HAND IN MARRIAGE

"Father, what did I just hear?" Hae Jae asks again to make sure he heard right.

"You heard me." Minister Jang whispers.

"Ok Jung, marry Suk Bin Her majesty's son?" Hae Jae asks again.

"Yes." Bai nods.

"My sister is too young for marriage please, I am strongly against it." Hae Jae protests.

"We cannot make any decisions for her, let her decide herself." Minister Jang suggests.

"Father, she is just eighteen." Hae Jae nags. "How can we allow her get married at such young and tender age? Have you forgotten she sneaks out of the house and sometimes dressed as a boy?"

"For the past few days, she has stopped that." Bai says.

"Mom, do you really want her to get married at this young age?" Hae Jae asks again.

"My Lord, someone from the palace is here to see you." Some one from outside announces.

"Someone from the palace?" Minister Jang asks himself.

"Are you expecting anyone?" Bai asks.

"No." Minister Jang shakes his head. "But let's see who it is." He raises his voice and says. "Let the person in."

"Yes, your lordship."

Lady Sung enters and bows. "I am the queen's attendant, and she asks me to deliver a message."

"Queen?" Bai asks again.

"Yes." Lady Sung nods.

"What message were you asked to deliver?" Minister Jang asks.

"The queen asks you to come see her today, it is very important to do so."

"Alright, you can leave. I will join you in the palace soon." Lord Jang whispers.

"Yes." Lady Sung bows and walks out.

"Why do you think the queen wants to see you?" Bai asks her husband.

"I have no idea either, but I hope it is not to ask for Ok Jung's hand in marriage too."

"If she asks for her ok Jung's hand in marriage, it means they both plan on using her as a tool or instrument to crown their sons, and I will not allow that." Hae Jae retorts.

"I won't allow anyone take advantage of my daughter either." Lord Jang adds.

"Go and see the queen first, let's know what she wants to discuss with you before jumping to conclusions." Bai suggests.

"It is very obvious already, they are coming after my sister. Because of power, that is never going to happen."

"I think I should go now, let's know what the situation in like." Lord Jang stands.

***************

Lord Jang looks at Gyotaejeon, and thinks again. What could have made the queen really send for him. He walks up to the attendants standing outside. "Announce me to the queen her majesty."

"Yes, my lord." Lady Sung replies with a smile. "Your majesty, Lord Jang is here to see you."

"Let him in!" The queen orders.

Lord Jang enters the chambers and pays his respects to the queen. "Your majesty, Jang Tae San greets you."

"Have a seat." The queen says ignoring his greetings.

"Thank you, your majesty." Lord Jang sits.

"I never had the idea that you belong to the northern faction." The queen smiles. "It seems you serve only the King."

"I am sorry your majesty. I am not just interested in power struggles, I am only interested in the well being of the nation and the people in it." Lord Jang says.

"I am happy someone like you is next to the king." The queen sighs. "Since you are only concerned about the well being of the nation and its people, why haven't you mentioned that my son becomes crown prince to the king."

Lord Jang looks at the queen briefly and says. "I have no say in that situation, it is left to the king to decide which of his sons to be the crown prince."

"His majesty's heart is already split into two, and you know that. It is only right that the son of the queen becomes the crown prince, it will cause nothing but unnecessary uproar and distress if a consort's son becomes the crown prince when the queen has a son."

"Your majesty." Lord Jang calls. "What do you want?"

The queen smiles. "You are indeed a very wise one, all I want is your daughter's hand in marriage."

"Have you seen her before?"

The queen was taken aback with the question, she was never expecting such question from him, she shakes her head.

"How can you ask for a lady's hand in marriage when you haven't seen her before? What do you plan to do with her?" Lord Jang asks hitting the nail on the head.

"I plan on making her the next queen of Joseon ."

"Before then, what do you aim to collect from her?"

"What are you talking about?" The queen asks pretending to have no idea of what he is talking about.

"You plan to use her as an instrument to crown your son isn't it?"

"Lord Jang!" The queen calls to caution.

"I am not interested in power struggles, thus I won't allow my daughter be used to gain power or even be involved in power struggles."

"Are you rejecting my offer already?" The queen asks.

"I am afraid so your majesty!" Lord Jang stands. "If there is nothing more to say, I will like to take my leave." He bows and walks out.

"Lady Sung!" The queen calls.

"Your majesty." Lady sung calls as she enters. "How did it go?"

"He rejected my offer immediately I proposed it to him." The queen whispers annoyed.

"What?" Lady Sung asks in shock.

"I have a feeling Suk Bin is a step ahead of us. Send some men to secretly follow him and report everything he does. He might head to Suk Bin's chambers."

"Alright your majesty." Lady Sung bows and walks out to carry out the queens orders.

"Lord Jang, what is giving you so much confidence? Is it because of your wife? Or because of your money? Or because you are the king's favorite? How dare you turn down my offer straight to my face without fidgeting?" The queen asks nobody in particular.