Original subtitles

We need disinfectant and heart-clearing decoction.

We have to prevent any dropsy.

Right. Kayong, with me.

Ma'am.

We'll need an anesthetic.

And a coagulant.

But Her Majesty was adamant.

Will she allow it?

He's right. But if we don't, it may be too late.

Doctor Baek.

Doctor Baek.

Jinyong means to tell?

My lord.

She sent a letter to the inquisitor's office.

She's with the Queen Mother now.

Your Majesty.

You take his side, too? Get out.

I won't hear any more.

Your Majesty, isn't this all because Doctor Baek was a commoner?

A horse doctor unfit to treat the royal house?

Your Majesty.

No... No, Jinyong...

But what if he weren't?

What if he weren't a commoner?

But the heir of a noble house?

What?

If he were the heir to our nation's finest house...

...the sole heir...

What would you say then?

Jinyong, what are you saying?

Your Majesty.

You have always honored me with your favor...

...due to the great friendship between your father and my grandfather.

That is why you have shown such kindness...

...and interest in our family.

Yes, quite so.

But Your Majesty, the sole heir of Kang clan...

...the child of the late Kang Dojun...

...isn't me...

...it's Doctor Baek.

What?

When Kang Dojun was killed his widow had a son.

To save the boy, my father switched us at birth.

Jinyong... what are you...

You're not the Kang heir?

Doctor Baek is?

Yes, Your Majesty. Nurse Jang already knows.

As does Lord Yi.

What?

Yet despite that...

...Lord Yi has kept it a secret.

Doctor Baek found out years ago.

But he refused to act.

For me.

So I would not lose everything.

Jinyong.

Your Majesty, will you still drive Doctor Baek away?

The grandson of your father's trusted friend?

Will you turn a blind eye?

Your Majesty, will you deny the truth?

Your Highness, what is this?

Doctor Baek is a noble?

I don't know.

Doctor Baek.

Your Highness...

Is Nurse Kang inside?

What is she saying in there?

Jinyong is with Her Majesty?

I don't know why, but it was her.

My lord, she requested a private meeting.

Then she hasn't left the capital?

A private meeting?

For what?

My lord.

Father, Jinyong means to tell Her Majesty.

Jinyong knows the truth.

Everything is about to come out.

What?

Your Highness, it's all so much claptrap.

Doctor Baek and Lady Kang switched at birth?

It can't be true. Jinyong is making it up.

Listen to you.

Making stuff up is one thing, but this?

This is too much.

What? You think it's true?

Your Highness?

I don't know.

No idea. None.

Jinyong.

Kwanghyon.

Why? I asked you to leave it be, to say nothing.

To look away.

I couldn't.

I couldn't see you humiliated, persecuted.

To see my father hurt you again.

If I didn't act, you know what he would have done.

Just like 3 years ago.

He would have kept using me to hurt you.

But despite that, I would have run away with you.

Found a place no one knows us.

Gone into hiding.

But I didn't that.

Not for me. And not for you.

I've been there before.

I know what it is to be a runaway slave.

But if that's my destiny...

...if that's what fate has in store...

...I won't run away.

I'll face it, here and now.

Let me do this. Please.

Make up for lost time, take what's yours.

Let me protect you as you tried to protect me.

I can't bear to see you hurt again.

You think I would prefer that you were hurt?

Do you know what you've done?

- You have... - I'm sorry.

Truly. I'm so sorry.

Sire.

Is this true?

Jinyong and Doctor Baek were switched at birth?

I couldn't believe it myself at first.

But we have the maid's written testimony.

How... how can this...?

Mother!

Mother! Mother!

Mother!

Mother!

Are you insane?

Come again? Who did what?

Kwanghyon and Jinyong.

They were switched at birth.

When they were itty-bitty babies.

Come on, that's just stupid.

Have you been drinking?

Mother, it's true.

Lady Jinyong told Her Majesty everything.

It's all anyone's talking about.

What?

I have to... um...

Goodbye!

- I never... - Chef.

Talk about a bolt of lightning.

What's going on exactly?

He's a what now? A noble?

The kid I bossed and slapped around?

Kibae, say something.

It isn't true.

Is it?

It is.

That's why they were leaving.

Nurse.

Listen, Inju.

My lord.

You knew all along?

Right, so here's the thing.

Doctor Baek is a highfalutin'.

And Jinyong...

She's the child of a slave.

A boy child would have been killed, see, so swish...

Swish, the kids were switched.

And Jinyong was named the heir?

Right, 20 years of the sweet life. But Doctor Baek's the noble.

No. I never heard such a thing.

And Doctor Baek's assertion?

Maybe it was true.

Maybe Lord Yi knew...

Never.

What? Never?

Who do you think the King...

...His Majesty will believe?

Just ask anyone, you'll see.

Sir.

Jinyong knows what you've done.

She won't let you use her to hurt Doctor Baek.

So she confessed everything?

Whatever the cost to herself?

Doctor Baek and I both hope you will take this last chance.

Will you?

Well?

No...

No!

It can't end like this.

The sole heir of Kang clan...

...the child of the late Kang Dojun...

...isn't me...

...it's Doctor Baek.

Your Majesty, will you still drive Doctor Baek away?

The grandson of your father's trusted friend?

Will you turn a blind eye?

Your Majesty, will you deny the truth?

Are you all right?

How could this...? How...?

What will you do?

You need treatment. You can't put it off any longer.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, Lord Yi.

Your Majesty. Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Whatever you've heard, I can explain.

Your treatment is...

Lord Yi.

Did you know about this?

Don't think about it.

Did you know Doctor Baek was the Kang clan heir?

Your Majesty, it's...

And you kept it from me?

Knowing my ties to that family?

Your Majesty.

And Doctor Baek's assertions?

Did you know there was a problem with my treatment?

Never, Your Majesty.

Never.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, Your Majesty.

Are you all right?

Get out.

Out. Get out!

Go! I said go!

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, Your Majesty.

Her condition is serious.

Prepare peony and peppervine.

Get Doctor Baek...

But can he treat her now?

My lord. My lord.

I heard Her Majesty is worse.

Listen...

Doctor Baek, your family...

I know what you're going to say.

But now we have to focus on the patient.

Now tell me. How is she?

The sore is infected. It's spreading across her whole throat.

Her pulse is erratic.

Judging from the pus, Lord Yi used a great deal of poppy.

Poppy... the poppy...

If it comes out, I'm...

I'm finished.

What are you up to?

My lord.

My lord.

This...?

My lord.

No... you...

My lord.

What? Say that again?

The nurse was found trying to dispose of the poppy.

It was all true, Viceroy.

My lord.

Take her to the inquisitor's office.

And find Lord Yi.

Sir.

Move out.

No...

My lord.

Officer Kang, are you..?

And the treatment?

Is there nothing Doctor Baek can do?

Sire.

Your Highness.

I have to see her.

Your Highness, you can't, please.

Your Highness.

Jinyong, please.

Please save her.

Your Highness.

Well?

No. It's too deep.

We can't reach the roots.

What do you suggest? Is there nothing we can do?

Perhaps another type of incision?

A cross-hatch?

Or some other incision?

But will it work?

Is it even possible?

This...

It's probably too late at this point.

But there's a method for draining the sore in here.

Maybe it will help.

Hyonguk.

Forget it.

I'm finished when they get Lord Yi.

I don't want to leave owing you anything.

The Guide to Sores?

Yes. Im Onguk's treatments for swollen sores.

But it may not help.

I looked it over.

It suggests a cross hatch incision over a straight approach.

Cross hatch?

Yes. Im Onguk was fond of the approach.

But it was used for drainage.

In Her Majesty's condition, with time so short...

No, this helps.

If a cross-hatch incision is possible,

I may have an idea.

There may be a way.

Anything can happen during surgery. Be ready.

Doctor.

- Get to work. - Yes'm.

Prepare squirrel feces and worm plaster for the bleeding.

You two, prepare decoctions to prevent toxemia and tetanus.

- Move. - Yes, ma'am.

My lord. Do you think this will work?

I don't know. This type of incision...

Doctor Baek, what is this?

You mean to do this to my mother?

Sire.

The first incision is from the base of the neck to the hairline, four inches.

Then to the right, along the carotid, four inches.

And near the six meridians, four inches.

These three incisions are more a cross-section than a cross hatch.

It will enable to reach the roots.

Three incisions, four inches each?

Isn't that the same as chopping up her entire neck?

It is.

Yet you think this will help? Despite the number of cuts?

No.

I can't guarantee it.

This is a dangerous procedure. There are no precedents.

And I've never tried it before.

What?

Doctor Baek.

It could result in damage to the organs or the pharynx.

We may lose a pulse.

She may die before we finish the surgery.

But you mean to try?

Is this the only way?

Yes, Sire.

It's the only way I know.

Sire.

Is he insane?

He wants to cut her to shreds?

And His Majesty is allowing it?

Doctor Baek was adamant.

He says it's her only chance.

My lord. What now?

Do we want him to succeed? Or to fail?

Pulse?

Weak, despite the acupuncture.

The poppy makes it hard to put her under completely.

Doctor Baek, this is too much.

She wouldn't want one incision, let alone three.

It has to be done.

If we do nothing,

Her Majesty will die.

We can't relax our guard for a second.

Any bleeding or convulsions must be stopped immediately.

We'll need the larger blade for this incision.

Right.

First, to open up the sore, four inches.

Pulse?

Weak.

And getting weaker.

This is it.

Exactly one inch to the side.

No. That's an artery.

Her pulse is erratic.

The pain is spreading.

Doctor Baek.

We can't stop now.

But her pulse.

Any weaker and we'll lose her.

We can reach the root.

The lance.

- Right. - Hurry.

She's fading.

Akebia and wolfsbane, hurry.

Ma'am.

Your Majesty.

Her pulse is weakening.

The akebia isn't working.

We can't stop the bleeding.

Stop. She can't survive this.

Doctor Baek.

There.

I got it.

Good.

Now to sew her up.

Mulberry suture.

Doctor.

Her pulse.

I can't find a pulse.

It's gone.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

What? She's in danger?

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

No. No!

Your Highness.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty...

It's over. There's nothing...

No. It's not over.

She's still warm. We can't give up.

Your Majesty. Your Majesty.

Doctor Baek.

Doctor, please.

Your Majesty. Your Majesty, Your Majesty.

Your hairpin.

What?

Well? Now!

Doctor.

Doctor Baek, what are you doing?

Open her bodice.

What?

There's no time.

Your Majesty.

- Doctor Baek! - Kwanghyon!

- Doctor! - Doctor!

- Your Majesty! - Doctor Baek!

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

Mother...

Doctor Baek!

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, Your Majesty.

Open your eyes. Please, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty...

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Are you with us?

Your Majesty, if you can hear me...

...nod your head.

Your Majesty. Your Majesty.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Mother...

Sire.

Mother.

Mother...

Mother...

She made it? Her Majesty?

Yes, she survived.

We thought she was gone, but Baek did it.

He did it.

It's over. Her Majesty made it.

Are you sure?

Of course.

That's great.

- Mother. - Your Majesty.

Hyonjong.

Sukhwi.

- Insun. - Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Her Majesty is out of danger?

She's all right?

So Taemang says.

We nearly lost her.

But Kwanghyon brought her around.

Kibae.

Now all that's left is Lord Yi.

Catch 'im and kill 'im.

That's not nearly enough, not for what he did.

True, true. Death is too good for that piece of work.

Drag him into the street. Stone him, whack.

Kick ‘im, too.

And stab him.

And beat him.

I see.

So everything this letter says...

...is true.

Sire...

What will happen to Lord Yi?

His crimes didn't just affect you.

He risked my mother's life.

And Sukhwi's.

It all has to be dealt with.

And when it's proven...

...there will be no pardon.

Doctor Baek.

Well done.

You've done the royal house a great service.

Not only that.

If not for him, we would have lost the Crown Prince and the Princess.

You've been through so much.

Not to mention what Lord Yi did to you.

I was shocked when I heard.

Oh? Shocked?

Imagine how shocked you'll be when your involvement comes out.

Now look...

Don't think you'll be able to get out of this.

You'll pay for what you've done. All of you.

My lord.

You haven't found Yi Myonghwan's ledger yet?

No. We searched his whole house.

We've got to find it.

And we have to find him before the inquisitors do.

If he lives to talk, you, me, we're both dead.

Lord Yi?

We haven't found him yet.

I'll find a way to get you out of the city.

Wait here a bit longer...

Why?

Why bother at this point?

Don't give up, my lord.

Live to fight another day.

Your steward will bring the ledger.

With those the viceroy can't turn you away.

My lady.

Go ask my brother what's happening at the palace.

My lady.

Well? Report.

Everything is ready.

Jinyong hasn't been her?

No. Not the clinic, either.

They haven't seen her.

Jongdu?

Who are you?

J-Jinyong.

No...

Was this it? Your last pathetic ploy?

It won't do any good.

His Majesty already knows everything.

You have nowhere to run.

Yes, I know.

It's over.

My ledger won't save me.

But I never...

I never meant this to happen.

If not for Prince Sohyon's death...

...if not for Dojun being there...

...if not for you and his son being switched...

...none of this...

...would have happened.

You made your own decisions.

That's just an excuse.

True.

My decisions...

...led me hear.

And as you say,

I have nowhere to run.

Nowhere to go.

Did you tell the inquisitors?

Are they on their way?

No, I did not.

I'm here to help you.

Jinyong.

What do you...?

I thought everything should come out.

Once it started, I believed you should pay.

The man that reared me killed my father.

The man that twisted my life to his own ends.

I couldn't understand you. Or forgive.

But despite that...

Despite that, I can't see you die.

Whatever you did, whatever your reasons...

I cannot forget how you said my name, how you reared me as your own.

So go.

A boat is waiting at Yangjin Ferry.

Hurry. Go now.

Jinyong.

You're sure?

I'm sure.

Tusik...

Tusik.

Songha.

What? The viceroy said what?

He's trying to stop his dealings with Lord Yi from coming out.

He won't be able to if Lord Yi is caught.

Nothing.

He's already gone.

He can't be far.

- Find him. - Sir.

My lord.

The spot she mentioned should be near here.

The ferry is waiting.

My lord.

Jinyong.

My lord.

Yangjin Ferry. You have to go now.

Father, Father.

My lord, my lord.

This is it. We're here.

We should hurry.

We can be gone before daybreak.

Go without me.

My lord, what are you saying?

I have work to do.

I'll follow you afterwards.

My lord.

Go.

Now.

No, I won't. We'll go together.

Please.

I said no.

Now leave.

My lord.

Run.

Officer Kang.

Run!

Come on...

Jongdu...

- Jinyong. - Any news?

Nothing from the inquisitor's office.

Officer Kang.

Father.

Myonghwan.

That's what I used to call you.

When you and Dojun were apprentices.

When I mentored the pair of you.

Yes, I remember the old you.

The look in your eyes.

You and Dojun shared the same vision then.

That's why I still have hope for you.

My lord.

You can still go back.

Before it's too late.

Back to how you used to be.

You still have time to choose.

Nothing?

Where did he go?

Did he leave the capital?

I don't know. I have no idea.

Doctor Baek.

Doctor Baek.

Translated by D. Bannon Subtitles provided by MBC

His Majesty made his decision?

Listen, Doctor Baek.

It's just retribution. The heavens do not forgive.

So it comes to this.

I gave you so many chances.

Choose differently?

Lord Ko said much the same thing.

He said I could start again.

You have no way out of this.

Why did it come to this?

Your Majesty, you're making Jinyong a slave?

Once a slave, always a slave. What can I do?

Your Majesty.

Poor Lady Kang.

Pssh. Lady? What lady?

You! How dare you?

Rotten to the core.

That's our nation's court for you.

Lord Yi disappeared?

He got away near the Juja area.

The Juja area, that's…