Post by ajk on Sept 30, 2009 11:50:14 GMT -5
Still in labor: Cheonchu's having a rough time trying to squeeze that kid out. The midwife says it's because of her age.
State council meeting, simultaneously: Word is just in about the Song/Khitan war. What to do about it? Cheonchu isn't at the meeting, so a vigorous debate breaks out about whether or not to deploy the troops. Some urge the emperor to act immediately and deploy them; others urge caution and restraint. Plenty of anti-war voices among the ministers, at least with Cheonchu not in the room. And Gamchan calls them out on it, accusing them of cowardice for staying silent when the troops were being deployed only to speak up now that Cheonchu is indisposed. Mokjong is presiding over this, of course, but he can't issue an attack order without his mother's approval and he reminds them of that. But he's been listening to both sides and tells the ministers he'll decide what to do as soon as he's spoken to his mother.
At the military camp, up north by Hogyeong: The generals are getting antsy waiting for an order.
Back to Cheonchu: Finally, we hear a baby crying. It's a boy! Outside, Chiyang accepts congratulations from Sa Illa.
Mokjong is visibly shaken by the news that it's a boy.
Dokyun had a rough time with her labor, too, but she made it and now she has a baby boy too. Uncharacteristic joy on her face as she lays next to the baby. Sa Gamun names their son Ryang.
Chiyang visits Cheonchu and their new son. While he's there, she asks about the war. No news yet, he tells her (I suspect it's not just to give her some quiet time, but more because he wants to prevent Goryeo's involvement in the war).
Evening: Gamchan and Gang Jo are outside the imperial consort's chambers, loudly imploring the emperor to give the attack order. Inside, Mokjong is with Milhwa; he's angry, drinking heavily, and more concerned about Milhwa bearing him a son than about the war situation. In his drunken rage he starts taking Milhwa's clothes off her right there in the front room. Back outside, Gamchan and Gang Jo decide to go try to see Cheonchu. So they go to her chambers, but Chiyang and Sa Illa refuse them admittance. She had complications after the delivery, Chiyang says, so you'll have to talk to the emperor. The confrontation becomes tense; swords are drawn. Then Gamchan has the brilliant idea to just holler out to Cheonchu inside (Duh!), and Cheonchu tells her attendant to bring him in. A royal physician is tending to her and she can't even sit up without getting woozy; apparently she is indeed having some complications. Gamchan enters, tells her the war is on and they've been waiting for her authorization to issue the attack order. She's horrified that there was any delay: "What? Send the troops to the front at once!" (Now was that really so hard? Forgive me, but this whole sequence of scenes was utterly stupid and totally implausible. Of course Cheonchu would have issued clear orders in advance. And even if she hadn't, and even if it was impossible to ask her one simple question (?), everybody knows what she would have wanted done. Sheesh!)
Nighttime: The order reaches the generals. Dae Dosu appears to be in charge of the operation; a former Balhaean, he's excited to get the order and is ready to go. But just at that moment, thunderous shaking all around. An earthquake! Yes, at that very moment. And it looks like a strong one, too; not only is it causing damage in the military camp, but we see it knocking down homes in nearby villages.
We see Dae Dosu back at the capital, reporting to a state council meeting on the earthquake damage. It's very, very bad: half of the local homes have been destroyed and there are many killed and injured. The main military camp wasn't badly damaged because it was set on a flat plain, but the Elite Striking Guards unit was by a mountainside and got hit by a landslide. No casualty report from them yet. Dosu says the biggest problem right now isn't military, it's starvation and panic among the local populace. Relief supplies and assistance are desperately needed. Chiyang even jumps in and says he'll offer all of his personal wealth for the cause (oddly not like him, but good for him for offering). Mokjong agrees that the northern conquest must wait; a relief effort must begin at once. And he says he'll visit the area ASAP.
As we watch soldiers in the countryside assisting with tending to injured victims and rebuilding houses, narration tells us that 176 earthquakes were recorded during the Goryeo era. They could be particularly destructive, we're told, because of deforestation on mountain slopes due to overcutting for firewood. This made mountains more vulnerable to landslides. (What a great piece of information.) These earthquakes were thought to be a sign of royal misrule "so kings often reflected on their mistakes and performed sacrificial rites when earthquake struck."
Some unidentified village somewhere, apparently not far from the capital: We see angry villagers complaining about the destruction and death in Hogyeong. Jo Du is among them and is fanning the flames, telling them that it's Cheonchu's fault for fathering the out-of-wedlock child of a "Lowly Jurchen." And for her plotting to put the child on the throne. The villagers buy into that 100 percent.
Yunheung, Wonsoong, Jo Sun and Jo Du and are talking, pleased that unrest seems to be spreading against Cheonchu. And pleased that the northern conquest won't be happening. But Yunheung is distracted and concerned about something else: she's wondering why she's heard nothing from Milhwa recently.
"We cannot deploy the troops?" Cheonchu gets the news from Gamchan and Gang Jo. It just can't be done right now with all of the destruction and suffering at home. She's devastated at the loss of her dream to recover the historic Balhae and Goguryeo territory. Tears of frustration: "Have the gods forsaken me?"
Narration tells us that Khitan and Song went to war in the year 1004. It ended with a peace treaty--the Treaty of Shanyuan--on terms favorable to Liao (so obviously they got the better of the fighting). Song agreed to agreed to pay an annual tribute of 200,000 bolts of silk and 100,000 ounces of silver. The treaty ushered in a century of peace between the states "and provided the backdrop for Liao to become the strongest nation in East Asia."
We see Shengzong get the news about the treaty; he's very pleased with its terms. It's not a complete victory--they didn't conquer the Song capital--but he sees it as a great success. Now he's itching to destroy Goryeo....and as we watch him practicing his archery, suddenly he ages by what must be the better part of a decade.
------------------------------------------------
Flash-forward three years (Yes, we saw Shengzong age by a lot more than three years, but it's a three-year jump. If you watched this and spent the next few minutes disoriented, join the club.)
-------------------------------------------------
We see Cheonchu and the empress together enjoying a quiet day. With them is Cheonchu's three-year-old child Prince Hwangju. We learn that the empress still has no child of her own, and that the consort hasn't had one yet either.
State council meeting: Cheonchu is presiding because Mokjong is in the north for his third consecutive annual visit. He's been going to offer comfort and support to the populace and oversee the earthquake rebuilding effort, which has just been completed. Apparently he's been doing a great job; public sentiment is very much in his favor and he's a changed man. But not everything is good news; Song is refusing to mend ties with Goryeo. Earthquake notwithstanding, they feel that they were betrayed by Goryeo's failure to attack the Khitans when Song needed them to. Cheonchu is still unhappy about the lost opportunity to reclaim the northern lands, and wants to prepare for another chance. "If we don't," she says, "the Khitan will turn their sword on us in the near future."
Mun Inui has been investigating the possibility of coin counterfeiting; he's discussing it with Chiyang and Sa Gamun. (Three years later?! How has this lingered so long. Sloppy writing here.) Mun explains that the initial group of government coinmakers came to Goryeo from Song; Goryeo had no such industry of its own. But, Mun says, he's found out that other coinmakers came into the country beyond those hired by the government. Steward Yi is working on tracking them down. Then Sa Gamun changes the subject, asking Chiyang, "When do we put our grand plan in motion?" Mokjong is becoming a successful king, which is endangering Chiyang's son's chance of attaining the throne. And on top of that, "your relationship with the Empress Dowager doesn't seem like it was before. You haven't spent a night at Cheonchu Hall since the birth of the young prince. Perhaps the Empress Dowager's feelings for you have changed." Chiyang practically bites his head off, telling him that he and Cheonchu are just "being cautious of the public eye" and their relationship hasn't changed. But he doesn't seem all that positive of it.
Shiwangsa Temple: Chiyang has brought his son here today. Sa Illa is escorting the child around the grounds; they run into Dokyun and her son. The women introduce the boys to each other--You were born on the same day, they tell the boys--but Chiyang happens to see it and comes running to break it up. He scolds Dokyun: "The prince isn't to be compared with anyone. Watch your tongue." Jerk. Then he takes his son inside the temple and teaches him how to pray...and to himself, he prays for the boy to attain the throne.
State council meeting: Mokjong is presiding. Ministers are raising the issue of ending the regency and Mokjong assuming full authority, at last. He has a good reputation now and is clearly up to the job, so there's no point in putting it off any longer. Plus, the ministers are worried that further delay might increase the chances of Chiyang's son attaining the throne. (I don't see the logic in that--that's a question of Mokjong bearing a son, not Cheonchu retaining the regency.) Mokjong isn't particularly inclined to pursue this, fearing it will stir up trouble with his mother again, but the ministers are insistent.
Yunheung is frustrated because it's been three years and Milhwa isn't pregnant yet.
Cheonchu encounters Han Ingyeong and Kim Yungdae (consort Milhwa's brother), entering the palace together to visit Milhwa. She wonders why Han is always with Kim when he comes to visit, and apparently he's been visiting a lot lately.
Han and Kim are in Milhwa's quarters. Milhwa is just as frustrated about not being pregnant as they are. Then Han and Milhwa's attendant leave and go outside. As they leave, we see attendant Yu lurking in a hallway in the background (remember, Chiyang had told him to keep close eye on both Mokjong and Milhwa. And Mokjong is out of town). Back inside we see Kim having a drink. Milhwa is sitting on her bed and says, "What are you waiting for? Let's get it over with." No...it couldn't be. "I'm not getting pregnant because you're always so nervous." Yep, he's a ringer! So that's what Wonsoong was alluding to. Then she mutters to herself, "Couldn't they pick a better-looking guy to play my brother? He's so ugly." Which answers that one, too. Outside, Hangan is listening and his eyes widen.
Hyangbi has come to visit Cheonchu. She runs into Chiyang, who's with his son, Sa Illa and Mun Inui. They talk for a bit. As they leave each other, she looks back at Mun Inui and stares quizzically.
"Your Highness, I don't understand. Terminate the regency?" Cheonchu has just dropped a monster bomb on Chiyang. She's ready to pull the trigger after all this time. He's ready for it, she tells him, and she's even confident that he'll realize her dream of northern conquest. Chiyang gets agitated and tries to talk her out of it, calling Mokjong "too fickle" and not ready to be trusted. She wants none of this and suspects an ulterior motive. "Commissioner..." She stares at him. "Do you have Prince Hwangju in mind for next throne since the emperor is still without heir?" No, he assures her; this isn't personal. Then stop it, she says. And she confirms what he suspected, telling him the reason she hasn't been spending time with him is to prevent public misperception after bearing his son. And she tells him that once she relinquishes her power, they'll be able to live peacefully together. "So let go of your political ambitions. That's what's best for the empire and the emperor."
Gang Jo is home with Hyangbi, sitting at a table and helping her with her knitting yarn. Quite a sight. Hyangbi is STILL asking Jo questions about the Hangae Temple investigation (three years later). This time it was the sight of Mun Inui that got her thinking. He tells her yet again to forget about it. Then she mentions seeing Prince Hwangju and remarks offhandedly, "It made me sigh wondering when we're going to have a baby." Jo smiles: "Do you want to make a baby?" That's not what she meant and she's embarrassed, but before we know it Jo has put down the yarn and they're chasing each other around the table and giggling. Really. (Thanks for watching today's episode of "Gidget"--brought to you by the Acme Yarn Company.)
Dokyun is back to her old morose, brooding self. Looking at life differently now that she has a child, she regrets the bad things she's done and the people she's killed, and hopes her child isn't punished for her wrongs. She tells Sa Gamun she wants only a simple, quiet life for herself from now on.
Nighttime, outside, probably somewhere between the palace and Yunheung's villa: Han Ingyeong and Wonsoong meet in secret. Han is irritated: "I'm a high minister of the state, and you have me standing guard while a man and woman are fornicating." Be patient, Wonsoong says, and "soon the world will be ours." Not far away, Yu Hangan is listening again.
Chiyang is treating Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung to another lavish meal. So he's still working on courting their favor, three years later. And it looks to him like it's finally paying big dividends. They express their gratitude for his continuing financial generosity and tell him they'll be at his command if he ever needs anything at all. Just what Chiyang wants to hear; his eyes practically light up. Then Steward Yi has to interrupt the meal, because someone has come and urgently needs to talk to Chiyang.
The meal apparently over, Chiyang goes outside and finds Yu Hangan waiting for him. Chiyang is angry; Hangan isn't supposed to come here for fear of their being spotted together. Hangan says he's sorry but this is urgent, and then tells Chiyang what he's discovered. Chiyang is dumbfounded. Then we see Yang Kyu watching them from a distance. He can't hear the conversation...
...but he reports back to Gang Gamchan that "whatever they talked about, Kim Chiyang looked shocked." Gamchan is puzzled about why the emperor's attendant is talking secretly with Chiyang. Kim Sukheung is there and he gets it: maybe he's spying on the emperor for Chiyang. After all, "he went from being a traveling entertainer to Imperial attendant." But the emperor is out of town, so whatever Hangan was doing, it didn't involve the emperor.
Mokjong arrives home from the northern capital. His mother, his wife, the ministers and the expected retinue have come out to greet him. Cheonchu tells her son she's proud of him for doing such a good job up north. Everybody's there but Milhwa, who's feeling under the weather.
So Mokjong goes to her chambers to see her and check on her. "What is her ailment?", he asks the attending physician.
Cheonchu gets the news: Milhwa's pregnant! An heir to the throne at last. She's ecstatic.
State council meeting, simultaneously: Word is just in about the Song/Khitan war. What to do about it? Cheonchu isn't at the meeting, so a vigorous debate breaks out about whether or not to deploy the troops. Some urge the emperor to act immediately and deploy them; others urge caution and restraint. Plenty of anti-war voices among the ministers, at least with Cheonchu not in the room. And Gamchan calls them out on it, accusing them of cowardice for staying silent when the troops were being deployed only to speak up now that Cheonchu is indisposed. Mokjong is presiding over this, of course, but he can't issue an attack order without his mother's approval and he reminds them of that. But he's been listening to both sides and tells the ministers he'll decide what to do as soon as he's spoken to his mother.
At the military camp, up north by Hogyeong: The generals are getting antsy waiting for an order.
Back to Cheonchu: Finally, we hear a baby crying. It's a boy! Outside, Chiyang accepts congratulations from Sa Illa.
Mokjong is visibly shaken by the news that it's a boy.
Dokyun had a rough time with her labor, too, but she made it and now she has a baby boy too. Uncharacteristic joy on her face as she lays next to the baby. Sa Gamun names their son Ryang.
Chiyang visits Cheonchu and their new son. While he's there, she asks about the war. No news yet, he tells her (I suspect it's not just to give her some quiet time, but more because he wants to prevent Goryeo's involvement in the war).
Evening: Gamchan and Gang Jo are outside the imperial consort's chambers, loudly imploring the emperor to give the attack order. Inside, Mokjong is with Milhwa; he's angry, drinking heavily, and more concerned about Milhwa bearing him a son than about the war situation. In his drunken rage he starts taking Milhwa's clothes off her right there in the front room. Back outside, Gamchan and Gang Jo decide to go try to see Cheonchu. So they go to her chambers, but Chiyang and Sa Illa refuse them admittance. She had complications after the delivery, Chiyang says, so you'll have to talk to the emperor. The confrontation becomes tense; swords are drawn. Then Gamchan has the brilliant idea to just holler out to Cheonchu inside (Duh!), and Cheonchu tells her attendant to bring him in. A royal physician is tending to her and she can't even sit up without getting woozy; apparently she is indeed having some complications. Gamchan enters, tells her the war is on and they've been waiting for her authorization to issue the attack order. She's horrified that there was any delay: "What? Send the troops to the front at once!" (Now was that really so hard? Forgive me, but this whole sequence of scenes was utterly stupid and totally implausible. Of course Cheonchu would have issued clear orders in advance. And even if she hadn't, and even if it was impossible to ask her one simple question (?), everybody knows what she would have wanted done. Sheesh!)
Nighttime: The order reaches the generals. Dae Dosu appears to be in charge of the operation; a former Balhaean, he's excited to get the order and is ready to go. But just at that moment, thunderous shaking all around. An earthquake! Yes, at that very moment. And it looks like a strong one, too; not only is it causing damage in the military camp, but we see it knocking down homes in nearby villages.
We see Dae Dosu back at the capital, reporting to a state council meeting on the earthquake damage. It's very, very bad: half of the local homes have been destroyed and there are many killed and injured. The main military camp wasn't badly damaged because it was set on a flat plain, but the Elite Striking Guards unit was by a mountainside and got hit by a landslide. No casualty report from them yet. Dosu says the biggest problem right now isn't military, it's starvation and panic among the local populace. Relief supplies and assistance are desperately needed. Chiyang even jumps in and says he'll offer all of his personal wealth for the cause (oddly not like him, but good for him for offering). Mokjong agrees that the northern conquest must wait; a relief effort must begin at once. And he says he'll visit the area ASAP.
As we watch soldiers in the countryside assisting with tending to injured victims and rebuilding houses, narration tells us that 176 earthquakes were recorded during the Goryeo era. They could be particularly destructive, we're told, because of deforestation on mountain slopes due to overcutting for firewood. This made mountains more vulnerable to landslides. (What a great piece of information.) These earthquakes were thought to be a sign of royal misrule "so kings often reflected on their mistakes and performed sacrificial rites when earthquake struck."
Some unidentified village somewhere, apparently not far from the capital: We see angry villagers complaining about the destruction and death in Hogyeong. Jo Du is among them and is fanning the flames, telling them that it's Cheonchu's fault for fathering the out-of-wedlock child of a "Lowly Jurchen." And for her plotting to put the child on the throne. The villagers buy into that 100 percent.
Yunheung, Wonsoong, Jo Sun and Jo Du and are talking, pleased that unrest seems to be spreading against Cheonchu. And pleased that the northern conquest won't be happening. But Yunheung is distracted and concerned about something else: she's wondering why she's heard nothing from Milhwa recently.
"We cannot deploy the troops?" Cheonchu gets the news from Gamchan and Gang Jo. It just can't be done right now with all of the destruction and suffering at home. She's devastated at the loss of her dream to recover the historic Balhae and Goguryeo territory. Tears of frustration: "Have the gods forsaken me?"
Narration tells us that Khitan and Song went to war in the year 1004. It ended with a peace treaty--the Treaty of Shanyuan--on terms favorable to Liao (so obviously they got the better of the fighting). Song agreed to agreed to pay an annual tribute of 200,000 bolts of silk and 100,000 ounces of silver. The treaty ushered in a century of peace between the states "and provided the backdrop for Liao to become the strongest nation in East Asia."
We see Shengzong get the news about the treaty; he's very pleased with its terms. It's not a complete victory--they didn't conquer the Song capital--but he sees it as a great success. Now he's itching to destroy Goryeo....and as we watch him practicing his archery, suddenly he ages by what must be the better part of a decade.
------------------------------------------------
Flash-forward three years (Yes, we saw Shengzong age by a lot more than three years, but it's a three-year jump. If you watched this and spent the next few minutes disoriented, join the club.)
-------------------------------------------------
We see Cheonchu and the empress together enjoying a quiet day. With them is Cheonchu's three-year-old child Prince Hwangju. We learn that the empress still has no child of her own, and that the consort hasn't had one yet either.
State council meeting: Cheonchu is presiding because Mokjong is in the north for his third consecutive annual visit. He's been going to offer comfort and support to the populace and oversee the earthquake rebuilding effort, which has just been completed. Apparently he's been doing a great job; public sentiment is very much in his favor and he's a changed man. But not everything is good news; Song is refusing to mend ties with Goryeo. Earthquake notwithstanding, they feel that they were betrayed by Goryeo's failure to attack the Khitans when Song needed them to. Cheonchu is still unhappy about the lost opportunity to reclaim the northern lands, and wants to prepare for another chance. "If we don't," she says, "the Khitan will turn their sword on us in the near future."
Mun Inui has been investigating the possibility of coin counterfeiting; he's discussing it with Chiyang and Sa Gamun. (Three years later?! How has this lingered so long. Sloppy writing here.) Mun explains that the initial group of government coinmakers came to Goryeo from Song; Goryeo had no such industry of its own. But, Mun says, he's found out that other coinmakers came into the country beyond those hired by the government. Steward Yi is working on tracking them down. Then Sa Gamun changes the subject, asking Chiyang, "When do we put our grand plan in motion?" Mokjong is becoming a successful king, which is endangering Chiyang's son's chance of attaining the throne. And on top of that, "your relationship with the Empress Dowager doesn't seem like it was before. You haven't spent a night at Cheonchu Hall since the birth of the young prince. Perhaps the Empress Dowager's feelings for you have changed." Chiyang practically bites his head off, telling him that he and Cheonchu are just "being cautious of the public eye" and their relationship hasn't changed. But he doesn't seem all that positive of it.
Shiwangsa Temple: Chiyang has brought his son here today. Sa Illa is escorting the child around the grounds; they run into Dokyun and her son. The women introduce the boys to each other--You were born on the same day, they tell the boys--but Chiyang happens to see it and comes running to break it up. He scolds Dokyun: "The prince isn't to be compared with anyone. Watch your tongue." Jerk. Then he takes his son inside the temple and teaches him how to pray...and to himself, he prays for the boy to attain the throne.
State council meeting: Mokjong is presiding. Ministers are raising the issue of ending the regency and Mokjong assuming full authority, at last. He has a good reputation now and is clearly up to the job, so there's no point in putting it off any longer. Plus, the ministers are worried that further delay might increase the chances of Chiyang's son attaining the throne. (I don't see the logic in that--that's a question of Mokjong bearing a son, not Cheonchu retaining the regency.) Mokjong isn't particularly inclined to pursue this, fearing it will stir up trouble with his mother again, but the ministers are insistent.
Yunheung is frustrated because it's been three years and Milhwa isn't pregnant yet.
Cheonchu encounters Han Ingyeong and Kim Yungdae (consort Milhwa's brother), entering the palace together to visit Milhwa. She wonders why Han is always with Kim when he comes to visit, and apparently he's been visiting a lot lately.
Han and Kim are in Milhwa's quarters. Milhwa is just as frustrated about not being pregnant as they are. Then Han and Milhwa's attendant leave and go outside. As they leave, we see attendant Yu lurking in a hallway in the background (remember, Chiyang had told him to keep close eye on both Mokjong and Milhwa. And Mokjong is out of town). Back inside we see Kim having a drink. Milhwa is sitting on her bed and says, "What are you waiting for? Let's get it over with." No...it couldn't be. "I'm not getting pregnant because you're always so nervous." Yep, he's a ringer! So that's what Wonsoong was alluding to. Then she mutters to herself, "Couldn't they pick a better-looking guy to play my brother? He's so ugly." Which answers that one, too. Outside, Hangan is listening and his eyes widen.
Hyangbi has come to visit Cheonchu. She runs into Chiyang, who's with his son, Sa Illa and Mun Inui. They talk for a bit. As they leave each other, she looks back at Mun Inui and stares quizzically.
"Your Highness, I don't understand. Terminate the regency?" Cheonchu has just dropped a monster bomb on Chiyang. She's ready to pull the trigger after all this time. He's ready for it, she tells him, and she's even confident that he'll realize her dream of northern conquest. Chiyang gets agitated and tries to talk her out of it, calling Mokjong "too fickle" and not ready to be trusted. She wants none of this and suspects an ulterior motive. "Commissioner..." She stares at him. "Do you have Prince Hwangju in mind for next throne since the emperor is still without heir?" No, he assures her; this isn't personal. Then stop it, she says. And she confirms what he suspected, telling him the reason she hasn't been spending time with him is to prevent public misperception after bearing his son. And she tells him that once she relinquishes her power, they'll be able to live peacefully together. "So let go of your political ambitions. That's what's best for the empire and the emperor."
Gang Jo is home with Hyangbi, sitting at a table and helping her with her knitting yarn. Quite a sight. Hyangbi is STILL asking Jo questions about the Hangae Temple investigation (three years later). This time it was the sight of Mun Inui that got her thinking. He tells her yet again to forget about it. Then she mentions seeing Prince Hwangju and remarks offhandedly, "It made me sigh wondering when we're going to have a baby." Jo smiles: "Do you want to make a baby?" That's not what she meant and she's embarrassed, but before we know it Jo has put down the yarn and they're chasing each other around the table and giggling. Really. (Thanks for watching today's episode of "Gidget"--brought to you by the Acme Yarn Company.)
Dokyun is back to her old morose, brooding self. Looking at life differently now that she has a child, she regrets the bad things she's done and the people she's killed, and hopes her child isn't punished for her wrongs. She tells Sa Gamun she wants only a simple, quiet life for herself from now on.
Nighttime, outside, probably somewhere between the palace and Yunheung's villa: Han Ingyeong and Wonsoong meet in secret. Han is irritated: "I'm a high minister of the state, and you have me standing guard while a man and woman are fornicating." Be patient, Wonsoong says, and "soon the world will be ours." Not far away, Yu Hangan is listening again.
Chiyang is treating Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung to another lavish meal. So he's still working on courting their favor, three years later. And it looks to him like it's finally paying big dividends. They express their gratitude for his continuing financial generosity and tell him they'll be at his command if he ever needs anything at all. Just what Chiyang wants to hear; his eyes practically light up. Then Steward Yi has to interrupt the meal, because someone has come and urgently needs to talk to Chiyang.
The meal apparently over, Chiyang goes outside and finds Yu Hangan waiting for him. Chiyang is angry; Hangan isn't supposed to come here for fear of their being spotted together. Hangan says he's sorry but this is urgent, and then tells Chiyang what he's discovered. Chiyang is dumbfounded. Then we see Yang Kyu watching them from a distance. He can't hear the conversation...
...but he reports back to Gang Gamchan that "whatever they talked about, Kim Chiyang looked shocked." Gamchan is puzzled about why the emperor's attendant is talking secretly with Chiyang. Kim Sukheung is there and he gets it: maybe he's spying on the emperor for Chiyang. After all, "he went from being a traveling entertainer to Imperial attendant." But the emperor is out of town, so whatever Hangan was doing, it didn't involve the emperor.
Mokjong arrives home from the northern capital. His mother, his wife, the ministers and the expected retinue have come out to greet him. Cheonchu tells her son she's proud of him for doing such a good job up north. Everybody's there but Milhwa, who's feeling under the weather.
So Mokjong goes to her chambers to see her and check on her. "What is her ailment?", he asks the attending physician.
Cheonchu gets the news: Milhwa's pregnant! An heir to the throne at last. She's ecstatic.