This way
What happened?
Madam, I got it! I got it!
What happened?
It was the combination! The food combination!
What was the combination?
It was ginseng and nutmeg!
So what about it?
Though nutmeg oil is used to help people go to sleep
it stiffens the body if they take too much of it
I heard that the Prince was given nutmeg oil
but it was used in small amounts and it's used often in China
You're right, but the problem was ginseng
What about ginseng?
Ginseng from Chosun is best known for quickly restoring strength
and I heard that it intensifies the effects of other medicines
Isn't that why even the Chinese want our ginseng?
That's right
So what does it all mean? Help me understand
Though the Prince had taken only small amounts of nutmeg oil
the ginseng from the duck porridge intensified its effect
That's right. That's why they put ginseng in the poison bowl
so the person can die quickly without suffering too much pain
That's right
But that's only a theory How do you know it for sure?
I tried it myself
That's why... that's why... you're showing the same symptoms...?
How foolish of you!
I'll go to the Prince's palace, so you can take care of her
Madam, Duk-Gu will be free, right?
Is he getting better?
Yes, Your Majesty
It's easy to treat the toxic effect of nutmeg oil
He'll be fine now
Prince, move your arm
So your senses are coming back They're coming back
You just said it was easy so why weren't you able to treat him?
I'm so sorry, Your Majesty Ginseng is rare in China
so they don't normally use nutmeg with ginseng
So you used it without careful examination?
Is everything from China good?
I deserve to die
So did you treat the lady who found this?
Yes, Your Majesty I told the nurse to treat her
Would a nurse be enough?
But how can we send a physician to a court lady?
I told the nurse to do the same, so she'll be OK
Reward her with beef
We're grateful for your grace, Your Majesty
His Majesty has rewarded her with beef
You're really a strange girl How could you even think of eating it?
Actually, I found out after eating it...
thinking, "If I'm right... I would stiffen too"
I don't know whether you're foolish or smart
Anyway, you'll share the beef with us, right?
The King rewarded it to Jang-Geum
Still...
Duk-Gu is probably free now, right?
Yeah
Ow... Ow...
You know how worried I was because of you?
Why do you hit the same spot?
I did? So you didn't get hurt badly, did you?
I did...
You did?! Where?
I have to check when I get changed
You...! You...!
It already hurts. Stop hitting me
You go ahead
Where are we going?
What do you think? We'll go meet Jang-Geum
You policemen... I'll be back
It must've been hard for you
I believed the truth would be revealed someday and hung in there
Where is Jang-Geum? Jang-Geum hasn't come?
I'll have to say thanks to her at least
I told her to stay in her room
because she hasn't fully recovered yet
She's doing that bad?
You don't need to worry as a nurse is taking care of her
Madam, please tell her that we'll take...
only half of the rice we've been taking
What do you mean?
She'll know if you tell her
Let's go
Are you feeling better?
Yes, I think I can start working again tomorrow
I heard that you drank much more oil than the Prince
I figured that I would need to drink more to feel the effect for sure
How foolish...
Isn't that why you like me... for the fact that...
I don't concern myself with other things
Instead of coming to the kitchen, go help Lady Jung tomorrow
Lady Jung?
Tomorrow is the Head Lady's birthday
Oh... OK
The last table of the birthday feast is always...
prepared by the Highest Lady
I know, but how is she ill?
I think her knees are getting worse because she keeps on working
She keeps on insisting that she has to prepare it
because of what happened last time...
And I can't help because it's my shift tomorrow
The wife of the head chef told me that...
she'd take only half of the rice
What does she mean?
Madam, why don't you leave the work to others tomorrow?
Then the Head Lady will find out I have to do it myself because of...
what happened between me and her And that's the tradition
But the nurse said your knees are aching and...
your kidneys have weakened and that you need rest
I'm fine, so you just take good care of the kitchen tomorrow
You can't even stand for a long time because of your knees
I told Jang-Geum to assist you
Is she doing better?
Yes, so give all tough work to Jang-Geum
OK, I'll do that
Lady Choi isn't back yet?
She always prepares something special for birthday feasts
I think she's doing it again
I've prepared a good gift
This may be the opportunity...
The Head Lady is deeply hurt from what happened last time
Yes, probably so
So why don't you talk to Sir Oh?
OK, you talk to the Head Lady, too
OK, got it
It's ginseng cake. Please try it
Let's see
Your food is the best
You overpraise me
This is a small gift for you
This food would've been enough
Thanks
Madam, I'm Lady Kim from the Sewing House
I've made this with the best silk
Please take a look
No need to take a look Who could compare to your skills?
Thank you, ma'am
Thanks
Madam, the Minister of Finance has sent mushrooms
Oh yeah?
And Sir Oh Kyum-Ho has sent dried mushrooms for you
Oh wow...
Here enters Sir Yoon
Madam, happy birthday
Thanks
Did you slice the agaric and shiitake mushrooms?
Yes, ma'am
Are the eggs well-done?
Yes, ma'am
Then prepare the dates, pears, gingko nuts, and chestnuts
Yes, ma'am
Madam, are you feeling OK?
I'm fine
We have to put the mushroom casserole on a brass tray, so bring one
Yes, ma'am
Madam!
I'm fine
You look pale
I know... I feel dizzy and nauseated
Madam, we have to bring in the table now
OK
What should we do? I don't think it's a good idea for you to do this
You do it. The broth and everything else is prepared
so you just need to put it in a bowl and taste it
It won't taste right if I taste it now anyway
Don't worry and rest
I think I need to rest a little to bring the table in later
Why? Does it taste flat?
Yes, just a little...
It must be because I'm sick... You do it yourself
Yes, ma'am
Walk slowly with her because she can't walk well
OK
Will you be fine?
Yes, you go ahead and prepare the dessert
Yes, ma'am
Madam, this is casserole prepared by the Highest Lady
Madam, happy birthday
Thanks
How do you expect me to eat this?!
Madam, is something wrong?
What's wrong?! The person who is the Highest Kitchen Lady...
brings food like this and asks, "Is something wrong?!"
You try it
And you've been in charge of the King's food all along?!
Or do you have something against me?!
Madam, how could you say such a thing?
Then why else would you bring food like this?!
The Head Lady is angry at Lady Jung...!
Why?
Because the food she prepared didn't taste right
What?
It must be because Lady Jung is feeling sick
Madam, what's going on? Was there a problem with the food?
No, it's not a problem with the food
Could it be because I didn't season it properly?
I said, it's not a problem with the food
I'm sorry... Because of me, you've...
I'm saying it's not the food Why are you so worried?
Keum-Young, would you taste this?
How is it?
It's a little salty... a little too much pepper, too...
It's not the taste of Lady Jung's food
Her food has an exquisite balance of flavor
but a little of everything was added a bit too much
Let me see...
It is a bit weird... But not that bad to be that upset
You're right Could it be about something else?
Even so, Lady Jung is the eldest
How could she scold her like that when everyone was present?
Anyway, it was such an awkward situation
Me, too
My tongue has become dull! My tongue...
She's clearly being rebellious How dare she make a dish like that?!
Why did you call for me?
I called because I wanted to know the condition of Lady Jung
Is it really just the knees?
Only her legs are weak now, but when I checked her
her kidneys seemed to have turned weak
and they have affected the legs, too
Really? Then that means she won't be healed easily, right?
Though the legs can be healed temporarily
if the kidneys get worse, they can't be healed easily
I've heard that she hasn't been showing up in the kitchen...
for several days because of her condition
We'll surely be hearing from Lady Choi soon
Should I get to work with Lady Choi?
I think it'll be solved easily...
I think the taste of her food has changed because of her health
But is that enough of an illness?
For a kitchen lady, even a small illness can be a curse...
His Majesty's food is prepared there
Even with the last incident, if I had been in that position
there wouldn't have been any problem
That's right
I'll discuss the details with the Head Lady
You can talk to Sir Oh to provide his authority
We can actually take advantage of the last mistake
OK
Madam...
What is it?
Why don't we have some snacks in my room?
Has the Head Lady's anger towards Lady Jung mitigated?
How could it?
Then I think it's time to put things back in place
It wasn't a position for Lady Jung to hold for over a decade
The tea tastes good
It was brought directly from my brother's field in Jeolla
The taste of tea really depends on the land it was produced from
He must have a very good field But it has become someone else's land?
Didn't you know? It has become the Head Lady's land
Is that so? I don't even have a barley field, let alone a tea field
How could a lady serving the Head Lady have nothing?
I'll talk to my brother and get you a good one
What brings you here at this time of night?
Lady Choi is surely a straightforward person
You should go ahead with your plan
What has happened? Losing the sense of taste...
for a court lady is like a warrior losing a leg
Just what has happened?
Maybe...
I heard there was big trouble yesterday
It's no big deal. I'll just get thrown out of the palace
Madam...
It was decided last time...
Madam, your health is still not good
I'll manage
I'll take care of the kitchen from now on
It's alright
The physician who examined the King's feces said...
he seems to have some fever and indigestion
It's probably because he's been drinking quite a lot these days
So take that into consideration when cooking food
We already took care of that accordingly
I thought you'd become an old lady of the backroom already
You don't seem to have died yet
I become an old lady in the backroom But do you know this?
When the old lady uses her power no one can stand up to her
So the jealousy or the tantrum thrown by a backroom old lady...
can't even be handled by the King himself
Is that why my wife is so jealous these days?
What?
I don't know what to do since she seems to be jealous of an eunuch
I have something to ask you
What is it? Are you still feeling stiff?
Could the stiffness not go away completely?
Why? Where do you still feel stiff?
My tongue isn't as sensitive as before It has become very dull
I felt that you had eaten too much of it
But since the Prince has become well, you will become well too
so be patient and wait I'll take care of you
Is the Prince doing fine now?
Yes, he has fully recovered now
Don't worry too much
You've amazed me I was wondering why...
you were borrowing that medical book
You found the reason for the Prince's illness, huh?
And I also heard that you even tried it on yourself
I didn't know of any other way
What book do you want this time?
This time, I thought of...
Let me borrow another medical book
Again?
I'd prefer something with a list of symptoms and treatments
This time, don't try it on yourself
OK...
Yeun-Seng, would you taste this?
It tastes a little flat
Really?
Try it one more time
Why do you ask me? You're better than me
It hasn't come back yet
Wait a little longer
We have already come to an agreement with the Head Lady...
you just need to add a few words now
I know you don't feel good about this because of what happened last time
but we aren't trying to cover up our fault
But if you think about it
it's always unsafe to have someone
who isn't one of us at such a position
when we were doing such a risky thing
Please don't stay angry and help us
Why don't you follow his advice?
We put her there only as a temporary measure
And her health happens to be bad now
If we wait, the Queen could take action first
OK, I'll contact the King's Mother's palace
Did you call for me?
Yes, tell your brother that I appreciate it
Then... Madam...
But there is something we have to be clear about
I must know everything that you are doing
I'm saying I will not tolerate the kinds of things...
that Lady Jung has done
Of course
If you do the same type of thing trusting someone in greater power
then I will never forgive you
Madam, what do you mean...?
I'm telling you to remember that the person...
who can change the Highest Kitchen Lady is me
Yes, Madam. I will remember that
Then wait patiently
Yes, ma'am
Won't Lady Jung go against it?
Who does she think she is to even consider going against me?
All she knows is the Royal Attendant who she exchanges jokes with
and isn't he also known to have very little connections?
You're right
She should expect this type of thing...
after challenging my authority like that
And she has no great ambition either
Yes, you are right
Take a tonic medicine with you and tell this to her
She has said that she has been feeling sorry to you...
for giving you such hard work at your old age...
She's feeling even worse now that you're ill like this
She wishes you to rest well
Yes, it's time for me to rest
Tell her that I've accepted her words
Yes, ma'am
So what did she say?
It was just as expected She just accepted it
Is that so?
So don't worry too much about it
It's time to slowly prepare now
I didn't expect to wait for 10 years...
Things might have worked out to our benefit
If the Head Lady wasn't this angry towards her
it wouldn't have been easy
So will you be the next Highest Lady?
Of course, who else can take such a position?
Lady Jung, how come you don't visit often...
even though I told you to do so
I'm very sorry I'm becoming weak because of age...
I think it's time for me to step down
If your health isn't good, you can take medicine
Why do you say you want to step down?
One can't make good food with bad health
Please understand
No. I can't tell the difference in taste
and you aren't bedridden yet
So stay in your position for me I've been used...
to your skills of cooking and words for a decade
But, Your Majesty, no one can tell what will happen to an old lady
I heard there was trouble because the last Highest Kitchen Lady...
was found with an illness all of sudden
Is that so?
Yes... the position was unoccupied unexpectedly...
Sure... I guess that could be a problem
But, Your Majesty...
I dare to request something
Request?
Yes, Your Majesty
Go ahead
There are two very skilled ladies in the kitchen
Who are they?
Lady Choi here has grown up in the family line of Highest Ladies
and her skills are one of the best
And Lady Han has excellent skills to bring out...
the original flavor of the dishes of the palace
Is that so?
Yes. I think it's a good idea to put the two of them...
in a competition until I step down
A competition?
Yes, Your Majesty By competing with one another
their skills will increase and after a fair competition
they can go away without any regrets if one of them happens to lose
That sounds very interesting So you're basically saying...
I just need to taste their food in choosing the better one
But Your Majesty...
That is an excellent idea Use the same strategy...
to select talented people in other areas, too
Yes, I will have to do that
You can go ahead and do that, but don't hurry the competition
so you can leave early
Yes, Your Majesty. I will make sure they prepare and do their best
Yes, do that
Lady Jung, you old snake!
I won't be defeated like this! I surely won't!
What are you going to do?
Listen to me carefully
I put everything on the line when I asked His Majesty
If he had rejected it, it would've been the end
But how...
I believe that food shouldn't be used as means for something else whatsoever
So I wanted to make that straight as I leave the palace
That is my only wish before I die
I think of you as the person who could continue this will of mine
But do not think that I'll favor you because of that
Doing so will make me no different from Lady Choi's family
so I won't do that
So win with your own skills and your attitude towards food
And straighten up the kitchen, according to my will
This is the last request I leave to you...
I don't know what they've done to you but don't ever fear them...
Don't think that you can't do it Be confident
Madam
And this will be the last time to open up to you like this
Madam, don't worry I can win. I will certainly win!
What are you saying?
If the Head Lady can't designate all the Highest Ladies
what power does she have?
I will surely change this By whatever means necessary
I'll make His Majesty take back his permission
Jang-Geum...
follow me
I'm going to start teaching you my secret skills
Lady Jung has put her life on the line to tell the King
She has decided to give her position by making me compete with Lady Choi
It is out of her will and belief that there shouldn't be...
any other motives for the kitchen besides making food
I felt ashamed of myself when I saw her courage
However, I'm determined to win
I'll accept her will
And you are the only one who can help me
Your skills will help me, and your attitude...
towards food will guide me on the right path
And your curiosity will allow me to take a step forward
And it'll be the same for you...
Whoever loses can't stay in the kitchen...
It is the duty to go elsewhere and you can't stay either if I can't stay
It's because of what happened last time and our relationship
So I will appoint you apprentice and teach you my secret skills
Do you understand?
Why aren't you answering me?
I can't do that
I can't
Why? Why are you doing this again?
Actually...
actually, my tongue has become dull
When my body turned stiff after that duck porridge
I lost my sense of taste
What are you saying?
Actually, I tasted the casserole for the Head Lady's birthday feast too
That was the result of my tasting it
So I realized I had lost my sense of taste
The nurse told me that I could recover in time
but that was many days ago My tongue is not like before
So how could I carry on the will of the Highest Lady?
It's even harder for me to accept it now that I know what her will is
But the nurse told you to wait
I don't want to go out of the palace like this either
I want to carry on Lady Jung's will by helping you
But for a court lady of the kitchen to lose her sense of taste is...
If she told you to wait, then wait Why can't you be positive?
Knowing about this, I can't just sit still...
I will receive permission from Lady Jung to go out of the palace
so you can go to an outside pharmacy
But what if...
Why do you quit so early?! That's unlike you!
Let's just try it Let's just try anything
Did you hear about it?
About what?
I heard from the girls at the Prince's Palace...
Lady Jung has said, she will give her position...
to either Lady Han or Lady Choi after a competition
Is that true?
Yes, everyone else has known about this except us
Then what? So it'll really be decided by their skills?
If that's what she said, it'll be so...
Though Lady Choi will win of course
Nonsense, do you know how much the King has loved Lady Han's food?
I received permission. Let's go
There is taste disorder and decline of taste
With taste disorder, sugar will taste salty
or meat will taste sweet Is that the case?
No
Decline of taste is literally your sense of taste declining
For example, you need lots of sugar
to taste the sweetness
If this becomes serious, you couldn't be able to taste anything
That's how I am now
She was paralyzed. Is that the cause?
There are two cases through which a person can lose his sense of taste
If you catch a cold or suffer malnutrition
your taste buds will become very dull
Or if you eat poisonous herbs, the body points...
concerning taste will be damaged and it's very hard to cure
If you were paralyzed and other parts are OK
except your taste buds, it's an aftereffect
It's the second case and I can't promise you anything
So it's incurable?
No, but it might take 10 years or 20 years
or it could even get better tomorrow
There's no other way?
I'll give you acupuncture treatment and pills
But don't hope for too much
Let's go
Madam...
He told us not to hope for too much He doesn't have hope!
Every doctor said it's difficult, Madam
They also said you can recover tomorrow...
or 1 year or 10 years later
You have to win
I can't win without you
You can't go against Lady Jung's will because of me
I need you to carry on her will
Please give up on me!
I need you!
I heard, they asked you to buy fish
Fresh fish here!
Here are today's fish
Who are you trying to fool? They are a day old already!
I would've been more successful deceiving a ghost...
Just give me 3 nyang, then
2 nyang! Here!
Two fresh ones, please
Aren't you Lady Han? You sound somewhat down today
They're from this morning 2 cents, please
Or if you eat poisonous herbs, the body points...
concerning taste will be damaged and it's very hard to cure
If you were paralyzed and other parts are OK
except your taste buds, I can't promise you anything
So it's incurable?
No, but it might take 10 years or 20 years
or it could even get better tomorrow
Every doctor said it's difficult, Madam
They also said you can recover tomorrow...
or 1 year or 10 years later
You have to win
I can't win without you
You can't go against Lady Jung's will because of me
I need you to carry on her will
Please give up on me!
I need you!
Though it won't be immediately, it's time...
to pass on this position because of my deteriorating health
I promised myself in the beginning to give it to the most talented lady
His Majesty has even agreed to it
so let there be no complaints
My last duty will be to choose the Highest Kitchen Lady
I'm sure you'll all agree Lady Choi and Lady Han are qualified
because you've seen their skills Prepare well
You'll become the Highest Lady only through fair competition
If one person wins, the loser should go to a different position
outside of the kitchen It's the tradition here, and...
also consideration for the winner so she can do what she wishes here
That is the duty and the courtesy
There is another assignment for you two
His Majesty has ordered that Lady Choi and Lady Han...
compete with their skills to become the next Highest Lady
I'm not sure when that will be, but knowing the condition of my health
it will not be too long They will choose their apprentices
Though you will all be helping them out
they can't do all the work involved in preparing the food
So they must choose an apprentice who is compatible with them
Lady Choi, you go first She'll be working very close with you
so you'll have to pick
I'll pick Keum-Young
Lady Han, how about you?
I...
...will pick Jang-Geum