(Episode 53)
I heard that you're in love with official Min Jung-Ho
Is this true?
Yes... Your Majesty
I'm the King of this country
Do you know what outcome your answer could bring?
Yes... Your Majesty
You don't wish to become a royal concubine?
Your Majesty, even though I'm a woman
I've tried to live my life...
to advance in my given duty
Though I started in the path of medicine...
not by any accident, there is my anger...
my passion, and the will of my mother and Lady Han
So I was going to go forward in medicine regarding it as my life
Please understand...
Come out to the garden tomorrow morning as usual
Your Majesty, it's time to go to sleep
Which official is taking the shift today?
It's probably official Min Jung-Ho
Really?
And?
The King asked if I love you
and I answered him yes
I didn't even think about what would happen to you in answering yes to him
At the time, if I hadn't answered it that way... at the time...
You did well
But...
I'm overjoyed
But...
You acknowledged me even before the King, didn't you?
I prefer it over you trying to protect me in being considerate
But if something happens to you because of my foolish answer...
what then?
What should we do now?
It's alright
It's OK
He wants both of you to walk with him tomorrow
My health has improved significantly doing what you've told me to do
Long exhalation relaxes me very well too
I heard about his fate with you from official Min
It was as interesting as mine
You saved his life?
Yes
But back then you two didn't know each other, so how did he find out?
Did you tell him, "I'm the person who saved your life?"
No...
Then?
Actually, I had lost a gift my father gave me while treating his wounds
Really?
And when I confirmed that he had it...
A gift from your father? What is it?
It's a triple trinket
A triple trinket?
You must have it with you
Would you show it to me?
Actually...
Why? He didn't return it to you?
No, it's not that...
I gave it back to him
I haven't shot a bow in a long time
Does archery help my illness of the heart as well?
Yes, of course...
Really? Then I should shoot some arrows today
No one could compete with me when I was young
Head Eunuch, prepare for it
Yes, Your Majesty
I heard that official Min is so good with military arts...
he even held a 7 th class military post
What fun could I have shooting it by myself?
How about an archery match with me?
Bull's eye!
It doesn't look like it's been a while for you
Yes, I guess the skill hasn't diminished that much yet
Since we'll have five rounds we should place a wager...
OK! If I lose I'll give you this bow
Your Majesty, that bow is one of a kind in Chosun
If one's going to bet it should be worth about this...
what are you going to put up as a wager?
Your Majesty, I have nothing that compares to that bow
Really? Then put that up...
Excuse me?
I heard you have physician lady Jang-Geum's triple trinket...
put that up as a wager
Let's start now
Bull's eye!
It's a tie after four rounds
There's one more round to go
I'm in love with physician lady Jang-Geum
You too?
Are you?
Bull's eye!
Yes
Why do you not obey my words?
Do you find them offensive?
Your Highness, never!
Then why?
Your Highness actually the King wants...
So what does the King want?
The King highly values Jang-Geum's skills...
that's why he tried to appoint her as his personal physician
And he wanted to be treated for his illness at heart because he trusts her
How frustrating!
Even if that's all true the only reason...
why a man would want a woman to be near him is because
he has her in his heart whether he realizes it or not
You're smart enough to know that
So write the order out immediately!
Do it right now!
Jang-Geum, what's going to happen?
You're becoming a concubine?
Do you want to be one?
Does that matter? Once the Queen writes up the order, that's it
Then how about practicing medicine?
Jang-Geum! Lady Suk-Won wants to see you
Jang-Geum, things will turn out fine I told the King about you and Sir Min
That's right, the King wasn't angry when he heard it too
We didn't know it at all We heard it was when...
you were a kitchen lady so when was it exactly?
When was it? Was it really when you were a kitchen lady?
Yes...
Oh, my! So it is from when she was a kitchen lady!
How was it? Did you like him when you first saw him?
How did you feel?
Oh... how sweet...
How about the hands...?
Did you hold hands?
Yes...
She did! How were they?
How were his hands?
They were warm
Warm? How warm?
It was very warm... very warm
I know you like him a lot but I think you're...
overdoing it before us We haven't even seen men
Jang-Geum... what's wrong?
What should I do?
What should I do now?
Your Majesty, the Queen is here
Let her in
What brings you here at this late hour?
Your Majesty, your mother still misunderstands you...
and she keeps on ordering me to write up the order
But I started to understand you after Prince Kyung-Won's life was spared
She lacks nothing in her practice of medicine, and seeing...
how she progresses forward and her character
I now see that she lacks nothing to be your personal physician
So now I understand why you'd want her to treat your illness of heart...
or your physical illness with her at the side...
even though your officials oppose it
So if you make it clear you don't want her to be your concubine...
then I'll make sure to stop it no matter what the Queen Mother says
What should I do?
Then, Your Majesty should I write up the order?
I'll write up the order tomorrow
I'm in love with Jang-Geum. You too?
Are you?
Yes
Your Majesty, these are apples Put them beside you when you sleep
Did Jang-Geum tell you to do this?
Yes, Your Majesty
It smells good
It smells good and helps me to be at ease...
so I should have it at my side always
Yes, Your Majesty She said it's good...
to have them at your side at all times and it's also good to eat it
That's right, isn't it? Probably so...
Your Majesty, official Min would like to present himself
What? Official Min?
What should we do?
Let him come in
Jang-Geum! Sir Min is meeting the King one on one!
What?!
I ran here because you were acting weird this afternoon
But what could it be about?
Your Majesty...
I'm sorry to say this, but I had once run away with physician lady Jang-Geum
What?!
If we hadn't done it if we hadn't done it...
then we could've never spent even a day together so that's why we did it
But we came back on the same day
We came back even though every fiber of my body wanted to run away with her
It was because I love Jang-Geum
As a woman of course, her talents and the determination and convictions
she has shown in the process of perfecting her skills through...
much pain, joy, sadness and even mistakes
there was nothing that didn't look lovely to me
Your Majesty, everything about her is precious to me
Though I cannot take her for myself...
This servant cannot block the path that physician lady Jang-Geum must go
even if it means there are greater hardships and sadness before her
Stories of physician lady Jang-Geum's life are painted in her talents
which make up who she is
That's why lady Jang-Geum should've been your personal physician...
and it is my path as a scholar to help her achieve it...
and that's also the way I choose to love lady Jang-Geum
Your Majesty, your servant Min Jung-Ho asks you risking his life
Please, please allow physician lady Jang-Geum to go on her path
Please appoint her as your personal physician
Please make her stand high in the history of Chosun
She's that much of a character and that much of a woman
And help me to carry away all the disloyalty that I have caused you...
and all the confusion created in the court
I'd gladly receive it if you command this disloyal one's head to be cut off
This servant knows it well...
that a servant cannot separate the ruler and a woman
Your Majesty put this disloyal servant to death!
What did you tell the King?
Please tell me
What did you tell the King?
Did you tell him that you'll be at my side for 10... 20... 100 years?
You didn't forget, did you?
You surely didn't forget, right?
Your Majesty, I was wrong
Please put an end to my life
Jang-Geum and Sir Min have no relationship whatsoever
I was completely wrong!
Please spare Jang-Geum's life!
Suk-Won, do you love me?
Excuse me?
What is love?
Excuse me?
Love... the way to love... huh?
I heard that you're in love with official Min Jung-Ho
Is this true?
Yes, Your Majesty
I love physician lady Jang-Geum You too?
Yes...
The stories of physician lady Jang-Geum's
life are painted in her talents which make up who she is
That's why she should be your personal physician...
no matter how great the obstacle
and it is my path as a scholar-official...
to help her achieve it...
and that's also the way I choose to love lady Jang-Geum
Please allow physician lady Jang-Geum to go on her path
Please appoint her as your personal physician
Please make her stand high in the history of Chosun
Did your call for me, Your Highness?
Bring this order to physician lady Jang-Geum...
and tell the feast services to prepare a congratulatory ceremony
Your Majesty, I have the King's command
The King's command?
Come in
What is it?
The King has ordered to stop the concubinary order
for physician lady Jang-Geum
What?! Take it back?
Yes, Your Majesty
I became the ruler after casting aside my first wife...
and driving her father to death
I learned then that love and that sort...
of thing cannot take part in the position of a ruler
The deposed Queen Shin put her skirt on one of the rocks of In Waung Mt...
for me to see but I couldn't even see it freely
Afraid that my officials would petition me to give her the poison
That is how I have lost my love
And for many years, there have been many Queen consorts and concubines...
but they were only representative heads of different powers
And I started to cherish you
It's a feeling that has come back after such a long time
But I won't make you my concubine...
because I don't want to put you in a rift between powers...
because I don't want to go against your wishes
But you should be at my side
Because you're my only resting place
I'm compelled to do so
And it is also my way of love
It is my command as a ruler and my request as a man
Do you acknowledge physician lady Jang-Geum's medical skills...
in treating my mother, myself, and others?
Yes, Your Majesty Yes, Your Majesty
And do you acknowledge Jang-Geum's medical skills in stopping the spread
of smallpox and correcting the misdiagnosis of food poisoning
as a plague to minimize the casualties among the people?
Yes, Your Majesty
I give Jang-Geum whose medical skill exceeds all others...
the special title, "Great Jang-Geum"
equivalent to 3rd class the position and rank of a Royal Cabinet Member
and I appoint her as my personal physician
And since it violates the law to appoint a woman to...
a high government office, she'll have a title
not listed in the Law Book, but she'll be given the title "Great Jang-Geum"
equivalent to the position and rank of 3rd class Royal Cabinet Member
It won't pass down by heredity and...
apply only to physician lady Jang-Geum as an exception
Though she will be a Royal Physician as a 3rd class Royal Cabinet Member
she will not oversee the Royal Pharmacy...
but she'll only be in charge of my health
Official Min, write up the order and issue it to Jang-Geum
Yes, Your Majesty
But Your Majesty! Though it's an exception...
it'll impair the original purpose of the Law Book...
Listen! Listen, everyone!
I command this with the authority given to me as the King
so stop arguing about this!
Physician lady Jang-Geum honor the order of the King
I recognize the achievements ofJang-Geum
in treating many illnesses of the Royal family
and of the people so I give her the title "Great Jang-Geum"
equivalent to the position and rank of 3rd class Royal Cabinet Member...
and I appoint her as my personal physician
Jang-Geum...
Your Majesty, we do reluctantly honor your wish since you command it with...
the authority of the King, but all of the officials
consider it impairing the purpose of the Law Book
This has greatly damaged the dignity and pride of the nobilities of Chosun
You must send official Min into exile for petitioning you for it and...
upholding your wish as a nobility himself
Please send him into exile
That's right, please send him into exile
And to prevent such things from happening again please command...
that exiled Min Jung-Ho will not be restored to his office ever again...
during your reign and the reign of the crown Prince
That is the request of all officials and not just mine
Your Majesty, this has destroyed the basis of nobility! Please accept
Please accept our request!
Your Majesty!
Go ahead and do it
Your grace is immeasurable
Then are you now a 3rd class Royal Cabinet Member?
Yes, that's right! She should've been that long time ago!
The King has made the courageous decision with generosity...
and deep understanding
Yes, ma'am!
Jang-Geum! Jang-Geum!
How could you call her that?!
She's in position of 3rd class Royal Cabinet Member
I'm sorry. It's an urgent news...
An urgent news? What is?
Official Min has...
What happened to him?
He's gone into an exile
What?!
I knew the King couldn't have Jang-Geum his concubine
with her exceptional medical skills
By the way, then do we have to call her Madam Great Jang-Geum?
I know, if she's a 3rd class Royal Cabinet Member
we should call her Madam, but it's odd
Shouldn't we just call her Great Jang-Geum?
There she comes
Really? Let's ask her
Have you seen Sir Min by any chance?
No... we haven't
What is it?
She's really a remarkable kid indeed
A kid? How could you call her that way ignoring her rank of 3rd class?!
That's right The King has given her...
that rank, so everyone should be careful...
and warn the physician ladies as well
Yes, sir
I think Jang-Geum...
There you go again!
Where is Sir... Sir Min?
He already... left to be exiled...
What?!
Jang-Geum!
Just what's going on?
He delivered this to us through a servant, so we came running here
Sir Min values things belonging to you more than his own life...
so why did he leave this here?
I know... and what's wrong with his house?
Where was he headed?
I heard he was going to Samsu
Exile? Exile?!
He left for an exile because of the impeachment by the royal officials
Then official Min... because ofJang-Geum?!
Then did she become the King's personal physician?
Yes, that is so
This can't be!
She became his personal physician but should I be glad or not?
Sir...!
Sir! Sir!
No! No! You can't go!
If you leave like this...
if you leave like this...
Go back
I'm going into exile because of my crime
How could an official who upholds the command of King act like this?
Sir!
Did you forget with what meaning we should uphold his command?
Did you forget how hard it was to get the command from him?
It's a command you must never take lightly
It's a position where you must go forward more earnestly
It's a position where you must suffer more hardships
Forget about personal feelings
Just forget everything
Can you... can you do that yourself?
Yes! I already did that
I cannot do it!
I can never do that!
At least this... please take this at least
Since your birth you've had weak bowels
So when you suffer an illness or indigestion...
you normally get sick from the bowels first
Yes, that's right
So though it may be hard for you, exercise your bowels everyday...
and keep your lower stomach warm
OK, I understand
An illness isn't something that a physician heals...
but it should be prevented by the person himself
I feel like I have a teacher rather than a physician by my side
Your Majesty, I have a small request to make
What is it?
Since I only take care of your health
I have more time to spare than other physicians
So please give me the herb garden
Why the herb garden?
I'd like to study more about smallpox and...
other illnesses which cannot be treated as of now
There are new herbs there and...
when I was trying to find your illness last time
I've set up an infirmary there so it is a perfect place for it
Sure, go ahead and do that
Thank you
No... over that way please
The root of purple dayflower is found to be very effective with diabetics
And these ground cherries are good for the liver
so I think it'd be good for epidemics which show symptoms of jaundice
What you just did was to maintain health according to Ju-Kwon of China
Everyday, move your tongue left and right 33 times...
to let out saliva and sip it three times to drink it
Do I really have to do it?
Your Majesty, the only person who can fortify your health is yourself
You're making it sound so scary...
Your Majesty...
Oh, boy, I wonder what Chosun will turn out to be...
How dare a women come in here?!
Shhh! She'll hear you...
Be quiet!
The person looks at the social standing but the book does not
Your Majesty
besides the ones that people have been eating to relieve famine
root of Solomon's seal, atractylodes convolvulus, elm tree bark
and resin of peach tree are perfect to relieve famine
So please care for the people by having the government offices...
distribute these seeds to the people
Ministers
Do exactly what physician lady Great Jang-Geum said to do
Yes, Your Majesty
You said that any illnesses will start with my bowels...
and as I'm getting old enteritis is getting worse
Even though it may be hard you must continue to exercise your stomach
It must be the time to go...
Your Majesty, don't say such words
Illness starts from a weak mind
OK...
Then get down, and start walking from over there again...
and I'll get the stepping stones ready
You don't know anything about this, OK?
What is that?
Get down No
Hurry and get down No
How is it?
Prick that spot again with a needle
It doesn't hurt
Then...
Yes, physician lady, I think it's been anesthetized with acupuncture
Really?
Yes...
If this way of anesthesia works then people can be treated without pain...
just as you've saved that rabbit's life
Yes... it'll probably work on people for sure!
Is Great Jang-Geum here?
What is it?
It's a big trouble... the King is...
Could it be the symptom I've been worrying about...?
Yes! Hurry...
Is the symptom you've been worrying about showing finally?
Your Highness, his bowels have been blocked off finally...
Even though you've tried so many different ways to prevent it...
it had to show up...
I am so sorry...
What would you be sorry for? If there is any sin, then it's my fault and age
Your Majesty
As the personal physician of the King...
how could you say that?
The Great Jang-Geum has done everything she can to treat...
and try to prevent his illness
Then how could it turn out this way then?!
As his energy decreased due to his age his weak stomach went through...
repeated enteritis and stomach aches caused intestines blockage
That's why I'm saying this?!
Didn't you care for the King personally?
You should've treated him for it already!
How could you say there's no way to treat for it now?
No one can stop the aging process...
Just treat him anyhow! No matter what!
Didn't you receive the title Great Jang-Geum...
for your exceptional medical skills?!
Treat him!
His bowels are blocked off finally
I heard. Even though she tried to prevent it...
I know... no one can stop the aging process...
But the head of pharmacy seems to want an inquiry into...
Great Jang-Geum's responsibility
It's unavoidable since she's in charge of the King's health
Some senior officials still do not accept her position and rank...
I know it since we're always with her
Great Jang-Geum has really done all she can to prevent it
The intestinal blockage has advanced far?
Yes, sir
Even though I've used all the right medicines, his bowels are blocked now
So abdominal pain, emesis and dropsy have started
Couldn't it be his intestines losing all energy because of his age?
If it isn't unblocked now
the poison of the intestines will spread to the liver...
Why don't you try Hwang-Ryong medicine?
Yes, that's what I'm using now but that's not going to help very much
But there are no other way...
Actually... there's one...
What is it?
You can't do that!
No way!
But this is the only way
No medicine or acupuncture works
It's been tried on animals, but not on humans yet
So how could you try it on the King??
But how could I just watch him die if there's a way for him to live?!
I know physicians must save patients...
but this is too risky
Please don't do it
Physician lady Great Jang-Geum is here
Head Eunuch, it hasn't unblocked yet?
No... do something about it
It seems to be getting worse and I can't stand to watch him...
Your Majesty...
What is it?
Please trust me once more, for the last time
Just as you've trusted me this far, please trust me once more
What are you talking about?
Your illness is caused by large intestines closing up due to...
frequent diarrhea and your old age
I know that
So none of the medicine or acupunctures can help you now...
but there is one way however
What? A way?
Yes, Your Majesty
What is it?
It is to cut out the part of the intestine that's been blocked
What? Cut it out?
How? How can we cut it out?
We can do it with a knife by cutting open your stomach
What?!?!
Your Majesty!