Post by ajk on Jul 21, 2009 15:01:34 GMT -5
"What's happening to him?" A frantic Hunae tries to revive her son. Chiyang is there, checks him over and breaks the bad news to Hunae.
Queen Munhwa informs Choe Sum of Gaeryeong's epilepsy. Choe tells her that it's more than justifiable cause to replace Gaeryeong with Daeryang as heir to the throne. Munhwa asks him to keep this quiet for now, because the king will be angry if he finds out she's been talking to ministers about it.
Back at Sungdeok Palace: There's no treatment, Chiyang tells Hunae and Gang Jo, and the seizures are likely to become more frequent. They wonder if the royal house knows about it, and worry about the possibility of Gaeryeong being replaced by Daeryang.
Choe Ryang is visiting the bedridden king. Choe knows about the epilepsy; Sungjong doesn't know what to do about it and asks for Choe's advice. "What does your heart tell you?", Choe asks. Sungjong says that the throne is rightfully Gaeryeong's, illness or not, and that Hunae can guide him as regent. But he knows that his wife opposes this. Choe says he agrees with the queen. He suggests Daeryang as a replacement, but the king is horrified: "A bastard child cannot be put on the throne. Never."
Gaeryeong revives. He remembers that this has happened before, but doesn't remember much about it, only that the queen was there when it happened. Hunae hears this and realizes that Munhwa probably knows.
It's time for the prince to return home. Hunae is concerned about the boy's condition but says to send him home anyway, to avoid making further trouble.
The boy returns to the palace, accompanied by Hunae and Gang Jo. He's met by an unhappy queen, who scolds him for again wanting to shoot arrows at the expense of his studies. And she gives Gang Jo a scolding too, for escorting the boy to Sungdeok Palace. Gaeryeong objects to that--It was my request, he says, and Gang Jo was just doing his duty--and gives Munhwa some backtalk, but Hunae tells him to stop it, the queen is right. Then Hunae invites herself in for tea.
Hunae and Munhwa are inside drinking tea. Hunae apologizes for the argument at the king's bedside the other day. Munhwa apologizes in kind. Hunae acknowledges the work Munhwa did to raise her (Hunae's) son, and Munhwa acknowledges Hunae's efforts on the country's behalf. They're both trying to bury the hatchet, or at least to give that impression to each other. Then Hunae asks the queen if Gaeryeong has any health issues she should know about. No, Munhwa says, he did pass out once but it was just some weakness from the flu, and the physician said it was nothing to worry about. Hunae smiles, probably a phony smile.
Chiyang tells Sa Illa to go to Sasu County--and kill Prince Daeryang! She's clearly troubled by this--"He's probably just a toddler"--but Chiyang says he's in the way of their plans. And Gyeongjuwon is in the way too, he says. (Not sure if that means she's supposed to kill Gyeongjuwon too.)
Hunae asks Gang Jo to keep watch over her son. She leaves and returns to Sungdeok Palace. Of her conversation about her son's illness, she tells Chiyang, "I don't know if she doesn't know about it or if she's pretending that she doesn't. That woman is difficult to read. I never took her for a threat before, but I was completely wrong about her. She might be a very dangerous person." Then she despairs over the boy's illness and his future, and her inability to do more for him. Chiyang draws her to him as she cries and she puts her head on his shoulder. He gives her a lean-on-me-when-you're-not-strong speech, and he hugs her. Watching it all from a distance is Hyangbi.
Khitan imperial palace: Yelu Wuji tells the emperor that he now has a contact in the Goryean envoy's retinue, and one who's an enemy of Hunae at that. Wuji suggests that he tip off the contact about Hunae's and Xiao's relationship. The emperor (who despises Hunae) knows that King Sungjong is ill and says, We don't have to support Hunae any more and can "expose" her instead.
PM Han and ED Xiao are dining. Han knows about the arrow poison that's causing the king's illness, and realizes that Hunae might just be able to seize the throne without much effort. Surprisingly, Xiao says, "No, I hope not." (Not sure why she said that.) She asks Han what he thinks of Wonsoong (who's presently there as the Goryean envoy). "A quintessential salesman," Han says. But Xiao sees something in him and thinks he might make a good spy. "If we make it worth his while, that is."
Wonsoong gets the bad news that one of Hunae's men bagged the Khitan trade rights. He wants to find out who it was.
Dokyun sees Sa Gamun and apparently is trying to flirt with him, by trying to pick a fight with him. He has to defend himself, at least a bit. She manages to pin him against a wall, or at least he lets her do it, and then she moves in, apparently to kiss him. But just then Yelu Dilie shows up and breaks it up (whatever it is); he needs to escort Sa Gamun somewhere.
Dilie brings Sa Gamun to see Wonsoong. Jo Sun and Jo Du are there, and they recognize Sa Gamun as one of the Jurchens who raided their caravan (in Ep16). Wonsoong demands to know how he got the trading rights. Sa Gamun just smirks and says, "It's beyond me what lords and ladies do," and leaves. Wonsoong seethes, angry at Hunae for once again interfering with his plans.
Hunae is concerned to hear that Chiyang sent Sa Gamun to Khitan, but he tells her not to worry. Then Hyangbi arrives, back from the Balhaean village; she says she wants to see her brother. He'll be at Sungdeok Palace tomorrow, Hunae says; wait here.
Yi Hyunoon is before the queen and Choe Sum. He's been keeping watch on Gang Jo for them; not much to report yet. They tell him to keep doing it; he's eager for a promised promotion and enthusiastically agrees.
Ministers have found out that a Goryean envoy was secretly sent to Song after all. The northerners are furious, not only about the secrecy of it all but about the fact that the Khitans might find out about it. Later, Yi Gyeomui and Yi Jibaek complain to Hunae about it, and she updates them on her overthrow plans.
Jangheungjin, a northern fort: Seo Hui and Gang Gamchan have arrived in the north. They're received by Ahn Pae, the local garrison commander. Seo compliments Ahn on what appear to be highly disciplined and well-trained troops. They're battle-tested, Ahn explains, due to frequent Jurchen incursions. Then Ahn is informed of a problem, apparently a recurring one....
A man named Yang Kyu is caught leaving the local government's grain silo, apparently trying to take some food. "There are people starving to death," he tells the soldiers who have him surrounded; "Lowborn or highborn, I can't let them die." Apparently he's a former lieutenant, and he may be a deserter. The soldiers don't seem to want to confront him, but then they're ordered to. But in an impressive display of swordsmanship, he manages to fight his way out from the dozen or so troops surrounding him--without hurting any of them—and then expertly mounting a horse, makes his escape. Seo Hui and Gamchan watch this from a distance and demand to know more about this man, because they've never seen skills like his before. (Obviously there's a lot more to the story here that we don't know yet.)
Wonsoong is dining with ED Xiao and PM Han. Consort-to-be Xiao Zanli dances for them; Wonsoong gushes over her and assures Xiao that he'll get her accepted as a Goryean royal consort. Xiao can see what's coming: "And in return? You're a businessman. What do you want in return?" Wonsoong asks to share the trading rights that were granted to Hunae. And even says "I offer you my eternal loyalty in return" if he gets them. Yes, I'm a Goryean, but "A businessman's loyalty is to profit." The forthrightness of which makes Xiao laugh out loud. She personally offers Wonsoong a drink.
Yelu Wuji spills the beans, telling Jo Sun and Jo Du that the empress dowager let Hunae return home with the POWs to incite division in Goryeo. Which is also why they gave her the trading rights. Jo Sun and Jo Du immediately report this back to Wonsoong. "I knew it didn't add up," Wonsoong says angrily; they let her return home after she fought them so aggressively. Asked why Wuji would share such information, Jo Sun explains that the emperor doesn't agree with his mother about Hunae's usefulness. Wonsoong realizes that if this is all true, then Hunae is conspiring with ED Xiao. And he can be the one to destroy Hunae and become a hero. "This is my chance to seize both wealth and glory." But outside, someone has been listening, jumps from the rooftop and scurries away. Was that Hyeolmae?
Ministers report to the queen that dissatisfaction and wild rumors are spreading among the populace....And out in a marketplace, we see the merchant Yi Jujeong spreading more dissatisfaction, speaking out against the royal court and talking up Hunae. They're a bunch of cowards in the court, he says, and they should all be thrown out and Hunae's son installed as king.
We also see posters that have been put up to spread more discontent. And they're working. Rumors have taken off and are getting distorted to all lengths. Wild stuff about the king already being dead, the queen being the one who poisoned him, that kind of thing. Munhwa and Choe Sum are incognito in a marketplace and listen to some of it. The talk is entirely anti-government and pro-Hunae. They go back to the palace, and an enraged Munhwa orders the arrest of every merchant in the marketplace! And orders the royal guards to prepare for interrogations, because she thinks Hunae is behind it all. This could get very ugly.
Sasu County: Gyeongjuwon and his son are going to go fishing. It seems like another calm, happy day on the seaside...but Sa Illa is watching.
Choe Sum gives the order to the troops--arrest everyone in the marketplace and kill anyone who resists. They're visibly uncomfortable about it, and Dae Dosu objects to such treatment of unarmed civilians. No, Choe says, they're "organized rebels," so just do your duty.
Hyangbi has found Gang Jo. They go inside to talk. As they go, we see Yi Hyunoon watching. Inside, Hyangbi starts acting strangely; she complains to him that he accepted his post and left for the royal palace without telling her. "I want to be with you. Don't you know that?" Ah, this again. Gang Jo raised her like a baby sister and refuses to entertain any romantic ideas. And he reminds her of that. But she emotionally tells him, "No, I am a woman. Do I have to show you?" And then starts to take her clothes off. "I'm a woman in love with you." He tells her to stop it and even slaps her, which was the wrong thing to do and he apologizes for that. She begs him to forget about Hunae--"She loves someone else. Give it up!" Gang Jo can't seem to even process that idea: "What did you just say?"
Soldiers have gone to the marketplace and are rounding up civilians--violently. "Place them all under arrest! Beat them if they resist!" Dae Dosu objects to Choe Sum about mistreatment of the elderly, to no avail. It's a horrible scene; women and children and the elderly are getting roughed up. But then Hunae shows up. She heads straight for Choe Sum and angrily demands, "What is the meaning of this, Minister Choe?"
Queen Munhwa informs Choe Sum of Gaeryeong's epilepsy. Choe tells her that it's more than justifiable cause to replace Gaeryeong with Daeryang as heir to the throne. Munhwa asks him to keep this quiet for now, because the king will be angry if he finds out she's been talking to ministers about it.
Back at Sungdeok Palace: There's no treatment, Chiyang tells Hunae and Gang Jo, and the seizures are likely to become more frequent. They wonder if the royal house knows about it, and worry about the possibility of Gaeryeong being replaced by Daeryang.
Choe Ryang is visiting the bedridden king. Choe knows about the epilepsy; Sungjong doesn't know what to do about it and asks for Choe's advice. "What does your heart tell you?", Choe asks. Sungjong says that the throne is rightfully Gaeryeong's, illness or not, and that Hunae can guide him as regent. But he knows that his wife opposes this. Choe says he agrees with the queen. He suggests Daeryang as a replacement, but the king is horrified: "A bastard child cannot be put on the throne. Never."
Gaeryeong revives. He remembers that this has happened before, but doesn't remember much about it, only that the queen was there when it happened. Hunae hears this and realizes that Munhwa probably knows.
It's time for the prince to return home. Hunae is concerned about the boy's condition but says to send him home anyway, to avoid making further trouble.
The boy returns to the palace, accompanied by Hunae and Gang Jo. He's met by an unhappy queen, who scolds him for again wanting to shoot arrows at the expense of his studies. And she gives Gang Jo a scolding too, for escorting the boy to Sungdeok Palace. Gaeryeong objects to that--It was my request, he says, and Gang Jo was just doing his duty--and gives Munhwa some backtalk, but Hunae tells him to stop it, the queen is right. Then Hunae invites herself in for tea.
Hunae and Munhwa are inside drinking tea. Hunae apologizes for the argument at the king's bedside the other day. Munhwa apologizes in kind. Hunae acknowledges the work Munhwa did to raise her (Hunae's) son, and Munhwa acknowledges Hunae's efforts on the country's behalf. They're both trying to bury the hatchet, or at least to give that impression to each other. Then Hunae asks the queen if Gaeryeong has any health issues she should know about. No, Munhwa says, he did pass out once but it was just some weakness from the flu, and the physician said it was nothing to worry about. Hunae smiles, probably a phony smile.
Chiyang tells Sa Illa to go to Sasu County--and kill Prince Daeryang! She's clearly troubled by this--"He's probably just a toddler"--but Chiyang says he's in the way of their plans. And Gyeongjuwon is in the way too, he says. (Not sure if that means she's supposed to kill Gyeongjuwon too.)
Hunae asks Gang Jo to keep watch over her son. She leaves and returns to Sungdeok Palace. Of her conversation about her son's illness, she tells Chiyang, "I don't know if she doesn't know about it or if she's pretending that she doesn't. That woman is difficult to read. I never took her for a threat before, but I was completely wrong about her. She might be a very dangerous person." Then she despairs over the boy's illness and his future, and her inability to do more for him. Chiyang draws her to him as she cries and she puts her head on his shoulder. He gives her a lean-on-me-when-you're-not-strong speech, and he hugs her. Watching it all from a distance is Hyangbi.
Khitan imperial palace: Yelu Wuji tells the emperor that he now has a contact in the Goryean envoy's retinue, and one who's an enemy of Hunae at that. Wuji suggests that he tip off the contact about Hunae's and Xiao's relationship. The emperor (who despises Hunae) knows that King Sungjong is ill and says, We don't have to support Hunae any more and can "expose" her instead.
PM Han and ED Xiao are dining. Han knows about the arrow poison that's causing the king's illness, and realizes that Hunae might just be able to seize the throne without much effort. Surprisingly, Xiao says, "No, I hope not." (Not sure why she said that.) She asks Han what he thinks of Wonsoong (who's presently there as the Goryean envoy). "A quintessential salesman," Han says. But Xiao sees something in him and thinks he might make a good spy. "If we make it worth his while, that is."
Wonsoong gets the bad news that one of Hunae's men bagged the Khitan trade rights. He wants to find out who it was.
Dokyun sees Sa Gamun and apparently is trying to flirt with him, by trying to pick a fight with him. He has to defend himself, at least a bit. She manages to pin him against a wall, or at least he lets her do it, and then she moves in, apparently to kiss him. But just then Yelu Dilie shows up and breaks it up (whatever it is); he needs to escort Sa Gamun somewhere.
Dilie brings Sa Gamun to see Wonsoong. Jo Sun and Jo Du are there, and they recognize Sa Gamun as one of the Jurchens who raided their caravan (in Ep16). Wonsoong demands to know how he got the trading rights. Sa Gamun just smirks and says, "It's beyond me what lords and ladies do," and leaves. Wonsoong seethes, angry at Hunae for once again interfering with his plans.
Hunae is concerned to hear that Chiyang sent Sa Gamun to Khitan, but he tells her not to worry. Then Hyangbi arrives, back from the Balhaean village; she says she wants to see her brother. He'll be at Sungdeok Palace tomorrow, Hunae says; wait here.
Yi Hyunoon is before the queen and Choe Sum. He's been keeping watch on Gang Jo for them; not much to report yet. They tell him to keep doing it; he's eager for a promised promotion and enthusiastically agrees.
Ministers have found out that a Goryean envoy was secretly sent to Song after all. The northerners are furious, not only about the secrecy of it all but about the fact that the Khitans might find out about it. Later, Yi Gyeomui and Yi Jibaek complain to Hunae about it, and she updates them on her overthrow plans.
Jangheungjin, a northern fort: Seo Hui and Gang Gamchan have arrived in the north. They're received by Ahn Pae, the local garrison commander. Seo compliments Ahn on what appear to be highly disciplined and well-trained troops. They're battle-tested, Ahn explains, due to frequent Jurchen incursions. Then Ahn is informed of a problem, apparently a recurring one....
A man named Yang Kyu is caught leaving the local government's grain silo, apparently trying to take some food. "There are people starving to death," he tells the soldiers who have him surrounded; "Lowborn or highborn, I can't let them die." Apparently he's a former lieutenant, and he may be a deserter. The soldiers don't seem to want to confront him, but then they're ordered to. But in an impressive display of swordsmanship, he manages to fight his way out from the dozen or so troops surrounding him--without hurting any of them—and then expertly mounting a horse, makes his escape. Seo Hui and Gamchan watch this from a distance and demand to know more about this man, because they've never seen skills like his before. (Obviously there's a lot more to the story here that we don't know yet.)
Wonsoong is dining with ED Xiao and PM Han. Consort-to-be Xiao Zanli dances for them; Wonsoong gushes over her and assures Xiao that he'll get her accepted as a Goryean royal consort. Xiao can see what's coming: "And in return? You're a businessman. What do you want in return?" Wonsoong asks to share the trading rights that were granted to Hunae. And even says "I offer you my eternal loyalty in return" if he gets them. Yes, I'm a Goryean, but "A businessman's loyalty is to profit." The forthrightness of which makes Xiao laugh out loud. She personally offers Wonsoong a drink.
Yelu Wuji spills the beans, telling Jo Sun and Jo Du that the empress dowager let Hunae return home with the POWs to incite division in Goryeo. Which is also why they gave her the trading rights. Jo Sun and Jo Du immediately report this back to Wonsoong. "I knew it didn't add up," Wonsoong says angrily; they let her return home after she fought them so aggressively. Asked why Wuji would share such information, Jo Sun explains that the emperor doesn't agree with his mother about Hunae's usefulness. Wonsoong realizes that if this is all true, then Hunae is conspiring with ED Xiao. And he can be the one to destroy Hunae and become a hero. "This is my chance to seize both wealth and glory." But outside, someone has been listening, jumps from the rooftop and scurries away. Was that Hyeolmae?
Ministers report to the queen that dissatisfaction and wild rumors are spreading among the populace....And out in a marketplace, we see the merchant Yi Jujeong spreading more dissatisfaction, speaking out against the royal court and talking up Hunae. They're a bunch of cowards in the court, he says, and they should all be thrown out and Hunae's son installed as king.
We also see posters that have been put up to spread more discontent. And they're working. Rumors have taken off and are getting distorted to all lengths. Wild stuff about the king already being dead, the queen being the one who poisoned him, that kind of thing. Munhwa and Choe Sum are incognito in a marketplace and listen to some of it. The talk is entirely anti-government and pro-Hunae. They go back to the palace, and an enraged Munhwa orders the arrest of every merchant in the marketplace! And orders the royal guards to prepare for interrogations, because she thinks Hunae is behind it all. This could get very ugly.
Sasu County: Gyeongjuwon and his son are going to go fishing. It seems like another calm, happy day on the seaside...but Sa Illa is watching.
Choe Sum gives the order to the troops--arrest everyone in the marketplace and kill anyone who resists. They're visibly uncomfortable about it, and Dae Dosu objects to such treatment of unarmed civilians. No, Choe says, they're "organized rebels," so just do your duty.
Hyangbi has found Gang Jo. They go inside to talk. As they go, we see Yi Hyunoon watching. Inside, Hyangbi starts acting strangely; she complains to him that he accepted his post and left for the royal palace without telling her. "I want to be with you. Don't you know that?" Ah, this again. Gang Jo raised her like a baby sister and refuses to entertain any romantic ideas. And he reminds her of that. But she emotionally tells him, "No, I am a woman. Do I have to show you?" And then starts to take her clothes off. "I'm a woman in love with you." He tells her to stop it and even slaps her, which was the wrong thing to do and he apologizes for that. She begs him to forget about Hunae--"She loves someone else. Give it up!" Gang Jo can't seem to even process that idea: "What did you just say?"
Soldiers have gone to the marketplace and are rounding up civilians--violently. "Place them all under arrest! Beat them if they resist!" Dae Dosu objects to Choe Sum about mistreatment of the elderly, to no avail. It's a horrible scene; women and children and the elderly are getting roughed up. But then Hunae shows up. She heads straight for Choe Sum and angrily demands, "What is the meaning of this, Minister Choe?"