Episode 6. Hongwi Amid the Brutality of the Flowers (2)
Despite Sinbin's attack, Lady Yang remained completely relaxed.
"While Her Majesty the Queen was away at the hot springs, someone had to oversee the affairs of the inner court, did they not? If Your Ladyship Sinbin had known how to read and could approve the various documents on my behalf, then I might have been able to stay by our young prince's side."
"······!"
Now she was even mocking her for being illiterate.
The more Sinbin spoke, the more she was pushed into an unfavorable position, and her face began to flush bright red.
Yet the color returning to her pale face only made her look even more youthful, almost like a girl.
A beauty remained a beauty no matter what.
"My Lady, Her Majesty the Queen is waiting. Please, let us go."
Realizing that continuing the argument would only make their superior look worse, Sinbin's court lady stepped forward.
Sinbin shot Lady Yang a sharp glare, then spun around, her beautiful skirt flaring as she headed toward Gyotaejeon.
Her court lady and maidservants also glared at Lady Yang's attendants before hurrying after their mistress.
"Come along. Her Majesty the Queen must have missed the Crown Grandson dearly."
As if making sure Sinbin could hear, Lady Yang gave the order in a loud voice and began to walk forward gracefully.
Yoonseo lowered her head and noticed the small fingers clutching the collar of the jeogori so tightly they had turned white.
It had already begun.
Within the palace, the most powerful concubines were already fiercely fighting for their sons.
And the naked hostility and cruel atmosphere of that power struggle were being plainly seen and heard by a baby not even two years old.
Until the age of two, the limbic system—often called the reptilian brain—develops rapidly.
During this time, through that "emotional brain," a child becomes imprinted with whether the world is a joyful place or a frightening one. Based on that perception, neurons form explosively, determining the temperament that will develop later.
For a child who feels safe and loved, neurons grow toward positive traits—exploration, play, cooperation.
But neurons shaped by rejection and anxiety develop toward passivity and avoidance, focused on managing fear and threat.
What kind of world was Hongwi seeing?
A pitiful child who already had difficulty forming stable attachment because his mother was absent. The future pillar of the nation, who should have seen only good things, heard only good things, and been showered with love!
No wonder he later collapsed so helplessly before Grand Prince Suyang despite his outstanding qualities. They said Hongwi could barely swallow food and would even gag in fear when facing Grand Prince Suyang. It must all be because he grew up in this damn environment.
Yoonseo felt fierce hostility toward Sinbin and Lady Yang, who must have already fought brutally in front of the child hundreds of times.
Toward Queen Soheon, the principal queen of King Sejong, who failed to properly control the situation.
And above all, toward Crown Prince Lee Hyang, who had left his own young son in a concubine's residence until things had reached this point.
"Young Prince!"
That was why.
Yoonseo impulsively whispered into the Crown Grandson's ear.
"I'll protect you. I'll protect you, Young Prince. So please don't fear anything. Don't be afraid of anything."
I will protect you, Young Prince!
So, Hongwi—trust only me.
Trust me.
To Yoonseo, who was whispering passionately, the three-year-old Crown Grandson—the future king burdened with a tragic destiny—said only one thing.
"My ear tickles."
"…."
Holding the little prince even more firmly as he stuck a finger into his ear, Yoonseo headed toward Gyotaejeon.
The courtyard of Gyotaejeon was filled with magnificently dressed royal women, court ladies, maids, and eunuchs.
They had all gathered to pay their respects to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen, who had returned to the palace after two months.
When Sinbin, Lady Yang, and the Crown Grandson appeared, everyone hurriedly stepped aside and bowed deeply.
This was the residence of the exalted Queen—a place where strict formal protocol was observed.
The Crown Grandson was the future sovereign. Even Sinbin, ranked Senior First Grade, stopped walking and stepped aside, bowing deeply to him.
"Young Prince, you must come down and walk."
Lady Yang bowed toward the Crown Grandson as she spoke.
Then, with a pained heart, she quickly said to Yoonseo, Take the Crown Grandson's hand and lead him.
Lady Yang felt deeply regretful.
Originally, it should be me holding the Crown Grandson's hand, receiving the greetings of all the concubines as we proceed.
Even Sinbin had to bow along this path.
Yoonseo bent down and set the Crown Grandson on the ground.
Then she met his eyes at his level and said quietly,
"Young Prince, please take my hand."
"Mm, okay. Let's go, maid."
The Crown Grandson held Yoonseo's hand and straightened his back and shoulders.
Yoonseo also straightened her posture and slowly walked between the rows of people who were bowing.
Behind the Crown Grandson, Sinbin followed with her chin slightly raised and graceful steps.
Lady Yang nodded lightly to the concubines and palace attendants offering their respects, slowly following behind Sinbin toward the central wooden hall.
Yoonseo had just climbed the steps and was removing the young prince's shoes.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince approaches."
At the thin voice of a court eunuch, the double doors of Gyotaejeon swung open to either side.
Through the open doors appeared a tall man wearing a red dragon robe.
"We pay our respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
Everyone in the courtyard and on the steps of Gyotaejeon bowed deeply in greeting.
Yoonseo also bowed while holding the Crown Grandson by the shoulders.
Behind her, Sinbin and Lady Yang bowed deeply as well.
"Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, you must have had a difficult journey."
The Crown Prince had returned late to the palace the previous night after visiting Heolleung, the royal tomb of King Taejong and Queen Wongyeong, to perform ancestral rites. That was why the two concubines who had gone out to greet him had not been able to see him.
"Have you both been well? You must have worked very hard managing the affairs of the palace during this time."
Unlike the night three days ago when he had scolded Yoonseo, his voice now was gentle yet dignified.
"Father!"
The Crown Grandson ran toward his father with short, hurried steps.
"Hongwi."
The Crown Prince, who had been watching the boy from the corner of his eye since stepping onto the hall, strode forward and lifted him up.
Tossing his son lightly into the air and catching him again, Lee Hyang said,
"I arrived late last night. Even so, I went to see you because I missed you, but you were already asleep, Hongwi."
"Yes, Father."
Hongwi laughed brightly, kicking his feet with excitement.
"Even our Crown Grandson missed Your Royal Highness terribly. He is so clever—when he heard yesterday that Your Highness would return to the palace, he spent the entire day looking south and waiting for you."
Lady Yang subtly stepped forward, praising the Crown Grandson while simultaneously boasting about how devotedly she had been raising him.
That's not true. Yesterday Hongwi spent the whole day happily playing fishing games with me and painting with the colorful pigments brought from the Bureau of Painting.
Yoonseo kept her head bowed as she silently refuted Lady Yang's self-congratulatory claim.
"Court Lady Kwon."
Lee Hyang called Yoonseo.
At once, every woman who was bowing perked up their ears and turned their attention toward the Crown Prince and Yoonseo.
"You have been taking very good care of our Hongwi."
His tone carried a subtle meaning.
To everyone else it sounded like praise, but Yoonseo clearly understood the hidden demand—that she would soon be required to explain the rings.
"…I am deeply honored, Your Highness."
Yoonseo bowed so deeply that the tip of her nose nearly touched the wooden floor of the hall.
"'Honored,' you say? I only meant that you should serve him even more diligently."
Speaking somewhat crookedly, the Crown Prince strode forward, handed Hongwi back into Yoonseo's arms, and added one more sentence.
"I will summon you soon."
Gasps were heard here and there.
No one realized that he meant to summon her to question the matter of the twin rings she was wearing.
The Crown Prince's concubines were especially shocked.
Our prince always says women lack depth in learning and barely bothers with even the most beautiful concubines!
So why—why on earth—is he showing interest in a mere tall maid like that?!
A silent uproar swept through the courtyard of Gyotaejeon.
But Yoonseo still held onto the anger she had felt earlier.
Instead of leaving your son like some abused stray dog, why don't you raise him properly?
"Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
So Yoonseo, while taking the Crown Grandson into her arms, called out to Lee Hyang.
"…Yes?"
Perhaps because he had never expected a mere maid to call out to him, Lee Hyang answered a beat late.
"I also have something urgent I must report to Your Highness."
"…?"
"…?"
"…!!"
Once again, silence fell everywhere.
This time everyone lifted their heads and looked at Yoonseo.
"I request a private audience. Please grant me some time."
"!"
A private audience.
Lee Hyang had already planned to summon her soon to question why the Crown Princess's rings were on her finger—but he had never expected her to step forward first and request a private meeting.
For a moment he looked down at Yoonseo with an expression that seemed to say, What is this audacious creature?
Behind them in the courtyard, open whispers began.
"Who does she think she is, daring to request a private audience with His Highness?"
"Hmph. Just because she received a few bows by walking in front with the Crown Grandson, she must think she's someone important."
"She's clearly trying to seduce His Highness using the Crown Grandson as an excuse. But there's no way His Highness would allow it."
The whispers were loud enough for everyone to hear.
Yet Yoonseo stood straight, her back stiff, still looking directly into the Crown Prince's eyes.
Why should I shrink back? I am Hongwi's nursemaid with professional knowledge. And you're just a pathetic father who abandoned his child in fear.
"…I will soon send Court Official Eom."
Perhaps sensing the severity in her gaze, Lee Hyang gave a short reply and turned away.
Ignoring the surprise and shock directed at him, he led a group of court officials and quickly headed toward the royal council hall.
Yoonseo held Hongwi's hand and stood before the gate through which the Crown Prince had just emerged.
When the door opened and they entered, another wide inner hall appeared.
Following the guiding court official, they came to the audience chamber where the king and queen were waiting, guarded by court officials and senior court ladies who stood bowed.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Grandson, Lady Sinbin, and Lady Gui-in have arrived."
"Let them enter!"
A dignified voice sounded from inside.
At last. I will finally see him—King Sejong the Great.
Calming her heart that was pounding with anticipation, Yoonseo held Hongwi's hand and stepped inside.
Sinbin and Lady Yang followed behind.
"Step forward with Lady Gui-in and pay your respects."
After whispering quickly to the Crown Grandson, Yoonseo prostrated herself by the doorway.
A mere maid had no place daring to raise her head.
"Oh my, our Crown Grandson has come. Come, come here to your grandmother."
From far away at the center of the upper seat, the Queen called to the Crown Grandson from her ornate cushion.
But the child did not move from Yoonseo's side.
"Go to Her Majesty the Queen, Young Prince."
Yoonseo slightly turned her head and urged him.
Yet today, the three-year-old refused to leave Yoonseo's side.