Surviving as Jang Hee-bin's Child Court Lady - Chapter 87

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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 87. Reunion
I peeked cautiously through the doorway, stealing glances into the Crown Prince’s Institute.
The Crown Prince, Park Moon-soo, and Lee Tae-jwa—Park Moon-soo’s maternal uncle and a scholar—were engaged in conversation.
“Ha ha. Just as you said, Master. Your young nephew is remarkably mature for his age. You must be quite proud to have such a brilliant and eloquent nephew.”
It was a compliment befitting the kind-hearted Crown Prince, but the underlying meaning was clear: ‘He’s an old soul trapped in a child’s body, and he talks incessantly.’
Well, what could one expect?
Park Moon-soo was a man destined to become a legendary figure of this era.
“Master, it’s unfortunate that I haven’t been able to see your son. I hope he recovers soon.”
“Your Highness, being noble, may not be aware, but boys tend to grow through their injuries. It’s not a serious wound, so please don’t concern yourself.”
“Once your son’s leg has fully healed, do come to the Palace again with him.”
“I am deeply grateful for your consideration, Your Highness.”
Lee Tae-jwa couldn’t hide his beaming smile.
Indeed, with the Crown Prince taking care of both his son and his nephew, his spirits could hardly be higher.
From listening to the Crown Prince and Lee Tae-jwa’s exchange, I pieced together the situation.
‘It seems he originally planned to bring both his son and Park Moon-soo to the Palace, but something happened to his son.’
Then it happened.
Park Moon-soo, who had been watching for the perfect moment to interject, finally spotted his opportunity.
“Your Highness, I am deeply grateful for the honor of being invited to the Palace despite my shortcomings. May I humbly ask a question that has been troubling my mind?”
He certainly had a way of stretching out a simple ‘I have a question’ into an elaborate speech.
The Crown Prince smiled gently.
“You have my permission. Speak freely.”
Come to think of it, the Crown Prince was thirteen years old.
Park Moon-soo’s exact age was uncertain, but he was around ten.
With only a few years separating them, the Crown Prince’s bearing carried an unmistakable dignity.
So this is what royal grace looks like.
The moment the Crown Prince gave his permission, Park Moon-soo opened his mouth.
“Some time ago, I witnessed His Majesty’s procession to Dongguan Wang Temple. There was a palanquin following the royal entourage, and inside it was a young lady. I wondered if she might be connected to the Royal Court in some way.”
“Hmm?”
…Hmm?
The Crown Prince tilted his head with a puzzled expression.
My face probably wore the exact same expression.
‘I suppose from Park Moon-soo’s perspective, it could have been confusing.’
On the day I first met Park Moon-soo, Seol-hyang had lied and said I was the daughter of some noble family.
Having seen me accompany the King’s procession, Park Moon-soo had clearly formed a strange misunderstanding.
‘But why is he asking about this?’
As the question arose, I suddenly understood.
Park Moon-soo had been searching for me.
“A young lady who followed the procession to Dongguan Wang Temple? You must be referring to Hwang Bong-bong?”
“Yes! Hwang Bong-bong! That’s the name!”
“If that’s the name, then you know Hwang Bong-bong, Young Nobleman?”
“Yes, I am aware. However, that is quite a lengthy story to explain, and it all began last spring….”
Park Moon-soo launched into another verbose monologue.
There was no reason to hide the fact that I had met Park Moon-soo before, but the matter concerning my brother was entirely different.
There were still many things I needed to verify for myself.
Above all….
‘That big mouth. How much more does he intend to reveal? Seal those lips of yours.’
In the end, I made my decision.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince!”
Whoosh!
I would boldly stride into the Crown Prince’s Institute.
***
“Bong-bong…. No, little one…. Young lady…. Or….”
Park Moon-soo appeared utterly shocked by my sudden intrusion.
And with good reason.
On the day we first met, I had been draped in exquisitely expensive silk robes.
But now my appearance was….
A jade-colored jeogori, crimson trim, deep blue skirt.
From every angle, I was nothing but a Palace Maid, plain and simple.
“Greetings, Young Nobleman. I never expected to see the Young Nobleman I met during an outing here at the Palace. What a remarkable coincidence, is it not? Ah, I am a junior maid at Chwisuondang, and my name is Hwang Bong-bong.”
My unusually verbose introduction was meant to preemptively block any questions that might come from the Crown Prince or Lee Tae-jwa.
By making it clear that my meeting and reunion with Park Moon-soo was nothing more than a ‘remarkable coincidence,’ I sought to prevent any unnecessary misunderstandings.
Even as I spoke, I managed to give Park Moon-soo a subtle hint with my eyes.
Park Moon-soo nodded in response to my glance.
His initial bewilderment at learning I was a Palace Maid quickly faded.
‘Park Moon-soo truly lives up to his reputation.’
That big mouth had an uncanny ability to read situations.
Now it was the Crown Prince and Lee Tae-jwa who wore expressions of confusion.
Soon, the Crown Prince spoke.
“What a curious connection. To think that Bong-bong and my teacher’s nephew already know each other.”
I smiled brightly at the Crown Prince.
“I find it quite remarkable as well, Your Highness.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Is it not nearly time for your afternoon studies?”
“Ah, has it already grown so late?”
The Crown Prince turned to Moon the Eunuch.
Moon the Eunuch gave a small nod, confirming the truth of my words.
I quickly added to my suggestion.
“It would be most troublesome if Your Highness were late for your studies. And since I happen to be acquainted with the Young Nobleman, would it not be fitting for me to show him around Changgyeong Palace?”
“You, Bong-bong, would guide him through Changgyeong Palace?”
“Yes! I am free at the moment. I have already completed all my errands.”
The Crown Prince gazed at me intently.
“I see. So our Hwang Bong-bong is quite fond of him.”
The corners of the Crown Prince’s mouth twitched with barely suppressed amusement.
What is this? What’s with that expression?
‘Surely not…?’
Was he seriously misunderstanding that I had taken a liking to that pouty-lipped fool?
‘…How infuriating.’
To be burdened with such a vile reputation.
That pouty-lipped boy with his dimly glowing eyes was absolutely not my type.
But what mattered now was creating an opportunity for the two of us to talk privately.
In the end, I decided to accept this humiliation.
“Then would that be acceptable, Your Highness?”
At my question, the Crown Prince burst into clear laughter.
“Ha ha. Very well then. Show him around the Palace properly.”
“Yes. Then, Master Lee.”
I quickly turned to address Lee Tae-jwa.
“How long should we take to tour Changgyeong Palace before returning?”
Lee Tae-jwa looked bewildered, as if he couldn’t quite grasp the situation.
But I possessed a secret technique honed and perfected through Park Moon-soo’s teachings.
‘Just bulldoze through with sheer momentum! Momentum!’
“Would an hour suffice? Or perhaps two? Please tell me quickly. Time is precious and slipping away!”
As expected, Lee Tae-jwa, overwhelmed by my unstoppable momentum, answered in a dazed voice.
“Then… after one hour…”
“Yes! Understood. Let’s go, Young Nobleman!”
I answered with a ringing voice and strode confidently out of the Crown Prince’s Institute.
Park Moon-soo followed close at my heels as if he’d been waiting for this moment.
‘Good, pouty-lips.’
For the next hour, you’re mine.
***
The day the long rain finally ceased.
An unexpected visitor arrived at Bogyeong Hall.
“The King has arrived!”
It was an unannounced visit. Moreover, it had been quite some time since his last appearance here.
The Palace Maids of Bogyeong Hall could not hide their joy.
“How long has it been since His Majesty graced Suk-bin’s quarters? He’s been wearing a path to Chwisuondang for so long….”
“But why did he come in broad daylight? There’s still plenty of time before dusk….”
“You fool. Does the time matter? What matters is that the two of them are together.”
Smiles lingered on the faces of Chu Sang-gung and the other Palace Maids.
“Suk-bin.”
In Suk-bin’s Private Chamber where the King now sat, a stern and grave atmosphere hung heavy—utterly at odds with the maids’ expectations.
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
My mouth had gone completely dry.
Suk-bin tried not to reveal her tension.
What I feared had come to pass.
Suk-bin had anticipated the reason for the King’s sudden arrival.
As expected, her keen instincts had not deceived her.
Thud.
The King hurled an object wrapped in white cloth onto the low table.
Roll.
The object tumbled across the table, and the cloth wrapping it came loose.
What lay inside was revealed.
“On the day the Naegumwi searched Bogyeong Hall, they found this in your Private Chamber.”
“….”
“So I ask you.”
An object that clashed entirely with Suk-bin’s Private Chamber—one that reflected unpretentious yet refined taste.
Gazing at the dark, sinister curse doll, the King spoke.
“Where did this come from?”

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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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