[The following program recreated historical events by adding fictional characters and situations]
Episode 20
Are you really going to depose the Erstwhile King?
It is nothing that should concern you.
I was hoping you would one day concede to your daughter, for once.
I hoped I could find the strength to set you back on the righteous path.
Old sayings suggested "Everything you have been blessed with is a gift from your parents."
But I can no longer consider myself as your daughter.
I will not, not any longer.
I have now cut my ties with you, so don't think of me as your daughter anymore.
How... dare you...
I shall leave the palace.
Are you telling me you cut your ties with your father?
Yes.
I apologize for what happened to the Erstwhile King.
Why would I blame you for that?
Are you going to join the Royal Son-in-law when he's exiled?
Nobody can follow His Majesty to his exile, after all.
I was worried about you, but you look much calmer than I thought.
I learned that even tears can become a luxury you cannot afford.
But we managed to survive one way or another, so this will not be the end of us.
What are you going to do now?
I will stay at Seungbeop Temple.
Will you be all right?
I at last can answer you on whether I can really contend with my father.
Should his tyranny continue to go on, I will try anything in my power to stop it.
Her Highness left the palace yesterday.
What are you talking about?
I was told she cut her hair and confronted His Majesty.
And where on earth did she go?
To a certain Seungbeop Temple.
You will go visit His Majesty, won't you?
I will not be able to accompany you to your exile.
If we're alive, we'll meet again one day.
Being there all by yourself will not be easy at first.
I always wanted some quiet and solitude, so all the better.
- Sire. - Yes, Sister.
We're going to meet again without fail.
So until you hear good news from your sister and brother-in-law,
don't lose your resolve.
I won't.
Wouldn't Father protect us?
Nunim.
What's the matter? Did anything happen?
Pretty Nunim, don't cry...
I was wondering why you weren't showing up.
You should be grateful I'm accompanying you.
I will gather enough troops to face off against Suyang.
Meet with Prince Geumseong.
I've heard the garrison still has many troops following him.
I will.
I shall soon come visit you, so take good care of yourself.
Seryeong left the palace.
She cut her hair right under her father's watch,
and headed to Seungbeop Temple.
Why did you come all the way here?
What did you leave the palace for?
Cutting ties with your father must have been devastating.
How could cutting ties with my father compare with the sorrow of losing yours...
Return to the palace.
I cannot.
I will not.
Why keep telling me to stop incurring danger while you do the opposite?
I'm grateful for the mere fact you came here.
Your Highness... Your Highness!
What's the matter?
Prefect Shin is headed here.
Go... Now.
I cannot allow you to be captured.
I beg you. Find refuge.
What do you think you're doing?
Stop it!
Order the troops to leave.
Did you run here, afraid I'd be with the master?
I was only here to ascertain whether any vandals infiltrated the premises.
Go ahead and search all you want.
Aren't you even ashamed of using me to capture him?
How much longer will you keep on showing me such contempt?
Stop acting so childishly and go back to the palace.
Did you not hear when I said I would bite my tongue and kill myself?
I cut every tie I had with my father and relinquished any royal status.
What could I possibly have to fear?
You have one day.
I'll come again in the morrow, so prepare to return.
Come a hundred... a thousand times, if you wish.
But I still shall not follow you.
And this will be the very last time I bother to ask you.
Should you refuse to go back to the palace again,
I will not be responsible for how I will react.
Yeori...
Will he have safely reached his destination?
I should have told him not to go... to stay.
Master, what are you doing?
This is only going to put you at risk...
I don't care, no matter the risk.
Follow me.
Your Highness...
Where on earth has he gone?
Why is it so quiet in here tonight?!
Here's whom you were so fervently looking for.
Orabeoni!
Anyhow... Men. They never defy expectations, do they?
The pr...
What's wrong with you, seriously?
Are you going to bring here every passerby you meet out there?
She'll only importune you for a few days.
She seems like a yangban maiden,
but I'm sure it's nothing that will bring us trouble?!
I'll take responsibility, so look after her while I'm out.
He said it'll only be a few days. What... Two?! Three days?
It's not like it's brimming with patrons in here, after all...
But don't think you can exploit my generosity any longer.
Thank you.
Aigoo...
You're sleeping with me. Forget about staying with him!
Ehh... Think they'd be so upfront about it?!
Eonni!
How have you been, fine?
Have a drink.
You quit drinking just like he said.
I respect you for that.
What did you bring a princess here for?
There's something going on between you two, isn't it?
How did you manage to get her out of the palace?
She left on her own, and was lodging at a temple.
Why would she leave the palace?
She'd live in luxury her entire life...
Aigoo... Really.
Some stubborn fool met his match.
We'll leave here soon.
Are you going to abandon your vengeful intents, then?
If I manage to find my father's old confidants, I will leave the capital with my kinfolk.
- How about the princess? - She will come with me.
I won't forget the help you've given us.
Aigoo... I see you've made up your mind, all right.
It might not be too hospitable a place, but enjoy some rest.
I cannot believe I'm here together with you.
Let's go.
What is that supposed to mean? She's not here?!
I woke up, and she was nowhere to be seen.
Speak the truth.
Who came here yesterday?
You were the only one who did.
If I discover you're hiding something from me...
you will pay with your life.
I really don't know a thing.
How did it go?
We found no traces of her.
Say what? Seryeong?
So she vanished from that temple without leaving a trace?
My apologies.
What can we do about this...
As if things between His Majesty and Seryeong weren't serious enough already...
Now she even hides her traces?
Don't tell His Majesty, and do everything in your power to find her.
I will.
Send troops to the Royal Son-in-law's place of exile.
Her Highness might have gone there.
I will dispatch them immediately.
Her Highness left the palace?!
How could this happen...
I feel ashamed.
But where could she possibly have gone?!
She shall soon return on her own, so don't let it be of concern.
There is already enough tumult about the Erstwhile King's deposition as it is,
but if a princess leaves the palace after being in conflict with her father,
wouldn't that negatively affect the royal family's authority?
We had enough quandaries because of Kim Seungyu, and now Her Highness...
It almost feels as if they were acting in unison.
Daeho remains our most pressing concern.
Despite being in exile, Prince Geumseong, Princess Gyeonghye and the Royal Son-in-law...
will most definitely use Kim Seungyu to contact the Erstwhile King.
Raise surveillance and keep an eye on their every movement.
Yes, Sire.
Uncle.
Are you going out?
I have to go somewhere with your uncle for a while.
I'll be right back.
Don't worry about me and go.
Act like a couple, will you?
What's his secret?
Managing to convince that kind of woman to stay in a place like this.
What do you mean, "that kind of woman"?
As if she was all that pretty...
People are saying the princess left the palace.
The princess?
Why would the princess do that?
Does it make any sense? Does it?!
Why take it out on me?
I just repeated what I heard people say.
Is this man you're looking for that powerful?
Without his help, the garrison will not support our cause.
The garrison?!
Why would you need that?
They have cannons at their disposal.
So, what, you're going to destroy the royal palace now?
You stubborn fool.
You sure have guts. Sometimes to a fault.
Ahh... Let me ask you a question.
Go ahead.
Is a certain officer named Park Heungsoo stationed here?
Park Heungsoo?
You know... Gae (Dog) Heungsoo.
He's a Park?
Officer... Yeah, right...
But tell me, why are you looking for him?
Ahh... Well... I owe him for a favor he did to me.
Why would I know where that drunken fool is?
I haven't seen him around in a while?!
He always seems to wander here and there most of the time.
Heard him?
We're out of luck today.
But seems like you're looking for the wrong man.
They call him "Gae" Heungsoo.
I'll come again in the morrow.
This... This, too.
And this.
I almost forgot this.
Undergarments.
Hey... Have any sense of shame?
This will do.
Wash all the towels and handkerchiefs as well.
How can you do this to her...
It's all right. I'll be right back.
Aigoo... Think of how a princess will feel, having to launder all that.
A princess?!
Princess, you said? What do you mean?
That... I didn't mean a real princess...
You know, as pretty as one. Isn't she pretty?
You said the same the other time.
When I asked who she was, you said she's a princess.
Eonni! Wait for me.
Oh?!
Isn't that the court attendant we met the other day?
Was she a new gisaeng, or something?
Aigoo... Hyungnim!
Hyungnim... I'm sorry.
You know I can't keep this trap in check.
What are you talking about?
I told them... that she's a princess.
All the better, on the contrary.
All the better? Better for whom?
Get her out of here, now!
A princess?! You bring a princess here?
Forgive me.
What? She's a real princess?
What now... I treated her so badly...
What now?
Is a princess not a woman like us? What's the big deal?
Who on earth are you?
Who could you be, to parade about with a princess?
If you took her here against her wishes, then what?
The capital bureau will get involved, then.
We can't even serve her or have her do anything.
Unless you want that princess of yours to be kicked out,
take your kinfolk and leave this place.
Pr... Princess?!
How did you manage to leave the palace?
I wanted to cut any ties I had with my father.
Forgive me for not telling you earlier.
I kept telling myself I should have told you, but I couldn't find the courage.
I bet.
I'm sure it couldn't be easy to confess the fact you're the daughter of the same vicious beast...
who caused the deaths of my husband and my father-in-law.
I committed a sin that I will never be able to atone for.
Don't you ever forgive me.
What would forgiving you or not matter?
It must have been so hard for you.
The devotion you two share subjected you to so much cruelty.
I have now cut my ties with you, so don't think of me as your daughter anymore.
Sire... There are urgent tidings from the East Palace.
What is the matter?
I am mortified to convey you the news,
but they deal with His Highness the Crown Prince coughing blood.
Say what?
His Majesty is here.
What is the matter with him?
Why did he cough blood?
It is only a light ailment, I hope?
Sire.
Physician, reveal his conditions at once.
You will pardon my saying, but I surmise he might have hidden his ailments for a long time.
There is no way...
How can that be possible?
Will you do it properly? You can't even do better than a princess?
She doesn't look anything special dressed in that manner.
If you're a princess, shouldn't wearing fine garments and eating the best food suffice?
Why bother suffering so much out here?
Princess or gisaeng, we are all just people.
Just treat me like you would anyone else.
She's right.
What should I call you?
Your Highness?
My name is fine.
And what is it?
I'm Seryeong.
It'll only be a few days, but I hope I can count on you.
I thought you didn't trust anyone?
Are you still the same man who would sleep with a sword in hand?
Do you really sleep with a sword in hand?
You don't even lie down?
There was a time when I couldn't trust anything or anyone.
Doesn't the wound you got from that arrow hurt?
It doesn't.
I thought of sleeping with a sword in hand.
If I had someone by my side, I probably would have been able to sleep soundly...
Close your eyes.
Close your eyes and empty your mind of all thoughts.
If you rid your mind of all the sorrow and burdens haunting it,
you will find peace.
Until that happens, I will be here by your side.
It's strange.
I thought sleep was a long lost companion who had deserted me.
I hope it will come back to you as bearer of the most pleasant of dreams.
Seryeong?!
Lady Seryeong has hidden her traces.
She's not even at Seungbeop Temple?
I was ordered to come and ascertain whether she was hiding here.
This is a place of exile.
How could the princess come here?
Should she come, do us the courtesy of contacting the bureau.
I was afraid you could be on the receiving end of their inquiries.
How could that be possible?
I will be right back.
Will you go meet the man who sent you that letter?
Yes.
We are on the same page, so I must meet him no matter the risk.
But remember to be careful.
I'm Gwangju magistrate Lee Junyoung.
It is an honor to be graced by your presence.
To what do I owe your request to meet?
I was sent by Prince Geumseong.
Prince Geumseong...
I thought His Highness was in Gyeongsang Province?
I was ordered by Prince Geumseong to gather magistrates opposing Prince Suyang in Jeolla Province.
We would like you to lead them.
Indeed I should.
Were you waiting for me?
How did your meeting go?
Prince Geumseong has already begun to act.
It's a true relief to see that you can find righteous men if you only seek.
I'm worried this will end up as a disappointment once again.
Worried that it might be just another unattainable dream.
If you stop dreaming, how can you still consider yourself alive?
Seungyu will be preparing to act in the capital, so we shall soon receive good news.
Just hearing those hoofs sends me into a frenzy,
making me worry whether this time it'll be an order to poison you.
And this concern is only going to fatigue us.
But I shall endure all these quandaries with the conviction that, should the need arise,
I will die together with you.
I hope you will join me in thinking the same.
Yes, Dear.
- She wasn't at the temple?! - Her Highness suddenly disappeared.
And why are you only telling me now?
I apologize.
And where would a princess go?
Perhaps she's with Kim Seungyu?
How could that be possible?
I dispatched troops and we are looking for her all over.
Impudent little... And right as her brother is afflicted by such ailments,
she dares hide her traces in the company of a man?!
This all happened because that Kim Seungyu is still alive.
Bring him and the princess before me at once!
Yes.
She didn't go visit Princess Gyeonghye.
Deploy the entire force and tighten inspections all over the capital.
Pay special attention to Mapo Port, where we first found traces of the abduction.
I will.
We must capture Kim Seungyu at all cost.
Yes, Naeuri.
What do you plan to do with Seryeong?
She's the one who most resembles you out of all our children.
I'm sure she won't be able to go on with this,
so let her be for the time being.
As if the crown prince's ailments weren't enough...
The crown prince shall soon regain his strength.
And it is in times like these that you should show a ruler's unyielding resolve.
Did you not know that you would be facing great opposition?
*Prince Haeyang, Suyang's second son
I will have to summon Hwang*.
You miss him?
The physicians said he's recovering as well, so let us call him in due time.
After I'm back today, we will soon be able to leave.
I will be waiting for you.
I'll get going.
You like her that much?
Aigoo... Look at you. So you knew how to smile?!
We'll have to take a detour.
Aigoo... Look who we have here. Just a moment.
Ahh... What is this?
Should help each other in these troubling times, shouldn't we?
But, tell me. What is the reason for this huge deployment?
The princess has disappeared.
Pr... Princess?
- You mean the one in the palace, right? - Right.
Should you spot any suspicious fellow, don't hesitate to alert me.
You'll be generously rewarded.
Ehh... Where did they go, leaving me behind once again?
Ehh... Those two...
Look at these...
What is it?
What's the matter?
Gong Chilgu Hyungnim would like to see you.
Are you coming on your own two feet, or you want some encouragement first?
I can just come. Why get our hands dirty, uh?
Hyungnim, I brought him.
Aigoo!
Aigoo, come on in.
Come.
Here.
Glad you came.
What are you waiting for? We've got guests.
- Follow us. - I'll make it worth your while.
These girls are the finest you'll meet around here.
Ahh... Makes quite the impression.
No need to feel intimidated.
Here...
Drink.
Go ahead.
Aigoo... That's more like it.
- So you're looking for Gae Heungsoo. - Why, he's here today?
You should find him by the tavern right around that corner.
Tavern?
And be careful not to get bitten. He turns into a rabid dog whenever he's drunk.
Are you Park Heungsoo?
Who's asking?
Are you the same Park Heungsoo who served under Kim Jongseo in Hamgil Province?
Who are you?
How dare you mention Daeho's name in vain?
I'm sure you won't remember me, but I am Kim Seungyu.
And my father's name is Kim Jongseo.
Don't give me any of that nonsense.
Daeho's family is all dead.
Get out of my face!
Back when I was little, I saw you once in Hamgil Province.
You lost the use of one leg while shooting a cannon.
I still remember vividly how my father tore his own garments to stop the bleeding.
You really...
You really are Young Master Seungyu?
Young Master...
Young Master! You were still alive!
You want to use cannons?
I will need your help.
It's not something I can do by myself.
Couldn't you ask the former garrison troops who served under my father?
All those who served General Daeho have been demoted to petty posts.
They can barely get by as it is, trying not to attract any unwarranted attention.
We lost many lives in trying to contend against Suyang.
It is an exacting task, so I will not try to force it upon you.
But please give it some consideration.
Give me some time to think about it.
I will visit again soon.
You sure can handle the bottle!
Here... Here. Have another.
Hyungnim.
Can I call you that?
Ohh... Sure! Of course you can.
You're my little brother now!
And forget about Bingok Mansion. With that Jo Seokju around...
Just join my cause and let us dominate Mapo Port!
Sounds good! Chilgu Hyungnim.
Chi... Chilgu Hyungnim.
But, listen.
I've seen this new lady at Bingok Mansion...
Who?
You know... She's kind of pretty.
Last time she was wearing a court attendant's garments.
Ahh... Her Highness the Princess, you mean.
Don't mind her, she'll be out of here in no time.
Her Highness the Princess?! She's a princess?
Ahh... As pretty as a real one, I mean.
Be clear.
A princess, or just like one?
Naeuri.
Gong Chilgu is here again.
Gong Chilgu?
Send him back.
Are you sure you want to do that?
You'll probably end up regretting it...
I come bearer of quite the interesting tidbit, you know.
Leave.
I did hear where a certain princess is...
Aww... So it was urgent, all right.
I'm sure I can sit now, right?
Aww... This chair is just...
Where... Where is she?
You shouldn't scrub like that.
Oh?! But my mother said it'll end up like gruel if you do that?!
Happy now?
Is it good?
It is. It's really good.
This is for my uncle, right?
Ahh... Her Highness the Princess, you mean.
Her Highness the Princess?! She's a princess?
And who did this princess come there for?
That, I have no idea.
But I did see that deranged fool get in the way, last time.
Deranged fool?
You know... He's a man of few words, knows how to handle a sword...
Wearing black from head to toe.
All preparations are complete.
Would that satisfy a princess?
She's not the kind of woman who can be tempted by shallow luxury.
Is that so?
Run away! Now!
I told them!
I let them fool me into talking.
I told Gong Chilgu that the princess is here!
Go!
Hide, for starters.
I've heard someone I'm looking for is hiding here.
I have no idea who you might be referring to.
Should we discover you've been hiding her, you will face the consequences.
- Search the premises! - Yes.
Quick.
We'll have to go over this wall.
With this child?
That won't do it.
I'll have to go out and bring an end to this myself.
What, now?
But if you're captured now, think of what will happen to Seungyu Hyungnim.
I cannot put all the people of Bingok Mansion in danger.
I'll go now, before it's too late.
Eonni!
Tell the master.
That the situation forces me to go back to the palace,
but I'll go back to him whatever it takes.
To not worry about me and fulfill his plans.
All right, I'll tell him.
- Don't leave him alone. - Eonni!
Don't go...
They were hiding criminals in here.
- Ransack this place! - Yes!
What are you doing? Kill me instead!
What's wrong with you? You'll only get in trouble.
- What are you waiting for? - Yes!
Stop.
It's you, at last?
I will leave this place on my own just like I entered it.
They don't know who I am, so they needn't face any more oppression.
If you promise to leave them alone, I will come with you to the palace.
Haven't you heard me? I said tear this place down!
What do you think you're doing?
Kim Seungyu is hiding here.
Destroy this place until he comes out!
- Yes! - Prefect Shin!
Escort the princess out of here.
Let go.
Let go!
I said let go.
I will escort you back to the palace.
How can you treat innocent people this way?
Stop this at once... At once!
It will only stop once we capture Kim Seungyu.
When it comes to oppressing innocent people, you and my father are no different.
- Help Her Highness to her horse! - Yes!
Father...
Yes.
Please, forgive my sister.
It's nothing you should worry about.
If you lose her as well, think of how lonesome you will be.
But I still have you, remember?
Don't worry about a thing, and focus on recovering.
I apologize.
Sire. Her Highness is returning to the palace as we speak.
Are you seriously out of your mind?
Where on earth did you go?
Were you really in Kim Seungyu's company?
I've already cut all ties with my father.
Seryeong.
Please... Don't try to contend with your father.
He will no longer tolerate it.
Your Grace. His Majesty the...
Leave us alone.
Sire...
I said leave!
Hyungnim! Where have you been?
The princess left to save us all.
Where to? Who apprehended her?
Some prefect from the capital bureau.
She told me to tell you this.
That she will return to you at all cost, so don't lose your resolve and fulfill your plans.
- Where is Kim Seungyu? - I cannot answer that.
Speak the truth at once. Where is Kim Seungyu?
I just told you I will not answer.
Must I behead those who hid him under your watch to get a confession?
Are you going to sacrifice more innocent people to satisfy your whims?
How much longer will this vile bloodshed go on?
Must your children suffer the consequences to truly wake you up?
You...
Are you conspiring with Kim Seungyu to murder your father?
If you wish to cut your ties with me, fine. I shall oblige.
Prefect Shin, enter!
There no longer will be any marriage between you and the princess.
For you no longer are one.
You shall become Prefect Shin's slave.