People think MooYeon was the father based primarily on two things:

1. the flashback in Episode 7 where 16 years ago, he held the future Crown Princess, the young SoHee hostage and threatened to slash her throat if Minister Kim didn’t call of the search for him. Minister Kim pointed out that he was his father’s son, too weak-willed to kill SoHee, and sure enough, MooYeon released SoHee to go after Minister Kim himself.

It’s assumed that from this encounter the young SoHee grew attached to him because he spared her life.

2. their parting scene in Episode 8 where he congratulated her for her pregnancy, but was shortly killed afterwards. To refresh our memory, I’ll recount that scene.

He was leaving Minister Kim’s residence when CPrincess’ palanquin passed by. Her lady- in-waiting stopped the palanquin. We knew that the CPrincess wasn’t expecting a delay because she asked, “What’s the matter?”

Then in a discreet place, they began to talk.

CP: Where are you planning to go?
MY: I haven’t thought about that yet.
CP: A place next to a field would be nice. Flowers will bloom in the spring. You’ll be as happy as you can be if you build a small house and live there. I envy you. At least you can leave.
MY: My apologies.
CP: Thank you for your work. This is for your great work. (hands him a small purse).

Now, her words could be interpreted in a salacious way, that is, she was thanking him for being the sperm donor. hahaha.

MY: (bowing head) Congratulations on your pregnancy.

He turned and sighed. She looked at him tearfully. Then an arrow hit him, and she gasped in horror.

It’s assumed that he was killed by Minister Kim because Minister Kim was making good on his threat to kill the secret lover of the CPrincess.

However, I’m going to suggest another biological father here.

You see, MooYeon wasn’t the kind to take the responsibilities of fatherhood lightly. He sacrificed his life in servitude to Minister Kim because he took his responsibilities to his sister YeSoo seriously. What more for his own child?

He congratulated the CPrincess because he’d been gone for several days searching for Lee Yul and only heard of the pregnancy upon his return. If he was the baby’s father, he wouldn’t have insisted that Minister Kim fulfill their agreement to let him go after his last mission. He would have rescinded his request and chosen to stay by the side of  CPrincess to protect her and their baby. They needed his protection now more than ever.

Furthermore, if he was her secret lover, he wouldn’t have allowed Lee Yul to live. He was going to run away with his sister anyway, so why should he spare WonDeuk/Lee Yul’s life? As long as Lee Yul lived, the CPrincess’ secret wasn’t safe. Lee Yul could regain his memory and deny paternity. So, if Mooyeon intended to leave the area with his sister HongShim, the least he could have done to ensure the continued safety of the CPrincess and their baby was to kill off Lee Yul.

To me, MooYeon’s fatherhood was inconsistent to the logic of the story. He looked sad to leave her because he PITIED her. He knew she too was a pawn in her father’s game, just like he was. And the CPrincess looked sad because he was freed from his miserable life, while she couldn’t.  Little did she know that the only “escape” for MooYeon was through death by arrow. And I think SHE got the message loud and clear. Her father wouldn’t hesitate killing her — his own daughter — if she messed up his plans.

To me, the better alternative as father to her baby would be Minister Jung,the Queen’s right hand man and the half-brother of JeYoon.

These are my reasons.

1. In Episode 6, Minister Kim threatened his daughter to deal with her baby’s father her way or, if nobody died within four days, he would deal with the situation his way. Later, we see the CPrincess stashing a letter in a secret place which Minister Jung promptly retrieved.

In Episode 8, Minister Kim was informed that the eldest son of some royal was found dead.

Judging by the sequence of events, I think the CPrincess told Minister Jung of her father’s ultimatum, and Minister Jung found a way to kill another man and frame the innocent man as the father of CPrincess’ baby. That’s why the contents of the letter weren’t revealed or used to blackmail the CPrincess. The intended recipient of the letter was Minister Jung.

2. In episode 8, when Minister Kim announced to the court of his daughter’s pregnancy, there were calls to depose the Queen and Prince Seowoon for endangering the CPrincess’ health with a talisman. Minister Jung interrupted the heated discussion by pointing out, “It’s a glorious day! We should be worrying about the princess’ health. How about we send a royal physician for a thorough examination.”

The general impression here was that he was trying to deflect suspicions that the Queen was involved a plot. But on second thought, I think he was genuinely concerned about the CPrincess’ ill-health and he wanted her and the baby checked out.

Either way, he succeeded in protecting both the queen and the CPrincess.

3. Also in Episode 8, the Queen raised the idea that the baby might not be the CP’s. She asked, “Do you think the Crown Princess’ baby is that of the Crown Prince? Is it not a known secret in the palace that those two aren’t happily married?”

Minister Jung immediately pounced on her and reminded that, “Your Highness, saying that could get you a death sentence by poison. Please be careful.”

The general interpretation was that he was merely concerned for the Queen. But it was also possible that he was trying to nip the rumors in the bud. He didn’t want that kind of gossip circulating because the CPrincess wouldn’t have any defense against it, and her baby’s legitimacy would be forever questioned.

4. Towards the end of Episode 8, the King and his ministers were discussing the appointment of a new mayor to SongJu. Minister Kim suggested Jung JeYoon, the half-brother of Minister Jung. Minister Jung protested it vehemently, arguing that “he was born a bastard” and thus incapable of being a mayor.

To which Minister Kim responded, “I know that. I recommended your half-brother because I want to engage men of ability fairly.”

Then, apropos of nothing, Minister Kim talked about his daughter temporarily moving to to another residence. He said, “The Crown Princess is about to leave the palace for her safety. (The three ministers aligned with Queen, including Minister Jung, looked uncomfortable.) While we try to purify her palace and get rid of the bad energy the queen’s talisman brought, the Crown Princess will be staying at my private house.”

Here, we were left with the impression that the Ministers of the Right all looked awkward because of guilt. It was their Queen who caused this inconvenience to the Minister Kim and the CPrincess.

However, I think that in Minister Jung’s case, his discomposure could have due to his realization that CPrincess was no longer easily accessible. Their secret rendezvous could be curtailed and be harder to organize as she was going to stay in her father’s private house.

He cleared his throat, lol, and for me that was an unconscious body language that signaled deception.

I thought it was also suspicious that he reminded the Minister Kim to “stay on topic” because they were discussing a new mayor, and not the Crown Princess’ departure. Was he disappointed with the news but tried to look indifferent and unconcerned? 

5. Last, I think it would be dramatic irony if Minister Jung was the father of the CPrincess’ baby. He looked down on his half-brother because he was only a bastard, a son of a concubine, while he was the one of real noble birth. Therefore, it would be interesting to see how he would feel knowing that his son was going to be a bastard, too. ETA: Karma is a bitch, bastard, isn’t it?

So those are my reasons. I could be wrong and it was MooYoung all along. But I just want these out here for consideration.

Off to bed now.