The Ultimate Rival (3)
Why am I acting like this?Grand Prince Jinseong felt embarrassed by the heat rising in her cheeks.
"I-I have suddenly developed a fever. You may leave now."
"What is wrong with having a fever? Your Highness is currently suffering from a severe cold, after all." Han Seojin smiled softly again. "Even if your face flushes or your breathing quickens, it is not strange in the slightest."
...Is this man teasing me right now?
Nonsense. How could a mere lowborn dare to tease a Grand Prince? He surely meant exactly what he said. Right?
"...How can a man approach a woman so shamelessly? Have you no shame? How... how vulgar."
"You say the exact same things as His Majesty. You truly are sisters."
"Mmh..."
Clack, clack. Han Seojin carefully gathered the last remnants of the porridge, scooping up one final spoonful.
"Say 'ah'."
"...Ah."
Even the very last bite was delicious.
"Is there no more?"
"If Your Highness wishes, I shall prepare another pot and bring it to you for dinner."
"...I do wish it, so see to it."
Grand Prince Jinseong burrowed back under her covers. Her body felt significantly lighter. Her illness had been born of heartache rather than physical ailment in the first place; now that her mind was at ease, the fever was subsiding. She felt that if she took a quick nap and finished another bowl of Han Seojin's porridge upon waking, she would make a full recovery.
"Sleep well, then, Your Highness."
A gentle hand brushed against Grand Prince Jinseong's forehead.
"How dare you touch a Grand Prince so carelessly... You will face severe punishment for this..."
It was a feeble, half-hearted protest.
In more ways than one.
Only after gently stroking her forehead a few more times did Han Seojin's hand finally pull away.
Ah...
What a pity, Grand Prince Jinseong found herself thinking.
She heard Han Seojin chuckle.
"Heheh."
It was likely just a coincidence, but feeling as though he had somehow read her mind, Grand Prince Jinseong hid beneath the blankets. Her illness had certainly improved, yet the heat in her face only seemed to intensify.
Stepping outside, Han Seojin thought to himself.
I do feel a bit guilty.
Hearing strange rumors from the provinces that Grand Prince Jinseong coveted the throne, he had stirred up a commotion beforehand to prevent her from getting swept up in danger... It was all a lie. That was what he felt guilty about. In truth, the real reason he had done this was to protect the King. He had taken preemptive measures to ensure that Grand Prince Jinseong, the King's younger sister, would never become the future King Jungjong.
Of course, the most foolproof way to prevent the Jungjong Coup was to keep the King from becoming a tyrant in the first place. And wasn't that exactly why he was running around so busily?
I must maintain good relations with Grand Prince Jinseong in the future.
She was no longer a rival, but Grand Prince Jinseong still possessed immense political power. The power of her royal bloodline. This was something no one else could ever match, no matter how hard they worked, how much knowledge they acquired, or how much wealth they amassed. A figure who could have easily become the enemy's figurehead would make an incredibly reassuring ally if brought over to their side. The sisters had always shared a close bond, so with a little effort, she would make an excellent ally.
A eunuch approached him.
"I have come to deliver a message from His Majesty."
Was she going to praise him for his work with Grand Prince Jinseong?
"You are commanded to personally prepare the porridge for tomorrow's chojobansang."
"...I shall obey the royal command."
The King truly was an incredibly jealous woman.
Every official in Joseon owned a home in Hanyang. If they did not, their absolute first priority upon passing the civil service examination was to secure a residence in the capital. Commuting to work was an immediate concern, of course, but networking with fellow officials was just as vital. Every single civil official in Joseon was an administrator, a scholar, and a politician all at once. Consequently, the nature of their gatherings varied wildly depending on their purpose.
On a smaller scale, they met to discuss administrative matters, indulge in shared hobbies, or simply drink. On a more refined level, they held scholarly societies. However, meetings of a far weightier nature were also common.
On the very night the commotion surrounding Grand Prince Jinseong occurred, officials arrived one after another at the private estate of the Left State Councillor.
"Minister."
"Ah, Seonwoo Hak. You've arrived."
"It has been a few days, Director."
They were all members of the Left State Councillor's faction within the royal court. Some had studied under the same master. Some shared aligned interests. Some had taken the initiative to approach based on regional ties. Some shared a genuine alignment of worldview and ideology. And some, being exceptionally bright and capable, had been personally recruited by the Left State Councillor.
Through various paths, they had formed a political community of shared destiny. A group bound to rise together or fall together. And every single one of them was a Jang-iin, characterized by their long, pointed ears and exceptionally long lifespans.
The moment everyone was seated, one of them immediately got down to business.
"What do you believe prompted Grand Prince Jinseong to suddenly swear an oath of loyalty to His Majesty?"
It was a sudden turn of events. How would this affect the political landscape? And how should their faction navigate the ensuing ripples? One by one, they voiced their opinions.
"It seems the gisaeng currently favored by His Majesty is involved in this matter as well."
"It appears His Majesty intends to use that man as a trusted confidant."
"Not a eunuch, nor a royal relative, but a gisaeng plucked from the streets..."
"He wasn't just plucked from the streets. He was once the most famous male gisaeng in Pyongyang."
"How do you know that, Hyeonseondang?"
"Ah, well..."
"...It is hardly welcome news for us that His Majesty is acquiring more hands to do her bidding."
Moreover, he was not a fellow minister, but an entirely independent entity. One of the most effective ways to strengthen royal authority was to establish a personal guard loyal only to the monarch. And as royal authority grew, the power of the ministers would inevitably wane.
Everyone's gaze shifted toward the head of their faction, seated in the place of highest honor.
"What are your thoughts, Left State Councillor?"
"..."
"...Your Excellency?"
Glances were exchanged among the attendees.
Why is Her Excellency acting like this?
She would normally be the most vocal critic in these matters...
The Left State Councillor had always been fastidious to a fault, harboring a deep loathing for anything dirty, lowly, or vulgar. To her, a gisaeng was the epitome of lowliness and vulgarity, and those who sold their bodies were inherently filthy. Had she not recently urged His Majesty directly to punish that very gisaeng? Thus, everyone expected the Left State Councillor to seek a way to eliminate him—both politically and personally.
However.
When the Left State Councillor finally broke her silence, her words had absolutely nothing to do with that.
"...We cannot carelessly touch someone His Majesty keeps close."
"...Your Excellency?"
"Is there a problem?"
"...It is nothing, Your Excellency."
It was an entirely unexpected response. The attendees stole glances at one another, exchanging silent messages.
Her Excellency must have her reasons for saying that...
Is she drawing up a grander scheme?
...She intends to let the gisaeng run wild, turning him into an even greater weakness for His Majesty.
Or perhaps she plans to win the gisaeng over? It would be highly uncharacteristic of her, given her famous hatred of gisaeng, but that is precisely why no one would ever suspect it.
The Left State Councillor was well aware of the direction the room's atmosphere was drifting. She could never have attained her position otherwise. Yet, in reality, she possessed no such high-level political calculations. The sweet, rich, oily flavor of the yumil-gwa simply refused to leave her palate.
...Damn it.
Saliva pooled in her mouth once more.
......Damn it all.
The Left State Councillor felt an overwhelming wave of shame.
The King of Joseon was served five meals a day. However, only two of those were full course meals consisting of rice and side dishes. The remaining three were light refreshments, such as porridge or noodles. And the very first meal served upon waking was the chojobansang. The meal was served precisely at the hour of Myoshi, which corresponded to 6:00 AM. To have the porridge ready by then, one had to wake up an hour or two earlier and work diligently.
"Yaaawn..."
After simmering it to a beautiful consistency, he seasoned it with soy sauce and sesame oil, then arranged the table with a side of white kimchi. Then, he carried it himself all the way from the kitchen to the royal bedchamber. This, too, was an order handed down by the incredibly jealous King.
He whispered to the eunuch guarding the entrance of the bedchamber.
"Has His Majesty awoken?"
An answer came directly from within.
"I am awake. Enter."
What sharp ears she has.
Stepping inside, he saw the King rising from her bedding.
"Seeing your face first thing in the morning completely ruins my appetite."
"Your Majesty's words toward me grow harsher by the day. I am deeply frightened."
"Could they possibly compare to the way you tease me?"
The King stretched out her bare foot. As the pale morning light touched them, the skin of her feet and legs appeared translucent, almost bluish under the sun.
"Han Seojin."
She pinched my cheek with her toes.
"Ugh, Your Maje-sty."
"How dare you stutter before your King? You must be punished."
The King picked up a spoon with her other foot, dangling it. The brass spoon, which required several master artisans to craft, dangled precariously between her slender, delicate toes.
"Be my hands."
"Of cour-se, Your Maje-sty."
"...Pfft. Even that handsome face of yours looks ugly when pinched like this."
The King released her grip. He neatly scooped up a spoonful of porridge.
"Why are you not feeding me?"
"It is hot, Your Majesty."
"A Yong-in tolerates heat well. Feed me."
He hesitated as he brought the spoon toward her lips.
"Then, say 'ah'."
"What?"
The King's brow furrowed.
"Do you take me for a child?"
"The Grand Prince said 'ah', Your Majesty."
"......What a wicked man you are."
First I was devious, and now I am wicked? My reputation falls lower by the day.
"If it is with Your Majesty, I believe even falling would be a pleasure."
"What nonsense are you spouting now?"
She dismissed it, but even without looking at her Desire, it was obvious that his sudden sweet talk had pleased her. The corners of her mouth were twitching upward, after all.
"Good grief... Who else is there to blame? It is my own fault for picking up a creature like you."
She grumbled. She glared. She clicked her tongue.
"...Ah."