After Yeon Kang was sternly scolded by Yeo So-ui, a few trouble-free days passed. Kang took up the task of writing with his small hands and headed to Soyongjeon, where he studied with princes younger than six, accompanied by a eunuch.

Yeon Kang earnestly learned calligraphy under the guidance of the eunuch in charge of education. The disciplinarian, watching Kang complain while scribbling letters with a large brush in his tiny hand, got irritated and scolded him. When Kang was reprimanded, he flinched and glanced at him. The other princes, who laughed at Kang being scolded, also got reprimanded by the disciplinarian. In an instant, the sound of children crying filled the air. As the embarrassed disciplinarian scolded him, saying, "Why cry when you're doing well?" the sound of crying grew louder.

"So, Mom. My brothers cried so much that the disciplinarian finally told them to stop studying."

Yeon Kang recounted what happened to Yeo So-ui in front of the stone table that day. Though they are poor, the child kept laughing as if it were funny that the other prince pretended to cry. Yeo So-ui also smiled with satisfaction at seeing her son regain strength and become active again.

"What a great talent. You stopped studying because you cried. Of course, you shouldn't do that. You must never neglect your studies. You must study hard and become a great general. Do you understand?" Yeo So-ui said as she finely chopped the fish and placed it over her son's rice. Before Kang ate, he smiled brightly at Yeo So-ui.

"Yes, Mom. I will definitely become a general and protect this country. I will make mom happy too."

Yeo So-ui's eyes filled with tears upon hearing her brave four-year-old son's promise. It was heartbreaking to see such a cute and pretty boy grow up alone in such a dilapidated palace. However, she didn't want her son to be loved. She only hoped that he'd be buried as such, become a general, and leave the palace as soon as possible.

"You don't have to worry about this, Mom."

The boy tilted his head to the side as he chewed on the side dish his mother had given him, unaware of what that meant. Yeo So-ui gently smiled at his naturally virtuous behavior. The boy, whose dark eyes blinked, laughed along with his mother.

Each person placed their final stone on the designated table. The boy complained of being sleepy because his stomach was full. Yeo So-ui held the child in her arms and patted him to sleep. The nanny took the sleeping child away.

Finally, alone, Yeo So-ui sighed and placed her hand on her head. As she was about to go to bed after letting down her hair, which she had always tied up with a hairpin, she suddenly saw a colorful fire in the distance. With the flames visible even through Cheonggeum Palace's dark window, Yeo So-ui abandoned the civilian clothes she was about to take off. She adjusted her loose blouse, opened the door, and went outside.

Not only Yeo So-ui but also the women living in Cheonggeum Palace came out and prostrated themselves on the ground. Yeo So-ui also sat in a corner, placed both hands on the ground, and rested her forehead between them.

Tonight, the decision has been made as to who will lie down with the emperor.

Tae-gam, who assisted the emperor, held a plate with the name of the wife who would lie down with the emperor today. The piercing eyes of Tae-gam touched the emperor's flower plates. The last place where his eyes landed was Yeo So-ui, lying face down in the farthest corner. She couldn't feel Tae-gam’s eyes and only looked at the pattern on the floor without understanding. It was a pattern she had always seen, but it always seemed different to her when she was this bored. When one or two counted the number of lotus patterns in the design, the eunuch spoke.

"Today, His Majesty has chosen Yeo So-ui."

"Please, climb onto the palanquin."

It had been four years since she’d been with the emperor, excluding the wedding night, but she felt no excitement. Her mind drifted to the emperor, who had embraced her unrelentingly.

It felt like a wedding ceremony. Red silk obstructed her view. She had to undress, lay in front of many onlookers, part her legs, and receive the blessings of the emperor, who transformed into a wolf. It was terrifying. The moment when the wolf's breath brushed over her head is etched in her memory. Yeo So-ui was visibly frightened and trembling.

Yet, Tae-gam showed little concern for Yeo So-ui’s distress. He handed a plate to the person beside him and spoke calmly.

"Take her and bring her to the quarters.”

His Majesty must have been bored.

After those words, Tae-gam swiftly moved forward. Yeo So-ui was seized by both arms and dragged away. It might seem peculiar to attribute it to the emperor's attitude towards his wife, but no one protested. It was clear that this, too, was the emperor's command.