King Seonjo, who as a youth was told by a face reader that he will be an unfit king, faces plague and starvation in his kingdom. Thieves break into the palace library searching for the book that will prove Seonjo does not have a 'King's Face.'
When Ga Hee's father is arrested for treason, she turns her back to Gwanghae and decides to save her parents' life by becoming a concubine. King Seonjo's reliance on face reading overpowers his ability to judge objectively.
Kim Do Chi takes the lead over Daedong Society and changes Ga Hee's fate. Gwanghae leaves the palace and leads a low-profile life as a face reader in town.
Do Chi does not pass the exam as expected, and finds another powerful ally within the palace to help land him a government position. Gwanghae falls victim to Gwiin Kim's machinations in ensuring her son is named crown prince.
King Seonjo will not give up on searching for Daedong Society, and puts a tail on Gwanghae to get more clues. Do Chi lands a position in court just as Kim Gong Ryang becomes more suspicious of him and Ga Hee.
Gwanghae presents a plan for tax reform that has unexpected results, including putting the Queen Majesty in danger and threatening his romance with Ga Hee.
Gwanghae is restored to his status as prince, and it hardens his resolve to become the crown prince. But he must sacrifice his love and marry another woman who will help him politically.
Gwanghae survives his brother's attack with the help of Ga Hee, but it forever creates a divide between the two brothers. The Japanese who live in Seoul begin to act suspiciously, worrying Gwanghae and the king that war may be imminent.
The Japanese invasion has begun, and King Seonjo's actions at this time of crisis forces Daedong Society and Gwanghae to take action on the matter of succession.
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