There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 96

“Women’s Association?”

At Queen Wonkyung’s question, I nodded vigorously.

“Yes. It’s about gathering women from various Sadaebu [noble class] families to form an association.”

I said that.

“The women gather to foster friendship, share information, and sometimes use their family’s wealth to help those in need.

Although they are women, they learn from and encourage each other, so how can it not be beautiful?”

As I explained this, my mother seemed intrigued.

Of course, it was natural since there was no such organization in this era.

“Women’s Association, huh.”

Queen Wonkyung seemed to be considering the advantages of the Women’s Association.

‘It may seem like nothing, but the existence of such an organization is subtly significant.’

I thought of the officials who came begging for white porcelain powder because they couldn’t resist their wives’ nagging.

This is an era where women’s voices are not as low as in the late Joseon period. [Joseon Dynasty, spanning from 1392 to 1897]

If Queen Wonkyung could seize this, using her status as the Queen, it was safe to say that all the wives of the court officials would be in her grasp.

“Yes, as you said, if it’s a gathering to help the people, the public will respond favorably, and the Sadaebu families will also be able to gain connections with the royal family.”

Queen Wonkyung exclaimed that.

It’s the same in any era, but the role of the Madam is not to directly cook soup and prepare meals.

It’s the role of controlling those who do such things.

The Women’s Association would not be much different.

Queen Wonkyung was perfectly suited for this Madam role.

“That’s right. If the people praise them and the women of the Sadaebu families are well-educated and contribute to the country, how can they not be called the Mother of the Nation?”

“Mother of the Nation······.”

Light flickered in Queen Wonkyung’s eyes.

It’s a commonly used expression, but it wouldn’t just resonate with the ambitious Queen Wonkyung.

“Yes, I am the Mother of Joseon.”

“······.”

I breathed a sigh of relief.

In my opinion, Queen Wonkyung is not someone who should only be in the house.

The power wielded in the palace is certainly considerable, but basically, isn’t it a narrow space?

Moreover, there is another favored concubine, so she may feel threatened.

‘Let’s redirect this twisted affection in a good direction.’

I heard that the wives of modern politicians also gather and volunteer.

There’s no reason why it can’t be done in the Joseon era.

I nodded and said.

“In particular, it would be good to invite the women of the Sadaebu families to this Junggungjeon [Queen’s residence] and serve them refreshments. I have some food that I made, and the monks under my command are good at tea, so it’s perfect.”

It’s obvious, but Queen Wonkyung, as the Queen, cannot go out easily.

If she wants to meet people, she has to bring them all here.

It seems like a salon culture could develop around the Junggungjeon.

“The person invited to this Junggungjeon will be recognized by the Queen, so their reputation will greatly increase, and those who are not will be jealous and do their best to get into Mother’s eyes.

Depending on Mother’s choice, the joys and sorrows of the women of the capital will be intertwined, so how can it not be good?”

I said.

“That’s absolutely right!”

My mother said, greatly pleased.

Like husband and wife supporting each other, Queen Wonkyung is second to none when it comes to ambition.

How much power is it to be able to sway the women of the Sadaebu families with just one word?

‘If they meet each other like this, Mother might set up matchmaking and connect families.’

No matter how much Father favors Kim, this is something that a concubine cannot dare to do.

It was a project perfectly optimized to inflate Queen Wonkyung’s ego.

And who would benefit if Queen Wonkyung performed this role?

‘Me!’

Since Queen Wonkyung’s eldest son is me, that power will fall to me as well.

Actually, this isn’t something I intended to do······.

‘So please, just be satisfied with that and live your life.’

I didn’t want to see my maternal family get destroyed because of an awkward confrontation with Yi Bang-won.

It’s not bad to have enough power that Yi Bang-won can’t ignore.

Queen Wonkyung unfolded her fan and covered her mouth, laughing.

“Hohoho!”

It was a laugh like a villain.

What she does is a bit cuter than that, though.

‘It’s a relief she’s not burying cursed dolls.’

At least she’s trying to compete fairly (?), so that’s a relief.

“I’m always just receiving help from you.”

“No, this isn’t even something to call help.”

I scratched my head and said that.

Of course, it’s just a formality.

Today’s work will be of great help to my mother.

There’s no way my intelligent mother wouldn’t know that.

“Even between parents and children, there is affection that is given and taken. This mother wants to do something for you.”

Looking at her, she seems to be in a very good mood.

If I ask now, wouldn’t she grant this request too?

“If you insist,”

I lowered my voice and said.

“I have a wish, would you grant it?”

“What is it? If my son asks his mother, I have to grant anything.”

“Hahaha!”

I grinned.

As expected, people have to use their brains.

Thanks to playing the role of my mother’s strategist, I was able to find a breakthrough.

I spoke without hesitation.

“Please tell Father to let me go outside. This isn’t that difficult, is it?”

I shrugged as if it were nothing.

“······.”

Queen Wonkyung’s face, looking at me, hardened.

And then, the next moment.

“Ack!”

“You’re crazy, you’re crazy!”

She grabbed my back with her palm and hit me repeatedly.

“After that incident, you still want to wander around outside? You rascal!”

“Yes? You just said to say anything······.”

“You should ask for something I can grant! You have no respect for your mother!”

I forgot.

It wasn’t just Yi Bang-won who was overprotective of me.

===

I sighed as my grand plan to break the prohibition by using Queen Wonkyung failed.

‘The other guys are no help either.’

I thought I had built up a lot of my own forces by wandering around here and there.

But those people all turned their backs on me as soon as Yi Bang-won’s order fell.

Hwang Hee, Maeng Sa-seong, Heo Jo, all of them.

‘Ahem, Your Highness’s situation is very unfortunate, but······.’

‘If you stay in the East Palace [residence of the Crown Prince] for a while, wouldn’t His Majesty release you eventually?’

‘His Majesty’s order has already been issued, so it’s a bit difficult for a subject to follow Your Highness······.’

‘Isn’t Your Highness in this situation because of your own actions?’

The last one was what Heo Jo said.

It’s true, but I gritted my teeth.

He’s really thorough.

I felt Yi Bang-won’s wall once again.

With just one word from Yi Bang-won, my close aides (or so I thought) all turned away.

Even Yi Cheon and Choi Hae-san were the same.

When I called them to the East Palace under the pretext of having something to deal with and subtly probed them, they ran away as if their tails were on fire.

That’s why he can be at peace even after giving his son great authority.

“You too?”

Looking at his expression, it seemed like King Taejong was the same.

His close aides had already been cut off, and most of the remaining people had no connection to the court.

“Yes.”

At my answer, Yi Seong-gye sighed with an expression that said he knew it.

“That’s why I told you to go out through that dog hole.”

“No, how can a royal family member go out through such a place? What if rumors spread?”

“Wouldn’t it be fine if we didn’t get caught?”

Yi Seong-gye said shamelessly.

Does the sense of shame disappear when you get old?

“I’d rather you tell me to climb over the wall.”

“I would have done that in the old days, but I’m old now. If I do that, my back will break.”

“Do you want to go out that badly?”

“Of course. I’m looking at seventy, but do I have to be unable to get fresh air because of my son?”

“Even so.”

I can’t go out through a dog hole just to get some fresh air.

I was frustrated too.

But what can I do since the King’s order has been issued?

To ignore that order, I would have to be higher than the King.

“Someone higher than the King······.”

As I muttered that, something flashed through my mind.

King Emeritus (上王).

===

It’s hard for me to say, but Yi Bang-gwa’s fame had risen to a level that couldn’t be compared to before.

He personally led the captured Japanese pirates when entering Gaeseong.

Of course, that was only compared to before the war, and the enthusiasm had subsided a lot, but Yi Bang-gwa still seemed to remember that moment.

“I can still hear the shouts of Long Live King Emeritus,,,!”

Yi Bang-gwa proudly recounted the events of that day.

I clapped my hands and responded.

“You’re really amazing.”

“Yes, the Crown Prince is right. You’re really amazing. You brought honor to our Yi family.”

I quickly poked Yi Seong-gye in the side, and he awkwardly praised Yi Bang-gwa.

“Haha,,, it’s nothing,,,! It’s just,,, because there was divine will,,,”

He looks too proud to say it’s nothing.

“The captured Japanese pirate leader will be executed soon, right?”

“Yes,,, there’s no need to drag it out.”

Soda Saemontaro was screwed.

The Lord of Tsushima had swallowed up all of Soda Manho’s land, so it would be difficult for them to use their power to save him.

Even if a request came, the court would pretend not to hear it.

‘I could keep him alive and shake Tsushima.’

But Saemontaro has committed too many crimes to do that.

Besides, Pyeongdojeon said that the Lord of Tsushima wouldn’t last long either.

It’s better to cut off his head cleanly than to lose a great cause by seeking small gains.

I pretended to wipe away tears and said.

“Sob sob, this nephew also helped King Emeritus defeat the Japanese pirates, but it’s a pity that I can’t even see the leader being punished.”

“Hmm,,, I also feel sorry about that,,,”

Yi Bang-gwa nodded at my reaction and said.

“The upper and lower classes have been indignant at the Japanese pirates’ invasion for a long time. It’s a pity that I can’t be with you at the place where you proclaim that you have finally eradicated the root of the problem······.”

“That’s right. Your uncle completed what I couldn’t do, but I can’t even watch as a father. What a regrettable thing this is!”

When even Yi Seong-gye shouted that, Yi Bang-gwa’s ears perked up.

Good, it seems like he’s starting to bite.

Yi Seong-gye and I repeatedly praised Yi Bang-gwa and wiped away tears.

Most of them said that they really wanted to see the scene where the King Emeritus’s achievements were completed.

“Ahem,,, Bang-won seems to be too much,,, on such a good day,,,”

Yi Bang-gwa said with his arms crossed.

“Then will you help me get out?”

When I asked with a delighted expression, Yi Bang-gwa nodded with difficulty.

“Bang-won,,, owes me a debt,,, so he won’t say much,,,”

“Hooray!”

I shouted before Yi Bang-gwa could finish speaking.

“Grandpa, let’s start preparing now.”

“Good. Where are we going to stop by when we go out?”

“How about we go around all the gibangs [traditional Korean houses of entertainment] and see if our kitchen is running well? And eat delicious food too.”

“That’s a good idea!”

Yi Seong-gye grinned.

“But, how are we going to get out?”

I had a method in mind.

I looked at Yi Bang-gwa and said.

“Please prepare a palanquin from the King Emeritus Palace.”

End