[No animals were harmed in the making of this program]
[Episode 8]
What the...?
Pardon me. I'm from the welfare clinic, can you show me-- ?
Excuse me!
Ouch...
What's this?
Ugh. Poopy.
Move, move, move!
What's the idea? Watch were you're go---?
Oh. You?
The lady-in-waiting?
What are you doing here?
What's it to... I mean, and you, your ladyship, in that outfit?
Ah, well...
Hang on. What's that smell?
Feces!
You're covered in it.
So you're a lady doctor?
Yes. I've been posted to the royal stables.
I see. Seeing you with Her Highness...
I thought you were a noble or a lady-in-waiting maybe.
You're a doctor.
What about you? I thought you were a ranch doctor.
Are you a steward?
Ah, well, about that. The palace had some trouble, see.
Trouble?
There was this horse meant to be a tribute for Qing China but it got sick.
The envoy shows up and the horse is at death's door.
But the stewards can't do a thing, now that's trouble, huh?
Until I cured it, that is.
Ah, is that so?
That's so. So as a reward, I'm an apprentice steward now, see?
Usually you have to test to get in.
I'm so good with a needle, I got a royal summons, sort of.
A summons?
Yeah, tell you what.
I got the summons and His Majesty went on and on about me.
You saw His Majesty? He praised you himself?
Yeah. I didn't know what to do with myself.
That's when I said to myself, "Self, this was serious, yessiree."
Is that so? And how did he look?
Huh?
I'm just a lady doctor. I've never seen His Majesty.
I'm curious.
And you've seen him.
Well, his looks were... his looks...
He's huge, right? With bright, piercing eyes.
Ah, right, his chin, it's out to here.
Huge with a chin out to here?
Yeah! His Majesty is no ordinary mortal, tell you what.
What are you doing?
That's not right.
Here, like this.
Stop. Scrub hard and fast, see?
Or the stink won't come out.
Stop, I can do it.
Yeah, listen, I'm a horse dung expert.
And I haven't introduced myself.
I'm Baek Kwanghyon.
"Bright" Kwang, "Day" Hyon.
Pretty fancy for a bum like me, huh?
And you are?
I should go.
But it's?
It's fine. Goodbye.
But the hem of your skirt...
. . . oh, sheesh . . . ugh . . .
I haven't introduced myself. I'm Baek Kwanghyon.
Why him, why here, of all places?
So that's it. A lady doctor.
Why did she pretend to be a noble?
Girls are creepy.
You're a girl, too, huh? C'mon.
Huh?
A deer. Fawns.
Got antlers, dear lil deer?
Ostrich? Right?
Right.
Ostrich. Ostrich.
I guess the stables really do have animals from all over.
All the way from Indonesia and Thailand.
Ah-hah.
A monkey.
Hey there. Want some?
I wish Kibae and Jabong could see this.
So these are peacock droppings.
Different texture and smell from other birds.
Mind if I take this?
Sure, why not.
Thank you.
I've never seen you before.
Yes. I'm a new apprentice.
At your service.
Oh? Then what are you doing here?
They all went to the courtyard.
Huh?
The new Chief Steward is coming today.
Ah, right. I had to be there at noon. Uh-oh.
I'm late.
The Chief Steward.
I am the new chief steward, Jang Dosik.
To me, there is only one thing. Skill first, skill second.
Our duty lies in obtaining skill.
To that end, we will establish discipline.
What's the idea coming late?
I beg your pardon. I'm late.
It's people like you that ruin the stables.
No dinner for you tonight.
So that was the young man who treated the horse?
Yes, sir.
I thought he would be older. He's just a novice.
Don't say that. Beginner's luck, that's all. That's how he got into the stables.
And our chief steward got reassigned. So unfair.
If we fail to treat a court horse, the chief steward bears responsibility.
How is that unfair?
Sir? Yes, of course.
How did he come to the stables anyway?
You're sure? He started today?
Yes. One of the girls saw him.
Come on, we're going.
To where?
Where do you think? To the stables.
Your Highness? That's not fitting. Absolutely not.
No? Why?
What will people say if you call on him for no reason whatsoever?
Nothing is more dangerous than loose talk.
Suppose they found out you got him his appointment?
Imagine the fuss it would cause.
Well, I did use my brother's name...
What if I sent for him?
Your Highness, don't you know Her Majesty is still looking into the last time?
Oh, dear, I'm frantic with worry that this will come out.
What then? I can't send for him and I can't go see him?
Psst. Is that him?
The bum that got in without a test?
The reason the stables are falling to ruin.
That's him.
Pardon me.
There's a class at 10 o'clock. Where is it?
Sure is stuffy in here. Let's go.
Find it yourself.
Whoever said capital guys weren't creeps, I swear.
I appreciate your assistance with the classes, your ladyship,
but I'll do everything.
Please speak informally.
Oh, no, I wouldn't dare.
Please. And keep my noble status between us.
Pardon?
If you're like this, how will others react?
Please help me.
But how...?
My lord.
Ah, right, we got a new babydoll today.
I just hope she's cute.
Me, too, at least to break up the monotony.
Tasty lil babydoll.
I'd be happy if she's just human.
The old one, Ogeum, what a piggy.
Oink-oink!
What's the idea, calling her a piggy?
The new one's not bad, don't you worry.
Wait. How do you know?
Yeah.
You got your heads in the sand?
See for yourselves. Here she comes.
- Whoa! - Pretty!
- Babydoll! - Oolala!
A pixie, that's what she is!
Hello. I will be assisting with your classes.
Welfare clinic lady doctor, Kang Jinyong.
- Yeah! - Score!
Easy, easy, show some class.
I'll distribute today's reading before your instructor arrives.
If you don't know a character, just ask.
Forget characters. What about YOU?
Pardon?
How old are you?
Where do you live?
Got a fella? If not, how 'bout me?
No, me!
Behave yourselves. She's a lady.
Mind your manners.
Shh, hush, hush, you.
You're curious about me?
Yes!
I understand. Here we go. I'm nineteen.
I live near Kwangtong Bridge.
That's close!
Hush, hush. The lot of you.
- Hush yourself! - Hush THIS!
And no fella, I'm sorry to say.
- Woohoo! - Score!
So, um, listen?
I'm sure you have questions, but if we don't prepare I'll get in trouble.
If you could help me?
I'll answer all your questions after class, fair enough?
Yes'm!
Quiet, shush.
What's with that hair anyway?
He's an odd one.
No, put up with it. Don't let it get to you.
Well said. Put up with it.
Here.
Let me.
No, I'm fine.
Come on. You were pretty open in there.
I was surprised. I thought you might smack some of them.
This is my work. I can't.
Well, they're not used to it.
A lady that's prim during the day but plays at night.
Huh? What?
P-plays at night? When did I ever?
Shh. In the trade village.
I didn't know what kind of place it was.
It's all right. I understand. Whatever you say.
Your secret is safe with me.
Mum's the word.
No. You can tell anyone you like.
You're sure?
What, ladies can't have fun? Women aren't people, too?
Not at all. Of course ladies are people.
Somewhere it says ladies can't have fun. The three bonds and five moral codes?
Enough already. Give me that.
I can do it.
Wait, wait, wait.
Wai?! It's what it says, though. Did I go too far?
First he thinks I'm a lady-in-waiting and now, what, I carry on at night?
This from a bragging hair-boy.
Imagine thinking he was my Kwanghyon.
I must have been mad.
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
Send for a doctor.
Your Majesty, wake up.
Your Majesty.
Hurry. Ginseng, schisandra and keel.
Doctor.
You informed the chief pharmacist?
Yes.
My lord. My lord.
A relapse?
Yes. We must treat her immediately.
Yes, yes.
Sire.
My lady.
How is she?
The doctors are with her now.
Are they?
The gallbladder meridian.
And the crown point.
My lord, you have done the important points.
Allow me to finish up.
Hm? Yes, the rest is easy.
Yes, sir.
The large intestine meridian.
He's too old.
Sir?
Who...?
The chief pharmacist, you saw him.
He's lost his touch.
I couldn't say...
Be ready.
Soon you'll be taking over the pharmacy, the clinic, and medical education.
But, sir, I wouldn't dare...
You're the only man for the job right now.
But Ko Juman oversees the clinic.
He's too old.
And too sly by half.
Old doofus!
Doo-oo-oofus!
What's that? Doofus?
Let's see you do it, then.
Chop-chop.
Look at that. He got all my spaces.
Let's see, your leg doing better?
Yes, sir.
Don't stay off it. Give it plenty of exercise.
Yes, sir.
Come back, come back.
Please come back.
Whatcha doin'?
Can't you tell? Caging the hog.
For tomorrow's acupuncture lesson.
Ah, I see.
Muscling it won't do.
Here, piggy-piggy-piggy.
That's right. There.
See? Grab his ear.
Here we go, that's it.
Sooey, sooey. Here we go.
That's right. Here piggy-piggy.
- Sooey. - Sooey.
That's it.
All right?
Thanks.
You can't just force it.
Pigs have brains. You have to use yours, too, see?
No, wait, hang on, I'm not usually like this.
The way you look at me, I can't help myself.
Not usually, huh?
Usually I treat ladies right.
"Right," huh?
Exactly. All the courtesans near the ranch said so.
Huh?
Did I say that out loud?
That's not me, either.
You're not, except with me. You don't see me as a lady?
Ah, that must be it.
What?
No, no, sorry. I was just kidding.
You're lovely, adorable, even.
Uh-huh. Save it for the courtesans.
Catch it! Catch it!
Catch it!
What is it?
Good question.
What happened?
They rode into an iron fence. The rider and mount were hurt.
What? This horse?
Yes.
Where's the rider?
There. A servant.
Where is he hurt?
His chest.
It's not as bad as it looks. Get some medicines to calm the animal down.
My lord.
What? Is it bad?
Vascular bleeding. If we don't stop it, his chest will fill with blood.
What?
Go get the doctor.
- Hurry. - Right.
Stabilize, I have to stabilize him.
What are you doing?
Amber has a stabilizing effect.
We'll stop the bleeding first, then treat him.
Put pressure on his chest.
Please take his shoes off.
Well? Go on.
Keep up the pressure.
What happened?
A horse threw him.
I treated the kidney, liver and gallbladder points.
Take him inside and send for the physician.
Yes, ma'am. Move him inside.
A horse threw him?
Yes.
Let's see.
[Welfare Hospital]
Yes, ma'am.
Ma'am.
You're still here?
Yes. How is the patient?
He'll survive.
Really?
Yes. But it was close. Your initial treatment helped.
There you are.
How is he? Did he make it?
Yes, he's alive.
That's great. All that blood, I thought for sure he was dead.
Your technique was amazing...
Now you're worried?
Pardon?
Earlier you ran to treat the horse first.
How could you?
A person was hurt. He was bleeding to death.
I know you're a horse doctor, but you didn't even glance his way.
I couldn't help him, but the horse?
Is it because he's a slave?
A horse costs more than a slave, so that's all you stewards care about?
No. Not at all. How could you??
No. You'd have behaved differently if he wasn't a slave.
You all would have jumped to help him then.
But...
Out of my way. I should go.
Wait.
A horse costs more than a slave, so that's all you stewards care about?
She misunderstood.
It figures. I was in the wrong.
That's what a heart feels like.
Now I know.
Your Highness, your turn.
Your Highness, so close.
You call that close?
Your Highness? If this is boring, shall we play hide and seek?
No. I'm not a baby.
You go ahead.
Can't you get sick or something?
That's it. An excuse.
Lady Kwak, you out there?
Yes, Your Highness.
Go to the pharmacy and get a hot poultice.
Pardon?
Go on.
This one's left out.
Its dam died.
We put it with the others, but it smells different, so no luck.
It can't go without food. This is bad.
Come quick, it's an emergency.
Hm? What emergency?
Just come on.
Your Highness, how may we be of service?
My kitty is sick. She needs a doctor.
Your Highness? We don't treat cats?
Yes, I know. It's beyond you.
Except Baek Kwanghyon, that is.
Pardon? Baek Kwanghyon?
Your Highness.
Hello again.
So, how do you like your job?
Pardon?
Yes, of course, Your Highness.
You're losing weight. Pining for someone?
Pardon? No, never.
If there is, say it, all right?
Yes, but there isn't.
But Your Highness could have sent for me.
No. I wanted to see where you work.
I'll send for you from now on.
Your High?? From now . . . on?
Never mind. Get to work.
It's strange.
Dolly is perfectly fine.
Except for this temperature, there's nothing...
Oh?
Perhaps I missed something.
Take all the time you need.
Your Highness. Now let's see...
Why are you so warm...?
Huh? It's Lady Kwak.
Is Her Highness looking for me?
You're a great doctor. You cured Dolly yet again.
In fairness, I didn't do anything.
That's why you're great. You have the healing touch.
Your Highness...
Wait, I have something for you.
Pardon?
Jinyong.
What are you doing here?
What's that?
You don't know me.
Shhh. Don't...
So you got him appointed?
Yes, I did.
But why? If Her Majesty knew...
Shhh. It's a secret.
It only made sense, with my cat and the horse and all.
He proved his worth to the court.
But why bother with him at all?
He saved Dolly, but still...
A girl needs a reason to care for a boy?
Huh? Then you're not...
Yes. I've had the vapors since I saw him in the trade village.
Your Highness.
So you have to help me.
It's perfect that you're in the stables.
Her Majesty is always watching me.
You can bring me daily reports.
My lady, what should we do?
Her Highness isn't playing.
If Her Majesty finds out, she'll have my head.
No. I won't let that happen.
I'll talk to her when the time is right.
I'm counting on you.
Why? Why him?
My lord, you're still here?
Ah, well, the thing is, after your ladyship...
Don't worry about me.
All right. I'll finish up.
What an idiot. It's dead anyway.
My point. Why bother at all?
Come back, come on, please.
Come back.
Is it dead?
Still-born, poor thing.
This the dam?
Yes. She'll probably die, too.
She lost a lot of blood in labor.
Animals can usually rally for their young.
Now there's not much chance.
A lamb. We just need a lamb.
What will you do?
Cover it with the smell of the dead lamb.
She may accept it as her own.
Huh?
Here. Here's your baby.
Will she really think it's hers?
We'll have to see.
Look, it worked, she's licking it.
She thinks it's hers.
Yes. She'll need something to eat now.
I'll get it. Black beans?
How did you...?
I read about it. Stay with the mother. I'll do it.
It looks like they'll be all right now.
Yes. The childless dam has a lamb, the motherless lamb has a dam.
They'll both live.
Bloodline is irrelevant.
Humans or animals, if we cherish something...
we hold it tight.
What made you think of it? Giving her a different lamb.
It's what saved me.
After my father died, a mare that lost her colt cared for me.
It saved us both.
Y-your father is dead?
Yes. I'm an orphan.
Shouldn't you be going? The sun is up.
Yes, you're right.
Listen.
Thanks . . . for your help.
I didn't do anything.
Look at this.
I can't see Father looking like this.
What now?
You eat this. And we'll get cleaned up.
This is the lady doctor's.
- Lovely. - Very.
Pardon me.
What stinks?
Cow dung, horse dung. Disgusting.
I need a skirt and jacket.
I have no money, but I'll send someone?
Oh, no, I have nothing for you, off you go.
What?
Every dog and sow wants silk these days. I swear.
Now look here.
I said scoot. Go away.
- You there. - Yes, sir.
This, this, this. All for the lady here.
Sir?
Songha.
Long time, Jinyong.
When did you get here?
Just now. And you're the first one I see.
I know.
Nice outfit.
- Yeah? - You like?
Colors, stitching, all lovely.
Yeah? You look good, too.
Yeah?
Good to see you.
Doing all right?
Let's go.
Father, I trust you've been well?
Yes. You're ready for the civil exams?
Yes, just so.
If you say you are, you are. I have nothing to worry about.
Kang Jinyong.
You see Father? Was he happy?
Of course.
You keep getting prettier. Not a little girl anymore.
"Little girl," he says to his older sister. Show some respect.
"Older sister," she says. That was fine when I was little.
Now it's your turn to show respect.
What?
Look at you. Still a mess.
It won't do. Now you call me, "Elder Brother."
Elder?? Forget it.
Go on. "Elder Brother."
Forget it. Call me "Elder Sister" or else.
She's got lots of highfalutin friends.
I'll give it to her tomorrow.
Kwanghyon.
Sir. Jabong.
We're here.
What's going on? Why are you here?
So we'll be living together?
Stabled together, more like.
It's not much. Maybe we shouldn't have...
No. It's perfect.
How could you afford it anyway?
You kidding? With that silk you got.
Excellent, perfect.
We got it for nothing, we should use it for something.
Exactly. That's our Kwanghyon.
There's a little money left. Maybe some meat to celebrate?
Meat? Where?
Slurpilicious again?
Exactly.
Slurpilicious? What's that?
You've never heard of the famous Slurpilicious?
The best stew joint in the capital. Lines all day, every day.
Even the royals go there.
You have all you need?
- Welcome back. - Hello.
Our finest table. This way.
And for my friends?
Of course. Please.
Raking in the capital cash, I see.
Jinyong.
Look at you.
- More greens. - Sir.
Let's see here.
Just right.
- You can serve it. - Sir.
Chef, someone to see you.
Oh?
Kwanghyon.
Master Oh.
I had no idea.
This is some kinda soup.
What'd I say? The place is crawling with people.
I learned the secret to the broth when I was exiled on the island.
The right combination of seafoods. Delicious.
It sure is.
Oh, I heard. The royal stables.
We'll be seeing a lot of you now.
Yes, master.
Try the crab legs.
Delicious.
And the mussels.
And the abalone.
I missed you, soup-a-licious.
Not kidding, I nearly died, I missed this so bad in Qing China.
And after all that studying with the Qing, you're a stable nurse?
Pretty much.
Tsk-tsk-tsk, wake up. No one will want you.
Good family or not, what man will marry you now?
Pssh. This from a divorcee.
What?
That horse doctor's an odd one.
He doesn't know you're a noble and he's still sweet on you?
Sweet? Not even close.
There's nothing I like about him.
Nothing. Especially his name.
His name? Why?
Just cause.
He'd run in terror as a child, now he's an acupuncturist.
I never dreamed I'd end up here.
Trading in a sword . . . for a spatula.
You're better off.
The truth is you weren't much of a warrior anyway.
Hush.
Oh, right. What I asked you about.
Ah, about Yongdal?
Yes. Have you heard anything?
Well, I put the word out with the local beggars, but no luck.
We looked where you said. Nothing.
Kwanghyon, give up on her.
It's in the past, why worry about it?
Leave the past to itself.
The capital is full of women.
I can't. More to the point, I won't.
Sir, Kwanghyon, how 'bout another round?
Or the capital courtesans?
Hush.
Not for me. You get Kibae home, I have to go.
Off with you.
You'd think he was in love or somethin'.
Let's go home. We start work tomorrow.
You said we'd celebrate all day.
Let's go. Come on.
I'll find you again, Yongdal. You know that?
I'll save my dad and find you.
Mm. You better. Just like you did before.
Swear.
Where are you now?
Where are you hiding?
I'll find you again, Yongdal. You know that?
I'll save my dad and find you.
Mm. You better. Just like you did before.
Swear.
[Royal Stables]
I was sure it was here.
Looking for something?
Yes.
Here. This is yours?
How did you get it?
I meant to give it to you yesterday.
But you were talking with that tall fella outside the silk place, so...
You saw that?
Yes?
Everything? You overheard us?
Of course.
C'mon, like I'd listen in?
Don't tell anyone you saw me. With a noble, I mean.
Sure, all right.
Thanks.
You've got a lot of secrets.
Who knows what secrets will come out tomorrow.
I'm saying this for your own good.
Don't do it.
What?
Gambling.
Pssh.
It will turn bad. You could lose it all.
A meeting. Orders.
You're all ordered to Ichun.
Take your needles and herbs.
There's no time to waste. Understood?
Sir.
What is it?
The cattle have rinderpest plague. We're going to Ichun to treat it.
What? Rinderpest?
How serious is it?
Ichun is a trade center. It can spread very quickly.
We must stop it before it reaches the capital.
Send the stewards to identify the cause and stop it from spreading.
Yes, Sire.
First the drought. Now this cattle plague.
First see how far it's spread.
Seal off all roads to the capital.
Move!
- Sir. - Go!
We need to get across.
Sir, do you have any cattle?
Yes, one head.
May we see it?
Yes, this way.
I'll take a look.
It's infected.
It looks all right.
It starts in the hooves. The animal is infected.
And if it is rinderpest?
If it's not stopped in 5 days, all the local cattle will die.
Tens of thousands more, if it reaches the capital.
That many?
Yes. Our last rinderpest plague killed over 100,000.
But something is strange.
It's not like normal rinderpest.
How so?
The rash. It doesn't spread over the whole body.
Hurry. Let's check the other houses.
Right.
Come on.
Do you have cattle?
No, not here.
The next house.
What's wrong with it? Is it sick?
Animals dying and he looks at a chicken.
There.
Something was in its throat so it couldn't eat.
All better now.
Will it start laying again?
Yes, definitely.
Hey, hey, the chicken is better.
We have a plague and you're treating chickens?
To the boy that chicken is as important as any cow.
People don't just raise cattle and hogs.
Some rely on their chickens to survive.
Let's go. Plenty more houses.
No, no, no!
Wake up!
This your brother?
Yes. He's had a fever since yesterday.
He won't wake up. I try to get him up but he won't.
Rapid pulse. And a high fever.
What do we do?
We move him. I have herbs to treat him.
Wait.
He has a rash.
What?
The same rash as the cattle.
The same symptoms. It's infectious to people.
We have to isolate the sick.
Sir.
This...
It spreads to people.
The cattle plague spreads to people.
It spreads to people. The cattle plague spreads to people.
I don't want to die! Don't let me die!
Wake up. Please.
He's gone.
He's dead. Someone's dead.
We're all dead, you hear me?
It can't be, it can't.
Don't worry. I'll talk to Father.
No. I won't have it.
Jinyong.
No. There must be a way.
Who? Who gave the order?