In the Palace- Part 2

Yoon Shik asked Sunwo about Do Yeong who told him even he did not see him. They both were looking around when Dong Hyun- the village headman came there and told Yoon Shik that he and Dae Jung would be at the raising platform which was surrounded by the three directions of the open ground. Yoon Shik nodded.

On the ground, the royal guards started telling the candidates to start taking the seats as per their ranks. "Yoon Shik, I am at 5th place," said Sunwo with a smile and went to the 5th number seat. Yoon Shik found that on the ground, seating arrangements were made. The seats were like a tiny cushion on which you have to seat and beside you, there was a tiny wooden table on which porcelain three cups were placed.

Sunwo gestured to Yoon Shik to sit and he did so. A smile escaped his mouth as he sat on the cushion. "It is so comfortable," Yoon Shik murmured and looked at the tiny table which was placed on the left side of him. A figure walked past him and the entire air was filled with a unique scent.

Yoo Shik raised his head to look at the person. The person was wearing, ocean green colored robes with blue strips on them. He sat at the seat on which number 1 was imprinted.

Sunwo was also observing him as he never saw that noble person in the city. This was his first time seeing him. "So, this is Lee Eunshi? Who could be this mysterious man?" wondered Park Sunwo. Lee Eunshi was looking straight at the throne of the king which was placed at a high platform and several stairs one had to climb to reach there.

"Where is Do Yeong? Why is he not here till yet?" murmured Yoon, looking around when his eyes fell on a man whom he encountered on the day when a crumbled answer sheet was found near him and that person told the invigilators not to assume things beforehand.

The person smiled at Yoon Shik which wondered him because he never expected such a thing from a Yangban. He passed him back a tiny smile when Do Yeong came there and stood before Yoon.

"You are looking good. I think girls are going to fall for you today," said Do Yeong with a smile. Upon hearing him, Yoon laughed when he saw all the people there were looking at him. Do Yeong went towards his seat and saw Lee Eunshi while Yoon stopped laughing.

For while chaos was there but once the announcement was made that the great majesty of Joseon was coming, everyone stopped. Yoon was nervous and at the same time excited because this was his first time seeing the nation's king. The nobles of the court were already standing on either side of the throne.

"What a strange feeling is this!" Yoon Shik wondered, seeing all those nobles some in red robes while others were in blue robes. He smiled and then lowered his eyes as the great king of Joseon was going to show himself. Sung Tae who was sitting beside Yoon glanced at him and found he had bowed his head.

"What I have to do that he will bow willingly before me?" thought Sung Tae.

"Everyone, show the grace to his majesty by giving formal greetings," this announcement was heard. Everyone bowed their heads and bestowed their greetings to the king.

"Rise," a loud clear voice was heard. Everyone did so but their eyes were still lowered. The king got seated on the throne, so were the other Court nobles or ministers.

"This year in the civil services exam I got to find you, talented people. The most impressive thing that has ever happened is that a Sangmin has passed this exam. The level of the exam is set at such a level that it is impossible to crack it unless you have the proper guidance for the exam. But I am proved wrong. Not only had this he scored the second-highest mark in this exam. Mostly nobility could make it through the exam and now these all selected candidates will be put into Sungkyunkwan where they will true art to be a scholar in a particular field," asserted the king.

"Minister Han Gyeol," called the king softly, looking at the nation's prime minister who got up from his seat, tilted his head towards his majesty, and bowed slightly. "Jeonha, please this way," said Prime Minister Han Gyeol.

The king got up from the throne and walked down the stairs. The other ministers stood up as the king was not on the throne. The palace maids came with decorated boards in their hands-on which had some scrolls over them. The king got down the stairs and started with Do Yeong. His majesty picked the scroll and read the message written on it.

"Park Do Yeong, the son of Park Jangeum has bestowed the rank of an important court minister when he will complete his study in Sungkyunkwan," the king read. He then rolled the scroll up and handed it to Do Yeong who was on his knees with a bowed head.

"Long Live, Jeonha," said Do Yeong before accepting the scroll from him. The king smiled and then moved forward to Lee Eunshi- the prince whose identity was hidden. While reading the message the king did not mention what title Lee Eunshi was bestowed upon.

Now, it was Yoon Shik's turn, was nervous. The king smiled looking at Yoon Shik whose head was almost touching the ground, as he was giving the king formal greetings. "Yoon Shik, the man who surprised everyone. You will be given the Ministry of Rites when you will be out of Sungkyunkwan," stated the king.

Yoon Shik did not expect this because he wanted to be in the Ministry of justice. Yoon Shik slightly raised his head but then lowered his eyes and said, "May I ask something from his majesty?"

Everyone looked at him because he was questioning the decision of the king. "You may ask," the king permitted him. Do Yeong was looking at him, panicking.

Yoon Shik gulped and spoke. "Jeonha, I am privileged to get this title but can I change the departments later?" Yoon Shik asked. The ministers there started whispering as no one wanted a Sangmin (low class) to get into a department that could make his path towards nobility. The king looked at the prime minister and then looked back at him.

"Are you trying to question his majesty decision?" Park Jangeum spoke among all the ministers from that high raising platform. Do Yeong was expecting this only and he slightly raised his eyes to look at his father.

Yoon Shik bowed down and said, "Jeonha, forgive me. I do not dare to question his majesty's decision."

"Idiot," murmured Sung Tae upon hearing the words of Yoon Shik.

"Yoon Shik, this is the best department that I could bestow you. Changing the department is tough but not impossible. I would like to see if you have that ability too," asserted the king.

"Jeonha, I am grateful for this thing. Long Live, Jeonha," said Yoon Shik and grabbed the scroll from the king's hand. Only the top three ranks have bestowed the ranks earlier. Sung Tae has bestowed a rank in the Ministry of Personnel, the strongest ministry of Joseon. Rest were given congratulatory scrolls for qualifying for the exam.

The king returned to his throne followed by the prime minister and his personal eunuch Kwan. "Serve them the drinks for the future of Joseon," ordered the king. Again the palace maids came and served the drinks on the cups which were placed on the tiny tables. Three drinks were to be drunk to show loyalty towards the kingdom.

The king started with the first drink. "The first drink is for the nation's prosperity which all the government officials will help in bringing," announced, eunuch Kwan. All the candidates took their first drink. The second drink was for the loyalty towards the king and the third drink was for the dedication they will show for their positions.

The head of Sungkyunkwan came forward and told the students to reach Sungkyunkwan before the evening. Yoon Shik looked at him. "So, he is head of the academy. Why does it seem I have seen him earlier too?" thought Yoon Shik. The event was ended. The king left the ground, followed by the court ministers.