Surviving as Jang Hee-bin's Child Court Lady - Chapter 20

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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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Chapter 20. The Logic King
From that day forward, my status transformed from “the sickly treasure” to “the treasure who has caught the King’s attention.”
It appeared King Sukjong had instructed Han Sang-gung to keep silent as well.
Though the palace maids who witnessed my private audience with King Sukjong cast increasingly meaningful glances my way, none of them dared ask a single question.
In any case, from that day onward, I gained one important daily ritual.
“Bong-bong, what is that circle?”
At Seol-hyang’s question, I lifted my head from the corner of the Hangul book where I had been drawing a tiny circle.
“There is such a thing!”
Now there were three circles.
It meant that the “several days” I had promised King Sukjong still had time remaining.
“My little treasure. I thought you were just a child. Already keeping secrets?”
“I’m not actually a child!”
“Tsk. Now I’m feeling left out. I wish our Bong-bong would stay a four-year-old forever.”
Eek.
How could she say something so terrifying!
Yet knowing the sincerity behind Seol-hyang’s affection for me, I smiled and replied.
“I’ll grow up soon—five years old, ten years old, twenty years old! But even as I grow older, I’ll always remain your little maid.”
Seol-hyang’s face bloomed with laughter.
“Oh, Hwang Bong-bong. I live because of you, I survive thanks to you!”
…Of course that should be so.
Though I knew her words held little practical meaning, they continued to echo in my mind.
‘Yes. I must live. I must survive.’
Jang Hee-bin. Seol-hyang.
And I, Hwang Bong-bong.
***
Once I recovered my health, I was assigned a single duty.
It was running errands to Jeoseungjeon, the Crown Prince’s residence.
Since there was frequent exchange between Chwisuondang and Jeoseungjeon, I found myself making the trip one or two times daily.
‘Actually, I welcomed it.’
It was a welcome task for me, as it gave me a reason to venture beyond Chwisuondang’s walls.
“I shall return shortly.”
I bowed respectfully and stepped out of Chwisuondang.
The bundle in my hands contained medicinal herbs that Hee-bin had personally prepared.
‘Though Hee-bin is temperamental, her love for her son is absolute.’
A rumor that had circulated after Hee-bin’s death suddenly came to mind.
It was the famous tale that just before Jang Hee-bin received the poison cup, she had mutilated the Crown Prince’s vital areas, rendering him unable to father children.
‘Whether then or now… no, whether now or later, fake news remains a problem.’
I clicked my tongue disapprovingly as I entered Jeoseungjeon.
‘My savior, Moon… where could he be?’
I was glancing around when it happened.
A figure emerged smoothly.
‘Startled me.’
Someone was sitting in a pavilion at the edge of the courtyard.
The boy who rose to his feet looked directly at me.
He appeared to be around seven or eight years old, and his eyes held a sharpness unusual for his age.
‘Why does his face seem so familiar?’
I stared blankly at the boy dressed in lavish robes…
‘Gasp!’
That face…!
Why hadn’t I recognized him immediately?
This person was the only figure from the Joseon Dynasty to leave behind an authentic royal portrait!
It was then that a sharp command fell from the child’s lips.
“How disrespectful. Regardless of your youth, you are a palace maid of the royal household. You should have already learned the proper etiquette and laws of the palace—why do you stand with your head held high before a prince?”
…Wow. A logic master.
“Ah, my greetings to you, Your Highness.”
I hastily offered a salute, but the weight of my head overwhelmed me, and I tumbled forward.
While I was down, I took the opportunity to rest—no, I simply remained prostrate, performing a respectful bow.
‘I knew I would see him eventually, but to encounter him here of all places.’
There was good reason for my considerable tension, despite facing a mere child.
The identity of this person, who possessed such a stubborn temperament despite being only seven years old, was significant.
‘The icon of the rice chest…’
Prince Yeonning Yi Geum, son of Suk-bin Choi.
In other words, the future King Yeongjo.
“I beg your forgiveness. I was shamefully ignorant of your identity and committed this rudeness.”
To appease the logic master’s anger, I offered my apology with maximum logical precision and utmost deference.
First, I had to kneel. That was the only way to survive.
‘One misstep and it’s all over.’
I swallowed hard, my throat dry.
Prince Yeonning Yi Geum was that kind of person.
Once he turned his back on someone, he despised them thoroughly—even his own children—and he was an extremely sensitive perfectionist.
‘They say he ordered water brought to wash his ears after Sado Crown Prince visited.’
I cautiously raised my head just a fraction, gauging his mood.
After staring at me for a long while, he finally spoke.
“Stand up. If someone sees this, they’ll think I’m abusing my authority in my brother’s quarters.”
…But you literally just did abuse your authority.
Honestly, even my own father never treated me like this.
The moment I stood, Prince Yeonning asked a question.
“So, who are you and how old are you?”
“My name is Hwang Bong-bong, and I am four years old.”
“Which quarters do you serve? There should be no reason for the Crown Prince to have a young maid.”
“I am…a maid of Chwisuondang….”
Sigh. I really didn’t want to say that.
The relationship between Suk-bin and Jang Hee-bin, the biological mothers of the two brothers, was lifelong enmity itself. Which meant….
‘Simply being affiliated with Chwisuondang could make me his enemy.’
Ah, I didn’t want to fall out of favor with such a difficult person.
“Chwisuondang? Hmm….”
Prince Yeonning murmured softly.
Yes…. Why? Should I fetch water to wash your ears?
“My mother always spoke of the hardships she endured during her years as a palace maid. You too have become a palace maid at such a young age, so you must face many difficulties.”
“…?”
What? Did I hear that correctly?
His unexpected empathy left me utterly dumbfounded.
I tried to compose myself and carefully lifted my gaze.
Prince Yeonning’s eyes had grown noticeably softer.
‘Huh?’
Even more surprising—he was smiling, albeit barely perceptibly…?
‘Well, he’s only seven years old, so it’s too early to judge his character.’
He was certainly no ordinary boy, but perhaps I didn’t need to fear him quite so much.
That’s when I heard footsteps.
Moments later, the Crown Prince appeared, dressed in a deep blue dragon robe.
At the same instant, a perfectly benevolent smile bloomed across Prince Yeonning’s face.
Watching his completely transformed demeanor, a small suspicion arose in me.
‘Did he change his attitude because he knew it was time for the Crown Prince to arrive?’
For someone who knew Prince Yeonning’s nature as I did, it was a reasonable suspicion.
“Geum-ah. I apologize for making you wait. The lecture ran longer than expected.”
“How could I, as a younger brother, fault my elder brother for dedicating himself to his studies? The time spent waiting for you is itself a great joy to me.”
Wow… Eloquence.
‘How in the world does a seven-year-old child possess such silver-tongued rhetoric?’
I was genuinely marveling at this when the Crown Prince spoke.
“By the way, Hwang Bong-bong is here too. It seems you’ve already greeted Prince Yeonning? What interesting conversation were the two of you having?”
Right, so Your Highness’s half-brother, and me getting forced to my knees on the ground, being scolded….
I wanted to spill every last detail without omission, but that was hardly possible.
With a serene heart, I smiled brightly.
“Prince Yeonning’s mother was also a Palace Maid, so she found it difficult, and she said I would find it difficult too.”
I spoke as clumsily as a four-year-old would, so please understand just as readily.
“Haha. So that was it. I’m amazed that Geum already shows such magnanimity in understanding the circumstances of a young child. Your elder brother feels ashamed.”
“You are too kind. I merely strive each day hoping to embody even half of my elder brother’s virtues.”
Back and forth they went.
‘Certainly, children raised in the royal household are different.’
The conversation between the Crown Prince and Prince Yeonning was remarkably mature for ages thirteen and seven.
‘Had I been an ordinary Palace Maid, I could have smiled warmly at the brotherly affection between the princes.’
Like the palace attendants standing behind the Crown Prince.
But… I was a transmigrator who knew the future.
These brothers, appearing so affectionate now, would one day become the central figures of a historical mystery—the ‘poisoning suspicion’ that remained unsolved.
One as victim, and the other as perpetrator.
“…Hwang Bong-bong.”
“….”
“Hwang Bong-bong?”
“Oh, yes? Yes, Your Highness.”
Lost in thought, I hadn’t even heard the Crown Prince calling me.
Get a grip, Hwang Bong-bong.
“What brings you here?”
“Oh, I was asked to deliver this. It’s medicinal herbs sent by Jang Hee-bin. She said they’re excellent for restoring one’s vitality.”
“That must be heavy. Did you carry it all by yourself?”
At the Crown Prince’s gentle consideration, I swung my short arms to show him.
“It’s not heavy at all. Your Highness, Hwang Bong-bong is very strong!”
The Crown Prince let out a low chuckle.
I laughed along with him, and then… my gaze suddenly met Prince Yeonning’s.
‘…He’s observing me.’
I could feel him scrutinizing every word and expression exchanged between the Crown Prince and me.
Prince Yeonning suddenly opened his mouth.
“Elder brother. I confess I’m envious.”
…Envious? What an unexpected thing to say.
“I’ve always thought how wonderful it would be to have a younger sister. Yet you’ve already found such a child, brother.”
The Crown Prince regards me as a younger sister. Don’t get ahead of yourself….
And I’m sorry, but you will never have a younger sister—whether full or half—for the rest of your life.
“A younger sister, you say? Ha. I do hold Hwang Bong-bong dear, you know. She is remarkably composed and possesses a genuinely kind nature.”
…Me?
Suddenly, I found myself curious about what sort of person I appeared to be in the Crown Prince’s eyes.
“Yi Geum. If I regard this child as a younger sister, then surely you, being my brother, should do the same.”
What? His words struck me like a bolt from the blue.
“You and Hwang Bong-bong are not so far apart in age—you would make fine companions.”
The Crown Prince… I had thought well of him until now.
Why are you suddenly doing this to me…?

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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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