Sure. Go ahead and try.
You need to think...
of what you need to do to succeed.
(Episode 30)
I will not help you.
When the time comes, I will ask the subjects.
Which prince is the right one to become the Crown Prince?
If the subjects answer...
that Prince Chungnyeong should be the Crown Prince,
I will have you as the Crown Prince.
Yes, Father. I will keep that in mind.
Okay.
You should leave now.
Were you kicked out from the palace for good?
Yes, it seems to be that way.
I have to stay at your place for a while, Father-in-law.
How did you get the big punishment?
(Crown Prince Lee Je, Lee Bang Won's first son)
Until now, even if you do something wrong,
all he did was dismissing your lecturers...
and punishing your eunuchs.
This is all because of Prince Chungnyeong.
He is using his excellency in studying...
to stir His Majesty's mind.
Pardon?
What do you mean by that?
Prince Chungnyeong is after the throne.
He has traitorous thoughts.
(Prince Chungnyeong, Lee Bang Won's third son)
My dear.
What is on your mind?
Please tell me.
You have not opened your books today.
What do you have in mind?
Did something happen at the Palace?
Yes, something big happened actually.
What happened?
Father said he would give me a chance too.
What?
He will also give me a chance to become Crown Prince.
My dear...
If I am confident I can be a better king than my brother,
he told me to seize the opportunity.
And?
Did you say you would?
- Dear. - I was surprised myself.
I did not think I would say yes without hesitation.
But I will not take it back.
That is how I truly feel, and I have yearned for this for a long time.
- Are you afraid? - Yes.
I am so afraid.
You will fight your brother for the throne.
If he ends up becoming King,
how will you handle his wrath?
If it goes wrong,
you could lose your life.
My dear.
Please...
give up.
It is too late.
I already uttered the words that I wish to be King.
Even if I were to give up now,
I am a rebellious prince with a mind full of treason.
Dear...
Do not worry.
I will do well.
I will make sure that no one gets hurt.
Say something.
What must I do to return to the Palace?
Why will you not speak?
Have you turned from me as well?
How could we do that, Your Highness?
It is just that His Majesty's fury is so great,
we cannot think of a way to appease him.
Your Highness. Why did you do such a thing?
Why are you so out of control?
Do not talk about the past.
We have a problem to solve.
His Majesty will not be able to...
keep his heir away for too long.
(The Crown Prince is the King's heir.)
Give His Majesty a reason to summon you...
back to the Palace.
What must I do?
I ignored our morals for my personal greed,
and foolishly went against common courtesy.
I have insulted the royals,
and for that I am guilty.
Though I may be a fool,
I still have a conscience that teaches me right from wrong.
I will cleanse my mind and change my ways...
to become a new person.
I swear that to my royal ancestors.
His Highness the Crown Prince visits the family shrine...
to voice his regret and resolve every day.
Can you not summon him back now?
Do you believe he truly and sincerely regrets his actions?
I do.
How could he not after this ordeal?
He is still young, and he made a mistake.
Do you stand true to that claim?
Yes, I can and will.
The Crown Prince will definitely change.
I trust your judgment.
I thank you for your grace.
Welcome back, Your Highness.
Thank you. Have you been well?
Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness.
You came to welcome me as well?
You must be busy with politics.
I apologize.
You are not here to welcome me?
No. The truth is, Grand Prince Chungnyeong...
is hosting us a party to thank us for our hard work.
(A party with light drinks)
A party?
What right does he have to host a party?
His Majesty gave his permission.
Do excuse us.
Thank you for pardoning me.
I will not disappoint you again.
I have heard that more than enough.
If you have truly changed your ways, it will show in your actions.
You are excused.
What? do you have more to say?
Yes.
On my way here,
I heard that Chungnyeong is hosting a party.
You banned officials...
from visiting royals in their private residences.
Why did you permit this party?
I banned personal visits...
(To visit royals to ask for favors)
to prevent nobles from paying visits...
to ask for favors and titles.
Chungnyeong is not the type to accept bribes, so do not worry.
You are excused.
Yes, Father.
Many subjects were disappointed that...
His Majesty does not allow gatherings.
This party you hosted us is greatly welcome.
It is.
Being able to sit around and discuss the Classics...
takes me back to when I was studying for the State Examinations.
Your Highness.
Why did you not invite the county heads of Jinsan and Anseong?
(Ha Ryun and Lee Sook Beon)
Consider that my personal desire.
I do not wish to take sides,
but I wished to speak only with men with integrity.
I think those two should no longer remain in Court.
His Majesty showed his leniency because they had served him well,
but they are still committing wrong.
Leaving such people in Court...
is an insult to the loyal subjects.
I ask that you petition His Majesty...
and assist him to bring order to the Court.
- Yes, Your Highness. - Yes, Your Highness.
You know very well how things are.
Yes. I know it is not my place to get involved,
but I cannot help but be interested.
You could say I am crossing the line.
Not at all.
As a member of the Royal Family,
it is not a flaw for you to be concerned for our nation.
Please do not give up on your interest in politics.
We need at least one of the princes to be watchful and mindful...
if we are to relax and do our job.
Thank you for saying that.
Let us have a drink.
Yes, My Lord.
It seems you know how to enjoy a drink.
My eldest brother drinks too much,
and my second brother cannot drink at all.
It seems only natural that I took the middle ground.
I see you are taking the path of moderation!
Your Highness.
Yes. It has been a long time.
Have you been well?
Yes.
How is your health?
It is okay.
What brings you here?
Is that true?
Yes.
I begged him to stop,
but he will not listen.
He said that His Majesty gave him a chance,
so he will do it no matter what.
Last night, he even invited the ministers over...
and prepared a banquet for them.
Your Highness.
What should we do about this?
What on earth are you thinking?
You killed all of my brothers...
in order to open up a path for the Crown Prince.
You did all of that, but are you saying...
you want to change the Crown Prince now?
Call for Prince Chungnyeong right away...
and tell him to give up.
Two brothers must not fight over the throne.
If they do,
there will be bloodshed amongst brothers.
That will not happen.
How are you so sure?
Look back on the path that led you here.
Think about...
who killed Grand Prince Uian.
That is why I am doing this.
Because I walked such a path.
I want to put a good king on the throne.
I gave the Crown Prince plenty of chances.
Therefore, I will give Prince Chungnyeong a chance now.
Then I will give the throne to the one who is better.
That is...
the last thing this sinner must do.
Are you saying that you will allow your child to die...
to wash away the sins you have committed against your brothers?
Queen!
Do not use your sins...
as an excuse ever again.
You would commit another sin...
under the pretext that you are washing away a past one.
In reality,
if there is something that you want,
you are willing to commit any sin no matter how big...
to obtain it.
You are heartless...
and only care about power.
That is who you are.
Ask yourself at least once...
if what I am saying is wrong.
Mother!
What brings you here?
I came because I was worried.
Worried?
You are so focused on your studies...
that I was worried you would fall ill.
Pardon?
Take out all the books in this house.
Yes, Your Highness.
Mother!
You have spent plenty of time studying.
Live like Prince Hyoryeong now.
- Mother. - Do that.
Is this because of the Crown Prince?
Do you wish for him to sit on the throne?
Do you not want me to become King?
Do you...
think that I only love your older brother?
Do you think that as a mother...
it is possible to love only one child?
Then why are you doing this?
Why do you refuse to even give me a chance?
That is the only way all of you can survive.
Prince Chungnyeong.
Do not make light of the throne.
The throne forces you to fight until your dying day.
It makes you forget your parents,
and it makes you forget your siblings. That is what the throne does.
I cannot sit by and watch...
that throne swallow you all up too.
Mother.
Please.
Stop.
Who else must I lose?
Were my brothers not enough?
Must I lose my children as well?
Did I...
commit that many sins?
Please stop.
I cannot live if I lose you too.
The only thing I have left...
is you.
Since you allowed Prince Chungnyeong to meet with the ministers,
please give me a chance to meet with them too.
Are you saying that you wish to hold a banquet for them?
That is something that suits a Grand Prince who has plenty of time.
Then?
Give me a chance to discuss political affairs with the ministers.
I learned a lot while I sat by your side...
and watched.
I would like to lead the discussion myself.
By doing so, I will show you...
that I am qualified to become King.
Are you sure you can do it?
Yes, I am sure.
Then go ahead and give it a try.
Yes, Father.
What are you doing in the Palace?
I came to see Mother.
She is worried about me.
So I came here to relieve her concerns.
That is a lie.
You are trying to make Mother stand on your side.
If I ascend the throne,
it will be hard for you to stay alive.
If I ascend the throne,
you will live without worries.
Will I?
I did not know my brother was so generous.
Are you saying you will not kill me...
for taking away my place?
I am so thankful that I am about to cry.
Am I not?
Have a good night.
What are you doing here so late at night?
I thought of what you said all day, Mother.
I understand you are worried about the tragedy between brothers.
Then, will you take my advice?
I cannot do that.
Prince Chungnyeong.
To relieve your worries,
I will ascend the throne.
And I will never hurt my brother.
What?
I will protect him until the end.
No matter how hard the subjects request, I will not be swayed.
This is the way for all of us to survive.
Prince Chungnyeong.
I swear.
Even after I ascend the throne,
I will never hurt Brother.
There will not be tears of blood...
shedding from your eyes, Mother.
Please have a good night.
Censors are writing appeals every day to denounce both of us.
From you taking requests for positions...
to me being rude to the Abdicated King.
Also for taking elite troops along to the hot spring.
They are accusing us of even the smallest faults.
Frankly, they are not small.
What?
So, what are you going to do?
Are you going to go after the censors and keep their mouths shut?
Yes, I have to make sure they never mention my name again.
I will show the ministers what will happen...
if they dare to challenge me, the great Lee Sook Beon.
Instead of doing that, you should beg for forgiveness of His Majesty.
And from now on, you should keep your head down.
Then His Majesty will protect you.
No, I cannot do that.
Take a good look at how I take care of things.
What are you doing here so late at night?
I came to get your signatures on my appeal.
What?
Censors are setting the innocent officials up.
I will write an appeal to punish them.
I want you to be by my side.
I will write the appeal.
Just sign your name here.
This is absurd!
Absurd?
Why is this absurd?
The most loyal subject of His Majesty is being set up now!
You are a minister of the Royal Court.
Are you going to let them do it?
Your Majesty.
I will resign.
Is it because of the appeal of the impeachment?
Do not worry. I will protect you.
Your Majesty.
You already have protected me enough.
I cannot be protected anymore. I am too ashamed.
Lord Ha.
I am not a good person.
I was born greedy for wealth.
I could not overcome my instinct...
and harmed you, Your Majesty.
From now on,
please let me be punished.
Only after that, I will be able to die with honor.
Please accept my plea.
It is an appeal to punish censors of the Inspection Department.
(An office inspecting the officials' corruption)
The ministers who believe that I am innocent...
signed for the appeal.
Please punish the censors of the Inspection Department now,
so they do not humiliate loyal subjects.
Did the ministers in the appeal...
voluntarily sign their names?
Yes, Your Majesty.
You should not lie to the King.
That is the biggest disloyalty.
Are you aware of that?
Yes, Your Majesty.
How can I not be aware of that?
Okay. I see.
You may leave.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Sook Beon.
Yes, Your Majesty.
You have done a lot.
No, Your Majesty.
I will continue to do anything for you, Your Majesty.
Yes. Thank you.
Take away Lee Sook Beon's...
merit subject certificate and letter of appointment.
(Records of loyal subject's rewards)
He orders to exile you to Hamyang, Gyeongsang.
Considering what you have been through with His Majesty,
he made sure that the state councilor notify you this.
(Left or right councilor of the state council)
No, His Majesty will not do this to me.
I want to see His Majesty.
I have to hear it from him.
- Stop him! - Yes, sir.
Do you want to be killed?
- Stop him! - Yes, sir.
Let me go.
Let me go!
Let go of me!
- Father! - Father!
- No, Father. - Stop.
- My gosh. - No!
- Father is innocent! - No!
You cannot leave us!
- Father! - You fool!
I will come back...
and tear you to shreds!
Do you think this will be the end of me?
I am Lee Sook Beon!
I am the County Head of Anseong!
I am Lee Sook Beon!
- Father! - My lord!
Father!
- Father! - My lord!
My lord...
Father...
- My lord! - Father...
Pretend I am not here...
and discuss freely with the Crown Prince.
What will you begin with?
The censors keep requesting to enter the Royal Office.
What should we do?
Let them enter.
When discussing political matters,
do we not need the presence of a censor?
The Royal Office is also where His Majesty...
sometimes reads in peace...
and has friendly conversations with his subjects.
If all of that were to be recorded,
His Majesty will no longer have a place where he can relax.
I see. In that case, do not allow the censors to enter.
A king is merely human.
He should be left alone.
However, a king also has an important duty.
The palace staff...
prepare his food, clothes, and bed...
because that is their official duty.
Also because the King is in every moment, a person with an official duty.
That is why I believe it is right to allow censors...
to enter the Royal Office.
I disagree.
Censors are already present at our Jeongjeon meetings.
Discussions that take place in the Royal Office...
are recorded by the Royal Secretary...
who are the King's messengers but also double as censors.
I do not see why we need extra personnel.
Then...
we can allow censors only under special circumstances.
What would you say would be a special circumstance?
Your Highness. You cannot be so confused and lost.
This is about distinguishing what is private and what is not.
If a king is only a public figure,
he must have a censor record his every move.
But if you consider him a man with a private life,
it would be right to not allow a censor.
It is for you to tell us what you think a king is,
and why you think that is the case.
Only then can we continue this discussion.
Your Highness.
Her Highness the Queen talked to him,
and he still did not change his mind?
Yes.
Oh, dear.
Where did he go this early in the morning?
To the Three Armies Command to see the soldiers.
The soldiers too?
Yes.
It looks like there is no turning back.
I wished to watch the soldiers in training...
and got my father's permission.
I see. You are very welcome.
Visits from people like you, Your Highness...
will be great for morale.
I do not wish to disturb them.
You are no disturbance.
Please, look around.
So, how was it like to speak with the ministers in person?
That is why you must study.
You did well.
You may call it a day.
Come back again tomorrow.
Yes, Father.
Court Lady Jung.
Bring the Crown Prince. I must speak with him urgently.
Yes, Your Highness.
No. I will go to him.
So, how was your day?
It was very beneficial.
I had meaningful discussions with the commanders.
Good.
Where are you headed?
Your brother had a hard time in the Royal Office today.
I am going to offer him a drink.
I see.
Will you join us?
He will not be pleased to see me.
That is even more reason for you to keep seeing him.
You will have to keep doing that.
Even if it feels uncomfortable or burdensome.
If you do not see each other, you will grow distant.
And if you stop seeing each other,
you will forget you are brothers.
Do you understand what I mean?
Yes, Father.
Will you smile for me?
Do not put that gloomy expression on your pretty face.
Why did you ask to see me again?
His Majesty will kill me if he finds out.
Do not worry. Then I will die also.
If we die together, at least we will not be lonely.
Your Highness.
I like you.
I like how I do not think of anything else when I am with you.
What crimes I committed,
and what a fool I am.
I like how I can forget everything.
Your Highness.
Her Highness the Queen is here.
Tell her to wait!
Are you that girl, Eo Ri?
Yes, Your Highness.
I was told you were kicked out, so how did you get back in?
Crown Prince.
Did you bring her back?
Yes.
She told me she had no place to go.
What...
am I to call you now?
I cannot call you human anymore,
so what am I to call you?
You said you want to keep your position as Crown Prince.
Did you forget what you did?
Despite doing that,
is this how you act?
You are not qualified to be anything.
Be it the King...
or my son.
Father.
Mother.
Bring in all the civil servants and military officers...
who are second rank or higher.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty. What is going on?
I want to discuss decrowning the Crown Prince...
and placing someone else in that position.