Born As The Daughter of a Lowly Concubine - Chapter 61

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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 the daughter of a low-ranking concubine.
Chapter 61
As though Seong Yoon had anticipated my summons, he came hurrying over the moment I sent for him.
The rain had finally stopped today, and the air was cool, so I decided to receive him outside.
“These wild rumors about me—they came from you, didn’t they?”
“It was indeed I who reported to His Majesty about your providing shelter for the beggar children, my lady.”
Seong Yoon, kneeling before me, admitted his actions cleanly and without reservation.
Given how confidently he spoke, he must have had some ground to stand on.
‘Of course, if the King himself asked, there would be no hiding it.’
The King is my true father, I’m still just a child, and even though the money coming to me is mine, the sum I’ve spent on this is no small amount.
But understanding something and accepting it were two different matters.
“Let me reconsider the matter of your remaining as a retainer in my household.”
“I beg your understanding, my lady.”
Why did he have to disturb my peaceful days like this?
Seong Yoon bowed his head with somewhat exaggerated deference and continued his explanation.
“While I did inform His Majesty, I did not reveal that you had secretly left the palace.”
Hmm. So he’s asking for consideration, is he?
“Setting aside what you told Father—what about spreading rumors throughout the Capital City?”
“If you speak of rumors spreading widely throughout the Capital City, my lady, that was not I…”
He was trying to wriggle out of it.
I cut him off before Seong Yoon could heap on more excuses.
“I gave you good food and promised you a secure future, yet you repaid my kindness with betrayal.”
“How could I ever go against your wishes, my lady? But truly, this matter could not be concealed. Who among the neighboring folk would welcome the establishment of a shelter for beggars?”
Hmm.
So this place has the same nimby phenomenon as anywhere else, it seems.
Most of them are children, but they’re still beggars after all, so people might dislike it. And with many children around, it would certainly be noisy.
Moreover, many refused the conditions you set, my lady, but at first so many people gathered that everyone wanted to know who had started such a thing. When we heard that you had sent commendations to the ministers, I thought it better to spread word first.”
If the timing came too late, people might suspect her of conducting charity work to create sympathy for herself, so he had decided to spread the rumors first.
“So you spread the rumors intentionally for my sake?”
“I apologize, but that is the case, my lady.”
“Then why did you just say it wasn’t you?”
“That is…”
Seong Yoon paused for a moment.
“It was not I, but the children…”
“…The children?”
“I told them it was for your sake, and so they eagerly spread word of it.”
“What—you had innocent children do such a thing? What if something had gone wrong?”
“Please do not worry, my lady. There was nothing to cause you concern. It is only natural that people ask the children who provided them with shelter, and the children merely spoke the truth. And since it was your deed, surely everyone spoke only favorably of it.”
Taking in beggar children and providing them shelter was an act of charity, so it was only natural—or so it would seem—that aside from the reluctant neighbors, most spoke of it without objection and praised it as a good deed.
“You did things I never asked you to do.”
“If I had done only what you asked of me, my lady, I would not have survived to return alive like this.”
With him speaking so plainly, there was little point in pressing further.
Besides, what he said was not wrong. It bothered me that he had acted without instruction, but he had done nothing that would harm me.
‘Perhaps the favorable public opinion I received was no accident at all.’
A young lady who lost her mother early, orphaned like so many, trying to help parentless children—who would speak ill of such a person?
Moreover, ordinary commoners who knew little of me would likely have reacted positively rather than negatively when they first heard such information about me and then learned of the commendations I had sent to the ministers.
‘On purpose?’
I watched Seong Yoon with narrowed eyes.
People usually call such individuals capable subordinates. Of course, depending on one’s temperament, they might be dismissed early as bothersome.
But he was exactly the type of talent I moderately needed.
‘Though I still cannot fathom why he serves me so faithfully.’
I have truly nothing to offer him, after all.
Since I had already set this task in motion and had no one else to trust with it, I could hardly stop now.
In truth, procuring shelter and bringing the children there, then having them managed, was no simple undertaking.
“So how is the atmosphere at that place?”
“Once people learned it was your work, my lady, the neighbors dared not treat them carelessly.”
So before that, they had treated them carelessly, then.
I myself had proceeded somewhat unusually, so I had harbored some doubt whether this affair could pass quietly.
‘By the standards of this era, I am an odd person indeed.’
The conditions I attached to providing shelter for the beggar children likely contributed to why my actions had become quite the topic of conversation.
First, in summer, water must always be boiled before drinking.
Second, except in winter, bathe in clean water at least once every seven days.
Third, everyone must work together to supply a certain amount of firewood.
Fourth, no fighting within the residence.
Fifth, no unlawful acts or wrongdoing.
Sixth, learn and practice everything that is taught.
Seventh….]
Roughly along those lines—and especially particular about hygiene.
Moreover, once people reached a certain age, I made it clear they had to earn money, whether by gathering firewood or some other means.
‘Before I knew it, I’d ended up running something like an orphanage… or rather, a foundling home.’
Similarly, quite a few adults seemed interested in moving in, but once they heard just a few of the conditions, they all backed out.
To be honest, I documented those conditions and requested a personal seal of signature—though since I can’t read or write, that was difficult, so I asked for a thumbprint seal instead, which naturally put the adults off.
One might think beggars have no room to be choosy, but in a world where people sell themselves into slavery when desperate for food, those who preferred to remain beggars rather than starve even a little weren’t the type to sign away easily.
So I’d heard that those living in the residence I’d arranged were mostly parentless children, the sick, and women. After I found nearby physicians to care for the ill, word spread and droves of sick people came seeking help.
‘The children who know me must have come trusting me, and the others—when nearby children started going, the rest just followed along. I’ll have to teach them to be more suspicious from now on.’
Seong Yoon had hired several of his former colleagues using the money I’d given him to manage the place, so I’d stopped worrying about trouble.
‘I’d still like to hire someone to educate the children, though.’
I had a rough idea of candidates in mind, but there was no knowing whether they’d actually do it.
In any case, I couldn’t afford to let more people know of my… activities, and since it was clear they’d done it for my sake, it was awkward to be angry about it.
“I should mention, though—I don’t much care for people scheming behind my back.”
Not that anyone would enjoy it.
“I beg your forgiveness, Your Highness. But how could this humble servant presume to seek you out without being summoned?”
He speaks well.
In principle, that’s true, but with so many people coming and going through the inner palace, if one took the trouble, it wouldn’t be entirely impossible to send word to my attendants at the residence.
For instance, they surely weren’t unaware that my people and I frequent the Safok-si to check on Si-a’s condition.
Still, I doubted someone without even that much cunning could manage work as a secret informant.
‘Why is he being so proactive about my affairs in the first place?’
If it were to curry favor with the Crown Prince, I could understand.
I studied Seong, who remained politely asking forgiveness, with complicated eyes.
Perhaps he thought that by staying near me, he might catch the Crown Prince’s eye—but that was his own misguided hope, and I’d never said such a thing. If he regretted it later, there was nothing I could do. He’d make his own choices.
At this point, I had no one else suitable to assign this unprofitable work to.
“You are forgiven, Your Highness.”
“Good. Since you’re here working, anyway.”
“Of course.”
Just as our serious conversation was winding down, Song Bi entered carrying a wooden tray.
At the savory aroma, Seong’s head turned of its own accord.
“Since you’re here, have some refreshment before you go.”
“This is a different scent from before.”
“Yes, it’s a new recipe. Though some people refuse it.”
The Queen Dowager had rejected it again today, it seemed. What a waste.
I’d heard even just the smell was so tempting that the attendants in the Queen Dowager’s Palace were swallowing hard.
Seong Yoon, hearing my words, wore an expression of dawning realization, as if he’d learned something from the gossip.
……
“Go on, try it.”
With those words, I picked up my chopsticks first.
Seeing Seong Yoon’s eyes already alight with anticipation as he looked at the food, I could tell he was someone who genuinely appreciated being fed.
I placed in my mouth a piece of the warm, glossy golden bread—its shape not perfectly neat, but its surface gleaming with moisture.
The tender, egg-soaked bread melted softly on my tongue.
‘This is still somewhat of a failure, but prepared this way, it’s delicious.’
Still, Song Bi’s skill was steadily improving.
Soon she might be inventing things on her own if left alone? If only we had more flour, I’d let her try all sorts of things, but experimenting wasn’t easy.
As I ate the French toast and looked ahead, I saw Seong Yoon with a piece in his mouth, his cheeks quivering with delight.
“The egg-flour cake was delicious too, but this is equally wonderful!”
“I’m glad. Though it’s difficult to make, so I’m not planning to make it often.”
“Is the preparation particularly complicated?”
“It’s complicated, and… also quite labor-intensive.”
That flour dough is temperamental—it’s affected by temperature and humidity.
I’d forgotten that myself, but since I have no thermometer or hygrometer, honestly, even if I remembered, there’s nothing I can do about it.
Not to mention kneading the dough is hard work itself, and then there’s fermentation on top of it.
Sometimes I wanted to give up, but Song Bi, working beside me for a few attempts, seemed to have grasped something in the process.
What is it? What exactly have I figured out?
At least he seems to be enjoying himself, which is something.
“Should you ever need my strength, please do call upon me.”
“No—go work instead.”
Since he’d received considerable payment during his time as a court official, his salary seems to trouble him little, but still, he ought to earn it. A sworn officer indeed.
The moment I refused outright, Seong, the sworn officer, watched the dishes disappear as quickly as he could close his eyes, his face falling with disappointment.
That French toast must have been quite good. The court ladies at my residence all shook their heads in approval as well.
I’d brought some to the Queen’s Palace after the last incident, and the Queen consort had accepted it with genuine pleasure. The Queen Dowager, though, still refuses.
‘It does weigh on me, but while the King and Crown Prince remain well, it’s difficult for anyone to move against me.’
The poison incident, it seems, will serve as my shield for some time to come.
The Crown Prince will hate it, though.
And as if summoned by the thought, his voice cut through the air.
“How strange to find Seong here of all places.”

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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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