Lady Yun Raged, but…
"Your Majesty, this concubine has sinned."
At the Queen's Palace.
Lady Yun threw herself flat before the Queen.
"Hong Seunghwi—no, now Court Lady Hong—is my grandniece. She has been in the palace for several years, yet has not been able to fully win His Highness's favor, and I pitied her for being so anxious. So I gave her ornaments and silk, and merely listened as the child, relying on me, spoke in detail about the affairs of the Eastern Palace. I, who receive Your Majesty's utmost favor—what could I possibly lack that I would stir up troublesome matters? I beg you to take this into consideration."
Lady Yun sobbed as she offered both apology and excuse.
"Even that day, when Your Majesty was suffering, that Kwon girl shouted at me to withdraw, and as I was leaving with the thought that Your Majesty should rest quietly…"
She continued—saying that her niece had come out, taken her hand, and earnestly begged for a moment to discuss something important, so she could not refuse and briefly stopped by her quarters.
Then she explained in a sorrowful tone:
Her niece had claimed to have found evidence that Kwon had used sorcery to harm the Royal Grandson, showing a silk pouch in excitement. Lady Yun said she had advised caution, telling her to report it first to the Crown Prince—but since His Highness's favor had recently been directed only toward Kwon, her niece had rashly gone straight to the King instead.
"I should have scolded her harshly and reminded her that a concubine's duty is to endure and serve His Highness with sincerity. But I failed to grasp how great her jealousy toward Kwon—who monopolized His Highness's favor—had become. Because I pitied her situation too much, I did not discipline her strictly, and thus caused this trouble. Please punish this concubine, Your Majesty."
It was truly masterful rhetoric.
While claiming fault, she subtly shifted all blame onto Hong Seunghwi, portraying herself as nothing more than a compassionate aunt who pitied a niece deprived of the Crown Prince's love.
Kneeling some distance behind her, Yunseo silently waited for the Queen's judgment.
"…Very well. I know well how you have cared for your niece, even preparing precious medicinal tonics for her each season. I know it well. However…"
"!"
Tonics?
Yunseo, half-listening to the Queen's continued words, recalled the face of Hong's daughter, Geuma—her pale complexion, her slow mental development, her awkward behavior.
A suspicion struck her.
I need to investigate the ingredients of the medicines Hong has been taking from Lady Yun.
As Yunseo reached that conclusion, the Queen's admonition continued.
"Are not the Crown Prince's other concubines also your close relatives? If you associate with them freely as you did with Hong Seunghwi and pass along such talk, the same problem will occur again. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. From now on, I will keep my distance from the inner quarters of the Eastern Palace and conduct myself with restraint. May I speak one more word?"
"What is it?"
Lady Yun bowed again, then raised her head with permission.
"The position of head within the inner palace of the Eastern Palace is currently vacant, and the various concubines, having not frequently attended upon His Highness since entering the palace, are often flustered and send people to ask me—who have been in the palace for a long time—for guidance."
"…Is that so? Hmm. That may well be."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Until now, Hong Seunghwi, being the longest-serving, acted as the head of the inner palace. But now that she has committed such a crime and will be expelled, what will become of things?"
"!"
Why was the conversation suddenly taking such a strange turn?
"Since Consort Hyeondeok sadly passed away, much time has gone by. And did not His Majesty once issue a marriage ban to select a new Crown Princess, only to later suspend it? All of these troubles arise because the mistress of the Eastern Palace is absent. Even now, it would be best to reinstate the marriage ban and select a virtuous and wise young lady from a noble family as Crown Princess."
"…Hmm."
"Previously, for various reasons, prestigious families hesitated to participate in the selection. But now, there is no one who does not know that the Crown Prince possesses noble character and the qualities of a wise ruler. At present, many noble daughters would participate. For the sake of the lonely Royal Grandson and our Princess Pyeongchang, would it not be best to provide them with a strong maternal family?"
Lady Yun was indeed a formidable opponent.
Realizing it would not be easy to remove Yunseo directly, she had immediately devised another scheme. If she could not act against her openly, she would introduce a powerful rival within the palace to restrain her and fight in her stead.
"Kwon, what do you think?"
The Queen turned to Yunseo.
But before Yunseo could respond, Lady Yun cut in.
"What could a mere court lady possibly say? Kwon would only wish for His Highness's favor. But the position of Crown Princess is of great weight—though she may have received royal favor, would a court lady of humble origins truly be able to bear it?"
"Enough! Did I ask you? I just told you to restrain yourself!"
"My apologies, Your Majesty."
Lady Yun prostrated herself again.
Yet there was a certain ease in her movements—she believed she had successfully drawn the Queen's attention.
Watching her rise slowly, Yunseo realized once more:
In this harsh class-bound society, protecting Hongwi—and even preserving Lee Hyang's love—was no easy task.
"Kwon, what do you think?"
The Queen asked again.
Yunseo opened her mouth, intending to repeat what she had said the previous day—"How could someone of my station dare offer an opinion on the affairs of my superiors?"
But what came out was different.
"Because my feelings of affection for His Highness are so great, I am not in a position to say anything, Your Majesty."
"A-affection? A low-born woman who knows no shame!"
Lady Yun stared at her in shock.
The Queen, too, looked at Yunseo with surprise. She had never seen a woman so openly reveal her feelings in front of others.
But Yunseo's expression remained calm.
Her hands folded neatly before her, her posture straight—without the slightest tremor.
Because if all one has is their heart, then showing that heart wholly becomes the strongest persuasion.
"..."
The Queen reflected on Yunseo's words.
At the same time, she recalled the deep affection the Crown Prince showed toward her.
They are clearly so devoted to each other… Selecting a Crown Princess right now may be too hasty. If we choose a noble lady only for the Crown Prince to ignore her… And if, in the meantime, Kwon were to become pregnant, matters would only grow more complicated.
However, Lady Yun's words—"a proper Crown Princess from a distinguished noble family"—had clearly left a strong impression on Queen Soheon, and Yunseo could see it plainly.
For Lady Yun to push this so strongly… it must mean she has already reached some understanding with a faction backing a candidate for Crown Princess.
With whom had she made such arrangements?
Was she trying to fill the vacant position just to restrain Yunseo—and then scheme something further in the process?
Whatever it was, it would be closely tied to Lee Hyang's future reign—and even more so, to Hongwi's safety and rule.
"Kwon. The place of the Crown Prince's woman is not one that can be gained or protected by affection alone. You, too, must keep today's discussion in mind."
The Queen, perhaps having reached similar conclusions, gently warned Yunseo.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will remember it."
"Your Majesty, Kwon is merely—"
"Enough!"
As Lady Yun tried to interrupt again, the Queen struck the desk sharply.
"What have you been listening to all this time? Did I not tell you not to meddle in the affairs of the Eastern Palace? I have already overlooked how your subordinate palace maid was beaten for the incident of Hyundong striking the Royal Grandson's head, and how she still mocks the child by imitating his speech. I have even ignored how you openly spoke of the Eastern Palace's bedchamber matters! Must I now bring all of this to account?"
"Y-Your Majesty!"
Lady Yun's face turned deathly pale.
"Because you have managed many royal affairs well in place of the vacant Crown Princess position, I acknowledge your merits and will overlook the past. But only this once. From now on—never, ever—speak of or even think about the affairs of the Eastern Palace. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lady Yun bit her lip and lowered her head.
The joints of her hands, clutching the hem of her ornate skirt, turned white, drained of all blood.
"And Hyundong must also show proper respect to the Royal Grandson from now on. When our Hongwi is formally invested as Crown Prince's Heir early next year, you must address him properly as 'His Highness the Heir'!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Though Yunseo, still prostrated, smiled to herself, her heart was not entirely at ease.
She had come to realize that without a strong backing, securing a proper position within the royal inner court would not be easy.
What should I do? How should I proceed?
It's not enough to succeed in the Hyeminseo work, accumulate wealth, and build external power. I must also establish a support base within the royal court.
Jang Okjeong had risen to become queen not only because of her exceptional beauty, but also due to her brother Jang Huijae's immense wealth—and the political needs of King Sukjong, who used the Namin faction to check the Seoin faction and strengthen royal authority.
Yunseo realized painfully that aside from Lee Hyang's deep affection, she had nothing yet.
But she could not afford to shrink back.
If nothing else, she had to stand firm for Lee Hyang—who had accepted even the truth that her soul came from the future and promised to wait until she could fully love him.
The calm weather suddenly turned harsh as Yunseo stepped into the courtyard of the Queen's Palace, a strong wind beginning to blow.
Ahead of her stood Lady Yun, who had left earlier—waiting.
Her eyes burned with killing intent.
So be it.
Yunseo gave a slight bow of courtesy and tried to pass her by.
But—
"This won't be the end of it."
"?"
Lady Yun stepped forward and spoke in a low whisper.
As if prearranged, the attendants behind her—Jo the messenger and others—acted as though they saw and heard nothing.
"You must have been pleased with yourself, thinking you accomplished something."
Lady Yun sneered coldly.
"But later, when you stand before me crying and begging forgiveness for what happened today, it will be useless. I will tear you to pieces."
"By whose authority?"
"…What?"
"You think that will go your way?"
"W-what, your—your way?"
"Why? Shall we see who ends up torn apart?"
"Y-you wretch, how dare you!"
Lady Yun's eyes rolled white with fury.
For someone who always pretended to be refined, she certainly looked quite a sight like this.
"Getting too agitated is not good for your health, Madam. Please take care of yourself. I shall take my leave now."
As if she had never spoken informally at all, Yunseo bowed politely and moved to leave.
"Y-you insolent wench! Did you just threaten me?"
Lady Yun erupted in rage.
"Pardon? A threat?"
Yunseo turned back with a look of innocent surprise.
"You just threatened me!"
"What are you talking about? How could someone like me dare to do such a thing…"
"J-just now, you—"
Lady Yun's eyes trembled in shock.
Looking at Yunseo—no, at those eyes that seemed clear at first glance but now felt chillingly cold—she finally understood.
Yunseo had deliberately spoken out of earshot of others… and was now using that very fact against her.
No matter how much she raged or ran back to the Queen to report it,
If Yunseo simply claimed it was false, there would be nothing she could do.
Who would believe it?
That a mere court lady had spoken so brazenly to a noble lady?
No one had heard.
It was maddening.
That woman…
I will never let her go unpunished.
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