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Episode 12
You.
Nyang.
You...
I miss you.
Where are you?
Is it Wang Yu that you miss so much?
Yes, My Liege?
Her ladyship is in her chambers.
Fine, act like you don't know me.
Ignore me...
and I'll ignore you right back.
He knows something.
Ugh.
This is no fun. Nothing is anymore.
The Queen Dowager requests you come to the Pavilion of Women.
The Pavilion?
Tell her no thank you.
Lady Pak is unwell. She needs you.
My Liege... My Liege.
Argh!
I got it so stop nagging me.
His Majesty is waiting. Hurry, hurry. Go on.
I'm told you're quite fond of her ladyship.
Oh, uh-huh.
Take your time.
Eat, go on.
My Liege.
Your lip...
You look lovely together.
- Nyang. - Yes, my lady.
Are you all right?
A handkerchief, quickly.
What is it with me?
We'll call if we need you. Leave us.
You seem unsettled today.
Is something wrong?
Time to eat.
Yay!
I was starving, with the Emperor coming and all.
Lunchtime?
The maids take what time they can get.
What the..?
You'd rather slave and starve as a maid your whole life?
What's the idea?
Prince.
You're alive. Thank goodness.
So he was a she all along?
My Liege.
That's all the maids get?
Pardon?
The dogs get better food.
What would you have me do about it?
Ugh. What a moron.
Nyang.
Nyang, come to the garden.
What for?
The Emperor has prepared food for us as a reward.
The others are already there.
I'm not hungry. You go on.
It's from the Emperor.
We'll never get food like this again.
Not for me.
So the maids like it?
They're singing your praises.
As well they should.
They've never had it so good.
Where are you going?
To the maids, My Liege...?
I swear!
I am not...
...NOT going cause I miss her...
Not.
So good.
Yummy-yum-yum.
Wait... where... what...
Where what?
Sungnyang.
I don't see Sungnyang.
She said she isn't hungry.
Not hungry?
Then why did I bother?
You said you've lost interest in her.
That's so...
So...!
I swear.
Send for her.
Pardon?
Tell Sungnyang to get over here.
I swear!
You are such a dork sometimes.
Can't do nothin' right.
Dork...
Well. Eat.
No thank you.
You won't even take my food?
You helped Lady Pak with her morning sickness.
You earned it. Eat.
I'm full.
If you'll excuse me.
Please let go.
Why not?
All the palace women want me.
Surely you jest.
How dare you?
You dare suggest my actions are in jest?
Not to mention...
the contempt in your eyes.
Your pardon.
Eat.
Please let go.
It's uncomfortable.
When she finishes eating...
- ...take her back. - Yes, My Liege.
Hurry and eat.
My heart is bursting.
Do I fear her even more than El Temur?
He knows I'm Sungnyang.
It's the only explanation.
[The Western Yuan Border]
After them!
General!
Wang Yu managed to decoy Batolu.
Now it's your turn.
If I bust it open, lead the men through.
Yes, sir.
Men! Move out!
- Sir! - Sir!
Break off the chase and head back before daybreak.
To the camp!
Fall back!
They're returning to camp.
Bang managed to win Batolu's trust.
Centurion.
Wait here with the men.
Sir.
You two, with me.
The camp still has a lot of men. How can you take it alone?
This is Tal Tal's plan...?
After him!
Get Batolu!
The General is being pursued. Open the gates!
- Get him! - It's the enemy!
Kill them all! All of them!
This makes no sense. Drums? Now?
The horses!
Why are they...?
It's the horses.
The gongs weren't aimed at our men. It was the horses.
What?
That's what they were doing all this time?
Sir!
Batolu!
But he's chasing Wang Yu.
It's a trick.
Sound the retreat.
Retreat? We nearly have them.
Kill them! Kill them all!
Sir!
Batolu is dead! The enemy has fallen!
Wang Yu's pursuers. That's the real Batolu.
Fine.
A hundred, a thousand, if it's in a mask, kill it!
We're surrounded. We've got to get out of here.
Please. We'll be killed.
I'll die here.
Sir!
I'll kill them all and dance on their bones!
Sir!
It's like a living hell. Or a summer wheat threshing.
That's Bayan?
Yes. A violent, dangerous man.
He's a tiger all right.
It's a shame to kill him.
Capture him.
- Yes, General. - Capture?
A mad tiger should be put down.
Well? Come on then!
I'll bathe in your blood.
Come on!
Filthy...!
Lower your weapons.
Surrender.
Never surrender! Fight to the finish!
Your plan succeeded.
A pity.
I wanted to kill Yom the Scum myself.
Now we'll use Desperate Stratagems.
Desperate Stratagems?
The war will be over when I take Batolu.
Our fight is just beginning.
Feign illness.
That will fool the Empress.
Are you unwell?
I'm fine.
Fine?
Your insides are tearing apart.
If you will excuse me.
Of course.
The powder is working.
That and the tonic.
She should miscarry soon.
Well done.
But it's not over yet.
I am at your service.
Now I need you to spread a rumor.
A rumor...?
Lady Pak lied.
She faked the pregnancy to win the heart of the Emperor.
That rumor.
Your Majesty.
I noticed something odd today.
She only eats the sweets with dates.
Is that so?
She never touches those with pine nuts.
Doesn't that strike you as odd?
Dates are known to help with morning sickness.
See that they all have dates from now on.
Do you suspect me?
To prevent any misunderstanding.
As you command.
Does that ease your mind?
Yonhwa will take care of it.
But better safe than sorry.
Lady Soh is watching her.
Not to worry.
What's this?
A bloodstain?
Blood?
How can that be?
Sure. Her monthlies.
Monthlies? She's pregnant...
Her ladyship is menstruating?
Impossible. She's with child.
It's strange. She must be faking.
You'll get in trouble.
Watch it.
- How can this be? - How is this possible?
If she's faking it will be really bad.
Easy. You'll get us all in trouble.
Something isn't right.
Find out what they're whispering about.
Your Majesty...
It is not easy to say...
So you know.
Tell me.
What?
Faking?
Her Imperial Majesty.
How may I help you?
It's these strange rumors.
You may have heard them.
What strange rumors?
About Lady Pak's lies.
So you started them.
We have to clear this up.
Clear it up?
The doctor has examined her.
Surely you don't believe these absurd rumors?
The doctor reported to you alone.
You don't trust me?
Quite the opposite.
Now it's just the palace.
But soon the rumors will reach the people.
We need to put the rumors to rest right now.
And you're unaware that re-examining her would undermine my authority?
The honor of the Inner Court outweighs your 'authority'.
As head of the Inner Court, I must insist.
When the examination clears this up...
those who started this rumor must be caught...
and dealt with.
Naturally.
But if she is faking...
Lady Pak and all those involved with her...
will answer to me.
Suit yourself then.
Think you can threaten me?
We'll see where the lightning strikes first.
Nyang.
I've been watching Yonhwa like you asked.
I saw her go into the archives a while ago.
The archives?
Mm. And you know who came out?
General Tangqishi.
Tangqishi?
Exactly. Then she came out right after him.
Where is she now?
Want some tea?
What? Something on your mind?
What will you get? Palace work? Or a lady-in-waiting?
Now it comes out.
And you?
What will you get?
Not to serve the Empress?
Why? Wasn't that your offer?
Sure.
Sure it was.
But you didn't do much.
Didn't do much?
I made sure she ate the laurel and the tonic.
All of it?
You thought you were alone?
I did my part.
I'm warning you, don't take all the credit.
I won't be played for a fool.
Nyang.
Her ladyship is sick.
Lady Tramp has a fever?
Yes. Since last night.
It isn't going down.
That's it. Her child will die.
We'll have her examined.
Send for the Emperor and the Dowager.
And the doctor.
Your Majesty.
Get that tramp over here.
Hurry.
Your Majesty.
An examination... checking her pulse...
Your color is off.
My lady.
Wake up.
Move.
Yonhwa, inform the Empress.
Oh, um, right.
Your pardon.
Her ladyship collapsed on the way here.
Collapsed?
Explain.
What happened?
I don't have any details.
She's being taken to the palace.
She's a tricky one.
Tricky?
Can't you tell?
She's hiding what she did.
Watch yourself.
My Liege.
How could you be so cruel?
You disappoint me.
Disappoint you?
As if you don't know who made me this way?
I don't want to hear anymore.
She must be re-examined.
There is no need.
I run the Inner Court.
Emperor or not,
this is not your concern.
Unhand me.
Permit the examination.
Let go.
Lady Soh. Bring Lady Pak here.
I command you!
There will be no re-examination.
Your Majesty.
Ask my father...
to come see me.
Your Majesty.
My Liege.
So that's how you want it?
Yes, I suppose it is.
My death or hers, either way...
I'll see this through.
How is she?
She just dozed off.
She wavers between chills and fever.
Examine her.
Your Majesty.
Please don't.
Don't?
Her clothes were soaked through with sweat.
I will check the pulse on her wrist.
Do so.
No...
What? Is the baby all right?
It's odd.
Odd? How so?
There was no doubt before. But I can't find the slippery pulse.
No slippery pulse?
She lost the child?
Yes, I'm afraid so.
Mother.
Keep this a secret.
And your reward will be assured.
My reward...?
At your service.
- Leave us. - Your Majesty.
How could fate do this to us...
It's all right.
She can have another.
It's more complicated than that.
El Temur and the Empress already suspected a false pregnancy.
This won't go unpunished.
Don't worry.
She will not be re-examined.
Not pregnant?
You understand the penalty if you're wrong.
I wouldn't dream of lying to you, sir.
You may go.
Now that the Dowager knows, they'll try to stop her from being examined.
Gather the court.
Why bother?
- Kick Lady Pak out. - Moron.
War is fought with swords.
Politics are fought with words.
The Queen Dowager is my only equal.
And to get rid of her, I need proper justification.
[The Western Yuan Border]
They were wiped out.
Wiped out?
And Bayan?
Captured.
Probably executed by now.
Sir, your orders?
We have a report that Batolu is going to march on us.
You defend the camp.
Follow us later.
You're using us as pawns?
You have your orders.
It is your duty to die for us.
Muster the men.
Yes, sir.
He'll have spies watching us.
When Talahai falls back...
we will follow.
Yes, sir.
[The Turk Camp]
A great victory.
Congratulations.
I owe it all to your strategy.
Your men are tired.
Perhaps a celebration...
There are still remnants.
We'll not rest until they're all dead.
I wouldn't worry about them.
They're foreign soldiers pressed into service.
They'll scatter like so much sand in the wind.
They'll be gone soon enough.
Their commander was once the Koryo king?
Yes.
Dragged here after he was deposed.
I've faced him before.
He's a man of considerable skill.
Not the type to give up.
General.
The Yuan soldiers have retreated.
You're sure?
Yes. The enemy camp is nearly empty.
You see?
When am I ever wrong?
Hear, hear. Congratulations, General.
Wine coming up.
Drink, drink.
There's plenty more. Drink till you drop!
Enjoy.
Today calls for a drink.
I'm fine.
You go ahead.
Drink till you drop!
Sir, lie down. Your wound is deep.
It won't kill me.
What's that smell?
Roasted meat.
They're celebrating.
Why hasn't Batolu killed us?
Your valor would be a waste.
So? He'll let us live?
Your Yuan soldiers have pulled out.
Why not swear allegiance to General Batolu?
Never.
A warrior carries death with him.
It can't be unpacked at will.
Um, General, perhaps we could talk...
I won't live in shame.
Death before dishonor.
Tell Batolu.
You won't get another chance.
Prepare to die.
So Talahai left us.
Merciful Buddha.
Sungnyang, we will meet again.
I will never leave you again.
Watch over me and give me strength.
Sungnyang...
Sire. We have word the Turks are getting drunk.
Batolu fell for your plan.
Prepare to move out.
Live or die, this is our last battle.
Our enemy is before us.
Raise your swords in a silent oath.
Halt.
You can smell the wine from here.
Bang and Jombak are to meet us.
Signal them.
Sir.
The King made it.
Signal back.
Whew, dizzy.
- How long do I keep it up? - Keep it up.
Tweet, tweet, go on.
Your Holiness.
Don't interrupt.
- Sir. - You.
Who are you calling?
Calling? Me?
The birds were making noise. I was scaring them off.
We've got to open the gate.
Huh? Is it over there?
Get them!
It's an attack! Wake the men!
Come on, I'll kill you all!
Wake up! Wake up!
What's that?
Sounds like a surprise attack.
An attack? Is Talahai here to rescue us?
He must be.
Talahai would never abandon us.
You!
- Sire. - At last.
- Batolu? - Follow me.
Son of a...!
You traitor.
Traitor?
I follow my lord.
She's a girl.
Where is Batolu?
She is Batolu.
Kill me.
Do it.
An appeal from the ministers.
Affix your seal.
Why now? What...?
Your seal. Then we'll talk.
It's about the examination.
It's upside-down.
Oh, yes.
I'm not feeling well, so...
Your seal.
El Temur.
I can't.
Not this time.
You can't.
You would prefer that you and your mother be exiled?
El Temur.
My patience is at an end.
Do not disappoint me again.
Understood?
My Liege.
The Queen Dowager is beseeching the throne.
Beseeching?
Your Majesty, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty... Your Majesty...
My Liege!
You cannot allow the examination!
It is entirely unjustified.
I kneel and beseech you.
My Liege!
Your Majesty.
Seeing her driven to the edge is really something.
I'd just as soon push her over.
Patience.
She'll jump soon enough.
Stand up.
People will see you.
I will not step one foot from this place.
Not until you forbid the examination.
I will die as the stone of the faithful wife.
In that case, be a stone nun at Ganye Temple.
I'm speaking to the Emperor.
Can't you see that?
The court has already petitioned for a re-examination.
Disturbing the peace and upsetting His Majesty is tantamount to treason.
The one that manipulates the court and upsets the Emperor...
is you!
It's over.
Give the order for the examination.
Please, My Liege.
Do not do it.
He has already affixed his seal.
No, My Liege. No!
Take my life instead!
Enough!
Enough, both of you. Enough!
My Liege!
I will tell the Emperor you're ready to be examined.
I'm scared, Nyang.
We're winning.
The larger the canvas, the greater Her Majesty's crime.
My Liege...
- My Liege, My Liege. - I command you not to follow me.
I want to be alone.
My Liege...
My Liege.
I wish I were dead.
Sungnyang.
I wish I had died on the Isle of Daechong.
Why are you here?
To speak with Your Majesty.
To laugh at me?
To say I brought it on myself?
To tell me this is what I get for betraying you?
Sungnyang, I'm coming.
- My Liege. - I said don't move.
- Take her away. - Search her.
- Why hide that you're a woman? - No, please don't!
Did you hate me so much?
Don't get your hopes up.
I will do nothing for you. Nothing.
Your orders?
Kill her. I won't be sorry to see you dead.
Come closer.
I told you, no more than three steps away.
You..!
- He lost? - Bayan suffered a total loss.
- Your deposed king is dead. - Sire.