Chapter 9
Senior Court Lady Han was so startled that she nearly jumped, but Nayoung actually felt more at ease.
“Your Highness, you seem to be terribly exhausted. I will prepare a meal for you as quickly as possible.”
That was where the story she had read ended.
While Senior Court Lady Han busied herself with preparations, a cold breeze slipped into the room.
From now on, these were days that no one else could write for her.
As the sun began to set, Myeongan Palace was quiet, much like its mistress, Consort Eun, Yeong Heeryeong, who held the fourth rank among the Emperor’s consorts.
“I heard that the princess and the ongju from the Seoyeon Kingdom arrived at the city today. We do not need to go and see them, do we?”
Noble Lady Gwak Doyeong, who held the fifth rank among the consorts, asked with a worried expression.
“The ongju from the Seoyeon Kingdom has already been appointed as a Bin, so we should address her by that title. Besides, when it comes to the two ladies, I am sure Imperial Consort Jeong has taken care of everything properly.”
Even when Empress Seonhyeon was alive, there had been very few places beyond Imperial Consort Jeong’s reach. The preparations for this royal marriage were no different. Now that the Empress Dowager had stepped back from active involvement, Imperial Consort Jeong’s influence had grown even greater.
“She is using the wedding preparations as an excuse, but Imperial Consort Jeong does not even come to pay her respects to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager anymore.”
Doyeong replied with a disgruntled expression.
“When has she ever been diligent about paying her respects?”
“While Empress Seonhyeon was alive, she acted arrogantly because she was His Majesty’s first wife. She would skip her visits whenever she felt like it. But the Empress Dowager is no ordinary person. She is His Majesty’s own mother.”
“Perhaps I am the only one who heard that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager gave her permission.”
Heeryeong spoke quietly, as though gently scolding her.
Doyeong pouted.
The two women had entered the palace as consorts shortly after Rye Hoon ascended the throne. At that time, the late Emperor’s policies had resulted in a steady stream of new consorts entering the palace.
The arrivals stopped only after one consort after another either died following a night of serving the Emperor or ended up confined to the Cold Palace.
No one knew the reason. Some said Imperial Consort Jeong was behind it all, while others claimed that the Emperor, who was particular about his bed partners, personally sent women he disliked to the Cold Palace.
The only thing anyone knew for certain was that a woman who had smiled and exchanged greetings with them one day could disappear by the next.
“Still, is Imperial Consort Jeong not being unusually quiet?”
Doyeong whispered.
“Normally, at least a few palace maids would have been beaten by now.”
“I told you to stop.”
Heeryeong gently reprimanded her in a low voice.
“It will do you no good to speak carelessly about Imperial Consort Jeong in this palace.”
Doyeong pressed her lips tightly together, as though Heeryeong had struck a nerve.
“Who knows? Perhaps she was busy hiding some evil talismans in the corners of the Empress’s Palace.”
The woman who appeared with those sharp words was Miyeon, Heeryeong’s personal attendant. She had been Heeryeong’s maid back when they lived outside the palace and had gone to the Palace Administration Office to collect some supplies.
Heeryeong shook her head as though she had no idea what to do with her and closed her book. However, Miyeon, completely oblivious to the situation, excitedly continued talking.
“I heard something while I was at the Palace Administration Office. They had not even lit the charcoal in the detached residence where the princess is supposed to stay temporarily.”
“Goodness! Hadn’t the messenger announcing her arrival reached the palace ahead of her?”
Doyeong exclaimed in surprise, encouraging Miyeon to continue.
“Exactly! And they had not prepared any food either. The attendants who accompanied the princess were running around in every direction, trying to take care of everything themselves.”
“So the Palace Administration Office simply pretended not to know?”
“Everyone is too busy worrying about Imperial Consort Jeong’s reaction to do anything.”
“Just as I thought. Her spiteful nature has not changed at all.”
Doyeong clicked her tongue as though the news had confirmed what she already suspected.
“There must have been a reason for it.”
Heeryeong quietly interjected, and Doyeong pouted again.
“What reason could there be? They are probably trying to put the princess from Seoyeon in her place before her formal investiture.”
“Isn’t that an incredibly low trick?”
“Enough. I told you to be careful with your words.”
At Heeryeong’s firm voice, the two women, who had been talking excitedly, quickly fell silent.
“You are both good people, but I wish you would be more careful. If you are not, Imperial Consort Jeong might find an excuse to punish you severely.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Doyeong quietly looked away, while Miyeon answered in a low voice.
Heeryeong let out a long sigh inwardly. Although the two women were being rather extreme, it was difficult to deny what they were saying.
Even if the wedding had not yet taken place, the woman was still a princess of another kingdom and would soon become the Empress. Imperial Consort Jeong was clearly in the wrong to treat someone of such status so poorly from the very beginning.
Heeryeong felt ashamed of herself. Imperial Consort Jeong wielded such great influence that Heeryeong could not even openly criticize her behavior. Nor had she visited the princess, who would soon outrank her, to check whether she was comfortable.
For several days, Heeryeong hesitated over whether she should visit or pretend not to know anything. But the thought of a princess from another kingdom being alone in an unfamiliar land troubled her.
In the end, as evening fell, she headed toward the detached residence.
By chance, Senior Court Lady Han was coming out of the kitchen with Myeonghui when she noticed Heeryeong. She approached cautiously and greeted her.
“You appear to be a person of high status. May I ask what brings you all the way here?”
“This is Palace Mistress Yeong Heeryeong, Consort Eun, one of His Majesty’s consorts.”
Miyeon, who was standing beside her, answered in a rather prim tone.
“Ah… I see. I am Senior Court Lady Han, serving Her Highness Princess Uihwa of the Seoyeon Kingdom.”
Heeryeong smiled gently and asked, “I hope I have not disturbed the princess while she was resting?”
“I will inform Her Highness of your arrival.”
The two women went inside together. A short while later, Senior Court Lady Han returned and invited Heeryeong to enter.
With a nervous heart, Heeryeong stepped into the reception room, which was called the myeongan.
Fortunately, charcoal had been lit to warm the room, but the smoke stung her nose. It seemed the Palace Administration Office had not provided them with good-quality charcoal.
Heeryeong approached the princess, who was standing and waiting for her, and bowed.
“I am Consort Eun, Yeong Heeryeong. I was unsure how I should greet you and worried that I might unintentionally offend you. I hope you will forgive any discourtesy.”
“Not at all. Your visit alone is more than enough. Please, have a seat here.”
After sitting down, Heeryeong gave Miyeon a glance. Miyeon immediately handed Senior Court Lady Han a tray covered with a cloth.
“I brought some food prepared for a late-night snack. There was more than enough, so I thought I would share some with you.”
“Oh my… You really did not have to go to the trouble.”
“Not at all. I heard that you had arrived earlier today. Since you are not staying very far away, I thought I should come and greet you.”
“Thank you. Once I have finished unpacking, I will serve you some fine tea that we brought from the Seoyeon Kingdom.”
“I am already looking forward to it.”
Heeryeong covered her mouth lightly with one hand and smiled prettily.
Nayoung liked her. It must have been difficult and intimidating to approach a princess from another country, yet Heeryeong had still come to greet her. Nayoung appreciated her kindness.
“It is getting late, so I should take my leave. You will be very busy with the wedding preparations for the time being. I will formally pay my respects at the Empress’s Palace later.”
Heeryeong bowed respectfully to Nayoung and left, accompanied by Senior Court Lady Han.
A short while later, Senior Court Lady Han returned, her face bright with delight.
“Your Highness! Consort Eun has given us some coal.”
“Coal?”
“Yes. She said the smoke might make you uncomfortable, so she asked us to replace the coal with this.”
“I am truly grateful to her.”
“Indeed, Your Highness.”
“Tomorrow morning, once the sun rises, send some dried meat to Consort Eun’s palace.”
“I will do so.”
Senior Court Lady Han was just about to turn around to replace the charcoal when Nayoung stopped her.
“It would be better to send the coal to Uihyeon.”
“There is enough for us to share it with her.”
“No. Uihyeon is still unwell, and she must be exhausted from undergoing training. So send all of it to her early tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I will do that.”
Senior Court Lady Han nodded, concealing her disappointment. Myeonghui quietly went outside to gather the coal.
“By the way, Senior Court Lady Han.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“When do the city gates close?”
“The eunuchs said the gates would close after they all leave the palace at the hour of the Dog, around seven to nine in the evening.”
“Then let us visit Uihyeon for a while.”
“Do you mean right now?”
“Yes. I am worried because I cannot hear how she is doing directly from her.”
“But, Your Highness…”
“Quickly, prepare the late-night snacks that Consort Eun brought us.”
Senior Court Lady Han watched Nayoung eagerly gather her cloak, let out a small sigh, and picked up the tray.
“Your Majesty, it is late. Please retire to your chambers.”
Rye Hoon was beginning to find Dongseok’s repeated words annoying. He understood that the eunuch was only doing his duty, but surely he could stop repeating himself by now, especially if he understood his master’s working habits.
“However, Your Majesty…”
Even so, Rye Hoon never reprimanded him and simply let him continue. He knew that Dongseok often began with these tedious reminders because he wanted to bring up something else.
“What do you intend to do about the request for an audience from the escort of the Seoyeon Kingdom? A message arrives every morning without fail.”
“…”
“Shall we at least accept the royal letter sent by their king?”
Rye Hoon opened another memorial and replied in an irritated tone.
“Tell him to stay and watch the wedding ceremony before he leaves.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will do so.”
A short while later, the chief eunuch from the Palace Administration Office entered the royal audience hall and began reporting on the princess and ongju from the Seoyeon Kingdom.
