CHAPTER 10
“…Who did you say has arrived?”
As the Empress Dowager asked in disbelief, an elderly woman stepped into the room from behind her.
“Have I come somewhere I’m not welcome?”
Startled, the Empress Dowager immediately bowed.
“O-Of course not, Mother.”
Suryeon was just as surprised.
This is strange. Grandmother never came in my previous life… so why is she here now?
The woman was the Grand Empress Dowager Han—mother of the late emperor and mother-in-law to Empress Dowager Min.
After losing her eldest son and his wife in a tragic accident, she had secluded herself within her residence for many years.
Although she held the greatest authority among the women of the Imperial Household and possessed the strongest voice within the inner palace, she had never involved herself in imperial affairs, choosing instead to live in quiet seclusion.
She disliked having visitors, so even Suryeon was meeting her for the first time since giving birth.
“We’re choosing the nanny court lady for my first great-grandchild. As her great-grandmother, of course I should be here. Now then, let’s begin.”
The interview coordinator glanced nervously at the Empress Dowager before bowing.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Then, raising his voice, he announced,
“Let the interviews begin.”
The room, which had briefly fallen into an uproar at the Grand Empress Dowager’s unexpected appearance, grew silent once more.
While waiting for the candidates, Empress Dowager Min cautiously studied the older woman’s face.
The old woman who had hidden herself away for years had appeared without warning or notice. It clearly unsettled her.
Some time later, three candidates entered the room dressed in formal ceremonial attire.
Unlike the Joseon era, palace attendants in the Imperial Household did not wear hanbok while carrying out their daily duties.
However, when interviewing for prestigious positions, it remained customary for candidates to wear the ceremonial hanbok provided by the Imperial Household.
The three women, dressed identically, respectfully greeted those present.
Suryeon examined each face in turn until her gaze locked onto one.
Kim Jeong-ah…
She looked even younger than Suryeon remembered.
Well… she’s only twenty-five right now.
No matter how she looked at her, she was far too young to be entrusted with raising a princess.
What exactly was their reason for choosing Kim Jeong-ah?
If the goal had merely been to place one of their own beside the princess, they could have nominated a candidate everyone would readily accept.
Could there have been another reason for selecting Kim Jeong-ah from the very beginning…?
As that thought lingered in her mind, the interview began.
Contrary to everyone’s concerns after the Grand Empress Dowager’s unexpected arrival, Empress Dowager Min took complete control of the proceedings.
The Grand Empress Dowager remained silent, merely observing without offering a single comment.
“The Imperial Kindergarten speaks very highly of Ms. Kim Jeong-ah. Even the principal strongly recommended you. I hear you’re exceptionally good with children. Is there some secret to it?”
Just as Suryeon had expected.
The other two candidates were little more than decorations. Every question from the Empress Dowager was directed solely at Jeong-ah.
And Jeong-ah answered every one of them gracefully, never showing the slightest hint of nervousness.
It was almost as if she had known the questions in advance.
“To be honest, I don’t think there’s any special secret. Rather than trying to become the perfect teacher, I’ve always wanted to be a teacher who does her very best.”
Her voice carried quiet confidence.
“If nothing else, I can proudly say that I’ve always lived for the sake of my children.”
“And what do you believe is the most important aspect of caring for children?”
“A teacher’s duty is to guide children, teach them right from wrong, and lead them down the proper path. But I believe something even more important is making sure they grow up safe and healthy.”
She gently clasped her hands over her chest.
“While protecting those things, I hope to leave them with more than just the memory of another passing teacher. I want to give them warm memories… and happy moments they’ll cherish.”
A satisfied smile spread across the Empress Dowager’s face.
Even the Grand Empress Dowager nodded quietly, seemingly impressed by Jeong-ah’s answer.
With those words, Jeong-ah had won over everyone in the room—
Everyone except Suryeon.
Keeping children safe and healthy is what’s most important?
The very woman responsible for Princess Sehui’s death was speaking those words without shame.
Suryeon felt nauseated looking at Jeong-ah’s innocent expression, so carefully disguised as sincerity.
That’s right… I fell for those same words before.
As memories resurfaced of how effortlessly Jeong-ah’s eloquence had once deceived her, Suryeon let out a bitter laugh inwardly.
Just then, the Empress Dowager turned toward Suryeon and the Grand Empress Dowager.
“I believe we’ve asked enough questions. Do either of you have anything you’d like to ask?”
Her expression had visibly relaxed, as though the outcome was already decided.
She had feared the Grand Empress Dowager might become an obstacle, but seeing her remain silent had put her mind at ease.
“If not, then we’ll conclude the interview—”
At that moment—
“Mother, I’d like to ask Ms. Kim Jeong-ah one question. Would that be all right?”
“…You needn’t ask permission for something so obvious. Go ahead.”
Though she looked somewhat displeased, the Empress Dowager had no reason to stop the Empress and simply nodded.
“Ms. Kim Jeong-ah, your answers have been very impressive. It’s fascinating to see someone so young possess such admirable values.”
At Suryeon’s praise, Jeong-ah smiled brightly.
“Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty.”
“There’s just one thing I’d like to ask. A teacher’s responsibility is to guide children onto the right path, isn’t it?”
It was an extremely important question.
“If the Princess were playing with children her own age, and you witnessed her bullying another child… what would you do?”
Jeong-ah thought for a moment before answering.
“Children sometimes bully those they perceive as weaker than themselves. When that happens, I explain clearly why such behavior is wrong and discipline them accordingly.”
She answered without the slightest hesitation.
“Her Imperial Highness the Princess is indeed precious, but there is no child in this world who is not precious. Therefore, should Her Highness ever behave improperly, I would not hesitate to discipline her firmly.”
It was the textbook answer.
Suryeon nodded as though she agreed.
“You’re absolutely right. Being a princess doesn’t excuse bullying others. But… I happened to hear something rather unusual.”
She paused before meeting Jeong-ah’s eyes.
“Do you know someone named Seok Yeon-ji?”
The instant those three syllables left Suryeon’s lips, Jeong-ah visibly flinched.
Suryeon didn’t miss the flash of panic that crossed her face.
But Jeong-ah quickly shook her head.
“…I’m not sure. I’ve never heard that name before.”
“Really? It’s such an unusual name—I thought it’d be hard to forget. You both attended Jinseol High School, didn’t you? You were even in the same class for three years.”
From that moment on, Jeong-ah’s composure began to crumble.
Only then did she seem to remember.
“O-Oh… now that you mention it, I suppose that’s true. It’s been a long time since high school. We weren’t very close.”
“I understand. People who bully others often don’t remember what they’ve done.”
“…Excuse me?”
Sensing the increasingly uncomfortable atmosphere, the Empress Dowager intervened.
“Your Majesty. This is hardly the place for idle conversation. Shouldn’t your questions be limited to matters concerning the nanny court lady position?”
“Mother, this is the single most important question in selecting a nanny court lady.”
“What does someone’s school days have to do with becoming a nanny court lady?”
“It tells us about her character.”
“Her character?”
As the Empress Dowager frowned at the vague answer, Suryeon handed a folder to the Grand Empress Dowager.
“I received this report concerning one of today’s candidates earlier this morning. It made for… very interesting reading.”
The Grand Empress Dowager’s expression darkened the moment she read the documents.
Without a word, she passed them to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager’s face likewise hardened as she read.
Inside were a medical diagnosis and a written petition detailing the severe school violence suffered by a student named Seok Yeon-ji.
“It states that nanny court lady candidate Kim Jeong-ah was responsible for bullying Seok Yeon-ji during their school years.”
