The Personnel Minister has betrayed all of us.
He can't do this if he was on our side. I am certain he has gone over to the prince's side!
Episode 35
Did you have a safe journey?
Yes, Your Highness. I have returned having completed my task.
Have you been well?
When you have unpacked, stop by my chambers. I have many things to ask you.
To ask me, Your Highness?
What other reason would I have to talk to you?
I want you to tell me about Ching.
Yes, I will do so, Your Highness.
- I will see you later at the Cabinet meeting, Minister. - Yes, Your Highness.
You have certainly changed a great deal in my absence, Your Excellency.
- Why are you and the prince...? - We'll talk about that later.
- Minister! - I will call a meeting shortly.
I will explain everything then. Go and tell the princess as well.
It's been a while, My Lord.
Did you like the present His Highness prepared for you in your absence?
You certainly have talent.
You have the Minister eating out of the prince's hand.
Yes. Although we had to give up something for it,
what the Minister gave us more than made up for it.
You are more naive than you look.
Are you telling me you trust him?
He is No Ron through and through. Do you really think he will back the prince?
Oh dear, how can you say something so naive as that?
- What? - Trust him? Who can be trusted?
Like you, I do not trust anyone.
But one thing I trust is man's greed for power.
The Minister knows that the prince's ascension to the throne is unavoidable.
That is why he has put one foot on the prince's side.
As long as there is hope that the prince will become king, the Minister will not remove that foot.
And there will more like him.
One has to give up and submit if they want their necks intact in the future.
Why don't you follow the Minister and think of how to survive?
Silence! How dare you give me advice?
This is not advice, My Lord. This is a warning.
You know better than anyone how patient His Highness has been.
If it were me, I would not even give you this opportunity.
This is His Highness' last show of mercy to you.
Don't forget that the penalty of rejection may be you and the princess' lives.
What? He really said all that?
Impudent fool! How dare he threaten me?
- How could he insult me so? - He is not wrong, Mother.
Things can get a lot worse.
- What? - The Minister is an influential man.
If he is determined, we have no way to stop him.
In that case, we must strike him.
- Are you suggesting we use the private army? - We cannot sit here and do nothing!
We must eliminate him to prevent things from becoming bigger!
We have to be careful, Mother. The Minister knows everything about us.
He is too sly to have done this without planning in advance. We may fall into a trap.
Then what are you suggesting? You want us to surrender to the prince?
Of course, it will be difficult. We will have to deal with humiliation and shame!
But right now, surviving is more important!
It has always been No Ron that controlled the affairs of the nation throughout history.
Do you want us to simply collapse?
- Find out who they are and follow them. - Yes, Sir.
Who are you?
Move aside!
I'm sorry, but I can't.
What's a gentleman like you doing peeping into other people's houses?
Who... who are you?
That's not important. Go and collect your fallen men.
And remember to tell Secretary Jung to not get any funny ideas.
Understand?
Let's try not to run into each other again.
If we do, I won't use a stick. I'll use a real sword.
- What? - Please forgive me, My Lord.
But it wasn't just the Royal Guards. The Capital Guards were with them as well.
At this rate, it will be difficult to trail the Minister.
As we expected, Secretary Jung was having the Minister followed.
Doesn't this mean we should increase security?
He's right. They always seem to pull out their swords when they are cornered.
No, this time it's different.
All we need to do is let them know we're watching.
Chief Inspector Hong is right.
They must know that pulling out their swords now will only make their situation worse.
This is the critical stage.
They are confused and panicking. We should increase our stranglehold on them.
The No Ron members' opposition will be controlled by the Personnel Minister.
We must start propelling the reform policies that we have prepared thus far.
Minister, please speak with each ministry and find out ways to incorporate the illegitimate noblemen.
Chief Hong, prepare to reinstate the legalization of peddling without the previous mistakes.
Yes, Your Highness.
- What do you think of all this? - What do you mean?
About His Highness cooperating with the Personnel Minister.
I am anxious about all of this.
Anxious about what?
His Highness has not punished any of the people who have tried to harm him.
Do you understand now? The queen, the princess and Secretary Jung...
and all of the ministers of No Ron... They have all kept their positions of power.
His Highness has done this to prevent the collapse of the government.
But he has completely forgotten about the danger to his own life.
My opinion is that we should have stripped all of them of their positions regardless of the effect!
The root of all this evil has still been untouched.
This is what makes me anxious.
I would like to admit the illegitimate noblemen to civil offices of the 5th level.
5th level officials are responsible for the assets of the palace.
Don't you think that may be too big of a responsibility for them?
That is why we will take the ones who have experience in government,
and take some suggestions on how to assimilate them back into government.
We can then use the best suggestions, Your Majesty.
Yes, that is a good plan.
I was worried that you would have trouble with implementing your new ideas, but I was wrong.
I can tell that you have been planning this for a while.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
You no longer need to confer with me. You can go ahead and implement all your plans.
That's enough for now. You may leave.
I have a meeting of the Three Censorate Offices and I must go to see them at noon.
Forgive me, Your Majesty, but did you not complete that yesterday?
That's right. I am quite forgetful these days.
It must be time for me to die.
- Your Majesty, please don't say such things! - Don't say what?
An old man is bound to die. There is nothing bad about that.
- Your Majesty...! - I have lived long enough.
You are doing a fine job, so what is so bad about dying soon?
I think it would be better if I let you become king.
Please don't say that, Your Majesty!
How is His Majesty's health nowadays?
Was he ill while I was away?
- No, Your Highness. - But why does he look unwell?
Go and summon the physician for me. I have questions to ask him about His Majesty.
Yes, Your Highness.
Welcome. I was waiting for you.
How is His Majesty's health?
He has been alright since that day. As you said, he must have been tired that day.
- Indeed? - Yes, Your Majesty.
That is good news.
But if something like that happens again, keep it quiet and inform only me.
- Do you understand? - Yes, Your Majesty.
But...
The prince asked about His Majesty's health.
- Indeed? - Yes.
He inquired about any illness in the past and asked me to summon the physician for him.
Do not say anything to the prince.
And remember to keep this from the physician as well.
- But Your Majesty... - Have you not heard what I said?
What will you do if the prince finds out?
A small little incident will spark a major controversy and may affect the king's future!
All this is for His Majesty, so do as I tell you!
- Do you understand me? - Yes, Your Majesty.
- That's enough. You may go home early today. - What do you mean?
- What about following Secretary Jung? - Your Uncle is back from Ching!
You haven't seen him yet. Aren't you curious about Song Yeon?
- Go home! - But still...
Don't worry. They're not doing much, so it will be enough for the two of us to go.
- Then I'll be back quickly. - Alright.
Look at him run!
- Yes, Sir. - Let's go.
- Dae Su! - Sir!
It's been so long! I'm so glad to see you!
Sir, what happened to your eye?
And what are you doing at our house?
I was almost beaten to death. I had to run away and come here.
What?
I'm sorry, but I had to lodge at your house for a while.
I'll clean and do laundry, so please let me stay.
Yes alright... Where's my uncle?
He's inside. Go on in.
- He's probably sleeping. - He is? Why, is he unwell?
I think Mak Soon and he had a fight. It's probably about the money we lost.
What?
Why does she like to hit the same spot?
Uncle! I'm here!
How's Song Yeon? Is she well? Was she doing alright when you left her?
How rude! I came here to see you and you won't even look at me!
- Don't do that... - Un... uncle!
Get up! What's wrong?
What happened? Are you doing this because you had a fight?
- It wasn't just a fight. - Then?
- It's over between us, Dae Su. - What?
What are you talking about? Why all of a sudden?
Is it because you lost money in Qing?
- Don't worry! I'll find a way to.... - It wasn't about the money.
Then what was it about?
She found out... that I am an eunuch.
What?
How... how did it happen?
Oh my God! What is this?
What...?
Where is it...?
Where did it go? Did.. did something happen to it in Ching?
Did you have an accident there?
- No... - Then, what happened?
I'm sorry, Mak Soon... I never had one to begin with.
What?
What do you mean you never had one to begin with?
You mean you were an eunuch from the beginning?
That was why you didn't want to sleep with me?
I'm sorry, Mak Soon... I deserve death for what I did to you.
But I never intended to lie to you.
I kept telling myself I would tell you, but I was afraid I would lose you.
Mak Soon!
Oh, what a tragedy! How awful this is!
- Thank you! - Yes, come again!
- Goodness. - Here it is.
- Long time no see, Madam! - What are you up to now?
- Have you warmed up the room? - And what if I have?
What about me?
What else would I do? I was going to do some charity for an old widow!
That's quite alright. Eat and go. I'm lonely but I'm not desperate!
- I'll come again tonight, so leave your door open. - Be quiet!
I have no luck with men.
Did you summon me, Your Highness?
Dae Su, will you go to Ching for me?
- What? - I am worried for Song Yeon.
I heard she was doing fine, but why don't you go and see for yourself?
I can always send someone else, but Song Yeon would be glad to see you.
So if you're alright with it, I would like for you to go.
That would be the greatest pleasure for me.
Ching is different in custom and tradition. It may be difficult for her to adjust.
So go and see how she is faring.
I will send some medicines and necessities for her, so make sure she gets them.
Yes, Your Highness. I will leave immediately.
What? Academician Shim has changed sides?
Yes, Mother. And that's not all.
The officials in the Three Censorate Offices also look like they're behind the Personnel Minister.
At this rate, no one will oppose the prince and everything will be as he wants it to be.
Then there is nothing we can do?
Everyone is trying to survive. We have no choice at this time.
We can't do this! We will lose everything at this rate.
I will have to meet with Father.
If we have to plan, we need to know what His Majesty is thinking.
Your Majesty, Princess Hwa Wan is here.
- Father! - You're here.
Yes, I heard you were still up. I came to see if you were well.
You will become ill if you stay up late. I will massage your shoulders.
No, it's quite alright.
Please allow me. How can I not do anything when I see how weary you are?
- Were you reading reports? - Yes.
It looks as if the government is in chaos again.
The prince has stated that he will employ illegitimate noblemen to government.
I have heard that the complaints of the officials and ministers are at an all-time peak.
Do you really intend to allow this to happen?
Why are you asking about this?
I am worried about the prince's actions causing you grief later.
- What if he causes trouble like last time...? - Silence. Do not speak further of this.
- What? - I said do not speak of it!
- Father! - Are you the king or a government minister?
How dare you meddle in government affairs?
If that is what you came to talk about, return to your chambers!
I have a headache as it is, and now you've added to it!
Your Highness...
How could this be? How could Father be so angry with me?
Your Majesty, please allow me to do that for you.
I will do it myself!
Your Majesty, are you alright?
Leave me!
- Your Majesty! - I said leave me!
But if something like that happens again, keep it quiet and inform only me.
Do you understand me?
Is that true?
The Grand Eunuch just sent a message regarding this.
Silence! I told you I don't want to hear you speak!
Leave my chambers this instant!
If you disobey me ever again,
you will be sent away not only from my chambers, but from the palace altogether!
I will go to the Grand Palace. Make preparations.
What?
Leave the palace maids as I do not want to be noticed.
Make sure we can move quietly.
But Your Majesty, you're not supposed to go to the Grand Palace...!
Will you make me repeat myself? I told you to make preparations!
Yes, Your Majesty!
- Announce me. - But Your Majesty, if he gets angry again...
I will take all responsibility. So announce me to His Majesty.
- Your Majesty... - What is it now?
Well... Her Majesty wishes to see you.
What? The queen?
Yes, Your Majesty.
He has granted you audience, Your Majesty.
Welcome, my queen.
I was just thinking of visiting you.
Thank you for coming here.
Your Majesty!
Here you are, Your Majesty.
I don't know what was wrong, but I couldn't get them untied!
- It was because they were tangled up. - Is that so?
Yes, Your Majesty.
I was so annoyed when I couldn't untie them.
I have had a short temper lately.
Please do not worry about that. Your mind is full of the matters of our nation.
How can you always be calm?
I think I am tired with everything.
There are so many requests and petitions all day.
If I didn't have you, my queen, I don't know where I would get my comfort.
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, you asked me about my brother.
Do you remember?
- Did I? - Yes, Your Majesty.
What do you think of summoning my brother here?
- The Second Royal Secretary? - Yes, Your Majesty.
You have always enjoyed my brother's vibrant personality.
You said that unlike the other officials who always seek your approval, he was honest.
Yes, you're right. He is a very vivacious man!
Your Majesty, you are exhausted and weary.
Why don't you summon him back here to be your confidant and friend?
You wish to summon Lord Kim Gui Joo back to the palace?
Yes, that is what I want. Write down the Imperial Order.
Chief Secretary, what are you doing? His Majesty has given you an order!
Yes, Your Majesty!
Well done. It seems I am overworking you.
- Not at all, Your Highness! - Your weariness is all over your face.
Let's leave together. I want to visit His Majesty.
His Majesty?
I have been visiting him a lot lately as I feel his color is not good.
But I don't know if he is still up.
I saw the Chief Secretary go in to the Grand Palace, so he may still be up.
Really? At this hour?
Yes, Your Highness.
His Majesty must be giving an urgent Imperial Order.
I wish to visit His Majesty. Announce my arrival.
Please forgive me, Your Highness, but His Majesty has already retired for bed.
Already?
That's strange. I just heard that the Chief Secretary was with His Majesty.
Yes, as soon as the Chief Secretary left, he retired for the night.
Indeed.
Since you have ears, you must have heard the strange rumors about me.
Strange rumors, Your Majesty?
Haven't you heard the rumors regarding His Majesty's intent to kick me out of the palace?
But as you saw today, they are all lies.
Now, you must listen carefully to what I am about to say.
Please continue, Your Majesty.
You will go ahead and deliver His Majesty's orders.
But as to seeing me tonight at His Majesty's chambers and his summons of my brother...
You must never speak of this to anyone.
But remember this. If you cannot obey such a simple order,
I will be greatly disappointed in you.
Please do not worry, Your Majesty.
I will obey your command.
Good. Then I will put my faith in you.
- You may leave. - Yes, Your Majesty.
She'll be so surprised when she sees me!
Please wait a moment.
He is looking for Sung Song Yeon, a Damo from Joseon.
- She's not here. - Not here? Why not?
- Isn't this where she was assigned? - She left this place.
Why is it taking so long to call someone?
The person you are looking for isn't here.
Not here? Why? Is today her day off?
When is she returning to work?
That... that...
Why did she leave?
The new head of the Ministry kicked her out.
We haven't heard from her after that.
Look here! What is that man saying?
Why aren't you translating what he's saying? What's going on?
He said that the Damo you are looking for has left the Ministry a while ago.
- What? Left the Ministry? - Yes, there was a political upheaval here.
The current chief was imprisoned, and a new chief was chosen.
But that new chief kicked her out when he started.
What? Kicked her out?
Then where is Song Yeon?
What did he say?
He said she stayed here, but she left ten days ago.
This is what she gave them as payment for her lodging.
After the political upheaval, many people have gone missing.
I doubt you will be able to find her.
Song Yeon...
What has happened to you, Song Yeon?
Where are you?
Silly girl...
Song Yeon!
He was supposed to be back ten days ago. Where is he?
Please do not worry, Your Highness. A long journey can have many delays.
Your Highness, it is Official Nam.
Enter.
Dae Su!
Your Highness, have you been well?
Why didn't you send us a message? His Highness was so worried!
Please forgive me.
No, it's alright. I am glad you have returned safely.
It must have been a difficult journey. You don't look well.
I'm fine, Your Highness.
So, did you meet Song Yeon? How is she doing?
Dae Su!
I... didn't see her.
I didn't see Song Yeon, Your Highness.
What do you mean you didn't see her?
How could you not have seen her when you went all the way there?
Dae Su!
Your Highness, Song Yeon has disappeared!
I looked for her everywhere, but I wasn't able to find her!
Please find her, Your Highness! Please find Song Yeon!
Your Highness!
What do you mean she has disappeared?
It looks like there was a political upheaval in the Ching government.
It extended all the way to the Bureau and she was kicked out, Your Highness.
So you mean no one knows where she is?
Yes. I received a message from my man there a few days ago.
She was at the Capital but disappeared shortly after.
Then why are you telling me this now?
What did I tell you? I asked you to help her live there!
Please forgive me, Your Highness.
I did not consider this matter to be that important...
Did he say that he asked at the inn we stayed at? They must know something there!
Of course he went there. But she was nowhere to be found.
Then perhaps she is heading back to Joseon.
Don't be silly. We took a ship halfway there!
How can a girl make that long and strenuous journey by herself on foot?
Then where is Song Yeon?
I don't know. She may be imprisoned somewhere...
or sold as a slave.
- How can say something like that? - I'm worried for her too!
I shouldn't have left her alone. She gave me this odd little smile.
I felt like I would never see her again.
- Sir! - Artist Yi, let's talk.
Yes, Sir.
I just heard about Song Yeon. Tell me what happened.
Well... I mean...
Song Yeon...
Sir!
Song Yeon is...!
Send a letter to our ambassador there to search the entire Ching capital.
And have him find out if we can enlist the help of their Golden Guard.
The Golden Guard?
They are like Joseon's Police Bureau.
They have specialists in finding missing people.
If we can get them to help, we may have a chance.
Hurry. We have no time to lose.
Yes, Your Highness.
Song Yeon gave this to the innkeeper because she did not have enough money.
Where did she go without any money?
I shouldn't have let her go. I should have stopped her!
I should have made her give up her dream to be an artist!
Dae Su!
Song Yeon!
Your Majesty!
- Older Brother! - Your Majesty!
- Please get up. - Your Majesty!
I have heard about the suffering you have been through!
Please take my life!
Your Majesty!
Keep following the Personnel Minister, and inform me of who he's meeting.
Yes, My Lord.
Secretary Jung!
How dare you act against the queen!
Do you think you will survive your actions?
Actually, I am grateful to you. About Song Yeon.
You could easily have felt differently about her,
but you have cherished her because of me. I am forever grateful to you for it.
I am certain Song Yeon feels the same way.
Princess!
Your Highness...
What do you mean by that? It's all your fault Song Yeon is missing?
What do you mean?
Song Yeon did not volunteer to go to Qing.
She knew that she may never come back.
She was forced to leave.
What do you mean forced to leave? Mother told me she left happily!
Your Highness, Mother did it because of me.
She thought it would be best for us if she made Song Yeon leave.
It is all my fault, Your Highness.
I did not tell you even though I knew what was happening.
It was my fault, Your Highness.
Song Yeon did not volunteer to go to Qing.
She knew that she may never come back.
She was forced to leave.
When you have recovered, let's take Dae Su and go somewhere for a change of scenery.
What do you think?
Yes, Your Highness. I will speak to Dae Su and have him find out a good place.
Mak Soon! Why are you here?
- Maybe you've...? - I'm not here to see you!
- Something terrible has happened! - Something terrible!
We have to hurry! Something terrible has happened!
- Hurry! - Hurry up, Uncle!
What now?
Song Yeon!
Song Yeon! What happened to you!
Song Yeon, open your eyes!
It's no use. Just leave her alone.
It was too late for her by the time she got here.
How did she get to such a state?
What do you mean it is too late for her?
Her pulse is not improving. At this rate, she will never regain consciousness.
Then...?
- Song Yeon! - Oh my goodness!
Song Yeon!
Even though Assistant Section Chief of the Personnel Ministry is a relatively low level,
it is still an important position.
If we are to incorporate the illegitimate nobles, we have to give hiring authority to this level.
Yes, Your Highness. I am in the midst of talks about this issue.
We will come to a solution shortly.
Your Highness, you do not look well.
- Why don't we push back your next meeting? - No.
I'm alright. Do it as scheduled.
Your Highness! Your Highness!
We have found Song Yeon!
What?
We just received a message from Dae Su. Song Yeon is back in Dosung!
Please save her! I will give you all the money I have!
- Just make her open her eyes! - I told you there was nothing I can do.
Why not? You have medicine and acupuncture! Why can't you make her open her eyes?
Please!
Dae Su!
Your Highness!
I heard Song Yeon is here.
But what is this I hear? There is nothing you can do for her?
What is this?
Your Highness...
Song Yeon!
Main Translator: MrsKorea
Timer and Editor: MrsKorea
Coordinator: mily2
Special thanks to: Suz07
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