Eps 20 : Secret Plot
Royal Queen Dowager Shin was overjoyed to find the first greeting from Kang Mi-Young, who had just finished King Yeongan's concubine inauguration ceremony. Not only was Royal Queen Dowager Shin present in the room, but so were Queen Dowager Park and Queen Jung. When Royal Queen Dowager Shin spit out joy on her face, it was inversely proportional to the expression displayed by Queen Dowager Park. The woman wearing white dangui looked displeased.
"Aigoo, just as I thought. Kang Suk-Ui is the most suitable concubine candidate to serve the king in the future," said Royal Queen Dowager Shin with a big smile directed at her recommendation girl.
Queen Dowager Park firmly gripped her daran chima—a traditional skirt worn with the hanbok—after hearing Royal Queen Dowager Shin's praise of Concubine Kang. Knowing that the girl chosen by Royal Queen Dowager Shin had entered the palace as her stepson's concubine enraged him.Silently, Queen Dowager Park cast a sharp gaze on Queen Jung, who sat beside her while sipping tea in silence.
Queen Dowager Park's distaste for this situation caused a headache in her head. Not only was she dizzy, but she also felt sick and sick of hearing the praises of the Royal Queen Dowager Shin. Not wanting to stay any longer, Queen Dowager Park chose to get up from her seat. This action clearly made Royal Queen Dowager Shin frown and cast a questioning gaze at Queen Dowager Park.
"Royal Queen Dowager, I'm sorry if I sound presumptuous. It looks like my body condition is not good enough this morning. Therefore, I beg you to leave. Have a good day, Your Highness,"
Queen Dowager Park as she bowed, took three steps back, and then turned to leave the room. The Royal Queen Dowager Shin smiled sarcastically at the behavior of Queen Dowager Park, who was clearly annoyed. Even Queen Dowager Park did not want to bother hearing a response to her farewell word. This shows the increasingly fierce war between the two senior members of the kingdom in the palace.
Not bothering her, Royal Queen Dowager Shin then focused on Queen Jung, who was still staying in her room. The smile returned to her old face, realizing that the Queen had chosen to side with her. Inwardly, Royal Queen Dowager Shin laughed at Queen Dowager Park's annoyance after learning that her chosen queen had chosen to side with her. The Royal Queen Dowager Shin Palace felt relieved for having succeeded in establishing power in the palace.
"My Queen, I'm glad you made the right decision. In order to survive the strong current, you should hold on to a sturdy branch," said Royal Queen Dowager Shin, flattering Queen Jung with a smile of satisfaction.
Queen Jung smiled politely as she lowered her head slightly. "Thank you for your compliment, Royal Queen Dowager. I try to carry out the Queen's duties well."
"Great. Besides, my advice yesterday was to choose a new concubine because I was worried about the future of this kingdom. Again, I'm glad you made a wise decision, My Queen. In the future, I will definitely provide my support to you."
"Thank you for your trust, Royal Queen Dowager. In the future, I will definitely pay attention to decisions based on your suggestions," replied Queen Jung.
Royal Queen Dowager Shin nodded happily as she heard Queen Jung's favorable response. Again, her attention shifts, and she notices a smiling Kang Mi-Young listening to her conversation with Queen Jung. Royal Queen Dowager Shin was now aware of the two formidable pawns she possessed.
"Kang Suk-Ui, in the future, serve Your Majesty with all your heart. Do not forget to help the queen with her work in the palace. Given that there are currently three concubines holding the same title as you, that doesn't mean you should relax. Therefore, do your best," Royal Queen Dowager Shin emphasizing that she expected Consort Kang to win over King Yeongan's heart.
Concubine Kang nodded firmly. Her two beads shone with determination. "Don't worry, Royal Queen Dowager. "I will remember your message in my heart."
...
Meanwhile, in his room, Yi Baek is busy with the minister's report regarding some of the policies he just implemented last month. The red-robed man didn't even budge when Eunuch Jang entered the room.
Eunuch Jang brought a tray with a large and a smaller cup. Eunuch Jang bowed respectfully before finally placing the tray in front of him.
"Your Majesty, I brought you the herbal drink sent from the Royal Physician. Tomorrow, you will spend the night at Seonghwa-dang. Considering the queen just appointed a new concubine for you this morning,"
Yi Baek closed the scroll he was reading roughly. His brow furrowed at the information that Eunuch Jang conveyed before finally chuckling.
"New concubine? Hah! "What a joke are you telling, Eunuch Jang?"
"I'm not joking, Your Majesty. This morning, the queen appointed a new concubine with the title Suk-Ui of the Kang clan. Your Majesty, the astronomy department has been looking for an auspicious day for you and Kang Suk-Ui that falls on tomorrow night."
Yi Baek chuckled and looked amused at Eunuch Jang. Eunuch Jang really doesn't understand why King Yeongan can laugh like that.
"Hasn't concubine training been running for only one month? Why was there an inauguration ceremony? That woman is so desperate for pressure from the old fox. Yi Baek asked with such obvious disdain.
"I don't know, Your Majesty. I'm just passing on information."
"Okay. But before that, you already conveyed my message to Baek Shi-Min?"
Eunuch Jang nodded.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Yi Baek wandered about his various suspicions. For a moment, Yeon-Hee's face flashed through his mind. Yi Baek is so curious about Jung Yeon-Hee's background. Somehow, his intuition sensed something the cold woman was hiding.
Thinking of Yeon-Hee, an idea flashed through Yi Baek's head. An idea that could make the corners of his lips form a smirk Yi Baek is sure that this idea will be able to bring down Yeon-Hee's stronghold little by little. Yi Baek can't wait for the day the cold woman will bow to him.
"Eunuch Jang, I want you to pass orders to the queen. Make sure the queen accepts my message," Yi Baek said as he grabbed the brush and permafrost and started writing.
"I will make sure of it for you, Your Majesty."
...
The steam rising from the Tamra orange tea that Court Lady Jo had brewed a few minutes ago was not touched by the queen. Jung Yeon-Hee was immersed in her own world.
The woman's head was filled with various plans that she had to take after advancing her pawns in the battle in the palace.
"I managed to gain quite a bit of the Royal Queen Dowager's trust.With this, I can keep one promise from the old lady. Then I just need to make sure Queen Dowager keeps trusting me," Yeon-Hee muttered to herself.
Behind the weak attitude that Jung Yeon-Hee had shown, no one realized that the queen was someone who was good at reading and taking advantage of situations. Everyone was quite complacent with the weak impression that Yeon-Hee showed. It was clearly very profitable for her to take another step. Moreover, now that she knew, her enemy had increased by one, namely Concubine Kang.
A faint smile appeared on the corner of her face when she realized a plan that could smooth herpath. Yeon-Hee straightened up and called out to Court Lady Jo, who must be right outside her room.
"Is there someone outside?" Yeon-Hee asked.
As expected, the door to the room opened and Court Lady Jo stepped into the room. His assistant bowed respectfully before starting to speak.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Is there anything you need?"
"I want you to do something for me, Court Lady Jo."
"Your Majesty, please say your orders. I will do it for you."
Yeon-Hee opened the desk drawer in front of her and took out a small box inside. Yeon-Hee placed the small box on the table, opened it, and pushed it forward so that Court Lady Jo could see the contents of the box.
Court Lady Jo gasped in surprise after learning the contents of the box that Queen Jung had handed over.
"Your Majesty, isn't this..." Court Lady Jo was unable to continue her words.
Yeon-Hee smiled faintly and meaningfully. Hereyes now seemed to emit a flash that she had never shown to anyone. The woman's attention was able to make the air around her feel cold.
"You must know what to do, Court Lady Jo," Yeon-Hee said quietly.
Court Lady Jo nodded in understanding of Queen Jung's orders. Court Lady Jo's hands trembled slightly as she reached for the box the queen had proffered. Right after Court Lady Jo had hidden the box behind her jade green dangui, the lady outside announced the arrival of Eunuch Jang.
Court Lady Jo gasped in surprise after learning the contents of the box that Queen Jung had handed over. "Your Majesty, isn't this..." Court Lady Jo was unable to continue her words.
Yeon-Hee smiled faintly and meaningfully. Her sight now seemed to emit a flash that she had never shown to anyone. The woman's attention was able to make the air around her feel cold.
"You must know what to do, Court Lady Jo," Yeon-Hee said quietly.
Court Lady Jo nodded in understanding of Queen Jung's orders. Court Lady Jo's hands trembled slightly as she reached for the box the queen had proffered. Right after Court Lady Jo had hidden the box behind her jade green dangui, the lady outside announced the arrival of Eunuch Jang.
Yeon-Hee muttered an entry order to the lady outside the room, and immediately Eunuch Jang entered the room. The loyal servant of King Yeongan saluted before conveying his purpose for coming to the pavilion of Queen Jung's residence.
"Is there something The King want to do?" Yeon-Hee asked matter-of-factly.
"Sorry to bother you, Your Majesty. I have come here to convey Your Majesty the King's direct orders."
Yeon-Hee nodded briefly, inviting Eunuch Jang to convey King Yeongan's orders. Yeon-Hee guessed that the order that Eunuch Jang brought was an order for Yeon-Hee to postpone King Yeongan's first night with Concubine Kang, which would happen tomorrow night. A mocking smile appeared on Yeon-Hee's face, if that was the order Eunuch Jang had brought to her.
"Your Majesty The king asks you to serve special tea for the king and Kang Suk Ui tomorrow night. The king also asks you to supervise and guide tomorrow night's activities."
The color quickly faded from Yeon-Hee's face. Her two hands gripped the chima-scarlet blood on her knuckles until they turned white. Yeon-Hee tried hard to suppress the emotions that exploded after hearing King Yeongan's order.
"Eunuch Jang! It was a task the senior court lady should have done! How could a royal like the queen do something like that?"
Court Lady Jo protested. She also couldn't hold back her emotions after hearing King Yeongan's orders.
"I'm just conveying orders. I hope your Majesty the Queen understands."
Yeon-Hee didn't respond to Eunuch Jang's apology. She was silent as she held the emotions in her chest. Yeon-Hee knew this was something done on purpose. Yi Baek did intend to embarrass herself further after their first night. Trying to calm down, Yeon-Hee's brain looked for ways to repay her husband's actions.