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Episode 118

I remember when you first came to study with the master.

You had that same look in your eyes then.

The master fussed that you got the wrong water.

You came to my pharmacy the next day, asking, 'Which water do I use?'

I was shocked when you told me there were 33 different types of water.

I will never forget the things you taught me.

There's something I need to say.

Excuse me.

A royal nurse?

Yes.

How may I help you?

We need to talk.

Please.

About this book of yours.

Do they need you there every minute?

Surely you can leave it to staff.

May I ask why you sent for me?

Ah.

Tomorrow His Majesty will command you to attend Minister Seong.

You must go yourself, but in his condition, he can't last long.

Which is why we sent for you.

The viceroy's voice carries weight at court.

If you help him recover, that's a good thing.

But it could also be bad for you.

It's a tricky spot.

A royal physician isn't merely a doctor.

He must have political acumen as well.

If you understand me?

There's something my master used to say.

A doctor treats the patient, not the title or position.

Pardon my candor.

My duty is to my patient, not to partisan politics.

The patient comes first. All that matters is saving him.

Ask me one hundred ways and I'll choose my patient over power every time.

This is my duty.

If you'll pardon me.

Those two have an interesting relationship.

Always have.

Well?

I'm not worried for myself.

But I fear for the future of the court.

You have much work ahead.

I'll do all I can, rest assured.

My lord.

What is it?

Seong In-cheol is at the palace.

- What the... - So he's recovered?

He and Doctor Heo have an audience with the King.

It's good to see the color back on your face.

Your grace is immeasurable.

Your recovery was a grave concern.

We owe it to Doctor Heo's unique gifts.

Your grace is immeasurable Your Majesty.

I wanted to give you more time to rest.

But something has come up.

Now that the war is over we must reward those who served with distinction.

Postings suited to their abilities and accomplishments.

I leave that to you.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Especially Heo Jun, who did so much for us during the war.

Promote him to the first rank as physician to the royal house.

Those ministers that attended the King in Eui-ju...

...will be named Royal Chancellors.

Those soldiers and envoys that served with distinction will be named Protectors.

Those who suppressed Yi Mong-hak's rebellion, Peacekeepers.

Thus we will restore the three rank system.

First we must name the royal chancellors.

Doctor.

More trouble.

What now?

Spit it out already.

Congratulations.

In recognition of your service during the war...

...you are named a chancellor of the first rank and physician to the royal house.

Is this true?

He's a chancellor of the first rank.

Doesn't that make him a minister, too?

Yes, a minister, too.

First time in the history of our nation.

Heo Jun is the first doctor to be a minister of the first rank.

How about that?

Congratulations on being the first.

What are we doing here? We should go all out and celebrate.

Easy now.

Welcome.

Have you been well?

Yes, thanks to you.

I heard the news.

A chancellor and physician to the royal house.

I owe it to you and the King's graciousness.

My time is past, don't worry about me.

Not at all. You have much to do.

No.

It's time I named a successor and stepped down.

My lord.

As a doctor, I'd like to think that I lived without regrets.

My greatest joy was helping you along the way.

It was a joy to learn from you.

Thanks for saying so.

Ah, how is the book going?

Sir. The entire staff is constantly working.

I have no regrets save one.

I failed to compile a reference.

You can do that for me.

Yes, my lord.

I will do my best.

Is this a joke?

Dong-nyang Park and Kyeong-on Yi made second rank?

How could you be made only third rank?

That's not all. Our side was completely ignored.

My lord, will you put up with this?

Shouldn't we complain or something?

Is it true that Heo Jun was made a chancellor of the first rank?

Yes, my lord.

Then... We'll strike there.

He's low-class trash.

The scholars won't have him serving as a minister.

Watch him. He must have some weakness.

Ma'am, everyone's talking about Doctor Heo.

Doctor? You mean 'His lordship,' now.

He's the first doctor to do it.

He is.

And the son of a commoner. It's remarkable.

Ma'am, over there.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Look, I'll have a maid do it, you can stop.

Thank you but we're fine.

Since when were you so concerned?

Maybe you're here about something else?

Like what for instance?

On-nyeon. And Kyeom.

What are...? Hush, you.

What brings you here?

Congratulations, your ladyship.

'Your ladyship'? Come again?

Doctor Heo has been named a chancellor of the first rank.

And physician to the royal house.

The first rank?

He's a minister. And you are 'your ladyship'.

Mother.

Such a blessing.

Kyeom, you father is a minister of the first rank.

But how?

He's a chancellor now.

In recognition of his service during the war.

Mother... Grandmother...

Such a blessing.

This calls for a dance, huh?

Cha-cha-cha.

Huh?

F-f-first rank?

Yep. A chance-a-whatsis...

Well, a minister, anyway.

I knew it, I knew he had it in him.

Talk about wings.

He's flyin', way above the clouds.

If I knew this would happen, I would've treated him like an older brother.

It was uncomfortable addressing him even as a royal physician,

and now he's become 'his lordship'.

Kinda scary, actually.

- Goodness. - He's not the type.

He won't change, not our Jun.

Yes, yes. On-nyeon, It's time you woke up.

Even if I said yes, Kyeom is a noble now.

He's not for the likes of us.

I'd marry him even if he were royalty.

Listen to yourself.

What if someone hears?

On-nyeon, sweetie, I'll find you a good man.

Forget Kyeom.

Never. Hmph!

Kids today...

- She's a curse, a curse. - That's my girl.

A royal's son? Fine, then I'll be the King's son-in-law.

And I'm the Queen, how 'bout that?

You'd be a royal concubine. No, a court lady. No, a deposed queen.

Hush.

Doctor Heo owes his promotion to us.

Yep, yep.

Listen to the doggies yip.

Now I've heard everything.

Everything?

Yang-tae, shows what you know.

In Eui-ju we saved the King's life, so there.

We had the herbs they needed.

Ming herbs, see, and we gave 'em to Doctor Heo.

If not for us, His Majesty would be telling his ancestors, 'Oops, no medicine,' see?

We're something, really something.

So are you saying you want a reward or what?

Lord Heo is bound to share the wealth, isn't he?

And ribbit-ribbit goes the froggy.

Less chit-chat, more drinking, here.

Right.

What are you suggesting?

You've known him for years. You know his weaknesses.

Think about it.

With him gone you have another chance.

No weaknesses at all?

Impossible.

Tsk-tsk-tsk, moron.

Then make one up.

Nothing like character assassination when a man has a fancy title.

Then there may be something.

What?

Heo Jun has been friends with a nurse for years.

A relationship that is not, shall we say, run-of-the-mill.

A doctor and a nurse?

Now we're talking.

The same thing happened during the late King's reign.

If the scholars get wind of it they'll have a fit.

My lord.

Ah, there you are.

Get some books, go on.

Now isn't the time.

Appeals to the throne are calling for you to be removed.

Appeals? What appeals?

It's obvious.

They can't stand that a commoner is of the first rank.

The King won't care about that, don't you worry.

That's not it.

It's not?

Then what is it?

The scholars are saying Lord Heo has been close to a nurse for years...

Now that's just stupid!

They say there's something between those two.

Of course. Everyone knows.

- Nuh-uh. - Everyone knows.

- This is bad. - Really bad.

A word.

Have you heard?

The scholars are calling for Lord Heo's dismissal.

The scholars mention your name.

What will you do?

Is it true?

It sure is.

Think about the old days.

They've always been pretty close. Heh.

What about his promotion?

The scholars want it rescinded.

A doctor and a nurse...

- No. - Yes.

They say the two...

- No way. - Is that true?

They've been meeting...

Back to work.

I can't leave you alone for a minute.

I have work to do.

But I can't get anything done because I have to watch you all.

Do I have to keep watch on you?

Psst.

Yes?

C'mere.

What were you talking about?

What do you mean, sir?

Some doctor and a nurse, having a little something between them.

It's not that I'm just curious, you know.

It's for pharmacy discipline, ahem.

So spit it out.

Now.

Uh-huh... yep...

...Ye-jin...

What kind of trash talk is that?

Trash? Everyone is talking about it.

Filthy scum!

We'll find out who's spreading these lies.

We'll choke 'em till they choke!

- You are Ye-jin? - Yes, ma'am.

Come with me.

Your Majesty, the nurse.

Send her in.

Sit.

Look at me.

Is Nurse Ye-jin here?

She was called to the palace.

I see. That's all.

That means the King sent for her.

This is getting worse.

Ma'am, ma'am.

What is it?

Nurse Ye-jin is with the King.

Does that mean the rumors are true?

Not the two people I know, never.

I won't have any loose talk.

- Yes, ma'am. - Yes, ma'am.

You are Ye-jin?

Yes.

The nurse assigned to the Ming envoy's pavilion.

She was of great service to the throne at the time.

I remember.

You know why you're here?

Pardon me...

...but no.

I promoted Heo Jun to the first rank and made him chancellor...

...in recognition of his past service.

But the scholars and officials don't like it.

Usually I would ignore their whining.

But the scholars have presented a scandal...

...which I cannot ignore.

This scandal involves you.

Is it true that you two have been close for years?

Well? Tell the truth.

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I have always cared deeply for Doctor Heo.

With the deepest respect and longing.

His Majesty must ensure the royal house.

A marriage so soon after the war?

To preserve the royal line, Your Majesty.

You don't look well.

Ensuring the royal line makes perfect sense.

Who will it be?

Nothing has been decided yet.

Must I be driven from the King as well?

Forgive me.

I hate to think anything I do might hurt you.

Still it's strange.

I thought as much.

You wanted to talk?

Suppose the examination went poorly?