Original subtitles

You...

Yang.

You...

I miss you.

Where are you?

Is it the deposed king

that you miss so much?

How may I help you, Your Imperial Majesty?

Her Ladyship

is in her chamber.

Fine, I will pretend I do not know.

I will ignore you

just like how you are ignoring me.

He must have noticed something.

This is no fun. Nothing is anymore.

Your Imperial Majesty.

The Empress Dowager requests you come to the concubines' residence.

The concubines' residence?

Tell her I cannot.

Lady Park is unwell.

Her Highness asked me to bring you.

Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty!

Fine.

I got it, so stop nagging me.

His Imperial Majesty is waiting.

Hurry. Get moving!

I am told you adore Her Ladyship.

Oh, yes. I do.

Take your time.

Eat. Go on.

Your Imperial Majesty.

There is something on...

You look lovely together.

-Yang. -Yes, my lady.

Are you all right?

Hurry and get him a handkerchief.

What is wrong with me?

We will call you if we need you. Leave us.

You seem unsettled today.

Is something wrong?

-Time to eat. -That looks delicious!

Our food is here.

I thought we would have to skip a meal

because of His Imperial Majesty's sudden visit.

Eat slowly.

Eat up.

Why are they having lunch so late?

The maids do not have a set meal time.

Whatever.

I do not care if she slaves away as a maid all her life.

What... What do you think you are doing?

Your Imperial Highness!

I am so relieved.

I am so glad that you are alive.

So he was a girl

all along?

Your Imperial Majesty.

Is that all the maids get?

-Pardon? -Rice balls?

The dogs get better food.

Why are you

taking it out on me?

What a moron.

Yang.

Yang.

We should go to the backyard.

What for?

The Emperor has prepared food for us as a reward.

The others are already there.

I am not hungry.

You go on.

It is from the Emperor.

We will never get food like this again.

I am okay.

So, did the maids like it?

They are singing your praises.

They most certainly should.

They have never had it so good.

Where are you going?

Are you going to see the maids?

My goodness!

I am not going there

because I miss her.

I said, I am not.

-It looks so tasty. -Look at that!

It is all ours.

-Try this. -It tastes so good.

We are so lucky.

Wait.

What happened?

What is wrong?

Seung-nyang.

I do not see Seung-nyang.

She said she is not hungry.

Not hungry? Then why did I bother giving them food?

You told me not to care about Seung-nyang any longer.

Gosh.

Seriously.

Prepare more food.

Pardon?

Tell Seung-nyang to get over here.

I swear!

You are such a moron!

How can you be so oblivious?

You cannot do anything right.

"Moron"?

Well.

Eat up.

No thank you.

You will not even take the food I give you?

You helped Lady Park with her morning sickness.

You earned it. Eat up.

I am full.

If you will excuse me.

-Please let go. -Why do you distance yourself from me?

All the women in the Palace want me.

-Surely you jest. -How dare you?

How dare you suggest my actions are in jest?

Not to mention...

the contempt in your eyes.

I beg your pardon.

Eat up.

Please let go of my hand.

It is uncomfortable.

When she finishes eating,

-take her back to her quarters. -Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

Hurry and eat up.

My heart is racing.

Do I fear her

even more than I fear Grand Councillor Yeoncheol?

I am sure he knows

that I am Seung-nyang.

Otherwise, he wouldn't...

WESTERN FRONTIER OF THE YUAN DYNASTY

After them!

-After them! -Get them!

Get them!

Get them!

General!

The deposed king managed to lure out Batoreu's soldiers.

Now it is your turn.

If I bust it open, lead the men through.

Yes, sir.

Everyone!

Move out!

-Yes, sir! -Yes, sir!

Break off the chase and head back before daybreak.

To the camp!

Fall back!

-Fall back! -Fall back!

They are returning to the camp.

Eunuch Bang must have managed to win Batoreu's trust.

Centurion.

Wait here with the soldiers.

Yes, sir.

Mu-song and Bul-hwa, come with me.

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!

Open up!

-Get Batoreu! -Get him!

It is the enemy!

Kill them all! All of them!

This makes no sense.

Why are they playing drums and gongs?

The horses are acting weird!

What is wrong with the horses?

It is the horses.

The noise was meant to distract the horses not our men.

What?

Is that what they have been doing all this time?

General!

There is Batoreu!

But he was chasing the deposed king.

It seems like we have been fooled.

-Sound the retreat. -Retreat?

They are right before our eyes!

Kill them! Kill them all!

General!

Batoreu is dead!

The enemy general has fallen!

The deposed king's pursuers. That is the real Batoreu.

Fine. A hundred, a thousand, if it is in a mask, kill it!

We are surrounded. We have got to get out of here.

Please. We can get wiped out.

-I will die here. -Uncle Baekan!

I will kill them all and dance on their bones!

General!

It is total chaos out there.

It looks like they are threshing barley.

Is that Baekan?

Yes. He is a violent, dangerous man.

He surely seems like a tiger at hunt.

It is a shame to kill him.

Capture him alive.

-Yes, General. -Capture him alive?

A mad tiger should be put down.

Well?

Come on then!

I will bathe in your blood.

Come on!

Lower your weapons.

Surrender.

Never surrender!

Fight to the end!

Everything went according to Your Majesty's plan.

What a pity.

I wanted to kill Yeom Byeong-su myself.

We will utilize the Desperate Stratagems.

DESPERATE STRATAGEMS: STRATAGEMS OF REVERSING THE SITUATION

Desperate Stratagems?

The war will be over

when I take Batoreu.

Our fight

is just beginning.

THE YUAN IMPERIAL PALACE IN YEONGYEONG

Feign illness.

Only then,

you can completely fool the Empress.

Are you unwell?

I am fine.

Fine?

Your insides must be tearing apart.

If you will...

excuse me.

Of course.

The powder is working.

She has taken the tonic too.

She should miscarry soon.

Well done.

However,

it is not over yet.

I am at your service.

Now,

I need you to spread a rumor.

A rumor?

Tell everyone that Lady Park lied.

Say that she faked the pregnancy

to win the heart of the Emperor.

That should be what the rumor is about.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

By the way,

I noticed something odd today.

She only eats

the sweets with dates.

Is that so?

She never touches those with pine nuts.

Does not that strike you as odd?

Dates are known to help with morning sickness.

See that they all have dates from now on.

Do you suspect me?

I simply want to clear my doubts.

As you command.

Does that ease your mind?

Yeon-hwa will take care of it.

But it is always better safe than sorry.

Court Lady Seo is watching her.

You do not have to worry.

What is this?

-Is it not a bloodstain? -Blood?

How can that be?

She must have had her period.

Period? She is pregnant...

Her Ladyship is menstruating?

That is not possible.

She is pregnant.

It is strange.

She must be faking her pregnancy.

Watch what you say.

You will get yourselves in trouble.

-How can this be? -Is this even possible?

-How is this possible? -Is she really faking it?

-Is she faking her pregnancy? -If she is faking,

it will be really bad.

Easy. You will get us all in trouble.

Something must be going on.

Find out what they are whispering about.

Well...

I regret to tell you this...

So you know.

Tell me.

What?

She is faking her pregnancy?

Her Imperial Majesty is here.

What brings you here?

A strange rumor

is going around in the Palace.

Have you heard the rumor?

What strange rumor?

Rumor has it Lady Park

has been faking her pregnancy.

So you started it.

We have to clear this up.

Clear it up?

The physician has confirmed her pregnancy.

Surely you do not believe that absurd rumor, do you?

I heard

you were the only one the physician reported to.

Are you saying you do not trust me?

Quite the opposite.

Thankfully, it is only going around in the Palace,

but soon, the people will hear the rumor.

We need to put the rumor to rest right now.

And you are unaware

that reexamining her would undermine my authority?

The honor of the Inner Court

outweighs your authority.

As the head of the Inner Court,

I must insist on reexamination.

When the examination clears this up,

those who started this rumor must be caught and dealt with.

Naturally, we should.

However,

if she really is faking her pregnancy,

I will apprehend not only Lady Park but all those who are behind this

and have them face the consequences.

Suit yourself then.

Do you think you can bring me down?

We will see who will go down first.

Yang.

I have been watching Yeon-hwa like you asked.

I saw her go into the archives a while ago.

The archives?

Yes.

And you know who came out?

General Dang Gise.

-Dang Gise? -Exactly.

Then she came out right after him.

Where is she now?

Do you want some tea?

What?

Do you have something to say to me?

What will you get?

The rank of Court Lady?

Or of Senior Court Lady?

Now you are showing your true colors.

What about you?

What will you get?

Do not tell me

you will be raised to the rank of Concubine.

Why not?

I guess that is not what they offered you.

Sure.

Sure it was.

But you did not do much.

What did you say?

I made sure she ate the powder and the tonic.

She made her eat them?

Do you think you did all the job?

I did my part.

I am warning you.

Do not take all the credit.

I will not be played for a fool.

Yang.

Her Ladyship is sick.

Park has a fever?

Yes.

She has been burning up since last night.

Your Imperial Majesty, this must be the sign of miscarriage.

We will have her examined.

Send for the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.

-Do not forget the physician. -Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

Get Park over here.

Hurry.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

An examination...

Checking her pulse...

You seem ill.

My lady!

Are you all right?

-My lady. -Move.

Yeon-hwa, inform the Empress's palace.

Oh, okay.

I beg your pardon.

Lady Park collapsed on her way here.

She collapsed?

Explain. What happened?

I do not have any details.

She is being taken to the concubines' residence.

She is a tricky one.

-Tricky? -Can you not tell?

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

Watch what you say!

-Your Imperial Majesty. -How could you be so cruel?

You disappoint me.

Did you say

I disappoint you?

Do you really not know why I am being like this?

I do not want to hear anymore.

She must be reexamined.

There is no need.

I run the Inner Court.

You may be the Emperor,

but this is not of your concern.

Let go of me.

Permit

the examination.

Let go.

Court Lady Seo.

Bring Lady Pak here.

I command you!

There will be...

no reexamination whatsoever.

-Your Imperial Majesty. -Ask my father

to come and see me.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty.

So that is how you want it?

Yes,

I suppose it is.

My death or hers, either way,

I will see this through.

How is she?

She just fell asleep.

She has a high fever and chills.

Examine her.

Yes, Your Highness.

-Please do not. -What do you mean?

Her clothes were soaked with sweat.

I had to undress her.

Well then, I will only check the pulse on her wrist.

Go ahead.

What is it?

Is the baby all right?

It is odd.

Odd? How so?

There was no doubt

that she was pregnant the last time I examined her.

But I cannot feel the slippery pulse anymore.

What are you talking about?

Did she have a miscarriage?

Yes, I am afraid so.

Your Highness.

Keep this a secret.

And your reward will be assured.

My reward?

I do not need any reward.

-You may excuse yourself. -Yes, Your Highness.

How could fate do this to us?

It is all right.

She can have another.

It is more complicated than that.

Yeoncheol and the Empress already suspected a false pregnancy.

This will not go unpunished.

Do not worry.

She will not be reexamined.

She is not pregnant?

You understand the penalty if you are wrong.

How dare I lie to you, Grand Councillor?

You may go.

Now that the Empress Dowager knows,

they will try to stop her from being examined.

Gather the court.

Is that necessary?

-Why not kick Lady Park out-- -You moron.

War is fought with swords. Politics are fought with causes.

Empress Dowager is my only equal.

To prevent any future trouble,

I need proper justification.

THE YUAN CAMP, WESTERN FRONTIER

They were wiped out.

Wiped out? What about General Baekan?

He was captured.

He has probably been

executed by now.

General, what should we do now?

We have a report that Batoreu is going to march on us.

I will fall back with the troop first.

Follow us later.

Are you saying you will use us as human shields?

Did you forget your duty?

Your duty is to die for us.

-Muster the men. -Yes, General.

Spies will be watching us everywhere.

When Tapjahae falls back,

we will follow.

Yes, Your Majesty.

THE DOLGWOL CAMP

This victory will go down in history.

Congratulations.

It is all thanks to your strategy.

Your men are tired.

Perhaps holding a feast for them...

There are still remnants.

We shall not let our guard down

until they are all dead.

I would not worry about them.

They are foreign soldiers pressed into service.

They will scatter like sand in the wind.

They will be gone soon enough.

I heard their commander was once the King of Goryeo.

Yes. He was dragged here after he was deposed.

I have faced him before.

His sword skills had a certain determination.

He is not the type to give up easily.

General.

The Yuan remnants have retreated.

Are you sure?

Yes. The enemy camp is completely empty.

You see?

When am I ever wrong?

Hear, hear. Congratulations, General.

Wine coming up.

Drink your fill!

There is plenty more.

Drink until you drop!

Enjoy, General.

Today calls for a drink.

I am fine. You go ahead.

Drink up!

Drink until you drop!

Uncle Baekan, lie down. Your wound is deep.

It will not kill me.

What is that smell?

I smell grilled meat.

They must be having a feast.

Why have I not seen Batoreu yet?

General does not want to waste your valor.

So?

He will let us live?

Your soldiers have retreated without you.

Why not swear allegiance

to General Batoreu and serve him?

Never.

A warrior carries death with him.

When the time comes, he should face his death with dignity.

General Baekan, perhaps we could talk it over with...

Rather than living with dishonor,

I would fight until the end and die with honor.

Relay my words to Batoreu.

You will not get another chance.

Prepare to die.

So Tapjahae

left us.

Om mani padme hum.

Seung-nyang,

we will meet again soon.

I will never leave you again.

Watch over me

and give me strength.

Seung-nyang.

Your Majesty.

We have word that the Dolgwol are getting drunk.

Batoreu fell for your plan.

Prepare for the battle.

Live or die, this is our last battle.

Our enemy is right before us.

Raise your swords in a silent oath.

Halt.

You can smell the wine from here.

Eunuch Bang and Jeom-bak are expecting us.

-Signal them. -Yes, Your Majesty.

His Majesty made it.

We should send the signal back.

I feel so dizzy.

Until when do I need to do this?

Keep it up. Go on.

-Sir. -Do not interrupt.

-Sir. -You little...

Who are you calling?

I do not know what you are talking about.

The birds were making a noise.

I was scaring them off.

Go and open the gate now.

The birds...

Wait, are they over there?

-Get them! -It is an attack!

-It is an attack! -Wake up the soldiers!

Wake up the soldiers!

Come on, I will kill you all!

Wake up the soldiers!

What is going on?

They must be ambushed.

What?

Is Tapjahae here to rescue us?

He must be.

General Tapjahae would never abandon us.

You scumbag!

-Your Majesty. -You made it.

-Where is Batoreu? -Follow me.

Son of a...

You traitor!

Traitor?

I am a loyal servant of my master.

She is a girl.

Where is Batoreu?

She is Batoreu.

Kill me.

Go ahead.

It is an appeal from the ministers.

Affix your seal here.

It is so sudden. What is the appeal--

We will talk after you affix your seal.

It must be about the reexamination.

It is upside-down.

Oh, yes.

I am not feeling well, so--

Your seal.

Well...

Grand Councillor.

I cannot.

I cannot allow it.

You cannot?

You would prefer that you and the Empress Dowager be exiled?

Grand Councillor.

My patience is at an end.

Do not disappoint me again.

Understood?

Your Imperial Majesty.

The Empress Dowager is beseeching the throne.

Beseeching her throne?

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

No, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Your Imperial Majesty.

You cannot allow the reexamination!

It will harm the Imperial House. It is entirely unjustified.

I kneel and beseech you.

Your Imperial Majesty!

Your Highness.

Seeing her driven to the edge is really something.

I would just as soon push her over.

Patience.

She will jump soon enough.

Please get up.

There are servants everywhere.

Until you forbid the reexamination,

I will remain kneeled right here.

Even if I die here, my remains will still be here waiting for your command.

Whatever you say,

you can never have your way like this.

I am speaking to His Imperial Majesty.

Can you not see that?

The court has already petitioned for a reexamination.

Disturbing the peace and upsetting His Imperial Majesty

is tantamount to treason.

The one that manipulates the court and upsets the Emperor

is you!

It is over.

Give the order for the reexamination.

Please, Your Imperial Majesty.

You cannot allow it.

He has already affixed his seal.

No, Your Imperial Majesty. No!

Take my life instead!

Enough!

Enough, both of you!

Enough!

Your Imperial Majesty!

Your Imperial Majesty!

I will

tell His Imperial Majesty that you are ready to be examined again.

I am scared, Yang.

They will not have their way.

If she keeps escalating the situation,

she will have to face greater consequences.

Your Imperial Majesty.

-Your Imperial Majesty. -I command you.

Do not follow me.

I want to be alone.

Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty!

I wish I were dead.

Seung-nyang.

I wish I had died on Daecheong Island.

Why are you here?

I have something to tell you, Your Imperial Majesty.

Are you here to laugh at me?

Are you here to say that I brought it on myself by betraying you?

Are you here to tell me

how pathetic it was of me to have betrayed you for this?

Seung-nyang, how are you doing?

-Your Imperial Majesty. -I said, do not move.

-Take her away. -Search her body.

Why did you not come and find me?

-Why did you hide that you are a woman? -Please, stop!

Did you hate me that much?

Do not expect anything from me.

I will do nothing for you.

-What shall we do? -Kill her.

I will not regret seeing you dead.

Come closer.

I told you to stay within three steps of me.

You moron!

A total loss?

General Baekan, the deposed king, and all the others were killed.

-I am saying that your lord is dead. -Your Majesty.

Subtitle translation by Min-jin Kim