After being admonished by King Sejong, Hyang sighed softly.
“Phew~. The responsibility has left my hands… It might be a bit difficult, so Father and the ministers will have their work cut out for them. But what can I do? It’s something I can’t even personally take care of… No, it’s something that’s almost impossible even if I do. I’m not skilled in that area…”
“Your Highness, did you say something?”
“It’s nothing. Just talking to myself.”
Briefly answering his attendant who was following behind, Hyang sighed again.
“Phew~. Being a Crown Prince has its perks, but there’s no private life, no private life at all…”
Suddenly thinking of something, Hyang turned to look at his attendant.
“By the way, how many days are left until this month’s full moon?”
“Five days.”
“Five days? That’s exciting.”
Once again, muttering to himself, Hyang turned his gaze over the palace walls.
***
Hyang’s appearance itself was an unexpected event in the gisaeng house.
“No one who hasn’t performed the formal rites can enter here.”
A young child dressed in an expensive top-grade silk garment had come to the gisaeng house, causing the head gisaeng to personally come out and block Hyang.
To her words, Hyang tapped his hat with his finger and responded.
“Do you see this hat as mere decoration?”
“Eh? Still…”
The head gisaeng hesitated, prompting the commander of the accompanying guards to step forward.
“He is more than qualified.”
“In that case…”
Overwhelmed by the guards, the head gisaeng stepped aside, and Hyang and his party were able to enter the gisaeng house.
“Take them to the largest room.”
“Yes.”
After leading Hyang and his companions inside, the head gisaeng gave orders to another servant.
“Tell the others to prepare, just in case.”
“Yes.”
“Who exactly is that young master?”
Even after ushering gisaeng into the room where Hyang’s party had entered, the head gisaeng sat by the door and monitored the situation within. Her eyes were focused solely on Hyang.
‘He’s definitely not an ordinary young master!’
The head gisaeng concluded as she observed Hyang’s behavior.
Her conclusion had grounds.
Hyang was extremely natural at commanding those beneath him. And it wasn’t merely the air of someone used to bossing around slaves; he was comfortable even directing those who looked to be on an equal footing.
“I wonder if today will be a busy day…”
The head gisaeng anxiously chewed her nails.
Inside, meanwhile, they were having a relatively enjoyable time.
“The aroma of alcohol is wonderful!”
Hyang took a quick sniff and set it down, prompting the gisaeng beside him to smile and respond.
“It’s not alcohol; it’s tea aroma.”
“Tea aroma?”
“The king has issued a ban on alcohol. How could we brew alcohol freely? We simply steep tea in alcohol.”
“Ah? Hahaha!”
Hyang laughed genuinely at the gisaeng’s reply.
Ever since King Sejong ascended the throne, there hadn’t been a year without famine. Therefore, Sejong had to issue an alcohol ban every year. Some leniency had begun as national construction projects commenced, but the ban still continued.
Courtesan parlors, as a result, had their own workaround.
“We’re not selling grain alcohol; we’re selling alcohol-infused tea!”
It was a case of ‘closing one’s eyes to avoid seeing,’ but they got away with it because it was a gisaeng house.
***
Hyang, who had been observing the appearances of the courtesans in the brothel, changed the subject as the atmosphere started to get comfortable.
“I’m new to the brothel scene, but I’ve heard that there are people here who handle any disturbances. Is that true?”
Upon hearing Hyang’s question, the courtesan sitting next to him responded in a haughty manner.
“Yes, indeed. We have very strong gatekeepers here.”
“Can I see them?”
“Excuse me?”
“Well, I’ve heard rumors. Even officials from the Saheonbu (Office of the Inspector General)1, known for their strictness, are intimidated by their mere gaze. I’m curious about these people.”
“Oh my~, that doesn’t apply to our brothel.”
“Still, I’d like to meet them. Could you call them?”
“Very well.”
The courtesan went out and relayed Hyang’s request. Shortly after, she returned with a somewhat troubled expression.
“The gatekeepers told me to convey that ‘they are not clowns of Sadang troupe’.'”
“How rude!”
The bodyguards sitting with them were enraged, loudly protesting and getting up from their seats.
“Sit down.”
“My lord!”
“Quickly!”
“Yes.”
The guards took their seats at Hyang’s order.
“Enjoy a cup of Gokcha (strong tea mixed with alcohol). But don’t get intoxicated by the fragrance.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
At Hyang’s command, the escorting guards emptied the cups of alcohol in front of them. Watching this, Hyang turned to look at the courtesan seated next to him.
“Drinking Gokcha is an interesting choice.”
“Yes, My Lord…”
The courtesan replied with a tense face, realizing she was in the company of very dangerous individuals.
‘What on earth is this kid?’
The courtesan was curious about the identity of the young lord seated next to her.
A moment later, words that escaped from Hyang’s lips turned the courtesan’s face pale.
“Go tell those gatekeepers, ‘Dogs that guard the gate and scavenge the leftovers from the table shouldn’t talk too much.'”
“My Lord!”
The courtesan rushed to stop him, but Hyang’s expression remained unchanged.
“Deliver the message as I said.”
***
Shortly after, a gatekeeper appeared to guard the brothel.
“Which noble…”
The gatekeeper, appearing ready to stir up trouble with his insults, paused and became visibly tense.
It was because of the stern faces of the people in the room.
Every man present, except Hyang sitting at the top seat, emitted an extraordinary aura as they glared at him.
‘If I mess this up, today next year could be my, Kang Samtae’s, memorial day.’
Samtae clenched the hilt of his Changpogeom (korean sword) tightly and opened his mouth.
[TL/N: Changpogeom Sword is a sword named after calamus plant (changpo in Korean).
“May I know who summoned me?”
“Are you the leader of the gatekeepers guarding this place?”
Upon hearing Hyang’s question, Samtae answered.
“Are you looking for Daehyung?”
“Bring him here.”
Frustrated by Hyang’s incredibly haughty words, Samtae gritted his teeth but answered due to the intimidating aura of the people sitting with him.
“I will bring him.”
Shortly after, an extraordinary-looking man followed Samtae into the room.
“I’ve heard you were looking for me.”
“Come in.”
At Hyang’s command, Daehyung strode into the room.
“I have a conversation to hold with this man. The rest of you may leave.”
“Yes.”
At Hyang’s words, the courtesans filed out of the room one by one.
After the courtesans left, Hyang gave the same order to the bodyguards and attendants.
“You may also leave for a moment.”
“My lord! Absolutely not!”
“It’s fine, step out.”
“I will leave two behind.”
Firmly resisting the command, the commander of the bodyguards made his case. Hyang nodded.
“So be it.”
And so, only Hyang, the commander leading the bodyguards, his subordinate, Daehyung, and Samtae were left in the room.
“Why did you seek me out?” Daehyung asked.
Hyang smiled thinly and threw a question back. “Judging by your appearance, you seem like the child of a concubine. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Are you satisfied with your current life?”
“What can a dog that survives on scraps from the banquet table hope for? I guess I’m content as long as I’m not starving.”
“Hmm…”
Hyang let out a small sigh through his nose, observing Daehyung, who sat right in front of him.
‘It’s a cliché but seems useful, doesn’t it?’
“Stop staring, you’ll bore a hole in my face. You’re not into men, are you?”
“Unfortunately for you, I’m quite normal. Do you lot have contracts?”
“Why do you ask?”
“If you have a contract, tell your contract master. One dog’s life can be quite different from another’s. Come find me at midnight on the full moon this month.”
Daehyung looked astonished at Hyang’s words.
“Ha! Do you even know who I am?”
“If you can’t do even that, you’ll have to spend your life guarding the gates of the pleasure district.”
Hyang emptied the cup in front of him. “Whew! That’s strong!”
Setting down his cup, Hyang rose from his seat and walked out.
“Settle the bill.”
“Yes, my lord.”
As the inner servant was settling the bill, Hyang looked back at Samtae and Daehyung.
“Take a good look and remember. Don’t take my words lightly.”
After finishing his words, Hyang moved away briskly with his bodyguards and inner servants.
Watching Hyang fade into the distance, Daehyung ordered Samtae, “Follow him.”
“Yes, Daehyung.”
However, Samtae who returned after a while, had to shake his head.
“I lost him.”
“How?”
“His traces were lost in the Unjong neighborhood.”
“Unjong neighborhood?”
Upon hearing Samtae’s words, Daehyung briefly thought of the terrain of Hansung.
‘Vanished from Unjongga? Where to? That place is filled with officials… Wait, officials? If it’s officials, then it’s connected to the palace, and if it’s the palace…’
Daehyung immediately realized one fact.
‘The Crown Prince in the rumors would be about the same age as the boy I saw earlier!’
“During the last fire in Hansung, wasn’t the Crown Prince in command? Has anyone here seen his face?”
“Aigoo, Daehyung! Our kids are all night owls who sleep during the day, aren’t they?”
“Damn it!”
Cursing, Daehyung scratched his head furiously and reached a conclusion.
“I’ll have to speak to the innkeeper.”
It had only been three days since Hyang started frequenting the pleasure house, and his true identity was already revealed.
On the third day, while walking, Hyang posed a question to the guard escorting him.
“Commander Kwon, did you say this place is called Hwayeollu? Is it famous?”
“Yes, it’s the best in Dadong [Tea Cave].”
“You know it well?”
“From my youth…”
“Your family must be proud.”
“Haha!”
As the conversation mixed with jest and earnest continued, they arrived at the pleasure house in question. Hyang chuckled.
“I’ve been caught. Well, it was only a matter of time…”
Standing in front of the wide-open gates of Hwayeollu were what appeared to be a high-ranking courtesan and Daehyung.
“It is an honor to serve you, My Lord.”
Upon seeing Hyang, the high-ranking courtesan quickly bowed deeply, and Daehyeong also followed suit.
“Ho?”
Hyang was impressed with the courtesy that Daehyung displayed, observing that it strictly followed etiquette. This suggested that Daehyung likely came from an extraordinary background.
In any case, Hyang moved forward for the purpose he had in mind.
“Thank you for welcoming me. I look forward to it.”
***
Around the promised full moon, as midnight drew near, Hyang issued orders to the guards guarding Eastern Palace.
“Open the gates and wait outside. A guest will be coming.”
“But, Your Highness…”
“It’s an order. Don’t question it, just obey.”
Faced with Hyang’s strong command, the guards had no choice but to retreat.
“Inner Palace Guards, step back too.”
“I will not comply.”
“Inner Palace Guards!”
Even as Hyang’s voice grew louder, the Inner Palace Guards refused to budge.
“Even when my subordinates reported it, Your Highness didn’t inform the King. This alone makes me an unforgivable sinner. I can’t leave you alone!”
“Do you think things will go well if you stand your ground, Inner Palace Guards?”
“Your Highness! Even then, it’s not allowed!”
“Inner Palace Guards! This is for the sake of Father and this Joseon! My life is a small price to pay for it! It’s an order!”
The standoff between Hyang and the Inner Palace Guards continued, but they couldn’t break Hyang’s stubbornness.
Eventually, the Inner Palace Guards proposed a compromise.
“Then, let’s leave only two behind. I can’t concede more than that! If you even refuse this, I will report to the King immediately!”
Sighing deeply at the Inner Palace Guards’ firm stance, Hyang agreed.
“Fine, let’s do it like that.”
“Thank you, Your Highness!”
After bowing to Hyang, the Inner Palace Guards left Officer Kwon and one other guard behind and exited the room.
“That stubborn nobleman…”
While Hyang was grumbling, Officer Kwon and the other one were muttering internally.
‘Is this really necessary, Your Highness?’
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