THIS DRAMA IS FICTIONAL AND ALL CHARACTERS, ORGANIZATIONS,
AND EVENTS ARE UNRELATED TO HISTORICAL EVENTS.
There are so many things I owe you.
I kept thinking of you...
when I tried to leave this place.
Because I will never see you again.
ONE HOUR EARLIER
YONG SU POTATO
ARE YOU SLEEPING?
Yes. I wrote that.
Did you really write those?
It was not the Queen?
The Queen was at the banquet.
Then what is the reason you used...
wild grapes, pine needles, and peaches for the appetizer?
That is because peaches are in season,
wild grapes will be in season soon,
and pine needles are always in season.
Man Bok.
Look me in the eyes and tell me.
The Queen wanted to hide the fact that she helped you.
It is very late. You should come back tomorrow.
You should go back to your residence.
I must find out why she helped me...
and what she meant when she said she would betray me.
THE QUEEN
THE QUEEN IS IN DANGER.
When the day breaks, I will report it to the King.
Will he be okay through the night?
Do not be in a rush. It might be a trap.
There are times when you sleep like a baby.
I fell asleep without realizing it.
Have you been watching me?
Why do you always do that?
Worrying about me, trying to understand me.
Come to think of it, you're the first person I saw when I came here.
There are so many things I owe you.
I kept thinking of you...
when I tried to leave this place.
Because I will never see you again.
Hong Yeon.
You must be working out a lot.
You've bulked up so much...
This must be a dream.
Hong Yeon and the consorts turned into him...
in my dream last time as well.
Are you up?
What is this? What is going on?
What is wrong? Who dared to do something bad to My Queen?
You. You did something bad to me.
Why did her face blink and change to you?
Pardon?
Be frank with me.
What happened between us last night?
How frank do you want me to be?
Don't leave anything out and tell me everything.
My gosh. That is a strange request.
If that is what you want...
When the moon lit up the dark sky last night,
our hands touched slightly, and then there were fireworks...
Don't say anything. If you say something, I'll kill you.
This...
This is just the beginning, My Queen.
My Queen.
My gosh.
It feels...
like I have been abandoned.
My gosh.
Head Eunuch.
Hong Yeon. Hong Yeon.
Where did you sleep last night?
I slept in my residence, Your Highness.
Did Cheoljong and I really...
EPISODE 14, A WOMAN WHO MUST DIE TO LIVE
It was all a dream.
The portrait of the late King was burning,
and it all seemed so realistic.
After what happened to the fortune-teller,
I could not get my fortune read properly.
Something seems ominous.
Court Lady Han. I need to get my fortune read properly.
Your Highness. Doing that will cause trouble again.
There is a monk that I know.
It will be okay since it does not look suspicious to others.
When Avalokiteshvara was practicing the profound Prajna Paramita,
he illuminated the five skandhas and saw that they are all empty...
What do you see?
I see the Palace covered in red blood.
Red blood?
Someone will die...
in the Palace today.
Who on earth is it?
I do not know who it is,
but it will be a woman.
A woman?
Is it perhaps...
Will it be me?
Write me a talisman. One that will protect me.
I am not a shaman.
There must be a way.
If you insist,
make an offering to Buddha.
Definately. I will give as much offering as you want.
The woman that will die in the Palace...
must not be me.
Darn it!
I did not get to ask the Queen what I wanted to ask her.
Gosh.
I will go back to Daejojeon Hall.
Your Majesty.
It is suspicious.
Including the fact that he disappeared all of a sudden.
That is right.
I can draw a composite myself.
This is the one.
That is right. This is it.
It is getting clearer. That is right.
No! This is not right!
His face...
This is his face.
Special Director Hong.
Did you come all the way here while crying?
There, there.
Why did I not consider that she might not like me?
Why did I spend so many days debating over...
whether I should choose love or my family?
The biggest obstacle in love...
is none other than...
gaining the heart of the person you love.
What is her reason?
She said...
I do not like you.
What?
Goodbye.
My Lady.
At least tell me why.
Why do you dislike me?
I...
do not like men with ambition.
There, there.
Gosh, how damp.
Love usually starts moist...
and ends in dampness like this.
- But... - Gosh, you startled me.
There is good news too.
The King has gotten better,
so my prayers were answered.
I am sure you heard about something else as well.
Lord Kim Jwa Geun will be dismissed due to that incident.
I like the King, and I respect Lord Kim as well.
My heart has been divided into two.
Why do you like him when you have never met the King personally.
That is because he is your best friend.
You are a good person,
so your friend must be a good person too.
My goodness, you.
Were you drawing an octopus?
What do you mean by "octopus"? It is a person.
This is?
I drew it quite well if you look into it in detail.
- This must be his eyes. - That is his mouth.
- That is his mouth? - Can you not see the lips?
It is best to get your fortune read in the morning.
Queen Dowager, Her Highness is here.
Goodness.
Your face has become drawn overnight.
As if the King has yet to wake up.
What happened to the Queen?
I gave up on a bigger use of her...
and did as you asked.
I am certain that they found...
the object in her chamber.
The King spent the night in the Queen's chamber last night.
As soon as he got well?
I came to realize once again through this incident...
that if I lose the King, I will die.
Could the woman who will die today...
be perhaps...
I want to die.
Should I just kill myself?
I might feel better if I died.
I apologize, Your Highness. I apologize.
I denied everything,
but the King was filled with certainty.
What? What are you talking about?
What do you mean?
Do you smell something burning?
Who is it? Which one of you is it?
- Where are you going? - Hold on.
Court Lady Choi.
I ended up...
telling him everything.
Is that so?
So let me get this straight.
The King came to me last night after having a talk with you...
which caused this whole mess. Is that right?
That is not what I said.
Then, the source of my confusion right now...
is all your fault.
What? Why do you feel confused?
You...
It was definitely good.
Perhaps, it was better than before.
That's why it's driving me crazy!
Why did I like it? This cannot be happening.
So the spirit doesn't rule the body?
Then, we don't rule our body or mind at all?
Does it mean we are just slaves to our hormones?
- Gosh. - Your Highness.
- What is wrong with her? - Your Highness.
What do you mean?
She is just being herself.
Why didn't it feel awful?
Why not?
Feel disgusted! Feel awful. You should hate it!
Prepare for His Majesty's presence.
Where is My Queen?
Your Majesty, she is...
I am sorry. She was here just a second ago.
Why is she going such lengths to avoid me?
Like the tigress last night, she...
Roar!
Can you help me find My Queen?
Yes, Your Majesty.
As you can tell, I have a lot to tell her.
I wonder what it is about.
No. If I see him right now, I'd be in huge trouble.
What if my body betrays me again?
Yes.
I'm sure Kim So Yong's spirit ruled over the body last night.
I only liked it because it was Hong Yeon.
If I knew that it was him...
But I still like it.
I must be going crazy.
So is this how Jang Bong Hwan will disappear forever?
Is that it?
I CAME HERE FOR NOTHING. JANG BONG HWAN
- My Queen. - Your Highness!
- Your Highness!
Darn it.
Your Highness.
Your Highness!
- Your Highness. - My Queen.
My Queen.
- Your Highness! - Your Highness!
Your Highness!
- Your Highness! - Your Highness!
Your Highness!
Lord Kim Jwa Geun is about to lose his position...
because he made it clear that he tried to assassinate the King.
My goodness.
The more I think about it,
the more I am convinced that this is not his style.
He must have felt cornered.
Because of the explosion,
Lord Kim Jwa Geun lost everything.
On the other hand, the King gained a lot from it.
Even so,
I doubt the King set up the explosion, risking his own life.
Right.
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
- Are you heading to the conference? - Yes.
May I ask why you are here all by yourself?
My Queen...
- The Queen? - The Queen?
Your Highness, are you playing hide-and-seek?
- I am really good at that! - Be quiet.
At last.
Darn it. Stop following me around!
Are you the CCTV camera? Are you my stalker?
- Darn it. - What?
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
- See you at the royal conference. - Okay.
Let us discuss this step by step.
My Queen.
They are crazy in love.
- My Queen! - They are playing hide-and-seek?
As if they are kids.
What? He is playing hide-and-seek when he had...
a near-death experience?
Yes. I have the royal concubines.
We shared our love through letters all night.
They are the guardian angels of my sexual identity!
- Hello, Your Majesty. - Hello, Your Majesty.
Hello.
Then, have a good day.
My Queen.
You are not allowed to run in the palace.
I guess we do not have a chance to join them.
I guess so.
By the way, they look so good together.
Fine. I'll get my sexual identity back with the letters.
- My Queen. - Your Majesty.
My Queen.
She is not here either.
I have been following her because I had questions for her.
Questions?
I guess she feels uncomfortable seeing me.
I should stop looking for her.
I hope she will let me know...
once she is ready to see me.
- Let us go to the royal conference. - Yes, Your Majesty.
There you are.
You were all over the palace.
I have been looking for you this morning.
What is this about?
There you are. Last night...
Let us discuss this on the road.
We should go.
Go where?
Where are we going now?
This is a huge palace.
Is he gone?
What does he want to ask me? What's going on?
In this situation, guys usually ask the girls...
"Did you like it?"
To my usual recipient.
Yes, Your Highness.
Something feels off.
Court Lady Choi.
Yes, Your Highness.
By the way, why aren't you nagging me these days?
"You cannot go out, looking untidy, Your Highness."
You should nag me.
I decided to stop nagging.
What?
What a surprise.
- Okay. Go on. - Yes, Your Highness.
I didn't see that coming.
As of today,
I declare the end of regency.
I hereby declare...
the beginning of my direct rule.
- Long live the King. - Long live the King.
I will die soon at this rate.
This anger will kill me.
Shall I tell them that you wish to skip the meal?
Do you actually want me to die soon?
My apologies.
But...
I am just not sure whether or not I should let them bring in the food.
If I let them, you will yell at me and ask if it's for your funeral.
Must I give you instructions...
on how to handle every little...
Your Highness.
Please calm down.
How can I calm down right now?
I have practically lost all my political power.
I will help you regain your power.
I am certain that your regency will be resumed.
You seem very confident.
Your father was like that too, when he was young.
I gave him one last chance.
A chance to do what?
To figure out a way to destroy the King's heart.
If he succeeds,
your priority should be keeping your position safe.
Yes.
However, you will soon realize that an old tool would not do.
You should not underestimate the King.
Do you truly think that the King was behind the explosion?
The culprit is the person who benefited the most from it.
I cannot believe that I let such a brazen brat take over the throne.
Your Majesty, congratulations on finally ending the regency.
Thank you.
A letter arrived for you from the Daejojeon Hall...
while you were away.
- From the Queen? - Yes, Your Majesty.
The thought of telling you that I miss you...
makes me miss you more.
Something must be done about this.
That was my last resort, and it worked.
So decisive.
Let us meet.
You are here...
to save me from this chaos...
Cheoljong?
How did you find me here?
I knew you'd be here because I told you to meet me here.
- The consort told me to come here. - Which consort?
I liked the thrill that anonymity gives,
so I didn't even bother to find out which one it was.
Anyway, I know it's not you.
"I sometimes think of other things."
"I will be happy drowning to death in the thought of you."
"Please row to me."
"Oh, I did not let you go."
- Stop. - Do you get it now?
No.
What is that cheesy poem? I have no idea what it's about.
"The name I will die calling!"
"It will linger in my mind as I cannot forget it."
Enough. People can hear you.
Why does that matter? You did not write this poem.
The King and I have to talk about something. Give us some space.
You know what to do.
- Yes, Your Highness. - Yes, Your Highness.
Have you been surveilling me?
Have you been inspecting my letters?
What are you talking about?
In your letters, you passionately profess your love to me.
But you put on a straight face when you see me.
You are unbelievably cold to me.
- Was it misdelivered? - Was it misdelivered?
So those letters were not for me?
You were the one who caused the new rush of hormones?
I was counting on you to protect my sexual identity?
The one who made my heart flutter every night...
was you?
No wonder I thought you were so two-faced.
Why you?
Why is it you, every single time?
It's always you. I even see you in my dreams!
You had a dream about me?
Don't get all awkward. If you do, you're practically admitting it.
There are many types of dreams.
Some are awful nightmares that make you shudder.
Why did you help me at the banquet?
Have you been following me around to ask me that question?
I thought you'd thank me. I regret helping you.
You told me to curse at you if I'm happy to see you...
and provoke you when I'm grateful to you.
Since when did you follow my advice?
Now, you are criticizing me for following your advice?
What am I to do, then?
You always said "No touching" but suddenly helped me.
Then you declared out of the blue that you'd betray me.
That was...
Hold on.
You heard me when I said I'd betray you?
You said you'd lost your hearing. Was that a lie?
Don't tell me...
Did you orchestrate the explosion too?
I did lose my hearing temporarily.
It just so happened to come back when you were saying that.
Are you crazy? You nearly died!
My Queen.
Did you have to do something so dangerous?
Hey, I told you that this isn't allowed.
Hugging me like this, smiling at me, lying down beside me...
You're not allowed to do any of it.
You are not allowed to disallow me.
I like you.
Do you fall for women this quickly?
Just because we spent the night together? Come on. Don't be so lame.
No, that is not why.
Then why do you like me?
You are arrogant, selfish, and rough around the edges.
And you are never consistent.
You are full of flaws.
That's right. So don't like me.
But I still like you.
Even if you have more flaws than anybody else in the world,
I still like you.
That night,
right before I jumped into this lake...
Do you remember what I said to you?
You must love me.
I believed that I was the only one who could protect you.
That's why I said that.
Because I thought I could only help you if you loved me.
Because that was the only way both you and I could live.
Was that the reason?
But you know what?
That Kim So Yong doesn't exist anymore.
That Kim So Yong died that night.
I do not wish to hurt you anymore.
There's no future for us...
because I can't forgive you.
I'm not Kim So Yong.
So I can't do this.
What brings you by? Does the Queen need something?
- Thank you for your help last time. - "Last time"?
At the Royal Infirmary.
Oh, that. That happened because...
I told you to drink the water infused with the poisonous herb.
Well, you did carry fire in one hand and water in the other,
but I thought I should still express my gratitude to you.
I found this on my way here.
Wait.
Where did she find this exquisite thing?
The assassination of the King?
Why did you set up such a huge plot without running it by us first?
Look at the predicament he is in now.
Lord Kim Jwa Geun must be reaching his downfall.
I understand that you were tempted by money,
but how dare you sell our weapons?
Are you trying to destroy our empire?
You clearly told me there were no problems.
You wish to use people to achieve your agendas.
And we need money to do so!
Are you telling me that you did this for me?
I wanted to present only the results and keep you out of the process.
And I did my best to do that!
I did that for you...
and for our clan, my lord.
You had better be ready...
to take all the responsibility in a worst-case scenario.
I will give you a chance to redeem yourself.
- Is everyone here? - My lord.
The Queen's father is not here yet.
He was not invited.
We are here because of the mistake he made.
He had been keeping books...
on our clan's assets.
Fortunately, the ledger is in my possession.
As long as my influence is intact, this will be useless.
So do not worry.
However,
I am ousted and lose my influence,
I will not be able to protect this.
If you protect me,
I will protect you in return.
If we decide to protect you,
what...
do you plan to do with the King?
If we do not take any action,
he may kick all of us out as we did not impeach you.
A council was created to resolve the national crisis.
The Border Defense Council?
An incompetent king taking over the control of the empire...
is the biggest national crisis.
All the decisions regarding policies...
will go through the Border Defense Council.
I have prepared the item.
As you said, we froze the water with the arsenic in the center.
So when the ice melted, the arsenic came out as well.
And how long did it take for the arsenic to melt?
It depends on the weather,
but it is as short as the time one finishes a cup of tea.
I see.
By the way, may I ask who your target is?
If I get rid of one woman from the palace,
two men who are threatening my position will be ruined.
I thank you for enduring the pain.
I will not forget how hard you tried to endure...
such painful tortures.
Now that you are exposed, staying in the palace is dangerous.
Leave the palace now.
It is time for all of you to live your own lives.
I will ensure...
your dream is fulfilled.
It feels empty here for some reason.
Which one of you is still holding onto...
You are here.
I have to put...
a honeycomb-shaped ice cube in the Queen's drink?
Yes.
You just need to add the ice cube to it. That is all.
Your Highness.
I have a very important piece of information.
So please help me.
What is it?
If you promise to spare me first...
How dare you?
Court Lady Han.
I know you are a brave girl. But you seem terrified in fear.
I do not know what this is about,
but I will do everything I can in my power to help you.
Lord Kim Jwa Geun asked me...
If he was going to like her, he should've liked her at first.
Then, Kim So Yong wouldn't have tried to kill herself.
And I wouldn't be here either.
But more importantly,
I thought I went through everything there is in the world.
But apparently, there was a world I hadn't been introduced to.
How should I explain the feelings I had last night?
If the world I was used to is a soft piece of bread,
this was...
No, it was new. I was intrigued because it was new.
Get a grip, Jang So Yong.
Darn it. I'm even confusing the names now.
Your Highness.
Yes. Come in.
The Grand Queen Dowager has asked to have brunch with you.
Brunch at this hour? Why?
I'm not in the mood to cook right now.
The Grand Queen Dowager already prepared everything.
Am I going to Tongmyeongjeon Hall?
I've been running around all day, so I'm quite hungry.
They are planning to eliminate My Queen?
Kim Jwa Geun has gotten the ledger now.
Who knew it was at Daejojeon Hall?
How...
I will return to the palace now.
This way.
What are you doing? Hurry up!
Okay.
You are ditching me again.
You are really making me angry.
Thank you, Your Highness.
We are having brunch right next to this beautiful view.
As I just ended regency, I have a lot of time on my hands.
We should often have brunch.
Yes, Your Highness.
It is not brunch without some drinks.
The Queen is the woman who will die in the palace today.
My son,
I can finally get revenge.
I have specially prepared...
ice which is more precious than gold today.
This is my first time seeing ice since I got here.
The weather is so hot today.
It is the perfect weather for a cold beverage.
My Queen. Please.
Please. My Queen.
How dare you...
I have something to tell the Queen.
How dare you come here? Go away.
It is very important.
Dam Hyang?
My gosh. Why are you doing this?
I will end up getting in trouble as well.
What on earth is so important?
Do you know that court maid?
Yes. She is a girl that I see often in the Royal Kitchen.
Dam Hyang. What is wrong?
The thing is...
I apologize.
I am here to attend the Grand Queen Dowager's meal.
I told you it was okay as this is a gathering among women.
It is my first time visiting the Queen in a gathering like this.
Please forgive me.
It is an honor for me.
How are things going with keeping an eye on your husband?
Since the King has just woken up,
I will do my best to do so.
You should go ahead and drink up before the precious ice melts.
How does it taste?
It tastes so refreshing.
It was so refreshing that I could not control myself.
My Queen!
Your Highness!
How dare you?
What on earth are you doing?
- Are you okay? - What? Yes.
How dare you throw a stone at the Queen?
I am okay, Your Highness.
Imprison that court maid right away.
She will be punished for lese-majesty.
Your Highness.
Come with me.
Dam Hyang.
I treasure her greatly.
I am really okay, so please do not be mad.
This has nothing to do with you.
She has created disorder in the Internal Court,
and she has demolished the discipline of Joseon.
She is just a child.
I am sure she had a reason.
She would not do such a thing for no reason.
If you continue to act this way,
I will add the charge of misconduct...
and give her a bigger punishment.
Why did you come here in such a rush?
Did you already know that that child would try to hurt the Queen?
Are you trying to involve me too?
It is because the timing of your appearance was too perfect.
I ran over here because I was anxious...
as the person who was planning treason...
is at the place where the Queen is having a meal.
This meal has been ruined.
I will return to Tongmyeongjeon Hall.
I will make sure to punish the child who ruined our plan.
You should take responsibility too.
That way it does not compromise our family name.
What would happen to her?
They won't flog that little girl, will they?
Are you really okay?
Does your tongue feel numb or is your heart beating too fast?
What are you talking about? It sounds like you're saying...
Let us go someplace else.
I will go to Daejojeon Hall with the Queen.
Yes, Your Majesty.
From now on,
be careful of everything you consume be it a meal or a beverage.
Is someone coming after me?
I believe that Kim Jwa Geun...
and the Grand Queen Dowager tried to poison you.
You're lying. I didn't do anything.
Is she trying to kill me because I helped with the banquet?
A ledger was found...
in Daejojeon Hall.
A ledger?
The object that Kim Jwa Geun and my father asked me about...
Why is everyone making such a fuss about this ledger?
Did you not bring it here from your home?
I had no idea that such a thing even existed.
I never saw it at home let alone in Daejojeon Hall.
I see.
She tried to poison me to death, not dethrone me.
Then did Dam Hyang save me?
It seems that way.
That beverage...
But I already drank it.
I will ask Dam Hyang myself.
I'll ask her myself.
Will Dam Hyang be okay? She has to be okay.
Those who tried to take your life...
will not let her get out of this unscathed.
Save her, please.
I will do my best.
I did not do anything wrong.
I did not steal this money.
I have been saving up for years...
to free my younger sibling from slavery.
Please do not kill me.
If I die, my younger sibling...
Tell me everything you know...
about this norigae.
- Dam Hyang. - Your Highness!
Are you all right, Your Highness?
I should be asking you that question.
Thank goodness...
the ice hadn't melted fully when you drank the beverage.
The ice?
She is to be transported at once!
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
What? Where are you taking her?
Your Highness, you cannot be here.
You know that this girl didn't do anything wrong.
I am not following.
She is only guilty of saving my life.
I am not sure who told you what,
but please return to your chamber.
What if I refuse?
That court maid will be handled according to our protocols.
If you stay here, you will also get in trouble.
Escort Her Highness back to the Daejojeon Hall.
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
- Let go! - I will escort her.
Please return to your chamber, Your Highness.
Causing a scene here like this will not help that girl in any way.
Your Highness.
Dam Hyang. I'll get you out very soon, okay?
Don't be scared.
Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness, we should get going.
I will get you out no matter what.
How dare a mere court maid hurl a stone at the Queen?
She is guilty of lese-majesty.
No, it is more than that. She is guilty of treason.
I heard her father did not pay his military service taxes...
and also committed treason.
Clearly, it runs in the blood.
Ministers, you are overreacting.
We do not know the full story yet and why she did such a thing.
The Donghak bandits' growing influence...
is becoming a threat to the Royal Court.
We must tighten discipline...
by having this serve as a deterrent.
You are even dragging the Donghak believers into this now?
How dare she hurl a stone at the Queen?
I am certain that she was influenced by rebellious beliefs.
"Rebellious beliefs"? That court maid is only five years old.
With all due respect,
I must bring up the fact that some suspect...
you had come in contact with Donghak believers in your Ganghwa days.
Is this your new weapon now?
If you try to protect the court maid and refuse to punish her,
we will have no choice but to assume that you, Your Majesty,
also support their rebellious thoughts.
All you need to do is punish that court maid for what she did.
Then all of this will be over.
That would do, right?
The Grand Queen Dowager wanted us to be firm about it.
Is she taking her anger out on him...
for pushing her off the throne?
How dare a mere court maid...
ruin our golden opportunity to get rid of the Queen?
Gosh, what's taking her so long?
It must be going well, right?
If a meeting runs late, it's never a good sign.
- Your Highness. - Yes.
Your Highness, this way!
Okay.
Engrave this moment in your mind and never forget it.
Court maids should not see or hear anything in the palace...
and should never engage in any rebellious thoughts.
If you ever associate yourself with Donghak believers...
and their beliefs, you will end up like this.
That court maid is only a kid.
Be quiet.
I thought we caught the big fish this time,
but it was this kid? Unbelievable.
Are we too late?
I suppose you now understand how I feel.
She was only trying to save you, Your Highness.
That's why they killed her.
They tried to kill me, but she got in the way.
This kid didn't do anything wrong.
You said yourself...
that they're dumping their sins on this little girl.
Why didn't you save her?
It was a sacrifice that had to be made for the greater goals.
"Greater goals"?
You mean, your own safety?
Aren't you the one who said that this world is an unfair place?
I prevented a bigger calamity with this small sacrifice.
"Small sacrifice"?
Because it's...
just a weak, little girl?
Incompetence is sin.
You do not even have the power to protect this little kid,
and that is sin in and of itself.
Why don't we come up with our own hand signals?
Like this one.
This means whatever I'm saying is a lie.
What do you think?
MR. QUEEN
As of today, I'm the crazy one in this palace.
I will show you what happens when you mess with me.
Did you try to get rid of the Queen?
- Dam Hyang... - Dam Hyang...
All in.
Kim Byeong In should not be underestimated...
as even the Jo clan is in the palm of his hand.
Let's form an alliance.
As of this moment, forget "No touching".
Calm down, my heart.
It's kind of like a test.
Want to stay for some noodles?