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If you'll excuse me.
You can relax.
I lost the abdication, but I won't lose the seal.
Father, Lady Ki to see you.
What? Lady Ki?
I'll send her away.
Send her in.
Why even bother with her?
How dare you...?
I'm not here to see you.
I want a word with the regent.
You're a bold one.
Walking into the tiger's lair.
How is it a tiger plans like a kitten?
What?
What is your business?
What do you think?
I don't have time for this.
You wouldn't.
Not with your assassin.
And his 'confession.'
I know what he'll say.
That I was the one who sent them.
Out of spite and jealously.
Me and Baghatur Bayan.
Clever girl.
You need examples.
With Bayan and myself gone, you can call the governors together.
And dictate terms.
'Oppose imperial rule at the Kurultai.
'Or you'll get the same.'
Am I mistaken?
So? What are you prepared to do?
Zhuge Liang defeated Sima Yi's 100,000 men with just 2,500 troops.
How did he do it?
Zhuge hid his actual deployment.
Even 100,000 men fear what they do not know.
Nothing, that's what.
There's nothing you can do.
Other than what I say.
'Shifting the blame.'
A cruel tactic indeed.
But I'm afraid you can't shift it onto us.
Oh?
Try it and proof of your culpability will be revealed.
You will be seen as an unfit grandfather.
Your reputation in tatters overnight.
History will record...
Silence.
If you had any proof you wouldn't be here now.
Your lies won't work.
We'll see if I'm lying or not.
I look forward to it.
Well? Did he fall for it?
His eyes were... unsettled.
I think we unnerved him.
That was close.
We still don't know what he'll do.
Quite right.
All we can do is wait.
Going against El Temur with nothing.
Amazing.
You can't fall for her smug routine.
I agree.
And you?
You've known her for years.
Do you think it's all so much posturing?
As for me, I wouldn't listen to her.
One failure is deadlier than a hundred victories.
Why risk the ice when I have a bridge already built?
What? The Empress left the ice palace?
She fainted upon hearing about the Crown Prince.
She was taken to her chambers to recover.
And now?
She regained consciousness.
She's not eating. And refuses to return to the ice palace.
Not eating?
Just so.
She would rather starve.
Be that as it may, if something happens to her...
it will come back on you.
Be THAT as it may,
the law is the law.
After all that roasted food, this is a life saver.
Well?
Your Majesty, you'll starve.
Your Majesty! Try to eat something.
Louder, louder.
I want everyone to hear.
Your Majesty, starving yourself?
Your Majesty!
Her Imperial Majesty.
At your service.
Why haven't you taken her to the ice palace?
She is still indisposed.
She won't take water, much less a tonic.
I'll send for a palanquin.
If you can't walk...
I won't go alone.
You don't really have a choice.
Prepare the mat.
I'll beg the Emperor to let me die.
You used poison and are paying for it.
Have you forgotten?
I have to protect my son from you.
Come again?
No assassin could get in without your help.
Obstinacy won't keep you out of the ice palace.
Obstinacy?
What mother wouldn't walk thru hell to save her boy?
All I see is you trying to use him.
We're different in that regard.
I just want to protect him.
Your Majesty, the assassin is speaking at last.
Who hired him?
The Emperor will be ruling soon enough.
You! What is this?
How dare you?
Explain yourself.
Arrest the governor of Shanxi.
Sir.
Unhand me. What is this?
Unhand me, you...!
Let go. Unhand me!
The assassin named his patron.
What? Patron?
He tried to kill the Crown Prince?
Where are we going?
Scum... unhand me...
Bayan.
Help me.
They think...
Take him away.
Sir.
Bayan. Bayan!
Nicely done.
Your histrionics actually fooled the regent.
Keeping the seal must be such a burden.
What can I say?
The Emperor isn't up to the task.
He's a new man.
As you may see at the Kurultai.
Oh yes, I was scared.
Scared of the woman, who turned the Emperor like this.
I almost had a heart attack.
Stop manipulating him.
A consort's a consort.
Remember your place or suffer the consequences.
A vassal's a vassal.
Yet there are those that attack their own country.
Bayan.
You can thank Lady Ki here for your life.
The sun is shining now.
But storm clouds are gathering.
Such a lovely day.
Isn't it just?
May I help you?
What are you...?
What did I do?
Lady Oh, Lady Pu.
Explain yourself.
The Inner Court is a creepy place.
Attacking the Crown Prince?
Hardly a risk worth taking.
I wouldn't recommend it to any of you.
Halt.
Water.
Confess.
Name your accomplices.
It wasn't me.
It wasn't?
Listen, you know how we used to kill scum like you?
In the fire.
Boiled alive in oil.
How does that sound?
Spare me.
Now spit it out.
Which of those governors was working with you?
His Imperial Majesty.
I sent a note for you to stay away.
Stop this at once.
Stop? They tried to kill the Crown Prince.
We need a thorough investigation.
You can't take the word of an assassin.
I am investigating.
One of the other governors was involved.
And he'll tell me who, understood?
Boil the oil.
Yes, sir.
Get the pot.
Sir.
My Liege, I'm innocent.
I would never, My Liege.
Save us.
It was me.
I... I tried to kill the prince.
My Lige.
They did nothing wrong.
Boil me in oil if you must.
My Liege.
Did Lady Ki put you up to this?
To win over the governors, is that it?
Wake up.
He's your son.
How can you rule if you can't distinguish right from wrong?
I weep for this nation.
You'll never get the seal.
Understand?
Tomorrow is the Kurultai.
It isn't up to you.
The decision must be unanimous.
Yes, it must.
Quite so, My Liege.
Release him.
If I do?
What's in it for me?
This isn't personal.
We all know he wasn't involved.
It isn't right to kill him.
Get it.
Sir.
What's this then?
My answer is inside.
I have nine more boxes.
One for each of your heads.
But don't think I only have nine ways to dispatch my enemies.
I have hundreds.
This is just the simplest.
As a lesson to you.
You know the biggest fool in battle?
The one that struts and brays.
I wanted you to see what that gets you.
Duty? Loyalty?
You see what it got him?
Death comes in an instant.
Remember that.
Take your place.
Now to business.
- Begin. - Sir.
First.
I have something to say.
I must beg forgiveness of all of you.
I realize I'm not much of an emperor.
A fool, a weakling, a coward.
I only cared for myself.
Your thoughts, the concerns of our people...
none of it meant anything to me.
My Liege.
But my days of being worthless are over.
I won't shiver and run from El Temur.
So I dare to ask for your loyalty.
Give me a chance and you will not regret it.
Just this once.
Trust me.
Begin.
Kurultai tradition requires a unanimous vote.
All those who wish full imperial rule...
step forward.
Bayan of Liaoyang.
I stand for my Emperor.
Anyone else?
Well?
Failure.
Bayan excepted, no one stood for the Emperor.
So this is it?
This is as far as we can go against El Temur?
Do you understand now?
I will handle things from here.
You needn't bother yourself.
Come on.
Allow me to thank you.
Thank me? Have you lost your senses?
We failed you. Forgive us.
Forgive us.
Thanks to you, he is truly their emperor now.
Do you imagine he can bear the weight?
No lioness willingly sacrifices her own cubs.
Your cruelty has made him that much stronger.
You're from Koryo, is that right?
You've come to my attention.
You know what that means?
It won't be long...
till you do.
You should retire to your quarters.
I'm right back where I started.
Back?
Not at all.
None of it mattered.
A title, that's it.
Those who have people have the world.
The seal cost El Temur people.
You gained nine governors.
This is your victory.
Like a tree buried in the frost...
you have been reborn as a new ruler.
Now is not the time for brooding.
I can do it... if I have you.
Thank you, Nyang.
Her Imperial Majesty.
Congratulations on your safe return.
Congratulations.
Congratulations?
You lied without blinking an eye.
You think I don't know you hoped I would freeze to death?
A smile?
Would you prefer I cried?
You're adding oil to the fire.
Dokman.
Your Majesty.
We will receive their obeisance today.
Your Majesty.
I'm back. With a vengeance.
Obeisance? On whose orders?
The Empress wishes to clear the air.
Barely back...
and already up to her old tricks?
Lady Ki.
Your Majesty.
You will run the ceremony.
How could I...?
I hold the Empress's authority.
I grant it to you temporarily.
At your service.
Dokman.
Inform the consorts that I have given Lady Ki full authority.
Your Majesty.
You are empress for the ceremony.
Make it clear that Tanasiri's authority is so much air.
Your Majesty.
In a few weeks we have the largest hunting competition in the nation.
Do you know why that is?
As a prayer for prosperity and a good harvest.
As an offering to the heavens.
Well said.
The court will attend, as will the Inner Court.
Be ready.
Yes, Your Grace.
What is all this?
What was that again?
We're holding the ceremony.
You dare pose as the empress?
You truly are insane.
Strip her. On her knees.
Are you deaf?
Make her kneel.
Didn't you hear her?
Are you disobeying me?
All of you.
Turn around.
What are you doing?
Look at me.
Dokman.
Now explain all of this.
The Empress Dowager...
The authority you lost...
has been granted to me.
Now if you'll excuse us?
I will not.
Why should I?
Turn back around.
Leave or I will have you removed.
Must it go that far?
Don't let it worry you. Once you're restored to...
Your Majesty.
Are you all right?
Oh, yes. I'm fine.
She'll pay for this.
In the worst way.
Attend the hunt.
Must I participate?
It's a good opportunity.
I plan on bagging something big.
I've got a few tigers in my time.
There are tigers and there are tigers.
I want the big one.
The biggest anyone has ever seen.
The big one?
Does such a tiger exist?
A tiger is one thing.
A nine-tailed fox is another.
A nine-tailed fox? That's a new one.
On the final day,
the Emperor and Lady Ki die.
Sir. A coup...?
Watch it. What coup?
It's just a hunt.
Our prey is the Emperor and Lady Ki.
Pull this off and you'll be promoted to the first rank under the new regime.
You know what that means?
You can have any title you want.
Even chancellor if you like.
Chancellor?
Yom Byongu, Chancellor of the Yuan?
Privy council or wait.. wait...
Governor of my own province.
What?
Say something why don'tcha?
Why? Where you up to something?
Has the Empress said anything?
About what?
At the hunt...
Watch your mouth.
They gave it to me.
Huh?
I'm to kill the Emperor and Lady Ki.
I didn't hear that.
Not a word.
If all goes well I'll be a man of rank and position.
Then I plan on marrying you.
Well? What do you think?
I'm a palace servant...
Anything is possible with a new emperor.
We'll make our own fate.
A letter from Eagle House to El Temur.
What is it?
Eagle House is requesting funds.
Eagle House is rich.
Does that mean El Temur has more than them?
Who comes begging, the haves or have-nots?
One thing is certain.
Even if we cut off the funds, El Temur won't fall.
We were doomed from the start.
We should quit.
Just like that, huh?
I know when I'm licked.
Only a fool fights for nothing.
Take it.
Attack.
Your wooden sword doesn't stand a chance.
Attack in earnest or I'll kill you.
Are you so eager to die?
Doomed from the start?
Don't be afraid.
Whatever the road... forge ahead.
Is that what you do?
Why?
The moment I quit I betray my country.
You will betray your tribe.
And loneliness, weariness.
I owe it to those who follow me.
My Liege.
It's time to go.
One minute.
Hunt or not, you're still my consort.
You have to look the part.
There we go.
You have a plan to kill her?
Relax.
She'll be gone when the time is right with no one the wiser.
I dreamed she was choking me again last night.
I won't have her live to skewer me...
My Liege, the outfit suits you.
You're attending?
It's only fitting that the true empress attend such an event.
Hunting is dangerous. If something happened...
You seem to have forgotten my clan.
I come from generations of warriors, my father included.
One thing I know, none of your consorts...
has my kind of skill.
Mark the hunt.
- Move it. - Sir.
The winner moves up a rank and gets 10,000 in gold.
It's as good as ours.
Sire, show them what you've got.
Wang Yu.
Here's comes a nasty piece of work.
She'll hear.
I was looking for you. I trust your trip to Koryo went well?
Thanks to you.
Congratulations on your marriage.
Thank you.
It's been too long.
Perhaps a drink?
What was that about?
Probably trouble at home.
Sire.
Have you been well?
Long time.
Commander.
Commander? Look at him.
He's a eunuch now.
You look ten years younger without the beard.
You would look twenty.
Well?
Want to try?
Pass. I'll pass.
His Imperial Majesty.
Let the hunt begin.
A pheasant. Shoot.
A hit.
Well done.
A hit.
We haven't raced in a while.
First one to the tree wins.
What stakes?
The loser grants the winner a wish?
Not if you cheat like you did on Daechong.
Pssh. I never cheated.
My Liege.
A deer.
My Liege, not that way.
Well? Follow him.
My Liege!
Three of you caught this one rabbit?
Don't worry, we'll get more tomorrow.
Their ladyships...
...one...little bunny...
Must be a slow day.
Must be.
Make way.
Make way there.
Here we go.
Well, get to writing.
Wang Yu. One huge boar.
Wang Yu...one boar...
Wang Yu acted funny.
Not at all like he used to.
How so?
How else? He threw himself at me.
I didn't want to tell you this.
He and Lady Ki were involved.
What?
I heard it from Captain Yom and General Tangqishi.
Never.
She was probably chasing him.
Wait. A consort and a foreigner?
It was a while ago.
Some things never change.
We'll know when we see them together.
That's so wrong... Really?
The Emperor should see.
Send for Lady Ki.
Tell Wang Yu the Emperor wants him.
Your Majesty.
This is a party. Yet you're so quiet.
Not at all.
Here. A drink.
A drink.
Now. Shall we?
Why don't you drink?
Scared what you'll say?
Scared?
If you get drunk, I mean.
You look like you're hiding something.
You and Wang Yu are old friends.
You can relax.
Isn't that so?
Not everyone likes to drink like you.
I have nothing to hide.
As you please.
Scheming little tramp.
Another drink?
Lady Ki.
You can hold your wine.
Another?
Another? Always.
Tomorrow the Emperor will be in Yukbong Valley near the dragon stone.
Go there tonight.
Then they die...
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow during the hunt...
Lady Ki and the Emperor die.
Over there.
Where are they off to at this hour?
Good question. The hills are that way.
Let's follow them.
Right.
That's enough. You're drunk.
Talking out the side of your mouth again.
When it's her you're really worried about.
Oh, Wang Yu.
I got a letter from your wife.
Apparently you've got a little bit of fluff?
Enough.
Lady Ki should know.
You two were so close after all.
Go on then.
Who is this girl anyway?
She died.
Died?
You have your answer.
Excuse me.
Wait. I'll do it.
I can make it alone.
You're drunk.
Lean on me.
Well now. I know that look.
You're still talking about Wang Yu?
What's she got that I don't?
Nothing at all.
Eyes, nose, lips.
Elbows, even. She doesn't compare.
Then why?
Why do the Emperor and Wang Yu obsess on her so?
Why not on me?
It's not your fault.
Men are blind, that's what.
Wang Yu has made a fool of me.
Those looks weren't for me at all.
Your Majesty.
I can't forgive him.
What's he take me for?
Now I want him dead.
Even more than Lady Ki.
Feeling better?
Yes.
Ignore the Empress.
It was the wine talking.
If you will excuse me.
Sleep here tonight.
How long will you leave me lonely?
My Liege.
How long will you push me away?
I want you.
[Subtitles provided by MBC]
[Next on Empress Ki]
Father's orders. The Emperor and Lady Ki must die.
I want you.
Those two have hurt you for the last time.
They're ready to kill her?
Where is she?
That way.
They're hunting Sungnyang.
You want me dead?
You didn't know the price of being the Emperor's favorite.