[Cha Joo Young / Lee Hyun Wook]
[The Queen Who Crowns]
[This drama is a fictional story based on historical figures and events and may differ from actual historical records.]
[Filming of animals or child actors followed production guidelines.]
Your Majesty!
Return to the palace first.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Chae Ryeong.
You should tell the King directly.
Yes...
Your Majesty.
[Episode 6]
Who is the one providing information to the Queen?
I received orders from His Majesty.
What will you report to him?
I did not...
see anything noteworthy, so...
But if you go to the King and say otherwise,
I will kick you out of the palace.
Will you accept it?
Yes, Your Majesty.
I know why you invited the King to come to this banquet, Father.
I am glad the King accepted my invitation.
However, it is in times like these that we have to be more careful.
The gazes directed at our Min family have grown sharper.
Yes.
I will keep that in mind.
But, Your Majesty,
privately meeting with an informant is too dangerous.
You know that the King is no ordinary man.
Your Majesty.
I felt bad about taking the Queen with me to the palace in such a rush
without seeing you, Father.
No, Your Majesty.
I am honored that you visited my humble abode.
Please, come inside.
It is great that we are all here together like this.
Your Majesty, I hope the food is to your liking.
Oh, the food is great.
I will pour you a drink.
Yes, please do.
It has been a while, yes.
The wine is sweet!
Sir.
Aigoo, look who it is.
Here it is.
Please have a glass of this.
- The food is delicious. - Yes, I agree.
Aigoo, it's good.
It's amazing.
When you took in Sungkyunkwan Music Researcher Kwon Hong's daughter as a concubine,
there were many rumors on the streets
that you were deposing the queen.
Father, you do not have to worry about such things.
Your Majesty's grace knows no bounds.
That is a strong wine from Ming.
Where did you get it?
The local official brought it.
Strong wine from Ming is worth at least 160 kg of rice.
Then, did you also receive their help when you bought farmland in Gaegyeong
for an extremely low price?
That is...
Yeoganggun, pay for the strong wine from Ming you received from that local official.
Pardon?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, the wine is going down so smoothly on this fine day.
All right, let us drink!
- Let us drink. - Drink up!
- Sounds great! - Drink up.
I feel we will not have enough wine.
Bring out some more wine!
Take a glass from me.
Wait here.
Goodness...
Did you see their faces when the King used the strong wine from the Ming
to crush the arrogance of the Min family?
At first, I wondered why I was dragged here.
I guess I came to witness that spectacle.
I mean, even the Queen's face turned pale.
I do not think the King believes only the Min family does that.
Who do you mean? The King?
He did that to show us all.
In any case, they ended up receiving more backlash for their efforts.
Are you referring to the Min family?
Let us go.
The alcohol is not wearing off.
I cannot shake it off.
Did you see the way the King looked at us when he talked about the strong wine?
Why?
It was scary.
He tends to look at people like that sometimes
with an unpleasant look.
He was like that in the past, too.
It was different from before.
He is definitely wary of us.
I will go prepare some medicine to soothe your stomach.
No, no.
It is better for you to just stay by my side right now.
I do not want people fussing over me.
You drank too much.
I did so because I felt I should not drink less than everyone else.
I am the King after all.
People do not pay attention to things like that.
They do pay attention to it.
They pay attention to everything about me.
They watch closely
and wait for the right moment to exploit any weakness.
I am afraid.
Do not be afraid.
The history stands with us tonight.
No!
How dare you!
When Yeong Mu and Yeong Gyu swung their mace
and blood splattered from Po Eun's shattered head,
I felt myself starting to vomit.
I just cannot get used to the stench of blood.
Are you all right, Dear Wife?
It is revolting for me as well.
But?
We have already made our choice, and we cannot turn back.
People say you should not look down when you are on top of a cliff
because if you take the wrong step out of fear, you will fall.
And so, I will only look straight ahead.
When I think about it, I wonder if you were better suited to be a king than me.
Congratulations.
But why did you keep it to yourself?
I was afraid I may jinx it,
so I waited until my pregnancy became stable.
That could lead to big trouble.
In the future, you must let us know right away.
Yes.
When you give birth to an offspring of the King, you will receive the position of concubine.
We will prepare to move you to a pavilion worthy of your position.
Thank you.
We will also need to assign a court lady. I will prepare a smart girl-
I would like to ask someone else to be my court lady.
I will search for a smart girl to serve her.
Oh, yes. That is fine.
[Gaegyeong]
The King will come to your quarters tonight.
Did you find out whom the Queen met at her private residence?
I clearly saw her meeting with someone.
However, I was unable to see who that person was.
Is that so?
I see.
Also,
I have great news to tell you.
I am pregnant.
Really? Thank you.
I will bear you a prince.
All right. You should be careful at all times.
I will tell the Chief Court Lady to take extra care of you.
I am honored.
But does the Queen know about this?
Pardon?
Yes, she knows.
All right, then.
Fish or meat that has not been fully cooked must not be served on her table.
Yes, Court Lady.
Also, you must not serve any raw persimmon or shellfish.
Make sure to take extra care.
Yes, I understand.
But Court Lady.
What is it?
If Favored Court Lady is pregnant now,
then what will happen to Her Majesty?
What do you mean?
I was concerned that His Majesty's affections might only be for Favored Court Lady.
Her Majesty is the leader of the palace ladies.
How disloyal of you to compare them in that manner?
I am sorry.
I am worried that Her Majesty
will end up like a dog helplessly staring at the roof after chasing a chicken.
Is the palace...
an animal farm?
Then, who is the chicken, and who is the dog?
Tell me. Tell me!
Who is the chicken, and who is the dog!
I heard that you are pregnant.
Goodness, this is such good news.
Thank you.
And here.
Her Majesty sent these.
They are ginseng and deer antlers.
She said since your hands and feet tend to get cold,
your pregnancy may not yet be stable,
so she said you should take extra care.
Please give birth to a prince.
Thank you.
Are you now rising to such a high position
that someone like me cannot even reach?
This act is to clearly define
the hierarchy of who bestows and who receives.
Yes.
And you have to always remember
Court Lady Seo is the Queen's servant.
Yes.
I delivered it to Favored Court Lady.
Great work.
It is good news,
but when I think about Your Majesty, my heart aches a bit.
Are you all right?
She is a sensitive child.
You should take extra care of her until she gives birth.
She is now also pregnant,
so I am worried His Majesty's affection will only be directed toward her. Honestly, I...
I do not know.
What if she gives birth to a prince like that?
If she gives birth to a prince,
I just need to raise him as my son.
Court Lady. Court Lady.
Are you not going to set up a date for the royal consummation?
It is the date of royal consummation of the King and Queen.
I cannot set the date just because I want to.
Still! Still!
Just set up a date!
Gosh, this woman!
Even if I were to set up the date, would the Queen accept it?
She will accept it.
Even if you become the king,
that position will not be set up for you.
It is a position that you must set up as you go.
Yes, Mother.
You will be wary of each step you take.
[Yi Je, Grand Prince Yangnyeong]
However, it is only when you move forward
boldly without being indecisive
that you become a king.
Yes, Mother.
I do not deserve to eat this.
I know with what state of mind you brought this back.
Take it with you and eat it.
Are you not pregnant with a child?
Your Majesty, but-
The royal child in your womb is like a royal child in my womb.
Shall I put in a word to the royal physician to boil it for you?
No, Your Majesty.
I am sorry.
You should focus on giving birth to a healthy child for the time being.
Instead of involving yourself in useless things.
Did you not say that your body may belong to the King,
but your heart belongs to me?
Your Majesty, it appears Pan Su at the border
caught wind of military movements in Dongbukmyeon.
The only thing is, he insists on telling you in person.
Your Majesty!
Jo Sa Eui has finally started a rebellion in Dongbukmyeon.
Even if Jo Sa Eui started a rebellion,
I am sure my father must be behind it.
I, the king, cannot fight against my own father.
Send Park Sun to appease him.
They have killed Park Sun and
are advancing to the regions of Deokcheon and Anju in Pyongan-do.
And nearby Gabyeolcho soldiers are joining their forces.
Appoint Jo Yeong Mu as the Commander-in-Chief
of Dongbukmyeon, Gangwon, Chungcheong, Gyeongsang, and Jeolla Provinces
and prevent sympathizing forces from joining the rebellion.
And send Jo Yeong Moo, Yi Cheon Woo, Kim Yeong Ryeol, Yi Gwi Cheol to Dongbukmyeon.
Yes, Your Majesty.
They have captured 100 of Yi Cheon Woo's horsemen.
Their army is around six to seven thousand men.
If the Uriankhai also join them, their forces would exceed 10,000 men.
Did you say the Uriankhai?
The Uriankhai are one of the Jurchen tribes,
who share a special bond with the Taesangwang.
Are there any other men who will join him apart from the Uriankhai?
No.
Then, that is fine.
Has Father entered Wonjung Port, as you mentioned before?
That is so.
All right.
The King is watching carefully.
Return safely.
Our forces between Hwangju and Bongju number 40,000.
Even if the Uriankhai join them, they are only 10,000.
The odds are in our favor.
However, if we engage in battle, countless soldiers will die.
They are all my people as well.
If I can bring my father here,
would we not be able to end the war without engaging in battle?
The Gabyeolcho were originally soldiers who followed Taesangwang.
They will scatter like grains of sand.
Your Majesty, give me the command.
I shall ride out and secure the Taesangwang.
Are you saying you will capture my father?
If so, I would become a king who killed his younger brother,
dethroned his older brother,
and seized his own father.
Then...
All we need to do is secure the Taesangwang.
Why is the King unable to make up his mind like that?
Think about it.
Though Jo Sa Eui started the rebellion,
Taesangwang is the one controlling him behind the scenes.
Everyone knows that!
Do you think the King does not know that?
Besides, we do not know where Taesangwang is.
We can figure that out once we capture Jo Sa Eui.
Then, a large-scale war would be inevitable.
He wants to avoid a war against his own father at all costs.
Where are you going?
Are you not going to go home?
There is a book I need to find in the palace.
A book in the palace?
You can leave first.
Your Majesty, His Excellency Ha Ryun is here.
Were you surprised that I asked you to come secretly?
No.
I am thinking of personally heading out to Dongbukmyeon.
Are you saying you will vacate the palace?
I cannot entrust someone else
with securing my father.
The regime is not stable yet.
If people find out the King has vacated the Palace-
You must
protect the palace in my place.
I understand.
I know that you are an expert in astrology and physiognomy.
I am deeply honored.
Thus, I have a question for you.
Please, ask away.
Yi Suk Beon...
What kind of energy does he have?
Is it that of a faithful subject or a traitorous subject?
That depends solely on how Your Majesty uses him,
but he does not have the energy of a traitorous subject.
He is not a traitorous subject, but whether he is a faithful subject or not depends on me?
That is so.
Then, what about the Queen?
Pardon?
W-What are you asking me?
I am asking about a king's energy.
Look at that constellation, Your Majesty.
I am referring to that red star.
That third star in that group of seven stars
is an ominous sign.
What do you mean by ominous?
It could be an omen of rebellion.
By rebellion, do you mean Dongbukmyeon?
The rebellion at Dongbukmyeon has already started.
So, that would not be an omen.
Then, Your Majesty,
how about you entrust the palace to Yeoheung Buwongun?
I should test them?
I will secretly watch them.
Are you saying the Queen is the center of a rebellion?
His Majesty will personally head out to Dongbukmyeon.
What? Personally?
Yes.
It appears he will entrust the palace to Father.
He must view our family as the only ones he can trust in an emergency.
Nonsense.
His Majesty has His Excellency Ha Ryun by his side.
He definitely has a different reason for this.
How could he decide this without telling me?
Are you upset?
Is he not going to battle where people may live or die?
Summon the Chief Court Lady.
My Lady.
[Kwon Seon, Yi Bang Won's concubine]
My Lady.
Favored Court Lady said your music interferes with her prenatal care and asked...
She asked that you refrain from playing.
What?
Princess Jeongeui is here.
Writing?
The sound of my geomungo is interfering with your prenatal care?
What do you mean by that?
It is noisy.
Perhaps it is because I do not understand music,
but it is noisy. Very noisy.
You do not have the ear to even appreciate such music?
I guess you must have solely used your body to seduce His Majesty.
I was born into a lowly status,
so I merely did not have the opportunity.
However, I know what makes His Majesty happy in bed.
It means that I am fulfilling my responsibilities as a concubine
to the best of my ability.
Please have His Majesty come to the Queen's palace.
Are you saying I should set up a royal consummation?
That is correct.
B-But the Chief of the Royal Astronomical Bureau...
Basically, tonight is not a date I received from him.
Then, can you not set it up right now?
This is a royal consummation between the king and queen of a nation.
The procedure and preparation-
The procedure and preparation do not need to be complicated.
A wife is seeking her husband, who is heading out to battle.
Even if so, the Queen never requests a royal consummation first.
I want to be with His Majesty.
Is there a better reason than that?
If you really cannot, I will go to His chambers instead.
No, Your Majesty.
I understand.
Tonight?
Yes. Though it was set up in a hurry,
tonight was considered to be the best night to produce a baby prince.
I understand.
Why did you do that?
Princess Jeongui called the Chief Court Lady and scolded her,
and that was reported to His Majesty.
To His Majesty?
Yes.
For now, I hear that he will build her a pavilion near the small pond
where Princess Jeongui can play the geomungo in peace.
He is letting you off lightly because you are pregnant.
But why is His Majesty doing all that for Princess Jeongui?
She is the daughter of a powerful family.
Even if he is a king, he cannot ignore that fact.
Since they have money, power, and organization.
But I am pregnant with his child.
Are you the only one who can get pregnant?
Do you think His Majesty's affection will only stay with you?
The palace is where young, new, and beautiful women are constantly supplied.
Then,
I also need a powerful minister who can become my ally.
Is that not so?
Oh, no need, no need.
Lift your glass.
How well do you think you know His Majesty?
I think I know him pretty well.
Pretty well, you say.
From what I can tell, you do not know him at all.
What do you mean?
His Majesty will not place you at the forefront this time.
Then what?
Did the Queen exert her influence again?
This is why I say you do not know His Majesty.
Is His Majesty someone who would be swayed by someone's words?
Then?
He judges and decides on his own.
But is it not true that Her Majesty's opinions
played into many of His Majesty's past decisions?
They were longtime political partners.
Even when he takes in all those women and fights with her all the time?
Even when he takes in all those women and fights with her all the time,
they have always shared the same political goals.
Even if their political goals are the same,
one is a king, and the other is a subject.
And one is a man,
and the other is a woman.
So?
I am saying this is the easiest relationship to change.
Then,
what can you do about it?
I will break their alliance.
I will make sure to do so.
If I pull this off, what will you do for me?
His Majesty is here.
I hear you are heading out to battle.
That is correct.
Why are you here?
You should just close your eyes and ears for tonight, okay?
W-W-What?
- Hey, Court Lady! - H-H-Hey!
Quiet, quiet.
How about you go by yourself to bring Father?
He will be with his army.
How can you say I should go by myself to bring him?
Father is by himself at Wonjung Port.
Secretly, with only his closest elite guards with him.
Is that true?
It is true.
Is it your informant again?
It is all for Your Majesty.
But...
will Father readily agree to come with me?
You know how he left Gaegyeong.
Now is different from back then.
Jo Sa Eui's army is already afraid
after hearing that the royal army totals 40,000,
and Father will also not want any more of his men
to get hurt in a battle he cannot win.
Perhaps Father may only need justification for changing his mind.
That I came for him by risking my life.
I should give him that justification?
It will not be an easy task.
It will be dangerous.
However, that may perhaps be the only way.
You must not step in until you realize the King's life is in danger.
Do you understand?
If the King does not bring Taesangwang by 45 minutes after the Hour of the Rabbit,
you must go to the temple and save the King.
The distance from there to where Father is will be about two hours distance.
There are ten elite guards protecting Taesangwang.
In groups of five, they rotate their shifts
twice at 45 minutes past the Hour of Rooster and the Hour of Rabbit.
Then, I should meet Father between the Hour of Rabbit and 45 minutes past.
How is your health, Father?
Have you come all the way here to capture me?
No.
I came to bring you back.
You led an army
to escort your father home?
I came by myself.
Are you telling me to believe that you, the King, came alone?
Please believe me, Father.
Go back.
- Father. - Go back!
This is a battle you cannot win.
Why are you turning a blind eye to the fact that soldiers will die unnecessarily?
I will move the capital back to Hanyang.
How dare you!
I will cut ties with those who seek vested interests from Jeonju.
What you tried to do, Father,
I will do it.
You have to get moving before it becomes 45 minutes past.
The rotating elite guards are not men you can handle.
Please make up your mind.
Go back.
If you do not go back, I will kill you!
You have already killed me
several times over, Father.
Grab him!
Do not move. I am the King of Joseon.
He is not the King.
He is a rebel claiming to be a king!
Father!
Kill him.
If you kill me,
Joseon will die.
If you kill me, the court will fall into chaos,
and your name will be recorded in history
as a greedy schemer, blinded by greed for power,
replaced the royal family.
How dare you!
If you kill me,
Sam Bong's death, [Sam Bong: Jeong Do Jeon]
Po Eun's death, [Po Eun: Jeong Mong Joo]
and Bang Beon and Bang Seok's deaths... [Yi Bang Beon, Yi Bang Seok, Yi Bang Won's half-brothers]
All of that will have been in vain!
What are you all doing? Hurry up and kill him!
Did you not say you came alone?
Give me your bow.
No.
Do not come near! Stop!
- Your Majesty! - I said, stop!
I regret killing my younger brothers.
I deeply...
regret it.
I have done wrong.
I am deeply sorry.
Why did you kill them?
I asked you why you killed them.
I wanted to create the Joseon that I dreamed of.
I will become a king solely for the people.
I will repay to the people
the blood that I have shed, Father.
Even if no one understands, you would understand, Father!
What kind of heart that is!
Hanyang is the land where Taesangwang started afresh.
However, in the Year of the Yellow Rabbit,
we abruptly moved to Gaegyeong after Jo Bak petitioned the Sangwang,
and we have not been able to return.
To revive the founding spirit of Joseon,
we will move the capital to Hanyang and establish a new Joseon.
You should not do this.
Gaegyeong, with its proximity to Byeokrando, [Byeokrando: An international trading port for foreign envoys and merchants]
serves as a convenient commercial hub for trade.
Hanyang is located along the Han River.
It is in no way inferior to Gaegyeong in terms of commercial transport.
If the capital is moved to Hanyang,
we will have to mobilize the people to construct roads again.
Hanyang has even roads connecting all directions
and both boats and carts can pass through with ease.
There will be no unnecessary burden on the people.
However, Gaeseong served as the capital for 500 years, so it is fully equipped-
Fully equipped may be the case for you powerful ministers!
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
When Sangwang moved the capital back to Gaegyeong,
who bought land and houses here?
It was the powerful ministers who had a lot of wealth and early information.
They illegally bought land and houses here
and drained the blood of the people.
If anyone ever opposes me in this matter again,
I will investigate and confiscate their wealth,
and punish them according to the law.
Your Majesty, you are doing well.
[Year 1405, Gaegyeong] Just a little more. Please push just a little more!
Your Majesty, Your Majesty. Please push one more time!
Your Majesty.
Push a little more!
The Queen gave birth to a healthy prince.
Congratulations, Your Majesty.
I will notify the royalty and nation of this fact
and bestow a great feast to celebrate.
[Yi Jong, Grand Prince Seongryeong]
In new Joseon,
experiencing a new world,
you will get to live in it.
Take Prince Hamryeong outside for a bit.
Both of you also.
There is someone who wants to see you today.
I am Anseonggun, Lee Suk Beon.
[Year 1405, Hanyang]
[Injeongmun]
Finally,
I am able to set foot here again.
Congratulations.
I am not sure if I will be able to cut off the powerful men of Gaegyeong here.
You will succeed.
Great sacrifices will need to be made.
Avoiding it will do us no good.
[Injeongjeon]
About the powerful families.
Cutting them off was impossible while at Gaegyeong.
That is why
I founded the nation and established its capital in Hanyang.
Did you say you will go to Hanyang?
- Yes. - Did you say you will cut off all vested interests
and start anew there?
Yes, Father.
Then, you may have to start with the Queen
and her family members.
Can you do that?
I asked if you can do it.
Yes, Father.
I am afraid.
As always,
I will be by your side, Your Majesty.
[The Queen Who Crowns]
♫ I look at you, whom I cannot reach ♫
♫ I dream a dream I cannot achieve ♫
♫ What used to shine brilliantly ♫
♫ The faded days ♫
♫ Like the wind that I cannot contain ♫
♫ You who disappeared ♫
In the new Joseon I will build,
just because you have power,
you must not lord it over the people.
Half of this power belongs to our Min family!
- Your Majesty! - My subjects are trying to suppress me, the King.
The royalty and nation are becoming a mess!
The plan is to use the Crown Prince to take control of the Grand Court.
Will you kill my two younger brothers?
Secretly gather the soldiers tomorrow morning.
I must protect the Crown Prince.