Original subtitles

If you will excuse me.

You can relax.

I could not make him abdicate his throne,

but I will not lose the seal.

Father, Concubine Ki wishes to see you.

What? Concubine Ki?

-I will send her away. -Send her in.

Why would you even bother with her?

How dare you--

I am not here to see you, General Dang Gise.

I want a word with the Grand Councillor.

You are a bold one.

A mere concubine

dares to walk into the tiger's lair by herself?

How can you call yourself a tiger

when you are doing something even a sneaky cat would not do?

What?

What is your business here?

What do you think?

-I do not have time for this. -I knew you would say so.

You must be busy coming up with a plan to frame your enemy

for the attempted assassination of the Prince.

I know what the assassin will say.

He will say that I was the one who sent them to kill His Imperial Highness.

That out of spite and jealousy,

I tried to kill the Empress's son...

with the help of Governor Baekan of Yoyang Province.

You are quite clever.

I am aware...

that you are trying to make an example of someone.

After getting rid of Governor Baekan and me,

you will summon the governors one by one.

Then you will tell them

not to allow the Emperor restoring his sovereignty at the Kurultai

if they do not want to meet their ends in the same way Governor Baekan and I did.

Am I mistaken?

So? How will you counter it?

Zhuge Liang defeated Sima Yi's 150,000 men

with just 2,500 men.

How did he do it?

Zhuge Liang hid...

his actual deployment.

Even with 150,000 men,

Sima Yi felt anxious since he knew nothing about his enemy.

I doubt you have any counterplan.

Truth has no power over lies.

Whatever it takes, I will make you go down for it.

"Shift the blame onto another person."

It is indeed...

an incredibly cruel tactic.

But I am afraid

you can never accuse me and Governor Baekan of the crime.

-Why not? -Accusing us...

would only serve as proof

that you are the culprit of the crime.

You will be seen as an unfit grandfather,

who tried to kill his own grandson.

Your reputation will be...

in tatters overnight.

Moreover...

-you will go down in history-- -Silence.

If you had something you can use against me,

you would not have come to see me.

Do not try to fool me with your lies.

We will see...

if I am lying or not.

I will be looking forward to it, Grand Councillor.

How did it go?

Did he fall for it?

I could see...

anxiousness in his eyes.

That would only mean that we have successfully unnerved him.

You have done a great job.

We still do not know what he will do.

You are right.

All we can do is wait and see.

Seeing how she boldly faced the enemy who clearly has the upper hand,

I must admit, she really is incredible.

Please do not let her fool you.

I agree.

And you?

You must know her well as she once served you.

Do you also think she was only trying to deceive me?

If I were you,

I would not target her.

One failure is deadlier...

than a hundred victories.

Right now, we should be extra careful with everything we do.

Taking a risk is not our option.

What?

The Empress left the Cold Palace?

She fainted upon hearing about Prince Maha.

They had no choice but to take her to the Empress's palace

to expedite her recovery.

Is she still unconscious?

Thankfully, she has regained consciousness.

But she is fasting herself

to show her reluctance to return to the Cold Palace.

-Is she refusing to eat? -Yes, Your Highness.

She said she would rather starve to death.

Be that as it may, if something happens to her,

they will hold Your Highness accountable.

Even so,

the law is the law.

I missed these sweets so much.

Did you forget what you need to do?

Your Imperial Majesty,

at this rate, you will end up starving to death.

Your Imperial Majesty!

Try to eat something.

Louder.

I want everyone to hear.

Your Imperial Majesty, please do not starve yourself.

Your Imperial Majesty!

Your Imperial Majesty!

Her Highness has arrived.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Why have you not taken her to the Cold Palace?

Her Imperial Majesty has not fully recovered yet.

She will not take water, much less a tonic.

I will send for a palanquin.

If she cannot walk...

I will not go alone.

Your Imperial Majesty, you do not really have a choice.

I will grovel for mercy, so get ready for it.

I will die pleading His Imperial Majesty to hear me out.

You are being punished for attempting to poison the Imperial Concubines.

Have you forgotten?

I need to protect my son from you.

What is that supposed to mean?

No assassin can manage to slip into the Prince's chamber

without your help, can they?

That ridiculous theory of yours

will not keep you out of the Cold Palace.

Is it really just a theory?

What mother would not walk through hell

to save her own child?

To me, it seems like you are only using your son as an excuse.

We are different in that regard.

I just want to protect my son.

Your Highness,

just now, the assassin started to speak at last.

Who ordered the assassination?

His Imperial Majesty will restore his sovereignty soon enough.

-It seems so. -Right.

What is this about?

-What? -What is going on?

How dare you! What is this about?

How dare you bring in the Kheshig here?

You must be out of your mind!

Arrest Jeok Gong, the governor of Seomseo Province.

-Yes, General. -Yes, General.

-Unhand me. What is this? -Governor Jeok!

-Let go of me! What did I do wrong? -That little...

Let go!

Unhand me!

Relax.

Let go of me!

The assassin finally named the one who gave him the order.

What? He did?

Are you saying Governor Jeok Gong tried to kill His Imperial Highness?

Where are you taking me to?

You bastards! Unhand me.

You...

Baekan. Please help me.

They think...

-Take him away. -Take him away.

-Baekan. -Yes, General.

Baekan!

I am impressed.

You have managed to fool the Grand Councillor with your lie.

I am impressed by the amount of effort you put in

to hold onto the seal that does not even belong to you.

It is what I ought to do

since the one who is seating on the throne is unfit to govern.

His Imperial Majesty has changed.

You have seen what he is capable of at the Kurultai.

Right. It was almost frightening.

I was so impressed by how you made something out of a total fool.

I almost had a heart attack.

I urge you to stop manipulating the Emperor.

There is a line a concubine should not cross. Know your place,

or suffer the consequences.

There is also a line a vassal should not cross.

Disturbing the order of the nation is what traitors do.

Baekan.

You can thank Concubine Ki here for saving your life.

The luck was on our side this time.

But I can feel

that we will have to deal with something worse soon.

It is such a lovely day.

It really is.

May I help you?

Why are you doing this to me?

What did I do?

Concubine Oh! Concubine Bu!

Explain yourself.

The Inner Court feud is truly frightening.

I cannot believe she dared to harm His Imperial Highness.

I guess she was blinded by her jealousy.

I hope none of you would make a stupid mistake like she did.

Halt.

Splash water on them.

Confess.

Tell us who else is involved in the heinous act.

I have no idea.

You have no idea?

Listen, Jeok Gong.

Do you know how criminals like you were executed back in the day?

They were boiled alive.

They were boiled alive in a cauldron full of hot oil.

Is that what you want?

Spare my life, Grand Councillor.

I will, if you confess.

Which of those governors was working with you?

His Imperial Majesty has arrived.

I sent you a note, telling you not to get involved.

Stop this at once.

Stop?

They tried to kill Prince Maha.

We need a thorough investigation.

You cannot take the word of an assassin.

I am investigating the case.

It is clear that at least three or four governors were involved.

This one will tell me the names.

Would you like to stay for it?

Bring out a cauldron and start boiling oil.

Yes, Grand Councillor.

-Get ready for the execution. -Yes, Commander.

Your Imperial Majesty, I am innocent.

I have not done anything, Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty, have mercy on us.

It was me.

I...

I ordered them to assassinate the Prince.

Your Imperial Majesty.

They did nothing wrong.

Boil me in oil if you must.

Your Imperial Majesty.

Did Concubine Ki put you up to this?

To win over the governors, is that it?

Come to your senses, Your Imperial Majesty.

The Prince is your son.

How will you govern if you cannot distinguish right from wrong?

You cannot even imagine

how much I care for this nation.

I can never...

let you restore your sovereignty. Do you understand?

The Kurultai will be held tomorrow.

It is not up to you.

The decision must be unanimous.

Yes, it must.

Have it your way, Your Imperial Majesty.

Release Governor Jeok Gong.

If I do, what will you do for me in return?

This is not a matter for negotiation.

We all know Governor Jeok Gong has nothing to do with

the attempted assassination of the Prince.

Grand Councillor, you should not kill him.

-Bring it. -Yes, Grand Councillor.

What is this box for?

My answer is inside.

I have...

nine more boxes.

One for each of your heads.

But do not think I only have nine ways

to get rid of my enemies.

I have hundreds of ways to get back at them.

What I did to Jeok Gong was my simplest one.

So that you will see and learn.

Do you know what kind of person would be considered

the biggest fool on a battlefield?

It would be the one who put justifications and honor

above their own life.

I really do not want you

to make such a foolish mistake.

Loyalty to the Emperor? Duty as a vassal?

Do you think Jeok Gong had died an honorable death?

He only died in vain.

Think carefully about what you should do next.

Take your place.

Let us cut to the chase.

-Begin. -Yes, Father.

First...

I have something to say.

I must beg forgiveness of all of you.

To be frank,

I am not much of an Emperor.

I was nothing but a cowardly fool.

I only cared for myself.

Your opinions,

the concerns of our people...

None of it meant anything to the worthless man I was.

Your Imperial Majesty.

But...

my days of being worthless are over.

I will not tremble in fear and run from Grand Councillor.

So...

I dare to ask for your loyalty.

Give me a chance and you will not regret it.

So I ask of you.

Please trust me

just this once.

Let us begin.

Kurultai tradition requires a unanimous vote.

All those who wish His Imperial Majesty to restore his sovereignty...

step forward.

I, Governor Baekan of Yoyang Province,

stand for His Imperial Majesty.

Anyone else?

How did it go?

We have failed.

Except for Governor Baekan, no one voted in favor of His Imperial Majesty.

So this is it?

This is as far as we can go...

against Yeoncheol?

Your Imperial Majesty.

Do you now understand what the provincial governors think of you?

Just as I have been, I will take good care of you.

So do not even bother to say a word about governing the Empire yourself.

Let us get going.

Allow me to thank you.

Thank me? Have you lost your senses?

We failed you. Forgive us.

-Forgive us, Your Imperial Majesty. -Forgive us, Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty.

Thanks to you,

the provincial governors have finally accepted

His Imperial Majesty as their true leader.

Do you think he is capable of ruling over them?

Lions push their cubs off cliffs.

Your cruelty has been making His Imperial Majesty stronger.

Concubine Ki.

You were a tribute woman from Goryeo, correct?

You have come to my attention.

You know what that means?

It will not be long...

until you understand what my words mean.

You should retire to your chamber.

I am right back where I started.

Why do you say so?

That is not true.

I gained nothing.

I only managed to protect my title.

Those who can win people over can conquest the world.

Yeoncheol got to keep the seal, but he lost his people.

On the other hand,

you now have the nine provincial governors on your side.

This time,

the victory is yours.

Like a tree buried in snow,

you are going through

a painful process of becoming a true emperor.

You may get hurt, but do not get discouraged.

I can stay strong

as long as you are by my side.

Thank you, Yang.

Her Imperial Majesty has arrived.

Congratulations on your safe return.

Congratulations, Your Imperial Majesty.

Congratulations?

I know what you are really thinking.

You just lied right to my face.

Do you think I do not know you hoped

I would freeze to death in the Cold Palace?

How dare you smile?

Would you prefer I cried?

You must have no idea...

what provoking me would do to you.

-Chief Eunuch Dok-man. -Your Imperial Majesty.

We will have an assembly this afternoon. Get ready for it.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

Now that I am back,

I will make your life a living hell.

An assembly?

On whose orders?

The Empress holds grudges against the concubines.

She must have learned nothing in the Cold Palace.

How dare she try to cause a stir as soon as she comes back?

Concubine Ki.

Yes, Your Highness.

You will take the lead for the assembly.

Your Highness, how could I--

I hold the Empress's authority.

I grant it to you temporarily.

I appreciate it, Your Highness.

Chief Eunuch Dok-man.

Inform the concubines and their female attendants

that I have given Concubine Ki full authority.

Yes, Your Highness.

You are the Empress for the assembly.

Make sure to show everyone that Tanashilli has no authority whatsoever.

Yes, Your Highness.

In the next full moon,

the largest hunting competition will be held by the court.

Does anyone know why we hold the competition?

It is to wish for prosperity and a good harvest.

It is to offer the animals we hunt

to the heavens.

Well said.

All the officials of the court

and the Imperial Concubines are supposed to participate.

Be ready.

-Yes, Your Ladyship. -Yes, Your Ladyship.

What is all this?

What have you been doing?

We are having an assembly.

You dare to pose as the empress?

You truly are insane.

Strip her and make her kneel.

Are you deaf?

Make her kneel.

Did you not hear her?

Are you disobeying me?

All of you,

turn around.

What are you doing?

Look at me.

Chief Eunuch Dok-man.

Now explain what this is about.

The Empress Dowager--

The authority you lost...

has been granted to me by Her Highness.

Could you please leave now?

I will not. Why should I?

Turn back around.

Leave,

or I will have you removed.

Must I... go that far?

Do not let it worry you.

Once you are restored to...

Your Imperial Majesty.

Are you all right?

Of course.

I am fine.

She will be gone soon.

This is nothing.

I want you to participate in the hunting competition.

Is there a reason you would like me to participate?

There will be quite a sight.

I plan on hunting something big.

I have hunted a few tigers myself too.

Not all tigers are the same.

You have to hunt a big one while you are at it.

The biggest one anyone has ever seen.

The big one?

Does such a tiger exist in the hunting ground?

A tiger is one thing.

There is also a nine-tailed fox.

A nine-tailed fox? I have never seen or heard of it.

On the final day of the competition,

we will kill the Emperor and Concubine Ki.

General.

Are you conspiring treason--

Watch it.

We are not conspiring treason.

It is just a hunt.

It is just that our preys are the Emperor and Concubine Ki.

Pull this off,

and you will be credited with the establishment of the new regime.

You know what that means?

You can have any title you want.

You can even become a minister if you want to.

Minister?

I can become a minister of the Yuan dynasty?

I can even become the Privy Council's...

No.

-I shall ask them to make me a governor-- -What are you doing?

You startled me.

Say something before you enter.

We should not be heard by others.

Has Her Imperial Majesty told you anything?

About...

what, you mean?

At the hunting competition--

Watch your mouth.

I am in charge of it.

Pardon?

I am to kill the Emperor and Concubine Ki.

I did not hear that. Not a word.

If all goes well,

I will be a man of rank and position.

Then I plan on marrying you.

What do you say?

What do you think?

I am not allowed to marry anyone.

Anything is possible with a new Emperor.

You and I...

will start our life anew. What do you say?

This is a letter master of the Eagle House is sending to Yeoncheol.

What is it?

The Eagle House is requesting funds.

That does not make sense.

The Eagle House would have more funds than Yeoncheol.

Does that mean Yeoncheol has more than them?

Otherwise, why would they ask him for money?

One thing is certain.

Even if we cut off the funds, Yeoncheol will not fall.

I knew from the start

that we do not stand a chance against him.

Maybe it is time we give up.

How could you say that so easily?

Do you know why my tribe fell?

It is because we were too foolish to know when to quit.

Take it.

Attack.

Your wooden sword does not stand a chance.

Attack in earnest, or I will kill you.

Are you so eager to die?

Did you say we do not stand a chance?

Never show your fear.

Even if you do not know the way,

you have to pretend you do.

Is that...

what you have been doing?

Why?

If I give up,

that means I am abandoning my people.

It means you are abandoning your tribe.

No matter how lonely and tiring it is,

you have to carry on for the sake of those who trust you and follow you.

Your Imperial Majesty.

It is time to go.

One minute.

Although we are going on a hunt,

since you are my concubine,

you have to look the part.

There we go.

Do we have a plan to kill her?

Relax.

It will look like an accident. No one will know before or after.

Even last night, she showed up in my dream and choked me.

She has to die, or I will die of...

Your Imperial Majesty, the outfit suits you.

I did not know you were coming as well.

It is only fitting that the Empress attend such an event.

Hunting is dangerous.

If something happened--

You seem to have forgotten whose daughter I am.

I come from generations of warriors, my father included.

One thing I know is that when it comes to archery,

none of the ladies here...

has the skills I have.

Seal off the mountain.

Hurry.

-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.

The winner moves up a rank

and gets 10,000 yang of gold.

It is as good as ours.

Your Majesty, show them what you have got.

Wang Yu.

Here comes a nasty piece of work.

She will hear.

I heard you were coming, so I have been looking all over for you.

I trust your trip to Goryeo went well?

Thanks to you.

Congratulations on your marriage.

Thank you.

Well...

It has been too long. Would you care for a cup of tea?

What was that about?

He probably has trouble at home.

Your Majesty.

Have you been well?

It has been a long time.

Senior Officer Park.

"Senior Officer Park"? Look at him.

He is a eunuch now.

You look ten years younger now.

You would look twenty years younger.

Well?

Do you want to try?

I will pass.

His Imperial Majesty has arrived.

Let the hunt begin.

There is a pheasant. Shoot.

You have caught it!

-Congratulations. -Congratulations.

A hit.

Go away!

We have not raced in a while.

First one to get to the big tree over there wins.

What are the stakes?

The loser should grant the winner a wish.

What do you say?

Only if you promise me you would not cheat like you did on Daecheong Island.

My goodness.

I have changed.

Your Imperial Majesty.

There is a roe deer.

Your Imperial Majesty, not that way.

What are you doing? Follow him.

Your Imperial Majesty!

Your Imperial Majesty!

Three of you caught this one rabbit?

Do not worry. We will get more tomorrow.

Imperial Concubines,

one little bunny.

-It must be a slow day. -It must be.

Make way.

Make way.

Here we go.

Put it down.

Well, get to writing.

"Wang Yu, one huge boar."

Well...

Wang Yu, one boar.

Wang Yu acted strange.

He is treating me so differently.

How so?

How else? He threw himself at me.

Your Imperial Majesty.

I did not want to tell you this.

He has feelings for Concubine Ki.

What?

I heard General Dang Gise and Commander Yeom talking about it.

It cannot be.

She probably went all over him.

Wait. A concubine had affection for a man other than the Emperor?

It was a while ago.

Who knows if they still have feelings for each other?

We will know when the four meet up.

They would feel uncomfortable around each other. Do you think they would come?

Tell the Emperor and Concubine Ki

there is something to discuss.

Tell Wang Yu the Emperor wants him.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

I threw you a party.

Yet you all look uncomfortable.

Not at all.

Here. Have a drink.

Let me pour you a cup.

Now, shall we?

Why do you not drink?

Are you worried that you might make a mistake when you get drunk?

Why would I be?

You might say something you should not say when you are drunk.

You look anxious as if you are hiding something.

You and Wang Yu are old friends.

You can relax.

Am I wrong?

Not everyone enjoys drinking like you do.

I have nothing to hide.

As you please.

That lowly wench.

What a sly wench.

Would you like another drink?

Concubine Ki.

You can hold your wine.

Would you like another?

I never turn down a drink.

Tomorrow, the Emperor will be

around the Dragon Rock, Yukbong Valley, and Cheon Ridge.

Set it up there tonight.

Then the Emperor and Concubine Ki die...

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow at the hunting ground, we will get rid of

the Emperor and Concubine Ki.

Where are they off to at this hour?

Good question. The hills are that way.

Let's follow them.

Right.

That is enough. You are drunk.

Although I am drunk, I can still understand what you are trying to say.

It is Concubine Ki that you are really worried about,

not me.

Oh, Wang Yu.

I received a letter from my cousin who you married.

Apparently,

the woman you love is in Yeongyeong. Am I wrong?

Enough.

Concubine Ki should know.

You two were so close after all.

Go on then.

Who is this lucky girl?

She died.

She died?

You have your answer.

I shall excuse myself.

Wait. I will do it.

I can make it alone.

You are drunk.

Lean on me.

I could tell he still has feelings for her

from the way he looked at that wench.

Have you been thinking about Wang Yu all along?

What does she have that I do not?

Nothing at all.

Your eyes, nose, and lips...

No matter how much she tries, she just cannot compare to Your Imperial Majesty.

Then why? Why do the Emperor and Wang Yu

obsess over that wench?

Why not over me?

It is not your fault.

It is because men do not have an eye for true beauty.

Wang Yu has made a fool out of me.

Come to think of it,

he has been playing me all along.

-Your Imperial Majesty. -I cannot forgive him.

What does he take me for?

Now I want him dead...

even more...

than I want Concubine Ki dead.

Are you sobered up?

Yes.

Do not mind what the Empress said.

That was just the wine talking.

I will return to my chamber now.

I want you

to spend the night here.

How long will you make me feel lonely?

-Your Imperial Majesty. -How long will you keep your distance?

I want you.

It is Father's order.

Both the Emperor and Concubine Ki will die.

I want you.

After tonight, the two will never be able to break your heart again.

Are you all ready to kill her?

-Where are they? -At Cheon Ridge.

Seung-nyang is there.

Do you wish to kill me?

I guess you did not know the price you had to pay

for being with His Imperial Majesty.

Subtitle translation by Min-jin Kim