Chapter 3…..
Winter had fully arrived. With the weather growing colder, the court ladies of Yeonggyeong Hall bundled up Honga so much that she was practically turned into a teddy bear before they allowed her outside.
Iâm not going to freeze to death, Iâm going to suffocate at this rateâŠ
Hongaâs protest, unfortunately, never reached their ears.
Yet, ironically, because it was winter, her range of activities had actually widened. She now had more time to spend with her young uncles.
This was entirely the Kingâs idea. Upon hearing that Honga was spending all her time in her quarters during winter, he ordered the palace children to be gathered to play with her.
Of course, it wasnât purely enjoyable for Honga. Her uncles were far too noisy and rowdy. Still, it was better than being stuck in the Crown Princeâs palace all the time.
âLittle Lady, weâll be going to see your uncles now.â
âKyah!â
Though the only sounds Honga could make were babbles, her nursemaid always spoke to her faithfully.
Having lived a past life, Honga knew such interactions helped with development, but in this era, the nursemaid was considered rather unusual.
They said the selection of her nursemaid had been handled with special care, since she was the first granddaughter. To Honga, she was a perfect fit.
âWe are headed to Yanghuije. They say Lord Suwanjaeâs little boy is already there.â
Although Hongaâs residence, Yeonggyeong Hall, was larger and more refined than anyone elseâs, she still had to go visit Yanghuije or Suwanjae if she wanted to meet with her uncles. Even though the whole purpose of these gatherings was to ease her boredom.
The King didnât want illegitimate princes wandering in and out of the Crown Princeâs quarters too often. And as for the Crown Prince himself, he didnât like the idea of other princesâno matter how youngâfreely entering the precious daughterâs residence.
Everyone was making such a fuss. And the one inconvenienced was always Honga.
Well, still⊠getting some fresh air is nice.
Perhaps in a few years she would ride in a palanquin, but since she hadnât even reached her first birthday yet, she had to be carried around by her nursemaid.
Dealing with her bothersome uncles was tiring, but it was a small price to pay for going outside. Even the slightly chilly breeze felt precious to Honga.
âYoung Lady, weâve arrived.â
Yanghuije was an annex attached to Lady Yangâs quarters. Already, many court attendants stood before the small hall. Hongaâs attendants remained outside while she went in with her nursemaid.
âPrince, the Crown Princeâs Little Lady has arrived.â
There was no reply. Naturally, the young masterâwho hadnât even lived two yearsâcouldnât answer.
The resident of the hall was already playing excitedly with his half-brother. What on earth is so fun about doing nothing but running around? Honga looked at the two uncles with disapproval, though thankfully no one noticed.
âYoung Lady, please donât get too close, itâs dangerous.â
Lady Yangâs son, Hyun, and Lady Kimâs son, Gon, were tearing around the room. It wasnât really âtag,â more like chaotic running.
So noisy.
Honga buried herself deeper into her nursemaidâs arms, refusing to spare her uncles even a glance.
The reason Honga didnât mind attending these gatherings wasnât the uncles themselves.
It was the attendants. Wherever the children gathered, their nursemaids inevitably gathered tooâand from them, Honga could always glean useful information.
âHave you heard the latest?â
Only the nursemaids and a maidservant guarding the door were present in the hall. Whenever such a golden opportunity came, the women left the children to play while they whispered about palace gossip.
If anyone found out later, it could cause serious troubleâbut for Honga, desperate for clues, it was a great advantage. They never imagined she was listening.
âI hear Her Majesty the Queen is troubled these days, all because of Grand Prince Jinpyeongâs household.â
âOh? Why is that?â
Grand Prince Jinpyeong?
A chill ran down Hongaâs spine. The name felt oddly familiar.
She struggled to scratch the back of her neck with her tiny hands. But with such a small, helpless body, nothing went the way she wanted.
Her nursemaid chuckled, mistaking it for some kind of baby play, then refocused on the conversation.
âItâs been four years since Grand Prince Jinpyeong married the Great Madam of Samhan, yet there are still no signs of pregnancy.â
âOh, but wasnât it five years before even His Highness the Crown Prince fathered a child with his first consort?â
âShh! Donât bring up the discarded Crown Princess here, thatâs unlucky.â
Discarded Crown Princess?
So the current Crown Princess Consort wasnât the first. A Crown Prince who replaced his consort early in Joseonâs dynasty⊠Honga wracked her brain, piecing scraps of memory together. The more she tried, the sleepier she felt.
âMy point is, His Highness fathered a child only after five years, so the Grand Princeâs household is not without hope.â
Jinpyeong⊠I definitely know that name⊠Hongaâs eyes flickered as realization hovered.
âOh my, look at the Crown Princeâs little lady! Her eyes sparkle so beautifully.â
With just one remark from Hyunâs nursemaid, the topic shifted in an instant.
Pleased, Hongaâs nursemaid puffed up with pride and began boasting.
âDoesnât our young lady seem clever? She truly is. Recently, while with Lady Seunghwi, His Highness the Crown Prince himself came to see her.â
âHeavens! And then?â
The reactions were more enthusiastic than even the best live audience.
âThough Lady Seunghwi said nothing, imagine how uneasy she must have been about her position. But our young ladyâ!â
The nursemaidâs voice brimmed with pride.
âShe played so sweetly in His Highnessâs arms that he was overjoyed. I suggested that he must enjoy being with the two of them together, and he promised to arrange more such occasions in the future.â
âHow kind the Crown Prince is.â
âAnd since then, His Highness has been visiting Lady Kwon Seunghwiâs quarters quite often.â
The last bit was whispered, but her triumphant smile said it all.
Well, I guess she thinks if the mother prospers, the daughter will too.
âI do hope the Crown Princeâs heir is born of Lady Kwon Seunghwiâs womb.â Gonâs nursemaid sighed.
âThey say signs of her first pregnancy have appeared already. And a marriage prospers when the coupleâs harmony is good, does it not?â
âIndeed, if Lady Seunghwi gives birth to the heir, our Little Lady Hongaâs future will be secure.â
It was the shared hope of all the nursemaids, each imagining a bright future for their charges.
But Honga herself wanted to live well regardless of whether Lady Seunghwi bore a son or not. As the daughter of a concubine she might not have the strongest standing, but she was still royaltyâshe wouldnât be treated too poorly. And having a younger brother might not even turn out to be an advantage.
No matter what, Iâll survive for a long time.
She kept repeating the vow to herself, carefully storing away every clue the nursemaids dropped.
The long winter passed, spring gave way, and early summer arrived. Honga celebrated her second birthday in good health, never having once fallen ill. To mark the occasion, a modest birthday feast was held in the Crown Princeâs palace.
By rank, the Crown Prince and his consort, Lady Sunbin, sat at the highest seats, their children below them, and the concubines still further down.
What? This is my and Motherâs celebrationâwhy does the Crown Princess get the seat of honor?
Held in her nursemaidâs arms, Honga sat at a place lower than the Crown Prince, facing her mother far across the hall. In her childish body, what might have been shrugged off by an adult now made her sulky.
âBa! Ah!â
âOh my, why is our little lady fussing?â
Normally quiet, she wouldnât stop whining, and the feast ground to a halt.
Finally, her mother came over to soothe her. Honga calmed at onceâbut she wasnât done yet.
âAh, ba⊠ba!â
Though her babyâs voice was clumsy and strained, she put her whole effort into clearly calling out, fixing her gaze firmly on the Crown Prince at the seat of honor.
âHahaha!â
His hearty laughter filled the room. The pronunciation didnât matter. What mattered was that his daughter had called for him.
âIt seems the child wants to be with both her mother and father. Prepare another seat here. Seunghwi, come sit beside me.â
The Crown Prince had understood her intention exactly.
âYour Highness! What are you saying? Tradition forbids a concubine from sitting at your side. Please withdraw your command!â
Oh, honestlyâŠ
Honga spotted the interrupter. Lady Sunbin, her face flushed scarlet, was protesting heatedly.
âHer Highness is correct. How could this humble concubine dare sit beside the Crown Prince? Such an honor is far too great, please reconsider.â
Even her too-kind, too-modest mother added to the resistance.
No! When they offer, you should just take it!
But Honga had no intention of giving up.
âAba! Oma!â
âThatâs enough. Sit here.â
Ignoring the Crown Princessâs cries, the Crown Prince was firm.
âIsnât todayâs celebration for Honga and Seunghwi? Surely we can bend a little for them.â
âBut Your Highness, how can the principal wife and a concubine sit side by side?â
âThough Seunghwi is but a concubine, she was the one who first brought the sound of a babyâs cry into the Crown Princeâs palace. Is that not worthy of honor?â
The Crown Princeâs words struck the heart of the matter. Lady Sunbinâs face turned even redder, if that were possible, yet she could not stop arguingâ