The Last Imoogi

The Hidden Flower At The Cherry Blossoms House

"Any news about uncle's whereabouts?" Yi Sung paced back and forth, giving off an air of an old man despite his young age. Chief Eunuch Lee Soogeun could only follow him go left and then right with his eyes making him dizzy for a while now, while the man being questioned, the King's personal trusted guard Park Won-hee was kneeling on the floor. He was a man about twenty seven, tall and dark, he was manly and strong in every inch. This man was Governor Park's eldest son, the one who topped the military exams at his young age of twenty one.

"We weren't able to meet him personally but-"

"But?" The King suddenly grew curious and stopped pacing finally. The Chief Eunuch found himself sighing in relief.

"On our way to Ming, we met Kang Daesung, the one who manages His Excellency's estates and this servant learned that this week, His Excellency might arrive. As a matter of fact, Kang Daesung was on his way to prepare His Excellency's residence,"

Yi Sung's eyes brightened in delight. He clasped his hands and started walking back and forth once more, now excited and livelier than before. "Anytime this week? That soon? Seems like uncle finally heed my call!"

Park Won-hee's ever serious face lit up a bit with a smile, mentally congratulating the King's efforts in wooing the aloof and cold royal uncle. But can that uncle say no to the King? That guy obviously favored Yi Sung so much!

"Chief Eunuch, prepare a grand banquet to welcome my uncle!"

Chief Eunuch Lee Soogeun deliberated for a moment. He didn't want to ruin the King's mood but what the monarch wanted sounded like a very bad idea. This is where the King's true age showed, it was his weakness. He was still quite impulsive when he gets excited.

"Chief Eunuch, why aren't you still standing there? What? Do you have anything against it? Speak!"

"Jeonha!" Eunuch Lee cried out helplessly, "Please listen to this loyal servant of yours! A grand banquet seems inappropriate in a trying time such as this. If the people learn that we are welcoming His Excellency with a grand banquet here in the palace, the people might harbor hatred towards you, Jeonha!"

"You!" Yi Sung's cheerful mood was replaced with annoyance but later on, he realized that his eunuch was right. Feeling helpless, he sat down as he pondered while tapping his feet on the floor. He turned to Park Won-hee and waited for the man to say his piece of mind but what can he expect from the man? That man had always been so quiet that unless he was reporting to him, his answers would always be yes or no.

"Won-hee... What do you say?" He deliberately asked for the man's opinion. Surprisingly, the latter's answer was somehow longer than the usual.

"This loyal subject believes Chief Eunuch is right. The general public is sensitive because of the drought and holding a banquet at this time might make things worse. Please reconsider your decision, Jeonha."

Now the King felt even more sulky. He had always been wanting to impress his uncle after all, how many years had it been since they last saw each other? Three? Four years? He missed him dearly and had always sought for his fatherly care. It was a shame already that Joseon was facing a huge crisis now that his uncle is returning and it was even more shameless that he was even looking forward to his advise regarding the matter, so of course he wanted to welcome him with something grand.

But how when he has to consider the Joseon citizens' feelings as well?

"Jeonha," Eunuch Lee spoke once more. "If this servant may add, His Excellency himself was never fond of celebrations and is very private. His Excellency even disliked entering the palace except for important matters. Jeonha should be clearer about this than anyone else."