Three days later Jin-Ri was on her way back to the palace from the market after running an errand for the prince. She was on the bridge when she chanced upon Lady Ji-Hye and her entourage.
"You are Prince Young-Sik's court maiden, aren't you? Where is my husband to be?" Lady Ji-Hye impatiently asked Jin-Ri.
Despite bowing to the lady, Jin-Ri was swirling with thoughts in her minds
First thought:
"You are Prince Young-Sik's court maiden, aren't you? Where is my husband to be?" Lady Ji-Hye impatiently asked Jin-Ri
"He's over there, my lady" Jin-Ri pointed just over the bridge
"Where?" Ji-Hye leaned over the bridge rails and enthusiastically glanced at the direction the Jin-Ri was pointing at.
Jin-Ri then pushes Ji-Hye over the bridge, and she tumbles into the water making a huge splash.
Second thought:
"You are Prince Young-Sik's court maiden, aren't you? Where is my husband to be?" Lady Ji-Hye tapped her foot, impatience radiating from her like a summer storm.
Jin-Ri shot her a glare that could curdle milk. "Your future husband? Really?" Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted; dark clouds rolled in, and a whirlwind swirled around Jin-Ri, accompanied by a cacophony of thunder and blinding flashes of lightning. Lady Ji-Hye and her entourage gasped in terror.
With a dramatic flourish, Jin-Ri was lifted into the air. "He's my prince!" she declared, sending a bolt of lightning zapping toward Ji-Hye, who yelped in surprise as she spasmed out of control.
Third thought:
"You are Prince Young-Sik's court maiden, aren't you? Where is my husband to be?" Lady Ji-Hye impatiently asked Jin-Ri
"Guess who just arrived?" a voice chimed from behind, and there stood Young-Sik, looking dapper and flashing a grin that could rival the sun itself.
Lady Ji-Hye sprinted toward the prince, but Young-Sik, with a playful flick of his wrist, pushed her aside. "Step back, peasant... you're not the one I adore." With an exaggerated swagger that could make hearts flutter, he marched over to a beaming Jin-Ri, lifting her effortlessly into his arms. "She's the only one for me," he proclaimed, raising an eyebrow with flair.
Meanwhile, Jin-Ri wiggled her toes in delight, sticking her tongue out at the sobbing Ji-Hye, who was sprawled on the ground, throwing a fit that had her entourage gasping in horror.
"The third one is my favorite" Jin-Ri was in a daze with a stupid grin on her face. Ji-Hye and her entourage looked at Jin-Ri with perplexed reactions
"Is she alright?" Ji-Hye leaned toward one of her servants asking.
The lady servant shrugged her shoulders "I don't know my lady"
Jin-Hye started to poke at the court maiden's forehead, making her turn towards Jin-Hye dreamingly, that stupid grin still etched on her face. Jin-Ri snapped out of her daydream when she realized she was staring at Ji-Hye "Oh my gosh…your face scared me" Jin-Ri blurted out
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" Ji-Hye asked the court maiden furiously, raising her hand and threatening to strike Jin-Ri
"Nothing, Nothing my lady. You were asking me something a while ago?" The court maiden said to the noble lady while stepping back to avoid Ji-Hye's reach.
Ji-Hye lowered her hand calming herself "I ask again, where is Prince Young-Sik?"
"The prince is in the palace" Jin-Ri replied casually
Ji-Hye angrily reprimanded the court maiden "Then why are you here? Shouldn't you be where he is serving him?"
Jin-Ri raised both her hands to show what she was carrying "Fermented Herring and Skeet" Jin-Hye and her entourage quickly covered their noses and stepped back to avoid the stench. "He asked me to buy them since there were none in the palace kitchen"
"Get that away from me, you disgusting witch!" Ji-Hye ordered the court maiden.
This only made Jin-Ri grin "What should I get away from you, my lady? This?" She continued to raise the two cloth bags at Ji-Hye's face, bringing them closer every time she tried to run away from them.
Ji-Hye and her servants would try to go to the left and to the right, only to be followed by Jin-Ri and her fermented fish on both hands. Eventually, Jin-Ri stopped chasing Ji-Hye and her entourage. Feeling good about herself, she skipped back to the palace.
That night, Young-Sik was entertaining his three masters in her residence. Jin-Ri came in to serve the unusual dish that the prince asked for.
"I'm quite surprised that you chose to keep your court maiden" General Shin opened, wanting to start the conversation among the four of them
"She proved herself to be not a nuisance" Young-Sik simply answered
Physician Go looked at Jin-Ri "You're the only one to last this long, kindly take care of your master"
Jin-Ri bowed and smiled "I will Lord Go, please do not worry about the prince" she assured the three ministers before standing behind the prince to await any orders that he might have.
Minister Im turned his gaze toward the prince, addressing him directly. "Your Highness, I trust you are informed about the agreement reached by the crowned prince with the Guiong Empire. Might you have any thoughts on how we could potentially overturn this arrangement?"
The room fell silent as Young-Sik contemplated the inquiry. "It would prove challenging, as the Guiong are notorious for holding onto any territory they have claimed," he replied thoughtfully. "Moreover, we must consider the importance of maintaining the crowned prince's reputation. It would be detrimental for them to perceive that my brother and the Kingdom are willing to retract their commitments."
"It is important to note that the Guiong did not assert any claim over the territory; instead, it was mutually agreed that they would have access to our territorial waters." Physician Go reminded the attendees,
"This is a significant detail of the agreement; we must reiterate to the Guiong that their privileges are confined to access and do not equate to ownership." General Shin echoed this sentiment.
"My primary worry lies in the welfare of our fishermen," Young-Sik remarked, outlining a likely scenario. "I am apprehensive that the Guiong might engage in harassment if they encounter our people."
Physician Go addressed the prince, asking, "Your Highness, what measures can we implement to ensure this does not occur?"
The prince shifted his gaze to General Shin and asked, "Master, would it be feasible to position one of our ships within a reasonable distance from the disputed area, ready to act should any altercations occur between our fishermen and the Guiong?"
"Could they not view our actions as harassment?" Minister Im queried the prince, highlighting a critical concern.
In response, Young-Sik articulated, "To mitigate any misunderstandings, our vessel should be stationed at a safe distance from the disputed waters. This approach will prevent any assumptions of aggression while ensuring we are positioned to respond swiftly to any incidents that may occur."
General Shin concurred, stating, "At this juncture, this is our sole viable strategy. It allows us to navigate the complexities of our relationship with the Guiong Empire without provoking unnecessary tensions. They would be unlikely to instigate a confrontation, knowing one of our ships is readily available."
Minister Im faced the prince "I will echo that suggestion in the assembly tomorrow you Highness"
Young-Sik nodded to what Minister Im said "Thank you, my Masters, for now, let us drink to our nation's continued peace and prosperity"
Prince Young-Sik raised his cup, which his three masters emulated "For the continued peace and prosperity of Chiongsun!" They all said together.
Jin-Ri observed the prince's interactions with his masters "He holds them in high regard, much like father figures" she deduced
The following day, the assembly convened, and the incident involving the crowned prince became the focal point of discussion. "What measures can we implement to prevent the Guiong fishermen from encroaching upon our territorial waters?" inquired a right-wing minister, highlighting a critical issue.
"Perhaps we should extend an offer to them, thereby eliminating their need to intrude upon our exclusive economic zone," proposed Minister Gi, eliciting surprise among his right-wing colleagues.
"Why should we concede anything for access to waters that rightfully belong to us?" Minister Im retorted, expressing strong opposition to the idea.
"Shouldn't we reclaim what is rightfully ours, no matter the cost?" Minister Lim interjected, challenging Minister Im's perspective.
"You are correct that this segment of the sea is ours, which raises the question: why should we offer anything to deter their entry into our economic waters?" General Shin pressed, seeking clarification on Minister Lim's position.
As General Shin advanced towards Minister Gi, the latter took a cautious step back. Noticing the minister's disfigured countenance, he taunted, "What misfortune has befallen you, my friend? An accident, I presume?"
"Yes... a most unfortunate accident involving a horse," Minister Gi stuttered, his voice quavering as he quickly glanced at Minister Lim.
General Shin followed the direction of Minister Gi's gaze, letting out a laugh. "I can only imagine the circumstances," he said, resuming his position. He continued, "For the record, my timid friend, I have never suggested that we resort to force to validate our claim over these contested waters."
A tumultuous uproar filled the courtroom as ministers vied to voice their concerns all at once. The King, exasperated by the ensuing chaos, shook his head in disapproval. He glanced at his Queen, who remained composed amidst the turmoil, and noted the crowned prince, his head bowed in silence, struggling to find a resolution to the crisis he had caused.