Hurriedly making themselves presentable, Geum-soon’s parents greeted the man sent by Duke Anpyeong.
Taking his seat on the main floor, the man got straight to the point as soon as the formal greetings were over.
“His Grace Duke Anpyeong wishes to see you both.”
“Why would His Grace want to see people like us?”
In response to Geum-soon’s parents’ bewildered reaction, the man added:
“It concerns your daughter’s marriage prospects, as I understand it.”
“By our daughter, do you mean Geum-soon?”
“Yes.”
The man’s explanation was frustratingly sparse. Anxious, Geum-soon’s mother moved closer.
“Could you please explain in more detail?”
“Such matters should not be discussed loudly. I suggest you hear it directly from His Grace. I can assure you, however, that it will absolutely not be anything harmful to your family or your daughter.”
With those words, the man fell silent.
“Hmm…”
Geum-soon’s father, who had been making distressed sounds, made his decision.
“Would it be acceptable if we visited tomorrow?”
“When will you come tomorrow?”
“At noon.”
“His Grace is an extremely busy man, and this matter is important, so you must strictly adhere to the appointed time.”
“We will definitely arrive by noon.”
“Very well, I shall inform His Grace.”
Having completed his business, the man offered a slight bow and left Geum-soon’s house.
Geum-soon’s parents, who had accompanied the man to the gate, turned to face each other with expressions still full of confusion.
“What strange business is this…”
“Still, he said it won’t be anything bad for our Geum-soon, so let’s trust that.”
***
The next day, after spending a sleepless night filled with worry, the couple dressed in their finest clothes and visited Duke Anpyeong’s residence.
Seeing the imposing walls of the mansion built on the most expensive land in the Northern Village area, the intimidated couple repeatedly checked their attire.
Though they were relatively well-off enough to walk with their heads held high in the Western Village, they became thoroughly cowed as soon as they entered the Northern Village.
“Ahem! Ahem!”
Nevertheless, since they had to meet Duke Anpyeong, Geum-soon’s father cleared his throat and grabbed the door knocker attached to the main gate.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Is anyone there?”
After knocking and calling out, the gate opened and a servant appeared.
“How may I help you?”
“I am Yang from the Western Village. We’ve come to see His Grace Duke Anpyeong today as arranged.”
Geum-soon’s father, stating his business, was careful not to speak condescendingly.
This wasn’t merely because he felt intimidated by Duke Anpyeong’s power. It was because the person who opened the gate was also a commoner.
***
After private slaves had almost disappeared, noble families and the wealthy began hiring servants as the new trend. These servants were not slaves but legitimate commoners, so their employers couldn’t treat them disrespectfully.
The court also subtly encouraged this practice of hiring servants. It created new jobs for those who struggled with their livelihood due to a lack of skills or possessions, and generated a decent source of tax revenue. Additionally, the money earned by these servants and maids became a new element that brought vitality to the market.
The wealthy employers didn’t lose out either. They received various tax benefits equivalent to the wages they paid their servants.
***
Due to these social changes, Geum-soon’s father didn’t speak condescendingly to the man before him.
After hearing their business, the servant opened the gate and raised his arm to indicate inside.
“His Grace is waiting. Please come in.”
“Thank you.”
The couple followed the servant’s guidance toward the men’s quarters.
At the entrance to the men’s quarters stood the man they had met yesterday, waiting for the couple. Seeing him, the servant bowed respectfully and announced:
“Master Steward, they say they’ve come from the Western Village.”
“Good work. Go back to your duties.”
“Yes, Master.”
After dismissing the servant, the steward called toward the men’s quarters:
“Your Grace, Mr. and Mrs. Yang from the Western Village have arrived.”
“Bring them in.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
***
Upon entering Duke Anpyeong’s quarters, the couple immediately performed deep bows to Duke and Duchess Anpyeong.
“Yang from the Western Village pays respects to Your Grace.”
The couple stood like wooden statues, not knowing what to do. Seeing this, Duke Anpyeong pointed to empty chairs and said:
“The ceiling won’t collapse. Sit down there.”
“Th-thank you, Your Grace.”
At Duke Anpyeong’s words, the couple hurriedly sat in the empty chairs.
A moment later, a maid followed the steward carrying refreshments, but the couple kept their eyes fixed on Duke Anpyeong.
After moistening his throat with black tea, Duke Anpyeong began speaking in a relaxed voice:
“The reason I summoned you two today is…”
***
About two hours later, the couple leaving Duke Anpyeong’s house wore expressions as if they’d been dreaming.
As they walked silently down the road, Geum-soon’s father spoke to her mother:
“Hey, dear. Pinch me once.”
At those words, Geum-soon’s mother pinched her husband’s arm with all her might.
“Ow! Woman! Did you have to pinch me like you wanted to kill me?”
“You asked me to pinch you!”
After grumbling at his wife’s reproach, Geum-soon’s father sighed.
“Sigh~ Our Geum-soon becoming Duke Anpyeong’s adopted daughter… And the Imperial family directly arranging the marriage… I can’t tell if this is a dream or reality…”
His wife showed the same disbelieving reaction.
“I know what you mean. And to think they’ll bestow the title of Provincial Lady…”
What Duke Anpyeong had told the couple was as follows:
- Zhu Jianshen, the new Emperor of Ming, strongly desires to marry Geum-soon. Moreover, he wants to make her his principal wife.
- This has created rather difficult diplomatic and political issues.
- The biggest problem is Geum-soon’s status. Even though she’s a commoner, the difference in status is too great.
- If this proceeds as is, it would not only become a political burden for the new Emperor but could also worsen relations between the two countries, which are already strained.
- Therefore, Geum-soon will be adopted as Duke Anpyeong’s daughter and recorded in the imperial genealogy.
- Additionally, Geum-soon will be granted the title of Provincial Lady.
- After receiving this title, Geum-soon will be educated in imperial etiquette and everything necessary in the Office of Palace Women.
- Subsequently, the Imperial family will directly proceed with the marriage to Zhu Jianshen.
“…If you, as Geum-soon’s parents, permit this, we will proceed immediately. Of course, this means that your daughter Geum-soon will stay in my household, and her surname will change. What say you?”
Though he spoke as if asking for their permission, it was actually an order—an imperial order, no less.
But the couple couldn’t easily give an answer.
Rationally, they understood this was the best solution. But emotionally, it was difficult to accept.
Seeing the couple’s obvious conflicted expressions, Anpyeong added:
“Of course, parting with your flesh and blood isn’t easy. But if you consider what’s best for your daughter, this is the optimal choice.”
In the end, Geum-soon’s parents had no choice but to accept the imperial order.
They stood up and performed deep bows to Duke and Duchess Anpyeong.
“We are truly grateful for your attention to our inadequate daughter. Please take good care of her.”
“You’ve made a wise decision. And His Majesty has also said he will take special care of her, so don’t worry too much.”
Two days later, a palanquin sent from Duke Anpyeong’s house arrived at Geum-soon’s home.
With eyes swollen from crying, Geum-soon bid her final farewell to her parents and boarded the palanquin.
***
Adopted as Duke Anpyeong’s daughter, Geum-soon had to get busy as soon as she unpacked and settled her mind.
Paying respects to Duke and Duchess Anpyeong, her new adoptive parents, was just the beginning.
From the day after paying respects to the Anpyeong couple, Geum-soon visited Gyeongbok Palace and Sugang Palace to pay respects to Emperor Wan and his wife, and Venerable Emperor Sejong and his wife.
Normally unable to even glimpse such lofty figures, Geum-soon forced strength into her trembling legs as she paid her respects.
Looking at Geum-soon, both imperial couples wore sympathetic expressions as they offered words of encouragement.
“It will be difficult, but bear it well.”
“Even when you go to Nanking, don’t forget that our Empire is behind you.”
After completing the visits to the highest members of the imperial family as a new member herself, the formal training in imperial etiquette and the basic virtues required of an imperial woman began in earnest.
To learn imperial etiquette and the necessary skills, Geum-soon had to commute to Gyeongbok Palace daily.
The first person to greet Geum-soon was a very stern-looking court lady.
“I am Lady-in-Waiting Park Hyanggeum, in charge of the Provincial Lady’s education.”
***
When the nation changed to an Empire, the systems for court ladies and eunuchs also transformed.
First, the “Palace Management Office” was created to oversee court ladies and eunuchs. This office now managed all court ladies and eunuchs.
The status and conduct of court ladies also changed.
Until just before the transformation into an Empire, court ladies were required to observe “marriage prohibition.”
This was because of the concept that “all court ladies are the king’s women.” Of course, there were exceptional cases where marriage occurred due to incidents. In such cases, the male partner would receive the punishment of 100 strokes with a rod.
However, according to stories, most of these punishments were formal or symbolic, with just a few strokes before being expelled.
But after becoming part of the Palace Management Office, court ladies, like eunuchs, were allowed to marry. Not only that, but they changed from staying in the palace 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, to commuting to work. Their salaries were also adjusted to be more practical.
This change had both pros and cons. The positive aspect was freedom from the constraint of living a lifelong single life. Of course, some still hoped to catch the Emperor’s eye for a life-changing opportunity. Unfortunately, the Empire’s emperors were too busy to even look up, and they did not glance at anyone other than the already designated Empress and consorts.
On the negative side, internal palace matters became more likely to leak outside, and people approaching for corrupt purposes appeared. As a result, the inspection department tasked with preventing this became busier.
Additionally, since commuting court ladies needed homes to live in, Seoul’s rental rates soared.
Upon receiving reports at the time, Hyang could only shake his head.
“This real estate problem… I thought we had resolved the issues for officials and could take a breather…”
Officials who came from the provinces to serve in the capital had no choice but to rent places to live. Because of this, even in the history before Hyang’s intervention, there were numerous records of officials lamenting the sorrows of rented life.
***
After introducing herself, Park Hyanggeum explained Geum-soon’s upcoming schedule.
“Do you have any questions?”
“Um… why do I need to learn firearms and archery?”
“It is tradition that all women of the Imperial family must learn archery and firearms without exception.”
“Pardon?”