Chapter 47

The Donhu Palace, which had been gloomy for a while, was bustling with life again. It was six days before the Deungyong-yeon (Ascension Banquet).

Eunuchs of the Emperor’s court, carrying chests and boxes filled with Imperial gifts, incessantly entered the Donhu Palace. When Dam So-ui checked the gifts and paid his respects to the Emperor, the eunuchs, who returned the bow, withdrew to the halls where the gifts would be stored.

“The line of gifts has no end.”

The palace maid standing next to Dam So-ui whispered with a smile.

“Look at this, Mama.”

The palace servants gathered in small groups around the palace maid also smiled and checked their master’s expression, full of joy.

“These are excessive for this concubine.”

“Isn’t this a testament to His Majesty’s affection for Dam So-ui?”

“I am simply overwhelmed with gratitude.”

Dam Seo-jun, who thanked the Grand Eunuchs for their efforts and paid his respects to the Emperor, said with a gentle face. The palace servants of Donhu Palace looked at him with sympathetic expressions.

After Dam So-ui had experienced difficulties with Consort Gwi-bi, the Emperor had visited Giryung Palace for three consecutive days. It was a strange matter. The Emperor had showered Dam So-ui with enough affection that he would visit Donhu Palace even late at night to comfort the frightened So-ui whenever he encountered the slightest difficulty. However, this time, not only did he visit Consort Gwi-bi, who had oppressed Dam So-ui, but he did so for three consecutive days.

The Emperor, who had visited Giryung Palace consecutively, did not visit anyone for several days afterward. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] During those days, Consort Gwi-bi could not even pay respects to the Empress Dowager due to illness. Then the Emperor suddenly left for the gold mines to hunt. It was an unexpected, sudden hunt. Rumors circulated that the Emperor only took a fraction of the Imperial Guard, the Urim-gun, and the Sangnyeong-wi, causing the atmosphere of the Imperial Palace to subtly shift.

The Emperor returned as suddenly as he had left for the hunt. And he ordered the Investiture Ceremony for Consort Gwi-bi, which no one had expected.

The Investiture Ceremony for Consort Gwi-bi, held yesterday, caused a sensation in the capital. All the concubines, excluding the Empress, had to kneel and prostrate themselves in front of Giryung Palace to pay their respects and congratulate the Investiture of Consort Gwi-bi.

It wasn’t just the concubines. The consorts of the royal family residing in the capital and the high-ranking noble ladies of the Oemyeongbu (Outer Court Ladies) all celebrated Consort Gwi-bi’s investiture. Rumors circulated throughout the capital that some noble ladies, who would not flinch before the Empress Dowager, but were somewhat arrogant towards the Empress, who had a weak family background, had to pay their respects with their faces touching the ground before Consort Gwi-bi, who was the legitimate son of the Gyo General’s Household.

The palace servants of Donhu Palace were not happy to hear those words. They were concerned about the feelings of Dam So-ui, who had to pay his respects to Consort Gwi-bi among the concubines.

“So-ui Mama, look at that!”

The last to enter Donhu Palace was Wan Taegam. He was followed by two young eunuchs carrying a sedan chair that held a large and magnificent inkstone. The inkstone on the sedan chair was a very deep black with a purplish tint.

“I greet Dam So-ui. Dam So-ui, did you enjoy the Deungyong-yeon gifts sent by His Majesty? This one here is an Un-o-seok inkstone, considered the best in the Hwaun-guk. It is a very deep black, and when light shines on it, a mysterious purple color appears along the surface. It was sent from Hwaun-guk, and His Majesty bestowed it upon Dam So-ui for the Deungyong-yeon.”

“I am overwhelmingly grateful for His Majesty’s grace.”

Dam So-ui bowed deeply.

The Deungyong-yeon was a banquet hosted by the Emperor for the successful Jinsa candidates (those who passed the Hyangsi and Hoesi. The Jinsa are qualified to take the Jeonsi before the Emperor, which determines the final ranking). The Emperor also bestowed gifts upon the concubines to share the joy of new talent emerging.

“I shall withdraw now.”

Wan Taegam paid his respects to Dam So-ui and gestured to the young eunuchs who had followed him the direction they should go.

“Please take care, Grand Eunuch.”

Dam So-ui greeted the departing Wan Taegam. Wan Taegam returned the bow and turned around. Wan Taegam, who was about to step out the door, paused upon seeing a palace servant rushing into Donhu Palace.

“I apologize, Grand Eunuch.”

The quickly moving palace servant apologized to Wan Taegam and glanced at Dam So-ui beyond him.

“Go in.”

Wan Taegam accepted the palace servant’s mistake with a smile and left Donhu Palace. The palace servant couldn’t wait for the Grand Supervisor to leave and rushed over to Dam So-ui.

“Mama.”

“What is the matter?”

“I went near Giryung Palace…”

The palace servant standing next to Dam So-ui whispered, holding back a smile as much as possible.

“To Giryung Palace?”

“Yes. They say His Majesty only sent the smallest paper box as a Deungyong-yeon gift.”

“One?”

A look of bewilderment crossed Dam Seo-jun’s face upon hearing the words.

“The smallest paper box? That means there’s nothing of high value. Oh dear…”

Since the Deungyong-yeon was a banquet to celebrate successful examination candidates, the gifts sent to the royal family and concubines were mostly related to the Four Treasures of the Study (stationery). Whether it was an inkstone, ink, or paper, things known to be valuable and good were generally rated as superior the heavier they were compared to their size.

“Consort Gwi-bi must be very disappointed.”

“What will he do?”

The palace servants exchanged glances, looking back at the hall where the Emperor’s gifts were being organized.

“Consort Gwi-bi is from a prestigious family and already has many good things, so His Majesty likely didn’t feel the need to pay special attention.”

Dam So-ui said politely to the palace servants who were subtly smiling. Despite his humble words, smiles lingered around the eyes and mouths of the Donhu Palace palace servants.

“What could have happened when His Majesty visited Giryung Palace? I’m shocked that the Consort Gwi-bi’s rank is high, but his gifts are so paltry.”

“Could there have been some absurd incident?”

“It seems the one His Majesty values most in the concubine’s hall is still Dam So-ui Mama.”

The palace servants flocked around Dam So-ui, each adding his own words.

“Hush, all of you be careful what you say.”

The palace maid cautioned the palace servants. However, the palace maid’s face, who was admonishing the servants, also looked noticeably relaxed.

******

In the corner of Yeongsan-jae, the study of Giryung Palace, a sorrowful cry erupted.

“It’s too much! How could this happen, hic…”

“Cheong-ryu.”

“It’s only a few gifts.”

Cheong-ryu shook her head despite the words of comfort from the young palace servants gathered around her. The girl’s reddened eyes stared resentfully at Yeongsan-jae.

In front of Yeongsan-jae, the Emperor’s court eunuchs whom Wan Taegam had left behind were standing at attention. The eunuchs belonging to the Emperor’s court lowered their faces even deeper under the cold stares of the Giryung Palace palace servants.

“Yes, it’s only a few gifts. But they were gifts bestowed upon Consort Gwi-bi! If you ate so many san-yak-go, you should at least speak well on his behalf!”

Cheong-ryu shot a resentful look at the Emperor’s court eunuch in front of Yeongsan-jae. The young palace servants on either side restrained the girl, who looked ready to rush forward and unleash a torrent of complaints.

“Cheong-ryu.”

So-ha, who had come out of the inner chamber, called Cheong-ryu.

“Yes.”

Cheong-ryu vigorously wiped away the tears on her face.

“Take this. Share it among yourselves. It’s from Mama.”

So-ha handed Cheong-ryu a bundle of fine colored paper.

“P-Paper?”

“That’s what I think too. Paper for the likes of me? What use is the paper that came as a Deungyong-yeon gift to a palace maid? Court Lady Dong told me to use it to wrap valuables. You can have mine. I also received an ink dropper.”

“Consort Gwi-bi doesn’t know that palace servants have no time to write things because they are busy attending to him.”

“An ink dropper?”

“Even though it’s humble, the quality is said to be good because His Majesty bestowed it. They said it’s not bad, as it’s the level the scholars of Hwaun-guk receive when they enter school.”

“Sister, can you write? I barely know how to write.”

“We don’t ask such things among us.”

So-ha patted Cheong-ryu’s shoulder and left. She wore a face full of contemplation about what to do with the pristine white ink dropper in her hand.

Meanwhile, inside the inner chamber, Court Lady Dong’s sighs burst forth repeatedly.

“…”

A hint of anger was mixed in the rough exhales through her nose. Her beautiful jawbone, as if she was grinding her teeth, repeatedly became prominent and then relaxed.

“Are you all right?”

A humble paper box lay in front of Yeon-oh. Although it was engraved with the pattern signifying it belonged to the Imperial Family, it was very small. Inside, there were a few bundles of fine colored paper, a small inkstone, an even smaller piece of ink, and a few nominal brush boxes.

The composition truly only covered the basic format.

“I heard that Deungyong-yeon gifts endlessly poured into Dam So-ui’s Donhu Palace.”

“And finally, he was given the Hwaun-guk Un-o-yeon inkstone?”

Yeon-oh said, tasting the tea.

“H-How did you know?”

Court Lady Dong stammered and then let out a deep sigh.

“It’s obvious? The Four Treasures of the Study are from Hwaun-guk. They say even the lowlifes in the back alleys of that country write characters. Because one out of ten of the royal family members there is a master calligrapher.”

Yeon-oh looked at the very humble gifts he had received. A composition that anyone could see was completely lacking in sincerity. In contrast, Dam So-ui was sent all sorts of valuable things. He knew he should be composed, but the petty and mean situation made him suddenly angry.

“The palace servants don’t know how to write well.”

“Is that so? Still, paper has various uses. If they sell the ink dropper, they might be able to buy a snack. Court Lady Dong, would you like the brush and the ink?”

“Why would you give all of it to the palace servants, Mama? Didn’t His Majesty bestow them as Deungyong-yeon gifts?”

Court Lady Dong said with an exasperated expression.

“I won’t give all of it away. I plan to use this inkstone; it looks easy to carry and use.”

Yeon-oh replied calmly.

“Why would you say you’ll use something so humble?”

Court Lady Dong, who had been scolding him for giving the Emperor’s gift to a palace servant, now changed her attitude and grumbled about the humble inkstone.

“The object is not at fault. Court Lady Dong, do you know what this is?”

Yeon-oh said, holding the phoenix-patterned horn plaque attached to the silk cloth covering his geum (zither).

“What is that?”

“The Emperor gave it to me when he told me to become a concubine. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] I attached it because it goes well with my geum and the cloth that covers the geum. The object is not at fault.”

Court Lady Dong turned her body sideways and pounded her chest with her clenched fist. Thud-thud-thud! The fierce punching looked quite painful.

“You should have torn that off and burned it!”

“What if a fire broke out? I told you the object is not at fault. See, I told you nothing happened.”

Yeon-oh forced a slight smile. His face, which quickly became impassive, made the person watching even more bitter.

Court Lady Dong opened her mouth to offer some consolation but closed it again without saying anything. Yeon-oh quietly and intently examined the humble gift with a composed face. He set aside the small inkstone he had mentioned and took his eyes off the paper box.

“Put it away.”

“Yes, Mama.”

Court Lady Dong closed the lid of the paper box and picked it up. Just then, a sign of a person approaching was heard in front of the inner chamber.

“It is Cheong-ryu.”

“Come in.”

Cheong-ryu, who entered the inner chamber, paid her respects and said.

“Consort Gwi-bi, Consort Hyeok has arrived.”

“Consort Hyeok?”

“Yes…”

Cheong-ryu’s face looked a little uncomfortable as she replied. The eyes of the young palace servant were tinged with red, suggesting she had been crying. Yeon-oh seemed to know why the girl had cried. He felt sorry for her caring heart and disappointed that he couldn’t live up to it.

“Escort Consort Hyeok to the side chamber.”