CH 101

Name:The Hated Male Concubine Author:
In Jaran’s opinion, the emperor might find it difficult to deliver this medicine. Even if he didn’t mean so, as long as he is the emperor and Yeonbin is the concubine, if the emperor delivered the medicine, it could have been perceived as an order to quickly erase the scar because he didn’t want to see it. 

The emperor Jaran knew was a person who cared about people’s feelings, so even if he wanted to give the medicine, he wouldn’t be able to give it easily. Therefore, the Empress, who also hoped for Hwawoon to get better, stepped up first. 

In a way, it wasn’t a bad thing for the empress, as Yeonbin and the emperor would be grateful to her.

“I won’t disturb your rest anymore, so don’t see me off and stay comfortable.” 

The empress rose from her seat without further delay. This was because it was obvious that it would be difficult to sit upright with that severe wound. 

“Oh, and.” 

Then, as if something suddenly came to mind, the empress stopped moving. She looked at Yeonbin and opened her mouth again.

“I don’t know if you have heard it, but when it gets hot in summer, we will move to Myeonghawon, the secondary palace.” 

“Yes, Your Majesty. I know.” 

“It will probably be when your wound is healed, so tell the courtiers to prepare in advance.” 

Listening to that, Yeonbin just bowed his head and answered. However, Ahjin, who knew the atmosphere of wanting to leave Yeonbin here every time they moved to the secondary palace, clenched her folded hands. It was because she felt so proud that her master seemed to be really recognized as a member of the imperial palace. 

“Then I’ll go now.” 

The empress turned again after finishing her words. She heard a polite greeting behind her back, but she didn’t have to look back because she could now draw the kind face without looking. 

***

“Is he already asleep?”

He thought that might be the case, but when he was told that he had indeed fallen asleep, he felt all his energy seemed to be drained. He ignored Eunuch Oh’s advice to send someone first because Yeonbin might have already fallen asleep and ran in a hurry, but it seemed that it was too late. Ahjin replied with a gloomy face. 

“Yes, Your Majesty. He thought you weren’t coming today…” 

There was no message that the emperor would come to Jeongan Palace today. From Yihan’s point of view, he did it because he didn’t think he would be able to make time until late because of today’s tight schedule. Alas, he regretted it now because he had to go back without meeting Hwawoon. Ahjin continued as if to make excuses as the emperor was quiet. 

“Of course, His Highness waited for Your Majesty until quite late, just in case. However, it was difficult to fight off the medicine after taking it…”

“I know. I came too late without a word.” 

Said Yihan in a hurry as he read Ahjin’s worry if he were to blame her master. Still, the disappointment didn’t go away from his voice. If he knew this would happen, he would have visited in the middle of his work, even though it would put a little burden on him. Yihan did not visit Jeongan Palace during lunch or dinner because he was afraid that Hwawoon, who was still sick, would not be able to eat comfortably because of him, but now he was also regretting it.

Yihan took a step closer to Hwawoon’s bedroom. With his dignity as the emperor disappeared, Yihan stretched out his head to snoop around Hwawoon’s closed bedroom. He knew there was no other choice in the current situation, but he couldn’t turn his steps easily. Yihan, who had been hesitating there several times, looked at Ajin and said,

“Can’t… Can’t I…”

“…?”

“Can’t I just take a look at his face for a second?” 

Eunuch Oh, who was standing behind him, opened his mouth without realizing it. He couldn’t believe what he had heard. He was speechless that the emperor asked for permission from a servant, and he couldn’t dare to guess the emperor’s desire to see the face of a person who had already fallen asleep and couldn’t speak a word. 

In the past, there were countless emperors who favored their concubines. Compared to how the previous emperors treated their favored concubines, Yihan’s action today was nothing. Wasn’t Jeongan Palace, where they were standing right now, the proof of the love the emperor built for one concubine? Therefore, Yihan’s little desire to see his sleeping face might not be special.

But Eunuch Oh knew his lord too well. Eunuch Oh knew better than anyone how wary and disgusted his lord was of an emperor’s personal feelings. So, how could Eunuch Oh not be surprised at this moment? 

In the meantime, Yihan spoke again to Ahjin, who was confused and could not even answer. 

“No. No. It’ll be bad if he wakes up because I come in. He needs to sleep well to recover quickly.” 

Eunuch Oh was still listening to the emperor’s full-of-concern voice giving up even though no one stopped him. 

He thought it was only a light attraction. He thought that if Yeonbin, who had always troubled his lord, changed properly, it would eventually help not only the internal court but also the mind and body of the emperor. The longer the emperor kept out the son of his favorite loyalist family, the more people could target the position of Lord Yeon, and he thought that it would never be a good thing for the emperor. 

So sometimes, he actively protected Yeonbin, who had changed. But at this moment, Eunuch Oh became unsure whether he really made the right choice.

“… Let’s go back.”

The emperor eventually turned around, looking full of regret. Yihan, who came out of the pavilion listening to the greetings from behind, suddenly looked at the scenery of Jeongan Palace in front of him. He saw young court ladies and eunuchs kneeling toward him. Walking slowly toward the palanquin, Yihan asked Eunuch Oh. 

“Has it been a long time since I appointed a head eunuch in Jeongan Palace?” 

“Yes. Since you ordered, His Highness Yeonbin has been living without a head eunuch.”

“Hmm…” 

He didn’t appoint a head eunuch at Jeongan Palace because Yeonbin in the past always held the eunuch responsible for the emperor not visiting Jeongan Palace. Yihan turned his head for a while and looked at the room where Hwawoon was asleep. It felt strange to realize how much Yeonbin had changed in the meantime. 

As he moved again, the emperor climbed the palanquin and opened his mouth. 

“Listen.” 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Tell the Department of Internal Affairs to select an intelligent and reliable person and send him to Jeongan Palace.” 

“…”

“You have to do the last check that the person selected by the Department of Internal Affairs has no problems. He will be the new head eunuch of Jeongan Palace.” 

One by one. The shadow that had been cast over Jeongan Palace for a long time had been lifted. Eunuch Oh, who still remembered how cold the emperor’s face was on the day he ordered that there would be no more head eunuchs for Jeongan Palace, closed his eyes and said, “yes, Your Majesty.” 

“Let’s go back to Anjeong Palace.” 

The emperor’s palanquin, which would not go anywhere other than Jeongan Palace again today, walked slowly in the dark. 

***

“Isn’t it time for Yeonbin to come?” 

Biyoung asked Myeongju, who was next to her, in an anxious voice.

“Yes, Your Highness. It’s almost time, so he will be here soon.” 

Myeongju replied, unfamiliar with the voice of her master, which she had never heard before.

There was a notice from Jeongan Palace. It was a notice that Yeonbin would take a short walk to Unhwa Palace after greeting the empress first since he was much better. It was the news that she had been waiting for so long, but she couldn’t calm down at all when she thought she would face Yeonbin again. 

What kind of expression will Yeonbin make in front of her? After the change, Yeonbin remained soft and calm despite her cold attitude, but how would he change after going through such big trouble? Biyoung couldn’t easily guess it. In addition, for the past few days, the emperor had been focusing all his attention on Jeongan Palace except for the time he spent on political affairs, so it was obvious that ordinary concubines would have their egos up high to the sky. 

In such a situation, Biyoung could not easily guess how he would react if he met a person who had made his body scarred. 

“Your Highness, His Highness Yeonbin is here.” 

At that time, the court lady, who came in with a rather nervous face, said to Biyoung. Biyoung kept her posture right, took a deep breath, and nodded. Whatever Yeonbin’s attitude toward her, Biyoung would take it as deserved today.