(The Secret Romantic Guesthouse)
(All people, organizations, locations, and incidents...)
(in this drama are fictitious.)
- He goes that way. Chase him!
If you bring the watchman to me,
I will write off your debt.
Have you ever hurt a person with a real sword before?
I have injured countless men.
Are you the watchman?
Hello? Are you inside?
Rumour has it that a young female ghost lives in this house.
What about your sister?
- You knew about her? - I knew long ago that she was no ghost.
Run a new background check...
on all the scholars at Garden of Flowers.
What is your real name?
Aim by sight for me. I will draw the bow.
Now.
He is here.
Your father left it for you.
Do not tell the young masters.
Still, you cannot leave without saying goodbye.
I do not know if we should show up unannounced.
San and now you will not let this rest.
She cannot stay at the temple forever.
Garden of Flowers...
is yours.
The fact that she is relinquishing it...
It means she is done searching for Lee Seol.
- Master Jang... - Master Jang?
I do not know for what reason,
but he is on his way here with his men.
I relinquished Garden of Flowers,
You had the audacity to keep something from me.
(Episode 7)
You have found Lee Seol.
Who is he?
This is your last warning.
Answer me.
The watchman greets us.
Attack.
Dan O.
My goodness. What was that about?
How did Master Jang find us?
We will explain later.
We should get out of here first.
There is a byway to the back.
I will show you the way.
I apologize for only causing trouble.
All is well. Get ready to leave.
You go ahead. I will check how things went.
Come along.
Dan O. What happened?
We must leave, Hong Ju.
I waited to see you...
for a long time.
You tried to find the deposed heir? Is that true?
I had no idea this would happen.
I just wanted to keep Garden of Flowers.
How could you be so foolish?
I have seen countless people lose their lives...
as a result of their involvement in royal affairs.
It is all my fault. I am a useless older sister.
I am no help at all.
What is done is done, and it is in the past now.
Lady Dan O must have had no other option.
Who was...
that swordsman?
He appeared suddenly and saved you.
I heard the term...
"watchman."
I heard he is a warrior who protects the deposed heir.
I do not know the details.
Dan O.
You must be surprised.
She is my older sister.
Nice to meet you.
There is a reason for this.
I will explain later.
So,
how did it look back at the temple?
Did Master Jang...
When I got back, they had already gone.
I see.
Where should we go now?
We cannot return to Garden of Flowers.
We should leave Hanyang.
This trail leads to Namtaeryeong.
At least let us help you find a place to stay.
We can return then.
People will get suspicious if you are away for too long.
If Master Jang asks where I am,
say we parted at the temple and you do not know.
We will come to Gwacheon when things calm down.
Be sure to send word.
I will.
Oh, dear.
Ms. Naju.
Meet me here in a fortnight.
We must discuss where to go from here.
- Sure. - Okay.
Must she leave in such a hurry?
However fearful she is of Master Jang.
Have you heard?
Master Jang's only son died young.
His daughter-in-law also died not long after.
That daughter-in-law...
is Hong Ju.
She is a special girl they revived...
by separating her from society.
She is a woman...
who should not be living.
I have never seen such swordmanship.
He is called a slayer for a reason.
His skills have improved more than I expected.
There were two swordsmen.
There could be two watchmen.
Could one not be Snowflake?
If the watchman came to protect Snowflake...
The watchman kills all...
to protect just one, Snowflake.
So how come he did not kill anyone?
When he has the skill to kill ten in a single blow.
Then do you believe he let us live?
The slayer has stopped dropping bodies?
Or...
was he not the watchman?
For now, trace Yoon Dan O.
She is hiding something.
Yes, my lord.
Where were you all this while?
I thought you had all left without me.
Dan O.
Is she safe?
What?
I wonder how she is doing now she has nowhere to go.
You do not know?
How would I know?
I am sure she is doing fine.
What? I thought you went out to meet her or something.
(Garden of Flowers)
I wonder if Dan O is doing well.
I wish to see her.
As you can see, soldiers in disguise are everywhere.
Where would you even meet her?
That heartless fool.
Is he not even worried about Dan O?
How could he be so calm?
What are you doing here?
Are you here to see me?
Yes, I wish to talk to you about something.
What is it?
How will you threaten me this time?
Dan O said she was headed to Gwacheon.
I figured you would be worried.
I am not worried.
She is bright and clever,
so she will be fine wherever she is.
It was you, was it not?
The swordsman who showed up at the temple.
When you were shot by the poisoned arrow,
I noticed you had a real sword on you...
instead of the wooden sword you always carried with you.
So?
That swordsman had the exact same sword.
The swords that swordsmen use all look the same.
If you are done talking, let us go.
Have your feelings for her deepened that greatly?
You are willing to protect her...
even if it costs you your principles and your life.
Yes.
It happened that way,
so protect Dan O in the best way that you can.
Just follow your heart...
for I will do the same.
(Capital District Office)
We observed them for over two weeks,
but none of the scholars did anything suspicious.
We must find Yoon Dan O...
to track down the swordsman.
Continue to keep a watchful eye on them.
That reminds me.
I heard one of the scholars at Garden of Flowers...
was preparing for the military exam.
What was his name again?
His name is Kang San.
He is a skilled archer. He already passed the preliminary exam.
Kang San.
I wish to know where he was born and raised. Find out everything.
Look into it yourself, Jong Soo.
Yes, my lord.
(Liquor)
I would like some rice wine, please.
What if he has been arrested?
The soldiers came at him as if they were about to kill him.
Dan O.
What are you thinking about?
What?
Oh, it is nothing.
By the way, Ms. Naju is nowhere to be seen.
Did she go somewhere?
She went to Hanyang.
What?
Hanyang? What for?
Did something happen?
No.
To look for your spouse.
I told her to do it.
Hong Ju.
You cannot live like this for the rest of your life.
Even so, this is wrong.
What would you do if I got married?
I will go to Gwaneum Temple.
Only female monks reside there.
I told them my situation, and they said they would accept me.
That is absurd.
You did not even tell me...
You did not tell me that you were looking for the deposed heir.
Is that acceptable?
That is...
I am sorry about that.
So please do not do this.
I work at the tavern now,
so the three of us are fine even if we cannot live comfortably...
How much longer will you do this?
Do you wish to live in hiding forever...
while struggling to make ends meet?
I cannot let my sister live such a life.
Hold on.
Please take a good look.
Goodness, let me do my thing.
I bought it to give it to my future wife if I were to get married.
My goodness.
It has been a while...
since your daughter reached the marriageable age.
Hold on.
You said you were not married.
I cherish her like my own child.
There was someone who wished to marry her.
Master Sleaze.
Oh, my. Is she the one...
who rejected Master Sleaze?
My gosh.
She did not really "reject" him, per Se.
Anyway, how is Master Sleaze doing?
He got married a little over two weeks ago.
Then...
are there any other eligible bachelors?
Other than this family,
no one else would approve of her.
Come on.
She should be grateful that she would not have to do manual labour.
Kim, the old man who is over 60?
As his second wife at that?
Come on.
So? What happened?
I researched thoroughly,
and you were right.
There is a family that adopted a female infant...
who was less than a year old.
Of course, they could not kill the baby.
She is Royal Consort Park's child, after all.
Since adopting the baby,
the family's financial situation has improved greatly.
They now have plenty of money...
and also own paddy fields that once belonged...
to Royal Consort Park's family.
Your Majesty.
The Prince is less than 100 days old.
Such a young prince has never been appointed the Heir Apparent.
Also, Her Highness the Queen is still alive...
The Queen cannot conceive due to her chronic illness.
You are well aware of it.
You simply do not approve of Royal Consort Park's lowly blood.
Do you think I would not know what you ministers are up to?
The Heir Apparent will become the Crown Prince of Joseon,
then ascend the throne.
Please decide carefully, Your Majesty.
- Decide carefully, Your Majesty. - Decide carefully, Your Majesty.
Crown Prince! You are at it again!
You have been hounding me to produce an heir for over a decade.
Day and night!
I am sick of it.
Or is this because...
the heir you want is someone else?
By any chance,
is it the name mentioned in those banned books?
Your Majesty, attempting to reinstate a deposed heir...
would be considered treason.
The thought alone terrifies us.
Please take back what Your Majesty said.
Even though the Prince was born of a royal concubine,
he is the only heir at the moment.
Even for the sake of restoring order in the royal court,
he should be appointed the Heir Apparent...
as soon as possible.
Minister of War.
You truly are my loyal subject.
Upon the appointment of the Heir Apparent,
Royal Consort Park will receive the first senior rank as well.
Anyone who is against it will be considered a traitor.
End of discussion.
Congratulations, Royal Noble Consort Park.
A royal noble consort.
When I first came to the palace, I was a court maid.
I put up with so much, and it feels like it was only yesterday.
As the mother of the Heir Apparent,
you certainly deserve it.
Thank you.
What did you want to talk to me about?
I must visit the Queen Dowager with the Heir Apparent.
It is about the Queen Dowager.
Were you aware...
that the Queen Dowager had been financially backing the watchman?
What did you say?
So you think I should send a spy to the Queen Dowager's chambers?
Yes, Your Highness.
Even to send money to him,
someone must be in contact with him on a regular basis.
That person will lead us...
to Lee Seol's watchman.
And...
we will find Lee Seol too.
A court maid has already been set into play.
She has been instructed to report the Queen Dowager's orders.
I am not in the mood for the herbal tonic.
I will move up my schedule...
and head out for Onyang Temporary Palace today.
Be prepared.
Yes, Your Highness.
We will escort you as soon as we are ready.
Here are the funds for the watchman.
Yes, Your Highness.
You leaving the palace often...
will draw suspicion from His Majesty.
We must quickly find someone to take your place.
If the watchman is caught,
my Seol...
will not be able to survive.
(Buyounggak)
Currently, I am looking into Yoon Dan O's whereabouts.
Consider yourself heard. You are dismissed.
Yes, my lord.
The others have been dismissed, so make yourself at home.
I hear you have been helping Master Jang...
locate Snowflake.
Yes, that is correct.
To uphold the authority of the royal family,
Snowflake must be executed...
to eliminate future trouble.
Killing Snowflake will not resolve the matter at hand.
Without an heir to the throne,
the royal bloodline will be discontinued,
so how will the order of Joseon be upheld?
A discontinued bloodline, you say?
But a prince was recently born.
His Majesty subsides his anxieties...
by believing in superstition.
This one time, he spoke...
of the Legend of Baridegi.
The great king from that myth...
was not able to produce a son.
But did you know...
that the great king tossed his seventh child into the river...
because she was born a girl?
Are you saying Royal Consort Park gave birth to a princess?
She is now Royal Noble Consort Park.
His Majesty elevated her status.
The court lady...
who assisted in the baby's delivery committed suicide.
The medical staff at the Office of Childbirth...
left the palace and cannot be located.
Could that be a coincidence?
Let me ask you this.
Have you truly...
not located Snowflake?
I lack knowledge regarding the matter.
If I had found Snowflake,
I would have reported it to Master Jang immediately.
Do not inform him.
Master Jang must not find Snowflake.
Are you saying...
A mere assistant magistrate should not hold that kind of power.
Snowflake is not to be used that way.
Does he intend to crown Snowflake as king?
It is for you.
Rather than an eunuch, you call yourself a tradesman.
Could it be that you trust me?
I do not.
However, someone as sly as you always finds a way to survive.
Cleverly weigh your options...
and side with the one...
you will benefit the most from.
Dan O, how have you been?
We meet again, Young Master.
All the doors need new handles.
What brings you by, Madame?
The place requires a lot of work done,
so I will be staying in the main building for now.
Did Master Jang put you up to this?
I am only doing my job as the Head of Buyounggak.
You must have been waiting for...
the young lady who used to live here.
I apologize for before.
It is all right.
All I wanted...
was a normal married life in a house like this.
Now, my life seems meaningless.
I was not born a kisaeng, you see.
My father...
left his government position to live closer to nature...
after the Crown Prince was robbed of his throne.
The King who now occupies the throne...
not only killed the Crown Prince...
but also gave orders to have the deposed heir killed.
My father...
wrote appeals to talk sense into him...
but was branded a traitor.
Your late father.
May I ask his name?
He was once the compiler...
of the Office of Royal Decrees who went by the name of Im Ji Guk.
What happened...
to your family?
My older brother...
was executed along with my father,
and my mother recently succumbed to an illness.
It is how I came to stay at Buyounggak.
I had no idea...
you had suffered so much.
We are heading out. Are you sure you are not coming?
Go ahead without me.
There being so many of us would not help anyway.
This is where we should part ways.
We must give him the slip.
Sounds good to me.
Let us rendezvous at the base of the hill.
My gosh.
Identify yourself!
I am with the Capital District Office.
There is something I must confirm, so step aside.
The Capital District Office?
That is too bad for you...
since this is not your jurisdiction.
Surround him!
Easy...
Boss, he ran off.
- Fall back. - Fall back.
Off we go.
My goodness.
What brings you all the way here?
Goodness.
This is where you live, Dan O.
Are you doing well?
Yes, of course.
You look disappointed.
Were you hoping for someone else?
I am not disappointed.
I am startled and pleased.
Do not expect San.
He cannot visit.
Why not?
Did something bad happen?
As if.
I was unaware,
but he is a man after all.
He joked around with a Buyounggak kisaeng...
His next exam is coming up,
and he is busy training.
I see.
Here.
What...
Goodness.
My gosh.
Is everyone well?
Yes, everyone at Garden of Flowers is well.
Unlike before, it is now hustling and bustling.
Yuk Ho is worried about you.
Apologize to him for me.
I let him down.
I will tell him,
but he will be more concerned than let down.
He cared for you like a daughter.
Yes. That is why I feel worse.
Have you been doing well?
You asked that already.
I have been doing great.
I have not been too well.
I missed you, Dan O.
I did,
and it is good to see you.
I feel relieved...
to see you as well.
Will you stay in your room...
on such a lovely day?
Hello.
- How about a stroll... - That tune.
Where did you hear it?
The tune you just hummed.
I heard it just once long ago.
From a traveller at a tavern.
And you...
remembered it?
I did.
That day was the worst of my life.
Even the wine I drank tasted bitter,
and the man at the next table seemed to enjoy his.
So I asked him...
why he seemed so happy.
What did...
the traveller say?
He said that soon...
he would marry his beloved.
Forget about that.
Did you like the tune enough to ask about it?
No.
If you like it, I will sing it to you often.
I have a thing for the arts.
I can sing and dance.
Shall we dance...
Forget it.
Do not sing that tune again.
Oh, dear.
Master Jang wishes to speak with you.
Me?
What about?
Come to Buyounggak at 8pm.
(Buyounggak)
So,
how did you get into martial arts?
Does a warrior need a reason to pick it up?
To pass the state exam and serve the King.
That is the greatest honour.
I see.
I wish you luck at the next exam.
I am flattered by your kindness.
Why did you ask to see me?
Have you...
heard of "Yukinhoe?"
This is the first I've heard of it.
It is a private group of young warriors.
All talented people our nation cannot do without.
Scholars have more authority,
but in turbulent times, it is the warriors...
who defend the people.
There is an opening,
and I am looking to fill it.
I think you would be a good fit.
I must refuse.
I am not yet...
good enough to be called talented.
You are too humble.
I heard you are a good archer.
Next time,
we should go hunting.
San.
Fancy meeting you here.
Why are you in Hanyang?
To meet someone who will help me pass the exam.
Unlike you, I have poor skills...
and must try as best I can.
That is good to hear.
Yes.
It is so cold.
Dan O.
Can we leave her like this?
What can you do?
Get her a house?
I could.
Forget it.
You were afraid that the bag of rice would offend her,
so you made me give it.
That was...
You do not miss a thing.
You did a good thing.
I checked the kitchen,
and they were out of rice.
They were?
Are they barely making ends meet?
Working at a tavern...
will not be easy, will it?
I am more worried about Hong Ju.
She never goes outside.
Yes.
He is Kang San.
How could I not recognize a childhood friend?
How long have you been close friends?
Ten-something years now.
We lived in the same neighbourhood...
until San left for Hanyang.
Is that seat free?
Will you let me join?
I will raise the stakes.
Snack on this on the way.
Thank you.
Dan O.
If you could return to Garden of Flowers,
what would you do?
Are you still asleep?
I have a gift before I leave.
I saw them by the road.
Next time, we should walk together.
It is a beautiful scene.
No.
Do not bring things like this again.
My lady.
I will not see you again.
Let alone go on a walk together.
What does that mean?
I'm moving to a temple soon.
A temple?
Will you become...
a Buddhist nun?
Is this how a loyal subject would feel when ordered to drink poison?
I feel despair and rage, exactly half and half.
At this rate, you will burst into tears.
My heart has already shed tears.
I am choking up with tears.
I am fascinated.
You have not even known Lady Hong Ju for that long.
You have already developed such deep feelings?
You are clueless.
The length of time does not determine the depth of feeling.
What?
Had that been the case,
something would have happened between you and Dan O long ago.
Did something happen between you and Si Yeol?
You threw away the flowers he gave you.
Dan O.
Why are you picking so many flowers?
I should make a flower palanquin for your wedding day.
This will look pretty.
- How pretty. - Lady Hong Ju!
Lady Hong Ju!
Just because.
I was reminded of that day.
Hong Ju, that was...
What? It was an accident?
Yes, I know.
When my husband-to-be was breathing his last,
I was playing with flowers,
leisurely.
What a horrible accident.
- Gosh, please... - Please spare us.
- Look here. - Please do not hurt us.
- My goodness. - Please spare us.
Please do not kill us.
- This is not fair. - Gosh!
- My goodness. - Please let us go.
Please spare us!
- Please let us go. - Come on!
Why are you taking that child?
He is probably not even ten years old.
His Majesty has ordered us...
to execute everyone who has read "The Secret Records of Samhan."
So? Are you saying you will go ahead and kill that child?
We are simply obeying His Majesty's orders.
Do not make it so obvious, or you will be dragged away too.
What?
San was reading that book too.
I bet you told him about the book.
Go home alone. I have somewhere to be.
My lord.
My apologies for my tardiness.
Let us go.
(Buyounggak)
It was you.
The woman I saw at the temple.
Yes, that is correct.
Are you disappointed?
- A mere kisaeng... - I am just a little surprised.
I always dreamed of a world...
where people like you could have aspirations too.
Is that why you let yourself get involved in something so dangerous?
You are worried about me?
You are involved in it too.
Do not hold any meetings for the time being.
A few scholars were arrested at the shop.
Oh, right.
About your inheritance.
The land you sold was not everything, right?
- How do you know about it? - Keep it intact.
It will become useful later on.
It seems like you know everything about me,
for some reason.
We go way back.
Not you.
Your father.
You mean Lord Jung Yoon?
No.
I am talking about your birth father.
It was a long time ago.
Did you say...
my birth father?
Yes.
Your birth father left this with me.
It is his will.
(Yuji: A will that expresses a person's dying wishes)
My lady.
My gosh.
Look, I found this on the floor.
Is this yours?
What is it?
What is this?
It looks like a very precious object.
It does, does it not?
It looks like...
Oh! Could it be some kind of lid?
Oh, maybe.
So it is yours, Dan O.
Did you not say you had lost it?
It looks like a dragon.
It looks very expensive. Where did you get this?
(Pyeong)
There is a dragon engraved on it.
Could this be...
The Crown Prince left it behind for his heir.
(Pyeong)
What is this letter here?
I must go. I am supposed to meet my nanny.
It is dangerous to leave now.
The soldiers might still be outside.
Lady Dan O.
Lady Dan O!
Lady Dan O.
I thought you left without saying a word.
What is your name?
You are funny.
You are asking for my name just before you leave?
You saved my life.
Hence, I must know your name.
Yoon Dan O. That is my name.
Take it.
One day, I will repay you for your kindness.
What is this?
It is a compass.
While travelling, one uses it to tell cardinal directions.
How can you give this to me...
when you will be the one travelling?
It is currently my most prized possession.
That is all I can give you right now.
Do not tell anyone I was here though.
Your family might suffer the consequences.
I blame myself for handing you that.
Do not fret.
But...
did you not see who left it?
I am afraid not. It was here when I got back.
Do you remember...
how it was at my father's funeral?
Of course I do.
No mourners came by to offer their condolences.
As a young girl, I only thought it was sad.
But as I grew older,
I began to realize how odd it was.
You see,
he passed away during the uprising.
The uprising?
As in the event that crowned the current King?
That is correct.
Your father passed away on the day the deposed heir fled.
The Capital was blocked off due to the search,
and I could not send word to the Yoon Clan...
regarding your father's passing.
Then that boy...
- Can I get a bowl of Gukbab? - Sure.
Get us some more liquor.
Over here.
Maybe I have been working too hard lately.
I am seeing things.
Are you hurt?
You seem angry.
I am not.
Did I do something wrong?
Or my coming unannounced...
No.
It is all my fault.
I should have listened to you and not searched for Snowflake.
My actions...
endangered everyone at Garden of Flowers.
It is all my fault.
Dan O, you are not to blame.
Then whose fault is it?
Is it the Snowflake's...
when he was forced to run following a political war?
Or is...
the watchman to blame when he is willing to give his life...
to protect Snowflake?
Dan O...
It was you at the temple.
If you were not the watchman,
you would not have risked your life by showing up.
Why do you not value your life?
Why do you always...
put yourself in harm's way...
It was not because I am the watchman.
Because...
it was you.
You were the reason I was there.
Thanks to your care of the Mokinhoe scholars,
everyone is well.
Good. I am relieved.
I am at ease knowing that you are on top of everything.
My lord,
the greater cause you wish to carry out...
Is it perhaps...
a rebellion?
To rectify our nation and the royal family,
we need a force strong enough to stand against the King.
Then there is someone...
you must meet.
Someone I must meet?
Could he be...
Hey.
Are you home?
Where did Dan O go?
She went to work at the tavern.
Anyway, she is not home,
so please come back some other time.
But you are the one I am here to see.
I have never met a woman...
who disliked flowers.
You sure are different.
You are not like other ladies.
That is why...
I have come...
to develop feelings for you.
Who does he think he is?
Do you not like me?
I do not like you at all.
Could one still ask that you do not become a Buddhist nun?
What...
What could he possibly want with me?
He is already here,
so ask him yourself.
First Vice-premier Sin, I hear you are one of...
His Majesty's most trusted and loyal subjects.
May I ask why you have been aiding Mokinhoe?
I only serve one entity...
and that is this nation.
It is now my turn to ask you this.
What is the reason you joined Mokinhoe?
Do you wish to take the throne and rule over the world?
(The Secret Romantic Guesthouse)
I am terrified of the chaos that will be caused...
by His Majesty's madness.
A world where the poor and the lowly...
can also aspire and reach their goals.
I will make it happen for you.
Having the nation governed by a proper monarch.
That is my duty as Queen Dowager.
Letting her be...
is how we can catch Lee Seol and the watchman.
I cannot keep ruining her life.
What about your life though?
Take good care of Dan O.
I will always be there to protect her.
It seems as though Dan O was taken.
You must truly have found Snowflake.