The morning of the next day, the air seemed warm with fragrance as the mist cleared. The palace looked as it had not looked before; bustling, noisy, gossipy and filled with sneers.
The lady at the centre was the newest consort who had been rejected and abandoned just like all other concubines.
Praise and high admiration rose for the emperor who was faithful to his legal wife and saw other women as decorative vases. Chants were sang in his name as respect for this man rose. People avowed that he loved and respected his marriage with the empress. Others mocked he was probably shy and could only be with one woman.
At the emperor's palace, the man of the hour seemed indifferent to the rumors as he gazed over the information in his hands. The stray strand of hair on his head was pushed back, his face looked worn out but radiant. The servants watched their master's happy mood and couldn't dictate what exactly kept him in high spirits.
"She's been the female physician all this while?".He asked himself in satisfaction.
He folded the document like a rare treasure not meant to be tainted and relaxed on his seat. Thoughts of his near earlier encounters filled him with disappointment.
He recalled the physician who treated his father, saved his empress and baby's life yet he sent no rewards to her. "What have I been doing all this while?", he belittled himself for his lackadaisical attitude. If only he paid attention, he would have met her earlier.
He ordered the bestowment of royal gifts to all the physicians in the palace. Deep in his heart, he knew she would reject the gifts if gifted to her alone. The servants went about the task with happiness and joy. Good work, they believe deserves reward same as punishment for misdeeds. But the emperor added an absurd order to personally bestow the gifts on the female physician which they protested against. He shunned them down and ordered punishment for whosoever spurts nonsense. No one will take away the opportunity to see her even if under the disguise of bestowing royal gift.
Myung OK returned to her courtyard to find the emperor gone, much to her relief. She dressed up quickly and went to the royal infirmary to consult with the chiefs on the new prescription for the empress's illness.
She had barely settled down when the emperor's arrival was announced. All, ran out to receive him much to her chagrin.
He had especially took special attention of his dressing that morning as he was robed with his newest red robe with golden thread. His dragon shoes were new too and he had a soft fragrance of rose on his body.
The officials kowtowed in apology for the poor reception but he apologized instead for barging in uninvited.
"How do I look today?", he suddenly asked with proud smiles dancing on his face. The medical officials eagerly complimented him but his response astounded them.
"Not you old men. I am asking the beautiful young lady who has not looked at me since my arrival". They were dumbfounded but quickly, one of them nudged Myung OK who looked nonexistent with them.
She looked up angrily but hid it with kowtows as she claimed unworthiness to compliment the great ruler.
As a sly man, he took the opportunity to grab her up with a blooming smile which dazzled and shocked the men.
"Beautiful flower like you shouldn't kowtow", he said with a twinkle in his eyes. In the midst of people, she couldn't be rude to him so she endured it.
"Your Majesty is like the sky and deep like the ocean. No words can describe your majesty and magnificent. Your aura skyrockets to the roof and no one can compare", she said diplomatically but her eyes were warning him which he didn't heed. He smiled as he nodded at her compliment eventhough it was forced.
"Young lady, you are quite knowledgeable and wise. A lady like you is rare". She bit back the urge to curse him for compromising her and using his position and people to get what he wants.
The chief physician cautioned her to thank him which she did half-heartedly.
"What's your name?", he continued with the charade almost breaking up the last piece of self-control she had.
"Replying to your Majesty, it's Kim Myung OK", she replied again, her patience almost running out. She knew he was playing with her but couldn't refute him in public. 'Trickster, asking my name with such innocent face eventhough he knows', she silently cursed.
He saw her discomfort and released her from his grip which she exhaled a relieved sigh for, though inaudible.
"Myung OK, this emperor read your medical history and is impressed. You took care of my royal father and saved my child and her mother". He gestured to his chief eunuch who read out from a scroll the list of her rewards. Everyone was shocked at the magnitude and couldn't help but envy her. The list could feed her and her family for a lifetime.
She played an actress as she politely turned down the reward. "Your Majesty!", she cried as she went on her knees.
"This servant did her duty and ask for no rewards. I'm grateful for your Majesty's recognition and hopes this gifts be given to the motherless babies home". She let her tears flow but he knew she was faking it.
"Such a kind heart", he said adoringly and shocked her beyond imagination.
"Chief eunuch, tell the chief royal secretary to write an imperial edict . All motherless babies home across the nation shall be given food and some thick clothing. Winter is coming". The chief eunuch bowed and left to pass the royal order .
He turned his attention on her and beamed again. "Now , you should have your gifts for the motherless has been taken care of". He smiled as if daring her to reject him again.
She went along with the flow as she thanked him again and claimed how happy she was .
"You are happy because of few rewards?", he said. "Wait till you hear my real reward before letting your tears of joy flow".
He gestured for the chief royal physician to come closer. "As of today, Miss Kim Myung OK has been assigned to my palace as my personal physician. Effective immediately", he ordered, stupifying the men and Yoona further.
She froze at the news but it was misinterpreted as joy for attaining what they all clamor for. Being an emperor's personal physician is the highest honor of their career as their families would be taken care of down to the fifth generation.
The chief eunuch thanked the emperor on her behalf and apologized she was too shocked and happy at the news. He chuckled and softly said he understood perfectly.
Alas, so as to clear confusion and waive rumors that might circulate due to the event, he bestowed gifts on all the palace physicians as encouragement for their good work.
In fear she might lose control as he knew he had overdone it, he quickly escaped for his sanctuary but ordered she be brought to his palace immediately in commencement of her duty.
An hour later, news reached the empress of the change of personnel by her newly appointed physician. She kicked him out and stormed the emperor's palace to confront him.
"Hwangje", she called out loudly unlike her usual soft voice. She looked around for Myung OK but saw no one there.
"Where is she?", she barked in anger.
The emperor who was already frustrated by Myung OK's reluctance to serve him stood up sharply.
"Why did you take my person", she asked again. Her eyes red with anger, her chest heaving laboriously.
"She went out. She's not here", he replied in alarm at her outburst.
"I will wait to take her back. There are tons of experienced physicians in the palace, make use of one as your personal physician. Leave my person alone".
She glued herself to a seat and gazed heatedly at him. He sighed helplessly but smiled nonetheless.
"Hwanghu , I will assign the chief physician to you". He opted for negotiation but she ignored him, an indication of her unacceptance of anyone not Myung OK.
He mellowed down when he saw her stubborn stance and saw no way around the matter.
"We can just share, you know", he said. She looked at him like a thief who tried to steal from her and huffed disapprovingly.
"No sharing". She turned her back against him, glued her eyes to the door and exuded defiance. A pose saying 'I don't want to talk to you'.
Soon, Myung OK came in with an eunuch and she rushed forward to grab her hands. Her eyes seemed to call her betrayer for serving the emperor not her.
She threw the emperor an intimidating look, held Myung OK by her hands and stormed out of his palace. He didn't try to stop them but his servants were shocked at the drama. The emperor and his empress just argued for the first time and because of a mere physician.
Amused at her childish behavior, he laughed boisterously and relaxed himself on his golden seat. Another tricky plan cooking in his head.