(The Secret Romantic Guesthouse)
(All people, organizations, locations, and incidents...)
(in this drama are fictitious.)
(Episode 8)
It is now my turn to ask you this.
What is the reason you joined Mokinhoe?
Please tell me.
Do you wish to take the throne and rule over the world?
Would I dare wish to take the throne?
I never thought or dreamed of that.
So do not try to use me in your political strife.
May I not use you?
In return, you can use me freely.
A world where the poor and the lowly...
can also aspire and reach their goals.
Is that not the world Mokinhoe aims for?
I will make it happen for you.
There is one very rough but very quick shortcut.
That is the throne.
Innkeeper Yoon. How have you been?
Master Jang wishes to see you.
(Liquor)
Come quietly.
It was a pleasure...
having you to chat with.
Since I became a ghost,
I never talked with anyone other than family.
You must have been so lonely.
Dan O was always fearful for me.
For fear Master Jang would realize I was alive,
she hid me in the annex.
Is that why...
you will go to a temple?
Yes.
I cannot keep ruining her life.
What about your life though?
Having to spend the rest of it hiding in a temple.
Is that not pitiful?
(Liquor)
Hello.
I am here to see Lady Dan O.
I heard she worked here.
Do you know her?
My gosh. She is in danger.
San! Kang San!
Jung Yu Ha!
Are you all asleep?
Why are you making such a fuss in the middle of the night?
Yuk Ho. It seems as though Dan O was taken.
I went to the tavern to see her.
Men from the Capital District Office...
The Capital District Office? Is it Master Jang again?
What did you say?
This was found on you.
What is it?
A compass.
I heard it was useful on the road,
so I got it at a shop.
You must think I am stupid.
This is not a cheap marketplace item.
Pyeong, the name of a jade.
It is a special name only one person can use.
Lee Pyeong.
This belonged to the deposed crown prince.
How do the likes of you have it?
You must...
truly have found Snowflake.
Did you dare to toy with me?
Even if I told the truth,
you would not believe me.
You are already full of doubt.
Just kill me.
You would rather die?
Does Snowflake mean that much to you?
You will not...
believe what I say.
Then I will make you...
say something I will believe.
I will behead you...
and hang it for all to see for high treason.
Why are you all out here?
Why are you back so late? Something bad happened.
San. Try not to get too upset.
Dan O...
was taken.
We met...
as children.
I want the details.
If you try to trick me...
It was more than ten years ago,
on the night of my father's funeral.
Young Lee Seol hid in Garden of Flowers,
and I lied for him.
The compass...
was a token of his gratitude.
The day of Yoon Won's funeral...
It is the day...
the crown prince died and Lee Seol escaped.
If what you say is true,
Snowflake owes you his life.
Too much time has passed to say he owes me anything.
Then who was the man at the temple?
Was it Lee Seol?
I do not know.
I have never seen Snowflake since that day.
If I had found him, why would I keep him from you?
Who knows?
If you met him as a child, you might feel pity for him.
I am not stupid enough to hide a traitor.
Would I endanger myself...
for someone I met as a child?
Why are you here?
Halt!
Let him be.
You are Lord Jung Yoon's low-born son.
Why would the Capital District Office...
take a young woman?
If it were to get out...
This is too big an issue for you to get involved.
Return home.
I must get involved.
You took Garden of Flowers.
Is there still more you want?
You seem to care deeply for Dan O.
Seeing you rushed over, pale as a sheet.
Now I remember, you were at the temple too.
I will pay her debt. Release Dan O.
All this started with 100 nyang of silver.
I feel terrible.
It is a lot of money.
You gave it to Master Jang because of me.
Do not say that.
I did it for my own peace of mind.
Come.
I did not think you would release her so easily.
On top of that, you have handed over Garden of Flowers too.
Thanks to it, we now have our bait in the palm of our hands.
Letting her be...
is how we can catch Lee Seol and the watchman.
If Yoon Dan O saved Lee Seol's life,
he will surely show up again.
My gosh.
You were with Young Master Jung.
Gosh, thank you.
Where is Hong Ju?
She is in her room.
She could not sleep a wink.
She waited for you all night.
What took you so long?
I was waiting for you.
I wanted to say goodbye to you before I left.
Hong Ju.
Here, take this.
Come on.
I wanted to give it to you on your wedding day.
Hong Ju, wait.
You know,
we can now return to Garden of Flowers.
Yu Ha paid off the debt for us.
What a relief.
But you see,
nothing will change even if I go back.
I will keep living as a ghost.
I will be off, then.
Ms. Naju.
Please take good care of Dan O.
My gosh. I will.
You may go do your thing.
Please allow me to pour you one.
Take good care of him.
Then please excuse me.
There is something...
I need you to do in secret.
I will do anything. Please go ahead and tell me, my lord.
I need you to befriend Yoon Dan O.
My gosh. Those scoundrels at Buyounggak.
When did they take down the sign?
Yuk Ho, we are here.
My gosh, you are back.
Welcome back, Ms. Naju.
I truly missed your food.
Truly?
You have been eating so well.
You said the cooks at Buyounggak were incredibly talented.
Right, I bet.
You look like you have gained some weight.
This brat.
I suppose his lips have gotten chubby.
San is training.
I figured you would be curious.
Oh, I see.
Yu Ha.
Can we talk?
Yes, sure.
Well...
Did Lady Hong Ju decide not to return?
Yes. She is more stubborn than I thought.
She can get married.
She has someone by her side, yet we were looking in faraway places.
Lady Dan O?
It was part of the inheritance I received when my mother passed away.
I wished to do something good with it.
Anyway,
must you insist on paying me back?
Yes. I will pay you back, little by little.
With the rent...
and my pay from the tavern...
A hundred nyang of silver? It will take forever.
I may not be able to pay back a large amount at a time,
but eventually...
Sure.
You may pay me back little by little.
From time to time, whenever you can.
Whenever I can?
If I am lucky, I will get to see you twice a day.
When did you get here?
Why did you not say anything?
Why are you holding a real sword again?
What kind of dangerous task are you involved in?
Sit down.
You must be exhausted.
I am fine.
I bet...
you were very worried last night too.
- Because of me. - Worried?
Why would I be worried?
What?
Anyway, what are you doing here?
Can you be walking around in Hanyang now?
Well...
the thing is...
I have returned to Garden of Flowers.
That is good news.
But what will you do about Master Jang?
It has all been sorted out,
thanks to Yu Ha's help.
Is that so?
I suppose Yu Ha helped you out a lot.
Do not worry.
I did not say anything about the watchman.
Do you still believe that I am the watchman?
You said the watchman...
was a shadow warrior that protected Lee Seol.
Stop being a shadow.
Can you not just be Kang San,
the scholar who is preparing for the military exam?
Forget Lee Seol.
Can you not protect yourself?
I will.
I am trying.
Believe me, I am.
Do not just try. Do your best.
- If you do not keep your word... - Then what?
I will resent you.
Until those bamboos flower.
You will think of me for that long?
It will take about 100 years for the bamboos to flower.
Do not laugh. I truly mean it.
When the right time comes,
I will tell you everything.
I will not hide anything from you.
You will hear everything.
That day will probably never come.
The day I pass the exam and receive the flower hat,
I shall return and tell you everything.
You see, passing the exam will not be that easy.
You are very arrogant.
It is certainly easier than clearing up your suspicions.
Oh, Ban Ya.
Why are you...
coming out of my room?
This was where I was staying...
during your absence.
I came by to collect my belongings.
I see.
- Do you have everything? - Yes.
I apologize for my unwilling intrusion.
That is preposterous.
I, for one, am happy to see you again.
I appreciate you saying so.
You can address me more casually.
Did we not agree to be friends should we meet again?
I could not possibly do that.
Not when I lack social status.
There is not much to friendship.
Chatting with one another and enjoying drinks...
make you friends.
Chatting and drinking?
That is something...
I would enjoy.
Visit Garden of Flowers often.
Are you sure?
Of course. You will always be welcome.
Your Majesty, I had a question to ask.
Ask away.
It is about the watchman.
Rumour has it that Queen Dowager funds the organization.
Is that true?
It is.
Why are you not putting a stop to it?
Some time ago,
I threatened Queen Dowager to reveal the watchman's identity.
As a response, she bit her tongue...
and tried to kill herself.
There was an uproar in the royal court.
I question Court Lady Kim of the Queen Dowager's chambers.
She has been leaving the palace...
quite often.
Court Lady Kim?
(Garden of Flowers)
Why is Yuk Ho not coming with us?
He must also need paper for the state exam.
He is not feeling well.
Anxiety eats him alive as the exam date approaches.
Is that so?
I knew there was a reason behind him failing his exams.
Hold on.
I see you hung the sign back up.
(Garden of Flowers)
How sweet of you.
You always go the extra mile for me.
What?
Let us go.
Him and his temper.
Let us go before he yells again.
The market is not bustling as usual.
I saw a new side of Yu Ha.
What do you mean?
He bought back the inn by paying off her entire debt.
Look at him.
He picked up that expensive yugwa as if it cost nothing.
The fortune he has is something we cannot challenge.
What a bummer.
If I were a woman,
Dan O and I would have fought over the same man.
Would that not have been fun?
Fun, my foot.
Yuk Ho and Ms. Naju have been frantically trying...
to get those two together.
I bet you they are already planning their wedding.
What? That is absurd.
Goodness.
That glare of yours could even burn wood.
Are you that against it?
Have some. Yu Ha bought them...
I absolutely hate it.
- Sorry? - What?
Do not eat if you do not want to.
You have been angry all day.
Tell me about it. What could be the matter with San?
Is it because he is bitter?
Sweets are a good remedy for that.
- Would you like a bite? - Shut it, will you?
What is going on?
What is it?
Let us see.
Goodness me!
What did they do to warrant an execution?
I heard they possessed a forbidden book.
My goodness.
I revised it like this. What do you think?
It should be fine.
- Oh, dear. - Goodness.
All right!
My gosh, I cannot look.
- Oh, no. - My gosh.
His poor soul.
We should leave.
Come on.
(Garden of Flowers)
Do you still have it?
- Have what? - That book.
What if I still have it?
You saw what happened...
to those who possessed it.
I saw something all right.
A nation being clouded with lunacy.
That is why...
you should be careful not to get swept up in it.
His body has been taken care of.
Once the weather clears, we will rebury him someplace sunny.
When we do,
he will be able to have his belated funeral.
I highly appreciate it.
Thank you so much.
This is absolute madness.
Is he trying to paint all the people as traitors?
I am terrified of the chaos that will be caused...
by His Majesty's madness.
You wish for me to take the throne?
You are also responsible...
for the chaos the nation is currently facing.
I am clearly to blame...
for condoning an unrighteous monarch.
However, I cannot stand idly by...
and let our atrocious monarch ruin this nation.
What do you mean by that?
The child Royal Noble Consort Park gave birth to...
is not of His Majesty's blood,
and his not being the rightful heir...
will result in the discontinuation of the bloodline.
When the royal court finds out...
The royal family and the nation will be in despair.
But how does that lead to my taking the throne?
One born of royal blood should take his rightful position.
Moreover,
you have people who trust and follow you.
The people of Mokinhoe are unaware of my identity.
They will soon find out.
And they...
will clear your path to the throne.
I urge you to serve the noble cause.
The noble cause?
San, have you not seen Bok Sil?
I have not seen him for a few days.
I see you did not know.
Bok Sil also ran off in the middle of the night.
Just like you.
What? Bok Sil ran away?
But he has nowhere to go.
Maybe he is having an affair.
He and the dog next door have been enjoying their walks...
just like someone I know.
You just do not care, do you?
Never are you worried when someone goes missing.
Well...
I heard it was you who hung up the sign outside.
Why did you not tell me...
and let me believe otherwise?
It did not seem right for an inn not to have a sign.
By the way,
about Snowflake...
You have seen him, have you not?
What?
When you do see him, please relay a message for me.
Tell him that I apologize for not keeping our secret.
A secret?
You see,
Snowflake once came by Garden of Flowers.
Did he?
Back when we were young.
He was curled up and shuddering in that dog house...
afraid of being caught any time soon.
Then,
you were the one who saved his life.
I was the one who received comfort though.
On the day my father died,
Snowflake helped me endure the pain and sorrow.
It is why I feel terrible for losing the compass.
The compass?
Snowflake said...
he would give me his most prized possession.
I bet it was out of gratitude for saving his life.
I did not know then,
but I do now.
To an orphaned child, an heirloom...
means the whole world.
And he gave me his whole world.
That was a valuable thing,
and I lost it to Master Jang.
You did well.
That is what he will think.
That is what Snowflake would have wanted.
I wondered sometimes.
Now that he must be a grown adult,
what would he have grown up to be?
What do you think?
Even as a child, he had strong features.
If he kept those as he grew up,
he would be quite pretty...
Oh...
Do not tell him that.
I can be so silly.
You must have informed Lord Sin who I am.
You passed me the Crown Prince's will.
If your identity becomes known,
your life will be threatened.
For your own safety,
you must take the throne.
I cannot usurp the throne for my own safety.
You grew up...
leading a sorrowful life among the public.
I believe in that sorrow.
You are...
the only one who can comfort the sorrows of the people.
When we next meet,
bring your heirloom.
The heirloom?
The proof of your bloodline...
the Crown Prince left you.
How have you been?
What...
are you doing here?
Are you turning me away as soon as I arrive?
- Let me... - Men are banned.
You must leave.
Oh, dear.
I have never climbed such a rough mountain.
It took its toll on my ankles.
I cannot leave in this state.
Did you sprain it?
Stand up.
No, I cannot. I just cannot stand.
It hurts.
Then for a while...
It hurts bad.
Can you help me?
Use this.
You are in pain, and yet you are smiling?
That outfit does not suit you.
You are no longer in pain.
Eat this and then leave.
But...
No.
I have no energy to lift a spoon.
I must lie down and rest.
Scholar Kim.
Think about it.
If I were to hike the mountain alone,
with a sore ankle, only to meet...
a pack of wolves...
Oh, no way.
You speak your way out of anything.
I do not want to imagine that.
How could I put you through such sadness?
You can rest a while.
A very short while.
Okay.
She has no fear.
She came here to make some money?
What if she gets taken again?
Is that true?
Ban Ya spent her first night with a man from Garden of Flowers?
Yes, apparently.
What was his name?
Kang San, was it?
No way.
How could Young Master Kang sleep with Ban Ya?
I would live to see the body of such a handsome man.
It would be dreamy.
Are you back in Hanyang?
I heard you lost everything and got kicked out.
I am back now,
and I will not leave again.
What was that about?
See you.
Are you here this early in the day to drink?
I am waiting for someone.
Whether it be day or night, do visit.
I will be the first to serve you.
The truth is,
the other kisaeng know...
I spent my first night with you.
But they look down on me because you gave me nothing.
(Jeondu: Money or item given to praise a kisaeng)
You want something of mine?
It can be something meaningless.
Anything that you have on you.
Buy some new clothes.
Thank you.
So, what is your real name?
Ban Ya is your kisaeng name.
It is Im Seo Yeon.
Seo Yeon.
Your father named you well.
I will regain my nobility and my name as well.
That is my only wish.
You will get what you want.
Young master.
Soo Hyang will pour you a drink.
Leave it.
You there.
Yes.
Pour me a drink.
Did you...
say that to me?
Yes.
You are prettier than most kisaeng.
If cleaning is hard work,
shall I spend a night with you?
Young master.
She does not look it,
but she is of noble birth.
She is not of low birth?
You must be teasing us both.
Pour me a drink.
I will pay you handsomely for it.
Young lady.
Will one cup be enough?
Fill it up.
Are you out of your mind? What was that about?
I do not need your money, but you need to change.
You look like a baby that just wet himself.
I would say you lost.
You darn wench, you dare...
Who are you?
Are you her pimp?
Get lost. If I see you here again,
I will crush your useless head in.
Let go of me.
Let me see. Are you all right?
San, behind you!
Get out of my way!
Oh, boy.
I heard you were badly hurt.
Please take good care of him.
He practices martial arts, so his body is his greatest asset.
Take your clothes off so that I can have a look.
What are you waiting for? He has to see your wounds to treat you.
So? You want to see it too?
- All right, then I shall... - No!
I will wait outside.
Do not worry.
Nothing is broken, so I will recover in no time.
Then I am relieved.
Why did you show up at Buyounggak and meddle in others' business?
"Others' business?"
You are suddenly talking as though we are strangers.
Oh, I see. You were not there to protect anyone.
You just wanted to have fun with your lady friends in broad daylight.
"Lady friends?" What in the world are you talking about?
Hold on. Your exam is tomorrow, is it not?
You wanted to spend time with the ladies the day before your exam?
How will you pass the exam?
The promise you made...
You must have forgotten it already.
Seriously, what are you talking about?
Do not be so cryptic. Elaborate so that I can understand.
Ban Ya...
I heard you were her first man.
The kisaengs were talking about it. I heard everything.
What?
All I did was rescue her when she was in danger.
Then...
- what I heard earlier... - It is not true.
Do not worry.
I may not be able to buy you yugwa, but I will be sure to keep my word.
Yugwa? How random.
I will not fail the exam just because I hurt one arm.
I did not mean that you had to keep your promise right away.
When your shoulder is better...
Forget it. Someone splurged his silver coins to help you.
I could certainly use my flower hat.
Did he leave already?
Without saying goodbye?
What is all that?
Garden of Flowers.
I figured you would miss it.
I do not wish to return to Garden of Flowers.
You are very decisive.
You take after Dan O.
Dan O takes after me.
The sun will set soon. You should get going.
And do not come back here.
Fine.
You are kicking me out, so I shall leave.
Everyone is waiting for you.
Dan O,
Ms. Naju, and Yuk Ho too.
So...
if you change your mind,
come back anytime.
(Onyang Temporary Palace)
Judging by how you are staying here,
I assume you are not feeling well at the moment.
How could I be in good health?
I lost two of my sons.
I could not stop my son from slaying his own brother before my eyes.
I am a horrible mother.
Please do not say such a terrible thing,
Your Highness.
Is there something Your Highness would like this retired eunuch...
to take care of, in secret?
I suppose you have managed...
to survive all these years for you are incredibly quick-witted.
However, I no longer belong to the eunuch bureau.
Your Highness' commands are not enough...
to put me to work.
You will be compensated well.
I may be a failed mother,
but I will not be a failed queen dowager.
My son, Chang, will not stay on the throne for a long time.
Filling the vacancy left by a tyrant...
with a sage king.
That is my duty as Queen Dowager.
I hear you are still refusing to talk.
You are extremely stubborn, like my mother.
Say it, or you will die.
I even killed my own flesh and blood.
Slaying you would be a piece of cake.
I do not know.
I cannot tell you anything.
I cannot endanger the royal court...
(Garden of Flowers)
I wish we had the state exam every day.
We can enjoy this feast only one day a year? It is such a shame.
Thank you for waking up so early to make all the food.
We will surely enjoy this.
Yes, Yuk Ho.
Enjoy the food, and good luck on your exam.
Why did you make chicken porridge?
What if the porridge brings bad luck?
Goodness. That is a mere superstition.
You must eat easily digestible food to do well on the exam.
Goodness me, Ms. Naju.
All bow to His Majesty!
We will now begin.
Yoon Gu Nam, get ready.
If we do one person at a time, this will take forever.
We should split them into teams and let them have group matches.
Your Majesty. If we do that without proper preparations,
many of them will get hurt.
Warriors who will lead this nation should not be so weak.
However...
I hate boring fights.
Do not play it safe.
Those who lose...
will fail the exam.
Those who lose will fail the exam?
So we must tussle and fight?
I was excited when I heard His Majesty would be here.
Darn it. I did not see this coming.
Good luck on your exam.
How about you win first place?
I will do my best.
Thank you for making all the food.
You must be tired. Get some rest.
Okay.
Oh, my. You make that Taffy look so appetizing.
You are playing favourites.
So I can just enjoy the Taffy...
while Yu Ha wins first place?
Do not be a disgrace to Garden of Flowers.
Everyone must pass the exam. You know that, right?
Here is what I think.
If a handsome man like me is smart too, that is not fair.
Try and pass the exam. Then we will talk about it.
Wake up, Dan O.
It is impossible for all of us to pass the exam.
Oh, dear.
Here.
Relax. You have done this many times.
I am not nervous.
I am fine.
I am totally fine.
Spare a moment.
If you fail the exam again,
the porridge would have been for nothing.
Ms. Naju, must you speak of such bad luck?
If you do not pass yet again,
I will be the one to blame for making the porridge,
so do not put any pressure on yourself.
All right.
This time around, I will,
by all means, pass the exam.
Stop talking for a moment and repeat after me.
Inhale.
Exhale.
I will see the scholars off...
and buy groceries on my way back.
Sure, go ahead.
- We will get going. - Have a good one.
We will head out.
- Off we go. - Shall we?
I wonder if he is doing well on his exam.
He should take it easy.
("Book of Documents")
("The Secret Records of Samhan")
"The Secret Records of Samhan"?
Why is this here?
Possessing it alone could bring him trouble.
("The Secret Records of Samhan")
Move.
Catch!
Goal!
Lift up your chin.
You do not seem well.
Are you injured?
It is only a minor injury...
and of no concern.
You managed to relieve my boredom.
For that, I will grant your request.
Is there something you wish for?
There is.
May I dare to speak of it?
You may.
I wish...
to serve you in close proximity.
As a member of the Palace Guards?
Could there be a greater honour for a swordsman?
I will serve you with sincerity.
You finished...
in first place.
Well...
What did I tell you?
Someone with my talent cannot fail the exam.
Of course.
I knew you would pass.
You do not seem well.
Did you strain your shoulder?
I am all right.
Thankfully, the exam was not challenging.
The other scholars are still taking the exam,
and Ms. Naju is out buying groceries.
I see.
No wonder it was quiet around here.
Right now,
we are the only ones...
who are here.
You passed the exam in the first place,
so it is time to keep your promise.
This.
What am I seeing?
If we meet again,
I will tell you then.
Back then,
I said I would tell you who I am...
when we met again.
More than a decade ago,
the terrified boy who hid in that dog house...
was me.
I...
I am Lee Seol.
(The Secret Romantic Guesthouse)
(Thank you Han Eun-Sung for making a special appearance.)
You cannot join the Palace Guards.
What if I cave to his threats and blurt out the truth?
Inform me as soon as you find out who Lee Seol is.
You will be compensated with a government position.
Why are you being nice to me?
Because I see myself in you.
We have a lot in common.
Thousands of people are dying at his hands,
and subjects who appeal to His Majesty...
have their families annihilated.
Are you willing to keep letting this happen?
There is only one throne,
but the nation has three kings.
My path leads to the palace.
That is why I have stayed alive,
and it is also my duty.