Chapter 61
“I had heard that this So Won was immature and thoughtless, but I never realized he would be so disrespectful even before Your Majesty. I believe it would be right to deal with him severely to establish proper discipline.”
“It’s fine. He’s only sixteen after all.”
“Age is irrelevant when it comes to knowing proper conduct.”
“I know that the whip is not medicine. He’ll improve with time.”
It would be ridiculous to reprimand someone merely for speaking somewhat rudely when they hadn’t actually done any harm. This So Won who had entered the palace at such a young age and fulfilled his duties was at least better than himself, wasn’t he? Yun-seo moistened his dry mouth with the warm tea.
“I agree with Your Majesty’s sentiments. His gaze was so fierce, I thought he was a wildcat.”
Yeondeok added belatedly with indignation. The wildcat comparison was so apt that it drew laughter from Yun-seo. Yeondeok rarely disliked people, but once someone earned his displeasure, it tended to last quite a while.
“He’s young, that’s why. Just let it be.”
“Even His Majesty wasn’t like that when he was—I mean, Your Majesty wasn’t like that in your youth. Besides, he’s not even that young!”
“How nice that his outside matches his inside. Don’t waste your energy on such trivial matters. There may be worse to come.”
Yeondeok grumbled that So Won was relying on his family background, saying that the So clan was just as prestigious and this behavior was absurd. But Yeondeok was wrong. In Great Yeong, military officials held higher status than civil officials, and So Won’s father had a higher rank than Yeondeok’s father, which justified his confident attitude.
But was that truly beneficial? Unlike Hyeonbi and Seongbin, So Won had been given the title of Won without receiving a fief during his investiture, a lower rank. He had heard the general consensus was that the Emperor had deliberately limited the influence of So Won’s father, Yi Guk-ho. From the beginning, So Won was essentially a hostage.
‘Even when hearts are in accord, all relationships are inevitably entangled with self-interest.’
Suddenly, or perhaps naturally, he recalled Hwi’s words when they watched the bride and groom at their wedding in Shinpung County. Yun-seo gazed at the peaceful scenery outside the window, feigning ignorance, then spoke.
“Lady Jo.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“His Majesty…”
He was about to mention Hyeonbi but caught himself. After a long pause, he erased the name with a faint smile.
“Never mind.”
A butterfly drifted in from the garden, fluttering around Yun-seo, showing off its clear yellow wings. Following the freely dancing butterfly, he wondered idly where its home might be, then scattered his thoughts.
* * *
After spending a long time reviewing the documents related to Yeongwiwon, his eyes became dry. Feeling a slight headache, Yun-seo closed his eyes and massaged his forehead.
He had prided himself on his ability to read any book, but official documents were clearly different from books. Though he could stay up all night just reading, this was his assigned duty. The self-imposed pressure to do well made the papers in his hands feel heavier.
“Your Majesty, why not have something sweet while you work?”
“Shall I bring some afternoon refreshments?”
At Yeondeok’s suggestion, Lady Jo promptly asked. Yun-seo slowly raised his eyelids, realizing his brow was deeply furrowed. Sighing, he nodded, and Lady Jo sent a court lady on the errand.
“Must you be so diligent? I didn’t know the Emperor’s consort would have to study such things.”
“Having entered the palace late, I must work hard to catch up.”
In truth, while minor matters were handled by subordinates, the decision-making authority and responsibility rested with him. Although there had not yet been any major issues, the mere fact that this authority belonged to him was truly burdensome.
Working through his duties often brought Hwi to mind. How he must have shouldered an even greater burden when he ascended the throne at the tender age of twelve.
Whether because he needed to make up for a month’s absence, or because it was always this busy, it was not easy to encounter Hwi even by chance. Nevertheless, he visited Yun-seo’s chambers almost every night, yet did not lie with him. And so Yun-seo both awaited him and considered those nights a poison—a poison slowly consuming his heart.
Yun-seo shifted his gaze back to the scattered documents. He wanted to perform his duties well. Otherwise, what meaning was there in his coming here?
Just as he was about to pick up a paper, he heard someone approaching. A young court lady entered carrying a tea tray. As Yun-seo followed the sweet-looking confections with his eyes, suddenly the tray lowered and the court lady stumbled. Yun-seo quickly rose and went to her.
“Are you all right?”
Despite the fall, the court lady had firmly gripped the tray, with only a few confections slipping onto the tray itself. She quickly rose to her knees.
“I apologize, Your Majesty. My clumsiness…”
“You’re not hurt? Then all is well.”
“I am grateful. At least I protected these confections!”
The court lady beamed with a proud expression. Her appearance was so pure and adorable that Yun-seo couldn’t help but smile in return. However, Lady Jo did not share the sentiment, as her stern voice rang out.
“How could you serve such a mess to His Majesty! Go fetch fresh ones immediately!”
“It’s fine. They merely fell onto the tray.”
Lady Jo was generally strict with the court ladies, though she was lenient enough with Yeondeok to overlook when he occasionally shared meals with Yun-seo. Though Yun-seo understood the palace’s strict protocols and Lady Jo’s position in overseeing the court ladies, he couldn’t help but feel concerned for one so young.
Yun-seo gestured and sat down, and the court lady rose to place the tray before him. Yun-seo moistened his mouth with tea, then asked.
“What is your name?”
“I am called Wan, Your Majesty.”
“Yes, Wan. How old are you this year?”
“I have turned fifteen.”
Fifteen—he had heard court ladies entered the palace at a young age, but wasn’t this still an age when she should be with her parents? This child must have her own circumstances…
“Do you find anything difficult?”
“No, nothing at all. The ladies treat me well, and everyone is forgiving of my many mistakes. Besides, how could serving Your Majesty be difficult?”
Wan seemed to be the youngest in the palace but appeared to be doing well without feeling intimidated, which was admirable. If he had had a younger sister, would he have felt this way? Yun-seo had a soft spot for younger people and quickly took a liking to her.
“Here.”
He offered the plate of confections, but Wan jumped back as if startled, declining. Though Lady Jo standing behind sighed silently, she showed no sign of objection. Seeing this, Yun-seo urged Wan once more.
“I can’t eat all of these myself. Please help yourself. Yeondeok will have some soon anyway, and I’ll give some to Lady Jo as well.”
Still hesitant, Wan fidgeted with her fingers. The way she circled her thumb with her index finger, then flicked it away was quite endearing. After glancing at Lady Jo, she reached out as if reluctantly.
“W-well then…”
A confection disappeared into Wan’s mouth. Her cheeks turned rosy, suggesting she enjoyed it, which made Yun-seo smile. Yun-seo offered confections to the other court ladies as well. Afterward, he felt a pleasant satisfaction at having grown closer to them.
“Your Majesty… Instead of attending only to official business, would you like to visit the rear garden? You haven’t had a proper look around, have you?”
Emboldened perhaps by the treat, Wan suggested a walk, stuttering slightly. Even Lady Jo seemed to welcome Wan’s suggestion, so Yun-seo looked down at his documents once more before rising.
“Then I’ll take a short break.”
Yun-seo headed toward the rear garden within the palace. Though he had grown somewhat accustomed to the retinue that followed him everywhere, the discomfort had not completely disappeared.
The rear garden was exquisite. While the absence of tall trees was regrettable, all the plants and sculptures harmonized beautifully, creating a scene as if from an exquisite painting. Had he never known the beauty of nature untouched by human hands, he would have wanted to gaze at it endlessly.
Yun-seo walked slowly through various areas, but his eyes failed to truly focus anywhere. As he wandered aimlessly, he heard approaching footsteps.
“Your Majesty.”
It was Jeongju. The Yongrim guards always maintained their positions, neither conspicuous nor absent, so this was the first time he had addressed Yun-seo first.
“If you are feeling bored, perhaps you would enjoy some archery practice?”
“Is there a place in the inner palace where one can shoot arrows?”
“It’s been arranged near Yeongwiwon. The noble ladies often visit to strengthen their vital energy.”
Thinking that physical activity might help clear the stuffiness in his chest, Yun-seo immediately requested to be guided there.
* Year-so-mol-gak: Being young and immature. From the National Institute of Korean Language, Standard Korean Dictionary.
* Ju-mul: Refreshments eaten during the day.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
