The sixth episode of Queen Woo commences with a haunting flashback, transporting us 28 years back to the serene yet ominous town of Jwamulchon. Here, we encounter a youthful Eul Pa-so, whose innocence is shattered by the ghastly revelation of his grandfather's decomposed form, concealed within the musty confines of the family library. His father, with a voice laced with sorrow and vengeance, unravels the web of their storied past, revealing how the fearsome King Tae-jo, consumed by paranoia, struck down the patriarch, fearing the Eul lineage's towering intellect that had repeatedly salvaged the kingdom from peril.
Eul Pa-so descends from a dynasty of heroes whose brilliance, paradoxically, sealed their doom under the reign of an insecure monarch. His father's dying wish became his own burning ambition—to avenge their fallen house against the royal bloodline. Six years prior, driven by this unyielding purpose, Eul Pa-so forged an alliance with Yeon-bi, long before the palatial gates would swing open to welcome him.
As the dust settles on the palace's tranquil facade, Prince Go Gye-su's tranquility is shattered by the ominous crumbling of the Baeuitu walls. Alarms blare, and he dispatches his trusted spies to unravel the mystery, his army poised for battle, ready to strike at the first sign of encroachment.
Meanwhile, amidst the mourning shrouds of the White Tigers, No-eum's resolve hardens, his sole mission now crystal clear: to capture the elusive Queen, but with a vow that goes beyond capture—to end her life.
And then, there's the Queen herself, leading her beleaguered team through a treacherous escape, their rickety cart teetering on the brink of collapse, yet the urgency of their flight permits no respite for repairs. Her mind races, recalling a chilling conversation with the King, where they delved into the depths of fear. His words, like daggers, pierced her heart as he confessed his terror of those who conceal malice beneath a veil of false smiles. Could he have glimpsed the treachery brewing within Eul Pa-so's heart?
The truth, when it emerged, surpassed even the darkest of expectations. Eul Pa-so, with meticulous cunning, had relocated his grandfather's remains and the treasure trove of the family library to a hidden underground chamber deep within the palace. This secret lair now serves as the stage for his intricate plot—a Machiavellian scheme to dismantle the powerful Royal Go family, stone by stone.
As he ponders, his gaze wandering over the intricate chessboard, he wonders if the Queen's next step will lead her to the fourth or fifth prince, her mind weaving a web of strategies as vintage villainy oozes from every crevice of his being.
Meanwhile, Yeon-bi marshals her troops, her mind racing with suspicion that Eul Pa-so might have orchestrated the king's demise. Memories of their six-year-old conversation echo, revealing Eul Pa-so's intricate contingency plans and the levirate marriage, a mere pawn in his game to pit the princes against each other, their familial bonds fraying until nothing but ruin remained. His ultimate dream: to forge a new Goguryeo from the ashes of the old.
Bal-ki, immersed in his own scheming, continues to dispose of unwanted baggage, the stench of death lingering over his palace as he carelessly dumps bodies into its waters. Yet, he is not the sole player on this stage; all tribes tremble on the brink, each seeking a path to survival amidst the chaos. One tribe, opting for neutrality, huddles in hope that this time, their inaction will shield them from harm. But dissent lurks within, as one misguided soul stumbles into Bal-ki's web.
The Queen, her decision made, selects the fourth prince as her consort, dispatching Mu-gol to escort her on her journey. Eul Pa-so, informed by Baeuitu scouts of her eastward march, feels a twinge of unease, his thoughts inexorably drawn to the Eastern Temple of Sabaegol.
Within the temple's hallowed grounds, the faithful continue their pious prayers, unaware of the impending drama as the Queen and her companions forsake their steeds, venturing into the forest's embrace. Her heart set on reaching the fourth prince, the Queen's hopes are marred by Woo-soon's carelessness, leaving a telltale clue for the relentless White Tigers to follow. Truly, her actions beggar belief.
The White Tigers, their keen senses honed, seize upon Woo-soon's indiscretion, splitting into two prongs. One, hot on the Queen's heels, plunges deeper into the forest's heart, while the other signals N0-eum with a lantern message, the Queen's destination: Sabaegol, now an alluring yet perilous beacon in the night.
In the dense heart of the forest, the queen's formidable team collides with the loyalists, igniting a fierce battle amidst the towering trees. Simultaneously, the White Tigers descend, their fangs bared, launching a ruthless assault on both the queen's forces and the steadfast allies. Seizing the moment, the queen and her comrades flee, leaving the faithful to the merciless jaws of the tigers.
Amidst the tumult, Woo-soon vanishes into the shadows, only to reemerge, now an ally of the White Tigers. She swears allegiance, vowing to lead them to the queen's side and pave their way into the impregnable fortress of the Fourth Prince.
The remainder of the queen's entourage reaches the resplendent palace of the Fourth Prince unscathed. Here, they discover that Go Yeon-woo, though bearing the same blood as his sinister siblings, possesses a distinctly eerie aura. It dawns on the observer that perhaps Go Na-mu was the solitary beacon of sanity amidst this brood of princes.
Yeon-woo's heart skips a beat at the sudden arrival of the queen at his palace gates. With haste, he prepares himself, eager to greet her with open arms. Unlike the ruthless Bal-ki, Yeon-woo exudes a gentle charm, his soft demeanor a stark contrast to his brothers' ferocity. He leans heavily on his trusted secretary, Yeo-jin, for guidance.
After meticulously attiring himself, the queen and Yeon-woo convene, the air heavy with unspoken emotions. She breaks the silence, delivering the somber news of the king's demise. Yeon-woo is struck with grief, yet her mere presence, her delicate finger trailing across his lips, her gentle proposal of a levirate union, melts his sorrow away. Despite the looming threat of Bal-ki's impending war, his longing for the queen consumes him, driving him to accept her offer without hesitation. Yet, the specter of his brother's strength lingers, casting shadows over his newfound joy.
