The horse carriage traveled toward the Park Manor.
Inside the horse carriage, Taehyung tried to kiss Seorin. Instead of tasting her, he tasted powdered makeup. "Rinnie, why do you need to wear makeup to visit your family?"
Seorin glared at Taehyung. Of course, she needed to wear makeup to protect herself. She decided to wear makeup on at night too that way he wouldn't dare kiss her suddenly.
The Park Manor wasn't far away from Taehyung's manor, about half an hour by horse carriage.
Taehyung and Seorin were greeted by loud fireworks at the Park Manor entrance.
Park Jin Young saw how Taehyung treated his oldest daughter lovingly and he smiled faster than he could say what a good son-in-law.
Princess Ji Hoon hated seeing how Taehyung loved Seorin, but she smiled politely.
Earlier in the morning, Sang-Hee ordered a maid to put makeup on her and fussed for a long time to choose earrings compatible with her dress. But Taehyung only nodded to greet her politely. Like in the past his attention was never focused on her. Even the cold and arrogant third prince wanted to gain her favor, but Taehyung would always ignore her.
Sang-Hee almost vomited blood after seeing Taehyung doted on Seorin as though Seorin was a treasure.
Sang-Hee wanted to protest. What did Seorin possess that she didn't? She looked resentfully at Taehyung and Seorin until she felt a sudden pain in her arm. It was her mother who whispered a warning to her, "maintain your image properly."
Sang-Hee hugged her pinched arm, pouted, and followed her mother into the Park Manor.
Everyone sat in the courtyard and gossiped while the celebratory banquet food and wine were prepared.
Park Jin Young led the conversation and it gave Seorin a headache, her father gossiped about court officials. Although it was an inappropriate conversation, her father, Princess Ji Hoon, and Sang-Hee didn't care about her family life with Taehyung. After Taehyung answered her father politely, everyone quietly drank tea for a while.
Taehyung smiled and purposely peeled fruit to neutralize conversation. "This is a fruit from Southern Busan. I eat it often."
Park Jin Young's heart was deeply moved. He knew his son-in-law was being considerate.
"I heard the landscape in Southern Busan is different to the imperial city," He said. "Gentle fifth prince, tell us what Southern Busan is like."
Everyone at the table sat upright and was interested to hear Taehyung talk about the mysterious Southern Busan.
Taehyung could see everyone's ears were sharpened. He passed the peeled fruit to Seorin. Then he talked about life in Southern Busan while occasionally smiling warmly at Seorin.
Initially, Sang-Hee was interested to hear Taehyung talk about Southern Busan. But she felt frustrated seeing Taehyung's consideration toward Seorin. Even the fruits her maid peeled for her didn't taste delicious.
Seorin noticed Sang-Hee's strange behavior. She didn't understand why it felt like Sang-Hee is full of jealousy. Sang-Hee's eyes resentfully looked at her. She wondered if Sang-Hee was secretly intimate with Taehyung. But in the past, she never noticed anything shady between Sang-Hee and Taehyung.
Seorin looked suspiciously at Taehyung. But Taehyung always smiled warmly at her... she couldn't tolerate the demon's excessive loving act and she looked away.
Taehyung noticed Seorin's anger gradually increased so he continued to lavish affectionate attention on her in front of her family.
After the banquet ended Seorin and Taehyung were resting in the chamber prepared for them.
"Tae Tae, are you close to my little sister?" Seorin asked.
Taehyung feels like his ears get full of honey after hearing his new nickname from her mouth, but he predicted Seorin would ask him about Sang-Hee.
Park Jin Young invited his oldest daughter and son-in-law to stay at the Park Manor for an evening meal.
Taehyung felt that Seorin didn't want to stay in the Park Manor longer than necessary and he politely declined Park Jin Young's invitation.
Park Jin Young and Sang-Hee escorted Taehyung and Seorin to the front door.
"Where's your mother?" Park Jin Young asked Sang-Hee.
Park Jin Young didn't see Princess Ji Hoon since the banquet ended.
"Mother is unwell," Sang-Hee said. "She's resting in her chamber."
Sang-Hee was suspicious why her mother was suddenly unwell after seeing widow Kang.
Park Jin Young frowned and shook his head. He thought Princess Ji Hoon was uncourteous by the day.
Seorin saw the clear guilt on her father's face. She didn't want to waste energy being in his presence and politely bid him farewell. "Father, husband, and I will leave first. Little sister, our mother is unwell, you should take good care of her."
Park Jin Young felt guiltier, his oldest daughter was indeed filial.
Taehyung and Seorin sat in the humid horse carriage. She parted the window curtains.
Outside the sky was still bright and imperial city streets were crowded with people.
"Are we going home?" Seorin asked.
Taehyung drank too many cups of wine at the banquet. He used the horse carriage ride as an opportunity to become sober. His eyes were closed but he heard the playfulness in Seorin's tone.
"You're right," Taehyung said. "The day is still early."
"What do you mean?" Seorin asked.
Seorin was in a good mood. She obliged and waved a handheld fan in front of Taehyung's face.
"Nothing amusing has happened since marriage life," Taehyung said cryptically. "Then we should go find a little amusement. Your husband has planned our carefree future. We'll play in the imperial city for a while then we'll play everywhere outside the imperial city." He leaned his face close to Seorin's face. "Rinnie, what do you think?"
Seorin's eyes shone excitedly. "Truly?"
The god knows she hated living in the imperial city to death.
Taehyung smiled and nodded his head. "Would I lie to you?"
"Tae Tae, have you ever not lied to me?" Seorin asked.
Taehyung hugged Seorin. "Seorinnie, remember to be gentle."
"Tae Tae, aren't you a prince?" Seorin asked. "How can you play outside the imperial city?"
Taehyung laughed. "Don't forget, I'm a happy-go-lucky, carefree prince."
Seorin fell into deep thought.
Taehyung was known as the fifth gentle prince and also a carefree prince. His duties and position in the imperial court were insignificant. During peaceful periods he was privileged to live the life of a carefree prince. But during catastrophic periods his services were summoned. Like the flooding in Daegu six years ago and the rebellion in South Busan two years ago.
During those times third prince and the crown prince didn't want to risk their lives. But an imperial figure was needed to restore peace and Taehyung became the best candidate. Taehyung understood the situation and volunteered his services. Afterward, civilians referred to Taehyung as the gentle fifth prince.
After Taehyung dealt with threats to the kingdom he would return to his carefree life. He only wanted to perform his duties as a prince and didn't want any power in the imperial court. He was seen as a terracotta mixture, transported to places where needed then stored aside to be used in the future. In a less flattering light, he was used as a shield to protect his favored brothers.
Seorin wondered if Taehyung truly didn't want to be acknowledged for his abilities. She remembered a night long ago she brought food to him, he was diligently writing strategies to reduce the damages of flooding under candlelight. But someone else took credit for his strategies.
Seorin thought perhaps Taehyung purposely wanted to appear as a useless and unloved prince to survive life in the cruel palace. Otherwise why else would he let go of control over an army after subduing the rebels in Southern Busan, returning to the imperial city, and continuing being a carefree prince?
Seorin peered at Taehyung. His head was resting on her lap and she thought he was a complex person. She didn't want to admit he was a brilliant strategist, his talents were invaluable but he hid his true potential under a gentle and kind mask to deceive the world. It was a pity someone like him didn't want to be an emperor... that thought startled her.
Seorin sat still for a long time. Taehyung opened his eyes and saw her startled face.
"Rinnie, what are you thinking?" Taehyung asked.
Seorin looked closely at Taehyung's eyes and she smiled. "I'm thinking about if you have a weakness."
Seorin thought Taehyung was a strong person and it was hard for her to see what his weakness was. If she discovered his weakness then in the future he couldn't bully her anymore.
Taehyung laughed. He held Seorin's neck, pulled her head down, and kissed her until she forgot to breathe.
"You," Taehyung said.
Seorin was curious what Taehyung meant. But she hurriedly pushed his chest away because he kissed her while she was distracted.
Seorin looked out the window. The atmosphere in the streets was lively. She saw a stall that sold steamed buns. A woman bought the steamed buns and walked away from the stall. She frowned, the woman's back looked familiar.
"What are you looking at?" Taehyung asked.
"Perhaps I saw someone familiar," Seorin said.
"Who?" Taehyung asked.
"Tae Tae, do you remember widow Kang in Daegu?" Seorin asked.
Taehyung vaguely remembered a gentle old woman who was a maid in aunty Shin Hye and Seorin's home. "Um. I remember the pancakes she made were delicious. Why? Did you see her before?"
Seorin shook her head. "I'm not certain. I only saw the woman's back. I don't think it's her. I wanted to bring her with me to the imperial city. But she said she wants to go south to unite with relatives and couldn't follow me north. She doesn't have any relatives or acquaintances in the imperial city... perhaps she's looking for me."
Seorin looked out the window again, but the woman disappeared.
"If she' s looking for you then she can easily find you," Taehyung said. "She can ask anyone in the imperial city directions to the Park Manor and our home to find you."
Seorin nodded in agreement.
The horse carriage halted. Seorin was happy to return to Taehyung's manor.
Taehyung parted the door curtains and saw a familiar messenger. He turned around and smiled apologetically at Seorin who was about to stand up. "It appears we need to stay in the horse carriage for a little longer."
"Fifth prince, miss, court official Lee Jonghyeok is hosting a banquet and requested both of you to attend," the messenger said.
"Rinnie, it appears tonight we need to perform," Taehyung said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lee Jonghyeok was a healthy old man.
Lee Jonghyeok's white hair was brushed smoothly. His white hair combined with his dark blue clothes made him look intimidating.
Seorin thought the rumor about Lee Jonghyeok's strong aura was true.
Taehyung felt Seorin is tense and he discreetly stroked her hand.
Lee Jonghyeok's guests were seated around two banquet tables. Lee Jonghyeok's sons, daughter-in-laws, and grandchildren were all gathered in the imperial city.
Lee Jonghyeok had three sons and one daughter who were scholars and a beautiful phoenix. His daughter was Consort Lee, his three sons were magistrates and married women from prominent families. It was a pity Consort Lee died while pregnant and ruined Lee Jonghyeok's chance of having a grandson become emperor.
After Lee Jonghyeok resigned from the imperial court there was an assassination attempt on his life. Two of his guards were killed by poisoned arrows. Afterward, for a period, his manor was isolated and he was recovering from an illness.
After the banquet, Seorin was forced to listen to a group of women gossip. In the past, she met them at banquets in the palace, but never talked to them and didn't expect to be related to them through marriage. It was hard for her to tolerate their endless gossip. But she answered their questions in a friendly manner and smiled politely.
Seorin praised the third aunt's white soft skin and for raising young intelligent children who would grow up to be successful adults. Then she turned to the ordinary second aunt and struggled for a while to think of praise. "I heard the second aunt is also from a Park household. Five hundred years ago we would have been in the same tribe."
While Seorin was being a courteous guest she glanced often at the locked door of a nearby chamber.
Taehyung was detained in the locked chamber for a long time. Incense sticks were burning inside the quiet chamber. He sat opposite Lee Jonghyeok who looked at him with complex eyes. He lowered his head, blew on a cup of tea but didn't sip the tea. Neither of them wanted to open their mouths first.
Taehyung wasn't impatient. He believed his little tigress was coping against the group of women. After a long silence, Lee Jonghyeok conceded.
"Don't you want to change your position?" Lee Jonghyeok asked.
Taehyung smiled and knocked on the wooden chair he sat on. "This is a good position."
"Did you want to deal with Chae Young long ago?" Lee Jonghyeok asked.
"Chae Young is uncle Seo's niece," Taehyung said. "Uncle is good to me. I thought in the future she would become my second wife, but she..." He feigned anger and regret. "But she is still uncle's niece. In the past, uncle Seo once saved me... besides, nothing bad happened so I forgave the offense."
Lee Jonghyeok's face darkened. Last night Chae Young was chased back to his manor and she explained what happened in Taehyung's manor. He understood that Taehyung saw through his careful scheme and realized he underestimated the unfavored prince. But he knew Taehyung wouldn't retaliate because Gentleman Seo had once saved Taehyung's life.
"It was indeed a good scheme," Lee Jonghyeok praised grudgingly.
Taehyung didn't deny Lee Jonghyeok's words and he quietly drank tea. Some things were better kept inside the heart. If they were voiced, it'd lose its beauty.
"Except, don't you want to avenge your mother, Consort Lee?" Lee Jonghyeok asked triumphantly.
Taehyung felt like his heart jumped out of his chest. He didn't know why Lee Jonghyeok suddenly asked about Consort Lee. He didn't expose Lee Jonghyeok's scheme to conceal his own scheme and the blame was poured over a maid with a cruel conscience.
Lee Jonghyeok pulled out a note from his sleeve and passed it to Taehyung. "This afternoon, I discovered this in front of the calligraphy room."
Taehyung opened the folded note and his body trembled with anger, "the empress killed Consort Lee."
Taehyung immediately thought of the impatient Min Yoongi.
Taehyung suppressed his anger and feigned shock. "This... this..."
"Long ago I thought Lee's death was suspicious," Lee Jonghyeok said. "I couldn't find evidence to confirm my suspicions, but I didn't expect this! Your mother was good to you, you need to avenge her!"
Taehyung fisted his hands. He thought one failed scheme birthed a new scheme, and Lee Jonghyeok found a way to force him to deal with the empress.
"I'll investigate this thoroughly," Taehyung said.
Lee Jonghyeok assessed Taehyung's expression as though he wanted to see through Taehyung's bones. "Don't become an ungrateful and unfilial son!"
Taehyung felt like he swallowed poison, stood, and left the chamber.
After Taehyung left, Lee Jonghyeok's third son Jongsuk stepped out from behind a screen.
"Father, can we use Taehyung?" Jongsuk asked.
Lee Jonghyeok shook his head.
"Do we need to..." Jongsuk said in a dangerous tone.
"No, he knows our scheme but didn't expose us to warn us not to do anything reckless," Lee Jonghyeok said. "Also, that there's no hope for us to use him. He truly doesn't want to become emperor."
"What should we do now?" Jongsuk asked,
"We can only silently follow his activities," Lee Jonghyeok said.