Chapter 21
Holding firmly onto the porcelain teapot's handle with his right hand; Prince Hyo proceeded to pour its warm contents into the cups of the King and Queen. After placing the teapot back down onto the table; Prince Hyo retook his seat, and asked the King, “Could Prince Dae Hyun and I still be considered among your favorite sons?” Thinking that Prince Hyo’s question was completely absurd; the King sternly replied, “Are you not aware that the three of you share the distinction of having my equal affection?” Registering the King’s apparent dissatisfaction; Prince Hyo quickly apologized by saying, “Royal father, I’m truly sorry if I’ve upset you. I only asked because I was worried that my mother’s atrocious behavior had caused you to think less of her sons.” Placated by Prince Hyo’s heartfelt apology; the King thoughtfully observed, “Concubine Su’s actions are her own; neither you nor your royal brother can be blamed for your mother’s mistakes.” Stunned by the information, which she had garnered from the conversation; Eun Jung re-focused her attention onto Prince JiangSu’s face, and was now finally able to understand why he had become so apprehensive.
Prince Hyo was eager to move away from the disagreeable topic, and looked around the table to see if there was anything of interest, which could be discussed. When he caught sight of the small box, situated directly in front of Eun Jung; Prince Hyo immediately guessed that it was her birthday. Making good use of the occasion; Prince Hyo pulled out a light-green jade pendant from his waistband, and presented it to Eun Jung before saying, “Grand Princess Consort, I’d like to use this pendant to wish you a happy birthday.” Observing Eun Jung’s hesitancy towards accepting his gift; Prince Hyo asked her pointedly, “Is the pendant not to your liking?” Fully aware of Prince Hyo’s blatant attempt to force Eun Jung’s hand; Prince JiangSu quickly removed the pendant from his own waistband, and discreetly handed it to her underneath the table. Unable to figure out what Prince JiangSu had given her; Eun Jung glanced down, and was surprised to see an exact replica of Prince Hyo’s jade pendant.
Realizing that she still had not answered Prince Hyo’s question; Eun Jung smiled politely at him before replying, “While I truly appreciate your thoughtful gift, I really don’t think that I should accept it.” Raising her hand to reveal the object, which she now held; Eun explained by saying, “The Crowned Prince has already given me the exact same pendant as a wedding gift.” Upon hearing Eun Jung’s explanation, Prince Hyo proceeded to put away the rejected gift, and forced a smile before observing, “Although, they look exactly the same, the pendants aren’t identical. Every Prince in the Palace has his name carved on his own pendant.” Glancing over towards Prince JiangSu, Prince Hyo continued to say, “I guess it’s rather inappropriate of me to give your wife a gift bearing my name. I promise that I’ll send along a more suitable present, once I’ve had the opportunity to get better acquainted with her.” Disconcerted by Prince Hyo’s evident interest in Eun Jung; Prince JiangSu felt an uncomfortable knot develop in his chest, and involuntarily tightened his grip around her hand.
The force of Prince JiangSu’s tight grip caused Eun Jung to yelp out in pain, which subsequently prompted him to quickly let go of her hand. Embarrassed by her own sudden outburst; Eun Jung scrambled to figure out a way to explain herself. Having witnessed the entire awkward exchange; Prince Dae Hyun took note of Eun Jung’s discomfort, and tried to divert the King’s attention by asking, “Royal father, would you be willing to help me figure out an acceptable response to the royal teacher’s difficult civics assignment?” Intrigued by Prince Dae Hyun’s inquiry; the King countered, “What sort of assignment could have stumped one of my most intelligent sons?” To which, Prince Dae Hyun quickly explained, “The day before last, our royal teacher asked us to complete the statement, “A country is only as strong as its’ blank.” I think that the assignment is particularly difficult, because there are so many ways to complete that statement.” The King was interested to see how each of his sons would respond to the assignment, and suggested that they each try their hand at giving a response.
Not wanting to leave the Queen out of the discussion, the King turned to her and asked, “Dear, how would you complete that statement?” After careful consideration, the Queen finally replied, “I would say that, a country is only as strong as its wisest King.” With an audible laugh, Prince Hyo observed, “It appears that the Queen can think of nothing but my royal father.” Nodding her head in agreement, the Queen replied, “Prince Hyo, I think that you may very well be correct.” Delighted by the Queen’s thoughtful answer, the King placed a small dessert on her plate and said, “Here’s a small reward for always having me on your mind.” Thinking that the exchange between the King and Queen was rather cute; Eun Jung inadvertently let out a slight giggle, which was only heard by Prince JiangSu and Prince Hyo. Finding himself completely captivated by Eun Jung’s cheerful disposition; Prince Hyo failed to notice that the King had asked him for his response.
Taking note of Prince Hyo’s fixed gaze on Eun Jung’s face; Prince JiangSu cleared his throat and said gruffly, “Prince Hyo, I believe our royal father was asking you for your take on the assignment.” As he hastily averted his eyes away from Eun Jung’s face; Prince Hyo apologized for his lack of concentration, and replied, “I would complete the statement by saying that, a country is only as strong as its best armies.” With a slight nod of his head, the King observed, “Prince Hyo, I think that your time spent among the generals has profoundly affected your outlook on the country. I believe that your response is very good.” Turning to Prince JiangSu, the King asked, “And how would the Crowned Prince complete the statement?” After a slight pause, Prince JiangSu replied, “I believe that a country is only as strong as its most contented citizens.” With a hearty laugh, the King observed, “Spoken like a true future king!”
Proud of Prince JiangSu’s unyielding concern for the welfare of the country’s citizens; Eun Jung leaned in close to him, and whispered, “That was a really good answer.” Prince JiangSu smiled and nodded his head to acknowledge her praise. Noticing the bright smile on Eun Jung’s face, the King observed, “Princess Soo Jin, I think we all would like to hear how you would respond to the assignment.” With a nervous smile, Eun Jung looked over towards Prince JiangSu before asking, “Will anyone laugh at me if my answer is not good?” Smiling at her reassuringly, Prince JiangSu replied, “No one will laugh. Just say the first thing that comes to your mind.” After she slightly nodded her head, Eun Jung turned to the group and said, “I would say that, a country is only as strong as its hungriest citizens.” Perplexed by Eun Jung’s response, the King asked, “What do you mean by that?” Despite her growing discomfort, Eun Jung explained her response by saying, “I just meant that it feels really bad to be hungry, and I think that a country can’t be strong if its citizens feel bad.”
Upon hearing Eun Jung’s explanation; Prince JiangSu abruptly stood up from his seat and exclaimed, “That’s it! I think I know how we should deal with the growing discontent in the southern most regions of the Kingdom.” Confused by Prince JiangSu’s sudden outburst; the King asked him to clarify his statement. Sitting back down at the table; Prince JiangSu smiled at Eun Jung before turning to the King to say, “If we open the food storage to send along the surplus supplies from last year’s bountiful harvest; we’ll be able to appease the hunger of the citizens, and finally put to rest the discontent in the South.” Astonished by Prince JiangSu’s suggestion, the King replied, “That very well could work. How did we all fail to see such a simple solution?” Turning to Eun Jung, the King jokingly observed, “Princess Soo Jin, perhaps you should attend our royal meetings from now on.”
Impatient to communicate the newly devised plan to the officials in the southern most regions; the King decided to conclude Princess Soo Jin’s birthday celebration, and excused everyone from the Gyotaejeon. After properly bidding farewell to the people in their party; Prince JiangSu and Eun Jung proceeded to make their way back to the Jaseondang. When they were alone in their bedroom, Eun Jung recalled that she was still in possession of Prince JiangSu’s pendant, and handed it back to him. Looking down at the pendant, Prince JiangSu asked, “Do you not like it?” Shaking her head to indicate that she did not dislike the pendant, Eun Jung countered, “Are you really giving it to me for my birthday?” With a broad grin, Prince JiangSu replied, “I would give it to you even if it wasn’t your birthday.” Taking the pendant from Eun Jung’s hand to show her his engraved name, Prince JiangSu continued to say, “You’re the only woman who can possess Seong JiangSu.” As he placed the pendant back into Eun Jung's hand, Prince JiangSu leaned in and tenderly kissed her on the lips as he wrapped his arms around her small frame to pull her in closer to his body.
cant wait for the next chapter
