My Dearest (연인)

(This drama is a work of fiction created based on historical facts.)

(Most of the details and depictions of the characters are fictional.)

Thank you for releasing Lady Yoo.

I said I would let that woman live.

I did not say I would allow you to keep her by your side.

Now, that girl...

must return to Joseon.

I am someone who keeps her promises.

I would never hurt a woman...

with my own hands.

However, bad things will happen to the Joseon captives...

living in Simyang.

Even if they were released,

if someone else claims ownership of them,

they will become slaves again.

If they lose their release papers,

they will become escapees and have their ankles slashed.

If they hold on to fake release papers,

their ears will be pierced.

Or worse, beheaded...

Back off. We are sparring.

If you lay a finger on her,

I will kill you.

I understand...

how you feel.

You see, even the thought of you dying...

tortures me too.

You want to save her?

In that case,

send her to Joseon.

I am glad you came.

I was writing a letter to send to Joseon.

Have you decided...

to return to Joseon?

No.

I must repay the kindness of the person who saved my life.

I am writing that I will not be able to go to Joseon for the time being.

I will not leave.

If I am a curse to Interpreter Lee,

I am also the only one who can break that curse.

If Lord Lee needs me,

I will stay for as long as necessary...

and help his recovery.

Your Majesty.

Congratulations on your victory in war.

We may have won,

but we have lost so many soldiers.

We have yet to conquer the Shanhai Pass.

(Shanhai Pass: an important region at the eastern end of the Great Wall)

Your Majesty.

Enjoy the victory.

This moment onwards will be crucial.

We must prove that the Qing have been given the right to rule from the skies.

To do so,

we must not lose the public's favor.

Gak Hwa.

It has been a long time since I have put you in charge of the palace women.

I told you not to cause any problems...

about abusing a Joseon slave woman.

These days,

how are the women of the royal household?

How could I go against your order?

I have been...

managing them well.

I know...

I can trust in you.

Then, Your Majesty,

please put me in charge of the Joseon captives as well.

Gak Hwa.

You are my daughter who has saved my life.

I could...

even give you the whole world.

I was aware...

that you were...

hunting for Joseon captives while wearing a disguise.

However,

you must not cross the line.

If you treat the slaves cruelly,

we will lose the public's support.

So...

Your Majesty.

Call the royal physician.

Hurry!

Royal physician!

Where is the royal physician?

The news from Simyang in recent days is quite unusual.

The Khan's illness must be severe.

He is severely ill?

The Khan would not have changed his mind due to his illness, would he?

By any chance,

he will not blame me for the Ming ship...

that has appeared on Joseon shores, will he?

Has Choi Myung Gil, who has been taken to Simyang,

not sent any word?

At first, Choi Myung Gil said he would take responsibility for everything.

how is it that he is still alive...

and only watching me being interrogated?

Kim Sang Heon and Choi Myung GIl were both taken to Qing.

The nobility will say once again...

that there are no worthy men in our royal court.

Ask for Kim Jib and Jang Chul's advice...

and fill the royal court with their pupils.

(Gueon: a king asking his vassals for advice)

Now that Lord Choi Myung Gil is gone,

Kim Ja Jeom is on his high horse,

counting on his connections in Qing.

I must say, His Majesty truly frightens me.

He used to completely rely on Lord Choi and defend him.

Now, he wants him to take responsibility for everything and pays with his life.

Who can we count on now?

Before I get roped into this too,

I will leave the royal court.

Master.

His Majesty is seeking your advice.

His Majesty ordered, "Treasure Kim Jib and Jang Chul's advice,"

"no matter what they may be."

His Majesty said that?

His Majesty...

is seeking my advice,

but I am afraid my advice will not be helpful for I lack in many ways.

However, I would like you...

to go to the royal court and assist His Majesty.

But how could we go there when you decided to decline His Majesty's request?

I agree.

Choi Myung Gil and a few other ministers...

have been dragged to Qing due to the secret interactions with Ming.

Once again, His Majesty handed his loyal vassals over to the intruders.

Hence, we refuse to go to the royal court.

A wealthy family that always whipped its servants...

was looking for someone to supervise the servants.

Everyone declined the position,

saying they refused to work as a supervisor under such an evil master.

But one man volunteered for the job.

He whipped the servants in his master's stead...

but lessened the severity of the whipping.

So, the servants started cursing the supervisor instead of their master.

Who do you think truly helped the people?

Those who declined the job?

Or the man who whipped the servants,

knowing they would curse him?

What should your choice be...

as true scholars?

To a king,

his ministers are like his hands and feet,

and his advisors are like his eyes and ears.

At the moment, His Majesty's hands and feet have been cut off,

and he has reached a dead-end.

What shall he do?

Go.

Go to the royal court...

and become His Majesty's eyes and ears.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

I guess the rumor is true.

You are here alone with me.

And yet you are neither flushing nor stammering.

The rumor goes that you do not believe in marriage...

because you are unable to function as a man.

Is it wrong?

There is no way.

In the past...

I was awfully foolish, was I not?

You were very...

beautiful.

I suppose...

the rumors I heard in Neunggun-ri back in the day...

are true.

You are here alone with me.

And yet you are neither flushing nor stammering.

They said you were a white box with 99 tails.

It must be true.

Can we stay together?

If you do not like it here,

I will go...

wherever you want.

Your husband abandoned you,

despite knowing you were in Simyang.

Hence,

you no longer need to stay loyal to him.

So please...

First,

I must speak with Officer Gu and hear his reason.

Right.

You have a husband, after all.

You have a husband, a father,

and a sibling too.

Yes.

I have a father, a husband, and a sibling as well.

But there is someone who saved my life.

For you,

I can gladly sacrifice my life.

- However... - However?

You cannot love me?

I never wished for you to die in my place.

What I want is...

My Lord,

I...

Hey, Interpreter Lee.

Interpreter Lee!

What is so urgent?