Born As The Daughter of a Lowly Concubine - Chapter 24

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I was born as the daughter of a low-ranking concubine.
24
Though Yun Sukui and I lived in different pavilions, we were essentially in the same residence—but Yeongwon Daegun was not.
To be precise, when Seonbin became Queen and Gyeongwon Gun became Yeongwon Daegun, their residences changed.
The Queen, by title, had to live in Junggung Palace, so no matter how young the princesses and Daeguns were, they had to reside elsewhere.
Therefore, the princesses and Daeguns had to make their way to Junggung Palace whenever they wished to see their birth mother, the Queen.
‘But why are they fighting?’
Fighting wasn’t quite the right word, but the atmosphere certainly felt that way.
I knew Yeongwon Daegun was here thanks to the familiar court attendants standing outside, but I hadn’t expected things to feel like this.
I’d come in cheerfully, thinking we might dine together, so why was it like this?
As I stood there blinking, even Jimil Sanggung, who’d been familiar to me since my time as Seonbin, looked bewildered.
This wasn’t a commoner’s house—I couldn’t simply pass by unannounced or pretend I hadn’t arrived. And I certainly couldn’t announce myself in the current situation.
Of course, I’d already sent word ahead before coming, so it wasn’t my fault, but it was better if I withdrew.
I whispered softly to Jimil Sanggung.
“I’ll just come back later…”
“Your Highness, I shall take my leave now.”
But before I could say anything, Yeongwon Daegun’s voice spilled from within.
Creak—
“Sia…?”
Realizing I must have overheard the conversation, Yeongwon Daegun’s face scrunched up in embarrassment for a moment, then he promptly disappeared.
‘Hmm, what do I do?’
Should I follow and comfort him, or should I see to the Queen first?
I hesitated briefly, but really, there was only one answer.
“Your Majesty. I pay my respects.”
“Oh, yes. Do come in.”
I’m sorry, Yeongwon. Social propriety comes first.
If I were a favored legitimate daughter of the Queen, I might have the luxury of rebelling, but I’m not. I can’t be as reckless and disrespectful to her as Yeongwon Daegun is.
When I was Seonbin, I had to be addressed as Young Miss, but now the Queen, my legal mother, greeted me with a slightly weary expression.
“Yes, I’ve heard you’ve been making something delicious.”
“Since it’s a soft food, I thought it might be easy for you to enjoy, and I wished to share it with Your Majesty.”
“How remarkable. A princess with such filial devotion—surely you are a blessed woman indeed, Sukui.”
Since becoming Queen, it was clear she carried many worries. The exhaustion was written plainly on her face.
‘I’d heard it was stress rather than any serious illness. Now that Gyeongeon Gun has fallen and with that ease comes the pressure of being Queen, I suppose it makes sense.’
And indeed, for stress, nothing beat something sweet.
But in this era, most snacks were fried and heavy on the palate, so for someone suffering from stress, something a bit lighter might do quite well.
“I’ve never had confectionery quite this soft before.”
Fortunately, the Queen seemed delighted with the pudding!
We’d added milk when making it with Yun Sukui, so it would be even softer.
‘In this era, there are no dairy cows and milk is rather rare, but since it’s being offered to Her Majesty…’
Whether it was the pudding’s effect or not, the Queen seemed a bit lighter in mood, and I continued the conversation with pleasant small talk.
“You made it with Sukui? I can certainly understand—her handiwork is evident. But isn’t cooking a bit premature for a princess?”
“I intend to learn gradually, and only safely.”
“Yes, I hear you’re learning your letters as well.”
“Yes. The Crown Prince said he would also teach me horseback riding and archery.”
“…Is that so?”
The brightness that had returned to the Queen’s face faded, and a sigh escaped her.
I hadn’t heard the full conversation, but it seemed this was also what had caused Yeongwon Daegun to bolt earlier.
“Is that… not acceptable?”
Asking with an innocent face, shoulders slightly hunched and anxiety creeping into my expression, the Queen fell silent for a moment.
‘She forbade it for Yeongwon Daegun because he’s her son, so she can hardly deny me learning the same things.’
Yet truthfully, there was no real reason to forbid me from learning.
Whatever the reason, it would amount to—
“A princess is still so young. Isn’t it far too dangerous?”
“Since the Crown Prince will teach me directly, there will be many people watching over me, will there not?”
I ventured the question carefully, gauging her reaction.
“Would it not be acceptable if Yeongwon Daegun also learned alongside me?”
“Is that what you wish, my child?”
“Yes.”
“…It seems Sia is very fond of Yeongwon Daegun.”
“Yes.”
“Over the Crown Prince?”
“The Crown Prince?”
Wait—what on earth was she asking me?
This was on the level of “Do you like Mom or Dad better”?
When I faltered, the Queen consort let out a bitter laugh and shook her head.
“No, forgive me. I posed an odd question to a young princess. Both of them are your older brothers, after all.”
I wondered what had stirred lately.
I’d picked up on the frosty atmosphere between the attendants of Donggung Palace and those of Junggung Palace, but I didn’t know the details.
‘We have so few connections with our own court ladies.’
The attendants at Donggung Palace were numerous besides, and having served in the palace for so long, their influence was considerable.
‘The master has such an easygoing temperament that the subordinates seem emboldened to push further.’
And their disrespectful bearing toward me was another matter.
While I was turning things over in my mind, the Queen consort surprised me by opening her arms.
“Come here for a moment, won’t you?”
“Yes, Mother.”
What was this?
Had she suddenly found me charming? Why did she want me in her embrace all at once?
Questions stirred, but my body—years of dutiful filial piety worn into habit—moved smoothly forward and nestled into the Queen consort’s arms. A faint scent of herbal medicine drifted from her.
“I’m so grateful to have Sia.”
“…….”
What was I supposed to say in a moment like this?
Awkwardly cradled there, the Queen consort stroked my hair for a while, then made a suggestion that I spend time playing with Yeongwon Daegun often—whether at archery or horseback riding.
Feeling oddly as though I’d been handed a bribe, I left Junggung Palace and found Yeongwon Daegun through the attendants waiting outside.
‘Why is he at the pond again?’
The pond was peaceful now that Gyeongeon Gun wasn’t here, but I couldn’t help thinking I needed to be kind to the children each time I came.
“You’re here?”
Of course I knew he was—I was just making conversation.
I’d confirmed that Yeongwon Daegun’s attendants were waiting anxiously outside.
Yeongwon Daegun, crouched by the water’s edge tossing pebbles, launched into his own grievance the moment I sat beside him.
“Mother was elevated to Queen consort, and she seems colder than before.”
“Isn’t it natural that she’d treat you differently now that you’re a Daegun instead of a prince?”
“But she’s especially strict with me.”
“There’s no reason she’d be strict with me or the Crown Prince.”
The Crown Prince was already of age, and I was far too young.
When I countered point by point, he seemed offended and fixed me with a bitter glare.
“Whose side are you on, anyway?”
“The side of whoever’s good to me.”
“You’re awful. After all I’ve looked after you…….”
Well, is that so?
Watching Yeongwon Daegun grumble to himself, I let out a snort of laughter.
“The Queen consort gave her blessing, so let’s go learn archery and horseback riding.”
“She gave her blessing? How?”
“Ahem. This, my friend, is the power of a bribe.”
The boy was clever enough, but he lacked all cunning.
It’s a blessing he never became Crown Prince, honestly. How would someone this simple ever manage politics?
‘In the novel itself, he was cold, taciturn, and had a rotten disposition.’
Yet he’d apparently been popular.
To begin with, a true second-lead male didn’t even exist.
Strictly speaking, Gyeongeon Gun had played the second-lead role, but he was so unhinged that during the serialization, readers had all agreed,
‘Author?? Surely that lunatic isn’t the second lead?? Author??!!!’ and the comments section had erupted with readers declaring he didn’t even qualify for the position.
‘I’ve done something good for the heroine…….’
Now that I thought about it, there were rumors the drama had cut Gyeongeon Gun entirely for being too brutal.
‘Wait? Then how does the male lead…… Yeongwon Daegun and the female lead meet?’
***
If my memory served, the heroine would enter the palace as a prospective Crown Princess candidate (effectively appointed) to greet the Queen consort, and meet the male lead by chance.
But now the Crown Prince wasn’t the male lead, and if the Crown Princess selection decree came down, the timing wouldn’t align with the still-young heroine. The Crown Prince was twenty, so the Crown Princess would likely be only three or four years his senior or junior.
‘Because of me, the male lead and female lead never even meet, do they?’
Hmm. But perhaps it’s happier for them both if they never meet at all, spared the storms to come.
“Sia, stop daydreaming and focus.”
“Okay.”
I nodded at the sound of the Crown Prince’s voice above my head.
Besides, I’d never intended to think about dismounting on my first ride.
“You’re fearless, Sia. Aren’t you scared?”
“No.”
Today was the day I’d promised to learn horseback riding from the Crown Prince.
Since it was my first time, he said I should get accustomed to the horse rather than formally learn, so he held me and mounted.
Yeongwon Daegun mounted alone first, saying he’d be fine, but the tension in his posture was obvious.
Seeing his nervous younger brother, the Crown Prince let out a bright, easy laugh.
‘Holding a child while riding seems scarier, but he must be well-practiced with horses.’
Watching me adapt to the horse relatively quickly, Yeongwon Daegun frowned.
“What kind of child are you, with no fear at all?”
“…Were you scared?”
“N-no, who said I was scared!”
‘Simple, really.’
At his age in modern Korea, he’d be searching for strange things on the internet and spouting nonsense, but here they keep children locked inside the palace and raise them with strict discipline, so he’s genuinely innocent like this.
It was a pity that such an innocent child became that cold, taciturn man in the novel.
‘Right, pushing Gyeongeon Gun away was the right call. Environment matters.’
I shuddered just thinking about what that insane pair might have done otherwise.
The Crown Prince, noticing me tremble, looked flustered, but I assured him I was fine and declared I’d try riding alone now.
As a result, the Crown Prince reluctantly dismounted, his face drooping with reluctance, and personally held the reins of my horse.
I wondered if anyone else in the world could boast of having a crown prince serve as their stable handler—though the sharp stares from those around us were rather bothersome.
“You’re riding alone already, Sia. How impressive.”
“You were holding on beside me.”
“When I first rode, I couldn’t do it like you. How do you like horseback riding? Does it please you?”
“Yes.”
Riding the horse while the Crown Prince held the reins, circling several times on my own, wasn’t as difficult as I’d expected—though my backside was a bit sore.
It would recover quickly enough. Perhaps that’s why they say children should learn early.
After playing with me for quite a while, the Crown Prince said he’d escort me back to my residence and followed me there.
Yeongwon Daegun, who’d returned to the residence first with the court officials, seemed a bit disappointed, but he didn’t voice it aloud.
He probably thought the same as I did. The man seemed to regard playing with me as his holiday.
“Aren’t you busy?”
“Busy as I am, I have time enough to escort our Sia.”
The Jwaseoma who usually followed as my escort was one thing, but having court officials and Igyeisa members trailing all day had worn on me considerably. The Crown Prince probably felt the same.
They didn’t even follow as far as the Concubine Quarters.
‘This must be his healing time.’
But that quiet evening’s moment of peace was shattered by a scream from somewhere.
“Ahhhhh!”
“…!”
The Crown Prince’s body, which had been holding my hand, went rigid.
‘Now I remember why I was thinking about this earlier.’
Suk-won, imprisoned in Chuyeongdang—or rather, not Gyeongeon Gun, the so-called Concubine—occasionally had these fits of screaming.
Because of it, the court ladies would avoid Chuyeongdang when dusk fell, taking long detours instead.
“I suppose I should check on him today.”
“Do you have to go?”
“…If I don’t go and see for myself, it won’t stop. I’m reluctant, but Gyeongeon Gun is still my brother, and I can’t simply turn a blind eye.”
It was a place where entry was forbidden to all but designated court ladies.
Though the King had never once visited Chuyeongdang, the Crown Prince had a maternal uncle there and had to act as his brother, so he occasionally checked on him.
‘Though he never seems to be treated well despite all my care.’
But in this Confucian society, no matter how unwilling, one couldn’t avoid moral reproach.
Besides, no matter how much one disliked a person, who could feel content hearing them scream like that endlessly?
Well, the world was wide, so perhaps someone existed somewhere, but in any case. Since I could occasionally hear it even from my own residence, the kind-hearted Crown Prince couldn’t simply ignore it.
“I’m fine, so there’s no need for you to visit someone you dislike.”
“As the Crown Prince, I must do unpleasant things too. So you, Sia, can do as you wish instead.”
“Should I throw stones at Chuyeongdang?”
“No, that won’t do…”
Even as he said this, the Crown Prince’s shoulders shook with laughter.
“Goodness, our brother is suffering so.”
“Haha, yes. Your brother is struggling a bit.”
Just as the Crown Prince had finally begun to smile again, another scream echoed out.
“Don’t listen.”
The Crown Prince said this while covering both my ears with his hands. After a moment of quiet, he removed his hands and whispered.
“Sia, see only good things, eat only good things, think only good thoughts. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
I bent down to meet the Crown Prince’s gaze and patted his shoulder gently. He forced a bright smile back onto his face.
“Then will you play with your struggling brother again?”
“Yes.”
We’d chattered our way here, and it wasn’t long before we reached my Residence. The Crown Prince walked me to the gate, his steps growing heavy again.
Watching him leave—shoulders sagging like an ox being led to slaughter—I found myself sighing involuntarily.
We’d finally had a pleasant time together, and now it was cut short.
‘Even if Chuyeongdang is spacious, living confined there must be building up the stress.’
And these weren’t even normal circumstances.
But shouldn’t the Crown Prince be spared from dealing with the aftermath?
The King had ensured the Crown Prince remained completely uninvolved in the punishment process.
Likely out of concern for his rule in the future.
‘Then what of the Queen and Yeongwon Daegun?’
The current Queen and Yeongwon Daegun had been involved in the punishment process at the time, and so they might well have earned the resentment of those who were swept up in Gyeongeon Gun’s affair and suffered for it.
So while someone needed to actively protect the Queen, preventing the influence of her family—the pretext was to stop the relatives from overreaching—meant keeping watch over any growth in the Queen and Yeongwon Daegun’s power.
The Queen had no choice but to trust that the Crown Prince would protect her later.
‘That is, if she has no ambitions.’
And whether or not she harbors ambitions to place her son on the throne, for now she must guard herself and continue to guard herself. The Queen’s sharp nerves had their reasons.
It was likely for this reason that she was warm toward me—someone who enjoyed both the King and Crown Prince’s favor and had good relations with Yeongwon Daegun as well.
Should the unthinkable happen in the future—should the Queen and Yeongwon Daegun ever find themselves in peril—I would likely be the only one who could speak on their behalf to save them.
It truly was a place where one could never rest easy.
“Young mistress. You must be tired. Please sleep early tonight.”
“Yes.”
And on that day.
The story I had rewritten was encountering an unexpected turning point in a place beyond my knowledge.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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