The Five-Year-Old Baby Princess Rules the Palace - Chapter 32

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#32. Queen Dowager’s Summons

 

Nod, nod.

 

Eunhye’s eyelids kept covering her eyes as she rested her chin on her two arms placed on the desk.

 

Her round head and chubby cheeks resting on her two small hands like rabbit paws looked precarious, as if they might fall with each drowsy nod.

 

The dim evening light flowing through the window seemed to cover the baby princess, who was dozing unable to fight off sleep, with a cozy blanket, and the neat handwriting on the books spread across the desk seemed to quietly tell old stories.

 

It was an utterly peaceful scene, as if nothing had happened today.

 

A truly hectic day from the early morning greetings until past the hour of Sin (3-5 PM).

 

Lady Park let out a deep sigh through her nose with a pitiful and sorrowful expression as she watched her young mistress nodding drowsily, unable to overcome the approaching sleepiness.

 

How exhausted she must be after running around the entire palace with that small body and experiencing such frightening events.

 

She wanted to let her lie down and sleep comfortably, but if she did that, the princess would sleep through the night without even having her evening meal, and that wouldn’t do for a princess who was already weak and smaller than her peers.

 

Lady Park woke Eunhye with a careful voice.

 

“Princess, please wake up. Your evening meal will be served soon. Princess?”

 

“Mmm… Nanny, I’m sleepy.”

 

At Eunhye’s cute voice mumbling sleepily with half-closed eyes, Lady Park’s lips curved up gently.

 

“Still, you mustn’t sleep now. You need to have your evening meal and read your books.”

 

“Phew…”

 

A deflated sound escaped from her lips that protruded forward as she supported her chubby cheeks with both hands.

 

“Today’s evening meal will include the braised meat rice cakes that you love, Princess.”

 

“Braised meat rice cakes?”

 

At the mention of her favorite food, Eunhye finally lifted her half-closed eyelids.

 

“Haaaaam.”

 

Then Eunhye opened her mouth wide for a long yawn, lowered her arms from the desk, and shook her head weakly.

 

“Haaam, I’m really sleepy. When will the evening meal come?”

 

Lady Park, who had already taken out a small jade spring candy from her sleeve, peeled off the paper wrapper, and popped it into Eunhye’s mouth.

 

“It should be ready in about one hour, so please read your books in the meantime.”

 

As Eunhye chewed the jade spring candy Lady Park had put in her mouth and lowered her head, she saw a book titled ‘History of Taeshin Kingdom’ written in neat handwriting.

 

“It’s Teacher’s handwriting.”

 

It was a book that Jipyeong Kim Gyo-hyeon had transcribed for Eunhye.

 

Her bulging cheek from moving the jade spring candy to one side was extremely cute.

 

Just as Eunhye swallowed the sweet saliva from the jade spring candy melting in her mouth and was about to turn the first page, sounds came from outside the door.

 

“Princess, this humble servant is Lady Seo from Jagyeong Palace.”

 

Jagyeong Palace? If it’s Jagyeong Palace, then Queen Dowager?

 

Eunhye, with one bulging cheek, quickly raised her head and looked at Lady Park.

 

“Why did Queen Dowager send Lady Seo?”

 

At Eunhye’s question, Lady Park hurriedly nodded and spoke.

 

“Tell her to come in quickly so you can ask about the reason.”

 

“Yes! Tell her to come in.”

 

Hearing Eunhye’s answer, Lady Park stood up and called toward the door.

 

“She says to come inside.”

 

Soon, through the quietly opened door, Lady Seo, well past middle age, entered with hurried steps and bowed her head before Eunhye.

 

“Princess, I bring a message from Queen Dowager.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Hearing Eunhye’s response, Lady Seo continued with her head bowed.

 

“Queen Dowager requests that you join her for this evening’s meal and asks that you come to Jagyeong Palace right now.”

 

“Right now?”

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Gwangjo suddenly appeared behind Lady Seo.

 

“Ah!”

 

Eunhye, who was about to call out to Gwangjo in delight, held her breath for a moment then looked up at Lady Seo and asked.

 

“Queen Dowager said to come right now?”

 

“Yes, Princess.”

 

Just as she was about to ask ‘Do you happen to know the reason?’, Gwangjo, who had been smiling, spoke to Eunhye.

 

[Go quickly. Your grandmother knows all about what happened this morning. When you go, that boy Jihoo’s father will also be there.]

 

“Ah…!”

 

Surprised by Gwangjo’s words, Eunhye opened her mouth wide and looked up at Lady Seo. Actually, she was looking at Gwangjo standing behind her, but Lady Park and Lady Seo, who couldn’t know this, were flustered by Eunhye’s surprised expression and just blinked.

 

“Princess? Are you very surprised that Queen Dowager suddenly called for you?”

 

Lady Park, who regained her composure before Lady Seo, sat beside Eunhye, who was still looking up with her mouth half open, and asked.

 

Only then did Eunhye take her eyes off Gwangjo, swallow her saliva, and turn her head to Lady Park.

 

“Oh, no, yes, no, that’s right.”

 

Unable to understand what her mistress was saying, Lady Park tilted her head then looked up at Lady Seo and spoke.

 

“Please tell Queen Dowager that the Princess will come right after preparing.”

 

Then Lady Seo, who had been standing with a bewildered expression, nodded once and bowed her head toward Eunhye.

 

“Princess, then this servant will withdraw and tell Queen Dowager that you will come soon.”

 

“Yes. Go ahead.”

 

Lady Park asked carefully, looking at her mistress whose fair forehead and brow were furrowed as if she had some worry.

 

“Princess, do you happen to know why Queen Dowager’s Palace called for you?”

 

I know, I know but I can’t say.

 

Would you believe me if I told you that our Gwangjo Queen Dowager is standing in front of Nanny right now?

 

Eunhye swallowed her inner thoughts and smiled faintly at Lady Park, who was looking at her with a worried expression.

 

“Let’s go, Nanny. I’ll have an evening meal with Queen Dowager after a long time.”

 

“Yes, Princess.”

 

Before going to Jagyeong Palace, Lady Park also stood up, following Eunhye who had sprung up to get dressed.

 

“I want to wear the flower-pink jacket and indigo skirt that Queen Dowager likes.”

 

After finishing preparations and coming out of her quarters, Eunhye glanced at the palanquin prepared in the courtyard and shook her head.

 

“Let’s just walk.”

 

Then Lady Han, who was beside her, lowered herself to Eunhye and spoke soothingly.

 

“Princess, Jagyeong Palace is quite far. You already walked to Crown Prince’s Palace and back during the day, so what if your health deteriorates? This servant will walk right beside you, so how about taking the palanquin for now?”

 

“But…”

 

I’m scared that ghosts might stick their faces into the palanquin.

 

Unable to say this, Eunhye was pouting her lips when suddenly Gwangjo’s chuckling voice was heard.

 

[What is there to be afraid of when this old man is here? I will go with the palanquin you ride, so don’t worry and get on.]

 

“Should I do that?”

 

At Gwangjo’s welcome words, Eunhye unconsciously responded, causing Lady Han to be startled and bow her head.

 

“Oh my, Princess, why are you suddenly speaking formally to this humble servant!”

 

“Huh? I wasn’t talking to Lady Han.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Lady Han, who raised her head in confusion, saw Eunhye’s crescent-shaped eyes smiling toward behind her.

 

Ah, that person is here.

 

The divine being who has been with the Princess since this morning at Crown Prince’s Palace!

 

Lady Han, without letting Lady Park and other palace servants who didn’t understand know, slightly bowed her head toward behind her and quickly lifted the silk curtain at the palanquin entrance.

 

“Please get on, Princess.”

 

“Yes!”

 

Lady Park smiled small with relief at this sight, and Eunhye took her hand and got on the palanquin with a reassured face.

 

Since Queen Dowager said she would protect me, no ghosts will stick their faces into the palanquin today, right?

 

Before getting into the palanquin, Eunhye looked back at Gwangjo once more. Then came a kind voice as if telling her to be at ease.

 

[Don’t worry and get on.]

 

Eunhye smiled prettily at Gwangjo, slightly lowered her head in greeting, and sat on the soft silk cushion.

 

“Now, let’s go.”

 

At the sound of Lady Park lowering the silk curtain she had raised, the small palanquin was gently lifted upward.

 

Sway, sway, sway.

 

Eunhye, who had been swaying her body with amusement at the movement of the palanquin as it rocked while she sat quite properly on the soft, thick cushion, slowly furrowed her brow.

 

The fact that Teacher was also present at Queen Dowager’s Quarters meant that both of them knew about what had happened during the day…

 

Sigh, how much should I tell them? Besides, I already told that bastard Jihoo that I would forgive everything?

 

As Eunhye shook her complicated head from side to side, a kind voice reached her ears.

 

[What’s making that little head of yours so complicated?]

 

“Queen Dowager?”

 

Eunhye’s eyes widened at Gwangjo’s welcome voice, even though she couldn’t see him.

 

[Isn’t there a saying that in the palace, even the walls have listening ears and the ceiling has watching eyes? Child, everything you experienced this morning has already reached the ears of your grandmother and mother, so don’t say unnecessary things and ruin matters.]

 

“But why did Queen Dowager summon Teacher? Could it be because of the rudeness Teacher’s son showed me?”

 

Eunhye asked in a small voice, narrowing her eyes with worry.

 

[I’m not sure about that, but from the way your grandmother treated that bastard’s father, it didn’t seem to be the case.]

 

“Ah, phew… Then that’s a relief. But where are you now, Queen Dowager?”

 

As if suddenly remembering, Eunhye looked around both sides of herself and asked curiously, and Gwangjo’s hearty laughter could be heard from outside the palanquin.

 

[Where else? I’m walking beside your palanquin, you fool. No matter how much of a spirit I am, I can’t sit together with you in that narrow palanquin, can I?]

 

Then Eunhye glanced around the inside of the palanquin, which was blocked on all sides except for the small window covered with yellow silk, and nodded her head.

 

“Ah…! I’m sorry. I’ve been traveling comfortably alone…”

 

[Haha, there’s nothing to be sorry about. Just speak well when you get to your grandmother. By now, that man who calls himself your teacher must be scared out of his wits.]

 

“Why?”

 

Eunhye, startled by Gwangjo’s words that her teacher would be scared out of his wits, asked urgently.

 

[Why, you ask? His son not only dared to speak rudely to this country’s princess, but even laid hands on your precious body. Now think about it – he’s probably anxiously wondering whether the King, Queen Mother, and Queen Dowager know about this fact. Would his soul still be attached?]

 

“Ah… But I met that bastard Jihoo earlier and told him I forgave everything?”

 

Eunhye blinked her eyes as if dismayed.

 

[But that bastard’s father, the man who calls himself your teacher, doesn’t know that fact, does he?]

 

“Ah! That must be right.”

 

Only then did Eunhye nod at Gwangjo’s words.

 

[Besides, as I said earlier, your grandmother, who doesn’t know what that bastard Jihoo did to you, seemed curious about why he came into the palace to meet you and what kind of conversation you had.]

 

“Ah, then that’s fortunate. Then I’ll go and speak well to Grandmother and Teacher. You’ll stay with me then too, won’t you, Queen Dowager?”

 

[Yes, don’t worry.]

 

Eunhye’s lips pressed together firmly as she nodded slowly with relief.

 

Grandmother always cherished Eunhye, so it would be fine.

 

She was the only person in the palace who loved her more than her brother the Crown Prince, and today Queen Dowager Gwangjo would also be at Jagyeong Palace with her, so there was no reason to be afraid.

 

“Thank you, Queen Dowager.”

 

Meanwhile, the ears of the four eunuchs who had lightly lifted the palanquin Eunhye was sitting in from front and back kept twitching.

 

They had clearly seen Princess Eunhye get in and sit alone, so why did they keep hearing sounds as if she was conversing with someone?

 

Wondering if the sound was only audible to them, they glanced sideways, but the court ladies and nain from Hyesin Palace were just walking forward silently with their heads bowed.

 

Hmm, how strange… Could it be hallucinations that only I can hear?

 

The heads of the eunuchs carrying the small palanquin from front and back tilted this way and that in puzzlement.

 

The eunuchs had their manhood cut off when they were young and had always denied it whenever they heard that they “lacked yang energy,” but could it really be true? Come to think of it, the voices that had been coming from inside the palanquin until just now couldn’t be heard at all anymore.

 

Ah, I must have heard things because I really lack yang energy. Starting today, I should take good care of my body by eating nourishing foods after work.

 

The palanquin swayed momentarily as one eunuch lost his balance while shaking his head vigorously.

 

“What are you doing!”

 

At Lady Park’s scolding, the eunuchs bowed their heads and matched their pace again, and the high, magnificent hip-and-gable roof of Jagyeong Palace came into view.

 

“Princess, are you alright?”

 

“Yes, I’m fine.”

 

Lady Park asked toward the small window, and Eunhye’s answer that she was fine could be heard at the end of her words.

 

“We’ve almost arrived, so please bear with any discomfort a little longer.”

 

“Mm.”

 

At that moment, the dark forms that had been scattered here and there near Jagyeong Palace began crawling toward the palanquin Eunhye was riding in.

 

[Get back!]

 

But at Gwangjo’s aged voice as he stood blocking the front of the palanquin with bulging eyes, those startled things scattered and disappeared in all directions, letting out eerie wails.

 

It was sunset, with the sun that had been hanging at the edge of Jagyeong Palace’s hip-and-gable roof hiding itself at the end of the western sky with a gentle smile.

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