The Eunwoo Gate of Hwangseong1 opened amidst a light drizzle. Leading the procession through the gate was an elderly priest carrying a golden scroll, followed by dozens of soldiers clad in black armor, and a sedan chair adorned with spring flowers. Today's summons from the heavens was a ceremonial procession. The intricately crafted flowers, seemingly delicate enough to be carried away by the slightest breeze, each dewdrop symbolizing pure love, a virtue among the emperor's concubines, yet ironically dubbed the "curse of the concubines" by the people.
Upon becoming an imperial concubine, one was bound to serve only one master until death. According to the customs, they could initially share the emperor's bed on the wedding night, but thereafter, their fate depended solely on their beauty, character, and charm. Those who failed to captivate the emperor's attention were condemned to a life of seclusion within the palace, plagued by endless sorrow and loneliness. Suicide was not an option either; it would lead to the execution of the concubine's entire family, officials, palace maids, and even distant relatives up to the ninth degree, by beheading.
"Ah, today the flowers will weep once more."
Observing the passing sedan chair of an unnamed concubine near Hwangseong, many locals harbored such thoughts.
As curiosity among the populace grew, the flower-decorated sedan chair eventually halted before the grandeur of Yeonghyeon Palace. Its imposing scale had earned it the nickname "Salt Palace," a testament to the emperor's favor. The aged priest, confirming the rumors of Yeonghyeon's significance with his own eyes, cleared his throat and dismounted from his horse.
"The Heavenly Hwangmyeong[1] has been issued."
As the priest's raspy voice echoed, the guards at the gate prostrated themselves in reverence.
"Rise."
Only after the priest holding the scroll of Hwangmyeong spoke did they awkwardly rise and open the gate. The priest and soldiers entered hastily, the gate opening faster than the Eunwoo Gate had. The sedan chair remained outside. After the priest and soldiers entered, their gaze lifted, and their eyes widened at the sight of the flower sedan chair, puzzled by its presence and its association with concubines or funeral processions. One among them, cautiously glancing around, muttered sporadically.
"Could it be... that the woman in the palace became a concubine?" A slightly hunched man, upon hearing his words, nodded in agreement. "Seems plausible. Otherwise, why would a flower sedan chair be coming to the palace?" Finally at ease, they chuckled heartily, clutching their chests. Hwangmyeong usually came down several times a month. The emperor summoned Yeonghyeon. From trivial matters to the bothersome ones, the emperor shared everything with Yeonghyeon, who faithfully followed him to the palace regardless of rain or snow.
However, it seemed to be the first time for both the priest and the flower sedan chair to reach this far, so they were inadvertently tense. As they breathed a sigh of relief and closed the palace gate behind them, the priest and soldiers passed through the courtyard planted with flowering trees and entered the hall. Those working in Yeonghyeon’s Palace were startled by the arrival of the elderly priest and widened their eyes, reflexively prostrating themselves on the ground. They greeted the priest respectfully and with reverence, as if facing the emperor for the first time. Until the priest said, "Raise your heads," they remained motionless, unable to even make a sound, their eyes fixed only on the stone floor of the palace. The atmosphere became so tense that even swallowing saliva seemed impossible.
Narrowing his eyes, the priest began searching for the recipient of the Heavenly Hwangmyeong', but the intended recipient seemed to have vanished from the palace. Fingering the golden scroll, the priest spoke, his words slow and sibilant, like a snake eyeing its prey. No one dared to speak rashly. If they were to reveal where Yeonghyeon had gone, it felt like their master would be immediately seized by the priest. As the tense silence continued, Ye Damyeong, the chief commander of the chinguns2, stepped forward. His eyes seemed indifferent, but they moved sharply, like well-honed blades, scanning the hall and the corridors of the palace without hesitation. Ye Damyeong, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist, spoke to the priest. "It seems Yeonghyeon went hunting."
Lifting his eyes, the priest smoothed the wrinkles on his forehead and gazed at Ye Damyeong. Ye Damyeong, with a faint smile as if to reassure him, spoke calmly. "I share a special bond with Yeonghyeon, not as you may suspect, but as camaraderie forged between men. On ordinary weekdays when there are no official duties, Yeonghyeon often spends time with relatives..."
Before Ye Damyeong could finish his explanation, urgent hoofbeats were heard in the distance. Ye Damyeong turned his head faster than the priest. Unfiltered light poured through the wide-open door crack. Blinking against the dazzling light, Ye Damyeong took a step back. Strangely, the light soon began to fade, revealing a man who emerged through it. With one hand leisurely guiding the reins and the other holding prey, the man handled his horse and his catch with ease, unlike the frantic movements of the fleeing game. There was an undeniable gracefulness about him.
With a smile brighter than the flowing light, he gracefully dismounted from his horse. Stepping firmly onto the ground with one foot on the stirrup, he exerted force and smoothly descended. Ye Damyeong couldn't help but chuckle at the crisp, unpretentious movement. It reminded him of his childhood, remained unchanged. Ye Damyeong, who had been appointed as the emperor's personal guard, had often accompanied Yeonghyeon on hunting expeditions and had drawn his bow.
As the wind swept by, Yeonghyeon's neatly tied hair was tousled. His cool, elongated eyes narrowed in the wind. A subtle change came over Yeonghyeon's face, usually as firm as a pine tree standing tall in the snow-covered wilderness.
Ye Damyeong stared at the approaching Yeonghyeon, brushing off the dust. Yeonghyeon handed the prey to his attendant and stood before the priest and Ye Damyeong. Undoing the fastenings of his plum-patterned sleeves, the sleeves swayed in the wind, emitting a mournful rustle.
"I am curious as to why the priest has traveled to the palace. I would like to know the reason."
Yeonghyeon's calm and sonorous voice broke the silence. His deep and resonant voice, fitting for his dignified and cool appearance, sent shivers down Ye Damyeong's spine. Meeting his stern gaze, Ye Damyeong stubbornly avoided eye contact and stepped back behind the priest. Sensing something amiss, Yeonghyeon furrowed his brow. Yet, his handsome appearance remained impeccable. While admiring Yeonghyeon's beauty, Ye Damyeong turned his head at the sound of a heavy sigh. The priest had opened the scroll and was gazing at Yeonghyeon. Yeonghyeon, who had been observing the priest with an indifferent gaze, slowly knelt on both knees before him. As Yeonghyeon's broad back faced him, a gust of wind swept past.
"Hwangmyeong has been issued."
Until then, the palace remained silent.
"Heaven has designated Yeonghyeon, you, as the new consort of the emperor. You shall henceforth be honored as Hee-bi..."
"What did you say?"
Before the priest could finish his sentence, Yeonghyeon shot up. His face hardened like stone. Those who had been kneeling alongside the priest behind him were also shocked, some gasping in disbelief while others muttered in confusion.
It couldn't be true.
The incredulous murmurs rippled through the crowd. Without hesitation, Yeonghyeon clenched his fists and, with a trembling voice, addressed the priest.
"That's impossible. How could I become His Majesty's consort? I am a man, and above all..."
Yeonghyeon stopped himself from uttering the word "son" that lingered on his lips, swallowing it slowly. A heavy weight settled over the room. Except for the soldiers and elderly priests who had heard the decree beforehand, everyone was stunned. Yeonghyeon was a man, the emperor's own son. Even the nanny who had raised him from infancy was shocked and staggered. Catching her as she almost fell, Yeonghyeon looked down at the priest.
"Aren't I His Majesty's son?"
Finally uttering the word that had been lingering on the tip of his tongue, Yeonghyeon looked at Ye Damyeong with a trembling gaze. Ye Damyeong, who had always been his steadfast companion, now met his gaze unsteadily. His eyes, which had always provided him with unwavering support, were wavering. Ye Damyeong, who had always been the first to step forward in times of trouble, seemed strange today. Approaching Yeonghyeon with an icy demeanor as if he didn't know him, he spoke coldly.
However, rather than denying the falsehood, Ye Damyeong instead stepped forward and conveyed the decree.
"His Majesty has commanded that Your Highness[2] be brought here by any means necessary."
"Damyeong! Your Highness? What in the world..."
Ye Damyeong knelt before the shocked Yeonghyeon, whose face drained of color. The soldiers standing around Yeonghyeon swiftly moved to surround him silently. Though familiar, the scene felt unfamiliar to Yeonghyeon, and he was speechless.
"Damyeong..."
Yeonghyeon's eyes widened in disbelief, his lips trembling. The elderly nanny who had her face buried in Yeonghyeon's chest sobbed. Hearing her cry, Yeonghyeon regained his senses. Around twenty soldiers, familiar faces, blocked any attempt for Yeonghyeon to flee under the guise of protecting him. Realizing their gaze had changed, Yeonghyeon looked down at the nanny. Her complexion was noticeably pale. Lifted from his daze, Yeonghyeon looked up at Ye Damyeong and the priest.
Though still filled with confusion, his demeanor was firmer than before.
"I will go on foot."
"You must ride in the sedan chair."
Ye Damyeong stood up, speaking firmly. Yeonghyeon couldn't help but be incredulous at the confident attitude of his trusted friend treating him perfectly as the emperor's consort. Slowly ceasing his laughter, which had been close to a sob, Yeonghyeon spoke.
"I will go and hear it from Abamama’s own lips."
"If you refuse the decree, our lives will be forfeit. Surely you do not wish for our deaths?"
Ye Damyeong pressed relentlessly, offering Yeonghyeon no respite. Yeonghyeon summoned the husband of the nanny, instructing him to take her away, then discarded the dagger strapped to his waist, casting it to the ground. He veiled his face with a fan as he strode past the elderly priest towards Ye Damyeong. Abruptly, he seized Ye Damyeong by the collar, drawing him nearer with an intense gaze.
"All responsibility will be mine to bear. Is that acceptable?"
Ye Damyeong, unable to bring himself to grasp the wrist of his once close friend, now the emperor's official consort, endured his aggression and replied stoically. He was a steadfast soldier of the emperor.
"Even if all responsibility falls on Your Highness, it is ultimately us who suffer. Do you not understand? Your Majesty will never harm Mama. It has always been us, the subordinates, who bear the brunt."
Having spoken, Ye Damyeong bowed his head and whispered slowly into Yeonghyeon's ear.
"Do you truly wish to repeat the mistakes of King Jinyeong?"
At the mention of King Jinyeong, Yeonghyeon visibly stiffened, rendered speechless. His gaze fell upon the lowly individuals lying in agony on the ground, their faces contorted with pain. Yeonghyeon briefly closed his eyes, then reopened them, releasing his grip on Ye Damyeong's collar.
With a composed demeanor, Ye Damyeong stepped back, observing Yeonghyeon intently. Yeonghyeon scrutinized the priest's face, then those of the soldiers surrounding him, before speaking with clarity and refinement.
"Still, I cannot bring myself to ride the sedan chair."
With a brief, cold murmur, Yeonghyeon pushed aside the soldiers and mounted his horse. Although the soldiers had heard the decree and were prepared to use force if necessary to bring His Highness, the emperor's beloved son, back, they hesitated to lay hands on Yeonghyeon. After all, he was the emperor's most cherished son, and now, having been designated as the consort, it was uncertain if force could be employed. The soldiers' glances towards Ye Damyeong, their commander, betrayed anxiety and uncertainty.
"Your Highness, you must come with us. It's dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Yeonghyeon chuckled, followed by a piercing look.
"I wonder whoever is making me unsafe, Damyeong-ah."
Yeonghyeon kicked the flank of his horse, and with trained precision, the black mare burst through the open gate, raising a cloud of dust. The elderly priest observed calmly, while Ye Damyeong moved swiftly, adapting to the urgency of the situation. There was no time to waste.
"To the palace!"
As he commanded, the soldiers responded with a resounding affirmation, following Yeonghyeon's lead.
[1] Hwangmyeong means an decree/edict. If there is Heavenly before this word, it means it comes from the heaven's will
[2] Damyeong used mama which means Your Highness. It is usually used for the royal members. Princes uses Wanja Mama mean Your Highness prince etc. In this context, he was address the same tone as those wives of the emperor.