Chapter 3: Palace Gambits
As tensions mount within the palace walls, a shadow of uncertainty looms over the fate of the Grand Princes. The echoes of previous threats between Prince Uiseong and Grand Prince Seongnam reverberate, setting the stage for a clash that could reshape the kingdom's future.
Chief Royal Secretary Min Seung-yun's warning to Queen Im Hwa-ryeong intensifies the urgency. The Grand Princes, lacking not talent but drive, face the peril of being declared delinquents and expelled from Jonghak with a few more absences. The weight of responsibility rests heavily on the shoulders of Queen Im Hwa-ryeong as she navigates the precarious path to secure a promising future for her sons.
Surprisingly, the Grand Princes apply to join the cohort selection, introducing a twist that catches Queen Im Hwa-ryeong off guard. Grand Prince Seongnam's decision to participate, spurred by a reminder of their shared childhood and the Crown Prince's trust, adds an unexpected layer to the unfolding drama.
Behind the scenes, Consort Hwang's connivance with Chief State Councilor Hwang Won-hyeong and his allies introduces an element of deceit. The questions leaked to Prince Uiseong during the cohort selection further complicate the already intricate web of palace politics.
Senior royal consorts spare no expense, hiring top Confucian scholars and academic tutors to groom their sons for the impending challenges. In contrast, Queen Im Hwa-ryeong immerses herself in the study of Jonghak's books, meticulously noting potential questions in her quest to prepare the Grand Princes.
A revelation from Royal Physician Kwon adds a layer of mystery surrounding the late Crown Prince Taein's treatment. The records lost in a fire, coupled with the absence or demise of the treating physicians, casts a veil of uncertainty over the circumstances surrounding Taein's health.
As Queen Im Hwa-ryeong pressures the Grand Princes to excel in their studies, a delicate promise emerges—marriage in exchange for scholarly dedication. Grand Prince Seongnam protests, wary of false hopes, but Queen Im Hwa-ryeong reassures him, grounded in her deep desire to protect the heirs to the throne.
Intriguingly, Consort Ko's discovery of Grand Prince Gyeseong's visits to a secluded part of the palace grounds sparks curiosity. Suspecting secret tutoring arranged by Queen Im Hwa-ryeong, Consort Ko follows him into a ramshackle building, only to be met with a shocking sight—Grand Prince Gyeseong adorned in full makeup.
The ramshackle building's secrets cast Consort Ko into a whirlwind of shock and confusion. Staggering out, she smirks and swiftly heads to the Queen Dowager, setting the stage for a strategic alliance that could alter the power dynamics within the palace.
As Queen Im Hwa-ryeong hovers over the ailing Crown Prince, she is handed a journal by his eunuch, chronicling the past year of his life. Court Lady Shin, upon arriving, is greeted with palace-wide rumors of the Crown Prince's grave illness. In response, she promptly cancels all his appointments for the day, shielding him from the prying eyes of the court.
The first stage of the cohort selection unfolds with three rigorous exams—arithmetic, composition, and an unusual topic posed by King Lee Ho himself. Those who emerge with top scores will progress to the second stage, intensifying the competition among the Grand Princes and princes.
At the ramshackle building, the Queen Dowager inspects Grand Prince Gyeseong's use of makeup and women's clothing with evident disgust, setting the stage for potential scandal and upheaval.
As King Lee Ho and Sigangwon royal tutors discuss the selection results, Queen Im Hwa-ryeong arrives, introducing a bold proposition in front of Chief State Councilor Hwang Won-hyeong and his allies. She requests that the Crown Prince be granted leave from his studies to visit the Onyang hot springs, citing a pressing need to address his worsening skin condition.
In the midst of strategizing for the second stage of the selection, Consort Hwang reveals her intention to closely monitor Queen Im Hwa-ryeong's quarters, adding another layer of surveillance to the already tense atmosphere.
Betrayal rears its head as someone divulges Queen Im Hwa-ryeong's actions with the Crown Prince, prompting the Queen Dowager to take matters into her own hands. The revelation about Grand Prince Gyeseong further complicates the intricate web of deceit, leaving the palace on the brink of a revelation that could shatter alliances and reshape the fate of its occupants.