Listen. We can't serve you as our superior, Lady Han
How can we serve a person of lowly birth as our Highest Lady?
So withdraw from your position If you don't, then we will...
not participate in sacrificial rites or any other feasts
I'm going to meet the King's Mother and tell her that I'm withdrawing
No
Move
I came to this palace by myself after losing both parents
And I met you and I've served you as a mother and a teacher
But I don't want a mother who breaks her own will
I don't want a teacher who gives up on her own will!
Madam, I dare say, I'll ask you a favor
A favor? What is it?
Please allow a rematch competition for the Highest Lady title
A rematch?
Yes, Your Majesty Ladies are complaining that
I didn't participate in the last round
so I'd like to have a rematch
But Your Majesty, when I do win the rematch
please give me full authority over the kitchen
Full authority?
Yes, Your Majesty. Even if I have to demote all the kitchen court ladies
and work with the worker ladies, I'll subjugate them
Please give me full authority
(Episode 23)
You want full authority?
Yes, Your Majesty
Your Majesty, please do so As you already know...
court ladies aren't obeying Lady Han because of Lady Han's birth
not because she didn't participate in the competition
So even if she wins the rematch, without authority, they won't obey her
I think if someone is put in a position...
she should have appropriate authority for order
OK, go ahead and do that
Your grace is immeasurable Your grace is immeasurable
Queen Yes, Your Majesty
You can take care of this
Though I've been deciding the issues among the court ladies...
since you've only come recently, that isn't proper
Now that I think of it, you must've had a hard time...
with all the court ladies, especially the crafty ones
Seeing how you dealt with the Guesthouse and this issue...
I think you're very capable now
Your Majesty...
I'm only asking you to do your duty, and there's no regret at all...
so do it without any worries
But you still have to help me I still have a long way to go
Sure
Madam, the Queen has asked everyone to gather at the training place
The Queen?
She must've decided to finally accept our wish
Here enters the King's Mother!
Listen to the Queen carefully!
Listen everyone
No matter what the reason, it's disrespectful to argue against...
what the King's Mother has decided
So it is only right that you should be punished harshly
But there is one exception
Lady Han didn't participate in the competition herself...
So we'll have a rematch between Lady Han and Lady Choi here
Lady Choi and Lady Han, come forward
Do you accept this rematch?
Yes Yes
And are the court ladies willing to completely accept the results?
Yes
Bring them in
You are to cook rice It is basic Chosun food...
and the taste can differ depending on how you cook it
We will decide with this So only the competitors should be here
and the rest of you must follow me
Yes, Your Majesty
Shall we go, Your Majesty?
Madam, who do you think will win?
I'm not sure... they've been cooking rice over 30 years...
so I don't think there'll be much difference
especially when they use the same rice and pots
Could it be just to pick out the one that the Queen already has in mind?
Who?
Could it be Lady Choi?
Or Lady Han?
Hong! Hong!
Yes!
Take this to Lady Choi right now
Just take this to her?
Yes, she'll know I told her something...
I learned while cooking rice Make it quick
Sure, ma'am
Your rice shall be served in either brass or porcelain bowls
And kitchen court ladies will be judging them
I'll tell you which bowls to use before the judgment
Your Majesty, they're ready now Should I tell them to come in?
Sure, go ahead
Yes, Your Majesty
Try them and write down the one that tastes better
Bring in Lady Choi and Lady Han
Sit down
Evaluate the rice you've tasted
Both rice from the brass and porcelain bowls were tasty
Especially, the one in the porcelain was more glutinous and soft
It was something I'd never tasted before
I agree
Me, too, Your Majesty
Really? She must've used a different method
Who made the rice in the porcelain bowl?
It was I, Your Majesty
Did you use a different method?
Yes, Your Majesty. While trying different methods of cooking...
I found out that the rice becomes more glutinous and soft...
when you put something heavy on the pot to apply pressure and...
prevent vapor from escaping That's what I did
Really? You seem to have found a good method...
since rice can become cold and hard when it cools down
And seeing how ladies are complimenting yours...
I guess the results are obvious
Announce the results
5 for the porcelain bowl
And 9 for the brass bowl
Then Lady Han won
Strange! Everyone said the rice in the porcelain bowl was better
How come there were more votes for the brass bowl?
Even though Lady Choi's rice is very good
I prefer hard-boiled rice...
Me, too...
Me, too, Your Majesty
So you all voted for it because it was hard-boiled?
Actually, I prefer glutinous rice, so I picked the brass...
But isn't that strange? How can some be hard-boiled...
and some glutinous when they're from the same pot?
When you put in a dish on one side of the pot, the rice becomes...
hard-boiled because it rises above water
and the middle part becomes normal, and the other side becomes glutinous
The King prefers hard-boiled and the queen prefers glutinous...
so I came up with such an idea
That's why my favorite rice was served every other day
But the King & I aside, you knew what type of rice each court lady liked?
Yes, since I've been with them since I was very young
Amazing! You knew their preferences and considered them in your cooking
I'm only amazed at your meticulosity
You're great indeed You're qualified to be...
the Highest Lady of the Royal Kitchen of the Chosun Dynasty
Then the Highest Lady has been decided
I transfer all authority over you to Lady Han who is now the Highest Lady
For now, Lady Han's words are to be regarded as my words
In other words, you must obey Lady Han without exception...
Do you understand?
The Queen is asking a question
Do you understand?
Yes, Your Majesty
Head Lady, don't concern yourself with the kitchen for a while
Yes, Your Majesty
Sir, Lady Han has taken over the kitchen...
What?
The Queen even told me not to be concerned with the kitchen for a while
What? How could this be? The kitchen is so important to us!
How could that be?
The Lady Han woman must've talked to the Queen privately
I'm ashamed... I'm ashamed...
Still, a kitchen lady only cooks food What else could she do?
It won't do us much harm
Even if that's the case, Lady Choi has to go to the sauce pantry now
Then no one from our side will be in the kitchen now!
I'll do something about it through Lady Choi
How could this be?! How could such a thing happen?!
This can't be! This can't be!
If it weren't for our ancestors, this kitchen wouldn't have existed!
The history of the Chosun Dynasty and our family has come together!
How dare she humiliate me like this with an unorthodox way?!
How could they give that position of tradition
and our family's history to someone whose background we don't even know?!
Madam, calm down, someone else might hear you
Let them. I can't allow it! I can't let it be cut off in my generation
I can't, I can't, I can't allow it!
Though I've given you full authority, it's only temporary
There are rules and giving you full authority...
is same as bending the rules
And if you can't make them obey within the time you have...
I'll regret my decision
You have to find your position as soon as possible
Yes, Your Majesty. I'll remember that
I now appoint Han Baek-Young as the Highest Kitchen Lady
But the fancy palace I saw in my childhood was just an illusion
Though always crowded with people, the palace has been lonely
Envy and jealousy probably existed because they were tired of loneliness
Have some sympathy. Have pity on them
Treat others with sympathy as much as you want to follow the principles
Those are the last words I wanted to leave with you
Madam, I'll do it I'll do it for sure
Then, you thought of not doing it?
It would've been good if she had seen you become the Highest Lady
She probably did. You know her...
She wouldn't miss a thing
Madam
What?
There's a place I'd like to visit
Where?
She must be your mother you've been telling me about
Mother, she's Lady Han, whom I serve like I serve you...
She's pretty, isn't she?
I bet she was pretty like yourself
Though you told me to read the letter when I become the Highest Lady
I'd like to show it to Lady Han Would that be OK?
She must've passed away so early so she could give you to me
Madam...
What's the first dish Lady Han is preparing for the King?
The turtle stew She was going to prepare it...
for the 3rd round of the previous competition
She must be very nervous
She's been cooking all these years
But still...
Hey, did you finish the fish?
Yes
Let me see it... Let me see
What a surprise!
Madam, don't you feel sad when you see the caterpillar mushroom?
It's an insect during winter and a mushroom during summer
Madam, it's time to bring in the table
OK
The caterpillar mushroom has a sad life... Similar...
You've been the Highest Lady for some time now
Why do you come only now?
I'm sorry, Your Majesty I followed my heart...
and went to where Lady Jung rests
Really? Is Lady Jung doing well?
Yes, Your Majesty
She told me many interesting stories, so I grew to like her very much
Would you be able to do that, too?
I'll have to bother the court ladies and worker ladies as well
What do you mean?
Whenever Lady Jung ran out of stories to tell you...
she would come to our residences and get us to tell her stories
Is that so?
Yes... and because of it, many kitchen and court ladies...
started to read many books and they became very knowledgeable
So, she must've done it to make you study
Yes, Your Majesty. Though I don't speak as well as Lady Jung did...
I know how to nag the ladies so I'll bring many stories
Though you say you lack the skills, you talk better than Lady Jung did
You overpraise, Your Majesty
This tastes good You said this is turtle stew?
Yes, Your Majesty I made it not only for the taste
but for your recent stomach problem
Is this good for stomach problems?
Caterpillar mushroom is good for phlegm and reducing inflammation
Really? I should eat this more often then
Even though I'm taking medications, I'm having problems in my mouth, too
Yes, Your Majesty
I found out that my mother buried the persimmon vinegar...
with her best friend I bury this letter because...
I really want to meet you
I'm a worker lady named Suh Jang-Geum
What were you doing here?
I... was looking for someone
In this remote place?
Yes
Lady Han has finally become the Highest Kitchen Lady
I thought it happened some time ago
Actually, Lady Choi was against it, and she had her reasons
Maybe it was hard for her to give up on family traditions
I see
Actually, I'm working with Internal Affairs now
Did you get promoted?
No. I wanted to find out something so I asked to be moved...
even if it was a lower position
I see
I think I might need your help in the future
My help?
Yes. I think I'll be visiting the Food Services and Storage and...
other places related to the kitchen more often from now on
Sure, my help will be available whenever you need it
You've done so much for me
Then bye now
What brings you here?
I'm Min Jung-Ho, appointed as an investigator of Internal Affairs
Is that so? What brings you here?
I'd like to see the accounting books Where are they?
In a separate room Another investigator already...
Iooked at it last time
Still, I'd like to see them since I'm at charge now
I'll bring them to you
You're only wasting time
Oh, by the way, is the head of Internal Affairs doing well?
Yes
Make sure you don't let the bottom break
Then Lady Han really became the Highest Kitchen Lady?
Yes, that's true
Honey, luck has come to us! Luck is with us finally!
It's because I saved Lady Han from...
the ship that was going backward
Honey
Did you ride the horse without telling me?
Sir
You were the one riding the horse I'm saying I was a witness
Investigator Min, here you go
You're Investigator...?
Yes, I moved to Internal Affairs
That means... did you get promoted?
No. Bye now
He must've been demoted
That can't be
If it's not a promotion, then it's a demotion
He only said no when I asked him if he'd been promoted
He didn't say he'd been demoted
Though I sent you there because you seemed determined...
I don't think Choi Pan-Sul or Sir Oh would've done a job improperly
If you don't have proof, you'll put yourself in danger
Just don't hesitate to let me know...
if you don't think you can go any further
I'll ask the superior again The Royal Guards need you
Thank you, sir If I look into one side...
they'll try to cover it up by focusing on the other side...
I'll start from there
Just be careful
There aren't any problems with the records
They seem to be faultless
Food Services, Storage and Inventories are all the same
The agents finding out the price Choi Pan-Sul is paying...
haven't come back yet?
They went out only a few days ago
Did you find out something new?
No
I already checked everything, so why are you wasting time?
Don't you trust me?
No, it's not that. I'm only trying to learn a little faster
Are you sure you aren't wasting time?
How could he dare profiteer with products he supplies to the palace?
He's gaining the most profit by supplying to the palace
And not only do we consume a lot, we're also paying for them dearly
Monopolizing... Is his paying price much different from his selling price?
Or could it be the kitchens?
The kitchens?
It's been 5 generations... as the Highest Kitchen Lady
What do you mean?
Which place consumes the most products?
Of course, the kitchen No need to mention the Food Services
Nae-Ja-Si, grains; Sa-Do-Si, sauces; Sa-Je-Gaum, salt and fuel...
Eu-Youn-Go, oil. Choi Pan-Sul supplies most of them and...
whatever costs the most are going to the kitchens in large supplies
We'll have to start from there
Madam
What is it?
You're calling everyone together for reassignment, right?
So, I have something to tell you
The lady from the Prince's palace was most rebellious against you
And then, the kitchen ladies of the King's Mother and...
there are others on Lady Choi's side
I just thought you should know about such things...
What is it?
Madam, someone wants to see you for a moment
So it's you. I didn't have a chance to thank you for what you did
I have a favor to ask you
I understand. There's a way to find those things out
Then will it be turned upside down today?
I'm not sure since Lady Han isn't talking, but...
I think everyone will be replaced
Yes... I'd do that if I were her The Queen said she could do anything
If I were her, I'd replace everyone who rebelled against me...
and make sure they don't come near the kitchen again
Stop that... she surely wouldn't do such things to the worker ladies
You go inside
I'm going to the sauce pantry
Though we were at the same level till yesterday
I'm the Highest Lady now Please be courteous
I'd like to go to the sauce pantry
But please let Keum-Young stay here
Her talents are uncommon and she still has a lot to learn
I shall continue the will of the previous Highest Lady, Lady Jung
Since taste knows no ranks, we will talk openly about
each other's skills and help each other
I'll continue to enforce the rule that there should be no other motives...
for making food that goes into a person's body...
as well as the rule that we must understand...
and share the pains we go through as one family
These are the will of Lady Jung, and mine as well
I'll shorten my explanations and tell you the reassignments
First, Lady Choi of the kitchens will go to the sauce pantry
And Lady Lee of the pantry will come to the kitchen
And Lady Ji of the Prince's kitchen will come to the King's kitchen
since most worker ladies are in the Prince's kitchen
And the rest of you remain in your places
And the same goes for the worker ladies
I'd like to make a new position that we haven't had before
It was there from King Taejong to King Sejong's time
But it was not widely known and in the time of Yeonsan...
it disappeared altogether, but I'd like to reinstate it
It's called Accountant Lady She only has to write down...
the amount of products each kitchen receives and consumed...
so I didn't think a court lady ought to do this job
so I'm going to have Suh Jang-Geum do this
Though she's a worker lady, and she may bother you with her job...
I'd like to ask for your cooperation Do you understand?
Yes, ma'am
What happened?
I don't know. I thought she'd replace all of us now that she's gained power
Anyway, it's a relief. I thought I'd be demoted to a worker lady
Anyhow, what does an Accountant Lady do?
I'm not sure. I don't remember since I was only a little kid...
at the time of Yeonsan's rule She's trying to pressure us
Let's be careful Don't hide things away now
She should've replaced them all!
Replace them? Then who'd run the kitchens?
I would!
Anyway, it's good to see ugly Jang-Geum leave the kitchen
Hey! That's not the issue right now!
Then what is?
I finally have a court lady under me
What?
Lady Ji of the Prince's kitchen is younger than me
So I've become the third oldest in the kitchen now!
And you're happy about it?
But I heard that Lady Ji cooks very well
What? How about me?
I'm only saying...
Do you feel it's unfair?
Oh, no. I can go anywhere you tell me to
But I don't think it'll be any fun since I'd be only checking numbers
Right... it won't be any fun But do a good job...
since I trust you
Sure
Madam, be strong
You must not give up
As long as you and I are alive, the opportunity will come
When it's painful, you have to go through the pain
You know, the more it hurts
the faster the opportunity will come your way
So calm yourself and examine what you've done wrong...
and wait for the chance quietly, and make the chance, understand?
Yes
I shall rise again! Yes, I will...
What?
Me, too?
Yes. Since he's the older brother of the King's Mother...
he's the King's uncle It's his birthday
But how could you let me...?
The King asked for food and drinks You only have to prepare side dishes
The King's Mother is already there
But, Madam, I've never prepared such tables before all by myself
You should do such work with worker ladies now
But...
I'm sending you because you're the best...
at making kebab, so don't worry and go
But...
I trust you
You trust me?
Then Madam, let Chang-Yee stay here She only eats and ruins things...
Madam!
She'll do well. And since she was sick at the ceremony...
she's never gone outside of the palace
That's right!
So take her out. Chang-Yee, you must help Lady Min without messing up
Do you understand?
Yes, Madam!
Everyone, move! They're the court ladies from the palace
Move! They're court ladies from the palace!
Move! They're the ones sent by the King himself!
Move! They're sent by the King himself!
Move... move
I'm not sure if these will be OK
They're fine. Food is about the devotion, not the place
Madam!
Chang-Yee, you'll make kebab with me Young-Ro, prepare the herbs
Yeun-Seng, prepare the meat
Look at how they're making it! It looks so delicious!
They're so good! That looks so delicious!
How could they be so good?
Look at how she's preparing it!
They're so good!
They're indeed court ladies of the Royal Kitchen
And they talk like ladies, too!
How could your hands be so dull?
I'm sorry
They're pretty, aren't they?
It's so pretty! How much is this?
It's 2 coins
2 coins?
It's so pretty
This is prettier
Are you going to get it for yourself?
No. It's for Lady Han
For Lady Han?
She's like a mother to me
You sound like a different person because you talk differently now
I don't care! Lady Han trusts me I'm going to buy it for her
And I'm going to talk like Lady Han from now on
Me, too! I'm going to serve her as if serving my mother
It's pretty, isn't it?
Madam! Hello!
I came with an important mission
I see
Duk-Gu! It's the same one you sell to us
How much is this?
It's 1 coin
Mr. Gang! You sold it to me for 3 coins!
What? Then you should've brought 2 coins home...
but there were none! Where is it?
That's not the problem now I was swindled out of my money!
That's your problem I haven't received my 2 coins!
Honey!
Mr. Gang!
What's going on here?!
How could the same thing happen everywhere except the King's kitchen?
Explain yourselves!
You're supposed to return to the storage whatever is left over
Even though you say there was no one to take care of the accounts...
how could there be a difference of almost 50 percent from last month?
All the kitchens at that! Explain yourselves
We just followed our usual routine...
Usual routine?
When I took over the position for the first time there was...
no accountant lady and the previous lady didn't return...
the leftovers and let the ladies share amongst themselves
That's true. It was like that with the previous lady of...
the King's Mother's kitchen
Yes, sir
Let them share amongst themselves?!
For personal consumption?
Don't court ladies receive pay, too?
We didn't know that we're supposed to...
That doesn't make any sense!
You can go back to your place and continue working
I'll have to report this to the related offices
You'll have to meet someone before you do that
He's the head eunuch in charge of the kitchens
Aren't you Lt. General of the Royal Guards?
I've moved to Internal Affairs
Yes, so that's why... let's sit down first
I took your advice to reinstate the position of Accountant Lady...
but I couldn't have imagined such a result
Me, neither
After going through the old kitchen books, I found out that...
since the time of Yeonsan when there were daily feasts...
the amount of products that went into the kitchens
didn't decrease at all even though the next King has been frugal
Actually there were places where the demand increased
More than half of the products supposedly...
used in the kitchens went elsewhere! What a tragedy!
The King worked so hard to restore the palace's finances...
after the bankruptcy during Yeonsan's rule
How dare they do such a thing in front of the King?
I'm going to give them severe punishments
It's probably not limited to the kitchens
If not?
Even though there was no accountant lady in the kitchens...
the Food Services and Storage were supposed to check them...
as part of their duty, and yet they didn't do anything
This means not only the kitchens, but sewing houses, other depts...
including one in charge of constructions are doing the same
It means something's wrong and someone is behind it
And the people who must be punished are officials in charge of those depts
So you can talk to other attendants in charge of other depts...
and tell them to investigate quietly...
And once the investigations are over I'll take care of the rest
Sure, we'll do that
What now?
How crafty of her! She let us remain so she could throw us down like this
But she wouldn't be able to do anything
since we even gave them to our superiors regularly
so they can't make it a problem...
Do you think that makes any sense? Can we be proud to tell Lady Han...
we've given them as bribes?
And haven't some of you even sold them outside the palace?
Anyhow, we can't just be victimized like this, so follow after me
What are you saying?!
You've been hoarding them secretly all this time?!
But we thought of them as a part of regular routine
Our previous ladies have done the same thing
Even if it has been a part...
of regular routine, it's wrong to do such things
And you know that I can't do much about what happens in the kitchens
You shouldn't say such things, Madam
How dare you talk like that to her?!
You're related to this, too
Related?
Where do you think our gifts to you have come from?
How about the feast tables we've prepared for you?
Then are you saying...?
Yes, Madam, if Lady Han has completed her investigations...
I think you'll be in trouble as well
Madam, no one knows how much the Accountant Lady has investigated
Cover it well
What brings you here when you didn't care about us at all?
You've hurt me, too, so don't talk to me like that
So everyone has been ensnared by Lady Han now
I told you not to talk like that
But everyone has to feel what it is like to have me out of there
Help us
Because of the Queen, it's hard for me to find out what's up in the kitchen
But you still have contacts
Find out whether Lady Han has all the info about their wrongdoings
and if it contains something related to me as well
We'll have to know before we can take any action
We'll be victimized if we just sit idly
You know it's hard for you to have hope without me
So bring any info or books that Jang-Geum investigated secretly
Sure. She doesn't go to sleep early as she organizes things late at night
You try to find out as much as possible
what Lady Han intends to do, Keum-Young
Sure
Good morning, Madam!
Good morning
Are you feeling fine?
My throat is hurts a little more today
Huh?
Jang-Geum, good to see you!
You know which dish is good for sore throats, right?
Why? Your throat hurts?
Not me, but Lady Han
Is she seriously ill?
No, she said her throat hurts and I was thinking of making her breakfast
Then, you can use pear and...
I'll just go with you Sure
These are only records of facts
Even the ones from decades ago...
Mother's notebook!