Post by ajk on Sept 15, 2009 10:08:21 GMT -5
Chiyang accepts congratulations on the pregnancy. Cheonchu is congratulated too, but she's not all that happy about it. She says she's concerned about being pregnant at forty, but it seems like that's not the real reason....
And Mokjong is VERY cynical about it, thinking it's his mother's response to his inability to father a child of his own.
"Has anything like this ever happened before in the history of mankind?" Ministers are flabbergasted and angry about the sitting empress dowager becoming pregnant under such odd circumstances. Wild speculation about surnames, regime changes, etc. But Dae Dosu warns them about a more immediate issue: how the emperor is going to take this.
Cheonchu confesses to Chiyang that she's worried about the criticism that the pregnancy is going to generate, and worried about Mokjong's reaction. She even wonders if she should continue the pregnancy at all, but Chiyang says he'll find a way to make Mokjong okay with this. (I'll take that bet.)
The emperor is drinking and angry. The empress tries to calm him down, which she can usually do, but this time has no luck. Mokjong wants to go to a gisaeng house. Go Hyun tries to talk him out of it, but he just gives Go a hard time in return.
--------------------NOT SEEN (cut off by WOCH commercials)
Gang Gamchan gives makes a surprising request of Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung: Those gifts of money and grains that Chiyang has been trying to give them? From now on, he says, take them and pretend to be loyal to Chiyang. He tells them he thinks Chiyang is up to something, but offers no more than that and simply asks them to trust him for now. They do trust him completely and they'll do it.
Later, Sa Gamun and merchant Yi (who's acting as Sa Gamun's assistant; not clear on whether or not he's in on Chiyang's plot--probably not) pay Kim Sukheung a personal visit to personally deliver the money that he previously refused. They're not government funds, they argue; they're a simple token of gratitude from Chiyang for his and his soldiers' hard work.
--------------------------------------
By an isolated riverbank: Dokyun meets Hyeolmae and Su No. They want an answer from her--will she accept the assignment and poison Cheonchu? She has reservations about taking a pregnant woman's life, but she says she'll do it. (She's the poison expert so that's why they want her to do it.)
Lady Yunheung, her father and their subordinates are disgusted by news of the pregnancy. But Wonsoong is more concerned than disgusted, because another son would give Cheonchu the opportunity to replace Mokjong as emperor and still retain her power.
Evening, at a gisaeng house: Mokjong is hassling the girls and making a scene. Some of his guardsmen show up and urge him to maintain his dignity, and when he refuses they attempt to forcibly remove him from the scene. But it gets ugly, and then dangerous as Mokjong starts swinging a sword around. But then among the gathering crowd, he spots a familiar face: Yu Hangan, back from a tour with his troupe. At that Mokjong straightens up and heads right back to the palace, bringing Hangan with him. Hangan turns back and looks at a Mun Inui, who nods at him. Obviously Hangan was brought here for a reason.
Back at the palace: It's pouring rain in the courtyard, but Mokjong wants Hangan to dance for him. Cheonchu shows up and tells him to go inside, and he gives her the expected hard time. She orders his guards to have him taken inside; he orders just the opposite; and they do what SHE says. He falls to the ground and has a screaming tantrum.
Still evening, inside the newly completed Shiwangsa Temple: Chiyang gives thanks for Cheonchu's pregnancy and prays for a son who will become emperor.
Narration tells us that according to historical record, Chiyang built this temple "and hung hideous paintings that were difficult to describe," as well as placing his own engravings on things like metalware and the temple bell. Evidence also indicates that Mokjong wanted to expel Chiyang at this time "but did not do so out of fear of hurting his mother."
The next morning: Cheonchu is visibly troubled by what happened last night. Gang Jo urges her to be calm and take care of herself for her child's sake, even though he confesses he thinks this is a bad thing for Goryeo. But he says, At least now my heart can finally let go of you. "It's been a very painful time," he says, "But I'm ready to find my own way now." She's happy to hear it (and too foolish to know what's good for her!) and tells him to marry Hyangbi. I will, he replies. But still in his thoughts we hear him urge her not to trust Chiyang.
The next morning: Mokjong wakes up and learns that Hangan was removed from the palace at Cheonchu's order. Sunjeong asks him why he wants Hangan around him. "He just makes me feel comfortable," Mokjong tells her. Then she says, I know you're mad about the pregnancy and you just want to leave the palace and the throne, but it's tearing me up watching you destroy yourself like this. And she feels overwhelmed by the palace and the role of empress, and misses the simpler days of Myeongbok Palace. He confesses to feeling the same, and "I want us to get away from here and live free, just the two of us." That's what I'd like too, she says, tearing up. A look of decisiveness appears in his face. "Yes, then we will!" He summons Go Hyun and gives instructions to summon Prince Daeryang and the ministers...but not Cheonchu, Chiyang or Gamchan.
In the throne room: Mokjong tells the ministers that his medical condition has worsened recently and that because of this he's decided to abdicate to Daeryang. Daeryang begs him to reconsider, as do the ministers, but Mokjong doesn't think the ministers are sincere about it and chews them out. And, he says, I will be Daeryang's regent until he comes of age. Which will cut Cheonchu out completely! He knows that and is prepared for it, arguing that being pregnant at her age will be difficult--too difficult for her to handle state affairs. (Obviously he's up to something here, because he doesn't want to be regent, he wants out completely.) Kim Shimun does his job, jumping in to express support for the decision, and most of the other ministers fall in line. A few suggest that Cheonchu be a part of this decision, but Mokjong won't hear of it.
As Mokjong leaves the building, Daeryang begs him to reconsider--"I'm scared!"--but Mokjong tells him this is his destiny. Then Cheonchu shows up, sends Daeryang away and takes her son inside somewhere. "Are you trying to exclude me from state affairs?" "Precisely, mother. I'm doing this for you." Of course she doesn't buy it and they argue. She says, I would have given you authority long ago but you're always drinking and embarrassing yourself. He tells her, Step down and that will never happen again. She doesn't believe him and reads him the riot act about promises he's failed to keep in the past and about his reckless behavior. He fires back, That's exactly why I'm abdicating. Now is not the time for this, she says, because we need to launch the northern conquest now. But he accuses her of using that as an excuse, and says that no one wants war except her and Chiyang. You can bear your own army of children to fight, he says cynically. "Yes, have a whole army of smart, sober children, and conquer the world!" With that he walks out on her. (Another great scene between those two.)
Later, Cheonchu confesses to Chiyang that she's running out of patience with her son and maybe it's just better to give Daeryang the throne after all. But this conflicts with Chiyang's secret agenda and he tries to talk her out of it. And he tells her he'll convince Mokjong to stay, by bringing his friend Yu Hangan into the palace.
Hyangbi tells Gang Jo she heard what he told Cheonchu. (How?) She asks, Are you going to marry me only to obey her? "Don't force yourself, Jo. It hurts me more if you do." He admits that Cheonchu isn't entirely out of his heart just yet, "But I have to let her go now. So would you help me? I can't tell you that I love you right now, but I will do my best to love you." That's good enough for her and she hugs him and cries. But he's still hurting plenty; we can see it in his face.
Yunheung and Wonsoong consider other ways to drive a wedge between Cheonchu and Mokjong. Let's find him a woman, Wonsoong says; "No man can resist a beautiful woman." And if he gets her pregnant, that will REALLY win them the emperor's favor. Wonsoong says he'll search the country for a woman who can steal Mokjong's heart.
Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung tell Gamchan that more money arrived from Chiyang and they've accepted it as he asked. "He is about to enter a silent war with the emperor right now," Gamchan tells them, and is trying to get you on his side as allies. So keep gong along with him; the fate of the country could depend on it.
Chiyang has asked to see the emperor and is kneeling before him. "I was compelled to seek your audience," Chiyang explains, because I feel I may be responsible for your recent actions." "Did you bring me a solution?", Mokjong asks, and then deadpans, "Your suicide might help relieve the problem a little." Chiyang doesn't laugh (he's the only one; that was hilarious) and tries to make nice with Mokjong by reminding him that they used to get along when they were at Myeongbok Palace together. That doesn't work. So then he points out that the Liao emperor treats his ethnic Chinese prime minister like his own father. "So you are demanding that I treat you like my father?" "No, but at least you can stay objective. Forget about abdicating the throne to Prince Daeryang." (Once again Chiyang shows his gall, and his oafishness when it comes to trying to persuade people.)
Later: Chiyang tells Yu Hangan he's going to give him a government position! And apparently Chiyang is taking care of Hangan's troupe too. Hangan swears his loyalty to Chiyang.
"I said, Can you contact a potion that will terminate the pregnancy?" Mokjong has summoned the royal physician, who can't believe what he was just asked. The physician is horrified and says, Take my life instead. Mokjong counters, "Do you wish to die now or will you do as I say and take a risk?" (Yet more evidence of why the royal physician has the worst job in the country, in every historical drama.)
We see Dokyun mixing up a batch of poison. Hesitantly, but she's doing it.
Cheonchu still wonders if she should give up the child or give birth.
Merchant Yi has prepared a box of herbal potions and is ready to take it to the palace for the pregnant Cheonchu. Dokyun spots him with the box and asks to see what's inside it. I'm interested, she says, because I'm going to have a child someday, too. Yi recoils: "That's going to be one scary baby!"
Near the Liao royal palace: We see a falcon fly to Yelu Pennu's arm.
In the Liao throne room: Chengtian, her son and the prime minister are told by Pennu about Cheonchu's pregnancy. They see it as good news that will further strain her relationship with her son. But also some bad news, about the expansion of Goryeo's army to a size comparable to Liao's. That’s very bad for Liao, what with the Chinese situation about to explode into all-out war. They're counting on Dokyun to do her job and poison Cheonchu to defuse the northern threat.
Cheonchu and Chiyang are sitting together. The royal physician brings in an herbal tonic for Cheonchu. Chiyang tells her the herbs are the best in the country and he acquired them himself. Hyangbi tastes it first and gives the okay. Cheonchu raises the bowl to her lips...
And Mokjong is VERY cynical about it, thinking it's his mother's response to his inability to father a child of his own.
"Has anything like this ever happened before in the history of mankind?" Ministers are flabbergasted and angry about the sitting empress dowager becoming pregnant under such odd circumstances. Wild speculation about surnames, regime changes, etc. But Dae Dosu warns them about a more immediate issue: how the emperor is going to take this.
Cheonchu confesses to Chiyang that she's worried about the criticism that the pregnancy is going to generate, and worried about Mokjong's reaction. She even wonders if she should continue the pregnancy at all, but Chiyang says he'll find a way to make Mokjong okay with this. (I'll take that bet.)
The emperor is drinking and angry. The empress tries to calm him down, which she can usually do, but this time has no luck. Mokjong wants to go to a gisaeng house. Go Hyun tries to talk him out of it, but he just gives Go a hard time in return.
--------------------NOT SEEN (cut off by WOCH commercials)
Gang Gamchan gives makes a surprising request of Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung: Those gifts of money and grains that Chiyang has been trying to give them? From now on, he says, take them and pretend to be loyal to Chiyang. He tells them he thinks Chiyang is up to something, but offers no more than that and simply asks them to trust him for now. They do trust him completely and they'll do it.
Later, Sa Gamun and merchant Yi (who's acting as Sa Gamun's assistant; not clear on whether or not he's in on Chiyang's plot--probably not) pay Kim Sukheung a personal visit to personally deliver the money that he previously refused. They're not government funds, they argue; they're a simple token of gratitude from Chiyang for his and his soldiers' hard work.
--------------------------------------
By an isolated riverbank: Dokyun meets Hyeolmae and Su No. They want an answer from her--will she accept the assignment and poison Cheonchu? She has reservations about taking a pregnant woman's life, but she says she'll do it. (She's the poison expert so that's why they want her to do it.)
Lady Yunheung, her father and their subordinates are disgusted by news of the pregnancy. But Wonsoong is more concerned than disgusted, because another son would give Cheonchu the opportunity to replace Mokjong as emperor and still retain her power.
Evening, at a gisaeng house: Mokjong is hassling the girls and making a scene. Some of his guardsmen show up and urge him to maintain his dignity, and when he refuses they attempt to forcibly remove him from the scene. But it gets ugly, and then dangerous as Mokjong starts swinging a sword around. But then among the gathering crowd, he spots a familiar face: Yu Hangan, back from a tour with his troupe. At that Mokjong straightens up and heads right back to the palace, bringing Hangan with him. Hangan turns back and looks at a Mun Inui, who nods at him. Obviously Hangan was brought here for a reason.
Back at the palace: It's pouring rain in the courtyard, but Mokjong wants Hangan to dance for him. Cheonchu shows up and tells him to go inside, and he gives her the expected hard time. She orders his guards to have him taken inside; he orders just the opposite; and they do what SHE says. He falls to the ground and has a screaming tantrum.
Still evening, inside the newly completed Shiwangsa Temple: Chiyang gives thanks for Cheonchu's pregnancy and prays for a son who will become emperor.
Narration tells us that according to historical record, Chiyang built this temple "and hung hideous paintings that were difficult to describe," as well as placing his own engravings on things like metalware and the temple bell. Evidence also indicates that Mokjong wanted to expel Chiyang at this time "but did not do so out of fear of hurting his mother."
The next morning: Cheonchu is visibly troubled by what happened last night. Gang Jo urges her to be calm and take care of herself for her child's sake, even though he confesses he thinks this is a bad thing for Goryeo. But he says, At least now my heart can finally let go of you. "It's been a very painful time," he says, "But I'm ready to find my own way now." She's happy to hear it (and too foolish to know what's good for her!) and tells him to marry Hyangbi. I will, he replies. But still in his thoughts we hear him urge her not to trust Chiyang.
The next morning: Mokjong wakes up and learns that Hangan was removed from the palace at Cheonchu's order. Sunjeong asks him why he wants Hangan around him. "He just makes me feel comfortable," Mokjong tells her. Then she says, I know you're mad about the pregnancy and you just want to leave the palace and the throne, but it's tearing me up watching you destroy yourself like this. And she feels overwhelmed by the palace and the role of empress, and misses the simpler days of Myeongbok Palace. He confesses to feeling the same, and "I want us to get away from here and live free, just the two of us." That's what I'd like too, she says, tearing up. A look of decisiveness appears in his face. "Yes, then we will!" He summons Go Hyun and gives instructions to summon Prince Daeryang and the ministers...but not Cheonchu, Chiyang or Gamchan.
In the throne room: Mokjong tells the ministers that his medical condition has worsened recently and that because of this he's decided to abdicate to Daeryang. Daeryang begs him to reconsider, as do the ministers, but Mokjong doesn't think the ministers are sincere about it and chews them out. And, he says, I will be Daeryang's regent until he comes of age. Which will cut Cheonchu out completely! He knows that and is prepared for it, arguing that being pregnant at her age will be difficult--too difficult for her to handle state affairs. (Obviously he's up to something here, because he doesn't want to be regent, he wants out completely.) Kim Shimun does his job, jumping in to express support for the decision, and most of the other ministers fall in line. A few suggest that Cheonchu be a part of this decision, but Mokjong won't hear of it.
As Mokjong leaves the building, Daeryang begs him to reconsider--"I'm scared!"--but Mokjong tells him this is his destiny. Then Cheonchu shows up, sends Daeryang away and takes her son inside somewhere. "Are you trying to exclude me from state affairs?" "Precisely, mother. I'm doing this for you." Of course she doesn't buy it and they argue. She says, I would have given you authority long ago but you're always drinking and embarrassing yourself. He tells her, Step down and that will never happen again. She doesn't believe him and reads him the riot act about promises he's failed to keep in the past and about his reckless behavior. He fires back, That's exactly why I'm abdicating. Now is not the time for this, she says, because we need to launch the northern conquest now. But he accuses her of using that as an excuse, and says that no one wants war except her and Chiyang. You can bear your own army of children to fight, he says cynically. "Yes, have a whole army of smart, sober children, and conquer the world!" With that he walks out on her. (Another great scene between those two.)
Later, Cheonchu confesses to Chiyang that she's running out of patience with her son and maybe it's just better to give Daeryang the throne after all. But this conflicts with Chiyang's secret agenda and he tries to talk her out of it. And he tells her he'll convince Mokjong to stay, by bringing his friend Yu Hangan into the palace.
Hyangbi tells Gang Jo she heard what he told Cheonchu. (How?) She asks, Are you going to marry me only to obey her? "Don't force yourself, Jo. It hurts me more if you do." He admits that Cheonchu isn't entirely out of his heart just yet, "But I have to let her go now. So would you help me? I can't tell you that I love you right now, but I will do my best to love you." That's good enough for her and she hugs him and cries. But he's still hurting plenty; we can see it in his face.
Yunheung and Wonsoong consider other ways to drive a wedge between Cheonchu and Mokjong. Let's find him a woman, Wonsoong says; "No man can resist a beautiful woman." And if he gets her pregnant, that will REALLY win them the emperor's favor. Wonsoong says he'll search the country for a woman who can steal Mokjong's heart.
Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung tell Gamchan that more money arrived from Chiyang and they've accepted it as he asked. "He is about to enter a silent war with the emperor right now," Gamchan tells them, and is trying to get you on his side as allies. So keep gong along with him; the fate of the country could depend on it.
Chiyang has asked to see the emperor and is kneeling before him. "I was compelled to seek your audience," Chiyang explains, because I feel I may be responsible for your recent actions." "Did you bring me a solution?", Mokjong asks, and then deadpans, "Your suicide might help relieve the problem a little." Chiyang doesn't laugh (he's the only one; that was hilarious) and tries to make nice with Mokjong by reminding him that they used to get along when they were at Myeongbok Palace together. That doesn't work. So then he points out that the Liao emperor treats his ethnic Chinese prime minister like his own father. "So you are demanding that I treat you like my father?" "No, but at least you can stay objective. Forget about abdicating the throne to Prince Daeryang." (Once again Chiyang shows his gall, and his oafishness when it comes to trying to persuade people.)
Later: Chiyang tells Yu Hangan he's going to give him a government position! And apparently Chiyang is taking care of Hangan's troupe too. Hangan swears his loyalty to Chiyang.
"I said, Can you contact a potion that will terminate the pregnancy?" Mokjong has summoned the royal physician, who can't believe what he was just asked. The physician is horrified and says, Take my life instead. Mokjong counters, "Do you wish to die now or will you do as I say and take a risk?" (Yet more evidence of why the royal physician has the worst job in the country, in every historical drama.)
We see Dokyun mixing up a batch of poison. Hesitantly, but she's doing it.
Cheonchu still wonders if she should give up the child or give birth.
Merchant Yi has prepared a box of herbal potions and is ready to take it to the palace for the pregnant Cheonchu. Dokyun spots him with the box and asks to see what's inside it. I'm interested, she says, because I'm going to have a child someday, too. Yi recoils: "That's going to be one scary baby!"
Near the Liao royal palace: We see a falcon fly to Yelu Pennu's arm.
In the Liao throne room: Chengtian, her son and the prime minister are told by Pennu about Cheonchu's pregnancy. They see it as good news that will further strain her relationship with her son. But also some bad news, about the expansion of Goryeo's army to a size comparable to Liao's. That’s very bad for Liao, what with the Chinese situation about to explode into all-out war. They're counting on Dokyun to do her job and poison Cheonchu to defuse the northern threat.
Cheonchu and Chiyang are sitting together. The royal physician brings in an herbal tonic for Cheonchu. Chiyang tells her the herbs are the best in the country and he acquired them himself. Hyangbi tastes it first and gives the okay. Cheonchu raises the bowl to her lips...