After Lee Donghae left, Kwon Jiyong finally had the chance to face the mountain of documents on his desk. He spent the entire day reading reports about the resistance in the North. Choi Seunghyun and General So were having a hard time driving away the Jurchens in the North because most of them were families with innocent children. The chief of some of its tribes denied alliance with the Jurchens from the South Eastern Ming and told them those were barbaric ruffians that only recognized people whom they could benefit from. Still, others put up a good fight which ended up bloody because they were no match to the Joseon army. Meanwhile Emperor Zhu sent him a letter saying they were prepared to fight the Jurchens at their borders if the tribes would show aggressive movements towards them but made a point that they will not make the first move so as not to make things complicated. Kwon Jiyong felt Emperor Zhu was being too safe. Was he not worried that these Jurchens might grow power over time?

Yi Sung on the other hand expressed his concern for the innocent Jurchen children. In his letters, Yi Sung mostly had a back up plan so as to stop the useless killings and promote peace instead, an idea which earned Kwon Jiyong's respect.

Apart from all these issues, Kwon Jiyong still had to mind Minister Lee who is still keeping track of his men's movements and the white celestial dragon who relayed a message about the closure of the Cherry Blossoms House. Sandara has yet to know about this. If she finds out, wouldn't she only be lonelier?

As the night grew darker, Sandara kept pacing back and forth in front of Kwon Jiyong's residence with two servants holding trays of food. She was still grounded and was not allowed to leave the estate and even not yet allowed to see Ryung, but she believed she was free to see her husband at the very least. She spent the entire afternoon preparing dinner in the kitchen that all the servants panicked, scared she might get hurt, because each and everyone in the household were aware of how His Highness dotes on his wife. Wouldn't they be punished if Her Highness burns her skin or cuts her fingers accidentally?

"Mama, what brings you here—"

"Shhhh!" Sandara shushed Kang Daesung who just arrived with Moo Yeon from the Hidden Seclusion. The two men threw each other a look before they lowered their voice.

"Forgive me Mama," Kang Daesung said.

"Mama, is this for His Highness? Let me take it in." Moo Yeon, still as stoic as ever tried to grab the tray of food from the servant but Sandara blocked him with her petite body. Moo Yeon instantly backed away and bowed, while Kang Daesung slapped him lightly on the shoulder.

"Aisht! Moo Yeon, you've been following His Highness for too long that even you are ignorant and slow in terms of such matters? Tsk Tsk Tsk… How are you going to find a lady to marry?" Kang Daesung shook his head and stepped forward.

"Mama, this one couldn't bear seeing you here in the cold while waiting for a chance to meet His Highness. Since we're going in, let me help you!" Kang Daesung said, earning a wide cheerful smile from Sandara.

"Thank you, Daesung-ah!"

Daesung almost blushed upon seeing their lady smile at him that way. Wasn't seeing such a smile committing a sin against His Highness? His grin was instantly wiped out from his face just by imagining the lesser dragon's deathly glare. "Moo Yeon, let's go!"

Inside Kwon Jiyong's study, it had been a few minutes already but Kang Daesung still couldn't speak about Sandara. Kwon Jiyong had been asking nonstop about the Hidden Seclusion and how the things there were going while Moo Yeon kept reporting everything in perfect detail that Kang Daesung dare not interrupt. He threw Moo Yeon a sharp glare when the discussion finally stopped and tipped his head towards the door reminding the guard of their lady. Moo Yeon bowed to him apologetically yet still emotionless, that Kang Daesung almost kicked him in the shin.

"What's with the two of you?" Kwon Jiyong finally lifted his head and threw the two men a strange look.

"Ah… ehe… Your Highness, it's already evening and you haven't eaten yet. Why don't you take some rest first and—"

"I'm not hungry. You may leave. I wish not to be interrupted."

Kang Daesung clasped his mouth in shock as he looked back to the door before turning to Kwon Jiyong once more. Such cold words! Your Highness, you are seeking war!

When Moo Yeon and Kang Daesung remained standing before him, Kwon Jiyong raised his head and eyed the two. "Is there anything else?" Kwon Jiyong's eyebrows were tightly knitted together, that Kang Daesung could only swallow hard. Surprisingly, Moo Yeon was quick to answer.

"Your Highness, Her Highness is outside and has been waiting in the cold for a chance to meet you. She even brought dinner which I believe she cooked herself. Please grant her an audience." Moo Yeon bowed but Kwon Jiyong had long stood up on his way to the door at the mention of Sandara. He looked back at the two and glared angrily, "Why didn't you say so from the very beginning???"

In the end, Kang Daesung could only drop his mouth open. Didn't he say he didn't want to be disturbed? Ah… He forgot. Her Highness had always been an exception to His Highness's rules. Kang Daesung clasped his hands and turned to Moo Yeon. "How did you learn about Mama cooking the food on her own?"

Moo Yeon smiled faintly. "I was able to smell the dishes when I tried to get them and they're different from what the household cooks prepare. Mama really trained hard to be a good