Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 174

“I came because I heard there was someone who helped our young master, but is he not here?”

“Ah. My son had urgent business and left early today.”

“I see.”

Hmm… I wanted to talk to Jwa Se-ma about how he’s been.

Inevitably, we had to return empty-handed.

It was just a walk for a change of pace, nothing more.

“Actually, the person who helped us yesterday also had a large scar on his face.”

“Really?”

Then, did Jwa Se-ma save the Crown Prince?

“But why did he leave without saying anything like that?”

“I don’t know. What was so urgent?”

“He would have received a reward from His Majesty.”

“Indeed.”

Even though he wanted to refuse it himself, Cheon-ho echoed my words like that.

‘Hmm. But this is quite comfortable.’

Perhaps because it was more stable than I thought, I closed my eyes before I knew it.

After a while, the Crown Prince and Se-hwa also recovered to some extent and got up.

Of course, the people around him were vehemently dissuading the Crown Prince from working if he got up.

“Is Physician Se-hwa already well enough to get up?”

“I am fine now as there are no major injuries. Besides, I am not one to just lie down.”

I was lost in thought for a moment, watching Se-hwa bring the medicinal decoction for the Crown Prince.

The atmosphere between the two seemed not much different from before, but also a little different.

‘What should I say… there’s a subtle atmosphere that only the two of them, who have been through hard times together, would know….’

In short, they seemed more relaxed with each other.

As I thought that and subtly turned my gaze, Court Lady Moon nodded with sparkling eyes as if she had read my mind.

Why do I feel this telepathy so often these days?

The aftermath of this incident was significant.

Fortunately, both the Crown Prince and Se-hwa were safe, but, of course, I heard that all the families who seemed to be involved in this incident were utterly destroyed.

Since the King was on the scene, the disposal was quick.

Of course, the main suspects would be dragged to the Uigeumbu [a Joseon Dynasty judicial office] later and interrogated.

It was definitely good news from the victim’s point of view, but I felt uneasy for some reason.

“Hmm….”

“What is it?”

“No. I saw those guys back then.”

“Yes.”

“Compared to trying to assassinate the Crown Prince without fear, they didn’t seem that brave.”

Of course, there was always the possibility that appearances and reality were different.

Originally, those kinds of losers only act tough to those weaker than themselves, and they can’t stand up to real power holders.

Of course, I belonged to the real power holders. There were really only a handful of people who could say they were higher than me in terms of status or wealth.

Since this was a class-based society, even harming me was mostly unimaginable, but touching the Crown Prince was a completely different matter.

You could say the difference was like walking on fire versus jumping into it.

But weren’t they too sloppy for doing such a dangerous thing?

‘Something feels off… am I thinking too deeply?’

Originally, things in the world unexpectedly go awry, don’t they? It’s to the point where if the plausibility doesn’t fit in alternate history novels, it’s considered historical research, and if the plausibility fits perfectly, it’s considered creation, so maybe it’s like that here too.

Anyway, several families involved were dragged away.

There was an outcry from those who claimed to be wronged, but as a result, it was clear that they had hurt the Crown Prince, so no matter how unfair it was, they couldn’t just let it go.

‘If we just gloss over it, who knows what they’ll do again.’

In addition, the insider who made the horses excited, those who made the Crown Prince’s horse rampage, and those who attacked the Crown Prince’s horse and made it fall off the cliff were never revealed.

The villagers also said they didn’t know because outsiders were coming and going these days because of the Gangmu [a military review or drill].

All that was left was the royal physician who had almost killed Se-hwa, but they were deliberately not interrogating him.

This was because the King agreed with the Crown Prince’s words that he would find the mastermind behind it when he returned to Hanyang [old name for Seoul, the capital].

The Crown Prince was to slowly return to the capital by palanquin due to his injuries, and the King was scheduled to return first to handle matters.

“It’s a shame we came with Sia.”

“I must stay by your side so that you do not overexert yourself, Brother.”

“Yes. You are right.”

“Father, why do you distrust me so much?”

“The Crown Prince is foolish and has caused great concern to this father and young sister, yet he still cannot reflect on his actions, which is lamentable.”

“Foolish brother~”

“I am sorry.”

The culprit who caused so much worry and hardship to so many people had no choice but to take the scolding as it came.

I heard that the King was in a state of great anger from the start, so this was mild.

‘Maybe he’s restraining himself a bit in front of me.’

He wouldn’t want to startle his sick young daughter.

If I were to pick the person who was most surprised by this incident, it would be Father.

That’s why his anger over this incident was so great.

I don’t think the investigation into the number of slaves still owned by the nobles has been completed yet, but perhaps things might get bigger.

‘It’s not a problem that will be solved just because I care….’

No royal family could tolerate the radical idea of attacking the Crown Prince because they didn’t want to have their property taken away.

Whether it was a mistake or not, they had no choice but to rule with an iron fist.

‘It’s a bit of an overreach at a time when royal authority is solid.’

If there’s any instability in the current royal authority, it’s that the Crown Prince is alone.

Hmm. Still, I think it’s more comfortable not to have any at all than to have them and not have any children even with the Queen or concubines.

That must be quite stressful.

‘Come to think of it, this is about Father.’

Is that why he doesn’t push him to bring in the Crown Princess?

Anyway, the King left first, and the Crown Prince ended up going on a leisurely journey with me.

Of course, Mu-yeong-gun and Song-an, who had come to Gangwon-do with me, were also with the group.

“I am sorry to Mu-yeong-gun as well.”

“Haha. No. When else would I be with His Highness the Crown Prince like this?”

Mu-yeong-gun had also tried to join the Gangmu, but was surprised to hear that the Crown Prince was missing, so he rushed to join the search, which raised his score quite a bit with the King and Crown Prince.

I heard that he fell into the water while searching, and the people around him were shocked.

‘Because most of the Jongchin [relatives of the royal family] were just standing still.’

Well, most of them were just flustered because they didn’t know at all.

But even such a Mu-yeong-gun was only a target of vigilance for the guards.

The only one who was allowed to approach the Crown Prince’s palanquin by the guards, who were on high alert, was me, the Princess.

Next to the palanquin the Crown Prince was riding in, I was riding Jeok-ah and teasing the Crown Prince.

“Haa. But it’s so uncomfortable to ride in a palanquin.”

“What’s wrong with riding in a palanquin?”

“Don’t you prefer riding a horse to riding in a palanquin?”

“But I run out of energy, so I get sleepy in the middle if I ride for too long.”

Also, I’ve been sleeping a lot these days.

Of course, Jeok-ah is smart and knows how to go well on its own, but it would be a disaster if I fell off, so I would adjust appropriately and switch to the palanquin.

“You’re riding in a palanquin because you’re a patient, Brother. Endure it. It’s your loss if it gets worse.”

“I wonder how long I have to be so frustrated.”

“If it gets worse, it’s back to square one~ Foolish Crown Prince~”

“!”

I moved away from the palanquin, teasing the Crown Prince, who couldn’t move. Since the current Crown Prince was a helpless body who could only stay still when teased, I often approached and teased him.

He’s been a bit gloomy lately anyway.

I know the cause for now.

“You deserved to be scolded by Father.”

“I know I was wrong too.”

After finishing our meal at the government office in the village we arrived at today, I dismissed the people appropriately and had an interview with the Crown Prince.

“To do such a reckless thing… I don’t know why I did that either. I just couldn’t think of anything but finding Se-hwa quickly….”

“Heuh?”

“What, why are you looking at me like that?”

“No, it’s a bit of an unexpected sound.”

The corners of my lips twitched and went up.

‘Hoo….’

“So, what do you think of Se-hwa?”

“What do I think? Isn’t she capable and a good person?”

“And?”

“And….”

The Crown Prince trailed off, avoiding my gaze and slightly blushing.

Hoo. He’s starting to realize it?

That’s positive.

“Um. So, the Crown Prince, my brother, recklessly jumped in without considering the consequences because he thought he had to save Se-hwa, who is capable and a good person.”

“That…!”

The Crown Prince, who opened his mouth as if wanting to deny my words, only moved his lips and eventually closed them quietly again.

‘Hmm. Is he a bit lacking in spirit for a romance novel male lead? No, maybe this is better than a rude male lead…?’

“Why, why are you looking at me like that…?”

“Well. It’s nothing.”

I quietly drank my tea and got up from my seat. The Crown Prince looked at me with a puzzled face.

“Where are you going?”

“I was thinking of clearing the way since Se-hwa will be bringing the medicinal decoction soon.”

“???”

“Do well. I won’t stop you. No, I’ll support you. There are times like that when you’re young. Be careful next time.”

“What, what are you talking about?”

“…And just in case, don’t be too hasty relying on your power?”

“…What are you talking about, you young girl?”

“I’m still a young girl, so it’s okay, but you’re at an age where it wouldn’t be strange to have two or three children, so just in case.”

“What, what….”

Can I finally marry him off?

I waved my hand and left the Crown Prince’s room.

And when I saw Eunuch Song and Court Lady Moon, who were guarding the door, failing to manage their expressions, I also smiled slyly.

“Ahem. Se-hwa is coming over there. You know you can’t show it too much, right?”

“Yes. Princess.”

The two of them soon professionally managed their expressions.

Being a close aide to the Crown Prince is really something.

“Princess? Why are you out here?”

“I was going to go rest too. Se-hwa is having a hard time too. How is your body?”