Gu Am Heo Joon
So we'll be going to the Jang Yeong-gi family home?
Yes, once the nurses get here.
I'll be going with Doctor Yi.
I see.
Doctor, what is Kim Jeh-nam like?
He seemed uncomfortable divulging his family history.
Will that be a problem?
All the more reason to tread carefully.
He may be our next queen's father.
Don't upset him.
No tough questions, only those he can answer...
No what-now?
No tough questions?
We have a grave responsibility.
Or don't you care?
That's not what I meant.
Enough.
Any more of that talk...
...and I'll report you.
Then you'll get yours.
Yes, sir.
Everyone here?
Yes, Doctor.
Let's go.
What brings you here?
I want a word.
I understand it all rests on you now.
I suppose.
Suppose the examination went poorly?
Something in the medical history could have quite an impact.
I wouldn't know about that.
I merely present my findings to the Chief Physician.
I have no say over the final decision.
Quite so.
What is it you wanted to say?
Doctor Yu, you will take what I'm about to say to your grave.
I'm old friends with the father of one of the candidates.
Which one?
Jang Yeong-gi and his daughter.
I would like your help.
If Lord Jang's daughter is queen...
...it will affect my future, Her Grace's, and yours as well.
Doctor, here we are.
Doctor.
This is it. We're here.
Doctor, is something wrong?
No. You and I will speak with his lordship.
You will speak with his wife and daughter.
We're under strict orders to offer no offence.
Let's go.
Welcome.
Doctor Yu Do-ji.
We need a detailed family medical history.
I understand.
First, congratulations.
Whoever is selected, it is an honor for your family to have made it this far.
Thank you.
Shall we?
Sir.
Merely some background information, not to worry.
What is this?
A token of my esteem.
But my lord...
There's more where that came from.
This won't do.
It's just a token, go on.
Well, then, thank you.
Nurse, Nurse.
What?
Where did you get that?
From her ladyship.
One for each of us.
Which do you want?
Hmm.. the ring.
- It's gorgeous. - It is.
It suits you.
What's this about?
What are you hiding?
Well?
Where did you get these?
From the lady of the house.
Do you have a death wish?
Please pardon us.
Hush and give them to me.
If the Head Nurse finds out I'll be in trouble too.
We'll keep this between us.
Yes'm.
Now back to work.
Gorgeous.
Have you been ill in the last few months?
No.
Any past medical problems?
I can have the other nurses leave.
No, it's not that.
Her pulse?
Steady, Doctor.
Ask their medical histories.
Give us your medical background.
I've always been healthy. Since I was born.
I see.
I have no serious illnesses, but my mother miscarried before she had me.
Is that a problem?
A miscarriage is not an illness, you needn't fear.
Your mother suffered complications. It doesn't affect you.
As hard as the waiting is on me...
...the girls are so nervous they can barely breathe.
One will be queen. Who wouldn't be?
Which do you think it will be?
Oh, I couldn't say.
How about you?
Well... I like the Kim girl.
There is nothing in the Kim medical history to concern His Majesty.
Nor in the Jang clan's.
They're both healthy girls.
My report will indicate such.
Doctor.
Let me know when you've finished your final examination.
Yes, Doctor.
If Lord Jang's daughter is queen...
...it will affect my future, Her Grace's, and yours as well.
Doctor Yu.
How did it go?
I'm afraid I can't tell you that.
Still uncertain?
I've never criticized you, not even after Prince Sinsong died.
I know better than anyone how hard you work for Her Grace.
Now she needs your help again.
What must I do?
Make up something about the Kim clan.
Something that will bother the King.
Doctor Yu, this may be your last chance.
Heo Jun shouldn't be Chief Physician.
You should.
Isn't that Doctor Yu?
So he's involved with Her Grace's family?
They still need each other.
If you want wealth and power you need influence.
Come on now.
He's completely committed to the research.
He's given up on all that.
You don't know the allure of power.
You would risk hell itself to get it, whether it kills you or not.
Am I wrong?
Enough.
- Where to? - I said no.
I swear, one little peek, what do you care?
If you hate him, I won't say a word.
Come along.
Listen to your mother. Just a peek, huh?
C'mon.
Here.
Now that's a pharmacy.
Look at all the patients. They say he's rich.
On-nyeon, filthy rich.
Come on.
Please.
Which of you is sick?
Me, I am.
Your symptoms?
Indigestion like you wouldn't believe.
Let's take your pulse.
How long since your last flow?
Huh? What's that matter?
You're pregnant.
Are you kidding?
The sky will fall first.
It's been forever...
Again.... again...
Here...
There's something there.
Feces?
I've got something that will clear that right up. Thank you.
What a quack.
So what?
Well?
He's not repulsive.
Oh? You're willing to meet him?
If you want.
Talk about fickle.
So purtiful, so purdy. I wish I could live here.
Listen. Want to make a pile of cash?
If it's a pile I'll strip and dance in it.
It's a pile of cash all right, a fortune.
A fortune? Gambling?
This is a sure thing.
What is?
Give us a minute.
Can't you tell us too?
Your job is to look pretty.
Don't get ahead of yourself, off you go.
Don't go far, baby.
We'll call for you.
So they're choosing a queen, right?
Right.
It's the final round.
Already?
They're down to the last two.
I'm really close with one of the dads.
If his daughter is chosen, he'll be the queen's father.
And how do you know him?
That's not the point.
To make it work, he needs to spend a lot of money.
But he's never had a lot of that.
So here's the thing.
If we lend him the money, we'll be in good with the queen's father.
You follow me?
Oh, I follow you.
How about this?
I lend the cash after his daughter is chosen.
Always an angle.
If he's the queen's father, people will be lining up to lend him money.
Ours would be a drop in the ocean.
Now, now he needs it, now he'll notice us.
And if she's not chosen? I lose my money.
Ugh.
I didn't know you were such a wimp.
If you want big money, you have to take risks.
But if you're scared...
Another drink.
I'm not scared...
Still thinking about it?
What do you think?
It's a waste of money. Forget it.
No, no, no, it's the chance of a lifetime.
Think about it.
The queen's father is an important backer.
With him, all the herbalists in the capital would be in my hands.
Once in a lifetime, one fell swoop.
Listen to you.
But it might not be him.
Now, now. You heard Jang-swe.
Be a man. Take a man's risks.
He who hesitates... is lost.
I swear.
Welcome home, my lord.
Where is my wife?
She's with your mother arranging a bride for your son.
A bride?
Yes. A very nice girl, they said.
You're arranging a marriage for Kyeom?
Yes.
Mother, no one allowed to marry right now.
Will the ban last forever?
It will be lifted once the King has his bride.
She's the daughter of Inspector General Yu Seong-chan.
We met her. A sweet girl.
Father.
We found a nice girl for you.
A distinguished family. She's just right for you.
Lovely and soft-spoken.
Kyeom, what's on your mind?
The war is over. It's time you were married.
I want grandbabies.
If I am to marry...
...I want it to be On-nyeon.
The selection is today?
Yes, Sire.
My mother's clan ultimately split the court and the country.
If not for them the Japanese may never have attacked.
Sire, please don't.
No. We have to learn from the past.
And make certain it doesn't happen again.
Yes, Sire.
Wait in your rooms until they send word.
Attend them
My lady.
Well?
If this goes wrong we won't have a leg to stand on.
Not to worry.
The minister has long been with us.
And failing that, I've made other plans.
Things will go in your favor.
I'm counting on you.
Your Grace.
Thanks to your hard work,
we've made a lot of progress with the compilation.
We have a long way to go, but I know you'll work together as you have till now.
Yes, sir.
Oh, this is the last day of the selection.
We must ensure the next queen is attended by a royal physician.
I leave the choice to you.
I will do it myself.
You have more than enough to do.
The added work is too much.
I'll be fine.
My lord, the other doctors are inexperienced.
He's right for the job.
Be that as it may, no one is born a royal attendant.
Everyone has to start somewhere.
Doctor Yu can give the others a chance.
I can see I was short-sighted.
Perhaps you have someone in mind?
All right.
I see your point. I'll choose.
Why pace back and forth? It's nothing.
Nothing?
This is my shot, my once chance.
Your one pot, maybe.
Pot? I'll give you a pot.
Don't bring me bad luck.
Well? Did they announce it?
Not yet.
Argh! What's taking them so long?
How should I know? It's killing me, too.
Listen, if this doesn't work out, Hong-choon will kill me.
I trusted you and ponied up all I had.
I'll be dead.
I swear!
You blaming it all on me?
You made your choice. I didn't force you.
But you talked me into it.
This is our big chance. We can't falter now.
- Trust your gut! - Trust!
- All for one! - One!
- Louder! - One!
- Louder! - Believe!
His Majesty viewed the results before I called this meeting.
And?
Our selection affects the entire country.
He wants to impress something on you.
He is concerned the court and the nation may be split again.
Even if we don't like the result, we must ensure it does not distress the King.
The decision has been made.
Who is it?
This council has selected the daughter of Kim Jeh-nam.
We entrust her well-being to the royal physicians.
Yes, my lord.
Doctor Yu.
Explain yourself.
How could you do this to me?
I don't know what you're talking about.
You sure you want to do this?
I'm just a doctor.
With no further interest in politics.
Hey.
What?
Let's run before we get a beating.
- Should we? - Yep.
He won't kill us.
C'mon.
Jang-swe, Yeong-dal.
We've been waiting.
Well? Who's the queen?
Look at them. You need to ask?
Say it isn't so.
We backed the wrong horse. It was Kim Jeh-nam's daughter.
My money. My money!
Ruined... what now...?
What about my money?
Let me...
MY MONEY!
I trusted you, bet everything...
- My money! - What now?
Let go!
I'm suffering too, all right? Just make more money.
Jang-swe, my wife will kill me.
You're going first!
Sit.
The new Queen needs a nurse.
So-hyeon, you do it.
Doesn't that fall to the Head Nurse?
No. The responsibility is yours now.
The Chief Physician gave his permission.
Will we be attending the Queen, too?
Yes, Myeong-geum and Heyon-ji both.
Internal and external medicine, acupuncture, and remedies are covered.
But women, children, and disease miscellanea are still weak.
Your pardon, sir.
Not at all.
They are difficult to study inside the palace.
We need to find another way.
Shall we dispatch researchers across the country?
Even if we do our nation's knowledge is limited.
What's more, we're short-handed as it is.
Who will staff the royal pharmacy?
I must leave the palace.
What do you mean, leave?
I have to go to the Ming and study their texts there.
Sir, you can't.
It's not a day trip. It's thousands of miles.
Who will attend the King?
His Majesty won't allow it.
This is my life's work.
The King will grant his permission.
We can better serve your people and the royal house.
It cannot be permitted.
Look after the King and Queen while I'm away.
I've never seen anyone quite so lovely.
Any luck?
You want what isn't there.
What happened?
The child is safe.
Explain yourself.
Kyeom would like to marry On-nyeon.
Blech. I found someone.
The Ming envoy has arrived.
The herbs may be toxic.
I said treat her.
Perhaps we could ask him to examine Her Majesty?
No, Sire.