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"From now on, Heo Jeok will reinstate his post as the Prime Minister of Joseon." The King announced in the morning court meeting. He held a cup in his hand loosely.

Prime Minister Heo smiled brightly. At his side, Minister Kim beamed with pride.

The other ministers from Noron looked up at the King with an unsettled look. With Minister Min and Queen Inhyeon gone, Noron has lost all their powers in court. They now dare not speak up freely, for fear that the entire faction may just be banished from future court meeting by the reinstated Prime Minister.

They watched the King drink his liquor while sitting on his throne. He did not even bother to wear his robe properly and his hair is in a mess!

With a sad look on all of their faces, the ministers wondered what had happened to their King. Just a few months ago, they thought that the King had changed for good. Yet now, he is back to his old self-- a puppet King that does nothing in court and only act under the Prime Minister's orders. They wanted to sigh at the situation yet if they do so, it will be a form of disrespect to the ruler of Joseon.

"We are done with today's morning court meeting. You are all dismissed." The King said abruptly as he got up from his throne. He purposely gave out a burp loudly.

A tanned minister with round eyes from the Soron faction stepped out. "But Your Majesty, we have not yet to discuss--"

"I leave all these court matters to Prime Minister Heo." The King interrupted as he walked down from his throne. He walked towards the door, which was held open by attendants outside the hall. Just as he was about to exit the grand hall, he stopped, turned and faced his crowd. "Just so you know, I won't be attending tomorrow's court meeting. I want to have some happy time, so don't bother me."

With that, he smiled, held up his cup as though raising a toast, and left the grand hall.

The rest of the ministers looked at the back view of the King. All of them held a dumbfounded expression.

Minister Kim turned towards Prime Minister Heo. "The King is back to be himself again." He said with a grin.

"Good, good." The Prime Minister said. "I prefer him this way." He smirked.

Indeed, with Queen Inhyeon out of his way, everything is following his plan perfectly. He regretted not getting rid of Queen Inhyeon and Minister Min earlier.

The King walked out of the grand hall with Eunuch Kim. They walked past a small lake and head towards a small pavilion. There, a woman is waiting.

Dressed in the sang-gung attire, the woman waited patiently. The moment she saw the King, she stood up straight and bowed. "Your Majesty," she greeted.

"The court meeting will end soon." The King said as he took a seat.

"Are you really going to follow the plan?" Little Choi asked with a worried expression.

The King nodded. "I believed in my Queen."

Little Choi looked at the King, still with a worried expression. She believed in her Agassi as well, but this time, her request and plan sounds a bit ridiculous to follow. How can she, a lowly servant, become the King's concubine? Even in her wildest dream, she wouldn't dare to think about it.

"Is this plain water?" The King asked. Little Choi nodded quietly.

The King looked up, finally noticing the worried expression on Little Choi's face. "Don't worry, I'm sure Inhyeon knows what she is doing. Let's just trust her and follow her plan."