Sixteen

"Another royal expedition, Your Highness?"

"Indeed," Hwi replied.

He assured Minister Shin Yeong Su that the topic was for future discussion.

"Preferably when Taeyeon is a little bigger and stronger, and after the state examination," Hwi added.

Minister Shin nodded and stroked his beard.

"Having the best scholars to serve the royal court will provide some peace of mind in the time of your absence," he replied.

"Not only I plan to add knowledge to our court, I also wish to establish a stronger alliance with the Ming," Hwi confided. "That is my greatest intention."

"The Ming?" Minister Shin questioned.

Hwi nodded and unrolled a piece of parchment paper. It was a map created by his older cousin, the late Prince Jae Eun, from the last time the Ming envoys had visited the palace.

"As you may recall, the events from the last encounter with the Mings were less than friendly," Hwi began.

He remembered as if it were yesterday when his feud with the Ming's Chief Eunuch rattled the palace. Now that he reflected upon it, he found it rather amusing.

"Although we had settled upon a fair agreement regarding the road conditions of the trading route, we never paid any attention to improving the conditions of the general population along those routes," Hwi continued.

"As the ruler of this nation, I wish for our people who live along these routes to have the best quality of life, meaning no discrimination or conflict with the Mings."

"And Minister Baek's activities aren't exactly positively contributing in any way either," said Minister Shin.

"Exactly," Hwi agreed. "It is unwise to be less interested in our relationship with The Ming when it really isn't as strong to begin with."

"You are wise beyond your years, Your Majesty."

Minister Shin Yeong Su smiled.

"Wise?" Hwi scoffed. "Some of these visions were already set forth for me by my father."

"Even if that's the case, it takes another strong and wise ruler to execute that vision," Minister Shin replied.

Hwi sighed.

"Things are easier said than done," he said. "I'm confiding in you with hopes that you will and continue to help me achieve such goals."

"As long as you continue to be the compassionate and righteous king, I will do my best to assist you in any way I possibly can," said Shin Yeong Su, followed by a slight bow.

"Very well," said Hwi with a smile. "I appreciate your loyalty."

He wished he had a dozen Shin Yeong Su's.

"Our top priority right now, however, is the state examination," said Hwi. "Your task is to help The Royal Institute decide upon the topics to be tested."

Shin Yeong Su nodded.

"I was thinking it should unfold over the course of a few days," he replied. "That way, scholars aren't overwhelmed with every subject in one day."

"That would be very exhausting," Hwi thought out loud. "Perhaps, a different test topic each day would be more ideal."

"We'll get started on this right away," said Shin Yeong Su. "I will personally update you of the progress as we work, Your Majesty."

Hwi nodded and neatly rolled the map back up. Having Shin Yeong Su was a blessing but more than anything, Hwi wished Prince Jae Eun was still here. Gone were the days when his awesome older cousin would have his back.

"Something is on your mind, Your Majesty," Shin Yeong Su noticed just as he was turning around to leave.

"My mind is always occupied," Hwi replied in a somber tone.

"Leave the examination matters to me," said Shin Yeong Su. "You should focus on The Queen and young prince."

Hwi looked up suddenly, not expecting Shin Yeong Su to take a rather peculiar interest in his wife and son. The man was usually solely dedicated to work and work only.

"I presume Her Highness's return wasn't an easy decision to make," he added.

"I-It wasn't," Hwi hesitated. "It was, however, the right thing to do."

"You have always done the right thing," Shin Yeong Su stated with a smile. "And I never doubted you wouldn't."

Hwi smiled shyly, unsure of what to say or even feel. It was just comforting to know he had that type of support from his most loyal official, too. Shin Yeong Su is, without a doubt, a man of wisdom. For him to speak in such a way, he must've read right through Hwi.

After he left, Eunuch Hong scurried in and took to his usual post.

"Would you be visiting the Queen now, Your Majesty?"

Hwi jerked his head up and threw a stare at Eunuch Hong, slightly annoyed by the fact that everyone around him seemed to know him better than he knew himself.

Was it that obvious that he knew what he wanted?

If so, it definitely took him longer to realize that about himself. It was either that or he had been in denial.

"Her Royal Highness The Queen will enter!" a guard's voice echoed outside the doors of Hwi's chamber.

Hwi felt as if the alert had ricocheted from the walls into heart because he felt that on a different level. Although Noh Ha Kyung wasn't on his mind at all times, she was definitely always in his heart. She knew him better than he knew her. She knew when her presence was appreciated.

"My queen," said Hwi, greeting her as she graciously approached him.

He tried to avoid eye contact with her, afraid Eunuch Hong will tease him about it later. Besides, he had to maintain his composure as a ruler.

"I've brought you late afternoon snacks, Your Majesty."

She signaled for Yu Gong serve Hwi. He watched as the maid set down the tray she was holding on Hwi's desk.

"They all look delicious," he said, glancing at the array of snacks before him.

"Thank you."

There was also a pot of tea for him to wash down the sweetness afterwards.

"I hope you find some time to fill your appetite so you can replenish your energy," she said with sweet smile.

"Thank you," said Hwi.

If he had to work on anything, it would be displaying gratitude. He couldn't seem to get beyond a simple 'thank you'.

"You could've done better," said Eunuch Hong later after the queen and her maid left.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Hwi lied, taking a sip of the tea that was pre- poured for him.

He knew damn well what Hong Bok Dong was talking about.

"She came all the way here to make sure you're nourished throughout the day," Eunuch Hong further explained.

"You could've at least used your lips to show some gratitude."

"Yet, I don't recall any interest in accepting applications for a guidance counselor," Hwi replied coldly.

Eunuch Hong smiled shyly.

"But you have done it before, right?"

Hwi dropped the lotus pastry he was about to take a bite of and looked up at Eunuch Hong, who again, gave another shy smile. He scurried away quickly when Hwi jumped up from his desk for he knew that Hwi was about to kick his buttocks.

Despite their openness, Hwi wasn't as bothered as he was before by comments or teases as this. At this very moment, he was more concerned as to who would help him consume these snacks since Eunuch Hong took off. There was no way he could eat all of these snacks by himself. He definitely didn't want to worry the Queen with his lack of appetite, or worse, make her feel some type of way considering the effort she set forth.

"Your Majesty."

Hwi's personal ninja-like bodyguard, Kang Eun Soo, suddenly appeared before him as if he had apparated from thin air.

"Royal Guard Kang, I didn't see you come in," said Hwi looking up.

"You came just in time."

Hwi motioned for him to get up.

"I've sent Minister Baek to the military encampment at the border, Your Majesty," he said.

"Great," Hwi nodded.

It was but a simple task that he knew Kang Eun Soo could easily fulfill. Hwi should've had the rotten minister executed, but the image of his daughter pleading for forgiveness remained stuck in the back of Hwi's mind. He just couldn't bring himself to kill the man.

"Come help yourself to these."

Hwi glanced at the snacks before him and proceeded to explain to the guard his reason for this favor.

"I'm guessing the Queen is learning to be a wife," Kang Eun Soo guessed.

He picked up an almond cookie and ate it in one bite. Kang Eun Soo had to be the manliest guy that Hwi has ever known. Even when he eats or drinks, he does so in a very masculine way.

"Help yourself," said Hwi, standing up. "I just don't want to worry her."

He was glad they were at a more comfortable level in communication now. It took quite a while for Hwi to peel the mysterious layer off of him.

"Baek Jin Hee thanks you by the way," Kang Eun Soo added.

"She sends her regards to you."

Hwi gave a simple nod and let out a sigh. He hoped he did the right thing and that his decision to spare Baek Yung Woo didn't come back to bite him later.