The banquet finally began, a grand event meant to showcase the splendor and grace of Princess Wang Min Suh. Seated regally at the head of the hall, her beauty was as luminous as the moon itself, captivating all who gazed upon her. The hall was a marvel of luxury, draped in rich silks and adorned with intricate lanterns casting a warm, inviting glow. Eunuchs, dressed in their finest, bustled about, heralding each guest as they arrived.
As each guest entered, their presence was formally announced. The dignitaries, the nobility, and esteemed members of various influential families all paid their respects with deep bows to the princess. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, a web of whispered conversations and muted laughter.
Among the guests was Seo Jin, a figure whose very presence drew attention like a magnet. Despite his initial reluctance to attend, his striking handsomeness made him one of the banquet's highlights. When he approached the princess to offer his greetings, a rare smile of genuine happiness lit up her face. Seo Jin bowed, his dark eyes meeting hers briefly before moving on.
In stark contrast, Wang Yul, the princess's elder half-brother, entered without the customary show of respect. Their sibling bond allowed for a more casual exchange, marked by warm smiles. He leaned in to whisper that he had left her a gift, already placed in her chambers by the servants, a gesture that brought a soft blush to her cheeks.
The hall grew quiet as Jang Yeon Woo was announced, the youngest daughter of the esteemed Jang family. She looked resplendent in her finely embroidered hanbok, her beauty rivaling the finest blossoms of spring. As she approached the princess, Min Suh's demeanor shifted to one of stern curiosity. "Why do you attend rather than your elder sister?" she inquired, her tone edged with suspicion.
Yeon Woo, maintaining her composure, explained that her sister Eun Sook was gravely ill and unable to attend. She expressed her gratitude for the invitation before being dismissed. The exchange was brief but left a lingering tension in the air, a shadow over the otherwise jubilant occasion.
When all the guests had been heralded, Princess Min Suh rose gracefully from her seat. Her voice, clear and melodic, addressed the assembly. "Thank you for celebrating with me. Please, enjoy the show." A murmur of anticipation swept through the hall as the festivities commenced.
The evening's entertainment began with a renowned musician, whose voice and melodies enthralled the audience. Each performance was met with enthusiastic applause, the revelry building in momentum. Yet, as the Gisaengs took the stage for their fan dance, the atmosphere shifted to one of awe. Dressed in exquisite teal hanboks, their synchronized movements with matching fans were a display of elegance and artistry that left the audience mesmerized.
Except for Seo Jin, who seemed disinterested in the pageantry. His mind wandered, indifferent to the graceful dancers before him.
The anticipation in the room reached its peak as the moment arrived for the highlight of the evening—the sword dance. The hall fell silent, all eyes on the stage as Eun Sook, the elusive elder sister of Yeon Woo, appeared. Dressed in a flowing lilac hanbok, her face masked, she exuded an aura of mystery and power. Her initial movements were a delicate prelude, her twirls and steps a whisper of the intensity to come.
As the music swelled, she unsheathed her sword, the blade gleaming in the candlelight. The rhythm of the music turned dramatic, echoing the lethal elegance of her dance. Every movement was precise, every step a calculated strike. The audience watched, breathless, as she seemed to battle an unseen foe, her performance a blend of beauty and danger.
Even Seo Jin, who had remained aloof, found himself drawn in, his gaze fixed on Eun Sook's mesmerizing performance. Similarly captivated was Choi Jung, the younger brother of Choi Wook, his notorious reputation as a womanizer adding a layer of intrigue to his sudden interest.
Eun Sook's dance grew more intense, her eyes aflame with an emotion that transcended the performance—a raw, unspoken rage. Head Gisaeng Ma, who played the gaeguem, watched with a mix of pride and concern, her fingers skillfully plucking the strings in perfect harmony with the dance.
The climax of the dance came with a series of rapid twirls and a final, powerful slash of her sword, as if striking down an invisible opponent. The audience erupted in applause, their admiration palpable. Yet, as the applause echoed, Eun Sook's demeanor remained unyielding. She signaled to Head Gisaeng Ma before turning to leave the stage.
Choi Jung, intrigued and emboldened by his fascination, decided to follow her. His intentions were clear, his reputation preceding him. As Eun Sook left the pavilion, her hanbok caught on a branch, causing her to stumble and tear her garment. Na Bi, ever attentive, rushed to her aid, leaving a servant with her. Choi Jung watched intently from the shadows, his eyes never leaving Eun Sook and the servant who accompanied her.
As Na Bi quickly returned after securing a pale pink hanbok from the gisaengs' reserve. Eun Sook whispered something to her before Na Bi left. Eun Sook then dismissed the servant coldly, insisting she did not need any help. Choi Jung, sensing his opportunity, continued to follow her as she made her way to a secluded room to change.
Meanwhile, the banquet continued in full swing, the music and feasting a stark contrast to the brewing storm. Suddenly, a scream pierced the night, silencing the revelry. Panic spread as a servant rushed in, breathless, announcing that Choi Jung was in danger.
Seo Jin, Prince Yul, Choi Wook, and Princess Min Suh quickly moved to address the situation, the crowd trailing behind in a mix of curiosity and concern. They arrived at the scene to find Eun Sook, her beauty striking even in the pale pink hanbok, holding a sword to Choi Jung's throat. Her eyes blazed with fury, her intent unmistakable.
Princess Min Suh's rage was immediate. "Who dares to threaten a nobleman in my presence?" she demanded. The realization that the sword belonged to a gisaeng only fueled her anger. She ordered Eun Sook to drop the weapon, but Eun Sook's resolve was unshaken.
"He saw my body," Eun Sook declared, her voice cold and unyielding. "For that, he must die."
The princess, incensed by the perceived insolence, retorted, "You are nothing but a lowly gisaeng!" The tension escalated as guards appeared, swords drawn. The blade at Choi Jung's throat began to draw blood, his pleas for mercy falling on deaf ears.
In the midst of the chaos, Na Bi and Na Mu arrived, having heard the commotion. The princess's fury grew, the situation spiraling out of control. Prince Yul, recognizing the danger, pleaded with Eun Sook to spare Choi Jung's life. Her response was chillingly simple: "He saw my body. He must die."
The standoff was broken by the arrival of Jang Yeon Woo, her shock evident as she witnessed the scene. " Sister!" she cried out, her voice a mix of disbelief and horror. The crowd, confused and murmuring, looked to Head Gisaeng Ma for an explanation.
Head Gisaeng Ma, her face a mask of concern, stepped forward. "Please, spare him," she implored. "I beg of you." She turned to Princess Min Suh, addressing her directly. "Your Highness, I apologize for this incident. She is not merely a gisaeng. She is the eldest daughter of the Jang family and the sister of Jang Yeon Woo, Jang Eun Sook. I asked for her help tonight, which led to this misunderstanding."
The princess, her anger unabated, glared at Yeon Woo. "Is this true?" she demanded. Yeon Woo, trembling, nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. Eun Sook is my sister. Please forgive her actions."
Head Gisaeng Ma continued to plead, "Young Lady Jang, please, for my sake, spare Young Master Choi Jung." Her words seemed to reach Eun Sook, who reluctantly lowered her sword. Choi Jung, trembling, stammered an apology, his bravado shattered.
Princess Min Suh, her face flushed with anger, slapped her brother-in-law before storming off, her eyes burning with a mixture of humiliation and fury. As she left, she shot a venomous glare at Yeon Woo, who felt a pang of dread at the unspoken threat. Yeon Woo's envy for her sister had now turned to hate, fueled by the princess's indifference and the humiliation of the night's events.
Na Mu and Na Bi hurried to their lady's side, their faces set with concern. Na Mu draped a warm, luxurious cloth over Eun Sook's shoulders, shielding her from the biting cold that had crept in with the evening. The princess, her expression a mask of regal displeasure, abruptly ended the banquet. What was meant to be a grand celebration from dawn to dusk was now cut short, much to the surprise of the gathered nobility. The air was thick with unease, the joyous atmosphere irrevocably tarnished.
Her heart simmered with a mix of anger and humiliation. The evening had been marred by her brother-in-law's blatant lack of etiquette, each misstep a direct affront to her authority. Worse still, Jang Eun Sook had outshone her in every possible way, not just disrespecting her but capturing the attention and admiration of all in attendance. This was her night, meant to showcase her grandeur and command, but it had been overshadowed. With a steely resolve, she vowed silently that such an insult would never occur again.