LCSB 16

Chapter 16

The morning after a chaotic Lunar New Year.

I was enjoying a rare chance to sleep in when I was summoned by Lady Hui-bin.

“Your Ladyship Hui-bin, did you call for me?”

“Bong-bong. How does my face look?”

“…Pardon?”

“My makeup. I’m asking whether it looks too heavy to you.”

“Uh…”

For a moment, I was speechless.

Please stop turning me into some weird person who evaluates people’s looks.

That was my honest feeling, but at the same time, I felt sorry for Hui-bin, who seemed to be trying to regain her confidence through the opinion of a four-year-old child.

“After following your advice and reducing my makeup, every court lady who saw me praised how much prettier I looked. They say children never lie…”

Ah, so that’s what happened.

It seemed Lady Hui-bin had come to place enormous trust in “Hwang Bong-bong’s aesthetic sense.”

In the end, I folded my arms dramatically and pretended to examine her face from every angle.

I was taught that staring directly at someone of higher status was a grave offense worthy of punishment.

But this was an important mission, so it couldn’t be helped.

“Well, child? What do you think?”

Since my answer did not come immediately, Hui-bin urged me anxiously.

I nodded vigorously and shouted loudly.

“You’re pwetty!”

Lady Jang Hui-bin survives another day.

“I truly felt nervous waiting for your answer. I do not know what sort of spell this is.”

Only then did Hui-bin smile.

“You’re even pwettier when you smile!”

That was a bonus.

You are a woman whose beauty will be famous for hundreds of years. Please have confidence in yourself.

“Haha. If only His Majesty would look upon me as fondly as our Bong-bong does.”

In her good mood, Hui-bin popped a piece of sweet candy into my mouth.

Lately, my life could be summarized in one sentence:

I was busy eating.

Deer antler tonic, sweets, and on the day Sukjong had visited, they had even made tarakjuk, the precious milk porridge.

As a result…

Why do none of my clothes feel loose anymore?

But what could I do? I was a growing child. I had to eat well when food was offered.

“Lady Hui-bin.”

“Yes?”

“Where are you going today?”

It was not a question a mere court maid could dare ask, but I used the innocence of a child as my shield.

“I plan to visit the rear garden of Changdeokgung Palace with the Crown Prince. They say the red plum blossoms have already begun to bloom, even though it is still early.”

Oh… the rear garden of Changdeokgung?

I had wandered all around Chwiseondang before, but I had never yet left Changgyeonggung Palace.

When people think of royal palaces, Changdeokgung is the real deal…

While chewing on my candy, I carefully watched Hui-bin’s expression.

I should at least learn the route to Changdeokgung so I can move around more easily later if necessary.

Besides, the rear garden of Changdeokgung was a place that, even in modern times, required a reservation battle as fierce as fighting for idol concert tickets.

This was practically a heaven-sent opportunity.

“Bong-bong wants to see the rear garden too!”

Once again, I blurted it out with the innocent boldness of a child.

And Hui-bin’s reaction was—

She likes that idea.

Far from being displeased, she reacted as though she had been waiting for me to say it.

For just a moment, her eyes shifted subtly, as if she had another motive in mind…

“Really? Then that works out nicely. The Crown Prince, Bong-bong, and I shall stroll through the rear garden together. The lotus flowers have not yet bloomed, but Aeryeonjeong Pavilion is still wonderfully scenic.”

Ahh… Aeryeonjeong.

“Yes! Bong-bong is excited!”

I bounced around enthusiastically, pretending to be thrilled.

Of course, I had already figured out Hui-bin’s true intentions.

Aeryeonji Pond, where Aeryeonjeong Pavilion stood, was one of Sukjong’s favorite places, where he appeared frequently.

“Wow!”

Wow, wow…!

An exaggerated reaction burst out of me automatically.

“Amazing…”

The scenery was breathtaking from the very entrance to the rear garden.

The stars of the scene were two enormous red plum trees.

Beneath the brilliant blue sky, thousands of deep pink blossoms had just begun to bloom, creating a sight so beautiful it could steal one’s breath away.

“These red plum trees are called Seongjeongmae. They were planted during the reign of King Seonjo.”

And on top of that, the Crown Prince himself was acting as our personal tour guide through the garden!

Along with the sweet fragrance of plum blossoms came an overwhelming wave of emotion.

“This place is Buyongji Pond. When the weather is pleasant, Father often enjoys boating here.”

Leaving the plum blossoms behind and crossing over a hill, we arrived at a large square-shaped pond.

As someone who had visited the rear garden during my days as a history student, the pond itself felt familiar, yet strangely incomplete.

Ah. Gyujanggak wasn’t built until King Jeongjo’s reign.

This was an era before both Gyujanggak and Buyongjeong Pavilion existed.

Once again, the realization that I was standing within the flow of history made my chest swell slightly.

Then I glanced at Hui-bin.

She’s smiling with her mouth, but her eyes are elsewhere.

It was obvious now that Hui-bin’s reason for visiting the rear garden was not the plum blossoms.

Her gaze remained fixed in the direction of Aeryeonji.

Within her eyes was a desperate longing to encounter Sukjong.

“Well then, shall we head toward Aeryeonji now?”

Despite saying “slowly,” Hui-bin’s pace quickened noticeably.

I hurried after her with my tiny steps.

I’m scared of Sukjong.

Still, I also hoped he would be there.

The restoration of the relationship between Hui-bin and Sukjong was extremely important for me as well.

And I was curious about the source of that muttered comment Sukjong had once made—

“She resembles her.”

That aside…

Good grief, I’m dying here. Somebody save this child.

We passed Yeonghwadang Hall, where the state examinations had once been held, and crossed Chundangdae…

By the time my legs felt as heavy as stone—

A thick scent of muddy water and wet earth drifted toward us, and suddenly the view opened wide.

At the same time, a beautiful landscape spread before my eyes.

Aeryeonji.

The pond beloved by Sukjong.

Though the green lotus leaves had not yet appeared, the scenery was stunning.

The water glittered beneath golden sunlight in the lingering winter air, while beside it stood the serene pavilion, Aeryeonjeong.

At a glance, I could understand why Sukjong loved this place so much.

And there definitely was someone standing by the beautiful pond.

The problem was that it was not Sukjong.

“…Hah.”

Wait.

That sound from Hui-bin—

Was that a scoff?

Panting, I rose onto my tiptoes, and finally the figure came into view.

A woman.

A concubine, judging by her attire.

I’ve already met Suk-bin… and she looks too old to be Lady Suk-ui Park, Prince Yeoning’s mother.

So if my guess was right…

The final boss has appeared.

I froze stiff.

More than anything, what made me tense was the woman’s expression.

The way she glared at Hui-bin held none of what people might call a “social mask.”

Even when people hate someone enough to die, they usually control their expression in front of that person.

And that should have been even more true here, inside the royal palace.

She’s glaring at her like she wants to kill her. And the Crown Prince is standing right there too…

The identity of this overwhelmingly intimidating woman was—

Lady Gwi-in Kim.

A royal concubine personally selected by Sukjong, later recorded in history as Yeong-bin Kim.

They say that because she came from such an extraordinarily prestigious family, she was treated almost like a queen upon entering the palace.

The daughter of Joseon’s greatest noble house.

A woman proud enough to believe her lineage surpassed even that of the queen herself.

And Sukjong’s response toward her had been—

Absolute indifference.

At that time, Sukjong had been utterly obsessed with Jang Hui-bin.

Perhaps because of the humiliation that caused, Lady Gwi-in Kim became notorious for her reckless actions.

The Annals recorded an astonishing number of accusations against her.

Spying on the king’s movements.

Insulting and slandering the king.

Fabricating malicious lies about Jang Hui-bin without hesitation.

And those were only the examples I remembered immediately.

Eventually, Lady Gwi-in Kim was expelled from the palace when Queen Inhyeon was deposed. Later, when Queen Inhyeon was restored, she too returned.

Although she regained her position as a concubine, Sukjong never once opened his heart to her.

Perhaps her life as a royal concubine could be described in a single sentence:

A concubine who was abandoned without ever being loved even once.

And now, that very woman was glaring viciously at Hui-bin.

Meanwhile, Hui-bin’s expression remained remarkably calm.

Is this what they call the composure of a victor?

Without realizing it, I clenched my fists while watching the silent battle between the two women.

This is terrifying and nerve-wracking… but also strangely fascinating.

The first to speak was Lady Gwi-in.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince. It has been quite some time since we met here in the rear garden.”

“…Yes, Lady Gwi-in. I trust you have been well.”

Wow.

She showed courtesy only to the Crown Prince and completely ignored Hui-bin.

Even so, Hui-bin merely gazed at her quietly.

No matter what, this is still the royal palace. They’re not actually going to grab each other by the hair and fight… right?

Surely not…

Just as that thought crossed my mind—

Lady Gwi-in Kim’s expression twisted ever so slightly.

And the instant I saw it, I realized.

Court intrigue begins in three… two… one.