Original subtitles

Damn it.

I would rather dig for gold.

Does he want us to make gold out of thin air?

It has been four days already.

We looked every single path in that mine.

Forget about the chunks of gold. We did not even see any gold dust.

It has to be in there.

It must be somewhere.

Did you look into it?

-Yes, General. -What happened to my father?

-General. -Tell me.

Tell me what happened to my father!

He had been executed.

To set an example for the people,

the Emperor is dragging the bodies

of the Grand Councillor and Tapjahae around Daedo.

How...

How could my father

face such an end?

Please forgive me for failing my filial duty.

Father!

Father!

Father!

-Those nasty men! -Good for you!

-They got what they deserved! -Those scumbags!

I am glad they are dead.

They did so many terrible things.

Think about all those lives he had killed.

He had what was coming for him!

Will the world change now?

He should have been dead long ago.

Father, are you watching?

The enemies that made you suffer such a terrible death

have become those cold corpses.

I have fulfilled your revenge, Father.

Please

rest in peace now,

Father.

What is wrong?

It is nothing.

By the way, who is that beautiful lady?

Is she Consort Ki who was a major help in this incident?

Yes, she is.

Hail to His Imperial Majesty!

Hail to Her Grace!

-Hail to His Imperial Majesty! -Hail to His Imperial Majesty!

-Hail to Her Grace! -Hail to Her Grace!

-Hail to His Imperial Majesty! -Hail to His Imperial Majesty!

-Hail to Her Grace! -Hail to Her Grace!

-Hail to His Imperial Majesty! -Hail to His Imperial Majesty!

-Hail to Her Grace! -Hail to Her Grace!

-Hail to His Imperial Majesty! -Hail to His Imperial Majesty!

-Hail to Her Grace! -Hail to Her Grace!

-Hail to His Imperial Majesty! -Hail to His Imperial Majesty!

-Hail to Her Grace! -Hail to Her Grace!

-Hail to His Imperial Majesty! -Hail to His Imperial Majesty!

She is bound to become the Empress at the upcoming rearrangement.

Good for her.

He will return as the King of Goryeo, and she will become the Empress.

-Hail! -Hail!

-Hail to His Imperial Majesty! -Hail to His Imperial Majesty!

-Please compose yourself. -Compose myself?

My father suffered such an awful death.

That was not the end of it!

He was humiliated in front of the people!

I must talk to His Imperial Majesty. Bring him to me.

Bring him to me at this instant!

Your Imperial Majesty. Please!

-Your Imperial Majesty. -His Imperial Majesty is entering.

You must be happy now.

What an accomplishment you have made.

Sparing the man who had committed numerous crimes

just because he is your father-in-law

would be an act of a coward.

The more brutal your punishment is,

the stronger your power will become.

You...

have not changed at all.

No, I have changed.

My resentment toward you has become a rage.

My regret...

has become a curse.

I will curse you.

I will pray that you go to hell.

I will pray everything that you cherish be ruined.

Your Imperial Majesty.

Go on.

Now, there is...

nothing left for me.

My father,

my husband,

and my supportive brother have left me.

Now, only bitterness remains in me.

And here I am, and I have become capable of criticizing

the almighty Emperor of the Great Yuan...

because I have nothing to lose.

Thank you...

for giving me such courage.

Your grace is beyond measure, Your Imperial Majesty.

Soon,

you will be given poison to drink.

Poison?

Kill me.

Go ahead.

Kill me, and rip me into pieces!

Your Imperial Majesty.

Before you face death,

I urge you to ask for forgiveness from people whom you have killed...

and repent on your sins.

That is a humane thing to do.

-Your Imperial Majesty. -Your Imperial Majesty.

Maha will take my revenge.

Once...

he finds out how unfair it had been for me,

my son will...

avenge me...

and make them die a thousand deaths.

Mark my words.

It is not over yet.

Vengeance...

comes full circle.

Your Imperial Majesty.

When he grows up,

make sure you tell him...

how his mother was persecuted

and what a miserable death I had to face!

Your Imperial Majesty.

You must relay this to my son without leaving nothing behind,

so he will be resolute in preparing for his revenge.

What is all this?

Her Highness has asked you a question.

These are gifts from the provinces.

-Gifts? -Yes, Your Highness.

To whom were the gifts sent?

-These gifts are... -Are the gifts for Consort Ki?

Yes, they are, Your Highness.

You may go inside.

This is from Yeongbuk Province.

This is from Seomseo Province.

This is from Unnam Province.

I will donate these to the Imperial Office of the Treasury.

Please take them away.

Pardon?

You will donate all of these valuables?

Your Grace, please take a look.

This is from Goryeo.

From Goryeo?

How big this is.

Your Grace, there is a letter here.

It is a secret letter from the King of Goryeo.

A secret letter?

My father has sent me a secret letter?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Here it is.

My son, this is for your eyes only.

I became aware

Consort Ki from Goryeo is to be installed as the Empress.

A woman from Goryeo becoming the Empress of the Yuan dynasty

is s a happy occasion for Goryeo as well.

You must help Consort Ki

and ensure her becoming the Empress.

If you make her the Empress of the Yuan dynasty,

you are getting ourselves

an invaluable asset that can lend us help in the future.

Keep that in mind, my son.

How shameless.

Goryeo did nothing when you were taken here as a tribute woman.

Now, the King is sending you a secret letter?

May I ask why you have not opened it yet?

Have you forgotten?

He did not care whether we died or not

after we got dragged here.

My friend who returned to Goryeo after being taken as a tribute woman

had committed suicide after being called a whore.

When we were suffering, the Court of Goryeo did not do--

Stop.

That is enough.

Your Grace.

I do not wish to read this for the time being.

You have done everything in your power, Your Majesty.

What more could you do to help her?

I agree.

I do not wish to see you...

entangled in her business anymore.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Taltal is searching Yeoncheol's library and office as we speak.

I am certain they are looking for the fund he had hidden.

We must take his secret fund by all means.

I will go and pay Baekan a visit.

Search thoroughly.

We must find every single coin of the assets Yeoncheol had hidden.

As you wish.

Yeoncheol must have had more assets than this!

May I ask if you know anything about Yeoncheol's hidden assets?

I can only assume.

I have no information on it.

Have you located Dang Gise?

His whereabouts are unknown after vanishing into thin air.

I have made a mistake.

I should not have let stupid governors be in charge of locating him.

By the way, may I ask...

why you are occupying Yeoncheol's office?

Time is of the essence in straightening out the Empire.

I will be appointed to become the Grand Councillor at the rearrangement.

Following the protocol seems a hassle.

Your reinstatement as the King of Goryeo will be decided soon.

Once you become the King,

you must closely cooperate with me.

-By cooperate, you mean... -Is it not obvious to you?

Goryeo must show its respect as a vassal state of the Great Yuan.

How dare he?

Even Yeoncheol did not call Goryeo as a vassal state in your presence.

He already seems too proud.

His arrogance will overflow once he becomes the Grand Councillor.

Please do not trust Baekan.

He voluntarily calls himself as the descendant of the Blue Wolves,

he stresses importance on the bloodline of the Mongols.

The fact that you are from Goryeo...

will certainly bother...

Baekan one day.

I will keep that in mind.

One more thing.

I believe it is better

not to show yourself at official events if you can.

The more followers you gain,

the more enemies you will gain.

Even the smallest mistake can turn all of your followers...

into your enemies.

I am aware that you are wise,

but you are not aware of the innate nature of power

which is why I was so bold to give you such advice.

His advice may be valid.

It is not right to mistrust Governor Baekan because of his advice.

He is the one who has brought me where I am now.

Consort Ki is Baekan's adopted daughter.

She will not accept our request.

Power makes people betray even their own father.

She is his adopted daughter who does not carry a drop of his blood.

Consort Ki is entering.

We hope the presents we have sent are to your liking.

I will know whether I like them or not

once I find out why you have asked to see me.

At the upcoming rearrangement,

please side with us.

Side with you?

A hierarchy exists even among governors.

Baekan belongs to the lowest rank.

We wish that Governor Oh Gwang right here...

would become the Grand Councillor.

I believe my involvement is not needed in this matter.

Sharing your opinions with His Imperial Majesty--

If Baekan becomes the Grand Councillor,

His Imperial Majesty will lose every governor present at this table.

Besides, the topic of your installation as the Empress has been brought up.

If you help us save face...

It is not the right time to divide into factions for a position.

You mentioned saving face, correct?

I will save your face.

Under one condition.

You must never betray His Imperial Majesty.

Hold on.

Where have you been all this time?

Have you decided on the rearrangement of positions?

Now that I must appoint these positions on my own,

it is giving me a nasty headache.

What do you think?

Is something wrong?

Oh Gwang, Bu Sagwi, and Seol Dogan

belong to the highest ranks among the governors.

It is certain that they will not be satisfied.

That has been troubling me too.

However, I cannot let them all share the position for the Grand Councillor.

How about this?

This...

This is...

The position cannot be shared,

but its honor can be.

This is a clever idea.

Once the rearrangement is over,

you will become the true leader who rules over the Great Yuan.

Congratulations, Your Imperial Majesty.

No.

The most important individual is missing from the rearrangement.

My true loyal subject who ousted Yeoncheol

and brought me the power of the Emperor

is neither Baekan nor the governors.

It is you.

I will grant you a big reward as well. You can look forward to it.

Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty, Empress Dowager has arrived.

Escort her in.

Hello, Your Highness.

I came here to discuss an important matter with the Emperor.

What is this?

This document contains a list of new appointments.

Please take a look, Your Highness.

You did so well.

Was this your idea?

Consort Ki right here...

gave me an excellent idea.

I hope you do not mind.

His Imperial Majesty has asked for my opinion.

I am very relieved that His Imperial Majesty has you.

Having this wise lady, Consort Ki, here

helps me worry less.

We were late.

How dare a consort sway over the rearrangement?

If this is not an example of regency, then what is?

Your Highness.

Trickery and politics are clearly two separate matters.

Trickery, when used rashly, can harm you.

That is politics.

What was written on that document?

You will see.

It will be entertaining to see Baekan's face.

Through this rearrangement,

the course of power will shift to a new direction.

His Imperial Majesty has arrived.

The acts of Yeoncheol's family for the past years

have put the people in distress.

However, with your loyalty to me, we have rooted out the evil.

Therefore, I plan to make an announcement

in order to recognize your contributions and give out regards.

Deputy Minister Chang, read the decree.

"Baekan, the Governor of Yoyang Province, is appointed as the Grand Councillor."

I, Baekan, will honor the imperial order.

"Oh Gwang, the Governor of Unnam Province,

is appointed as the Grand Preceptor of the first rank."

I, Oh Gwang, will honor the imperial order.

"Bu Sagwi, the Governor of Yeongbuk Province,

is appointed as the Grand Tutor of the first rank."

I, Bu Sagwi, will honor the imperial order.

"Seol Dogan, the Governor of Sacheon Province,

is appointed as the Grand Protector of the first rank."

I, Seol Dogan, will honor the imperial order.

"I allow the deposed king, Wang Yu, to return as the King of Goryeo.

You may leave whenever you wish depending on the circumstance in Goryeo."

Your Imperial Majesty.

These three positions had been removed in the past.

To rearrange the positions fairly,

I revived the Three Excellencies.

And I ask the four of you to work together

and lead the Empire into a brighter future.

Your grace is beyond measure, Your Imperial Majesty.

Your grace is beyond measure, Your Imperial Majesty.

I want all of your ears.

Today, I plan to select

a new empress on this spot today.

As you all know, Yeoncheol's rebellion was successfully suppressed

thanks to Consort Ki who had rendered distinguished services.

-That is why-- -Your Imperial Majesty.

The retribution of Tanashilli has not yet been decided.

It is better to discuss the matter after dealing with the deposed empress.

As soon as the rearrangement finishes, I will order her execution.

-So-- -Announce it after her execution then.

It will not be late.

However, Your Highness...

I agree, Your Imperial Majesty.

The Empress Dowager's suggestion is valid.

He revived posts with equal authorities to the Grand Councillor.

What could this mean if not trying to undermine my authority?

If I may, I urge you to visit the Emperor and ask for his explanation.

That decision was not made by His Imperial Majesty.

Your Highness.

Instating the Three Excellencies...

was Consort Ki's idea.

Although those three positions belong to the first rank,

they are only honorary positions.

Now that he has become the Grand Councillor,

those three governors only received the honor.

My uncle will not think so.

Honor can be a sword or a shield depending on who uses it.

It was decided after much consideration.

We cannot have the governors as His Imperial Majesty's enemies.

Making my uncle an enemy...

means that His Imperial Majesty will lose everything now.

I am confident that he will not betray

His Imperial Majesty because of a mere position.

If there is a misunderstanding from the rearrangement,

please clear it up.

There is no way Consort Ki would betray me.

Then how will you explain that the governors' support

for her installation as the Empress?

Is that true?

You can easily confirm it once you look into it.

Consort Ki is from Goryeo.

If a woman from Goryeo becomes the Empress,

her son, Ayushiridara will become the Crown Prince.

If so, an emperor that carries the bloodline from Goryeo

will ascend to the throne.

You are the only one who can keep the Empire from being tainted.

Whatever it takes, you must stop Consort Ki from becoming the Empress.

As your master has been reinstated as the King,

you should celebrate too.

Thank you.

By the way,

what will happen to Prince Maha?

I am not sure.

If Her Grace becomes the Empress,

no one will look after him.

Would it be possible for me to see him?

Why would you want to see him?

His Majesty was the driving force

that brought the fall of Yeoncheol's family.

Now that the young prince is in a predicament,

my master feels troubled by it.

How could he resemble His Majesty so much?

His eyes, nose, and lips...

If Tanashilli is executed,

no one will be left to take care of him.

How are we supposed to beat this fate, Your Majesty?

Your Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty, Her Highness is on her way here.

Why did you want to see me?

Please,

spare my little Maha.

Please.

The only one who can protect Maha in this Palace...

is you.

You are the only one, Your Highness.

Tanashilli.

Maha...

Maha did nothing wrong.

If I could keep him safe,

I will gladly accept my death.

Court Lady Seo and Court Lady Yeon right here

are only guilty of being on my service.

Please spare their lives

and let them take care of Maha.

Get up.

I beg of you.

I beg of you.

Please spare my son, Maha, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

-Your Highness. -Please spare my son.

Please, Your Highness.

Consort Ki is an exceptional woman.

She has the Emperor under her thumb

and has control over the governors as if they are her puppets.

After reviving the positions,

she undermined your authority as the Grand Councillor.

How could you straighten out this Great Yuan only with your loyalty?

What do you think about becoming an in-law with the Imperial Family?

An in-law?

I heard that you have a beautiful and noble niece.

If you can have His Imperial Majesty as your nephew-in-law,

you will be able to pull together your weakened authority.

Did you ask for me?

It is getting quite late now.

I want my niece, Bayan Khutugh, to be trained

to become the Empress.

I do not like where things are heading to.

I must exercise my authority to the fullest now.

However, Consort Ki is to assume the post--

That woman from Goryeo means nothing.

-Uncle Baekan. -My mission is...

to help the Empire prosper and become strong.

Anyone who stands in my way will not be condoned

whether it be Consort Ki or anyone else.

Why are you all here?

Take the offender.

-Right away. -Right away.

-What are you doing? -Your Imperial Majesty.

Let go of me!

-Your Imperial Majesty! -Your Imperial Majesty.

-Your Imperial Majesty! -Your Imperial Majesty!

Let go of me. I cannot leave like this.

-I cannot leave yet! -Your Imperial Majesty!

Your Imperial Majesty!

Let go. Let go of me.

What are you all looking at?

Is this funny to you?

Do you pity me?

Scram, you bitches.

You all deserve to die!

Tanashilli, you are to take the poison.

Bring His Imperial Majesty to me.

Bring him here now!

Your Imperial Majesty, where are you?

Come out here now.

Come out here, and show me that face of yours!

Your Imperial Majesty!

If you continue to refuse the poison to the end,

you will be forced to open your mouth and swallow it.

Your Imperial Majesty.

You have already killed my father and my brother.

You already took your revenge for the late Emperor.

I do not understand why you want to kill me too.

You do not understand why I want to kill you?

Listen carefully.

You brutally killed Concubine Park who was pregnant and other court ladies.

That is not all.

Not only does listing

all of your wicked acts disgust me, but it is also humiliating.

Do you still not see who has made me...

commit all those acts?

From the start, you have looked down on me and have not shown me any affection.

The one responsible for turning me into a vicious woman is Your Imperial Majesty.

-Oh, no. -How dare she?

How could you only point fingers at me?

What have I done so wrong to deserve this?

Why am I the only one who must face death?

You have not repented on your wrongdoings even until the end.

Later on,

when Maha grows up,

what will you tell him then?

My son...

Will you kill him as he is the seed of the evil?

You must repent on your wrongdoings too.

You are at fault too.

I cannot accept my death as it is unfair.

You must drink this poison too!

Shut your mouth.

Yes. I am glad that you are joining us.

It is all your fault.

You seduced His Imperial Majesty to make your son the Emperor.

You are the cause of my downfall.

Your Imperial Majesty.

To Tanashilli, taking the poison is too generous of an execution.

What?

Order her to be dragged out to the middle of the market

and execute her by hanging.

Hanging?

Do you wish to dishonor me even in my death?

Execute Tanashilli by hanging.

Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty.

My son... Let me see my son, Maha.

It is my last wish.

Please allow me to see my son for the one last time.

Please, I am begging you.

You do not have a son.

What? Of course, I do. He is in his chamber--

I will find your fake son there.

You poisoned the Buddhist nuns

and took a child who does not carry a single drop of your blood.

Make sure you watch me from the netherworld.

I will reveal that Maha does not carry the Emperor's blood

and exterminate everyone in your family.

Wang Yu.

I resent you.

If I...

If I had not put my trust in you...

like a fool...

If I had not let you win over my heart...

Even in my death,

I will not forgive you.

I will curse you and Ki...

forever.

I will curse you forever.

Blame...

everything on me.

If that helps lighten...

the burden during your departure,

I will accept it.

Please do not come...

to the scaffold.

I do not wish...

to show...

my awful departure...

to you at least.

I have lived here all my life, but...

Look over there.

Tanashilli.

Tanashilli.

If you do not get yourself together, all of us will be dead too.

Let go. Let go of me.

Let go. You morons.

I am the Empress of the Great Yuan.

How dare you treat me like this?

I told you to let go!

Remove the hood.

Kill Yeoncheol's daughter!

-Kill her! -Kill her!

No!

-Kill her! -Kill her!

-Kill her! -Kill her!

-Kill her! -Kill her!

-Kill her! -Kill her!

She deserves to die!

-Kill her! -Kill her!

-Kill her! -Kill her!

-Kill her! -Kill her!

-Kill her! -Kill her!

My dear sister.

Please forgive your incompetent brother.

I am sorry.

I am sorry, my dear sister, Tanashilli.

Father...

My dear brothers...

Where are you?

I am scared.

Concubine Park.

Are you watching this?

My poor friends.

My poor son, Byul.

Please rest in peace now.

Stop...

your tears now.

Dang Gise...

Congratulations, Your Imperial Majesty.

"Your Imperial Majesty"?

By tomorrow, you will become the Empress.

This is not a surprise.

Everyone in the Inner Court

is excited to greet the new Empress.

I plan to talk to His Imperial Majesty and raise your ranks.

-Is that true? -Thank you.

Then soon, Prince Ayushiridara will become the Crown Prince.

My baby.

I will protect you no matter what.

Do not worry.

I will never lose you because I am not...

powerful enough.

Maha.

You are the eldest prince who carries the blood of the Mongols.

I will never allow Ayushiridara who carries the bloodline from Goryeo...

to ascend to the throne.

Are you certain that Prince Maha is a son of Tanashilli?

One cannot pretend to have maternal love.

In the eyes of Tanashilli who was about to face death,

I saw a desperate mother's love.

Your Highness.

The courtiers are gathered in court

and are discussing the installation of the new Empress.

I will head over there now.

No one will oppose installing

Consort Ki as the Empress.

We, the Three Excellencies,

and the rest of the governors will follow your decision.

Please make your appointment now.

Your support reassures me.

-Thank you all. -Your Imperial Majesty!

Empress Dowager is making a formal petition.

A formal petition?

Your Imperial Majesty, I urge you not to install Consort Ki as the Empress.

This is absolutely absurd. Please accept my petition.

Your Highness.

Please get up.

Your Imperial Majesty.

You cannot install Consort Ki as your new Empress.

I do not understand your sudden disapproval.

-Have you forgotten how helpful she has-- -I know it very well.

She helped you learn to read and write.

She was the biggest help in driving out Yeoncheol.

If you acknowledge her contributions, what is the reason for your disapproval?

A mere woman from Goryeo

cannot become the Empress of the Great Yuan.

This will be seen as a sinful act by our ancestors.

I am in charge of the imperial nuptials.

I cannot allow this installation even if it means death.

Why are you all just standing there?

Escort her inside now.

Anyone who touches me...

-will not be forgiven. -Your Highness.

Before you accept my petition,

I will not move from this very spot.

I did not expect this from her.

How could she disapprove of you?

Do not worry.

Even if the sky falls apart,

I will make sure you become the Empress.

Welcome, Grand Councillor.

You must help me change Her Highness's heart.

What is this?

It is the list of courtiers who disapprove...

Consort Ki's installation as the Empress.

All of the governors including Three Excellencies showed their support.

Who would oppose this installation?

Please read it.

"Grand Councillor"?

Along with my name, the names of six department heads, deputy ministers,

and Councilmen of the Privy Council are written on the list.

If you insist on installing her as the Empress,

you must kill everyone on the list first.

Consort Ki is your adopted daughter. How come--

An empress will truly be recognized...

only if she is from the Khongirad tribe.

I cannot let my feelings harm the Great Yuan.

Until we greet the new empress,

marriage will be banned throughout the Empire.

Is it...

because I am from Goryeo?

Or were you going to discard me once the hunting was over?

You came to the Palace in order to avenge Yeoncheol.

Now that you have achieved everything you had wanted,

wanting more will be considered greed.

Your Grace will be the Honorable Imperial Consort.

Watch what you say, Grand Councillor.

That is the best I can offer you.

I see, Grand Councillor.

I understand...

your intention.

Please do not trust Baekan.

The fact that you are from Goryeo...

will certainly bother...

Baekan one day.

Your Grace.

Three of the Empress candidates are entering the Palace now.

Our family's reputation is on the line on this selection.

You must become the Empress...

and win over the Emperor's heart.

I understand, Uncle Baekan.

She is the Grand Councillor's niece.

She has a reputation for her beauty,

intelligence, and her good-natured disposition.

His Imperial Majesty is here.

Come out and pay him your respect.

My name is Bayan Khutugh.

Just like her reputation, she is very beautiful.

It is an honor to meet you, Your Imperial Majesty.

Was it Bayan Khutugh?

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

You will never be selected as the Empress.

You must go back now.

Your Imperial Majesty,

you will have to select me.

I am glad that I find you pleasant.

Baekan sent an official document to Goryeo,

demanding 300 tribute women on the day of the grand ceremony.

-Is that true? -Yes, Your Grace.

Send Wang Yu a message...

that I would like a meeting.

Your father...

has sent me a secret letter from Goryeo.

He asked me to join hands with you

and stop the Yuan dynasty's oppression upon Goryeo.

There is no need for you to worry.

I will speak with my father and--

Will you give me your support?

I have forgotten...

their true nature for a while.

Until now, I have fought to take revenge for my father.

From now on, I will fight for the people of Goryeo here.

And...

I will fight for myself.

Please help me become the Empress.

I will make my son the Emperor...

and take...

the highest position here.

Will you...

join hands with me?

I thought you would find it uncomfortable.

My son was almost poisoned to death.

How could this matter be overlooked?

Until when will you be blinded by your grudge against Yeoncheol's family?

Your Highness.

I appoint the niece of the Grand Councillor,

Bayan Khutugh, as the Empress

of the Yuan dynasty.

There are assassins. Who sent you here?

Yes, I was behind it.

Just a little.

I showed her a little of what lies in her future.

Subtitle translation by Won-hyang Son