Two weeks passed smoothly with no much noise or drama.
The imperial examination hall witnessed a hundred and something candidates taking medical examination as the emperor sat as one of the invigilators.
Health is wealth they say which the emperor believes, this exam, if left in the hands of his corrupt officials will impede his intentions of selecting physicians with skills not status or wealth.
Finally, the results were out and those that passed were called.
Due to segregation, female were few . Those that passed the preliminary exam were also few.
The list were called out, 5 women emerged victorious while fifteen males also passed. For the females, it was a total victory for only 10 enrolled for the exam.
As the chief invigilator, the emperor gazed warmly at the quiet looking young girl who emerged second best after a male. She's probably the youngest of the lot but talented. The question she picked was the most difficult yet she didn't waiver but tried her best. Her earnestness brought joy to his heart and he scrutinized her seriously.
"My child", he said to the girl," which family daughter are you?", he looked at her sincerely while eagerly waiting for her answer. She hesitated , totally baffled at the emperor's interest in her.
"Oh ho! How dare you ignore the emperor's question!", one of the officials barked at her angrily. She fell on her knees and apologized.
"Your Majesty! this lowly one asks for forgiveness. I was momentarily astonished that the son of heaven will take notice of this filthy one! This lowly servant is from the family called Kim of Jeondo province", she kowtowed fearfully with the impression that she might be punished heavily for lack of respect.
"Haha ha ha ha ha!", his laughter echoed inside the hall. "Child, are you trying to disfigure that pretty face with kowtows?", he asked playfully clearly amused at the girl's behavior.
She froze, why would the emperor take notice of her beauty. The officials were also stunned but didn't read deep meaning into it. After all, it's a known fact that apart from Consort Ki, he has no interest in women. But they were shocked silly with his next action.
She stopped kowtowing but kept kneeling, daring not to raise her face until she saw a dragon embroidered burgundy coloured shoes in her visage. Slowly, she looked up to see a Jade ornaments dangling from a red robe , following a golden dragon embroidered on the robe, she dared not look again as she fell on the ground to resume her kowtowing.
"My child, are you trying to turn me into a villain?", he teased her again.
"I dare not!", she cried.
She saw a hand outstretched to raise her up, on her gown she rubbed off an imaginary dirt before placing it meekly in the outstretched hands.
"You did great and I'm proud of you", he said as he raised her up.
"Bestow her with 50 golds and a hundred bolt of silks", saying that he turned to look at her again, "What is your first name?"
"Myung OK, your highly esteemed"
"You truly are a bright pearl as the name implies... You will do great!". After giving few more words of encouragement and instructions he left.
The hall was thrown into chaos and confusion. Is the emperor finally about to welcome a new concubine they asked themselves.
The female candidates looked enviously at the girl who received the emperor's favour. One of them who couldn't contain her jealousy threw out a sarcastic comment, "Well, if I have the face of a female fatale or a hundred old fox, even a god won't escape my charms".
The officials hurriedly bestowed on her the emperor's gift and led her personally into her quarter, she was to share with another but they left it all to her.
The emperor's heart seemed to be stirring and they dare not compromise.
...
Dressed in a plain white robe without any accessories or adornment, Princess Eun-hye sat dispirited in front of a royal physician.
A white short hanky was placed on her wrist as he took her pulse seriously and with full concentration.
"No need for formalities, remove the handkerchief and continue properly", she said weakly, her faced waned.
"Yes your highness, then this one will dare be disrespectful". He did as he was told and continued his diagnosis.
After few minutes, his face which she watched carefully broke into a smile making her fragile heart sink.
"Congratulations your highness, you are with child".
"Bingu!", a voice rang out before the door opened to usher in the empress full of smiles .
"My child, congratulations! We are blessed". She rushed to hold her down as she made to rise up.
"Sit gently, now tell me what you want to eat... this mother will personally ask the palace best chef to prepare them", her smiles grew wider making her spirit lift. Her heart warmed up that at least someone will be happy to share in her news.
"Imperial mother, I'm fine... I just finished eating", she replied gently not to dampen her enthusiasm.
"Really?", she nodded. "Then do you crave any particular thing? sour things, sweet things, spicy or anything at all?".
"No imperial mother, I'm just a little bit sleepy nothing else".
The empress turned to the doctor and ordered a reward for him before telling the crown princess to accompany her share the news with the crown prince.
But she shrunk sensitively from making her secret known.
"No mother, don't tell him", she shivered as she held the empress hands tightly, "He doesn't recall what happened that night".
The empress signaled for the physician to leave with the warning to castrate him if news of the crown princess's pregnancy leaks.
"What do you mean?". Now that she recalls, the crown prince didn't lash out at her neither did he confront her.
"I don't know exactly what happened", she said but the empress found it absurd. Maybe it's her voice, but somehow she didn't believe her but she didn't bother to find out what happened.
"How long do you plan on keeping it a secret?... Your pregnancy is the palace's biggest news and celebration and won't stay secret for a long time".
"As long as I can", was her short reply.
The long wait of not telling anyone this news might kill the empress but she decided to agree to her request.
"Palace physicians has been chosen, I will investigate them before sending one of them to take good care of you secretly", she finally said in resignation.
"No need, imperial mother... I already have a physician in mind".
"Who?, imperial physician Dong?", the crown princess shivered slightly but regained her composure.
"Yes, he's my father's friend".
"I know, but we should have requested for a physician higher in rank than him. All the same, I will appoint him to take care of you. We need someone we can trust to keep the secret safe".
After few more exchange of kind words and instructions regarding pregnancy, she left to wrap up things on her side.
"Seja doesn't remember?... is it a good thing or a bad thing?", she asked herself on her way out.
"How long will it remain a secret ?".