The Tale of Lady Ok

Goo-deok is discovered hiding in Seo-in’s room and is severely punished by the lady she serves. That night, she escapes with her father, and the two take refuge at an inn. Newfound friendship is abruptly cut short when slave hunters invade the inn in search of Goo-deok.

Goo-deok, who now identifies herself as Ok Tae-young to conceal her identity, hides in a secluded annex; wearing a veil to seek revenge for the late Tae-young, she assists in capturing a group of bandits who raided the inn.

Goo-deok sets out to uncover the true culprit behind Baek-yi's murder. Meanwhile, the newly appointed magistrate initiates an investigation aimed at curbing Yuhyangso’s influence. Yun-gyeom suggests that Goo-deok become a legal advocate to defend Mak-sim, who has been arrested for falsely accusing a noble family.

Goo-deok turns down Yun-gyeom’s marriage proposal, confessing that she was born a slave. In response, Yun-gyeom shares one of his own secrets to reassure her, and despite their initial hesitations, they eventually marry. Later, Goo-deok I discovers that Yun-gyeom has been secretly involved in an organization dedicated to helping abandoned children.

Tae-young vows justice with Seung-hwi and Do-gyeom by her side. She saves Mak-sim, then disguises herself with Seung-hwi to enter Mt. Unbong. Chased by slavers, they leap into a river before collapsing, surrounded by enemies.

Tae-young frees the enslaved children and restores Seung’s honor. She parts with Seung-hwi after confessing her love. Seven years later, Do-gyeom meets Cha Mi-ryeong, while Tae-young faces shock when Yun-gyeom returns only to turn away from her at the port.

Tae-young clears Seung-hwi’s name but cannot stay with him. Mi-ryeong marries Do-gyeom, hiding her Baek origins as Madam Song and Madam Hong plot revenge. The episode ends with a curse in Mi-ryeong’s bed and news of Yun-gyeom’s death.

Tae-young survives Madam Song’s scheme with Mi-ryeong’s confession. In Qing, Do-gyeom discovers Yun-gyeom alive. But back in Cheongsu, Magistrate Oh destroys Tae-young’s law firm under Minister Bak’s orders, leaving her isolated as Madam Song smiles in triumph.

Tae-young is saved when “Yun-gyeom” returns, but his habits expose him as Seung-hwi. He confesses he took Yun-gyeom’s place to protect her, leaving Tae-young conflicted.

Seung-hwi’s secret as Yun-gyeom is exposed. Magistrate Oh kills himself, leaving Minister Bak as the true threat. Tae-young embraces her dream as a lawyer and chooses a life with Seung-hwi.

Seung-hwi settles into life as Yun-gyeom, while Tae-young struggles with closeness. Do-gyeom keeps Mi-ryeong at a distance despite her pregnancy, and So-hye marries Minister Bak, vowing revenge on Goo-deok. After quarrels and doubts, Tae-young fears Seung-hwi has left, but he returns, promising never to abandon her.

Do-gyeom and Mi-ryeong reunite, while Do-kki wins Mak-sim’s heart. Seung-hwi tops the exam and shares his first kiss with Tae-young. Their joy shatters when Nak-soo appears as magistrate and So-hye exposes Tae-young as Goo-deok.

So-hye spreads that Tae-young is Goo-deok, but she stays to fight the ginseng scam. Do-gyeom alerts the King, and Deok-hunn joins her. A failed trap leads Minister Bak to learn that Tae-young is the slave who defied him.

Tae-young and Seung-hwi save Cheongsu with aloe, celebrate their love, and finally marry. Nak-su’s corruption is exposed, but before dying he recognises Tae-young. Just as peace returns, Tae-young learns she is pregnant—only to be arrested as Goo-deok, while Seung-hwi is forced to flee.

Tae-young and Seung-hwi are arrested, and under torture Seung-hwi falsely confesses, while Man-seok dies. Tae-young is spared but given to So-hye, who gloats over her. As Bak hoards medicine, Tae-young feigns illness and is taken to quarantine—where she shockingly finds Yun-gyeom alive.

Yun-gyeom exposes Bak’s plot but trades his life for Seung-hwi’s, leaving only one brother to return. The King frees Tae-young from slavery, and years later, she and Seung-hwi live quietly by the sea—though whispers remain of the brother who vanished.