Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 294

I could have inquired about those rumors from Court Lady Min or Jia, but that wasn’t the priority right now.

“Jia seems to hear a lot of rumors because she meets many people for work and exchanges news with teachers in other regions. I thought she might have heard something that could help Ongju [Princess, a term of respect].”

“Okay. Since I’m actually home for once, I should go see her.”

“Yes. Jia will be happy.”

“Court Lady Min, please take good care of your health. Don’t overwork yourself.”

“I worry when I don’t have work. I’m fine now, so don’t worry.”

“That’s reassuring.”

Was it because I had just met Court Lady Im? The friendly conversation with Court Lady Min felt even more pleasant.

Though my head was starting to ache a bit from reviewing the operating data.

After finishing my conversation with Court Lady Min, Jia was waiting for me.

“Agissi [Young Lady, a respectful term for a young woman of high status]. It’s been a while.”

“Jia. It’s been a long time. How have you been?”

“Yes, I’ve been well.”

She’s made a name for herself as a local reporter, and she’s gained quite a bit of experience.

‘When I think back to when I first met her and see her now, she’s really grown up.’

At least when I see Siyeongwon [a government agency or organization], I feel like my life hasn’t been entirely in vain.

I dismissed Soi so I could have a private conversation with Jia for the first time in a while. Soi smiled and stepped back, saying she would rest.

‘Cheonho will be doing his own thing. It’s not like it’s his first time at Siyeongwon.’

For some reason, I couldn’t treat Cheonho the same as before; something felt uncomfortable.

“How’s the local reporter work going? I heard you’re being selective about your assignments these days?”

“I’m not being selective, but someone else can cover things for me, so I’m taking a break. I can’t study at all because I’m too busy.”

She was grumbling, but I could see pride in her face.

After chatting about various things for a while, Jia hesitated, looked around, and then brought up an unexpected story in a quiet voice.

“Agissi, do you remember me telling you that there were strange rumors circulating in Jeolla-do [a province in Korea] and other provinces?”

“Yeah. Was it about Gyeong-eon-gun, who was deposed and given a death sentence? It’s impossible for a guy who received poison to be alive.”

“But the rumors are still circulating, especially among people who are dissatisfied with the current Crown Prince.”

“Dissatisfaction, huh.”

If there are those who are dissatisfied with the Crown Prince, it’s probably about the slave issue again.

“Are the rumors dangerous?”

“It seems that the local government offices don’t know much about it yet… but those who know, know.”

“What’s the reaction of the people?”

“……Agissi might not understand, but surprisingly, many people dislike commoners becoming Yangin [free men, commoners].”

“Hmm.”

“They think it’s better to be treated unfairly by the nobles than to have commoners and slaves, whom they considered inferior, become Yangin like them.”

People are really something.

‘Well, that’s just their level.’

I can’t blame it all on a lack of education. Maybe even modern people who have received compulsory education would think similarly.

They are more outraged by the disappearance of the inequality they can look down on than by the inequality they suffer.

“I’m only saying this just in case, but we don’t think that way, okay? We know it’s unfair.”

“Oh.”

Jia’s voice became a little sharp, as if she didn’t like my reaction.

“Besides, Ongju, Agissi, you said it yourself. The reason why there shouldn’t be many slaves in the country.”

“Um. I did……”

Oh, did I say that? I don’t even remember now.

“If they know it will actually help their lives, they’ll all back down. If the number of slaves increases, taxes will become heavier, and conversely, if slaves become Yangin and pay taxes, the burden on other Yangin will decrease.”

“……I taught you well.”

I was somehow moved and hugged Jia tightly, patting her head.

“You’re so smart.”

I wonder if she’s smarter than me now.

I thought she would grumble and push me away, but Jia surprisingly stayed still in my arms and accepted the patting.

“Ongju… you will never regret taking us in.”

“Huh?”

“So, the Siyeongwon teachers in other provinces are all explaining logically and persuading people when they hear such stories. Some people don’t listen, but most of them listen to what we say. So, most of those who disagree are nobles who own slaves. Those people won’t listen to us.”

“They won’t listen to me either, probably.”

Jia couldn’t hold back her laughter at what I said, and soon she burst out laughing.

“That’s right. Those people probably won’t listen to His Majesty either.”

“Hmm. There are quite a few people who don’t listen to His Majesty……”

Actually, I don’t listen sometimes either, but I kept my mouth shut to protect the children’s fantasies.

Still, I’m a good daughter…….

“But be careful. It’s still suspicious that strange rumors are circulating like that and that there are people who agree with them.”

Listening to Jia’s voice, which was a little louder than before, I lowered my voice and whispered this time.

“Um. I think it might be spread by a group of traitors.”

“Yes?”

Jia’s eyes widened at my words.

Well, not many people knew about this.

Jia wasn’t in the newspaper information gathering department, so she wouldn’t know if security was thorough.

‘Of course, I didn’t use the word treason when I told them to investigate suspicious people, but if they have any sense, they would know.’

If Jia doesn’t know, I should say that the security is reliable.

“Jia doesn’t know much about the newspaper business.”

“Yes. I’m too busy with my local reporter work to know much about it. Of course, I read it every day. There were even articles about the trials I participated in.”

“Ah, I saw that article too. I wondered if I should assign Jia a bodyguard.”

“Hmm. The other party was a high-ranking person, but still, that’s a bit too much. I just try not to go out alone as much as possible. I also have Ongju’s backing.”

“I’m a little worried……”

People here called places outside of Siyeongwon, including this neighborhood, ‘outside.’

I wondered if they were drawing the line too much, but since there were many elderly and weak people among the original members, I didn’t want to say anything about their high level of vigilance.

‘It’s not good for me to interfere too much.’

Now they were mostly doing well on their own, so it seemed enough to say a word only when it seemed excessive.

Jia whispered anxiously, lowering her voice.

“Treason? Is that okay to say?”

“Well, it would be great if they couldn’t maintain their private soldiers and disbanded them somehow.”

“Then…… you haven’t heard anything about finding those private soldiers yet?”

“Yeah. Probably not.”

Usually, the north or the area near the capital is a dangerous area.

“Actually, I’m worried that the Siyeongwon people will get hurt if I stir things up unnecessarily. I just asked them to find out a little information, but when I think about it, they don’t listen to me, do they?”

“Of course they won’t listen. It’s a serious matter.”

“It’s a dangerous matter.”

“It’s a dangerous thing for Ongju. Everyone will be up in arms.”

I sighed softly at Jia’s whispering words.

“That’s what I’m worried about.”

“Anyway, if Ongju isn’t here, Siyeongwon won’t have anyone to protect it and will quickly fall apart.”

“The scale has grown to this extent, so even if I’m not here, it will grow well…… no, it will be fine, right?”

Jia shrugged at my words.

“Siyeongwon has many businesses. There are many vested interests, so powerful people will push in, tear it apart, sell it off, and exploit it, right?”

“Ah…… that’s the problem.”

Even if I’m not here, if the Crown Prince is still safe, he’ll take care of it to some extent.

However, the problem is whether the Crown Prince will be safe if something happens to me.

“Ongju is the most important to us. So, Ongju must be safe.”

“I’ll be careful.”

“……Always take Cheonho with you.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Jia picked on me, as if she wasn’t satisfied with my answer.

“You’ve been taking Cheonho with you all this time, so why did you change your mind to thinking about it?”

“Hey. How can I only take Cheonho with me?”

“You’ve always been taking only Cheonho with you these days.”

“……Seong Gyeomsa-bok is sad.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen him.”

“…….”

Well, Seong Gyeomsa-bok went on a business trip almost immediately after returning.

Seong Gyeomsa-bok also went to do important work, but again, he couldn’t tell anyone where he went or what he was doing.

“Should we have something delicious to eat together when he comes back?”

“That would be nice.”

Should we have a barbecue in the Siyeongwon garden?

I put aside the dark stories and brought up a bright topic in a bright voice.

“By the way, how are you getting along with Nanhyang?”

“Yes. Thanks to Agissi, sometimes……”

“Stop, stop.”

I just asked how she was doing, but she’s trying to flatter me.

“Well, it’s okay if there are no problems and they’re getting along well.”

“Agissi, you go to Siwolgak [a theater or entertainment venue], too, right?”

I was worried that those who had frequented the gambling den might recognize Nanhyang’s face and harass her, so Nanhyang was still only performing on the Siwolgak theater stage.

Because she has to wear a mask there.

“There are too many people, so it’s hard to keep track of everyone individually.”

“What about Maehyang?”

“She’s still on a local tour. I get letters from her sometimes.”

“Ah, she still couldn’t come back because of the tour of the newly opened Siyeongwon branches.”

I thought it would be better to go to the north when it’s hot and to the southern neighborhood when it’s cold, so I sent her in the winter.

‘I’ve seen many people deny that the southern region is warmer than the central region, but I haven’t seen anyone deny that the northern region is colder in winter…….’

If I say this, they’ll say it depends on the region, but it’s too much trouble to explain that mountainous areas are colder and can become colder depending on the terrain.

‘I explained it to the Siyeongwon kids, though.’

Of course, not me, but the former Chetamin [a character or role within the story].

“Come to think of it, I want to go to other provinces too, but it’s not easy.”

“Originally, it’s not easy for precious people to move around.”

“Hmm. Still, I have to go someday.”

And a voice came back as if refuting my empty words.

“Be sure to take a bodyguard with you.”