Original subtitles

[Episode 40]

What's the status?

We're making the thistle tonic per your instructions.

It's all here.

Rhubarb, thistle, forsythia, ephedra, bugbane.

Dried toad venom.

Toad venom...

Toad...

Doctor Baek?

But toad venom is toxic.

Who knows what reaction His Highness might have?

Your Majesty.

Is he to be trusted?

I need an answer.

Do you guarantee the prince's life...

...with your own?

Lord Yi.

Yes, Your Majesty.

With my life.

I swear, always something, always...

What? Lord Yi is using an outside doctor?

Yes, in the Queen Mother's palace.

She's adamant on the subject.

She swears he can halt the toxemia.

It can't be him...

Can it?

Ma'am, Doctor Baek? Where is he?

Toad venom.

It's essential as a disinfectant.

But dangerous. We need something else.

Something other than toad venom.

Your hat.

Wait...

Charcoal...

Ash...

Your Majesty, the doctor.

That's it.

Instead of toad venom...

Kwanghyon.

What brings you here?

Come quick. To the palace.

No. I won't have it.

Sire.

He's Doctor Baek's patient.

Would you change that?

I won't have it, Your Majesty.

And if the Prince gets toxemia?

What then?

Your Majesty.

Have you forgotten?

Doctor Baek killed Lord Ko.

He couldn't stop the infection.

Be that as it may, I won't have an outsider treat him.

What's more, I believe in Doctor Baek.

He's not some quack. Lord Yi recommends him.

He knows things that Doctor Baek does not.

Your Majesty.

Sire.

What's that? Change the attending physician?

Not only that, but to an outsider?

I'm the chief physician.

How dare you question my decision?

And Her Majesty as given permission.

But we have received no such instructions.

Any change in doctors must come from the throne itself.

Nurse.

Fine, if that's how you want it.

Whatever punishment he gets, you get, is that it?

Lord Yi.

Well? Get out.

You heard him.

We can't do that.

He is Doctor Baek's patient.

And his treatment is nearly complete.

No matter what happens to you?

Sir.

What is this, a roadshow?

Shut up already.

What?

"Nearly complete," you said?

You think he found a way to stop the infection?

He knows what to use. You believe that?

Look here.

Wake up.

Trust him and lose everything.

Who is with the Prince?

Well? Who is he? What is he doing?

Why? Scared?

Worried he'll do what you can't?

That he'll steal the credit?

Oh, no.

Fear is the least of my worries.

It doesn't matter who treats him.

"Credit?"

You can have it if you want it so bad.

But the treatment...

I need to know if it's right for the Prince...

...if it will save him.

Well, well, aren't you the noble one.

Who cares about credit?

All you care about is the patient?

Now there's a doctor for you.

In that case, you should bow out quietly.

You can't save the Prince. I can.

Tell me how.

How will you stave off the infection?

Why should I? Why tell you anything?

Why give away my secrets, huh?

Look here!

Mockstrawberry decoction and saline solution.

And a blend of weasel and orchid roots.

Yes, you got that far at least.

You surprised me. I didn't think you could to it.

But you need a tonic.

Something you don't know about, right?

So you asked me.

I know the secret. And you want me to tell you?

Now listen closely...

Thistle tonic.

That's the final step.

Now tell me. Is that your method?

What did you say?

What is it?

How... How did you know?

The ingredients?

What's in your thistle tonic?

Rhubarb, thistle, forsythia.

With ephedra and bugbane.

And? The last ingredient?

Yes, you could guess that much.

But you'll use dried toad venom.

As an anti-inflammatory and disinfectant.

No, not venom.

That's not the last ingredient.

Ashes.

I used toad ashes.

Toad ashes? Ashes?

You... You know about that?

You?

Sire.

Sire.

Toad ashes?

That's right.

Wait, so you extract the toad venom...

...and burn the powder into a fine ash?

Yes, exactly.

Toad venom is essential in treating toxemia.

But it can cause blindness or worse.

What is it?

But if it is burned to a fine ash the toxicity is decreased.

Making it safer than the venom.

While retaining its efficacy.

Exactly. That's what Kwanghyon figured out.

So they both have the same idea?

Yes. Lord Yi's outsider and Doctor Baek have the same treatment.

Toad ash...

I've studied medicine, but I've never heard of that.

The Crown Prince?

How is he?

The Prince? How is he?

His fever is getting worse.

Toxemia may be imminent.

And the tonic?

Will your tonic stop the infection?

I can't swear to it.

But I believe so, Sire.

Then shouldn't you make some?

No. First we'll have to use the other doctor's.

What?

Doctor Baek.

But Doctor Baek...

We use the same ingredients.

The result is the same, but making ours will take time.

We'll have to use his.

The same?

It can't be.

How did he know?

My lord, my lord.

Lord Yi, they're asking for Doctor Choi's tonic.

They've decided to use his for the final treatment.

What? You're sure?

Yes.

My lord.

You hear that?

The final treatment will be your tonic.

What of it?

You'd eat off someone else's table?

It's taking forever.

The Prince should be up by now.

Master, master.

Well? What happened?

Is the treatment over?

Master, it's...

Your Majesty, Her Royal Highness.

Your Majesties.

Sukhwi.

Princess.

I heard the treatment is complete.

Is the Prince better?

I don't know. I'm going there now.

Shall we?

Of course.

He's all right. The fever broke and his pulse is steady.

He'll be thirsty and nauseous.

But the danger is past.

He'll be all right now.

You're sure, Doctor Baek?

Yes, I can say so with certainty.

Ma'am.

Sire.

Yes.

My boy...

My little boy...

Kwanghyon.

We did it.

Toxemia, tetanus...

Now we know how to prevent them.

See the toad ash is in the Prince's tonic, understood?

Yes, sir.

No mistakes now, Malgeum.

- Yes'm. - Here.

But, sir, who gets the credit?

Doctor Baek? Or Doctor Choi?

It was Doctor Choi's tonic, he gets it, of course.

But Doctor Baek was treating him.

And he came to the same conclusion.

True, very true. That's what's important.

That's my pretty lil Eunbi.

Doctor Baek had the answer.

This other guy stepped in at the last second.

Am I right? Or am I right?

I don't know. Do you think so?

No, this is Doctor Choi's success.

Don't you agree?

Of course.

If not for him, it would have been much worse.

Well said. Who knows what might have happened?

So I'm saying.

Lord Yi made the tough decision.

We nearly lost him thanks to Doctor Baek, am I right?

- Yes. - Quite right.

Well said.

If not for Doctor Choi, who knows, right?

Right, right.

The last tonic was Doctor Choi's.

What good is Doctor Baek?

I can't believe them.

This is your success. Listen to those sheep.

It's infuriating.

You did everything.

Not entirely.

If we had to wait for my tonic, it may have been too late.

Not true.

I was observing the patient.

We had plenty of time.

And who is this quack?

Where did he learn all these secret techniques.

Tell me that, huh?

Toad ash is only written in the Guide to Swollen Sore Treatments.

It never occurred to me till I read about it.

Forget Saam.

The man I have to beat...

...is Doctor Baek.

He already knew how to prevent infection.

Choi Hyonguk.

Choi Hyonguk...?

So it's all right to have surgery?

Exactly.

The Crown Prince himself had it, see?

You got it.

Doctor Baek's like a brother to me.

Nobody's better, tell you what.

- Really? - Yeah?

What brings you here?

There you are.

If you could lance my owie...?

No need. It's all better.

C'mon, help me out.

It's best if a friend does it.

Listen, how many times I have to say it?

No, you gotta.

To be sure it's completely cured.

C'mon!

I swear...

Jinyong.

Your Highness. My lady.

What brings you two here?

Is this better?

This is nice...

So is this...

Everything looks good on you.

Right, Eunso?

Yes, everything.

I couldn't possibly decide.

But Your Highness, what's this all about?

Palace affairs are bad enough.

But I can't find anything for your wedding.

Pardon? My wedding?

And I'm arranging everything.

Well? See anything you like?

That's pretty... so is that...

Wait.

What is this?

Marriage? To who?

Who do you think? Doctor Baek, of course.

Huh?

Look at her. She's speechless.

Aren't you going to marry him?

No, it's not that...

But it's not just up to me, so springing this...

Springing?

At your age?

You have to think about having a baby.

Yes, a baby. The clock's a-ticking.

A baby... Your Highness...

I'm worried about you.

A baby at your age, am I right?

Right. She'll need a good midwife.

Too true.

A midwife?

Aren't you rushing things?

A baby at your age. Oh, dear, dear.

- No, Jinyong... - Your Highness.

Let's find a midwife.

What was that about?

Marriage? Whew...

Jinyong.

EEK!

You scared me.

Sorry, sorry. You all right?

I'm fine, it's nothing.

So what brings you here?

I heard you had a carbuncle patient.

What's wrong? Are you ill?

Huh?

Your face... Hang on, you're beet red.

Do you have a fever?

No, it's not that.

I'm just hot is all, whew...

Hot? Now? In this weather?

Look...

You can see my breath.

It's just, I don't know...

Let's see.

Not ill, not hot, but you're red.

Why is that?

Thinking of me?

W-w-what?

Ah-hah, I knew it. You're st-st-stuttering.

Nuh-uh... why are you...? You're so wrong.

Ah-hah, that's it, thinking of me.

And all red and such.

I said nuh-uh.

The carbuncle patient?

Come on.

Why else would your face be red?

It's not.

Let's see.

Oh, I caught you all right.

Let's just go.

I knew it.

Let's see the patient.

That's why I'm here.

The clinic, the clinic.

Soooo red.

- Am not. - Are too.

You know as well as I what Her Highness and Eunso are up to.

They're preparing Jingyong's wedding.

I thought we might have a drink...

...to help you deal with...

No, what I think is nothing.

That's not important.

They can't get married...

Come on...

Not her and Doctor Baek.

If they marry, everything will come out.

My father won't allow it.

Jinyong will be hurt in the end.

Songha..?

Wait, Songha... wait...

My lady, the wine.

Good. I'll take it.

My lord.

Stop Her Highness.

Please, I beg you.

Jinyong and Doctor Baek are too different.

They can't marry, not as things are here.

But Doctor Baek has rank now.

He's not a noble of Jinyong's rank.

But if they want...

And if it's a commoner and a noble?

Don't you see what would happen?

A commoner and a noble can't marry.

If it came out after a few years...

...don't you realize the commoner would be executed?

My lord, what are...?

No. Please stop it.

Leave Jinyong alone.

Your Highness, should we go back?

It's dark.

Just one more to go.

Even more important than the dress.

She needs the right head ornament.

To look her best on her wedding day.

I want her day to be perfect.

Your Highness.

One minute.

Oh, my, she's all grown up.

True.

She's so grown up, it's got me worried.

Hm?

Worried? Why?

You know what they say.

Grow up too fast, die young.

Die THIS and THIS!

I'm just saying...

Say THIS! And THAT!

Your Highness!

You!

Feel like dying today, eh?

How dare you...

Are you all right?

Yes, I'm fine.

But he's... he's...

Officer Mah, enough.

Leave him be.

Pardon? But why?

He deserves death...

No.

He looks sick.

Your Highness.

Listen to me.

You're sick, aren't you?

It's all right. Tell me.

Tell me, what's wrong?

Well done, Doctor Baek.

There's a lot of talk.

But I know you deserve the credit.

Your honor me.

And I know you didn't do it just for the Crown Prince.

You needed the Royal House.

So our people would know surgery is safe.

You used us, in a way.

- Sire, that's... - Still...

You live for a higher purpose.

All of your efforts are for the good of our people.

Sire.

I see some of the late Lord Ko in you.

I trust you will continue to look after our people.

At your service, Sire.

If the throne can help, come to me.

I will do all I can.

Sire.

Nice to see so many people.

A busy clinic doesn't do me any harm.

The new shipments.

Check the inventory.

But why give this to us?

Who else would I give it to?

Well, Kayong, for instance.

Kayong?

Yes. Kayong can... hee-hee!

I think I saw her over there.

Shall I call her?

What... what are you...?

So Kayong, what have you done?

What? The instructor and you?

Yeah. Not just a little either.

He wants to set up house.

No.

I didn't believe it either.

But it sure sounded like it.

That's what's got me so worried.

What has?

That you'll marry him?

You will?

Dork 1 and 2, you nuts?

Why would I marry Dork 3?

He's so not my type.

But that hottie, now...

What's going on in here?

Ugh, he's back.

He's lookin' for me.

You didn't see me. Help me out here.

How?

Say I'm no good, forget about me.

I'm countin' on you. Good luck, thanks.

You two, have you seen So Kayong?

So it's true.

Just wait till I catch her.

Whack!

Sir, aren't you a little out of line?

Of what? Line?

It's not right for a doctor to pester a nurse.

Pester? Me?

Now look, what kind of talk is that?

I'm not saying it for Nurse So.

Using your position to bother the nurses?

There's not a doctor here that will stand for it.

Ouch, my head...

Wait, am I insane? I would never.

Sir, sir...

What now? Who's talking about me now?

It's not that. Come quick.

He's at the surgery. It's him.

What? Him?

That's...

...the doctor?

What's he doing here?

What? He's at the clinic?

Exactly. I just saw him.

He's going to be working here as a doctor.

Kwanghyon.

I know.

Lord Yi used his influence to get him appointed.

He asked to serve...

...in the clinic.

What?

Kwanghyon, that means he's after you.

He uses a blade, not a needle.

And he means to use it on you.

Baek.

Those belonged to my late mentor, Lord Ko.

I didn't mean anything.

The room was empty.

Preserving the late doctor's things.

Very touching.

Or foolish.

If you want a tour, come with me.

You're a cool one.

Saam must have heard that I'm here.

And told you what I mean to do.

So?

Am I supposed to be scared?

I've heard there's nothing you won't do.

But we won't have that here.

I'll stop you myself.

Stop me?

You?

I see. Care to make a bet?

You stop me.

Or become like me, hm?

I heard about you before coming here.

Lord Ko died because of you.

I know your kind.

Devoted, dense.

A fool.

That's why you were a vet and now a doctor.

Animals, people, they all die.

You probably did anything to save them.

It drives you insane if you can't.

Like when Lord Ko died. Am I wrong?

However. What about next time?

When someone else you care about dies on you?

Trust me, it will drive you insane.

Much worse than with Lord Ko.

You've come far.

You've learned a lot.

But some things can't be cured.

It can't be helped.

And then...

...then we'll see there's nothing you won't do.

Nothing. Just like me.

It's late.

We've been waiting forever.

Where's our food? Well?

Yes, sir, it's coming. Right away.

What about us?

Yes, sir.

Our bellies need filling, woman.

I'm starving here.

I'm sorry, just one minute.

Right away, all right?

Where did Malbok get to?

That should about do it.

Chef!

Hot, hot, hot. You made me burn myself.

You're burning ME.

What's keeping the orders?

Keeping? I've been turning it out right and left.

Right and left?

I've got customers screaming out there.

Screaming? What about Malbok?

Malbok...

Malbok! Malbok!

Chef.

Have you been loafing all this time?

Ma'am, I'm...

I'm...

You're what? Pull yourself together.

Lazy bum, well?

Malbok!

Oh... oh...

- What's wrong with him? - Malbok. What is it?

Wake up.

Malbok...

I didn't do anything. I just yelled at him.

But what a screech, I nearly fainted myself.

Malbok, wake up. She just yelled...

Wait.

What's this?

- Th-th-that's... - Did you see?

It's... it's... the pox.

Oh, no.

Oh, very nice.

I hope she likes it.

I'm sure she will. What made you think of it?

I saw it in a shop.

The lips say no but behind closed doors...!

Excellent, good thinking.

Let's go.

The pox!

What's that?

The-the-the pox!

Someone has the pox.

The pox?

Where are you going?

- Ma'am. - Chef.

Kibae.

Look.

Sir.

- Kibae. - Is it the pox?

Who knows?

Don't look at me. I don't know.

Oh, no. I touched him.

What if I catch it?

We should go. C'mon.

Look. He's lying here, we can't just go.

Sir.

You can't...

What are you doing?

I'll carry him. You lead.

You can't. Don't...

Oh, no... don't...

Oh dear...

The pox patient?

Here.

It's been three days now.

He's burning up with fever.

Her Highness brought him in.

She found him on the street.

Doctor.

I think it's smallpox.

Doctor. My lord.

The pox. Another patient has come in.

What?

Kwanghyon.

Jabong.

- Sir. - Kwanghyon.

What happened?

I think he...

Smallpox.

Smallpox is in the capital.

Pox...

Sire.

Smallpox is in the capital.

What do we know?

Over 50 cases in the clinic at 2 o'clock today.

We're sure it's smallpox?

There's no question?

As much as I wish otherwise, it's true, Sire.

Sire.

The famine barely over and now the pox...?

Why? Why now?

Sire, there's no stopping smallpox once it spreads.

If we don't act now,

the damage will be irreversible.

Seal off the South, North, East and West gates.

Sir.

As far as Gwanwangmyo to the east and Daehyon to the west,

watch every road.

Close every waterway.

Remember, as of today, no one leaves the capital.

Stand away. Stand down!

Make way. Make way.

Stand aside.

Make way. Make way.

Please let us out.

Please, I have a newborn.

Let us go.

No one leaves. Stand aside.

Seal it off.

Sir.

Let us leave. Please.

Ah, there you are.

You can let me out, eh?

My lord, that isn't...

Look here, I need to get to the palace.

Lots to do, you know.

I'm sorry.

I've got to get out.

Ah, good, Lord Yi's boy.

I was just asking him...

Pardon us, sir, but no one can leave.

The area is quarantined, my lord.

No, but I'm...

Well? Escort his lordship.

Sir.

No, wait...

You know who I am?

I'm the Minister!

Of Military Affairs!

The Minister!

My lord, let us go.

My lord.

Here. You, too. And you.

Here.

The pox is spread through coughing.

Be on your guard.

Yes, ma'am.

The clinic is the last defense.

We cannot weaken, we cannot fail. Understood?

Ma'am.

Which of you have had smallpox?

Me.

And me.

You're safe from infection.

You'll deal with the most serious cases.

Migeum, Aejong, Eunbi, with me.

Ma'am.

Let's move, come along.

Taeju.

Doctor Yun.

Report.

Patients are flooding in.

Faster than we can handle.

That's not the worst.

Some of the doctors are sick.

What?

Those that treated the first case.

They didn't realize it was smallpox.

The first case?

The first?

That way.

Jinyong.

Jinyong.

How is it at the clinic?

The same.

Some of the staff are sick.

Have you heard from the palace?

Is Her Highness all right?

Who? Her Highness?

It's the first patient. His doctors are sick.

The patient Her Highness brought in.

What?

Move, hurry, go on.

Move. Hurry.

Well? Move!

Move it along.

We have to hurry.

We're moving to Changgyong Palace.

It's not safe here, even indoors.

Yes, I know. One more minute.

Your Highness.

This is for Jinyong's wedding dress.

We don't know when the quarantine will be lifted.

Your Highness.

All right, I'm done anyway.

Stop. I'm done.

We have to go.

All right.

- You there. - Sir.

There's no time to waste.

Sir.

The medicine is ready?

Yes, doctor.

The royals.

Have they all been moved?

Her Majesty and the Princess haven't had smallpox.

They and the Prince are going to Changgyong Palace.

Hurry. The disease has reached the palace.

We can't allow them to be infected.

Yes, my lord.

Yes, sir.

No...

Hurry.

Officer Mah.

Doctor Baek.

I'm told Her Highness is moving.

Yes, we're nearly ready.

She's going to Changgyong Palace

And...

Have you noticed any symptoms?

What? Symptoms? How do you mean?

Well...

That's odd.

I feel so hot.

Lady Kwak, I'm ready...

What...? Why...

What was that?

The man Her Highness helped has the pox?

Then...

No, she didn't necessarily catch it.

If she hasn't shown any symptoms by now she should...

What was that?

Your Highness... Princess...

Your Highness, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Your Highness, wake up.

Your Highness, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

- Your Highness. - Your Highness.

Princess.

Doctor Baek.

Yes, it's me.

Doctor Baek is here.

Docor Baek, I feel strange...

...so...strange...

- Your Highness. - Your Highness.

Your Highness, wake up.

Your Highness.

Translated by D. Bannon Subtitles provided by MBC

Beggar, princess, doctors can do nothing.

That's smallpox.

Yes. It's smallpox.

Why is life so cruel? So cruel...

The Princess?

The next day or two will be the hardest.

I'm so scared...

There's no such thing as an incurable disease.

She's "Her Highness" to you. Very nice.

What?

My lord. My lord.

You cured my Dolly when no one else could.

I trust you.

Recovered? The first patient?

Yes, now you see, too?

The first case... the first...

Lady Kwak.

Doctor Baek...