Original subtitles

(Episode 12)

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

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