Guangxu Year 34, October 24th
Imperial Doctor To Chung.
Yingtai.
Emperor Guangxu.
What happened? What medicine did you guys prescribe for His Majesty?
To Chung, you're back?
I'm late. Please pardon my sin.
Stand down.
Yes.
Sit down. Thank you.
Don't worry. I will do my best to cure you.
I know I'm dying. Very soon I will see Consort Zhen in heaven.
Please don't say that.
Everyone around me wants me dead.
What's the point of staying alive?
Everyone wants to live, not to mention you're the emperor.
Am I still the emperor in such a state?
What people think of you doesn't matter.
What matters is how you think of yourself.
Has it ever crossed you mind that if you just give up like this,
Consort Zhen's death will be for nothing?
As long as you don't give up, I'm confident that
the people around you won't get what they wish for so easily.
To Chung, you don't really want to
prescribe this Four Negative Decoction for His Majesty, do you?
Do you know raw Chinese aconite and honey-fried licorice roots
are so strong that not everyone can take them?
His Majesty's kidney qi is insufficient.
What's most imperative for him now is restoring his yang.
If we don't use strong medicine,
we won't be able to save his life once his condition becomes terminal.
Has it ever occurred to you that
it's reckless to use such strong drugs like
the extremely toxic raw Chinese aconite?
What if His Majesty dies after he takes it?
How can we account for that to the Empress Dowager?
So are we just supposed to prescribe some replenishing soup for His Majesty
like you've been doing then?
How's that different from sitting back and doing nothing?
Honestly, His Majesty has been sick for so long.
Even the Empress Dowager is prepared for his passing.
Otherwise why would she appoint Puyi as the Crown Prince in a hurry this morning?
And the Commissioner is retiring next month.
To Chung, do you want to cause him trouble when he's still in office?
I just know that it's a doctor's duty to save lives and heal people.
As long as the patient is still alive, we must do our best to save him.
Nothing else matters.
I agree with that.
As an imperial doctor, you must follow the rules of the Imperial Hospital.
Listen carefully, To Chung.
You don't need to treat His Majesty anymore.
If you do anything reckless again,
I will dismiss you from the Imperial Hospital.
Let me do the tough jobs.
Didn't you hear what the Commissioner said?
I'll be solely responsible for this. I don't want to get you into trouble.
Brother To, is that how you see me, Yam Sik-kang?
We've been through so many ordeals together all these years.
If I were afraid of getting into trouble because of you,
I would have resigned long ago.
I've only been away from the Imperial Hospital for a couple of days.
Why has His Majesty's condition deteriorated so drastically?
He's been physically weak all along. But he was fine on the ninth day
when he watched the drama and had dinner
with the Empress Dowager and the two ladies.
But two days later, his condition suddenly got worse.
How odd.
Officer To, it's really bad.
Your Majesty...
Zaifeng(Prince Chun).
Your Majesty...
How dare you, To Chung! His Majesty's dead. You're not kneeling?
To Chung, how dare you! You want to touch His Majesty's body?
I will punish you if you do. Drag him out.
It's fine. To Chung served His Majesty for years.
His Majesty always trusted him.
Let him see His Majesty for the last time. Let go of him.
Yes...
What do you want, To Chung?
The Empress Dowager has asked Prince Chun and Imperial Doctor To
to go to Yiluan Hall now to discuss something important.
Yiluan Hall.
Empress Dowager Cixi.
To Chung, did you write this prescription for His Majesty?
Yes, I did.
How dare you!
You knew His Majesty was physically weak.
You prescribed such strong medicine for him?
You got him killed. You're guilty.
His Majesty died before he had a chance to take the medicine I prescribed.
Why did he die then?
I dare not say. It might get me killed.
Speak. I promise no one will dare touch you.
Just now I noticed something odd when I checked His Majesty's body.
I smelled the odor of metal or garlic coming
from His Majesty's mouth. His lips were dry.
There were traces of burning inside his mouth.
Also, his fingers were clenched like claws. Obviously he had a severe cramp.
I suspect His Majesty died of arsenic poisoning.
That's nonsense. His Majesty has been staying in Yingtai.
His food and drinks were taken care of by people specifically designated for that.
Now you're saying he was poisoned to death.
That means the murderer is someone close to him.
This could be serious. You mustn't make groundless accusations.
To Chung, are you sure His Majesty was poisoned to death?
I don't have any concrete evidence yet.
I need to gather more evidence to find out what happened.
What do you think, Prince Chun?
There's political turmoil now. The rebels are making trouble everywhere.
The foreign powers are hovering over our heads.
Our enemies will grab this chance
if there's a rumor that His Majesty was poisoned to death.
It will be bad for us.
Your Royal Highness,
are we supposed to turn a blind eye to His Majesty's cause of death?
We can't withhold the news of His Majesty's death for long.
I'll give you one day to find out His Majesty's cause of death.
This must be kept absolutely confidential in case there's unnecessary trouble.
Your Royal Highness, this is serious.
If we let To Chung conduct an investigation
based on his one-sided story,
I'm afraid it will cause suspicion among the officials.
What's your suggestion then?
To make sure To Chung isn't making up the story and spreading the rumor,
if he doesn't find any concrete evidence within a day
proving that His Majesty was really poisoned to death,
he should be held liable for deceiving the ruler.
To Chung, you hear that?
Do you still want to insist on finding out His Majesty's cause of death?
I will make sure justice is served for His Majesty even at the cost of my life.
What? Where's His Majesty's body?
Just now Prince Chun ordered someone to take His Majesty's body
to Qianqing Palace in the Forbidden City in order to prepare for the funeral.
It's Prince Chun again.
What are you doing here?
Prince Chun ordered me to clean up as soon as possible.
The Empress Dowager ordered me to investigate His Majesty's cause of death.
No one is allowed to touch anything here.
Get out.
Yes, sir.
He wants to remove everything. He wants to destroy the evidence.
Your Majesty.
Guangxu Year 24, August 13th.
Ling, it's me. This is Hung-yue.
Let's get out of here quickly while they're drinking wine.
Catch the adulterers.
How dare you two adulterers try to elope?
Why talk to them? Take them to court.
What do you mean adulterers?
My relationship with Brother Hung-yue is decent and proper.
Drown them.
Right. Drown them.
Fine. You think I'm afraid of dying?
Have you gone to school? Do you know what shame is?
I'm barely educated.
I'm not as well-educated as all of you here.
But all you guys know
is feudal ethics meant to fool and deceive people.
How many people have been hurt by your conservative thoughts?
You want to drown me? Go ahead. I'm not scared.
I'm happier dying with the man I love
than marrying into the To family as your concubine.
Wai-Shan, say something. Right. Say something.
That's right. Say something.
Listen to me...
Shut up. I don't want to dirty my hands by drowning these two adulterers.
Let's take them to court then. Right.
The Tos are reputable in the capital. And my father-in-law is famous.
If the scandal is made known, I will lose face.
Listen carefully. You're no longer a member of our To family.
Go as far away as you can with your adulterer.
Don't ever show up here again.
Chuen Yan Clinic.
Why is the clinic in such a state?
I can't believe it. It was big seven games in a row.
I've lost again. This is really bad luck.
You can't stand working for your senior brother?
As your name suggests, you're really dumb.
There's phlegm at my throat.
What are you looking at? Get me a cup of ginseng tea now.
Kot Kan, stop.
Miss Ling!
Are you a man? You let him abuse you like that?
Why has Chuen Yan Clinic turned into a casino?
What a mess. Get out. Everyone, get out...
What are you doing? You drove away all my guests?
Tung Tit-kwat, why did you turn my dad's clinic into a casino?
You're really funny.
You've been gone for so many years. Why are you back now?
Do you really think you're still the lady in charge like you were before?
Listen. After Mentor passed away,
business at the clinic dwindled day by day.
If I didn't do this, it would have closed down long ago.
Now I'm running a casino here.
I may even turn this place into a brothel later.
I dare you! Chuen Yan Clinic is the Fuk's property.
I will never let you taint our reputation.
You had better beat it now or...
Or what? Go on.
Report this to the government and have me arrested.
You say this is the Fuk's property. So where's the title deed?
Show me the title deed. Report this to the government?
Tung Tit-kwat, you...
Don't think I won't hit you just because you're mentor's daughter.
I dare you.
Fine. You made me do it. I'm going to teach you a lesson.
Big brother, are you OK?
Don't touch me. Let them leave.
Miss Ling, let's go.
Big brother, are you OK?
My shoulder's dislocated. Am I OK?
Now what?
Get me a doctor.
Kot Kan, what's the matter with you? What are you afraid of?
You're afraid he'll report this to the police?
I'm sure he wouldn't dare.
I'm not afraid of that.
I'm worried that I can't work in Chuen Yan Clinic anymore.
Are you serious? You still want to work for him?
He's so mean to you. You're such a loser.
So why has he taken over Chuen Yan Clinic?
Ever since mentor died, Chuen Yan Clinic's business kept declining.
The other apprentices either left or changed jobs.
In the end, senior brother took it over.
This is my fault. I was away from home for so many years.
I wasn't there when dad passed away.
This isn't your fault. You didn't have a choice.
Do you remember what I promised you before you left?
I said I would take good care of Madam Fuk.
So no matter how tough it got,
I still had to hang in there and suck it up until you came back.
It's good you're finally back.
Kot Kan, you're so good to me.
You still remember what I asked you to do for me.
Where are Grandma and Aunt Chu staying
since Chuen Yan Clinic's been taken over by that bad guy?
Kot Kan, what are you doing?
This is my fault. I've failed you.
Madam Kot, the dumplings you make are as tasty as before.
Eat some more if you like them.
Thank you.
Aunt Chu, why does Grandma keep staring at me?
She doesn't recognize me?
No, that's not it.
You think I'm blind and deaf?
I haven't seen you in years. I want to take a closer look at you.
I'm sorry, Grandma.
I promise I won't leave again. Now you'll see me all the time.
Really?
Of course.
You've been gone for ten years. I thought I would never see you again.
Right.
Aunt Chu, let's not talk about the past anymore.
I promise I will stay home now and take care of everyone.
Is that a promise?
Absolutely.
Home? Ever since that Tung Tit-kwat took over our Chuen Yan Clinic,
Madam Kot and Kan have taken us in.
Otherwise your grandma and I would have to live on the street.
Miss Ming-chu, my son and I owe the Fuks so much from before.
That's the least we could do.
This is my fault.
I've failed to take good care of Madam Fuk and Sis Chu. I'm sorry, Miss Ling.
That's why you apologized to me just now?
Kan, don't be silly.
You put up with that jerk and worked for
him for the sake of my grandma and aunt Chu.
I'm really so grateful to you.
The most important thing right now is:
Ling, now that you're home,
you must get back Chuen Yan Clinic from that jerk.
I'm sorry I didn't attend your funeral, Dad.
I hope you'll forgive me.
I promise I'll get Chuen Yan Clinic back and revive our family business.
I won't let that jerk Tung Tit-kwat ruin Chuen Yan Clinic's reputation.
We must figure out a way
to get back Chuen Yan Clinic as soon as possible from that jerk Tung Tit-kwat.
I didn't dare mention it in front of your grandma last night.
I don't know how we can evict that Tung Tit-kwat without the title deed.
Aunt Chu, are you sure that guy really has the title deed?
Of course I'm sure.
After you left for Guangzhou, your dad stayed in the house.
He didn't dare see anyone for a whole month.
How would he have the courage
to ask that guy to give him back the title deed?
Don't worry. I caused this.
I will figure out a way to ask that To guy
to return the title deed to me.
You really screwed up back then.
Now you want him to give you back the title deed.
Can you really manage to ask?
To's Mansion.
Dr To, I'm begging you.
Please have mercy and come with me to treat my employer.
He's seriously sick. I'm begging you please.
Even if you kneel here till dark, I still won't treat him again.
No, Dr To...
Tell your employer to buy a casket and get himself a grave.
His illness won't be cured.
No, Dr To...
He told the patient to buy a casket? He's so unethical.
Oh, no. How will I get the title deed back from a guy like that?
Lin-chi, I'm going to make a house call. Take good care of my wife.
Yes, sir.
Lai Chun Club.
Dr To, why are you so late today? Yue-yee's been waiting for a long time.
Really? He's making a house call at a place like that?
Dr To, when will you come see me?
Do you need to see me?
Cut it out please.
Jerk. You said it was a house call. But you went to the brothel for fun.
Since you're such a lecher, I don't need to be ethical either.
Hello, Dr To.
Why are you standing there? Go to the bed and take off your clothes.
Why are you shy? This isn't the first time. What haven't I seen before?
It's locked. There must be something important inside...
Lin-chi, are you back?
Try to move it and see if it still hurts.
Miss, you're so good at massage.
My hand doesn't hurt as badly as it did when I fell just now.
I'm relieved that you're fine now.
Lucky you showed up in time and put out the fire.
Otherwise the consequence could have been dire.
No worries.
I'm really useless. When I heard the incense burner fall,
I got so anxious that I fell.
I'm sorry that you had to give me a massage.
Don't mention it.
Forgive me for asking. What happened to your legs?
When I was a kid, I fell seriously ill.
After I got well, my legs couldn't move anymore.
But I'm already used to this.
So how did you know that our study had caught on fire?
I came to consult Dr To for my illness.
I heard you scream when I was outside.
So I came in right away to find out what happened.
I was really lucky then.
You can't walk. Why are you home alone?
It seems like Dr To doesn't take good care of you.
You've got the wrong idea. Actually, I have a wheelchair.
But it's so worn out it broke. It's being repaired.
Actually my husband is really good to me.
Is he really good to you? Yes...
Wai-Shan.
Pak-hop, what happened?
Nothing.
Who are you?
Lin-chi, you knew the wheelchair was being repaired. My wife can't walk.
Why did you go out?
I'm sorry, sir.
This isn't Lin-chi's fault.
I was almost out of the thread to sew sachets. I told her to buy some.
I thought she would be home very soon so it wouldn't be a problem.
I didn't expect there would be an accident.
She is...?
Oh, we just kept talking. I didn't ask you what your name is.
My last name is Ling.
Since Dr To is home, I won't keep you two. Goodbye.
Wait.
What is it?
Just now Pak-hop said you came to consult me about your illness.
I haven't done a checkup for you yet. You want to leave already?
Wai-Shan, is Miss Ling OK?
Miss Ling, you look so pale. Your eyes keep looking around.
Your pulse is quick too. Obviously you have a heart problem.
What? Why would I have a heart problem?
Don't worry. It's common for women to have weak qi and blood circulation.
When your blood circulation is weak, then you'll have a heart problem.
Don't worry. I'll prescribe some soothing tea for you.
Then you'll get better.
Goodbye, Miss Ling.
Thank God that jerk didn't recognize me.
He's such a jerk.
His wife is so nice. But he's still playing around.
He's such a lecher. I'm lucky I didn't marry him back then.
Leung Tsai Tsan Clinic.
I can't believe this.
The line is already so long even though I came so early.
There's nothing you can do about it. Dr To is really brilliant.
If you want to consult him, you'll have to wait in the line.
If you don't want to wait, you can consult those two doctors over there.
Since I'm here already, of course I want to consult someone better.
I'd rather wait.
Wait over here then.
Your face looks yellow. Obviously your stomach is weak.
There's internal dampness.
I'll prescribe some medicine to strengthen your liver and remove the dampness.
Your cough is serious. You've got phlegm too. It should be the flu.
Take the medicine I prescribe and you'll get better.
Dr To.
Kid, there are abscesses all over your face.
Your voice is coarse too. You must have eaten a lot of hot food lately.
I'll prescribe an herbal tea for you. Drink it like water.
Madam, listen to me.
You get dizzy when you get up from squatting because you're old.
Go home and take a two-hour nap every afternoon.
Get more rest and drink more water. Then you'll be fine.
I've been waiting all morning. Finally there's a really sick patient.
Dr To, our master needs a checkup at home.
The sedan-chair is outside.
I'm sorry.
I'm not available for consultations without an appointment.
Please ask the patient to come line up here.
How dare you! You're telling our master to line up here?
You're so rude.
I may be rude. But this is the rule.
If your master wants me to treat him, he must follow my rules.
It's the same for everyone.
You...
Sir, if your master really needs treatment urgently,
there are other doctors in our clinic.
Our master specified Dr To.
Make an appointment then.
Boss Hung, this is our master.
Wai-Shan, you have to see this patient.
Yuan Shikai.
Sir, Dr To's here.
You're the capital's famous Dr To Chung?
I am. You asked me to come here. What can I do for you?
Sir, may I?
OK.
Don't worry, General Yuan. Your wife will get better after she takes this.
Safflower and rhubarb? You're prescribing this for my wife?
Yes.
The two quacks outside said my wife's pregnant.
But now you're prescribing a
abortifacient for my wife. You want to die?
You've got it wrong. I'm absolutely sure your wife isn't pregnant.
Did they misdiagnose?
I've checked your wife's abdomen. It's a bit swollen.
There's also sign of fetal movement.
But the position is above the bellybutton.
So she's definitely not pregnant.
I think the lochia hasn't discharged from her womb.
That's why she doesn't feel unwell.
The only treatment is to use medicine to help her discharge the lochia.
Are you sure your diagnosis is correct?
I've been practicing medicine for years.
I have absolute confidence in my medical knowledge.
Since your wife is physically strong, she can take a strong dose
to help her discharge the lochia as soon as possible.
When that happens, you'll see I'm correct.
You're still so relaxed?
What if Mrs. Yuan doesn't discharge lochia but a baby instead?
We'll get killed because of you.
Right.
I've been practicing medicine for years.
If I really made such a mistake like that, I'd really deserve to die.
You're really...
You, come with me.
Sir, here's To Chung.
Quack, you killed my son. I want a life for a life now.
General Yuan, if you really want to kill me,
you'd have fed your dogs with my body already.
Why would you see me?
You're still talking so much even though you're going to die soon?
Aren't you afraid of dying?
It's not that I'm not afraid of dying. But I'm confident in my medical knowledge.
To Chung, your reputation really precedes you.
I was a bit disappointed when I learned that my wife wasn't pregnant.
But when I saw her discharge the lochia and get well again, I was relieved.
What do you want as your reward? Feel free to name it.
I'm a doctor. Saving lives is my duty. I dare not ask for any reward.
I just hope you can spare those two doctors.
What? You want to plead for those two quacks?
I believe it did occur to them that your wife wasn't pregnant.
But they were intimidated by your status
and influenced by your expectation for a baby.
So they misdiagnosed.
It seems like you're not afraid of me.
I'm just a doctor. I'm not your enemy. Why would I be afraid of you?
You're right.
Oh, no.
I'm home.
Grandma.
Oh, no.
Grandma, why are you crying?
There won't be a Chuen Yan Clinic anymore.
Aunt Chu, what is Grandma talking about?
That jerk Tung Tit-kwat wants to convert Chuen Yan Clinic into a brothel.
What?
People found out that Tung Tit-kwat was using Chuen Yan Clinic to run a casino.
So he can't run the illegal business anymore
The neighbors told me he bribed an official.
Now he's converting the clinic into a brothel.
If the clinic becomes a brothel, how will I face my ancestors after I die?
Ling, you must figure out a way to get the title deed back.
Before massaging your legs today, I'll help you steam them first.
Since you can't walk, the circulation in your legs is blocked.
You must exercise your legs from time to time
to improve circulation.
Apart from the usual acupuncture point massage,
steaming the legs is also very effective for improving circulation.
Steam your legs for half an hour every time.
Then wait a couple of days before you do it again.
Don't do it too frequently or there'll be adverse effects.
Mrs. To, if you steam your legs a couple of times more,
they won't feel so cold in winter.
They can't feel anything. How can they feel cold?
I'm sorry you have to come every day to help me steam my legs, Miss Ling.
Massage and bone-setting aren't complicated.
We're good friends now. I'll do my best to help you.
Anyway, thanks for the trouble.
Why haven't I seen Lin-chi this morning?
Wai-Shan left home in a hurry this morning. He forgot something.
I told Lin-chi to take it to Leung Tsai Tsan Clinic for him.
I see... Ouch.
What's the matter?
I suddenly have a stomachache. I need to use the bathroom.
You keep steaming your legs. I'll be right back.
OK...
I came prepared this time.
What? There's nothing? Why did he lock it then?
I knew it. You came to my home with a hidden agenda.
You're really sly.
You made Lin-chi go away on purpose to lure me into your study.
Actually I recognized you the first time.
I just didn't understand
why you'd be so kind to massage my wife's feet for her.
Talk. What do you want to steal in my study?
I wasn't stealing.
I came to get back what belongs to us Fuks.
There's something of yours in my home?
Chuen Yan Clinic's title deed.
You're really funny. You're the one who left.
Now you want the title deed back?
This is your fault.
Back then you asked my dad to give you the title deed as security.
Don't talk nonsense.
Your dad borrowed from my father-in-law because he had a cash flow problem.
He used the title deed as security.
If you had asked me for it, I would have given it to you.
But now you've come to steal it.
Enough. Cut the crap. Don't give it to me then.
I won't beg you.
You can have me arrested. You're not going to? Then I'm leaving.
I'm not going to report this to the police because I don't want Pak-hop to find out.
You know what you've done.
Don't worry. You're bad. I'm not like you. I won't hurt her. Bye.
What are you three doing?
Pok, do you need a month to take down the signboard?
Sorry, big brother. Hurry up.
Stop.
Hey.
Why are you tearing down Chuen Yan Clinic's signboard?
That's really funny. Is Chuen Yan Clinic yours?
Is it yours?
Do you have any proof?
It's the Fuk's property. Everyone in the capital knows.
I, Tung Tit-kwat, am your senior brother.
Everyone in the capital knows that too.
It's only right that I'm the successor to Chuen Yan Clinic.
Miss Ling is mentor's biological daughter.
She's the formal successor to Chuen Yan Clinic.
Still you need to prove that.
Talk to me only if you can show me the title deed.
Well? You don't have it, right? Then listen carefully.
You two have no right to stop me from converting the clinic into a brothel.
Don't be so stubborn.
The title deed's here...
Ling.
Grandma.
The title deed of our Chuen Yan Clinic is here.
Grandma, this isn't a title deed. It's a prescription.
My mistake. This is the title deed.
Miss Ling, this really is Chuen Yan Clinic's title deed.
You see that, Tung Tit-kwat? Put the signboard back right away.
Why were you so kind to return the title deed to us?
What's the catch?
Are you serious?
I was kind enough to return the title deed to you. Now you suspect me?
You're really ungrateful.
I don't care what your intention is. I won't accept your favor for nothing.
I'll redeem the title deed.
I'll repay you by installments.
The title deed belongs to the Fuks. You don't need to repay me for that.
But there's a condition.
You really do want something. What do you want?
Don't worry. I'm not asking you to marry me again.
I just want you to come every day and help my wife massage and steam her legs.
That simple?
How complicated do you want it to be?
Look. You took the title deed from me. So I'll take that as a yes.
Your character is really questionable. You're lucky your wife's so nice.
I'll do it for her sake. That's it.
Hey, there's something else too...
What do you want now?
Don't tell my wife about what happened between us.
I don't want unnecessary trouble.
Don't worry.
There's nothing between us.
I'm just a bone-setter. That's it.