American Perspectives: Consequences of Wang Yoo's Actions Pt. 1 ("기황후" Ep. 17)

 

 

***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"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wang Yoo is alone in his room, furiously drinking his wine.  How dare they?  Conveniently forgetting that he shoved her aside, and refused to acknowledge her.  On top of that, she's doing her job.

 

"My eyes are shut," he remembered her saying to Emperor Toghon, while resting against his back, "and my ears are closed.  I can't see anything...And I can't hear anything.  Please...Please lean on me comfortably."

 

Wang Yoo recoils at the memory of Emperor Toghon melting into her.  With great fury, he crushes his white ceramic cup in his hand.  The blood streams down between his fingers.

 

*********

 

Seung Nyang straightens Emperor Toghon's bedding while he adoringly watches her.

 

"Just a lousy back of yours?"  Emperor Toghon asks.

 

She glares at him.

 

"It would have been nice if you had given me a hug."

 

Seung Nyang rolls her eyes.  "I think even my back is too good for you."

 

He reaches over , and pulls her onto his bed.  He's gripping her arms tightly, and she tries to move away.  He puts her hands over her ears.  She gives him the death stare.

 

"What are you doing?" Seung Nyang asks.

 

"Oh, you're such a fool," says Emperor Toghon.  "Can you hear me?"

 

Seung Nyang doesn't respond.

 

"I...will try and fight the Prime Minister.  Because I don't want you to see me being weak anymore.  So, I'm going to become courageous."

 

"What are you saying?"  Seung Nyang asks impatiently.  "This is so frustrating."

 

"Please stand by me and watch how I act as the Emperor."

 

"Aren't you going to move your hands?"

 

He takes his hands off her ears.

 

"What did you say?"  Seung Nyang asks.

 

"I made fun of you."

 

She gives him a look.

 

He scoots back on his bed and lies down.  "Read the book there."

 

Seung Nyang picks up the yellow book and sighs.  "The courier leaves tomorrow, she's told.  She sews a warrior's frock all night.  The needle is cold to the touch."

 

*******

 

Wang Yoo goes outside to practice archery.  His fury has not calmed by even a long shot.  He rapidly fires one arrow after another, hitting the bullseye every time.  Blood begins to drip from his wounded hand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Let's go," Tanqishi says to Talahai.

 

"Onward!"  Talahai says.

 

They lead the entourage that is escorting El Temur out of the palace.  El Temur proudly sits on his sedan chair, like a homecoming queen in a parade.

 

Bayan and Toqto'a quietly observe from the top of the stone steps.

 

"They enter the palace with armed guards without any hesitation now," says Toqto'a.

 

"I'm the Captain of the Imperial Guards," says Bayan, "yet they lack any respect."

 

"Prime Minister El Temur is furious beyond words.  You will need to watch out for yourself more."

 

"I am ashamed to see His Majesty."

 

*******

 

Empress Dowager reverently kneels in the temple.  She touches her forehead to the rug in front of the golden Buddha statue, before rising once more.

 

*******

 

Tanqishi, Talahai, and their entourage walk through the snow while El Temur is being carried in a sedan chair.  They are heading right for the temple.

 

"She's praying to Buddha,"  Eunuch Dokman and Lord Jang block their entry.  "She has asked not to let anyone--"

 

Tanqishi points his sword at Eunuch Dokman's throat.

 

********

 

As Empress Dowager touches her forehead to the rug once more, she conceals her surprise as the door is suddenly jolted open.

 

"She'll find me more extraordinary than a prayer to Buddha," says El Temur.

 

Empress Dowager slowly looks up.  With her prayer beads in hand, she carefully stands.

 

"If you want to pray," says El Temur, "you should pray to me."

 

"If I pray to you, will you listen to my prayer?"  Empress Dowager asks.

 

"As long as you don't test my patience with the bloodletter that doesn't even exist, what can't I grant you?"

 

Empress Dowager turns around to face him.  "Do you believe I'm the author of that slanderous document?"

 

"I'm warning you not to look for the bloodletter!"

 

"The winds have changed already.  Trends follow the direction of the flag.  Why would I put myself in danger by striking gunflint?"

 

El Temur chuckles.  "The tree that bends never breaks.  Prostrate yourself even more.  In my eyes, you're still not in the clear yet."

 

"I prayed that you will live for a very long time.  You need to live a long time in order to pay for all of your sins.  A hundred years.  No, if you are to pay back all your wrongdoings, you will need to live several hundred years!"

 

El Temur smirks.  "No flowers last more than ten days, and no power lasts more than ten years.  But...I'm different.  If it was for a mere ten days, I wouldn't have given off any fragrance; and if it was just for ten years of power, I wouldn't have even drawn my sword."

 

Empress Dowager smiles.  "I'm sure of that."

 

"What do you think is the reason I'm letting you live?"

 

"I'm sure you don't have any reason to hurry.  Killing me is nothing when you even replaced the Emperor.  If I was scared to die, I would have gone to the nunnery."

 

"It's too late now.  If you attempt to leave now, do you think I would let you go?  If you want to criticize me, do it internally so I can't hear it.  The difference between Buddha and I is that I'm not merciful or unafraid to get revenge.  Do you understand, Your Imperial Highness?"  He turns away and kicks the wooden double doors open.

 

Empress Dowager stares at his back stonily.

 

Lord Jang enters, and the doors close.

 

"It's time," says Empress Dowager.  "Who can we trust among the ministers?"

 

"The Minister of Law and the Minister of Affairs resent Prime Minister El Temur," says Lord Jang.

 

"Quietly find out whether they're on the same page as us.  Find out whether anyone among the extended members of the Imperial Family will fight against the Prime Minister."

 

"I understand, Your Highness."

 

***********

 

"As expected, it wasn't Empress Dowager," El Temur says to Tanqishi and Talahai as they walk through the snow.

 

"How can you be so certain?"  Tanqishi asks.

 

"She is well aware of what would happen if she provoked me without the bloodletter."

 

"Then, she doesn't have it?"  Talahai asks.

 

"If she did, she would have used it already," says El Temur.

 

"Who exactly is it, then?"  Tanqishi asks.

 

*********

 

El Temur and his entourage descends the steps to the main palace as they cross paths with Wang Yoo and his entourage.  Wang Yoo and his men bow.

 

"Have you heard about the slanderous document?"  El Temur asks.

 

"I'm staying in the guest pavilion," says Wang Yoo.  "Of course, I have."

 

"But, where are you going?"  El Temur asks.

 

"Empress Dowager invited me," says Wang Yoo.

 

"If you don't want to be misunderstood, you'll have to watch how you act."

 

"Thank you for your advice."

 

El Temur and his entourage push through Wang Yoo's men, forcing them to part like the red sea.

 

"Prime Minister El Temur doesn't seem to realize you're the one who wrote the document," Eunuch Bang whispers.

 

********

 

Emperor Toghon and his entourage are taking a walk the morning after his profound humiliation.  He feels something poking his eye, and suddenly stops.

"What's the atter, Your Majesty?"  Eunuch Baek asks.

 

"I think I have something in my eye," says Emperor Toghon.

 

"I'll take a look," says Eunuch Baek.  He gets ready to blow into Emperor Toghon's eye.

 

Emperor Toghon recoils and pushes him away.  "It's not going to work with you.  Never mind.  Yang, you do it."

 

Seung Nyang pauses.

 

"What are you doing?"  Eunuch Baek asks.  "He needs help."

 

Seung Nyang reluctantly stands in front of him.  He leans into her, and she quickly blows in his eye.  "Did it work?"

 

"Well...i-it didn't work," Emperor Toghon says awkwardly.  "Can you gently blow here again?"  He points to his eye.

 

Seung Nyang slowly blows into his eye, just as Wang Yoo is walking by.  He pauses and watches them.  Seung Nyang gasps when she turns, and sees him standing right there, with his entourage.  Wang Yoo looks at her sadly, while Seung Nyang feels embarrassed.

 

"It's Wang Yoo," says Emperor Toghon.  "What brings you here?"

 

"I'm on my way to see Empress Dowager," says Wang Yoo.

 

"I was on my way there, too," says Emperor Toghon.  He and his entourage walk ahead.

 

Seung Nyang pauses to look back at Wang Yoo regretfully.

 

"Yang," says Emperor Toghon.

 

She turns to look back at the Emperor.

 

"I told you to stay no more than three steps away from me," says Emperor Toghon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Empress Danashiri is calmly working on an elaborate piece of embroidery.  All of her energy for Emperor Toghon is instead being redirected into her embroidery, clothes, hair, and makeup.  There's no way her father will let her empower herself and divorce the schmuck.

 

"I get brutal when I meet an enemy on the battlefield," she remembers Wang Yoo saying.  "And my heart races when I see a beauty at the drinking table."

 

Empress Danashiri sighs and smiles.  If only...Damnit!!  She unintentionally stabs her finger with her embroidery needle.  "Get a hold of yourself.  What insolence!  How dare he approach me thusly?  As if I would even care."

 

"Empress!"  Court Lady Seo runs into the room.  "Empress, at the Empress Dowager's quarters--"

 

"Fine, I got it," Empress Danashiri sighs.  "Why is greeting Empress Dowager coming so quickly?"

 

"We just got word that you don't have to come today," says Court Lady Seo.

 

"Why so suddenly?"  Empress Danashiri asks.

 

"You know the palace is chaotic these days.  I smell something suspicious."

 

Empress Danshiri grins.  "Then, I can't miss out on being there.  Get ready."

 

"Yes, Your Highness."

 

 

 

 

 

"Long time, no see, Empress," Emperor Toghon says as he's waiting outside.

 

Empress Danashiri bows.  "It embarrasses me to hear you say 'Long time, no see' between husband and wife."  She ascends the stone staircase with her entourage.  Calling him out like that feels really, really good.

 

"Well...You do look well," says Emperor Toghon.

 

Empress Danashiri laughs.  "Is that how I look?  I guess I am at peace since you are not visiting me."

 

Emperor Toghon awkwardly clears his throat.  He's lucky that she said nothing about him being bad in bed.

 

And just around the corner, like a pleasant dream, Wang Yoo leads his entourage.  Why didn't my father have me marry him?

 

Wang Yoo stops in front of the Emperor and Empress, and bows.

 

"What are you doing?"  Empress Danashiri asks Court Lady Seo.  "Announce me."  She looks at Wang Yoo and smiles.

 

*******

 

"Welcome," Empress Dowager says as Empress Danashiri, Emperor Toghon, and Wang Yoo enter the room.  "Did you not hear my message not to come, Empress?"

 

Empress Danashiri smirks.  "I shouldn't skip my greetings."

 

Empress Dowager forces a smile.  "Let's all sit, then.  Is the tea not ready yet?"

 

"It's almost done, Your Highness," says Yeon Hwa.

 

"Is Yang out there?"  Emperor Toghon asks.

 

"Yes, Your Majesty," Seung Nyang replies.  

 

"You come in and make the tea," says Emperor Toghon.

 

Seung Nyang enters and bows.

 

"Tea tastes the same," Empress Danashiri snaps.  "What's the use of asking her to make it?"

 

"Unless she makes it, I don't like the taste," says Emperor Toghon.

 

"Bring the tea," says Empress Dowager.

 

Seung Nyang bows, and takes her place next to a very pissy Yeon Hwa, who is overseeing the tea.

 

"But why call Wang Yoo here?"  Empress Danashiri asks.

 

"I am thinking about suggesting to him to marry Princess Seo Hwa," says Empress Dowager.

 

Wang Yoo glances at the Empress Dowager.

 

Empress Danashiri isn't having it.  Her boy toy had better be accessible.  "That kind of matter, you should have discussed with me first."

 

Empress Dowager smiles.  "How about it, Wang Yoo?"

 

"I appreciate your offer...but I decline."

 

Empress Danashiri smugly smiles.

 

Emperor Toghon looks over at Seung Nyang, and sees her grinning.  His blood boils.

 

"Wang Yoo, what do you mean decline?"  Empress Dowager asks.

 

"I think the same as Empress Dowager," says Emperor Toghon.  "The moment you become a member of the Imperial Family, your status will change, as well."

 

"Not only that.  The relationship between Goryeo and Yuan will improve.  So, it's something to celebrate for both countries," Empress Dowager insists.

 

"It's a good suggestion," Wang Yoo says awkwardly, "but I don't wish to do so."

 

"Perhaps you have someone in your heart?"  Empress Danashiri asks.

 

Seung Nyang pauses as she pours the tea.

 

"Unless that's why," Empress Danashiri continues, "I don't think there's any reason to decline."

 

Wang Yoo smiles.  "I am...embarrassed to receive...such interest.  I'll just drink my tea and take my leave."

 

Yeon Hwa gives side eye as Seung Nyang walks forward with the tray of tea.  Why is that bitch always stealing my thunder?  She strategically sticks out her foot, sending Seung Nyang and the tea tray flying.  Wang Yoo reaches out and catches her before she can face plant into the carpet.

 

The cups of hot tea fly through the air, a couple of which hit and scald Wang Yoo on the shoulder.

 

Internally, Emperor Toghon is gloating.  Externally, he pretends to be horrified.  Empress Dowager and Empress Danashiri gasp.  Yeon Hwa pretends to be shocked.  Wang Yoo grimaces.

 

"Are you all right?"  Empress Dowager anxiously asks Wang Yoo.

 

Wang Yoo and Seung Nyang awkwardly stand up.

 

"Yes, I am fine," says Wang Yoo.

 

"How can you be so careless?"  Empress Danashiri snaps.  Finally!  Justification for all her built up wrath... "Drag her out right now--" 

 

 

"It's nothing," Wang Yoo interrupts.

 

Empress Danashiri is astounded.  "What do you mean nothing?  You probably got burned by the hot tea."

 

"It wasn't that hot," says Wang Yoo.  "Please forgive her."

 

"Go get your burn treated," says Empress Dowager.

 

"Yes, Your Highness," Wang Yoo bows.  He looks at Seung Nyang.  "I am really alright, so don't worry about it."

 

"Your Majesty," Seung Nyang whispers.

 

He gracefully exits the Empress Dowager's meeting room.

 

"Why aren't you cleaning up already?"  Empress Dowager snaps at Seung Nyang.

 

Yeon Hwa is internally gloating.  It's a minimal price to pay for sabotaging my chance to become a court lady...

 

Turning pale and crying over a mere wound, Emperor Toghon thinks jealously.

 

 

 

 

 

"I'm sorry," Yeon Hwa says as she follows Seung Nyang into the kitchen.  "I didn't know you were passing--"

 

Seung Nyang sharply turns around and grabs Yeon Hwa by the collar, slamming her into the post.

 

Yeon Hwa's eyes bulge out in shock.  "Yang."

 

Seung Nyang applies more pressure against her neck.

 

"Forgive me," Yeon Hwa says weakly.  "I was wrong!"

 

"You do this once more, watch...what will happen."

 

Yeon Hwa anxiously nods.

 

Seung Nyang releases her grip, and walks out the door.  Yeon Hwa slides down the post, coughing and gagging.

 

*********

 

Emperor Toghon sighs in the cold outdoors.  "She didn't even care when I got hurt playing kickball.  Why?  Why didn't you wail then?"

 

Eunuch Baek gives him a perplexed look.

 

Emperor Toghon sighs.  "But...I can't get angry, given my pride as the Emperor."  He takes a deep breath, and looks back at Eunuch Baek.  "Where is Yang right now?"

 

Eunuch Baek stands next to him and bows.  "She went outside for an urgent matter."

 

"She probably went to the guest quarters.  Hurry and bring her back.  Hurry!"

 

"Yes, Your Majesty," Eunuch Baek bows.

 

Emperor Toghon leans on the railing and breathes heavily.  "You dare...dare without my permission."

 

*********

 

Moo Song pulls back Wang Yoo's jeogori, revealing an angry, red burn on his shoulder.

 

"It must be hurting a lot," says Moo Song.

 

"Your Majesty!"  Seung Nyang calls from the other side of the door.

 

"I told you to leave!"  Wang Yoo says sternly.

 

"Please let me at least treat your wound," Seung Nyang insists.

 

Moo Song opens the door.  "I think it's best for you to leave."

 

"Your Majesty!"  Eunuch Bang runs past them, but Seung Nyang intercepts the wooden box he is carrying, stopping him in his tracks.

 

"I will do it," Seung Nyang insists.

 

"Seung Nyang..." Eunuch Bang says.

 

She pushes past them, and closes the door behind her.  Eunuch Bang tries to follow, but Moo Song intercepts.

 

"Let her be," says Moo Song.

 

Eunuch Bang leans in toward the door, and Moo Song slaps him away.

 

 

...To be continued...