Original subtitles

My eyes are closed.

And my ears are covered.

I cannot see anything,

nor can I...

hear anything.

Please...

just sit back and relax.

All you did was let me lean on your back?

A hug would have been better.

I am starting to regret

being kind to you the other night.

What are you doing?

Goodness.

You silly fool.

Can you hear me?

I am going to...

fight Grand Councillor Yeoncheol.

I would rather die

than show you my weak side.

So I am going to take courage.

What are you saying?

This is frustrating.

Stay by my side and watch me

doing my part as a true emperor.

Take your hands off me.

What did you say?

I was badmouthing you.

Read me that book.

"The courier leaves tomorrow, she is told.

She sews a warrior's gown all night.

She feels the coldness on the tip of her fingers holding the needle."

Let us go.

Move out.

Now he dares to bring armed guards

inside the palace grounds.

I am the Supreme Commander of the Palace Defense Unit,

but to him, I am nothing.

Grand Councillor Yeoncheol's malice has grown to its fullest.

We need to lay even lower for now.

I dare not face His Imperial Majesty.

Her Highness is at her prayers for Buddha.

I was told not to let anyone in--

Compared to Buddha,

I am much more admirable.

If you have any prayers,

you should direct them to me.

If I pray to you,

would you be able to grant them?

Your Highness,

as long as you do not test my patience with that nonexistent blood vow,

I can grant any prayer of yours.

Do you think I am the mastermind

behind the mysterious document?

I am warning you not to look for that blood vow.

The tables have already turned.

You seem to be in the lead.

Why would I make things worse for myself?

The tree that bends does not break.

Bow even lower before me.

From what I can see,

Your Highness has yet to take my warning to heart.

I was praying for you to live a very long life, Grand Councillor.

You will need longevity to atone for all the sins you have committed.

You need 100 years, no,

many more centuries

for karma to take retribution on all your heinous acts.

No flower blooms for ten days, nor does mighty power last for over ten years.

But I am different.

If I had only ten days to bloom, I would not have even started.

And if I had only ten years to be in power,

I would not have even drawn my sword.

As expected from you.

Why do you think I spared your life,

Your Highness?

You had no reason to rush to get rid of me.

You are capable of deposing emperors.

Getting rid of me must not be a hassle for you.

But if I feared death,

I would have lived quietly in Ganye Temple long ago.

GANYE TEMPLE: WHERE WIDOWED EMPRESSES AND CONCUBINES ARE SENT TO

It is too late now.

Even if you wanted to leave now,

do you think I would let you leave that easily?

If you are going to badmouth me, I'd better not hear it,

so keep it to yourself.

I am different from your Buddha.

Unlike him, I will take revenge and have no mercy.

Do you understand, Your Highness?

The time has come.

Who can we trust among the people of the court?

Deputy Minister of State, ministers of personnel, rites, and finance

all hold a grudge against Grand Councillor Yeoncheol.

Contact those people

and see if they will work with us.

Be discreet.

And see if any neighboring royal families

are willing to fight against Grand Councillor Yeoncheol.

Yes, Your Highness.

As expected, Empress Dowager is not behind it.

How are you so sure?

She knows that it is useless to provoke me

without the blood vow.

Does that mean she does not have the blood vow?

If she did, she would have used it against me by now.

Who could it be?

Wang Yu.

Have you heard about the mysterious document?

It is hard to miss that kind of news

when we are within palace grounds.

Anyway, where are you headed to?

Her Highness has invited me.

Watch your actions if you do not want to be suspected.

Thank you for your advice.

It appears

that he does not know that you are behind the mysterious document.

What is the matter, Your Imperial Majesty?

I think I have something in my eye.

Allow me to look.

Your Imperial Majesty.

I cannot have you do it.

Never mind. Yang, you do it.

Hurry up.

His Imperial Majesty is suffering.

Are you okay now?

I do not think you got it.

Try again.

And blow softly this time.

It is you, Wang Yu.

What are you doing here?

I am headed to see Her Highness.

I am also on my way to see her.

Yang.

I told you to stay within three steps of me.

I get vicious when I see an enemy in battle.

And when I drink, the sight of a beautiful woman

takes my breath away.

Get it together.

He has some nerve.

He dares to ogle at me?

Does he think I would fall for him just like that?

Your Imperial Majesty,

Empress Dowager would like to--

Okay, I get it.

I need to hurry and go pay my respects. I got it.

She has sent word that you do not need to pay respects today.

What? Why not?

There has been so much chaos within the palace grounds.

Something is definitely going on.

Then of course I have to stop by.

Get ready.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

It has been a while, my Empress.

That is not something I expected to hear from my husband.

How embarrassing.

Well,

you look nice today, I suppose.

Is that so?

I guess it is because I do not have to worry

about you calling on me.

What are you doing? Announce us.

Welcome.

Your Imperial Majesty,

did you not receive word about not having to come?

I cannot skip out on paying respects.

Please have a seat.

How much longer before the tea is done?

It is almost done, Your Highness.

Yang, are you outside?

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

You come in and make my tea.

Tea tastes all the same regardless.

Why does she have to prepare it?

If my tea is not boiled by her,

it does not suit my taste at all.

Go and make the tea.

By the way,

on what occasion did you summon Wang Yu?

I would like

to propose Wang Yu to marry Princess Seoha.

If that was the case, you should have consulted me first.

How does that sound, Wang Yu?

Thank you for the suggestion,

but I shall decline your offer.

Wang Yu,

you are going to decline?

I agree with Her Highness.

Once you become a member of the Imperial House,

you will be in a stronger position.

It is not just that.

It would also strengthen the ties between Goryeo and the Great Yuan.

It is an advantage for both nations.

You are right,

but I do not wish

to marry yet.

By any chance,

is there someone else that you are in love with?

If that is not the case,

I see no reason for you to decline.

Seeing as everyone is concerned about my situation,

I am quite grateful.

Well then,

I will retire after a cup of tea.

Are you all right?

Yes,

I am all right.

How could you be so clumsy?

-Take her away and-- -I am fine.

You certainly are not.

You must have suffered a burn from the hot tea.

It was not that hot.

Please pardon her.

Please get it treated first.

Yes, Your Highness.

It really is all right.

Do not worry.

Your Majesty...

What are you doing? Clean it now.

Just a small wound, and she is already crying.

I am sorry, Yang.

I did not know you were walking past--

Yang...

Spare my life.

I am sorry.

Do something like that again

and...

see what happens.

I got hurt in the football match, and she did not even bat an eye.

I cannot believe her.

Just go ahead and cry a river over him!

Whatever.

A tantrum is beneath my imperial dignity.

Where is Yang?

She said she had something urgent to take care of and left.

She must have gone to the guest pavilion.

Get Yang back.

Now.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

How dare she leave without my permission?

This must have hurt a lot.

Your Majesty.

I told you to go.

At least let me treat your wounds.

You should just go.

Your Majesty!

-I will do it. -No, Seung-nyang.

Leave her be.

I told you

never to come here ever again.

You are hurt because of me.

I will leave after I treat your wound.

Because of a lowly person like me,

Your Majesty has suffered a wound.

Who called you lowly?

Did the Emperor say that?

No.

Do not call yourself lowly

in front of me ever again.

Seung-nyang.

The Emperor's eunuch is here for you.

Go on.

I will be

back tonight.

Do not bother.

Burn pain gets worse at night.

How is Wang Yu?

Why are you looking at me like that?

I see.

You thought I would scold you.

You still do not know me well enough.

My heart is kind and generous.

He was badly wounded.

Tonight,

he might suffer from a high fever.

You must be worried.

That is why I would like to ask

if I could have permission

to stay with him tonight and treat his wound.

Then what about me?

What am I supposed to do?

I could not sleep for the past few days

because you did not read to me.

Stay by my side tonight until I fall asleep.

Once Your Imperial Majesty is asleep,

may I go to him?

As if I am going to fall asleep.

"There is a moon in the clear sky.

How often

does the moon shine in the clear sky?

I set down my drink

and ponder alone."

Keep reading the poem.

"The bright moon

is beyond the reach of men's hands.

Instead, the moon

follows

our steps on land.

Through the blue fog,

I will never...

-there is -let you go to Wang Yu.

a bright light

that shines through."

I see you are still awake.

I was about to fall asleep.

This medicine is good for burns.

Take it in the morning.

Baekan,

explain yourself.

You still have

no lead on who is behind the mysterious document?

My apologies, Grand Councillor.

What about the blood vow?

My apologies, Father.

I guess you do not value your lives.

-My apologies. -My apologies.

Baekan!

Go and kill all the magicians we have arrested.

Throw their heads into the moat in front of the Palace.

I have been too nice this whole time.

Now they think they can act however they want.

From now on,

we are going to do it my way.

Execute them.

The magicians were found to be guilty of distributing the mysterious document,

so they were beheaded.

A reward of 100 yang of gold will be given to anyone who reports

those who speak of the blood vow.

Those who speak blasphemy

will be slaughtered with their families.

As you predicted,

Grand Councillor Yeoncheol's tyranny is getting worse by the day.

It is time for the next move.

What are you planning?

A follower devotes his loyalty

and makes an oath to worship his leader.

The leader declares himself as the lord of all.

Those who believe are blessed,

while those who do not believe are cursed.

He brings chaos and deceives the people.

We must act now, so please approve.

What did he write?

It is about the evil of our times.

If it rains, will some of the writing disappear

just like last time?

Is it going to rain tomorrow?

By the way my joints have been aching,

it will rain for sure.

Judging by the cloudy skies, it will surely rain tomorrow.

We should get ready

to make a move tonight.

Post them all over the marketplace, so they can be seen by everyone.

Mu-song and Eunuch Bang,

post one on the path that Yeoncheol takes to enter the palace.

Seeing as it has been quiet recently,

it appears your firm policies have scared the enemies, Father.

They must have taken my warning seriously.

But we cannot let our guard down.

It seems to be a passing rain. Let us take shelter for a bit.

"Emperor...

Myeongjong,

his curse

will fall."

It is them.

They are back at it again.

EMPEROR MYEONGJONG, HIS CURSE WILL FALL

CURSE

-Could it be true? -It must be.

What is this all about?

My father's curse?

All over the Palace and the marketplace,

these mysterious documents about your father's curse were posted.

Our mysterious helpers are back.

Again, they are working to rile up

Grand Councillor Yeoncheol, Your Imperial Majesty.

How are our people?

They believe that the past four years of poor harvest

and natural disasters were caused by the curse of the late Emperor Myeongjong.

Perhaps,

this really could be my father's curse.

But this is just some magicians--

This is what I believe.

Your Imperial Majesty.

I need to believe

that my murdered father is holding a grudge.

He wants to help his poor son

and is putting a curse on Grand Councillor Yeoncheol.

Believing that gives me strength.

You are right.

I will also believe that the late Emperor Myeongjong

is watching over us.

What we have been waiting for will soon be in our hands.

Until then,

we must not get on Grand Councillor Yeoncheol's nerves.

You must rather focus on

playing his puppet.

Do you understand?

No.

I am going to change.

I will never be a puppet

to Grand Councillor Yeoncheol again.

How could you let this happen?

They wrote that the curse would fall,

so there is no doubt that they will make another move.

He is right, Grand Councillor.

They may have provoked us this time,

but next time,

we will be able to catch them.

Fine.

Let us see

what their so-called curse is going to be.

Emperor Myeongjong's curse?

I fear no curse of a dead man!

I am well and alive.

I will have them fear my curse.

We must show them.

We said the curse would fall.

We need to keep our promise.

How do you plan to show them?

Do you know which animal can sense

a natural disaster coming first?

The rat can.

Rats?

As in those rats that squeak?

Bul-hwa and Jeom-bak,

you two go outside of the Palace

and catch some rats.

We need hundreds of live ones.

But rats are incredibly clever.

Catching them alive is a bit--

I will show you the trick. Just do it.

HERBAL STORE

Thank you.

Did you get them?

These are the dried skins of poisonous toads.

If we boil them down to a liquid,

it becomes a strong anesthetic.

We can put this on some grain and catch rats with it.

The rats will fall asleep for two days,

so all we have to do is pick them up.

-Let us go. -Yes.

What are you doing?

I guess you feel better now.

Smelling some fermented beans and eating some Goryeo soup

for the first time in a while has gotten my body feeling great.

Why are you cutting wood?

I need to earn my keep here.

I may not look like it, but I know how to repay the kindness.

There is a house in the village

where there are orphans.

Take the wood there and give it to them.

I can always cut more wood.

I will drop this off and come back.

He looks like an awful person,

but he is actually not that bad.

Headman!

How have you been?

Why are they back here?

What do you want?

We have something that we would like to discuss with you.

Discuss?

I hate that kind of stuff.

Please just give us a moment of your time.

Come inside for now.

That is right. I knew it.

That village headman is suspicious too.

There is something fishy about Goryeo Village.

Please promise us you will keep this a secret.

You want me to promise to keep a secret?

Forget it.

If it is something that would get me into trouble,

just shut up and get out.

It is not something like that.

All we ask of you is that you turn a blind eye

to whatever we do.

Wait here for a bit.

Pardon?

There we go.

He will not be coming back.

Was someone outside?

Do not worry about it.

Well, what is it?

What do you want me to turn a blind eye to?

I had to hear what was going on.

Since I have got a lead on them,

all I have to do is keep digging until I can see the big picture.

Gosh, that hurt.

He is strong for an old man.

You are going to catch some rats?

What are you going to do with all those rats?

We have our reasons.

We may be starving around here,

but even we do not eat rats.

Do we look like cats to you? Who would eat a rat?

All we are doing

is catching all of the rats in this village.

Please just keep quiet about it.

Did your leader tell you to do this?

Yes.

Please help us, Headman.

If you do not want this to get out,

diffuse the poison at night and collect the rats at dawn.

Thank you very much.

No need.

You are catching our rats for free.

The rest of you may leave.

Has the Emperor said

anything about this blood vow?

If he mentions the blood vow, report to me.

I will not only spare your life,

but I will also give you anything you desire.

You dare to laugh at me?

If this blood vow is found,

the Grand Councillor will be condemned for his crimes of treason.

And perhaps,

it will grant me a chance to get vengeance on my enemies.

From now on,

I will be sure to keep an eye out for it.

You are putting all your trust in that foolish Emperor

and acting all high and mighty.

Do you know what happens

when a hawk aims for a rabbit in the open wild?

No matter how fast it runs,

it will meet its demise by being ripped to shreds by the hawk's claws.

As long as you are in my vision,

you are nothing but a rabbit.

Why are you so late?

Why are you up so early?

From now on, I will wake up before the sun rises.

You should make a habit of it as well.

What is my agenda today?

From nine o'clock, you have physical and mental training. From one o'clock--

I will learn how to read and write.

Your Imperial Majesty,

if Grand Councillor Yeoncheol finds out about this--

He will probably try to kill me.

Therefore,

you must help me discreetly, Yang.

And tonight,

have General Baekan come here.

Make sure no one sees him.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

Did you call for me, Your Imperial Majesty?

Up until now,

I have never issued a command from this very throne.

However,

I will be giving you some imperial orders tonight.

We are at your service.

Command us, Your Imperial Majesty.

Go find

the blood vow.

Your Imperial Majesty,

that blood vow is nothing but a rumor.

How can we find a nonexistent blood vow--

A nonexistent blood vow?

Then why is Grand Councillor Yeoncheol looking for it?

If Grand Councillor Yeoncheol finds out that Your Imperial Majesty

is seeking the blood vow,

no one in this Imperial Palace will dare to protect you

from the Grand Councillor.

Are you threatening me too?

It is not a threat.

It is advice.

You two can protect me.

What is the matter? You do not think you can do it?

Why are you putting your trust into us?

Up until now, we have served

Grand Councillor Yeoncheol.

Why trust us?

You saved my life on Daecheong Island.

If Grand Councillor Yeoncheol finds out about that,

your lives will be put at risk as well.

There are no excuses when it comes to an imperial order.

Find my father's blood vow

and bring it to me.

I am at your service,

Your Imperial Majesty.

Come out.

How was that?

Pardon?

Did I look like a strong emperor?

Are you planning

to go against Grand Councillor Yeoncheol?

I am going to try.

Even if it means risking my life.

To both the Emperor and His Majesty,

there is only one enemy.

The only way to take down Yeoncheol quickly and surely

is to find that blood vow.

I will help you, Your Imperial Majesty.

Did you not swear

that you would never do something for me?

I also have a reason...

to get back at Grand Councillor Yeoncheol.

If you help me,

I will be able to muster up more courage.

The Emperor has changed.

It appears he is firm in his goal.

People do not change that easily.

Did you not see him?

Not too long ago, he was an emperor who shook in fear

in front of Grand Councillor Yeoncheol.

Something feels off.

Are you saying someone is behind him?

Anyway, we have orders from both the Grand Councillor and the Emperor.

What a headache.

As long as we get our hands on the blood vow,

we will have nothing to worry about.

That blood vow...

We just need to find that blood vow.

Court Lady Noh, please get it together.

Get away.

This is my room.

If anyone tries

-to kick me out, I will kill you. -Please come to your senses.

Get away. Do not come near me.

-Yang. Good thing you are here. -This is my room!

Please do something about her.

She was completely fine earlier.

Then she suddenly snapped.

I saw it.

Only I saw the blood vow.

Not this nonsense again.

We will all die if you ever mention this blood vow.

I know where it is.

It is because I was His Imperial Majesty's favorite.

Only I know where it is.

Chief Eunuch, is this true?

Do you believe this crazy woman?

Get away from me!

This is my room. You cannot have it.

I am not leaving.

-Yes, my lady. -I am not leaving.

This is your room, my lady.

So let us

live here together.

Please trust me.

This...

Yes.

Please give me this.

I do not want to leave.

I want to live here.

Do as you wish, my lady.

She is like a child in front of Yang.

I will take care of her.

You may retire.

Will you be okay?

Yes, Chief Eunuch.

By the way,

all that talk about the blood vow is nonsense.

Do not listen to her.

Did you really see

the blood vow?

I served Emperor Myeongjong

until the very end.

Where did you see it?

What did...

it say?

On that blood vow,

His Imperial Majesty wrote...

about his love for me.

It is true.

He said I was the most beautiful woman in the world.

He said he only loves me.

Yes, my lady.

It is getting late.

Please get some rest.

Are you awake, Your Imperial Majesty?

Is the shadow play ready?

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

The performers arrived last night

and are waiting at Gwanghan Palace.

By the way, Your Imperial Majesty,

do you really need this shadow play

to trick Grand Councillor Yeoncheol?

Do not be ridiculous.

I need to make sure he thinks

that I have no interest in the blood vow and that I am only having fun.

But make sure to keep

the shadow play a complete secret from Yang.

Pardon?

Yes.

I hope Yang will love it.

Your Imperial Majesty, it is time to wash your face.

You had better keep it a secret, understood?

Yes.

Wait a minute.

Yang, you do it.

Face washing

is a maid's job, not a court lady's.

I do not care about those things.

Everyone else, get out.

Yang, you wash my face.

Nice and easy.

Put your all into it.

That is right.

Your touch has become much gentler.

Do it gently.

If not, I will twist your legs.

I would prefer that.

Be gentle. It hurts.

I cannot help it.

What can I do?

Do not be humiliated like this every morning

and have your maid do it.

No thanks.

Why not?

If it is not you,

I do not want any women touching me.

Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty, did you hear the news?

Why are you making such a fuss this early in the morning?

Tonight, His Imperial Majesty

will hold a shadow play.

A shadow play?

Wait. Is it for that wench, Park?

As for that wench...

I mean, Concubine Park is pregnant,

so she cannot participate in activities like that.

That is right.

Then who is it for?

It must be

for Your Imperial Majesty. Who else could it be?

Me?

Gosh, what a lovely surprise.

In my opinion,

I think His Imperial Majesty is hoping to

reconcile with Your Imperial Majesty.

Reconciliation?

Go and call Wang Yu.

Why Wang Yu all of a sudden?

I do not want to watch it only with His Imperial Majesty.

From what I can see,

His Imperial Majesty is a bit jealous of Wang Yu.

I think Wang Yu is interested in me.

If I play my cards right,

I think I could get His Imperial Majesty a bit anxious.

I understand what you are saying.

But are you sure

Wang Yu is interested in Your Imperial Majesty?

That look he gives me is just indescribable.

Boys will be boys.

It would look strange if I summon him for nothing.

Invite him to dinner.

-Pardon? -Tell him we will discuss his marriage.

That way, we can call both His Imperial Majesty and Wang Yu.

I understand what you mean.

I am gorgeous.

Your Majesty.

We have caught hundreds of rats.

You have them stowed away well, right?

We put them in the rice bags delivered to the guest pavilion.

Spread them out tonight.

You must be careful.

All the preparations are done.

It will be quite a sight to see all those rats in the palace.

The curse is about to fall upon them.

It is Emperor Myeongjong's curse.

Your Majesty, someone is here from the Empress's palace.

Let them in.

Why are you testing His Imperial Majesty's food?

I ordered her to do it.

Wang Yu, from here on out, you must discuss

your marriage arrangements with me.

Regarding that topic,

I wish not to discuss it any further.

Do you dislike it that much?

If that is the case, I will refrain from mentioning it.

Let us eat.

By the way,

I heard you prepared a shadow play today, Your Imperial Majesty.

What? How did she find out?

That is true.

Since you prepared it for me,

I guess I have to attend.

Gosh, this is all messed up now.

Wang Yu, you should come as well.

Are you kidding me?

Why him too?

No thank you.

A young lady extended an invite to you.

A gentleman should not decline her invitation.

Eunuch,

make sure you prepare a seat for Wang Yu as well.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

By the way,

how did you know I enjoy shadow plays?

If I knew you liked them,

I would never have prepared one.

Begin.

What is wrong?

There is a rat.

Have you never seen a rat in the shed?

Get out of my way.

Damn it.

This was not meant for her.

Go sit.

I heard my father's curse is falling upon us.

Who told you this nonsense, Your Imperial Majesty?

Are you afraid?

What did you say?

Your Imperial Majesty, you have instilled fear within the Grand Councillor.

The people who seek the blood vow are in this room.

Your Imperial Majesty, are you the one?

Is there something wrong with that?

A son is merely looking for his own father's will!

Once you die, many will be glad to see you again.

-Your Majesty. -This is an imperial order.

Do not even look at him. Do not even smile at him.

And never cry because of him in front of me.

Both of your pain

will be my greatest pleasure.

Subtitle translation by James Park