BLOODY HEART
THE PEOPLE, GROUPS, PLACES, AND INCIDENTS IN THIS DRAMA ARE PURELY FICTIONAL
So tell me.
Where do you think I will go from here?
Have me leave the palace again
and it will be me who burns.
This…
is not…
who you are.
Not who I am?
Not like a gentle flower, you mean?
One that is trampled on,
picked when needed, and discarded when withered?
Rather than withering away as a flower,
I choose the life of a creeping vine.
I will not leave my palace.
I must speak to the wicked monk.
Is he still there?
No one has been allowed to approach him,
so I am sure that he is.
I wish to meet with him discreetly.
Find me a way out of the palace.
The Queen Dowager has just left the palace.
Without her bodyguards?
Yes, with just one court lady and court maid.
Have men escort her, without her knowing.
BLOODY HEART EPISODE 11
You summoned me, Your Majesty.
We have not talked in a while.
After the rain-calling ceremony,
I am to visit the former King's grave.
While I am away,
I leave you in charge of guarding the palace.
Your Majesty,
that duty usually falls upon the king's father-in-law.
I am baffled as to why you are giving me the honor.
Currently, you are my one and only father-in-law.
I am blessed by your boundless generosity.
I am aware
of the heartache I have caused Lady Cho.
A monarch has no shame.
Please do not speak of such atrocity.
In no way
will I mistreat Lady Cho.
Matters of the Internal Court are for Consort Park to decide,
so please refrain from saying as such.
Is that why…
you tried to have her killed?
Am I right?
I…
am only speculating,
so do not misunderstand.
When Consort Park was attacked,
Lady Cho's court maid was present.
Why would I possibly doubt you and Lady Cho
when I am fully aware of where your loyalty lies?
The father is responsible for his daughter's misconduct.
Please reprimand her foolish decision
and generously show her mercy.
Was it…
Lady Cho's doing?
She sent assassins after the future Queen.
She should be stripped of her title
and be ordered to drink poison.
It is why
I beg for mercy as her father.
His Majesty will soon uncover the truth.
It is why I humbly request that you show her mercy.
The truth will only be…
a royal scandal.
Are you blackmailing me?
Then let people speak of a royal scandal.
A concubine's jealousy is not something the country has not seen before.
But a mother-in-law trying to harm her daughter-in-law…
is an unprecedented royal scandal.
The one who deceived Lady Cho and sent the assassins
was the Queen Dowager.
Release him.
Is he alive?
It has been over a fortnight.
A mere mortal could not--
But the Maitreya is no mere mortal.
Wake up. Please.
Please, wake up.
You promised to grant my heart's desire.
If you are the Maitreya, you are to live.
Wake up!
The skies…
answer to you.
Inform me of your heart's desire,
and I will have it…
become your reality.
Are you absolutely sure
you can give me what I want?
Consort Park,
Lady Cho's court maid is here.
Let her enter.
Ttonggeum.
Miss.
Let me see you. Were you injured?
Terrifying, wasn't it?
You at the brink of death is what scared me the most.
Do not go anywhere else
and stay at Chaeokdang.
Staying beside you is something I know I can do well.
I will find you a way out of the palace.
No.
I'm not leaving.
Living under your shadow seems good enough for me.
Life in the palace isn't easy.
But serving the King has to be better
than serving the Minister of War.
The food is different for starters.
Ttonggeum…
Miss, did you know that the court maids
fight over who gets to eat your leftovers?
Whether it's Lady Yeonhee's or yours,
eating leftovers is all the same.
But you always keep the plates clean
since you know we will be eating the leftovers.
I…
would not mind a lifetime of it.
Miss.
Those who attacked Consort Park.
Are they still not talking?
They are common thugs, Your Majesty.
The harassment of Consort Park led to an altercation.
It did not seem like they were aware of her title.
And yet they tried to kill her?
Find out who is behind this attack.
Or maybe I should…
interrogate them myself.
You cannot, Your Majesty.
The court will try to find out where Consort Park visited
while traveling incognito.
Bring me Lady Cho's court maid.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Ttonggeum was summoned by the King?
Yes, by His Majesty's orders.
What if
Ttonggeum tells His Majesty that I was behind it?
This is not fair. You know I am not to blame.
I do, sister. It is why Father has told you to stay put.
The Queen Dowager deceived me!
His Majesty will believe me to be a viciously jealous concubine.
Father will handle the situation
and you have been told to behave.
Please do so!
Raise your head.
I have been taught not to look directly at the King.
It is a royal command.
Do you recognize me?
How could a lowly being like myself
possible recognize His Majesty?
Who have you told about Consort Park?
I do not follow.
I met her for the first time
after coming to reside at the palace.
Is that so?
What you just said…
is the truth.
One's mouth…
can breathe fire.
One's tongue…
can be the sharpest blade.
Let it be your mantra.
I am much obliged.
Was it Lady Cho who sent the assassins after Consort Park?
I promised Consort Park not to interrogate you.
Answer me truthfully so that I can keep my word.
Not speaking on behalf of your master…
is a sign of affirmation.
Am I right?
Please… do not show me mercy!
Your Majesty.
You must let it go.
Lady Cho tried to harm you.
Her father would have known that.
You still must not act.
Consort Park--
Minister Cho is loyal to you.
Oh, dear.
His Majesty is present.
I heard you had fallen ill with a cold.
It is nice to see you feeling better.
To what…
do I owe the pleasure?
Must I have a reason to visit the palace
of my beloved lady?
Is it your turn?
Yes, Your Majesty.
You seem to be losing.
You must face the target squarely
and let the stick draw an arc.
Minister Cho
is someone I need on my side.
It is why I will cherish you.
So, never…
will you endanger Consort Park again.
You answer to Consort Park, and Consort Park…
is your master.
Causing her any harm…
will be treason.
Go and await Consort Park's reprimand.
I informed Consort Park that the assassins
were sent by the Queen Dowager.
She does not intend to inform His Majesty,
but maybe
you should convince her before this gets out of hand.
The Queen Dowager
must see me as a daughter-in-law who covets the royal family's wealth.
Why else would she try to have me killed knowing that I am your niece?
Does His Majesty know?
What should I do?
Should I tell him?
Then it will have to include Lady Cho's involvement as well.
However,
His Majesty cannot afford to lose Minister Cho and his daughter.
That is right.
It is why the Queen Dowager took advantage of Lady Cho.
Nevertheless, I cannot let the incident slide.
She is the Queen Dowager. His Majesty's mother.
Even if the truth is uncovered,
punishing a mother is a sin against the skies.
A mother-in-law tried to have her daughter-in-law killed.
Which is a royal scandal.
Please let it rest.
The scandal coming to light
will justify him sinning against the skies.
I will have her prestige reduced
as a compensation for my near-death experience.
I plan on retiring…
to the countryside.
My migrating to the countryside due to an illness
will surely be enough of a compensation.
Even without you present, your influence will reach the officials.
It will buy His Majesty time to spread his wings.
What he will do in my absence
has me just as curious.
And with that, the Queen Dowager's involvement
will remain buried.
You must bury it.
Yes, Lady Choi.
I will behave.
No, Lady Cho.
A servant can only be punished by the master he or she serves.
How is she Consort Park's court maid?
She belongs to my family!
At this moment, she is under my care.
You still have not learned to behave.
It was the Queen Dowager, not me.
No one can blame the lady of rank,
so it all falls on me instead.
Speak less
and hide your emotions.
That will protect you from being used.
Only then, will you and your family make it through alive.
Ttonggeum is now under my care.
She is not to be touched.
Your Majesty, you ought to retreat to your chambers.
The question for the special examination
seems to be impossible to answer.
Namsang!
How could you do this to me?
Lord Kim, please calm down.
He is still under inspection and--
As if that is needed!
I have seen him cause trouble in more ways than one.
Report his misconduct and remove him from office!
No.
There should be a graver punishment.
The full scope of what he did still remains unknown.
I urge you to calm down.
When that imbecile suggested that he sides with the Queen Dowager,
I should have sent him someplace far.
I only have myself to blame for cherishing my youngest boy.
How can he be this foolish?
Is it a message from Siwol?
Yes, Your Majesty.
He says it was a question far too difficult to answer.
If I miss out on this opportunity,
I will have to wait for the stars to align again.
Did I interrupt your sleep?
It was a light sleep from which I was about to awake.
You should always sleep comfortably.
What about you?
How are you doing?
Should you not rest more after the scare you had?
I am very much healthy, Your Majesty.
Consort Park,
you must live a long life.
Unscathed…
and healthily.
You must live
for decades to come.
Look over there.
She is the future Queen.
She is…
my wife.
Why are you chuckling?
Because you seem smitten, Your Majesty.
Yes.
I guess you are right.
For a powerless being like me,
even being smitten is a luxury.
Why do you see yourself as powerless?
You can make anything happen
just by scolding the ways of the world.
Scolding the ways of the world
will give me everything?
Yes.
That is the world I will create.
And when that day comes,
I will live my life
cherishing my wife and my people.
Your Highness, Consort Park is present.
Have her enter.
I was hoping to have you over,
but you came to see me first.
I apologize, Your Highness.
Go ahead.
Did you not hear me?
One might think
that I served poison in your tea.
So you know.
If you are referring to recent events,
then I am aware of it, yes.
I see.
So what will your next move be?
Absolutely nothing
since Councilor Park has already agreed to pay the price.
After resigning, he will move to the countryside.
To let His Majesty remain a good son,
this incident will be buried.
I was right. You are my son indeed.
Do you have any idea how long I have searched for you?
Dig me out of the hole I'm in.
You know how vicious gambling house thugs can be.
I severed my worldly ties when I took the oath.
As if that also extends to blood ties.
I hear you are the Maitreya.
Then, that would make me the Maitreya's father.
Let me take advantage of the son I fathered.
Many will offer money and rice just upon hearing your name.
This was said by the father who sold his eight-year-old to hoodlums.
"He is, at least, a healthy chunk of meat."
By the looks of it though,
not even that can be said about you anymore.
An answer has been urged.
She impatiently awaits a date.
Three days.
On the third day from today,
Her Highness' wish shall be granted.
Is it true that you are resigning?
You will leave the office at this pivotal moment?
Nothing will change even if I leave the Capital.
Once you leave,
how badly will His Majesty treat me?
He will not treat you poorly…
for you are his mother.
What about Consort Park?
Would she let me be when I unleashed assassins after her?
You have openly announced that your loyalty lies with her.
Your Highness,
no one would ever dare to harm you.
Please give me three days.
I will have collected my thoughts until then.
Just three days.
Three days.
I wonder why she asked for three days specifically.
His Majesty will visit his father's grave
after the rain-calling ceremony.
Maybe she ought
to sort things out during His Majesty's absence.
Lord Park,
the future Queen has finally been named,
but resigning still seems premature.
I will refrain from dissuading you any further
hoping to hear the reason upon your return.
Your Majesty,
to see the rain-calling altar,
you must depart for Sajikdan right away.
My young wicked monk.
Will you truly be able
to grant me what I desire?
We have rain.
It is raining.
What…
-Your Majesty! -Your Majesty!
His Majesty coughed blood and collapsed!
Close all the palace gates this instant!
Until I say otherwise,
no one is to enter or leave the palace.
The drums will be struck.
Except for those guarding the gates,
all soldiers on duty will gather
in the main yard.
Speak.
The healthy King collapsed after suddenly coughing blood.
What caused his illness?
His spleen and stomach are severely damaged.
Is it due to what he ate?
What could he have had?
One's spleen…
is the organ first affected by poison.
Judging by the discoloration on the silver hairpin in his mouth,
he seems to have consumed poison.
When will he regain his health?
He will be himself again. Will he not?
Please do not show me mercy!
His Majesty…
has yet to regain consciousness.
Then I should go to the King's Palace.
For I am…
His Majesty's mother.
As the King has no son,
if he takes his last breath,
the one to select a successor will be…
The Queen Dowager.
Your Majesty.
It is your mother.
Can you truly grant me what I desire?
As the Queen Dowager, I wish to rule Joseon.
So please
have His Majesty…
Have my son…
take his last breath.
Is it true that His Majesty consumed poison?
Yes, Your Highness.
The royal physician spoke.
Then tell me.
What did His Majesty consume last?
To honor the skies before the rain-calling ceremony,
he lowered his food intake for the past three days.
Since last night, he did not even drink water.
That is true.
Those who serve at his palace can testify to that.
How peculiar.
He fasted, you say?
Not even the former King did as such.
But yet, he somehow consumed poison.
Your Highness,
now is not the time to appraise his actions.
What we have witnessed is a clear attempt on his life.
An Interrogation Bureau must be installed
to question all those who serve at his palace
in order to grasp the truth behind this ordeal.
Those questions will be answered once His Majesty awakes.
His treatment should be our main focus.
Your Highness…
It almost seems…
like you believe His Majesty will not wake up,
Councilor Park.
Besides, there are more urgent matters at hand.
His Majesty collapsed when he has no heir.
The court cannot afford to have his seat remain unoccupied.
Which is why…
I will act as regent until he awakens.
Never has there been an atrocious incident
where regency was mentioned while a king lives.
His Majesty may be suffering from an illness,
but the system is established enough for the officials to follow out their duties.
Please…
rescind your order.
-Rescind your order. -Rescind your order.
Then have His Majesty wake up soon.
That way, I will not need to take his place on the throne.
A regency is outright preposterous.
Only the court may decide and propose a regency.
How dare she speak of a regency
when His Majesty is still alive?
Once he awakes, she will be accused of treason.
But the Queen Dowager is adamant.
Our law must be upheld.
It will be over once His Majesty awakes.
Once…
His Majesty awakes.
You must give out this order yourself.
It is not logical for him to have consumed poison while fasting.
The Interrogation Bureau must question those serving at his palace--
There is something I heard when I first came to the palace.
That those within these walls are your eyes and ears.
Questioning those loyal to you do not seem pressing to me.
It will only lead to the conclusion you designed.
Then,
are you willing to accept the Queen Dowager's regency?
Are you suggesting I let the court officials take over
while knowing that they answer to you?
It will be you governing the state instead.
I see that you doubt me.
Then assess your gains and losses.
You are my niece in this court.
A crisis has emerged and we are without an heir.
The throne cannot be left ungoverned.
My regency is to only steer us out of these woods,
so have my words delivered to all subjects.
I will relay your words.
What did Hyekang say?
He advised you to claim regency
and take command of the palace soldiers.
Which means…
I am to challenge the Minister of War.
All adjunct overseers of the court
shall guard the King's Palace
regardless of their original posts.
I humbly accept your order.
No court ladies or court maids are to enter his chambers alone.
Yes, Your Highness.
Who am I to trust, Your Majesty?
Or…
am I not supposed to trust anyone?
Why have you brought this to me?
Inside that book,
those who have given me bribes
and those who have offered bribes
are listed in much detail.
Whenever you need someone to summon,
you may find it useful.
I offer it to you.
And what do you wish in return?
Please, Your Highness…
reinstate my title to me.
If I may return to my position as Chief Eunuch,
I will seize control of the palace for you.
I will be your lapdog. If you command it,
I will… bite everyone as you please.
I reordain your title,
Chief Eunuch.
Your mercy…
is immeasurable.
She requested a shade in front of the throne?
She also requested to be dressed in red
which is her claiming her first day as Regent.
Yes, Your Highness.
Claiming regency without the court's approval?
It is unprecedented.
A regency without the court's approval?
Never have I heard of such an atrocity.
Why is the Queen Dowager going against custom and law?
But I wonder if we should be present at court.
And be accused of treason?
Lord Park, were you not aware of her erratic decision?
It is unfathomable in every way.
I am here…
to relay word from the King's Palace.
The King's Palace?
Is His Majesty awake?
Please stop.
The King's Path is reserved for a king.
Please do not violate the sacred honor.
Are you telling me
to walk the path reserved for subjects?
That is the law.
The law?
Then I shall have it revised
allowing me to walk the King's Path.
All high and low ranking officials are present at His Majesty's chambers.
Wherever His Majesty is present is where the officials will gather.
Your Highness,
what do you hope to acquire by coveting his power?
Please stop while you can.
Taking further steps
will result in treason.
That…
just gave me a purpose.
That justification you spent your whole life implementing.
Our law.
Joseon's system which you risked your life to protect.
I…
will bring down…
your Joseon.
This country is my country.
The country I spent my whole life…
protecting.
No one knows that…
better than you.
If you dare
speak of bringing Joseon down,
even if it is you,
I will…
have you deposed!
Without the title of the King's mother,
you will not have…
any power or authority.
You will have me deposed?
In order to do so,
His Majesty needs to be alive.
But I am afraid
he will never open his eyes again.
His Majesty…
has awakened.
BLOODY HEART
Cousin. I need the help of the Three Offices.
I know someone is working behind her.
Who are you?
Find out more about that monk.
Even Your Highness cannot manage state affairs without the proper justification.
This is my justification.
If the Queen Dowager makes an attempt to kill him,
she'll do it quietly within the palace walls.
I request you to give me approval to let His Majesty rest out of the palace.
But His Majesty did ingest poison.
Someone must pay for the crime.
This is the perfect time to get rid of Consort Park.
Translated by Hye-lim Park