Rubies and Rumors

Chapter Nineteen

     Stacks of boxes and unfamiliar servants running back and forth were the first signs the northern inspection team were soon to arrive at the palace. The suites to both the left and right of Jong Tai Yi's were being cleared and reset. Panel walls were being rolled back to join the living spaces. All this activity wasn't a complete surprise. He overheard the complaints from the undersecretary's children during their joint language lesson the day before.

"There are eight of us and only one of him, so why are we being moved?" the youngest of the member in the neighbor's family asked.

His sharp-tongued sister answered, "I agree it's over-the-top for a delegation from the north. Mama said it's likely to remind us of new our standing at court. Don't forget uncle is under suspicion."

"How could I forget. All of my friends stopped talking to me."

"Yes, and my holiday invitation got cancelled," the girl pouted a bit then put on a sly smile, "It's all a good lesson on who your true friends actually are."

"Or why you shouldn't made needless enemies," Tai Yi muttered to himself in Shen. Their language teacher grinned and nodded at his northern student before switching their daily assignment to a short piece about a host's obligations.

It had been a helpful review before the protocol officers descended to go over the itinerary for the coming week. As the heir, Tai Yi held a higher rank than anyone on the review team, thus making him the official host. In practice, the former member of his regency council would undoubtedly try to direct the show. He did not know what to expect from the Priestess rumored to have extraordinary powers.

Tai Yi was taken off guard by how short the woman in the heavy veils seemed to be. She barely reached his shoulder, and he was by no means tall for his age. She leaned into her northern accent with a musical voice. For all of that, Tai Yi did not doubt her strength and purpose. The high priestess barely glanced at the proposed schedule before announcing she would be going to the Sun Temple for the next two days.

"I have seen samples of the boy's schoolwork. I do not need the tedium of listening to school masters justify the mediocre ratings the boy undoubtable deserves. My attention is needed on more important matters," She barely nodded at her travel companions then gestured to the servants to lead her away.

"Uhm, well, I guess we should review this list of appointments." His former regent blushed and made a show of scanning the parchment, "I don't see your southern friend on the list."

"Park Junseo is busy this week. He has all his regular classes and an open competition to prepare for. Besides, his friendship and support were never assigned duties. Just a kindness." Tai Yi emphasized the last part. The military representative on the guard panel looked over at the former regent.

"I think I would enjoy seeing some of the open competition. It would help me put the heir's practice routines into context. Perhaps the Interior Minister could accompany us?" He looked around for an official to sanction this request but there were only servants.

"I will have my secretary forward your request to the protocol office," Tai Yi offered. The three men on the review panel looked startled by the boy's authoritative tone. "Do you have any other requests? I am sure my palace hosts will do their best to accommodate you but you must understand it is best to give as much notice as possible."

"Do you have your domestic account records?" The eldest member of the review team asked politely.

"I keep my own records for my stipend separate from the household accounts. We just finished the mid-year reports so I can have those sent to your quarters as well as the journals." He noticed their puzzled looks. "It's not really on my class schedule but the staff here have been giving me what they call practical management lessons. Keeping journals to track expenses, writing invoices, reading financial statements. Mostly, the stuff I started learning at home from Dad's estate manager."

"I didn't realize..." The former regent blushed a bit. He remembered how affronted he had been the first time the boy questioned one of the financial reports for the estate.

"Yes, well I still have a lot to learn on the practical side." Tai Yi smiled and nodded his thanks to the senior servant who had just arrived with the secretary. "Now, how to phrase the request to meet with the Interior Minister. Can we say, or senior delegate, to save the back and forth. Maybe not. You will want to start from the strongest position and you never know. I think he might have a son in the competition." Tai Yi looked over expectantly only to be greeted with bemused looks. The military representative recovered the fastest.

"I think if we say we would be most honored to have the opportunity to meet and explain our desire to observe the competition." He got nods from the others.

Tai Yi then dictated the note with the secretary making suggestions for the correct tone. The pair shifted into formal court accents as they worked on the short missive for the protocol office that accompanied the request to the minister's office. When they finished, Tai Yi asked if the palace courier fee should be covered from his personal account or by the review panel and explained, "I have a line for hosting but I thought you might be tracking things for yourselves."

"Oh, well done," the eldest panel member chuckled and dug out his purse. Once the message had been dispatched the panel members retreated to their own side of the newly expanded quarters.

Tai Yi tried to ignore the muffled voices coming through the wall. An unfortunate quirk in the acoustics in his bed chamber made it seem like he was standing next to the delegates. It was no surprise to hear the former regent was unhappy.

"What are you so pleased about old man?" he grumbled.

"Aren't you relieved to see how capable our heir is? He showed us how he is on top of financial side of things and clearly understood the political strategy for making the request to the Minister. The Priestess maybe snarky about his academic standing but languages and classics aren't going to run the estate, and we all know his brother needs his help."

"You are right, my friend. I am also looking forward to seeing him on the practice court to see if he has improved. He used to seem almost afraid of his weapons but I don't expect that is true anymore. My sense is he has a practical streak and will understand how important it will be to be able to defend himself."

"Well on that note, I really do want to meet Park Junseo. Of course, since he is a private citizen, we can't really insist but if we are going to offer him a contract to serve as a bodyguard we should take a closer look at the team," the former regent muttered something before responding to a question Tai Yi could not quite hear. "No, the Priestess assured me she will be able to tell if he is favored by the Phoenix or the Dragon, or Gods help us, both."

"A twice royal?" the elderly voice wheezed and started to cough.

"Would change everything," the military man's voice strained as he repeated, "Everything."

"Not for the better, either. Not in my books. So, it would be best if the rumor is true, he doesn't get a chance to reach his full power." The menace in the former regent's voice made his intentions all to clear.

Tai Yi used a pillow to stifle the gasp that might let his guests know they had been overheard.