Original subtitles

Park is pregnant with His Imperial Majesty's child.

Have her...

take this.

Is it poison?

Why are you so surprised?

Are you scared?

It is just...

that it may put you in a bad position.

You do not have to worry about that.

It is made from lilac daphne.

Did you say it is fatal to the child only?

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

If you get this done,

I will prepare the papers

for you to live freely outside the palace.

However,

if you make any mistakes,

you will leave here as a corpse.

Understood?

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

How cruel.

No wonder she is Dang Gise's sister.

What was she doing in the Empress's palace?

No way.

Is she working for the Empress?

Seung-nyang is a girl?

That cannot be.

He is a better archer and a better rider than I am.

I lost to a girl?

Then again,

if I were to imagine Seung-nyang dressed up as a woman...

Beautiful.

She is very beautiful.

It is cold, Your Imperial Majesty.

Shall we go inside?

You fool!

Your nagging distracts me.

Your Imperial Majesty, I am worried you will catch a cold.

I want to be alone. Do not follow me.

Goodness.

Zip it, seriously.

What did I just say?

Do not follow me.

Your Imperial Majesty, it is not--

Do as you are told

while I am in a good mood.

Your Majesty.

Are you sure...

you can turn a blind eye to the killing of Goryeo people?

I do not care.

Some of them are your friends.

I do not have any friends.

You are deceiving yourself.

This is...

killing me inside.

Now I can think about Seung-nyang all I want.

I miss you.

Where are you?

Who is it that you miss so much?

Your Imperial Majesty.

I asked you a question.

Who is it that you are longing to see?

Why are you not answering me?

Do you...

happen to be in love with someone?

It is...

nothing like that.

Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty.

I shall excuse myself.

I saw you talking to someone,

and it is that girl.

How is it going with the search for Seung-nyang in Goryeo?

We only sent the notice a few days ago.

Your Imperial Majesty.

You do not look very well this morning.

Well, I did not sleep well.

You did not?

Is something on your mind?

Not really.

Your Highness, Park is here.

Your Highness, how are you this morning?

I shall get going. Enjoy your chat.

Why so soon?

How about

taking a little walk with Park?

Some light exercise during pregnancy would be good for the baby.

Not to mention

hearing its father's voice.

Fine.

I know how busy you are.

I can walk alone.

You have a good heart.

I would have had nothing to say

if you had complained that I was acting too cold to you.

Not at all, Your Imperial Majesty.

What is it?

My lady.

Is it something you ate?

It is no big deal. It is just morning sickness.

Morning sickness?

It is quite common during pregnancy.

It is nothing to worry about.

I see.

Are you sure Yang is giving her the powder?

I will make sure.

No.

I want to see it with my own eyes.

Have Park come to my room.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

Do not blame me.

You are the one

who made me like this, Your Imperial Majesty.

It is your fault.

Park is here, Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty.

Did you ask for me?

A few nights ago,

I dreamed these fish leapt out of their tank

and into my arms.

I thought it was a dream of conception.

But it was not of my own but yours.

I beg your pardon, Your Imperial Majesty.

Do not be so nervous.

It is not good for the baby.

Once the baby is born,

I will be the mother, not you.

Therefore,

I think we should try to get along with each other.

I am very much obliged for your generosity.

It is not just your child.

If you fail to give a birth to a healthy baby,

I will have you face the consequences.

I will mark your words.

On that note,

I suggest we have a little chat once a day over some tea and sweets.

What do you say?

How could I refuse?

And to remove all unnecessary doubts,

your maids shall prepare the refreshment.

Of course.

That will be all.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

You must prepare the refreshment.

Do you follow?

Do you think the Empress knows?

She asked me to prepare the refreshment.

I doubt that she is suspecting me.

That is a relief.

However,

we should worry about what is to come.

The Empress will want to make sure the sweets

have the toxin in them.

Should we just tell the Empress Dowager about it?

Without evidence,

you can be accused of framing her.

You are right.

What should we do?

I will figure something out.

Thank you, Yang.

Do not thank me.

I am only repaying you

for overlooking my crime.

This is the least I can do.

Sieve some wheat flour and rice flour.

Then add some rice wine, honey,

and sesame oil to it and knead it.

Where is the oil?

It is in the cupboard.

I will get it.

Here.

You should knead the dough.

Why are you sieving more flour?

I think we should make some more.

It is always best to have some extra.

You must want some too.

Why not? We will sneak some for ourselves.

It looks tasty, right?

Good work.

She put the powder in the Goryeo sweets?

Yes. I saw it with my own eyes.

Did you bring the sweets?

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

It looks tasty.

What is it?

-It is Goryeo sweets. -Goryeo sweets?

All right.

Let us try it.

Please have one first.

Lilac daphne

does not have any harmful effect on those who are not pregnant.

The only thing it can do to you

is make you urinate often.

Urinate?

But that will not damage your health.

You can eat it without worry.

How do they taste?

They taste interesting.

Bring them with you every morning when you come to greet me.

I will, Your Imperial Majesty.

Go on.

Enjoy.

I put the powder in the ones that have pine nuts on top.

THE DOLGWOL CAMP

Our spies are coming back.

-Open the gate. -Open up!

I hope Eunuch Bang and Jeom-bak are doing all right.

Hey!

You cannot have all the drumsticks by yourself.

Stop being so petty.

Listen up.

During our time here, I am your master.

You are a mere servant of mine. Do you get it?

Anyway, do you think they bought it?

They will cut our heads off as soon as they find out we are lying.

Eat at least a tiny bit.

As a Taoist, I shall feel full without eating

and warm even without wearing any clothes.

So...

where is General Batoreu anyway?

I repeat.

Unless you bring General Batoreu,

my master here will not say a word.

Do you understand?

This is General Batoreu.

What?

This girl is General Batoreu?

Am I supposed to believe that?

Now knock it off

and go get General Batoreu.

Enough!

Sir.

Watch your mouth.

I already knew that you are General Batoreu.

I waited until you revealed yourself.

Thank you for trusting me and revealing yourself to me.

Since you have seen me,

I will have to get rid of you

if you fail to earn my trust.

Well, well.

How shall we earn your trust?

Your tactics were impeccable.

Using drums and gongs to disturb the enemy's sleep

and incapacitate them.

Do you think that was the purpose?

Kill them.

Of course...

It was not just to wear the soldiers out.

Are you surprised?

You must wonder if Baekan also knows about it.

You do not need to worry about that.

I, Bang Sin-u, am the only one

who knows about your true intent.

THE YUAN CAMP, WESTERN FRONTIER

Although they have built a wood fence around it,

their camp is surrounded by natural fortifications.

A frontal attack is our only option.

When should we attack them?

Two days later.

We will attack at the hour of the Tiger after they retreat.

THE HOUR OF THE TIGER: BETWEEN 3 A.M. AND 5 A.M.

Two days later. At the hour of the Tiger.

Once you lure out Batoreu and his elite troop,

Taltal and I will take the camp.

Even if I lure out the elite troop,

taking the camp

will not be easy.

You do not need to worry about that.

I have a plan.

What is your plan?

You do not need to know.

We are here to come up with

a strategy that can bring us victory.

Part of which

includes you not knowing.

We attack at dawn two days later.

There is not much time.

If things go well, Eunuch Bang will be back by tonight.

-Send him word. -I will.

What are they up to?

Send who what?

General Yeom!

Hurry.

General Baekan wants you.

Keep an eye on the deposed king's guard.

What is the matter?

My gut feelings have never failed me.

They are up to something.

Like what?

Well...

Anyway, see if anyone leaves the camp tonight.

"Send"?

What is he sending and to whom?

I did not catch that part.

But the fact that Eunuch Bang and Jeom-bak are both gone bothers me.

I thought they were killed in the battle.

Do you believe that?

Do you think the deposed king is working with the Dolgwol?

If we do not see the deposed king's guard tonight,

then yes, I am sure of it.

Those scumbags!

Scums!

Look.

Just as I thought, the guard is nowhere to be seen.

Where is your guard?

Why?

Where on earth is he?

Are you looking for me?

I was making torches.

Is there something you want to say to me?

Are the torches ready?

Yes. We have twelve in total.

You!

Be sure next time.

That is strange.

My gut feelings should be right.

Jo-cham.

Did anyone leave the camp?

No, not that I saw.

You stupid moron.

No more of this foolishness.

I am sure they said they are sending something.

Light them.

The torches are lit.

Rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat,

monkey, rooster, dog, pig.

There are twelve torches.

It means a frontal attack.

When?

Douse two torches.

They doused two.

Two days later.

Now douse three more.

They doused three more.

That means the hour of the Tiger.

They will attack at the hour of the Tiger two days later.

Will Eunuch Bang understand?

He has to.

Otherwise, my plan will fail.

THE YUAN IMPERIAL PALACE IN YEONGYEONG

Look right.

Do you happen to have a brother named Seung-nyang back home?

No, I do not.

If she is Seung-nyang, she had plenty of opportunities to tell me.

Does Seung-nyang still resent me for what happened to the King of Goryeo?

Your Imperial Majesty, should I pour some more hot water?

Your Imperial Majesty!

Goodness. Your Imperial Majesty!

Have you heard any word about Seung-nyang from Goryeo?

My apologies, but I have not.

What is taking so long?

We should have heard something by now.

There must be a reason.

I will look into--

Forget it!

Goodness.

I guess I will have to find out myself.

Have Yang bring me some refreshment.

I will ask her myself.

Why are you not looking at me?

You do not like being here with me?

Maids are not allowed

to look at Your Imperial Majesty.

Is that the only reason?

Lift your head.

I command you to look at me.

Never mind. You may put your head down.

What has me acting this way?

If that is all, I shall excuse myself.

Fine. Go.

Your Imperial Majesty, why did you let her go?

You said you were going to find out.

It is not that easy.

Your Imperial Majesty. She is just a maid--

"Just a maid"?

Watch your mouth.

My apologies, Your Imperial Majesty.

She might be...

the Seung-nyang I have been looking for.

I do not like the look in his eyes.

Damn it.

Things will get complicated if he recognizes me.

Yang.

Where were you?

Her Imperial Majesty wishes to see you.

You are not in trouble, are you?

Who knows?

Well done.

Park just loved your Goryeo sweets.

Can I get the papers now?

I will give you the papers once I confirm her miscarriage.

Do not be so disappointed.

It may be sooner than you think.

When the toxins build up enough,

I will give her a tonic for morning sickness.

A tonic?

When lilac daphne is taken together with licorice,

the toxicity doubles.

Until then, you must be careful and make sure

she does not find out.

I will.

What is Seung-nyang doing here?

Is she...

I saw a maid serving at the concubines' residence leaving.

Is she the maid who is helping us?

Yes. She is clever and doing a great job.

You look a bit worried.

Is something wrong?

Nothing.

Did Park eat the powder?

She sure did.

I watched her eat it

with my own eyes.

Seung-nyang would never help us.

Oh, my goodness!

-Are you Yeon-hwa? -Yes, my lord.

I will be in the archives.

Join me there.

Do you know who I am?

Who does not?

You are the brother of the Empress--

What is your fondest wish?

I do not like being a maid. I want to be a court lady.

That is a small wish.

Why not a senior court lady?

Is that even possible?

Do as I say,

and you can be that and more.

I will do anything. Command me.

My life is yours.

See that Park eats the powder in it.

This is my chance.

Why could I not become a senior lady?

I hold

fortune in my hands.

Why dumpling stew?

So pregnant women are supposed to crave random foods?

If you are curious,

get knocked up and find out.

Do not be stupid.

Are you trying to get me killed?

You are silly.

Yang, are you done hanging the laundry?

Yes. What is this?

We are making dumplings for Her Ladyship.

Do you want some help?

I would appreciate it.

You are not allowed in here.

Other than the Emperor and the eunuchs,

no man is allowed in the Pavilion of Women.

I took a wrong turn on my way to the Empress's palace.

People make mistakes.

What a grouch.

Please have it before it gets cold.

I was craving it earlier, but now I do not feel well.

Think of the child.

She is right.

You should eat up for the baby.

If you give birth to a healthy son,

your life and everything in the Palace will change forever.

You must hang in there until then.

Yes, Your Highness.

Yang.

Yang.

You have to go again?

I will get the chamber pot.

Does Her Ladyship need the chamber pot again?

Yes, sir.

Did she drink a lot of tea?

Since she found out she was pregnant,

she has not drunk any tea.

I am told pregnancy can cause frequent urination.

That will not be

for a few months yet.

I saw General Dang Gise loitering in the backyard earlier.

Keep close watch just in case.

Yes, sir.

Lilac daphne...

Did Dang Gise...

They are falling back.

Bring my armor.

Great Tengri.

Please protect the descendants of the Blue Wolves.

I, Baekan,

will take the head of Batoreu

and reclaim the Silk Road.

We will see, Baekan.

The Silk Road will never be yours.

Along this ridge is--

They will attack at dawn tomorrow.

But the first attack is a feint.

It is meant to draw out your troops.

Baekan will lead the Yuan main troops.

He will wait until your men move out

to take the camp.

"All war is deception."

We must fool the enemy.

Are you saying we should use their plan against them?

Exactly.

General, we cannot risk everything on his word.

How can you expect to win if you do not risk everything--

We must be cautious.

We could lose everything.

When do they plan to attack us?

At dawn.

The hour of the Tiger.

And if they are not here by then?

In that case...

I will let you take my life.

Master!

Good.

Go on.

Let me quote Sun Tzu, the great military strategist.

"Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected."

Therefore, we should attack where they are least prepared to defend

and charge in when least expected.

The hour of the Tiger is almost over, but they are still nowhere to be seen.

I know. We read the signals right.

Was it really necessary for you to tell them

that you would let them take your life?

I had to earn their trust.

The hour of the Tiger is over.

Execute them

when the sun rises.

They are here.

Attack!

It was just as I anticipated.

They will retreat shortly.

As soon as they fall back,

Baekan's troop will be here.

Fall back!

Fall back!

After them!

Leave no one alive!

Things are going according to our plan.

There are still a lot of soldiers in the camp.

How will you bust the gates open by yourself?

Is this...

Strategist Taltal's plan?

After him!

Get Batoreu!

General Batoreu is being pursued.

Open the gates!

-Get him! -It is the enemy!

Kill them all! All of them!

Your Highness, what brings you here?

Please have a seat.

This cannot continue.

Her morning sickness has been getting worse.

Why does it feel like

you are blaming me for that?

I merely meant she needs her rest.

But what is more important

is that I connect with the baby.

"Connect"?

I will be the child's mother.

It should hear my voice.

Why are you not eating?

Do you feel uncomfortable around me?

Not at all.

Are you all right?

I am fine.

You are pale. You are clearly nauseous.

This gathering ends now.

No doubt

a tonic will help.

Have the pharmacy prepare something.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

Now if you will excuse me.

Come to my palace tomorrow at the same time.

Yes,

Your Imperial Majesty.

After she takes the tonic,

we will spread a rumor that she faked the pregnancy.

She dared to deceive the Emperor.

Surely this is a case of high treason, which will destroy her entire family.

You can step back now.

I will take it from here.

Of course.

Empress Dowager,

you will not escape

this one either.

Give it to me.

I will take it to Her Ladyship.

Filthy bitch.

You must be trying to take all the credit yourself.

No. I will bring it to her.

Give it to me.

There is no need.

Fine.

Go ahead.

Hurry. They are expecting you.

The tonic is ready.

Have her take it now.

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

Do you not like working here?

I prefer

my previous job.

If she is Seung-nyang,

she hates being near me.

Please be Seung-nyang

and help me.

That is not

something I can do.

They call this a persimmon?

It is totally tasteless.

Goryeo has the best dried persimmons.

Anyway,

I am starting to hope she is not Seung-nyang.

Your Imperial Majesty!

Your Imperial Majesty.

What is all the fuss about?

We got the word about Seung-nyang.

Spit it out.

Where is he?

He was taken here with the deposed king.

Are you saying he is still with the deposed king?

-Not quite. -No?

According to the tribute women who recently got here from Goryeo,

Yang...

is the Seung-nyang you have been looking for.

No. No way. How...

What are you talking about?

How can a man turn into a woman?

Seung-nyang saved the deposed king

on the way here, risking his own life.

After that,

somehow,

he became a woman.

Your Imperial Majesty.

The tribute women say the deposed king adores her--

Enough.

I do not want to hear any more.

Shall I summon Yang?

-Your Imperial Majesty. -There is no need.

Do not take an interest in her

any longer.

You looked so hard--

I said, there is no need.

She pretended not to know me.

I will never initiate any contact with her ever again.

Your Imperial Majesty!

I am worried that you would hurt yourself. Please slow down.

Find out where Seung-nyang is.

Go!

You...

Yang.

You...

I am not going there because I miss her.

How impudent.

-Please let go. -How dare you?

Why do you distance yourself from me?

All the women in the Palace want me.

-Lady Park collapsed on her way here. -My lady!

That wench must be trying to hide the fact that she has been faking--

Her Ladyship is menstruating?

That is impossible.

There will be no reexamination whatsoever.

Grand Councillor. I cannot allow it.

He is not the type to give up easily.

I have to get the real Batoreu with my own hands.

That will end the war.

Seung-nyang, please watch over me.

We will meet again soon.

Subtitle translation by Min-jin Kim