The Tale of Lady Ok

Gu Deok I gets caught hiding in Seo In's room, so she gets harshly beaten by the lady she serves. That night, she runs away with her father, and the two stop by an inn. One day, an envoy and his daughter, Tae Young, stop by the inn to stay for a few days. Tae Young and Gu Deok I become friends instantly, but their friendship ends soon when slave hunters storm into the inn to look for Gu Deok I.

Gu Deok I confesses to the grandmother that she lied and that Tae Young actually died. The grandmother tells her to live as Tae Young until the bandit is arrested. But after seeing how well-versed Deok I is in everything, the grandmother lets her live as Tae Young in her house. One day, a famous storyteller, Chon Seung Hwi visits Deok I's village, and she finds out he's been writing novels about her encounter with Seo In.

Gu Deok I tries to find out the culprit who actually killed Baek Yi. The new magistrate launches an investigation, trying to limit Yu Hyang So's powers. Yun Gyeom advises Gu Deok I to become a legal advocate herself to defend Mak Sim who was arrested by the officers for falsely accusing a noble family. Meanwhile, the king orders unmarried noble men and women to wed, forcing Yun Gyeom to marry a woman he doesn't want. (Source: Viu)

Gu Deok I rejects Yun Gyeom's marriage proposal and reveals that she is slave-born. Yun Gyeom also reveals one of his secrets to make Gu Deok I feel safe, and they end up getting married. Later, Gu Deok I finds out that Yun Gyeom has been a part of an organisation that helps children who have nowhere to go. Chief Lee hears about the organisation and accuses them of planning treason.

Things get worse for Tae Young as she loses her people one after another; when Mak Sim is at the risk of being sold at a slave market, Tae Young steps in to save her.

Tae Young and Seung Hwi fall into a trap as they try to rescue abducted children; as Chief Lee's misdeeds and evil schemes unveil, Tae Young cannot hold in her rage and does what she can as a legal advocate.

Seung Hwi cannot hide his love for Tae Young once they reunite after a long time; they spend a dreamlike time together, and finally, confront their feelings for each other; Unfortunately, their time to part ways is just around the corner.

After Yun Gyeom is found dead, rumors about Tae Young spread in Cheongsu County; Tae Young loses her place in the office as she is mistreated for becoming a widow; things are about to get worse when she is nearly prohibited from leaving the house.

The Magistrator who threatened Tae-young to admit Yoon-gyeom's death and live as a widow puts Tae-young in prision. Meanwhile, Lady Song takes over Tae-young's house, harrasses her servants, and focuses again on gaining the virtuous arch. Tae-young is pushed to the edge as she has to protect her family and the servants.

Tae-young finds out her husband's true identity and decides to leave Cheongsu County; she hears that Mi-ryeong has been falsely accused of murder.

Seung-hwi does his best day and night to become the perfect husband for Tae-young; although Tae-young has decided to remain in Cheongsu County with Seung-hwi, treating him as her husband still feels awkward.

Tae-young and Seung-hwi make up their minds to become a real husband and wife; Seung-hwi announces that he will take the state exam to be a help to Tae-young, and Tae-young recalls her skills that made Do-gyeom a top scholar.

Lady So Hye goes around the village and tells everyone that Lady Ok is a runaway slave called Gu Deok I. She even visits Lady Kim to urge her to capture Gu Deok I, but Lady Kim tells a lie to protect her. Meanwhile, Seung Hwi comes up with a way to find Heo Sun, a man thought to have scammed the villagers of Cheongsu County.

Heo Sun tells Gu Deok I's family that aloe is a valued medicine. Gu Deok I suggests the whole village grow and sell aloe to overcome their financial problem. While in Hanyang to sell aloe, Seung Hwi finds out his father has passed. Meanwhile, a dispute regarding the ownership of the land cultivating aloe breaks out, and Gu Deok I looks for evidence as the actual owner's legal advocate.

Seung Hwi ends up getting caught by the officials and gets imprisoned. Seung Hwi claims that no one knew his true identity and that everyone got fooled by him. He even makes a false confession that he killed Seong Yun Gyeom to have Gu Deok I released. However, Gu Deok I's identity is revealed when her father shows up at her trial.