Ta Hwan’s thinking about Soon Yong’s news: that Wang Yoo led his men to a resounding victory against the Turks. He’s annoyed. Seung Nyang arrives. He tells her to go to her quarters and get some rest. When she protests, he tells her it’s an order and she shouldn’t budge from the palace until he says so! So it’s going to be like that, then. She’s going to hear, stupid. You should be the one to tell her. This will make you look petty. She’s confused but obeys. And I think she was starting to soften towards you, dude. You should have capitalized on that. After she leaves, he throws down his cup in frustration.
Danashiri’s hearing about Wang Yoo’s arrival. Maid reports that he’s a wild man with wanton desires. Danashiri’s not impressed. Maid declares that they’ll have to watch their girls. This exchange makes me laugh because I think about how the victors (which would be the Yuan) make the history, so this whole idea of Wang Yoo has a lecherous rapist could all be Yuan spin… Nice. Danashiri wants to send Seung Nyang, so that she can get hers.
Wang Yoo and the Mighty Men arrive at the palace. All the Koryeo girls are there and they drool over how handsome their king is. Yeon Hwa is particularly impressed. Wang Yoo proudly walks, eyes straight ahead. Myung Soo declares that he doesn’t see Seung Nyang. And Wang Yoo’s peripheral vision must be fantastic because he declares that he doesn’t see her, either. And the Mighty Men are now calling her a her, so they must have had that conversation. Shin Woo doesn’t understand why she’s not there. Jeom Bak protests that she must not *know*!
Wang Yoo, Baek Ahn and Tal Tal arrive for their audience in front of Ta Hwan. El Temur declares that they shouldn’t shirk in rewarding Baek Ahn. But Baek Ahn declares that it’s not his victory but Wang Yoo’s. Wang Yoo declares that the victory belongs to all of the men who fought. Ta Hwan awards Wang Yoo and Baek Ahn a lot of money.
Seung Nyang runs into Do Han, who gushes over how gorgeous Wang Yoo is. Told you she’s hear. She immediately runs to catch a glimpse of him. He’s leaving the palace and she begs him to look her way. But he just looks straight ahead. He pauses and looks for her, but doesn’t see her and she’s crushed that he just walks away, even though he looked right at her.
In his quarters, Wang Yoo asks Shin Woo if he saw Seung Nyang. He didn’t. Wang Yoo declares that he had to act nonchalant, but he’s sure she saw him. Shin Woo declares an old friend can arrange a meeting for them. Myung Soo arrives with word that Ta Hwan wants to have a private meeting with him.
When they’re together, Ta Hwan reminds Wang Yoo of their first meeting and how Wang Yoo expressed his utter disdain for Ta Hwan. Ta Hwan’s sure smug now. Now he’s the Emperor and Wang Yoo’s the exile. Wang Yoo says that regardless, he did everything to save him. Ta Hwan clarifes that it was Seung Nyang who saved him, not Wang Yoo. And to think that The Jackal was a girl all along. And Wang Yoo’s face reads, ‘oh, crap,’ in spite of himself. Ta Hwan declares that she would fake her own death for him. Wang Yoo’s eyes dance and he thinks how to respond to this. Ta Hwan asks if Wang Yoo wants to see her. He requests Ta Hwan send her back to Koryeo. Ta Hwan sighs and says that she’d just be a subject of scorn there. Wang Yoo replies that she’d be happier there than at the palace.
Ta Hwan declares that he’ll be seeing to her happiness. Wang Yoo asks him if that’s what Seung Nyang wants. Ta Hwan knows Wang Yoo’s right and it ticks him off. He slams the table and declares that He’s the Emperor and her fate is in *his* hands, not Wang Yoo’s! Wang Yoo asks who decides Ta Hwan’s fate, since it’s not his. Wang Yoo sighs and tells Ta Hwan that he knows Seung Nyang and Ta Hwan won’t get what he wants. Wang Yoo excuse himself with a bow and Ta Hwan knows he’s right.
Shin Woo’s old friend is Dok Man. They’re good friends. Shin Woo asks about Wang Yoo being able to see Seung Nyang. Dok Man answers that she’s a palace lady now and can’t meet with a foreigner. Dok Man tries to get out of it – especially since he knows that Ta Hwan is sweet on her. Seung Nyang’s sitting, wondering *why* Wang Yoo ignored her. She tries to tell herself that he just thinks of her as a subordinate and not special at all. And at that moment a smiling Shin Woo arrives. He’s so happy to see her. He gushes about how he always said that she was too pretty to not be a girl! He tells her that Wang Yoo will be waiting to meet with her tonight at 8 pm outside the pavilion.
Danashiri’s been called before Empress Dowager. She grumbles and Maid warns her to watch her attitude. Empress Dowager announces that she’s prepared a tonic for Danashiri, since it’s time she conceived, after all. Danashiri knows that Empress Dowager is just pouring salt on the wound. After the meeting Danashiri is fuming and Maid tells her that bowing 108 times at the shrine can help her to get pregnant. Danashiri declares she won’t humiliate herself, but later changes her mind, of course.
Wang Yoo is in front of a mirror, making sure his hair looks perfect. Myung Soo tells him that he’ll break the mirror. Shin Woo teases him for prettying up to see plain old Seung Nyang. Wang Yoo protests but they know he’s full of it. He orders them out and Wang Yoo goes back to fixing his headband.
Seung Nyang smiles as she thinks about seeing him. Ta Hwan is drinking and is ticked, remember how she described herself as an imprinted chick. Then Wang Yoo telling him it’s not going to happen. Drunkenly, Ta Hwan declares he will get what he wants, before he drunkenly tosses the table.
Danashiri’s at the temple, praying to get pregnant.
Seung Nyang gets up to meet with Wang Yoo and Ta Hwan bursts into her room. He declares that he can go where he wants and decides to take what he wants. Not smart, dude!
Danashiri is praying. Wang Yoo arrives and she’s ticked because everyone was supposed to be kept out. Wang Yoo lights some incense. She wonders if he’s the Koryeo king. He prays. She tinkles some bells. So she runs and hides. But Wang Yoo finds her. He startles her. He asks if she’s a lady-in-waiting. She declares that it’s off limits to men. He replies that that’s only after eight. She turns to walk away and he grabs her arm. He starts to ask her a question – I’m assuming about Seung Nyang – but Danashiri slaps him instead. She tells him to get out or she’ll scream. He tells her to go ahead, since it won’t look good, *for her.* She goes to slap him again but he catches her wrist and declares that she’s a real piece of work for being that obnoxious. She thinks to herself that they’ll see who the piece of work is in daylight. She stomps off. And eight o’clock doesn’t arrive. He wishes Seung Nyang to hurry.
But Ta Hwan’s drunk and he’s thrown her on the bed. He declares that he’s the Emperor and asks if she’d be this way if it was Wang Yoo. She shoves him off and tries to go get Gol Ta. He grabs her wrist and tells her to wait, declaring that he will *never* give her to Wang Yoo. She squirms free and goes to leave. Ta Hwan declares that the one he saw first – the chick – was *her.* She doesn’t say anything but is obviously affected. And he just ripped *my* heart out. Stop fighting it and just fall in love with him, already!
Seung Nyang rushes to see Wang Yoo, but she’s too late. And Wang Yoo’s disappointed and drinking. Shin Woo and Myung Soo try to cheer him up. They try to reassure him but when they tell her that she looks good, he decides he wants them to leave her be. They don’t like that idea.
Captain of the guard approaches Baek Ahn and Tal Tal and congratulates them. They invite him to a feast and he’s all to eager to oblige.
Ki Se is reeling over the news that Khutughtu Khan (Ta Hwan’s dead father) left a blood vow. And I wonder why it’s a big deal. El Temur declares that Khan wrote it before El Temur poisoned him. And then the Khan had the audacity to hide it! Khan agrees to take the poison if El Temur gives the throne to Ta Hwan. And he dies very quickly, with El Temur chuckling evilly. At least until he saw the bloody, dripping finger. Ki Se wants to know where it is, El Temur doesn’t know, since no one has come forth with it. El Temur declares that he’s not the only one looking for it, though. And in walks the Captain of the Guard who reports that He's traveling. Whoever *he* is. And he's set to arrive in two days. So that’s why they’re schmoozing the guard. Ki Se declares that searching for the Vow is the same as threatening you. Ja Hae wants Him dead, but El Temur says that He will lead them to the Blood Vow.
A unsuspecting Captain of the Guard arrives. No one’s there except Tal Tal. And the guy’s not too bright because he doesn’t pick up on it being a trap until right before Baek Ahn strangles him. So why are they looking for the Vow. Ah. Baek Ahn declares he’ll use the vow to take power!
Danashiri is getting dressed and hating her clothes! As the maids leave to bring some more, Danashiri declares that she'll show him. Maid asks who? And Danashiri calls Wang Yoo a rude, arrogant, jerky-headed lout. Who I am betting Danashiri is going to fall for. Maid questions Danashiri’s decision to send Seung Nyang to the foreigner (Wang Yoo), but Danashiri wants to stick with that plan. Not knowing that the lout is Wang Yoo and that he and Seung Nyang have a thing going.
Ta Hwan is walking with Empress Dowager, who is talking about Wang Yoo’s remarkable victory. Seung Nyang’s within earshot, so he’s doubly annoyed. Empress Dowager mentions the rumor of Wang Yoo being handsome, very manly. Ta Hwan scoffs and calls Wang Yoo a cattle rustler with an ugly mug. And Seung Nyang stifles a smile over his jealousy. Empress Dowager’s trying to convince Ta Hwan to schmooze Wang Yoo into being an ally. And we all know *that’s* not gonna happen. Not when they’re fighting over the same girl.
Banquet for Wang Yoo, who is not paying attention or enjoying the pretty dancing girls. Everyone is there, with El Temur sitting next to Wang Ko. The ever loyal El Temur tells Wang Ko that this serves as his farewell banquet and he needs to leave Daidu. Wang Ko can’t believe that El Temur is abandoning him. El Temur spins it as letting him go. What a wiener. Ta Hwan and Empress Dowager enter. Seung Nyang catches sight of Wang Yoo and almost starts crying. He finally looks her way and smiles. Which is sweet. A nice little moment of joy between them, before Seung Nyang realizes she has to pretend to be indifferent. El Temur greets Ta Hwan.
Baek Ahn greets Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager is impressed with Wang Yoo. Ta Hwan catches Wang Yoo sneaking a glance at Seung Nyang and gets mad. Empress Dowager thinks Wang Yoo would make and excellent husband for a princess of the imperial house. What princess? I haven’t seen one. Wang Yoo protests that he hasn’t thought of marriage – except where Seung Nyang is concerned. Empress Dowager declares that Koryeo is like a son to the Yuan – Which we all know Wang Yoo *really* appreciates *that* sentiment – and they cannot waste such an exceptional talent… Right, El Temur? Instead of answering El Temur wants to get the banquet started.
Ta Hwan announces that the banquet if in their (Wang Yoo and Co, Baek Ahn and Tal Tal) honor. Danashiri finally arrives. She apologizes for being late and smugly looks ar Wang Yoo. He sees her and remembers their meeting. She’s not a servant. They act like they’ve never met.
Banquet entertainment. Ta Hwan looks like he’s in pain, having to sit through it while Wang Yoo and Seung Nyang only have eyes for each other. That would, does, really suck. He chugs a drink.
A poor maid discovers the Captain’s body hanging in the library, where it’s been made to look like he hung himself.
Empress Dowager is still trying to charm Wang Yoo. She asks him to play the geomungo. He tries to get out of it. Ta Hwan seems a bit drunk now, but Danashiri wants to hear, too, so Wang Yoo reluctantly agrees. Wang Yoo, of course, plays well, with all the Koryeo maids giggling over how studly their king is. Danashiri seems quite taken with Wang Yoo as well. As Wang Yoo plays, he and Seung Nyang have a moment, what with the geomungo lesson they shared. Ta Hwan struggles. And Dok Man interrupts the banquet to declare that Captain has been found dead. Dramatic reactions, especially between Ki Se and El Temur.
After Tal Tal reminds him, Baek Ahn jumps up and declares that he will look into it. The idiot eunuchs took down the body. They go inside the library and Tal Tal can’t understand how the body ended up there – since he dumped the body in the Koryeo village outside the Capital that has the plague. Ki Se arrives and examines the body. He notices that there are two ligature marks. The four (because Ja Hae is there,too) decide to cover up the murder, so they can investigate discretely, of course.
Baek Ahn returns to the banquet and reports that it was suicide. Empress Dowager declares Captain very inconsiderate. Ta Hwan is very drunk now and declares the banquet over. And so Wang Yoo has to watch Seung Nyang walk away. Rethinking your decision, Wang Yoo?
After the banquet, Wang Ko mentions the Koryeo village and encourages Wang Yoo to go see it. Wang Yoo tries to ignore him, but then Wang Ko asks him if he really believes that Captain killed himself.
Byung Soo’s examining the body. And he hides when El Temur arrives with his sons and Baek Ahn and Tal Tal. El Temur charges Baek Ahn to find the killer. Then they discuss the Vow and El Temur tells his sons to find it! After they leave, Byung Soo can’t believe his luck.
Wang Yoo’s at the village. Jeom Bak and Bool Hwa meet him outside and try to stop him from entering. But Wang Yoo goes in anyway. Wang Yoo can’t believe the conditions. Wang Yoo goes to talk to the village headman. The Headman waves him on. Myung Soo informs Headman on who he’s talking to. Headman is *not* impressed and calls Wang Yoo his Royal Worthlessness and dumps water on him. And I hope Wang Yoo doesn’t get the plague now, since it’s probably in the water. Myung Soo gets insulted for his king and almost strikes Headman down, but all the farming tools as weapons stops him. Headman declares that Wang Yoo abandoned them. He calls Wang Yoo a sleaze and tells his men to get rid of them. So Wang Yoo has to earn respect *again.* Headman goes to sit down again and starts muttering about u some whackjob who fished a corpse out of the well. That got Wang Yoo’s attention and now he wonders what Wang Ko knows.
Wang Yoo goes to meet with Wang Ko, who chuckles when he arrives because he *knew* Wang Yoo would come. Wang Yoo wants to know what he wants. Wang Ko mentions how they both want to eliminate El Temur. Wang Yoo can’t believe that Wang Ko is abandoning El Temur, since Wang Ko’s been El Temur’s dog for over ten years now. Wang Ko admits that this was true but now El Temur’s abandoned him, so he wants revenge for being tossed aside like so much trash. Wang Yoo asks why Wang Ko killed Captain and Wang Ko admits that he was the one who fished it out of the well and transported it to the palace. Wang Yoo wants to know why Captain is dead and Wang Ko tells him about Khan’s Blood Vow; the person who finds it can push El Temur out and be the true power behind the throne.
Ta Hwan is making Seung Nyang supply him with walnut to crack. She tries to broach a conversation, but he refuses to even let her start. He thinks that he knows that she’s going to ask to be sent to Wang Yoo. She sighs. He commands her to be silent, unless she’s reading. He hands her a book and commands her to read the whole thing, even if he falls asleep. She makes a face at him but begins to read. It’s the 'Ode to a Prince Deposed.' So happy thoughts.
Wang Yoo thinking of his conversation with Wang Ko. Wang Ko declares that with Captain’s body found, El Temur will suspect those closest to him. 'However small the crack, rain will get in.' And Wang Yoo can use that crack. Wang Yoo thinks that he needs someone that knows the palace. He gets Shin Woo and tells Shin Woo that he *needs* to see Seung Nyang now.
Ta Hwan wakes up out of his sleep. He’s ticked that Seung Nyang wants Wang Yoo. He demands that Gol Ta bring Seung Nyang back and then changes his mind, deciding to go get Seung Nyang himself. And Wang Yoo is sneaking into the palace to go see her. Will the two men run into each other? They both see Seung Nyang at the same time. But Ta Hwan loses sight of her when Wang Yoo pulls her inside. Will Wang Yoo be caught? Episode ends.
Thoughts
So they’ve introduced – rather abruptly – this idea of a blood vow. This must be a Asian concept because I just don’t see why this is going to be that important. But apparently, it will give whoever possesses it the power to the throne. So I wonder how many episodes are going to be dedicated to find it?
And I wonder who all is going to get sick with this plague, since Wang Yoo got a bucket of water dumped on him and Byung Soo was fingering the guy without much precaution. Maybe luck will be on our side and Byung Soo will die and Wang Yoo will not. I am really tired of Byung Soo’s character and wish that he would die rather than scuttle around like the cockroach he is.
One thing I find interesting, now that I think of it, is how, because of duty *to* Wang Yoo, Seung Nyang keeps choosing Ta Hwan. That’s really messed up and probably what makes their relationship really tragic.
It looks like Danashiri’s going to be developing a crush on Wang Yoo. She and her brother have issues, since they both like people who find them disgusting.
Didn’t see Eo Jin at all this episode. I guess now that she’s an official Imperial Concubine, her story line is over, at least until the baby is born.
It hurts to see Ta Hwan hurting. You're right Madame Writer (when will Seung Nyang fall for him?)
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