Original subtitles

These are only records of facts

Even the ones from decades ago...

Mother's notebook!

(Episode 2 4)

This isn't it. It's a diary Lady Han wrote when she was a worker lady

But how could Jang-Geum have...

It's about cooking, so she was probably trying to teach her...

her methods of cooking

And these books only record the incoming and outgoing products

not how the ladies have been using them

Put them back

Sure

Are you sure?

I'm not sure why she's going through the old books

but these books are nothing new

If such books do exist, she would've hidden it very well

Young-Ro, you keep looking into it and Keum-Young, you keep an eye on Lady Han

Yeun-Seng, did you see my books by any chance?

Books?

Yes. The accounting books I left under my desk...

they disappeared

Really? Did you search for them?

You may have misplaced them

No

Aren't you going to be scolded by Lady Han if you lose them?

Wouldn't it be better if you tell her now?

Maybe Young-Ro hid them

Why would she?

Did she ever have a reason? All she does is give us trouble

This is trouble

What is it?

What's wrong?

Madam, actually...

I have lost the accounting books

No, she didn't lose them They're gone

Gone?

Yes. Jang-Geum left them in her residence...

but they were gone when she looked for them

I'm sorry

It's alright. They'll be returned

People who are nervous about you taking records probably took them

But only the facts are recorded They'll put them back

Did you take those?

What?

These...

Why would I take them? What for?

Young-Ro, where's the notebook?

Man... What are you talking about?

Young-Ro, give it back It's very important to me

If I wanted to see it, I'd just take a look since I use the same room

Why would I take it like that?

What notebook? You're trying to blame me for everything...

now that Lady Han has become the Highest Lady

No, it's not that

Forget it! I have to work now

You're something else

So this is why Jang-Geum was so good Lady Han gave this to Jang-Geum only

and she only told me to get bowls of water!

What are you doing? Give it back!

No way It's not yours!

Then is it yours?

Yes, it's mine! Give it back!

Let me see if it's your writing

What are you doing?!

What is it?

Whose notebook is this?

I don't know. Young-Ro was looking at it, so I took it...

Where did you get it?

In some corner of a building...

I found it under a tree I was going to find the owner...

but Yeun-Seng came and...

It seems to be very old Is it not yours?

Myeong didn't even tell me where this was and I looked everywhere

Where could this have come from?

It's Young-Ro for sure

It's alright. They'll be returned

Huh?

People who are nervous about you taking records probably took them

I can't let anyone see my mother's notebook

You found it? You probably stole it

Why you...!

You took Jang-Geum's books, too, eh?

All of you seem to be jumping to conclusions

Just why would I do that?! Why?!

Never mind, then

When I was taking the books back...

What? Did you get caught?

No, I put them back fine, but Jang-Geum's notebook...

You didn't take them together?

I was going to put it back after taking a look since it's Lady Han's

but Lady Han took it because of Yeun-Seng

Then she knows that you took it?

No. I kept insisting I found it outside

And Lady Han didn't say much about it, either

Keum-Young, what should I tell Lady Choi?

Let's tell her what happened first

And?

Since the notebook contained notes about cooking

I was going to quickly look and put it back...

You should've just obeyed me! Why'd you ruin everything?!

Lady Han gave it to Jang-Geum

She's going to ask her about it...

and since you had it, it means you stole it!

But, Madam, Lady Han didn't give it to Jang-Geum

What do you mean?

Lady Han didn't know whose it was and she asked me where I found it

So she didn't know it was in Jang-Geum's room

And it seemed very important to Jang-Geum

She reported the missing books but not the notebook

So we won't get caught

If it's not Lady Han's, why does Jang-Geum have that old notebook?

I know. Whose notebook could it be?

Could it be a court lady who came to the palace...

at the same time you did?

Never mind. If she asks you again, keep on insisting you found it

You must keep denying it

And see ifJang-Geum has any contacts with other court ladies

Sure

Lady Han didn't know whose it was and she asked me where I found it

Could it be a court lady who came to the palace at the same time you did?

A court lady who came with me... They were Lady Gang and Lady Jin...

but Lady Gang already left the palace

And Lady Jin is now an attendant lady...

They couldn't have possibly met Jang-Geum...

so if it's not Lady Han... Who could it be? Who?

Myeong! Park Myeong!

Lady Choi wants you at the pantry immediately

OK

When does the notebook end?

Huh?

You said you read it Around when does it end?

I didn't read all the details...

but the last date I read was the birthday feast of Yeonsan's Mother

How... where could it have come from?

How could Jang-Geum have Myeong's notebook?

What is this?

I don't know

Are you going to deny it when you're the person who hid it?!

I've seen it for the first time

Then why did you disobey me and go into the middle kitchen?

How dare you lie to us like this?!

It's not a lie!

Then what did she find?!

It was a small notebook...

I didn't have a chance to look at it carefully

Pil-Du said something strange He said chef Gang's adopted daughter

who went to the palace looked like Lady Park's daughter

What? Lady Park's daughter?

Yeah

Didn't you say it was a boy?

Right... it was clearly a boy

How can a boy become a court lady?

I was thinking that, too, but Pil-Du saw her at a close range

I'm not sure...

It has to be boiled in order to settle down the dust...

and use it for washing ingredients

Who told you to do such a thing?

No one, but...

Then you did it on your own?

My mother always did this whenever there was a dust storm...

since the water becomes muddy and it smells and the food rots faster

Jang-Geum... Jang-Geum... is Myeong's daughter?

Did you find anything more with Jang-Geum?

Not yet

Nothing different?

Lady Han and Jang-Geum haven't said anything to each other

It's clear they don't know about it

Yeah?

Keep an eye on them

Sure

There are some unusual activities

I went to the Food Services and something seemed to be going on

If it's a Food Services issue, isn't it related to Uncle?

Madam

Madam!

Keum-Young

What's wrong?

Jang-Geum... Jang-Geum is...

Yes, what about Jang-Geum? What is it? Please tell me

That notebook belongs to Myeong

Who is Myeong?

Myeong was Lady Han's best friend

But I killed her

During Yeonsan's reign, I put in something that shouldn't be

put into the King's Mother's food who partnered with the forces...

that were out to harm our family And Myeong saw it

We framed her saying she was intimate with one of the guards...

and we made her drink poison

But one day, Myeong appeared in the streets of Han-Yang again

So I asked my brother to get rid of her immediately

He said she was clearly hit by an arrow

But her daughter... her daughter has appeared

Could it be...?

It's Jang-Geum

But that's not confirmed...

It's for sure... it's for sure

I don't know how or why she came to the Royal Kitchen...

but if she knows about that, if she tells Lady Han...

Lady Han and Jang-Geum don't know about each other yet

If she did, she would've sent Young-Ro out of the palace...

when she took the notebook away from Young-Ro

But such a thing didn't happen Jang-Geum didn't react either

It's clear. So be focused and we just need to block them...

from each other before they find out

Just think about the future and tell Uncle about this first

I will tell Young-Ro to report any unusual activities ofJang-Geum

OK, sure...

Now that the diary is gone, what'll happen...

if someone finds out about my mother? Should I tell this to Lady Han?

Will she help me?

That friend! My mother's best friend!

I hope she could see it soon I clearly saw her traces here...

She must get here quickly...

That's right, persimmon vinegar! I'll find her myself

Is something going on?

Nah...

The investigation started Internal Affairs has initiated...

in Food Services, Storage, among the eunuchs and...

all the other offices as well

Just what is going on here?!

It seems like it all started...

when they appointed the accountant lady...

You're saying this got this big just because of one accountant lady?

Many had done a poor job of

managing things and just when she started to record the accounts

they became afraid and only asked for the necessary quantity and

that's why it has gotten this serious

What the...

Sir!

What's going on, sir?

We're also under investigation by Internal Affairs

Sir, I think we'll be paying dearly for the past management practices

Did you know about this, too?

It was probably just Lady Han trying to exercise her power over...

the court ladies, but it suddenly spread to the superiors

You should've blocked it beforehand!

Because of the Queen's order, Lady Han has full power

I can't do much about it

If this happens as soon as someone else takes that position

what are you going to do later on?

All the products coming into the palace are under investigation

We must act quickly

It's great trouble

What's this commotion in Food Services?

Internal Affairs is investing all the departments

Is there a problem?

The kitchen appointed an accountant lady...

and the amounts are accurately recorded

The eunuchs must've found out and reported it to Internal Affairs...

that the amount requested has been greatly reduced

Then the amount of our products will decrease even more in the future!

That's not the problem There'll be reprimand for management

Myself, Sir Oh Kyum-Ho, all other related officials, too

So Sir Oh Kyum-Ho wants to see you secretly at the dancer bar tonight

Sure

As you've ordered, all departments are under investigation

Thank you

I didn't know one accountant lady could find out so much

It's because Lady Han and Lady Suh have done a good job

It was your strategy

Thanks to you, the King has one less thing to worry about

But we will not end our work here

Our first report has gone up to the King

How come all the products of the palace are supplied by Choi Pan-Sul?

I thought I did everything I could to reduce the expenditure created

during Yeonsan's reign

So almost half of the products were that problem

How could such a thing have been possible?

That must not be Increase the no. of suppliers

Yes, Your Majesty

The supply will decrease and officials under you will be replaced

and since there will be more suppliers...

the loss will be great

That's not the problem

Yes, sir

I can place my officials as replacements

And we can solve the problem of suppliers eventually, but...

The problem is with people intentionally shaking

the system that we have set up

That's right, sir The first suspect is Lady Han...

If the head eunuch had found this out

he should've reported it to me first since I'm in charge of Food Services

So how come Internal Affairs took action first?

Something's fishy Someone's trying to get us

I think we have to solve that first So find out who initiated this

Yes, sir

After that, we'll continue this discussion

Sure

What's this?

I saw Jang-Geum hide it under one of the palaces

What is it?

You stay here. I'll report this

Where... where did you find this?

Young-Ro saw Jang-Geum hide it under one of the palaces and brought it

Then he not only investigated the kitchen but all the depts, too?

Yes

And he is Internal Affairs investigator Min Jung-Ho for sure?

This is strange. How can a low-ranking official do such...

a thing when his superior doesn't even know about it?

The last report that was sent up to the King was written by him as well

But his rank is not high enough to do such a thing...

But no matter what the rank is, you can do that in Internal Affairs

Bye now

Sure, sure... Be careful, Jang-Geum

Let me see you for a moment

Sure

I was going to ask you for a little more for our wine...

since the price of rice has gone up

I want to see him, not you

Yes, sir

Tell him well, or else we'll be in the red soon

Like... how?

Get on his good side, OK? Go ahead

Sir, did you call for me?

How do you know the kitchen lady?

Who? Oh, Jang-Geum? She's like my own daughter

She was with me until she came to the palace

Yeah? Saw you greeting Min Jung-Ho Do you know him?

Min Jung-Ho? Of course, I know him

How do you know him?

Do you want a brief answer or a long, detailed answer?

Give me a detailed answer

OK, it was not too long ago He came to my home...

and my wife appeared... by the way, speaking of my wife...

the price of rice has gone up, so pay us a little more

Can't you continue to explain?!

I had to serve the nursemaid of the Queen with Jang-Geum

Then do Jang-Geum and Min Jung-Ho know each other?

Of course. He's so generous We went out to the beach one time

And he caught this crab himself...

Hey! Does Min Jung-Ho know Lady Han, too?

Of course. Lady Han became the Highest Lady recently

Sir Min and I greatly helped Lady Han

I had to help her get to Ma-Po market from Port Song-Pa

and the ship started to go backwards to Port Yuh-Ju

I said, ''The ship's going back!''

You're helpless!

It's an interesting story, though

Go outside

It has nothing to do with the head of Internal Affairs, right?

No, sir. I found out there's no such back up for Min Jung-Ho

Isn't Min Jung-Ho the son of Sir Min Ik-Su?

Hasn't Sir Min Ik-Su left the court a long time ago?

Yes. He followed Kim Jik-In to the Rebellion of Three Ports

and made an exceptional achievement...

and he was given the position of head of the Royal Guards

Head of the Royal Guards?

He isn't someone who would do such a thing to increase his own power

He's doing it for the sake of making a name for himself

You know there are people like that

So cast him away. Faults come out when you look for them

If you don't make yourself clear on such things

the same type of people will appear again

Sure, find faults with him Exile him or discharge him...

from the office so he can never set foot in the palace again

Yes, sir

And discuss with Lady Choi what to do with Lady Han

Sure

How did Sir Min Ik-Su's son come to know Lady Han and do such a thing?

Anyway, he got the wrong person Now that Sir Oh Kyum-Ho's involved

What will happen now?

Sir Oh said he'd make an example out of him

so he can never set foot in the palace again

It's a pity that he's such a valuable person

He may be able to avoid trouble if he knelt down before Sir Oh now

What did you want to talk about by the way?

Lady Park's daughter has appeared

Lady Park?

What? Lady Park's daughter?!

Yes

Where?! Where is she?!

She's in the palace

The palace?!

The girl with Lady Han, named Jang-Geum...

You mean that girl who offered the dishes at the competition?

Yes

Then, Pil-Du was right

Jang-Geum had that letter with her

It's not the time to think about palace products now

If Lady Han gets it, our family which kept the position

for the last 5 generations will be totally ruined

Fortunately, Lady Han doesn't know Jang-Geum is Lady Park's daughter

Lady Han doesn't know that yet?

No

How do you know that?

That is certain

Certain? Certain?!

There is nothing certain in this world! Nothing!

We must act quickly

What are you going to do with Lady Han?

We have no choice

Then...?

A little fire you leave behind can bring bigger trouble

Sir Oh said he'd make an example out of him

so he can never set foot in the palace again

It's a pity that he's such a valuable person

He may be able to avoid trouble if he knelt down before Sir Oh now

Lady Choi, you should be in the palace now...

What are you doing here?

I have something I must tell you now, so please excuse me

You'll get hurt. So please kneel before Sir Oh Kyum-Ho

Go back if you're going to tell me such a thing

Even if it means that I'll be discharged and

I won't be able to come back into the palace

I can't do such a thing

Sometimes it's better not to climb but go around the mountain

I thought you'd be different from Lady Choi or Choi Pan-Sul...

even though you are from the same family

I thought you'd be different from those who send kidnappers...

to Lady Han and profiteer with Sir Oh Kyum-Ho

It was painful for me as well

But how come...?

No one was beside me when I was going through such pain

How could such a thing be an excuse?!

Did you say it's an excuse? Do you know how it feels like...

to have no one beside you when you don't know what to do?

Ultimately, the place I had to remain at was my home

I went to Un-Ahm Temple to see you when I was suffering

I shouldn't have gone there, but I went there anyway

I saw you happily buying a brush

And I saw Jang-Geum using that brush

That was just...

My words can discharge you from your position and

Jang-Geum has to pay for it with her life according to the rules

You still won't back down?

Even though I made such a threat hoping that you'd be fine...

if you do back down, it'd be for her Then what must I do?

My words can discharge you from your position and

Jang-Geum has to pay for it with her life according to the rules

What are you talking about? He went back to the Royal Guards?

According to the official in Internal Affairs

he was temporarily sent out as Lt. General of Royal Guards...

to find out spies' movements but movements were detected again...

so the head of Royal Guards made a request for him again...

since he's the only one who's knowledgeable in such matters...

And because of it he has to go to a rural area

Are you sure?

Yes, sir

I think we'll have to leave him alone for now

Since he's going to a rural area, it'll be hard to do something now

We ought to respond to the situation first

we can take care of him after things have settled first

I was going to make the request before you

We can't impeach Sir Oh with such evidence

We'll make ourselves a target for no reason

If you must, then find more reliable evidence

Yes, sir. Please give me a few agents

Though it's not something Royal Guards should be involved in

if you use them when they're off duty

it won't be a problem

Thank you, sir I'll keep a low profile...

until I find reliable evidence

Yes, that's the way!

I heard you're going to a rural area

It turned out that way

You should be faithful to your guard duty

Yes, sir

Sir...

You're going to a rural area? What happened?

It turned out that way

Could it be related to this...

Oh, no, don't worry about it

But what could take you to a rural...

You mean it's a demotion?

I mean... yes

You did all the work, but you're being demoted...

I'm stepping down myself. Don't worry

Stay seated

You probably know what these are

These are last month's kitchen accounting books

You know that big problems have risen for officials...

of all departments because of these

Of course, we can't be free from it

It's my job to report where and how extra ingredients have been used

I can't accept the excuse that it has been a routine

Routines aren't necessarily proper

But I'll let it go this time

The reason for it is, I want to trust you once more

It's because I trust that you'll follow me and that...

you'll help me I ask you again, help me

And also know that, this is the last time I'll let it go

So what happened?

Lady Han let it go

Isn't she being too gracious?

Gracious? No way...

Madam, thank you It won't ever happen again

Yes, ma'am. Such a thing won't ever happen again

OK, that's why I'm letting it go So don't worry and go back to work

Yes, ma'am

What happened to the court ladies who disrespected Lady Han?

How'd they become so obedient?

That's the virtue of Lady Han

Her virtue?

It's a little scary to call it that What should I call it?

Authority? Anyway something like that

When I become the Highest Lady in the future

I'll scold everyone and say, ''I'll let it go this time''

Do you know what she means by that?

No

What is it? You don't look so good

Madam...

I'll do something about Lady Han and Jang-Geum by myself

It's something I'll have to do once anyway

And it's hard for you to frequent the kitchen, so I'll do it

Can you do it?

Really? You're really going to do it?

Yes, so you just do as I say

Madam, here are the books I went through

Good job

There are hardly any ingredients given back to the Food Services now

because the demand has decreased so much

That's good

I heard about it

About what?

You did well!

I thought you were going to cast all of the court ladies away

It seemed that way to you?

Yes

Why?

You scold me harshly when I make a little mistake...

and you even sent me away to Un-Ahm Temple

So you felt sad about it?

Yes

So please do me a favor now

It's been almost two months since I last touched any food

Please. Can't you let someone else keep the records now?

No

You're too harsh

Even so, no

Why not?

You still have 3 more days to make it 2 months

I was going to have you do it for only 2 months anyway

Really?

Why? You want to do more?

Oh, no. I enjoy making food beside you the most

Mother, I can't find your friend I went through all the vinegar jars

but I couldn't find her Can't I tell Lady Han now?

Can I show her your letter? Can I, Mother?

Bring me the mustard

Is it yours, Madam?

Yes

You must've ran out of it

You're right

The dish looks very tasty today

It's finished. Serve it Sure, Madam

We're late. Let's hurry

I've never seen that before Whose is it?

That's right! Why didn't I think of the kitchen?

Do you know whose vinegar bottle this is?

I don't know

They don't let us touch such things

Then where are the people who were cooking food here?

Probably at the Middle Kitchen to serve the food now

The Middle Kitchen?

It must be the persimmon vinegar that's decades old

The taste of this vinegar grows more fragrant and deep

It's very good

Young-Ro

Huh? What?

Yeun-Seng

What is it?

Where are the ladies?

They're already inside to serve the meal

Yeah?

Jang-Geum!

Why were you so surprised to see her?

What? What do you mean?!

You did something bad again, huh?

Hey, you make it sound as if I love to harm her

Jang-Geum?

Why Jang-Geum all of a sudden?

Didn't I say Mak-Geum?

You did a good job

Oh, no, you made everything

Your kebab was excellent

Really?

Yes, it's better than mine

It must be the persimmon vinegar that's decades old

The taste of this vinegar grows more fragrant and deep

How come they didn't clean up? Where are they?

Madam!

Didn't you see a vinegar bottle here?

Oh, the one Lady Han took?

Lady Han?

Yes. Why?

Don't just stand there Let's clean this place up first

Jang-Geum! What's wrong with all these girls anyway?

Jang-Geum

Madam