Original subtitles

Your Imperial Majesty, you cannot bestow a rank on her.

A mere court lady does not deserve it.

How could you say that?

She is pregnant with His Imperial Majesty's child.

The least she deserves is the rank of Concubine.

What is wrong?

Pull yourself together!

What are you waiting for?

Call the physician!

I wonder if she is all right.

Please make up your mind.

Yes. We will wait for your command.

I hope it is nothing serious.

Your Imperial Majesty.

Are you listening to us?

Yes.

So, what is going to happen?

What are you talking about?

We are waiting for your decision.

Well, I will leave it up to you two--

-Pardon? -Your Imperial Majesty!

Golta, are you there?

-Get me some cold water. -Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty.

Only over my dead body will you bestow a rank on her.

Mark my words.

Your Imperial Majesty.

You do not need to care about what the Empress thinks.

You should proclaim Park as your concubine. Do you understand?

She must think I am feeble.

How dare she look down on me?

Empress Dowager,

you messed with the wrong person.

You will soon

shed tears of blood.

I cannot believe her.

How dare she try to lecture me?

I will make her beg me for her life.

Goodness.

The two of them

will drain all my energy.

Let me prepare some decoction to help you restore your energy.

There is no need to.

But...

You know...

Can you find out what happened to the one who fainted in the archery yard?

Your Imperial Majesty,

do you have feelings for her by any chance?

Feelings for her?

Do not ever say that again.

The Empress will go nuts if she hears it.

Then why do you take an interest in such a lowly girl?

I mean...

Like I said, she reminds me of the guy who saved my life back in Goryeo.

When I see her, I feel like I can finally breathe again.

In that case,

how about making her serve you here?

Are you saying that I can make her work at the Emperor's palace?

The maids at the Emperor's palace have easier work and get paid more.

There are many maids who want to work here.

It would make her so happy.

She will be greatly touched

by your kindness.

Good. You should take care of it.

She will be greatly touched by my kindness?

Your Imperial Majesty!

Your Imperial Majesty.

Are you taking good care of the ornament I gave you?

Of course, Your Imperial Majesty.

I will never forget your kindness.

It is nothing to make a fuss about.

Please do not say that.

I will stay loyal to you even if my bones are crushed to pieces.

Stay loyal to me, but do not have your bones crushed.

Your grace is beyond measure, Your Imperial Majesty.

Your grace is beyond measure, Your Imperial Majesty.

Your grace is beyond measure, Your Imperial Majesty.

Your grace is beyond measure, Your Imperial Majesty.

It would have been great if she really was Seung-nyang.

I wonder how he is doing.

Hello, sir.

Is she still not feeling well?

She woke up a moment ago,

but she fell asleep again.

In the Palace, it is an act of disloyalty not to take good care of yourself.

Let me know when she wakes up.

Yes, sir.

Your Majesty,

where are you?

I miss you,

Your Majesty.

WESTERN FRONTIER OF THE YUAN DYNASTY

Tonight,

your head will be mine.

Your Majesty.

-The attack has begun. -Take your positions!

General, they are attacking us first.

Retreat!

Chase them!

You scum!

Hurry! Let us get those scums!

We shall not chase them any further.

If we wait for them on their route, they will definitely show up again.

Yes, Your Majesty.

There is a trap!

Retreat! Go back!

There is a trap!

Now. Go!

Attack!

-Where is this noise coming from? -From the mountains in the east.

Is there a battle going on?

Listen. The screams will not stop.

Who are the ones screaming, though?

The Dolgwol or the labor soldiers?

I guess the deposed king was ambushed while chasing the enemy into their base.

How foolish.

Eager to make a contribution, he marched into the enemy base.

Did Yeom Byeong-su follow him?

Yes, General.

Even if the deposed king survives,

he will be killed by Yeom Byeong-su.

Are you sure

those scumbags will show up here?

Hey, do you not remember who made the map?

The remnants will definitely pass by here.

It's Batoreu.

Batoreu...

I will cut off his head with my own hands.

Attack!

I found a body!

They must have all been killed.

But all the dead bodies belong to the Dolgwol.

What happened?

Then was it the Dolgwol who were screaming last night?

General.

It took a long time to collect all the weapons.

Where did you get that horse?

It is the enemy commander, Batoreu's horse.

Batoreu?

Is he dead too?

General!

We lost hundreds of soldiers.

YEON BISU, BATOREU'S DAUGHTER

By the way,

where are Eunuch Bang and Jeom-bak?

They died...

-heroically. -They died?

That is great to hear...

Your Imperial Majesty, I hope you have been well.

It has been a while, General Dang Gise.

Why did you want to see me?

I am sure you remember the guy called Seung-nyang.

On my way back to the Yuan dynasty,

I asked you to release him from prison.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

I remember that.

If you know anything about how he is doing now,

please tell me everything.

Is he married now?

I wonder where he is and what he is doing.

According to the envoys in Goryeo,

he is doing well in his hometown, where his brothers are.

-Is that right? -By the way,

why are you asking that?

It is nothing.

I was just wondering how he is doing.

You are now the Emperor of the Great Yuan.

You should forget about what happened in Goryeo.

Before he finds out,

I should send Seung-nyang away.

His Imperial Majesty has arrived.

You over there.

I am talking to you.

His Imperial Majesty wants to talk to you.

Are you taking good care of the ornament I gave you?

I lost it.

How dare you? His Imperial Majesty kindly bestowed--

I am going to the backyard.

Have her prepare some tea.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

Are you aware that His Imperial Majesty is the one

who chose you to work at his palace?

Yes, I am.

Is that all?

How rude.

You should thank--

Forget it.

So how do you like working here?

You can tell me if you need anything.

I am sorry to say this,

but I would like to go back to where I used to work at.

Do you not like working here?

I prefer

my previous job.

How could you serve tea like this?

It is already cold!

Let me prepare some more.

Forget it. Just take it away.

What is going on?

Did you not say she would be greatly touched?

You little...

I am confused myself.

How can she be so oblivious?

Your Imperial Majesty, are you awake?

Goodness.

Hold on.

All of you can leave...

except you.

I want you to do it.

Gently.

Let me put some toner on your face.

It hurts.

Why you little...

Here. Give me a massage.

How can you look so much like him?

So, why do you not like working here?

I hear the work is easier, and you get paid more here.

Why do you want to go back to--

-It hurts. -Your Imperial Majesty.

Please forgive me, Your Imperial Majesty.

How can a girl have such strong hands?

She deserves punishment.

That is not necessary.

You can leave now.

I think she should be sent back to where she used to be.

She even acts just like Seung-nyang.

I know

how to handle a person like her.

It is hot.

It is less hot now.

It is hot.

It is too cold.

I think it is getting hot again.

It is cold. I said, it is cold!

Do you not know how to use a fan?

It is such a shame

that I cannot kill you right now.

Why are you glaring at me like that?

This is how I look at everyone.

Is that right? I want to hear you laugh.

Do you not know how to laugh?

Let me hear you laugh.

That is not what I was expecting.

Try to put on a pretty smile then.

Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty,

Grand Councillor would like to see you.

What does that one say?

YEONCHEOL, GRAND COUNCILLOR

Do you want to be the ruler now?

No. You are the ruler, of course.

Where do you need my seal next?

You should never make Park your concubine.

You should spend tonight with the Empress.

Even the court officials

are gossiping about how you do not spend time with her,

and I am greatly humiliated by all the rumors.

Of course, I will do as you say.

Not there.

Here.

Your Imperial Majesty, His Imperial Majesty is here.

Escort him inside.

I can serve His Imperial Majesty. You should all leave.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

Why are you not looking at me?

Please

take my clothes off.

Please.

Blow out the candles.

They say the mind leads,

and the body follows.

The Emperor made clear last night

that what his heart wants

is not me.

Your Imperial Majesty.

I heard you spent the night with the Empress last night.

I understand you completely.

You do not have to worry.

The Empress will never be able to get pregnant.

I made sure of it.

-So you don't-- -Who am I?

What is my role in this palace?

What do I eat, sleep, and breathe for?

-Your Imperial Majesty. -Why am I even living?

Why?

You are waiting for your moment.

However, you still need to create an opportunity yourself.

To do that, you need courage.

Stay strong.

That is all...

I can tell you.

I used to know someone who looks a lot like you.

He must hate me now,

but he was...

my only friend.

Once,

he and I were chased by these people who were trying to kill me.

They had us cornered on a cliff edge, and I thought we were dead.

At that moment,

he yelled at me.

To become an emperor, what have you done so far?

I--

You only waited for your younger brother to die.

That is why you ended up here.

If you want to live and become an emperor,

you must jump.

Do you know what happened next?

Seung-nyang, I did it.

It was the first time...

I saved my own life.

I did something for myself...

for the first time.

Please be that person...

and give me courage.

Please be Seung-nyang

and help me.

That is not

something I can do.

My apologies.

I understand.

You are right.

You are not Seung-nyang.

I was mistaken.

I was greatly mistaken.

Golta, are you there?

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

Send her back to where she used to work at.

Follow me.

You brought us our first victory.

I did not do it alone.

My soldiers

deserve a compliment too.

Taltal, serve the labor soldiers wine and meat.

Yes, Uncle Baekan.

You prevented our suffering from heavy losses.

I guess they will not be bothering us at night anymore.

Well, let us drink.

They seem to have an excellent strategist.

Baekan sure is a brave general, but he is no thinker.

His nephew, Taltal, is with him.

Taltal?

He is said to be quite a strategist.

The man who attacked us was the leader of the foreigners.

If it was Taltal's idea,

Baekan would have been in charge.

Then who is it?

Whoever he is,

he cannot possibly know our plans.

I see that Batoreu

had such a fine horse.

It sure is, but His Majesty's skills are amazing too.

We are both on horseback.

How about we have a match?

Draw your sword.

Let me see what you have got.

Show off your sword skills

in front of your enemy instead.

After winning that one battle by luck, you are full of yourself.

General!

Are you okay?

Is that horse crazy?

Come here.

What is wrong with you?

Easy.

Easy!

They are said to be the greatest horsemen in the whole world,

but many of them have fallen off a horse lately.

Has anyone else fallen from a horse?

Another Yuan soldier just fell and broke his leg.

Are they not the Dolgwol?

They do not seem like prisoners.

This was drawn by our spies.

This is the enemy base.

It is surrounded on three sides by mountains.

And it is facing a narrow ravine.

It is a natural fortress.

How many men do they have?

Over 5,000, sir.

Over 5,000?

That is more than I expected.

Even if we attack their base directly, there is no guarantee that we will win.

To catch a raccoon in a den, you have to set a fire in the den.

I want you

to lure them.

Batoreu knows your face.

As soon as he sees you, he will attack you.

When they leave their base, we will move in and conquer it.

You want to use us as bait while you take all the credit?

General.

The Dolgwol are here again.

We have some men hiding in the mountains.

The same thing will not happen again.

Scums.

They could wake the dead.

Something feels off.

Why would they be back here after taking such damage?

I am sure their goal is not just to keep us awake.

Then what would be their goal?

Batoreu.

What is it that you want?

Do not be so proud of your first victory.

This is where the bloodbath begins.

Come with me.

They are skittish.

It is not just our soldiers who has not been able to sleep.

So all this noise day and night

was to keep the horses awake?

The enemy will charge in with the cavalry.

If our horses cannot fight,

we do not stand a chance.

Do not tell anyone about it yet.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Batoreu is more tenacious than I expected.

Targeting the horses...

THE YUAN IMPERIAL PALACE

Is she really pregnant?

Yes,

the physician confirmed it.

How can I live in the Palace

after being humiliated like this?

It is a matter the Inner Court should handle,

but I cannot stand it anymore.

I think you should stay out of it.

I have...

an idea.

What is it?

Park is served by maids

from Goryeo.

I am sure she deeply trusts them.

Are you saying we should plant a spy among them?

Yes, Father.

It is a chance to get rid of Park and the Empress Dowager.

If it is not done carefully, it could backfire at us.

That is why we need to pick the right person.

Your Imperial Majesty,

please listen very closely.

You must do exactly as I say.

Go on.

To find the right maid for us,

we need to test them first.

Bring me

one of Park's maids who can read.

Yang, you must be disappointed.

You were sent back here from the Emperor's palace.

Be honest.

You have connections in the Palace, do you not?

Otherwise, how could you have been chosen...

Which of you is Yeon-hwa?

I am, my lady.

Come with me.

Why would Court Lady Seo at the Empress's palace take her?

Do not be nervous.

Take it.

It is a list of court ladies who have had improper relationships with the Kheshig.

Deliver their names

to the commander of the Kheshig secretly.

Many lives are on the line.

You should be careful.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

No one can know that I am involved.

That is why I am using you instead of someone working here.

I understand, Your Imperial Majesty.

She seems to understand things quickly.

You can see she is smart.

There is one more thing

you need to remember.

You are not to see

the names inside.

Do you understand?

I will follow your order, Your Imperial Majesty.

Once the accused court ladies get executed, you will need new court ladies.

You sure are

a clever girl.

If you deliver the letter successfully,

I will recommend you as a court lady.

Are you sure?

I think you made a good impression on Her Imperial Majesty as well.

Thank you.

I appreciate it, my lady.

It is natural to want to see what you should not.

In addition,

the letter contains the names of the court ladies she can make use of.

How can she resist?

This is killing me.

Who had improper relationships with those of the Kheshig?

What?

What should I do?

My apologies, Your Imperial Majesty.

I slipped and fell into the pond.

Are you sure you did not read the letter?

Never. I would never.

Give her another one.

Spare my life, Your Imperial Majesty.

Please.

You can go back to your quarters.

Tell anyone what happened today,

and you are dead.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

Thank you so much.

How could you pick someone who cannot even pass the test?

My apologies, Your Imperial Majesty.

Get another one.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Come on in.

Has anyone seen you?

The guards are all our men.

You do not need to worry.

The time has come.

You two have an extremely important task to take care of.

Follow Batoreu's horse.

It will lead us to their base.

You want us to join the Dolgwol?

I am not fighting against the Dolgwol in this war.

I am fighting against Baekan for the control over the Silk Road.

That is why we have to be the ones who get Batoreu.

Do you think they will trust us?

Follow my instructions,

and you will be fine.

Open the gate!

Who are you?

I am here to meet General Batoreu.

It looks like they do not know who I am,

Jeom-bak.

Listen carefully.

This man here is...

Gosh. You rotten...

Hey, stop it!

They are surrendering?

Yes. They came riding on the horse you had lost.

Is he a soldier?

He claims to be a strategist.

A strategist?

Why did he have my hair shaved off?

It grew quite a bit already.

Why are you here?

This man

does not talk with underlings.

Bring General Batoreu here!

I serve General Batoreu.

You can talk to me.

What a disappointment.

What a shame.

I was hoping I would find the right master and help him rule the world.

I even castrated myself to focus on my studies.

It is such a shame.

You castrated yourself?

After castration, Sima Qian was able to write

his masterpiece.

I also removed all my desires

and devoted myself to astronomy, geography, and military tactics.

I thought I would serve an admirable commander,

but it turns out he was nothing but an incompetent fool.

How deplorable is that?

It is such a disappointment.

How can I trust you?

What is the point of having fine horses everywhere?

Everyone is blind anyway.

No one even recognizes them.

You are right.

What a shame.

General.

I think they are full of it. Should I kill them?

We can check their story first.

How did I do?

Have you ever sold drugs at markets?

You have a silver tongue.

Be quiet. By the way,

that was a woman, right?

Yes. It was definitely a woman.

A woman...

This really hurts.

A woman...

I wonder if Eunuch Bang is still alive.

I hope he will succeed, but it is way too dangerous.

Seung-nyang,

please hang on.

I will come back for you.

It has been a while, Seung-nyang.

You are called Yang here, right?

You look a bit haggard.

You are just as sassy as before.

General Dang Gise must be surprised to see her too.

Seung-nyang.

No way.

Could she be...

It is impossible.

Seung-nyang is a guy.

And he is in Goryeo now.

Your Imperial Majesty,

is everything all right?

Send someone to Goryeo.

-Pardon? -Find Seung-nyang

and bring him to me. Do you understand?

This is the only maid from Goryeo

who can read.

By the way, why does Her Imperial Majesty need a maid who can read?

It is nothing, sir.

Come with me.

Your Imperial Majesty.

You are the one

I saw in the backyard.

She is the only one left.

Would you like to give her a chance?

Deliver this to the commander of the Kheshig secretly.

If you complete the task successfully, you will become a court lady.

I am not interested in becoming a court lady.

Please get me out of the Palace.

I am sure Her Imperial Majesty can do that.

I will talk to her.

I appreciate it, my lady.

I do not like her.

If she becomes a court lady and seduces His Imperial Majesty...

She says she does not want to become a court lady.

She asks to be sent away from the Palace.

I do not like the way she looks at me either.

I am sure

she will read the letter.

Kill the person who delivers this letter.

Empress has no reason to kill me.

So what is this all about?

She is the only one left.

Would you like to give her a chance?

It is a test.

She is testing me.

Damn it.

I got dragged into something troublesome.

What?

She met the commander of the Kheshig?

She must not have read the letter.

She passed the first test,

but she will not be able to pass the second one.

Who sent this?

I do not know.

Do you know what this letter says?

It is a plot to set the Palace on fire.

It is not what it says.

You will be implicated if you do not open your mouth.

This is another test.

If you want to live, tell me who this letter is from.

How can I tell you what I do not know?

Have it your way then.

She kept her mouth shut.

This time, it will be your head.

That is enough.

Why did you not tell him

the letter was from me?

I simply...

followed your order.

It strikes me as odd

that you even risked your life to stay loyal to me.

I was taught that I should not break faith with anyone.

To disobey strikes me as odd.

So you do not want to become a court lady?

Why do you want to leave the palace?

There is someone

I have to meet.

It must be someone you love.

If you help me,

I will help you meet him.

What...

do you want me to do?

Park is pregnant with His Imperial Majesty's child.

Have her...

take this.

Make sure Park does not find out.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

Is she the maid who is helping us?

Why are you not looking at me?

I command you to look at me.

I will never initiate any contact with her ever again.

They must be up to something.

-The torches are lit. -It means a frontal attack.

Are you saying you will use us as human shields?

You moron.

War is fought with swords, but politics is all about causes.

Are you here to laugh at me?

Go ahead. Laugh at me all you want.

Call me a fool and make fun of me!

Subtitle translation by Min-jin Kim