01x08 - Episode 8

[bunniefuu]

[Missing Crown Prince]

[All characters, locations, organizations, and incidents...]

[in this drama are historically irrelevant and fictitious.]

[Production guidelines were strictly followed...]

[when filming with children and animals.]

[Episode 8]

Young Master.

Your Royal...

Gap Seok.

Young Master.

Young Master...

[Your Royal Highness]

[We should make a run for it, no?]

[No]

[But we might not get another chance.]

[I said no.]

Goodness.

It hurts badly!

It hurts.

Your Royal Highness.

Do not just stand there. Get them on their feet.

- Yes, my lord. - Yes, my lord.

Young Master...

What now?

Get them!

No...

Young Master.

- We should go. - What about my lady?

Hurry.

- But she... - I get it, okay?

Gap Seok will escort her.

- What are you doing? - Darn it.

Go after him. The rest will follow me.

- Yes, my lord. - Yes, my lord.

[Clinic]

I apologize for bringing you here when you need to recover.

I could not think of another place that would be safe for us.

I doubt it.

You probably brought us here...

since they would not think we would be hiding...

where they originally found us.

Wait here.

Come over here.

How are you feeling?

I am all right.

Gap Seok will have escaped with your lady,

so do not worry too much.

You saw how nimble he is.

Truth be told, his fighting skills exceed mine.

Is it too cold?

I am all right.

I apologize for troubling you like this.

Try to get some sleep.

I also need to rest.

You are like a puppy who needs to relieve itself.

What?

You are only making me dizzy, so sit still.

I am pacing because I cannot bring myself to just sit around.

I am not sitting around because I am at ease.

I am not at ease, to say the least.

No one told you to follow us.

Who are you blaming?

Why did Oh Wol get sick?

We had to stay in a cave...

- and shabby huts like this... - No one told you to come.

You persistently followed us even though we told you to go.

Persistently?

It is not like we wanted this.

Why did you follow us, then?

It is because we did not know...

you were scoundrels who kidnapped women.

As if I am the only one.

Your father kidnapped someone first.

Not only did he kidnap my young master,

he also tried to have him k*lled.

If we are scoundrels, that makes your father a m*rder*r!

Your hands are as cold as ice.

Baek Gu, can you hear me?

This must be hard for you too.

Will you be all right?

What could have hurt you so badly?

Was it my father?

I wish to be by your side.

I may not be much of a help to you, but let me stay by your side...

and aid you as the servant Baek Gu.

I know I cannot be forgiven,

but just let me stay by your side.

How are you feeling?

Are you still cold?

No, I feel much better.

I apologize.

I am relieved to hear that you are feeling better.

Do you still wish to come with me?

- Pardon? - You almost died last night.

You may find yourself in another risky situation,

- so... - I will go with you.

If it is all right with you,

I would like to ask your lady...

and have you become a commoner.

[Myeoncheon: Allowing a sl*ve to become a commoner]

What are your thoughts on that?

I say this because you are a talented girl.

Once you become a commoner,

you will get to live freely doing whatever you want to do.

Fortunately, I have the money to pay for it,

so let me know if that is what you want.

I appreciate your offer,

but escaping this place is a priority,

and we must find the others.

It does not seem like the right time to discuss my class.

May I answer you...

some other time?

You are right.

Are you able to move?

Yes.

Should we not try to find the royal seal?

To install the new Crown Prince, we need the seal to...

We must postpone the coronation as much as we can.

Once Prince Dosung is installed as Crown Prince,

Left State Councillor Yoon...

could k*ll His Majesty so that Prince Dosung can be King.

Do you believe what the deposed Crown Prince said?

Yes, that is why I am not looking...

for the royal seal.

To safely leave the palace as we planned...

Your Majesty.

Left State Councillor Yoon is here.

Let him enter.

This is the royal seal.

Did the Queen hand it over?

How dare you deceive Her Majesty?

Is this not a forgery?

Who cares if it is a forgery?

It will be known as the royal seal...

if you say that it is.

It might work with the royal seal,

but that will not be the case with the national seal.

What if the Emperor notices...

that the seal on the document is a forgery?

How are you planning on handling his fury?

What should we do, then?

Should we all die?

I have put my life on the line for this mission,

but you do not seem...

that invested in it.

If things go south,

I will be slayed for committing treason,

which is why I am ready to pull out my sword...

and fight to the death.

Should I do...

just that?

"Office of Astrology has confirmed..."

"that the first day of the next month is auspicious."

"That is why the coronation of the new Crown Prince..."

"will take place on that day."

"It is a celebratory event..."

"to which we welcome the heir to the throne,"

"so expedite the installation of the Office of Investiture..."

"and make sure nothing is overlooked..."

"while preparing to welcome our new Crown Prince."

- Absolutely, Your Majesty. - Absolutely, Your Majesty.

What is this about?

Your Highness,

it is Court Lady Cho.

Your Highness, congratulations.

A day has been set for the Crown Prince coronation.

- Are you sure? - Yes.

Magistrate Yoon has left to bring Prince Dosung to the palace.

Your Highness,

could something be troubling you?

Please die.

If I obey you and die,

Father will be your next target.

Am I wrong?

Because as long as Father is alive,

Dosung cannot become King.

My lord, I have brought the prisoners.

I must see them in person, so bring them inside.

Pardon?

Of course.

Leave the prisoners and excuse yourselves.

Pardon?

I said you were dismissed!

Gap Seok.

I hope you are not injured.

I am fine.

How did you know we would be captured?

More importantly, how did you get in here?

I sneaked in last night when no one was here.

Then,

have you been hiding here all night?

Yes.

I waited for him while fighting off sleep...

and as soon as the village head...

finally entered,

I took him hostage.

You rescued me once again.

You did well.

There is another door over here.

Shall we, Young Master?

Hold on. What about my lady?

But...

Wait...

- That man... - He is Choi Sang Rok's bodyguard.

Is he?

Yes.

I will go with his lord.

Just leave, will you?

Because of you...

I will make sure I do not cause trouble.

No. Rather, I will be of help.

What help?

That man and I...

have been close since childhood.

If needed, use me as a hostage.

His lord's wound.

It could get infected again.

I can look after him right away only when we are together, no?

I am...

good at fighting too.

That man taught me martial arts.

I can fight dozens of men.

Allow me to follow you.

Do not follow us.

Come with us.

- Baek Gu. - Young Master?

Thank you, Hwang Gu.

I mean, my lord.

And so? Where did you hide it?

You sure are amazing.

How did you know we would get kidnapped?

It is something we must not lose.

And so, it was simply to be prepared for the worst.

You think of all possibilities.

But why are you taking that girl?

She still serves Lord Choi.

- Even if she is a servant... - Yes, a servant.

Against her will,

she was born as a family's servant.

And that family's head turned out to be Choi Sang Rok.

But that is not her fault, is it?

Gap Seok.

I will...

get my revenge.

I will take everything that belongs to Choi Sang Rok...

and destroy him.

When my rage engulfs everyone in that family,

I hope...

that girl is not there.

When I bring down Choi Sang Rok,

I do not want her to get dragged in and k*lled.

Do you like Baek Gu that much?

Did you not listen to me? That is not what I...

Whether that is or is not the case, let us all go together.

That is all that matters, no?

Carry this now.

Here.

All right.

Good.

Let us go.

Baek Gu is waiting for us.

This way. Please get on.

What? Are you scared I will refuse to go?

You are to follow me.

- Me? - Yes.

Were you not always jealous of Gap Dol?

Take this chance to earn a title.

Thank you, my lord.

That is fine, yes?

When you succeed to the throne,

everything in Joseon will become yours.

You can assign anyone as your guard.

Do as you please.

Then, forget the palanquin. It does not feel comfortable.

Let us ride horses.

Well...

But there is a custom...

in the palace welcoming the Crown Prince.

Did you not tell me to do as I pleased?

Were you not being sincere?

Move aside!

Prince Dosung is making his way!

Hurry!

Move aside!

Prince Dosung is making his way!

Hurry!

Move aside!

Prince Dosung is making his way!

Hurry!

Move aside!

Prince Dosung is making his way!

It is not easy being a crown prince.

My point, exactly.

Despite that,

I have never once heard you say you want to quit.

If I suffer a little,

the people of Joseon can live more comfortably,

so how could I quit?

You little... I am your elder brother.

Prince Dosung is making his way!

Hurry!

Move aside!

Prince Dosung is making his way!

It seems the apricot flowers will bloom early this year, Your Majesty.

Everything has its own time.

I am worried it will wilt away...

if the flowers bloom too quickly.

Do not worry.

To return your devotion,

this tree must be trying its best.

It seems to need sunlight.

Place this where it is sunny.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Is that the apricot flower...

the Queen Dowager takes care of like...

she took care of Prince Gwangchang?

Yes.

Give it to me.

May I ask why?

I thought anything you touched...

got destroyed.

But this one survived.

Please give it back.

Her Majesty holds dear to that treasure.

"Treasure?"

I thought you were only interested in love between men and women.

But you must also love this tree.

You are crossing the line!

"Crossing the line?"

Did you just say I was crossing the line?

What do you think you are doing?

You dared to frame the kingdom's Crown Prince without hesitation.

And I thought...

nothing could hurt you, Court Lady Kim.

I guess I was wrong.

I will visit you often...

now that I have moved into the palace.

I shall see you again.

- Are you all right? - Yes, Your Majesty.

Do not worry. It is only a small cut.

He simply did it to make you lose your temper.

Do not let him get to you, Your Majesty.

If he bothers you too much,

I will talk to the Left State Councillor.

Did you ask for me?

You heard an urgent message came from the Mokchon village head, yes?

Yes.

Judging by his travelling South,

he must be going...

to his grandfather in Mungyeong.

I believe an urgent message has already been sent to Mungyeong.

Gosh, you.

I know that too.

But just capturing him is not enough, is it?

Does that mean...

I will take care of the aftermath.

Giddyap!

- Goodness, girl. - Sir.

What happened?

Return to Moo Baek at once,

and tell him to go to Mungyeong.

Yes, my lord.

And Myung Yoon?

Is she safe?

Yes, my lord.

Did the man you were with not harass her...

to get revenge?

No. Those men believe...

I am the family's young lady.

What about you?

Were you fine all along?

Yes. I am all right.

In your eyes,

how did it seem?

What are you talking about, my lord?

Is it true that Myung Yoon ran away from home to avoid...

being selected as a crown princess candidate?

Yes, my lord.

She said she would return home...

as soon as the ban on marriage was lifted.

By any chance, did His...

Forget it.

The tutors from the Tutorial Office are here.

What brings you by?

Is there a reason you keep missing your tutorial sessions?

[Seoyeon: Education program for Crown Prince]

I fell asleep.

You see, these...

Nothing puts me to sleep quicker than these do.

How could you treat...

the Confucian classics with precious teachings in such a manner?

Is this kingdom...

in this mess now because...

such teachings were upheld so well?

I was just joking!

Your Highness, it seems like you are curious about good governance.

That is what we will study in tomorrow's session.

- Sure, whatever. - With that said,

you seem to dislike coming all the way to the Yeongyeongdang Hall,

so we will come to the Crown Prince's Palace tomorrow.

What is the matter?

Your Highness. It is I, Joong Young.

Make way!

What is happening?

Look, how could he...

Stop him at once. What are you all waiting for?

My goodness.

Oh, dear!

We should tell everyone to leave at once, should we not?

Yes, we should.

All of you, leave at once!

What are you waiting for?

Make them leave. All of them!

And lock the gates.

Now!

Should I make my way back to the palace,

we will meet as enemies...

and not brothers.

Letting you die here cannot be the alternative.

Please stay well and healthy,

g*n.

I will do my best to protect my family.

You too.

Be safe and sound.

Wait!

Come on! Faster!

Prince Dosung betrayed...

the Confucian principles.

Please punish him.

- Punish him! - Punish him!

Prince Dosung betrayed...

the Confucian principles. Please punish him!

- Punish him! - Punish him!

They are all...

petitions demanding that Prince Dosung be punished.

Such a preposterous incident...

is unprecedented in the history of Joseon.

It will and should never happen again.

Since His Majesty is still lying in his sickbed,

Prince Dosung resorted to such measures out of utter frustration.

What he did was wrong,

but if you think of it as the outcome of his sincere filiality,

it is understandable.

Prince Dosung will soon be installed as Crown Prince.

He should set an example for all scholar-officials in the kingdom.

But instead, he disgraced all the scholar-officials...

studying Confucianism.

I wholeheartedly agree.

Of all people, he ought to stay away from superstitions...

and irrational beliefs that could lead the people astray.

How dare he let a shaman enter the sacred palace grounds?

Calm down, all of you.

I will make sure Prince Dosung pledges never to do it again...

so that we can prevent another incident like this,

so I hope we can let him go unpunished this time.

Your Majesty, however,

he has been skipping all of his lectures and tutorial sessions too.

I also heard Prince Dosung...

harassed one of your court maids.

Is it true?

Your Majesty.

I, Kim Dae Seung, put my life on the line to say this.

Please revoke the plan to install Prince Dosung as Crown Prince!

Do not look at me like that.

I will never let you deceive me again.

You dared to take down His Majesty the King,

using me, his wife,

and set up the kind Crown Prince to get him ousted.

Every time I see your face,

I will want to vomit, so I am afraid I cannot do it.

If things go south, I will be slayed for committing treason.

Shut your mouth!

The moment you had such a secret rendezvous with Choi,

you lost your dignity as the Queen Dowager...

and became this witch who has gone crazy over a man.

You do not think I can slay you?

Take my life.

To safely leave the palace as we planned...

All the moments you spent with me.

Were they all a show...

and full of lies?

Anyone with a heart would not be able to do such a thing.

Only a beast could do such a thing!

Are you tormented?

Now, even I do not know who I am anymore.

How did I become like this?

How did I become such a spiteful woman?

No.

You have not changed one bit.

If you had changed,

you would not even be tormented like this.

I still remember it so vividly.

How you looked when you used to visit me.

You...

have not...

changed one bit.

I am sorry,

and thank you.

I really am almost there,

so wait just a little longer.

Sang Rok.

This time, I will be sure to pass the state exam.

We will get married, and as for everything I have put you through...

I promise you I will make it up to you for the rest of my life.

I understand we have not had a proper wedding ceremony yet,

but I started thinking of you as my husband long ago.

I thought you felt the same way as I did,

but I suppose I was wrong.

No. Of course, I feel the same way.

Ever since the moment I started to fancy you,

I have never once doubted that you were my woman. You know that.

Then why say you will make it up to me as if you are indebted to me?

I have simply been doing my duty as your wife.

I will be leaving, then.

I made a foolish remark again.

That is not what I meant.

Did I hurt your feelings?

Next time,

I will visit you first.

Wearing the official hat decorated with the royal flowers...

and carrying my birth chart from my family to my bride-to-be.

[Sajudanja: A letter from a groom's family containing his date of birth]

I will come knocking on your door.

Sang Rok.

I suggest you hurry up and get married.

I have been telling you for a while...

that you should get married first...

if you do not wish to lose Lady Soo Ryeon.

I will marry her.

As soon as I pass the state exam...

And what if you do not pass the exam?

Then will you not marry her?

I will be sure to pass the exam this time.

If you are sure you will pass the exam,

it will not matter even if you get married first.

The exam is just around the corner.

Nothing will happen in the next few days.

Bad things...

always happen suddenly and unexpectedly.

If you keep putting it off,

you may lose Lady Soo Ryeon forever.

He should pass the exam with the highest score.

I mean, that would be nice.

I understand this is my second marriage, but she is still Queen.

[Gyebi: Made Queen through a king's remarriage]

Hence, the proper procedures and formalities must be followed.

Your Majesty, you have chosen my daughter...

for you think so highly of her when she lacks in many ways.

I am so grateful to you that I do not even know...

how to express my gratitude.

However, my daughter...

is engaged.

Is that so?

What are you waiting for? Hurry up and greet His Majesty.

Yes.

My gosh.

The ground is cold.

I am pleased enough that I got to see you today,

so you need not do this.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Find out who her fiance is.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Let us go!

My lady. We should let Young Master Sang Rok know, should we not?

The exam is around the corner.

My lady, even so...

Even if he finds out now,

there is nothing he can do.

The distraction could make...

the ten years of hard work go to waste.

Then what will you do now?

I must...

hold out until the state exam is over,

no matter what.

Here comes His Majesty the King!

Young Master Sang Rok!

Young Master.

What brings you here?

We received a royal order to send Lady Soo Ryeon's birth chart...

by the end of the day.

Once that is done, it is all over.

What should we do?

Bad things...

always happen suddenly and unexpectedly.

If you keep putting it off,

you may lose Lady Soo Ryeon forever.

- Sang Rok. - Yes.

You must hurry up and leave before anyone sees you.

You dared to deceive me...

and tried to steal my woman.

You deserve to die.

You realize the graveness of your crime, do you not?

I...

never once coveted or stole what was not mine.

Lord Min's daughter and I have been in love...

for a long time,

and we are engaged. She is my fiancee.

How dare you!

Go ahead and twist his legs!

- Yes, my lord! - Yes, my lord!

My lady.

Your Majesty!

Please spare him, Your Majesty.

Soo Ryeon.

Do not do this. You must leave.

Your Majesty, he did nothing wrong.

It is all my fault.

Stop! I told you to leave!

Must I bite my tongue and die to make you leave?

I see that he can still run his mouth like that.

What are you all waiting for?

Your Majesty.

I committed this unforgivable sin for I am foolish.

Please take pity on him.

Just this once...

Please show him mercy just this once.

Please spare him.

Spare him, you say?

If I do spare him,

what will you give me in return?

Your Majesty.

The criminal is here.

Take off your clothes.

Soo Ryeon.

Back off!

Soo Ryeon.

Back off!

Sang Rok.

- Go away. - Soo Ryeon.

Sang Rok.

Soo Ryeon.

No, wait...

Sang Rok.

Soo Ryeon.

Soo Ryeon.

No, please...

Sang Rok.

Go away!

Soo Ryeon...

- Soo Ryeon. - Sang Rok.

Wait, Soo Ryeon!

Go away.

Soo Ryeon.

Soo Ryeon.

Sang Rok...

Soo Ryeon.

Soo Ryeon.

Wait, Soo Ryeon.

Sang Rok...

When we met again...

after many years,

I would have given up on you...

if you had changed.

Because you have not changed at all,

I am still by your side.

Sang Rok.

Why did you do such a thing?

Do you not wish to become Crown Prince?

What about the things you told me yesterday? Was it all a lie?

Look, Magistrate Yoon.

Yes, Your Highness.

Why do I have to dirty my hands...

to become Crown Prince?

Dirty your hands?

What do you mean?

The royal seal is fake,

and so is the national seal.

We might be able to get away with it for the time being,

but if someone questions the authenticity,

and if the Emperor hears it,

how will that make me look?

You are bound to get indigestion when you eat too quickly.

Once we get rid of the deposed Crown Prince,

who else...

can become King in this kingdom, other than me?

You see,

I do not want a single dent...

in my path to the throne.

I did not realize the depth of Your Highness' foresight in this matter.

Your foolish vassal here...

made the mistake of jumping to conclusions.

Magistrate Yoon, please put your useless concerns to rest...

and find the deposed Crown Prince as soon as possible.

- Giddyap! - Giddyap!

[Magistrate's Office]

It is an edict from Her Majesty the Queen Dowager.

[Edict]

You are to leave now!

- Yes, my lord! - Yes, my lord!

Come out and greet your guests!

Come out!

Grandfather.

It is I, g*n.

I am here.

Grandfather.

Your Royal Highness.

"Royal Highness?"

Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

You have...

been through so much.

[We thank Ahn Suk Hwan for his special appearance.]

[Missing Crown Prince]

I am Myung Yoon, the daughter of Royal Physician Choi,

who was behind your kidnapping.

Do not bring up your father again in front of me.

His Majesty is in critical condition.

It means that...

no one except Choi Sang Rok can treat him.

I have made up my mind to become Crown Prince as per their wish.

Please forgive me for leaving...

without even saying goodbye.

Lee g*n is guilty of high treason. Tie him up!

The deposed Crown Prince has been arrested.