Princess Jeongmyeong (Lee Yeon Hee) is devastated by the news of Hong Joo Won (Seo Kang Joon)'s missing.
Kang Joo Sun (Jo Sung Ha) is forced into a corner as the situation is working against him because Ming is going to pot but Prince Neungyang (Kim Jae Won) lets him know how important it is to use the bad situation where the King can easily be criticized.
Gwanghae grieves over many soldiers' death and expresses anger at the retainers who were strongly in favor of the troop dispatch.
As Gwanghae shows he will abdicate the throne in favor of his son, Yi Icheom (Jung Woong In) is at the crossroad where he has to decide to stay him recalling Kim Gae Shi (Kim Yeo Jin)'s advice which he will never lose his power if the King will keep throne until Ming perishes.
Joo Won hovers between life and death in a prison of the strange land and the Princess sincerely hopes, looking at the white bead from him, that he will return alive. Gae Shi lets Kang In Woo (Han Joo Wan) change his father's mind.
As Qing wants Joseon to be its subject because the weak nation was on its enemy's side and Ming wants to interfere in the internal affairs of the small country claiming responsibility for the war defeat, Gwanghae feels so vulnerable and alone.
Jeongmyeong blasts Neungyang for having a party for Queen Inmok (Shin Eun Jung) saying he deceives people shading his eyes with his hand. The party for the birthday celebration of the Queen goes off as planned and Kim Ja Jeom (Jo Min Ki) appeared at the door of Gyeongungung eyes the Prince with interest. Jeongmyeong blames the Prince for satisfying his selfish interests and desires in front of many chief retainers. Kim Ja Jeom listens to the bitter denunciation with a smile at the corner of his mouth.
Gwanghae closes his eyes about the conspiracy to keep his subjects between the two powerful nations and Jeongmyeong persuades her mother not to be manipulated by the greedy man.
Jo Yeo Jung (Kim Min Seo) who is raised by Ja Jeom to be the lady of the palace waits for a ripe opportunity. The new power worries about whom he will set on the throne.
Kang In Woo (Han Joo Wan) makes a frank confession of the fact that on the one hand he really wants Joo Won back alive, but on the other, he expects her to be his woman despite losing the close friend. He who knew that she already went to visit Gae Shi to find a way to protect the King says that he will accept her decision she will take.
Gae Shi suggests that she has to get married to In Woo to help Gwanghae to overcome the crisis.
Meanwhile, the King accepts Qing's offer in return for the repatriation of prisoners of war.