She chattered on without pause — for why else would he visit only Cheongu-dang every other day when there were other concubines?
“Mm.”
Hui-seo hummed.
As Sae-yeong said, the Crown Prince often sought out Hui-seo. Back when he spent time in the palace as Hui-won’s younger brother —
— more often.
Back when he waited anxiously, wondering when the Crown Prince would call for him again — amusingly, Hui-seo sometimes missed those days.
Because there were times when now, sharing warmth skin to skin, felt more awkward than back then.
If anyone knew these inner thoughts, they’d scold him for complaining despite his blessings.
While Hui-seo tucked away a bitterness he’d never shown, Sae-yeong chattered on excitedly.
“When I was at Sedapbang, I had a close friend, and you should see how she envies me, saying I hit the jackpot.”
It was only natural — when the master enjoys glory, the lives of the palace servants under him become easier; that was the way of the world.
Especially since Sae-yeong served Hui-seo up close, she said no one dared ignore her anywhere, her shoulders puffed with pride.
Apart from his own bitterness, if those under his care could live peacefully, he should be glad.
“Enough now, will you grind the ink?”
But hearing that the affairs of the night had spread far and wide through the palace was freshly embarrassing, so Hui-seo deftly changed the subject. Alright, Sae-yeong put strength into her ink-grinding hands.
“By the way, Mama, you only ever use that brush. Shall I send word to Piryeon-gak?”
Hui-seo looked at the goat-hair brush, the only thing he’d brought when entering the palace.
The Crown Prince had called it a token of gyobon, but Hui-seo knew it was close to a token of affection.
“It’s fine. This is enough.”
At his refusal without a moment’s hesitation, Sae-yeong said no more. Hui-seo smiled, stroking the brush as preciously as if it were the Crown Prince himself.
Since he could no longer send the sentiments of his hometown, once he finished painting this orchid, should he have it mounted and give it to His Highness? Would he be pleased? He hoped so.
“Mama. Her Majesty the Empress has arrived.”
Just as he was about to draw his brush across the fresh painting paper, a flustered voice from outside announced the Empress’s visit.
The smile on Hui-seo’s face froze and vanished. In its place came panic.
“Q-quick, show her in.”
Flustered, he first rose to his feet. His whole body ached dully as he stood, but he forced himself not to show it.
“Your Majesty the Empress… Lady Yangje.”
Through the opening door, the Empress appeared, and behind her, Jeong Hae-yeon. Wearing a troubled expression, she gave Hui-seo a small nod.
“You’ve come. Had you sent word, I would have come to you at once — why did you take the trouble to come all the way here?”
“And where would be more precious than you?”
At first listen, it sounded as though she cared for Hui-seo deeply, but her gaze was full of sharp thorns.
“For you not coming to pay morning respects — I suppose I must understand, as your elder. Isn’t that right?”
At the repeated subtle barbs, Hui-seo bowed his head as if used to it.
The Empress was so intimidating that he hadn’t dared visit Yeongnyeong Palace, but there was also no one to guide him.
Even Sae-yeong had been plucked from doing menial chores at Sedapbang, never mind attending a concubine. Naturally, the other palace servants assigned to Cheongu-dang were no different.
Everyone, Hui-seo included, was ignorant — and so they’d made this kind of blunder.
“Forgive me, Mama. All of this is due to my lack of virtue.”
Hui-seo quickly lowered himself.
“Didn’t I tell you? I understand.”
“Rise. I’m worried the Crown Prince might be displeased if he hears I made Seunghwi kneel.”
Could he really get up? Hui-seo hesitated, unable to rise easily, watching her mood.
“Seunghwi. Surely you can hear me now?”
“…I am overwhelmed.”
Hui-seo quickly raised himself. Moving hastily, between his legs throbbed.
He barely swallowed his tears.
“Please, be seated, Your Majesty the Empress.”
Jeong Hae-yeon, who had been gauging the mood, spoke to the Empress in a coaxing tone.
“Sae-yeong. Bring tea at once.”
“Y-yes, Mama.”
Hui-seo, finally finding a bit of composure, quickly sent Sae-yeong out.
“Tsk.”
Meanwhile, the Empress’s gaze turned to the painting paper, dirtied by the brush he’d set down carelessly in his fluster.
However flustered, he should have tidied properly. He regretted it, but what was spilled could not be gathered up.
“So, palace life isn’t too hard?”
The Empress, seemingly with no particular intention to scold, turned her attention to Hui-seo.
“With Your Majesty looking after me so graciously, everything is peaceful.”
“I thought you couldn’t utter a single smooth word. Your tongue is quite glib, isn’t it.”
Wariness flickered in the Empress’s eyes for an instant.
“Mama. I’ve brought the tea.”
As he floundered, not knowing what to do, Sae-yeong fortunately arrived with the tea set.
Seeing the humble tea set, he worried it might displease the Empress, who’d only ever known precious tea leaves — but it couldn’t be undone, so he moved his hands first.
As he put in the tea leaves and poured hot water, a pale green hue seeped into the clear liquid.
“I don’t know if it will suit your taste.”
He offered the teacup. The Empress didn’t refuse it, but neither did she touch it.
“The fragrance is nice, Seunghwi.”
Thanks to Jeong Hae-yeon smilingly accepting a cup, the awkward moment passed. Hui-seo also smiled faintly in return.
The Empress, who had been watching him, opened her mouth.
“My coming all the way to Cheongu-dang is entirely out of concern for you, Seunghwi — and by extension, for the Crown Prince’s dignity.”
What.
Hui-seo rolled his eyes. His gaze went to Jeong Hae-yeon, the only one showing him any kindness, but she only shook her head behind the Empress’s back with a troubled face.
“You must know that everyone in the palace is watching the Crown Prince’s every move. If a concubine he keeps close shows an unvirtuous side at a time like this, it is no different from the Crown Prince’s own fault.”
“Seunghwi. Do you wish to become the Crown Prince’s fault?”
Hui-seo’s face went pale.
It had never occurred to him until now that his shortcomings would become the Crown Prince’s blemish.
“No, Your Majesty the Empress.”
Though he could never be his glory, he did not want to become his flaw.
“From now on, go to Yeongnyeong Palace every day to pay morning respects to Her Majesty……”
“Seunghwi.”
“Yes.”
“Then shouldn’t you first refine your unpolished etiquette?”
“Then……”
Should he ask the Crown Prince to send a court matron to teach him etiquette? But then if fault was found with him again, she’d end up in trouble like that matron last time.
Hui-seo couldn’t open his mouth easily.
“Seollan.”
As he hesitated, the Empress called the woman attending behind her.
She, who had stood like a shadow, seemed to read the Empress’s mind as she stepped before Hui-seo and bowed. Her bearing, steeped in discipline, was perfectly straight.
“I’ll send Seollan to Cheongu-dang for two hours every day. Seollan entered the palace as my gyojeonbi and has spent half her life here. She’ll surely be of help to you; I hope you won’t refuse my goodwill.”
“I……”
“This lowly one is called Seollan. Lord Seunghwi. I shall serve you with utmost devotion by Her Majesty the Empress’s order.”
He’d never even considered refusing, but Hui-seo had no chance to say anything. It was as if everything had been prepared perfectly, like pieces cut to fit….
“…By Your Majesty’s grace, to receive such excellent teaching is a joy beyond compare.”
There was nothing to do but accept.
“I’ll hear about your progress through Seollan. I hope to see an improved you next time.”
Satisfied by Hui-seo’s compliance, the Empress smiled lightly and rose. Jeong Hae-yeon quickly set down the teacup she’d been holding and helped the Empress up.
“Please go carefully.”
Before leaving, Hae-yeon looked at Hui-seo once more, then followed the Empress.
“What do we do, Mama? They say Lady Seollan is famously strict…….”
The moment the Empress and Hae-yeon left, Sae-yeong stood before Hui-seo, who’d sunk weakly into his seat, her face crumpling as she stamped her feet.
“This is something I heard from friends when I was at Sedapbang….”
“Sae-yeong.”
Hui-seo, gazing at the teacup the Empress hadn’t touched, cut her off.
Whatever Seollan’s true temperament, the bleakness was real. But there was nothing he could change.
“It’ll be fine.”
In a way, it was for the best. The Empress wouldn’t take the life of — or punish — a palace servant who was practically her own confidant.
Rather than watching someone suffer because of him, it sat easier on Hui-seo’s heart to endure it himself.
“What could possibly happen.”
“Mama.”
“Don’t worry too much, alright?”
Only after he soothed her gently did the worry etched on Sae-yeong’s face gradually fade.
“Mama. This is Seollan.”
She’d left with the Empress, so he hadn’t thought she’d start today, but apparently she’d come ready to teach.
“Come in.”
Swallowing a sigh, he let Seollan in.
“Sae-yeong. Leave us for now.”
“Mama.”
“It’s fine.”
Staying would only make her fret anxiously; that was obvious. As he tried to send the hesitating Sae-yeong out, Seollan stopped him.
“Keep the palace servant by your side, Mama.”
“But….”
It wasn’t as if there’d be anything good to see, and Sae-yeong wasn’t strictly needed.
“A master’s lack of virtue is soon the servant’s fault. Shouldn’t she take responsibility for it?”
Seollan, eyes narrowed, was firm.
Take responsibility for him.
Those words meant exactly this: if Hui-seo’s education did not go as intended, she would punish Sae-yeong in his place —
— won’t be talked away with words.
Hui-seo glanced at Sae-yeong without thinking. She too seemed to sense something going wrong, her expression dark.
“Mama….”
Sae-yeong, who surely knew that Seollan’s will was the Empress’s will, could only open and close her mouth, unable to do anything.
Hui-seo bit his lip.
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