Kang Tae-oh and Kim Se-jeong's characters share a passionate first night, capturing the audience's attention.
In the 9th episode of MBC's 'The Moon Flows Over the River' (directed by Lee Dong-hyun, written by Jo Seung-hee), which aired on the 5th at 9:40 PM, Lee Kang (played by Kang Tae-oh) officially proposes to Park Dali (played by Kim Se-jeong), confirming their love. The episode also shows Lee Kang successfully capturing Kim Han-cheol (played by Jin Goo), the mastermind behind the incidents.
During the episode, Lee Kang confronts Kim Han-cheol, who mocks him for the explosion of the royal carriage, believing the events of the Year of the Snake will remain a secret forever. As Kim Han-cheol attempts to halt the royal marriage using the incident as an excuse, Lee Kang devises a plan with Lee Woon (played by Lee Shin-young) to capture the Left State Councilor. Lee Kang advises Lee Woon to escape with Kim Woo-hee (played by Hong Soo-joo) to avoid the marriage being annulled. Despite receiving gifts from Lee Woon, Kim Woo-hee declines, saying, "Next time, bring the downfall of my father instead of gifts."
Meanwhile, Lee Kang confesses his feelings to Park Dali. Park Dali, delighted by the red umbrella she received from Lee Kang, attempts to make pumpkin porridge as a gift, injuring her finger in the process. Lee Kang, unable to criticize the taste, eats two bowls and ends up with indigestion, prompting Park Dali to help him. As Park Dali cleans Lee Kang's bloodied hand, their bodies switch once more when Lee Kang grabs her hand in the water, concerned about her injury.
In Lee Kang's body, Park Dali confidently faces the Left State Councilor, claiming she has nothing to hide. She reveals that during her time as a court lady, she was taken to a secret prison and forced to consume infertility medicine, discovering the existence of the secret prison and the royal carriage. Kim Han-cheol, intrigued by the mention of the former head court lady, retreats, while Lee Kang questions how he plans to investigate someone already deceased. Kim Han-cheol hints at a possible traitor behind the scenes. Realizing that water and blood are needed for the body switch, Park Dali successfully swaps back by pricking her finger and placing her hand in a basin.
Lee Kang surprises Park Dali, who dreams of a life wearing flower shoes, with a special event. He places flower shoes along a path lined with petals, ending with a pair of red shoes, and presents a flower ring hidden inside, saying, "I've placed my dream within yours." When Park Dali asks if it's a bribe, Lee Kang clarifies, "It's not a bribe, it's a gift," and proposes, "As a man, not a crown prince, I'm asking you to be my only partner. Will you be my wife?" Park Dali nods with a smile, and the newlyweds spend their first night together, healing each other's wounds.
Meanwhile, Kim Han-cheol coerces a false confession from the former head court lady's nephew, framing Park Dali for treason. Lee Kang discovers that the deceased victims all had red marks on their vital points, identifying Kim Deok-chun, the royal physician, as the culprit. Lee Woon learns that the runaway slave Yoon Gye-shim lived at a brewery. Lee Kang finds a secret passage connecting the Left State Councilor's house to a cave.
Queen Lee Hee (played by Kim Nam-hee) is startled by Park Dali's resemblance to the deceased crown princess. In a tense situation, Park Dali cleverly clears her name. Lee Kang arrives, revealing, "Left State Councilor Kim Han-cheol is behind the royal carriage incident," and "I found a secret passage connecting the royal carriage cave and the Left State Councilor's house." Kim Han-cheol is eventually arrested and imprisoned, while Queen Lee Hee orders, "Kill the crown princess, not the concubine." Park Dali informs her family of her new status as a concubine and tells Park Hong-nan (played by Park Ah-in) that she has married Lee Kang and will stay by his side.
Reporter Chaeryeong Lim, TenAsia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr