# Chapter 113: Restoration of Honor
After deliberating again and again, Sejong finally reached a conclusion.
"There is no helping it. I must decide on all three."
Following Sejong's decision, all three young noble ladies were chosen as Hyang's consorts. Having made up his mind, Sejong called for Byeon Geryang and Yu Sun-do.
"Examine these women's saju to determine who is most suitable as the Crown Princess. The other two shall become the Crown Prince's consorts."
And so, Byeon Geryang and Yu Sun-do selected the most suitable young lady for the position of Crown Princess.
"It is this woman."
* * *
Once the Crown Prince's consorts were decided, Sejong summoned Hyang again.
"The Crown Princess has been decided."
"Who is she?"
"The daughter of the Deputy Minister of Military Affairs."
"I see."
"And the other two shall become consorts."
"What? Royal Father. Your son has already said he would have only one consort...."
Sejong immediately cut off Hyang's words.
"Having many children is also a king's duty. I will not hear any objections."
"But..."
As Hyang continued to try to object, Sejong revealed his true thoughts.
"Do you wish to welcome a princess or a commandery princess of Ming as your consort? You must not give them any pretext!"
"Ah..."
At Sejong's words, Hyang immediately understood.
If the Crown Prince had only one consort, Ming could use various pretexts to push in a woman as a consort.
If that happened, another problem would arise. Even if the woman pushed in by Ming was a consort, she would effectively not be just a consort.
However, if there were consorts as well as the official wife, Ming would not send a woman due to pride, and even if they did, she would be diluted among the other consorts.
At Sejong's firm words, Hyang bowed his head.
"Though it differs from your son's convictions, it is a royal command so I shall obey."
Sejong, who had been staring at Hyang's face, spoke up.
"You brat! Wipe that smile from your face before you speak! Your mouth is going to split open, split right open!"
The historian diligently recorded the scene.
- And so the Crown Prince's consorts were decided.
The historian comments:
Whatever the reason, the Crown Prince was also a man who could not help himself.
* * *
After that small commotion, Hyang's wedding was decided.
The rumor that 'the Crown Prince is getting married!' quickly spread throughout Hanyang, and whenever people gathered, they discussed it.
"I heard he decided on not just a Crown Princess but consorts as well, all at once?"
"So they say."
"My, my. The Crown Prince will have some headaches now."
"Why?"
"Look at the houses of those nobles who live well. Have you ever seen their wives and concubines get along?"
"Ah~!"
"It may seem good right now, but just wait a few years."
"But honestly, I am envious. Three at once..."
"That is true."
The unusual wedding of taking a Crown Princess and consorts all at once was on everyone's lips every day.
In the history before Hyang's intervention, Danjong was the first, but in the changed history with Hyang's intervention, Hyang acquired the title of 'first.'
While most who heard the rumor chatted about the unusual wedding with 'one groom, three brides,' a few were discussing a different topic.
"Will another amnesty be declared this time?"
"Well... not much time has passed since the last amnesty, has it? Wouldn't it be difficult?"
"I hope it is declared... even if my son is a wretched enemy, seeing him locked up in prison makes my insides burn..."
When Hyang resolved the long-cherished wishes of Joseon and the royal family, including the Jonggye Byeonmu, Sejong declared a nationwide amnesty. However, since there could be no society without crime, those who had committed crimes nationwide and been imprisoned did not disappear.
With quite a few people expecting an amnesty, some officials submitted petitions to Sejong.
The subject of the petitions was the amnesty and restoration of Sejong's father-in-law, Shim On.
This had happened a year earlier than in the history before Hyang's intervention.
The reason these officials brought up Shim On's amnesty and restoration was also related to Hyang's wedding.
The lineage of the bride and groom had to be recorded, but a problem arose with the Crown Prince's mother, Queen Soheon.
"It could be said that the daughter of a traitor is the Crown Prince's mother."
"Indeed."
Given the nature of the matter, the Chief State Councillors and the Ministers of the Six Ministries gathered at the State Council to engage in heated debate.
As a result of the debate, the officials completed the following reasoning and conclusion:
- His Majesty King Taejong had executed those involved, including Gang Sang-in, before Shim On returned, in order to exile Shim On.
- Therefore, there were unjust aspects to Shim On being executed without even being able to face his accusers.
Having reached the above conclusion, the ministers submitted a petition.
However, Sejong's response to the petition was ambiguous.
"I will consider it carefully."
With that answer, Sejong did not mention the matter again.
* * *
While various stories about 'Shim On's restoration' were circulating in the palaces and government offices, Hyang called for Jeong Cho.
"Minister Jeong."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Is something troubling you lately? Your complexion does not look good."
"It is nothing."
Though he denied it, seeing that his expression was clearly not good, Hyang quietly asked.
"Is it because of a matter related to your maternal family?"
"N-no, not at all!"
Jeong Cho waved his hands in denial, but Hyang's face grew even sterner.
"Minister Jeong, I too will soon be married. I have passed the age where ignorance is appropriate. Though I was only four years old at the time, I still clearly remember tears of blood flowing from people's eyes. Minister Jeong. If you know something, speak."
At Hyang's words, Jeong Cho let out a sigh.
"Huu~."
'I forgot that the Crown Prince's memory is extraordinary.'
"Minister Jeong!"
As Jeong Cho remained silent and Hyang's voice grew louder, he finally opened his mouth.
"At that time, I belonged to the Office of the Inspector General and participated in Minister Shim's interrogation process. At the time, Minister Shim tried to make his defense. Even though torture continued. Then, Minister Ryu Jeong-hyeon said to Minister Shim: 'Given the circumstances, there is no answer but to confess.' Upon hearing these words, Minister Shim gave up any further defense, confessed, and received his punishment."
At Jeong Cho's words, Hyang's face hardened more than ever before.
With a voice as rigid as his expression, Hyang asked Jeong Cho.
"What did 'circumstances' refer to?"
In response to Hyang's question, Jeong Cho answered briefly.
"His Majesty's intentions, I presume."
"Hmm..."
Contemplating while drumming his fingers on the desk, Hyang stood up.
"Minister! Let us go together!"
"Yes? Where to?"
"To Gangnyeongjeon Hall!"
* * *
Arriving at Gangnyeongjeon Hall with Jeong Cho, Hyang reported Jeong Cho's words to Sejong.
"Minister Jeong, explain once more."
At Hyang's words, Jeong Cho repeated exactly what he had said to Sejong.
"My goodness..."
Hearing Jeong Cho's explanation, Sejong let out a long sigh.
With a complicated expression mixing all sorts of emotions, Sejong, after much deliberation, finally spoke.
"Judging from Minister Jeong's words now, Shim On's confession must be considered to have been forced. However, how could His Majesty King Taejong have known that far?"
Sejong was desperately trying to grant absolution to Taejong.
If it emerged that Taejong had killed Shim On due to a misjudgment or personal feelings, it would become a major problem.
"Minister Jeong, would you step outside for a moment?"
"Yes? Yes. Your Majesty, may your servant Jeong Cho withdraw?"
"I permit it."
"I am overwhelmed with gratitude."
Following Hyang's request and receiving Sejong's permission, Jeong Cho politely paid his respects and left Gangnyeongjeon Hall.
"Historians and recorders, leave as well."
"Your Highness."
"I will not say it twice."
At Hyang's firm command, the historians and recorders looked at Sejong.
"It is my command. Leave."
"Yes."
When Sejong issued the same command, the historians and recorders rose from their seats without a word.
They could have held their ground if they had wanted to, but due to the previous incident at Hwangnyongpo, they withdrew immediately.
To be precise, as soon as they stepped outside, they immediately crouched by the door and took out their writing brushes.
In any case, once the historians and recorders had all disappeared from sight, Hyang brought up the main topic.
"Royal Father. It would be appropriate to restore my maternal grandfather's honor. Has not everyone but my maternal grandfather already been restored? Ten years have already passed."
"Only ten years have passed. Those who served not only during the late King's reign but also during His Majesty King Taejo's reign overflow in the palace. If handled poorly, there will be those who use this as a pretext to oppress royal authority."
This was what Sejong worried about. He was concerned that if he acknowledged his father King Taejong's mistake, there would be those who would use this as a pretext to attempt to weaken royal authority.
Hearing Sejong's concerns, Hyang answered firmly.
"Royal Father. You must push through directly."
"Push through directly?"
"You must acknowledge the possibility that Grandfather made a misjudgment."
"You brat!"
"In return, execute the late Ryu Jeong-hyeon and me."
"You and Ryu Jeong-hyeon?"
"Yes."
Hyang explained to Sejong a plan using himself and Ryu Jeong-hyeon.
- First, according to Jeong Cho's words, Shim On gave up his defense after hearing Ryu Jeong-hyeon's words. The question is whether the 'circumstances' Ryu Jeong-hyeon mentioned were truly Taejong's intentions.
It is highly possible that Taejong merely harbored suspicions, and Ryu Jeong-hyeon engineered the elimination of Shim On, who could have become Sejong's closest faction.
The basis for saying this is Ryu Jeong-hyeon's track record. Until his execution, Ryu Jeong-hyeon had carried out various schemes to strengthen the power of the officials.
Therefore, Ryu Jeong-hyeon made Shim On confess through the suggestion of 'Taejong's intentions.'
"If this is the case, Grandfather would have had no choice but to punish my maternal grandfather because he confessed. Rather, it becomes the case that he strictly enforced the law according to national law, despite being Your Majesty's father-in-law and the Crown Prince's maternal grandfather."
"Indeed!"
Sejong exclaimed in admiration at the solution Hyang presented.
According to Hyang's solution, Shim On's execution was not what Taejong wanted. However, Shim On had confessed, and Taejong had to punish him.
In this process, Taejong became someone who enforced the law strictly according to national law, setting aside personal feelings.
"Then what does it mean to sell you?"
At Sejong's question, Hyang answered immediately.
"Your son will soon be married. That your son has passed the marriageable age without incident is all thanks to Royal Father and Royal Mother, is it not? Therefore, your son petitions Royal Father. Please restore my maternal grandfather's honor. Royal Mother suffers deeply from pent-up grief. As a child, how can I simply overlook my mother suffering from grief? I earnestly request that you recognize the humble merits your son has achieved thus far and grant my petition!"
"Hmm..."
At Hyang's words, Sejong thought deeply.
The part about 'using Ryu Jeong-hyeon' was certainly highly plausible.
That Ryu Jeong-hyeon had said such things to his father-in-law was something witnesses other than Jeong Cho had seen at the interrogation site at the time.
However, there was no evidence to make it certain that Ryu Jeong-hyeon's words were Taejong's intentions.
Moreover, considering the things Ryu Jeong-hyeon had done after Taejong's death to strengthen the power of the officials, there was a significant possibility that Ryu Jeong-hyeon had engineered things in between.
And 'Hyang's filial piety' was also a useful material indeed.
In Joseon, where Confucianism was the state policy, few things were as praised as filial conduct.
Finally, the biggest concern, the royal authority issue, seemed to be hardly worrying given the current situation.
Sejong's own power was solid, and the presence of Crown Prince Hyang was not to be ignored.
In particular, regarding the military, the support was such that at times Sejong himself wondered, 'Is our Joseon's army my army, or the Crown Prince's army?'
After carefully weighing the pros and cons, Sejong finally reached a conclusion.
"Yes, let us do so."
* * *
The next morning.
As the morning assembly began with all ministers present, Sejong commanded the chief eunuch.
"Go and summon Jeong Cho."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Thus summoned, Jeong Cho repeated exactly what he had said before Sejong the previous night.
When Jeong Cho finished speaking, Sejong addressed the ministers.
"As I have considered, were the 'circumstances' Ryu Jeong-hyeon spoke of truly the intentions of His late Majesty King Taejong? Rather, considering Ryu Jeong-hyeon's past conduct, it is highly likely he secretly schemed in between for his own benefit. Therefore, I believe Shim On's execution was a misjudgment by His late Majesty caused by Ryu Jeong-hyeon's secret schemes. Accordingly, Shim On shall be restored. What do you ministers think?"
At Sejong's question, the ministers answered in one voice.
"Let it be done according to Your Majesty's will!"