It's Not Easy Being King (King is Not Easy / Da Wang Bu Rong Yi / 大王不容易)

Ooh, a hot guy.

Judging from his looks and his muscles...

He's premium quality.

Why is he wearing platform shoes?

He must be short. That isn't attractive at all.

Nope. Next.

This one isn't bad either.

His lips are so red and his teeth are so white.

What is wrong with his eyes? That won't do.

How would we flirt with our eyes?

I was clearly in front of you. How could you be so rude?

Don't go around lecturing me.

- You-- - I'm not moving from this place.

Move it, unless you want me to shit on your head.

You... Preposterous!

Who would this brave stranger be?

How dare you bring your nonsense onto my territory?

What, you find my dishes lacking

and want to make yourself part of the menu?

Hey you! Yeah, you!

I heard you wanted to use my customer's head as a toilet.

Miss, it was a misunderstanding.

Here, here. Let's chat. Over here.

What do you have to say about your actions?

You're being selfish and unjust.

You're a psychopathic bully.

You're betraying the King's call for a more civilized nation.

You're unfair, disgusting, arrogant...

So... do you see the errors of your ways?

Miss, I was wrong.

I sincerely apologize. I was wrong.

Line up! Your food's almost ready.

My name is Da Xi.

“Da” like Consort Daji, and “Xi” as in “happiness.”

I'm the most renowned female chef in the capital.

If you're wondering why I'm over nineteen and still unmarried...

I'll be honest, I rely first and foremost on sight.

To me, physical appearance is my top priority when it comes to men.

My ultimate goal is to marry someone handsome.

Dear customer, what can I get started for you?

My restaurant has everything you can possibly imagine.

Some savory meat perhaps?

I really shouldn't...

Why not?

Your meats are too oily. They're too heavy.

Then feel free to order whatever.

I'm sure that you have something in mind already.

I'll leave you to it then. Please.

Da Xi...

All the decent men in this world are either married or ugly.

I don't know when I'll meet the one meant for me.

But I will wait. I'd rather accidentally pass him by than settle.

- Miss, come look! - How much are these?

- Five peng. - Are you serious? How about three?

I really can't do that. Look at the color, it's so fresh.

Straight from the garden.

He's so perfect, is he even real?

Those elbows... that face... the mouth...

Goodness, I want to touch him.

He's the man of my dreams.

I'll take these. Thank you.

Miss! The vegetables. You-- You don't want them anymore?

Welcome back.

Halt. You can't just enter the palace gates.

But he just...

Shao Yong is an official in the Imperial Guard.

He left the palace to check on the citizens.

- He can obviously enter at leisure. - When will he come out again?

- Next month. - Next month?

I beg you, tell me a legitimate way to get into the palace.

Please.

Well, you could become a palace maid.

Then you'll be free to come and go as you please.

No, that won't do.

I don't want to go for good, just visit.

Official Shao Yong...

Sir, we'd like to work in the palace.

Well, the King would not like you to. Go!

People like that think they can enter the palace?

Don't fret, sir. There are more options.

Come here, all of you!

And you people too!

What are you all crying for?

You should be honored for the chance

to enter the palace and serve His Majesty.

This lass doesn't look too bad.

Come, lift your head.

Good, now lower your hand.

Oh my goodness.

Those buckteeth could plow a field.

The King is going to go blind if she is selected.

What's that smell?

It's like something out of pig pen. Smells awful!

If she's selected, the king's going to turn into a fly nest.

You! How dare you not look me in the eye?

But sir, I am looking you in the eye.

Why would you say I'm not?

There's something wrong with her eyeballs.

The King's going to turn sideways if I bring her in.

No way, no way.

Officer!

Over here, my lord.

What-- What kind of people have you found?

Aren't you afraid of having your head cut off?

Sir, what should we do?

Well...

Whatever. We'll just pick at random.

- They can do manual labor. - Understood.

- Take them all into the palace! - Yes.

Keep up, people. Hurry up.

Officer.

All right, you can go home.

What? Aren't you paying me to not select you?

Don't tell me you actually want to work in the palace.

Yes, I do.

Don't you have an eye problem?

I faked it so I wouldn't be selected.

There's no point now that my plan failed.

On the contrary, we have to put in more effort on our appearances.

If we catch His Majesty's favor...

We won't have to do manual labor anymore.

We'd be able to hold our heads high and make our families proud.

Please rise.

It's him! So hot...

Isn't he so handsome? Isn't he?

So what? He's only an official in the Guard.

You're being shortsighted. Let's go.

You're the shortsighted one. Like your whole family!

Bunch of fools. Can't see things for what they're worth.

It works though. You people go fight over the King.

I'm going to watch over my captain.

Xi Xi.

Give that to me. Let me help you.

Shao Yong!

Have you come to see me?

All right, here.

Xi Xi, are you all right?

Shao Yong, let me go already.

It'll be embarrassing if anyone sees.

Don't worry, Xi Xi.

We are alone, but for the wind.

- Do you feel the breeze? - I do.

I can also feel your breath.

- Shao Yong. - Xi Xi.

Why are you standing here daydreaming?

Hurry and move.

- We almost kissed... - Stop dawdling! Hurry up.

I don't care how you lived at home.

This is the palace, and thus you must follow our rules.

If you break the rules and insult an official...

You better be prepared to offer your neck and meet your maker.

Sounds terrifying.

Terrifying...

You are now women of the Inner Palace.

Female members in His Majesty's service

must know their place and not go where you do not belong.

You mustn't interact with men in the Outer Palace in particular.

If I find out, you will be severely punished.

Ma'am, you mean...

We can't go in and out of this place as we please?

As you please?

Do you think the palace a place you can just leave for a market stroll?

What if I accidentally enter a forbidden area?

Then I suggest you be prepared to walk with your hands.

That's terrifying.

Then-- Then can outsiders come to visit us?

What do you think?

There are no men in the Inner Palace besides His Majesty.

Not even a male fly.

Shao Yong...

Have... Have I eaten too much lately?

How could this...

Ma'am.

What are you doing?

I'm... I'm... I'm helping you find your earring!

A dog... just stole your earring!

Right. I'm helping you find your earring.

Not this pair! Another pair.

If you don't believe me, you can look.

But this dog is really scary. It bites.

Woof! Woof! Woof!

- Is that so? - Yes!

I have a pair of earrings here. Pretty, right?

For you.

- Da Xi! - Yes!

Have you heard? The Empress Dowager has announced that

she'll be selecting wives for members of the Guard.

- Really? I hope I'm chosen. - Same here.

Then I'll be able to leave this miserable place.

Right? Look at her.

Ma'am!

Aren't you supposed to be kneeling?

- Why have you risen? - I'll go back after I'm done.

I know you don't like me.

Which is fine, because I don't like you either.

I heard the Empress Dowager is choosing wives for members of the Guard.

I want to know if Official Shao is one of them.

I want to marry Official Shao!

Then we won't have to see each other anymore.

That would truly be fantastic.