Episode 8 of "The Queen Who Crowns" kicks off with an intriguing revelation: a distant royal relation, enmeshed in the real estate dealings of Hanyang, stands accused of buying and selling houses illicitly. Elsewhere within the palace walls, the king stumbles upon a distressing truth—several administrative officers have been denied homes in Hanyang due to pervasive corruption. This discovery incenses him, prompting an immediate and thorough investigation.
In a separate corner of the kingdom, the queen encounters Kim of Bamgol, the aforementioned royal who appears utterly undisturbed by the potential repercussions of her corrupt escapades. As she makes her way back, her sharp eyes catch Court Lady Kim—a trusted confidante of the king—lurking suspiciously in the vicinity. Later, the queen leverages her authority to coerce Court Lady Kim, insisting that she, and not Chae-ryeong, should be the one to bring the matter to the king's attention. Understandably, Chae-ryeong feels the sting of this political maneuver and, seeking revenge, visits Princess Kwon-seon to forge a united front against the queen.
Elsewhere, the intrigue deepens as it transpires that Tae-jo’s stepbrother lends his support to Kim of Bamgol. Seizing this advantageous moment, Kim of Bamgol devises a cunning plan to ensnare the queen’s brother by offering him ten houses. Her hope? That the queen will be compelled to drop the case to shield her own kin from scandal.
Later, in a moment of vulnerability, the queen prepares for her bath. Unbeknownst to her, Court Lady Kim surreptitiously adds an unknown substance to the water. Fortune smiles upon the queen however, as she happens to bypass the tainted waters, narrowly escaping a potential ordeal.
Despite the looming threats, the queen triumphantly concludes the deity's ritual. Scarcely has the smoke cleared when Tae-jo’s stepbrother boldly accuses the queen’s brother of amassing and flipping ten houses for gain in the public eye. Yet, thanks to Pan-su’s timely intelligence, the queen is already privy to Kim of Bamgol’s cunning scheme.
In an unexpected twist, her brother proactively seeks forgiveness from the king, offering the争议房产 as a pledge of his unwavering loyalty. This gesture sparks a cascade of actions, compelling other ministers to surrender their ill-gotten properties, thereby effectively quelling the housing crisis that had plagued Hanyang.
While the king commends the queen for her adept handling, he is simultaneously struck by the realization that she embodies more regal virtues than he. This awareness stirs his insecurities, prompting him to hatch a devious plan. He appoints one of the queen’s brothers to spearhead an investigation against Kim of Bamgol and his fellow corrupt ministers. However, his ultimate objective is to pit the Min family against Tae-jo’s stepbrother’s faction, thereby laying the groundwork to diminish the Min family’s sway.
Subsequently, the king announces the crown prince’s impending nuptials, inviting noble families to present their daughters as potential crown princesses, a strategic move aimed at counterbalancing the Min family’s burgeoning power. Among the esteemed candidates stands Lee Suk-beom’s daughter. Recognizing the gravity of this choice, the queen decides to organize a competition to ensure a fair and impartial selection. The episode concludes on this cliffhanger, teeing up the stage for further mesmerizing intrigue.
