What should we do?

The officials are hesitant to step
forward because of scholars' appeals

How cunning of them!

I don't think we can go on like this

There's only one way
that's trustworthy

That is?

I will do it myself

How is the King's Mother?

Her senility is growing deeper

Her arthritis and lungs
are getting worse

The King is very worried

Do the best you can

Yes, sir

How did it go?

The King will have to
take back his words

What are you talking about?

Why would my mother
do such thing? Why?

I have no idea

I'm going to go to her right now
Go prepare

Yes, Your Majesty

(Episode 37)

Your Majesty, please...

I said no already

Your Majesty, your illnesses
are getting worse...

I worry that you could get worse
without any medical care

Your Majesty
His Majesty the King is here

Mother, what's wrong? Why do you
refuse to receive treatment?

Your Majesty, you'll damage
your health. Please take it back

When did you ever worry
about my health?

Go back

And I don't want to see you anymore

Mother, why do you give such an order?

Why do you say that
I don't worry about you?

Do you worry about me?

Then why didn't you listen to
me after that last event?

Why did you discharge our
relative's physician Lee Hyun-woo

and give me a negligent physician...

I don't want to see you nor
do I want to see that physician...

Everyone, get out

I want to rest now

Why is she doing that?

Why is she rebuking me
and her physician all of sudden?

I'm sorry, but I don't know why either

Head Lady, you don't know why either?

No, Your Majesty

I don't know why, either

Find out why!

Yes, Your Majesty

And the assistant Head Lady
should go to the physicians

and find out what
that physician did wrong

And tell them to continue to
take care of her no matter what

and tell the physician that
his position is at stake!

Yes, Your Majesty

It's good that her relative
Lee Hyun-Woo was discharged so timely

That's right. I didn't
think much of it at the time...

but who could've known that he
was the King's Mother's relative!

Who's a better person than
the King's Mother to bend King's will

Besides, it could hurt her health

She only has to hold out for a while

I'll take care of the rest

She's old, so it's hard to know
when she'll change her mind again

so, don't leave her side

Sure

The King's Mother has suddenly
declined to receive treatments

Yes, I heard

Over time it will be more difficult
for us to deal with the officials

now that King isn't dealing with this

Did she really say he was
an ignorant physician...

and that she won't receive treatment?

Yes

Dr. Shin is clearly better
than the Head of pharmacy...

I wonder what
she's trying to teach him

I agree. And I also heard that
Dr. Shin had taken up the post...

at the King's Mother's Palace
before he had gone to train others

I know, she had been fine
all this time

Anyway, this is a big problem

Her health isn't improving

Really? The King's Mother said
Dr. Shin is an ignorant physician?

Yes

That's strange
She was fine until yesterday

Yes, I know. I feel the same

What did you do
that you would be called ignorant?

I have no clue

You have no clue?! Then she's
acting that way for no reason?!

I really don't know
she was fine until 2 days ago

So how is her health?

She has a chronic arthritis
with swollen limbs

her kidney and heart have weakened

She's having difficulty breathing, too

How can it get any worse than this?!

Her physician doesn't even know
why she's refusing treatment...

and she keeps on saying no

Keep taking care of her health
anyway, by whatever means!

Those are the King's orders
and your position is at stake

Do you understand?

You really don't know why?

I heard from the court ladies
that the King's Mother...

was disappointed by the King

Could she be just
venting it to Dr. Shin?

That can't be...

Didn't she do this when the King
got rid of the department of Taoism?

Since she can't get directly involved
with the affairs of the state...

she pretended to be sick
to make the King worry

Mother, if I have done anything wrong
then just rebuke me...

why are you refusing medical care?

Mother, he said he'll not eat
or drink untill you start...

accepting the treatment
please take back your words

Mother! Your Majesty!

I can't rest with all this noise!
Please go back

Mother!

Your Majesty!

Is the medicine ready?

Yes, but... Would she?

Let's go

Your Majesty, the physician is here

I already said I don't want
to receive any medical care

Your health is getting worse
Please take the medicine

How dare you talk back like this?

I said I don't want it

Please open the door, you must take it

But Her Majesty is like that
so how can I...

Madam, the health of Her Majesty
is being threatened... please...

Come in...

Why you...

I said I don't want the medicine

How dare you charge in
without my permission?!

Your Majesty, kill me
an incompetent, unfaithful servant

But before you punish me
you must take this medicine

How can I trust your medicine?!

Didn't you make a wrong
diagnosis on someone?

Didn't a Secretary General
lose his life because of you?

You had a King's relative
in contempt and even make...

my relative Lee Hyun-Woo
leave his office

for reasons of educating
mere physician ladies?!

While you were promoted to this place?

Did Left Prime Minister
tell you to do this?

Your Majesty...

Did he say he'll promote you
if you followed late Jo Jung-Ahm?!

How can I possibly receive care
from someone like you?!

Get out of here now! Right now!

Such rotten people...

You stop this immediately

The reason why they assigned you...

an ignorant physician is because
they hold you in contempt

Is it true that a Secretary General
was killed by that physician?

Yes, of course, Your Majesty

It had turned the court upside down

He was spared only because
late Sir Jo covered for him

Oh, my, Jo Kwang-Jo did that?

Your Majesty, the person who wants
to reduce the land holdings...

is the Secretary General
The land is given to the officials

and their relatives for performing
a big achievement for the country...

so how could he even think of
taking it away from them?

Now that I come to think of it the
reason why my health isn't improving

and there's this delay in
restoring department of Taoism...

is because of that
Left Prime Minister and his people

Yes, Your Majesty. It's because
those related to late Sir Jo...

have been restored to
their positions again

I'm going to block this
by whatever means...

I'm not going to
let him go this path again

What?! This is about that
discharged professor Lee Hyun-Woo?

Yes

Yes, Lee Hyun-Woo's
father-in-law is the King's kinsman

I don't think the problem ends there

What do you mean?

It seemed like the arrow is aimed at
Left Prime Minister and Sir Min

You, Sir Min and Left Prime Minister
are all in danger now

What should we do now?

I knew something was ominous

It's probably Sir Oh
and Lady Choi's doing

They're doing this because
they don't want to give up their lands

But the problem is that the King's
Mother's health is getting worse

She's at an old age, too

If she doesn't receive care now
she could get much worse very quickly

So did you find out why
the King's Mother is doing that?

It's difficult to say...

Say it! Why is she
refusing medical care?

Dr. Shin who is in charge of taking
care of the King's Mother's health...

Didn't he take care of her before?

Yes. But someone must've told her
about his misdiagnosis and...

the death of a secretary general
several years ago

And the professor discharged from
the training school is her relative

and she's being suspicious about him
being Left Prime Minister's person

Left Prime Minister's person?

Many officials oppose banning
prostitution and banning...

using physician ladies as prostitutes
but Left Prime Minister's let go...

her relative from his office
and promoted Dr. Shin

Those things were done
in accordance with my orders

But she's questioning the
Left Prime Minister's involvement

with the reduction of officials' land
and her request...

to restore the department of Taoism...

and she's also questioning
his connection with late Sir Jo

She said that you have to choose
between the King's Mother's people...

or the Left Prime Minister's people

How could she say such thing?!

She really did say such things?

Yes, Your Majesty. It's difficult
to tell you these things

OK. You can go now

You were very concerned about
the frequent invasions from...

north and south and you had
decided this after much thought

What are you going to do about the
national security if you recant?

It's hard for me as well

I don't know why she's doing this

You must distinguish between the
affairs of state and private affairs

Your Majesty
the head of Pharmacy is here

Let him come in

How is my Mother's health?

We can't know it for sure since
she won't let us check her pulses...

but looking at her face, she doesn't
seem to be doing well at all

Tell us in detail

Her body is swollen and
her arthritis has gotten worse...

and her breath is rapid which
means her lung has gotten worse

I didn't know it would become
this damaging to Sir Shin

It would've been better
if he wasn't discharged...

He was only trying to teach well and
that's the will of the King as well

So what should we do? We can't even
help even though we were the cause

How is the King's Mother's health?

She isn't doing well

Sir Shin is having a hard time
because of me

How could it be because of you?

It's those who are
using this situation

The Left Prime Minister is
meeting with the King right now

We can only put our hope
in the King's will

Your Majesty, trust us
We have no other motives

All those people I've recruited are
only there to strengthen...

this nation and
there are no other reasons

If we don't do this, then
we can't have a promising future

They do not know the level of threat
because they weren't at the borders

But they aren't using the health of
King's Mother to bend our will

Your Majesty, we won't back down

So what are you going to do?

I can reveal the truth about...

the event related to trades and
the lie behind brimstone ducks

Please command

Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Queen
and Right Prime Minister are here

Did you try to persuade her?

Yes, but...

How did she seem to you?

Your Majesty, actually, she's having
more difficulty breathing...

and she couldn't even eat this morning

Your Majesty, do as you will
with due consideration

First, discharge Physician Shin
who has been taking care of her

Your Majesty, you must not
take your words back!

Your Majesty, one can't know if
she'll continue the medical care

just because Physician Shin
has been discharged

If not, then we'll restore
the department of Taoism

and if not, we'll let
the officials keep their lands...

and even if that doesn't work then...

no matter how important my work may be

I can't be a child who
forces his mother to death

Jang-Geum! Sir Shin has been fired!

What?!

What now? This happened because of us

Sir... how could...

How could you be talking so much
in front of the medicine?!

We must speak again
so follow me in haste

Your Majesty, it's not my business
to know your motive

All I care about is your health

I can only feel deeply
sorry to see you...

driving yourself
to a critical condition...

not realizing the seriousness
of your illnesses

Please receive the medicine

You've been discharged already
Go away

But Your Majesty, you need treatment
as soon as possible

Go away, I said!

Your Majesty, no matter who's
in charge of your health

you must take the medicine
as soon as possible

If you don't then...

Shut your mouth! You're holding me
in contempt! I'll punish you!

Is attendant lady outside?

Yes, Your Majesty

Your Majesty!

I'm sorry to speak in your presence
but may this lowly servant speak a word

Your Majesty, I pray that you
stop this gamble with the King

You are playing a game
with His Majesty the King

There are too many lives at stake
with this wager

How dare you?!

Do you even know where you are?!

Your Majesty, Your illnesses
need immediate medical attention

So why do you deceive yourself
and test the King?

Why are you bringing this wrath
upon yourself to test the King?

Quit speaking!

How dare you speak here?!

Your Majesty
you are deceiving yourself

You are testing the King
while betting with your life

The health of the King is important
and your health is important...

extremely important

But two of you are playing
an unnecessary gambling game...

while neglecting your health!

Why you?!

Where do you think you...?!

Enough... enough...

Lady Kim, leave her alone

You mean I'm testing the King
and I'm gambling with him?

Yes, Your Majesty. You're gambling
with your life as a wager

Rather, gamble with me

This is so perilous

Gamble with me instead!

I don't understand you

Why should I gamble with you?

You must, Your Majesty

Only my life will be at stake
if you gamble with me

but by gambling with the King,
you're putting the security...

of the King, your life, and
my teacher's life at stake

If it's a gamble, what would this be?

If I win, then you will receive
medical care from him

If I lose, then
I will give you my life

Is life that worthless to you?

No, it is most important to me, but
my teacher's life is my life as well

How would this be done?

It's simple. All you have to do
is answer my riddle

Sure, I'll go ahead and do this

However, if I answer it right...

then you'll surely be responsible
for putting in contempt

I'll remember that, Your Majesty

But you will receive
the medical care, though

What? I will receive the medical care?

Yes, Your Majesty

You'll be receiving it for sure

Then doesn't that mean you will win?

Yes, Your Majesty

Wait

Let me hear your riddle

It's a person

You must answer who it is

This person was a food examiner
for the king from the olden times

The Chinese "food examiner"
originates from this person

This person was a slave of a family

so this person did
all types of menial work

And this person was also a teacher
to everyone in the family

There is a legend that says
when this person was living...

all the world was covered
with mountains but when...

this person died, all the world
was covered with water

You have to answer who this person is

But since I worry for your health
you only have one day to answer

What?? A gamble?

Yes, Your Majesty

A mere physical lady
dared her to game and...

you were only watching this?

I'm sorry to tell you this, but if
she doesn't answer it correctly...

she'll have to receive medical care
so I left her alone

Mother has agreed to her
because of her boldness...

and also she could give her
a lesson in manners

It will come to conclusion
on the morning after next

How dare you speak such
insolent words in that place?!

But if things turn out well then
she can start receiving medical care

Don't scold her too harshly

She probably felt
she needed to do this...

when she heard that
Sir Shin was to be punished

He's our teacher. And the issue
about prostitution grew because of us

No matter what comes from this...

you two will have to learn
the rules of the palace again

Jang-Geum, follow me

Jang-Geum, what's the answer anyway?

So is it really difficult?

Or else she'll severely punish
you two and Sir Shin

It looked like there's some hope...

Right, Shin-Bi?

Yes, that's right

Jang-Geum said such things
to the King's Mother?!

She accepted her words?

Fortunately, yes for now

Then that's good enough

What do you mean?

Hearing Jang-Geum to be that confident

There's nothing to worry about

It's because you don't know...

though she's very very smart
she can be quite reckless

Smart and reckless

She's a tomboy for sure

Are you really close to this lady?

Since Sir Oh's people
didn't start a fight here...

so we can't make a plea
and we can't blame them

It's hard to decide what we should do

lfJang-Geum is successful in this
Sir Oh will fall into his own trap

But if something goes wrong
we'll be losing three good people

It was all going fine
even the King's will was firm...

so why is this out of blue?

It's because we've depended
on the King's Mother

I didn't know she would
hit my back like this

This is nonsense that I have
to try to answer this stupid riddle

Then is the land reduction
of the officials gone now?

Now, it's only being postponed

But it will be hard to enforce it
because of the King's Mother

And more so because the officials and
even royal families are opposing it

We must cut it at the root
while we can

Yes, of course!

Could it be Hwa-Ta? Hwa-Ta?

Who's Hwa-Ta?

What is he?

I don't know... I heard of him before

Was he a physician?

Anyway, he sounded like a great person

You don't even know who he is
Go to sleep

Could it be Yang-Gui-Fei?

Yang-Gui-Fei?

I know she's said to be beautiful
but I've never heard she was a slave

When a woman like that dies, all
the men in world mourn

That's right... Right...

Let's go to sleep now

Could it be Confucius?

Confucius?

Yes, Confucius
He enjoyed fishing by the river

So?

And he's the teacher to all

That's enough...
we'll stay up all night this way

lfJang-Geum gave a question that...

we know an answer to
it'd be a great trouble

Let's forget it and go to sleep

Sleep! Sleep!

Did you find something?

No, not yet

Find it quickly!

Since Jang-Geum was immersed in
classics, it'll surely be found here

We must go through all of these?

Of course! Find it quickly!

Are you still looking?

Yes...

Hurry up!

You're so slow...

I couldn't even sleep last night!
What am I doing anyway?!

A "food examiner"?

Though a slave...

but a teacher to all...

Legend about mountains while alive...

and sea covered the world after death

What are you doing here?

The head of Pharmacy said
that he was going to send two of us

to the civilian office
to report the news

Yes, I came after receiving the order

OK, I will ask him myself
just stay here today

Sure

Jang-Geum, who is it?

I thought about it all night
but I couldn't come up with an answer

Me, too

What is it?

What's the question?

There's a meeting between
the kitchen and the eunuchs

Jang-Geum and Shin-Bi, follow me

I'm so curious! What could it be?

So what's the question?

What's this about? What is it?

Despite the result, she'll start
receiving the food and medicines

so talk amongst yourselves on
how you're going to prepare

Since the King and the Queen
have fasted for few days...

prepare rice porridge starting
watery and gradually thickening it

Yes, I know

And I heard that the King's Mother
hasn't been eating much because...

of her deteriorating health
still she didn't fast all this time

Yes, that's right

Then I think it'd be
better to serve her...

watery dishes which
can restore her energy

How is either abalone stew
or five nuts porridge...

containing peach seed, walnut,
pine nut, sesame seed and almond?

Five nuts porridge?

It increases the appetite
and helps digestion

It's good for restoring energy for
a sick or older person

Isn't abalone stew made only with
internal organs of abalones?

Yes

Five nuts porridge and abalone stew...

They're both porridge-type dishes...

I'll think about it

I haven't eaten this before
What is it?

It's abalone stew made with
internal organs of abalones

Just internal organs?

Yes, they only eat good, green
vegetables so those organs...

contain the taste and
nutrients of the sea

It's called five nuts porridge

Five nuts porridge?

It's made with seeds of five fruits

Only with seeds of fruits?

It not only increases the appetite

but helps with digestion
so it's good to eat it before a feast

It not only tastes good
but it's good for your health...

not only the taste, but good
for health, so it's very good indeed

I think it'll be good
as your night snack

The health of three
royal thrones could be jeopardized...

so the Highest Lady, take utmost care!

Highest Lady!

Yes, sir...

Madam...

Did you find out the answer?

Yes, Madam

Really?

Your Majesty, we found the answer

It's time for your answer
Your Majesty, what will you do?

Your Majesty, this child
recklessly bet her own life

If you don't receive medical care
she will die

Your Majesty, what will you do?

I will receive medical care

Go ahead and check my pulse

What?! She's receiving
medical care now?

Yes, I just received a report
that she's receiving a pulse check

That's good!

That's a relief!

Yes...

Tell me if there were other symptoms
while she was refusing treatment

Reddish spots on the side
of her tongue appeared...

and her breath has been weak and short

How is her burping sound?

Though the sound is low
there was no offending smell

Since she has lost her appetite...

It's a common symptom in old age
because of weakening stomach

Didn't you see anything else?

No

How about you, Jang-Geum?

There was none other than
what she has reported

We'll have to fortify her strength

I'll prescribe fortifying medicine

Go prepare

Jang-Geum!

I heard the King's Mother
received care?

Yes

Then she must've not
answered it correctly

I don't know...

Why? It's because
she didn't answer it correctly

she has agreed to receive it

How suffocating! Jang-Geum
tell us... what happened?

Where is she going? Jang-Geum...

So she's agreed to the care
but it doesn't mean she got it wrong?

How could it be?

Anyway, what is the answer?

I can't think of the answer

Right, Shin-Bi, you know
the answer don't you?

That's...

You said you knew the answer!

Me? When did I say that?

I said I think I may know the answer

Jang-Geum! Where is she?

What happened?

Did she answer it correctly or not?

Will Jang-Geum be OK?

What's going on?! Tell me!

Someone tell me!

You have to give them
an opportunity to speak

You be still!

The King's Mother is receiving
treatment right now!

That's great!

Why?

Young-Ro told us that she found out
the answer and told the King's Mother

so we ran here

Really? The King's Mother
didn't give any answer

It must be some ridiculous
answer for the King's Mother

I thought she was in a great trouble
Me, too

What is she saying?
She didn't give any answer?

I don't know what's going on
Where is Jang-Geum anyway?!

What are you saying right now?

So...

So the King's Mother is receiving
medical care now...

but we don't know
if she answered right or not

It's hard to tell what happened
Isn't that right?

Yes, that's right

How about Jang-Geum?

She's busy preparing medicine for her

But what could be the answer anyway?

I forgot to ask Jang-Geum about that!

Would you happen to know?

Of course, not

Didn't you say you found the answer?!

Yes, I told her the answer for sure

Then why is she receiving
medical care all of sudden?

That's what I'm wondering myself

Could the answer be wrong?

Oh, no, she didn't even
say anything about the answer

Then... just why is it
turning out this way?!

Isn't it strange?

We gave her the answer
so why is she receiving medical care?

What do you think?

What do you think, ma'am?

What?

You aren't even going to tell me?

No?

Let's hurry
The medicine will get cold

Please do take this, Your Majesty

What an uncommon girl
The more I think about it...

the more I find you
to be such an audacious girl

Why did you trouble her like this?

That's enough

But she gave you a difficult riddle
that's why your health has worsened

That's not so

Lady Choi told me the answer
so it was an easy answer

Excuse me?

What is the answer?

King... the answer is me

If you are the answer...

"Mother" is the answer

Is that right?

Yes, Your Majesty

The answer is "mother"

What does it mean?

You can explain

It's alright. You can tell
how this came about

This lady's main job
was as a "food examiner"

Mother examines how her child
eats, sleeps and everything else

A "food examiner" always thinks
about what the king should not eat...

and what food is beneficial
to the king's health...

He thinks of the King's health
and food day and night

So the Chinese emperor started
the office of "food examiner"...

because of his mother. So the King's
Mother becomes the "food examiner"

This lady is a slave in the family
but a teacher to the family

Mother puts clothes on her child
even if she's cold...

mother feeds her child
even though she's hungry...

mother gives comfort to child
even though she's uncomfortable...

so she lives a life that may be
more laborious than a slave

But without such care of a mother...

how could a child learn to
put on clothes or eat by himself?

So mother is the most wearied slave
and the best teacher in a family

When this lady is alive, the whole
world is covered with mountains

but when she died the whole world
is covered with water

When I'm alive, I must be
a strong mountain to the King

Once I'm dead
your tear will make a sea...

so how could I not know
your struggles as your mother?

Mother... Mother

So isn't she such a rude girl?

I was set to lose from the beginning

If I didn't know the answer
I would have to receive treatment

Knowing the answer, I would realize
that I've made things hard for you

So either way I was to lose

Now I can't give her a punishment
nor can I give her a reward

What should I do
with this reckless, bold girl?

Your Majesty, I don't know
what to do with myself...

I had no idea what was
deep inside your heart

No... I wronged you in many things

Your Majesty

Your Majesty, the medicine is
getting cold. Please take it

It's physically hard for me

You'll regain strength
if you take more

Please take little more...

I'm sorry. I'll take it later

Sure, please do that

Bring it up again later

Yes, Your Majesty

Jang-Geum! Yeun-Seng!

What happened?

It's all OK, right?

I think it turned out for good

And I think I will be able to get
my conviction overturned as well

Really? How?

I just think that, I see some hope...

Jang-Geum!

I have to go. I'll talk to you later

Sure!

Jang-Geum!

I've seen you before

Which court are you from?

Your Majesty, it's Lady Yeun-Seng
she received your favor few years ago

Is that so?

Let's go

Jang-Geum! Jang-Geum!

What's wrong, Shin-Bi?

There's great trouble!

The King's Mother is...

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

His Majesty the King is here

Mother, what happened?

What happened to her?!

I'm sorry, but she has
vomited the medicine she took

What?! Why?! Why?!

Why isn't she able to hold it down?

I think while the treatment
was being delayed...

her stomach and
spleen have turned weak

What should we do? Sir...

Did she vomit the medicine again?

Yes...

It's not only that
she can't even move her legs well

And her breathing difficulties
have increased as well

Are there any other symptoms?

Her backaches come from
feeling weak...

and she takes time
to recognize people...

I think her eyes have gotten bad too

I think she has grown weak from age
and because of delay in treatment

there are combinations
of illnesses now

Why isn't she able to take medicines?

Please do answer, sir

You tell them yourself

I'm sorry, but her old age
along with chronic illnesses...

have caused drying up
of blood and fluids and...

Go ahead and say it

He thinks the main cause is
the delay in medical treatment

Then she can't take medicine
from now on?

Though medicine is important...

the time for taking the medicine
is also important

The King's Mother has already...

Then, she's like that because of me?

Your grace is immeasurable
Your Majesty

Head physician, take care of
her health above everything else

Yes, Your Majesty

The King's Mother has had problems
with her stomach and spleen

And her arthritic pain has increased
because of the delay

She can't even take weak medicines
and seeing brown spots on her nails

I think her kidneys
have gone bad as well

And her arthritis is
getting worse, too

She can't take the medicine
and her illness is getting worse...

I know it's hard, but
can't we use acupuncture for now?

It's dangerous

If we use acupuncture when she has
lost much energy, it could backfire

So what do you say we do?

Her chronic illnesses have advanced
and other organs have turned weak

so we're seeing all kinds of symptoms

We must not treat according to
the symptoms we see right now

Then what do you say we do?

We'll wait and see. We should be
able to find out a way...

to treat all the
other illnesses as well

Until when? The King is
very worried...

and the King's Mother
is in critical condition

so how long are you
going to wait and see?

Hurrying doesn't heal the illness

That's right
And since Physician Shin...

started to care for her
only short time ago...

he needs some time
to examine her more carefully

There's no time for that right now...

How rash of you?!

I'm sorry, but the King's Mother
started to babble...

and she seems confused

and she even vomited
a little porridge she ate

They want a physician immediately