The Queen’s Gambit
In the beginning of this episode, Hwa-Ryeong confronts the Nursemaid about what she did to her family. She claims that it was her family who ordered the Nursemaid to hurt the little Prince. Hwa-Ryeong promises to save her family but only if she gives up who gave the order. She refuses to do so, claiming they’re far more formidable than her. Not willing to talk, the Nursemaid commits suicide.
The Queen Dowager and the others immediately search for the poison but a small fire springs out at the bedchamber. Hwa-Ryeong is shocked and immediately tells Court Lady Shin not to let anyone into her quarters without alerting her first. “Keep an eye out for the movements of the Queen Dowager,” She warns.
The Crown Princess is worried and wants to leave the palace, even threatening to kill herself, claiming she has no reason to live after losing the Crown Prince. Hwa-Ryeong is incredulous, refusing and suggesting she put that same effort into protecting the Grand Heir. The Crown Princess is worried about her safety and wants to leave the palace, even threatening to kill herself. Hwa-Ryeong is incredulous and refuses, insisting that she put that same effort into protecting the Grand Heir. ..
The Queen Dowager threatens the King, reminding him that she’s the one who put him on the throne, having previously killed off the Crown Prince to let him ascend. Standing before him, she demands he give his consent for the taekhyeon, otherwise she’ll take her down.
The Queen’s sons show up to check on her and hand over some food. They know she’s had a hard day and remind her she needs to take care of herself. It’s a really kind gesture, and the chicken dumplings they have for her are a delicious treat. The Princes point out the danger of Taekhyeon, worrying that he and his brothers could be killed if it goes ahead.
Seongnam tells the King that the Queen had no part in the alternate medicine; he picked it up from Master Toji. He decides to come clean, adamant that it’s not the cause of death. The King grants him permission to find witnesses and confirm as much. Unfortunately, Hwa-Ryeong’s investigation doesn’t go much better, finding absolutely no evidence of poison anywhere. ..
The Queen Dowager is determined to find out what Hwa-Ryeong is up to, but she’s not getting any closer. She slaps around Court Lady Shin and tries to get answers, but it’s Shin who comes away with information. The Queen Dowager admits that she’s not going to bring up the deposed Queen at the interrogation the following day, because it would be too risky. The Dowager is clearly using this as a trump card, determined to keep it close to her chest for a later time. ..
Seongnam sets out to find witnesses who can confirm the alternative medicine works. Unfortunately, Master Toji is nowhere to be found, heading to the dispensary Toji used and looking around. The thing is time of the essence, especially with the interrogation continuing and Physician Kwon’s integrity hanging on by a thread.
The Queen Hwa-Ryeong, who was previously unknown to Kwon, has now come out and confessed that she gave him the alternate medicine in order to save his life. She says that she was too shocked when Kwon came to her with the news and didn’t know what to do.
The Princess is adamant that the medicine was not responsible for her brother’s death, but it turns out to be from a poison. The King orders the Princess’s chambers to be searched in order to determine if foul play is involved. It’s a clever move given we know the Crown Princess has been involved in a poisoning situation of her own.
The Crown Prince points out that she did decoct medicine for chronic itching but is adamant that all herbs were found inside the palace and not from outside. However, there’s no records of this, so it puts her in a bad position. And as a result, Hwa-Ryeong concedes and claims that medicine is what killed the Crown Prince, having successfully deflected her own life but losing the Princess in the process.
The King is taken aback by the Chief State Councilor’s suggestion and questions the wisdom of such a move. He believes that it would only lead to more chaos and instability, and would be a waste of time and resources. The King decides to delay the execution until he has more information.
The King is in a difficult position. The Queen has already motioned for the Princess, who admitted to bringing medicine in, albeit not foreign medicine. There doesn’t seem to be a solution to undo this. ..
That night, the Queen surprised the Dowager, deciding they should go ahead and enact the taekhyeon after all. The Queen calls the Dowager’s bluff, and with the Councilor there too, Hwa-Ryeong suggests they stop this game, and the petty, silly idea of executions and instead, complete the game they’ve started playing.
The Crown Princess has asked for a demotion, removal from the throne, and exile from the palace in order to free herself from her relationship with the taekheyon. She also suggests that if the taekheyon works against her, she may have to step down as queen as well.
Unfortunately, the Chief State Councilor is already in the process of planning to kill the pair of them as soon as they leave the palace gates. Thankfully, Hwa-Ryeong has anticipated this and the Chief State Councilor is shocked to learn they’ve made it safely without being ambushed on the road.
The Princess greets the group warmly, as we learn that Hwa-Ryeong warned her about the situation ahead of time. She agreed to try and endure for the sake of the kingdom. Furthermore, Physician Kwon slinks away, leaving a note for Hwa-Ryeong confirming his shame and that he can’t face her. He couldn’t endure the torture anymore and that’s why he spoke up. H’s convinced that the medicine wasn’t what killed the prince. ..
The King is given some encouraging words from Hwa-Ryeong before he enacts the Taekhyeon, pointing out that he should judge the candidates fairly and although judging it himself. It’s certainly reckless but Hwa-Ryeong is cunning. She brings up how she’s been preparing for this and whispers something in Court Lady Shin’s ear. ..
The Royal Concubines are told that they will be able to win a contest if they can make it through a race. The race begins, and the Concubines start running. As they run, they earn points for their position in the race. As the race comes to an end, the Concubines receive their rewards.
The Episode Review
This Taekhyeon is going ahead with the Queen seemingly armed with a plan up her sleeve to dissuade what’s happening inside the palace. It’s certainly a risky plan though and it seems like this race is only going to be phase 1 of what’s otherwise a series of games to find the winner and the new Crown Prince.
This episode has been great so far! The tension and suspense is throughout the entire episode. Starting with the nursemaid and ending with the race, there’s so much to unpack in that time.
The new additions to the game include learning more about the King’s backstory, as well as the Queen Dowager and Chief State Councilor being outed by Hwa-Ryeong. This adds to the storyline nicely. ..
The Taekhyeon is looking like it’s on now, and who will come out on top remains to be seen.
