Episode 8. Lady Yang's Opportunity
"However, our Hongwi is a noble child who will one day become Crown Prince, then king. How could anyone dare strike his head and fail to show proper respect?"
Queen Soheon's voice turned firm.
"Your Majesty the Queen!"
"Grandmother!"
Sinbin, Lady Yun, and Dowon-gun all prostrated themselves flat on the floor.
"Since the attendants failed to properly supervise young Hyeondong, punish the court ladies and maids who accompanied him that day with twenty strokes each. They dared insult the Crown Grandson!"
"…We obey your command."
Lady Yun bowed deeply and accepted the queen's order.
For the Crown Grandson's matter, her own palace attendants would now receive flogging. It was essentially the same as striking Hyeondong himself.
And it was also a declaration to the entire court.
That the Crown Grandson—the future pillar of the state—was Hongwi, not the royal family's first grandson Hyeondong.
Lady Yun, who had long scattered silver generously thanks to the immense wealth of her natal family and had received favor from superiors and fearful respect from subordinates, could hardly believe the situation she was now in—brought about by just a few words from that lowly maid.
Court Lady Kwon, was it? Soon enough, you will crawl before me like a dog, begging for your life.
At that moment, caution and deep resentment toward Yoonseo took root in Lady Yun's heart.
"It is the same for Sinbin. Tell Prince Damyang to show the proper respect to the Crown Grandson, and punish the maids who accompanied him that day with flogging as well."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will do so."
"Are you called Kwon?"
Queen Soheon called Yoonseo.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Come forward."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Still prostrating herself, Yoonseo moved closer to where the queen and King Sejong were seated.
"Raise your head."
Yoonseo lifted her head.
Queen Soheon, dignified and elegant, sat with Hongwi on her lap and looked down at Yoonseo with eyes that were difficult to read.
They were not the cruel eyes of someone who killed subordinates on a whim.
"You have done well, Court Lady Kwon. You cared for Hongwi's wounded heart."
Fortunately, it was praise.
Ah… Yoonseo unconsciously let out a breath of relief and bowed deeply.
"I am deeply honored."
"Continue to serve Hongwi well from now on. Attendant! Chief Court Lady Choi."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Chief Court Lady Choi of the Queen's palace, who had been standing by the doorway, stepped forward and bowed.
"Reward the commendable Court Lady Kwon with twenty bolts of silk. Also increase her monthly stipend to match that of a nursemaid court lady."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Hongwi, go back with Court Lady Kwon. Your grandmother will call for you again."
"Yes, Grandmother."
Hongwi bowed cutely with a much brighter and more confident expression, then ran to Yoonseo.
On that day, everyone gathered in the queen's palace clearly understood something.
Although the queen dearly cherished her first grandson Hyeondong, she would never tolerate anyone—whoever it might be—challenging the authority of the Crown Grandson.
It was the moment when the Crown Grandson, who had lived almost unnoticed in Lady Yang's Yanghwadang residence, was firmly acknowledged.
And it was also the moment when people began paying keen attention to Court Lady Kwon, the maid who protected him.
Yoonseo had just taken Hongwi's hand and was about to leave the audience chamber when—
"Court Lady Kwon."
King Sejong called her.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Yoonseo and the Crown Grandson prostrated themselves again.
Just hearing King Sejong's voice made her heart pound so hard her mind nearly went blank.
"Earlier you mentioned the relationship between age, lies, and cognitive ability. I would like to hear a detailed explanation of that sometime."
They said the king had a deep thirst for learning—and it truly seemed so.
Yoonseo answered respectfully, her voice trembling.
"Yes, Your Majesty. If you summon me, I will explain everything I know."
"Good, good. And Hongwi."
King Sejong called the boy kindly.
"Come visit Cheonchujeon with Court Lady Kwon sometime. Your grandfather has something to show you."
"…!"
"…!!"
"…!!!!"
The hall of Gyotaejeon once again fell into stunned silence.
Cheonchujeon was a hall attached to Sajeongjeon that King Sejong used as his private library and research study.
It was a place he used when concentrating alone. Only Crown Prince Lee Hyang was occasionally summoned there; even the other princes entered perhaps once or twice a year at most.
Even the attendant who served tea, ground ink, and washed brushes there had been chosen as a mute so that Sejong could remain completely undisturbed.
Even I have never entered that place… and he invites that mere maid and the Crown Grandson there.
Sinbin's beautiful eyes trembled.
Even our Hyeondong has never been there… so why that dull little brat?
Lady Yun, the wife of Grand Prince Suyang, clenched her teeth and piled even greater resentment toward Court Lady Kwon.
"At that time, please also summon Princess Jeongui, Your Majesty. It seems Court Lady Kwon's knowledge would be very helpful in raising children."
Queen Soheon, who had noticed that Hongwi—once timid despite his noble status—had become noticeably more confident, lightly supported the king's suggestion.
"!"
"!"
"!!"
As things developed this way, everyone in Gyotaejeon opened their eyes wide, trying to memorize Court Lady Kwon's face.
Wherever the king's favor fell, promotion and wealth followed.
Some were already considering whether they should form ties with Court Lady Kwon—or eliminate her.
While everyone looked at Yoonseo with their own calculations or resentment,
Lady Yang smiled brilliantly, the corners of her lips lifting almost to her cheekbones.
I've secured a solid ally! I don't know how that dull child suddenly became so clever, but still!
While everyone else stared at Yoonseo with schemes or grudges,
Only Hongwi cheerfully raised his little backside as he bowed.
"Yes, Grandfather. I'll go with this maid."
Then he stood up and grabbed Yoonseo's hand.
After leaving Gyotaejeon and descending the steps, the Crown Prince's four concubines were waiting.
They're all as beautiful as flowers.
Yoonseo quickly set Hongwi down from her arms.
The lovely women—dressed splendidly in silk dangui robes of pink, light green, sky blue, and purple—bowed toward the Crown Grandson.
"We greet the Crown Grandson. Have you been well?"
"I've been well. Have you been well?"
The Crown Grandson answered their greeting with dignity, not showing the slightest trace that he had cried earlier.
"Oh my, how well our young prince speaks."
"He resembles His Highness the Crown Prince—so clever indeed."
"And how handsome he is!"
The four concubines rushed to praise him, each trying to outdo the others.
At the same time, they did not forget to cast sharp glances at Yoonseo.
Deadly flowers, Yoonseo thought with admiration.
Just then—
"Court Lady Kwon, the Crown Grandson must eat his morning meal. Please escort him back to the residence."
Lady Yang, who had come out of Gyotaejeon a moment later, called Yoonseo and began walking ahead.
Perhaps overwhelmed by the concubines' attention, Hongwi tugged Yoonseo's hand, urging her to go quickly.
Yoonseo lifted him into her arms and followed Lady Yang.
"You all stay twenty paces behind. Only Court Lady Heo may come."
Once they had left Gyotaejeon, Lady Yang ordered the eunuchs and maids following them to step back and summoned her closest attendant.
"Later."
Lady Yang glanced repeatedly at Yoonseo carrying Hongwi while quietly giving instructions to Court Lady Heo.
Later that afternoon
After lunch, Eom Jachi, a court eunuch from the Seungeonsaek who delivered the Crown Prince's commands, arrived to escort the Crown Grandson to the Eastern Palace.
"Court Lady Kwon has a task I must assign immediately. Young Prince, for now Court Lady Han will attend you instead."
Originally Yoonseo should have gone along, but Lady Yang intervened.
"Come back quickly."
Hongwi's eyes filled with tears, but perhaps the excitement of seeing his father, Crown Prince Lee Hyang, was greater. Eventually he climbed onto Eom Jachi's back and left for the Eastern Palace.
Our Hongwi has no loyalty. He should've insisted on taking me along.
Feeling uneasy because Lady Yang seemed to be plotting something, Yoonseo watched Hongwi's departing figure with concern.
Then she heard Lady Yang's voice.
"Hey!"
Suddenly five strong female attendants grabbed Yoonseo's arms and legs and dragged her away.
"Why are you doing this? What are you doing? Lady Gui-in! Lady Yang! I know a way to save you and your children!"
No matter how much Yoonseo struggled, the five attendants ignored her and dragged her to a secluded corner at the end of the hall, shoving her inside.
Splash!
With a loud sound, Yoonseo landed in a bath filled with water and spring flowers.
Th-this scene looks very familiar. D-don't tell me!
Next they're going to wrap me in blankets and…
Well, whatever. I'm confident I can persuade Lee Hyang. Might as well enjoy this.
Since arriving in Joseon, Yoonseo had only been able to wash crouched inside a cramped wooden tub in Court Lady Park's quarters.
She had long dreamed of earning money quickly, buying a house outside the palace like Court Lady Park, and building a large bathhouse first of all.
And now here she was, stretching her legs in a fragrant bath infused with agarwood while five attendants washed her body.
If she thought of them as bathhouse aunties, there was nothing to feel embarrassed about.
Closing her eyes, Yoonseo relaxed and let herself be washed.
The five attendants scrubbed her thoroughly with grain soap.
Grain soap!
Opening her eyes, Yoonseo saw the soap was made from mung beans and powdered mung-bean starch. It didn't clean well, and worst of all the fishy bean smell was unpleasant.
Oh! I've already found the way to get a house quickly.
Making soap.
While working at a psychological counseling center in her previous life, she had used aromatherapy—rose oil, lavender oil, frankincense oil—to help clients suffering from depression and insomnia.
The scents had strong psychological benefits and were gentle since they were natural.
She had even learned from an aromatherapist how to boil plant oils, mix various oils to make natural soaps and lotions, and infuse medicinal herbs to create jaungo ointment.
In Joseon, she could make soap using vegetable oils, salt, and ash. And if she infused medicinal herbs with beeswax and pork fat, she could produce jaungo, which was excellent for healing wounds.
This is why people should learn everything they can. Just like King Sejong earlier.
If it started being used in the palace, it would naturally become fashionable among the powerful aristocratic families.
While the maids washed her hair several times and treated it with fragrant sweet-osmanthus oil, Yoonseo dozed comfortably, dreaming big about sweeping up Joseon's wealth.
When she came out of the bath, Lady Yang spoke.
"Her Majesty the Queen seemed very pleased with you earlier. His Majesty the King also took notice."
"What!?"
Don't tell me… she's offering me to King Sejong?!
"No, my lady! Lady Gui-in!"
Yoonseo turned pale and shouted, but Lady Yang ignored her and called to Court Lady Heo.
"Court Lady Heo. Do you remember the maid's outfit I once wore? Not the loose one—the one with the beautiful, fitted lines."
At Lady Yang's command, Court Lady Heo hurried off and returned with a maid's outfit made of obviously expensive fabric whose color had not faded even after twenty years.
"Dress her in that. And attach a sachet with musk. Her skin is already clear—just add a little rouge to her lips."
"I cannot serve His Majesty! I am the nursemaid to our Crown Grandson!"
Serve King Sejong? Such a great man should be respected from afar with one's eyes—not with one's body!
Yoonseo protested in shock with her whole body, but Lady Yang didn't even listen.
"Your eyes used to look dull and lifeless, making your pretty face seem plain. What is the secret? How did your eyes become so bright—like they hold stars?"
Standing on tiptoe, Lady Yang examined Yoonseo's face from every angle.