I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 136

< A Wise Empress Life 2 >

Before the simple table of drinks he had prepared, the Emperor gazed at Yang Ryeo-cheong, admiring her beauty to his heart’s content.

Just looking at her filled him with such happiness and contentment, and he couldn’t help but smile, anticipating their union.

“Ryeo-cheong.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I’m sure you must feel some sadness at the thought of being separated from your brother.”

“I am now a married woman. My brother instructed me to set aside my family ties and serve Your Majesty with all my heart.”

“Your brother is a remarkable man.”

“Yes?”

Yang Ryeo-cheong was taken aback by the sudden remark, unsure how to respond. Fortunately, the Emperor continued.

“Since he is related to someone entering the palace, I had your brother investigated.”

“Ah…”

“He started with nothing and rose to become the head of Joga Manor, the most successful merchant in the Central Plains. If his origins weren’t so humble, he would have been more than qualified to be the Prime Minister of this country.”

Yang Ryeo-cheong quickly rose and bowed.

She had learned that when the Emperor praised her, she should bow to express her gratitude.

“I am deeply honored.”

“Oh, stop with the formalities. Although we are sovereign and subject, we have shared the wedding wine and formed a marital bond. There’s no need for such gestures every time.”

As Yang Ryeo-cheong sat down again, the Emperor spoke in a gentle tone.

“I will ensure you don’t miss your family and shed tears. I have many concubines, but you are the only one who is not entangled in politics. The others are political connections, but you are a connection of love with me. That is why I will cherish you especially.”

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude, Your Majesty.”

As Yang Ryeo-cheong was deeply moved, the head eunuch quietly appeared.

“Your Majesty, shall I prepare the royal bedchamber?”

“Yes, it’s late, and I should retire for the night. I’m beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol.”

Two court ladies entered and escorted Yang Ryeo-cheong away.

Now, the eunuchs would inspect the bedchamber, and Yang Ryeo-cheong would have to undress and enter the silk bedding.

Tension gripped Yang Ryeo-cheong, instantly sobering her up.

It was her first night, and she had rehearsed it countless times. She was confident she wouldn’t make a mistake, but she couldn’t help but tremble.

“Wait. Have all the eunuchs withdraw and leave it to the court ladies.”

Unexpectedly, the Emperor made things easier.

The head eunuch said, flustered.

“Your Majesty, according to palace law, the first night should have…”

“That’s enough. It’s not as if we chose this day to conceive an heir, is it? Besides, Lady Yang is experiencing her first day in the palace. Everything must be daunting and frightening for her, so don’t make it harder, even if they are eunuchs.”

The head eunuch understood the Emperor’s intentions.

He didn’t want any man’s touch on the body of that beautiful woman.

“I obey your command.”

The head eunuch finished inspecting the bedding in the bedchamber and led all the eunuchs outside.

The first night became much less intimidating.

The court ladies undressed Yang Ryeo-cheong, completed the cursory physical examination, and laid her on the bed. As they lowered the thin cloth covering the bed, Hong-yeon [Yang Ryeo-cheong’s personal maid] discreetly slipped a very small jade box onto the bed, placing it right under the pillow.

The box contained a wad of cotton soaked in deer blood.

Now, all that remained was to sprinkle a drop or two of that blood on the bedding. Of course, Yang Ryeo-cheong would have to convincingly act out the excitement and fear of her first experience, as well as the pain of losing her virginity, but even Jo Gwang-yun [a renowned actor] would have been fooled by her acting skills, so it was certain that the innocent Emperor would never be able to tell.

As everyone left Haan Palace, leaving only one large candle burning, the Emperor slowly undressed and approached the bed.

* * *

Offering morning greetings to the Empress was an indispensable task and duty for all the women of the inner court [the Emperor’s concubines and consorts].

But today, they gathered unusually early.

The rumors had already spread like wildfire. Last night, the Emperor had spent his first night with Yang Ryeo-cheong.

It was unprecedented for a concubine to have her first night on the very day she entered the palace. Moreover, it was said that the Emperor, who usually devoted himself to state affairs until late at night, had rushed to Haan Palace in the early evening.

They all wanted to see just how captivating her beauty was that the Emperor was so smitten. Also, arriving late on the day of offering their first greetings to the Empress could be seen as a sign of disrespect from the very beginning.

However, even after they had finished their tea and a considerable amount of time had passed, Yang Ryeo-cheong did not appear.

She couldn’t claim ignorance of palace customs. The eunuchs and court ladies assigned to Haan Palace would have informed her of everything.

As time wore on, the expressions of the Empress and all the concubines grew darker. The time for scolding her for tardiness had long passed.

Her continued absence suggested something else entirely.

As expected, a eunuch rushed in and reported to the Empress.

“Your Majesty, the Emperor is still in Haan Palace, so Lady Yang’s morning greetings will be impossible.”

Naturally, attending to the Emperor was far more important than paying respects to the Empress.

“Very well. I understand. Tell Lady Yang to serve His Majesty with all her heart.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Empress, who couldn’t remember the last time she had enjoyed the morning with the Emperor, inwardly gritted her teeth, but she couldn’t reveal her true feelings while the concubines were watching, so she spoke with a gentle smile.

As the eunuch retreated, the Empress looked around at the concubines and said.

“It seems we won’t be seeing our new family member today, so everyone should return and rest.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Neither the Empress who remained nor the concubines who departed felt at ease.

They all speculated about where the Emperor’s favor would be directed, even if only for a day.

Some were even more troubled than others.

The ministers of the court, dressed in their official robes, had been waiting for the Emperor to appear, but when only the head eunuch arrived, they began to murmur.

“There is a message from His Majesty that today’s morning assembly will be omitted. Everyone, please leave.”

None of the court officials questioned the reason.

They all had sources that informed them which concubine’s bedchamber the Emperor had visited each night, or whether he had slept alone.

The ministers gathered in groups of three or five and whispered to each other.

In particular, the largest group gathered around Wi Chung-hyeon [a high-ranking minister and the Empress’s brother].

“As far as I can recall, this seems to be the first time this has happened.”

“Indeed. There have been times when he has skipped the morning assembly due to illness, but never the day after welcoming a new concubine…”

Everyone glanced at Wi Chung-hyeon with worried eyes, but Wi Chung-hyeon seemed unconcerned and smiled.

“Why are you all so concerned? Everyone here has at least three or four concubines. Haha.”

Everyone’s expression shifted to embarrassment.

“Isn’t it human nature for men to be drawn to younger and more youthful women as they age? His Majesty is also a man, and there must be days like this for his body and mind, exhausted from hard work, to rest, right?”

“Well, His Majesty is not one to indulge in women. We should be understanding for one day. We’re all men, after all. Haha.”

Everyone greeted Wi Chung-hyeon and left the Uihwa Hall [the hall where morning assemblies were held].

Wi Chung-hyeon also slowly departed, but the uneasy feeling lingered.

He was over seventy years old and could not abandon his wife of many years, but the Emperor was not even forty yet, was he?

A man with vigorous energy will grow distant from his wife the more he favors his newly acquired concubine.

If the Empress shows even a hint of jealousy, the speed at which he loses interest will be even faster.

Wi Chung-hyeon, who was about to leave the palace, changed direction and headed to the Empress’s residence, Jeonghwa Palace.

As soon as Wi Chung-hyeon entered Jeonghwa Palace, he knew that visiting his younger sister was the right decision. Seeing her with her eyes narrowed and her teeth clenched, she looked consumed by jealousy.

“Your Majesty, this is merely a fleeting infatuation. His Majesty is not one to be ruled by his desires. Please, let go of your anger.”

“Brother, do I look like I’m angry at the Emperor right now?”

“Yes?”

“I’m angry at you right now. Why didn’t you heed my warnings?”

Wi Chung-hyeon hurriedly looked around and said in a whisper.

“Your Majesty, there are many ears listening.”

Only then did the Empress exhale deeply and lower her voice.

“How many times have I told you that she could be a source of trouble? Didn’t I say that her beauty is enough to bring ruin to the country?”

“Even so, how can we plot against someone protected by the Imperial Guard? It is unwise to burn down the barn to catch a mouse.”

“Mouse?”

The Empress’s eyes narrowed again.

“Look at what’s happening. Has the Emperor ever skipped the morning assembly because of a concubine? It’s like a tiger, not a mouse, has entered the palace.”

“That’s absurd. She’s just one of many concubines. And His Majesty is always cautious about indulging in women…”

“He has lived his whole life being cautious. When such a person finally succumbs, everything he has suppressed for so long will explode. Just watch. See if my premonition is right or wrong.”

Wi Chung-hyeon had no intention of arguing with the Empress. He brought up the reason for his visit.

“Please be careful not to show any suspicion or jealousy towards Lady Yang. Don’t you know His Majesty’s temperament well?”

“Did you come all the way here because you thought I wouldn’t even know that much?”

The Empress said with a cold expression, as if she was dumbfounded.

“Instead of such useless worries, devise a clever plan to remove that troublemaking woman from the palace as soon as possible. You must never take my words lightly.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Wi Chung-hyeon bowed and retreated.

And after a few days, it seemed that his younger sister, the Empress’s, premonition was coming true.

It had already been six days since the morning assembly had been skipped.

What was even more shocking was that there were rumors that the Emperor had taken her to his residence, Taecheon Palace, because he was so enamored with the new concubine, and that when he woke up late and dealt with the backlog of memorials, he even brought her to Uirip Hall, the Emperor’s personal office.

This indicated that he was not just deeply in love, but completely captivated.

As things reached this point, both the inner court and the court were filled with anxiety.

* * *

“Head Eunuch, you must be having a difficult time assisting His Majesty these days.”

“Oh, you’re too kind. I am grateful for Vice Minister Yun of the Dogwan Department’s concern.”

Yun Ju-seong was reluctant, but he could no longer refuse Jo Gwang-yun’s request.

For Yun Ju-seong, it was more difficult to deliver a favor with a hesitant voice than to submit a petition against the Emperor’s decision.

Especially since the target was the corrupt head eunuch who had banished him to Gaebong [a remote region] and brought him back with Jo Gwang-yun’s bribe, it was even more challenging.

But he had already compromised.

Yun Ju-seong no longer believed he was superior to the head eunuch.

Seeing Yun Ju-seong hesitate, the head eunuch smiled quietly.

“Vice Minister Yun, if you have something to say, don’t hesitate. I will listen carefully.”

“Since you insist, I will speak frankly. I recently submitted a petition.”

“What is it about?”

“It is about recommending an excellent military officer from Anhui Province as the commander of the vacant Imperial Guard position. I understand that the Anhui Province Governor has also submitted a strong letter of recommendation.”

“A commander is just a low-ranking military officer who commands only two hundred soldiers… Vice Minister Yun, you must have a close relationship to be so concerned.”

“That’s right. He is an acquaintance of someone I owe a debt to…”

“I see. I will mention it so that His Majesty can review it promptly.”

“Thank you, Head Eunuch.”

“No, it’s nothing significant, so don’t worry too much.”

The head eunuch smiled again as he looked at Yun Ju-seong, who still seemed hesitant.

“There’s more, isn’t there?”

“As expected, nothing escapes the Head Eunuch’s notice.”

“Haha. Speak freely. Who is it this time?”

“It’s Lady Yang’s brother.”

The smile vanished from the head eunuch’s face. He never expected Lady Yang’s name to come from Yun Ju-seong’s mouth.

< A Wise Empress Life 2 > End