American Perspectives: Gendered and Cultural Adjustments Pt. 3 ("기황후" Ep. 10)

 

 

"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"

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Are you sure she's definitely pregnant?"  Prime Minister El Temur snarls.

 

Tanqishi stands up from his seat in Empress Danashiri's meeting room.  "Yes.  I checked with the physician."

 

Empress Danashiri has a headache.  "How am I supposed to live in this palace after being humiliated this way?"

 

El Temur slaps his chair and stands up.  "I can't let this slide, even if this is an Inner Court matter."

 

"You should stay away from this, Father," Tanqishi advises.  "I have a clever way...to deal with it."

 

Empress Danashiri looks at him curiously.  "A clever way?"

 

"I heard the servants who serve Lady Park are all from Goryeo.  I'm sure Lady Park's trust in them is like no other," says Tanqishi.

 

"Are you planning to plant a spy amongst them?"  El Temur asks.

 

"Yes, Father.  We can get rid of the Park wench and that headache of an Empress Dowager this time."

 

"If you fail, it will return to us as poison," El Temur warns.

 

"So, I have to put extra care into picking someone," says Tanqishi.  He walks up to Empress Danashiri, who is sitting on a fancy love seat on a stage above them.  "Your Imperial Majesty, you must listen to me well, and carry out the plan without any deviation from this point."

 

Empress Danashiri nods.  "Tell me, older brother."

 

"Before we find a servant who can help us, she will need to pass a few tests."

 

"Among Lady Park's servants," says Empress Danashiri, "bring me someone who knows how to read and write."

 

*********

 

"Yang must be upset," Hong Dan observes as she watches Seung Nyang putting together a concoction in the kitchen.  "From being a servant in the Emperor's chambers, to being back in the rear palace."

 

Yeon Hwa approaches Seung Nyang.  "Tell me honestly.  You have powerful ties in the Imperial Palace, don't you?"

 

Seung Nyang gives her a look.

 

"If not, how could you go from the Emperor's quarters--"

 

Empress Danashiri's new head Court Lady, Court Lady Seo, interrupts the interrogation with a regal entrance.  The Palace Maids immediately gather and bow.

 

"Who's Yeon Hwa?"  Court Lady Seo asks.

 

Yeon Hwa steps forward, her face glowing.  "I'm Yeon Hwa."

 

"Come with me," says Court Lady Seo.

 

"Why would Empress' Court Lady Seo take Yeon Hwa away?"  Hong Dan asks.

 

**********

 

Empress Danashiri is dissociating in front of her incense burner.

 

Yeon Hwa kneels in front of her, as Court Lady Seo hands her a yellow envelope.

 

"No need to be nervous," Empress Danashiri shifts back into being fully present.  "Take it."

 

Yeon Hwa bows and accepts the envelope.

 

"In there are the names of the Court Ladies who have had private correspondences with the Kheshigs," says Empress Danashiri.

 

Yeon Hwa gasps and looks up.

 

"Take that letter, and pass it on to the Captain of the Kheshigs," says Empress Danashiri.  "Many lives could end up dead, so you must use the utmost care."

 

"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty," Yeon Hwa bows.

 

"No one must know I'm involved in this matter," says Empress Danashiri.  "So that's why I'm asking you and not someone from the Empress' Palace."

 

"I understand you," says Yeon Hwa, "and I will obey as you say."

 

"Seeing how quickly she understood what you meant, she must be quite smart," Court Lady Seo remarks.

 

"One more thing you must remember," says Empress Danashiri.  "You must never read the contents of the letter, no matter what.  Understood?"

 

Yeon Hwa bows.  "I will do as ordered, Your Majesty."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Court Lady Seo leads Yeon Hwa down the hall.

 

"When the Court Ladies are killed, you will need to replace them, I see," says Yeon Hwa.

 

Court Lady Seo looks back at her.  "As I said, your cerebral connections are quite quick.  Just pass the letter well, and I will recommend you as a Court Lady."

 

"Really, you will?"  Yeon Hwa asks.

 

"Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress, seems to think well of you, too," says Court Lady Seo.

 

"Thank you!  Thank you!"  Yeon Hwa says with glee.  "Thank you, Court Lady Seo!"

 

***********

 

Yeon Hwa confidently walks down the corrider under the cover of night.  She is sure she is a shoe in for being a court lady.

 

*********

 

"People naturally want to look the more you tell them not to.  On top of that, the names of the Court Ladies who she'll step on to replace are listed there, so how could you not take a look?"  Empress Danashiri asks.

 

**********

 

As Yeon Hwa rounds the corner, and is standing near a small yard, the curiosity is burning up her entire body.  She must take a look.  She pulls the yellow envelope from her sleeve.

 

I'm dying to see who are the women who've been speaking to Kheshigs in private?  She takes the letter out of the envelope.  As she anxiously reads over it, her face drops.  She fearfully folds it back up, and shoves it in the envelope.

 

"What do I do?"  She asks tearfully.  "What should I do?"  She looks down at the pond.  She climbs over the railing and jumps in, but realizes the stupidity of her actions, as it's a shallow pond, and does she really want to make further effort to drown herself in a few feet of water?

 

*******

 

A soaked Yeon Hwa kneels in front of Empress Danashiri and Court Lady Seo.  "I apologize, Your Imperial Majesty.  I was passing by a pond, and my foot slipped."

 

"Perhaps you took a look at the contents of the letter?"  Empress Danashiri asks knowingly.

 

"No, I did not," Yeon Hwa insists.

 

"Give her another letter," says Empress Danashiri.

Court Lady Seo nods.

 

"Please spare me, Your Imperial Majesty," Yeon Hwa confesses.  "Please spare me!"  She kowtows.

 

Court Lady Seo and Empress Danashiri exchange annoyed glances.

 

"Go back to your dorm," says Court Lady Seo.

 

"If you ever tell anyone about this," says Empress Danashiri, "you won't stay alive."

 

"Yes, Your Majesty.  Thank you!  Thank you!"  She kowtows again, rises, and exits quickly.

 

"How could you pick one that couldn't even pass the first test?"  Empress Danashiri explodes.

 

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," says Court Lady Seo.

 

"Search again."

 

"Yes."

 

********

 

Bul Hwa, Eunuch Bang, and Jeom Bak sneak through the encampment.

 

Wang Yoo is patiently waiting in his ger.

 

"Your Majesty," says Moo Song.

 

Eunuch Bang and Jeom Bak bow.

 

"Welcome," says Wang Yoo.  "Did anyone see you?"

 

"All the guards are our men," says Bul Hwa.  "Don't worry, Sire."

 

"It's finally time," says Wang Yoo.  "You two must carry out a very important duty."

 

**********

 

Baghatur's horse is released out onto the plains.

 

Jeom Bak and Eunuch Bang, who have had culturally relevent make overs, watch from the grasses.

 

"If you follow the horse that Baghatur rode," Wang Yoo had instructed, "you'll surely be able to find the enemy's base camp."  

 

"You want us to stand with the Turks?"  Eunuch Bang had asked.

 

"The war isn't with the Turks," Wang Yoo said.  "Our war is with General Bayan of Merkid, for possession of the Silk Road.  So, we must catch Baghatur with our own hands."

 

"But..." said Jeom Bak.  "Would they trust us?"

 

"If you do as I tell you," said Wang Yoo, "you'll surely succeed."

 

********

 

Eunuch Bang approaches the Turkic encampment on horseback, while Jeom Bak is leading them.  The guards at the gate block their entry.

 

"Open the gates!"  Jeom Bak demands.

 

A handful of warriors file through the gate.

 

"Who are you?"  The lead warrior asks.

 

"I came to see General Baghatur," says Eunuch Bang.  "You don't know who I am...it seems."

 

"Listen carefully," says Jeom Bak.  "To tell you about this person right here--"

 

The lead warrior punches him in the face.

 

The other warriors pull Eunuch Bang down from Baghatur's horse.  "No!  Let go, you bastards!"  Eunuch Bang screams.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"They surrendered at the camp?"  Yeon Bisoo asks skeptically.

 

"Yes," says the advisor.  "They came on the military horse that you had lost, General."

 

"Are they foot soldiers?"

 

"They tell me they are military strategists."

 

"Military strategists?"

 

**********

 

"Why did he tell me to shave my head for no reason?"  Eunuch Bang whines as Yeon Bisoo enters the ger.

 

"It's grown back a lot, though," says Jeom Bak.

 

Yeon Bisoo and her advisor stand in front of them.

 

"What brings you here?"  Yeon Bisoo asks.

 

Jeom Bak gestures toward Eunuch Bang.  "This is...not someone who would speak with the likes of you.  Bring me General Baghatur right now!"

 

Oh, honey...Yeon Bisoo gives him a look.  "I serve the general.  If you have something to tell him, tell me."

 

Eunuch Bang slaps his (mostly) bald head (with the exception of the braid in the back).  "How regrettable.  What a shame.  I wished to meet a legitimate master to conquer the universe, so I even castrated myself and studied.  How regretful."

 

"What do you mean castrated?"  Yeon Bisoo's advisor asks.

 

"Sima Qian was castrated, as well," says Eunuch Bang, "and wrote the great work 'Records of the Grand Historian.'  So, I also cut off all my desires and only studied astronomical geography and the military arts.  However, what I thought was a good omen turned into a crow!  How pitiful!"  He slaps his head.  "It's so regretful!"

 

"How can I trust you two?"  Yeon Bisoo asks warily.

 

"What is the use of having a steely horse nearby?"  Eunuch Bang asks.  "They are all illiterate.  There is no way they can read letters."

 

"Sir, please," says Jeom Bak.

 

Yeon Bisoo turns away and walks outside.

 

"So regretful," Eunuch Bang whispers tearfully.

 

"General," says the advisor as he follows her outside, "I think they are spies.  Shall I get rid of them?"

 

"It's not too late to be rid of them after confirmation," Yeon Bisoo replies.

 

*********

 

"How did I do?" Eunuch Bang asks Jeom Bak.

 

"Were you a snake oil salesman before?  All that male vigor went to your mouth!"

 

"Shut up, bastard.  But...that person just earlier was a girl, right?"

 

"Yes, there's no mistake," says Jeom Bak.

 

"Oh...it really hurts.  A girl?  Girl."

 

**********

 

Wang Yoo, Moo Song, and Bul Hwa walk across the encampment under the cover of night.

 

"I am worried whether Eunuch Bang has died," says Moo Song.

 

"If he succeeds," says Bul Hwa, "it's a relief, but the mission itself is full of danger."

 

Seung Nyang, wait for just a little while.  Wang Yoo thinks.  I will definitely stay alive to meet you again.

 

*******

 

Seung Nyang is quietly walking out of the laundry quarters with a basket of clothes on her head.  What the hell?  Tanqishi steps in her path.  She looks at him hatefully.

 

He grins.  He knows whatever he does to her, she'll take the brunt of the punishment.  "Long time, no see, Seung Nyang."

 

She looks away.

 

"Ah, they call you Yang here, I heard."

 

She tries to walk away, but he blocks her path.  He touches her face, and she does her best to stay neutral.  She also knows he can do whatever he wants to her, and she'll be the one paying the price.

 

"Your face has gotten very rough."

 

Her skin crawls as he keeps touching her face.  She can't take it anymore, and her transgender male instincts kick in.  She shoves her basket at Tanqishi, and he recoils in surprise.

 

His surprise quickly turns to arousal.

 

She gives him the death stare.

 

He giggles.  "That hot temper of yours is still the same, I see.

 

She gives him the side eye.

 

Emperor Toghon and his entourage appear in the yard across from them.  He observes their interaction, and his curiosity returns.  "Seeing that child, General Tanqishi is probably very surprised, too."

 

Seung Nyang rips her basket from Tanqishi and walks away, while he's excited to have new material for his spank bank tonight.

 

*********

 

Seung Nyang is relieved to be in the (mostly) no men allowed zone of the Inner Palace laundry yard.  She's embracing the peace and quiet as she hangs the white sheets.

 

Emperor Toghon is quietly watching her, wondering if she is indeed Seung Nyang.

 

"Seung Nyang!"  Emperor Toghon calls.

 

She stops and looks behind her.  No one is there.  She already had to deal with Tanqishi's harrassment.  Who else from her past is going to sexually harrass her today?

 

She sighs and gets back to hanging the laundry.

 

As she walks away, Emperor Toghon emerges from his hiding spot.  Could this person be...?

 

***********

 

The nagging thought remains etched in his brain as he sits in his study.  There's no way.  Seung Nyang is a man.  Moreover, they said he's in Goryeo.

 

"Your Imperial Majesty," says Eunuch Baek, "are you alright?"

 

"Send a person to Goryeo," says Emperor Toghon.

 

"Pardon?"

 

"Find the man named Seung Nyang and have them bring him directly to me.  Understand?"

 

*******

 

Seung Nyang is setting up a tea set in the kitchen when Eunuch Dokman enters.  Court Lady Seo follows close behind.  Seung Nyang respectfully bows.

 

"Out of the maids from Goryeo," says Eunuch Dokman, "the only one left who knows letters is this child."

 

Court Lady Seo looks her over.

 

"But, why does the Empress' Palace keep seeking them out?"  Eunuch Dokman asks suspiciously.

 

"It's nothing, Elder Chief Eunuch," Court Lady Seo smiles.  She looks at Seung Nyang.  "Please follow me momentarily."

 

*******

 

They enter Empress Danashiri's meeting room.

 

"Your Imperial Majesty, the Empress," says Court Lady Seo.

 

Empress Danashiri looks over at them.  "You...Aren't you the one from the garden?"

 

"There is only this child remaining," says Court Lady Seo.

 

Empress Danashiri scowls at her.  She's not keen on using a woman her husband openly has wet dreams over.  Especially when their bedroom is as dead as a doornail.

 

"How about you trust her?"  Court Lady Seo asks.

 

Empress Danashiri throws a red envelope on the desk.  "Please send this discreetly to the Captain of the Kheshigs."

 

As they walk out the door, Court Lady Seo informs her, "If you successfully complete this mission, I will have you promoted to Court Lady."

 

"I am not interested in becoming a Court Lady," says Seung Nyang.

 

Court Lady Seo is taken aback.

 

"Instead," says Seung Nyang, "let me leave the Imperial Palace."

 

Court Lady Seo looks at her curiously.

 

"Since she is Her Imperial Majesty the Empress, she should be able to do so."

 

"I will try telling her that," says Court Lady Seo.

 

Seung Nyang bows.  "Thank you, Court Lady Seo."

 

Court Lady Seo glares at her.  Who does she think she is?

 

*************

 

Seung Nyang briskly strides down the corridor in the peaceful night.

 

"That child is not to my heart's liking," says Empress Danashiri.  "If she were to seduce His Majesty after I needlessly promote her to a court lady..."

 

"She says she doesn't want to be a court lady," says Court Lady Seo.

 

Empress Danashiri looks at her incredulously.

 

"Her request is to leave the Imperial Palace."

 

Even better.  "Her gaze also displeases me," says Empress Danashiri.  "For sure, she will open the envelope I gave her."

 

Seung Nyang keeps strolling through the palace grounds, envelope unopened.  She has never gone out this far, therefore, her steps are cautious.  She observes the guards in the area, and decides to study the contents of the envelope.  She carefully unfolds the paper and gasps.  It reads: Kill the one who relays this letter.

 

Her heart races, but she knows she must handle this intelligently.  There's no reason for the Empress to kill me.  Then, what does this mean?

 

**********

 

"There's only this child remaining," says Court Lady Seo.  "How about trusting her one time?"

 

Empress Danashiri has no interest in extending any favors to the woman her husband masturbates to.

 

********

 

It's a test.  Seung Nyang realizes.  She's attempting to test me.  

 

Seung Nyang takes a deep breath.  "Damn it.  It looks like I'll be sucked into another nuisance."  She slips the envelope back into her jeogori.

 

******

 

Empress Danashiri abruptly rises.  "What?  That child has met the Captain of the Kheshigs?"

 

"There is no doubt she didn't read the letter," says Court Lady Seo.

 

Empress Danashiri smirks.  "She has passed the first test, but she won't be able to pass the second."

 

*********

 

Seung Nyang is tied up and manhandled by the soldiers.  Since she experienced this a lot as a transgender male, she knows the drill.

 

"Who sent this?"  The captain of the Kheshigs holds up the envelope.

 

"I don't know," Seung Nyang says flatly.

 

"Do you know the contents of this letter?"  The captain asks.  "It's a conspiracy to burn down the Imperial Palace."

 

Seung Nyang looks up at him curiously.  It's different from what was written in the letter.  

 

"If you do not open your lips, I will punish you for conspiring in treason," says the captain.

 

It's certain I'm being tested.

 

Empress Danashiri and Court Lady Seo observe the interrogation from the balcony above.

 

The captain draws his sword, and points it at Seung Nyang's throat.  "If you'd like to live, reveal who sent this letter."

 

"I don't know, so how would I be able to gather those words on my lips?"

 

"This bitch truly has a death wish."  As he makes a slice, Seung Nyang closes her eyes, expecting the worst.  Instead, only the ends of her hair are chopped off.  He points his sword at her throat.

 

Court Lady Seo smiles.  "She did not open her mouth to the end."

 

Empress Danashiri smiles.  Perhaps her husband's spank bank vixen can be of some use...

 

"Next time, I will truly have your neck," says the captain.

 

Seung Nyang says nothing.  He positions his sword again, ready to slice.

 

"That's enough, stop!"  Empress Danashiri and Court Lady Seo approach them.

 

The captain bows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seung Nyang, Empress Danashiri, and Court Lady Seo gather in the Empress' bedroom.

 

"Why didn't you report that I had ordered you?"  Empress Danashiri asks.

 

"I simply obeyed your command, Your Imperial Majesty, the Empress."

 

Empress Danashiri turns around and faces her.  "Even risking your life to keep trust with me, that is strange."

 

"I was taught that trust is something that is always kept," Seung Nyang replies.  "Not keeping trust would be a strange thing."

 

"You're refusing to be a court lady?  Why is it that you wish to leave the palace and go outside?"  Empress Danashiri asks.

 

"I must go outside," says Seung Nyang, "and meet someone."

 

Empress Danashiri smiles knowingly.  "There is someone you have in your heart.  If you help me...I'll let you meet that person."

 

"What do I have to do?"  Seung Nyang asks.

 

Court Lady Seo approaches them.  She pours brown powder from a small golden box into her hand.

 

"The wench with the surname Park dares to carry the Imperial Seed of His Imperial Majesty.  Go...feed this to her," says Empress Danashiri.

 

Seung Nyang looks at her in shock.  I should've known...