Original subtitles

Sir, sir! What are you doing?

Are you on your way to meet the secret inspector?

Don't go! Why not?

I cannot tell you now,

but it's all for your own benefit so please listen to me.

If you are not going to tell me why, I won't.

Did you forget you once became a government slave because of him.

Do you want to go through that hardship again?

The reason I became a government slave is not because of the secret inspector.

It was because of Daegam Yoon Won Hyung.

He made me a government slave. He and Jung Nan Jung tried to kill me over and over.

You spend some time with them and you forgot that already?

It is you who forgot who I really am just because I decided to go along with Deagam Yoon Won Hyung.

You did not even try to understand why I chose to do that.

You seem to have forgotten to trust me or listen to me.

You asked me show you that I'm different from from Yoon Won Hyung and Jung Nan Jung?

What difference does it make it to you now!

You know better than anyone else that I can never be one of them.

I'm worried that something may have happened to Ok Nyeo.

Find out what happened to her.

Yes, Your Majesty. Will you be returning to the palace now?

It is going to be a long night.

I think I need a drink.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You asked to me show you that I'm different from Yoon Won Hyung and Jung Nan Jung?

What difference does it make it to you now?

You know better than any one else that I can never be one of them.

I, too, want to trust you.

I want to tell what I know and what I want to do.

More than any one else and I want to discuss it all with you.

But...

I cannot.

Why? Why not?

Tell me. Tell me why it cannot be?

Ok Nyeo.

Because, the person who killed my mother is Daegam Yoon Won Hyung.

If I look at you and think about you...

I cannot help but think of Deagam Yoon Won Hyung as well.

What are you saying?

Why would Deagam Yoon Won Hyung

do that to your mother?

That, I don't know.

But, Daegam Yoon Won Hyung is someone I need to

take revenge upon for my mother.

So, how can I tell you what I want to tell you.

Madam! Madam!

Why are you so loud?

Please come and check the front of the house. Hurry.

Who's here?

His Majesty is here.

What?

Your Majesty, what brings you here?

I want to have a drink, quietly.

Welcome. Please come this way.

I hope I didn't disturb your business.

Of course not, Your Majesty.

- Quickly. - Yes.

How can a man be so handsome.

Handsome? Ridiculous. He is so pale. Not worth seeing.

What? Look who's talking?

Is that what you say to "Dragon Face?"

"Dragon Face?" Is that his name?

Funny name.

Your Majesty, you don't look well.

Shall I play some music for you?

No, it's okay. What is your name?

It's Soo Jung.

What do you do when you have things troubling you?

Do you have someone to talk to, openly and honestly?

There is someone I want to share with like that.

But I haven't told him what I feel yet.

You have someone in your heart.

Tonight, I feel my position as a King

is such a big burden I cannot control.

There is no one I can tell about this...

Your Majesty,

I'm just a common person but I am a good listener.

If you have any worries or troubles, why don't you tell me?

Wouldn't that make you feel better?

No, it's okay.

Tae Won, Your Majesty is here.

Really?

Why?

He says he just came for a drink but he doesn't look well.

Your Majesty, may I enter?

Come in.

Your Majesty, Yoon Tae Won wishes to see you.

Yoon Tae Won? How did he know I"m here?

Your Majesty, Yoon Tae-Won's been staying with us from before he worked for the government.

Is that so? Yes.

I want to be alone so tell him to come and see me at the palace later.

Your Majesty, he says he needs to see you about Ok Nyeo.

Sir...

You may go in.

Yes, sir.

Would you like a drink?

Yes, Your Majesty.

What did you want to see me about?

Your Majesty, I'm sorry to say but could you please stop seeing Ok Nyeo outside the palace.

What do you mean?

Your Majesty, Queen Dowager had someone follow you.

What?

I don't know why,

but Queen Dowager is looking for the person you meet outside the palace.

Once found, Queen Dowager plans to kill that person.

What?

If Your Majesty keeps meeting Ok Nyeo, you are putting her life in danger.

Please, for Ok Nyeo's sake, stop seeing her.

Are you sure?

I heard it from Daegam Yoon Won Hyung.

I know Ok Nyeo is a great help to Your Majesty.

If you have to see her, please consider protecting her first.

Any reckless meeting setups like today will put Ok Nyeo's life in danger.

- Ok Nyeo. - Sir.

Why are you here at this late hour of the night?

I still have to organize some account books.

Sir, why are you still here?

Before I go into the palace, I still have some merchant group tasks to handle.

You're going into the palace so soon?

Right. Tomorrow, I'll be going with Daegam Lee Jeong Myeong to see His Majesty.

Then you should hurry up and go take your rest.

No.

All merchant group matters are already under your care.

I would like to wrap things up personally and properly.

I will take care of them accordingly. Please don't worry too much.

I've decided to enter the palace after listening to your suggestion,

but I'm still worried.

Director of personnel is a ministerial post that in itself is not trivial.

If I want to overcome the jealousy and control of many within the palace, I have a lot of preparation I need to do.

As such, all merchant group matters that will have to be handled by

you alone may take a longer time than we have anticipated.

Sir, your worries...

I am well aware of them, too.

But, if we want to fulfill Sir's and my wishes,

you must have more power in your hands, Sir.

Right now, within the palace,

are all minions known to work for Yoon Won Hyung and Jung Nan Jung.

Sir, you must

eradicate all of them.

If we want to stop the autocratic ways of these two persons,

and protect the peasants from more suffering, Sir and I,

need to hold a lot more things in our hands than we do now.

No matter if it's more wealth or power.

At times, I do wonder if Ok Nyeo you were a man, how would it be?

Thoughts like these.

What do you mean by that?

Then it wouldn't be me but you, Ok Nyeo, who would be moving up the official ministerial career path.

But, my identity (background) is already inadequate.

With your capability, that can be overcome.

I, too, because I am a woman.

Though sometimes I feel frustrated with constraints in some of the things I want to do,

it's a relief that I now have many helpful people

like you, Sir, helping me.

I already feel satisfied in that.

So, have you found out who His Majesty has been meeting?

There isn't anyone special he has met.

He has been to a gisaeng house for some drinks once.

Gisaeng house?

Perhaps he has gone there to meet someone?

It didn't seem to be so.

I got it.

Go on. You may leave.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness, His Majesty is here.

What? His Majesty?

Yes, Your Highness.

But, it looks like His Majesty is drunk.

What?

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

I'm telling all of you to make way!

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

- Your Majesty! - All of you, just leave!

Your Highness, Queen Mother.

If you hurt your royal physique, that would be bad. Why did you drink so much?

I've had only a little.

Why haven't you gone to bed yet?

I was just about to lie down.

King, why are you here?

Do you have something you want to say to me?

Yes, Your Highness, Queen Mother.

Kim Sang Gung,

all of you, go on and leave.

Please take a seat, King.

Please speak.

That you tried to kill my brother, the late king, by poison,

and that you killed the east palace maidens who found out about it...

I know

all of it.

King!

How could you say such ridiculous thing?

I did what?

When I came to ask you about it,

it wasn't to hear your excuse.

King!

I think you are very drunk. Go and rest.

I came to ask you

just what you want me to do.

No matter how I think about it,

as the king, the only way I can deal with it,

is to condemn you.

And I must step down from the throne and die, too.

King!

How can you say such a despicable thing?

That's the only way to stop you

from taking more innocent lives to feed your greed.

King!

Why did you do that? Why?

When did I ever

ask you to kill my brother so I could have the throne?

Or did I ever ask you to kill the innocent maidens

to keep my throne?

What does this seat

mean that you

could do such despicable acts?

I don't know this.

- Mother! - I said, I don't know.

Mother!

Why are you so foolish?

I don't know where you heard such nonsense,

but how can you be such a fool?

I have raised you very wrongly!

You can't decipher truth from lies.

And you throw this ugly fuss with your mother!

Please.

Please, stop it.

Stop it!

I have never done

anything you suspect.

However if you believe that, I got it.

I will take all the blame and die for you.

- Mother! - Kill me!

It's better I die than to watch you

believe the words of treacherous ministers over mine.

Mother!

Sungnim.

Sungnim.

What is it?

Medicine for the lord.

Sungnim, you are still hankering after him?

What do you mean?

You wish to be noticed by that lord.

What if the madame finds out.

You watch. I'll do whatever it takes

to get the lord's seed in me.

Sungnim, what if someone hears you?

Who cares?

Medicine, boil now, medicine.

My Lord, it's Jong Geum. I'm coming in.

What medicine is this now?

What are you plotting this time by medicating me?

What do you mean plotting?

I heard you drank too much last night.

It's just tonic to clear the alcohol effects.

This is so bitter.

I'm sure you are plotting something.

How come the tonic is

making me hot as soon as I drink it?

My back neck is toasty, too.

Oh my, you are!

If you're so hot, should I fan you?

Forget the fan. Come massage me.

Yes.

Not my shoulder but here.

Where? Here?

Yup. Press hard.

All over.

What are you doing, you wench.

Madame, I was just...

Now you're craving a servant, too?

Have you no shame?

What a ridiculous thing. She's just worried about me being drunk.

She brought me medicine.

Medicine?

Jong Geum, how dare you just come up with your own medicine, you wench!

- No... - Stop scolding her.

Follow me right away.

Madame, spare me.

Follow me, I said!

Madame!

Hey, Nan Jung! Jong Geum!

Lift it.

Madame.

I said, lift it. Didn't you hear?

I must know every drop of water and every grain of rice he eats.

You go and brew medicine to your liking?

I deserve to die.

I'm glad you know. Let's have you die.

Madame, spare me!

Shut the hell up.

I'm sorry. I did wrong.

Hey.

Over here.

You waited a long time.

They are from Chilpae Marketplace.

They helped us a lot when we pulled Jung Nan Jung's herbs out.

They worked hard too when we attacked Hong Man Jong.

Say hi to her. She's our chief.

I said, greet her.

Hello.

Our chief is curious about your skills.

Why don't you show her your skills with her as the opponent.

Hyungnim, what are you saying?

Are you joking?

What's wrong with you? Show her your skills properly.

If you take us as fools, we can't work with you.

Let's go.

Hey, hey, hey!

That temper of yours!

Just stay still!

It's already unpleasant to serve a young girl as the chief.

You want me to fight a girl now?

What else are you doing if you're not playing me?

Why, you're scared to fight me?

What?

We're not ones who take it easy on a girl.

If you beat her,

I'll give you whatever you want.

Alright. All of you guys here get to go to Sosoroo tonight.

Alright. It's a promise.

You should be careful.

Let's not drag this out and end it quickly.

Yes.

That'll hurt.

Hey.

Get up.

Are you alright?

Now you are not some marketplace roughnecks.

You can't be the business bodyguards with those skills.

You will be learning martial arts now.

Those who can't handle it, go now.

You know this but the chief of personnel

is a position to appoint and check on the three offices.

It's a position with heavy responsibilities.

It's a position where you will be the first to deal with the So Yoon Faction.

You've made a difficult decision.

No. Thank you for the opportunity.

The king is waiting. Let's go.

Yes, My Lord.

Your Majesty,

this is Sung Ji Hun who's taken the position of chief of personnel.

I'm Sung Ji Hun.

Have a seat.

He's told me all about you. You are young but accomplished.

You used to work as the police bureau chief and as a deputy magistrate of a provincial office, I heard.

Yes, Your Majesty.

He's still young but he's the full package.

He'll be a huge asset to you.

The chief of personnel is a position that requires sacrifice and resolution. Do you know why?

Yes, Your Majesty.

In order to keep the So Yoon faction in check,

the biggest requirement is to have tenacity.

You must not give the So Yoon faction any excuse to drag you off your position.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I will do my best to guard you.

Of course, I won't leave you to handle them alone.

I will be a power to you.

If you have a need, just tell me, whatever it is.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Daegam, did you find out who has been appointed as the chief of personnel?

Yes, My Lord, it's Sung Ji Hun.

What? Sung Ji Hun?

Yes, the Sung Ji Hun who almost became your son-in-law.

What? How did he do that?

The king appointed him, but clearly it's Lee Jung Myeong who is behind it.

This is suspicious.

He got demoted because of you, and due to your son, Yoon Tae Won,

he lost his father.

Go find out more

about just what happened.

Yes, My Lord.

Did you want to see me?

Yes. There will be a matchmaker from the house of Tax Minister tomorrow.

Go make the preparations.

- I don't want that. - I don't care.

I've made up my mind to not allow your childish whines anymore.

If you want to see me dead, go ahead and do what you want.

Are you threatening me?

I'm just telling you how determined I am.

Shin Hye!

Nan Jung!

What is it?

Sung Ji Hun has been appointed the chief of personnel.

What?

He was demoted and sent off to the provincial office!

It's Lee Jung Myeong who recommended him to the king.

Why would Lee Jung Myeong join an alliance with Sung Ji Hun?

He put Sung Ji Hun, who hates us,

before him to put pressure on the Lord, I think.

You shouldn't haven't messed with Sung Ji Hun in the first place.

What?

When you dealt with his breaking the engagement with me so harshly,

I just knew something like this would happen.

You were so wrong about him.

Shut up!

It's not for you to be involved in.

Mother, go and beg forgiveness from him.

Stop the frustrating talk and leave.

If you won't, at the very least, I will.

Leave!

Aigo, she...

Yes, My Lord.

You should get going.

Yes, My Lord.

Long time no see.

Yes, My Lord.

I heard you became the chief of personnel.

There have been some unintentional misunderstandings between us,

but I have no bad feelings towards you.

Though I don't know how you feel.

The past is just the past, right?

You really think that?

Yes, My Lord.

Alright. You're too busy guarding the king.

You have no reason to waste time on some war.

Please teach me a lot.

Alright. You be a good asset to the king.

I'll help you if there's anything I can help with.

Yes, My Lord. Then, I'll be going.

Stop.

Hurry and speak. Where are the black market dealings?

What black market? I really don't know.

Hey, you are a black market dealer.

Even the dogs in the streets know it.

Sir, spare me.

I'll do everything you say. Spare me.

You are still not getting it.

Hey, more.

Sir.

Spare me.

Sir.

You arrested Hong Man Jong, right?

Huh? How did you know that?

What do you plan to do?

Don't worry, Ok Nyeo.

People like Hong Man Jong, who use their fists, need to be treated the same way to get through them.

Lock him up for a few days and rough him up and it shouldn't be hard to get the shipping rights.

You can't do that.

What?

It's foolish to get it by force.

I know what he's like.

What we need to do now isn't to take his business.

We are looking for business partners.

Instead of threatening him to take it by force, try to find a way to cooperate.

Stop.

Go out.

You really don't know?

I really don't.

Really don't?

Of course not.

Then this is difficult.

The police bureau said to get a confession out of you no matter what.

Please spare me.

You'll end up dead if I keep up the torture.

Please spare me.

There is one method.

Method? What is that?

Your business has shipping operation rights, I heard.

Yes, Sir.

How about you do a business with a merchant group I know?

Then, I will persuade the police director somehow.

You're not telling me to give up the shipping operation rights, are you?

Kill me instead then.

That's my life.

Asking for that is telling me to die.

Hey now.

Do I look like a robber?

It's not that. What I'm saying is to share the use of the boat.

Share the use?

This merchant group I know has money but no shipping rights.

So if you decide to partner up,

you will definitely not be on the losing end.

So? Will you do it?

Things are going great.

Things are going great thanks to me.

I did the work.

Yup, you are looking good.

Oh.

How did it go?

Success. Cha Dae Myeong will partner with us.

Great job.

Good! It's great!

I don't know how you got him so convinced.

He's asking to partner up first.

We got Hong Man Jong, too!

Wow, that vicious guy finally put up his hands.

He's giving up the shipping rights?

He said to share the profit half and half.

But I said two to one. How did I do?

Yes, it's a profitable deal for us.

Then, what do we do next, with the other merchant group going well, too.

First, we need to call the chiefs here.

Soon, we'll have our first meeting.

First meeting? Finally.

Now it starts.

Sir. Sir. How are you?

How are you?

What is it? Did you come to see the director?

Yes, Sir.

He's inside. Go in.

Yes.

- Tae Won. - Come on in.

What is it?

I've sent agents from the marketplace control office to buy all the dried fish and fruit in the market.

What?

For what? The marketplace control office is going to sell the mid-autumn holiday goods directly?

Yes.

The merchants always raise the price of dried fish and fruits before the holidays, after buying them out in advance.

This is the only way to lessen the disadvantage the people might end up with.

That's true, but is it okay for the government office to do the selling directly?

Then, what about those peddlers who make their whole year's living off of the profit from the mid-autumn holiday sales?

So I am telling you in advance.

If anyone wants to sell dried fish or fruits in the capital, do so in advance.

But they have to promise to sell at the same price as the marketplace control office.

But you called us to come just to tell us that?

No. I have something else more important to tell you.

What is it?

From now on, I will need your help to take over the large deals in order for me to continue to work here.

In order to do that, your current size of operation has limits.

You mean, to make it bigger?

That would be nice, but the funding is the issue.

I'll provide the funding.

I need you to look for business groups we can take over.

In order to fight on par with Jung Nan Jung, we need this.

You should take special care.

And the female prisoners. Their rooms...

Yes.

Don't worry and take it.

Hey, come here.

What? Why is he going straight to the cell?

Shouldn't the prisoners be recorded in the log first?

Something's off.

It's strange, right?

Sir. Sir. Sir.

Sir, when do we get out?

Why are you asking me that? Don't you know it's up to you?

Sir!

Be quiet. I'll come later.

Sir. Sir. Sir.

Hey, why are you showing up suddenly?

You just got a transfer order of prisoners, right?

I thought you forgot so I thought I might record it.

Where did you lock them?

Don't you worry about it.

Why do you say such hurtful words?

I'm a prison clerk. What else would I do but to worry about prisoners?

I'm telling you, you don't need to.

I can't. If the record is missing in the log, the administrator will kill me.

I'll take care of Jang Dae Shik so just look the other way.

Sir.

I said don't get involved.

Wow, you're strong. Alright.

I got it. Do as you please.

What's he planning?

He's creepy.

What's he up to now?

Something's up.

Hey, did you find out?

I found out but I'm not sure if I should say this.

Lord Yoo is a very bad person.

Why? What is it?

Those men that the vice director has locked up?

- They are not prisoners. - What?

They were arrested because they couldn't pay some debts.

Things are so hard the country should come help people to pay their debts.

They lock up people who can't pay their debts?

It's not that.

He got paid by some thugs to just arrest them

and keep them locked up here until they pay.

Wow. That despicable Yoo!

What a jerk!

Wow. I know I pull money out of the prisoners, too.

But I never squeeze money out of poor people.

- Wow. He shouldn't be left to do what he wants. - What will you do?

What else? I have to go report it to the administrator.

Sir. Sir. Administrator.

What is it?

Assistant Yoo and the police chief are scheming together

to lock people up, in our prison, who can't pay loansharks.

- Is that the truth? - Yes!

That Yoo! Where is he?

Sir. I really didn't do anything wrong.

Enough of that. When are you going to pay back the money?

Sir. The money I borrowed,

I already paid it all back the other night.

What they are telling me to pay now is ridiculous amounts in interest.

Hey, you borrow money, then you pay interest.

How can you borrow money for free?

But I haven't committed a crime to be in prison.

Why are you crimeless? Thieves of other people's money

are worse than robbers, you little pest!

Sir.

- Forget it. - Who's worse than that loanshark?

The heavens know it.

Sir. You're here.

Wow, you're a total thug.

You use the prison to get money now?

Are you nuts?

Sir. It's not that.

I was just

trying to balance the books for our prison.

Shut up. Shut that mouth!

This I won't forgive.

I'll go report you to the police and have you lose your job.

Follow me.

Sir, let go.

Follow me now!

Come!

Forgive me once.

I need money.

You're unforgivable!

Take off your clothes. All of them.

Sir. Sir, I did wrong. Please forgive me.

I will never do it again.

Now!

Hey,

you get money for locking up the debtors who can't pay?

Yup, I do.

They don't have money but you get money?

Yup. Even a dried squid,

if you squeeze it hard, you can get water out of it.

It comes out.

Actually I loaned someone money but didn't get it back.

Don't misunderstand. I'm not robbing from the poor like you.

Of course. You and I are different.

But it's past the time he pay should it back.

He keeps coming up with some excuse to get out of it.

You get that money for me and I'll let this slide.

Thank you, Sir.

I am an expert at getting people money they are owed.

I'll get that for you for sure.

All of it, right?

Squeeze the dried squid.

Tight!

Chief, it's all done.

You worked hard.

Sirs, you're here.

Why did you ask to see us?

You're working hard so I want to pour you a drink.

Here, come inside. I've prepared a feast.

Have some. You, too, Sir.

Sir.

What is this?

You can't do this.

You helped our business so much.

I'm just showing my good will.

Don't let it be a burden and just take it, please.

Alright, since it's your good will.

You are making things hard on us.

But Sir,

by chance, do you know about what the director's up to these days?

Do you?

Actually, he's sent agents to all the provinces.

For what?

To buy all the dried fish and fruit for the mid-autumn holiday

before all the other merchants.

What?

So did you organize the merchant groups we seized?

Yes, the Hong Man Jong group that has control over shipping.

And Moon Ik Joon group who has a partnership with a big Ming group.

And Baeok Marketplace, Cha Dae Myeong group, too.

They should fall into our hands, too.

But are we really doing this?

Hey! It's the director's order. Of course we do it.

Hey, we can't always work for Jung Nan Jung

doing such lowly work.

Hyungnim, this is our chance,

to rise high.

It is true!

There's no reason why we can't be Joseon's biggest business, like Tae Won already said.

Let's go meet Hong Man Jong first.

Get our ships before we grow big or not.

Wipe this clean and get a good price.

Yes.

Man Jong!

Hyungnim, what brings you here?

I heard you were doing great, so I came to see you.

I've been wanting to, and finally

I'm here. Sorry.

It's fine.

Hey, hey! Your business is giant.

Hey, Man Jong.

He's the chief.

Right. Chief.

What I mean is, I shouldn't talk disrespectfully to you.

You're a chief.

No, just be comfortable.

- Right? - Let's go inside.

Alright.

It's better than our office.

Have a seat.

What brings you here without notice?

Let's get to the point. Let's you and I work together.

What? What work?

Hey. Shipping rights in the capital.

We are after Jung Nan Jung.

So with the mid-autumn festival coming,

we have a lot of deals in the countryside.

Not just for one deal.

Let's build an alliance.

Hyungnim.

You can't just work the port the rest of your life.

Yoon Tae Won who is the director of marketplace order is our backing now.

If you work with us, you will get some big deals.

What do you think?

Thanks, but I already made a deal with another group.

What deal? With whom?

I can't say that.

Hey! Your words are hurtful.

Who helped you along when you were small?

You and I are only this?

I'm sorry, Hyungnim.

You worked for me for a long time so you know

I'm someone who always gets what he wants.

I don't want to fight with you.

It's fine if you can't make deals with us but tell me who it is.

That's something I can't tell you. I'm sorry.

Wow, look at him!

I mean, who did he partner with?

Who knows.

Hyungnim, something feels bad.

He's not someone to ignore my words.

Something's up.

You guys look into it.

Yes.

Hyungnim, I don't have a good feeling either.

- What do you feel? - I don't feel good.

- So go find out. - Yes.

I'm sorry I asked to meet so urgently.

It's alright. Why did you want to see me?

I have something I must show you two.

This is...

You recognize this?

Yes, ma'am.

Ok Nyeo asked me about a pin before.

I didn't see it personally.

But it was a pin with about this look, I think.

What is this?

This pin is from Great King Joongjong.

He gave it to the maidens when he blessed them in bed.

What?

Did you say bedded by the king?

Yes.

But Gab Ee left a pin just like this behind.

Then, Gab Ee was bedded by the king?

If that's truly Gab Ee's pin, then it is true.

You mean Ok Nyeo is a princess.

Perhaps.

But something's strange.

Strange?

If Gab Ee was bedded by the king, I would have known it.

But Gabi, before she left the palace,

she never showed any signs of it.

But if she wasn't bedded by the king,

she would have no reason to leave this pin behind.

Maybe she kept someone else's?

It's possible.

I am frustrated too for not knowing that.

So I want to ask you two for help.

This is bad.

Give me your hand.

Chun Doong, open your hand.

No.

Chun Doong.

Gently.

Go now.

- Please. - Hurry.

Let us stay a little more.

I can't go now. If I run into Dong Chang, we're dead.

Do you want to see me dead?

Clerk Ji, please help us.

You guys think this is some inn you can go in and out of?

We're short on cells as it is. Go now!

Just a little more. One more day.

Hurry and go.

- Go. - You're mean!

Hurry.

Hey, change your clothes before you go.

Clerk Ji.

Yes, Yo Geum?

Someone is waiting for you outside.

Who?

Name is Gang Sun Ho.

Gang Sun Ho?

Um, are you Lord Gang Sun Ho?

Are you the prison clerk by the name of Ji Chun Doong?

Yes.

I heard from Ok Nyeo you are her foster dad. Is that right?

Yes, I am. But what brings you here?

I have something to ask you. Can you give me some time?

Yes.

Have a seat.

You

saved Ok Nyeo's mother on the day Ok Nyeo was born, I heard.

Yes. Ok Nyeo's mother had passed out in front of the prison with a knife wound.

I brought her to the prison.

Ok Nyeo was born there and her mother died.

Ok Nyeo's mother was a palace maiden.

What?

Sir.

Did you see the people who were chasing after her?

No, I didn't get to see them.

Did the maiden leave any last word with you?

Last word?

About Ok Nyeo's father, I mean.

No, she didn't.

She only said she was being chased and asked me to save her.

Sir, did something happen to Ok Nyeo?

What do you mean?

She's so cheerful usually but now she's always worried and she can't sleep at night.

Her mother being a court maiden, too. It's not a light matter.

I can't tell you all the details.

But for now, we must find out more about the maiden in order to protect Ok Nyeo.

So please think about that night.

Anything that can be a clue to who her father is.

Oh, right! Mother Gaedong.

That night, Mother Gaedong was a female prisoner who helped deliver Ok Nyeo.

She was with the maiden when she died.

So there could be something she heard.

Do you now where that female prisoner is?

Mother Gaedong? Mother Gaedong, are you inside?

Mother Gaedong!

Long time no see, Clerk Ji.

What brings you here?

Are you looking to hire someone to serve a prison sentence?

Not that.

Someone is here to see you.

Me?

Um.

Sir.

Sir, this is Mother Gaedong who delivered Ok Nyeo.

I have something to say to you. Let's go inside.

Yes.

Good work.

My room is so shabby.

It's alright. Don't worry about it and come sit.

Yes.

You heard why I was looking for you from Clerk Ji, right?

Yes, My Lord. You asked about Ok Nyeo's mother.

Yes.

Then?

I'll get to the point. Before she died,

did she leave any word with you?

She must have said something.

She...

Tell me.

She said...

Hurry now.

She did say something.

What was it?

When did I ever

ask you to put me on the throne by harming my brother?

Did I ever ask you to take the lives of innocent maidens

to keep my throne?

What does this seat

mean that

you did such despicable deeds!

Your Highness, the state councilor is here.

Have him come in.

Yes.

Your Highness, you don't look well.

Are you ill?

The King has found out everything.

Even the fact that we tried to poison the late king to death.

But, Your Highness. How?

I can't decide what to do next.

What do I do?

You admitted to it?

You should have denied it. You should have said no till the end.

I did.

How couldl admit to it?

But the King didn't believe me, so what can I do?

How did he find out?

Who in the world told him?

I can't tell who did it.

Your Highness, it's very urgent we find out who that was.

We must find out so we can figure out what to do.

I tailed the king when he went out the palace in secret.

But I couldn't find out who he met.

Your Highness, I'll find out.

I'll find out for sure so leave it to me.

You wanted to see me?

I have something urgent to say to you.

Go ahead.

Besides me, the fact that Yoon Tae Won met the King,

have you told anyone else?

I haven't.

Don't let Queen Dowager know or else it'll be bad.

Make sure the court ladies and maidens of the grand palace keep their mouths shut, too.

Don't worry, My Lord.

Welcome.

Is Tae Won here?

Of course. He's been waiting.

That room. Go in.

Have a seat.

Is the matter I asked you about going well?

Something's strange, Tae Won.

What's strange?

Someone's seizing the government merchants ahead of us.

What?

You know Chief Hong Man Jong of Samgye Port?

I went to see him and he said he already promised a deal with another merchant.

Other merchants, too. I had Doo Shik look into it.

And most of them have all been dealt with.

Who is that?

I'm saying it's strange because I don't know that.

Whoever it is they are hiding behind sealed curtains.

It doesn't take just small funds to seize the merchants.

You have to control the roughnecks, too, at times.

Someone with that much power in the capital would be Jung Nan Jung.

Jung Nan Jung's merchant group is under my watch.

It is not Jung Nan Jung. I don't know who it is,

but we are one step too slow to be sure.

If you must meet Ok Nyeo,

please come up with a plan to protect her first.

If you meet her recklessly like today,

it will endanger Ok Nyeo's life.

Sir,

what brings you here without any notice?

I have something to tell you.

Ok Nyeo...

Yes?

♪ I hope I’m somewhere in your mind ♪

♪ I hope I will stay somewhere near your lips ♪

♪ Only this person (I love) ♪