...Please dispatch a scholar from the Sanctuary of Intellect—one proficient in the study of the natural world and well-versed in the Azure Scripture and its commentaries—to help me reveal the true identity of the sphere. Also, send two hundred reinforcements to prepare for any unforeseen events. From Birahng, your second daughter, Princess Kyeong'ui.
Princess Kyeong'ui. The King stared at the characters penned in her bold handwriting. His daughter's clear eyes, always reflecting the light, seemed to shimmer on the page. Though she was nearing her twentieth year and on the verge of marriage, her eyes still held a youthful innocence. He often thought of her gaze when he looked at his own bloodshot eyes in the mirror, a poignant reminder of her purity. The report, carried from Seon River Port by the Chief Royal Secretary, seemed to carry the salty scent of the sea, making the distance between them feel all too real. With a heavy sigh, the King set the report aside.
"What's my girl doing down there...?" he muttered, his brow furrowed in concern.
Baekyang Seoh, sensing the King's unease, voiced his own worries. "It's hard to ignore the feeling that the Princess is becoming overly immersed in the Azure Scripture."
"Are you suggesting my daughter's a traitor?"
"According to the law, anyone caught reading the Azure Scripture faces severe punishment. You know that."
"Not all laws apply to the princess," the King countered. "Kyeong'ui might be eccentric, but she's not one to spout nonsense. If she's requesting a scholar, there must be a reason."
Seoh remained silent.
"Proficient in the study of the natural world, well-versed in the Azure Scripture..." the King mused. "Who among the scholars of the Sanctuary fits that description? No one comes to mind."
After a moment's hesitation, Seoh spoke cautiously. "There is one..."
The King frowned. "If so, speak. Why the hesitation?"
"There are some procedural complications with sending that particular scholar."
"Complications?"
"She's currently suspended due to the very qualifications the Princess requested."
The King chuckled. "Well, that certainly confirms her expertise."
Seoh remained neutral, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
"Does she possess all the qualities Kyeong'ui mentioned?" the King asked.
"She does."
"And there's no one else?"
"There are a few others who were disciplined for meddling with the Azure Scripture, but none match her proficiency in the study of the natural world. As I mentioned, those caught studying the Azure Scripture, especially within the Sanctuary, face severe consequences—far beyond mere suspension. Her punishment was lenient only because of her exceptional abilities."
"So there's another place where the law doesn't apply, besides the Princess."
"Your Majesty, that's..." Seoh lowered his head.
The King's frown softened. "Enough. What's her name?"
"Wu of House Song'un."
"Send her."
The King's decision was swift and decisive. Seoh hesitated, then bowed in acceptance.
"Will you send reinforcements as well?" he asked.
"Should I send a scholar with nothing but a bag of books on her back? If I send a scholar to Birahng, troops and a ship are a given."
The King paused, deep in thought. "Kyeong'ui requested two hundred, didn't she?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. It seems excessive."
The King's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his throne. He closed his eyes, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Send three hundred, excluding oarsmen and laborers."
Seoh's eyes widened in surprise. "Your Majesty, dispatching three hundred reinforcements will make the pretense of a leisurely trip impossible. That's an absurd number for a scholar's escort. Sending the scholar alone is already enough to raise suspicions."
"Uprisings are hardly a new occurrence," the king dismissed his concerns.
"But—"
The king cut him off. "Send them as instructed. And if any urgent situation arises, have the governor of Sahcheon, Gahngyun Yeol, respond first. He's closest to Birahng.'"
"What are you planning, Your Majesty?"
"There's much to protect on Birahng."
Seoh didn't argue further. He could already hear the disgruntled voices of the ministers echoing through the halls once the King's decree was announced at dawn. But as always, the King would prevail, and his anxieties would be dispelled.
With the matter settled, Seoh cautiously brought up another topic.
"Your Majesty, there's one more thing."
"What is it?"
"Princess Kyeong'ui sent a separate letter, sealed with her private seal."
"Her private seal?"
Seoh retrieved the letter from his sleeve and presented it to the King with a bow. It was wrapped in silk and sealed as he described. The King broke the seal and quickly scanned the contents, Seoh's eyes following his every move. The King's expression grew even more serious.
"It seems Kyeong'ui has gained more than just knowledge on Birahng," he said, tossing the letter towards Seoh.
"Read it."
Seoh picked up the letter. As he unfolded it, the name "Myeonghyeon" immediately caught his eye, leaping from the tightly packed characters. His heart pounded with a growing sense of dread as he read, each line confirming his worst fears. He set the letter down with a shaky sigh.
"What do you make of it?" the King asked.
Seoh didn't hesitate. "It's dangerous, Your Majesty. If, as the Princess believes, the commoners and young officials interpret this as generosity and acceptance from the throne, it could be beneficial. However, if it galvanizes those who harbor resentment towards the throne, it poses a threat as significant as that strange object she retrieved from the sea."
The King's gaze drifted towards the window, his thoughts distant. "Why are they all gathered on that island?" he mused. "A curious coincidence, isn't it? The star, the sphere, and those Myeonghyeons."
His question hung in the air, a test Seoh couldn't answer. He deflected with another question.
"I don't understand how they managed to infiltrate Birahng."
"We could bring them in for questioning," the King suggested.
"That's not what the Princess desires, Your Majesty."
"Your concern should be what the kingdom desires," the King countered. "What this nation needs. How those two Myeonghyeon descendants can benefit us in these turbulent times."
"Do you intend to allow the Myeonghyeons to live?" Seoh asked cautiously.
"There's time to consider their usefulness," the King replied. "They'll undoubtedly serve a purpose. Whether they live or die is what needs deciding."
He turned to Seoh. "Summarize our discussion and spread the news at dawn. No delays."
"Should I present both matters to the court?"
"No. Only the scholar and the reinforcements. Concoct a suitable excuse to silence any unnecessary dissent."
Seoh discussed the necessary procedures to expedite the scholar's and troops' dispatch, then left the King's chambers. He stood outside for a long while, the night dew settling on his clothes. The light in the King's bedchamber remained lit. He didn't linger, turning to return to his own quarters.
He hadn't taken many steps when he encountered the Queen. It was late, an unusual hour for a chance meeting, and a sense of foreboding washed over him. He hurried towards her, bowing respectfully.
"Your Majesty."
The Queen acknowledged him with a nod. "You've just seen the King, I presume?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I heard there's news from Kyeong'ui."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"What did she write?"
Seoh avoided her gaze, his lips pressed tightly together.
"I am the Princess's mother," the Queen pressed. "I deserve to know what's happening. Kyeong'ui isn't on Birahng as an official."
"She is not. Officially," Seoh countered.
The Queen's voice lowered. "Baekyang."
Seoh remained silent, his head bowed.
"Everyone will know eventually," the Queen warned. "Must you witness a loud exchange between husband and wife?"
"The report will be presented to the court tomorrow morning. If you wait just one night..."
"There was more than just the official report, wasn't there?" The Queen's sharp gaze pinned Seoh in place. He lowered his eyes but stood his ground.
"Please understand my position," he pleaded.
He bowed once more before turning to leave.
"Your Majesty."
He hurried away, leaving the Queen alone in the dimly lit hallway. She stood there for a long time, her gaze fixed on the flickering light emanating from the King's bedchamber.
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Song'un Wu clumsily brushed the dust from her official robes. Having been left untouched for months, the dust clung stubbornly to the fabric. She considered dampening a cloth to clean them properly, but impatience got the better of her. With a few more rough swipes of her hand, she donned the robes.
It had been a while since she last set foot within Yeonghwi Palace. Even before her suspension, her life had been confined to the Sanctuary of Intellect and her home. The occasional officials who sought her expertise all worked outside the palace walls. Her only memory of being within the palace was from her first appointment, when she had prostrated herself before the King with almost enough force to crack her skull against the floor.
She hadn't been summoned by the King, of course. Her destination was the Royal Secretariat. If her suspension was being overturned and she was to be reinstated, there'd be no need for a summons to the Royal Secretariat. The thought filled her with anxiety. Perhaps she should just turn tail and flee while she still had the chance. But her feet had already carried her to the Royal Secretariat's entrance. An official, recognizing her by her attire, gestured towards the office. Wu bowed her head and followed the directions.
She opened the door to find Seoh seated at his desk, his back straight, his gaze fixed on a document. His brush moved swiftly across the paper, his expression focused and intense. Wu hesitated, unsure whether to announce herself, when Seoh spoke without looking up.
"It is Song'un Wu, isn't it?"
He must have observed her without Wu noticing. His voice was as gentle as Wu remembered from his younger days. She recalled his time at the Sanctuary, when she had admired Seoh from afar. Seoh had always been surrounded by admirers, so it wouldn't have been surprising if he didn't remember Wu. But the fact that he did brought a warmth to her heart. She bowed deeply and then looked at Seoh with a curious gaze.
"What brings me here?" she asked.