That morning was no different than any other. So would wake up early in the morning and watch his wife lovingly until she too awoke. They would then get ready in the morning together, just the two of them as always. As Soo brushed his hair and prepared it, he couldn’t help but think it had been a long time since they had started doing this.

“Soo ya.”

“Yes?”

“How long have we been here?”

She finished pinning up his sangtu before leaning over and meeting his gaze in the mirror.

“What do you mean? How long have we lived here? Together in the palace?”

“Yes, since we started living in the palace.”

Soo pursed her lips and started to prepare the make-up that would be used to cover his scar. So could not help but smile as her expression was still the same as when they were younger, many years before.

“Well, we started living here a year or so before Seol was born…and she is 25 now. Goodness, has it really been that long?”

“Time has flown by very quickly, don’t you think Soo ya?”

“I’ll say. It has been very busy these past few years with the little ones.”

“We definitely had our hands full,” So said with a chuckle.

“The heavens certainly had different plans for us. I had thought Seol and Ju would be our only children. Where I come from, most people have no more than two children, but that was not the case for us…”

“I am thankful for the children you have brought to us,” So said with a soft look in his eyes. Soo smiled in return and placed a kiss on his cheek before continuing with his make up.

It was about a year after Queen Yoo’s death that So and Soo were blessed with a second daughter, whom they named Aji. Although they had not planned to have additional children at that stage in their lives, they had a third and fourth daughter two years after that, both twins who were named Bo Hwa and Mun Deok. It was very different having children who were much younger than Seol and Ju, but it meant the palace was always filled with laughter and cheer. Though their second son Hyo Hwa was lost to them early, Soo made sure he stayed alive in the children’s memories. His tower continued to grow each year every time the family visited Lake Dongji. 

Ju learned very quickly how to adapt with not one, not two, but three younger sisters. Although he tried his best to spend time with them, his growing list of duties as the crown prince grew and grew, especially because So was preparing him for the road that lay ahead as the future emperor. Still, it was not an unfamiliar site to see the crown prince taking care of his younger sisters, and was known to dote upon them even more so than his parents.

Seol had gotten married not long after Aji was born. To no one’s surprise, she and Taek Geun continued to grow closer as they got older. Although So was reluctant to give his blessings, he could not deny their love for each other. He also knew that Taek Geun was a responsible young man who would take care of his beloved daughter. Despite moving out of the palace after her marriage, Seol and her husband both came to visit often, especially since Taek Geun served as a tutor to the younger princesses. Not long after, So and Soo welcomed their first grandson Jong and then granddaughter Areum to the palace. 

Soo’s father Sung Jin had also grown older, but spent his golden years spoiling his grand and great grandchildren. He continued to visit often after retiring as a diplomat, but ultimately chose to travel for leisure while he still could. After each trip to a foreign land, he would come home with various gifts for the family. Soo worried about his health with his constant travels,but Sung Jin promised he would stay safe and take care of himself as much as possible.

So felt Soo step away and opened his eyes to see his scarless face in the mirror. If he looked closely, he could see the small wrinkles and smattering of gray hairs around his temple. Soo too had a few gray hairs and wrinkles, but she still looked just as lovely as she did when they first met in the streets of Songak. So couldn’t help but fall in love with her again every single day, and couldn’t imagine how life would have been without her.

“There we go, the emperor is ready to oversee the first medical licensing exam today.”

“I am looking forward to the results. This could be a great start to improve the medical care that we have for our family and our citizens.”

“It will be all that you wish for and more, Paeha,” Soo replied teasingly. 

So smiled and gave her a quick kiss before standing up from his chair.

“What will you do today, Soo ya?”

“I will spend some time with our daughters then prepare for the distribution of supplies to our people tomorrow. The air has been much colder in the morning lately, so I think the earlier that we provide them with necessities the better. This winter may be the coldest one that we have yet!”

“Did you not say last winter would be the coldest?” So questioned jokingly.

“Well, I suppose we won’t know how cold it is until winter actually comes, right?”

“As always, you are right,” So said with an endearing smile.

Soo returned his smile with a grin of her own before they both left their quarters to begin their day.

-----

The next day saw Soo bundled up in her thicker clothes as she arrived at the nearby village. Ju came along with her while Seol and Taek Geun met her at the village square. In addition to the royal family, many carts led by the palace soldiers were brought to the area, and the villagers began to gather as they waited for their own portion of the winter supplies.

Soo along with the ladies of Damiwon had spent a good few days organizing boxes of the donated and funded provisions. They had learned earlier on that it would make for easier, quicker distribution and ensured that everyone received a fair amount. Arang and Eun Bi took the initiative given Soo had her own responsibilities as the empress, but this philanthropy was something Soo specifically made time for.

The villagers were well acquainted with the process, and eagerly lined up to wait their turn. Ju and Tae Geun, along with a few of the palaces’ trusted men helped hand out the boxes, while Soo and and Seol kept watch to ensure not one person or family was missed. Hyeon Joon was also a familiar figure at these events, making sure that the royal family members were safe amongst the large crowd. After Seol was married, he continued to serve as Ju’s right hand man and guard. Of course, this also led to him guarding over Aji, Bo Hwa, and Mun Deok. Hyeon Joon never complained though, and Soo could see that he enjoyed their company as much as they did his.

In reality, there really was no need for worry. The kingdom had been prosperous and peaceful since So ascended the throne; many if not all the villagers knew who they were. No one would dare or feel the need to harm a royal family that strived to put the livelihood of their citizens first. Still, it didn’t hurt to be safe.

After several hours, the lines had dwindled and the supplies were all handed out. Another set of boxes would be sent to the various Daebiwon centers across the land to ensure that everyone would be prepared for the upcoming winter. As Soo walked to the wooden litter with Seol, she could feel the fatigue settle in. It was then that she realized she was no longer the same young girl she was years ago, and that now more than ever she should take care of her health.

“Mother, you look tired. Let us take you back home as soon as possible,” Seol said worriedly.

Soo waved her hand nonchalantly. 

“Do not fret, I may be getting older but I still have a little more energy in me. A bit of rest will do me just fine. Hurry along and get ready for our dinner tonight. I expect to see my grandchildren at the gathering! ”

Seol shook her head in amusement before bidding her mother farewell, heading home with Taek Geun to prepare their children for their visit to the palace.

Ju helped his mother into the litter and closed the door before hopping onto his steed. When Soo opened the window, he met her gaze with a reassuring smile.

“We will be home soon, mother. Let me know if you need anything in the meantime.”

“I have traveled in much harsher conditions than this. A little ride will be fine. Don’t worry about me and I will see you when we arrive at the palace.

Ju bowed his head before flicking his reins on his steed and led the party back to the palace.

-----

After Soo had changed back into her regal attire, she stepped into the main hall where everyone had already arrived. Wook and his second wife were at one end of the table with his children, while Eun and Seon Deok were on the other side, watching their own children play together. Her own children were all together playing a game with Hyeon Joon and her father, but as she scanned the room, she saw several faces missing. She spotted So standing on the side as he observed the room and walked over to him.

“So ya, where are Baek Ah and Woo Hee?”

“I received a letter this morning saying they were on their way from Hubaekje and may arrive late.”

“And what of Jung ah?”

“I also received word that he would arrive with his wife soon.”

It was at this time that Ji Mong decided to speak up from where he was standing behind them.

“Hwang Hoo, you worry too much. I am sure their royal highnesses will arrive shortly! We all know that they wouldn’t miss your dinner gatherings for anything.”

Soo smiled at the aging but still energetic advisor. He continued to serve So loyally while providing the children with wild tales and stories to keep them entertained.

“Yes, Ji Mong. I will continue to trust your foresight,” Soo quipped lightly before Ji Mong grinned and stepped away to make his rounds in order to speak with the princes.

Soon enough, Baek Ah and Woo Hee arrived with their children, and so did Jung afterwards with his wife. Soo noted one of her hands resting upon her lower abdomen and smiled knowingly. 

“It seems we may need to congratulate Jung ah and his wife,” Soo said quietly as she turned to So. He raised his eyebrows before looking over at his 14th brother and after a few seconds grinned.

“Yes, I can see why you are saying that now.”

“Our family only continues to grow, doesn’t it?”

“I suppose that is what happens when you have so many brothers…” So said dryly, indirectly referring to the strange marriage laws the late King Taejo had initiated. Soo briefly recalled the time long ago when she was almost wed to King Taejo, and pulled up her sleeve to see the scar that saved her from that marriage.

Those laws were quickly abolished when So became king, and although throughout his reign there had been several talks about taking concubines or additional consorts to strengthen his power, So refused to take another wife. Soo would be his one and only person, just as he intended years ago when he proposed to her.

 “Not that I am complaining of course. I think our familial relationships have turned out much better than I thought it would when I first returned to Songak,” So said contently.

“I’ll say so. Everyone told me to avoid you when you first arrived, and I had half the mind to do so after you kept threatening to kill me!”

So had the decency to blush but reached over to grasp Soo’s hand and squeezed it affectionately.

“Well, I am forever grateful that you found it in your heart to see underneath all of that. And I will spend the rest of my life repaying your kindness.”

With one last look at each other, the emperor and empress decided to take a walk about the room and greet every one of their family members. The rest of the night was filled with joy and laughter as the royal family celebrated their reunion with a large but happy family.