Mr. Cheng was walking down the corridor when he saw Cheng Hee.
"Paa," she greeted respectfully.
"Aren't you girls going to the Autumn Festival?" he asked. "It is an auspicious day, and it is also your sister's birthday—and Cheng Mi's birthday as well. It would be a blessing to go and offer prayers."
Cheng Hee sighed softly.
"You know Ji is still very angry about what happened earlier. She has been sobbing in her room and refuses to come out."
Mr. Cheng shook his head.
"What I did was for her own good. She has been misbehaving lately. It is time I stop pampering her and start teaching her proper manners. After all, she will soon become a royal concubine."
"You have spoiled her for many years," Cheng Hee said gently. "She isn't used to you yelling at her yet. Please, Paa… go and comfort her. She might feel better."
Mr. Cheng nodded thoughtfully.
"You're right. I have been the one spoiling her all along. I will go see her now. After that, you girls can leave and enjoy the festival."
"Thank you, Paa," Cheng Hee said with a smile as he walked away.
Cheng Ji's Room
"My lady, today is the Autumn Festival. Aren't you going out?" Cheng Lin asked carefully.
Cheng Ji glared at her.
"In what position are you to ask me that? Or maybe we feed you too well and give you too little work!" she snapped.
"What is going on here?" Mr. Cheng's voice thundered as he entered the room.
"Master," Lin greeted, bowing her head.
"You may leave," he ordered.
"Yes, Master."
As Lin left, Mr. Cheng looked at his daughter.
"A-Ji," he called gently, but she did not respond.
"Are you still angry with Paa?" he asked softly.
"Please forgive Paa, alright?"
Cheng Ji finally turned to him.
"Paa, I can never truly be angry with you… but today you really hurt me. And it's all because of Cheng Mi," she complained.
Mr. Cheng sighed.
"Alright. Get dressed and follow your sister to the festival. Offer prayers as well."
"Okay, Paa," she replied obediently.
Preparing for the Festival
Cheng Ji wore a bright yellow dress and applied a little makeup, enhancing her elegant beauty. When she finished preparing, she went to the courtyard to find her sister.
"Sister," she called.
"A-Ji! You look beautiful today," Cheng Hee said warmly.
"You flatter me too much," Cheng Ji replied with a smile. "I think you look even more elegant than I do."
"Why don't we let Cheng Mi be the judge?" Cheng Hee teased, turning toward Cheng Mi.
Cheng Ji scoffed.
"What would a maid like her know anyway?"
"A-Ji," Cheng Hee warned.
"Let's just go already," Cheng Ji said impatiently. "We're running late."
"Alright. I don't have the strength to argue with you today," Cheng Hee replied.
"Cheng Mi," she called.
"Yes, my lady," Cheng Mi answered.
"Let's go."
The three of them left for the festival.
The Festival
The marketplace was lively and crowded. Lanterns hung everywhere, and people filled the streets celebrating the Autumn Festival.
The sisters walked around happily, buying small items while Cheng Mi followed behind them quietly.
Suddenly, the crowd grew even louder and more chaotic. In the confusion, Cheng Mi lost sight of the two ladies.
"My lady! My lady!" she called out anxiously.
But there was no answer.
She searched desperately through the crowd.
Then suddenly—
Someone struck her from behind.
Before she could react, everything went dark.
Meanwhile, at the Palace
"My prince," a guard said worriedly, "it is already late and you are still outside. What if you fall sick?"
"Sungmin," Prince Gyeongwon called softly.
"Yes, my prince."
"Today is the Autumn Festival… the same day I met my beloved fifteen years ago."
He looked up at the sky while tightly holding a jade pendant.
"If she were still alive… I wonder what she would look like now."
The Kidnapping
Cheng Mi slowly regained consciousness.
Her hands were tied, and a black cloth covered her eyes.
"Who are you?" she cried. "What do you want? I have nothing. Please spare me!"
A cold voice replied,
"It's your fault for being so unlucky. There's nothing we can do."
"It is better to end your suffering now… only then can you meet your ancestors."
Before she could scream—
The kidnapper stabbed her.
Then her body was thrown off a cliff.