Chapter 15
The winter when Hongyeon was born, the spring when Hongah was born, the scorching summer when Sunbin was expelled—all of that had passed. It was now a cool autumn day, and finally, a royal decree was issued naming Lady Kwon as Crown Princess.
The people of the Eastern Palace could not hide their joy at welcoming a kind-hearted lady to replace the icy era that had passed. The young concubines wore smiles, and the seasoned senior court ladies walked with lighter steps.
Since there had already been two Crown Princess ceremonies before, no formal wedding ceremony was held for this appointment.
Fortunately, when her mother had been chosen as a concubine, some of the procedures had already been completed, so this time the process was simplified—consisting only of receiving the decree and the ceremonial records.
As soon as the decree arrived, her mother and Hongyeon moved to the Charity Hall for their residence, and two additional maid attendants were assigned to Hongah’s quarters in Yeonggyeong Hall.
“Lady Kwon was born and raised in a noble family and chosen on a fortunate day to reside in Yangwon. She is respectful and cautious, having inherited a strict family code without deviation, observing etiquette, and elevating the beauty of propriety. Therefore, by special decree, we promote Lady Kwon of Yangwon to Crown Princess.”
Her mother had officially become the lady of the Eastern Palace. But for Hongah, it did not immediately change that she was now the legitimate daughter of the Crown Prince rather than a secondary daughter. She was still the beloved child of the Crown Prince, still her mother’s pride.
“Hongah!”
Although her mother’s and the princes’ statuses had changed, no one seemed to notice.
Her uncles still called for her at every opportunity. As they grew older and stronger, their visits became more frequent.
Though the rule was that boys and girls should remain separate until age seven, these princes, who would be seven next year, were clearly not prepared to stay distant from their niece.
“Please, be quiet!”
Hongah scolded as she emerged from Yeonggyeong Hall. Every time her uncles yelled, it was she alone who felt embarrassed. The palace maids and eunuchs only smiled and enjoyed the children’s antics.
When Hongah came out reluctantly, the princes would take her to their own quarters. Today, her destination was Suwanjae, the quarters of Prince Gon.
Though she had been dragged there without a choice, her uncles were busy with a trivial argument and paid her no attention. Hongah could not hide her exasperation as she sat on the floor cushion.
The cushion, which should have been soft in the prince’s quarters, felt uncomfortably stiff. Hongah slid her hand under it—it was the Myeongsimbogam (a moral guidebook).
“Ah, wait a minute.”
She had hidden it where no one would see, just because she didn’t feel like studying. As she took out the book, her uncles’ faces betrayed immediate regret at having brought her along. Hongah ignored them and began reading aloud.
“Those who do good shall be rewarded with blessings from heaven; those who do evil shall be punished with misfortune.”
“Hmm…”
Hyun trailed off, while Hongah looked up sharply. She noticed another uncle sweating nervously. Hongah, without mercy, called his name.
“Uncle Gon?”
“Do you think I wouldn’t know that?”
Gon snapped, meaning he did know. Hongah replied firmly.
“I think you might not know.”
“Then if one does good, goodness will… no, goodness will…”
Both Hyun, with blank eyes rolling, and Gon, stammering the words he knew, were on a similar level.
‘No wonder he ran away. Studying with them must have been no fun.’
She suddenly remembered the boy she had met that day. She recalled his sharp assessment of her failing to even finish the Thousand Character Classic. His words were blunt, but his intentions were pure.
Ever since her mother became Crown Princess, there had been no peaceful days. With the day of her mother’s appointment changed, the birth of the heir might also change. She feared losing her mother sooner than expected.
Whenever she remembered that day’s conversation with that boy, it brought relief. She had not revealed her identity, and since they would never meet again, she could speak freely.
She could not speak so freely with those who knew her well and were always around her.
“Ah! If there is goodness, then heaven exists?”
Gon finally managed to form a complete sentence. Returning from her thoughts to reality, Hongah was stern.
“You really don’t know, do you.”
She slammed the book shut. The boy had been accurate—her uncles could not even finish the Thousand Character Classic. What difference would it make to recite the Myeongsimbogam to such children? If something was impossible, it was best to give up quickly.
“Grandfather is going to scold us terribly.”
“Really nasty grandfather.”
Hyun and Gon began complaining. The person they called “Grandfather” was likely the boy’s grandfather, now assigned as the princes’ tutor.
“How could you say that to the teacher?”
Hongah scolded them. Accustomed to being scolded by a one-year-younger girl, the princes were sullen but indifferent.
“Do you know how much homework that grandfather gave?”
“He’s really a strict one.”
Where did they learn such words? Hongah let out a quiet laugh.
“But he’s the teacher, after all.”
“You can say that because you can read. Do you know how frustrated we feel?”
“Shh.”
Hongah put her second finger to her lips. Seeing this, the princes exchanged glances and nodded determinedly. Thankfully, sharing a secret strengthened their bond.
Reading simple Chinese characters was not difficult. But receiving too much attention was undesirable.
If people already praised her cleverness and then learned that a girl could read, the uproar would be tremendous.
Though she had been caught guiding her uncles while reading the Thousand Character Classic, she kept it a secret from everyone else.
“If he’s a teacher, shouldn’t he understand his students’ feelings?”
Hyun said, sounding aggrieved. Clearly, neither Gon nor Hyun were entirely stupid—they just thought cleverly in different ways.
“He’s the teacher personally assigned by Grandfather,” Hongah said. The princes’ expressions visibly drooped. Enduring lessons while itching in the seat was why they tolerated class.
The king was a stern father. His favoritism toward concubines and his affection for illegitimate sons were considered separately.
Yet, he had appointed a special tutor for these two slow-learning princes—a rare exception.
Hongah knew well how strict Lady Yang and Kim So had been about doing their best, as it was a matter of royal favor.
“The king cares for his foolish sons, so you’d better work hard,” Gon said meekly.
Seeing him so dejected, Hongah thought it was unnecessary to bring up the king. Sometimes, despite their childish behavior, they seemed aware of their status as royal sons.
From avoiding the Eastern Palace, to not calling the king “Abba Mama,” to showing respect for the Crown Prince—they weren’t ordinary illegitimate sons. Their upbringing differed greatly from that of the legitimate heirs, and Hongah felt a pang of sympathy whenever they tried to behave appropriately.
“Grandfather’s intention is one thing… but what about the teacher? Isn’t he from Dongji Seonggyungwan?”
“Ah, you mean Grandfather’s old man?”
Hongah tried to change the somber mood with a new topic. Gon’s mood brightened immediately.
“He’s a very strict old man.”
“My grandson sneaks out of the room, and he doesn’t even bat an eye, just keeps reading! We wanted to leave too!”
“That’s right. When I tried to get up, he glared at me so fiercely.”
Even Hyun joined in. Hongah could not hide her chuckle.
“You must be tired of reading the Myeongsimbogam by now.”
“How would Hongah know?”
Ouch. That was a secret she hadn’t even told her nanny. Hongah pretended not to notice and reopened the book.
“So what does ‘Those who do good shall be rewarded by heaven’ mean?”
“Huh? Hongah, that’s strange.”
“Looks like my niece doesn’t want to say. I’ll ask the teacher directly.”
Hyun was quick-witted, while Gon knew precisely how to make someone uncomfortable.
Even though it was early Joseon, when Confucianism wasn’t fully established, if people found out that the Crown Princess’s daughter had been alone with two boys—even if they were still children—it would cause trouble.
“Oh, right.”
Hongah put the book down with an innocent expression and clapped her hands.
“I heard they’re sending tangerines from Tamna this time.”
Fortunately, she knew how to handle them.
“Do you think they counted every tangerine sent to His Majesty?”
Tangerines were rare. Even as princes, they had only tasted one piece. Seeing Hyun and Gon swallow nervously, Hongah knew the topic had shifted successfully.
“One wouldn’t even notice a single tangerine.”
“But our mother wants some too!”
“Oh, our mother too! Then you must get four!”
“They’ll be sent separately to the Eastern Palace, so don’t be greedy, Hongah.”
“That’s right. We don’t even have enough for ourselves.”
As they chattered, it seemed they had quickly forgotten their previous conversation. Children were simple, she thought. Hongah, now five, looked at her six-year-old uncles.
