This drama is set during the Joseon Era under the rule of a fictitious king.
All characters and events are fictitious and have no historic basis.
Episode 5
From this point, you will begin your training for the marriage ceremony.
When you bow, make sure the candle light doesn't flicker.
And you must move your body quietly.
The bow you will make during the wedding ceremony,
requires you to bend your body straight as an arrow.
Make sure you don't lower your head, so always be aware.
Did you sleep well?
Today, you will probably start your difficult training.
It will be lonely and hard work.
But Yeon Woo, if it's you, I know you will be strong and endure it.
Noh Court Lady is probably anxious because of you.
It is a letter that the Crown Prince wanted to pass on to you.
The palace is heavily guarded, so I can not see you this instant.
But I'll treasure this moment.
And I'll be waiting.
For the day when you become my Crown Princess.
Are the preparations all done?
Yes.
Did you bring her?
Yes.
Here is the paper with her birth characters, and the clothes she wore at her private residence.
So. Please start.
Is it finished now?
Yes.
So, when can I expect to hear from the palace guards?
That...
is something my ability cannot control.
Didn't you say that it is a magic that will cut off her lifeline?
There is no magic that can cut off a life that heaven has given.
So...
you're leaving it up to fate?
Don't worry.
She will suffer from a persistent unknown illness.
Then, she will die naturally after.
That's true.
If she died suddenly, there would be suspicion from outside the palace.
This is actually better.
Even if he is the king,
he cannot keep an ill person in the palace.
As long as there are no palace guards,
that child's life...
is not in the hands of God, but ours.
That's actually for the better.
But,
if she does not die at an appropriate time,
you will have to finish her off yourself.
Oh dear.
Are you afraid?
Everything's over now, so please relax.
Don't worry.
Now you will have everything you want, Princess.
Your Highness!
Crown Princess!
Call for the doctor quickly. Quickly!
Yes.
Your Highness, can you hear me?
Your Highness!
Please be advised to remove the Princess Successor from the palace, Your Majesty!
It has been many days since she took ill, and there is no improvement.
This is definitely an illness she did not get overnight.
Neither is it an illness that just needs a few days of treatment.
Though the wedding ceremony hasn't been held, she's no different from being Crown Princess.
Letting her stay in the palace to receive the doctor's treatment is the right thing to do.
Letting a patient stay in the palace is something that should not be done.
If by any chance the illness were to spread through the palace,
how would you deal with that misfortune?
What you've said is too much!
Are you saying that the Crown Princess is causing an epidemic?
It is not a normal sickness.
It is a strange disease that has never been seen before.
The Crown Princess's illness is one with no cure!
If she continues to receive treatment, she will get better.
Your Majesty.
I'm the Minister of Personnel, Yoon Dae Hyung.
In time to come, the Crown Princess will bear the royal heir.
It is important that the heir does not inherit any illness.
How can you treat a sick person as the country's princess?
Postponing the royal marriage indefinitely...
will create political problems for the country.
As soon as we can,
we need to find a reasonable solution.
So.
What is this reasonable solution you are suggesting?
Heo Crown Princess who hid her illness should be removed.
After that, a more appropriate Crown Princess should be chosen.
Furthermore,
the father who hid his daughter's illness and listed her for selection, Heo Young Jae,
and the one who hid his family's illness and entered the Sigangweon, Heo Yeom,
should be held accountable for their crimes.
Why are you suddenly here without any notification?
The patient can no longer stay in the palace.
There is a court order to remove her quickly.
How can that be so sudden?
Even so, give me some time to pack her things...
Because the illness may be infectious,
we have to burn all things in this part of the palace.
Don't leave a thing and burn it all.
Can't you get out of my way?
She's my princess!
How dare you turn her out without my permission?!
- Get out of my way! - Your Highness.
- Be healthy, your Highness. - Get out of my w...
Your Highness.
Yeon Woo.
Oh, Yeon Woo!
Yeon Woo.
Yeon Woo!
Yeon Woo.
Yeon Woo!
Yeon Woo.
You're my princess.
Get out of my way.
Yeon Woo.
- Get out. - Your Highness.
Yeon Woo.
- Yeon Woo! Yeon Woo! - You'll have to be watchful of the Crown Prince.
If the Chief Scholar's daughter should be removed,
he will definitely not just stand by.
The Crown Prince does not understand politics yet.
Do you think so?
Being attached by feelings is only being attached by feelings.
Even when there were debates about the selection,
didn't the Crown Prince's palace stay quiet?
Instead, the Sungkyunkwan scholars made a move.
Sungkyunkwan, which has been quiet all this time,
chose to cry out in protest during the selection.
Because of them, His Majesty has gained power.
It is the same for Sigangweon.
The people that His Majesty playfully chased out of Sigangweon,
were all people recommended by our side.
In the end, the one who became the Crown Prince's teacher,
was Heo Young Jae's son, Heo Yeom.
It's not that the Crown Prince does not understand politics.
It's just that before he becomes king,
he is putting on a naive persona to camouflage himself.
Tender young stems,
have to be pruned at the right time,
in order for them to take on the shape you want, don't you agree?
Crown Prince.
Grandmother.
How much your heart must be aching...
Crown Prince.
Yes, Grandmother?
Now,
please forget about that child.
She is the one to become my princess.
How can you tell me to forget her so easily?
You must forget her,
so that the child and the royal family can be calm.
Grandmother!
Just sit still and,
quietly obey the imperial orders.
The imperial orders!
What are they?
The orders that I must follow.
Who exactly is the one who set them?
Crown Prince.
What did you gain from moving the scholars of Sungkyunkwan?
Other than giving the scholars some power,
you have gained nothing, am I not right?
If His Majesty and the Crown Prince were not greedy for her,
she could have been a child who lived a normal life.
If she weren't selected to be the Crown Princess,
what would have been the problem in her taking ill?
By receiving her mother's care,
she could have been comfortable.
See, who has received happiness from your actions?
If that child becomes miserable,
it will be because of you, Crown Prince.
If her brother's wings are bent,
it will be also be because of you, Crown Prince.
If His Majesty were to lose his reputation,
that too will be because of you, Crown Prince.
If the Chief Scholar's family were to be eliminated,
that will be all because of you.
It causes more damage to oppose than to comply.
That's why, for those who have experienced setbacks,
in order to avoid suffering or breaking,
follow and comply with the rules.
That's compliance.
So, don't do anything.
Remain quiet.
That way,
no one will get hurt.
Really, that's very strange.
In my thirty years as a physician, this is the first time I've seen anything like this.
There seems to be nothing wrong with her internal organs,
and she is healthy, but she has these symptoms.
It's dumbfounding.
Yeon Woo, what's wrong?
Please save this child.
If you can save this child, I'll do anything.
Well, I'll prescribe this medicine for her,
but don't have high expectations...
How can you say something so irresponsible?
She's in so much pain.
- You should at least lessen her pain! - Wife!
How can you act so rudely!
Enough!
Calm down, Mother.
Please save her.
I'm willing to make shoes out of my hair for you.
If you tell me to sacrifice my life, I will do it.
So please!
Our Yeon Woo!
- Wife! - Mother!
- Take her to the other room, quickly! - Mother!
You go with them as well.
How do you do?
Who are you?
I'm Seongsucheong's high shaman, Jang Nok Young.
A high shaman who should be at the palace...
What brings you here?
A divine energy brought me here.
What do you mean, a divine energy brought you here?
I came without anyone's knowledge.
So please don't worry.
May I see the young miss for a moment?
The miss has a mystical illness.
The heavens are helping us.
What perfect timing for this illness to occur.
Starting tomorrow, let's start making recommendations.
What about exile to a faraway place?
For a Confucian scholar, exile is...
like a picnic
Did you say a picnic?
There are hundreds of scholars who follow Heo Young Jae.
Being exiled could give him the opportunity to gather people.
Although His Majesty would temporarily lose a trusted vessel,
after his hae bae*, [*release from exile]
he will be able to recruit a magnificent amount of manpower.
Then!
Let's go with poison.
There's no need for poison.
When you have wings,
not being able to fly is the greatest pain of all.
Slowly.
Let's do this slowly.
What if the Crown Princess's illness were to be suddenly cured?
That child...
will not return to the palace.
Unless she becomes a ghost.
Or rises from her grave.
Yeon Woo.
Are you going to kill her?
Are you afraid of your father?
Do you feel pity for that child?
Anyway,
it is that child's fate to die when the time comes.
Of course if the time is delayed,
we will probably have to take things into our own hands.
Why do you think I'm telling you the truth?
It's because...
you need to understand.
Understand?
Do you know what people were calling your father,
for a period of time?
A mourner's dog. The Queen Dowager's hidden knot.
It's an invaluable name that I got.
From a certain member of the royal blood line.
That humiliation and anger.
I have never once forgotten it!
So, I've paid them back for it.
That's how,
I have come to my position now!
Didn't you say you wanted to live in the palace?
Didn't you say you wanted to gain the Crown Prince's love?
Then,
rid yourself of any pity or guilt that you feel!
Instead,
remember the anger and humiliation you feel when something of yours is stolen from you.
Remember the joy you feel when you get what you want.
If you don't have that understanding, then don't you ever,
desire that position again.
What do you mean it is the invocatory rite from the spirit world?
If she doesn't accept the spirit world,
the miss' suffering will not end.
That's impossible.
No one in our family has ever suffered from witchcraft before.
Why does it have to be my child?
I don't know why the gods have chosen the young miss.
But she refused to accept them, which is why she has fallen ill.
What will you do?
Will you let her accept the spirit world?
Is there no way to dispel the spirit from her?
There is a solution.
What is it?
But,
the price is death.
I'll sacrifice my life.
The young miss will have to sacrifice her own.
Please remove the Crown Princess, Your Majesty.
Please remove her.
Please choose a new Crown Princess.
Our country needs safekeeping, Your Majesty.
Yoon Dae Hyung!
Your Highness! Your Highness!
Where do you plan on going?
I'm going to the Palace Hall to make His Majesty retract his order.
Your Highness, please control yourself.
The consequences will be unthinkable!
Please calm down first.
Calm down.
Your Highness.
The officials whom the Chief Scholar had firmly controlled, have gone to the other side.
Is there anyone in this palace who isn't Yoon Dae Hyung's man?
And, how many more will become his?!
Your Highness, please calm down.
I'm really...
useless.
Please stop blaming yourself.
Crown Princess...
was forced out back to her home.
Scholar Heo, too,
has been forbidden to enter the palace,
just because a family member is sick.
At a time like this,
Yang Myung hyung isn't here either.
Now in the palace,
I have no one on my side.
Kim Jae Woon is not a person.
He's a sword devil. A sword devil.
Does it make sense for that swordsmanship to go with that face?
He inherited his looks from his mother, a courtesan in the city.
And he inherited his swordsmanship from his father, the governor.
He has perfect antecedents, don't you agree?
It's such a pity.
If he weren't an illegitimate son,
he would certainly have had an amazing career.
Your Highness, what brings you to this place?
I was feeling extremely irritated all day today,
when I suddenly recalled the nightmare ball match we had.
I have become even more irritated.
You.
Yes, Your Highness
For some strange reason, you keep coming into my view.
Were you the highest scorer on that day?
No, I was not.
I am full of desire to win, but I lack the ability.
Then,
who was that person?
- It was Kim Jae Woon. - It was Kim Jae Woon.
You.
You. Both of you.
Come with me.
I didn't see him like that.
His Highness is such a petty person.
That happened so long ago!
They wouldn't be dismissed because of this issue, would they?
I'm not sure if this will fit you.
Just put this on for now.
You probably know well enough.
But if anything leaks out about this,
your life will be at stake.
Yes.
Yeon Woo.
Can you...
recognize me?
It doesn't matter.
As long as I can recognize you,
it's fine.
Yeon Woo.
Are you real?
What do you mean?
You're not an illusion,
but the real highness?
I'm not an illusion.
I have really come to see you.
You're foolish, aren't you?
What is this?
It is 'The Moon that Embraces the Sun.'
The King is the sun,
and the Queen is the moon.
This phoenix hairpin,
symbolizes the white moon embracing the red sun.
Therefore, I named it...
The Moon that Embraces the Sun.
The real Crown Princess in my heart is only you, Yeon Woo.
So, quickly regain your health and return to my side.
Your Highness.
Tell me.
I am very sorry.
What for?
The first day I met you,
I wrongly accused you of being a thief.
I am very sorry.
I was rude and disrespectful to you.
I am very sorry.
Yes, that is something worth being sorry for.
Everything...
is my fault.
I do not blame you at all.
So,
no matter what happens,
please don't blame yourself.
A gentleman doesn't resent the heavens,
or bear grudges against the people.
Yes.
Your Highness.
You don't have to keep addressing me. Tell me.
I...
after meeting you,
was very happy.
You will continue to be happy,
so don't say such things.
Serving as escort on a dangerous mission like this,
is not like you at all.
Because it happened suddenly,
I removed the other people.
If anything were to happen to His Highness...
The whole family who is with her is not ill,
so how can it only affect His Highness?
When missing someone is an illness,
it becomes an even bigger danger.
Did you know?
Crown Prince wants to make you his escort warrior.
Did Yeon Woo...
inadvertently help him do that?
That child. I think she likes you.
I'm not sure about that.
I think it's a bit different.
There's the fact that she is really interested in swordsmanship.
And that sharp swordsmanship...
There's a trace of yours in hers.
Your name is Kim Jae Woon, right?
Yes.
Yang Myung hyung and Scholar Heo just call you Woon, right?
That's correct.
Can I also call you Woon?
Thank you, Your Highness.
Woon.
Thank you.
The place the Crown Princess was born and raised in,
I always wanted to come and see it once.
Crown Princess is suffering a great deal,
but I am unable to do anything for her.
Your Highness.
I am the country's Crown Prince.
Just because I am this country's Crown Prince,
I am very useless.
You're just a lonely and sad Sung Jun Ma Cho*,
[*a nobleman who sat in attendance on the king, known as the Tattoo of Joseon]
Following the moon at night.
Following the sun during the day.
The lonely Sung Jun Ma Cho.
But, what is ma cho?
The horse's ma, the grass's cho.
It's a symbol for a man like me who is unruly.
Then, what is Sung Jun Ma Cho?
It can be said that he's a man who is unruly with the addition of innocence.
Because I'm shy, I'll finish it here.
Is that it?
Yes, that's the marketplace.
Oh, is that so.
Here. Go buy a bowl of soup to eat.
Thank you very much.
Okay, shall I try to sell you off now?
With ten wins in ten fights, the undefeated legend, Big Grizzly Bear!
You must win! Win!
Big Grizzly Bear wins!
Now, do we have any other challengers?
With the current reward, the winner can buy a cow!
Are there any other challengers?
Then, will Big Grizzly Bear become the champion?
Here I am.
Yes.
A new challenger has appeared.
Will...
this challenger be able to defeat Big Grizzly Bear, the undefeated legend?
Hey, what is your name?
Sung Jun Ma Cho
Yes.
Sung Jun Skirt!
No.
I am Sung Jun Ma Cho.
Yes, Big Grizzly Bear vs. Sung Jun Skirt
- Give a moment for the sales! - Place your bets!
All come and place your bets.
Your bets.
Just like between men,
how there's someone who deserves to be king and someone who will become the subject.
It's the same for women.
You really don't regret the road that you've chosen, right?
Aigoo, jeez.
Wine Lady, bring a cup here.
Yes.
What is it? Did something happen?
The magistrate is raising taxes again.
What? What the hell?
Without any effort, all that money goes to the Yoon clan.
It's like this now.
It'll be worse if the Crown Princess were changed to a member of the Yoon clan.
What's the point of talking?
As it is, the Crown Princess was driven out of the palace due to an illness,
and has been unconscious these past few days.
Now, they're just waiting for her to die.
The Crown Princess is changing?
What are you talking about?
Who are you? Why are you acting like this?
Saying that they're waiting for the Crown Princess to die.
What are you talking about?
Stay alive, Yeon Woo.
Please stay alive.
What did you just say?
I'm telling you to go to your uncle temporarily to avoid the illness.
[Pi Byung: Moving residence to avoid illness]
Father.
You are this family's eldest son and the Crown Prince's man.
Yeon Woo is on the verge of death,
so how can you have your son evade this calamity?
Just go.
I cannot.
At the least, I have to know what Yeon Woo is suffering from.
It's an illness that all the medical experts can not understand.
How could you?
I will search all the medical books in the world.
And I will find it out.
Have you forgotten that you are His Highness' tutor?
If I can not even protect my sister, how can I help the Crown Prince?
For someone as educated as you, how can you be so narrow in thinking?
Who will help the Crown Prince in the future?
You. You have to help him.
That is the only way you and Yeon Woo...
can repay the king and me as fathers.
Leave.
[Location collaboration: Korean Folk Village]
Seol, I have a favor to ask of you.
Because Yeon Woo is asleep, I can not bid her farewell.
If Yeon Woo were to look for me, write me...
You probably don't know how to write.
- Then, send a person to... - I know how to write.
Young Miss taught me,
saying that if I know letters, I can understand the whole world.
Every night, she taught me a little.
Knowing that you, Seol, is by her side, I feel relieved.
While I am gone, take care of Yeon Woo.
I will count on you, Seol.
Seol.
Go with this person.
He is the one who will take you to your new owner.
Your Excellency.
She is honest and good.
She's a child my daughter cares for,
so please make sure she doesn't do hard labor.
Do not worry, Your Excellency.
Have I done something wrong?
That's not it, Seol.
I will fix it.
I will fix it, so please do not sell me to someone else.
I won't eat as much.
Please let me stay by young miss' side.
Seol.
I promised young master that I would take care of young miss.
So, please...
When young miss is completely cured,
I will bring you back.
So, please listen to what I say now.
Yeon Woo! Yeon Woo!
Yeon Woo, wake up.
Yeon Woo!
While she's alive, there's no way to remove the spirit.
Are you telling me to kill my daughter?
This is the only way to remove the spirit,
and to let her go to the underworld without any pain.
I have to ask you one question.
Please ask.
If that child takes the medicine, will it really end her suffering?
That's correct.
It will remove the spirit that is said to remain even if you die,
and she will go with ease, is that right?
Yes, I promise you.
Sir, I am committing a crime worthy of death.
I will spend my life paying for that sin.
[Location collaboration: Korean Folk Village]
My lord, why did you not call me?
I will continue with this, so go in and rest.
I will do it.
So, Wife, you should rest today.
Why should I rest when I haven't done anything? Give it to me.
I, too,
want to do something as her father.
At the least,
preparing this medicine for her.
Let me do so.
The miss has a mystical illness.
Your Highness Crown Prince.
I am writing you with the last of my strength.
Yeon Woo.
Have you recovered now?
Your Highness,
do you know why I sent this plant to you?
This thing...
Didn't you already tell me?
Actually, besides that,
there's a hidden meaning.
Hidden meaning?
I hoped that you would be curious about what would grow in this pot.
That way,
you would have written a reply asking about it.
Then,
you were waiting for my reply?
Really, you should have just said so.
I didn't know that and thought you were just avoiding...
Your Highness.
Yes?
I wish you to be healthy and peaceful.
[Letter to the Crown Prince]
Yeon Woo?
Wake up.
You have to take your medicine, right?
The medicine is very hot,
even when it has cooled.
Yeon Woo.
I am sorry for many things.
I can only remember feeling sorry towards you.
Had I known earlier,
I would have let you read all the books you wanted.
I would have let you do whatever you wanted.
I thought there was plenty of time.
I was foolish.
Father.
Give it to me quickly.
The medicine.
Taking this medicine,
I want to stop being ill.
The medicine...
is bitter, isn't it?
It's bitter, very much so.
Our dear Yeon Woo.
I'm holding you until you fall asleep.
Yes.
I'm happy that your embrace reminds me of brother's.
Yes.
Sleep well in my arms.
I want to hold this in my arms when I sleep.
Please let me do so.
Yeon Woo.
Father,
I'm sleepy.
I'll sleep a bit.
Yeon Woo.
I'm sorry, Yeon Woo
I'll be with you soon.
Yeon Woo.
Yeon Woo! Yeon Woo!
Yeon Woo.
Yeon Woo!
Yeon Woo! Yeon Woo!
Aigoo, my baby!
In Chief Scholar's arms,
as if she fell asleep,
she peacefully passed away.
Her funeral will be simple,
held today, by her family.
Your Highness.
You must not, Your Highness.
Today, you must stay in the Eastern Palace.
That is an order from the Queen Palace.
Let me go!
I said let go!
Let go!
I have something left to say to the Crown Princess.
I still have something to say to the Crown Princess.
Let go.
Yeon Woo!
- Yeon Woo! - Your Highness.
Let go of me.
Your Highness.
Yeon Woo.
Yeon Woo!
Let go of me.
I still have something to say.
Yeon Woo.
Your Highness will now,
become the Crown Princess of this country.
Now, no one will ever be able to take this title away from me.
While that child was on the verge of death, what were you doing, Your Highness?
Hyungnim!
In our next lifetime, she will definitely be mine.
Yeon Woo, your name means soft rain?
Yes, that's the meaning.
Aren't you curious as to what she would look like if she were alive today?
Where is this place?
And...
who am I?