(Episode 18)
Are you okay?
What is on your mind?
That the day is quite long.
It is too long to remember what has happened.
What was the last thing that happened the night before?
What was the first thing that happened this morning?
I cannot remember.
Who died first?
What crimes did they commit?
I cannot remember.
My dear.
Let us just go.
Have some tea as you wait.
I will bring some food.
What brings you here, Mother?
I heard you would be home today,
so I came to cook you dinner.
You are home after a stressful ordeal.
Enjoy a warm meal for once.
It will not take long.
Rest as you wait.
Father.
Son.
Can I come in?
Yes, of course you can.
How come you are here?
I begged Grandmother to let me come with her.
Did you?
I am glad you did.
Why are you crying?
I do not know.
Tears just keep falling.
Do not cry.
(Lee Sook Beon, County Head of Ansan)
What brings you here this late, Grand Prince Youngan?
We meet again.
(Grand Prince Youngan, Lee Bang Gwa, Lee Seong Gye's second son)
I will meet with the King.
I am too concerned for him.
I apologize.
I was commanded not to let anyone in.
I will not be long.
Why can you not even allow me that?
You cannot enter.
Leave before you get into trouble.
What?
I told you to leave.
You have lost all senses thinking Grand Prince Jeongan has your back.
(Grand Prince Jeongan, royal name of Prince Lee Bang Won)
If you know that much, you should leave.
How dare you?
Let go of me and leave!
I am allowed to behead anyone...
who tries to enter without Prince Jeongan's permission!
Will you still do as Prince Jeongan wants?
I am not sure yet.
(Lady Kim, Lee Bang Gwa's wife)
Refuse.
It is preposterous.
To be Crown Prince temporarily?
Then let him take over when the time comes?
Grand Prince Jeongan went out of line by asking for such a favor.
If it will prevent even more bloodshed within the family,
I can put up with such insolence.
If something were to go wrong, it could turn into a disaster.
What do you mean by that?
Being Crown Prince...
is not something one can do completely selflessly.
You will be just one step away from the throne.
That is enough to change anyone.
Do you think...
I will change and become greedy?
Do not worry. I have no intention.
I do not wish to sit in that suffocating chair...
for the rest of my life.
Regardless, I feel uneasy.
I hope you refuse.
Then...
something dreadful will happen between Bang Won and our father.
Something that must never happen...
might occur.
The things happening now...
are already things that should have never happened.
He revolted and killed great leaders...
as well as many ministers.
As if that were not enough, he held a sword to the King's throat...
and locked him up in the Palace.
- Dear wife. - That is disloyal and unfilial.
He is a traitor and an immoral son.
Wife.
I say this out of concern for you.
You are more righteous than anyone,
and you are being used to commit such violence.
It makes me so angry.
Who is in charge of Palace security?
Today, it is Lee Sook Beon.
He will not let even an ant enter.
It has been a very successful coup.
We took over the Capital and Royal Court in no time.
(Min Je, Lee Bang Won's father-in-law)
To be honest, if Grand Prince Jeongan were to become king right now,
no one would dare stand in his way.
How dare you?
Do not even say that!
The King still lives.
Do not underestimate the power of a founding monarch who still lives.
If anyone outside the Capital were to hear that we have him detained,
something dreadful will happen.
Not just men from Dongbukmyeon...
but men from all over will rush to free him.
You do have a point.
We must get the King to sign an edict soon.
We will announce our rightful cause by making Prince Youngan Crown Prince,
then lie low and bide for our time.
I believe...
you mean we must wait for the King to die.
Be careful.
This is between just you and me.
The King will sign the edict by tomorrow.
I am sure that His Majesty knows that his only option...
is to make Grand Prince Youngan the Crown Prince.
He also knows that if he refuses...
it will cause more problems.
It is an edict they made in advance.
They are urging you...
to stamp your royal seal on it.
(Royal Edict)
When choosing the Crown Prince,
I ignored the logic of choosing the right person...
and made the mistake...
of installing Bang Seok, the son of a concubine, the Crown Prince.
This was a clear mistake as I was blinded...
by my love for my second wife.
Furthermore, the traitor, Jeong Do Jeon, and the others...
did not correct me as my lieges.
Instead, they used the Crown Prince...
to abuse their power.
Which is a grave crime.
As a result, Grand Prince Jeongan, Lee Bang Won,
and many others came together...
to request the execution of Jeong Do Jeon and the other criminals.
Also, the request to appoint Grand Prince Youngan as Crown Prince.
I accept with a happy heart.
I install Grand Prince Youngan, Lee Bang Gwa, as the new Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince should dedicate himself...
to take care of our political realm.
Thank you for your boundless generosity.
- Thank you for your boundless generosity. - Thank you for your boundless generosity.
Your Majesty.
Please take my life.
Please take my life!
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
(Jo Yeong Mu)
Is it over?
Thank you for announcing the edict.
Is it all over now?
Yes. Thank you for your boundless generosity.
Then I will leave the palace for a bit.
Is something wrong?
I will go to the temple...
for my children who have died.
Do not go too far.
Just go to the temple within the capital.
Do you have anything else to say?
I should have...
killed you when I had the chance.
Yes, you are right.
That is why I told you to kill me.
I said that if you let me live, I would commit a terrible sin.
But why could you not do that?
That is the duty of a parent.
A child can easily stab their parents,
but a parent...
cannot dare to kill their child.
That is why you won.
In other words, you have an embarrassing victory in your hands.
In the end, it will all come back at you.
That is the way of the world.
You must reap...
everything that you sow.
Yes, I will keep that in mind.
However, I hope you remember this as well.
What you are reaping now...
is just the result of everything you have sowed.
It is the cost of abandoning our mother, who suffered until her death.
And for abandoning us, her sons.
Even if that did not happen, you still would have done this.
That is who you are. You were born that way.
Having you...
was the biggest...
mistake of my life.
General, please escort him.
Make sure he does not go anywhere but the temple.
Make sure he does not see anyone...
but the monks at the temple.
Yes, sir.
Do you remember this?
When we were very young...
Right. It was when our eldest brother had just turned 20.
The six of us...
ran towards Father at the same time to make him fall.
Even Bang Yeon, our youngest, hung onto Father with all his might.
In the end, Father seemed like he could not bear the weight,
began losing his balance, and was about to fall.
But in the next moment, he got a sudden burst of strength...
and threw us all off of him.
I remember.
Father was incredibly strong back then.
That is right.
He was so strong and so big.
We did not dare to defy him when growing up.
Perhaps it is because those images are engraved in my mind.
I am still...
so very afraid of him.
I agree.
That is why even my most rebellious plans...
are all possible only after His Majesty passes away.
You and I are the type who cannot even throw a stone...
at Father when he is alive and well.
You are right.
But Bang Won is not like us.
He did something we could not even dream of...
without even blinking an eye.
I...
cannot believe this.
That is why I kept saying he was dangerous.
I did not speak ill of him for no reason.
It is because I am right above him in age and know him best.
He was always like that since we were young.
He might look gentle on the outside, but he is very strong-willed.
Even when he got beaten half to death,
he would never succumb.
Bang Ui, Bang Won is really dangerous.
He is trying to use good-hearted Bang Gwa...
as a shield to take over the throne.
He is locking up Father and is trampling on his brothers.
Someone like him must disappear.
For the sake of His Majesty, and for us brothers. Do you not agree?
Bang Ui.
It is for you.
I am doing this to save you.
Father.
I...
do not have the power to protect you.
That is why I am doing this.
(Princess Kyungsoon, Lee Bang Won's stepsister)
If I do not do this,
eventually...
you will be dead.
Subjects of Bang Won will often...
plead that you should be killed.
To show their loyalties,
they will keep raising their voices every day.
Do you...
understand me?
Do you understand why I am doing this as your father?
Yes, Father.
I will convey to you.
I will survive...
and live in the same world with you, Father.
Yes. Thank you.
I am sorry.
I am so sorry.
I am sorry.
Even so,
you look beautiful.
You are so beautiful...
that it makes me sad.
Please...
live long and well,
Father.
I will.
Please arrive at the blissful state.
I am sorry.
Let us stay at the palace for a while.
It is fine. Do not be sorry.
You do not have to apologize for having a kind heart.
Thank you.
Your Highness.
Yes.
His Majesty has returned to the palace.
You should greet him and let him know that you are staying at the palace.
Yes, I will do that.
My dear Queen!
How will I...
pay for my sins?
- Drink up. - Yes.
- Here. - Thanks.
Have one more glass.
You have done well.
Now, I can breathe again.
Now we just need to wait and find the right moment...
for Grand Prince Jeongan to take over the Crown Prince position.
Then, you will be the Crown Princess, Lady Min.
(Lady Min, Lee Bang Won's wife)
Will I?
I am living in luxury thanks to my husband.
You are too modest.
You have done a great part...
to achieve our cause.
I was very surprised.
Honestly, she has done more than just a part.
I am not saying just because you are my sister,
but you are a real heroine.
Yes, if Bang Won takes the throne,
that is all thanks to our sister.
Stop it.
When family members praise each other,
people will think badly of us.
Will you not?
Pardon?
See? He is surprised.
Excuse me?
Let us drink.
By the way, why is Grand Prince Jeongan not coming back?
Well...
I think our oldest son is keeping him busy.
- What? - I see.
- Here. - Let us drink.
Yes.
Have you been here the whole time?
Let me have him. I will lie him down.
No. I want to have him on my back a little longer.
Since he was raised by your mother,
I could not carry him on my back often.
But for now, you have to be with the people...
who worked with you for the great work.
Your father is there.
He will appreciate them fully enough.
I am sure he will.
Okay, I understand.
I feel sorry for my children.
The oldest one is raised by your mother.
The second one is raised by his aunt.
Only the youngest one is raised by his mother and father.
It is because we are afraid of losing them at once.
I am relieved that they are growing up well...
even though they were all separated.
I think it is time for us to name our children.
Instead of calling them the oldest and the youngest,
they should have proper names.
It is not the time to name them yet.
When I am certain of their future, I will name them.
By the royal law,
I will give them names that are appropriate for princes.
Dear husband.
(Lee Maeng Jong, Lee Bang Gan's son)
Your archery has gotten even better.
Welcome, Father.
Did you make these arrows yourself?
Of course.
Arrows made by anyone else do not fly well.
With this,
can you shoot a person?
Pardon? A person?
Yes. Can you shoot a person?
Can you kill someone with this?
Is something the matter?
What? Uncle Bang Won?
Yes.
I am sure Bang Won will try to harm me.
We must attack him before he does.
In battle,
one good archer is worth ten men with spears.
What do you say?
Will you help your father with your great archery?
Of course I will.
How can a son flee when his father fights?
I will fight alongside you.
Good for you. You are a true man.
This is how our family has been for generations.
Yes, Father.
Good.
Train even harder from now on.
Understood?
I will.
Remember this.
If we win, we will run the Palace.
I will become king,
and you will become Crown Prince. Do you understand?
Yes.
Are you well?
I am fine.
It is good to see you.
Father.
I heard you barely touched your food.
Is there anything you wish to eat?
I will find whatever it is you want.
All my young children are dead.
What could I be able to swallow?
Your Majesty.
Bang Gwa. I must ask a favor of you.
I am listening.
I want you...
to get revenge for me.
Father.
I want you to...
punish Bang Won in my stead.
Why will you not answer?
Did you...
enter the Palace to be his puppet?
Will you be Crown Prince in name only...
and just wait for me to die?
And then, when the time comes,
will you hand over the throne to Bang Won?
Father. Please calm down.
Get a grip.
Why would you allow this insult when you are better than this?
Your Majesty.
This is the seal.
(The King's seal, the sign of authority)
Take it.
Father.
Take it. It is your King's command.
Now...
you are King.
From now on,
you are to protect the throne for me.
Father.
Please rescind your command.
Do not think of giving up after one or two years.
Guard this until the day you die.
And then you must...
leave it to your son.
This is Bang Won's greatest punishment.
Not letting him become king.
Father, please...
If you give up the throne,
I will take my own life the same day.
The choice is yours.
Will you save me or will you save Bang Won?
Father.
Make your choice.
The Royal Parliament is quiet for once.
It is.
It is so quiet, I feel slightly uneasy.
Then what? Shall I cause a ruckus?
No, I refuse.
Let us spend a quiet day for once.
What are you all doing here?
Eunuch Kim. What is going on?
I am here with His Majesty's edict.
His edict?
You could hand it over quietly.
Why did you bring so many people?
For the fear that the King's edict...
were to somehow vanish,
I brought some witnesses.
What?
Receive the royal edict!
This is the King's command.
"Crown Prince Lee Bang Gwa..."
"is to become King as of this very day."
"I have already given him the King's seal."
"All subjects are to accept my command..."
"and assist the new king in his endeavors."
- Did you all hear that? - Yes.
Then go and prepare for a coronation.
- Yes. - Yes.
My goodness.
He abdicated.
(When a living king gives up the throne.)
What is going on?
What happens to Grand Prince Jeongan now?
And what happens to us?
Stay calm.
I must meet with the Crown Prince first.
What he thinks is most important.
If you have made up your mind, do it.
That will be better than showing your weakness.
I am sorry.
Do not apologize. I am fine.
Thank you.
Go and bring him.
- Go now. - Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness.
You are too late.
I have already decided to follow the King's wish.
Your Highness.
Then what about your promise with Grand Prince Jeongan?
Your Highness.
I have terrible news for you both.
His Majesty abdicated the throne.
What?
Is that true?
Yes.
This is so sudden.
He only recently installed the new Crown Prince.
I do not know why, but it is true.
The edict of abdication has already been sent.
And the eunuchs are busy...
in preparation for the coronation.
Grand Prince Youngan is no longer Crown Prince. He is the King.
Husband.
It might not be that serious.
Excuse me?
His Majesty did this out of his hatred towards me.
What is important is how Bang Gwa feels about this.
Furthermore, Bang Gwa does not care for the throne.
Bang Won, you are mistaken about that.
Grand Prince Youngan has already chosen his successor.
His successor?
Yes.
He called upon the son of his mistress to the Palace.
He said he will make him prince.
(The king's oldest son who has not been installed as Crown Prince yet)
It cannot be.
Dear, you should enter the palace.
You must engrave your presence once again.
- General. - Welcome.
I was waiting for you.
What is going on?
I am here to find out.
Where is the Crown Prince?
He is in Jeongjeon.
Jeongjeon?
(Bul No, Lee Bang Gwa's son)
Bang Won, you are here.
Welcome.
What are you doing?
I am sorry.
I cannot keep...
the promise I made you.
Bang Gwa.
I am afraid...
I must become king.
Bang Gwa!
Bul No.
You should return to your quarters.
Yes, Father.
That child will succeed me.
And that child's son will succeed him.
You...
will probably not get a chance.
Bang Gwa.
Please, I am asking you. Do not do this.
Of all people, I do not wish to become enemies with you.
I feel the same way.
You know how much I care for you.
Then why are you doing this?
Why do you want that throne all of a sudden?
Bang Won.
Do you know how Father is right now?
He is suffering in pain a thousand times worse...
than what you and I imagine.
If you really wish to become king,
you should free Father from that pain.
Whether it takes a hundred days or a thousand days,
get him to forgive you.
Then I will leave this palace without hesitation.
Why must I do that?
I am not the one who needs to be forgiven.
He was blinded by his mistress' coquetry...
and made her child the Crown Prince.
He is an ignorant king.
Bang Won.
He fell for his mistress' schemes...
and abandoned our mother and us.
He is a foolish father.
Stop right now!
You are the one to stop.
If you do not desire it, why do you wish to sit on the throne?
Do you think your petty filial piety...
will help you maintain your position?
Do you think you can stop someone who killed...
his teacher, uncle, and brothers?
You do not have a chance.
Stop this and leave the palace at once.
No matter what happens, I will sit on that throne.
If anyone tries to stop me,
I will get rid of them, no matter who they are.
Fine. Go ahead and try.
If you are willing...
to give up being Father's son,
I can no longer be your brother.
Do you understand?
If you are no longer my brother,
I have no reason to hesitate...
from killing you.
Bang Gwa!
(The King of Tears, Lee Bang Won)
I am going to end my fight with Bang Gwa as soon as possible.
I will make him give up the throne.
Then I will draw my sword first.
I will protect the throne no matter what.
I have already decided.
What will you do?
Park Po has caused a scene.
Why is someone like me a key contributor?
I intend to fight Grand Prince Jeongan.
That is why I would like you to help me.
They said I would become a tyrant.
They said I would become a lunatic.
Those words do not leave my mind.