THE KING'S AFFECTION
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Are you all right, Your Royal Highness?
What happened, Your Royal Highness?
Well, you see,
there was a minor accident.
Goodness. What happened here?
I'll get someone to clean this up right away.
But what are you doing here, Royal Tutor Jung?
Royal Scholar Yang wanted me to escort His Royal Highness.
I just told him that His Royal Highness wouldn't be able to attend the lecture.
I should just attend the lecture today.
Go tell him I changed my mind.
But Your Royal Highness…
ZUO ZHUAN
Your Royal Highness. Goodness.
EPISODE 6
"Chunjisaenggi gwancheolsasi
chunjeukchunjisaeng
hajeukchunjijang
chujeukchunjisu
dongjeukchunjijang."
"Spring is born in spring.
Spring grows in summer.
Spring is harvested in autumn.
And spring is treasured in winter."
That is correct.
Gosh, Royal Tutor Jung. His Royal Highness is already here.
I thought you went to get him. Where have you been?
Well, there was an accident.
An accident? What happened to your finger?
Why…
You must be having an awful hangover too.
"So the scholar said
the best of the four morals is similar to the best virtue of the five, sympathy.
If we decide to look at the moral values individually, there are many values.
But if we look at them as a whole, one value includes all four moral values.
And this is the truth."
"All these moral values make up the truth.
And the universal truth
will be clear as day."
Do you understand?
Why are you staring at each other?
I… I wasn't staring at him.
And your face
is the same color as wine.
What is it, Your Royal Highness?
I forgot to bring my book.
You have your book here.
The book for the evening lecture.
I see.
Excuse me.
You shouldn't trouble yourself for it.
Please stay here. I'll take care of it.
Royal Tutor Jung.
Yes?
You must have a lot of time on your hands today.
No. I have a lot of work to do.
Okay. Whatever. Go and bring a book from the Crown Prince's office.
His Royal Highness needs it for the evening lecture.
Go now. Come on, hurry up.
"Chunjeukmanmulsisaeng
Hajeuk…"
DAXUE YANYI
ZUO ZHUAN
"Manmuljangyang…"
No.
What is it?
Your Royal Highness!
Where are you going? Your Royal Highness!
Did I do something to upset him?
ZUO ZHUAN
Your Royal Highness.
Why do you have this book?
ZUO ZHUAN
What are you doing with that book?
That is not the one you were supposed to get.
I have it because that book belongs to me.
But this book
is Dam-i's. No.
I transcribed it myself for a girl I liked.
I have no idea what you're talking about.
I'll look for the book myself.
I want you to leave now.
You really don't remember a court maid named Dam-i?
When you were the Prince,
I had a private audience with you.
And you personally gave me the present she left for me.
The palace is full of court maids.
How can I remember something that happened so long ago?
But…
you remembered me.
When we first met at the courtesan house,
you remembered who I was.
That's…
I only remembered you
because I thought you were good at flattery even for a brazen boy.
Does that answer your question?
ZUO ZHUAN
Dam-i?
The court maid I liked when I was young.
I see.
The girl you fell in love with at first sight from the banquet?
The Crown Prince had the book I gave to the girl.
The Crown Prince?
Why do you think
Dam-i just disappeared like that? She didn't even say goodbye to me.
If she's still alive,
she's probably already married, right?
And she must have kids who look just like her too, right?
What a surprise.
I didn't know you could be a hopeless romantic too.
Didn't you tell me that you went to Ming
because women in Joseon weren't good enough for you?
What about you? Is there someone you like?
Someone I like?
You're handsome and rich.
On top of that, you're a member of the royal family with a heart of gold.
There is someone.
There is? Who is it?
Whose clan is she from? Or is she a distant relative?
Is she pretty? Is she kind?
Don't tell me
you already set the date.
She's very beautiful
and warmhearted too.
How come you didn't say anything to me?
So when will you introduce me to her?
I'm a good judge of character when it comes to ladies.
I'm not sure.
I don't even know if I'll be able to do so.
Don't tell me
this is a one-sided love.
You had a busy couple of days.
You seem quite fatigued.
Why don't you go to sleep early, Your Royal Highness?
Wait.
Yes, Your Royal Highness?
Do you know how my record…
No.
Do you know how Dam-i's record
has been settled?
Why are you asking me that?
It is in my knowledge
that your mother had taken care of it when she was alive.
DAM-I
DAY 21 OF MONTH 4
LEFT THE PALACE DUE TO ILLNESS
What is this regarding?
Why did you come all the way here this morning
to meet an imprisoned physician?
I'm embarrassed to ask you for a favor,
but my daughter made a promise to the physician.
So I came here to ask for your help despite my sense of shame.
I hope you will understand.
I thought you were always sure of yourself even before Lord Sangheon and His Majesty.
But even you, the Minister of Personnel, needs help
when it concerns your child.
Please wait over there. I'll bring out the physician.
I apologized to that girl.
I didn't do it just because you told me to.
I also know what is right and wrong.
I came by to tell you that.
Are you that surprised to see me here?
Or are you touched that I came to see you?
Who are you?
You…
Where is that physician?
Gosh. What are you doing here?
LIST OF COURT MAIDS
What is this?
I might have been a bit harsh the other day.
That court maid…
died.
It happened not long after leaving the palace
due to an illness.
DAM-I
LEFT THE PALACE DUE TO ILLNESS
I see.
That explains why you couldn't remember her.
That girl…
must have been someone quite special to you.
She was my first love.
She helped me become a better person.
I wanted
to thank her…
if I ever saw her again.
I guess I won't be able to.
It wasn't my intention to make you concerned, Your Royal Highness.
My apologies.
NOKUNGAK
Goodness. What are you doing?
I'm helping you with the laundry.
Do you know the story behind these deserted quarters?
What story?
A long time ago, a court maid loved a man who lived outside the palace.
And she couldn't overcome the hopelessness of unfulfilled love.
So she hanged herself here.
Afterward, people stopped coming here.
And the deserted quarters became an eyesore.
So the Kings tried to tear this place down over many generations.
But anyone who tried to demolish this place either got sick or died
as if they'd been cursed. That's what I heard.
After that, they weren't able to tear this place down.
So instead, they just closed it.
What?
Aren't you scared to be alone in a place like this?
Why would I be scared?
I like that no one comes here thanks to that story.
NOKUNGAK
-A ghost! -You startled me!
Stop. Wait up!
Wait until I catch you!
Come on, wait up! I'm scared!
I thought you'd be busy with the reception. What brings you here?
I heard that the Crown Prince ended the lecture early today.
Is there something wrong?
Oh, he went to his spot.
You know, the spot he always goes to when he has a lot on his mind.
This place is a true gem.
You won't find a place breezier than here.
Hyun.
I thought you'd be in Ganghwa for the reception.
You haven't left yet?
I postponed it to tomorrow.
I have a more important matter to take care of today.
An important matter? What is it?
You mentioned you wanted to taste this the other day.
I happened to remember what you said.
I hope
you didn't delay your trip because of this.
Well, let's say it was one of many reasons.
You always told me you wanted to run free.
Why do you always stop here?
Because I have to go back to the palace.
And this is the extent…
of the path I know.
You told me
that you had traveled someplace far, right?
What did you find far away from here?
If you keep going straight past the gate,
is it true
that you'll see the ocean, which has an unknown length and depth?
Does that really exist?
Yes. It does.
And there is a ship with a big sail too.
Once you get on the ship, you can go anywhere.
Even if it's very far.
If you ask me for directions, I'll give them to you.
Always.
You only have an hour.
Unfortunately, the sun will set in an hour.
So enjoy the breeze and the view until then.
I have been working hard lately.
So I cannot stop dozing off.
Flowers for the Crown Prince's quarters?
I wasn't informed about this.
Can you tell me what they are for?
Well…
The thing is…
If it's too much to ask, can't I just get some flower seeds?
Well, I'm done planting the flowers, and I do have some left.
Please give me a few.
Can't you give me some of the flowers?
Why do you have them?
These? I want to plant some flowers.
I have a place in mind.
I see.
Thank you
for looking into her record.
Sure.
I heard that you are attending lectures again.
I know you've been busy lately.
Royal Tutor Jung!
What are you doing? You have a big problem!
What problem?
Well, the Minister of Personnel
lodged an appeal for your resignation.
For my resignation?
Royal Tutor Jung Ji-un of the Crown Prince
is in fact Samgaebang's real physician?
Unfortunately, he is, Your Majesty.
-My goodness. -What? He is?
If what you're telling me is the truth,
who is the imprisoned physician at Hanseong Magistracy?
He used to be a mere assistant at Samgaebang.
Left State Councilor, I need you to explain this.
You were the one who recommended Royal Tutor Jung.
Everything the Minister of Personnel said is true.
Then are you telling us that you recommended
a lowly physician from the street
to be the Crown Prince's royal tutor despite knowing his history?
He may be a lowly physician from the street.
But he's a royal tutor if he has wisdom to share.
Your Majesty, didn't you compliment his wisdom during the last exam?
Jung Ji-un displays great character
and an excellent literary talent compared to other royal tutors.
This good-natured man ran a pharmacy called Samgaebang to share
his medical knowledge with the people.
You cannot possibly hold this act of kindness against him.
His history of running a pharmacy isn't the problem.
Hiding this from His Majesty and the Crown Prince
is a more serious crime. Don't you agree?
On top of that, if the Inspector General
ordered to close down Samgaebang for corrupting public morals,
I'm sure there must have been a bigger problem than meets the eye.
I resented the Minister of Personnel for not siding with me before.
But he definitely tipped the scales in my favor.
He's indeed a difficult man to figure out.
It's too early to celebrate.
Don't you know Lord Sangheon?
He'll probably try to make this go away by reprimanding a lecturer.
That's why we must help him.
His Majesty expects many great things from Prince Jehyeon.
Don't you think it's time for us to step up
and weaken the influence of Lord Sangheon and the Crown Prince?
Why did you let them live?
I'll explain everything to the Minister of Personnel in person.
Do you think you can easily hold sway over him?
I practically spoon-fed you, but you couldn't even handle that
and made a mess.
I'm sorry, my lord.
I will do whatever it takes to handle this matter.
Of course you will
because your precious son's life will depend on it.
I must talk to the Minister of Personnel.
-I only need a moment of his time. -No.
He said he wouldn't meet with you until His Majesty approves of it.
Please leave.
Wait. I only need a moment of his time.
How dare you!
I want you to release them now.
I'll take responsibility for everything.
How will you take responsibility?
You deceived the royal family, so even your life is in danger.
How will you take responsibility for it?
You could have punished just me from the beginning.
Why are you torturing my innocent friends and putting everyone in danger?
His Majesty will decide
on your position in three days at the morning assembly.
Do whatever it takes to secure your position until then.
If you fail,
those friends you cherish, the both of us,
and your dear mother
won't be able to live another day.
Your Royal Highness.
Tell me. What happened?
It looks like things have gotten pretty serious.
Not only will His Majesty punish Royal Tutor Jung,
but he will also punish his father for turning a blind eye on his son.
I doubt Inspector Jung Seok-jo was acting alone.
Everyone must know that he was only doing
what my maternal grandfather
told him to do.
Anyway, I say it all worked out.
You weren't exactly keen on them.
So driving them out of the palace--
It's getting late. You can go now.
Pardon?
Yes, Your Royal Highness.
Are you bothered by the scandal regarding Royal Tutor Jung?
He's Jung Seok-jo's son.
His father was responsible for murdering the Prince.
No. His father tried to kill you, Your Royal Highness.
I know.
I do.
You must not forget that.
Never.
Please do not forget that.
It's all my fault that he's in trouble.
The Minister of Personnel scared me out of my wits.
Do you really think it's not too late?
If I tell them that I'm the real physician at Samgaebang,
Yeong-ji and Ji-un will be able to live, right?
What nonsense is that?
The Inspector… No. Ji-un's father told me
that if I recant my statement, everyone will be okay.
You idiot. Do you really buy that?
Hearing that he might find a nice spot to bury you is more plausible. You dimwit.
What am I supposed to do?
Ji-un is about to die because of me.
Chief Gu. You have to get out of here now.
I'll tell Royal Tutor Jung everything.
So don't do anything stupid. And say you don't know anything.
Stick to that. Got it?
Come on, hurry up!
You don't know anything.
My lady!
-My lady. -Father.
What are you doing?
They are about to get hurt because of me.
Father. Please let it slide just this once.
They aren't bad people.
I'm sure it wasn't their intention.
How can we be certain that they aren't bad people?
I will only see them as either innocent or guilty.
Father. Please.
That's enough. I already reported it to His Majesty.
The decision is up to His Majesty.
Father!
His Majesty will issue a royal order at tomorrow's morning assembly.
It's unfortunate, but I believe today
will be the last time I see you.
You haven't been here long,
but I will remember your lectures as somewhat useful.
I cannot leave the palace yet.
I'm in need of your help.
You are the only person who can help me now.
Why would I help you?
Did you forget that I, of all people, wanted you gone
when you first came to the palace?
I know that. That's why I'm asking you for your help.
You knew from the beginning that I was a physician at Samgaebang.
But you accepted me as your lecturer.
It was because I lost the bet. I did make a promise after all.
Could you
keep your promise one more time?
Gosh.
Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do for you.
So I advise you to stop asking.
Royal Tutor Jung…
There you are.
Where have you been? I looked everywhere for you.
What about Jil-geum? He's okay, right?
It's about your father.
I think he's going to pin everything on him. What should we do?
I don't know what to do. I can neither stop him nor support him.
Chief Gu!
What are you talking about?
That fool wants to save you and Yeong-ji.
You don't think he'll kill them, right?
After all, you cherish them like your family. Right?
No… Jil-geum. No.
Hey, wait. Royal Tutor Jung!
Your Royal Highness, Prince Jaeun is here to see you.
Hyun.
Was your trip to Ganghwa pleasant?
Yes.
I have something to tell you.
What is it?
Royal Tutor Jung ran Samgaebang
with the sole purpose of helping poor kids from the slums.
Is that it?
Yes, Your Royal Highness.
He only accepted the position at the palace
to save his friends from Samgaebang.
He never wanted the title.
-Why are you telling me this? -Because--
I know that Jung Ji-un is an old friend of yours.
I understand that you want to help him.
But this is pointless.
Whatever the reason is,
he still broke the code of morals and deceived our family.
His actions will not be forgiven.
He may be my friend, but he's also your royal tutor.
I'm tired.
I'm sure you are exhausted from the trip.
We should talk some other time.
I cannot leave the palace yet.
I'm in need of your help.
You're the only person who can help me now.
What did you wish for?
Do you remember the slum we passed by earlier on our way here?
What?
I wished that
the kids in the slum would be well fed and grow up in good health.
That's what I wrote down.
What?
It's their parents' job to take care of them.
Why…
Most of them are orphans.
I grew up there as an orphan too.
My heart breaks for them,
but I don't have the means to help them.
So if I make a wish for them,
perhaps, someone might help them one day.
Right. What did you wish for?
Me?
Well, I…
Hold on, Dam-i.
Young Master.
Why did you do that?
Well, after hearing your wish,
my wish sounded petty and selfish.
-Pardon? -So I changed mine.
My wish is to become that someone who can help those kids.
Should I not have mentioned it to him?
No.
If I did, Jil-geum would be framed for everything and end up dead.
I couldn't let that happen to him. Of course, not.
Right!
Royal Tutor Jung is on it now. I'm sure he has come up with a plan.
I doubt that he's going to kill his own son. Right.
No. No way.
What if Royal Tutor Jung gets killed too?
The Inspector is capable of doing so.
Gosh. This is driving me crazy!
Goodness! What do I do now?
Who is going to get killed?
Who are you?
Wait. Where are we going?
Where are you taking me?
Sir.
-Yeong-ji! -Jil-geum!
Stop!
-Ji-un! -Ji-un!
Are you…
-really going to kill them too? -Step aside.
How much more can you possibly disappoint me?
I told you to step aside.
Are you really going to kill me?
Let them go.
Please.
They will live someplace else.
Just tell yourself that.
That is the only thing you can do.
-Ji-un! -Ji-un!
No!
-What are you doing? -If I do this…
you have no reason to kill them.
If you lay a finger on them,
I will not forgive you
even if you are my father!
-Ji-un! -Ji-un!
Lock him up until I return.
-Ji-un! -Ji-un!
Take the girl away from here for now.
Jil-geum!
-Jil-geum! -Yeong-ji!
Write down what I say.
You were scared, so you lied.
And you are the physician at Samgaebang.
You were scared of your punishment,
so you bought off guards and escaped. Got it?
No…
Please spare me.
Please let me live!
It's my fault. Please don't kill me.
I heard that Ji-un saved you and that girl
when your lives were in danger.
You can pay him back
right now.
Yeong-ji.
Please spare me…
Please spare me.
I AM THE PHYSICIAN OF SAMGAEBANG
I ESCAPED
BANG JIL-GEUM
Wait. As you promised,
please spare Ji-un and Yeong-ji.
Please don't kill them.
Please…
Please let them live.
I noticed that some crooks secretly took the prisoners
from Hanseong Magistracy.
I order you as the Crown Prince.
Hand over the prisoners.
If you do,
no one will shed a drop of blood here tonight.
Did Lord Sangheon approve of this?
Did you not hear me?
I ordered you as the Crown Prince of Joseon.
Unless there is a royal command,
no one can dare to disapprove of my order.
Your Royal Highness.
Is that what you truly believe?
You must not agree with me
seeing how
you won't lower your sword.
If he so much as moves his hand,
bring me
his head in an instant.
What? You don't think I can go through with this?
I doubt that my grandfather
will punish his dear grandson for killing his dog.
What is going on? Tell me what happened.
Your Royal Highness. You even took the royal guards with you.
What did you do?
If Lord Sangheon finds out…
Goodness.
Why did you do that?
Why…
were you so arrogant, Your Royal Highness?
They took the prisoners.
I understand that you ordered them to do so,
but it was wrong.
So I only did what I was supposed to do.
You're wrong, Your Royal Highness.
Your moral standards
will not influence your actions.
The only thing you must do
is listen to me, your grandfather,
and not challenge me.
That is all.
Do you understand?
Do not forget.
The path I choose
will be your path.
And if you deviate from that path,
I will not forgive you,
no matter how much I adore you.
Get ready.
It's time for the assembly.
What about my friends? Where are they?
I need to know if they are safe first.
You can find out for yourself after the morning assembly.
Are they alive?
You didn't…
kill them, right?
Let me sum it up. This man here, Jung Ji-un,
recommended and prescribed
only expensive and rare medicinal herbs
under the pretense of treatments. Is that true?
Yes, that's true.
There is more.
When I visited Samgaebang,
not only did he make me wait with the people of low birth,
but he also humiliated me
by turning me away at the gate in front of them.
Jung Ji-un neglected the custom of our class system
and tarnished the authority of the nobility.
And Inspector Jung Seok-jo protected his son.
I ask you to punish them, Your Majesty.
-Please punish them, Your Majesty. -Please punish them, Your Majesty.
Is everything they said true?
Yes.
It's true.
I will announce the punishment
for Royal Tutor Jung and the prisoners from Samgaebang.
Royal Tutor Jung Ji-un
of the Royal Institute
ran a clinic called Samgaebang as a nobleman and exploited people
which resulted in tarnishing the prestige of nobility.
Moreover, he deceived me and the Crown Prince
and disgraced the royal family.
The degree of his crime is quite severe.
Therefore,
he is no longer a lecturer for the Crown Prince
and will be banished after facing 50 whips.
And those who helped him
to run Samgaebang will be forced to do manual labor.
If that is the punishment I deserve, I will accept it.
But without the prisoners, the punishment can't be executed.
My assistants from Samgaebang are missing.
Please tell me where they are.
What are you talking about?
I thought they were imprisoned at Hanseong Magistracy.
Someone took them.
Allow me…
to answer that question.
Subtitle translation by: Won-hyang Son
THE KING'S AFFECTION
-Your Royal Highness. -Your generosity
knows no limit, Your Royal Highness.
Please let me be in charge of receiving the envoys.
I ask you to put your faith in me this time.
Thank you for the warm welcome.
That's enough. You are in the palace of Joseon.
I brought you here to show you something fun, Your Royal Highness.
What are you doing?
Your Royal Highness.
I put my faith in you. Yet, you disappointed me.