Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 304

The more I dwelled on it, the angrier I became. But I forced myself to calm down and turned to the Crown Prince.

“So, what’s the plan? What are you going to do about all this?”

“This isn’t something we can simply ignore. Naturally, I’ll inform Father immediately.”

“Father will be shocked, too.”

“Indeed.”

Lately, the King’s health had been failing. He often left matters to the Crown Prince and remained secluded.

He rarely received visitors, so I couldn’t begin to guess what he was thinking.

‘I thought his condition was worsening due to the shock of losing Grand Prince Seongwon.’

Now that the Crown Prince was stepping up, I wondered if the King was simply relieved.

Even if Seongwon hadn’t died, it wouldn’t be surprising for a father to develop a mental illness after his beloved son ran away like that.

The Crown Prince and I sighed in unison.

“Um, so, about that…”

“Yes? Tell me.”

“I was thinking of trying to find Grand Prince Seongwon again and persuade him to return.”

“You? Personally?”

“I found him this time, so finding him again… should be possible.”

It had been proven that I could gather information faster through Siyoungwon [a private intelligence network] than the Crown Prince could by issuing official orders.

In fact, Yeon Seono, the Left Protector of the Demon Faction, would now have a hard time moving around in crowded places without covering his face.

I had even published his scarred face in the newspaper.

Perhaps because of the improved printing technology, the composite sketch was surprisingly accurate. Wouldn’t it be a little easier to catch wanted criminals in the future?

‘I felt a little bad for making his face so public… but I don’t have to feel sorry anymore.’

“I was so surprised this time that I didn’t have a proper conversation. I just ran out, all emotional.”

“You ran out, and he just let you go? Even knowing it was a place where rebels gather?”

“No, he didn’t just let me go. Cheonho shot some arrows and carried me as he ran.”

“What?!”

It was a bit of an oversimplification, but I briefly explained Cheonho’s actions.

It would be better for the Crown Prince to feel less betrayed when he eventually learned the full story.

The Crown Prince looked at Cheonho, who was waiting anxiously beside Court Lady Sehwa and Eunuch Song, with a slightly pitiful expression and muttered.

“I should give Cheonho a reward.”

I pretended not to hear.

“Grand Prince Seongwon ordered them not to attack me. Seeing that, he wouldn’t hurt me, so it’s worth trying to have a conversation.”

“If a conversation is possible, nothing could be better.”

“Yeah. Whatever he wants, it’s better to come back to the palace and resolve it through dialogue.”

“Are you suggesting I concede the Crown Prince position?”

“You two could have a competition or something.”

“No, what… deciding the Crown Prince position by competition? That’s something you’d only see in old fairy tales. Even the top student at Sungkyunkwan [the Royal Academy] isn’t chosen that way.”

“Maybe we could choose the head student that way…”

Well, no one would listen unless they were the son of a powerful family, so it wouldn’t matter.

In some countries, princes compete to determine the Crown Prince, but in those cases, they fight fiercely among themselves, wasting national resources, and eventually even bring in foreign powers to ruin the country.

Otherwise, the king goes senile and tries to make his youngest son the successor, ignoring the eldest, only to be stabbed or ruin the country.

There was a reason why so many countries established the principle of primogeniture [inheritance by the eldest son].

‘According to the patriarchal system, there is no successor with more legitimacy than Grand Prince Seongwon.’

Yet he threw it all away.

And then suddenly a military coup? How could someone who has learned so much do such a foolish thing?

“Anyway, it sounds good that you’re meeting him to persuade him, but the risk is too high. How can I comfortably suppress a rebellion if I send you into a dangerous situation?”

“I believe he won’t harm me.”

“Believe what… believe…”

The Crown Prince shook his head, grumbling. He seemed very unhappy with the idea that I could be in danger.

Besides, there was another problem.

“More than anything, will they still be there?”

Now that they’ve been exposed, the soldiers were likely to have fled.

“It just happened today. By tomorrow, there should still be some clues left.”

“I’ll send people, but it’s best not to expect too much.”

“I see.”

It would have been good if I had come to my senses and returned immediately, but the time I had fainted and slept was long, so it was already very late.

‘He wouldn’t be reckless enough to do something today, would he?’

Rebellions rarely go according to plan, but because the risks are so high, if something goes wrong before the plan even starts, they usually postpone it rather than bring it forward.

Unless communication methods are as developed as they are in modern times, it’s difficult to revise plans on the fly.

In fact, if they could bring it forward, they should have done it today. Of course, if they had, we should have already received some kind of contact.

So, for now, the Crown Prince decided to strengthen security.

He promised to send people to the mountain village I had gone to as well.

‘Grand Prince Seongwon’s rebellion…’

No matter how I thought about it, I could only sigh.

Rebellions like this always hurt people. Wouldn’t there have been another way, even if it was reckless?

But someone like me, who has never thought about such ominous things as rebellion, couldn’t suddenly come up with a good idea.

“Just in case, tell Father beforehand and move cautiously. Don’t do anything that could give them an excuse to find fault.”

“Sia.”

Thanks to my being discovered, it was impossible to secretly gather evidence of the rebellion.

If the Crown Prince moved carelessly at this time, he could be hit with a counterattack, accused of plotting a rebellion himself.

‘We don’t even know who is involved in this rebellion yet.’

It wouldn’t be strange if there were followers, especially if Grand Prince Seongwon was involved.

Instead of scolding myself, I comforted the Crown Prince.

“Don’t worry. Just like he was caught by me this time, he’ll eventually come into my sight and won’t be able to escape.”

“Don’t do anything dangerous.”

I nodded.

“Oh, and you should tell Father, Brother. I might get angry and say something impious again.”

“…I understand.”

As someone who had been grabbed by the collar by me, the Crown Prince quickly agreed.

Of course, as the Crown Prince, he could charge me with impiety if he wanted to, but… he’s not the type to fuss over such things, and it’s not important right now.

‘Come to think of it, the Crown Prince seems to like people who… treat him roughly.’

It’s not that he likes rudeness, but how should I put it?

Having lived as a Grand Prince and then becoming the Crown Prince, the number of people suddenly bowing and scraping around him increased, so I suspect he felt a bit disillusioned.

‘That’s probably why he liked Jihwa more back then.’

Sehwa probably liked that aspect of him too? Of course, he saw other things as well.

Since I had passed on all the important information, I slowly started to leave Donggung Palace [the Crown Prince’s residence].

“I’m a little sorry for coming here with this when the atmosphere with Sehwa was good.”

“It’s not your fault. If you think about it, it’s all for me.”

We relaxed the atmosphere a bit and chatted as we returned to where the others were waiting.

It was still chilly at night, and I honestly felt a little bad for keeping people standing for so long.

The Crown Prince stared at Cheonho with pitiful eyes and asked me.

“I heard that Sia received Cheonho’s help this time as well. You’ve been through a lot.”

“It is my duty to do so.”

Cheonho smoothly brushed off the Crown Prince’s praise in a way that was almost annoying.

“And Sia, don’t let Cheonho out of your sight for a while and keep him with you.”

“I never let him out of my sight anyway.”

“I heard Cheonho is anxious that you’ll disappear if he takes his eyes off you for a moment.”

What, is he having separation anxiety? Cheonho, are you a puppy?

“Why are you anxious?”

“Because you cause trouble when I take my eyes off you.”

“I didn’t cause any trouble.”

It just happened.

But thinking about it, I have done quite a bit of undercover investigation.

I understand why people around me are anxious. This time was actually dangerous too.

But that’s… it’s not like I knew that when I went….

I just went to meet someone, and it just happened to be that kind of place.

“Anyway, I came to tell you because it was urgent. I’m still tired, so I’ll be going.”

“…Okay. Don’t do anything too dangerous. Even if it’s not… I don’t think anyone would be stupid enough to provoke you, but it wouldn’t hurt to be careful.”

“Hmm. Why would they bother provoking a powerless and weak princess like me?”

A question mark seemed to flash across the Crown Prince’s face at my words.

“What, why?”

“No, I thought I heard something strange…?”

Ah, well, the expression ‘weak’ might not be appropriate for someone who shoots arrows at tigers.

I decided to change the expression a little.

“I’m not just talking about physical strength, you know?”

“Neither am I.”

“?”

The Crown Prince, looking at my puzzled face, shook his head and muttered something.

“If you mess with her, a riot might break out…”

“??”

Why me?

In the end, I didn’t get an answer, but it was still cold and the Crown Prince had a lot to do, so I decided to go back.

“I’ll let you know if I find out anything new.”

“Go in and rest. I’ve been thinking since earlier that you don’t look well.”

“Haha.”

It seemed that the lack of energy in my body was showing.

Sensing from the atmosphere that the important conversation was over, the people standing far away looked restless, so I quickly wrapped up the conversation.

They might not have heard the conversation, but Sehwa and Cheonho exchanged brief eye contact and parted ways after seeing us.

‘Um… when did these two…’

But given the current situation, I couldn’t afford to pay attention to that right now.

While I was lost in thought, the Crown Prince asked Sehwa to take care of me.

“Sehwa. Sia doesn’t look well, so please keep an eye on her.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

I knew the Crown Prince was saying it out of concern, but I shook my head.

“I know my body well. I just need to rest, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Oh, that stubbornness.”

“Your Highness is busy, so please take care of her.”

At my words, Sehwa bowed without hesitation.

“Yes, Princess.”