The Five-Year-Old Baby Princess Rules the Palace - Chapter 40

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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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#40. The Child Chosen by the Divine Tree and Sacred Artifact

 

“When the gates of the Inner Palace open and you enter inside, you will see a great Divine Tree within the next door that opens.”

 

Makgae, who had replaced her gentle smile from moments before with a solemn expression, squeezed Eunhye’s hand slightly as she spoke.

 

“That Divine Tree bloomed dozens of golden flowers at the founding of Taeshin Kingdom, and for hundreds of years, those flowers have never once withered—it is a sacred tree.”

 

“Ah… I have heard about the Divine Tree before.”

 

Eunhye answered, recalling the Divine Tree she had learned about when studying the history of Taeshin Kingdom from her teacher Jipyeong.

 

“Yes, that is correct. It is a fact known by all members of the royal family. Instead of the flowers withering, the Divine Tree drops its flowers to those it chooses, and new flowers grow in their place.”

 

“Oh!”

 

Eunhye’s eyes widened as she learned this new fact she hadn’t known before.

 

Those golden flowers were sacred flowers that saved the chosen from the brink of death, extending their lifespan by half a cycle (30 years).

 

Makgae remained silent about the abilities of the Divine Tree’s flowers and pointed to the door before them as she continued.

 

“Therefore, when you enter through that door, pass through the center where the Divine Tree stands, and enter the Prayer Hall, you will see a great altar.”

 

“But aren’t there other Shrine Maidens?”

 

At five-year-old Eunhye’s cute question, Makgae’s eyes curved gently.

 

“Why wouldn’t there be? Many Shrine Maidens are waiting for Princess Eunhye, offering prayers beneath the altar.”

 

“Ah, I see.”

 

At the adorable sight of her small head nodding up and down, Makgae bit back a smile and firmly grasped Eunhye’s other hand as she continued.

 

“You will walk with me down the path that runs through the center of the praying Shrine Maidens, then ascend to the altar ahead.”

 

“Like the altar I saw when Father and Crown Prince performed the rain ritual?”

 

“Yes, that is correct, Princess Eunhye.”

 

Makgae gazed long at Eunhye’s eyes that sparkled like stars beneath her long eyelashes.

 

“Princess Eunhye need only stand before the altar with me. What happens after that you will come to understand gradually, but please do not be afraid. Seongsucheong and all the priestesses who belong to it are delighted to serve Princess Eunhye.”

 

As the story became increasingly incomprehensible, Eunhye could only blink her eyes when she suddenly thought of Crown Prince Lee-hwan.

 

Had Crown Prince also come here?

 

Since those who inherited divine blood had been kings of this country for generations, perhaps Father had come to Seongsucheong to receive the choice of the Divine Tree or sacred artifact?

 

While Eunhye was thinking of connecting her father the king and her brother the Crown Prince to Seongsucheong, Makgae, who had finished speaking, released one of Eunhye’s hands and stood up.

 

“Now, let us go, Princess Eunhye.”

 

“Yes!”

 

Eunhye, whose heart began pounding as if facing some great undertaking, deliberately puffed out her chest and answered with her nostrils flaring.

 

Then, the gates of Seongsucheong Palace opened smoothly to both sides as if opening by themselves.

 

“Wow!”

 

An exclamation mixed with admiration burst from Eunhye’s mouth, her earlier solemnity completely gone.

 

White pillars supporting a high ceiling created an utterly majestic sight!

 

Seongsucheong Palace was a completely different world from any other Palace Quarters in the Palace.

 

After passing through the entrance of the Inner Palace filled with beautiful paintings and sculptures with her mouth agape, another great door quietly opened to both sides just as before.

 

It was the Inner Chamber that Domu had mentioned.

 

“Ah…!”

 

Eunhye exclaimed again and opened her eyes wide at the majestic and mysterious atmosphere before her.

 

It was the Divine Tree!

 

A great tree with long branches drooping downward, adorned with golden flower clusters, stood in the center of the Inner Chamber. The leaves hanging from each branch all shone with golden light, and the golden flowers blooming at intervals along the long branches were truly the height of enchantment.

 

Moreover, the subtle and pure fragrance that could be smelled in the air of the Inner Chamber, which was mysteriously cooler than outside!

 

She felt a sacred sensation of purification throughout her body, head, and even deep in her heart.

 

From somewhere a breeze seemed to seep in, and the drooping branches and leaves of the Divine Tree rustled, making mysterious sounds as they sang.

 

Eunhye followed the Domu priestess who gently took her hand and led her forward, looking up at the Divine Tree that seemed endlessly tall.

 

“Ah… it’s beautiful!”

 

But then, one of the branches that had been dancing gracefully above Eunhye’s head as she tilted it back with her mouth still agape, began to stretch its body long!

 

And then it gently dropped a golden flower that had been blooming on the branch onto Eunhye’s small shoulder!

 

“Huh?”

 

At the golden flower cluster that settled on her shoulder with an indescribable fragrance, Eunhye opened her mouth even wider and looked up at the Domu priestess.

 

“Ah!”

 

Makgae also looked back and forth between the Divine Tree and Eunhye with a surprised face.

 

The Divine Tree had chosen the young Princess Eunhye who had been brought here to determine whether she possessed a sacred artifact.

 

One appointed by heaven and chosen by the Divine Tree!

 

Makgae knelt before Eunhye and bowed her head.

 

“This humble servant of the divine, Makgae, greets the one chosen by the Divine Tree.”

 

“Chosen by the Divine Tree?”

 

But hadn’t they said she was on her way to receive the choice of a sacred artifact, a Guardian Talisman?

 

Wasn’t that why she was heading toward the altar now?

 

With a bewildered expression, Eunhye carefully picked up the golden flower that had settled on her shoulder and placed it in her two palms. An indescribable fragrance filled the Inner Chamber. Before such Eunhye, Makgae, who had been kneeling and bowing, slowly raised her head.

 

“Princess Eunhye, as I mentioned earlier, the golden flowers that bloom on the Divine Tree only descend to those who are chosen. Throughout history, many kings and royal family members have stood before the Divine Tree, but only four have received the Divine Tree’s choice. Princess Eunhye is the fifth to receive the Divine Tree’s choice in the 700 years since the kingdom’s founding.”

 

Cute wrinkles formed on Eunhye’s fair brow as she looked at the Domu bowing before her.

 

“What does that mean? I don’t really understand. I came to receive the choice of a sacred artifact, but now it’s the Divine Tree. So is this flower the sacred artifact?”

 

“No, it is not. The sacred artifact and the Divine Tree’s flowers have different uses.”

 

Perhaps this was too difficult a problem for young Eunhye’s mind. Eunhye quietly looked down at the golden flower in her hands and waited for Makgae’s next words.

 

“Those chosen by the Divine Tree are said to be ones who will do great things for the country or save the nation from crisis. Therefore, when facing sudden death in a moment of crisis, if one places the Divine Tree’s flower in their mouth, their lifespan is extended by more than half a cycle.”

 

“Ah…!”

 

At Makgae’s explanation, Eunhye looked down at the golden flower in her two hands with surprised eyes, then looked up at the Divine Tree above her head.

 

Rustle, rustle.

 

The sound it made while slowly swaying its branches was like the song of trees she had heard through the skylight of the Library of the Crown Prince’s Palace.

 

“But I’m only five years old. What power do I have to do great things for the country and protect a nation in crisis?”

 

At Eunhye’s dejected words, Makgae slowly shook her head.

 

“Princess Eunhye already sees what ordinary people cannot see and hears words that others cannot hear.”

 

Was she referring to the appearance of ghosts and the sound of their voices?

 

“But that’s scary! I came here because they said the sacred artifact would protect me from such things.”

 

Eunhye, who looked as if she might cry from surprise, stared at Makgae.

 

“If you take the sacred artifact, not only will evil beings not dare approach Princess Eunhye, but you will meet many beings who will protect and guard you.”

 

Perhaps Makgae’s explanation was comforting, as Eunhye’s face became much more peaceful than before, and she tilted her head to one side and asked again.

 

“Then, will I become a great general of this country when I grow up? That’s the only way I could protect and fight for the country.”

 

At the innocent and lovely young princess’s question, Makgae smiled deeply and shook her head.

 

“How could this humble servant know the will of the divine? However, it seems unlikely that you will become a great general.”

 

“Ah… then how will I do great things for this country and save the nation from crisis?”

 

Makgae, who had risen from her kneeling position, stood one step in front of Eunhye and answered.

 

“I do not know that either. However, since Princess Eunhye has been chosen by the Divine Tree, you will surely do great things.”

 

Eunhye, still with an uncomprehending expression, carefully drew the golden flower in her two hands to her chest.

 

Whatever it was, it was a flower that saved human lives. Even if she was just a princess, if she kept it well, surely there would come a day when it would be useful?

 

Toward such Eunhye, Makgae nodded and slowly closed and opened her eyes.

 

“Now, let us go to the altar. I shall escort you.”

 

Eunhye followed with cute pattering steps behind Makgae, who took a step forward and began walking.

 

After passing the Divine Tree and walking down the path through the center of the Inner Chamber, a round and large door finally came into view. When Makgae and Eunhye stood before it, that door also opened to both sides by itself.

 

“Ah…!”

 

As if opening a path, she could see Shrine Maidens offering prayers on both sides with the altar in the center.

 

The high altar built of jade stone seemed alive, glowing with mysterious light and whispering for her to approach.

 

Eunhye took a deep breath that made her small chest heave and began following behind Makgae, who was walking down the path between the Shrine Maidens.

 

An indescribable fragrance vibrated around Eunhye as she walked holding the Divine Tree’s flower in both hands. Several apprentice Shrine Maidens who couldn’t contain their curiosity peeked up their heads, and upon seeing the golden flower in Eunhye’s hands, their eyes widened in amazement.

 

Finally, Makgae and Eunhye, who had reached the front of the altar, slowly climbed the steps.

 

The sound of prayers offered by the Shrine Maidens echoed off the ceiling and spread as gentle vibrations, and finally a faint beam of light descended upon Eunhye’s head as she stood before the altar.

 

It was as if invisible hands were stroking Eunhye’s head.

 

“Please stand in the center of the altar and place the Divine Tree’s flower beside you.”

 

Eunhye nodded and tried to calm her pounding heart while moistening her lips that had dried from tension.

 

The shrine maidens dressed in white ceremonial robes all closed their eyes and chanted prayers like songs in rhythm, and before Eunhye standing at the center of the altar was placed a wooden box resting on jet-black silk.

 

Soon, when the shrine maidens’ prayers ended and Domu Makgae slowly opened the lid of the wooden box, a cool breeze swept across the altar.

 

That was when it happened.

 

A resonance like clear bell chimes burst forth from near Eunhye’s heart!

 

In Eunhye’s breathless gaze, she saw the small bronze mirror that Domu Makgae had taken from the wooden box.

 

Makgae lifted it with her eyes closed and placed it before Eunhye.

 

Why is she keeping her eyes closed?

 

Puzzled as she looked at Makgae with her eyes closed, Eunhye glanced down at the shrine maidens below the altar.

 

Ah, all the shrine maidens had their eyes closed with hands clasped together, chanting prayers in melodic tones like song lyrics.

 

“Princess, please take the Cheongmyeong Mirror and look directly into it.”

 

With the clear bell sound still seeming to ring in the center of her chest rather than the pounding of her racing heart, Eunhye lifted the bronze mirror, slightly larger than her palm, with both hands.

 

It was such an old bronze mirror that she couldn’t help but think its appearance was too humble to be called the Cheongmyeong Mirror, a sacred relic of Goddess Sinmul.

 

Eunhye glanced at Domu Makgae and the other shrine maidens who were still chanting prayers with their eyes closed, then looked directly at the cloudy surface of the Cheongmyeong Mirror she was holding.

 

But then!

 

Eunhye’s face appeared clearly on the surface of the Cheongmyeong Mirror that had been only cloudy, then spread like ripples and disappeared!

 

And a pair of large blue eyes was looking at Eunhye!

 

“Gasp!”

 

Eunhye put all the strength she could muster into her small hands to avoid dropping the mirror.

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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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