American Perspectives: Discovered Identity Pt. 2 ("기황후" Ep. 12)

 

 

***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"

 

 

 

 

 

Yeon Bisoo, Eunuch Bang, and Jeom Bak emerge from behind a ger.

 

"It's pandemonium," Jeom Bak observes.  "It looks like barley thrashing in high heat."

 

"Is that Bayan?"  Yeon Bisoo asks.

 

"Yes," Eunuch Bang smiles.  "He's a violent and dangerous person."

 

"He looks like a crazed animal," Yeon Bisoo observes.  "He's too good to kill."  A judgement she would later regret.  She looks at the soldier behind her.  "Tell them to catch him alive."

 

"Yes, General," the soldier bows.

 

"Catch him alive?"  Eunuch Bang chuckles.  "A crazy tiger should be caught and killed quickly."

 

********

 

Bayan, Toqto'a, and Byeong Soo are surrounded by Turks.  They are severely outnumbered, and there's no way the three men are going to make it out alive.

 

"Come fight me, whoever you are!"  Bayan challenges the swarm.  "I'll cut all your heads off!"

 

Several warriors with ropes jump up, and Bayan is effortlessly bound and wrapped.  The warriors bring him to his knees.

 

"You bastards!" Bayan shouts.

 

Byeong Soo looks at him fearfully.  Toqto'a looks straight ahead, and remains calm.

 

"Put down your swords!"  Toqto'a yells.  "Surrender."

 

"Do not surrender!"  Bayan shouts.  "Fight to the death!"

 

Byeong Soo doesn't want to do it anymore.  He's the first to drop his sword.  The remaining Yuan warriors relinquish their swords, the metal clanging to the ground.  Toqto'a is the last to let his fall from his hand.

 

******

 

Wang Yoo, Moo Song, and Bul Hwa hide in the tall grass, and observe Bayan getting treated like an animal.

 

"Everything worked out the way you planned, Your Majesty," says Moo Song.

 

"It's too bad," Bul Hwa whispers.  "I wanted to rip Yeom Byeong Soo to shreds myself."

 

"We'll use a desperate strategem from here on out," says Wang Yoo.

 

"Desperate strategem?"  Moo Song asks.  "You mean...?"

 

"I have to catch the real Baghatur myself," says Wang Yoo, "to end this war.  Our fight begins now."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day is breaking at the Daedo palace.  The waters are calm, the lanterns burn red.

 

Empress Danashiri and Lady Park are meeting yet again.  Seung Nyang is pouring the tea, Court Lady Seo is observing the action.  Empress Danashiri warily eyes Lady Park as she grabs a cake with her chopsticks.

 

"Pretend to be sick," Lady Park remembers Seung Nyang telling her.  "That way, the Empress will be completely fooled."

 

Lady Park begins to gag at the scent of the Goryeo cakes.  She holds her stomach, and puts the cake in her bowl.

 

"Are you not feeling well?"  Empress Danashiri suppresses her smile.

 

"I'm fine," says Lady Park.

 

Empress Danashiri smirks.  Fine?  She should have severe lower abdominal pains by now.  

 

"May I...take my leave?"  Lady Park gasps.

 

"Do that," says Empress Danashiri.  She knowingly looks at Seung Nyang.

 

*******

 

"The drug has finally taken effect," Empress Danashiri says proudly.

 

"Since she also took the tonic, she should miscarry soon," says Seung Nyang.

 

"You've done well," Empress Danashiri smiles.  "But, it's not over yet."

 

"Please give me your command, whatever it is," Seung Nyang bows.

 

"Now, we must spread a rumor quietly within the Imperial Palace."

 

Seung Nyang nervously looks up.  "Rumor?"

 

"That the Park bitch falsified her pregnancy.  In order to win His Majesty over, she's been feigning morning sickness as though she were pregnant.  That type of rumor."

 

Seung Nyang forces a small smile.  "I understand."

 

"But...something is strange today."

 

Shit...

 

"That Lady Park was only eating the one with the jujubes on it."

 

"Did she?"  Seung Nyang asks.

 

"She didn't even touch the ones with pine nuts on them.  Isn't it strange to call it a coincidence?"

 

"I heard that jujubes help to aid morning sickness."

 

"From now on, only use jujubes as a topping."

 

"Do you not trust me?"  Seung Nyang asks.

 

Empress Danashiri smiles.  "I don't want to misunderstand you needlessly."

 

"I will do as you ask," says Seung Nyang.  She bows and exits Empress Danashiri's study.

 

"Are you still suspicious of her?"  Empress Danashiri asks.

 

Tanqishi emerges from behind the divider. "We have Yeon Hwa, too, so there's no need to worry, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious."

 

"Court Lady Seo is keeping an eye on her.  So, you don't need to be concerned," says Empress Danashiri.

 

*********

 

The palace maids are in the laundry area, hanging the white sheets up to dry.  Seung Nyang carries a heavy red bucket.  She takes out some wet, beige undergarments, and begins to hang them up.  Her final piece is a pair of undershorts with a blood stain on the crotch.

 

As Yeon Hwa is hanging some garments, she does a double take.  "What's on here?"  She takes a closer look.  "Isn't that blood?"

 

"Blood?"  Hong Dan asks curiously.  "Why is it here?"  She also feels the need to take a closer look.

 

"It's obviously the sign of a monthly," says Yeon Hwa.

 

"Monthly?"  Hong Dan asks.  "These belong to the pregnant--" she gasps.

 

"Lady Park, who's pregnant, had her period?"  Yeon Hwa gasps.

 

"There's no way," says Hong Dan.  "How can you when you're pregnant?"

 

"That's what's strange.  Her being pregnant must be a lie, then," Yeon Hwa insists as other palace maids gather to inspect the shorts.

 

Several gasp.

 

"Watch your mouths!"  Seung Nyang says.  "You all could get in trouble."  She immediately rips the shorts off the clothesline.

 

"How can this happen?"  A palace maid asks.

 

"There's going to be an uproar over the pregnancy being a lie."

 

Court Lady Seo peeks out from behind a wall, and she nods her approval at Seung Nyang.

 

"Watch your mouth, or we could be in trouble."

 

Seung Nyang, on the other hand, feels disgusted with herself for dragging Lady Park through this.

 

******

The Palace Maids continue to whisper the rumor among themselves out on the covered walkway.  As they see Empress Dowager Budashiri and Court Lady Yeom approaching, the immediately kowtow.

 

Empress Dowager looks at them curiously and moves on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The atmosphere here today is strange," says Empress Dowager.  "Find out what they're whispering about."

 

"That's..." Court Lady Yeom bows.  "I'm sorry, but..."

 

Empress Dowager gives her the death stare.  "So you know something, right?  Tell me."

 

Court Lady Yeom whispers in her ear.

 

"What?"  Empress Dowager's eyes widen.  "False pregnancy!"

 

"The Empress has entered," a court lady announces.

 

Empress Danashiri strolls through Empress Dowager's quarters with a self satisfied smile.  She politely bows upon sight of her mother-in-law.

 

"What brings you here today?"  Empress Dowager asks.

 

"There's a strange rumor going around the palace," Empress Danashiri replies.  "Have you heard anything?"

 

"A strange rumor?"  Empress Dowager plays dumb.

 

"That Lady Park's pregnancy is false."

 

So, you're the one who spread that rumor.

 

"You must find out the truth right away," Empress Danashiri continues.

 

"Find out the truth?  The doctor already confirmed it.  Do you believe that ridiculous false rumor?"

 

"I heard you were the only one who spoke with the doctor."

 

"You don't trust me?"  Empress Dowager asks.

 

"I'm saying this because I trust you.  Right now, it's just a rumor among servants, but we never know when it will spread to those outside the palace.  We need to do a re-examination right away, and silence this rumor."

 

"Do you not realize the moment we do a re-examination, my authority will fall to ground?"  Empress Dowager asks.

 

"To me, the honor of the Inner Court is more important than your authority.  As the head of the Inner Court, I can't just stand by and watch."

 

Empress Dowager stares her down.  "If a re-examination proves that it's a groundless rumor, I will catch the person who started the rumor, and put them to death."

 

"Of course, you should do that," says Empress Danashiri.  "But if it is in fact a false pregnancy, Lady Park and those involved will all be rooted out, and they will be punished severely by me."

 

"Do whatever you want," says Empress Dowager.

 

**********

 

Empress Danashiri walks down the hall, her facial expression furious.  She dares to try and punish me, this Danashiri?  We'll soon find out who gets hit with a bolt of lightning first.

 

******

 

"Yang," Hong Dan approaches Seung Nyang.  "Like you asked, I tailed Yeon Hwa.  But just a moment ago, she went into the library archives."

 

"The archives?"  Seung Nyang asks.

 

"Yes, but do you know who else I saw there?"  She checks to see if anyone else is around, and then whispers, "General Tanqishi."

 

Seung Nyang gasps.  "Tanqishi?"

 

"That's right.  General Tanqishi came out of there, followed by Yeon Hwa a little later."

 

"Where is Yeon Hwa now?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seung Nyang enters the tea room, and sees Yeon Hwa enjoying some refreshments.  

 

"Would you like some tea?"  Yeon Hwa offers sweetly.

 

Seung Nyang takes a seat in front of her.  There is an extended moment of awkward silence.

 

"Why?"  Yeon Hwa asks.  "Do you have something to say to me?"

 

"What are you getting in return?"  Seung Nyang asks.  "Maid in waiting?  Or Court Lady?"

 

Now you're showing your true colors, Yeon Hwa thinks.  She puts down her cup of tea.  "How about you?  What are you getting in return?"

 

Seung Nyang grins slyly.

 

"No way...you weren't promised to become a concubine, were you?"

 

"Why?"  Seung Nyang asks.  "I guess you weren't promised to become a concubine?"

 

"No way!  I'm going to become a concubine, too!"

 

"What have you done to deserve it?"  Seung Nyang asks.

 

"What do you mean?  The gourd flowers and the tonic.  I fed them both to her."

 

She gave her the gourd flowers?

 

"Do you think you did it all yourself?  No, I did all I could."  Yeon Hwa rises.  "I'm warning you.  You better not try to take this credit for yourself.  I won't let you take this away from me."  She walks out and slams the door.

 

"Yang!"  Hong Dan sprints inside.  "Lady Park is very ill!"

 

 

 

 

 

Empress Danashiri is giggling with delight.  "So, that bitch, Lady Park, has a high fever?"

 

"Yes," Seung Nyang bows.  "Since last night, and the fever is not subsiding."

 

"Your Majesty," says Court Lady Seo, "it seems like the baby has finally miscarried."

 

"We will do a re-examination," Empress Danashiri says confidently.  "Bring His Majesty and Empress Dowager here.  Ask the doctor to come, too."

 

"Yes, Your Majesty," says Court Lady Seo.

 

"You bring Lady Park here," Empress Danashiri says to Seung Nyang.  "Hurry."

 

"Yes, Your Majesty."  She bows and quietly exits.  Re-examination?

 

*********

 

Eunuch Dokman leads the way as Lady Park, Seung Nyang, Yeon Hwa, and several palace maids head to the Empress' quarters.  Eunuch Dokman stops in the middle of the walkway.

 

"You don't look well," Seung Nyang says to Lady Park.

 

Lady Park begins to feel dizzy, and she crumples to the floor.

 

"My Lady!"  The palace maids gasp.

 

"Please wake up!"  Seung Nyang says.

 

"Out of the way," says Eunuch Dokman.  He puts his fingers on her neck to feel for a pulse.  He immediately picks her up, and takes her back to her room.

 

"Yeon Hwa," says Seung Nyang.  "Please tell the Empress quickly."

 

"Yes, I understand," says Yeon Hwa.

 

********

 

Empress Danashiri, Emperor Toghon, and Empress Dowager Budashiri are sitting at the red table in Empress Danashiri's room.  Empress Danashiri is the only one smiling.

 

The doors are pulled open, and Eunuch Baek and Yeon Hwa enter.

 

"Lady Park, the concubine, on her way here," says Yeon Hwa, "she collapsed."

 

Emperor Toghon and Empress Dowager abruptly stand up.

 

"She collapsed?"  Emperor Toghon asks.

 

"Tell us more," says Empress Dowager.  "What happened?"

 

"We don't know the details," says Eunuch Baek, "but she returned to the pavilion."

 

Empress Danashiri stands up and smiles.  "She's playing tricks."

 

Emperor Toghon glares at her.

 

"Tricks?  How dare you?"  Empress Dowager asks.

 

"Isn't it obvious?"  Empress Danashiri smirks.  "That wicked girl is trying to hide her fake pregnancy."

 

"Empress, please be quiet," says Emperor Toghon.

 

The Empress is stunned.  "Your Majesty."

 

"How can you be so cold hearted?  How disappointing."

 

Empress Danashiri's heart drops.  "Did you just say I was disappointing?"

 

Empress Dowager leaves the two to fight it out.

 

"Do you really not know why I am acting this way?"  Empress Danashiri asks.  Every woman who has had an unempathetic partner can relate to this.

 

"I don't want to hear any of it," says Emperor Toghon, not realizing his lack of empathy is a huge part of the problem.

 

As he's about to make a dramatic exit, Empress Danashiri blocks him.  "We must have a re-examination."

 

"That won't happen," Emperor Toghon says adamantly.

 

She grabs his arm.  "The Inner Court is my jurisdiction.  You may be the Emperor, but you cannot interfere in this."

 

"Let go of me," says Emperor Toghon.

 

"The re-examination...please permit it."

 

"Let go of me," he aggressively moves his arm away from Empress Danashiri.

 

"Court Lady Seo, bring Lady Park here immediately!"

 

"This is an Imperial Command!" Emperor Toghon yells.

 

Silence fills Empress Danashiri's quarters.  Both Court Lady Seo and Eunuch Baek wish to leave.  Empress Danashiri's pain is unbearable to watch.

 

"Re-examination," says Emperor Toghon, "will never happen."

 

Tears of desperation fill Empress Danashiri's eyes.  Why is he so repulsed by me?

 

He walks past her, leaving her alone with Court Lady Seo, the closest woman she has to being both a mother and a friend.

 

"Your Majesty," says Court Lady Seo.

 

"Please ask Father to come here right away."  Empress Danashiri really doesn't want to summon her father, but she feels her husband isn't holding up his end of the deal.  She wasn't too keen on this marriage, either, but at least she's trying.  Emperor Toghon, on the other hand, was easily swayed by his Auntie, and threw her away.

 

"Yes, Your Majesty," Court Lady Seo says empathetically, before walking out the doors.

 

"Your Majesty," Empress Danashiri weeps.  "You want to take this to the end?  Yes...Let's do that.  So, let us see whether I die or that bitch dies.  Let's see this to the end."

 

********

 

Empress Dowager and Emperor Toghon enter Lady Park's quarters.

 

"How is she?"  Emperor Toghon asks Hong Dan.

 

"She just fell asleep," Hong Dan replies.

 

Emperor Toghon pulls back the curtains on her bed and takes a look.  She's asleep, and sweating heavily.

 

"Her fever was high," says Hong Dan, "but she got chills and said she was cold."

 

"Doctor, please examine her now," says Empress Dowager Budashiri.

 

"Yes, Empress Dowager," the doctor bows.  

 

"You must not," Hong Dan blocks him.

 

"Why not?"  Emperor Toghon asks.

 

"She got cold sweats," says Hong Dan, "so we removed all her clothes."

 

Empress Dowager sighs.

 

"Then, just let me examine her pulse," says the doctor.

 

"Please do that," Empress Dowager agrees.

 

Hong Dan sits down by the bed with the doctor, and pulls Lady Park's arm forward.  The Doctor puts his fingers on her wrist.

 

The doctor sighs and twitches uncomfortably.

 

"What's wrong?"  Empress Dowager asks.  "Is the baby doing well?"

 

"Something is strange," says the doctor.

 

"What do you mean by strange?"  Emperor Toghon asks.  "What is it?"

 

"I was certain that she was pregnant before, but I can no longer feel her rolling pulse."

 

Empress Dowager's jaw drops.  "What does that mean?  The child is no longer there?"

 

"Yes, it appears so, Empress Dowager," the doctor bows.

 

Empress Dowager's knees buckle.

 

"Empress Dowager!"  Emperor Toghon catches her before she falls on the floor.

 

She wants to throw up.  Her star game piece has turned out to be a dud.  "Keep this a secret.  I will make sure you are compensated well."

 

"No, Empress Dowager," says the doctor, "that isn't proper."

 

"Please leave now," says Empress Dowager.

 

The doctor bows and nervously exits.

 

"How can this be happening?"  Empress Dowager asks.

 

"Don't worry," says Emperor Toghon.  "She can always get pregnant again."

 

"It's not so simple.  The Empress and the Prime Minister are already suspecting that it's a fake pregnancy.  It looks like they will win this time."

 

"Don't worry," Emperor Toghon insists.  "I will never permit a re-examination."

 

 

...To be continued...