Episode 9
What? You transferred the prisoners according to my orders?
I never gave such orders! I ordered you to send them to the Interrogation Office!
But the decree had your imperial seal on it...
How... how could this be?
This is my imperial seal and calligraphy!
His Majesty approaches!
- Your Majesty! - Why is it so quiet here?
What is happening with the interrogation?
Where are all the criminals?
Have they not yet arrived from the Police Bureau?
That...
The criminals have disappeared.
What did you just say? The criminals have disappeared?
The Police Bureau received a strange decree and transferred the criminals to the State Tribunal.
A strange decree? What do you mean by that?
Are you telling me that you did not confirm the origin of the decree!
Please kill me, Your Majesty!
I saw the calligraphy and seal of the decree and did not suspect anything!
Show me the decree.
Is this truly not a decree you gave?
Yes, Your Majesty!
This looks like your calligraphy and your seal!
It was faked! This is not mine!
Who has trespassed in my quarters and taken my Imperial Seal?
Who has falsified my seal and made a false decree!
- Your Highness! - Your Highness!
Who is it? Which one of you trespassed here and took my Imperial Seal?
How can you say that, Your Highness! How can any of us dare!
- We are innocent, Your Highness! - We are innocent, Your Highness!
Get out.
- We are innocent, Your Highness! - I said get out!
A prince...?
I call myself a prince?
Your Highness!
- What has happened? - Things are not good.
The prince is saying that he never sent such a decree.
But as the decree looks unmistakable, the ministers will not let this slide by easily.
Your Highness!
I heard you returned to the Palace. I was about to pay you a visit.
Please forgive me for meeting you here like this.
Not at all.
You are looking well.
I was playing a game. Would you like to join me?
No, but I will join you next time. I am on my way to see the Crown Princess.
Is that so? Then I will see you next time.
Perhaps you will join me in a more exciting game.
The Palace is in an uproar! She must have heard it, so how can she be so...!
Be quiet. She is not interested in palace politics.
- But...! - Let's go.
- Has she left? - Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness, the princess begs your audience.
Mother, have you heard about what happened at the Police Bureau?
Princess...
I have been hearing such terrible things that I could not stay in my quarters.
Mother! What is going on?
Please calm yourself, Princess.
His uncles, the Left Minister and the Minister of Justice have entered the Palace.
The two of them will think of something.
The prince claims that it was a forgery, but it doesn't make sense.
All of us have seen the decree.
The decree was exactly the same as the other decrees previously given by the prince.
You go too far! Are you suggesting the prince is lying?
Why would the prince do such a thing!
But isn't this all suspicious?
The prince has claimed that these prisoners are connected to government ministers!
These prisoners were on their way to be interrogated,
but a decree from the prince transferred them elsewhere!
A decree from the prince? He says it is fake!
How can you prove it is a fake? We have only the prince's word!
Your Majesty, someone is trying to plot against the prince!
Please reveal that the decree was forged and prove the prince's innocence!
Please hand this case to the Ministry of Justice and reveal the true culprit!
We cannot do that! The Ministry of Justice is headed by Minister Hong In Han.
It is not appropriate for him to handle this as he is the prince's uncle and the Left Minister's brother!
The prince has said that this case involves government ministers.
How can we trust anyone here to handle it?
No, Minister Hong must not handle this case!
No, we cannot allow Minister Hong to handle this!
But we have no choice but to let him handle it!
Your Majesty, the prince is here.
The Police Bureau has sent a message.
They have found the bodies of the criminals and the guards.
You are not surprised.
Why is that? Is it because it is your doing?
No, Your Majesty.
I fully expected those who forged my decree and moved the prisoners to kill them.
You expected it? There is chaos here and this is all you have?
Do you have anything else to prove your innocence?
- Are you coming from the Cabinet? - Yes, Your Highness.
You must be tired. They must be shouting at the king to hear their plea.
Not at all, Your Highness.
- Summon the Minister of Justice Hong In Han. - Yes, Your Majesty.
How pathetic the Left Minister is!
The only way he could save the prince was to give the case to the Minister of Justice?
He is too old. It is time for him to get off his horse.
The Minister of Justice knows what he has to do?
Yes, he knows well that the prince will never ascend to the throne.
He will make an intelligent decision based on his own ambition and family honor.
- Of course he will. - There is one thing that troubles me.
Why has the king ordered the Minister of Justice to handle this?
This I cannot understand.
What do you mean?
His Majesty would never give something as critical as this to someone who would be biased.
I cannot figure out what he is thinking.
So what if he's thinking something?
He is one of our supporters. Isn't it clear that everything is going our way?
Do not worry needlessly. Victory is ours.
There is no one near the prince he can trust.
Your Highness, the princess is here.
- Princess! - Your Highness.
Why are you here? I thought you were at your family's house?
I returned yesterday, Your Highness.
I was going to let you know, but I didn't want to trouble you.
Trouble? Not at all!
Forgive me for not even sending a greeting to your family while you were there.
Please do not worry, Your Highness.
Please forgive me for being unwell and leaving your side.
Actually, I came here to give you this.
What is this?
These are Maejak Biscuits. I made them for you.
Please try some...
Are they to your taste?
It is delicious.
Please forgive me for not being able to do anything more to help you than give you this.
Don't say that. Thank you.
I didn't know you had cooking skills.
To be honest, these were made by a Damo at my house.
There was a Damo from the Bureau of Paintings who accompanied an artist for a portrait.
She helped me.
Is that so?
A Damo from the Bureau?
That's why the colors are so beautiful.
What is your opinion?
What do you mean?
This incident was unusual of the prince.
The prince has laid low all this while to protect himself.
He could have used many methods to capture these thugs.
There was no need to dispatch the police bureau.
Go and investigate. There will be something else.
Yes, My Lord.
It's no use. Don't you think we've tried?
No, there must be a way to escape!
- That one and that one. Bring them out! - Yes, Sir!
Where are they going?
Those girls have been here a while. After a month, we're taken to the brothel.
That is when we have no energy to try and run away.
So don't expend too much of your energy. It'll be less than five days away.
In five days, you'll be willing to trade your body for a bowl of rice.
My Lord, I don't think they're here.
Where have they taken her! It's already been two days!
Do you... do you think they have left the Capital?
The guards are looking for them. It will not be easy for them to leave.
They've hidden themselves. We have to make them come out.
- If anyone responds to that sign, let me know. - Yes, My Lord.
Do you think they'll come?
They have to hide themselves for three to four months. They'll want to head towards their hometown Hae Mi.
But the next passenger boat to Hae Mi is five days away.
But if they see the sign looking for ship hands to leave for Hae Mi tomorrow, they will be interested.
Time is critical to them.
- I'm here. - Have you pasted all the signs?
Yes, I've put them up all over the walls.
And I wasn't sure if we need this, so I brought it.
What is it?
- These are my beards. - Your... your beards?
- Why do we need these? - What is this, Uncle!
- Are you playing games? - Games? Song Yeon's life is in danger!
What if they recognize us? We have to disguise ourselves!
Uncle!
I'm going to change my beard. Why don't you paste them on too?
This is sable fur.
And this is the beard of all beards. It's made of mink.
Hold still.
Forget it!
This is an expensive erotica. Make sure it is put someplace safe.
- Yes, Sir. - Tomorrow, we will have a very important guest.
And call for a pretty girl.
Yes, Sir!
Dae Su...!
Ahjussi...!
Song Yeon...
Silly girl, where are you?
Your Highness, I'm sure Song Yeon will be safe. Please return to the Palace.
She'll be back. I'll find her!
Please return to the Palace.
Dae Su...
You promised us.
You promised you'd protect yourself until we go to you.
Song Yeon!
Where is everyone?
- What? Song Yeon has disappeared? - Yes! I don't know where she could have gone!
Has she run away because I make her work too hard?
- What? - Oh, nothing.
Do you think she's vanished?
I can't live without Song Yeon! I'll be big trouble!
Sir Yi Chun, they are summoning all artists to the atelier.
- Now? - Yes, someone is here from the Palace.
From the Palace? Alright.
- Oh yes. Go and get Song Yeon's things. - Alright.
Hey! What are you doing?
Can't you tell? She's leaving the Bureau so we're helping her clean up.
What are you talking about? Why is she leaving the Bureau?
- Then can she come to work tomorrow? - What?
It's until tomorrow. If she's not here, that foolish man of hers won't be able to save her!
What? What man?
Sir Yi Chun! Everyone knows she is his mistress!
- That's how she came here in the first place! - How can you say that?
- How can you accuse her of such things? - Then what is all this we're hearing?
I can't live with my Song Yeon!
- Well, that... - Don't lie!
Girls like her make all of us Damos look bad!
Please... this way.
- Are all the artists here? - Yes, Minister.
Let's go in.
Take a look and compare the two calligraphies.
Give us your opinion as to whether they have been written by the same person.
Yes, My Lord.
Do they want us to tell them if one of them is a forgery?
Didn't you hear what he said?
But this is an Imperial Decree! Why do they want us to look at this?
Are they saying that someone forged an Imperial Decree?
Hey, Artist Ju. What did you say?
- Why do you ask? - You can tell originals and forgeries!
No one can compete against you for copying paintings and calligraphy!
Don't say such nonsense!
Nonsense? When I saw your forgery of Im Jin's calligraphy, I was stunned!
You merely glanced at it, and yet it was an exact copy!
I said stop talking nonsense!
That fellow...! I say nice things and still he fusses!
- How are things going? - I don't think they are going to show up.
We have until the Hour of the Fowl (5-7pm). Do not worry.
They may have found out that it's a trap.
They may be lurking around the signs. I'm going to Hongham Gate.
Let me go with you. I'll go to Gwangtonggyo.
- I want to go too. - You stay here just in case.
Uncle, you remember, don't you? One of them was a wide face with slanted eyes.
The other has big eyes and big nostrils.
- Alright. - Let's go.
- I'm here about the signs. - Go to the room over there.
Let's go.
Is someone inside? Anyone there?
Who is it?
We saw the signs looking for ship hands for a trip to Hae Mi.
Let's sit.
One of them was a wide face with slanted eyes. The other has big eyes and big nostrils.
One of them was a wide face with slanted eyes.
The other has big eyes and big nostrils.
- What is the matter? - Nothing. I just have hiccups.
The barmaid told us to come here. Are we in the wrong place?
No, you're right. I put out the signs for ship hands.
Do you really have a ship going to Hae Mi?
Of course! Would we be looking for men if we didn't have one?
By the way, where are all the others?
Oth... others? They're all at the harbour already.
Really? Then let's hurry!
- What? - You said they're all there already!
It's now the Hour of the Fowl. No one is coming, so let's go!
Alright, let's go.
- What are you doing? - Have you seen my belongings?
It's right there!
- Where... where are my trouser binds? - You're wearing them here!
- Have you seen my socks? - You're wearing them already!
Wait. Your... your beard...?
This... this is an odd fellow!
What... what's the matter with you? Why are you wearing a false beard?
I... I'm a eunuch!
Is this a trap?
Let's take him outside!
Catch that man!
Let's run!
Stop! Stop right there!
You... you thugs!
Where is Song Yeon! Tell me! Where is she?
- I don't know. We sold her. - Sold her? Where?
At the harbour... We sold her at the harbour!
She... was probably sent to a brothel.
I told you didn't have to. Why do you insist on this reception?
Not at all, Sir! I will send in girls and drawing materials.
Please show us your amazing talent!
I wonder what the girls are going to look like?
I hope they're young!
I must be nervous. I have to go...
Sir! Sir Yi Chun!
Sir?
Sir! Sir Yi Chun!
- I've been looking for you! - Forgive me. I must be nervous.
I had to go.
Let us go in. Everything is ready for you.
Let's go.
Sir! Sir Yi Chun! It's me, Song Yeon!
- What's the matter? - I must miss her more than I think.
- What? - Nothing. Let's go!
Sir! Sir! It's me, Song Yeon!
Sir! Sir Yi Chun! It's me, Song Yeon! I'm here!
Sir Yi Chun, Sir Yi Chun! Sir!
Sir...!
Did you say you were from the Eastern Palace?
Yes.
What do you mean you can't give us any soldiers? This is an Imperial Decree!
You must not know about the incident at the Police Bureau.
A false Imperial Decree caused criminals to be transferred erroneously.
Unless we can confirm the legitimacy of this decree, we cannot carry out any Imperial Decrees!
- Sir! - Are they going to dispatch the police?
- It's going to be difficult. - What?
Why? We have the prince's Imperial Seal! Why won't they...?
I think something has happened to the prince.
What?
I will go see the prince. Go back to your house.
There are so many brothels in the Capital? How can we search each one without the police?
We have to search them anyway! A hundred or a thousand brothels!
What are you doing? Hurry up, Uncle!
Are these all petitions that have been sent because of this incident?
Yes, Your Highness.
If we combine these with those from the Cabinet, we can make a mountain.
Your Highness! Your Highness!
Official Nam!
How could all of this happen? Why didn't you summon me back?
What has happened to Song Yeon?
Since you couldn't dispatch the police, were you not able to find out where she is?
- You are in greater danger... - Go back.
- Your Highness...! - Go back and find her.
But Your Highness..!
I can't even write an Imperial Decree for her.
I am a useless prince.
Your Highness...
Don't worry. I will keep my promise to the by staying alive until they come to me.
You have to go back and find Song Yeon.
That is my order.
I was right. Look! Look at this!
This is our way out!
It's a spring! There is a spring under these boards.
A spring?
At the Bureau where I worked, we never washed our brushes in spring water.
Spring water is strong in energy, and wooden handles rot when they touch it.
Look! These wooden boards have also rotten away.
If we work together, we can tear them up! We can escape!
Stop saying nonsense! If we get caught, they'll kill us!
So we're just going to sit here? Until we starve and have no more energy?
Think it over! Let's tear this up together! We can escape this place!
With these drawings, the youths of the capital will have enjoyable evenings!
It has been an honor to have you at my home, Sir!
Don't worry! I'll continue to honor you with my works.
I'm alright, I'm alright. Maybe I overworked myself.
We'll distribute these tomorrow. Go and put it in the storehouse.
Yes sir.
Oh, you said you have a new girl.
- Yes, I bought her for 30 yang. - What? 30 yang?
You fool! You should have paid 20!
Well, she's quite pretty!
She really is! Would you like to take a look?
Here.
This too.
There is an open space. We can escape through here!
Wait! Someone is coming!
Everyone go back to their places!
You, come here.
I said come here!
- Bring her out! - Yes, Sir.
Wait, wait! Let me go! Stop!
Wait.
What's this?
You...!
Do you want to die?
Song Yeon! Song Yeon!
Let go!
I said let go! Uncle, what are you doing?
Come here!
Come here, Uncle! Song Yeon!
Uncle! What are you doing! Come here!
- Song Yeon! - I'll see you later!
Uncle, we have to keep looking.
Go in and sit.
Dae Su.
Don't worry so much. At least we know she's alive at a brothel.
Let's eat something first. Then we can keep looking.
We have to regain our energy if we're going to keep looking for her!
He's lost so much weight these few days!
Look here, Dal Ho!
Aren't you Sir Yi Chun?
- What brings you here? - I came to see Song Yeon!
- Song Yeon? - That's right.
Without her help, I've been getting in trouble with my superiors!
How sick is she?
How sick is she that she has been absent from the Bureau for so many days!
Can she come out tomorrow? Make her come out so I can see her.
Song Yeon is not at home, Sir.
- Not at home? Then where did she go? - She didn't go anywhere. She was kidnapped!
What? Kidnapped?
Some thugs kidnapped her and sold her to a brothel!
What? Sold to a brothel? What are you talking about?
Speak clearly!
It's a long story. There are so many brothels in the Capital.
We don't know where to start looking for her!
Sir! Sir Yi Chun! It's me, Song Yeon!
Wait! Did you just say brothel?
What?
Then...?
Run!
Dae Su!
Dae Su! Dae Su!
What? Escape?
Forgive me, Sir!
What a wench! Pretty but feisty too, eh?
- I'll make sure it doesn't happen again! - Make sure it doesn't!
Yes Sir.
Take her!
Let go! Let go! I said let go!
- Let me go! Let me go! - Open this door! Open!
What now?
Open this door! Open this door now!
Open this door! Open it!
Sir...!
Let me go!
Cover her in the blanket and beat her! Make sure you don't bruise her.
No, no!
Stop!
- Song Yeon! - Dae Su!
What's this?
Sir, go to Song Yeon!
You bastards! I'm not going to let you get away with this!
Come and fight me! Fight me, you bastards!
- Song Yeon, are you alright? - Dae Su!
My Lord, we found her! We found Song Yeon!
Take them away, take them! Those fleabags!
Are you alright? Did they harm you?
I'm sorry...
It's all... It's all because of me...
What happened? How did you know where I was?
Song Yeon!
Song Yeon, you poor thing!
Are you hurt? Let me see.
Yes, Ahjussi, I'm fine.
Do you know how worried Dae Su was?
We looked everywhere!
In any case, we've found you.
Yes, fortune was on our side!
It's Official Nam of the Eunuch Ministry.
- What? - Don't you remember?
He helped us when we were young...
It's been a long time, Song Yeon.
- Is it you, Official Nam? - Yes.
I am glad that you are safe.
His Highness will be so happy.
Song Yeon.
The prince found us.
What?
What... what are you talking about? What do you mean by the prince?
Silly, didn't you hear me?
The prince found us! He looked for us. He looked for you.
The prince remembers you.
Dae Su!
This is kneebone! They say this is best for recovering after a traumatic event.
- I grabbed the butcher and...! - Give it to me. The water is boiling.
Alright, fine.
- He saw my painting? - Yes.
He stopped by the Bureau and saw your painting.
He found out who you were and came here to look for you, but you weren't here.
His Highness searched high and low for you two.
I don't think there was a single day when he didn't think about you all.
Is... is it possible to see him, Sir?
Well... that may be difficult for the time being.
But I will return and let him know that you have returned safely.
Wait a little bit more. His Highness will soon summon you two.
Really? They all said the same thing?
Yes. Both the Ministry of Penalties and the Bureau reported that the calligraphy...
was written by the same person.
However, they did say that a man skilled in forgery
- could reproduce the handwritings. - Alright.
- I've heard enough. You may go. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, the Queen is here.
What brings my Queen here at this hour?
I heard you were still here at the Great Hall and came to see you, Your Majesty.
It is Chrysanthemum Tea, Your Majesty. It is good for tired eyes.
How is it?
It has a nice fragrance.
I saw the Minister of Justice leaving.
Did you summon him because of the prince?
Your Majesty, may I say something?
I have heard malicious rumors in the Palace.
They all paint the prince in a negative light, but I do not believe those rumors.
The prince is a discreet and prudent man.
There is no reason for him to do such a ludicrous thing.
Do you really think so, my Queen?
The prince is a rational man. You must trust him, Your Majesty.
If I didn't, would I have been so patient with him?
What?
Your Majesty, you're saying...
Are you saying you trust the prince?
There are many things suspicious about this incident.
There are many things that are still concealed.
When we find out those things, we will know who is lying.
I am glad you feel that way. I should not have been worried.
- Send for the Sixth Secretary Jung Hu Gyum immediately. - Yes, Your Majesty.
- Song Yeon! - Yes?
- Where are you going? - To the Bureau.
What? Are you crazy? You're not well yet!
I'm alright. And I haven't been hurt at all.
No, you can't. Go back and sleep. The morning bell hasn't even rung yet.
I've been absent for so long. Do you know how fearsome Chobi is?
If I want to keep my job, I have to go clean and make sure she's happy.
- Song Yeon! - I'll be back soon.
Song Yeon...
Your Highness....!
Song Yeon.
Are you alright? Did they hurt you?
Your Highness!
Forgive me, Song Yeon.
I recognized you... too late.
If I had recognized you at the feast for the Ambassador...
If only I had..
I wouldn't have let you suffer like this.
Forgive me, Song Yeon.
Please forgive me.
No... Forgive? Not at all, Your Highness.
I...
- I... - Song Yeon!
I thought you'd forgotten everything.
I didn't doubt it.
I was so sure you had forgotten...
How could I have forgotten?
I have never forgotten that promise.
I have never forgotten the two of you.
Don't cry.
We've met again.
My beloved friend...
I've met you again.
Your Highness...!