episode_0012

Upon returning from Myeong to Hanyang, Hanhwak sent a servant to invite me to his house.

Having seen my face during my time at the royal court, he knew well who I was and what family I belonged to.

“It must have been my father’s recommendation that reached him.”

Otherwise, there would be no reason for him to invite me, as we never exchanged a word while at the royal court.

I went to his house and met Hanhwak.

Hanhwak’s father was Hanyeongjeong, who had passed away early, leaving Hanhwak in charge of the household.

“You live well. A mansion of this caliber in Hanyang’s land.”

Rumors were spreading widely about receiving a significant reward for sending his sister as a court lady. Did he prepare all this with that money?

On the other hand, the reception prepared for me seemed overly extravagant, almost ostentatious.

It was a display fittingly described as ‘setting the table legs to break’—that kind of extravagance.

Although I was two years older according to the family register, Hanhwak had also served as an assistant magistrate at the royal court, so I bowed first to greet him.

“Hello. Assistant Magistrate Nauri.”

“Haha. Welcome!”

Thump.

As if meeting a close friend after a long time, Hanhwak approached me closely, took my hand, and I was taken aback.

We had traveled to Bukgyeong together, but he had never shown such familiarity before. The warmth he displayed was as burdensome as the overly elaborate reception.

“Haha. Please come this way, have a seat over here.”

“Yes!”

I sat as directed.

“Hehe. Hehe.”

Despite his face seemingly inviting laughter, Hanhwak’s smile did not quite reach his eyes.

I understood Hanhwak’s feelings well.

In stock market terms, it was like a stock that had been hitting its 52-week high continuously, rising steadily to tens of thousands of won, suddenly plummeting to a few tens of won and me accepting it.

Even if it wasn’t tens of thousands of won at its peak, rising to tens of thousands of won was still something to be happy about.

Although I had fallen from being a daughter-in-law of a noble family in the Emperor’s harem, I resolved to recoup my losses. With that in mind, Hanhwak’s smile never faded.

“Your father has received a proposal for you from mine.”

Getting straight to the point, Hanhwak revealed.

“I see. I earnestly requested it from your father.”

“Thank you! I am truly grateful. I thought my inadequate sister would live alone for the rest of her life. To think she would have a marriage proposal from someone like you, from a good family! Moreover, you are as handsome as I am.”

As handsome as you?

No way. I’m even more handsome!

Sure, I may look a bit rugged, but I spent over a million won on in-app purchases!

But I couldn’t say that, so I just extended my hand.

“If we talk about inadequacy, I surpass it. And about being handsome, how can I compare myself to Assistant Magistrate Nauri, especially with my facial scars?”

However, despite looking a bit rugged, objectively speaking, I did look better.

“Oh, what nonsense about inadequacy! Your family background is prestigious enough. And how can one fix facial scars? My sister is the same.”

Knowing clearly the rumors circulating in Hanyang, I shook my head while extending my hand.

Yes, at least he has some conscience.

“I returned without even getting to enter Bukgyeong, but did things go well at the royal court?”

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, Hanhwak’s expression changed to disappointment.

“I had to wait quite a while due to the facial scars. It was only after confirming that there was no illness that I got to see the Emperor.”

Oh, so they did meet.

I thought I returned without meeting him.

“But the Emperor was pleased because of Huang’s exceptional beauty.”

History had indeed been altered because of me.

“After receiving Huang as a concubine, the treatment changed significantly.”

“Really?”

“Starting from the food. If there used to be only one dish before, now there are ten?”

“Ah!”

I understood clearly what he meant.

“However, do I know how much my heart was burning? I was like a tightly wound spindle without a sister.”

The person who is going to marry that sister now, does this guy have no sense at all?

Unintentionally, I glanced sideways.

“Oh! S-sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. I was also part of the royal court. I understand the sentiment.”

“Thank you. Anyway, after being appointed as the Emperor’s brother-in-law, the treatment changed significantly, but I couldn’t stay long. What good is there in returning when the sister is gone? I returned to my homeland after resting for a few days.”

It seems like there were no intentions to make Yeongnakje a concubine just because of his handsome appearance, unlike the original history.

Honestly, this situation was strange to me.

Yeongnakje isn’t even wearing blue, and making him a concubine just because he’s good-looking?

Probably just lip service. That’s what I thought.

Or maybe Hanhwak’s sister really liked Yeongnakje and recommended him.

As expected, there was no mention of becoming a concubine for Hanhwak in the changed history.

“But looking at it now, the situation here is quite dirty and vulgar.”

“Why?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? It’s upsetting enough that the sister’s face is ruined, but to say she slashed her wrists!”

Hanhwak furrowed his brow in anger.

“That’s an absurd statement. Besides, Ducheong spread to Joseon before the wrist-cutting incident.”

“That’s right! But rumors spread, and the truth got buried.”

“…”

“On the way back, you also got caught up in the wrist-slashing incident. There are marks left. Hmph. Must be because of the sister. Sorry.”

“Haha. No, it’s not. It ended like this, and since we risked our lives, we should be grateful to heaven.”

“Right, right.”

What’s right?

It’s just a polite remark.

“Hmph. By the way, is the sister doing well?”

I wanted to see her face at least, but saying it outright was difficult.

“She’s locked in her room all day, just lying down.”

“Ah, I see. I couldn’t come empty-handed after receiving the invitation, so I prepared some gifts. It might be impolite, but since we share a bond from Ming, I also prepared something for the sister.”

I emptied my remaining money to give Hanhwak ginseng and gave Gemi a hairpin.

“Oh, you’re so thoughtful. I should be the one giving gifts.”

Although he said this, Hanhwak was happy to receive what I gave him.

“It’s so transparent. It shows.”

In fact, when I left for the royal court, I thought I would have to act as Gemi’s husband as Ming’s concubine.

People bowed and brought precious gifts, trying to win favor.

But upon returning?

They all turned their backs.

Moreover, the rumors about Gemi were so ominous that even those who knew her distanced themselves.

In this situation, how pleased would my father have been to arrange a marriage!

Even if the gifts I gave were humble, their value was more precious than gold nuggets.

That night, Hanhwak and I drank together until dawn, solidifying our friendship.

#

A while later, my parents came up to Hanyang with my younger sibling.

My older brother and sister-in-law also came to the house where I lived, and the wedding took place here.

“You, Your Highness? Congratulations.”

It was my sister-in-law.

Outwardly congratulating me, her eyes were lonelier than anyone else’s.

“Can you come alone sometimes? Just occasionally?”

“I’m sorry.”

Why do I have to engage in dangerous games?

Even if they call me a genius swordsman and a master of the sword in Joseon, if I get caught, it’s the end.

It’s not that my brother has the ability to kill me, but I’ll be dragged to prison for disturbing public morals, and to preserve the family’s honor, my father will surely order my execution.

It won’t be anyone else but my father who will take the lead.

“I-I see.”

As my sister-in-law turned away, tears fell from her eyes.

Because it wasn’t the ancestral home, there weren’t many guests.

But in such a situation, Hanhwak was actually pleased.

Due to lingering bad rumors about Gemi in Hanyang, he wanted to quietly finish the wedding ceremony.

The first night of the secretive(?) wedding ceremony.

I held Gemi’s hand in front of the prepared table.

“Turn your face a bit. Let’s take a closer look.”

“…Don’t you already know? What do you plan to achieve by looking at the face of a bear?”

“I’m trying to be polite.”

“Excuse me?”

Perhaps my response was too absurd, as Gemi turned her slightly averted head to look at me.

“Hehe. If not for the bear, how could I welcome a heavenly nymph as my wife? Please don’t leave, I implore you. If the bear leaves, won’t the Ming Emperor rush over to carry you away on his back?”

Not just words, she actually stood up from her seat and bowed deeply with both hands clasped together.

Sniffle…

Tears welled up in Gemi’s eyes.

Although bear-like features appeared on her face, the aftermath of the anesthesia wasn’t severe.

Even this couldn’t hide her exceptional beauty.

In reality, if it was an arranged marriage decided by parents, even a concubine would have had to accept being a wife.

For this reason, Joseon nobles lived in polygamous relationships, often loving the concubine they chose more than their legal wife.

Considering this, the Confucianism that hides one’s true nature and carves pumpkins behind one’s back should disappear.

“Then I shall bow as well.”

Gemi stood up and bowed to me.

It felt like reenacting a daytime wedding ceremony.

“No, there’s no need for you to bow as well.”

“I’ve married such a handsome man, so what does it matter whether there’s a reason or not? Probably, there won’t be another fortunate woman like me on the land of Joseon.”

Hmm. Slightly touching, isn’t it?

Now, let’s extinguish the lantern and start the actual first night, shall we?