Madam!
Didn't you see a vinegar bottle here?
Oh, the one Lady Han took?
Lady Han?
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
Jang-Geum
Madam
(Episode 25)
Madam
Madam... you are...
You are... You're Myeong's...
Yes, Madam...
I'm her daughter, I'm her daughter!
Oh, my! Oh, my... Myeong... I've missed her all my life...
I've always felt guilty for Myeong...
Her daughter has been with me and it's you...
I was wondering who your mother was when the dust storm came
It was my mother
When I asked for water
Yes... then the knife you gave me was...
Yes, it was Myeong's, it was Myeong's
Your friend who saved you and told you that you're a good cook?
Your mother who ate the wild berries and said they were tasty...
Yes, Madam...
Yes, so she was Myeong! My Myeong!
Yes, Madam, she's my mother She's my mother, Madam
Thank you, Myeong Thank you, Jang-Geum
This is the place we practiced cooking together
I practiced here often as well
I disliked that. I was saying...
"Why is she doing it here of all places?"
This is where she cried when she was scolded
Was my mother scolded by the court ladies, too?
Yes, she was just like you She asked so many questions
and she got her share of whippings
She always asked me who I took after and whipped my calves
Really? She didn't know that I would tell you like this
Yes, when you meet her, scold her for that
Sure. I'll scold her when I meet her again...
when I meet her again... when I meet her again...
Madam...
Mother, you saw it all, didn't you?
You must see this now No need to worry about me
What happened to Myeong? How did she die?
I made requests so she could at least keep her life as a servant
Then were you the one who sent the soldiers then?
Yes, when I heard about your father, she and I decided to meet...
so she could at least retrieve his body
But I heard that she was dragged away to Choi Pan-Sul
Then that was Lady Choi's home?!
What happened? How did she die?
Mother said it was better to be captured by the soldiers
But suddenly, bandits appeared and started to shoot arrows...
and mother was hit while trying to protect me
The soldiers started to chase them and we were left by ourselves...
Then a man appeared We tried to run away...
but we couldn't do anything about the arrow...
and in the cave...
So it was Lady Choi...
You don't say...
Why would bandits attack captives who have nothing?
They're so evil!
Madam, just what happened with Lady Choi at the palace...
that she did such a thing?
I'm not exactly sure No one even had time to sleep...
because of the daily feasts, so Myeong and I only met occasionally
And one day, Myeong told me Lady Choi put something strange...
in the King's Mother's dish and a few days later...
she told it to the Taster Lady and then after the feasts...
the Highest Lady wanted to see me
She said Myeong was intimate with one of the guards...
and she told me to tell the truth and that
I must know since I share the room with her
The Highest Lady said she'd take care of Myeong...
according to the rules of the court ladies
I was scared. I was scared for my life...
All I could do was mix some antidote with the poison
That's how she was able to live and that's how she met my father
It's my fault. I should've fought for her somehow
and I should've asked Myeong what was going on
Madam
Madam, I think there could be a way
Madam, there's a letter my mother left for me
She said, leave it in the Highest Lady's journal when I become one later
She told me never to read it till I become...
the Highest Lady so I haven't read it yet myself
It's about what happened then, eh?
Yes
What's wrong?
It's not here
It was here before, but it's gone!
You must not make any mistakes
Yes, sir
It must be written on that letter That letter is the evidence...
Could it be... the person who took the notebook?
The notebook? The notebook...
How did you get it?
Madam, did you call for me?
You took the accounting books, huh?
Excuse me?
I know everything You took the books, eh?!
No, Madam
Who told you to do it?
What are you talking about, Madam?
The notebook was with the accounting books
If you didn't take them, how'd you have the notebook?
Madam, I found it outside I really did
I honestly never took the books! It's true!
I made a mistake. I made a mistake
Madam! Madam...!
Stay here until I let you out
Madam!
What happened?
Young-Ro had the notebook
Then Young-Ro must have the letter, too...
Probably so. I made a mistake I shouldn't have pressed Young-Ro
Since Young-Ro had it, it was clearly Lady Choi's doing
Now that Young-Ro knows I know, we've practically revealed that...
we know about Myeong to Lady Choi
If Lady Choi read it, she should've found out you're Myeong's daughter
Jang-Geum!
Jang-Geum, you're in danger now Your life is in danger!
Lady Choi wants to hide it even at the cost of Myeong's life
If she finds out that you and I know about this...
it's hard to tell what she'd do to us
We can't go to the police without any proof as it was over decades ago
We have to get them prepared quickly, so hurry
Madam, did you see Young-Ro by any chance?
She hasn't appeared since Lady Han took her yesterday
Lady Han?
Yes... where could she be?
I don't know. Don't you know? You're in the same room, Yeun-Seng
She never tells me where she goes
You girls... Hurry up!
Do I have to do this? Do I have to go this far?
Keum-Young!
Lady Han wants you at her residence
What for?
I don't know. She wants you there now
Lady Choi, take Keum-Young and Young-Ro to the Guesthouse
What's going on here? I retreated to the pantry
Why are you sending us to the Guesthouse outside the palace?
What's the reason?
There's no reason. I'm only sending you there because...
I think it's a good idea So go there right now
She found out! She knows
Yes. Actually, she called me to the storage yesterday...
and asked me if I took the notebook
What?
Since Jang-Geum knows what the letter says...
Lady Han knows what went on back then, too?!
What do we do now? If we all go to the Guesthouse...
Where are you going?
Even if you have full authority, this isn't right
I must meet the Head Lady
I already told her your cooking skills are too good for the pantry
So go now
And I'll send necessary items to you through a worker lady...
so you don't need to come to Food Services
And I won't be giving any passes to leave the place...
so don't go home whenever you like
Hong! Where are you?
Yes, Madam
The Guesthouse court lady has gone to the pantry...
so it'll be vacant now Pack Lady Choi's belongings for her
Lady Han is scary
I know
Scary? They deserve this
Though it's safe for them to be outside the palace for now...
I'm still worried. I don't know how long I can have them there
I think he's the only one who can help us now
Who are you talking about?
Lt. General of Royal Guards, Sir Min Jung-Ho
Find out what happened to your dad and tell him about this situation
and ask him if there is any way we can bring them to justice
But I heard he left to go to a rural area
Then find out when he's coming back at least
OK
I'll look for other ways...
No way!
You told me that you believed Myeong wasn't intimate with a man
Yes... it was clearly the most disturbing thing
during my time in the palace
Then help me
But if we tell the police about what happened
then superiors would find out our secrets of dealing with such things
That will ruin the court ladies' society
That's why I'm here Even if we're court ladies
getting rid of someone's life can only be done by the King
The Highest Lady doesn't have...
the authority to do such a thing
That's why the truth never comes out
I can't. No court lady would open her mouth. We took the oath!
How about her wrongful death?!
It's in the past and we can't do it all over again
Even if you report it, no one will cooperate with you
So don't do anything foolish
Be careful so they don't fall out
Take that
Duk-Gu!
Jang-Geum!
You still making deliveries to Lt. General Min?
Lt. General Min told me he prefers drinks more than meals...
He's a fine fellow, indeed
I see... then please find out when he's coming to Han-Yang
No one at the Royal Guards knows
Han-Yang?
Yes
I know
Really? When will he be back?
Back? He hasn't even gone down yet
What?
I know where he's staying, too
Really?
He's...
a Royal Secret Agent... a Royal Inspector!
Madam...
What?
Lt. General is in Han-Yang
Really? Han-Yang?
Yes, I know where he is so I'll meet him and come back
OK, go ahead. Ask him to find a way
Sure
Please eat
Lady Han won't leave us alone
What?! She sent Lady Choi, Keum-Young and your niece...
to the Guesthouse?
Yes
And she locked them inside?
Yes
Does this mean she found out?
What? Find out what?
It's nothing. Things are occurring all at once...
I know...
We must come up with a plan! A plan!
I'll leave now
Did you find out Min Jung-Ho's whereabouts?
He's not home for sure but we can't find out where he is
According to sources at the police he frequented Jeolla...
when he was catching the spies, so he's probably at Jeolla
Yes, sir. I don't think we need to worry about him
Mr. Gang! Jang-Geum!
Just tell us. We'll do anything as long as you pay
Please wait
Hello, Jang-Geum!
Huh? You normally don't use that room since you have to heat it up
If it's profitable, she'd even burn the house down...
You said you knew where he was, and it was here?
Yes, there's a reason for this
Go ahead and do your work Make sure they don't find out
I heard you have something to tell me. What is it?
Yes... can I talk to you in private for a moment?
Were they always so close?
What do you mean, always?
He seems to enjoy her company so much
Don't you utter such nonsense!
What nonsense?! Have you ever seen a man and a woman having...
reasons for liking each other?! There's no reason for love
But Jang-Geum's a court lady!
How could they do such a thing?
No matter how much they want power and wealth...
So I came to you with a request
As it had such a great effect on me in my earlier years
I didn't even think about finding out what happened...
but I'm curious as to what happened to my father
Don't worry, I'll tell you I thought you knew already
He was a Royal Guard and if he was implicated in the 1504 Purging
then he should be in the records taken when the King ascended
I'll find out and tell you tomorrow
Sure. Another thing is... if you can find a way to bring Mother to justice
I also believe that they need to be punished, but there's no proof
And seeing what happened with the kidnapping of Lady Han...
it seems that even the head of the police is involved
It's hard to know where the influence of Choi Pan-Sul's protectors ends
Is there no other way then?
Actually, the reason why I'm out here is...
to secretly investigate Choi Pan-Sul, Sir Oh Kyum-Ho and others
With only the accounting books, we could die much less
find the possibility of arraigning them...
Wait a bit more. Though we can't bring them to justice with that
if their crimes are revealed through other means
then they'll be punished for that as well
You've been very strong even under such circumstances
I wasn't strong, I just didn't know how to live in any other way
Lady Suh
Can I start sharing your pain from now on?
What's wrong?
Nothing...
What is it?
Jang-Geum, you're a court lady
You're a court lady, I'm telling you
Just remember that, OK?
Sir!
I brought dried persimmons and beef jerky
Beef jerky?
Here, I'll pour you a cup
I was thinking about having a drink
Quiet! Speak quietly so that only I can hear
What's wrong?
My wife's hands hurt more than whips
Drinking secretly makes it seem so much better
That's the taste
You still haven't found the owner of this?
No, I gave up now
Yeah. If you were to find the owner, you would've found her by now
Yes
Sir, how about if I try to find the owner with this?
Sure, go ahead. Just don't lose it It's important to me
Of course, not. It's very well-made
You stole it again! Again! Again!
He wanted some so I sold it to him
You sold it to him? For how much?
Honey...
You received this for it?
It's not mine. Give it back!
Give it back? I'm taking this
It's not mine. It's his
Yeah, right! What an excuse!
What's wrong again?
What's wrong? It's the same reason
Why you...?!
Hello, sir
You're late today
Can I speak to you in the room for a moment?
Sure
Not you... he's asking for me and Jang-Geum
Go ahead
Come in and sit down. Have a seat
You must feel hungry... should I go bring some rice drinks or something?
I'll go
No, stay here. I'll be back
I'm sorry. I checked many places
but I couldn't find any info about your father
I looked at all the records concerning the Purging and Royal Guards
but some were missing and some weren't even recorded
Especially the records concerning his unit
I've heard there are still people who had fled during that time
In that case, it's very possible that he may be hiding someplace
But he was dragged to the police...
But you said you didn't confirm whether he was imprisoned
Yes, but...
It's common for criminals to escape or flee on the way to Han-Yang
It's hard to believe it unless we confirm it
Don't jump to conclusions and wait I'll do my best to find things out
Sure...
Thank you, sir
Keum-Young!
Hi
Young-Ro
Did you come to aggravate me?
Come on. We missed you so we came instead of laborer ladies
You're all doing fine, right?
Of course! You're doing fine, too?
Do you think you'd be fine?!
Why are you getting angry? I wanted to be friendly!
OK. Is everything OK at the kitchen?
Yeah... Anyway, we'll be going to the hot springs
Hot springs?
Yes, the doctors suggested that for the King's health
So we'll be going out, too
Everyone? Probably so!
Then you'll be going to the hot springs?
Of course!
Young-Ro, are you crying?
You're really crying?
I'm not crying!
So why did you do all the bad things?
You went against Lady Han becoming the Highest Lady, too
Hey...
Don't cry. When Lady Han feels OK, she'll call you back
Madam
What?
The King is going to the hot springs
So?
Then Lady Han and Jang-Geum will be going out, too
Yes
Madam, I'm back
I hope you had a good trip
I'll tell you later about my mother
Sure. By the way, there's good news for you
What is it?
The King will be going to the hot springs because of his illness
I see. Why is it good news for me?
It's not his illness that would make you joyful
but the place you'll be going
Where will it be?
You'll find out once you get there
She told you to tell me that Lady Han and Jang-Geum will be going outside?
Yes
Manager Jang! Jang!
Yes!
Yes, sir
Call Pil-Du
Sure
What?
The Queen is not going, so half of us must stay here
What? Not everyone is going?
So, Chang-Yee and Nae-Sun, you stay and help Lady Lee and Lady Ji
No!
No?
I mean... please let me go! You said we'll live and die together!
So how could you do this to me?
That was then, this is now And I'm a fair person!
Madam! Madam
Go ahead and speak
This trip to the hot springs is for the King's cold, not other illnesses
His Majesty's cold?
Simply put, it could be called a cold
but it's caused by cold air and eventually...
it could turn into a more serious illness
Because of his other problems he couldn't shake off his cold
He has turned weak and lost his appetite...
and he's also suffering from diarrhea
Yes. He's been eating less as well
That's why I've suggested hot springs
so keep those things in mind
First of all, the doctors will make tonic medicine
Did you make the recipe list?
Yes. We only need to receive the medicine from the pharmacy
OK
You received medicine for his bath?
Yes. We already received it but I received a report
from the Royal Observers that today is a good day for him...
to be with His lady What shall we do?
No way. Not only today, but till his health has recovered...
he should not be with His lady And make sure he can forget about...
the affairs of the state and enjoy the scenic view there
You shouldn't let him stay in the hot springs too long
It's for his cold and not for his skin problems
Sure
Madam! Madam! Stop bothering me!
Please let me go, Madam
Everyone, gather up!
Lady Min, you chose the workers who'll be going?
Yes, Madam. They're Jang-Geum, Yeun-Seng, me, and you
And four new girls and three worker ladies
OK. Then Yeun-Seng, go get ingredients from Food Services
Jang-Geum, you go get the medicine Make sure you don't mix them up...
since different ones will be used for the dishes
Yeun-Seng, you don't need to bring the ducks separately
But Madam, we'll need many ducks there
There are good ducks there
Is it a place you know well?
He asked which place he should go, and I recommended that place
Start preparing now
Did you put fragrance, oak and tumeric in the water?
Yes
Come back when the water temperature has gone down
It'll take about three hours for the King to come here
So Lady Min and Yeun-Seng, you go and buy the vegetables
And Jang-Geum, you go buy the ducks with worker ladies after...
I tell you the detailed directions
Yes, ma'am
See you later
Hello
Hi
We came to buy ducks
How many do you want?
Three, please
Please wait a moment
I heard the King is in town Are you court ladies by any chance?
Yes, we are
Then will these ducks be offered to the King?
Yes
How did you know? These ducks are very well-known around here!
A 70 year old man can cut down a tree after eating this duck!
Come here. Which one would you like?
Come here! You'll be offered to the King!
Jang-Geum!
Yeun-Seng! Did you get the vegetables?
Yes, but I couldn't find the mushrooms
Why not?
I thought it'd be better for you to check 'em
Why?
I'm a little worried because they are mixed up with other types
You don't need to be... OK, let's go
Did you get everything?
Yes
We don't have much time, so start preparing
I've recovered my appetite now that I can relax
The duck tastes very good
The ducks are not only known for...
the taste, but for the potency as well
Yeah? That's why you suggested here
Yes, Your Majesty
Yes, even the water seemed to be solemn unlike the summer house water
and it took away all my stress
Your countenance seems different from yesterday already
Madam, I heard there are many hot springs in this area...
so even peasants can come and take baths in them
So?
We can...
Of course, not! How can court ladies... anywhere?!
Even if you wash only your face
people say, you look like Yang Guifei
Really?
Yes, that's why babies are created every night around here
How embarrassing!
So, let's just put our feet in...
It's alright
The King was satisfied and ate everything
Really?
Yes. The workers will bring your table, so go ahead and eat
Why? Aren't you going to eat?
No. I have someplace to go with Jang-Geum
We'll be back soon Jang-Geum, follow me
They're going to the hot springs
No way!
Then should we just put our feet in tonight?
Yes!
Madam...
Madam!
Aren't you going to tell me?!
Just follow me
Really?
This is my mother's birthplace?
Yes, it's also the first place I came with a dish
Just three years ago, your grandfather was alive waiting for Myeong
My grandfather?
He felt guilty for sending his daughter to the palace...
because of poverty and he didn't even eat the rice that Myeong had sent him
After what happened to Myeong, I kept sending him the rice...
but he still didn't eat it
Whenever I had a vacation, I came here to visit him...
wondering if Myeong would come this way
"You're a good cook!" I heard it in here
I taught her how to cook and she taught me characters
Now I don't want to forgive them for doing such things to Myeong
I don't want to feel guilty or scared
Myeong probably doesn't want that
That's probably why she told you to go to the Royal Kitchen knowing the risk
That's Myeong alright. That's Myeong
You look so much like her and she sent you to me
Lt. General told me to be careful
He told me the kidnapper merchants were freed soon
and that he didn't know how far the influence
of the protectors of Choi Pan-Sul will reach
I agree, too
And Lt. General said to wait
He said he's secretly investigating Choi Pan-Sul and...
Sir Oh Kyum-Ho and if their crimes become clear
then he can look into other crimes
OK
Run away
Who are you?
I'm an adjutant of Lt. General of the Royal Guards
How dare you try to harm court ladies?!
Get all of them!
Let's go!
Thank you. We'd be in big trouble without your help
Actually, Lt. General Min found out you were out of the palace...
and told me to guard you
Lt. General Min did?
Yes, he said Choi Pan-Sul could use this opportunity
I thought nothing would happen to you, but he was right
Since it's dangerous out here, follow me. I'll lead you back
Please send him our thanks
OK, let's go
Where is it?
It's over there
It's over here?
Yes, Madam
How come you aren't putting your feet in?
I'm going to take some for Chang-Yee
It's not all that special
I can't pull this off
What's that for?
It's for Young-Ro
Why Young-Ro when you fight with her all the time?
She kept on crying because she couldn't come with us
She cried?
Yes. Dang...
Ah! It's hot!
What are we going to do?! Run!
Six guys couldn't do anything about two women?!
Some Royal Guards came and it would've been trouble
if any one of us got caught, so we backed away
Royal Guards?! Were they from Lt. General Min?
They said Lt. General Min went to a rural area
Yes, it wasn't Lt. General Min, but an adjutant of Lt. General
An adjutant?
Yes, and they seemed to be guarding those two ladies
What?!
What?! Royal Guards were guarding them?
Yes, that's what he told me to tell you
Then the Royal Guards already know about what we did?!
He thinks so...
Oh, my... then we must only wait for our execution day now?
It's alright. Stay seated
Lady Han, can you prepare the duck dish once more?
Yes. May I ask the reason...?
The King wants it once more before he goes back to the palace
Sure
The taste of the ducks in this region must be really different
I'm not sure why but both the taste and the potency is good here
Lady Min, go get the medicine again
Madam, my foot hasn't healed yet, so...
How did you get hurt?
While sleeping...
How could you hurt yourself while sleeping?
That's... that's... Madam...
I'll go get the medicine, Madam
What?! The King has collapsed?!
Yes
He was fine up until last night
but he collapsed from last night's fever?
Yes