YCHW Ch 81

Not long after, the physician quietly stepped into the bedchamber. Her hair was disheveled, as if Huije had run here while carrying her.

“Can you take the Emperor’s pulse?”

“What symptoms did he have, Your Majesty?”

“It’s not that… I want to check if he is sleeping.”

The physician was silent for a moment, then approached and took Hwi’s pulse. She took his pulse for quite a long time, then carefully examined his face before stepping back.

“It seems His Majesty is in the middle of a daytime nap, Your Majesty.”

“…I see. Has there ever been a precedent of putting a Yongrin to sleep with the power of a guardian star?”

“I have never heard of such a case, Your Majesty. However, since the Empress’s power is so outstanding, I believe it would not be impossible.”

“It won’t be harmful to his royal person, will it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. He is simply sleeping soundly, so please do not worry.”

Only after hearing her confirmation could I finally feel at ease. Yoonso dismissed the physician and lay down comfortably beside Hwi. She watched Hwi’s face, which was in a deep sleep, with wonder, then raised her own hand and wiggled her fingertips.

To be able to give the gift of sleep to Hwi, who had been suffering from insomnia all this time—what a marvelous ability this was. It felt as though she could purely love the power that resided within her. Yoonso let out a faint smile filled with a mix of emotions and snuggled into Hwi’s embrace.

𓇢𓆸

“The Queen Mother dislikes a busy and loud atmosphere, so it would be best to keep that in mind as you prepare.”

“Thank you.”

“She is not a difficult person, so please do not worry too much.”

The Queen Mother’s birthday was approaching. Usually, the Empress would take the lead in preparing the banquet, and although the people of lower rank would handle the actual work, there were more than a few things to be mindful of. Because her relationship with the Queen Mother was awkward, she wanted to do an even better job.

Still, after hearing Hyunbi and Seongbin’s advice, her worries subsided. Furthermore, she didn’t know if she was the only one who felt this way, but the distance between them had become much closer, and she enjoyed the time they spent together.

“Do you all enjoy archery?”

“Among us, I am the only one who enjoys it.”

“In that case, we should have a wager sometime. I was just feeling lonely without a rival to compete against.”

“If I could shoot arrows with Your Majesty, it would be my honor.”

After promising a future match with Hyunbi, for some reason, she felt reassured. If she had her way, she would have liked to talk about this and that, but when she reminded herself that she was their superior, it wasn’t so easy to do so.

She was about to dismiss them and finish her remaining tea when Yi Sowon lingered without leaving. Yoonso looked back at Yi Sowon and asked.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

“…Hmph. Your Majesty has never been to the Suwol Pavilion, have you?”

At the curt question, Yoonso hesitated for a moment, wondering if he intended to be prickly just because she had never visited the pavilion where the banquet was to be held, before answering.

“That is so.”

“Then I suppose you also wouldn’t know how to decorate it to best suit the place.”

Decorating, for the most part, was just a matter of placing folding screens, flowers, and crafts in the right spots, and even that was handled by the Ministry of Rites in accordance with precedent, so it was difficult to grasp Yi Sowon’s intentions. As she gazed at Yi Sowon, waiting for him to continue, he lifted his face, which looked somewhat impudent, and took out a rolled-up piece of drawing paper from his sleeve.

“I thought as much, so I have come to offer my assistance.”

Yoonso looked back and forth between Yi Sowon and the drawing paper, then untied the string and unrolled the paper. Inside was a drawing of the pavilion’s interior. Pale purple wisteria flowers hung in clusters along the pavilion’s crossbeams, their colors exceedingly beautiful. Moreover, it was so realistic and elegant, as if a real landscape had been transferred onto the paper.

Yoonso’s eyes widened as she scanned every corner of the drawing. The meticulousness that did not miss a single trivial detail, the excellence of the color selection, and on top of that, the finishing touch was the atmosphere. The ambiance that subtly evoked a certain mood was something not just anyone could create, making her think that the skill of a palace painter was indeed different.

“Who drew this picture?”

“Who else but me?”

“Yi Sowon, you drew this?”

So surprised that she lifted her head and raised her voice, Yi Sowon affirmed with a slight frown.

It was hard to believe that a young man of only sixteen had completed such a magnificent work. To think such an outstanding painter was hidden here—was he not truly a master in seclusion?

“Did you learn painting separately?”

“Can one say they are learning what is merely a refinement one ought to possess?”

“If that is the case, it is truly excellent. A painting like this, so realistic yet imbued with the artist’s individuality, is rare. It is also exceedingly beautiful. Do you paint often?”

“…I merely pick up a brush from time to time.”

Yi Sowon’s voice grew quieter. It was so clear that his cheeks were faintly flushing that Yoonso bit back a smile.

“How about creating a collection of your paintings? If you present it before an audience, those with an aesthetic eye will be desperate to possess it.”

“Are you telling me to do such a vulgar thing?”

“A vulgar… thing? What is vulgar about it?”

“Painting is merely a refinement one must have as a member of the inner court. To make a living from it is something only commoners would do.”

Her lips twitched, wanting to retort, but Yoonso swallowed the words that had collected on the tip of her tongue. If she wanted her relationship with Yi Sowon not to worsen, it would be better not to even start an argument.

“If that is how Yi Sowon feels. In any case, are you giving this drawing to me?”

“What are you saying? I said I was offering my assistance.”

“What assistance…?”

“Rather than simply placing flower vases or decorating with artificial flowers, wouldn’t it be far more beautiful to use the pavilion like this to create a harmonious whole? The Ministry of Rites lazily follows only precedent, so it seems it would be better for Your Majesty to take the lead.”

If they were to adorn the pavilion according to Yi Sowon’s suggestion, not only would the scenery become exceptionally graceful, but it seemed she could also use the decorations as a topic of conversation to break the ice and gently guide the atmosphere. Yoonso nodded and pulled the drawing paper closer to her side.

“Thank you. I will be sure to refer to your advice, Yi Sowon.”

“If something is given, something must be received.”

He was certainly not an easy character. Still, the fact that he was so direct about what he wanted was, on the contrary, more comfortable. Yoonso asked with a generous expression.

“What is it?”

“You must clearly state that the credit for this belongs to me.”

Even he seemed embarrassed by this remark, as Yi Sowon averted his gaze as if feigning indifference. To hold back the smile that was about to escape, Yoonso took a sip of tea and swallowed it slowly.

It wasn’t a huge favor, just giving credit where it was due, which was something she ought to do as a matter of course, even if Yi Sowon hadn’t asked.

“I understand. I will be sure to do so.”

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

He rose from his seat, gave a simple bow, and turned away. Yoonso fixed her gaze back on the drawing and let out a sound of admiration.

“Your Majesty. Are you truly going to let Yi Sowon’s arrogance be?”

Court Lady Jo approached and spoke in a worried voice.

“Did I not say it before? It is better for one’s outside and inside to be the same. If Yi Sowon were to become polite, I would have to guess his inner thoughts, and that would be tiring.”

Court Lady Jo’s face clouded over, as if she were recalling the incident with Wan. She said no more words of advice and stepped back.

Yoonso appreciated the drawing as if savoring a fine work, sighing at what a shame it was that Yi Sowon was letting his talent go to waste. If they decorated the pavilion based on this work, a truly elegant scene would surely be completed. She grew excited just thinking about it, and a smile touched her lips.

“Your Majesty, a letter has arrived from the Great Hall.”

“A letter?”

With a bewildered expression, Yoonso accepted the bamboo tube that Court Lady Jo handed her. If it was from the Great Hall, it meant Hwi had sent it, and she was curious why he had sent a letter instead of sending a person to deliver a message.

She took out the scroll, which was tied neatly with a string, from the bamboo tube and unrolled it. Seeing the handwriting, which was uninhibited yet neat, a smile naturally spread across her lips.

「Would you like to go on an outing tonight? If you wish, come find me at suljeong.」

It was a short letter. Yoonso fiddled with Hwi’s name written at the end. It was nothing special, yet her heart fluttered, and she felt she understood why Hwi had sent a letter.

By the way, an outing? What could that mean? Yoonso placed the letter back in the bamboo tube, stored it in a mother-of-pearl box, and rose.

“It is almost suljeong, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I must go to the Great Hall.”

Her steps were light as she left the palace. As the hot sunlight vanished, a cool breeze tickled her cheeks, and the twilight that had swallowed the red afterglow lay heavily upon the eaves of the royal pavilions. Yoonso stopped for a moment to take in the early summer night of the imperial palace, then began walking again.

She was simply on her way to see Hwi, yet her heart was fluttering like this—it was truly undignified. But she liked that she could fully savor and express her feelings.

“What is so amusing?”

She had been biting back a smile when a voice reached her. Startled, she quickly raised her head, and there stood Hwi before her. Yoonso’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked around. She hadn’t even reached the Great Hall yet, so she wondered why he was out here.

“When I heard you were on your way, I couldn’t just wait.”

“Did you come out to meet me?”

“Yes. You have a husband with no patience, you see.”