Subtitles by DramaFever
[Episode 10]
What the... This hag got nothing!
This should be pretty useful.
How dare you!
Even if it's your fate to touch others' belongings
at least learn to act like human beings!
Otherwise, just like your fate with a knife embedded in your voice
you will die in a sudden accident!
What's that? This old hag...
Your mother is in ill health as if she'd pass away in a day or so.
Don't be here, stay with your mother.
How... did you know that?
Get out of here now!
Why are you finally showing up now?
You came so late that I almost had my clothes taken off.
Did you know that I'd show up here?
Did you forget that I told you to meet me in 10 days?
He certainly is a blind man...
but he was reading faces just by listening to the voice.
The highest state as a face reader.
Who on earth is he?
Don't agonize anymore.
Agonize about what?
What's budding inside you.
You'll never be able to realize it by yourself.
Just who are you to see through my thoughts?
You can't be a match to the King yet.
Just think about surviving through to the end.
You have to survive for Joseon to get through a calamity.
'Calamity'?
There will be a big calamity in Joseon soon.
The pain you carry will be the only hope of Joseon.
Sir...
We'll meet again soon.
I'm not leaving you.
I'm sending you to a bigger world.
The world where people learned of hope because of you, sire.
That's where I'm sending you.
What's budding in your heart...
You will never be able to realize it by yourself.
Why did you come already?
You said this is a sword, not a ledger.
The blade of the sword must have become very dull.
Father! I have been so incredibly foolish...
so I did not know what I was capable of.
It should have been in your hands to begin with.
I was incompetent and pathetic...
so the people were pushed to chaos...
and even Queen Majesty was wrongly accused.
No matter how great the sword is
if it's in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to use it
how could it be useful?
You're the only one who can use that sword, Father!
Do you mean it?
There is not even a trace of lie!
You were so full of spirits, so why did you change so much?
Because of me...
people have fallen into deeper despair.
Then... can I use this sword any way I want?
Yes, Father!
The Queen was wrongly accused? Is that what you think?
Yes, Father.
The ones who wanted the ledger plotted it.
Please render your consideration!
When I look through the ledger, I'm sure I'll find out.
I'll take a careful look.
Yes, Father.
Your Majesty, please forgive Prince Gwanghae!
Your Majesty, Prince Gwanghae's innocence has been clearly revealed.
Please restore Prince Gwanghae's status!
They are asking me to restore your status.
I failed.
But someday, I will definitely realize this reform.
For that dream, I'll endure all sufferings.
Although it failed, the Fair Tax Office was the first reform in my political career.
If it succeeded back then...
this result wouldn't have happened.
Sire...
you shouldn't turn all the government officials into your enemy.
So you want me to bury this ledger?
Bury the ledger and gain something bigger, sire.
With this opportunity, fill up the national treasury.
Turn away from the ledger and share the corruption?
Hundreds of soldiers haven't been paid.
I'm only reporting to you that it's a chance to give even a grain more to the people.
The royal court that can't give food to the people...
will only buy resentment from the people in the end.
Going forward, no officials, including you
should receive a glass overflowing with wine.
I'll keep that in mind, sire.
Gwanghae, who gave me this ledger, told me...
that this is a sword.
I'll keep it in the sheath for now...
but I will take it out anytime I see the need.
Stop! Stop!
Climb over!
My lord!
I didn't know you were here!
I am humbled to be with you!
I got to share the same cell with you!
I'm leaving soon. So take it easy.
I don't think you can leave this place so easily.
What's that?
Who am I... to rot here like this?
You haven't figured out what's going on yet?
The body is left intact...
but only the tail has been cut off now.
It's really unfair and upsetting!
This bastard!
How am I in the same situation as you are?
I'm 'the body'! The body of a great size!
How dare you!
Since the accusation on Gwanghae
that he tried to hurt his younger brother has been cleared
I'm ordering the restoration of Prince Gwanghae's status.
Your grace is immeasurable, sire!
Father, I came to ask you a question.
Go ahead.
In the ledger that I gave you
it is proven that many officials are involved in tax corruptions.
So why is Jang Soo Tae, the corrupt merchant alone being punished?
You came here to quibble on that?
When you brought that ledger to me, what did you say?
You said that I could use that sword however I wanted to.
I thought you'd punish the officials for their crimes with that ledger.
Do you know why the Fair Tax Office failed?
It was because the royal power was weak.
My power was weak.
No matter how noble the intention was or how considerate you are of the people
what can the King do when he can't even pay the officials?
If you just push for policies, do you think that's reform?
How dare you to nitpick on what I did when you don't even know anything!
You don't need to look like you've been wronged.
I buried the ledger to strengthen the royal power.
You used the ledger to get the prince status back.
We're not that different.
I only gave despair to the people after all...
It turned out that I just returned to the palace using the ledger.
Sire...
Open up the goal you have inside you.
You've already cut off your most precious one.
So why are you hesitating?
Teacher...
Can I really...
Can I really dare to think that I can change the world?
That's why you decided on the marriage, isn't it?
I said to Shinsung not to covet the Crown Prince title because it's Imhae's.
So, for me to dream of the Crown Prince when Imhae is there...
Where else can you find this kind of scoundrel?
But can you leave the people's sufferings that you care so much to someone else?
I can't leave them to anyone else...
That's why I decided to become the Crown Prince myself.
But is this... really not just my greed?
If it is just your greed...
Heaven won't allow it.
But if Heaven allows it...
then it is Heaven's will.
Are you asking me to go to Lord Yoo's house?
Prince Gwanghae's wedding will be held there.
Queen Majesty must've liked you.
This should be enough.
This much?
How come you're not answering me?
Queen Majesty commanded you to do your best for the bride.
Yes, I will do my best to help with the lady's wedding.
Sire, it's time to go now.
You chose this path for the people.
It's not meant to be with Lady Ga Hee.
How could you tie the knot with someone who has to hide her identity?
The bride's bow!
Bow in reply!
Were you surprised?
I didn't mean to lie to you.
I was afraid that I wasn't like other ladies of the noble families...
So I couldn't tell you ahead.
Please forgive me.
I am the one... who should ask for forgiveness.
If I knew that it would be you...
I wouldn't have gotten married.
Do you... not like me at all?
That's not it.
I have many sins to begin with...
but the biggest sin I commit would be...
to me and the woman I marry.
You're like a savior to me. I am very grateful.
But I've done something I shouldn't have done to you.
The lady was very beautiful.
Now Prince has a strong support.
I'm really glad.
Right?
I can't stand to watch this.
Song Wol...
it's not a sin to keep Prince Gwanghae in my heart, is it?
It should be okay to keep him in my heart
and take it out once in a while, right?
I can keep him in my heart without letting anyone know.
You can't, Ga Hee.
You are mine.
I'm going to show you
that there are no separate seeds for the kings and the noblemen.
Prince Gwanghae abandoned you with an excuse of caring for people.
I'm going to prove it to him...
that by protecting the one you love, you are protecting the people.
How can you be so light?
This is the weapon that the Japanese envoys brought along with a peacock?
Yes, sire.
I hear it's a Japanese weapon called 'musket.'
Did the Japanese send this to brag about their military power?
They asked us to open a path to Ming...
Are they daring to threaten Joseon?
Sire, the musket requires a short range
and it is not much different from our own firearms.
You've also heard the report from Envoy Kim Sung Il.
How could they possibly start a war?
Anyway, since it's a gift from a foreign envoy
- Store it in the military storage for now. - Yes, sire.
Sire, based on our investigation from the Physiognomy Department
we found the cause of Sookyong Hong's death.
Go ahead.
Lady Hong was drunk and died after hurting her head from a fall that night.
- She wasn't poisoned? - No, sire.
After we took a careful look at the body
we found a bruise on the head and
didn't see any signs of poisoning from the body.
Then why did the doctor say it was poisoning?
Call that doctor right now!
The doctor hanged himself and took his own life last night.
Why did the doctor take his own life?
The doctor found out
that the Physiognomy Department was investigating
the cause of Sookyong Hong's death
so he was afraid of getting caught for claiming the cause to be poisoning.
So it seems that he took his own life.
Someone must've bought him off and tried to slander the Queen.
- Find out who's behind it. - Yes, sire.
Your Majesty, you must've gone through a tough time.
I was very relieved that you were freed from the disgraceful incident.
Thank you for being so concerned about me.
By the way, who would dare to slander you?
Do you have any guesses?
Since His Majesty ordered a rigorous investigation, it'll be found out soon.
Rigorous?
It should be found out soon.
A rumor that one of the concubines tried to slander me is going around...
so the honor of the internal court is damaged.
Of course. We have to find the culprit and make sure this never happens again.
- Did you take care of the doctor? - Yes, my lady.
You don't need to worry.
Even the State Tribunal couldn't figure it out...
But face readers can?
Lady Kim...
my name is Kim Do Chi from the Physiognomy Department.
So what brought a face reader to me?
I had questions about Lady Hong's death and investigated the doctor...
but I happened to witness the doctor taking his own life last night.
I already heard the news.
You came all the way here to deliver that news of no value?
Not at all.
From the room of the late doctor...
I found this, so I came to give this to you.
What is this?
It's the proof that the doctor did everything by the order of Your Ladyship.
How dare you... to say such nonsense!
Did you forget?
I came to the palace with the help of Lord Kim Gong Ryang.
I'm on your side.
That's why I brought this to you, not to the State Tribunal.
He wouldn't take his own life.
This should also be returned to you. Is that correct?
So, what do you want from me?
Please keep me close and use me as a fire starter.
Why do you want to be on my side?
I am a face reader.
You have a face who bears a future king.
I'd like to help install Prince Shinsung as the Crown Prince.
Our Daedong Society will make Prince Shinsung the Crown Prince.
Prince Shinsung? Leader, are you out of your mind?
Prince Shinsung is the son of Gwiin Kim who has the government in her hands
and nephew of Kim Gong Ryang, who stuffs himself with all kinds of corruptions.
How could Daedong Society serve someone like that?
We won't serve him.
We'll use him.
Gwiin Kim is out of the King's favor for now...
but she has been favored by him for the longest time.
Her son Prince Shinsung is also the favorite son of the King.
In the King's mind, the Crown Prince is pretty much decided.
To the one who has the most power, the one with the highest possibility
I plan to add our support.
Then our Daedong Society will own...
the power of Prince Shinsung who becomes the Crown Prince and the King later.
On the day when our Teacher passed away three years ago...
I made up my mind.
Regardless of what it takes...
that I'd never fall apart in vain again.
The King, revenge, or equal society...
we need to have power to realize it.
What are you doing?
As Envoy Hwang Yoon Gil said about his trip to Japan
even if the Japanese starts a war
they will only come with about 100 ships.
Even then, I can't just keep the rumor of a war buried.
There was also an unfortunate incident in the palace recently...
It's because the seat of the Crown Prince is vacant
which prevents us from planning for the long-term future.
Sire, the people of the nation have been looking forward to it!
By the way, which prince do you have in mind?
Since I don't have a rightful heir...
I will appoint the Crown Prince among the sons of the concubines, regardless of age.
I will keep a closer watch on the princes until then
and decide cautiously.
Father! 'Appoint the Crown Prince regardless of age'?
Do you mean that you won't appoint me, the oldest son, as the Crown Prince?
The pale scholar from three years has disappeared.
But an imposing dragon is sitting before my eyes.
His Majesty finally claimed that he'll appoint the Crown Prince regardless of age?
Everyone's making noise about it.
You should make up your mind to become a dragon, sire.
No, no!
Since you got married, I'm sure you already made up your mind.
This Jung Chul is collecting support from the Westerners for you, sire.
Lord Jung, I have no intention of becoming a puppet
for the Westerners' political comeback.
I'm thankful for your help on restoring my status.
But don't make up a lie again like you did three years ago.
No lie will get through anywhere in the world.
You won't act like his own tongue in front of His Majesty
and you won't meet with the ones who will support you...
Will you just not do anything after deciding to go for a big goal?
Not do anything?
First, I'm going to listen to the voice of the people.
- Ga Hee, what should we do? - What's going on?
A messenger from the palace came by just now.
Queen Majesty wants to give you a reward
so she's asking you to come to the palace.
I think it's better if you didn't go.
I'll send someone to say that you went to your hometown or something.
What if the word gets out and no one asks for me anymore?
Did you forget? This is for Daedong Society.
I have to go to the noble families and collect information.
So, you're going?
I can't dare to go against the Queen Majesty's order.
She was kind.
Gwanghae has always liked pancakes since he was little.
Whenever he got sick and didn't have an appetite
I made pancakes for him myself.
You made it yourself?
He enjoyed it so much...
I was full just by watching him eat.
Your Majesty, the girl from Jinjoogak is here.
Yes, let her come in.
I heard that you did a great job on the bride's makeup.
I called you in to give you a reward.
Court Lady Oh.
I don't deserve it, Queen Majesty. I only did my job.
You don't need to decline. I'm giving it to you for future favors.
Please take good care of me, too.
I'd like to make my husband happy with your help.
By the way, why isn't Gwanghae coming?
He said he'd stop by at the library for a while.
He will be here soon.
Your Majesty, may I take my leave now?
The courtesans at Jinjoogak are waiting for me.
It's good to see that you're committed to your work.
Go ahead.
Prince Gwanghae! How nice to see you!
I heard the news of your return.
I was very disappointed that I haven't had an occasion to see you.
If I knew you'd be so glad to see me, I should've rushed to come back.
Then...
Oh, and...
Did you hear the rumor, too?
What rumor?
I hear there is a wild dog wearing a human mask in this palace.
Pardon?
I'm going to protect the Queen Majesty from that wild dog.
'A wild dog wearing a human mask'...
Who are you talking about?
How would I know that?
I only know that the wild dog paints with arsenic.
I was rushing on my way...
Sire, it's a shower. Please go inside and avoid the rain.
This way.
Is this what you were looking for?
Yes, sire.
Here.
You are...
I'm a courtesan at Jinjoogak.
Aren't you the courtesan?
What brought you here?
I have a knack for putting on makeup
so I come here to do makeup for the ladies once in a while.
I was on my way out after doing a makeup.
Sire, wouldn't you like to return now?
- Eunuch Song. - Yes, sire.
I definitely know her.
Where did I see her?
Ga Hee!
Yes, Do Chi.
I'm coming in.
I heard you went to the palace again.
Did something... happen?
Nothing happened.
Don't go back to the palace again.
Even if it's the Queen Majesty's order.
There is something I have to tell you.
What is it?
I'll tell you tomorrow. Let's meet at the bookstore.
So, let me hear your plan on how to install Prince Shinsung as Crown Prince.
The first plan is 'to fight off an enemy with another enemy.'
'Fight off an enemy with another enemy'?
A person's ears are truly a mystery.
I hear a lot of people gather around Prince Gwanghae since his marriage.
The one who feels most anxious right now must be Prince Imhae.
So I'm going to use it.
Who are you?
You dared to kill the first son of this country?
Did Gwiin Kim send you here?
Prince Imhae, you have to die...
for Prince Gwanghae to ascend to the Crown Prince's status!
What happened?
The reason I gathered everyone today is
to hear from each of you on what it means to be the king.
Why don't you start, Imhae?
I think the king is like a wolf.
The wolf that hunts alone and does not walk in a group.
That's how the king can stay alone and stand straight
without falling for disloyal vassals' flattery.
'Stay alone and stand straight'?
Good.
But a wolf-like king cannot communicate with his vassals
so he could turn into a stubborn king.
Father.
According to the Analects of Confucius
an exceptional politician in Qing has four characters of a virtuous man.
Be humble in carrying himself, be respectful in serving the elders
be graceful in feeding the people
and be loyal in ordering the people.
That's the answer.
Would the king be someone with these four characteristics of a virtuous man?
The king is a virtuous man?
Joseon is a country of scholars, following the teachings of Confucius.
So it is only natural that the leader of that country should be a virtuous man.
Shinsung, your answer sounds pretty good.
Thank you, Father.
What do you think, Gwanghae?
The king...
I'm not sure what it is...
but I believe the king should be the most unfortunate man
with the worst sufferings.
- 'With the worst sufferings'? - Yes.
I believe it is in order for the king to do so.
'It is in order for the king to do so'?
The king must feel the pain and the wound of the people as if his own.
But are there only a couple of pains and wounds that the people have?
They're sad because of their low class
they're in pain because of the officials' exploitation.
The people are poor and hungry.
The king has to see through their sufferings
and feel the pain as if they are his own...
Only then, he won't be tainted by the comfort provided to him
and he will continue to whip himself.
This is the case, so how can the king not feel pain and suffering?
The king is the one who governs people
not the one who hears the people's complaints.
Walking with you like this... reminds me of the old days.
Over there... that's where I taught you how to hold a sword for the first time.
Yes, I learned how to use a sword, shoot an arrow
and ride a horse from you over there.
So you remember.
How could I forget?
Gwanghae...
Do you know what Father meant
when he said he'd select the Crown Prince regardless of age?
It means that you can become the Crown Prince, too.
- Imhae... - But...
the first son of Joseon who doesn't become the Crown Prince
has to go on exile or die.
You've always been a good little brother to me.
Can I trust that you will help me?
Imhae...
It's...
Let's meet at Jinjoogak tonight.
I want to soak myself in the wine pot with my little brother.
Sire...
Young Shin, I can't lie to Imhae anymore.
I should tell him.
Given Prince Imhae's character, he won't just let it go.
Even if I have to fall from the sword of Imhae...
I need to tell him.
He trusts me so much...
Did you just say 'a blind man with white hair'?
Yes, he barged in out of nowhere and looked for you.
I got suspicious so I told him I didn't know you...
but he knew that I abandoned my husband just by hearing my voice!
Sir!
What brought you all the way to the capital?
Do you know how shocked I was?
I came to look for my grave site.
I was born here, so I wanted to be buried here...
But this doesn't seem like a place I should be buried.
So, have you been well?
A lot of things have happened.
Why is your voice so wet? What makes you so sad?
Sad? I'm not.
Ga Hee... it's time to accept your fate.
Pardon?
I felt so bad for you, so I couldn't tell you this at Mount Myohyang.
It's time to go to the King now.
It's your fate that you can't avoid.
That's where you should be.
You're the only one who can embrace the King's twisted mind.
Sir... I can't do that. I don't want to.
No matter how much you try to avoid, that's what will happen in the end.
Don't try to avoid it.
Heaven's will is in each fate.
Just let go and accept your fate.
A big calamity will come to this land soon.
You need to be by the King's side.
Eunuch Song...
It's her! It's her!
Pardon?
The courtesan!
She's the daughter of Kim Doo Seo!
That's right...
I finally remember her!
Imhae...
I have something to tell you.
Let me go first.
The Crown Prince... When I thought about it, you have a right, too.
I went too far earlier.
If you set a big goal, do what you want.
Imhae.
But I won't back down so easily, so be on alert.
Let's see who reveals the attributes of the king and be selected by Father.
Yes, Imhae.
Here, take it.
Let's drink all we want between brothers tonight!
Here!
Who are you?
Come out right now!
Imhae?
Imhae...
Subtitles by DramaFever