Here
Hide this in the middle kitchen
This is to change the prince in the Queen's womb into a princess
Be careful
What is this?
Why did you disobey me and go to the kitchen?!
Why can't you answer her?
I clearly saw Keum-Young going out...
after putting something on the rafter
Keum-Young... did you do it?
No, I didn't do it. You did it
You'll be going to the police straight from here
I'll ask you one last time Any one of you can answer
What did you do in the kitchen?
(Episode 11)
Lady Jung, follow me
I said, follow me...
Madam, those girls...
I've heard everything
The police must investigate
No need for more trouble
Don't you know how this can get out of control
when the Queen is in her last trimester?
I know, but we must...
get to the root of this
Some things are better left alone
It's our job to assist the King by judging between the two
Such judging is only done by His Majesty
Are you trying to put the whole court in chaos?!
When he first ascended the throne, he couldn't relax
because of all the reports...
of treason and plots to dethrone him
He finally settled down and is able to relax somewhat...
Why are you causing trouble again?
Just let it go this time
I can't do that
You can't do it?
We should report treason regardless of rank
Even if you're my superior...
So you want to distinguish yourself by reporting treason
and make me a fool who hasn't got a clue what's going on
and bring trouble upon all the court ladies?!
This isn't about someone being distinguished or not
It's about the safety of His Majesty
How dare you challenge me like this?
Don't you know who put you in your position?
How dare you try to overpower your superior?!
That's not what I'm trying to do...
Would I worry less about the safety of His Majesty?
As I worry for him, I'm already worrying about the things...
that may happen afterwards
You only have to cook in the kitchen
but I have to consider relationships among all the ladies of the court
as well as the ministers of the court
For whom and why are you concerned about ministers?
What? For whom? Are you suspicious of me?
Are you really suspicious of me?!
OK. Just wait one more day
Even if you held me in scorn, I have my duties
Once I find out what's going on
I'll try to minimize the damage on the court ladies
OK. Then it'll be just one more day
Come out
Lady Jung has...
I'm going to make a strong petition to the Head Lady
How could she just listen to Yeun-Seng
and lock an innocent girl like you in here?
Someone's clearly guilty Why would you be blamed? Get up
No matter what happens you must never talk about it
I'll take care of whatever happens, so be strong
I'll tell the Head Lady
You stay at the inspection lady's room
I'll contact you continually so be alert
Yes, ma'am
How come you didn't tell me about this earlier?
I thought things would turn out OK
since Jang-Geum was caught in the beginning
Anyhow, Jang-Geum was in the middle kitchen
and it wasn't her shift and now she won't say anything
even after Yeun-Seng told others that Jang-Geum...
had found something That's to our advantage
That's not so. Lady Jung is not trying to distinguish herself
She's clearly being suspicious of you and me
I have a day, but I'm not sure if she'll actually wait or not
My brother is meeting with Sir Oh already
What are you talking about? I've told you about this before I left!
I'm sorry. There's nothing I can say
How could you leave such a big job to a girl
who just became an official court lady?!
I'm sorry. We trained her...
Sir, I think the scolding can come later
You have to win them over or threaten
That would be the same as admitting we're guilty!
We have no choice but to go at it stronger!
Go at it stronger?
You go and talk to Yu Dong-Ho at the Royal Police first
And tell Lady Choi to put Jang-Geum in an unfavorable situation
Make sure it's completely set up
so Jang-Geum can be convicted if they're turned in to the police
And tell the fortune teller who wrote the charm, too
Yes, sir
But Jang-Geum didn't hide anything
She was looking for something
Madam...
actually...
I must find whatever you found in the middle kitchen
There's no way of knowing what will happen to you
Look... look over here You see this here
These are dried day lilies
I'll pass them around so you can smell them
You too Yes, ma'am
Where are all the court ladies?
Don't drop any over there
And where are Jang-Geum and Keum-Young?
If you make mixed noodles with these
the taste becomes refreshing and delicious
It increases the appetite and it's good for... um...
It relaxes the body and is especially good for vision
You could use this when cooking rice or soup
The important thing is removing the stamen before using them
Madam, Jang-Geum and Keum-Young have been away for several...
They went out for an errand
Tomorrow we'll use roses The day after that, we'll use acacia
we'll be using flowers to make food for several days
so make sure you're prepared
Yeun-Seng, let's go meet the silverware manager
Yes
Is this the place where Jang-Geum used to practice?
Yes
OK, you can go back now
Should I look for it, too?
No
Yes, ma'am
Did you call for me?
Since you frequent the middle kitchen
you'll have to be a new witness
Sure, Madam
For whom and why are you concerned about ministers?
What? For whom? Are you suspicious of me?
Are you really suspicious of me?!
Lady Jung doesn't come to the kitchen often these days
because of her knee
And she doesn't come to the King's palace often either
Why don't you ask Her Majesty to replace her?
10 years was long enough for a puppet
Moreover she's no longer just a puppet
Madam, Lady Choi has told me to tell you
that Lady Jung will be going to the King's Palace today
I've heard that your eyesight has worsened
because you've been reading late into the night
so I prepared a daylily dish Please try it
OK...
Is something wrong? You don't seem to be in a good mood
What's wrong? Is something worrying you?
No. I had to scold the girls because they had been lazy
which is why I seem that way Please forgive me
It seems to me that YOU've become lazier
You no longer come everyday when the meals are brought in
I've been able to forget my worries
by listening to your stories about food
and how the people are preparing their food with my ingredients here
and sharing your knowledge and food
How come you don't come as often these days?
I'm sorry
Come often. I can think more...
about the people through your stories
Yes, Your Majesty. I will do so
Madam...
I can't wait too long facing His Majesty everyday
Is this a command?
It's not a command, but a request
Is everything going well?
It'll be taken care of tonight for sure
Tell me
Madam...
Just tell me
I can't
You...!
I can't do it, Madam
You could die
I experienced this kind of thing a long time ago... I sure did...
You can die. I know I don't want to experience it again
You don't know how much I've suffered from remorse
and how hard it's been for me
Jang-Geum, please...
Madam, it's not something I can't show you
I'll show you and tell you someday
But if I show it to you now then it'll be made public
I believe you... I believe that...
whatever you found isn't anything blasphemous
So why can't you tell me?
I don't know why I'm being such a fool
Actually, I do know why...
My parents told me not to tell anyone about something
But I did... and so... my parents died
I sat by my mother's body for a long time
I didn't know what to do
Whether it was OK for me to be alive and breathe
when my parents died because of me
whether I could walk, eat, sit, or stand...
I didn't know, I just sat there... very quietly
And at that time the only thing I heard were my mother's words
They were her last words She left me her diary and a letter
I don't know what she wrote
As curious as I am, I never opened it
I didn't open it because she told me not to
And I haven't told anyone about my parents
because she told me not to
It's because my mother told me not to I'm going to do what she said
Jang-Geum, you will die
I deserved to die with my parents
Madam...
Jang-Geum
Madam... Madam...
Baek-Yeong, one moment
What is it? I have to get going
I told her about it
Who? The Highest Kitchen Lady?
No, the Taster Lady
Good, what did she say?
She's going to take care of it
Unless you've become intimate with him
who could explain these?
Madam! That isn't true! Truly, that isn't so!
Shut up! Tell me what you saw four days ago
I saw Lady Park and some man...
entering the warehouse together at night
You ought to pay for your sin by death
I believe she deserves to pay for her sin by death
Why are you delaying this?
Are you trying to put the whole court in chaos?!
Just let it go this time
One day has passed
Go ahead
Go to the police
I made a mistake I shouldn't have given her a day
Madam...
Are you going to tell me to let this go, too?
The only reason why I took this position of Highest Lady...
was to get rid of all those who vied for power using food
as the means, trying to exploit this position
for whatever reason or circumstances
I can't forgive the kitchen lady who fed King Moonjong pork
to overthrow him and I can't forgive the Highest Lady
who put sleeping drugs in soldiers' food during the revolution
I've been determined to set a precedent if such a thing happened
during my tenure by finding the one responsible
even if it means risking my own life
This is such an incident I know you agree with me
How could food for a human being's mouth...
be a plaything of power?!
How could a food provider want power and wealth and do such a thing?!
I know
That's why I have to go I must reveal to the world...
what has been concealed all this time
I know that, too. How could I not know your will and convictions
when I've seen them since I was five?
Then why are you trying to stop me?
But Madam... then Jang-Geum will end up dying...
I know that she hasn't done it I know because I know her
And you probably know that too
Madam! This type of thing happened long time ago, too
An innocent friend of mine died in front of my eyes
I'm afraid. I'm afraid that she trusted me...
for the first time and she'll become like my friend
and I'm afraid that I'll just have to stand there and watch her die!
That's why I can't let this go... knowing that I've been shut in...
the storage room for 10 years when such things were going on!
Madam, please save Jang-Geum
No, I can't do that
Madam! Please! Next time! Next time!
There's no next time for me There's no next time!
But Madam... then Jang-Geum will end up dying...
I know that she hasn't done it I know because I know her
And you probably know that too
I'm afraid that she trusted me...
for the first time and she'll become like my friend
and I'm afraid that I'll just have to stand there and watch her die!
That's why I can't let this go... knowing that I've been shut in
in the storage room for 10 years when such things were going on!
I'll do as you wish
Weren't you suspicious of me?
You said you'd go to the police
I'm sorry
What should we do?
Let it go and throw Jang-Geum out of the palace
I can't do that
You can't do it?
Though Jang-Geum is guilty of not speaking
Keum-Young was seen hiding something by someone else
If we are to throw out someone we must throw both of them out
But isn't the witness a close friend ofJang-Geum?
I was with her when she was a new bride so I know her very well
She is not capable of lying
Then you can do whatever you want with those two girls
Let Jang-Geum and Keum-Young go
and take them to their quarters
Then...?
Just let it go this time
Madam...
The girls haven't eaten for a long time so take care of them
Now
You troublemaker...
but that's why I like you I like the fact that...
you don't concern yourself with other things
Although that may mean more hardships for you and more worries for me
But continue to live that way Let's live that way
Jang-Geum! Jang-Geum!
Madam, is Jang-Geum all right? How come she isn't opening her eyes?
A nurse was here. I guess she ate the roots in the storehouse
She isn't doing too bad You take care of her
Sure
Make her drink some water when she wakes up
then rice gruel, make it thicker with time
Yes, I know
You probably found out what we do around here
I can't allow such mistakes ever again
Madam... Madam... please forgive me
It's because of you...
Madam Jung has gone against her convictions to save you
Though you may think of it as receiving her grace
but to her, we've given her a lifelong scar and regret
And I feel sorry to her all the more
because her legs seem to be doing worse because of it
Anyway, it's still hard for me to understand...
why you have to make it hard for everyone like this
How come there are so many things you don't know?
Sit down
Madam, how can I repay you for my sin? Please punish me
You did enough by starving Who cares if an old lady has a scar?
The younger ones ought to live...
How can I relieve my regret by taking away an innocent person?
Madam...
You will be taking care of the kitchen anyway
There's no regret for me even if I left now
I came to the palace and lived a poetical life
and became the Highest Lady so what more could I want?
What are you doing? Don't you serve guests around here?
It's been hard, I know
Since we decided to let it go, let's completely let it go
Don't have any bitter feelings and forget about the past
Yes, ma'am
Did you bring it? What did you say it was?
This is it. It's the King's medicine called "Pure Energy from Heaven"
The 12 best medicines in the world are in this
Are you sure this is only given to the King?
Have you been deceived all your life?
Yes! Dong-Sik ate this and he had a son after 10 years!
Of course... it includes the gall of a carp that...
became a dragon after jumping up 10 yards against a water fall
The king of energy, viper...
Viper
The pollen of camellia that blossoms even in the cold winter weather
And genitals of the sea bear that mate under the full moon
The red ginseng powder that's been passed down secretly
for many generations in the Chosun Dynasty
When these ingredients are combined with...
maximowiczia chinensis, Chinese matrimony vine fruit
along with honey, you don't just get plain medicine
But you get a medicine of the gods, holy medicine
It's really made with all those rare ingredients?
"Really"? Then have I been babbling nonsense all this time? I'm leaving
So how much do you want for it? How much?
How much? Since my uncle likes money better than this cheap...
I mean, rare medicine...
just give me 5 nyang
5 nyang?!
Hey, how can it be so expensive?
Expensive? That's the first time I heard that
It's OK if you don't want it
Wait. Did we say we didn't want it? Maybe a little discount?
Since I'm not a businessman... OK, 3 nyang, then
3 nyang?
Here... here...
Hey, you!
I heard the rumors, but wasn't sure... It was you!
Sir, I deserve to die for my crime!
Take this wretch away!
Yes!
Sir...
What should we do with the others?
I'll deal with them separately so just take away this wretch!
Yes!
Sir, please have mercy! Sir!
You know your crime, right?
I didn't intend to do such a thing, but...
Are you denying your wrongdoing?
I deserve to die for doing such a thing in the palace
but I didn't touch any of His Majesty's ingredients!
Do you want to be beaten?!
I know it's a great crime to sell His Majesty's medicine...
to such lowly people, but they too are sons who have parents...
How dare you sell such medicine to a young eunuch?!
What?
If you hadn't looked down on the eunuchs
how could you have thought of selling such a thing?
He's my stepson who's become a eunuch
only four to five months ago!
I... um... I...
Do you know what kind of pain he's going through?
He's restless at nights so he runs to dancer bars
so how disgraceful is that? And how about his frustration?
It must be that good...
You're right
There's no need for more words! For the crime of insulting the eunuchs
you shall be castigated! Cut his hands!
Yes, sir!
Sir! My hands...?! Sir, please have mercy!
Please have mercy! Sir!
That can't be! That medicine can never show that effect!
He can't be troubled by it!
What are you talking about?
I'll show it to you I'll make it before you
and prove that it isn't that type of medicine
A carp that became a dragon is a lie... it's these...
And how could anyone get the genitals of a sea bear?
They're just dried frog legs
And though I said it's viper powder, it's just bean powder
Mix it with dried orange peel, licorice root, matrimony vine fruit
and starch syrup and you roll it into this
Taste it
It's the same taste, isn't it?
Yes, it is
It's not bad for the body and it shouldn't affect the stamina
If someone ate this and was troubled at night, then he's someone...
who would be troubled even by eating weeds on the road
Don't you agree, sir?
You could be right
Listen! Yes!
Take this man and cut off his hands!
Sir! Sir! Can't you see they were false accusations?
Take this man away!
Yes, sir
Have mercy! Have mercy!
Sir! Sir!
What brings you here?
I've just been ordered to bring chef Gang Duk-Gu
It must be a reward for the medicinal chicken porridge...
I made for the Prince
No, that's probably not it I think you have to go there too
Madam! Madam!
Madam, it's big trouble
What is it?
The head chef Gang Duk-Gu has been arrested
What?
Why?
His Majesty has heard that the Prince's health is bad
and ordered the head chef to make special duck porridge
And?
The Prince's arms and legs have been paralyzed after he ate it
Paralyzed? How could he be paralyzed after eating it?
I don't know
How bizarre...
But Madam, what is special duck porridge?
It's duck porridge made with vegetable worms and other herbs
Vegetable worms?
So was Gang Duk-Gu dragged to the police?
No
Are you absolutely sure you didn't put anything else in?
My uncle taught us to keep our word
I swear that I didn't put in anything else
I may have left out ingredients I received
but why would I add something? It would cost me
Jang-Geum! Madam...
Wretch! Stay seated!
Lock him in the inspection room so he can't go anywhere else!
The doctors will be asking him questions
Yes, sir!
Sir...
What happened?
This is a conspiracy
Conspiracy?
The other head chefs are envious of me
as I have the King's favor, so they must've put in something bad
Were there other chefs?
No
How can you be joking at a time like this?
Madam, I'm like this because I don't know what to do
You've tasted it, too There was nothing wrong with it
I just used whatever the doctors gave me
The only ingredients were duck and vegetable worms
so why would he collapse? Just why?
Could it be that he just fell by accident?
Was there a problem with the food?
I'm not too sure about that The doctors weren't able...
to tell what caused it, so they seem to be blaming the food
I've known him for nearly 20 years Though he jokes around a lot
he wouldn't put something in the food
And he has no reason to
I know that too, but this isn't something to be taken lightly
It concerns the Prince!
Even if it was caused by something else...
you know that the palace is a place even unlucky ones try to avoid
If we don't find the cause soon, he'll suffer a big punishment
Anyway, I have to go to the Prince's palace
The court physician is probably there You check if there was...
any problem with the food, since you know more than I do
Yes, sir
What is it? Why isn't he able to move his body?
I think the diagnosis of the doctors was right
Then... it's poison and not illness?
Yes, Your Majesty
But didn't I tell you that the only thing he ate...
was the duck porridge I ordered the chef to make?
All the herbs were from the doctors and when it was tasted
the color of the silver spoons didn't change
Yes, I heard... but I think a poisonous herb...
may have been added when that chef was making it
I heard of a poisonous herb that even silver spoons can't detect
What? There's a poisonous herb that even tasters can't detect?
Yes... I heard of it from a doctor in China when I went there last time
Is there a cure for this?
Why is there no reply? Is there a cure?
I'm sorry, but I don't know which herb it is
and if we treat him carelessly his condition might worsen
Then are you saying you can't treat him?
I'll try to find out as soon as possible, Your Majesty
Please have mercy
These are all the herbs and spices that were used
Check each one
Yes, ma'am
Ginger, pepper, salt, clove buds, cinnamon...
alpiniae katsumadaii and ginseng That's all
There was nothing added or left out
I know...
What's going on?
Ma'am...
What is it?
Someone wants to see you
Who?
Jang-Geum
What am I going to do...?
Calm down. It's surely not his fault
No, he probably made a mistake It's probably his mistake
Why? You know something?
Actually, he brought these mushrooms yesterday
but I didn't eat 'em because I'd never seen them before
What if he took the wrong mushrooms and put those in there?
Jang-Geum, I can't live without him Although I always complain
he's my only husband, so I can't live without him
Jang-Geum, you try to find a way to save him. OK?
I can't live without him
Madam, is this a poisonous mushroom by any chance?
Yes, it's panaeolus papilionaceus
Could a person be paralyzed by eating this?
No. Though it's poisonous the symptom isn't paralysis...
The person becomes slightly mad or hallucinates
So it doesn't cause paralysis?
The person will have to eat dozens of those to show such symptoms
What are we going to do?
I know. Mr. Gang will be victimized
if they keep saying it was due to poison
I know...
What are you talking about?
A court physician examined him and he said...
it was due to poison, that the chef put in
But there was no problem when tasters tried it
The doctor said there's poison that can't be detected
What?
I heard from a nurse that physicians are trying to find such poison
so they can heal the Prince
If the cause isn't found, Mr. Gang will be falsely accused
Lady Han...
What is it?
The physicians have asked to put these poisonous herbs in the porridge
They're trying to find the one that can't be detected
They said, they must find it quickly to heal the Prince
so they're asking you to do it with care
OK
Madam, I will do it
No. Aren't you close to chef Gang? You could be misunderstood
so let's give it to someone else though I understand your concern
You cook duck porridge and put these herbs in separately
Yes, ma'am
This was clearly done by those who wanted to harm the Prince
I believe we must find the responsible person
and get rid of the source
His Majesty has said we must attend to the health of the Prince first
and to postpone the inquiry
No. We can't find the source because even the physicians...
do not know what it was So we must get his confession
OK. I will go to the head of the government
and tell him to ask the King again
Did you find it?
No. There were all discolored or the silver spoon detected it
Just how did chef Gang make it that we have this problem?
There was nothing like it from the herbs that physicians sent
I think the inquiry of chef Gang will start soon
I just heard that His Majesty has given permission
Huh?
I'll go to the men's room. Hey!
Duk-Gu!
Jang-Geum! Save me! What must I do? Please save me!
You and I know, and the heavens and earth know...
that I could never do such a thing!
I shake to death even after stealing money from my own wife
How could this be possible?
They're coming
How many are they?
What should I do, Jang-Geum? What must I say?
I say anything when I'm beaten!
Jang-Geum, tell me what I should say...
It'll hurt very much. What must I do?
It's not me. You know that too
You shouldn't think such things
If you didn't do it, you must tell them...
you didn't do it all the way to the end
I'll try to find the reason no matter what happens
so you must not give a false confession. OK?
I don't know... tell me once more, Jang-Geum
Take him away!
Jang-Geum! Save me!
Let's talk here
I'm weak, so please hit me a little bit at a time...
Duck, vegetable worm, ginger, pepper, salt, clove buds...
cinnamon, alpiniae katsumadaii, and ginseng...
This is strange
What happened? Did he get arrested?
Yes
It's surely not him
I know. It's obvious that he's like me...
who wouldn't do such a thing even if someone paid him
How can we trust him?
Dishonest people like you don't trust others, but we do
You want to fight with me again?
It's time for the lesson How can you be chatting like this?
We'll make a pheasant casserole today
Are you all prepared?
Yes, ma'am
Pheasant meat purifies blood and lowers blood pressure
and stops dysentery too Then what must you not eat it with?
You taught us you shouldn't eat it with...
walnut, auricularia, buckwheat, chives, or soybean
It isn't good for the heart & brain
Yes, there are many properties to one ingredient that can change...
depending on what you mix it with and determines whether...
it's good for the body This is called food harmony
You put in clove buds to get rid of the smell when cooking pork
but if you put in curcuma aromatia salisbury...
or medicinal decoction, the person can feel nauseated and vomit
Clove buds... curcuma...
And...
Jang-Geum?
What must you not eat with crucian carp?
If you eat it with garlic you can get a fever, and if you...
eat it with leaf mustard, pig liver, chicken, pheasant or deer meat
you can get abscess. And if you eat it with medicinal lily leaves
you could die. Madam, let me go somewhere for a moment
What?
I think the duck porridge had such a combination. I must find out
Duk-Gu is like a father to me I'll be right back
Go ahead
May I ask you something?
I heard that the Prince had eaten the duck porridge for his bad health
So what medicine did he take before the duck porridge?
He couldn't sleep well at night and he seemed to be restless
so we gave him some nutmeg oil
Nutmeg... what medicine is that?
Envoys to China brought some of it, so I don't know much about it
Could the Prince's paralysis be related to that?
I don't think so. He took it for 3 to 4 days without any problems
OK
Nutmeg... nutmeg...
What is nutmeg?
Did you find out anything?
Madam, have you ever heard of nutmeg?
I did hear that it's used as a spice in China
Spice?
It's rare in Chosun
Then there's no problem with it as a food ingredient?
I'm not sure, since we haven't used it. But I did hear...
that they use it after extracting the oil for some reason
After extracting the oil?
The nurse told me, he had some of that oil for calming down
It must've been used as a medicine then
It's been a long time What have you been doing?
Something came up I'm sorry for breaking the promise
No problem
I'm sorry, but can I borrow another book?
Sure. What would you like this time?
It's called "Book of Spices and Medicines"
"Book of Spices and Medicine?" Isn't that a medical book?
Yes
Then do you read medical books too?
I just have to read one now
Follow me
OK
Nutmeg, it's used for diarrhea or indigestion
And though its oil is used for chronic arthritis
if it's used in large amounts it can stiffen the body
stiffen the body... stiffen the body...
But she said she only gave little amounts to help him sleep
Yeah
And besides, could physicians be that ignorant?
Yeah...
I know you're worried about Mr. Gang, but what can you do
when even the physicians couldn't figure it out...
It should be resolved soon
What if they don't figure it out?
I must at least try If this doesn't get resolved...
he will suffer great torment or this is big enough...
for him to receive a poison bowl
poison... poison...
ginseng... ginseng!
There's no improvement with the Prince
So this...
Madam! Madam! Come out! Come out!
What's this commotion about?
Madam, Jang-Geum is... Jang-Geum is...
What happened?
Madam, I got it! I got it!