His Majesty the King!
Your Majesty!
Today, the fourteenth of the fourth month,
I will sentence the criminals guilty of attempting to assassinate the queen.
- The Tribunal Minister will read the sentence. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty! This...!
- Continue reading! - But Your Majesty, this cannot be!
- Read the sentence! - No, Your Majesty! I cannot read this!
- I cannot accept this sentence! - Chancellor!
Your Majesty!
Fine. Then I will read it myself.
Your Majesty!
The criminals held the king in contempt,
and committed the crime of high treason.
Therefore, on the fourteenth day of the fourth month,
the king sentences the criminals Kang Jong Pil, Chang Kyung Ho, Kim Kun Do to exile in Chuldo.
In addition,
the mastermind behind all the crimes, the criminal Hong Gook Young
will be stripped of all his titles and exiled to Gangneung.
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty...!
We have removed all of Chief Hong's belongings from the office.
Then send it over to headquarters! We have to complete this quickly!
Yes... yes, Sir.
Wait, Officer Suh!
Did you hear the news?
What news?
The sentence has been given out, but His Majesty has spared the Chief's life!
What? Are you sure?
Hong Gook Young's life was spared? How could this happen?
- I'm not sure. - Until last night, the sentence was said to be execution!
That is why everyone is so shocked!
What could be the reason? What made His Majesty change his mind?
This cannot be, Your Majesty! Please change your mind!
The criminal Hong Gook Young should pay for his atrocious crime with his life!
How could you spare his life? This is preposterous!
The criminal used his power to try to take the life of the queen!
- How could you spare his life? - Hong Gook Young...
did not try to kill the queen.
Your Majesty, what do you mean he didn't try to kill the queen?
It is true that he plotted to assassinate her.
But he changed his mind at the last minute.
That is the reason why I was unharmed even though I ate the food.
Your Majesty, I don't know how his forked tongue has weaved lies in his own defense,
But how can you believe what he says?
He is most certainly lying to save his own hide...!
That did not come from Hong Gook Young.
It is a true fact that was given to me by someone I trust.
That is the reason why I gave the sentence that I did.
Even though his crime of attempting to assassinate the queen is unforgivable,
his reversal of mind and attempt to stop is cause enough to spare his life.
So none of you will criticize my sentence. Do you understand me?
No, Your Majesty, we will not do this! This is not acceptable!
Please change your mind, Your Majesty!
Please change your mind!
So you knew about this beforehand?
Yes, His Majesty came to me before the Cabinet and told me about his decision.
Your friend, Officer Park, was the one who informed His Majesty.
His Majesty told me that if it was true, he wanted to spare Chief Hong's life.
He came here to ask me if he could do so.
Your Majesty, it does not seem like the government officials will accept this sentence easily.
This incident may result in the collapse of government again!
Your Majesty!
Even so, I will not change my sentence.
- But Your Majesty... - Official Nam, prepare to go to the Tribunal.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Release the prisoner from his binds.
Your Majesty...!
Why didn't you tell me the truth from the beginning?
Just because I didn't carry out my plan to the end...
does not erase the fact that I lied to you and tried to assassinate the queen.
It wouldn't have changed anything.
It was a great enough crime that I betrayed your trust...
I didn't deserve your forgiveness for that alone.
I didn't deserve to be forgiven, Your Majesty.
Yes.
You're right.
Even so, you still lied to me and betrayed my trust.
Your crimes cannot be forgiven.
Like you said,
I can never forgive you.
So this is where it ends.
This is...
the greatest mercy I can bestow on you.
I will never ever...
seek you again.
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, please execute the criminal! Please hear our plea!
- What? The king? - Yes, Your Majesty.
My King! What brings you here to my palace?
- Please come inside. - No.
I have no reason to enter your chambers.
It seems that you have been up to some interesting things in this place.
You tried to manipulate the Chief of the Imperial Guard to grasp power over the government again.
That is a misunderstanding. I did everything to support you...
Enough of this!
Is that how you did it?
Is that how you tricked the Chief into doing what you wanted?
My King...
Fine.
If you really want to support me, then use the your power over No Ron.
Use it to silence those protests from their mouths!
And never interfere in government again. Do you understand?
This is the last time.
I hold the late king's last will.
Don't force me to use it, Your Majesty.
- My Lord! - Oh yes, Dae Su.
I heard from His Majesty that you told him what happened.
Yes. But why did you ask to see me?
In a few hours, the Chief will be transferred to his place of exile.
What? So quickly?
Yes, His Majesty has ordered him to be taken there immediately because of the protests.
His Lordship will be leaving soon. Are you really not going to see him off?
See him off? For what? It's not like he's going on a journey!
Once he leaves, we will never be able to see him again.
No matter what, he was someone we spent most of our time with!
Don't you think we should see him off?
- Now look here, Officer Jang... - Then you go! I don't want to!
Move!
People are lining the streets. There may be trouble for you.
We will escort you out of the Capital.
Are you sure about this? You will be protecting a traitor.
It may affect your career forever.
- My Lord... - My Lord!
I wish to pay my respects to His Majesty before I leave.
Will you allow me to do so?
Release him.
Your Majesty...
Please... please be well.
They say a flower doesn't bloom forever, but look at him now...
He's lucky he's still alive!
- By the way, are you alright? - Alright? Why wouldn't we be?
You said you were close to that man!
What a crazy woman you are! Who said we were close to that traitor!
- We're not, right? - Yes! We only know his name!
May Heaven strike you down!
Stop this!
Quicken the pace! Hurry!
Stop! Stop it! Stop it!
What do you know?
He may be guilty of high treason, but he was loyal to His Majesty!
Why do you throw rocks at him?
Get out of here! If you don't want to be killed, get out of here!
Get out of here!
My Lord!
Thank you!
Thank you for everything, My Lord!
Thank you! Thank you for everything!
Have the criminals left?
Yes, Your Majesty. They will have left the Capital by now.
Alright. You may leave.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Artist Tak!
Come outside!
I'm busy now.
Just come outside for a while!
- What's wrong with you? - It's a good thing!
- Just come outside for a while! - What's the matter with you?
Hey!
- You must work hard at the Bureau. - Yes, Sir.
- So your name is Yeojin? - Yes, Sir.
- Those girls are the new damos. - What?
With Lady Sung and Chobi entering the palace, we have been short on staff.
So they have selected new damos.
They're young and lovely! Now we will have a great time!
My whole body is on fire!
How can a man who calls himself an artist say such crude things?
- What? Crude things? - Be quiet.
A man shouldn't be so crude!
Sir!
Official Park told us to go to the studio. Which direction is it in?
Just follow me.
Move aside! This girl asked me!
I'll take you there. Just follow me.
And by the way... I'm much higher in level than this man here.
The biggest issue at hand is the increasing famine in the land.
What are the damages?
The people are taking out principal loans and are unable to repay them.
As a result, they lose their lands and have to be sold as slaves.
Isn't that the type of loan that charges the amount of principal as interest?
And to confiscate their lands as penalty? That must be illegal!
Yes, but these loansharks operate under the noses of the police bureau.
This is not good. Investigate further and report to me.
Yes, Your Majesty.
- What about the meeting with the officials? - Yes, today we will...
Mother!
Do you know why I have come here to see you?
You must know because I sent you several messages via Attendant Yi.
- Mother... - The new concubine has been here for a month.
But why have you yet to visit her?
Then accept my request first.
- Grant Lady Sung the title of... - I said I don't want to discuss her.
- Mother... - You will visit the new concubine tonight.
Do not disappoint your mother any further.
I will trust you will accept my request and return to my chambers.
Give you this book? I reserved this book first, so why must I give it to you?
I told you this is for Her Highness, the new concubine!
Do you think I got this book for myself? This is for My Lady!
All the more reason!
Lady Sung is only fifth level, while Her Highness is first level!
Besides, isn't this book too difficult for Lady Sung?
Are you sure she can really read this book?
What? Difficult? Do you know how learned and educated Lady Sung is?
- She was the best in the Bureau...! - Yes, I heard. She was a lowly Damo, wasn't she?
- Same with you. - Are you finished?
- What is the commotion? - Your Highness!
I came because you took so long. Is something wrong?
Forgive me, Your Highness. She made a mistake. Please forgive her.
Not at all. Who cares about levels when it comes to books?
Have you ever read the book "Biographies of Noteworthy Women"?
Not yet, Your Highness.
In that case, you should read that first before this one.
That book contains the descriptions of all the different achievements of the royal family.
Without reading that first, this book will not be easily understandable.
I have that book in my chambers. Send a palacemaid, and I will lend it to you.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Mother...
What are you doing here, my daughter?
I was teaching Lady Sung about a few things.
Wonderful. Etiquette and customs are best learnt by example and action.
- I am sure you are a good teacher. - Thank you, Mother.
But what brings you here, Mother?
I came to speak with you.
His Majesty will be visiting tonight. Make sure you are prepared.
Yes, Your Highness.
- Let us go inside. I have to speak to you. - Yes, Mother.
Forgive me for causing you trouble, My Lady.
It's alright. You did it because you weren't familiar with court etiquette, so don't worry.
Besides, I know your temper from when we worked at the Bureau.
My Lady...!
But still, Her Highness is really too much!
She still refuses to accept your greetings,
but look at her huge smile with Concubine Yoon!
- And now she's trying to steal His Majesty! - Now look here!
You should know better by now! How can you make such a mistake!
Forgive me, My Lady...
This is the decree to be presented at tomorrow's Cabinet. Send it to the Secretariat.
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Your Majesty...
What will you do about the position of Chief of the Imperial Guard?
You have kept the position unfilled, and the Commander is helping out in interim.
Alright. I will make a decision shortly.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, what brings you here tonight?
What do you mean why?
Nothing. Please come inside.
I wanted to have a drink tonight.
- Is that alright with you? - Yes, Your Majesty. I will prepare a table for you.
- Prepare for some wine. - Yes, My Lady!
Of course he's here! Where else would His Majesty go!
This is great!
Today, the Advisor asked me to appoint a new Chief of the Imperial Guard.
He said we can no longer allow that position to go unfilled.
But for some reason,
I don't want anyone else to be in that position other than Secretary Hong.
Even though he has committed an unforgivable crime,
I don't know why I feel this way.
Your Majesty, may I say something?
I think you want to forgive Secretary Hong.
In fact, I think you wanted to do so from the very beginning.
Song Yeon...
The reason you suffered so much because of Secretary Hong...
was because you trusted him fully and loved him.
You do not hate him.
You miss him dearly.
Even though you cannot forgive his crimes,
you can forgive him.
Isn't that what you want to do?
Even though you cannot forgive his crimes,
you can forgive him.
Isn't that what you want to do?
My Lord...!
Dae Su!
Have you been well, My Lord?
- You didn't have to do this! - You came a long way. I can't let you go hungry.
Don't be picky about my food.
For a criminal like me, this is a feast.
But I caught a herring today. It must have been because of you!
My Lord!
Why are you here?
His Majesty had business close by.
- His Majesty? - Yes.
I stopped by when I had some free time.
I see.
You look like you've lost weight. And your face is clouded.
Why wouldn't I be? It's because I'm angry with myself.
What?
They say I am full of anger.
You don't have to look at me like that.
I have no more greed for this life.
Wouldn't you say that I've lived a full life?
My Lord!
The only thing I regret...
is committing a crime against His Majesty.
It has created a great sorrow in my heart.
That crime is so heavy...
that I dare not even ask you...
if His Majesty is well.
My Lord...!
The food's getting cold. Let's eat.
I will pass on what you gave me to His Majesty.
I've left you some medicinal herbs. Please remember to take them.
Alright.
- I will come and visit you again. - No. Don't come here again.
- I've told you your career will suffer. - My Lord!
Thank you.
Thank you so much for coming.
But this is enough.
So don't come here again.
You hear me, you rascal?
As you ordered, I did not tell him that you had sent me there.
Good.
How is he doing? Is he well?
Well...
He did not seem to be in the best of health.
Yes, I'm not surprised.
How foolish of me.
It was I that sent him into exile to such a wretched place.
And now I'm asking if he is well.
Your Majesty...
Alright. You may leave now.
Your Majesty, I have something for you.
What is this?
Secretary Hong asked me to give this to you.
I do not know if I should do this.
As a criminal, I do not know if I should send this to you.
I hesitated and hesitated again.
These items which I send to you,
are my unfinished work on reorganization and reformation of the five armies.
Therefore, Your Majesty, if you are offended that I have sent these to you,
please do not be angry with me and burn these reports.
Secretary Hong...
What? They are going to disband the Imperial Guard?
That's right, Sir! I heard the other guards talking about it!
What's this? Are they saying they don't need us anymore?
What did I tell you? I said the Chief's treason would affect us all!
What did you say? I told you to never repeat that again!
- Didn't you get beaten up enough last time? - Enough, Officer Suh.
- Why do you always use your fists first? - It's this bastard's mouth!
Lower your voice!
Dae Su! Did you hear the news? They say the Imperial Guard will be disbanded!
Oh, that? Yes, I heard it too.
So it's true? What's going on? Have you heard anything from His Majesty?
I'm not completely certain, but I think he intends to create a new guard.
Everyone in the Imperial Guard will be transferred there.
- Really? - Of course! He wouldn't get rid of us!
- You were so furious just a while ago! - Whatever!
As expected, no one was heeding the law and obtaining illegal loans.
Yes, the law made principal loans illegal a long time ago.
But Your Majesty, this was not the only problem with the loansharks.
What do you mean?
There are reports that to avoid the notice of the government,
the loansharks are taking the debtors and selling them as slaves to Qing.
What? How can something like that happen?
- Are you sure that is true? - Yes, Your Majesty.
Yes, there are many reports of their headquarters being in Yeonha and Chansong.
Summon Officers Park, Suh and Kang. I must go to the Capital.
But Your Majesty, you have an appointment with the Confucian Academy later today.
- Was that today? - Yes.
You were supposed to check on the scholars' reports on the topic you gave them.
Alright. I will stop by the Academy on the way out.
Yes, Your Majesty. I shall make preparations accordingly.
We will head towards Yeonha after this. Go to Chansong first and take a look.
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Let's go.
Look here!
Over here! Over here!
What are you doing? Come and help me! Quickly!
Now!
- Go to him. - Yes, Your Majesty.
- What's the problem? - Can you give me a hand?
- Excuse me? - Hurry! I'm going to get caught!
Hurry!
It's no use. You! Come over here!
Hurry!
- Now, look here! That person is... - No. I'll help him.
I do this everyday, but it's the same every single time!
Why did they build their walls so high? The only thing to steal there are books anyway!
Don't you agree?
In any case, thank you! Go on your way now.
Your Majesty, he looks like a scholar from the Academy. Will you allow him to leave?
Let him be. If he's escaping now, he has no interest in studying.
Oh, I forgot to sign my name again!
It was a good opportunity to become famous! And the prize was supposed to be grand.
What a waste.
How could this scholar have answered the seven questions so quickly?
I was the one who gave out the questions but doubted anyone would be able to answer.
How surprising. Who is this scholar?
Forgive me, Your Majesty, but we do not know.
Why not?
He did not sign his name on his answer sheet.
No name? Then you mean it was an anonymous submission?
That is so, Your Majesty.
Wait.
This is...
- What do you think? - I don't think this is the place.
Same with me.
Then let's go.
- What did you find? - We did not find any storehouses.
- Will you go to Yeonha, Your Majesty? - No, wait a moment.
Let's go to Gunsuk.
This scholar wrote about people being sold into slavery.
He said the culprits were at Gunsuk and requested intercession from the government.
I don't know how this person knew about this, but we should investigate this area.
As you expected, the storehouses below look suspicious, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, please return to the palace. We will continue to investigate this area.
No. We will do this together.
- But Your Majesty...! - Don't worry. I won't do anything dangerous.
I'll wait here. Go and investigate the storehouses.
- I'll stay with you, Your Majesty. - They might be armed. All of you should go.
Don't just stand there! Move! That's an order!
Yes, Your Majesty.
Wait, wait! Don't hit me! It's me!
- What are you doing here? - I should be asking you! Do you know what this place is?
Oh no!
Let's go!
That was close!
Bad news. We're locked in!
Why did you trip me just now?
Do you know what this place is?
- You almost lost your life just now! - Then what are you doing here?
- I asked you first. - Look here!
It's here!
Those damned wretches! How could they store this precious thing here?
Here it is!
Don't just stand there! Help me! I'll get you out of here.
Hurry up!
Your Majesty!
What are you doing?
Are you trying to use flour as an explosive to open the door?
- How did you know? - I read it in a book once.
You can use flour to create an explosion.
You're smarter than you look!
Let's hurry!
What's that?
Even if we get out, if there are men outside, it's useless!
- This is to look outside. - Look outside? How?
- No one's there. - Let me have a look!
Hey! Hey!
- Give that back to me! - Wait... wait!
Move away! Hurry! Move away!
Who are you anyway? What is your name?
- What is yours? - I asked you first.
My word. I asked you first just now.
- Now listen...! - Forget it. I'll just take a guess then.
You look like you've lived a privileged life, but have traces of woe.
You have noble features and... What year were you born?
The ninth month of 1752.
The ninth month of 1752? Wait a moment.
You have the destiny of one who rules heaven and earth!
You can't possibly be the Chancellor of our country.
And from your robes, you can't possibly be a wealthy nobleman.
How strange. That leaves the king.
You know, I've never been wrong before.
That means you're the king and I'm in big trouble.
Yes, I think you're in big trouble too.
Because like you said, I'm the king.
Episode 67