Queen Ryu seol na,watched her little boy across the pavilion from her where he was being lectured by the royal tutor. She rarely saw him these days,unlike when he was younger,she suspected that the tutors at the sigangwon spent more time with him than she did.Anytime she passed by this side of the palace,it had become a habit for her to stop and stare,like she was doing right now.
Today was her meeting with the other women of the king ,she wasn't very happy to spend her whole morning listening to insufferable complaints of women,trying to figure out why the king was neglecting quarters or trying to break the camel's back by brainstorming ways to get the king's attention on them,as a women who lived with the king for years,she stopped caring about those things,after she had the crown prince.
Seon Tae ho II,her husband,was a man of walking contradictions.He was handsome,artistic,witty_and a chronic womanizer.Yet despite his many talents,lacked control over his court.Seol na often wondered what went through his head,when he made decisions,especially the ones that rippled through their already fragile palace politics.Whether she liked it or not his shortcomings would inevitably affect them both.
YesâŠthem.
"Your highness,it's going to start soon",a court lady pulled up to her side,breaking her train of thought.Giving the court lady a slight nod,she continued on her walk.The gathering was going to take place in one of the many halls of the women's quarters.Arriving with her entourage,her eyes immediately landed on the Queen dowager,already seated at the head of the hall.Surprised because the Queen dowager rarely came to their trivial women's gathering and alarmed at same time.
Walking into the hall,eyes scrutinized her,the concubines,consorts and their entourage bowed to pay their respects,but those eyes she felt on her body,gazing,dissecting and trying to find and dig out her hidden secrets were no one else's but the Grand Queen Dowager,her list of insufferable women increasing.Stopping in front of the Queen Dowager,she gave her a shoulder bow,paying her respects,then the Queen Dowager acknowledged her with a slight nod ,before she continued over to her spot.
The gathering in short,was meant to be a point of socialization and interaction for the women of the king,but the presence of the Queen dowager made the atmosphere heavy.Working to ease the atmosphere,she quickly announced.
"Let the fun begin",and immediately the drums began playing and the dancers making there way to the middle of the hall,entertaining the audience.
...âŠ.
The proceedings of the gathering was going smoothly,the women starting to interact within themselves,laughters filling the halls as the dancers performed,making the environment vibrant. Seol Na relax slightly ,until the fourth concubine stood up abruptly.All eyes turned to the concubine as she faced Queen Dowager,watching her action closely,Seol na sighed,the fourth concubine was trying to pull something that was definitely not going to be good for both of them.
The fourth concubine opened her mouth,
"May I present tea to your majesty,the Queen dowager"?,she asked with a deep bow and her voice unusually soften.
Seol na moved her attention from the concubine to the Queen dowager,and immediately caught her shrew smile,a subtle one,one that could go unnoticed,if not years of studying this woman.The Queen dowager gave the fourth concubine a slight nod to come forward and serve the tea.The Queen Dowager's response caused quite side talks in the audience of women.Some wishing they acted first admiring her boldness,while some clearly displeased,wishing she would mess up at something as simple as serving tea.
If you asked her ?,This was not the first time a concubine was trying to get ahead of herself trying to scramble for attention from the Queen Dowager and she wouldn't be the last,in fact she didn't care what these women do but it was unfair that when they won favor, good for them,but when they messed up,she'd bear the brunt.
At the Queen Dowager's table,she watched the exchange as the fourth concubine knelt down gracefully to serve the Tea.Seol Na moved her eyes elsewhere,hoping the ordeal pass would pass without an incident, for not less than a minute,the gasps brought her attention back to the two.Of course,she spilled it,the hot tea on the herself,mouthing a sharp scream as she fumbled,losing her composure ,she apologized quickly.
"Forgive me ,Your Majesty,I was careless"her own maids rushed over to help her,but dared not climb on to the podium without permission.The Queen Dowager's clearly unimpressed look,was obvious.
"Trying to manage the situation,Seol Na gave a tight smile and waved it off,talking to the fourth concubine she said.
"It's a small matter,be more careful next time,signaling the maids,to come closer, then ordered.
" Take the her physician ,to have her burns treated,the maids following her instructions took fourth concubine,about to leave the podium but came to an halt,when the Queen dowager sat down her tea cup with a soft clink.Without raising her voice,Queen dowager spoke with a gentle air of admonition,her voice dripping with sub-context.
"Lady Choi you are so lucky to be in such lenient hands.During my time,such lapses were corrected quickly.But perhaps the Queen has a more modern approach to discipline",The veiled criticism,hung in the air,as she spoke to the Fourth concubine,whose face had drained of color from embarrassing herself.
Seol na,jaw tightened,she had expected the Queen Dowager's rebuke,but it didn't make it any easier to endure.
"Indeed your majesty,times have changed,I believe in fostering loyalty through understanding.Do you not agree that compassion strengthens unity?",she asked clearly not ready to be shot down by the Queen Dowager.
The Queen Dowager smiled faintly,her expression unreadable,as she spoke.
"Compassion is indeed a virtue_when paired with wisdom.But wisdom teaches us that loyalty stems from respect,not indulgence ."With that she turned back to her tea,signaling the end of the exchange while leaving the Queen to reflect on her subtle rebuke.
Seol na exhaled quietly ,her face in mask of composure.She wondered ,if the Fourth concubine's action of clumsiness was truly an incident or calculated move,cause you never know.