Episode 8 of "The Tale of Lady Ok" kicks off with a harrowing discovery: Tae-young stumbles upon what appears to be Yun-gyeom's lifeless body. The shockwave of disbelief hits her and Do-gyeom instantly, realizing it's a cruel decoy. Magistrate Oh, however, remains obstinate, refusing to delve into the mystery further. Meanwhile, malicious gossip swirls like a toxic fog, whispering that a jealous Tae-young conjured a cursed charm, barren of hope, and tucked it beneath Mi-ryeong's pillow. Yet, Mak-sim's testimony falters, for he never glimpsed the eavesdropper, thereby shielding Mi-ryeong's concealed deeds.
In a desperate plea for justice, Tae-young storms the Provincial Governor's mansion, seeking solace from him and Madam Kim. The latter, in turn, unravels a cryptic encounter with Madam Song. Concurrently, the aristocracy peppers Do-gyeom with scandalous rumors—Tae-young entangled in his bed and those of her male patrons. Heart-wrenchingly, Do-gyeom vows to clear her name by locating the missing Yun-gyeom. Tae-young's revelation about Incheon fuels his determination, pushing him towards an unyielding quest.
Madam Song and Madam Hong revel in their impending victory, as Do-gyeom's absence paves a smoother path to crush Tae-young. Song devises a sinister plot: to terminate Tae-young's life and securing it as a self-inflicted tragedy, thereby the Memorial Gate for Cheongsu County.
In Incheon, Do-gyeom and Dokki's search is as fruitless as a barren field. Nearby, Seung-hwi wallows in despair, his heart heavy with thoughts of Tae-young. Dokki spots him, mistaking him for Yun-gyeom in a fleeting moment of hope. The reunion of old friends is bittersweet; Do-gyeom and Seung-hwi recognize each other amidst the sorrow. Man-seok's revelation strikes like a thunderbolt—Yun-gyeom was last seen aboard a Qing vessel. Gratitude fills Do-gyeom and Dokki as they depart, but Seung-hwi's yearning heart pulls him towards Tae-young. Man-seok, ever the voice of reason, gently restrains him, reminding him of the helplessness of his situation.
Tae-young, burdened by loneliness, finds solace in sharing a room with Mi-ryeong. Mi-ryeong's curiosity piqued by Yun-gyeom, prompts Tae-young to confess that, despite her disappointment, she is committed to understanding her husband's noble pursuit. Later, when Mi-ryeong expresses curiosity about the law firm's origins, Mak-sim and Tae-young unveil the tale of Baek-yi. Shocked to the core, Mi-ryeong confronts her mother, realizing the depths of Madam Song's villainy, who goes so far as to plot Tae-young's violation and public hanging while she is still alive. Mi-ryeong attempts to retract, but Song insists that Tae-young will ruin her if she learns the truth.
Meanwhile, in Qing, Dokki succumbs to illness, leaving Do-gyeom to search alone. He is ambushed by Joseonjoks who shred Yun-gyeom's sketch and rob him of his money. Fortunately, a compassionate stranger recognizes the sketch, offering a glimmer of hope.
As everyone else is away on holiday, the Baeks execute their sinister plan. However, Mi-ryeong betrays her mother by revealing the plot to Tae-young, who is already privy to the whole affair. Having pieced together the puzzle after her conversation with Madam Kim, Tae-young confronts Song, who claims that Baek-yi's ghost compelled her son, Do-gwang, to take his own life. Vowing to seek revenge, Song faces Tae-young's final warning.
Returning home, Tae-young finds Mi-ryeong packing to leave. She coaxes Mi-ryeong to admit that no one has ever been as kind and loving as the Seungs. Tae-young, filled with regret for Mi-ryeong's hard life, earnestly asks her to stay.
Back in the Qing Dynasty, Do-gyeom ventures to a bustling construction site, where he eventually discovers Yun-gyeom, who fails to recognize his own brother amidst the chaos. Tears welling up in his eyes, Do-gyeom implores Yun-gyeom to return home, his voice thick with emotion.
Following the foiled plot orchestrated by Madam Song, Madam Kim confronts Madam Hong, who is left astonished to learn that she had never intended to slay Tae-young or seize the Memorial Gate. As a consequence, Madam Hong is ostracized from the sacred Mother's Sanctuary, her punishment swift and severe.
Elsewhere, Slaver Ji pays Minister Bak a visit, bearing news that rocks their world. It transpires that Song had seduced Magistrate Oh with the allure of the Memorial Gate, prompting him to engage the abductors supplied by Slaver Ji—who are now in custody, thanks largely to Tae-young's intervention. Bak and Ji are incensed, for she is the culprit who also cost them their precious gold.
With Minister Bak's unwavering support, Magistrate Oh orders his men to demolish the law firm and incinerate its records, his resolve unyielding. He insists that Tae-young, now a widow, must be confined to solitude for three years to mourn her loss. As The Tale of Lady Ok Episode 8 draws to a close, Madam Song's smile is directed at Tae-young, a chilling reminder of her unyielding ambition and cunning.
