Downpour (5)

Wings that flowed like fluid, continuous, and controlled smooth movements were made without any pauses while she performed a melancholic melody.

However, because of the atmosphere that the played melody was giving, only several of the concubines were savoring their meals. The sadness and grief; as they listened to the song, it caused them to worry if the court lady was yearning for someone who perished.

"Ran," a vexing voice from the grand concubine prevailed upon the melody, contrasted to the beaming expression painted on her face. "The ladies cannot enjoy their meals. What kind of piece are you playing?"

The court lady stopped from plucking and immediately responded, "I'm sorry, Your Highness. I will change it right away."

Trailing her fingers on the strings and with her arms fluttering slow wing beats, she altered the melody she was playing a minute ago. Bouncing chords and tunes opposed, recoiled the mood from the song of grief, producing rather a cheerful atmosphere to the common room.

"Brushing that aside, I just noticed that Concubine Yu is wearing such a beautiful dress. Where did you get such fabric?"

"Ah, yes, this is a product from my father's farm, Grand Concubine Jin." The concubine instantly gave a smile when she heard her name mentioned, lifting the wide sleeves on her clothes to display the material specified. "Does Her Highness want to receive one? I can ask my father to deliver you the same fabric."

"Really? That's very much kind of you, Concubine Yu."

The senseless concubine brightened from the attention she was receiving, grinning like a fool, causing the others who were listening to feel jealous.

In the harem, acquiring the attention of the king was similar to distinguishing a woman's class and power. Grand Concubine Jin, as someone who was favored by the king, the concubines acknowledged, admired, and adored her ever since she managed to succeed the Cheon Han residence.

"Your Highness, my father produces the softest cotton in the land," one stated.

"Grand Concubine Jin, we have a farm that harvests beautiful pearls," followed the other.

The low-rankers of the harem started claiming and boasting their clan's farms and productions like insects; they started their leeching and thronging to their monarch.

"Oh, that's amazing." The grand concubine brought her hand on her lips, seemingly hiding her sneer then pronounced, "But I am curious about the Du Clan and what they can offer. Will you tell me this, Concubine Eun?"

Grasping the wooden spoon to give himself a taste of the food sitting on his table, Sungho felt his brows flinched from the statement; badly wanted to create an audible wince from what he just heard.

"No, wait," she responded in a sham. "Foolish me! I forgot that the clan is dead. Of course, they can't produce anything at all." She created a sharp gasp before drawing a hand to her jaw hanging loosely.

As Sungho was eating his meal, he shrugged and remained listening upon the ruckus she was digging, trying his best to disregard her comments.

However, the audience knew that the mockery would not just end there. "Concubine Yu, donate the silk you're planning to give me to Concubine Eun," the grand concubine continued, "Not only Concubine Yu. Ladies, donate the ones you are planning to deliver to me. I am worried that she needs it more than me."

The concubines who were throwing themselves to the grand concubine became silent, leaving the joyous melody solely playing in the background. No one wanted to neither oppose nor be part of her scene.

'Still, being quiet is yet the same as becoming a part of her fuss.' Sungho lowered the wooden spoon in his hand, seeming as if he lost his appetite to eat his supper.

"I think she's just as dazzling as we are," sprang the familiar feminine voice by his side. "Although Concubine Eun wears such plain-looking clothes, she still managed to look pretty and blend in among us who groomed ourselves with great efforts."

This appeared as if someone was defending Sungho from the remarks of the grand concubine. "What do you think, Your Highnesses?" she resumed bringing the question to everyone.

"Don't you agree with me?" she echoed before throwing a soft smile to the grand concubine and bringing a hand to Sungho's shoulder.

He looked at the woman beside him with his eyes darted open. Sungho was astounded by hearing the same woman who was concerned with him during the banquet and was currently supporting him from the pinning he was taking.

"... Now that you put it that way, I do believe you are right, Concubine Gi," was the response from the grand concubine, her voice seemingly displeased but she then just bobbed her head, which indicated she concluded the ruckus she started.