Your Highness! Your Highness!
Your Highness! Bad news...! What shall we do...?
Episode 6
- That is... - That is Eunuch Han.
He did not come to the designated meeting place and I hoped that he would be unharmed.
I did not know he was killed...
Did they do this?
Is this also their work?
- I must see the body. - Your Highness!
I will go to the Bureau of Intelligence, and find out how he died and who killed him!
- No, Your Highness! - Move aside!
No, Your Highness! You must not come forth.
- Move aside! - Your Highness!
What will be found if you search the body?
They will not have left any evidence on him.
Then what will you do?
If you go to the Bureau of Intelligence, then the whole palace will know. What will you do then?
You know better than anyone that they will once again accuse you of being insane!
They will use that against you yet again!
It doesn't matter what they say.
We were so close to catching them!
I have to find out. I have to find out whose work this is!
Your Highness!
Official Nam!
You must be still, Your Highness! You must do nothing now!
Please do not forgive me for my impertinence, Your Highness!
Please do not forgive me for my disloyalty in not being able to advise you otherwise, Your Highness!
But... you must not give them what they want.
You must gather your emotions and bear it for a while longer, Your Highness!
Does Official Han have any relatives?
Yes. He has a wife and a mother.
Take care of them.
And don't ever talk of disloyalty to me again.
It was your loyalty that has saved my life repeatedly all these years.
Your... Your Highness...!
Please wait a moment, Your Highness!
- What is this? - This belonged to Official Han!
This was drawn by that child.
Look, it was drawn on wastepaper and leftover ink.
Please have mercy, My Lord! She would never steal from the Bureau!
We'll confirm that once we go through the inventory.
My Lord!
Please have mercy, My Lord!
My Lord!
Where is the ink? We are missing two bottles!
We will recount it.
- Song Yeon! - My Lord!
- Come out! - What?
- Come out now! - Where are we going?
- Let's go! - My Lord!
- What? Escape? - Yes, climb up on my back and go over the wall!
- But... - They're checking the inventory! You're in trouble!
But I didn't take anything!
Of course I know that! But many people come and go in this place.
If something is missing, you'll be made scapegoat!
Last time, a Royal Artist was made the scapegoat. If he can be treated that way, more so if you're a Damo!
You could be beaten to death!
The best thing to do in this situation is run!
- But... but My lord... - Hurry!
- Is she in the shed? - Yes, My Lord.
My Lord!
Where is she? Where is that wench?
Didn't you see her?
Have you seen Sung Song Yeon?
Has anyone seen Sung Song Yeon?
Anyone seen Sung Song Yeon?
- You wench! What are you doing here? - My Lord!
How did you come out...?
Were you trying to escape?
- No, that wasn't it... - You wretched girl! You were trying to run away!
I will make sure you are punished!
- Take her away and prepare for a beating! - Yes, My Lord!
My Lord! No! I wasn't trying to run away!
This is Official Han's calligraphy.
~ Reads Chinese Characters ~
One who wears black must avoid the water.
What... what does it mean?
It is a code. There is no obvious meaning, but upon closer inspection, you find a secret meaning.
He left a code, which means that he was trying to tell us something in secret.
Wait!
This...!
Look at this.
The reason why you should avoid the water when you wear black is...
When the black clothes touch water,
the color goes away.
Now do you see what is left?
That's the character for "clear".
That's right. This is what Official Han risked his life to tell us.
It is the character "Qing" for Qing China. There is trouble with something related to China.
What do you mean, Your Highness? If it's something to do with China, then...
Does it mean there's a plot related to the Ambassador's visit?
A code... A secret message from Official Han regarding the Ambassadors of Qing China..
What could this be alluding to?
Bring those in here. And where are the rest of the workers!
I said no!
- No? - Yes, no! I won't fight again.
Do you know what the job is? It's not the money! If we do this, a government official will be supporting us!
I don't care if he's going to support us. I never wanted to be in your gang anyway.
You...! So what if you quit? What will you do?
- I'm going to take the Military Service Examination. - What? The Military Service Examination?
You're going to become a military officer? You?
That... That's right! So don't come looking for me again.
- Is it because of that girl you live with? - What?
Did she say that she'd take off her clothes for your red seal? (Red Seal - A seal given to those in military service)
What did you just say?
This is 50 yang.
With your brain, do you think passing the exam will be easy?
You should first make her your woman!
Take this and buy her a nice bridal headpiece!
We need you with us. Just go with us just this once, alright?
That's right. Just this once and I'll end it.
You wretch, Park Dae Su! Where were you all this time?
- Why are you nagging at me again? - We have trouble, you fool!
- Song Yeon is in trouble! - What?
I went to the Bureau to deliver paper and heard that she is being made a scapegoat and will be dismissed!
My Lord, please do something!
I didn't steal anything from the Bureau, and I wasn't trying to run away!
Be quiet, you wench! Who told you could speak?
We didn't find anything missing in the inventory, so I was going to just dismiss you.
But you tried to run away. Thus you must be guilty!
As her crimes are such, she will be beaten 30 times and dismissed from the Bureau.
Let it be so.
- Beat her 30 times! - Yes, My Lord!
If she is beaten 30 times, she can die! Nothing was missing, so please show mercy...
This is not your place to speak. Go on and beat her!
- Yes sir! - Please forgive me, My Lord! Please forgive me!
- Please forgive me this once! - What is going on here?
The Bureau is a place of art. Why are you beating someone here?
- Forgive us, Your Lordship. This girl was found guilty... - Tak Sa Yong!
I heard that you conducted the inventory check. What did you find missing?
I... Well, there was nothing significant that was missing...
What are you talking about? Nothing is missing, but you are beating her?
I permitted it, My Lord.
She did not steal anything, but she was impertinent enough to draw in the Bureau.
This is to set things right in the Bureau. Please ignore this and let it continue.
I cannot approve this. Release her.
- But I have already permitted... - You are not responsible for the Bureau. I am!
But a Damo has broken the law and painted a picture! How can we let this go...?
- Where is this law written? - What?
Tell me. Where is it written that a Damo cannot hold a brush?
I have never heard that a Damo cannot scribble on wastepaper.
Bring me the law that says she cannot do so. Only then will I allow you to continue.
- What are you standing there? Release her! - Yes, My Lord!
Are you alright?
Song Yeon, are you alright?
Thank you! Thank you, My Lord!
This painting was on my desk. Is this what the Damo drew?
Yes.
It looks like she has seen a painting of His Highness before.
What?
Please do not worry. I will make sure this does not happen again.
How many Damo are supposed to escort the Royal Artists into the palace?
Damo? It should be four.
But why do you ask?
Thank you, My Lord! Thank you!
If I think about how I worried about you...! You are so lucky Heaven helped you!
I'm sorry for worrying you.
- If you're done, go and do the laundry. - Alright.
Song Yeon! Song Yeon!
- My Lord! - Big news! Big news!
My Lord!
- Big news? What is it? - He's going to take you!
Minister Park is taking you to the palace!
What do you mean?
He's taking me to the palace? Does that mean he's making me an attendant?
That's right! He's making you an attendant Damo.
I don't really understand it either.
Song Yeon!
Don't follow me!
Who are you?
I have some business here. So move aside when I say it nicely!
Go away before I call the guards!
Dae Su, you shouldn't antagonize these good people.
Go away, Uncle! Alright then, spear me in the chest and then move aside!
I'm here to take Song Yeon away from here, so move aside, you bastard!
- Dae Su! - Song Yeon!
- Uncle! - Song Yeon!
Song Yeon, are you alright? Did they harm you?
Dae Su, they're taking me into the palace. Uncle, I'm going to the palace!
P... palace? What do you mean?
I've been selected as an Attendant Damo! That's why I'm going to the palace, Dae Su!
You must be so happy!
I can't believe I'm an Attendant Damo.
Even girls who've been Damo for 10 years don't get this opportunity, but I did!
You're so simple. Did you forget how close you came to being beaten 30 strokes?
I'm so happy I completely forgot!
In any case, you should only paint at home. I'll get the brush and ink for you.
- You're crazy. They're expensive! - Don't worry! I'll get the deer tail brush for you.
Do you... do you think you'll be able to meet His Highness?
It would be good if you did.
Yes. Even if I saw him from afar...
If... if I saw him, do you think he would recognize me?
Do you think he'll still remember us from 9 years ago?
Well, even if he doesn't recognize me, I would still like to see him. Don't you agree?
Don't be upset if the prince doesn't recognize you. It's your fault that you grew up so ugly.
- What? - Don't you know? You look completely different now.
You were cute back then.
Hey! You want to die?
Look at you! You're so rough!
That hurts!
I can't believe she's an Attendant Damo!
- Are you going to let stay one? - Don't worry. I have a plan.
The Ambassador will be arriving tomorrow, Your Highness.
It is still not too late.
You can change the event to another day, and change the people involved.
We don't know who amongst them will be conspiring against you!
No, I won't do that.
Your Highness!
The people chosen to participate in this event are those who are experienced in Chinese customs.
We cannot hold the meeting without them.
We lost valuable trade with China because of the friction with them last year.
The people of our nation suffered because of it.
Even though I am not unwanted, I am still the Crown Prince of this nation.
I cannot risk their livelihoods for my own life.
- But Your Highness...! - There must be another way.
There must be another way.
What do you mean, Your Highness?
You wish to change the entire schedule for the Ambassador's events?
It is as I said.
I want you to change schedule of all the events surrounding the Ambassador's arrival.
We have stayed with the same format for each Ambassador's visit.
This time around, we will begin the visit with a feast.
For the state visits, we will change the venues so that they can see new places.
But Your Highness, the Ambassador will be here tomorrow.
If we move up the date of the feast, it will be difficult...
The biggest issue with moving up the date of the feast would be in the kitchens.
I have already confirmed with the Royal Kitchens that it will not be a problem.
And I wish to change the location of the meeting to a place they have never seen before.
Where are you thinking of, Your Highness?
I will inform you shortly.
Now let us look at the schedule again.
Not only that...
He has also changed the storage of the tributary gifts to So Gang instead of Yanghwajin.
He has also changed the quarters of the Ambassador.
He has most definitely suspected something.
He is not one to be taken lightly indeed. How could he have known with just Eunuchs helping him?
Isn't he a clever boy?
If this continues, he will also change the guards and it will make our plan more difficult, Your Highness.
I think we should cancel this plan for now...
- Will you have some more tea? - Your Highness!
Why do you think that the prince is causing such a commotion?
It is because he doesn't know anything.
He is trying to change everything because he is uncertain.
So don't worry, Your Lordship.
You must learn to enjoy the wind, whether they be a light breeze or a typhoon.
I hear that you have caused the ministers much annoyance.
I thought I was the only one good at that, but it looks like you have the talent too!
Forgive me, Your Majesty.
You say you're not crazy, so I assume all this was not to merely cause annoyance to the Ministers.
Do you know what you are doing?
Yes, I know quite well.
- But if you think my thoughts are wrong... - No, I did not say that.
Even if I did disagree, I am not going to say anything.
I gave you the responsibility over the Ambassador's visit.
It is up to you whether you make it a success or a failure.
But know this.
If the visit is a failure despite all this commotion you have caused, they will blame you for everything.
You will have to accept the consequences of your decisions.
Where are the ink pigments?
They have everything here!
Oh, it's a shark ruler.
And they have a pumpkin ruler too!
Oh my, they have a Chinese ink tablet!
So these are deer tail brushes...
So these precious brushes really do exist!
Are you still looking for the pigments? I thought you ran away!
I'm looking for them. I didn't know where anything is...
Hurry and bring them out! The feast has been moved up to tomorrow.
What? The feast has been moved up?
If the feast is tomorrow, then when do we leave? Isn't it supposed to be four days later?
If the feast is tomorrow, then we'll leave the next day as there would be nothing else for us to do.
I was hoping to tour the palace this time around!
- Sae Mo... - What?
Where are we supposed to be during the feast?
Can we... can we see the prince from where we are?
The Royal Artists have to draw everything, so they will go where the prince is as well.
But why do you ask?
No, it's nothing.
- Did you find the pigments? - Yes.
- Separate out some red pigments. You can do it, right? - Yes, of course.
- Where is the Ambassador now? - He will have reached the Peony Pavilion by now.
Let us go.
You have travelled far and must be weary.
Were you in any discomfort due to the change in schedule?
No. I was enjoying the scenery of the new route and did not expect to reach the capital so soon!
I know that you enjoy travel and hoped that you would enjoy the new route.
How did you know that I enjoy travel, Your Highness?
I have read your memoirs of your travels.
I felt like I was physically there myself from your descriptions of some of the locations.
You read my book, Your Highness!
Yes, I enjoyed it immensely.
I have many things to ask you. Will it be fine with you to proceed to the feast?
- It shall be my honor, Your Highness! - Let us go.
Song Yeon, you must hurry. It is almost time.
- Yes, My Lord. - Let's go.
The Royal Artists have to draw everything, so they will go where the prince is as well.
Song Yeon! Sung Song Yeon!
- Did you call me? - What did you do to the pigments?
Why? Is there a problem?
- What... I don't understand... - This isn't red, this is brick!
This color cannot be used in royal paintings, don't you know that?
I'm certain I made red pigment! I'm sure of it!
You were the only one who touched the red pigment. If it wasn't you, then who was it?
What should we do? We need a red pigment!
- Go and make it again. - What? But the feast will begin soon...
That's right! The feast will begin soon, so go and make some red pigment now!
Do you intend the painting of the feast to be sacrificed because of you?
What shall I do?
Sung Song Yeon, you stupid girl!
You have the red pigment, right? Stupid girl, how dare you join us in the palace?
Let's go.
Once the feast begins, no one can come in or leave the grounds.
Make sure you check that you have enough of all materials.
Yes, My Lord.
I don't see Song Yeon.
Where is Song Yeon? Have you seen her anywhere?
She was complaining of stomach pains, so I told her to rest.
Stomach pains? That's strange. She was fine a moment ago.
Song Yeon is not joining you? Will you be alright without her?
Of course, My Lord. The four of us will be sufficient to handle everything.
- Is that so? - Since we are ready, let us leave.
Oh no! It must have started already!
Have the Royal Artists already left for the feast?
- Yes, they just left. - What about the pigments? I have the red here.
I don't know. There was no mention of missing pigment.
They took everything with them.
Wait! Then where should I go? If I go to the feast grounds...
Feast grounds? No one can enter anymore.
- What? - Once the feast begins, no one can enter.
Didn't you know that?
I am a Damo from the Royal Bureau. Please let me in as I have to deliver this urgently.
I cannot do so. Go away!
Please let me in. I have to be in there! Please!
- Take her away! - Yes sir!
Sir! Please! Sir!
Your Highness...
This may have been my only chance.
I may never have a chance to enter the palace again.
Oh, here it is!
This is mule hair.
This is deer hair and this is Wee Dam Bong hair.
- Wee Dam Bong hair? - Cow's ear hair.
What? Cow's ear hair? That's filthy!
They make brushes with such strange things!
Are you really going to buy them? Do you know how expensive they are?
Don't worry, I have money. How much for these?
Fifteen yang.
Have you gone mad?
- Are you that happy? - Yes, when Song Yeon sees these, she'll faint!
You stupid boy. If you have money, you should save it for your wedding.
- Song Yeon would prefer these. - What?
- You know she's not interested in marrying me. - Are you an Eunuch?
- What? - You're a man! Be tough and firm...!
You're giving us more?
Thank you!
What's wrong with you, Uncle? You should have grabbed her by the waist and...
I'm an Eunuch.
Hey, Park Dae Su!
Glad I saw you. Do you have time tonight?
- Tonight? - Yes.
What is this? You told me three days later!
- Plans have changed. - Are you saying we have to get on that boat?
- Yes, we're getting on that boat. - What? Are you crazy?
- That's a government boat! With guards! - Don't worry!
- They'll get out of our way. - What?
Let's go.
Careful!
Be careful with those things!
Wait, I can't do this. This is government property!
Nothing will happen to us, so don't worry.
- How? - I told you we have a supporter!
- I still can't. I'll give you back the money... - You...!
- Think of your girl and your uncle's lives. - What?
You've already seen everything.
If you leave now, do you think that our supporters will leave you alone?
What did you say?
Hurry up!
Nothing suspicious has happened thus far.
The Ambassadors have retired without any commotion.
Do you think they gave up their plot once you rearranged the schedule?
Perhaps, but we cannot let our guard down yet.
- Yes, I will keep close watch... - Wait!
- It's me, Your Highness. - You...?
You caused us so much worry because of your mistake today!
Yes. Please forgive me.
Chobi was kind enough to say that you were ill, so you should be grateful.
If she had told them the truth, you would have been dismissed immediately.
Yes. Thank you.
If you really are grateful... Wash all of these brushes.
And we'll be leaving the palace for Tae Pyung Bang tomorrow, so make sure you clean up.
Alright.
- I can go alone, you know? - So you can get lost?
I'm sorry for causing you trouble.
But we have an exam tomorrow, and it is said that if you drink the well water, you will pass.
What is your name? I have met you twice, but I have yet to know your name.
It is Song Hee, Your Highness. Nam Song Hee.
- Song Hee? - Yes, Your Highness.
Song Hee...
- You have a similar name to my friend. - You have a friend?
Of course! I have friends like you too.
What is your friend's name?
Her name is Song Yeon. Sung Song Yeon.
She was a palace girl like you too.
Is she a court lady now then? Where is she working at? The Kitchens?
- No. - Then the warehouses?
- No. - Where is she then? Please tell me!
I don't know either.
I don't know where she lives or what she is doing.
But I miss her very much.
I don't even know if I will ever see her again.
Here we are. That's the well over there.
- Here, go ahead and drink. - Yes, Your Highness.
What do you mean?
The tributes stored at So Gang have disappeared?
What has happened? How can the tributes be stolen?
How can such a thing happen? Minister Han, you were in charge of security!
Forgive me, Your Highness, but this is not the fault of Minister Han.
The port of So Gang, unlike Yanghwajin, is frequented by many merchant ships.
It is difficult to ensure proper security measures.
If you had not moved the tributes to So Gang, this would never have happened.
Are you saying that this is all my fault?
I dare not imply so, Your Highness!
That is not the important issue, Your Highness.
We were scheduled to give the tributes tomorrow. They will want to view them.
This year's tributary gifts are priceless treasures of our nation.
If they know these have disappeared, they will not let it go unnoticed.
You can do it, Sung Song Yeon!
- Go to So Gang and find out what happened last night. - Yes, Your Highness.
I should have known that the cloth Official Han wrote the message on, meant something as well.
I did not realize that the characters also mean port.
This is what they were planning to do.
They were planning to steal the tributes.
What will you do during the meeting?
- I will hold a celebration and delay them. - Celebration?
That's right. The Ambassador Wang Yu is a man who appreciates art.
I will summon the Royal Artists and bid them to create paintings for the Ambassador.
We must first make him happy.
- Who is responsible for the Bureau of Painting? - I am.
- His Highness, the prince would like to speak with you. - The prince?
- My Lord! - Where are the other Damo?
Why are you here alone? Have the other girls left the palace?
- Yes, My Lord. - What shall I do?
Have you ever assisted in a landscape painting?
No, but I assisted in a portrait.
A portrait...
Prepare the materials and come with me.
- What? - We have little time. You must hurry.
To paint a mountain, one must have six pigments. What are they?
Yes, they are black, white, yellow, brown, green and blue.
If the black and white pigments are not pure, the brightness of the painting will disappear.
If the yellow and blue are not clear, the painting will not be precise.
While I am painting, you must ensure that the pigments remain pure.
Can you do this?
I asked if you can do it?
- I will try my best, My Lord. - We will be going to a venue to national importance.
I don't know what it is about, but I have to draw my finest painting. You cannot make any mistakes.
- Do you understand? - Yes.
Let's go.
You've come.
Your Highness, Minister Park of the Bureau of Painting has arrived.
Your Highness...
- Come with me. - Yes.
- What are you doing? - What? Yes.
- You've come. - Yes. You asked for me, Your Highness?
You've heard what this meeting is about.
Your brush is the fulcrum of this meeting.
- Please do your best. - Yes, Your Highness.
- Who is this girl? - She will be my attendant Damo.
Your Highness, the Ambassador is here.
- Make sure there are no mistakes. - Yes, Your Highness.
Go and get things ready.
- Where is your focus! - F... forgive me, My Lord.
There can be no mistake. Can you do this?
- What? - You heard what the prince said.
I cannot allow you to ruin this meeting. If you are unsure, you may go back.
No, My Lord. I can do it.
I'll do my best.
Yes, thank you.
Please, help yourself.
Good. Maintain this color.
Yes, My Lord.
How is it? Does it meet your approval?
I have never seen mountains so green or skies so blue, Your Highness!
They say that there are five wonders in Chosun, and it must be true!
- Did you say five wonders? - Yes, the scenery and the paintings...
Music and food...
And finally, women too!
You must have liked that girl, Your Excellency!
Since you are in Chosun, you must acquaint yourself with all five wonders.
I will send this girl to your quarters tonight!
Take the girl and prepare her for tonight.
Please, please help yourself.
My Lord!
Your Excellency, this child is a Damo at the Bureau. She is not a courtesan.
How dare you open your mouth at a place like this?
Your Excellency, call for courtesans. This child is...
Be quiet! What is the difference between a Damo and a courtesan?
- Do you know where you are? - Dismiss this man immediately!
Let us forget it. I feel like I am an unwanted guest.
- I will bid farewell. - No, Your Excellency.
How can you let a lowly artist ruin your mood?
- Take that girl away! - Yes, Your Excellency.
- I... I... My Lord! - Wait a moment.
Release her.