American Perspectives: Inner Palace Crossfire Pt. 3 (기황후" Ep. 11)

 

 

***The intent of The Flower Realm by 사극 Paradise is to support women and men in rejecting the culture of pornography, and to live a life of integrity without manipulative intent.***

 

"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"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tanqishi strolls into the restricted access laundry area while Yeon Hwa is hanging up some bright white sheets.  She casually turns around, and jumps at the unexpected sight of Tanqishi.  "Oh my goodness!"  She quickly bows.  He's not supposed to be there, but she's not in a position where she can exert her authority over him.

 

He stares down at her.  "Are you Yeon Hwa?"

 

"Yes, Sir."

 

"I will be at the Imperial Library.  Come meet me a little later."

 

Yeon Hwa's heart races.  Could he want me as a concubine?

 

*********

 

Yeon Hwa carefully sneaks into the library.  She walks over to the bookshelves, and sees Tanqishi reading.  

 

"Do you know who I am?"  Tanqishi asks.

 

"Of course," Yeon Hwa replies.  "You're the older brother of the Empress."

 

"What's your dream?"

 

"Becoming a maid in waiting, and not a servant anymore."

 

"Your greed is lacking.  You should want to become a Court Lady."

 

Yeon Hwa looks at him in surprise.  "Is that...really possible for me?"

 

Tanqishi closes his book.  "It's up to you.  You could be something even better than a court lady."

 

Yeon Hwa drops to her knees.  "Just command me, and I'll put my life on the line for you."

 

Tanqishi smiles.  He pulls a black pouch out of his belt.

 

Yeon Hwa stands up and takes the pouch.

 

"Make sure that wench Park eats that."

 

Yeon Hwa looks down at the pouch and gasps.

 

Tanqishi puts the book away, and leaves Yeon Hwa alone in the library.

 

"I finally have an opportunity," Yeon Hwa whispers.  "What's so great about the wenches in high places?"  She squeezes the pouch.  "I am holding my own fortune in my hands."

 

********

 

Hong Dan is rolling the dough, while Yeon Hwa is stirring a mixture.

 

"Why a mandoo soup?"  Yeon Hwa asks.  "I guess when you're pregnant, you want a lot of different things."

 

"If you're curious, meet a man, and get pregnant yourself," Yeon Hwa says.

 

"That's horrible!"  Hong Dan laughs.  If only..."Why would I want to lose my life?  That's horrible!"

 

While Hong Dan's back is turned, Yeon Hwa pours gourd flower powder into the meat and vegetable mixture.

 

"Yang!"  Hong Dan says excitedly.  "Are you done with the laundry?"

 

"Yes," says Seung Nyang, "but what are those?"

 

"Oh, our precious lady wants Mandoo Soup today," says Yeon Hwa.

 

"Should I help?" Seung Nyang asks.

 

"I would love it!"  Hong Dan exclaims.

 

They fill the mandoo wrappings with the meat and vegetable filling.

 

Yeon Hwa watches Seung Nyang and Hong Dan with a sly grin on her face.

 

*******

 

Yeon Hwa and Seung Nyang carry the trays of food to Lady Park's quarters.  Tanqishi watches them from behind a bush, while simultaneously checking out Seung Nyang.

 

"You're not supposed to be here," Eunuch Dokman says in his booming, commanding, voice.  "Don't you know that other than the Emperor, no other (intact) man can be in the inner court?"

 

Tanqishi awkwardly clears his throat.  While Yeon Hwa does not have the authority to throw him out, Eunuch Dokman most certainly does.  "I just got lost on my way to see the Empress.  It's just a mistake.  You're so inflexible."

 

Eunuch Dokman eyes him suspiciously as he walks away.

 

********

 

Yeon Hwa sets a tray of soup down in front of Lady Park.  While Seung Nyang sets a tray of tea down in front of Empress Dowager Budashiri.

 

Seung Nyang pours the tea, Yeon Hwa removes the lid from the soup.  Both women back away from the table.

 

Lady Park gets a whiff of the soup, and she immediately wants to vomit.

 

"Please have some before it gets cold," says Yeon Hwa.

 

Lady Park looks over at Empress Dowager Budashiri.  "I wanted it earlier, but I don't feel so well."

 

"Please have some for the sake of your baby," Yeon Hwa insists.

 

"She's right," Empress Dowager agrees.  "You should think of your baby and eat a lot."

 

Lady Park slowly puts the spoon in her soup.  She picks up a dumpling and begins to eat.

 

Empress Dowager smiles.  "Once you have the Crown Prince, not only your life, but everything will change for you.  Until then, you have to hang on."

 

"Yes, Your Highness."

 

Yeon Hwa is thrilled to see Lady Park take another bite.  Could her dreams be coming true?

 

******

 

"Yang Yang," Lady Park pulls back the curtains from her bed.

 

Seung Nyang rushes in through the doors.  "Do you need to go again?"

 

Lady Park nods self consciously.

 

"I'll bring the chamber pot."

 

*******

 

As Seung Nyang takes the chamber pot, she runs into Eunuch Dokman in the hallway.

 

"Are you emptying out the chamber pot again?"  Eunuch Dokman asks.

 

"Yes, Sir."

 

"Did she drink a lot of tea?"

 

"She doesn't drink tea at all since she became pregnant.  I heard that it's normal when you're pregnant."

 

"For that to happen," says Eunuch Dokman, "there's still two months left.  I saw General Tanqishi wandering around in the Inner Court earlier."

 

Seung Nyang conceals her repulsion.

 

"You never know," Eunuch Dokman continues, "so keep a watch on her surroundings."

 

"Yes, Sir."

 

After Eunuch Dokman leaves, Seung Nyang is struck with an epiphany.  "Gourd flowers..." Her heart drops.  "No way, Tanqishi..."

 

**********

 

Bayan is sitting shirtless in his ger, sword across his lap, meditating.

 

"The enemy is retreating," says Toqto'a, who, unfortunately, is not shirtless.

 

"Bring me my armor," says Bayan.

 

********

 

Several sticks of incense are placed into a ceramic bowl, and Bayan kowtows before the shrine for Tengri.  "Great Tengri, since you've watched over all descendents of the Blue Wolves, I will be sure to take down Baghatur...and seize the Silk Road."

 

Wang Yoo stealthily watches Bayan and his men.  Just watch and see, Bayan.  I will never lose the Silk Road to you.

 

*******

 

Eunuch Bang and Jeom Bak are seated at a table, talking strategy with Yeon Bisoo and her advisor.

 

Jeom Bak points to a spot on the map.  "If you go here, you will find--"

 

Eunuch Bang raises his hand.  He slides his fingers on a different spot on the map.  "There will be an all out attack in the early morning.  But the ones at the peak aren't the main force.  They're just a bait to lure in the Turk soldiers.  Bayan is leading Yuan's main force.  He's planning to seize your camp once it's emptied out.  War is a fight to deceive your enemy."

 

"Are you saying we should use the reverse of their tactic?"  Yeon Bisoo asks.

 

"That's exactly it," says Eunuch Bang.

 

"General," the advisor warns, "we can't stake everything on his word."

 

"How can you hope for victory without putting everything at stake?"  Jeom Bak asks.

 

The advisor raises his hand.  "You must be cautious.  We could get wiped out."

 

"What time did you say the attack was?"  Yeon Bisoo asks Eunuch Bang.

 

"It's in the next...fifth period," says Eunuch Bang.

 

"If they don't get here by then?"  Yeon Bisoo asks.

 

"If they don't..." says Eunuch Bang.  "I'll give up my life."

 

Jeom Bak gasps.  "Elder!"

 

"Fine.  Tell me more," says Yeon Bisoo.

 

"Sun Tzu said thus," says Eunuch Bang.  "'Take them unaware and attack where they least expect.'  Attack where they're unprepared, and attack when they're least expecting it."

 

*******

 

The Turks are standing near their gate, ready to go.  Jeom Bak and Eunuch Bang are at the very front, their faces pressed against the gate.

 

"Why isn't there any action when fifth period has almost passed?"  Jeom Bak anxiously inquires.

 

Eunuch Bang isn't feeling too good about this, either.  "I know.  I am certain of the torch signals, though."

 

"So, why did you say you would give up your life?"

 

"I had to make them trust us!"

 

They anxiously look back at a scowling advisor, and a displeased Yeon Bisoo.

 

"It's nearly the end of fifth period," says the advisor.

 

"Kill them at daylight," says Yeon Bisoo through her Baghatur mask.

 

Without warning, a fiery arrow strikes a guard in the watchtower.  His body rolls down the ladder.

 

"They're coming," Jeom Bak whispers excitedly.

 

The advisor blows his horn.

 

Eunuch Bang looks back at a surprised Yeon Bisoo and smiles. 

 

The gates open, and the Turkic Warriors flood out.  All get into position just outside the gate.  Archers line up, and Yeon Bisoo is in the back, sitting proudly on her prized horse.

 

Standing right in front of them is Wang Yoo's troop from the Yuan encampment, just as Eunuch Bang had said.

 

Another Turkic Warrior blows his horn, and the archers fire their arrows into Wang Yoo's group.

 

Wang Yoo's men skillfully hold their shields, successfully protecting themselves from attack.

 

Wang Yoo and Yeon Bisoo make eye contact.  Wang Yoo picks up his bow and nocks the arrow, aiming straight at her.  He pulls back the sinew, and instead fires the arrow through the wooden flagpole, splitting it in two.

 

Wang Yoo's warriors cheer.  The Turks look at them with disdain.

 

The Turkic Warrior standing next to Yeon Bisoo blows the horn, and the other warriors rush forward.

 

"Attack!"  Wang Yoo yells.

 

The men fight and slash, and Moo Song gallops through the crowd on horseback.  He and Bul Hwa sit on their horses, and stab anyone who gets in their way.

 

Jeom Bak, Eunuch Bang, and Yeon Bisoo observe from the watchtower.

 

"Everything is turning out the way I said," says Eunuch Bang.  "Soon, they'll be told to pull back.  When they retreat, Bayan's soldiers will show up."

 

"Pull back!"  Wang Yoo yells.

 

The Goryeo men run back to Wang Yoo en masse.

 

"Attack!  Don't leave anyone alive!"  Another Turkic warrior, who has disguised himself as Baghatur, shouts. 

 

As the Turks chase after the Goryeo fighters, Bul Hwa approaches Wang Yoo.  "Things are going according to our plan."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, it's time for Bayan and his men to shine.  They are sure they have wiped out the Goryeo group completely, for once and for all.  They stop and hide in the trees.

 

"There are still a lot of soldiers left in their camp," says Byeong Soo.  "How are you going to open their gates alone?"

 

Bayan holds out his hand, and Toqto'a pulls out a copy of Baghatur's mask.

 

Byeong Soo's jaw drops at the sight.

 

Toqto'a hands the mask to Bayan.

 

"Then..." Byeong Soo says, "the secret plan that Toqto'a spoke of..."

 

*******

 

The Yuan men gallop up to the Turkic encampment.  Bayan leads the way, disguised as Baghatur.

 

"Get Baghatur!" Byeong Soo yells.

 

"General Baghatur is being chased!"  A guard in the watchtower yells.  "Open the gates!  Hurry!"

 

The gates open, and Bayan charges through.  He slashes the gatekeepers, and the Yuan soldiers charge into the camp.

 

"Kill the enemy!" Byeong Soo yells gleefully.

 

The mounted Yuan soldiers strike down anyone in their path.

 

"Kill them all!"  Bayan shouts.  "Every last one of them!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

The exterior of the palace, and the lake surrounding it, is deceptively tranquil.

 

Empress Danashiri and Lady Park are enjoying their usual refreshments in a gazebo out on the lake.  However, Empress Danashiri is feeling too tense to pretend to like Lady Park today.

 

Lady Park can immediately tell, and she keeps her eyes lowered.

 

As luck would have it, Empress Dowager Budashiri glides through the walkway, followed by Eunuch Dokman.

 

Everyone rises and bows as the Empress Dowager graces the gazebo with her presence.

 

Empress Dowager gives Empress Danashiri a withering look.

 

"Your Highness, what's the meaning of this?"  Lady Park asks.

 

"Please have some refreshments with us," says Empress Danashiri.

 

"Enough with the refreshments," says Empress Dowager.  "She has had bad morning sickness these days."

 

"That sounds like you're blaming me for her bad morning sickness," says Empress Danashiri.

 

"I'm just saying the morning sickness will go away once she's comfortable."

 

"To me, before birth education is more important than morning sickness."

 

"Before birth education?"  Empress Dowager asks.

 

Empress Danashiri smiles.  "The baby needs to hear the voice of the woman who is to be called 'mother,' while in the womb."

 

Empress Dowager laughs.

 

Empress Danashiri glares at Lady Park.  "Why aren't you eating?  Is it because you're not comfortable with me?"

 

Lady Park shakes her head, but she looks like hell.  "No."  She grabs a non poisonous Goryeo Rice Cake.  As she is about to put it in her mouth, she begins to gag.

 

Seung Nyang puts her arm around her.  "Are you all right?"

 

Lady Park takes a deep breath and nods.  "I'm fine."

 

"You look pale," says Empress Dowager.  "It seems like your morning sickness has become worse.  Stop with the refreshments from now on."

 

Empress Danashiri smiles sweetly.  "If the morning sickness is severe, she just needs a tonic to calm it.  Head Eunuch, get the tonic ready."

 

"Yes, Your Majesty," Eunuch Dokman bows.

 

"Then, I'll leave first," says Empress Danashiri.  She looks at Lady Park.  "Come to my quarters at the same time tomorrow."

 

"Yes, Your Majesty," says Lady Park.

 

Empress Danashiri and Seung Nyang look at each other and nod.

 

********

 

The herbalist is busily assembling packets of medicinal plants to make Lady Park's "special" tonic.  Eunuch Dokman carefully observes him out of the corner of his eye.

 

*********

 

"Once she takes the tonic, I'm going to spread a rumor that she falsified her pregnancy," says Tanqishi.  He is in Empress Danashiri's quarters, and she is basking in the scent of the pleasant smelling incense that the Empress Dowager had given her.

 

Empress Danashiri smiles.  "How dare she try and fool the Emperor?  Isn't that a high treason that can wipe out generations to come?"

 

"Please don't get involved anymore.  I'll take care of the rest."

 

Empress Danashiri happily nods.  "Please do that, Older Brother."

 

After he exits, her smile turns into a frown.  "Empress Dowager, you also won't be able to avoid being charged for high treason, either."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeon Hwa and Seung Nyang are both anxiously watching the boiling kettles of tonic for different reasons.  Yeon Hwa gives Seung Nyang the side eye.

 

The tonic is placed on a tray, and as Seung Nyang reaches for it, Yeon Hwa grabs it first.

 

"Give it to me," says Seung Nyang.  "I'll take it."

 

Horrible wench, Yeon Hwa thinks.  Trying to get credit all by herself.  She flashes a fake smile.  "It's all right.  I'll take it."

 

Seung Nyang puts her hand on the tray.  "I said I'll do it."

 

"It's all right," Yeon Hwa insists.

 

Seung Nyang gives her a look.

 

Yeon Hwa remembers Seung Nyang's capabilities.  "Then...you take it."  She hands the tray to Seung Nyang.

 

Before Seung Nyang can leave, Eunuch Dokman enters the kitchen.  "Go on.  Everyone is waiting."

 

The two young women bow and exit.

 

*******

 

Lady Park is throwing up like crazy.  The morning sickness is unbearable.  A senior court lady rubs her back.  Empress Dowager is at her bedside.

 

"Here's the tonic," says Seung Nyang.

 

"Hurry and drink it," says Empress Dowager.

 

Lady Park takes a deep breath, and drinks the tonic.

 

Seung Nyang looks over and sees Yeon Hwa doing a really bad job at hiding her grin.  She really wants to knock this sociopath into next week.

 

Yeon Hwa sees Seung Nyang looking at her, and she immediately stops smiling.

 

******

 

Emperor Toghon pitifully takes a bite out of a dried persimmon, completely uncaring about the mother of his child.  Completely absorbed in himself.  He just cannot grasp why Seung Nyang does not want to work for him.

 

"If it's really Seung Nyang...it means she doesn't like being with me."  He mopes some more, and throws his persimmon on the floor.  "Seriously, what's wrong with these tasteless persimmons?  They were the best in Goryeo.  But in any case, it would be nice if that girl really isn't Seung Nyang."

 

"Your Majesty!  Your Majesty!" Eunuch Baek exclaims as he bursts into the room.  "Your Majesty."  He catches his breath.

 

"Why all the fuss?"

 

"I have news of Seung Nyang."

 

Emperor Toghon sits straight up.  "Tell me!  Where is that brat now?"

 

"He was taken to Yeongyeong with the deposed King."

 

"Then, he's with the deposed King?"

 

"That's not it."

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"Just in case, I asked the tribute girls who came in recently.  And Yang used to be that boy, Seung Nyang!"

 

Emperor Toghon's heart drops.  "No!  What?  What do you mean?  Why would a boy pretend to be a girl?"

 

"While Seung Nyang was being taken, she put her life on the line to save the deposed King.  After that, she somehow turned into a girl."

 

Emperor Toghon is having a hard time breathing.

 

"Your Majesty, according to the tribute girls, Wang Yoo favored Yang and---"

 

"Enough!"  Emperor Toghon plops into his chair.  "I don't want to hear anymore."

 

"Should I call Yang over?  Your Majesty!"

 

"No need.  From now on, I don't have any interest in that girl."

 

"You were looking for her so desperately!"

 

"I said, no need!"  Emperor Toghon shouts in frustration.  "She pretended not to know me.  I will never ask for her first, ever again."

 

*****

 

Emperor Toghon runs down the Palace yard, his entourage jogging behind him.

 

"Your Majesty!"  Eunuch Baek yells.

 

Emperor Toghon halts.

 

"You will get sick," says Eunuch Baek.  "Please go slowly."

 

"Head there first, and find out where she is!"  Emperor Toghon cries.  "Hurry!"

 

Eunuch Baek bows.  He gestures to his men to go look for Seung Nyang.

 

*******

 

Seung Nyang is in the kitchen, polishing the tea cups.  She places the tray on the shelf, enjoying her rare peace and quiet.  Her serenity is destroyed when Emperor Toghon bursts through the door.

 

She lowers her head as he approaches her.

 

"You..." says Emperor Toghon.

 

Seung Nyang looks up.

 

"Yang...You!  You!"