CH 100

“How is Yeonbin, Your Majesty?” 

When Sukbi asked like that, Yihan looked blank thinking of last night even though it wasn’t exactly the same thing. Last night at Jeongan Palace, Hwawoon asked him about Sukbi and today, Yihan stopped by Unhwa Palace for a luncheon, but when he came here, Sukbi asked him about Yeonbin. It was a strange thing.

“Are you asking about Yeonbin?” 

“Yes, Your Majesty. I can’t go there in person because Yeonbin has not recovered yet, but I’m worried…”

Yihan made a stunned sound without realizing it. Sukbi and Yeonbin were known to be nemesis because they cursed each other whenever they met, but now they were worried about each other as if they were in a very affectionate relationship. 

The emperor had always wished for Yeonbin to tone down his personality and have a good relationship with other concubines. He didn’t know why he felt subtly uncomfortable when he faced this situation, however. 

“He still can’t move much yet, but he seems to have improved a lot. And yesterday, Yeonbin also…”

“…?”

Yihan paused while talking. He strangely hesitated to deliver a casual word. However, Yihan, who was pushed by Sukbi’s waiting gaze, eventually continued to talk. 

“Yeonbin was worried about you yesterday.” 

“Pardon…?” 

“He was worried that you might be blaming yourself, so he asked me about your condition.”

Biyoung’s eyes trembled violently in a flash as she listened to the emperor. In her case, she couldn’t easily get Yeonbin out of her thoughts because she was indebted to him. She had never dreamed that Yeonbin would also be worried about her. Of course, the court lady of Jeongan Palace came last time and told her that Yeonbin said not to worry because it was not her mistake, but she didn’t expect him to worry ever since. 

Yihan said again to Biyoung with deepening eyes. 

“After hearing that, I realized that I was indifferent to you. You must have had a hard time, too…”

“No, Your Majesty. It’s Yeonbin who’s having a hard time because of me.”

“It was an accident. Yeonbin is not blaming you either, so if you have a sense of guilt, stop it now.”

The emperor’s voice was as friendly and warm as it always was before. However, Biyoung, who sat there and listened to the emperor’s comfort, was thinking differently. 

Biyoung had not even thought about the fact that the emperor was indifferent to her until this moment. She knew that the emperor visited Jeongan Palace every night, but there was no day when she thought of something like why His Majesty does not pay attention to me. Rather, Biyoung took it as natural that the emperor should visit Jeongan Palace. In addition, she even thought it was fortunate that the emperor often visited Yeonbin and comforted him. 

Realizing the huge change in her mind, Biyoung opened her mouth. 

“I’m all right, Your Majesty. Don’t worry too much because the burden I feel now in my heart is something I have to deal with, and later, it will be released once I meet Yeonbin and talk to him.” 

“…”

“So don’t worry about me and take care of Yeonbin more often.”

Sukbi’s voice was unusually serious and heavy. She seemed to blame the emperor for coming to Unhwa Palace to eat when Yeonbin was so sick. It was unlikely, of course. It was impossible for a concubine to criticize the emperor for visiting her palace. 

However, Sukbi, who lowered her gaze and asked the emperor to look at Yeonbin more often without looking at him properly, did not seem to welcome Yihan at all. 

“… Yeah. I understand.” 

Yihan, feeling awkward for no reason, replied as if mumbling. The emperor couldn’t get rid of the feeling that things were going on strangely. 

***

“Is it still not allowed to visit?” 

Jeongbin, Songhyun, asked urgently as soon as the court lady who had just been to Jeongan Palace went inside. Songhyun, who was exhausted while waiting, wondering when she could visit Jeongan Palace, couldn’t stand it and sent someone to Jeongan Palace. The court lady replied, bending her back.

“That’s… His Highness Yeonbin said it’s okay, but Ahjin, the court lady next to him, insisted that His Highness still needs to rest…” 

Songhyun stuck out her lips and made a sullen face in response to the court lady’s answer. It was clear that Yeonbin, who was still not healthy yet, answered okay because he thought of Songhyun, but Songhyun wanted to just believe Yeonbin’s words as if she didn’t know it. 

“Just a moment. Can’t I come and see if he’s okay for just a moment?” 

When Songhyun asked Jooah at last like a habit, Jooah, next to her, sighed again today and replied. 

“Isn’t it said that His Highness Yeonbin still needs to rest? Don’t you know that a few days ago Her Highness Sukbi went to Jeongan Palace and returned without getting in? Don’t go and become an uninvited guest, and please wait a little longer.” 

“At that time, she couldn’t go in because Yeonbin was sleeping. It was not on purpose. And… His Majesty goes every night.” 

“Your Highness…”

Today, with superhuman power, Jooah once again endured her urge to ask, “Your Highness, you can’t be serious.” She couldn’t understand why her master, a concubine, kept putting herself in the same position as the emperor, not Yeonbin. 

It was not that she didn’t know that her master had not been very affectionate about the life of the imperial palace and was not interested in the emperor’s favor and such, but Jooah thought that it would all be okay over time. However, it seemed to get worse as the days went by, so she felt at a loss.

“I know, I know. I’m just saying it because I’m frustrated.” 

As if knowing she went a little too far, Songhyun sighed and added with a still sullen face. She was already like this even before she got so close with Yeonbin. Wondering what her master would look like once she got close to Yeonbin just as Songhyun and Biyoung, Jooah felt helpless. 

Regardless of what Jooah was thinking about, Songhyun said again to the court lady who had been to Jeongan Palace. 

“You told him to call me as soon as he feels better, right?” 

“Yes, Your Highness. I sent your message.”

“All right. If there is a notice from Jeongan Palace, all of you must tell me right away. Do you understand?”

The courtiers of Jinnyeong Residence were still questioning what on earth was going on.

***

“Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress.” 

The empress hurriedly grabbed Hwawoon’s arm, who knelt down on one knee to greet her, and seated him in a chair. The empress, who immediately came to Jeongan Palace after the morning greetings in the Empress Palace, sat down and asked Hwawoon. 

“Are you feeling better?” 

“Yes. I’m feeling much better thanks to your concern.” 

“I wanted to come earlier, but I worried it would just make you more uncomfortable. I hope you can understand why I’m only here now.”

“Why did you say that, Your Majesty? Your visit here is more than I deserve.” 

There was a subtle smile around the mouth of the empress at his polite attitude, which still hadn’t changed. The emperor had been to Jeongan Palace often recently, but Yeonbin showed no signs of being conceited. Jaran continued.

“I didn’t come here to take up a lot of your time, and I stopped by because I had something to givee. Seon.” 

When Jaran called her name, Seon, who was standing in the back, put the small ointment container that she brought in her arms in front of Hwawoon. 

“What is this?” 

“It’s a medicine that’s said to be good for removing scars. I obtained it specially by sending a notice to my parents’ home, and it has already been seen in the palace clinics, so when the wound heals a little, it would be good to use it regularly.” 

“Your Majesty…” 

Hwawoon looked at the empress with a blank face without realizing it. He had already been told by the doctor that there would be a scar, but in fact, Hwawoon was not worried about the scar at all. The scar on the body was something too familiar to Hawoon in the past. Ahjin turned pale and almost shed tears as soon as she heard the news, but Hwawoon forgot it immediately after hearing it. 

Jaran continued to talk toward Hwawoon, who had shaky eyes and couldn’t speak.

“Of course, His Majesty is not a person who fears scars, but regardless of that, wouldn’t it be better to treat the wound cleanly?”

“Your Majesty… What should I say to thank you for her care…”

“Don’t get up and sit still.” 

Hwawoon rose to express his gratitude, but he couldn’t even continue that because of the empress’s restraint. The empress only spoke with a benevolent look. 

“If you really feel thankful to me, hurry up and get well. That will be the pay for my concern.” 

“… Yes, Your Majesty. I will. Thank you very much for your kindness.”