I met with Secretary Hong at the Tribunal last night.
And he insisted that he was innocent.
Therefore I have ordered the investigation of Secretary Hong to be halted.
But this is outrageous! Will a criminal confess without being interrogation?
How can you halt the investigation without a proper cause?
Shall I show you the evidence?
Shall I show all of you the evidence of Secretary Hong's innocence?
Fine. I will show all of you proof that he is innocent.
Your Majesty, what is this proof that you mention?
The Finance Minister Yi Woon Suk...
Third Rites Minister Kang Hak Su...
and Third Finance Minister Min Woo Tae are evidence that Secretary Hong is innocent.
Your Majesty, what do you mean we are the evidence?
I do not understand what you mean by that, Your Majesty!
Yes, you're right. You don't know of what crime you have committed.
Neither do you know who is plotting to take your lives!
The killer of the three officials is not Secretary Hong, but someone else.
And their next targets are...
the Finance Minister,
the Third Rites Minister and the Third Finance Minister.
Someone amongst them will be the next target.
So if I find the killer in one of the three residences tonight,
will you accept the release of Secretary Hong?
Excellency, what is the meaning of this? Someone is planning on killing us?
His Majesty will not have said something like that without just cause.
Think about it. Does anything come to mind?
Nothing whatsoever. His Majesty is just being stubborn.
If it wasn't the doing of that madman Secretary Hong, who would do such a thing?
And to use us as bait to prove his innocence...!
- That is preposterous...! - Do what His Majesty said.
- But Your Excellency...! - I am sure this is the doing of Hong Gook Young.
I am certain of it.
So let us watch and see what His Majesty will stoop to in order to have him released.
Evidence? His Majesty has dug his own grave,
so that he can save the life of a thug.
Your Majesty, did you mean what you said at the Audience Chamber?
If this isn't the doing of Secretary Hong,
have you really found a way to find the killer?
Did you really find a way, Your Majesty?
Your Majesty.
No. Nothing is for sure.
Right now, everything is based on intuition, and I am taking a chance.
- Your Majesty! - But have faith in me, Minister.
Although right now everything is suspicion and intuition,
by tonight, everyone will know that it was not a falsehood.
- Do you understand? - Yes, Sir.
As you instructed, I have sent out my guards and soldiers.
What else must I do?
Send your steward out and have him tell your servants that your guards are gone.
As for you, after the Hour of the Ape (3-5pm), change into this and hide in the outhouse.
What? You want me to wear peasant clothes?
That's right, Minister!
If you want to live, you should do as we instruct you.
Song Yeon!
Your Majesty!
Were you on your way to Concubine Hong?
Yes, Your Majesty.
- You should just go back today. - What?
Concubine Hong will not be in a good mood today because of Secretary Hong.
So, come to palace again later.
I will send palacemaids to inform her.
I have to leave as I have urgent matters. I will see you another time.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I told you take it out!
Your Highness!
Do you want to be executed? I said I don't want to drink this tonic!
But Your Majesty...
My brother has been imprisoned! Do you think I can drink tonics?
His Majesty told everyone that he would find evidence that I was innocent?
Is that really true?
So now you pretend to be surprised...
Although I'm sure you have already hatched your schemes.
- Excellency...! - I don't know what you're scheming.
But if His Majesty believed your story and is going to defend a criminal,
it is clear that he has lost his logic.
Watch your words, Excellency! How dare you say such things of His Majesty!
Silence! How dare you challenge me!
I know men like you very well.
You speak of loyalty and devotion, but it is all nonsense!
Men like you have no other goal than to cover up the king's eyes and ears!
And you will ultimately cause the ruin of the country, the people and the king!
So you better not have high hopes to leave this prison you are in.
I will do everything in my power to make sure that you pay for the murders of the officials!
Now that you've said that, I have decided that I must do everything to leave!
What?
Just wait a little while, Excellency.
When I leave this place, I will show you exactly how a man like me
wields power and influence!
Your Majesty!
All of the three officials have sent out their guards.
We must not be found out. Make sure everything is in place.
Yes, Your Majesty.
What time is it?
It is past the Hour of the Pig (9-11pm).
Will you believe me?
No matter what I tell you,
will you believe me, Your Majesty?
Do you think they'll try to kill the Finance Minister tonight like His Majesty said?
He wouldn't have said it if there wasn't a good reason. Let's be patient.
But still, there's been no movement at all for the past few hours. I don't like it.
Everyone is saying that Secretary Hong did it.
So what will happen if nothing happens tonight?
What happened?
- Nothing happened last night? - Yes, no one came.
Your Excellency!
- What did you find? - They said nothing happened.
That's what I thought.
- Your Majesty. - Have a seat, Councilor.
So why did you come to see me?
Since the evidence you mentioned did not materialize,
may I uncover the truth of this incident?
How will you accomplish that?
All of my suspicions rests on Secretary Hong.
In order to realize my suspicions, we must interrogate him.
Please allow me to interrogate him personally.
If you continue to defend Secretary Hong, it will affect your standing as well.
Please make your decision.
- Your Majesty, it is Official Nam! - Enter.
Your Majesty, Third Industry Minister Yi Jung Tae has been murdered!
I am Imperial Guard Park Dae Su. I must inspect the body on His Majesty's orders.
Yes, Sir.
- Did you inspect the body? - Yes.
- Was it there? - Yes, it was exactly as you predicted.
I am sure this is the work of slave gangs.
I could have been wrong about the Finance Minister being the target,
or they could have changed their target.
They might even have found out about the trap ahead of time.
Are you saying that they knew that we were keeping watch at the Minister's house?
I'm not sure.
We were very careful to not disclose our location and plans.
We acted in total secrecy.
That's your opinion. It could have been obvious when so many men were being moved.
In any case, they will come for the Finance Minister again.
Seeing how he abuses his own slaves, I doubt they will let him live.
However...
Slave gangs? You mean there is such a thing?
Yes, the killers are most likely slaves who grouped together to kill slave owners.
My goodness, how could such a thing...!
The officials that were recently killed were well-known to be particularly abusive to their slaves.
Those slaves have finally gotten their revenge.
But how did His Majesty know?
Even the Tribunal's investigators didn't say this in their report!
I know.
I think His Majesty knew about this from the start, but I don't know how.
When the Imperial and Palace Guards are dispatched, the killers will know this.
- Then the three of us will... - That's right. Do it without the others this time.
Do it in complete secrecy. Can you do this?
Yes, Your Majesty. We will catch the killer!
You must not underestimate them because they are slaves.
They seem to be skilled in martial arts, so make sure you are very careful.
- Yes, Your Majesty. Do not worry about us. - We will heed your words.
Today is the third day we've been here. Do you think they will show up?
- Let's just wait a while longer. - If they don't show up...
Wait.
They're coming!
As planned, try and seize the lookouts. If they run, I will follow them to their hideout.
He's inside the study.
I'll take care of him.
Welcome.
I've been waiting for you.
Who are you?
I am Imperial Guard, Lieutenant Suh Jang Bo.
And you must be...
the older brother of the Finance Minister's slave
Mak Shim who was killed for escaping.
Surrender to the authorities.
I did not learn martial arts to fight the powerless.
Go on. Quickly!
Shut up!
Let's go.
You wretch!
You bastard! I will never forgive you!
- I will avenge my sister's death! - You... you rascal!
You bastard...!
Your Majesty, Park Dae Su has sent a message saying he has found their hideout!
- Tell the guards to subdue them immediately! - Yes, Your Majesty!
Commander!
They are most likely to be all slaves.
They may have weapons, but they will not be able to defeat the guards by themselves.
Use restraint and minimize the number of people that are injured.
Yes, Your Majesty!
The men who set out tonight have all been arrested by the Palace Guard.
Put down your weapons and surrender!
His Majesty has ordered that your lives will be spared if you did not commit murder.
Do not commit more crimes. Surrender!
You must have heard the news seeing how you all have rushed into the palace.
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Then I do not need to explain.
The Imperial and Palace Guards have already apprehended the killers and gotten their confessions.
This should be enough as evidence. What do you think?
Now that I have found the culprits, can I have Secretary Hong released?
Minister, inform the Tribunal to release Secretary Hong immediately.
Yes, Your Majesty.
What did you say? Secretary Hong is going to be released?
He has been found innocent! What else can we do?
But he had me attacked! How can he be forgiven for that?
Have you not come to your senses yet?
His Majesty is insisting that the incident was due to the investigation of the attack on the custodians!
He said that Secretary Hong ordered the attack because he suspected your involvement!
So what are you going to do now?
Secretary Hong will go after you the moment he is released.
How will you resolve this?
Thank you for coming here.
My Lord!
I must meet with His Majesty. Where is he?
He is in his study. And he's waiting for you.
Take a seat.
You have lost weight.
No, Your Majesty. Please forgive me for causing this trouble.
Are you being sincere? You're not angry at me for imprisoning you?
How can you say that?
I know how you went out of your way to defend me.
How can I ever repay your kindness?
What need is that between us? I just did what I had to do.
Your Majesty!
But I have a question, Your Majesty.
What is it?
How did you know this was the doing of slave gangs?
How else? You told me!
I did?
You really don't know?
Here.
Report on Slavery.
Now do you understand? It was that.
It was that report that gave me the realization.
The report you put together on slavery explained all the problems in detail.
In that report, I read that the officials who killed were abusive to their slaves.
And I found out that they had once enlisted the help of the Slave Finding Agency.
That is why I went to look at their bodies.
Yes, that is it.
Did you know that all the victims had the word "again" written on their hand?
Yes, Your Majesty. I heard about that too.
But look again. At first glance, it is the character "again".
But if you look carefully, it is actually the character for "woman".
What?
Now do you get it? The Tribunal assumed the characters were all the same.
But Your Majesty, if the characters are "woman" and "again", then...
Yes, Dae Su. The characters together mean "slave".
This is what the killers wanted to leave on their bodies.
These men were killed because of slaves.
The reason why I knew their next target was because of your report.
So of course you were the one that solved the crime!
Your Majesty!
Well done. You have done good work even while you were in prison.
You are so gracious, Your Majesty!
But you must understand that this does not mean I will forgive you for attacking Min Joo Shik.
Even though I understand your intentions, you went overboard.
I am aware of it, Your Majesty. I have disobeyed your order to handle this wisely.
I know that I must be punished for my crime.
- Do you really think that? - Yes, Your Majesty.
I will accept the consequences, no matter what the punishment will be.
Then I have no choice. I will give you authority to handle this case.
What?
Why so surprised? I thought you would accept all consequences?
Your Majesty!
I will put all my faith in you.
So I want you to handle both cases of the custodians and the murdered officials.
This is the only punishment I can think of. Can you handle it?
Your Majesty!
Vice Councilor! What brings you here?
Secretary Hong, I heard you were released! Are you alright?
Yes, thank you for your concern.
Oh, that's great!
I have to send in a petition, but will you send this to the Secretariat for me?
Petition? What is it in regards to?
You must know that all the officials are protesting your release from the Tribunal.
I intend to stop them myself!
- For me? - Yes.
Even though you tried to hurt me, I will not make that an issue.
To be honest, I gave you good reason to misunderstand me.
So why don't we let bygones be bygones and reconcile with one another?
Misunderstandings? Not at all, My Lord!
- Really? - That's right.
It was not a misunderstanding that you harmed the custodians. It's the truth!
Look here, Secretary Hong!
After we had our encounter, you sent someone to Kyungwon.
Most likely the thugs who attacked the custodians were hiding there.
How pathetic, My Lord.
If you really wanted to save yourself, you should have tried clutching on to straws.
I had already sent a guard there, but here you were writing petitions.
What? Save myself?
What are you implying?
I said leave my sight! I don't want to hear you!
- Your Excellency! - So you were the one behind the custodian's attack?
How could you lie to me and plan something like that?
- I did everything for the sake of the government...! - Silence!
Because of your foolishness, the entire No Ron faction has plunged into a dilemma!
Now that Hong Gook Young will use this as a cause to try and put the pressure on us!
Please forgive me, Your Excellency! Please save me!
You know how loyal I am to you! Please just this once...!
- No. I won't do that. - Your Excellency!
If you have committed a crime, you must accept the consequences.
I will not allow No Ron to be put into a corner because of one person!
So before I drag you myself, go to His Majesty!
Your Excellency!
I don't want to see you anymore. Leave me!
This is outrageous, Excellency! I have served you my whole life!
Come and take this man out!
Yes, Your Excellency!
Excellency! How can you do this to me?
Excellency! Your Excellency!
Hong Gook Young... you....!
I know men like you very well.
You speak of loyalty and devotion, but it is all nonsense!
Men like you have no other goal than to cover up the king's eyes and ears!
And you will ultimately cause the ruin of the country, the people and the king!
My Lord!
- Tell Her Majesty I am here. - Yes, My Lord.
Have some tea. I specially requested a tea to restore your health.
I must first confirm something.
Do you really have something that can send Lord Jang Tae Woo away?
Take a look and see if that satisfies you.
- This is...! - Lord Jang Tae woo sent that petition many years ago.
Lord Jang Tae Woo sent this?
That's right.
When Lord Jang Tae Woo was young,
he anonymously sent up an accusation that
the late king poisoned his older brother, King Gyeongjong.
But the Third Secretary at the time was my relative.
He found out that the anonymous writer of the accusation was Lord Jang Tae Woo.
Now do you understand how I was able to get rid of Jang Tae Woo ten years ago?
It looks like that has pleased you. If you like it, go ahead and take it.
I think you need it more than me.
What is it that you want in return?
- In return? - There must be a reason why you're helping me.
- I told you I just want to help you. - Your Majesty...!
If it's alright, I tell you what I want at another time.
I think you first need to believe that I have only the best intentions for His Majesty.
The palace is full of lovely flowers everywhere!
- Eunuch Park! - Sir!
- What are you doing here? - Nothing, Sir!
Were you spying on Her Majesty's attendants?
- No, not at all! - Don't lie to me!
Do you want to be executed? How can a eunuch like you do such a thing?
Please forgive me, Sir! The ladies are just so pretty!
I said stop it! I think I have to discipline you by force.
- Be quiet and follow me! - Sir!
- I said follow me! - Sir!
That was...!
- Has Secretary Hong left? - Yes, Your Majesty.
Are you sure you can trust him?
- What if he just takes it and leaves you... - No, he will do no such thing.
Secretary Hong will never tell His Majesty that he has met and talked with me.
Don't you know the significance of this?
In exchange for Jang Tae Woo's weak spot, I have now grasped Hong Gook Young's.
What do you mean if I sent Secretary Hong to deliver a message to the Dowager Queen?
- You didn't? - No, I did no such thing.
Why are you asking me this?
Look here, Official Nam!
It's nothing, Your Majesty. I just saw Secretary Hong at Her Majesty's residence.
But I must have been mistaken.
- Secretary Hong went to see Her Majesty? - Yes.
No, I never ordered such a thing. You must have been mistaken.
He has no reason to meet with the Dowager Queen.
Yes, Your Majesty. I'm sure I was mistaken.
So that's the Maehwa painting that Sir Chang Yong painted?
Master, please wait a while!
It smells great!
That's...!
- Artist Tak! - Oh, it's you.
You said you were going to sleep all day on our day off! What are you doing here?
- Can't you tell? I'm here to see Master! - What? Master?
- Master! Master! - Hey, Artist Tak! Wait!
Master! Master!
How dare you call him Master? He's my master!
Let go. I said let go!
I'm not letting go! You're being unfair!
Unfair? It's you that's being unfair for trying to learn by yourself!
- What? - Oh, you're both here!
- Song Yeon! - Song Yeon!
Let's go, my lovely!
- Master! - Master!
I told you my name was Sung Song Yeon!
Oh, is it? But I'm still going to call you my lovely!
- So you want to draw a Maehwa painting? - Yes, Sir.
- Master, are you going to take her as your disciple? - So you want to draw a Maehwa painting?
There is a small hill behind my house. And at the peak, there is a pavilion.
If you go up there, you'll be able to see the whole neighborhood. Let's go up there!
- Sir, I'm Sung Song Yeon! - But you're still my lovely!
- Song Yeon! - Master!
Master! Master!
What idiots you are!
Don't bother me! Get out of here!
I want to be alone with my lovely!
I won't go! Not until you take me as your disciple!
Me too, Master! I will follow you to the depths of hell!
- I will jump into a pit of fire for you! - Master!
Master!
- Master! - You are like flies circling an outhouse!
Alright then. I'll teach you something, so learn it and get out of here!
- Yes, Master! - I will never forget this, Master!
Master...! Isn't this... erotica?
Be quiet! How dare you speak when Master is painting?
How can I be silent at a time like this?
Why? You don't like it?
Of course not! Erotica is not to be painted by respectable artists!
That can't be.
What? What can't be?
I can tell by your face that you like lascivious things.
- What? - And lascivious women might like that nose of yours.
Master!
Really? So that Damo wench is here?
Yes, Your Highness.
Her Highness, Concubine Hong!
You should have come to my chambers first before you came here!
Please forgive me, Your Highness, but I...
Forget it. How can a lowly wench know palace etiquette?
What is that? Did you paint something at the Bureau?
- Your Highness... - I ordered you to draw it here! How dare you disobey me!
No, Your Highness! The queen ordered me to not disturb you.
- I painted this to save time... - I don't want to hear it!
This painting is for my chamber! That means you should paint it to my wishes.
How dare you take my words lightly?
And what is this painting? Are you drawing lotus flowers?
Yes, Your Highness.
- Your Highness! - Impudent wench! How dare you insult me!
What do you mean, Your Highness?
Lotus flowers grow in filthy mud!
How dare you draw such a thing in a painting that is supposed to bring me fertility!
If you are displeased with this painting, I will paint another one.
But you are wrong about the lotus flower.
Lotus flowers do grow in mud, but the flowers are unsullied and symbolize purity.
Furthermore, they signify purity and womanhood.
How dare you lecture me, you lowly peasant?
Take her out of my sight this instant! And go and tell Mother about...
Your Highness! Are you alright? Your Highness!
- Was the physician summoned? - Yes, he should be inside.
Concubine Hong is showing signs of pregnancy? Is that true?
Yes, Your Majesty. The Royal Physician is with her right now.
See to your business.
Did you hear that the Royal Physician is with your sister right now?
What did you say? Has something happened to Her Highness?
It's not that, but it appears that she is showing signs of being pregnant!
- What? Pregnant? - Yes, I heard it from her eunuch directly!
Congratulations, My Lord!
So? Has Concubine Hong conceived?
Although it is too early to read her pulse for pregnancy,
based on what she has said about her symptoms, it appears that she has conceived!
How wonderful that you have conceived so quickly!
Well done!
- Thank you, Your Highness! - Well done!
Your Majesty...!
- Let's go. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Were you crying?
No, Your Majesty.
What's wrong? Why are you crying?
It's because I'm upset and angry!
You have waited to conceive for so long! But Heaven is so heartless!
How could Heaven have given Concubine Hong a child so quickly!
Don't say such things. We should be glad that we will have an heir soon.
Your Majesty!
Congratulations, Your Highness! Please have a son and continue the royal lineage!
Yes, Older Brother. I will do so. Please do not worry!
But if I do so, you must make me a promise.
- Promise? - You must never go through what you did again.
You don't know how much worry you caused me!
- Your Highness! - You are the only one I can trust in the palace.
If I give birth to a son, you will be uncle to the future king of this country.
You must protect him with your life!
Don't worry, Your Highness. I will guard you and your baby with my life!
You must focus on giving birth safely.
- Yes, Older Brother. - His Majesty the king!
- Your Majesty! - So you are here too.
Congratulations on Her Highness' pregnancy!
Thank you. And thank you, Concubine Hong.
You have done a great thing for the sake of the royal family.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
- Are you alright? - What?
You were slapped by Her Highness. Are you alright?
It doesn't hurt anymore. Don't worry about me.
Your future is definitely bleak.
I knew the moment she started picking on you!
Now that she's pregnant, she's really going to give it to you!
- You know, Chobi... - What?
Why don't you go ahead. I'll take care of this.
Alright then.
Song Yeon!
- Your Majesty! - Are you here for the Bureau?
Yes, Your Majesty. I am painting a folding screen for Her Highness.
I heard Her Highness is expecting. Congratulations, Your Majesty!
Congratulations...
Yes, it should be congratulated as it is a great affair for the royal family.
But for some reason, I don't want to hear that from you.
- Let's go. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, the Personnel Minister is here!
You forbade me to come here, so why did you summon me, Your Majesty?
I do not have a special reason, Minister.
But I thought it was only polite to inform you that I had a change of mind.
Change of mind, Your Majesty?
Tomorrow, I will leave this forsaken place and return to my rightful residence as Dowager Queen.
Leave this place?
Oh, and there will be a small change to Lord Jang Tae Woo's position as well.
What did you say? The slaves are going to be released?
- Who has ordered such a thing? - It was Secretary Hong, Your Excellency!
They are going to execute the murderers,
but the others will be released after serving a light sentence! How can that be?
So what are you saying?
Are you accusing me of giving Secretary Hong too much power?
That's right, Your Majesty.
Secretary Hong is wielding his power and influence in a reckless and tyrannical way!
What do you mean by reckless and tyrannical?
Secretary Hong is planning on releasing the slave gang members
after they serve a light sentence.
- That is going against the law...! - It was I that gave him that order.
That means that it is I that is being reckless and tyrannical, not Secretary Hong.
- Your Majesty! - Yes, they deserve to die.
But if we have to execute all the slaves,
then what about the nobles who abused and had slaves killed for running away?
Doesn't that mean that the nobles should pay for their crimes as well?
That cannot be, Your Majesty!
Our nation is founded on Confucian principles.
It is the right of the nobleman to treat their slaves anyway they wish as part of their estate!
Yes, you're right, Councilor.
That is why it is my plan to change our country's laws.
Change our country's laws?
- Will you prohibit the pursuit of runaway slaves? - No.
Do you really think I'll go to all this trouble just to prohibit that?
Then what do you mean...?
I plan on abolishing slavery, Councilor.
Your Majesty!
Of course it will be a difficult battle to fight.
Since slaves are noblemen's property, they will rise up in bitter protest against me.
But I will do away with slavery altogether!
Your Majesty, it is Official Nam.
Enter.
- Your Majesty... - What is it?
Official Nam?
Her Majesty the Dowager Queen is waiting outside.
What?
It has been a while, Your Majesty.
What are you doing here, Your Majesty?
Did you not hear me? I asked you what you were doing here!
Your Majesty! It was I that asked her to come here.
- Secretary Hong! - I asked Her Majesty to come here.
What did you say? You asked?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Episode 54