Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 176

I was born as the daughter of a low-ranking concubine. [This likely refers to a specific social structure in the story’s setting.]

Those kids probably started teaching people with pure intentions, but I feel like they were taken advantage of somehow.

No, but wouldn’t it be a waste to let a suitable talent languish?

Still, since it means more work, I decided to apologize.

I hired them as teachers, but over time, I ended up assigning them management tasks in completely unrelated fields.

The salary will go up, though.

“So, I need someone to manage this place. Would you be okay with it? I thought about having multiple people, but that might cause confusion.”

“A manager……?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry for asking you to do so much.”

After exchanging pleasantries with a bright face, feeding her some delicious food, and having a chat about recent events, I told Sunghee about the new task.

Sunghee seemed lost in thought for a moment before cautiously asking.

“So, are you going to create a branch of Siyoungwon here?” [Siyoungwon is likely an organization or school mentioned earlier in the story.]

“Something like that. But I don’t really know how things work in this region.”

Thus began a long information exchange and business explanation session.

I listened to Sunghee about the situation in Gangwon-do, and Sunghee listened to me about the facility I was planning to build, and we discussed the selection of additional responsible managers. I wish the others could have come too, but they’re all busy.

“It’s actually a good time to teach writing now that it’s winter.”

Since it’s the off-season, there’s less work, so even adults have time to learn to write.

“If you find any talented people, recommend them.”

“Hahahaha, should I send the smart ones to Seoul for study abroad?”

“That wouldn’t be bad… send anyone who’s good at anything.”

“Yes.”

The Siyoungwon kids know what kind of talent I’m looking for.

Even if not, studying in various fields is necessary in many ways.

“Um, may I ask why you’re entrusting this task to me? I know there are quite a few people stationed in this area.”

“Huh? Well, everyone has their aptitude, right? Sunghee was good at studying, but she was also good at playing instruments and was interested in this field, wasn’t she? I think she was the most interested in music among the kids in Gangwon-do, am I right?”

“Ah, you remember that too?”

“Of course, I remember. I think Ayoung chased after someone who took your instrument while you were playing and brought it back, right?”

“Ah. Hahaha.”

Sunghee laughed embarrassedly.

In fact, I generally know about the children I send out as teachers. I put a lot of thought into sending them out.

Sunghee wasn’t very assertive, but she took good care of the children and did her work meticulously. She tended to yield to the children without greed, but she rigidly followed the rules.

‘A bit of an eldest daughter vibe, a first daughter-in-law vibe, the type adults would like. She also has a hard time showing what she likes.’

Sunghee was one of the first children in Siyoungwon, so I remembered her relatively well.

“Well, there weren’t that many children in the early days of Siyoungwon… or were there?”

“…….”

It’s been so long that I can’t quite remember, but judging from Sunghee’s silent smile, there must have been quite a few.

“Well, it was hard to name everyone because there were so many people…….”

“Hehe. Yes.”

Actually, it’s still hard now.

The number of people to name isn’t comparable to the beginning, but there are more complaints.

When I name the babies who newly enter Siyoungwon, they complain from over there, saying, ‘That’s my name!’ or ‘That’s so-and-so’s name!’

I’ve run out of name repertoire, and when I try to give them Korean names, they protest that if they’re the only one with a Korean name when everyone else has a Chinese character name, they’ll be teased later.

‘If they like Chinese characters so much, they should study writing hard.’

Raising kids wasn’t easy at all.

Should I just use generational characters by year from now on? [Generational characters are a naming convention used in some cultures.]

“None of the children I’ve sent out can’t do their jobs, but when it comes to work, they need to have the right aptitude. People from this side will be dispatched for construction, so don’t worry too much.”

“……Yes. Young Miss.”

I don’t know exactly, but she has a satisfied look on her face. Well, that’s good then.

Since the sun sets early in winter, Sunghee decided to return early after finishing some important business.

As I saw Sunghee off for the last time, I asked.

“How is living in this neighborhood?”

“People live the same everywhere. But everyone’s just working hard.”

“That’s true.”

That was good enough.

As I rubbed my sleepy eyes and nodded, Sunghee smiled faintly.

“But everyone says that when they leave, that Siyoungwon was the best.”

“Oh, you know how to flatter me.”

“Really. Young Miss.”

Sunghee, who said she had more places to visit, bowed her head and left.

It made me proud to see a child who had grown up well and was doing her part. I should go back and warm myself up some more.

Maehyang seemed to be sad, but it seemed better to go back soon.

“Let’s go back now.”

“Yes.”

As before, Chunho picked me up. There were quite a few more people on the street than before.

“I’m glad the kids are doing well. Well, the kids who couldn’t adapt returned to Siyoungwon early… huh?”

“What is it, Young Miss?”

“Shh.”

I gestured to Soyi and Chunho, who were puzzled, to hide behind the fence, and I secretly peeked at the person I had just seen.

‘The Crown Prince and… Sehwa? What are they doing?’

Of course, the Crown Prince and Sehwa weren’t alone.

The Crown Prince’s familiar aides were following behind him.

“Must you go out?”

“When else would I come if not now?”

“But you’re still not comfortable walking.”

“I can walk now. Besides, I brought a doctor with me in case of an emergency.”

Who could stop the Crown Prince when he said that much?

Eunuch Song and Jwasema also just hoped that the Crown Prince would get tired of their nagging and tell them to go back even a little earlier.

‘If Princess Ongju were here, she would have stopped His Highness.’

Sadly, Princess Ongju was the only person in the world who could speak so frankly to the Crown Prince. It was just that Princess Ongju was also absent when the Crown Prince went out.

If she hadn’t been injured, the siblings would have enjoyed the outing together, but Princess Ongju would have been worried about the Crown Prince’s injury and would have stopped him…….

The Crown Prince seemed happy, whether he knew the regret of his servants or not.

And at the same time, those who had failed to stop the Crown Prince were putting subtle pressure on Sehwa with their eyes.

Of course, it meant to stop him a little.

‘What should I do…….’

Thanks to that, only Sehwa, the lowest-ranking employee among them, was in a difficult position.

“Um, but you should still be careful when walking.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.”

“You must walk carefully.”

Sadly, the Crown Prince was quite an uncooperative patient.

“I don’t know why you don’t listen to what others say.”

“Didn’t I say? I want to see the lives of ordinary people.”

“The lives of the people, you say?”

The Crown Prince nodded at Sehwa’s words.

“That’s right. Didn’t I stay in a rural commoner’s house for the first time this time? I was embarrassed when I first opened my eyes and saw the ceiling at the time.”

“Ah…….”

Sehwa had a similar experience. But if Sehwa was someone who had to adapt, the Crown Prince was someone who had a duty to make their lives better.

“I need to know how ordinary people live so that I can know what they need.”

His words were eloquent, but it was difficult to refute them.

“When I see the lives of the people, I feel guilty that I’ve been living such a luxurious life…….”

“Your Highness…….”

“Ahem. Be careful with your honorifics. Now, let’s go.”

The Crown Prince led his impressed servants and moved his feet.

Without noticing the existence of those who were watching them from afar.

***

‘I think one of them noticed.’

Well, if they couldn’t notice, there would be no point in taking bodyguards with them.

“It seems that His Highness the Crown Prince is going to the crowded marketplace.”

“Hmph.”

When I saw them earlier, Sehwa’s eyes looked unusual when she looked at the Crown Prince, probably because he said something nice.

And the Crown Prince’s aides were subtly smirking as they looked at the two of them.

In the first place, the Crown Prince’s aides were the ones who wanted the Crown Prince to quickly meet a woman and have a son like a rice cake. [This is a cultural reference, implying a desire for the Crown Prince to have a child quickly and easily.]

Because their position would be stable only if the Crown Prince solidified his succession.

How would Sehwa look in their eyes?

‘What to do, Sehwa’s escape route has become too narrow.’

I don’t think I’m the one to say that, as I’m the one who wants the two of them to do well more than anyone else.

I didn’t want Sehwa to be swept away too much either.

Of course, it was Sehwa who would regret it later and couldn’t undo it.

‘But both of them don’t know how to hide it…….’

Should I expand the play or various regions quickly?

These days, I’ve been asking the scouted gisaengs if they’re interested in acting. [Gisaengs were female entertainers in Korean history, similar to geishas.]

Even if they’re wearing masks, I’ve been receiving complaints that it’s unhealthy for male and female actors to perform love stories, so I’m thinking of completely changing the casting to only women or only men.

Originally, there were many similar cases in Joseon, as well as in many countries in the East and West. [Joseon is a historical Korean dynasty.]

Anyway.

“Let’s follow them.”

“Yes?”

“I said let’s follow them.”

“No, but…….”

Both Chunho and Soyi had troubled faces.

No, why do you have to follow His Highness the Crown Prince?

Besides, the atmosphere is a bit strange……?

Wouldn’t it be annoying if we got caught by His Highness the Crown Prince?

Both of them didn’t say it out loud, but their faces clearly showed what they were thinking.

“Um…… Soyi, go inside and rest. It’ll be faster for Chunho to carry me.”

“Yes? But Young Miss.”

“Besides, look at Chunho’s clothes. He can cover his face a lot. If I pretend to be asleep, you won’t even see my face.”

“That’s, but.”

“Quickly. If you don’t follow now, you’ll miss them?”

“Ah, yes.”

Chunho faithfully followed my orders and started running in the direction the Crown Prince’s party had left, and Soyi, who was left behind, looked at me with a dissatisfied face, then sighed and went inside.

‘Hmm. I feel a little sorry. But Soyi is a bit too noticeable anyway.’