Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 214

I was born as the daughter of a low-ranking concubine. Chapter 214 (214/326)

In this era, defense attorneys or lawyers don’t exactly enjoy a stellar reputation. An increase in lawsuits is seen as troublesome for the government, interfering with their work.

Because of this, kings sometimes considered them a nuisance…

‘Fortunately, Father isn’t like that.’

But what public official welcomes more work? Of course, they wouldn’t be thrilled.

And it’s not just public officials who feel that way.

“I heard you’re still helping with lawsuits. Are you planning to work as a defense attorney full-time?”

“Well, it feels more like a side job than a profession. I’m swamped helping Siyoungwon [a government agency or department] with their work. Even more tasks piled up while I was away.”

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be sorry.”

In fact, helping with lawsuits as a defense attorney often invites negative feedback, so I’m selective about who I assist.

Yes, there’s a limit to how much you can give away while living.

“Ah, we digressed to the topic of gambling earlier. What’s the public sentiment like in that region? Honestly.”

“Hmm. Now that you mention it…”

“Now that I mention it?”

Jia whispered, mimicking my tone.

“That strange rumor is still circulating.”

“Rumor?”

“Yes.”

Only one rumor came to mind that Jia would mention so cautiously.

“That the prince is alive?”

“Yes.”

What on earth is going on? Honestly, it’s a rumor that doesn’t need confirmation, so I hadn’t paid much attention to it. The fact that this rumor is still spreading might indicate another underlying reason.

“What’s the general public sentiment like otherwise?”

“There wasn’t anything particularly different. The strange rumor feels like people grasping at straws… Oh, but the nobles seem to dislike the issue of the slavery system.”

“Ah…”

Is it because of those who were sold into slavery due to debt, or because the slave status wasn’t passed down to their children?

Wasn’t the previous rebellion in Gangwon Province a result of nobles who suffered losses whispering among themselves and escalating the situation?

“Actually, commoners don’t really like it when lower-class people are freed either.”

“Really?”

“They prefer having people below them.”

“Ah… That makes sense too.”

That’s just how human psychology works.

“Besides, with the recent issue of the courtesans, I heard there are quite a few people who dislike the idea of the *gibangs* [traditional Korean houses of courtesans] disappearing. They were hoping to earn money someday and visit a *gibang*, but now they can’t.”

“Humans are the same now as they were then.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing.”

By my standards, these are insignificant complaints, but if dissatisfaction builds up over such things, what happened in Gangwon Province could happen again. Therefore, when governing, it’s necessary to listen to various opinions and make adjustments.

‘But I don’t want to listen.’

Do I need more power?

It’s frustrating that I have to cater to the whims of those who want to make others unhappy just to feel good themselves.

So, if I want to live without catering to their whims, I need more power, and to have more power…

“Do I need to make more money?”

“…No, what are you suddenly talking about?”

“It might seem like I’m just doing good deeds, but in reality, I’m struggling to extend the lifespan of the Joseon Dynasty [the last Korean dynasty], you know?”

“Pardon??”

“The entrenchment of social classes is a sign of decline. But those who are only focused on filling their own bellies don’t think about that, so the country collapses.”

“I know you’re saying something dangerous, Miss.”

Jia, who had gotten up after hearing that someone from Siyoungwon was involved in a lawsuit, looked dumbfounded, but soon bowed to me and muttered ‘money…’ as she disappeared with the child who had come to call her. Sadly, it still doesn’t look like she’ll get paid anytime soon.

“What’s she going to do?”

“Jia is becoming more like you, Miss.”

Ayoung, who had been beside me since earlier but had been quiet as if Jia and I were having a difficult conversation, also got up.

“Where are you going, Ayoung?”

“I’m going to study now.”

“I thought you were avoiding studying?”

“I still need to know the basics.”

With those grumbling words, Ayoung also disappeared.

Ayoung’s face is still round, but she already seems grown up just by looking at her height.

“The kids are all grown up, and there’s no one to play with me.”

I, who had been left alone as they left one by one, rolled around on the floor and muttered.

“Miss.”

Cheonho, who had been sitting on the wooden porch, called me with an awkward smile.

It meant it was time for me to go to work too.

“I want to do nothing and just roll around, but why won’t people leave me alone?”

“Pardon?”

I took Cheonho’s hand, came down, and put on my shoes below the stepping stone.

“World affairs are decided by those with power, right?”

“That’s… right?”

“That’s why it’s difficult.”

“What is?”

“Lately, it seems like people are starting to talk about me getting married because of my brother.”

“Ah… That’s true.”

Well, I should have been married already according to the norm.

“But it’s just a hassle.”

“Yes…”

As expected, a woman should stay away from men to succeed.

Recently, there have been whispers in the court that the Princess is expanding her business too much.

In addition to the marriage issue.

Of course, the King and the Crown Prince are taking a cautious stance, and the Crown Prince is even facing a barrage of criticism because he hasn’t taken a Princess Consort yet.

As the Crown Prince doesn’t yield, someone who has lost their sense of fear might suggest appointing a member of the royal family as the Crown Prince’s heir or even the next Crown Prince.

When rumors spread that the Chief State Councilor was searching for members of the royal family, the royal family members, who were already frightened by the previous incident with Yeongcheon-gun, were the most terrified.

“What should I do?”

“Yes.”

The daughters who came to Siwolgak for lessons asked me.

“We have never engaged in such treasonous plots, Your Majesty!”

“Please have mercy!”

After hearing the rumor that the royal family members were gathering and begging for forgiveness, I felt a bit dizzy.

‘No, I didn’t order this…’

How did this happen…

I recalled my answer when the royal family daughters gathered last time.

‘Wouldn’t it be better to inform His Majesty that you have no intention before your names are mentioned among the ministers?’

Usually, matters concerning succession are reported to the elders of the royal family to gain legitimacy, but in the current royal family, there were few elders who could mediate or escalate the situation.

It seemed like everyone was pondering over how to interpret my words, and they decided to strike first before being dragged out.

‘If they come out like this, the Chief State Councilor won’t be able to bring up the names of the royal family members recklessly.’

Perhaps it’s because it’s a symbol of power, but there was a prejudice that the Chief State Councilor would be the one to plot if there was a conspiracy.

But in reality, it’s not always the Chief State Councilor who starts a rebellion.

Among the current ministers, there are those who agree not because they want to replace the Crown Prince, but because they think there’s something wrong with the Crown Prince, or that this is the only way to make him get married.

In fact, it’s too much, as the royal family member who was suddenly mentioned as the next heir must feel a chill down their spine.

‘Anyway, it’s not good for me to get involved.’

I just need to do my job as I have been doing.

It’s not that I don’t care what the royal family daughters are thinking, but sending them to the Siyoungwon branches across the country is as good as decided.

And this is the same as grabbing the necks of the royal family members who sent their daughters.

‘They must have considered that when they sent them. There must be a reason why they deliberately asked me about how to act.’

I wonder why I have to worry about these things, but this neighborhood was originally a harsh one.

I handed out refreshing drinks to the royal family members as a follow-up to the relatively short and intense act of begging for forgiveness.

Honestly, their spines must have been tingling just by having their children’s names mentioned, but they could collapse if they overexerted themselves in the still hot weather.

Fortunately, the talk about succession disappeared after that incident, but people’s anxiety didn’t disappear.

‘Ha. I’ve been benefiting from the play for a while now.’

I don’t know how much I can help from now on.

The core members who successfully opened a branch in Gangwon Province and helped with its operation for a while left some behind and slowly returned to Hanyang.

And after they returned, some of those who remained were dispatched to help open other regions.

The most popular places with the most applicants were places like Gaeseong, which is close to Hanyang, and the more remote the region, the more people avoided it, which was a headache, but it worked out somehow.

In this way, multiplexes, or rather, Siyoungwon, were built in cities of considerable size in each region, and news from the regions began to be transmitted relatively easily.

“It’s fun if it’s fun, and tiring if it’s tiring.”

“The Princess Consort never rests.”

“Still, when Brother takes a Crown Princess, I should pass some of it on to the Crown Princess.”

“Is that so.”

I wish you wouldn’t smile so awkwardly and prepare yourself.

I still felt sleepy after taking the medicine, but it was definitely better than before.

“You’ve grown a lot in the meantime.”

“It’s thanks to Sehwa. Hmm, I’m especially sleepy today.”

I got up unsteadily and naturally got on Cheonho’s back.

I felt that my arms and legs had definitely gotten longer than before, as if I had grown by a hand span.

‘Still, Cheonho is still big.’

What does this guy eat to grow so much?

At first, I thought it was just my imagination, but when I’m next to Sehwa, it’s clear that he’s grown more.

“Sehwa, let’s take a walk together.”

“Yes, Princess Consort.”

At my words, Sehwa followed as if it were natural.

There was a reason why I specifically called Sehwa for a walk.

Because someone incompetent naturally intrudes while walking on the designated walking course.

“The Princess is still out of it and sleeping.”

“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

When the Crown Prince intrudes like that, the other palace people fall behind and follow, just like when the Crown Prince used to carry me around, so the cockroach couple dates in the meantime.

Even in my drowsy state, I tried to stay awake and comfort Cheonho. Honestly, wouldn’t Cheonho be too pitiful if he was left alone between those two if I fell asleep too?

“Cheonho is suffering a lot…”

“It’s nothing. This is nothing.”

The Crown Prince, who outsourced carrying his younger sister to Cheonho, seemed to want to carry Sehwa, but unfortunately, he couldn’t achieve his goal because of the eyes around him.

‘I heard rumors that he’s been working hard to build his body more than before.’

How can a busy guy be distracted by that? I had to briefly consider whether I should still break into the East Palace at night and put him to sleep.

‘I’ve been refraining from breaking into the East Palace in case they’re causing trouble, but there’s no sign of that…’

Huhuhu. The Crown Prince of Joseon is too wholesome. This can’t be happening.

‘No, this is the right thing to do… but.’

The Crown Prince seemed happy with Sehwa, whether he knew the anxious feelings of his close aides or not.