Rise of an Empress

Red Ant Wine

"You should try to eat. I only joked about the snake eggs. I don't eat anything of snakes," General Lee places a bowl of bean soup in front of Concubine Seo. She has been starving for 2 days after coming here. She is so tired of throwing up. Although General Lee is trying to comfort her right now, she doesn’t feel at ease.

"I am not hungry," She replies timidly.

"You are not used to eating such food, right? Then I should buy something for you. Just stay here. It would be a bit late to return," He says as he prepares to leave.

"Are you going too far? What if more snakes come out?" Concubine Seo becomes afraid. One of her fears of staying here has become snakes.

"The home is protected from snakes by medicinal herbs. Snakes won't dare to come inside. They can't tolerate the smell of that herb," General Lee remains unbothered.

"I can't stay alone. Don't leave me, please," She almost sobs.

"Okay, come then. But if you disturb me. I will just leave you in the middle of the way."

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"It's so delicious," Concubine Seo says while eating the lotus seed porridge and rice cakes served by a village restaurant lady. General Lee has taken her to a village market.

After eating they are walking down the road. General Lee is seeking news of a ship merchant who can reach Concubine Seo safely to Sujeong-dong.

While they were seeking news, suddenly someone called him from behind. Turning back, he finds it's his familiar wine seller.

"Sir Lee! I was waiting for your return. You are the only person by whom I can feel proud of being a seller," the wine seller becomes so happy finding out General Lee.

"What does he sell you?" Concubine Seo whispers.

"Wine, sir," the wine seller replies for himself and continues to talk with General Lee, "Sir, I have preserved a special of red ant raw wine for you. Please give me the honour to serve you today."

"I would like to taste your wine. You are always the best winemaker to me," He follows the seller.

"Wine is available here?" Concubine Seo whispers.

"Why will it not be? Only real men can drink these wines. Palace ones are just refined forms," He replies.

The wine seller serves General Lee in an isolated room. He is one of his very important customers. The seller always serves him with his best care.

Concubine Seo also sits along with him. She doesn’t know what to do.

"Are you going to drink alone? I should wait outside then," She says with confusion.

"I have a high tolerance to alcohol, Seo. Don't worry. You can't tolerate this. I will serve some soft drinks to you."

"No need. It's only special for you that wine seller said. It's okay to drink with you," She says while looking at the surroundings.

"Haha… Every seller says this, although I am one of his most expensive customers. It's his strategy to keep me pleased. One-shot in honour of Concubine Seo," General Lee pours wine in a glass for Concubine Seo.

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"There's no more?" Concubine Seo whines checking the wine jug.

"It was my fault to share my wine with you. You have drunk almost half. I swear I am not going to carry you. You have to walk on your own feet," General Lee threatens her.

"General Lee Jong In, do you hate me too? Am I not pretty enough like other ladies? Why can't you stop hating me?" Concubine Seo says while hugging the wine glass.

"You behave like a child to get attention. I don't have an option except hating you," he says while trying to take her wine glass.

"Don't take my baby away?" Concubine Seo shouts at him.

"You are so annoying!!!" He forcefully takes her wine glass. But she ends up falling on General Lee's chest while trying to fight.

"Sir! Everything okay?" Suddenly a wine seller knocks at the door and peeks his head through the door.

"Yes, she has gotten a bit emotional after drinking a few glasses. I am going to have a rough day today. It's okay. I am going to take her," He says while keeping a hand on Concubine Seo's waist.

"Sir. You can continue," the wine seller tries to hide a laugh. He is thinking that General Lee and his woman are going to have some intimacy after drinking wine. Wine helps to make physical relationships harder and rougher. It also helps to bring out the hidden taboo charms of the mind during sex.

As the wine seller leaves, Concubine Seo whines, "You are hurting my baby."

"Aish!!!" He pushes her back.

"Is it a crime to carry a baby for a low rank like me? Everyone hates me," Concubine Seo''s eyes become watery. It was a bit shocking for General Lee.

"Concubine Seo? Are you pregnant?" He says in confusion.

Concubine Seo keeps a finger in front of her lips and whispers, "Shhh! It's a secret."

"It's a Royal Prince? His Imperial Majesty's baby? Or someone else's?" General Lee also says in a whispery voice.

"If a low rank gets pregnant with His Imperial Majesty's baby, then it can't be a Prince. It's a secret. It's a crime," She starts to sob suddenly.

"Why are you running away?" General Lee realizes that she will reveal all her secrets right now.

"I want to save my baby from them. They want to kill my baby."

"Who wants to, Concubine Seo?" He keeps a hand on her shoulder.

"Everyone in the palace. Everyone hates low-rank Yun Heenie. Concubine Seo can't get the firstborn of His Majesty," She throws the wine glass on the floor making it break into pieces.

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"You are quite heavy," General Lee says, who is now carrying Concubine Seo on his back. Yes, General Lee is giving Concubine Seo a piggyback ride.

"I am not so fat. My baby is fat," She giggles.

"I will put your baby down then," He laughs.

"No… No… Yun Heenie can walk alone. But the baby can't. Don't hate my baby," She whines.

"You are adorable," General Lee can't help but compliment Concubine Seo.

"Don't hate adorable Yun Heenie too."

"You are not a person to deserve hate, Seo," He confesses.

"Then prove it to me. Buy Yun Heenie a doll," She points to the cloth-made dolls of a little handmade crafts shop.

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"You are not as scary as I thought," Yun Here says as Jong In who has bought a cloth-made, fancy doll for her.

"Do I look so scary? Then you have to walk on your feet," He bursts into laughter.

"Jeez! You are really scary," She hugs the doll.

" Okay, give the doll back. Don't take anything from scary people.”

"Sir Lee, I don't have money to take out in the village market except for gold coins. I will pay you back at home," She tries to whisper, but loud enough.

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General Lee covers Concubine Seo with a blanket. she has fallen asleep on the road. He has already built up a soft place in his heart for her. He leaves a soft peck on her lips before leaving the room. He won't keep Concubine Seo with him for a long time, otherwise, he will end up falling for this lady.

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