Chapter 11: Petals Beneath Your Feet

With the deepening of the autumn season, the entire Imperial Palace began to buzz with excitement. The Emperor’s birthday was only a few days away. Since this day was the nation’s greatest festival, it was natural for preparations to be hectic, but the hearts of the servants preparing for the current Emperor’s birthday were particularly special.

The current Emperor had not only opened an unprecedented era of peace, but his wise and benevolent nature more than filled the heavens and the earth. When the week of the Emperor’s birthday arrived, everyone residing in the palace—down to the lowliest slaves—received special gifts and ate fine food.

Even on regular days, they received better treatment than ever before thanks to the Emperor who valued every single soul, but to not be excluded even from such a grand celebration gave them every reason to celebrate and congratulate him with all their hearts.

And it wasn’t just the people of the palace. The current Emperor was the most respected and loved figure among the commoners breathing and living on this land. Thus, as the day of the birth of such a noble Son of Heaven approached, the entirety of Anguk fell into a festive mood.

Early in the morning, while sharing various stories during a visit to the Empress’s palace, the Empress, Jaran, suddenly looked at Hwaun and spoke.

“By the way, Jin-bi.”

“Yes, Mama.”

“Have the preparations you made for His Majesty’s birthday been finalized?”

Hwaun, perhaps a bit surprised by the unexpected question, could not answer immediately. Instead, Suk-bi, Bi-yeong, spoke up.

“Yes, Empress Mama. I checked them one last time yesterday. Though the skill is a bit unpolished, His Majesty will be quite pleased when he sees it.”

Jaran smiled softly and replied.

“It is only natural to be unpolished, as one has just learned it.”

“Broth…! Ah, no, Jin-bi Mama! Why did you show it to Suk-bi Mama beforehand and not to me? I want to see it too!”

The person who spoke immediately while looking at Hwaun with a sulky expression was Jeong-bin, Song-hyeon. Hwaun replied in a kind tone, as if soothing a younger sister, “I will show it to you as well when we return, so do not feel too hurt.”

Then, the Empress spoke again, as if the answer she wanted wasn’t that.

“However, what I asked about was not the thing Suk-bi was helping to prepare.”

“Pardon? Then…”

“Then has Jin-bi Mama prepared another gift besides that?”

Bi-yeong and Song-hyeon asked one after another. Only then did Hwaun properly grasp the Empress’s intention. Blushing slightly in embarrassment, he lowered his head and spoke.

“Thanks to Empress Mama’s help, I was able to finish the preparations safely. Though my skill is lacking, I worked hard, so I only hope it will be looked upon with generosity.”

“Jin-bi! How could you prepare something else without even telling us?”

Bi-yeong asked, not hiding her hurt feelings at Hwaun’s answer, which didn’t deny the Empress’s question. It was understandable; because they had spent so much time together lately helping Hwaun prepare the Emperor’s gift, Bi-yeong felt a sense of betrayal—as if a close friend had kept a secret—now that only the Empress knew about it.

When Song-hyeon acted jealous of everyone close to Hwaun, it had seemed cute because of her young age, but experiencing such a situation herself made Bi-yeong’s heart sink as well.

“Th-that is…”

Hwaun, not having anticipated Bi-yeong’s reaction, hesitated to answer. Just as Song-hyeon puffed out her rice-cake-like cheeks to add her own complaint, Jaran spoke up with a voice full of laughter, as if protecting Hwaun from them.

“Stop it, everyone. Why are you all so interested in His Majesty’s birthday gift?”

“But Empress Mama…!”

“Seeing it without knowing beforehand will be more enjoyable for you as well, so stop bothering a poor soul and wait just a few days.”

Though her voice wasn’t heavy like an official command, no one could add anything more when the Empress spoke like that. While sitting there and answering, “Yes, Mama,” Jaran looked with a joyful heart at the eyes of the two concubines who were still glancing at Hwaun.

From the moment she entered the Prince’s estate as the Princess Consort, Jaran had dreamed of an Internal Court where members relied on and helped each other throughout their lives. But even she could not have imagined an Internal Court like the one today. The faces of the precious concubines lingered in Jaran’s eyes like a painting. It wouldn’t have been possible if even one person had been missing, or if even one of them had a foul heart.

Even if they could not involve themselves in state affairs, if those closest to the Emperor craved power and were blinded by the wealth and honor of their families, it could directly affect the officials who were supposed to serve the Emperor with loyalty.

Thus, Jaran considered the people before her to be the nation’s loyal subjects and blessings, even more so than the ministers discussing state affairs in the Great Hall.

Her gaze, which had been observing each of these precious people, finally landed on Jin-bi, Yeon Hwaun. As the only male concubine of Anguk who received the Emperor’s greatest favor, and the son of a family currently enjoying the Emperor’s highest trust, Yeon Hwaun was in a position where he could have been arrogant enough to try and place even the Empress beneath his feet.

Yet, because his original personality had changed so drastically after a major accident, he was now known as the most gentle, kind, and warm person in the Internal Court. How could Jaran not think of this as a blessing for the nation?

“I will make one for you too after His Majesty’s birthday banquet, so do not be so upset.”

Hearing Hwaun’s voice soothing Song-hyeon, who had finally turned away in a huff, Jaran felt a wave of pleasure and smiled broadly.

They say there comes a day in life when you wish every day could be exactly like today. Jaran’s life was now staying right in the middle of those very days.

“Master, Eunuch Oh has arrived.”

“Let him in at once.”

Hwaun, who had been reading a book while leaning comfortably in his chair, immediately put the book on the table and straightened his posture at the sound of Myeong-an’s voice. He had been worried that the Emperor had too much work, as there had been no word even though it was later than usual.

“I greet Jin-bi Mama.”

“Welcome. Is His Majesty still attending to administrative duties?”

“No, Mama. He finished his work at Cheonggeon Hall a moment ago and is currently on his way to Anjeong Pavilion.”

“Ah… then did he say he would stay at Anjeong Pavilion tonight?”

Eunuch Oh noticed the very slight tinge of disappointment in Hwaun’s voice and smiled small while keeping his head bowed. Even though they spent almost every day together, he couldn’t understand how both of them could feel so regretful about missing a single night.

Particularly, the Jin-bi before him would strictly tell the Emperor to visit the Empress’s palace or go to Suk-bi Mama when they were together, yet he became so honest when the Emperor wasn’t looking. He was truly a person who made everyone around him smile pleasantly.

Eunuch Oh deeply understood his master’s heart—a man who would willingly jump into a fire carrying straw for his lover, yet never listened when told to go to another concubine’s quarters. Of course, this was an empathy he could never show outwardly.

Clearing the thought and the smile, Eunuch Oh spoke again to answer Hwaun’s question.

“Yes. His Majesty said he would spend the night at Anjeong Pavilion today.”

“I see…”

“Therefore, he gave the order to bring Jin-bi Mama to Anjeong Pavilion.”

Hwaun’s face, which had become uncharacteristically sulky, bloomed brightly at Eunuch Oh’s following words. Hwaun, so glad that he even shifted his body slightly, asked back.

“His Majesty… called for me to come to Anjeong Pavilion?”

“Yes, Mama. He even rushed me, saying he missed you and to bring you quickly.”

The following words from Eunuch Oh were somewhat embarrassing, but rather than that, Hwaun couldn’t hold back his laughter as he vividly imagined what kind of expression and tone the Emperor used to rush Eunuch Oh. Hwaun deeply cherished and loved those moments when the Emperor—who was the most supreme and dignified man under the heavens in front of his ministers—became like a young boy.

“Shall I go now?”

Hwaun asked, his body already rising from the seat. Eunuch Oh stepped slightly to the side and bowed.

“Yes, Mama. You may go right away.”

“Ajin.”

Ajin, who was supporting Hwaun as he stood up, spoke before his master’s order could drop any further.

“Yes, Mama. Myeong-an! Call the palanquin at once! Mama is going to Anjeong Pavilion!”

The atmosphere of Jeongan Palace, which had seemed quietly asleep while Hwaun was reading his book, instantly turned bustling.