Chapter 89: Autumn (2)
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Princess Jeonghye finally got married.
The man who became Princess Jeonghye's husband was the second son of Yi, who had served as a Third Rank Minister of War.
After the wedding, Hyang had a separate meeting with the groom.
"Please take good care of my sister."
"Yes, I will do my best."
"My sister was favored by the King and Queen. She may be a bit clumsy, but she is wise and will soon become a good wife."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Throughout the meeting, which was conducted in a gentle atmosphere, Hyang exchanged pleasantries. Then, after checking the surroundings, he leaned in close to the groom and whispered softly.
"If my sister sheds a tear, you're dead."
"Hic!"
The groom, who was two years older than Hyang, nodded with a pale face at Hyang's low warning.
* * *
Although Princess Jeonghye's wedding was over, preparations for another wedding were underway.
"Issue the Marriage Prohibition Edict."
At Sejong's command, Hwang Hee stepped forward.
"What age should we set as the limit?"
In response to Hwang Hee's question, Sejong did some quick calculations.
"The Crown Prince will soon be twelve, so how about fourteen?"
"How about fifteen?"
"Fifteen...?"
After a moment's thought, Sejong nodded.
"Let's do that."
"Understood!"
Thus, the Marriage Prohibition Edict was issued throughout Joseon.
"I expected it, but I'm not happy about it."
"Why did they have to create this ridiculous selection system!"
When the Marriage Prohibition Edict was issued, the elders of the yangban families across the country grumbled with dissatisfaction.
* * *
The selection system was created by Taejong.
Before that, there was no such system. The weddings of princes or princesses were usually arranged through informal networks.
However, the selection system was created due to a statement made by Yi Sok during the process of marrying off Taejong's daughter, Princess Jeongshin.
"Straw is best for making straw shoes."
This was interpreted as a polite refusal, suggesting that his son was not of the right caliber. It seemed the matter would end there.
However, when the true meaning of Yi Sok's words was revealed, chaos ensued.
"Even if she is a princess, I cannot take a servant's daughter as my daughter-in-law!"
This statement led to Yi Sok receiving 100 strokes of the cane and being demoted to a commoner, his son being banned from marriage for life, and his entire family receiving the cane. This incident showcased Taejong's vindictive nature.
This event led Taejong to create the selection system. Ironically, by the time the system was created, the three eldest sons—Yangnyeong, Hyoryeong, and Chungnyeong—had already married.
* * *
In any case, with the Marriage Prohibition Edict in effect, not only the yangban families but also commoners were prohibited from marrying.
"What! Why are they stopping our weddings just because the prince is getting married!"
Commoners, especially those who were about to get married, grumbled loudly.
The same was true for the ordinary yangban families in the provinces.
"Really! Even if it's a selection, it's still the same old thing. Why block the path to marriage!"
"Even if it happens, it's a worry! What kind of family is that! Will they ruin their daughter's chances of becoming a queen and then destroy their family!"
The reactions of the yangban families, who had seen the downfall of their in-laws during the reigns of Taejong and Sejong, were largely the same.
* * *
Upon hearing that the Marriage Prohibition Edict had been issued to secure a bride for him, Hyang smacked his lips.
"Tsk. I prefer younger women... Ah! But if I go younger than my current age, it would be a crime, right? No, even if it's an older woman, it's not a crime as long as the first digit doesn't change."
Hyang, who was cracking jokes to himself, had a complicated look on his face.
"Marriage..."
In the 21st century, Hyang was known as a "certified otaku" and had no romantic relationships with women.
"Hmm..."
With a mix of anticipation and worry, Hyang's mind recalled the words of Mr. Samcheonpo.
- The biggest culprit in Danjong's tragedy was Munjong!
Danjong was born in 1441, when Munjong was 27 years old!
Considering that Sejong was 17 when he had Munjong, he wasted a full 10 years!
If Danjong had been born just 10, or even 5 years earlier, Suyang Daegun would never have dared to act!
In Joseon, a 15-year-old was considered an adult!
Remembering Mr. Samcheonpo's words, Hyang thought for a moment and then sprang to his feet.
"For the future, I must act! And it's a good opportunity to address something I've been thinking about! 1+1 is nothing! Eunuch!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"Go ask if it's alright to see the King now!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
* * *
After a short while, with permission, Hyang entered the Gangnyeong Hall.
"Come in."
Sejong, who had just finished a meeting and was sharing tea with his ministers, welcomed Hyang warmly.
"So, why are you looking for your father at this time, not during the regular audience?"
In response to Sejong's question, Hyang got to the point.
"Please give me some money."
"Money, not from the budget?"
When Sejong showed curiosity, Hyang immediately answered.
"The Insoonbu, which was destroyed in the recent fire, has not been restored yet."
The Insoonbu, one of the main royal treasuries, and the place where the Crown Prince's financial resources were managed, was destroyed in the fire.
Sejong nodded at Hyang's words.
"I see. You delayed the restoration of the Insoonbu to prioritize other matters. But why do you need money?"
"It's related to my wedding."
"Wedding? Have you seen a woman while traveling between the 51st district and the palace, or while supervising the restoration work? Is her family humble? If so, you'll need more than just money."
Sejong smiled mischievously, teasing Hyang.
Although Joseon was a newly established kingdom, Hyang was sure to be recorded as the Crown Prince who engaged in the most external activities in Joseon history.
Sejong was speculating that Hyang had his eye on a woman he had seen during his travels.
Of course, half of it was a joke, but the real issue was that in both the 21st century and now, Hyang was a dedicated otaku.
"That's not the case."
"Then why do you need money?"
"I want to visit a courtesan house."
"Ha!"
"Choke! Cough! Cough!"
Snap!
At Hyang's words, Sejong spat out his tea, and the ministers sneezed.
The scribes and recorders, while trying to write, accidentally made holes in the paper and damaged their gold pens, making grim faces.
"Cough! Cough! You old man!"
After several sneezes, Sejong shouted at Hyang. However, Hyang looked at Sejong calmly.
Sejong, seeing Hyang's calm face, forced himself to calm down.
"Crown Prince, you are only twelve. Why do you want to visit a courtesan house? If you are seeking pleasure, I will not forgive you."
"It's about my wedding."
"What does a courtesan house have to do with your wedding... If it's about the relationship between a husband and wife, you will naturally learn about it."
'This is why 21st-century school sex education is so messed up!'
Muttering to himself, Hyang explained in more detail.
"Since I opened my eyes to reading at a young age, I have been devoted to scholarship."
"That's true."
"Therefore, I know nothing about the beauty of women.
Marriage is about a man and a woman coming together to live a long and happy life. To do this, both the man and the woman must be satisfied with each other.
First, a man evaluates a woman based on her appearance.
However, I have only read books and do not know what female beauty is.
Of course, there are terms like 'beauty that can sink fish and make birds fall from the sky' or 'beauty that can close the moon and make flowers blush,' but I have not seen them myself.
Therefore, I cannot even determine if my standards of beauty are correct.
However, when it comes to courtesans, their beauty is the first thing people talk about. I want to visit a courtesan house to see them in person."
"Hmm..."
Sejong's expression became complicated. He wanted to grab a cane and beat Hyang's calves right away, but Hyang's words made some sense.
"Really... really..."
While Sejong, known for his intelligence, struggled to find the right words, Hwang Hee stepped in.
"Your Highness, it has been said since ancient times that inner beauty is more important than outer beauty. Both men and women, outer beauty is fleeting. What matters is inner beauty. This is something I have come to understand through my years of experience."
"But can you recognize inner beauty at first glance? Of course, people say, 'What good is a pretty face if you can't eat it