[Characters, places, organizations, and incidents in this drama are fictitious and have no connection to historical facts. The scenes with animals were in compliance with the production guidelines.]
[Asatae, Jinhoi, Gunabi]
[Though Sajo Hyun, the new king of Asatae, fights hard to break through the officials' political strife and veiled enmity, ]
[his qualification as the king is continuously doubted...]
[Third day of Sajo Hyun's reign]
[Episode 7]
All right, the tax report from two years ago.
Yes, Your Majesty.
From two years ago...
Here you go.
Okay.
What have you been smiling about since earlier?
Seeing you working hard to prepare for the meeting
makes this humble one so proud.
You were such a tiny little genius with brilliant eyes.
And now you have become a stately king like this,
looking after national affairs.
I would not be hungry even if I were to starve.
It does not seem you starved.
Well, it was figurative speech.
Your Majesty, what is the matter?
Your Majesty.
His Majesty the Emperor enters!
I will now...
begin the meeting.
First off, I would like to discuss increasing the amount of rice for the poor.
According to...
According to what I have researched-
Your Majesty!
Please allow me, Minister of Finance Hae Chan, to speak.
I am sorry to inform you,
but increasing the amount of rice for the poor is difficult in many ways.
- Most of all- - I read the report you all submitted.
You are saying it is difficult because the landowners and the officials will have to pay more tax.
Your Majesty, I reckon you should not take the root of the problem so lightly.
How did I take it lightly?
I have been researching the issue of tax collection for many years.
According to what I researched-
Half-wit.
What a king we have here.
What research could a half-wit do?
Do we have to keep serving such a half-wit as our king?
The warehouse for our people becomes emptier each year,
but the ministers are building more warehouses each year, based on what I know.
What is the matter with you?
People would say you are trying to kill me to take the throne if they saw us!
Are you not him?
As such, the Minister of Finance built a new warehouse last fall and-
Your Majesty!
It is true this humble one built a new warehouse last fall.
But that was all to provide for the people.
Aigoo, what a half-wit.
I will end up a half-wit like him.
Half-wit, half-wit.
Half-wit.
He is a half-wit who has no interest in managing a nation.
Your Majesty!
As the Minister of Defense, in order to bolster Asatae's strong army-
Shut your mouth, all of you!
Father.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
Did you see His Majesty's face?
Of course, I did.
I was really worried he might start crying.
Anyhow, what shall we do about raising the tax on the officials?
Gosh, I know!
I am sure His Majesty will mention it again at the next meeting. My goodness.
What are you all so worried about?
Jo-sam-mo-sa. [Jo-sam-mo-sa: Using trickery to deceive and mock]
We only need to give a sweet gift of trickery to the Half-wit.
Are you telling me to stay quiet in front of the ministers?
Your Majesty, it has only been three days since you took the throne.
There is no need to touch on the tax issue this soon, which the ministers are most sensitive about.
Let Grand Prince Sajo Yoong do the tough job of dealing with the officials.
Do you really believe Grand Prince Yoong is doing a tough job?
Grand Prince Yoong is manipulating the officials and instigating the public for an unjust cause.
Were you aware already?
Were you also aware, Head Minister?
In that case, you must become even more flexible.
You need to coax those who have been tamed by Grand Prince Sajo Yoong
and turn them into your own men.
This humble one will help you,
so please trust me and follow suit.
Your Majesty, you are walking fast to stay awake, right?
- No. - Aigoo.
You have not slept for three days now.
Is Ji Jeon Seo still not done?
Yes.
He said he would send a carrier pigeon as soon as he found Chung Ta's location.
But it still has not come.
Chung Ta is clearly avoiding me.
How strange.
Chung Ta would avoid Ak Hee that-
I can understand her avoiding Sir Ak Hee, but why would she avoid you?
She even came to the palace to redo bonghamsal.
That is my question.
Gosh, I just cannot understand.
Whoa, Your Majesty!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Chung Ta!
Where are you, Chung Ta?
Chung Ta!
He is desperately looking for me, my Ji Jeon-
Chung Ta!
I am here-
Please come to your senses, Chung Ta!
Please!
Chung Ta, Chung Ta!
Jeon Seo-
Stop! Do not do it!
I am sorry, Jeon Seo.
Your Majesty, are you waiting for someone?
No.
To the Royal Council Hall.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I-It is His Majesty.
Her Highness Consort Hyo?
Aigoo, how unfortunate.
Working at the laundry is really hard.
I am sorry.
I will have her make you Consort Hyo right now.
Please do not.
I can stay here only by following Her Majesty's order.
It is also easier to spy within the palace as a palace lady.
Still...
I was ready for this.
I will do my best to help you from where I am.
So, please do your best to set this country right.
Your Majesty, you came here to see Her Highness Consort Hyo.
Your Majesty, there are too many eyes around us.
Oh, my, His Majesty?
He is looking at us, right?
Is it me?
You really think so? My goodness...
Your Highness.
Wash them again.
Court Lady, we have washed them three times now.
Are you her servant?
Wake up!
She is a palace lady now, just like you!
Having been the Crown Prince's concubine at one time?
I had also once been graced by the late king!
That is not the reason-
These!
And these!
Go and wash all of them again!
Court Lady, I can wash them again as many times as you want.
However, if you are trying to tame me, giving me some other work would be better.
What? How dare you!
I heard Her Majesty cherishes this blanket cover.
It is made up of thinly woven hemp fiber,
so it will be damaged and lose its embroidery when washed too many times.
Really?
Rinse all of them again and hang them up.
The moment you come back, get to work in the sewing room!
You just let me see you helping her.
I will hand you over to the Palace Supervisory for a beating!
What are you all doing? Get to work!
She talked back?
How impertinent.
Should I order a severe punishment?
No, I must see how much she can take.
Tell them to keep giving her work so she cannot rest even for a moment.
Yes, Your Majesty.
How is Consort Cheong Myeong doing in the prison?
I hear she is adapting fine.
Is Grand Prince Sajo Yoong still not visiting her?
That is what I heard.
Keep giving her food in larger portions.
So, Consort Cheong Myeong's face will become nice and fat.
Yes, Your Majesty.
So delicious.
Gosh, how is my appetite so ravenous when my heart
is endlessly disturbed?
Is it because I have nothing to do?
Hello.
You are not Yoong.
Gosh, Grand Prince is being too harsh on me.
His mother is withering away behind bars,
yet he has not visited once!
What are you looking at?
Tell the Grand Prince that his mother is nearing death!
Huh? Are you really going?
Look! Hey! Look!
When will Grand Prince Yoong get me out?
Please get me out of here!
I am itchy all over! It is driving me crazy!
Your Majesty, Grand Prince Sajo Yoong has arrived.
Let him in.
Have you called for me, Your Majesty?
Are you feeling unwell?
You have been looking pale ever since I saw you this morning.
Sajo Hyun is...
not getting any sleep?
Yes, his chamber's lights go out only after dawn arrives.
Because there is no need for lights at dawn.
This means he has not slept in three days.
He could not sleep for three days...
He will not sleep?
I am fine.
I ordered Consort Cheong Myeong to be released.
Why are you keeping her there?
Was Consort Cheong Myeong not found innocent?
She was, but...
she is guilty of daring to frame Consort Hyo
which should not be easily forgiven.
She must be placed on probation.
Consort Cheong Myeong is quite pitiful.
She has such a cold-hearted son.
I am the pitiful one.
I have a mother who is unworthy to be a mother.
I still received more than enough love from Father,
so I guess I should call myself fortunate.
You did.
The late king did favor you a lot.
By the way, do we still not have the one who killed Father?
I know who murdered His Majesty.
It was your hyung!
Sajo Yoong.
Sajo Yoong could do worse things.
He is not even his biological father. What is there to hesitate?
It is being investigated discreetly,
so it will be revealed soon enough.
Of course, it will.
By the way, when will you fulfill your promise to me?
Promise...
That Ak Hee. What did he promise Grand Prince?
Do you not remember?
Who knows? I might give this to you.
The one who takes this becomes the king of this country, right?
Hyungnim,
as long as you help me.
Sajo Yoong that bastard is persistent.
Hey, Sajo Hyun, tell him you know.
Tell him to wait.
Yes, right!
Say, "Wait, Grand Prince."
"Wait, Grand Prince."
Wait, Grand Prince.
That is right!
What do you mean, wait?
Was our promise a matter of waiting or not?
You said we would go hunting together once you become the emperor.
Sounds like you are joking with me, Your Majesty.
Gosh, Sajo Yoong, that bastard.
No, no! That was not it.
That was not it!
How could it be a joke?
I remember there was a different promise I made to you.
Whoa! Sajo Hyun, you are quite perceptive.
This is nerve-racking.
I need to hurry and get out of here.
Wait.
And release Consort Cheong Myeong immediately.
Did I not tell you?
Consort Cheong Myeong must reflect in prison for-
It is a royal decree, Grand Prince Sajo Yoong.
Bonghamsal will not work anymore?
That is what Chung Ta said?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Wait...
did you not say she came to the palace a few days ago?
She did.
Back then, she said bonghamsal would not work because you were not here.
Why is Chung Ta changing her words now?
The thing is...
This is a book of laws that is handed down each generation in our shaman association.
But I did not know there was such a condition.
Where was it again? Just give me a moment.
There.
One who was released from bonghamsal
cannot be put under bonghamsal again.
Right?
But I heard His Majesty was the one who released Ak Hee.
Then he cannot be put under bonghamsal again. It will not work.
It is written here. Cannot be put-
You did not know such an important fact?
Yeah.
To be honest, I do not really like to read.
I read and forget everything.
When do I have the time to read all of this?
When there are so many things to see.
Wow, that Chung Ta is such a quack.
How can such a person be a shaman who travels to and from the afterlife?
Remember the ornament used for bonghamsal?
Find it and burn it. That is how you undo bonghamsal.
I will listen to you and stop causing trouble.
So let us save Kyera first, okay?
In that case, is there no other way?
So, Ak Hee will come out again once I fall asleep?
About that...
A-About that?
Chung Ta said she needs to
read the said book to the end to find out.
That wretched shaman!
Chung Ta, you little!
Gosh, I am sure she saw it.
Lock up Sajo Hyun.
If you do not lock him up,
I will tell your shaman association all your crimes.
You know what will happen to you, right?
Your shaman life is over.
You can never return to the heavens.
This is all because of you, Female Chung Ta!
Only if you did not fall head over heels for Ak Hee back then!
Gosh, you little wench!
I will just die! I cannot live because of you!
- It is your fault! - Gosh, it hurts!
Not the face!
Yes, I am blind for love!
Is it a sin to love?
Also,
I like someone else now.
My dear Ji Jeon Seo.
I am serious this time.
What do I do about her?
Master Yang.
I have been to the village you mentioned.
Already?
What you said was true.
Sajo Yoong's henchmen have kept the location hidden for a long time.
He is also only rumored to have helped the poor.
But he never actually helped anyone.
Just as I expected.
I am sure other things are not any different.
Wind Knife is looking into the other rumors.
Even at the village I visited, a woman was taken as an amusement troupe.
However, she has not come back yet.
But His Majesty ordered all of them to go home.
I heard they all left the palace after that day.
Could it be that they have not arrived yet?
The village close to the palace was just the same.
No one had come back.
Amusement troupe's women have not returned home yet?
- Lower. - No, no, below there.
No, not there.
Come on! Seriously...
- Do it properly! - You can try it yourself, then!
Sir, are you unwell?
I have worked in the Royal Clinic before.
I think I can take a look.
Really?
I think I got indigestion from lunch.
It is not getting better even after bleeding all 10 fingers.
Aigoo, is that so?
Let me take a look.
All right...
It is not indigestion.
Sir, you get anxious easily, and your nails break often, do they not?
I do! How did you know?
That is because all your energy is stuck in your liver.
Since it is urgent, take this off first.
- What? - Your foot.
How is it?
My indigestion is gone right away.
H-How amazing.
Take a look at me, too.
My skin right here always twitches.
I am farting a lot these days.
It is so bad.
You seriously want to talk about that?
I am glad Ji Jeon was able to get this, at least.
Is this the medicine Chung Ta gave me?
Yes, if you take this medicine, you could stay awake for about two more days.
All right, in one go.
Chung Ta is hiding something.
Did she agree on something with Ak Hee?
That is what I think as well.
I am sure there is something.
All right, in one go.
I need to find out what it is.
How will I find out?
In my opinion, we should put Ji Jeon Seo in the lead.
I do not know if it is him or her,
but Chung Ta loves Ji Jeon Seo-
- This is Ji Jeon Seo. - My goodness.
Oh, come in.
So, did you take a look?
Yes, they are looking at your chamber from five points.
Five points?
It feels just like a prison.
Gosh, are they really so curious whether His Majesty sleeps or not?
Your Majesty, arrest them all and punish them!
Eunuch Neung, turn on more lights inside the room.
So they can see more clearly from the outside.
Sorry?
Are you not going to take the medicine?
I will try enduring without it.
I cannot trust Chung Ta.
I also look like a king from afar.
Do it right. You do not look like His Majesty!
I mean-
H-How long must we keep this up?
Just do it for an hour.
After an hour, you can put the lights out and sleep.
Ji Jeon Seo, let me give it a try.
You can stand here.
His Majesty's chamber's lights went out?
Yes, just now.
It looks like he went to bed tonight.
Is that so?
I am glad.
Have all of this clothing made by tonight?
If you do not finish by morning, I will have this girl
demoted as a water maid and kicked her out.
Mark my words.
Your Highness, do you think you can do it?
I do not have any problem with bodily labor, but...
Right?
You are really bad at sewing, Your Highness.
Gosh, stop calling me "Your Highness."
You can just call me Yeon Wol.
How can I call you that?
Hey, why are you here?
Do you want to get punished? Come out.
Hurry up and go, Hong Gun.
I will do what I can.
My goodness.
- Be careful with your fingers. - Okay.
You are holding the thread too closely. Obviously, it will not tear.
How did you come here?
Hurry up and go back.
- N-No, the guards are coming this way. - What?
H-Hurry up and let me-Yes, let me in.
Aigoo, over there!
G-Give it to me.
You just need to make this piece?
Please go back quickly. I will be on the lookout for you.
I cannot go back until dawn breaks.
There are too many eyes on me.
You cannot be doing this kind of work.
Did you forget?
I am Asatae's best tailor.
Of course, you will prick yourself if your eyes are on me.
Was it a deep wound?
This is a rusty needle. We must draw out your blood.
♫ Even if you disappear, even if it is only for a moment ♫
♫ Your warmth remains in my heart ♫
♫ Even if you become wind and cannot hold you ♫
G-Gosh, you are so good at acupuncture,
but how are you so bad at sewing?
They are the same needles.
That is true, now that I hear you say that.
Why am I so bad?
♫ Even if I grasp, you become blurry ♫
I am a bit tired.
♫ I'll stay here and wait for you ♫
♫ Even if you disappear again tomorrow, I will wait ♫
It will help you get rid of fatigue.
Dried persimmons, huh?
They are dried persimmon from Sangju.
Did you bring them for me?
I mean, not necessarily.
How did you know I like dried persimmon?
♫ The memories become more and more blurry ♫
You need to take the first bite for me to eat.
Please take a bite.
♫ Even if you become wind and cannot hold you ♫
♫ You will keep on living inside me ♫
How sweet.
It is sweet, right?
You know...
♫ So that I can feel you, please be my wind ♫
being round and circular,
it looks like you.
Is it not hard not getting any sleep?
I think I got used to it.
Do not worry about it.
Since bonghamsal was done,
would the rules not have changed?
Are you saying the rule where sleeping makes Ak Hee come out
- could have changed? - Yes.
So, you are telling me to sleep?
What if Ak Hee comes out?
Well, in that case...
If he does, Yeon-
You would have nothing to lose.
No, it actually might be better for you.
You might be glad.
Well, yes. I might be glad.
Yeon Wol.
It is nice to hear you call my name.
I like it, too.
I think I can overcome anything
because you are by my side.
I knew it.
According to Your Majesty's order,
we have discussed the matter, and we have decided to establish
Special Welfare Center to relieve the hardships of the poor.
You will distribute crops collected from landowners to the people and
have them repay in the form of crops or labor by next year.
What will happen to families who are unable to pay back?
Regarding that matter,
the unpaid periods will be converted to low-interest loans and-
It will become a debt in the end.
You want to add debt to the starving people?
Your Majesty, that is not exactly the case because-
It is basically a trickery!
Do you think I am a half-wit?
Did I not advise you not to make enemies of the officials?
How could I let them be when they look down on me and fool me?
That is the kind of seat you are in, Your Majesty.
You have to laugh it off even when you see through them to last in your seat.
I cannot do that, Head Minister!
Do you think I placed you there so you can do as you please?
What did you say?
Surely, you do not think you were able to
take the throne solely thanks to yourself, are you?
From now on, just listen to this humble one.
That is how you will not end up like the late king.
The king cannot insist on using only the indoor archery ground?
That is why they are going on the hunt without me?
The gathering itself was just for those-
I mean, the ministers in the first place ever since the late king's reign.
In that case, what did the late king do?
Well, he joined them-
No, he led and coordinated the hunt.
Tell Grand Prince Sajo Yoong and the ministers
that I will attend tomorrow's hunt as well.
Sorry?
Go and tell them right now.
Y-Yes, Your Majesty.
Aigoo.
You have not slept in three days and are going on a hunt now?
Gosh, what do I do?
Eunuch Neung, Chung Ta has sent the courier pigeon.
Oh, really?
As a result of studying the book of the law,
I am regretful to tell you, but...
once bonghamsal fails,
you go back to how you were in the first place.
Aigoo, what do we do?
So what I am saying is
he will turn into Ak Hee like before if he sleeps.
It cannot be helped.
He should just sleep comfortably and...
share the body with him.
I will see if there is any other solution in the meantime.
From your-
From your lady...
Aigoo, geez...
I have to share my body again?
All hail His Majesty!
Your Majesty, are you really all right?
I am not all right.
Then how about you return to the palace while you still can.
Since you constantly show up in my place, I am saying
I am not all right, Grand Prince Yoong.
I hope you show more courtesy from now on.
I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty.
A black deer appears on the western ridge!
Aigoo!
Where is it? Where is it, Grand Prince? Geez!
What a waste!
You look quite at peace, Your Majesty.
You look happy.
I wish you could do other things as you are doing now.
What puts you at ease,
and what you think is right.
That is how everything can be peaceful.
Both the people and Asatae.
What I think is right...
Your Majesty, I am sorry you let the black deer escape
when we almost caught it.
There is no need to be sorry.
Ministers, hear my words.
Originally, the hunting festival was meant to promote harmony between the monarch and his subjects.
However, I believe it is not right for a politician to find enjoyment in ending precious life.
Thus, I will not allow any hunting events within the palace from today onward.
What a half-witted thing to say.
Your Majesty!
- Your Majesty! - Eunuch Neung.
A message from Her Majesty the Queen!
What is it?
Well... Well, you see...
Go on, tell me.
Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen...
m-must sleep together.
Sleep together, huh?
Yes, the palace official foretells
that tonight will be a very auspicious day for a union that comes once every three years.
Thus, you must visit Her Majesty the Queen's pavilion tonight
and sleep together...
Deliver my words to the Queen's pavilion.
I will not sleep with her.
He refused to sleep with me?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Eunuch Neung, bring me my clothes.
Where are you going?
I am going to the drapery.
Your Majesty, you must not!
What do you expect me to do if you leave your chamber?
I taught you what to do.
Do the shadow play with Officer Ji.
Bring me my clothes now.
Goodness...
Her Majesty the Queen has arrived.
Take your leave.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, I sent you a message.
That tonight would be a very auspicious day for us.
Did you also talk about this with the Head Minister?
He must have said we must bear a child soon to stabilize my reign.
However,
I have no interest in having a child yet.
Is it because of Yeon Wol?
Please leave. I have a business to tend to.
If you keep doing this, Father and I cannot protect you.
Are you threatening me right now?
I never asked you two to protect me.
Do as you please.
Since you are not leaving, I will have to be the one leaving.
If you reject me like this,
what will the subordinates think of me?
Just what did I do so wrong?
I am sorry.
Sleep together?
B-But I heard His Majesty declined to sleep with her.
Everyone is saying Her Majesty has been embarrassed.
I am worried this might backfire on you.
♫ I will come and meet you ♫
♫ I will come to you where you are breathing ♫
♫ Close your eyes for a moment ♫
♫ When I am reminded of you in my white dream ♫
♫ Please embrace me in your arms ♫
It is not His Majesty.
♫ With my breath, I will send myself to you ♫
♫ The moment the flowers bloom again after this winter ♫
I want to see you dressed in this.
You will be as pretty as a crepe myrtle flower.
That is right, Chung Ta.
You will fall asleep.
You will feel sleepy.
What is wrong with me?
I cannot fall asleep.
My goodness.
There you go.
You should have taken the medicine I sent you.
You just had to make me come here.
Ak Hee, I have done my part with this.
It should be enough.
Good job, Chung Ta!
Did I surprise you?
I heard you declined to sleep with her.
Is that why you came?
Was it because of me?
Sajo Hyun, did you decline because of Kyera?
You are getting ahead of yourself.
It was not because of you.
I did not want to be manipulated by the Queen and the Head Minister.
Yes.
I thought it was because of me.
Did you wish it was because of you?
Yes.
I see.
That was how I felt,
but you cannot act that way.
You might face more difficulties.
I also will not be able to stay by your side anymore.
Is that why you are recommending me to sleep with her?
You wished I would reject her because of you,
but you are now lying ever so hypocritically?
I know I am being a hypocrite and a liar.
I know it is different from how I feel.
However, Your Majesty and I cannot be together.
And I am only staying briefly at the palace to help you.
Now I realize...
you came to prepare your heart, Kyera.
So that our feelings do not get more serious.
Perhaps so.
Go back.
I would like to be alone.
I also missed you.
I just...
might have found an excuse.
Having loving feelings fogged up my heart,
and I often do not even know myself.
Oftentimes, my longing for you blinded
my heart and my judgment.
Sajo Hyun, how dare you take my woman...
I see.
In that case,
let me help you make sound judgments again.
I will go back to the palace...
and sleep with the Queen.
That face...
Kyera...
how can you do this to me?
Your Majesty!
Bring me more alcohol.
His Majesty is headed this way to unite with you.
What?
Warm up the bath again.
Decorate the bedchamber again.
Hurry up and spray the room with musk perfume right now!
Yes, Your Majesty.
What are you all doing?
Noh Ri Sa, bring Yeon Wol right now.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I also missed you.
Because of loving feelings...
oftentimes, my longing for you blinded
my heart and my judgment.
Kyera, did you let Sajo Hyun grow on you?
Sajo Hyun and not me?
Please announce his arrival.
His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.
Escort him in.
Oh, my.
Your Majesty, you have arrived.
I had her serve me starting today.
Would that be okay with you, Your Majesty?
The Inner Court's matters are your authority.
Shall we all stay outside and wait?
Her Majesty said Yeon Wol and I are to guard this place.
You can get out of here, Eunuch Neung.
Kyera,
you like Sajo Hyun, not me?
Sajo Hyun.
♫ When the deep darkness consumes me ♫
♫ My eyes soak up the sadness ♫
♫ My heart is scarred deeply ♫
♫ Please fill it up with your warmth ♫
♫ Because I was always yours ♫
♫ And you were always mine ♫
♫ I see, hear, and feel you from anywhere ♫
♫ The place where you are ♫
♫ Even if it'll only be a moment ♫
[Love Song for Illusion]
It was different to call it madness.
You never had feelings for me as your lover?
I am sorry.
You should get on good terms and share the body-
He took my woman from me!
That girl knows your father.
It feels like something else is unfolding.
I cannot bear to watch you risk your life anymore.
Kyera.