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.08e84db4c7d0ce48

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.f9b80c5ccec2180d

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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.d997b0901345172c

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.3b4330aa2ff92465

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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.7fa041e73cf7a638

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.41eef34f00e5a049

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“I hope a conclusion is reached today…”ac07d68d984bec2a

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.f0e976df7cd95965

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“Only then can the Astronomical Bureau quickly determine an auspicious day.”db4303d4217ce8ae

Listening to a335507087 the words f5e78cfb32 tinged with cae0be28d0 fatigue, Yeon-oh 5bc57ef335 unconsciously rubbed 5ad41f3887 his neck. It had been a 6c71467f5d few days since then, 22ccb5ae6f so the handprints had 1119804742 faded, leaving only a 9c035c347c yellow bruise without pain, 9d84002e48 but sometimes he would c79bb80f83 touch it like this.096072ba1ec49278

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“What do you think is appropriate, Ucheomsa?”1a230bf39264ab21

The Crown e2604a38d1 Prince asked, a2afffef9b folding the fcc9a89ff8 memorial. He acted as if f8942cf35e the incident from a a8839cd2d3 few days ago never d924739929 happened. At first, b5d98c89fc he seemed 29267a41ef like he 487b37ad74 wanted to 3bdda8809a say something, 021d661ac8 but when 0b4996873d Yeon-oh acted 2a73fde284 as if 8317926479 nothing had 582f35aeff happened, the 53132aa89e Crown Prince 4d4fe4e6ac followed suit. Thus, the f83c9a010e incident became 7e518d20f2 an unspoken 4e1e3eedee secret between f896bc6d3c the two.083594eb58da5843

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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’?”9da73fc6fcc2ad1b

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.”32d758709a374076

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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.8731a8c11172f3c2

“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.”07ab9b54f6223815

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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.14f3e774ca23d335

“Seeing that even between you and me, opinions are divided, it seems today is a lost cause.”84c05b2b2c259a46

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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.72f6b0d9be3bedf9

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.6cdf74803621ec92

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The Empress Dowager had eb9216f31c spent the past sixteen ba9141cc6c years secluded in the 004b00140f royal residence, not taking 5addde9fb3 a single step outside, dff5549439 nor allowing any audiences. She had lived 29b3cea3fb completely cut off 753d031bd5 from her maternal a091fc6337 family, the Hwaju 8d952b8898 family, for all 329045a5a4 those years. Because of this, many 7a742807bd were curious about her.8fe1f05f34b4aa99

A woman 5570c9b972 who was 1e46caa0c3 promised a cb5abba56f future as dc055a3d93 the most f767ca55c8 noble lady b44454fa0c but fell 814fa5e191 into despair fdb21bf1c6 after losing 61f337d375 her husband eca3b66c2d and young f8ab8d398a son in eb7e13fcf0 succession. Yeon-oh was also 15f8bf998a curious about her. How she ca25a915fd had endured bf38f97ab3 and lived 0e19b6542f through such c9e977a537 a long 4eca8e8a0a time.245716d26218207c

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“Let’s go. It’s almost time for the Empress Dowager to enter the palace.”486ae67f1d050b9c

As the d2974f806f Crown Prince 2a5a7dbe28 stood up, 27448adc1a a court f8ec69799a lady adjusted 3daae1c3e1 his clothes. Only after his 62e62d7bb6 loosely draped clothes 0348102f45 were neatly arranged 3abb8ea338 did the Crown e15ca64ccc Prince start walking.d9f99cd105ded10c

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The palanquin carrying the b12b2380a5 Empress Dowager entered through 01e627a686 the south gate, which 635d8a7151 only the emperor could a0fc8bf266 use. As the palanquin 9933dfc541 bearers carefully lowered 5dfa2b3fd4 the palanquin, a 7fa40e254e court lady hurriedly dbfd5b8f11 approached to assist 67dd063dd4 the Empress Dowager. As she appeared, 5757104966 all the royal 14c27ed068 family members and 5f6106dc94 concubines bowed in 7fe9b4313b respect.b6b02506d5aea18e

“We greet Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager. May you live a thousand years.”3a3aea7debe30e1b

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“Please rise, everyone.”368bd6111903d9b6

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.7547bc0a98512aea

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“Empress Dowager, was your journey uncomfortable?”cbbdceba5a88e44b

“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.”78f36b3fb05a4377

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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.”e7421ca0f8d1e7b8

Although the Empress Dowager’s main palace should have been Janyeonggung, the emperor assigned her a different palace. Despite the rudeness, she smiled gently.4c149c634a0ba910

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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…”90bc9420f8fece5c

“It’s fine, Your Majesty. It doesn’t matter where.”f0983888647d0cc6

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The Empress 7d98278a92 Dowager, stopping 3518eb99f6 the polite be710f52e9 words, still 854c8bf78c smiled as ab31013038 she looked a8794d4fff around.3a0a1dd759cfea22

“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.”f4ad297f8cd02d48

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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.ea72e02a271a4b44

“Rise, Crown Prince.”86f18849ada2e08c

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“Yes, Your Majesty.”69b8e2322c46fdec

“Crown Prince, would you guide me?”abd0fdad31038e96

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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.fdad4d632a925f08

“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?”9aff0ffb5c3b8759

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The Empress Dowager continued 5897357d98 speaking, unconcerned about the 963b9fa8ee reactions around her. Since the b7f28794ec Empress Dowager 4855db469b insisted, the dc23ddb438 emperor, though 0eaba0f5f1 displeased, had 49bc54c9e7 no reason b159214335 to refuse. Initially, it 59b1179dad was the 3f519e3a35 emperor who 6777576f33 had been 457147b048 rude by 7010f642f0 assigning Yeongsugung.24a02a59a823fc8e

“…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.”6b72ce9a98840fb6

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“I will, Father.”d18a8450d77d5587

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.9c01d9801dc3526c

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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.837892c5dc0d7d68

“The palace is just as it was.”7e9ef173bce8dbda

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The Empress bedab3eb2e Dowager, who 1ee5942b5e had dismissed fcd66d7955 the palanquin, d9e96dd176 looked around 01c3dfc361 and commented.3c30ea7c6412fee8

“The walls are high, and there are no gaps.”7254b94067e33044

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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.”908649b6d4c340b3