Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 240

I had such thoughts, but of course, I kept them to myself.

From what I’ve observed over the years, the Queen operated on a clear principle of reciprocity.

Whether it was emotional support or material goods, she expected something in return.

Realistically, unless the Crown Prince and I suddenly become bitter enemies locked in a power struggle, she wouldn’t have much reason to oppose me.

“Now, if the Crown Prince simply focuses on securing his succession, what would there be to worry about?” I mused.

The problem is that the process is often fraught with challenges.

“Since I am growing up well now, shouldn’t you stop worrying about such things?” I asked, trying to reassure her.

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Even as she said that, the Queen subtly avoided my gaze.

*Is she of the mindset that it’s not over until it’s over?*

Thankfully, I was able to conclude the conversation with the Queen gracefully and take my leave.

Whenever I exit the Queen’s Palace, my body feels a bit stiff, but I can’t exactly stretch in front of everyone, so I feel stressed. I really need to become independent.

‘Hmm….’

The Queen’s reaction is a bit lukewarm, but she’s not the only one acting that way.

Actually, I think I’ve matured enough that they shouldn’t worry, but everyone is being overly cautious, waiting for definitive proof that I’m completely healthy.

‘This is inconvenient because I’m a woman.’

If I were a man, the fact that I’ve grown to a certain height would be enough to satisfy them.

For women, the evidence of healthy physical development is a bit more…unmistakable.

‘They can’t be sure until my period starts.’

I suppose they won’t pressure me to get married until then, which is a small mercy.

I find the whole idea annoying in the first place.

‘Actually, one of the perks of not developing is not having periods.’

There are already so many things to worry about in the world, and having to deal with that every month! It’s so bothersome!

I’m glad I haven’t started yet, but seeing how I’m developing now, it seems like it will start by next year at the latest.

‘It’s hard to doubt Se-hwa’s medical skills because she’s practically the main character [referring to her plot armor and importance in the story]….’

However, she also seems to be all work and no play, so I sense a slight genre clash [a potential shift from romance to a more serious or medical-focused plot].

The problem is that the Crown Prince also seems like a workaholic due to his position, so I’m worried if it’s even possible for those two to flirt unless Se-hwa regularly examines him.

‘Should I tell her to delay the treatment a bit?’

But the moment I consider that, I feel like I’ll be seen as a sister with a complex who doesn’t want her brother to get married, so I immediately dismiss the idea.

When I returned to my residence, Cheon-ho was waiting for me, having arrived sometime earlier.

“Did you eat?” I asked.

“Yes, Princess.”

It seems he had a hearty meal while I was away. His face is glowing from the good food.

‘Our residence is known for serving excellent meals.’

I sipped my after-meal tea while receiving and confirming all sorts of news that Cheon-ho brought.

Cheon-ho mentioned he ran into Se-hwa on the way.

“She seemed busy,” he reported.

“She’s planning to leave the palace early today.”

“Oh… Could it be what I’m thinking?”

“Yes.”

“I should make a good impression in advance,” I muttered.

He’s quite quick-witted.

Cheon-ho sorted the letters by type in front of me and stepped back.

“Aren’t Cheon-ho and Se-hwa already on good terms?” I teased.

“They are merely exchanging polite greetings, so could you please refrain from expressions that might cause misunderstandings, Princess?” he replied stiffly.

“Alright, alright.”

While I was busy checking the reports that came in from various places, Cheon-ho was happily enjoying the tea and snacks brought by the palace maids.

‘He’s cute, but… I wonder why I feel like something is wrong.’

Of course, there were tea and snacks in front of me as well, but why does it seem like he’s enjoying them more than I am?

I asked Cheon-ho, replenishing the sugar needed for brain activity.

“Cheon-ho, in your opinion, where would a healthy adult man and woman go if they went out together?”

“Yes? Hmm. They would probably just go to Siwolgak [a private tea house or similar establishment],” he answered.

Going all the way out just to go to Siwolgak again?

Isn’t that like just going on a movie date?

Of course, it’s hard to call it a normal movie date since there are private rooms.

“Why do you think so?” I pressed.

“When I talk to them sometimes, they often complain of fatigue and lack of energy.”

“Ah… That’s similar to the Crown Prince.”

Besides, it seems like he overdid it to make time for a date.

“Of course, an arcade is also a possibility, but that’s too open of a space, and they might run into someone who knows the Crown Prince or Doctor Se-hwa’s face.”

“Siwolgak is definitely a better place to enjoy a secret meeting since you can enter a private room without encountering anyone if you’re careful at the entrance.”

Thanks to that, I can’t help but think that I’m too jaded to immediately assume adulterous couples need to be discreet.

“Of course, I think both of them would want to go to the arcade,” I conceded.

“It’s a big deal that the Crown Prince’s face is known.”

Many young officials also frequent the arcade. It would be hard to explain why young civil servants are there instead of working, but it would be even harder to explain why the Crown Prince is there.

Anyway, it’s hard to have a normal date because of his special status.

Then, they could just go for a walk hand in hand in a place with beautiful scenery… Hmph.

“Ugh.”

“What’s wrong?” Cheon-ho asked, concerned.

I couldn’t say that I felt frustrated thinking about the slow progress of the two, so I made another plausible excuse.

It was a natural thought that came to mind while looking at the reports, so there was no awkwardness.

“No. I just realized that there are many places where this year’s harvest is not good.”

“It’s already after Chuseok [Korean Thanksgiving] and early winter, what’s the point of saying that now?”

“Hmm… It’s just that the reduced yield in some areas is really noticeable.”

I suffered a bit because of that.

I was already busy, but it made my head hurt a little to worry about the failed harvest.

I also taught them about famine relief crops or alternatives in the affected areas, and arranged to bring and sell or distribute grains from other regions.

It was especially difficult because it was an era with inadequate transportation.

“Others say that people with money make money when the harvest is bad like this, but I don’t know why the Princess is losing money instead,” Cheon-ho commented.

“People are starving, so I can’t just profit from their misfortune. Are you suggesting I should let them starve if they don’t have money…?” I retorted.

“The Princess is truly… admirable,” he said, a hint of awe in his voice.

You’re saying that to someone who eats five meals a day and snacks every day, right?

“But I’m worried about your health if you work too much, so shouldn’t you rest a little?”

“I can’t because there’s too much to do.”

“Now, instead of looking at everything yourself, Princess, why don’t you delegate more?”

“I’m telling you, there’s no one suitable. No one.”

And the final decision-maker is always the busiest.

Of course, Cheon-ho didn’t give up and continued to press the issue.

I could see the palace maids, including So-yi, cheering for Cheon-ho from the side.

*Just you wait, you guys….*

“What about all the manpower that the Princess has trained in Siyeongwon [a training institution] so far?”

“They’re all working. In fact, most of them are working in the provinces right now.”

“Ah. That’s right.”

Looking back, there’s a reason why there are no talents available to infiltrate the gambling den.

And seeing a promising talent relaxing in front of me made me feel a bit regretful.

Everyone is working hard, but it bothered me a little that he seemed to be the only one at peace… or rather, it was because I felt it was a waste, and my mouth moved on its own.

“Cheon-ho, do you want to try it too?”

“Yes? It’s absolutely impossible for someone like me who can barely distinguish between letters and paper,” he said, feigning ignorance.

Cheon-ho shamelessly denied it. I organized the reports I had skimmed through to some extent and pressed him.

“I saw you reading a book written in Chinese characters.”

“Oh, when?”

“At Siyeongwon. You used to read books to the children, right?”

Cheon-ho seemed to be searching for a way to deny it, but in the end, he couldn’t and hung his head.

“Uh… Did I ever do that?”

“That’s a lie.”

“Hey, Princess?”

“You weren’t just reading to them, you were teaching them how to read, right?”

“……”

Cheon-ho, who seemed speechless for a moment, finally opened his mouth again after a moment of silence.

“Well, I can read books, but I’m not good enough to teach anyone.”

“Then?”

“I’ve been told to take the military examination since I was young, so I studied… I was forced to, so I can read books to some extent.”

It would have been difficult to find not only Hangeul [Korean alphabet] but also Chinese classics or military books, and above all, it wouldn’t have been easy to learn to read.

“Hoo. It wouldn’t have been easy to get books depending on the region.”

“That’s… somewhat true.”

“Your uncle?”

“……Yeah. Well.”

“Wow. Cheon-ho’s uncle is a highly educated person. But why are you so stubborn about not taking the military examination?”

“It’s not for me.”

“Well, there’s plenty of time. Anyway, don’t back out and help with the work, Cheon-ho.”

“The work that the Princess does is not something that can be done with just knowing how to read.”

“That’s why I’m telling you to study for the military examination.”

“……”

While Cheon-ho was silently grimacing, I called So-yi and started preparing to go out.

“I think I need to go out today.”

“Because of the Crown Prince?”

“Not exactly.”

I also wanted to go out because I felt a bit stifled after my conversation with the Queen.

It wasn’t the first time I had done this, so the preparation was over in an instant.

I was about to go outside with Jeok-ah, who was now used to it, when I suddenly remembered something and asked Cheon-ho.

“Ah, now that I think about it, Cheon-ho. Do you read the newspaper then?”

“While working for the Princess, I can’t help but notice things.”

“Then what about novels? Do you read the serialized novels?”

“Novels? Well. I don’t really like novels….”

“Oh dear, that’s interesting. I wonder if men around Cheon-ho’s age don’t read them much?”

“Well. It depends on the person, but I don’t really like that kind of thing.”

Cheon-ho said that surprisingly firmly.

‘Hmm. Is it not the taste of boys of this age? What to do.’

I sighed with disappointment.

“But I heard that the novel is quite popular and sells well. Even if men of my age don’t read it, there are many people who do, so it doesn’t matter, does it?”

“That’s true, but….”

That wasn’t the problem.

‘I recently realized while reading the novel that Se-hwa seems to be subtly putting episodes with her younger brother in the novel.’