Chapter 110:

Chapter 110:

Translator: MarcTempest

Chapter 110

On the table, a large-mouthed fish lay stretched out with its mouth wide open.

Its flesh was plump from the spawning season, and the pinkish glow between its gills showed its freshness.

As if to tell of the harsh winter, the red tub containing the live fish was also covered with frost.

But the Namhang merchants, who were notorious for their persistence, were not bothered by the cold and instead raised their voices.

A girl with earplugs and her father walked through the maze-like Namhang Market.

Dad, here it is. Here!

The girl, who must be in middle school, grabbed her fathers hand and led him.

The place where the father and daughter arrived was a small shop.

Like a peg fitting into its hole, the girl entered the shop without hesitation.

Who did she take after to have such an impatient personality?

The father also couldnt resist his daughters urging.

Maam! Were here!

As the tide receded, the customers left and the shop owner, who was busy preparing the side dishes, was startled and greeted them warmly.

She had met the child at the Namhang Merchants Association earlier.

They had also exchanged friendly greetings while walking around the market.

Is that you, Ji-soo? What are you doing here at this time?

My dad has something to say to you!

Your dad?

Unlike the rough Namahng men, he had no guts.

He sold well when he sold side dishes, smiling sweetly at the elders, but now he hesitated.

In the end, the daughter, who was frustrated by her fathers silence, poked him in the ribs. Then his pale skin flinched and he let out a groan.

Do, do you have any cockles?

Cockles?

Yes, yes. I want to try making spicy cockles for a side dish.

Oh, the fresh ones are all gone by morning. How many do you need?

No, no. Just a little bit. Im not selling them. I just want to eat them and share them with the elderly neighbors.

Then wait a minute, I have some set aside for side dishes.

The shop owner generously filled a bag with seasonal cockles.

The daughter still beat her chest, annoyed by her fathers awkwardness.

Finally, the father, who received the bag, took out a bill from his wallet. But the shop owner waved her hand and smiled.

Thats okay, you said you were helping the old ladies who pick up trash. I cant take money from you for doing such a good deed. And you brought me a lot of kimchi when Young-guk won the award the other day. Just take it.

But, but.

Did you have a meal? Its almost time for the night market to get crowded, so dont starve yourself and have a spoonful here. Ji-soo, did you eat?

No, Im hungry!

The daughter was quick-witted unlike her father. In no time, the three of them sat around a small table for side dishes.

The two of them chatted warmly like mother and daughter, while the girls father, Mr. Kim, the side dish seller, still looked uncomfortable.

The shop owner explained with a kind smile, Dont be so nervous. Theres not much to eat, so its just like adding a few more spoons. Ji-soo is a regular customer of our shop.

The girl with earplugs smiled brightly.

She was a regular customer, but she didnt actually buy anything.

She rather got a lot of free food from the shop.

Doesnt Ji-soo bother you?

She doesnt. She comes to talk to me whenever shes bored, Im so grateful for that.

That was when it happened.

Hey, Young-guks mother, lets eat!

A voice like a cannonball, it was Mrs. Yang, who came to the shop to eat with her. Mrs. Yang opened the shop door and was surprised to see the man. Then she quickly recognized Mr. Kim, the side dish seller, and her eyes were filled with both confusion and curiosity.

Did, did I come at a bad time?

You came at the right time, whats that in your hand? Is that mackerel? It looks delicious. Ji-soo, you came at a good time, right?

It was a lively meal.

The market merchants had an early dinner.

They ate early to avoid the time when the customers flocked.

Even then, they often ate lightly to fill their stomachs. But today, there were many people, and the side dishes were also fancy.

As she said, it was a feast.

Mom, its Young-guk. The phone is ringing.

As she was about to scoop up some rice, the phone in the store rang.

It was an unusual time for a call, so Young-guks mother picked up the receiver with curiosity. Her expression changed rapidly as she heard the voice on the other end.

Joy and happiness, and then tears. She suddenly burst into tears, startling Mrs. Yang, the old lady next door, Mr. Kim, the owner of the side dish shop, and his daughter Ji-soo.

Young-guks mother, whats wrong?

Clothes meant a lot in the Joseon era. They were like a measure of status. As he was deep in thought, that was when it happened.

PD Yoo, just shoot it.

Huh?

Young-guk stepped up.

It was spilled milk anyway.

There was no point in brainstorming here, the burnt clothes wouldnt be fixed.

And in a historical drama, these kinds of emergencies were bound to happen.

Young-guk emphasized again.

Lets shoot it without the top.

***

Dark clouds gathered between the crescent moon.

Raindrops fell as the movement of the Grand Consorts Palace was suspicious.

The guards of the palace looked around with anxious eyes, wondering if there were any rats.

Grand Consort, you must make a decision.

The court officials were urging the Queen Mother Insu to abdicate.

They were the leaders of the Hun and Sarim factions, who usually divided the court and opposed each other politically.

Even they were united in trying to persuade the Grand Consort.

Your Majesty is in critical condition. If the crown prince is deposed soon, there will be a bloodbath in the court. Grand Consort, you must make a decision and appoint a new crown prince.

King Seong-jongs illness was getting worse by the day.

The doctors were using all kinds of acupuncture and medicine, but his back was already swollen so much that he could barely move, and the lump in his chest was getting worse as if it would choke him any moment.

According to the doctors, it was too late to reverse his condition.

This was a serious matter.

I know what worries the ministers. But it is impossible to undo the crown prince who has already been exiled. Besides, the crown prince is not as cruel and ruthless as the ministers fear. Even if His Majesty tells him the truth about his mothers death, I can keep it a secret for the next hundred years.

Mother, please forgive me for saying this, but the crown prince might already know how Yun was expelled. He just chose to ignore it

Nonsense! If he knew the truth, how could he have stayed silent for over ten years!! Do not mention Yun in front of me anymore. I understand the ministers concerns, but I hope they do not act recklessly and bring death upon themselves. It is late, so please leave.

The one who showed determination on their face was more dangerous than the one who was sinister.

The ministers judged that the crown prince, Yi-yung, was clearly the latter.

They could not fathom how deep his thoughts were.

Soon, the camera captured the palace of the crown prince with an overlap.

Hoo.

He lets out a rough breath.

The crown princes jawline was swollen as if his veins were about to burst. His muscles were twitching, showing their strength.

He had a simple reason for torturing his body like this.

The court was always full of dangers, like walking on thin ice.

The ministers threatened his life without sparing their words or actions.

It was not strange that assassins could appear anywhere at any time.

Wow, he really worked out well.

PD Yoo Myung-han swallowed his admiration. He was worried for nothing.

The sight of him doing push-ups with his shirt off was like a well-carved statue.

Thanks to him, the female staff on the set were enjoying the view.

Sweat drops flowed between his ripped muscles.

He got up from his spot as dawn broke through the window.

The sweat drops reflected the dawn and highlighted his contours.

At that moment, someone rushed into the Donggung.

Your Highness, its Kwak-san!

Come in.

You must hurry to the Daejojeon!

It was too early for the ministers to enter the palace, so there was only one reason why the guard, Kwak-san, was here.

Could it be

Kwak-san lowered his head without answering.

The cries had not yet filled the air, so it must be a national mourning.

The crown prince wiped off his sweat and put on his robe. His lips curled into a faint smile as he headed to the Daejojeon to pay his respects.

How much time had passed?

The camera showed a flashback of the Daejojeons roof.

The eunuch climbed up the dragons head and held the kings robe on his left.

He shouts Restoration! The dragon robe that once wrapped the kings body fluttered in the wind, losing its owner.

The expressions of those who watched it were varied.

Some would mourn the departed king, while others would regret not being able to change the crown prince. But they all knew.

It was now the era of Yeonsan-gun.