Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 219

‘I guess Siwol Pavilion is a bit more… intense….’

Whether it’s dancing, singing, acting, or playing an instrument, if you don’t work hard, you’ll fall behind and won’t get any attention.

If you get pushed back, the salary you receive will inevitably decrease.

Still, at least I could live being treated like a human.

But I heard there were people who refused because they didn’t like that.

I heard that some courtesans left this organization, taking advantage of the chaos during the system change, to become concubines of other powerful figures, and it seems they are doing well.

In Hanyang [the capital city of Joseon dynasty], there were fewer because I managed them directly, but I heard there are quite a few in the provinces.

‘It would be better if they disappeared like that and became concubines, but they’re still working as courtesans.’

If they become a concubine and have a child, they might get some inheritance later, but who knows what will happen to a courtesan when she gets old.

‘Who would treat an old courtesan well….’

Right now, they’re young and naive, so they just fall for words like “You’re pretty,” and “You’re different from other women,” not even knowing that they’re ruining their bodies.

They don’t realize that when they get old and sick, they’ll be thrown away like broken toys.

‘I can’t be responsible for that far, though.’

Even if I provide an escape route, there are cases where they don’t even think about escaping.

Well, even in modern times, there are people who willingly walk into a dead end, so how much more would it be in this era?

I heard that Maehyang and several others were mobilized to persuade them until their throats were sore, but there were those who didn’t listen.

The problem was that those kids not only ruined their own lives but also dragged others down with them.

How difficult would it be to make naive girls admire them and drag them in?

‘And gambling on top of that…….’

Liquor, women, gambling.

It was enough to devour a naive youngster who didn’t know the ways of the world.

‘What kind of guys are they?’

Is it really another case of human trafficking?

Clearly, the King forbade large-sum gambling.

Everyone likes gambling, so they blatantly don’t follow the rules. Moreover, this time, they’re naturally operating along with unhealthy food service businesses.

‘Since even the fact that they’re running illegal gambling is a weakness, who would report it?’

Even if someone reported it, it wouldn’t be properly accepted, or the guys who ran the gambling den would all slip away appropriately, and only the person who reported it would be the fool.

It’s a headache, but for now, there’s not much I can do except tell them not to get addicted to gambling.

I feel like reporting the illegal gambling, though.

‘But the police station probably receives kickbacks, too. In the end, only the fact that Siyoungwon’s kids got addicted to gambling and stole will remain.’

I think they would have prepared for that much.

Besides, I think many people other than Siyoungwon are addicted… I need to look into this, too.

‘Should I investigate how many people are addicted to gambling and publish an article?’

My head was complicated the whole time until I arrived at the palace.

When I arrived and didn’t think about getting off my horse, Cheonho spoke to me worriedly.

“Ongju [princess], are you alright?”

“Well, relatively.”

“Then that means you’re not alright.”

Saying that, Cheonho naturally picked me up.

This guy has become very disrespectful now.

I was held securely in Cheonho’s arms and greeted Jeok-a. As Jeok-a went back to his house on his own, Cheonho also naturally headed to my residence.

“I can’t be alright when suspicious guys are sticking their noses into my private affairs.”

“Haha.”

“Ugh. Life isn’t easy.”

“…You still seem like a child, so it’s awkward when you say things like that.”

“I hope you haven’t forgotten that I’m older than you.”

“I had completely forgotten, Ongju.”

Adding Ongju on purpose, does that mean the difference in status is greater than age, so you don’t know?

“Siyoungwon is getting too big, so there’s no day without trouble. I’m already busy with the newspaper business.”

“The newspaper business is hectic because Ongju, you’re trying to check everything yourself.”

“When you’re only inside the palace, you want to know what’s going on outside.”

“…There aren’t many royals as free as Ongju.”

“You’re getting a little cocky these days.”

“I was originally cocky……”

When I grabbed Cheonho’s cheek and stretched it out, it stretched elastically.

That’s why kids are……!

“As expected, young skin is the best.”

“Hahaha…….”

While I was fiddling with Cheonho’s cheeks, thinking of the Crown Prince, whose skin elasticity is not what it used to be, a familiar voice came from behind.

“What are you doing…….”

“…You’re here. Guest number 1.”

To appear on your own without being called, what a great guest.

Seong, the royal guard, understood the title I called him perfectly, even though I didn’t teach him, and chuckled.

“Am I finally a guest?”

“Maybe? But what are you doing here?”

“I thought Ongju had returned from an outing, so I came to see.”

I think this person is really free.

‘It’s a good thing if I think about giving him work.’

Seong, the royal guard, stared intently at Cheonho, who was still holding me.

“…Uh, have I been holding Ongju for too long?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

When Cheonho showed signs of handing me over, Seong, the royal guard, shook his head as if he didn’t need to.

What is it?

“I just thought that young people definitely have overflowing stamina.”

“Seong, the royal guard, shouldn’t overdo it now.”

“That’s right.”

Cheonho, who readily agreed to my words, naturally received a glare from Seong, the royal guard.

Of course, Seong, the royal guard, was smiling in front of me, but the following words were different.

“Haha. Let’s go back to Ongju’s residence.”

“Okay.”

“…I’ll see you later.”

“……”

After arriving at the residence, taking a breather while drinking tea, I asked Seong, the royal guard, again why he had come.

“You didn’t just come to visit, did you?”

“Yes. Actually, Ongju already knows roughly what I’m going to say.”

It seemed that something had been conveyed in advance.

“If you already know, then the story will be quick. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants Seong, the royal guard, to be dispatched.”

“I heard that other guys recommended me. Everyone is so lacking in confidence.”

“You can’t blame them for thinking it’s too much for them.”

“I’m thinking of taking a few guys this time and training them.”

“Hmm. Well, that’s a good idea, too.”

At this rate, Seong, the royal guard, shuddered, saying that he would be called even if he retired.

‘That’s not wrong.’

That’s also why I decided to send not only Seong, the royal guard, this time but also a few more.

After all, if something happens, it’s difficult in many ways to be alone.

It was also a condition I attached when I agreed to the Crown Prince’s request to send Seong, the royal guard.

“I just hope nothing happens in the palace while I’m gone.”

“Don’t worry. Nothing has happened for several years, right? There are many people in the palace.”

I decided not to point out the fact that Seong, the royal guard, was called to take on the job even though there were so many people.

“I’m not just worried about the palace, I’m worried about Ongju. Cheonho is useful enough, but he’s not quite up to par yet……”

Seong, the royal guard’s gaze, sniped at Cheonho, who was sitting quietly and drinking tea behind him.

Cheonho, who was quietly there, had an unfair look, but Seong, the royal guard, didn’t seem to like it.

“Hmm. By the way, are there any people in Siyoungwon that you think you should take?”

“They’re all originally retired people, so should we keep calling them? Besides, I know that Siyoungwon is busy.”

Well, that’s true.

Come to think of it, I don’t even know how many spies there are in Siyoungwon.

I roughly know a few, but I heard that even after Siyoungwon was opened, there were spies who often went through it for reasons such as healing or rehabilitation after retirement.

‘I can’t really ask.’

Perhaps because many of the spies don’t have families, there are cases where they settle in Siyoungwon, but there are also cases where they quit because they are tired of childcare.

The people who are there now are all doing well, so it didn’t matter.

“It seems that Brother still highly values Seong, the royal guard. How about it? Do you have any thoughts of promotion?”

“Hahaha. Why are you saying such scary things?”

At my words, Seong, the royal guard, shuddered as if he was horrified and muttered.

“I should retire quickly……”

“No, you would have been called even if you had retired.”

“Why…….”

“That’s probably…… because Seong, the royal guard, is excessively competent……?”

“…Hoo, then it can’t be helped.”

We exchanged light jokes and blessings, and then I told him to go to the Crown Prince and listen to the important matters in detail.

It’s also annoying for me to convey the important matters one by one.

Actually, I thought Seong, the royal guard, wouldn’t like it, but he surprisingly accepted it willingly.

“I thought you would say you wouldn’t do it because it’s annoying.”

“Even if I said I wouldn’t do it, they would drag me. Anyway, everyone who goes is a familiar face, so it’s better to get it over with quickly than to go while being resented.”

It seems that the person who would be dispatched instead if Seong, the royal guard, didn’t go would be annoying…….

In a tone of getting it over with quickly because it’s annoying, Seong, the royal guard, had a slightly regretful look.

“However, I’m sad to think that Ongju will grow up again while I’m gone.”

“Hahaha.”

Thanks to Sehwa’s treatment, my height is now quite a bit taller than before.

Maybe I’ve grown at least 20cm taller than before?

Since it will take quite a while for Seong, the royal guard, to leave and return, there’s no telling how much more I’ll grow in the meantime.

“Hmm. I’ll be looking forward to it since you’ll grow a lot more while I’m not watching.”

“Reduce your work a little. Then you might grow taller faster.”

“That depends.”

Actually, I think my current growth rate is my limit. I’m honestly a little scared because I’m growing too fast.

I’m honestly annoyed that I’m hungry as soon as I turn around.

Honestly, I feel like I’ve become someone who only talks about food.

Seong, the royal guard, sighed because he didn’t like my answer very much.

“You mean you’re not going to reduce your work.”

“I’m doing it because it’s manageable. I still sleep a lot, and I’m not overdoing it that much?”

“…Ongju is still young, so you must never overdo it.”

“I’m being careful. Honestly, even if I don’t want to rest, Soi and the others force me to rest.”

However, Soi immediately interjected at my words.

“Why are you saying that when you don’t listen no matter how much we tell you?”