Part dul - Hanyang

Palace:

The velvety blue of the late evening hue had started to lull the birds, preparing to usher in the serene stillness of the night. Tae Kang was giving him a short rundown of the city's affairs, a nightly ritual. His ever-faithful retinue of Eunuchs and the Court Ladies was probably beginning to prepare for his bedtime routine. Hwan broke into an indulgent smile as he remnicized the first day he had returned from Gaeseong six months ago. Eunuch Kim and Eunuch Cha banged the copper discs and delightfully sang a completely out-of-tune song to welcome him back to the Eastern Palace. Their weathered faces were creased with genuine happiness, their steps filled with a renewed energy at his reinstatement as the Crown Prince.

Their silliness had chased away the shadows inside him for a little while. Hwan did not take these small gestures of affection for granted anymore. He had lost so much but also gained everything that mattered, and he knew he had to be grateful for that.

Hwan had dreaded being forced to marry as soon as he stepped foot in Hanyang. However, the Cho family had crumbled like a sandcastle. The family's corrupt members around the country had started to recite the long list of misdeeds by fellow family members and their accomplices in hopes of getting a reprieve from terrible punishments that awaited them. All remaining Crown Princess candidates had been ensnared by the storm, each disqualified once the appalling corruption of their families came to light. Though he knew it was a short respite, he was still thankful.

With Cho's family and its sycophants out of the equation, other families within different factions started to raise their ambitious heads. The Court was rife with politics, each faction jostling for its share of influence. It was clear why his father had unwittingly empowered a man like Cho Won-bo. Coming up the ranks, Won-bo, with his large though insignificant clan, must have come across as the ideal candidate to correct the imbalance in a high-borne court contemptuous of the King's lowly origins. Hwan's Mother had been beautiful, intelligent and a good Queen, but the early demise of her parents and consequent lack of candidates from her family to appoint to Court had resulted in her clan's swift decline to obscurity after her death. Two other Royal consorts also died during childbirth. Left without backing, the King had turned to building his network of trusted people. Little did the naive King realize he was creating a snake's lair.

Hwan had been aghast at seeing his father upon his return. He had only been gone for less than a fortnight, but it felt like years had passed. His father, the proud, composed King he had left behind, seemed like he had aged decades, a pitiful shadow of his old self. His face was grey and gaunt, his eyes often unfocused. It had only become worse as days passed. The King was often indisposed, and the Court struggled to conduct its affairs in his absence, especially as many of its members were now languishing in jail awaiting punishment. Things could go out of hand if the chaos ensued from Cho Won-Bo and Cho On-Oh's arrest and the fall of many prominent families were not addressed immediately. Joseon's health continued to be in danger.

Hwan had tried reasoning with the King.

"I have let you down, Crown Prince," his father had said mournfully, his hands shaking as he raised the cup of tea to his lips. "I sent one son to death; I almost got the other one killed through my foolishness. I loved and lost a third one I did not even sire. I always lacked the courage to act even though I knew I should."

"Abbamama, you did what you thought was best at that time," Hwan had tried to reassure his guilt-ridden father.

Hwan knew what heartbreak felt like. The black tentacles of sorrow could eat away at your soul. The finality of the loss and disillusionment his father faced was like a stake in the heart. The once proud King was dying of a broken heart, and Hwan could not do anything about it.

Still, Hwan had to try. "Cho Won Bo was malicious and took advantage of a situation no one thought was important enough, and he cunningly brought in the woman as your Consort. No one could have predicted the traitorous plot the Queen had so cleverly put into place." Hwan reasoned. "Abbamama, you must return to the Court. You must try to be strong for our sake. Princess Hayeon and I have no one left but you," Hwan had implored tearfully.

His father had simply shaken his head, the tremors in his hand clinking the cup he kept back on the table.

"I am a failed king. I blindly believed a traitor in my greed to gain power. I fell for beauty and sweet words, putting my children and the country in danger. I could not differentiate between friend and foe. I am glad you take after your Mother. She was not only gentle and kind but also a strong person. She was a good companion." His father's eyes had a faraway look in them. "But our marriage was a political arrangement. I did grieve your Mother's loss, but when she passed away, she was simply the Mother of my children, nothing more."

It hurt to know his father did not experience great love with his Mother. Hwan did not want to hear the rest of what his father was sharing, it was too painful, but he made himself sit still, understanding there was no one else the King could confide to.

The King continued, his voice quivering. "When I lost both Royal consorts your Mother had appointed to childbirth, I felt sad but....." his father's eyes were eerily glazed, "I was so enamoured by this beautiful but mysterious woman that no one else mattered. Gye-bi filled my world. I never looked at another woman after she came into my life. I never questioned her origins. Even though…..even though I knew I was not the first man she had known intimately, I did not care." His father said bleakly, tears spilling over.

Hwan was startled. It was rare, though not unheard of, that a King would bring in a woman from a relatively insignificant clan as his Royal consort, but knowingly bringing in a woman who had laid with other men into the Royal family was inconceivable.

"I helped fake her innocence the first night. I wanted to ensure she was perceived as unblemished" The King was quiet for a long time. "You always thought of me as incompetent. Now you also know I was an emotional fool too. Do not forgive me, son."

Would it have made a difference to him if Min Jay Yi had loved other men before him?

"You cannot choose who you love, Abbamama," Hwan said quietly. He understood his father more than the King could ever imagine, the constant ache in his heart a vivid reminder of love and loss.

Three weeks later, the King stepped away from his duties, officially handing over the country's affairs to Hwan.

Hwan had not wasted any time setting the motion to streamline the Court. Pushing the pain of his broken heart to a dark corner of his mind had not been as challenging as he had imagined. Hwan spent his nights pouring over the lineages and family lines of the court retainers. He filled his days by exhausting himself with intense physical training, taking scholarly lessons, presiding over the Court on his father's behalf, and creating tangible plans with Ministers to bring order to the anarchy spread far and wide in Joseon. Hwan reviewed each minister's history and requested records of their affairs, wealth, and connections that dated back at least twenty-five years. He was thrilled to find his Court was filled with loyal, upright men who would do right by Joseon. However, it did not mean everyone supported him or his ideas. He knew many of them thought he was too radical in his approach. For a Ruler, a clash of ideas with ministers could be as dangerous as the lust for power by them. The factional fights could not be taken lightly. However, he was thankful for the loyal men who now surrounded him, guided him, and fought battles on his behalf if and when the need arose. The Court was learning to lean on Hwan's unbendable strength and unmatched brilliance. He was learning to balance the delicate equilibrium between his steadfast convictions and the art of compromise.

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Hwan had relished presiding over Cho Won-Bo's trial. Won-bo had sat through it motionless, unrepentant, his eyes filled with bitterness. Hwan knew it was not the idea of being torn into pieces that Cho Won-bo had viciously hated as much as the fact that Hwan, presiding as Joseon's ruler, was the one to sign his death warrant. Cho Wo Bo's vitriol for Hwan was personal, and Hwan returned the favour with a vengeance. Hwan's satisfaction when he decided on Won-bo's punishment and signed his execution order was unparalleled.

Hwan studied the quill with which he had signed the order. Exquisitely crafted from ivory and flecked with gold, the swan feathers attached to it had been masterfully trimmed to create a perfect tapered point.

"I have something for Your Highness," Jay Yi had said, diving into her knapsack the night atop the hill in Gaeseong. Myung Jin and Ga-ram had looked on with unbridled curiosity as she produced a set of quills. "They belonged to my father. They were his most treasured ones. This one," pointing to the one he was currently holding, "was used to introduce my brother to the letters in his first writing ceremony. And this one," pointing to its twin, "was used for mine."

Hwan had choked up, overwhelmed. Gifting these to Hwan must have meant the world to Jay Yi. Holding his Master's precious memories in his hands, Hwan could barely utter his gratitude for this generous, beautiful woman he loved more than his life.

"I am fortunate I had a father who rejected the Joseon notion of keeping his daughter illiterate," Jay Yi had sighed wistfully.

"Would it not be nice if Your Highness's children could also write their first letter with these?" Ga-ram had clapped her hands in excitement and then clapped her mouth in immediate mortification. 'Forgive me, Your Highness, I did not mean to cross the line or forget my place," she had finished timidly.

Myung Jin huffed, making a grunting noise of general displeasure.

"Ga-ram, I am Scholar Park right now, remember?" Hwan had laughed. Ga-ram had smiled sheepishly at him.

"Look how smart my Aashi turned out to be. You should tell Your Highness to use these quills to introduce his first child to letters, Scholar Park," Ga-ram gushed happily.

Jay Yi had gone still, looking intently into the fire, her face devoid of expression. Hwan had swallowed a painful lump.

"I don't know if Your Highness will use this for his child's ceremony, but I believe he would love to personally write Won Bo's execution order." Hwan had announced, his voice was deadly soft.

Jay Yi had looked up at that. "If that chance ever comes, please use my brother's quill for that, Your Highness."

Hwan had honoured her request. He kept the quill back in his safe and picked up the other, a smaller, prettier version of its pair. He tenderly traced it. Today, three months ago, Cho Won-bo and Cho Won Ho were executed. He wished Jay Yi was here to celebrate the moment with him.

Hwan sighed, carefully placing the quill back in the chest. Jay Yi's memories haunted him at every turn.

Eunuch Cha and Eunuch Kim had begged forgiveness for not treating Sun-dol with respect fitting for a high-born lady. "We were unaware he was a lady, Your Highness. We even marked his face. Forgive our wicked behaviour." they wailed dramatically.

Hwan had smiled at their crestfallen expressions. "Who claimed he was a lady? Did he ever ask for any leniency?" Hwan had countered gently. "Sun-dol was who he professed to be, a very efficient and diligent Eunuch who put his life on the line to save your Crown Prince. I want you all to remember him like that. Also," Hwan had paused, his voice hardening, "after today, Lady Min Jay Yi's name should not be taken in this Palace in any context. I forbid sullying her name in any shape or form."

Together with Eunuch So, they worked diligently to expunge the idea that Go Sun-Dol, and Min Jay Yi were the same person.

"Find out who was on duty the night she was arrested and also the night I sat at Father's chambers requesting my abdication. There should only be a few. Ensure word reaches their ears that it was my deliberate plan to trap Won Bo," Hwan had instructed his faithful Head Eunuch.

Gossip could seldom be dispelled entirely, but muddying the water helped dilute the spread of more malicious kind, especially if juicier ones were circulated to suppress it. The Queen's deceit and her Uncle's incarceration for attempting to murder the Crown Prince had already sent the Palace into a dizzy turmoil. Taking advantage of that, they had audaciously propagated the Queen's evil scheming to secure the throne for her son by eliminating the Crown Prince. They magnified her Uncle's involvement in the death of Crown Prince Yi Hyeon.

Did you realize the Queen was so evil! She tried to poison the Crown Prince!

She plotted to murder him with her Uncle! She had him shot with the poison arrow! For that useless son who only eats and cries!

Did you know she spread lies about our dear Crown Prince?

Oh that horrible cruel man! Wo Bon killed Our Crown Prince Ui Hyeon!

How dare he rebel and try to kill our brave Crown Prince? I heard he is going to be thrown to the bulls!

Where did the Queen go? I heard the King had her killed!

Governor of Gaeseong, poor man, killed by the Queen because he came to know about her Uncle's deception in Byeokcheon! Such tragedy!

I knew it! Lady Min Jay Yi was innocent, the King knew it too! She was sheltering with a distant relative under Royal protection!

So clever of the Crown Prince to use his Eunuch as a distraction to catch them!

After all, why waste time on a lowly eunuch when captivating rumours about the Queen, the erstwhile Left Minister and their inimitable Crown Prince's success in bringing about their downfall could feed their thirst for salacious tales?

Hwan's loyal innermost circle of Eunuchs and Court Ladies were the only ones to know about Jay Yi's truth, and he knew they would rather give up their lives than divulge the reality.

Hwan turned his attention to Tae Kang, who had now become his shadow like never before. Upon his return, Hwan had created an elite set of bodyguards comprised of the most trusted men with exceptional martial arts talent from the Royal Guard unit. Through them, Tae Kang now had a network of eyes and ears that kept a tab on the city's pulse.

"The factional war between the Mo and Bok families is now over, with both families' elders coming to an agreement over the well water sharing," Tae Kang informed. Hwan nodded in approval. The clans' young blood had been creating a nuisance in the streets lately, making it difficult for the locals to do their business safely due to the multiple fights that kept breaking out between them. The lads were young and hot-blooded, but locking them up did not make sense. Hwan had intervened, sending his trusted Captain Yoon Seung-Bum to bring the families to the table.

Hwan started flipping the pages of a book as Tae Kang kept reciting relevant information about happenings around the bustling city, revealing none of the eagerness he felt for the forthcoming information at the end. This had become the most anticipated, joyful part of his busy days and sleepless nights.

"Eunuch Go was spotted at the markets today in the late afternoon. Jang Ga-ram was with her." Tae Kang recited in the same monotone."Later they shared a meal at the Inn with Master Myung Jin. They were joined by two more people, possibly discussing a case."

Though his heart thudded as he hungrily devoured every morsel of information he could glean, Hwan remained composed, his fingers flicking the pages at an unbroken rhythm, presenting a nonchalant facade to Tae Kang.

Hwan had lost a mouthful of tea the first time Tae Kang had reported news about Jay Yi right after she had moved into the villa. "You have surveillance on Jay Yi?" he had exclaimed incredulously.

"It's not surveillance. It's for Eunuch Go's safety," Tae Kang had been defensive.

"Do you realize if she catches you or any of the men 'safeguarding' her by following her around, you might truly lose your procreation ability this time?" Hwan had asked sardonically, his mouth twitchng in both indignation and amusement at Kang's audacity as well as the long-standing joke.

"But you wanted me to ensure Eunuch Go's safety, Your Highness!"

"I had meant stationing a couple of agile guards at some crucial points, not have her movements trailed round the clock!"

"I only did it so someone is always there to help if there is danger. We will stop if you ask us to, Your Highness," Tae Kang had sulked.

That had given Hwan a pause. Not only Tae Kang had a point, but a sneaky part of him wanted to know everything Jay Yi did, every place she went. "Well, I thought I should inform you of the dangers, so you cannot say you were not warned...." Hwan had sipped his tea, not meeting Tae Kang's eyes as the Royal Guardian suppressed a chortle.

There were now new owners operating Man-deok and Bok So's Inn. Once he learned that Jay Yi sometimes visited the establishment with Myung Jin and Ga-ram, Hwan had gone there under disguise a few times, dressed in a humble hanbok and a straw hat to blend in, hoping to get a glimpse unnoticed. So far, though his efforts to see Jay Yi had been futile, he did end up savouring a solitary but delicious meal each time. His otherwise non-existent appetite always seemed to make an appearance at the Inn. Sitting among his people and listening to the comforting hum of life around him was a solace to his wounded, lonely heart.