Original subtitles

Empress Ki

The Emperor.

Who's in there?

Untie her.

What are you doing?

Disciplining the new girl.

Keep it down.

Goodnight, sir.

Servant girls.

He's gone.

Back to it.

Strip her.

S-stay back.

I've killed for less than this.

Demons fear my name.

Never bother me again.

I would hate to hurt your friends.

[Episode 08]

I'm Hongdan.

I come from Koryo, too.

Uiju.

You're amazing, the way you cleaned house.

Hai-yah.

The look on her face.

Have you seen the Emperor?

Sure.

With my own eyes, too.

Can you tell me about him?

Huh?

Everything.

He's a hard worker. Super hard.

A hard worker?

Sure.

He's up with the roosters.

He finishes his ablutions and prays in the temple.

It's nearly noon, please, My Liege.

After his morning devotions...

he tends to affairs of state.

He reviews each issue with great care.

At 4 o'clock he trains in combat.

C-combat?

Hit me. Hit me.

The sword, the spear, the staff, archery, he does it all.

Where is he at night?

Where else?

Studying in his den.

He's so literate.

Only the deepest texts for him.

Enough. I got it.

Oh, right.

Lately he's been getting pillow training.

Pillow training?

He's getting married soon.

May we attend?

Not all of us, but a few here and there.

Staff heads, maybe?

Heads.

Here's some more.

I'll take it.

No. Allow me.

You're Yonhwa?

A word.

Uh-huh.

Attend the wedding?

So the Emperor will notice you?

Well, we all do what we can here.

If he likes us, even servants can become concubines.

But forget it. Now with your looks.

Will you help?

I'll put in a good word.

You're new. It will take the Head Lady...

Just do it.

Uh-huh.

Thanks.

Thank THIS...

You. Over there.

You.

More water.

Okay.

I will live and come back for you.

Stay alive for me.

That's an order. Understood?

Forgive me.

I mean to disobey.

Get rid of Wang Yu.

His father has been restored to the throne.

He may be trouble later.

We need him gone without a trace.

You make the mess and I have to clean it up?

Father thinks he volunteered to come here.

You can't be hurt by this.

I swear.

Like I don't have enough problems.

No pushing.

Where's the centurion?

Post the new men.

Which of you is the King?

He is.

How did you know?

We're from Koryo.

We heard you were here.

Arise.

How many of us are there?

About half the labor force.

How did you end up here?

At first we fought the Turks.

But after losing weapons and provisions...

we were drafted as laborers.

They treat us like animals.

Just today two of us were killed for desertion.

What?

Help us, Sire.

The signal to fall in.

We aren't fed if we're late.

Kneel.

Sire... Sire...

Sire.

Sire...

You see?

They're easy to train.

It does my heart good.

Yom Byongsu.

They're your responsibility.

With pleasure, General.

I have to rout the Turks and secure the Silk Road.

To do that, I have to whip this rabble into shape.

Make no mistake.

Anyone that gets in my way...

is dead.

I'll do whatever you ask to survive this place.

Survive?

Dream on.

It's impossible to kill all the Turks.

And for either of us,

...that is the only way out of here.

Tomorrow you will be Empress.

Are you ready?

What's to prepare?

It's a wedding. Let the staff handle it.

The finest musk.

It makes men drunk on the scent of it.

He'll be drunk on me.

Thanks all the same.

Make certain that first night.

Once you're pregnant your place is assured.

Come on, Dad...

Leave it to me.

Your wedding cups will be steeped in mimosa.

Only three cups, mind.

He'll be short of breath and flushed.

That and the musk...

Tangqishi.

I said leave it to me.

I'm not worried about you.

Togon's a callous one.

Callous or not, I don't need this.

He has eyes.

That's all I need.

Where the heart goes, the eyes follow.

Where the eyes go, the body follows.

After which, one thing follows another.

But my heart won't budge.

Why not? You're perfectly healthy.

Can I help it that I look at her and see her father?

My Liege, try not to think, just do as I suggest.

First, purse your lips.

Purse my lips.

Yes, then... let nature take over...

You're disgusting.

Like a eunuch knows anything.

I wasn't born like this.

Back in the day...

My Liege, have you ever wanted something just from the sight of it?

From the sight of it?

Yes. Think of that.

That...

was when I was in Koryo.

Perfect.

Think of that when the time comes.

But it...

was a man.

Man...A man?

A think of him and my heart pounds...

my face gets flush...

I don't know what to do.

Buddha preserve us.

For this to happen...

Wait.

Why did you make her a servant?

I followed my conscience.

Conscience.

My baby sister will be Empress.

You know what that means?

Make her suffer, but don't kill her.

Till she begs to see me.

Understand?

Her Worship will stand here.

Our Liege will meet her here.

This is the spot right here, understood?

He'll be standing about thirty paces from this spot.

26...27...28...29...30.

I can't pierce his heart at that range.

I only have the one shot.

Snake venom.

Tis a glorious day.

Try to show it.

My Liege.

He won't be able to stop staring.

Just staring?

They'll pop out of his head.

Your retinue is waiting, if you please.

Fine.

It makes men drunk on the scent of it.

His Imperial Majesty.

Her Imperial Majesty.

Come on, come on.

Closer, a little closer...

A servant, huh?

It's not too late.

I can get you out of servant's clothes...

and into the lap of luxury.

Hail to the Empress!

Hail to the Emperor!

Hail! Hail! Hail!

My legs are killing me.

Shall I rub them?

Never mind.

I have to go to the palace.

What for?

Why else? To decorate the nuptial suite.

The Emperor will be spending the night there?

Uh-huh.

You're assigned there tonight?

Not the suite itself, that's for concubines.

I'll be back.

See you.

Are you nuts?

Carrying a knife?

Did she see?

I don't think so.

Why do you have a knife?

You didn't see anything.

Please, Hongdan.

Tonight he gets his.

Move it.

Move!

It will take years at this rate. Move!

Get up.

No loafing, eunuch.

Move.

Yom the Scum.

I'll rip his heart out someday, I swear.

How long do you think Wang Yu will last?

Work them day and night from now on.

Yes, sir.

Wang Yu and his men.

Why not send them away?

If the enemy kills him...

Have our spies reported in?

Nothing yet, sir.

Hey!

Are you ignoring me?

I'm not interested in killing him.

What?

I have stopping the Turks to worry about.

Get in the way and you'll have to deal with me.

Yeah, well, we'll see about that.

He'll be the Emperor's brother-in-law.

Baiting him won't help, sir.

Tell him the same.

Baiting me won't help.

Move it along.

Fall down and die. Move!

Take a breather. Allow me.

I'm fine, don't' worry.

Working all night.

What good will we be without sleep?

Forget sleeping.

I'm starving.

Time to eat.

Slackers get nothing.

Sleaze.

Day and day out, balls of crud?

If you please.

I'm fine.

Take mine. I'm not a big eater.

Eat.

Not eating? Thanks!

Gimme that!

Eat with us.

Come on.

Filthy... C'mere and do that again!

They're disappointed.

What for?

They thought with him here, things might get better.

Ignore it.

Your safety is all that matters.

Something isn't right.

I heard sounds of men in the woods.

Huh?

Attack!

Ambush!

I'll get reinforcements. Stay here!

Hey! Yom Byongsu!

Kill them all!

All of 'em!

Our brothers are dying.

Right before our eyes!

Sire.

Leave this to us.

Arm yourselves.

- Move! - Sir.

Sire.

Come and get it!

Take up arms!

Stop them!

How many Yuan dead?

Twelve.

And the rest?

We'll have to count, but a hundred or so.

Stop.

You did it.

You killed them.

Sire.

Die!

Halt.

Bring him to my quarters.

Laborers or not, they should have been armed.

If you're short of arms, the Yuan should protect them.

The blood of the innocent is on your hands.

You think they're poorly used?

You know they are.

Fair enough. But it wouldn't make any difference.

They think this is a war between us and the Turks.

It's not my doing, it's theirs.

War without purpose is lost.

I won't give weapons to men that care only for themselves.

Today, tomorrow, in the end they'll all be dead.

I'll make them a force to be reckoned with.

Give me command.

Silence.

I am their commander.

You can't give them to him.

You left your men and ran away.

I wasn't running, I went to get help!

I've had enough of your whining.

He can't be allowed a victory.

Yet a defeat may mean his neck.

I'm in favor.

Either way,

Yom Byongsu is their commander.

You two fight it out.

I'll use the winner.

Well? What do you say?

Definitely.

And you?

He was living the high life while my hands bled from training.

How could I refuse?

Eight o'clock.

Eight o'clock.

It's time to join your bride.

I swear.

I got it, enough already.

My Liege, the Queen Dowager.

Welcome, Your Majesty.

Leave us.

I understand how you feel.

As lovely as she is, she's still El Temur's daughter.

What should I do?

Go to her. To ensure peace in the palace.

You're right.

I'll go.

She cannot be allowed to conceive.

El Temur is old. He doesn't have long.

His absence will lead to a bloody slaughter.

Because you and Tanasiri have no heir.

We cannot afford to give them any excuse.

Can we undermine their influence?

We must.

We're finding a concubine for you now.

A concubine?

I will select a mother of your heir from your concubines.

Do you understand?

How may we help you?

Search her.

Sir.

Sir.

Take her away.

Sir.

You're late.

Sorry.

Please. I'll pour you a drink.

Mimosa and honey.

You should like it.

Another?

Now spit it out.

Why did you have that knife?

For personal protection.

Protection?

Tangqishi wouldn't stop pestering me on the way here.

I would rather die.

You're lying.

He's the brother of the Empress.

What servant girl would refuse his favors?

You're up to something.

Take her away.

He...

He killed my mother.

How could I lie with him just to make my life easier?

If defending my virtue is a crime...

then kill me now.

You know how many people die here each year?

One wrong word, dead. A hair in the food, dead.

Too friendly with a eunuch, dead.

A hundred other reasons and you're dead with none the wiser.

What's one life more or less? But no one dies alone.

A wrong word and anyone that heard it dies.

Too friendly and his whole family dies.

That's why discipline is so strict.

You broke the rules.

Lose one drop and we start over.

Count off.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

More wine.

You there?

More wine, I said.

My Liege, one must consecrate the wedding.

Consecrate?

Consecrate.

It's the oolala room, after all.

You're very beautiful.

Dork. You just noticed?

Your face, your figure, so beautiful.

Come to me.

Bury yourself in my arms, My Liege.

Yes, My Liege.

Your Empress is waiting.

Fine.

My heart and body are yours.

You are my lord.

Do as you please...

My Liege.

My Liege?

More wine. Wine, wine, wine!

I said I want wine!

She failed in her duty?

I'm afraid so. He fell asleep.

Spread the word, discreetly.

If it comes out that he wasn't interested...

Tanasiri won't be able to show her face.

As you say.

I wonder how she'll look now.

Your Majesty, the Emperor.

Send him in.

Welcome.

But where is your bride?

She's not coming.

Not coming?

Paying respect to the Queen Mother is an important tradition.

When I woke up she was gone.

She what?

Was she not taught properly?

She was indeed.

I want a full inquiry.

The Empress. The eunuchs. Everyone.

Yes, Your Majesty.

How dare she?

What? An inquiry?

I'm the Empress. Who does she think she is?

The transition is not complete.

You failed to call on her this morning.

Do I look like I'm in the mood for formalities?

Be that as it may, you must call on her.

Tell her I'm worn out from last night.

Your Worship.

Wait. The pregnancy excuse.

Go on then.

Tell her I'm exhausted from his imperial favors.

Listen, put in a good word for her.

A good word?

War isn't just weapons.

If the two of them fight, we all suffer.

I couldn't say.

Wait... wait...!

The Queen Dowager has ordered an inquiry.

An inquiry? The Queen Dowager...?

Introduce yourselves to Her Majesty.

Tutor, literature and writing.

Tutor, attire

Tutor, decorum.

Meals...

Enough.

I can't remember all of you.

I'll call you what I like.

You're an ugly one.

You're Mutt-face.

You're Battle-axe.

You're Porker.

You're Slug-Mug.

Your Majesty, such names aren't fitting.

The more I look at you, the more you look like frog.

Toady, that's you.

Mutt-face.

Mutt-face!

Your Majesty.

You like your new name?

So much.

I thought as much.

The Queen Dowager does not rule the Inner Court, I do.

Understood?

Yes, Your Majesty.

May I ask what brings you here?

What else? To see you.

I'm so sorry.

I'm calling on the Emperor.

I thought you might want to see me.

Since he didn't lay a hand on you last night.

This must be a palace first.

Aren't you curious as to how to win his heart?

Will you teach me?

If you like.

I'm curious about something else.

Usually an Empress shaves her head and enters a monastery...

...when her Emperor dies.

But you managed to keep running the Inner Court.

What's our secret?

You want me to leave?

You're big on tradition.

What good are traditions that aren't followed?

By example.

I want to see the concubine selection now.

Lift your head.

A pleasing face.

A shapely chest.

Turn around.

Child-bearing hips.

She is the pick of the concubines.

Look at me.

Where are you from?

Koryo.

The Emperor will call on you tonight.

Can you please him?

With all my heart.

She has been properly trained.

You needn't worry.

See that she has servants from her own country.

Your Majesty.

Report to the nuptial suite.

Tonight.

Wang Yu is a formidable swordsman.

Relax.

I have a secret weapon.

A secret weapon? What?

This is my secret weapon.

Is this lead?

His sword will shatter.

Not just his sword.

His head with it.

He taught swordsmanship.

He is not to be underestimated.

Yom the Scum.

None of the palace guards could beat the King.

It's time, Sire.

For victory.

We're with you.

Lead us.

- Good luck. - For victory.

Good luck.

Don't be nervous. Whip him good.

This is a fight to the finish.

Until one yields.

Or dies.

Hear that?

Yield now if you don't want to get hurt.

That won't happen.

What? You want to kill me?

Begin.

What's this?

Angelica tea.

It warms the body. Take it tonight.

You're from Koryo?

So am I.

That's why you were assigned to me.

It's getting cold.

The Emperor is coming.

I thought it was 10 o'clock.

So did I. But here he is.

Take the tray away.

Yes, my lord.

Be careful.

Kill me.

Shall we, My Liege?

Let me look at you.

I said let me see.

You heard the Emperor.

You...

You... you!

Hearts are not so easily won.

You know what she's like.

It will be a sea of blood.

Something is strange these days.

Someone is to be punished.

Who?

You will show proper respect.

Or face my wrath.

I can't breathe, I can't stand it!

Look at me. Hold still.

Don't move.

You dare?

That's enough.

My heart is black. Can't you see that?

I missed you. So much.