Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 175

I was born as the daughter of a low-ranking concubine.

“I am quite alright.”

“That is a relief, but do not overdo it.”

“Yes.”

“Please take care of my brother.”

“……? Yes, Ongju-sama [Princess].”

The Crown Prince was smoothly entering a romantic mode with Sehwa.

It wasn’t exactly a strict palace, and since they were patient and doctor, there was also the excuse of nursing the sick, so they could continue to see each other.

“But somehow, Sehwa seems healthier than the Crown Prince……”

Well, it is good if they get along anyway.

I left the young couple behind and returned to my quarters, rolling around on the floor.

‘I got through the big trouble reasonably well, and it feels strangely draining because it seems a bit peaceful.’

Of course, there will be plenty of troublesome things when I return to Hanyang [Seoul].

‘Can’t we just not have things like treason? I want to live comfortably.’

Soi and Cheonho looked at me rolling around on the floor with faces that resembled those looking at a puppy.

“What are you doing, Ongju-sama?”

“Being roasted.”

The heated floor is very warm.

“You will get burned if you do that.”

“Hmm…… Is it because I am relieved? I have no energy in my body.”

“Then you should rest……”

“I am going out.”

“Cough.”

I crawled and grabbed Cheonho’s nape, hanging on his back.

“Carry me.”

“Yes, yes, yes.”

After experiencing it once last time, I realized that riding Cheonho was quite comfortable. Cheonho transported me to where the courtesans were.

It is so convenient because he moves without me even having to say anything.

“Haa…… I am tired…….”

“Have you arrived, Ongju-sama? You seem to get tired too quickly these days. Are you alright?”

“It is probably because the journey is arduous, but Sehwa says it is inevitable to grow. Ongju-sama, please endure it a little.”

“Ugh.”

I wriggled and nestled into Maehyang’s arms.

“Oh my. So, Ongju-sama is also growing now?”

“Hmm. I guess so?”

Maehyang made a slightly sad expression at my answer.

“Is that so…….”

“?”

“I know it is disrespectful, but I am a little sad.”

“What is?”

“If Ongju-sama grows up, I will not be able to treat you so casually, will I?”

“……Hmm? Well, I guess that is how it will be.”

Rather than that, I will probably be told to get married after finding a Buma [royal son-in-law].

‘Should I run away before they tell me to get married after the treatment is over?’

It would be better to travel while I am still young and energetic!

The people who did not know what sinister scheme the Ongju was plotting with a tired face laughed peacefully.

“If I can see Ongju-sama grow up, I will have nothing more to wish for.”

“No, let us dream big…….”

I only sighed at Soi’s words.

The palace ladies who had served me for a long time had a bit of this side to them.

“I think I would like Ongju-sama no matter what you look like.”

Maehyang has a bit of this side to her.

“Oh, yes, I was talking to the courtesans here and I thought, how about touring the plays that are performed in the capital in this region? Even if it is not in winter, it seems like we can perform in other regions when the weather is nice.”

“Hmm…….”

Trying not to fall asleep, I started thinking again.

‘Now that Sehwa and the Crown Prince are on good terms, I need to solidify public opinion somehow.’

Even if they have no thoughts yet!

It was obvious that it would be easier for the two of them if the obstacles were removed.

I feel a bit Hyun-ta [feeling of disappointment or disillusionment after experiencing something great] that I have to do this much.

I do not know how much a guy who just started dating can see.

‘I want to quickly pass it on to Sehwa and become free.’

Ah, but I have not heard what Sehwa thinks, what should I do?

“Hmm.”

“What are you worrying about so much?”

“Hmm. Thinking about getting rid of my brother quickly?”

I lay down on Maehyang’s lap and rolled around, answering.

Soi and Cheonho’s gazes towards me seemed similar to those looking at a drunken Parakho [reckless and irresponsible person]…… but I ignored it.

Maehyang, who was smiling and stroking my hair, said something unexpected.

“Ah…… You mean Doctor Sehwa.”

“Huh, how did you know?”

I was talking about the Crown Prince, but Sehwa’s name came up right away?

I was surprised by the unexpected words and raised my body that had been stretched out, then quietly nestled back into Maehyang’s skirt.

Maehyang only smiled triumphantly as she accepted me.

“Hoho. You can tell just by looking.”

“Really? Is it that obvious? I do not think Maehyang has seen the two of them together very often.”

Soi, who is a palace maid, or Cheonho, who has been temporarily recognized as my vehicle recently, may have seen them, but Maehyang, who is a courtesan, would not have many opportunities to see the two of them together.

“I have only recently seen His Highness the Crown Prince talking with Doctor Sehwa from afar…… but the atmosphere of young men and women who have feelings for each other is obvious.”

“Wow.”

It is a pity, but if you live in the palace, you cannot see that.

No, if it were the Crown Prince in his prime, it would not be an impossible sight, but it was a sight that could not be seen in the palace now.

I asked for the opinion of the expert who seemed to be the most proficient in this field among the people I knew.

“How is it? Does Sehwa seem interested in my brother in Maehyang’s opinion?”

Maehyang widened her eyes as if she was surprised at my words.

“Oh my. Does Ongju-sama want the two of them to get along? His Highness the Crown Prince must take a Crown Princess.”

“Ugh. I cannot afford to worry about that anymore…….”

“Ah…….”

Perhaps knowing the meaning of my words, Maehyang did not ask any further.

Maehyang would know better than I what the Crown Prince was hearing at the banquets of the nobles.

And I was hoping for the Crown Prince’s marriage more desperately than anyone else.

‘Of course, I am worried about the Crown Prince’s GoX [slang for male genitalia] rumors, but personally, I want the Crown Prince to get married soon.’

Huhuhu, get married soon! Make me a nephew quickly! Take my job quickly!!!

I wanted to lock them both in a room and not let them out…… It is a crime though.

Ah, but that has already come true.

‘Well. I am sure nothing happened.’

The situation was what it was.

It was because the Crown Prince was injured, but even if he was not injured, nothing would have happened.

If he was that kind of guy, he would have already caused an accident somewhere or brought in a concubine.

Is Sehwa oblivious to her own affairs even though she is a romance novelist? Or does she think that such a thing cannot happen to her?

‘No, maybe she was thinking about whether she could use that situation in a novel later?’

Of course, even if Sehwa had feelings for the Crown Prince, it was difficult to wish for her to get along with the Crown Prince.

There was such a difference in status, and even if it went well, she would only be one of the concubines.

There were various intermediate steps required for the two to get along.

“It was quite a while ago, but I have occasionally heard stories at drinking parties about His Highness the Crown Prince not having taken a Crown Princess yet.”

“Ah~ I knew it, right?”

“If Ongju-sama wants the two of them to get along, why do not you do so?”

“No, but their will is important. It is their life.”

“Oh my.”

Maehyang laughed again at my words, and then wrapped me in her skirt and hugged me tightly.

“I wish there were only people like Ongju-sama in the world.”

“……Wouldn’t the world be a little boring then? I think everyone would like to lie on the floor.”

“…….”

“…….”

Soi and Cheonho had their mouths shut with faces that they had heard something absurd, but I pretended not to see it.

Ah, what, why, what.

Maehyang was still laughing at what was so good.

“Oh my, oh my. Then I, who am capable, will support you.”

Soi frowned at those words, and Maehyang laughed and avoided her gaze.

‘Wow…… I keep getting sleepy.’

I blinked and tried hard to stay awake.

“But Ongju-sama, if you are sleepy, you can just sleep a little, why are you having such a hard time?”

“Hmm…… I have an appointment to meet someone.”

Originally, I was going to meet Seonghee during the military training period last time, but I was too busy because of the Crown Prince, so I could not meet her.

If it were normal times, I would have met her appropriately, but it seemed that the entry of outsiders was strictly controlled because the Crown Prince was injured.

Seonghee has a bit of a rigid side, so she could not argue by giving my name and went back.

‘I feel sorry for her because she suffered in many ways because of me.’

It seems like it will be difficult to see her for a while if I do not see her this time.

After all, she was not originally from that neighborhood, but she went there because of me.

The children of the Siyoungwon [special education institution] dispatched to the provinces mostly travel around for a certain period of time, teaching people to write, so their range of activity is wide.

‘I have to get vaccinated too…….’

It does not matter if it is selfish, but I have to get at least our children vaccinated. They are already suffering from being away from home, what if they get sick? How sad would that be?

The course to return to Hanyang now is a different route from when I came here, but fortunately, I was able to meet Seonghee again.

Originally, I was going to go back the way I came and get vaccinated, but thanks to the children of the Siyoungwon who I met on the way who actively cooperated in spreading Jongdu-beop [smallpox vaccination method], it was possible to entrust a certain part to those children, so I was able to change the schedule in this way.

After all, it was worth educating them. They may have been born smart, but since their basic academic skills are solid, they quickly understand and learn whatever you teach them, so I can say that it was worth putting effort into education.

“Ongju-sama, you have too…… many things to do, do you not?”

“The practitioners have more work…… right?”

I already had a lot to decide, so my head was aching, and since I was sleeping a lot, everything was annoying.

It took a little longer than when I came because even the Crown Prince was moving by Gama [sedan chair], but thanks to that, I was spreading Jongdu-beop, meeting the courtesans, checking their skills, and scouting them.

Ga-i had pre-selected potential sites for the new facility, so I was able to check it myself on the way, and I had to discuss gradually creating facilities like Siwolgak in other regions besides Gangwon-do and think about the manpower to construct them.

“Besides, the provinces have local Teot-se [turf wars], which is annoying.”

“Who would dare to act Teot-se in front of Ongju-sama?”

“But it is not good to be coercive by using power. Siyoungwon is fine, but in fact, places like Siwolgak are places to go to play.”

“If you say so, that is also true…….”

So, I decided to entrust the agents to the Siyoungwon children who were gaining trust in the area.

I did not intend to do this, but it felt like I had sent them on purpose to aim for this.