

to have a lot of heat in my body.

Good job.

Even if it is to help His Majesty,

this is...

You may leave.

Still...

Leave!

What is all this?

Portraits of officials?

While we thought he was spending time with women,

we were giving him time to study--

These are the police officers who were on duty that day.

Thank you.

Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.

I don't know about anything else, but when it comes to luring women,

you have my admiration.

I'm not sure.

I don't always succeed.

Which of you is Yun Seong-ho?

That's me.

Roll up your sleeves for me, will you?

Sure.

The rest of you too.

You may leave now.

There was blood under Kkultteoksoe's fingernails.

He must have gotten it while trying to defend himself.

Therefore, the culprit should have scars from it.

But here is the question.

Who can freely walk in and out of the Police Bureau

and get the case closed this easily?

We must find out who got killed

in order to find out who killed that person.

Find out if anyone who holds the junior third rank or above

or anyone in the royal family died recently.

If it even made Councilor Kang take action,

it must be someone very important.

All right.

What's gotten into you though?

You volunteered to help me even though I never asked you to.

It's full of mysteries, so it's piquing my curiosity.

Leave it to me. I will satisfy your curiosity soon.

Then I'll

just step out again to work on Jeong-suk's case.

Why aren't you asking again?

I'm sure you need my help.

Your answer will be the same even if I ask you again.

Am I wrong?

That woman refused the virtuous woman title and ran away.

What does she look like?

Does she come across as heartless enough

to abandon her own child?

Come and find out for yourself.

Do find a nice man for her.

She wanted that so badly that she ruined her child's bright future.

Don't jump to your own conclusions.

We all have a story to tell.

A woman who abandoned her own child

can never justify what she did.

-Young Master. -Young Master Jun!

Let go.

Your mother abandoned all her children

and ran away to go live with another man.

She utterly destroyed our family.

Let go. I said, let go!

Why are you doing this to me?

I said I will take the civil service examination.

Men can be forgiven for their infidelity.

However, women's infidelity is documented and criticized

for generations.

How will you take the civil service exam?

Father.

You won't be able to do anything.

Forget obtaining a position in government or even getting married.

This is all your mother's fault.

If you need someone to resent, resent her.

Burn everything.

-Yes, my Lord. -Yes, my Lord.

This is about a woman's marriage,

which will make or break her life.

I just need you to check whether he visits this kisaeng parlor.

Well, I told you that I don't know.

That man...

He visits this kisaeng parlor once every three days.

He always looks for a kisaeng named Mae-hwa.

Last night, they even spent the night together.

He even promised to make her his concubine.

Is that enough information?

Where did you get that information?

I just heard it through the grapevine.

It's nothing more than useless gossip.

To me, it is useful.

Would you sell your information to me?

It'd be even better if I could buy you as well.

Is something

bothering you?

One of our clients

is waiting for her fiancé who is far away at the moment.

But apparently,

she can't stop thinking about a man,

who is all prickly toward her

but is always there for her at the same time.

She said that she keeps on forgetting about her fiancé who is far away.

Ma'am.

Don't you think it's absolutely horrible?

It is, indeed.

Right?

Her heart is telling her the answer,

yet she refuses to listen.

What a foolish lady.

Please tell her

she will be heartbroken later on, just like I was.

You think so?

MA

What is this?

It is my gift for you.

-You didn't have to... -It is too small for me.

I think you should wear it.

I'm not sure if I can accept something like this.

In return,

I'd like you to do me a small favor.

I heard Lord Yun Dong-seok is in Hanyang at the moment.

He has been wandering around the mountains and valleys.

He is in Hanyang now?

My daughter must be worried.

Could you please deliver that letter to her?

How could you steal from someone who is asleep?

-Darn it. -Run!

Those punks.

Look, wake up. Mister!

An egg thief will steal an ox later on because of your inattentiveness.

Gosh, I was fast asleep.

Oh, boy. What's with all this noise?

I saved you.

What? It's you again?

Goodness, I don't need this.

Mister.

If you keep losing things like this,

you'll end up losing what is truly dear to you later on.

Once you lose something, it is very hard to retrieve it.

So keep this someplace safe.

On top of the wall at the back of the annex.

It is where we used to leave each other letters for fun.

You can leave the letter there.

You're right.

That looks pretty good.

-Come on. -Right?

Try it.

Gosh. Take one.

All right.

-My gosh. -Are you done?

Goodness, be patient.

Here you go.

Oh, my. What are you talking about?

FLOWER CREW

That darned accident.

Stay focused, will you?

You're the one who brought all of these burdens.

"Burdens"?

There's Three Months, whom you said you'd keep for three months.

And that lady who is picky because it runs in the family.

We need to find someone for them and let them go.

Right?

I should find someone and let her go.

What else?

You don't want to keep them here for life, do you?

Yeong-su.

If I continue to think about an accident,

why would that be?

Did you get into an accident?

I mean,

if you keep thinking about an accident,

it might be some kind of a warning.

A "warning"?

A warning that it's an accident-prone spot and you should avoid it.

That's why you keep thinking about it.

An accident-prone spot.

Not Councilor Kang, not the widows' town,

but she went to Hun's?

Yes. I couldn't check her face because it was covered

by her long hood.

But the long hood was definitely

embroidered with a peony blossom, the Ma family's emblem.

It looks like she asked him to find her another husband.

Are you saying she tried to get married again,

knowing that it will ruin our family?

What do you want me to do?

I don't care where she is.

You will make sure

to bring Hwa-jeong's mother in front of me tonight.

Yes, my Lord.

The Gate of Three Honors is just an excuse.

We all know that his ultimate goal is

the queen selection process.

I can't believe we have to let him have his way.

Goodness.

This is all because

the Crown Prince was killed.

He was attacked by some bandits?

Does that make any sense to you?

Be quiet.

That hasn't been publicly announced yet.

Pour me another one.

My Lord, I'll bring more liquor.

Yes, go ahead.

That'd be great.

The Crown Prince?

The only ones who died recently are the Crown Prince and the late King.

His Majesty passed away in his palace,

but the Crown Prince passed away outside of the palace.

Which one do you think it is?

And he was allegedly attacked by some bandits.

Doesn't it all fit together?

The Crown Prince.

How dare anyone attack the Crown Prince?

That's what makes this more interesting.

What more should I find out?

That's all I need today.

Then you should go.

I have a lot to do too.

Is he at the kisaeng parlor or something?

Why isn't he coming back?

Where were you?

Rock Head, I don't know what to do with you.

MA

-Gaettong! -No!

SLAVE

I may not know anything else,

but I sure know the character for "fox."

SLAVE

You are...

Where in the world were you?

I've been worried sick about you.

What is this?

I was afraid someone held a grudge against me.

This is exactly why your niece-in-law ran away.

Darn it.

Who did you bring back?

Bring the right one immediately.

Search all you want,

but you won't be able to find her.

Why you little wench.

Do not lay a hand on her!

Do not lay a finger on this lady.

When you should be helping your family,

all you ever do is get in its way.

How do you call yourself my son?

You are the one who is meddling with my business.

If you ever

lay a hand on my people,

I will not just sit around doing nothing.

Let's go.

"My people"?

Why are you sulky this time?

Do you think I'm a nuisance?

After coming to my rescue like that--

Just what were you thinking?

You almost got hurt!

Why are you getting angry at me?

It's not like you're the one who got hurt.

If you keep thinking about an accident,

it might be some kind of a warning.

A "warning"?

A warning that it's an accident-prone spot and you should avoid it.

With Su back,

what will happen now?

What do you mean?

Now that you found Su,

you'll go back once you find your brother too.

Go back to where?

Don't get hurt.

Pardon?

If you get hurt,

who would do all the delayed work?

We're short-handed as it is.

Why does he have to be so mean?

Don't you worry. I'll never get hurt!

I'm a high-wage worker, after all.

Wait for me!

Do not lay a hand on her!

Do not lay a finger on this lady.

I'd never seen that girl before.

-Hyeon. -Yes.

-Find out who that girl is. -I will.

Also, find Hwa-jeong's mother by all means.

We have only three days left now.

-Understood? -Yes, my Lord.

Poison? Who did you buy this from?

There's this one guy who ran away recently. Must be him.

-His name is Kkultteoksoe. -Kkultteoksoe?

The only ones who died recently are the Crown Prince and the late King.

And he was allegedly attacked by some bandits.

Doesn't it all fit together?

Someone with enough power to cover up

even the assassination of the Crown Prince.

The fox police officer...

It was not "fox."

The character means "slave."

Hyeon, my father's henchman.

We must find out who got killed

in order to find out who killed that person.

Who benefited the most

from the Crown Prince's death?

It is my father.

My father is at the center of all these incidents.

My father was not after just an ordinary girl.

He was trying to kill

the King's fiancée, Gaettong.

What brings you here

at such a late hour?

Your Majesty.

Do you still wish to proceed with the marriage?

Yes.

By doing this, you will deceive everyone in Joseon.

If anything goes wrong, no one can be safe.

Do you still intend to do this?

Yes.

Fine.

In that case,

let me take care of this marriage.

I'll make sure you can return to Kim Su.

Are you sending Gaettong to the palace too?

They will groom you into a noble lady within the next 15 days.

Councilor Kang's daughter is here.

Is marrying the King that important?

All you do is collect information at kisaeng parlors.

What would you even know?

We only have two days left to bring her to the palace.

Don't do anything.

You don't want to lose Gaettong as well, do you?

Just quit if you're going to keep this up!

But I'm giving you a warning too. For being so stubborn!

A matchmaker should never

let his personal emotions affect the client's marriage.

Subtitle translation by Min-jin Kim