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Episode 122

Well? Did you find out?

Doctor, Atractylodes decoction should be fine.

She suffers from prenatal swelling.

Prenatal swelling?

Yes, the swelling from the feet to the knees, even the pus, is all consistent.

I thought as much.

Doctor, Doctor.

Trouble. You have to come quick.

Is Her Majesty worse?

No, that's not it...

What is it?

Doctor Yu...

Look.

We're finished.

Who is that?

The Ming doctor, in the envoy's retinue.

The ministers asked the King to let him examine her.

No.

He can't.

Your Majesty, Doctor Yu.

Enter.

How is she?

Prenatal swelling.

It often appears in the third or fourth month.

It is debilitating and exhausting, caused by an imbalance in the kidney.

Fluid stagnates in feet, ankles and knees.

Any doctor worth his salt should be able to recognize such simple symptoms.

The doctors here did not fulfill their duties.

The Head Nurse and I reached the same conclusion.

We were about to order a prescription.

What good is saying that now?

How is it treated?

Atractylodes decoction is usually prescribed.

All right, Physician. Do as you said.

You are her attending physician now.

The medical staff is at your disposal.

Your Majesty.

You had your chance and you let me down.

I've had enough.

So our doctors answer to the Ming physician?

Yes, so the King said.

Nurse So-hyeon sent me to warn you.

Uh-oh.

Morale is about to hit rock bottom.

Do the nurses answer to him as well?

Of course.

This all comes from Doctor Heo not being here.

Please fill this prescription.

Well? Get to work.

I can't believe the King.

Putting us at that Ming quack's beck and call.

Watch your tongue.

That's close to treason.

It's not treason, it's a question of self-respect.

And who's to blame if Her Majesty doesn't get better?

I had the same thought.

Ming High-n-Mighty can run off back home.

And we're stuck here being called incompetent.

I'd like a word or two with the counselors.

No, allow me.

I'm to blame.

Leave it to me.

To do what?

I'm sorry, but he won't listen to me.

Is there no way?

Lord Kim might put in a good word with the Ming physician.

His Majesty is displeased with you. That's your best bet.

I don't like entrusting Her Majesty's health to a Ming.

It's our best option right now.

Of course.

What matters is her health, not which doctor we use.

What is it?

My lord, if I may?

Go ahead.

Please speak to the King about reinstating me as Her Majesty's doctor.

A doctor does not merely diagnose.

He must know medical history, diet, everything.

Even with the same prescription they must be considered.

The Ming physician doesn't have that information.

Not to mention the distress Her Majesty feels at being treated by a foreigner.

You had your chance and you flubbed it.

I have no use for you.

Leave us.

My lord.

I said leave.

Haman.

Are you alright?

Do I look like I'm alright?

What can you do? Kids today, huh?

On-nyeon will have her own way.

Don't mention her name.

She's no daughter, she a curse.

Where does she get it from?

From you, of course.

What?

Not you, too?

Ugh. What will I tell Lady Heo?

Don't worry. My husband already told her.

Oh? What did she say?

Whatever will be, will be.

That's all.

Really? That's it?

Yes.

What a relief.

I was so worried that they would hold a grudge against us.

You know they're not like that. So put it behind you and get up.

Right, right, right.

Whoa, I'm suddenly famished.

Sa-meul, get me some rice, chop-chop. My stomach is so empty.

Whew, and this thing, off with you.

Much better.

Ilsuk, just let it go.

That boat's already set sail. There's no use in regretting now.

I try, I do, but then I think of Kyeom...

...and I'm wide awake.

And when I'm up, my wife is right there with me.

Then I think I'll have a drink and my wife has gulped it all down.

It's more than I can bear.

Listen. 'Maybe it's for the best,' think of it that way.

What a load of...

How exactly is not being related to Doctor Heo 'for the best'?

Think about it.

You know how the Heo family's luck is always changing.

You're better off.

You're right, I am, good riddance.

No, no, I keep thinking of Kyeom, seeing him...

...Kyeom...

Father.

Your future son-in-law.

Father, sir, Jang Man-deok.

Father, sir? Father? FATHER?

Not in this life, bub. Go!

Father.

Still here? Take this...!

What is it with you?

On-nyeon, wake up.

I'm wide awake. YOU wake up.

What?

On-nyeon, On-nyeon...!

Did you hear that?

Worse than her mother.

I was a traitor in a past life.

Koguryo, Silla, Paekjae, the lot.

Kyeom is keeping quiet?

Yes.

Pssh. You never can tell.

She's been chasing Kyeom since they were kids.

Now she found someone else. Who knew?

It's probably best. For both of them.

Probably.

Ma'am... Ma'am.

His lordship is back.

Where is he?

The palace. I saw him myself.

Is he all right?

Yes'm, he looked great.

Mother.

How is she?

The child is fine.

A few more doses and she should be fine.

Your Majesty, Doctor Heo requests an audience.

Doctor Heo?

He just returned from the Ming archives.

Send him in.

Oh. Sang-hwa.

Wha..? When did you get back?

Just now.

Doctor Heo?

He is with the King right now.

That's good. Very good.

Why? Is something else wrong?

No, Your Majesty, not to worry.

Atractylodes decoction was the right choice.

My lord.

I'm sorry to have been gone so long.

Not at all. We're glad you're all right.

Have all of you been well?

Yes, sir.

We've just been waitin' on you.

I heard how hard you worked.

No, you're stuck with my mess.

Please restore our good name.

First I need Her Majesty's patient notes.

We won't need these now.

- What? - We won't? Why not?

My lord, the staff recorded every little thing.

When she is full-term...

I am aware of how hard you all worked.

You'll know soon enough. Give me a minute with Doctor Yu.

Doctor, what is it?

Doctor Heo seems uneasy.

He would be with that Ming quack around.

I don't think that's it.

He paled when he read the patient notes.

Did something happen on your trip?

Other than the trip itself, no, not really.

Then what...?

What did you want to say?

Doctor Yu.

I'm afraid Her Majesty is not pregnant.

Her pulse and patient notes make me sure of it.

Doctor.

If she's not pregnant, then what is it?

Do you know how blasphemous your claim is?

I know.

But there's no doubt. It's a false pregnancy.

Why did he send for me?

He didn't say.

He was speaking with Doctor Yu and sent for you.

Doctor, you sent for me?

Please.

You took Her Majesty's pulse.

Are you certain she's pregnant?

Yes. It was a pregnant woman's pulse, no question.

Why do you ask?

Doctor Heo insists she is not pregnant.

Pardon?

When I checked her, the pulse was wiry and taut.

A pregnant woman's pulse is smoother and faster, yes.

But Her Majesty's pulse was taut.

Then Her Majesty has false...?

Exactly. This is a false pregnancy.

Because the symptoms are so similar to pregnancy...

...I may have made the same diagnosis.

You were wise in not rushing to treat her with Atractylodes decoction.

But what will you do now?

Her Majesty's symptoms all stem from...

...the immense pressure she felt to get pregnant after becoming Queen.

His Majesty must be told.

Have you been well?

Doctor Yu told us.

Are you sure about Her Majesty's false pregnancy?

Yes.

And you're telling the King?

I must.

Think carefully.

If you're wrong, the consequences will be severe.

I am prepared.

They were both counting on this pregnancy.

They may not believe you.

Perhaps.

Convincing him is also a part of my duty.

Your Majesty, Doctor Heo.

Enter.

What is it?

It is about Her Majesty, Sire.

We may want to discontinue the Ming physician's tonic.

Discontinue? Why?

Your Majesty, forgive me, but Her Majesty is not pregnant.

False pregnancy displays the same symptoms.

False...? Meaning there's no baby?

I'm afraid not.

Explain this to me. A false what?

I reviewed her patient notes when I got back.

She suffered from loss of appetite and nausea.

She also felt a tightening of the chest and stomach.

The immense pressure to bear a son and continue the main line of descent,

made the body show only the physical appearance of pregnancy.

Your turn.

Is this true?

It's absurd. He isn't making any sense.

Her Majesty is with child.

The symptoms he described are mere complications.

It is not a false pregnancy.

Where do you think you are, to speak such lies?

Surely you recognize the symptoms.

You're the one that should be watching what he says here.

- Hey! - Silence.

Enough.

Leave us.

Your Majesty.

I don't want to hear any more right now.

Go.

Doctor.

I can't believe it's a false pregnancy.

She shows all the signs of being with child.

Which is why it's so dangerous.

If Her Majesty and those around her don't acknowledge the facts...

...her pain will be that much worse.

I need a favor.

Of course.

What? A false pregnancy?

Relax. Doctor Heo is wrong.

Wait, we can't let this go.

The Chief Physician to the royal house showing such disrespect?

Send for Doctor Heo. We'll get to the bottom of this.

Right.

- Let's go. - Right.

One last time.

There is absolutely no doubt Her Majesty is with child?

None.

We have to send for Doctor Heo right now.

Why right now?

He was spouting nonsense to the King and Queen.

We cannot allow such an insult.

Is this about the false pregnancy?

How did you know?

I told him to think it over.

But he's never been one to hide the truth.

So you condone his insulting behavior?

Insulting, you say?

How is a doctor discussing his diagnosis insulting?

Don't even think about speaking for him.

He dared to tell her it's a false pregnancy.

The shock itself could make Her Majesty ill.

If that's not an insult what is?

Stop. Enough.

We have to find out what he based his diagnosis on.

Allow me.

It's fine.

I'll be preparing Her Majesty's tonic personally from now on.

Yes, Doctor.

So what are you making?

A decoction to regulate her internal energy.

Get the herbs ready.

Yes, sir. Right away.

Her Majesty's medicine.

Doctor, I beg your pardon.

We've been ordered not to.

Her Majesty is resting.

Perhaps later.

Doctor.

How is she?

Not well.

I'll give her the medicine when she wakes.

Assure her she doesn't have to take it.

Her peace of mind comes first now.

Yes, not to worry.

I will tell her.

Your Majesty, punish that quack Heo Jun for upsetting Her Royal Majesty.

Allow us to expose his malicious intent for what it is.

Malicious? How so?

Pardon my candor, but he is close to the Crown Prince.

This absurd 'false pregnancy' business threatens Her Majesty's health.

If she produces an heir it could threaten the Crown Prince...

Enough.

Doctor Heo isn't the type.

But, Your Majesty, the Ming physician says there is absolutely no doubt.

How can your Chief Physician be so wrong?

He is malicious. He must be punished.

Your Majesty, hear us.

Hear us.

I said enough.

Your Majesty, there is a way to disprove his diagnosis.

Will you allow us to expose him for the fraud he is?

A way to disprove it?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Send for Doctor Heo.

Doctor, the King sent for you.

Why?

The ministers are after your head.

Doctor Heo is convinced it's a false pregnancy.

It's the truth.

Please, you must accept it.

An heir?

What do we need with a Crown Prince?

We don't.

- Tell my father. - You may be another casualty of war.

I didn't like the look on his face.

I was so happy to think I might be with child.

What happened?

He hit me.

His Majesty has never been fond of the Crown Prince.

Let's approach this as doctors.