The 10th episode, aired on October 6, revealed more about the mysterious Gyesanyeon incident, as Park Dal-i (played by Kim Sejeong) recovers the memories of Crown Princess Kang Yeon-wol (also played by Kim Sejeong), adding intrigue to the storyline. The episode recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 5.3%, with a peak of 5.9% during a tense confrontation between Lee Kang (Kang Tae-oh) and Kim Han-cheol (Jin Goo) at the ferry dock, according to Nielsen Korea.
Lee Kang discovers the connection between Kim Han-cheol and the secretive group Jimjo, leading to Kim Han-cheol's arrest for treason. Upon hearing of Kim Han-cheol's imprisonment, Lee Woon (Lee Sin-young) and Kim Woo-hee (Hong Soo-joo) escape the palace, seemingly restoring peace for Lee Kang, Park Dal-i, Lee Woon, and Kim Woo-hee.
However, King Lee Hee (Kim Nam-hee) unexpectedly visits Kim Han-cheol in prison, leading to his release, shocking everyone. Kim Han-cheol orders the quiet capture of the fugitive Kim Woo-hee and confronts Crown Prince Lee Kang, leaving him bewildered.
Lee Kang questions King Lee Hee about Kim Han-cheol's release, prompting Lee Hee to reveal the buried secrets of the Gyesanyeon incident. Kim Han-cheol had blackmailed Lee Hee into joining a baseless coup, placing him on the throne and manipulating him ever since. The exposure of a secret agreement, written under duress, would lead to Lee Hee's downfall as a coup monarch, forcing him to protect his son by complying with Kim Han-cheol's demands.
Lee Kang, overwhelmed by his father's protective instincts and the insurmountable barrier posed by Kim Han-cheol, is consumed by despair and guilt. The heart-wrenching cries of his brother Lee Woon, who had to let go of his beloved due to Kim Han-cheol's grip, weigh heavily on Lee Kang.
Park Dal-i comforts Lee Kang, offering him strength and encouragement. Inspired by her support, Lee Kang resolves not to lose anyone else to Kim Han-cheol and urges King Lee Hee to set things right. Yet, Lee Hee, unwilling to witness his son's downfall, makes another cowardly choice.
King Lee Hee plans to disguise Crown Princess Kang Yeon-wol as the merchant Park Dal-i and secretly meet Park Hong-nan (Park Ah-in) to smuggle her away. The plan involves faking Park Dal-i's death and having Park Hong-nan take her to Qing China.
Unaware of these plans, Park Dal-i is delighted by King Lee Hee's promise to provide for her family and heads to Unjeong Palace, where Lee Kang and Kang Yeon-wol once shared happy memories. As she wanders the palace, memories of Kang Yeon-wol from her dreams and past experiences flood back, leaving her confused.
Finally regaining all her memories, Park Dal-i breaks down in tears and confronts Park Hong-nan, asking, "Why did you deceive me, Hong-nan?" Her complex emotions hint at the difficult choices she faces as she returns to her role as Crown Princess.
Kim Sejeong's journey of rediscovering her lost memories amidst a whirlwind of fate continues in the 11th episode of 'The Moon Flows Over the River,' airing on October 12 at 9:40 PM on MBC.
Reporter: Im Chae-ryeong, TenAsia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr