01x03 - Must Find Lee Seol

[bunniefuu]

(Shin Ye Eun)

(Kang Hoon)

(Jung g*n Joo)

(Ryeo Un)

(The Secret Romantic Guesthouse)

(All people, organizations, locations, and incidents...)

(in this drama are fictitious.)

(Episode 3)

A traitor you must search all of Jungchon for.

There can be only one.

The deposed heir who vanished.

Lee Seol.

You are your father's daughter.

You bluff so fearlessly.

However,

you have nothing to lose.

What?

You find Snowflake...

or take my Garden of Flowers.

You earn one or the other.

How am I to trust you?

I spent the past ten or so years running an inn.

No innkeeper in Jungchon knows as much as I.

If Snowflake is in Jungchon,

the one most suited to find him...

would be I.

Then...

you must know how many noblemen are staying at Buyounggak.

Yes. There are 59.

There are 51.

You bluffed your way too far.

More guests checked in yesterday.

I know well...

because we supply Buyounggak with refreshments.

I will give you one month.

If you cannot find Lee Seol by then,

Garden of Flowers will be mine forever.

(Buyounggak)

My lord.

Okay.

- My lord. - Excuse me, my lord.

Who could it be?

You are...

Garden of Flowers' innkeeper.

What business do you have here?

Are you here to see me?

I heard you frequent Buyounggak,

so I came by, just in case.

You will find the deposed heir?

I was quite bored, and you just filled me with amusement.

You served Snowflake closely and personally.

You must know his features well.

If you were to tell me anything...

Have you even imagined...

where Snowflake could be and with what appearance?

He could be much closer than you think,

or much farther than you think.

No one can know for sure.

Wherever he may be,

I will find him.

Where was she at?

(Garden of Flowers)

What? You will go where?

To Gwacheon-hyeon.

It will take me a full day even if I were to leave now.

A two-day round trip?

We must eat Ms. Naju's food for two days straight?

My gosh. I really hate that thought.

Gwacheon is too far away.

And the roads are rough.

Yes, Yu Ha is right.

You cannot take the Namtaeryeong Pass on your own.

I must go. It is very important to me.

Let me accompany you, then.

The state exam is not far off.

You cannot waste your time.

It is too dangerous a trip to make alone.

I heard the district guards accompany travelers.

I will be back soon and safe.

You might not make it back.

- What? - So many...

lost their lives to a tiger.

I sent Ms. Naju on an errand.

Talk to her for me when she gets back.

(Sungnyemun Gate)

Wait.

There is one thing I did not mention yet.

What is that?

I heard a servant of the deposed crown princess' family...

lives in Gwacheon-hyeon.

His name is Muk Soe, I believe?

Thank you.

Thank you so much, my lord.

Do not thank me.

I am curious as to how this will play out.

So many lost their lives to a tiger.

My gosh.

Yu Ha?

Why are you...

I could not focus on my studies.

I came out for a walk.

Watch out.

A snake...

Where? Where is it?

There could be one.

Why did you come this far when you are so timid?

I am not timid.

I was very slightly startled. That is all.

Hey!

Darn it.

You left me out? That hurts bad.

You are wearing that for a long trip?

I think my shoes have moved on to the afterlife.

You want to tag along as well?

Do not thank me.

My only joy in life is to travel the nation.

Why are you even here?

You should be studying.

What a nuisance.

Is she grateful?

Very much so.

Kang San talked about a tiger,

but that was all a lie.

I was told Gwacheon-hyeon was right on the other side.

Which way is it?

When did you get a compass?

I suppose you came prepared for this long journey.

- Gosh! - What is that?

- Oh, no. Bandits! - What is going on?

- Hey! - Bandits are here!

- Run! - Bandits!

Those fools.

You said you were headed to Gwacheon-hyeon, right?

This is a shortcut.

Take this shortcut.

I see. Thank you.

But why are you helping us?

Well, that is...

That is because...

You seem quite flustered. This is all very suspicious.

Please excuse us. We have urgent matters to attend to.

- Come on, boys. We must hurry. - Let us go.

Come on! Quick!

Hurry!

Let us go.

Stop!

Oh, no. We took a wrong turn.

Boys, it is that mountain over there.

It is that mountain!

- Come on! - Hey, Bong Sik!

Hey, tiger.

Hello, Young Master.

Excuse me.

Do you know Muk Soe's father?

Excuse me.

Do you happen to know Muk Soe's father?

No, I do not know.

Do you happen to know Muk Soe's father?

I believe he lives in the upper village.

Thank you.

We found him.

Oh.

What is it?

I swear, I saw Kang San just now.

No way.

He has no interest in other people's business.

There is no way he came here.

You think so?

- How about this one? - Come and look!

- Hello. - May I have a look at this?

- Feel free to browse around. - How much is this?

- Only five nyang. - Come and look.

Come and have a look!

The woman and scholars who were here. Which way did they go?

Oh, I do not know.

See? I told you.

I told you it was Kang San.

Were you that worried about us?

You have a heart too, after all.

Worried, my foot!

Yuk h* sent me.

He did?

Yes. He kept pestering me to follow you guys,

saying it could be dangerous.

He never said anything like that to me.

That is because you...

You cannot fight with a sword.

All you can do is spend money.

That is not even a real sword.

I bet you are here for you were worried about me.

Why would I be worried about you?

I am here because Yuk h*...

Since when were you so obedient to him?

I always respect and obey my elders.

Then why did you hide?

You clearly had a reason to hide...

- Which one is better? - Correct.

You are right.

You are the reason I came.

Because I was worried.

Because I do not wish you harm.

Is that what you wanted to hear?

No, do not get the wrong idea!

Oh, boy. Which one? I want this one.

Hurry. The sun will go down soon.

You seem to be doing well.

You were banished from the palace.

Someone must be feeding you and taking care of you.

Is it Lee Seol?

Have you met Lee Seol?

Once I start talking,

I will meet my demise with Snowflake.

Hence, I cannot answer that question.

You still cannot abandon your loyalty?

The Crown Prince has passed away.

"Loyalty," you say?

I, No Sung Gil,

am not a loyal person.

I am a mere businessman.

Then you are making a miscalculated move.

Lee Seol will not spare you.

Well...

You never know.

Fine.

Then let me tell you...

what the future has in store for you.

- Your Majesty, please calm down. - Step aside.

We will need a witness when we find the deposed heir.

This is all I can offer you.

That is fine.

Even a young noble lady is looking for His Highness now?

Right.

His name is too mighty...

to be forgotten over time.

If there is anything you know,

please tell me.

Sure thing.

When His Highness was little,

he often stayed at his private residence...

until the day when that incident occurred.

Your Highness, you must get out of here at once!

- Come on. - Let us hurry.

Mother!

- You must go. - No!

Your Highness.

You must protect him.

Mother, no!

You must come with us. Please get up.

No, we must go!

- We must leave. - No, Mother!

- We must get out of here! - Mother!

After that incident,

his nanny raised him.

But...

how do you know that he was raised...

by his nanny?

Was it when he was 13 years old?

The nanny came to see me, saying she needed money.

Money?

She was planning...

to find a family who would adopt him.

They had to live in hiding because of those who were after him.

It was the best way to keep him safe.

Which family took him in?

That I do not know.

Knowing that fact could bring me trouble,

which is why I did not ask.

Is the nanny still alive?

An illness found her while she was on the run.

After arranging His Highness' adoption,

she died within ten days.

Then,

at least inform me of His Highness' facial features.

His bushy eyebrows...

resembled the shape of a delicate crescent moon.

And his big eyes were as clear as the sky.

He had a sharp but straight nose,

his lips were plump,

and the corners of his lips were turned upward.

So all in all,

he must be quite handsome.

That is correct. He was a good looking young man.

His most prominent feature though...

is his ankle.

He has a red spot above his ankle bone.

One that is crimson red.

Did your conversation go well?

Yes.

I put you all out and dragged you out of town.

Come on. Let me treat you to a meal.

But you do not have any money.

I have enough to buy some gukbap.

How about rice wine?

I would love some rice wine to go with the gukbap.

By the way, who did you come all this way to meet?

Well...

A friend of my father's lives here.

He befriended a servant?

Anyone can tell...

He befriended anyone regardless of their social status.

I know a creative lie when I hear one.

Goodness.

My gosh. You are back.

Why are you the only ones back?

Did something happen to Lady Dan O?

- Of course not. - Of course not.

She had business at Jungchon, so we parted ways.

Do not be concerned.

She returned safely from Gwacheon-hyeon.

Right.

My goodness.

San. You know something.

What do you think I know?

Why Dan O has been acting this way.

It was not like you to follow her to Gwacheon.

What if I knew?

Tell me.

I should also know why.

I am clueless.

But even if I knew,

I am not obligated to tell you.

(Buyounggak)

A red spot.

A red spot? Have you seen it before?

No, not me.

Can it be on the foot? What if it was black?

I know a scholar who has a red spot on his toe.

It looked like a watermelon seed.

It has to be above the ankle bone.

Really? I am sorry we could not help.

Do not fret.

But tell me next time if you see who I described.

I will bring you more yakgwa.

- Sure. - Sure.

It is a red spot.

A red spot?

I have not come across a scholar with one. What about you?

Same here.

It is rare for a scholar to have a red spot on the skin.

Goodness.

Is it just me, or is this too flashy?

Are you giving and then taking?

Think long and hard.

The first one who talks will get this.

What is the meaning of this?

Either way, I apologize for any inconvenience.

Last night,

you went to see Master Jang.

I already told you...

that I would not relinquish my inn.

As if being an innkeeper is that important.

It is hardly worth your life.

You have no idea...

how reckless and dangerous this escapade of yours is.

Do not look for him.

More than a few have lost their lives...

searching for Snowflake.

(Buyounggak)

You there. Inform the madame that Ban Ya is here.

Do not waste my time.

Chop-chop.

My lady, I thought you had already left.

I was just on my way out.

Sure.

Do not worry about it.

I am mistaken often due to how I dress.

If you are looking for the madame,

try the room at the far end after turning the corner.

It is you.

The lady of noble birth who became a kisaeng.

You cleaned up well though.

Maybe your hardships were minuscule.

Look at you all stiff.

She must still think she is of noble birth.

You pretentious snob.

Say that again.

You!

What was that?

Let her go.

Ban Ya, was it?

At your last kisaeng house, you could not serve flower tea...

and only caused trouble.

This is your last day being a menace.

You cannot do this to me.

What exactly are you anyway?

You are a kisaeng. It is time you accepted that.

I only agreed to take you in...

at Master Jang's request.

Cause a scene again, and I will throw you out barefooted.

Heed my warning.

Hey. How long have you been following me?

From over there.

You should have called out.

But you were ahead of me.

It is nice to walk together because it is less boring.

I walk fine on my own without getting bored.

San.

I bet you do not have any friends.

- What? - Gosh.

I do not have many myself,

but you...

There is a lot about me that you do not know.

By the way,

I heard you did well in the exam.

Si Yeol is such a gossip.

You owe it to my taffy.

Do not forget that...

I played a huge part in your passing the exam.

I have not even passed yet.

Come on.

You will so obviously pass, no problem.

What?

I bet even barbarians cower when you are around.

You are Joseon's greatest fighter.

What are you doing?

Hiding from Ms. Naju.

She left early to look for you.

I see.

Why are you...

always out and about?

You even spent a whole day traveling to Gwacheon.

I have so much energy is why.

It does not seem to be making you any money.

Are you...

looking for someone?

What?

What on earth...

No. Who could I be looking for?

Here.

You have a healthy appetite.

My Bok Sil liked this as well.

Bok Sil.

Who are you?

I wonder how he is doing.

Why wonder about him when I am struggling?

Right, Bok Sil?

(Buyounggak)

I must find the court lady who served Royal Consort Park?

How, when she left the palace?

Then...

Keep moving.

Wait.

Something bothers me,

and I must confirm it.

Yes, my lord.

My lord.

Leave.

You asked to see me, Lord Sin?

A watchman, did you say?

That day, 8 years ago, he cut down 6 warriors.

Yes.

A shadow of a man who follows family tradition to guard royals.

Snowflake's watchman was especially skilled.

A young man as if possessed by an evil spirit.

He will have gotten better...

as he aged and gained muscle.

Your only son was one of the six who died.

An only son in the third generation in a row.

What are you truly after?

Is it Lee Seol?

Or...

the watchman?

The watchman is always close to Lee Seol.

When his master is in danger,

he appears without fail.

Finding him...

is like finding Lee Seol.

I do not care what happens to the watchman.

However...

I want Lee Seol alive.

Come on out. I saw you hide!

Long time no see, Ms. Naju.

My lady!

I got back safely.

See? I was not hurt.

Why did you go as far as Gwacheon?

Well...

Master Jang gave me a month's time.

In return for completing a task.

You are usually so smart, so why are you being so foolish now?

Where will you get that much money in one month?

I have...

an idea.

You just trust me and help.

My lady!

I would...

love to take another option if there were one.

But there are none.

My lady.

If Master Jang takes over Garden of Flowers,

what we tried hard to hide will come out.

My gosh.

She has a severe case of smallpox.

You do not watch to catch it.

I told you...

what a widow should do to make an example of herself.

Do you...

truly want the princess to take her own life?

This happened because she tried just too hard to stay alive.

We will all end up in danger.

I am not sure...

I can handle the aftermath.

I know that.

I get it.

But I get so afraid.

That you will get hurt.

Did you see Dan O?

I am so hungry.

You are all here.

I had made a late-night snack.

What snack?

I am fine.

Ms. Naju!

Thanks, but no thanks.

Snacking will make me sleepy, and I must study.

Very well.

See you.

You accompanied her all the way to Gwacheon.

My gosh. Thank you so much.

Thanks to you scholars,

I can put my worries to rest.

Oh, why...

Why only me?

Must you express your gratitude in this manner?

Is it because you poured your heart into this?

I have never seen such a huge rice ball.

You see, I would like to study too.

You? As if.

Shall we eat inside?

I'm right behind you.

What?

Yes, this is it.

Eat slowly.

Dan O, are you not hungry? You should eat with us.

No, I am good.

Just leave the dishes outside once you are done.

By the way, do you not think Dan O has been acting a little strange?

I suppose it is because of the debt.

She went all the way to Gwacheon, you know.

What is she up to?

I wonder too.

Kang San.

That look on your face tells me you know something.

Right, even Yu Ha has no idea. How would you know?

Do you think I am a nice guy?

Ouch, it hurts.

He has a red spot above his ankle bone.

It is crimson red.

How can I check his ankle bone?

Is he tired?

Why is he dozing off here? It must be uncomfortable.

His bushy eyebrows...

resembled the shape of a delicate crescent moon.

And his big eyes were as clear as the sky.

He had a sharp but straight nose,

his lips were plump,

and the corners of his lips were turned upward.

It is as if he were describing San.

He has a red spot above his ankle bone.

What are you doing?

Nothing. I was not doing anything.

You were trying to undress me.

Undress you? What are you talking about?

I saw everything.

You untied the strings and pulled this up...

Gosh.

Why did you have to talk such nonsense?

You are going to play dumb?

The strings came undone, so I was trying to tie them for you.

You had no idea.

You should never falsely accuse others.

Tie them already.

Oh, Yu Ha!

Are you busy today?

No, I am not busy.

You know Hwang's fabric store by the village entrance, right?

If you buy fabrics from that store,

they will make clothes for you.

You should get a new outfit. Autumn is just around the corner.

I have a lot of clothes.

I own six different outfits for autumn.

Oh, you do?

I need new fall outfits!

Why are you coming out of the dog's house?

Bok Sil loves me, you see.

Bok Sil keeps wagging its tail at me.

Do not tell me you sneaked out again at night to drink.

Do you have money to buy a new outfit?

You probably spent all your money on your drinks.

Of course, I am broke.

But I have you.

When did you take those shoes? Goodness.

Kang San, join us.

Let us get some new clothes for fall.

Shall we?

Let me see.

I have to measure your ankle circumference.

May I remove your socks?

My socks? Is that truly necessary?

That way, the outfit will fit you perfectly.

Here, let me.

My goodness. Come on.

Stop it, will you?

Can we go?

At this rate, you will even measure our toes.

But I have to...

I trust that you can make sure it will fit me well.

Use this fabric for mine.

- Bye. - Sure thing!

Goodness. I need all the measurements.

- By any chance, - Yes.

have you seen a scholar with a red spot on his ankle?

A red spot? Well...

No, never.

Are you sure?

I heard this was...

the most popular tailor shop among the scholars in Jungchon.

Yes.

I always check their ankles while taking their measurements.

If I saw one, I'd remember it.

If you ever see such a scholar, please let me know.

Sure, I will.

Great.

(Linen)

You guys.

You can head back without me.

I have somewhere to be.

You will be back soon, right?

Of course. I will be back before dinnertime.

See? Something is definitely up with her.

There is one way to find out.

You are the young scholars from Garden of Flowers.

We were waiting for you. We have a question for you.

Dan O's father borrowed a large amount of money from Master Jang?

Is that all?

Should there be something else?

There is something else.

That is what my gut says.

Let us leave.

We have our answer.

May I ask...

why you are concerned?

If the inn shuts down,

you can always stay elsewhere.

Like my Buyounggak, for instance.

It is Lady Dan O you are looking out for.

Of course.

That was the reason.

Men and their affection.

In order to save Garden of Flowers,

Lady Dan O struck a deal with Master Jang.

Dan O is searching...

for Snowflake?

(Garden of Flowers)

It is my unpaid rent.

I worked my magic.

Could it be...

I won all that fair and square.

If you had studied with that determination,

you would have passed the exam in the first place.

If you do not want it...

I love it. I am over the moon.

If so,

how about you marry me?

Well...

No.

I was rejected.

You...

Why were you out so late?

I believe I was home before you today.

You know...

You have been acting strangely today.

What do you mean?

That look in your eyes.

You seem like a puppy who wants to poop.

What?

What brings you by though?

Stop looking for him.

- What? - Stop searching...

for him.

Gosh.

You are making no sense.

I must find him...

in order to save Garden of Flowers.

I am not aware of how much you know, but...

Does the inn mean that much to you?

More than your life?

Here.

Eat up already. You barely had any dinner.

Does the inn mean that much to you?

More than your life?

sh**t.

What is the matter?

Does it taste that foul?

Darn.

I feel like I had a million sweet potatoes.

I only boiled them in water.

I wonder why.

That much is obvious.

I am a fool who cannot even cook sweet potatoes.

(Buyounggak)

You can leave it there.

Wait. Here you go.

What is this?

A scholar told me to give this to you.

A scholar?

"If you wish to find Snowflake,"

"come to the deserted house by the tree of the guardian spirit..."

"in Namsan Village."

Could this be Lee Seol?

I am ready to hear...

whatever you have to say.

This involves the watchmen.

What do you know about him?

Do not let him concern you.

He is searching for Lee Seol at my request.

I apologize,

but not even the Palace Guards know about his whereabouts.

(Naegeumwui: the royal bodyguards of the kings of Joseon)

Do you not know where the watchmen are trained?

I am afraid I do not.

It has always been kept a secret.

Someone must be funding them though.

The money is spent from the royal privy purse,

which is authorized...

by the Queen Dowager and not His Majesty.

Then even His Majesty would be in the dark.

That is correct.

The Queen Dowager is unaware of the details though.

She only authorizes the payment.

Do not...

look for them.

They reside in the dark.

Forcing them into the light...

might be your ruin, Lord Sin.

Of all the places we could meet...

Do not look for him.

More than a few have lost their lives...

searching for Snowflake.

Are you him?

Are you Snowflake?

(The Secret Romantic Guesthouse)

I will find Lee Seol no matter what.

And you will soon learn...

just how crazy this task is.

Who knows?

We might end up stumbling upon him.

He could be the deposed heir Lee Seol.

You are the first.

Is meddling a talent of yours?

Mind your own business.

All it takes is a shared gaze...

for romance to bloom between a man and a woman.

Is Yoon Dan O truly unaware...

of your identity?

I see it now.

Yoon Dan O, you are never going to give up.