When Peony Blooms #AMBW

Chapter 36: " When Tomorrow rains."

Sexually mature chapter:

That morning after she got dressed, So-ra left her room to go find Consort Ji-yun at the pavilion in the king's quarters. She found her waiting for her with tea already prepared.

Consort Ji-Yun looked up at So-Ra and smiled warmly as she walked in. "I trust you both enjoyed your night together?" she asked knowingly.

So-Ra blushed but nodded her head in agreement. "Yes, it was wonderful, thank you for giving me advice," she replied shyly.

"Of course! However, you know I don't do anything for free... you said you want the crown princess off my back? Now tell me what I can do to help you gain the Crown Princess' trust?" Consort Ji-Yun asked eagerly.

So-Ra thought about it for a moment before answering carefully. "I think we should continue by getting to know each other better and showing her that I am someone she can rely on."

Consort Ji-Yun nodded in approval and then suggested that they plan an outing for all three of them together - a quiet stroll through the gardens outside the palace walls so they could get acquainted away from prying eyes or ears.

" I don't know if she will be so opened to that I doubt she trusts us enough."

Ji-yun scoffed. "Doesn't matter much, regardless I have suggested a busy day for both of them today... The crown prince and Ayodele. The goal was to make sure they didn't have too much time to themselves, they have become a little closer than expected." The consort continued after drinking her tea. " The king has been so distracted with Ayodele and her threats, of protecting the Crown Prince but it also gives me room to find a new servant girl since the other one ran away. She said she wants to keep her baby instead of having me raise it as she promised... can you believe her?" she asked So-ra. "Anyway, that doesn't matter now. The reason why I called you here is because I suggested a hunting trip for the sons of court today."

So-ra looked at Consort Ji-Yun in surprise, "A hunting trip? Are you sure it's a good idea?" So-ra asked with suspicion.

Consort Ji-Yun nodded slowly, her face thoughtful as she took another sip of her tea. "You came to me for help and my advice worked or you wouldn't be here now. I believe this is our best chance to foster respect between the Crown Prince and his potential court men while also giving him a way to test himself," she explained darkly. "It's also a great place where accidents are easy to occur, it gives the Crown Prince a chance to prove his worth..."

So-Ra swallowed hard as realization dawned upon her. "You want him to have an accident?" she whispered, nodding slowly as understanding set in.

" Oh of course not... this is all about building a bond between him and the others,"  Ji-Yun said as she sighed and looked out at the orange leaves falling from the nearby trees.

"I had to convince His Majesty that this was a wise move, to help the crown prince gain respect, but he eventually agreed," she said with a sigh of relief. "The sons of the ministers don't know how to act around him yet except for respect on paper, so maybe this will give them a chance to spend some time together and form better relationships." She smiled sinisterly at the thought.

So-ra nodded, understanding the plan. " Will Seo-jin go as his guard? It may become something else, they are both still so in love with Ayodele. Aren't you worried?"

"We shall see," Consort Ji-Yun said with a hint of a smile. "After all isn't it you, that told me you want to make the crown prince regret leaving you?" So-ra felt her cheeks flush as she listened to Consort Ji-Yun's words, but she couldn't deny that the consort had a point. She did want to make the Crown Prince regret leaving her and having Seo-jin by his side challenging his status could help with that.