Chapter Text
“We have arrived at Anhwa Temple, your majesty.”
Su bit down on her lip, aware that she could no longer delay the meeting she dreaded yet could not avoid. This is the right thing to do … even if So would be furious if he knew where I am.
As her attendants carefully put down the palanquin, she stepped out, disguising her uncertainty with a serene smile at Captain Im. The soldier stood at the head of her guards, his face still and impassive. Su wondered how it would change if he knew that what she was doing could potentially be regarded as treason. After all, she had left Songak without the King’s permission. But I have to do this – So will understand when I explain to him – if I had asked him first, he would have refused to let me come here.
Sharp pangs of anxiety began to pulse through her as she walked through an intricate maze of corridors and courtyards, leading away from the main temple structures and towards a small, unassuming building. Su paused to take in the austerity of her surroundings, comparing it to the luxury of the palace. What a shock it must have been to be banished here. Heaven knows how she must have reacted …
The creak of the door as Captain Im opened it brought her back from her thoughts. You cannot delay the inevitable, Su. You must face her. After all, you did come here to see her. That is what you should do. She took a deep breath as she stepped forward. “I wish to go in alone. Please wait for me outside. If I need anything, I will call for you.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
As the door swung shut after her, she almost immediately regretted her order. But her instincts told her it probably would be best if no outsider witnessed the confrontation she was about to have. The room was dim – screens were placed in front of the windows, blocking the daylight – the only source of illumination was a single lamp casting a subdued glow. Incense burnt, its heavy muskiness smoking through the air and adding to the stifling atmosphere. Swallowing back a cough, Su walked towards the bed, its occupant seemingly unaware of the presence of a visitor.
There had been a time when even the mere thought of Queen Sinmyeongsunseong was sufficient to send shivers down Su’s spine. However, as she looked down at the woman who had once sought to destroy her, Su no longer was intimidated. The years had not been kind to her mother-in-law. All traces of her former beauty were gone. Her hair was completely white. Even in repose, sharp lines of discontent crossed her forehead and framed the corners of her mouth. Where she had once dominated the palace with her arrogance and scheming, she was now an insignificant, shrunken figure.
And dying too. The abbot’s letter had made that clear.
Recalling how nervous she had been at seeing her long-time nemesis, Su was struck with a sudden urge to laugh. Why was I so worried? She cannot harm me anymore. A small giggle escaped before she managed to swallow her inappropriate mirth.
At the sound, Sinmyeongsunseong started awake, her eyes directly meeting Su’s. Shock flashed across her face, replaced quickly by loathing – despite her frailty, she obviously had not mellowed. “You! What are you doing here?”
“Eomonim.” Ignoring the older woman’s venomous tone, Su bowed politely as she pulled over a chair to sit next to the bed. “The abbot wrote to the King, explaining that you were not well. As your daughter-in-law, I wanted to see you and ensure that you were being properly taken care of.”
Sinmyeongsunseong’s lips twisted with displeasure. “I told the abbot that I wanted to see Jung.”
“Unfortunately, the 14th Prince was occupied with other matters and unable to come here.”
“I do not believe you! No matter how busy he was, Jung would come to see me. He always did as he was told.” Her eyes narrowed. “You and that beast must have conspired to stop him from seeing me. You knew that I would have reminded him of his duty to me – to overthrow that monster, to rid the world of my shame!”
Even though Su knew that Queen Sinmyeongsunseong’s malicious words were meaningless, her blood began to boil on hearing the insults thrown at So by his mother. “I suggest you remember you are speaking of the King and it is treasonous to speak of him like that.”
“Do you think I care? He is no king. He is nothing, just a brute, an animal. I was a fool to have expected the Kangs to rid him for me … they kept him alive to spite me … I should have killed him with my own hands instead of allowing him to live. Not only did he steal the throne from Jung and me, he is keeping my boy away from me! Filthy, despicable wolf-dog!”
Su’s hands gripped the edge of her chair, fighting the her desire to slap the older woman. I have had enough. I cannot bear to hear anymore of her ridiculous ranting!
“Madam,” her voice was icy and cut easily across Sinmyeongsunseong’s tirade. “I was being kind in lying to you, but I realise that you do not deserve any kindness. Know this – the 14th Prince and I were with the King when he received the letter from the abbot, telling us that you were dying and wanted to see Jung. So told Jung that he should leave the palace immediately – he encouraged Jung to see you – it was Jung who said he did not want to see you.”
“You lie! He would never say that.”
“Why should I lie? Has he spoken to you since that day King Jeongjong died?”
“What did you and that beast do to him?”
“We did nothing. Jung grew up and discovered that he wanted to follow his own path, that he did not want the throne, that he did not want to be your puppet. He saw how you abandoned your other sons.”
“Jung is my only son. None of the others were worthy. Yo turned out to be a hopeless fool and as for that fiend who purports to a king, he is no son of mine. I should have kept Jung by my side. I should never have allowed him to see you, not someone associated with that lowly whore, Oh Soo Yeon!”
Su had been staring up at the ceiling, willing herself not to respond to Sinmyeongsunseong’s vituperative ranting, but rage surged through her body at the slur against Court Lady Oh. Perhaps I could ignore what you say about So and me – we survived – Court Lady Oh died because of you. I cannot and will not forget that.
“You are not fit to even mention Court Lady Oh’s name. She was a far better person than you ever could be.”
“She was just a servant. She will forever be forgotten, whereas I will always be remembered as Goryeo’s queen.”
“There are many who still remember Court Lady Oh and their memories are filled with love and respect. I doubt that anyone will have such thoughts about you.”
“How dare you speak to me like that!”
Su no longer cared. She continued, relentless in her determination to finally speak the truth to her mother-in-law. “Of course, I dare. You talk about other people being nothing to you – well, you are nothing to me … and yes, your name may be recorded in history as a queen, but no one will remember you, the woman.”
For one brief moment, Sinmyeongsunseong faltered, but she fought back. “Does it matter? They will speak of me as Taejo’s wife, not her! Besides, do you think that my husband ever thought of her after her death? He might have dallied with her once, but he gave her up.”
“And he regretted it for the rest of his life … he loved her until the day he died.” Su was transported back to the dimly lit chamber, the tea she had prepared at Taejo’s request, the poppies he had asked to be placed at his bedside – everything that could remind him of Oh Soo Yeon. She looked straight at her mentor’s murderer. “His last words were her name. At the end, he thought only of her.”
Sinmyeongsunseong’s entire being seemed to shrivel, her expression revealing only pain. Barely above a whisper, she repeated Su’s words. “He thought only of her …” But just as quickly, any sign of vulnerability disappeared. “Leave … I do not want to see you. I never want to see you again, not you nor that devil husband of yours. I curse you, I curse you all!”
Any shame that Su might have felt at humiliating a dying woman immediately vanished. She stood up, calmly rearranging the folds of her hanbok. “I will happily do as you ask. I have no wish to stay. I came here, despite neither of your sons wishing to do so, because I thought it was a pity if you never had another chance at reconciling with them. I now see that they were right and I was wrong. I am glad that you are no longer in my life, that my children will never know that father’s mother was someone like you.”
“I regret that I was unable to get rid of you and that monster. I will regret it until I die!”
Su had had enough. She walked towards the door, pausing just before it. “Choi Jimong once said to me that Court Lady Oh had the dignity of a queen. It was just that she was not born under the star of a queen. I do not believe in stars or anything like that, but it seems to me that although you may have been born under the star of a queen, you have never shown the dignity of a queen. Even if she was unjustly killed, Court Lady Oh left the world in peace – she was content with her decisions and how she chose to live her life. You, on the other hand, will die alone, overcome with regret and bitterness. You had three sons, all of whom you drove away from you, especially Wang So. Despite how you treated him as a child, he was still devoted to you. Yet, you still rejected him. But in doing so, you only made him stronger and he became the king that Goryeo needed … generations to come will consider him as one of the greatest kings.”
“Shut up! I do not want to hear anymore!”
“You need not worry. I am going and I will not come back. You know? I pity you because you truly are pathetic.”
Not bothering to wait for any response from Queen Sinmyeongsunseong, Su opened the door and left without a backward glance.
*********
It was almost midnight when Su arrived back at the palace. Exhaustion – mental and physical – had enveloped her since her departure from the temple, but as the guards closed the gates into the King’s private quarters behind her, a sense of tranquility returned to her.
I am home.
Her eyes travelled around the courtyard, noting that there was no light in So’s study so she turned towards the main building where the bedchambers were. Easing open the door into the nursery, she was reassured to find Seol and Ju asleep. For a moment, she indulged in the sight of her beloved children – her daughter lying on her back, mouth open and snoring softly, while her son was curled into a little ball, hand clutched around the toy rabbit she had sewn for him. After pressing kisses onto their chubby cheeks, Su withdrew. She walked quickly towards her own chamber, longing to see So.
Although the lamps were lit, the room was empty.
Where is he? Su frowned, remembering that the great hall and other rooms in the main part of Cheondeokjeon had been dark. So must have retired for the night, yet he was not here. Instinct led her to the garden. In one corner, she had built up various stacks of prayer stones next to an ancient oak tree. The lanterns hanging from its arched branches lit up the tall figure standing beneath, his back to her.
Even from afar, she could see the tension coursing through So. He must know where I went today. I suppose I should have expected him to be furious with me. Still, I had to go and see her, even if it did not turn out the way I wanted.
“So-ya?” He did not turn around, although the slight stiffening of his shoulders indicated that he had heard her. She walked towards him slowly, pondering on how best to approach him. Although the passing of the years had mellowed Wang So and he was far from the hostile, quick-tempered boy she had first met, occasionally he retreated into periods of dark moodiness where it was best to allow him to brood in solitude. But tonight, something told her not to leave him alone.
Su slipped her arms around his waist, pressing herself against him in a back-hug. The warmth and strength of his body provided a comfort that no one else could offer; the cold that had filled her following her encounter with Sinmyeongsunseong finally completely disappeared. She tightened her hold on her husband. “Wang So, don’t you dare continue to ignore me … I am not going away until you talk to me and tell me what is wrong.”
He reached down and gently unlaced her fingers from their grip on him, turning around so that they faced each other. “Read this ...”
She took the paper that had been scrunched in his fist and he now held out to her. The message was short and from the abbot of Anhwa Temple. I regret to inform your majesty that the Dowager Queen Yoo Sinmyeongsunseong passed away early this afternoon. May she rest in peace. We await your majesty’s instructions.
“So-ya …” A sudden wave of fear swept through her as she remembered the rider who had thundered past her group on the narrow mountain road leading back to Songak, a couple of hours after she had left the temple. That would have been the messenger heading to the palace with the abbot’s letter. She must have died shortly after I saw her. Does he think I am responsible for her death? He refused to go and see her, but did he actually still care for her? She was his mother, after all … and for so many years, all he sought was her love.
“No.” She glanced up at the sound of his deep voice. So looked weary, but there was no condemnation in his eyes. “Su-ya, I know you visited her today without asking for my permission to leave the city. I know that you are wondering whether I blame you for her death.”
“How do you know?”
The corners of So’s mouth quirking upwards slightly and he flicked her forehead lightly. “I know you.”
I have to confess, even if it means he cannot forgive me. “My meeting with her did not go well. I lost my temper.”
“I had an inkling that might have been the case.”
“It was just that I thought it was a last chance for resolving the issues between the two of you … that if she was on her deathbed, she might finally realise how badly she treated you and send you an apology. I was wrong. She was unrepentant so I told her exactly what I thought of her.” Su swallowed, her fingers knitting together nervously. “Do you mind? Perhaps our altercation hastened her passing.”
“Su-ya,” So cupped her cheek with his palm. “Do not be ridiculous. I refuse to let you brood over something like this. She was dying and now is gone. It is of no importance any more.”
“But you are upset … I can tell.”
So sighed. “When I first heard the news, I immediately thought of how much I longed to be with her when I was in Shinju, that there would never be a chance for me to show her that I am so much more than the boy she abandoned …”
Su did not know what to say. Although So rarely spoke of his childhood, it was inevitable that scars remained from the trauma he had suffered and she knew only too well what his need for Sinmyeongsunseong’s approval had made him do.
To her surprise, he smiled, looking at her with his usual tenderness. “Do you remember when you brought me my dinner up on the hill? You said that the palace was my home …”
“Yes … your reply was that if was your home, then you should have a family.”
“The palace is my home now and I do have a family.” His arms tightened around her. “I will never forget the boy that I was and I am sorry that she never acknowledged him, but I am no longer that boy. He was alone – I am not. I have you. I have Seol and Ju. It is all because of you, Su-ya.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I love you, nanggun.”
“I love you too. Thank you, my love.”
Seeking one final reassurance, Su drew back from So’s embrace to study him closely. “Are you sure that you are all right?”
So nodded, his face calm. “Even though I never reconciled with my mother, I am at peace with my relationship with her and how it ended. I saw her true nature and knew that there was no point in attempting to repair ties with her. She was a cruel, callous woman and her absence from our lives – especially from Seol and Ju – ended up being a blessing. I was looking at your prayer stones and thinking how she never built any of these for her own children, not even Jung. I was not lying when I said that I was not interested in seeing her before she died. However, I was not the only one who decided not to go to the temple …”
“You mean Jung?”
“Yes, I am worried about him. He was with me when the messenger came in the afternoon. When he heard the news, he left at once, without a word. The guards told me that he rode out of the palace shortly afterwards.”
Of course, Jung is upset. Even though he had cut off all ties with Sinmyeongsunseong after So became king, given their close relationship before then, it is inevitable that he would be devastated by her death. Su tried to stifle the anxiety that suddenly coursed through her. “He will be fine. He is a grown man and will not do anything stupid.”
“I hope so too, Su-ya. It is just that I have you, but he has no one. He needs consolation and understanding now, but who is there to provide it to him?”
*********
All Jung could hear was the whoosh of the wind past his ears and the thundering of his horse’s hooves hitting the ground as he galloped through the forest. Usually, he held his reins tightly, controlling the inherent wildness not yet tamed within his mount. Today, however, his grip was loose, allowing the horse total freedom. Jung leaned down, one with the animal. His only focus was on ensuring that he would not fall off and he welcomed the opportunity to concentrate on just one thing … and avoid other unwanted thoughts.
Still, the horse inevitably tired, her pace gradually slowing down until she stopped completely. Night had fallen, but the sky was clear and the veil of foliage above him could not hide the bright sheen of the full moon. Judging from its position and his estimate of how long he had been riding, Jung supposed that he was now in the forests to the north-east of the cityains. Listening carefully, he could hear the trickle of a stream and quickly dismounted to lead the horse towards water. He settled himself on a large, flat rock, trying but failing to dismiss the memories that crowded his mind.
He remembered himself as a small child – he could not have been much older than four years old – standing in front of his mother’s dressing table. He had been mesmerised by the glittering display of her jewels and reached for them, his elbow knocking various knick-knacks to the ground. Expecting to be scolded, the queen had instead gathered him close to her, tenderly checking to see if he had been hurt.
As he grew older, he remembered visiting her quarters regularly and demonstrating his martial arts to her. She had always applauded and praised him enthusiastically, afterwards wiping the sweat from his forehead and ensuring that his favourite snacks were ready for him to devour.
When he was promoted to become a general during Jeongjong’s reign, her face had glowed with pride. Sinmyeongsunseong had always insisted on travelling with him to the gates of the city, climbing to the top of the watchtower to wave farewell as he led his troops away. Her court ladies had told him how she would stand there for hours each day, waiting and looking out for him, until he returned.
Yet, at the same time, he also recalled her sharp, malicious remarks to his father’s other wives and his half-siblings, the terrified, cowed expressions of her court ladies and eunuchs. Jung would never be able to forget that awful dinner when she had told So to murder the Crown Prince nor her glee when she spoke of Eun and Soon Deok’s deaths. Most of all, even now, it was almost as he could feel the sting of her hand against his cheek and hear her strident tones cursing him for not killing Jeongjong.
When So had acceded to the throne and Sinmyeongsunseong banished to Anhwa Temple, she had written to him on an almost daily basis, every missive filled with rebukes for failing her and ordering him to rise up in rebellion. After the first month, he stopped opening the letters.
And now she was dead. The woman who had brought him up, providing him with a warmth and affection that she denied everyone else. The queen who had prized ambition above all else, carelessly sacrificing everything, including her own children, in her quest for the throne. The mother whom he loved and hated in equal measure.
Even though she asked for me, I left her to die alone.
Remorse threatened to overwhelm him and he could not stop the anguished cry that burst from deep within him.
“Orabeoni.” A clear, incisive voice cut through the stillness of his surroundings and a hand clapped down on his shoulder.
In shock, he whirled around. “Mun Hye-ya! What are you doing here?”
“I was just outside the stables when you burst out, riding like you were being chased by the entire Khitan army. I knew that something was wrong so I followed you.”
“You followed me? What were you thinking? You could have been killed! What if you had fallen off?” Jung found himself shaking as he remembered how recklessly he had ridden. He had never imagined that someone would be tracking him.
She shrugged, unperturbed. “You know I am an excellent rider – probably better than you – I would not have fallen.” She settled herself down next to him. “What happened?
Mun Hye was looking at him with an expression of polite – almost disinterested – enquiry, but experience had taught him that any attempt to evade her question was doomed. He was pleased that when he answered her, his voice was quiet and steady. “My mother died this afternoon.”
“Oh, I see ... how do you feel?”
There was no judgment in her voice, only genuine concern. She gently placed her hand over his and for some reason, he felt better immediately. “I do not know, Mun Hye-ya, I just do not know.”
“Do you want to talk about it? But only if you want to …”
Jung found that he suddenly wanted to confide in her. He could not explain it, but he knew that Mun Hye would understand. “I thought that I had accepted that she did terrible things and caused a lot of pain to others, that it was only right that I had no contact with her. Yet, now that she has passed, I remember how much she loved me, how well she treated me when I was younger. I am so torn now, Mun Hye-ya, so confused!”
“I wish you would not trouble yourself as you do, orabeoni, but I also know it is impossible that you would not. I will not lie and admit that I am sad because your mother died, but it pains me to see you so upset.”
Her honesty broke him and Jung could no longer hold back his tears as he confessed to what was hurting him the most. “She sent for me, you know? And I refused to go! I knew that if I saw her, she would ask for me to do things that were wrong, that I would not want to do … but it would have been so hard to say no to her dying wishes … I knew I would have resented her for making things difficult for me so I avoided the issue … and now, I feel so guilty …”
“Shh, orabeoni …” Mun Hye pulled him into her arms, allowing him to weep against her shoulder. “Do not think about it. What is done is done and cannot be changed. Queen Sinmyeongsunseong’s actions harmed so many and you would not have wanted to be drawn back into her schemes. You did the right thing.”
He allowed himself to indulge in her sympathy and support, strangely uncaring that he was crying in front of her. When he finally became silent, she eased him away from her and leaned down so that their faces were only inches apart. Her tone was stern, brooking no argument. “Listen to me, orabeoni. Mourn the loss of your mother who gave life to you and helped you grow up well, but do not become overcome with guilt and grief for the queen who does not deserve it.”
Jung stared at her, again moved by how Mun Hye so often and unexpectedly displayed a maturity and sensitivity beyond her years. She smiled faintly. “I have a suggestion for you. Perhaps you should ask the King to send you back to the borders?”
“What?”
“It is not that I want anything to happen to you – rather, I think it would do you good if you left Songak for a while. There are probably too many memories in the palace that would remind you of your mother and will only hurt you.” To his surprise but not displeasure, she pressed her lips lightly against his cheek. “I will miss you, orabeoni, but you need to think of what is best for you.”
*********
2 years later.
From the hillside road leading back to Songak, Jung had a perfect view of the city, which had expanded significantly in the time that he had been away. The sun shone down, unblocked by any clouds in the vividly blue sky. The endless stretch of buildings glistened in the brilliant light, especially the dark green tiles marking out the roofs of the palace complex. He felt his heart leap as he thought of what and who was waiting for him there
“Yah!” Jung urged his horse into a gallop, keen to return.
When he arrived at Cheondeokjeon, he found himself amidst dozens of ministers preparing to attend the morning court session. Choi Jimong rushed out. “Your highness! We were not expecting you until tomorrow.”
“I rode ahead of my men.”
“I am delighted to see you, as will be his majesty when he hears that you are back. 14th Prince, will you attend court today?”
Jung laughed. “I am not properly attired, which will give Head Eunuch Jang a headache, but it will be good to hear what is going on.”
He entered the main hall, taking his place at the front, shortly before Head Eunuch Jang announced Gwangjong’s arrival. As the King bade his officials to rise from their bows, Jung met his older brother’s gaze. So smiled, lifting his hand in greeting.
Jung grinned back. It is good to be home.
After the court session ended, he was asked to meet the King in his study. So welcomed him warmly, listening attentively as Jung reported on the construction of the fortresses along the borders.
“There is still much work to be completed in the next few years, but the defences are sufficiently strong that we need not worry about any attacks from the Khitans and Jurchens right now. They would be foolish to do so.”
“I agree and I am very pleased with what you have done in so short a time. Well done, Jung-ah. I need to think about how to reward you. Is there anything you want in particular? Or are you going to be modest and not ask for anything?”
“Actually, hyung-nim, there is something I wanted to talk to you about.”
“What is it?”
Before he could answer, Su’s melodic voice called out, “I heard that the 14th Prince had returned, so I am here to ask why he has not yet come to see me!” She entered the room, quickly throwing her arms around him. “I understand why you had stay so long at the borders, but we missed you.”
“Well, hyung-nim is a hard taskmaster and until I finished what he told me to do, I did not dare to come back! Who knows what sort of punishment he would have imposed on me?”
“Be careful what you say,” So growled, shaking his fist with mock severity. But he suddenly grimaced, his right hand moving towards his left shoulder.
“Are you all right, hyung-nim?”
“It is nothing – just a twinge.”
“I noticed that something was discomfiting you during the court session this morning. Perhaps you should consult with the physician?” Knowing that Wang So was unlikely to listen to him, Jung quickly appealed to the one person who could compel the fearsome wolf-dog to do whatever she wanted. “Hyungso-nim, do you not agree?”
Su sprung forward, her fingers gently caressing her husband’s shoulder. “Jung is right. It is no great matter to call Physician Lee here.” Not waiting for So’s response, Su opened the door and ordered a servant to summon the doctor.
Minutes later, Physician Lee walked into the room and with a rueful sigh, So submitted to an examination by the wizened old man, wincing as his arm was swung back and forth. “How long has your majesty’s shoulder been bothering you?”
“It is sometimes stiff when I wake up, but today, it seems more painful than usual.”
“Some of your muscles are strained. It is not serious. I will prepare a poultice that will need to be applied twice a day. More importantly, I request your majesty to pay more attention to your sleeping position. It appears to me that your body must be twisted too much on one side, almost as you are sleeping with a heavy weight on your shoulder.”
For a few long minutes, the King was silent. His gaze finally moved to rest speculatively on Su, whose cheeks had turned a delicate pink. So dismissed the physician and turned towards Jung, his lips twisting slightly. “Did you hear that, Jung-ah? A heavy weight on my shoulder, eh?”
Jung tried to hide his grin. Although everyone in the palace knows that So hyung-nim insists on his family living with him in Cheondeokjeon, someone as traditional as Physician Lee would not be able to fathom that the King and Queen of Goryeo actually share a bed. He could not resist joining in teasing his sister-in-law, cheerfully responding, “I wonder what sort of heavy weight it could have been. Do you have any idea, hyung-nim?”
“Well, I suppose that Physician Lee was too polite to say that someone must have a big head.”
“Ahh, that must be it – a big head …”
Su’s hand had instinctively drifted to her head, her brows drawing together in a frown, before she quickly shifted her hand away. Both men struggled to mask their amusement. She glared at them, her voice cutting. “Since I obviously cannot see the joke, please excuse me. I have far better things to occupy my time.”
The door slammed behind her, leaving So and Jung to burst into the laughter that they no longer needed to hold back. When they finally quietened down, Jung asked, “Even though I would not have missed seeing hyungso-nim’s face just now, I did not think that she would be so angry. Will she be all right?”
“Yes, I believe so. Su has been rather sensitive and moody recently … as may be expected, given the circumstances.” A satisfied smile stretched across So’s face. “You will become an uncle again in another six months or so!”
“That is excellent news! Are Seol and Ju excited?”
“Very much so, although Su and I are hoping that the new baby will have a far calmer temperament. The older two are completely impossible!”
“You adore them, hyung-nim, you know that.”
“Of course. I just have to ensure that they do not take advantage of that and believe me, it is no easy task.” So stood up, stretching. “It is good to see you again, little brother, but I had better go find Su and apologise.”
“The King apologising?”
“The King will not apologise, but Wang So has to. There is a difference, you know. You might not be married yet, but let me provide you with some important advice for when you become a husband. It is something Su told me and I have learned that for a peaceful household, I should listen to my wife.”
“What was her advice?”
“When you are wrong, admit it. When you are right, shut up!”
Chuckling at Jung’s startled expression, So walked away. Jung frowned as he realised he had just missed the opportunity to speak to his brother about what he wanted most … Ryu Mun Hye.
If Jung was ever asked when he had begun to love Mun Hye, he could not have given a proper answer. His first inkling had been his confusion when she had kissed him in the forest that night. The feel of her lips, cool and soft against his cheek, was engrained in his mind. That light touch, intended to comfort and soothe him, had somehow impacted on him far more than the far more torrid couplings he had had with other women.
At the time, he had swept aside the new, mystifying emotions, telling himself that he was unsettled by Queen Sinmyeonsunseong’s death. But even as he headed north, he had felt a pang of regret at leaving her. He had carried out his duties on the borders, pushing himself from dawn until late at night, successfully ridding himself of his painful memories of Songak and his mother. Yet, he had not been able to forget Mun Hye.
Jung had tried to convince himself that it was only too natural that he missed her – they had spent so much time together, she was an amusing companion, he missed all his family in Songak. Still, when a messenger had arrived with letters from the palace, the first one he reached for was the envelope marked with her handwriting. The contents of her letter were nothing out of the ordinary, merely a description of her new horse and complaints about her mother’s strictness. But as he read it, Mun Hye’s piquant, pointed face appeared before him … and he had had to admit – to himself, if no one else – that she owned his heart as no one else ever had.
And now what? Two years after this most precious discovery, this remained a vexing question for him, one which he endlessly wondered about. Mun Hye may be my fiancée, but our engagement was for political reasons. She probably does not feel the same way as I do. All our correspondence has been on mundane topics. If only I was like Baek Ah hyung-nim and knew how to properly court a woman, I could have written her poetry and made her fall in love with me too. Perhaps it was good that So hyung-nim left before I made a fool of myself and asked him to set a date for a marriage between Mun Hye and me, when that would be something she would dread. Perhaps I really should let her go …
“Uncle Jung! Uncle Jung!” A child’s shrill, high-pitched cry broke into his thoughts and he looked up to find that, lost in thought, he had wandered far from Cheondeokjeon and to the edge of the palace gardens. His name was being called from the top of a hill and even as he waved in greeting, apprehension filled him as he watched the two small figures on their ponies tear down the slope towards him. I hope that they will be able to stop before they crash into me.
His fears were not justified. With not inconsiderable skill, given their youth, Seol and Ju skidded to a halt just a few feet away from and leapt off to hug him with their usual exuberance.
“We saw you as soon we reached the top of the hill. I recognised you straightaway!” Ju shouted, enthusiastically tugging at Jung’s sleeve.
“No, you did not,” Seol drawled with superiority of an older sister. “You don’t remember what Uncle Jung looks like …”
“Yes, I do! He looks like the portrait that eomonim showed us when she told us that he was returning to the palace!”
“Well, you said I was wrong and it could not be Uncle Jung as he was not coming until tomorrow.”
“I did not say that!” her little brother yelled indignantly. “You are lying!”
“No, I am not!”
Despite his amusement at the siblings’ bickering, Jung adopted a stern tone as he addressed his niece and nephew. “Now, now, no more fighting otherwise you will have spoilt my homecoming. Here’s my suggestion – we will go to my quarters to see if my baggage has arrived – there might or might not be some presents from the north for you,”
“Thank you, Uncle Jung! You are the best uncle!”
“Better than Uncle Baek Ah?”
“Of course!”
With a laugh, he lifted them up. “We will walk back together. Your attendants can take your ponies back to the stables …” His voice trailed off as he realised that no one else was around. Even if they are excellent riders, the children are still too young to be out alone … especially given that Ju is the Crown Prince. He turned urgently to them. “Did something happen? Where is your escort?”
Seol shrugged. “The guards came out with us as they always do, but we left them behind … Aunty Mun Hye rode ahead with us.”
His heart beat a little faster at the mention of Mun Hye’s name. “Where is she then?”
“On the other side of the hill, I guess. We ran into Ahn Kwang Sik-nim.”
“Ahn Kwang Sik? Who is he?”
“You do not know him? He is a friend of Uncle Baek Ah, who came to court a few months ago. Everyone says he is a great artist, but I like him because he plays with us. He and Aunty Mun Hye are good friends.” Ju prattled happily, seemingly unaware that Jung’s entire body had stiffened. “Look – there they are!”
Jung glanced over to the crest of the hill where Ju was pointing. Mun Hye was on foot, leading her horse behind her. A tall, masculine figure was walking next to her, their heads bent together as they chatted with an ease and familiarity was far too intimate for Jung’s liking.