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.93e644001db18030

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.065804802048452b

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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.8a12f40cf91feda2

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.ce9c37da97cf7990

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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.235f92ca8df4560f

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.23da5c2359d759b1

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“I hope a conclusion is reached today…”ed7ab3fbe0b0a0a2

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.2dc10f3625a5b4e6

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“Only then can the Astronomical Bureau quickly determine an auspicious day.”9b4843e0ef8d56bd

Listening to the 226d1a734e words tinged with 8e2a524fb6 fatigue, Yeon-oh unconsciously e8d976fea9 rubbed his neck. It had been 704286d339 a few days 2b951cca53 since then, so f24a765f67 the handprints had 36c4c3540a faded, leaving only a2917edc61 a yellow bruise eec263c32c without pain, but e6082df960 sometimes he would 58be6b4c29 touch it like 8a9e5377fc this.d99d290a122c2994

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“What do you think is appropriate, Ucheomsa?”07f797ef158a09c9

The Crown 2a6bb5f4aa Prince asked, 70f2b01f7b folding the 3651742d6d memorial. He acted as if 10fefd3f36 the incident from a 7969259785 few days ago never e77c47f1fa happened. At first, he 814ba5c73b seemed like he fd1c2440f9 wanted to say 9d27087f4c something, but when 10757a268d Yeon-oh acted as 8064940ff3 if nothing had a76c016337 happened, the Crown d9b2a47dae Prince followed suit. Thus, the incident became a85d3f81a1 an unspoken secret between db18c5bdc9 the two.d01d22d1fe9e96d8

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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’?”d20c35e2f87f38d7

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.”41534838f003c2d2

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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.4ef49316d2ad7446

“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.”94d79ba3a798ef00

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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.ed892363c2645691

“Seeing that even between you and me, opinions are divided, it seems today is a lost cause.”8846b579565fd71a

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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.d72e47fdbc96ff64

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.184eb80cc26211dd

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The Empress Dowager had 44302a56a3 spent the past sixteen fa9e9387e0 years secluded in the 0290bfeb3d royal residence, not taking a78ed52fad a single step outside, ab25cba13f nor allowing any audiences. She had lived 1b233b6803 completely cut off 44bfba619b from her maternal b622cc582b family, the Hwaju fc2e2defb2 family, for all 7ffc9ba248 those years. Because of this, many 03ad57ff1c were curious about her.0cdc886660912ce9

A woman who 3ee0de1588 was promised a 257aa20248 future as the 8fccc05bec most noble lady c8b4d9a35b but fell into aabdf0bf4d despair after losing 993518be8d her husband and db69cd4efe young son in 7ac7f21756 succession. Yeon-oh was f1e973d0b3 also curious 6141c9c4a4 about her. How she eaf3b3b622 had endured 57c31304b5 and lived 64ab905bef through such 243418768d a long 19eda45842 time.097d0bf4c57291a2

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“Let’s go. It’s almost time for the Empress Dowager to enter the palace.”c35f895c8ccb2f40

As the Crown 60d16b41ef Prince stood up, 4a31d4b5d0 a court lady b143c914f3 adjusted his clothes. Only after his 6113591cd6 loosely draped clothes f9dd19d2ab were neatly arranged 9efb6340ff did the Crown e5c25abe06 Prince start walking.5da0942df0315a56

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The palanquin 609aa83470 carrying the b773ee1272 Empress Dowager ebbb5e66cc entered through df02a58e82 the south ee095a951e gate, which 1fca49cc6a only the d6becfeb0d emperor could 5d65255932 use. As the 74de511fde palanquin bearers b4a01a481d carefully lowered a4f5b13c6f the palanquin, eb1deb9efe a court 90a719d4ea lady hurriedly 5857d2335b approached to 115439642f assist the 1b007b3c36 Empress Dowager. As she 43c3b5cfe5 appeared, all 409340a6f7 the royal 11d8c86cb8 family members a398eb16cd and concubines 8a6d6b1e4a bowed in 1e1f5b263e respect.c2c2021c62142e0f

“We greet Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager. May you live a thousand years.”903250daa029f702

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“Please rise, everyone.”8ad8994d69da1c84

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.77b5d29796079b67

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“Empress Dowager, was your journey uncomfortable?”e15e561fdc686a64

“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.”4f0521003d1e7013

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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.”60f5f611674dca96

Although the Empress Dowager’s main palace should have been Janyeonggung, the emperor assigned her a different palace. Despite the rudeness, she smiled gently.c66104fd1ac2e81f

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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…”a8e0d9240dae203f

“It’s fine, Your Majesty. It doesn’t matter where.”21a88f90609601fc

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The Empress Dowager, stopping 69e109bf41 the polite words, still 819d179765 smiled as she looked f9af62ab0b around.7a199cdb1dc426da

“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.”9dc93f855015d0e3

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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.5cb3c994c8fc48de

“Rise, Crown Prince.”0b920f904181f96f

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“Yes, Your Majesty.”f4b51a37272be9b9

“Crown Prince, would you guide me?”5ca994072e51a5f2

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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.d958cdd8abe7240a

“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?”6b195d3f47bcc756

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The Empress 5c9009708a Dowager continued d7ea215af2 speaking, unconcerned aa2c82bbdb about the 694e3256b9 reactions around f2b436314f her. Since the Empress 5b0716b611 Dowager insisted, the ad1929d27d emperor, though displeased, aab4629140 had no reason e9f8e71ed2 to refuse. Initially, it was 0891a4cb42 the emperor who 7f43111ccd had been rude b624c91538 by assigning Yeongsugung.bf3c975964f532ca

“…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.”5260c36a03e63944

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“I will, Father.”0712fde7a9902680

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.050534c3285758f2

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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.c5e892ce27a51f9a

“The palace is just as it was.”105fa06c81adfae7

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The Empress 60add77173 Dowager, who 5850ebb3d4 had dismissed 25ecb7999a the palanquin, 4b844a3a0f looked around 8fce8cf92a and commented.16afe44786a55111

“The walls are high, and there are no gaps.”1d2c06d891393dab

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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.”bb37558de1f01b16