Episode 15

Park Ki-woong

Lee Ji-hoon

Park Ji-hyun

Choi Deok-moon

Kim Min-sang

Gong Jung-hwan

Kim Yeo-jin

Sung Ji-ru

## Episode Synopsis

Hae-ryung tries to enjoy a rare day off when Yi RIm shows up unannounced. Yi Jin hears an appeal submitted by Woo-won, which upsets the historians.

## Plot Summary

Song Sa-hui records the contents of Goo Hae-ryung’s *sachaek* concerning Prince Dowon’s confession - and passes it onto Second State Councilor Min Ik-pyeong on his orders. He insists on meeting with the King and orchestrates the plans for Dowon’s arranged marriage to try and nullify him as a threat. The King agrees, knowing this would decrease suspicions.

Goo Hae-ryung lazes around on a rare day off, only to be visited by Prince Dowon. She hastily tidies her room to let him in. They decide to enjoy a day outside together soon.

The historians wonder why the normally dedicated Officer Seong is absent. Officer Min instead asks Officer Kim to accompany him to the royal meeting where Crown Prince Jin receives Min’s petition – asking for the impeachment of Officer Seong Seo-gwon. Although asked, Officer Min refuses to elaborate further on his reasons for suggesting impeachment. Crown Prince Jin accepts it.

News of Officer Min’s petition reaches the Office of Royal Decrees, outraging Officer Min’s colleagues. They confront him, betrayed, but he does not explain even as they think the worst of him. Goo Hae-ryung speaks to him in private.

Hae-ryung believes that she should also be punished for her hand in Jean’s escape. However, Min is adamant that she did not betray her duty as a historian, as she had kept quiet, but Seong had used the *sachaek* for blackmail.

> **Goo Hae-ryung:** No. I do not wish to understand. How can someone put principles above people?
>
>

The historians and apprentices all drink at the end of the day and gather money for Officer Seong to help him prepare for his impending exile. Song Sa-hui refuses, believing that Officer Seong was in the wrong. She admits knowing why Officer Min has had Officer Seong impeached – telling the others that Officer Min had begged Crown Prince Jin to spare Officer Seong for his threat, instead resorting to impeachment and exile for punishment.
Meanwhile, Officer Min meets former Officer Seong Seo-gwon, giving him money. Seong thanks his sunbae, explaining that he no longer wishes to work in office, and is planning to help people learn to write and with their legal affairs. He hopes he can still write to Officer Min, who is happy to oblige.

> **Min Woo-won:** Is it so important to you? That faith of yours, I mean. Is it significant enough for you to give up the path you’ve been on your whole life without hesitation?
>
>

> **Seong Seo-gwon:** It is not significant yet. That is why I wish to protect it with all my might.
>
>

Officer Min stops by Kim’s bookstore, asking for him to be discreet about purchasing particular books – *The true meaning of the lord in heaven,* and The Gospel of Mark.

The historians try and practice asking for Officer Min’s forgiveness for their brashness the day before. Goo Hae-ryung apologises for her words, but still does not agree to never use the *sachaek* to save someone’s life.

Goo Jae-gyeong and Mo-wha talk. She says that she cannot forgive him, but says she also has something she needs to do.

Apprentices Hae Ah-ran and Oh Eun-im have free time. They come across Goo Hae-ryung and Prince Dowon holding hands, thus discovering their relationship. A little scandalized, they interrogate Hae-ryung, only to be interrupted by Dowon’s court ladies. The four women proceed to argue in both defence and accusation of Hae-ryung and Dowon. Sam-bo arrives to break up the fight.

While Heo Sam-bo scolds the court ladies, Heo Ah-ran and Oh Eun-im corner Goo Hae-ryung, demanding answers. Goo Hae-ryung visits *Nokseodang,* where Prince Dowon kisses her.

Mo-wha meets the Queen Dowager, handing her letters that Dominique Bartelemey had written to Jean Baptiste Bartelemey, which mention Seoraewon. The Queen is suddenly summoned to the King, where the two reach an agreement about arranging Prince Dowon’s marriage. However, the Queen Dowager admits in private that she will make sure the King cannot choose Dowon’s wife.

The scene from the end of Episode 14 plays, with Goo Hae-ryung overhearing the news of Dowon’s marriage. Goo Hae-ryung seems to accept the inevitable without argument, but is shown to be sombre when alone.

Crown Prince Jin is unhappy to hear the news, knowing that Prince Dowon will now be embroiled in the political dynamic of the palace. Min Ik-pyeong seems to have his own contender in mind for the *garyecheong.*

Prince Dowon takes Goo Hae-ryung from the Office of Royal Decrees, shocking the historians, and meets with the Queen Dowager pleading with her to call off the marriage. He admits that there is someone else that he loves, as Goo Hae-ryung writes behind him.

## Starring

### Main cast:

* Shin Se-kyung as Goo Hae-ryung
* Cha Eun-woo as Prince Dowon
* Park Ki-woong as Crown Prince Yi Jin
* Lee Ji-hoon as Min Woo-won
* Gong Jung-hwan as Goo Jae-gyeong
* Kim Min-sang as King Hamyeong Yi Tae
* Choi Deok-moon as Min Ik-pyeong

### Recurring:

* Kim Yeo-jin as Queen Dowager Yim
* Heo Jeong-do as Officer Yang Si-haeng
* Kang Hoon as Officer Hyeon Kyeong-mook
* Nam Tae-woo as Officer Son Gil-seung
* Yoon Jung-sub as Officer Hwang Jang-goon
* Ji Gun-woo as Officer Seong Seo-kwon
* Oh Hee-joon as Officer Ahn Hong-ik
* Lee Jung-ha as Officer Kim Chi-gook
* Park Ji-hyun as Apprentice Song Sa-hee
* Lee Ye-rim as Apprentice Oh Eun-im
* Jang Yoo-bin as Apprentica Heo Ah-ran
* Jeon Ik-ryung as Mo-hwa
* Sung Ji-ru as Heo Sam-bo
* Yang Jo-a as Seol-geum
* Lee Kwan-hoon as Gak-soi
* Ryoo Tae-ho as Song Jae-cheon
* Kim Yong-woon as Gwi Jae