(Episode 17)
Sit.
Tell me...
what you know about my birth parents and what kind of people they were.
As you are aware,
I am a warden at Jeonokseo.
When I was young,
I met a man named Park Tae Soo.
He was imprisoned in the underground cell...
for 20 years for committing treason.
I heard that felons are only imprisoned...
for around one year.
If he committed treason, he would've been sent on exile or executed.
Why was he imprisoned for 20 years?
I found it out later that Sir Park Tae Soo...
was locked up for such a long time...
because of Her Majesty's order.
And...
what has he got to do with me?
Sir Park Tae Soo...
is...
your grandfather.
What?
How dare you!
Are you saying my grandfather was a traitor?
The person who framed Sir Park Tae Soo for committing treason...
and caused his death was Lord Yoon Won Hyung.
But you are...
betrothed to be his son-in-law.
Shut your mouth. Watch what you say.
What's going on?
My lady, when are we going home?
I will find out who the girl Officer Sung is seeing is.
Why would you want to know such things?
That's none of your business.
Excuse me.
How can I help you?
I am Lord Yoon Won Hyung's daughter.
What are you doing here, my lady?
Do you know the woman who just went into Officer Sung's office?
Yes. She's Ok Nyeo, one of Jeonokseo's wardens.
A warden?
Yes. Is something wrong?
No.
She's the lady who will marry Officer Sung.
She takes after her mother. She's quite a looker.
Wake up.
Ok Nyeo.
I heard that name before.
That's right. It's her.
I saw her before.
When?
Our ancestors put face before birth and heart before face.
That means that your thoughts...
are much more important than your birth date or face.
Still, if I were to dare read your face,
you have round pupils underneath...
eyelids with a crease in them.
People who read faces call those "virtuous eyes".
But guess what?
The bandits kidnapped her instead of me.
They almost killed her.
That is such a cruel twist of fate.
It bothers me so much.
Why?
I have a bad feeling.
A feeling that she'll get in my way.
Stop being so silly.
She narrowly escaped death in your place.
That's exactly it. I think that this time,
I might have to suffer for her sake.
I hate that idea.
I can't play along when she talks such nonsense.
"I might have to suffer."
Come along. My lady!
Sir Gong...
visited Lord Yoon.
He begged Lord Yoon...
to save you.
That's why he helped you out.
I thought that's was it.
But I think...
there's something going on between Sir Gong and Lord Yoon.
I have a hunch.
The inventory doesn't correspond with the ledger.
Be more careful.
Hey, Tae Won.
Did the brassware merchant give you any promissory notes?
I think he's stealing from us.
Is Sir Gong in?
Yes, in his office...
What's wrong with him today?
Tae Won.
What great timing. I was just about to call you.
Is it true that you asked Lord Yoon to save my life?
- Who told you that? - I asked if it's true.
Yes. I went to see Lord Yoon...
and asked for his help.
Why? Because you didn't know what happened between us?
Why did you do that?
What should I have done, then?
You were being framed for treason.
Should I have let you die?
I decide whether I live or die.
You shouldn't have stepped in!
You little...
It's not just about you.
Whether you live or die impacts me as well.
I wouldn't have gone to him if I knew of any other way.
But think as I might, I couldn't come up with anything else.
Calm down and take a seat.
Okay.
Now that you know,
I might as well tell you everything.
I met Lord Yoon...
a few more times since then.
He regrets abandoning you years ago,
and not taking you in.
He does what? Do you believe that?
You have no idea how two-faced he can be.
Watch it.
You may hate him, but still, there are things you should not say.
You aren't a father yourself,
but you should know how a father must feel.
What do you want me to do then?
Do you want me to go to him...
and thank him for saving my life?
- Is that what you want? - What I'm saying is...
no matter how hard you deny,
you can never cut off...
your tie with your father.
Lord Yoon...
wants to help you in any way.
He even made an offer...
that he'll support our organisation behind your back.
Accept his offer only if you want to cut all your ties with me.
Tae Won.
If you really...
want to get back at Lord Yoon and Jung Nan Jung,
using Lord Yoon's offer can be a good way.
If Jung Nan Jung...
finds out that he is behind you, she will get furious.
Then they will fight each other tooth and nail.
You'd get your revenge done without getting your hands dirty.
I'm not saying this...
as the head merchant.
I'm giving you this advice as an elder in life.
Think deep and hard about it.
This is...
what Sir Park Tae Soo left before he passed away.
He told me to give this to you...
if I find you.
I don't need it.
It has nothing to do with me.
Take it back.
And...
let me warn you.
If I hear the story you told me today from others,
I will never forgive you.
You may leave now.
Dear...
my grandson.
I cannot imagine how hard it must have been...
for you to go through such hard time...
without your parents.
This short letter...
might not heal your wound.
However, I wish to say...
that I am sorry.
By the time this letter falls into your hands,
I may be gone from this world.
I'm leaving you...
a map along with this letter.
If you go to the place I marked on the map,
you'll find something valuable...
which can help your life.
Lastly,
Ok Nyeo, who will give you this letter,
was my dearest friend...
and the only trainee.
Please take care of her...
as much as you can.
The person who framed Sir Park Tae Soo for committing treason...
and caused his death was Lord Yoon Won Hyung.
But you are betrothed to be his son-in-law.
You're here.
I'm sorry for being late.
Don't mention it. I just got here, too.
Sit down.
Let me pour you a glass.
No, my lord.
- I must pour you first. - Come on.
I believe...
that you must be able to hold your drink...
in order to get ahead in the world.
I'll see how good you are at it.
You'd better be prepared.
Lift your glass.
Let's forget about the rigid discipline between us.
Today,
we're drinking man to man.
Understood?
Yes, my lord.
Please allow me to pour you a drink.
Okay.
Let's drink.
It's good.
You drink very well. That's good.
May I...
ask you a question?
Go on. What is it?
By any chance,
do you know a man named Park Tae Soo?
How...
do you know Park Tae Soo?
It was...
one of the names of the spies I was investigating on.
I and Park Tae Soo...
had a seriously ill-fated relationship.
He was my political enemy who stood against me.
Above all,
he'd been a stumbling block...
in every step I took.
However,
you know who I am.
I'm Yoon Won Hyung.
Of course, I didn't just sit back and let him bug me.
I framed him as a traitor and got rid of him.
Anyone who goes against me...
finally loses his own life.
All right.
I'll pour you a drink.
Did you want to see me?
I did.
Did you see Lord Yoon here?
No, I didn't.
He's drinking with an officer from the Police Bureau.
The officer who arrested you for treason.
He'll become Lord Yoon's son-in-law soon.
They didn't call for any girls.
They are drinking alone.
He's been neglecting you, his own son.
It disgusts me to see him make a big fuss over his son-in-law.
I nearly spat on his face.
Good. Have another glass.
You understand what I mean, right?
If you really...
want to get back at Lord Yoon and Jung Nan Jung,
using Lord Yoon's offer can be a good way.
If Jung Nan Jung...
finds out that he is behind you, she will get furious.
They will fight each other tooth and nail.
You'd get your revenge done without getting your hands dirty.
I and Park Tae Soo...
had a seriously ill-fated relationship.
He was my political enemy who stood against me.
Above all,
he'd been a stumbling block...
in every step I took.
However,
you know who I am.
I am Yoon Won Hyung.
Of course, I didn't just sit back and let him bug me.
I framed him as a traitor and got rid of him.
Anyone who goes against me...
finally loses his own life.
How did the funeral go?
Fine, Sir.
I don't even know what to say to you.
You lost your entire family.
How can they tell us to lock you up...
in Jeonokseo again?
I'm sorry.
Why should you be sorry?
I'm the one who should apologise.
That's not true at all.
Let's go now.
I can't even imagine what it'd feel like...
to come back to this prison after losing parents and children.
Gosh, I don't even know what we live for.
Poverty is the worst sin and punishment.
Man Soo!
Hey! What happened to you?
I got beaten up during the hazing ritual in the cell.
Did you say hazing ritual?
Who's the rat that did this?
You said that we wouldn't end up in Jeonokseo!
You said you know all the chiefs of the Police Bureau.
What is this mess?
Well, it's because things didn't really go as planned.
Think of Jeonokseo as your home.
You two will get special treatments...
and have a comfortable stay here. Don't worry at all.
Trust me, okay?
- We can trust you, right? - Of course!
You expect us to trust you?
Sir! Officer Yoo!
Gosh, it's been so long! You've been well, right?
Do I know you?
I'm Chun Doong!
Oh, you're that guy who pickpockets.
How dare you act like you know me?
- Pardon me? - Get lost, you rat!
- Goodness. - I knew it.
Treasurer Ji! I'm back!
Are you proud that you're back here in Jeonokseo?
You fool. You're old enough to know better.
Until when are you going to keep coming back here?
Come to your senses already, will you?
- Yes, Sir. - Goodness.
Gosh.
Darn it.
That was so embarrassing.
Goodness, I'm mortified.
Hey! What are you looking at?
Is the food being distributed to the prisoners without any issues?
Yes, Sir.
I'm assuming no one is complaining any more.
Of course not.
Good. I'm happy to hear that.
I've had a number of revelations as of late.
Politics is nothing complicated.
Ensuring that no one is starving is all they have to do.
The problem with this nation is that it's not being done.
It is completely ludicrous.
Sir. On that note,
there's something I need to discuss with you.
What is it?
Well...
We overcame the ration crisis...
by going through hoops to get the rice.
It's only a temporary solution.
We don't know when we'll run out of rice again.
I think that we need a long-term plan...
to maintain stable food supply.
I was thinking the same thing.
I was going to tell Treasurer Ji to put aside...
some of the rice we currently have...
for future famine relief.
That won't be sufficient for famines that go on for a long time.
I think that Jeonokseo needs its own source of revenue.
Are you suggesting that we should make money? How?
If you make up your mind, I can help you make money, as well.
I wouldn't turn down such a great opportunity.
What are you thinking, exactly?
We can sell the prisoners' labour.
- What? - We'll sell their labour...
at a low cost...
and use the profit to run Jeonokseo.
Some of the profit will go to you, of course.
- How ingenious! - To do that,
you'll need to get an approval from Law Enforcement...
that allows our prisoners to work outside of Jeonokseo.
But we're not talking about a few prisoners here.
Tens of hundreds of prisoners will need...
to be able to leave Jeonokseo.
Would that be allowed?
You'll need to persuade them.
Tell them we have no choice but to come up with a plan...
to save our prison because of the ration supply...
being cut off.
In the past, there were a few occasions where prisoners...
of Jeonokseo were sent to carry out various jobs for military purposes.
Emphasise that what we're requesting isn't unprecedented.
All right.
I'll ask.
You should meet the former officer of Law Enforcement, Kim Tae Jung.
He'll definitely help you if you mention my name.
How do you know the former officer of Law Enforcement?
He and Sir Lee Ji Ham used to study together.
I met him once in the past.
I see. By the way,
do you have any ideas of whom we can sell the labour to?
I'll figure it out.
All right.
Did something bad happen?
You look so worried.
My niece and nephew whom I dearly love...
are locked up in Jeonokseo now.
I'm so worried about them...
that I can't even get anything done.
Don't worry too much.
It's not like Jeonokseo is not liveable. They'll learn a lot.
Definitely. I picked up 80 percent...
of my swindling tricks from Jeonokseo.
Right. I also got a lot of studying done...
in the cell.
He should just lock himself up and study, then. Why did he get out?
My goodness.
Ok Nyeo!
How are Man Soo and Man Ok doing?
They're doing well. Don't worry.
Take good care of them, please.
Worrying about them has made my heart shrivel like this.
Chun Doong is there with them, so please don't worry too much.
Okay, thanks.
Goodness.
That incompetent rat, Chun Doong, is a bigger problem.
I'm so frustrated.
There you are, Ok Nyeo.
Tell us. Are the prisoners being fed without any issues now?
- Yes. - I wonder if they know...
that they'd have no food if it weren't for us.
If you want to be thanked,
you should go around the entire village...
and tell people about how we swindled Jung Nan Jung.
Goodness, I don't want to die!
I'm just saying it.
Why did you want to see me?
There's something I need to discuss with you urgently.
What is it?
I'm leaving the money here!
What? Sell the prisoners' labour?
You think that makes sense?
Why not?
They'll make a cheap and easily controllable labour force.
Merchants who are determined to maximise their profit won't say no.
Whom should we approach?
Let me think.
Ok Nyeo.
Do you know how salt is made?
Salt?
Yes. I think that talking to a merchant who makes salt...
could give you an idea.
Please be careful not to break that.
- Yes, Ma'am. - Did you record everything?
Yes, Ma'am.
Is Sir Yoon Tae Won here?
Who are you anyway?
Why do you keep asking for Sir Yoon?
I have something to discuss with him.
You're being ridiculous.
What do you need to talk to him about?
I have no reason to tell you what it's about.
What did you just say?
You're a mere warden.
Come here.
How dare you look straight into my eyes!
I don't want to fight with you, so please stop it.
What? You wench...
Listen. Do you want to get beaten up by a mere warden?
What?
If you know of anyone who's been in Jeonokseo, ask the person about me.
Many prisoners...
have become almost crippled after getting beaten up by me.
Get lost unless you want to be punched.
Oh, Ok Nyeo!
Sir Yoon!
When did you two become so close?
I need to talk to you about something.
All right. Let's go in.
Gosh, she's scary.
Does your organisation...
also sell salt?
Yes. We have a small salt kiln in Gangwon Province,
but it doesn't yield much salt.
We sell it to pedlars who sell salt,
so the profit is marginal, as well.
Why do you ask?
I heard that the salt business can be very profitable.
Why don't you do more with it?
If you want to make a lot of money through selling salt,
you should do business with the government.
70 percent of the salt which the country needs...
is collected from public salt kilns managed directly by the government.
30 percent of the amount is filled by organisations that own kilns.
We compete with each other to sell to the Price Policy Division.
However, Jung Nan Jung...
has an exclusive supply contract.
Other organisations can't even try.
If you can compete against Jung Nan Jung...
in getting the supply contract,
would you be interested in expanding the salt business?
I'll definitely do it if it'd be possible. How will we win, though?
- Hello, Sir Yoon. - Hello, Sir Yoon.
Salt can be made in two ways.
One is enclosing seawater in fields...
and letting the water evaporate through exposure to the sun.
The other one is extracting salt...
through boiling seawater in wood-fired kilns.
The amount of yields...
varies depending on the number of labourers.
The number of labourers for getting firewood and carrying seawater...
is what decides the amount.
If you could...
hire cheap labour, would that help...
increase your profit?
Yes.
But whose labour is that cheap?
Jeonokseo's prisoners.
What?
If you want to,
you can hire our prisoners.
Did you find out?
Yes.
I just returned from Pyongyang.
Is their mining surveyor...
called Lim Chang Gook?
The name is right,
but he never came to Hanyang.
He was in Pyongyang all this time.
What?
Do you mean we were duped?
Yes, I think so.
I believe...
Yoon Tae Won was involved.
Very well.
Where's Nan Jung?
She'll be with Shin Hye in her room.
Why? Is something wrong?
Yes.
We were duped.
What are you talking about?
Lim Chang Gook, the mining surveyor.
He was a fake.
- What? - I had my doubts,
so I sent Dong Chang to Pyongyang to check.
What did I tell you?
I told you that Tae Won was up to something.
I think we should...
keep it from Nan Jung.
We were conned.
Why do you want to cover it up?
If she were to find out what happened,
things will get out of hand.
It seems that Lord Yoon...
wants to take Tae Won in.
What?
Shouldn't you try to stop him?
We can't stop a father...
- from taking in his son. - Oh dear.
We should do something.
Dong Joo.
Tell Officer Sung to come and see me.
Is something wrong?
He's not been nice to Shin Hye.
She is heartbroken.
I shall put him in his place.
Very well.
Sir.
We just dropped off some prisoners at Jeonokseo.
I heard that something strange happened recently.
Someone came by masquerading as...
a Law Enforcement officer.
I believe someone is going around...
pretending to be an official.
Don't you think we should track him down?
Sir?
Do as you see fit.
What's wrong with him?
Lord Yoon's daughter came to see him recently.
Do you think...
they're having problems?
What kind of problems?
The break-up kind?
Why are you grinning?
No reason.
You aren't sane. You need help.
Your Majesty.
You look upset.
Is something bothering you?
I received...
a somewhat perplexing petition.
It mentioned...
the atrocities that Lord Yoon and his wife had committed.
It was very detailed.
Someone wrote that to confuse your mind.
- Just ignore it. - Mother.
It provided proof...
that was too clear to ignore.
Are you not aware that what they are doing...
is ruining our nation...
and making the people suffer?
They must be punished severely.
I understand how you feel.
But Lord Yoon and Jung Nan Jung...
assisted us as best they could...
whenever we were in need of help.
They deserve...
special rights.
- But mother. - That is...
up to me, not you.
- Do not concern yourself any more. - Mother,
under your protection,
Lord Yoon and your own relatives...
are controlling politics and influencing every decision.
- How can I not be concerned? - Your Majesty.
You owe them the throne and the crown.
Do you understand?
- Come with us. - What's this about?
Let me go.
Gyo Ha, what's this about?
You witch.
Do you think I don't know that you were Nan Jung's spy?
It's not me. I'm not a spy.
We have proof that you worked for her.
Don't try to deny it.
I saw you with Nan Jung's people...
with my own two eyes.
I couldn't understand...
how Nan Jung knew so much about what went on here.
It was because you told her.
Gyo Ha.
I had no choice.
I'm so sorry. Forgive me.
Shut your mouth.
Go and ask Nan Jung for forgiveness.
Get her out of here.
I will.
- Bring her over. - Yes, Sir.
Walk.
Come and serve us!
- Where are you? - Get out here.
Where's the owner?
- Where's the person in charge? - Come on out!
- What's wrong? - Is that even a question?
Do you really not know?
Where is Yoon Tae Won?
Calm down, Sirs.
Come inside.
- Come with me. - Don't you try to flirt with me.
- Gyo Ha. - Gyo Ha.
What are you doing?
- Stop this right now. - You.
You are Yoon Tae Won's favourite girl, aren't you?
Where is he?
Tell me where he is!
Tell me right now!
I'm right here.
Calm down.
- We meet again. - Tae Won!
I told you to remember me.
I'm here for your life!
We'll find out...
- who takes whose life. - What?
How dare you!
Tae Won.
You fools!
Who's that?
- Lord Yoon. - Lord Yoon.
What are you doing?
Stop it this instance!
How dare you...
cause trouble...
in public in your official uniforms.
That is...
an insult...
to the King.
Do you get that?
My lord.
We deserve to die.
Please...
Please forgive us just this once.
Please let us live, my lord.
I shall speak with your superior...
and see to it that you get punished.
You idiots.
Get out of here!
- Yes, my lord. - Thank you, my lord.
Come on. Let's go.
Are you hurt?
I want to speak with you.
Can you spare me some time?
I have nothing to say.
Tae Won.
Ok Nyeo made a very good suggestion.
Ok Nyeo, you tell them.
We shall provide cheap labour...
to those who wish to make salt.
What we earn will be spent on running Jeonokseo,
and shared between the prisoners who worked.
What?
Then how will we control the prisoners out there?
You're smart enough to know better.
I agree with Officer Yoo.
What if something were to happen?
How will you deal with that?
Law Enforcement has already approved it.
There's no need to argue about that.
Did they really approve it?
Do you think I'd lie about this?
Will female prisoners be allowed to work there too?
Of course, they will.
Ok Nyeo, you have the name list, right?
Yes, Sir.
Here it is.
So felons like robbers and murderers...
are all excluded, right?
Yes, I excluded them. Don't worry.
- Good. Treasurer Ji. - Yes, Sir.
Go tell the prisoners to assemble right away.
Yes, Sir.
Sir, I don't think it's a good idea.
I don't think you are right.
All right. It's great.
From today,
the prisoners who are sentenced to labour...
will leave Jeonokseo...
and make salt with salt kilns.
- What? - Is that true?
And those with a light sentence...
will also be sent there to produce salt.
- Be quiet! Silent! - Be quiet.
You will get enough reward for your labour.
They'll pay you with money.
That means they won't just drive you too hard.
However,
if any of you...
try to run away with an ulterior motive,
I'll make sure you get the most horrendous punishment.
- Understood? - Yes, Sir!
Ok Nyeo.
Hold on.
Why do we have to go there to labour?
Count us out.
I am really sorry, Chun Doong.
The Ministry of Law Enforcement already has the list.
Ok Nyeo, you know what I've been through for you.
How can you stab me in the back like this?
Please help me save my face.
Why would I stab you in the back? It's not like that.
Then, what is it?
It is just...
Anyway, why are you grimacing?
- You don't want to work? - No.
Why do we have to make salt?
Please count us out.
Be quiet.
I was going to assign you there...
only for three days because I owe Chun Doong a lot.
If you don't behave like now, I'll send you there every day.
- What? - What's the matter with you?
Are you trying to cut me off?
Chun Doong, you shouldn't coddle them like this.
For them, and for your sake,
they need to know that there are other jobs than pickpocketing.
Especially, they need to learn...
the value of labour this time.
Be more understanding. Okay?
You two, come to your senses!
Then, see you there.
Ok Nyeo.
Ok Nyeo, please count us out.
Shoot.
Chun Doong, you told us that we can stay comfortable here.
I didn't know it'd happen. Just go get ready to go to work.
Will you be okay?
No.
Gosh. Man Ok!
- Wait. Man Ok! - Chun Doong!
Move faster!
Get moving!
- Walk faster. Move! - Get out.
- Make way. - Get moving!
Walk faster!
Move faster!
Walk faster! Get out of the way!
Do they need this many people to make salt?
- Gosh. - Chun Doong, please do something.
I am sorry.
How long do we have to walk?
Be quiet and just follow them.
Aren't they prisoners of Jeonokseo?
Where are they heading to?
I don't know.
I'll go find out.
In 1, 2. Press it harder!
Get moving!
Get out of the way.
My goodness.
Hurry.
Man Ok, pour water into the pot.
Why do we have to do this?
- Why are we doing this suddenly? - Exactly.
- See you. - Okay.
Ok Nyeo. Tae Won!
Treasurer Ji!
At this rate,
we'll be able to compete for the Price Policy Division supply.
I heard Jung Nan Jung's organisation...
has an exclusive contract to supply salt to the Price Policy Division.
Isn't this hopeless?
The odds are pretty high.
Our salt will be...
incomparably cheaper than hers.
Wow. I'm sure she'll go mad.
I can't wait to see that.
Good.
Good. You're doing great.
Okay. Good.
Hey, Tae Won!
- Sir. - Is everything going smoothly?
Yes, Sir.
Wow. It's really big.
The yield must be enormous.
Then will salt...
become the main item of our organisation?
Gosh, don't go too far ahead.
Tae Won, I need to talk to you.
- Sir. - Gosh.
- Goodness. - Goodness.
- Treasurer Ji. - You brat.
Keep working.
Will you really compete...
with Jung Nan Jung's organisation?
That's why I started this business.
Well, you make me really anxious.
- What do you mean? - She didn't notice...
that it's you who conned her before.
But if you keep irritating her,
she'll burst out of anger someday.
It's the Price Policy Division which hosts this auction.
Even Jung Nan Jung won't be able to do anything.
Okay. Let's give it a shot, then.
Did they have the prisoners make salt?
Yes. I found out...
Ok Nyeo organised the business,
and Yoon Tae Won supervises it.
Why produce salt out of the blue?
What are they after?
Even if they're after something, what could they possibly do?
I'm worried...
they might be aiming to win the bid to supply the Price Policy Division.
That's out of the question.
No matter how hard they try, they can't secure such big supply.
That's not true.
Keep your watch upon them.
Okay.
Did you want to see me?
I did.
Did you find anything about Ok Nyeo?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Good. Tell me about her.
She was born in Jeonokseo and raised there.
She was born in Jeonokseo? What does it mean?
Her mother was a prisoner of Jeonokseo.
- A prisoner? - Yes, Your Majesty.
Do you recognise me?
You witch!
How dare you say that here? You're nothing but a warden at Jeonokseo!
Oh, yes.
Officer Lee Ki Joon wants to see you.
I am sorry but there is no reason for me to meet him.
How dare you.
How dare you reject him?
Tell him to come visit me if he needs to see me.
Why are you avoiding me?
Tell me who you really are.
What do you mean?
I'm an officer of the Ministry of Law Enforcement.
I know that you are not.
Who are you? Why did you pretend to be an officer,
and inspected Jeonokseo?
If you can't tell me who you really are, I'll get going.
Oh, wait.
There are personal reasons.
I had to conceal my identity.
Then, disclose your identity first.
My goodness.
You must keep what I tell you secret from others.
Can you promise me?
I will only if you give me convincing reasons.
Gosh, you're a very meticulous person.
I went to Jeonokseo...
not because of the order of an officer,
but His Majesty's order.
Gosh.
Let me explain again.
You must take what I tell you now to your grave.
I'm...
a secret inspector...
who directly serves His Majesty.
Pardon?
That is why I had to conceal my identity.
- Yes. - Goodness.
Do you actually expect me to believe that?
Well...
If that is the case,
show me proof that you are indeed a secret inspector.
I heard that they carry...
the royal insignia given to them...
directly by His Majesty.
I'll believe you...
if you show me your royal insignia.
My goodness.
I'm flustered.
I don't have the royal insignia on me at the moment.
- I'll show you next time. - I see.
If that is the case, I don't think I have any reason...
to meet with you again.
No, wait!
Just a moment.
- Jae Seo! - Yes, Sir.
Yes, come here.
You should...
- go and bring my royal insignia. - Pardon me?
Go get my royal insignia...
and meet me in front of the tavern here.
Well, what do you mean...
Gosh, you know those royal insignias.
The ones that those inspectors have. They have a horse drawn on them.
- That royal insignia. - Yes, right! Right away, Sir.
Go and bring it.
My goodness.
He was acting like he had never heard of it before. How silly.
Well...
Can you believe me now?
We'll see. By the way,
why are you going through this ordeal just to meet with me?
Well, it's because...
I'll tell you later.
All right.
Let's go.
Something is definitely strange.
Ma'am!
Yes!
Ok Nyeo.
- What brings you here at this hour? - Oh, well...
Have you eaten dinner yet?
No, I haven't.
- We'd like soup with rice. - Okay, sure.
Could I also order a glass of drink?
Please give us rice wine, as well.
Okay, no problem.
- Go in the room. - Okay.
This way, please.
Please have a seat.
Yes, okay.
I have to talk to the barkeep quickly.
I'll be right back.
Wait.
You're not going to just leave, are you?
Please don't worry.
All right.
- Ma'am! - Yes.
Who is he? I've never seen him before.
Well, he is...
What?
You said you haven't had dinner yet.
Why aren't you eating?
Oh, right. Yes, I should eat.
Gosh, this is delicious!
My goodness.
You've never had this dish before?
No, no. I've had it before, of course.
Eat up.
So you said...
you have something to tell me.
Right.
His Majesty...
wishes to know more about Jeonokseo...
after hearing about its situation.
It would be great...
if you could tell me more about the situation it's in.
If that is the case, you should speak with the chief of Jeonokseo.
Yes. However...
Well...
All government officials do their best...
to hide the truth whenever they can.
I heard that you were...
born and raised in Jeonokseo.
No one would know more about Jeonokseo...
than you.
Wait a second.
Did you do a background check on me?
No, no!
Of course not.
- Where is he? - You jerk!
Who are you?
- Who are you, really? - You rat.
Look at your pasty face, you jerk.
You're definitely a swindler. I can totally tell.
Let go!
Why are you doing this to me?
- Is that even a question? - Ok Nyeo, did you bring these guys?
Of course!
Did you actually think that I'd believe your obvious lie?
At first, he pretended he was an officer of Law Enforcement.
- And now, a secret inspector. - A secret...
A secret inspector?
Yes, I'm a secret inspector.
Who are you trying to fool here?
- Why did you approach Ok Nyeo? - Hey, calm down.
- Tae Won, let's drag him outside... - Yes.
and beat him up. You deserve to be punched.
- I'm a secret inspector, too! - Come on.
- Ok Nyeo. Hey, hold on. - Shut it!
- No, wait... - Shut it and go!
- Where did you even come from? - Stop it.
- Calm down. - My father is...
- an officer of Law Enforcement! - Goodness.
Gosh.
Who are you? Tell us now!
You better tell us now, you idiot!
- My goodness! - Gosh.
Please spare my life.
That's enough!
- Sheathe your swords. - Yes, Sir.
- Jae Seo. - Yes.
- Did you bring it? - Yes, Sir.
Spare me a second.
Well...
Gosh!
Can you believe me now?
Gosh, I sincerely apologise.
It's okay.
I would've been suspicious, too.
You must not tell anyone about my position, okay?
All right. I should get going now.
You have to meet with me next time.
- Yes, Sir. - Good.
Jae Seo!
Yes, Sir.
Let's go now.
Yes, Sir.
Ok Nyeo, what happened?
I guess there was a misunderstanding.
Does that mean...
he's actually a secret inspector?
No, no. That's not what I meant.
It was just a misunderstanding on my part.
What are you talking about?
- He's definitely a swindler. - No. Well...
I'm so sorry for causing all this trouble.
No, don't worry.
As Do Chi said,
I think you should stay away from that fellow.
He looks like a fop.
He doesn't look like a nice guy.
- Oh, I see. - Men can tell right away.
Yes, you're right.
- Why are you laughing? - Sorry, it's nothing.
I need to organise the books. I'll get going now.
Well, then.
Wait, Ok Nyeo.
Goodness.
She asked us for help...
and then just left us to go work on her books.
Why did we even come here, then?
Isn't this a job for men? Why are they making us do this?
- Gosh, this is heavy. - Let's go. Be careful.
Put it in the warehouse and make sure to keep it dry.
- Yes, Sir. - Don't forget to put in charcoals.
Yes, I won't forget.
Ok Nyeo!
Yes, Sir.
- The quality is great. - Isn't it?
It needs to dry more.
- Ok Nyeo, come with me briefly. - Sure.
All right, keep going. You can do it.
- You're all working so hard. - Treasurer Ji.
- Chun Doong! Is the job hard? - Yes!
- Are you exhausted? - Yes!
- Keep going. - Pardon me?
Hey, hurry up.
Great. You're doing a good job.
So...
did you figure out how much we've made?
Yes, Sir.
Then how much will end up in my hands?
You'll get just a little over 100 yang.
100 yang? That's all?
You could get more,
but the prisoners will get less in that case.
Then I should definitely get more...
Never mind.
I'll just eat less and spend less.
What about Officer Yoo and Officer Lee?
Do we need to worry about them, too?
Forget it.
Just give more to Treasurer Ji since he has been going...
to the salt kiln frequently.
- Yes, Sir. - Great work.
- Ok Nyeo. - Yes.
Come outside.
The officer of the Police Bureau wants to see you.
Sir.
Hello.
May I see...
what he left for me before he passed away?
Yes, of course.
Gosh, my shoulders.
- Gosh. - We worked like dogs.
Hello!
Man Soo, Man Ok!
You poor things.
Man Soo, Man Ok.
I heard all about it. You poor things.
It must be just great to have a family.
Ok Nyeo, I will get even with you.
Don't even dream of it. Eat this.
You're an idiot if ever I've seen one.
Ok Nyeo, I'm coming for you!
Get better at picking pockets and stop getting caught!
Fools.
Nan Jung.
- Nan Jung. - What?
When do we supply the Price Policy Division?
In five days' time.
- In five days? - Yes.
I have a question.
- What? - Lady Jung and Madam Min...
are sisters-in-law.
Why does Madam Min call Lady Jung by her name?
There's a good reason for that.
What is it?
When Lady Jung worked at Sosoru,
she took in and raised Madam Min.
That's why she treats Madam Min like a maid.
- Jong Geum. - What?
Why do you abuse me?
Hey.
I can't treat you any better.
Remember your place.
Jong Geum.
Can you do me a favour?
What is it now?
I soon have to supply salt to the Price Policy Division.
Could you contact the officer in charge...
and instruct him to expect our delivery?
Oh dear.
Do I have to do things like that, too?
I'm Yoon Won Hyung.
What is it now?
You are now my official wife.
You have all the money and influence you need.
Why do you still want to sell salt?
That is why people mock us.
They know how greedy you are.
My lord.
Do you not know why I want to be rich?
Don't you know that...
everything I earn goes to your sister?
- What? - I manage...
the Palace and the Queen Dowager's expenses.
Why do you think the Queen Dowager puts up with us?
Is it because we're family?
No. It's because of money.
She would have no use for either of us...
if I were to stop offering up huge sums of money.
I had no idea.
Contact the chief of the Price Policy Division.
Okay. I will.
The air out here smells lovely.
Where should I go today?
What do you want with me?
Be quiet and come with us.
Wait.
I didn't do anything wrong.
Come here.
What do you want now?
Pass that letter to the girl called Ok Nyeo.
Yes, Ma'am, I promise I will.
- Let him go. - Yes, Ma'am.
My Lord.
It's me, Mak Gae.
Come in.
What is it?
I just got word from Tae Won.
Did you? What did he say?
He wishes to meet you at Sosoru.
I'm...
afraid to say so,
but if Nan Jung were to find out that...
you two are in touch,
she would be hurt.
I know that.
I know what I'm doing.
Keep it a secret for now.
Yes, my lord.
I was pleased that...
you asked to see me first.
What is this about?
I have a favour to ask of you.
What is it? You can ask anything.
There will be an auction to supply salt to the Price Policy Division.
I want you to help...
my merchant organisation enter the auction.
That's...
Contact the chief of the Price Policy Division.
I'm not asking you...
to help me win the auction.
I just...
want you...
to ensure that this auction will be fair and just.
That is all I ask of you.
(The Flower in Prison)
Why did you see him?
If Jung Nan Jung were to find out,
we could fight a bigger fight.
Does a father need a reason to see his son?
I will crush him so that he can never recover.
Oh dear.
Someone's here to see you.
- Who? - It's him.
He's a fraud.
Why does he want to see you?
I want to reconsider my marriage.
Do not disappoint me.
I don't know how only he survived.
Can't you tell what's going on?
He's not your average man.
That's too dangerous.