Chae Young locked herself in her chamber for a day.
Chae Young felt it was cruel of Taehyung to punish her to stay in her chamber for a month. She needed to get him to change his decision.
The night sky darkened, Chae Young, picked up a lantern and stepped to the vanity table.
Chae Young pulled the drawer of the vanity table and took out a small chest. Inside it was one white bottle and one blue bottle. She picked up the blue bottle and she was tempted to use it. But she put the blue bottle down, picked up the white bottle, and hid the chest inside the drawer.
Taehyung was reading letters he received from his elders and army comrades in Southern Busan in the calligraphy room. He laughed while reading the list of reasons they wanted him to return there. They complained the general made everyone eat vegetarian food and didn't allow them to watch performances. Suddenly he heard a loud sob outside the door.
"Let me in, "Chae Young said. "I want to see the fifth prince."
Taehyung frowned. He hid the letters and stepped toward the door. But before he reached the door, she barged into the room.
The night cooled but Chae Young wore a thin white dress and thick makeup. Taehyung was angry on the inside, Chae Young was supposed to reflect on her bad behavior in her chamber. Why did she leave her chamber and come running to the calligraphy room? What a troublesome person!
Chae Young put a tray of food on a table, knelt in front of Taehyung, held onto his leg and she sobbed loudly. 'Fifth prince, I know I was wrong. Fifth prince, please forgive me. I don't dare to commit another wrong. I promise in the future I'll serve you and your wife well.'
Taehyung's heart remembered Seorin, it tempted him to follow Seorin's lead and kick. But he was supposed to be the gentle fifth prince. He pulled his leg free and stood away from Chae Young.
"Stand up and speak," Taehyung said.
"No, if the fifth prince won't forgive me then I won't stand," Chae Young said and looked pitifully at Taehyung.
Chae Young refused to stand up and Taehyung spoke in a colder tone. "Chae Young, don't forget your status!"
"Status?" Chae Young asked. "Fifth prince, what is my status? When court official Lee gave me to you, did you forget what he said to you? In the past, I wanted to serve you but you always refused. You said I was too young then you said you were heartbroken over your dead fiancée. Later you said you were busy with duties to let me serve you. But now I'm eighteen years old and you have a wife. Other people think that I'm your woman, but that's not the truth. Fifth prince, what is my status?"
Taehyung didn't want to see Chae Young's pitiful face and turned around. He knew he needed to act merciful but at that moment it was hard for him to act mercifully. He could only turn around to not show Chae Young how much she repulsed him.
Taehyung's silence made Chae Young panic. She thought for a day to think carefully of what to say to him. She remembered he was always gentle. She thought he would pity her, hug her and comfort her like a precious jewel. In the past, he wasn't close to women. Since he had a wife, she thought he wanted to favor her but felt he couldn't. But she didn't expect him to react coldly. She didn't know what she did wrong.
Chae Young's plan to act pitiful didn't work so she quickly changed tactics.
Chae Young stood, picked up a bowl of soup, and passed it to Taehyung. "Even though the fifth prince never glanced at me once, I don't resent you. I'm happy to be beside you. Forgive me for my behavior before. I couldn't control myself. My heart was scared thinking about a month of not serving you... I made you a bowl of soup that you love most. If you drink it, it means you forgive me. Then I'll obediently think about my behavior and I won't misbehave again.'
Taehyung stared at the bowl of soup in front of him. He hesitated, but he accepted it and drank a sip. He reasoned although Chae Young was sent by Lee Jonghyeok, he was certain Chae Young wouldn't poison him so he planned to drink it then order her to leave.
Chae Young's heart relaxed after Taehyung drank all of the soup. She slowly tidied the table and glanced often at Taehyung.
Taehyung ignored Chae Young, sat at the table, and read books. Suddenly he felt something strange. Why were the words dancing on the pages of the books?
'What did you put in the soup?' Taehyung asked coldly.
Taehyung felt his body act strangely and he fisted his hands.
Taehyung felt his body weakened except his heart is on fire. He glared at Chae Young who was pulling him to the bed. She took off his outer robe, he wanted to stop her but he couldn't in a weak state. No! He wasn't going to let her control him.
Taehyung struggled to breathe, bit his tongue and his head cleared a little. He temporarily regained his strength, pushed Chae Young, and rushed outside.
Seorin washed her face, brushed her hair, and climbed onto the bed. Suddenly she heard the door banging open. It startled her but Taehyung's disorientated state startled her more.
"Orabeoni, what happened?" Seorin asked.
Taehyung's clothes were seemed quite disordered.
Seorin heard Taehyung breathe heavily, his eyes were red and he gave off a crazy wild animal aura.
Taehyung staggered onto the bed, hugged Seorin, and spoke huskily. "Chae Young put lust herbs in my soup."
"What-" Seorin said.
Taehyung kissed her. It is her first kiss and she feels butterflies in her stomach and her body tensed in anticipation. What was she going to experience later?
Seorin's heart was chaotic. Taehyung's lips left her lips and his hands loosened the grip on her waist.
Taehyung hugged Seorin and he smiled. "Rinnie, don't worry. I promised if you're not willing then I won't force you. I can control the lust herbs effect.'
Taehyung let go of Seorin and he lay on the bed. Her heart ached because of the clear suffering on his face.
"Orabeoni, why did Chae Young put lust herbs in your soup?" Seorin asked.
Taehyung pulled Seorin to his chest. "Lee Jonghyeok sent her to be my maid and spy on me. He wanted her to become one of my consorts, but I have never touched her. Today she was punished to stay in her chamber to reflect. She panicked and wanted to turn rice grains into boiled rice.'
After Taehyung opened his mouth, he couldn't control himself and kissed her lips again.
Seorin gasped for air and pushed Taehyung away. "Orabeoni, if she's responsible for giving you lust herbs then Orabeoni should let her serve you."
Taehyung bit Seorin's lips hard and heard her cry in pain but her breathing quickened.
Taehyung looked at Seorin's flushed face, crinkled forehead, and kissed her deeply. "Rinnie, I only want you. I don't want anyone else.'
Seorin heard the conviction in Taehyung's tone, her ears reddened and she felt her soul floating away.
"But I know you're not willing," Taehyung said and let Seorin go. "Tonight I'll endure."
Seorin looked at the strain on Taehyung's face and she felt guilty. She reasoned they were married and marriage consummation was fated. There was no need for her to deprive him and for him to suffer.
"Orabeoni... you don't..." Seorin whispered pathetically.
Taehyung understood her reluctance and raised his head, looked at her with pained eyes and he spoke in a hoarse voice. "No, Seorin, I can endure."
Seorin's body trembled in admiration. She thought if Taehyung heard her consent then he would immediately jump on her, she didn't expect him to force himself to be a gentleman.
Seorin's impression of Taehyung improved greatly in her heart, it appeared he is really a good person. She silently vowed in the future she wouldn't kick him anymore.
Taehyung endured his frustrations. Of course, he could easily ingest a pill to counteract the effect of lust herbs and didn't need to torment himself. But he saw the softness in Seorin's eyes and his eyes brightened, his frustrations bear fruit.
That night Taehyung rolled on the bed and mumbled countlessly. "Finally, the effect of the lust herbs has worn off."
Seorin remembered how Taehyung endured throughout the night so she didn't protest his mumbling during her sleeping time.
In the calligraphy room, Chae Young's heart withered. She couldn't believe even under the influence of lust herbs Taehyung didn't want to touch her.
The following morning Taehyung awoke early. He stared at Seorin who was sleeping cutely beside him and smiled cheekily.
A while later Taehyung's eyes darkened coldly. He couldn't allow to let Chae Young stay in his manor anymore! But Chae Young was given to him by Lee Jonghyeok, he needed a good reason to return Chae Young that wouldn't offend Lee Jonghyeok. His head was full of thoughts of how to return Chae Young in a way that Lee Jonghyeok was forced to accept.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seorin didn't want to get out of bed.
Seorin buried her head on Taehyung's chest. But he kept poking her to wake up. She raised her head, glared at him, rolled over, and continued to sleep.
Taehyung shook Seorin's body. "Rinnie, wake up."
Seorin frowned and kept her eyes closed.
Taehyung smiled. "You need to wake up to read."
"Troublemaker!" Seorin protested.
Taehyung laughed and shook Seorin but she continued to sleep.
"My wifey, you have no conscience," Taehyung accused. "Someone schemed against your husband, but you can sleep peacefully."
Seorin remembered what happened last night and had no sympathy left for Taehyung. "You deserve it."
Seorin thought Taehyung always deceived other people, of course, it was fair he received retribution.
Taehyung rubbed his chin. "Rinnie, how should I deal with her?"
"Feeding her master lust herbs is a serious offense," Seorin said. "Of course, you need to punish her severely."
"Rinnie, it appears you truly hate her," Taehyung said. "If that is so then your husband won't be merciful anymore. I've decided to make her disappear forever in front of us."
Seorin's eyes widened and she sat upright on the bed. "Orabeoni, you don't want to..."
Seorin gestured a slit throat.
"Rinnie, what are you thinking?" Taehyung's eyes became round and he asked. "I want her to go back to Official Lee's manor."
Seorin's heart cursed Taehyung, it was pointless of him to appear deadly threatening before if he didn't want to kill Chae Young.
"But I need a good reason to send her back," Taehyung said. "Faulting her for feeding me lust herbs isn't a good reason. She was given to me to serve me. Official Lee would ask me to forgive her for being impatient to serve me."
"So, what do you want to do?" Seorin asked.
"I have a plan..." Taehyung said. "Yesterday I cooperated with you. Today I need your help."
Seorin listened to Taehyung's plan. "Orabeoni, you thought so deeply only to return one maid to Official Lee's manor?"
Taehyung hugged Seorin and he smiled. "Rinnie, are you not the one who hates her? Because of your happiness, your husband would do anything."
"Why does it feel like you want to borrow a dagger to kill someone?" Seorin asked.
Taehyung didn't admit or deny Seorin's accusation. "Rinnie, will you let me borrow your dagger or not?"
Seorin pursed her lips, contemplated for a while, and agreed to help Taehyung. But she was suspicious why he would waste energy to think of a thorough plan to send Chae Young back to Official Lee's manor unless he had his own reason. She sighed inwardly. Although she was curious what the reason was, she knew if he didn't want to tell her then it was pointless to ask him.
Seorin glanced at Taehyung who was smiling too sweetly and her intuition agreed with her suspicions. "Orabeoni, have you been wanting to chase Chae Young out of your manor for a long time?"
Taehyung's sweet boxy smile didn't disappear. If he didn't deny it, Seorin knew last night she was fooled. She glared at him, raised her foot, and kicked his knee. He fooled her again!
Initially, Seorin thought Taehyung agreed to cooperate with her to punish Chae Young because he wanted to appease her. After she thought carefully, she realized he had fooled her.
Taehyung was happy Seorin was angry. He hugged her and his hands stroked the back of her head. She didn't struggle. He rubbed his nose on her nose and bribed her. "Rin Rin, don't you want to know why I want to chase Chae Young out of the manor?"
Seorin glared at Taehyung and he whispered in her ear. "Official Lee truly gave Chae Young to me to spy on me."
Seorin's body shivered. After Consort Lee died, Official Lee resigned from his position in the imperial court. Official Lee announced he wanted to live a peaceful life as a gardener. Seorin didn't understand why Official Lee wanted to spy on Taehyung. Perhaps, it was the third prince or the crown prince who wanted to spy on Taehyung.
Taehyung could see Seorin's flow of thoughts and he whispered something in her ear.
Chae Young stayed awake most of the night. The more she thought, the more heartbroken and hopeless she felt. She stayed in bed and hugged her pillow the whole morning. But in the afternoon she couldn't stay in bed quietly, because she heard Taehyung's voice nearby her chamber.
"Rinnie, what do you think of these flowers?" Taehyung asked.
"The flowers are beautiful," Seorin said. "It reminds me of Chae Young, they're all beautiful. Who lives in the chamber of this courtyard? It's a beautiful courtyard."
"Miss, Chae Unnie lives here," a maid said.
"Is that so?" Seorin asked. "Fifth prince, a day's gone. If you were angry then it would have simmered by now. I feel I was partly at fault, Chae Young was shocked to see me sick and accidentally knocked over the blue vase... I think that she doesn't need to reflect for a month in her chamber."
Chae Young was eavesdropping by her chamber window. Her heart raged and thought Seorin was pretending to appear merciful in front of Taehyung. She hated Seorin but she wanted to hear Taehyung's reply. She didn't expect he would forgive her after what she did last night.
"Rinnie, if that is your wish then Chae Young's punishment can be forgotten," Taehyung said.
Chae Young was overjoyed to hear Taehyung had forgiven her.
"Fifth prince, let's go visit Chae Young," Seorin said.
Chae Young quickly adjusted her dress and hair. She curtsied when Taehyung and Seorin entered her chamber.
Seorin said some comforting words to Chae Young, but Chae Young's attention was focused on Taehyung's coldness toward her.
"If my wife has forgiven you," Taehyung said. "I have nothing more to say. In the future, you need to serve my wife well!"
Chae Young's blood boiled at the thought of serving Seorin. "Thank you, fifth prince. Thank you miss."
Chae Young was happy to be free from her chamber, it gave her opportunities to separate Taehyung and Seorin.
Seorin suggested Chae Young should rest for a few days. But Chae Young declined, tidied her chamber, and followed Seorin.
In Taehyung and Seorin's chamber, Seorin was playing with a maid's cat. Taehyung sat next to Seorin while reading a book. Apart from the cat's meow sounds, it was quiet in their chamber.
"Fifth prince, I wonder if the herbal soup is ready," Seorin said. "I feel a little hungry."
"Then send someone to the kitchen," Taehyung said and glanced at Chae Young.
Chae Young understood and immediately walked to the kitchen nearby. The herbal soup was cooked and she scooped a bowl of herbal soup. The steam rose to her face and her head was consumed with one bad thought.
Seorin waited for the herbal soup for a long time. She acted excited when the bowl of herbal soup was put on the table in front of her.
"Fifth prince, do you want to eat a spoon of the herbal soup?" Seorin asked.
"No," Taehyung said. "Rinnie, you can slowly eat the herbal soup."
Chae Young resented Taehyung's consideration toward Seorin.
Seorin blew on a spoon of herbal soup. It was still hot, she put the bowl of herbal soup back on the table and waited for it to cool. Afterward, she continued to play with the cat. She acted like her back ached from patting the cat. Then she put the cat on the table, took out a loose silver hairpin, and put it on the table to brush her hair.
Suddenly the cat leaped off the table and knocked over the bowl of herbal soup onto the silver hairpin. Everyone looked shocked to see the silver hairpin changed color.
"The herbal soup is poisoned!" Seorin cried out.
If the herbal soup was poisoned the suspects were the cooks and Chae Young who brought the bowl of herbal soup to Seorin.
Taehyung's guards and Yoongi searched the cooks and Chae Young's chambers. The guards found a blue bottle of poison in Chae Young's chamber and Chae Young's face whitened.
Taehyung passed the blue bottle to Yoongi.
"What kind of poison is it?" Taehyung asked coldly.
Yoongi sniffed the blue bottle for a while. "This poison is called Seasonless poison. Like its name, it prevents pregnancy. If someone ingests this poison then they'll be infertile for the rest of their life."
Chae Young panicked and feared for her soul. She knelt in front of Taehyung and grabbed his sleeve. "It isn't mine! I was framed!"
Taehyung pulled his sleeve out of Chae Young's hands.
"I thought you were remorseful about your impulsiveness," Taehyung said. "I didn't expect that you're such a cruel person!"
"Fifth prince, it truly isn't me!" Chae Young pleaded. "Someone framed me!"
"Who would frame you?" Taehyung asked.
"It's..." Chae Young said.
Chae Young couldn't think of anyone who would frame her. The herbal soup was made by the head cook who was a good person and wouldn't harm anyone. Taehyung sent her to the kitchen to bring the herbal soup to Seorin, but Taehyung wouldn't poison Seorin.
Chae Young didn't know what happened. She remembered in the kitchen she did think about poisoning Seorin, her arms and legs turned cold. The biggest obstacle between her and Taehyung would disappear if Seorin died.
Chae Young thought about going to her chamber and using the hidden poison to put in the herbal soup. If Seorin died then she would deny the deed. She began to suspect herself. That she didn't think about poisoning the herbal soup but actually did use the poison in her jealous haze.
"Where did you get the Seasonless poison from?" Taehyung asked coldly.
Chae Young looked at the bottle but she couldn't open her mouth. The bottle was secretly delivered to her a month ago from Official Lee's manor.
Chae Young remembered what the messenger said before leaving, "There's poison inside this bottle. You need to hide it well. Later I'll give you instructions on when to use it."
Chae Young never knew the poison was Seasonless poison, she only thought it was a deadly poison. But she couldn't reveal the truth if she wanted to stay alive.
Since Chae Young remained silent, it meant she admitted her deed.
"I considered your years of service and forgave you for yesterday's offense," Taehyung said. "Today you dared to do this. I can no longer keep you in this manor. Go pack your belongings and return to Official Lee's manor!"
Chae Young felt like Taehyung's words were like a basin of cold water that was poured onto her head.