The Five-Year-Old Baby Princess Rules the Palace - Chapter 36

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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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#36. I Will Become a Royal Consort!

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon, who hurriedly opened the door and entered, set down the bundle of persimmons he was carrying on the floor and slumped into his seat without even removing his official robes.

 

It wasn’t anything new that Jihoo resembled his mother more than himself, so why had his elder brother said such strange words?

 

Pay attention to him because he resembles your wife?

 

What on earth did that mean?

 

As Kim Gyo-hyeon frowned while pondering deeply, the fragrant scent of persimmons wafted into his nostrils. It was a sweet and tangy fragrance, like the beautiful smile Princess Eunhye had shown him today.

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon turned his head toward the bundle of persimmons beside him and squeezed his eyes shut.

 

“A young lord named Jihoo, who is Teacher’s son, appeared and comforted me when I was in distress.”

 

“He immediately recognized that I was a princess, and though I don’t know where he was going, he even offered to escort me. Saying two is better than one.”

 

No, no. That’s absolutely not right.

 

According to what he heard from Jihoo, not only did he fail to recognize that she was Princess Eunhye, but he also made unspeakably disrespectful words and actions.

 

But why did Princess Eunhye say such things? Moreover,

 

“When you return, please tell Young Lord Jihoo that I was grateful for his warm comfort. And please tell him that I won’t forget his intention to give me that precious cotton yarn.”

 

Sigh, I really don’t understand…

 

Princess Eunhye, what on earth happened between you and my foolish son?

 

As Kim Gyo-hyeon was swallowing his groans internally due to his throbbing head, he heard Jihoo’s presence outside the door.

 

“Father, this is your son Jihoo.”

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon let out a long breath through his nose.

 

“Come in.”

 

Jihoo, who carefully opened the door and entered, had an expression that seemed somewhat excited, unlike his pale complexion from earlier in the day.

 

Seeing such Jihoo, Kim Gyo-hyeon unconsciously furrowed his brow.

 

When you should be begging for forgiveness, what are you so happy about?

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon looked at Jihoo, who knelt before him, with stern eyes and asked in a sharper tone than usual.

 

“Are my words amusing to you! How dare you disobey my command to reflect in your room and pester your uncle to enter the palace!”

 

Seeing his father scolding him with an extremely angry expression without even changing clothes, Jihoo finally lowered his head with a fearful expression.

 

“No! How could I take Father’s words lightly? It’s just…”

 

“Just?”

 

At Kim Gyo-hyeon’s questioning, Jihoo, who couldn’t continue his words, raised his eyes that had instantly filled with tears.

 

“Out of fear that our family might be destroyed because of me…”

 

The tears that had filled his dark eyes fell in drops, thoroughly soaking the front of Jihoo’s garment.

 

“Oh my…!”

 

At the sight of his young son finally shedding tears before him, Kim Gyo-hyeon squeezed his eyes shut and let out a sigh.

 

“Didn’t I tell you to stay home because this father would resolve it?”

 

Jihoo wiped his eyes with his sleeve and took out the cotton yarn from his bosom.

 

“I’m sorry. However, I remembered that Princess Eunhye showed great interest in the cotton yarn my mother left me. She immediately recognized it as something precious and her eyes lit up, so I thought to offer this cotton yarn to beg for forgiveness…”

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon gazed intently at the cotton yarn, his wife’s keepsake. It was both a guardian talisman and a divine object that protected his son who was born with the ghost gate open. She had offered to dedicate that item, into which she had poured all her remaining divine power while sacrificing her own life?

 

Sigh…

 

As Kim Gyo-hyeon released the sound he couldn’t voice as a long sigh, Jihoo continued his words.

 

“However, Father had already gone out, and Uncle happened to come. So in my urgency…”

 

Jihoo, whose tears hadn’t dried yet, pouted his lips and bowed his head deeply again. At that sight, Kim Gyo-hyeon let out a small sigh and looked up at the ceiling.

 

“So you entered the palace with your uncle? Moreover, is the palace our house’s inner courtyard? How can you be so fearless!”

 

Didn’t you almost really cause a disaster!

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon swallowed the words he wanted to say and clenched his molars.

 

“I’m sorry. However, I was confident that if I went to the palace again, I would be able to meet Princess Eunhye.”

 

“What? What kind of…”

 

At Kim Gyo-hyeon’s astonished expression with his mouth half open, Jihoo bowed his head deeply again, and his voice had become serious.

 

“Perhaps my earnestness reached heaven. Just as I had a premonition, I truly met Princess Eunhye again, and instead of forgiving all my rudeness, she commanded me to become a loyal subject to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

 

While Kim Gyo-hyeon’s open mouth couldn’t find the next words and just gaped, Jihoo raised his bowed head and spoke in a resolute voice.

 

“Moreover, Princess Eunhye refused the keepsake of my mother that I offered and even placed her hand on my shoulder!”

 

“Oh my!”

 

Jihoo, who seemed excited and had even reddened around his ears, looked straight at Kim Gyo-hyeon with determination in his eyes.

 

“Therefore, I have made a resolution.”

 

“Wh-what?”

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon’s eyes were filled with bewilderment as he looked at Jihoo’s flushed expression.

 

“I will become this nation’s royal consort and devote my loyalty to His Highness the Crown Prince and Princess Eunhye until the day I die!”

 

“Wh-what?”

 

Royal consort?

 

His Majesty the King’s son-in-law and Princess Eunhye’s husband?

 

At eleven-year-old Jihoo’s thunderbolt-like resolution, Kim Gyo-hyeon opened his eyes wide as if his breath had stopped!

 

Seeing his father like that, Jihoo made his expression even more firm and spoke once more as if making a vow, nodding once.

 

“I want to assist Princess Eunhye by her side until the day I die. Therefore, I will definitely become a royal consort and protect Princess Eunhye, Father.”

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon, who couldn’t utter a single word with his mouth half open, slowly turned his head toward the bundle of persimmons beside him. From among the round persimmons wrapped in golden silk and placed on the wooden tray, he could almost hear Princess Eunhye’s cheerful laughter.

 

* * *

 

Along the inner path of the dim palace connecting Jagyeong Palace to Hyesin Palace, a palanquin carried by four eunuchs was moving at a rapid pace.

 

“Increase the speed a bit more. The Princess seems very tired.”

 

“Yes.”

 

With the gentle swaying motion of the palanquin, Eunhye’s eyelids kept drooping as she rested her hands on the small window with her chin propped up.

 

“Princess, you must be very tired. Please bear with it a little longer, we’ll arrive soon.”

 

“Mm, I know.”

 

Eunhye forced her drowsy eyes open, creating thick double eyelids.

 

Her already round eyes became as small as chestnuts in such a cute way that Lady Park had to bite her lips inward to suppress her laughter.

 

“Haaaam!”

 

A long yawn burst from Eunhye’s small mouth that was opened like a baby bird receiving food from its mother.

 

“We really have arrived. Please bear with it just a little longer.”

 

Eunhye just nodded, blinking her eyes that had become moist with tears from yawning.

 

At that moment, Eunhye, who forced her heavy eyelids open, saw Lady Lee from the Royal Kitchen suddenly appearing and bowing her head.

 

“Huh? Stop for a moment, Nanny.”

 

“Yes? Stop!”

 

At Eunhye’s command and Lady Park’s voice, the palanquin heading toward Hyesin Palace stopped.

 

“What’s the matter, Princess?”

 

Lady Park, who asked with curiosity, turned her head following Eunhye’s gaze. There stood Lady Lee from the Royal Kitchen, who had entered Princess Eunhye’s quarters twice today, bowing her head.

 

“Wait, aren’t you Lady Lee from the Royal Kitchen who came today?”

 

“Yes, that’s correct.”

 

“But why are you here at this late hour instead of going to your quarters?”

 

It was a question expressing suspicion about Lady Lee wandering alone in front of Hyesin Palace at a time when all the court ladies who had finished their duties should have returned to their quarters.

 

“I-I’m sorry. I was late because I was boiling and drying aster for the banquet on Surit Day.”

 

“Well, it’s not like you’re the only court lady in the Royal Kitchen…”

 

As Lady Park was about to continue, finding it strange, she heard her young mistress’s voice.

 

“Lady Park, wait a moment.”

 

Then, Lady Lee, who had been standing beside Lady Park as she turned her head in confusion, slightly raised her eyes toward Eunhye. Her trembling pupils were full of things she wanted to say.

 

At that moment, Eunhye, with her chin propped on her chubby little hand, smiled warmly at Lady Lee.

 

“Yes, Princess, did you call me?”

 

“I’m too sleepy, so I need to get down and walk for a bit.”

 

Startled, Lady Park looked around and shook her head.

 

“What? The path is dark, Princess.”

 

Then Eunhye shook her head briefly as if it was fine, and looked at the maid holding a lantern beside Lady Han as she continued speaking.

 

“It’s okay. This Servant can hold that lantern and walk beside me.”

 

“What? Together with This Servant, you say?”

 

Lady Park’s eyes widened as if asking what she meant, and after quickly glancing at This Servant who was bowing her head in confusion, she looked back at Eunhye.

 

“Ah, hurry up and lower the palanquin, will you? I thought of something I want to eat at this Surit Day banquet. I have something to say to This Servant, so quickly lower the palanquin.”

 

At Eunhye’s firm command, the palanquin was finally lowered and Lady Park lifted the thick curtain at the entrance with a worried expression.

 

“Please be careful.”

 

After Lady Park carefully helped Eunhye’s small body out, Lady Han approached, having handed the persimmon she was holding to another maid and quickly picked up a lantern.

 

“Princess, shouldn’t this servant hold the lantern and walk beside you?”

 

Then Eunhye shook her head again.

 

“No, you can’t. I said I have something to talk about with This Servant, didn’t I? Lady Han and my wet nurse follow a little behind.”

 

Having given a firm order of refusal, Eunhye took a step forward toward This Servant who was standing there trembling.

 

“This Servant, I have something special I want to eat. Will you listen while we walk together to Hyesin Palace?”

 

“What? Ah yes, yes, I am deeply honored, Princess Eunhye.”

 

This Servant glanced at Lady Han’s glaring eyes and bowed in fright.

 

“Eek!”

 

Pat pat.

 

But then, small, soft, and warm hands like a rabbit’s front paws tapped This Servant’s hand.

 

“It’s okay. Don’t tremble like that. Lady Han only looks like that on the outside, but she’s so kind.”

 

What? You said Lady Han only looks like that on the outside but is kind?

 

No, that’s not true. Princess, you say that because you haven’t seen that woman’s true nature!

 

Standing close behind Princess Eunhye who was smiling brightly at her, This Servant’s forced smile trembled as she looked at Lady Han glaring at her.

 

“Should I smear soybean paste on this wench’s rotten head and stuff her in a jar? How dare she call someone a half-wit! Should I pull out that carelessly wagging tongue and use it as a clothesline? Huh?”

 

Lady Han, who had grabbed Lady Kang’s ear that morning and made terrifying threats for gossiping about Princess Eunhye, was now looking at her while standing in front of Princess Eunhye, pursing her lips and making a throat-slitting gesture with one hand!

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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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