Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 57

They must have tested the poison on animals.

If it were the deposed Hong, she wouldn’t have left such evidence in plain sight.

Even if she had poisoned someone in the past, a cautious person who had never been caught wouldn’t make such a mistake.

‘Of course, I’m the one who actually witnessed Lee Soo ordering the poison to be added.’

But if I said I knew it was poisoned and still ate it, it could backfire on me.

Wouldn’t the negative talk about me, knowing it was poison and eating it anyway, be even greater than the one who put the poison in?

They would first doubt that a mere six-year-old child could have such thoughts. Whether they believe it or not, they would say the child is creepy.

It’s common even in modern times for a flawed victim to be more criticized than a clear perpetrator. It didn’t seem like this era would be any different.

I wonder if my reputation hasn’t already plummeted?

It wouldn’t be easy for a mere eight-year-old girl to make the officials’ hearts race like this.

‘For better or worse.’

At this rate, they might not want to take me as a daughter-in-law, saying they’re scared.

Come to think of it, that might be a good thing.

‘In the process of interrogating the palace maids, wouldn’t there have been testimony that Grand Prince Gyeong-eon ordered it?’

I was on the verge of death at the time, so I don’t know the details.

And no one would have told a child the details of that terrible interrogation.

However, it would have been a more acceptable conclusion for everyone that Consort Hong, the mother, did it, rather than Grand Prince Gyeong-eon, who was only thirteen at the time, trying to harm his younger sibling.

Besides, the Queen Dowager wanted to save Grand Prince Gyeong-eon.

The King seemed lost in thought for a while at my answer but didn’t rebuke me.

He only asked one more thing in the end.

“Did the Crown Prince… order you to do it?”

“I am sorry, but I am not a sister who listens so well to her brother.”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

The King, who laughed hollowly, just stroked my head for a long time with a slightly sad look, so I felt a little sorry.

***

The rumors about the deposed Lee Soo stirred the capital without ceasing.

First, good stories, then bad reviews, were passed around among the people.

But the one good story was far away, and all sorts of bad reviews poured in from everywhere in an instant. Ironically, everyone preferred to spread and criticize sensational and cruel rumors rather than good stories.

Among them, the eyewitness accounts that came out of the mouths of those currently working in the palace were particularly credible and stimulating.

Unlike the palace maids who lived and ate in the palace, there were more than a few who worked on a commuting basis, so rumors spread quickly through their mouths.

The palace is also a place where people live, so rumors spread easily unless strictly controlled. Originally, the Queen’s residence, which should have strictly controlled this, was intentionally neglecting it without enforcing silence, so the effect was sufficient.

“How’s the atmosphere these days?”

“The officials who claimed that the disposition against the deposed Soo was excessive have all fallen silent.”

“Hmph.”

Maybe I didn’t need to send dried persimmons, but it was no use thinking about it now.

Rather, there were many people who raised their voices at the fact that the rebels could so easily approach the imprisoned criminal, and the heads of the local officials and other related people were the first to be blown off (This does not mean they died; it means they were removed from their positions).

“And unexpectedly, I am sorry to report….”

“What is it?”

When Ga-i rarely hesitated to speak, I pressed her, and an unexpected answer came out.

“There are reactions that it would be right to execute the deposed Lee Soo.”

“Huh?”

I wasn’t even expecting that far? Why suddenly? Is this too fast?

“In fact, isn’t the very fact that the rebels tried to crown the criminal as king a problem?”

“Hmm.”

That’s… right.

The atmosphere improved rapidly, so I had forgotten for a moment, but originally, a royal family member who is promoted as king by rebels = a dangerous person who challenges the royal authority, so wouldn’t they receive a death sentence even if they were innocent?

“Most of them are officials who received the egg rice cakes sent by Ongju.”

“Hmm.”

Well, rather than changing their minds because they received that, they were just originally inclined that way, and they became more confident after confirming that I and the Crown Prince would not stand still.

“I was worried about how the public opinion would be about Ongju sending dried persimmons to the officials, but fortunately, it seems to be flowing in a non-negative direction.”

“How is it?”

“That is….”

Song-bi was speaking indirectly, but to summarize, public sympathy for me has increased.

‘Ah, I see. The emotion that one cannot tolerate the enemy who killed their mother returning safely is quite relatable.’

She lost her mother and the sibling in her womb at a young age, and she even ate poison and was on the verge of death. She even had an experience of almost being killed by that enemy when she was younger.

It was interpreted as all that such a young child could do upon hearing rumors that the enemy (or the enemy’s child) might be released was to send snacks to the officials.

A young child who didn’t know how to convey her words to the officials, so she just put snacks that were said to be precious in her small hands, especially the snacks that her deceased birth mother liked and that the child used to make herself (misunderstanding! Song-bi made them!) in a tureen and sent them to the wives she had some acquaintance with…….

“…….”

After hearing it summarized, it was definitely a pitiful and tearful story.

‘Maybe the officials who received the dried persimmons I sent have a slightly different thought…….’

So, I had become a pitiful and unfortunate child to the people, and they were venting their anger at the deposed couple instead of me.

‘Maybe most of the people are not in a position to worry about me.’

Even though I experienced an unfortunate family environment in my childhood, I eat five meals a day with snacks, take out silk clothes as I please, get fanned when it’s hot and eat hwachae [a traditional Korean fruit punch] with ice, wear cotton clothes and fur clothes when it’s cold and warm myself in the heated floor, collect my favorite pottery and collect antiques, and live well.

“I have to live kindly…….”

“Yes?”

“It’s nothing.”

I shook my head, looking at the still-unstopping heavy rain.

This rainy season seemed to be quite long.

‘The life of a rich unemployed person is good.’

I can just lie around without moving a step out of the room and just eat the food that is brought to me.

Even the powerful people have to break through this rain to go to work.

Suddenly, Ji-hwa and Su-cheon, who had run away, came to mind.

‘Are they doing well?’

Ji-hwa, at least, will definitely return to Hanyang [the old name for Seoul] someday, right?

She will probably try to confirm if there was any conspiracy about this rebellion.

It’s difficult for me and the Crown Prince to find the real culprit now because we are young and powerless, but by then, will we be able to catch those who tried to make the deposed Lee Soo a prince again (presumed)?

Thinking that far, I suddenly had an idea and called the palace maids to prepare to go out.

The destination was Donggung Palace [the Crown Prince’s residence].

***

“So, what did you come here for?”

“A sister-in-law’s effort for the future Crown Princess, the Crown Prince’s wife?”

“It must be about me, but I have no idea what you’re talking about. What do you think is the reason……?”

Unlike before, it was peaceful without the Seoyeongwan [the Crown Prince’s study hall], so the Crown Prince and I could talk in a comfortable tone.

“Never mind the reason, let’s eat first. Don’t worry, I made it.”

“Oh, uh-huh.”

When I urged him, the Crown Prince tilted his head as if he was puzzled but picked up his chopsticks.

The food I made was always a free pass, so the Crown Prince, who usually had to eat cold food to taste it, had no choice but to welcome the food I made.

“You made pancakes because it’s raining.”

“It’s green onion pancake.”

It’s not good for the body because it’s greasy, but he’s been having a hard time lately, so he’s losing weight.

‘Should I make some meat dishes next time?’

As I prepared enough food for the people of Donggung Palace while making food for the Crown Prince, voices of praise were heard from here and there like hallucinations.

It was raining, so everyone liked that they wanted to eat pancakes, so I was also pleased.

“On rainy days, it’s green onion pancake and makgeolli [Korean rice wine].”

“What did you just say?”

“I heard such a thing. Here, eat a lot while it’s warm.”

The Crown Prince was looking at me with disbelief, but I pretended not to hear and picked up my chopsticks.

Even though there is no drinking age regulation in this era, would I, who is still eight years old, drink makgeolli?

It’s hard to believe, but we were sharing green onion pancakes together like siblings in a private house.

“Did you put meat in the green onion pancake?”

“Yeah. I wanted to put seafood in it, but it’s the season.”

“Seafood?”

“Yeah.”

The reason why Dongnae seafood pancake is famous is probably because it’s by the sea…….

‘Should I go to a coastal village later and make seafood pancake?’

I can’t eat seafood at all in Hanyang, but summer is a bit…….

When I grow up a bit, I should eat green onion pancake and makgeolli.

I missed the short days of drinking and dancing a little.

“Ah.”

“Why is that?”

“No, I just remembered something.”

I had forgotten about the existence of makgeolli because I had been living a life far from alcohol since I was reborn, but thanks to that, I remembered something good.

“After all, greasy food is not good for the body…….”

“Is that what the person who is feeding it to me is saying?”

“I’ll make some lighter food next time.”

“Okay. I’ll look forward to it.”

The Crown Prince still looked tired, but he ate the food I brought without refusing.

It was a problem that he had no appetite, and it was worrying that he was picky about the person who made the food.

‘It’s going to be difficult if the male lead is so picky.’

Of course, the experts will take care of the cooking, but I’m worried that he might even refuse what the female lead gives him.

No, the male lead wouldn’t do that.

Perhaps I shook my head without realizing it, and the Crown Prince gave me a suspicious look.

“……What strange thoughts are you having again?”

“Well, not really.”

I changed the subject and brought up something a little important.

“Did Father say anything about me sending dried persimmons?”

“He seemed embarrassed…… but he didn’t say anything else.”

This father-son relationship is still ambiguous.

The King had consistently focused his favor only on Crown Prince Seong-won, so he drew the same line with the other princes, so it seemed difficult to get close to him now.

‘Favor is favor, but he probably did that on purpose so that the other princes and concubines wouldn’t have any unnecessary thoughts.’

Even if my birth mother had given birth to a son, he probably wouldn’t have treated him as affectionately as he treats me.

After having these and other conversations and working hard with my chopsticks, the plate was empty before I knew it.

“I ate well, so go now.”

“Okay. Brother, go to bed early.”

The Crown Prince laughed it off, not taking my words seriously.

“I have a book to read, so that seems difficult.”

“Your eyes will get bad! You won’t grow taller! You’ll gain weight!”

How important is the visual to the male lead!

The Crown Prince, who did not understand my sorrowful cry, sighed.

“How is it that you seem stricter than Mother?”

That’s because I’m judging with the eyes of a reader, not the eyes of a blood relative, male lead.

“You don’t want to become a husband who is smaller than the Crown Princess later, do you? And you’ll feel great if you have to look up because you’re smaller than your subjects. Brother.”

“What kind of curse is that…….”

I repeatedly urged the Crown Prince, who had a sullen face.

Take my words to heart, they will become blood and flesh.

“You have to! Sleep! Well! To grow taller. You must eat a balanced diet, get adequate exercise and sleep, and live a regular life.”

“I don’t think there’s anyone in Joseon [the name of the Korean kingdom] who lives as regularly as I do.”

Well, the Crown Prince’s daily schedule was so regular and tight that it was scary.

I wonder if that’s why the Crown Princes of the Joseon Dynasty went astray or became sickly.

‘There are surprisingly few cases where a Crown Prince with legitimacy ascended the throne.’

That’s not important now, though.

I stepped back and instructed Court Lady Moon.

“Court Lady Moon. If my brother doesn’t fall asleep late again, come find me. I’ll put him to sleep by force.”

“Yes, Ongju [a princess’s title].”

At my words, Court Lady Moon bowed her head with a face that I didn’t know whether it was a joke or a serious remark, and the Crown Prince looked dumbfounded.

“Which residence does Court Lady Moon belong to?”

“This humble one is just worried about His Highness the Crown Prince.”

At Court Lady Moon’s words, I whispered to the Crown Prince in a small voice.

“That’s what she says. Get some sleep at night. Your face doesn’t look good.”

“……Okay.”

It’s not that I don’t know. Maybe he couldn’t sleep thinking that the crazy guy would come back.

Of course, the atmosphere has been reversed now, but it was impossible to be relieved because of people’s hearts.

‘I think I’ll have trouble sleeping for a while too.’

And everything depended on the King’s judgment.