- Characters and events depicted in this drama have been fictionalized -
- 1453, Gyeyu Rebellion - Prince Suyang conspires against his political rivals and gains control of the court
- Where is Prince Suyang? - Let us go.
- Was Kim Seungyu released? - Yes.
I trust he didn't realize that you did it on purpose?!
I'm sure he didn't, Your Highness.
Confident in your long-lasting friendship, he must have run to his father's aid.
And like a beacon in the dark, he will lead us to Kim Jongseo.
Young Master...
Out of the way.
Father!
I am fine...
I shall head to the board of military affairs, so pave the way.
Seungyu!
Suyang!
Even demise shan't quell my vengeful wrath!
Father...
Father!!
- One Year Earlier -
How docile you are. So quiet and gentle.
Just once... Just this once, all right?
One, two, three...
I did it!
My Lady!
My Lady...
Aigoo... You injured it again?!
I almost made it...
Look at all the bruises you got because of that little scoundrel.
What if Her Highness finds out?
I told you he just let me ride him this time!
Rise... Rise at once. Her Highness has been waiting.
Where have you been?
Did your keeper loiter about at the stables, again?
- She... She did not, Your Highness. - Will you speak the truth?
Mother, I actually...
How could it be so?
Even walking is a chore for her feeble, ailing ankle.
- Prince Suyang -
Could she ever ride a horse?
It is your long awaited return to the palace,
so always display the due decorum befitting a royal.
Yes, Father.
Royals must never dishonor their legacy with coarse demeanor,
so commit yourselves to those lectures with earnest zeal.
Yes.
Did you send someone to inform His Excellency?
He must have arrived by now.
Father.
- Kim Jongseo - (Right State Councilor)
His Highness Prince Suyang has sent a missive.
A missive?
Is he not proposing a betrothal between Seungyu and his daughter?!
Did Seungyu spend the night out, again?
Naeuri...
The sun is up and high.
Awaken now, it is time to enter the palace.
How can compeers be so different?!
Betrothal?!
Ehh... Make some sense, will you?
But I've heard Mother and Father talk about it?!
They sent Councilor Kim Jongseo a missive.
- And I would be betrothed? - Right.
You don't want to get married, do you? So go tell Father to let me do it instead.
The youngest son of our mighty right state councilor,
Kim. Seung. Yu...
Doesn't his name have a majestic flair?
Let's just head to Jami Hall*. [*Royal quarters in Gyeongbok Palace]
We need to pay our respects to Her Highness.
- I'll leave you the honors. - What?!
I have no "respects" to pay to whom so nauseatingly flaunts her majestic beauty.
Jaesang Bulgyo, Goyi Bulwi. [From the Xiaojing (Classic of Filial Piety)]
"If no conceit comes with majesty, no quandaries shall afflict the noble."
Goyi Bulwi, Soyi Jangsugwi.
Master...
Yes, Your Highness.
I can't seem to find the maxim you just quoted.
How could that be...
I am sure of it.
Your humble servant has perused that book a thousand times...
Are you suggesting I am engaging in frivolous fabrication?
I would never dare...
Come verify firsthand.
W...hat?!
Come here and verify yourself.
Must I come there and do it for you?
Of course not. Allow me to.
You may turn the page.
Oh! The horror!
Her Highness flaunted her beauty in an effort to taunt her lecturer?!
Is that conscionable behavior, I wonder?
Let us just take this opportunity to finally put an end to her lectures.
With every new lecturer sent her way facing the same fate,
our royal institute's repute is being constantly disgraced.
How could we be blamed for it?
Im Changgyo, Lee Eungsu and Gil Byeongwon all handed their resignation because of her.
And not satisfied with that, now even Lecturer Yeom?!
Did I not warn you not to ever lift the curtain?
Why are you doing this?
Her Highness is waiting for you in her quarters, finish those lectures...
I can only say I feel ashamed.
Why don't you take over for the day, then?
Say no more. As if dealing with all those shallow royal damsels weren't enough...
Why don't you entrust her to our newly recruited lecturer?
Where did that scoundrel...
I wonder what could have caused this belated arrival...
Consumed by my lectures at the library as I was, I fear I might have...
Say what?! Consumed by your lectures?
Sure you weren't consuming the night in a gisaeng's embrace?
Take a look at your face, will you?
My face?
- And what is this? - You're asking me?
Head to Her Highness' quarters at once.
But I thought Lecturer Yeom Doil was entrusted with Her Highness' lectures?
He just quit...
So Her Highness taunted her lecturer again?
Aren't they pathetic?
Flaunting their ethical rigor while they drool in your face.
Still, Your Highness went too far.
Your Highness. Lady Seryeong seeks audience.
Your Highness.
Why would a lady even bother riding a horse?
Quite the impetuous temperament you have.
Injuring yourself while engaging in such fruitless antics...
Why do you collect silken shoes you will never bother wearing, then?
Because I want to.
The same goes for me, then.
Because I want to.
And trying to stop me makes me want to ride even more.
Last I've heard, you couldn't even reach the saddle?
I did manage to do it, brief as it was.
All those bruises, and yet...
Your Highness, it's time for your lectures.
And Lady Seryeong has hers to attend as well.
Lectures, lectures!
I've had it with them.
I'm not going.
But Your Highness, what if His Majesty finds out...
Could Father do anything about it?
They sent a betrothal missive to Councilor Kim Jongseo.
What's capturing your thoughts?
I was thinking I might come to understand your predicament,
if the constrained life of a consort was forced upon me.
What would that mean?
Doesn't being trapped inside these palace walls feel suffocating?
Why would that be? There is nothing I can't find here.
Take my garden. Know how many wondrous rare flowers it's filled with?
But to me they're never as beautiful as those growing free outside the palace.
Your Highness!
I found who the substitute will be.
They sent another?!
His name is Lecturer Kim Seungyu.
- Kim Seungyu? - Councilor Kim's youngest son.
Councilor Kim's youngest son?!
The youngest son of our mighty right state councilor,
Kim. Seung. Yu...
Never lift that curtain, no matter what.
Always bear it in mind.
Announce my presence.
Your Highness, the royal lecturer is here.
Your Highness.
I am royal lecturer Kim Seungyu.
It is a true privilege to lecture someone of your repute.
But does my presence importune you in any way?
Seeing as you refuse to grace me with your notoriously angelic voice...
Open the Xiaojing, then.
Who and from which clan?
Lady Seryeong, daughter of Prince Suyang.
Kim Seungyu or whomever, I shall deal with no lecturer.
Your Highness...
Don't you want to take a saunter outside the palace gates?
Outside?! And how about the lectures...
I could take your place, and...
And sit in my quarters on my behalf?
Does that even make any sense?
Actually, I might be betrothed to Lecturer Kim Seungyu.
So I wanted to have a look at him firsthand.
Your Highness should have stopped Lady Seryeong.
If you encourage her, what does that make of me...
Call me "Your Highness" once more, and you'll see what I make of you.
What are the Three Obediences?
They state that women must obey their father in their youth,
their spouse after their conjugal ties, and their sons once death eventually parts them.
In other words, they show how women can only live in a man's shadow.
Shadow?!
Will you stop at that?
I suppose the curtain will be next?!
Let us marvel at the arresting beauty which sent the entire royal institute into a frenzy.
But alas, neither a calf nor any other scandalous exposure would make me sway.
If a princess so spuriously flaunts her beauty like a cheap ornament on sale,
does it not make her no different than a lowly gisaeng?
I shall no longer tolerate such puerile attempts to taunt your lecturers.
And with that in mind, we conclude today's lecture.
Lift the curtain.
I said lift the curtain.
Your Highness, what...
Bruises, as you can see.
Not harming the body our parents blessed us with is the basis of filial piety,
so I can only beg your pardon for subjecting you to such unseemly sights.
However, Master.
Did I perchance hear "other scandalous exposure"?
And pray tell me, what were you looking forward to?
To see me rid myself of my undergarments, so that you could take a peek?
Or perhaps a tender peck on that neck of yours?
I trust that for someone who freely meanders about with rouge marks on his neck,
such "puerile" attempts to taunt me would not be all that unconscionable?!
But it is the earnest walls of the palace you walked in.
Seeing the kind of lewd demeanor that would befit a brothel is utterly despicable.
Women might walk in a man's shadow,
but what woman would trust and rely upon such puerile and spurious men?
Say what? A missive?
Suyang sent Councilor Kim a missive?!
What was its content?
My apologies, Sire. I could not get to that quite yet...
- King Munjong - (Suyang's brother, 5th ruler of Joseon)
What could it be...
What would he confer about with such a staunch political rival...
And how can a ruler be so oblivious to what surrounds him?
How is it?
Accept my apologies, Sire.
How could I fault you for an ailing body haunting this old man?
I am truly mortified, Sire.
Sire. Prince Suyang seeks audience.
He may enter.
She's trying to ride a horse?! Seryeong shows as much vim as the princess.
We've been blessed with remarkable daughters.
We sure have, Your Majesty.
Growing up bereft of a mother made me pamper her to a fault,
so I hope she can count on your ever-so scrupulous guidance.
Shouldn't this incautious man first learn how to cope with his own daughter?
I cherish Seryeong like a daughter,
so do the same for the princess, and offer her your precious guidance.
Yes, Sire.
Could you do the same for the crown prince?
It is only natural that I should.
I am grateful.
I shall meet you with the other royals at the council hall, then.
Sire!
- Physician, come here at once! - Lower your voice, Suyang has just left.
Sire...
He asked about the missive's content?
Sire!
We must hasten with Princess Gyeonghye's congratulatory ritual before it's too late.
What do the royals think?
Your humble servant Anpyeong will offer his view.
Princess Gyeonghye's nuptial vows are not only propitious for the nation,
but also a necessary step she must take as a royal.
And if after a royal son-in-law is chosen for Her Highness...
we could also nominate a crown princess as well,
it would only bolster the crown's stability for many moons to come.
Your humble servant Onnyeong will add his remonstrances.
The royal son-in-law ought to be selected upon further deliberation...
by the royal committee presided by His Highness Prince Suyang.
That is inadmissible.
If there is anyone who should deliberate upon the royal son-in-law's selection,
it is not the royal committee, but the board of rites.
Sire.
May you entrust the selection to the board of rites.
Not the board of rites, for sure!
Ever since the former king's reign,
royals have been entrusted decisional power over family matters.
Are you perchance suggesting conjugal rites are not family matters?
They are first and foremost national matters!
- The royal committee can only be... - We shall abide by His Excellency's suggestion.
Your Highness...
How can petty political diatribes becloud such a propitious event?
We shall gleefully defer this matter to the board of rites.
What could have led Prince Suyang to so quickly oblige?
They "gleefully defer" this matter to the board of rites?!
What on earth are they plotting?
I am eagerly looking forward to your retort on that missive, Your Excellency.
Sire...
Councilor Kim's son Seungyu has been selected as Her Highness' new lecturer.
Ohh Ohh! Stop there!
There!
Let's take another tour.
I will call the porters.
Wh... Who are you?
I asked you a question!
How dare you lay your filthy hands...
What do we have here?!
Here it is, Naeuri!
Right here! Naeuri...
Your Highn...
I mean, my Lady. Are you all right?
Aigoo... She's shivering in fear...
Makson, that shall suffice.
All that clamor is hurting my nerves.
Let us go back.
You must never tell anyone about this.
Yes.
In other words, they show how women can only live in a man's shadow.
Lady Seryeong.
This is terrible. His Highness the Crown Prince is headed here.
What?
- Crown Prince Hongwi - (to be King Danjong)
Your Highness. His Highness the Crown Prince seeks audience.
Your Highness...
Sister. It's Hongwi.
Sister?
Your Highness, it's you?
- You were here as well? - Yes.
I was told of the deliberation about the royal son-in-law at the council hall,
have you heard?
Why are you asking?
It's been long since Mother passed away, and if you leave the palace as well,
what will that make of me?
It is only my duty to do so, when the time comes.
Did I not tell you not to ever show weakness in anyone's presence?
Your Highness...
You will one day take our country's fortunes upon yourself.
No matter what throes might be afflicting you, you must gleam with resolve.
I must have let frailty becloud my judgment for an instant.
I shall take my leave now.
Did you enjoy your saunter outside the palace walls?
It was hardly remarkable.
All those minions' clatter was poison to my ears,
not to mention how difficult breathing was with all that dust.
Is that so?
But tell me, what about that prospective spouse of yours?
Why... Was it one of those scornful pettifoggers always speaking in tongues?
He rather looked like a wastrel with impudence to spare.
Wastrel?!
The kind of libertine who would meander about with rouge marks on his neck.
Rouge marks on his neck... Were there such lecturers at the royal institute?
But how did you manage to see such marks?
Did you lift the curtain?
But it wasn't her fault.
The lecturer lifted it on his own.
- All the better. - What?!
He's even seen your face now, could I possibly join those lectures?
I shall spend some time with the flowers of my garden,
so I'll let you and your prospective spouse fondly mingle at will.
Your Highness!
Are we not putting too much pressure on those shoulders?!
Do those underlings even know that their superior spent the night drinking?
Look who's talking.
The only thing you can lecture people on is the art of drinking, isn't it?
If you want to part ways with the bottle, you should first avoid Jong.
But he was all up in arms trying to earn himself a treat tonight?!
Ehh... There's no stopping him. Doesn't he even get tired of it?!
Has he ever turned down the sweet pleasures of the bottle?
I bet he's at a gibang...
Isn't that him?
Who are you?
- How may I be of service, I wonder... - You knave!
How dare you subject a yangban to such treatment?
This yangban you speak of seemingly refuses to settle his debts with us,
so we were about to escort him and discuss a possible solution.
Is that not right, Naeuri?
I... never said I wouldn't settle my debts.
Who do you work for?
And why would you ask?
Don't be insolent!
Back off at once!
"Insolent"?!
I shall later settle this matter, so you may release him.
He'll settle it later...
And how am I supposed to believe that?
Doesn't that answer your question?
An officer of the capital bureau, I see.
Looks like I grievously importuned Your Excellency.
Take your leave.
Quite the dependable friends you have.
Outside the target!
Facing one's weaknesses takes great courage.
Do not let it hamper your resolve. Are you not getting better at it?!
Yes.
Suyang was born to wear the crown.
Sire... That is preposterous.
Methinks my time shall soon come.
And without his father to rely upon,
how will that child repel his uncle's covetous deviltries...
Sire...
If it could only help him survive,
I would gleefully meet my demise here and now, without reserve.
Sire! Do not afflict your humble servant with such mortifying utterances!
I thought I could forever count on your most earnest fealty,
but lamentably I can no longer do so.
What would lead you to think so? May you tell me the reason, Sire!
What are you and Suyang conspiring?
Create dissent?!
How could sending a mere missive create dissent?
Learning of the missive His Excellency sent to Councilor Kim,
don't you think His Majesty would find himself haunted by disquiet?
How remarkably conniving!
I was actually wondering whether your sagacious political acumen was a thing of the past,
when you proposed conjugal ties His Excellency would have never agreed upon.
However, no mendacious betrothal would be enough to eradicate their long-lasting bond.
I never said it was mendacious.
For I shall become in-laws with Kim Jongseo without fail.
If you were facing such dire straits, why only mention it now?
Don't you know how dangerous those market shylocks can be?
They'll want a lot more than simple interests out of you.
No matter how serious your mother's ailments might be,
- must you defy the law and... - Here.
Let us first tame the flames.
Wouldn't you be better off asking us for help?
So how much is it? And don't think for a minute I won't ask for interests.
But, you know...
I saw a lady of matchless beauty today.
It could actually have been the eight provinces' fairest flower, Princess Gyeonghye?!
Fairest flower?! Wouldn't go that far...
Looked quite ordinary to me...
Are you telling me you saw Princess Gyeonghye?
Ahh... You're killing me! Say something, will you?
I merely was entrusted with her lectures.
- And why did you only tell us now? - So is she really that beautiful?
Princess or not, she remains nothing but a woman.
What is all this commotion for some ordinary damsel?!
Those drinks sure tasted nice tonight?!
Why, ever had a problem guzzling the night away before?
All right. I shall hereby grace you with a verbal edict...
Ordering you to proceed to the gibang at once!
Advance!
- It's your turn tonight. - The hell are you saying...
Forgot who had to carry him last time?
Put me down... Come on!
I'm not going home!!
Father. It is me, Seungyu.
You had guests?
Got acquainted with the bottle again?
I partook in a few sips with close compeers of mine.
Go to sleep.
He seems like quite the valiant young fellow.
Lamentably, I cannot flaunt any such virtues when it comes to my daughter.
Although I suppose joining such an intrepid man in conjugal ties could be praiseworthy.
Is that the sole purpose behind this betrothal?
Only Your Excellency and I can avert an inevitable tragedy.
Tragedy?
- If I said that after His Majesty's demise... - Mind your parlance!
I vow to protect the throne and our crown prince,
would you believe me?
Even mutts wandering the streets wouldn't believe that.
You'd be the first to suggest that the only way to protect his investiture...
is by slaying the ideal candidate to the throne, Suyang.
And for the sake of survival, that would force me to slay you.
Meaning that in the end, one of us would have to shed blood.
Kim Jongseo does not fear demise.
It doesn't just end at you and me, Your Excellency.
Would you be prepared to witness our innocent children bear the brunt of this all?
But if you and I join forces, their lives will not be so heedlessly sacrificed.
- There is no other choice but to do it, is there? - Did you not bring this upon yourself?
But if you really can't stand it, you can always tell that lecturer the truth.
Now that's more like it.
I will say a few words before our lecture, if I may.
I shall endeavor to remember the words of censure you graced me with,
but I also hope you will maintain decorum when dealing with your lecturer.
From here on in, I shall tolerate no needless interruptions.
Also, transcribe the content of our lecture, and present it on the next one.
You must also memorize every maxim we will discuss on our lecture,
for I will frequently examine your progress.
Should you fail to pass these oral examinations,
we will restart from the beginning.
Why aren't you answering?
As you prefer.
I am overwhelmed with gratitude.
What could a powerless pupil do to stop a lecturer using his status...
to retaliate for what he was subjected to yesterday?!
I can only accept your puerile artifices with utmost leniency.
You may subject me to an examination right now.
Right now?
Sire.
What brings you to the royal institute?
I was told the princess' lecturer was once again replaced?!
I am mortified.
Would you like to see her lecture firsthand?
Bibeop Buleon, Bido Bulhaeng. [From the "Classic of Filial Piety"]
"Make no inopportune utterances, and engage in no improper endeavors."
Gumu Taekeon, Shinmu Taekhaeng.
"And thus no longer will what you say or do afflict you with quandaries."
Jaeosabu Isamo Ihaedong.
"If you cherish your mother as you would your father, they will be loved equally."
Jaeosabu Isagun Igyeongdong.
"If you cherish your ruler as you would your father, they will be equally revered."
Recited without reserve. Quite remarkable.
His Maj...
Sire.
Here is Kim Seungyu, entrusted with Her Highness' lectures.
I thought I'd pay a visit.
My gratitude for undertaking such a burdensome task.
It is everything but a burden, Your Majesty.
Would it importune you if I observed the lecture for a moment?
Why would that be the case?!
Continue the lecture, then.
["Therefore, love your mother and revere your ruler like you love and revere your father"]
Go Mochwigiae, Igun Chwigigyeong, Gyeomji Jabuya.
Your Highness. May you explicate this maxim.
Your Highness.
Meseems she is still lacking in erudition.
I hope your lectures will compensate for her misgivings.
My apologies, Sire.
My spurious inadequacy as a lecturer is certainly to blame.
Fret you not.
You have come all the way here, so salute Her Highness before you go, Sire.
I shall lift the curtain for you.
Turn around.
Lift the curtain.
Don't.
If there is any place where teachers reign supreme, it's this royal institute.
Why would I interfere with his lecture, then?
You may continue.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Charming and full of wisdom, just as I had heard.
Impart your precious knowledge upon the crown prince as well.
Your grace is immeasurable.
I see you're quite proficient when it comes to embarrassing your lecturer.
Your Highness.
His Majesty came to the royal institute.
He did what?! And what happened?
I managed not to let him find out.
Then, that does it.
- But should he once again... - I'm sure Father will not come again.
And since they'll change lecturers once you're done with the Xiaojing...
Just be patient for a little while.
Or would you prefer to reveal the truth right now?
No.
I wouldn't want to put you in a predicament because of me.
Your Highness. It's me, Un. I come with news.
It must be His Excellency's retort.
Come on in.
- Is it from Councilor Kim? - It's not.
You have been summoned to the palace.
I did it... I finally did it!
I thought you said she was still "nothing but a woman"?!
But she doesn't look too ordinary to me? Making a fool out of the mighty Kim Seungyu.
- I wonder what she was thinking. - So, what? Are you going to punish her?
I might.
I have something to tend to, so go ahead first.
Hey...
Your Highness... What is all this about?
Let's go.
I thought we could deliberate upon the appointment of our royal son-in-law today.
I suggest we follow procedure and first go through the three customary selections.
Must we really go through such burdensome procedure?
There have been instances of direct appointment, but...
But we could easily find a much swifter solution.
By swifter solution, are you implying that you already have someone in mind?
Who is it?
May you enlighten us on who this suitable candidate might be.
May you enlighten us.
I...
shall appoint Councilor Kim Jongseo's son Seungyu as Royal-in-law.