(Episode 20)
Prepare turtle stew as your best dish for the King
My friend and I made persimmon vinegar and buried it
We decided to give it to one of us who would become the Highest Lady...
in many decades from now as a sign of faith
Pine tree... pine tree...
Could it be my mother's friend?
Who could be her friend?
Where have you been?
I had something to do
I chose the dish
Really? What is it?
I'm going to make turtle stew
Isn't that made with turtle and caterpillar mushroom?
Yes
Madam
What?
I have a dish I'd like to make for the King as well
I'd like to make it myself, not just assist you
Please, Madam?
Go ahead
So it became a little bothersome
Though it's bothersome we only have to win
Of course. Did you choose a dish?
Yes. I'm going to make one that's rarely made in the palace
Then you must be thinking of making that dish
Yes, so please get me a good one even if you have to go far
Sure. However...
I trust you, but no one knows what might happen
Are you sure you don't need an alternative plan?
Yes. This time, I'll make sure I don't lose face
I agree with you. That's a good idea
Yes, it's good to go up against them as if there's no other choice
Don't worry, Uncle
All I know is that work should be done without mistakes
Of course. That's why they say
"Don't leave any gaps in whatever you do"
I'm not going to tell it to Lady Choi or Keum-Young
They'll only feel uneasy about it and it's better for them...
to concentrate on their work
Then what are you asking me to do?
Tell your niece Young-Ro to keep watch over her
Just keep watch over her?
It's still too early
The recipe list is ready Yes
Once Mr. Gang brings the mushroom, we'll have all the ingredients
As there are many dishes, be sure to prepare everything well
Yes, Madam
This should be much better than any other dish
And no one will be able to beat you because you use two secret methods
Prepare the porridge and dessert...
like last time
Sure, Madam. Don't worry
Pan-Sul will bring the ingredients and it should be over in two days
Show the writing to each other on the count of three
You did write it, didn't you?
Of course
You're sure what it is, right?
I said, I am
I heard from Keum-Young, so it's for sure
Jang-Geum'll be so glad to find out what Keum-Young's preparing, too
You're sure, right?
If you don't want it, then forget it
No, no... Let's do it
OK, here we go
1, 2, 3!
What? How come there's nothing here?
Bean-paste soup? Who serves bean-paste soup on birthdays?
Hey, you didn't even write anything!
How about you?!
Your head's gotten so big, huh?!
She acts innocent and yet she's...
craftier than me!
Why? Did you argue with her again?
We agreed to tell each other what Lady Han and Lady Choi is making...
but Yeun-Seng didn't even write it!
And you wrote it down for her?
Of course, I did
The right one?
Nope
Then why are you complaining?
But I wrote something down at least
Why are you trying to find that out? You'll find out on the birthday
That's not...
Would you like to find that out?
Why should I?
You just wanna do trivial jobs?
Find out and tell it to Lady Choi
It'll return to you in a big reward later
Is that so?
Of course
Then let's try this
What?
When Yeun-Seng's asleep...
Madam, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
It's alright. I forgive you
Thank you, Madam!
By the way, what is Lady Han making for this competition?
Lady Han?
Yes, Lady Han
Madam's... Madam's making...
delicious honey rice cake...
Honey rice cake?
Yes. And my favorite mixed noodles...
ribs and pine honey water and roasted rice cake, egg wraps...
She's only telling me what she likes
It's so delicious
It's so delicious...
The best dishes?
Maggot porridge? A bit disgusting, then...
cicada skin dumpling? No, not in this winter time
Shark bean-paste stew? Yes...!
I asked you to dry the steamed rice You've been eating it all yourself
Huh? My mind has been occupied by something else and...
Something else? What?
Lady Han's in the competition If Lady Han succeeds, then...
Jang-Geum will succeed and ifJang-Geum succeeds, then...
I will be...
I prepared something, so come take a look
Hurry! Come quickly!
Isn't this liquor?
Yes, but it's not just plain liquor, it's something that'll make us succeed
What? Make us succeed?
Yes. This is red ant liquor When you deliver caterpillar mushroom
take this to her as well
Red ant liquor? It's that legendary...
Yes. I made this secretly Only I know how to make it
And the reason you're giving this to Lady Han without receiving money?
There are many reasons, of course
The first reason is...?
First of all, if Lady Han becomes the Highest Lady...
then we must be good to her so you can keep your position
Right. And the second reason is...?
And even if Lady Han doesn't become the Highest Kitchen Lady...
just the fact that we served the King this drink will...
bring attention to us and we'll become filthy rich
Filthy rich?
Yes. All high court officials drink with the King
And I only know how to make this, so our drink will be famous
So when you bring this to her, ask her to write you a certificate...
saying that it was offered to His Majesty
A certificate?
Just do as I say! Then I'll make us succeed!
Once we hit the jackpot, I can play all day from then on
How can you play? You must catch red ants
Careful not to let the bottom fall out
Duk-Gu!
Jang-Geum! Madam...
Did you find it?
Yes, of course
I ordered my workers to find them as soon as you gave me the order
Your wish is my command
Must've been hard to find it Thank you very much
Don't mention it
Thank you! Jang-Geum
This is red ant liquor
Red ant liquor? Isn't this very rare?
You probably know the legendary benefits of red ant liquor
She gave it to me so you can offer it to the King...
during the competition
Your wife?
Thank you!
Jang-Geum! She asked me for a certificate or something...
A certificate?
Saying that His Majesty drank it for real...
some type of proof
What could that be?
You just write it yourself... like... "His Majesty the King...
drank it and found it very satisfying" or something
Bye
OK. Jang-Geum, write it on big paper
Why was I surprised?
Sir, then what should I do?
Just bring it in quietly after the Food Services closes tonight
Sure
It's one of the best
Is that so?
We had to go as far as Jeolla to get it
It's going to be tomorrow Are you prepared?
I didn't think you'd get tense
Oh, no...
You don't need to. Just relax
So the ingredients are all ready
Yes, Madam
The feast will be held around 2 p.m. Tomorrow, so we must start...
preparing at early dawn Go back early and rest
You should rest, too
Yes, I should
It's all ready now
Yes. Madam, since we have to start working early tomorrow you should...
go back early and rest
You should, too
Sure
Yes, that should work
You will find them there, so bring them in quietly
OK, don't worry
Jang-Geum! Jang-Geum!
There's big trouble!
What is it? What's wrong?
I thought Young-Ro was scheming things, so I went
to check the storage kitchen
Afraid Young-Ro might do something, I came here...
and found a cat running away and chickens were here, too
What should we do now, Madam? What now, Jang-Geum?
Madam, the caterpillar mushroom...
all the trepangs and abalones are...
They ate them all!
The competition is tomorrow What should we do?
The Food Services is closed and even if we can get it tomorrow...
we must still get the caterpillar mushroom
We'll have to go out What?
We can use the pass since we're still under competition
But if we go out during the night...
Mr. Gang said he got it from someone he knew and...
we must get the seafood again
And you start preparing as soon as the Food Services opens tomorrow
I should be back before 8 No, at the latest, I'll be back...
before 10, so don't worry and prepare well. Understand?
Yes
It must be the best items
Don't worry. I'll get yours ready as soon as it opens tomorrow
Will it be here when it's that rare?
I'll get it for sure so please come by tomorrow morning
Thank you very much
Is it refreshing?
Refreshing?! Why can't you do it right?!
It's not there, but lower... got it?
It's too low. You can reach here
Are you going to scratch me or go out and work?
I'll scratch... you said lower, huh?
Yes, there. So nice!
Is anyone home?
Who could it be at this time?
It's a woman
Madam, at such a late hour... You should've come with Jang-Geum...
Why are you alone?
It's about the caterpillar mushroom I requested a few days ago
What? Did you forget it or use it up again?!
No, it's not that. I need more of it
See?
Do you have some?
No, I don't
You really don't? Not even in your storage of stolen goods?
Stolen goods? I didn't steal anything
Madam, why would you need more when you only got it this afternoon?
A chicken ate it
A chicken?!
Open up! Open up! It's me, Duk-Gu!
How can you ignore my voice?!
Madam...
I'm Gang Duk-Gu from the brewery
I'll never talk with you again
Madam, let's go We can get it elsewhere
Remember...?
I don't have any!
I don't have it, I said
Come on...
I don't have it!
I said, I don't have it!
It's really strange
Madam, I think we'll have to go to Port Song-Pa
At this hour?
There's a pharmacist that I've secretly done business with for...
the last 20 years He'll open the door...
when he hears my footsteps
Would a boat be available?
Of course. I know many people so you don't have to worry
Follow me
Madam, I've never even walked with my wife under the moon...
Huh?
Please wait...
Hey, Jang-Duk! Duk-Gu's here!
Get up and open the door!
Hey, Jang-Duk! It's me, Duk-Gu! Open up!
Who is it?
Hi. I'm Gang Duk-Gu from the brewery Please wake Jang-Duk...
He went out to find herbs
Huh?
Then would you have any caterpillar mushroom?
I don't know... and since it's a rare item, I wouldn't even...
know where he puts it
When is he coming back?
He'll probably be back tomorrow morning
If it's tomorrow morning...
Isn't there any other place?
There's one, but it's too far It'll take a whole day
Let's just wait here until tomorrow morning
Can you at least shelter us from the morning dew?
We got all the ingredients, but what about
the caterpillar mushroom and seafood? The sun has risen, too
Don't worry. She'll be back soon
Jang-Duk!
You didn't pay up and you still dare to come back?! Give me my money!
You got the wrong person She's a court lady from the palace
Greet her
Hello, Madam
I'm in a hurry You have caterpillar mushrooms?
Caterpillar mushrooms? What will you use it for?
This will stop by Port Ma-Po and to Jae-Mul Market
So you can get on here
Aren't you going together?
You said you needed trepang and abalones, too
I asked a fish seller at Port Ma-Po
But there's no guarantee that it'll be here by tomorrow
I'll get them and go to the palace
Would you do that?
I'd do anything for you
Thank you so much. You're a lifesaver
Don't mention it. Please take me with you when this happens again
Please go ahead
Bye, Madam
You're the dried fish seller's daughter, eh?
Yes
Is your father home? Yes
I forgot to ask for money!
Madam! Madam!
Madam! I need money to shop!
What? Are they kidnapping her?
The boat is going backwards The boat is going backwards
The boat is going backwards! The boat is going backwards!
Don't be too scared
I mean, we won't harm you, so don't worry
Let's hurry!
Honey! Honey!
What? What?!
There's big trouble! Big trouble!
Why? What is it? Is there a war?
The boat... The boat...
What's wrong? Are you sick?
The boat is going backwards!
What do you mean? Did it go up the mountain?
No! The boat Lady Han got on didn't go to Ma-Po, but backwards!
What do you mean? Why would a boat go backwards?
Big trouble! Jang-Geum's waiting for her for the competition
Then... our drink... it won't go to the King, then!
Is that even an issue right now?! Lady Han has been kidnapped!
That's big trouble! What should we do now?
Do we tell Lady Jung about this? Or the Head Eunuch?
Or should I tell the whole town?
You're saying Lady Han has been kidnapped by strangers...
then you should tell the police!
That's right! Police!
Do you know any policemen?
I don't know any...
Yeah. You're scared of the police
Lt. General from the Royal Guards!
Lt. General?
He should know many people from the police
Why didn't I think of that?
Hurry...
Go to the palace first thing in the morning
Why?
What do you mean, why? You must tell Jang-Geum
Do you want her to wait forever?!
Why are you yelling?!
Because I was afraid you might not understand me
Sir! Sir! What brings you here now?
There's big trouble! I've never experienced such trouble before!
Is there anyone you know at the police?
I went to Port Song-Pa yesterday And the boat was going backwards
I said, "Stop!" but it was going to Port Yuh-Ju, when it was...
supposed to go to Port Ma-Po I went to Port Song-Pa...
and Lady Han asked me to buy some seafood
What are you talking about?
The seafood she was going to use for the competition...
that is being held by the King's Mother herself
But Lady Han was kidnapped by the gangs and Jang-Geum...
not knowing this, is waiting...
Slow down...
If you know anyone at the police, please let me know...
if you do that, then I will let you be with Hyang-Sun...
until next morning
Just what happened here?
That's what I've been telling you! You still don't get it?!
I'll slow down and tell you what happened last night
I was in the room and my wife asked me to scratch her back and...
especially the lower part so I asked her why...
then someone says, "Is anyone home?"
It's already 8... Jang-Geum She should be here...
What if she doesn't come?
She'll be here
She said she'd be here by 8, but she isn't here! What now?!
She'll be here soon for sure!
She'll be here, so we just need to be prepared well
OK
What now, Jang-Geum? It's 10 already
What if something happened to her? Like she couldn't get ingredients
Everyone has to gather soon, if she isn't here... if not...
What now, Jang-Geum? Everyone has gathered
The Head Lady is there, too
Madam!
Madam, I have something to tell you
So Sir Choi Pan-Sul said you can relax
That she won't be here until the competition ends
We could've won anyway That was unnecessary of him
Come, follow me. Let's go
Though this is unprecedented, the King is deeply involved in this
And even the King's Mother declined a big birthday feast...
in order to follow the will of His Majesty and...
she'll have the competition's dishes So the person who wins...
and the person who loses from this competition must do her best...
and completely accept the results
Wait a second... Where's Lady Han? Why isn't she here?
What's going on? Why isn't one of the competitors here?
What's going on?
I'm asking you a question
I'm not sure
She must have given up
Regardless of that, it's the King's Mother's birthday
How could a cook be this irresponsible?!
That's not so, Madam
Lady Han has only gone out of the palace to get the ingredients...
for the competition
Didn't you get all the ingredients yesterday?
Yes, but... animals came into the storage kitchen...
and they damaged the ingredients
The competition is today and the ingredients are damaged?
Isn't managing the ingredients a basic requirement of a cook?
What kind of a Highest Kitchen Lady
would she make with that kind of mentality?!
It was my fault! I didn't protect the ingredients, so...
That's enough. It's already over then
Is there an examination that waits for a late scholar?
The winner is decided already I'll tell this to the King's Mother
Madam... I'll do it
We still have time. I'll prepare so she won't have problems...
putting the food on the table when she comes back
You think this is a game? Who do you think you are?
But Madam, Lady Han only wants to please them with good ingredients
Wasn't preparing the best dishes for them the assignment?
She'll come back for sure
What if she doesn't?
She'll come back soon
This isn't the place for you to step in like this
How dare you do this?!
Lady Choi, you don't want to compete against Jang-Geum?
Madam...
Or are you afraid that Lady Han might come back soon?
Madam, you should go ahead and do that
Today is the competition day and the King's Mother's birthday
We don't need to ruin the atmosphere with such news
I know this isn't the place for me to speak, but I think she's right
There might not be enough food unless we all prepare for it...
and I don't think it's a good idea to ruin the joyous atmosphere...
After all, the King's Mother will decide on the results...
after everything is over
Sure. Then Jang-Geum, will you compete in place of Lady Han...
and completely accept the result no matter what it is?
Yes, I will, Madam
I supported you because it's better than just losing like this...
but you shouldn't do this If she doesn't come back...
you'll be guilty of insulting the royal family
She'll be back She'll be back for sure
Why'd you complicate things?
What if she does come back?
She's not coming back
Even so, you shouldn't have stepped in like that
Actually... regardless of when the King's Mother finds out...
you'll be recognized...
as having integrity for waiting for your competitor until the end
Was that what you were thinking?
That wasn't all. I wanted to see Jang-Geum get hurt...
just as much as she has hurt me
Ouch! Are you blind or something?!
I'm so sorry
It's alright
Are you headed to the palace by any chance?
How did you know?
Then let me ask you a favor
What is it?
Please deliver this to Lady Han of the Royal Kitchen
Do you know Lady Han?
She's a regular at my shop, so how can I not?
Lady Han asked me for these but she never came...
so please deliver this to her
OK, sure. I was going to meet Jang-Geum anyway, so I'll do that
Give it to me Thank you... thank you
Why did you do it? It's Lady Choi you're up against
And this is all we got from the Food Services
Someone asked me to deliver this to you
What is it?
They're trepangs and abalones! And they're big ones, too!
Who gave these to you?
She said she was Mr. Gang's wife
What? Didn't she say anything else?
She said Lady Han was kidnapped by strangers...
after she got on the boat
What?!
She said Mr. Gang went to rescue her
but she doesn't know what will happen
Bye
What now?! Then she might not come back before the end!
What now? What are we going to do? Jang-Geum, tell them we can't do it
Tell them we can't!
Is everything ready?
Yes
Let's get started
Madam, what now?
What do you mean, what now? We'll just have to carry on
Here
I got it from my pal in the Prince's kitchen. There aren't...
many of them so you must be careful
Here, Jang-Geum Intercostal parts of beef
Where did you get them?
When you were talking in the Prince's kitchen...
What? You stole them?!
No!
Then what?
I didn't steal them... I just took them
What?! I knew this would happen!
Anyway, do well so you don't lose face
Yeun-Seng
Huh?
You're the only one who can help me now
We can't wait for Lady Han anymore so let's prepare the food ourselves
And we don't have many ingredients, so we must not make any mistakes
Jang-Geum, I'm shaking
Me, too
OK, let's get started First, prepare the chicken...
and chop up the intercostal meat, wash the rice, but don't throw out...
the water, and get some dirt water...
Prepare chicken, chop meat, wash rice, and dirt water... and?
Prepare those first for now Let's go to the kitchen now
OK, let's go
Even so, it's too plain for your birthday party
No, though we didn't invite many, I'll be trying out the dishes...
that have been prepared according to your will
I'm very much looking forward to it
Madam, it has started!
OK. Is it ready now?
Yes
As you made the first dish, you serve it
Sure
You must serve the food now
OK
Start when you're ready
Bring them in
Please try them
I've never had this before What is it?
It's a porridge made only with the insides of abalones
Only the insides?
Yes, the abalones eat only...
fresh sea plants so the taste of the sea and nutrients remain in them
It's the first for me, too What is it?
It's called Five Seeds porridge
Five Seeds porridge?
Yes, it's a porridge made only with seeds of five fruits
Only with seeds of fruits?
Yes, it's made with pits of peaches, walnuts, pine nuts, sesame, apricots
It increases the appetite, and helps digestion...
so it's good to eat before eating festive foods
Is that so? If it tastes good and it's good for the health...
it must be a very good dish
I think it'd be good as your night snack
I think you'd need it more than I do
I prefer the Five Seeds porridge What do you think?
Everyone, please go ahead and eat
Aren't these buckwheat cakes?
Yes, in it there are radish, shiitake mushroom
green bean sprouts and parsley The roll is made with...
buckwheat and glutinous rice
Buckwheat has a savory taste and it helps digestion
And even royal guards and military officials eat buckwheat...
with radish for extra strength It's very good food for strength
It tastes very good
The soy sauce tastes unique How did you make it?
Yes, I've used some spice to make it spicier
You rolled it with fish skin
Yes, Your Majesty The roll is pollack skin
There's no fish smell at all It tastes refreshing
Yes, every time your teeth sinks into it, the sweet taste of...
parsley comes out
You can make it taste like this with fish skin...
your skills are excellent
You overpraise...
You see? Lady Choi's was better twice in a row
But she hasn't been chosen yet
What would you know besides eating?
Of course, who does she think she is to go up against Lady Choi?
How could hers be tastier than yours?
Maybe the King's Mother is being unfair
No, Lady Choi's food was clearly better
Then what now?! It's been twice already
It becomes more difficult I'm so scared
And cold vegetable dishes are Lady Choi's specialty
Mother, please help me
Please try them It's vegetable with chicken
You try it, too. I've never tasted anything so savory before
Sure, Mother
Isn't that right?
Yes
I've never tasted this before What did you use?
I used chicken broth with bean juice
Bean juice? You made sauce out of bean juice?
That's why it's so savory
I prepared it because His Majesty likes beans
Is that so?
Mother, I serve your dish now Please help me, Mother
Amazing, I've never tasted anything so refreshing before
Me, too. It's as if the seafood is moving in my mouth
It looks like a common dish but I've never tasted it before
What is it?
It's garlic sauce
What? Garlic sauce?
Yes, Your Majesty Though we normally use pine nuts...
to make such sauce, it didn't seem to bring out the fresh flavor...
in seafood dishes so I tried garlic extract
It tasted extraordinarily better
It even got rid of the fishy smell, too
Yes, you're right It's not strong as mustard...
but it's very savory and spicy enough to freshen up the mouth
But it's not just the garlic
Where's this sweet and refreshing taste coming from?
It's special vinegar
Vinegar?
Yes, the vinegar used here is persimmon vinegar that's been...
buried for a few decades
Both dishes are close to perfect
Yes, you're right. It's hard for me to determine which is better
I think we need your wisdom for this
Both dishes are excellent
However, when I think about the time and devotion that was put into...
making vinegar over decades...
You see? Here...
How come I don't see the competitor Lady Han here?
Why is her assistant bringing the food?
Is Lady Han making the food inside?
No, that's not so. Lady Han has gone out of the palace...
and she hasn't come back yet
What?