# Chapter 6: Intoxicated
Taegang entered morning court with a refreshed face, but already five impeachment memorials against Ganghwa Magistrate Park Gyu-seong had been submitted.
Jo Yeong-geun and Jo Su-geun had mobilized their faction, desperately trying to impeach the Queen’s older brother and have him exiled.
Their schemes were plainly visible, but with his father-in-law, who had been a senior member of the Eul faction, now deceased, he needed someone to shield his brother-in-law and the Queen.
Thus he had been considering Park Gyu-seong’s father-in-law for the position of Minister of Taxation, and the Jo brothers, catching wind of this, had made their move first.
Though they were the Queen Dowager’s brothers, they were greedy corrupt ministers who had enjoyed decades of power and amassed great wealth.
After finishing morning court, Taegang canceled the afternoon lecture.
He needed to explain the situation to the Queen in advance to avoid any misunderstanding. He would never see her tears again.
He went to Junggungjeon and had tea with the Queen. Examining her wrist as she lifted her teacup, the King asked:
“How is your… body?”
“It has improved greatly, Your Majesty.”
He reached for her hand but hesitated.
As if sensing his heart, she gently grasped his sleeve.
She was finally beginning to forgive him, but her eldest brother would soon be arrested by the Uigeumbu.
Even if the bribery charges were false, it was a humiliating matter for an upright and incorruptible official. He could not deal a fatal blow to the Queen and her brothers, who had always taken pride in their father who lived his life as a clean-handed official.
After having tea with the Queen, Taegang came to the Pyeonjeon and commanded the Royal Secretary:
“Return all impeachment memorials against Ganghwa Magistrate Park Gyu-seong.”
“Your Majesty, there will be opposition from the ministers.”
“Even so, I cannot punish Park Gyu-seong now. When solid evidence of bribery emerges, we can discuss it then.”
—
Thanks to the raw egg, the bruises on Hwayeon’s neck and arms had faded, so she decided to resume her morning visits to the Dowager Queen’s residence from today.
Senior Court Lady Jeong, who was attending her, cautiously reported:
“Your Majesty the Queen, please compose yourself and prepare to proceed to the Dowager Queen’s residence.”
“Very well.”
Senior Court Lady Jeong, who had entered the palace as a court lady at twelve and served the Dowager Queen during her time as Queen, was quick-handed.
With the help of the sharp-witted wet nurse, five court ladies from the Dowager Queen’s residence worked together and finished the elaborate face and hair preparations—which normally took half a day—in just two hours.
Dressed in a navy blue grand skirt embroidered with phoenixes and a crimson gold-brocaded jacket, she descended the stone steps of Junggungjeon as dawn was breaking.
Though she wore a heavy ceremonial wig, the dawn wind pierced through her still-damp hair. She felt a slight headache and chill but hurried her steps.
As she left Junggungjeon, the King was waiting for her with his hands clasped behind his back.
Perhaps it was because of the fear and trauma of that night. The closer she approached him, the more her body shrank and her hands trembled, forcing her to hide them in her sleeves.
His sharp nose and fierce eyes, with the dawn light playing upon them, made him seem even more savage and ominous.
Except for that one night, the King had always been affectionate toward Hwayeon, but now even his smile frightened her.
Taegang wrapped his arm around Hwayeon’s shoulder and whispered in her ear:
“Your hair is wet. What if you catch another cold? The auspicious day for consummation is in five days.”
Another consummation before the bruises had even faded. Hwayeon, dizzy with shock, staggered.
The King, alarmed, swept her into his arms and shouted:
“The Queen? What are you all doing? Hurry, call the Royal Physician!”
Taegang lifted Hwayeon and ran toward Junggungjeon.
She could feel his urgent breath on her forehead. She hadn’t known her husband’s embrace could be so warm and deep. She felt a little sorry for staggering from the shock of the consummation news.
After laying her down in the main room of Junggungjeon, the King personally covered her with a silk quilt.
“The Queen? Are you alright?”
“Your concubine is fine. Please hurry to the Dowager Queen’s residence.”
“No. With the Queen so unwell, how could I leave your side?”
“But it will cause worry to the Dowager Queen. Please attend the morning greetings first.”
The attending Sangseon also reported:
“Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Queen speaks rightly. The Dowager Queen will be greatly concerned, so please offer your morning greetings and then inform her of the Queen’s condition.”
“Very well. As soon as the Royal Physician arrives, make sure the Queen is well cared for.”
The King soon left for the Dowager Queen’s residence, and Hwayeon lay down and closed her eyes.
She understood well that he always cherished her, but the consummation date was too soon. She understood that bearing a successor was the Queen’s most important duty, yet her body recoiled. Sweat broke out from tension and worry, dampening the blankets.
After the beaded curtains were drawn and Hwayeon’s wrist, covered with silk, was being examined by the Royal Physician, the King re-entered.
“How is the Queen?”
“She has a slight fever.”
The King then placed his large hand on Hwayeon’s forehead. In an instant, her whole body felt cool, as if a cold wet cloth had been placed on her forehead. Large hands are good at times like this—as long as they don’t transform into fierce claws.
“I see. The Queen seems to have overexerted herself lately. Please take good care of her, Royal Physician.”
“I shall keep that in mind.”
After the Royal Physician withdrew, he firmly grasped her hand.
“You must rest today with no thoughts of anything. Visits to the Dowager Queen’s residence are also forbidden for the time being.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. But you must not delay morning court because of me.”
“Alright. I will return.”
Urged by the Queen, the King rose from his seat for morning court.
—
Morning court began about an hour later than usual, attended by the three Chief State Councilors, the six ministers, the senior officials of the six ministries, the Mayor of Hanseong, the Commander of the Training Command, and the Captains of the Left and Right Patrols.
“I have convened today’s morning court to establish measures for the upcoming winter season. Thanks to Heaven’s favor, this year’s spring and autumn harvests have been good, allowing us to stockpile ample relief grain and military provisions to save the starving people during the spring famine. Your efforts, ministers, who have worked tirelessly for the people, are greatly appreciated.”
“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless!”
“However, to get through the cold winter, various measures must be prepared. Devise plans from Hyeminseo to accommodate the people in the wooden shacks along Cheonggyecheon so they do not freeze to death in the harsh winter.”
After morning court, as he entered the inner chamber of the Pyeonjeon, Senior Court Lady Kwon of the Gamchalbu was waiting for him. Taegang had given Kwon a secret command to closely observe the Queen, who had suffered both physically and mentally.
“How was the Queen’s schedule yesterday?”
“Yesterday morning, she received a letter from her sister-in-law via the Sagga family’s greeting envoy, and in the afternoon, she transcribed the *Classic of Filial Piety*. She left more than half of her evening meal uneaten…”
“Why did she leave her evening meal?”
“It seems she heard that her parents at the Sagga household were unwell.”
“If her mother is ill, why didn’t her younger brother-in-law say anything?”
“Her Majesty the Queen has imposed a gag order regarding the Sagga family’s affairs.”
Taegang slowly nodded and commanded the Sangseon:
“Send a royal physician to look after my mother-in-law.”
Since the night of the rampage, he had thought of the Queen constantly whenever he had a moment. He was displeased with his own obsession with Hwayeon, but he could not stop.
He eagerly awaited the consummation date to enter the Queen’s bedchamber.
This time, he would not drink a single drop of alcohol—not even water—in Junggungjeon. He would hold her with more care than on the wedding night. And thus he would surely receive his beautiful Queen’s forgiveness.
—
Senior Court Lady Pyo, who had been passing time brewing medicinal wine at the scenic Hyusimdang, came to visit the ailing Queen.
Hwayeon dismissed all court ladies to the courtyard except Senior Court Lady Jeong.
To Senior Court Lady Pyo, who had brewed the gyedangju used as consummation wine, Hwayeon asked directly:
“Why did you tamper with the consummation wine?”
“It was a desperate measure to protect Your Majesty the Queen.”
She was not one to speak insincerely.
“A desperate measure? Even though it drove a wedge between me and His Majesty?”
“A wedge, you say? Have you not become more affectionate than before?”
The white-haired Senior Court Lady Pyo smiled like an immortal.
“If Her Majesty the Queen receives all of His Majesty’s favor alone, it would not be entirely pleasing to the Dowager Queen. Moreover, if you are soon with child, to the Jo relatives it would be like disaster looming before their eyes.”
“Disaster? The Dowager Queen also eagerly awaits a Crown Prince.”
“However, Jo Yeong-geun and Jo Su-geun must be trembling with fear that they might lose the power clenched in their hands.”
Hwayeon shook her head.
“Even so, what does that have to do with tampering with the consummation wine?”
“The Jo brothers’ subordinates are plotting schemes in Ganghwa. They will soon expose the Magistrate’s bribery case.”
“My brother does not take bribes. His Majesty would never believe such a thing.”
“If there are both those who claim to have given the bribe and those who witnessed the receiving, there would be no way to escape. I hear impeachment memorials against the Ganghwa Magistrate have already been submitted.”
Hwayeon was shocked and stared at Senior Court Lady Pyo.
“After the consummation wine incident, His Majesty blamed himself and worried about Your Majesty, so he will try to cover up your eldest brother’s matter. He will compromise and settle things with the Dowager Queen at an appropriate level.”
“So that’s why he remained silent when the Dowager Queen spoke of selecting a concubine?”
“That would be it.”
“Whose… daughter is she?”
“Among Jo Yeong-geun’s wife’s relatives, there is a Miss Min of exceptional beauty. Her grandfather served as a Vice Minister of Rites, and her father is a classics licentiate. They deliberately chose a daughter from a humble family.”
She only nodded, and Senior Court Lady Pyo offered freshly brewed wine and departed.
Tomorrow was a day when the King would receive greetings from all officials at the morning assembly, so he would not visit the Queen’s bedchamber.
“Senior Court Lady Jeong, go offer evening greetings to the Dowager Queen before the night deepens. Also convey that I am much better than this morning.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I shall return quickly.”
After Senior Court Lady Jeong withdrew, Hwayeon beckoned the wet nurse closer.
“Bring Senior Court Lady Pyo’s wine. No side dishes are needed.”
“Wine, Your Majesty? How can you drink on an empty stomach?”
“The fragrance of the wine is lovely. When else will I ever have a chance to drink freely if not today?”
“What if the Dowager Queen finds out?”
“Handle it discreetly so Senior Court Lady Jeong doesn’t know. Bring it without worry.”
Soon after, the wet nurse brought the wine hidden in her skirt and poured it into a white porcelain teacup.
Hwayeon drank three cups of the beautiful azalea-colored wine in quick succession. Her body, which had been chilly from the cold symptoms, gradually began to warm. Feeling languid, her mood also improved.
“The wine tastes better on an empty stomach. How many years has it been since I last had wine?”
“Over three years. When Your Majesty was at Donggung, the day after your birthday, His Majesty secretly ordered a feast, and the two of you shared wine together.”
“That’s right. In the late King’s time, when he was unwell, my birthday passed quietly, but the following evening His Majesty ordered a feast. He was overjoyed that my father’s tumor had greatly improved.”
Those were truly happy times. Though the days were busily hectic, whenever consummation came, the Crown Prince’s embrace was careful and infinitely warm.
*’Miss Min?’*
Imagining the King embracing another woman, a fire of jealousy surged in her chest. What woman could bear her husband holding another woman?
Thinking of herself unable to control her jealousy and grabbing a concubine’s hair, her whole body trembled.
