Post by ajk on Sept 19, 2014 23:58:37 GMT -5
As Gongmin performs formal rites in the shrine next to the former king's tomb, SD gallops towards the site in a desperate attempt to warn him of the impending danger...
...but the black-clad assassins running around out there in broad daylight, they're rattled all of a sudden because they're spotting groups of soldiers galloping around. They're not sure who the soldiers are--government or private--but they're having to alter their plans on the fly. And then SD comes galloping by, all alone, and now they're even more confused.
SD reaches the shrine, but just a bit too late. Gongmin has just left for his second destination. So it's back on the horse for another frantic gallop.
"The Guardian is on His Majesty's trail!" Won Hyeon is running around Choseon's estate in a panic, worried that SD will undo their plans. Incredibly, he runs into a room where Park Seobang's wife is tending to Monino, grabs the baby from her arms, runs out to a waiting horse-drawn cart with a covered, enclosed seating area on it, and flees! Good heavens, did he just kidnap the presumed heir to the throne? Mrs. Park runs to tell Choseon, who reacts with surprising calm. "Call your husband," she says.
The assassins have regrouped at a spot along the roadway between the sites of the two tombs Gongmin is visiting. They have high ground and wooded cover, so it's a great spot for them. And here comes the king, right on schedule. They draw their bows and take aim...but suddenly SD gallops into the scene and blocks their aim. He starts to warn Gongmin of danger...but Gongmin interrupts him immediately. Thinks that Master Bou being with him gives him all the protection he needs (or something like that). Meanwhile the assassins shake off their surprise and re-aim...but now here comes a big group of soldiers! The head officer tells Gongmin, "We received orders from Commander Lee Seong Gye to escort you." Gongmin laughs, says there's nothing to worry about...but they accompany him anyway and everybody heads forward. Everybody but SD.
Park Seobang goes to see Choseon; he's been searching for Monino but no word of anybody seeing him. Thinks Won took him outside of the capital. But just then..."There is no reason to worry. Monino is in safe hands." It's Won! Back like he was running an errand. Choseon is dumbfounded. "Bring me that boy immediately!" But Won is in a panic because their assassination plot looks to be falling apart. "We must protect our survival! Our plans went astray, so we shall soon be exposed." Ohhh...well that does explain why he did it. "We must hold His Majesty's son hostage, if we are to protect our health beyond tomorrow!" And he runs out of the room without telling Choseon where the kid is.
Evening: Apparently this was just a one-day trip to the two tombs. Gongmin has returned safely back home. LSG is waiting there and Gongmin credits him for the escort that brought him home safely. And now look at this, Kim Sok Myeong the inspector general is also waiting there with someone who he wants to confess to Gongmin. "If you speak the truth, we shall spare your life." Uh-oh it's Lee In, one of the two officials that was working with Won Hyeon on the plot! He runs forward and grovels before Gongmin. "I was allured by treacherous intents, and participated in these vile machinations!" Says he met Gi Hyeon while working for SD--Gi is the other official we saw with Won...
...and in moments soldiers are invading Gi's home and capturing him! Oh no, wait, that's not him, that's his son. Apparently Gi is hiding at SD's home. Really?
Well whatever, the soldiers head right over to SD's home and demand that Gi be produced. And he immediately is produced...
...and taken to a torture yard and the dirty work starts. Gi is unrepentant and seethes about the nation's difficulties and his frustration with the king.
Park Seobang has gathered all of the workers at Choseon's estate and armed them. "Whatever it takes, we must protect her. Even if it spells death for us all. Understood?" He's fearing that someone will crack and confess to Choseon's role in all this. Only about a dozen men...not gonna do her very much good. Choseon, well, she's not going into hiding. Mumbles something about "If not me, who would protect that man?" (I guess that means SD.)
Oh now they've brought Gi's son into the torture yard and they start working on him as his father is forced to watch. Inspector Kim wants to know who was at the head of the assassination attempt. "The man responsible for all this. Say his name at once!"
A frantic Won Hyeon is before SD, urging him to go talk to Gongmin immediately. "How much longer do you think Gi Hyeon will resist all that torture?! He will surely accuse you." And starts talking again about how the king has to be killed somehow. SD is breaking under the strain of all this and cuts Won off. "I Made a covenant with Buddha! To rescue this country from its grievous misery, save our people from starvation, and create Buddha's world!" But Won doesn't back down. "You think burning a few slave records and returning some land would herald the dawn of a new genesis?! Unless the powerful clans ensnaring the Goryeo royal family are dealt with, not even a decade shall pass before commoners are forced back into slavery, and all the land goes back into the nobles' ravenous claws!" Then he goes off on a tangent: "You wanted a world where commoners can pass the examination and join the court?! When would those people ever find the time for lectures?!" All of their time is spent working to support themselves. "That world shall never come...Unless you slay the King, and sit on his throne!" Won stands up, staggers out of the room in his maniac state, and falls to his knees outside. Back inside, SD is struggling so much with everything now, that suddenly he envisions Master Wolseon sitting before him. "Buddha waited a thousand years," Wolseon says gently; "so why would he not wait another thousand?!" SD starts to cry. "Was it just a vagary of mine, Master? Did I fancy a world which shall never exist, Master?" With a comforting smile, Wolseon gently nods, as in, You finally see what I tried to tell you. He stands up, goes to SD and pats him on the back as SD sits there sobbing, no longer seeming like the prime minister but as the young monk he used to be, and learning a difficult, painful lesson.
Lee Chun Bu and Lee In Im are arguing again. In Im is smirking because he thinks Chun Bu is in big trouble, I guess for staying loyal to SD. "I prepared a safe way of escape for myself already," he says with a smirk. Chun Bu fumes about Lee In Bok (remember, In Im is In Bok's brother) for considering treason...but In Im reminds him that the plot that actually was attempted, well that was all "Pyeonjo's people." And adds as he stands up to leave, "I hope you will take good care of yourself, Your Excellency." And a smarmy laugh. Ugh.
So Chun Bu heads to see the king...but from outside he hears trouble inside...
"How could we properly deal with such treasonous conduct without punishing Pyeonjo?!" Four officials have gone in there and are sitting before Gongmin, obviously trying to drag SD into all this. Lee In Bok, Secretary Gyeong, Inspector General Kim, and that's Choi Young (although how did he get his official position back? News to us). Gongmin is careful: "Did the traitors mention the prime minister's name?" The four squirm a little and have to admit No..."Then we cannot punish him." He's very matter-of-fact about it...and as he adds, and we learn, "Didn't Gi Hyeon and his followers say this was all done to favorably impress the prime minister?" Wow, did they really? "So let us stop mentioning Pyeonjo's name." They keep at him but Gongmin ignores them, and brings in the royal secretary to record an order: "Behead Gi Hyeon and his retinue at the stake, and exile Yoo Woon Mok and Shin Gwi." The four officials protest bitterly, but Gongmin snaps at them. "Pyeonjo is my Guardian! Not to mention a loyal subject acting as my Regent. I shall never punish such a man without clear evidence!" Then he leans forward and shocks them, and us, with his next words: "You wish to slay Pyeonjo? Then bring me evidence." They gasp. "You must bring evidence our people will acknowledge if you wish to slay Pyeonjo." Outside, Chun Bu gasps too, and then skitters away before the other four emerge from inside.
Back inside: "Do not let it dishearten you, Sire." Eunuch Choi steps forward and gently tries to lift the king's spirits. "They might be daunted by Pyeonjo, but they shall soon bring us propitious news." So wait, is Choi now on Gongmin's side? Gongmin is doubtful: "And how do they plan to deal with our people's resentment?" Wow, so does that mean he'd be okay with them presenting evidence? Yikes!
That was fast: Gi Hyeon's head is on a pole, prominently displayed in a public street outside the palace. Also another head, not sure whose. Oh well, two heads are better than one. And the rest of Gi's men are bound and kneeling in the street, with executioners taunting them with big scythes. The taunting is not cool at all, seems unnecessarily cruel...but then the scythes start swinging as mortified citizens look on.
Lee Chun Bu goes to SD and reports what he heard from outside Gongmin's office. "It was of utmost relief to hear His Majesty's sagacity." SD doesn't react to that; instead he glares at Chun Bu and wants to know if he was involved in the plot. Chun Bu wasn't and vehemently denies involvement. SD reminds him that Gongmin has been a good king, present mental state aside, and that removing him would be a risky, dangerous thing to do. Chun Bu protests: "What His Majesty is scheming..." SD cuts him off: "I am well aware of it." Doink! "One day, he shall abandon me as well. That is the essence of power." But just not yet, he says. Seems pretty sure of that. Says the two of them still have one more thing to do.
Chun Bu leaves, and walks over to Won Hyeon who's standing there outside the building. Shakes his head in disappointment. "It will not work. His Eminence trusts His Majesty, just like the dawn faithfully awaiting the sun to kindle the dark." Then SD emerges from inside; he's decided to go see Gongmin right now and sort it all out. This is a brave move! Won believes the support of the people will keep SD safe from harm...
...and the joyous reception SD receives as he trots on his horse through the capital streets suggests that Won is right about that. Wow, they are going crazy for him! Shouting and bowing...no wonder Gongmin is wary about getting proper evidence and not acting against SD arbitrarily.
The palace, well it's surrounded with Lee Seong Gye's troops, and LSG himself is there too. And when Lee In Bok, Choi Yeong and Secretary Gyeong get word that SD is approaching, they wonder whether or not they should even let him get to Gongmin at all.
The QD laughs. "So the people are blocking Pyeonjo's advent, calling him Holy Manjushiri as they wail before him?!" (They were.) Why does she think that's funny? This is serious!
SD does reach the council hall, but the king isn't there. Look who's there, though...Lee In, the subordinate who confessed to the assassination plot. He's with Inspector Kim and obviously is a free man, as promised (which seems generous). He drops to his knees at the sight of SD and begs. "May you forgive me! I have a family to feed." SD tells him to get up, which he reluctantly does. "Much too warm is the embrace of death, when wintry gales can forever swelter your existence. There is no need to repent." Wow, what an oddly generous, forgiving answer. SD leaves and Lee is blown away. "He indeed is the Holy Manjushiri! Our Prime Minister!"
Now SD heads to Gongmin's office...and blows right past Eunuch Choi who says Gongmin is unavailable...and goes into the main hallway. "Announce me." None of the eunuchs wants to do it! Why not--what's the problem? So he announces himself (pretty funny)--interestingly, announces himself as Pyeonjo and not SD. Now we see inside, and oh there is a problem, no question. Consorts Ikbi and Shinbi are plying Gongmin with liquor (Geez, it's still broad daylight outside!) while those two youth palace guards Hong Ryun and Han An look on as they enjoy a meal. Surprisingly, Gongmin bids SD enter. SD doesn't bat an eye at the scene he encounters. "You will pardon me, but I entered the palace to have a drink with Your Majesty." Oh okay, so that explains the old name. Gongmin is giggling and thoroughly soused, so with wild laughter he immediately pours SD a drink. "Take it! Here! Drink it!"
"Go ahead. One word from you shall suffice. The palace is in our hands." Wow...Lee Seong Gye is sitting with Lee In Bok, offering apparently to seize and kill SD. But In Bok knows that for now, SD is still in Gongmin's good graces enough that "Unless His Majesty orders us to, we shall never touch him."
Now Ikbi is running around outside with a whole bunch of those junior guards; the guards are all blindfolded she's daring them to catch her. But uh-oh, look who walks by: Princess Deoknyeong. One angry glare from her puts a stop to all that in a big hurry.
Now it's just SD, sitting before Gongmin as they both swallow their drinks.
Right then and there on the spot, Deoknyeong is taking a switch to Ikbi's exposed calves, punishing her for her behavior. It must be more painful than it looks...and of course it's terribly embarrasing to Ikbi.
"Was it just a mere drink what you came here for?" Of course not..."I have a request as well, Sire." What is it? "May you accept Ban Ya." Gongmin sneers; he's surprised: "I thought you would implore me to save your life." No, SD answers; I have no secular attachment to my life in this world. The answer infuriates Gongmin. He continues, "I used the rebirth incantation, and invoked Her Majesty's spirit to possess Ban Ya's soul. Were you not blessed with Monino thanks to all that?" But Gongmin doesn't even care about that. He gets right in SD's face. "Throngs of people outside are awaiting my punishing blade to slay you." SD doesn't flinch. Gongmin glares at him: "Just give the word. 'Let us start the construction again.' What is so troublesome about that?" But no, SD stands firm: "We cannot build that shrine." Now Gongmin changes tone, and implores him...reminds him about their long friendship since back in Yanjing when their lives were both in disarray. And with everything they've been through, "It was you and I who made Goryeo what it is today! But must we abandon all this?! Because of a damned shrine construction, must our friendship end?!" SD insists that building an opulent shrine will do nothing for the people. His arguing infuriates Gongmin to the point where he orders SD away. For good! "Get out of my sight! I shall never see your vile head again!!" So SD calmly leaves, and as he does so hears Gongmin muttering to the portrait of Noguk in his office. "Look, my dear. Look at him coveting my throne. See him instigate our people!" How sad. As he leaves, SD recalls one of his conversations with Noguk..."His Majesty is just like a child," she says with a smile. "That innocent child must contend with the darkness beclouding our court, so would his path be free of obstacles?!" She goes on a bit, and eventually turns to Pyeonjo. "Should death befall me, you must take care of His Majesty for me. Even if decadent caprices engulf him, you must endure them and wait for him to find solace." Well there's a very insightful observation; prescient, actually. "He was blessed with a good heart, so he shall return to the righteous path." Flashback ends...
...as Gongmin falls to his knees in a heap inside his office, crying bitterly next to Noguk's portrait.
Nighttime: SD is with Deokun and Auntie, who are desperately concerned about Ban Ya. "She misses her child so much...What can we do?" Not sure where we are; is this at Gaetae Temple?
"How could this happen, my dear? Pyeonjo abandoned me and left." Now Gongmin is alone and despondent. "And I tried so ardently to change his mind. But he left without any hesitation. Yes! Pyeonjo abandoned me." He's crying again as he downs more alcohol. Yeah, just like a child feeling abandoned. Noguk was right.
Hey it's Ban Ya! Okay, this is Choseon's estate; Ban Ya is sitting with Choseon and SD, looking utterly heartbroken. Choseon says "I told her if she remains here, you never know what might befall her. But she refuses to listen." Ban Ya won't listen because she wants to meet Gongmin again. "Just once...Allow me to meet His Majesty."
Next day: What's this? Council hall, a council meeting, Gongmin on the throne, and envoys from Ming in front of him. They've brought an edict from their emperor. Gongmin chuckles snidely.
"Let us hear what this 'Great' Ming Empire's ruler has to say." He's assuming some sort of trouble or silliness, of course, and why wouldn't he. So Secretary Gyeong takes the scroll and opens it up...and his eyes widen. "'I shall hereby proclaim Prince Gangneung as the King of Goryeo.'" A much more favorable gesture than the Yuan ever gave him, but Gongmin sneers at it: "Oh my! I cannot believe my ears, His Imperial Majesty blessed me with such benevolence?!" Then Gyeong reads on:
Lee Chun Bu tells SD about all this. "The entire palace is in tumult," he reports. SD is concerned for Gongmin's state of mind.
Outside the Sungkyunkwan Academy, the junior scholars are debating what this all means. Lee Saek listens to them, but keeps quiet.
Gongmin is still alone in his office, kneeling before Noguk's portrait, and so angry he looks like he's about to explode. But now he starts laughing in frustration. "The Yuan collapse into oblivion...and now the Ming are acting like our keepers!" He doesn't realize that SD has come into the room and is standing behind him.
...but the black-clad assassins running around out there in broad daylight, they're rattled all of a sudden because they're spotting groups of soldiers galloping around. They're not sure who the soldiers are--government or private--but they're having to alter their plans on the fly. And then SD comes galloping by, all alone, and now they're even more confused.
SD reaches the shrine, but just a bit too late. Gongmin has just left for his second destination. So it's back on the horse for another frantic gallop.
"The Guardian is on His Majesty's trail!" Won Hyeon is running around Choseon's estate in a panic, worried that SD will undo their plans. Incredibly, he runs into a room where Park Seobang's wife is tending to Monino, grabs the baby from her arms, runs out to a waiting horse-drawn cart with a covered, enclosed seating area on it, and flees! Good heavens, did he just kidnap the presumed heir to the throne? Mrs. Park runs to tell Choseon, who reacts with surprising calm. "Call your husband," she says.
The assassins have regrouped at a spot along the roadway between the sites of the two tombs Gongmin is visiting. They have high ground and wooded cover, so it's a great spot for them. And here comes the king, right on schedule. They draw their bows and take aim...but suddenly SD gallops into the scene and blocks their aim. He starts to warn Gongmin of danger...but Gongmin interrupts him immediately. Thinks that Master Bou being with him gives him all the protection he needs (or something like that). Meanwhile the assassins shake off their surprise and re-aim...but now here comes a big group of soldiers! The head officer tells Gongmin, "We received orders from Commander Lee Seong Gye to escort you." Gongmin laughs, says there's nothing to worry about...but they accompany him anyway and everybody heads forward. Everybody but SD.
Park Seobang goes to see Choseon; he's been searching for Monino but no word of anybody seeing him. Thinks Won took him outside of the capital. But just then..."There is no reason to worry. Monino is in safe hands." It's Won! Back like he was running an errand. Choseon is dumbfounded. "Bring me that boy immediately!" But Won is in a panic because their assassination plot looks to be falling apart. "We must protect our survival! Our plans went astray, so we shall soon be exposed." Ohhh...well that does explain why he did it. "We must hold His Majesty's son hostage, if we are to protect our health beyond tomorrow!" And he runs out of the room without telling Choseon where the kid is.
Evening: Apparently this was just a one-day trip to the two tombs. Gongmin has returned safely back home. LSG is waiting there and Gongmin credits him for the escort that brought him home safely. And now look at this, Kim Sok Myeong the inspector general is also waiting there with someone who he wants to confess to Gongmin. "If you speak the truth, we shall spare your life." Uh-oh it's Lee In, one of the two officials that was working with Won Hyeon on the plot! He runs forward and grovels before Gongmin. "I was allured by treacherous intents, and participated in these vile machinations!" Says he met Gi Hyeon while working for SD--Gi is the other official we saw with Won...
...and in moments soldiers are invading Gi's home and capturing him! Oh no, wait, that's not him, that's his son. Apparently Gi is hiding at SD's home. Really?
Well whatever, the soldiers head right over to SD's home and demand that Gi be produced. And he immediately is produced...
...and taken to a torture yard and the dirty work starts. Gi is unrepentant and seethes about the nation's difficulties and his frustration with the king.
Park Seobang has gathered all of the workers at Choseon's estate and armed them. "Whatever it takes, we must protect her. Even if it spells death for us all. Understood?" He's fearing that someone will crack and confess to Choseon's role in all this. Only about a dozen men...not gonna do her very much good. Choseon, well, she's not going into hiding. Mumbles something about "If not me, who would protect that man?" (I guess that means SD.)
Oh now they've brought Gi's son into the torture yard and they start working on him as his father is forced to watch. Inspector Kim wants to know who was at the head of the assassination attempt. "The man responsible for all this. Say his name at once!"
A frantic Won Hyeon is before SD, urging him to go talk to Gongmin immediately. "How much longer do you think Gi Hyeon will resist all that torture?! He will surely accuse you." And starts talking again about how the king has to be killed somehow. SD is breaking under the strain of all this and cuts Won off. "I Made a covenant with Buddha! To rescue this country from its grievous misery, save our people from starvation, and create Buddha's world!" But Won doesn't back down. "You think burning a few slave records and returning some land would herald the dawn of a new genesis?! Unless the powerful clans ensnaring the Goryeo royal family are dealt with, not even a decade shall pass before commoners are forced back into slavery, and all the land goes back into the nobles' ravenous claws!" Then he goes off on a tangent: "You wanted a world where commoners can pass the examination and join the court?! When would those people ever find the time for lectures?!" All of their time is spent working to support themselves. "That world shall never come...Unless you slay the King, and sit on his throne!" Won stands up, staggers out of the room in his maniac state, and falls to his knees outside. Back inside, SD is struggling so much with everything now, that suddenly he envisions Master Wolseon sitting before him. "Buddha waited a thousand years," Wolseon says gently; "so why would he not wait another thousand?!" SD starts to cry. "Was it just a vagary of mine, Master? Did I fancy a world which shall never exist, Master?" With a comforting smile, Wolseon gently nods, as in, You finally see what I tried to tell you. He stands up, goes to SD and pats him on the back as SD sits there sobbing, no longer seeming like the prime minister but as the young monk he used to be, and learning a difficult, painful lesson.
Lee Chun Bu and Lee In Im are arguing again. In Im is smirking because he thinks Chun Bu is in big trouble, I guess for staying loyal to SD. "I prepared a safe way of escape for myself already," he says with a smirk. Chun Bu fumes about Lee In Bok (remember, In Im is In Bok's brother) for considering treason...but In Im reminds him that the plot that actually was attempted, well that was all "Pyeonjo's people." And adds as he stands up to leave, "I hope you will take good care of yourself, Your Excellency." And a smarmy laugh. Ugh.
So Chun Bu heads to see the king...but from outside he hears trouble inside...
"How could we properly deal with such treasonous conduct without punishing Pyeonjo?!" Four officials have gone in there and are sitting before Gongmin, obviously trying to drag SD into all this. Lee In Bok, Secretary Gyeong, Inspector General Kim, and that's Choi Young (although how did he get his official position back? News to us). Gongmin is careful: "Did the traitors mention the prime minister's name?" The four squirm a little and have to admit No..."Then we cannot punish him." He's very matter-of-fact about it...and as he adds, and we learn, "Didn't Gi Hyeon and his followers say this was all done to favorably impress the prime minister?" Wow, did they really? "So let us stop mentioning Pyeonjo's name." They keep at him but Gongmin ignores them, and brings in the royal secretary to record an order: "Behead Gi Hyeon and his retinue at the stake, and exile Yoo Woon Mok and Shin Gwi." The four officials protest bitterly, but Gongmin snaps at them. "Pyeonjo is my Guardian! Not to mention a loyal subject acting as my Regent. I shall never punish such a man without clear evidence!" Then he leans forward and shocks them, and us, with his next words: "You wish to slay Pyeonjo? Then bring me evidence." They gasp. "You must bring evidence our people will acknowledge if you wish to slay Pyeonjo." Outside, Chun Bu gasps too, and then skitters away before the other four emerge from inside.
Back inside: "Do not let it dishearten you, Sire." Eunuch Choi steps forward and gently tries to lift the king's spirits. "They might be daunted by Pyeonjo, but they shall soon bring us propitious news." So wait, is Choi now on Gongmin's side? Gongmin is doubtful: "And how do they plan to deal with our people's resentment?" Wow, so does that mean he'd be okay with them presenting evidence? Yikes!
That was fast: Gi Hyeon's head is on a pole, prominently displayed in a public street outside the palace. Also another head, not sure whose. Oh well, two heads are better than one. And the rest of Gi's men are bound and kneeling in the street, with executioners taunting them with big scythes. The taunting is not cool at all, seems unnecessarily cruel...but then the scythes start swinging as mortified citizens look on.
Lee Chun Bu goes to SD and reports what he heard from outside Gongmin's office. "It was of utmost relief to hear His Majesty's sagacity." SD doesn't react to that; instead he glares at Chun Bu and wants to know if he was involved in the plot. Chun Bu wasn't and vehemently denies involvement. SD reminds him that Gongmin has been a good king, present mental state aside, and that removing him would be a risky, dangerous thing to do. Chun Bu protests: "What His Majesty is scheming..." SD cuts him off: "I am well aware of it." Doink! "One day, he shall abandon me as well. That is the essence of power." But just not yet, he says. Seems pretty sure of that. Says the two of them still have one more thing to do.
Chun Bu leaves, and walks over to Won Hyeon who's standing there outside the building. Shakes his head in disappointment. "It will not work. His Eminence trusts His Majesty, just like the dawn faithfully awaiting the sun to kindle the dark." Then SD emerges from inside; he's decided to go see Gongmin right now and sort it all out. This is a brave move! Won believes the support of the people will keep SD safe from harm...
...and the joyous reception SD receives as he trots on his horse through the capital streets suggests that Won is right about that. Wow, they are going crazy for him! Shouting and bowing...no wonder Gongmin is wary about getting proper evidence and not acting against SD arbitrarily.
The palace, well it's surrounded with Lee Seong Gye's troops, and LSG himself is there too. And when Lee In Bok, Choi Yeong and Secretary Gyeong get word that SD is approaching, they wonder whether or not they should even let him get to Gongmin at all.
The QD laughs. "So the people are blocking Pyeonjo's advent, calling him Holy Manjushiri as they wail before him?!" (They were.) Why does she think that's funny? This is serious!
SD does reach the council hall, but the king isn't there. Look who's there, though...Lee In, the subordinate who confessed to the assassination plot. He's with Inspector Kim and obviously is a free man, as promised (which seems generous). He drops to his knees at the sight of SD and begs. "May you forgive me! I have a family to feed." SD tells him to get up, which he reluctantly does. "Much too warm is the embrace of death, when wintry gales can forever swelter your existence. There is no need to repent." Wow, what an oddly generous, forgiving answer. SD leaves and Lee is blown away. "He indeed is the Holy Manjushiri! Our Prime Minister!"
Now SD heads to Gongmin's office...and blows right past Eunuch Choi who says Gongmin is unavailable...and goes into the main hallway. "Announce me." None of the eunuchs wants to do it! Why not--what's the problem? So he announces himself (pretty funny)--interestingly, announces himself as Pyeonjo and not SD. Now we see inside, and oh there is a problem, no question. Consorts Ikbi and Shinbi are plying Gongmin with liquor (Geez, it's still broad daylight outside!) while those two youth palace guards Hong Ryun and Han An look on as they enjoy a meal. Surprisingly, Gongmin bids SD enter. SD doesn't bat an eye at the scene he encounters. "You will pardon me, but I entered the palace to have a drink with Your Majesty." Oh okay, so that explains the old name. Gongmin is giggling and thoroughly soused, so with wild laughter he immediately pours SD a drink. "Take it! Here! Drink it!"
"Go ahead. One word from you shall suffice. The palace is in our hands." Wow...Lee Seong Gye is sitting with Lee In Bok, offering apparently to seize and kill SD. But In Bok knows that for now, SD is still in Gongmin's good graces enough that "Unless His Majesty orders us to, we shall never touch him."
Now Ikbi is running around outside with a whole bunch of those junior guards; the guards are all blindfolded she's daring them to catch her. But uh-oh, look who walks by: Princess Deoknyeong. One angry glare from her puts a stop to all that in a big hurry.
Now it's just SD, sitting before Gongmin as they both swallow their drinks.
Right then and there on the spot, Deoknyeong is taking a switch to Ikbi's exposed calves, punishing her for her behavior. It must be more painful than it looks...and of course it's terribly embarrasing to Ikbi.
"Was it just a mere drink what you came here for?" Of course not..."I have a request as well, Sire." What is it? "May you accept Ban Ya." Gongmin sneers; he's surprised: "I thought you would implore me to save your life." No, SD answers; I have no secular attachment to my life in this world. The answer infuriates Gongmin. He continues, "I used the rebirth incantation, and invoked Her Majesty's spirit to possess Ban Ya's soul. Were you not blessed with Monino thanks to all that?" But Gongmin doesn't even care about that. He gets right in SD's face. "Throngs of people outside are awaiting my punishing blade to slay you." SD doesn't flinch. Gongmin glares at him: "Just give the word. 'Let us start the construction again.' What is so troublesome about that?" But no, SD stands firm: "We cannot build that shrine." Now Gongmin changes tone, and implores him...reminds him about their long friendship since back in Yanjing when their lives were both in disarray. And with everything they've been through, "It was you and I who made Goryeo what it is today! But must we abandon all this?! Because of a damned shrine construction, must our friendship end?!" SD insists that building an opulent shrine will do nothing for the people. His arguing infuriates Gongmin to the point where he orders SD away. For good! "Get out of my sight! I shall never see your vile head again!!" So SD calmly leaves, and as he does so hears Gongmin muttering to the portrait of Noguk in his office. "Look, my dear. Look at him coveting my throne. See him instigate our people!" How sad. As he leaves, SD recalls one of his conversations with Noguk..."His Majesty is just like a child," she says with a smile. "That innocent child must contend with the darkness beclouding our court, so would his path be free of obstacles?!" She goes on a bit, and eventually turns to Pyeonjo. "Should death befall me, you must take care of His Majesty for me. Even if decadent caprices engulf him, you must endure them and wait for him to find solace." Well there's a very insightful observation; prescient, actually. "He was blessed with a good heart, so he shall return to the righteous path." Flashback ends...
...as Gongmin falls to his knees in a heap inside his office, crying bitterly next to Noguk's portrait.
Nighttime: SD is with Deokun and Auntie, who are desperately concerned about Ban Ya. "She misses her child so much...What can we do?" Not sure where we are; is this at Gaetae Temple?
"How could this happen, my dear? Pyeonjo abandoned me and left." Now Gongmin is alone and despondent. "And I tried so ardently to change his mind. But he left without any hesitation. Yes! Pyeonjo abandoned me." He's crying again as he downs more alcohol. Yeah, just like a child feeling abandoned. Noguk was right.
Hey it's Ban Ya! Okay, this is Choseon's estate; Ban Ya is sitting with Choseon and SD, looking utterly heartbroken. Choseon says "I told her if she remains here, you never know what might befall her. But she refuses to listen." Ban Ya won't listen because she wants to meet Gongmin again. "Just once...Allow me to meet His Majesty."
Next day: What's this? Council hall, a council meeting, Gongmin on the throne, and envoys from Ming in front of him. They've brought an edict from their emperor. Gongmin chuckles snidely.
"Let us hear what this 'Great' Ming Empire's ruler has to say." He's assuming some sort of trouble or silliness, of course, and why wouldn't he. So Secretary Gyeong takes the scroll and opens it up...and his eyes widen. "'I shall hereby proclaim Prince Gangneung as the King of Goryeo.'" A much more favorable gesture than the Yuan ever gave him, but Gongmin sneers at it: "Oh my! I cannot believe my ears, His Imperial Majesty blessed me with such benevolence?!" Then Gyeong reads on:
I recently asked my subjects to describe your king, and they revealed to me how he has only consideration for Buddhism. What is more, his people are forced to live miles away from their shores, and once I asked them why. I was told it was a result of the Wokou's spoilage. I asked about their castle walls, and I was alerted how there might be people but no walls. And once I asked about their armaments and troops, and was told they sorely lack in every area. I finally asked about the King's dwellings, and was reminded how there was no conscionable place to deliberate on state affairs. Should this be truly Goryeo's situation, I am deeply perturbed and concerned about its future.Ouch! Gongmin stands up angrily. "Convey these words to Zhu Yuanzhang! I am grateful for his concerns, but tell him to never interfere in our state matters again!" Actually that's a very diplomatic response for as angry as he is. He marches down the steps and out of the building, eunuchs following behind.
Lee Chun Bu tells SD about all this. "The entire palace is in tumult," he reports. SD is concerned for Gongmin's state of mind.
Outside the Sungkyunkwan Academy, the junior scholars are debating what this all means. Lee Saek listens to them, but keeps quiet.
Gongmin is still alone in his office, kneeling before Noguk's portrait, and so angry he looks like he's about to explode. But now he starts laughing in frustration. "The Yuan collapse into oblivion...and now the Ming are acting like our keepers!" He doesn't realize that SD has come into the room and is standing behind him.