"Seo-yun, with the emperor lying unconscious, I will use my authority as an empress regent to make your position official. We shall have the coronation immediately he regains consciousness". She gazed over the sky in a contemplating manner, thousands of thoughts running through her mind.
The emperor is a filial son who wouldn't overturn her imperial command as it will reflect badly on him. She will bet everything on that conviction and hope all goes well.
"Imperial mother...", she called out, tears of happiness gracing her cheeks.
"I don't want my grandson coming out from the womb of that vulgar thing". She scrunched her nose in disgust like one who saw or remembered a filthy sewage.
" l will stake my life and position in opposing her return". Seo-yun smiled happily as she bowed in gratitude, her flowing gown resting on the ground.
What do they call you?... I would like to see who my son sides, his mother or you..... vulgar thing that hasn't even received his favours.
"Imperial mother, I'm grateful for this honour and promise to nurse his Majesty back to good health", she solemnly swore, her happiness evident in her overly expressed smiles.
The empress dowager waved politely and told her to give birth to a healthy grandson as compensation.
Few minutes later, she ordered the royal tailors to make a beautiful wedding gown befitting of an empress.
They hurriedly took her measurements as they made haste to fulfill the future empress's demand.
Satisfied with the final outcome, they walked into the dowager's palace to have some tea and snacks.
THE PALACE OF THE GRAND EMPRESS DOWAGER .
Smashing of porcelains and angry voice was heard , more clashing sound emitted with a furious intensity.
" WHAT!!! the lady from the Choi clan has been officially made the empress? what type of mother appoints an empress while her own son is unconscious?". She swept all the porcelain wares decorating her table on the floor.
Court lady Go who brought the news knelt down quietly with bowed head, she didn't dare raise her head so as not to piss the grand empress dowager further.
The empress dowager moved too fast before she could make her own move. Her intention to make a young talented beautiful girl from their south faction seemed worthless at the moment.
She shouted commanded her servants to make preparations for a visit. The dowager empress needs a little lecturing she thought.
AT THE EMPRESS DOWAGER'S PALACE
"What? the old hag is here to see me?... well I know why she's here". She smirked proudly as she arranged her robe beautifully.
" Let her in!" .
The grand empress dowager walked in lazily as she headed to the head seat the dowager unoccupied for her.
Tea was served which was left untouched by her. If she needed tea, she would have stayed in her palace. Gazing at her with the intensity of anger, she went straight to the point.
"Why would you appoint an empress at this critical moment?". She spoke so softly spectators would be mistake it as politeness, but the tightly clenched fist hidden under her blouse said a different story... she's suppressing the strong urge of strangling the dowager to death.
The empress dowager replied nonchalantly.
"It's for the well-being of the imperial family and a happy occasion for the common people".
The grand empress dowager didn't pursue the matter any further as she sighed in resignation.
"Give up the power of an empress regent and follow the palace custom of the elder being in charge". The dowager burst into an uncontrollable laughter.
"Why should I?. Are you planning to rebel while my son is unconscious and without heir?", she accused her mercilessly as her stubborn gaze locked in a silent battle with the grand dowager's.
"By custom, I should be the regent not you", the grand dowager growled angrily.
"Really?... but what to do? I'm the emperor's birth mother and the most important person trusted not to hurt him". She saw the grand dowager's body shook with a suppressed anger and smiled smugly.
"OK, let's do this. You give birth to a son now then I shall relinquish all my authorities and shave my head bald". Her cupid shaped lips curved into a mocking smile as she sipped her chrysanthemum tea.
At the opening of this old wound, the grand empress dowager stormed out of her palace with hidden tears threatening to fall down.
"Min Kwan! You keep mocking me because I have no son, how sure are you the grandson won't be mine?". She suppressed her tears as she hurried on to her palace daring not to slack off.
On reaching her palace, she made to summon her brother for a solution when a letter arrived from lord Kim informing her of his niece's return to the palace.
The Empress dowager laughed out maniacally as she mocked the dowager on the storm brewing because of her strongest card return.
"It seems heaven are working in favour of this old one... finally, there is hope for us all".
Her ladies-in-waiting smiled cheerfully at this piece of news. Whatever makes their master happy is good for them too.