It has been a while, Your Majesty.
What are you doing here?
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? It was you? - Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Highness, it is Attendant Yi.
What? The Dowager Queen is at the Grand Palace?
That's not all, Your Highness! It was Secretary Hong who brought her there!
What...? Why would he do such a thing?
Your Highness...!
Your Majesty, the wind is chilly. Please wait back at your residence.
No. I will wait here.
I am here to reconcile with His Majesty. I can withstand this humiliation.
Your Majesty...!
Secretary Hong.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Tell me why you have done this!
I do not wish to think that I have misjudged you.
I am sure you have a reason.
So tell me why you brought the Dowager Queen here.
I did it to preserve your authority.
- To preserve my authority? - Yes, Your Majesty.
I do not understand what you are saying.
So what are you saying?
Are you telling me I have to forgive her?
- That's right, Your Majesty. - Secretary Hong.
Please forgive the Dowager Queen and bring her back to the inner court of the palace!
The best way to control the Councilor and restrain the No Ron faction
is to have the Dowager Queen on your side.
- So... Your Majesty! - That's enough!
Your Majesty!
Is this what you wanted? Is this why you went to the Dowager Queen?
I did that in order to find out if we can trust her.
I wanted to know if she was sincere when she claimed loyalty to you.
So you're saying that you brought here because you have judged her to be trustworthy?
Yes, that is so.
Please have faith in me and release the Dowager Queen from her exile.
She wants to be of help to you.
Please do not lose that opportunity, Your Majesty!
You must take advantage of the power that the Dowager Queen has over the No Ron members.
You said you wanted to speak with me, but all of you have been silent the whole night.
We have heard about your involvement with the Dowager Queen.
Is that true, My Lord?
What do you mean by that?
We heard that you petitioned His Majesty to forgive the Dowager Queen.
Yes I did. So what about it?
We doubted it, but how could you?
My Lord, this is ridiculous! The Dowager Queen wanted to harm His Majesty.
We almost lost our lives countless times because of her! How can you betray us like this?
Betray you? You should be careful what you say to me.
I am your superior. Just because I am close with you
does not give you license to talk to me in that manner.
- Forgive me, My Lord. I just... - That's enough.
If this is why you wanted to see me, then there is no reason for me to stay.
I have no reason to explain myself to you.
Forgive us, My Lord!
If we have offended you, please forgive us.
- We were just... - No. It's my fault for venting my frustrations on you.
My Lord...
Do you not trust me as well?
Tell me, Dae Su.
Do you also think I have ulterior motives for defending the Dowager Queen?
No, you are not that kind of man.
But...
It's alright. Tell me.
But it is true that you have changed.
You've changed the way you treat us.
And I don't know if I should say this but...
We have heard rumors that the visitors to your house do it to fulfill their ambitions...
Those aren't rumors. It's the truth.
My Lord!
Yes. I have changed.
How can I not change when I now possess the authority that I have always coveted?
It's why I wanted to be in this position!
Why must I be the same Hong Gook Young as before?
But there is something you must know.
One thing that has remained steadfast is my loyalty and service to His Majesty.
Do you understand now?
The reason why I have petitioned His Majesty to forgive the Dowager Queen,
is because I want to preserve his authority.
I do not think I am wrong.
If necessary, I will join forces with anyone.
I will protect His Majesty with these two hands.
And I will raise up this country to be built on solid rock.
What is the Dowager Queen doing?
She is still waiting in front of the Grand Palace, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, it is already past the Hour of the Dog (7-9pm).
I'm fine. Stand back.
Your Majesty.
I came here to speak with you.
I wanted to repent of my crimes and show you my sincere heart...
I know very well what your sincere heart is from the past years.
I do not believe that it has changed.
So return to your chambers.
You will need my help, Your Majesty.
And whenever you ask of it, I will give you my assistance as repentance.
Your Majesty...
You will come to believe my sincerity like Secretary Hong.
I'm so not looking forward to going to Concubine Hong's palace again!
- Why? - How can you say that after you were bullied by her?
She's really weak. It didn't hurt at all when she hit me!
You're unbelievable!
Sir, can you lend me your brush?
- My brush? - Yes, my brush is old now.
Here...
Here it is.
- Thank you, Sir. - Yes, alright.
What is wrong with me?
What's wrong, Royal Artist Tak?
It's nothing.
You've been standing there dazed all day. Are you not feeling well?
- You have bags under your eyes too. - It's nothing...
Get away! Get away from me! Why are you doing this to me?
What...?
What's wrong with Royal Artist Tak?
Don't worry, Sir. It's like that in the beginning.
- What's like that? - Don't worry about it.
What?
I invited all of you Minister's wives here to celebrate Concubine Hong's pregnancy!
- Please enjoy yourselves. - Yes, Your Highness!
We are so honored to be summoned to the palace for this momentous occasion.
- Congratulations on your pregnancy, Your Highness. - Congratulations, Your Highness.
The Royal Heir has been long-awaited, Your Highness.
Now that Concubine Hong will be giving you an heir, you will no longer have to be worried!
I have never been so happy and pleased!
This is all because of Concubine Hong. How blessed we are to have her.
- I am honored, Your Highness. - Congratulations again, Your Highness!
Congratulations, Your Highness.
Why do they keep saying Royal Heir?
What if it's not a boy but a girl?
How can you say such an inauspicious thing?
Forgive me, Your Majesty. I just...
- Tangerines? That is precious fruit from Cheju Island! - Yes, Your Highness.
Please take a look at my gift too! These are herbs from Hamyang.
They are known to be effective in making male babies!
- Really? - Yes, Your Highness.
Thank you so much for your concern.
You must all have been so worried because of the lack of royal heirs.
I will certainly give birth to a royal heir, so worry no longer.
- How could I lift my head if I can't even do that? - Please don't say that, Your Highness.
Since you're here, come to my chambers. Let us have refreshments
We are honored, Your Highness!
Did you hear that, Your Majesty? She said it so that you could hear...!
- Let's go. - Your Majesty!
This is the new painting for the folding screen, Your Highness.
We used pomegranates as they symbolize fertility and birth.
Pomegranate? What use is there for a fertility talisman when I am already pregnant?
- Paint whatever you wish. - Yes, Your Highness.
- Your Highness, the Physician is here. - Is he?
- Then we will take our leave. - No. I said I wanted to see you paint.
- Wait over there for a while. - Yes, Your Highness.
I cannot seem to eat anything because of my morning sickness.
Make sure that you add herbs to treat this in my tonic.
Please forgive me for saying this...
You have had morning sickness for several weeks?
That's right. But why do you ask?
Well... Something seems wrong.
By now your pulse should confirm your pregnancy.
What do you mean by that? Then my pulse isn't confirming my pregnancy?
Wait a moment.
- You may wait outside. - Yes, My Lady.
Tell me what you meant by my pulse not confirming my pregnancy.
First stay, and then go. She's so fickle.
- It's because the Physician was there. - But don't you think it's strange?
- What is? - You heard the Physician say something was wrong.
I wonder what it is?
Let us all drink today and have some rest.
Tomorrow we will be busy again.
At the Cabinet meeting today, I will present my reform to abolish slavery.
I plan on abolishing slavery and making all slaves free citizens.
Not only will the officials protest, but all the nobles of this country will rise up against me.
So, prepare yourselves.
They will want to stage a coup against an insane king
who first used half-bloods and now wants to abolish slavery!
Yes, that is true. But we are all eagerly waiting for that moment.
Please do not worry about us.
Thank you. I am so glad that you are behind me.
You honor us, Your Majesty!
Forgive me, Your Excellency.
You may let the Councilor through.
You are letting me go unsearched? What is it that you want?
You know very well what His Majesty intends on discussing today.
So please have an open-mind and not protest too much.
And that's why you are exempting me from the body search?
- Now you are mocking me. - Mocking you? Not at all!
It is a sincere request, Your Excellency.
You know that His Majesty is planning on presenting his reforms on slavery.
You will have to restrain yourself on this matter.
I'm saying that you cannot incite the No Ron members and threaten to boycott government again.
How interesting.
Do you think I will restrain myself because you have told me to?
Yes I do.
If you don't, you will once again suffer the humiliation you experienced ten years ago.
- What? - Didn't I promise this to you?
I told you I would show you what it means to recklessly wield power.
So if you can guess what I have in my possession,
I advise you to restrain yourself and keep a low profile.
I will take back what I said. But seasons change and so do people's minds.
Do not be too confident, Councilor.
Didn't you fall at my hands because you were too confident before me?
If you can guess what I have in my possession,
I advise you to restrain yourself and keep a low profile.
Your Majesty, it is time for the Cabinet.
Therefore, as a vice that eats away at civilization, slavery shall be abolished.
The king shall thereby prohibit the abuse of slaves as well as cruel measures of punishing runaways.
As a result, the Office of Slave Investigations shall be eradicated.
Your Majesty, this is outrageous!
The Office of Slave Investigations have existed for five hundred years!
How can you eradicate it in one day?
This office is responsible for catching slaves who have broken the law by escaping.
If you eradicate it, this means that you are consenting to the breaking of laws!
- Please reconsider, Your Majesty! - Please reconsider!
You are already making such a fuss and we are only at the midpoint of the proposal.
I doubt we will be able to complete the session today.
Secretary Hong, you may return to your seat.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Today's decree did not intend to merely prohibit the pursuit of runaway slaves.
I plan to make all slaves who have fulfilled their financial obligations into free citizens.
I will eradicate their slave status!
Furthermore, I will restrict the number of slaves in this country,
and cause slavery to be abolished completely!
Abolish slavery? How can you propose such a thing?
Our country is based on a class system!
We cannot accept such a decree. Please reconsider your decision!
Please reconsider, Your Majesty!
The Chief Secretary shall put together a list of all government and palace slaves.
They will be freed and made into free citizens.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, this is unreasonable! You cannot do this!
Your Excellency, say something! How can you be quiet at a time like this?
Your Excellency!
Your Majesty, may I say something?
Go ahead.
I believe that you will not change your mind no matter what I say.
Am I right?
You are.
If that is how it is, then there is no other choice.
Get up all of you.
Did you hear me? I said get up!
We shall take our leave, Your Majesty.
Sit down, Councilor! What is the meaning of this outrage!
You are the one that has driven us out.
What else can we say to a sovereign who will not listen to us?
- Councilor! - You have made enemies of all the nobles.
You will have to bear responsibility for the collapse of government.
Let's go.
Councilor! Councilor!
Go ahead.
What is the meaning of this?
- Have you forgotten what I said? - Forgotten? How could I?
This is my response to your words of advice, Secretary Hong.
Do whatever you wish with whatever it is that you have.
I have been humiliated once before. Why not a second time?
- Councilor! - You must have gotten it from the Dowager Queen.
But I wonder if a righteous man like His Majesty
would appreciate your manipulations.
Your Majesty...
Thus government is threatening to collapse again.
Why do you still have that?
So are you saying that you will not use this letter?
I never said that I would use this letter and drive Lord Jang Tae Woo this instant.
The moment I use this, I will be handing you my achilles heel.
And if His Majesty finds out, he will never forgive me.
Now look here, Secretary Hong...
So if I use this, it will be for the last time.
Because when I fall out of favor with His Majesty, I will also be of no use to you.
You will have to find other ways to change His Majesty's mind.
Because when I fall out of favor with His Majesty, I will also be of no use to you.
Yes. That means that I will have to use other means to change His Majesty's mind.
Attendant Kang.
Yes, Your Majesty.
- Go and bring the Personnel Minister to me. - Yes, Your Majesty.
How am I?
- You still cannot read my pulse? - Yes, Your Highness.
Please forgive me, Your Highness, but if we still cannot find the pulse...
I do not think you are pregnant.
That is impossible! I had morning sickness and haven't had my menses!
How can this happen if I am not pregnant?
I suspect you had a phantom pregnancy.
What? Phantom pregnancy?
- Her Highness is here! - What? Mother?
No, please sit down.
- But Mother... - I said sit down.
- You must not rise so quickly when you are expecting. - Yes, Mother.
- So the Physician is here. Please sit. - Yes, Your Highness.
I wanted to summon you to ask about Concubine Hong.
So how is she? Is the baby growing well?
Your Highness, that...
What is it? Is something wrong?
- I regret to inform you... - Physician!
I will tell Her Highness myself. You may leave.
What are you doing? I said you may leave!
Yes, Your Highness.
What is the matter? Has something happened to the baby?
- Concubine Hong! - Of course not, Your Highness!
The baby is fine.
But he was about to tell you that he was concerned for my frail health.
- Indeed? - Yes, Your Highness.
What do you mean you're not pregnant? What are you saying?
The Physician confirmed that you weren't pregnant
and yet you lied to Her Highness?
I had no other choice!
I could not tell her the truth!
Older Brother, you must help me!
You must silence the Physician and hide the truth!
Hide the truth? How can this problem be solved like that?
- You can get pregnant again! Tell the truth and... - I can't do that!
What do you think others will say?
They will accuse me of lying deliberately about being pregnant!
They will say that I lied in order to gain the favor of His Majesty and his mother!
What about the Queen? She will mock me openly!
- Your Highness! - I have already lied to Mother!
If she knows the truth, she will never forgive me!
We can tell everyone that I have miscarried after a short time.
Please help me, Older Brother!
Why do you need to take so much food with you?
Are you going out to enjoy the spring blooms?
How can you go to enjoy spring blooms when you've been rejected by a girl?
- Uncle! - Only couples should go to places like that.
Is that right?
I shouldn't even bother!
By the way, you should be careful!
- Careful of what? - The rumors are already rife in the palace!
You've been wandering around the palace looking at flowers!
I'll be home soon.
What do you mean by that? Flowers in the palace?
Did you...? Where have you run off to?
- Sir! - Did you bring it?
- Yes. Here you go. - Thanks.
But where are you going?
He's going to visit the slaves that we arrested at the Finance Minister's residence.
He's been feeling troubled since he arrested him.
What?
That slave lost his sister when she was killed, and has a mother, who is ill.
Slaves have their own fate, but I feel uneasy since he's being executed tomorrow.
His Majesty is going to abolish slavery, but he won't even live to see that day.
It should be around here somewhere.
You can't take that!
Please!
How am I supposed to live?
What happened?
They said that my son did not pay his slave tax.
The slave investigators took everything!
He will be taken to the execution site tomorrow.
I wanted to make him porridge before he died!
Now I can't even do that!
Those damned bastards!
What did you say?
I prohibited the taxation of slaves as well as eradicated the Office of Slave Investigations!
How could this have happened?
It appears that these events are occurring more often after your decree was presented.
It was not just to the slaves in the gang, but to all the slaves who had run away.
They were making their relatives pay their taxes.
His Majesty the King!
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
How are the ministries doing?
The six ministries are being handled by the Nam In and So Ron officials.
We are handling the Three Councils.
We are receiving petitions by the hundreds everyday at the Royal Secretariat.
They will continue to send petitions until they lack the strength to lift their brushes.
- When is the meeting planned? - It is scheduled for the Hour of the Dragon. (7-9am)
But I do not think any of the No Ron members will attend.
I advise you to not attend as well.
No, I will attend.
As long as there is one official there, I will hold my daily Cabinet.
Your Excellency.
- Is everyone present? - Yes, Your Excellency.
His Majesty the King!
You mean the Personnel and Industry Ministers have led the others to the Cabinet?
That's right, Your Excellency.
I did not think I would see you at the Cabinet today.
What is going on, Minister?
I attended the Cabinet so that I could discuss how to prevent the collapse of government.
Please reconsider your proposal to abolish slavery, Your Majesty.
If so, we will accept your proposal to prohibit the pursuit of slaves and abolish government slavery.
Minister!
If you do this for us, we will stop the protests and objections.
And we will return to our positions.
Your Majesty, there are two scales in this world.
One is a scale of propriety and the other is a scale of customs.
Although you are right to bring in this reform,
if you rush it, you will not be able to gather the approval of everyone.
You must bring in reform one at a time
so that the country does not fall into chaos.
- Is this your advice to me, Minister? - Yes, Your Majesty.
This is also the will of Her Majesty the Dowager Queen.
What did you say?
It was Her Majesty who told me to cajole the other No Ron officials.
They are here only because it is what the Dowager Queen wants.
I hope you understand what that means.
It was as I suspected. It was the Dowager Queen's influence.
That was not the only reason, Your Excellency.
Many of them were concerned about the way you handled the situation.
- How I handled the situation? - We have already lost once to His Majesty.
If we fight against him in the same way, the result will be the same.
That is why we decided to discard the flesh to save the bones.
You have been away from the government too long to understand, Councilor.
If you want to lead No Ron and oppose His Majesty,
you must now understand politics.
In that case, you can ask that hen of yours.
- Your Excellency! - I don't dabble in politics!
I only do what I think is right.
But that can diminish No Ron's standing.
You must accept that government can change
just as seasons do.
Your Excellency!
Today at the Hour of the Ram (1-3pm), the murderers will be executed.
- You will be responsible for their escort. - Yes, My Lord!
Your Majesty!
- Bring him out. - Yes, Sir.
I have brought him, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
Rise and sit down.
What are you doing? His Majesty has given you an order!
- Official Nam. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Your mother wanted to cook for you for the last time.
- Go ahead and eat. - Your Majesty!
Please forgive my question, but is my mother safe?
She is safe. Do not worry.
If I could return you to your mother,
I would do it ten times over.
You have broken the law and murdered men.
I cannot release you.
However...
I promise you one thing.
Your mother will not only be safe, but she will be exempt from paying taxes.
- She will be protected against all abuse. - Your Majesty!
If you come down to it, how can you be held responsible?
It is I that is at fault,
since I have allowed this to happen.
But...
As long as I am alive, I will never allow this to happen again.
There will no longer be any slaves who are abused, nor any slaves who take up arms because of this.
I will make sure of it.
So when you are reincarnated in the next world,
I will make sure that you will live without abuse or suffering.
I will try to accomplish this with all of my effort.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
If that is true, I can die in peace!
Your Majesty!
Send my message to the Dowager Queen.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
Where did they go off to again?
Have you seen Royal Artists Yi and Tak?
No, we haven't.
We have so much work to do! Where did those two run off to?
- Come here! Come here! - Wait, Artist Yi!
I'm going back! Erotica! No way I will ever paint that!
But erotica is a form of art as well!
I will never paint such things!
- Then just go! - Royal Artist Yi!
What?
Let's go together. I should at least give my greetings to Master since I'm here.
You're so obvious.
Royal Artist Yi!
Master, we are here!
- Where did he go? - How strange. He told us to come today.
What's this? "Self study today"?
Self study?
How could you, Master...?
- My lovely! - Sir!
- Let's go. - Why did you ask me to meet you here?
Oh that...
My house is not good for studying.
I've been getting these two rats lately.
- What? - One's fat and other one's thin.
Let's go!
That's good enough.
Sir!
That's good enough for today. So my lovely, let's have some wine together.
- Here. Hurry! - What?
But Sir, I want to learn from you.
I have seen not only your Maehwa paintings but your other record paintings.
Please teach me to paint like you.
For what?
Your Maehwa painting is good enough.
Here, have a drink. Shall I pour a shot myself?
Forgive me, Sir, but I do not want to paint a painting that is merely good enough.
Then what kind of painting do you want to do?
Are you telling me you want to be the best painter in Joseon?
Are you sure that's enough?
- What? - I don't think you can be fulfilled with painting.
Just as a wine glass is filled with wine,
a person's heart should be filled by a person.
I don't think a mere painting will fill that empty heart of yours, my lovely.
Are you still attending to matters of state?
Mother!
I was surprised when you came here without prior notice.
Your attendant told you that I was here, but you were too busy to hear her.
- Is that so? - Why don't you retire to your chambers for tonight?
How can you function when you are so tired?
I will do so when I finish my work, Mother.
Are you sure you should be allowing the Dowager Queen to return?
Actually, I came here because I couldn't sleep.
How could Secretary Hong defend her? I am concerned that I have misjudged him.
Don't concern yourself too much, Mother.
Secretary Hong does not do things recklessly.
- Congratulations, Your Majesty. - I am merely back in my place.
I don't need to be congratulated for that.
In any case, you have done well.
But you will be doing a lot more going forward.
What is this, Your Majesty?
Use that and purchase property for me without being noticed.
Property?
Do you wish to make a secret meeting place like before?
How could that be? I have to earn the favor of His Majesty.
I could never create such a commotion again.
I will tell you in due time what that property will be used for.
Although this is not the right time, seasons will change again.
We must make the necessary preparations for that day.
No need to pack that too! I'll be back soon!
My Lord! Terrible news!
- Please go outside! - What is the matter?
The criminal ex-Vice Councilor, Min Joo Shik
shall be taken to the Tribunal for the murder and bodily injury of the Gyujunggak custodians!
- Arrest him immediately! - Yes, Sir!
It's an anesthetic dart! Find the source!
- Who are you? - Follow us.
Your Majesty.
- So you have come. - What brings you to the Royal Hospital?
I stopped by on my way somewhere else.
I received some medicinal herbs from my family and had them sent here.
I wanted to know if they could be used to make Concubine Hong's tonic.
- Were you aware of this? - Yes, Your Majesty.
Will those herbs be effective in maintaining Concubine Hong's health while she is pregnant?
I don't think so, Your Majesty.
Secretary Hong...!
Forgive me, but I do not think that those herbs will be suitable for Her Highness.
Really? Why not?
The Physician told me that one of the herbs is not suitable for her and may cause her harm.
- Isn't that right? - What?
Is that so?
Yes, Your Majesty.
I didn't know that. I will ask them to send another batch.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
What do you mean I can't tell anyone about Her Highness' phantom pregnancy?
It's as I said. I will trust that you will comply, Doctor.
But I can't do that, Secretary Hong. There is no pregnancy!
- How can we pretend otherwise? - I will take care of that.
I will take care of everything. I promise you will not come to harm.
So please follow my request.
Take care of what, Secretary Hong?
Your Majesty.
What were you discussing with the Physician just now?
Explain yourself. What did I just overhear you say?
Episode 55