American Perspectives: Switched Toxins Pt. 2 ("기황후" Ep. 20)

 

 

 

***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"

 

 

 

가게에 오세요!

 

 

 

"That's General Bang of the Privy Council," Seung Nyang says to Wang Yoo as they quietly observe the Mongolian ministers.  "He's the most loyal of El Temur's faithful servants who helped him in his conquests.  I've seen him once in the great hall while I was a court lady.  I heard he holds the most military authority after El Temur."

 

"Minister of Military, Joo Guk Cheong.  He's sharp and has a way with words, so he's gained the full trust of El Temur," says Seung Nyang.  "Not too long ago, I saw him raise his voice in front of the Emperor with Bang Jin.  They both have an immense desire for power."

 

"Seung Nyang, I need your help," says Wang Yoo.

 

"Yes, Your Majesty."

 

"Go meet the Empress," says Wang Yoo.

 

Ugh, of course.

 

"Tonight," Wang Yoo continues, "I will meet those men with Empress Dowager."

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Welcome, General Bang," says Empress Dowager.

 

Wang Yoo and Empress Dowager are sitting at the table.  General Bang bows, and takes a seat across from the Empress Dowager.  Moo Song is carefully observing the General's behavior.

 

"Why did you ask for me?"  General Bang inquires.

 

"I have something I need to discuss with you urgently," Empress Dowager replies.

 

"Please, go ahead."

 

"Please take over the Prime Minister post."

 

General Bang sits back in surprise.

 

"We can't place a cane where the pillar has crumbled," Empress Dowager continues.  "If we need roof support, it needs to have that same length and width."

 

"Then..." General Bang says, "You're asking me to..."

 

"I'm asking you to be Prime Minister of this country," says Empress Dowager.

 

"Your Highness," General Bang sputters.

 

"But you need to do something before that can happen."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Empress Danashiri stealthily walks into the library, excited to see her Goryeo crush.  She carefully walks into the dark room, observing her surroundings.  "Wang Yoo.  Wang Yoo, huh?"  She looks over at a bookshelf and sighs.  "He must not be here yet."  She pulls her hand mirror out of her sleeve.

 

Seung Nyang emerges from behind a shelf near the Empress.  She quietly stands behind her unnoticed.  The Empress preens in front of her small mirror.

 

Empress Danashiri smiles as she senses someone is behind her.  It must be him.  She gasps with a mix of disappointment, surprise, and anger.

 

"His Majesty can't come," Seung Nyang explains.

 

"Aren't you...a court lady at the Imperial Palace?"

 

"I'm no longer a court lady," says Seung Nyang.  Wow, interactions between the Emperor and Empress must have really dried up since I left, or she most certainly would have already known this.  "I received a great favor from Prime Minister."

 

Empress Danashiri begins to connect the dots.  That person, was it Wang Yoo?  Was that whom she wanted to leave the palace for?  She smirks.  You're pitiful, too.  A one sided love...

 

Seung Nyang steps forward.  "His Majesty's words are, 'The Privy Council's Bang Jin and the Minister of the Military, Joo Guk Cheong, are planning a rebellion by gathering soldiers.  Tell General Tanqishi to inform the Capitol Defense force ahead of time, and get ready to mobilize the troops at any time.'"

 

"What?"  Empress Danashiri gasps.  "A rebellion?"

 

**********

 

"Did you say the military?"  General Bang asks.

 

"I'm certain Tanqishi will try to mobilize the Capitol Defense Force," Empress Dowager adds.  "Can you block them?"

 

"If it was Prime Minister El Temur," says General Bang, "it would be impossible to block; but Tanqishi, I can definitely block them!"

 

"Tell the defense force ahead of time not to dispatch its troops."

 

"I will do so, Your Highness," General Bang bows.

 

"I heard El Temur commands a sizeable private army," Empress Dowager continues.  "It will be too difficult with only your soldiers, so work with Joo Guk Cheong.

 

"Pardon?"  General Bang asks.  "Why Joo Guk Cheong of all people?"

 

"You're the one who will become the Prime Minister anyway.  First, we need to make sure we succeed."

 

"I understand, Your Highness," General Bang sighs.  He finds her promise dubious, as she is as clever and cunning as El Temur, but with less popular support.

 

*********

 

Joo Guk Cheong meets the Empress Dowager alone in a room full of medicinal herbs.

 

"It's been awhile, Lieutenant Joo," says Empress Dowager.

 

"Why did you want to see me in a place like this?"  Joo Guk Cheong asks.

 

"Please become this country's Prime Minister," says Empress Dowanger.

 

"Pardon?!"

 

***********

 

"Bang Jin and Joo Guk Cheong are planning a revolt?"  Tanqishi asks.

 

"Yes," Empress Danashiri says breathlessly.  "They're gathering soldiers in secret."

 

"They experienced life and death alongside father," says Talahai.  "How could you suspect them just because of what Wang Yoo told you?"

 

"We'll see if it's true or not," says Tanqishi.

 

"What do you mean?"  Empress Danashiri asks.

 

"I've put a minion on every ministers' tail who were present in the ger," says Tanqishi.

 

Court Lady Seo quietly enters the room.  "General, an Imperial Guard is outside," she whispers.

 

"Bring him in," Tanqishi replies.

 

Byeong Soo enters the room and bows.  "I'm back, General."

 

"Did you find out?"

 

"I tailed General Bang Jin of the Privy Council, and he just went into the Minister of the Military, Joo Guk Cheong's house."

 

"What?"  Tanqishi feels ice cold.  "General Bang Jin and Joo Guk Cheong?"

 

"Weren't they sworn enemies?"  Talahai asks.

 

"Wang Yoo was right," says Empress Danashiri.  "What reason would enemies meet in each other's houses?"

 

"Watch them even more closely!"  Tanqishi commands.

 

"Yes, Sir," Byeong Soo bows and exits.

 

"Don't suspect Wang Yoo anymore," says Empress Danashiri.  "It makes me feel ashamed to watch you behave that way."

 

Lying on Empress Danashiri's bed, El Temur's fingers begin to twitch.

 

"I need to move Father to the house," says Tanqishi.  "Prepare for it quietly."

 

"Yes, Brother," says Talahai.

 

 

 

가게에 오세요!

 

 

 

Tanqishi, Talahai, and their entourage slowly walk through the palace grounds.  Tanqishi and Talahai lead the way, while the entourage carries the covered sedan which has El Temur in it.

 

"Where are you going?"  Empress Dowager's voice cuts through the silence.

 

Tanqishi and Talahai bow as she and her entourage approach them.

 

"Where are you headed to all of a sudden?"  Tanqishi asks.

 

"I was worried about Prime Minister, so I was headed to the Empress' quarters.  How is he?"

 

"Thankfully, he regained his consciousness, so we were taking him home."

 

"I should give him my good wishes, then," says Empress Dowager.

 

"He's sleeping right now," says Tanqishi.

 

Sleeping?  Not dead?  Empress Dowager thinks.  "Even if he's sleeping, I'd like to see him so that I can feel relieved."

 

"The air's cold," says Tanqishi, "so maybe next time.  Let's go."

 

Empress Dowager stands in his way.  "I need to see him with my own eyes!"

 

"He's not well yet," Tanqishi counters.  "How could you be so stubborn?"

 

"Did you forget he locked me up in my room and nailed the door shut already?  Who is being stubborn?"

 

"Your Highness!"  Tanqishi shouts, forgetting that he is below her.

 

"What are you doing?  Open it up!"  Empress Dowager orders.

 

"Yes, Your Highness," says Lord Jang.

As Lord Jang walks to the sedan, Byeong Soo draws his sword.  Jo Cham follows suit.

 

"How dare you draw a sword!"  Empress Dowager yells.

 

Tanqishi steps up to her.  "Watch carefully.  I'm Prime Minister El Temur's eldest son.  Causing me anger means enraging my father!  Do you understand?"

 

Empress Dowager smirks, enraging Tanqishi further.

 

"Let's go!" Tanqishi says.

 

Empress Dowager smiles knowingly as she and her entourage move out of the way.  She laughs as they exit through the gate.  "Lord Jang."

 

"Yes, Your Highness."

 

"El Temur's dead body's in there.  He's being carried out right now."

 

"It seemed that way to me, as well," Lord Jang agrees.

 

"Go and tell General Bang this news.  We'll have to move up the day of the revolution."

 

"Understood, Your Highness," says Lord Jang.

 

Empress Dowager laughs loudly.  Everything is falling into place, just as Wang Yoo predicted.

 

 

 

가게에 오세요!

 

 

 

Wang Yoo, Seung Nyang, and their people are enjoying a hearty meal together in the guest quarters.

 

"Tonight, everyone have a drink and get a good rest," Wang Yoo declares.

 

"Yes, Sire," Eunuch Bang bows.  "Our Majesty was promised reinstatement.  If we don't drink on a day like today, when would we drink?"

 

"Let's drink up before the day breaks!"  Jeom Bak laughs.

 

Everyone, except Wang Yoo, clinks their cups.  "Cheers!"

 

"When we go back to Goryeo," says Eunuch Bang, "what is everyone going to do?  Seung Nyang, what are you going to do?"

 

"What do you mean?"  Bul Hwa asks.  "She'll have to get married."

 

"Wow," says Jeom Bak.  "I wonder what bastard would take her as his bride.  He's lucky.  It's like getting a giant windfall!"

 

Moo Song elbows him.  "Hey.  How can you say bastard?"

 

"What?"  Jeom Bak asks.  "Oh.  By chance, do you like her?"

 

Wang Yoo awkwardly coughs.

 

"This rascal!"  Moo Song says.

 

"Since when did you like her?"  Jeom Bak asks.

 

Seung Nyang smiles and leaves the table.

 

Wang Yoo clears his throat and rises.  Everyone else stands.  "I need to go relieve myself."

 

"Yes, Sire."

 

"What should we eat first?"  Jeom Bak asks.

 

Eunuch Bang smacks him on the back of the head.

 

"What?"  Jeom Bak yells.

 

"You are so clueless," says Eunuch Bang.

 

"You should just go die!"  Moo Song hisses.

 

"I'll pull your mole off!"  Bul Hwa says.

 

"Why are you ganging up on me?"  Jeom Bak screeches.

 

*********

 

Seung Nyang and Wang Yoo walk together through the snow.  Unbeknownst to her, Wang Yoo is holding a hairpin up to her bun.  As she turns around, he hides the pin behind his back.

 

"Even when we go back to Goryeo, will you be by my side forever?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

"I'm on your side now, Your Majesty."

 

"I don't mean it like that," says Wang Yoo.

 

"Even if you abandon me, I'll always be on your side forever."

 

Wang Yoo brings the hairpin out from behind his back.  "Here, take this.  I bought it when we went to the market."

 

She slowly reaches for the jeweled wooden hairpin.

 

"If we end up returning to Goryeo," says Wang Yoo, "will you be my queen?  If you accept, please put that in your hair.  If you can't give me an answer now, I'll wait until tomorrow."

 

He walks away, heart racing, leaving her to think.

 

She is also extremely nervous.  She wants to marry him, but will she be limited to the inner court if she does?  Will she get to go out and hunt/fight in wars, or will she be expected to stay inside, get pregnant, and raise children?

 

**********

 

Seung Nyang is sitting on the edge of her bed, holding the hairpin, feeling euphoric.  But a burning queston lingers in her mind.  Will Wang Yoo turn into Emperor Toghon once they get married?  Will he use weaponized incompetence, too?

 

******

 

"Cheong Cheon Yoo Wol Nae Gi Si," Yeon Hwa reads.  She's not entirely keen on being Emperor Toghon's distant second choice court lady.  "Ah Geum Jeong Bae Il Moon Ji.  The moon in the blue sky, how long has it been there?  I ask..."

 

Emperor Toghon sits straight up. 

 

"Are you awake?"  Yeon Hwa bows.  "Would you like some water?"

 

"Get out," says Emperor Toghon.

 

"Your Majesty," says Yeon Hwa.

 

"I said leave."

 

Yeon Hwa bows her head and silently sighs.  Always in Seung Nyang's shadow...She quietly exits as he looks over his table of refreshments.

 

"Your Majesty," says Eunuch Baek.  "General Bayan is coming in."

 

Bayan and Toqto'a walk through the doors and bow.

 

"Your Majesty, have you heard the news?"  Toqto'a asks.

 

"Empress Dowager ordered Bang Jin and Joo Guk Cheong to take down El Temur's family," says Bayan.

 

Emperor Toghon takes a drink.  "That's good.  Tanqishi was like a thorn in my eye."

 

"What do you mean?"  Bayan asks.  "The one who killed El Temur was me.  People who were standing idly by took all the credit!  What do you mean it's good?"

 

"I am well aware of all the good you've done," says Emperor Toghon.

 

"If Bang Jin and Joo Guk Cheong have moblized," says Toqto'a, "I'm sure the Prime Minister's seat was promised to each of them."

 

"That position should be mine!"  Bayan asserts.

 

"What can I do about something the Empress Dowager has done?"  Emperor Toghon flexes his weaponized incompetence.

 

"Your Majesty!"  Bayan yells.

 

"Please leave," says Emperor Toghon.

 

"Your Majesty," says Toqto'a.

 

"I said I will reward you for your good deeds," says Emperor Toghon.

 

*********

 

Seung Nyang is sitting in front of her mirror in her white under clothes, washing her face.  She thoughtfully pulls out the drawer under her mirror.  She picks up the jeweled hairpin that Wang Yoo gave her.  There is no doubt in her mind that she loves him, but what will she be giving up as Queen?

 

*********

 

Wang Yoo anxiously waits outside in the snow.

 

Moo Song and Eunuch Bang are watching him pace back and forth from the porch.

 

"What is His Majesty doing so early in the morning?"  Eunuch Bang asks.

 

"I know he's been standing in front of Seung Nyang's room," says Moo Song.

 

Seung Nyang quietly walks outside and pauses.  She takes a few more steps before Wang Yoo turns around and notices her.  He eagerly runs to her.

 

Wang Yoo looks up at her bun, and his heart momentarily stops.  No hairpin.

 

Seung Nyang shyly looks down.

 

"Did you sleep well?"  Wang Yoo asks awkwardly.

 

"Yes, Your Majesty," says Seung Nyang.  "Then, I'll go meet with the Empress."

 

She walks past him before he has a chance to say anything further.

 

He watches her and wonders what's holding her back.  It certainly isn't Emperor Toghon.  Why doesn't she want to be my Queen?

 

What he doesn't understand is that in exchange for being in charge of his inner court, she has to detach from him.  Realistically, it's highly likely he'll have concubines.  Not necessarily due to philandering, but due to backroom political deals.  She has to brace herself for the issues that come with that.  She has to be prepared to be visited in a rotational schedule among several other women.  In order for that to not be painful, humiliating, or degrading; she can't have any romantic feelings for him in the first place.  She would have to think of herself as a sexually active nun.  She has to remain virtuous, loyal, and dedicated, but she cannot have romantic feelings.  It has to be a "business as usual" mindset.

 

*********

 

Wang Yoo tries to stay focused as he takes a seat in the Empress Dowager's meeting room.  Now is not the time to be fixating on Seung Nyang.  "How about bringing in General Bayan, too?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

Empress Dowager takes a deep breath.  "Not him.  We can't."

 

"He can be very useful," Wang Yoo argues.  "Why are you opposed?"

 

"Your Highness, General Bayan is here," says Court Lady Yeom.

 

"Even a tiger comes when talked about, they say," says Empress Dowager.  "Let him in."

 

Bayan and Toqto'a come strolling in.  They respectfully stop in front of the Empress Dowager and bow.

 

"I'll take my leave," says Wang Yoo.

 

"Alright, Wang Yoo," says Empress Dowager.

 

Bayan eyes Wang Yoo warily.  Who's side are you on?

 

"What brings you two here?"  Empress Dowager inquires.

 

"I heard that the Privy Council's General Bang Jin is getting rid of El Temur's family," says Bayan.

 

"Who's been talking such nonsense?"  Empress Dowager asks.

 

"We will aid you with our strength," says Toqto'a.  "Please trust us, Your Highness."

 

"There's nothing for you to do on this matter," Empress Dowager replies.

 

"Your Highness," says Bayan.

 

"You may leave," says Empress Dowager.

 

"We killed Prime Minister El Temur," says Bayan.

 

I was right.  Empress Dowager thinks.  Just as I thought.  

 

"You'll see if you ask His Majesty," says Bayan.  "We are the meritorious subjects, Your Highness."

 

"And?  Are you asking for the Prime Minister's seat?"

 

"If you go by merit, more than anyone--"

 

"So, because you wanted the Prime Minister's seat, you've been controlling His Majesty who doesn't know anything!"

 

Bayan has walked right into that trap.  He definitely should have listened to Toqto'a before storming into her quarters.

 

"He wasn't like that before," Empress Dowager continues.  "He would ask me about even the smallest things, and did what I asked."  Her temperature rises.  This pawn is mine.  "That kind of person committed something so unbelievable without a word to me!  You made him that way!"

 

"That's a misunderstanding, Your Highness," Toqto'a interjects.

 

"Anyone who controls His Majesty without my consent, I will not trust, no matter who it is."

 

...To be continued...