Original subtitles

Immorality.

It's clear what the next step will be.

The inquisitors.

This him?

Yes, sir.

Take him to the interrogation grounds.

Sir.

Well? Take him away.

Sir.

Move out.

Songha.

My lord, what have they done with him?

My lord.

What? The inquisitors?

He's been remanded to the inquisitors?

Yes.

He was just placed in their custody.

Her ladyship said I didn't treat her?

So she said. It's in the investigation report.

There was no relationship.

Other than your threats.

But why? Why?

Why should she lie?

My lord.

The family is protecting its interests.

Pardon my saying this.

Even a hint of scandal with a commoner is fatal to a noble lady.

A denial was to be expected.

Did Her Majesty have to choose such a freezing day?

Be careful. This may be about the other day.

Relax. We even burned my outfit.

There's no proof that Doctor Baek and...

Doctor Baek?

Lady Kwak, isn't that Doctor Baek?

Your Highness, please.

It's clear now that Her Majesty...

Your Highness, Your Highness!

Move.

That's Doctor Baek with those men.

Right?

Your Highness.

Officer Mah, aren't those inquisitors?

Are they?

You can't. Please calm down.

What happened?

What do the inquisitors want with him?

Doctor Baek, Doctor Baek...

- Your Highness. - Doctor Baek.

Oh, dear, can it be true?

Apprentice Baek was harassing the viceroy's daughter-in-law?

That's why they arrested him.

That's not all.

They've never seen him but he claims he was treating her.

Oh, dear.

I didn't think he was the type.

Me, neither.

Yeah, well, thanks to him the clinic is a mess.

Just you be sure you stick to your duties.

Understood?

Yes, sir.

What will happen to him now?

Immorality charges. Death, probably.

Whatta gyp. I thought it would be him and Jinyong.

What?

They're always together, right?

Wait, you don't think THEY...

Watch your mouth.

Someone might hear you.

What if they do? We're all thinking it.

True, true. I've seen them.

Haven't you?

- I knew it. - They're mighty chummy.

Inquisitors? But they try cases of treason.

It's an immorality charge.

That falls under the inquisitors.

Huh?

Sir, sir.

Are you all right? Are you?

It's absurd.

What did he do? What did he ever do?

Pull yourself together.

You all right?

I knew something like this would happen.

Ever since I saw him with Jinyong.

What?

It's true.

The way those two talk and such?

He forgot his place, that's what.

And he took liberties with a lady.

Look here.

Scary old fart.

How do you know?

Did you see him? Did you ever?

What do you mean?

Wait...

Think you can spew forth your bile?

Think you can push around a helpless commoner?

What did I do? I didn't arrest him.

Sir, don't let it bother you.

Let's go.

Why shouldn't it bother me?

What was that about?

Is he Baek's father or something?

Yak-yak-yak, listen to you.

Ugh.

Yak-yak-yak?

Taemang, was I wrong?

Yes, Mother. Very much so.

I'm disappointed in you.

I'm just worried is all.

So is it true?

He was carrying on?

The two of them, at night? It's all true?

No, it can't be.

You said it wasn't.

You said he was treating her.

Yes, Your Highness.

But they swear he never did.

What?

Your Highness.

No. It can't be.

Doctor Baek isn't the type.

He would never...

ever treat me that way.

Never, ever.

No.

He wouldn't, would he?

Your Highness.

No. Never.

Are you all right?

My lady? My lady...

Please send for a doctor.

She's in so much pain.

Send for a doctor.

But his lordship gave strict instructions.

It's out of my hands.

Please...please...

Songgeum...

My brother...

Get my brother...

My lady.

My brother...my brother...

It appears Apprentice Baek was lured into meeting her.

The whole thing was planned from the start.

But who would know to do it?

It's a bad situation.

We can't use Jinyong's testimony.

Not if they stick to their story.

I'll look into it.

But if they start torturing him before then...

Yes.

He'll have no chance against the inquisitors.

I'll see her ladyship.

Perhaps I can convince her.

Here.

My lord.

My lord?

First I have to see him.

Please, Songha.

Get me in there.

Jinyong...

What about you?

People are already talking about you two.

This could hurt you, too.

If it does...

it does.

Jinyong.

It's true anyway.

I don't know about him.

But for me, it's true.

I'm sorry.

I know I shouldn't say this to you.

But please. Get me in to see him.

My lord, you're saying...?

I'm saying I'm a louse, a scum...

and an ingrate.

Worthless.

That's what I am.

Curse me if you must, but save my sister.

Look the other way, please.

I know, it's shameless to ask.

She can't lift her head just from being involved with you.

If people learned she was sick,

it would kill her.

She finally chose life.

She chose to live.

My lord.

No more talk. Deal with this.

Not to worry, sir.

My lord.

Wasn't that the high inquisitor?

I told him to wrap this up.

The whole thing is mortifying.

I blame myself, my lord.

To think he hurt your lordship...

No.

It could have been worse if not for you.

He has insulted my clan.

Filthy horse quack.

She can't lift her head just from being involved with you.

If people learned she was sick,

it would kill her.

Pardon my saying this.

Even a hint of scandal with a commoner is fatal to a noble lady.

My lady.

It's true anyway.

I don't know about him.

But for me, it's true.

What are you doing here?

What if someone sees you?

I hate that you see me like this.

A man has his pride, after all.

I'm fine. You should go.

And don't come back.

I'll be there at the interrogation.

I'll testify that you were treating her.

Nurse.

I was there that night, so...

No, don't.

Don't say anything.

Don't involve yourself with me.

But...

Please. Do nothing.

I don't like you seeing me like this.

And I don't want you putting yourself out for me.

So you're going to let them frame you?

With this absurd charge?

If I wasn't framed?

If the charge isn't absurd?

If I really did what they say...

What then?

Suppose I dared to dream that I could have a woman like her?

Suppose I would have been guilty sooner or later anyway?

Kwanghyon...

You should go.

This has nothing to do with you.

Go before someone sees you.

Yes, it's true.

I was guilty.

I still am.

Inju.

It must be said.

Who Apprentice Baek is,

whose blood runs in his veins.

Calm down, Inju.

You know how badly it will hurt both of them.

My lord.

Just wait.

There must be a way that's good for both of them.

And if Apprentice Baek is hurt first?

What if I lose him again?

My lord.

My lord, Yi Myonghwan to see you.

You won't get what you want.

What?

You think you've won.

That all Lord Dojun had is yours.

That it can't be taken away.

But it will all go to his child.

To Dojun's child.

All of it.

Hello?

Anyone here?

Tell them you want his all smoothed over?

Mm.

And why would I do that?

For yourself.

So you aren't hurt any more.

What?

Take Apprentice Baek to the interrogation grounds.

Say it's me.

Kang Jinyong from the Peoples Clinic.

Can't you do that much?

Your pardon, but we have strict instructions.

Listen.

My lady.

We will begin the formal interrogation.

Please reconsider.

I know her situation.

But if she denies he treated her,

Apprentice Baek will be punished.

I'm sorry.

My sister's future is more important to me.

Please.

My lady.

My lady, my lady.

Eunso.

My lady.

Eunso, what's wrong? Eunso...

Eunso...

You! How did you let her get this way?

The viceroy ordered that no one see her.

No doctor, no one.

What?

You have to tell the truth.

Eunso.

I want to hold my head up high.

Apprentice Baek is the one that helped me feel that again.

I know what this means to the family.

But I won't let an innocent suffer for me.

Please... Don't force me to be part of this.

Please.

Eunso.

Please...

Please...

You! Get out here!

I'll kill you all! All of you!

My lord.

Was it you? You?

Get out here, all of you!

My lord.

I have...something...to tell you.

Kill me if you must.

Please, kill me, kill me.

I'm to blame.

The investigation isn't over.

I'm telling you he was framed.

This has nothing to do with you.

You don't belong here.

You!

Do you confess or not?

Do you worst. I won't confess to what I didn't do.

There was nothing inappropriate going on.

Silence!

You still claim you were treating her?

Not as a lover, but as a doctor?

Then tell us.

What were you treating her for?

Tell us.

I didn't treat her.

What?

Apprentice Baek...

I never treated her.

I couldn't possibly know her symptoms.

Even so...

Now you confess.

If you weren't treating her,

how can you claim to be innocent?

My lord.

Silence!

He confessed. Make a note for the record.

Wait!

One moment!

My lord.

Minister.

Stop the interrogation.

Say what now?

She retracted her statement?

Yes, my lord.

The maid claims she was blackmailed into lying.

She admits he was treating her.

That little...little...

She says some man threatened to kill her.

She was too scared to say anything.

But at this point...

This clearly calls for a new investigation.

The patient admits she was being treated.

There is no justification for torture at this point.

Quite right.

Begin a new investigation.

M-my lord?

Apprentice Baek.

How are you? Is it bad?

The truth has come out. You'll be free soon.

Hang in there.

It's not so bad. I can stand it.

You'll need a restorative.

I'll have a tonic made up.

I'm sorry.

I don't know what to say.

Other than it's all my fault.

My lord.

But I've been punished.

Because of me...

My sister paid for my foolishness.

My lord, how do you mean?

Is something wrong?

My lord.

Well? Is he all right?

Yes. They were stopped before he was crippled.

Thank goodness, thank goodness.

There's something I need to tell you.

What?

A lump in the patient's breast?

Yes.

That can be treated with tonics.

Especially with younger patients.

So Apprentice Baek and I thought.

The problem is the location.

The location?

About half an inch inside, you said?

Yes, ma'am.

A painful sore about 2/3 of an inch in.

Then she's getting worse.

Much worse, which means...

It can't be treated with tonics?

Then there's only one other way.

Yes, which means...

Acupuncture.

Incision and excision.

It's the only thing that can save her.

What? A surgical procedure?

Exactly.

It's the viceroy's daughter-in-law.

And they want to cut her open.

That's stupid. Lord Ko is going senile.

No kidding. He must be.

It's unheard of.

How could he?

A fine lady?

It can't be allowed, whatever the old man is thinking...

I see.

In that case, he must be released.

And a new investigation initiated.

But the question of treating the viceroy's...

Sire.

I think I know what is bothering you.

Operating on a lady, a highborn one at that...

is bound to cause resistance among the nobles.

Lord Ko...

But there is no other choice in her condition.

Her life depends on it, Sire.

When I took this office,

I swore to you that I would put the health of my patients above all else.

Please help me to keep my word to you.

What kind of treatment is that?

Slicing a person open?

Surgery.

It's known as surgery, in case you didn't know.

Are you insane?

Or do you have so little respect for my clan?

Insane?

She's dying and you wouldn't let a doctor see her.

I'm the sane one here.

What? Look here!

Shall I tell?

How my brother-in-law, your own son, died?

You couldn't bear people knowing he had epilepsy.

So you hid him away, refused treatment...

leaving my sister a widow.

But I'm not like you.

I won't let my own sister die.

You dare to fight me on this?

She married into my clan.

I'll do with her as I see fit.

Yes, I thought you might say that.

But our family has produced generations of chief scholars.

You go against us at your peril.

Kwanghyon.

Kwanghyon, my boy.

What are you doing here?

You shouldn't have.

Has he ever listened to me?

It's aging him.

And you? You're all right?

Yes, don't worry.

Kwanghyon, we've heard something odd.

You know the lady you treated?

The clinic is operating on her, like we do with beasts.

Surgery?

Huh. Surgery...

My lord, all the doctors are upset about this.

To cut open a noblewoman.

It's unheard of, my lord.

Save the patient, whatever it takes?

We're a Confucian nation.

Our nobles won't stand for it.

Quite so.

It won't be the viceroy that puts me back in the pharmacy.

But Lord Ko himself.

The decision can't have been easy.

Not as much as you'd think.

When I heard it's the only way,

my heart melted overnight.

I don't care about disgrace to the nobility.

If it can help my sister...

If it can save her, nothing else matters.

I can't face you, not after all you've gone through.

Not at all.

Now isn't the time to worry about that.

I'm universally despised.

Everyone condemns me for daring to live this long.

My lady.

But it's all right.

Like my brother, I can endure it.

Yes.

Whatever it takes, I want to live.

Whatever it takes,

there is someone that hopes I live.

I won't have it.

I won't.

Hear our plea.

The Classic of Filial Piety dictates...

we cannot damage the hair or skin our parents gave to us.

To lay hands on a noblewoman?

It cannot be allowed.

It is impious, irreverent.

Do not allow artifice to deceive Your Majesty.

Hear our plea.

Hear our plea.

Sire, listen to your scholars.

It's unheard of in our land.

I realize the stir this is causing.

But noble or not, she is a patient, as Lord Ko says.

Sire.

None of the clinic doctors will agree to it.

None?

You're wrong. What about them?

You're the clinic's finest doctor, nurse and apprentices.

My lord.

I knew it wouldn't be easy.

This is just the beginning.

We'll face many challenges and much prejudice.

But when we do, we have to focus...

on the lives of our patients.

Whatever happens, never forget that fact.

Understood?

My lord.

When do you operate?

Two o'clock.

We're preparing the anesthetic and pain medication now.

Then you'll need help.

Taeju.

What are you doing here?

I'm offering a helping hand.

Though I lack your gifts.

Will you be all right?

This surgery...

No, but it has to be done.

It's a rare procedure.

I can't let you have all the glory.

Try not to worry.

It will be all right.

This is an anesthetic.

To decrease the pain.

The procedure is long.

It's a combination of malt and medicinal liquor.

It will help.

Yes, my lord.

Try not to worry. She'll be fine.

Thank you.

How is she?

The anesthesia is working.

Good. Let's begin.

We must make the incision and remove the lump.

Apprentice Baek, if you please.

My lord.

Surely I'm not...

Yes, this is your first procedure on a person.

But you have performed it on many animals.

In that regard you have the most experience.

My lord.

Relax. Trust yourself.

Isn't this what you've been training for?

First, we must clean the incision point to prevent infection.

My lord.

Incision.

About 2/3 inch deep by 4 inches wide.

My lord.

Right there.

Begin.

Well?

He made the incision.

It's drained. Find the roots.

Sir.

Too much blood.

Rhizoma to stop the bleeding.

My lord.

- My Lord. - It's all right.

It wasn't an artery.

Continue.

Sir.

My lord, isn't it taking too long?

Concentrate.

I can't afford to hit an artery.

My lord, it's too difficult.

If it's too deep...

What? Why did you stop?

I found it.

I can feel the lump, my lord.

Oh? This is the moment.

You have to cut it out at the roots.

Sir.

The lance, please.

Ma'am.

Jinyong.

How did it go?

The procedure is complete.

And Eunso? How is my sister?

Well done.

Her pulse is weak but steady.

She's stable.

Administer the anti-depressant Shiho Sogan San.

She should regain consciousness in a few hours.

Then she'll live?

You got it all out?

We'll have to watch her. But the procedure was a success.

Assuming it heals well, she should be fine.

My lord.

Ugh, some man I am, huh?

What, a man can't cry for his sister?

Thank you for all you've done.

Forgiving me, saving my sister.

Thank you for everything.

Did you see?

Did you see, Dojun?

That's your boy.

He's just like his father.

Nurse.

We did it.

The college's first surgery. We did it.

Oh? It was a success?

Yes, so the clinic instructor says.

Well, it's just a breast lump, that's nothing.

But it doesn't change anything.

This surgery will cause an uproar.

I'll be back at the pharmacy any day now.

See your friend and tell him to go ahead.

Before we're out of time.

My lord.

One more thing.

That clinic nurse.

Jang Inju, my lord?

Yes.

I want you to shadow her.

My lord.

Ma'am.

It's all over.

You'll need less tonic now.

The tonics are worse than the surgery.

You've been through a lot.

I doubt I could have endured it.

Wait here. I'll get some warm water.

One moment.

There's something I wanted to say.

You have something for me?

May I ask what it is?

This.

You need to have this.

Acupuncture needles?

Why give it to me..?

Because...it's yours.

Ma'am?

This is mine?

I don't...

It was left to you...

by your late father.

It is yours and you should have it.

Ma'am?

M-my father? How do you mean?

And now I must tell you...

the story of how your father was murdered.

Ma'am.

But before I do...

I have to ask you something.

How do you mean?

What is Apprentice Baek to me?

Why do you ask..?

Jinyong.

What is she to you?

Ma'am.

Tell me.

What is she to you?

What does she mean to you?

My father was who?

Have you heard of Kang Dojun?

He was your father.

What's going on with him?

He's been stuck in his room for days.

This will be hard on him. It'll take time for him to take it in.

Lord Ko?

Not at all.

If something happened...

You're bound to come back.

What happened to Lord Ko?

Apprentice Baek?

Not in the clinic, he's at home.

Doctor Baek?

He showed up as a noble.

I want to look into what happened eight years ago.

Yes. I need to find out why my father was blamed.

I must find out.