SNF | Chapter 10.1

The snow that fell a few days ago was winter’s last farewell. The cold wind carried the warmth of spring, and the sunlight grew longer. Those who weren’t particularly sensitive to the cold didn’t wear fur clothes. The Crown Prince, with his outer garment loosely draped, was engrossed in reading the memorials.472139c20877175d

Recently, the Crown Prince had been busy. His usual schedule was already tight, but with the Ministry of Rites’ memorials regarding the posthumous honor of Crown Prince Soseong, he became even busier. Despite such busy days, the matter of the posthumous honor remained unresolved.8ccccd313b00ba0c

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The most troublesome part of the posthumous honor process for the Crown Prince was the temple name. There was no major dispute in deciding the posthumous title. In honor of Crown Prince Soseong’s virtuous heart, the Ministry of Rites unanimously agreed on “Hyeon” (贤). The problem was the temple name. The issue of whether to use “Jo” or “Jong” was sharply divided. It was no different for Crown Prince Soseong.625319106fc8b58f

In the early days of the founding, “Jong” was given to emperors who succeeded the legitimacy, and “Jo” was given to emperors who overturned the order or lineage. However, now the trend was to give “Jo” to kings with achievements for the country and “Jong” to kings who ruled the country with virtue.38eddd17f799ac2f

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The late emperor’s final years were a time when music and rituals flourished, and this achievement belonged to Crown Prince Soseong. The late emperor was not in good health, so after Crown Prince Soseong turned sixteen, he entrusted most of the state affairs to him. Ministers advocating for “Hyeonjo” used these facts as their basis.b38dce22b0886830

On the other hand, ministers advocating for “Hyeonjong” argued that Crown Prince Soseong was the legitimate heir as the late emperor’s legitimate son and had virtue, so it was appropriate to give him the temple name “Hyeonjong.” Both arguments were reasonable, so the Crown Prince had to endure the ministers’ debates for several days.63d79d2ebdf57741

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“I hope a conclusion is reached today…”2ac6c0dfd1a007ba

The Crown Prince murmured, resting his chin on his hand. Lee Shinwoo, who was also suffering alongside the Crown Prince, nodded in agreement. He was the busiest among the three in the Office of the Crown Prince’s Affairs, searching for characters to use in the posthumous title.5136997c0088ba79

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“Only then can the Astronomical Bureau quickly determine an auspicious day.”3a39ef75979964a7

Listening to the words f37a5aed29 tinged with fatigue, Yeon-oh 162f355edd unconsciously rubbed his neck. It had been e4cc719392 a few days 4178ffa17d since then, so 8ea0ed5069 the handprints had 59470e49bc faded, leaving only e7e76da5ae a yellow bruise 0539faad6f without pain, but 4d1f037703 sometimes he would d0c24c0977 touch it like 36ca52a227 this.ac9e748b3b03d1cb

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“What do you think is appropriate, Ucheomsa?”71e90e10575ff6d1

The Crown Prince asked, 0310d327df folding the memorial. He acted 882d2cd326 as if 98e3202335 the incident 47a306940c from a 82b91bdc10 few days 64ec94705e ago never 3f0a9d2249 happened. At first, he seemed be4a447db2 like he wanted to a73bf69c4f say something, but when 9b445e59a5 Yeon-oh acted as if 80c1984091 nothing had happened, the 59c52eff94 Crown Prince followed suit. Thus, the incident 32f7520f0e became an unspoken c76fe8082f secret between the e292447d8a two.5577fc7b04bb69f8

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“Although it wasn’t an achievement made after ascending the throne, considering that eight-tenths of the late emperor’s final achievements belong to Crown Prince Soseong, wouldn’t it be appropriate to give him the temple name ‘Hyeonjo’?”ba1ae647690e3a59

Yeon-oh pushed aside his thoughts and first answered the Crown Prince’s question. Recently, “Jo” was considered superior to “Jong,” so those who didn’t know might think that those advocating for “Hyeonjo” were supporting Crown Prince Soseong. But the truth was different. The Prime Minister insisted on “Hyeonjo.”ce570d7adfbdefc3

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If Crown Prince Soseong were to have his tablet enshrined in the ancestral temple with the temple name “Hyeonjong,” then any emperor who ascended the throne with the same lineage could not have the temple name “Jong.” That would be unbearable for an emperor. The Prime Minister knew the emperor’s obsession with legitimacy. Since it didn’t matter much to him whether it was “Hyeonjo” or “Hyeonjong,” Yeon-oh obediently followed his family’s wishes.c77b6b61579cb2e1

“Yes. But if we focus on the fact that Crown Prince Soseong’s achievements weren’t made after ascending the throne, then using his status as the late emperor’s legitimate son as a basis, giving him the temple name ‘Hyeonjong’ wouldn’t be bad either.”91b5c7b3feded164

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The Crown Prince seemed inclined towards “Hyeonjong.” It was hard to understand why he kept touching on the emperor’s sensitive issue of legitimacy. The more he did, the more disadvantageous it was for the Crown Prince.8c409dfddcd74aac

“Seeing that even between you and me, opinions are divided, it seems today is a lost cause.”f283fd1731a3c95f

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The Crown Prince lightly predicted today’s situation and stood up. Today was the day the Empress Dowager was entering the palace, and the emperor had ordered all the royal family members to greet her before the meeting with the Ministry of Rites.71d4d60bf26c788b

Although Crown Prince Soseong’s posthumous honor hadn’t been completed yet, since it was decided to be done, his consort, Lady Yun, was already the Empress Dowager. Even if the enthronement ceremony would be held after Crown Prince Soseong’s posthumous honor, they couldn’t leave the Empress Dowager outside the palace. The emperor ordered a formal yet simple ceremony to bring the Empress Dowager into the palace, and today was the day she would enter after all the procedures were completed.4f8fe063b682cddd

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The Empress Dowager had e6af732bcb spent the past sixteen 6c8e415ce2 years secluded in the 9dfb5f6388 royal residence, not taking 1e3a2d3d32 a single step outside, b350f5e7a5 nor allowing any audiences. She had 96a10344f1 lived completely 7ddf4459b4 cut off e5e61ff13d from her 6082df97f0 maternal family, 3d49d2e9d8 the Hwaju 2837235e9e family, for 09b53d1241 all those 871ad12864 years. Because of b27a43eb0d this, many 67b9975f89 were curious 8626557bb4 about her.93549d793ea32f0f

A woman who was 038fcf995c promised a future as ed225cc75c the most noble lady 26351b0e1c but fell into despair 1929e31672 after losing her husband a8308a8a75 and young son in 93a0db1bdf succession. Yeon-oh was 75541be84f also curious 7b0a96d06a about her. How she 6dc20b0605 had endured 07e9354b80 and lived 62e6b928fc through such 01e875808d a long 2a101b528f time.62a3f06a81c841ed

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“Let’s go. It’s almost time for the Empress Dowager to enter the palace.”e76974c16aee76e1

As the Crown Prince 25f0e1fdaa stood up, a court 262deb6342 lady adjusted his clothes. Only after f89af9faff his loosely 061a4d00c1 draped clothes a7e61cc228 were neatly e160580bd8 arranged did 91b34aa787 the Crown 2561d20bea Prince start f3f1ccf622 walking.14d6b293f8635bd1

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The palanquin 42de7c61e6 carrying the 7f680a73dd Empress Dowager 4139b5069b entered through f155613f3e the south 5d51f38f64 gate, which 19cec85995 only the 28c92e2ec0 emperor could ae0a2d76cc use. As the palanquin 48a8ce56f0 bearers carefully lowered f32b682eb3 the palanquin, a 6defd17202 court lady hurriedly 6e9f643a3b approached to assist b0133961ff the Empress Dowager. As she appeared, all d3ccb98875 the royal family members e0c4d9cc42 and concubines bowed in 0c9c36865d respect.dbb085d3e0ca0a05

“We greet Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager. May you live a thousand years.”ef48f56d272caaa8

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“Please rise, everyone.”9647e6436d7a9f08

Her voice was gentle yet strong. Anyone hearing the Empress Dowager’s voice wouldn’t have thought she was someone who had secluded herself in the royal residence for over a decade. The prince standing next to the Empress was busy looking up at his aunt, who was dressed in more splendid attire than his mother, as if he found it fascinating.c0897f03112121c2

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“Empress Dowager, was your journey uncomfortable?”18073555eb97a493

“How could it be uncomfortable when it was a palanquin sent personally by His Majesty? Moreover, opening the south gate for me is truly overwhelming.”e54d677ffe14c854

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“Compared to the years of hardship the Empress Dowager has endured, it’s nothing. Now, please, Empress Dowager, the Empress will escort you to the palace. Your residence will be Yeongsugung. It’s the quietest and most beautiful place in the inner court.”82948fb432073140

Although the Empress Dowager’s main palace should have been Janyeonggung, the emperor assigned her a different palace. Despite the rudeness, she smiled gently.a5ea13c2bccc4dd7

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“Considering the Empress Dowager has lived quietly for so long, Yeongsugung seems more suitable than Janyeonggung. However, if you don’t wish for it…”40ba06c138f3c510

“It’s fine, Your Majesty. It doesn’t matter where.”5a79ae629faa3656

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The Empress Dowager, stopping b6a232c311 the polite words, still 17eb0f3780 smiled as she looked 58130e0d7f around.8691516553c64e73

“The past decade and more, spent mourning my husband, seemed short, but seeing everyone, it seems it wasn’t such a short time. The precious daughter of Hanam has become the mistress of the inner court and has two children, and seeing the Crown Prince, who was only three, grown so much… It seems only my time has stopped.”2ff5458eab49780f

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Though it seemed like a sigh filled with emotion, her lips didn’t smile. She covered her lips with her sleeve and moved gracefully. Her steps led her to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince knelt to show respect.6a6bc3db07ccc12a

“Rise, Crown Prince.”246e4b838ea7126e

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“Yes, Your Majesty.”bd10a54b10fd0a9a

“Crown Prince, would you guide me?”3b10169cecc16e3d

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The emperor had instructed the Empress to escort the Empress Dowager. Despite hearing this, the Empress Dowager requested the Crown Prince to escort her. It was an act of ignoring the emperor’s consideration. Everyone watched the emperor’s reaction.7786c39f2f8d148c

“Your Majesty, while I appreciate your consideration, please understand my desire to spend time with my nephew. If the Crown Prince goes, Heegang will follow. He’s busy serving the Crown Prince, so when else can I have a long conversation with Heegang?”dd318f4490761b0d

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The Empress Dowager 6e407c5e2f continued speaking, unconcerned 25720b1700 about the reactions 6a4252bfa3 around her. Since the 5eba1ece55 Empress Dowager 3dd1e5d7d9 insisted, the 0d372315df emperor, though fedb497944 displeased, had cb3117b845 no reason 78be31d83f to refuse. Initially, it 18ae401e39 was the 677e555ea5 emperor who 17ef22bb35 had been aa34ca0dd3 rude by 28d5a9e2e7 assigning Yeongsugung.3626b961a1767b3f

“…It’s been over a decade since the Empress Dowager last saw her nephew. I failed to consider that. Very well. Crown Prince, escort the Empress Dowager to the palace.”2eb00fee0bd50dc9

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“I will, Father.”1780f6316220af90

Finally, the emperor gave his permission. Though he appeared composed, he couldn’t have been pleased that his consideration had been disregarded. He excused himself, saying he was busy with state affairs, and left with the royal family and concubines, excluding the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince told the Crown Princess that he would soon return to the Eastern Palace and sent her to join their procession.902d6787568bae67

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Only after their figures completely disappeared did the Empress Dowager extend her hand. The jade ring on her finger glistened gold in the sunlight. The Crown Prince naturally took the Empress Dowager’s hand.c49ad4abea8a62ce

“The palace is just as it was.”acd4318a60441d52

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The Empress Dowager, b5511702aa who had dismissed ee1f4f5cfd the palanquin, looked f5f40627e9 around and commented.8cd00d1e36ffb858

“The walls are high, and there are no gaps.”1a85307dae261888

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“Is that so? I’ve grown so accustomed to the palace that I don’t even notice the height of the walls anymore, Your Majesty.”548e1a326c4eb53d