The queen has been humiliated all through her life, especially when she became queen and gave birth to her child. It became worse, most times she plans on insulting someone or getting back at someone, it always happens otherwise.
This particular humiliation and insult is just too much for her to handle, right in front of everyone, even her own attendants. Her authority and rights is being questioned and ignored. "I will make sure the king His Majesty hears all what you did." The queen whispers in pain almost crying.
"Alright, I will like to pay the king a visit too." Bai says and looks at her daughter. "Ok Jung, prepare my Ming Royal attire, I want to pay the king of Joseon an official visit."
Lady Sung of all people knows the implications, if Bai visits the king or send words to her father. She whispers to the ears of the queen. "Your majesty, I think you should stop now. Neither you nor the queen dowager will be able to appeal the Ming emperor when he his aware, you know how powerful they are."
The queen clinched her fists tightly and says to all the people in front of her. "I will hold this day dearly to my heart, I will never forget the kind of humiliation and insult I got here."
"No one humiliated you, your majesty." Suk-bin finally speaks up. "You brought all this upon yourself."
"Suk-bin, your punishment awaits you in the palace." The queen says with a smile. "Even if it's just twenty strokes by one of the lady investigators that cherishes you so much, I will really appreciate that." She says and leaves immediately.
"This woman is an animal!" Hae Jae says loudly.
"Hae Jae! Mind your words!" Lord Jang cautions.
"Is this the kind of family my sister wants to get married in to?" Hae Jae asks and scoffs. "I am so sorry Suk-bin your majesty." He bows. "But I don't think that would be possible anymore. Your family seems to be a jungle where you fight to live or even have peace of mind. I cherish my sister to an extent that I won't want any thing at all to bother her."
"Hae Jae." Suk-bin calls calmly. "I am not doing all these because I find it interesting to, I do all these things so that my son and I can survive, I urge and thirst for power so I can protect my people and my family." She says with a lot of pains.
"Mother, please stop." Yeoning whispers sadly. "I think we should go back now."
"Go back?" Lord Jang asks. "But we aren't through with our discussion."
"Father?!" Hae Jae calls loudly.
"Are you still willing to give out her hand in marriage?" Suk-bin asks.
"Yes." Lord Jang nods with a smile.
********************
Back to their normal sitting position as earlier, Ok jung had already changed into her beautiful dress and now looking like a princess already. Everyone seems to be happy except Hae Jae, who seems to be worried of what his sister is going to face when she marries the prince.
"I am so happy you agreed to allow my son marry your daughter." Suk-bin says with a broad smile. "I promise never to make you regret it."
"Please, make sure you protect my daughter." Bai says to Yeoning. "You know how much we value and love her. Protect her from all evil, especially from the hands of the queen."
"Yes ma'am." Yeoning bows. "I promise to do that."
"Hae Jae." Bai calls. "Do you have anything else to say?"
"I do not." He replies bluntly.
"I understand how you feel, I promise to protect her and never make her cry." Yeoning promises.
"So how do you think the marriage procedure should be?" Lord Jang asks.
"I think we should inform the Emperor first." Suk-bin suggests. "As you know, the king has sent orders that both prince get married and the mothers should be in charge of choosing their future daughter in law."
"Really?" Bai asks and looks at her husband. "I have not heard of such news."
"Yes, the king just gave his orders last night. I am sure the posters will be out by now." Suk-bin says and faces Ok Jung. "Ok Jung."
"Yes, your majesty." She bows and answers.
"Are you ready to be a princess?"
Ok Jung goes quiet for a while, she looks at prince Yeoning and her brother consecutively. "Yes, your majesty." She whispers shyly.
"Lord Jang, more than anything, I want us to be fast with the marriage procedures and all." Suk-bin says and sighs. "My son marrying your daughter will be something huge that will cause a lot of catastrophe."
"Why do you say that your majesty?" Ok Jung asks.
"No one will believe that they met each other outside the palace without our intervention, they will all think I plan to use her as a tool to crown my son."
"I am aware of that too." Lord Jang adds. "But, we do not have to listen to them, all we have to do is go after our children's happiness."
"Suk-bin, do not worry. Me and my husband will do all it takes to support you." Bai assures.
"Thank you all." Suk-bin appreciates with a very bitter smile.
"I think everything is set now." Bai says with a smile too. "We should have some food and drinks."
"Yes." Suk-bin agrees with a lots of true and real smiles.
"Hae Jae, go and tell them to bring in the food and drinks." Bai orders.
"Yes mom." Hae Jae replies and walks out to carry out the order even though he isn't in support of the marriage anymore.
"You happen to speak Joseon language so well now." Suk-bin whispers to Bai.
"Yes." Bai nods shyly. "I have perfected the accent now. All thanks to Lord Jang." She looks at her husband and they smile at each other.
Seeing the way the couples both love and care for each other makes Suk-bin somehow jealous, she wish the king can be like Lord Jang. But it isn't possible, she hopes the love Ok Jung and her son share be stronger than that.