[Episode 6]
What's this?
From the gentlemen.
J-J-Jinyong, this is bad. Let's go.
Good thinking, Your Highness.
Where ya goin'? Give us some sugar.
How dare you? You know who this is?
Stand aside.
I like it when you get mad.
C'mon, babydoll.
The meridian nerve.
It protects the heart and the sexual organs.
But if I press harder, your arm will be paralyzed.
Now will you stand aside?
Baby, c'mon...
Jinyong.
Enough already.
You understand Korean, so behave yourselves.
Yeah? Well, who are you?
We'll escort the Korean ladies out.
You seem to be doing fine with your foreign ladies.
Enjoy your drinks.
You..! Hold it!
Uh-oh...
I knew it.
Jinyong, what now?
You did all right earlier. How's your running?
What?
Run!
Run, run, run!
Who are you? Explain yourself.
I'm wondering the same thing.
What are two respectable ladies doing in a place like that?
Well, we?
There's no time. Let's go.
Run first, talk later.
- Wha?? - Wait.
Where did they go?
They'll see you.
Find 'em! Quick!
Where are they? Argh!
One of them the princess, you can imagine how the queen feels.
Leaving her escort behind, no sense at all.
What will become of her?
I know this is hard for you.
Sukhwi got your Jinyong mixed up in it as well?
Not at all, never, Your Majesty.
We'll find them soon.
Sire.
Your Majesty.
We've lost the princess and Jinyong?
Whoever heard of such a thing?
Her Majesty heard about it in her residence.
It's nothing to worry about, Your Majesty.
Nothing? The princess and our most brilliant scholar disappear?
How is that nothing?
Suhwi isn't the type to worry about.
Now wait.
Your Majesty.
They're gone.
Ahem.
A-hem.
Hand.
Oh, right.
You all right?
Yes. Are the drooling sleaze gone?
Yes, it looks that way. Poor thing.
That's that. They're gone.
Shall we? Come on.
Made it. I thought we were done for.
They were nuts, the lot of 'em.
You're nuts. You know who those guys are? The thugs that run this village.
Criminals? A gang?
You didn't know?
That elbow guy of yours is the local boss.
I won't let this lie.
Insult me, will they? I'll have them flayed, flayed to little itty-bitty pieces.
Um, come again? Wake up.
We're the ones in danger here.
Jinyong, what did hair-boy say? What? Wake up?
Yeah. Wake up.
Now I think of it, you're both silly.
You look respectable enough. What were you doing in there?
Nuts, the pair of you.
What? "Nuts?"
Enough. How dare you address us in that fashion?
I'll just?
Your Highness, please.
But Jinyong.
Listen, we appreciate your help, but you're out of line.
The lower classes?
Yes, we're peasants, but you're the ones out of line.
Whatever you were playing it, it was the wrong place, wrong time, right?
Oh, yeah, ri-i-ight.
Are you insane? "Playing at?"
Do you know who I am?
I'm the princess.
Huh?
Hush.
Come again? Who? The princess?
Yes. The princess.
On your knees, both of you.
It's true. We didn't say anything, but?
I never saw no princess before.
Me, neither.
If she's a princess, who are you? Her guard?
Good one.
What?
Look here.
If she's a princess, I'm the prime minister's son and him?
The deputy minister's kid.
You need a better story. The princess here?
In a bar of all places?
How dare you insult Her Highness like that?
No, listen...
You've said enough. Off with you...
Your Highness-ness.
Let's go.
I swear, posing as a princess.
Pretty but no brains.
Those two?! Hold it! Hold it right there!
- Hey! - Your Highness.
- Hey! - Let me go.
Hey! You're horse doctors, right?
Yes, so?
Do you work on dogs and such?
Dogs? A little. So?
That's great.
You mind coming with me?
One was hurt in a dog fight. It's bad.
Where?
This way. Here, here.
Your Highness, we should go.
The palace will be furious.
Hold it, Jinyong. Did he say he works on dogs?
Huh?
There.
Hey.
What happened?
His neck was hurt in the dog fights.
It's deep. Hardly any pulse.
Well? Can you save him?
Your Highness, why...?
Just another minute.
It's true. He's helping a dog.
Lady Jinyong, Your Highness.
Oh.
Your Highness, my lady, may I ask what you're doing?
Ah, well...
We have to move him.
Right, right.
Where to?
Your house.
Your Highness. Jinyong.
Father.
Lord Yi.
I'm glad you're all right.
Your Highness, the palace is quite concerned.
Great. Another scolding.
Yes, perhaps you should prepare yourself.
Your Highness, I'll go with you.
This was all my fault.
No. It was mine.
It's for the best. I need your good girl reputation intact.
Your Highness.
It was only a day. And well worth it.
You had fun?
Oh, yes.
And significant.
Significant?
We acted fast enough. He'll pull through.
Thank you. This dog is my living.
You're lucky. He's great with dogs.
I know. My vet says he works on dogs, but nothing like this.
The danger is past, but there's a risk of infection.
You'll need to apply an antiseptic every morning and night, all right?
Of course.
Whew, long day.
We still need the medicine. We'll need to stay over in an inn.
Fine.
And thanks for earlier. I love getting dragged into fights.
You think they got home all right?
Huh?
The ladies, I mean.
You, too, huh? Lech.
Me?
I know, they were might tasty.
I still smell their makeup. I'm not washing my hands today.
If she's a princess, who are you? Her guard?
. . . mouthy little . . .
If she's a princess, I'm the prime minister's son and him?
The deputy minister's kid.
The prime minister's son, huh?
. . . hair-boy . . .
You, there.
My lord, Jinyong.
I trust you slept well?
Yes. The sleep of the just, as they say.
The just, is it?
Your pardon. I know I cause a lot of trouble.
No. I'm glad to have you home.
If you behaved, you wouldn't be you.
It's early to be calling on me.
You're wondering about what you asked me earlier?
Yes, Father.
Jinyong, must you do it?
You know it won't be easy.
After all, a woman of your station...
Father, I haven't changed.
The only reason I studied in Qing China was to work in the welfare clinic.
How are you?
My back is still hurting.
Your pulse is still erratic.
Prescribe licorice extract powder.
My lord.
Not you, oh, no, go away, forget it.
A girl acupuncturist?
Not some girl, I want a real doctor.
I'm a doctor, not "some girl." Would you rather I let you die?
What's all this?
The doctor is trying to treat him, but he won't let "a girl" touch him.
Oh?
You examined him. Is it serious?
Yes, sir. He has intestinal colic.
If not treated immediately, his temperature will rise and he may die.
You're new to the capital?
Sir? How did you know that?
Because you're ignorant.
See that line of people?
Yes, sir.
They're all waiting for the doctor's treatment.
She's a famous acupuncturist, famous.
Sir? A girl?
He doesn't know any better. Go easy on him.
I'd like a word when you're finished.
Yes, sir.
My lord, it won't do.
Kang Jinyong working in the clinic?
I've heard of her extraordinary skill.
But she's a lady of station.
How can she work here?
It isn't fitting.
You're right, people will talk once they find out.
Which is why I'm discussing it with you.
My lord, please. Reconsider.
The clinic serves the capital's poor.
You know better than anyone the fight we have here.
It's not the place for a proper lady to practice medicine.
Yes, you're right. The clinic is a battlefield in a way.
However...
It wouldn't hurt for a lady of station to see that, would it?
My lord.
- With me. - Sir.
Your Highness, the head of the palace guard.
- Enter. - Your Highness.
Your Highness.
Now then, how did it go?
Here we are.
Thank you.
Off you go.
What? Those the guys from yesterday?
The police usually don't arrest foreigners.
That's odd, I wonder...
Those guys from yesterday?!
Kwanghyun.
Jabong.
This him?
Yes, that's him.
Whatever he did, it wasn't me, it was him.
They smacked me around. Sorry.
- Detain him. - Sir.
What is this? What are you doing?
Wait, wait. Jabong!
Why are they arresting us?
No idea. I'm minding my own business and next thing you know...
They've got weird uniforms.
Huh? Why?
Look, they're not military, they're not police.
Palace guards, I bet.
The palace?
What would they want with us? I mean, they guard the palace.
Wait.
They're taking us to the palace?
Jabong.
Jabong...
Kwanghyon, are we dead?
And I haven't even had a woman yet?
It can't be. Why us? What did we do?
Mommy, your Jabong is dead, Mommy...
Why? It can't be. It makes no sense.
Enough! Quiet!
Why are we here? Tell us.
What?
We're ignorant peasants, I know, but there are laws.
Palace guards or not, you can't arrest innocent people.
Why, why are you doing this?
Who ordered our arrest?
I did.
Her Royal Highness.
Your Highness.
Kwanghyon, that's...
She's... really a princess?
Uh-oh.
You. Watch your mouth.
Mind your place.
Look at me.
So you're the prime minister's son and you're the deputy minister's boy?
N-no, Your Worshipfulness...
No? Did I get it backwards?
N-never.
Just kill us...
Doctor, what is it?
Doctor?
Doctor Jang Inju of the clinic?
Hello. I'm Kang Jinyong.
Spare us, Your Holiness, we had no idea.
Yes, Your Highness.
We never would have said what we did if we knew you were you.
Silence. How dare you make excuses for mouthing off to a royal princess?
- Your Gloryship. - Your Highness.
What you did was unforgivable.
It is worthy of death.
- Your Majesticality. - Your Highness.
However.
Before that...
If you can save my Dolly, your sentence may be commuted.
You're D-dolly? What dolly?
- Lady Kwak. - Your Highness.
This kitten is precious to me.
But she won't drink or eat.
Well? Can you help her?
. . . say yes . . .
. . . nod . . . no-o-od . . .
Can you treat her?
Well? Do you know what's wrong?
Answer the question.
She won't drink or eat, Your Highness?
Nothing. Not for four days.
Steady pulse, no sign of an internal disorder.
Why won't she eat or drink?
Well? You don't know what's wrong?
Kwanghyon.
What a waste of time.
I had such high hopes.
- Take these two? - Wait.
One moment.
Warm water, if you please.
What? Water?
Yes, please. Not hot, just lukewarm.
What for? I told you she won't drink.
No, she will.
Well, Your Highness? Do you want to save her?
- Hurry. Go on. - Yes'm.
You're sure she'll drink?
One moment.
Here...
See? What did I tell you?
It's all right. It's good for you.
That's a girl. Give it a try.
That's it, Dolly.
Give it a try.
That's it.
- Dolly. - That's it.
She's drinking. She's drinking it.
Your Highness.
Way to go.
How did you do it? It's just warm water.
What? Was it too cold?
No, Your Highness.
An upset tummy?
No, Your Highness.
Would you spit it out?
Her teeth.
Huh?
She's adorable so I suspect Your Highness may feed her sweets.
I'm afraid her teeth are rotted.
They hurt too much to eat anything.
Never mind cold water.
I see. So animal teeth can rot.
I thought she was dying.
All because of bad teeth.
I can treat her, with your permission.
Do you have a small needle or awl?
Needle? Awl?
Yes. I can scrape away the rot.
She can eat again. She'll be as good as new.
I'm not sure that I understand.
Tell me, are you saying that I cannot work in the clinic?
I am.
I am in charge of the nurses. And as such...
I cannot accept your application.
Why?
If it's a question of my ability,
I have memorized the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic.
Is this because I'm a noble?
Is that it?
Yes.
You are a noble.
But that's not why I say no.
You simply do not qualify.
The ladies here have gone through strict training.
They started as apprentices and were tested over and over.
They treated thousands, tens of thousands of cases.
What experience do you have, my lady?
Did you think we would be grateful for a noble with no experience?
I'm afraid not.
Our ladies have earned their posts with blood and sweat.
I cannot allow someone to use her connections to take what they earned.
If you insist on forcing this, I will have no choice.
I will leave.
So I must earn my way. I must pay my dues.
I ask for no preferential treatment.
I refuse to use my position to get ahead.
All I ask is for a chance to start at the bottom and earn my way.
Like any other lady here.
If you're serious, then go to the capital pharmacy.
They'll be much happier to have you than I am.
That's...
There will be a lot of blood. Use this.
She's the reason.
The reason I want to work here.
I wanted to learn from here.
- Incredible. - No kidding.
A princess. That tasty babydoll.
You're nuts, someone will hear.
Watch the mouth of yours.
Who knew she was a high falutin?
Pssh.
Isn't that Kibae?
It is.
Sir! Kibae!
Kwanghyon, Jabong.
What are you doing here?
I could ask you the same thing.
Ah, well.
Isn't that the palace steed?
Kwanghyon, it's bad.
Sir?
The horse is ill.
EEP.
It's sick? Why? How?
- Move it along. - Yes, sir.
Move.
The humors.
Yes. Its lung deficiency got worse after you left yesterday.
I've never seen it come on so fast before.
A general restorative is good for the humors.
We tried that.
But it's a headstrong animal.
We can't get close enough to administer the medicine.
We told the royal stables and they sent for the animal straight away.
That horse is a gift for the Qing.
What if it dies?
What do you mean, dies?
It's a treatable illness. It can be cured.
It won't let nobody near it.
The humors are treated with restorative medicine.
There's no way.
Whoa, whoa.
What's wrong with you?
Move.
Here we go.
Now, now...
Easy, easy... there you go...
. . . whoa . . .
So you show up at eight in the morning because of a horse?
Not a national crisis, mind. Just one horse.
And you come rushing over here. Is that right?
Your pardon, Sire.
The horse itself isn't the problem.
This mount was specially selected as a gift...
...from Your Majesty to the Qing emperor.
For this to happen just before the envoys arrive.
So replace it with another horse.
Surely the ministers of the entire country can find a suitable mount?
For the emperor and all.
Yes, Sire, just so.
We would if we could.
How's that? Explain.
This is a matter of national urgency, Sire.
As you recall, Your Majesty declined the Qing request for troop reinforcements.
They may use the horse as an excuse to take offense.
Just one horse, Sire? Quite so.
If we fail to pay tribute with just one horse,
what will they demand in compensation?
The stables fall under the auspices of the royal pharmacy?
Yes, they do.
I expect you to deal with this.
Discipline anyone that needs it.
And fix that animal.
All this over one lousy horse.
Let go, let me go.
Are you insane?
Let go.
This isn't Kibae's fault.
It had a lung deficiency before it came to the ranch.
So why? Why do they have to drag Kibae off to the stocks?
You!
How dare you raise your voice?
Sir, the stewards of the royal stables are to blame.
The animal has had lung trouble from the start.
Silence! The animal was healthy before you got it.
Your lousy quacks ruined a fine animal.
My lord.
We give you a chance and what do you do?
You want to blame it on us?
You. Get him out of here.
Sir.
My lord, you can't do this. It makes no sense.
- Come on. - My lord.
He's not himself.
My lord, my lord.
Knock it off.
There's a way.
If not medicine, then acupuncture, something.
Wake up. They're not quacks.
They're horse doctors in the royal stables.
What can we do that they can't?
So we should just sit back and watch?
The horse will die.
And Kibae with it.
Who doesn't know that? It's killing me, too.
Ugh, I swear...
No, it has to take the medicine.
Even if I sedate it with acupuncture, it can't swallow, so that's no use.
Kwanghyon, Kwanghyon.
I've been looking all over for you.
Me? Why?
My dog. It's gasping, "hack-hack-hack," he can't breathe.
What?
How did this happen?
Well, um...
You didn't use the medicine?
Did you?
Um...
What did I tell you? There's a risk of infection.
Treat his wound with an antiseptic.
Or he could die.
An antiseptic costs a whole 4 dollars.
I can't spend that on a dog.
So? For dollars? The price of a few bowls of gruel?
After all the money this dog has made you?
You've made a living off of his fighting.
But you can't do one tiny little thing for him.
You let him die.
What? Die? You can't cure him?
Wait a minute.
I can't now.
The infection is too severe.
I have some horse medicine.
It will put him to sleep.
At least he can die without any pain.
You simply do not qualify.
If you insist on forcing this, I will have no choice.
I will leave.
That's...
It's difficult today.
Would it be all right if I didn't call on Her Highness?
You didn't yesterday, either. She was quite upset.
All right. Give me a few moments.
My lady.
Here.
Here, here, here.
Here, here.
Here, here, Dolly.
- Your Highness. - Jinyong.
Where were you yesterday?
I waited and waited.
That's why I rushed right over.
Now what was so important?
Jinyong.
Look at my baby.
My Dolly is all better.
So she is.
She's back on her food.
I'm so happy I can't tell you.
She was so listless before.
What happened?
The horse still hasn't recovered?
We can't do a thing. We never should have let that ranch tend it.
Stupid ranch. What did they do to that animal?
Still, we're doing all we can.
Give us more time.
My lord, what do you suggest?
The ultimate responsibility rests on the royal pharmacy.
The envoy will be here in three days. Can you promise improvement by then?
We'll try our best...
Let's go to the stables. I want to see the animal.
Sir? Your lordship?
Why does he have to go?
Good question. He knows nothing about animals.
Are you... all right?
What do you want?
You can't help me. Go back to the ranch.
You and Jabong have work to do.
How can we?
If the tribute horse dies everyone will blame you.
That can't be helped.
A doctor has always been worth less than a horse.
Sir.
Hey. Horse doc...
I'm sorry your dog died, but...
That's not it.
He's alive.
You said he would die, but he didn't.
What?
Come see.
So he helped your kitten?
He sure did.
Just like the dog.
He looked this way, that way, and said...
"Water, please. It's rotten teeth."
Incredible.
I thought he was some market thug.
He deserves a reward for easing your mind.
I've taken care of that.
Did you do as I ordered?
Your Highness.
Two bolts of silk and ten bolts of cotton are to be delivered...
...to young Baek Kwanghyon.
Excellent. Now, let's you and I?
Your Highness, if I may?
What did she say?
About what?
Just now. What name did she say?
Name? Baek Kwanghyon, you mean?
Odd. I thought he was dead.
I know, that's why I ran to fetch you.
What do you think happened?
You said the medicine would put him to sleep.
You left and he didn't move a muscle all night, I thought he was dead, but?
But he lived.
Like waking from a deep sleep?
Yes, exactly.
Excuse me, I've got to run.
Listen, don't give him anything for now.
Just water, nothing else.
Anything you say. Good boy...
Kwanghyon?
His name is Baek Kwanghyon.
Acupuncture?
You use these?
Yes, lord.
The animal needs a medicinal restorative.
Acupuncture?
Now you're trying anything, is that it?
Is this how you "try your best"?
This horse is tribute.
The Qing envoy will be here in three days.
The animal must be fully recovered in that time.
The entire court is at risk over this horse.
Do you think you'll be spared?
My lord.
Forgive us, lord. We can't do anything.
The ranch doctors ruined the animal.
There's nothing we can do.
You refer to the ranch that tended the animal?
Yes. The animal fell ill through their negligence. Now we can't treat it.
Forgive us. What can we??
What can you do?
My lord, the hot springs.
At Mount Mageum, they can help.
Are you sure?
Do you guarantee the animal will improve?
It would take over a month.
Suppose it doesn't work?
Do you guarantee it will?
- My lord. - My lord.
My lord.
Worthless, the lot of you.
My lord.
- You there. - Sir.
- Arrest them. - My lord.
I'll look into this.
And the horse doctor in jail will be killed according to law.
- Understood? - Sir.
- My lord. - Spare us.
Wait. Please wait, my lord.
I can treat this horse.
I'll have it better in four days.
F-four days?
In four days?
How exactly?
I know the envoys will be here in four days.
Who are you?
A horse doctor at the ranch that tended the animal.
What?
So I will treat it.
I beg that you postpone the punishment for the doctor in jail.
A ranch doctor?
Why isn't he under arrest?
He didn't actually tend the horse...
Please.
Give me a chance.
I know I can save this horse.
Baek Kwanghyon, Your Highness?
You're sure his name is Kwanghyon?
So he said.
No, it can't be. Kwanghyon is dead.
It's not the same person.
But his name is Kwanghyon.
Baek Kwanghyon.
How will you treat it?
They can't give the horse the medicine it needs.
What do you think you can do?
Acupuncture.
What?
Acupuncture. That's how I'll treat him.
That's of no use. Acupuncture?
Within four days?
Yes, my lord.
My lord, it's absurd. The humors require medicinal?
A ranch doctor. And a slave at that?
Yes, my lord.
Your life is worth 20 gold coins.
What's the horse worth?
My lord? An average horse is worth 60 gold coins.
But steed is worth five times that at least.
Hear that? 300 in gold.
When a horse dies, its doctor is beaten or killed.
You know why?
Because a horse is worth more.
And this animal is tribute for the Qing.
If you can't save this animal, your life is forfeit.
Are you still so keen?
Even if failure means death?
Yes, even so.
I will try, even if it costs me my head.
Give me a chance.
I can cure it, I know I can.
My lord, he's insane.
Risking his life when it's not even his business. What will you do?
He thinks that's courage.
But, there is no other way.
That's why I'm going to do this.
You can't do this.
You can't!
I'm a horse doctor, remember?
I'm a horse doctor, but I'm still a doctor who saves lives.
Let's get started.
- Baek Kwanghyon? - Are you sure he's dead?
They probably just have the same name.
Kwanghyon's dead.
But, they're around the same age, and it feels...
Check his pulse, now.
Check his pulse to see if he's alive. Now!
Huh? There's no way...
Why do you think girls care for the guy?
What did you say?
It's been a long time, Jinyoung.
Sangha!
Take him away.
- I said take him out, now! - My lord.
Please, I beg you, please.
Mommy, I think I'm going to die for real this time.
The horse doctor is in the palace?
Yea, the one who saved Dolly. Baek Kwanghyon.
Take these orders, Baek Kwanghyon.