Original subtitles

[This is a work of fiction. All the characters, locales, groups, and incidents have no connection to historical facts.]

What is all this?

I told you then

that I would tell you if I see you again...

who I am.

Many years ago,

the child who hid in the dog house in fear...

was me.

I am...

I am Lee Seol.

What...

did you say?

You are...

Lee Seol?

The reason...

The reason I could not tell you all this time is...

Look who is here!

What?

Looking at the Eosahwa, you must have must have passed the exam!

Aigoo!

[Episode 9]

By the way, you do not look so well for some reason.

Aigoo! He must still be nervous!

His Majesty apparently came to the exam site!

You make Ihwawon proud.

How long has it been since we had someone who passed? Do you not agree, Dan Oh?

Yes, yes. It is true.

Do you mind if I try on the Eosahwa?

I am getting the energy of success from it!

- Try it on. - My gosh!

What do you think?

Does it suit me?

Aigoo! Here is the first-place scholar!

It suits you so perfectly!

I have a good feeling this time.

I wrote down the answer without any hesitation.

Should I tell the people in my hometown to kill a pig for me?

Just get a government position!

If so, I will catch a wild pig, even!

Oh, right...

Here, here.

Scholar Yoo Ha must have done a good job, right?

It was not too bad.

Did Shi Yeol not come with you?

Aigoo!

Do not get me started.

- You know, he- - What about me?

What kind of...

a person gives up in the middle of the exam?

What do you mean, give up?

I put my brush down early because the question was boring.

I saw you handing in a blank paper without a drop of ink on it.

The blank paper is my answer.

How could there be only right answers in this world?

You are unbelievable.

By the way, San started dressing arrogantly while I was gone.

You are dressed like a royal inspector.

Let me excuse myself.

Aigoo...

There is no one else here.

You can speak freely.

I still...

cannot believe it.

That you are the deposed crown prince's son, Lee Seol.

It is such a relief...

that you were safe and sound like this.

♪ The dark night sky is filling up with you while everyone is asleep ♪

♪ You were smiling in my arms ♪

♪ I can't forget about it ♪

♪ At night, when the moon is up... ♪

You must have been...

holding back your whole life like this.

♪ All of our memories are getting vivid ♪

♪ Please stay with me by my side ♪

♪ I've always been waiting for tonight ♪

How did you hang in there by yourself all this time?

Dan Oh.

I was hoping you were not...

being chased like that night.

♪ Please be by my side. I will be... ♪

Now I understand...

how foolish I have been.

I brought you to Ihwawon and

suffocated you.

Even if you did not run away with my bag,

we would have met again, anyway.

It was not a coincidence that

we met at the tavern that day.

I came to you...

whom I have missed dearly.

♪ I will wait for you ♪

♪ At the place I have always been watching ♪

Tell me...

what your plan is going forward.

You must have a reason for trying to get a government position.

You promised me.

That you would tell me everything the day you put on the Eosahwa.

I will go to the palace.

Why, all of a sudden-

Although I have been chased my whole life,

I am the oldest son of the Crown Prince in this country.

I will join the royal guards and punish the king myself.

What if your cover gets blown by entering the palace rashly?

You will lose the life you have been protecting all this time.

You risked your life to protect Ihwawon, too.

This is just like that.

I am trying to protect the palace I grew up in

from the traitor who is blinded by greed.

Enemies will be everywhere in the palace.

Could you please reconsider-

Both of my parents passed away,

and all of their followers and their families were killed.

I cannot ignore the ones who got killed only to protect myself.

That is the reason I am alive

and it is my duty as the eldest son of the crown prince.

But...

it is too dangerous.

You saved my life.

I will not give up on it and waste it.

Do not worry.

Please bring me the keepsakes.

They are the keepsakes

Crown Prince left.

This letter is Crown Prince Lee Pyeong's request to his son

and a piece of evidence to prove your identity.

If I rise to the throne and things quiet down,

I will call you to the palace.

Please be strong and live until then.

All I can give you right now is this name.

My Son, Gyeom.

[Buyounggak]

You are Merchant Jang, are you not?

I am.

I am looking for a ship that goes to China.

I was wondering if there is room on your ship.

Room?

By the way, what is the reason-

I will pay you handsomely.

If there is, please contact Ihwawon, which is on the edge of Jungchon.

I will.

She asked Merchant Jang to find a ship for her.

Yoon Dan Oh is trying to go to China?

Well done.

Continue to keep an eye on Dan Oh.

Yes, sir.

You will be free from your bondage soon.

As long as you find Lee Seol.

By Lee Seol...

Do you mean the deposed crown prince's son?

Looks like you have heard of that name, too.

I just overheard some rumors...

I supposed he had not been caught yet, right?

Feel free to come whenever you change your mind.

It is cowardly to hide because you fear being a burden.

What do you mean cowardly?

- This is for Dan Oh- - It is not for Dan Oh!

You are making her guilty so you can feel better.

She would be blaming herself for not being able to protect you.

If I were her,

I would want my only sister

to be supportive,

and not be a burden.

Sending you to the palace

does not sit well with me, Your Highness.

You and I are the ones who survived.

We must do our duty as the ones who are left behind.

There is only one reason why

I did not die with my master as the crown prince's royal bodyguard.

It is because of Crown Prince's order to protect you.

Please...

be careful.

I understand.

You would be alone in the palace.

No matter how impressive Watchman is,

it will not be easy to beat the guards and enter the palace.

I need to meet the Watchman.

I want you to find him for me.

Why do you wish that?

- Watchman is... - Dan Oh found out...

who I am.

If Watchman finds out about that,

he might try to kill her because he thought I was in danger.

- It will not be easy to find Watchman right now. - If so,

what should I do with Dan Oh?

Your life is at risk more than anyone's right now.

I am used to it.

But...

Dan Oh is not.

Where are you running to?

It was you.

I thought someone was following me.

You should not have been walking around at night.

Let us go in.

Are you that anxious?

Were you so afraid that you ran like that?

Chief Administrator...

might still be chasing after me.

Dan Oh.

What if I told him everything because I could not withstand his threats?

- If that happens- - Even if that happens,

I will not blame you.

You cannot join the royal guards.

Please reconsider it.

You will not be the only person who gets hurt if they find out who you are.

Everyone at Ihwawon will...

end up dying as well.

You should leave far away instead.

I am looking for a ship that goes to China.

If they get in even the slightest danger,

I will leave without looking behind.

Trust me.

I will not put you and them in danger.

But you still should be careful for now and

do not walk around alone late at night like this.

I would like you not to leave Ihwawon at all.

Locking up does not steer thieves away.

If they wanted to,

they could climb the wall and come in.

I wish I could make the walls reach the sky.

So no one can dare climb it.

Who are you? You cannot come in here.

Maiden Hong Ju, what happened?

I...

am back now.

Are you really?

Can we stay together now, then?

You were right.

I wanted to run away

because I hated myself for not being helpful at all.

You were helpful just now.

Pardon?

Seeing your face made me forget all of my worries.

Anyway, you became very masculine while you were away.

I dressed like a man just in case I might get caught.

I look a bit awkward, do I not?

It suits you well.

Feels like we have been friends for ten years.

Shall we have some rice wine at the tavern, then?

I have not even seen Dan Oh and Najudaek yet.

No one was here when I arrived.

I should not be here like this, then.

Let me go find those two right now!

My Lady!

You came back!

Shall we sit?

Did you come all the way here alone?

You should have called me!

I would have run to you immediately!

I came safely.

I bought these clothes just in case, too.

Aigoo!

Aigoo! My scholar!

I wonder if you made many ladies cry on your way here!

You are really back, right?

You will not disappear suddenly, right?

No.

I will not go anywhere anymore.

I will find what I can do here.

I will no longer be a burden to you.

I always tell you this,

but you have never done that.

I am so glad you are back!

Come here.

Let me give you both a hug!

Shall we sleep together in the annex tonight?

Shall we?

Just wait. I will bring the blankets over!

So the deposed crown prince's son gave you that compass?

Come to think of it,

you were acting a bit strange at Father's funeral.

I just thought you were struggling to face Father's death.

But that was not it.

What should we do now?

I need to do something,

but there is nothing I can do.

I just...

need to watch him hoping he is safe.

You said he has been chased his whole life.

He must know better than anyone how to survive.

Do you really think so?

Of course.

I am sure of it.

Why are you all staring like that?

A royal guard! We are just proud.

An extraordinary talent like you is at Ihwawon.

If Won knew, he would have been so happy.

He might have wanted you to be his son-in-law.

Ahjussi!

Do not make a joke like that.

Shi Yeol, how come you are not saying anything?

I would not know where to start.

Should I say this first?

Since the king is extremely sensitive and violent,

I heard the royal guards cannot last more than three months.

But San is not an ordinary fellow. I am sure he can last.

Are you wishing him ill will or complimenting him right now?

- Complimenting. - I think he is encouraging me.

Telling me to hang in there.

Right?

Aigoo! You might be late on your first day!

Get going now!

Then, I will see you later.

You are...

really leaving, right?

I will return safely.

Your Majesty, please stop the unreasonable expansion of the palace.

You are making the farmers work here during the busy farming season.

Not only that, but to afford it,

you even raised interest for Hwangok*. (Palace loaning grain to farmers and charging interest)

Left State Minister.

Tell me.

Should I stop doing this right now?

It is for the royal palace's dignity.

It is only right that people follow your order.

If people go hungry and run out of money,

misfortune will follow.

In fact, I am afraid they will revolt out of anger.

Please reconsider.

Three Secret Prophecies of Joseon.

It says there, too.

When the people rise up like wildfire,

an extraordinary man who showed up in the East will become the king.

Come to think of it,

you are in Mok In Hoe, too. Otherwise, you will not be

saying all this nonsense to me.

Your Majesty! You are mistaken!

I was just advising you as Inspector General!

I am certainly not a member of Mok In Hoe!

This is unjust!

Left State Minister, please say something!

You know that I am not a member of Mok In Hoe!

Look here!

Drag him out of here immediately!

Three generations in his family will die for treason!

Yes, Sire!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty! Your...

Minister! Minister!

Minister!

It was so suspicious, was it not?

The way My Lady was looking at Scholar Kang San.

It was so sticky and intense.

We should hurry up and prepare for a wedding.

Aigoo! I only have one person in mind.

A scholar who uses a brush is better than a warrior who uses a sword.

Scholar Yoo Ha is someone who will do great things.

A scholar who uses a brush is right here as well!

How come you are singling out Yoo Ha like that?

Well, I am just talking about him as My Lady's husband material.

What do you think of me, then, Najudaek?

Gosh!

You did not pass the state exam, but your face shows the passage of time.

I pity you.

Well...

My gosh!

I... I will also pass the exam

and become the No. 1 husband material!

Chief Administrator wishes to see you.

Me?

- Why all of a sudden? - Come with me.

I heard there was the first round of the state exam.

You will have to get a government position this time.

You did not bring me here because you were worried about that.

What did you want to talk about?

Yook Ho, I know you are the eldest member of Ihwawon.

Did you know that Dan Oh has been looking for

the deposed crown prince's son to keep Ihwawon?

But I heard she could not find him.

She did.

She knows about Lee Seol.

That is why she is trying to run away to China.

There is no way.

- Why would she- - If she...

runs away to hide Lee Seol,

not only her but her whole family will be beheaded.

You also learned and studied under Yoon Won.

Will you just watch

your teacher's daughter getting executed for treason

and her family getting killed?

Tell me if you find out who Lee Seol is.

As long as you do that, I will get you

a suitable government position.

Grandmother is waiting! Please hurry.

Do not run.

What if you hurt yourself?

All right.

He is quite heavy. I think he is all grown up now, Crown Princess.

I knew it was you!

It is nice to see you like this.

It is me, Yoon Goo Nam.

At the exam site...

I threw you a pole.

Oh, I remember.

Yes.

Did you join the royal guard?

It happened so.

We showed off impressive teamwork at the exam site.

Of course, I did about 80% of it.

This is the map of the palace.

Memorize all of it by tomorrow.

Are you telling us to memorize these countless pavilions?

We are the royal guards who serve the king.

You cannot miss a single thing.

You will receive one hit whenever you get it wrong.

Follow me. We will go to the Royal Council Hall.

I knew things were going too well.

I will get beaten as soon as I enter the palace.

- Be quiet and follow me! - Yes, sir.

I really like...

the look in your eyes.

It is somewhat familiar, as though I have long seen it.

How insolent.

Lower your head.

All right. Which family are you from?

I am from the Kang family of Jinju.

Is your injury faring well?

It has almost healed.

Good, good.

Is this not...

the compass of my hyungnim?

I got it from a girl called...

Dan Oh of the Yoon family in Ihwawon at Jungchon.

Yoon Dan Oh...

Who is that girl to have such a thing on her?

More than a decade ago, she had allowed

the deposed crown prince's son, Lee Seol, to hide at Ihwawon

for a night at the funeral of Yoon Won.

She had confessed that she

received it from him as a token of gratitude.

Wait.

Was not the day of Yoon Won's funeral...

the day I brought forth the rebellion?

Yes...

that is correct.

This is interesting.

Yoon Won's daughter has a connection with the deposed crown prince's son?

Hwa Ryeong, how much do you know about my father?

I do not know much, either.

Right,

you never got to meet Crown Prince in person, have you?

I have.

I thought I had not.

But I once did.

There...

I am deeply sorry.

But who are you?

Farewell.

You must protect yourself from now on.

Do you understand?

That was the day I was sent to Lord Jung Yoon's house.

A servant boy who used to carry water buckets in Grand Prince Geum Ryeong's house

was adopted by a noble family.

It was a joyful day for me.

However,

his eyes looked quite sad.

And he was...

the Crown Prince.

Do you resent the Crown Prince?

After I went to Lord Jung Yoon's house,

a rebellion ensued soon enough

and Grand Prince Geum Ryeong's household was slaughtered, too.

If it were not for Crown Prince's foresight,

I would have lost my life as well.

If Crown Prince could see how you have grown up,

he would be overjoyed.

My life was full of lies.

I was born as Grand Prince Geum Ryeong's slave,

raised as Lord Jung Yoon's son from a concubine,

and now...

I am the long lost son of Crown Prince?

I do not know anymore...

who I really am.

I have one question for you.

Yes. Please ask.

Who is my birth mother?

He did not mention Mother in his will at all.

I heard she was of low class.

It is more beneficial for you not to have any interest.

Class does not matter.

Is she not the one who gave birth to me?

His Lord is waiting for you.

Please hurry on.

I have decided.

I will rise to the throne.

Now what should I do?

I will take this hairpin and

let everyone in Mok In Hoe know.

That the hidden leader of Mok In Hoe is actually...

the deposed crown prince's son, Lee Seol.

Therefore, you must take the throne as Lee Seol.

What do you mean by that?

What are you talking about right now?

Are you saying to take the throne by borrowing my brother's name, whom I have never met?

I am deeply sorry to tell you this,

but you were hidden at a young age and could not even receive a royal title.

Even if you are Crown Prince's son,

you are an illegitimate son with no knowledge of who your mother is.

There is no one who will join forces to sit such a man as the king.

However, the deposed crown prince's son, Lee Seol, is a different story.

Mok In Hoe's trust will follow naturally.

To take the throne through falsity...

That is mocking the people and Mok In Hoe.

I cannot agree to such plans. Instead...

find the real Lee Seol and make him the king.

Ok Jin could not be found anywhere so far.

For more than a decade, he has never shown himself. Not even once.

To waste countless years again in search of Ok Jin...

Joseon is in too much peril right now.

Tens and thousands of people are dying.

Subjects speaking the truth to the King are being executed with their family.

Can you bear to just watch this?

Why are you out here?

I just felt like it.

Looks like Royal Guards give you a lot of work from day one, huh?

Yes. All I did was work and come back in one piece.

On that day, a funeral lantern was hanging here.

I went in when I saw the light.

Yes.

That is why I was reminded of you every year...

on a memorial day.

That boy who was hiding and shivering...

in the dog house.

Wondering about how he is doing now and

if he is safe.

You might not know,

but I have changed a lot.

♪ I couldn't say it even when I knew everything ♪

The boy in the dog house...

who was fragile and powerless to no end

is no more.

Dan Oh, you are...

the last memory that does not haunt me...

even when I reminisce about it.

I have been thankful for a long time.

I was not able to...

tell you that for a long time.

♪ I just look, fearing there will be more distance between us ♪

♪ Cherished in the corner of my heart, so it won't show ♪

[Temporary Palace in Onyang]

Did you make up your mind?

I must have your word now.

Your Highness...

what is your reason...

for trying to make me the delivery man for Watchman's funds?

You betrayed the Crown Prince's son a long time ago.

However, thanks to that,

Watchman slaughtered Six Swords, who was chasing the Crown Prince's son.

Would anyone even fathom that you are the delivery man...

for Watchman's funds?

While you are doing this task...

you will also come in contact with Lee Seol's watchman.

I must know whether Seol is safe or not.

Please wait patiently.

The oldest son of Crown Prince will soon enter the palace.

How will he enter the palace?

Did something terrible happen to him?

Could it be...

he was arrested by the King?

I am saying it will not be too far for him to come back

to the palace to reclaim his seat.

[Buyounggak]

The welcome initiation will begin now.

Welcome to Royal Guards.

Your mission today is these goblets.

If you cannot protect a drop of alcohol, how can you call yourself a royal guard?

What are you doing? You must receive it as well.

- What do I do- - My, my. You are letting it leak.

Is he not pouring alcohol into a bottomless pit?

Go ahead and drink.

The scholars will not be able to go home today.

I heard Royal Guards' welcome initiation is the best. I guess it is true.

Come on now!

Please give Queen Dowager my thanks.

Are those kids going to become...

watchmen in the future?

Yes.

If they survive until then, that is.

There is one thing I must ask you.

Who is the son of the deposed crown prince's watchman?

Even among watchmen,

they do not know who the other watchman

is protecting.

However...

they are always a minute's distance away from their lords.

During the day...

and during the night.

A minute's distance, huh?

Gosh, seriously!

Whoa...

Gosh, Scholar...

Please try walking.

Aigoo, please come to your senses!

You cannot, Scholar. You absolutely cannot!

Aigoo, San, your organs are full of alcohol, huh?

- A welcome initiation? - What brings you here?

I came to gamble at a gambling house. Would I be here to see you?

Move aside. I need to go before it gets cold.

Dan Oh likes this.

You took this to give to Dan Oh?

San...

how many fingers am I holding up?

Do you think I am an idiot?

Three fingers, obviously.

You are obviously plastered.

If you go home like this, Dan Oh will surely see you plastered.

Please rest up before leaving.

We have many empty rooms.

No need to do that. I can carry him home in no time.

How will you carry a drunk, grown man?

I have all kinds of hidden powers in here.

Let me show you.

- Give me a hand. - Sorry?

He's heavy.

Please rest well.

I am so sorry.

I thought you might be uncomfortable in sleep.

I am fine, so get out this instance.

How can a mole be so red?

I am sorry...

for being a little rude earlier.

I think I was sensitive because I was half asleep.

Not at all.

It is my fault for making you uncomfortable.

You did not do anything wrong.

How are you doing living in this place?

Not quite well.

There are not that many days when I can breathe easily.

If troublesome situations arise in the future,

you can let me know.

May I do that?

You are the only one who knows the face of the grown-up Ok Jin.

Therefore, His Majesty kept you alive, even to this day.

Confirmation of lineage.

That will probably be the last use of this lowly one.

In that case, anyone will be believed to be Lee Seol if you just say so.

I am going to make Lee Seol the king.

Did you find Lee Seol?

Make the man I found...

into the deposed crown prince's son, Lee Seol.

By that, do you mean to throne a false Lee Seol?

His Majesty's mercy for you lasts only until he finds Lee Seol.

However, if you take my hand,

I will guarantee your safety.

I cannot...

trust your words on this.

Since lowly ones like me have always been sacrificed...

for the sake of greater will.

How can I have you believe me?

Next time, please invite the one who will become Ok Jin as well.

I will exchange a few words with him, too.

And it shall be done.

You kept this all along?

They will take you if you read it anywhere so carelessly.

There's no one in the guesthouse.

Yooh Ho ahjussi left with Najudaek.

No one's in the rooms, either.

Do not read it even if no one is around.

The birds and the rats will hear you.

Even the chicken passing by will see you.

Am I that untrustworthy to you?

- Th-That is not what I meant- - All right!

I will go and throw it out, so no one can see or hear me.

Please give it to me.

- I will burn it. - Forget it.

This is too dangerous to show anyone.

I will throw it out.

Why are you being stubborn like a child out of nowhere?

What, a child?

Have you seen such a well-built child?

Well, there is one in front of me right now.

Give it to me.

If someone sees it-

- I will throw it out. - Orabeoni...

when did you come?

I am the one who got it for San.

Therefore, it is right for me to take care of the aftermath.

Whoa...

even you, who is righteous about every matter...

Now that I think about it, this was the book you were reading secretly, right?

Gosh, I had no idea.

Well, I did not lie to you.

I definitely told you it is not erotica.

But you did not believe me.

He probably took a peek out of curiosity.

I begged him, saying I was curious.

Just go out to the market streets and take a look.

So many people died because of this book.

Why is everyone so reckless?

Only my heart sinks every time from worrying.

She's right. You should've just read it once and been done.

Why do you still have this?

If you didn't get me the book at all,

I wouldn't have read it at all, and it would've been so nice.

You two are both the same.

[Book of Documents]

I am glad I even went to a place that is forbidden for men.

I was worried you might not come back.

It was not because of you, Scholar Kim.

As I told you before,

- I was worried about Dan Oh- - The reason does not matter.

Even if it was not for me,

you still brought back what I gave you.

I kept it...

because I would feel bad throwing it out.

All right, then.

I will take your word.

I want to be of help to Dan Oh...

but I cannot think of any way to do that.

What help would be a maiden ghost...

who is trapped in the annex?

Let us find a way together.

I am sure there is something you can do.

Why do you always treat me nicely, Scholar Kim?

Because you remind me of myself.

We are quite alike.

We are alike?

Because I never got to...

live freely my entire life.

Sorry?

Think carefully about...

how we are alike until you go to sleep.

Delivering chicken eggs is not all that easy.

I have never walked so much all over Jungchon like this.

So why did you come with me?

You did not have to.

I can't slack off in managing my debtor.

It is a whopping 100 single ingots.

You did not want it when I tried to pay you back.

It is still nice that you are accepting it like this.

Right.

You seemed to have gotten close to San lately.

S-Sorry?

I do?

You two seem to be talking a lot these days, too.

Did it seem that way?

We just get more and more things to talk about.

The more your feelings grow...

the more things you have to talk about.

By the way...

you seem more worried than usual.

And more lost in thoughts.

Tell me if you have any concerns.

I will give you an attentive ear.

If I do have concerns...

will you really listen to them?

Of course.

It's not like it costs money.

Go ahead and tell me.

Wherever I am and whatever I am doing...

if I make an excuse out of 100 silver ingots...

will you look back at me like today?

Not often or frequently.

Just once in a while.

Like today.

He is the person.

He will become Lee Seol, the deposed crown prince's son, and take the throne.

Please make yourself comfortable, Your Highness.

Lee Seol, the deposed crown prince's son, and

the fake Left State Minister is trying to make the king.

And Lee Chang, who took the throne by force.

There is only one throne...

but there are three kings?

That girl is Dan Oh.

Ahjussi...

what is the matter?

Your Majesty, the girl has been brought as you ordered.

The female musicians of Jangakwon* were not enough, and (Place for royal music and dance performers)

now he even called in a retired official's daughter?

I heard she is a noble who runs an inn in Jungchon.

She is talking alone with His Majesty in the garden right now.

How strange.

A noble's daughter runs an inn?

Look into the details.

Yes, Royal Consort.

Are you Yoon Won's daughter?

Yes, Your Majesty.

I have something to give you.

Come closer and receive it.

Seeing how you are deathly pale...

Chief Administrator Jang's report was all true.

How dare you!

You saved the son of the deposed Crown Prince, Lee Seol.

[The Secret Romantic Guesthouse]

Yoon Dan Oh, I should not have to remember you.

Do you know what I fear more than death?

It is losing my people again.

Can we really do this?

While you were confined, a lot of time passed outside the walls.

"A wise sage appears in the Year of Yellow Rat."

Lee Seol is trying to show himself in front of the world.

Do not bother discovering what has not surfaced yet.

Do you intend to take the throne as Lee Seol?

Whether to die by Lee Chang's hands,

or open the doors to a new world, make your decision.

Ripped and resynced by YoungJedi