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Chapter 17
Meanwhile, at Jagyeongjeon, Queen Dowager Jeong, who was waiting for Gyeongbin, gulped down the water brought by the court attendants.
“Gyeongbin… I should never have allowed that woman in back then.”
Her wrinkled hands trembled slightly as she gripped the emptied cup.
Gyeongbin Choi Hye-ryeong.
The youngest, most precious daughter of Left State Councilor Choi Nak-hyeon, and the woman who could have been the queen consort to the Crown Prince—her eldest son who became king early due to the late king’s illness and died shortly thereafter.
Fate is determined by Heaven, they say.
Because the reigning king suffered from chronic illness, Queen Dowager Jeong wanted to secure strong support for her eldest son, the Crown Prince, early on.
Thus, she had chosen Choi Nak-hyeon’s daughter as the Crown Princess, but the girl had fiercely opposed entering the virgin court maid selection.
Rather than entering to become Crown Princess, she declared she would shave her head and become a nun.
Faced with his daughter’s threats, Choi Nak-hyeon had even humbly begged the king for forgiveness, and the position of Crown Princess was instead given to the daughter of the Minister of Revenue, who now held the nominal title of Queen Dowager.
At that time, no one knew that Choi Hye-ryeong had long adored Gyeongbok Daegun even before any marriage proposal involving Park Ji-hee, the daughter of the Grand General, had been discussed.
Slamming the water cup onto the table with all her strength, Queen Dowager Jeong shouted toward the outside:
“Why has the court lady sent to summon Gyeongbin still not returned with news?!”
At the exact moment her roar shook the room, the door opened, and Gyeongbin entered gracefully, carrying a small tray.
Unlike Queen Park Ji-hee, Gyeongbin was slender and pale, clearly foxlike in appearance.
Her long, narrow eyes lifted slightly at the corners, exuding a quiet pride, and her unusually red lips paired with a prominent, smooth nose created an enchanting smile.
Despite surely seeing the Queen Dowager’s displeased expression as she entered, Gyeongbin set down the tray with a soft smile and, rather than bowing with her hands on the floor, folded her hands gracefully and performed a proper bow.
No wonder the king was captivated…!
Queen Dowager Jeong glared at the composed Gyeongbin, who, after bowing, sat elegantly.
“Queen Dowager, have you been waiting for me? I had been preparing something to present to you, so I apologize for the delay.”
Her words were smooth, deceitful as ever.
Queen Dowager Jeong scrutinized the tray, eyes sharp:
“Did you delay just to prepare something for me that my Gyeongbin might even like?”
Her tone was fierce, like the growl of a tiger.
“My apologies, Queen Dowager. I only wished to provide you, who have grown aged, with something to restore even a bit of your strength.”
“Gyeongbin!”
Even as Queen Dowager’s voice thundered, Gyeongbin’s composure did not falter; her sharp, mischievous expression remained.
Only then did she lower her head slightly, lips trembling, before slowly raising her eyes:
“May I ask the reason for Your Majesty’s anger? Could it be that my delay in arriving at the appointed time has caused this?”
BAM!
The Queen Dowager’s hand struck down on the table with a force that seemed capable of shattering it, her own hands trembling.
“So, you dare insult me? You must have eyes and ears planted throughout the palace, yet you speak with such shameless audacity?”
Meeting the Queen Dowager’s blazing gaze, Gyeongbin drew a deep breath and quietly opened her bright red lips:
“Queen Dowager, I truly do not know what I have done wrong.”
“That insolent creature! You will learn humility only when you are struck!”
At the Queen Dowager’s furious shout, Gyeongbin lowered her eyes and spoke again, teeth clenched:
“Are you perhaps referring to the time, about an hour ago, when I brought nourishing food to the young princess’s palace? If so, it was merely my small mistake, as I had not considered the young princess’s delicate age.”
“Mistake? Did you just call it a mistake?!”
The Queen Dowager’s eyes seemed to freeze ice over as she glared at Gyeongbin, ready to strike.
“I beg your pardon, Queen Dowager. I had only thought the young princess would find it fascinating and delightful, and so I brought it with joy. Please trust my sincerity.”
Gyeongbin bowed low, genuinely remorseful.
Infuriated, Queen Dowager Jeong glanced coldly at the tray she had brought:
“So this is the wondrous, health-restoring food you meant to show the princess first, and then brought to me?”
Gyeongbin, holding her teeth tightly, set the tray down beside herself and stared at the Queen Dowager with a quiet defiance.
Why does this old woman despise me so?
Though she had entered the palace as a selected concubine, she had already borne two grandchildren. Furthermore, her family had played a significant role in establishing the current king.
Suppressing her rising anger, Gyeongbin gave a mocking smile toward the Queen Dowager and answered politely:
“Yes, Queen Dowager, that is correct.”
She then lifted the lid of the tray herself. Inside were two neatly prepared dishes of kimchi, and a larger brass bowl emitting a soft sheen.
Suppressing her boiling anger, Gyeongbin’s hands had turned pale.
“This is Nakji Yeonpotang. It is made from live octopus sent from my mother’s hometown, and is reputed to restore vitality.”
With a delicate hand, she lifted the lid, presenting a subtle, polite smile toward the Queen Dowager.
The steaming white broth contained plump octopus, faintly fragrant of the sea, along with tender white radish, green parsley, and sliced scallions, all neatly arranged.
Queen Dowager Jeong, noticing Gyeongbin’s faintly smiling face, raised one corner of her mouth in a crooked expression.
She knew the girl must realize the Queen Dowager’s anger and yet still dared this boldness.
Gyeongbin, holding back her ire, replied gently toward the Queen Dowager:
“Yes, Queen Dowager, it is as I have stated.”
The Queen Dowager’s eyes, sharp yet satisfied, seemed to say, “Next time, have a subordinate do this for you.”
Gyeongbin bowed once again, dragging her soaked skirt as she retreated backward.
From the doorframe, Empress Park’s mocking voice reached her ears:
“Take care on your way, Gyeongbin.”
Gyeongbin’s teeth ground together as she looked at the closing door.
I will make them regret this day.
I will make my son Crown Prince and the king of this nation, and they will weep blood before their eyes!
With those thoughts, she glared at the door, clenching her fists tightly beneath her drenched robe, as the last octopus fell with a heavy thud to the floor.
