The King's Affection (연모)

THE KING'S AFFECTION

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Why did His Majesty want to see me here?

Your Majesty.

What…

What could this be about?

I would rather you not tease me, Your Majesty.

Tease you?

I am quite serious.

Pardon?

I remember what you once told me.

That you would endure everything.

I will do the same.

I am ready to bear the consequences of my feelings.

EPISODE 16

DIARIES OF THE ROYAL SECRETARIAT MONTHS 7 AND 8

DIARIES OF THE ROYAL SECRETARIAT MONTHS 7 AND 8

"The late King's body became swollen

after a day and a half since his death."

"And his gums blackened."

After a day and a half?

"Great Lord Changcheon used poison from the busohwa plant to murder…"

His body would have…

reacted immediately to busohwa .

Scribe Jung, we should hurry and finish writing the diaries.

Where are you going? We have work to do.

Allow me to visit the library in the royal infirmary for a moment.

Why do you need to go there?

Wait…

I guess I will finish them. This is going to take a while.

Who goes there?

Check the back door.

-Yes, my lord. -Yes, my lord.

Check if anything is missing.

-Yes, my lord. -Yes, my lord.

There were no ledgers on weapon transactions at the office of the guild.

It seems he did not leave any evidence there.

I should search the base in Yeoyeon.

It must be there seeing how it was not at the office.

It would be too dangerous.

The army base must have tighter security than the office.

Do not worry, Your Majesty. I will report back once I return.

Right. If you need to reach me for an urgent matter,

send Kang Eun-seo as a messenger.

I will.

Please be careful.

Busohwa…

Busohwa…

BUSOHWA

"Consumption of busohwa causes swelling in the stomach

and blackens the gums."

"These symptoms appear immediately."

Eunuch Hong, may I ask what brings you here at this hour again?

Well, it is a great night so I was taking a stroll again.

-Come with me. -We cannot go with you.

Why not? Let me show you a better spot. Come with me.

-We are busy. -Come on. Stop being so stubborn.

I know a better spot.

After making one mistake,

it is easy to make another.

It is why I cannot condone

even a single mistake.

Father.

What are you doing here?

I would like to ask you the same thing.

Your Majesty, did the talk go well?

Let's go back.

Your mother must be waiting. Go home now.

Did you take care of the Minister of Taxation?

Yes, my lord.

The Inspector General's daughter

and your son have been acquainted.

What do you think about their union?

Political alliances are formed through matrimonies.

I suppose it would not be a bad idea if the Inspector General approves of it.

Right. I hear there was

an intruder at the office of the guild last night.

Someone broke into the office that handled weapons transactions

right when the Minister of Taxation was impeached from his post.

I need you to make a trip to Yeoyeon.

You are to bring back all the ledgers that could be used

to prove the existence of the private army.

Yes, my lord.

More people in the Ministry of Taxation had been involved with the recent incident

so they are being investigated by the Office of the Inspector General.

I believe you will have to appoint

a good number of people for the Ministry.

I understand.

Your Majesty. Pyongan Province, Hamgil Province,

and Yeonbyeon will not have enough food

due to what the Minister of Taxation has done.

Scribe Jung.

Scribe Jung. Please focus.

Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

What has been on your mind all day?

Please forgive me.

I did not get enough sleep last night.

Her Majesty the Queen is approaching.

I heard that you came back together with the Inspector General.

Yes, Your Majesty.

But what brings you to the palace?

Her Highness invited me.

She had been a close friend of mine before I was married.

The Grand Queen Dowager allowed me to invite her to the palace.

I see.

I am deeply indebted to you for everything you have done for me.

Don't mention it.

You must have a lot to talk about after not seeing each other for so long.

I should let you go to your quarters.

I will tell the Bureau of Special Foods to serve you good tea and refreshments.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Let's go.

Then I will head over to Seungjeongwon.

I hear you are in charge of the Diaries of the Royal Secretariat.

You should get some sleep if you are tired.

I am all right.

Scribe Jung.

Can I have a moment?

Yes, Your Highness?

Could you stop by my quarters if you have some time to spare?

Pardon?

Your Highness.

There are some things I want to ask you about life at the palace.

And I happen to run into you here.

It will only take a moment.

I'm not sure if I will meet the expectations.

Do you have feelings for someone else?

Please forgive me.

Should I make a trip to the Queen's quarters?

I can go and observe.

Observe?

The night when the lanterns were lit,

you and Scribe Jung shared a kiss.

I saw everything.

I do not know what you are talking about.

Goodness.

Do not worry.

I will not tell Court Lady Kim about this.

I will head over there now.

That is not…

I heard that you have crossed paths before.

And here you are, running into each other at the palace again.

Some bonds are indeed extraordinary

just like the bond between His Majesty and me.

Yes, indeed.

The bond is indeed strange. No.

It is extraordinary.

His Majesty has sent some refreshments.

Lend me a hand.

How kind of him to send us refreshments.

Please tell him I am very grateful.

Yes, Your Highness.

By the way,

you are at the best age to marry.

Why are you still alone?

Pardon?

Well, I…

Are you all right?

Thank you.

Your Highness, that question may have been too personal.

Where are my manners?

I am so sorry.

My question was indeed too personal.

It is all right, Your Highness.

Will that be all?

Yes, Your Highness.

I will take my leave now.

Please thank His Majesty for me.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Majesty.

So tell me. Are they enjoying each other's company?

Yes. But you do not have to worry about anything.

I was not worried.

You may leave.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I can see that His Majesty cherishes you.

He makes sure to take care of you like this.

I suppose.

I hope you will also meet someone nice soon.

And you too, Scribe Jung.

Right.

Your Highness.

Right.

There is something I have been wanting to give you.

Wait here for a moment.

I did not know you would be here.

When did you return from Onyang?

Well…

I came back a while ago.

Actually, a lot has happened since I returned.

Her Highness has misunderstood our history

and left us in private on purpose.

You seemed busy.

I will talk to Her Highness for you, so you can take your leave.

Then could you speak to her on my behalf?

I have some people to meet with outside the palace.

Right. You know them too.