Episode 9 of "The Tale of Lady Ok" kicks off with Magistrate Oh apprehending Tae-young, presenting her with an ultimatum: languish in prison or accept her fate as a widow. Desperate, Madam Kim seeks assistance from Madam Hong and her spouse, Cha, but they shut her down without hesitation. The Provincial Governor, absent on official duties, remains unable to lend a hand to Tae-young.
Madam Song, seizing the moment, assumes the mantle of the Seung family's patriarch. Her actions inflame Mi-ryeong and Mak-sim, as she resumes her harsh rule over the Seung slaves. Her machinations don't end there; she cunningly presents Hong with a ring from Tae-young's collection and plots to acquire the Memorial Gate next. Meanwhile, Mi-ryeong's health declines, and Mak-sim realizes she is with child.
Tae-young, starving and victimized by rats in her cell, succumbs to hallucinations where the real Tae-young urges her to fight for survival. Convinced, Tae-young reluctantly agrees to Magistrate Oh's proposition. A public hearing looms, where Tae-young must bow to Yun-gyeom's mock corpse, cementing her fate as a widow. Just as the guards prepare to compel her, Yun-gyeom, accompanied by Do-gyeom, appears unexpectedly. Yun-gyeom reveals he survived a shipwreck on his journey to Qing but lost all his memories. The revelation elicits sympathy from all, except Tae-young, who remains skeptical of his tale.
Yet, Tae-young faces more pressing matters as she confronts Madam Song. With calculated cordiality, she offers Song a remote dwelling and insists she vacate after the welcoming banquet for Yun-gyeom. Madam Song, though feigning politeness, seethes in anger and surreptitiously provides Do-gyeom with "health" pills intended for his brother. Mi-ryeong longs to unveil the truth to him, but Tae-young intervenes, silencing her.
Meanwhile, Yun-gyeom is told his story and he apologises for his disappearance. A suspicious Tae-young offers him a drink but he refuses, citing the banquet. She is reminded that Seung-hwi is a lightweight while Yun-gyeom can hold his drink. But her argument keeps wavering as he displays exceptional martial arts the next morning but gives a Seung-hwi-like speech at the banquet.
Magistrate Oh arrives and is sheepish when Tae-young doesn’t press charges. She then eavesdrops while Oh threatens Song for roping him in the failed scheme.
Back to “Yun-gyeom,” Tae-young is once again suspicious when he looks at her lovingly. She pretends to sleep with him that night and rips off his robe. She is shocked to see Yun-gyeom’s Devoted Hearts tattoo and runs off.
Elsewhere, Magistrate Oh meets with Slaver Ji. Since they failed, he wants the agreement which he signed with Minister Bak. It promises bribes in exchange for the Memorial Gate. Slaver Ji refuses to give it as punishment for failing to kill Tae-young.
The Inspector eavesdrops and informs Tae-young and the Provincial Governor. They have been ordered not to investigate the Memorial Gate murders and the Inspector decides to find Ji and Oh’s benefactor secretly.
At the law firm, everyone’s trying to help put it back. Tae-young spots Do-gyeom and sends him home to look after his pregnant wife. Mi-ryeong recognises Song’s pills he has put in the liquor and insists on setting up the meal for the brothers. Alone, she checks the contents and confirms that they are lethal.
Back at the firm, Yun-gyeom is engrossed in painting a desk, yet Tae-young cannot escape the haunting resemblance of Seung-hwi in his every move. The final blow comes when Mak-sim declares her intentions to alter Yun-gyeom's attire, citing an ill fit, which only fuels Tae-young's suspicions. She leads him to the garden and reveals Seung-hwi's pollen allergy, a telltale sign that confirms her suspicions. As if on cue, Yun-gyeom sneezes, blowing his disguise.
He offers heartfelt apologies, attempting to articulate his circumstances. He confesses to mastering martial arts after his journey to Mt. Unbong, which enabled him to pass as Yun-gyeom seamlessly. Tae-young, recognizing the peril in the situation, urges him to return to Qing immediately. However, he stands his ground, insisting that he has postponed his performance and vows to depart only after all matters are settled.
Unbeknownst to them, Man-seok has been observing their conversation from the shadows. He steps forward and elucidates the gravity of the situation, revealing that the performance in question was a royal affair, one that cannot be rescheduled. He recounts how Seung-hwi faked his death en route, abandoning everything to ensure Tae-young's safety. With a heartfelt plea, Man-seok begs her not to reject him, reminding her that he is, after all, her husband.
Tae-young's eyes well up with sorrow as she reflects on their cherished memories together, a poignant conclusion to Episode 9 of The Tale of Lady Ok.
