Original subtitles

Okay, here.

- Episode 29 -

- Make the sizes similar. - Yes.

No one can tame me or make me give up.

I just wanted to look cool. Why would I go through the trouble?

Hey.

How dare you say "hey" to her as a maidservant?

See? Just be quiet and make the pills.

Just sit and work and don't make it hard for us.

When those who were in Hanyang (Capital City) come here,

they normally don't know what to do, try to run away, or die, but,

they're just the same as us. They think some folks are born rich?

That's right, so don't try any useless attempts anymore.

If you do that again, we'll punish you first.

What is this?

It's special medicine.

What was that about?

Did you come as Manho (a high officer) to help me run away?

No, when I left my post, the Chief of Royal Guards must have sent notice immediately to get me this position.

- What? You left your post? - Oh, I mean...

Are you saying you left your post to come all the way here Jeju?

Where did that person take you?

It's a pharmacy in the government office.

Is it like a public health center located in each government house?

- I think so. - Anyway, that's good.

You wicked girl!

How dare a servant directly face the Deputy Rank 4 Officer while speaking to him?!

It's alright.

Oh, no, Sir, the new ones must be trained even more properly.

- Ask him for forgiveness quickly! - I am deeply sorry.

Go back.

So you're feeling better after taking the pills?

My constant stomachache and a bad migraine are gone. And I can sleep better too.

Then you should stop now.

Stop? I just got better How can I stop? Give me more.

Then I'll give you just ten more days' worth.

Give him ten more days' worth.

Will one coin be enough?

If the medication works that well for you, then you can pay more.

Sure, I feel great. I'll pay 15.

I'll get going.

You're really bad.

People come here because they're sick.

How can you, as a person of medicine be defrauding them like this?

How do you know I'm defrauding them?

Isn't that pill made only with fried beans, barley powder, several types of mushroom powder and some licorice?

- How did you find out? - That's not important now.

- I'm asking you how you found out! - I tried the pill myself.

You can find out just by tasting it?

- Look... - You seem useful, but too noisy.

Come follow me.

No. I won't do it if you're going to make me do such a thing.

I'm only a quack who lives off sick people so just take me as I am,

and take the core out of these medicinal lilies.

If you don't take those out and decoct medicine out of it, it could injure the heart.

I hate being bothered with extra work so I'll use whatever you make of these to the patients. So it's up to you.

Look...

Look at what? Anyway, I'll use what you prepare.

Build it well.

Don't worry. I told them to build it like a palace.

Once that goes well, I can build other places even better, too.

I got it. I'm making free soldiers build it so just keep paying for the materials and food on time.

But anyway, don't we have to tie Jang Geum up? I set her free because I was told to.

It'll be her destiny if she dies running away.

Oh, no, she's too pretty for that.

Why? You want to have her? Oh no, it's not that.

Let me check if you can function as a real man.

Stop it.

Jang Geum, no, don't... then I can't face Myung Yi...

I can't face Myung Yi. I don't even need to mention Myung Yi.

Jang Geum, you're my daughter. You're my daughter.

What mother would want to drag her daughter to death?

Madam... but I...

Live. You must live!

I'll treat you once you pay 1 nyang.

What physician asks for money first?

If you don't want it, fine.

Okay. Would 1 nyang be enough?

Give it to me.

Here.

Hey! Follow me.

Just follow me or I'll hit you.

These are foxglove roots.

We coat them with wild cardamom seed powder

and steam them over liquor and then dry them nine times.

It won't be effective and can cause indigestion if you don't do it right.

- Get it done. - I don't want to.

Fine, since I'll use them as just the way you prepare them.

That's strange.

I know. She should have been whipped for the medical lilies.

What about the medical lilies?

I don't know what she said but she checks the medical lilies that you took the cores out of during the night.

She's not that type of person.

What do you mean she is not? She checked it every time we did it and we were hit for every core we missed.

Last time I did them, I was whipped 22 times.

No way. She probably brought all the coreless ones and hit you for no reason.

What?!

You haven't come to your senses yet? How dare you talk that way about the private physician?

I know...

Now I see you're a very bad person.

Either food or medicine, they go into people's mouths.

Even though you may not like the person, you must always work with integrity.

Yes, Madam.

Did you call for me?

It's okay when it's just the two of us. Please lift your head.

Oh, no, I'm a lowly servant.

Palace Lady Seo...

Don't call me that way. It will hurt your prestige.

Don't do this. It's painful for me.

What did you call me for?

I got some sulfur.

Sulfur?

Raise some ducks feeding them sulfur.

You can find out more about it since you work at the pharmacy.

I was planning on doing that already.

I knew it. Don't you think I'd know you by now?

There will be a way for sure.

Yes.

Okay.

It's duck again?

You won't send me to Jang Geum, so we should keep eating this.

But, you stole all the ducks that made the King collapse

and we've been eating them for months!

What do you mean I stole them? I only brought them here because no one else would take them.

Anyway, I know I'm going to die early because of you.

The King collapsed in a day after eating this

but how come we aren't, even though we've been eating it for 3 months and 10 days?!

What's the problem with this?!

Go ahead and eat.

Man... You see? Now I'm getting nauseated just looking at it.

I'm saying, eat until you collapse.

Man... I can't live like this!

You...

It happened. It happened!

What happened?

I have a baby, honey.

You have a baby in your belly?!

I was curious why you were acting lovey-dovey unlike yourself.

Then these ducks are... really... the best medicine on earth!

After Il-Do died, we'd been trying so hard without success.

So what is this? What luck is this, honey?!

Our baby is the proof! Proof that Jang Geum is innocent!

Eureka! Eureka! Jang Geum, eureka!

Is that for real?

Yes. After that happened, no one would take the ducks from that place, so I took them all.

And?

And we ate them for more than 3 months and instead of collapsing...

my wife is pregnant now.

Then Court Lady Han was right.

That's right.

Then what happened to Hong? Why did Hong collapse then?

I'm not sure... could she have tripped over the door step?

You really didn't eat anything else?

No, I didn't.

Think carefully and try to remember if you ate anything else before that.

Palace Maiden Young Ro just told me to deliver a letter to the Chief Court Lady.

Oh, that's right! I did have an abalone dish that Palace Maiden Young Ro gave me.

Young Ro?

Yes.

Young Ro gave you an abalone dish?

Yes.

What good is looking into that now?

If it was Young Ro, then...

Young Ro or whoever... you can't bring it up now and you shouldn't even mention it anymore.

Only you will get into trouble.

That's not the real problem, but the fact that we're on her bad side.

That's what I'm saying. She won't let us near the royal kitchen and keeps on sending the 3 of us out.

I know... we can't even attend the great feast for the envoy...

because they've sent us to the concubines' delivery house kitchen.

I know, we could get kicked out this way.

The emperor is thankful that Joseon drove Jurchen tribal people away.

Is that so?

So he sent silk to thank you.

Please send my gratitude to the emperor.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, he has also sent a dog raised in the Imperial Court as a gift.

Is that so?

Yes.

Okay. Let's eat now.

The envoy who came last time told me there were great court ladies in the Royal Kitchen.

She must be the one.

It tastes very good.

Court Lady Han...

Get the ingredients from Food Services and come to the royal delivery house kitchen.

Yes.

So did you find out?

Yes, Palace Maiden.

Where is he?

He's at Jeju as a Manho (a military officer of Deputy Rank 4).

Manho? Are you sure it's Jeju?

Yes. The soldiers told me he went there in a hurry,

and the Chief of royal guards sent a notice soon afterwards to appoint him to that position.

You said it will be the end.

You clearly told us you'd forget him if we spared his life.

Though there have been over 30 invasions on this island so far

there hasn't been any clear plan to drive them back.

I've sent a report to the court so that we could build a bulwark.

I've told the governor we'll be starting on the 15th of this month,

so let all the soldiers know.

Yes, sir!

Go ahead and start.

Yes, sir!

I heard from the Attendant Court Lady on the way,

that Lady Sukwon (Royal Consort Rank 4) isn't eating well nowadays.

We brought good food for her pregnancy, but she doesn't seem to like it.

But she still has to eat, so try changing the menu.

Why should we?

According to Court Lady Han and Jang Geum, carp is good if you want your baby to be proper;

cow kidney or barley if you want the baby to be wise and energetic,

and trepang if you want the child to be intelligent.

We made the menu with variety and according to what we have learned.

But she's having difficulty because you're offering those dishes

when she prefers spicy dishes with pepper.

Were Court Lady Han and Jang Geum here, they would have tried to make her eat by making the food tastier.

We'll do the same.

What the heck are you saying?!

Why am I still hearing the names of people convicted of treason?!

- Madam, that's not... - No, Madam...

I had told you I wouldn't forgive you if I hear those names again!

Why did you mention them?!

Even if they were cast out for treason, they had never taught anything wrong about food.

Madam, I'm sorry... please forgive me.

Yes, Madam, I'm terribly sorry...

Please forgive me.

It's my fault for not taking care of an immature girl. Please forgive me

Yes, that's true, Madam. Please forgive us.

Palace Maiden, Court Lady Min said to come out immediately.

I don't want to.

She said you'll be in big trouble if you don't.

Leave her alone... it's because you haven't really been scolded.

Oh, come on...

Madam... Madam...

Please forgive us!

Please forgive us!

Yeon Saeng couldn't come because she has a high fever.

She will probably come out by the time you come back.

I don't know why I have to suffer like this for her.

I know... just why is that scaredycat Yeon Saeng doing such things?

I know...

Hey! Friendship, my foot! We have to live first!

Get me some food.

You finished pleading?

No way. We'll have to resume after we eat.

You normally eat during that?

What's with all the words? Just bring it!

Yeon Saeng, I understand you, but you shouldn't do this.

You can keep your friendship and all but what are you doing to us?

Yes. We've been pushed to ride the same boat.

Please save us. We really want to stay in the royal kitchen.

Madam, Court Lady Choi is coming back!

Court Lady Min, Chang Yi and Yeon Saeng, you go to the ingredients kitchen.

Madam! Madam!

What... it's all because of her...

Yes, we don't make any tasty dishes, we only make noodles,

...grow bean sprouts and squeeze oil.

There's nothing to eat here and there's so much work to do!

That's what I'm saying! In my 30 years of palace life here, I've never been so humiliated before.

I just wanted to live a long, quiet life like you. What is this?!

It's all because of Yeon Saeng.

Jang Geum...

Who are you?

Is your situation similar to mine? Why are you here by yourself?

You aren't sick, are you? You aren't hungry, right?

This is trillium kamtschaticum.

One could get very sick by eating it when it's a new sprout.

Really?

Yes. This is squill which looks much like wild garlic, so be careful.

This is poisonous grass but people can mistake its root for burdock and it eat.

We were always scolded whenever we brought back herbs,

maybe that's why.

Now you find out! Only now!

You're quite extraordinary. How did you know?

Tell her quickly.

I was in the Royal Kitchen before coming here as a servant.

My teacher taught me when I was learning to cook.

These are sophora flavescens aiton.

Our people have long thought it to be astragalus

but the envoys who went to Ming (China) learned the truth

and brought astragalus to the palace to harvest them.

You even know how to differentiate between the two.

I had initially brought you to give you a hard time.

Would you like to become a female physician?

No, thank you.

I like how you look disgusted with me too.

But sophora also has its own medicinal effects so think of it as a medicinal herb, too.

Physician! Physician! There is a big problem. Mal Suk... My son, Mal Suk...

Bring me my acupuncture box.

Huh?

Get the box and follow me quickly!

Here, Mal Suk...

He's okay after acupuncture treatment,

but after a few days, he has a high fever again.

So please give him some medicine.

We could do that for now, but do you have money for it each time?

But my heart aches to see him like this every time.

It's too bad. Let's go.

Aren't you being very harsh here?

It's not that... it's because we don't have any money.

Would you be like this if it were for a rich noble family's son?

Of course, not. I would receive a lot of money and make the medicine for him.

You're a person who heals people. How could you measure a person's life with money?

I don't have the money for all that medicine.

This person doesn't either.

Let's just say I give him medicine today but you think I should pay each time?

You have money and you should provide for them until you run out of money.

So for how many people?

For as long as you can.

You think you're so smart?

Give me the prescription at least.

You want to do it? A servant?

Give me the prescription.

I think Jang Geum came to see you.

You've known her from Hanyang, eh? Don't let rumors spread.

What brings you here?

I have a favor to ask.

Please come in.

I'm really sorry, but I was wondering if you could loan me some money.

Money?

Yes... I have to buy ingredient for medicine.

Why? Are you sick?

No, it's not me.

Thank you very much I'll pay you back when I receive my payment.

You receive it once in three months. This is nine months' worth.

Then I'll pay back after nine months.

I'm just kidding.

Oh, no, I'll pay it back for sure.

Oh, by the way, the petty officer that was with you...

You mean Petty Officer Park Gu Man?

Yes. Isn't he on a personal building project using soldiers and the country's resources?

I'm not sure... he does seem well respected among the soldiers.

Look into it. He seemed to be building something with the Jeju's private physician.

Is that right?

I'll get going.

Where is that petty officer going with those soldiers?

I'm not sure... he often takes them somewhere after training.

Excuse me... here... please get this for me.

Okay... let me see. Please wait.

I brought you some medicine.

Thank you very much!

I'll prepare it for you, so please wait a while.

Sure!

The water is a little salty. Don't you have any other water?

Drinking water is rare in Jeju.

There are some spots where ground water rises

but only noble and the middle class use them.

Low class people like us can't use them.

You don't use just any water for cooking,

and it's more so for preparing medicine.

I know, but just prepare it with this anyway.

Oh, no, I'm not sure what kind of skin problem it is,

but for such things, anything salty isn't good.

I can't prepare medicine with salty water.

The private physician lady did say the same thing.

Where does ground water rise? I'll go get it.

They don't give it to lowly people like us.

Since it's for a sick child, they'll give it to us.

You'll probably go through trouble.

It's alright... please tell me.

A child is sick. Please let me have some water.

You aren't from the government office or any noble family's maidservant.

I've never seen you before.

I'm a maidservant at the government pharmacy.

I have to prepare medicine for a sick child.

A child? Whose house?

No one well-known. A peasant.

Are you crazy?! He's not even middle class, but a peasant?!

I've never heard such a ridiculous thing!

Even so, a person is sick.

You haven't been here long, have you?

What does that have to do with this?

In Jeju, water is more precious than gold.

How dare you come to draw water for a mere child of a peasant?!

The person is very sick.

How dare you talk back to me like this?!

Get out of here, witch!

Where can I get clean water besides ground water?

There's a spring halfway up Halla Mountain.

Halfway up Halla Mountain?

Be careful... don't get hurt.

Yes, over there. Be careful! Close together. Yeah, there.

Hurry!

If you fall, you'll get hurt!

Be careful!

Hurry!

This way, over here.

Put them close together.

Sir.

Palace Maid Seo.

What are you doing here?

You told me about the petty officer Gu Man, right?

Yes.

I heard he takes soldiers and goes somewhere frequently so I followed him and it's here.

They don't seem to be building a private house.

It looks like some type of a pond.

Let's go and see.

Sir!

What were you doing there after the training?

Why did you come suddenly, sir?

I'm asking you a question.

She said she has to make a rain water tank.

so she's been feeding the soldiers who help out building it.

A rain water tank?

Water is very rare in Jeju

and regular folks can't even touch the ground water flowing from the mountains.

When they dig the ground to create a well, they only get salty sea water.

So they just keep drinking salty water

and that's why people get sick so often.

It's in one of the five ancient Chinese medicinal books. Sir...

Our country is mostly surrounded by sea water. So the people in this region mostly eat fish and other salty food.

But fish brings out heat from the body and salt de-purifies blood,

so that's why skin problems are rampant.

Then what is that water tank for?

It's to gather and purify rain water as drinking water.

So I used some soldiers without permission.

Though they fight against invaders, but soldiers must also protect people.

Is that acceptable?

Actually, she was caught by the previous officer

so she had to suffer greatly which is why we did this secretly.

Are you saying that you've been using your private funds to make that water tank,

because people's illness is caused mostly by the water?

You don't have to make it sound so grand.

Did you climb the mountain just to get that water?

Because you can't prepare the medicine with salty water?

You amaze me more and more.

Normally, it takes years to learn such things.

And you knew the importance of water to even climb the mountain.

You should have told me such things beforehand.

Didn't I say I would tame you?

Seeing you now, it seems that you've been tamed.

I'm disappointed.

About what?

You followed behind me because you were suspicious of me.

Unlike the private physician, I would have just answered you directly if you asked.

Get me some shells tomorrow.

What are you going to use them for?

They're to purify the rain water.

Coal will be better.

- Really? - Coal is a better purifier.

It's coal then.

And although rain water is good, napsul water is even better in winter.

Napsul water? What's that?

We use it in the palace.

You collect snow that falls three days after the winter solstice and melt it. You can use it to heal eye disease.

If you rub it on clothes or books to make it moth-proof.

It can be used to make medicine, liquor and pickles.

It can be used to make medicine, liquor and pickles.

If you let the people know, it will be more useful than the rain water.

That's what she says. Let people know.

Where are you going?

Back to work.

Since you climbed the mountain, you should at least prepare the medicine.

She's someone dear to your heart, huh?

I'll protect her.

We'll have to make a well for rain water along with the bulwark.

Yes, sir.

Your mother asked all those questions when she gave you a bowl of water?

Yes. She asked many questions; if my lower stomach felt cold, or if my throat was okay,

and then gave me warm, cold, or sometimes sweet water.

Yes, asking many questions. That's why I asked you for water.

Before one cooks, the person ought to inquire of the condition of the person who will consume the food;

what the person can take and not take; considering all those.

That's the basic mindset of a cook.

And you knew this already through your mother.

Your mother is truly a great person.

Your mother knew that even water becomes food when it's put in a bowl,

and she also knew that once it became food,

that consideration for the person who takes the food is of utmost importance.

Our country is surrounded by sea water.

The people of this region mostly eat fish and other salty food,

but fish brings out heat from the body and salt de-purifies blood,

so that's why skin problems are rampant.

Then what is that rain water tank for?

It's to gather and purify rain water as drinking water.

So I used some soldiers without permission.

Though they fight against invaders, solders must also protect people.

No. She can't compare with my mother or Court Lady Han.

No matter how much money I may have, I can't pay for all the sick people.

So the best thing for poor folks is not getting sick in the first place.

That's why I greedily collected money from people to make that rain water tank.

If my words aren't wrong, why don't you just crawl under me now on? (be my underling)

Even if it's for a good purpose,

I can't understand you deceptively selling grain as medicine to sick people.

Those people aren't physically sick, but they're sick at heart.

What good is medicine to such folks? And it is written in a book that

you should help them with their diet before you prescribe medicine to them.

Why did you come again? You always say the same thing.

I can't let a physician into the place of exile.

Man... I can't let it go since I have to report this.

Hey! Man...

Thanks, again.

Why did you go there again?

Don't you get sick of repeating the same words every time?

Go inside!

Is that why she was locked up with me in storage last time?

Yes. She's the most stubborn person in the world!

Exiled people aren't supposed to receive any treatment,

but she insisted a physician can't ignore the sick

and she kept on going there.

But the governor told me to lock her up without any meals for a few days, every time she does that.

So I can't do anything about this.

But it seems she's not punished harshly.

That's hard, of course, as Jang Duk is the most recognized physician in Jeju.

No matter how much money I may have, I can't pay for all the sick people.

So the best thing for poor folks is not getting sick in the first place.

That's why I greedily collected money from people to make that rain water tank.

If my words aren't wrong, why don't you come under me from now on?

They want you now.

What's going on this time? Is someone sick at a noble household again?

- No, I don't think so. - Then what?

I don't know. They want you at the yard.

- Listen, Jang Duk. - Yes, sir.

I received another letter from the Ministry of Medical Education.

This time, they want you as a female physician at the palace pharmacy,

not as a physician at the public clinic.

Who cares about the palace. I'm not going.

Of course I prefer to have someone skilled like you at my office

but what excuse can I give this time?

Just tell them I have a terminal disease.

A terminal disease? You really don't want to go, eh?

Right. I just want to live like this under your supervision, sir.

So you might as well tell them I died.

Listen to you...

It's not like the first time.

I understand. If that's what you really want, I'll take care of it.

I can't understand her.

That's for me, isn't it?

Excuse me. How can the court ask for a private physician?

I told you she's very well known physician in Jeju.

The best in Joseon for boils, rashes and also for toothaches!

She knows how to treat people using poison from centipedes, snakes & scorpions.

Then they call for her because rumors spread even to the court?

It's different now, but the court normally takes good regional physicians to train them.

If they excel, they leave them in the palace and if they aren't good, they're sent back to regional offices.

Really?

Yes! Jang Duk received training in the palace too,

and she was so good, they tried to keep her there,

but she clams she came to Jeju saying, she's not the "palace type". Ha! Who knows!

With a personality like that, it'd be hard to stay in the palace.

Sir! Sir!

I finally... finally...

have hope to return to the palace!

I'm going to be a physician. I'll be a physician!