Chapter 48

Yeon-oh, who had entered the side chamber first, surveyed the tea table for himself and the guest’s tea table and chairs placed opposite.

The side chamber was hung with light blue curtains on all four sides. Blue was a color that only those of Gwi-bi rank and higher could use, signifying Yeon-oh’s status, yet the color was light and not excessive. The hangings, half-lowered and half-rolled up and tied, were bound with gold silk thread, making the room both warm and splendid.

Each wall was decorated with distinct features, offering plenty to look at. A round rug was laid in the center of the room. Centered on it, Yeon-oh’s tea table and chair, and the guest’s tea table and chair, faced each other.

“Consort Gwi-bi Mama, Consort Hyeok has entered.”

“Show her in.”

The door soon opened, and a tall woman entered the side chamber. Her features were large and refreshing, but her somewhat faded eyebrows, plump eyelids, and generous expression made her demeanor look gentle.

“I greet Consort Gwi-bi Mama. May Consort Gwi-bi Mama enjoy great fortune.”

“Please rise, Consort Hyeok.”

“I am overwhelmingly grateful.”

At Yeon-oh’s gesture, Consort Hyeok’s maidservant guided her to her seat. The maidservants who had come with Consort Hyeok stood soundlessly behind her. All the maidservants were carrying precious wooden chests with delicate carvings.

“Thank you for coming all this way.”

Consort Hyeok smiled warmly at Yeon-oh’s greeting. So-ha entered and served tea to both Yeon-oh and Consort Hyeok. Cheong-ryu, who followed her in, served refreshments. Both the teacups and the refreshment plates were white porcelain with gold-plated patterns.

“Your younger sibling is late to pay her respects. Mama might feel awkward hearing older women address you as a younger sibling, but rank is the most important thing in the concubine’s hall.”

Consort Hyeok was a concubine who had entered the palace when the Emperor ascended the throne. Because she was from the Jin-gang Hyeok clan, the literati of the capital had quietly wondered if Consort Hyeok would push out the Empress when she entered the palace.

“So I’ve heard.”

Consort Hyeok, who gave a generous smile at Yeon-oh’s words, called one of the maidservants standing behind her.

“Eun-hwa.”

The approaching maidservant revealed the inside of the wooden chest. Inside the wooden chest were paperweights carved and decorated with various precious jades and treasures.

“Paperweights, I see.”

“I have selected a few of the gifts His Majesty bestowed upon me for the Deungyong-yeon. I thought they would suit Consort Gwi-bi Mama better than me, your younger sibling. Please accept them.”

Consort Hyeok requested politely.

Consort Hyeok’s grandfather is the Duke Eun-guk and is currently the Governor-General of Yang-gam. Her uncle is the Bujeongsa of Bok-rye, and her father is the Dodok (local military commander) of Yeon-an. Her elder half-brother was a military officer belonging to the Left Guard, one of the capital defense forces.

Successive Emperors often sent consort relatives or blood relatives to Yang-gam, the northwest border region distant from the capital, as Governor-General. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] Since Consort Hyeok became a concubine, the Duke Eun-guk had become the Emperor’s father-in-law’s grandfather, so it was not a strange choice. However, the court officials worried that too much power was vested in one family, and in contrast, the Empress’s family background was weak.

Consort Hyeok, who came from a great family, had a down-to-earth and generous personality. Although Consort Hyang, who entered the palace at the same time, was also from a good family, Consort Hyeok was known to often defer to Consort Hyang despite being in a position to be more imposing.

Even now, Consort Hyeok was sharing her possessions out of goodwill. There was no sign of her bragging about her magnificent gifts or sarcastically commenting on Yeon-oh, who had received meager gifts.

“I am indebted to Consort Hyeok’s consideration.”

“Then I will assume you accept them.”

Consort Hyeok motioned for her maidservants to withdraw. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] So-ha followed the departing maidservants of Consort Hyeok and guided them out. Only Yeon-oh, Court Lady Dong, Consort Hyeok, and her palace maid remained in the room.

“Is it all right for you to give me something His Majesty bestowed upon you? I rarely refer to myself with the title Bon-gung (this concubine).”

Yeon-oh smiled faintly, holding his teacup.

“…”

Court Lady Dong only rolled her eyes and looked at Yeon-oh’s profile. She wondered if this was something to say from a person who had given all of his own belongings to the palace servants.

“His Majesty probably had no particular intention with the gifts. Your younger sibling also heard about the gifts to Giryung Palace. There must have been some mistake. His Majesty is strict with rewards and punishments and values hierarchy. And what is wrong with referring to yourself as Bon-gung? Aside from the Empress Mama, Consort Gwi-bi Mama is the highest-ranking person in the concubine’s hall.”

Consort Hyeok said, picking up her teacup, following Yeon-oh.

“That’s true.”

Yeon-oh took a sip of tea and set the cup down.

“The Imperial Palace and Imperial etiquette must still feel awkward to you. Still, the hierarchy must be strictly maintained. If Consort Gwi-bi Mama treats someone comfortably out of goodwill, an ungrateful person might react disrespectfully and cause a problem.”

Consort Hyeok spoke quite firmly. She herself was rumored to have had difficulties due to being harassed by lower-ranking concubines, but when giving advice to others, she seemed to inform them according to the protocol.

“I will be mindful of that.”

“May I say one more thing?”

“Please do.”

Consort Hyeok set down the teacup she was holding. She was a person whose attitude toward the teacup and overall movements were cautious and gentle.

“It may be presumptuous of me, but please do not stay only in Giryung Palace. Visit the gardens and look around the places you can go. Staying only in your residence is not good for your health, Mama. Also, you cannot meet people, can you? It is difficult for concubines who entered the Imperial Family through marriage to have close relations. Still, you can share tea or take a walk together. It is not good to be alone too much.”

Yeon-oh readily nodded at Consort Hyeok’s careful words.

“Thank you for your concern.”

“I understand that Consort Gwi-bi is careful with the concubines and palace servants because you are a man. But consider this. If your younger sibling had not come to visit, who would dare come to Giryung Palace, where Consort Gwi-bi Mama resides?”

Yeon-oh naturally masked his expression, which was about to waver, by lifting the teacup. However, he could not completely hide his look of curiosity.

“…”

Consort Hyeok’s mouth curved into a wide, bright smile.

“I do not think my family is lacking in any way. However, Consort Gwi-bi Mama. Are you not the legitimate son of the Gyo General’s Household?”

“That is right.”

“Is that all? Is Consort Gwi-bi Mama’s maternal family not the Onnyeong Ha clan? Ha Seo-won (Ha Academy) in Onnyeong is a place that even the capital’s literati will abandon everything to visit if they can.”

“Ha Seo-won is not a very interesting place, is it? It is only good for bookworms. I do not frequently visit my maternal family.”

Yeon-oh slightly knitted his eyebrows, recalling some memory.

“That is a statement that would enrage my father, for whom visiting Ha Seo-won is a lifelong wish. But that is not the important point, your younger sibling means that for women of the Imperial Family, dignity and reputation are important. If someone visits Consort Gwi-bi Mama and is somehow ignored, their reputation will be greatly damaged. It might be difficult to recover.”

“I am not that senseless.”

Yeon-oh said with a wronged expression.

“Concubines probably gossiped for three or four days after being invited to Giryung Palace. There was much to talk about, from the Yeongsan Hwa-cha (flower tea) to the garden’s decorations and even the teacups.”

“I showed an embarrassing side of myself that day.”

“Do not worry about what happened then. My point is that Consort Gwi-bi is inherently a difficult person to approach, and having become a Gwi-bi, it has become even more difficult. If you do not reach out first, it is hard for others to approach you.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Consort Hyeok lightly nodded at Yeon-oh’s words.

“There is one more thing I need to tell you. I do not know if you are aware, but your younger sibling manages the accounts of the concubine’s hall.”

The Emperor had entrusted Consort Hyeok, not Consort Bi, with managing the concubine’s hall. Upon meeting her in person, Yeon-oh felt he understood why Consort Hyeok had been given this important responsibility. She got along well with everyone, and although she hadn’t been in the palace as long as the concubines from the Emperor’s time as a Prince, Consort Hyeok had been in the palace for quite some time.

“Is that so? His Majesty must have entrusted it to you?”

“Yes.”

“I have not heard anything separately about that from His Majesty or the Imperial Family.”

“I see. I will ask His Majesty about it.”

“No. If His Majesty has not given a separate command, it is right for Consort Hyeok to continue managing it. Even though I have become a Gwi-bi, what would I know about managing the concubine’s hall?”

Consort Hyeok nodded at Yeon-oh’s words.

“Then I will know and follow that. Is there anything you are curious about while residing in the concubine’s hall?”

“There is nothing major yet.”

“If anything arises, you can ask your younger sibling or the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager manages most things that require permission. The Empress is in poor health and cannot devote much effort to managing the concubine’s hall.”

Consort Hyeok’s expression darkened, recalling the Empress’s illness. Consort Hyeok was concerned not only about the Empress’s health but also about Consort Bi’s health, who had lost the Imperial Heir a few months ago. She talked broadly about the Imperial relatives, expressing concern and advising on how to deal with them.

“Thank you for coming today.”

“I thank my older sibling for receiving me so generously.” Consort Hyeok paid her respects.

“Consort Hyeok.”

“Yes, Consort Gwi-bi Mama.”

“It seems His Majesty has bestowed all the Deungyong-yeon gifts, but may I present a thank-you gift for the Investiture Ceremony?”

“By now, all the Deungyong-yeon gifts should be organized, so it would be all right for Consort Gwi-bi to present a thank-you gift.”

“I would like to give it to Consort Hyeok directly.”

Yeon-oh told Consort Hyeok and turned sideways. Court Lady Dong crossed into the next room and returned with a beautiful sandalwood chest. The carefully polished sandalwood looked like a red jewel.

“I am honored.”

Consort Hyeok paid her respects upon seeing the luxurious sandalwood chest handed to her palace maid. Even if nothing was inside, it was a magnificent gift.

“I hope what is inside pleases Consort Hyeok as well. You must be tired, so please withdraw.”

“I shall withdraw.”