[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.]
[Previously...] Powerful meritorious subjects, especially the royal family members?
Among those put forward by the powerful royal relatives,
there is someone from the Kim family of Bamgol.
The Kim family of Bamgol?
I hear she is also a distant royal relative.
Do you have any idea which powerful royal relative is working with Kim of Bamgol?
They cannot be doing this on their own without a powerful backer.
I will look into it.
[I grant permission for the Royal Sericulture Ceremony]
I have never abandoned you even for a single moment...
I always stood by your side,
but where were you, Your Majesty?
I feel like...
an island floating alone
in the vast ocean of my subjects.
Your Majesty, I made my brothers relinquish all of their military authority.
I will also remove them from the Crown Prince's side.
What about after you remove them?
There are dozens more like Yeoganggun and hundreds more like Yeoseonggun.
They are everywhere. The royal relatives, my in-laws, and all over the royal council hall!
Could you remove all of them as well?
Your Majesty.
What a great day! So nice!
You must be tired from coming up here.
This is a royal relative that I am very close to.
And this is Anseonggun.
My name is Yi Suk Beon.
Say hello.
This is my daughter.
I brought her because I wanted to show her the vast world.
You really care about your daughter.
All right, let us take a look.
All right, let us go.
It is that property.
So, what do you think?
I am speechless.
However, I hear that His Excellency Ha Ryun also came by.
Well, Ha Ryun is quite lacking in ambition.
I recommended a few houses for him over there.
He asked me to do so under an alias,
so I did that for him.
He is so stingy.
Those houses must cost quite a bit.
He was so stingy that I sold it to him at the buying price.
Then you should sell to my Anseonggun at half the buying price.
I will just give it to you.
What difference is there if I sell it for half the buying price
or just give it to you for free?
I heard you have been eyeing that property for a long time, Anseonggun.
Thank you.
Shall I do so under an alias?
Oh, please do-
That would be so stingy, right?
This woman!
Do you like it?
Yes, it is so pretty.
You should become a precious and beautiful woman.
This is my gift to you.
Thank you!
Let me see.
It suits you well.
Wow...
[Episode 8]
Your Majesty.
I came to see what the Crown Prince is studying for his royal education.
Where are all the royal educators?
They have not come to work yet.
It is already the Hour of the Horse. [Hour of the Horse: From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.]
What happened?
W-Well... t-the thing is...
They could not find a house in the city.
What did you say?
Officials who have been pushed out of the capital due to housing
now make up half of the administrative offices in the palace.
Not only that,
the officials who found housing
are having trouble paying for the houses.
Why...
have you not reported this to me?
- Minister of Commerce. - Yes.
Investigate in detail how many houses and how much land there are
in the capital and report to me.
Yes.
- Minister of Justice. - Yes.
If the housing prices skyrocketed to the point where officials cannot buy a house,
there must be someone taking in unfair profits.
Investigate this matter in detail.
Yes.
Madam!
Someone is here to see some land.
Madam.
I have disturbed Your Majesty's mind over a military position.
Thus, I humbly ask that I may decline
all military positions.
I will accept your commendable intention.
I will change the Inspector General to Yi Wan Yeong from Han Sam Geon.
It appears he will take this opportunity to eradicate everyone under the Min family's influence.
Kim Nam Su will be made the Left Army Commander,
and for the Right Army Commander,
I will appoint Shim Gwi Ryong.
Shim Gwi Ryong.
- Minister of Justice. - Yes.
Official Kim Cheo Won ignored the grievances of the wronged people
and failed to carry out his duties properly
for fear of the powerful Min family.
Thus, give him 60 beatings with a rod and revoke his official title.
Yes.
Also, investigate to see if there are other powerful ministers
who made slaves of people who had their houses seized.
After investigating,
have them pay labor wages and set the slaves free by a deadline.
If there are powerful ministers who do not obey,
they will be given 60 beatings with a rod
and I will personally revoke their titles.
I will carry out your command.
Your Majesty, we are deeply moved with gratitude
for withdrawing your intention to abdicate
and carefully overseeing the affairs of the state.
We shall respond by pledging our unwavering loyalty to Your Majesty's decision.
Bow four times!
Bow.
Namchon, Bukchon, Dongchon, Seochon,
Jungchon, and Ochon.
Sangdae, Hadae, and Yangdae.
These regions have deep connections with my parents and me as well,
dating back to the Goryeo period.
Are you saying you have Hanyang in the palm of your hand?
Yes, I have it in the palm of my hand.
But that is not all.
I have ties with all the top meritorious subjects
who are royal relatives.
- Ties? - Close ties formed through
amassing wealth.
Thus, what could he possibly do
in Hanyang...
even if he is the king?
Your world may have been thus so far,
but the world in which you will live will be different.
Thus, you should return to the people all the houses and land
that you unjustly amassed.
What if I refuse?
Then, I will have you punished.
Really?
But too bad.
"Self-cultivation and family management lead to good governance and societal harmony."
Should he not be here by now?
Yes, he is waiting.
Then, bring him here.
Yes.
Why are you here?
You made us lay down our military authority.
Also, to stay away from the Crown Prince.
You made us relinquish both power and authority.
Then, what would be left for us?
- What did you say? - We should protect and increase the wealth we have.
Yeoganggun!
I told you that all the other powerful families do it!
You two cannot.
I made this clear.
I am-
I am the eldest son in the family.
It is my duty to make our family
flourish and affluent, not yours.
- Yeoganggun! - Do you not understand?
It is all your fault that things ended up like this.
What did you say?
At least you became the Queen.
Yeoganggun.
If you will excuse me, I will leave now.
Your Majesty.
Why are you at the library?
The Royal Sericulture Ceremony is coming up soon.
I thought I should read up on some books on silkworm farming.
You, Royal Consort?
Then, what brings you here, Princess?
It is not your business.
Even if he is your younger brother, Your Majesty,
is it not human nature
to be swayed by an easy way to gain wealth?
Can you take responsibility for your words?
Empty words are worse than not speaking at all.
Yes.
Is that not Court Lady Kim?
Go and check.
Yes.
Father, I do not want to move.
For just two seoms of rice and one seom of beans?
Even if we got more,
it would get taken away by those with more power, anyway.
The nation only changed names from Goryeo to Joseon.
I will go borrow a cart.
Did you come to see the house?
It got sold already.
To Kim of Bamgol?
No, it was Herb Gatherer Kim.
Herb Gatherer...
Did you say a Herb Gatherer bought this house?
Did they not say the sister he came with works in the palace?
How would I know that?
Where were you between the Hours of Sheep and Monkey?
I was at the palace.
You were at the palace...
Where in the palace were you?
I was not feeling well, so I was resting in my quarters.
In the middle of the day?
- Yes. - I thought I saw you at Jungchon.
No, you probably saw wrong.
Is that so?
But...
why are you asking me this?
I was concerned that there may be a problem with your actions.
I will be careful in the future.
Careful about what?
- Pardon? - About your secretive acts?
Or about getting your secretive acts found out?
Your Majesty!
You are a court lady of the King's palace.
If I discover actions that do not fit that title,
I will not forgive you then.
Yes.
Tell His Majesty to come to the Queen's palace tonight.
But the Royal Consort-
Yes, I will do so.
Chae Ryeong is sick?
That is so.
Where?
She has a cold.
If it is a cold, it is fine.
No, Your Majesty.
The Chief Court Lady said it would be a major problem
if Your Majesty catches it from her.
In that case, yes.
Also,
Her Majesty requested your presence tonight.
What did you say?
Royal Consort, I will enter.
His Majesty is supposedly going to the Queen's palace tonight.
- Why? - A-About that...
Because he was told you are sick.
I am...
sick?
Were you surprised that I requested your presence?
Yes.
But I feel I may have rushed over here without thinking.
Give it to me.
Their fights are so fierce, but then they are so affectionate at other times.
What kind of harmony is this?
When you sleep together, have children,
and go through many things together,
it creates a bond that you cannot break off.
What is that bond?
It is hard to explain.
There is something like that.
I visited Jungchon.
Queen!
I did not tell you because you would say
it is dangerous and not let me go, if I told you in advance.
And?
I met the people.
I saw with my own eyes how they lost their homes.
You are overstepping your boundaries, Queen.
- Your Majesty. - I thought about it.
What you said to me last time.
Where do I stand?
I will not stand with royal relatives or with meritorious subjects.
But neither will I stand with you, Queen.
I will stand in my place
as the king of this nation.
Yes.
It appears I have asked a foolish question.
Royal Consort, Royal Consort!
Royal Consort!
Your Majesty.
I...
I can serve Your Majesty tonight.
I will serve you.
- Chae Ryeong. - Your Majesty!
I am not done speaking with the Queen.
Leave.
Your Majesty!
What are you all doing, Court Ladies?
- Escort her back quickly! - Hurry!
Yes, Court Lady.
Royal Consort.
I will stop by here before heading back,
so return to my chambers first.
That is a bit...
Go first.
Yes, I understand.
Does this geomungo bring you comfort?
About the books you were going to read for the Royal Sericulture Ceremony...
Did you finish them?
I was once a mere servant...
Yes.
Right now, I wonder if I deserve to live such a life.
But strangely,
whenever someone tries to take what is mine,
I cannot bear it,
not even for a moment.
Look at Princess Hyo Sun.
See how she is living.
Did she not commit a crime?
Her crime was
getting on Her Majesty's bad side.
The Queen is an impartial person.
Do you know
Her Majesty better than I do?
She is someone who can take away
the only thing a concubine has despite having ten things.
Just remember one thing.
You may be able to comfort His Majesty temporarily with that geomungo,
but it will not win you his heart.
Thus,
we need to partner up.
We?
Yes. We.
How could you do this to me?
Of all people, how could you do this to me!
Her Majesty's command was so solemn.
However, my heart for you has not changed.
There will come a day when I can make up for what happened today.
A three-room tile-roofed house costs five seoms of rice. [One seom of rice is about 160 kg]
Based on that, purchase the houses near Changdeokgung.
I will personally inspect and appropriately distribute them to the officials.
However, Your Majesty,
there is already an established price.
Who set that price?
Did the people decide it?
Your Majesty, the price at which a house is sold or bought
is completely up to the people.
How can Your Majesty set in stone that a three-roomed tile-roofed house
is worth five seoms of rice?
Even if this is criticized, I will take the blame.
With all due respect, Your Majesty,
it has not been long since we moved to Hanyang.
I fear we will lose the hearts of the people in the capital over this matter.
Thus, please rescind your order.
Please rescind your order.
Are the people you are referring to
different from the people I know?
Rescind my order?
When you fight over a position, you do so as if you are mortal enemies.
But how could you all be so unified in this matter?
They are no different!
I will punish those who line their own pockets
at the expense of the people in accordance with the law.
Minister of Justice, execute my order thoroughly.
If I find you were negligent in carrying out your duties,
I will hold you accountable.
Yes.
We cannot let the Queen keep running wild like that.
We need to drain the Queen of her strength.
She definitely was not a pushover.
Obviously, someone who helped establish the king
and became queen would not be a pushover.
I see that you have a plan.
You will sell a house you recently bought?
A buyer came along.
For ten times the cost!
The Queen said we cannot.
We just have to make sure she does not find out.
Hyungnim!
We are being pushed out of power.
If we are pushed out of financial power as well,
then we will lose influence in Hanyang.
Did she not say so before?
Her Majesty is not on our Min family's side.
Do not trust in the Queen.
We need to...
walk our own path now.
Yeoganggun?
Yes.
I sold six three-room tile-roofed houses to Yeoganggun.
Now that I have found buyers for those houses...
You set the trap like that?
Should I not help him make at least ten times the profit?
He is Her Majesty's younger brother, after all.
You should see how the Queen keels over from this.
I should see it for myself.
I plan to attend the Royal Sericulture Ceremony, which was used
to justify the King's withdrawal of his declaration of abdication.
I hear he asked all the women of the royal relatives to attend.
But you know,
there are others besides Yeogganggun who increased their wealth in such a way.
I fear the fallout might end up hurting us as well.
Who would dare step forward and speak out about their own wrongfully gained profit?
As long as nobody speaks up about it, there will be no problem.
But the people...
Whether it is through threats or persuasion,
I will make sure they keep silent.
Which one is the Queen's bathwater?
It is this one.
Is it all ready?
Yes, it is all ready.
Court Lady.
What are you doing here, Court Lady-
Wait, C-Court Lady?
Aigoo, it is all ready.
The Hours of Ox and Tiger.
This is clear water drawn 0.2 km deep from the Han River,
and the clear water from the stream at Suseongdong of Inwang Mountain.
Thus, the water is still cold.
Court Lady Seo will soon bring the hot water.
Change the water.
Forget it.
How will the Queen have a bath like this?
Your Majesty!
Madam! Madam!
What is the matter?
Madam...
The offering ceremony where wine is poured for the God of Silkworms.
The presentation of five types of mulberry leaves on the ceremonial platform.
The Crown Prince and officials' presentation of their tribute writings.
His and Her Majesty's reception of greetings from the inner court.
We prepared everything in the order you commanded.
Do not have the presentation of tribute writings separately.
Combine it with the reception of greetings.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Hello.
You are beautiful.
Thank you for coming.
I will escort you to the rear garden.
- Follow me. - Yes.
Thank you for coming.
Thank you for your hard work.
- Please come inside. - Yes.
Aigoo.
Head inside.
Follow me quickly.
My goodness!
Aigoo, careful, careful!
She is Her Majesty.
What brings you here?
What is the matter that is so urgent?
It appears Yeoganggun has fallen for Bamgol Kim's trap.
What did you say?
Was there such a ceremony in the Celestial Empire?
I heard the Queen is holding this ceremony for the first time.
Your Majesty.
You have fallen into a trap.
Pardon?
His and Her Majesty have carefully watched over
the livelihood of the people, both morning and evening.
When they saw hungry people, they expressed great sorrow.
In order to save the poor and destitute people,
Taesangwang established a nation.
His and Her Majesty
worked tirelessly to continue to carry out his goal.
Her Majesty's dedication to teaching silkworm farming to the people
is a sacred and blessed endeavor.
Her Majesty's desire to improve the people's welfare by promoting sericulture
will surely have reached the heaven.
The secretly laid trap will not only ensnare Yeoganggun,
but also Your Majesty.
I, Myeongseon Daebu, a relative of His Majesty report this. [Myeongseon Daebu: A 3rd senior rank given to a royal relative]
The one who is secretly supporting Bamgol Kim is
Taesangwang's half-brother,
Myeongseon Daebu.
If so,
even the king would have difficulties with him.
For the people, having a house is more important than sericulture.
Having a house where their entire family can live together.
However, there are powerful ministers who are taking away
the houses of such people for their own profit.
Thus, I want to report this.
Who is the powerful minister you are referring to?
I was told that if I buy a house briefly for cheap and then sell it,
I could make ten times the profit.
I was blinded by my greed, and I...
Of all people, me!
I must have gone mad temporarily.
Your Majesty!
To express my allegiance to Your Majesty,
I will offer up all those houses to you.
Accept those houses and fairly distribute them
to officials who do not have a house.
Is that all?
From what I heard from the Minister of Commerce,
there were more.
I also have two three-room tile-roofed houses
and two four-roomed tile-roofed houses in Jungchon.
I will hand over these to show my allegiance to you
and follow in Yeoganggun's great intentions.
I will also offer up a tile-roofed house, Your Majesty!
I offer you my allegiance, Your Majesty.
I will offer up three tile-roofed houses, Your Majesty!
We offer you our allegiance, Your Majesty!
I-I will also offer up all my houses
to help alleviate your concern for the people.
What about you, Myeongseon Daebu?
Well...
If the elder of the royal relatives steps in,
it will please His Majesty greatly.
Well...
Well, I...
I obviously will also...
Your Majesty.
I have two two-room tile-roofed houses
and five three-room thatched-roof houses in Jungchon.
I will hand them over to your disposal.
Your Majesty.
Now, you should command the Ministry of Justice to arrest Bamgol Kim...
Your Majesty.
Great work.
About Myeongseon Daebu.
It was refreshing to see this,
but he would be your uncle-in-law if this was a private residence.
The unjust luxuries he enjoyed in Gaegyeong,
he enjoyed here in Hanyang,
and tried to continue enjoying them.
What about the Crown Prince?
He went to the Eastern Palace.
Since he worked hard today, I should give him praise.
Let us go.
Secretary of Royal Orders.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Tell the Minister of Justice to first arrest Bamgol Kim.
Yes, Your Majesty.
How did it seem to you?
I am talking about the Queen.
She was like a king.
Thus, you must be wary of her.
In this situation, if the Min family uses the Queen and the Crown Prince to push their agenda,
will you be able to handle them?
If Your Majesty and the Crown Prince were to be in opposition,
the Queen will side with the Crown Prince.
Is that not why you withdrew the order to pass the throne, knowing this?
If I spoke out of line, I committed a grave sin worthy of death.
No. Everything you said is right.
Your Majesty, you need to expand your influence.
You should use both the royal relatives and Ansunggun Yi Suk Beon
as a means to grow stronger.
I must expedite the Crown Prince's marriage.
Is this it?
Yes.
A black horn bow's body must be made by combining mulberry wood and bamboo.
But this is made of only bamboo.
Not only that, the horns on either tip are not even water buffalo horns.
Get me another one.
Yes, Your Highness.
Water buffalo horns are a military supply item that must be imported from Ming.
Mother.
You only need your bow for hunting,
so why do you need a black horn bow?
I am the Crown Prince of this nation.
Because you are the Crown Prince of this nation, you must be even more cautious.
I asked why you need this bow when it is a military item.
- Eunuch Kim. - Yes.
This is probably not the only bow the Crown Prince owns.
Bring me all of his bows.
- Your Majesty- - Now!
Yes.
Where did you get all of these?
Still, I read the books diligently.
What is the point of reading the books
when your mindset is not right?
Then, I will only go hunting once every three months.
Only to the extent that it does not cause harm to the people.
Once every six months...
Since you have said so,
I will trust in your word.
Yes, Mother.
Court Lady Seo.
Yes.
This is your reward for your dignified appearance during the Royal Sericulture Ceremony.
Honil Gangni Yeokdae Gukdo Jido. [Honil Gangni Yeokdae Gukdo Jido (Gangnido): Oldest known world map in the East]
It is a world map that marks the capitals of various countries.
As soon as His Majesty ascended to the throne,
he created this map, Gangnido.
You should also carry the great will of your father, who created this map,
in your heart, Crown Prince.
Yes, Mother.
Also, I will appoint Yeoseonggun, Min Mu Jil
as Inspector General.
If Min Mu Jil becomes Inspector General,
he will target the central figure of the royal relatives, Myeongseon Daebu.
That is why I am doing this.
Myeongseon Daebu is Your Majesty's ally.
Indeed, he is an ally.
However,
he has become corrupt.
You know, Her Majesty at the Royal Sericulture Ceremony today...
I wonder if Queen Seondeok reincarnated would be like her.
I thought that Her Majesty would have done really well
even if she had become
the king of this nation, Joseon.
A woman cannot become a king in this nation.
What is your true motive for saying that?
So what if Her Majesty showed the demeanor of a king?
Only you are the monarch of this nation.
You say the Queen showed the demeanor of a king?
I could...
end your life for that statement.
I will restructure the Palace Internal Guards into the Royal Guard.
Also, the Royal Guard will be integrated into the Central Army of the Supreme Military Command,
and be commanded by three military commanders
to strengthen its power.
The purpose of the Royal Guard's existence
is to guard the King's Palace.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Also, I will arrange for the Crown Prince's marriage.
If there is a family who wants to participate in the royal marriage,
collect the profiles of their daughters as marriage candidates.
Secretary of Royal Orders should establish the Ministry of Royal Weddings
and help the Queen as its chief.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Additionally,
I appoint Yeoseonggun Min Mu Jil
as Inspector General.
I-I am honored.
Also, I will appoint Yeoseonggun, Min Mu Jil as Inspector General.
If Min Mu Jil becomes Inspector General,
he will target the central figure of the royal relatives, Myeongseon Daebu.
That is why I am doing this.
Myeongseon Daebu is Your Majesty's ally.
Indeed, he is an ally.
However, he has become corrupt.
You have to attempt to cut 80% to actually cut 50%.
If you try to cut 50% from the start,
you will end up only cutting 20 or 30%.
That will not move the people at all.
Then?
At the appropriate time, I will pardon Myeongseon Daebu.
If so,
from then on,
they will start attacking the Min family.
Your first mission as Inspector General is to investigate the powerful ministers
who colluded with Bamgol Kim to steal the people's houses and land.
- Yes. - Their allies are everywhere in the court.
You must not give them any opportunity to act preemptively,
and carry this out discreetly.
I shall carry this out without any errors.
I asked to meet with Myeongseon Daebu.
He asked me to join him in the meeting.
Please take a seat.
All right, he should be arriving soon.
What happened with the Right Army Commander position was His Majesty's will.
But one of Your Excellency's men received that position.
What is so important about the title of your position?
The title of your position determines the level of your power.
You are here.
Hello.
I was utterly humiliated!
When the Queen asked me, "What about you, Myeongseon Daebu?" Goodness.
The Queen got me really good.
How could the King let a mere woman run wild like that?
Come on now, your words are crossing the line.
What do you mean, crossing the line?
Honestly, who did we establish as king?
Is it the King or the Queen?
He appointed Yeoseonggun as Inspector General.
That is what I mean!
That is why I need to make my daughter become the Crown Princess.
Help me.
This is only possible with the royal relatives' support.
You will make your daughter the Crown Princess,
so you want the royal relatives to support her?
Yes.
Why should we?
Who is the Crown Prince?
He grew up in the Min family when he was young.
Thus, if we do not make sure the Crown Princess is one of our people,
they will push us around again.
But did not His Majesty order the Ministry of Rites
to accept marriage candidate profiles publicly?
You do not have to worry about that.
I am Yi Suk Beon.
Madam! Madam! Madam!
You were all gathered here, I see.
Save me.
Who are you?
I do not believe I have seen you before.
You gained so much wealth through me. How could you pretend not to know me?
Do you have proof? Probably not.
You probably do not.
- Your Excellency! - Oh, yeah!
About the land that I was supposed to receive last time...
Luckily, the title has not passed to me yet.
Let us just say it never happened.
Is anyone outside?
A criminal ran in here.
Do you believe you can get away by using me as a scapegoat?
Hear ye!
I will not die alone!
To see a better day in the future,
think about how you can die well right now.
Hear ye! What are you doing?
Quickly drag her out!
- I will not die alone! - Move!
I will not die alone!
I am sorry for the commotion.
Aigoo, aigoo! Aigoo, what is this!
Aigoo, I am so sorry.
Are you all right? I am so sorry.
It is fine, it is fine.
Let us go.
Goodness, seriously.
Aigoo.
This is the first time a crown princess is being selected after the founding of the dynasty.
What we do from now on will become precedent,
and that precedent will become history.
I ask that you approach this with solemn reverence and care.
[Daughter of Yi Suk Beon of the Anseong Yi family]
Is this all?
Yes.
Just three candidates, including Anseonggun Yi Suk Beon's daughter?
And the other two are clearly just listed for formality.
Bring me a new list of candidates.
Your Majesty.
I hear the royal relatives are supporting Anseonggun anyway.
I refuse to accept this.
However, if she is a candidate supported by the royal relatives, His Majesty-
Bring me a new list of candidates.
I cannot select the crown princess like this.
[Daughter of Yi Suk Beon of the Anseong Yi family]
[Daughter of Kim Han Ro of the Gwangsan Kim family]
I wish to hold a competition to weave your own cotton fabric.
Ultimately, I will select the one who wins this competition as the Crown Princess.
[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 ♫
I have selected the Crown Princess.
I am saying I will strengthen the monarchy.
My feelings for you have never changed.
All she needs to do is win.
You are the one who created this mess, right?
Right now, I am Joseon.
- You are being cowardly. - Enough!
Please spare them.
Why are you doing this to me!