A Matter of the House
Princess Jeongui looked at her closest younger brother and spoke.
"These are no ordinary times, so watch your conduct as a prince. The eyes of the entire nation are fixed upon the Eastern Palace."
"I shall keep that in mind, Sister."
The princess and the grand prince conversed as sister and brother. However, the content of their conversation was far from that of ordinary siblings. The "times" they spoke of were also anything but ordinary.
"The Crown Princess will soon give birth to a new child. If it is a son, our nephew will become the Grand Heir."
Someday, their older brother would succeed their father as King. In fact, even now, the King was gradually transferring power to the Crown Prince, using the excuse of his failing health.
And then, the legitimate eldest son who would succeed him. Someday, the one who would grow up to become the supreme ruler of this land might be born into the world.
"The throne will be passed down, and the majesty of the dynasty will grow. As the arms and legs of the sovereign, the royal relatives must not grow idle."
Princess Jeongui had just posed a question. What would happen to the King's relatives then? Especially the royal relatives bearing the surname Yi?
When Taejo founded the nation, he stripped the eunuchs of their power, leaving them powerless. Taejong wiped out Jeong Do-jeon and the Neo-Confucian scholars under his command to establish royal authority, and then crushed the maternal relatives.
Once the scholars submitted to the royal family, the King was powerful. But around that powerful King, there were neither eunuchs nor maternal relatives.
Then who would become the King's personal guard?
The King had chosen the royal relatives. He employed the princes heavily in state affairs. And now, that King was preparing for his eldest son's accession.
Someday, that eldest son would do the same for his own eldest son.
What would Joseon look like then? What would become of the power of the royal relatives?
Princess Jeongui had just said, "The royal relatives must not grow idle." They would not let go of what they enjoyed as the King's arms and legs.
The princess smiled meaningfully.
"With strength being added to the royal relatives at a time like this, how could it not be reassuring?"
No one rules the world alone. And while a gambling table with many players is grand, it becomes equally complex.
The King was setting up a new board. And Princess Jeongui and Grand Prince Suyang would also prepare to play on the board their father had prepared.
"Therefore, that child named An Heon must also choose the 'greater' path."
At those words, her younger brother looked around needlessly, then spoke with a troubled face.
"Your words are too bold, Sister."
"Are you not a man? How can you show such weakness to me, a woman?"
"Hahaha."
"Indeed. Then what do you think?"
"As for me..." Grand Prince Suyang said. "...of course, I agree with you, Sister."
Yet he pulled something out and fumbled with it. It was a string of Buddhist prayer beads.
"But you are too cold-hearted. Why must you be so?"
"What do you mean, cold-hearted?"
Grand Prince Suyang spoke.
"Our only older brother is about to welcome a new nephew. How can you discuss the struggle for power first?"
Princess Jeongui paused slightly, then laughed helplessly and lightly patted her knee.
"Yes, yes. You are right. I should have prioritized family affection."
"Yes, Sister. As you said, the time is near. The birth month is not far off, and the Crown Princess is suffering greatly, is she not?"
Grand Prince Suyang spoke. He smiled playfully, yet there was a trace of sincerity in his eyes.
"So, I cannot help but worry. I have no choice but to offer Buddhist prayers like this, fumbling with my beads..."
"..."
"May the mother be healthy."
He muttered a Buddhist mantra. The beads turned in his hand.
"May my nephew be healthy."
Grand Prince Suyang spoke.
"May that child grow up without any trouble."
Ah. My mind is blank.
I have personally met Kim Jong-seo. I have met Shin Suk-ju, and I have met King Sejong. And just now, I met An Maeng-dam.
He is a much less historically prominent figure than the others. Yet, long after he left, my mind remained blank.
This time, the feeling was different. Unlike any other meeting with an "adult" so far, this one left me completely dazed. It was because of the letter he brought.
The letter currently in my hand.
Sent by the King's daughter, Princess Jeongui.
He called himself a family elder to me.
In my daze, I touched my cheek. An Maeng-dam's attitude still lingered in my mind. The term "family elder" wasn't just empty words. He was a descendant of a deeply rooted noble clan and the King's son-in-law. Yet he had treated me like a comfortable child.
While other scholars treated me with utmost courtesy, calling me the "young Great Sage of the East."
The atmosphere was entirely different from the start. He hadn't come as a scholar meeting a scholar.
He had come secretly to deliver the princess's letter.
He had said upon entering:
"Do not open the letter yet."
And upon leaving:
"Once you open it, you must burn it."
"And, choose the larger and more precious side."
...The larger and more precious side? What on earth did that mean?
*Thud.*
When I turned my head, Dolbi spat out a small note. It had been the same when Yu Seong-won visited.
I nodded. A royal letter that must be burned. I felt a tension I had never experienced before. I had to be careful. But Spirit Hong-wi's words must have meant more than just that.
An Maeng-dam, and Princess Jeongui behind him. Both supported Grand Prince Suyang. Or at least, they acquiesced to him.
Gulping, I opened the princess's letter. The introduction read as follows:
I send this letter to An Heon of Aoji. The Juksan An clan is an ancient and powerful clan of the nation. Since olden times, many have risen to high offices as nobles, receiving state stipends and aiding the reigns of various kings. My husband's great-grandfather, Lord Munjeong, was enfeoffed as the Lord of Jukseong during the reign of King Gongmin. My husband's grandfather also served as the Miljiksasa during the reign of King Gongyang, and after Taejo founded the nation, he served as the Northwestern Provincial Commissioner.
The brilliant lineage of a family that had nothing to do with my actual past self was listed. But it was not just empty pleasantries. I held my breath without realizing it.
The princess was pointing directly at me. Or rather, declaring it. The princess was saying:
You are a noble.
So now, I was a noble. ...Why? Why suddenly elevate my status so high? And in a secret letter from the King's daughter?
My hands shook. This was why I had been so tense meeting An Maeng-dam. I was now stepping onto a much grander board. I had gained the qualification to stand "above" it—whether as a chess piece or a player moving the pieces.
You also follow in the footsteps of your ancestors, contributing greatly to the nation, which clearly shows that you were born with the nobility of a prestigious family.
Furthermore, the ancients said that a person's nobility lies not only in the greatness of their lineage, but in the uprightness of their mind and the purity of their learning.
How could you not be a talent who will bring glory to your family and be of use to the nation?
The princess reminded me again: You are of noble blood. If you aren't, we will make you so. And then she said:
...Thus, since ancient times, when a great house decides on a major family affair, it is customary to consult the parents or the elders of the house to bring the matter to fruition.
A major family affair. A faint picture began to form in my mind.
Why did the princess use her husband to send this letter? Why did she establish me as a noble descendant? Why? ...Why did she keep this letter a secret?
A terrifying realization dawned on me. I quickly scanned the text.
Needless to say, this is especially true for a marriage between two families.
Marriage is a great affair of human relations, and the beginning of all propriety.
The ancients also held this in high regard because the laws of the household and the propriety of one's conduct are all determined by this. For a prestigious family, it is a matter that must be discussed with the utmost care.
However, since your parents and grandparents have all passed away, I have personally brought my husband, who is your distant relative, to ask for your intentions.
Marriage.
The One Above wishes for you to form a connection with the Royal House.
The One Above awaits your response.
This letter was written by the princess, but it was not hers alone. It reached "above"—to the King himself.
The One Above has spoken to me: "An Heon's resolve is upright, and his character is gentle and obedient. How could he hesitate to accept a grave connection with the royal family?"
Accordingly, this Palace also agrees and has presented two proposals. By the King's grace, both options have been granted to you.
I had been given a choice.
Though both are precious gems of the royal court, one is born of the Queen's legitimate line, while the other belongs to the rank below.
Born of the Queen's legitimate line: The King's legitimate daughter.
Belongs to the rank below: The King's concubine-born daughter.
Here, the "King" was not the current King, but the one who would succeed him—the Crown Prince. The man I knew as "Munjong."
The One Above has prepared both paths solely for you.
It was a choice given by the King. Two choices, two paths.
One: Marry the legitimate daughter of the royal family. I would become the King's son-in-law. I would stand on the side of the royal family and grow as the King's personal guard. Even so, my path to office would not be blocked. In the early Joseon period, royal relatives still participated in politics, and the King supported me.
...At least, that was what the King himself thought. For now. My thoughts were different, though.
If not, there was the second option: Marry the concubine-born daughter of the royal family. I would remain a scholar-bureaucrat. But because I would be bound to the royal family by marriage, a loose alliance would be established. I could enter office and gain rank without major changes to my original plan. I could rise to high office without being checked, while the King's hand subtly supported me.
The King wanted to claim me. And he was asking me to choose my utility. To decide where I would stand on this massive political chessboard.
I was only eleven years old. No one in Joseon, Goryeo, or even China had ever enjoyed such a privilege at this age.
I read the final sentences in one breath.
You do not need to give an answer immediately.
However, when the time comes, you must have your answer ready.
I had to have my answer ready for the question sent by the King.
I tried to organize my thoughts, forcing my sluggish brain to work.
Summary: The King has earmarked me as his grandson-in-law. He told me to choose between the legitimate daughter and the concubine-born daughter. If I choose the legitimate daughter, I become a royal relative. If I choose the concubine-born daughter, I remain a scholar-bureaucrat. End of story.
I looked down at the back of my hand; the fine hairs were standing on end. Come to think of it, An Maeng-dam had told me to choose the larger and more precious side. If I aligned with the royal relatives, it would strengthen the royal clan, which would benefit Princess Jeongui... No, that didn't matter at all.
My mind was going to break... No, get a grip. Mom, Dad, Hong-wi, and all the other precious people are watching...
"...Ah, fuck."
A curse word slipped out naturally, something I hadn't said since becoming a Confucian scholar. Mom, Dad, what do I do? I even received cotton and angelica, but I don't think I can pull this off. Why is this happening?
What was my original plan?
To enter the bureaucracy next year. Rise as fast as possible, become the head of the young reformist faction, and recruit new officials. Kim Jong-seo is my patron, and Shin Suk-ju is my teacher. I am perfectly positioned to mediate between the senior ministers and the young reformists. By doing just that, Suyang's support base among the young reformists would be destroyed. The probability of the Gyeyu Jeongnan succeeding would plummet. I thought that would be enough...
But now, I'm going to become a member of the royal family?
In early Joseon, one might think a son-in-law has no trouble succeeding. The King thinks so too. Yes, that's true. Until Crown Princess Consort Kwon dies.
There is something future generations often overlook when looking at the Gyeyu Jeongnan. Sejong was the most powerful king in Joseon history. Munjong was the legitimate eldest son who learned directly under him. Did they not know? Did they not know what kind of danger Yi Hongwi would face if they died early and he had no mother?
They knew. They knew all too well. That's why, as soon as Crown Princess Consort Kwon died, they took action. They implemented measures to check the royal relatives. As part of that, the path to advancement for sons-in-law was blocked. After Munjong's accession, the title of Prince was even stripped from sons-in-law. Even Jeong Jong, the husband of Princess Gyeonghye, rose to Minister of Punishment but couldn't play a significant role.
So... yes, becoming a member of the royal family is an honor. They even gave me a choice, which is an immense grace...
But because of that grace, my entire plan is completely shattered. All of it. All those moments of receiving guests, studying in my spare time, and desperately hoarding wealth in Hamgil Province over the past few years have gone down the drain.
Wow. Thank you, Great King. I am honored by this opportunity. I will never forget this grace. But I am absolutely fucked. Fuck. The person who came to save your grandson is being pushed away by you. Fuck, if this happens, your grandson dies. Even Dolbi's face has turned pale, looking like a white tiger. Your grandson has plenty of messenger capacity left, but he's completely silent. Why? Because when you are truly fucked, you lose your words! Even a deity is like this!
Anyway, if things go on like this, I'll have no choice but to pull out "Plan ZZZ," which I really, really didn't want to use until the very end...
*Creak.*
"Y-Young Master?"
"..."
The door opened, and a cold draft swept through the room. When I looked up, Jageun-i was trembling all over.
"Another h-honorable guest has arrived. This girl is not worthy of greeting him, so you must go out yourself, Young Master."
Right now? An honorable guest I must greet personally?
My head, already complicated, began to throb. An Maeng-dam, the royal son-in-law who delivered the princess's—no, the King's—message, left Aoji not long ago. Jageun-i hadn't acted like this even when An Maeng-dam arrived. Of course, An Maeng-dam hadn't made a show of his royal status. But conversely, that meant An Maeng-dam was of that caliber—someone who didn't need to make a show of it.
But now, someone had arrived making a massive show of it.
I stood up and adjusted my clothes. Jageun-i helped me. Over the past few years, the household in Aoji had improved day by day. Now, my attire was no different from a scholar in Hanyang, and Jageun-i looked like a maidservant of a high-ranking noble family.
I put on my leather shoes and stepped out. I passed the brick walls of the Juksan An estate and stood at the main gate. A tall man stood before me.
Several other scholars surrounded him, but it was immediately obvious who the center of the group was. Like a crane standing among chickens.
He cut off his conversation with the others and turned to me.
The ornaments on his gat were gold and white jade, but extremely simple in form. Similarly, his clothes bore no luxurious embroidery or loud accessories. A neat silk robe dyed in a single color, strictly creased, fitted his body naturally. The fluttering sleeves looked as if they belonged to him, like feathers on an egret.
There was no luxury anywhere. Yet I bowed deeply. Because I was certain.
"I greet the guest who has traveled from afar to this humble thatched cottage in this remote village. I am Heon of the Juksan An clan."
Just moments ago, Princess Jeongui's letter had praised me as a descendant of a prestigious clan. But even if those words were entirely true, they would mean nothing in front of this man.
People who do not dress luxuriously are usually divided into two types.
One: Those who lack the resources to dress up.
"So you are the child Heon, the Sage of the Northeast. The rumors of your beautiful and upright appearance were indeed true."
Two: Those who have no need to dress up.
They do not flaunt luxury to show their nobility. They do not struggle to adorn themselves. Because everyone already knows their nobility.
"This is Grand Prince Anpyeong, the legitimate son of His Majesty. Show your respects to the royal prince."
Such a person doesn't even need to state his own identity.
"I came because the mountains and waters of the Northeast are said to be outstanding, but no scenic view can match your elegance."
The King's third son smiled and greeted me. The surrounding scholars also bowed to me and introduced themselves.
"I am Gang Hui-an."
"I am Yi Hyeon-ro."
"Ah, the painter here is An Gyeon. I especially cherish him, so I brought him along."
Finally, introducing An Gyeon himself, the prince stepped forward. As he turned his head, his earrings swayed gently. A soft, aristocratic face smiled at me with sparkling eyes.
"I am pleased to meet the seven-year-old sage."
Grand Prince Anpyeong. He had traveled all the way to the northern end to see the boy who was to become a royal relative.
Of all times. Of all times, right now.
First a son-in-law, now a prince. Soon, the King and the Ming Emperor might show up too.
I barely managed to organize my dizzy mind and control my expression. Then, a sudden realization hit me.
In Joseon, guilt by association is legal.
And the father of this Grand Prince Anpyeong, Yi Yong, just committed a massive offense against me.
"Welcome, Your Highness Grand Prince."
You... you...
You bastard, you walked right into my trap.