Post by ajk on Feb 21, 2014 23:19:03 GMT -5
Physicians are summoned as the word gets out about Noguk's collapse. Gongmin rushes to her palace...but his mother gets there at the same time and tells him to go away! "This is a matter for us palace ladies," she says dismissively. Well, fair enough, I guess. She goes in to find out what the problem is...
...and finds Noguk still unconscious, now laying under warm covers. She threatens the attendants with death...and then the same with the physicians. Princess Deoknyeong is there and calms her down as best she can, but then has to tell her exactly what's going on. "A lump is inside Her Majesty's womb, and if things go wrong, she might lose her life during childbirth," and it might be better to force a miscarriage right now. That doesn't go over well, to say the least. "No matter what," the QD says before storming out of the room, "the Queen shall give birth to a prince!"
Gongmin is still waiting outside in the chilly night air. But he can hear his mother's angry ranting, and she leaves the palace continuing to insist upon what she just said inside. Finally Gongmin is allowed in. He's been in a near-panic, but the sight of his wife resting comfortably calms him, sort of.
"What's the use of a queen who can't even give us a prince?" The QD returns home, keeping up the heartless muttering. She looks at Lee Hyebi standing there in the room as an attendant. "If he had another young and stout consort at his side, we could stop worrying about our blood line." Poor Hyebi.
Gongmin takes his wife's hand...and she starts to revive. He smiles at her--how can he help himself, he's so relieved to see her awake--and tells her that his mother was simply distraught and didn't mean what she was saying. Did Noguk hear what she said? Apparently yes, because she tells her husband, "How could my wish differ from Her Highness's?" Don't worry, she says; "Whatever it takes, I shall give birth to this child."
Next morning: Ministers are gathering at the council hall. The queen's condition is the hot topic.
Now Inspector Kim is before the QD, reporting everything happening in the council hall. Eunuch Choi arrives to tell her that her son won't be able to pay his morning respects today. To which she grumbles about "What an encumbrance his excessive devotion has become!" What a horrible person. Even Inspector Kim, who's not exactly Mister Warm and Fuzzy, can sympathize with the king. "He was engulfed by loneliness in Yanjing," he reminds the QD. But she doesn't care. She wants a consort named and wants the officials to press the king about it.
What a good husband. Gongmin is feeding his wife spoonfuls of food and encouraging her to eat what she can. Being so patient and caring with her--it's very touching.
Won Hyeon and his crew are at another warehouse, opening it up and seizing its contents. As we eventually learn, this isn't a collaborator's warehouse; it belongs to one of the powerful clans, which somehow managed to get its hands on collaborator assets at some point. That's strange. This has gotten more complicated.
"Did you say royal command?!" Master Bou, at the royal temple, has just been told something by Pyeonjo that he doesn't like. "So with that you plan to unearth all the temples' possessions?" As we learn, some of the influential monks were in cahoots with collaborators. Land was acquired by temples, and commoners were made temple slaves. Pyeonjo assures Bou that he isn't trying to seize all of the temples' assets, just those that were ill-gotten. His assurance seems to satisfy Bou.
Pyeonjo leaves the temple, recalling the scene we saw in flashback in episode 15, when Master Wolseon and the boy Pyeonjo pulled territorial markers out of the ground because Wolseon didn't want the temple to own land that the people should be owning. Obviously that experience made a huge impression on the young boy.
"Pyeonjo is overstepping his authority." Uh-oh. Jihyo is complaining to Master Bou. Bou agrees with him. But then admits that "what he's doing is the right thing." Jihyo keeps complaining about Pyeonjo, though. "Unless he's a living Buddha, he might be a demon after all."
Lady Kim goes to Choseon to update her on the queen's situation. Turns out, the royal physicians know exactly what's wrong with the queen and how serious it is; they're just afraid to be frank about it for fear of the QD. Choseon sighs, concerned and wanting to help. "How are we going to deal with this?"
But here's some better news, at least: look at all of the tea being handled outside by Choseon's employees! Wow, she's doing brisk business again. Haven't seen this in a while. We learn that this tea came in from the Middle Kingdom, so somehow (we're not told how) that market became open again and she was able to acquire a big supply. As she and Pyeonjo look things over, Won Hyeon and Gong Cheol show up, carrying written records of what they found at that warehouse. They're disgusted to have found that this whole thing went well beyond the collaborators, and now they want to investigate the high government officials because they suspect them of the same conduct.
"Cause a miscarriage?" Deoknyeong is trying to pitch the idea to the QD. Tells her that giving birth may well kill Noguk. But the QD has little sympathy. "I endured even worse torment giving birth to His Majesty!", she insists. She utterly rejects the physicians' assessment and warns that if she hears it again, "there will be hell to pay!"
Deoknyeong goes outside where the senior royal physician is waiting. The princess asks him point-blank, "Is what you told me the truth?" Well of course it is...but now the poor guy is on his knees, begging the princess for any kind of protection because he thinks his head will roll if the QD gets much angrier. "Her Majesty's life is at stake here," she fires back. "Either way, your head is on the line!" So be frank with her, she orders. (Once again proving that being a royal physician is the worst job ever. EVER!)
Okay, good--Gongmin got Pyeonjo's scroll listing the collaborators' assets. Pyeonjo is there and he's looking it over with amazement. Such a long scroll; so many assets..."and that list is not even complete," Pyeonjo says. He starts to explain exactly how they did it: trafficking of official posts; pocketing tax revenue from the provinces; stealing commoners' farmland; suppressing the private merchants in the capital; loan-sharking the poor..."Enough." Gongmin has to stop him; he can't take it any more. "We shall confiscate all of this!" But Pyeonjo tells him, "More than half of what is listed there vanished into thin air." Gongmin is aghast. How is that possible? Reluctantly, Pyeonjo tells him--after first extracting a promise that those responsible will be punished--and now we know how it happened. That night when the collaborators were eliminated, well, the high officials and the powerful clans sent their own private guards and their slaves to join in on the assaults. With instructions to gather up as much loot as they could. Gongmin is furious--particularly with the officials: "And they boasted to high heaven about their meritorious conduct, straight to my face?!" I want their names, Gongmin demands; "I shall summon them to the palace, and ask them once again, eye to eye!"
Now the problem with all this is that Eunuch Choi has been in the room and heard the whole thing. And he goes outside, and heads right to Inspector Kim! "This is a most serious matter, Your Excellency. This man named Pyeonjo is telling His Majesty everything." Now why would he do that? He must have some sleazy role in it, that's why. Good heavens. And Kim is very worried about it, so he must be in on it too. "He's digging his own grave," Kim mutters to himself about Pyeonjo.
Back inside, Gongmin and Pyeonjo are staring intensely at each other...and then suddenly Gongmin starts to crack up laughing! "The rumors must be spreading all over the palace by now," he says with glee. Pyeonjo is laughing right along with him...and now we realize, the two of them deliberately staged the whole angry conversation, knowing full well just what Choi would do! How funny is that? "So all you need to do," Pyeonjo says, "is wait and let them come to you, Your Majesty." Well if that don't beat all. What a great idea--certainly a lot less trouble than having to investigate and prosecute them. They can't stop laughing about it.
"Aren't you ashamed of yourselves? Think how aghast His Majesty will feel!" It's already working like a charm. Looks like all of the high officials are gathered in the council hall, and Jung Se Woon is reading them the riot act. "You need to give it all back! If what that man Pyeonjo says is right, everything shall be returned, and those responsible should answer by taking off their official robes!" He storms out in anger, and now the room is buzzing and they're all outdoing each other with the huffing and posturing. Pretty darned funny.
Now Lee In Bok goes straight to the king and tells him to keep the whole thing quiet and let it blow over. He argues that it's too big a distraction right now, what with the troops about to invade the northern territories. Save this for afterwards, Lee pleads, and then you'll have all the time you want to take care of it. It seems like a pretty weak argument...but Gongmin is at least listening to him.
Noguk tells Princess Deoknyeong she's taken medicines prepared by the physicians and is feeling much better. She does look and sound better. And she's bound and determined to give birth, even as her friend desperately pleads with her not to try it. "Even if he will never admit it, His Majesty is waiting for this child just as fervently as his mother." A consort can do this, Deoknyeong argues, but the queen won't hear of it. "I'd rather die." Seriously? "I could not bear to see that." Deoknyeong keeps trying. Kings always have consorts, she argues; it's highly unusual that Gongmin still doesn't have any. If this keeps up, people will accuse you of jealousy. But now Noguk is crying tears of frustration. "I cannot even imagine it. His Majesty, embracing the child his consort gave birth to, laughing and jovial." Wow, maybe she really is a little jealous...or maybe it's something else. "If I can't give birth to His Majesty's child," she says, "how could I say I truly love him?" Wow. Deoknyeong leaves her; she tried her hardest but couldn't budge Noguk. (This was a terrific scene.)
Why is Deokun at the front door of Choseon's estate? He's looking for Pyeonjo, and finds him. "The Master is not well." Pyeonjo doubts it's anything more than Wolseon's usual griping and overdramatics, but Deokun says this time it's real and serious. "He refuses to take even a single sip of water." Pyeonjo says he'll head right for Gaetae Temple.
We have a first report from the front, which Lee In Bok gives to the king. In the west, In Dang is ready to attack, and Yoo In Woo has already reached the commandery in Ssangseong.
Ssangseong territory: Lee Ja Chun rides out on horseback to meet the Goryean forces, presumably to surrender to them. His son Lee Seonggye is with him, and so is Jo Dochi, adjutant to commander Jo So Saeng, who we meet for the first time. Lee tells Woo that all of the other generals have also agreed to surrender, but not Commander Jo. Lee will go back and try again with Jo; Woo says he'll wait one day and then the Goryeans will have to attack. That doesn't go over very well with Lee and his son...but they're in no position to argue about it, so they head back.
Evening: A tense confrontation between Jo So Saeng and his subordinate generals. He's furious at them and orders them to attack the Goryean forces. But they're all Goryeans themselves and won't do it. Jo waves his sword at them, but in moments there are five swords at his neck so what can he do but drop his own. Then Jo Dochi speaks up, looking out for his boss. "If word gets out that Commander Jo was in contact with Lord Deokseong," he points out, "even surrender shall not convince them to spare his life. How about we think of our past together, and allow him to flee?" The two Lees think it over...
...and they let him go. "Just wait, you fools," Jo mutters as he mounts his horse. "I shall inform His Majesty (Emperor Shundi) and condemn you all as traitors!" What an ungrateful toad. But his generals let him leave anyway and watch him gallop away into the darkness, accompanied only by three guards.
The next day, at the south bank of the Amnok River: In Dang has gotten word of Woo's success so far and it's made him jealous. Choi Young and Kang Jung Gyeong, a subordinate general who we meet for the first time, remind him that Woo is dealing with ethnic Goryeans, not Yuan troops; totally different situation. But In doesn't care. We're deploying tomorrow, he says, and that's final. He storms away, leaving a very angry Kang in his wake. Kang orders scouts to do reconnaissance on the Yuan troops, but doesn't want to deploy troops until the scouts return.
Yanjing, the next day: Commissioner Park tells Empress Gi that the Yuan troops and supply bases around the Amnok are seeking reinforcements. But the empress is preoccupied with something else. "Anonymous reports are circulating regarding Qunluan's intents to gather the adherents of the late King of Wei and attack Yanjing." That would be much more serious...if it's accurate. Park doubts that it is, and warns her that Goryean success in reclaiming their territories would make it hard "to deal with their newfound vigor." The empress shakes her head in disgust. "I was foolish. I should have killed Botap Shili along with her father. She still does not understand my intentions." And then she drops a staggering bomb on us. "When my son inherits the throne of this empire, I will permanently give Goryeo all its lost territory back. Not just the Ssangseong and Amnok territories; "I'd give them back both Liaodong and the Jurchen land as well." WOW!! Park looks past this incredible admission for the moment, again urging her to send reinforcements, but she snaps at him. "How many times do I need to tell you?! I can't get the blood of Goryeo people on my hands!" Can't...or won't?
Ssangseong territory: Oh dear, trouble already. A celebratory meal for the top generals of the Goryean and Ssangseong forces, and a very drunk Yoo In Woo is talking smack about how he would have whipped the Ssangseong army if they hadn't surrendered. Calls them "traitors who abandoned your country and ran away like cowards" to serve the Yuan. And tells them they'd better go out and bring back Jo So Saeng so that "I can get my due honors." And when Jo Dochi complains about all this, Yoo promptly pulls out his sword and kills him! Flops forward face-first right onto the table. Lee Ja Chun and Lee Seonggye are horrified, and look like they're thinking they may not have made such a wise decision.
Northwest territory: Oh no, trouble here too! General Kang didn't deploy the troops that In Dang told him to. He's been arrested and is brought before In. Kang reminds In about the king's orders, but In doesn't care. Over Jung Se Woon's objections, In promptly pulls out his sword and kills him. And walks away like he swatted a fly.
A smiling Gongmin is reading glowing reports of Yuan retreats in the north. Now all of a sudden he starts talking about snagging Liaodong as well! What's gotten into him? He was so insistent before about being careful not to cross into any Yuan territory. Lee In Bok, who brought him the reports, urges him not to think about such a thing. The Yuan didn't retreat because of fear or weakness, Lee says, but "because our cause was just, much more so than theirs." He passionately argues against going any farther, suggesting that the whole thing has been almost TOO easy so far. And to his credit, Gongmin listens...and nods in agreement. "A sly fox like Empress Gi giving up so easily is making me nervous as well. She must be scheming something." And he says nothing more about Liaodong. Listening and being open-minded like a good leader. So he changes the subject--to Pyeonjo. Who went back to Gaetae Temple, but neither he nor Lee nor Eunuch Choi knows why. Gongmin assumes (or else takes advantage of the situation to suggest) that Pyeonjo is disappointed at having done so much in the effort against the collaborators "but he doesn't even have a meager position to show for it." And he gives Lee a blank look...like, what do you think about that? No answer. I should give him an official position, he continues..."But the way to do that still escapes me."...like, got any ideas? No answer.
A frantic Pyeonjo arrives at Gaetae Temple. And finds Wolseon eating and looking very well! Nothing wrong with him. And he's in better spirits than we've seen him in for quite a while. Says "I wanted to see you for one last time while you're still alive." Huh? Seems like the old guy was just feeling lonely. Pyeonjo isn't too happy about that, understandably...but eventually calms down and decides to spend the night there.
Evening: Noguk is at the royal shrine, alone and kneeling in prayer. Suddenly she slumps over to her side. She's bleeding from the womb. Heavily.