Original subtitles

Listen. We can't serve you as our superior, Lady Han

How can we serve a person of lowly birth as our Highest Lady?

So withdraw from your position If you don't, then we will...

not participate in sacrificial rites or any other feasts

I'm going to meet the King's Mother and tell her that I'm withdrawing

No

Move

I came to this palace by myself after losing both parents

And I met you and I've served you as a mother and a teacher

But I don't want a mother who breaks her own will

I don't want a teacher who gives up on her own will!

Madam, I dare say, I'll ask you a favor

A favor? What is it?

Please allow a rematch competition for the Highest Lady title

A rematch?

Yes, Your Majesty Ladies are complaining that

I didn't participate in the last round

so I'd like to have a rematch

But Your Majesty, when I do win the rematch

please give me full authority over the kitchen

Full authority?

Yes, Your Majesty. Even if I have to demote all the kitchen court ladies

and work with the worker ladies, I'll subjugate them

Please give me full authority

(Episode 23)

You want full authority?

Yes, Your Majesty

Your Majesty, please do so As you already know...

court ladies aren't obeying Lady Han because of Lady Han's birth

not because she didn't participate in the competition

So even if she wins the rematch, without authority, they won't obey her

I think if someone is put in a position...

she should have appropriate authority for order

OK, go ahead and do that

Your grace is immeasurable Your grace is immeasurable

Queen Yes, Your Majesty

You can take care of this

Though I've been deciding the issues among the court ladies...

since you've only come recently, that isn't proper

Now that I think of it, you must've had a hard time...

with all the court ladies, especially the crafty ones

Seeing how you dealt with the Guesthouse and this issue...

I think you're very capable now

Your Majesty...

I'm only asking you to do your duty, and there's no regret at all...

so do it without any worries

But you still have to help me I still have a long way to go

Sure

Madam, the Queen has asked everyone to gather at the training place

The Queen?

She must've decided to finally accept our wish

Here enters the King's Mother!

Listen to the Queen carefully!

Listen everyone

No matter what the reason, it's disrespectful to argue against...

what the King's Mother has decided

So it is only right that you should be punished harshly

But there is one exception

Lady Han didn't participate in the competition herself...

So we'll have a rematch between Lady Han and Lady Choi here

Lady Choi and Lady Han, come forward

Do you accept this rematch?

Yes Yes

And are the court ladies willing to completely accept the results?

Yes

Bring them in

You are to cook rice It is basic Chosun food...

and the taste can differ depending on how you cook it

We will decide with this So only the competitors should be here

and the rest of you must follow me

Yes, Your Majesty

Shall we go, Your Majesty?

Madam, who do you think will win?

I'm not sure... they've been cooking rice over 30 years...

so I don't think there'll be much difference

especially when they use the same rice and pots

Could it be just to pick out the one that the Queen already has in mind?

Who?

Could it be Lady Choi?

Or Lady Han?

Hong! Hong!

Yes!

Take this to Lady Choi right now

Just take this to her?

Yes, she'll know I told her something...

I learned while cooking rice Make it quick

Sure, ma'am

Your rice shall be served in either brass or porcelain bowls

And kitchen court ladies will be judging them

I'll tell you which bowls to use before the judgment

Your Majesty, they're ready now Should I tell them to come in?

Sure, go ahead

Yes, Your Majesty

Try them and write down the one that tastes better

Bring in Lady Choi and Lady Han

Sit down

Evaluate the rice you've tasted

Both rice from the brass and porcelain bowls were tasty

Especially, the one in the porcelain was more glutinous and soft

It was something I'd never tasted before

I agree

Me, too, Your Majesty

Really? She must've used a different method

Who made the rice in the porcelain bowl?

It was I, Your Majesty

Did you use a different method?

Yes, Your Majesty. While trying different methods of cooking...

I found out that the rice becomes more glutinous and soft...

when you put something heavy on the pot to apply pressure and...

prevent vapor from escaping That's what I did

Really? You seem to have found a good method...

since rice can become cold and hard when it cools down

And seeing how ladies are complimenting yours...

I guess the results are obvious

Announce the results

5 for the porcelain bowl

And 9 for the brass bowl

Then Lady Han won

Strange! Everyone said the rice in the porcelain bowl was better

How come there were more votes for the brass bowl?

Even though Lady Choi's rice is very good

I prefer hard-boiled rice...

Me, too...

Me, too...

Me, too, Your Majesty

So you all voted for it because it was hard-boiled?

Actually, I prefer glutinous rice, so I picked the brass...

But isn't that strange? How can some be hard-boiled...

and some glutinous when they're from the same pot?

When you put in a dish on one side of the pot, the rice becomes...

hard-boiled because it rises above water

and the middle part becomes normal, and the other side becomes glutinous

The King prefers hard-boiled and the queen prefers glutinous...

so I came up with such an idea

That's why my favorite rice was served every other day

But the King & I aside, you knew what type of rice each court lady liked?

Yes, since I've been with them since I was very young

Amazing! You knew their preferences and considered them in your cooking

I'm only amazed at your meticulosity

You're great indeed You're qualified to be...

the Highest Lady of the Royal Kitchen of the Chosun Dynasty

Then the Highest Lady has been decided

I transfer all authority over you to Lady Han who is now the Highest Lady

For now, Lady Han's words are to be regarded as my words

In other words, you must obey Lady Han without exception...

Do you understand?

The Queen is asking a question

Do you understand?

Yes, Your Majesty

Head Lady, don't concern yourself with the kitchen for a while

Yes, Your Majesty

Sir, Lady Han has taken over the kitchen...

What?

The Queen even told me not to be concerned with the kitchen for a while

What? How could this be? The kitchen is so important to us!

How could that be?

The Lady Han woman must've talked to the Queen privately

I'm ashamed... I'm ashamed...

Still, a kitchen lady only cooks food What else could she do?

It won't do us much harm

Even if that's the case, Lady Choi has to go to the sauce pantry now

Then no one from our side will be in the kitchen now!

I'll do something about it through Lady Choi

How could this be?! How could such a thing happen?!

This can't be! This can't be!

If it weren't for our ancestors, this kitchen wouldn't have existed!

The history of the Chosun Dynasty and our family has come together!

How dare she humiliate me like this with an unorthodox way?!

How could they give that position of tradition

and our family's history to someone whose background we don't even know?!

Madam, calm down, someone else might hear you

Let them. I can't allow it! I can't let it be cut off in my generation

I can't, I can't, I can't allow it!

Though I've given you full authority, it's only temporary

There are rules and giving you full authority...

is same as bending the rules

And if you can't make them obey within the time you have...

I'll regret my decision

You have to find your position as soon as possible

Yes, Your Majesty. I'll remember that

I now appoint Han Baek-Young as the Highest Kitchen Lady

But the fancy palace I saw in my childhood was just an illusion

Though always crowded with people, the palace has been lonely

Envy and jealousy probably existed because they were tired of loneliness

Have some sympathy. Have pity on them

Treat others with sympathy as much as you want to follow the principles

Those are the last words I wanted to leave with you

Madam, I'll do it I'll do it for sure

Then, you thought of not doing it?

It would've been good if she had seen you become the Highest Lady

She probably did. You know her...

She wouldn't miss a thing

Madam

What?

There's a place I'd like to visit

Where?

She must be your mother you've been telling me about

Mother, she's Lady Han, whom I serve like I serve you...

She's pretty, isn't she?

I bet she was pretty like yourself

Though you told me to read the letter when I become the Highest Lady

I'd like to show it to Lady Han Would that be OK?

She must've passed away so early so she could give you to me

Madam...

What's the first dish Lady Han is preparing for the King?

The turtle stew She was going to prepare it...

for the 3rd round of the previous competition

She must be very nervous

She's been cooking all these years

But still...

Hey, did you finish the fish?

Yes

Let me see it... Let me see

What a surprise!

Madam, don't you feel sad when you see the caterpillar mushroom?

It's an insect during winter and a mushroom during summer

Madam, it's time to bring in the table

OK

The caterpillar mushroom has a sad life... Similar...

You've been the Highest Lady for some time now

Why do you come only now?

I'm sorry, Your Majesty I followed my heart...

and went to where Lady Jung rests

Really? Is Lady Jung doing well?

Yes, Your Majesty

She told me many interesting stories, so I grew to like her very much

Would you be able to do that, too?

I'll have to bother the court ladies and worker ladies as well

What do you mean?

Whenever Lady Jung ran out of stories to tell you...

she would come to our residences and get us to tell her stories

Is that so?

Yes... and because of it, many kitchen and court ladies...

started to read many books and they became very knowledgeable

So, she must've done it to make you study

Yes, Your Majesty. Though I don't speak as well as Lady Jung did...

I know how to nag the ladies so I'll bring many stories

Though you say you lack the skills, you talk better than Lady Jung did

You overpraise, Your Majesty

This tastes good You said this is turtle stew?

Yes, Your Majesty I made it not only for the taste

but for your recent stomach problem

Is this good for stomach problems?

Caterpillar mushroom is good for phlegm and reducing inflammation

Really? I should eat this more often then

Even though I'm taking medications, I'm having problems in my mouth, too

Yes, Your Majesty

I found out that my mother buried the persimmon vinegar...

with her best friend I bury this letter because...

I really want to meet you

I'm a worker lady named Suh Jang-Geum

What were you doing here?

I... was looking for someone

In this remote place?

Yes

Lady Han has finally become the Highest Kitchen Lady

I thought it happened some time ago

Actually, Lady Choi was against it, and she had her reasons

Maybe it was hard for her to give up on family traditions

I see

Actually, I'm working with Internal Affairs now

Did you get promoted?

No. I wanted to find out something so I asked to be moved...

even if it was a lower position

I see

I think I might need your help in the future

My help?

Yes. I think I'll be visiting the Food Services and Storage and...

other places related to the kitchen more often from now on

Sure, my help will be available whenever you need it

You've done so much for me

Then bye now

What brings you here?

I'm Min Jung-Ho, appointed as an investigator of Internal Affairs

Is that so? What brings you here?

I'd like to see the accounting books Where are they?

Where are they?

In a separate room Another investigator already...

Iooked at it last time

Still, I'd like to see them since I'm at charge now

I'll bring them to you

You're only wasting time

Oh, by the way, is the head of Internal Affairs doing well?

Yes

Make sure you don't let the bottom break

Then Lady Han really became the Highest Kitchen Lady?

Yes, that's true

Honey, luck has come to us! Luck is with us finally!

It's because I saved Lady Han from...

the ship that was going backward

Honey

Did you ride the horse without telling me?

Sir

You were the one riding the horse I'm saying I was a witness

Investigator Min, here you go

You're Investigator...?

Yes, I moved to Internal Affairs

That means... did you get promoted?

No. Bye now

He must've been demoted

That can't be

If it's not a promotion, then it's a demotion

He only said no when I asked him if he'd been promoted

He didn't say he'd been demoted

Though I sent you there because you seemed determined...

I don't think Choi Pan-Sul or Sir Oh would've done a job improperly

If you don't have proof, you'll put yourself in danger

Just don't hesitate to let me know...

if you don't think you can go any further

I'll ask the superior again The Royal Guards need you

Thank you, sir If I look into one side...

they'll try to cover it up by focusing on the other side...

I'll start from there

Just be careful

There aren't any problems with the records

They seem to be faultless

Food Services, Storage and Inventories are all the same

The agents finding out the price Choi Pan-Sul is paying...

haven't come back yet?

They went out only a few days ago

Did you find out something new?

No

I already checked everything, so why are you wasting time?

Don't you trust me?

No, it's not that. I'm only trying to learn a little faster

Are you sure you aren't wasting time?

How could he dare profiteer with products he supplies to the palace?

He's gaining the most profit by supplying to the palace

And not only do we consume a lot, we're also paying for them dearly

Monopolizing... Is his paying price much different from his selling price?

Or could it be the kitchens?

The kitchens?

It's been 5 generations... as the Highest Kitchen Lady

What do you mean?

Which place consumes the most products?

Of course, the kitchen No need to mention the Food Services

Nae-Ja-Si, grains; Sa-Do-Si, sauces; Sa-Je-Gaum, salt and fuel...

Eu-Youn-Go, oil. Choi Pan-Sul supplies most of them and...

whatever costs the most are going to the kitchens in large supplies

We'll have to start from there

Madam

What is it?

You're calling everyone together for reassignment, right?

So, I have something to tell you

The lady from the Prince's palace was most rebellious against you

And then, the kitchen ladies of the King's Mother and...

there are others on Lady Choi's side

I just thought you should know about such things...

What is it?

Madam, someone wants to see you for a moment

So it's you. I didn't have a chance to thank you for what you did

I have a favor to ask you

I understand. There's a way to find those things out

Then will it be turned upside down today?

I'm not sure since Lady Han isn't talking, but...

I think everyone will be replaced

Yes... I'd do that if I were her The Queen said she could do anything

If I were her, I'd replace everyone who rebelled against me...

and make sure they don't come near the kitchen again

Stop that... she surely wouldn't do such things to the worker ladies

You go inside

I'm going to the sauce pantry

Though we were at the same level till yesterday

I'm the Highest Lady now Please be courteous

I'd like to go to the sauce pantry

But please let Keum-Young stay here

Her talents are uncommon and she still has a lot to learn

I shall continue the will of the previous Highest Lady, Lady Jung

Since taste knows no ranks, we will talk openly about

each other's skills and help each other

I'll continue to enforce the rule that there should be no other motives...

for making food that goes into a person's body...

as well as the rule that we must understand...

and share the pains we go through as one family

These are the will of Lady Jung, and mine as well

I'll shorten my explanations and tell you the reassignments

First, Lady Choi of the kitchens will go to the sauce pantry

And Lady Lee of the pantry will come to the kitchen

And Lady Ji of the Prince's kitchen will come to the King's kitchen

since most worker ladies are in the Prince's kitchen

And the rest of you remain in your places

And the same goes for the worker ladies

I'd like to make a new position that we haven't had before

It was there from King Taejong to King Sejong's time

But it was not widely known and in the time of Yeonsan...

it disappeared altogether, but I'd like to reinstate it

It's called Accountant Lady She only has to write down...

the amount of products each kitchen receives and consumed...

so I didn't think a court lady ought to do this job

so I'm going to have Suh Jang-Geum do this

Though she's a worker lady, and she may bother you with her job...

I'd like to ask for your cooperation Do you understand?

Yes, ma'am

What happened?

I don't know. I thought she'd replace all of us now that she's gained power

Anyway, it's a relief. I thought I'd be demoted to a worker lady

Anyhow, what does an Accountant Lady do?

I'm not sure. I don't remember since I was only a little kid...

at the time of Yeonsan's rule She's trying to pressure us

Let's be careful Don't hide things away now

She should've replaced them all!

Replace them? Then who'd run the kitchens?

I would!

Anyway, it's good to see ugly Jang-Geum leave the kitchen

Hey! That's not the issue right now!

Then what is?

I finally have a court lady under me

What?

Lady Ji of the Prince's kitchen is younger than me

So I've become the third oldest in the kitchen now!

And you're happy about it?

But I heard that Lady Ji cooks very well

What? How about me?

I'm only saying...

Do you feel it's unfair?

Oh, no. I can go anywhere you tell me to

But I don't think it'll be any fun since I'd be only checking numbers

Right... it won't be any fun But do a good job...

since I trust you

Sure

Madam, be strong

You must not give up

As long as you and I are alive, the opportunity will come

When it's painful, you have to go through the pain

You know, the more it hurts

the faster the opportunity will come your way

So calm yourself and examine what you've done wrong...

and wait for the chance quietly, and make the chance, understand?

Yes

I shall rise again! Yes, I will...

What?

Me, too?

Yes. Since he's the older brother of the King's Mother...

he's the King's uncle It's his birthday

But how could you let me...?

The King asked for food and drinks You only have to prepare side dishes

The King's Mother is already there

But, Madam, I've never prepared such tables before all by myself

You should do such work with worker ladies now

But...

I'm sending you because you're the best...

at making kebab, so don't worry and go

But...

I trust you

You trust me?

Then Madam, let Chang-Yee stay here She only eats and ruins things...

Madam!

She'll do well. And since she was sick at the ceremony...

she's never gone outside of the palace

That's right!

So take her out. Chang-Yee, you must help Lady Min without messing up

Do you understand?

Yes, Madam!

Everyone, move! They're the court ladies from the palace

Move! They're court ladies from the palace!

Move! They're the ones sent by the King himself!

Move! They're sent by the King himself!

Move... move

I'm not sure if these will be OK

They're fine. Food is about the devotion, not the place

Madam!

Chang-Yee, you'll make kebab with me Young-Ro, prepare the herbs

Yeun-Seng, prepare the meat

Look at how they're making it! It looks so delicious!

They're so good! That looks so delicious!

How could they be so good?

Look at how she's preparing it!

They're so good!

They're indeed court ladies of the Royal Kitchen

And they talk like ladies, too!

How could your hands be so dull?

I'm sorry

They're pretty, aren't they?

It's so pretty! How much is this?

It's 2 coins

2 coins?

It's so pretty

This is prettier

Are you going to get it for yourself?

No. It's for Lady Han

For Lady Han?

She's like a mother to me

You sound like a different person because you talk differently now

I don't care! Lady Han trusts me I'm going to buy it for her

And I'm going to talk like Lady Han from now on

Me, too! I'm going to serve her as if serving my mother

It's pretty, isn't it?

Madam! Hello!

I came with an important mission

I see

Duk-Gu! It's the same one you sell to us

How much is this?

It's 1 coin

Mr. Gang! You sold it to me for 3 coins!

What? Then you should've brought 2 coins home...

but there were none! Where is it?

That's not the problem now I was swindled out of my money!

That's your problem I haven't received my 2 coins!

Honey!

Mr. Gang!

What's going on here?!

How could the same thing happen everywhere except the King's kitchen?

Explain yourselves!

You're supposed to return to the storage whatever is left over

Even though you say there was no one to take care of the accounts...

how could there be a difference of almost 50 percent from last month?

All the kitchens at that! Explain yourselves

We just followed our usual routine...

Usual routine?

When I took over the position for the first time there was...

no accountant lady and the previous lady didn't return...

the leftovers and let the ladies share amongst themselves

That's true. It was like that with the previous lady of...

the King's Mother's kitchen

Yes, sir

Let them share amongst themselves?!

For personal consumption?

Don't court ladies receive pay, too?

We didn't know that we're supposed to...

That doesn't make any sense!

You can go back to your place and continue working

I'll have to report this to the related offices

You'll have to meet someone before you do that

He's the head eunuch in charge of the kitchens

Aren't you Lt. General of the Royal Guards?

I've moved to Internal Affairs

Yes, so that's why... let's sit down first

I took your advice to reinstate the position of Accountant Lady...

but I couldn't have imagined such a result

Me, neither

After going through the old kitchen books, I found out that...

since the time of Yeonsan when there were daily feasts...

the amount of products that went into the kitchens

didn't decrease at all even though the next King has been frugal

Actually there were places where the demand increased

More than half of the products supposedly...

used in the kitchens went elsewhere! What a tragedy!

The King worked so hard to restore the palace's finances...

after the bankruptcy during Yeonsan's rule

How dare they do such a thing in front of the King?

I'm going to give them severe punishments

It's probably not limited to the kitchens

If not?

Even though there was no accountant lady in the kitchens...

the Food Services and Storage were supposed to check them...

as part of their duty, and yet they didn't do anything

This means not only the kitchens, but sewing houses, other depts...

including one in charge of constructions are doing the same

It means something's wrong and someone is behind it

And the people who must be punished are officials in charge of those depts

So you can talk to other attendants in charge of other depts...

and tell them to investigate quietly...

And once the investigations are over I'll take care of the rest

Sure, we'll do that

What now?

How crafty of her! She let us remain so she could throw us down like this

But she wouldn't be able to do anything

since we even gave them to our superiors regularly

so they can't make it a problem...

Do you think that makes any sense? Can we be proud to tell Lady Han...

we've given them as bribes?

And haven't some of you even sold them outside the palace?

Anyhow, we can't just be victimized like this, so follow after me

What are you saying?!

You've been hoarding them secretly all this time?!

But we thought of them as a part of regular routine

Our previous ladies have done the same thing

Even if it has been a part...

of regular routine, it's wrong to do such things

And you know that I can't do much about what happens in the kitchens

You shouldn't say such things, Madam

How dare you talk like that to her?!

You're related to this, too

Related?

Where do you think our gifts to you have come from?

How about the feast tables we've prepared for you?

Then are you saying...?

Yes, Madam, if Lady Han has completed her investigations...

I think you'll be in trouble as well

Madam, no one knows how much the Accountant Lady has investigated

Cover it well

What brings you here when you didn't care about us at all?

You've hurt me, too, so don't talk to me like that

So everyone has been ensnared by Lady Han now

I told you not to talk like that

But everyone has to feel what it is like to have me out of there

Help us

Because of the Queen, it's hard for me to find out what's up in the kitchen

But you still have contacts

Find out whether Lady Han has all the info about their wrongdoings

and if it contains something related to me as well

We'll have to know before we can take any action

We'll be victimized if we just sit idly

You know it's hard for you to have hope without me

So bring any info or books that Jang-Geum investigated secretly

Sure. She doesn't go to sleep early as she organizes things late at night

You try to find out as much as possible

what Lady Han intends to do, Keum-Young

Sure

Good morning, Madam!

Good morning

Are you feeling fine?

My throat is hurts a little more today

Huh?

Jang-Geum, good to see you!

You know which dish is good for sore throats, right?

Why? Your throat hurts?

Not me, but Lady Han

Is she seriously ill?

No, she said her throat hurts and I was thinking of making her breakfast

Then, you can use pear and...

I'll just go with you Sure

These are only records of facts

Even the ones from decades ago...

Mother's notebook!