Post by ajk on Aug 18, 2009 13:09:18 GMT -5
"My name is Kim Chiyang, Minister Choe." Choe recognizes the name as that of Hunae's Jurchen lover. He's very pleased to meet him, but Chiyang has news for him: "I'm the young boy that your father tried so desperately to get rid of: Kim Hang." And I don't intend to let you live. Chiyang starts throwing accusations and insinuations at him, but Choe doesn't really even remember much of what Chiyang is talking about. He does realize that Steward Mun sold him out, and calls him on it. Mun tells him, You're not my master; "My master is Kim Jung, the son of Crown Prince Mahi." Which only baffles Choe all the more. (Note: The backstory to all this is in the Ep29 summary.)
We see Wonsoong and the other three captured Shillan traitors led into captivity. From a distance, Jo Du sees this.
"It can't be!" Choe's eyes widen. "You mean you're the royal heir of Shilla?" That's right, Chiyang says, and I want revenge for my dead father. I'm going "to resurrect the empire you betrayed. And you can watch from hell as we grow into a mighty empire." Choe thinks Chiyang is crazy. Shilla is long gone and forgotten, he says; and besides, "it matters not what the regime is named. What matters is being in power of the regime." "As only a traitor would say," Chiyang counters. He draws his dagger and prepares to lunge--but is stopped by Choe laughing at him! "I thought I had been defeated by Empress Dowager Cheonchu," he says, still laughing, "but she is even more piteous than I am--to have a man like you using her!" At that Chiyang starts stabbing him in the stomach repeatedly, until Choe's laughter finally stops and he falls dead on the spot. (Strange to stab him in the stomach, isn't it?)
Hunae gets the news about the captures. She intends to interrogate the Shillans personally.
Jo Du breaks the news to Jo Sun. The two wonder what to do; they may well be exposed themselves for their involvement in the Myeongbok attack. And Wonsoong isn't likely to survive this.
Evening in the torture yard: Hunae tells the four Shillans that they've been arrested because of both the attack at Guibup Temple (back in Ep12; this was quite a while ago timewise) and the Myeongbok attack. Admit your crimes and you'll be shown mercy, she tells them. Dae Dosu starts the actual questioning, but it doesn't go well because all four take turns denying any knowledge or involvement in any of it. So the torture begins....
Jo Sun sneaks his way into the palace to tell the queen that her father (Wonsoong) has been arrested. Jo urges her to go to the emperor; it's the only way Wonsoong can be saved at this point.
"Please stop. I will confess!" Yi Yang cracks first. It was Choe Sum, he says; Choe gave the order. But Kim Shimun refuses to confirm it, because Choe is his father-in-law. So the torture resumes. Then Hunae asks Yi Yang and Seol Shinyu, Did the queen know about any of this? Wonsoong begs them to "tell it like it is," but they say nothing. Some more torture, and then the two both say that Munhwa knew everything. Wonsoong goes berserk, screaming and accusing them of lying. Hunae isn't sure what to make of this. Then she gets a message whispered in her ear....
She goes inside to meet the man who turned in the traitors; Mun Inui, who's with Chiyang. She distrusts his motives--"you're looking out for yourself" now that Choe is powerless--but he assures her of his loyalty. Okay, prove it, she says; where's Choe Sum? Committed suicide, Mun says. (Not true, but it would explain the stomach-stabbing.) And Chiyang tells her he's sent Sa Gamun to look for the body! (Liar, liar.) Then she asks Mun whether or not the queen was involved with Choe's actions. Not at Guipub, he says; that was Wonsoong's doing. But the Myeongbok attack "was ordered by Choe Sum with the Queen's consent." (Pants on fire.)
Soldiers barge into the former queen's villa and arrest her for treason!
The new king is informed of the arrest. He's not happy about it and storms out.
Hunae goes into the jail where Munhwa is being held, and tells the guards to leave them. "I understand why you'd want me dead," Hunae says, "but how could you even consider killing Song?" I'm being framed, Munhwa says; I did nothing of the sort. Hunae doesn't believe her: "All of your co-conspirators have confessed" (another lie). But Munhwa shows her sensibility: "Who wouldn't say what you want them to say if you torture them long enough?" But Hunae is unmoved--or more likely, doesn't want to hear that--and leaves...
...and outside, runs into her son, who's headed to the jail. "Why are you breaking your promise?", he asks angrily, not wanting an answer. "Release her right now!" Taking him aside and calming him down, she tries to remind him of what Munhwa is charged with and that releasing her would "erode the law." I don't care, he says. And then he surprises the heck out of us with a great piece of logic: "Didn't you do the same thing? You plotted against the late King. You tried to kill him, but your life was spared because you were the King's sister." Which frustrates her, of course: "You are on that throne because I put you there. It's the criminals of high treason that you must show your authority to right now!" Well then why didn't you just make yourself emperor, he says. And then pushes a bit too far: "Frankly, Lady Yunheung is more of a mother to me than you could ever be." Ouch. He storms out and heads for the jail.
At the jail: Despite Munhwa's protests, Mokjong believes the confessions and is convinced that Munhwa's involvement in the Myeongbok plot. And assumes that she would have known about the Guibup attack, too, since her father orchestrated it. But he says he doesn't fault her for it! "I should have died that day at Guipub," he says; it would have spared me from my miserable state now. But he's disappointed in her: "There were times when I secretly wished you were my real mother. Why did you change?" Please believe me, she cries; "I would never dream of hurting you." He looks like he wants to believe her, but it's all becoming overwhelming for him.
"I don't know where I went wrong." Hunae is undoubtedly hurt by that last comment of her son's. But she also seems irritated that Mokjong is showing some free will. Shame on him.
The next morning: A state council meeting; the subject is how to deal with the traitors. The ministers want no mercy. Han Ingyeong wants Choe Sum's head cut off his body and put on public display! Hwangbo Yui urges that the other four all be executed. And Chae Choongsun argues that Munhwa's guilt "is irrefutable" and recommends banishment and loss of title. Now, Hunae has been conducting the meeting and a brooding, sullen Mokjong has been slouching silently next to her. But suddenly he perks up. First he goes after Han Ingyeong, accusing him of "party-hopping" to keep himself in power even after so many of his peers were punished for involvement in the coup attempt against Sungjong. Then to Yui: "I don't understand what qualifies you to be here other than that you are related to my mother." And then to Chae, for recommending banishment: "Does that mean you think my mother should've been renamed Dipsh*t or Jackass before she was banished?" It's part immaturity and part scathing logic, and it's very funny. But then he goes too far and mocks Seo Hui for being old. Which draws a stern rebuke from his mother.
Xiao Zanli is told about Munhwa's arrest. That puts a fly in the ointment; she saw Munhwa as a potential ally. Dokyun recommends lying low for now and seeing how things develop. But Hyeolmae questions her motives, wondering if her relationship with Sa Gamun is clouding her judgment. They get mad at each other; then name-calling--"pea- sized brain"; "slut who jumps anything that wears pants"--and then for a moment it looks like we're about to get some kind of Ultimate Fantasy Chickfight. But Zanli rebukes them and reminds them that an envoy will be arriving with new orders soon.
"This is not a small problem." Seo, with Gamchan and Gang Jo, is worried about the king's behavior. Gamchan asks Gang Jo to talk to Hunae about releasing Munhwa, to calm the king down. But Gang Jo says Hunae isn't likely to listen to him about this. Chiyang is the one driving it all. "He is like a wild wolf thirsting for blood. He insists on executing all of them." Hmmm. Then Seo asks Jo about the rumors of Hunae's affair with Chiyang. Are they true? "I'm sorry, sir. That's not a subject I can dare discuss. Pleas don't ask me about that." So no answer, but that's just like an answer.
Chiyang is urging Hunae to execute all of the Shillans. Don't get soft, he urges, and besides, that's what the Khitan empress dowager would do. Hunae is hesitating because of her son's opposition, but Chiyang argues that he's just going through a rebellious phase. I'm not so sure, she counters; "I think he might be reacting to us and our relationship." Chiyang has an answer for that: "Then how do you feel about getting him married?" He might be more accepting of us "once he marries and learns about love." (Seriously?)
The king is drunk. He's out of wine and wants more. Go Hyun tries to talk him out of it, which only pisses him off and he screams at Go and smashes a jug. Then Princess Sun comes in; she's not received nicely--"Oh, the nagger is here again." She calmly but effectively talks him down: Aren't you ashamed of yourself for treating an old man around like that? And then about his behavior more generally: "Please stop acting like this. I know how deeply you care about your mother. Why do you say such spiteful things in front of her?" I know, you're right, he says; "I don't like what I'm becoming and I want to stop" but I can't help it. It's this throne; "I can't trust anyone," he says with tears in his eyes. "When you're sitting here, everyone is your enemy including your family." Interesting that she seems to be able to deal with him so effectively.
Dokyun asks Sa Gamun why there aren't any trading caravans heading to Khitan at the moment. That's Chiyang's decision, he says. What's going to happen to Munhwa and the others? That's Chiyang's decision too. She gets annoyed: "Every time I ask you a question, the answer is Foreman Kim." Don't you have a mind of your own? It makes my man look like a mindless fool." That's right, "my man." And she plants some smooches on him. He doesn't fight back. Merchant Yi enters and starts giggling at them; then he announces a visitor. He leads them outside, and who's there but Jo Sun. He wants to talk to Chiyang, who isn't there at the moment.
Sa Gamun has brought news to Chiyang. Jo Sun made an offer: Wonsoong's entire estate in exchange for his life. And it ain't chickenfeed; it's five times the entire country's tax revenue! Some offer.
Seo Hui and Gamchan urge Hunae to show leniency to the captured traitors, as King Sungjong had wished. "I can grant leniency to the others but not Wonsoong," she says; he tried to kill Gaeryeong/Mokjong twice. All right, Seo says, but honor your word to the king and release Munhwa. Then Gamchan very, very gingerly brings up the issue of a rumor about her and Chiyang. Without hesitation she says, If it's about our being lovers, it's true. Doink! So now apparently she's no longer just thinking about him. "Your highness, that is not acceptable," Seo says sternly. Hunae sees this as strictly personal and nobody's business, but Seo and Gamchan are worried about the influence Chiyang will gain if all of this becomes public knowledge. I won't allow him to gain influence, she assures them, so "don't tie my personal life into politics." Outside, Sa Illa is listening...
...and she goes to Chiyang and reports that Seo and Gamchan were urging Hunae to keep him at a distance. Then she asks him, a bit awkwardly, Your relationship with her is strictly "to further our cause," isn't it? No answer. "You don't really love her, do you?" That's not your concern, he says, and she apologizes for asking. But as he walks away from her, she looks at him with eyes that make us suspect she may have feelings for him.
Hunae tells Chiyang she's decided to execute Wonsoong and spare the others. He tells her about the offer of Wonsoong's fortune for his life. Hunae considers it, but "No. He has repeatedly tried to kill my son." Chiyang effectively argues that Wonsoong has no power any more and that passing up this chance just so you can settle your score would be a mistake. Hunae fires back, "You'd choose money over justice?" Yes, he tells her; We need to strengthen the military, and this will give us the money to do it. "Sacrifice the trivial for the important, your highness." (I really liked this scene; a very interesting moral question.)
Gang Jo finds out from Hyangbi that Chiyang is in Hunae's chambers almost every day. Stop thinking about her, she urges him. But he can't: "How do you stop your heart from loving someone?" Hyangbi still loves him, we can see. But she urges him, Even if it's not me, "find someone else and get married. If it's for your happiness, I can stop my heart." He tells her, "Feelings are so hard to control." (Ugh, Jo got uncharacteristically squishy here.)
The young prince Daeryang is practicing calligraphy in front of the king and Princess Sun. Hunae enters and Sun and Daeryang leave the room. Mokjong isn't happy to see his mother; he won't even look at her. She smiles. You win, she says; I'll release Munhwa. But promise me you'll never again act like you did in today's council meeting. Deal. Then she asks, "How do you feel about getting married?" From his reaction, it's apparently something he's never thought about. To whom?, he asks. She suggests Princess Sun. He's almost comically puzzled by the idea; they've been so close growing up that marrying her never even occurred to him. Outside the room, we see Sun and Daeryang; Sun is listening excitedly. Daeryang scolds her for eavesdropping, and then we hear Hunae, from inside: "Are you listening to this, Sun?" "No, your highness." And too late Sun realized she's busted (and is the only character in the history of K-drama who bungles eavesdropping).
State council meeting: Hunae announces the final decisions on the traitors. Kim Shimun, Seol Shinyu and Yi Yang to be exiled for life; Munhwa "discharged without further order"; Wonsoong to receive absolution on account of surrendering his entire fortune to the state. (There's a bad move right there; why wouldn't he at least be exiled like the others? That one's gonna come back and bite them, you just know it.) Then some much happier news: Mokjong will be marrying Sun. Ministers dutifully congratulate the king, who sits there like he couldn't be more uncomfortable about it all.
We see the three banished Shillans being taken away in prisoner carts.
We see Wonsoong released and taken to Munhwa's villa. He's a mess, no surprise considering he's 60 years old and was just tortured. "I will pay them back for this," Munhwa tells her father; but he says he'll get his own revenge. And hints that even with his estate gone, he's not broke. Which is really no surprise, not for a shrewd operator like him.
Gamchan proposes a nationwide martial arts contest in honor of the emperor's wedding. Gang Jo adds that it would be a good way to find new talent for government service, and suggests eliminating any social-class requirements for entrants. Then Choe Hang enters with news that a Khitan envoy has arrived. What's this all about?
We see a determined-looking Yelu Delie walking into the palace.
Flashback to the Liao royal palace, and a panic-stricken Emperor Shengzong: His mother is returning from an extended stay in the southern capital, during which Goryeo declared itself an empire. "I have failed to stop them," he tells Yelu Dilie. I'll be damned if I have to make that report." He's sending Dilie to Goryeo. "You can make any kind of threats you want. Goryeo is our feudal state and they cannot be an empire!"
Dilie is received by Mokjong, Hunae and the ministers. He cordially congratulates Mokjong on his enthronement as the new king. And then he offers him a scroll sent by Shengzong. But before Mokjong opens it, Hunae stops him. Goryeo is an empire again, she tells Dilie, so please call him emperor from now on. This can only start trouble, of course. "I'm afraid I cannot, your grace," Dilie responds rather calmly. "How could a feudal sate declare itself an empire? It is not permissible." Hunae glares smugly at him. "What would you do if I said I don't care?"
We see Wonsoong and the other three captured Shillan traitors led into captivity. From a distance, Jo Du sees this.
"It can't be!" Choe's eyes widen. "You mean you're the royal heir of Shilla?" That's right, Chiyang says, and I want revenge for my dead father. I'm going "to resurrect the empire you betrayed. And you can watch from hell as we grow into a mighty empire." Choe thinks Chiyang is crazy. Shilla is long gone and forgotten, he says; and besides, "it matters not what the regime is named. What matters is being in power of the regime." "As only a traitor would say," Chiyang counters. He draws his dagger and prepares to lunge--but is stopped by Choe laughing at him! "I thought I had been defeated by Empress Dowager Cheonchu," he says, still laughing, "but she is even more piteous than I am--to have a man like you using her!" At that Chiyang starts stabbing him in the stomach repeatedly, until Choe's laughter finally stops and he falls dead on the spot. (Strange to stab him in the stomach, isn't it?)
Hunae gets the news about the captures. She intends to interrogate the Shillans personally.
Jo Du breaks the news to Jo Sun. The two wonder what to do; they may well be exposed themselves for their involvement in the Myeongbok attack. And Wonsoong isn't likely to survive this.
Evening in the torture yard: Hunae tells the four Shillans that they've been arrested because of both the attack at Guibup Temple (back in Ep12; this was quite a while ago timewise) and the Myeongbok attack. Admit your crimes and you'll be shown mercy, she tells them. Dae Dosu starts the actual questioning, but it doesn't go well because all four take turns denying any knowledge or involvement in any of it. So the torture begins....
Jo Sun sneaks his way into the palace to tell the queen that her father (Wonsoong) has been arrested. Jo urges her to go to the emperor; it's the only way Wonsoong can be saved at this point.
"Please stop. I will confess!" Yi Yang cracks first. It was Choe Sum, he says; Choe gave the order. But Kim Shimun refuses to confirm it, because Choe is his father-in-law. So the torture resumes. Then Hunae asks Yi Yang and Seol Shinyu, Did the queen know about any of this? Wonsoong begs them to "tell it like it is," but they say nothing. Some more torture, and then the two both say that Munhwa knew everything. Wonsoong goes berserk, screaming and accusing them of lying. Hunae isn't sure what to make of this. Then she gets a message whispered in her ear....
She goes inside to meet the man who turned in the traitors; Mun Inui, who's with Chiyang. She distrusts his motives--"you're looking out for yourself" now that Choe is powerless--but he assures her of his loyalty. Okay, prove it, she says; where's Choe Sum? Committed suicide, Mun says. (Not true, but it would explain the stomach-stabbing.) And Chiyang tells her he's sent Sa Gamun to look for the body! (Liar, liar.) Then she asks Mun whether or not the queen was involved with Choe's actions. Not at Guipub, he says; that was Wonsoong's doing. But the Myeongbok attack "was ordered by Choe Sum with the Queen's consent." (Pants on fire.)
Soldiers barge into the former queen's villa and arrest her for treason!
The new king is informed of the arrest. He's not happy about it and storms out.
Hunae goes into the jail where Munhwa is being held, and tells the guards to leave them. "I understand why you'd want me dead," Hunae says, "but how could you even consider killing Song?" I'm being framed, Munhwa says; I did nothing of the sort. Hunae doesn't believe her: "All of your co-conspirators have confessed" (another lie). But Munhwa shows her sensibility: "Who wouldn't say what you want them to say if you torture them long enough?" But Hunae is unmoved--or more likely, doesn't want to hear that--and leaves...
...and outside, runs into her son, who's headed to the jail. "Why are you breaking your promise?", he asks angrily, not wanting an answer. "Release her right now!" Taking him aside and calming him down, she tries to remind him of what Munhwa is charged with and that releasing her would "erode the law." I don't care, he says. And then he surprises the heck out of us with a great piece of logic: "Didn't you do the same thing? You plotted against the late King. You tried to kill him, but your life was spared because you were the King's sister." Which frustrates her, of course: "You are on that throne because I put you there. It's the criminals of high treason that you must show your authority to right now!" Well then why didn't you just make yourself emperor, he says. And then pushes a bit too far: "Frankly, Lady Yunheung is more of a mother to me than you could ever be." Ouch. He storms out and heads for the jail.
At the jail: Despite Munhwa's protests, Mokjong believes the confessions and is convinced that Munhwa's involvement in the Myeongbok plot. And assumes that she would have known about the Guibup attack, too, since her father orchestrated it. But he says he doesn't fault her for it! "I should have died that day at Guipub," he says; it would have spared me from my miserable state now. But he's disappointed in her: "There were times when I secretly wished you were my real mother. Why did you change?" Please believe me, she cries; "I would never dream of hurting you." He looks like he wants to believe her, but it's all becoming overwhelming for him.
"I don't know where I went wrong." Hunae is undoubtedly hurt by that last comment of her son's. But she also seems irritated that Mokjong is showing some free will. Shame on him.
The next morning: A state council meeting; the subject is how to deal with the traitors. The ministers want no mercy. Han Ingyeong wants Choe Sum's head cut off his body and put on public display! Hwangbo Yui urges that the other four all be executed. And Chae Choongsun argues that Munhwa's guilt "is irrefutable" and recommends banishment and loss of title. Now, Hunae has been conducting the meeting and a brooding, sullen Mokjong has been slouching silently next to her. But suddenly he perks up. First he goes after Han Ingyeong, accusing him of "party-hopping" to keep himself in power even after so many of his peers were punished for involvement in the coup attempt against Sungjong. Then to Yui: "I don't understand what qualifies you to be here other than that you are related to my mother." And then to Chae, for recommending banishment: "Does that mean you think my mother should've been renamed Dipsh*t or Jackass before she was banished?" It's part immaturity and part scathing logic, and it's very funny. But then he goes too far and mocks Seo Hui for being old. Which draws a stern rebuke from his mother.
Xiao Zanli is told about Munhwa's arrest. That puts a fly in the ointment; she saw Munhwa as a potential ally. Dokyun recommends lying low for now and seeing how things develop. But Hyeolmae questions her motives, wondering if her relationship with Sa Gamun is clouding her judgment. They get mad at each other; then name-calling--"pea- sized brain"; "slut who jumps anything that wears pants"--and then for a moment it looks like we're about to get some kind of Ultimate Fantasy Chickfight. But Zanli rebukes them and reminds them that an envoy will be arriving with new orders soon.
"This is not a small problem." Seo, with Gamchan and Gang Jo, is worried about the king's behavior. Gamchan asks Gang Jo to talk to Hunae about releasing Munhwa, to calm the king down. But Gang Jo says Hunae isn't likely to listen to him about this. Chiyang is the one driving it all. "He is like a wild wolf thirsting for blood. He insists on executing all of them." Hmmm. Then Seo asks Jo about the rumors of Hunae's affair with Chiyang. Are they true? "I'm sorry, sir. That's not a subject I can dare discuss. Pleas don't ask me about that." So no answer, but that's just like an answer.
Chiyang is urging Hunae to execute all of the Shillans. Don't get soft, he urges, and besides, that's what the Khitan empress dowager would do. Hunae is hesitating because of her son's opposition, but Chiyang argues that he's just going through a rebellious phase. I'm not so sure, she counters; "I think he might be reacting to us and our relationship." Chiyang has an answer for that: "Then how do you feel about getting him married?" He might be more accepting of us "once he marries and learns about love." (Seriously?)
The king is drunk. He's out of wine and wants more. Go Hyun tries to talk him out of it, which only pisses him off and he screams at Go and smashes a jug. Then Princess Sun comes in; she's not received nicely--"Oh, the nagger is here again." She calmly but effectively talks him down: Aren't you ashamed of yourself for treating an old man around like that? And then about his behavior more generally: "Please stop acting like this. I know how deeply you care about your mother. Why do you say such spiteful things in front of her?" I know, you're right, he says; "I don't like what I'm becoming and I want to stop" but I can't help it. It's this throne; "I can't trust anyone," he says with tears in his eyes. "When you're sitting here, everyone is your enemy including your family." Interesting that she seems to be able to deal with him so effectively.
Dokyun asks Sa Gamun why there aren't any trading caravans heading to Khitan at the moment. That's Chiyang's decision, he says. What's going to happen to Munhwa and the others? That's Chiyang's decision too. She gets annoyed: "Every time I ask you a question, the answer is Foreman Kim." Don't you have a mind of your own? It makes my man look like a mindless fool." That's right, "my man." And she plants some smooches on him. He doesn't fight back. Merchant Yi enters and starts giggling at them; then he announces a visitor. He leads them outside, and who's there but Jo Sun. He wants to talk to Chiyang, who isn't there at the moment.
Sa Gamun has brought news to Chiyang. Jo Sun made an offer: Wonsoong's entire estate in exchange for his life. And it ain't chickenfeed; it's five times the entire country's tax revenue! Some offer.
Seo Hui and Gamchan urge Hunae to show leniency to the captured traitors, as King Sungjong had wished. "I can grant leniency to the others but not Wonsoong," she says; he tried to kill Gaeryeong/Mokjong twice. All right, Seo says, but honor your word to the king and release Munhwa. Then Gamchan very, very gingerly brings up the issue of a rumor about her and Chiyang. Without hesitation she says, If it's about our being lovers, it's true. Doink! So now apparently she's no longer just thinking about him. "Your highness, that is not acceptable," Seo says sternly. Hunae sees this as strictly personal and nobody's business, but Seo and Gamchan are worried about the influence Chiyang will gain if all of this becomes public knowledge. I won't allow him to gain influence, she assures them, so "don't tie my personal life into politics." Outside, Sa Illa is listening...
...and she goes to Chiyang and reports that Seo and Gamchan were urging Hunae to keep him at a distance. Then she asks him, a bit awkwardly, Your relationship with her is strictly "to further our cause," isn't it? No answer. "You don't really love her, do you?" That's not your concern, he says, and she apologizes for asking. But as he walks away from her, she looks at him with eyes that make us suspect she may have feelings for him.
Hunae tells Chiyang she's decided to execute Wonsoong and spare the others. He tells her about the offer of Wonsoong's fortune for his life. Hunae considers it, but "No. He has repeatedly tried to kill my son." Chiyang effectively argues that Wonsoong has no power any more and that passing up this chance just so you can settle your score would be a mistake. Hunae fires back, "You'd choose money over justice?" Yes, he tells her; We need to strengthen the military, and this will give us the money to do it. "Sacrifice the trivial for the important, your highness." (I really liked this scene; a very interesting moral question.)
Gang Jo finds out from Hyangbi that Chiyang is in Hunae's chambers almost every day. Stop thinking about her, she urges him. But he can't: "How do you stop your heart from loving someone?" Hyangbi still loves him, we can see. But she urges him, Even if it's not me, "find someone else and get married. If it's for your happiness, I can stop my heart." He tells her, "Feelings are so hard to control." (Ugh, Jo got uncharacteristically squishy here.)
The young prince Daeryang is practicing calligraphy in front of the king and Princess Sun. Hunae enters and Sun and Daeryang leave the room. Mokjong isn't happy to see his mother; he won't even look at her. She smiles. You win, she says; I'll release Munhwa. But promise me you'll never again act like you did in today's council meeting. Deal. Then she asks, "How do you feel about getting married?" From his reaction, it's apparently something he's never thought about. To whom?, he asks. She suggests Princess Sun. He's almost comically puzzled by the idea; they've been so close growing up that marrying her never even occurred to him. Outside the room, we see Sun and Daeryang; Sun is listening excitedly. Daeryang scolds her for eavesdropping, and then we hear Hunae, from inside: "Are you listening to this, Sun?" "No, your highness." And too late Sun realized she's busted (and is the only character in the history of K-drama who bungles eavesdropping).
State council meeting: Hunae announces the final decisions on the traitors. Kim Shimun, Seol Shinyu and Yi Yang to be exiled for life; Munhwa "discharged without further order"; Wonsoong to receive absolution on account of surrendering his entire fortune to the state. (There's a bad move right there; why wouldn't he at least be exiled like the others? That one's gonna come back and bite them, you just know it.) Then some much happier news: Mokjong will be marrying Sun. Ministers dutifully congratulate the king, who sits there like he couldn't be more uncomfortable about it all.
We see the three banished Shillans being taken away in prisoner carts.
We see Wonsoong released and taken to Munhwa's villa. He's a mess, no surprise considering he's 60 years old and was just tortured. "I will pay them back for this," Munhwa tells her father; but he says he'll get his own revenge. And hints that even with his estate gone, he's not broke. Which is really no surprise, not for a shrewd operator like him.
Gamchan proposes a nationwide martial arts contest in honor of the emperor's wedding. Gang Jo adds that it would be a good way to find new talent for government service, and suggests eliminating any social-class requirements for entrants. Then Choe Hang enters with news that a Khitan envoy has arrived. What's this all about?
We see a determined-looking Yelu Delie walking into the palace.
Flashback to the Liao royal palace, and a panic-stricken Emperor Shengzong: His mother is returning from an extended stay in the southern capital, during which Goryeo declared itself an empire. "I have failed to stop them," he tells Yelu Dilie. I'll be damned if I have to make that report." He's sending Dilie to Goryeo. "You can make any kind of threats you want. Goryeo is our feudal state and they cannot be an empire!"
Dilie is received by Mokjong, Hunae and the ministers. He cordially congratulates Mokjong on his enthronement as the new king. And then he offers him a scroll sent by Shengzong. But before Mokjong opens it, Hunae stops him. Goryeo is an empire again, she tells Dilie, so please call him emperor from now on. This can only start trouble, of course. "I'm afraid I cannot, your grace," Dilie responds rather calmly. "How could a feudal sate declare itself an empire? It is not permissible." Hunae glares smugly at him. "What would you do if I said I don't care?"