𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚'𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗙𝗘 (CURRENTLY EDITING)

8장: The Unwanted Wife (Edited)

Yi Yung stared at the beauty before him with an outward calm that concealed the storm that raged within. "I came here to tell you that I have taken Jinhee as my concubine and she will be staying in the palace from now on. "

He frowned when she remained calm and quiet. A couple of minutes had passed, still she did not answer nor look at him. "Aren't you going to answer me? You dare disrespect-."

He stopped midway when she slowly raised her head and stared at him with a sweet and sincere smile that could have caused war among thousands of men, fighting just to see it.

"That's great, Your Highness! I won't be lonely anymore in this enormous palace. I'm happy for you and Jinhee, and I wish for your prosperous marriage."

His heart ached when he heard those words from her. It's like she doesn't care at all even if he will have hundreds of concubines.

Then, he remembered the incident before the final presentation, where he saw her kissing a man he doesn't recognize. His heart suddenly boiled with anger. Yewon fearfully stared at Yi Yung when she felt a dangerous aura emitting from her frowning husband.

"Are you alright? What's wrong, Your Highness? I-I'm going to call Eunu-" Yi Yung grabbed her hand and pushed her on the bed with his body. His large hands pinned both of her small and delicate hands above her head.

Luckily, Court Lady Jang already removed her heavy headdress a while ago or she would have been in pain. "What do you think are you doing? Please let me go!"

"Who is that man?!"

"W-What are you talking about, Your Highness?"

"Don't you dare deny it, Yewon. I will have him executed if you will not tell me the truth. Who is he?! The man you kissed that night!"

"Your Highness, I-I'm s-sorry! Please spare his life!" Yi Yung loosened his grip and suddenly stood up. He looked at her coldly.

"Forget about what happened a while ago. I don't care about your relationship with that man. I won't meddle with your affairs and I expect you to do the same. Now, if you don't mind, I would like to take a rest now."

It was near dawn when Yi Yung left the crown princess' quarters. He couldn't bear staying there with his wife because of the obvious tension between them.

SIX MONTHS LATER

It was midday and the palace maid servants and court ladies in the crown prince's palace were all busy going back and forth carrying bags full of food and clothes.

"Court Lady Kim, make sure that every single donation will be given to the homeless and the poor people in the capital. Do not let any corrupt ministers or officials get their hands with these donations. Report to me immediately when everything is sent. You may leave now." She turned her head towards Court Lady Jang. "Please prepare my bedchamber. I'll take a rest first before going to the garden."

Court Lady Jang nodded and went outside to prepare. Yewon closed her eyes as she rubbed her temples to soothe the dull pounding ache in her head. When it's all ready, she went to her bedchamber to take a rest.

It's already been half a year since their marriage and since that disastrous wedding night, the crown prince has been ignoring her.

Though she felt sad and humiliated because of the rumors spreading in the palace about her being an unwanted wife, she can't do anything about it because her husband won't even spare her a glance.

Instead, he would go to Jinhee's quarters every night and ignore her. So, she just busied herself by helping the poor and the needy.

That afternoon, she went to the garden together with her ladies-in-waiting and palace maid servants. It was almost dusk when she went back to her quarters.

"Your Ladyship, Court Lady Kim is already back." Court Lady Jang said while slightly tilting her head. "Let her in." Court Lady Kim cautiously walked while bowing her head towards the Princess.

"Your Ladyship, the donations were safely given to the poor and the homeless. Minister Hyeon went there to stop us but when he heard that it's your gift to the people, he stopped bothering the servants and even helped in giving the donations. Here is a token to express their thanks for your generosity, Your Ladyship." Court Lady Kim handed a small gift wrapped with red clothing to Court Lady Jang.

"They said it's a wine made by the most skilled wine-maker in Joseon. Today is the twentieth year since it was made."

"Really?"

"Yes, Your Ladyship."

Court Lady Kim exited the room after reporting to Yewon.

"Your Ladyship, His Highness, has arrived from Consort Hong's quarters."

Yewon's face turned black and her hands were shaking because of anger. 'Will this humiliation continue every single day of my life? How could my own trusted friend do this to me? What did I do to deserve any of this?!'

She looked at her shaking hands as bitter tears started to flow from her eyes. They have been married for half a year now, but her husband loathes her so much that he won't even look or talk to her.

But then, she quickly wiped her tears away and called Court Lady Jang. 'If they thought that they're the only one who can be happy, well, they are wrong and Jinhee is messing with the wrong woman.'

"Court Lady Jang, help me change my clothes. Bring the dress I've ordered from the royal tailor a week ago."

Court Lady Jang hesitated at first but when she saw the princess' face, she fearfully followed her instructions. Less than a minute later, Court Lady Jang brought a very beautiful hanbok made of silk.

The upper cloth is colored white filled with gemstones, golden embroidered designs and the four dragon emblems. The white chima (skirt) was filled with golden embroidered designs as well. Yewon carefully wore the dress and let her servants put some simple yet elegant hair ornaments, her face devoid of any makeup.

When she turned around to face her servants, they all looked at her with awe and admiration.

Indeed, she is the most beautiful woman in Joseon. Though they have been serving the Crown Princess for half a year now, still, they can't stop admiring her otherworldly beauty.

Yewon looked at them with a heavy heart. 'I wish he would look at me just like how they look at me now.'

"Let's go to the Moonlight Pavilion. Bring the flute and the wine."

Even if it's just for tonight, she wants to forget him and her 'supposed friend'. She sighed as she walked towards her favorite place.