Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 24

I was born as the daughter of a low-ranking concubine. (24)

My sister, Consort Yun, and I lived in the same residence, though in different buildings, but Grand Prince Yeongwon did not.

To be precise, Consort Seon became Queen, and Prince Gyeongwon became Grand Prince Yeongwon, which changed his residence.

As the Queen must reside in the Junggungjeon (Central Palace, the Queen’s residence) as her title suggests, even if they are young, princesses and grand princes must live in different residences.

Therefore, princesses and grand princes had to visit the Junggungjeon to see their birth mother, the Queen.

‘But why are they fighting?’

Fighting isn’t the right word, but that was the atmosphere.

I knew Grand Prince Yeongwon was here thanks to the familiar palace people standing outside, but I didn’t expect this kind of atmosphere.

I happily came in thinking we could eat together, but what’s going on…….

As I blinked, the head lady-in-waiting, whom I had known since Consort Seon’s days, also looked embarrassed.

This wasn’t an ordinary house, so I couldn’t just enter without announcing myself, pretending not to know, but I couldn’t announce my arrival in this situation either.

Of course, it wasn’t my fault for not contacting them in advance, but it was better for me to avoid this situation.

I whispered to the head lady-in-waiting in a small voice.

“I’ll just come back later……”

“I will take my leave now.”

But before I could say anything, Grand Prince Yeongwon’s voice came from inside.

Thump-

“Sia……?”

Grand Prince Yeongwon, realizing that I might have heard the conversation and momentarily frowning, quickly disappeared.

‘Hmm, what to do.’

Should I follow and comfort him, or should I prioritize the Queen?

I hesitated for a moment, but there was really only one answer.

“Your Majesty, I pay my respects.”

“Oh, is that so? Come in.”

I’m sorry. Social life comes first.

If I were the Queen’s beloved biological daughter, I would have acted differently, but I’m not. I can’t be rude to the Queen like Grand Prince Yeongwon.

The Queen, who used to call me “Agissi” [a respectful term for a young lady] when she was a Consort, now greeted me with a slightly tired face, as she is now my legal mother.

“Yes, I heard you made something delicious.”

“I thought you might enjoy it since it’s a soft food, so I wanted to let you taste it.”

“How thoughtful. Consort Yun is truly blessed to have such a filial princess.”

Perhaps because she has so much to worry about since becoming Queen, she looked exhausted.

‘I heard it’s due to stress rather than a serious illness. With Yeongbin’s downfall, she became more comfortable, but at the same time, she became Queen, so there’s pressure.’

And of course, sweets are the best for stress.

But since most snacks in this era are fried and heavy, a refreshing snack wouldn’t be bad for someone suffering from stress.

“This is the first time I’ve had such a soft pastry.”

Fortunately, the Queen liked the pudding!

We added milk while making it with my sister, so it must have been even softer.

‘In this era, there are no dairy cows, and milk is a relatively precious food, but it’s for the Queen.’

Perhaps due to the pudding, the Queen seemed to be in a better mood, and we continued the conversation with light small talk.

“You made it with Consort Yun? As expected of Consort Yun’s skills. But isn’t cooking a bit early for a princess?”

“I plan to learn little by little without being dangerous.”

“Yes, I heard you are also learning to write.”

“Yes. His Highness the Crown Prince said he would also teach me how to ride a horse and shoot arrows.”

“……Is that so?”

The Queen’s face, which had brightened, showed a sigh again.

I didn’t hear the conversation properly, but it seemed like this was the reason why Grand Prince Yeongwon ran out earlier.

“Is it not allowed?”

When I asked with an innocent face, shrinking my shoulders slightly with an anxious look, the Queen was silent for a moment.

‘She stopped her son, Grand Prince Yeongwon, from learning, but she can’t immediately tell me to do it since I’m learning.’

But in fact, there was no reason to stop me from learning.

The only reason would be-

“Isn’t it too dangerous since the princess is still young?”

“His Highness the Crown Prince will teach me directly, so wouldn’t there be many people to protect me?”

I carefully brought up the topic, watching her reaction.

“Wouldn’t it be okay if Grand Prince Yeongwon learned with me?”

“Is that what the princess wants?”

“Yes!”

“……Sia seems to like Grand Prince Yeongwon very much.”

“Yes.”

“More than His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“His Highness the Crown Prince?”

What is this person asking me right now?

Is this some kind of “Do you like Mom or Dad better?” level question?

As I was flustered, the Queen smiled bitterly and shook her head.

“No. I asked a strange question to the young princess. To the princess, both are older brothers.”

I wonder if something else is going on these days.

I roughly know that the atmosphere between the palace people of the East Palace (Crown Prince’s Palace) and the Junggungjeon is not good, but I don’t know the details.

‘There are so few connections with our palace maids.’

Especially the palace people of the East Palace are numerous and have been in the palace for a long time, so their power is extraordinary.

‘It seems like the subordinates are acting up more because the master has a gentle personality.’

That’s also why they are disrespectful to me.

As I was thinking, the Queen unexpectedly opened her arms to me and said.

“Would you like to come here for a moment?”

“Yes.”

What is it?

Did she suddenly find me cute? Why is she suddenly hugging me?

I was puzzled, but my body, which had been accustomed to years of business filial piety [acting dutiful for personal gain], moved smoothly, and I snuggled into the Queen’s arms. I could faintly smell herbal medicine from the Queen.

“I am so glad to have Sia.”

“……”

What should I say in this situation?

As I awkwardly hugged her, the Queen stroked my head for a long time and asked me to play with Grand Prince Yeongwon often, whether it was archery or horseback riding.

I felt like I had given a bribe, and I left the Junggungjeon and found Grand Prince Yeongwon through the maids who were waiting outside.

‘Why is he by the pond again?’

The pond without Prince Gyeongwon was now peaceful, but I couldn’t help but think that I should treat the children well whenever I came here.

“Are you here?”

Of course, I know he’s here.

Because I confirmed that Grand Prince Yeongwon’s palace people were anxiously waiting outside.

Grand Prince Yeongwon, who was squatting by the water and throwing stones, started talking about himself as soon as I sat next to him.

“Mother seems colder than before since she was appointed Queen.”

“Well, wouldn’t the treatment be a bit different now that you’re a Grand Prince compared to when you were a Prince?”

“But she is especially strict with me.”

“There’s no reason to be strict with me and His Highness the Crown Prince.”

The Crown Prince is already of age, and I am too young.

As I kept refuting, he glared at me, seemingly upset.

“Whose side are you on anyway?”

“I’m on the side of the person who’s on my side.”

“You’re terrible. I took care of you so much……”

Oh my, did you?

I couldn’t help but laugh as I looked at Grand Prince Yeongwon, who was grumbling to himself.

“I got permission from the Queen, so let’s go learn archery and horseback riding.”

“You got permission? How?”

“Ahem. This is the power of bribery.”

He’s smart, but he has no tact.

I’m glad he didn’t become the Crown Prince. How could such a simple child do politics?

‘In the novel, he was a cold, aloof, and ill-tempered guy.’

But he seemed to be popular.

In the first place, there was no such thing as a second male lead.

Strictly speaking, Prince Gyeongwon was the second male lead, but he was such a crazy guy that the readers unanimously said,

‘Author?? You don’t mean that guy is the second male lead, do you?? Author??!!!’ and the comment section exploded with voices protesting that he didn’t even qualify as a second male lead…….

‘I did a good thing for the female lead…….’

Come to think of it, there were rumors that Prince Gyeongwon would be completely excluded from the drama because he was too cruel.

‘Huh? Then how should the male lead…… Grand Prince Yeongwon and the female lead meet?’

***

If I remember correctly, the female lead comes to the palace to greet the Queen as a prospective Crown Princess candidate (de facto nominee) and accidentally meets the male lead.

But now the Crown Prince is not the male lead, and if the Crown Princess selection order is issued, it will not be the right time for the still young female lead. Since the Crown Prince is twenty years old, the Crown Princess will be at most three or four years older or younger.

‘Am I going to prevent the male lead and the female lead from meeting at all because of me?’

Hmm. But wouldn’t it be happier for both of them to live without turmoil even if they don’t meet?

“Sia, don’t daydream and concentrate.”

“Okay.”

I nodded at the Crown Prince’s voice from above my head.

Well, I wasn’t going to think about it while riding a horse for the first time.

“Sia, you’re not afraid. Aren’t you scared?”

“No.”

Today was the day I had promised to learn how to ride a horse from the Crown Prince.

On the first day, rather than learning, the Crown Prince held me and got on the horse, saying that I should get used to the horse.

Grand Prince Yeongwon said he was okay on his own and got on the horse first, but he still looked nervous.

Seeing his younger brother, the Crown Prince burst into a refreshing laugh as if he was enjoying it.

‘It seems more scary to ride with a child in his arms, but he must be used to horses.’

Grand Prince Yeongwon frowned as he watched me adapt relatively quickly on the horse.

“What kind of child are you that you’re not afraid?”

“We, who said I was scared!”

‘He’s so simple.’

In modern Korea, he would be the age to look up strange things on the internet and talk nonsense, but here, he is locked up in the palace and raised under strict management, so he is so innocent.

It was a pity that such an innocent child became such a cold and aloof guy in the novel.

‘Yes, I did well to push out Prince Gyeongwon. The environment is important.’

If I hadn’t, I shudder to think about what that crazy mother and son would have done.

The Crown Prince, noticing me trembling, looked flustered, but I declared that I was okay and would ride alone now.

Thanks to this, the Crown Prince got off the horse with a face full of regret and personally held the reins of the horse I was riding.

I wonder if there is anyone else besides me who would enjoy the unwanted luxury of using the Crown Prince of a country as a horse groom. It’s just that I’m a little bothered by the stinging gazes around me.

“Sia is already riding alone, that’s amazing.”

“You were holding me next to me, Brother.”

“I couldn’t ride like Sia when I first rode. How is riding a horse, do you like it?”

“Yes.”

Riding the horse with the Crown Prince holding the reins and sitting alone on the horse for a few laps was not as difficult as I thought. Except that my butt was a little numb.

But I’ll recover soon. I guess this is why you have to learn from a young age.

After playing with me for a long time, the Crown Prince followed me, saying that he would take me to my residence.

Grand Prince Yeongwon, who had returned to his residence with the palace people, seemed a little disappointed, but he didn’t bother to say it out loud.

Maybe Grand Prince Yeongwon is thinking the same thing as me. This person seems to regard playing with me as a holiday.

“Aren’t you busy, Brother?”

“Even if I’m busy, I have enough time to take our Sia.”

I was very burdened by the familiar Jwasesama [Crown Prince’s tutor] who always followed as a guard, and the Seoyeongwan [officials in charge of the Crown Prince’s education] and Ikwisa [medical officials] officials who followed me all day today. Maybe the Crown Prince is also burdened.

Because those people didn’t follow the concubine all the way.

‘Is this also healing time?’

But that quiet evening healing time was broken by a scream from somewhere.

“Aaaaaaack!”

“!”

The Crown Prince’s body, which was holding my hand, stiffened.

‘I kept thinking about it today for some reason.’

Prince Gyeongwon, who is confined to Chwiyeongdang [a secluded residence], or Consort Yeong…… no, Sukwon [a lower rank than Consort], occasionally screamed like that as if having a seizure.

Thanks to this, the palace maids avoided Chwiyeongdang and walked far around it when it got dark.

“I think I should stop by today.”

“Can’t you not go?”

“……If I don’t go, it won’t stop, so what can I do? I don’t really want to, but Prince Gyeongwon is also my brother, so I can’t pretend I don’t see it.”

Foreigners were prohibited from entering except for the designated palace maids, but of course there were exceptions.

Of course, the King never visited Chwiyeongdang, but the Crown Prince was a relative on his mother’s side, and he had to play the role of an older brother, so he occasionally visited to check on his life.

‘It doesn’t seem like he’s being treated very well even though he’s taking care of him.’

But in this Confucian society, it was not good to be caught with moral flaws, no matter how unwilling he was.

Besides, no matter how much you hate someone, who would like to hear them screaming like that all the time?

Oh, the world is wide, so it might be somewhere, but anyway. It’s so loud that I can sometimes hear it from my residence, so the kind-hearted Crown Prince couldn’t just ignore it.

“I’m okay, so you don’t have to go to someone you don’t like.”

“Brother is the Crown Prince, so he has to do things he doesn’t like. So instead, Sia… you can do whatever you want.”

“Should I throw stones at Chwiyeongdang?”

“No, that’s not allowed…….”

Even as he said that, the Crown Prince shrugged his shoulders and laughed.

“Oh dear. What should I do, our brother is having a hard time?”

“Hahaha, yes. Your brother is having a hard time.”

The Crown Prince smiled again after a long time, but another scream was heard.

“Don’t listen.”

The Crown Prince said that and covered my ears with both hands. And after a while, the Crown Prince, who had become quiet again, whispered.

“Sia, just look at good things, eat good things, and think good thoughts. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

When I bent down and patted the Crown Prince’s shoulders, who had met my gaze, the Crown Prince made an effort to smile brightly again.

“So, will you play with this tired brother again?”

“Yes.”

Because the two of us were chatting, it was soon time for my residence. The Crown Prince had to take heavy steps again as he was seen off by me.

The Crown Prince’s back, like a cow being dragged to the slaughterhouse, looked so pitiful that I couldn’t help but sigh.

We had a good time after a long time, but he ruined it.

‘Well, even if Chwiyeongdang is wide, it’s like being confined, so he must be stressed.’

They’re not normal people anyway.

But isn’t it a bit much that the Crown Prince has to deal with the aftermath?

The King did not involve the Crown Prince in the punishment process at all.

Perhaps he did it out of concern for the Crown Prince’s reign in the future.

‘Then what about the Queen and Grand Prince Yeongwon?’

The current Queen and Grand Prince Yeongwon were involved in the punishment process at the time, so they may have incurred unfair resentment from those who were swept away and harmed by Prince Gyeongwon’s actions.

Therefore, someone was needed to actively protect the Queen, but the Queen and Grand Prince Yeongwon’s power could not be allowed to grow in the name of preventing the rise of in-laws.

From the Queen’s point of view, she had no choice but to believe that the Crown Prince would protect her in the future.

‘Unless she has ambition.’

And now, whether she has the ambition to put her son on the throne or not, she has no choice but to be careful and careful. There was a reason why the Queen was so nervous.

It is highly likely that she is being friendly to me, who is loved by the King and the Crown Prince and has a good relationship with Grand Prince Yeongwon, because of that.

In the future, in the unlikely event that the Queen and Grand Prince Yeongwon become endangered, I am probably the only one who can plead to save them.

It was really hard to live in peace.

“Agissi. Are you tired? Go to bed early today.”

“Yes.”

And that day.

This story that I changed was reaching an unexpected turning point in a place I didn’t know.