I can't understand youth.
I struggled to pass.
Isn't it frustrating?
He'd pass by writing anything,
but he submitted a blank sheet.
When's he leaving?
Probably in the morning.
What's the question?
Jeoha.
You need to go somewhere, now.
What?
Pr-Princess?
I deserve to die!
So you know.
Princess!
Yes.
I will kill you then.
Stop.
Seja!
You'll hurt your hand.
Give it to me.
Orabeoni (older brother).
What are you doing?
Drag him to Uigeumbu (Investigation Bureau)!
Yea!
Uigeumbu?
Don't 9 out of 10 die?
We must find the love letters
that you sent to Young Master Jung.
Then, everyone will know.
I'll ask the King to issue harsh punishment.
What? Tell Father?
Drag him out!
Yea!
Please don't!
Don't make it a big problem.
Then...
what to do with him?
Will killing him here help?
You don't harm others.
Let us go.
Princess.
It's my fault.
I didn't think...
that writing love letters for someone
could hurt another.
Really...
I'm sincerely sorry.
Why not tell him?
He'll find out eventually.
It's because he'll find out.
Then he'll become just another servant.
I'll be sad if he looks at me like they do.
Listen. We have received
evaluations for your answers.
As I call your name, come up.
It's okay. It's finally over.
He lacks for nothing in this world
but seems to long for something.
"How can a lowly man like myself fill that void?"
Maybe not for food,
but you'd be hungry of heart.
I'm the one richest in heart.
I give you this in affection.
(Answer sheet: Hong Sam-Nom)
Jeoha, I can stamp it. Why'd you...
"Pass"?
Why'd you pass a blank sheet?
I heard his answer before.
What's that answer?
"Chicken leg".
Next.
Hong Sam-Nom!
Yes.
Pass.
Thank you! I...!
Pardon?
Pass? Not fail, but pass?
No, why? My sheet's blank.
- How'd I pass? Why? - I know.
I can't fathom Seja.
Seja...!
Jeoha...
was the question's recipient?
Hong Sam-Nom. You're assigned to Jipbokheon.
Report tomorrow morning.
(Captain of Royal Guards)
You pass if you hit the target once.
But your arrows must avoid me
or pierce me.
- Oh, no. - What if he's hurt?
Oh, no.
Shoot!
Oh, no.
Everyone failed. Stay put.
Again, shoot!
My heart stopped.
You hadn't seen him.
- He's God-Byung-Yeon. - I've seen him.
On patrol, he wore his bamboo hat.
He's godly (gat) in that hat (sat-gat).
It's strange.
You tailor training
to make yourself look good.
God-Idiot-Yeon.
You're mistaken, Jeoha.
Jeoha. Jeoha.
They met.
Wow, Jeoha.
Hoi, Puppy.
Greet your master.
I may bite again, so stay back.
I'm in a dangerous mood.
Oh my. Scary.
Keep back.
Where are you going?
To Dongungjeon to meet Seja.
For what?
To ask why he did this to me.
Move.
You can't just roll up there, and meet Seja.
I guess.
He's too high up, right?
Seja ruined everything.
How'd I...?
What did Seja do?
I'm unqualified to be a eunuch.
But I'm trapped because of him.
Why'd he hold onto you if you're unqualified?
The truth is,
I committed a big sin
so he wants to torment me.
What to do when you're resented
for saving his life?
Shall I kill him?
You two, follow me.
Who knew the Palace is so big.
You say you're unqualified.
What?
Ah, sure.
What about the person born into this Palace as home?
The Palace is home?
I mean...
I never had a home.
I never said the words "my home".
What's a home?
If I live there, it's my home.
No-one likes the Palace.
But if you like someone there,
it's livable.
Is that true?
Could that happen for me?
[ Chapter 3: I Am Standing Behind You ]
Jeonha!
You must escape, Jeonha!
What's going on?
Rebels are storming the Palace.
One moment.
Which Department are you from?
I've never seen you before.
You murderer.
You killed 2000 innocents.
No. No!
They're the enemy. They're rebels!
The people's blood you shed
will be Joseon's tears
and come back as a curse!
Murderer.
- No. No! - Murderer.
- No.
- Murderer. - Stop! Stop!
Stop!
( Jipbokheon, residence of Royal Consort PARK )
Suk Ui Mama, I'm Eunuch Hong.
Eunuch Hong, nice to meet you.
Yes, Mama.
Are you alright, Mama?
Will you help my child tend the garden?
(Princess YEONG-EUN)
Yes, Mama.
The King's neurosis is worsening.
He must be having that nightmare.
Yes. My health isn't good
and he sleeps fitfully.
It's exhausting.
Could I have separate sleeping quarters...
These days, stay close
and keep an eye on him.
It will quiet down soon,
so don't do anything
to stir up trouble.
Yea.
Father.
( 7 years ago )
Jeoha.
I was looking for you.
I'm fine.
Doesn't it hurt?
I'm okay.
How can Mother rest in peace
if I can't handle a cut?
Yes, Jeoha.
You are admirable.
But, Jeoha...
the Queen asked me to pass a private message.
My mother?
What is it?
"Crying in sorrow"
"takes a man's courage".
She asked me to lend you my arms to cry in
if you are ever in sorrow.
Is that...true?
Then, please...
lend me your arms.
I am in sorrow now.
Yes, Jeoha.
This weed is stubborn, isn't it?
That's how to survive.
It stubbornly survives
on sunlight or water.
It's unlike delicate people...
I just thought of someone I know.
He's picky and fussy because of his upbringing.
If his temper equalled his looks...
Then what?
Then it'd be a bit more...
Hmm...
Why are you here, Flower Scholar?
And why are you here?
I'm working.
But then,
what do you really do?
- Want to know? - I do.
You went from eunuch to Royal Guard.
And now a playboy.
Be careful.
Of what?
You might upset higher-ups for playing around.
I'm warning you as a concerned friend.
Just listen.
Heck.
A friend?
When were we friends?
If not friends, what are we?
Master and Puppy.
Stop that! Don't say that.
I'm Hong Ra...
Hong Sam-Nom is a fine name.
Is Sam-Nom a fine name?
So what's your name?
Jeoha, are you awake?
Seja is here to see you.
Why's a man have these?
You're strange. I don't like it.
What are you...?
Oh, if you don't want to tell me, say so.
Oh my, oh my.
Oh, who's this.
It's been a while, Princess Yeong-Eun.
You came here personally.
I feel bad refusing you.
Jeoha, Jeonha is waiting.
Say you didn't see me.
Anyway, I'm always out.
Yes, I am aware.
Even two nights ago,
I came here with Jeonha.
Why?
Did he come to scold me?
That afternoon,
Jeonha saw you leaving the Royal Office.
Forgive my overstepping bounds.
The Analects state,
"Father conceals son's misconduct;"
"son conceals father's misconduct."
Will you both
always view each other's backs?
You asked for me?
I'm losing my mind.
I keep hearing things.
Even yesterday, I don't know
how much of it was a dream.
Prepare yourself.
I will soon
hand you this throne.
I don't want it.
You don't get to choose!
You're the nation's Crown Prince.
Seja.
Yes.
I had no choice being Crown Prince.
However, it's up to me
what kind of Crown Prince I'll be.
This is my letter to the King.
Pass it to the Daejeon eunuch.
Yes, Mama.
[ Eunuch Hong, please give that letter to my father ]
Eunuch Hong, please give that letter to my father.
Of course.
Don't worry. I promise.
What's this?
Can't you tell?
It's Jeonha's reply.
What?
How can you have a reply to this unread letter?
Haven't you heard?
Heard what?
You must pretend to do it well.
His reply is always blank,
so we have them ready.
Just give it to her.
What the...? Give that back.
You...! Do as you're told.
Who am I?
What's the fuss?
How is Consort Park's health?
I'm unsure, but she has a cough.
Still, she has energy to write.
Pardon?
Come closer.
Is it my pregnancy?
Little things annoy me.
I won't repeat myself.
Shut up
and take the letter the eunuch gives you.
Go.
Naeuri.
Do you have time?
You need to go with me.
Where to?
You'll see. Come.
Is this the place?
Why do I...?
Just because.
Palace life is difficult.
So then,
take a break here.
Sneak away from work?
You look like you need to.
You always show up when I'm in trouble. It's amazing.
Don't avoid the issue.
It's called fate.
Know why I'm grateful?
I do.
You do?
Pretending not to know.
Am I right?
You are.
If a lady won't tell,
a man shouldn't notice.
What lady?
Of course, keeping another man's secret is a man's duty.
Anyway, thank you
for not asking.
Let's rest.
When you sneak off, enjoy it.
I have to give this to him.
Should I give up on it?
- Are you okay? - Where's your head?
I'm sorry.
- They're appeals for Jeonha. - I'm so-
~ Moonlight Drawn by Clouds ~
Mama, I heard Jeonha took time
to write after reading your letter.
Is that true?
Yes. I'm sure, Mama.
I can smell the letter's scent.
Mama.
Now...
I should stop bothering him.
He must've wanted
to make that clear through you.
Does it...
It's my fault.
It's not your fault.
You may go.
Eunuch Hong.
Do me one more favour?
I foolishly can't let these go.
Take these
and burn them.
Mama.
What are these?
They're letters Consort Park
asked me to destroy.
Were you the courier?
Jeonha is so mean.
How can he always send her blank responses?
They're not Jeonha's replies.
Consort Park's letters never reach him.
Not this time.
Jeonha ordered me personally to deliver it to her.
If he still sent a blank reply,
why'd he call me?
Why would he do that?
How'd you deliver her letter?
Well,
I sneaked it into one of his Appeals.
Yet he sent a blank letter?
Yes.
Her last hope was killed by you.
Consort Park is unwell.
Please visit Jipbokheon.
I'll send the physician.
I can do that.
How would my visiting help?
Merely seeing you will help her.
This is something
only you can do.
The Queen is sensitive in pregnancy.
I'll wait for a better time
and think it over.
What do you fear?
Why is it you can't act?
No.
You won't act.
Just like when Mother died.
Father.
Why'd Mother suddenly die?
She died of an unknown illness.
That's all.
I heard staff talk.
It wasn't an illness!
- Who murdered Mother? - Seja.
Never say that aloud. Understand?
Father.
Uncover the truth.
Find them.
Punish whoever hurt Mother!
Seja!
You did nothing.
You did nothing and told me...
to just wait.
Though nothing would change,
though it was useless,
you should've acted, not trembled in hiding.
In Joseon, you are...
the King.
She asked me to burn this.
Why can't you? It's not yours.
I know.
It's nice scent makes me sad.
It's scented paper?
Yes.
It's a sweet apple scent.
What brings you so late?
I'll visit till you recover.
What if I'm not recovering
so I see you every day?
I threw away the blank letters.
It's been seven years
since I last met Jeonha
and started writing to him.
I should've stopped long ago.
Seven years ago,
you consoled me warmly when I lost Mother.
You've grown up.
Let me repay the kindness
you showed me that day.
Scared me!
Just say whatever you had to say.
How'd this happen?
It's apple vinegar.
The letters appear near fire.
Kim hyung!
You're my hyung*, right? (brother)
I didn't agree to that.
Hey, don't be like that.
"Kim hyung" sounds good.
I found the truth.
Jeonha's reply is a secret letter.
- What? - I'll tell you later.
H-hey.
Mama, let me in.
What's this fuss?
It's Eunuch Hong, Mama.
Let him in.
You need to go now.
Jeonha is waiting.
I don't understand. Explain.
Suk Ui, I half hope you'll read this
and half hope you won't discover it.
I am an incompetent king, a powerless husband,
and a faint-hearted father.
Forgive me
for expressing my feelings only this way.
Waiting for the day you may read this letter,
I walk every night in Ae Ryun Garden.
Though it was useless,
you had to act instead of trembling!
Because in Joseon...
you are king.
I... I can do nothing!
I must do nothing!
That way, you're safe.
When I tried to be King,
I lost 2000 people.
I lost my Queen.
I lost my teachers and friends the same way.
I am incompetent.
That's the only way I can protect my people.
I must...
I must do nothing.
I'm glad Consort Suk Ui found out
how Jeonha feels for her.
But why did he need a secret letter?
Jeonha rules the world.
What is there for him to hide from or fear?
I only realise now.
Before being King,
he is a loving husband
and my only father.
All you ever say is "It can't be done."
When I say left, you say right.
When I say right, you say left.
You always oppose me.
You keep saying I'm wrong.
Jeonha!
Hear me!
You don't dislike my decisions.
You dislike me ruling.
It isn't true, Jeonha.
Premier Kim can rule
since all the people respect him.
Jeonha, calm yourself.
You dislike it?
Then...
Minister of Taxation, you'd like the throne?
Jeonha.
Minister of Personnel, how about you?
Jeonha.
Ah, that's right.
We have young, smart Seja.
That's right.
Eunuch Han!
Yes, Jeonha.
Tell Seja to come now!
Oh, you're here, Seja. Good.
You all know
my incompetency
brought troubles.
Since I bemoan this,
Seja will be Regent.
Give your opinions.
Jeonha.
He's whining. Let's indulge him.
Revoke the order, Jeonha.
No Crown Prince so young has been a Regent.
Please revoke your order.
Does Premier Kim agree?
If Seja is willing to do it,
this is the best course.
Seja, speak up.
I am too startled to decide.
I look grown-up in this attire
but I am a mere child.
Why give me this difficult duty
when I fear leaving the nest?
Like father, like son, shaking in fear.
He acted strong. I pity him.
However,
on second thought,
there's no reason
I can't do it.
Your subject,
at Jeonha's command,
with great gladness,
accepts.
Those two are nuts.
I've something to say.
I will share your burden.
At tomorrow's Court,
make me Regent.
But I need something.
Yes. Say what you need.
The person I need,
when I'm scared,
to lean on...
is my father.
Yeong.
You'll serve at Poop Palace.
You should've done better at Jipbokheon.
Hong Sam-Nom.
Yes?
You lived in that haunted place.
Why'd you be startled?
I couldn't fend off the ghosts.
I befriended them.
Yes. I sought someone brave like you.
First, put these in the library.
Seja is reading in there.
So be quiet.
Yes.
Master Jang, Seja is there?
I can't go there...
Flower Scholar.
Why are you here?
What about you?
I'm on an errand.
Have you seen Seja?
I was told he's here.
Huh?
No.
I'm relieved. I was anxious.
What are you doing?
Only Seja comes in here.
If you're done,
- leave now. - Yes, alright.
Flower Scholar.
You heard him? Let's go.
Only Seja can come here.
Not coming?
Let's go now, before we run into Seja.
Why don't you tell him?
He'll find out anyway.
I'm warning you as a concerned friend.
Friend?
When were we friends?
If not friends, what are we?
And what's your name?
You...
asked my name.
Yi Yeong...is my name.
~ if you call for my love~
~ I'll try to be brave ~
~ ensouled in frozen flower petals ~
~ in the blowing wind, on the day you come to me ~
~ I will pray ~
~ you won't pass me by ~
~ Moonlight Drawn by Clouds ~
Treat me as a friend when we're alone.
It's an order.
What's our connection?
We share a secret.
Will you provoke a fight with
the envoy and Seja?
Ae Shim will do the final dance.
This festival is important.
He must be suffering criticism.
The final dance is soon, but she's missing.
What?
Isn't this Ae Shim's costume?