Original subtitles

Meaning that in the end, one of us would have to shed blood.

Kim Jongseo does not fear demise.

Suyang! Even demise shan't quell my vengeful wrath!

Father!!

Is he not proposing a betrothal between Seungyu and his daughter?!

I am eagerly looking forward to your retort on that missive, Your Excellency.

Don't you want to take a saunter outside the palace gates?

Outside?! And how about the lectures...

I could take your place.

I wanted to have a look at him firsthand.

Actually, I might be betrothed to Lecturer Kim Seungyu.

I shall appoint Kim Seungyu as Royal son-in-law.

Was it you choosing His Majesty over me?

He chose to forsake me to join forces with my brother.

It must be prevented.

Kim Seungyu shall not live to see the morrow.

It is no one but Kim Jongseo.

The betrothal suggested by your father has already been turned down.

Don't you ever meet that man again.

Father...

So how does it sound? Becoming in-laws.

If a man holds a woman's trinket...

I'll have to verify firsthand.

You should hasten and tell Seungyu the truth. - Episode 4 -

Yeori.

Yes...

- I better head to the palace. - Already?

Did Her Highness summon you so early in the morn?

I reneged on my promise to never meet him again.

I already know that.

I shall gleefully accept any punishment for having deceived you.

And what would be the point of that?

He is the first man I ever felt I could join in conjugal ties.

What are you trying to say?

If you would be so benevolent as to allow me the chance...

to explain everything to him and repent for my misdeeds, I would forever be grateful.

Repent?!

It will be the last time. Allow me to meet him once more.

When it comes to coveting what does not belong to you,

you and your father are no different.

Why are you saying that?

Move to the adjacent room for a moment.

I see you won't bother paying respects to your lecturer now?!

After all this, you still let a curtain separate us?

It is not out of aversion, is it?!

Why are you not answering me?

Is anything the matter?

Your Highness.

And who are you?

Whom you are facing...

is the princess.

- How can a mere court attendant... - Peculiar an introduction as it might be,

I am indeed Princess Gyeonghye.

I suggest you put an end to this travesty here and now.

Surely you are not the princess I was lecturing.

If you find it so hard to believe me, let His Majesty confirm it for you.

Are you telling me the truth?

Who is the lady I saw here, then?

I asked you a question, did I not?

A court attendant who sat here in my stead, whilst I took a saunter outside.

Court attendant?!

I never imagined an innocent jest would cause such discomfiture.

Jest?!

Are you implying that your only purpose was belittling me?

I did not intend to belittle you, so don't let it weigh on your mind.

I shall turn a blind eye to your dealings with that attendant, so do not mind her.

Just know that we must join in conjugal ties at all cost.

I trust I needn't remind you why?!

And I wouldn't bother looking for her,

as I already ousted her from this palace.

Was I summoned here to witness all this?

Need I say anything more?

Even if you hadn't done this, I would have had no ulterior motives.

All I wanted was a chance to show penitence.

Or an easy pretext to once again meet him, I suppose?!

Your Highness.

Alas, I have no time to squander on petty devotion,

for I ought to protect myself and the crown prince from your father's covetous whims.

Covetous whims?! What are you trying to imply?

That my father would bring harm to his own nephew to usurp the throne?

You and I were the only ones who didn't know,

but such vicious subterfuges would not surprise anyone.

My father would never be capable of that.

If you don't believe me, go ask him firsthand.

Were you always this cold-hearted?

I could not possibly compare with your father's perfidious warmth, for sure.

What were you summoned by Her Highness for?

Now that their lectures have been suspended, the yearning must be unbearable...

Were you assaulted by spates of ardent fervor?

I see the same bewitched stupor which graced Lecturer Yeom's face upon his return.

Ohh Ohh... It was because Her Highness so audaciously lifted the curtain,

I told you it was not intentional!

Ohh Ohh... What is wrong with him?!

Lift the curtain.

I said lift the curtain.

What is it, my Lady?

Halt the carriage a moment.

Stop.

Are you feeling indisposed?

I need to go somewhere, so head back home.

Where else are you going now?

Let us go together.

Yeori...

You really want your mother to lash me until I become a bloody pulp?

I shall never let you go alone, so make up your mind.

Go.

What is happening to you?!

My Lady! My Lady!!

- Naeuri, bless you! - How generous of you, Naeuri!

You freed the market from the oppression of ruthless shylocks,

so they're expressing their gratitude.

I only briefly forced them into hiding. They'll soon swarm the streets again.

We shall intensify patrol.

Any progress on those Inwang Valley rogues?

There were no particular movements after their attempt on Lecturer Kim's life.

Let's go check.

Are you feeling better now?

Yes.

What brings you again to such perilous domains?

I tried to make amends for what I did to Lecturer Kim, but I failed.

And as anguish started to haunt me...

Was it something you couldn't reveal?

I suppose there is a good reason for that.

And he will react the same once he finds out.

I have a request to make.

Go ahead.

I will find a way to personally make amends,

so I would appreciate if you could keep this secret until then.

It won't be a problem.

Let us go now. I shall escort you.

No.

It is too dangerous a place for you to wander alone.

Here we are.

I'm grateful for all your consideration.

Go in now.

So how does it sound? Becoming in-laws.

Naeuri...

Why has it been so long?!

As seldom as it might be, only visit my quarters.

- Leave me alone. - Ehh... Naeuri...

- Stop tormenting me with such utterances... - Must I repeat myself?

Why are you acting like this?

Are you looking down on me just because I'm a gisaeng?

A court attendant who sat here in my stead, whilst I took a saunter outside.

How can he neglect your feelings only because you're a gisaeng?

And he even drinks now... What is wrong with him?!

It must be because of that wench.

Her Highness this, Her Highness that... I knew this would happen.

- Did he really call her that? - I said I've heard it loud and clear!

It did feel peculiar.

Like when he said we shouldn't ridicule her, or when he asked for decent garments.

Could a gisaeng possess decent garments?

What would we possibly gain from wearing that?!

When he brought her those garments, remember how long he remained inside?

Did he help her get changed...

Hey!

Wait... Myeongwol!

Myeongwol. Wait for us!

Her Highness?!

Yes.

So the woman Kim Seungyu was found with is the princess?!

And not only that, they even went to a gibang?

That gisaeng was quite categorical.

Are you telling me Her Highness can flee from the palace at will?

How can we believe everything a paltry gisaeng says?

Should it turn out to be true, I envision dire quandaries for Kim Seungyu.

I shall put some vigilant eyes on Her Highness' quarters.

But with discretion.

We are approaching the final selection, so you must hasten.

Yes.

What are you doing here at this hour?

Go back inside.

Father...

Tell me.

I...

So, what is it? Speak to me.

Hesitation is not something I ever associated with you, so speak your mind.

Do you really covet the throne?

The throne?!

I would be daunted by the mere thought of it...

Are you trying to bring harm to Her Highness and the crown prince?

Where did you hear such palaver?

I cannot reveal that.

You believe I would be capable of such misdeeds?

I take no heed of the credulous rabble's empty conjecture.

Royals will always have to cope with treacherous disdain,

but seeing my own children inveigled by it engulfs me with despair.

And that is because lives depend on such vile falsehood, no matter how preposterous.

Forgive me.

It's all right.

Your fate will be decided in the morrow, and yet you drink the night away?

May you pardon me, Father...

Is anything the matter?

I don't really know, Father.

Say what?!

How dare you stagger in your father's presence?

I will help him to his quarters.

Here, drink.

How much did you drink?

Ehh Ehh... I ought to...

Young Master. Here are your ceremonial garments for the morrow.

And this would be our country's Royal son-in-law...

Always be mindful of your every utterance.

Do not let a foregone conclusion tarnish your repute with imprudence.

Yes.

It is not only the advent of a daughter-in-law into our clan,

but also the propitious symbol of our union with the royal family.

Spare no effort in welcoming her with all due decorum.

- Yes, Father. - Yes, Father.

Uncle. Are you going to move to the palace now?

No, it's Her Highness who will leave the palace.

I wish I could meet her right now...

- Heading to the royal institute? - Yes, Mother.

I'm glad to hear you're not even approaching the stables as of late.

Forgive me.

Methinks I can finally let you marry.

Your father has found a candidate to his liking.

So always maintain the greatest discretion in your every action.

Why aren't you answering me?

Yes...

- Go back. - What?!

My Lord! My Lord!!

Where did she go? That fellow attendant.

I'll have to meet her firsthand.

I don't know.

You don't?!

You're in charge of Her Highness' quarters, and yet you don't?

I don't know where she was sent to.

Are you telling me she's still in the palace?

What is with the surprised look?

What are you trying to conceal?

Conceal?! I honestly do not know.

If you don't know where she is, at least tell me her name.

Why would someone set to participate in the final selection look for another woman?

Don't you realize how much discomfiture this would cause to Her Highness?

Are you trying to lecture me?

I... would not dare...

I shall find out no matter what.

If people learn that she impersonated Her Highness,

that attendant's life will be in peril.

So may you turn a blind eye to this all.

What did he ask you?

He was inquiring on Lady Seryeong's whereabouts.

How shall we proceed, Your Highness?

Where is Seryeong?

She's likely at the royal institute.

Convey my words to her.

Tell her not to set foot inside the palace for the time being.

Is this not the royal institute?!

Eungeum.

What are you doing here?

What brings you here?

You should be at the selection today, don't you think?

Your father has found a candidate to his liking.

If that is all you can say, how am I possibly going to help you?

Any detail would be of great help.

It passed these very gates on the last crescent moon at the hour of the ape.

Countless carriages pass through these gates on a daily basis, would I remember?

She used a royal's name to gain entrance.

You know how many royals visit the royal institute alone?

But you were the one who allowed her entrance.

She had a radiant visage, a straight nose and shapely lips.

If I spent all my time glancing at the noble damsels passing through these gates,

my pate would soon grace a gibbet.

I suppose all I could have heard was her voice.

I must find her. Try to remember all you can.

But why are you so fervently looking for her?

Who is there?

Prince Suyang's daughter. Shall I let them in?

What is the purpose of their visit?

We are headed to the royal institute.

Let them in.

Wait, Lecturer Kim. Are you just leaving?

I wish you luck on that final selection!

Actually, I might be betrothed to Lecturer Kim Seungyu.

So I wanted to have a look at him firsthand.

He is the first man I ever felt I could join in conjugal ties.

Did you have an altercation with Her Highness?

Her attendant came by, intimating you not to set foot inside the palace.

Who is she to order people around?!

Once today's selection is dealt with, we shall finally become in-laws.

May you bless my negligent daughter with your wisdom, Your Excellency.

It would be a privilege.

But Prince Suyang has been uncharacteristically quiet as of late.

With Counselor Shin Sukju curbing his most sinister caprices,

I doubt he will be allowed any subterfuge.

Sire.

In your servant's humble estimation,

we should swiftly proceed with the ceremony once the selection is dealt with.

Good health has at last forsaken me, so it would indeed be wise.

I am mortified, Sire.

Sire... Prince Onnyeong urgently seeks audience.

Let him in.

What brings you here, Uncle Onnyeong?

Sire. Suyang, Anpyeong and all fellow royals seek audience with Your Majesty.

May you head to the council hall and heed their grievances.

What could possibly be the matter, with the final selection upon us?

Something which requires your immediate attention.

Just know that we must join in conjugal ties at all cost.

I trust I needn't remind you why?!

I shall turn a blind eye to your dealings with that attendant, so do not mind her.

And all this for a mere woman?

Here you are!

Where have you been? You're the only one I know here.

I see those garments finally do you some justice.

Don't they?!

Can you believe it? Me being part of the final selection.

I even thought it might be another Jeong Jong.

And today you're about to witness the impossible come true!

Who is Royal Institute Lecturer Kim Seungyu?

What do I owe this sudden gathering to?

The results of the research on the birth dates of our final candidates have been released.

Is there any problem?

Mere formality as this selection might be,

appointing someone who could bring great harm to the royal family is inadmissible.

Bring great harm?!

Are you referring to Lecturer Kim Seungyu?

Spare us from such vilipending contempt!

It is nothing Your Excellency should get involved in!

Bring great harm to the royal family? What are you implying?

Confronting the birth dates of Her Highness and Kim Seungyu produced rather ominous results.

And what could these ominous results possibly be?!

It brings me great distress to tell Your Majesty,

but these conjugal ties would ravage the royal family like flames smoldering a forest.

- Ravage the royal family?! - Yes, Sire...

The flames would enkindle the tallest tree, and then smolder the smallest.

So if Kim Seungyu is the flames, the princess would be the tallest tree?

That is indeed the case.

What about the smallest one?

As for the small tree...

Speak at once!

It would be His Highness the Crown Prince.

How dare you subject us to such insulting deviltries?

Is that nothing but the truth?

How could I dare inveigle you with mendacious claims?

Sire.

Your humble servant shall voice his opinion.

Any union which would endanger the lives of the princess and the crown prince...

should be repudiated without hesitation.

Sire.

I do not believe you should let a mere observation becloud your judgment.

Are you questioning the validity of his earnest research?

You! Are you prepared to stake your life on those claims?

Not even a blade pointed at my pate could change what is written in the stars.

- Counselor. - Yes, Sire.

Is he telling the truth?

Are the results of his research truly legitimate?

They are, Sire.

Moved by suspicion, I questioned his colleagues at the Office of Astronomy,

but they could only confirm his findings.

- Is it truly... - Sire.

We cannot let such ominous foreboding endanger our royal family.

I therefore propose Kim Seungyu's dismissal,

so that we can select a more befitting candidate.

No matter how much significance those results might have,

Kim Seungyu's credentials are a testament of his father's...

Will you take responsibility?

Can you cope with the consequences,

should this union truly bring harm to the crown prince as predicted?

Sire, how do you plan to deal with Kim Seungyu?

Crucial deliberation of this kind requires the utmost prudence,

so any decision on whether to dismiss Kim Seungyu will be taken through this selection.

- Summon the candidates. - Yes.

Sire...

What is the matter?

Lecturer Kim Seungyu was apprehended by order of the inspector general.

Say what?

Let go! Let me go!

What is the reason?

What is the reason I was taken here?

Royal Institute Lecturer Kim Seungyu?

That is correct.

Have you ever been to a gibang in Her Highness the Princess' company?

We have a testimony claiming you engaged in lascivious demeanor with her!

We have irrefutable evidence proving your vile misconduct, so confess at once!

What did you just say?

Lecturer Kim is accused of persuading Her Highness to leave the palace, and...

Speak at once!

And of together spending the night at a gibang, Sire.

Th... That... despicable...

Has it been confirmed?

It is mortifying to say the least, but there were numerous eye-witnesses.

Sire!

Kim Seungyu deserves to perish for so deviously besmirching our legacy!

May you order our state tribunal to detain him,

and order him to face trial for vilipending the Royal family's repute!

Order him to face trial!

Bring Kim Seungyu to me.

I shall question him firsthand!

Where are you all going?

Someone is being taken in for questioning.

- Who? - We'll have to find out.

Did I not tell you?

That your refusal to support me would have dire consequences for your children.

Once his innocence is proven,

I shall expose this fraudulent complot and everyone responsible for it.

Luring Her Highness outside the palace to do that...

Does he not even fear His Majesty?

What are you talking about?

Someone lured Her Highness out of the palace?

Wait... Isn't that Lecturer Kim?

They will not let him get away with this.

Await a moment!

Confess the truth at once.

Is the report from the inspector general true?

Did you truly entice the princess outside the palace,

and together engaged in such lascivious misdeeds?

I did not.

Are you claiming innocence?

You never lured the princess outside?

It was not Her Highness.

If it wasn't Her Highness, did you do it with another woman?

If such is the case, confess it at once!

It might grant you survival.

If people learn that she impersonated Her Highness,

that attendant's life will be in peril.

Confess the truth.

We never engaged in any lascivious act.

Does that imply you did meet the princess outside the palace?

I cannot let you.

I must see her.

Her Highness is feeling upset, Lady Seryeong.

Step aside.

Get out of the way!

My Lady! My Lady...

- My Lady... - Your Highness.

I thought I told you not to step foot inside this palace?!

How dare you...

Your Highness, he is...

Lecturer Kim...

You did take her outside the palace, but nothing significant happened?!

You varmint!

You so spuriously deride the princess and dare refute your vile misdeeds?

Deride?! That is preposterous.

That little... How dare you vermin...

Sire. How could I dare utter mendacious claims in your presence?

May you believe in our innocence.

There was nothing scandalous about our meetings.

Do you mean it?

I swear on my own life.

He is being unfairly accused because of me.

Should we not prove his innocence?

Allow me to join the questioning.

What difference could your presence make?

Will you admit to everyone that you impersonated me?

If it can only help him survive, I will.

If anyone can save or condemn him to his demise, I am the one.

Your Highness! Where are you going?

What are you trying to accomplish?

Your innocence?!

Are you really innocent?

Sire, here is written proof of Lecturer Kim's lascivious misdeeds.

"Your Highness."

"I truly enjoyed myself as well."

"Even what happened in the forest will become memories we will one day cherish."

"This is only a small symbol of our pledge, so may you accept it."

Who is responsible for writing this?

Was it you?

Why can't you answer me?

I did write it. However, Sire...

Speak no more!!

Sire...

A mere royal institute lecturer lured Her Highness outside the palace walls,

and subjected her to unutterable atrocities.

May you behead him for bringing great shame upon our legacy.

May you behead him.

- Restore dignity to our Royal family. - Restore our dignity.

I...

- hereby... - He has committed no such crimes.

What are you doing here?

I have something to tell you regarding Lecturer Kim.

It is nothing you should concern yourself with!

I met Lecturer Kim outside the palace.

However... I left the palace of my own volition,

it was never as a result of any allure.

Are you disgracing yourself to defend him?

I merely wanted to escape from the constraints of a life in the palace.

And all Lecturer Kim did was reproach me for such heedless demeanor,

even going as far as rescuing me from a dire predicament.

Father.

I never did anything to disgrace the Royal family.

If you wish to punish me for being so immature to escape the palace,

I shall gleefully accept it.

However,

any other disgusting insinuation levied against me...

shall not be tolerated.

Can we truly believe your testimony?

Are you perchance suspecting otherwise?

If such is the case, I encourage you to question me as well.

Princess, take your leave.

Father...

Must you continue to bring shame upon me?

Is this a place you can violate at will?

Take your leave and reflect on your conduct.

Lecturer Kim Seungyu...

shall be dismissed from the list of candidates.

Never again shall this issue be mentioned.

Sire.

What are those?

Memorials clamoring His Majesty to behead Lecturer Kim Seungyu.

Sire.

Deriding the Royal family is high treason which cannot be condoned.

May you sentence Kim Seungyu,

and staunchly punish him for his treacherous conduct.

May you sentence him.

May you sentence him!

We shall further deliberate in the morrow.

How did it go?

What happened to him?

His execution might be inevitable.

Did he not confess that Her Highness was not whom he met?

He never mentioned you to the very end.

When he came looking for you,

I did tell him that if they found you guilty of impersonating her, you'd suffer the consequences.

I wonder if he didn't talk because of that...

Eungeum.

I have a favor to ask you.

Sire, more petitions indicting...

Enough... Enough with them!

Sire.

Right State Councilor Kim Jongseo seeks audience.

I have no intention of meeting him.

Who imagined you would concoct such a timely artifice?!

All that is left for Kim Seungyu is awaiting his final hour.

If he is to be accused of any crime, it's that of meeting the wrong father.

We will lose a man of great virtue.

He would have achieved momentous accolades, had he decided to side with me.

But did you not earn the counselor's son in his stead?

Is there anything he lacks?

You are flattering me.

May you hasten.

The warden is an old acquaintance of mine, so he will let you in for a moment.

Thank you.

How could things get to this point?

Were you injured?

In the morrow, confess that I was the one you met.

It is the only way you will survive.

How could you venture all the way here?

How much longer must you torment me this way?

Please, confess the truth.

So that you can perish in my stead?

I will be fine.

I intended to tell you before...

I actually am...

Naeuri!