EPISODE 17
It's because I am not used to
using honorifics.
-My lady. -Good.
And how should you address a woman like me?
My lady?
Apprentice Goo!
We wanted to do something for you because you've been looking
so disheartened these days.
I took a bottle of wine that my mother treasures.
Drink up.
-Cheers. -Cheers.
Where is Apprentice Song?
We stopped by her place earlier, but she wasn't home.
By any chance, do you know anything about what happened
between Apprentice Song and His Royal Highness?
She said nothing happened.
Still, it's so strange.
I can't wrap my head around why she did such a thing.
Things are terrible. Everyone is speaking ill of her,
and she may lose her job as a historian.
I think
I can understand how she must be feeling now.
You know, there are times
when you just want to do whatever you want without caring
about the consequences or what others might say.
Perhaps she didn't want to let it go.
She wanted to be honest with herself.
My gosh.
You came all the way here to lift my spirits, but I keep...
Now,
let's just eat and drink.
-Yes! -You should forget all about the prince.
-Cheers. -Cheers!
What? "The prince"?
What do you mean by that?
You mean, a son of one of the noble families?
Or...
are you actually referring to one of His Majesty's sons?
-Seol-geum. -Wait, hang on.
Could it be the scholar from that time,
who had the glowing aura above his head?
Just seeing him gave me this pure joy, which lasted for four days.
He's a prince?
The sea without water?
Clerk Yi, who used to hit on you?
So that was...
All of that was...
-Seol-geum, calm down. -Yes, my lady.
Ms. Gwangju!
Hey!
Oh, no.
-What do we do now? -My gosh.
-I deserve a smack. -You and that mouth of yours!
-Gosh. -What do we do?
Your Royal Highness.
Could you
just treat me as your sister today, U-won?
You're so cold-hearted.
-What? -Can't you at least ask me if I'm okay?
I already know that you're not okay, so why ask such a question?
Right,
I'm not okay.
I snuck out of the palace because I felt like I might end up
smashing something if I stayed there.
U-hui.
Both Apprentice Song and His Royal Highness would never do
-what you're suspecting-- -I know.
Knowing his personality, I'm sure nothing happened between them.
But that upsets me even more.
His Royal Highness avoids conversing with me
because it makes him uncomfortable.
But he let that girl
stay by his side all night.
You know what, though?
The person I resent the most
is neither him nor the female historian.
-Then who is it? -It's Father.
He made her partake in the third evaluation,
forced His Royal Highness to get married,
and even dragged his young daughter to the palace
when she did not want to marry the Crown Prince.
It was all done by our father,
Second State Councillor Min Ik-pyeong.
U-hui.
Back then,
I did not know
what marrying the Crown Prince meant.
I'm sorry.
I mean it.
So what if you knew?
Would you have run away with me?
An exemplary scholar like you?
That girl, Song Sa-hui...
Please just make sure
Father doesn't penalize her in any way.
I will.
Do you guys have nothing to do?
Go away! Stop being so nosy.
-Hello. -Hello.
I should cover my face when I come to work.
Everyone is like, "What's going on between His Royal Highness and Clerk Song?"
Everyone's going on about it, and it's annoying the crap out of me.
Don't even get me started.
Scholar Kim from Sungkyunkwan came all the way to my house yesterday,
saying he's dying to know what happened.
Is she taking another sick day?
Do you think she's actually sick? She's too embarrassed to come to work.
Everyone is saying the female historians should be kicked out.
I bet she's too ashamed to be here now.
But what if she's actually sick? You girls should visit her later today.
Pick up some good food on the way.
This petition was submitted
by Park Song-hyeon, a lecturer at Sungkyunkwan.
"Those at the Office of Royal Decrees seem to be lacking discipline these days,
and various rumors about female historians are wreaking havoc in the palace."
Next.
This is by Jo Seung-yeol from the Office of the Inspector-General.
"The negative effects of employing female historians--"
Next.
This was submitted by Kim Myeong-seon from the Office of Censors.
"The inappropriate conduct
of the female historian, Song Sa-hui, dishonored--"
Next.
Your Royal Highness, these were submitted by your faithful subjects.
Why would you not even listen to them?
Many people,
in and outside the palace, are strongly voicing their concerns.
It is about time we discussed abolishing the female historian system.
We cannot do that.
His Majesty approved it in order to improve our customs--
Female historians haven't helped us improve anything!
Silence, all of you!
Three days ago,
a violent storm hit the ships returning to Ganghwa Island,
and we lost 2,500 seok of rice as well as 30 workers.
And yesterday, 23 houses burned down
and five people lost their lives due to a fire.
But all of you
are only interested in such rumors?
Fine.
If you need someone to blame, go ahead and blame me.
It happened because of my one-sided feelings for her.
"I will do anything for you if you decide to become mine."
I threatened her and tried to persuade her all night to keep her by my side.
That is what happened that night.
Your Royal Highness.
Why bring such disgrace on yourself just to protect a woman?
You were the ones
who wanted to put a black mark on her because of unverified rumors.
So, tell me.
Do not just put the blame on her.
You should criticize me equally for my conduct.
The Crown Prince
fancied one of the candidates for his brother's bride-to-be?
That is one scandalous rumor!
I am too ashamed to even face anyone.
Your Majesty, that is not true--
It does not matter!
Just the fact that such rumors are going around
is an utter disgrace to the royal family!
How dare you endorse such a wicked girl?
I sincerely apologize, Your Majesty.
Forget it. I am canceling the plan to marry Prince Dowon off.
Cancel everything.
-Call it off. -Your Majesty,
the third evaluation is just around the corner. We can't--
Then what? Are you suggesting we push ahead with the wedding?
Do you wish to see the whole world mocking the royal family?
Sort out the situation as quietly as possible
so that it is not brought up again.
Now leave!
I can't believe this. You always acted like you were so clever.
You fell ill because you got yourself into a situation you can't handle.
Goodness. You're just book smart, that's all.
My lord, a guest is here for Lady Sa-hui.
She's in no shape to greet a guest. Tell the guest to come back another time.
The thing is, it's the Second State Councillor.
You stay here.
I heard you have a high fever.
I got this for you from the Medical Office.
Take it.
I was too inconsiderate.
Had I known you had feelings for His Royal Highness,
I wouldn't have made you one of the candidates.
Are you
apologizing to me now?
I am admitting my mistake.
Look after your health.
I'd rather be punished.
Kick me out of the Office of Royal Decrees or craft an excuse to exile me.
Do whatever you wish.
You work for me.
That is why
I am sparing your life just this once.
What happened?
The Second State Councillor went to see her,
but he left quietly after giving her some medicine.
I see.
Keep a close watch for the time being.
Yes, Your Royal Highness.
When I was 11,
I received a love letter for the very first time.
He was the son of a high-ranking official,
and he asked me to marry him out of the blue.
"I fell in love with you at first sight. Please be mine.
I will make sure you can enjoy a comfortable, luxurious life."
And do you know what I did?
I corrected all of his spelling mistakes and returned the letter to him.
I told him he should seek knowledge before chasing after women.
And that night,
my father whipped me on the back of my legs until I bled.
That was when I realized
what kind of life I am expected to live.
So you probably wished you had been born to a man of no rank.
Then you could live freely
despite being poor.
Right, then I could live freely
despite being poor.
I'm sure
your life has not been that different from mine.
Your Royal Highness.
I will
not be chosen.
I'm fully aware of the fact that I'm not qualified
to marry the prince.
I will make sure the Second State Councillor won't get his way
even if I must cause a scene during the evaluation.
So don't worry.
He will not just sit back.
You never know what he might do to you.
I'll think of it as a chance
to pay for my sins.
Don't be so rough with it.
Be gentle, will you?
Hey, that's...
They're all falling.
I'm trying my best.
Hey, seriously!
What are you doing? You can't do anything right. Both of you.
Oh, it's done.
-This one too. -My goodness.
Do it properly. Take your time with it, okay?
One step at a time. I told you not to touch that.
-You girls are driving me nuts. -I see. This is how you do it.
-Try it yourself. Do this. -We're doing our best.
You girls, seriously. Why can't you do this?
What are you working on?
Be quiet. We have to do this before His Highness wakes up...
Your Highness!
Happy birthday, Your Highness!
-Happy birthday! -Happy birthday!
Happy birthday, Your Highness!
Your Highness!
Let's celebrate!
Birthdays come around every year. You didn't have to make all this confetti.
But this year's birthday is a very special one.
It's your 20th birthday, Your Highness.
Here, you should eat light for breakfast.
The Queen Dowager
will send a feast at lunch for your birthday meal,
so you can eat as much as you'd like at lunch.
Here you go.
Thank you.
You girls too.
It's good.
Please have some soup.
Your Highness.
Your Majesty.
Happy birthday, Prince Dowon.
Thank you.
Would you make some time for me today?
You should bow.
It is Prince Huiyeong,
Yi Gyeom.
Prince Huiyeong?
The king who was ousted by Father?
The dethroned king?
-Her Majesty even took Prince Dowon? -Yes, Your Majesty.
I bet she went to see him again.
Make sure the Second State Councillor
doesn't find out.
Yes, Your Majesty.
PRINCE DOWON AND THE QUEEN DOWAGER LEFT THE PALACE THIS MORNING
I put a lot of work into preparing this meal,
-but it actually looks very humble. -No, please don't say that.
I am delighted to spend my birthday with you.
It would have been nice
if we had your bride-to-be with us here on this happy day.
Don't worry too much about your wedding being called off.
I promise you that I will find
the most perfect lady for you in the near future.
It's okay, Your Majesty.
I do not wish to
get married.
What do you mean?
I learned that marrying someone
means you must embrace everything about that person.
However,
I am not ready to do that yet.
Don't say that.
No man can be more mature and thoughtful than you are.
Aren't I right, Apprentice Goo?
Pardon me?
You have seen enough at Nokseodang, so I'm sure you know
that Prince Dowon would be a wonderful husband.
Yes, Your Majesty.
He will be a great husband.
Any woman would be glad
to have you as her husband.
See?
Even a historian says so.
That being said,
why don't you join us for a glass of wine?
Your Majesty.
No, Your Majesty. How could I dare to join your meal?
I am giving you my permission as the elder in the royal family.
You can't even do that for a prince as his faithful subject?
Happy birthday, Your Highness.
You should have some wine too.
Thank you, Apprentice Goo.
Then,
enjoy the rest of your day.
Don't be uncomfortable around me.
You are a historian, and I live here,
so we'll keep running into each other.
I do not want you to get all awkward
every time that happens.
I am just trying to be careful.
I'm worried I might treat you like I used to without realizing it.
You call that being careful?
Getting me all riled up by saying that any woman would be
delighted to be with me?
Then how was I supposed to answer that question?
Should I have said I cannot let you marry anyone else
because I am the one you fancy?
Like you said, I am a historian.
And I will continue to frequent the Inner Palace,
which means I will have to see you.
That is why...
I'm trying.
I'm trying hard
not to think about how you and I...
feel about each other.
I have done my best.
Thus, I have no regrets.
So please,
treat me like nothing happened.
I am...
trying too.
I am Third Inspector Goo Jae-gyeong from the Office of the Inspector-General.
I heard
you were the one who delivered the King's last letter.
-Yes, Your Majesty. -Do you know
how many people lost their lives because of your betrayal?
Do you realize
that what you did provided reasons for the revolt?
-Your Majesty. -How dare you
come before me so shamelessly after what you did?
You practically killed all of them, from the King to the people of Seoraewon.
Every single one of them had a bright future ahead,
but they were all killed overnight.
Your Majesty,
you can interrogate him about it
after you accomplish your goal.
I, too,
still cannot forgive what Goo Jae-gyeong did.
However,
he came to see me, saying he'd like to pay for what he did.
Please trust him.
"Pay for what he did"?
Why now? What was he doing all those years?
He said he was hiding in Qing.
And since returning to Joseon, he has been searching for Kim Il-mok's daily records.
So that man
also knows about the daily records?
Yes, Your Majesty.
But he hasn't found them yet.
I will allow him to assist me for the time being,
but only until Prince Dowon becomes the king.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Father?
Rim.
Why...
are you out here?
There are
court ladies asleep inside.
Did you have a nightmare again?
Should I ask Eunuch Heo to bring you some medicine?
No.
It's not like that.
Isn't it strange
that Her Majesty brought me to the dethroned king's grave?
Only an impertinent woman would answer such a question.
Yes.
I found it
rather strange too.
It's not usual
for a prince to hold a memorial ritual for a dethroned king.
And there is no reason for you to do that.
Does it bother you?
Yes.
If today is the 20th year of the dethroned king's death,
that means he died
on the day I was born.
Do you know anything about the dethroned king?
I was too young back then as well.
I heard he tormented the people
and was a heretic.
HERETIC: SOMEONE INVOLVED IN PSEUDO-RELIGION
That's all I know.
Have you never heard anything regarding the dethroned king?
I mean, you grew up in the palace.
I've overheard things
a couple of times.
That he is someone
no one should ever talk about.
What in the world is his crime?
Thank you for having a chat with me. You should get some rest.
Yes, Your Highness.
I'm all right.
Ever since you came to Nokseodang,
I never once had a bad dream.
So you don't have to
worry about me anymore.
Jae-gyeong?
Do you know each other by any chance?
Go and get some rest.
It's an ambush!
-It's an attack! -Your Highness!
Your Highness!
Get back here! Hurry!
Your Highness!
Your Highness! Over here!
Your Highness! Come this way!
Your Highness! Over here, Your Highness!
I think it's over, Your Highness.
Are you okay?
Yes.
I'm okay.
Your Highness!
Eunuch Heo.
-Your Highness! -Your Highness!
Come over here! His Highness got injured!
Please get over here!
Your Highness, you must stay awake!
-Your Highness. -Your Highness!
Your Highness!
What did you just say?
They got attacked on their way back, and His Highness got injured...
Call the military commander.
I'm going to bring Prince Dowon back myself.
No, Your Royal Highness.
Your Royal Highness!
You must have completely lost your mind.
How dare you...
How dare you attack a prince?
Even when you made a mess of the Royal Court
and tried to control this country's affairs,
I forgave you thinking that you did everything
out of pure loyalty.
But...
this is how you choose to repay me?
Did you really think
I'd forgive you for what you did?
I just asked you a question! Why aren't you answering me?
Your Majesty.
Prince Dowon
is the first son of the dethroned king.
I don't know why you hid that from me and kept him alive all these years.
But in my opinion,
there's absolutely no reason or need for him to stay alive!
-Second State Councillor! -The Queen Dowager
took Prince Dowon to the dethroned king's grave.
Do you not know what that means?
This is mutiny!
The Queen Dowager, who's leading the remnants of Seoraewon,
has finally shown her true colors!
-What? -The royal family got attacked?
Yes, His Royal Highness just left with the Military Training Corps.
What about Apprentice Goo? What happened to her?
Prince Dowon and a few officers are the only ones who got injured.
But those bandits must've been out of their minds.
How could they attack the royal family? Are they crazy?
Apparently,
-they didn't seem like bandits. -What?
They didn't steal anything.
They just kept shooting arrows at His Highness.
Does that mean they were
-aiming for His Highness from the start? -Yes.
My goodness.
My goodness, Your Highness. Please hang in there.
My goodness gracious. Are you okay?
Are you okay, Your Highness?
I'll take that. You should go inside and help.
The arrowhead...
is blunt.
-Your Royal Highness. -Your Royal Highness.
Is His Highness okay?
Yes, he's taking some rest in his chamber...
-Rim. -Jin.
No, don't get up.
You should be busy ruling the country. What brings you all the way here?
How could I not come here
after what happened to...
What did the doctor say?
Apparently, the arrow wound isn't that deep.
But he injured himself as he fell off his horse.
I'm okay.
I'm sure Her Majesty was a lot more startled.
You should take her back.
No,
I'm going to stay here for a while.
After you fully recover,
I'll find those people who did this to you and punish them severely.
Then we'll go back to the palace together.
-Jin. -I'm not okay with what happened!
Your Highness, this is Goo Hae-ryung.
May I enter?
He's recovering right now. I want you to leave.
There's something I must tell him.
What's this?
Their goal
wasn't to kill you, Your Highness.
What?
These are the arrows that hit you and the other officers.
The arrowheads are short and blunt as if they were purposely made that way.
Some arrows made by civilians
tend to be shoddy like this.
It isn't just the arrows.
I also found something peculiar with the bow.
The bowstring is much too thin,
and it's also very loose.
They did this on purpose
to decrease the speed
and strength of penetration.
Yes, that's right. On top of that,
all the military officers only injured their arms and legs.
Isn't it weird?
They were brave enough to attack the royal family,
but they failed to kill a single person when we weren't even moving,
and they also used blunt arrows and loose bows.
I guess they never intended
to kill anyone.
I agree with you.
This wasn't a raid.
They just made it seem like it.
He's a naive boy who was never interested in political affairs.
Who would do something like this and why?
I can only find one reason.
It's because...
I visited the dethroned king's grave.
My gosh, His Majesty is unbelievable.
I can't believe he accused you of doing something like that.
How could he be suspicious of you when you've been loyal for 20 years?
But I really can't get a grasp of who the mastermind
behind this raid could be.
Prince Dowon is weak and has no political connections.
What could anyone gain from attacking him?
Well...
I think His Majesty could've been the one who schemed this.
I mean, think about it. His Majesty always hated Prince Dowon.
He got angry every time he heard his name.
And he publicly badmouthed him saying he shouldn't have been born
as a member of the royal family.
You do have a point. I guess that's also a possibility
-considering His Majesty's temper. -No.
His Majesty doesn't have the guts or the wisdom to plan something like that.
I guess you're right.
I really don't know what to say.
I made Prince Dowon go through this by bringing him with me.
No.
I should've checked more thoroughly before you left.
I'm sorry.
But...
you should stop visiting the grave of the dethroned king, Grandmother.
You knew?
You come here every year on the same date.
I guessed that it'd be the anniversary of his death.
If you know that, why are you asking me to stop?
Prince Huiyeong is my son.
What's so wrong
about a mother wanting to visit her son's grave once a year?
I remember the dethroned king as a great uncle.
But you can't let your personal feelings get in the way.
More importantly, he was sentenced to death by my father...
for committing high treason.
Your Royal Highness,
do not fool yourself into thinking that you know everything.
Not everything you hear is the truth.
You may leave now.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Highness.
Are you sleeping?
I was waiting for you.
I thought you might come.
Is it okay for you to walk like this?
You're not in your best condition.
I'm okay.
I'm healthy enough to carry you
and run all the way to Hanyang.
I guess...
you couldn't sleep either because of what happened today.
Yes.
I just can't seem to understand.
You've never been interested in political affairs,
and you wouldn't have done anything to be hated by anyone.
So I don't get why this happened to you.
Have you ever been threatened by anyone like today?
Or were you ever
in a dangerous situation?
Yes, once.
It happened when I visited the Royal Investigation Bureau.
That day when I took you to the apothecary?
Yes, it was that night.
Why did you go to the Royal Investigation Bureau?
I was looking for a book called The Story of Ho Dam.
It's become a banned book now, so I can't get it.
But I once saw
the name "Ho Dam" at this royal villa.
"Ho Dam and Yeongan.
This is where the path was made."
It was written on a gravestone.
"Ho Dam and Yeongan."
Did the Chinese characters for the name Yeongan
have the meaning of "jade-green" and "eye"?
How did you know that?
It's the writer of Variolation for Cowpox.
What is this?
This book will tell us how we can save everyone.
VARIOLATION FOR COWPOX BY YEONGAN
They're all connected.
Ho Dam, Yeongan, and that physician who gave me that book.
But I thought she disappeared.
She didn't disappear.
I saw her here last night.
Your Highness, where do I need to go
to see that tombstone?
It's gone.
I went back there,
and it was gone.
Eunuch Heo told me that it was a dream.
A dream?
Rim.
Your Highness.
It wasn't a dream.
Who are you, my lord?
Me?
You can call me Ho Dam.
Here.
The dethroned king.
Prince Huiyeong, Yi Gyeom.
He was Ho Dam?
I was shot by an arrow.
Don't you want to know if I'm okay or not?
Rumor says the Second State Councillor schemed the raid.
Their relationship will soon come to an end.
Who did this?
Your Majesty, you already know who the culprit is.
You're probably upset that Prince Dowon
was not killed by the arrow.
You'd better not forget the promise you made me.
A historian who didn't hand in his daily records?
Have you heard of a historian named Kim Il-mok?
We couldn't find a single trace. How do you think they found this?
I'll help you get on a boat to Qing tomorrow morning.
The daily records from 20 years ago still exist?
The only thing you can do is to make sure you stay alive.