Chapter 6: The Fierce World of Flowers (2)

Despite Shin Bin's attack, Lady Yang remained unperturbed.

"Wasn't I supposed to oversee the Inner Court while Her Majesty was at the hot springs? If Lady Shin Bin could read and sign documents on my behalf, I could have protected our young master."

"......!"

Now, even the ridicule of her illiteracy.

As Shin Bin found herself being pushed into an even more disadvantageous position, her face began to flush.

Her pale face, now flushed, made her look even more youthful and innocent.

Beauty is beauty, no matter what.

"Lady, Her Majesty awaits you. Please go."

Shin Bin's chief lady-in-waiting, realizing that further argument would only worsen the situation, stepped forward.

Shin Bin glared fiercely at Lady Yang, then swirled her beautiful skirt and headed towards the Jotejeon.

Shin Bin's ladies-in-waiting and attendants glared at Lady Yang's entourage and followed their mistress.

"Let's go. How much Her Majesty must have missed the heir."

Lady Yang, as if making sure Shin Bin could hear, loudly gave the order and gracefully walked away.

Yunseo noticed the small fingers clutching the white fabric of her jeogori, knuckles white from the tight grip.

'This was already happening.'

In the palace, the most powerful concubines were already fiercely competing for their sons.

And a child not yet two years old was witnessing and hearing the harsh language and sharp atmosphere of this ruthless struggle.

The limbic system, often referred to as the "reptilian brain," develops rapidly in the first two years of life.

During this period, a child perceives the world as either a joyful or a fearful place through the limbic system, which is known as the "emotional brain." This perception determines the child's temperament as neurons form rapidly.

A child who feels safe and loved develops neurons that promote exploration, play, and cooperation, while a child who feels rejected and anxious develops neurons that manage fear and threats, leading to a passive and avoidant temperament.

What kind of world did Hongwei see?

Even without a mother, this poor child, who should have been the future of the nation, should have been showered with love and only seen and heard good things.

'Growing up in such a harsh environment, no wonder he was overpowered by Prince Suyang despite his outstanding qualities. Hongwei couldn't even eat properly or stop feeling nauseous in front of Prince Suyang, all because of this dog-like upbringing.'

Yunseo felt intense animosity towards Shin Bin and Lady Yang, who had engaged in fierce battles in front of the young child.

Towards Queen Soheon, who failed to control the situation properly.

And most of all, towards Crown Prince Lee Hyang, who left his young son in the care of a concubine.

"Little Master!"

That's why.

Yunseo impulsively whispered in the heir's ear.

"I will protect you. I will protect you, Little Master. So don't be afraid of anything, and don't be scared of anything."

I will protect you, Little Master!

So, Hongwei, trust me.

Trust me.

To the passionate whisper, the three-year-old heir, the future king with a tragic destiny, replied with just one word.

"Tickles."

(Tickles.)

"......"

Yunseo held the child, who was rubbing his ear, even tighter and headed towards the Jotejeon.

The courtyard of the Jotejeon was filled with beautifully dressed royal women, chief ladies-in-waiting, attendants, and eunuchs.

They were all there to greet the king and queen, who had returned to the palace after two months.

When Shin Bin, Lady Yang, and the heir appeared, everyone quickly made way and bowed.

This was the space where the revered queen resided, a place where formal etiquette was strictly observed.

The heir, who would one day be the supreme ruler, and even the first-rank Shin Bin, stopped and stepped aside, bowing deeply to the heir.

"Little Master, you need to walk."

Lady Yang, bowing to the heir, said.

And with a pained heart, she quickly told Yunseo, "You lead the way, holding the heir's hand."

Lady Yang was very disappointed.

'I should have been the one to hold the heir's hand and receive the greetings of all the concubines.'

Even Shin Bin was bowing.

Yunseo bent her knees and set the heir down.

Then, she knelt to the heir's eye level and quietly said,

"Little Master, take my hand."

"Okay, let's go. That lady."

The heir took Yunseo's hand and straightened his back.

Yunseo also straightened her posture and slowly walked through the bowed figures.

Shin Bin, with her chin slightly raised, followed the heir with an elegant gait.

Lady Yang, nodding slightly to the bowing concubines and attendants, slowly followed Shin Bin towards the central hall.

As Yunseo climbed the stairs to take off the heir's shoes,

"The Crown Prince has arrived."

A thin voice of a eunuch announced, and the doors of the Jotejeon opened.

A tall man in a red dragon robe appeared through the open doors.

"The Crown Prince has arrived!"

Everyone in the courtyard and on the stairs bowed deeply.

Yunseo, still holding the heir, also bowed.

Shin Bin and Lady Yang, standing behind Yunseo, also bowed deeply.

"Crown Prince, you must have had a long and tiring journey."

The Crown Prince had returned late last night after visiting the tomb of Taejong and Queen Wonkyung, which was why the two concubines who had gone to greet him had not seen him.

"Have you been well? You both must have worked hard managing the palace affairs in my absence."

His voice, unlike the harsh tone he used with Yunseo a few days ago, was soft yet authoritative.

"Father!"

The heir, with his short legs, ran to his father.

"Hongwei."

The Crown Prince, who had been watching the heir out of the corner of his eye since he appeared, walked over and picked up the heir.

Lifting the child into the air and catching him, Lee Hyang said,

"I arrived late last night. I wanted to see you, but you were asleep."

"Yes, Father."

Hongwei, excited, laughed and kicked his feet.

"Our heir has missed you very much. He is so clever; when he heard you were returning, he looked south all day long, waiting for you."

Lady Yang stepped forward, praising the heir while subtly highlighting her efforts in raising him.

'But, Hongwei spent the whole day happily playing fishing games and coloring with the paints I brought from the painting office.'

Yunseo, keeping her head bowed, silently contradicted Lady Yang's flattery.

"Kwanga."

Lee Hyang called Yunseo.

Instantly, all the women, who were still bowing, perked up their ears, turning their attention to the Crown Prince and Yunseo.

"You have been taking good care of Hongwei."

His tone was meaningful.

While others might interpret it as praise, Yunseo understood it as a hidden demand for an explanation about the rings.

"Your Highness, I am unworthy."

Yunseo bowed so deeply that her nose touched the floor.

"What unworthiness? I mean, take better care of him."

The Crown Prince, speaking with a slight sneer, walked over and handed Hongwei to Yunseo, adding,

"I will call you soon!"

There were gasps from all around.

They didn't realize that he was calling her to question the rings.

Especially the Crown Prince's concubines were shocked.

'He said women lack the depth of knowledge and are not worth dealing with, and he treats even the most beautiful concubines like cows. Why, why, why is he showing interest in a tall, plain lady-in-waiting?'

Silent outrage swept through the courtyard.

But Yunseo still held onto the anger she felt earlier.

Take better care of your son, don't let him be treated like a mistreated dog.

"Crown Prince."

So, Yunseo, holding the heir, called out to Lee Hyang.

"......Yes."

Surprised that a mere lady-in-waiting would dare to call him, Lee Hyang responded a beat late.

"I have something urgent to discuss with Your Highness."

"......?"

"......?"

"......!!"

Silence fell again.

This time, everyone raised their heads to look at Yunseo.

"I request a private audience. Please grant me some time."

"!"

A private audience.

While he had planned to call her soon to question the rings, he had not expected her to request a private audience.

For a moment, Lee Hyang looked at Yunseo with a puzzled expression, as if thinking, 'What is this nonsense?'

Then, whispers began to spread in the courtyard.

"What does she think she is, to request a private audience with our Crown Prince?"

"Tsk, just because she got a few bows from the heir, she thinks she's someone."

"She's trying to seduce the Crown Prince using the heir as an excuse. But our Crown Prince would never allow it."

The whispers were loud enough to be heard.

But Yunseo, standing straight, continued to look directly into the Crown Prince's eyes.

What is there to be intimidated by? I am a knowledgeable lady-in-waiting, and you are a negligent father.

"......I will send Eunuch Eom soon."

Reading the determination in her eyes, Lee Hyang quickly answered and stood up.

Ignoring the shock and disbelief, he hurriedly left with a group of eunuchs.

Yunseo stood with Hongwei's hand in hers, in front of the door where the Crown Prince had just emerged.

Inside, another wide veranda appeared.

Following the eunuch, they entered a room where the king and queen were receiving visitors, guarded by eunuchs and chief ladies-in-waiting.

"Your Majesty, the heir, Lady Shin Bin, and Lady Yang are here."

"Let them enter!"

A commanding voice came from inside.

'Finally, I will meet King Sejong.'

Yunseo, calming her racing heart, entered with Hongwei's hand.

Shin Bin and Lady Yang followed.

"Go forward and greet the queen, Little Master."

Whispering to the heir, Yunseo bowed at the door.

A mere lady-in-waiting had no place to raise her head.

"Oh, our heir has come. Come here, come here, to this old woman."

From the far end, the queen, seated on a luxurious cushion, called out to the heir.

But the heir did not move from Yunseo's side.

"Come, go to the queen, Little Master."

Yunseo turned her head slightly to urge the heir.

But today, the three-year-old did not want to leave Yunseo's side.