(This drama is a work of fiction created based on historical facts.)
(Most of the details and depictions of the characters are fictional.)
From now on,
no one can cross this point.
I swear by the moonlight.
This time, wherever you are,
I will make sure...
I find you.
(My Dearest)
You saved us!
My lady.
I thought you abandoned us, and I resented you.
That is...
I am sorry I misunderstood you.
I am very grateful.
Do not waste time here. You must go.
- Okay. - Come on.
My lady.
Coming.
I told you.
That I...
will definitely...
find you.
(Three days ago)
(Episode 7)
This is the last letter...
from Jang Hyun.
Your Highness.
Please end the war as soon as you can.
Insolent fool!
How dare you tell His Highness what to do?
But...
Jang Hyun will leave for the island tomorrow.
If the war drags on, we cannot guarantee...
when or whether he will even return.
Your Highness.
I shall meet him in person.
Hurry up!
Move it!
Sir.
My stomach hurts.
- Go. - Thank you.
Hurry up!
Have you gone mad?
Why did you come here?
So it was you who sent the letter.
I cannot believe this is happening.
One of the higher-ups is risking his life to come here.
I have already...
reported everything I know. Was it not enough?
I know you told us in advance that Ganghwa Island might be captured.
However, the court was worried that...
the Jingkang Incident might repeat so peace talks did not happen in time.
Now that Ganghwa Island has been captured,
if His Majesty also leaves the fortress,
how can we avoid facing what happened at Jingkang?
Is there any way to save our King?
I truly admire you.
Is the king's life that important in this situation?
Young soldiers are freezing to death,
intelligent scholars are getting their scalps skinned,
and dozens of women in Ganghwa Island have killed themselves.
You might as well have asked me how to save you.
Then,
I shall do my best to help you.
You may be acting like a petty and spiteful fool,
but you risked your life to come here for the people, did you not?
However,
the people can only live if the King is saved.
If the war ends with His Majesty dying at their hands,
we subjects shall become sinners for failing to save him.
The people...
will become subjects of a kingdom without a king.
Do you know the misery of being an orphaned child?
Do you know the pain of the people without their king?
How can you not know?
Are you simply pretending not to know?
Fine.
I shall play along with this once.
If you truly want to save the King,
please take advantage of the smallpox.
Will we be able to preserve our King and government?
Please give me a clear answer.
He asks for a clear answer if the king and government...
will be preserved.
That all depends on His Majesty.
It all depends on His Majesty.
Then, please let me meet His Majesty.
He wants...
to meet His Majesty.
You can talk to me.
In that case, let me meet Dodo.
I told you to talk to me.
Is it not possible because they have never had smallpox?
(Saengshin: one who has never contracted smallpox)
I know that there is a smallpox epidemic.
I also know...
that His Majesty and those like him have gone into hiding.
He knows that there is a smallpox epidemic.
Who spread such ridiculous rumors?
Ganghwa Island has been captured.
Your king cannot resist any longer!
Are you not scared that news of the epidemic will spread?
Take advantage of the smallpox?
Khan brought offerings for rituals.
(Ritual offerings: goods used for rituals)
Khan will make Joseon surrender...
to prove that he has Heaven's will. That is why he is here.
However, smallpox has spread.
Do you know what that means?
Usually, a smallpox outbreak...
means that the Heavens have been angered.
Since you are much more educated than me,
you should...
know what to do by now.
His Majesty...
highly treasures the royal seal he won...
when he made Mongolia surrender in Chahar.
Legend has it that...
the seal seeks for the one who will rule the earth.
Since the seal ended up in His Majesty's hands,
does that not mean...
that he became the Emperor due to Heaven's will?
However,
if word gets out that smallpox spread when he came to Joseon,
who will believe that His Majesty received Heaven's will?
Is smallpox not...
the fury of the Heavens?
Do you not know...
that we can wipe out all of you?
Before you wipe us out,
do you not know that this is a threat to Khan?
General. Ease your fury.
We also wish for amity.
But...
we have a condition.
They will not concede to...
the King staying in the fortress.
This is something you will have to accept.
If you disagree to that, they will...
storm into the fortress with culverins.
However,
if you promise them that you will stay mum about the outbreak,
even if the King leaves the fortress,
they will not be able to repeat what happened at Jingkang.
What they want the most...
is for the king of Joseon...
to bow down to them voluntarily.
Our King will leave the fortress.
However, if something like the Jingkang Incident happens,
even if my body is torn to shreds,
I will let the whole world know about the outbreak of smallpox...
and prove that the Heavens are against you.
They know...
that smallpox has spread...
and why Your Majesty is in hiding.
Everything is exposed.
Therefore,
in return for keeping mum about the outbreak,
they will only send us three officials who opposed amity...
and we are not to keep any captives after that.
Furthermore,
they have asked that the Jingkang Incident...
should not repeat itself.
Does Joseon have a skilled arbiter on their side?
The disease will not go away.
If we do not withdraw our troops anytime soon, you may...
I am a son of the skies!
I will not get smallpox.
I will wipe them out!
I shall chew on them...
to their bone marrow.
Are they still sitting out there in the snow,
in silence?
They are opposed to me leaving the fortress with their lives.
Should I be thankful for their loyalty?
Or should I be resentful...
for their fidelity to die with me?
Your Majesty.
I have no way of knowing whether my son is alive or not.
You are our only hope now.
So please,
leave the fortress.
Preserve the state.
Do you believe Khan will let me live...
after dragging me out of the fortress?
Your Majesty,
Khan is not just trying to drag you away.
He is pushing your departure in order to show the whole world...
that you have become his servant.
That is right.
I should leave the fortress.
However, even if they are to let me live,
a king who lowers his head to intruders...
is as good as dead.
I deposed Gwanghae for communicating in private...
with the intruders.
But if I bow down to them now,
who will want to serve me?
Who will consider me their king?
Even if the world misunderstands you,
I know.
You are enduring humiliation for your country.
Only...
those who are brave are capable of withstanding humiliation...
to save lives.
Yes.
Only you...
will be able to know how I feel.
Even if the whole world turns their backs on me,
you,
my son...
Father.
Your Majesty, do not trust them.
If you leave,
they will repeat the Jingkang Incident.
- Your Majesty! - At first, the intruders said...
they would make peace if we sent the Crown Prince.
But even after promising to send the Crown Prince,
they made you lower yourself,
and after that, they made you leave the fortress.
Now, they are trying to drag you away,
Your Majesty!
- Please do not leave the fortress, - Please do not leave the fortress,
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
- Please do not leave the fortress, - Please do not leave the fortress,
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
- Please do not leave the fortress, - Please do not leave the fortress,
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
- Please do not leave the fortress, - Please do not leave the fortress,
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
- Please do not leave the fortress, - Please do not leave the fortress,
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
- Please do not leave the fortress, - Please do not leave the fortress,
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
Where are you going?
The turmoil is over.
What do you mean by that?
Does that mean His Majesty has been dragged away?
Did he lose his life?
No.
His Majesty left the fortress,
but they let him live.
His Majesty bowed down to the intruders nine times.
How embarrassing.
Darn you. Thanks to that, the war is now over.
Then did you want to keep running away for the rest of your life?
That is not what I meant.
How ignorant.
The war is over.
My lady.
Let us go.
Let us go home.
What is this?
Darling.
Darling!
Darling! My darling.
Honey.
You went through so much.
Our baby.
Goodness. Oh, my.
Goodness.
Gil Chae.
You are alive.
What took you so long?
I thought you were never coming back. I thought you were dead.
It is okay.
Father.
- Gil Chae. - Hey.
Father.
Father, it is me, Gil Chae.
Gil Chae?
You know my daughter?
As soon as we crossed the river,
we ran into the intruders.
Eun Ae, your father...
said he would lure them and give them the slip.
Thanks to him, we survived.
But your father was caught.
After catching him,
the intruders got mad, saying he was just a weak, old man...
and killed him on the spot.
We saw everything while hiding.
Father could not get involved because of us.
And then he ended up...
- Eun Ae. - My lady.
- I am sorry.
- My lady. - I am so sorry, Eun Ae.
My lady.
I acknowledge those who made a big contribution during the chaos.
In the midst of war, they pierced through enemy lines and reached the fortress...
to deliver the message to His Majesty.
Scholar Nam Yeon Jun.
Scholar Choi Dae O.
The brave envoys who entered the fortress,
protecting and guiding His Majesty.
Seo Heun Nam.
Yoon Yeo Yi. Sun Se Kyu.
The heroic figures who cut down the enemy and raised the nation's stature.
An Bok Cho.
Commander Gu Won Moo.
In particular, Gu Won Moo...
single-handedly annihilated a dozen enemy soldiers...
and saved the Crown Prince's first son.
Form groups of four, disperse,
and start to search the land.
Let us get moving.
- Okay. - Okay.
If I catch this guy, I will just...
I...
Look.
Hey.
Jang Hyun!
Goodness.
My goodness, Jang Hyun.
Why are you crying? Did someone die?
The tenant farmers who plowed the land.
It is uncertain whether they are dead or taken as captives.
There is no hope of their return.
The harvested grains were all taken away by the intruders,
leaving nothing for seeding.
Those jerks will receive divine punishment.
And yet you have returned.
I had to come back.
By the way, everything we earned through our efforts...
was taken away by the intruders.
And I am very sorry about that.
Even if I have to die, I will die by my lady's side.
For the farmers to return,
prepare the lands for farming, and produce crops,
it would take a couple of years at the minimum.
What should do?
Go. You intruders.
- Go. Go away! - Dad.
- Go away! - Dad.
I came all the way from Hanyang to deliver a letter.
Where is Master Kyung's residence?
Master.
Are you safe amid this turmoil?
Dae O and I entered the fortress unharmed...
and were able to serve His Majesty.
His Majesty has appointed me...
as a Senior Sixth Rank officer of the Office of Royal Decrees.
(Suchan: Senior sixth rank officer of Hongmoongwan)
Due to the turmoil, the Court is extremely busy,
making it impossible for us to return to Neunggun-ri.
His Majesty has granted a residence,
so if it is not suitable for Nunggun-ri to stay in during this turmoil,
I wish you and Lady Eun Ae...
would join me in Hanyang.
Young Master Yeon Jun is safe.
That is great news, Eun Ae.
Bless him.
My goodness.
Father.
Come with us.
I guess we will be parting ways now.
Forever.
Parting ways?
I will not go anywhere without you.
Father is not with us anymore. And you will leave us too?
Lady Gil Chae plotted this...
so she could go to Hanyang with us, did she not?
What are you talking about?
Lady Eun Ae begged her to come with her.
Goodness.
Do you not want us to come along?
That is not what I said.
It is just that I am so happy.
After all we have been together.
Look at you.
You treated me far better than that lame husband of mine.
You and...
the ladies all did.
But still,
if your lady tries to take Young Master Yeon Jun...
- away once again... - Come on!
Look.
It is so pretty.
Look at these flowers.
Look.
You look even stronger now.
Should I write it now...
A wife who turned to stone?
You are haunted by her.
All right.
It feels so good.
My lady!
Who is going to fix this now?
Gil Chae.
Thank you for coming with me.
As long as I am with you,
I can go anywhere.
Let us go.
Where are we going?
We must go to Neunggun-ri.
We are headed to Neunggun-ri, right?
Yes, we are headed to Neunggun-ri. Do not worry, Father.
I already did it.
Goodness.
It is a mess.
Buy this.
Even if it is in the middle of a war, Hanyang is different.
Look how bright the ladies' skins are.
Is the water here different?
Still, I do not see any lady...
who is prettier than me.
People never change.
Lady Gil Chae, look.
It is all right.
Do not give up.
You must never give up.
Please.
Father!
Father, please!
Father, I beg you.
Father!
I beg you, please!
Father, please!
Father!
Father, please!
Watch out.
Father!
Come over here.
Hurry up. Come here already.
Where are you going?
Are you leaving me behind again?
Have I told you?
When you smile,
I can hear the marvels of Peru blossom.
Did I ever tell you that?
Jang Hyun!
Where on earth is he?
Tell me about it.
Right?
Do you even know who I am talking about?
Were you not referring to Young Master Jang Hyun?
You are a funny one.
Why should I care about where Young Master Jang Hyun is?
Forget it then.
That is not the point.
He has lovers all over the country, is a misogamist,
and talks about mulling or something. Why should I care about him?
Even if I am curious, how is it my business where he is?
What?
He will find me wherever I am?
Goodness.
Just look at him blabbering on.
Consider yourself lucky.
You will be hearing the voice of the best singer in Joseon.
You can only hear a voice like his in Hanyang.
You are alive.
I knew you would be.
It is called Ushimjung as it stands for happiness and sorrow?
What a strange name.
There is also an Ushimjung near the Japanese office, no?
(Waegwan: where Japanese diplomacy and trading occurs)
Why did you come?
His Highness went to Simyang as a hostage.
I do not know if I can...
serve His Highness well in such a foreign and barren place.
On that note,
can you come with us to Simyang?
If you come along, I will be assured as if I had a thousand troops.
I am not interested.
Enjoy your stay here.
His Highness will offer you a great reward.
- My lord! - You are here!
- Why did you take so long? - Get the food ready.
Hello.
Come on.
Look at them having fun at this time.
The war barely ended.
Goodness.
That way.
Let us go.
What are you doing?
This is Young Master Yeon Jun's house.
Oh, all right.
Jong Jong and Lady Gil Chae definitely live here too.
- Sure. - Yes.
Why are you not going in?
I am going now.
- Let us go in. - Yes.
No, forget it. Let us leave.
Gu Jam!
Young Master Jang Hyun?
How have you been?
After you disappeared in the mountains,
I was very worried.
Well,
I have been here and there, doing decently.
I must say, where did Gil Chae go? She is late.
Jong Jong, is Gil Chae still not back yet?
Wait, Lady Eun Ae.
I did not come to see Lady Gil Chae.
She often goes out these days...
and only returns after sunset.
Seems like she wanted to explore Hanyang.
She went to explore Hanyang?
By any chance,
do you know...
where she often stops by?
You must have had a hard time.
What?
I mean,
you must have had it worse than me.
Well, we enjoyed our stay at Mount Gwanggyo.
After that...
You know, Lady Gil Chae insisted...
that we had to go to Ganghwa Island.
Goodness, that stubborn girl.
She would not tell us why...
we had to go there.
She just stubbornly insisted...
that we had to get to Ganghwa Island no matter what.
We had such a terrible time at Ganghwa Island.
I have to get going.
Gu Jam, let us go.
Wait...
Darn it.
Since we are already here, why not stay longer?
Why did you get up?
Did you commit a crime?
You are alive.
My, who do we have here?
Your face is perfectly glowing.
Why should I look otherwise?
Do you know how much I suffered?
You told me to go to Ganghwa Island.
You said it would be safe!
Well, I see you are perfectly fine.
And you are as energetic as ever.
I almost died, you know!
Did you wait for me?
Wait for you? Who says so?
Well,
we were totally fine without you.
An amazing military officer saved us.
I see.
- Is that so? - Yes.
We were about to be caught by the intruders,
but he fought against 17 of them on his own to save us.
You were extremely lucky, were you not?
But...
that military officer said something strange.
What did he say?
He said it was not him who did away with all those intruders.
So I wanted to ask,
by any chance, did we...
ever meet on the island?
"Island?"
What island?
Right?
Of course. It would be impossible to become one of them...
in that short amount of time, no matter how odd you may be.
I heard you disappeared out of the blue while in Namhan Fortress.
Did you flee because you were afraid that the fortress would be captured?
Seeing how unscathed you are,
it is a good thing you ran away.
Since we got to meet again...
Is it nice?
No.
Are you glad?
Says who?
Darn.
I am extremely glad and happy to see you again.
Though I do not know who he is, hearing how you survived...
thanks to the military officer who fought 17 to 1,
I am so thankful.
What is it?
Are you starting to have feelings for that military officer now?
Excuse me, young master.
I am not someone who likes multiple people like someone else.
And I am?
You visit places like this.
You should know the best.
What is it? What are you doing?
I have been curious for a while now.
About what?
Your fan.
Do you not feel cold, fanning yourself in the winter?
I assumed it was bravado,
but you looked cold.
I...
feel hotter than others!
I see.
You generate more heat.
Then you can continue cooling yourself down.
I will be leaving now.
Why did you lie?
I thought you saved her by fighting 17 to 1.
Why did you not tell her that?
Just because...
it is embarrassing.
He is so frugal.
So he was here?
And this is for you.
Why is this for me?
Did he tell you to give it to me?
No, he never said that,
but I doubt it is for me or Jong Jong...
Is it for me?
Whatever.
If it was for me, he would have told me earlier.
You met Young Master Jang Hyun? Where?
Where do you think?
He is as promiscuous as the rumors.
He was entering Usimjeong or whatever like it was his house.
That place sells alcohol and laughter.
But how were you there as well?
- What? - Usimjeong?
Did you ask Young Master Dae O about that place to go there?
- What? - Oh, my.
You went there yourself...
to see Young Master Jang Hyun?
Why do my ears itch? Is there something inside?
Goodness.
Why do you all sound so cheerful?
The thing is, Young Master Jang Hyun was here.
You met Young Master Jang Hyun?
- Is he safe? - Yes.
Where is he right now?
I should also meet him.
Long time no see.
Welcome.
Young Master Jang Hyun.
I am upset.
Why did you not let me know how you were doing?
You have become a Senior Sixth Rank officer...
for the Office of Royal Decrees.
Yes.
Okay. We can continue talking later.
Let us go inside.
But...
can we go somewhere else...
instead of a place like this?
"A place like this?"
This is my house.
How is a brothel your house?
Since it is my friend's house, it is also my house.
You know my friend, Ryang Eum, right?
The unparalleled singer, Ryang Eum.
It has been a while.
Here. Eat up.
There may not be a lot due to the war,
but it will still be good.
Is that so?
It is tasty.
By the way, Young Master Yeon Jun,
do you remember the day we met on the road to Mount Gwanggyo?
I mean,
your clothes were torn...
and you were limping, but you were still so determined to save the King.
After that,
it was as if he had been starving his entire life...
What was it again? Right.
He devoured that rice ball.
It was all over his face.
Faithful scholars go through such hardships.
He is obviously different from someone who only tries to flee.
No.
Young Master Jang Hyun is right.
I was a complete mess.
I am alive today thanks to Young Master Jang Hyun.
Madam Bang Doo.
Why did she drink so much?
Did you not know?
My lady loves drinking.
It is just that she does not drink often.
In the near future,
I am planning on proposing to Lady Eun Ae.
If I ask her to hold our marriage when her father is not here,
it will be heartbreaking for her.
Please look after her, Lady Gil Chae.
If Soon Yak was alive,
it would have been nice for us to hold a joint marriage...
as we discussed in Neunggun-ri.
I should be the one to make Eun Ae pretty for her marriage.
I guess we will not ever talk in private again.
Before Soon Yak died,
he asked me something strange.
You...
like Lady Gil Chae, do you not?
I could not deny it.
Why could I not do it?
It is too late.
What could you not deny?
Never mind it.
I am drunk,
and I was just being silly.
Please...
tell me.
Lady Gil Chae.
I know it.
That your feeling for me...
is like the feeling of a young child who is eager to get...
the toy she wants.
Once you get a hold of me,
your feelings will soon die down.
What you are saying is...
that you are not choosing me...
because you think my feelings will die down?
Do not take me for a fool.
My feelings are genuine.
I...
Let us stop here.
It is fine if you marry Eun Ae.
But for the last time,
tell me.
Tell me honestly.
For even just once,
have you liked me...
as a woman?
From this moment forward,
we will never have a conversation like this again.
What kind of a man are you?
Young Master Jang Hyun.
I know men like you very well.
You are too full of thoughts...
to follow your heart.
You are too full of regrets...
that you cannot live the way your reason tells you to live.
So...
you let those poor women decide it for you...
and hide behind their skirts,
enjoying watching their sad eyes.
You wonder about,
saying that you are doing something big for the nation.
But in truth, you cannot keep your family well...
unless your woman takes the matter into her own hands.
You are very drunk.
Why do not we go to my house and drink some more?
You have not changed at all.
You are still so naive that you cannot decipher foe from an ally.
If you were not Lady Eun Ae's fiancé,
I would break that pale neck of yours.
So this is the palace I have heard about so many times.
Make me a position at Simyang.
What made you change your mind?
Everyone thinks the way to Simyang is the death road.
I want to go because I might die on the way.
If I am scared to die,
I will probably have no time to think about other things.
Where have you been? You have not even eaten anything.
Should we...
go to the Qing?
We just recently came to Hanyang. Why would we leave?
I do not want to go. I will not go.
Fine. You should stay then, Gu Jam.
- Jang Hyun. - When are we leaving?
Will I have time to retrieve my clothes?
Will you follow him everywhere, even if it was the toilet?
He is coming with me.
See?
Ryang Eum is the true friend.
You must feel flustered to see Young Master Yeon Jun...
rushing the marriage.
Why do you care?
When will you develop better taste in man?
Will you have better taste in man by the time I return?
You are going somewhere again?
Why?
Are you sad that I am leaving?
When did I say I was?
No. You look...
a little sad.
Whether you go over there or come here, I am not interested.
Is that right?
I heard you have a woman in every eight provinces.
Are you going to go flower viewing in Jeolla Province this time?
Or will you sing the flower song in Gyeongsang Province?
Then about a month later, you will return and seduce me all over again.
But that will not happen.
I am going to the Qing.
I will serve the Crown Prince.
The Qing?
It is too far to return in a month.
Why all of a sudden?
See?
You are sad to see me go.
That is not true.
I guess you plan to go to the Qing and date one of the foreign intruders.
I wish I had the time to do that.
I heard I might get attacked by the foreign intruders...
and die in Simyang.
If I am...
lucky enough to survive it...
and if we meet again,
then we should...
have a serious conversation.
Although...
I had made up my mind to not believe in marriage,
if the only way to make...
a certain woman mine is through marriage,
then I am...
willing to marry.
You consider that a marriage proposal?
There is no rush.
I can wait for a very long time.
I always say this,
but you need to mature up, you know.
Gosh.
It is strange.
What is?
Looking into the mirror does not make me feel any better.
When Young Master Yeon Jun joined the military,
I felt better while looking at my pretty self in the mirror.
Why am I not feeling any better today?
Stare longer.
Right?
I would feel better if I stared a little longer, right?
Gosh.
I should go and yell at him.
I prefer this one to this.
Are you that bad at picking horses?
You can tell from their buttocks.
Since this one has a fuller backside,
he will run further.
My lady, what brings you here?
I have something to tell you.
I am here to ask since I could not yesterday.
About what?
What big dreams you have.
If you came back,
did you think I would meet with you?
- Did you come here to say that? - Yes.
Just bear in mind that I will not meet you.
Since I am done, I shall take my leave.
Why will you not meet me?
Were you not the one...
who gave me her accessory so that I would stay safe?
When did I?
The ribbon is not mine.
- What? - What?
I did not say it was a ribbon.
I see.
You mean...
this was your ribbon?
Do not take back what you gave.
I did not. I lost it!
My goodness!
Seems like you lost it by hiding it deep in my bottle.
Give it back!
Hurry!
You know,
I plan to hold on to this ribbon until I die.
If you really want to take it,
here.
Put your hand in and try to take it.
You are definitely...
a lowlife, a scoundrel, and a cad!
Let go of me!
What are you...
Do you feel it?
I do not understand myself either.
Why is it that when I look at you,
my silly heart makes such a big fuss?
My lady.
Did you really want to kiss me?
A man like you...
can die by the intruders' hands. See if I care...
I know you do not love me yet.
I also know that...
your heart still belongs to Yeon Jun.
However,
even if you do not love me,
please do not forget me.
On this day,
this very moment you spent with me...
Do not ever forget it.
(My Dearest)
I must meet him again.
There is only one thing I desire.
That is your heart.
I cannot do that.
Will a man who shakes your heart despite having a fiancée...
be good for you?
Just leave!
Go and die!
The man in my dreams has to be Young Master Yeon Jun.
What is it that Young Master Yeon Jun has...
but I do not?
He is not someone I can forget easily.
You are so cruel.
(Subtitles are provided by KOCOWA.)