The Flower in Prison (옥중화)

The identity of Her Highness the Princess can never be exposed.

Everything that you seen and heard at Icheon, you Jo Hee,

must remain silent on these matters.

Yes, sir. I shall.

Your Highness, the road to travel is far.

You must go now.

I was not able to sleep a wink last night.

Though my mother had received the grace of the King that all the court ladies dream of,

to have her die so pitifully like that... That regret,

how I could relieve it, I contemplated.

But I feel only bleak.

Don't rush yourself.

The authority in this land lay in Queen Dowager, Yoon Won Hyung and Jung Nan Jung.

If you are to fight against them, don't you think Your Highness's power should become greater than theirs?

Please wait for the proper time.

- Sir - I'm not sir.

What do you mean?

I'm no longer a "sir."

The Head Merchant's inside right?

Yes. Go inside.

He's not a sir?

Hyung-nim!

You're here? Have a seat.

What about Hyungnims Do Chi and Jak Doo?

They went to interview the prisoners at Jeonokseo.

It seems they've found a lot of prisoners who need to sue.

Everything's going well according to plan.

I mean, so what did you do with the Ministry of Marketplace Measure for you to be here?

I quit the Ministry of Marketplace Measure.

What? Why all of a sudden?

When the Lawyers Bureau starts, I was planning on quitting anyway.

Hey, hey. The Lawyers Bureau is that and

there's no reason to give up your work though.

For someone born out of a concubine to become a Ministry of Marketplace Measure Administrator isn't an easy thing.

If you quit, then what would happen to His Excellency Yoon Won Hyung's position, since he put you in that place by changing the law?

The relation between me and His Excellency Yoon Won Hyung has been terminated.

Terminated? What do you mean?

The fact that Ok Nyeo has almost been killed

was all ordered by Jung Nan Jung.

Without a doubt, though His Excellency Yoon Won Hyung knew about it, he probably remained silent.

I absolutely cannot tolerate this past incident.

So? Are you planning on cutting off your ties as father-and-son?

Yes. I will.

What?

Wow! So great! Make them prettier. Yes. yes.

Oh, hey! It'll burn!

For Small Madam to come to such a humble place...

for what order of business did you come here?

Are you mocking me?

Oh no. How can I create such an offense against you, Small Madam.

Hey, Cheon Soon Geum. You think I don't know you?

You're continuing to mock me now.

I said I'm not!

Mm... I'm so startled. What are you doing right now?

Are you determined to make me miscarry?

How can you dare to raise your voice in whose presence! Oh...

I'm dizzy.

I am sorry, Small Madam.

If there is anything you'd like to eat, then let me know. I will make it all for you.

Well then, how about you make some milk porridge and kumquat preserves? (milk was reserved for the king... and even Yoon Won Hyung cannot have his hands on it easily. Kumquats were from Southeast Asia or China and thus really hard to procure)

Pardon?

How can I get milk and kumquats?

For milk let's say that something can be done. Kumquats are not even in season!

Well, that's not my concern.

And it's not because I want to eat it but

because the young mister here is so picky, what can be done?

How can you know if that is a young miss or a master, Small Madam?

I dreamed a conceptual dream, but

this huge eel came straight into my bosom.

This is for sure a master. A young master.

He's so strong that he's hungry at every hour.

- Yes. - It's not funny?

Hey! Then go ahead and set the table!

Yes.

I'm gonna...!

Yes, yes. Really that vile.

What are you doing!

Look, there's nothing that's not possible.

If you put your mind to it, you can.

Yes, Small Madam.

What's wrong? Is it not to your taste?

Are you playing with me?

Pardon?

This isn't kumquat but citron!

Who do you take me for that you play around like this?

Madam! I did really did go around everywhere to find them but I could not procure kumquats.

Even this citron was directly from Royal Food Services.

Are you looking down on me because I'm a concubine?

Would you have acted this way even if Big Madam had requested so?

I will totally tell His Excellency about all of you.

Please forgive us, Small Madam.

Go and reset it. This instant!

Yes, Small Madam.

Wow, so tasty.

Baby, we're going to enjoy the fruits of the labor. Like this, okay?

Soon Geum.

Miss.

Why is the food coming out as is?

That is...

Where is this from?

Uh... Small Madam's room.

What? Small Madam?

Small Madam?

Jong Geum that wench said she's Small Madam.

What do you mean Jong Geum that wench is Small Madam.

Since when was Jong Geum Small Madam?

It's that...

Shin Hye.

Mother, look at that thing.

What's with this table? And why is your expression one that's about to burst into tears?

Small Madam told me to reset the table...

Small Madam? In whose presence are you bringing up this "Small Madam?"

Do you want to die, girl?

Yes! I think dying is better.

What?

To accept and tolerate Jong Geum that wench's confidence and overbearing atttude.

I'd rather die, Madam.

Has it already been set?

Your fate is totally great.

Have you arrived, Madam?

According to Soon Geum you were torturing the servants like you'd torture mice.

Won't it be easier for you if I regulate the servants?

Hateful girl. If you weren't good at words, I wouldn't at least hate you.

Well, they say a widower knows a single father's heart well.

You and I are the same since we're both concubines. If there's something we can help each other out with, we need to help.

Shut up, you wench. What do you mean, concubine.

Do you not know that I even received the title of Honorable Lady Jeonggyeong?

There's no law that I can't receive the title Lady Jeonggyeong bestowed on me.

What did you say? Have you really gone mad to want to die?

Madam, if I were afraid of you, how could I have conceived from His Excellency?

I am Oh Jong Geum. Oh Jong Geum.

I thought you were quite clever, but there's none so naive.

You, do you even know how many girls have conceived through His Excellency?

Starting from the courtesans at Sosoroo to the higher ranking commoners, there were more than a few.

But not a single one of them were not able to give birth. Do you know why?

Pardon?

They're all dead.

Let's continue to watch until when you'll be so reckless.

We didn't hear anything.

So scary. This is a scarily thin field of ice we're walking on.

I tried to enjoy the fruits of labor and enjoy life...

Je Seo.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I don't see Court Lady Han.

Court Lady Han said that she had matters to take care of in her household, so she briefly left the palace.

Tell her that I wish to see her as soon as she returns.

Yes, Your Majesty.

- Your Highness the Princess - Your Highness the Princess - Ma'am.

I was lacking so that's why Your Highness the Princess went through such a terrible ordeal.

- Please kill me, Your Highness the Princess. - Please punish me, Your Highness the Princess

Please get up.

I know how much you have put in effort for my mother.

I am so thankful, ma'am.

- Your Highness the Princess. - Your Highness the Princess.

I was not sure of your identity, so I have transgressed many social conventions.

I shall no longer offend in such a way again.

We will for sure work with our entire hearts to have your position restored, Your Highness.

For now, there will be no way I will become a princess.

So after today you cannot call me Your Highness the Princess.

Your Highness, why are you saying such things?

To hide the poisoning of His Majesty the late King, Her Highness the Queen Dowager, His Excellency Yoon Won Hyung, and Jung Nan Jung

they maimed even your mother who had been bestowed the royal grace.

You are the only one who can testify against their wrongdoing, Your Highness the Princess.

- So, that's why I refuse to become a princess. - Your highness.

If they find out I am Ga Bi's daughter and a princess, they will do anything they can to get rid of me

also even you two who know of my identity will be in danger.

We are still lacking power to go against them.

Your Highness the Princess's words are correct.

To reveal Her Highness the Princess's identity without any preparations is calling for even more danger.

But we cannot serve you like this forever.

I am okay. So please follow my will.

You wait here.

This is His Excellency Yoon Won Hyung's house.

I must meet Jung Nan Jung.

Pardon? To meet Jung Nan Jung like this is too dangerous.

There's nothing to worry about. She'll find out that I'm alive anyway

- so meeting her first actually decreases the risk. - But!

In addition the fact that I won't just stand around must be demonstrated to them.

There aren't many days left for Jong Geum that wench to be so haughty.

Pardon? Then?

I will take care of her without any bird or mouse knowing. So until then, quietly endure.

Yes, Madam.

Why are you so surprised?

Did you think I was a ghost since the person you thought was dying appeared before you?

This wench. How could you...

I have something I must tell you, Madam.

A long time ago do you remember you called the young me to read your fortune?

His Excellency in meeting you has completed his lacking energy and caught a great fortune!

There was something else I didn't say.

His Excellency Yoon Won Hyung did catch a great fortune by meeting you, Madam,

but I could not bear to say that the two of you would together fall.

What! What kind of nonsense are you spewing, you wench!

Because I only delivered the good news, I will say it once more since I don't know how your end will be.

Your fortune says that you will lose all your authority and reputation in a single day and even lose your opportunity to live a long life without misfortune.

Shut up, you wench! How dare you curse me in my presence.

I'm not finished.

Being afraid of the hatred of the public, in the end you will end your own life.

That is your fortune.

Madam, are you alright?

- Head Merchant? - Let's go.