(The Secret Romantic Guesthouse)
(All people, organizations, locations, and incidents...)
(in this drama are fictitious.)
It is okay if you are an illusion.
Even if the man I know...
does not exist.
I never even imagined...
I would get to see...
these silver ripples again.
My lady.
I changed because I met you.
You must have changed also.
You said you wished to forget the past.
Then forget it.
I will as well.
I will try to.
My lady, you are a brave woman.
You are braver than most.
Promise me...
one thing.
Whatever happens,
do not leave me all alone again.
What shall I do about Yoon Hong Ju?
We must confirm first.
If she truly is alive,
I will make sure she takes her last breath.
I hate winters.
Why are the days so short?
You should go.
What if someone were to see us?
You told me not to leave you alone.
Very well. I will go now.
I will see you tomorrow,
after the long night, Lady Hong Ju.
I am seeing for myself and cannot believe it.
Yoon Hong Ju is alive.
Shall I grab her?
We cannot let the word spread.
I have a plan.
Find a place to bury her.
She is alive,
but she has already died once.
We just have to return her there quietly.
They say Snowflake has a shadow who protects only him.
Was that you?
Are you usually this careless? If someone were to hear...
Things just got awkward between us.
We cannot even speak freely.
We never exactly felt comfortable around each other.
We have too many secrets to speak freely.
I liked your jokes very much.
But now I see...
your jokes were a tactic you used to hide your true feelings.
Then shall I tell you this also?
The watchman always cuts down anyone who threatens...
his master's safety.
So do not place yourself where my blade can reach.
You still...
do not trust me.
Hwa Ryung sent the assassins?
Why would she wish me dead?
Because she wishes someone else to take the throne.
What happened in the yard was our mistake.
My carelessness was to blame.
Should you not explain first...
who sent those men?
I warned the people sternly so it will not happen again.
Do you believe everything he says?
I do not.
But someone said...
there is nothing one cannot achieve when desperate enough.
You must want to remove the beast on the throne as badly as I.
I put my trust...
in that desperation.
Would two not be better than one?
What are you doing?
Why did you all jump?
Were you plotting something?
Dan O, why are you...
out here this morning?
What do you think?
Do you not want breakfast?
Yes, let us eat.
I told Dan O.
About what?
That I like her a lot.
You do not have to tell me...
how you feel about her.
I am telling you that I have not given up on her too.
What?
Once you replace the King,
what will you do with Dan O?
Of course, she will come with me...
Do you think she will want that?
She would stop at nothing to preserve...
her sister and Garden of Flowers.
Do you think...
the palace in which she can barely breathe suits her?
Burdened by incredible responsibility,
she will be locked up forever.
Is that not too selfish?
You will work together?
You suffered for so many years, and you are still so naive.
Gyeom and I want the same thing.
We will fight for it together.
You may share a goal now.
But once you replace the current King,
who will be next?
Your Highness, no one in the world voluntarily gives up...
the power they obtained.
Perhaps you fear the possibility of having...
your brother's blood on your hands.
Yes.
I am afraid.
That eventually we will...
target each other.
However,
I will not surrender to my fear.
I will...
march forward.
Wait and see...
how I open a new world.
They seemed to be discussing a personal matter...
in secret.
What did the Chief Eunuch have to talk about...
with a bottom-ranking palace guard?
I heard you asked for me, Chief.
You are to keep a watchful eye on Kang San from now on.
I must know what he is up to...
outside the palace walls.
Yes, Chief.
What brings Your Highness here?
What do you think?
I am here to speak with His Majesty. Please let him know.
Are you here to tell him that I am in league with the Queen Dowager?
It is true, is it not?
I know some things too.
Care to listen?
I heard the Heir Apparent...
was not your child.
His Majesty already knows all about it.
It is no big deal.
If the ministers find out, both the Heir Apparent...
and even His Majesty will be put at risk.
Could you truly brush it off...
as if it is no problem at all?
Must you do this, Your Majesty?
If words get out about this shamanic ritual,
the ministers will fly into a rage again.
My life would be endangered if we did not perform the ritual.
Kang San.
Come with us.
I will show you something interesting.
Yes, Your Majesty.
First Vice-premier.
Thank you for finding Seol.
Thanks to you,
my long time wish has come true.
Did you and His Highness have a good conversation?
Yes.
He has grown into a wonderful man,
even though life must have been tough for him.
Now, you are the only one...
who can protect His Highness.
As long as His Majesty is sitting on the throne,
His Highness cannot stay alive for long.
To oust the King,
we need a justifiable reason.
There is something.
Something huge that would...
turn the royal court upside down if the ministers were to find out.
It is about the legitimacy of the Heir Apparent.
I borrowed a horse.
Where do you wish to go? Just tell me.
Anywhere. Where we go does not matter...
for I am with you.
You little rat!
I told you not to go anywhere near the annex.
You seduced Hong Ju!
No, Yuk Ho. Let me explain...
Explain what? You rat!
My gosh. Why are you so worked up?
You two can talk it out.
Talk it out?
If he listened to me, he would not be here now!
I cannot believe this.
Why him, of all scholars at Garden of Flowers...
- Oh, dear. - Why? What is wrong with him?
He is handsome and...
And...
I mean, he is handsome.
- Oh, dear. - Gosh.
Why him, of all people?
He failed the exam. He is unemployed, lazy, and useless.
I am truly hurt.
I admit that I am unemployed and lazy,
but "useless?" That is mean.
Ms. Naju is right!
You rat, come here.
Get out at once. Do not come anywhere near this house!
- Come here. - Yuk Ho, let me explain...
I do not want to live without him!
For years, I lived quietly in hiding...
like an old tree in the annex.
Finally...
Finally, I feel like I can breathe a little.
Thanks to Scholar Kim, who came to me like the sunshine.
Lady Hong Ju.
Then this is what we will do.
Do tell.
I can and will do anything to get your permission.
Pass the state exam.
If you pass the state exam,
then I will approve of your relationship.
Pass the state exam?
Me?
Why? Do you not want to do it?
You need to earn a living if you wish to marry her.
Gosh, marry me?
We are not there yet...
I will pass the exam and become successful.
I will be sure...
to make it happen.
Very well.
If you do your very best,
you can make it happen.
I heard you were staying at Garden of Flowers.
Yes.
Does Dan O take good care of you?
She always makes sure that I am comfortable.
We should return to the palace now. It is getting late.
The shaman said not to return home immediately...
if I wished to ward off the evil spirits for good.
Yes, coming!
Why are you so nervous?
Are you afraid I would bite you or something?
I did not have anything decent to serve to Your Majesty...
for I was not expecting you today.
A shaman told me...
that Lee Seol was waiting for the right moment,
holding his sword to my throat.
Dan O, do you think so too?
If Your Majesty believes it to be true,
it will happen.
What did you say?
"The wise are free from perplexities,"
"and the bold from fear."
The wise does not worry,
and the brave does not fear.
The audacity!
How dare you speak such words to His Majesty?
Are you saying I fear Lee Seol?
You are already shivering...
when the cold is not nigh.
Then watch closely.
Just like the snow melts,
Lee Seol will perish and disappear.
And that day draws near.
Is someone here?
What are you looking at?
Well,
His Majesty is visiting.
The palace would have better liquor,
so why choose to visit Garden of Flowers?
And who may you be?
What is your name?
This is His Majesty. Address him with respect.
I am Jung Yu Ha, a scholar residing at Garden of Flowers.
I thought it was only an inn by name,
but you have actual guests.
You should also rest since the night has deepened.
I did not expect him to suggest that we come to Garden of Flowers.
It must have startled you dearly.
It was all right.
Actually, his visit reassured me.
It made me think...
that maybe the roles have changed.
Changed as in how?
The one being haunted by fear is His Majesty,
not you.
Never have I ever...
received encouragement this bold before.
Rather than encouragement,
they are words of belief.
I believe...
you will accomplish your honourable goal.
So please...
safely take your seat on the throne.
By the way, what will you do...
when you become King?
What is it?
Have you not thought about it?
You will be the father to your people,
so take your time and give it some thought.
What about you?
What will you do once I am King?
You should also take your time...
and consider your options.
Do not let last night's visit concern you.
He suddenly suggested the visit while on his secret outing.
I know. Dan O told me.
Then what could you be so hesitant to talk to me about?
Well...
I was wondering if you knew.
About what?
About my birth mother.
- Could it be... - No.
I do not know anything about her.
Any minor detail would do.
Is there nothing you know?
There is someone.
I may not know anything, but this person might.
Could you make an introduction?
(Inner Military Office)
Three days from now, the royal hunting will take place.
(Tawui: A hunting event enjoyed by the King)
Where will the hunting event take place?
Mount Eungbong.
First Vice-premier will also attend the event,
so let there be no weak points during the escort.
- Yes, my lord! - Yes, my lord!
The hunting event.
That day will present an opportunity.
An opportunity to eliminate the King.
I will always be by your side.
What are you gazing at?
It is nothing.
(Buyounggak)
You... How are you here?
You had someone spy on me.
I needed information on Mokinhoe.
Do not get the wrong idea.
I was under the impression that you knew who your mother was.
What do you mean by that?
It is why you chose to meet with Mokinhoe scholars here.
Is Hwa Ryung,
the madame of Buyounggak,
my birth mother?
Were you truly not aware of it?
Could you be idling away?
Talk about being evil during our busiest hour.
What if the madame finds out?
If you cause trouble...
All will be well as long as I do not.
- What? - Keep your mouths shut.
If the madame finds out, I will know you told her.
Why on earth did you nod?
Mae Wol, were you intimidated?
Intimidated?
She has Master Jang looking out for her.
Provoking her will do me no good!
- I think she was intimidated. - Why is she taking it out on me?
Excuse me. Do you know who resides here?
I see you are not from around here.
Here resides the great first vice-premier.
I see. I appreciate it.
I am disappointed in you.
Have you been leading Mokinhoe just to helplessly abandon it?
I have no excuse whatsoever,
but I came to a decision that would benefit us all.
I will meet Queen Dowager and beg for her forgiveness.
Set up a meeting for us.
- I cannot! - Lord Sin...
I must first meet Snowflake.
After meeting him,
I will come to my own decision.
I hope the conversation went well.
I made...
some harsh remarks the other day.
- For that, I apologize. - That is not necessary.
I should have been considerate of your intentions.
Stay out of my business from now on.
That includes setting up meetings of this nature.
Do you...
still...
not trust me?
I may back down now,
but I am still Lee Gyeom.
I am a legitimate heir that threatens the King.
That does not change.
The King does not know about you.
- So... - I could get found out at any time.
Anyone close to me...
could be in danger.
I do not...
wish to...
lose you also.
(Garden of Flowers)
First Vice-premier Sin Won Ho backed Mokinhoe?
I never imagined that.
He asked me to arrange a meeting...
with you.
He will attend today's gathering.
I can arrange a meeting if you wish.
Why would you bother to accompany us?
We all know who the other is.
Would you not prefer me here than as a shadow?
Let him be.
He still does not trust me.
Also,
three is better than two.
What do you mean?
I am desperate too.
The master must take the throne...
for the watchman to go free.
Do not take it to heart.
Suspecting everything...
is part of my duty.
We must bring the revolt forward.
The bitter cold added to the tyranny,
and the people's cries ring from all corners of the nation.
When spring comes,
they might have to build huts on top of numerous graves.
The ministers only care about power.
Would replacing the King improve everything overnight?
Are you saying we must replace the corrupt officials first?
Should we not start with the Three Offices that lost...
their will to debate and advise?
(The Three Offices handled PR.)
The more the nation suffers,
the more a King yearns for wise subjects.
Men like you with strong wills and bright minds...
should work for the government.
Yu Ha was already drawing a plan.
What do you mean?
How to build a new house on top of the crumbled castle of sand.
What will you do when you become King?
You will be the father to your people,
so take your time and give it some thought.
I never thought of that.
My goal was always...
to take down the King.
It remained at that.
The castle of sand must come down first.
The rock on Mount Eungbong.
Think only of that right now.
If you are distracted,
so will your arrow.
Is that not him?
First Vice-premier Sin Won Ho.
(Capital District Office)
Ban Ya.
What brings you here?
Is Assistant Magistrate Jang here?
What is it?
I followed Hwa Ryung last night.
She went into Lord Sin's residence.
Very well. Inform me if you find out anything else.
Yes, my lord.
Keep an eye on him.
It looks like Lord Sin is up to something.
Yes, my lord.
I was caught off guard.
I did not think you had entered the palace.
I was surprised also...
to hear you support Mokinhoe.
My only master...
is Joseon, my nation.
I borrowed your name,
but please consider it an act of loyalty...
to save the nation from misery.
The method was unjust,
but the intention was loyal?
Did you ask to see me to make an excuse?
I wished to ask you in person...
what your intention is.
Do you...
wish to execute His Majesty?
Lord Sin.
Do your will with Mokinhoe.
I will do what I wish.
Oh, do you know this?
I am four years older than you both.
I expected as much.
Even the watchman cannot hide his age.
I found it most suspicious that we were the same age.
Then which of you is older?
I believe I was born sooner.
I was born in the spring.
In the very early spring.
Then San is the older brother.
Who cares who is older if we are the same age?
Brothers of all people must care.
Even twins care.
You held a sword to my throat
Now are you acknowledging me as a brother?
What an honour.
What...
What were you...
Why are you over there?
I was cleaning the flowerbed.
Who...
is brothers with whom?
You do not look at all alike.
Then...
are you a royal also?
Then...
that thing about a sword to the throat...
About that, Dan O...
I was leading Mokinhoe.
I tried to take the throne in Lee Seol's name.
That was when he did not know who I was.
We talked it out since.
Wait.
Then Si Yeol.
You knew all this?
Well, everyone knows...
I am quick to notice things.
Hey, do not...
Lady Hong Ju, come outside.
Why are you here this late?
I have something to show just you.
Now is the only time.
Do you see that red star?
I have never seen it so close to the full moon.
It is a rare sight indeed.
They look so beautiful together.
But it will disappear soon, right?
Hurry up and make a wish.
That rare star will grant your wish and a lot more.
What did you wish for?
Do not ask. You should hurry up and make a wish too.
Something you must achieve. Can you not think of anything?
Something I must achieve?
Becoming successful?
Stop it, will you?
Oh, there you are.
It is your day off tomorrow, right?
Yes, I am so glad.
I hate hunting.
But having to hike... Gosh, I hate it even more.
Well... I was wondering...
if I could ask you to switch shifts with me tomorrow.
Switch shifts?
Does it have to be me?
I just said I hated hiking. Did you not hear it?
Tomorrow is the anniversary of my father's passing.
Could you not help me out?
Well, you see...
I truly hate hiking...
I cleaned the plates for the memorial ceremony.
As for food, is there anything else you need?
I can pick it up when I go to the market later.
No, I think we have enough food.
Since I could not do it last year, I truly wish to do it this year...
Gosh, that is enough.
Okay, fine.
However, you have to do the same for me when I need to switch shifts.
Yes, anytime. I will gladly switch shifts with you twice...
No, even three times.
What? Three times?
You must keep your promise.
Yes, you have my word.
A meeting will take place on the 15th of the month.
That day, Lee Seol will reveal himself.
That is still a long time away.
The situation could change before that.
Your Majesty, our soldiers are already fully ready.
The deposed heir, Lee Seol, will face his demise...
before the month ends.
But if he...
manages to survive,
will you let me slay you instead?
Yes, Your Majesty. I will gladly...
let you behead me.
I am counting on you, First Vice-premier.
So you believe Assistant Magistrate Jang has caught on?
Yes, my lord.
Someone saw Hwa Ryung visiting your residence.
Understood. You are dismissed.
You are no longer useful to me.
Mokinhoe...
What did you say?
The First Vice-premier is the one behind Mokinhoe.
If you are saying this just to get out of here...
He is using Mokinhoe...
to enthrone Lee Seol, the deposed heir.
Then...
are the Chief Eunuch and Hwa Ryung...
helping him?
Yes.
I had bought this house just in case,
to prepare for emergencies.
Emergencies?
I figured you would need a safe place where you could hide.
Those close to me are always exposed to danger.
I suppose...
it is happening soon.
The big day must be...
right around the corner.
What you are worried about...
If that were to happen,
you would not be here.
That is why you prepared all of this in advance.
I will be here.
Right by your side, just like now.
I did not know that day would come so fast.
Is it...
happening tomorrow?
I figured...
you would be so worried if I just disappeared.
Come back before sunset.
Let us spend the night together.
I will.
I will be back before the moon shines in the sky.
Oh, right.
The other day, you asked me...
what I wanted to do.
Yes. Have you thought about it?
Yes.
There is one thing I have always wanted to do...
but have not achieved yet.
What is this thing that you have yet to achieve?
Going someplace far...
Going far away.
Far away?
From time to time,
I felt burdened and smothered by Garden of Flowers.
No.
Because of my family.
Maybe it was because I was trying so hard with all my might...
when I could not even protect them properly.
You see, Si Yeol...
made my sister smile right away.
That was when I realized...
that my anxiety was the reason my sister got sick...
and that living in hiding...
is no better than being dead.
Because you anxiously tried to protect her, she's alive now...
and could meet Si Yeol too.
Do you truly think so?
Who took him in when he tried to dine and dash?
So you wish to go someplace far away.
Where do you wish to go?
Well...
It could be anywhere.
It would be nice to travel around the country.
And I would happily visit a faraway seaside town.
I see.
I did not know.
I had no idea...
how you felt.
With you by my side,
the trip will be more enjoyable.
But...
being here is just as nice.
I will return...
safe and sound.
(Garden of Flowers)
Lady Hong Ju.
May I enter?
Yes, come in.
A troupe will be at the marketplace today.
I am already excited.
Well, my lady...
What is the matter?
I have been called to an urgent engagement...
and must ask that we see the troupe some other time.
How could one argue...
when the engagement is important?
Be on your way, then.
I am deeply relieved though.
If I had not seen how pretty you look today,
I would have been missing out.
I am deeply concerned for your health, Your Majesty.
Lower your weapons.
I, Assistant Magistrate Jang Tae Hwa,
approach you with an urgent report.
Hand it here.
As the information concerns Lee Seol,
I would rather pass it along directly.
Since a letter could easily be intercepted,
I chose not to write anything.
Intercepted by whom?
First Vice-premier Sin Won Ho.
He has been supporting Mokinhoe.
Sin Won Ho...
hopes to have Lee Seol take the throne.
Chief Eunuch...
as well as Queen Dowager also support him,
and thus the palace could be crawling with traitors.
Could you prove your accusation?
I have captured a witness...
whom you can question back at the palace.
Your Majesty,
I believe information regarding Lee Seol...
should also reach my ears.
First Vice-premier.
You promised to pay with your life, did you not?
That is what I promised...
should I fail to capture Lee Seol within the month.
That is all I needed to hear.
Let us return to the palace.
They wish to eliminate me...
and crown Lee Seol as King?
- Your Majesty! - Go!
Escort His Majesty!
- Yes, my lord. - Yes, my lord.
You should get going.
I will walk you to the front gate.
You show yourself at last, Lee Seol.
(The Secret Romantic Guesthouse)
From beginning to end, I am the one to blame.
You murdered my son...
and frolicked with his fiancée?
Do not forgive me.
Resent and loathe me.
If you wish to stay as the innkeeper of Garden of Flowers,
your relationship will come to an end.
Could you live your life not seeing San ever again?
Lee Seol, once you eliminate him,
I will no longer have a reason to stand here.
I promise to be back before sundown.
I will not let myself break...
and return to you safe and sound.