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Episode 10
My Liege, a concubine of rank?
On a girl that's nothing more than a maid?
She is no maid.
She bears the imperial heir.
A concubine of the fifth rank is barely enough.
What's wrong? Wake up.
Well? Call the doctor.
Will she be all right?
Give us your decision.
Yes, command us.
It can't be too serious.
My Liege.
Are you listening?
Yes.
So what do you suggest?
Suggest?
We're awaiting your decision.
Right, well, whatever you two say.
- My Liege. - Your Majesty.
You there. Something cool.
Yes, My Liege.
My Liege, I would rather go blind.
Remember that.
Your Majesty, her wishes are irrelevant.
Make her an official concubine, all right?
I'm nothing, am I? A joke?
You've underestimated me, Dowager.
We'll see who cries blood.
Insolent. Lecture me, will you?
You'll be begging for mercy soon enough.
Ugh.
Those two will be the death of me, seriously.
A tonic, perhaps?
No.
Instead...
Find out about the girl that fainted on the archery range.
My Liege, are you fond of her?
Fond?
Watch your mouth.
The Empress might hear.
She's just a maid after all.
It's just...
She's so much like the man that saved my life in Koryo.
I just know I feel better when I see her.
In which case, shall we transfer her to your retinue?
A Pavilion of Women maid in the palace?
Palace servants have light work and high stipends.
They all want to work here.
She would like that.
She will be overwhelmed with gratitude.
Excellent. Let's do it.
Let her overwhelm me with gratitude.
My Liege.
You have the little nothing I gave you?
Yes, My Liege. I will cherish it till my bones are bleached and dry.
Just till they're bleached and dry?
No. Till they turn to dust, my life is yours.
I prefer your life while you're still intact.
Your servant, My Liege.
Your servant.
If only she were Sungnyang.
I hope Sungnyang is all right.
Welcome, my lord.
No improvement yet?
She was awake a bit earlier.
Failing to care for oneself is also disloyal.
Tell me when she wakes.
Yes, my lord.
Sire, where are you?
I miss you, Sire.
Tonight your head is mine.
Sire.
At last.
Move out.
Sir. They're attacking.
Fall back.
Not too close.
Watch the crossroads. That's where they'll be.
Yes, Sir.
A trap! A trap!
Turn back! It's a trap!
Now. Attack.
Charge!
What is that?
Noise from the east.
A battle?
Listen. The screams don't stop.
But whose screams?
The Turks? Or our slaves?
I think Wang Yu gave chase and fell into an ambush.
Idiot. Blind ambition got him killed.
Yom followed him?
Yes, sir.
Even if Wang Yu survives, Yom will kill him.
You sure those scum will come this way?
Who made this map, huh?
The survivors will definitely head this way.
It's Batolu.
Batolu, your head is mine.
Attack!
A body.
EEP!
A massacre.
They're all Turks.
What happened here? So it was the Turks we heard screaming?
Sir.
We were gathering weapons.
Whose horse is that?
Batolu's mount.
Batolu?
He's dead?
General, there are hundreds dead.
[Batolu's daughter, Onbisu]
Where's Jombak anyway?
He died with honor.
Died?
Best news I've heard all...
My Liege, I trust you've been well?
It's been too long, Tangqishi.
How may I be of service?
You remember Sungnyang.
He was to be released when I returned to Yuan.
Yes. I remember.
Tell me anything you know about him.
Is he married? Where is he? What's he doing?
I understand he's living with his brothers in his hometown.
Oh?
If I may... Why do you ask?
No reason. Just curious, that's all.
You are His Imperial Majesty.
Koryo is best forgotten.
I've got to get Sungnyang out before he notices her.
His Imperial Majesty.
You there.
I say, you.
You heard the Emperor.
You have the little nothing I gave you?
I lost it.
How dare you? An imperial gift...
I'll be in the atrium. Have her bring my tea.
My Liege.
You know the Emperor selected you as a palace maid?
I do.
That's it?
Thank him for...
No. Is Palace life tough?
Anything you need, say the word.
Your pardon, but I prefer the Pavilion of Women.
You don't like it here?
I prefer serving there.
This is cold. What is this crud?
I'll bring more.
Never mind. Take it away.
Explain that.
What? Overwhelmed? Overwhelm THIS...!
Quite so. She's a dense one.
My Liege, are you up?
Wait.
Leave us.
You.
You do it.
Ow. Gently...
Owie... ouch...
Now your imperial lotion.
Ow.
Hey.
Ouch... owie...! It hurts!
Little...
Here. Massage it.
You're so alike.
Why don't you like it here?
It's less work, more pay.
Why do you want to leave? Ah!
It hurts!
My Liege.
Kill me now, My Liege.
What kind of girl has such strength?
A beating will straighten her out.
No, no.
Leave us.
Will you send her back?
She's just like Sungnyang.
There's a way to handle these types.
It's hot.
Not so bad now.
Ugh. Hot.
Ugh. Cold.
Wait, I'm hot again.
Cold, cold, cold.
Cold, cold!
Well? Get to fanning.
Not killing him...
is like torture.
What's with the glare?
My eyes are always like this.
Oh? Let's hear you laugh.
'Laugh.' Ever heard of it?
Ha-ha-ha.
It's more than that.
Smile and pretty and such.
My Liege.
My Liege, El Temur wants you.
What's that one say?
Fancy yourself a ruler now?
No, you're the ruler, of course.
Where shall I place the seal?
You cannot make that girl a concubine.
Tonight you will stay with the Empress.
The court has noticed you don't spend time with her.
I won't have you embarrass me.
Yes, of course, I'll go.
Not there. Here.
His Imperial Majesty.
Send him in.
I serve my liege.
Leave us.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Why won't you look at me?
You may undress me.
Go on.
Blow out the candles.
A body needs a soul.
But what held me last night wasn't a man.
It was an empty shell.
Your Majesty, you spent the night with the Empress?
I understand your feelings.
Try not to worry. She will never bear you a child.
I made sure of it.
You may rest...
What am I?
What do I do here in the palace?
Why do I eat, sleep, breathe?
Your Majesty.
Why am I alive?
Why?
You live to wait.
You wait for your chance. And waiting takes courage.
Please, Your Majesty. That's all I can tell you.
I knew someone that looked like you.
He hated me, I suppose.
But he was my only friend.
One time, these men wanted to kill us.
They had us cornered on a cliff.
Then he said something.
What have you done to be the Khan?
I've...
Waited for your brother to die.
That's what got you here.
If you want to live, to be emperor...
...jump.
So you know what I did?
I did it, Sungnyang!
It was a first for me, saving my own life.
Acting on my own, for myself...
It was a first.
Be like him.
Give me courage.
Be Sungnyang for me.
Help me.
That is not my place.
Your pardon.
Yes.
Yes, you're right.
You're no Sungnyang.
I was kidding myself...
...kidding myself...
You there.
My Liege.
Send her to the Pavilion.
This way.
You have your first victory.
I didn't do it alone.
My men deserve equal praise.
Tal Tal.
Wine and meat for his men.
Yes, sir.
You prevented our suffering heavy losses.
They won't be bothering us at night again.
A drink.
They have a tactician.
Bayan is a brave man, but he's no thinker.
There's his nephew, Tal Tal.
Tal Tal?
He's said to be quite resourceful.
The man that attacked us was some kind of foreigner.
If it was Tal Tal's plans, Bayan would have been close.
Then who is it?
Whoever he is, he can't possibly know our plans.
Batolu's mount is a fine animal.
Worthy of a fine rider like our King.
We're both on horseback. Let's have a match.
Draw. Let's see what you've got.
I save that for my enemies.
One victory and you're full of yourself.
Sir!
You all right?
Crazy horse.
Easy, easy. Stupid horse!
Easy, easy now!
It's said Mongols eat and sleep on horseback.
And off he goes.
Have others been dismounted?
A few of the Yuan soldiers. One broke his leg.
Aren't those Turks?
They're not prisoners.
The spies have returned.
This is the enemy camp.
Mountains on three sides.
Within a narrow ravine.
A natural fortress.
How many men?
Over 5,000, sir.
5,000?
More than I thought.
Victory is no guarantee, even if we get in.
You need fire to flush out raccoons.
We need bait.
Batolu knows you're face, right?
When the time comes, he'll attack you.
That's when we move in.
Use us as bait while you claim the victory?
Sir!
The Turks are back.
We have men in the hills.
We won't make the same mistake twice.
Scum. They could wake the dead.
Something isn't right.
Back so soon after their defeat?
This wasn't just to keep us awake.
Then what is it?
Batolu. What are you up to?
Don't kid yourself.
This is where the bloodbath begins.
Come with me.
They're skittish.
Men aren't the only ones that need sleep.
So all this noise day and night...
was for the horses?
The enemy will launch a mounted attack.
A skittish horse is no different than a deserter.
Tell no one of this.
Yes, sir.
Batolu, you're persistent.
Attacking the horses...
Pregnant?
Yes, the doctor confirmed it.
How can I show my face in the palace now?
Inner Court or not, I won't stand for it.
Please allow me, Father.
I have a plan.
A plan?
She has girls from Koryo in her retinue.
Ones she trusts.
You're going to make one of them a spy?
Yes, Father. We can get rid of the Pak girl and the Dowager at the same time.
Treason means death.
That's why we must act with caution.
Your Majesty, listen very closely.
You must do exactly as I say.
Go on.
We must test the girls to find the right maid for us.
Bring me a girl that can read in Pak's retinue.
Poor Nyang. Sent away from the palace.
'Fess up.
You've got connections, don't you?
How else were you able to get in the Palace?
Which of you is Yonhwa?
I am.
Come with me.
What's she want with Yonhwa?
Don't be nervous. Take it.
One of the girls has been carrying on.
Take her name to the captain of the guard.
It's a matter of life and death.
So be careful.
Your Majesty.
No one can know I'm involved.
Which is why I'm using you.
I understand.
She's bright, you can see that.
Another thing.
Remember this.
You are not to read the name inside.
Understood?
Understood, Your Majesty.
If this girl is killed, a new spot will be open?
You are a bright one.
Deliver that message and you may well be appointed.
Really?
Her Majesty is impressed with you.
Thank you.
Thank you, ma'am.
It's natural to want to see what you should not.
Never mind the use she can make of the name.
How can she resist?
This is killing me.
Who has been carrying on?
How...?
What... how...?
Forgive me.
I'm afraid I fell in...
You're sure you didn't read the letter?
Never. I would never.
Give her another one.
Spare me, Your Majesty.
Spare me.
Go back to your quarters.
Tell anyone what happened... and you're dead.
Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you, thank you.
She didn't even pass the first test.
Your pardon.
Get another girl.
Your Majesty.
Sire.
Welcome.
No one saw you?
The guards are all our men.
Not to worry.
The time has come.
You two bear the heaviest burden.
Follow Batolu's mount.
It will lead us to their camp.
You want us to join the Turks?
My fight isn't with them.
Bayan wants the Silk Road. My fight's with him.
So we must join with the Turks.
I see, but will they trust us?
Follow my instructions and you'll be fine.
Open up.
Who are you?
I'm here to see Batolu.
Looks like they don't know who I am, Jombak.
Listen.
When the man talks...
You... rotten... argh!
They're surrendering?
Yes. They rode in on your horse.
Soldiers?
Strategists, or so they claim.
Strategists.
Telling me to shave my head.
It grew quite a bit already.
Why did you come here?
This man doesn't talk with lackeys.
Take us to General Batolu.
I'm on his staff.
You can talk to me.
Oh, dear. Oh, dear.
I just wanted to serve the King.
I studied, I was castrated.
Oh, dear.
Castrated?
At an early age, at the hands of my mentor.
I forsook all desire.
Studied astronomy, geography, the art of war.
I thought he was a bird of prey.
He's only a crow.
Can you believe that?
Poor me, poor me.
How can we trust you?
What good is a noble steed?
When in the end he's just a nag?
My lord.
Oh, dear.
General, they're full of it.
Shall I kill them?
Time enough for that after we check their story.
How was I?
You ever sell herbs in the market?
You got a silver tongue.
Quietly.
That was a girl, right?
Yes. Definitely a girl.
This really hurts.
A girl...
I'm worried he'll be killed.
It's great if it works, but it's a dangerous plan.
Sungnyang.
Hang on.
I'll come back for you.
Long time, Sungnyang.
Oh, you're Nyang here.
You look awful.
That's the old Sungnyang.
Tangqishi is surprised, too.
Sungnyang!
Is it him?
It can't be.
Sungnyang is a man.
And he's in Koryo.
My Liege, are you all right?
Send a man to Koryo.
Pardon?
Find Sungnyang.
Bring him back to me. Understood?
This is the only Koryo maid that can read.
Why does the Empress want her?
No special reason.
Come with me.
Your Majesty.
You were in the atrium.
She's the only one left.
Perhaps you can trust her?
Take this to the captain of the guard.
Do well and you may serve the Empress.
I'm not interested in that.
Just get me out of the palace altogether.
Her Majesty can do that with no problem.
I'll mention it.
Thank you, ma'am.
I don't like her.
She'll be chasing after the Emperor, I know it...
She says not.
She asked to be sent from the palace altogether.
It's in her eyes.
She'll open that letter.
Kill the bearer of this letter.
She has no reason to kill me.
So why...?
She's the only one left.
Perhaps you can trust her?
It's a test. She's testing me.
Ugh.
Always something.
What? She delivered the letter?
Meaning she did not read it.
She passed the first test, but she won't pass the second.
Who sent this?
I don't know.
You know what it says?
It's a plot to burn the palace.
No it is not.
You'll be implicated if you don't speak.
This is definitely a test.
Tell me if you want to live.
How can I tell you what I don't know?
Have it your way then.
That's it. She didn't talk.
This time it's your head.
That's enough.
Why didn't you say it was me?
I only followed your orders.
Such obedience strikes me as odd.
I was taught obedience as a child.
To disobey strikes me as odd.
You don't want to serve here?
You would prefer to leave?
There is someone I want to see.
A lover, no doubt.
Help me and you'll see him again.
How may I serve you?
That Pak tramp got herself knocked up.
Give her this.
----
She can't know. Be very very careful.
I will.
The maid that helped us?
Why won't you look at me?
I command you to look at me.
I won't go to her first.
They're up to something.
The torches are lit.
They mean to attack.
You'll use us as fodder?
Fool. War is fought with swords.
But politics is done with words.
You here to laugh at me?
Go ahead. Laugh.
I'm a fool, I'm worthless, say it!