The King's Affection (연모)

Take it.

No!

Where is…

Officer Yoon?

He passed away.

Officer Yoon told me to make sure this was delivered to you.

Officer Yoon told me…

that you were friends.

He rests at a quiet spot by the stream…

that leads from Yanghwajin

to Mount Jeoldu.

You should pay him a visit.

Uncle, how…

Your Majesty.

Father.

Get him!

Protect His Majesty.

What? Damn it.

Are you all right, Your Majesty?

Were you injured?

I am fine.

What happened to the assassins?

Please forgive me.

I am sure it was my uncle, Lord Changun.

But…

Lord Changun passed away.

It would be wise to keep this between us for now.

Even if we say that my uncle was behind the attack,

no one would believe us.

Of course, Your Majesty.

Allow me to find a path for you. Please be on alert as you follow.

EPISODE 17

Did you check if he was indeed a woman?

Damn it.

It seemed like it,

but, then again, it didn't.

What?

You scared me.

Well, you see,

Commander Jung came out of nowhere.

What do you mean Lord Changun attacked His Majesty?

He already died quite some time ago.

I am wondering the same thing.

It is not like he can come back from the dead.

Are you sure you are not injured?

Yes.

How was Commander Jung there though?

Could he possibly be aware of your secret?

I doubt it.

Even if he saw anything,

he would not be able to speak of it easily.

The fact that I exist could very well lead

to his demise.

He will stay silent to at least

keep his mistake covered.

I see.

Your Majesty, Lord Jaeun shall enter.

I hear you were attacked by assassins at Officer Yoon's burial site.

That is correct.

But it should not become public knowledge for it will only cause mayhem.

I am aware.

But is it true that they were led by our uncle, Lord Changun?

I know it is hard to believe,

but I am certain of it.

I will look into this matter.

Lord Changun and my brother have always been close,

so there is a good chance he is aware of this.

Thank you, Hyun.

Were you also at Officer Yoon's grave?

Mother told me that you two were old friends.

Is His Majesty well?

Yes.

Let him know that I will report back to him

once I find out more.

Will you also…

be informing Lord Sangheon?

This is something hard to believe.

A man coming back from the dead?

After I look into it,

it will be wiser for His Majesty to inform Lord Sangheon himself.

How did your conversation go?

Does Commander Jung…

He seemed impassive as always which means he probably did not see anything.

I see. That I am glad to hear.

Here you go.

The attack must have alarmed you.

This will help.

That reminds me. I was wondering about Kang Eun-seo.

Would you allow me to suggest that he stay at Samgaebang?

At Samgaebang?

Yes. From what I can gather, he needs time to heal.

I cannot think of a better place.

He can also help my friends look into the poisonous herb.

I had been worried about him as of late,

so that would definitely ease my mind.

Have we met before?

I was born in the Year of the Snake.

Since I am older, I will speak casually.

Or not.

It was Ji-un who sent you here,

so make yourself at home.

Please.

I brought this for you.

The tea will warm you up--

Are you all right?

Please let me know if you would like more.

I have an extra batch brewed.

Thank you.

Are you kidding me? Yeong-ji, this is not cheap tea!

Well, drink up then. It is time you earned your keep.

Shall we?

Now, let us hurry.

Anyway, out of all the places that supply the palace with herbs,

this is the largest.

Welcome.

What can I get for you?

Oh, well…

From what I hear, you sell the good kind.

The good kind? For what exactly?

The liver or the eyes?

No, that is not what I mean.

You know. The sort of herb that is rare…

My lord, it is good to see you.

Have you brought in the herbs that I requested?

As if you need to ask.

This way, my lord.

Are they for the royal infirmary

or Lord Sangheon?

They are actually for me this time.

I see. Well, we have a fresh batch of dried foxglove and barberry root

which are of good quality. Please take a look.

The umbilical cord of twins?

I happened to stumble on His Majesty's while moving his placenta chamber.

According to the physician who examined it,

it most certainly came from twins.

Are you saying you were not aware of this?

But that is preposterous.

The physician must be mistaken.

Twins within the royal family?

He should pay with his life for even mumbling those words.

Bring him to me right away.

I will have him severely punished for insulting His Majesty.

Forgive me, Your Highness.

I did not mean to cause a disturbance.

It will be wise for you not to speak of such things either.

One might think you wish to rebel against the King.

As if I ever would.

As I have been away for a while, I wished to look in on you.

I apologize for troubling you with an unnecessary concern, Grandmother.

The girl is dead?

His Majesty ordered the death

of all those who know about the twins,

so please bear that in mind.

This secret must be taken to the grave.

What brings you to the Grand Queen Dowager's quarters?

Is it not obvious?

I have been away from the Capital, so it is my duty to greet her.

I hope all is well.

Has His Majesty been in good health too?

No, wait. He is a woman. I'm certain of it.

Rather than attacking me, the man took His Majesty in his arms.

Quite odd, don't you think? Either he has a death wish or…

-I must head to the palace. -Are you out of your mind?

An attempt was made on His Majesty's life.

The palace must be on full alert.

Do not draw attention to yourself--

What if all is quiet at the palace?

It would confirm that he really is a woman.

For he will try to keep today's attack a secret.

In any case, what did you mean by being able to return to the Capital

sooner than planned?

Oh, that.

It seems as though things will go better than I thought.

-Hey, did you hear the rumor? -What?

What rumor?

His Majesty and the Seungjeongwon scribe.

Someone saw them returning to the palace at the crack of dawn again.

-At the crack of dawn? -Yes.

-The two of them? -Yes!

Where could they have been?

Who knows? Probably a secret rendezvous point.

-No way. -That is insane!

My goodness. Two men together?

Is that why he is avoiding sleeping with the Queen?

-You're right. -That must be it.

-My gosh. -No wonder!

-It all makes sense now. -No way.

-No wonder. -My gosh.

Get back to work.

His Majesty sees Scribe Jung in private?

Someone saw them again

returning to the palace at the crack of dawn today.

But they seemed like more than just a monarch

and his loyal servant.

That is because…

a scribe is meant to serve His Majesty in close proximity.

Is it not odd that he requests two sets of bedding when you sleep together?

Is it possible His Majesty prefers men to women?

I told you that in confidence!

But--