The Palace. She had not thought she would ever go there again. She forced her mind to turn away from the past. She needed her to wits to concentrate on healing
the Queen. She shook her head. She understood too well the implication of anything happening to the Queen so early on the King's reign. The young man was a good
rider, so she wasn't as terrified as she normally might have been. So she willed her mind to calm state and watched the shadows go by.
They reached the palace shortly, riding through the layers of security with ease. In the inner courtyard, they stopped and dismounted. Dae Man took pity on her and
helped her get down far more gracefully than she would have been able to manage. She followed men to the Eastern part of the palace, where the Queen's chambers
were. She was awaited by the Queen's soldiers. And Lady Choi. Seeing her she bowed deeply.
"The Healer?" Lady Choi questioned the soldiers. When they confirmed, she turned and said, "You have grown well child," earning a baffled look from the General and
his men.
"No time for that now. The Queen needs help," said Lady Choi whisking her away.
In the Queen's chamber, the lamps were lit low, but there was heaviness in the air that reeked of an unnatural illness. She quickly walked over to the Queen and
began her examination. Realizing she left her bag with the soldiers, she called out for someone to bring her things. She did a thorough examination, all the while
asking Lady Choi questions about what the Queen ate drank going back a full month. She even asked personal questions about the Queen's monthly cycle.
Finally, she turned to Lady Choi and said, "I need to speak to the King."
"What business would you have with the King?" Lady Choi said haughtily.
"Madam, if my diagnosis is correct, this is a matter for the King."
"You can tell me. I'll relay it to him."
"Lady Choi, I trust you, more than I did my own family, but this I must speak to the King personally. If he decides to relay this to you or allow you in the room when we
speak, that is a matter for him to decide."
Picking up on the gravity of situation, Lady Choi agreed. "But, I need a minute to explain to the King who you are exactly. I cannot keep this from him."
On reaching the King's quarters, Lady Choi motioned for her to wait outside.
Lady Choi, stepped into the chambers, where the King, waiting with Choi Young, anxiously asked about the healers verdict.
"I do not know, your highness, but after examining the Queen, the healer asked to speak to you. She would not say anything to me."
"Then bring her in!" The King ordered. Lady Choi hesitated and said, "Your highness, I feel I must tell you who she is before you speak with her. It might make you
see things a bit differently."
The King impatiently waved his hand ordering her to continue. "Her name in Eun Soo. She is the younger daughter of Il Sung." At this Choi Young reared up sharply,
but it didn't mean anything to the King so Lady Choi continued. "He was an advisor to the previous King, your brother." King Gong Min's face tightened with
understanding. "He had two daughters and one son, all from different wives. The son was killed in the rebellion after your brother died. Before that, the older
daughter was said to have committed suicide because she was said to love someone lower born than her. The younger daughter, the healer, was accused by her
father of bringing scandal on the family and was thrown out. We never saw her again, and I thought she died as well."
"What do you make of this Lady Choi?" The king asked after a few minutes.
Lady Choi bowed her head and said with more passion that most who knew her would think she was capable of, "The son was rotten like his father, but they were
good girls. They grew up in the palace and nobody who knew them would believe all that was said of them. Eun Soo was a very naughty child, driving everyone mad,
but she had a good heart and a strong sense of honour. She came to heal the Queen, even though if anyone has cause to hate the palace, it's her."
"May be she came intending to do harm." Choi Young spoke for the first time.
"Call it an old woman's prejudice, but I will swear on my own honour for those unfortunate girls."
Eun Soo, was ushered into the chambers, and found herself with not only the king, but the general, Lady Choi and palace doctor. Bowing briefly, she got right into her
explanation. "Your Highness, I'm sorry to inform you of this, but the Queen is being poisoned."
It had an electric effect on her audience. They started to talk all at once but the King held up his hand for silence.
"What Lady Choi tells us about you is interesting. What reason do we have to trust you?"
"You don't have a choice."
Choi Young advanced menacingly towards her, but the King held him back and motioned for her to speak.
"Your highness, I will speak openly. Please forgive me if some of the things I say are impertinent or improper, but they are relevant and I beg your indulgence."
Lady Choi snorted and muttered something about children brought up in court. Ignoring her, Eun Soo continued.
"There is a potion, used by women to prevent conception." She stated baldly, bringing a look of extreme discomfort to the men. "Actually there are many potions, but
the strongest most effective one, can also be the most deadly if not administered properly. In fact, its usage is usually restricted to women who have already had
children as their wombs are then sufficiently strong enough to withstand this potion. Even courtesans are careful with this potion if they have not yet borne any
children."
Looking completely uneasy at this point, the King interrupted, "As interesting as this is why are we talking about this?"
"I'm coming to that. While it is a very effective potion for older women who have had children, its effect on a woman who has not yet borne children, and that too one
as young as the queen, can be deadly. A single dose can make one very ill and prolonged usage can kill you. If you do manage to survive, your chances of having
children again are almost none."
Lady Choi gasped. "Is that…?"
En Soo nodded.
"Are you trying to tell me, the Queen has been taking a potion to prevent conception and that has made her ill?" The king stared hard at the palace doctor who looked
baffled at this silent accusation.
Eun Soo shook her head. "It's not likely. Firstly, there are very few who can make it. The doctor here is not one of them. Secondly, if the Queen was taking the potion
willingly, she would have realized it was making her ill long before she got to this stage. Thirdly, her continued illness suggests that it's still being given to her, either
in her food or water, or medicines."
"Is there a cure?" The King cut in.
"She's still not completely at death's door. It is good you called me when you did. I should be able to help. But her recovery will be long and difficult."
"Please do what you will. But before you go, tell me who?"
"Who can make this potion?" Eun Soo asked. When the king nodded she said, "There was an old healer many years ago. He made this potion by request of a wealthy
nobleman's wife who was opposed to her husband bringing a concubine. He made this for her and it worked very well. Spurned by his success, he made a name for
himself until he realized its effect on some women. When he did, he stopped making it, sent all his students away and committed ritual suicide. I can't be sure of who
all know, but my Teacher was one of those students. As his student, I know as well. There was another student, a young man, who was also taught, but he died
some years ago. And lastly Ki Chul." Ki Chul, the brother of the Yuan Empress, and chief instigator of rebellion against King Gong Min's rule.
"So you're saying you're one of probably three people who know how to make this and we should trust you with the Queen's life."
Eun Soo tone was serious now, "Your suspicions are only natural. But my Teacher is away for months at a time and I don't know when he will return. So you can either
trust me, or ask Ki Chul to help if he is willing."
The King gave a hard nod. "Do it."