Suddenly removed from her life of peace and tranquility, Nyang is tossed into the inner court, the birth home of schemes and manipulations.
Just as she tries to forget an old flame and reignite another, she is stabbed in the back when she least expe...
"Really? Are you sure aboji(father) ? There are people planning an uprising against the emperor?" Nyang asked as she sat down quickly. Her father, lord park nodded solemnly. She looked away, er eyes filled with worry, and her forehead squeezed. "Well, do you know them?" She asked eagerly, wanting to hear a good answer.
"Well, i have asked your orabeoni(older brother) to carry out some investigations and he found some information which you may not like to hear" lord park spoke slowly, his voice filled with experience and care. Nyang's eyes widened and she looked at him, slowly closing her eye lids. Lord park looked away, he was quite certain that the answer he would give her would shock her, he decided to give her the lighter one first.
"Dangsin-ui eunhye(your grace). We have reports that the left premier councillor is supporting the rebellion. A few ministers have pledged their alliance to the rebellion"
"What is the motive behind the rebellion?" Nyang asked again, worried already. She had grown fond of the emperor and ever since the incident between them that day, she felt him really close to her heart. Her respect for him had risen and she gradually moved to liking him. She didn't love him no not yet. She closed her eyes as the memory of what happened that day came back to her vividly.
Flashback: Nyang and woo bin.
They remained in that position for a long time and then the emperor pulled away and looked her in the eye. "Lady park..... you complete my day" she smile and asked "hwangjemama you never call me by my name. Why is it so?" He llooked surprised at her question and then confessed. "I do not know myself, something just makes me feel like you're not mine....like you'll be taken away" Nyang smiled again as they started to walk aimlessly. "I'm already a palace lady,this majesty's woman. Nothing except death can take me away from his majesty's side"
They continued walking, the long trail of both his servants and hers behind them. The ruined had ceased and a cool wind was blowing. and soon she realised that they were back to her residence. "Hwangjemama you mean to spend the night here,?" She asked him her head looking down. He smiled at her again "or am i not allowed to, your grace it is afterall your chambers" "no i didn't meant to disagree your majesty" she answered quickly raising her head to look at him while shaking at the same time.
They got dressed for bed and he simply cuddled her, he didn't kiss her, or even touch her. Again he said he had a feeling she didn't belong to him.
"What!!! You mean he spent the night in the wench's chambers?" The empress asked banging her fist on the table, startling the maid who reported to her and upsetting the cup of tea on it, her face red with fury and her whole frame trembling from anger. The maid fidgeted and remained silent which got the empress in a more state of fury. "I asked you a question and you dare remain silent. Do you no longer value your head" she raged, and the maid fell to the floor. "Forgive me Hwanghumama....i deserve to be executed.. i deserve to die." She pleaded.
The empress eased back and relaxed her tension a bit. Once upon a time, she had seen a maid beg for death for merely stepping into the garden when she and the emperor were on one of their love date. She wondered how cruel and intense power and authority over the maid must be that she could beg for death and not forgiveness. That was when the emperor was only a crown prince, when they could still share words of love between them, when they whispered to each other under the moonlight.
But that was then, not any more. Now things are different, things have changed between them, changed alot. Never did she imagine a day would come when someone would kneel before her begging for death. She laughed and said coldly to the maid "get your self out of my sight now". The poor maid almost crawled out in her hurry to leave the room before the queen unleashes another did fury on her.
Hyo ri(empress) laughed again, her heart in pain. Tears gathered UN her eyes but she fought it back, swearing to herself to destroy not only lady park but her whole family. She would build a trap that she wouldn't be able to escape but first, she needs to confirm something. "Summon the physician immediately" she said to no one in particular, but she knew the order would be carried out.
(Below is the picture of the empress in her chambers, casually dressed and thinking of the various ways to hurt lady park . She's angry and the description above fits her perfectly. Note...the original picture is of hi bin, from the drama;or dong yi)
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The grand palace, Woo bin
" Hwangjemama would like to have some air outside?" Eunuch yoon asked and the emperor didn't answer. He was busy in his dream land. Seeing how the emperor is smiling widely and eyes far way made the eunuch chuckle. He gently tapped the emperor startling him "your majesty" the emperor looked up. "Oh yes...you were saying something about the court?" The eunuch laughed
"No my lord. I was asking if you'd like a walk, with lady park of course" the eunuch said gently. Immediately, the emperor pushed his chair backward's and sat up "well, i will since you're insisting so much" then he walked out quickly, the eunuch smiling behind him.
Immediately Hw stepped outside the grand palace, the royal secretary ran to him. "Hwangjemama..... a letter from yuan has arrived" he said trembling and shaking. "Is it a war letter?" The emperor asked his heart almost in his mouth. The secretary shook his head. "No it isn't. Some yuan ambassadors are visiting"
The emperor sighed of relief "well, nothing is wrong there. We have the means to entertain and accommodate them. I believe we can then get them to sign the peace treaty" the emperor said chuckling and smiling, eager to leave.
The secretary sighed. "But your majesty, they are bringing their crown princess along. She's their condition for signing the peace treaty...if......if your majesty would marry her and grant her the rank of bin" the secretary stuttered. The emperor remained silent. The words hit him like a bombshell. "When will they be arriving?" He barely asked and the secretary answered "in two months time"
Nyang's residence
"So what I'm saying is, I'll summon the members of the woodalchi and put them on guard. They will secretly watch over his majesty and 'll royal family." Lord park assured his daughter who looked very worried. "But aboji i thought the law refused to allow the existence of woodalchi, if caught that would bring sever problems on you" she worried.
"Don't worry. They ignore the fact that during the last war with rebels, they would have lost if not for the sudden intervention and help of the woodalchi. But we won't get caught. I just wanted to let you know, I'll be returning to laying now" he said and left.
She sighed, worried at the news she just received. Who could actually be after the emperor? She wondered
Chapter ends. Please vote and comment. What do you think about the arrival of the yuan princess and oh! I'm thinking of putting this book up for the wattys. Do you think it stands a chance? Vote Vote Vote
