Episode 5 opens with Ji-young unleashing her pent-up fury from the previous night's ordeal in the kitchen, pounding a dried pollack (a type of fish) into minuscule crumbs. When the moment arrives for Yi Heon's breakfast, she presents him with a bowl of dried pollack soup that, as always, is exquisitely flavorful. He senses her underlying anger but is clueless about the events of the previous night. After she departs, Chang-seon jogs Yi Heon's memory, reminding him that he had kissed her.
As Ji-young storms off in a huff, Gong-gil approaches her and inquires about Gil-geum's well-being. Later, it is revealed that he possesses Chu-wol’s hairpin (the very one she intended to use to stab Gil-geum). A swift flashback discloses that Gong-gil’s sister, Ok-dan, had been dispatched to Jahongwon (the institution under Consort Kang's jurisdiction). Tragically, Ok-dan met her demise there, found clutching a hairpin strikingly similar to Chu-wol's.
Meanwhile, Song-jae informs Yi Heon of an impending visit from a Ming envoy. The delegation is headed by a eunuch named Yu Kun, whom Yi Heon seems to harbor a dislike for. Song-jae then raises the issue with Ji-young and advises the king to mend fences with a thoughtful gift.
During the morning assembly, some of Yi Heon’s ministers vehemently argue for allocating a substantial portion of their treasury to lavishly welcome Yu Kun and the Ming delegation. Yi Heon, however, instructs them to economize and keep the proceedings understated.
Subsequently, one of Yi Heon’s soldiers reports that Yi Jang-gyun, the drafter, was discovered wounded but subsequently managed to elude capture. Yi Heon orders the soldier to locate him without delay. Yi Heon is then informed that Consort Kang wishes to see him, but he declines the invitation. Instead, his thoughts drift towards Ji-young.
That evening, Yi Heon spurns any dinner offerings. News of his refusal to eat, coupled with rumors of his kiss with Ji-young, reaches Consort Kang's ears. Determined to regain his favor, she decides to prepare a meal for Yi Heon on the day of his physical examination. She even goes as far as to provide Chef Maeng with arsenic, intending to use it to eliminate Ji-young.
Despite Ji-young's culinary mastery, the king persists in shunning food over the ensuing meals. She finds her curiosity piqued about the elusive monarch, while Yi Heon, in turn, finds himself preoccupied with thoughts of her. Eventually, he relents and agrees to partake in a dinner with her. She prepares a comforting chicken soup and other easily digestible dishes for him. As he savors the meal, Ji-young can't help but feel a sense of pride at having brought a smile to his face.
Meanwhile, Prince Jesan accuses Minister Kim Yong-san of plotting to assassinate Yi Heon. His men launch an attack on Gong-gil, the assassin hired by Yong-san, but Gong-gil manages to evade capture and escape.
The day of the king's physical examination dawns. Eunuch Yoon informs Ji-young that Prince Jesan will be arriving at the palace to assess the king's health. Consort Kang instructs Chu-wol to inform the kitchen that she will personally prepare and serve Prince Jesan a meal after the examination.
Chu-wol arrives at the kitchen and conveys Consort Kang's instructions to Chef Maeng, who then informs the rest of the cooks. However, Ji-young is determined to present her own culinary creation as well. She and her team whip up a batch of crispy fried pork cutlets, reminiscent of schnitzel.
After Prince Jesan has completed his examination of the king, both Consort Kang and Ji-young arrive with their respective dishes. Consort Kang's chilled chicken soup is well-received, but it pales in comparison to the delectable schnitzel prepared by Ji-young. Both Yi Heon and Prince Jesan clean their plates, thoroughly enjoying the meal. Prince Jesan inquires if the women desire any rewards, and Ji-young seizes the opportunity to request fresh, new ingredients.
That night, Yi Heon continues to sketch Ji-young's dishes in his personal version of the Mangunrok. Meanwhile, Im Song-jae and his father discuss their scheme to foster a closer bond between Yi Heon and Ji-young. Song-jae reveals that he has discovered Ji-young's bag and plans to suggest that the king present it to her as a gift.
He later follows through on his plan, handing the bag to Yi Heon. Song-jae then informs Yi Heon that the Ming chief envoy, Yu Kun, is traveling with three top-tier chefs. He surmises that Yu Kun intends to impress Yi Heon with exquisite cuisine and likely has a request in mind. However, the subsequent scene showcases the exceptional talent of these three chefs and unveils that Yu Kun harbors a disdain for Korean cuisine.
Meanwhile, Yi Heon escorts Ji-young to the Jangwonseo—a lush, sprawling greenhouse where a vibrant tapestry of fruits and vegetables flourishes under the gentle glow of sunlight filtering through the glass panes. Her eyes sparkle with childlike wonder, particularly when she stumbles upon a patch of fiery chillies bearing a sign that reads "Poison" in bold letters. The irony tickles her fancy, and a mischievous grin dances across her lips.
To her further astonishment, Yi Heon, with a softness in his eyes that belies his usual composure, hands her back her bag and, with a voice tinged with genuine remorse, apologizes for the impromptu kiss they shared. Her curiosity piqued, she inquires as to why he's gone to such lengths to make amends and shower her with attention.
He pauses, almost on the cusp of revealing the truth—that he now sees her not just as a friend, but as a woman who has captured his heart. Yet, at the last moment, a flicker of uncertainty crosses his face, and he opts for a safer, albeit less honest, response. "You're a good cook," he says, his words carrying a hint of self-deprecating humor.
As he begins to walk away, his foot catches on an unseen obstacle, and he stumbles. Instinctively, Ji-young reaches out, her hand clasping his in a firm grip to prevent his fall. But the momentum proves too great, and they both tumble to the ground in a heap, laughter bubbling up between them as they lie there, momentarily entangled in a mess of limbs and shared mirth.
