CHAPTER~11
The announcement caused a stir in the hall.
“In addition, there is a video showing Jeong-ah bullying Seok Yeon-ji over the course of three years.”
Jeong-ah’s face had long since turned pale.
“I hesitate to show the video here, as it might shock you both. But one thing is certain.”
Su-ryeon looked Jeong-ah straight in the eyes.
“The fact that Jeong-ah tormented one person for a full three years.”
Her firm voice echoed through the hall.
“Seok Yeon-ji is still receiving psychiatric treatment due to that period. It seems Jeong-ah never had a teacher to correct her childhood mistakes.”
The warm atmosphere in Heungbokjeon just moments ago was now filled with a chilling tension.
And what broke the cold air were Jeong-ah’s tears.
“Actually…… my childhood wasn’t easy. My mother passed away from illness when I was young, and my father raised me alone.”
Recalling her past, Jeong-ah sniffled.
“But my father was always busy, so I often stayed home alone. There was no adult to look after me.”
She wiped her tears with her sleeve, stammering as she continued.
“I felt lonely. It was very hard. At that time, I didn’t even realize that the friends who approached me first might have been bad kids.”
Her trembling lashes looked rather pitiful.
“I only realized I had done wrong after understanding the value of children.”
Hearing this, Empress Dowager Min let out a sympathetic sigh.
“Oh my, oh my……”
“Since then, I have felt ashamed and humiliated by my past actions. I wanted to find that friend and apologize. But……”
Jeong-ah clenched her fists and added,
“I didn’t have the courage. I am truly sorry. I have no more excuses to give.”
Unexpectedly, Jeong-ah cried and fully admitted her wrongdoing.
Watching her, Empress Dowager Min spoke.
“While Jeong-ah committed a fault, acknowledging and reflecting upon it is also a human duty.”
She looked around the hall at everyone present.
“Who lives in this world without a single shameful act? I believe that recognizing one’s own mistakes is a quality a chief nanny must also possess.”
Su-ryeon felt incredulous.
One of the chief nanny candidates had committed school violence, and yet she was being defended?
Unable to stay silent, Su-ryeon rebutted.
“No matter how clean and white a handkerchief is, if you dip it in dirty water, it will become stained.”
Empress Dowager Min furrowed her brow at Su-ryeon, but Su-ryeon did not stop.
“Even if one tries to wash the past clean now, the stains from that time cannot be fully erased.”
The hall fell silent once more at Su-ryeon’s words.
“Jeong-ah’s unfortunate family background cannot excuse past wrongdoing. Not everyone from a difficult household makes bad choices.”
“…….”
“Furthermore, a naturally good person cannot enjoy causing others pain. I cannot allow her to become the chief nanny.”
When selecting a royal nanny or chief nanny, the most important virtue was character.
Who could say someone who committed school violence had a good character? In this regard, Jeong-ah was unfit.
No one could argue against Su-ryeon, not even Empress Dowager Min. Her reasoning was flawless.
Just as the empress seemed about to counter, the Grand Empress Dowager finally spoke, having observed the situation quietly.
“The empress is correct.”
All eyes turned to the Grand Empress Dowager. It was rare for her to speak at such an important gathering.
“A chief nanny must be virtuous, neat in appearance, and gentle in demeanor.”
Her voice was firm as she continued,
“Exclude this person from the chief nanny candidates.”
With that single decree, Jeong-ah had no choice but to leave Heungbokjeon as if driven out.
The new chief nanny selected was Go Ye-kyung, another candidate.
She had first impressed Su-ryeon upon seeing her resume.
In her 40s, she had extensive experience in childbirth and childcare. Investigations also showed she had a solid reputation for good character among her peers.
‘With this, Jeong-ah won’t be able to enter the palace.’
Of course, preventing Jeong-ah from entering the palace was just the beginning. This was separate from revenge.
‘I will never let her set foot near Gyeongbokgung.’
Not only would she be barred from being a nanny, but she would be completely prevented from teaching children.
‘She has no qualification to be anyone’s teacher.’
‘At least for now, I can be relieved.’
Though her revenge had not yet begun, removing Jeong-ah from the princess’ side alleviated a great burden.
Moreover, the newly selected chief nanny was satisfactory.
Su-ryeon smiled with satisfaction as she looked over Go Ye-kyung’s resume.
Nearby, Empress Dowager Min muttered under her breath,
“It’s disappointing. If you knew about the candidate, you should have at least hinted it to me.”
Her words sounded disappointed, but she seemed quite upset. After all, she had openly shown everyone that the candidate she favored had a disqualifying reason.
As an empress, her pride had taken a hit. People might even suspect she intentionally placed a problematic nanny near the princess, given prior issues under the princess’ name.
“I only found out this morning and didn’t have time to inform you. Sorry. But at least we prevented an unworthy person from becoming the chief nanny. That’s what matters.”
Su-ryeon’s graceful reply irritated Empress Dowager Min, who cleared her throat in displeasure. She had nothing substantial to counter.
“From now on, when selecting palace staff, their records should be referenced. That way, people with questionable character will not be chosen carelessly.”
Her words subtly mocked the empress’ previous lack of attention in selecting the princess’ chief nanny.
“……Then I will trust your judgment this time.”
Watching the empress, the Grand Empress Dowager rose from her seat. Though displeased with Su-ryeon’s actions, she could not argue with her reasoning.
“You may take your leave, Mother.”
Empress Dowager Min, having opened her mouth, ultimately could not say another word and left Heungbokjeon.
After everyone had left the hall, Su-ryeon looked at the seat where the Grand Empress Dowager had sat.
‘If Grandmother hadn’t helped, Jeong-ah might have become the chief nanny.’
Before returning, the Grand Empress Dowager never attended such gatherings, and even greeting her was a bother.
Why had she suddenly come to Heungbokjeon this time and lent her support?
‘Whatever the reason, I should express my gratitude.’
Su-ryeon realized that, since entering the palace, her busy schedule had prevented her from properly greeting the palace elders.
‘She had always been very fond of me since I was young.’
Following the wishes of the late emperor Hyejong, Su-ryeon had been chosen as crown princess, and she often visited the palace as if it were her home.
The Grand Empress Dowager, then empress, always offered delicious snacks and read books to her.
‘But after becoming crown princess, things became awkward.’
Once she entered as Lee Jun’s wife instead of Lee Heon’s, the Grand Empress Dowager no longer welcomed Su-ryeon as before.
‘Naturally. She had always assumed I would marry Lee Heon.’
Like elders of the past, she had favored the eldest grandson, Lee Heon.
Su-ryeon smiled wryly, understanding why the relationship had become strained.
‘I should pay my respects, at least.’
Whether she accepted it or not, Su-ryeon knew she had a duty to do so.
With that in mind, she headed to Geoncheonggung, where the Grand Empress Dowager resided.
Called the “palace within a palace,” Geoncheonggung was located at the far northern end of Gyeongbokgung, the farthest point from Gwanghwamun.
By the time Su-ryeon arrived, her approach had surprised the Grand Empress Dowager’s secretary, Park, who quickly approached and saluted.
“I have come to see Grandmother. Is she inside? She left Heungbokjeon before I did.”
“Yes, she is inside. But there is already a guest……”
The Grand Empress Dowager had rarely met anyone while in seclusion. Park was virtually the only person who entered Geoncheonggung.
While Su-ryeon tilted her head in curiosity, the door opened, revealing a man stepping out into view.
