When The Cherry Blossom Fades

Reassurance is a factor for happiness

Four months later:

After arriving, Prime Minister Han wasted not a single moment and headed straight to the King study. He had just returned home after spending nearly four months in Shangwei discussing the alliance, and he had to tell the good news. His hard work was met with the ideal result!

"Your Majesty, Shangwei Emperor, was pleased with the marriage alliance!"

King Suk Seokju slammed his book onto the table, absolutely beaming with joy. His eyes shone with such a bright and radiant glow, that the stress and tension from past months seemed as if nothing. Indeed the heavens were rewarding him abundantly for waiting patiently.

While King Suk Seokju did have other ways to deal with the trouble, he definitely didn't mind reaping an alliance's benefits with a second-tier empire like Shangwei. Especially since such interesting rumours spread around.

Be it right or not. King Suk Seokju heard that the Imperial family of Shangwei was willing to trade the people's lives if it meant gaining more power. Naturally, that scared the people beyond measure; in fact, some were so terrified they packed their belongings and fled. This was the root causing an economic collapse in the lower southern and eastern areas, followed by weak military barricades to defend the lands. No matter what, King Seokju planned to take full advantage of the rumour that had spread far and wide about Shangwei's Imperial family and secure this deal. "Han Seungkyu-ah, you've done too well."

While the King's eyes shone with overflowing brotherly affection, Prime Ministers Han remained humble as he carried on with his duties. "Your Majesty, Shangwei Emperor, has sent a representative with this Minister to discuss the finer details. With Your Majesty's permission, shall this Minister invite them in?"

The King smiled to himself as he calmly raised his hand in approval. Chancellor Yi walked in with four male servants following behind them on cue. Each servant held a wooden chest that contained some of Shangwei's pleasantry gifts to the King of Jeontu.

Chancellors Yi was a man of grey hair, the strain of his age exhibited in his frame. Despite his weak structure, he possessed a confident air that made his every movement remind someone of an ancient sage, wise beyond their years - and indeed he was.

His old age was accompanied by years of extensive experience in various political circumstances. His expertise in internal and external relationships between Shangwei and other countries resulted in him being a valuable member of the Emperor's court as Shangwei's dignified left Chancellor. In short, Chancellor Yi held heavy influence over Shangwei's international fairs, and the result of an excellent alliance depended on him.

With a language barrier, the envoy showed sincere respect in his mother tongue, hand pressed to his heart, and heads bowed down. The servants followed suit, bowing down with their hands raised, showcasing the gifts they had brought.

King Seokju, who had been smiling the whole time, signalled for the Chancellor to rise and gave his esteemed guest permission to sit.

Since the envoy had come to the King's personal study before formally meeting in the courtroom, the servants and eunuchs all understood the conversation their masters will have, is one that would demand death to swear its secrecy. So they tactfully withdrew from the study.

Prime Minister Han served as a translator to reduce the number of people aware of the alliance. Since he had picked up the Weian tongue of Shangwei while he worked at the borders in his good age.

While revolutionary conversations were happening in the King's study, a frantic figure rushed past, making a beeline straight to the princess quarters. All the servants who saw the light pink and blue hanbok couldn't help but want to laugh.