Chapter 27 ….
After that, Hong-ah shut herself away in the sarangchae (men’s quarters) and spent her time reading books. The nanny, who had been suspiciously keeping an eye on her for several days, finally began to return to her own duties after confirming again and again that Hong-ah really was absorbed only in study.
Of course, Hong-ah’s heart was far from at ease as she idly read.
‘What use is all this talk of noblemen and Confucianism in a situation like mine?’
Even as she thought so, the truth was that books often helped her untangle the knots in her mind. When her head felt as though it might split open, reading a difficult book worked better than any medicine.
On top of that, her lessons with Grand Prince Anpyeong were continuing.
He was a merciless teacher who insisted they hold lessons every day while he was staying at the detached palace. To keep up with his lessons, Hong-ah had to throw herself into study as though it were exam season every single day.
By now, she knew that Grand Prince Anpyeong was a man of loyalty and conviction, and would never betray King Danjong even without her intervention. Still, she didn’t want to waste her time with him or disappoint him.
Just as in her previous life, she was diligent now as well—because she resembled the Crown Prince.
“What’s all this noise?”
She had been absorbed in her book when the clamor from outside shattered her concentration. Hong-ah frowned and asked.
She could already guess the answer. After all, her maids had practically raised her, and they knew her moods well. They would never cause such a commotion at this hour.
“Young Miss, Prince Ikhyeon has come to see you.”
It was obvious. With a sigh, Hong-ah went to receive Ikhyeon. He appeared with a sulky expression and immediately ordered Nani to bring him cold water. Once seated, he grumbled irritably.
“How could you make me come looking for you at this hour of the night?”
“What brings you here so late, Your Highness?”
Hong-ah closed her book and set it aside. The crisp sound of her brush being laid down contrasted sharply with his rough, hurried breathing.
Gulping down the water Nani quickly brought, Prince Ikhyeon waved her away.
Hong-ah didn’t rush him, waiting in silence until the sound of footsteps faded. If he was being so secretive, it must be something he didn’t want overheard. She looked at him indifferently, already used to his dramatic entrances—it was nothing new even in Yeonggyeongdang.
“Here.”
Once it was quiet, Prince Ikhyeon pulled out a neatly folded slip of paper from his robe. With a deliberate thump, he set it on the desk and said stubbornly,
“Do you have any idea what I went through sneaking out of the palace at this hour?”
“And what is this?”
Ignoring his complaints, Hong-ah picked up the slip of paper. The tightly pressed creases gradually loosened as she unfolded it, while Prince Ikhyeon praised his own effort.
“That boy kicked up such a fuss. Just what happened between you two?”
“That boy?”
“I mean Choi Han-gyeom.”
Hong-ah’s hand stopped mid-motion. She forced her voice to remain as natural as possible.
“The grandson of Uncle’s teacher, you mean?”
“That’s him!”
“The young master Uncle brought with him that time?”
“Exactly. And yet—even though I’m a prince—he ordered me around until I ended up sneaking out of the palace! Can you believe it?”
Prince Ikhyeon’s whining filled the air. Hong-ah’s brow furrowed deeply.
For him to complain about sneaking out was ridiculous. Ever since he had been granted his princely title, he frequently slipped out of his quarters. It was hardly worth mentioning.
But this note. The slip of paper before her made her throat tighten as she swallowed nervously.
“Explain what this is about.”
“What’s there to explain?”
Pulling out a fan, Ikhyeon fanned his flushed face. No wonder he was red—he must have run all the way here. Even if Junsubang was near the palace, it wasn’t a distance one walked lightly, let alone an eight-year-old with such short legs.
“Didn’t you ask him to look into something by today? He said you did, but couldn’t find a way to get the message to you.”
“Me?”
“Didn’t you?”
His puzzled reply made Hong-ah quickly shake her head—then she nodded.
“Yes, I did.”
Even if she hadn’t, since it was delivered so urgently, it couldn’t be trivial. She even felt a little anticipation.
She unfolded the wrinkled note again. The paper was messy with creases, but the handwriting was crisp and neat, with not a single blot of ink. There were only a few lines, but they were written so carefully that it was hard to believe an eight-year-old had penned them. If Grand Prince Anpyeong had seen it, he would have wanted the writer as his next disciple.
Han I-san, born in the Year of the Shin-hae.
Han Chi-won, born in the Year of the Gyeong-sul.I thought it would be troublesome for you to read through the entire household register, so I send this in good faith.
However, I believe a lack of proper learning will only harm your future path.
Hong-ah’s stiff lips twitched uncontrollably.
‘What is this? It’s helpful information, but…’
She had indeed been curious about this, but it wasn’t something worth dragging Prince Ikhyeon out at midnight for.
In truth, she had never even asked. She couldn’t understand him at all. If it was a mere whim, it was one that seemed to last quite a while. Thinking of Han-gyeom made her smile without realizing.
“What? Is something wrong?”
Seeing her smile so much, Prince Ikhyeon asked cautiously. After all, Hong-ah was not someone who smiled easily—especially not in front of her uncles. It must have seemed strange.
Covering her mouth with her fist, she coughed.
“No. This is exactly the information I was waiting for.”
“But when did you even have the chance to ask him? Was there time for that?”
It was a sharp question, but his tone was innocent—just the curiosity of an eight-year-old boy.
“I asked that day. The day Uncle brought him.”
Hong-ah decided to brazen it out. Since she spoke with such confidence, Prince Ikhyeon had no choice but to accept it.
“I have another favor to ask of you, Uncle.”
“What is it?”
Seeing her slightly suspicious expression, his sulky mood brightened immediately. The word “favor” was like magic to him—something that made him eager to be useful.
Leaning forward, he urged her to speak quickly, like a child well-trained to her ways.
“Could you find out about someone named Han Chi-won?”
“And who’s that?”
“Apparently he lives in Sunhwa-bang. Born in the Year of the Gyeong-sul.”
“Yes, but who exactly is he?”
“That’s what I want you to find out. Who else could I ask for this but you, Uncle?”
One of Prince Ikhyeon’s elder brothers had married into the Han family, so he had access to their information network. He was the only one Hong-ah could rely on.
“But I still need something to go on.”
“How many people named Han Chi-won, born in the Year of the Gyeong-sul, could possibly live in Sunhwa-bang?”
Though he scowled at her for demanding help without explanation, he eventually sighed.
“Fine, fine. I’ll look into it.”
There was no resisting her. To Prince Ikhyeon, who lived for her approval, this was nothing.
Seven days passed quickly. After a short stay outside, Hong-ah returned to the palace.
She greeted the servants she had become familiar with in the detached palace and bid farewell to Grand Prince Anpyeong and his wife. She felt a pang of disappointment when she couldn’t spot a certain small head peeking over the courtyard wall.
Back at the palace, she quickly readjusted to royal life. Having been separated from his daughter for a week, the Crown Prince went overboard with his protectiveness.
“I’ve made up my mind this time.”
“What decision, Father?”
“That I will marry you off as late as possible. Only if I can keep you in my arms for a long time will I be satisfied.”
The Crown Prince somehow managed to deliver such doting words in a solemn voice. Her mother only smiled at him softly.
“He’s been saying the same thing all week, you know. Truly excessive.”
“I don’t mind it, Mother.”
Watching her parents together, Hong-ah couldn’t help but smile as well.
“I want to stay with you both for a long, long time too. I don’t want to marry—I just want us three to live happily together forever.”
Neither of them noticed the sadness hidden in her words. For Hong-ah, who knew this happiness would not last much longer, there were moments when the thought nearly suffocated her.
Even after returning to Yeonggyeongdang, her bond with Grand Prince Anpyeong continued. The Crown Prince, who disliked visits from Princes Ikhyeon and Suchun, had no objection to Anpyeong’s presence.
Though Anpyeong himself had no great desire to enter the Eastern Palace, he accepted the difference in treatment with some discomfort.
A small study room was set up for Hong-ah in Yeonggyeongdang, and she even received a few books as gifts.
Though they were children’s books far below her level, books were precious treasures in this age. She received them gladly.
“The people are exceedingly weak, but they cannot be threatened by force.”
Grand Prince Anpyeong’s lessons were unusual. He deliberately chose subjects no woman of this time would ever be taught.
“The people are extremely weak, but cannot be subdued by force.”
Hong-ah translated the line he recited. She worked so hard to keep up with his lessons that she had no room for idle thoughts.
“They may be exceedingly foolish, but they cannot be deceived by cunning.”
“Even if they are foolish, they cannot be deceived by clever tricks.”
They were reading a work of Jeong Do-jeon—books so controversial that even scholars read them in secret. For Jeong Do-jeon’s killer’s grandson and great-granddaughter to be sitting in the palace he designed, reading his words—it was a bitter irony.
“So, what do you think this means?”
“No matter how powerless the people may be, a ruler cannot win their hearts through strength or cleverness. Isn’t that what it means?”
“Correct. The state exists because of its people, so the ruler must make the nation one where the people can live well. This is the very core of Mencius’s teaching, so you must never forget it.”
To Hong-ah, however, it was all meaningless.
Kings’ sons were sometimes used in government, but never kings’ daughters. In this world, women could only sit behind the scenes and offer advice—they were forbidden from standing at the front.
She wasn’t so pessimistic as to reject learning altogether, but she couldn’t shake the thought that much of it was unnecessary.
