The Last Imoogi

The Hugung

When Sandara reached the familiar entrance, the sweet scent of flowers welcomed her. She carried her skirt gracefully as she walked on the stone steps before a few guards and palace lady greeted her. Han Sanggung, despite being a servant exclusive for the King was tasked to assist her the entire day. Of course Kim Jisoo, the Queen told the King about inviting their aunt-in-law today so Yi Sung naturally lent his own servant for Sandara.

As she was guided further in to the pavilion seated in the middle of the vast courtyard, Sandara was finally able to catch a glimpse of the three women. She wondered though, why one of them seemed too familiar.

"Aunt-in-law!" The Queen stood up quickly to go to her side and greet her but Sandara bowed to her politely.

"Greetings, Jungjeon Mama," she said but before she could even rise, two more voices greeted her.

"Greetings to Aunt-in-law," the two consorts chorused.

Sandara straightened up to meet the two other women but her eyes narrowed into slits when the familiar face was finally before her.

"Sun Hae???" Sandara said in disbelief! What a surprise! Her former fellow student in Cherry Blossoms House, was now a concubine of the King?

"Aunt-in-law, you know each other?" Kim Jisoo asked making Sandara finally laugh. "Yes, yes. We've been in the same women's institution before. It really is a surprise to see you here—" Sandara finally recalled that even concubines have specific ranks. Han Sanggung introduced them to her.

"Manim, this is Sun Sugui, and Bae Sugui. Both junior second rank concubines, Manim."

Sandara remembered hearing Bae Joohyun's name before for she was the most rumored first concubine just a two years after the King rose to the throne. There were numerous rumors about the palace then. She remembered one was that the queen and this Bae Joohyun were best friends and that Bae Joohyun was supposed to be the crown princess during the selection but since Kim Jisoo came from a powerful family, she became the final pick.

But how come she didn't hear of any news about Sun Hae being the second concubine? Sandara was still trying to absorb the fact that if the King hadn't thought of marrying her off to Kwon Jiyong, she would have ended up in the same royal harem with Sun Hae.

She silently prayed and thanked the heavens for letting her marry Kwon Jiyong instead. Just the thought of seeing Sun Hae everyday made her skin prickle in annoyance.

With a cheerful smile, she acknowledged the two concubines. "Nice to meet you, Sun Sugui, Bae Sugui..." 

"We have been looking forward to meet you, Aunt-in law," Bae Joohyun softly spoke.

"Yes, since we heard you were coming, we decided to pay respect to you as well," Sun Hae seconded.

But Sandara could just narrow her eyes at Sun Hae. Really now? She thought. How could such a wild beast suddenly act like a tamed puppy in front of her? 

This Lady Sun Hae was the only daughter of the Minister of Personnel from the Northern Faction but because of money and connections, was able to enter the Cherry Blossoms House. Back then, this woman bullied Sandara since she was just a simple country bumpkin while Sun Hae was a girl from the capital. If not for Seol and Byeol, she would have ran back home and never went back again. She learned to fight back in the end. She didn't want to worry her parents. Besides, what's there to be afraid of when Head Mistress favors her over Sun Hae obviously. 

When Kim Jisoo and Bae Joohyun were both delicate and sweet, Sun Hae looked cunning in every inch. She's pretty too, she could give that to her, but she exuded an alluring aura and sex appeal similar to that of a gisaeng.