Kim Moon-gun followed by his Eunuch made his way to the King's quarters.
An army of Court ladies and Palace maids were stationed outside the King's quarters.
"Announce my presence."
Kim Moon-gun told the Chief Court Lady.
"The King has not given permission for anyone to see him, the Court Lady said with a bowed head.
Kim Moon-gun turned and looked at the Chief Court Lady.
"Court Lady Jin, I insist on seeing the King. Besides I am his Chief Royal Secretary."
With head still bowed, the Court Lady explained: "I am fully aware of your position but His Majesty has not given me permission to present anyone before him."
"Announce my presence."
"Very well," Court Lady Jin replied before moving closer to the door.
"The Chief Royal Secretary has requested an audience with the King."
There was a long silence before the King's reply came.
"Allow him in."
"Please open the doors," Moon-gun said to Court Lady.
The doors were opened and the Royal Secretary entered while his Eunuch waited outside.
Immediately Moon-gun became startled by the sight before him.
There stood King Yeongan, a perfect specimen of manhood. Tall, lean with wide shoulders and a bare chest. Wearing only his lower white undergarments as his Chief Eunuch attended to him.
Moon-gun felt his cheeks colour with a passion as he realized how gorgeous King Yeongan looked.
Slowly the king turned to face his Royal Secretary and regarded him steadily.
"Your wish has been granted. Now, why do you want an audience with your King?"
Moon-gun was still too stunned to speak and he mouth had become dry. Suddenly he felt apprehensive.
Now Moon-gun wished he had not insisted on seeing the King.
Standing before the bare chested King, wearing only his undergarments unnerved Moon-gun. He was usually poised and confident but in the presence of King Yeongan he felt totally helpless.
Quickly he collected his thoughts so he could form a speech.
"I have a supplication, Your Majesty."
Moon-gun said with a bowed head.
"A supplication?"
The King's smile was mysterious as mischief lurked behind his eyes.
Moon-gun had the impression His Majesty was enjoying this moment and liked seeing him helpless and vulnerable.
"I entreat, His Majesty the permission to leave the Palace."
Moon-gun kept his head bowed and yet he felt the full force of the King's stir upon him.
"No! Your request has been denied."
"May I know why it is denied?"
"I am your king and Sovereign. I do not need to explain myself if I do not wish to do so."
"But there are personal reasons why I must leave the Palace, Your Majesty," Moon-gun appealed.
"For what personal reasons?"
Moon-gun remained silent.
"Is it a secret romance the reason why you want to leave the Palace?"
"No, Your Majesty."
"Then why do you want to leave the Palace?"
"My parents cannot do without me," Moon-gun answered helplessly.
"No, you do not have permission to leave the Palace, King Yeongan said stubbornly.
"I implore, His Majesty to show kindness and grant my request. For my parents cannot do without me."
"And I cannot do without you," King Yeongan growled. "Doesn't the wishes of your King mean anything?"
Moon-gun gave no reply to the King.
King Yeongan moved closer to his Royal Secretary.
Moon-gun willed himself to stand absolutely still as blood surged through his veins.
"I always have things my way. But we will see who's will is stronger of the two. Dare I say, may the best man win."
"Maybe it would do the King a whole lot of good to be on the losing end," Moon-gun hoped his voice did not betray the trembling inside.
The King turned away from the Royal Secretary and said: "I will not lose. You are dismissed."
Kim Moon-gun quickly exited the chamber his heart pounding inside his chest.
Queen Yoon came to tea at the Queen Dowager's behest. Watching Queen Yoon sipping her tea slowly and elegantly, the Queen Dowager began.
"It's a wife's duty to win the favour of her husband and more so as his Queen and mother to his children. And what rumours I am hearing? That His Majesty spends more time with Lady Songhwa than his Queen?"
"I have also heard the said rumours but I do not believe them to be entirely true," Queen Yoon said to the Queen Dowager.
"Why did the King leave your chamber suddenly the previous evening?"
The Queen Dowager asked as she refilled her small cup with freshly brewed tea.
"We were having a conversation when the King Suddenly went into stupor and left my chamber in a hurry."
"You did nothing to cause his displeasure?"
The Queen Dowager asked.
"Not to my knowledge," Queen Yoon answered.
"Do not worry sooner or later you will have the King to yourself. Just fulfill all your duties as Queen," Queen Dowager advised.
"I am most grateful, Your Majesty."
Queen Yoon bowed her head humbly.
Queen Yoon left Queen Dowager and made her way to her own quarters followed by her Eunuchs, Court ladies and Palace maids. She reflected upon the things discussed previously.
At that precise moment Lady Songhwa was also out for her daily walks around the Palace grounds. It was a beautiful afternoon, and she was quite content and pleased with herself.
Upon seeing Queen Yoon, she approached and bowed. Queen Yoon simply rebuffed the favoured Concubine and kept on her way.
"How can Queen Yoon be so ridiculous," Court Lady Choi remarked to Lady Songhwa.
"I cannot believe Her Majesty would treat me with such distain," Lady cried with frustration.
"Your Ladyship there must be a reparation for this disdainful treatment Her Majesty has handed out to you," Eunuch Jang said to his mistress.
Lady Songhwa turned sharply to the Eunuch and asked. "What do you suggest?"
Eunuch leaned forward and whispered his suggestion to Lady Songhwa's hearing.
Thinking carefully about her Eunuch's suggestion Her Ladyship began to laugh.
The following week Queen Yoon came out of her chambers and wondered about the whereabouts of Eunuch Ahn and Court Lady Heo. Her most trusted servants.
Then she saw Eunuch Jang said Court Lady Choi approach.
Eunuch Jang bowed before Queen Yoon.
"Your Majesty, Lady Songhwa has requested the Queen to attend to her."
"Why?"
Queen Yoon asked.
"There is a delicate matter that requires the Queen's special attention," Eunuch Jang replied.
Queen Yoon became curious about what this delicate matter might be.
The King's favorite Concubine sat comfortably, sipping tea without a care in the world, and a devious smile played on her lips as she listened to the sound of sticks striking against bare flesh.
The more Lady Songhwa listened the more she smiled in absolute delight and contentment.
Queen Yoon entered Lady Songhwa's chamber.
And saw Eunuch Ahn and Court Lady Heo gagged and bound as two Court ladies striked the back of their bare legs with thin sticks.
Queen Yoon was horrified while Lady Songhwa was insouciant.
"Stop!"
Queen Yoon ordered.
"Why be this callous? What have my servants done to invite such harsh treatment?"
"Your Majesty, I did not see you."
Lady Songhwa feigned nervousness as she rose up, lifting up her full skirt as she came forward and bowed before the Queen.
Queen Yoon was not fooled my Lady Songhwa's duplicity.
"I ask again, why are you doing this?" Queen Yoon raged.
"My Queen, you really do not know?" Lady Songhwa asked innocently.
"What sin have they committed against you?"
Queen Yoon asked with restrained anger.
"Their sin you ask," Lady Songhwa laughed. "Their sin is that their Queen does not know how to show honour and respect to her equal."
"The effrontery! The impudence! Such brazenness!"
Queen Yoon snatched a stick from one of the Court ladies and then proceeded to lash Lady Songhwa.
Lady Songhwa only laughed with temerity.
The doors were opened and in walked the Queen Dowager. Both Queen and Concubine stopped whatever they were doing, came forward and bowed before her.
"What is going on here?"
The Queen Dowager inquired.
Queen Yoon and Lady Songhwa remained silent.
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