American Perspectives: The Damsel Saves the Dude in Distress Pt. 2 ("기황후" Ep. 4)

 

 

"기황후" can be viewed on Viki or Youtube, as well as many other channels.  It is an amazing classic 사극, and this author is aware that it's not historically accurate.  The real life Empress Ki had a very contentious relationship with the Goryeo Dynasty.  And many liberties were most certainly taken with the fictionalized version of historical characters. Dialogue adapted from English Subtitle translations by the "Imperial Team at Viki.com."

 

 

 

 

 

Seung Nyang is only able to find one horse while Toghon is waiting at the empty boat.

 

"I couldn't find the other one," Seung Nyang explains.  "We have to get back to the local office."

 

"Somehow, you're the only one left beside me when you were like my enemy."

 

Seung Nyang says nothing.

 

"If...If...I don't die and become the emperor, I won't forget you."

 

"It doesn't matter if you forget the likes of me.  If you become Yuan's Emperor, don't ever take the people of Goryeo to become tributary girls or Eunuchs."

 

Toghon looks at her quizzically.

 

"After being ripped apart for life from their blood relations, how they must feel to have to die in a far away foreign land.  If you are your Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince of Yuan, I think you will understand too well."

 

Toghon looks out at the ocean.  "Do you think I will ever get off this island alive?"

 

"Even if it's for Goryeo's sake, you must."

 

"You wouldn't know," says Emperor Toghon.  "How cruel and brutal the people who sent me here are.  They will try to kill me, no matter what.  That fear...you could never truly know."

 

The sound of hoofbeats reverberates through the woods just above the beach.  Wang Yoo stops his horse where the forest and beach connect, and peers over at Toghon and Seung Nyang in conversation.  He feels the slight sting of envy.  He spurs his horse forward, like a hot guy in a loud car, competing for the affections of the head cheerleader.  He enjoys the feeling of the salty sea breeze whipping through his hair, and the soothing sound of waves in the background.

 

Seung Nyang's heart flutters in excitement when she sees Wang Yoo.  She parks the horse by the boat, and approaches Wang Yoo.  Now, it's Toghon's turn to feel the sting of envy.

 

As Wang Yoo dismounts and leads his horse over, Seung Nyang drops to her knees.  "Your Majesty, what brings you here?"

 

"Are you crazy?"  Wang Yoo asks, mainly out of jealousy.  "Why would you dare to leave the quarters when there is an assassin on the loose?"

 

"Forgive me, Your Majesty," says Seung Nyang.  She lowers her head.

 

"There's nothing to be forgiven for," says Toghon.  "I begged him to get me out.  Don't blame him."  He looks down at Seung Nyang.  "I'm really hungry.  Let's go back."  He mounts the lone horse that Seung Nyang had recovered.

 

"Where's the other horse?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

"It ran away," says Seung Nyang.

 

Wang Yoo sighs.  He mounts his horse while Seung Nyang continues to kneel.  "Get up and get on my horse."

 

"No," says Toghon.  He rides up to Seung Nyang.  "Get on my horse."

 

"What are you doing?"  Wang Yoo asks.  "Get on."

 

Seung Nyang feels torn as she looks at both of the men.  "You will be uncomfortable," she says to Wang Yoo.  "Please go back comfortably, Your Majesty."  She bows.

 

She takes Toghon's hand, and sits behind him.  Toghon looks at Wang Yoo and smirks.  He spurs the horse forward, while Wang Yoo scowls at them as they pass.

 

The three gallop across the beach, until Wang Yoo stops and watches them move on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wang Yoo and Seung Nyang are having dinner in his room.  He pours her some tea.  "The assassin is close by.  You must guard the perimeter, and don't trust those around you."

 

"Yes, Sire," Seung Nyang replies.

 

"But...the Crown Prince seems ill tempered.  Isn't it hard?"

 

Seung Nyang smiles.  The little shit is starting to grow on her.  "It's actually fun."

 

"That's a relief, then," says a slightly disappointed Wang Yoo.

 

"I have one request."

 

"Tell me."

 

"The Crown Prince is having a hard time eating."

 

"I will send over a skilled cook."

 

"Yes, Sire.  But...his clothes are also a problem.  There's no seamstress."

 

"I will send one over, as well.  Anything else?"

 

"Thank you, Sire," says Seung Nyang.

 

 

********

 

The doors open, and Toghon feels a jarring jolt from the sudden sound.  He quickly sits up.  "Seung Nyang..."  He sighs with disappointment when he realizes it's Lord Jang.

 

"I will protect you tonight," says Lord Jang.

 

Goody goody gumdrops.  "Go get Seung Nyang."

 

"He...doesn't look to be coming back after going to the King of Goryeo's quarters."

 

"He won't take Seung Nyang, will he?"

 

"He's someone who's watching you under the King of Goryeo's orders.  If he's taken away, it would be a good thing."

 

"I finally have someone I can be close with.  I will have to go myself and get him back."

 

*******

 

"Then, I'll take my leave, Sire," Seung Nyang bows.

 

"You can stay here tonight," says Wang Yoo.

 

She looks up at him in surprise.  What does he intend to do?  If he wants to take her as a lover, there is no way she can hide her sex from him.  And would he react negatively if she's a woman?

 

"Why are you so surprised?"

 

"A-As long as the assassin hasn't been caught, I cannot be away from the Crown Prince for even a second."

 

"I will be sending over a guard.  He fights better than you, so don't worry."  He is determined to have Seung Nyang spend the night.  And Seung Nyang is feeling powerless to directly tell him no.

 

"Is Seung Nyang there?"  Toghon asks from the other side of the door.

 

She feels extremely relieved.  "Y-yes, Your Highnes!"

 

Toghon's shadow shows through the paper covered door.  "Can I come in for a moment?"

 

"Come in," says Wang Yoo.

 

Toghon pulls open both doors, and confidently strides in.  He smiles at Seung Nyang.  "What good timing.  I wanted a drink myself."  He plops down beside her.

 

Wang Yoo's blood boils.

 

Toghon makes it a point to playfully bump Seung Nyang. She makes it a point not to respond.  "Have a drink," he tells her.  "You've been working hard to protect me."

 

Seung Nyang looks at Wang Yoo nervously.  "I'm alright."

 

"You will take a drink from the King of Goryeo, but not from me?"

 

"I am on duty tonight," Seung Nyang says quickly.

 

"Will you only drink if the King of Goryeo allows?"

 

"Have a drink," says Wang Yoo.  Looks like he will not be having a slumber party with Seung Nyang.

 

"Then...Just one drink," says Seung Nyang.

 

"King of Goryeo," Toghon pours Seung Nyang's drink, "you have a very good subordinate."  He puts his arm around her shoulders.

 

Seung Nyang gasps.  Her heart beats rapidly.

 

"Seung Nyang, when I go back to Yuan one day, will you come with me?"

 

She's now contending with both men wanting to take her as their male lover.

 

Wang Yoo watches her closely.

 

"Ah," says Toghon.  "Will this need his approval also?  Give Seung Nyang to me."

 

She chokes on her drink.

 

Wang Yoo clears his throat awkwardly.  His mood has effectively been killed.  "This kid, even if I make him leave, he will never leave my side."

 

"I see," says Toghon.  He turns to look at Seung Nyang.  "Seung Nyang, what do you think?"

 

She's thinking she wants to get the hell out of this compromising situation.  She looks over at Wang Yoo.  "It's late," she says quickly.  "Please have a good night."  She breaks away from Toghon's arm, and makes a very awkward exit.

 

"You have to wait for me!"  Toghon calls after her.  He smiles at Wang Yoo.  "Thanks for the drink."  He gets up and happily trails behind her.  "Seung Nyang!"

 

Wang Yoo gives Toghon's back the death stare.  He pours the kettle of wine directly into his mouth.  He was genuinely ready to take Seung Nyang as his male lover tonight.  He absolutely did not entertain the possibility of getting cock blocked by Toghon, of all people.

 

"Was my dinner too salty?" He says out loud.  "Why am I burning up inside?"  He knows exactly why, but he's in denial.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tanqishi and Talahai descend the steps to the torture chamber, and open the door.

 

Toqto'a and Bayan are laying battered and bloody against the bars.  Toqto'a looks up when he hears the sound of footsteps.  He's not predicting a positive outcome.  He tries to awaken an unconscious Bayan.

 

Tanqishi approaches their cell and smiles.  "Drag him out!"

 

Bayan barely awakens as the guards rush in.  "What are you doing?"

 

They drag Toqto'a and Bayan off the floor.

 

"Where are you taking us?"  Bayan asks.

 

Tanqishi smiles.

 

*******

 

As Bayan and Toqto'a enter El Temur's meeting room, they kowtow before him.

 

The guards leave, and Tanqishi and Talahai walk forward.

 

"Bayan," El Temur growls, "you must finish what you failed to do."

 

"Yes?"  Bayan says uncertainly.

 

"Since he landed on Daecheong Island, our blade must aim there, as well."

 

"Do you want me to be the assassin?"  Bayan asks.

 

"No," says El Temur.  "A mere assassin cannot kill him.  I will send our military."

 

Everyone looks at El Temur in surprise.

 

"I will dress our soldiers in Goryeo's military armor," El Temur continues, "and have them attack Daecheong Island."

 

"Father," Talahai interjects.

 

"You can't entrust such an important task to him.  Please also send us," Tanqishi insists.

 

"We will make sure that the Prince dies by our hands," Talahai adds.

 

"But..."  says El Temur.  He clears all his markers off his 3-D model map of Goryeo.  "You must kill everyone on that island.  You cannot let anything with eyes or ears survive.  Only then can we make Goryeo pay for this crime.  Do you understand?"

 

"We understand, Father," Tanqishi and Talahai bow.

 

Toqto'a and Bayan exchange terrified glances.

 

*******

 

"Prime Minister El Temur is a truly terrifying person," Wang Go remarks as he burns an incriminating letter.

 

Jo Cham and Byeong Soo are kneeling before him.

 

"If the Yuan Military comes to Daecheong Island, what must we do?"  Jo Cham asks.

 

"You will assist them so they can invade the local government office," says Wang Go.

 

"We understand, Your Highness," says Byeong Soo.

 

"No one figured out that you were the assassin, have they?"  Wang Go asks Byeong Soo.

 

"Please don't be concerned," says Byeong Soo.  "No one will ever suspect me, including Ki Ja Oh."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ki Ja Oh looks at Wang Yoo incredulously.  "What?  You'd like to investigate my men, as well?"

 

Wang Yoo nods.  "The thorn under one's fingernail hurts the worst.  No one can escape suspicion."

"I understand, Your Majesty," says Ki Ja Oh.

 

Wang Yoo longingly watches Seung Nyang help Toghon with archery.  Toghon misses the target, and he kicks the dusty ground in anger.

 

Seung Nyang tries her best not to laugh.  "I think you should give up on the baby arrows."

 

"But even a pretty boy like you can shoot these arrows!"  Toghon replies in frustration.

 

"It's not an arrow that you can take lightly."

 

"Let's try again," Toghon insists.

 

Wang Yoo watches them enviously.  The two have grown close over the past several weeks.  He watches Seung Nyang get behind Toghon, touch his hands, and assist him with the bow and arrow.  Wang Yoo's blood boils.

 

"Jeon Chutaesan.  The hand that holds the arrow should be stretched as if you are pushing a big mountain," Seung Nyang says to Toghon.  "Huakhomi.  Your clasped hand should pull as if pulling a tiger's tail."  She lightly pulls her arm back.  She nudges him.  "Do you understand how this is supposed to feel?"

 

"Yes, I'm beginning to understand," says Toghon.  "Push the big mountain, and pull the tiger's tail like this..."  He pulls the sinew, but still misses the target.

 

Seung Nyang chuckles.

 

"Don't laugh," Toghon insists.

 

Wang Yoo watches them jealously.

 

Seung Nyang giggles.

 

Eunuch Bang notices Wang Yoo's dark expression.  "What does that boy think he's doing?"  Eunuch Bang asks.

 

"This guy, really..." says Moo Song.

 

"Leave him be," Wang Yoo says to his yes men.  As he walks away, he looks back at Seung Nyang and Toghon, but then turns away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Wang Yoo is playing his geomungo with strong feelings of agitation, Seung Nyang quietly opens the doors.

 

Wang Yoo opens his eyes and looks up.  His heart races.  "Seung Nyang."

 

She kneels in front of him, and looks up at him innocently.  "Why are you angry when I'm with the Prince?"

 

Wang Yoo looks at her awkwardly.  "Well, I'm angry because I dislike him."

 

"Is that right?  But somehow, I find that hard to believe."  She smiles at him suggestively.

 

"Don't look at me like that," Wang Yoo says warily.

 

She gets on her hands and knees.  "Why can't I smile?"  She smiles seductively.

 

He's about to lose control.  "I said, don't look at me like that."

 

She giggles.

 

"It's an order.  Don't ever look at me like that."

 

She moves closer to him and grins.

 

He's struggling to hold it together.  "Seung Nyang, I told you not to smile."

 

She bites her lip and moves closer.  She pokes him in the chest, and he drops the stick he uses to pluck the strings on his geomungo.

 

"Don't look at me like that!"  Wang Yoo thrashes around and yells in his sleep.  He awkwardly awakens to an audience of Eunuch Bang and Moo Song.

 

He clears his throat and blushes.

 

"Are you all right, Your Majesty?"  Eunuch Bang asks.

 

Wang Yoo just wants them to go away.  He can't even have a sexy dream in private.  "You may go and sleep now."

 

"Your Majesty," Eunuch Bang pleads, "please forgive our failings."

 

"We failed to realize the pain that was in your heart," says Moo Song.

 

"What's wrong?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

"Seung Nyang is a man," Eunuch Bang cries.

 

"So?"

 

"You asked us to dig all over Goryeo to find him, but why did he have to be a man?"  Eunuch Bang covers his mouth after Wang Yoo gives him a sharp look.  "How can you have romantic feelings for a man?"

 

"What did you say?"  Wang Yoo asks.  "Romantic feelings?"

 

Moo Song quickly shakes his head.  "Don't be ashamed.  How can this be your fault?  It is because we have failed you."

 

Wang Yoo's jaw drops.  No privacy whatsoever.  "What nonsense are you two saying?"

 

The two men look at him sympathetically.

 

"Do you think that I have romantic feelings for Seung Nyang?"

 

"So, that's not what it was?"  Eunuch Bang asks.

 

"If you say you don't, I'm very relieved, Your Majesty," says Moo Song.

 

The tensions rises in Wang Yoo's body.  Even his dreams are public knowledge.  He throws his book at the two men.  "Out!  Get out now!  Get out!"  He yells.

 

The two men scurry out like a couple of scared mice.

 

"Aiyoo," says Wang Yoo.  "How could I...?  To Seung Nyang?"

 

*******

 

Toghon pokes his head around the corner.  He's not taking Seung Nyang by any chance, is he?  He observes Wang Yoo talking to Ki Ja Oh and his men.  Seung Nyang happens to be standing right next to Ki Ja Oh.

 

"I will reinforce this area with the Royal Military soon," says Wang Yoo.  "Once they come, immediately return to Gaegyeong."

 

"I understand," Seung Nyang bows.

 

Wang Yoo looks over and sees Toghon standing in the doorway.  Toghon looks around awkwardly and hides behind the door.

 

"Do not listen to any of the Prince's requests that are not part of my orders," says Wang Yoo.  "I mean, don't be uselessly generous to him."

 

"I'll keep that in mind," Seung Nyang bows.

 

Eunuch Bang and Moo Song exchange knowing glances.

 

 

********

 

Ki Ja Oh's soldiers are practicing in the yard.  They are moving their swords with precision, while Byeong Soo supervises.

 

"Your slash must be accurate and strong!"  Byeong Soo yells.  As he demonstrates his dol strike, he winces, as the slash on his arm has not healed.  He hopes no one noticed.

 

"Chief Yeom," Ki Ja Oh comes up behind him.

 

Byeong Soo turns around quickly.  "Have you come?"  He bows.

 

Ki Ja Oh holds up a brown jar of ointment.  "I found this in your room.  This jar contains elm tree root that is used to treat wounds.  Explain why this is in your room."

 

"Do you suspect me as the assassin?"  Byeong Soo asks.

 

"Suspicion?"  Bul Hwa asks.  "Not really."  He squeezes Byeong Soo's wounded arm.  Byeong Soo can't hide his pain.  "We just saw some medicine we haven't seen before, so we wanted to confirm."  He squeezes Byeong Soo's arm harder.  "Why?  Were you hurt anywhere?"

 

Byeong Soo breaks free from his grasp.

 

Bul Hwa looks down at his hand and sees blood.  He looks back at Ki Ja Oh.

 

Ki Ja Oh's temperature rises, and his body tenses.  "Explain immediately how you got that wound."

 

"Do you want to know?"  Byeong Soo asks.

 

"You will have to persuade me."

 

"I was wounded while training the soldiers."

 

"Yeom Byeong Soo, do you think we're dumb?"  Bul Hwa asks.

 

"Then, who cut you with a blade?" Ki Ja Oh asks.

 

"It was me," a soldier dressed in a beige uniform approaches them.

 

Ki Ja Oh looks at him skeptically.

 

"I was sparring with Chief Yeom and...The soldiers here all witnessed it."

 

Ki Ja Oh and Bul Hwa aren't buying it.

 

"Have your suspicions been lifted now?"  Byeong Soo asks.

 

"Don't be upset," Bul Hwa slaps him on the arm.  "Commander is just touchy after the assassination attempt."

 

"I'll be leaving, then," Byeong Soo bows.

 

"It's not Yeom Byeong Soo," says Bul Hwa.

 

"We don't know yet," says Ki Ja Oh.  "So, we need to be careful around him."

 

******

 

Byeong Soo is in a horse stall, dressing his wound.  "Just one day left.  Once tonight comes, this sickening assassin play acting can finally come to an end."

 

*****

 

Several Yuan ships sail across the sea to reach Daecheong Island.

 

"If only to cover our previous mistakes, we absolutely must be the ones to end the Prince's life," Bayan says to Toqto'a.  They are sitting in a room down below the deck.

 

"But to go so far to kill the Prince?"  Toqto'a asks.  "Prime Minister sure is persistent."

 

"He has no choice.  If he embraces a viper, it will one day rip his heart out."

 

"So, Uncle, do you believe that Prime Minister El Temur assassinated the late Emperor?"

 

Bayan nods.  "If he didn't, for the mere reason that he is stupid, would he go so far to kill the Emperor's son?"

 

"Then..." says Toqto'a.  "I've heard the rumor that the Emperor's health is very poor."

 

"What?"

 

"If the Emperor dies, the next in line for the throne is his older brother."

 

"That's right," says Bayan.  "That's why Prime Minister is in such a rush.  He has to kill the Prince before the Emperor dies--"

 

The door suddenly opens.  Bayan and Toqto'a act natural, like two gentlemen talking about gentlemanly things as Tanqishi descends the stairs.  Talahai follows behind him.

 

"We will soon arrive at Daecheong Island.  Be well prepared," says Tanqishi.

 

"No one knows what Daecheong Island looks like," says Bayan with exaggerated positivity.  "Is there anyone there to meet us?"

 

"You just keep your mouth shut, and carry the banner," says Tanqishi.

 

"Why do you speak that way?"  Bayan chuckles.  "I am here to serve as a general after all."

 

"Quiet!"  Talahai snaps.  "Have you forgotten why we're all suffering through this?"

 

"Bayan," says Tanqishi, "just be grateful that you're alive right now."

 

Bayan laughs good naturedly.  "Of course.  For all that Prime Minister El Temur did for me, I will make sure to repay him."

 

 

...To be continued...