THE LEGENDARY MASTER OF THE FLUTE

It was time for the Lantern festival to be celebrated and Minister Han had just finished dressing up.

"You look as handsome as you looked sixteen years ago." Mrs. Han said out of the blue.

"How long have you been there?" Minister Han asked.

"I do not know, but it was long enough for me to see you in the underwear before putting on this magnificent robe." Mrs. Han replied.

"Is my life suddenly stalking me naked?" Minister Han said as he walked closer to his wife in the most seductive way that he possibly could.

Mrs. Han was startled a little bit.

"What are you doing?" Mrs. Han tried to halt her husband.

"You asked for this." Minister Han said as he tightly held his wife by the waist and pulled her closer to himself.

"Watch yourself, we can do it after the ceremony, very soon the guests will all be arriving and they can not find us in our own pleasures." Mrs. Han said.

"Now that you say it you must keep your promise, today is Seunghyeonjeong's birthday and I think I should have one little child since the rest are all grown." Minister Han said.

"I shall pull that into consideration." Mrs. Han said as she blushed and walked away leaving her husband behind smiling as she disappeared through the bedroom doors.

Minister Han looked at himself and then he tidied up his attire before he followed his wife out but headed in the opposite direction to his youngest son Seunghyeonjeong's room.

Seunghyeonjeong was looking at himself in the mirror when the doors slid open and his father walked in.

Seunghyeonjeong stood up dressed in a robe made of fine gold thread.

"Father." He said as he bowed his head.

"There you are my beloved birthday boy, you look so charming that people won't help but fall for you." Minister Han said as he came closer and held his son by his shoulders.

"You are flattering me father." Seunghyeonjeong said as he bowed his head.

"Is it wrong, I am only glad that the heavens graced me with my son being born on this auspicious day.

The whole Kingdom and perhaps even the continent celebrates your birthday with you." Minister Han said.

"And I was graced to have a dad like you." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"So, I bought you a very wonderful birthday gift that you should at least impress the guests with." Minister Han said.

"What is it father?" Seunghyeonjeong asked curiously.

"You shall see but you just be ready to enchant the whole audience and make sure that most importantly you are happy because to me, that is all that matters." Minister Han replied.

"Yes father." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"Thank you for being so considerate, I am sure young Master will not disappoint you at all." Shin Ji said.

"He never has, he never will." Minister Han replied as he tapped his son on the shoulder before he turned around to leave the room.

"What is it young Master, why do you look so sad?" Shin Ji asked after he noticed that Seunghyeonjeong's facial expression had changed and become gloomy.

"It is just that I don't think I am ready for those many people." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"I have known you long enough, you have never been ashamed of any crowd before, why could you possibly be acting this strangely right now, are you sick?" Shin Ji asked.

"I don't think so, I am just being pressured but I am certain that when it gets darker I'll calm down." Seunghyeonjeong replied.

"It's nearly dusk and very soon all the guests will be turning up any time soon." Shin Ji said.

"Father ordered that I remain in the room until every one has arrived and they have settled down." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"Alright then but at least you won't be bored because I will be here with you all the time." Shin Ji said.

"For that I thank you so much." Seunghyeonjeong said as he took hold of Shin Ji's hands while they sat down.

"Can I suggest something?" Shin Ji asked all of a sudden.

"Yes, feel free, what is it?" Seunghyeonjeong asked.

"This is concerning your father, you know every year during your birthday and he holds such an extravagant feast, the nobility and some members of the Royal Clan turn up." Shin Ji replied.

"No one really trusts my father and they all seem to have their attention fixed on me, clearly there has to at least be a way that I can convince them to stop having doubts about my father." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"But you can not simply just do that and we both know you don't just dress up a new face and change the people's impression." Shin Ji said.

"Dress up a new face?" Seunghyeonjeong thought until his face lit up which was a clear sign to Shin Ji that he had come up with something.

"Do you have an idea young Master?" Shin Ji asked seeking some confirmation on his assumption.

"Dress up a new face, that is it, dress up a new face." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"But I am confused, could you enlighten me young Master?" Shin Ji asked.

"Think about it, every one of the Ministers fears that Minister Han has sons, it is clearly spoken though and rumoured that his third son is effeminate." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"No, no young Master, being effeminate is so harsh on you, what do you know, I don't just mean to be offensive but you know you can't act that part well.

There are many young men and old ones who wear the hanbok, wear make up, act so perfectly submissive to their husbands and fiances but that takes time.

You would appear much more manly and stubborn and in a hanbok, wouldn't it make you ridiculous?" Shin Ji said.

"But what I am doing is for the family, additionally I am calm and dignified so it could not be that hard if I tried.

It might only help reduce on the escalating rumours among the nobles and members of the Royal Clan." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"What then do you want me to do?" Shin Ji asked.

"I know very well that father would understand and besides that, if I have to live that way for the rest of my life just to save my father the harsh rumours I would gladly do it.

In the end it benefits me and what better way to put an extinguishment to those horrible rumours than having another positive rumour spread, we'd be fighting fire with fire." Seunghyeonjeong replied.

"Alright young Master." Shin Ji said.

"Get out of the Manor through the back door and go to the nearby clothing and textile shop and buy a very beautiful hanbok that is beautiful and it would be best if it had peacock designs." Seunghyeonjeong said as he handed over about ten silver taels to Shin Ji.

"Yes young Master." Shin Ji said as he stood up and then walked out of the room.

"Today, the world will behold a brand new Han Seunghyeonjeong and they shall come to fear my wisdom since they won't have a chance to apprehend or touch my father again." Seunghyeonjeong thought.

Minister Han and his wife stood at the entrance of the Han Manor and welcomed the guests that had started flooding their residence with gifts.

Many of the guests were dignified men and women in the capital and some even from the Royal Clan but had agendas to watch and spy what went on in the Han residence.

The commons turned out also well dressed and many appreciated the Kindness that the Han household offered to them.

"He puts on quite a show, mixing two special classes that never mix, how disgraceful that those people turn up empty handed and with cheap gifts just to drink from the expensive wines that come from his cellor." One of the Ministers mentioned to another.

"He is one very smart person, think of it, one day, if he usurped the throne, the masses having tasted his kindness and eaten off his favour would be in his support and where would we the Royal Clan lie?" The other Minister asked.

Minister Han much as he greeted the guests was clearly hearing all the words the ministers were saying and he didn't let it show as he covered up his face with a plastic smile.

Not so long after, there was a massive convoy of carriages that halted in front of Minister Han's doorstep and judging from the Royal guards that escorted it Minister Han and the others could tell it was from the palace.

"Imperial guards?" Mrs. Han asked.

"Yes, could it be the Queen?" Minister Han said.

"I think so." Mrs. Han replied.

Out of the three carriages walked three people all of which were considered some of the Highest in the Kingdom.

Queen Sunseong, and her son's the Crown Prince Gyeongjeong and his brother the Grand Prince Gyeongseongmun made their way up the stairs to the entrance.

"Your Royal Highnesses." Minister Han and his wife said in unison as they bowed their heads to offer their respect and greetings.

"No need, I thought that I would stop over, it has been a very long time since I last saw Mrs. Han and my sons thought it was a very good idea to accompany me." Queen Sunseong said.

"We are graced with the presence of the Royal family and there is nothing more that we could possibly ask of you, just walk inside and feel at him." Minister Han said.

"Thank you." Queen Sunseong and her sons said in unison as they bowed their heads.

"We should be the ones to thank you." Minister Han said as he let the Royal family members enter and remained there at the entrance to welcome others.

When the sun had finally set and the coloured lanterns flooded the Han Manor, the entire courtyard was lively with celebration and the centre was cleared up.

After a while, the sound of the drums and other musical instruments erupted to the thrill of the guests as they all faced the temple that stood in front of them.

A troupe of dancers made their way inside dressed in bright red and started to entertain the guests with fire eating and dancing.

The music was at its climax as the guests applauded the entertainers while drinking the fancy wines and dining with a variety of dishes.

Minister Han stepped out into the centre and the entire congregation of guests quietened down as they looked at him.

"I am very grateful for all of you who have made it here and as a gift to represent my gratitude, my son who happens to have turned sixteen years old on this audacious occasion has a gift for all of you." Minister Han said.

"A gift, his son, where has he been all this time?" The people asked amongst themselves.

The entire place was in vocal tumult when at last a surprising sound erupted not far from the centre.

All the people turned their heads in the direction to face where the enchanting sound was coming from and they were all surprised when the beheld a wonderful silhouette behind a pair of rose red curtains.

Along with the fire on the other side, one could clearly see it was an angel as the ornaments made of gold and rubies, Jade and pearls glittered so brightly they caught every eye.

A flute, the music only breathed life and stillness at the same time.

All members even Minister Han himself looked just surprised as it was a sight that seemed nothing short of heavenly unlike the ones they had seen before.

Seunghyeonjeong behind the curtains played the flute, it was from the bottom of his heart and blending in with the wonderful technique and tender move of his hands, it was certainly to become the next unbeaten sound in the Kingdom.

It was with grace, elegance, the majority captivated by the instrumental couldn't help but remain dumbfounded throughout until the last note was struck.

It was a very short and sweet end but the guests being caught up in the enchantment did not react when eventually, the curtains were drawn.

There was yet another surprise as Seunghyeonjeong looked out at his massive audience and smiled.

"It's working." He thought.

Another flute sound emerged with the blend of a few other stringed musical instruments.

The young man so beautiful dressed then began to sing.

"What's with this passion, a passion that overflows with my heart, I suddenly can't help but start to fathom what is in the stars, yet all in all I lift my head and look up at the moon, gently as it sheds on me the beams of its eternal light.

Oh, I am taken aback,

Just as the stars glow I have become alive,

So it is with joy the heavens Crown my brow,

Immaculate and courteously I'm made divine,

Warm as a the fire that heats the hearth,

Vast as the rivers that quench the land,

This passion runs and distils in the plains,

A fine sound that will echo from afar.

What's with this feeling, a feeling of loss and regret, When I can not have you, useless becomes every other embrace, If my eyes are beautiful is it because you are looking at them, Or perhaps when you see me, you see someone else?

Oh, I am taken aback,

Just as the stars glow I have become alive,

So it is with joy the heavens Crown my brow,

Immaculate and courteously I'm made divine,

Warm as a the fire that heats the hearth,

Vast as the rivers that quench the land,

This passion runs and distils in the plains,

A fine sound that will echo from afar.

What is with the lanterns, moreso with the light they shed, Is it but that promise, so young and passionate that we made, My voice could rise but I am not certain it is loud enough, Nor can I think there are words that are left for me to express

Oh, I am taken aback,

Just as the stars glow I have become alive,

So it is with joy the heavens Crown my brow,

Immaculate and courteously I'm made divine,

Warm as a the fire that heats the hearth,

Vast as the rivers that quench the land,

This passion runs and distils in the plains,

A fine sound that will echo from afar.

Empress of love, empress of heart so tender and mild, could you of all men in grace and kindness hear my plea this fateful hour, I married you so that I could fully trust you with my heart, could there be any years in my life better than those you were beside me?

Oh, I am taken aback,

Just as the stars glow I have become alive,

So it is with joy the heavens Crown my brow,

Immaculate and courteously I'm made divine,

Warm as a the fire that heats the hearth,

Vast as the rivers that quench the land,

This passion runs and distils in the plains,

A fine sound that will echo from afar.

Oh, I am taken aback,

Just as the stars glow I have become alive,

So it is with joy the heavens Crown my brow,

Immaculate and courteously I'm made divine,

Warm as a the fire that heats the hearth,

Vast as the rivers that quench the land,

This passion runs and distils in the plains,

A fine sound that will echo from afar." Seunghyeonjeong concluded the song.

With the moonlight shading it's light on him, most of the guests were captivated by his radiance and grace.

The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong and his brother the Grand Prince Gyeongseongmun were surprised as well and it took long enough until Minister Han broke the silence.

"Marvellous." Minister Han said as the rest of the guests applauded Seunghyeonjeong as well.

"The Eternal Empress." Some guests said.

"How could it be without guile that this young man could perform such a complex routine let along world the flute with such skill.

He is too wise for his age." The ministers complimented.

The Crown Prince who was head over hills in love with Seunghyeonjeong could not help but even feel more attracted to him.

One would have said he was perhaps fairer than any other lady in the Kingdom.

"Legendary Master of the flute." The people dubbed him as they threw flowers to him.

At last as usual, most of the visitors who were gathered took possession of the lanterns in their families.

Some people crossed over to their fellow friends but the other ministers were rather isolating themselves from the rest of the crowd.

The Han family was in a complete circle as they took hold of their lantern altogether and then lifted it up to the sky.

They all closed their eyes and made their wishes.

"I want to be the best Military General in the Kingdom." Seungnyang wished.

"I wish that I could be Happy with my family." Minister Han and his wife wished.

"I wish I could live long enough to enjoy the world." Seungjae wished.

"I wish to be great." Seunghyeonjeong wished as they let their lantern float.

"I wish that I get you." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong wished as he looked in the direction of Seunghyeonjeong enchanted and captivated by his beauty.

"I wish that wherever you are, I'll find you." The Grand Prince Gyeongseongmun wished as he took hold of the halved Jade pendant that was in his possession.

Eventually, the two Princes also let go of their lantern and along with other guests.

The lanterns flying high above looked like stars and fireflies rising from the Han Manor in a distance.

The scene was far better than it had looked all those sixteen years ago, it was new and one would clearly say an unforgettable day.

Seunghyeonjeong had done a good job stealing the show and being perhaps the fairest in the land.