The Engagement

The Last Imoogi
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Marriage??? His marriage???

Kwon Jiyong was at a loss for words. He had lived for centuries yet marriage seemed like a taboo word for him. And now this stupid Yi Sung had already arranged one for him?

How incredulous!

Before he could even find anything to say, Yi Sung had already laid out his plans in front of him.

"Uncle, I really don't intend on taking in another concubine. But those pesky ministers kept bugging me and now they even wanted to use Seuseung-nim's connection to coax me. They know he was close to me so when they found out he has a daughter, they suggested I take that daughter in as a new concubine! Even the Queen's father was in for it!"

Kwon Jiyong shut his eyes as he gritted his teeth, trying to contain his irritation.

This damned mortal doesn't even know what he had done! Again, fate was being cruel to him. And this mere mortal is an accomplice!

"So in order to protect Governor Park's daughter, I decided you marry her first secretly then I'll send my own marriage proposal after then I'll pretend I'll get surprised and of course I would find something to blame those useless ministers about! That's despicable! How dare they nominate a concubine to me when she's already betrothed to my beloved uncle! Then I can even accuse them of sowing discord between us!"

Yi Sung was very preoccupied in explaining his ingenious plan that he didn't notice he was the one sowing discord between him and his uncle.

"Uncle, what do you say? Sounds like a great plan right? I already even sent your a hondam to the Parks proposing your marriage with her." He grinned as he wriggled his eyebrows only to be rewarded by his uncle's furious glare.

"How dare you meddle with my personal affairs!!!" Kwon Jiyong slammed the table that it almost shattered into two.

Yi Sung was startled and immediately moved away a bit, but still, he was quite persistent. There's no turning back now! "Uncle... What do you take this King's words for? I thought you said I should act like the king that I am?"

"You!" Kwon Jiyong stood up and pointed at him. He huffed before he pursed his lips and tried to regain his composure but Yi Sung taunted him some more.

"Aigoo, you're turning thirty in two years! How could you just waste your youth like that—" Oh I mean, you're turning a millenium old in two years, why waste your time on earth like that?" Yi Sung drank the wine in his cup leisurely and grinned at his uncle again.

But Kwon Jiyong was beyond his limits. When Yi Sung was about to refill his cup, Kwon Jiyong flicked his fingers in the air and sent the wine bottle crashing into pieces, splattering the wine all over the young and self-satisfied king and making him gasp for air. "Uncle!!!"

"That wedding is never going to happen!" Kwon Jiyong prepared to leave while the door suddenly flung open revealing the ever worried Chief Eunuch. He heard about the commotion inside the room that's why he was about to rush in. He was also about to cry out 'jeonha' loudly again but upon seeing the frightening scowl on Kwon Jiyong's face, he immediately bit his lip and helplessly stepped back again. He wanted to cry but he had no tears.

Kwon Jiyong simply ignored him. When he reached the door, Yi Sung spoke once more.

"Chief Eunuch Lee Soogeun, hand over my royal decree to my uncle. The wedding will be held two days from now, at the late Queen's villa!"

 

 

Back at the villa, Sandara tossed and turned all night. Though she fully understood the role of a woman like her in Joseon, still, she started to feel anxious about her marriage.

It was as if everything was happening quickly that she couldn't control it. Well, what was she expecting when a woman like her really has no control over her own life to begin with.

"At one point or another, I'll eventually get married. At least this time the King even planned this marriage out for me."

She was fully aware of the King's plan to marry her off, instead of making her a concubine. Governor Park wanted to keep it to himself and even lied to his wife at first but when Sandara arrived and heard she was getting married, what's the point of hiding plans to her when she's a gifted woman that could sniff out even the tiniest secrets? 

Of course, Governor Park long knew of his daughter's secret, only that he kept silent and pretended to be ignorant about it. He received a reading from a shaman who approached him on a winter day six years ago, and since then he tried to find ways to hide her in the Cherry Blossoms House. But Sandara wasn't aware of this. In the end, the father and daughter both had secrets, but the father was aware of his daughter's, only that he pretended he wasn't.

Sandara sat up and drank the calming tea on the side table, as Doctor Lee suggested. She couldn't help but remember the man who's smile was as refreshing as the spring breeze but immediately cleared her head. She should be thinking of her future husband!

How good could it be if her husband would be as gentle and kind as the doctor, she couldn't help but think. Then maybe he would allow her to aid him in the infirmary rather than make her stay all day at home. Perhaps she could do charity works as well.

Would his future husband allow her to move around as much? She could only wish. She was raised to be a perfect example of a Joseon noble woman by her parents, and she didn't want to fail them and make her father lose face in front of the King.

After finally calming herself and her thoughts, she finally was able to get a peaceful slumber. 

The next day was the engagement ceremony. 

It was upon order that everything should be kept as simple as possible just so to avoid attracting attention. Governor Park and Madam Park had just arrived from Gyeongju early that morning. While Madam Park accompanied Sandara in her room, the governor waited for the napchaeso— the letter containing all the details of the wedding, at the pavilion near the main hall. He had long prepared the dapryeseo in return, which contained his approval for the marriage.

Han Sanggung on the other hand kept watch if the napchaeso had arrived so she could inform the lady she was serving. Han Sanggung was kind yet somewhat strict

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jo_eynnxxi #1
Chapter 104: Hi author! I'm new here but I'm your fan in wattpad. So happy that your amazing works were also here😍 fighting authornim!!!
ryannekish06 #2
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Vayn229 #3
Chapter 104: My deepest condolences ms. author...stay strong...God is always with us to help overcome the trials in our life.
PinkySwear90117
#4
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xxmaydz #5
Chapter 104: Stay strong authornim, and condolence
amleht #6
Chapter 104: Virtual hugs authornim... Be strong. May her soul rest in peace..
VIIXVII
#7
Chapter 104: May her soul rest peacefully. Prayers for her and your family. 🙏🏻
Hanazaka
#8
Chapter 104: Stay strong authornim. May she rest in peace.
Mifftaa #9
Chapter 104: My deepest condolences. My prayers to you and your family. Stay strong authornim 🙂
Tagasulat
#10
Chapter 104: Thank your time authornim. God bless you. Stay strong