Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 62

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb!

62. Variables (1)

After Ryu Jeong-hyeon and the old retainers, who had resisted embracing the new power, were purged, Sejong declared the execution of Gyeongjang.

With the stubborn old retainers gone, the balance of power shifted decisively in Sejong’s favor, allowing him to govern as he wished.

As summer approached, Sejong summoned his ministers.

“Princess Jeonghye is of age. Perhaps it’s time we began seeking a suitable consort for her?”

“Indeed, Your Majesty, the timing is most auspicious.”

“Then let the search begin.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

The ministers responded with enthusiasm, eager for a joyous occasion to overshadow recent misfortunes. Moreover, Princess Jeonghye was beloved by the entire royal family.

When rumors spread that they were ‘looking for a consort for Princess Jeonghye!’, Hyang smiled.

“Eul is getting married? Many of the elders must be disappointed.”

Hyang’s assessment of his sister, Princess Jeonghye, was simple: “Friendliness level: max. The ultimate social butterfly.”

Princess Jeonghye’s sociability was such that even as an infant, Hyang was bewildered by her charm towards adults.

‘Could she also be from the 21st century?‘

* * *

As rumors circulated that the Seungjeongwon’s Seungji [Royal Secretaries] had begun their search for consort candidates, Princess Jeonghye whined to Sejong.

“Father! I want to stay here with you and Mother!”

Sejong smiled and stroked her head.

“Do you think I don’t feel the same? But in time, it’s natural to find a partner and start a family.”

Tears welled up in Princess Jeonghye’s eyes.

“If I have one wish, it’s to stay with you and Mother a little longer.”

“Ahem!”

Sejong feigned a stern expression, but Princess Jeonghye argued, tears streaming down her face.

“I don’t want to! I want to stay with you and Mother!”

“Ahem! Why are you being so stubborn?”

“I hate you, Father!”

With that, Princess Jeonghye stormed out of the room.

“Jeonghye!”

Sejong called after her, but she didn’t turn back.

He looked at Queen Soheon with a helpless expression.

“Goodness….”

Queen Soheon smiled warmly and defended the princess.

“Isn’t she still a child? Besides, she spends most of the year at the house of Grand Scholar Hanjae (Lee Myeong-gyun), so she probably doesn’t want to leave her parents.”

It was customary for the Joseon royal family to entrust young princes and princesses to the homes of high-ranking officials. Princess Jeonghye was living in Lee Maeng-gyun’s house according to this custom.

Seeing Sejong’s disappointed expression, Queen Soheon comforted him.

“Please don’t worry. I’ll talk to Jeonghye.”

“I ask you to. Haa~. Children don’t always do as you wish….”

Even Queen Soheon’s intervention couldn’t sway Princess Jeonghye.

“The princess has stopped eating!”

“Goodness!”

Sejong was shocked to hear about the hunger strike.

“What did the Queen say?”

“She’s still trying to persuade her, but the princess is so stubborn….”

“Goodness… Haa~.”

Sejong sighed deeply after hearing the eunuch’s report.

“Now that one has become quiet, another one is causing trouble….”

* * *

The next day, at Princess Jeonghye’s residence in Gyeongbok Palace.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince has arrived.”

The court lady announced Hyang’s arrival, and Princess Jeonghye replied weakly from inside.

“Bring him in.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The court ladies opened the door, bowed deeply to Hyang, and he entered.

“You’re all working hard.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

The door closed behind Hyang, and he strode to the bedding where Princess Jeonghye lay. He sat down heavily and called out to her.

“Goodness! You’re really putting on a show, Sister.”

At Hyang’s words, Princess Jeonghye threw off the blanket and jumped up.

“Enough! Give it to me!”

“Goodness… Tsk!”

Hyang clicked his tongue and rummaged in his sleeve, producing a paper bag filled with hard taffy and another with honey rice cakes. He had bought them at the market after leaving the palace in disguise.

Hyang clicked his tongue as he watched Princess Jeonghye crunch on the taffy.

“Tsk! Goodness… How can you be so dramatic when there’s so much food in the palace?”

“Be quiet! Do you think Father will change his mind if I don’t do this?”

“Why don’t you just find a decent young man and get married? You might end up being called an old maid.”

“Shut up! I’m doing this all for you!”

“Yes?”

Hyang tilted his head, surprised.

Princess Jeonghye burped, feeling somewhat full.

“Burp! I feel a little better now.”

“Goodness! A princess shouldn’t be so undignified….”

“Whatever.”

“Let’s say that’s true. But why are you suddenly dragging me into this?”

“Even if I leave, I’ll make sure to turn Yu (Grand Prince Suyang), that damn fellow, into a decent human being before I go.”

“Oh, dear….”

Hyang smiled wryly.

* * *

Princess Jeonghye, recorded as Princess Jeongso in the original history, was Sejong’s first child. Her posthumous title was originally Princess Jeonghye, but it was changed to Princess Jeongso because it was the same as her aunt.

She should have died last winter, but Hyang’s smallpox vaccination saved her. She was one of the variables created by his intervention.

As the eldest legitimate daughter, Princess Jeonghye held a significant position in the royal family.

She was the eldest of all Sejong’s children, legitimate and illegitimate – although none had been born yet. Consequently, Sejong and his wife had a special affection for her.

Princess Jeonghye’s personality also played a role. As Hyang said, she was an ‘ultimate social butterfly’ with a great affinity for others.

Taejong and his wife doted on her until their deaths, and Hyoryeong Daegun, as well as Yangnyeong, who had a strained relationship with Sejong, also adored her.

Jeonghye monopolized the love of the royal elders, but she was a slightly different being to her younger siblings. Hyang evaluated her like this: ‘Drill Sergeant’.

Perhaps inheriting Sejong’s intelligence and Yi Seong-gye’s active nature, Princess Jeonghye was quite capable. Having realized her position and responsibilities early on, she strictly scolded her younger siblings for any impudence.

The most unfortunate thing for them was that Jeonghye’s standard was Hyang.

“I know very well that Hyang is not ordinary, but even considering that, you guys are too spoiled!”

She strictly scolded them for even the slightest misbehavior, so much so that Queen Soheon intervened.

“I won’t stop you from disciplining your siblings, but aren’t you being too harsh?”

Princess Jeonghye replied firmly: “Mother, they are Your Majesty and Father’s precious children, and my cute younger siblings, but they are also noble princes and princesses. I can’t let them cause trouble instead of setting an example! As the eldest daughter, I can never condone it!”

Queen Soheon could only sigh.

“Haa~.”

The image of the eldest son, who had been beaten on the calves by Sejong, overlapped with the image of the eldest daughter. Queen Soheon lamented, putting her hand to her forehead.

“Haa~. Jeonghye or the Crown Prince….”

* * *

Yu (Grand Prince Suyang) was scolded the most by Princess Jeonghye, followed by Yong (Grand Prince Anpyeong).

In Yu’s case, environmental factors played a significant role. Princess Jeongui, who was older, and Yong, who was younger, had entered the palace with Sejong and his wife, and Yong was born there.

However, Yu was too young to travel far, so he lived in his private residence until he was five. Moreover, his status as a prince meant few would reprimand him. As a result, he developed a liberal personality and an arrogant disposition.

Yu often caused trouble in the palace, and as Yong grew older, he joined in.

Hyang was already planning big things with Sejong and his ministers, and Yong began to get along well with Yu.

Princess Jeonghye wouldn’t let this pass.

“You brats!”

She summoned them as soon as she heard of their misdeeds. Knowing they would be scolded until they cried, Yu and Yong ran away, but Jeonghye grabbed her skirt and chased after them.

“Stop right there!”

Being caught only meant a harsher scolding.

Repeatedly, Princess Jeonghye became like a tiger to her younger siblings, who cowered in her presence.

Upon hearing the rumors of a consort search, Jeonghye set a goal.

“I will fix Yu’s bad habits completely before I get married!”

The decision to choose a consort was postponed due to Princess Jeonghye’s hunger strike and Sejong’s reluctance.

“We still have time until Jeonghye’s coming-of-age ceremony, so let’s postpone it a bit.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

The ministers gathered and whispered.

“His Majesty is truly lenient with his children.”

“Isn’t she the princess he cherishes so much?”

Since Jeonghye was well-regarded, no one complained. The only concern was….

“If this goes wrong, we could be frantically busy with the royal wedding.”

“That’s right. As soon as the consort is chosen, the Crown Prince’s wedding will be approaching.”

Meanwhile, Yu, upon hearing that ‘Princess Jeonghye’s consort selection has been postponed!’, turned pale.

He had cheered the most at the news that ‘they are looking for a consort for Princess Jeonghye!’

“My world is coming soon!”

Yu felt like he had the whole world when he heard that the strictest person was leaving the palace. However, the postponement plunged him into despair.

“I’m dead… What should I do?”

Yu’s nightmare was not over.

* * *

Hyang noticed Yu’s panic. Yu, who had been defiant, immediately became a docile model student as the rumor of ‘consort selection’ spread.

“I guess there is such a thing as a natural enemy.”

Hyang chuckled as he watched Yu and Yong studying quietly.

Hyang had no complaints. Although it was different from the original history, the fact that Suyang was afraid of someone was a good thing.

“By the way… If my sister gets married, am I next?”

Hyang put down his pen and leaned back.

“Marriage… This is really troubling. How do I get the right to choose? I can’t just get married three times like the original….”

Hyang pondered the super-sized event called marriage. He suddenly became curious.

“Was this guy in the original timeline a fanboy because his married life was a mess? Or was his married life a mess because he was a fanboy?”

Hyang recalled the story from Korean history class.

However, Hyang didn’t recognize, or refused to recognize, that he, who had lived in the 21st century, was also a fanboy with ‘end-stage symptoms that even doctors had given up on’ and no connection with the opposite sex.

During his school days, his legendary fanboy activities prevented female students from approaching him. Afterwards, he suffered from ‘sour grapes syndrome’ – or rather, ‘mental victory’ – and built a wall between himself and women.

‘Sour grapes syndrome’ was common among fanboys with end-stage symptoms, named after the fox in Aesop’s fable ‘The Fox and the Grapes’.

“The reason I don’t have luck with women is because my standards are too high.

I have to lower these standards, but it’s not easy? Hahaha!”

This was true for Hyang in the 21st century, and it was the same now. He had been worrying about marriage, but as he created the research institute and started his fanboy activities, he had thrown his thoughts about marriage far away.