Suyang!
Even demise shan't quell my vengeful wrath!
Episode 10
Traitor Kim Jongseo's pate, Your Highness.
Kim Jongseo... That old tiger has finally perished for us all.
Tell me about it. He sure took his time.
But Prince Anpyeong was not present despite receiving his plate.
He surely suspected something momentous was about to happen.
The capital's four gates are under our control, where could he possibly hide?!
We are ransacking the entire capital, so he shall soon be caught.
And now it will be Prince Suyang's time to shine!
In the morn, we shall alert the populace of Kim Jongseo's treacherous complot.
Seungyu... Rise at once!
You must now contend against the malevolent throng of ruffians aiding Suyang's cause.
Suyang!
Even demise shan't quell my vengeful wrath!
Survive... Survive at all cost and let us meet again.
We beheaded Kim Jongseo.
And along with him we eliminated all the treacherous varmints aiding his cause,
so you can now rest assured.
Was His Excellency truly beheaded?
The pates of Left State Councilor Kim Jongseo, Minister of Military Affairs Jo Geukwan,
and Minister of Personnel Min Shin shall be gibbeted outside the palace gates.
But we must apprehend the traitors' kindred and execute them as well.
Your Majesty must hasten back to the palace.
We shall watch over His Majesty until this tumult comes to rest.
That is out of the question.
Was not His Majesty's absence from the palace what made this act of treason possible?
And that is why you must hasten back before those nefarious varmints strike us again.
If you insist, we shall accompany His Majesty.
[*chulgawein: Confucian custom painting married daughters as "outsiders"]
You are no longer part of the royal family*.
So you have no right to intrude in this.
Uncle!
I cannot allow this to happen.
It can't, Sire.
Don't worry about me.
I will not disappoint you.
Your Highness.
I leave my sister to your care.
We shall soon visit, so remember to nourish yourself and sleep soundly.
I will have to.
Sire... Sire!
That's right! Kim Seungyu is dead.
And the one responsible for his and Kim Jongseo's death...
is none other than you.
Sire.
Most of our ministers and state councilors have been eradicated for their crimes,
so we must hasten and appoint their successors.
I shall proceed after deliberating upon the best course of action.
What is there to deliberate, Sire?
Who else can bring an end to this perilous political impasse,
if not His Highness Prince Suyang?
Sire.
May you appoint Prince Suyang as Chief State Councilor,
so that he will ferret out the remaining conspirators,
and finally bring due stability to our state matters.
May you appoint him as Chief State Councilor.
May you appoint him.
Proceed as suggested.
Your grace is immeasurable.
Sire.
I, Suyang, shall spare no effort in upholding your generous appointment.
That is more like it!
Your retinue has been prepared.
This ceremonial mobilization will give moral weight to what happened yesterday.
Not to mention proving you have the caliber this paramount post requires.
So in other words, tell our people who in truth runs this nation?!
Your forethought never fails to amaze me.
- Is that really Lord Kim Jongseo? - Aww... How gruesome.
- What on earth could lead Councilor Kim to... - Watch your mouth!
Now it's Prince Suyang's world.
Father...
- Kim Jongseo -
Father...
Looks like Prince Suyang will be passing by.
But I hear he's as merciless as it gets, are you sure he won't scare us?
Your father shall soon come.
Prepare to greet his arrival.
There will be many inquiring eyes, so force her to come if you must.
Yes, my Lady.
My Lady.
Here... Here... Step aside.
Free the way.
Who the hell are you?
Get out of the way.
His Highness Prince Suyang will soon be passing by.
Ohh... Here he comes!
Look at how charming all his children are.
Take a good look.
Those will be our future prince and princesses.
- That must be his eldest daughter? - That's right.
She's also his most cherished.
Master!
It feels as if the entire world is flashing by!
Master.
Master?
No!
Don't!
Master!
Master!!
No... Don't!
Master!
Let go... Let me go!
My Lady! What are you trying to accomplish?
He's still alive... They might kill him!
- My Lady... - Let go of me!
Mother...
Please... Mother...
How could you let devotion ravage your soul?
He has now learned that you're Prince Suyang's daughter,
so what else could you possibly do or tell him?
All you are to Kim Seungyu is the daughter of the man who killed his father.
So make a sacrifice for your own sake, and let us forget him.
All right, Seryeong?
Kim Seungyu?!
How could someone we thought dead be alive?
Forgive me.
I'm sure beheading a past friend of yours could not be easy.
However, if you let a paltry friendship compromise our plans,
you have no right to serve beside me.
You must never forget what your father and I wanted to gain,
despite all the blood that has been shed.
I will bear it in mind.
So make an example out of Kim Seungyu, and behead him before our people.
Yes.
Whose son could he be, to end up in this state?
Is he still breathing?
He's alive.
Listen.
Wake up.
Death is all that awaits him, why even bother waking him up?!
By the morrow, that devilish tyrant called Suyang will have us all slain.
Master!
No... Don't!
You keep sweating cold...
What is your name?
But what brought you here to this temple?
Is there a reason why you can't tell me?
If I had told him earlier...
all this would not have had to happen.
What?
He's still alive.
And I must save him.
My Lady. Where would you go?
At least...
spare that man's life.
It is the last favor I'll ever ask you.
Should you grant it to me, I shall follow your wishes for the rest of my days.
He came here to slay me.
And he shall continue to do so to his last breath, if I spare him.
Your devotion for him is lamentable, but I have no other choice.
What else must you covet?
Was there even an act of treason by Councilor Kim?
Treason or not... After all that bloodshed, you're still not satisfied?
This behavior will only bring Kim Seungyu's execution closer.
My Lady. Are you all right?
What can I do to save him?
- May you calm down. - How could he become Chief State Councilor?!
I am sure it wasn't what His Majesty wished for.
I must head to the palace immediately.
Even if you went, it would do us no good.
Are they not the same people who framed Councilor Kim for treason?
What is the matter? Did anything happen at the palace?
It's not that...
Kim Seungyu has been captured.
Seungyu was captured?!
- Is that true? - Yes.
The market is brimming with rumors of him trying to slay Prince Suyang,
and being taken to the capital bureau after failing to do so.
Seungyu...
How could all the people protecting His Majesty so suddenly...
Ahh... Also.
Is this not Prince Anpyeong?
Looks like Uncle Anpyeong managed to escape unscathed.
He's written us where he's hiding.
- Prince Anpyeong (Suyang's brother) -
My Lord! My Lord!
My Lord.
Is it the princess?
Did Brother Suyang send you?
Allow me to escort Your Highness.
Sire, you may rest assured.
We are capturing all the conspirators' kinfolks,
so this unfortunate impasse shall soon come to an end.
Uncle... What do you plan to do with all those people?
It's only natural they should pay for their treacherous contempt with their life.
Sire... Royal Secretary Shin Sukju seeks audience.
Let him in.
We captured traitor Prince Anpyeong, Sire.
Uncle...
You must not abandon yourself in personal whims,
and condemn him to the same exact punishment as all the others.
Your Highness!
It's me, Geumseong!
Uncle Geumseong!
Prince Geumseong (Suyang's brother)
Your Highness!
How could something so heinous befall us all...
Your father will be wailing in despair in the otherworld.
Brother Anpyeong worried for your safety, so I hastened here from Hamgil Province.
Even our last hope Uncle Anpyeong has now been captured, so...
We must save him whatever it takes.
But for that to happen, we need someone to aid our cause.
We'll have to bolster our ranks.
There must be subjects who still realize that the crown only...
belongs to His Majesty, and not Prince Suyang.
I shall spare no effort to help His Majesty.
Were it not for Your Highness, we would have truly lost every last hope.
Thinking of how lonesome His Majesty is tore my heart to pieces,
and felt like wandering in the darkest brume with no light kindling my path.
But I must thank you.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Uncle.
Master.
Have I made you wait?
It's all right.
Let us hasten and go see Seungyu.
- What brings you here? - How dare you try to stop me?
He's Prefect Shin's mentor.
Master...
I dread the sight of him so much, my feet refuse to move.
Can you hear me?
He sure refuses to die.
Walking between life and death, every step of the way.
- That must be his eldest daughter? - That's right.
She's also his most cherished.
Kim Seungyu and all the other convicts...
shall be executed in the morrow at the hour of the horse (11am-1pm).
There are visitors.
What?! You will execute him when?
And you have the courage to say those words?
Are you out of your mind?
Enough.
Master... This fool...
Where are you running to?
You must find a way to save Seungyu!
Hey... What are you doing?
Seungyu! Seungyu!
Seungyu, what's wrong with you?
Seungyu, don't.
Stop... Please!
Seungyu... It's me.
Me... Jong.
Don't you recognize me?
Seungyu... Don't. Stop it.
Will you stop? Seungyu...
Seungyu!
Seungyu!!
I'm sure this is just as hard for you.
It is not.
It's merely the path I chose for my sake and that of my clan.
And that is why it must be all the more arduous to bear.
Is there no hesitation hidden behind that just cause of yours?
I shall never regret the choice I made.
May you go back.
Myeon.
This is your last chance to stop.
Before your misjudgment devours your soul, go back to your old self.
Jabeon!
Yes, Naeuri.
Make sure Kim Seungyu's execution will go on without a blemish!
For I shall not tolerate a single one.
Yes.
They're going to execute Seungyu in the morrow...
What can we do, Master?
I saw no sign of life in those eyes of his.
Let us find a way.
They're executing him in the morrow?!
You know they won't let you in, my Lady.
Take your leave at once.
This is no place for damsels like you to visit.
- Her Ladyship is Prince Suyang's... - Step aside.
That must be where they're keeping him.
Will you meet him?
All you are to Kim Seungyu is the daughter of the man who killed his father.
It's a perilous place filled with treacherous convicts.
May you take your leave.
Forget trying to help him, but how can you even refer to him as a traitor?
Save that man.
I am your future spouse!
So don't ever say his name in my presence again.
Were you the kind of man who could witness a friend's demise with such detachment?
I am merely upholding my duties.
He always trusted you as a friend and confidant,
but I suppose this is all the loyalty you can reciprocate with.
My Lady. We must go back now.
Why is there nothing I can do?
I can find no way to help him no matter how hard I try.
What now... What can I do now...
What will we do when this night is over?
If I could only pierce Suyang's spurious black heart before I perish...
Father, we shall soon meet in the afterlife.
Father.
My Lord. Please come out.
What on earth are you doing?
Save that man.
Did I not tell you this behavior would only facilitate Kim Seungyu's death?
If his demise is what you wish for, start by slaying me.
What are you, threatening me that you'll stake your life on some trifling infatuation?
It's not infatuation, but my wish to stop you from harming innocent lives.
Are you using your own life to blackmail your father?
When it comes to this, you shan't persuade me no matter what.
And you really believe your life will suffice to stop me from fulfilling my calling?
Take another step and I will slit my throat!
Seryeong!
You really...
The moment you behead that man, I shall follow him without hesitation.
Seryeong!
- Take him out! - Yes!
Pawns of Suyang! Let me go!
Let go!
You're going to be punished for this!
Let me go, you knave! Do you people have any shame?
- Take him out! - Yes!
The moment you behead that man, I shall follow him without hesitation.
Your Highness, let us head to the council hall.
The day when Kim Jongseo's minions will finally meet their destiny has come at last.
Not to mention the end for that stubborn Kim Seungyu.
But His Majesty still has not sent any edict to legitimize the executions.
Who needs any edicts?!
What we ask for must be done without fail, end of story.
I could not agree more.
Have you enjoyed a peaceful night, Sire?
Uncle.
Too many people have been sacrificed already.
Must you execute their kinfolk as well?
They're treacherous individuals threatening the safety of the throne.
Assistant Secretary of the Board of Military Affairs Lee Juhak...
conspired with Kim Jongseo in a treacherous complot.
All his possessions will therefore be confiscated, and his wife enslaved.
In accordance with our codes, criminal Lee Juhak is sentenced to death.
Proceed with the execution!
Geumseong... What are you doing here?
Uncle Geumseong.
Sire!
Innocent people are still being slaughtered outside this palace.
I humbly solicit you to bring an end to this obloquy!
And that you announce Prince Anpyeong's innocence to our populace.
Innocence?!
What evidence led you to incriminate them, Brother?
That is something for the late Kim Jongseo to answer.
Was he not the same man who exploited the confidence the former king blessed him with...
to influence His Majesty's decisions?
Don't you know that anyone accused of treason...
has the right to undergo a trial where the truth will be ascertained?
I already announced to His Majesty that the urgency of the situation...
forced me to behead the ringleader of this treasonous complot.
So don't try to meddle with such asinine arguments.
Are you going to execute Brother Anpyeong as well, then?
How dare you...
Your Excellency.
Yes, Sire.
My hesitation caused all this bloodshed.
Stop the executions immediately.
Sire.
How can you spare those traitors' kinfolk?
Uncle Geumseong's arguments are legitimate.
We must follow due protocol and subject them to trial before any punishment.
Why would we need to resort to that?
I am not deliberating with my uncle, but issuing an order to the chief state councilor.
Royal Chronicler Kim Seungyu conspired with his father Kim Jongseo...
and participated in this treacherous act.
He is therefore sentenced to beheading.
Stop!
Halt the execution at once!
His Majesty orders the criminals be sent in exile to Ganghwa Island,
and deprived of their noble rank!
Take that blade, and slit my throat first.
You merciless little...
I long knew you were just as stubborn as I am,
but I never imagined you'd manage to stop me.
Kim Seungyu was spared.
However, he will be exiled in the morn.
Do you mean that?
I did fulfill your wish today, but do this again,
and you shan't be forgiven.
Take her to her quarters.
I am proud of you. Today you proved who truly belongs on the throne.
Never let anyone make you think otherwise.
I never will.
We must make sure Brother Anpyeong is brought back from his exile.
Only then will Prince Suyang's every attempt to intimidate you be quelled.
We will always be by Your Majesty's side, so you can rest assured.
We let His Majesty's young age mislead us.
How will you deal with Prince Anpyeong?
They're going to support His Majesty every step of the way.
And let us never forget that behind Prince Anpyeong...
lies the mighty Royal Garrison.
Not to mention Lee Gae's repute amongst Seonggyungwan scholars.
They will surely pose a threat to Your Highness.
Ehh Ehh! And I thought that ridding ourselves of Kim Jongseo would suffice...
Sparing his son Seungyu still troubles me.
Tell me about it.
Was he not captured whilst attempting on His Highness' life?
I have no intention of sparing Kim Seungyu.
What are you trying to say?
Did he not avert execution and was sent in exile to Ganghwa Island?
I hear the route to Ganghwa Island is riddled with treacherous waters.
You... will have to take a saunter at sea.
Are you feeling better now?
Does it still hurt?
However, he will be exiled in the morn.
Where are you going at this hour?
To the capital bureau?
Don't go.
You really think he'd be pleased to see you?
You will only risk bringing harm upon yourself.
This is no place anyone can enter.
She's Prince Suyang's daughter.
My apologies, I did not recognize you.
Looks like she came here to meet Kim Seungyu.
How shall I proceed?
Let her go.
It's their last time together, anyhow.
You stay here.
THE PRINCESS' MAN - Episode 10 -