Chapter 35

Wang Han and Chenghuan, upon their return to the estate, were immediately forced to leave — the Prince was urgently required for state duties, and the Princess was waiting for a long journey back to her lands.

In China, the Chenghuan family really had a lot of things to do—both secular (Chenghuan was a regular at every Chuseok and gathering, and with goals that were important, not idle) and public (assistance in land administration and peasants, in which the young future Queen knew better than some well-known landowners). It was true that Lady Chenghuan sincerely and with full dedication of her heart dealt with all the problems of her family, but she had other, more important intentions for her. She was one of those women who quietly, without any other knowledge, could manage very important events and change their course so that services were never attributed to her but to the puppets she controlled, whether it was her father or mother or people in the world. 

Everything was somehow done to her imperceptibly and neatly and for her only benefit, that she got only important female honors in society, and she could make careers in any sphere but with other, male hands. Everything was interesting to her: politics, the lands and trade, and everywhere she was looking for ways to make herself famous, so much so that the world praised her virtues and did not notice her moves a knight higher.

"I shall miss you so," whispered Chenghuan as she was assisted by the footman with climbing into a carriage drawn by two of her best horses, surrounded by numerous maids scurrying back and forth with suitcases.

"See you at the wedding ceremony, dear Chenghuan. Bon voyage," he replied with a certain detachment, which the Queen attributed to thoughts of government and the needs of the people about whom The Prince was so concerned.

And the carriage soon, as everyone sat down, started off. The Princess looked out the window for a long time at the diminishing silhouette of Wang Han — so handsome, so courageous, and calm in character, and she noticed that again, as if a cloud hung over him after a visit to the Li-en family. How many smiles he gave her when Heonui — that insignificant woody widow — was not near! And how he changed as soon as her name was mentioned, as soon as her image flashed on the horizon! She felt hatred — pure, feminine, strong hatred — for Heonui. And she was ready to do everything so that after their wedding, the spirit of Heonui was not next to Wang Han. 

During their visit to the house of King Lee Song, for the first time, Chenghuan experienced real jealousy when she saw with what strength Wang Han wanted to meet the young widow. He left her alone with the owners of the house, and he was with only Heonui there. What were they talking about? Certainly not about Wang Tae, rotting in the grave — that's how they looked together — and yet Heonui saw them through the window, going somewhere in the forest — that the dead brother certainly did not occupy their thoughts. She saw that they hid far away from the rest for declarations of love, for secret conversations, for fiery speeches and promises... To make appointments for future meetings, out of Chenghuan's eyes. Ah, how confused were her thoughts! How everything turned upside down in her soul!

Wang Han, when the Lady's carriage finally disappeared behind the high gate, breathed in the fresh air of the street with a full chest and said:

"Hey, Gorge! Give me a horse now!"

"Where are you wishing to go, Your Honour? Farther, aye?" asked the groom, turning.

"Back to Li-en's house," Wang Han snapped, seizing the reins.

The groom gasped.

He noticed tears glistening on the Prince's face.