Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 140

“Wouldn’t there be people causing trouble?”

“In my establishment?”

“……”

I planned to leverage my name’s prestige to ensure the establishment was perceived as upscale. In essence, it would outwardly appear as a venue for plays or concerts favored by the Ongju [Princess] herself, a space designed for her to enjoy performances at her leisure.

It would be open to the public primarily for appearances, with staff offering tea and refreshments.

Moreover, Princess Su-yeong’s presence in the marketplace had become a formalized security measure following the previous kidnapping incident.

Few would dare to cause trouble in a place where the Ongju herself might be present.

Furthermore, the prices would reflect the exclusivity.

Patrons would need to maintain a certain decorum befitting the cost.

“I’ll welcome people regardless of their status, but the first floor will be more accessible, while the second floor will feature private rooms for a more luxurious experience.”

“But wouldn’t the lower level be better for hearing the stage performances clearly?”

“That’s the perspective of someone who simply enjoys the performance. Nobles, however, prefer to look down on others, asserting their superiority.”

“……Well, it sounds a bit strange coming from the Ongju herself.”

“I’m already in a position high enough that I don’t need to look down on people.”

There weren’t many people in Joseon higher in status than me. Of course, there were many to whom I had to show basic courtesy.

“I…… see.”

“Whether I walk or ride in a palanquin [a covered litter carried on poles], my status remains unchanged. Just because I was kidnapped while wearing commoners’ clothes doesn’t negate the fact that the kidnapper targeted royalty.”

“That’s right.”

Cheon-ho nodded with an ambiguous smile.

“All the employees will be students educated at Si-yeongwon Academy, and I’ll select those who have learned proper etiquette. I also need to deploy some students who are skilled in martial arts in preparation for any incidents… Speaking of which, what do you think of the students at Si-yeongwon, Cheon-ho?”

“What do I think… What do you mean?”

“Do they seem capable of handling a real fight if something happens? I’d like an outsider’s perspective.”

“Hmm… If you put it that way, everyone seems to have a basic level of self-defense, but there are some, besides the teachers, who have properly learned martial arts. Those people should be fine, wouldn’t they?”

“Hmm. That’s sufficient.”

“But no matter how skilled they are, isn’t it difficult to act recklessly if the other person is a nobleman?”

“Hmm. I heard that surprisingly, children from fallen noble families are attending the academy these days, especially children from military families. I’m planning to hire those kids.”

“What? Noble children working? Ah. Noble ladies? No, but that’s a bit…”

What’s wrong with this country that it’s considered unusual for grown men to earn money?

“No matter what, if I have noble ladies serving male customers, people will try to kill me.”

“Yes?”

So-i and Cheon-ho, who were listening to me, looked embarrassed at the extreme expression, so I added an explanation.

“It’s an exaggeration.”

“Yes.”

“Well, some guys are reluctant to work in itself, but if I say they’re helping a precious person, everyone is fine with it. Instead of tuition.”

“Yes?”

“In other words, work-study students! Those kids aren’t working, they’re serving the Ongju’s guests!”

“No… Yes?”

Compared to the Confucian scholars calling in courtesans to play at the Seowon [private academies] where they gathered to study, how wholesome is this?

Besides, they could enjoy the songs and dances as much as they wanted while waiting.

‘And if I make them realize that they might catch the eye of visiting dignitaries, their eyes will change.’

The building was surprisingly large, so male and female customers were guided and attended to by staff tailored to each gender.

In other words, it was wholesome in itself!

The owner was the Ongju, so there could be no illegal or decadent business.

And unfortunately, my efforts brought about a new job.

***

When the family was gathered for tea, the Crown Prince brought up a topic.

“I heard that the starting point of the smallpox outbreak this time was a gibang [house of courtesans].”

“Yes. I heard that too.”

As a result of the epidemiological investigation, smallpox started in one of the families who called a gisaeng [female entertainer] to their house for a party.

The head of the household wanted to show the gisaengs of the capital to the guests from the provinces, so he called the gisaengs, and among those guests, there was someone who had been in contact with a smallpox patient, so he carelessly spread the disease.

Thanks to that, some of the people and servants who attended the party also contracted smallpox. Of course, as you know, the smallpox spread to the gibang, and if the response had been delayed even a little, it would have spread even more widely through the people who visited the gibang.

“Wouldn’t infectious diseases often spread through gibangs, not just smallpox?”

The Crown Prince said that and subtly looked at me.

It seems like it’s not a story to tell in front of me?

‘Is it about sexually transmitted diseases……’

It’s not a story to tell in front of a virgin who hasn’t even gotten married yet…… but you haven’t either.

A wholesome and pure romance novel male lead.

Anyway, the Crown Prince did his duty as the Crown Prince.

“I want to change the unhealthy operation of gibangs.”

“What do you mean?”

“I heard that the number of people looking for gibangs has decreased due to the smallpox outbreak.”

Besides smallpox, there were quite a few people who avoided gisaengs who had been vaccinated with cowpox because they felt uncomfortable.

Either way, the main income of the gibang was cut off.

Still, it seemed like they were making a decent income because they were performing at the Si-yeongwon playground.

“And I heard that Sia is creating a tea house where she can perform new performances.”

“Hmm. I’m a little worried as a father because Sia seems too busy.”

“There are many people in charge, so you can’t just play around.”

No, in Si-yeongwon…… the number of people keeps increasing…… why do people keep coming in.

Clearly, at first, there were many people who didn’t want to come in because they didn’t want to study, but after Si-yeongwon settled down a bit, everyone was trying to come in.

I heard that there were some disturbances because bad guys were trying to come in, but now, without the need for former chetamin [a type of stimulant], it was just… the children who had learned martial arts well since childhood were properly dealt with.

The guys who were dealt with were given intensive mental education for several days, but I don’t know the exact circumstances, but anyway, a report came in that they were rehabilitated enough to be able to farm.

What, what happened? Tell me.

Anyway, it was worth feeding, housing, clothing, and teaching them all this time, really…….

‘In fact, most of them feel like elementary school black belts in Taekwondo [Korean martial art].’

For reference, they are actually giving black belts to kids who are good.

I heard somewhere that such a promotion system is good for children’s sense of accomplishment, so I suggested adding it to the curriculum in the early days of teaching children martial arts.

And the employees who were receiving sufficient salaries smoothly accepted the employer’s not-so-demanding opinions.

Now, everyone was coming up with ideas to improve academic performance on their own, and everyone was developing warmly while worrying a little.

“But it shouldn’t harm your health.”

“I will be careful not to cause you any worries.”

“Sia is healthier than you think, so don’t worry too much, Father.”

I felt a slight anxiety at the Crown Prince’s words.

What? Usually, that guy would find an excuse to scold me, but something was wrong today.

“Actually, I’m thinking of getting some help from Sia regarding the gisaengs this time.”

“From Sia?”

“Yes. I heard that Sia is providing gisaengs with places to perform these days.”

“Hmm. Yes. I also heard that plays and performances are being held near Si-yeongwon.”

Who is telling those stories to His Majesty?

“Wouldn’t it be healthier to have gisaengs perform for the public like that rather than calling them to drinking parties?”

“Hmm. The Crown Prince is right.”

“I heard that there are not many people looking for gibangs due to smallpox. I think it’s a good idea to change the structure this time. We can start in Hanyang [old name for Seoul] first and have other provinces follow.”

Hmm. That’s a pretty constructive idea.

Even if they can’t completely crack down on what they’re doing behind the scenes, it meant that they were trying to eliminate the evils of openly running gibangs.

“I understand Your Highness’s intentions, but how can this girl help?”

“I think it would be a good idea to entrust the management of the gisaengs to Princess Su-yeong.”

What the? Are you going to pass more work on to me? Why to me??

“I heard that the gisaengs have a high level of trust in the Princess because of her response to the smallpox outbreak and the fact that she is lending them the performance hall. She has already created a space where gisaengs can perform. Besides, no one would dare to treat the gisaengs carelessly if the Princess Su-yeong is managing them. Moreover, it would be difficult to use illegal means as long as Princess Su-yeong is there.”

That guy subtly changed his title from Sia to Princess Su-yeong.

The point was that if I was in charge of supervision, even a wealthy nobleman would have a hard time bribing and taking away a gisaeng.

It also meant that they would block the mistreatment of gisaengs at the source.

‘But it’s only possible in the capital, it’ll be difficult in the provinces.’

The gisaengs in the capital were practically under my protection unless I let go, but other provinces were different.

Is it a plan to try it out on a trial basis only in the capital for now? Well, it’s better to change it a bit even if it’s just covering your eyes and saying “Ah.”

It’s more certain to experiment with the system in the capital and then expand it to the provinces. But why are you making me do it? You should make the appropriate vassals do it!

“I understand Your Highness’s intentions, but isn’t it too much for a young girl?”

“The Princess is bright and virtuous, so it won’t be difficult. The Princess should think about it again.”

I suddenly glared at the detestable blood relative who was passing work on to me, but the Crown Prince was confident.

What is that guy believing in…….

At the same time as I was wondering, the Crown Prince looked at me with a smiling face from an angle invisible to the King and mouthed.

‘Doesn’t Father also know that you went to the gibang?’

No, that guy??

Everyone knew that I had been kidnapped, but the fact that it happened on the way out of the gibang was a fact that only the Crown Prince knew, and the King didn’t know yet.

It was obvious that it would be more troublesome for me to walk around if the King found out.

So it meant that I should accept his proposal if I didn’t want to get caught.

I had no choice.

You bastard…… just you wait……!

I gritted my teeth and raised the corners of my mouth.

“Since Your Highness says so, how can this girl say no? I hope that my weak strength can be of help to Your Highness, who is in charge of the regency.”

‘That guy has become very cunning.’

In the old days, he was too rigid, so I was worried…… it seemed like I didn’t have to worry anymore.

The King seemed to have similar thoughts, and he made a shocking statement with a gentle face.

“Since the Crown Prince and the Princess are so bright and have such good friendship, this father will have nothing to worry about even if I hand over the throne tomorrow.”

What does friendship have to do with it!

“Father, how can you say such scary things? Please take it back.”

“That’s right, Father. Do you know how much the Crown Prince teases this girl when you are not watching?”

“Haha. Is that so? It seems that the Crown Prince only plays mischievous pranks in front of his younger sister.”

That’s right. He should be dating if he’s bored. He has nothing to do, so he oppresses his young sister.

Fortunately, the King’s bombshell remarks could be dismissed as a bit of an exaggeration.

Depending on the King’s personality, you could experience a quick life logout if you misbehave here, but fortunately, the King was not such a twisted person.

Well, he only had one son.

‘Come to think of it, the Crown Prince should meet Yeo-ju somehow…….’

Se-hwa was busy because there were still people with smallpox and he was spreading the cowpox vaccination.

Naturally and sadly, the Crown Prince is a busy person 365 days a year.

Of course, in the lunar calendar, it’s not 365 days, but 354 days…… and 8 hours…… and um…… anyway, that’s it.

Calendars are for geniuses, not for ordinary people like me to touch!

‘Anyway, the two of them have to meet to flirt or date…….’

Thanks to the play, rumors are spreading about our pathetic Crown Prince instead of rumors that he is impotent.

“Come to think of it, I heard an interesting rumor about the Crown Prince recently. Does the Crown Prince know about it?”