There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 18

Solicitations weren’t limited to just the officials.

Requests for supplies poured in from within the palace for the white powder I had developed. Even my father’s concubines came running, fawning over me.

“Your Highness, is it true that applying the white powder will make one’s skin as white as jade?”

‘It’ll probably just make your face pale from lead poisoning.’

“Your Highness, while it may be understandable for outsiders, we are people within the palace. Couldn’t you show us some favor and bestow it upon us?”

“Indeed. We will surely repay Your Highness’s great kindness.”

‘What is this? Are they implying they’ll create a half-sibling for me as repayment?’

Consorts Shin, Ahn, and Kwon, like Consort Shin-bin, Consort Seon-bin, and Consort Ui-bin, were all vying for my father’s favor.

They must be desperate to get their hands on the white powder.

“No-bun, send them all away.”

Even though they were nominally my stepmothers, I waved my hand dismissively, barely listening.

“The consorts are ordered to withdraw at once!”

No-bun stepped forward to inform the concubines, and their faces changed.

“Wait, Your Highness!”

“Just a bit more of our story…”

“It is His Highness’s strict order! Please withdraw!”

“Let go! How dare a eunuch lay hands on a consort?”

Even though I had No-bun convey my message, they were being completely unreasonable.

‘So, these are the women with some power among the concubines, huh?’

‘I have no choice. Time for the ultimate measure.’

I quietly opened my mouth.

“Even Her Majesty asked me for the white powder, but I refused.”

“Yes, what?”

“Do you still desire the white powder despite this? If so, I shall give it to you.”

The consorts looked at each other, then began to tremble.

They realized the repercussions that would follow if they possessed the white powder that even the Queen had been denied.

“Ah, no, it’s alright.”

“We seem to have misspoke.”

“Please, forget what happened today, Your Highness.”

I waved my hand.

‘Phew, using Mom’s name to control the concubines is the best.’

The truth was, my mother, Queen Wongyeong, had indeed asked me for the white powder.

I had given her soap when I brought it to the Retired King, so she naturally assumed it would be the same this time.

‘Won-ja [Prince, a term of endearment], how can your mother not use the white powder you made?’

‘Mother, not only white powder, but anything containing lead is harmful to the body. Eventually, it will damage your face and health, which is why it’s banned in Joseon.’

However, my mother was adamant.

Even knowing that lead was harmful to their health, people of this era generally considered the benefits to outweigh the risks.

In the end, I had no choice but to name-drop the officials who had been pestering me for white powder.

‘These officials all oppose it, and a strict order has been issued, so I cannot do anything about it.’

My mother was upset, but I couldn’t let my own mother get lead poisoning.

I had barely managed to dissuade her, and now I was going to give white powder to the concubines?

Considering Queen Wongyeong’s personality, she would never let that slide.

‘Even though she’s my mother, her jealousy is no joke.’

Not long ago, Consort Kim, who was pregnant and living outside the palace, was about to give birth. Upon hearing this, Queen Wongyeong had her people leave her outside the gate.

In the middle of winter, no less.

I hadn’t heard the aftermath yet, but even as her son, it sent shivers down my spine.

‘Truly, Kil Bang-won’s wife [referring to Yi Bang-won, later King Taejong, known for his ruthlessness].’

Like husband, like wife.

The three concubines knew this, which is why they tucked their tails and ran as soon as Mom was mentioned.

Once the story spread that I had refused even the request of my own mother, the Queen of Joseon, no one else asked me for white powder.

Except for someone even higher up.

My grandfather, the Retired King Yi Seong-gye.

===

“I hear that powder you made is quite popular these days.”

“Well, rumors tend to grow even without substance.”

The effects should only be known to me and the Jang of the Military Supplies Depot, so I wondered when it had spread so far.

“Well, judging by the things you’ve made so far, that white powder of yours must be extraordinary.”

“Yes, it’s quite remarkable.”

I didn’t bother denying it.

‘But why is Grandfather bringing this up?’

Just as I was wondering if I should change the subject, Grandfather dropped the main point.

“Give me one too.”

“Yes? White powder?”

“Yes. Can’t you spare one for your grandfather?”

I wondered why he had personally come to the Crown Prince’s residence from the Retired King’s Palace, but the words that came out of his mouth were about wanting that white powder.

I was completely dumbfounded.

‘Why is this old man doing this?’

Was it an excess of female hormones due to aging?

No, I’ve never heard such a story in the original history, so it couldn’t be cross-dressing.

Perhaps it was a case like the officials who came with bruises on their faces.

“Are you going to give it to a lover?”

“A lover.”

Yi Seong-gye looked into the distance when I asked.

“Yes, I’m going to give it to a lover.”

‘Grandfather’s virility is impressive.’

He’s at an age where most people would have one foot in the grave.

In any case, I only had one answer to give.

“I cannot give it to you.”

“You can’t give it to me?”

“I didn’t even give it to my mother. I intend to prevent everyone I can see from using it.”

I said with my arms crossed.

I don’t care about the Ming Dynasty far away, but it’s different for people I directly face in this land of Joseon.

However, Yi Seong-gye remained calm even after hearing those words.

“Is it okay if it’s someone you can’t see?”

“Yes?”

‘Does he have a new mistress in Liaodong or something?’

“If you have time now, bring a white powder and follow me.”

After saying that, Yi Seong-gye left the Crown Prince’s residence.

I put the white powder sample I had in my pocket and hurriedly followed him.

“Where are you going?”

“The Retired King’s Palace.”

‘I was shocked for a moment, thinking we were going to Liaodong.’

My grandfather and I walked in silence for a while.

Yi Seong-gye was usually talkative, never leaving any silence even during sparring, so I was puzzled by the current situation.

‘Why is he suddenly being so serious?’

The question was answered when we arrived at the Retired King’s Palace.

I had been inside Yi Seong-gye’s living quarters a few times to pay my respects, but Yi Seong-gye headed to a room behind it.

As soon as he opened the sliding door, the scent of incense wafted out.

Inside, there was a table, and on it was a rectangular wooden plaque.

And in front of it, eight Chinese characters were written.

「神德王后 康氏 靈駕」 (The spirit carriage of Queen Shindeok, Lady Kang)

‘So, the lover is not in Ming, but in heaven!’

Queen Shindeok, Lady Kang, was the mother of Yi Bang-beon and Yi Bang-seok.

In other words, my father’s stepmother.

‘But why is there something like this in the Retired King’s Palace?’

As I was pondering, Yi Seong-gye opened his mouth.

“Bang-won has already torn down the Queen’s tomb.”

My father, who had won the Princes’ Rebellion, had already divided all the land surrounding the tomb among meritorious subjects like Ha Ryun.

“The memorial tablet is no longer in the Jongmyo Shrine [Royal Ancestral Shrine] either. Since her spirit cannot rest in the tomb or the Jongmyo Shrine, I am at least comforting her soul like this.”

Yi Seong-gye said with trembling eyes.

“Keueuk…”

Yi Seong-gye rubbed his eyes with his arm.

It wasn’t an exaggerated wail, but a sob he was forcibly holding back.

I silently patted his back.

The increasingly intense trembling gradually subsided with my touch.

“Is that why you asked for the white powder?”

“Because I didn’t do anything for her when she was alive.”

‘The old man is quite romantic.’

I thought that appointing Shindeok’s son as the Crown Prince was something he had done for her, but I didn’t bother pointing that out.

They all met their ends at the hands of my father, so mentioning it would only backfire.

“Here.”

I handed over the white powder compact I had been holding tightly.

“I don’t usually give this to others, but I’ll make an exception for you.”

It’s not like a dead person is going to use it, so it doesn’t matter.

Yi Seong-gye’s hand was wet with tears.

He slowly placed the white powder in front of the memorial tablet.

Yi Seong-gye closed his eyes as if in silent prayer.

I also closed my mouth and prayed.

‘I have no ill feelings towards the auntie. Please don’t cast any curses later and achieve enlightenment.’

In the historical dramas on TV, they would cast spells and even kill the king.

I doubted there were ghosts, but if reincarnation was possible, why not ghosts?

The silence continued for a long time.

“Je [a formal address to the deceased].”

Yi Seong-gye looked up at the sky with bloodshot eyes and said,

“I have a favor to ask.”

“I don’t accept favors.”

‘Unless it’s a trade.’

The only thing I can give as a service is white powder.

There was no reason to blindly grant his request just because it was my grandfather asking with such gravity.

“This rascal…!”

Yi Seong-gye said with his tears completely dried.

He even made a face as if he couldn’t help it.

“Then consider that I owe you one.”

“Tell me.”

I replied immediately.

“About Kang Hyun, who was involved in Jo Sa-ui’s rebellion. I heard that petitions are still coming in to kill even his children.”

“Kang Hyun?”

Kang Hyun was a relative of Queen Shindeok, and his head was hung when the rebellion failed and he was captured in Gaeseong.

However, when punishing traitors, the system of guilt by association was generally applied, so it was natural that his children would also be affected.

“Whether you send them into exile or do something else, please spare the lives of his children.”

“You want me to tell Father that?”

“Bang-won won’t listen to me, but you are favored by that guy.”

“Yes, well, that’s true.”

I scratched my head and said.

But would that Kil Bang-won really spare the children of the man who pointed a sword at him?

I glanced at Yi Seong-gye, who was still looking at Queen Shindeok’s memorial tablet.

His face was haggard.

Was it because he loved her so much, or was it guilt that he wanted to save even her family?

‘It’s a pity for those who will die by guilt by association.’

As someone with a modern mindset, I couldn’t refuse when Yi Seong-gye came out like this.

“…You’ve put me in great debt.”

‘Oh well, let’s just do it.’

===

“I heard you went to the Retired King’s Palace today?”

Yi Bang-won asked as soon as he saw me.

I wasn’t planning to hide it, but he already knew my movements.

Well, it’s not difficult to know with the eunuchs around.

“Yes, I visited him once in the morning when I was training, but he came to the Crown Prince’s residence in person, so I went to the Retired King’s Palace with him.”

“What for?”

“There’s a memorial tablet of Hyun-bi [another name for Queen Shindeok] in the Retired King’s Palace, and he asked for white powder to offer to her spirit.”

Yi Bang-won’s eyebrows twitched.

The deceased Queen Shindeok was like an enemy to his father.

Yi Bang-won looked straight at me and asked.

“So, did you give the white powder to the Retired King? Did the Retired King offer the white powder to Hyun-bi’s memorial tablet?”

“Y-yes, I did.”

He always shows me a warm gaze, but there are times when he glares at people like this.

As if trying to uncover even the secrets in my stomach.

‘Should I have just hidden it?’

I said it without much thought, and it seems like I touched a nerve.

I was sweating bullets.

‘I’m going to get scolded before I can even fulfill Grandfather’s request.’

But suddenly, the corners of Yi Bang-won’s lips curved upwards, and then laughter burst from his mouth.

“Hahaha! Now that I see it, your heart is quite wicked!”

“Yes?”

“To offer that poisonous white powder to Hyun-bi’s spirit! If Hyun-bi had enjoyed such a thing, how long would her ghost have lasted?”

“Uh… yes, that’s right.”

“Even my son is cursing her, so I feel sorry for Hyun-bi. It’s fortunate that she died early.”

“Yes, well, there may be humiliations worse than death.”

“A king must have such wickedness. Otherwise, he cannot protect the throne.”

Yi Bang-won nodded in satisfaction.

‘Our father isn’t normal either.’

How deep is the resentment for having the Crown Prince position taken away by his younger brother?

‘Wait. If the resentment is this deep, maybe.’

I looked at Yi Bang-won and said.

“Father.”

“Yes, speak.”

“About the children of Kang Hyun, who participated in Jo Sa-ui’s rebellion.”

Yi Bang-won frowned when I mentioned it.

It seemed like his hatred for the Kang family had resurfaced.

“What about those guys?”

Yi Bang-won asked.

I tried my best to make an evil smile and said.

“Since lead is needed to make white powder, we must also have people to mine lead in the mines, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Then, instead of killing them, how about throwing them into the cave to mine lead?”

“Throw them into the cave?”

Yi Bang-won showed interest!

I seized the opportunity and actively campaigned to save Kang Hyun’s children.

“Yes. Isn’t it a humiliation worse than death in a way? You can promote Father’s mercy, and at the same time, you can feel a sense of satisfaction.”

“To gain pleasure from watching your enemies suffer in the cave…”

“Yes. It’s called ‘Pleasure in the Cave’.”

End

ⓒ Pitkong