The prince's mind wandered until the chief's firm voice called him back to reality, "Your Highness... we have prepared a room for you. It would be wise to rest, as tomorrow's journey promises to be both lengthy and demanding."
Young-Sik shook himself from his daze, responding with a soft, "Ah, yes." He stood, his gaze lingering on the grand hall, hoping to find Jin-Ri still there, but she was nowhere to be found. With a sigh, he followed the chief to the lodging that awaited him.
With the first light of morning, the soldiers began to load provisions onto two waiting horses. The prince effortlessly mounted his steed, but Jin-Ri found herself grappling with the task. Flashing a warm smile, he maneuvered his horse beside hers, extending his hand in a gesture of support. Jin-Ri accepted his offer, and as their hands met, Young-Sik experienced a thrilling spark that made him instinctively pull away.
"Is there something wrong, Your Highness?" Jin-Ri questioned, her eyes filled with worry.
"No, I'm okay," he responded, offering his hand to her once again.
As their hands touched, Young-Sik felt a thrilling surge of energy shoot through him. He held her hand firmly, savoring the fleeting moment before helping her onto the horse, wanting to prolong their brief connection for as long as possible.
Before leaving, Young-Sik called Captain Gi, "Captain, when the others return, have half of the men help with tasks within the village while the other half stand guard"
"Yes, Your Highness!" Captain Gi replied, "We will safeguard this village until you return"
Young-Sik and Jin-Ri exchanged a knowing look before embarking on their journey back to the bustling capital.
Over at Mt. Yangge village, Jin-Ri's father Seuk is spreading the word about his daughter. "She's all good," he said with a wink. "She's the prince's court maiden, so you can stop worrying about her."
He gave his wife a thumbs-up. "Court maiden to the prince, huh?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. She nodded, beaming like he just won the lottery. "Is he a hunk? Is he off the market?"
"Well, I'm not saying he's as dapper as yours truly, but he's got some serious good looks. He was taken, but that ship has sailed—Yeng says that gal is on her way to becoming the next Queen!" He added
Dam couldn't help but keep the royal gossip rolling. "Do you really think our Jinnie has what it takes to land a prince?"
Mr. Hong puffed out his chest like a proud rooster. "With looks like hers, that prince would need a map to find his way out of her spell!"
Mrs. Hong grinned, "You have to admit, 'Princess Hong Jin-Ri sounds like a name that could charm a frog into a prince!"
The two erupted in giggles, adding, "And 'Hong Seuk and Hong Dam, the in-laws of the prince'? Now that's a title that could make a fairy tale jealous!"
At that moment, Young-Sik sneezed out of the blue. Rubbing his nose, He thought to himself. "Am I about to get sick?"
Four exquisite palanquins arrived at the Dowager Queen's residence in Pyeongcheok. From each palanquin emerged a beautifully attired young lady. Among them are the soft-hearted Lady Zhang, the kind Lady Geum, the courteous Lady Oh, and the intelligent Lady Lim, the only hopeful from the left wing.
One by one, they entered the Dowager Queen's residence, stepping onto a pot lid as part of a centuries-old tradition in Chiongsun.
The young ladies stood in line to be presented to the Dowager Queen. Each of them was adorned in lavish and vibrantly colored gowns, the cost of the fabric alone sufficient to purchase a property. Notably, Lady Ji-Hye donned a red silk blouse, and a blue long skirt, embellished with intricate gold and silver trimmings. Her hairpin, crafted from solid gold, featured exquisite jade decorations.
Everyone bowed when the Dowager Queen entered, "Greeting Your Majesty," the four young ladies said, kneeling with both hands joined and raised in front of them. The Dowager Queen sits on her throne with a silkscreen between her and the ladies.
The Dowager Queen courteously returned to the noble ladies, "I trust you are aware of the reason you are all gathered here today?"
"Yes, Your Majesty" the ladies replied
"Very well, we shall begin with the selection process," The Dowager Queen announced
The Dowager Queen's four lady-in-waiting, each led a candidate to a different bathhouse, where she shed her intricate clothing and accessories, bathing to eliminate any traces of makeup or scent.
Afterward, she donned a modest blouse and skirt and was introduced to the Dowager Queen. This particular step serves the purpose of assessing the natural beauty of each candidate.
After Eri assesses and grades the hopefuls, they are led back to the bathhouses to once again don their expensive clothes and accessories.
Afterward, they are taken back to the receiving area for the second stage of the selection process. In this stage, the candidates' calligraphy, music, and art skills are assessed. First, in calligraphy, while sitting on the mat floor, each candidate has an art table in front of them, complete with ink blocks, rolls of parchment, and different brushes. Each candidate must prepare their ink and write their names as well as the names of their parents.
Every hopeful commenced the process by pouring a modest amount of warm water into their inkstones. Then, with one hand securing the sleeves of their attire, they utilized the other hand to take the ink block and, in a gentle circular motion, rubbed it against the inkstone until the water became black and the consistency thickened somewhat.
Following this, they laid a piece of parchment flat and affixed weights to each corner to keep it in place. They selected their brushes, immersed them in the ink stone, and meticulously wiped off any excess ink by brushing it against the edges of the ink stone before they commenced writing their names. After writing, they wait for the ink to dry, before repeating the process to write the name of each of their parents on separate parchments.
After they completed the first task, the ladies-in-waiting collected their works and presented them to the Dowager Queen. The next task is art or painting, for this task, the hopefuls carefully prepared ink using several ink stones.
A court lady came holding a bonsai cherry tree. After bowing to the Dowager Queen, she placed the plant in front of the hopefuls and painting commenced. They are given until the sand inside a large hourglass runs out.
After the time ran out, their works were again collected and presented to the Dowager Queen.
In preparation for the last task, the art tables were removed and each hopeful was given a fifteen-stringed gayageum (a common musical instrument).
"I would like you to present the ballad of Pyeongcheuk, a distinguished classical ballad of Chiongsun." The Dowager Queen said. The first three participants delivered the piece in its authentic form, embodying a tranquil, serene, and relaxing essence. In contrast, Lady Lim's performance was markedly different. She approached the ballad with intensity, executing it in a rapid and lively manner. The Dowager Queen quietly tapped her knee in time with the melody.
Following the second stage, the candidates were instructed to wait for their names to be called. In the private chambers of the dowager Queen, Lady Zhang bowed respectfully before taking her seat. The dowager Queen Eri posed a challenging question to her: "What measures will you take to protect your family?"
"I am prepared to face the consequences of the law to ensure my family's safety, Your Majesty," Lady Zhang responded.
After delivering her answer, Lady Zhang exited the room with a graceful bow to the dowager Queen. The same question was then posed to the next three candidates, who responded as follows:
Lady Geum stated, "I will do anything that falls within the bounds of the law."
Lady Oh expressed, "A mother or child will go to any lengths to defend their family."
However, Lady Lim's response was fierce and foreboding: "I will punish anyone who dares to take away what is rightfully mine or my family's!" she declared, her eyes blazing with intensity.
In a private audience, the Dowager Queen called upon those who had helped the hopefuls, asking them to share their experiences. Three of them spoke glowingly of the kindness and generosity they encountered. However, the lady-in-waiting who served Lady Lim painted a different picture. She stated that Lady Lim was not only rude but also arrogant, behaving as if she were already the reigning Queen.
She remembered the time they were in the bathhouse. As she took off Lady Ji-Hye's jewelry, one of her earrings got caught on her clothing. "That fabric is worth more than you'll ever be, so think about the value of that earring. Watch yourself, or I might just decide to make you pay in blood," Lady Ji-Hye threatened, her voice icy and her face a mask of indifference.
According to the Chiongsun selection law, this is the fourth secret stage, which measures the heart of a hopeful and is known only to the Queen. Based on these tests, Lady Lim should have already been disqualified, but the dowager Queen's desire for survival overruled any law or even the sake of the Kingdom.
She beckoned her head lady, who arrived carrying a rolled-up parchment from the ministers, detailing their voting results. Lady Lim secured fifty percent of the votes, being the only candidate from the left wing. After sharing a quiet word with her head lady, who bowed and departed, she muttered, "Damn you, Lim Do-Yun!" while her fists clenched in anger.
The hopefuls were escorted from the Dowager Queen's residence to their palanquins. "The ladies may now head home," the head lady declared.
The ladies entered their respective palanquins, the servants hoisted them and made their way out of the palace, with one exception. Lady Lim's palanquin was directed to the detached palace, where she would stay until the royal wedding.
Lady Ji-Hye emerges from her palanquin; she marvels at her grandiose new home. With arrogant grace, she walks towards the door of her new home. She stopped just a few feet from the door "Open the doors" she ordered her servants.
As Lady Ji-Hye entered, a smile of amusement spread across her face, taking in the lavish interior characterized by ornate wood finishes embellished with amber and gold details. The room was replete with costly statues and fine pottery. When she crossed the threshold into her chambers, her eyes widened in surprise, for she had never before seen a space overflowing with luxurious fabrics, stunning dresses, enticing perfumes, and exquisite jewelry.
When Lady Ji-Hye laid eyes on the rolled parchments, inks, and calligraphy brushes, she was seized with inspiration and swiftly set to penning a letter to her father. After sealing the letter she called out to her servants "You outside!, Come in here" She called out
"Yes, my lady?" One of the servants asked when she entered the room
"My Lady? I am the Queen to be, addressed me by what is owed to me!" she chillingly said to the servant
The servants stared at one another, confusion etched on their faces, as they had never seen anyone but a Queen referred to in such a manner. "Are you ignoring me?" Ji-Hye pressed again, her voice sharp and icy like a winter's night.
The servants were compelled to obey her commands, driven by the fear of punishment, as soon as she took her place on the throne. "Yes Your Majesty," they all proclaimed while bowing before her. Witnessing the servants' reverence ignited a surge of exhilaration within Ji-Hye. She had her first taste of unquestionable power, and she was resolute in holding onto it.
Out of nowhere, her face lit up with a sweet and innocent smile as soon as she heard King Man-Ju knocking at her door. The servants exchanged knowing looks, fully aware that her charming demeanor was just a cover for the cunning fox lurking beneath.
She dashed out of her room and headed straight to the receiving area. When the King's eunuchs opened the palace door, She was among the first to greet the King. "Lady Ji-Hye," the King remarked, eyeing his bride-to-be.
"Yes Your Highness?" she answered with a charming voice, a stark contrast to the stern tone she reserved for her servants.
"Leave us," The King ordered all the servants. One by one everyone left the detached palace, with the last two eunuchs closing the door behind them.
"So, you were promised to my brother, weren't you?" he inquired, eyeing the beautiful lady in front of him.
"Just like all the young women in the Kingdom, I'm only the King's," she responded with grace.
Her captivating voice and the words that she spoke were music to his ears; he had long envied his brother for being engaged to someone so lovely. Now, with her practically throwing herself at him, he felt a surge of passion rising.
"Are you not worried that my brother's going to be crushed when he hears about this?" he inquired, his tone showing a bit of concern but mostly a sense of triumph.
"Knowing the prince will be heartbroken when he finds out is a bit sad, but like I told you before, Your Highness... I'm yours, no one else's." She replied, a mischievous glint in her eye as the cunning fox inside her prepared to pounce on its target: the throne of the Queen.
The moment Man-Ju perceives Lady Ji-Hye's submission as a triumph over his brother, a wild rush of pride consumes him. He couldn't help but think, "Your woman is now mine!"
He wrapped his arms around Lady Ji-Hye's waist, pulling her closer, her breath hitching in a tantalizing gasp that only fueled his passion. "You are stunning, my lady. Let's join forces to build an incredible dynasty, with you shining as my magnificent Queen."
"My King, this feels so unorthodox... should we not save this for our wedding night?" Ji-Hye murmured, her palm pressing lightly against his chest.
"I am the King," he proclaimed, his voice rich with authority. "If I desire you now, no law or custom can hold me back." His tone dripped with confidence and dominance.
"Then claim me, my King... I am yours to command," she breathed, and their lips met, surrendering to the heat of the moment as they lost themselves in fervent kisses and heated embraces. However, a different thought runs through her mind, "Forgive me, my love, I need to survive." Outside, the servants averted their eyes from the detached palace, no one dared to bear witness to the intoxicating exchange.