Page 8 : The Palace Elders
"I can't wait any longer than this, My Queen. You must know what I mean."
Royal Queen Dowager Park put down the book she was reading. Her attention is now fully focused on Queen Heo, who sits in front of her with head down. For a brief moment, Royal Queen Dowager Park's old eyes were fixed on the young lady in front of her.
As Royal Queen Dowager Park admits, Queen Heo has gentle facial features. Smart, graceful, and well educated in ethics. All of these things belonged to Heo Jung Eun, making the young woman more than qualified to sit on the throne of Joseon. It's just that there's something stuck in Royal Queen Dowager Park's heart about Heo Jung Eun. It was a fact that the young woman sitting on his throne was not someone he absolutely wanted.
"Exactly when will you provide offspring for this country, Queen? How much longer do I and this country have to wait for the first prince born from you?"
Royal Queen Dowager Park's tone sounded cold and cynical, making Queen Heo slightly surprised. Slowly, Queen Heo raised her face and found Royal Queen Dowager Park's old eyes giving her a sharp glare.
"Your Highness, I realize that I am still a proper queen of this country. I'm confident that I can give an heir to this country. I beg you not to worry anymore, Your Highness."
The old woman was dissatisfied with the answer Queen Heo gave. His eyes flashed coldly back at Queen Heo.
"I can't wait any longer. I suggest that you quickly appoint a concubine. You should be aware, right? His Majesty has never glanced at you as his woman," Royal Queen Dowager Park replied in a scathing tone. Her arthritic hand reached for the teacup filled with lotus flower tea. Her face was so calm, as if she didn't think that his words had just hurt Queen Heo's heart.
"Your Highness, what you're saying is a little outrageous. Containing an heir to the throne is not something we can calculate. Queen Heo is still so young. I'm sure The Queen can carry out her duties properly. I think the number of concubines appointed is more than enough, Your Highness."
Queen Dowager Min, who had been silent until now, started to speak up. She felt that Royal Queen Dowager's Park's words had gone too far. Her gaze was now focused on Royal Queen Dowager Park.
"Then can you give me a definite answer as to when exactly the Queen will conceive an heir to the throne, Queen Dowager?"
Royal Queen Dowager Park looked at Queen Dowager Min with a gaze that was no less sharp. The corners of Royal Queen Dowager Park's lips lifted into a sinister smile. Everyone in the palace knows that these two palace elders are always involved in a cold war. The two never missed an opportunity to argue during any of their meetings.Both of them were palace women who were very ambitious. Fighting shows who has the most power in the palace.
A smile appeared on Queen Dowager Min's face. Her eyes showed sincerity. Queen Dowager Min gave Royal Queen Dowager Park a challenging sight. The woman was undaunted, even though the old woman before her was the most senior member of the royal family. Queen Dowager Min doesn't hesitate to show her fangs when she feels it's necessary.
"You need not worry, Your Highness. I've had a few good days for His Majesty and the Queen. I'm sure your wish will soon be fulfilled," she replied with the sweetest smile.
The smile on Royal Queen Dowager Park's face faded as she heard the answer Queen Dowager Min gave her. Her hand grabbed the pot of lotus tea and poured it into her teacup. Royal Queen Dowager Park sipped her tea quickly.It was obvious that the old lady was dissatisfied with the reply Queen Dowager Min had given her.
" The sun was already starting to appear in the sky. I'm sure you two must have other activities. My Queen, especially you. The palace maids await your orders today."
...
"That old woman. She thinks I don't know why she suddenly ordered you to appoint a concubine."
The Queen Dowager Min shed his frustration as soon as he and Queen Heo stepped out of the Royal Queen Dowager Park's residence area. An annoyed expression appeared on Queen Dowager Min's face. Today's morning greetings have apparently put Queen Dowager Min in a bad mood.
Queen Heo, who stepped beside her, was silently hearing Queen Dowager Min's grunts regarding Royal Queen Dowager Park's request to her. It was nothing new for Queen Heo to hear the cold debates between the two palace elders. Queen Heo had often seen the two old women having a cold war. Nonetheless, this is the first time Queen Heo has entered the discussion.
"I'm pretty sure. The old woman was looking for a way to take power in the court palace. Did she think I'd just shut up? Hah! I will not allow that old woman to reclaim power."
Queen Dowager Min was still letting out her grunts. Meanwhile, Queen Heo was still listening without making any comment to her mother-in-law. Deep inside, Queen Heo was aware that what Royal Queen Dowager Park had told her was indeed true. Even though King Uiyang promised that she could occupy the throne as Queen of Joseon, the man did not say that Queen Heo could be in his heart.
Instantly, the words made Queen Heo aware of reality again. The fact that in the past few weeks, King Uiyang had not once visited her residence King Uiyang no longer came to spend the night or just drink tea with her. All this happened just a few weeks ago, when Queen Heo caught her husband hugging a beautiful girl. Queen Heo realizes the girl who owns her husband Hong Kyu Bok's heart. The girl has returned.
"Remember what I said. From now on, you must be careful in your actions. Moreover, I received news that Your Highness' favorite girl, Hong Kyu Bok, has returned to Joseon. No one knows what the old woman was thinking. But, I'm sure, that old lady behind her must be up to something. Do you understand, My Queen?"