Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 16

Born as a Daughter of a Lowly Concubine (16)

On the way to my home, or rather, my residence, my biological father and I encountered an unexpected figure.

‘Why is Royal Concubine Yeong [a high-ranking concubine] loitering around here?’

We’re not close enough to visit each other suddenly at this hour.

Royal Concubine Yeong noticed us and immediately lowered her head.

“Your Majesty, what brings you here?”

“What brings Royal Concubine Yeong here? Were you coming to see Consort Suk-won?”

Why ask why the king is visiting a concubine? Is he joking?

Royal Concubine Yeong seemed a little flustered but quickly grasped the situation when she saw me on the king’s arm, and quietly lowered her head.

I could sense her dissatisfaction, but she wasn’t foolish enough to show it here.

‘But what’s really going on?’

The king seemed just as puzzled.

As Royal Concubine Yeong reluctantly opened her mouth to explain, another unexpected voice was heard.

“Your Majesty.”

“Royal Concubine Seon?”

Like Royal Concubine Yeong, Royal Concubine Seon was followed by a line of palace attendants.

It had been a while since I saw her, and she still didn’t look well.

‘She’s not one to be wandering around at this hour.’

And somehow, I sensed a rare, uneasy atmosphere between Royal Concubine Yeong and Royal Concubine Seon.

I was starting to feel anxious about what on earth was happening.

‘Did something happen to Grand Prince Gyeong-won and Grand Prince Gyeong-eon?’

Of course, I haven’t lived here that long, but Royal Concubine Seon, as far as I’ve seen, rarely steps forward, doesn’t go against anyone, and always plays it safe.

Unless it involves her biological son, Grand Prince Gyeong-won.

And my guess was right.

“Isn’t this what older brother did?”

“Are you trying to slander me?”

“Then what was that thing that fell at older brother’s feet?”

“How would I know what was already there?”

My ominous premonition was correct, and soon I saw Grand Prince Gyeong-won and Grand Prince Gyeong-eon glaring at each other.

‘Why in front of someone else’s house(?)…?’

And the fact that I saw it meant that the biological father of these three Lee siblings saw it too.

“What on earth are you all doing here?”

“Your Majesty.”

The two, who hadn’t realized so many people were nearby, hurriedly lowered their heads, and my anxious birth mother and the palace attendants also quickly bowed.

And I was able to hear the general details.

In short, Grand Prince Gyeong-won heard that animal carcasses were often found near our residence, so he asked for permission in advance to look around the area.

‘Could it be related to my sudden late-night walks?’

Except for the culprit, no one would want a child to find such things, so he must have been trying to check while I was away.

Come to think of it, So-un did seem a bit strange.

Anyway, for that reason, Grand Prince Gyeong-won was looking around when he found Grand Prince Gyeong-eon near our residence, and an animal carcass was found at Grand Prince Gyeong-eon’s feet.

The king naturally frowned deeply when he heard about the animal carcasses for the first time.

“Is that true, Consort Suk-won?”

“I am sorry. All of this is due to my inadequacy.”

The king shook his head at the victim’s self-blame.

I was worried he might find fault, but thankfully, he didn’t seem to have any intention of doing so.

“Why was Grand Prince Gyeong-eon here?”

“I simply wanted to see my sister. I was going to secretly watch and leave since she doesn’t like me getting close, but Grand Prince Gyeong-won seems to have misunderstood.”

Grand Prince Gyeong-won’s face was full of injustice as he listened to Grand Prince Gyeong-eon’s brazen response.

In fact, everyone could guess who the culprit was, but it wasn’t the era of CCTV [closed-circuit television], and it was difficult to find proper evidence.

‘Even if there were witnesses, they wouldn’t easily come forward.’

The fact that Grand Prince Gyeong-won was holding onto Grand Prince Gyeong-eon meant that he likely witnessed the scene. And Grand Prince Gyeong-won wouldn’t have been alone, so the palace attendants following him must have seen it too, but Grand Prince Gyeong-won didn’t present anyone as a witness.

Even Grand Prince Gyeong-won, a prince, couldn’t protest against being unfairly accused by Grand Prince Gyeong-eon, so what would happen to mere palace attendants if they wrongly stepped forward?

‘Seeing that he’s keeping his mouth shut, he probably thinks it’s useless to speak up.’

While I was lost in thought, the situation was already coming to an end.

Because the highest authority who could make an immediate judgment was here.

“Grand Prince Gyeong-won, your concern for your brother is commendable, but you must not suspect others without solid evidence. Above all, isn’t Grand Prince Gyeong-eon your older brother?”

“I am sorry.”

Although he answered that way, Grand Prince Gyeong-won’s face was far from convinced.

On the other hand, Grand Prince Gyeong-eon smirked triumphantly at Grand Prince Gyeong-won.

Grand Prince Gyeong-won, overwhelmed, opened his mouth to say something more, but Royal Concubine Seon grabbed his arm, and he had no choice but to close his mouth and lower his head.

And the king’s eyebrows twitched when he saw that.

“Do you have something to say?”

“No, Your Majesty. How dare I…”

“Ooh ooh!”

Seeing the king’s displeased face, I panicked and struggled, reaching out my arms.

‘I don’t have many people to worry about me, so I have to take care of them.’

“Oh dear, why are you doing this? Are you doing this because I scolded your older brother?”

“Yeah!”

As I kept trying to cover his mouth, the king relaxed his stern face and gave a hollow laugh, holding me tighter.

“It seems Grand Prince Gyeong-won has been taking good care of his sister. She follows her older brother more than her father.”

“…I am sorry that I, in my inadequacy, have caused concern to Father.”

“Grand Prince Gyeong-won, I understand your concern for your sister, but you must not go too far. Apologize to your older brother.”

“I misunderstood my brother and caused a disturbance, so please forgive me with a generous heart, Grand Prince Gyeong-eon.”

“I am not unaware of Grand Prince Gyeong-won’s foolishness, but he must be careful in the future.”

The king’s gaze wasn’t so warm as he watched Grand Prince Gyeong-eon, who was sparkling with joy at the scolding directed at Grand Prince Gyeong-won. Not noticing this, Grand Prince Gyeong-eon looked flustered, as if he hadn’t expected the next arrow to be aimed at him.

“But Grand Prince Gyeong-eon is also in no position to scold his younger brother. Although you have not yet had your coming-of-age ceremony, how can you secretly peek into a concubine’s residence? It is said, ‘Do not adjust your shoes in a melon field, and do not adjust your hat under a plum tree’ [avoid suspicious situations]. Grand Prince Gyeong-eon’s actions were suspicious, so wasn’t that why Grand Prince Gyeong-won misunderstood?”

“!”

Grand Prince Gyeong-eon flinched at the words rebuking him.

“Grand Prince Gyeong-eon, be mindful of your behavior as a prince of the nation from now on.”

“I am sorry.”

Grand Prince Gyeong-eon, whose face was flushed because he was still a child and failed to manage his expression, lowered his head.

“Are you dissatisfied?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

Royal Concubine Yeong lowered her head first, and Grand Prince Gyeong-eon had no choice but to follow suit.

“Let both of you stay in your residences for a while as a sign of self-reflection [a form of punishment].”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

Grand Prince Gyeong-won with a stiff face and Grand Prince Gyeong-eon, who reluctantly hid his disgruntled expression, lowered their heads.

“And since such ominous events continue to occur in Consort Suk-won’s residence, even if it is a coincidence, we cannot leave it as it is.”

Honestly, I had suspicions, but there was a lack of evidence.

Did the king really not know?

But the king, whose inner thoughts were unreadable, first ordered the strengthening of the security around the residence.

Thanks to that, Grand Prince Gyeong-eon wouldn’t be able to approach easily for a while, so it would be a bit safer. I caught a glimpse of Grand Prince Gyeong-eon’s face, which was full of dissatisfaction.

I waved my hand at Grand Prince Gyeong-won.

‘Thank you.’

It was admirable for a child.

Grand Prince Gyeong-won’s expression wasn’t so bright as he was led away by his birth mother, Royal Concubine Seon, after being warned by the king, but he still gave me a slight smile.

Thanks to that, I wouldn’t see any animal carcasses for a while.

On the other hand, Royal Concubine Yeong and Grand Prince Gyeong-eon were glaring at me with terrifying eyes.

Were they dissatisfied that I only shielded Grand Prince Gyeong-won, or were they dissatisfied that I appeared with the king at that timing?

Either way, it was an unfair situation for me, but I didn’t think they would consider that.

‘Am I going to get murdered like this?’

I had an ominous feeling that their resentment and venom would be poured out on me, who was innocent!

But that guess was a bit off.

That resentment and venom were poured out on my birth mother, who was easy to deal with, instead of the princess, who was favored by the king and couldn’t be easily touched.

“Isn’t she trying to attract the king’s attention by taking advantage of His Majesty’s deep affection for the young princess lately?”

“It’s just that the young princess happens to encounter His Majesty.”

“Are you daring to argue with your superior?”

“I am sorry.”

These days, Royal Concubine Yeong would come and pick a fight like this. And if I said no, she would get angry, saying I dared to talk back, so I just had to nod and lower my head.

“If Consort Yun’s words are true, how can the young princess be so often on the path where His Majesty passes by? And how can you send a young princess out alone like that?”

“I am sorry.”

“Consort must take good care of the princess. So that such unnecessary disputes do not arise.”

Then, with a sigh, she emphasized this.

“Since the Queen’s residence is empty, the laws and discipline in the inner palace are collapsing.”

Oh, what do you want me to do?

Don’t tell me you’re nagging like this and hoping I’ll beg His Majesty to fill the Queen’s position quickly?

It was unfair, but my powerless birth mother had no choice but to silently lower her head until Royal Concubine Yeong left.

‘I can’t quit, I can’t get a divorce, this is really a black company [exploitative workplace].’

After being held by the palace maids and released, I immediately ran to my sister.

“Heeing.”

“Are you worried about me? I’m fine.”

I looked worried, but she smiled, saying she was okay, but in fact, she didn’t look okay to anyone.

And as Royal Concubine Yeong’s harassment accelerated, naturally, exchanges with Royal Concubine Seon became more frequent.

“Grand Prince Gyeong-won says he cannot lightly disregard His Majesty’s order to stay in self-reflection, so he won’t even meet me.”

“Grand Prince Gyeong-won did it out of concern for me and the young princess, so I am sorry that it turned out this way.”

“Why would Consort Yun have anything to be sorry about?”

I went to Royal Concubine Seon and Grand Prince Gyeong-won’s residence, and only Royal Concubine Seon greeted us without Grand Prince Gyeong-won, and said that.

Since I had nothing to do here anyway, I left the two of them chatting and took a piece of white rice cake from the table and stepped back.

Since the palace attendants would follow me anyway, the two of them only pretended to call me a few times and readily sent me away.

‘Hmm. I wonder where Grand Prince Gyeong-won is.’

He was really taking the punishment of self-reflection so seriously because the king told him to stay in his residence. Who would stop a prince from doing that?

‘So they probably won’t stop me from going either.’

As expected, the palace attendants of Grand Prince Gyeong-won, whom I had visited several times and were somewhat familiar with, didn’t stop me.

‘Royal Concubine Seon might have given them a hint.’

As I walked, I heard the sound of someone reading a book.

How many people in the palace would be leisurely reading a book? It was Grand Prince Gyeong-won’s voice without even asking.

I rushed straight into the room where the sound was coming from.

Creak-

And I opened the door without hesitation.

“Who dares… Sia?”

“Ooh.”

Grand Prince Gyeong-won, who was about to get angry when the door opened without permission, closed his mouth when he saw me.

He had dismissed even the palace attendants who should have announced the visit.

“Did you come with Consort?”

“Ung [yes].”

At the same time as the answer, I put one of the rice cakes in his hand into his mouth.

“Uhm? You, as soon as you see your older brother, just…”

And I also patted his shoulder.

‘What a commendable kid.’

Fighting with Grand Prince Gyeong-eon would only harm Grand Prince Gyeong-won, not benefit him. He had been putting up with being tormented all this time, and in the end, he was at odds with Grand Prince Gyeong-eon because of me.

As if he knew what I meant, Grand Prince Gyeong-won avoided my gaze, embarrassed.

“Hmph. It’s not like I did it for you. How can I turn a blind eye when such ominous events continue to occur in the palace?”

“Ung ung [yes, yes].”

Yes, yes, good boy.

When I reached out my short arms and stroked his head, he rolled his eyes around as if he was dumbfounded, but soon gave up and readily offered his head. Munching on the rice cake, the child muttered in a gruff voice.

“Mother was angry… but I, didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Ung [yes].”

He doesn’t show it in front of me, but Royal Concubine Seon might be thinking that he unnecessarily stirred up trouble.

‘It’s understandable that Royal Concubine Seon would think that way.’

Knowing his mother’s position, the child, who had been holding back while being mindful of her, didn’t turn a blind eye to his younger sister.

Perhaps he was afraid that he might be hated by the king, although he thought he hadn’t done anything wrong.

‘He didn’t seem angry, though.’

But it might not have looked that way in the child’s eyes.

I pondered for a moment. There are things that can’t be conveyed just by patting his shoulder.

“…Gwenchana [it’s okay].”

“?!”

The child’s eyes widened at the first words I uttered.

“You, you could talk?”

“Bimirya [it’s a secret].”

When I whispered that and brought my index finger to my lips, Grand Prince Gyeong-won burst into laughter as if he was dumbfounded.

Yes, the child should laugh.

Unlike me, who is forgiven for most things because I am still a young baby, the palace might be a more frightening place for this child than I thought.

And perhaps that will soon apply to me as well.