Moon's Whisper, Heart's Echo

36.The Echoes Cry

The Crown Prince's brush slipped, leaving an ugly smear across careful columns of text. Not that he'd been truly reading them anyway.

He'd chosen this pavilion specifically for its quiet, hoping to finish reviewing trade proposals before the afternoon court session.

He reached for his tea, only to find it cold. Again. How long had he been sitting here, pretending to review trade proposals while actually listening to the whispers floating up from the garden below?

"Young master Park certainly seems... preoccupied these days."

The voice drifted clearly through his open window, making his fingers tighten on the ceramic cup. Minister Hong's second son, by the nasal tone. The one whose father's merchant connections had mysteriously transformed into a noble title last spring.

"Haven't you heard?" Another voice joined in, thick with wine and mockery. "He spends his afternoons teaching archery to a foreign woman's son. Times truly have changed."

A third voice chuckled. "Though who can blame him? I hear she's quite... exotic."

"A pity about his taste. Though I suppose even noble blood can thin after too many generations."

"Such a waste." The words slurred slightly. "A man of his breeding, chasing after—"

The Crown Prince's cup shattered against the floor. His attendant jumped, ink brush clattering onto the parchment.

"Your Highness?"

"How clumsy of me." He rose slowly, moving to peer through the carved window screen.

Below, three minor officials sprawled beneath the plum trees, wine cups tilted at careless angles. Their court hats had slipped askew, revealing flushed faces.

"Minister Hong's second son," his attendant supplied quietly. "And Lord Kim's nephew. The one who's been pushing his sister's marriage proposal..."

"Ah yes." The Crown Prince's smile didn't reach his eyes. "The same Lord Kim who's been trying to buy his way into my family through my cousin."

One of the men below laughed again, the sound sharp with malice. "Though you have to admire her cleverness - even the Crown Princess seems captivated by her foreign charms. Who knew savage blood could—"

"Enough."

The word cut through the garden like a sword stroke. Wine cups clattered against stone as the men scrambled to bow, their fine robes tangling around their legs.

"Your Highness!" Minister Hong's son's voice cracked like a boy's. "We didn't realize—"

"Clearly." The Crown Prince descended the pavilion steps with measured grace, enjoying how they flinched at each soft footfall. "Though I find myself curious about your particular interest in my cousin's affairs..."

"We wouldn't dare—"

"No?" He studied their bowed forms. "Then perhaps you'd prefer to discuss your opinions of the Crown Princess's chosen companions? I'm sure she'd be fascinated to hear your thoughts on the matter."

Sweat beaded on Lord Kim's nephew's forehead despite the cool spring air.

"Your Highness is most gracious," the third man stammered. "We spoke thoughtlessly."

"Indeed." The Crown Prince's smile turned sharp. "Though since you seem so concerned with matters of noble blood, perhaps you'd be interested in a historical discussion? About the fascinating tendency of certain families to rise from merchant class to nobility through... creative accounting?"