Chapter 16

Yeon-oh understood why Geumgye and Jeokju were looking at him with such pity, like a child left alone by the water’s edge. Because of the unfamiliar clothing, Yeon-oh had to be attended to at a closer range than usual.

Becoming a concubine did not mean wearing women’s clothes. Yet, he also could not dress as he did at the Gyo General’s Household.

The overall attire was similar to a man’s clothing.

However, in small details, it differed from the male clothing he was accustomed to. The fabric around the arms and sleeves of the top was trailing, almost ridiculously long, and the overall length of the upper garment reached nearly to the ground.

The biggest differences were the scale of the head ornaments and the type and splendor of the accessories he wore. They were excessively flashy, though not impossible for a typical man.

“I shall attend to you.”

Court Lady Dong stably supported Yeon-oh, who might be awkward in the unfamiliar attire. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] Her gesture was filled with a consideration that showed none of the impertinent attitude or annoyance he had felt when she was chattering outside the window.

“…”

While assisting Yeon-oh, Court Lady Dong adjusted his twisted hair ornaments and the loose hair straying from the wind. Yeon-oh wondered if the bitter sarcasm he had heard at dawn was just a dream.

He expected the walk to the Empress Dowager’s building with the uncomfortable Court Lady to be incredibly awkward. Contrary to his expectations, Court Lady Dong attended to Yeon-oh the entire way, leaving no room for awkwardness.

“The threshold of the building is high.”

“Yes.”

“It’s not bad that you’ve tied some of your hair for meeting the Empress Dowager today, but since the Consort has beautiful hair, it would be fine for you to wear it loose. While concubine mistresses and palace servants all tie their hair according to the rules, a male concubine is permitted to wear his hair down.”

He even received entirely unexpected advice.

“Loose hair feels awkward.”

“The noble young masters of private households often go around with their hair tied up high and neat. It’s better to tie your hair when riding a horse or going to a detached palace outside the Imperial Palace, but loose hair is better when you are in the palace.”

“Is that so?”

Yeon-oh felt he should thank Court Lady Dong. He never thought he would have a reason to be grateful to the person who had mocked him. He had been so disoriented since yesterday and today, as if he had arrived in another world.

“Of course, there are only a few people in the Imperial Palace who can wear their hair loose, so you will stand out.”

“Standing out…”

“Standing out to others is a good thing.”

Court Lady Dong spoke firmly at Yeon-oh’s muttering. Court Lady Dong seemed to value drawing attention from others highly. Surprisingly light conversation passed between them.

As the Empress Dowager’s building came into sight.

Figures lavishly dressed appeared one by one. A group approaching from the opposite direction spotted Yeon-oh and approached with an elegant swiftness.

Thump!

Court Lady Dong hit Yeon-oh in the ribs with her elbow without warning. She skillfully hid her arm behind the trailing hem of the concubine’s upper garment, so no one but Yeon-oh, who was struck, knew she had used violence.

“Consort Hyang. Consort Hyang. Consort Hyang.”

Court Lady Dong gently assisted Yeon-oh’s body, which had flinched from the blow. She made the crouching Yeon-oh appear as if he was paying his respects. Yeon-oh, who was about to cry out in pain from the sudden violence, came to his senses at the words faintly ringing in his ear.

Yeon-oh paid his respects to the approaching person while remaining crouched.

“I greet Consort Hyang.”

“Consort Gyo, I heard you entered the palace. I will go inside first.”

Consort Hyang showed little interest in Yeon-oh, who paid his respects first. She passed by without telling Yeon-oh, who was paying his respects, to stand up.

“Ugh.”

Court Lady Dong let out an impolite lament only Yeon-oh could hear. He had been grateful for her assistance for a while, but indeed, Court Lady Dong had a frivolous nature.

“…”

The Court Lady’s hand carefully attended to Yeon-oh. The hand that guided him to avoid the high threshold of the Empress Dowager’s gate was thoughtful and demure.

“You should consider yourself lucky. Since you are Consort Gyo and not Noble Consort, she went by without paying attention. Haa. There is no rank lower than a Consort (Jae-in) among the people coming to the Empress Dowager’s building, so be the first to show respect.”

However, the voice whispering in his ear was as coarse as a back alley ruffian.

The Empress Dowager’s building was decorated with large trees and fresh flowers. The symmetrically pruned trees in the square courtyard looked more artificial than natural.

Without time to admire the trees and flowers that embroidered the elegant building in green, he was guided inside.

“Empress Dowager, Consort Gyo has arrived.”

The Chief Eunuch who brought Yeon-oh and Court Lady Dong announced toward the interior. Court Lady Dong attended to Yeon-oh for a few more steps inside the room, then gently withdrew near the entrance.

“Only three steps.”

The Court Lady whispered the coded words only to him as she backed away from Yeon-oh. Yeon-oh understood the words brushing past his ear and, after the Court Lady withdrew, carefully walked three steps forward.

“I greet the Empress Dowager. Empress Dowager, may you enjoy great fortune.”

Yeon-oh paid his respects toward the Empress Dowager on the seat of honor above the platform.

“Consort Gyo, welcome. You learned your etiquette properly in such a short time. Rise.”

The woman’s voice dropping from the seat of honor was majestic and powerful. Yeon-oh paused as he began to rise from his bow according to the Empress Dowager’s command.

“I apologize.”

The woman in the lavish attire sitting on the seat of honor was the Empress Dowager. He had heard she was still young, not yet fifty. Although he hadn’t heard anything about her appearance, there was a certain impression bestowed by the dignity of the ‘Empress Dowager’. Yet, the woman looking down at Yeon-oh from the seat of honor did not seem to be in her forties, let alone near fifty.

A woman with fine, delicate features.

The Empress Dowager’s clothing was dark and intricately embroidered. Her accessories were large and majestic, and her makeup was heavy. Even though the things adorning the Empress Dowager looked advanced in years and grand, they could not fully mask the delicacy of her natural appearance.

Yeon-oh struggled not to commit the rudeness of staring at the Empress Dowager.

“You are beautiful.”

The Empress Dowager leaned against the armrest and spoke languidly. The elegant words carried a sense of grace.

“I apologize.”

Yeon-oh focused on not making a mistake due to the awkwardness of the unfamiliar space.

“Turn around for me.”

An unexpected request was tossed toward his heavily nervous face.

“…”

The flustered Yeon-oh raised his gaze toward the seat of honor, forgetting his manners. The Empress Dowager’s arm, leaning on the armrest, traced a circle. Yeon-oh was taken aback, but first, he turned as instructed.

On the seat of honor was the Empress Dowager, and on either side of the room were the Emperor’s concubines. The concubines who had paid their respects and taken their seats cast their gaze toward the turning Yeon-oh.

“…”

“…”

They wore fine silk clothes, dazzling accessories, and flawless makeup, and they scrutinized Yeon-oh with subtle, painted-on smiles. Their faces, though smiling, seemed like beautiful masks, showing no expression, emotion, or warmth.

It was not easy to be observed simultaneously by so many pairs of eyes. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] The instant he blinked felt like an eternity.

The Chief Eunuch standing at the entrance of the building subtly signaled with his hand for Yeon-oh to turn back.

“…”

Yeon-oh slowly turned back toward the seat of honor. He even breathed shallowly due to the pressure of the space, which seemed utterly silent.

“Hmm, is the Empress’s persistent cough still the same?”

“It is, so I am told.”

The Empress Dowager exchanged words with the Court Lady standing next to her without even looking at the turned Yeon-oh.

“Thank you all for taking the trouble to pay your respects. Let’s stop here for today. Since Consort Gyo’s promotion has not yet been finalized, handle it according to the rules. Gam-uk, you go.”

The Empress Dowager offered a brief greeting and rose. Yeon-oh wondered what she meant by handling it according to the rules.

“We are grateful for the Empress Dowager’s grace. Empress Dowager, we withdraw.”

The concubines seated on both sides rose simultaneously and paid their respects toward the seat of honor. Yeon-oh, standing between them, quickly followed suit and paid his respects.

The Empress Dowager left the seat of honor even before the concubines finished their respects. By the time Yeon-oh rose, the concubines who had been standing on both sides had already departed, attended by their own Court Ladies.

His first formal greeting seemed to have concluded without any major mishap.

“Consort Gyo.”

Court Lady Dong approached the slightly dazed Yeon-oh.

“Court Lady.”

It was a small comfort that there was at least one person he could rely on in this unfamiliar situation. Unlike the relieved Yeon-oh, Dong Yeong’s expression was grim.

The Chief Eunuch from the Empress Dowager’s building approached them.

“Consort Gyo, this servant will escort you.”

“Thank you.”

The Chief Eunuch was expressionless at Yeon-oh’s words, and Dong Yeong’s face grew even heavier.

Yeon-oh wanted to ask the downcast Dong Yeong what was wrong, but with the Empress Dowager’s Chief Eunuch present, there was no way to convey his meaning.