(All characters, locations, organizations, and incidents...)
(in this drama are historically irrelevant and fictitious.)
(Production guidelines were strictly followed...)
(when filming with children and animals.)
That is an acupuncture needle canister...
carried around by physicians.
You do not seem familiar.
Have you traveled here to take the state exam?
That is correct.
No.
I wish you well on the exam.
Did you enjoy your refreshments?
I did.
Get ready.
Master Lee.
Hey!
Get over here, darn it.
Stop them.
Darn. Stop it.
Stop it already.
(Episode 2)
The item has been secured.
And the men?
I handled them.
Good work.
Get me Oh Wol.
My lady.
It is Moo Baek.
What does this concern?
Lord Choi has asked for Oh Wol.
Oh Wol?
Is Oh Wol not in the room?
For what reason...
does my father want to see her at this late hour?
Where is Oh Wol?
She went to bed two hours ago.
(Sijin: 2 hours)
I am just coming from Oh Wol's room.
Lord Choi awaits her.
Oh Wol, if you are in there, come out this second.
Actually, I sent her to the clinic for medicine.
At this late hour?
You see, I seem to be struggling with indigestion.
Is it bad?
If that is the case, I will alert Lord Choi.
It is not that bad.
She will soon be back with the medicine,
and that will be enough.
Please send her to the men's quarters once she returns.
Can I still not persuade you to help me?
What Lord Choi does is solely for your sake.
Brother.
My lady, you cannot refer to me that way.
You have been forbidden to call me that.
That is not the issue at hand...
We must obey our class system.
If someone had heard you,
I would have had to pay with my life.
Do you wish to see me dead?
What is taking you so long?
Hurry back, Oh Wol.
Moo Baek.
Lady Myung Yoon told me to turn in early,
but sleep would not find me.
- That is the truth. - Follow me.
Lord Choi has asked for you.
If you understand what I said, you will act promptly.
Yes, my lord.
Lady Myung Yoon's fate...
depends on the words you say.
Do not forget that.
Follow me.
Where did this tonic suddenly come from?
Well...
You told Moo Baek you had indigestion.
Lord Choi said this would quickly put you at ease.
Moo Baek showed up out of the blue looking for you,
so that was the excuse I made...
Outside...
Moo Baek is outside.
All right, I hear you.
First, tell me how it went.
What did they say? Will they do as I wish?
Please drink the tonic.
Come on.
Look at you drink.
There you go.
My gosh!
Oh, no.
Why...
I cannot believe you drank it all.
Why not? You told me to drink it.
But that is...
Oh, no.
I am now absolutely clueless.
What on earth...
How can you of all people be clueless right now?
Did they say they can prepare it?
You are killing me.
What is it? Did they refuse?
Can they not help me?
No, that is not it.
- You see... - What is it?
Did they ask for more money?
Was that their term?
Lady Myung Yoon's fate depends on the words you say.
Do not forget that.
Oh Wol.
What is it?
Did something happen?
My lady.
I committed a mortal sin. Please take my life.
No way.
Did they...
Did those thugs hurt you in any way?
Then I will...
What?
My lady!
My lady.
Do not worry.
I will...
I will teach them...
My lady!
- Everything is set. - And the young man?
He was dealt with as per your instructions.
If he catches a glimpse of Myung Yoon's face,
this will all have been for nothing.
There can be no room for error.
Even if he manages to wake up,
he will not be able to see anything.
Keep a close eye on Myung Yoon as well.
If she wakes up before the rooster crows,
the plan could be ruined.
Tell Oh Wol...
that she must stand guard outside her room.
Yes, my lord.
Also, only you and Oh Wol...
can know about what transpired.
No one from the domestic staff is to approach her room.
Make sure to keep them away.
Stand guard.
If you hear an odd sound coming from the room,
you will alert me immediately.
Do you understand?
Sure.
The two will have to be dressed as groom and bride...
and remain in bed together...
until their souls and energy connect.
When the two are finally united,
Myung Yoon's curse will be lifted.
However, all will have been for nothing...
should the man see Myung Yoon's face.
You must...
keep that in mind.
(Gwasuksalsomyulbu)
(The dissolution of a woman's fate...)
(that is destined to be a widow)
(Bubuhwahabbu)
(Praying for a man and woman to become husband and wife)
Your Royal Highness.
Your Royal Highness...
Gosh, my head.
Your Royal Highness.
Your Royal Highness...
Oh, gosh.
Your Royal Highness?
Are you...
- Goodness. - My gosh.
It all happened so fast...
that I do not remember clearly.
They were men I had not seen before.
Please be alive and well, Your Royal Highness.
Please.
Please...
Your Royal Highness.
Darn it.
I heard the man I marry would meet an untimely death.
I have a way.
I will take care of everything,
so just do as I say and follow my lead.
My lady?
Oh Wol, is that you?
Yes, my lady.
My lady.
I have committed a mortal sin.
Lord Choi ordered it,
and I had no choice.
Save it.
As if you could have disobeyed my father.
It is all right, so please open this door.
May I leave it locked?
Why you...
I will knock it down.
Yes, I will open it.
How did it go with what I ordered?
I never got your answer.
Right.
They will already be waiting for you.
Let us hurry.
Wait. Do not do that, my lady.
You disobeyed my father's orders...
the second you opened that door.
What you do now will not change that,
- so help me with this. - That is not it.
Even if you were to help him,
he should not see your face.
And he should not know where he is.
Hurry up and strip down.
Pardon?
Do you want to change attires with me again?
I must take him to a place my father cannot find him,
but I cannot leave the house wearing this.
And not wearing clothes is not an option.
Maybe we can let this man leave by himself.
We only have to help him over the wall.
How can he jump over the wall...
when he is tied up like this?
Then just untie his hands.
What if he takes off his blindfold as soon as he is over the wall?
You said he should not know where he has been.
He could even remove his gag.
Then, he will be able to scream for help.
Allow me to take him away.
Can you ride a horse?
I will take off my clothes.
My lady,
can I at least take this off?
Your Royal Highness...
My lady.
No.
If my father decides to look in on us,
seeing you disguised as me will buy me some time.
Stop pouting and wake this man up.
Look here.
Look here. Wake up.
Move aside.
What will you do?
My lady?
My lady!
My gosh.
Unbelievable.
Lady Myung Yoon is sick and must rest.
Did you not hear...
that no one is to step foot inside the women's quarters?
Well, you see...
Someone came by asking for Lord Choi,
but I did not know what to do.
Who did you say was here?
Guard of the Crown Prince's Palace.
Guard of the Crown Prince's Palace?
Why is the Guard of the Crown Prince's Palace...
here to see me at this hour?
He is looking...
for the Crown Prince.
What is this nonsense?
What do you mean he went missing during his secret outing?
Forgive me, but it is like I just informed you.
He passed out while drinking at the tavern.
And right about that moment, I passed out...
from a blow to the head.
When I came to,
His Royal Highness was gone.
The tavern?
Which one?
It is the tavern at the intersection in Jingok.
I searched around the tavern and the vicinity of it,
but I could not find a single trace of him.
This secret outing was not his first.
He is a smart man, so I am sure he is well.
But why did you come to see me?
Is it not protocol...
to alert the palace in this situation?
I was making my way toward the palace with that in mind,
but I came here instead because I was reminded of you.
His Royal Highness went on this secret outing...
because he had urgent business to run by you.
- By me? - Yes.
So I thought he could have made it here.
I apologize for the inconvenience at this late hour.
It is all right.
I will think of a way,
so hurry back to the Palace.
I wish you safe travels.
Your Royal Highness...
Let me get this straight. I was abducted...
to wash off your bad luck.
And if I stay,
They might kill me to keep me silenced.
The young lady of this family wishes to let me go out of pity.
That is correct.
It is like putting out the fire you lit.
I hear you,
so please untie me.
Before I untie you,
you must keep something in mind.
The only people in this family who can help you...
are my lady and me. Do not forget that.
Also, I am nothing but a servant.
Do not try to use me as a hostage to get away.
Now then, I will untie you.
Was he kidnapped from the tavern at the intersection?
- Yes. - Is he truly the Crown Prince?
Is there a possibility it could be someone else?
They waited for him with drugged liquor.
But a servant appeared out of nowhere.
They knocked him down and brought him.
It must be the Crown Prince.
How did this happen?
We kidnapped a man to stop the misfortune...
that he was destined to have.
But what will happen if that very man is the Crown Prince himself?
What should we do?
How many hours are left...
before dawn?
Good grief.
Why you...
Shut your mouth...
before I snap your wrist.
It was not intentional.
It was a mistake.
I will snap your wrist if you make another mistake.
Then get this blindfold off of me.
That will get you killed.
Let us go.
You must go over the wall.
This is the ladder.
Go up first. Hurry.
- Hurry... - Hurry up, please.
Good grief.
Hurry up, will you?
- Oh, no. - Hold on.
Go.
Quiet down.
Who is it?
What?
Who on earth...
put this ladder right here?
Goodness.
- Should I go after them? - No need.
Either way, the rooster crowed at dawn.
We saved ourselves from disaster.
Even so, should we not check if the Crown Prince is all right?
Oh Wol will guide him to a safe place.
Myung Yoon must have told her well.
- Right. - But to be sure,
keep an eye on Myung Yoon.
Once Oh Wol returns,
ask her what happened to the Crown Prince.
Understood.
Be careful. It is a downhill.
There are stairs.
Goodness gracious.
My gosh.
I cannot go any further.
We must make haste.
Can you not see the state I am in?
You have sturdy wrists with overflowing energy.
Why not carry me on your back?
Stop with this trickery.
What?
What trickery?
I know you are hurt and tired.
But if you do not leave right now,
you will die.
Follow me quietly if you wish to live.
You do not have to threaten me every time.
Fine, I will go.
I am trying to save you.
We will arrive in a bit, so hang in there.
Leave her be until morning.
She should take a rest after all this ruckus.
Which way is she coming from?
Gosh.
Over here, missy! Over here!
Please wait here.
All right.
Hey.
What in the world is going on?
Who is that man, and what is with your outfit?
Are you kidding me?
I gave you a handsome sum of money.
But to bring a donkey and not a horse?
It is stronger than it looks.
- I will take it back if you wish. - No.
Get lost after you give me the rein.
Let us get...
another drink later. Okay, missy?
I am leaving.
"Drink?"
Come this way.
This is a horse. Get on.
Does that mean I can take the blindfold off?
You cannot.
Then who will lead the horse?
Are you saying you can ride a horse despite being a female servant?
A female servant kidnapper trained to ride a horse?
You must be from one great family.
My lord. A message has come from the palace.
Are you going to the palace?
Yes. I got word to come at once.
Let me guard you.
No.
As soon as it is morning, bring over Master.
Tell him I have something to ask.
Yes, my lord.
(Injeongmun)
Your Highness. It is I, Court Lady Kim.
You may enter.
How did it go?
Did you find the Crown Prince?
It looks like the horse has no energy left.
Please get off...
Are you all right?
I want to say that I am all right,
but I am not.
Did you hurt your ankle?
Did this happen when you fell down earlier?
Yes.
You should have told me.
You said to stop with the trickery.
You have sturdy wrists with overflowing energy.
Why not carry me on your back?
Stop with this trickery.
What?
What trickery?
I thought you were just faking it.
You can go ahead and take off the blindfold now.
Why do you look so surprised?
What?
Surprised? No, I am not.
You kept threatening me, so I expected you to look like a goblin,
but you are actually quite beautiful.
I mean...
You are better-looking than I thought you would be.
I did not say anything.
If a mere servant looks this fine,
how beautiful is the young lady you serve?
Is she as beautiful as a fairy or something?
Stop talking nonsense.
Are you hurting anywhere else?
Here.
My heart.
Goodness, seriously!
Stop joking around.
If you are hurting anywhere else, you need to tell me.
I was not joking.
Right here.
It hurts.
My lord!
He either has a broken rib...
or a hairline fracture.
It must have been extremely painful to ride a horse in this state.
How did he endure the pain?
I thought he was a scholar.
Is he a physician?
We do not know what kind of danger the Crown Prince is in now.
You still have not found a single trace?
What have the palace guards been doing?
What is the Police Bureau up to?
Mobilize the soldiers in training if need be.
(Dogamgun: Soldiers in training)
Find the Crown Prince at all costs!
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.
He must be at the kisaeng house again, just like the last time.
I bet he has no idea that we are frantically trying to find him.
Do you not think we are overreacting?
Listen, Magistrate.
We are talking about the Crown Prince of this country.
Please...
be respectful.
All right.
Our priority is to find the Crown Prince.
We must hurry.
What are you doing?
You woke up.
I got some medicinal herbs for your wound.
By the way, are you a physician?
A physician?
This is yours, is it not?
It must be something important to you, sir.
Yes.
From now on,
do not call me "sir."
Instead, call me "husband."
- Pardon me? - Whether I was kidnapped or not,
it is true that your young lady and I spent the night together,
so I am her husband now.
Am I wrong?
Have you lost your mind?
Such insolence.
Just do it.
Say, "husband."
Do it, or...
I refuse to let you treat me.
Fine, well understood.
Sir.
- Goodness. - Why you...
My gosh.
Depose the Crown Prince?
What do you mean, Grandfather?
Why are you all so surprised?
Many people do not approve of him...
because his late mother came from a family in the Namin Faction.
It has only been a few days since that incident took place,
and now this.
So it is only natural that we consider this option, is it not?
Even so,
you are out of line, Father.
My goodness. You two are too soft.
Listen carefully, you two.
When he comes into power,
you will not be spared for you are second in line to the throne.
Gun will never do such a thing.
Never say never.
Take Prince Gwangchang for example. The Queen Dowager's son.
Why did he die?
The deposed king was against it at first too.
However, the Namin Faction accused him of treason...
and killed him.
Would that have happened if they were real brothers?
Just like the deposed king and Prince Gwangchang,
you and the Crown Prince...
are not real brothers.
I have never once...
treated the two princes any differently.
I know. I am well aware of it.
That is why they get along so well.
But even so,
you cannot change the fact that blood is thicker than water.
If the Crown Prince ends up ascending the throne,
his maternal family and the Namin Faction will come into power.
And if that were to happen,
would they want to spare Prince Dosung?
Please, that is enough!
I will pretend I never heard what you said today.
Where are you going?
I must find Gun.
Please excuse me.
He is too affectionate for his own good.
Father, do you not think you are overly worried?
Perhaps, you are right.
However,
the family's future depends on this.
Look at the Queen Dowager,
who was trapped in the secret garden for over a decade.
Who...
can guarantee that the same thing...
will not happen to you down the road?
- Hurry! - This way!
Come this way!
Are you sure it was here?
Yes.
The bar lady could not see anything for she was tied up,
and you saw nothing because you fainted?
How bizarre.
Search the area again!
- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!
Where to now?
- We have arrived. - Pardon me?
Gosh.
Thanks to you, I arrived safe and sound. Thank you.
But this is a dead end.
Do not tell me...
you will enter the palace.
Yes, correct.
So you are not just a physician? You work at the Royal Infirmary?
(Naeuiwon: The Royal Infirmary and the physicians who work there)
No, you cannot go.
Why not?
Father will find out right away if he works at the Royal Infirmary.
You are in no state to enter the palace right now.
As a physician, you must know that you have lost quite a bit of blood.
The jagged end of the broken rib could punch a hole in your organs.
If that happens, it will be dangerous.
You should go home and get some rest to recuperate.
(Jeongyang: To relax and rest physically and mentally)
I can receive treatment at the Royal Infirmary, so do not worry.
I am saying this because you must not go to the Royal Infirmary.
What do you mean I must not go to the Royal Infirmary?
In any case, bad things could happen if you entered the palace now.
I suggest you just go home.
I will take you home.
I appreciate your concern,
but there is something I must do in the palace.
It is not like you must do it today.
Get your wound treated first and...
You really are acting strange.
Are you hiding something from me?
Fine. Whatever it is, I suppose you cannot tell me.
Anyway, I shall go inside now.
You should leave.
- Sir. - Again!
"Husband."
If...
something happens, come back here.
I will be waiting.
What could happen?
What do you mean?
I am telling you this just in case, so do not forget what I said.
Stop... Your Royal Highness.
I see you are working hard.
I am sorry to bother you, but I am not feeling too well.
Could you help me?
Yes, Your Royal Highness.
Go and tell everyone that His Royal Highness is back.
Yes, sir.
The Crown Prince...
I was told to...
Your Highness. It is I, Court Lady Kim.
What is the matter?
The Crown Prince has returned.
Your Highness.
If His Majesty finds out,
there really is no way going back.
Your Highness!
Let us go to the Main Hall.
Why are you suddenly telling me to give up on the Crown Prince?
What do you mean?
He is a criminal who saw something he should not have seen...
and found out something he should have never known.
Ask no more.
Just do as I say.
I am the King of this country.
I know you are the Queen Dowager, but you are out of line.
Your Majesty.
I was the one who put you on the throne,
so I can also drag you down.
Never forget that.
I am indebted to you, so I will pretend I never heard any of this.
Now, leave.
Head Eunuch, are you there?
(Sangseon: Head Eunuch)
Is there anyone outside?
The deposed king.
Do you know what I did during the ten years...
when I was locked up in the garden...
because of that despicable scoundrel?
I won every single person in the palace...
over to my side.
When I came across anyone who did not support me,
I listed whatever excuses I could come up with...
and replaced them with those who supported me,
focusing single-mindedly on my plan to get back at the deposed king.
Do you know what I did after that?
I had the Royal Chef...
(Daeryeongsuksu: Royal Chef)
feed opium...
to the deposed king, little by little.
Gradually, it worsened his madness.
Initially, I considered...
using poison if opium did not work,
but it was not necessary.
I cannot believe this.
Head Eunuch, are you there?
Yes, Your Highness.
Head Court Lady, are you outside?
Yes, Your Highness.
Royal Chef and Royal Taster, are you there too?
- Yes, Your Highness. - Yes, Your Highness.
As of now, you are to keep an eye on everything the King does...
and report to me.
- Yes, Your Highness. - Yes, Your Highness.
You are all dismissed.
- Yes, Your Highness. - Yes, Your Highness.
Now, you believe me, right?
You must choose.
Is it the Crown Prince...
or the throne?
Must you do this?
All you have to do is give up on the Crown Prince.
After all, he is not your only son.
You have another son.
Let me ask you one last time.
Is it the throne...
or the Crown Prince?
Give me some time to think.
Sure. However,
I cannot wait too long.
Are you not ashamed?
Watch what you say.
Do you believe that killing me...
will keep your dirty hidden affair from surfacing?
If that is not enough,
I will kill anyone and everyone who knows...
about the secret.
What?
Do you not think I can do it?
The deposed king only kept disloyal vassals by his side,
so I thought he was a bad judge of character.
But I suppose he was right about you, after all.
The truth is, Prince Gwangchang...
had the filthy blood of your secret lover...
Shut your mouth.
It looks like you truly wish to get killed.
You are going to kill me anyway. Am I wrong?
I warned you several times to watch your mouth.
Do not forget.
The lives of the King, the Queen,
and Prince Dosung depend on what comes out of your mouth.
What a devious, despicable monster.
What are you planning to do?
First,
before the Queen Dowager finds out,
we should find the owner of the acupuncture needle canister.
The man she had an affair with must be her weakness,
seeing how she is desperately trying to conceal it.
However, I cannot trust anyone in the palace.
Who knows what she would do if we made a reckless move,
and if she found out about it?
What about Royal Physician Choi?
I am not sure.
I can trust his character and capabilities,
but I am not certain if he will be on my side.
Promise him that his daughter can marry me,
and he will side with us.
The Queen Dowager could ruin that plan.
But to find the owner of the acupuncture needle canister,
we really need his help,
so I will try to find out what he is thinking.
Be careful.
You must be very careful.
I will summon him, using my treatment as an excuse,
so the Queen Dowager will not suspect us.
I am relieved you did not suffer a serious injury, Your Highness.
I am sorry. I should have been careful.
I am sure there was an understandable reason.
Are you already taking my side for I will be your son-in-law?
No, it is not that.
Your daughter is keeping well, right?
Yes.
The person I trust and respect the most in this palace...
will become my father-in-law.
It truly delights me.
Thank you for your kind words. I am much obliged,
Your Royal Highness.
That said...
Do you happen to know anything about this acupuncture needle canister?
I gave this out to the physicians at the Royal Infirmary.
Where did you get it?
I came into possession of it by chance.
Anyway,
I wish to find the owner of this canister.
Would you be able to help me?
I gave the same canister to many physicians.
First, I will go to the Royal Infirmary...
and find out if anyone there had misplaced it.
I will tell you the reason later.
Please look into it discreetly.
Yes, I will.
Are you not feeling well?
I am fine. If there is anything even slightly wrong with His Highness,
send a messenger to the Royal Infirmary at once, okay?
Yes, please put your worries to rest.
What will the King decide to do?
He will choose to give up on the Crown Prince.
If he chooses to protect the Crown Prince,
he will lose too many things.
Your Royal Highness, are you asleep?
Who is it?
It is I, Head Eunuch.
What is the matter?
His Majesty is asking for Your Royal Highness.
At this late hour?
Yes, Your Royal Highness.
I will get dressed. Give me a moment.
I told you to wait.
I will give you a hand.
Did my father order you...
to kill me?
Your Royal Highness.
What is this place?
Come inside, Your Royal Highness. You must hide at once.
Please forgive me, Your Royal Highness.
(Missing Crown Prince)
I must leave the palace.
I cannot trust anyone.
Find the Crown Prince before the King does.
Move ahead with it, at once.
I will find you, no matter what.
Hand over the Crown Prince.
Is the Crown Prince alive?
You know it all depends on how you behave yourself.
Give up on the Crown Prince,
and everything will go back to how it was.
Are they trying to take this...
as an opportunity to oust the Crown Prince?
He lost too much blood.
If we stall here, he certainly will not make it.