Chapter 17
Despite her curiosity to see what was included in the offerings; Eun Jung had more sense than to ask Prince JiangSu, if they could open the gifts before finishing their dinner. At the conclusion of the meal, Eun Jung waited for the maids to completely clear the table before proceeding to tentatively ask Prince JiangSu, “Can we open the gifts now?” With a discontented sigh, Prince JiangSu nodded his head and replied, “Yes, now you can open whatever you want.” Taking note of Prince JiangSu’s apparent displeasure; Eun Jung earnestly urged him by saying, “Since these gifts were meant for both of us, we should open them up together.” Finding that he was unable to say no to the endearing expression on Eun Jung’s face; Prince JiangSu got up from his seat and made his way over to her before replying, “Okay, let’s open the gifts up together.”
Prince JiangSu waited impatiently, for Eun Jung to finish shaking each of the boxes on the table, before he proceeded to ask her, “Which one do you want to open first?” Taking close inventory of the choices in front of her; Eun Jung grabbed a hold of the biggest box and slid it over to Prince JiangSu before replying, “I want you to open that one first.” Consenting to Eun Jung’s request; Prince JiangSu removed the lid from the box, and peered inside before informing her that it contained: jinghansam (red ginseng roots), tea sticks and various other precious herbs. With a bright smile on her face, Eun Jung observed, “Prince Dae Hyun is really sweet for taking our health into consideration.” Despite thinking that it was pointless for Prince Dae Hyun to give gifts, which were readily available around the Jaseondang; Prince JiangSu nodded his head to indicate that he agreed with Eun Jung’s observation.
After all of the gifts had been opened; Prince JiangSu took stock of the items on the table, and thought that only one was of any practical use. Holding up the portable warming pack, Prince JiangSu said, “The maids informed me that you can’t use any feet coverings for the next week. So I think you should use this to warm your feet.” Nodding her head in agreement, Eun Jung replied happily, “Since our room gets so cold at night, I was worried about how I was going to sleep without my feet coverings. But luckily, I can use that warming pack now.” Placing the item back down onto the table, Prince JiangSu replied gruffly, “On second thought, I don’t think it’s a good idea to use that. It’ll make my feet too hot.” Thinking that it would be rather uncomfortable for Prince JiangSu to sleep with the warming pack on the bed; Eun Jung replied, “I guess you’re right. I’ll just keep my feet underneath the covers to keep them warm.”
Prince JiangSu was more accustomed to Eun Jung’s defiance, and found himself slightly taken aback by her willingness to concede to his wishes. Fully aware of how cold the nights had recently become; Prince JiangSu turned to Eun Jung and said, “The covers may not be enough to keep you warm. I’ll just sleep without my feet coverings too and that way we can use the warming pack together.” Delighted by Prince JiangSu’s revised plan; Eun Jung smiled happily and complimented him by saying, “You’re so smart. I would never have thought of that.” Without allowing Prince JiangSu to respond; Eun Jung proceeded to ask him, “Do you like any of the other gifts?” To which, Prince JiangSu quickly replied, “I don’t like anything on that table.” Nodding her head to acknowledge his response; Eun Jung handed Prince JiangSu the warming pack before calling out for the maids and attendants to enter the room.
Thinking that it was unnecessary for Eun Jung to summon all of the servants, Prince JiangSu observed, “You don’t need that many people to put away the gifts.” Before she could respond to Prince JiangSu’s observation; Eun Jung saw that all of the maids and attendants had already entered the room and were now kneeling on the ground to await her orders. Eun Jung looked to Prince JiangSu to give his permission for the maids and attendants to break free from their subservient positions. Prince JiangSu recognized Eun Jung’s unspoken request and motioned for the servants to stand. As the servants followed Prince JiangSu’s directive; Eun Jung turned around to grab the boxes from the table and placed them on to the ground.
Prince JiangSu’s confusion regarding Eun Jung’s actions quickly dissipated as he watched her give each servant an item from one of the boxes. After she had finished distributing the gifts; Eun Jung noticed the uneasy expressions, on the faces of the maids and attendants, and asked, “Do you not like the presents because the Prince and I re-gifting?” More aware of the actual reason behind the servants’ apprehension; Prince JiangSu interjected by saying, “Since the Grand Princess Consort wishes you to accept those gifts; you’re not violating any Palace rules.” Having obtained the Prince’s reassurance; the maids and attendants all happily expressed their gratitude to the royal couple. With a slight nod of his head, Prince JiangSu acknowledged their gratitude before dismissing the group out of the room.
Once they were alone, Prince JiangSu turned to Eun Jung and asked, “Is that what you meant when you said someone else might find these gifts useful?” Averting her eyes from Prince JiangSu’s intense gaze; Eun Jung replied, “Yes, that’s exactly what I meant. I honestly never thought, even in my wildest dreams, that I’d one day be married to the Crowned Prince of Korea or that I’d live in a place where I was in want of nothing. Despite all of this abundance, I can’t help but to think about the people who are a lot less fortunate.” Upon hearing Eun Jung’s response; Prince JiangSu felt himself becoming even more smitten with her. Caught up in his own fervent emotions; Prince JiangSu placed his hands on Eun Jung’s cheeks, and looked adoringly into her eyes before moving forward to gently press his lips against her forehead. Upon receiving Prince JiangSu’s sudden kiss; Eun Jung felt the air escape from her lungs, and could do nothing more than tightly close her eyes in hopes that it would soon return.
Realizing that he may have frightened her with his abruptness; Prince JiangSu slowly backed away and released his hands from Eun Jung’s face. Seeing that Eun Jung’s eyes were still tightly closed, even after he had released her, Prince JiangSu began to regret his actions and said “I really shouldn’t have done that. You clearly aren’t ready.” Having heard Prince JiangSu’s statement; Eun Jung quickly opened her eyes and observed the hurt expression on his face. Unsure of how she should respond, Eun Jung quickly apologized by saying, “I’m sorry, but no one’s ever done anything like that before. Did I react incorrectly?” Relieved to hear that his kiss was not entirely unwelcomed; Prince JiangSu smiled and shook his head before replying, “No, you didn’t react incorrectly. I just should’ve asked you if it was okay to do that first.” With a bashful smile on her face, Eun Jung replied, “Next time, let me know when you’re going to do that and I’ll try to react better.”
Feeling an intense sense of elation upon hearing Eun Jung’s response, Prince JiangSu smiled and observed playfully, “Next time I decide to do something like that again, I’ll definitely let you know. In the meantime, I think that we should go to bed.” Without waiting for her to respond; Prince JiangSu startled Eun Jung by picking her up in his arms. While he walked over to their bed, Prince JiangSu explained, “I’m only carrying you because it’s a lot faster than helping you walk over there.” Agreeing with his logical explanation; Eun Jung replied, “I guess it’s easier for now. But after this week, I won’t need you to carry me to bed anymore.” As he placed Eun Jung down on her side of the bed; Prince JiangSu thought to himself, “I hope that one day you’ll want me to carry you to bed.” Taking his place beside her; Prince JiangSu took out the warming pack and placed it near their uncovered feet. Looking over at Eun Jung, Prince JiangSu asked, “Are you warm now?” Eun Jung took note of his attentiveness and smiled at him before replying, “Yes, I’m very warm now.”
As they lay in bed; Eun Jung recalled that she had forgotten all about Prince JiangSu tensed interactions with Concubine Su’s attendants, and proceeded to ask, “Earlier this evening, why were you acting so mean to Concubine Su’s attendants?” Prince JiangSu shifted his body so that he could see Eun Jung’s face, and countered, “Isn’t it obvious?” Shaking her head to indicate that it was not; Eun Jung thought about Prince JiangSu’s question before replying, “If I had to guess, I would say that you were acting like that because you like it when people are scared of you.” Staring at her in disbelief, Prince JiangSu asked, “Why would I like it when people are scared of me?” Finding Prince JiangSu’s second question harder than his first; Eun Jung gave up and replied, “I don’t know, you’re really hard to figure out. If you don’t want to answer my question, then let’s just go to sleep.”
Recognizing that it would be difficult for, someone as straightforward as, Eun Jung to understand his reasons for concealing his true nature; Prince JiangSu tried to explain his motivation by saying, “I act like that because it’s very dangerous to show any type of emotion around here. In the Palace, emotions are akin to weakness.” Although, she did not quite understand his explanation; Eun Jung trusted that Prince JiangSu had a valid rationale for behaving that way. Wanting to warn Eun Jung against displaying her emotions on her sleeves; Prince JiangSu continued to say, “People like Concubine Su are not trustworthy. She’s just a commoner who was able to rise to the ranks of royalty by manipulating my father’s feelings for her. If Concubine Su senses any kind of weakness; she and her people will use that to their advantage to hurt you. Try not to be so trusting of her or anyone else in this place.”
Thinking that she was no different than Concubine Su; Eun Jung gazed into Prince JiangSu’s eyes before asking solemnly, “If I ever did anything bad like deceiving you; how would you react?” Prince JiangSu was not sure why Eun Jung would ask such a question; but still answered her by saying, “I really don’t know how I’d react. You’re one of the few people that I’ve grown trust around here. And since you’re my wife, any type of deception on your part would be unbearable.” Despite feeling a growing lump in her throat; Eun Jung still managed to continue to ask, “If there was ever a situation where I would have to leave you if I didn’t lie to you; would you prefer me to lie or to leave?” Growing more concerned by her strange questions; Prince JiangSu sat up in the bed and replied, “I’d prefer that you did neither. But if I really had to choose; I think I’d prefer that you lie in order to spare me the heartache of losing you.” Stunned by Prince JiangSu’s response, Eun Jung sat up and embraced him tightly before observing, “I really wished that you’d say that you would want me to leave.”
i don't want to think about it... heehee. enjoying each chapter for now. 
very nice Jessicaaron.
