[100DMP EPILOGUE TRANSLATION]

Starting this thread but probably will update really slowly (I find listening easier than reading) and I only have the first page done so far. Anyone else who has the epilogue and wanted to add onto this thread, feel free to do so

"Let us go to the palace."

"Was that...a marriage proposal?"

"No. I'm going to do it properly now."

Holding Yiseo's hand , Yul pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Their heart beat violently, and their cheeks grew hot.

Soft lips that touch each other..Sweet breath and scent...they couldn't believe it. The parting had been long and the longing was deep. They kissed each other as if they were trying to compensate for all that.

"Hongshim is so lucky. Wondeuk's lips are plump and pretty."

"Why are you like this? I also have plump lips, where are you looking at?"

Kkeutnyeo, who was looking on from the roof felt envious, and Gudol was jealous.

"These people! How many times should I tell you not to call him Wondeuk but His Highness? Our crown prince is amazing. He's good at literary and martial arts...With his lips too...he's good..."

"By the way, the petals are running out. How much longer can we do this?"

"Right. I told him to prepare more! He didn't!"

Yiseo, who was surprised by Yeon-ssi's angry voice, looks up at the roof.

"We didn't see anything. So just finish what you were doing."

Nobleman Park smiles and blows away the remaining petals in the basket.

"This flower rain...did Your Highness plan this?"

"Do you think this is all I've planned?"

A flower palanquin was waiting in front of the gate of the house.

"You already prepared the palanquin? What are you going to do if I refuse to marry you?"

"Don't tell me. Did you mean to refuse my proposal?"

"Refuse...why will I do that? I've been waiting for this moment for so long."

Yiseo smiled teasingly. Yul felt like his heart was sinking.

"Don't startle me with this! If my heart is strained, if my health detoriates...You're the only one to lose!"

"Why is it my loss?"

"We're getting married soon, and we're going to have to sleep together that day. If your husband's body doesn't work...What will happen?"

"..."

Yiseo couldn't answer back. Only her face was flushed.

Yiseo who is avoiding his eyes looks so lovely to Yul.

"You thought I forgot, didn't you? However, I didn't. The promise that I would give you beautiful pair of shoes with cherry blossoms on them."

Before climbing on the palanquin, Yul put the shoes on Yiseo's feet.

"Now that you're wearing shoes engraved with cherry blossoms pattern, from now on you will only see cherry blossom road ahead of you."

Yiseo is overwhelmed. Yul's warm smile is as bright as the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

If she could be with this person...If they can look into each other's eyes and touch each other come what may...able to sleep together and wake up together...how happy it would be.

No, can my heart survive? Will I be able to fall asleep? Ah...I don't know. I'll just think about it later.

"Crown Princess candidate? No such thing! We were already married before."

"As a courtesy, we only need an official procedure to welcome my lady into the palace and inform the whole nation. However, there's no need for a Crown Princess selection process."

"Your Highness! The Crown Princess's greatest responsibility is to produce the royal heir. A future Queen. But I heard that your lady is already 29 years old.

This is a big flaw. Will she be able to get pregnant at her age and even if she can, will she be able to birth properly?

How can you not be worried? If you cannot abandon her, let her be a concubine, and find a young and pretty Crown Princess."

"You have such poor memory. Have you forgotten already? The work of the deceased Crown Princess Kim."

At Yul’s cold words and cynical smile, the agitated State Ministers shut their mouths in unison.

“No matter how beautiful the flower is, what if the bee doesn’t fly towards it? Some of you have daughters of marriageable age.

It’s not that I don’t know your intention of making your daughter as the Crown Princess and putting her in the position to become future Queen. However, even if any of your daughter becomes the Crown Princess, I have no intention of embracing the woman."

"Knowing this, will you still let your daughters participate in the Crown Princess selection process?”

No one dares to step forward. Everyone knows Yul’s temperament very well. Not only towards Crown Princess Sohye, he had never even glance at any of the court ladies.

It has been an impossible task for a very long time to make their daughter the Crown Princess out of greed for power. It was Jung Sayeob who finally broke the long silence.

“The Crown Princess selection is a task for the lady-in-waiting. The opposition from the Queen Mother is severe, there’s nothing we can do to change her conviction. Please be understanding.”

The Queen Mother again. Yul suddenly has a terrible headache.

Further rebuttal is of no use. If he just makes Yiseo as his wife without going through the formalities, the Queen Mother and the State Ministers will only bother her for all kinds of reasons.

Losing the political warfare, Yul’s footsteps become heavy. He feels sore at the pit of his stomach.

“How did this happen?”

“Don’t tell me you’re having chest pain?”

“It seems so.”

“It has settled before. How did the chest pain return? I’ll call the physician right away.”

Yul stops Eunuch Yang who turned around in a hurry.

“What I need is not a physician. This chest pain is due to longing.”

In the evening, Gudol and Kkeutnyeo was sitting around the table but their meal was barely touched. Yeon-ssi was stunned. Five days ago, the two had come up without hesitation and have settled down in the men’s quarter.

He had somehow managed to refrain them from asking Yul to arrange a room for them in the palace. They could have been eating three meals a day if that had been the case.
But now they dare to grumble with this precious rice in front of them?!

“What are you guys doing now? If you’re not going to eat, give it to me! Instead, just know that it will be barley rice from tomorrow morning.”

“Don’t be like that, Abeoji. We’ll eat.” Gudol drove the rice into his mouth.

“Hongshim, don’t worry about it. We don’t know anything about it. We didn’t hear anything at all.”

“Why don’t you just tell the truth? It’s all on your face. You know something, you heard something.”

Only then, Gudol and Kkeutnyeo hesitantly started to open their mouth.

They received the biggest shock when they had gone to Sijeon (large store downtown areas of Hanyang). They had been mesmerized by the pretty young lady passing by that their eyes were about to pop out.

People all over were saying that she’s the youngest daughter from the household of Minister of Rites who will become the Crown Princess. It has already been decided.

Yeon-ssi shouted. “Don’t you know our Wondeuk! Do you think he is going to marry someone else other than Hongshim? If you’re going to spread a false rumour and upset yourself over it, why don’t you just get back to Songjuhyun right now.”

“Upset over it...we’re just worried.”

“No matter how worried you are, I don’t believe the rumour. So just eat your meal. I’ll eat everything if you don’t.”

Yiseo finished her bowl of rice in the blink of an eye. It was the only way to ease her father’s worries.

Yiseo wandered about the garden for a long time. The wind is cold. Is it already fall? It had only been 15 days since Yul left but it feels like it has been well over a year. What the heck is going on in the palace?

Yiseo carefully touches the flower wall.

“That beautiful and immeasurable flower wall…I designed the pattern myself.”

Yul’s proud voice was vivid in her ears.

It was in this garden that the palanquin which first went to her house in Songjuhyun had arrived. Holding Yul’s hand, Yiseo had been surprised when she stepped down from the palanquin. It was this house! The very same house where she lived with her father and brother.

It looks just as it was before, no, it has become even more beautiful. Yul had spent more than six months repairing the house. He chose the cherry tree next to the small pond, the wallpaper and even the bookcase in the room himself. And finally, he carefully added.

“When you become Crown Princess, I will grant your father a position in public office. I have repaired the house as he will need a befitting residence. It was a place with horrible memory, so I hesitated to let you come back in. You don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to.”

“No. The horrible memory is fleeting, but there are more happy memories.”

Yul brought Yiseo who was choked up with tears into his warm embrace.

There has been no news from him since then. He definitely must have bumped into some difficulties.

“What are you thinking about?”

It is Yul’s voice. He is standing there when she turns around.
His jet-black eyes sparkled beneath his gat. Wah, is she seeing things now because she misses him?
Yul slowly approaches her. It is only then that Yiseo comes to a realisation. That he is right in front of her eyes.

“I asked you. What are you thinking about?”

It was unkind of him to ask this mischievous question to her face.

Contrary to her mind, a sharp answer came out. “You already know everything so why ask?”

“I might know but I still want to hear it from you.”

“Yes. Yes. I was thinking about Your Highness! I miss you so much, I thought I was going to die. It’s because you’re the Crown Prince. You’ve even been appointed as regent King. I know that you’re going to be busy, but can you not have sent someone to deliver a message from you?"

"It has been more than a fortnight since we parted ways. How can it be that we haven’t heard from each other?”

“It was deliberate. As a little payback.”

“What???”

“This is the end of our relationship. We will be unhappy together. Didn’t you push me away with such words? I’ve been upset since I thought I was the only one desperate and fearful.”

“Wow. I can’t believe there’s such a man holding a grudge like this…”

At that moment, Yul grabs Yiseo’s hand.

“Let’s go to the room.”

Yul was discovered as Gudol came out of the men’s quarter. Your Highness!!!

“Don’t interfere. I have to be alone with this person.”

Yul, who sits opposite her, unties the string of his gat without saying a word.

‘Why is he taking off his gat? But why is my heart beating so fast like this when he’s doing that? It’s not like he’s taking off his clothes, it’s only the gat?’

Yiseo feels her heart giving way as she took the gat from Yul. His face reflected in the candlelight already looks so determined.

“You’ve gotten thinner than the last time I saw you.”

“I couldn’t sleep. Thinking about you.”

“Don’t lie. You’re in trouble over the marriage, aren’t you?”

“Those ministers in the palace born with a golden spoon in their mouth. Do you know what words they utter most frequently? ‘No. You can’t.’ That’s always been the case so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m not going back to the palace.”

“!!!”

Yul clasps the cheeks of Yiseo who was surprised and kisses her. It is a wild and fierce kiss. Yiseo is flustered and collapses under Yul’s strength.

Yul continues to covet her lips and reaches out to Yiseo’s upper garment. Yiseo grabs his hand.

“Why? You said you were dying from missing me.”

“This isn’t like Your Highness.”

“If you thought that I was a saint without desires, you were mistaken. Every day, I imagine of kissing you, touching you and holding you in my arms. Every time I think of you, I’ve never been a good guy. So, in this moment, more than ever, I am like myself.”

Angered, Yiseo pushes Yul away and sits up.

“This isn’t right! I…those kind…Do you think I never have those strange imaginations? But still, isn’t this method too pathetic? Your plan against those ministers opposing our marriage…is a prenuptial pregnancy?”

“…”

“Now that a pregnancy is on the way. Oh, that’s great. We’ll allow your marriage?”

Yul gets up helplessly.

“You’re right. I’m pathetic. However, I don’t know what else to do.”

“…”

“To endure the hell that is the palace…you need to have power. I thought you were dead, and I tried to avenge those who made you so. I could have run away with you on the battlefield…but the same is true for not doing so. I don’t want to live in hiding."

"I wanted to restore your identity and welcome you as my wife no matter what. All those things are regretful. Sleeping with you…how I wish we have a child. If you have the royal heir, there would be no oppositions and talks about holding a Crown Princess selection process."

"I was conceited to think I was clever. However, I’m truly...just Dumb.”

“Just have the selection process.”

“!!!”

“If they must have the selection process, I’ll do it.”

“No. That can’t happen.”

“It is only a deception. No doubt they have already nominated someone. I cannot let you get involved in such unfairness.”

“Then you can just make it fair. Is it not the duty and ability of the Crown Prince to make an unfair process a fair one?

“…Even so…If you fail…”

“Then we just have to cleanly accept it.”

“Oho! This again. Are you giving up on me? Are you alright even if I marry another woman?”

“No. That’s not what I meant. If I’m eliminated and can’t get married…I’ll just commit 보쌈 (Bossam)*.

[TRIVIA BY ME]
보쌈 (Bossam) = a predatory marriage that came from a widow’s ban during Joseon. There was a law that widows could not open their home until they died. To escape the ill fortune of being a widow, bachelor/widower is kidnapped and forced to sleep with the woman.

“We’ll go to a mountain valley down in the south. Wondeuk and Hongshim will hide. No one will be able find us.”

God. 보쌈? Imagine how inappropriate it is for the Crown Prince of a nation to be kidnapped.

“The problem will follow us for a long time if we lose to the ministers regarding this marriage. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to stop me even by holding onto my ankle. That won’t do."

"Just let me go through the process fairly. I’ll do my best. Am I not a woman that can get away with anything? So, believe in me this time. Hmm?”

Yul embraces Yiseo. What is he to do with this lovely woman? How much longer does he have to wait to have her by his side every day?"

At that time, he can hear the voice of Eunuch Yang.

“Your Highness! I acknowledged. You have to return to the palace as soon as possible!”

Ah…how uncomfortable. I definitely told him not to interrupt me since I’ll be here until morning! Hish!

Yiseo was very nervous ahead of the Crown Princess selection process.

She talked big to Yul to reassure him, but will she be able to do this well? What happens if she cannot pass this ceremony?

Yiseo changed into a graceful hanbok sent by Yul through Eunuch Yang.

She desperately holds her cherry blossom flower hairpin in her hand. Please protect us…

Amidst her bursting tension, an old man dressed in white entered the Yanghwadang (one of the palace halls) and sits upright.

The King and Queen and the State Ministers were present behind her back, but they were not seen.

The daughter of Minister of Rites On-Hee, the daughter of the Deputy Scholar from the Office of Special Advisors, Ja-Young and Yiseo sat side by side.

She had asked Yul to make it a fair competition. She wonders what kind of strategy he has.

“I’ll ask the first question without asking for your name. What is the most impressive passage in the book?”

Yiseo feels goosebumps all over. He keeps looking this way with endless glances...but that man is blind! So, this is Yul’s plan!

Yul had declared that he will do the Crown Princess selection & expressed his position firmly at a gathering with the King, Queen & State Ministers.

‘Please omit the gold ban, 초간택*, 재간택* and carry out 삼간택* only. To prevent politics from directly standing on the outside world, I want the Crown Princess selection process this time to be fairer than ever. Thus…please grant your permission for a blind test!’

[TRIVIA BY ME]

간택 (Gantaek) refers to an event in which several marriage candidates are gathered in a palace in order to wage marriage in the royal family of the Joseon Dynasty. The procedure is started with a gold ban first = no one can get married during this period. CONT.

[TRIVIA BY ME]

It is typically carried out in 3 stages of interviews: 초간택 (Cho Gantaek), 재간택 (Jae Gantaek) and 삼간택 (Sam Gantaek).

초간택: 15-30 candidates. 5-7 candidates selected to proceed.
재간택: 3 candidates selected to proceed.
삼간택: Final candidate chosen.

The King asked back in wonder. “Blind test…?”

"I would like to recommend someone who is sure not to stand on anyone’s side. Lee Nam-Yeon, who served as a state councilor.”

Everyone was in shock.

“Isn’t Lee Nam-Yeon the one who lost his sight and became a recluse after resigning on his own?”

The Queen was fired up.

“How can a man who can’t even see be fair?!”

“This way we can make the selection fair. He would not know who the candidate is, whether she is a Minister’s daughter or not.”

Ugh!! Frustrated, the Queen quickly worked her mind. She can’t just thoughtlessly oppose when the fact is there.

Whatever the process, it does not matter who it’s going to be as long as it’s not the woman the Crown Prince wants, does it? The odds are two-thirds! There's a chance of winning.

Who does that woman who spent 10 years with a lowly stepfather think she is? Isn’t that right?

The second question has begun.

“If there is only one flower that you can present as a gift to His Highness for the rest of his life…what kind of flower would you like to give him?”

“Cotton flowers. It is used to make the clothing of the people. Would there be a more precious flower than that?”

That was a conventional answer. Did she look at answer sheet or something? It was somehow reassuring for Yiseo.

[TRIVIA BY ME]
This is actually based on an actual answer given by Queen Jeongsun, Queen Consort of King Yeongjo of Joseon.

When asked about the best flowers, she answered, "Cotton flowers." "Other flowers are only temporarily good, but cotton warms the people (via clothes).”

“I…I will gift His Highness with cherry blossoms.”

The Minister’s daughter was sure.
Yiseo’s heart dropped with a thud.

Yul, who was standing outside the door, was also dazed.
The Minister’s daughter continues to speak.

“I heard that His Highness have loved cherry blossoms since his childhood.”

“He even planted a cherry tree in the back garden with his own hands, although it has been cut down now. If I enter the palace, I will plant a cherry tree. Come every spring, we can see the cherry blossoms together and be happy.”

Now it is Yiseo’s turn.

Her mind goes blank as to what answer she should give.

Yul also seems to have turned ashen. He was never this nervous even when he had to face a great many enemies alone on the battlefield.

Yiseo, who had not been able to answer readily, opens her mouth after a long silence.

“If I could give His Highness only one flower…I will give him a smile flower(웃음꽃)*.”

[TRIVIA BY ME]
웃음꽃
Literal trans: Smile Flower

[Noun] A word used figuratively for a bright, joyful smile or laughter which appears on one's face, as if it was blooming.

Yiseo has cleverly put a creative spin on her answer. She will give laughter/make him smile.

It was only then that Yul let out the breath he was holding. Is this not the wisest answer?

“Cotton is precious and cherry blossoms are beautiful, but they come and go with the season. However, laughter is not seasonal. Laughter is also infectious. "

"If His Highness laugh, the eunuch and court ladies will laugh together with him. If you govern with a smile, the People will also have a lot to smile about. Would it not be the happiest duty for the Princess if she could make His Highness smile and make the People smile?”

A smile touches the corners of Lee Nam-Yeon’s mouth. The selection event is already over.

Yul and Yiseo who were dressed in ceremonial clothes enter the front yard of Jeongjeon (central building or pavilion in the palace where most formal ceremonies of the nation are held).

The King, as well as many government officials are present to give their blessings to the two. Among them is the Queen.

In truth, the Queen actually wanted to interfere with the marriage somehow. Yul’s happiness made her stomach aches.

She wanted to throw some poop at their prospect at least. So, she had secretly summoned a skilful female shaman.

However…

The two share a bond made by the Heavens. Nothing can interfere. Moreover, that child Yiseo is a 천을귀인* (cheoneul gwi in) and she is a 수생목 (susaengmok)* and 목생화 (moksaenghwa)* for Her Majesty blah blah…

[TRIVIA BY ME]

The Queen called the shaman to do a Saju reading, which is an ancient form of divination based on Chinese astrology. They look at exact timing of birth (down to the hour) and their names to offer insight into one’s destiny and marital harmony(gunghap) etc. CONT.

[TRIVIA BY ME]

This was a precondition of any talk of marriage in the past.

천을귀인 (cheoneul gwi in)= someone who wears the virtues of the heaven.

In terms of the five elements:
수생목 (susaengmok)= water makes wood grow.
목생화 (moksaenghwa)= wood makes fire burn.

[SUMMARY]

Based on the Saju reading, Yiseo is a match made in heaven for Yul. She is a very noble character and she will bring good luck to the Queen (as her elements complement and enhance the Queen’s elements).

“Ah, I don’t need to know all that. In conclusion, it’s a good thing for me?”

“Yes. This is very good. There will be no other abundant fortune as this."

“It's in your fate that Your Majesty and Prince Seowon could be removed or killed in the future, but she is a noble person who could prevent that from happening.”

Seriously?!! If so, then…what can she do? Thus, with all her heart, the Queen celebrated Yul and Yiseo’s marriage.

The Queen didn’t know.

Before the shaman came to see her, she had met Yul briefly at his call. Well, it’s not like Yul was asking her to lie either.

He is sure that it’s going to be a good divination…he was only asking her to exaggerate a little…that’s all.

The moment when Yul and Yiseo, who are dressed in ceremonial robes smiled at each other, snow begins to scatter. The snowflakes are beautiful like flower blooms.

Finally...night falls.

The court ladies have stepped out as the 동뢰*(dongroe)was over.

Yul and Yiseo are the only two in the room.

[TRIVIA BY ME]

동뢰 (dongroe): A consummation ritual where the king leads the queen into the room to share food and alcohol. Afterwards, each will be guided into separate rooms by the court ladies to change out of their robes before meeting again for hapbang (sleep together).

Perhaps it’s because she had been drinking 합환주 (habhwanju: ritual of exchanging cups of alcohol before hapbang), Yiseo’s heart is beating like crazy.

Can Yul hear it by chance? Just do anything for now.

“Your Highness, I’ll pour some more wine for you.”

She begins to pour another cup of wine for Yul but he,

“I don’t want to drink any more. I don’t want to be drunk when I hold you.”

[CONTEXT FYI]

In the above:

Yul said, “I want to hold 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”

He would usually say 너 (neo) or 네가 (nega) when he addresses Yiseo using the pronoun "You" .
But in the above, he uses the word 그대 (geudae) instead.

CONT.

[CONTEXT FYI]

그대 (geudae):
A respectful term for “You” to address someone you respect or love. Usually used as an equivalent for “dear” as it sounds romantic. Nowadays, considered an old expression thus rarely used in real life but rather found in literature or love songs.

Yiseo almost dropped the wine bottle. You (dear), he said. Hold me, he said.

“Why are you so surprised? Now that we’re married, sleeping together (hapbang) is a matter of course.”

Yiseo fumbles.

“That’s not it…it’s because the way Your Highness spoke to me is unfamiliar.”

“Isn’t that also just a given? Now that you are my wife.”

It was a miracle. To have met Yiseo who he thought was dead, became each other’s husband and wife, and they ended up having another breakup before getting married to each other once again…

“Isn’t fate so mischievous? I can’t believe I married the same person twice.”

“The day of our first marriage is still vivid in my mind. Your glare when you looked at me during the wedding.”

“I also vividly remember. The first night. You said everything was uncomfortable and not to touch a hair on your body. Don’t tell me…do you still want that?”

“No way.”

Yiseo suddenly reaches out and touches Yul’s cheek. Yul pulls back and stiffen.

“Why do you react like that? I heard I’m the only woman who can touch Your Highness without permission.”

Yiseo smiles teasingly at him, but Yul does not reciprocate. There is no smile or playfulness in his eyes.

“What a daring wife.”

Embarrassed, Yiseo quickly puts her hand down. She must have made a mistake.

During the training period, she had been taught until a scab forms over her ear (to hear somebody repeat something over and over) to act modest in front of His Highness.

Yul pushes aside the table, which is in the way, to the side and pulls Yiseo by the waist into his arms. His hand touches the tie of her upper garment. Yiseo becomes urgent.

“I wish to turn off the light…”

“Later.”

Yul slowly peels off Yiseo’s upper garment and lay her down on the bedding.

It's like she is burning all over with how close their bodies are and Yul gazing down at her.

“I am very curious. Where would you start from? The only woman who can touch me without permission.”

After a moment of hesitation, Yiseo puts her arms around Yul’s neck.

Yul smirks. “I’m disappointed.”

No sooner the words come out, Yiseo pulls Yul towards her and kisses him.

Long eyelashes tickle the cheeks. The smell of Yul fervently enters her nose. It is a warm and soft scent.

Yul’s lips slowly wander down Yiseo’s fair neck and collarbone and reach her chest.

The quiet room is filled with the sound of their breathing.

A year later, the atmosphere inside the palace was heavy.

Yiseo’s labour pains were entering its second day. Yul stood motionless in the back garden, with Jeyoon and Kwon Hyuk standing guard next to him.

“Your Highness, it’s cold. I’m afraid you’ll get sick, so please head inside.”

“I am terribly sad that I cannot share the pain my wife is in. How can I sit by myself in a warm room?”

“But if you do this, Your Highness will collapse first.”

“I don’t care.”

At this time, a muddy Eunuch Yang came running.

“Your Highness!!!”

“What happened?”

“I beg your pardon…it’s terrible…”

Eunuch Yang welled up with tears and could not continue talking. There was nothing more to hear. Yul rushed to the front of Sansilcheong (maternity ward).

The royal advisor lowered his head. He said it was a difficult delivery. He had to make a choice between his wife or the child. His eyes dimmed.

“That is the most stupid question of all! It should be my wife! It must be my wife!”

At that moment, the cry of the child burst out of the room. Yul’s heart seemed to stop. If the child is born…what the hell happened to Yiseo?!

Yul named the child Lee So (‘So’ uses the hanja ‘笑’ which means smile). Like Yiseo’s wish to always make him smile, he wishes he could always smile at his child.

It has been 5 years since So was born, 3 years since he ascended the throne after completing his regency period.

Yul attended the official gathering and summoned Jeyoon, who had volunteered as a magistrate at the frontier, to come back.

He was going to make him Fifth Royal Secretary (우부승지). He could imagine why he left the palace, but he must have recovered his composure by now …

“The Crown Prince has a lecture 회강 (Hoegang: monthly plenary session which was held with the entire staff of the Royal Lecture in attendance). Skip the 주강 (Jugang) lecture and visit the palace.”

“I'd like to postpone the Crown Prince's 회강 (Hoegang) lecture for a few days. I will also abolish the 주강 (Jugang) and 석강 (Seokgang) and do nothing but the 야대 (Yadae) lecture.”

[TRIVIA BY ME]

During Joseon, Kings and Crown Princes studied with their officials 3 times a day. Lectures held in the morning, day, and afternoon were called 조강 (Jogang), 주강 (Jugang) and 석강 (Seokgang) respectively.

야대 (Yadae) is a special lecture held at night. CONT

[TRIVIA BY ME]

The lectures vary depending on the King, but it is rare to do it every day. Examples: King Taejong avoided the lectures; King Sejo abolished the lectures whereas King Sejong considered the lectures very important.

“Your Majesty! How can you do that?”

“I heard from Eunuch Yang. The cherry blossoms have bloomed in the back garden.”

Embarrassed, the Ministers reproached themselves inwardly. It happens like a rite of passage every year…why didn’t they realise that today is the day the cherry blossoms bloom? If they had known in advance, they would have the opportunity to score a point from His Majesty. Hmph.

On the other side of the Crown Prince’s palace, martial arts practice by So and Chief Palace Guard Kwon Hyuk was in full swing.

Yul quietly observed So from afar. Dark eyebrows, deep black eyes...his face is a split image of Yul, but he acts exactly like Yiseo. Even when he meets a difficult and strong opponent, he is always confident.

So’s wooden sword hit Kwon Hyuk’s head with a bang, but So was not happy at all.

“What’s this? Did you let me off easy?” (So uses satoori here)

“Your Highness, I told you not to speak that way. If the Ministers find out, your nursemaid Park-ssi will get in trouble.”

Kkeutnyeo, who was standing by, stepped out.

“It’s alright. I’ll just get in trouble then. But Your Highness, you’re supposed to be attending the lecture today and studying. Is it alright for you to practice martial arts like this?"

“It has been less than 10 days since I started learning 동몽선습 (Dongmong seonseub: elementary school textbook for children during Joseon). The hoegang lecture is dull.”

So shrugged and smiled.

“Aigoo, so blinding. How can you look so pretty smiling? Our Crown Prince looks just like His Majesty. Your eyebrows, nose and lips…there’s nothing that is out of place. My Taedu is stuck with a pulverised face he got from his father.”

“How uncomfortable.”

Oh! This voice. Looking back, Yul was approaching.

“Your Majesty!”

Kkeutnyeo bowed her head.

“I can’t believe I’m talking about my husband’s flaws in front of the young Prince. It’s about time I got used to Gudol. It’s…it’s just so frustrating day in day out.”

“Has he been idling at home this whole time?”

“I’ll be thankful if he stays put. It hasn’t been long since he started and failed his fish mongering business, but he’s going to start a ramie fabric trade this time.”

“Please stop, Father. My heart also becomes heavy when nanny is worried.”

“I will.”

Yul picked up So and held him.

In the back garden, the blossoming cherry blossoms were in full bloom. Yul walked while holding hands with the small So and looked up at the cherry tree.

"You fell in love with Mother at first sight, didn't you? Under the cherry blossom tree."

"No. I fell in love at first sight even before that. From the moment my head was hit with a wooden sword."

Yul quietly recalled the old memories. Yiseo who hit his head with an ebony wooden sword…the very moment they first met…

“I wish Mother is here with us…”

Startled, Eunuch Yang hurriedly made an excuse.

“We have sent words to the Queen’s palace but…I heard that the Queen is getting an examination (진맥: feeling the pulse for diagnosis) done by the female physician.”

The physician? Yul told So to take a look at the flowers with Eunuch Yang for a while.

He reassured So and quickly turned away. However, at this time, Yiseo entered the back garden.

“My Queen! Where are you hurt? I heard you called the female physician to see you.”

“…she said I’m pregnant.”

His heart suddenly sank. “Pregnant?”

“Are you not happy?”

“I am happy, but I cannot be completely pleased. Didn’t you have a hard time giving birth to So?”

“I did…but you know the reason for it.”

“Of course, I know. Often, other women seem to abstain from food and drink with morning sickness, but my Queen's appetite was extraordinary.

As a result, the child in the womb became enormously big. Wasn’t that why you had severe labour pains?”

“Wasn’t it because he takes after Your Majesty?! I couldn’t stand it. I was craving for meat pancakes all the time!

If I control my diet and snacking well…this time, she said I would be able to have a smooth delivery without any difficulty.”

Ah… why did my appetite explode...Yiseo’s cheeks flushed red.

“All of you, turn around for a while!”

At Yul’s order, the eunuchs and court ladies turned. Here we go again…

So grinned and tightly shut his eyes.

“This time, I wish it’ll be a princess who looks like you…”

“I wish it’s a princess who looks like Your Majesty though?”

Yul and Yiseo’s lips were close to touching.

The wind blew and the leaves of cherry blossoms fell down.

Their childhood…

Their heart fluttered again as much as it did when they were facing each other under the cherry tree. It was as if it was that spring day.

[-THE END-]