Chapter – 31
Even the Mind, Perfectly
It was common for a possessor to share memories with the being who originally owned the body.
Of course.
Wasn’t this body originally Princess Amang’s?
To Yeong-eun, who already knew this fact from various web novels, it wasn’t strange.
Of course, she hadn’t imagined she would learn of Consort Hwanyeong’s anecdote in this way, though.
It was normal to feel no emotional stirring.
‘After all, it wasn’t me who experienced it.’
That included Amang as well.
The events Consort Hwanyeong faced were from a very long time ago.
‘The Yeonyeong Palace in the rain, before Amang was born.’
So, this was a different matter.
A fragmentary scene disguised as a coincidence had touched something.
Something that had been hidden deep in the heart, deliberately ignored.
The body stiffening in an instant, the wildly pounding heart impossible to control.
‘Trauma.’
Yes.
Just moments ago, the memory related to Consort Hwanyeong had heavily pressed down on it.
Amang’s trauma.
To be precise, the trauma of Yeong-eun contained within it.
The small room with all lights turned off was modest. The mattress placed squarely in the middle had long since sagged deeply. A clothes rack haphazardly hung with garments and a bookshelf sparsely occupied by psychology theory books took up space.
Leaning against the wall, Yeong-eun, meaninglessly scrolling down her phone, had an indifferent face.
Beyond the screen were trivial stories. Stories about life, stories about raising pets, boasts seeking congratulations, holidays filled with various emoticons, and happiness.
The light spilling from the screen flickered in Yeong-eun’s pupils.
“That looks fun.”
The casually thrown remark contained no particular emotion.
‘But I’m not.’
The words rising to her throat disappeared without being recorded anywhere.
Laughter came from outside the room.
The sound of a harmonious family chatting amiably.
From the television, the voices of entertainers could be heard, and they analyzed and enjoyed it.
Except for Yeong-eun alone.
Lying down on the cold mattress, Yeong-eun threw her phone far away.
‘Family.’
What even is that.
How much time had passed?
Amang, whose tears had subsided, composed her mind.
“Are you alright?”
“You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”
Uh, I’m perfectly fine.
Thankfully, Nan and Geumjin stayed by Amang’s side.
They looked surprised, but didn’t ask anything.
As if they knew everything.
Ah, of course, Geumjin, who knew nothing, blinked anxiously.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
Right now, Amang had no room to worry about others.
Because.
‘Ugh. So embarrassing.’
She was too mortified!
Have you ever cried in front of others in your life?
No!
Absolutely not.
Recalling moments ago, Amang buried her face in her palms.
“Princess!”
“Are you unwell somewhere?”
No, don’t talk to me.
‘I’m totally humiliated right now.’
How she must have looked to others was obvious even without seeing.
That kid who made such a fuss about entering the Imperial Archives suddenly bursting into tears?
‘100 percent looked weird.’
Amang, red to her ears, couldn’t bring herself to lift her head. Heat radiated from her puffy, swollen eyes.
As the dried tears cracked, a strange sensation came alive whenever she moved her mouth.
“Princess?”
Geumjin cluelessly thrust his face forward.
She couldn’t show him eyes caked with sleep.
Please, go away, you fool!
“I’m fine.”
At the same moment, Amang’s stomach growled.
‘Ah.’
Did I cry too much?
Seemed her strength was completely depleted.
“Are you perhaps hungry?”
Don’t say it so loudly.
“I want candy.”
“Would you like some tanghulu?”
“You have some?”
“No?”
What is this, that confident attitude.
Amang rubbed her eyes roughly and then lifted her head. Unknowingly, her hands were trembling.
“I want to eat. Tanghulu.”
It was a typical sugar addict’s withdrawal symptoms.
Thanks to Geumjin’s words, Amang’s mouth was already a flood. Even swallowing saliva, it kept welling up.
“Preferably ones made with tangy fruits.”
Tangerines, green grapes, kiwis, pineapples were all good. Of course, there was no way such things existed here.
“Princess. Shall we go to the fruit tea house?”
“Huh?”
She couldn’t bring herself to take a step.
It was the Imperial Archives she’d barely managed to enter. Not a place she could come to whenever she wanted.
Amang stared fixedly at Geumjin.
‘Who knows when Geumjin will be able to enter the palace again?’
It was a pity to waste this hard-won opportunity like this.
But I want to eat tanghulu!
“I shall go and come back!”
“No.”
“Huh?”
“Then I have to go out too.”
“Ah.”
What are you sighing about.
“The Princess’s words are correct. The only ones who can come and go from this place are His Majesty and Sir Geumjin.”
“Then what should we do?”
“I shall go and come back. The two of you, please wait here for a while.”
Right, that was the best method.
However, Nan seemed unable to bring herself to take a step.
‘She does think Geumjin is a man, right?’
Of course, Amang didn’t mind being alone with Geumjin at all.
Where did the other court ladies go?
Except for one trusted aide attending to Amang, they were chased out because they couldn’t enter.
“I have been learning palace etiquette from my grandfather since long ago. There is nothing to worry about, so please go about your business comfortably! I will only dedicate myself to pleasing Her Highness and making her happy!”
Wow.
So talkative.
“It’s fine, go and come back!”
“Yes, since you both say so, I am relieved! I shall return quickly!”
And so, Nan left.
Only Amang and Geumjin remained in this vast Imperial Archives.
“Do you have any orders?”
“Hey, Geumjin.”
“Yes! Ask away!”
“What on earth do you think I am?”
Just how did Geun Taesa raise this child to be so rigidly disciplined?
“Ah, is this not it?”
“You’re asking something obvious.”
“What should I do?”
“Relax.”
Please.
Weren’t we close even when we were swinging on the swing?
“I wanted a friend. Not a guard like this.”
“Ah, I see!”
‘I see,’ he says.
“I want to play like back then. Like when we were on the swing!”
“Good!”
“Hmm, but we should still do what we need to do. Since we’re here anyway, Geumjin.”
“Yes!”
“I’m currently looking for a book about favor. A secret manual on gaining favor!”
Geumjin’s face gradually darkened.
“Fa…vor?”
“Yes!”
“Why that…?”
“Ah.”
Don’t tell me this kid is misunderstanding?
Hey, it’s not that.
“I received a request. From Lady So!”
“As expected, it’s Your Highness! Many recognize your discerning eye!”
“Uh, thanks.”
So you help too.
“You’ll help, right?”
“Of course!”
And so, Amang and Geumjin divided up this vast Imperial Archives and searched systematically.
A large quantity of documents and various pictures were strewn about, making it hard to discern their forms.
Amang roughly realized.
This place wasn’t for perusal, but for storage!
‘There’s a damn lot.’
As a result, there was an overflow of things to see.
To figure out the Emperor’s taste, perhaps?
‘If it were me, I’d have thrown away all the unnecessary stuff.’
Why pile up things you won’t even look at!
Amang, who had been scanning from the far left to the middle shelves, felt frustrated.
Fumblingly reading the Chinese characters, she barely found the character for love (愛).
‘Hmm. Is this it?’
…It was a book not for those under 19.
“Geumjin!”
“Yes?”
“Don’t read anything. Got it? If you find anything, call me first!”
Absolutely guard it, our child Geumjin!
Amang hurriedly closed the book.
‘You insane imperial family members.’
You collect this kind of thing here?
This isn’t even a treasure vault!
“Huh?”
“Did you find something? Don’t read it!”
Amang immediately ran to Geumjin.
Snatching the book from Geumjin’s hand, she ran to a corner. Skimming through it, this was…
“Found it!”
It was a real favor secret manual.
Well, to be precise, it was about ‘How to Capture the Emperor’s Heart’.
This, that, they’re all the same!
“This is it, Geumjin! You’re so smart!”
“It’s all thanks to the Princess’s discerning eye!”
The two children, full of excitement, shouted.
Anyone seeing them would think they’d won an Olympic gold medal.
Holding the book high above her head with a dignified air, Amang smiled the smile of a victor.
“Let’s read it!”
“Me too?”
“Yeah, come quickly.”
Amang pulled Geumjin towards her.
At the sudden tug, Geumjin fluttered like a deflated party balloon.
Now, the first page opened.
‘With just this, it’s enough. I don’t need anything else!’
Above a beaming smile, curious eyes sparkled.
[Chapter 1. What captures any man’s heart is elegant beauty. Therefore, a woman must always show a neat appearance…]
What is this.
“Geumjin. What do you think this means?”
“It seems to be saying to become a beautiful woman.”
“It says to become pretty?”
“Yes!”
That’s right.
This secret manual was completely useless!
‘You swindlers!’
Outwardly, they bound the book glamorously in hardcover!
They even wrote the title in large letters: <Secret Manual for Gaining Favor>.
And what do they say?
If you’re pretty, everything works out?
‘Lady So is said to be the greatest beauty in the imperial palace!’
Frankly, if rank were decided by looks alone, Lady So should rightfully be Empress.
The Empress is… a cold-feeling beauty with a scary impression.
But isn’t Lady So a sunny beauty with a smiling face!
It was Amang, getting indignant from a rather biased perspective.
“Geumjin.”
“Yes!”
“In your view, how can one gain favor?”
“Hmm.”
A life where she ends up asking even a child this, Amang sighed deeply.
“Wouldn’t it work to be seen often?”
“Huh?”
“People’s hearts are simple. At first by coincidence, the second time by necessity, the third time on purpose. The more you meet, the more you want to see them—that’s the human heart. That’s how you seep in!”
Oh, a kid who knows a bit about flirting?
It was a good idea. At least, the best feasible condition in the current situation.
To orchestrate a coincidental yet not insignificant meeting between Lady So and Emperor Muje!
‘Is he really a genius?’
Amang stared blankly at Bae-dong for a moment.
Very intently, piercingly.
“Why, why are you looking at me like that?!”
“Because you’re impressive.”
“Huh?”
“Alright, from today, you’re my assistant.”
Just as she was about to deploy!
“Huh?”
The door to the Imperial Archives had locked….
