Heni Puspita

Jewel In The Palace - Episode 21 - 25

Saturday, 21. January 2006, 08:28:04

Episode 21

The mother Queen is wondering why Court Lady Han is missing and a maid is been presenting food instead. Head Court Lady tells the queen Han hasnt returned since she left yesterday. Court Lady Jung states Han had to leave to get fresh ingredients. The king asks who then has been preparing the food theyre eating. Sang Gong say Hans maid Jang-Geum is the cook. The Kings mother Queen says theres no need to continue with the competition in that case. The Queen and the King ask the mother Queen to allow Jang-Geum to continue. The Kings mother Queen agrees. Next Jang-Geum presents tendered rib. Choi presents triple-cooked shrimp. Court Lady Min, the other kitchen maids, the child maids, and Choi Pan Sul with his messenger watch. Court Lady Han escapes while Min Jung Ho and his soldiers arrive. The soldiers escort Han back to the palace while Min investigates. Jang-Geum prepares the main course. Yun-Saeng expresses her concern at their lack of ingredients to make the eight fruit soup that Court Lady Han wanted. Jang-Geum tells Yun-Saeng to give her space alone and takes out her mothers recipe book for strength. Court Lady Choi and Jang-Geum present their course. Choi presents a stew of soft-pork meat combined with ginseng. Jang-Geum presents her dish and the royal family seems disappointed at the sight of the chicken soup. But the mother Queen shows interest after a bite and asks what she used. Jang-Geum states cabbage, garlic, chicken, etc. The king interrupts and wants to know what is the ingredient that gives the dish such aromatic spicy flavor. Jang-Geum replies the secret ingredient is tiger liver. Han arrive. The maids tell her Jang-Geum is losing. Duk-Gu asks if Han is okay. The Queen and King agree that Jang-Geum should win this round. The on-lookers cheer. Duk-Gu urges Han to hurry and take over the competition but Han says the competition belongs to Jang-Geum. Second main course, Choi presents bone marrow rice. Jang-Geum presents a special bone marrow rice that gives a cool feeling after eating which will get rid of the greasy taste of the previous course. The royal family praises Jang-Geum for making such a thoughtful dish. The on-lookers cheer for Jang-Geum again. Choi is becoming angry but Geum-Young says she will surely win the next round. Jang-Geum sees that Han is back. Han gives a smile and signals to continue. Final course is a dessert. The mother queen tastes the fruits and asks Choi and Jang-Geum what they each consider as their best dish today. Jang-Geum states she was unable to cook the best dish of eight fruit soup that Han wanted, however she made a dish that she considers her own best. Jang-Geum states its wild berry dessert and presents the dish. The Queen asks why. Jang-Geum states wild berry is the last food that she washed and fed to her dying mother. Her mother, upon eating the berries, left the world with a soft smile on her face. Jang-Geum states she prepared the food with the love she has for her mother. The King and the Queen is touched by Jang-Geums words. The King tries the dessert and states its delicious and he will not forget her love toward her mother. The King states wild berries are his favorite food. And that Jang-Geum is the best cook of Royal Kitchen. The mother Queen is surprised by her sons enthusiasm. The King interrupts and states the results are still in the mother Queens hands. He is merely expressing how impressed he is by the maid servant. The Queen tells the mother Queen she wishes to meet the mentor of a such skilled maid. The King concurs he wants to see Court Lady Han. Han is brought before the Royal family. The mother Queen states she will honor her sons joy and states Han is the new head of Royal Kitchen. Geum-Young and Choi are pissed. Jang-Geum goes back to the kitchen and weeps, in reminiscence of her deceased mother. Han walks in and embraces Jang-Geum with teary smile. Meanwhile, Choi and Geum-Young weep at their anger and loss. Jung Sang Gong goes back to her chamber with signs of a struggling health. Han Sang Gong and Jang-Geum chat. Jang-Geum asks Han the details of her capture. Han states it seems the incident was meant to prevent her from attending the competition. Chan-Ee and Court Lady Min cook for Jang-Geum. At night Jang-Geum brings out her recipe book and thanks her mother for helping her. Min Jung-Ho arrive. Jang-Geum thanks Min Jung Ho for helping with Hans situation. Min states Jang-Geum was beautiful at the feast today. And that her words were beautiful just as well. Min: €œthat beautiful image, it shall stay in my heart deeply for a long time€. Jang-Geum: €œif you say it like so then i dont know what to say€ (blushing). Min Jung Ho to his department and finds out the man he captures yesterday has been let go. He asks why and the other official states he already did an investigation and that guy is innocent. Min is suspicious about the matter. Duk-Gu gets scolded by his wife again over some chore. Duk-Gu runs outside and runs into the arriving Min. Min Jung Ho asks if he is sure that the boat Han got on was headed for Ma-Poh city. Duk-Poh states yes. Then the two go to the town bar. Duk-Poh introduces Min to the hostess who tells them a lot of high-ranked officers from the palace visit their inn, including Right Prime Minister Oh. In a different room, Oh is meeting with Choi Pan Sul. Oh expresses his anger that Choi didnt take care of the matter well. Choi Pan Sul apologizes and hands him a letter with money. Court Lady Jung visits the mother Queen and the Queen and states she is not well health-wise and asks for retirement. The mother Queen says the King will be disappointed but sets the formal retirement of Jung in 4 days. Jae-Jo Sang Goon gives the news to Choi Sang Goon who says she will not easily give up the head position to Jan Sang Goon. She intends to contact all the Sang Goons who have received help from her family in the past to help her. Jung tells Han she will be the new head in 4 days. Han states she is ill-prepared but Jung says she must see that Han successfuly takes over her position before she becomes any weaker. Jung brings Han to the kichen and announces to all the maids that Han will be their new boss in 4 days. Choi gathers her supports to plan a strike. Young-Noh releases her anger on the children by yelling at them and threatening to hit them. Chan-Ee brings textile specialists to get Hans measurements for new outfits. Yun-Saeng is in Court Lady Jungs room while the medicine maid checks on her heath. The medicine maid leaves. Yun-Saeng begins to weep seeing that Jung is in pain and shows sadness that Jung is leaving. Jung gives Yun-Saeng a loving hug and words of endearment. Yun-Saeng goes to the kitchen and tells Han Sang Gong that Jung Sang Gong wishes to see her. Han goes to see Jung who tells her in just a day she will leave this palace that has been suffocating her. Jung tells Han the palace is a difficult place to survive but she believes that Han will succeed. Han stands to give Jung a bow but Jung stops her by saying one does not bow before a sick person and leaves. Han-sg is left weeping by herself, as Jung is leaving the palace, to die outside of palace. Jung Sang Gong goes to Jae-Jo Sang Gong and gives her a bow, and states she knows she has caused a lot of trouble for Jae-Jo Sang Gong in the past but begs for Jae-Jo Sang Gong to send all her hatred toward her and leave Han alone. Jung also goes to see Choi and asks for Choi to let it all the things behind her. The day of the retirement and hand-over arrives. No one shows up at the ceremony except Jung Sang Gong, Han Sang Gong, Jang-Geum, and Yun-Saeng. Choi Sang Gong and Jae-Jo Sang Gong, and all their supporters are together as a protest, saying the competiton wasnt fair since Han was supposed to be the cook and they dont want the kitchen head to be someone like Han who is from a servant family. Jung arrives and shows her anger by saying she is still the kitchen lead and how dare they behave such way. Then Jung passes out.

Episode 22

Jung Sang Gong regains consciousness and tries to get up in front of Jang-Geum, Han Sang Gong, and Yun-Saeng. The messenger arrives and tells Jang-Geum that Jung must leave the palace since shes no longer the kitchen head and shes dying, as its against the palace rule for maids and escorts to die inside the palace. Jung reminds Han to stand up for herself and be strong since she is now the kitchen head, and gives Han the traditional recipe book. Han begs Jang-Geum to save Jung and to make sure she does not spend her last days lonely. Jae-Jo Sang gong reports to the Queen to inform that Jung has left the palace and that Han was not successfuly inaugurated due to protest from members of the Stir-Fry Kitchen section. The Queen is upset by the news but Head Court Lady tries to explain that Han was not the one who actually cooked during the feast cook-off and Han comes from a very humble family. But the Queen thinks there is some sense behind the protest. Outside the palace, Jang-Geum takes care of Jung while Yun-Saeng is dozing off. Jang-Geum tells Jung, Yun-Saeng and her secretly referred to her as grandmother since they were young. A very pale but smilingly Jung reminiscent about the past times. Jang-Geum also thinks about the past when Jung encouraged and helped her whenever Jang-Geum was in trouble with Han. Jung asks Jang-Geum to help Han since she is now the only one who can help her. Jang-Geum begins to tear and watch Jung, who asks Jang-Geum to promise her that no matter what to never give up on Han. Jang-Geum agrees and Jung lies down to rest as she feels peace at Jang-Geums promise. Han Sang Gong prepares and brings meal to the King. Outside the Kings dinning hall, Head Court Lady stops Han from entering. Han states she must greet the King. Jae-Jo Sang Gong tells her to wait outside until she is called in. Jae-Jo Sang Gong informs the King that Jung has left the palace overnight. The King orders his guard to send his well-wish to Jung. The royal doctor, sent by the king, arrives at Jungs room accompanied by Gam Tuk-Poh and his wife. The doctor checks Jung and announces she has already left the world. Yun-Saeng mourns Jung aloud while Jang-Geum and Gams weep silently. Han continues to wait outside the dinning hall. The head guard returns and gives Han a sign of bad omen by shaking his head. The guard reports to the King that Jung has passed away. The royal doctor states Jung had already stopped breathing when he arrived. Outside Han falls to her knees in sorrow. Yun-Saeng calls out to Jung while Jang-Geum holds her down at Jungs cremation. Jang-Geum disperses Jungs ashes into the river as she remembers Jungs dying wish. Jung Sang Gong: €œAs for me I regret I had to spend my life inside the palace. So cremate me and spread my ashes into the water so that through the flowing of the river I may wander around from place to place€. Jang-Geum and Yun-Saeng return to the palace and finds Han standing alone in the rain. Yun-Saeng expresses her sorrow. Jang-Geum asks Han why she is outside. A servant arrives to tell Han no one from the other kitchen sections will come out to help with the scheduled event of making picked turnips and potatoes. With a stern voice, Jang-Geum reminds Han that she is the head of Royal Kitchen ad must pull herself together, and asks the servant to escort Han inside. Jang-Geum tells Yun-Saeng that the two of them must finish all the work in front of them. Yun-Saeng cries and says she cant but Jang-Geum states she is carrying out Jungs orders and asks Yun-Saeng to hurry and work. Jang-Geum and Yun-Saeng gather the child maids and the servants and work on the chore overnight. Young-Noh, who is spying on them, is shocked by the progress she sees. Jang-Geum brings food to Court Lady Han. Han refused to eat but Jang-Geum begs her to eat. The messenger arrives to inform Court Lady Han of a crisis from water seeping into the kitchen overnight. Meanwhile the Court Ladies are meeting with the royal guard who is angry that Court Lady Han who once again missed the Court Ladies meeting, as Court Lady Han didnt know about the meetings. The head guard finds Han and expresses his disappointment and frustration at Han. Jang-Geum and Yun-Saeng try to solicit help from all the other kitchen sections for another food-preparation event. Court Lady Min and Chan-Ee tell Jang-Geum all the other Court Ladies are protesting Han status and Court Lady Min doesnt want to be involved in any trouble by crossing the picket line. Han tells the royal guard about the situation and asks for his help. the guard goes to see Head Court Lady who tells him that the Queen already knows about the situation and tells him to stay out of it. Geum-Young and Choi Sang Gong discuss their next course of action. Choi Pan Sul worries about the Queens reaction but Choi Sang Gong says the Queen wont fire all the Court Ladies just because of one person so not to worry. Han Sang Gong finds out from Min Sang Gong about the protestors meeting and goes there. All the other Court Ladies blantantly states their refusal to recognize her as the kitchen head. Court Lady Choi-sg gets a member of the royal family involved, who is wife of one of the prince who is Right Prime Ministers sister. The lady complains to the mother Queen about the situation and the mother Queen begins to wonder if she should fire Han. Han tells Jang-Geum they should go tell the mother Queen shes stepping down. Jang-Geum tries to talk Han out of it by saying Han was not only her mentor but a mother figure to her since she was little. If Han steps down then Jang-Geum will give up on her as well. The mother Queen meets with Queen Ja-Soon who tells the mother Queen the decision in the matter regarding Han is up to the mother Queen. Han arrives and asks the mother Queen for a re-contest and if she wins to have the mother Queen give her official order to inaugurate Han as the new lead. Jang-Geum overhears from outside the room and rejoyces.

Episode 23

Court Lady Han asks the mother Queen for a re-contest. the Queen encourages the mother Queen to approve Hans idea since thats the only way to rectify the protest situation. Court Lady Han steps out and meets a smiling Jang-Geum. The mother Queen tells the Queen to be in charge of the contest this time. The Queen gathers all the escorts and the maids from the Royal Kitchen to announce a second contest between Han Sang Gong and Choi Sang Gong for the title of Royal Kitchen lead position. During the contest the Queen gathers a panel of kitchen Court Ladies to taste the dishes. Both Han and Choi cook special rice. The Queen asks a few Court Ladies to comment. Most who spoke were impressed by the white rice dish. The white rice dish is made by Choi who used a special light-weight and fresh rice as the ingredient. However, Choi gets 5 votes and Han gets 8 votes. Han gets praised for her dish which has both soft and firmness in texture to suit each Court Ladys flavour. Han said she cooked it by putting a dish in the rice pot so that one side is firm and another soft. Han states this is how she cooked for the royal couple in the past because the King and the Queen prefer different degree of firmness in their rice. The Queen is astonished by Hans knowledge and thoughtfulness in remembering such details. The Queen states Court Lady Han is the winner by count of votes. Jae Jo Sang Gong tells Right Prime Minister Oh about Hang Sang Gong winning. Oh expresses his frustration with Choi Pan Sul. Choi Sang Gong shows her anger and dismay at the situation to Geum-Young as until now her family has always played a prominent role in the Royal Kitchen. Han Sang Gong receives a formal inauguration to be the next Royal Kitchen leader. Han and Jang-Geum visit the cliff where Jungs ashes were scattered. Han bows before Jung and weeps as Jang-Geum watches. On their way back Jang-Geum tells Han she wants to make a stop. Jang-Geum goes to the cave where her mother was buried and bows. Han bows too, realizing its Jang-Geums mothers grave. Jang-Geum introduces Han to her mother. Han states perhaps Jang-Geums mother left so early in order to give Jang-Geum to her. Jang-Geum and Han Sang Gong shop at the town market and return to the palace to cook up a feast for the King. For her first meal to the King as the kitchen leader, Han plans to make the eight-fruit-soup that she never got a chance to make last time. After Hang Sang Gong leaves, Jang-Geum looks at the precious ingredient Han purchased and pulls out her mothers recipe booklet to read about it. Han Sang Gong presents the dish to the King. The King asks why is she taken so long for her to visit the King in person and asks if she will chat with him like Jung Sang Gong did in the past. Han explains Jung always told her to read books and learn things, so though she is not an orator like Jung she will try. The king is satisfied and tastes the soup again to compliment Han on the taste. Jang-Geum writes a letter saying, €œafter reading my mothers diary I learned about the incident she buried the vinegar with her mate. I wish to meet you. I am a maid of Royal Kitchen by the name Suh-Jang-Geum€. She puts the letter in a pouch and buries it under the spot where her mother and Han hide their secret jar a long time ago. Min Jung-Ho stops by and tells Jang-Geum for his new assignment, he may be visiting the soo-rak-gan (Royal Kitchen) a lot. Jang-Geum is happy and offers her assistance in whatever matter. Min reports to his new superior at jae-pan-gan (investigation and ruling court) and asks to see the old reports. The superior insists that hes already looked at all the reports and there is no clue about why the palace is losing so many things in those reports. Min states he wants to learn the roots through the reports and thats why he wants to look at them. Min finds out that so-joo-bang (stir fry room, part of Royal Kitchen) is where most of the internal loss is happening. Min Sang-Goong (the lowest ranking Court Lady in Royal Kitchen) goes to see Han Sang Gong to tell her the names of the escorts who were most resistant at the protest. Han shows shes not interested. Jang-Geum interrupts saying she has a visitor. Min talks to Han in private. Jang-Geum watches and realizes its something serious. Han tells Min she understands what hes saying and will try to find out the info he requested. Yun-Saeng, Chan-Ee and Young-Roh are preparing food with Court Lady Min who tells them about Hans behavior when she tried to tell her about who was against her. Han tells Choi to see her in private. Choi says she will transfer to the food-storage section, as its a traditon for the second candidate to transfer, but asks for Geum-Young to go with her. Han reminds Choi to respectly talk to her since theyre no longer equals. Han Sang Gong gathers everyone from the Royal Kitchen to give her mainden speech as Head of Royal Kitchen with news of some changes with the staffing, involving Choi Sang Gong, Geum-Young, and Jang-Geum. Han states her plan is to carry out the wishes of Jung Sang Gong. Seeing that Han has no plans on punishing those who went against her, the other Court Ladies are surprised. Min Sang Gong is happy that there will be a new Sang-Goong (Court Lady) coming into their section. The new Sang Gong is younger than Min Sang Gong so she will no longer be the lowest ranking Sang Gong in the soo-rak-gan. Geum-Young comforts Choi while Choi Pan Sul reminds her to defeat her sorrow by waiting for the next opportunity. Min Sang Gong is given a big responsibility by Han Sang Gong. Min Sang Gong tries to get out of it but Han Sang Gong tells her that she believes in her skills and its time for her to took on such challenge. Min Sang Gong relunctantly agrees. Court Lady Min takes her team (Chan-Ee, Young-Roh, Yun-Saeng) to town to cook for charity event. The on-lookers express their praise at Min Sang Gong. She gains a lot of confidence from the respect she is getting and decides to buy a trinket for Han Sang Gong to show her appreciation. Gam husband and wife stop by. Young-Roh confronts Tuk-Poh for selling them the same trinkets for higher price inside the palace in the past. The head guard meets with Han Sang Gong, Jang-Geum, and Min Jung Ho for updates on the internal loss investigation. Min Jung Ho tells them stir fry room is not the only place where the loss is occuring. He believes there is a tradition of corruption going on in the Royal Kitchen. The kitchen Court Ladies who have stolen from the palace are getting nervous about the situation and informs Jae-Jo-Sang Gong about it. Head Court Lady at first doesnt seem to care until an escort said the matter also regards her as well since she has benefited from the stolen goods in the past through gifts and bribery. Head Court Lady goes to the jar-storage room where Choi Sang Gong is reassigned and asks Choi for help in the matter. Choi orders Young-Roh to spy on Jang-Geum to see what shes been up to lately, then asks Geum-Young to spy on Han Sang Gong. Young-Roh gathers up Jang-Geums books, with Jang-Geums mothers booklet hidden in one of them, to give to Choi. Choi finds the booklet and opens it.

Episode 24

Choi looks at the books Young-Roh took from Jang-Geum and doesnt see anything special about them so tells Young-Roh to return it. However Young-Roh keeps Jang-Geums mothers booklet out of curiousity. Han Sang Gong walks in as Yun-Saeng catches Young-Roh reading it and asks Young-Roh where she got it. Young-Roh lies saying she found it incidently on the ground fallen from the tree. Han takes and realizes its her friend Myung-Ees secret recipes. Meanwhile Jang-Geum is flustered she lost her mothers book. Young-Roh tells Geum-Young about it. Geum-Young takes her to see Choi to tell her everything. Young-Roh tells Choi the booklet doesnt belong to Han like Choi had said, since Han asked her what it is and where she got it. Geum-Young and Choi wonder why Jang-Geum has an aged recipe booklet. Choi thinks alone and realizes the booklet could belong to the dead Myung-Ee, whom she helped to kill for her own familys benefit. Then Choi remembers many years ago her brother told her Myung-Ees child might be inside the palace but back then since they thought Myung-Ees child was a boy so they didnt suspect anything. Choi puts the pieces together from the past and realizes Jang-Geum is Myung-Ees daughter. Choi tells Geum-Young Han had a best friend who was also a kitchen maid by the name of Myung-Ee. Because Myung-Ee saw Choi put something in the Kings food, Choi and her aunt who was the kitchen leader before Court Lady Jung conspired to kill Myung-Ee by saying Eyung-Ee had an affair with a palace guard. Choi remembers the past and finally understands why Jang-Geum was relunctant to tell them what she found in the kitchen and why she knew so much about food when she was a child maid. Choi tells Geum-Young the story of Myung-Ee who was Hans best friend, and the shocking truth that Jang-Geum is Myung-Ees daughter, then worries about Han finding out as well. Geum-Young assures her that Han must not know the truth yet or else she would have done something when she saw the booklet Young-Roh stole. Jang-Geum worries what will happen to her now that she lost her mothers journal and someone might find out about her identity. She remembers her mothers best friend and runs to dig the soil to see if she read the letter in pouch. The pouch was untouched and Jang-Geum is disappointed but thinks of a new idea. She goes around all the rooms and houses of the Royal Kitchen to smell all the vinegars to see which kitchen maids has the aged vinegar that her mother and friend buried together. The corrupt lords and officials are getting nervous inside the palace because Min Jung-Ho has been running a tight investigation to see whos been stealing from the King. They complain to Right Prime Minister Oh and asks him to stop Min Jung Ho. Oh goes to see Jae-Jo Sang Gong and scolds her for not telling him earlier. The King is informed about the palace loss and becomes angry. Young-Roh who was spying on Jang-Geum presents the letter Jang-Geums mother wrote to Geum-Young. Upon reading the letter Geum-Young gets nervous and shows the letter to Choi Sang Gong. The two worry that Jang-Geum is close to finding out who her mothers friend is. The corrupt officers put their heads together to find a way to stop Min Jung Ho from ruining their corruptive behavior. One of the official goes to see Gam Tuk-Poh to ask him about the relationship between kitchen maid Jang-Geum and Min Jung-Ho. Gam goes on and on about how the two are well-acquainted and even went outside the palace togeter once. Choi Pan Sul, Right Prime Minister Oh and another officer meet ouside the palace to discuss their cover-up schemes. Choi Pan Sul tells his visitors, Choi Sang Gong and Geum-Young, about Ohs plan to get rid of Min Jung-Ho so he will never again appear in their way. Choi Sang Gong tells her brother about Jang-Geum being the offspring of Myung-Ee whom they murdered. Choi Sang Gong shows him the letter Jang-Geum wrote to her mothers friend and tells him this is a more urgent matter than the issue of Min Jung Ho. Geum-Young is worried about Mins fate and goes to see him to warn him that he must plead in front of Oh or else he may end up in big trouble. Min Jung-Ho states she should not have come if what she wants is for him to beg in front of someone else. Geum-Young warns him that his stubborness will bring an ill-fate to Jang-Geum and asks if he still refuses. Min is rendered speechless showing his concern for Jang-Geum. Geum-Young leaves and Min returns to his corridor thinking about the last part of Geum-Youngs warning. Min Jung-Ho tells his boss hes going to his hometown. Jang-Geum overhears and chases after him to asks if hes coming back. He tells her not to worry and says he will return soon. Geum-Young arrives and catches the two of them talking. Han Sang Gong gathers all the subordinates and shows the Sang-Goongs evidence of internal stealing and asks the Sang-Goongs to cooperate with her so that no such thing will occur in the future. For their cooperation she will bear the responsibility this time. The Sang-Goongs are grateful of Hans generous gesture of taking the responsibility upon herself and promise to cooperate with her. Min Sang-Goong is impressed by Hans leadership and tells Chan-ee and Yun-Saeng she wants to be just like Han Sang Gong when she becomes the kitchen head one day. Jang-Geum hears about it and goes to praise Han Sang Gong, then asks if she can come back to work for her. Han says no but she can come back after she completes 2 months of service at her new position. Jang-Geum is satisfied and states her favorite place to work is next to Han. Jang-Geum calls out to her mother saying she is unable to find her mothers friend and sighs loudly. Han is preparing food and uses the aged vinegar in the dish. She uses up the vinegar and leaves the empty bowl by the food station. Han leaves, then Jang-Geum arrives. Jang-Geum swipes the inside of the bowl with her finger and licks her finger. Then she realizes its the same vinegar that her mother buried and asks the child maids who was using the bowl before her. The king tastes the food prepard by Han Sang Gong and asks if she used the aged vinegar again for such fragrant flavor which seems to grow in flavor the more you eat, and Han nods to show yes. Jang-Geum goes around the kitchens looking for Han Sang Gong. Han goes back to the food kitchen where she prepared the food earlier and takes the vinegar jar to refill it. Jang-Geum arrives at the kitchen and asks Min Sang Gong who took the vinegar bowl and Min Sang Gong tells Jang-Geum that Han took it since it was hers. Jang-Geum runs out to find Hang Sang Gong. Han Sang Gong finds the letter Jang-Geum wrote and runs to find Jang-Geum. Han Sang Gong and Jang-Geum meet each other in the courtyard, Han Sang Gong realizing that Jang-Geum is Myung-Ees friend, and Jang-Geum realizing Han Sang Gong is her mothers friend.

Episode 25

Han Sang Gong and Jang-Geum finally realize who each other is. Jang-Geum asks Han if she is indeed the friend of her mother, the one and only friend and confidant that her deceased mother had in the palace. The friend who had such distinguished cooking skills. Han states yes and asks Jang-Geum if her mother is indeed the one who ate wild strawberried in her deathbed. The one who taught her daughter how to cook and fetch water, and Jang-Geum replies yes. Han thanks Myung-Ee aloud, then thanks Jang-Geum, and embraces her. Han Sang Gong shows Jang-Geum the place where Jang-Geums mother practiced cooking. Where she hide when she got in trouble. Jang-Geum laughs when she finds out her mother got into trouble like she always does. The two come to the topic of Jang-Geums mother and Han Sang Gong asks Jang-Geum the details of her mothers death. Jang-Geum tells Han there were soldiers who came after them and her mother said it was better to be caught by the soldiers than to end up in someone elses hands so Myung-Ee and Jang-Geum were captured by the soldiers and on their way to the palace when men dressed in bandit attire shot arrows toward them to kill them. Jang-Geums mother Myung-Ee died from the arrow wounds. Han Sang Gong and Jang-Geum realize Choi Sang Gong is behind Myung-Ees death. Jang-Geum brings Han to the place where she hides her mothers booklet and realizes its missing. Han rememers the incident with Young-Roh and goes to ask Young-Roh to confess where she really got the booklet. Young-Roh insists she just found it on the ground but Han locks her up until she tells the truth. Han tells Jang-Geum she fears Jang-Geum might be in danger. Han Sang Gong calls Choi Sang Gon, Young-Roh, and Geum-Young into her corridor and tells the three of them to pack their bags and go to Grand Peace House (guest corridors) immediately. Choi refuses stating she has to go see Jae-Jo Sang Gong but Han replies she already talked to Jae-Jo Sang Gong and she has no problem with the transfer. Choi, Geum-Young, and Young-Roh pack their bags and leave for their new assignment, also considered a major demotion. Han tells Jang-Seum she is still uneasy about Choi being inside the palace and asks Jang-Geum to go talk to Min Jung-Ho to see what he thinks. Jang-Geum states he is away for the moment but she will go find him once he returns. Han goes to see an old colleague to ask for help but the colleague who also knew Myung-Ee is scared to be involved. Jang-Geum goes to see Gam Tuk-Poh to ask if he knows when Min will return. Gam whispers it was all an excuse. Min never really left. Hes in hanyang city for an undercover assignment. Jang-Geum reports the news to Han. At Peace Hall Geum-Young brings food to Choi Sang Gong who states Han Sang Gong will not let it go so easily. Choi Pan Sul meets with his men who reported that even though they dont know the exact location of Min Jung-Ho, it seems they dont need to worry about min for the time being. Gam leads Jang-Geum to where Min Jung-Ho is. Jang-Geum asks to speak to him in private. Gams wife wonders whats going on between Min Jung Ho and Jang-Geum. After hearing Jang-Geums story, Min Jun Ho assures her he will find out what happened to her father right away. Jang-Geum asks him about her mother and he states he will try his best and in fact he is working on uncovering a scandal that concerns Choi Pan Sul and Right Prime Minister Oh. Jang-Geum smiles at him and Min Jung Ho returns her smile with a serious look. Min Jung Ho: €œfor coming to me with your trouble, you did well€ Jang Geum: €œI didnt know what else to do€ Min Jung Ho: €œfrom now on may I be allowed to share your burdens?€ Jang Geum: €¦ (speechlessly looks at MJH) Jang-Geum goes back to the Gam, and his wife reminds Jang-Geum she is a palace maid, and thus not allowed to betray the King by being with any other man. Min Jung Ho tells Jang-Geum he asked around and found no news of her father but he will keep trying and tells her not to lose hope since her father may still be alive somewhere and if so he will do everything he can to find him for her. Yun-Saeng and Chan-Ee visit Geum-Young and Young-Roh at Peace Hall and inform them that the King will be making a trip to somewhere warm to get over the sever cold symtoms hes been suffering from. Geum-Young goes to tell Choi the Kings planned activity. Choi says in that case Han and Jang-Geum will surely accompany him. Choi Pan Sul and the messenger he bribed discuss their plot against Han Sang Gong and Jang-Geum. Min Sang-Goong tells Chan-Ee she cant go since the kitchen still needs staff. Chan-Ee begs her to take her along. Min Sang Gong asks Han if she knows where the King wants to go and Hang Sang Gong says the place was suggested by her when the King asked her for her opinion, but shes keeping it a secret. Its supposed to be special to jang-geum. Han Sang Gong, Min Sang Gong, Yun-Saeng, Jang-Geum, and 4 other maid servants from the Royal Kitchen accompany the King on his excursion. Choi Pan Suls spy follows Jang-Geums steps. The King takes a bath in the warm springs of Won-Goong city. The King eats the dishes prepared by Han Sang Gong and her staff and praises Han for the food and picking the location. Han tells Jang-Geum to follow her somewhere. Yun-Saeng and Min Sang Gong wonder if Han is taking Jang-Geum to the warm springs and think about soaking their feet in the warm water as well. Choi Pan Suls spy follows Han and Jang-Geum. Han tells Jang-Geum to the house where her mother Myung-Ee grew up in, and where Han and Myung-Ee met as children who became friends then colleagues. Han regrets the death of Myung-Ee and states she no longer wishes to forgive those who brought tragedy to Myung-Ee. Then Han praises how well Jang-Geum turned out and the two embrace like mother and daughter. Jang-Geum tells Han that according to Min Jung Ho, the best thing to do is to wait for now, since he is working on the scandal issue. Court Lady Han and Jang-Geum are surrounded by Choi Pan Suls spy and his men. Min Jung Hos men arrive to save Han and Jang-Geum. The spy and his men run after defeat. Han thanks the savior and Min Jung Ho. Min Sang-Goong and Yun-Saeng find their way to the warm spring and Yun-Saeng brings out jars to fill for Young-Roh and Chan-Ee, while Min Sang Gong takes off her socks and shoes to soak her feet. They become startled by some noise from the bushes and run. Choi Pan Suls spy gets scolded by Choi Pan Sul but the spy informs Choi that the internal affairs department is onto them. Choi Sang Gong finds out and wonders if she will soon be granted death. The head guard tells Han Sang Gong the King wishes to eat the same dish she made the other day using the special local spring water before he returns to the palace. The King shows content eating it, but later Ha learns that the King has fainted. Jang-Geum wonders whats going on