----
Why don't you drink?
Surely you don't suspect me?
Drink.
Now!
Drink every drop or we'll hold your mouth open...
Don't touch it.
What have you put in this that it's so important?
You've never heard of a nerve tonic?
Never of one with arnebia and mung beans to prevent pregnancy.
Enforced contraception?
How does that make you look?
What matters now is discipline in the Inner Court.
An unwanted pregnancy now would upset the status quo.
A clever ploy indeed.
It's not ploy. I must protect imperial house.
As best I can.
Well? I said drink.
I said no.
How dare you?
Drinking this would be a disservice to the Emperor.
What?
I will not fail in my duty to him, whatever your instructions.
I must beg your pardon.
You dare...?
She is quite correct.
Whatever the Empress may say...
never forget your duty.
That servant girl made us look bad.
No kidding.
Acting so smart.
Your Majesty.
My Liege.
What brings you here again?
My Liege?
Your Majesty.
The Emperor seems back to his old self.
What's with the looks?
You don't think I'm jealous?
It's nothing to me who he graces with his favors.
Are you all right?
I know what she put in that tonic.
It's relatively harmless.
Did you drink it?
I did not.
Will you grace me every night from now on?
Every night?
And perhaps some wine?
Wine as well?
Did you hear that?
Yes, My Liege.
It will be done.
There you are.
What brings you here?
I missed the boy.
I trust you don't mind.
So handsome.
He has my son's eyes.
And your pert little mouth.
Does he?
He is the firstborn.
What do you care if the consorts get pregnant?
An heir is a blessing to the imperial house.
No one can challenge Maha's rightful place.
In time he will be named Crown Prince.
And then in time, emperor...
How many times has the eldest inherited the throne?
It wouldn't be the first time brothers fought for the crown.
Or a rightful heir has been displaced.
Powerful factions make and break emperors.
I won't let that happen to my boy.
The great Kublai Khan decreed the throne goes to the firstborn.
I obey his will.
The firstborn inherits the throne.
You are the most frightening person I know.
Aren't you the one smiling to my face...
...and stabbing me...
...in the back.
You overstep yourself.
I won't bend on this.
There is no need to discuss if further.
If you please.
He looks nothing like my son.
Pardon?
He looks nothing like his father or his mother.
We'll know more as he grows, but I'm certain of it.
But Hwanggak provides no proof either way.
And her retinue...
Lady Soh and Lady Yon bark when they're told.
The fire at Hwangguk is weird the more I think about it.
But if you're right... that's terrible.
It's just a suspicion.
Look into it. Discreetly.
As you say, Your Majesty.
Empress, don't think I don't have claws because you can't see them.
Hidden claws bite deepest.
Welcome, Your Grace.
Did you get it?
The Thousand Character Classic from the Liang Dynasty.
It contains 250 phrases of four characters each.
With this the Emperor can read.
The Analects of Confucius, Mencius, Doctrine of the Mean.
Classics of Poetry, I Ching, Spring
and Autumn Annals, Four Books and Five Classics.
Can you teach him?
I faced death to get this far.
What's a little pain compared to that?
No one can know the Emperor is learning to read.
I have an idea about that.
My Liege, Her Grace Lady Ki.
Nyang.
What's this?
We're going to study every night.
Study?
You can't regain power if you can't read petitions to the throne.
First, The Thousand Character Classic.
Learn to read and write every character.
A thousand...?
Then why did you ask for wine?
The sky was black, the earth yellow.
Space and time are vast, limitless.
Don't look this way.
Your Grace.
Go on, eat.
Sir.
People will think you're carrying on every night.
We have to burn your practice sheets.
We can leave nothing to indicate that you're learning.
Spies are everywhere.
We can't lower our guard.
Your Majesty...
He's with that tramp again tonight?
Please, you've had enough.
And what are they up to, huh?
There was music...
Hush.
Music?
Well isn't that lovely.
Lets see how long they last.
Please, Your Majesty.
My Liege, I'm a patient soul.
But when I let go...
even I don't know what I'll do.
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
Enough, please.
Stop her.
Every night? Randy little lech.
Father, you're drunk.
Bayan, good for you.
That's quite a consort you found.
My plans are moving ahead thanks to you.
Take Father to bed.
Yes, sir.
He calls himself a man?
Father, if you please.
Hands off.
Think you can shuffle me off?
I'm sober, I tell you.
He seems pleased.
Bayan.
You can drop the act now.
I stopped trusting you the minute you sent Sungnyang back here.
Meaning?
Shall I spell it out?
You want her to control the Emperor.
And so control the throne.
What? Too close to the mark?
You're wrong about one thing.
I serve El Temur.
Not you.
The throne?
You'll never hold true power.
What?
Tangqishi.
When you're father passes you'll want his power.
As will I, but you know how we're different?
You want power for yourself.
I want it...
for Yuan.
Silence.
Don't count on your father's glory.
Fight your own fight.
That's how you get power.
Bayan.
We'll see who gets what.
No more than three paces away.
When we're alone, no more than three paces.
Who says?
Don't interrupt your studies.
'Husband leads.'
'Wife follows.'
Wrong.
Try to concentrate.
This helps me concentrate.
Watch.
'Husband... leads...'
'...wife follows.'
What's next?
I can handle another one.
Every time you grab my hand your work load will double.
I'm going to bed.
- Get up. - Nope.
We have 20 more to go.
Tomorrow.
My Liege.
You tired? Come join me.
Move along.
Who's that?
Some slaves they sent back.
Take that spy with you tonight.
Him, you mean?
But don't kill him.
I want him to see his master die.
If I don't tell him it's a trap...
he'll die.
What was it you wanted?
Just a quiet drink. Is that so wrong?
Not at all.
Do you have ties to Eagle House?
I want to work with them.
I could use an introduction.
Eagle House?
I can't help you there.
I wouldn't have taken you for a trader.
Nor I you for running a courtesan house.
You don't trust me, do you?
Only as much as you trust me.
That's more than I thought.
I have work to do. You'll have to excuse me.
I'll finish my drink.
Suli.
Ma'am.
You have work to do.
At your service.
Get some explosives.
Ma'am.
What's this?
Wine from the boss.
Excellent.
Our information places the counterfeiters at Sulyong Pass around 8 o'clock.
Jombak, muster your men ahead of time.
Yes, Sire. See you soon.
What are you planning?
Collect as much counterfeit as we can.
Then do to the Yuan traders what they did to Koryo.
We'll break El Temur's economic base.
Sire, Bang's signal.
The counterfeiters are here.
- Masks. - Sir.
Sir, we're going the wrong way.
This isn't the way to Mount Pakua.
Our plans have changed.
Where are we headed?
I've always preferred hunting in the dark.
In the dark where the animals are hiding.
Are you nervous? Do animals scare you?
Now the hunt begins.
They're here.
Take a good look.
See how your lord and master dies.
Not yet.
Not until they're in range.
Closer.
A little closer.
That's it.
Closer.
Halt.
What the...?
Kill them!
It's a trap.
Get them!
Fall back.
Who was it?
Who shot that arrow?
You hit the barrel with the explosives.
Wang Yu, that squares us for saving my life.
Now we're enemies.
What's got the governors all riled up?
Don't you know?
The Empress has them drinking a contraceptive.
They're furious.
Things have been strange lately.
Best to lay low at times like this.
Creepy eunuch...
Wait, that's... isn't it...?
Pak. Commander Pak.
Don't soil yourself.
How did you...?
Thanks to you, I'm living the sweet palace life.
What's all this?
Pay your respects to Her Grace.
I remember.
How you shot me.
That arrow changed my life.
Now you remember this.
Your life is about to change.
She's got Pak with her.
This is bad.
Did you know the Empress was forcing them to drink the tonics?
Is that so?
It's an affront to the imperial house. And to us.
That's one way to see it.
Regent, you can't take this lightly.
Lightly?
I take this very seriously indeed.
Then you should take action.
Yes, I should.
Either the consorts go.
Or you do.
Regent.
Why did you send your daughters here?
Wasn't it to gain power via the imperial house?
For incompetents that's no better than treason.
You think you can bear the weight of absolute power?
You would buckle under it and be the end of this nation.
I won't see our nation ruined, not if it kills me.
You do not serve me.
You serve Yuan.
If we're clear on that, return to your provinces.
I won't have you interfering in palace affairs again.
The governors have gotten worse since the consorts arrived.
Leave it to me.
I'll bring them to their knees.
Don't make it more complicated than it is.
I'll deal with them all in one stroke.
Tell the Emperor I'd like a word.
Yes, Father.
I have served nine emperors.
Some died mysteriously.
Others from illness.
But I've lasted thirty years.
Thirty years and nine emperors.
One after another.
It is lonely at the top.
Absolute power is absolute solitude.
Your loneliness is a terrible burden.
No wonder you can't speak.
Allow me...
to bear the burden for you.
Abdicate the throne.
You have a son.
Name him your heir and the Empress will serve as regent.
I wish you a long, long life.
An emperor's robes are heavy.
Unburden yourself.
If you misbehave again...
it will mean a blood bath.
You can expect no mercy.
It will be the end of you.
Are you all right?
El Temur is moving faster than expected.
Today we will review what we've learned.
Give it a rest tonight.
Write the following.
'The sky was black, the earth yellow.'
My Liege.
Black and yellow. Don't you recall?
I guess not.
'Space and time are vast, limitless.'
'Sun high or low, moon full or partial.'
You didn't get a single one right.
Just stupid I guess.
You're doing this on purpose.
What difference does it make?
My Liege.
My mind is made up.
Don't talk to me about revenge.
Do you know what I've lost to be here?
All right. Tell me.
Your precious Wang Yu?
I lost everything.
All that I hold dear.
Me, too.
I'll do the same. For you.
Revenge for my father, the throne.
I'll give it all up for you.
It's not for me.
It is for you.
I fear your death more than my own.
If I could, I'd give it all up...
just to spend my life with you.
Me and you.
Sharing meals, sleeping in the same bed.
Just the two of us.
Couldn't we do that, just us two?
You're the only one that can ease my grief.
Or so I thought.
But I was kidding myself.
I won't bother you again.
Just like that?
Off you go?
Is that all I am?
A tool for your vengeance?
Why not?
You are nothing to me.
Nothing at all?
You're no better than one of the walls of the palace.
No, you're less than that.
Consort or not, she can't talk to the Emperor like that.
She's not exactly wrong.
What?
If you'll pardon my saying so...
I'm just a lowly eunuch, but I know something of service.
Loyalty lies in telling him the truth, whatever the risk to oneself.
Even your death?
You've come back to me empty and broken.
I'll have my revenge, with or without you.
Stop.
Leave now...
and I won't come after you.
Please don't.
Fine.
Never again.
Never.
Did something happen?
I'm not certain how to continue with the Emperor.
That's why I sought you out.
For advice.
You don't need it.
The answer is within you.
The problem isn't the student, it's the teacher.
It's already off kilter.
I'm in the wrong.
That's all the advice I have.
Prick him, he won't bleed.
He left me a great gift.
A thirsty man...
has to dig his own well.
Your Majesty, try to get some rest.
The Emperor sent for Lady Ki again tonight?
I'm afraid so.
How many nights is this?
Ten or so, I believe.
Fifteen. Exactly.
You're counting?
You know how others look at me?
With pity.
The highest woman in all the land,
and they look at me with pity.
I blame myself, Your Majesty.
It's not you.
It's the wimp. And the tramp.
Your Majesty.
I've had enough.
Tomorrow I'll deal with Lady Ki.
Once and for all.
Just as you say.
My Liege.
You'll see what you get...
for ignoring me.
He wouldn't send us bad information.
And who in the world helped us get out of that?
Anything from Musong yet?
Bang is looking into it, he'll find out.
Don't worry.
Hurry it up.
My lord, please.
I'm starving.
Where'd he come from?
Don't beg here.
Please, cold rice, anything.
1, 2, 3, 4...
I haven't eaten for four days.
I couldn't even sell him as a slave.
Huh?
Look at him. Worthless.
I swear.
Move.
Please, sir.
Jokho?
Sir. Sir.
What?
You.
Shh.
It's me, Bang.
You're worse off than me.
You're begging now?
Never mind me.
What about you?
They sold me to a rich lady.
She found out I'm a eunuch and here I am.
Sent you right back, huh?
Never mind that.
I'm looking for someone.
You haven't seen Sungnyang yet?
Sungnyang?
You're not looking for her?
Sungnyang...
is alive?
What?
Sire.
Where have you been?
We were about to go look for you.
Musong? Where is he?
I don't know.
But I have news.
What news?
Sire.
What is it?
Sungnyang.
Sungnyang is alive.
Huh?
She's... She's what now?
She didn't die.
Who told you?
The Koryo village headman.
He said they were both taken into slavery.
And now?
Where is she now?
He said Bayan bought her.
She's been saved.
So we call on Bayan and we can see her.
Sungnyang.
Your Grace, you have to hurry.
It's not time to pay our respects.
Her Majesty changed the time.
The servants didn't tell you.
I'll kill them.
Pardon my tardiness.
You didn't hear that we're meeting today?
Forgive me. My servants didn't tell me.
Yet another excuse?
The rules don't apply to you, is that it?
Recite your lessons.
One mistake and you'll get what you deserve.
Go on.
Fidelity.
Chastity.
Cleanliness.
Obedience.
Decorum.
A woman must be chaste above all else.
Second, she must be clean and obedient.
She must stay indoors.
If guests arrive, she must speak in soft tones.
We haven't covered that yet.
Discretion.
Reserve.
A lamp held at twilight.
In the dark...
Stop.
Enough posing.
When did you learn it?
At night.
Night?
Carrying on with the Emperor every night.
And you still have time to study?
If you were unaware I would have pardoned you.
But this makes it that much worse.
Your Majesty.
You flaunt the rules.
Dokman.
Your Majesty.
Lock her in the archives and post a guard.
She will copy out the rules of conduct 100 times.
She is not to step outside till she's done.
No food or water.
Understand?
You'll either starve or finish writing.
Well?
Take her away.
Now you'll see that the Emperor's favor...
can be worse than poison.
I've heard of copying out the rules.
But no food or water?
That's a first.
Don't worry about me.
You can go.
I won't give in.
Tanasiri.
I won't bow to the likes of you.
Welcome.
Lady Yon.
More ink?
She hasn't had any food or water?
We haven't let so much as an ant in, not to worry.
But without water...
she'll die.
Unless she drinks the ink.
Take it in.
What if she dies?
I can't stand it. I'll kill them all.
Don't be stupid.
You want to make it worse?
No one can help.
It's up to her. She's on her own.
This will take that smug Lady Ki down a peg.
More than a peg.
If she doesn't give me 100 copies,
she'll die in there.
I'll never have to see her again.
Ah, another ghost for the archives.
Exactly.
Cold. Rotten.
After all I've done for her.
Doesn't she get it yet?
My Liege.
Dokman just told me. Lady Ki...
I said not to mention her name.
My Liege.
Does she want to see me?
It's not that.
Her Majesty has her locked in the archives.
In the archives?
It's been three days now.
Not a drop of water by order of the Empress.
My Liege.
Your Imperial Majesty.
Your Majesty.
My Liege.
Your pardon, but Her Majesty forbids...
I beg your pardon.
Be grateful he can't speak.
Or it would be your neck.
Nyang, Nyang!
[---- Translated by D. Bannon]
[Next on Empress Ki]
I'll show her. I can make her happy.
My Liege.
What was that?
You made a mistake.
Blitzkrieg strategy. We will hit their base now.
You won't be able to kill me.
You're going to make her commit a crime?
I will replace the Empress.
An arrow, once loosed, cannot be recalled.
That's how you put up a fight.
What did you learn?
The empress fell for a trap.
It had to end like this, Wang Yu.