In the tenth episode of "Scandal of Chun-hwa," the narrative picks up right where it left off, with Hwa-ri's heart shattered following her soul-wrenching conversation with Choi Hwan. Seeking solace, she ventures to the king, courageously confessing her true identity as the pen behind "Chun-hwa’s Love Story" and imploring him to show mercy towards the innocent. As a consequence, the king coldly decides to punish her by arranging her marriage to Jang Won.
With Choi Hwan now a fugitive, Hwa-ri seizes one final moment to meet him at the publishing house. She reveals to him her plea on behalf of the blameless and, as she turns to leave, shares a poignant wish that his suffering might mirror her own, leaving Choi Hwan in a state of emotional disarray.
Determined to stand by the crown princess's side, Hwa-ri rallies a gathering of women, her voice resonating with passion as she urges them to sign the petition demanding the annulment of the royal marriage. Hwa-jin too finds strength in her cause, gaining the backing of her mother, Concubine Kim, who is reminded of her own forced marriage and life as a concubine.
Elsewhere, the queen visits her imprisoned brother, who whispers the wisdom of "living naturally" into her ear. She then encounters Hwa-ri and, surprisingly, grants her blessing to the petition. As Ji-won compiles all the petitions, he confronts the king once more, his plea for the crown princess's divorce echoing with urgency and sincerity.
In due course, the crown prince personally seeks audience with the king, passionately advocating for the dissolution of the royal marriage and imploring his father to repose faith in his capacity to become a laudable heir. After thoroughly contemplating the justifications put forth by Ji-won, the king reluctantly terminates the marital union. The crown princess is now liberated to exit the confines of the palace and embark on a fresh journey. Upon her departure, the women who had stood by her side offer their respects, to which she responds with heartfelt gratitude.
Concurrently, Jang Won receives a collection of paintings from Master Kim, intended for Hwa-ri. It transpires that Hwa-ri is distressed about her impending nuptials with Jang Won, having lost her zest and aspiration to forge her unique path. Nevertheless, Jang Won reassures her of his earnest desire for her happiness and urges her to embrace the path that genuinely resonates with her soul.
Outside the palace walls, the crown princess finds solace in her newly acquired freedom, while the crown prince diligently prepares himself to become a worthy successor to the throne. In solitude, Hwa-ri reflects fondly on her time spent with Choi Hwan. Overwhelmed with emotion, she hastily makes her way to the bookstore, where she discovers to her amazement that Choi Hwan has not departed. Touched by his steadfastness, she decides to depart with him, forsaking her royal title. Choi Hwan joyfully embraces her decision, and they share a tender kiss, seemingly bringing their tale to a poignant close.
Their love story is eventually immortalized in a book, passed down through the generations. In contemporary Korea, a woman bearing a striking resemblance to Hwa-ri stumbles upon this book. Following the bookstore owner's advice, she chases after a man who reminds her of Jang Won, someone she holds in high esteem, and boldly asks for his number. As she strides away, she bumps into someone who mirrors Choi Hwan, bringing the narrative to a full circle with a touch of serendipity.
