Chapter 60
Seeing the palanquin and palace servants waiting for him, a heavy pressure weighed down on Yun-seo’s shoulders. He swallowed a sigh and turned to look at Hwi.
“From now on, I wish you wouldn’t take my side like this.”
“That’s impossible. In this country, only I will remain on your side forever.”
Was fatigue contagious? Yun-seo felt his eyelids growing heavy as he stared impassively at Hwi.
“You don’t need to do that.”
“…”
“Even without that, I will fulfill my duties.”
The imperial countenance settled into stillness. Would it have been better if his face had contorted? He wasn’t sure. Though he hadn’t intended to wound Hwi, he wondered if Hwi had felt even the slightest discomfort, like being pricked by a needle. But it seemed the needle’s point was actually directed at himself, as his insides burned and stung.
“I will take my leave now.”
Yun-seo paid his respects to Hwi and boarded the palanquin. The sensation of the palanquin rising felt better than before, which suggested that all things in life would be the same—eventually, everything would become familiar.
“Your Majesty. His Imperial Majesty isn’t leaving and keeps looking this way…”
Yeondeok, who had approached closely, whispered with an anxious expression. Yeondeok knew him better than anyone, so he would have immediately noticed that Yun-seo behaved differently when facing Hwi.
Yun-seo’s grip on the armrest tightened. Though he couldn’t see the face of the man standing there staring at him, it seemed to float before his eyes, so he simply closed them.
Feeling as though the afternoon meal might surge back up, Yun-seo rubbed his solar plexus. As the meeting with the imperial consorts drew near, a different kind of tension than what he had felt when paying respects to the Empress Dowager covered his fingertips.
The Emperor’s consorts totaled three, all of them Yeong Chunhwa. And from now on, Yun-seo would have to share Hwi’s affection with them.
In truth, since the Emperor was no ordinary man, it was unreasonable to expect to have him all to oneself. But the difference between knowing something and accepting it was like the difference between heaven and earth, and it made him feel like his blood was draining away. How could he share the one he loved with others and face them? To burden him with such cruelty and still claim to be on his side…
Recalling the lie that Hwi hadn’t been married, Yun-seo let out a hollow laugh. Since no formal ceremony was held with consorts, it wasn’t a complete lie, strictly speaking.
Having entered the imperial palace, he should let go of everything—he had resolved to do so numerous times—yet he swayed like a boat on waves. He felt foolish and pathetic for his own instability.
“Are you alright?”
Seeing him continuously rubbing his stomach, Court Lady Jo approached with a concerned expression. Yun-seo removed his hand from his body and pulled up the corners of his mouth.
“I’m fine.”
“There is nothing to worry about. As the head of the inner court, Your Majesty commands the highest position, and no one would dare treat you with disrespect.”
Though that wasn’t the issue, Yun-seo nodded. From their perspective, wasn’t he like a stone that had suddenly rolled in? In any case, they would have to serve the Emperor together, so he wanted to maintain good relations.
Just then, a eunuch announced the arrival of the consorts. Yun-seo rose from his seat with a bright smile.
Two women and one man entered. They all knelt to pay their respects.
“We greet Your Majesty the Empress. May the dragon’s protection be with you.”
“Please rise.”
As Yun-seo invited them to sit, the three took their seats on the prepared chairs. Thanks to the wide-open windows, a warm spring breeze gently drifted in. Outside, the beautiful scenery of the flower garden was visible. They had chosen the Wol Yu Hall for this first meeting to create a relaxed atmosphere, and not being in a confined space did make his heart feel lighter.
Palace servants filled the consorts’ cups with tea. After Yun-seo took a sip of tea and set down his cup, the others picked up theirs.
“The fragrance is lovely. It seems to be tea from the Northern Mountains.”
“Indeed. The Northern Mountains have a cold climate, which they say produces excellent tea leaves. I’m glad you like it.”
“How could tea bestowed by Your Majesty not be excellent?”
Yun-seo had heard that Hyeonbi’s temperament was blunt, but while her expression remained consistent and unchanged, the conversation flowed smoothly. Feeling that he had broken the ice well, Yun-seo breathed a sigh of relief while carefully observing Hyeonbi.
She was the first consort Hwi had taken, and among them, she had been with him the longest. When Hwi was sixteen, she also turned sixteen and bloomed, immediately receiving her title. Among the consorts, her protective energy was the most compatible with Hwi’s spiritual power, so he must have sought her out frequently.
A mature light that only someone who had stood through the passage of years could possess was firmly reflected on Hyeonbi’s face. She seemed as upright and robust as a pine or bamboo that would not easily bend or break under any circumstance. And Yun-seo liked such people. Hence, a melancholic feeling pooled at his fingertips.
“Ha.”
A very small sound was heard as he rubbed his fingertips against the teacup. Whether it was a snicker or an exclamation, there was no way to know, but without making hasty judgments, Yun-seo turned his head toward Yu Jeongju.
Yu Jeongju was sixteen this year and had received his title last year when he bloomed. His fair, youthful face that still hadn’t shed its boyish qualities reminded Yun-seo of Yeondeok when he was younger, naturally creating a sense of affinity. However, the look in Yu Jeongju’s eyes as he gazed at Yun-seo was sharp.
“It seems the rumor that the Emperor personally escorted you here is true. Since he cherishes you so much, the highest quality tea must have gone to the Jiseo Palace.”
Yun-seo examined Yu Jeongju with a somewhat bewildered feeling. He was clearly mocking him now. The mention of being “personally escorted” made Yun-seo’s heart sting with the realization that news of his escape attempt had spread even to the inner court, but this too was something he had to endure.
However, it was difficult to know how to respond to Yu Jeongju’s attitude. He was the youngest son of Yi Guk-hyo, the general of the Imperial Guards, and though illegitimate, he was said to be quite arrogant due to receiving abundant favor. Should he consider it just his temperament? Or did he dislike Yun-seo?
Well, how could Yeong Chunhwas like another Yeong Chunhwa who had abandoned his duty and run away?
Hyeonbi merely drank her tea with her blunt expression, while Seongbin, seated across from her, didn’t touch his teacup after the first sip and just sat quietly with his eyes downcast. Somehow, feeling like an uninvited guest, a bitter taste filled Yun-seo’s mouth.
“With such good tea, isn’t the meaning to use it as an excuse to meet each other more often? If you would do that, I would be pleased.”
In response to the answer that Yun-seo had refined again and again, Yu Jeongju showed a cold smile, though it quickly faded. Although it was disconcerting to have such open hostility, one couldn’t expect to be full after the first spoonful, so Yun-seo decided to let it go.
Yun-seo then turned his gaze to Seongbin, who had remained silent throughout. Perhaps due to his pale skin, he appeared sickly at first glance, which was concerning.
“I heard Seongbin has just recovered from a cold. Are you feeling better?”
“Yes. I have fully recovered, so Your Majesty need not worry about this humble consort.”
“I’m relieved. I will instruct them to take special care so that Seongbin can regain his health.”
“I am grateful for your consideration.”
Yun-seo had heard that Seongbin was calm and quiet in everything, and it was truly so; he even seemed emotionally detached at times, which curiously drew one’s attention. Yun-seo took a sip of tea and swallowed a deep sigh.
The older companions he had met in the plum blossom garden, like Gyeong-ae and her group, hadn’t been difficult despite being his seniors, but these consorts felt distant and complex. Would it be strange to find Yu Jeongju, who showed transparent hostility, rather comfortable by comparison? For Yun-seo, the only relationship he had built over a meaningful period was with Yeondeok, so being in a position to lead the conversation with these consorts felt burdensome.
While his heart was in disarray, he had to maintain dignity outwardly, making him feel like he was wearing ill-fitting clothes. He wanted to set aside all ranks and just converse comfortably, but that wouldn’t be possible. After fidgeting with his teacup dejectedly, Yun-seo soon realized there was something he needed to say and gathered himself.
“I understand that until now, decisions regarding the Yeongwi Institute were made through consultation with everyone, primarily led by Hyeonbi. As I still have many shortcomings, if it’s acceptable, I would like to borrow your hands.”
“If Your Majesty requires it, I will serve wholeheartedly.”
As Hyeonbi bowed her head in response, Seongbin followed suit. Yu Jeongju barely lowered his head, but at least Yun-seo had reached the conclusion that he wouldn’t have to handle the weighty matters alone, which lightened his shoulders somewhat.
Afterward, they exchanged light but insubstantial conversation before concluding the meeting. After the consorts left, all strength drained from Yun-seo’s body, and forgetting his dignity, he stared blankly into space with a slumped posture.
“You completed the first meeting well.”
At Court Lady Jo’s voice, Yun-seo collected himself and straightened his back. She poured fresh tea into his cup, which had barely diminished.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
