Chapter 15
The King recalled that a royal physician had been summoned earlier to attend to the Queen’s migraine and supposed that the physician would have already administered the treatment for the Queen’s ailment. Given his supposition, the King motioning for his royal attendant to step forward and ordered him to send for the royal physician. Within a very short amount time; the royal physician was able to make his way to the private library, due to the close proximity between the Gyotaejeon and the Gangneyongjeon (King’s quarters). Thinking that it would be inappropriate to examine the Princess’s injuries in the presence of so many people; the royal physician asked for permission to take the Princess to a separate room for the examination. The King agreed with the royal physician’s assessment and readily gave his permission for the examination to be conducted elsewhere. Despite his ardent desire to be present during the examination; Prince JiangSu knew that it would be better if he stayed behind to await Concubine Su’s arrival.
Once he had completed his careful inspection of Eun Jung’s injuries; the royal physician proceeded to carefully clean her wounds before gently applying a dark tinted ointment to the injured areas around her ankles. Once the ointment had been properly applied; the royal physician proceeded to wrap Eun Jung’s ankles with a cloth bandage and said, “Grand Princess Consort, your injuries are flesh wounds and should heal with the proper application of this ointment.” As he handed the ointment container to one of Eun Jung’s maids, the royal physician provided the maid with instructions, by saying, “Apply this ointment to the Princess’s ankles after her wounds have been cleaned with lukewarm water. Don’t allow the Princess’s ankles to be submerged in water or enveloped in fabrics including feet covers (socks) and walking boots for at least a week.”
Having heard the royal physician’s instructions, Eun Jung asked him, “How can I walk around barefooted? What if I need to go somewhere or what if my feet get cold at night?” After careful contemplation of Eun Jung’s questions; the royal physician replied, “It would be best for your highness to refrain from moving about during the first week of your recovery. And if your highness finds that her feet become cold at night; I would suggest that a blanket be used to cover them.” Although, Eun Jung was not thrilled with the thought of having to stay put for an entire week; she knew that the royal physician’s restrictions were for her own benefit and reluctantly agreed to do as he had instructed. Feeling a dramatic lessening of pain in her ankles, Eun Jung observed enthusiastically, “Your ointment is really amazing. My ankles feel better already. Royal physician, you should consider selling that ointment in the market place. I bet you would make a lot of money.”
Upon realizing that the Grand Princess Consort was not joking; the royal physician quickly explained, “This ointment consists of some of the rarest medicinal herbs in all of Korea and can cure even the most troublesome injuries. Therefore, it isn’t something that can be made readily available to the general public.” Surprised to learn of the ointment’s potency; Eun Jung began to think that it was quite wasteful to use it on her injury. Looking at the ointment container in her maid’s hand; Eun Jung wished that she could bring it to the orphan keeper. She thought that he could use the ointment to alleviate the persistent pain he experienced daily from an injury, which he had sustained in his youth. Fully aware that it would be impossible to do so; Eun Jung turned her attention back to more pertinent matters and said to the royal physician, “If were done here, I'd like to go back out to the private library." Consenting to her request, the royal physician motioned for her maids to help her out.
With her maids' assistance; Eun Jung returned to the King's private library just in time to hear the King reprimanding Concubine Su for her unjustifiable actions. Seeing Eun Jung at the front entrance, Prince JiangSu quickly made his way over to her and asked quietly, “Are you okay?” Eun Jung slowly nodded her head to indicate that she was fine; but still kept her attention focused on Concubine Su’s reaction to the King’s reproofs. Taking over for the maids, Prince JiangSu guided Eun Jung towards the chair that had been previously brought out for her. As she sat down, Eun Jung observed Concubine Su’s resentful glare and quickly averted her eyes to look to Prince JiangSu for reassurance. Seeing her discomfort, Prince JiangSu gripped her hand tightly to assure her that she was safe.
Feeling at ease with her husband by her side; Eun Jung turned her attention to Prince Dae Hyun’s face. Taking note of Prince Dae Hyun’s apprehension, as he knelt beside his royal mother; Eun Jung chided herself for not considering how her plan would adversely affect him. Eun Jung hoped, for Prince Dae Hyun's sake, that his royal mother would be willing to apologize to the King for her inexcusable behavior. Much to astonishment, Eun Jung listened to Concubine Su exclaim loudly, “I don’t see how my actions are unjustifiable!” Turning her attention to the King; Eun Jung recognized the familiar display of anger in his eyes, which was similar to the expression she had often seen displayed on Prince JiangSu's face.
Despite being enraged by Concubine Su’s defiant declaration, the King tried to remain calm and asked, “Are you saying that what you did was justified?” Without batting an eyelash, Concubine Su replied, “Yes, I think that everything that I’ve done is justified. Has your highness forgotten that after we were wed; the Queen mother had me endure the same type of training? As a matter of fact, the late Queen mother used the same ropes that I’ve used today.” Upon recalling his own Queen mother’s harsh treatment of Concubine Su; the stern expression on the King’s face immediately softened as he felt a lump develop in his throat. Observing that her words had worked to evoke emotions of remorse in the King; Concubine Su asked bitterly, “Were the actions of the late Queen mother justified because I was a lowly maid who won your affections? And are my actions now unjustifiable because the Grand Princess Consort comes from royalty?”
Pained to see the tears well up in Concubine Su’s eyes; the King gritted his teeth and inquired, “Since you have yourself experienced such traumatic ordeals; how could you have the heart to put the Grand Princess Consort through the same turmoil?” After a slight pause, Concubine Su turned to Eun Jung and said, “All of my past sufferings have served to teach me what is expected of me and I wanted you to learn what is expected of you as Korea’s future Queen.” Having completed her honest declaration, Concubine Su bowed deeply to the King and said, “If your highness thinks that what I’ve done is wrong; then please punish me accordingly.” Disappointed by Concubine Su’s refusal to admit her mistake; the King sighed before proclaiming, “While your actions are inexcusable; it's more troubling that you're unwilling to show any remorse for what you've done. Upon your insistence; I will apply royal law to punish you for your transgressions.”
Stunned by his royal father’s declaration, Prince Dae Hyun bowed deeply onto the ground and proclaimed, “Your highness, royal law requires that my royal mother be put to death for causing injury to a foreign dignitary. I know that my royal mother realizes that what she did was wrong; so I beg your highness for his leniency.” Horrified by the turn of events, Eun Jung stumbled out of her seat and made a formal bow onto the ground before pleading, “Your highness, please retract your decree. My injuries are minor and there’s no reason to pursue this matter any further. It was my mistake to have brought this matter to your attention.” Astonished by Eun Jung’s earnest declaration; the King asked incredulously, “Princess Soo Jin, how could you think that you’ve made any kind of mistake?”
Looking over at Concubine Su’s astounded expression, Eun Jung replied to the King's question by saying, “I know that everything, which has occurred is partly my fault. It was I who failed to recognize Concubine Su’s true intentions for training me this way. While I still don’t agree with her methods; as a member of this royal family, I shouldn't have questioned her intentions. Please don’t put her to death for something, which is partly my fault.” As he listened to Eun Jung’s words; the King felt a deep sense of admiration growing for her and felt that he had no choice but to comply with her wishes. After taking a deep breath, the King finally said, “Princess Soo Jin, since you’ve been so generous as to forgive Concubine Su for her egregious wrongdoings; I will retract my decree.”
Refocusing his attention on Concubine Su, the King continued to say, “Although, I’ve decided not to put you to death; I hereby revoke all of your authority over the Princess’s training and order you to remain confined to your quarters for a month. I suggest that you take the time to reflect upon your repulsive behavior.” Once the King had completed his amended decree; Prince Dae Hyun turned to Eun Jung to thank her for her benevolence. Despite having been spared because of Eun Jung's pleas; Concubine Su was still unmoved and simply made a formal bow to the King before thanking him for his leniency. Seeing that the King would not acknowledge her; Concubine Su requested for permission to leave. Ignoring her request; the King quickly ordered Prince Dae Hyun to take his royal mother home. After Concubine Su and Prince Dae Hyun had taken their leave, the King excused everyone else in the private library except Prince JiangSu and Eun Jung.
Once they were alone; the King reassured the royal couple that he would quickly identify a more appropriate person to provide Princess Soo Jin with her palace training. Fatigued by the events of the morning, the King excused them after instructing Prince JiangSu to properly care for Princess Soo Jin during her recovery. Aware of the distress she had caused the King, Eun Jung sincerely thanked him for everything that he had done for her. After the King had taken his leave, Eun Jung re-focused her attention on Prince JiangSu’s face and took note of his worn expression. Grateful for his help in the matter, Eun Jung said, “I’m really happy that you’re here with me. After this horrible ordeal, I know that I can’t deal with everything on my own.” Happy to have received her acknowledgment of his efforts; Prince JiangSu suggested that they head back home.
Along the way back to their residence, Prince JiangSu wondered why Eun Jung would help Concubine Su and asked, “Don't you realize that your forgiveness of Concubine Su's transgressions will only give her more opportunities to hurt you in the future?” Thinking about her own transgressions against Prince JiangSu, the royal family and just about everyone else in Korea; Eun Jung replied, “Sometimes people do things without thinking about how it affects other people. But if there’s a reason why they’re doing those things, don’t you think we should try to forgive them?” Since he did not understanding Eun Jung’s hidden meaning, Prince JiangSu asked, “What acceptable reason could Concubine Su have to hurt you?”
Realizing that they were talking about two very different things; Eun Jung focused on Prince JiangSu's actual question and replied, “I think that even though Concubine Su is now royalty, she must still feel like an outsider. And since people mistreated her in the past; she probably just needs to take out her anger on someone who’s also an outsider.” Having heard her response; Prince JiangSu halted his steps, turned to Eun Jung and lifted her chin with his hand. When he was sure that she was focus on his face, Prince JiangSu observed earnestly, “Soo Jin you are not an outsider. You’re Prince JiangSu’s wife. Do you understand?” Staring into his mesmerizing brown eyes, Eun Jung nodded her head diffidently and replied, “I do understand.”
just keep it coming
