Born As The Daughter of a Lowly Concubine - Chapter 58

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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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Born as the daughter of a lowborn concubine.
Episode 58
“We did it……!”
“Did we really…… succeed, my lady?”
Song Bi and I clasped hands in triumph as we stood before the warm, fluffy, tan-colored rectangular mass steaming gently on the table.
There were a few charred spots, but nothing that would make it inedible, and when we cut it in half, the white interior was revealed. Without butter, it lacked the richness I remembered, but this fluffy texture was undoubtedly the very thing I had in mind.
Song Bi, who had endured several failures along the way, asked in wonderment.
“What shall we call this?”
“……Let’s call it Ssik Ppang.”
“What does that mean, my lady?”
“……It’s something you eat, so Ssik Ppang.”
“Yes, my lady.”
I could easily guess what Song Bi was thinking as she giggled at me, but there was no help for it.
Naming things is far too tedious!
Truth be told, since I didn’t know how to obtain yeast, I hadn’t really considered any bread beyond Castella—but the other day, while thinking about Pajeon and Makgeolli, it occurred to me.
That yeast exists in Makgeolli, making bread-making possible.
The problem was, having not done this in so long, I’d forgotten how grueling the kneading was—it would have been impossible for me to manage.
Of course, I wasn’t the one who did the kneading!
Song Bi said it was manageable!
‘I’m grateful Song Bi has the strength for it.’
When making new dishes, we mostly work just the two of us—partly for security, partly to minimize failures.
As a result, Song Bi ends up doing a lot of hard work, but since she originally came from the Fresh Fruit Kitchen, she seemed to be enjoying it well enough.
There were some details I was a bit hazy on—proportions, fermentation—so we did fail a few times, but in the end we managed to produce something edible. This attempt in particular looked remarkably well-executed, even to my eye.
“It tastes delicious even as it is, my lady.”
“It’s best eaten while it’s still warm. Once it cools, who knows how it’ll turn out—let’s take this and distribute it.”
“Yes.”
Various rumors seemed to be circulating inside and outside the palace about the Dried Persimmons and Castella I’d sent out, but to be honest, I’d already done all I could on my end.
The judgment itself wasn’t my responsibility.
‘If that dog Yi Su comes back alive, maybe I’ll send him some Dried Persimmons with Laxative Medicine mixed in.’
I have no way to procure poison anyway.
Ah, Gejang and Hongsi would work nicely too. I hear some people find them quite…… unsettling to the digestive system.
Such unproductive thoughts often cluttered my mind.
But since they weren’t exactly good for my mental health, I decided to set aside the complicated machinations of court and throw myself into creating new dishes instead.
And this Ssik Ppang was the result.
“I’ve heard people mention mixing grain flour with Makgeolli and steaming it, but it tastes quite different this way.”
“The leavening principle should be similar. Since Makgeolli is made from rice, it’s rather extravagant as a dish, but still……”
“It should be fine as long as it’s not during an Alcohol Prohibition Edict, shouldn’t it?”
“Right. Let’s spread some of that Pickled Strawberries we made before on top.”
I’d prepared something like strawberry jam in advance for spreading.
‘It would be nice to have butter as well…….’
I’d heard that butter was made and eaten during the Goryeo era, but it was forbidden in the Joseon era as being too extravagant.
Milk too is guarded jealously, on the logic that we’re stealing the calf’s share—which makes sense by that logic, but it’s such a waste. Not being able to eat butter-grilled shellfish…….
‘The northern nomads probably make it. Cheese too, I’d wager.’
But I can’t very well beg for it to be made—the times are not favorable for such requests.
In any case, it’s difficult for an ordinary person like me to make. The best I can manage is Ricotta Cheese? But again, so much milk is wasted—it breaks my heart.
‘Ice cream might be something I could try making later…….’
If I made it in the depths of winter, at least no one could complain about wasting ice. They’d accuse me of extravagance, though.
In any case, the Ssik Ppang that Song Bi and I made was distributed equally among the palace attendants in my Residence, who had been eagerly awaiting our return.
Seeing them all with their eyes sparkling as they waited for us, I felt like a mother bird returning with prey in her beak.
“It’s absolutely delicious, my lady.”
“But the one that failed yesterday—I found it quite crispy and pleasant, if I may say so.”
“And the one I made with egg batter and pan-fried turned out moist, which I rather liked.”
“Hmm…….”
Two attendants spoke up competitively, each voicing their preference.
Yes, yes, I already know your tastes are complete opposites.
One was overcooked and came out crispy, the other was undercooked and I made it into French Toast with egg batter—both got good reactions.
But what really matters is the taste of those on high.
The Crown Princess preferred sweet and soft food, and the Dowager Queen was no different in that regard.
‘Now that I’ve succeeded in making Ssik Ppang, I should take some to the Crown Princess’s Palace and the Dowager Queen’s Palace.’
Besides, I had already caused some trouble that needed addressing—this would be a chance to make a personal report and drum up some sympathy.
The Crown Princess wasn’t really a concern, but the Dowager Queen—that was what worried me.
‘Sigh. I suppose I should brace myself for a scolding.’
The Dowager Queen had always shown sympathy toward Yi Su’s deposition and house arrest.
She displayed that sentiment openly before me and had subtly coerced me into endorsing her views, yet I had kept my silence all this time.
But now that I had actively blocked Yi Su’s reinstatement, there was no doubt she would have something to say about it.
‘She was already pushing Hong as a candidate for Crown Princess, and now this mess has emerged. She might not be able to bear the fact that her judgment was wrong.’
Fortunately, she hadn’t opposed deposing Hong and her mother, but I’d heard it was the Dowager Queen herself who had championed the Crown Prince to the end.
The evidence of cursing the deceased Crown Prince was clear, so she was criticizing Hong, but it seemed she thought the Crown Prince had been wrongfully implicated because of his mother. Though perhaps it wasn’t that she truly believed this, but rather that her affection for the Crown Prince ran deep.
When she came to inquire about my welfare, she would pity me while oddly pressing me to empathize with how frightened and tormented the Crown Prince must be.
‘Perhaps she was hoping I would speak to the King on the Crown Prince’s behalf. Though I’d like to think she wasn’t entirely without conscience.’
Fortunately, the Crown Princess had refused to receive visits, and the Dowager Queen had said there was no need for her to strain herself to come either, so I had simply sent attendants with my regards instead of visiting frequently, and things had been fine until yesterday.
It was only the unsettling atmosphere these days that troubled me.
‘If I don’t handle this properly now, there’s no telling what she might do later.’
The Dowager Queen, being advanced in years, preferred soft foods.
She had enjoyed the Pudding and Castella I made, so this shouldn’t be any different.
“It would be better to prepare fresh things to bring to the Dowager Queen tomorrow, wouldn’t it? I should get the batter ready in advance.”
Since this food was for an elder, and given the humidity and heat of the season, I decided against preparing it in advance. Instead, I would mix the batter today and let it rest, then bake and prepare it early tomorrow morning.
Song Bi nodded at my words but tried to dissuade me.
“Now that you have the Residence, I can manage this myself.”
“I know. But sincerity is what matters, after all.”
If I was going to make an impression, I had to do it properly.
Besides, I hadn’t been sleeping well lately—I was restless—so keeping busy felt comforting.
I wanted to move my body, but everyone said I had to maintain decorum if I did even a little Running, so I wanted to exert myself in this way at least.
A tired body sleeps better, doesn’t it? Of course, that doesn’t guarantee good sleep, but still.
***
And the next morning.
I rose early, baked bread, carefully selected the best-looking pieces from my successful batches, arranged them nicely, and headed to the Dowager Queen’s Palace. Thinking soft was better than crispy, I had prepared not only warm Ssik Ppang but also moist French Toast.
Of course, this visit came after I had sent word the day before.
But to cut to the conclusion—I was turned away at the gate.
“The Dowager Queen says she does not wish to see anyone at present.”
Glancing down, I could see several pairs of shoes resting on the stone step, which clearly meant guests were inside.
I had a good idea of what was happening. Someone had gotten here first and spoken about me.
After Yeong-bin and the Crown Prince had fallen and the Crown Princess was chosen, the Dowager Queen had moved to a distant palace hall that the previous Queen Dowager had used, as if to signal she would no longer involve herself in Inner Palace Administration.
The palace attendants serving her were mostly elderly, so they tended to be out of the loop regarding rumors, and I had grown somewhat careless. In that moment of inattention, someone had come to spread word. Most likely the Royal Clansmen.
“Then might I at least leave the cakes I’ve brought with you?”
“What is all this commotion?”
“Grandmother.”
Seeing the Dowager Queen emerge from within, I quickly lowered my head.
“So you’ve come to my door to kill my grandson—is that right, my child?”
“What do you mean, Grandmother?”
“Grandmother, you say? I have no granddaughter who would rush to murder her uncle and commit such a Violation of Filial Duty!”
Shouting thus, the spry old woman knocked over the tray that Song Bi had been holding behind me.
The Ssik Ppang and French Toast I had labored to bake tumbled across the dirt, releasing their savory fragrance.
‘Oh, what a waste.’
All that hard work.
As I stood dumbfounded staring at them, the situation escalated further.
“Dowager Queen, please compose yourself.”
It was the voices of the Royal Clansmen who had followed her out. They cowered behind the smaller Dowager Queen and restrained her only in voice.
They must have been the ones who brought her news, yet their voices sounded as though they were concerned for me.
“Dowager Queen. Why are you so wrathful?”
“Why?”
“This girl has merely come to show you fine food, nothing more.”
At my words, the Dowager Queen raged aloud.
“And yet this child seeks to murder her uncle with her pitiful little confections! How could I accept anything made by such hands!”
When did I ever try to kill him?
This grandmother was fierce. I kept my eyes lowered and let tears well up on my face.
“How could I possibly do such a terrible thing, Grandmother?”
“Get out of my sight! Apologize at once to the ministers the child sent gifts to for such improper behavior, and work to save the Crown Prince!”
“Dowager Queen, but that would be interfering in matters of state.”
“Then are you saying what this child did was not interfering in matters of state?”
What’s important right now?
Justification. Legitimacy.
“I merely sent sweets as words of comfort and encouragement to the officials laboring to root out the rebel faction, and to the ladies fretting over their husbands’ hardships.”
“W-what do you mean……?”
“Who on earth has slandered me so wickedly to Grandmother?”
Tears streamed down my cheeks as my gaze naturally turned toward the Royal Clansmen.
I won’t forget this. Any of you.
Unlike the Royal Clansmen who shrank from my eyes, the fearless Dowager Queen remained apoplectic with rage. She’d realized her argument lacked the legitimacy mine did, and that realization only fueled her fury.
“You’re saying this old woman has slandered the princess without cause? How dare you suggest a mere child could harbor such wickedness—that she’d try to murder her own brother!”
“How could such an ignorant girl attempt anything so terrible? Please, withdraw your words.”
“Even if I am old, my ears haven’t failed me!”
Of course she knew—the Royal Clansmen had come and spilled everything, fact and rumor alike. The Dowager Queen continued berating me in her indignant voice.
I’m eight years old. I’ll simply manage my expression and play dumb.
“You didn’t threaten the officials by sending them dried persimmons?”
“How could that be a threat? I don’t understand, Grandmother.”
“That is, that’s…….”
Could she possibly explain to me what it meant?
To me, who’d nearly died eating poisoned dried persimmons?
Before the Dowager Queen could manage any explanation, her anger boiling over, I pressed forward.
“And yet I’m grateful that Grandmother is so angry with me.”
“W-what are you saying?”
“When I was so young I couldn’t even speak, and Deposed Yi Su tried to harm me, surely Grandmother was just as fiercely angry on my behalf then, weren’t you?”
You stood by and did nothing when I nearly died, didn’t you?
You must have raged like this for me then, didn’t you?
As I wiped my tears and spoke thus, silence fell over the gathering.
I hadn’t expected this, but this reaction was quite something else.
“Wasn’t it?”
Sadness welled up naturally with my voice, and tears spilled forth.
“I, I——!! The sight of you disgusts me! Get out of my presence at once!”
“Grandmother!!”
Then she turned and retreated inside.
She had no confidence in winning by words or logic, so she fled the confrontation.
And so I made my own play.
“Song Bi, bring me a straw mat.”
“Yes?”
“I have troubled Grandmother’s peace of mind. How could I return and rest easily without her forgiveness? I won’t leave this place until she pardons me.”
I spoke thus with tears streaming down my face, and the atmosphere grew solemn around me.
“How could my heart be at peace if I simply leave while Grandmother harbors this misunderstanding of me?”
Honestly, Grandmother was being outrageous—a test of wills with her granddaughter who’d nearly died.

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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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