A Visit to the Palace of Hiding

A sharp glint passed through the Emperor’s bored and weary expression.

“…What did you just say?”

“I speak of the royal family of Yeon. The proof that they are descendants of Sang-ah lies in their hair, which shimmers with a faint blue glow under moonlight.”

“…”

“Yes, Your Majesty surely does not believe it. I am not asking you to. I only wish to say that the hair of the Yeon royal family is precious to them, and you must not use it as a pretext to provoke him simply because you find it displeasing to look at.”

Cha-ran rebuked the Emperor with courteous words. As if he had witnessed the Emperor’s insult to Yi-seol regarding his hair, he softly intoned how such actions leave wounds on another’s heart, never quite crossing the line into the Emperor’s wrath.

The Emperor, who had completely erased Cha-ran’s presence—one that would have been banished on any other day—rested his head on his hand and recalled that night a few days ago.

It was the night he had visited the marigold garden of Nokyeom Pavilion, unable to sleep. That night, the Emperor had clearly seen it. Yi-seol, with his silver-gray hair loose, was softly glowing under the moonlight.

Thinking he had misseen, he had stood there for a long time. He had signaled for the court lady who was about to announce his arrival to remain silent and watched Yi-seol, who shone alone in the distant darkness. Then the Emperor realized something: none of the palace servants beside him were looking at Yi-seol. To them, Yi-seol was just a ‘something’ standing in the darkened marigold field. The one drawing their eyes was a court lady far away, diligently picking something by the light of a lantern. That was only natural.

Only the Emperor saw Yi-seol. It was not a dazzling brightness; rather, as quiet as moonlight, Yi-seol stood emitting a faint, ethereal glow. It wasn’t just his silk-like hair that glowed, as Cha-ran had claimed. Whether it was Yi-seol himself that glowed, or the moonlight gathered only upon him, the Emperor did not know.

As the Emperor watched, a hot surge rose from his belly like a spark, spreading through his heart and across his entire body, so much so that he discarded the long robe he was wearing.

Naturally, he thought he had misseen. It was impossible for a person to do such a thing, and even if it were possible, it should not be visible only to his eyes. Even when he first saw the silver-gray hair, he had already noticed it, but he had asked deliberately to confirm that the person was Yi-seol. If he had turned back without asking, he might have thought what he saw was not human. But it was definitely Yi-seol.

The next day, on his way to the main hall, he heard that Yi-seol was at Tanyeongdang and deliberately went there. He was curious if he would still see him that way, and also if he would again feel that sudden heat in his body.

The moment he entered Tanyeongdang, the Emperor found Yi-seol at a glance. It was not because he was glowing faintly as he had the night before. Among the flower-like, splendid, and radiant concubines, the “white, dry twig” did not shine and made no impression. Rather, the shabby man standing alone among those beauties looked so pathetic that the Emperor ignored the eyes around him and insulted him. Not to mention the lack of ornaments, the clothes he wore were clearly of poor stitching, made of a cheap gray-white fabric no one in the palace would wear. Moreover, it was stained, as if tea had been spilled.

The Emperor had done all that a husband should do, except for the wedding night. He had given him jewelry and silk beyond measure. He had placed no limit on the treasures brought from his home. Since the Yeon royal family had sent their son to marry into a foreign kingdom, their contribution would not have been small. And yet he went about looking like that. What would that do to the Emperor’s own reputation? Did he want to spread rumors that he was being treated poorly? Even if Yang Sowon laughed at him, he had nothing to say.

When his pale, almost white face flushed with shame, the Emperor had turned away in disappointment.

“…When I listen to you, it seems you too believe that preposterous story?” the Emperor asked with a light sneer.

Cha-ran replied indifferently, as if it didn’t matter. “What harm is there in believing? Isn’t it nice that my mother is a descendant of Sang-ah from the moon? Then I, too, am a descendant of Sang-ah.”

“You are now forging even your ancestors.”

“Your Majesty should not say such things.” Cha-ran, who had been speaking as if proud, now looked at the Emperor with a face full of discontent, then glanced at the large scroll painting hanging behind the Emperor. “Is Your Majesty not a descendant of the sacred Phoenix, born from flames that fell from the sun?”

“If I truly am a descendant of the sacred Phoenix, how dare you behave so arrogantly before me?”

At the Emperor’s slow words, Cha-ran lowered his head without further comment. As long as the Emperor was Emperor, he could not win.

Seeing that the Emperor had nothing more to say, Cha-ran prepared to withdraw. Although he knew the Emperor had no affection for Yi-seol, the dynamic between an emperor and a consort could be used for political purposes. The Emperor was intelligent; even without persuasion, he knew what benefited him. Cha-ran’s duty was to provide the occasional hint so the Emperor could see the situation from a different angle. Today, he had fulfilled his duty.

The Emperor was pondering something. A minister who has finished his task is better off disappearing quickly.

“Your Majesty, then I will take my leave to manage Gwangheungchang…”

“Bi Cha-ran.”

A heavy voice caught Cha-ran’s ankle. He had much to do. Cha-ran, who usually lingered when told to go, answered with a sigh. “…Yes.”

“Leave the Gwangheungchang affairs to someone else. You will come with me to Bi-eun Palace.”

****

“Is it really alright to do that?”

“Yes. But you must keep the return date.”

“Of course. I will bring them back without a single moment’s delay.”

In front of the palace library, Yi-seol, who had asked the administrator several times for confirmation, entered with a bright face. Although the mixed smell of paper and dried leather was strong, Yi-seol could not hide his cheerful expression as he walked around.

Why not visit the palace library?

Lady Ju had asked Yi-seol, who had been about to read the same book for the fourth time. He had thought the palace would have a library but had no desire to go, so he initially refused. He was worried about meeting people outside Bi-eun Palace and being gossiped about, and he didn’t want to run into other concubines. After the incident at Tanyeongdang, Yang Sowon had sent him two more messages, but Yi-seol refused on the pretext of not feeling well. It wasn’t a lie; since that day, Yi-seol had been taking the herbal medicine Ki-yeon bought from outside the palace.

The library is very large. There are many books, too, Lady Ju had added. Yi-seol hesitated, unable to turn the page of the book he was holding. The complete volumes of the Yeonsaeng Herbology and Gosadok Herbology written by the famous physician Gatak-hee of the Chuhong era are also available. They are said to be the original manuscripts.

As soon as she finished, Yi-seol closed the book he was about to read without regret. Straightening his clothes, he asked, “So, where is the library?”

Hwahong guided Yi-seol to the library in place of the busy Lady Ju, and Ki-yeon followed behind. Knowing that the fiery-tempered Hwahong had already quarreled with Ki-yeon several times, Yi-seol struggled to keep the conversation going between the two as they walked.

The palace library was so vast that even Ki-yeon, who had no interest in books, was astonished. As Yi-seol hesitated, wanting to see every volume, the administrator appeared and asked with a puzzled face why, if there were so many books he wanted to read, he didn’t just take them. Delighted, Yi-seol gathered an armful of books.

“The deadline is exactly two days. Do you intend to read all these in that time?”

“If possible, I’ll bring them back even before dinner tomorrow.”

The administrator seemed doubtful but did not argue. After noting the titles Yi-seol had taken, he handed him a long rolled piece of paper. Bring this certificate when you return the books. Yi-seol nodded in acknowledgment and left.

“Are you that happy?” Ki-yeon asked.

“Of course I am. I never thought I’d be able to read the books written by Gatak-hee. And to have the original copies!”

“But you borrowed too many. Are you going to stay up all night again, only staring at books?”

“I’ll sleep and not skip meals, so don’t say anything unnecessary to Lady Ju. You too, Hwahong, understand?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

His steps were light as he carried two books in his arms. The remaining books were carried by Ki-yeon and Hwahong. On the way back, some court ladies whispered upon seeing Yi-seol, and when their eyes met, they left without greeting, but it didn’t hurt his feelings. Only Hwahong glared and burst out in anger, saying, “Those wretches dare!”

Before entering his palace, Yi-seol looked at the wall and smiled. The leaves of the trumpet creeper were growing greener. It seemed like a good omen, and his mood improved.

Ki-yeon opened the door and entered first, and Yi-seol was about to follow. But then, Danhyang rushed out in her socks, not even wearing shoes. Hwahong was about to shout, but then she discovered something and covered her mouth. The books she was holding clattered to the floor.

“Your Highness! My Lord! His Majesty is inside right now…!”

Even without Danhyang’s fuss, Yi-seol knew. The view of the front yard of his palace was not what it usually was. He had never seen so many palace servants standing in this quiet place. He also saw them stepping on the spots where seeds were planted, but that wasn’t the important thing. Yi-seol hurriedly followed Danhyang into the palace.