Episode 8
We just got word from the palace.
His Majesty will soon head out.
On a day like today, when His Majesty visits Her Highness' residence.
Now you even start embroidering? So you can give it to him?
See? I told you to focus when you do that...
I vividly recall telling you that thinking about men can be harmful to your thumbs.
I wanted to make this for the master, but this won't do.
I'll have to ask my mother for more cloth.
Are you heading to Cheongpung Mansion?
I shall head to Kim Jongseo's residence by the eventide.
Should anything happen to you tonight,
what will happen to me and the children...
I will not go there to die.
So take good care of the children in my absence.
I will.
Thank you.
How do you plan to deal with Kim Seungyu?
I cannot possibly spare his sons. Can Kim Jongseo be the only one to pay?
I wonder how Seryeong will react...
All the more reason why I should slay him.
How could she love someone who's dead?
For my daughter's sake, Kim Seungyu must be dealt with.
- What is the matter? - Ahh... Don't mind me.
Let us go back inside.
His Lordship is heading out. Let us go see him off.
My Lady...
What is the matter?
You are trembling...
My father...
My father couldn't possibly do that to him...
My Lady.
No way. There is no way.
My Lady, I told you His Lordship is leaving.
I will be waiting.
Have a safe trip, Father.
Father.
Where are you headed?
Seems like anguish haunted you the whole night.
But today I shall bring all your concerns to an end.
Bring an end to what concerns?
Is he talking about another betrothal?
My Lady!
Something about Seryeong did not feel right.
What?
Don't allow her to leave.
We must avert any heedless mistake on her part.
I will keep a close eye on her.
My Lord.
May you take good care of yourself.
Where would you go?
Keep this up and you will collapse!
Get out of my way, please.
I will not! I cannot let you go.
I must.
I must alert him.
I said no! My Lady...
Alert whom of what?
- Escort her to her quarters. - Yes!
Mother...
Mother!
Mother!!
Don't even think of stepping foot outside this door.
It's what your father wishes for, so do not try to defy him.
Why are you keeping me trapped inside?
Let me at least know the reason.
Why are you so frantically trying to leave?
Is Father truly intent on bringing demise upon Kim Jongseo's entire clan?
So you've heard.
Then, that should also tell you the reason why I cannot allow you to leave.
Should you run to alert Kim Seungyu,
your father's plans would fail, and our clan would pay the ultimate price for it.
Would you bring demise upon your parents and siblings for Kim Seungyu's sake?
Why must Father do something so heinous?
- What did that clan possibly do to... - Speak no more!
Whether they deserve it or not is already beside the point.
Has he not often told you that only death will bring an end to their diatribe?
What brings you here?
I had something to report.
That would be most imprudent, Sire. How can a ruler leave the palace so often?
I cannot help but worry about my sister's conditions.
You still have time to repeal that order.
Treacherous ruffians will use this opportunity to slander you,
painting you as a feeble ruler who reigns from under his sister's skirt.
I only now realize how heedless of me this decision was.
But as all has been already arranged, I shall only stay one day to ascertain her conditions.
- Sire. - For the last time.
Just once more, and I shan't visit her residence again.
You have my word.
If that is what Your Majesty wishes, I shall no longer oppose it.
Make sure Her Highness' residence is kept under the strictest surveillance.
Spare no effort in ensuring His Majesty's well-being.
Yes, Your Excellency.
Your clan's very survival is at stake,
and yet you still let hesitation becloud your judgment?
Naeuri.
His Majesty is visiting Princess Gyeonghye's residence.
We will act on the day His Majesty leaves the palace to visit Princess Gyeonghye.
I'm here to see Myeon.
He briefly left the office.
Is that so?
Wait.
Convey these words to my friend.
That I shall be happy to be his best man on the day of his...
nuptials with Prince Suyang's daughter, so don't be angry at me.
I will tell him.
I'll come by another time.
Can you draw this blade against Kim Seungyu?
He just left.
Did he have anything to say?
That on the day of your nuptials with Prince Suyang's daughter,
he'll be happy to be your best man, so you should no longer be angry at him.
Prefect.
I am Maehyang of Cheongpung Mansion.
What brings you here?
I was sent here by Lord Han Myeonghwe.
Everyone is gathered already, so His Lordship would like to summon you as well.
Isn't Prefect Shin making us wait too long?
Or perhaps he is not coming at all?!
It can't be...
because of Prefect Shin's long-lasting friendship with Kim Seungyu, can it?
If he only even hinted at our plans in his presence...
He would never do that.
Are we in a position to trust anyone, be it a son or whomever?
- Send someone on his trail at once. - Naeuri, Prefect Shin is here.
If I recall correctly, the chief of the palace guard is a confidant of yours.
We will inform you the minute His Highness slays Kim Jongseo,
so proceed to eliminate every man guarding Princess Gyeonghye's residence.
Why are you not answering him?
I will.
Bringing His Majesty back under our watchful eye solely depends upon you.
I will not be at Seungbeop Temple for the time being.
"When our hearts become one, I bask in the depth of our yearning."
You have not eaten a thing all morn.
So have at least a few spoons.
Yeori.
You'll have to help me out.
Help me get out of here.
I cannot do that.
Please, I'm begging you!
Think of it as saving two lives, and please help me go.
And what on earth would you do when you meet him?
Her Ladyship told me.
She said Kim Seungyu will soon perish.
No! Why would he? He's not going to die.
I won't let it happen. I will make sure it doesn't.
Will you please get a hold of yourself?
How are you going to stop His Lordship?
Erase that man from your mind. Forget him once and for all!
Yeori!
Yeori!!
- Jabeon. - Yes, Naeuri.
Tonight you will witness momentous havoc.
What are you trying to say?
Someone will shed blood.
And I chose to hold the blade that shall wreak havoc.
If you don't feel inclined, I will spare you from duty.
I shall follow you, Naeuri.
Are you sure you won't regret it?
Select men who will obey my orders without reserve.
We will be heading to Her Highness' residence.
Yes.
You don't look indisposed at all.
Was it a mendacious claim on your part, then?
Mendacious, Sire?
Her Highness waddled about like an ailing duck for days,
but here she is, blessed with newfound energy the moment she sees you.
Ailing duck?
It was a mere migraine, which quickly vanished once I learned of your arrival.
What a relief.
You are all I have left in the world, so without you I would just...
So you should hasten and bless us all with a queen.
It is only when he joins in conjugal ties that one can call himself a man's man.
A "man's man"?!
Refrain from such sordid utterances.
And after being abused in this manner, you still sing praises of married life?
Abused?
To me, it sounds like the angelic sound of a bird chirping beside me.
Looks like they dispatched three-four men on every entrance.
Chief, you're here?
Prefect Shin, why are you so late?
You've been out of sight for much too long.
Is that what you mighty prefects call "surveillance"?
Have you met with Seungyu?
I'm sure he still doesn't feel well about this all.
No, I have not.
Have you two ever held a grudge this long?
Just meet and mend fences.
Maybe it's because she's the only family he's got left,
but it sure is poignant.
What?
Seeing His Majesty and the princess.
I wish we could enjoy this much peace every day.
So that they could smile like that, without a worry in the world.
Myeon.
Wandering about going after skirts instead of heading to the palace?
My Lord.
Not today.
We found a suitable bride for you.
And a betrothal will soon be arranged, so make no qualms.
No matter which clan it might be, I told you I will not marry.
What did you just say?
Are you really intent on defying your father's wishes?
- And for a lowly wench at that? - Don't talk of her that way, Brother!
Say what?
- You still don't get it, do you? - Let go of me!
What is the matter with you? Father will soon make his return.
We went through endless vicissitudes to find this opportunity.
So don't even think of meeting that woman again!
Young Master.
She ran away. We must find her before she leaves the premises.
Find her!
Quick, close the gates!
My Lady!
My Lady.
Did my father reproach you?
No, it was nothing but an altercation.
An alter what?
Things adults do.
Looks like as of late nothing ever goes right for your uncle.
And neither can he see the people he longs to see.
Am I not the one you long to see?
Let me ask you something.
Where does Lord Kim Jongseo live?
Turn at the next corner and then go straight, it's the biggest mansion.
Is this Lord Kim Jongseo's residence?
How may I help you?
Is His Lordship's youngest son home?
But who are you, and why are you looking for Seungyu?
I had something to convey.
We must meet, so please call him.
How did you make his acquaintance?
Father.
Are you Lord Kim Jongseo?
That's right, but who are you?
She came looking for Seungyu.
How did you make Seungyu's acquaintance?
I owe him a great deal.
But pray, is there anything I may help you with?
I do have something to tell you.
Bring this lady a pair of shoes, and escort her inside.
Yes.
You're back?
Did anything happen outside?
Father. There is something I would like to tell you.
A guest is here to see you.
My Lady!
Let me go.
I said let go!
Yeori!
I am sorry, Her Ladyship is not feeling right.
Hasten, hasten out of here!
What is the matter?
They took some lady away.
Stop!
Stop, I beg you!
Master! Master!!
My Lady, what is wrong with you?
Master!
Master!!
What happened to that young lady?
Looks like her varlets took her back home on a carriage.
It must have been one of those lunatics.
I owe him a great deal.
You dare meet Kim Jongseo?!
What did you tell him?
Don't tell me you exposed your father's plans?
I did not.
Then?
What did you go there for?
I just wanted to stop them from meeting tonight.
So you believe that if your father and Kim Jongseo don't meet tonight,
it will suffice to secure Kim Seungyu's survival?
How can you be so immature?
How can you not realize that your heedless behavior could be fatal to us all?
Are you so blinded by devotion as to ignore the plight of your own family?
Mother...
Mother!!
Mother!
Open this door!
Mother! Please spare him!
He's done nothing wrong. Not a single thing!
Mother...
Have our troops from the mountain made their arrival?
You needn't worry.
And the weapons to defend His Highness?
So you'll be entering the tiger's den with only a few people by your side.
Is it not way too perilous, no matter how you look at it?
Perhaps we could make use of the troops we trained for so long?
That would not guarantee Kim Jongseo's death.
Should he manage to escape whilst our troops engage in battle outside...
all our efforts would be in vain.
But even if he does kill Kim Jongseo, nothing guarantees His Highness will escape safely.
Our troops from the mountain will be lying in ambush outside,
standing by after His Highness crosses the gates.
Be that as it may, we still wouldn't know what goes on inside.
Someone else's life is on the line, so there is no reason why I shouldn't stake mine.
I shall finally bring my nefarious ties with Kim Jongseo to an end.
But would the same man who forbid you from entering the palace...
let you cross his gates when night falls?
Our die is already cast.
It was sent by Prince Suyang.
"To my greatest concern,"
"Kim Seungyu has been carrying on lascivious encounters with a court attendant."
"A royal chronicler meeting a court lady would certainly be grounds for execution."
"I shall pay you a visit tonight at the hour of the rat (23:30~00:30)."
What does it say, Father?
Prince Suyang will come.
Prince Suyang?!
Why would he come here so late at night?
Especially considering the resentment he bears against you.
Father.
The woman Seungyu was meeting... is a cou... court attendant?!
If he's saying the truth, would he not risk execution?
And how did Suyang...
Will you let him in?
I will only ascertain what he's scheming.
I shall not let him bring harm to Seungyu again.
But just in case, I will reinforce surveillance outside.
Father, it's Seungyu.
I'll have to verify the truth with him.
I will discuss it with him, so leave it to me.
Yes.
Father, I'd like to see you.
She might not be of noble descent, but she is a cheerful and bright lady.
Meet her at least once for my sake.
So who is this lady?
You told me she was not of noble birth.
But when I asked whether she was a gisaeng, you told me it wasn't the case.
Is she perchance a court attendant?
- How did you... - Is she?
You're right.
But she was already ousted from the palace.
Seungyu.
No matter how much you cherish her, and the fact I can accept it,
people will not be so lenient about this union of yours.
That doesn't concern me in the slightest.
I shall await until you give us your blessing.
Would you go through with this even if staying with her could endanger your life?
How could I spend the rest of my days with a woman, when I love another?
All right.
Remain at home for the time being.
Yes, Father.
Let us depart.
My Lady.
Come here.
Have some gruel at least.
Yeori.
Bring this to the master.
I'm asking you, please.
Blood...
Is this not blood?
After tonight, it will be over between us anyhow.
But I'm fine with it... Even if we never meet again I'll be fine,
so all I want is for him to survive this.
My Lady...
Only you can do this. Nobody else can.
So bring this to him.
Half this way, the rest over there.
Who are you?
I have... I have a favor to ask.
What is it?
Brother.
Why are all those armed guards...
Prince Suyang is on his way here.
Prince Suyang?!
It's nothing that should concern you, so remain in your quarters.
What is the matter?
Some lady told me to convey this to you.
Some lady?
How did she look?
Probably a varlet of sorts.
A varlet...
Where did she head?
Being so dark, I could not...
- Seungbeop Temple - Yeori
Blood!
I was ordered not to let anyone out.
I will be right back.
Who is it?
Don't be insolent! It's His Highness Prince Suyang.
What brings you here?
Tell His Excellency I seek his audience.
Father.
How shall we proceed?
All he had by his side were porters and a varlet.
Let him in.
Yes, Father.
Father told me to let you in, but allow me a quick inspection.
Please go ahead.
Does that suffice to grant me audience with His Excellency?
Pardon my impertinence.
How did you learn that the woman my son was meeting is a court attendant?
Had you accepted our betrothal,
the two of us along with our families would have enjoyed great peace.
Not to mention what it would have meant for our matters of state.
We shall never reconcile unless you first abandon your frivolous whims.
Does my wish to gain the throne look like a frivolous whim to you?
Only heaven can bestow the crown upon mortals.
There is nothing we can do about it.
But only those who befit the throne deserve to wear that crown.
Only a crimson tide can help Your Highness ascend the throne.
And the bloodshed which paved the way for your advance will only come back to haunt you.
Today I am not here as a member of the royal family.
What other stratagem are you scheming?
Try to use my son for any of your vile machinations again,
and you will be digging your own grave.
Foolish of me as it was, I once tried to rid myself of Kim Seungyu.
But that is all in the past, for I came here tonight...
because of that hopeless daughter of mine.
What are you trying to say?
You know who that "court attendant" Kim Seungyu so deeply cherishes really is?
I was quite shocked myself, when I learned the truth.
So who on earth would that be?
That lady is none other than...
my daughter.
And you expect me to believe such preposterous palaver?
Hard to believe as it might be, it is the unquestionable truth.
Seungyu knows her as Yeori, the name of a varlet of ours she used,
so I suggest you verify it with him yourself.
- Seunggyu, are you out there? - Yes, Father.
Call Seungyu here immediately.
All right.
- Keep a close eye on them. - Yes.
Seeing the letter Seungyu sent to my daughter,
I could feel the deep and earnest devotion they shared.
Letter?!
It betrayed his ardent yearning for her.
Would you verify your son's handwriting for me?
Have you seen Seungyu?
Not since the eventide, My Lord.
That little...
Where has he gone at this hour?
Show me that letter, then.
- Un, are you out there? - Yes.
Bring in the letter.
Step aside.
Naeuri... I wonder what may be the problem...
I said step aside!
Father!!
Find refuge!
Father!!
Show His Excellency that letter.
Do it.
Father!! Find refuge!!
Father!!
Father. Father, get up!
We must leave this place.
You must find refuge at once.
What the hell? You scared me!
Where is Lady Yeori?
Yeori?!
She's not here?!
Did she really not come?
Who's Yeori, again?
That ugly nuna. She's a servant.
A servant?!
Beats me... Anyhow, she's not here.
Ehh... I'm going back to sleep.
We must hasten.
Let us head to Her Highness' residence and alert His Majesty on this treacherous plot.
- And Kim Seungyu? - With his father out of the way, what could he do?!
- Let us go! - Let's go.
You... Don't you know what Kim Seungyu looks like?
Take the other boys, survey the premises and bring me his head!
Yes.
Yeori?!
She's not here?!
- What happened here? - It was all a ruse by Prince Suyang!
Brother!
Brother...
Father!
Father!!
THE PRINCESS' MAN - Episode 8 -