"…now that the whole act has been set up my love, you truly deserve the title of 'my illuminating flower'. You have noticed every detail for me, and I could not have done this without you, even the act of confining me to my chambers for the very first time has initiated fantastic results for me and I finally know who my truest enemy was all along." "Your Highness attends to everything under heaven, and I know nothing about governance. I simply kept an eye no such trivial matters for you, husband. And governing through retreat isn't such a bad idea at all, is it? I told you that indulging in their pride will slacken their vigilance and their mistakes will come to light, and we have endured enough of them now" "This will be an injustice to you, but I am grateful at the same time. '1000 miles of ravel is made of single steps', how did you come to know which matters were critical or not, Concubine Park?" "Your Majesty, I do have a concern for The Concubine Cho…" "Are you talking about her exclusive visits to The Imperial Library?" "You know that Concubines are prohibited from interfering in state matters and I am disturbed by the consequences of her advice, even if it did help us capture The State Princes and your brother…" "It is not interference if I allow it…" "It all depends on your mood; if it pleases you, then we can discuss matters with you and if it doesn't, we will be considered as violating prohibition."
"Concubine Park, Attendant Choi has asked me to send you some ejiao cakes from the Imperial Kitchen." "Is that so? I cannot remember her visiting me when I had my miscarriage, but here she is doing sweet sisterly things for me now?" "Concubine Park, do you find her suspicious?" "Husband, all she does is sing when her family aligned themselves with your brother, but now that he has been deposed, she wants to win us all over?" "I shall sort her out when my wife is formally deposed after The State Princes have been dealt with and after she gives birth Servant! Let her inside." "Husband…!"
"Greeting to Your Highnesses…Concubine Park? I see that you haven't opened my gifts yet. Do you blame me for not visiting you earlier during your difficult time?" "It was a long time ago, and you could have visited me more often if you were truly concerned for me, isn't that so? Attendant Choi?" "Concubine Park?" "As far as I remember, you were in high favour only when I was ill, so how could you have possibly have had the time to spend with you sisters?"
"You will need to forgive Concubine Park, Attendant Choi, she really has such a strong personality I wish that she was half as mild-mannered as you were." "It seems as though Your Highness as selected Attendant Choi for the night, since she has already sent over a few servants to confirm. So I shall just leave you both to it…" "Concubine Park, I did no give you permission to leave yet…" "Do not make her wait in vain, Your Highness and allow me to take my leave…" "Do not leave yet, you only jus arrived in the palace!" "I wonder how eagerly you have been anticipating her arrival, and your words cary the weight of the nine bronze ritual vessels, and you cannot eat your words when it comes to women." "Forgive me Your Highnesses, I didn't mean to create such a disturbance between you two…" "But I do not want you to leave yet." "As long as Your Highness doesn't forget me, why would I contend with another woman for a day or 2." "Please forgive me Your Majesty, I only came here to present a satchet that I made for you only a few days ago…" The Concubine Park has just handed me hers, so having another one would be unnecessary, but I like the look of your one as well, keep it for me later." "I am glad as long as Your Majesty appreciates the thoughts that I went into making this satchet for you, it suits Your Majesty's noble temperament, but the one that I have presented looks unsophisticated, I hope Your Majesty will pardon me." "There is nothing unsophisticated about it, as I understand the thought that you put into it. There is also no need to ask me for my pardon." "Thank you, Your Highness, but Concubine Park's embroidery is also getting better. If she were to make a pair of mandarin ducks, it will show the tender affection between you both as a couple and His Majesty will like it even more." "That will be very thoughtful indeed, but if I wear it day and night, it shall look overly-sentimental." But wearing a dragon sachet will show His Majesty's heavenly authority, but I can make it for you if you wish to keep under your pillow. My needlework can't compare to your favourites, especially on your belt and fan tassel, it truly attests to their skills…"
"If Concubine Park were here, she would converse with me at length." "She is well-read and talented, and her isights into history are always thoughtful." "I heard that she fell ill during Autumn, have you visited her? How is she?" "She suffers an illness from the heart that no physician can treat, maybe you should visit her, Your Highness? So that she may recover more quickly?" "It isn't that I do not wish to visit her, 'the closer you get to home, to the more insecure that you become'. And you are dismissed." "Peace be upon you, Your Highness."
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"Do you think that others are laughing at me now?" "My Lady, you are overthinking things, but it was a good idea to gain favour from both sides, or suspicion will be cast upon us." "When I was in high favour, people were grinding their teeth with resentment. But now Concubine Park, Kim and Cho have silently stolen my favour and they have never treated me the same ever since. How could people not laugh at me?" "The Third Prince has only summoned her a few times, but he has not forgotten his pregnant Concubine." "His Highness has always told me that my voice is soft and delicate, but now he forgets everything at the mention of Concubine Park. It doesn't matter who His Majesty stays with, but who's heart stays with. And those who covet my position shall eat me alive if they ever catch me feeling fatigued. A woman can only hope for a strong marital affection and children, but what is the use of respect for a woman who is not loved by her husband?" "My Lady! A Prince can have beloved Concubines, but he cannot be exclusively devoted to her alone." "He cares too much about her, so he gets upset when she is sad. Go and bring the ex-Mistress Han to me and put her under my employment."
" … Your Highness, the tea can relieve the heat in liver…" "Why don't you ask me what I am angry about?" "When Your Highness calms down, you will tell me if you want to." "Those people that were once close are now taking advantage of My Lady's high favour." "Then tell her that she will not need to come tonight." She has recently gained favour from His Highness, you shall be more caring for her." "No! Why should I do that! I need to serve His Majesty, I am afraid she might feel upset when she sees me." "But has he ever looked towards you even once?" "I am incompetent, I could not gain His Majesty's favourable attention." "It is not that you are incompetent, but she is more competent than anyone I have ever met before. She is too intelligent, so you must show relative dullness around her to preserve yourself and to accentuate her intelligence." "His Majesty speaks to me less about his concerns now, and I need to find other ways to say informed, or those 3 Concubines will always stay steps ahead of me and become the next main wife. But with their minds currently unknown, it is better to err on the side of caution. Without her, you were exclusively in favour, but when she is around you cannot even stand level with her." "But she hasn't been in favour for a long time, and His Majesty must want fresh women now?" "Then what about in the future? I has been quite some time ever since you gained your husband's favour, do you still want his direct attention at all? Concubine Cho was able to advance to her title before even serving His Majesty, being closer to her will bring you a long way." "Concubine Park is out of the question with the way that she behaved today, but the other 2 Concubines shouldn't be a problem at all. I myself would very much like to see whether someone who is dear to Concubine Park like a sister will never doubt her or develop some kind of jealous rift…"
"…I have spent a few days embroidering the blue satin that you gifted me and really hope that you will like it, Concubine Kim. I felt that instead of embroidering a winter crow in wait for Imperial favour, it should be peach blossom graced by the Spring showers." "I cannot thank you enough, Attendant Choi, this really is a beautiful piece." "I believe that it is time t bring your thoughtfulness into fruition." "Oh? And what does that mean exactly?" 'The vibrant peach tree is afire whit's brilliant blooms, fragrant as the young bride who sweetness her husband's home.' "Thank you for those kind words Attendant Choi…" "Why don't you allow me to choose clothing and ornaments for you today? Look, this seems appropriate, what do you think? Your dress is as bright as the rosy clouds, it even makes me bush. But the colours might be more appropriate to your status, and a cool colour like this is a delight to the eyes on a ho summers day, just like 'a lotus flower out of water is refreshingly unadorned."
"…and what do we have here? What are you ladies up to?" "Greetings to Your Highness The Third Prince." "I was given temporary leave of my chambers to assist my father with something, so I wanted to check in you, Concubine Kim, and I see that you to are also accompanied by Attendant Choi, you seem to apple everywhere that I go, recently." "Forgive me Your Highness, I was feeling bored in my chambers and I wanted to get some exercise in, so I thought that I should also pay a visit here…"
"I see that your calligraphy has improved, Concubine Kim; 'hands held gazing into each other's teary eyes, our sobbing breath cakes the words to be said.' This poem does not match the present moment at all, wha if I gift this calligraphy to you instead? 'This night brings a full-moon and it becomes the blooming flowers, may my beloved and myself long abide in this peaceful life.' Here, take this and hang it above your bed." "I thank you, Your Majesty." "His Majesty's affection shows towards his favourite Concubine Kim, for this is a romantic story for the ages. No-one could ever enjoy such fortune…" "Your Majesty needs to make peace with Attendant Choi, she is being as silly as sour vinegar." ""You always tease me, Concubine Kim." "I also have calligraphies from you, but my chambers lack just once more personally-inscribed sign from you. And since you gifted it to her, you can gift one to me also, can't you? So that we all won't feel envious." "I have only gifted her this one things, and you still feel the need to compete with her, Attendant Choi?" "So you can have mutual affection with her and not anybody else?" "Very well, I shall grant you one as well I suppose."