The entrance to the festival was rowdy and blaring with excitement. Nobles and peasants alike had took to the streets filling up bars and pleasure houses. Lee Hyun smiled as he licked his lips and tasted the energy filled vitality in the air. "Now this is what life's all about~" he thought to himself. The sun was just starting to set, and the sky had turned a luminescent warm red. Long extending shadows mixed with already lit lanterns painted the streets with stripes of black and orange like a tiger's hide.
Minister Lee, Lee Hyun's father, made haste with the house servants quickly following behind him. "We must hurry, early is on-time and on-time is late!"
"Come my son, your father intends to leave us behind." Lee Hyun's mother said as she gripped her little daughter's hands and guided her after her father. Both ladies were dressed to absolute perfection. Lee Hyun's younger sister, who was now nearing her seventh year, had been decorated with a beautiful pink hanbok mixed with flower patterns to accentuate her youth. His mother draped herself with an elegant velvet with a black fur covering to express her elegance and status.
Lee Hyun, after a moment of thought, swiped his prized white tiger skin drape from one of the house servants who attended to him. He draped it around his shoulders and puffed out his chest. This rare masterpiece was one of a kind, and was gifted to him by the Emperor himself when Lee Hyun had participated in the Northern war. To be completely honest, Lee Hyun had not done much other than stand in the back with his uncomfortable armor and heavy sword, peeing his pants, but the emperor was more than pleased to commend and reward the son of his favorite advisor, and a relative of the royal family at that.
That war happened two years ago. Back then Lee Hyun was only a child. But, now that he's experienced war first hand, and tasted the tang of metallic blood that filled the air with death... Lee Hyun knew he would be a better man and solider in his next war.
Feeling the gaze of his father Lee Hyun looked up to see his father's face full of disapproval. Minster Lee was dressed very modestly. Nothing more added to his usual court attire other than a boring blue drape that covered him for warmth. His gaat("korean head wear") plain black with no ornamental decorations preferred by the rest of his family. Lee Hyun knew of course this was all part of his courtiership meant for survival. His father was the one who assigned Teacher Han to him and guided many of the lessons. One of the most important teachings of Teacher Han's final years was this: "never outshine your master". In his father's case it would be the current emperor. For the case of Lee Hyun, it would be prince Taeyong or Crown Prince Jaejong... whoever ends up winning the power struggle.
With an understanding look Lee Hyun leaned over to his baby sister "once we get to the gate my cherry blossom, I shall turn you into a princess of the white tiger!" Lee Hyun grinned and poked his sister's soft cheeks.
"Really Hyun-i oppa?"(Korean way of showing affection), "I can wear your prized snow tiger skin?"
"Mmmhm~" Lee Hyun nodded and patted her head. Seeing his father nod with approval and turn around Lee Hyun rushed to stand beside him. The Lee family was a branch family from the Royal family. They had to show their dignity and strength while on the streets on this occasion. Even though they technically lived in the same complex as where the ceremony was taking place, Minister Lee purposely made a round trip around the town square with his entire family and their house servants to indicate to the people the significance of this event.
"Such length to please the emperor..." thought Lee Hyun, but then again this was how his father was able to preserve the power and honor of their family. He never once lost his respect for the wisdom of his father.
As soon as they arrived at the gates, and Lee Hyun turned his sister into his little white tiger princess, Lee Hyun was instantly greeted by Prince Taeyong and the many young courtesans' of the Joseon court. After paying their respects to the Prince and receiving the greetings of the young courtesans, the rest of Lee Hyun's family went to converse with the senior members of the court and took their place next to the emperor.
Lee Hyun, however, stayed and chatted with the other young nobles of Hanseong. Prince Taeyong turned to Lee Hyun. He was only sixteen years of age, yet he stood a good few inches above Lee Hyun. "Greetings, Lord Lee Hyun, it is good to see you well." Taeyong announced, with his head cocked back in an arrogant manner. The other nobles around them smiled seeing the procession taking place in front of their eyes.
"My great prince Taeyong, it is an honor to be in your presence." Lee Hyun spoke as he deeply bowed towards his prince.
Taeyong stepped forward and grasped Lee Hyuns head and leaned his forehead against Hyun's. "What's up with this lame-ass grey outfit cousin? If not for the ornamental silver, I would have seen you a monk!" Taeyong grinned and rubbed Lee Hyun's neck.
Lee Hyun, grinned in response. "You sure seem to be in a good mood, Taeyong, excited for something? Hmm?"
"You bet cousin Hyun! I hope you did not forget the promise to take me out after the formal ceremony. You said that I will finally get to taste the finer things in life," Taeyong excitedly exclaimed.
Bursting out with laughter, Hyun exclaimed to the nobles surrounding him, "after the formal ceremony, we shall have a night to remember!"
Suddenly, Taesu and Jaeho appeared behind them and indicated them to follow with frantic hand movements. Intrigued Lee Hyun and Prince Taeyong followed after them. "You will not believe what I've just seen," Taesu exclaimed. The group went around the platform filled with various props and entertainment for the ceremony and weaved through the many performers, nobles, and officials mingling about.
Appearing around a pillar, there she was. A most beautiful sight, flowing with elegance and grace. The dying rays of the sun lit her up like a radiant ray of light that shined with such brightness, Lee Hyun had to squint to see her clearly. She drowned out all that stood around her, yet every part of her Lee Hyun could make out perfectly. Her beautiful delicate face, her soft and fragile, body, her flowing and shimmering dress.
Lee Hyun stopped in his tracks and stared, unmoving with his mouth open in awe. Noticing his intense gaze, she looked up and flashed him a gentle smile.
YOU ARE READING
Sun that Shines Bright
Romance(UPDATES ARE EXTREMELY SLOW) Lord Lee Hyun is a rich and extravagant young man. Not only does he have royal blood, but his father is a cousin and an esteemed advisor to the Emperor himself. Well known throughout the city of Hanseong as a kind and g...
