Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 38

‘Didn’t you just talk to me about the three obediences a woman must follow?’

I never expected the Crown Prince to say something like that!

And it seemed Yeoju felt the same, as a somewhat dazed voice escaped her lips.

“Pardon?”

“What is it?”

“I have never heard anyone say such a thing before.”

“Is that so.”

The Crown Prince’s face, smiling slightly shyly, would have been a delight to watch from the perspective of a reader or viewer, but from the perspective of a sibling, it was nothing short of awkward.

But then, somewhat unexpected words flowed from his mouth.

“I have a bright younger sister.”

*Your only sibling is me, though?*

“Are you referring to Princess Suyeong?”

“That’s right. She is bright, but also eccentric and quirky. Sometimes, when she is lost in thought, I wonder what she is thinking with that little head of hers, to the point where it scares me. She comes up with ideas that no one else could think of.”

*Oh dear. I’m being massively overhyped.*

“I wondered if it was possible to confine her within the framework of the world I know, but it seems impossible.”

“Are you perhaps saying that you quarreled with the Princess?”

As expected of Yeoju, her intuition was eerily sharp.

The Crown Prince subtly evaded the answer.

“When I look at her, I often think that it would be a waste to confine a woman to her room and let her talents rot. Surely, there must be other women who possess outstanding talents but are unable to display them.”

*Just occurred to me, why are you talking about me there???*

*You should be dating!*

*You should be seducing Yeoju!*

*‘Come to think of it, I threw the book and ran out earlier.’*

Thinking about why he’s acting like this, I felt a bit guilty.

But seeing him gilding me in front of others made me feel a little sorry.

And unexpectedly, that action seemed to be gaining Yeoju’s favor.

If he’s calculating and doing this on purpose, I’d have to commend him.

“I have never heard anyone think such a thing.”

“Who else would I say such things to?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to tell the Princess?”

“If I told her, who already does not know what she will do, such things, I wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

“Pardon?”

Puhuhut, the two burst into laughter.

Then, the Crown Prince suddenly grabbed Yeoju’s hand.

I really should be munching on something salty when watching things like this, but all I have is sweet castella [a type of Japanese sponge cake], which is a lamentable situation.

“I need a Crown Princess. And if it is something only you can do, can’t you reconsider?”

“…….”

The girl, her hand held, avoided his gaze, seemingly embarrassed.

Oh, is he using his charms?

*‘That’s right, he needs to get married quickly and solidify his position.’*

It seemed he somehow knew that it would be difficult to find a Crown Princess, as he was now aware of his position.

However, in contrast to that rational judgment, my face naturally contorted, and a bitter reaction was inevitable.

And at the same time, the child behind me, who also had a sullen expression, couldn’t bear to watch his sibling flirting any longer and ended up running out.

I should have provided more castella; it was my mistake.

“Sister!”

“Suyeon?!”

The main couple’s good time was shattered by the intrusion of the younger sibling.

*‘In a way, it can be said to be appropriate timing.’*

If Yeoju had fallen for his charms and said yes, it would have been a quick ending… perhaps?

“Where have you been? Do you know how much I’ve been looking for you?”

Contrary to her fierce tone, the girl spun her younger brother around, checking to see if he was hurt anywhere.

“What’s wrong with your arm?”

“I’m not hurt, I’m not hurt.”

Yeoju’s eyes sharpened as she noticed the sleeves were dirtied by the crow.

I, who was also the cause of the child’s injury, had no choice but to step out with a sigh. The Crown Prince, who had been watching the siblings’ reunion, wore a sullen expression.

“Sia, why are you coming out from there?”

“Mia followed me, so I was taking her to the Queen’s residence, Your Highness.”

Since there were eyes watching, I used formal honorifics.

The girl, belatedly realizing my presence, brought her younger brother over and made him bow.

“I apologize for the late greetings. This is my younger brother, Kim Suyeon. Suyeon, pay your respects to His Highness.”

“Kim Suyeon, Your Highness.”

Oh, come to think of it, I didn’t know his name either.

“Excuse me, but is the person next to you perhaps Princess Suyeong?”

“That’s right. My one and only sister, Princess Suyeong.”

“Princess, I am Kim Jihwa. I don’t know how to thank you for finding my younger brother.”

“…….”

And Suyeon, standing next to her, just stared at me with wide eyes instead of greeting, until his sister pinched his side.

Jihwa silently whispered ‘Greet’ to her younger brother.

“K, Kim Suyeon, Your Highness.”

“I am sorry, Princess. My younger brother is still young and lacks etiquette. I hope he has not been rude.”

“No. The young master chased away the crow that was attacking me, so I should be the one who is grateful.”

As I answered with a smile, this time the Crown Prince grabbed me in surprise and spun me around.

“A crow? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No, he chased it away….”

“That’s good. I’m relieved. But why are you wandering around alone again?”

*Being the weakest, unable to defeat even a crow.*

I felt like I knew the words that were omitted, so I was about to kick him, but I decided to refrain because there were eyes watching.

*It’s not like I can’t be defeated by a crow instead of a sparrow!*

“What were you doing in a place like this, Brother? I was too embarrassed to come out!”

“What, no, what were you looking at?”

“No, the atmosphere was good, so.”

Since I was positioned with my back to the Jihwa siblings, I grinned slightly, and the Crown Prince’s face turned red.

*‘Good times, indeed.’*

“Ahem. I don’t know what you’re talking about. Anyway, it’s dangerous, so make sure to be with the palace staff. Gaya was looking for you earlier.”

“Oh dear. I didn’t know.”

*Just leave me alone.*

Well, it would be a big deal if something happened to me while I was alone.

There isn’t anyone in the palace who could pose a threat to me now, but who knows? There might still be people in the palace related to Prince Gyeongun.

*‘His family is ruined, and both of them had terrible personalities, so it doesn’t seem like there would be anyone still following them.’*

Jihwa, who was trying to pretend not to see us bickering, turned her head and smiled, holding her younger brother’s hand tightly, and greeted us.

“I have found my younger brother, so I will be on my way. Would you please inform the Queen on my behalf that I have found my younger brother?”

“How can I send you off like this when you don’t even know the geography of the palace?”

*Yes. Guide her.*

The two seemed to be in a good mood.

It would be the best thing if the Crown Prince got married quickly and solidified his position.

But at the same time, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease.

*‘But is it okay?’*

In the original story, the Chief State Councilor framed Yeoju’s family for treason to prevent the Crown Prince from marrying the Crown Princess, causing their downfall.

*‘And in the process, all the family members except Yeoju seemed to have died.’*

I frowned as I watched the little boy struggling to escape from Jihwa’s hand.

*‘Originally, he was destined to die too.’*

But the Chief State Councilor has fallen, and there will be no reason for Yeoju’s father to be framed for treason, so perhaps the two of them could get along smoothly.

*‘But why am I so uneasy?’*

The two were talking about something and seemed to be in a friendly atmosphere.

They were somehow maintaining a good atmosphere with the common topic of having younger siblings with an age gap.

*‘In the original story, the Crown Prince seemed to be more forceful. Even before parting, he forcibly asked her to meet him on the eighth day of the fourth month.’*

Even if the Joseon Dynasty promoted a policy of suppressing Buddhism and honoring Confucianism, Confucianism could not replace Buddhism.

Therefore, even though the Lantern Festival was not as splendid as it was during the Goryeo Dynasty, it continued as a folk event, and every year on the eighth day of the fourth month, the streets were crowded with lantern viewing.

That was the same in this world, and I heard that it was quite a sight to see each house setting up flagpoles and hanging lanterns on the eighth day of the fourth month.

*‘They say you make a wish while watching the lanterns on the Cheonggyecheon Bridge.’*

I’ve seen it done in Jongno in my previous life, but I guess the lanterns would be smaller compared to that?

While I was lost in thought, the topic of conversation between the two had returned to square one.

“So, won’t you reconsider?”

“It is a daunting task for me. Above all, the palace is a place where the laws are strict, so someone like me, who enjoys festivals all year round outside the palace, does not fit in.”

“Festivals?”

“In the spring, I go to the mountains to see the flowers, in the summer, I go to the valleys, and in the fall, I go to see the autumn foliage. Soon, on the upcoming eighth day of the fourth month, I will be watching the lanterns at Cheonggyecheon. I will also watch the fireworks.”

“Ah, you are referring to the birthday of Buddha. Do you always go to see it?”

“When I was young, I used to go with my parents.”

Saying that, Jihwa turned to look at her younger brother.

Does she mean she’s going with her younger brother now?

“I grew up only in the palace, so I have never been to such places. When I was a Grand Prince, I thought that I would definitely go after I had my coming-of-age ceremony and left the palace, but I have become someone who cannot easily leave the palace.”

“How could I not know that the position of the Crown Prince is heavy?”

“If you think so… won’t you show me the lantern viewing event?”

“Pardon?”

Oh, he’s good at seducing.

*‘Even when the palace maids secretly flirted with him, he was indifferent.’*

Well, he has a deep distrust of people, so it can’t be helped.

Rather, the fact that Jihwa said she wouldn’t become the Crown Princess seemed to appeal to him more.

*‘Hoo,’*

I wish I could say I’m just worrying for nothing, but I couldn’t help but sigh. Feeling a sudden gaze, I turned to the side and saw Jihwa’s younger brother staring at me blankly.

“Why?”

“No, it’s nothing….”

Perhaps he was scolded by his sister, his words suddenly became longer, and at the same time, he looked somewhat dejected and gloomy.

*‘He’s like a puppy.’*

He doesn’t resemble his sister.

*‘If the development I remember actually happens, this child will be in trouble.’*

In the original story, the Crown Prince’s death and Grand Prince Yeongwon’s attempted poisoning actually happened.

Sometimes I thought about it.

The reason I survived was perhaps because I was a side character in the story.

If that’s the case, then even if something happens, the main character, Jihwa, will definitely survive.

But what about this child?

This child, who looks like a puppy and is cute as he smiles at me.

*‘If it goes according to the original story, will he die?’*

Thanks to the historical drama script I saw last, I remembered relatively well what happened to Yeoju’s family. Come to think of it, somehow, the meeting between the two seemed closer to a historical drama than a novel.

*‘The male lead in historical dramas seemed softer than in novels.’*

The male lead in novels was a bit more… rude.

As I watched the main couple, who seemed to have already fallen in love, making plans for a date on the eighth day of the fourth month, which was still a long way off, I whispered to the child.

“If your sister goes out on the eighth day of the fourth month, make sure to follow her.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll be going out too.”

“Huh?!”

The child, with wide eyes, blinked his big eyes. He doesn’t seem to understand why I’m telling him to come out.

“If you come out, I’ll give you the snack you ate earlier.”

“Okay!”

At his unwavering answer, I smiled.

As expected, you have to lure kids with snacks.

Thus, a date for guardians, each accompanied by their younger siblings, was successfully established.

Of course, the two people in front of me may have different opinions from mine on whether this development is successful or not.