Original subtitles

Subtitles provided by MBC

You want Yeong-chang named Crown Prince?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Kwanghae's mother was a concubine. He is not the legitimate heir.

But Prince Yeong-chang is.

It is only just that your legitimate heir ascend the throne.

Hear us, Your Majesty.

The Ming have not recognized Kwanghae due to this legitimacy issue.

Your Majesty, grant our request for the good of this great nation.

Make Prince Yeong-chang the next King for the good of your royal house.

I had the same thought when the boy was born.

To replace Kwanghae and name Yeong-chang heir apparent.

Very wise, Your Majesty.

But he is three years old.

Far too young.

But Your Majesty...

If he ascended the throne now...

...the royal house would crumble under the weight of factionalism.

I understand your concerns.

But the Crown Prince remains.

- No, Your Majesty. Please reconsider - Please reconsider.

Your Majesty, this...?

The document of succession.

It names Kwanghae.

See that it is made public.

No, Your Majesty. Please reconsider!

Please reconsider, Your Majesty!

Enough.

Your Majesty!

I said enough...

Your Majesty...

Your Majesty.

It's all over.

It can't end like this, it can't...

We have the royal edict.

What can we do?

If His Majesty...

...were to pass away right now...

...then his edict is known only to Doctor Heo and that nurse.

Shut them up...

...and this doesn't exist.

We can make this edict disappear.

You mean to refuse a command?

Would you rather wait to die?

Think about how we've been with Kwanghae.

When he's king we're as good as dead.

Yeong-chang has to be king, one way or another.

Remember.

This edict never existed.

Without his Confucian advisors,

the King may well do as the others ask.

You forget Kwanghae.

He is here and with or without the Confucian scholars...

...he will ascend the throne.

That's just not so.

Have you forgotten the Ming don't recognize his claim?

We must be ready for anything.

We should go to the palace before they can trick the King.

You know how it is in the palace.

Everything takes three days.

That's not so.

King Seongjong was crowned the very day King Yejong died.

Is that true?

Yes. We can't afford to wait.

My father is worse?

I'm afraid so.

You should prepare for the worst.

Minister...

We have to deal with certain realities.

Before your opponents coerce the King into removing you as heir.

Here you go.

One part atractylodes and one part atractylodes root.

Yes, Doctor.

Hurry.

Come along.

How is His Majesty?

Not good.

Pardon us.

Doctor Heo must be anxious.

At times like this we can't do anything to help. We're healers in name only.

Ma'am. Ma'am.

A word.

Wait here.

They can see us. Why are you calling me?

His Majesty is getting worse.

So I heard.

If he dies,

what about you?

Doctor Heo may be held accountable.

Removed from office and punished.

What if the same thing happens to you?

Hong-choon, I can't live without you.

I just can't.

You're whining again.

Hong-choon...

His Majesty isn't dead yet and listen to you.

Is my future that important right now?

I'm worried about you...

In that case behave yourself.

People may hear you.

Let's go.

...but...

How is Her Majesty?

She took a sleeping draught.

Ma'am.

Yes?

It is a good thing that you are in charge of the Queen rather than the King now.

What do you mean?

If the King dies, you may be held accountable.

Us, too, for that matter.

What are you...?

What kind of nurse are you?

Sorry.

Keep that up and you'll get yours.

Sheesh, keep that stuff to yourself.

Pathetic, seriously.

Something on your mind?

It's nothing.

It doesn't look like nothing.

Spit it out.

His Majesty isn't getting better.

He's dying?

That could be really bad for you.

That's what bothers me.

I thought the palace was a sweet assignment

so I had begged the Head Nurse to let me replace So-hyeon.

Who knew the King would up and die on us?

Have the Head Nurse switch you.

Give it back to So-hyeon.

I already tried.

No luck.

What should I do?

Hello.

On-nyeon, it's been too long.

Where have you been?

This is from my mother.

Cow feet and ox bone.

Enjoy.

So rare...

Tell her thank you.

I will. I'll be going then...

Without seeing Kyeom?

Pardon?

It's been so long, you should say hello.

He's in Yeongwol.

Yeongwol? What would he be doing there?

Ma'am.

Kyeom is Prefect of Yeongwol.

He is?

Ah, of course.

- You're back? - Uh-huh.

What did she say?

She said thanks.

But she was acting strange.

How so?

Senile-ish.

Bite your tongue.

Everyone know you talk trash...

...but how could you say that about Kyeom's grandmother?

That's not what I meant.

Huh?

S-s-senile?

Look here, what's the idea talking like that?

Yang-tae and I just saw her and she was fine.

It wasn't me.

On-nyeon said it.

She forgot Kyeom is the Yeongwol Prefect.

'Say hello before you go,' she said.

She has been a little off lately.

Oh?

I never noticed.

What if it's true?

She's got Doctor Heo.

He'll fix her right up.

Now he can cure senility?

No one can, not that I've heard.

He'll do it.

He has to.

Jun is late again.

You heard what the doctor said.

He can't leave the palace while the King is ill.

Oh? We'll have to eat without him.

Mother.

We just ate.

When exactly? I'm starving.

If you won't, I'll do it myself.

No, Mother.

Allow me.

Who are you?

Someone wants a word with you.

This is His Majesty's medicine. Stand aside.

Come along quietly or else.

Ma'am.

- Wait here. - Yes, Ma'am.

You saw the King hand us a decree.

Yes, my lord.

Have you mentioned it to anyone?

No.

Good. Forget you saw anything.

Pardon? But why...

What decree? Put it completely out of your head.

The day you mention it to anyone...

...is the day you die.

Where is the nurse?

I'll go to the pharmacy.

Hurry.

I'm sorry I'm late.

Give it to me.

We want a word. Excuse us.

Have a seat.

Ministers coming here?

Unusual to say the least.

Something isn't right.

What do you think?

About what?

If the King dies, who will succeed him?

Kwanghae or Yeong-chang?

Crown Prince Kwanghae of course.

So speaks the voice of ignorance.

That's what the ministers want to see Doctor Heo about.

I'd bet on it.

How may I help you?

They said at the palace you would be here.

I was desperate earlier so I went too far.

I trust you understand.

Of course.

Tell me.

Can you save the King?

His condition is critical, but you've kept him alive this long.

But will that matter once he's dead?

You'll be held accountable.

Not an easy thing.

It's part of being a doctor.

Perhaps you can survive this.

Why not?

With Prince Yeong-chang behind you...

...you'll be taken care of.

Forget what you saw in the palace.

If you do, Yeong-chang may ascend the throne.

He won't forget what you've done.

What are you asking me?

Think about it.

Doctors rarely survive their royal patients.

Neither will you, whatever your ties to Kwanghae.

But Yeong-chang is different.

When he is crowned King...

Enough!

What exactly are you up to?

Up to? Watch your tongue.

It's the King's royal command.

We have his decree. How can I disobey?

I won't hear of it. Please leave.

- Wait. - Please leave!

How did it go?

He won't hear of it.

I told you it wouldn't work.

We can't give up.

If we don't shut him up, we lose everything.

He's obstinate. What can we do?

Think about it.

Doctors rarely survive their royal patients.

Neither will you, whatever your ties to Kwanghae.

But Yeong-chang is different.

- Doctor Yu? - Yes.

This way.

My lord, Doctor Yu.

- Bring him in. - Yes, sir.

Sit.

Leave us.

Yes, my lord.

We need privacy. No one comes in.

Yes, sir.

Here, a drink.

Drink.

What is it?

I need a word.

They threatened you?

Yes. They said they'd kill me.

What should I do?

Think about it.

It's not just for us, it's for Doctor Heo, too.

When the King dies, Doctor Heo dies with him.

Talk to him.

Helping us will save his life. And assure his position.

Will it?

I give you my word.

If he agrees, the new King will see to it that he's taken care of.

Now relax and go talk to him.

Talk to him.

Helping us will save his life. And assure his position.

They said they'd kill me.

What should I do?

What brings you here?

I appreciate the thought, but I can't.

Please, this is your only way out of this.

I have a duty to the King.

And I failed.

I have to face that.

I won't disobey him to save myself.

Why is it always death with you?

You have a way out. Are you so eager to die?

If something happens to you...

...what about the other doctors who rely on you?

What about the compilation project?

It is a comprehensive study of our country's herbs

and all known medical practices.

You said yourself it will provide local doctors

with the means to save countless lives.

If you give up, who will finish it?

Can't you see that in saving yourself you save countless patients?

Doctor Yu...

You're right.

The compilation is my life's work.

But I won't compromise my principles to achieve it.

My lord.

It's terrible, the King...

Subtitles provided by MBC

Is there nothing you can do?

No. Don't leave us.

No, Father, you can't...

Son...