The Five-Year-Old Baby Princess Rules the Palace - Chapter 82

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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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#82. Enlightenment for Another Time

After finishing dinner, Eunhye was overcome by drowsiness again and couldn’t help but yawn widely with her mouth open.

Seeing this, Lady Park smiled silently and quietly stood up, bringing over the writing desk that had been moved aside during the meal.

“Even if you are tired, you should do your homework for the lesson with Master Jipyeong the day after tomorrow.”

At this, Eunhye’s eyes widened as if hearing this for the first time.

“There was homework?”

Unable to suppress her laughter, Lady Park opened the Analects’ Iren chapter and a notebook while giving her a playful look.

“Didn’t Master Jipyeong tell you to copy the entire Iren chapter by the next lesson?”

“All of this?”

Looking at the book spread before her in disbelief, Eunhye opened her mouth wide and shook her head.

“Teacher is too heartless. When am I supposed to write all of this? Besides, I’ll read and memorize it during the lecture anyway, so why do I have to copy it all? Hmph.”

Finding her too adorable to press further, Lady Park looked outside where the sun hadn’t completely set yet and asked casually.

“Then would you like to take a short walk with me until Lady Han returns?”

At this, Eunhye brightened up and smiled cheerfully.

“Yes! Let’s do that. Eom Suk-su’s house is far from the palace, isn’t it, Nanny?”

“I’m not sure exactly, but since she had to commute daily, it probably wasn’t too far.”

“Mm, that makes sense. Well then, let’s go out and take a walk while we wait.”

Eunhye quickly closed the book she had opened and sprang up from her seat.

Lady Park, who had brought a dark pink cloak in case the evening breeze turned chilly, smiled silently at the sight of Eunhye already at the door.

It was past half of the You hour.

In the past, it would have been getting quite dark by now, but the days had grown longer, making it perfectly fine for a walk.

While strolling through Hyesin Palace’s garden, Eunhye looked up under a large pagoda tree.

“Nanny, should I ask Mother to hang a swing here?”

“A swing, you mean?”

“Yes. I want to practice swinging so I can swing with Mother during this Dano festival.”

At this, a bittersweet smile crossed Lady Park’s face, somewhere between laughing and crying.

“Oh my. I will speak to the Queen’s Palace and get permission. Then I’ll have a swing suitable for our Princess hung on this tree.”

“Really?”

Seeing Eunhye clap her hands and smile brightly, Lady Park nodded with a pleased expression.

Just then, Lady Han, who had gone on Eunhye’s errand, could be seen approaching with quick steps from a distance.

“It’s Lady Han.”

At Eunhye’s words, Lady Park turned her head and shook it seeing Lady Han running toward them with a bright smile.

When will that child ever become a lady…

“Princess, I have returned.”

“Yes, you worked hard. When you went there, was a child really living alone as the Queen Dowager said?”

“Yes, Princess. Even though her father died over three months ago, the nine-year-old child was living by herself.”

“Wow… What an amazing child!”

“Oh, that’s right. You know that apothecary owner where the Prime Minister’s spy appeared today? That Eom fellow.”

Seeing Eunhye nod knowingly, Lady Han widened her nostrils and continued as if surprised.

“Well, that Eom family is Eom Suk-su’s cousin. After Eom Suk-su died, that apothecary owner helped out little by little.”

“Ah… there was such a connection too. How truly strange. But did you bring the child safely?”

At Eunhye’s words, Lady Han smiled brightly and nodded.

“Yes, when I said it was Eom Suk-su’s request as you told me, she followed right away. The child is quite pretty and looks capable.”

“Is that so? Well done. Then where is she now?”

Seeing Eunhye looking as if she wanted to meet her right away, Lady Park spoke with a smiling face.

“Since she just entered the palace, Lady Kim from our quarters will take charge of educating her first. After teaching basic palace etiquette, she’ll greet you, Princess, and then Lady Han will live with her and teach her gradually.”

Eunhye nodded understandingly and looked at Lady Han, blinking her eyes cutely.

“Will that be alright?”

“Oh Princess, of course it’s alright. I’ll teach her well whenever I have time.”

“I understand. Then I’m counting on you. But…”

“Is there something else you’d like to ask of me, Princess?”

Eunhye, who had swallowed her next words, bit her lower lip lightly with her upper teeth and smiled cutely at Lady Han.

“Living in the same room, you’ll grow fond of each other… won’t you? But you mustn’t like her more than me. Understand?”

Seeing such Eunhye, Lady Han’s cheeks began to dance as if they would fly up to the sky.

“Oh my, Princess, why do you say such hurtful things? Where in this world is there anyone prettier and more lovable than you, Princess? In this world, I like our Princess the most, the very most!”

Only then did Eunhye smile brightly at Lady Han.

“Hahaha. Really?”

“Really and truly. I swear on heaven, earth, and all the stars. I, Song-i, am forever Princess Eunhye’s person.”

Eom Suk-su, who had worked as a royal cook until just before death without knowing he had stomach cancer, was a spirit wandering the palace unable to find peace, worried about his nine-year-old daughter left alone after his death.

In his eyes appeared his daughter entering the palace following behind a nain who served Princess Eunhye closely.

A child who lost her mother early and never got to sleep in because of her always-busy father. My daughter who grew up so well without ever throwing tantrums about clothes or food like other children her age.

[Sukhee…]

Eom Suk-su’s voice calling his daughter’s name was soaked with emotion.

[Now put down your worries about your daughter and find enlightenment.]

Seeing Gwangjo who had appeared beside him, Eom Suk-su was startled and prostrated himself on the ground.

[I am deeply honored, Great King. Since Princess Eunhye has taken in my inadequate daughter, I have no regrets now.]

[The royal family and I have also received great help from you, so looking after your daughter’s welfare is only natural. So don’t worry about anything and depart.]

At the words to find enlightenment, Eom Suk-su bowed even deeper, then as if remembering something, raised his head to look up at Gwangjo.

[However, Your Majesty, before I depart, I would like to report something very important that I learned recently.]

[Very important? What is it?]

[Well… I’m not certain, but it seemed so suspicious to me…]

Just as Gwangjo was about to lose his temper at Eom Suk-su who was hesitating after saying he had something to tell, scratching his temple.

[I saw a cook meeting separately with Jwa-sang.]

[A cook?]

[Yes, recently one of the Byeol-saong in charge of meat dishes kept looking around nervously and going outside…]

[To meet Jwa-sang?]

[Yes, not only Jwa-sang but also frequently met with Lady Seo from Lady Gyeongbin’s quarters.]

At Eom Suk-su’s words, Gwangjo’s brow furrowed deeply.

Those cunning ones, do they still not know that the Cheongmyeong Cloud Fungus is in His Majesty’s hands? Or are they plotting something else…

Gwangjo let out a groan and looked down at Eom Suk-su who was prostrated but looking up at him.

[You, Eom fellow.]

[Yes, Your Majesty.]

[You, let’s postpone your enlightenment for a while.]

[Pardon?]

Toward the surprised Eom Suk-su, Gwangjo spoke with a nonchalant expression.

[You can watch over your daughter a bit longer, so that’s not entirely bad either, is it?]

[That, that is true, but…]

[Ahem, well… enlightenment, the heavenly gate might open again some other time.]

At this, Eom Suk-su looked around himself. But no matter how he looked, there was no sign of the heavenly gate for his enlightenment opening.

Is it not yet time for enlightenment?

Eom Suk-su tilted his head and bowed to Gwangjo, who was looking awkwardly into the distance.

[I have never experienced enlightenment so I don’t know well, but may I dare ask why you give such an order?]

At this, Gwangjo, who had been looking into the distance, awkwardly stroked his beard unnecessarily and said.

[It is for helping the royal family and furthermore, for the safety of this nation.]

What kind of words are these?

How could an insignificant soul like me do work for the royal family and the safety of this nation?

Eom Suk-su, whose downcast eyes had widened, looked up at Gwangjo as if waiting for the next words.

[You fool! Thanks to the story about your cousin’s apothecary that you told me this time, we found the poisonous mushrooms threatening His Majesty the King and the Crown Prince’s lives first! Your contribution to the nation is truly immense, so what harm could there be in going to heaven a little late!]

[Pardon?]

Looking down at Eom Suk-su, who still had a face that showed he didn’t understand what this meant, Gwangjo let out a groaning sound.

[Help me. You’re the only ghost I can trust and use right now.]

[Ah…!]

Eom Suk-su, who let out a surprised groan as if he finally understood, raised both hands high to the sky then brought them down to the ground while raising his voice.

[Your grace is boundless! This lowly one will dedicate this body, no, this soul entirely for His Late Majesty and this nation!]

Watching such Eom Suk-su, Gwangjo exhaled sharply through his nose and turned his body while speaking.

[Follow me. Let’s go meet the Princess.]

[Pardon?]

To the ears of Eom Suk-su, who was once again surprised as if about to faint, came the voice of Gwangjo who didn’t even turn his head.

[Our child can see you and hear your voice, so go and directly tell her what you saw, and you too can see your daughter’s appearance up close.]

[Oh my! Are those words truly…]

[True! My, how noisy. Just follow me quickly.]

Watching Gwangjo’s retreating figure already far away, Eom Suk-su once again raised both hands high then brought them down before shouting loudly.

[Your grace is boundless!]

* * *

Eunhye, who had returned to her bedroom after finishing her walk, frowned as she looked at the book sitting alone on the writing desk.

“Nanny, I suppose I should do a little of that, right? If I don’t want to get scolded during the lecture time with Teacher in two days…?”

Then Lady Park, suppressing her laughter, nodded as if pleased and quickly opened the book on the writing desk and the notebook for copying.

“You thought well, Princess.”

Then she placed the inkstone and fine brush on top and began grinding the ink.

“It’s still early, so just copy a little and then sleep.”

“Mm.”

Eunhye, who had come to sit in front of the writing desk with a relieved face, suddenly opened her eyes wide.

“Princess, what’s wrong?”

When Lady Park, who had been grinding ink, asked while looking at such Eunhye, Gwangjo, who had already approached close in front of her, looked at the book spread open on the writing desk.

[My, our child is already doing the Weizheng and Ren chapters of the Analects?]

Eunhye looked once each at Gwangjo who was right next to Lady Park and Eom Suk-su who was trembling while bowing deeply far behind, then opened her mouth.

“Um… Nanny?”

“Yes, Princess. It’s almost ready. Please wait just a moment.”

“No, that’s not it… I think I should do the copying tomorrow.”

Then Lady Park, who had checked the concentration of the ink, looked at Eunhye with a gentle smile.

“Do it when you’ve made up your mind. If you do a little today, tomorrow will be much easier.”

“No… that’s not it…”

Eunhye looked at Lady Park while rubbing her cute nose with her short, stubby fingers as if troubled.

“Right now, Queen Dowager Gwangjo is here next to you, Nanny.”

Crash bang.

Because she fell over in shock as if about to faint, the entire inkstone overturned and ended up spilling onto Lady Park’s skirt.

“Oh my! Your Late Majesty! Please kill this woman who failed to properly recognize you!”

At the sight of Lady Park, who quickly moved her hand from behind to the front and prostrated herself flat, pleading to be killed with her face all blotchy with black ink, Gwangjo couldn’t help but burst into loud laughter.

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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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