Chapter 65

The palace servants of Donhu Palace followed and liked their master, who had been favored by the Emperor since his entry into the palace. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] Even the servants who were initially uncomfortable with a male consort quickly felt close to Dam So-ui because of his cheerful and generous nature.

Dam So-ui was lenient with the mistakes of his subordinates. Some gossiped that it was because he was an illegitimate child (seo-chul) who hadn’t been properly treated or educated by his family. However, there were many others of low birth who were still harsh about the mistakes or faults of their subordinates. Compared to them, Dam So-ui was a kind and good master.

The problem was that Dam So-ui was too slow in his learning.

“Today, will Mama remember all the dishes that were served?”

The worried servant whispered, biting his fingernails.

“Be quiet.”

Court Lady Jin sharply warned again. But the Court Lady was just as anxious.

A rude phrase had recently been circulating among the Donhu Palace servants.

“Consort Dam So-ui Mama’s personality is gentle and good, but his comprehension is too slow.”

“He doesn’t seem to have much desire to learn either.”

“But Consort Dam So-ui is the most generous and kind master I have ever served!”

This had even caused minor disputes among the servants. Such things were not the first or second time they had happened.

Court Lady Jin understood the minds of both the rude servants who spoke of their master’s shortcomings and the servants who defended their benevolent master.

Dam So-ui was fundamentally lacking. When he was in the Dam clan, being an illegitimate son, he had received no special education. He had only learned a few things necessary for immediate use, but he had learned none of the necessary refinement that a child of a noble and prestigious family should possess. He could barely read, and he had no scholarly knowledge to speak of.

The biggest problem was that Dam So-ui also lacked the ambition to learn.

Attending to the Emperor’s meal was a great honor. Even the Empress Man, who had served the Emperor since the days of the Royal Residence (Wang-bu), had attended to his meal fewer than ten times.

One might think serving a meal was no big deal, but every dish on the Emperor’s table was rare and extraordinary. The attendant serving the meal had to know those dishes properly, be able to converse with the Emperor about the food, recite information, and recommend appropriate dishes.

The Emperor, who was strict about etiquette and made no mistakes, held others to the same standard. Empress Man, who grew up in a humble parental home, stumbled several times in the early days of the Royal Residence because she could not recognize the food, and ultimately had her place ceded to Grand Eunuch Wan while serving, leading to gossip.

Knowing the Emperor’s strict nature and Empress Man’s case, Court Lady Jin and the servants tried to make Dam So-ui study the food served on the Emperor’s table. Since Dam So-ui could not receive the Emperor’s meal in advance, he had to learn through books or by inviting an experienced cook. He would listen when learning from the cook, but problems arose when trying to learn through books.

Dam So-ui could not properly look at the books the servants had acquired with difficulty. He would look at a few characters, not even a few pages, before getting distracted. Court Lady Jin and the servants were now certain that Dam So-ui could barely read. However, they could not openly discuss their master’s fault.

The fact that Dam So-ui, with his meager education and lack of desire to learn, received the Emperor’s favor was entirely due to the Emperor’s will. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] The Emperor, who was unforgiving of the mistakes or faults of others, for some reason, never took issue with Dam So-ui’s ignorance or shortcomings.

Many people often gossiped in a subtle, rude way, saying that the Emperor felt a connection to Dam So-ui because he reminded him of his own birth mother, who had been of low birth.

Court Lady Jin questioned why the Emperor was so strict with others if that were the case, but she did not voice the thought. The only thing she could rely on, having a master with poor education, was the Emperor’s excessive leniency toward Dam So-ui.

But even relying on the Emperor’s leniency, Court Lady Jin was always anxious. She was terrified of how long the Emperor’s excessive leniency would continue, and whether the Emperor would truly be patient even if Dam So-ui continued to be slow in learning.

Just then, following the eunuchs and servants who had served the meal, Grand Eunuch Wan also came out of the hall.

“Eunuch.”

Court Lady Jin called the eunuch with worry and anticipation.

“His Majesty had nothing particular to say.”

Grand Eunuch Wan said kindly, smiling gently. Even with the eunuch’s smile, Court Lady Jin knew. Dam So-ui had failed to correctly name any of the dishes.

“I apologize…”

Grand Eunuch Wan spoke generously to the apologetic Jin Court Lady.

“Why should Court Lady Jin apologize?”

Grand Eunuch Wan politely closed his mouth and looked toward the hall door.

Inside the hall, the meal was slowly concluding. The Emperor did not eat much for his physique. He finished his meal after tasting only a few of the many dishes. The man, who did not much enjoy tea, rinsed his mouth with a plain tea, like water.

“Is that not enough, Your Majesty?”

Dam So-ui asked out of courtesy.

When he was ignorant, he had sometimes recommended several appealing dishes to the Emperor. But after a few experiences made him realize that the Emperor did not particularly enjoy eating, he no longer pressed him.

“It is sufficient.”

Seonjae spoke lightly and rose. Dam So-ui was disappointed that the Emperor, who did not enjoy tea, was so ungracious at such times. The attendant serving the meal could not eat anything while the Emperor was eating. If the man would even drink tea, he could chat with him over a cup of tea after the meal.

The man was not particularly fond of tea, which was enjoyed by royals, nobles, those with wealth, and even commoners.

“Your Majesty.”

Dam So-ui hurried after the Emperor to convey the words he had held in his heart for the past two days.

“Do you have something to say.”

Seonjae stopped and turned to look at Dam So-ui.

“I know it is an impertinent question. Ha, however… I know that Your Majesty enjoys listening to the Geum performance. Your Majesty, did you truly sleep with Consort Gwi-bi?”

Dam So-ui stammered, uttering unorganized words. The thoughts he had revolved over the past few days somehow failed to come out clearly. Tears welled up in his eyes, which were round and slightly downturned, giving him a gentle appearance.

Dam So-ui looked up at the Emperor with his kind-looking eyes wide open.

“That is not your concern.”

The Emperor said firmly.

“Y-Your Majesty. The promise you made to your concubine… Consort Gwi-bi is a man, is she not? Did you truly let her attend to you in bed? I know it is not my place to interfere, but it is not true, is it?”

Dam So-ui started to question him, then changed his tone to an imploring one. However, at the end, he unwittingly pressed for the answer he wanted to hear.

“Jun.”

“Yes? Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Have I ever left you wanting since you entered the palace?”

Dam So-ui shook his head at the Emperor’s question.

“No. You have treated this concubine more than he deserves.”

“Consort Gwi-bi is not your concern.”

“I-I apologize…”

Seonjae patted Dam So-ui’s shoulder kindly, who was slightly tearful.

“I will go now.”

Dam So-ui paid his respects as he watched the retreating Emperor’s back, collapsing as if he had been struck.

“Your Majesty, go carefully.”

Normally, he would have followed him outside the hall to pay his respects, but now he did not have the composure. His eyebrows drooped pitifully. His gentle cheeks, which looked as if he was about to cry, twitched.

“…”

The gentle and kind face, left alone, was troubled, and then his eyebrows fiercely shot up. The benevolent impression was instantly broken. His round, wary eyes and uncomfortably raised eyebrows looked around the luxurious room.

“No. That, that cannot be true… It’s nothing.”

Dam Seo-jun’s face, which had been crumpled in fear and anxiety, quickly returned to his gentle and kind expression.

“His Majesty cherishes me. I have the right to his favor. His Majesty said he feels the same way I do.”

He whispered like a mantra as he walked around the lavish inner chamber.

“No one can take what is mine.”

With every step he took in the inner chamber, which was full of luxurious items, his breathing grew calmer.

Dam So-ui’s hand gently touched one by one the precious objects the Emperor had bestowed upon him. Every time he touched an object, the words he had exchanged with the Emperor and the time they had spent together came to his mind. When he had the illusion of unpleasant and painful memories crawling up his back, he pushed them away, relying on the valuable things the Emperor had given him.

“I am the person His Majesty has recognized.”

But his subdued face was subtly clouded. The entire palace was noisy because the Emperor sought out the Consort Gwi-bi. That thought alone already made him feel exhausted. At least it was fortunate that none of his half-siblings yet held official positions. If one of them had even a minor post, they would have worn out the threshold of the consort’s palace, constantly nagging him.

“To think that the highly virtuous Gyo Marquisate family would harass me.”

As he was muttering sadly, the door of the hall opened. Dam So-ui softened his expression as he watched Court Lady Jin approach with respectful steps.