SNF | Chapter 2.2

Yeon-oh held the tea cup engraved with floral patterns and took a slow sip. The aroma was deep, rich. He was particular about tea, yet even he found himself pausing to take in the fragrance once more.

“It has a wonderful taste. Not at all bitter.”

As soon as Yeon-oh offered his brief assessment after sipping, the Empress’ expression lit up with satisfaction.

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“This tea is made from leaves grown exclusively in Juyang. Their depth of aroma is unparalleled, and this particular batch is of the highest grade. I’m relieved that it suits your taste.”

The conversation drifted naturally from tea to everyday matters. To satisfy the Empress’ curiosity, Yeon-oh spoke about his life in Hanam, even though there had been nothing particularly remarkable. She listened intently, absorbing every detail.

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To Yeon-oh, the Empress was neither as cold as Hye Yeonseo nor particularly affectionate. They were simply siblings who had been born from the same mother, bound by blood and the family name. That was all. And yet, she was treating him as if he were a cherished, long-lost younger brother. It was awkward. Uncomfortable, even.

“…I received a great deal of help from Seok Kyung while I was there. There were times I might have fallen gravely ill, but thanks to him, I recovered quickly. If I remained in good health, it was all because of Seok Kyung.”

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“Seok Kyung… You mean Jo Myeonghwan? The medical skills of the Jo family are already well-known, but his abilities are said to be the most exceptional among them. …So, he returned with you. That will be a great asset to the family.”

It was only natural that Jo Myeonghwan would come up in any discussion of Hanam. He, along with the nanny, had played an integral role there. The Empress furrowed her brow slightly, as if recalling old memories of him.

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“Is his medical skill truly that remarkable?”

The Emperor, who had been quietly finishing his tea, finally showed interest in the conversation.

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“By the time he was not even ten, he had already read through countless medical texts, astounding his father with his knowledge. My father greatly valued his talent and urged him to enter official service, but he refused, choosing instead to remain as our family’s physician. However, I dare say his abilities are equal to those of the Royal Physician.”

“Such a talent, yet he refuses an official position? What a shame.”

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“If Your Majesty wishes, I could request my father to recommend him for service at the palace. Regardless of his personal reluctance, he would have no choice but to obey an imperial decree.”

“He is your personal physician, is he not? It would be improper to take such a man away from you.”

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“It is shameful that someone of such talent, who should be serving under Your Majesty, remains bound to my side due to my frailty.”

Jo Myeonghwan had outright refused before, even when it was suggested in jest. Of course, as the Empress had said, he could not defy an imperial decree—but being forced into official service against his will would only make him miserable.

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The number of people Yeon-oh truly cared for was few. At most, it was his nanny and Jo Myeonghwan. He wasn’t willing to let go of one of them so easily. Sensing the Emperor’s subtle desire to bring Jo Myeonghwan into the palace, Yeon-oh chose to remain silent, pretending not to notice.

“I understand your feelings, brother-in-law.”

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Even if Yeon-oh refused, the Emperor would call Jo Myeonghwan into service whenever he wished. All Yeon-oh could do was hope that moment would come as late as possible. He lowered his head politely, acknowledging the Emperor’s seemingly understanding expression.

Silence stretched between them.

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The Empress, seemingly surprised by Yeon-oh’s refusal, did not speak. The Emperor, as always, did not break the silence first. And Yeon-oh himself remained quiet, keeping his gaze lowered. The hush was finally broken by an unexpected commotion.

“It’s getting noisy outside. Who dares to cause such a disturbance within the Inner Palace?”

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The Emperor’s sharp reprimand rang out. No sooner had he spoken than the eunuch standing near the side door stepped outside to investigate. A short while later, he returned, his expression tense, and bowed before the Emperor.

“What is it?”

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“Your Majesty, a message has arrived from Habi.”

The Emperor’s face immediately darkened. His displeasure was clear as he slammed his hand against the desk. All the attendants within the chamber immediately lowered their heads.

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“Where is the messenger?”

“He is waiting at the East Gate for permission to enter the palace.”

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“Grant him entry. Bring him directly to the main hall, at once.”

At the Emperor’s command, the eunuch signaled another servant while moving to assist him as he rose from his seat.

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“Empress, I regret that we must postpone our meal.”

“State affairs must always come first. Please do not concern yourself with my brother and me, Your Majesty.”

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“Very well. brother-in-law.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

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“Our next meeting will likely be during the Spring Festival.”

“I will look forward to that day.”

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“Good.”

With that, the Emperor strode forward. The attendants quickly adjusted the folds of his ceremonial robe as they followed.

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The doors opened, then shut again, and the Emperor’s figure disappeared from sight.

“Habi is the province adjacent to Hwaju, isn’t it? What kind of message could possibly change His Majesty’s expression so drastically?”

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“A woman confined to the inner palace wouldn’t know such things. But from what I’ve heard, bandits have been running rampant in that region.”

“No matter how rampant they may be, they’re still just bandits in the end. The lord of Habi or the Marquis of Hwaju should be more than capable of defending against them.”

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“Do you remember the drought from two years ago?”

“Yes. Except for a few regions, the entire land suffered from it. Even in Hanam, we heard stories of His Majesty performing countless rain rituals.”

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“That’s right. That terrible drought forced people to abandon their fields and take up arms. His Majesty distributed relief grain, and after the rain finally came, many returned to their daily lives. But not all of them. Some never went back. And now, those very people have become the ruthless bandits that trouble His Majesty’s mind. …With each passing season, they’ve become more organized, more refined. And whenever a large-scale suppression effort is mounted, they disappear without a trace, making it impossible to eradicate them. I had hoped this winter would be quiet, but in the end, they couldn’t even let the New Year pass in peace.”

No matter how cunning these bandits had become, they were still just outlaws. There was no way the empire’s elite soldiers, who were sustained by the nation’s coffers, couldn’t handle a mere group of bandits. Even a single unit dispatched from the Capital City would be more than enough to annihilate them. No matter how elusive they were, there had to be a limit to the places they could hide. Even Yeon-oh, who had only learned about military strategy through books, found it hard to believe that others wouldn’t have already thought the same.

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“…Is that so?”

Questions filled his mind, but Yeon-oh refrained from asking them. The Empress had drawn a clear line—she was someone who did not involve herself in state affairs. No matter what doubts he voiced, she would surely hold her tongue.

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“Let’s not dwell on such heavy matters. It’s been eight years since we last met, hasn’t it?”

The Empress intentionally lightened the mood. Yeon-oh responded with a simple “Yes,” and she gazed at him for a long time. Just as he was beginning to feel uncomfortable under her lingering stare, she finally spoke.

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“Looking at you now, time truly flows like a river.”

Yeon-oh recalled the last time he had seen the Empress. In his hazy memory, she had been a noblewoman from a distinguished family. But after more than ten years, she had transformed into the perfect imperial consort. Her gestures, her speech, even the way she smiled—all were measured, polished, and deliberate. Time had carved her into the woman she was now.

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“To think that this coming New Year marks your sixteenth birthday.”

“…”

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“The boy who once made me worry whether he would grow up safely… is now sixteen.”

Sixteen. The year he would undergo his coming-of-age ceremony. Yeon-oh quietly mulled over the significance of that age.

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In the empire, aside from the imperial family, there existed seven noble families. Originally, twenty-nine families had been recorded as meritorious contributors who aided the founding emperor in establishing the nation. However, as time passed, political strife and treason led to their downfall, and by the reign of Emperor Seo Gwang, only seven families remained.

Emperor Seo Gwang, renowned as the Conquering Emperor for seizing dominance over the continent, sought to efficiently govern his rapidly expanded territory. To do so, he elevated the seven long-loyal meritorious families to the rank of gunhu¹, granting them fiefs and allowing their titles to be inherited.

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Holding immense power, these families desired to set themselves apart even further, and this ambition led them to unite. They began referring to themselves as the Feudal Nobility, and before long, others called them the Feudal Clans. Over the years, they worked relentlessly to solidify their wealth and authority, intertwining their bloodlines with the imperial family.

Among these families, the Hanam Hye family had produced the most empresses throughout history. Additionally, they had played a crucial role in securing the current emperor’s ascension to the throne, allowing them to claim leadership among the seven Feudal Clans. Hye Yeon-oh was the sole direct heir of this prestigious lineage. Once he turned sixteen, he would be officially recognized as the legitimate successor to this venerable family.

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“Your father will soon have one less burden to bear. And your mother…”

Yeon-oh closed his eyes, waiting for the rest of the sentence.

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“Your mother… If she were still alive, she would have been so happy to see you turn sixteen. How much joy she would have felt knowing that the child she gave her life for had reached this age. …And how dearly she would have cherished a son who resembles her so much.”

The Empress’s voice softened, touched by old memories. Though she spoke with composure, a faint trace of longing for someone long gone lingered in her tone.

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Yeon-oh pretended not to notice that longing. It was not a longing for him, after all—so what choice did he have but to turn away?

“When they left you behind as just a newborn, I wonder if they could even close their eyes in peace. Now that I’ve become a mother myself, I can somewhat understand that sorrowful heart.”

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“……”

“Oh dear, I was the one who said we shouldn’t talk about heavy topics first.”

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