Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 148

Born as the Daughter of a Lowly Concubine 148

Besides, she’s technically my cousin, but feeling such a power difference like this is a bit unpleasant.

‘It can’t be helped. We weren’t that close to begin with.’

Still, the reason we can have a reasonably enjoyable conversation is because I have plenty of material due to the many things I do. If it weren’t for Siyoungwon [a playground] and Siwolgak [a teahouse], wouldn’t that quiet Song-an have been at a loss for words with me?

Perhaps because she had put down a burden in her heart, Song-an, with a slightly lighter expression, unexpectedly asked with sparkling eyes.

“By the way, Princess. Is it true that Siwolgak is preparing a Goryeo [Korean dynasty from 918 to 1392] costume experience event?”

“Ah…”

The reaction to wearing Goryeo-era clothes at Siwolgak was quite good, more than I had expected.

After all, it has a different flavor than the Joseon era [Korean dynasty from 1392 to 1897].

Thanks to that, there seem to be quite a few people who want to try it on.

However, that doesn’t mean wearing Goryeo-era clothes is that easy.

Of course, for wealthy families, there’s no problem with getting clothes to wear.

Maybe it’s because it’s not that cold yet, but now there are even people who deliberately wear Goryeo-style clothes when visiting Siwolgak.

‘I’m so glad the economy is good.’

I almost got criticized for encouraging extravagance.

However, fashion that is different from others is too noticeable, and if you stand out, you have to endure people’s whispering, which people who care about their social standing can’t easily do.

On the other hand, most of those who don’t have to worry about that simply don’t have the money to waste to that extent.

It wasn’t intentional, but since I was guilty of leading the trend, I had a slightly different idea.

‘Let’s rent them out like renting hanboks [traditional Korean clothing] at tourist attractions.’

Of course, for a fee.

When I brought up the idea, everyone initially questioned, ‘Will there be that many people who want to do that?’ but among the staff serving tea to the guests, there was an opinion that there was surprisingly demand.

There are even some members of the royal family who are showing interest.

Thanks to that, we were planning to hold a trial event by adding a few more to the costumes we had made for reserve.

“We’re thinking of doing it before it gets too cold. Are you interested, Song-an unnie [older sister or female friend]?”

“Yes. It’s embarrassing, but it’s my first time seeing the attire of the previous dynasty, so I’m curious, and wouldn’t trying it on once be a luxury?”

“It’s not like we’re throwing a party with courtesans; that much is light entertainment.”

“I suppose so?”

“Who would say anything if you said you just wanted to help the Princess with her work as a member of the royal family?”

At my words, Song-an’s face brightened up.

Perhaps because she grew up so preciously in the women’s quarters, her lack of shrewdness was a bit pitiful.

“When will the Princess be at Siwolgak?”

“It’s not specifically set.”

“Is that so? Then, have you decided when the event will start?”

I was about to say that the exact date hadn’t been set yet because there were not enough accessories when So-i gave me a look.

“Princess. It’s almost time for your acupuncture.”

“Ah, has the time already come?”

The fact that I was receiving treatment was now known to everyone who needed to know, so Song-an suppressed her curiosity and stood up.

“I apologize for taking up too much of the Princess’s busy time.”

“Isn’t it a good thing for relatives to have a close relationship? I’m sorry to interrupt the conversation when it was just getting interesting. However, the Crown Prince has strictly ordered that the acupuncture time must not be missed.”

“Yes, Princess. Take care of yourself.”

After sending Song-an away like that, I comfortably lay down on the floor after a while.

“Umm. I’m a little tired.”

“You’ve had frequent visits from members of the royal family lately. Shall I massage your shoulders?”

“No, it’s okay. Thanks for cutting it off appropriately.”

“It’s also true that the physician will be here soon.”

It’s not that I particularly dislike Song-an or the other members of the royal family my age, but since we’re not that close, I have to be formal, so talking for a long time is a bit tiring.

It’s not like I have nothing to do.

The Crown Prince’s excuse was useful in many ways at times like this.

“Ah, annoying. Everyone’s just scared because of Yeongcheon-gun.”

“But are you really okay?”

“Well, it’s a matter of each other’s prestige. I really don’t know why they’re picking a fight in someone else’s territory. I already have so much to do and think about.”

“What are you thinking so much about?”

“Umm. Worrying about heating when it gets cold. Worrying about cooling when it gets hot.”

“?”

So-i looked like she didn’t understand, but I had quite a few things to think about.

‘The outdoor plays are going smoothly, but it’s going to be difficult in the winter.’

The Siyoungwon playground also has fewer people in the winter.

It’s amazing that there are people who come to ride it even in that cold, but originally, it’s forced closure during periods when the floor condition is not good due to snow and rain, and during heat waves and cold waves.

I can’t make money, but it’s better than getting hurt.

If there are no people at the playground, of course, I can’t put on a show, so the performers flock to Siwolgak.

Originally, winter is the off-season for performances, so it’s a time to focus on nurturing younger generations, but if I can make even a little money, there’s no reason to refuse.

‘So I have to pay attention to heating in the winter.’

We plan to install heated floors on the first floor of our teahouse to keep it warm, and we plan to place braziers on the second floor, which is bound to be colder than the first floor.

I’m worried that they’ll dislike it because it’s colder than the first floor, but since they’re rich people anyway, they’ll wear warm clothes, and there are many people who value style even if they die, so they’ll take care of it themselves.

In fact, I’m more concerned about cooling in the summer than in the winter. I’ve deliberately created attics under the roof and made windows that can be opened, so I think it’ll be okay.

‘Even if Willis Carrier (*creator of air conditioning*) was born now, he wouldn’t be able to make an air conditioner…….’

No matter how much I call out to Carrier-nim now, air conditioning won’t come out.

‘It’s desperate in the summer…….’

Should I make more bingsoo [shaved ice dessert] and sell ice drinks?

While I was worrying about summer business like that, Se-hwa came for today’s treatment.

“Princess? What’s going on?”

“……I’m dead.”

Seeing me sprawled on the floor and not getting up even after Se-hwa came, So-i sighed and forcibly sat me up.

“You seem tired.”

“Yeah. I was thinking about making money.”

I familiarly held out my hand to Se-hwa. And I received the herbal medicine she handed me and drank it in one shot.

‘Ugh. It’s bitter.’

Ugh.

It’s not like I’m old enough to complain about this, but I couldn’t help but frown at the taste that struck my tongue.

“Good medicine is always bitter, isn’t it?”

“……Or is it just because the Princess was eating sweet glutinous rice pancakes until just now…….”

Don’t say it…….

I want to eat it when I think about it, but the snack table has already been cleared.

“…….”

“I’ll give you some sweets, so don’t look at me like that.”

So-i grumbled but took out a sweet and put it in my mouth.

‘I feel a little sleepy these days.’

Thinking that, I entrusted one hand to Se-hwa and took out one of the letters from the members of the royal family that I hadn’t read and unfolded it.

“Aren’t you too busy, Princess?”

“I probably won’t be as busy as Se-hwa.”

“Oh my.”

Se-hwa and Seong-ji were directly involved in all processes related to my treatment according to the Crown Prince’s orders.

Originally, it wasn’t something that a physician would do directly, but when it came to my treatment, they had to handle even the small or annoying tasks that took a lot of work.

‘Maybe it looks like they’re bullying them from the outside.’

It would be annoying, but considering the Crown Prince’s distrust of people, it wasn’t strange.

It was also a way to completely block anyone from playing tricks to harass the two.

“Are you busy these days?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, I haven’t been able to go to Siwolgak, which is the talk of the town.”

“Oh dear. But now is the time when there are the most people, so it’s better to come later.”

“Is that so? I haven’t been there, but I’ve heard a lot of rumors, so I’m looking forward to it.”

As I continued the small talk, I lowered my voice and whispered to Se-hwa.

“The play seems to be getting a pretty good response.”

“Oh my, hehe.”

Se-hwa also understood my words and sparkled her eyes. The plays adapted from the novels Se-hwa wrote were still being performed successfully.

Of course, Siwolgak differentiated it from the performances at the playground, deliberately changed the background to Goryeo, and wore Goryeo-style clothes, which was said to be fresh and received a good response.

In addition, as with the performances at the playground, they were also selling books and goods in Siwolgak.

Thanks to that, Se-hwa must have made quite a bit of money?

“How about the next work being set in the Goryeo era?”

“Hmm. I’ll think about it.”

Se-hwa smiled and accepted, but it would probably be impossible to see the next work in the near future.

‘Is this how Teacher Ji-cheon’s creative activities end?’

It’s a pity, but I felt sorry to ask someone who was busy with their main job to do a side job.

“I’m just kidding. I know you’re teaching Busul [a medical school] and you’re busy, so don’t overdo it.”

“Oh my, that’s not true. There are definitely many things to learn in Busul, but there are many people who need to prepare their minds.”

Hmm. Well, most doctors are Confucian people who can’t even cut their hair. They must be trembling.

Rather, the butcher might be better at it.

“Hmm…… How is it living in the Royal Clinic?”

“Everyone treats me well.”

“Really? You’re not hiding anything, are you?”

“Of course.”

“But why are you smiling so…… meaningfully?”

“Nothing happened.”

There seems to be something going on, but as the Princess, I can’t just pry into the affairs of lower-level officials.

I shook my fist, which was unfortunately still only the size of a tangerine, and said.

“Tell me if anyone is bothering you.”

The size of power is not proportional to the size of the hand.

“Hehe. Thank you for your concern. But I’m okay.”

What is this, the subtle craziness felt in the smiling face…… Is this the aura of the female lead?

Just as Se-hwa, who had checked my pulse with that smiling face, was about to take out the acupuncture needles, an unexpected person…… no, a familiar person visited.

“Brother, you came again?”

“Are you receiving treatment well? How is your body?”

Eh. I was thinking, ‘Why does he keep coming, making Se-hwa uncomfortable……’ but I soon remembered that the two were the male and female protagonists and closed my mouth.

Yes, they have to use me as an excuse to see each other and be drawn to each other like magnets.

“The medicine is a bit bitter, but I’m getting it well. Other than being a little tired these days, I’m fine.”

“Tired. What on earth are you doing so much of?”

“So, just have the brother take a Crown Princess as soon as possible and free the younger sister a little.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Waste.”

“Ahem. Is that how you talk to your brother?”

As he said that, the Crown Prince’s hand faithfully grabbed my cheek with desire.

Why are you asking about my mouth and grabbing my cheeks???

I’ve known for a while that this guy is aiming for my soft cheeks…….