Original subtitles

Madam!

Didn't you see a vinegar bottle here?

Oh, the one Lady Han took?

Lady Han?

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

Jang-Geum

Madam

(Episode 25)

Madam

Madam... you are...

You are... You're Myeong's...

Yes, Madam...

I'm her daughter, I'm her daughter!

Oh, my! Oh, my... Myeong... I've missed her all my life...

I've always felt guilty for Myeong...

Her daughter has been with me and it's you...

I was wondering who your mother was when the dust storm came

It was my mother

When I asked for water

Yes... then the knife you gave me was...

Yes, it was Myeong's, it was Myeong's

Your friend who saved you and told you that you're a good cook?

Your mother who ate the wild berries and said they were tasty...

Yes, Madam...

Yes, so she was Myeong! My Myeong!

Yes, Madam, she's my mother She's my mother, Madam

Thank you, Myeong Thank you, Jang-Geum

This is the place we practiced cooking together

I practiced here often as well

I disliked that. I was saying...

"Why is she doing it here of all places?"

This is where she cried when she was scolded

Was my mother scolded by the court ladies, too?

Yes, she was just like you She asked so many questions

and she got her share of whippings

She always asked me who I took after and whipped my calves

Really? She didn't know that I would tell you like this

Yes, when you meet her, scold her for that

Sure. I'll scold her when I meet her again...

when I meet her again... when I meet her again...

Madam...

Mother, you saw it all, didn't you?

You must see this now No need to worry about me

What happened to Myeong? How did she die?

I made requests so she could at least keep her life as a servant

Then were you the one who sent the soldiers then?

Yes, when I heard about your father, she and I decided to meet...

so she could at least retrieve his body

But I heard that she was dragged away to Choi Pan-Sul

Then that was Lady Choi's home?!

What happened? How did she die?

Mother said it was better to be captured by the soldiers

But suddenly, bandits appeared and started to shoot arrows...

and mother was hit while trying to protect me

The soldiers started to chase them and we were left by ourselves...

Then a man appeared We tried to run away...

but we couldn't do anything about the arrow...

and in the cave...

So it was Lady Choi...

You don't say...

Why would bandits attack captives who have nothing?

They're so evil!

Madam, just what happened with Lady Choi at the palace...

that she did such a thing?

I'm not exactly sure No one even had time to sleep...

because of the daily feasts, so Myeong and I only met occasionally

And one day, Myeong told me Lady Choi put something strange...

in the King's Mother's dish and a few days later...

she told it to the Taster Lady and then after the feasts...

the Highest Lady wanted to see me

She said Myeong was intimate with one of the guards...

and she told me to tell the truth and that

I must know since I share the room with her

The Highest Lady said she'd take care of Myeong...

according to the rules of the court ladies

I was scared. I was scared for my life...

All I could do was mix some antidote with the poison

That's how she was able to live and that's how she met my father

It's my fault. I should've fought for her somehow

and I should've asked Myeong what was going on

Madam

Madam, I think there could be a way

Madam, there's a letter my mother left for me

She said, leave it in the Highest Lady's journal when I become one later

She told me never to read it till I become...

the Highest Lady so I haven't read it yet myself

It's about what happened then, eh?

Yes

What's wrong?

It's not here

It was here before, but it's gone!

You must not make any mistakes

Yes, sir

It must be written on that letter That letter is the evidence...

Could it be... the person who took the notebook?

The notebook? The notebook...

How did you get it?

Madam, did you call for me?

You took the accounting books, huh?

Excuse me?

I know everything You took the books, eh?!

No, Madam

Who told you to do it?

What are you talking about, Madam?

The notebook was with the accounting books

If you didn't take them, how'd you have the notebook?

Madam, I found it outside I really did

I honestly never took the books! It's true!

I made a mistake. I made a mistake

Madam! Madam...!

Stay here until I let you out

Madam!

What happened?

Young-Ro had the notebook

Then Young-Ro must have the letter, too...

Probably so. I made a mistake I shouldn't have pressed Young-Ro

Since Young-Ro had it, it was clearly Lady Choi's doing

Now that Young-Ro knows I know, we've practically revealed that...

we know about Myeong to Lady Choi

If Lady Choi read it, she should've found out you're Myeong's daughter

Jang-Geum!

Jang-Geum, you're in danger now Your life is in danger!

Lady Choi wants to hide it even at the cost of Myeong's life

If she finds out that you and I know about this...

it's hard to tell what she'd do to us

We can't go to the police without any proof as it was over decades ago

We have to get them prepared quickly, so hurry

Madam, did you see Young-Ro by any chance?

She hasn't appeared since Lady Han took her yesterday

Lady Han?

Yes... where could she be?

I don't know. Don't you know? You're in the same room, Yeun-Seng

She never tells me where she goes

You girls... Hurry up!

Do I have to do this? Do I have to go this far?

Keum-Young!

Lady Han wants you at her residence

What for?

I don't know. She wants you there now

Lady Choi, take Keum-Young and Young-Ro to the Guesthouse

What's going on here? I retreated to the pantry

Why are you sending us to the Guesthouse outside the palace?

What's the reason?

There's no reason. I'm only sending you there because...

I think it's a good idea So go there right now

She found out! She knows

Yes. Actually, she called me to the storage yesterday...

and asked me if I took the notebook

What?

Since Jang-Geum knows what the letter says...

Lady Han knows what went on back then, too?!

What do we do now? If we all go to the Guesthouse...

Where are you going?

Even if you have full authority, this isn't right

I must meet the Head Lady

I already told her your cooking skills are too good for the pantry

So go now

And I'll send necessary items to you through a worker lady...

so you don't need to come to Food Services

And I won't be giving any passes to leave the place...

so don't go home whenever you like

Hong! Where are you?

Yes, Madam

The Guesthouse court lady has gone to the pantry...

so it'll be vacant now Pack Lady Choi's belongings for her

Lady Han is scary

I know

Scary? They deserve this

Though it's safe for them to be outside the palace for now...

I'm still worried. I don't know how long I can have them there

I think he's the only one who can help us now

Who are you talking about?

Lt. General of Royal Guards, Sir Min Jung-Ho

Find out what happened to your dad and tell him about this situation

and ask him if there is any way we can bring them to justice

But I heard he left to go to a rural area

Then find out when he's coming back at least

OK

I'll look for other ways...

No way!

You told me that you believed Myeong wasn't intimate with a man

Yes... it was clearly the most disturbing thing

during my time in the palace

Then help me

But if we tell the police about what happened

then superiors would find out our secrets of dealing with such things

That will ruin the court ladies' society

That's why I'm here Even if we're court ladies

getting rid of someone's life can only be done by the King

The Highest Lady doesn't have...

the authority to do such a thing

That's why the truth never comes out

I can't. No court lady would open her mouth. We took the oath!

How about her wrongful death?!

It's in the past and we can't do it all over again

Even if you report it, no one will cooperate with you

So don't do anything foolish

Be careful so they don't fall out

Take that

Duk-Gu!

Jang-Geum!

You still making deliveries to Lt. General Min?

Lt. General Min told me he prefers drinks more than meals...

He's a fine fellow, indeed

I see... then please find out when he's coming to Han-Yang

No one at the Royal Guards knows

Han-Yang?

Yes

I know

Really? When will he be back?

Back? He hasn't even gone down yet

What?

I know where he's staying, too

Really?

He's...

a Royal Secret Agent... a Royal Inspector!

Madam...

What?

Lt. General is in Han-Yang

Really? Han-Yang?

Yes, I know where he is so I'll meet him and come back

OK, go ahead. Ask him to find a way

Sure

Please eat

Lady Han won't leave us alone

What?! She sent Lady Choi, Keum-Young and your niece...

to the Guesthouse?

Yes

And she locked them inside?

Yes

Does this mean she found out?

What? Find out what?

It's nothing. Things are occurring all at once...

I know...

We must come up with a plan! A plan!

I'll leave now

Did you find out Min Jung-Ho's whereabouts?

He's not home for sure but we can't find out where he is

According to sources at the police he frequented Jeolla...

when he was catching the spies, so he's probably at Jeolla

Yes, sir. I don't think we need to worry about him

Mr. Gang! Jang-Geum!

Just tell us. We'll do anything as long as you pay

Please wait

Hello, Jang-Geum!

Huh? You normally don't use that room since you have to heat it up

If it's profitable, she'd even burn the house down...

You said you knew where he was, and it was here?

Yes, there's a reason for this

Go ahead and do your work Make sure they don't find out

I heard you have something to tell me. What is it?

Yes... can I talk to you in private for a moment?

Were they always so close?

What do you mean, always?

He seems to enjoy her company so much

Don't you utter such nonsense!

What nonsense?! Have you ever seen a man and a woman having...

reasons for liking each other?! There's no reason for love

But Jang-Geum's a court lady!

How could they do such a thing?

No matter how much they want power and wealth...

So I came to you with a request

As it had such a great effect on me in my earlier years

I didn't even think about finding out what happened...

but I'm curious as to what happened to my father

Don't worry, I'll tell you I thought you knew already

He was a Royal Guard and if he was implicated in the 1504 Purging

then he should be in the records taken when the King ascended

I'll find out and tell you tomorrow

Sure. Another thing is... if you can find a way to bring Mother to justice

I also believe that they need to be punished, but there's no proof

And seeing what happened with the kidnapping of Lady Han...

it seems that even the head of the police is involved

It's hard to know where the influence of Choi Pan-Sul's protectors ends

Is there no other way then?

Actually, the reason why I'm out here is...

to secretly investigate Choi Pan-Sul, Sir Oh Kyum-Ho and others

With only the accounting books, we could die much less

find the possibility of arraigning them...

Wait a bit more. Though we can't bring them to justice with that

if their crimes are revealed through other means

then they'll be punished for that as well

You've been very strong even under such circumstances

I wasn't strong, I just didn't know how to live in any other way

Lady Suh

Can I start sharing your pain from now on?

What's wrong?

Nothing...

What is it?

Jang-Geum, you're a court lady

You're a court lady, I'm telling you

Just remember that, OK?

Sir!

I brought dried persimmons and beef jerky

Beef jerky?

Here, I'll pour you a cup

I was thinking about having a drink

Quiet! Speak quietly so that only I can hear

What's wrong?

My wife's hands hurt more than whips

Drinking secretly makes it seem so much better

That's the taste

You still haven't found the owner of this?

No, I gave up now

Yeah. If you were to find the owner, you would've found her by now

Yes

Sir, how about if I try to find the owner with this?

Sure, go ahead. Just don't lose it It's important to me

Of course, not. It's very well-made

You stole it again! Again! Again!

He wanted some so I sold it to him

You sold it to him? For how much?

Honey...

You received this for it?

It's not mine. Give it back!

Give it back? I'm taking this

It's not mine. It's his

Yeah, right! What an excuse!

What's wrong again?

What's wrong? It's the same reason

Why you...?!

Hello, sir

You're late today

Can I speak to you in the room for a moment?

Sure

Not you... he's asking for me and Jang-Geum

Go ahead

Come in and sit down. Have a seat

You must feel hungry... should I go bring some rice drinks or something?

I'll go

No, stay here. I'll be back

I'm sorry. I checked many places

but I couldn't find any info about your father

I looked at all the records concerning the Purging and Royal Guards

but some were missing and some weren't even recorded

Especially the records concerning his unit

I've heard there are still people who had fled during that time

In that case, it's very possible that he may be hiding someplace

But he was dragged to the police...

But you said you didn't confirm whether he was imprisoned

Yes, but...

It's common for criminals to escape or flee on the way to Han-Yang

It's hard to believe it unless we confirm it

Don't jump to conclusions and wait I'll do my best to find things out

Sure...

Thank you, sir

Keum-Young!

Hi

Young-Ro

Did you come to aggravate me?

Come on. We missed you so we came instead of laborer ladies

You're all doing fine, right?

Of course! You're doing fine, too?

Do you think you'd be fine?!

Why are you getting angry? I wanted to be friendly!

OK. Is everything OK at the kitchen?

Yeah... Anyway, we'll be going to the hot springs

Hot springs?

Yes, the doctors suggested that for the King's health

So we'll be going out, too

Everyone? Probably so!

Then you'll be going to the hot springs?

Of course!

Young-Ro, are you crying?

You're really crying?

I'm not crying!

So why did you do all the bad things?

You went against Lady Han becoming the Highest Lady, too

Hey...

Don't cry. When Lady Han feels OK, she'll call you back

Madam

What?

The King is going to the hot springs

So?

Then Lady Han and Jang-Geum will be going out, too

Yes

Madam, I'm back

I hope you had a good trip

I'll tell you later about my mother

Sure. By the way, there's good news for you

What is it?

The King will be going to the hot springs because of his illness

I see. Why is it good news for me?

It's not his illness that would make you joyful

but the place you'll be going

Where will it be?

You'll find out once you get there

She told you to tell me that Lady Han and Jang-Geum will be going outside?

Yes

Manager Jang! Jang!

Yes!

Yes, sir

Call Pil-Du

Sure

What?

The Queen is not going, so half of us must stay here

What? Not everyone is going?

So, Chang-Yee and Nae-Sun, you stay and help Lady Lee and Lady Ji

No!

No?

I mean... please let me go! You said we'll live and die together!

So how could you do this to me?

That was then, this is now And I'm a fair person!

Madam! Madam

Go ahead and speak

This trip to the hot springs is for the King's cold, not other illnesses

His Majesty's cold?

Simply put, it could be called a cold

but it's caused by cold air and eventually...

it could turn into a more serious illness

Because of his other problems he couldn't shake off his cold

He has turned weak and lost his appetite...

and he's also suffering from diarrhea

Yes. He's been eating less as well

That's why I've suggested hot springs

so keep those things in mind

First of all, the doctors will make tonic medicine

Did you make the recipe list?

Yes. We only need to receive the medicine from the pharmacy

OK

You received medicine for his bath?

Yes. We already received it but I received a report

from the Royal Observers that today is a good day for him...

to be with His lady What shall we do?

No way. Not only today, but till his health has recovered...

he should not be with His lady And make sure he can forget about...

the affairs of the state and enjoy the scenic view there

You shouldn't let him stay in the hot springs too long

It's for his cold and not for his skin problems

Sure

Madam! Madam! Stop bothering me!

Please let me go, Madam

Everyone, gather up!

Lady Min, you chose the workers who'll be going?

Yes, Madam. They're Jang-Geum, Yeun-Seng, me, and you

And four new girls and three worker ladies

OK. Then Yeun-Seng, go get ingredients from Food Services

Jang-Geum, you go get the medicine Make sure you don't mix them up...

since different ones will be used for the dishes

Yeun-Seng, you don't need to bring the ducks separately

But Madam, we'll need many ducks there

There are good ducks there

Is it a place you know well?

He asked which place he should go, and I recommended that place

Start preparing now

Did you put fragrance, oak and tumeric in the water?

Yes

Come back when the water temperature has gone down

It'll take about three hours for the King to come here

So Lady Min and Yeun-Seng, you go and buy the vegetables

And Jang-Geum, you go buy the ducks with worker ladies after...

I tell you the detailed directions

Yes, ma'am

See you later

Hello

Hi

We came to buy ducks

How many do you want?

Three, please

Please wait a moment

I heard the King is in town Are you court ladies by any chance?

Yes, we are

Then will these ducks be offered to the King?

Yes

How did you know? These ducks are very well-known around here!

A 70 year old man can cut down a tree after eating this duck!

Come here. Which one would you like?

Come here! You'll be offered to the King!

Jang-Geum!

Yeun-Seng! Did you get the vegetables?

Yes, but I couldn't find the mushrooms

Why not?

I thought it'd be better for you to check 'em

Why?

I'm a little worried because they are mixed up with other types

You don't need to be... OK, let's go

Did you get everything?

Yes

We don't have much time, so start preparing

I've recovered my appetite now that I can relax

The duck tastes very good

The ducks are not only known for...

the taste, but for the potency as well

Yeah? That's why you suggested here

Yes, Your Majesty

Yes, even the water seemed to be solemn unlike the summer house water

and it took away all my stress

Your countenance seems different from yesterday already

Madam, I heard there are many hot springs in this area...

so even peasants can come and take baths in them

So?

We can...

Of course, not! How can court ladies... anywhere?!

Even if you wash only your face

people say, you look like Yang Guifei

Really?

Yes, that's why babies are created every night around here

How embarrassing!

So, let's just put our feet in...

It's alright

The King was satisfied and ate everything

Really?

Yes. The workers will bring your table, so go ahead and eat

Why? Aren't you going to eat?

No. I have someplace to go with Jang-Geum

We'll be back soon Jang-Geum, follow me

They're going to the hot springs

No way!

Then should we just put our feet in tonight?

Yes!

Madam...

Madam!

Aren't you going to tell me?!

Just follow me

Really?

This is my mother's birthplace?

Yes, it's also the first place I came with a dish

Just three years ago, your grandfather was alive waiting for Myeong

My grandfather?

He felt guilty for sending his daughter to the palace...

because of poverty and he didn't even eat the rice that Myeong had sent him

After what happened to Myeong, I kept sending him the rice...

but he still didn't eat it

Whenever I had a vacation, I came here to visit him...

wondering if Myeong would come this way

"You're a good cook!" I heard it in here

I taught her how to cook and she taught me characters

Now I don't want to forgive them for doing such things to Myeong

I don't want to feel guilty or scared

Myeong probably doesn't want that

That's probably why she told you to go to the Royal Kitchen knowing the risk

That's Myeong alright. That's Myeong

You look so much like her and she sent you to me

Lt. General told me to be careful

He told me the kidnapper merchants were freed soon

and that he didn't know how far the influence

of the protectors of Choi Pan-Sul will reach

I agree, too

And Lt. General said to wait

He said he's secretly investigating Choi Pan-Sul and...

Sir Oh Kyum-Ho and if their crimes become clear

then he can look into other crimes

OK

Run away

Who are you?

I'm an adjutant of Lt. General of the Royal Guards

How dare you try to harm court ladies?!

Get all of them!

Let's go!

Thank you. We'd be in big trouble without your help

Actually, Lt. General Min found out you were out of the palace...

and told me to guard you

Lt. General Min did?

Yes, he said Choi Pan-Sul could use this opportunity

I thought nothing would happen to you, but he was right

Since it's dangerous out here, follow me. I'll lead you back

Please send him our thanks

OK, let's go

Where is it?

It's over there

It's over here?

Yes, Madam

How come you aren't putting your feet in?

I'm going to take some for Chang-Yee

It's not all that special

I can't pull this off

What's that for?

It's for Young-Ro

Why Young-Ro when you fight with her all the time?

She kept on crying because she couldn't come with us

She cried?

Yes. Dang...

Ah! It's hot!

What are we going to do?! Run!

Six guys couldn't do anything about two women?!

Some Royal Guards came and it would've been trouble

if any one of us got caught, so we backed away

Royal Guards?! Were they from Lt. General Min?

They said Lt. General Min went to a rural area

Yes, it wasn't Lt. General Min, but an adjutant of Lt. General

An adjutant?

Yes, and they seemed to be guarding those two ladies

What?!

What?! Royal Guards were guarding them?

Yes, that's what he told me to tell you

Then the Royal Guards already know about what we did?!

He thinks so...

Oh, my... then we must only wait for our execution day now?

It's alright. Stay seated

Lady Han, can you prepare the duck dish once more?

Yes. May I ask the reason...?

The King wants it once more before he goes back to the palace

Sure

The taste of the ducks in this region must be really different

I'm not sure why but both the taste and the potency is good here

Lady Min, go get the medicine again

Madam, my foot hasn't healed yet, so...

How did you get hurt?

While sleeping...

How could you hurt yourself while sleeping?

That's... that's... Madam...

I'll go get the medicine, Madam

What?! The King has collapsed?!

Yes

He was fine up until last night

but he collapsed from last night's fever?

Yes