TKEP 15

Chapter 15

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While the Grand Empress Dowager Oh was fuming and cursing Seo-jun, Seo-jun and Yeon were quietly admiring the serene scenery of Nak-hwa-ru.

“This place really does have that imperial palace feel to it.”

“Meaning it’s boring and dull?”

“Something like that. For some, it must be peaceful and charming. And for Your Highness, what kind of place is it?”

“For me… it’s the perfect nap spot.”

“Nap spot?” Seo-jun raised an eyebrow.

“Listen—when I was little, I used to learn Gyuhap Chongseo from my grandmother here.”

The Gyuhap Chongseo was a Joseon-era traditional women’s household encyclopedia, written by female scholar Lee Bing-heo-gak.

And what on earth was the point of learning that in the 21st century?

“Pfft, what’s with that face?”

When the muscles in Seo-jun’s face twisted in a strange way, Yeon burst into laughter.

“Relax your face. Whatever you’re thinking right now, I thought the same thing when I was a kid—‘What’s the point of learning this? It’s a waste of time. I’d be better off sleeping.’”

Back then, Nak-hwa-ru was a dull, old-fashioned, and outdated place.

“Did you just sit through it?”

Given Yeon’s personality now, there was no way she would have endured it quietly.

“As if. I told you, it was my ‘nap spot.’ I’d bring a pillow and blanket, curl up, and sleep while Grandma read her books.”

Seo-jun imagined the Grand Empress Dowager Oh raging in the distance, and Yeon peacefully sleeping right in front of her.

The scene seemed straight out of a sitcom, and the tension in Seo-jun’s expression eased.

“You must have gotten scolded a lot.”

“She’d bellow at me, sure. But I still enjoyed it. Even after yelling, Grandma would always make sure I got snacks. You can get the same snacks at Nakseon-jae, but somehow the ones from the Dowager’s quarters tasted so much better.”

“Now I’m curious. What was so delicious?”

“Candied walnuts.”

Not exactly a treat most children would like, Seo-jun thought inwardly.

“Since we’re here, want to try them?” Yeon’s eyes lit up.

Whenever she was given treats, Nak-hwa-ru became a fun, happy place for Yeon.

“I’m not sure if Her Majesty would serve me such a precious refreshment. Still, it seems she must have been very fond of you.”

“Fond of me…? Every time she saw me, she’d shout like someone who’d swallowed a steam locomotive.”

Yeon sometimes used phrases young people didn’t normally use.

A steam locomotive? In the age of KTX zipping around the country, it was a quaint expression.

Seo-jun, truth be told, didn’t really grasp the imagery—
But then he found out.

“You rascal! How dare you set foot here?!”

The Grand Empress Dowager’s bellow came from deep in her gut.

It wasn’t just loud—it was beyond what “booming” or “resonant” could describe.

Steam locomotive.

That was exactly the right phrase.

“That’s my grandmother. Welcome. You’ve entered the chuworld—in-laws’ hell.”

Yeon whispered as she descended to greet the Dowager politely.

Seo-jun followed one step behind her.

“Your Majesty, to see you in as fine health as yesterday is truly the Empire’s blessing. I trust you have been well?”

Ignoring the teasing tone in Yeon’s greeting, Seo-jun bowed—suppressing a sigh.

The Dowager flinched slightly, catching her breath.

Yeon, unusually courteous, compelled the elder to respond in kind.

“Yeon, it has been a while. This morning, I was in excellent spirits, but now… not so much.”

“Oh dear, who has upset our Grand Empress Dowager? I’ll go straighten them out for you.”

Hearing such words from the very culprit left the Dowager speechless.

“But you’ll feel better soon. I’m going to grant your greatest wish.”

Yeon quickly linked her arm through the Dowager’s and nudged Seo-jun’s shoe with her toe—
A signal to straighten up and show his handsome face to her grandmother.

“Love works better than force. I’ll prove it. Follow my lead.”

That was the only request Yeon made before suddenly dragging him to meet the Dowager.

“When we meet my grandmother, just keep smiling.”

It meant—use his looks.

For Seo-jun, this wasn’t difficult.

He knew full well the advantages of his polished appearance and had used them throughout his life—
as a police officer, and later as a politician.

Her request didn’t feel unreasonable. In fact, he thought it a clever tactic.
It was also something he was confident in.

He turned on the charming smile that had made elderly ladies at the market exclaim, “If only I were 20 years younger!” during campaign season.

“Your Majesty, this is my first time greeting you in person. It’s an honor—”

“Cut the nonsense. How dare you wag that silver tongue to bewitch people here?”

The Dowager’s words were sharp.

Despite the blatant cold shoulder and criticism, Seo-jun clung to his smile and finished:

“…an honor.”

The Dowager’s eyes narrowed.

He wasn’t an ordinary man.

Even though her position had declined over the years, she was still the highest-ranking elder of the Imperial family. Most couldn’t even meet her gaze, intimidated by her fierce expression—
a face so reminiscent of a tiger that people said timid souls would wet themselves when she scowled.

But Seo-jun didn’t just meet her glare—he smiled at her.

And because no one could spit on a smiling face, the words of reproach rising in her throat retreated.

“Why did you bring him? And what’s this about fulfilling my greatest wish?”

She turned to Yeon.

Yeon was also smiling—
and suddenly the Dowager realized the two looked alike.

She thought of the modern superstition, “Matching jawlines mean a destined match, leading to a happy marriage.”

The Dowager swatted her skirts, shaking off the useless thought.

“Grandma.”

Not Your Majesty—but Grandma?

Whenever Yeon called her that, the Dowager felt a chill down her spine.

Because never once had words following that address been normal.

“Grandma, I’m going to study abroad in the US.”

“Grandma, I’m never getting married or having kids—it’s my life philosophy.”

“If you keep talking about men’s ‘things’… should I just go get one and stick it on?”

Such remarks had nearly sent the Dowager to the hospital more than once.

Though she often provoked such statements herself, words should be chosen with care—
Yeon’s habit of saying things that would make ancestors rise from their graves, switches in hand, had kept the Dowager’s blood pressure permanently high.

And now, what was she going to say this time?

“…Let’s sit and talk.”

Better to be seated than to collapse standing.

She walked back toward Nak-hwa-ru, Yeon hurrying to support her arm.

Though her back was straight and her steps steady, the Dowager didn’t refuse the gesture.
No matter the situation, appearances from a distance should always seem affectionate—
a wisdom honed from decades in the palace.

In no time, a private tea table and soft cushions were prepared.

The Dowager sat, and as Yeon and Seo-jun began to take their seats—

“I’ve nothing to say to that man.”

“Isn’t it a bit much to treat the person who’s going to fulfill your lifelong wish like this, Grandma?”

“My lifelong wish?”

Yeon’s words had been puzzling from the start.

She was an unpredictable firecracker—there was no telling where she’d bounce next.

“Don’t make me keel over. Out with it.”

When the Dowager urged her, Yeon stepped right up beside Seo-jun, linking her arm through his.

“I’m getting married, Grandma. Kang Seo-jun will be the gukseo.”

As she tugged his arm, Seo-jun bowed deeply once more.

“Gukseo? You mean you’re marrying him?”

“Yes!”

“To that man who insulted the Crown Prince?”

The Dowager’s nostrils flared, and a blood vessel popped in her eye.

Yeon called to the head lady-in-waiting.

“Has Her Majesty taken her blood pressure medicine?”

The woman glanced at the Dowager before replying, “Yes, every morning without fail.”

“Good. Then we don’t have to worry about her collapsing from shock or stress.”

Relieved, Yeon pressed on.

“If it’s not him, I’ll never marry in my life. So, Grandma, it’s your choice—
Will you make me the Imperial Family’s lifelong spinster, or will you acknowledge Kang Seo-jun as gukseo and give him your full support?”