DELAY

That saying "You can't help who doesn't want to be helped" was clearly her situation with the king. Blocking her out, thinking that he was doing her a favour when he was literally making it worse for her to manage was totally Seon Tae Ho . Stepping out of the hall she rested her head on the wall and sighed out of frustration.

All she knew was that the king must have been introduced to cheonnyeonghwa,who this person is?, she had no idea. But she had to find out who it is, so she could leverage it against the king. The fact that she wasn't hearing whispers about the drug the king uses is also concerning_ It's likely Eunuch Minsoo is aware and doing a good job of keeping it under wraps.

What she needed to worry about now was the plague, her plans were in full swing with the letter she sent out to Shim Bbangu yesterday evening to gather forces with her father's to move as many villagers as possible into the secluded mountains for treatment. What she needed was time, if the king were to pass the imperial decree, Prime Minister Daeho would waste no time, to burn it down. She needed to buy time for Shim Bbangu and the others.

As she approached her palanquin, she noticed only Lady Eunchae but found Eun-ji missing from her spot.

"Where is Eun-ji"she asked.

"Apologies your highness, I had her dispatched for the department of ceremonies for the cleansing water"she replied with a deep bow.

"The cleansing wat…? , about to ask what she was talking about until she realized.

"Ohh, The Rite of Purity, she mused.

"Yes your highness, the cleansing water is for The Rite of purities". Lady Eunchae confirmed.

"Let's head back" she continued as she climbed into the palanquin, which made it's way back.

....

Seol Na held a book she wasn't reading to her face. Her thoughts was all over the place. And nerves piling up as she was running out of time. She had very little time until the session and she still couldn't think of a solution or something that could buy her enough time to move the villagers. Full of nervous energy, her body jolted in shock when a cold hand touched her arm.

"Your Majesty, Are you okay?", Eun-ji asked sensing the nervous energy radiating from the Queen who had been staring at the same page since she entered as her leg bounced uncontrollably under the small table, a clear sign of her nerves.

Breaking her spiraling thoughts,she stopped her leg bounce as she faced Eun-ji with a confused look written all over her face.

"Eun-ji, when did you come in?" The Queen asked shocked at Eun-ji's sudden appearance in front of her.

"Apologies,your highness,The Eunuch announced my arrival but their was no answer for a long time so I came in but you were busy with a book. I'm so sorry, I upset your highness".Eun-ji apologized with a shoulder bow.

Waving at her apology,Queen Seol Na continued

"It's okay".

"Eun-ji, what would you do if you were Queen and had to delay something very important?" Seol Na asked holding eye contact.

Eun-ji eyes widen at the question and immediately knelt face down.

"This servant can never dream of being Queen your highness". She expressed.

Sighing, Queen Seol Na continued

"Imagine Eun-ji"she drawled, almost rolling her eyes.

"It's a question. And get up from the floor."

"Yes,your highness" Eun-Ji stood up from the floor still avoiding her questioning eyes.

"Eun-ji" she called with urgency.

"Answer the question" Seol Na said repeating her words.

Seol Na felt bad for putting Eun-ji in a tight position but her brain had given up on her. She needed something to nudge her a little to get her on her thinking shoes.

Eun-ji gaining some type of confidence from the Queen's reassurance, gave a simple answer not thinking too much.

"If I were Queen and had to delay something important, I would use an excuse".

"An excuse" she repeated out loud.

"What a layman's answer she thought to herself,kinda disappointed.

"Thanks Eun-Ji, anything else,she asked.

Eun-ji knowing her answer was unimpressive,hesitated a little before saying.

"It could be others excuse not yours"she commented hesitant if it would be of any help.

"Hmmm"the sound escaped Seol Na lips.

"Using some else's excuse to delay the decree". She murmured thinking.

"Who has a reasonable excuse,I could hide behind?", Seol Na contemplated quietly.

Eun-ji watched the Queen deliberate on her answer so seriously. And after some time, she watched a wide smile play across the Queen's lips. The Queen gave a soft quiet chuckle as she spewed the words.

"The Rite of purity, that's the excuse".