BLOODY HEART
THE PEOPLE, GROUPS, PLACES, AND INCIDENTS IN THIS DRAMA ARE PURELY FICTIONAL
How do you know that,
Lady Park?
I…
am the daughter of Yoo Haksoo. The late deposed Crown Princess.
I am Lady Yoo.
Look here, Lady Park…
Are you truly aware
of what you are saying?
You wish for my words to be false.
More accurately,
you wish to make it a false statement.
Do not waste your time, Councilor.
You will be very…
busy from now on.
-Please grant your royal permission -Please grant your royal permission
-to select the Queen. -to select the Queen.
-Please grant your royal permission -Please grant your royal permission
-to select the Queen. -to select the Queen.
Please grant your royal permission to select the Queen.
-Please grant your royal permission -Please grant your royal permission
-to select the Queen. -to select the Queen.
-Please grant your royal permission -Please grant your royal permission
-to select the Queen. -to select the Queen.
Your Majesty.
Please set a consummate date.
A wife's family interfering with Internal Court business
is highly frowned upon.
Your Majesty!
I am your loyal subject.
Please…
allow me to die as one
by awarding me your benevolence.
Eunuch, come forth.
Yes, Your Majesty?
Set a date in the near future
for my consummation with Lady Cho.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I am humbled by your generosity,
Your Majesty.
BLOODY HEART EPISODE 8
We have word from Bamboo Grove Village's governor.
Lady Park's origin seems suspicious.
The fact that
someone of the royal court visited her so far away--
His Majesty's heart beats for her.
He must have sent a eunuch to frequently check on her well-being.
But it goes back seven years.
And at that time, he was the Crown Prince.
It is of no great deal.
Do you remember Yoo Haksoo's daughter
who was selected as Crown Princess?
Yes.
What was she like?
She was rumored to be an eccentric soul.
However, she was well-educated
and was knowledgeable in various matters.
Of course.
Her father did lament
that if she had been born a boy,
she would have easily become a minister or someone of that value.
Have the painter draw a portrait of Eunuch Jung.
Once it is done, take it to Bamboo Grove Village.
Personally confirm
that the eunuch who visited Bamboo Grove Village is Eunuch Jung.
There is no time to waste.
Yes, my lord.
How nice it is for you all to pull me out of my boredom.
I am overwhelmed with gratitude.
-The gratitude is ours. -The gratitude is ours.
The palace is where you reside, Your Highness.
Any discomfort, as small as it may be,
will be our delight to accommodate.
Of course. His Majesty will soon approve of the crowning of the Queen
which will pave the way for your return.
Her Highness is here to recuperate from her illness.
I am appalled by your irrelevant remark.
Your Highness,
I humbly request that you be at ease.
We hope our heartfelt prayers
will help reclaim your health.
Madame Yoon, your words
are nothing but kind.
It has been a while, cousin.
Why did you call for me?
OKDANG
Funeral customs have been ignored since the deposed King,
and now you wish for His Majesty to disobey the three-year mourning period!
You scoundrels.
If you are also here to persuade me, I suggest you turn around.
How could I not be aware
of your wishes to uphold the customs of Confucian ritualism?
All I worry
is that His Majesty will be written in history
as the leader who ignored scholars' petitions.
I cannot believe you are using him to plead your case.
You and His Majesty might have to give in to the scholars,
but there is a way for you to still follow custom.
You are late.
Is His Majesty
also aware of whom your father was?
Would he knowing be more beneficial to you,
or…
would it be better for me to say
that I seduced the oblivious King?
As if it would make any difference.
I will look into it either way.
Of course.
Seeing as you still have
not reported a traitor's daughter to the State Tribunal
tells me that I am quite valuable to you.
I will make my decision based on your answer.
I…
will propose a deal.
My people whom you are after
and those you imprisoned.
Could you let them go?
In no way can this be a deal.
You have only given me more cards to utilize.
Your obsession regarding their safety
tells me that I should never let them free.
Then,
will this continue?
Nothing has changed between us.
Actually,
everything has changed.
I can rob you of your heart's true desire.
It may be difficult to be crowned as a queen,
but not being crowned as one…
is more than simple.
Chief Scholar,
are you here to request that I crown the Queen?
Of course not.
How could I possibly ask you to overturn the decision you made?
The crowning ceremony
should be held after the three-year mourning period,
but there will be no harm in deciding which lady should be Queen
so that she could attend to Internal Court affairs.
Your solution is nothing but temporary.
Would the royal court and scholars approve?
If you declare that a decision will be made yourself
by the end of this month while the Queen Dowager recuperates,
the officials and scholars will have no grounds to disapprove.
In the absence of the Queen Dowager,
I am to make…
a unilateral decision?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Chief Scholar,
you are the most loyal subject.
I am humbled, Your Majesty.
We are selecting the head lady of the Internal Court.
Will it be decided without the advice of its highest ranking lady?
You are the one who brought about this outcome.
Look here, Lady Park.
Is it truly your intention
to give up the title to Lady Cho?
You still do not understand the depth of my words.
I could easily
kill all your people.
Have you…
forgotten that I am here as your niece?
The actual process may differ,
but a gracious attitude is what people find valuable in a Queen.
Never have I seen a concubine
end up as Queen after displaying arrogance.
Our deal
is over.
From this moment on,
I will threaten you instead.
Lady Park, what brings you to the Royal Secretariat?
I am here to reprimand you, Chief Royal Secretary.
Worries cloud over His Majesty
which has led him to stay away from my chambers.
All I do as the chief royal secretary is receive and relay his orders--
Exactly. That is why I am here to see you.
Maybe you should talk to his court lady.
I do not understand why--
Your incompetence is why he has not been to see me.
That is enough.
You are all dismissed.
How far are you willing to go?
This is hardly anything to be alarmed about.
At this month's congratulatory ceremony, I will barge into the hall
and yell at His Majesty in the presence of all officials
demanding an answer as to why he has not been to my chambers.
Would that not be written in history?
Until the 8th of this month,
bring me the governor of Bamboo Grove Village.
You have…
until the 8th.
You have… my word.
I am only here to briefly chat with Mother.
Do not make a fuss.
You have done enough
to provoke the crowning of the Queen.
Are you sure about this though?
Once the Queen gives birth to a son,
the subjects will fear her more and will tiptoe less around you.
Rather than the King's stepmother,
they will revere the prince's mother.
You made a hasty move.
Trying to drive a wedge between us, are you?
Having Joseon in the palm of his hands is still not enough for Councilor Park.
What will happen once he has control
over the Queen and the son she gives birth to?
Do you expect him to still have your back?
As your son,
I only say this out of concern of you losing the power you hold.
I ask that you let your anger subside.
I see you have yet to receive news.
Since you are recuperating,
I am solely to decide
on who will be Queen.
That is preposterous.
A mother-in-law cannot be excluded
from the selection process of her daughter-in-law.
Court Lady Han!
Summon Councilor Park this instant.
This instant!
It is my blunder that has led to this commotion.
The storm must be weathered, and thus I will make a decision.
The Three Offices claim only what is dutiful
which is why I will continue to mourn the late Queen.
The royal court and scholars claim only what is correct as well
which is why I will decide on a Queen and treat her with respect
as she manages business of the Internal Court.
She will be crowned after the three-year mourning period.
Thank you for your boundless generosity, Your Majesty.
-Thank you for your boundless generosity. -Thank you for your boundless generosity.
The Queen should not be selected without the Queen Dowager's approval,
but time is of the essence
and this matter cannot be held off any further.
If the Queen Dowager remains unstable
and does not return to the palace by the end of this month,
I will take advisement from the royal family and officials
to reach a decision.
Father. It is your son, Namsang.
What brings you by?
I hear you have been troubled these days.
Mother is deeply worried.
Is it due to Lady Park?
Chief Royal Secretary did say something disturbing,
but those groundless rumors will soon subside,
so please do not worry.
Lady Park is not one to behave that erratically.
After all, it was her wisdom that solved the issue with the scholars.
It was you.
It was you all along.
Of course.
Even the Chief Scholar would be open to your suggestion.
So tell me.
Did you relay her proposal as ordered?
All while knowing
that it could ruin our family's chances of being related to the Queen?
Who becomes Queen is to be decided by the royal family and His Majesty.
The Queen failing to give birth to an heir of the mainline of descent
has been the root of this madness.
A son from the mainline of descent must receive proper education
in order to be a sage ruler.
How are we supposed to serve a king who is handed the throne
out of sheer luck?
So you coveted the power of the future Crown Prince too?
Your greed for that is excessive.
I will be the one who crowns the future King.
Never will we be ruled by a tyrant again.
That is not your duty.
That is my duty!
Only I am capable of this.
Why can you not see that the arrogance you display
makes you seem like a power-hungry subject?
You foolish boy!
If I were power-hungry,
I would have already taken over the Three Offices!
Your incorruptible demeanor.
Do you actually believe it is of your free will?
It is not.
It is what I allowed.
It was I.
It was I who allowed it!
If your King were a tyrant,
you would have taken a much different path.
A much different path.
You summoned me, my lord?
Out of the servants,
single out two who do not have mouths or ears.
-Yes, my lord. -And also find a fixer.
Once the deed is over,
their mouths must remain shut.
To pray for Queen Dowager's recovery at a temple,
I wish to step outside the palace.
I humbly request that you allow it.
Tell me why
you truly wish to leave the palace.
It seems as though the crafters are in Hanyang.
I am hoping to get a glimpse of them somehow.
Is that really the reason?
Why would there be another one?
I do not know.
You have never been easy to read,
but it has become impossible nowadays.
The palace guards will escort you.
Return straight away after delivering your prayer.
Are you…
that concerned about me?
Forgive my jest.
I have always…
worried about you.
I will make sure to return safely.
When is the date?
When is the date, my lord?
This month…
This month, on the 8th.
…on the 8th.
Kill the male servant once the deed is done.
It is a slow-acting poison.
Bear witness to Lady Park drinking the tea and returning to the palace afterward.
-Tell Lord Park immediately. -Of course.
It sure is nice to escape the narrow walls
and breathe fresh air.
I hope to escort you outside more often from now on.
Councilor Park?
Councilor Park! Bring us cold water. This instant!
You came out of nowhere and now this?
I thought you could not come.
Did you know I would be here?
I…
informed her.
For what reason are you at this temple?
Lady Park suggested
that a Buddhist prayer fighting off my nightmares
would offer a good excuse for my return to the palace.
There is something between Councilor Park and Lady Park…
that I am clearly not aware of.
CHEONWANGMUN
I knew you had another idea in mind
when you agreed to bring me the governor on such short notice.
But this is a move I saw miles ahead.
You were willing to kill me and give up having the Queen's powers.
I must clearly be a threat to you.
The poison in today's tea.
Is it the same poison consumed by the late Queen Inyoung?
I had the most to gain
if the late Queen were deposed.
However, she was poisoned to death
and things took the worst turn…
for me.
I will
let your people free.
Will that…
put an end to this?
No.
I no longer trust your words.
I will do what I can
to provide His Majesty with the tool that will allow him to seal your fate.
That is how I will save my people.
No one in this country could ever have the power…
to decide whether I live or die.
You are wrong.
Anyone can possess that power.
I entered the palace with no way to retreat.
It is why
I can make whatever move I want.
Forgive my tardiness.
I am ashamed, Your Majesty.
The Queen Dowager has yet to arrive, so you are not late.
Pressure the shaman for a consummation date.
It is the birth date of a high-ranking nobleman.
Do you see a son in his future?
GYEONGSHIN YEAR, EULCHUK MONTH, GABO DAY, MYO HOUR
I see a son in his future.
Then tell me the date of when he will be conceived.
Who is it that seeks this date?
The nobleman's mother.
Looking at this, the nobleman's mother is deceased.
She must be his stepmother.
Do you recognize whom was born on this date?
The date must have been requested…
by the Queen Dowager.
That's right.
Allow me to meet her in person.
Of course not. What you are asking is preposterous.
The son conceived on the consummation date will be the Crown Prince.
I would not dare to have it relayed.
What?
Did you request that I allow a monk to enter the palace?
He possesses great power of premonition, Your Highness.
Someone with such great power must be aware of the outcome
should he enter the palace.
The royal court and scholars will be in an uproar.
He claims that the Crown Prince will be conceived on said date.
Such a sacred date cannot be relayed via my lowly words.
It is why he wishes to inform you in person.
Speak to me…
of this great power he possesses.
-My goodness! -Uncle Ma!
Get in here. Hurry.
Master Lim!
-Master Lim! -Goodness me.
This is not how one should behave. Let me see you.
I do not remember you being this gaunt.
I lost sleep worrying about you.
Just a second.
This. Miss gave it to me.
I told her to bring anything she could from Lady Jeong.
-Is that it? -Yes.
Was it Eunuch Jung who visited Bamboo Grove Village?
I never saw his face.
But… there is something I did see.
Miss called him a swordsman.
It must not be a nickname considering the big gash on him.
It was you.
You took her to Jeolla to keep her hidden.
Chief Eunuch.
Eunuch Jung will be leaving office.
Have it be that way.
Yes, my lord.
Eunuch Jung did not report for duty today?
No, my lady. He also left in a hurry last night due to a fever.
Eunuch Jung recuperates from his fever at his home outside the palace?
It is right around the time I expected.
I see.
You can find it way over there.
-That is right. -Goodness.
POLICE BUREAU
You are to answer my questions truthfully.
Was it you?
Did you save the life of traitor Yoo Haksoo's daughter?
Someone placed a dead body pretending to be hers,
lit it on fire,
and brought a guilty prisoner to safety.
Was it you?
Speak!
Yes.
It was my doing.
By whose orders?
The late King?
Or…
His Majesty?
How far are you willing to go for His Majesty?
May I ask what provokes such an inquiry?
Allow me to rephrase.
What is it
that you truly wish to do for His Majesty's sake?
What are you playing at?
It has been a while, my lord.
You will make a report
to the Police Bureau?
How dare you.
By the looks of it,
you seem to know what I am here to report.
Chief Eunuch,
give us privacy.
No one is allowed to enter.
Yes, my lord.
Your Majesty,
Left State Councilor is here for an audience.
Councilor Park has made his way to His Majesty's chambers.
Your Majesty,
the daughter of traitor Yoo Haksoo…
still lives.
Your Majesty!
Why did you save the daughter of a traitor?
Even if the late King ordered it,
you should not have complied!
And now…
I am choosing to rectify the error of this despicable incident.
The one who had a traitor's daughter submitted in the Queen selection process
is you.
It is why
I will punish Lady Park
and also pay the price
for my misconduct.
I must speak to His Majesty. Announce my arrival.
The Left State Councilor is here for an audience.
As they converse privately--
Your Majesty, it is Lady Park.
I wish to make a report regarding the Left State Councilor.
Your Majesty,
please allow me to enter.
Let her enter!
I requested an audience to make a truthful report.
I…
am the former Crown Princess
and the daughter
of traitor Yoo Haksoo.
Lady Park…
The world believes that I was burned to ashes--
-Enough! -But someone broke me out of prison
and escorted me to Bamboo Grove Village. He is…
-Lady Park… -That is enough!
It is Left State Councilor Park.
Councilor Park deceived the world
and saved the life of a traitor's daughter.
He then had her become a royal concubine as his niece.
He deceived you, violated the law,
and humiliated the royal family which is an act of treason.
Turn me into the State Tribunal
so that the whole truth can be proved.
Your Majesty,
how long are you willing to put up…
with this nonsense?
Councilor Park is already aware of this matter.
Your Majesty,
turn me into the State Tribunal.
The one who broke me free
and escorted me to Bamboo Grove Village will testify.
I received the order…
from the Left State Councilor at the time which was you.
You ordered me
to save the life of traitor Yoo Haksoo's daughter.
The one who helped me take refuge in Bamboo Grove Village will also testify.
It was you, Lord Park.
You asked me to keep the traitor's daughter safely hidden
so that you could make her Queen
after adopting her as your niece.
And then I,
traitor Yoo's daughter,
will attest to that fact.
Lady Park…
If you do,
you will lose your life.
Your Majesty,
you accepted me as Lord Park's niece in order to spare my life,
but the tables have turned.
I might lose my life,
but Councilor Park can also be executed.
In this confidential letter, all of our crimes have been listed.
Should any of us three die…
No,
even if all of us should die,
this letter will give you enough reason
to ruin
Councilor Park and his family.
Are you truly…
choosing to die for this cause?
Please do not do this.
You have done enough…
to discourage Councilor Park.
You will be granted what you have been fighting for,
so please end this right now.
You must.
I once wished to live as well.
But then it occurred to me
that I had no option but running away like I once did.
Then that is what you shall do.
I did not want to run away
and live out my life as a living corpse.
Embracing death
revealed a new path for me.
A path to save my people…
and to accomplish your objective.
Rather than a living corpse,
I choose to die
and live within the hearts…
of my people.
Do you really…
wish to die this way?
Just
promise me one thing.
My people who are held hostage at Bamboo Grove Village
and those who are living on the run. Allow them to live freely.
Do not let any more innocents
lose their lives at the cost of a political war.
Do not let…
hundreds of scholars cease to breathe in the same way my parents did.
Please…
become a wise and benevolent king.
Then I will gladly
drag the Left State Councilor down to hell with me.
Thank you.
I am truly grateful.
You are…
the most loyal subject.
Your sacrifice will pave the way for royal authority…
to be strengthened.
The degradation my father faced
and the blood my mother shed…
formed the crown that sits on my head.
A single drop of blood shed from you…
would make no difference.
You…
will die alongside Councilor Park.
And I…
will rise
as Joseon's true King.
Has Joseon
ever seen a ruler
quite like her?
A ruler who is willing to sacrifice one's own life…
to save the people?
Your Majesty, it has been reported that tomorrow is
an auspicious day for you and Lady Cho.
If you have another date in mind…
There is no need to postpone.
Proceed…
as announced.
I hope there will not be an issue with our consummation tomorrow.
I hardly doubt it.
I only speak out of concern.
The day before our consummation,
a royal relative dies or thunder strikes.
His Majesty will not use such an affair as an excuse this time.
Father notified me that he strong-armed His Majesty…
What…
did you just say?
I hear you urgently summoned me.
Did you pressure His Majesty into settling on a consummation date with me?
But why?
Why would you bother him with a frivolous matter?
-Lady Cho-- -I am unlike his former concubines.
His Majesty chose me out of love.
I do not approve of your interference.
I will request that the consummation be pushed back.
His Majesty knew Lady Park since her days outside the palace.
It could be her…
that he truly desires.
Who he finds fitting will be crowned as Queen,
so cease those childish thoughts.
Our family's fate
lies in your hands.
The woman that he truly desires…
could be Lady Park?
She is the Queen Dowager.
Show respect.
Relay the consummation date.
I am much obliged, but there is something I must confirm first.
What?
Is the conception of His Majesty's eldest son
what you truly desire?
Such insolence. How dare you speak to her this way?
Court Lady Han.
Are you suggesting that I desire something else?
I have yet to foresee what it is you desire.
However,
a son conceived on this date
will possess the utmost power and authority in Joseon.
Is that what you truly desire?
His Majesty enters.
Your Majesty.
Carry on your path.
I will do what I must.
The full moon is in sight.
You should head back.
His Majesty…
must be with Lady Cho by now.
The air is chilly.
Truth be told,
I wanted him to stop him from going.
I also wanted to fully resent him.
But I could not.
Not when I still remember how he told me to live…
while shedding tears that I could not.
Forgive me but I do not follow.
I wish to be alone for a while.
Please.
I apologize.
Your Majesty!
Where is Lady Park?
Tonight, I will allow you to embrace me.
BLOODY HEART
Translated by Hye-lim Park