You can't do that! Hey, you're stepping on it again!
My Lady, the Court Education Mistresses are here.
- Welcome. - Yes, My Lady.
So I hear Song Yeon is doing well in her classes?
Yes, it's only her fourth day, but they say she is learning quickly.
Indeed. She is an intelligent girl. I am sure she will learn quickly.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Please recite the ladies ranks from first to fourth ranks.
First rank, is Jungkyung Bu In. Second rank, is Jung Bu In.
Third rank is Sook Bu In. Third mid-rank is Sook In.
Fourth rank is Gong In. And fifth rank is Eun In.
Next, please recite the titles of the royal relatives.
~Recites~
If the late king's three wives were still alive, how would you address them?
They should be addressed as Dowager Queen, Grand Dowager Queen, Grand Royal Dowager Queen.
My Lady!
- I'm sorry. - You gave the correct answers.
But you must remember to speak down to us.
Alright. I will remember that next time.
His Majesty the King!
Your Majesty!
So you forgot to speak down to them again, and was scolded by the Mistresses?
Yes, Your Majesty. I find it strange to speak down to women
who are so much older than I.
Don't feel rushed. It will come with time.
Come to think of it, I need a lecture by the Mistresses too.
I am using casual language with you as well.
- Your Majesty... - I should change the way I speak to you as well.
- How about now? - Your Majesty!
Yes, it's not easy.
It's like a dream.
I can't believe I'm walking with you like this.
How is Mother these days? Is she still rejecting you her audience?
No, Your Majesty. She has been receiving me in the evenings.
- Is that so? - Yes, Your Majesty.
Let us go to Mother's palace for our greetings.
- Excuse me? - Why are you so surprised?
My Lady, it has been ten days! She has not received you once in those ten days.
Why do you insist on being humiliated?
If you won't go with me, then I shall go alone.
My Lady!
You are here again, My Lady.
- Is Mother in? - No, she is not.
Then will it be alright if I wait here until she returns?
Forgive me, but you cannot do so.
Since no one knows when she will return, it is best if you return to your residence.
- What is the meaning of that attitude? - Excuse me?
Didn't you hear what I said? I asked about your outrageous attitude!
- Forgive me, My Lady. Something went in my nose... - Silence!
How dare you insult me? I am the Grand Lady of the Princess!
Like me, she is new and unaware of the ways of the palace.
- Why don't you be gracious and forgive her? - I can't do that, My Lady.
What is this commotion?
This is the palace! How can you cause such a commotion in here?
Forgive us, Your Highness.
Mo... Mother...!
Mother, I have come to give you my greetings.
What did you just say to me?
Mother? Did I give you permission to call me as such?
I have never acknowledged you as my daughter-in-law.
You must never call me Mother again. Do you understand?
What did I tell you, My Lady! I said you would be humiliated.
- Why don't you tell the queen about this? She will... - We can't do that.
I will not burden Her Majesty with this.
Tell the other girls to not say a word about this.
- Please do this for me, Attendant Yang. - Yes, My Lady.
Your Majesty, Secretary Hong is here.
Let him enter.
- How are the preparations? - Yes, we are ready for you to travel incognito.
Alright then.
As you wanted, only three Imperial Guards will be personally guarding you in this trip.
But I have requested additional guards to surround you as well.
We still have not caught the suspects from the previous attempt.
This is for your safety. Please give us your permission.
Alright then. Let us hurry. There is much we must accomplish today.
In Woonjongga alone, there are over a hundred illegal peddler's markets.
Yes, the merchant clans cannot monitor all of these illegal markets themselves.
They must be from the merchant clans, Your Majesty.
They are using thugs to threaten the peddlers.
I have heard that they are abusing the peddlers physically.
- Officer Park. - Yes, Your Majesty.
There is something you must do with Officers Suh and Kang.
Please forgive us this once, Sir! We need to make money to eat!
Be quiet! How dare you trade in Woonjongga!
- Confiscate all their goods! - Yes, Sir!
Please forgive us this once! Please, Sir!
What's this?
- Stand back while we're still being nice! - Who are you?
Us? We're this man's younger brothers.
If you don't want to get hurt, leave immediately!
What? Don't just stand there! Get them!
Yes, Sir!
Wait and see! You won't get away with this!
Get out of here, you thugs!
- Is everyone alright? - Thank you! But who are you anyway?
- And why did you say you were our younger...? - We did that for a reason.
Come with us. There is someone who would like to meet you.
Your Majesty, we have brought them.
- Bring them in. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Come on in.
- Do you remember me? - Your Majesty!
What do you mean the trade restriction will be lifted?
It's as I said. I am going to take away the trade rights of the merchant clans.
I am going to allow peddlers like you to trade freely in the market.
Your Majesty!
This time, I plan on keeping the promise I made with all of you.
That is what I wanted to tell you.
What promise, Your Majesty?
Did you forget the promise I made to you when I was Crown Prince?
Your Highness, how can you say that? Why would we be bitter towards you?
Although it was only a few days, you allowed us to trade freely.
It was something we had never dreamt we could do.
So how can you apologize to us, Your Highness?
- Now look here... - Even if it was all for naught, we would never blame you.
Even if it was for a short while,
you allowed us to live like men.
How can we ever forget that kindness, Your Highness?
No, don't say that.
But I promise you one thing.
I will help you realize that dream someday.
And I will not allow it to end like a dream.
Your Highness!
- Official Nam, are you there? - Yes, Your Majesty.
Summon Secretary Hong. I wish to pass a decree.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I can't read! What does it say?
It says that we can work and earn money like real human beings!
Is this a trick like last time?
His Majesty has passed a law prohibiting the regulation of trade rights!
From today onwards, everyone is allowed to trade freely. If anyone is found harassing them,
they will punished according to the law! Now return to your homes!
You can't do this! Who gave him the right to prohibit trade regulation?
- We will not allow that to happen! - Yes!
Do you know who has made this country prosper? How dare you take away our trade rights?
Let's go in and demand an answer!
Disband them immediately! Make sure no one gets hurt!
Yes, Sir!
They look like they're going to start a riot!
This may cause a big commotion in the Capital! We must prevent them from rioting!
How is the markets in Woonjongga?
As expected, the merchant clans have closed shop and are burning their goods.
The soldiers are trying to stop them, but their protests are gaining strength.
What about the other markets in the Capital?
Fortunately, the goods coming in from Songpa and Nuwon are not being destroyed.
How are prices in the market?
Due to the merchant's destruction of goods, salt is worth three yang.
And barley is now worth two yang.
Release the rations in the imperial storehouses to the peddlers.
- Yes, Your Majesty. - And Secretary Hong.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Thank you!
At what prices are you releasing the goods?
Rice at four yang, barley and grains at two yang, Salt at six yang and firewood at one yang and five puns.
When are the goods arriving from Songpa and Nuwon?
It should arrive at the Capital in about five days.
What is it?
It's nothing. I must have been mistaken.
The merchant clans hold the purse strings of this country's economy.
What do you think that means? There is nothing they won't do to protect it.
If they feel the need, they will try to change the king.
- I hear Mother was looking for me. - Yes, Your Majesty.
The Office of Astronomy has given these auspicious dates. Please have a look.
- Alright then. - Your Highness, the queen is here.
Let her enter.
- Then on that day, send out a prohibition of marriage. - Yes, Your Highness.
- You may leave. - Yes, Your Highness.
- Have a seat, my daughter. - Yes, Mother.
But did I overhear something about a prohibition of marriage?
What else? It is for the new concubine selection.
- But Mother... - I told you that is what I was going to do.
The Office of Astronomy has given the 25th day of this month as an auspicious day.
But Mother, Song Yeon has already been made a concubine...!
A concubine? Who? She has not yet received her official title.
But she has already had her wedding ceremony according to the palace's customs.
So please let go of your anger and allow her to receive her official title.
- I told you I won't do that. - Mother...!
I did not ask you here to ask your opinion.
I am merely showing you courtesy by informing you beforehand.
You may leave now.
Your Highness, the queen is here.
Your Majesty.
What were you doing?
I was dyeing silk threads for Mother's birthday celebration.
You could have had the Office of Embroidery do this. Why are you doing this yourself?
I wanted to put my heart in each thread. Please do not worry about me, Your Highness.
I heard that Mother has yet to receive your greetings.
Why did you not inform me of this? I told you to tell me if you have any problems.
Forgive me, Your Majesty.
No, I should have known that you would never tell me these things.
- It is all because I have been uncaring. - Not at all! Please don't say that, Your Majesty!
All of this is because I am unworthy. I have to solve this by myself.
Please do not concern yourself over this.
And please do not tell His Majesty about this either.
He is preoccupied with state affairs, and I do not wish to add to his burdens.
- Now Song Yeon... - Please do not be burdened by me.
I believe that if I try my hardest, Mother's heart will melt towards me.
Song Yeon must be so lonely, going through this by herself.
Everyone goes through it, Your Majesty. The whole day is spent with strange people.
Oh, Attendant Kim. There is something you must do for me.
Excuse me?
Are you finished with the paintings for the Prefecture?
Not yet. I haven't finished them yet.
Tomorrow is Her Highness' birthday. I told you we must finish them by today!
If anyone doesn't finish them by today, you cannot go to the celebrations tomorrow.
You can't do that! If we go there, we'll see Song Yeon...
- I mean Lady Sung! - Yes, I wanted to catch a glimpse of her too!
Then stop dallying around and start working!
- Are you done with your work? - I... well...
Everyone, gather around.
There was a message that the queen's attendant will be coming to the Bureau.
When she arrives, everyone should gather in the yard.
I wonder what the queen's attendant is coming here for?
- So they were right! - What's right?
I told you my sister was a palacemaid for the queen, right?
She said that the queen wants a new attendant for Song Yeon... I mean Lady Sung!
Then that means she is going to select someone from the Bureau?
- From the Bureau? - An attendant means a minimum of sixth rank!
It looks like someone is going to be promoted on account of Song Yeon!
What are you doing over there?
Who are you? Why are you loitering near the palace?
Forgive me, My Lady. I am a Damo from the Bureau of Paintings.
I miss Lady Sung so much that I have been hoping to catch a glimpse of her from here.
Please forgive me!
- Did you just say Lady Sung? - Yes, My Lady!
Truthfully, we were like sisters.
But she left so suddenly for the palace, and I have been so worried about her!
- Were you really that close with Her Highness? - Yes!
When she first joined the Bureau, the other Damos were mean to her.
But I shielded her! That is why she...
trusted and depended on me the most!
- What is your name? - I am Chobi of the Yang family.
Yang Chobi.
- Are the merchant clans still protesting? - Yes, Your Majesty.
We are using the Police Bureau to restrain their violence and riots.
But if they do not stop, the situation may worsen considerably.
- So the rations are running out. - Yes, Your Majesty.
If things continue as they are,
- In ten days time, the citizens will be affected. - No, it will be four days.
I have purchased goods from Qing and they should arrive via Duman River.
We should be able to last another month.
This is the next phase.
Go and inform everyone my intentions.
The merchant clans who accept the new laws,
will be given special tax subsidies. This may influence them.
Yes, Your Majesty.
But they may still continue to resist.
If that is the case, then arrest the clan chiefs, Jung Tae Young, Yi Jin Chul, and Park Hyun Woo.
When they realize we know about their dealings, they will start to waver.
- Your Majesty...! - But they may still continue to resist
For that, I have prepared one last thing.
I will tell you at a later time, but I do not wish to use it.
Your Majesty, it is I.
- What is it? - A message has arrived from the Ministry of Rites.
Her Highness has declared that she will not attend her birthday celebrations.
What? What do you mean?
Forgive me, Your Majesty.
This won't do. I will go and meet her myself.
The queen is said to be with her. Please wait a while.
Mother, today is your birthday celebrations.
Why do you refuse to attend?
Please swallow your anger and attend your celebrations.
His Majesty has always paid great attention to the preparations of your birthday celebrations.
- Please consider his filial piety and... - His filial piety?
Mother...!
- Prepare my robes. - Yes, Your Highness.
Know this, my daughter. I am going to attend for the sake of the royal family.
So are you saying that you haven't even seen Song Yeon once?
That's what I said! Do you think the palace is a hut?
I'm so worried about her!
We were hoping to hear news of her from you.
- Isn't that Song Yeon? - Song Yeon?
Song... Song Yeon...!
I can't believe we're not allowed to call out to her!
- I hate this! - Your Highness!
Your Highness...
What is this, my Queen? Why is this girl here?
- Mother... - Did you not hear me? Why is she here?
Tell her to return to her chambers! She has no right to be here!
- Why do you not respond, my Queen? - Mother, how can you say this?
- Lady Sung has every right to be... - Fine. If she won't go, then I will.
Mother!
Mother, why do you order her to return to her chambers?
This is not for you to interfere. This is about the Women's Court.
How can this girl attend a royal feast when she has not yet been acknowledged?
- Mother... - Your Majesty!
Please forgive me. I am still new to the rules of the palace and was mistaken.
I will return to my chambers. Please do not be angry.
Congratulations on your birthday, Your Highness.
Sir, I'll be right back.
Dae Su...!
Dae Su! It's been such a long time!
I'm sorry about just now. I was so happy to see you, but...
I'm not allowed to acknowledge you.
How are you? How is Uncle and Auntie?
How about the Bureau? Is everyone well?
What about you, My Lady?
Are you well?
Are you comfortable at the palace?
My Lady? Please don't call me that, Dae Su.
No, My Lady. You are now a royal concubine.
I am only an Imperial Guard. This is how I must address you.
You must speak down to me from now on.
I see.
No matter how much I don't want it, you will always address me differently.
You can't treat me like before.
But I want to remain friends with you like before, Dae Su.
It may be naive of me, but I hope you will treat me like you did before.
What? That really happened?
That's what I said!
Oh, my poor Song Yeon! What a burden it is for her!
I knew this was going to happen! The palace is no mere house!
Goodness!
Dae Su's home!
You're home! Did you get a chance to speak with Song Yeon?
- Yes. - How is she?
Are you deaf? I asked you how is she?
Uncle. Please check in on her from time to time.
She seemed really lonely.
I wish I could! But how could I enter a concubine's villa?
Please forgive me, Your Majesty. This is all my fault.
No, this is all because of me.
I should have paid more attention. I believed her when she said everything was fine.
Mother is angry with me.
I am so sorry that her angry has spilled over to you and Song Yeon as well.
Your Majesty...
- Tell her I am here. - Yes, Your Majesty.
My Lady, His Majesty is here.
Your Majesty.
What brings you here so early? Have you finished with your work, Your Majesty?
- Were you painting? - Yes, Your Majesty. It has been a while.
But it's not easy as I have not painted in a long time.
It's as if I have never painted before.
My selfishness has caused you pain.
You can't even paint as much as you wish.
Your Majesty...
- I'm sorry. This afternoon... - Please don't be burdened by that.
I have already forgotten about it. Why do you worry about it?
Song Yeon...
Do not apologize to me, Your Majesty. It did not bother me in the least.
I'm not just saying that. That is how I really feel.
You have already given me your heart, which is the most important thing.
Don't you know that that alone makes everything alright?
What brings you to my chambers at this hour?
If you have come here to talk about this afternoon, then you may return to your palace.
- I have nothing more to say or hear on that topic. - That is not why I am here, Mother.
I have come here to discuss another matter with you.
I heard from the Ministry of Rites that you are preparing for another concubine selection.
That's right. That is what I ordered the Ministry of Rites.
So what is it? Have you come to tell you it cannot be done?
- If that is so, then I have nothing more to say. - No, Mother.
Go ahead and do as you wish. I will do whatever you wish on that topic.
- But in exchange, you must acknowledge Song Yeon. - My King!
She has already gone through the wedding ceremony with me. You cannot continue treating her this way.
I will do everything you wish. So please bestow her the title...
- No, that is not possible. - Mother!
Since you brought her here out of your own will, I will bring in another out of my own.
That is all. Do not come here again to speak about her.
- Do not come to me anymore. - Mother...!
Isn't it interesting that Princess Haekyung chased out the concubine?
I heard that she has ordered the Ministry of Rites to proceed with another concubine selection.
This means that even if the concubine bears an heir, he will not be recognized as such.
Yes. What is Secretary Hong up to? Any news about Wan Poong?
Yes, I don't think the decision will come easily.
He must be worried about His Majesty's reaction when the topic of the Crown Prince is brought up.
He is an intelligent man, but he can be overly cautious at times.
But it won't last long. He is fooling himself right now,
but he is too full of ambition to control it.
Has Lord Wan Poong already retired to bed?
No, My Lord. He is with his tutor.
Indeed?
~ Recites from book ~
Will you explain the verse?
Although our country is surrounded by sea,
and the land is small, the sun shines directly from above,
and the soil is fertile, the scenery is not lacking than the greater nations.
That is correct.
You have already memorized the whole book! That is an accomplishment!
You must hasten Wan Poong's designation as Crown Prince in order to stabilize His Majesty's reign.
Right now, the only way to secure His Majesty's reign is to establish an heir.
If Wan Poong becomes the Crown Prince, then you as his uncle will be of great help to him.
- Let's go! - Yes, Sir.
What did I tell you?
I said we should get rid of him before he ascended to the throne!
But we gave this duty to a fool and look where it has brought us.
It has been a month since we have closed our shops.
And yet the government has yet to react! What will we do now?
We must still persevere!
Even if the king increases his stranglehold on us, when his rations run out, he will have no choice!
That won't solve the problem.
This is different from last time. He has been preparing for this for a long time.
If this continues, it will be us that will have to surrender.
We should have done something before it came to this.
What are you saying? Are you saying we should give up our trade rights?
We can't do that! Who was it that fed and paid those government ministers?
He might be king, but we cannot allow him to do as he wishes!
What? The shops have reopened at Woonjongga?
Yes, apart from a few shops, the merchant clans seem to have reopened.
But that is strange, Your Majesty. Until yesterday, they were protesting.
But today, they're reopened their stores?
We have not yet announced your tax subsidies to them.
Do you think that they have a plot and are trying to divert attention away from themselves?
Your Majesty, it is Official Nam.
Your Majesty, the head of the merchant clans is here to see you.
What? The head of the merchant clans?
He has requested an audience with you.
Your Excellency, I am the Head of the Woonjongga merchant clans, Kim Seung Ah.
I humbly beg an audience with His Majesty.
So what is your point?
You want me to meet with the merchants? You want me to hold a public hearing?
That's right, Your Majesty. I have placated them for the time being,
but that will not be enough to hold off their concerns and worries.
So please come to Woonjongga and speak to them personally about your intentions,
and hear their complaints and worries.
We may be mere merchants, but we do not wish to cause chaos in our country.
If you hold a public hearing and hear the woes of the merchants,
perhaps a solution will come to pass.
Alright. If that is what you think, then I shall do as you wish.
I also do not wish this situation to worsen.
I am the king of this country. I did not make this reform purely for the peddlers.
Merchants such as yourself are also my citizens and subjects.
So when shall we have this hearing? If need be, I will go today to meet them.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
- Let's go! - Yes, Sir!
You cannot possibly hold a public hearing, Your Majesty!
Why not, Secretary Hong?
The merchants of Woonjongga are in an enraged state, Your Majesty.
And recently there was an attempt on your life. How can you want to be in public view?
- Please summon their representatives instead... - No, I won't do that.
Your Majesty!
They wish to raise issues with me personally.
They have asked me to speak with them, so how can I just speak with their representative?
Besides, I need to hear their complaints as well.
I will hold a public hearing on the day they choose.
Do not speak further about this. Do you hear me?
Your Majesty...
Officers Park and Kang will investigate the merchant chiefs Kim Seung Ah and Ahn Tae Soo secretly.
- We don't have time, so hurry. - Yes, My Lord.
And Jang Bo...
- Go to the Dowager Queen and deliver a message. - What? The Dowager Queen?
Yes, tell her to prepare the things we discussed. She'll know what that means.
Yes, My Lord.
Deliver this message to everyone.
Don't worry, everything will fall into place for you.
But how can stop Councilor Jang Tae Woo from speaking out?
I'm certain he will try to influence the other officials.
I'm sure you can take care of him, Secretary Hong.
You know Vice Councilor Min Joo Shik...
I have heard that he has been corresponding with Councilor Jang Tae Woo until recently.
Why don't you investigate his residence? That shouldn't be too difficult for you.
What did you just say?
The Personnel Minister is planning to petition His Majesty to make Wan Poong the Crown Prince?
That's right. All of the No Ron members have received a message!
It demands support for the petition!
That rascal Hong Gook Young has finally shown his true colors!
Excellency! Please come out! Something terrible is happening!
What is it? What is causing you to shout?
- What are you doing in my house? - Don't just stand there! Search the whole house!
Yes, My Lord!
Impudent rascal! How dare you do this?
How dare you!
Your innocence will be proven if the search yields nothing, so don't worry.
What? Let me go! Let me go this instant!
Please be careful, Excellency. What if you have a stroke?
My Lord, have a look at this!
It is Min Joo Shik's calligraphy! And the seal is his as well!
Min Joo Shik? What are you talking about?
- Why is that letter...? - That's what I want to ask you, Excellency.
I want to ask you why escaped criminal Min Joo Shik's letter is doing in your house?
What?
- Take him away! - Yes, Sir!
You rascal! How dare you plot against me in this way!
Do you think you will get your way if you take me in like this?
- I said take him away! - Yes, My Lord!
- Let me go! - Let me go!
Release me this instant!
You rascals!
Don't be too angry, Your Excellency.
You refused to help me when I needed it. You have done this to yourself.
Isn't that Lord Wan Poong?
Your Majesty...
Order some refreshments. I wish to speak to Lord Wan Poong.
Excuse me?
He came to the palace several times but didn't greet him because of Secretary Hong.
In any case, now that he is part of the royal family, I should take care of him.
- Please have some refreshments. - Thank you, Your Majesty.
How are you faring? Things must be difficult for you these days.
Not at all. You and His Majesty have both been very kind and gracious to me.
That is good to hear, Wan Poong.
You are so young and yet so mature.
I was told to be upright and mature since I am to be His Majesty's heir.
His Majesty's heir? Who has said this to you?
Your Majesty, it is I.
Your Majesty, it is time for the Cabinet.
- Is it time already? - Yes, Your Majesty.
Alright.
What do you mean you cannot allow the position of Crown Prince to be undesignated?
Are you listening, Personnel Minister? I am asking you a question!
It is as I said, Your Majesty.
You have become king for a few years already, and yet the position of Crown Prince is still empty.
Without an heir, the royal family is on shaking ground and so is your reign.
I petition you to select an heir as soon as possible, Your Majesty.
I am utterly confused, Minister.
Right now, I have no heir. And yet...
There is Lord Wan Poong, Your Majesty.
Lord Wan Poong is the adopted son of Concubine Hong, Your Majesty.
Episode 63