Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 182

So, the first place I looked for was Hwacheon-gun’s residence.

Of course, I didn’t go inside myself but sent Soi to deliver my regards appropriately.

‘It would be burdensome if I showed up in person,’ I thought.

Although the entry of outsiders was being avoided, they didn’t turn away the court lady I sent.

As the saying goes, the inside was as quiet as a mouse, and there wasn’t even anyone approaching the surroundings.

‘I heard they’re even using the excuse that the couple is sick together.’

In this situation, the children probably won’t act carelessly either.

Perhaps they won’t come to the Narye [a traditional Korean exorcism ceremony] ceremony either.

Usually, during events like the Narye ceremony, even the Jongchin [relatives of the royal family] gather to enjoy themselves, but this time, everyone will probably have stiff faces.

‘Even if they were plotting something, I think Muyeong-gun wouldn’t know, let alone Songan.’

They probably wouldn’t teach even their unmarried daughter when plotting such things.

However, now that they’ve started to be suspected, their future won’t be smooth.

After looking around the surroundings, I headed to my private residence.

And while I was checking my collection at my private residence after a long time, Soi returned before long.

“What the Ongju Jaga [referring to herself] expected was no different, Your Highness.”

“Hwacheon-gun and his wife are ill, and Muyeong-gun and Songan were there?”

My own sibling committing treason… it would probably cause illnesses that didn’t even exist to appear.

He quickly cut ties with his full sibling, so even if it seems cold-hearted, it was the best way to save his own family.

“Yes, he was very sorry to Ongju Jaga, Your Highness.”

“Hmm.”

“He lamented that those around Yeongcheon-gun might have instigated it and hoped that those involved would be revealed quickly.”

Even though Yeongcheon-gun denied the treason, he confessed that he harbored resentment towards me, so even if it’s like this or that, it’s still awkward because we’re not strangers.

‘Hmm. Actually, if you’re going to start a rebellion now, he’s one of the most suitable people.’

In fact, it’s not something he can refuse just because he doesn’t like it.

Occupy the palace, drag the king down first, and then just push him up as king.

Grand Prince Jinseong (*later King Jungjong), the younger brother of Yeonsangun, also became king by force because he was the most legitimate royal.

In that sense, the only way to damage his reputation now is to cause a ruckus, other than putting everything down and living in seclusion, but he’s lived too gently, so even if he does that now, it won’t be convincing.

You could really die if you get caught wrong.

There are even talks of ‘Should we kill him just for being considered for being pushed up?’

It’s a world where you can’t trust anyone, but it wasn’t a good time for anyone to reveal their ambition.

‘Because the Crown Prince is hurt.’

It’s a bit much to say, but if there was even a great-grandson, everyone might have been less shaken.

There was the Crown Prince’s testimony that his horse was hit by a stone and fell off a cliff, but unfortunately, I heard that the horse’s corpse was severely damaged and couldn’t be confirmed.

An expert who can hit a horse’s head with a stone and make it fall off a cliff is not uncommon in Joseon, where stone battles are a folk game.

If he ran away secretly through the mountains, it would be really difficult to catch him.

Actually, the best way to stabilize the throne is for the Crown Prince to marry quickly.

‘Ugh.’

“What’s wrong, Your Highness?”

“No. It’s nothing.”

Well, the Crown Prince will take care of it. He’s not a child.

‘No, but what if he hides his heart again and looks for another family for the future?’

‘No. Still, they’re an official couple, so wouldn’t he take care of it?!’

‘But I still don’t trust him very much?’

Cheonho and Soi sighed as they watched me drooping, then jumping up, then drooping again.

“……I wonder why Ongju Jaga is like that?”

“Let’s leave her alone. She has a lot on her mind.”

Hey, you there. I can hear you.

“Eish!”

“?”

I felt like I would fall asleep again if I just sat still and thought, so I got up and decided to move instead of worrying.

“Let’s go to Siwolgak [a theater or performance venue].”

Instead of worrying about problems that have no answers, I’d rather do some work.

And at Siwolgak, which I visited that way, an unexpected sight was waiting for me.

‘What is that?’

“Are you not Physician Sehwa?”

Sehwa stopped walking at the voice calling her and turned around.

The one who called her was a young official whom she had encountered several times when she went to examine the Crown Prince.

‘Is there someone sick?’

“What’s the matter?”

“Ah, you are right. Have you not seen the Crown Prince, by any chance?”

“I haven’t visited him yet today, but is there something wrong with the Crown Prince? Did he get hurt……?!”

When Sehwa asked with a serious face, the official shook his head and denied it.

“Ah, no. As far as I know, the Crown Prince’s schedule has been adjusted recently due to concerns about his ankle injury, so there shouldn’t be anything wrong. It’s just that it’s not urgent, but there’s something I need to confirm, so I was looking for His Highness. He’s not in his residence, nor in his study or Gyujanggak [royal library], so do you know anything?”

Seha also tilted her head at the official’s words. And she recalled the place where she had met the Crown Prince the most.

“Isn’t he at Ongju Jaga’s residence either?”

“Yes…… Actually, Ongju Jaga seemed to be out.”

Now, everyone seems to be taking it for granted that Ongju is wandering outside the palace.

Well, she does so much business.

However, she seems to be having a hard time with medicine these days, but where did someone who is always nodding off go again?

“Ah. I see. I don’t have any other ideas either.”

“Haa. Is that so? Then I’ll be on my way.”

“Yes.”

Sehwa also pondered as she watched the official, who exchanged words of encouragement and disappeared in a hurry.

‘But where did the Crown Prince go again?’

Unlike the petite Ongju Jaga, who can just fall asleep on the spot if she’s not feeling well and the people around her will take care of her, the Crown Prince is a person who has a hard time moving and has a lot of work to do.

‘Where on earth did he go?’

Even though his ankle is almost healed, the culprit has not been revealed, so is it okay for him to walk around without saying anything?

‘I haven’t even examined him yet today.’

Sehwa suddenly stopped walking when she thought that far.

‘Ah? Or maybe he’s accompanying Ongju Jaga.’

Aren’t they siblings who get along very well?

Of course, even if he’s not with Ongju Jaga, he’ll have a eunuch or escort with him anyway, so he’s not walking alone, but I’m still worried.

‘Come to think of it, Ongju Jaga is not here, and the Crown Prince is not here…….’

It was good news for Sehwa that the two superiors she was in charge of were absent.

It meant that if she went back to the infirmary and organized the medicine inventory, she could leave work as is and no one would call her.

‘I can leave work early for once, should I go to Siwolgak?’

I haven’t even been able to see the play of the newly released Hwawoo (花雨) [Flower Rain, likely a play title] because I’ve been so busy.

‘If Ongju Jaga went out, she would definitely stop by either Siyoungwon [another performance venue or related establishment] or Siwolgak.’

I don’t know if the Crown Prince will be with her.

Sehwa’s face darkened a little as she thought of the Crown Prince.

As she spent more time with the Crown Prince recently, she naturally realized something.

‘I’m not so dull that I wouldn’t know when he looks at me with those eyes.’

The young Ji-hwa in the past, when she was a Crown Princess candidate, might not have realized it, but Sehwa now was not.

And at the same time, Sehwa knew very well that nothing would change even if she realized it.

Because she can’t be the Crown Princess anymore.

The past self, who was called ‘Ji-hwa’, could confidently refuse the position of Crown Princess, but ‘Sehwa’ did not have the qualifications to do so. Either way.

“Hoo.”

After finishing checking the remaining herbs in the infirmary, Sehwa quietly left the palace.

It didn’t take long to arrive at Siwolgak with a sigh.

“Oh, you’re here?”

“It’s been a while.”

Those who recognized Sehwa greeted her with welcome faces.

Among the staff, it was known that Sehwa was the original author, so everyone welcomed the visit of the original author who appeared after a long time.

Besides, she’s even a full-time doctor. It may be difficult to become close, but there were more than enough reasons to look good.

The actors who had a break time behind the stage also joked with slightly tired faces.

“Come to think of it, the doctor knows all the lines, so if something happens to our lead actor, she can be a substitute.”

“No, what are you going to do if something happens?”

The man who made the joke was punished by hands that appeared from everywhere.

“Ah, but doctor, you have a beauty that doesn’t fall behind even if you go on stage.”

“You’re wearing a mask anyway, so does your face matter?”

The owners of the hands that were punishing Sehwa unexpectedly shook their heads at Sehwa’s question.

“Still, you can tell by the jawline and stuff.”

“These days, the stage and the audience are a bit far apart, so it’s okay, but people with good eyes still have a lot to say about it.”

“I thought the doctor would notice, but it’s unexpected.”

Sehwa awkwardly made excuses.

“Ah…… Actually, I’ve been busy, so I haven’t seen a play recently.”

“Heol. That can’t be.”

“We had a continuous performance today, so it’s a pity. It would have been nice if you came earlier. It’s a bit strange if you watch from now on because it’s the ending part, but please watch it anyway!”

“Hehe. Another actor will do the next play. We’re tired now too.”

“Be careful because it’s easy to get hurt when you’re tired.”

“Yes.”

I greeted people from the stage and came out, and I was out of my mind, but I felt good because it was full of energy.

On the way out, Sehwa grabbed a Siyoungwon person she saw and asked if Ongju Jaga had come.

“Ah, you’re the doctor. The young lady hasn’t come yet. It’s been a few days since she returned to Hanyang [old name for Seoul], so we’re wondering if she’ll come soon.”

“Physician Sehwa? Is the young lady healthy? It’s been a while since I’ve seen her.”

Everyone who asked didn’t see Ongju Jaga and instead asked Sehwa about Ongju Jaga’s well-being, so Sehwa was exhausted from explaining that Ongju Jaga was doing well.

“You came all the way here, so watch a play and go. There are many empty individual rooms upstairs these days.”

“Is it okay?”

“Of course. You’re the one who treats our young lady, so we have to do this much for you.”

Waving her elegant Goryeo-style long sleeves, the people of Siwolgak guided Sehwa to the second floor.

Sehwa admired the ornately decorated interior and looked around.

Unlike the crowded first floor, the second floor was quite deserted.

Actually, I thought there wouldn’t be many people because it’s winter, but it seemed like it wasn’t the case.

‘Still, the expensive seats are mostly empty.’

It’s cold, but the atmosphere is so ominous these days that the higher-ups are staying at home and playing, and the people who don’t care about that are wandering around more.

‘It’s uncomfortable to have too high people.’

Sehwa herself was a noble in the past, but is it because she’s not now?

I didn’t want to run into them when I was playing comfortably. I can’t help it when I’m working.

While passing in front of the individual rooms where people could be felt here and there, Sehwa suddenly found a familiar person.

Eunuch Song, who always accompanies the Crown Prince, was in front of an individual room.

“……Why are you in a place like this?”

“Physician Sehwa……? Why are you in a place like this, Physician Sehwa…….”

Why, what kind of place is this?