[Cha Joo Young / Lee Hyun Wook]
[The Queen Who Crowns]
[This drama is based on historical figures and events]
[and may differ from historical records.]
[Filming of animals or child actors was supervised]
It is so good to come here with you.
Mother.
Is not Hanyang so vast?
I cannot see where its end lies.
Young Master, is not Gaegyeong quite small?
Did you say it is vast?
- Yes. - Why do you say that it is vast?
Because it is filled with people.
People who farm the land,
people who raise livestock,
people who starve,
people who are suffering from illness,
people who laugh,
and people who mourn.
I see...
you want to become a monarch.
[Yi Do: Grand Prince Changnyeong, future Se Jong]
Is not a monarch
chosen by the heavens?
A monarch
is decided by the people.
During the Year of the Yellow Tiger,
Father fought with his sword brandished
and seized the throne.
The one who had him do so
was you, Mother.
May I ask you why you did so?
Because I saw his thirst.
Wanting to do this
and that for the people...
That kind of thirst.
Did you say thirst?
That very desire
inside you right now.
[Episode 11]
What book were you reading?
Father.
These are Chinese records on helping the hungry.
- The hungry? - When it rained black rain,
I learned there were many hungry people.
My heart was broken for them for a long time, and
I wondered if there were other ways to help them
aside from just giving them charity rice.
But there were no such methods in Joseon.
I am thinking of compiling feasible methods
from records throughout Chinese history.
I am thinking of going hunting next month.
I want to leave now, but the path is not ready,
and I need to gather people to chase the prey.
[Akji: Music book from the Three Kingdoms Period]
This is a book on the geomungo and the pipa.
There is nothing like music among things enjoyed
by princes who do not become a king.
I will keep that in mind, Father.
Goodness, what is this?
Court Lady Kim! Court Lady...
What brings you here?
M-My Lady.
Is this your third visit after I left the palace?
Yes.
You had not visited me once during the past year.
I will not be coming at all from now.
Why do you want to learn of the palace news?
It would only make you sad.
So you are cutting ties with me.
You came to tell me this, I see.
Did you deliver the medicinal herbs that
I sent with you to give to the King two years ago?
Doing that will not change the King's mind.
They say people's hearts change when times change.
However,
you have to remember one thing.
Changija.* (Herbs poisonous to liver)
What you slipped into Her Majesty's bathwater.
There is no proof.
And that was a long time ago.
Do not threaten me with that.
Threaten you...
All right.
You may go now.
All right, then.
Goodness, seriously.
Goodness. Goodness.
She is someone who would lie down
at the first sign of a passing wind.
Gosh, so heartless.
How does this make any sense?
Min Mu Hyul is the head of the Royal Family Bureau
and Min Mu Hoe is the governor of Hanseongbu.
It feels like the Min family is taking over again
so I am quite bothered.
The King is saying he will not give anyone
his complete trust.
Yes.
Five years ago, through the situation
with Myeongseon Daebu, I realized
how cold-hearted the King is.
By Myeongseon Daebu, do you mean
when you detained Her Majesty at Hoeamsa?
Fire and jail the Ministers of Defense and Justice
for deceiving me with Myeongseon Daebu's support.
Also, there will be other court ministers
who also falsely claimed to be under my orders
and tormented the people.
You must expose all of their crimes.
Yes, Your Majesty!
Your Majesty.
There is much that I know
about the suspicions regarding Myeongseon Daebu.
Please allow the Investigative Bureau
to investigate me.
Then...
I will expose their crimes
and demonstrate my loyalty to you.
I pledged my allegiance to him that day,
and I persevered and tried my best
for years to prove this.
Thus, you became the Associate Left Minister
and received the title of Buwongun.
However, the King does not give me
his full trust both then and now.
Look over here!
Welcome!
That is why
I need an even more powerful connection.
I am sorry we are late.
Let me pour you a glass.
I heard from Gu Jong Su
that he obtained a black horn bow.
But is he not in exile?
That is why I want to ask you a favor.
Please receive it from him and give it to me.
But Your Highness,
the King will strike him if he finds out.
Yes, I will do so.
- Great! - Your Excellency!
I will get that black horn bow
and secretly deliver it to you.
Then, what will Your Highness give me in return?
What would you like?
When you rise to the throne later,
seat me in the closest position next to you.
Of course.
Of course!
This is the strong wine you requested.
Oh, this strong wine.
It is a precious wine, Your Highness.
I will have it.
Give it over here.
Your Highness.
Your Highness!
I am sorry.
You must be full of affection for me.
Your Majesty, the weather is so nice.
Aigoo, look at the flowers.
Prince Hamnyeong.
We should greet Mother.
They are Grand Prince Chungnyeong
and Sukeui's son, Prince Hamnyeong.
Is it not time for Prince Hamnyeong to marry now?
Yes.
Go visit Sukeui.
Should not his mother be the one to marry him off?
Then...
Five years is...
a sufficient punishment.
Yes.
The Queen will prepare Prince Hamnyeong's wedding?
Last time, Her Majesty also handled the wedding of
Princess Hyosun's son, Prince Gyeongnyeong.
What about Sukeui?
How is Sukeui doing?
I-I hear she is doing well.
Your Majesty, Prince Hamnyeong is grown up now.
How long will you leave her outside the palace?
I will have to bring her back soon.
It appears the Queen also thinks the same.
Goodness.
What is this? Why is she suddenly here?
Again, that annoying woman, Court Lady Kim-
Who are you calling annoying?
C-Court Lady Jeong!
Aigoo!
Aigoo, what brings you here!
She is considering the daughter of Choi Sa Gang.
If it is Choi Sa Gang,
is he not the Associate Minister of Defense?
Yes.
He has great character, and it is a great family.
That is good to hear.
Her Majesty said Prince Hamnyeong's wedding
will be handled by his own mother,
so you need to prepare to return to the palace.
Your Majesty, Your Majesty!
- What is the matter? - We have big trouble!
- Big trouble? - A woman was secretly
living in the Crown Prince's palace.
The King found out and was furious.
What are you talking about?
He put a palace maid uniform on a gisaeng
and hid her in his palace.
What did you say!
Is she that girl?
How could you disappoint me like this?
How will you become the king like this?
- I will be more careful. - Be more careful?
To do what?
Saying you will be careful
is a phrase spoken
out of habit when you want to shut me up.
I am sorry.
Do you not know that...
the subjects are comparing you and Chungnyeong?
Your Majesty!
Every time I hear that, I become afraid
their words may induce bloodshed between princes.
Your Majesty!
This is not the time to say such things-
I wanted to do well!
I also wanted to hear you say I did well.
However,
I felt so suffocated the more I tried.
So, your solution to the tension
was to fool around with a girl?
I told you to read.
I told you to train in martial arts.
To cultivate strong moral character!
A strong moral character does not come from books.
As far as I know, a strong moral character
cannot be found in the palace.
In the palace, there are only
disgusting subjects pretending to be loyal.
A monarch must endure even such feelings
of disgust.
You do not know, Father.
What do I not know?
The subjects who even think lightly of
the Crown Prince.
Did you say subjects who think lightly of you?
Yeowongun did that to the Crown Prince?
This happened after His Highness
argued with Yeosangun and stormed off.
Did anyone else see this besides you?
This happened so quickly, so...
Then, I will let this pass for now.
A crown prince who is scorned by his uncles...
Who are these subjects who think lightly of you?
- Father - I asked, who they are!
M-My uncles.
Crown Prince!
You mean Yeowongun
and Yeosangun?
Yes.
What do you mean by that?
I heard Yeowongun
dare throw a fist at the Crown Prince.
There must be a maid who saw this act.
That is a baseless rumor.
If that is a rumor, someone must have spread it.
Whether the rumor in the palace is true or not,
for the sake of the Crown Prince,
it is only right as subjects to cover this up.
Grand Prince.
What is your intention for trying to uncover this?
If His Highness was scorned, I must reveal-
A maid who dares to reveal the truth boldly
must be willing to risk her life.
What do you seek to gain by using
a person's life as collateral, Anseong Buwongun?
Grand Prince, I am quite well-off already-
I merely did this out of my feelings of loyalty.
How could you say such...
The Grand Prince Chungnyeong
shut up Anseong Buwongun...
with one word, and it was so thrilling.
Did something happen
to the Crown Prince that I do not know about?
Pardon?
Tell me.
Enraged, Yeowongun punched the Crown Prince
- like this... - Your Excellency!
Your Majesty.
Mother.
Where is the Crown Prince?
The King summoned him.
I have something to check for myself.
Tell him to come to me when he can.
Yes, Mother.
What is that?
I said I would not take it,
but he insisted and left it behind.
Did you bring a bribe?
No.
I merely happened to obtain good wine from Ming.
Your friend Gu Jong Su was among those who called
the Crown Prince outside to hold drinking parties.
He was sent into exile.
I have cut ties with him already.
You cut ties with him?
That better be true.
If you approach the Crown Prince with them again,
I will not hold back then.
Give it back to him.
Yes, Mother.
Yes.
Well, then...
Tell the Dojeju of the Royal Investigative Bureau.
There must be others who lured the Crown Prince.
Those who drink with the Crown Prince outside,
those who offer bribes to the Crown Prince,
those who provide him with women.
Tell them to find out who they are.
I will punish them severely.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Her Majesty is here.
Please send Yeosangun and Yeowongun
into exile.
Let us do that.
I hope...
you will prevent any more
innocent deaths with that.
Yeowongun and Yeosangun.
Royal authority will not be solidified solely by
removing threats to the Crown Prince.
You two shall fill each other's cups.
Drink.
Chungnyeong has the qualities of a monarch.
That is what people say on the streets.
Have you heard this?
Yes.
Chungnyeong.
Do you want to be a king?
- Father. - Answer me.
No.
Only the Crown Prince will follow me as king.
I will make sure to establish the tradition
of passing the crown to the firstborn.
This cannot be changed.
Yes.
So, promise me that you will
use your deep knowledge for the Crown Prince only.
Yes, Father.
Did you hear that, Crown Prince?
Yes.
Chungnyeong will help you.
Everyone will help you.
Do not get distracted.
And do not do anything shameful.
Only,
focus on the goal.
Being a benevolent king
must be your only goal.
Yes, Father.
It seems you have been well.
Thank you for
calling me back.
All right.
I will never
behave foolishly.
I will serve you well, so Your Majesty never
abandons me again.
Chae Ryeong.
Do not forget that you are also
a mother to a prince.
Yes, Your Majesty.
My Lady.
In celebration of Prince Hamnyeong's wedding,
His Majesty will bestow the title of Princess.
Goodness, My Lady!
We prepared your quarters to befit that.
You should take a look.
Hello, welcome.
Are you still close to Anseong Buwongun?
Yes.
Shall I have him come to greet you?
I cannot leave the Queen like that.
If I do,
she will stab me in the back one day.
You are right.
Then...
Do you remember Princess Hyosun?
She was once called Yeong Sil.
Yes, I remember her.
His Majesty once loved her
but was left behind at Gaegyeong.
And now, she is forgotten.
But why do you bring up Princess Hyosun?
There is a woman known as Gyo Ha-daek.
Have her meet with the King.
[Gyo Ha-daek: Princess Hyosun's (Yeong Sil) friend]
Sir.
Sir, please wait.
We are almost there. Forge on just a bit further.
Yeong Sil...
When Princess Hyosun came to my house at Gyo Ha,
she was pregnant.
That winter, when she was about to give birth,
people from Gaegyeong came.
They were from Chudong.
By Chudong, do you mean
the Queen's private residence
where I previously lived?
Yes.
Those men
took Yeong Sil away.
During a snowstorm, they abandoned Yeong Sil
who was close to giving birth in an empty field
where only wild animals traverse.
As if they wanted her to die.
And?
She had birthing pains in the freezing wind.
Yeong Sil, who was doomed to die
crawling with her bare hands on the frozen ground,
was discovered by my brother.
The heavens blessed us
and we barely managed to get her to a nearby barn
and helped her give birth.
Then,
who ordered that deed from Chudong?
The King did not...
seem to believe it.
What is the matter?
Stand aside.
What is this about?
The King has ordered that the Queen
and all the court ladies and maids
must not leave the Queen's palace from now on.
What?
What is this about?
We do not know.
We are merely obeying His Majesty's orders.
Move aside!
Did you Min family
try to kill Prince Gyeongnyeong and his mother?
Absolutely not, Your Majesty!
How could we dare to plot such a thing?
We never did such a thing.
This is slander by those trying to frame us!
Please listen to our plea!
- Force them to their knees. - Yes!
I will ask you one more time.
Did you Min family
try to kill Prince Gyeongnyeong and his mother?
N-No, Your Majesty.
We did not do it!
Please...
kill us now.
We did not do it.
Yeowongun Min Mu Hyul,
and Yeosangun Min Mu Hoe,
die by drinking poison.
Your Majesty, should I summon the Royal Physician?
No.
That never happened at my family's residence!
His Majesty knows better than anyone
- that never happened. - Then?
He did that despite knowing all that?
I saw it.
Saw it?
What did you see?
Yeowongun...
scorning the Crown Prince.
That rumor...
It was true.
If that incident was brought to light,
the Crown Prince would be damaged too much.
It seems he has found another reason.
And that other reason
was provided by Yi Suk Beon...
Yes.
The King said
he will come to console you tomorrow.
No.
There is no need for that.
- Your Majesty. - There is no need to console
or to be consoled.
Just tell him
the King can do his job
as King.
Yes.
She said,
the King can do his job as King.
Come now.
Court Lady Seo.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Open the door.
I will go to the Crown Prince.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, it is so early in the morning.
It is best you stay in
your palace and sort your feelings.
The King has killed all of my younger brothers.
If I stay in bed in my palace in this situation,
will not gossip say
that the Queen
has an illness of the heart.
That will not be good
for neither the court
nor myself.
But Your Majesty,
you must comfort your heart at times like this.
Do not blame yourself.
This is not Your Majesty's fault.
Even if they deserved death, they are your family!
If I were you, I would resent His Majesty.
They are her younger brothers!
Court Lady Seo!
I will not resent him.
Mother.
You could have summoned me.
It is all right.
Where is the Crown Prince?
I asked, where is the Crown Prince?
He left the palace last night...
It appears he left because he missed that gisaeng.
I am ashamed to even face you.
I am trying to hold it in and endure it.
Do not hold it in.
And do not try to endure it.
Holding it in and enduring
can sometimes...
become a snare in life.
Yes, Mother.
All right, let us go in.
Is that not the Princess?
Where is Her Majesty?
She is inside.
What brings you here?
His Highness will meet with
Anseong Buwongun Yi Suk Beon this afternoon.
- What! - It appears
he will receive a black horn bow.
A black horn bow?
But how did you find this out?
Anseong Buwongun came to greet me yesterday.
He said he would take hold of the Crown Prince.
I looked into what he meant secretly
and rushed here.
Gu Jong Su, in exile, got a black horn bow
and Anseong Buwongun Yi Suk Beon
will give it to the Crown Prince secretly.
This is the finest black horn bow in Joseon.
I will never forget what you did, Anseong Buwongun.
You must not forget it.
I am putting everything on the line for you.
Thus, you must love me like this forever.
Of course.
Of course!
Your Highness, how could you...
- Goodness, Your Highness... - Your Highness.
Your Highness, I pledge you my allegiance!
I will continue to treat you like this.
Your Highness...
Oh, my!
Y-Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
Is that not a bribe from a criminal in exile?
Father, well...
Bring it here.
I already said I will severely punish those
who give personal gifts to the Crown Prince
or invite him to drinking parties outside the palace!
Your Majesty, this is not what you think-
Silence!
I will take away Anseong Buwongun Yi Suk Beon
and Secretary of Royal Orders Yu Sa Neul's positions
and send them into exile.
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
Drag them away!
- Your Majesty! - Please reconsider!
Your Majesty, Your Majesty!
Please withdraw your command!
Please hear me out, Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
You did not heed my warning.
You will never see
His Majesty again while you are alive.
The Crown Prince is not to leave your palace
until further orders are given.
Yes, Father.
Take him.
Wait, then...
I had to let you know.
The Crown Prince will inherit the throne!
How could you humiliate him like this?
You must not try to ignore it.
You must face the truth.
The Crown Prince lacks the qualities of a monarch.
Queen!
You should now relieve the
Crown Prince of the heavy burden you put on him.
You are so cruel.
To both the Crown Prince and me.
Taesangwang said
he would even kill his own children if they
destroyed the royal authority and the court.
He said the sorrow of having to kill his own son
was part of his undertaking as a monarch.
Are you any different, Your Majesty?
What do you mean?
If the Crown Prince
ruins royal authority and the country,
are you sure you will not pull out the iron mace
that Taesangwang pulled out back then?
Queen!
I am...
I am different from my father!
If Father had passed the throne to his firstborn,
I would not have killed Bang Beon
and Bang Seok in the Year of the Yellow Tiger.
If Father had passed the throne to his firstborn,
Your Majesty would not have become king.
You would have suffered much from disappointment.
Since you wanted to become king more than anyone.
Do you think no princes want the throne now?
I fear there may be bloodshed among the princes.
Thus, I am trying to
prevent this by making the firstborn the heir.
I know very well what you are afraid of.
I also fear that.
However, the Crown Prince
lacks the qualities of a monarch.
I will teach him.
I just teach him.
He tried to take bribes from a criminal.
He had drinking parties outside of the palace.
He broke Your Majesty's commands.
I will teach him.
Not anyone else, but I!
You have understood me the most until now.
Though we fought, you supported me in all things.
Please do so this time as well.
How could you do such a thing?
Do you know how disappointed Father was with me?
Is that what you are afraid of?
You tried to accept a bribe from a criminal.
You should first take accountability for that.
A monarch
is not in a position to take accountability,
but of holding others accountable!
A monarch...
must take accountability.
Mother!
In the past,
when the King said he will pass the throne to you,
your uncles tried to enthrone you
when you were not ready.
If I did not stop them, then,
the king would have taken his sword against you!
If you become the monarch but are not a good king,
where would the King's blade be pointed at?
The Ministry of Defense
and all of the Supreme Military Command
are under the King's control.
Is it hard to eat this?
No.
This is what the people eat regularly.
Forget about what happened yesterday.
I punished those who led you astray.
Yes.
All you need to do is study hard
and cultivate a character befitting a monarch.
Father.
Do you believe I can become a benevolent king?
Do you believe I have the qualities of a monarch?
You can attain it if you try.
Is that
something I can attain by trying?
Try to do so.
I want to know why you want to make me king.
Because you are the firstborn.
Father, you were also
not the firstborn.
That is all the more
reason I must make you king.
They are Chungnyeong and Seongnyeong.
Chungnyeong is perfect, except that he is weak.
He may seem weak on the outside,
but his decisiveness after deep consideration
is second to none.
Seongnyeong.
Come over here.
Father.
You grew taller since I last saw you.
I think I grew a few inches in the past month.
I see, I see.
I mean it.
The color green has a scent to it.
What scent?
A fresh scent.
The scent of something blossoming and growing.
I really love this scent.
My Seongnyeong, you are the finest poet in Joseon.
Only in Joseon?
Your hand is hot.
You have a bit of a fever.
How long have you been like this?
He had a slight fever since this morning.
It is all right. Do not be worried about me.
Where is the Royal Physician?
I have not heard you play the geomungo lately.
I am more into tea-brewing than the geomungo.
Tea-brewing?
When I steep, pour,
and enjoy the scent of the tea,
I can focus solely on myself.
Your Majesty.
I heard what Her Majesty said
about the Crown Prince.
Yes.
With all due respect,
Her Majesty's words are loyal advice.
Of all people, how could you say such a thing?
Do you not also honestly feel nervous about this?
If you consider from a broader perspective-
My mind will not change on this matter.
Let us stop talking about this.
Your Majesty!
What is the matter?
Grand Prince Seongnyeong...
supposedly has smallpox.
Smallpox? Are you saying he has smallpox?
I am greatly sorry, Your Majesty.
His Majesty is here.
Son!
No, stay lying down.
Stay lying down.
Father...
I am sorry for causing you concern.
No, that is all right.
Talk with me for a moment.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Are you sure he has smallpox?
Yes.
Then, what must we do?
I prescribed paedeuksan and seungmagalgeuntang.
I am extracting harmful energy stored up in his body.
Will he...
survive?
You must save him.
You must save him at all costs.
The next three or four days will be critical.
We have to lower his fever by then.
Please...
save him.
Your Majesty.
Yes.
Smallpox is a very contagious disease.
Make sure no other prince or princess visits.
Yes.
A prince has smallpox.
It will probably spread among the people, too.
Your Majesty must care for the people.
I will watch over
Seongnyeong.
My son is this sick, and yet,
I should go and
care for the people first?
[The Queen Who Crowns]
♫ Oh, heavens ♫
♫ Holding your breath from being shy ♫
♫ Until the day breaks ♫
♫ We are separated, and I sing alone ♫
For smallpox, pus forms on the third day.
Where is the Crown Prince?
How can you call yourself human after this?
Depose the Crown Prince
and banish him to a faraway land.
You poured Changija
into Her Majesty's bathwater.
You must risk your life
to go against his will.
Do you truly not have any ulterior motives?
Did the Queen order you to do so?
If one of my younger brothers is enthroned,
I will slay him without hesitation.