(This drama was remade based on historical facts.)
It's the letter of appeal about the Crown Prince's treason.
12 people were found plotting for treason.
They tried to kill the King and take the throne.
I order to convene the national court,
a special judiciary agency.
This is plastered all over the city.
Now that the people are starting to get swayed,
I wonder if the Crown Prince will be able to stay strong.
This is unfair, Your Majesty.
I cannot agree with today's interrogation.
Why does Yi Geum always have to get in my way?
He began this war, and I will win no matter what.
Executive Inspector Wi Byung Ju.
You are under arrest for having murdered your fellow inspector,
Han Jeong Seok.
I really don't think I'll be able to sleep at night...
if I fail to catch you again this time.
It seems like you're the only one who doesn't know...
what kind of situation you're in right now.
May his soul rest in peace.
But I'm not going to care about that from now on.
Prince Mil Poong.
Yi Tan! What do you think you're doing?
"Remember. You're dying because of your older brother."
Whatever happens, I'll make you pay for your crimes.
Do that, please. I'll look forward to it.
Prince Mil Poong Yi Tan, who manipulated this case...
and caused disorder in the royal court,
will be locked up in a thorn hedge...
and given capital punishment.
On the day of his exile, the look on Prince Mil Poong's face...
What about the look on Prince Mil Poong's face?
You found a bloodstain here?
Yoon Young, I trust that you know what it is that you need to do.
This is not the end for us.
It can't be. Get rid of the medicine.
Don't give him medicine from the Royal Infirmary.
On what basis are you making such a comment?
But do you do intend to cure His Majesty's illness?
What if you can't prove that poison was used?
What would happen after that, Your Highness?
I'd like you to work for me as my court maid.
I hope you will do your best...
to make sure the Crown Prince stays safe and protected.
The Crown Prince will be known as a villain who killed His Majesty.
You're the one who used that poison.
You can't frame His Highness with that.
Do you have any evidence? How are you going to prove it?
Please forgive me, Crown Prince.
- This throne was always yours. - You can't leave like this.
Brother.
Bow down, and mourn.
Bow down.
(Jo Tae Koo, Chief Justice, Soron)
Is everyone agreeing to this?
Yes.
Are you talking about the Soron officers now?
Yes. I think they'll come here soon.
(Queen Inwon, Queen Dowager)
Have you heard of the news?
Chief Justice and several Soron officers...
are headed to Queen Dowager Palace.
Queen Dowager Palace?
Why are they going there?
What are you talking about, Chief Justice?
I can never allow this.
His Majesty...
passed away because of the Crown Prince's stubborn greed.
Stubborn greed?
He only did everything he could do...
- I've heard this countless times. - to save the King.
"What right do you have?"
"How dare you?"
You not worthy...
because your mother was a low-life.
A prince with lowly blood flowing in his veins?
It's quite embarrassing, right?
That's why everyone is uncomfortable about you.
How dare he come here?
I'm surprised to see you here.
What did you think you could do?
What can you do when you're a prince...
that has no power to even protect a mere inspector?
I might've been upset over those words.
I might have felt that it was unfair.
If he only sent proper prescriptions and medicine,
today's tragedy wouldn't have happened.
- Queen Dowager. - Queen Dowager.
So I...
only wanted to prove myself.
Maybe that's why I started walking down this path.
It's the Crown Prince.
His Majesty...
passed away...
because of you.
You did this.
Therefore,
you are not worthy...
to become the king.
"Worthy"?
But...
they might have been right.
I may have been wrong.
I might...
have never been worthy enough.
(Episode 18: The Rights to Become a King)
(Songmyeon, Cheongju)
Make way!
What was that messenger?
They say that His Majesty has passed away.
- What? His Majesty? - My goodness.
Oh, no. Your Majesty.
(Yi In Jwa, Namin Party)
There he is.
Hello, Master.
Hello. How are the elders?
They've already gathered. Let's go.
The bloodline of the former king, who oppressed Namin Party,
was cut off too easily.
Our family used to be so great.
But who caused us trouble that almost eliminated us?
The King was punished by the heavens...
to pay for his father's sins.
But do you know this?
Rumors say that the Crown Prince just let the King die.
They say he poisoned him too.
- What? - Did you say, "poisoned"?
The Crown Prince poisoned the King?
Yes. It hasn't spread into the city,
but this is certain.
The atmosphere in the palace seemed serious.
How did this happen?
He didn't sit on the throne for long.
And there was no news about him being sick.
I know. It's strange. How did this happen?
The Chief Justice and most of Soron...
are opposed to the Crown Prince taking the throne?
Yes. They look like they'll never give up easily.
There will be no more.
The King and the Crown Prince are finished.
The King will end up dying.
The Crown Prince will be blamed for that...
without being able to prove anything.
I made that happen.
It's my fault.
Yoon Bok Dan.
How could you?
If I only didn't go that far...
If I could only let her go...
Dal Moon.
How can we...
proceed the funeral like this?
His Majesty was killed.
We can never give up...
unless this unfairness is set right, Queen Dowager.
- Please hear our words. - Please hear our words.
Chief Justice Jo Tae Koo is against the Crown Prince's enthronement?
The Crown Prince...
stopped the Royal Infirmary and decided to use wolfsbane.
How could he not be suspicious?
Suspicious?
Are you saying that the Crown Prince let the King die on purpose?
- Well... - That's not important now.
It doesn't matter if the Crown Prince did it or not.
As a result regarding the next king,
Soron has been split into two.
Then...
we must choose our path too.
Shall we follow Chief Justice Jo Tae Koo...
or Yi Gwang Jwa, who supports the Crown Prince.
What do you plan to do?
Take the initiative.
If we stand with Chief Justice and attack the Crown Prince...
or stand with Yi Gwang Jwa to help the Crown Prince,
we must make the situation that gives Noron the initiative.
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
How is the situation in Crown Prince Palace?
Hello, Chief Inspector.
I came to see the Crown Prince. Announce my arrival.
I came to see Junior Second Rank Cho Hyun Myung.
- Is he inside? - Yes, sir.
Master Mun Su.
Yeo Ji.
So this is where I meet you.
You're here to find out about the Department of Justice, right?
The Queen Dowager Palace...
also wants to know about Saheonbu and Department of Justice.
- So give me information. - No, wait.
The Queen Dowager Palace? Why were you there?
Didn't you go to Yangju?
Then how did you go to the palace?
Master, that's...
You...
Did you...
Yeo Ji.
I realized that now.
That they're right and I'm wrong.
A prince of lowly blood.
He can't be anything because of that.
But...
grieving over that truth,
he came this far.
I'm not worthy to become king.
I made the King...
pass away.
Did you...
poison the medicine?
Did you stop the royal doctors...
from treating His Majesty?
- Teacher. - Did you...
suggest using wolfsbane and ginseng...
to kill His Majesty?
Why are you doing this?
Did you do all this...
because you wanted to take the throne?
You're not worthy?
You've committed a crime?
They're lies made up by those who don't know the truth.
They're not true.
Then why are you...
blaming yourself based on such lies?
I know how...
painful such things can be to you.
You probably think it's better...
to give up the throne than to live among deceitful lies.
But this is the path of the king.
Like a burden,
you have to live among numerous lies,
misconceptions, and humiliation.
Now isn't the time.
The moment you fall down and run away from that path,
that's when you no longer are worthy to be king.
Not now...
but the moment I run away.
So make your decision, Your Highness.
Whether you're going to meet the requirements of a king or not.
Whether as a human being you're going to avoid this pain...
or fight against all this humiliation...
by embracing yourself as king.
Move on.
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
Yeo Ji.
So make your decision, Your Highness.
Whether you're going to meet the requirements of a king or not.
His Majesty passed away...
all because...
of your fault.
Whether to avoid all this pain as a human being.
And, Yi Geum.
I ask you...
to become a good king...
for the people.
The kind of king that I couldn't become.
The kind of king...
I've dreamed of.
Or fight against...
all this humiliation...
by embracing myself as king.
National Security Councilor.
Did you want to see me, Chief Justice?
How are things at National Security Council?
If something happens in the palace...
while trying to stop the Crown Prince's enthronement,
how many soldiers can we use?
How is the military situation? And the Minister of War?
How about Hanseongbu and the police bureau?
The military agencies are showing unusual movements?
That's right. Ministry of War, National Security Council,
Hanseongbu and the police bureau.
The heads of each agency are starting to move.
What is the reason?
The National Security Councilor...
probably went to see Chief Justice Jo Tae Koo.
Ministry of War, Hanseongbu, and the police bureau...
probably was called by Chairman of Congress Min Jin Heon.
- Your Highness. - Your Highness, Crown Prince.
They're going to use...
the military agencies that they took control over.
Find out what they can do...
for the remaining six days.
The remaining six days?
Your Highness, do you mean...
Issue an alert for all soldiers of Saheonbu.
Yes, I will do as you say, my lord.
Six days from now.
After the death of the late king and until the next enthronement,
yes,
we have six days.
The throne will be...
empty until then.
No one knows what will happen in the palace for those six days.
The Crown Prince might end up taking the throne.
Or, as Chief Justice Jo Tae Koo wants,
the Crown Prince might fall.
Whatever happens, we Noron have to be prepared...
so we can take the initiative.
Yes, Chairman of Congress.
If necessary,
we can work with the Chief Justice.
Chairman of Congress.
What is it?
Your Highness, it's the Crown Prince.
What does it mean to be worthy?
To be a human being...
or a king?
What did you just say, Crown Prince?
You want me to help you get enthroned as soon as possible?
Yes, Your Highness. That's right.
After the death of the late king,
the enthronement is usually held in six days.
The throne remains empty...
and the Queen Dowager, who is highest in the palace,
takes control.
You have to issue an order...
if I'm going to succeed the throne.
And you want me to issue the order...
as soon as possible?
Inside and outside the palace,
military agencies are showing unusual movements.
If we leave the throne empty for six days,
trouble might happen in the palace.
I've heard of that too...
and was worried about it, Crown Prince.
However, if that happens...
I know.
I'll be considered a shameless king...
who made the previous king die...
and hurried to take the throne.
Yes.
I'm fully aware, Queen Dowager.
I know what kind of misunderstandings...
and hardships might come my way.
Crown Prince.
I guess you've chosen...
to endure everything.
You must've decided to proudly face...
the unavoidable path that's in front of you.
Court Lady Choi, are you outside?
Yes, Queen Dowager.
Ask the chief royal secretary of Seungjeongwon...
to come here immediately.
Yes, Queen Dowager.
Sir.
I just got orders from the Queen Dowager.
Summon all the officials of Seungjeongwon.
Yes, sir.
You met Min Jin Heon?
Yes, I did.
I'm sorry for doing that without even discussing it with you.
But if you choose to walk a different path...
No, sir.
I will follow you a million times if I need to do.
Hyun Myung.
You don't...
even need to ask me, sir.
How is that possible?
How can he be enthroned?
The Queen Dowager apparently gave orders last night.
They're already getting ready to enthrone the Crown Prince.
We must stop that from happening no matter what...
even if that means we will end up shedding blood.
Chief Justice.
Is this really true?
Are they really getting ready to enthrone the Crown Prince?
Yes, I saw people...
taking in silk and other necessary accessories...
for the Crown Prince's royal attire to the palace.
We're sure of it.
It's even stated on the official government documents.
It seems like they're going to proceed with the enthronement.
I can't believe this.
- Come on. - Hurry.
Dal Moon, is it true?
Are the rumors really true?
Gun Tae, I'm running out of breath. Will you please tell us?
Are you talking about the enthronement?
Yes, it's true. It's going to happen!
- What? - Ah Bong.
Jang Dal, is the Crown Prince finally going to become the king?
Come here, storyteller!
- Gun Tae! - Ah Bong!
- Crown Prince! - Crown Prince!
Why?
Why would you support the Crown Prince?
When you're in the palace, your foes and allies always change.
What's important...
is whether you need that person or not.
Min Jin Heon.
I'm sure you already know...
that the military you have is no match for ours.
And I'm sure you also know what kind of organizations...
are in support of the Norons.
Let's not shed unnecessary blood.
What did you receive...
from the Crown Prince?
He surely must've promised you a deal.
A deal?
I'm not quite sure if this falls under that category.
But yes, there was a deal.
But it wasn't from the Crown Prince.
I can't quite understand.
I got it from a group of fools.
But yes, there was a deal.
I wonder what we would've done if we were in his shoes.
Your Highness.
You all look tired.
It must've been a long night for all of you.
We're not tired at all, Your Highness.
Inscrutable are your favors, Your Highness.
You'll no longer be referred to...
as "Your Highness".
I hope...
you will become a great king, Your Highness.
I will stay by your side...
and protect you...
until the end of your journey.
Would you also like to give it a try?
Pardon?
Let her have her turn with the royal garments.
Queen Dowager.
If you do this,
it will get rid of the wrinkles,
and it will coat the garments with a nice scent.
Here. Why don't you give it a try?
So,
let me enter the Crown Prince Palace.
I want to...
protect you no matter what.
You're here.
Your Highness.
But I'm a female inspector before I'm a woman.
What if I'm a man before I'm a Crown Prince?
What?
Fine.
I think this is good too.
I like facing the same wind with you.
This is also...
good enough for me.
The fact that there's something...
I can do for you is more than enough.
(Episode 36 will air shortly.)
(Ads 00:31:21 --> 00:32:21)
Your Majesty.
Civil and military officials,
bow four times.
Bow.
Rise.
Bow.
Rise.
Bow.
Rise.
Bow.
Rise.
Hail.
Hail! Hail! For a thousand years.
Thousand years.
I heard this king killed the previous king.
And he takes the throne just like that?
Don't even mention it.
He took the throne in a hurry in three days.
Can you call that a human being?
Goodness, where is this kingdom going?
Hail! Hail! For a thousand years.
His Majesty arrives.
Your Majesty.
Then, today,
I will begin...
my first day on the throne.
Inscrutable are your favors, Your Majesty.
(Yeongjo, 21st King of Joseon)
I hope this isn't a dream.
I hope it's not.
If it is a dream, we shouldn't wake up.
Jang Dal.
I said it's not a dream.
Our Crown Prince is now His Majesty.
Hey, Ah Bong!
Don't tell me that's ginseng.
You'll have to say it isn't.
It is.
This is Punggi ginseng that our master gave us.
Hey! Who told you to eat it?
I told you many times to give it to Inspector Park.
Hey, Ah Bong. Didn't you tell Inspector Joo?
I forgot.
Master Mun Su isn't the type for ginseng, so he couldn't accept it.
Really? Then what is good for him?
If not ginseng, then deer antlers or bear gall?
Just tell me and I'll get the best...
Hey.
If you have the time for flattery, just do your job properly.
- What? - Even dogs can read...
after three years at a school.
It's time you did your job as inspector properly.
Me?
Are you talking to me?
He wanted us to tell you that.
Master Mun Su.
I see.
Okay.
- Let's go. - Okay.
Here.
Poor me.
This is pretty good.
These are investigation records on Section Chief of Personnel.
This is the list of confiscated bribes.
Why are you giving this to us?
Did His Majesty call you to the palace?
That's why you're cleaning things up.
Where were you assigned to?
Department of Justice? Seungjeongwon? It must be important.
These are joint investigation records with Hanseongbu.
Store them well so it doesn't get mixed up.
Stop dodging around and tell us.
What position did you get?
Inspector Park. Inspector Park.
Don't forget to give us a hand when we get there.
Stop the nonsense.
Pave your own path.
I'm too busy doing my own work. Go on and do your job.
Come on, don't be like that.
- Come on. - That's enough. Go on.
Okay. Let's go.
Goodness.
(Letter of Resignation)
(Inspection Room)
Aren't you overworking yourself on your first day of work?
Teacher.
Don't call me that, Your Majesty.
That title isn't proper anymore.
Have you brought me my homework?
That's too much on my first day.
You can call it homework.
They're books you'll need for the academic discussions.
Academic discussions?
Since you're the owner of the palace,
you'll not only do politics but compete with officials...
in academic discussions.
You should dominate them.
Of course,
even without these books,
I'm sure you will do well, Your Majesty.
However,
you could've given me this another time. Why now?
That...
is because we might not have another time.
I'm sorry, Your Majesty.
But I...
have come today...
to tell you of my resignation.
What are you talking about?
Your resignation?
Teacher.
(Letter of Resignation)
What is this?
I'm sorry, sir.
Inspector Park.
What is this letter of resignation?
Why are you suddenly handing this in?
What are you talking about?
Why are you, Junior Second Rank Cho Hyun Myung,
and Park Mun Su resigning?
You must let us do this, Your Majesty.
You must abandon us now...
to lead the kingdom.
I can't do that.
Who trusted me...
until I became the King?
How can you tell me to abandon such people?
It's because only that would stabilize your position.
You must first gain power through Noron.
Was it...
Min Jin Heon?
That man...
must've suggested that to you.
"All of you should step back."
"Then I will cooperate."
Is that what he said?
- Your Majesty. - No.
I can't allow that. I shall never allow that.
Your Majesty.
Chairman of Congress!
Was it you? Did you...
You met Yi Gwang Jwa.
I don't intend to accept your deal, Chairman of Congress.
Do you understand?
I will never abandon them and hold hands with Noron.
I will never do that.
That wasn't me, Your Majesty.
That wasn't me.
The people who first offered to step down from their positions...
were those...
who followed you.
Whatever the situation is, we, Noron,
should prepare for the situation...
so that we take the initiative.
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
And if it's necessary,
we'll have to hold hands with Chief Justice.
- Chairman of Congress. - What is it?
Are you saying that all of you will resign...
if Noron...
cooperates with the King right after his enthronement?
Junior Second Rank Cho Hyun Myung, the people who followed you,
and Saheonbu's Inspector Park Mun Su,
the direct follower of the Crown Prince?
This isn't for this agreement alone.
It's also for the beginning of the new king's governing.
It's better that way.
Wouldn't you and Noron...
be able to help the new king...
rather than us, who have no power?
You...
That...
was what they chose?
Yes.
It was a decision I couldn't understand though.
How...
How could this happen?
They went through so much to gain power.
But they let go of that power for their king.
Yes.
Even I...
can't understand...
how they decided to do that.
But if I may tell you this,
this deal was necessary...
to silence Chief Justice Cho Tae Koo...
and his followers.
This isn't for anyone else.
This is for your own good.
So...
are you telling me...
to abandon those who have followed me...
and risked their lives for me?
The position of a king...
is also like that.
You must gladly sacrifice...
even those who are innocent.
It's all about maintaining power and carrying on your work.
In the end,
you'll become lonely.
Now, Noron...
will cooperate with your work.
And I...
wish...
that your work goes well.
Is that true?
The Chief Inspector, Junior Second Rank,
and Master Mun Su...
are all resigning and returning to their hometowns?
That's why His Majesty...
left the palace to catch Inspector Park.
Yeo Ji.
Do you know what you're about to do?
Yeo Ji, becoming a court maid like this...
I'm aware of that too.
I can't return home.
I can't go back to Saheonbu or anywhere else either.
Then...
Then why?
This was the only way...
I could protect His Highness by his side.
You know that. Then why...
Look.
You may never return to Saheonbu.
This was the only way...
I could...
protect His Majesty now.
Will you really be okay?
Will you...
really be okay?
You're still a woman.
You're just a normal woman.
Will you be okay with living in the palace like this forever?
Yes. Of course.
Yes. Of course, sir.
If I can only protect His Highness...
If I can only protect His Majesty,
I'll also...
be satisfied with that.
Dal Moon.
Your Majesty.
What about Mun Su? Where is Mun Su?
This is a letter that Inspector Park left for you.
He said...
he won't be able to leave if he saw you in person.
(Please forgive me for leaving behind...)
Please forgive me for leaving behind...
nothing but a letter, Your Majesty.
But I had no other choice.
You also did the same thing at first.
You always told me to come and go by sending me letters.
I think we need to talk about this.
Talk about what?
I mean, I'm not your guard dog.
You can't keep sending me letters ordering me to come and go.
I need to study, you know. I'm a very busy...
Untie this, and give up on studying.
- You'll never pass the test. - What?
Some things are impossible for some people.
Not everyone can pass the test with the highest score like me.
How can you say something like that?
Your Majesty, there's no need to feel apologetic...
or hurt.
Mun Su.
You shouldn't feel that way if you know how happy I am...
to walk this path.
I was very honored...
to be able to work for you.
You should know that.
And...
I hope you become a wise king.
Regardless of where I am...
and what I do,
I will always stay loyal...
and protect you.
Is this what it's like...
to be the King?
Is it a position...
where I can't even protect my own people...
and friends?
(Saheonbu)
How could this be?
Is this really true?
Yes, I just got it from the place of exile.
I must see His Majesty immediately.
Court Lady Cheon. Court Lady Cheon.
Yes, I'll be right there.
No way.
Your Majesty.
Inspector Yoon, what brings you here?
Your Majesty, there's something I need to tell you.
What is this nonsense?
Wi Byung Ju, who was waiting to get executed,
escaped from his house of exile?
The Saheonbu inspectors are already investigating what happened.
And the men in Jingzhou are also trying to find out where he went.
But we're certain that he disappeared from his house of exile.
How can this happen?
Who would help a prisoner?
What about Prince Mil Poong?
- Pardon? - What about Prince Mil Poong?
Did you check if he's still at his place of exile?
(Prince Mil Poong, Yi Tan)
My gosh.
You're...
Wi Byung Ju.
Long time no see, Prince Mil Poong.
Thankfully, you're still alive.
What's going on?
What are you doing here?
You guys don't even seem that close.
So how about we get going now?
The city will already be frantic by now.
That means we have no time to waste.
Who are you?
Send an army to check...
if Prince Mil Poong is still in his place of exile.
- If you need, I'll send... - Your Majesty.
Tell me.
Who are you?
And what do you mean the city will be frantic...
and that we don't have time to waste?
Prince Mil Poong.
Do you want to change the world?
A plague?
Did you say a plague is spreading around?
Yes.
It's spreading at a very alarming rate.
We don't even know what caused it.
In order to change the world,
the first thing you need to do is to bring chaos.
(Yi In Jwa, Namin)
Because then, that chaos...
will question...
if the King is truly qualified.
A mysterious plague...
that we don't even know the cause of?
(Haechi)