Chapter 13

Joohyun was feeling uneasy the way that Bogum have said that she knows the Crown prince's birth name and that..

"See? His Royal Highness is even here now to take a visit to you"

Because she knew, no one is going to visit her place aside from her parents and that Silver spoon

And as soon as Bogum turns her body around

She saw that face she's familiar with

But what she's not expecting is when Bogum called that Crown Prince

"Seulgi Hyung-nim!"

'S-seulgi?'

'So, I was right all this time?!'

'B-but why she's a man here?!'

'a-and'

She moves her gaze at Seulgi's eyes, and that's when their gazes met

"M-my lady, I.."

'And.. a C-crown Prince'

Soojung was surprised too by what happened. She knew that Seulgi didn't plan to tell Joohyun everything yet

But Bogum already did

She glance at Seulgi's facade and saw how she wanted to take a step closer to Joohyun, but she can't

"Is she the reason why you always leave the palace, Hyung-nim? Just like what you did today" Bogum flashed an innocent smile at Seulgi as he his head to the side

Seulgi turn her attention at Bogum. She doesn't know if her brother is doing it on purpose or not.

She knew that Bogum doesn't know that she's always in disguise when it comes to Joohyun. He never knew that Donghee exist

She couldn't blame him

Until, Soojung took her hand and caress it, "Just talk to him at your quarter" she whispered

Seulgi's jaw clenched and look at Joohyun again. She couldn't understand and read what was with the latter's face

She doesn't know if Joohyun is mad, disappointed, or feels betrayed. She was part of the Crown Princess selection and there is Seulgi, pretending to be someone else on Joohyun outside the palace.

But little did she know, that's not what Joohyun is currently thinking right now

She knew Seulgi before she was transported back and was always curious about the face of Donghee

And now that she confirmed it's Seulgi, there's still haunting her more about the latter

"I.. I have to go s-somewhere else" Joohyun stammered as she forcedly smiles at them

"M-my friends will assist you if you need something else" She glanced at the three of them

And for Pete's sake, she's surrounded by the royalties

Knowing that she's always with the Crown Prince.

She bowed at them to show her respect before she had her way

She even heard Seulgi mumble by calling her name but ignored it

Soojung and others halted in front of the Kisaeng parlor

Minjeong then looks up at Seulgi, "Are you going to pick me up, Orabeoni?"

Seulgi glances at Soojung and the latter is the one who answered the kid's question

"Minjeong, your orabeoni has a lot of things to do. He is going to take a visit inside the palace with Prince Yeongchang" Soojung said and looks at Seulgi, "Right?"

Seulgi nodded her head with a smile on her face, "Don't worry, your Auntie is going to send you back to Lady Bae" she gave Minjeong a reassuring smile

"Okay. I'll go inside now. Good-bye!" Minjeong waved at them before she ran inside the kisaeng parlor

Now, it's only Soojung, her right hand, and Seulgi

"There will be a few bodyguards later to guard you up" Seulgi told the princess

Soojung nodded her head, "Alright, you may now go. You have to talk with him" she held Seulgi's arm

"Yeah, take care of yourself" Seulgi smiled at her before she turned around to start her pace

But Soojung called her by her name, "Seulgi"

The latter turned her head around and saw Soojung going toward her

"Don't forget that I'm your wife" Soojung muttered and out of a sudden, she leaned closer to Seulgi

Only to kiss the side of the lips of the Crown Prince. But that surprised Seulgi a lot

"O-oh" Seulgi blinks her eyes twice

Soojung giggles softly at her behavior and patted her cheeks, "Go now"

She held Seulgi's shoulders and turn her around before she gently push her away

Seulgi didn't dare to turn around after that

That's the first time. And almost her first kiss if Soojung kissed her right on the lips

Soojung watched her walk away, and as Seulgi is nowhere to be seen, she looked around

And there she caught someone watching them before it ran away and hide

It was a man with a sword in his grip, wearing all black. Probably a spy

A small smirk flashed on Soojung face, "I know you will send one. Always" She mumbled and went inside the Kisaeng parlor

Seulgi let out a long and exasperated sigh as she leaned her back against her bedchamber's backrest

Only to give confusion to Court Lady Choi and Eunuch Shin. The Crown Prince didn't utter anything since she came back from outside and private talk with her brother Bogum

Also, they are scared that the King would know that Seulgi came back without Soojung

The two servants looked at each other. Court Lady Choi eyed Eunuch Shin to ask their Crown Prince what was wrong

They even fight by glaring to ask Seulgi but halted when the Prince spoke

"Lady Joohyun knows that I am the Crown Prince"

Her servants' eyes went wide as owls when those words came out of

"H-how did Lady Bae know?" Eunuch Shin stuttered

Seulgi, for the hundredth time, sighs again. "Bogum told her"

They frowned at her statement

"He told everything to her and even called me Seulgi Hyung-nim"

"By any chance, Your Highness. Does Prince Yeongchang knows that you're using my name for disguise?" Eunuch Shin asked once again

Seulgi turned her gaze at them and shook her head, "That was my mistake. I should've told him that Lady Joohyun doesn't know my real identity"

"Hyung- I mean, Your Highness. I swear to the heavenly father that I don't know that Lady Bae doesn't know your identity" Bogum even raised his right hand to let Seulgi know that he was telling the truth

Who knows? Seulgi never told anything about her being Donghee outside. And probably, Bogum thinks that Joohyun knows it as she was part of the selection for the Crown Princess

That makes sense

In the end, Seulgi believes him. Forgetting how her half-brother forced their father to let him marry Joohyun for her sake

She also decided not to tell Haneul and Junmyeon everything yet.

"I'm going to take a steam bath, Lady Choi. Please prepare chamomile tea too and tell Ryujin to come" Seulgi stood up from her bed, taking off her outer robe. And Eunuch Shin pick it up immediately and leave to tell the servants assigned for the Crown Prince's bath

It'll be a long preparation as they know that Seulgi would last for an hour at her hot tub

Seulgi badly needs that as the envoys from Ming are coming tomorrow and she's not been able to face and explain everything to Joohyun

And it bothers her.

Joohyun laid down on her bed, having a staring competition on her ceiling

Earlier, she asked her mother if she knows anything about the Prince and Princess inside the palace. And of course, she does. She was a former royal physician

Her mother even told her that she was the one who helped the King's concubine to give birth to the Crown Prince

Her Mother knows everything. And she understands that. It's part of the rules if you know something about the royalties

History is part of Joohyun's studies when she was still in high school for a reason. And she's glad that she lend an ear to it even though it always makes her easily fall asleep in class now that she traveled back to the time

"Kang Seulgi.." She mumbles, "So, you are a Crown Prince here, huh? And what? A man?"

She paused and chuckled as she shook her head in disbelief, "That's impossible. She can't be a man in her previous life"

"I swear to God, she's a woman. Her hands are so feminine, and so do her face. And her voice is not as deep as man"

Joohyun didn't know that she's been talking to herself

But the question again is, why did she transport back to Joseon under King Seonjo's monarchy?

Was she too despair back then that's why they transported her back? For what? To realize that she should not be too much in despair?

Or there is really a reason why she's here that she needs to figure out by herself?

And Seulgi is part of it?

"And what if there is something why she is a Crown Prince when she is a woman?"

Joohyun suddenly realized one thing. She jolted up from her bed with her wide eyes

"S-she's a Daughter of the President and Seungwan's sister?!"

"Oh for Pete's sake, I am back to being insane again"

She looks around her room and sighs, "I miss using my phone anyway, I can't do a freaking research easily"

Seulgi was sleeping peacefully and even snoring so loud that made Soojung couldn't have enough sleep

Soojung turns her back around to face Seulgi who has open, she can even see that the latter is drooling into her sleep. She couldn't help but laugh at her friend's situation

She was trying her best not to wake Seulgi with her laughter

But then, she heard some footsteps outside

"Your Majesty" she heard the servants greet the person who just came, who happened to be the King

Her eyes widened and immediately rested her head on Seulgi's chest, waking up the latter in surprised

"Wha-"

"His Royal Highness is still in bed with the Crown Princess, Your Majesty" they heard the Eunuch at the door said

Soojung pinned her back down to the bed and told her to shut up as her father is there

She comfortably wraps her other arm on Seulgi's neck and snuggles her face on the latter's chest

And Soojung admits that it feels good to be in Seulgi's built arms

They both shut their eyes in instant and pretended to sleep as the doors opened

After a few steps, the King halted to see her daughter with her wife behind the silk curtain

King Dongwon glance at Court Lady Choi who's looking at the couple weirdly.

"Wake them up and raise the curtain"

"Yes, Your Majesty" Court Lady Choi bow her head and walked towards Seulgi's bed

"Your Highnesses, His Majesty is here. Please wake up" She said and slowly roll up the curtain, revealing what they look like

King Dongwon couldn't help but smile, then he clears his throat

That's when they decided to wake up

It's Seulgi who sits up first, pretending that she was surprised by her father's presence

"Father" she bows on her knees at her Father

Followed by Soojung who pretended that she was sleeping too

"The envoys are coming anytime now. You shall leave the bed and make preparations to greet them" King Dongwon said as he stared at Seulgi

"Yes, Your Majesty"

The King look at Court Lady Choi, "Let the Crown Prince wear the new robe I told from the royal tailor"

"As well as for the Crown Princess"

The whole capital of Hanyang is with its people whom full of activities

Some are just roaming around the market, some are visitors from the province, some are from the mountains for hunting and some are preparing for welcoming the envoys from Ming

And Palace is on it now too

All the servants from each royalty are busy with their own assigned activities.

And inside the Crown Prince's quarter, all of Seulgi's servants are in a bit panic due to their master's clumsiness

Seulgi is in a rush and nervous to greet the envoys from Ming, that's why she couldn't help but get clumsy with everything she does

She even fed herself a whole hot sliced grilled meat that made her scream in pain as she almost burnt her tongue

The servants who are assigned to her meal, immediately help Seulgi to recover from it

But Seulgi being Seulgi, she drank her spicy clear soup instead of her water

And she accidentally spits it out on one of her servants' face, making the poor young lady cry in pain as it invades her eyes

Everything inside of her quarter is in chaos

Court Lady Choi and Eunuch Shin just palmed their face in frustration

All of the royal guards informed all the people in the capital to free the way for the visitors and must stay inside their houses

Seulgi, along with her brothers Haneul and Bogum and cousin Junmyeon is standing in front of the palace's main gate with the government officials behind them

Heechul and Jongin are there as well to guard up their Crown Prince

There are several built and armed guards leading the way for the two official envoys in the middle

Behind them are servants walking carrying their gifts for the Joseon royalties and their master's things

Some guards with them are carrying a tall yellow right-angled triangle flag, with a thin black border and Chinese "wavy teeth" on the upper edge, and a dragon that symbolizes the flag of the Ming Dynasty

"It's been a long time since you land a foot here in your homeland, Zitao" A Chinese man in his middle 30s said as he smiles at the young man beside him

The man named Zitao smirked, "Homeland, my foot"

"This is where you grow up, kid. Keep your cool"

Zitao rolled his eyes as he looked straight at the gate of the palace

He can see a shining blue dragon robe waiting for him

Probably the Crown Prince and the Future King of Joseon

As they came inside, Seulgi and Junmyeon are the ones who send the envoys inside the guesthouse they prepared for them to stay

"I hope you like the preparations we made for you and let us make your visit worth" Junmyeon spokes in mandarin

The vice minister of rites named Yixing chuckled, "We really appreciate the efforts you gave to us. This house is presentable and gives us a feels that we're still in Ming"

Seulgi just keeps her smile on her face. She can understand what they're saying yet she let her cousin do the talk

The young chief eunuch takes a seat without even saying a word. His face is straight and seems like not in the mood, and Seulgi can sense that

"You can call us anytime if you need something else-" Junmyeon told them but was cut out by the Eunuch

"I'd rather get some rest, so leave"

Now, that was rude for Seulgi. She doesn't like his aura in the first place and now he's asking them to leave in a rude way

But she has to keep shut as they are their visitor. And she has to keep her promise to her father that she'll take their trust

Yixing looked at them apologetically before they leave the quarter

"He was born here in Joseon because her mother lives here in Joseon but his father is from Ming. I heard a rumor that they were abandoned by his father but that was just a rumor" Junmyeon said as they were leaving the place

"He has a Joseon blood" Seulgi mumbled and Junmyeon nodded

"I also heard that the newly crowned emperor last year owed both of them a lot as they're the ones who helped them to have their people's trust" Junmyeon continued

And Seulgi only nodded her head as she saw Bogum and Councilor Jung talking at the bridge

She didn't dare to tell Junmyeon about this and just continue her pace toward her palace

Yerim stepped inside Joohyun's room and found the older one talking with Sooyoung and Byul-yi

"Wow, no one even informed me about this" Yerim clicks her tongue and takes a seat on the floor beside Joohyun

"We are just catching up on some things. And you were busy playing around with Minjeong" Byul-yi said

Yerim just hissed

"Anyway, I am curious about what happened yesterday" Yerim said that making Byul-yi and Sooyoung raise their brows

And Joohyun kept her tranquility, and she knows what Yerim talking about

"What do you mean? Prince Yeongchang visited Eonni and Young Master too?" Sooyoung asked

Yerim shook her head, "When Joohyun Eonni left just like that, I heard Prince Yeongchang called Young Master Donghee an older brother"

Joohyun started to play with the hem of the ribbon from her robe when Yerim stated it

She couldn't just tell the girls about it. Unless they figured it out on their own

"Then, what are you trying to say?" Byul-yi turned to ask

Yerim shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know. Maybe I just misheard it-"

She was cut out when Sooyoung clapped her hand, "Prince Yeongchang is His Majesty's son, right?"

They nodded their head, except Joohyun

"And the Crown Prince too, right?"

Nodded their heads again

Sooyoung leaned closer at them, "And we suspected that Young Master Donghee is the Crown Prince, right?"

"Then, you are saying-"

Sooyoung put her index finger at Byul-yi's lips to shut her up

"He is the Crown prince. I am sure"

"Sooyoung-"

"He called him an older brother, so what are you-"

Joohyun decided to stop her friends

"Ladies, you cannot be sure just like that. Remember what Minjeong and Baekhyun say, he is close to the Crown Prince. So do the other royalties, like the Princesses, right?" Joohyun smiled at them, trying to convince her friends to stop talking about Seulgi being the Crown prince

Byul-yi brows narrowed as she her head to the side, "Wait, isn't weird that Young Master Donghee is close to the Princesses too?"

"It's you ladies who told me that he is the son of Minister of Rites. It's not impossible if he's a friend with them" Joohyun retorts softly, glancing at her friends one by one

Sooyoung shook her head, "He should just tell us if he is the Crown Prince. We won't do anything, we will just be honored to be friend with the Crown Prince who is head over heels to our Joohyun Eonnie if he is" Sooyoung waggles her brows at Joohyun mischievously and laugh with Yerim

Byul-yi just looked at the two of them weirdly and shook her head

Joohyun just rolled her eyes

It's time for the banquet for the envoys.

The banquet hall was decorated that has no different from the palace of the Ming.

The King and Queen are also there, sitting in the middle together. Beside them on the right are Seulgi and Soojung, on the left is the envoys and their

Heechul, Court Lady Kim, and Eunuch Shin are there as well, standing beside Seulgi's seat

While Haneul, Junmyeon, and Bogum are seated in the audience seats with the officials, they are on the front line

They are currently watching a performance they prepared for the visitors, and all of them are enjoying it

Seulgi is eyeing everyone at the banquet and suddenly met the gaze of her loved one's father, Councilor Bae

The Councilor smiled at her and she did the same

As the show continues, Zitao glance at the King

"I am truly grateful for this grand welcome" he said

King Dongwon smiled

"However, if you only had focused more on your energy on improving the roads leading to Joseon, I wouldn't be so fatigued on the trip" Zitao said nonchalantly as he took a sip on his alcoholic beverage

Seulgi heard what he said and look at him

Then, her father responded, "That would mean we are clearing the paths for the barbarians up the north" King dong won said and look at Zitao

"That is why we've been hesitant"

Zitao smirks lightly, "Well, you should still have taken the time to clear roads to a Ming though"

"You can open a way to Yeoyeon then we can have that way back to Ming and have the safest and most comfortable trip. Wouldn't that be great, Your Majesty?"

Seulgi frowned as the Chief Eunuch stated that. She knew that they couldn't open that road as it can make way for the Barbarians that might attack them anytime and other people in Hanyang

King Dongwon didn't utter any words, thinking that he can consider it just for the time of their visitor's leave

Zitao discreetly had his glanced at Bogum who has a small lopsided smile on his face

The Chief Eunuch was in his rest when Bogum came in

"What's makes you come here this late?" Zitao raised his brows

Bogum didn't say anything and eyed his assistant who immediately put the treasure box on the table and open it, greeted by a bunch of gold bars

Zitao smirks and looks at Bogum, "Is that a perk of being a son of the King?"

Bogum chuckled and sighs softly, "there's only one thing I want you to do"

"Do you want me to make you a favor when I-"

"I am willing to double this" Bogum glance at the box, "When you are able to do what I want you to do"

"What is it?"

"I am planning on developing a land at Yeoyeon"

Zitao stares at him a second before he laughed in sarcasm, "Barbarians can invade that place if that is what you want. You cannot just do that stupid plan-"

Then, he realized what the Prince wanted

"Ah, you want to build an army under the pretense to protect the border, and for what?" Zitao tilted his head, "That's greedy of you, Prince"

Bogum didn't say anything and just keep his glance straight at his eyes

"Double it and you don't have to worry"

Bogum smiles in satisfaction and takes a sip on his drink while stealing glances at Councilor Jung with a smile on his face too

The beautiful young ladies are already performing in the middle of the banquet and all of the men are enjoying their performance, appreciating their beautiful faces

Yixing and Zitao are laughing as they are both tipsy and pointing to each lady they found beautiful

Then, one of the lower rank officials went to their table

"My Lord, it seems like you're enjoying these pretty ladies' performance. You can tell me whoever you like to have a fun night with" the middle-aged man said

Zitao looked at him, "Can I? Whoever I want?'

The Man nodded his head eagerly, "Of course, My Lord"

The Chief Eunuch smiled and stood up from his seat, leaning his head closer to the man

"Who do you serve in this palace?" He asked

"It's Princess Jeongmyeong(Seungwan), My Lord" the man turns her gaze at Seungwan who's peacefully watching the performance with Yongsun beside her

Zitao eyed Yongsun from afar as he grinned mischievously, "She's beautiful.  How about her?"

The man looked at him in surprise, "S-she is His Majesty's daughter, My Lord"

"And so? You're saying that I can have her when you said that you will give me whoever I want?"

"B-but she is a Princess-"

The performance stopped when a man fell down the stairs to the ground, causing a loud gasp

Seulgi rose up from her seat in surprise

He was pushed by Zitao

"M-my Lord, I am sorry please-"

Zitao kicked him once again hard, as he was about to do it again the King suddenly spoke, "What is the meaning of this?!"

The Chief Eunuch turned his head around and smiled at the King, "You don't have to worry anything about this, Your Majesty. This lowly man here just promised me something but is unable to fulfill that"

Seulgi and the King frowned at his statement. But King Dongwon managed his cool

"I will punish him accordingly when we gathered the truth. Please let your anger subside"

Zitao exhaled sharply, "What is there to investigate and find out, Your Majesty?"

"Sometimes, one can justify an immediate execution"

Seulgi eyes widened as Zitao took the sword from his attendant and that even surprised the audience more

The poor official whimpers and begged Zitao as he is walking toward him with a sword in his grip, "Please spare my life! Please!"

Seulgi glances at her father who doesn't have any plan to stop him

She shut her fist tight and stepped in, "That's enough!"

Everyone turned their attention to the Crown Prince, even Zitao

"You are in the Palace of Joseon" Seulgi said, "His Majesty has just said that he'd get the truth, so we'll deal with it accordin