Chapter 35 ….
Even after shedding so many tears that day, neither of them brought up the matter again, as if nothing had happened. Hong-ah and her mother simply tried their best to live out each remaining day sincerely.
Because her mother was heavily pregnant and work had become too difficult, she delegated ceremonial duties to Jeong Seunghwi.
It did not seem strange at all for the Crown Princess, on the verge of childbirth, to entrust her authority to someone else. Though she handed over far more work than one would expect of someone temporarily stepping away due to childbirth, no one suspected anything.
Only Hong-ah and her mother knew that this was actually a measure to stabilize the Inner Court of the Crown Prince’s Palace, which would be thrown into confusion after the Crown Princess’s death.
Her mother devoted the rest of her time to her daughters.
Though uncomfortable in her condition, she still went on walks, watched Hong-ah practice archery, and sat little Hong-yeon down to teach her the Thousand Character Classic, as though she wanted to leave behind as many memories as possible.
During those peaceful yet bittersweet days, her mother never again spoke of her own death. But whenever her gaze met Hong-ah’s, her firm and resolute eyes seemed to say:
“Do not forget the promise you made to your mother.”
Each time she saw those eyes, Hong-ah strengthened her resolve. She, too, could never forget a single word of that conversation.
“Princess, Lady Cheongwon is here.”
Thus, Hong-ah began to make her own preparations.
Answering her summons, a young woman entered Yeonggyeong Hall. Though her hair was now tied up in the manner of a married woman, her face still bore traces of girlhood. Only seven days ago, she had been wed and granted the title Lady Cheongwon—this was Yi-san.
As on the first day they met, Yi-san greeted her shyly.
This was her first time visiting Yeonggyeong Hall since her marriage to Prince Ikhyeon had been made public. Hong-ah had not even been able to attend his wedding, held outside the palace, so it truly had been a long time since she had last seen her.
“It has been a while. Congratulations on your marriage.”
“Uh… w-what?”
Yi-san stammered at Hong-ah’s polite greeting, then faltered, her face falling.
“Does this mean… you and I can no longer be friends?”
“You’re my aunt now, so of course I must show respect, don’t you think?”
Hong-ah had no intention of treating Yi-san with such formality, but her flustered reaction was amusing. The way she blushed and stumbled over her words seemed both strange and cute, making Hong-ah mischievously want to tease her.
“Your current rank is higher than mine, since I am still just a Princess. But once my father ascends the throne, I’ll be stripped of rank entirely. So at the very least, please don’t make me call you ‘my lady,’ Aunt.”
“B-but still!”
Yi-san cried desperately.
“I didn’t marry Prince Ikhyeon because I wanted to be your aunt! And besides, I’ve known you far longer than him. Isn’t it too sad if we can’t be friends just because I married?”
“Hm.”
Seeing Hong-ah’s lips twitch, Yi-san realized she was being teased and began to fume.
“You’re so mean!”
“Haha. Sorry, sorry.”
Still, days when she could laugh like this were rare. Unless she was with Hong-yeon or Yi-san, she hardly ever found reason to smile.
Yi-san puffed out her cheeks in a pout, looking so cute that Hong-ah couldn’t stop laughing.
“So why did you call me here?”
Now somewhat calmed, Yi-san asked. She had rushed into the palace at Hong-ah’s sudden summons, not even knowing the reason, her face full of curiosity.
“It can’t be just to congratulate me. You already sent a gift. And it doesn’t look like you wanted a warm, friendly chat with your new aunt, either…”
Yi-san narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing her. Hong-ah shrugged and got straight to the point.
“I need a favor. Something you’ll have to do in secret, without the uncles knowing. Think you can manage it?”
“Even without telling my husband?”
“Your… yes, even without telling your husband.”
Hong-ah reluctantly nodded. Yi-san hesitated for a moment, then agreed.
“I need a list of unmarried noble girls.”
“A list of unmarried girls?”
Yi-san blinked at the odd request.
“What do you need that for?”
“Well, you know a lot of families and girls our age. You could get it if you tried, right?”
“Of course, if you want it, I’ll find it! But really, why do you need it?”
“It’d be best if they’re at least fifteen. By then, most would be married or at least betrothed, but… surely there are still a few in the capital who are of age but not yet engaged.”
“So you’re not planning to take a new playmate, then? Fifteen is five years older than us.”
She wondered if it was too much to ask of a ten-year-old girl. But to Hong-ah, the matter was urgent.
It wasn’t that she had any desire to give her aging father a bride barely fifteen years old.
But in Joseon, fifteen was considered adulthood, and it was practically impossible to find an unmarried woman over twenty. She simply had to do the best she could.
“I heard that if there’s been a death in the family, marriages can be delayed or even canceled. Surely there must be some cases like that?”
“There are, but… I still don’t understand why you want such a list.”
Hong-ah swallowed hard.
“It’s a real secret…”
“I’ve never broken a secret between us.”
Yi-san replied with firm conviction, even clenching her little fist, which was endearingly earnest.
“I even helped you shortlist candidates for a royal consort! I never told my husband about that.”
“And I was really grateful for that.”
Ever since their first meeting, Yi-san had diligently gathered lists of potential royal consort candidates.
Though what Hong-ah really wanted was information on Han Chi-won, Yi-san absolutely refused, declaring her cousin could never be an option. That had been frustrating.
And when Yi-san brought up Choi Han-gyeom—currently the most sought-after groom among matchmakers—Hong-ah had been utterly exasperated.
He was intelligent and handsome, a fine catch for any family, but he was not the kind of steadfast ally Hong-ah needed.
“Sorry I couldn’t bring you someone to your liking.”
“No, it’s not that you failed—it’s just that I want to be very cautious.”
Hong-ah reassured the embarrassed Yi-san. The problem was not Yi-san’s efforts but that Hong-ah’s choice of candidate was so specific.
“As for the list of girls, it’s hard to explain. It has to do with palace matters.”
She struggled to phrase it in a way that wouldn’t make Yi-san feel excluded. But despite her promise to keep secrets, Yi-san still looked a little hurt at being kept in the dark.
“All right, I understand.”
Still, as a newly made royal wife, Yi-san seemed to be maturing. Slowly, she hid her disappointment.
“But it’ll take some time. They’re not my peers, so I’ll have to ask around indirectly. If my sister helped, it’d be much faster… but she’s still sulking.”
Hong-ah had often heard, through Prince Ikhyeon, how Yi-san’s elder sister—now her sister-in-law—complained bitterly.
Ever since Prince Ikhyeon received a letter full of curses from Prince Geyang, relations between the brothers had soured, and apparently the sisters-in-law’s relationship was no better.
“I heard even Uncle Geyang is upset.”
“Exactly. It’s such a headache. My sister even tries to boss me around like a servant, can you believe it?”
Yi-san lowered her voice, whispering about her sister.
“She told me late about the day I was supposed to visit Lady Kim, so I didn’t even have time to get new clothes made. And next week, I’m attending a gathering of all the princes’ wives for the first time, but since I’m the youngest, she says from now on I’ll have to prepare all the refreshments alone! I checked—there’s never been such a rule!”
“Sounds like you’re really upset.”
“Of course I am! Maybe she’s annoyed that I didn’t tell her beforehand, but I couldn’t help it, could I?”
Hong-ah quietly listened to Yi-san’s complaints. Even though Yi-san hadn’t been able to bring her the consort candidate she wanted, this marriage had still given Hong-ah something valuable, so she could endure a little venting.
A secret agreement had been made that none of King’s direct descendants would marry into Han Hwak’s direct line.
Even if they were illegitimate sons, two princes had already married into that family, so the King had good reason to be cautious.
Whether daughters of princesses or sons of great princes were included in this agreement remained to be seen—but for now, it was a relief.
Ever since the King’s grandson, Prince Dowon, had been born in the palace, it had been a matter of constant concern. To have it settled at last was a joy.
“Yes, I see.”
Listening to Yi-san’s endless laments, Hong-ah simply nodded. Compared to the help Yi-san had given her, offering this much sympathy was the easiest thing in the world.
