(All people, incidents, and periods in this drama are fictitious.)
Father, it is your loss.
I have not taken the trouble to play an elaborate move.
So is there any meaning in deciding the outcome?
At the least, this incident can cause conflict within Hungu,
and a complaint will arise against you.
Those who have betrayed my trust will be dealt with.
I can always fill up the vacancy.
Father.
Do not be alarmed and take my words to your heart.
No relationship in this world remains the same forever,
other than blood relations.
Do you understand?
Magistrate Yoo.
I did not want to go home.
And I could not go to Hanseongbu looking like this.
I am glad you are here.
This is your home. Please get your rest.
Did you know?
You are the only one...
who welcomes me gladly.
You are also the only one...
who receives me warmly.
What is going on?
Magistrate Yoo?
It is nothing.
Let us go inside.
What brings you here?
What is the occasion?
The incident with the new commissioner broke out...
at the bar in Namchon for middle-class women and widows.
The Princess has informed me...
that the food here is wonderful.
And it must be true.
You are not a man with a big appetite,
yet you are here hanging out with the lady of the house.
Is it not what you think...
I do not understand why I owe you an explanation.
Because you are about to marry the Princess.
I apologize for my discourtesy just now.
What?
You are not the woman I just saw.
I am the one you just saw.
No, you are not...
It was her.
Then please,
enjoy your conversation.
I heard my father saved her life.
So I think of her like a sister, and I simply look after her.
Like a sister? Sure.
I knew you would not believe me no matter what I said.
Is there anything else you would like to say?
Why are you...
getting into this marriage?
No.
Whose side are you on?
Executive Minister Yoo? The Princess?
Will you marry her and try to reconcile...
Executive Minister Yoo and the Princess?
Or will you take her side and help her bring him down?
You should find...
the answer before you marry her.
Goodness.
I played along with you,
but why did you hide from him?
I will inquire Kang Han Soo myself.
I once put him in trouble...
under the order of Executive Minister Yoo.
So I hid without realizing it.
Have you been spying on him for my father?
I just wanted to repay the kindness Executive Minister Yoo showed.
Is it not proper...
to return one's kindness once I am indebted?
My father caused the death of Kang Han Soo's parents.
That is not all.
He was deeply involved in the death of the former King.
No.
I am sure you have the wrong information.
I would rather hope so.
My son has been helping your older brother.
Hang in there a little longer.
There will come a day...
when you will share the truth with your brother.
Scholars are always used and abandoned by politicians,
just like your father.
I will help you too.
If it is something...
that will help you and your son.
(Episode 13: Falling Blossoms 1)
(Joseon Attorney: A Morality)
That is a man who is about to marry soon,
yet he is already at a bar early in the morning.
Hey, do you not think this is just awful?
Right? It is awful.
Goodness, men.
What are you doing?
You must leave at once!
Please do not be angered,
Grand Queen Dowager.
I am here...
to take the heart of the Princess which remains here.
This place must disappear...
to stop her from coming here.
There are people who barely make a living in this neighborhood.
Please watch over them.
This place is filthy and noisy...
because of all the low-class people.
She has been living here with no status or name.
That is why she gets herself involved in such a vulgar scandal.
An attorney!
An attorney from the middle class?
But Grand Queen Dowager, that was already...
I know.
I have promised the Princess...
that I would keep him alive.
However,
if I see the same issue again,
I will not show mercy.
Put your worries to rest.
I merely come to this place to hand it over.
The Princess has never come back here...
since she moved back into the palace.
I have promised the Princess...
that I would keep him alive.
Have you seen a ghost or what?
Are you marrying Magistrate Yoo...
because of me?
Did Grand Queen Dowager force you to marry him...
by promising to keep me alive?
You should have told me.
How should I?
You already felt betrayed and got angered.
You knew that and still kept it from me?
If I must get married eventually,
I wanted to help...
the Royal Court, the Royal Family, and this state.
As I told you,
that is the way of the Royal Family...
and the princess's responsibility.
Do you know what I hate the most?
The look you give me as you think,
"I will get back at the executive minister."
"I can do anything. I will help you."
Those reckless eyes!
Your pointlessly firm determination.
And your dangerous resolutions.
Do not go through with that wedding.
I will not allow it.
I didn't realize,
but I think I wanted to hear you say that.
It is all good now. I heard it.
So Won.
Whatever anyone says,
you are So Won to me.
That is why I will protect you.
So,
keep your promise.
So, you promised.
We will be each other's cheongsimhwan...
and always be there.
I am allowed to do this...
since I am So Won, right?
You seem delighted.
Grandmother.
Where have you been?
Well, it...
felt stuffy to stay in the palace, so...
So?
- The capital... - The capital?
Where? With who?
It was...
Magistrate Yoo.
Magistrate Yoo?
Yes.
Princess, Magistrate Yoo would like to see you.
Let him in.
Grand Queen Dowager.
Princess Yeon Joo.
You came at the right time.
Princess Yeon Joo says...
You left this.
Thank you.
You will get married soon,
so it is probably best to get more intimate.
You came all the way here, so spend some time with her...
while watching the moon in the back garden.
Thank you, Grand Queen Dowager.
She let me off the hook, thanks to you.
I was wise to come here.
Yes, you were. By the way, where did you find this?
I accidentally saw you.
I must have been running away from my grandmother.
Yes.
You would rather run away than let her see you...
with Attorney Kang.
How about we step outside?
Sorry?
She ordered us to spend some time, so we must listen.
It seems the Grand Queen Dowager...
made a special command for us.
It cannot be helped, I guess.
Now that things turned out this way,
why do we not just watch the stars?
Oh, right.
Did Kang Han Soo tell you...
that he ran into me at the bar for middle-class women and widows?
Pardon?
So he did not.
I think he got the wrong idea about me and her,
seeing how he kept it from you.
Then what is your relationship with her?
Well...
She lets me have a glimpse...
of how it feels to have a sister.
That lady...
loves you, does she not?
She was kicked out and had nowhere to go.
You did not call her lowly or unlucky.
Instead, you treat her like a friend and a sister.
How could she possibly not love you?
Is that right?
To you,
was Kang Han Soo like that?
When you were So Won,
you were just a female broker working at the merchant house.
But did he treat you like a friend and a sister...
instead of calling you lowly or unlucky?
I apologize. I...
I know.
Not every love...
can be both-sided.
She taught me so.
It was fascinating.
I was certainly older than her...
and higher than her in rank with more fortunes.
But it was always her who comforted and taught me.
I was always on the receiving end.
Then could it be...
my misunderstanding to wonder...
if she was Executive Minister Yoo's spy?
I found it out today.
So she told you honestly.
It must not have been easy to confess.
She must have wanted...
to keep it from me of all people.
Nevertheless, she confessed that easily.
There must be something else between Kang Han Soo and her.
Pardon?
But she is not even a courtesan.
A woman in connection with him...
I heard he had a sister.
A sister?
Never mind.
It is nothing.
Look into Kang Han Soo's sister...
as soon as possible.
Yes, master.
- Han Soo. - Gosh, you startled me.
What is it?
Just where did you go with the Princess?
What happened?
How did you know?
Lady Hong came looking!
Tell me what happened!
Well...
We just buried the hatchet...
while doing this and that.
Gosh, it is hot.
Shall we open the windows?
- It is winter. - Yes, right.
What is that? I have not seen it before.
Stop changing the topic.
- Gosh. - Oh, this?
When you were locked up in jail,
some woman left it.
I spent all the money inside on your medicine.
This is what is left.
Be honest with me.
How much did you pocket?
I swear I used it all up.
Was it not from So Won... I mean... Was it not from the Princess?
No, it was definitely not her.
Her voice sounded unfamiliar.
Another woman?
Who could it be?
I thought it would be one of the ladies who liked you.
A lot of ladies like me.
But none of them...
are rich, you know.
You are right.
Then could she have a crush on me?
Whatever.
Lady Choi?
No, she is married.
My father is Kang Han Soo's enemy who brought death to his parents.
Bring out an internal conflict?
Yes.
It is said the Hungu officials are quite unhappy...
with Executive Minister Yoo.
We must shake them up at a time like this...
so that they crumble from within.
For that matter,
we need someone influential enough to take a toll on him.
And we have worked on someone in particular.
Your Majesty.
Left State Councilor Choi Soo Yong is here to see you.
Let him in.
His Majesty has been asking for Left State Councilor Choi often.
Yes.
Office of Special Advisers will be taking over the duties...
which the Hall of Worthies had.
Thus, His Majesty has asked Left State Councilor Choi...
to be in charge of the Office of Special Advisers.
Office of Special Advisers...
From the 1st adviser to the 5th adviser...
and everyone else there are with Sarim.
A lot of the Hungu officials are concerned...
Left State Councilor Choi might side with His Majesty and Sarim.
Investigator Cho Chang Woo of Saheonbu,
you will double as a deputy minister of Board of Personnel as of today.
Do the best you can to eradicate the corruption in its personnel.
However, Your Majesty,
letting an official of Saheonbu supervise personnel issues...
is invading the sole discretion that Board of Personnel has.
That is right, Your Majesty.
Only those in the King's favor will be appointed in this case.
Executive Minister Yoo and Right State Councilor,
I think you are misleading.
An official of Saheonbu...
will only inspect and denounce court officials.
He is not a eunuch who listens and speaks for His Majesty.
Nor are they the first royal secretary...
to deliver the King's command.
They must be fair and upright, more than any other officials.
What is your intention in making them the King's puppet?
Have you, by any chance,
forgotten about the recent improper solicitation?
(Accepting requests for a special favor for a position)
It was not the executive minister's objective.
But I realized...
many were not ashamed to think...
improper solicitation was a shortcut to success...
and bribery was a stepping stone to promotion.
Therefore, I am trying to regulate the corruption...
in the Office of Personnel's Board of Personnel,
not demonstrate my influence in personnel authority.
However, Your Majesty...
However...
I will do my utmost best.
- We will obey the royal command. - We will obey the royal command.
For Left State Councilor Choi...
to fully support His Majesty's order.
Is this not him expressing his will to take His Majesty's side?
I am not sure if we should trust and leave everything...
to Executive Minister Yoo.
What are you saying?
Honestly, were we not the only ones who suffered from the land lawsuit?
It sure was a disappointment.
Had Executive Minister Yoo stepped in a bit more aggressively,
things would not have come this far.
Rumors are circulating that...
Magistrate Yoo is marrying Princess Yeon Joo.
Once he becomes the King's son-in-law,
he can't secure his government position.
In other words, the position of Executive Minister Yoo,
who had full faith in his smart son, is on the line.
You are right. It has been at stake for a while now.
Commissioner Park, who was like his loyal servant, killed himself.
Even Lord Chu died unexpectedly.
All his limbs have practically been cut off.
Executive Minister Yoo's era is slowly coming to an end.
Watch your mouth.
Have you decided to take the King's side?
"Side?"
If I am not the King's vassal,
whose vassal am I?
I thought we were working...
for Joseon in our own ways. No?
So by not meddling in each other's business regardless of what we did,
were we not respecting each other's goals and paths?
Yes, we were.
That was surely what we had to do.
I left something behind in the workhouse.
There is a ledger.
It is the golden crown that is supporting...
Executive Minister Yoo's power.
Did you finish cleaning the lord's room?
Yes.
- Welcome back, my lord. - Welcome back, my lord.
Eun Soo.
Magistrate Yoo.
So it was you.
You were Eun Soo.
- Where are we going? - To Kang Han Soo.
We cannot.
What you were doing in my father's room...
and why you were holding a dagger. I will not ask.
In return, let us go meet Kang Han Soo.
And with you, I will tell him to leave the capital...
as soon and as far away as possible.
Han Soo knows nothing.
I hope he continues not to.
I do not want to...
show him such a sight.
Of course, you do not.
How could you?
You, Kang Han Soo's sister?
I am sorry.
Please...
leave.
So that my father...
can no longer harm you and your family,
please...
go far away.
It is not your fault, Magistrate Yoo.
It is my fault for being a fool.
Magistrate Yoo.
You are different from Executive Minister Yoo.
Both what you are after...
and the path you are taking.
So please do not take on his sins...
simply because you are his son.
Father, it is your loss.
"Side?"
If I am not the King's vassal,
whose vassal am I?
Executive Minister Yoo's era is slowly coming to an end.
Someone who deserves to die, by tomorrow?
This is an order from Executive Minister Yoo.
Master.
You will not,
will you?
There is nothing a merchant cannot do for profit.
And you are willing to trade someone's life?
No man in this world is worthy of death.
There are those who would be more helpful after death...
to one's family...
and to the world.
Gamblers, prisoners, and slaves.
Get someone who owes more than their life is worth.
Tell them they will be paid handsomely for their life.
I heard my name out loud...
for the first time in decades.
And it was by you.
I am terribly happy for that.
I finally understand...
such heartrending feelings Her Highness had for Kang Han Soo.
She must have known there is nothing she can do...
to pay back this heart.
I am nothing...
more than a sinner to you.
Yet you filled me...
with such profound and deep love all along.
I could never repay your heart even after my death.
- Magistrate Yoo. - I will keep you safe.
I will make sure...
you will live an ordinary life in a safe haven,
where people will always call you by your name once again.
I will make that happen.
If doing that will put your heart at ease,
then yes,
I shall do that.
Do you mean it?
Yes.
However, grant me a little more time.
I must say goodbye...
to my brother.
Yes.
In the meantime, I will prepare everything you will need.
Are you here to see the attorney?
Well, I...
We do not know when he will be here.
You should go inside and wait.
It is a cold day.
Come in.
It is all right.
The day is too cold. Let us all wait inside.
Why are we here?
I thought we were having a meeting to plan strategy.
That is why I came out,
but the weather suddenly became too chilly.
I must be equipped before I begin my battle.
What good is money for anyway?
This is the time to spend.
- That one and that one, please. - Sure.
Look, silk.
Which one will look good on Eun Soo?
Come here.
So? Do you like it?
Dressing her up will not make her any prettier.
What about this?
Eun Soo, you have such a fair tone.
This looks pretty on you too.
- Do you like it? - Yes.
It is pretty.
Mother.
Let me see that.
Let me...
put this around you.
One moment. And this one...
goes here.
She looks much prettier now.
Cut it out.
That looks better.
What is on your mind?
What? No, nothing.
Here it is.
What do you think?
Not bad.
This is nice.
- Do you like it? - Yes.
Excuse me.
Would you like to see some baby clothes?
Sorry?
It is always great to be ready.
No.
It is not like that.
We will...
come for that next time.
Hey.
Says who?
What do you think? I do.
How can you make that call on your own?
That is not something you can decide on by yourself.
Why not?
First off, we must...
We must?
Get...
- Get... - Get?
You already know what it is.
I am not sure.
Is there a reason for us to do this together?
What?
I want to get baby clothes for Chu Sal as a present.
What?
Did you bring your consultation fee?
Attorney Kang...
only works after he is paid.
Goodness, stop it.
Please feel free to look around.
Hey, stop that.
You cannot bring up money as soon as someone new comes.
But she must pay to talk to him.
You already had this talk with Han Soo before.
When a first-time visitor comes, we serve a warm cup of tea first,
and then we continue with the consultation.
So what are you doing right now?
We have to start by asking if they came prepared.
Be quiet.
I am talking quietly.
Even quieter.
Nobody follows these rules.
We have to serve her tea first.
She has to pay us first before we serve tea.
- Be quiet. - I am talking quietly.
Even quieter.
Goodness.
Again?
- What? - Be quiet.
- I am talking quietly. - Even quieter.
Goodness.
See?
She left.
Why did she come if she didn't have any money?
What? Why?
How does it feel?
Well... It is warm.
I did not want you to be warm.
I wanted to stir your heart.
How about now?
This will not stir my heart.
That was not to stir your heart.
It was to warm you up.
Seriously?
I will make...
the clothes for our child.
I will change the diapers...
and hold the child.
I have tried it, and it was not too hard.
So,
just come to me.
I do not care how long it takes...
as long as we can be together.
It does not have to be here.
It also...
does not have to be...
in this life.
Same here.
I do not care how long it takes.
It may not have to be in this life.
I would be happy, even if it was a dream.
I want to be with you.
- How is this happening? - Goodness.
- That is terrifying. - This cannot be happening.
- Oh, my gosh. - That poor man.
Move!
Step aside.
A murder?
His name is Hong Bo Geun.
He was a young official recently assigned...
to the Office of Special Advisers.
His body was found...
in the back alley.
He disguised it to look like a mugging,
but we caught the perpetrator and interrogated him...
to find out that it was a murder due to a love affair.
A love affair?
Forgive me for the vulgar words, but the victim and the murderer...
were in love with the same woman.
They were arguing to date that woman,
and one of them murdered the other.
And the woman was married to a nobleman.
How indecent.
If that was the case,
the Ministry of Law Enforcement could have handled it.
The arrested murderer claimed that other people were...
also in love with that woman...
and named all the officials...
in important posts.
Who were they?
Boo Je Ha and Jang Myung Ki from the Office of Special Advisers,
Suchan Jang Yoon,
and Kim Young Jae, the minor inspector of Saheonbu.
So,
who was the woman that had affairs with them?
We do not know her real name.
But she runs a bar for middle-class women and widows in Namchon.
The bar in Namchon?
Is that the one we know?
Executive Minister Yoo, what is on your mind?
Close the gate!
Yes.
Has there been a mishap?
I will go to the office and find out.
Then, I will go back and wait for you.
- What is going on? - What is this?
Minister, will you just sit here?
Eun Soo is...
She is Officer Kang Eon Jik's daughter.
It is time that we abandon her.
If I let her live,
that clever, audacious girl...
will aim her sword at me instead.
Were you behind all of this?
If His Majesty starts looking into this incident,
a lot of our people...
will be imprisoned.
That is why I called her.
If anyone wants to live,
they will come and kneel before me.
It is the house of the criminal. Find anything that can be evidence.
Start searching!
- Yes. - Yes.
What are you doing?
Let me go.
A Ri!
Young lady!
Catch her!
- Attorney Kang. - Hi.
- What is happening? - How would I know?
She is the owner of the bar at the end of the road.
And the Ministry of Justice is taking her away,
not the Ministry of Law Enforcement.
Maybe it has something to do with the dead body in Jongno.
It was a nobleman and a government official.
No wonder the Ministry of Justice is here for her.
You are right.
Hi.
His Majesty would like to talk to you.
Hop in.
Executive Minister Yoo is risking a lot of things this time.
He is giving up his arm for something bigger.
Now that I have already caught him,
he must have decided to turn it around on me.
You cannot lose your people only.
Of course not.
I will behead that girl, no matter what.
I must go to that extent to hurt him back.
Do you have an idea?
You know me, Your Majesty.
His Majesty is here.
Show your respect.
Your Majesty.
Are you really...
His Majesty?
You are...
going to die.
Do you have any last words to say?
I would like...
to touch your royal face once.
You look...
just like everyone else.
Your hair,
your eyes,
your skin...
You are just another person.
Why...
did it require so much bloodshed...
just to make you king?
Why...
Why did my innocent parents...
have to be...
sacrificed to death?
What a mess.
You are...
I apologize for my discourtesy just now.
What?
I am the one you just saw.
I knew it was not you.
You cannot fool my eyes.
Then who got arrested?
Your master?
Why did your master get...
Please help.
Please...
Please help my young lady.
Please save her.
What is...
your master's name?
Answer me!
It is Kang Eun Soo.
Why do you keep crying?
Should I not go?
Do not be ridiculous.
You must go.
It is a noble family.
This is the best spouse we can get for you.
My daughter.
You were born regardless of your choice,
but the rest of your life can be different.
Live a life of luxury as a nobleman's wife.
And my grandchildren will get to be part of the noble family.
But I am happy to be my parents' daughter.
I do not mind sticking to this life forever...
What is it?
Look at you
- In makeup - Darn you.
I am getting married all because of you.
Because I cannot stand the sight of you!
Go away!
It is almost like a makeover, not makeup.
We will always keep our doors open...
so you can come anytime.
They say a married daughter is no longer part of their family.
But that does not apply to me.
Eun Soo,
you will always be our daughter.
So if anything happens...
or your in-laws give you a hard time,
come back at any time.
Okay?
Yes, Mom.
Instead,
I will come when he is not around.
Han Soo.
You will...
come visit me, right?
Of course.
Make sure you come.
Actually, I am scared.
I will make sure to visit you.
Promise me.
I promise.
You...
Why are you...
Why are you here?
Why...
Why are you here?
Eun Soo...
Eun Soo.
Han Soo.
I am sorry.
Ripped and resynced by YoungJedi
(The animal scenes were filmed under protection and safety.)
(Joseon Attorney: A Morality)
Help me save Eun Soo.
I will pay as much as you want.
Are you sure...
you will not regret this?
I know you already guessed...
what my answer would be before coming here.
They say if a person dies,
they become a star.
But I will become a magnolia.
So Han Soo,
do not cry for me.