Original subtitles

(Episode 11)

Court lady Jeong, come with me for a moment.

I said come with me!

Those girls were just...

- I heard everything. - The prosecutor's office must investigate.

There's no need for a long discussion.

It won't be long before the queen delivers her baby.

If word gets out about this, there will be chaos.

I know that. That's why the truth must be revealed.

Sometimes it's better to conceal the truth.

And knowing when to do that is also part of our job here in the palace.

No one but His Majesty can make such a decision.

Are you trying to turn this palace upside down?

His Majesty finally has relief from all the conspiracies and treasons

that made him uneasy in his earlier days as a king.

Why bring chaos to the palace again?

Cover up this incident.

I'm afraid I cannot do that.

What do you mean you can't?

We must report any case of treason regardless of who is involved.

So although you're my superior...

I see.

So you really want to get us all killed,

and make me look like no more than a puppet who's not doing her job,

while the royal palace recognizes you for your service.

This is not about who's being recognized or who's not doing their job.

It's about the safety of His Majesty.

How dare you challenge me?

Who put you in your position?

How dare you revolt against me?

No, I'm not...

I'm certainly more concerned about the safety of His Majesty than you are.

And that's why I'm concerned about what might happen afterward as well.

Unlike you who can just cook in the kitchen, I need to consider what's best

for all our fellow court ladies here in the palace,

as well as the high ministers.

Why are you concerned about them? For whom? For what?

What did you just say?

For whom?

You despise me and suspect me, don't you?

Are you really suspicious of me?

Alright then, just give it one more day.

I still have a job to take of.

After assessing the situation,

I'll try to minimize the harm done to the internal department.

Fine. Then one more day.

Come out now.

But court lady Jeong said...

I'm going to take this to the court lady in royal attendance.

They threw you in here after only listening to Yeon Saeng,

even though you did nothing wrong.

Why are you being framed when we have a suspect?

Get up.

You can't tell anyone the truth, no matter what situation arises.

I'll clean up the aftermath, so you be strong.

I'll tell the court lady in royal attendance.

You'll be staying in the court lady inspector's room for now.

I'll stay in contact with you, so stay alert.

Yes.

How did you let things come to this?

Why wasn't I told about this earlier?

I thought everything would resolve easily

because Jang Geum fell into a trap.

Anyway, everything is working in our favor.

She showed up at the serving kitchen even though she was off-duty that night.

Not only that... She's keeping her mouth shut

even after Yeon Saeng claimed she was innocent.

Not really.

Court lady Jeong is not acting out of ambition.

It is obvious she suspects you and me.

She gave us only one more day.

But honestly, I don't know if she will even wait.

I know. That's why my brother is meeting

with Oh Gyeom Ho right now.

What are you talking about?

What did I tell you before I left for Gyegyeong?

How could let things come to this?

I have nothing to say.

Besides, she just became a court lady.

How could you ask a young girl like her to do something so important?

I am very sorry. We meant to train her...

Minister, we can punish him later...

We need to decide if we should try to conciliate or threaten them...

No, that's like admitting we are guilty.

We must act with more force.

What do you mean, force?

We need to tell Yu Dong Ho

and act with the prosecutor's office first.

And tell court lady Choi to make

the whole situation unfavorable for Jang Geum.

It would be best to cover up the whole thing,

but even if this goes to the prosecutor's office,

we should falsify everything so she'll be framed.

Contact the fortuneteller who made the talisman too.

- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!

But Jang Geum didn't hide anything, but was looking for something.

My lady.

Actually...

I have to find it.

I have to find whatever you were looking for in the serving kitchen.

I don't know what could happen to you!

Look here.

Do you see this?

It's dried day lily and we call it day flower or yellow flower.

Here, I'll turn it so you can smell it.

- You too. - Yes.

Where did the court ladies all go?

- Hey, don't drop it. - I know...

Where did Jang Geum and Geum Yeong go?

You can make japchae with day flower.

It's delicious while being sour.

It stimulates the appetite...

And what else is good... The...

Um...

Yes, it's good for all your organs, so it makes you feel light.

It's especially good for clear vision.

Sometimes we cook rice with day lily, or put it in a stew.

But don't forget, we must take the stamen out before we cook.

My lady,

we haven't seen Jang Geum or Geum Yeong for several days now...

They went on an errand.

And tomorrow we'll be cooking with nasturtium,

and the day after, dried acacia and plantain lily.

So for now, you'll be learning how to use these flowers in cooking.

So everyone, prepare ahead.

Yeon Saeng, we need to go see the silverware manager for a minute.

Yes.

Is this where Jang Geum used to practice cooking by herself?

Yes.

Alright, you may leave now.

- Should I help you look? - No.

Yes.

Were you looking for me?

Since you go in and out of the serving kitchen all the time,

you'll have to become our new witness...

Yes.

For whom? For what?

Why are you concerned about the high ministers?

What did you just say?

For whom?

You despise me and suspect me, don't you?

Are you really suspicious of me?

Lately, Court Lady Jeong has been absent from the royal kitchen

because of her bad knees.

She doesn't go into the royal palace often either.

Why don't you talk to Her Majesty

and have her appoint someone else to replace her at this opportunity?

She's been a puppet for 10 years too long.

And she isn't a puppet anymore anyway...

Court lady Choi asked me to inform you

court lady Jeong will be going into the royal palace today.

Your Majesty's sight was growing dim from reading books

until very late at night.

So we've prepared mixed vegetables with yellow flower for Your Majesty.

Please try some.

Okay.

Is there something wrong?

Everyone's faces look so gloomy.

What's the matter? Is there something worrying you?

Not at all.

Lately, the girls have been getting very lazy,

so I scolded them harshly earlier in the day.

Please forgive us for daring to show gloomy faces in Your Majesty's presence.

It seems like you're the one who's gotten lazy.

You don't come when I have my meals every day.

Much less your food, but listening to your knowledge

and your stories about food and the foods my people eat with the ingredients I eat

would make forget about the day's worries.

Your visits are infrequent lately.

I am honored, Your Majesty.

Come as often as you can and don't miss a day.

I need to hear your stories

to think about my people all the time.

Yes, Your Majesty. I will do that.

My lady,

seeing His Majesty every day... I can't wait with this incident any longer.

Are you giving me an order?

No, my lady, I'm asking you...

Are things going well?

It will be done by tonight.

Tell me...

My lady...

I said, tell me...

I can't...

Huh!

My lady, I really can't.

You could die.

I've been through this before a long time ago.

And I know you could die.

I don't want to go through this again.

You have no idea how much I've suffered all these years.

Please Jang Geum, talk to me.

My lady, it's not something I can show to you.

One day, I'll show it to you and speak to you about it.

But...

If I reveal it now, everyone will find out about it.

I trust you, Jang Geum.

Whatever it is, I know it's not something indecent.

So why not?

I really don't know why I'm being so foolish either...

Actually, I do know...

When I was a little kid,

my parents always told me not to tell others about something.

But I didn't listen to them,

and my parents died because of me.

I was sitting there for a long time next to my mother who had died...

Thinking, what do I do now...

How do I go on from here?

They were killed because of me...

If it was okay for me to be alive, to breathe,

to walk, to eat...

Or if I should sit there...

I sat completely still...

Not knowing what to do.

Very still...

And then all I heard was my mother's voice in my ear.

They were her last words...

My mother gave me her diary and a letter.

I still don't know what the letter's about

since I never opened it, as curious as I am.

I never opened it, because I was told not to open it.

And I'm not telling anyone about my parents either,

because I was told not to tell.

That's what my mother asked me to do...

And I'll listen to her.

But then you'll die, Jang Geum.

I should've been dead with my parents a long time ago, my lady.

My lady.

Please, Jang Geum...

My lady!

My lady!

Baek Young... Wait...

Why? I must get going.

I told her.

To whom? To the first court lady?

To the court lady of food tasting.

Good job.

I didn't feel good telling the first court lady

about court lady Choi.

What did she say?

She said she'll find out and take care of it.

How can you explain this without saying you have been intimate with him?

My lady! That's not true.

Shut up!

Tell me what you saw four days ago.

I have seen court lady Park going into a warehouse with a man.

You must die for your crime.

We should kill her according to our policy.

What makes you delay the punishment?

Are you trying to turn this palace upside-down?

Cover up this incident.

A day has passed.

You may go...

You may go to the prosecutor's office.

I shouldn't have given them another day...

My lady...

What? You are going to ask me to cover up this incident too?

There's only one reason why I took this job I didn't want.

No matter what the reason is, or what the case,

I can't stand those people who try to gain power and authority

in the palace through food.

I'll never forgive the court lady

who served pork to King Munjong while King Sejo was crowned.

I'll also never forgive the first court lady

who slipped sleeping herbs into soldiers' food during the rebellion.

And I always thought that...

Should something like that ever happen while I'm still here,

my job is to reveal the truth at the risk of my life... And set an example.

And it has happened... I'm sure you would do the same.

Food should never be used in an underhanded way for a political reason.

How could someone who cooks food mess around coveting wealth and power?

I know.

So I must go there now.

I must reveal to the world what has been kept secret...

I know too.

I've known you since I was five...

How could I not know your true intentions?

Then why you are asking me to do the opposite?

But if you go now, Jang Geum will die.

I've known her for many years...

And I know she's not the kind of person who could do such a thing.

I'm sure you know that too.

That's why we must reveal the truth.

My lady...

A long time ago... The same thing happened...

And I watched an innocent friend die...

I'm scared, my lady.

I don't want the same thing to happen to her who just opened up to me.

I'm scared to think

I will have to just stand there and watch her die like my friend.

That's why I can't bend now...

I've stood around doing nothing for 10 years over in the sauce warehouse.

I don't want to feel pathetic anymore!

Please... Let Jang Geum live.

I can't do that!

Please, my lady.

Next time...

There's no next time for me.

There's no next time anymore.

But if you go now, Jang Geum will die.

I've known her for many years...

And I know she's not the kind of person who could do such a thing.

I'm sure you know that too.

I'm scared, my lady.

I don't want the same thing to happen to her, like my friend who died.

I'm scared to think

I will have to just stand there and watch her die.

That's why I can't bend now...

I've stood around doing nothing for 10 years over in the sauce warehouse.

I don't want to feel pathetic anymore!

I'll do as you say.

But I thought you said you would take it to the prosecutor's office

because you suspected me.

I was wrong.

What would you like me to do now?

Cover it up...

And kick Jang Geum out of the palace.

I cannot do that.

What do you mean you can't?

Jang Geum may be guilty of not opening her mouth...

But we have a witness who saw Geum Yeong hiding something.

If we must kick somebody out, we must kick out both of them.

But wasn't the witness, a friend of Jang Geum?

She used to live with me when she first came into the palace.

I know her very well, and she can't lie.

Then... Do whatever you wish with the two girls.

Untie them and take them to their rooms.

Then do you mean...

Cover up this incident entirely...

My lady...

They've been starving for days. Go and take care of them.

Hurry!

You bad girl...

Actually, that's why I like you.

Because you have nothing else on your mind...

I don't how much more you'll suffer because of that...

Or how much longer I have to watch you worried to death...

But do that...

Let's live like that.

Jang Geum!

Jang Geum!

Jang Geum!

My lady, is she okay?

Why can't she open her eyes?

A nurse just came by. It's not so bad.

She must have been chewing kudzu root in the storeroom. Her condition isn't bad.

You take good care of her.

Yes, I will.

When she wakes up, give her water first... Then rice gruel.

Then give her rice porridges, adding more rice little by little.

Yes, I know, my lady.

So now you know what we really do here.

I won't tolerate it if you make another mistake like this one.

Forgive me. My lady...

She went against her will because of you...

To save you.

You can consider you were given grace...

But we gave her regret and a wound from which she will never heal.

And whether because of that, it seems her knees

are getting worse too... I feel abysmal guilt.

Anyway, I really don't get you. You made everyone suffer...

What don't you get?

Sit down.

My lady!

How can I ever pay for my guilt?

Please punish me.

You've starved... That was enough.

Who cares about this old woman's feelings?

Young people should live.

I can't let you all suffer to resolve my regrets.

My lady...

You girls are the future of the royal kitchen.

I have no regrets about leaving here like this.

I've enjoyed my time in the palace... And I even made it this far!

I can't ask for more...

What are you doing?

Can't I get a cup of water here? I'm a guest too.

I know you went through a lot of difficulties.

Since we decided to cover up the whole thing,

don't hold any grudges...

And let's forget about everything.

- Yes. - Yes.

Did you bring it?

What was it called again?

This is it.

These pills are called vitality pills of the heavenly gods

and they only make them for His Majesty.

It's made of the top twelve medicinal ingredients

from around the world.

They only make them for His Majesty, for real?

Have you only been tricked all your life?

That's right. Dong Sik ate them too

and he fathered a son, finally, after 10 years.

And there's a reason for that!

This is made with...

The gallbladder of a carp like a dragon that can jump 10 feet up a waterfall...

The incarnation of unstoppable virility, the viper!

A viper!

And camellia powder that breaks through the cold of winter to bloom...

The penis of a seal that waits

for the moonlit night of the 15th of the month,

the mysterious root told of since Joseon's beginning, red ginseng powder...

All these mystical ingredients when mixed with Chinese matrimony vine,

raspberry wine, dried love vine seed and dipped in honey to form balls...

This is not just any medicine, it's a new wonder drug...

Is it really made with all those special ingredients?

Did you say really?

Hey, are you saying I've been pulling your leg?

I'm leaving!

Alright, so how much are they?

How much?

That's right... My uncle likes money more than he likes these pills.

Okay, give me five coins each.

Five coins?

Why are they so expensive?

Expensive?

This is the first time I'm hearing that.

If you don't want them, fine...

Hey, we never said we don't want them.

Just cut down the price a little.

It's true, I'm not a merchant.

Then just give me three coins each.

Three coins?

Okay!

Here you go.

You, Kang!

I thought it couldn't be... And it was you!

I deserve to die, lord eunuch.

Drag this rascal away at once!

Yes.

Please, head eunuch!

What should we do with these rascals?

I'll take care of these rascals, so just drag him away.

Yes, sir.

Oh, my lord. Sir, let me live.

Please, sir.

My lord!

You incriminated yourself!

I didn't want to sell it, but...

What? You really don't know why you're here?

I know I should be punished by death for doing such a thing in the palace.

But I didn't steal any medicines from the palace.

You better tell me the truth before we punish you!

I know I am guilty of selling these pills to those ordinary men...

But they wanted to buy them

for their parents. They're just being good sons...

How dare you sell those kinds of pills to young eunuchs

when you know the rules of the eunuch ministry?

I beg your pardon, sir?

You're disrespecting us!

If not, how could you have sold such a thing to eunuchs?

And it was my foster son who bought it!

He just became a eunuch four months ago.

I was just...

Do you have any idea how much he's suffering right now?

Every night, he can't control himself and runs out to the courtesan rooms...

How will he be able to repent...

How will he face the disgrace...

I guess the pills really do work, huh?

You're right. This says everything.

No further words are necessary.

You shall be disciplined for insulting the eunuchs

and causing a disturbance in the eunuch ministry...

Cut off his hands!

Yes, sir.

Oh no, lord eunuch!

Please let me live.

Lord eunuch! Let me live!

Lord!

That's impossible.

The pills cannot possibly make him suffer like that.

What are you talking about?

I'll show you.

I'll make them right here before you, and prove it to you.

I was lying when I said a carp like a dragon

that can jump 10 feet up a waterfall...

It's just this.

And there's no such thing in the world

as the penis of a seal that waits for the moonlit 15th night of the month...

This is just a dried frog's bottom.

The powder of a viper was actually this bean powder.

I then just add licorice root,

mandarin peel, and magnolia

and mix it with some water...

And if I knead it into a ball... It is this pill.

Please try it.

Doesn't it taste the same?

You're right.

This pill doesn't do any harm to our bodies.

And, of course, it has no effect whatsoever on virility.

If there's someone who became aroused at night after eating it,

he would have a hard time even if he wandered through the streets

pulling up and eating weeds.

Don't you agree, lord eunuch?

Hm... Now that I hear you... It makes sense.

Drag him away and cut off both his hands!

But sir, I just proved my innocence!

Drag him away right now!

Yes, sir.

Please let me live.

Lord eunuch!

What brought you here?

I have a royal order to take the royal cook Kang to His Majesty right now.

Perhaps I'm getting a reward from His Majesty

for making the health chicken porridge for His Highness.

No, I don't think so.

Sir, you should come with us too.

My lady...

Court lady Jeong, something terrible has happened.

What's wrong? What happened?

The royal cook Kang Deok Gu has been arrested.

What?

Why?

His Majesty heard the prince has been frail lately.

Saying how could he eat all the good food himself, he asked the royal cook

to prepare duck soup with cordyceps for the prince.

And then?

The prince ate it, but then...

He's now paralyzed in all four limbs.

Paralyzed?

How could he be paralyzed from eating duck soup with cordyceps?

That I don't know.

How bizarre...

Court lady Jeong, what is duck soup with cordyceps anyway?

That's... Boiled duck with rice with Cordyceps militaris...

Cordyceps militaris?

So was Kang Deok Gu taken to the prosecutor's office?

No, he is...

Are you sure you didn't put anything else in the food

besides the ingredients that were listed?

My uncle always told me I'd be scolded if I tell a lie.

I swear I didn't put anything else in the food.

Why would I put in anything else spending my own money?

Maybe I would do the opposite...

Jang Geum!

My lady!

You stay right there!

Take the royal cook to the inspection room

of the eunuch ministry. Don't let him go anywhere.

The royal physicians will come often to question him.

Yes, sir.

Sir!

Mister, what's going on here?

It's a setup!

Setup?

You know there are many other royal cooks besides me.

They must have found out His Majesty was favoring me.

So they must have slipped something into the food.

Were they present when you were preparing the food?

No, they weren't.

You shouldn't be joking around.

My lady, I've gone mad.

But you tasted it too, didn't you?

And there was nothing wrong with the food.

I only used the ingredients that were brought in by the royal physicians.

And then I put in duck and cordyceps...

But why did the prince collapse after eating that? Why?

Maybe he just missed his footing and fell...

Are you sure it has something to do with the food?

That we don't know for sure.

To me, it looks like the royal physicians are passing the blame

because they can't find the cause.

I've known royal cook Kang for over 20 years.

I know he's a silly man, but he would never put something in the food.

Why would he do that?

I know that too... But this is a very serious matter.

We're talking about His Highness the prince here.

Even if by ill-luck he became ill unrelated to the food,

in the palace, even one with ill-luck is shunned.

Unless they find a cause for his illness very soon,

something terrible could happen to the royal cook Kang.

I must go to His Highness's palace now.

A royal physician must be there by now.

Why don't you check and see if there was something wrong with the food?

You should know more about that than I do.

Yes.

What's the problem?

Why can't the prince move his body?

Your Majesty, I'm afraid the chief royal physician was right.

So you're saying it's not illness...

He was really poisoned?

Yes, Your Majesty.

But he only had duck soup with cordyceps

I ordered the royal cook Kang to prepare.

And all the other herbs were given to him by the royal hospital.

They even tested it with a silver spoon and it didn't change color either.

I heard that too, Your Majesty,

but I believe the royal cook Kang slipped in a poisonous herb

after the ingredients were handed to him.

I've heard there is a poisonous herb

that cannot be detected with a silver spoon.

What? Does a poisonous herb that cannot be detected exist?

Yes, Your Majesty.

A Chinese royal physician told me about it

when I visited China last time.

Then is there a way to treat the illness?

How come you're not answering her?

Is there a way to treat it?

I'm afraid to say this...

But if we start treating him without even knowing what we're dealing with,

it could cause a serious accident...

So you are saying he cannot be treated?

We'll find it out immediately. Your Majesty, please give us more time.

These are all the medicinal ingredients and spices he used.

- Okay, check them one by one. - Yes!

We have ginger, ground pepper, salt, clove,

cinnamon, alpinia, and ginseng. This is all.

These are just the basic ingredients of duck soup with cordyceps,

nothing more, nothing less.

That's right.

What's going on here?

Court madam!

Yes?

Someone's here to see you.

Who?

Jang Geum, what do I do now?

What do I do?

Please calm down. I'm sure he didn't do anything wrong.

No... He probably made a mistake.

He definitely made a mistake.

Why? Is there something that comes to mind?

He brought home this mushroom yesterday from somewhere

but I didn't eat it because I had never seen it before.

What if he put it into the food? Huh?

I can't live without him, Jang Geum.

We always get into fights,

but he's the only dear husband I have.

Jang Geum, you have to find a way to save him, please.

I can't live without him... I can't.

My lady, is this a poisonous mushroom?

Yes, it's Panaeolus papilionaceus.

Then can someone be paralyzed from eating this?

No, although it's poisonous,

it doesn't cause paralysis but only makes one hallucinate or laugh.

So this would not cause paralysis?

Not unless you eat several tens of them.

He's in big trouble! What is he going to do?

I know.

He's got no way out if everybody is saying it was the poison.

I know...

What are you saying?

The royal physician examined the prince

and said he was poisoned for sure.

He said someone must have put poison into his food.

But didn't you say it was fine when they tested the food?

But the royal physician said there is a poison

that cannot be detected with a silver spoon.

What?

And one of the nurses said

all the royal physicians are trying very hard to find what that poison is,

so they can treat the prince.

What do we do? If they can't find it,

mister Deok Gu will be falsely accused.

- Court lady Han. - Yes?

The royal physicians want you to put these poisonous herbs

in duck soup with cordyceps.

They're trying to find the one that won't change the color of the food,

and cannot be detected at the same time.

They asked you to do your best to find it quickly.

The sooner you find it,

the sooner they can treat the prince.

Alright.

Court lady Han, please let me do it.

No, you can't.

You are already too close to royal cook Kang.

They'll say something about it.

I know you're very worried about him,

but we should let the others do it.

You girls can start making duck soup

with cordyceps and put each of these medicinal herbs in.

Yes.

This was clearly done by people trying to harm the prince!

We must find out who they are!

But His Majesty said punishing the cook could wait.

He said treating the prince is urgent.

But this can't wait.

Even the royal physicians don't know what caused it!

That means the royal cook used something even they've never heard of.

We must receive his confession.

I'll go to the administration to meet with his excellency the prime minister

and have him petition His Majesty again.

Did you find it?

No...

They either changed color or they were detected when we tested them.

Just what did royal cook Kang do to this food for that to happen?

My lady, we tested all the herbs, but we couldn't find anything like that.

It looks like they finally decided to question royal cook Kang.

A petition was made from the administration, and His Majesty just approved it.

What?

Look here! I need to go use the outhouse.

Mister!

What should I do now, Jang Geum?

Please save me. I'm so scared...

What should I do? Please save me, Jang Geum...

Jang Geum...

You, me, and the heavens know...

I'm not capable of doing that!

Even stealing my wife's money frightens me.

This is just impossible.

Here they come!

How many are there?

There must be six or seven of them. What should I do, Jang Geum?

What do I have to tell them?

You see...I just say anything when people abuse me.

Please tell me what I need to say, Jang Geum.

They will hurt me pretty bad... What do I do, Jang Geum?

It really wasn't me. You know it too.

No, you should not think about making up a story.

If you're innocent, tell them you didn't do it!

No matter what! I'll find the cause.

I will find it out somehow. So don't tell them a lie, got it?

No, I didn't get it... Tell me one more time.

Let's take him away!

- Mister. - Please save me, Jang Geum.

Let's talk here, yes?

Duck, cordyceps... Ginger, ground pepper, salt,

clove, cinnamon, alpinia, ginseng... This is really odd...

How did it go? Did they drag him away?

Yes.

I've thought about it for a long time... It can't be him...

I know... I can tell people at first glance.

And he's just like me.

He's not the kind of person who can do something like that,

even if he was bribed.

How can you tell what someone is thinking?

You're right! Who knows what you're thinking? We know what we think.

Don't start with me, Yeon Saeng...

It's time for class! Why are you girls still chatting?

Today, we'll be serving a pheasant hot pot to His Majesty.

Is everyone ready?

Yes.

It purifies the blood and controls blood pressure.

It also stops dysenteric diarrhea.

Now, what foods should you not eat with pheasant meat?

We should not eat it with walnuts, tree ear, buckwheat, scallions, or soybeans,

because it's not good for your brain and heart.

That's right...

Every food is made up of several different components.

So depending on what it is eaten with,

it is either beneficial or harmful to the body.

This is why certain foods shouldn't be eaten together.

As you all know,

we put cloves in food to get rid of the smell of pork.

But if you eat it with a medicinal drink containing turmeric,

it can cause diarrhea or vomiting.

Clove... Turmeric...

And,

tell me Jang Geum,

what kinds of foods should you not eat with carp?

It can cause a slight fever if eaten with garlic.

It can cause boils if eaten with mustard leaf,

pork liver, chicken, pheasant, or deer meat.

It can also serious harm if eaten with blue lilyturf.

Court lady Han, can I be excused for a moment?

What?

Perhaps... This is what was wrong with the duck soup with cordyceps.

I must find it out.

Mister Deok Gu is like a father to me.

Please, I'll be back shortly.

Okay, you're excused.

Excuse me, I need to ask you a question.

I've heard the prince ate duck soup with cordyceps

because he was feeling weak.

Has he been drinking any medicinal drinks?

And he also couldn't sleep at night. Not only that, he suffered nervousness.

So we gave him a little bit of nutmeg oil.

Nutmeg... What kind of medicine is that?

I really don't know.

It was brought in from China by our envoys.

I was thinking...

Perhaps it has something to do with his illness...

No, that's not possible.

He's been drinking it for several days and had no problem.

Yes...

Nutmeg...

Nutmeg... What is it?

Did you find anything yet?

My lady, have you ever heard of nutmeg?

I only heard the Chinese use it as a spice.

A spice?

But we rarely use it here in Joseon.

So it's perfectly okay if we put it in food?

I can't tell for sure, since I've never used it.

But I've heard Chinese people only use it after taking out the oil.

Taking out the oil?

But the nurse said they gave him the oil to calm him.

They're probably using it as medicine.

I haven't seen you in so long.

How come you stopped coming?

Something happened.

I apologize for breaking my promise.

No, not at all.

And... I'm really sorry,

But could I borrow another book from here?

Sure... Which one do you want this time?

I need Chinese medicinal treatments.

Chinese medicinal treatments.

It's a medical book, isn't it?

Yes, it is.

You even read the medical books now?

I just need to look up something...

Please follow me.

Yes.

Nutmeg...

It works effectively on the stomach and intestines,

and it is often used to treat diarrhea or indigestion.

Its oil is often used to treat chronic paralysis.

However, when used too much, the body can stiffen...

The body can stiffen?

The body can stiffen?

But didn't they say they only gave him a little to help him sleep?

That's right...

Not only that, they must know about it too. They're the royal physicians.

That's what I thought...

I know you're worried about mister Deok Gu,

but you can't find something even the royal physicians can't.

They'll find it soon...

What if they can't?

I should try.

If no one finds it out,

something will go wrong after he is locked in jail,

or His Majesty will have him poisoned.

Poison.

Ginseng.

There is no improvement in the prince's condition...

So what are we to do about this...

My lady, please come out and see this!

Who's making a big fuss out there?

My lady, Jang Geum is... She is...

What happened to you?

My lady, I found it out!

I found it out.