Post by ajk on Jun 27, 2014 23:58:51 GMT -5
Okay, she's conscious again and back to screaming and flailing. Gongmin can hear it all from outside and is a pacing, frantic mess. Oh and now here come his mother...who proceeds to lecture him about how he has no idea how difficult childbirth is and how "The throes I had to endure in bringing you to this world were even more painful!" Okay, THAT was funny...Go home, she says, and I'll let you know when it's over. An exasperated sigh and she walks on in. But Gongmin can't bring himself to leave, and you can't blame him.
Inside...uh-oh big trouble. Noguk is in labor but as Choseon describes it, "her womb refuses to open." And her water has already broken! Good heavens, the baby had better come out soon then. And now she's unconscious again.
Princess Deoknyeong emerges with a smile and reassures the king that this will all take time and that he can go home and "There is nothing wrong with the Queen." She's trying to calm him but it doesn't work, not one bit. She goes back inside, where physicians are waiting to enter the birth room. She tells them to be calm and find a solution.
Gongmin is in tears outside, and not even SD's arrival can console him.
In a government building, even the councilors are stressing about it, about the possible loss of the heir to the throne they're hoping for so dearly. It gets very ugly among them...even some suggestions that some people would be happy to see the birth go awry. And now more complaining about SD.
The QD went back home but is too worried to sleep. Deoknyeong tries to calm her, but that doesn't work and she's 0 for 2 now. Deoknyeong leaves...and now Hyebi actually suggests that they should be hoping for another miscarriage! Geez, that from Hyebi? But the QD wants an heir and tells Hyebi to stop it.
The physicians have applied some sort of treatment to try to open Noguk's uterus. If that doesn't work it may require a forced birth of some sort. Wait a minute...now Noguk revives...drinks a little water...but almost immediately the birth pains start up and she's flailing and screaming again.
Gongmin did go back home. SD convinced him and accompanied him. Now a eunuch arrives with word that the queen's labor has restarted...which lifts his spirits with relief and hope that the birth is imminent. Now he wants to go hold Noguk's hand and support her as she delivers. But SD has to hit him with a very difficult question: "Should the heavens force us to choose one between mother and child, what would you decide?" Well of course we'd save the mother, he says--"We can always worry about children later"--and then realizes why the question is being asked. SD tells him about the womb not opening and reminds him that Noguk wants the baby so badly that she "will try to give birth, even if it brings her death."
Now Noguk knows the baby has to come out very soon or it will suffocate, and she's really trying hard. But it doesn't happen, and soon it's too late. It will almost certainly be dead by now. She refuses to give up, even to the point of screaming for a dagger to slit her own abdomen open! Which is the worst possible moment for Gongmin to show up outside, but he hears her and runs in as her panic heightens and her screams for a dagger grow wild. "If we could only save this child, I shall gleefully walk through the gates of death!" But Gongmin is hugging her tightly now and demands that the physicians be brought in to remove the now-dead child and save Noguk's life.
Out in the mountains, Master Bou is walking alone through the twilight. A shooting star passes in front of him. He seems to know that it means something.
Next morning: The news shoots through the capital streets like lightning: "Her Majesty the Queen has passed away!" Throngs of despairing citizens rush to the palace gates, fall to their knees and start shouting condolences. Surely it's only a false rumor...
Master Bou returns to the royal temple. Not sure what he's doing here...
Back at one of the gates, now what is going on here? Won Hyeon and Gong Cheol have joined in the throng outside the palace gates..and they start spreading the rumor that Noguk was poisoned! By the powerful clans, because she supported SD! They're using this as an excuse to stir up class tensions. Shame on them.
Choseon and Master Bou are praying in the royal temple together. Then Choseon tells him that the physicians did come in and open Noguk's womb...found a suffocated baby boy inside...a stillborn son that Gongmin took into his arms and refused to let go of, even as blood covered him all over...and then Noguk starting having convulsions..."and while embracing her child, together they left us."...and then a flashback to the previous night, just after that all happened...Gongmin ordering everyone else out of the building. "I shall remain alone with the Queen! Speak to me, dear. Us three, and no one else is here." Flashback ending, Choseon is speaking in a horrified whisper, understandable considering what she's just seen...and on top of everything else this makes SD's position in the government more tenuous. "Why does misfortune always becloud Goryeo's path?" Bou has no answer.
Won Hyeon and Gong Cheol have moved on to an outdoor cafe and are continuing to spread rumors. Accusing Kim Won Myeong and even Choi Yeong of being complicit in poisoning Noguk. "Let us slaughter the treacherous vandals who slew our Queen!" The crowd goes wild.
The council has met to discuss mourning rites. But now they're hearing about the poisoning rumors. So they want the rites underway as soon as possible. And they're wondering if they need to mobilize troops to quell unrest. So they head off towards the palace to see the king about it.
Yikes--a very angry mob has formed with torches and rudimentary weapons. They head to an official's house--we're not told whose--and proceed to trash it!
The officials are at the queen's palace, where Gongmin still is, but they can't get in to see him. Even the front-plaza doors have been shut from the inside.
Inside, as SD looks on, Gongmin is still cradling his dead wife's body. Can't let go of it. "May you let Her Majesty go," SD gingerly asks of him. "May you let Her Majesty depart for her final journey." No, Gongmin answers, "It is together with me she will remain." Well it's the shock of grief; you can certainly understand this behavior.
Inspector Kim has gone to the QD and tells her she needs to take control of the situation; accuses SD of being the one to spread the poisoning rumors.
The mob is moving to more houses, causing more destruction.
"Shouldn't we deal with Kim Won Myeong's residence first?" Wait, now what is this? Why is Won Hyeon talking to Lee Chun Bu? Good heavens, Lee is coordinating this! Wow..."It is not the time yet," Lee tells him. "First we deal with those at the bottom." Won protests and says it's getting out of control and people want to hit the big targets...Don't worry, Lee says; "If the Guardian gains leadership, it shall all be quelled." And then we'll have plenty of time to deal with the Inspector Kims at the top. Wow...and Lee seemed like such an honorable guy!
Finally, at least Chancellor Yoo is allowed in to see the king. But only the chancellor. So he walks into the plaza. SD is standing there. Asks Yoo about his father, who apparently was an expert interpreter and aided King Chungseon as a high official. Yoo nods, possibly surprised that SD knows so much about his father. "His Majesty's decision to proclaim you Chancellor is meeting the reproof of certain individuals exactly because of such legacy. How could the grandson of a miserly interpreter become Minister of State?!" We learn that Yoo's father was falsely accused of treason and ended up dying outside of Goryeo. "If we are to set Goryeo on a new path, we must first eliminate any discrimination over one's upbringing." Ahhh...so that's SD's game. He's trying to deliver that message to Yoo by making it personal. And with that, SD leads him inside. The doors to the room Gongmin is in are still closed...and from inside Gongmin shouts "I proclaim Shin Don as my Regent. Deliberate all state matters with Shin Don, from here on in." Doink!!
Yoo goes back to the high officials and gives them the shocking news. They can't believe it. Their reactions vary, though from quiet happiness (Lee Chun Bu) to "this is the end of the world as we know it!" (secretary Gyeong).
"My congratulations." Lee Chun Bu and SD are ecstatic over the opportunity that the tragedy has given them. But they're still concerned about Choi Young and his control over the military; they know they have to keep an eye on Choi. Then SD drops a bomb on Lee: "We must move the capital." Huh? Lee is stunned. Why move it? "Gaegyeong is the den of all the powerful clans and courtiers. His Majesty will never be able to maintain his authority here." For now this is just a secret, SD tells him. Lee readily agrees, and staggers out the door gasping for breath. SD watches him walk away, nodding, with a sly smile on his face. Hmmm....is this some sort of loyalty test?
Evening: The QD has arrived at Gongmin's palace and is furious to learn that her son is still at the queen's palace clutching his wife's body. She heads right over there and demands he let go of the body so that funeral rites can begin. He ignores her. "What are you trying to do, Sire? Will the dead come back to life, if you do that?" Still holding Noguk, still staring blankly down, he reacts. "It was you." Huh? "You were the one who killed her." She gasps. All the pressure on her to bear a child, he blames her for it. (Of course he's still in terrible shock.) She orders eunuchs into the room to physically remove her son from the building. Which, incredibly, they do! He's ranting like crazy but they get a hold of him and carry him home. She barks at him, "Where else would you find a ruler unable to lead his country, engulfed by the sorrow of losing his consort?! Excessive sorrow will only ruin you, Sire!" Well THAT won't help any, will it. She goes back inside where the body is already being tended to and prepared. She sits down next to Noguk. "Do not resent me. Did I do that because I did not care for you? I merely wanted an heir, to protect the crown and you all." She does feel badly, you can see. Even sheds some tears.
As Gongmin is forcibly returned home, the sadness is palpable as we see the palace engulfed in darkness.
Apparently Master Bou saw death in that shooting star and returned because of it. He's now leading the ritual prayers that are underway next to Noguk's body.
As she heads for home, the QD runs into SD. "I have no intention of quarreling with you. But I shall keep an eye on you, and how you serve His Majesty." SD bows and acknowledges politely. Then she tells him to put Inspector Kim in charge of the Royal Guard. "He must be the one controlling our armed forces in the palace, if I am to enjoy some relief." Surprisingly he says he will! That doesn't seem wise. "I devoted my entire life to grant my son his throne," she continues. "His Majesty fervently favors you, so I shall no longer interfere. But...should I sense a single blemish in your servitude, you will pay dearly." He assures her that he only cares about Gongmin's success as a ruler. She's satisfied with that--for now at least--and leaves him.
So he returns home...and finds Inspector Kim standing there waiting for him. Awkwardly tells him that "What Her Highness is concerned about
is whether you might hamper the royal family's prosperity." Kim has to be a lot nicer now because SD isn't just the guardian, he's the regent. SD basically says he understands Kim's concern and adds, "I am most grateful you came to visit me. Why would two people sailing the same boat try to make it sink?" And heads inside. Kim seems relieved by the encounter. Strange vibe in this scene.
Lee In Bok has summoned Choi Young. Tells him he doesn't think Gongmin really ordered SD to be regent. "This is all a stratagem by Pyeonjo. He managed to use His Majesty's grievous loss to turn him into a puppet, and on the pretext of royal orders, he is scheming this all." And is responsible for the unrest among the populace too. Choi nods in agreement and says he was thinking the same thing...and already alerted Lee Seong Gye to be alert for deployment to come to Gaegyeong and help take over everything. "The moment Her Majesty's rites are complete," Lee says, "let us remove Pyeonjo once and for all."
We see Lee Seong Gye reading a letter from Choi that explains the situation. Clearly he's not sure what to make of it...but he remembers his encounter with SD at his house...and in flashback we see more of it than we saw when it happened. Liaodong (in the north) is Goryeo's territory, SD tells Lee. "Then we certainly should reclaim it. The old dullards in the court still grovel under the Yuan's influence, so they refuse any confrontation. But the Yuan are nothing but a toothless tiger, so is not this the perfect opportunity to reclaim Liaodong? Young military officials like you must take a step forward if we are to regain our land." Flashback ending...Lee is suddenly resolute, and bangs a marker down on a military strategy map. Is it possible that he won't oppose SD?
SD goes to Choseon's estate...and is disturbed to hear joyous revelry coming from inside. Won Hyeon and more than a dozen of the angry mob are having a wine-soaked feast. "So, this is now our world! We must incite the populace So that they will believe Her Majesty was poisoned." SD undoubtedly hears every word but heads to see Choseon instead. Let them have a drink, she tells him. He points out the obvious, that everyone should be in mourning. But she sees it a little differently. "Her Majesty granted us a most precious gift before leaving us. Weren't you proclaimed Regent thanks to her?" True but she's being a little cold about it. Her friend the queen just died, after all! He wants the party broken up but she won't do it. Tells him they're simply joyful over "the son of a slave becoming regent. You shall not ask people who have been trampled on their entire lives to stop rejoicing." Then she says something strange. "You must be careful. Who can guarantee if or when His Majesty will change his mind? I cannot believe those are tears of sorrow His Majesty is shedding." Meaning what?
"Who told you to close the coffin?!" Gongmin is clutching Noguk's coffin, desperate for a glimpse of her. "Open this right now! Wait just a moment...I shall help you out of this dark abyss!"
Choseon adds that Gongmin's tears "are not sincere." How could she possibly think that?
A final glimpse of Gongmin. His tears sure look sincere! Like he's in inconceivable agony.
Inside...uh-oh big trouble. Noguk is in labor but as Choseon describes it, "her womb refuses to open." And her water has already broken! Good heavens, the baby had better come out soon then. And now she's unconscious again.
Princess Deoknyeong emerges with a smile and reassures the king that this will all take time and that he can go home and "There is nothing wrong with the Queen." She's trying to calm him but it doesn't work, not one bit. She goes back inside, where physicians are waiting to enter the birth room. She tells them to be calm and find a solution.
Gongmin is in tears outside, and not even SD's arrival can console him.
In a government building, even the councilors are stressing about it, about the possible loss of the heir to the throne they're hoping for so dearly. It gets very ugly among them...even some suggestions that some people would be happy to see the birth go awry. And now more complaining about SD.
The QD went back home but is too worried to sleep. Deoknyeong tries to calm her, but that doesn't work and she's 0 for 2 now. Deoknyeong leaves...and now Hyebi actually suggests that they should be hoping for another miscarriage! Geez, that from Hyebi? But the QD wants an heir and tells Hyebi to stop it.
The physicians have applied some sort of treatment to try to open Noguk's uterus. If that doesn't work it may require a forced birth of some sort. Wait a minute...now Noguk revives...drinks a little water...but almost immediately the birth pains start up and she's flailing and screaming again.
Gongmin did go back home. SD convinced him and accompanied him. Now a eunuch arrives with word that the queen's labor has restarted...which lifts his spirits with relief and hope that the birth is imminent. Now he wants to go hold Noguk's hand and support her as she delivers. But SD has to hit him with a very difficult question: "Should the heavens force us to choose one between mother and child, what would you decide?" Well of course we'd save the mother, he says--"We can always worry about children later"--and then realizes why the question is being asked. SD tells him about the womb not opening and reminds him that Noguk wants the baby so badly that she "will try to give birth, even if it brings her death."
Now Noguk knows the baby has to come out very soon or it will suffocate, and she's really trying hard. But it doesn't happen, and soon it's too late. It will almost certainly be dead by now. She refuses to give up, even to the point of screaming for a dagger to slit her own abdomen open! Which is the worst possible moment for Gongmin to show up outside, but he hears her and runs in as her panic heightens and her screams for a dagger grow wild. "If we could only save this child, I shall gleefully walk through the gates of death!" But Gongmin is hugging her tightly now and demands that the physicians be brought in to remove the now-dead child and save Noguk's life.
Out in the mountains, Master Bou is walking alone through the twilight. A shooting star passes in front of him. He seems to know that it means something.
Next morning: The news shoots through the capital streets like lightning: "Her Majesty the Queen has passed away!" Throngs of despairing citizens rush to the palace gates, fall to their knees and start shouting condolences. Surely it's only a false rumor...
Master Bou returns to the royal temple. Not sure what he's doing here...
Back at one of the gates, now what is going on here? Won Hyeon and Gong Cheol have joined in the throng outside the palace gates..and they start spreading the rumor that Noguk was poisoned! By the powerful clans, because she supported SD! They're using this as an excuse to stir up class tensions. Shame on them.
Choseon and Master Bou are praying in the royal temple together. Then Choseon tells him that the physicians did come in and open Noguk's womb...found a suffocated baby boy inside...a stillborn son that Gongmin took into his arms and refused to let go of, even as blood covered him all over...and then Noguk starting having convulsions..."and while embracing her child, together they left us."...and then a flashback to the previous night, just after that all happened...Gongmin ordering everyone else out of the building. "I shall remain alone with the Queen! Speak to me, dear. Us three, and no one else is here." Flashback ending, Choseon is speaking in a horrified whisper, understandable considering what she's just seen...and on top of everything else this makes SD's position in the government more tenuous. "Why does misfortune always becloud Goryeo's path?" Bou has no answer.
Won Hyeon and Gong Cheol have moved on to an outdoor cafe and are continuing to spread rumors. Accusing Kim Won Myeong and even Choi Yeong of being complicit in poisoning Noguk. "Let us slaughter the treacherous vandals who slew our Queen!" The crowd goes wild.
The council has met to discuss mourning rites. But now they're hearing about the poisoning rumors. So they want the rites underway as soon as possible. And they're wondering if they need to mobilize troops to quell unrest. So they head off towards the palace to see the king about it.
Yikes--a very angry mob has formed with torches and rudimentary weapons. They head to an official's house--we're not told whose--and proceed to trash it!
The officials are at the queen's palace, where Gongmin still is, but they can't get in to see him. Even the front-plaza doors have been shut from the inside.
Inside, as SD looks on, Gongmin is still cradling his dead wife's body. Can't let go of it. "May you let Her Majesty go," SD gingerly asks of him. "May you let Her Majesty depart for her final journey." No, Gongmin answers, "It is together with me she will remain." Well it's the shock of grief; you can certainly understand this behavior.
Inspector Kim has gone to the QD and tells her she needs to take control of the situation; accuses SD of being the one to spread the poisoning rumors.
The mob is moving to more houses, causing more destruction.
"Shouldn't we deal with Kim Won Myeong's residence first?" Wait, now what is this? Why is Won Hyeon talking to Lee Chun Bu? Good heavens, Lee is coordinating this! Wow..."It is not the time yet," Lee tells him. "First we deal with those at the bottom." Won protests and says it's getting out of control and people want to hit the big targets...Don't worry, Lee says; "If the Guardian gains leadership, it shall all be quelled." And then we'll have plenty of time to deal with the Inspector Kims at the top. Wow...and Lee seemed like such an honorable guy!
Finally, at least Chancellor Yoo is allowed in to see the king. But only the chancellor. So he walks into the plaza. SD is standing there. Asks Yoo about his father, who apparently was an expert interpreter and aided King Chungseon as a high official. Yoo nods, possibly surprised that SD knows so much about his father. "His Majesty's decision to proclaim you Chancellor is meeting the reproof of certain individuals exactly because of such legacy. How could the grandson of a miserly interpreter become Minister of State?!" We learn that Yoo's father was falsely accused of treason and ended up dying outside of Goryeo. "If we are to set Goryeo on a new path, we must first eliminate any discrimination over one's upbringing." Ahhh...so that's SD's game. He's trying to deliver that message to Yoo by making it personal. And with that, SD leads him inside. The doors to the room Gongmin is in are still closed...and from inside Gongmin shouts "I proclaim Shin Don as my Regent. Deliberate all state matters with Shin Don, from here on in." Doink!!
Yoo goes back to the high officials and gives them the shocking news. They can't believe it. Their reactions vary, though from quiet happiness (Lee Chun Bu) to "this is the end of the world as we know it!" (secretary Gyeong).
"My congratulations." Lee Chun Bu and SD are ecstatic over the opportunity that the tragedy has given them. But they're still concerned about Choi Young and his control over the military; they know they have to keep an eye on Choi. Then SD drops a bomb on Lee: "We must move the capital." Huh? Lee is stunned. Why move it? "Gaegyeong is the den of all the powerful clans and courtiers. His Majesty will never be able to maintain his authority here." For now this is just a secret, SD tells him. Lee readily agrees, and staggers out the door gasping for breath. SD watches him walk away, nodding, with a sly smile on his face. Hmmm....is this some sort of loyalty test?
Evening: The QD has arrived at Gongmin's palace and is furious to learn that her son is still at the queen's palace clutching his wife's body. She heads right over there and demands he let go of the body so that funeral rites can begin. He ignores her. "What are you trying to do, Sire? Will the dead come back to life, if you do that?" Still holding Noguk, still staring blankly down, he reacts. "It was you." Huh? "You were the one who killed her." She gasps. All the pressure on her to bear a child, he blames her for it. (Of course he's still in terrible shock.) She orders eunuchs into the room to physically remove her son from the building. Which, incredibly, they do! He's ranting like crazy but they get a hold of him and carry him home. She barks at him, "Where else would you find a ruler unable to lead his country, engulfed by the sorrow of losing his consort?! Excessive sorrow will only ruin you, Sire!" Well THAT won't help any, will it. She goes back inside where the body is already being tended to and prepared. She sits down next to Noguk. "Do not resent me. Did I do that because I did not care for you? I merely wanted an heir, to protect the crown and you all." She does feel badly, you can see. Even sheds some tears.
As Gongmin is forcibly returned home, the sadness is palpable as we see the palace engulfed in darkness.
Apparently Master Bou saw death in that shooting star and returned because of it. He's now leading the ritual prayers that are underway next to Noguk's body.
As she heads for home, the QD runs into SD. "I have no intention of quarreling with you. But I shall keep an eye on you, and how you serve His Majesty." SD bows and acknowledges politely. Then she tells him to put Inspector Kim in charge of the Royal Guard. "He must be the one controlling our armed forces in the palace, if I am to enjoy some relief." Surprisingly he says he will! That doesn't seem wise. "I devoted my entire life to grant my son his throne," she continues. "His Majesty fervently favors you, so I shall no longer interfere. But...should I sense a single blemish in your servitude, you will pay dearly." He assures her that he only cares about Gongmin's success as a ruler. She's satisfied with that--for now at least--and leaves him.
So he returns home...and finds Inspector Kim standing there waiting for him. Awkwardly tells him that "What Her Highness is concerned about
is whether you might hamper the royal family's prosperity." Kim has to be a lot nicer now because SD isn't just the guardian, he's the regent. SD basically says he understands Kim's concern and adds, "I am most grateful you came to visit me. Why would two people sailing the same boat try to make it sink?" And heads inside. Kim seems relieved by the encounter. Strange vibe in this scene.
Lee In Bok has summoned Choi Young. Tells him he doesn't think Gongmin really ordered SD to be regent. "This is all a stratagem by Pyeonjo. He managed to use His Majesty's grievous loss to turn him into a puppet, and on the pretext of royal orders, he is scheming this all." And is responsible for the unrest among the populace too. Choi nods in agreement and says he was thinking the same thing...and already alerted Lee Seong Gye to be alert for deployment to come to Gaegyeong and help take over everything. "The moment Her Majesty's rites are complete," Lee says, "let us remove Pyeonjo once and for all."
We see Lee Seong Gye reading a letter from Choi that explains the situation. Clearly he's not sure what to make of it...but he remembers his encounter with SD at his house...and in flashback we see more of it than we saw when it happened. Liaodong (in the north) is Goryeo's territory, SD tells Lee. "Then we certainly should reclaim it. The old dullards in the court still grovel under the Yuan's influence, so they refuse any confrontation. But the Yuan are nothing but a toothless tiger, so is not this the perfect opportunity to reclaim Liaodong? Young military officials like you must take a step forward if we are to regain our land." Flashback ending...Lee is suddenly resolute, and bangs a marker down on a military strategy map. Is it possible that he won't oppose SD?
SD goes to Choseon's estate...and is disturbed to hear joyous revelry coming from inside. Won Hyeon and more than a dozen of the angry mob are having a wine-soaked feast. "So, this is now our world! We must incite the populace So that they will believe Her Majesty was poisoned." SD undoubtedly hears every word but heads to see Choseon instead. Let them have a drink, she tells him. He points out the obvious, that everyone should be in mourning. But she sees it a little differently. "Her Majesty granted us a most precious gift before leaving us. Weren't you proclaimed Regent thanks to her?" True but she's being a little cold about it. Her friend the queen just died, after all! He wants the party broken up but she won't do it. Tells him they're simply joyful over "the son of a slave becoming regent. You shall not ask people who have been trampled on their entire lives to stop rejoicing." Then she says something strange. "You must be careful. Who can guarantee if or when His Majesty will change his mind? I cannot believe those are tears of sorrow His Majesty is shedding." Meaning what?
"Who told you to close the coffin?!" Gongmin is clutching Noguk's coffin, desperate for a glimpse of her. "Open this right now! Wait just a moment...I shall help you out of this dark abyss!"
Choseon adds that Gongmin's tears "are not sincere." How could she possibly think that?
A final glimpse of Gongmin. His tears sure look sincere! Like he's in inconceivable agony.