Spring Snow - Chapter 2 Part 1

Unlike the recent concubine, Geum Sang, who was the only one taken in just recently, the late emperor, who passed away eleven years ago, had twelve wives and concubines, including the empress. It is said that during the late emperor’s time, the six palaces were filled with the laughter of concubines. Additionally, the late emperor had two sons and four daughters with the current Grand Empress Dowager, who was his first wife, but they were not biological children of the empress. They were the sons and daughters of the Empress Dowager’s sister, the Empress Dowager’s consort, Hwa, who had given birth to the emperor’s children.

Moreover, Empress Dowager Hwa had three daughters and four sons, in addition to the two sons and four daughters she had given birth to for the Grand Empress Dowager. If one considers that all the princes and princesses of the imperial palace, excluding the two twin sons of the executed Consort Gwi-bi and Consort Gil, were all her biological children, Empress Dowager Hwa could be considered the woman who enjoyed unparalleled favor.

As she looked down gracefully, A glimpse of the hem of a robe came into view. Since there was no command to raise her head, Eunhwan remained with her head lowered. She was the one who had come to the emperor’s palace and reigned as the mistress of one of the six palaces, Sochang Palace. The power to govern the palace started with the rank of ‘bin’ (concubine), but the emperor was a man who never even had a first wife.

Naturally, Eunhwan had no other concubines to govern. There was only Eunhwan herself, so what has to be done? Moreover, while she was a wife, she also had the duty as a daughter-in-law to greet the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager Hwa, who was her mother-in-law. However, the Empress Dowager, who was upset with the emperor, declared that she would not accept Eunhwan’s greeting.

Every morning, the Empress Dowager had refused Eunhwan’s greeting, so it was only natural that the Empress Dowager Hwa, who was under her, also declined. This was why Eunhwan suffered each morning. Yet today, for some reason, the Empress Dowager Hwa said she would accept the greeting that the Empress Dowager had rejected.

There seemed to be no particular reason for this change, so Eunhwan had been unreasonably tense since the previous night. Had the Empress Dowager sent a message to Empress Dowager Hwa? Or was it that something had shifted in Empress Dowager Hwa’s heart? Since she could not raise her head, Eunhwan could not read her expression.

‘The emperor’s birth mother…’

It had been seven years since she entered the palace as a court lady. As a member of the royal family, Eunhwan had only ever stepped on the shadows of the palace, not seeing the actual faces. However, Empress Dowager Hwa had never seen even those shadows. Since the late emperor passed away, she had been secluded in the Jeongyeong Palace. After the emperor’s death, while the Empress Dowager’s complexion seemed to improve day by day, there were rumors that Empress Dowager Hwa’s health had been deteriorating so rapidly that her bones were withering. Though Eunhwan could not confirm the truth, it was often said that she had been with the late emperor during the assassination attempt on his life. After the emperor’s death, rumors circulated that she had lost her mind. But, Eunhwan didn’t know for sure.

Geum Sang tried to conceal anything related to his birth mother, the Empress Dowager’s matters, and even often turned what had actually happened into something that never occurred. Since it was the emperor’s will, the people in the palace also remained silent whenever it came to the Empress Dowager’s affairs. Therefore, no one truly knew what Empress Dowager Hwa was like.

She was a legendary beauty, called Seolbu Hwayong (a beauty like the lotus), from Hunan, a woman who had been born the daughter of a humble woodcutter and rose to become the emperor’s beloved concubine, renowned for her incomparable beauty. There were many ways to describe Empress Dowager Hwa, and with so many descriptions came their darker sides. This was understandable, as it was said that during his lifetime, Emperor Deokhye only ever kept Empress Dowager Hwa by his side.

In those days, Empress Dowager Hwa was known as Consort Hwa. How beautiful and beloved she must have been, to have filled the six palaces with women, yet one man, the emperor, loved only her.

“Has the main palace ever called for you?”

“Huh?”

Eunhwan was startled and raised her head. When her gaze tangled, she couldn’t think of anything. At that moment, she thought she was facing a woman of a similar age to herself, not Empress Dowager Hwa. Upon closer inspection, the signs of aging were evident. Time, in its fleeting, merciless way, meant that no matter how beautiful a woman was, as long as she lived, she could only walk toward death.

And yet, Empress Dowager Hwa was still beautiful. Even after giving birth to thirteen children. She had a thin, long figure, taller than Eunhwan, with a pale, ethereal beauty. She had tied her flowing black hair to one side and placed it over her shoulder, dressed as expected in a court lady’s attire. She wore a translucent robe with a layer of silk over it, gazing at Eunhwan with a puzzled expression. An innocent, pure puzzlement. She was graceful and delicate.

‘She must have lost her mind long ago. Since the late emperor passed away… it’s said she no longer recognizes even her own children…’

At that point, shouldn’t she be leaving the palace for rest and recuperation? Though Eunhwan hesitated to speak, that was essentially what she was thinking. Was it acceptable for someone whose mind was not whole to remain in the palace? Eunhwan blinked. A thought someone from her group had once muttered came back to her, and it now lingered in her ears, fleeting and without mercy.

“Your Majesty. This is Lady Ga, who you granted permission to visit last evening.”

“Lady Ga? Has the emperor taken in a new concubine?”

“Your Majesty, Lady Ga…”

“I’ve never heard of her. The emperor… the emperor didn’t even give me time for my belly to settle before he made me pregnant again! Before my skin even recovered from carrying one child, he made me carry another! And now, he’s taken in another concubine…!”

Your Majesty. Lady Ga is a concubine taken in by Emperor Geum Sang…”

“Lady Ga, you say?”

“Yes, yes, Your Majesty. That is correct.”

Eunhwan trembled. The once gentle woman now glared at her with a venomous expression. She instinctively placed her hand on her belly and leaned back as if pregnant. Even without makeup, such a venomous look could emerge. The icy, piercing gaze was unsettling. Eunhwan lowered her head again, swallowing her dry saliva. Suddenly, a teacup flew toward her.

“Ah!”

Eunhwan screamed briefly as the teacup struck her forehead. Frightened, she quickly got off the platform and knelt on the floor. The words “She has lost her mind” echoed in her ears repeatedly. As she trembled and choked back tears, a sharp voice rang out.

“I have seen countless women like you. How dare you disturb the emperor’s night…”

“Your Majesty, I apologize for the confusion, but Lady Ga is a concubine of Emperor Geum Sang.”

At the maid’s words, Empress Dowager Hwa furrowed her brow. It seemed like she didn’t understand what was being said.

“I know. Who would say such a thing…”

“Empress Dowager! Please! The late emperor… your husband is no longer in this world. He no longer exists in this world! So, please…”

The maid sobbed, pleading. Empress Dowager Hwa, who had been glaring at Eunhwan with a furrowed brow, turned her gaze toward the maid. Her face was like that of a child, innocent and confused. It truly seemed as though she could not understand what the maid was saying. Empress Dowager Hwa, still staring at the maid, turned her eyes away.

“My husband is no longer in this world?”

“Your Majesty…”

“But he’s still alive like this…”

Her voice was vacant, almost as though she was lost. Yet there was a trace of joy, a trace of excitement. Her pale face flushed a deep red. The woman, who had been leaning back like a pregnant woman, now rushed out in her court attire. The maid’s face twisted in confusion. Eunhwan raised her head and looked in the direction where Empress Dowager Hwa had run.

“Your Majesty…”

The maid whispered, almost in tears. Eunhwan looked at the woman who was embracing her son as if he was her husband.

***