Capítulo 60: Chapter sixty:One month later
One month came and passed within the blink of an eye like a wind. The search for a particular girl intensified on the side of the concerned, whether it's for elevation or for destruction only the concerned parties can answer that.
As the crown prince's birthday drew closer so also did his anxiety rise . He had only one month to find her or he will have to live with a lady he knows nothing about and whom he is sure he will never love, for the rest of his life.
The spies sent out on a search party has been halved and withdrawn due to the crises erupting at northern border. The Shu dynasty had three borders. In the south boundary is the Panja dynasty close to the sea. The northern border is close to the Jindo dynasty while the western border overlap the Kigals, man-eaters.
Since the major wars centuries ago, the Kigals threaded carefully taking note not to upset the Shus. But the Jindos are not the same.
The current emperor who is Lady Sora's cousin brother is thirsty for power and blood. Plundering goods and maiming life with the agenda of expansion of territory. He believes that the Shu dynasty should pay homage to them with a yearly payment of tributes.
At first, he avoided open war while colluding with the corrupt officials in the Shu court. Gaining information from them while rewarding them with money until recently he received an information that the emperor might be suffering from an illness due to his weakness and perpetual incessant cough during the court meetings.
As the princess of Jindo and possible enemy, the Jang family was targeted in political war. Lady Sora became the first suspect as a spy due to her royal lineage and direct connection to the enemy emperor. Eun-hye cut down her excessive activities barely leaving the house in order not to upset the already political imbalance. They are being spied on by many officials who are seeking for their downfall and looking for any piece of evidence to incriminate them and accuse them of treason.
The emperor received a secret anonymous letter stating that the Jindos are currently buying water buffalo horn in large quantities, storing up large amount of grains in their silos and also secretly hiring mercenaries loyal to money and no nation. Water buffalo horn is the best material for making bows so it's quite suspicious as they are enjoying peaceful time. Storing food wouldn't have been suspicious if not because of the quantity. The price of food skyrocketed due to the massive drought they experienced but instead of distributing food to their people, they are storing it up. As for hiring of mercenaries, it's quite unusual considering that their army is not much compared to the other dynasties.
The emperor analyzed the information and had one conclusion, they are preparing for war especially since their scouts and spies has been seen close to the border drawing pictures and gathering information. The help of the crown prince's manpower was sought hence the halving of his secret squad into two.
Finding his woman is paramount but defending his nation is a priority. The emperor knew about his son's power but didn't know the extent. When he encountered his private soldiers,he couldn't help but marvel at his son. He is proud and happy that he will be a powerful monarch. It almost seemed as if he was no longer needed.
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Due to the state of unrest, the prime minister that intended throwing a grand party for his daughter cut it down to a private and simple dinner party involving only family members and family friends. Throwing a party in this period of time will reflect badly on him as a court official but he has to do it to gain a few political allies for his daughter's future prospect.
The birthday girl sat in her room while waiting for her 'friend' to arrive. She hates to admit it but she misses the annoying girl. Despite all her pranks on her, her annoying attitude and crude behavior she is and has been the only friend she ever had.
The last time they interacted was that day at the abandoned village. She saw her whispering to a child and saw the child leave building up an ominous feeling within her. Her intuition turned out correct, when the boy ran towards her holding onto a live cockroach wiggling in his hands. The stink reached her before the boy came closer as she is very sensitive to smells. Trying to evade the incoming danger, she panicked and ran into the nearby house not knowing that's where the danger is.
A rat infested house with the repulsive smell of cockroaches is a good description of a haunted house. Before she could process her situation she a heard a click sound with the roars of laughter outside. Her maid's voice was barely audible with the pleas to let her young miss out with the comforting words telling her to endure as she's finding a way to save her.
One of the shrew rats made way towards but was squeezed to death by her shoe sole out of panic and anger. Getting out her handkerchief from pocket, she tied it over her nose while looking for something to break down the door, at the same time squashing all the smelly cockroaches. She swore that if she made it out in one piece, Eun-hye and the children will pay for locking her up inside the smelly dimly lit room infested with rodents and insects alike. Finding nothing, she hurled herself against the door but hurt herself. The wood used in making the door looked very sturdy and rough making her lose hope of getting out without their approval. At the moment she almost cursed out loud , she heard Eun-hye shouting out a question asking if she's alright.
The sound of the voice shocked her because she could detect fear and guilt in them. Ignoring them , she made it to the window at the corner of the house and shook it. Fortunately, it budged and gave way creating an opening enough to let her out. With the help of a rundown table, she lifted herself out to the backyard and made it to the front of the house where she saw Eun-hye holding an old axe up ready to strike at the door, her face paled beyond comparison and her voice filled with panic as she called out to her.
Eun-hye let out a sigh a relief when she saw her and dropped the axe while running towards her. She apologized that locking her up wasn't part of the plan but an honest mistake of a child who didn't know any better. She further explained that her only intention was to lure her inside the house and hear her scream out of fear and disgust just for the fun of it ,and also make her come closer to the children.
Seo-yun looked at her sincere face and didn't know how to react. Initially, she wanted to spank her and the children for playing an expensive joke on her but she couldn't do it any longer owing to her apology, but that didn't mean she will let go of the matter easily without any compensation.
"Who locked me in?" She roared. Out of the corner of her eyes , she saw a little girl shrinking back behind a taller child and beckoned on her to come and receive some beatings. She can forgive Eun-hye as a follow noble lady but not a commoner child who should kowtow whenever she set her eyes on her . Eun-hye stood between her and the little girl on the ground that she should forgive the child and let bygones be bygones.
After a heated discussion and disagreement, she accepted with the fact that they should tell her the name she was called when they first arrived.
"Choi Seo-yun". Eun-hye lied hoping that she buys it.
"No , that's not what made the children guffaw . Tell me the truth this time around". Seo-yun interjected.
"OK fine. It was Queen of potatoes".
Seo-yun was clearly amused by the name and snorted. She asked why she was addressed as such but Eun-hye insisted that the deal was off. The plan was to tell her the name not the reason. She finally let go of the issue and followed the children to play with a little pup and swing since she was already dirty and her nose is still covered.
The high pitched shrill voice of Eun-hye woke her up from her daydream. Seo-yun stood up to receive her when she suddenly burst in through the door leaving her speechless and threw her arms around her neck squealing and squeezing her into a suffocating hug.
"I missed you" Eun-hye screamed finally releasing her from the suffocating bondage, at the same time dragging her to seat down on the chairs in her room. She presented a birthday gift of a beautifully carved butterfly cloth accessory made with gold.
"How do you know I like this kind of accessories?". Seo-yun asked while rubbing her hands gently over the piece of art looking puzzled. While growing up, butterfly hairpins and accessories were her favorite until her father cautioned her against using such materials as they look childish and unfit for an empress-to-be .
"Do you really not remember me from all this years?". Eun-hye asked bemused that the lady has not really figured some things out. The way she treated her these past few months is linked to that. Seeing that she really don't remember , she changed the topic to the direction of the impeding war.
The cookies and sweet cakes Eun-hye's mother baked herself was sent in by her personal maid making the young ladies savour the aroma and flavor of them.
Redoing her hairstyle according to Seo-yun's direction and choice, they both walked towards the party hall to get it started. The birthday girl beamed with smiles and pride on the number and prominence of the distinguished guests. They may not be much but they are all the people with power.
The prime minister saw his beloved daughter in her glory and smiled while introducing her to them. All his efforts till date has been for her and only her. His main plans starts tomorrow . The empress mother needs a little push to set his plans in motion so he will do just that as a 'loyal' servant.
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