American Perspectives: Triangulation Pt. 1 ("기황후" Ep. 15)

 

 

***The intent of The Flower Realm by 사극 Paradise is to support women and men in rejecting the culture of pornography, and to live a life of integrity without manipulative intent.***

 

"기황후" can be viewed on Viki or Youtube, as well as many other channels.  It is an amazing classic 사극, and this author is aware that it's not historically accurate.  The real life Empress Ki had a very contentious relationship with the Goryeo Dynasty.  And many liberties were most certainly taken with the fictionalized version of historical characters. Dialogue adapted from English Subtitle translations by the "Imperial Team at Viki.com."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emperor Toghon anxiously runs through the covered walkway of the Inner Palace.  He has an awful feeling that Seung Nyang is meeting up with that crass Wang Yoo.  "Seung Nyang!"  He catches sight of her getting ready to enter a building.

 

She freezes and looks back.  Emperor Toghon is barrelling towards her.

 

Without hesitation, Wang Yoo opens the doors, and pulls her in.  He claps his hand over her mouth.  "Seung Nyang, it's me."

 

"Your Majesty," Seung Nyang whispers with relief.  It could've just as easily been Tanqishi hiding in the shadows...

 

"Yang!"  Emperor Toghon shouts from outside.  "Seung Nyang!  It's strange.  She was definitely here.  Seung Nyang!  Yang!"

 

Eunuch Baek Bows.  "How could you walk so quickly?"

 

"She was around here somewhere."

 

"Yang walks as fast as you," says Eunuch Baek, "so she probably arrived at her quarters."

 

Emperor Toghon sighs and runs away.

 

Eunuch Baek rolls his eyes.  He feels like a fucking nanny.  "Your Majesty!"

 

Wang Yoo and Seung Nyang are alone at last as Emperor Toghon and his entourage leave.

 

"You're pretty," says Wang Yoo. 

 

"Your Majesty, what brings you here?"

 

"Your face is cold," says Wang Yoo.  He removes his outer robe.

 

"I'm fine," Seung Nyang insists.

 

"Stay still."  He puts the robe on over her shoulders.

 

*********

 

Emperor Toghon bursts into her room.  "Yang!  Ya--"  he sighs and looks at Eunuch Baek.  "She's not here yet."

 

"I'll look for her," says Eunuch Baek.

 

"Never mind.  She'll come if I keep waiting.  You may leave."

 

"In this shabby room, you're going to wait for her?"

 

Emperor Toghon waves him away.

 

"Your Majesty!"

 

Emperor Toghon shoots him a look, and Eunuch Baek finally leaves.

 

If this were a regular relationship love interest scenario, Emperor Toghon would indeed be controlling.  However, as his Court Lady, Seung Nyang is off limits.  She's committing a major transgression that would get most court ladies executed.  Wang Yoo's blatant disrespect is something that could easily flush his kingdom's sovereignty down the toilet.  Both Wang Yoo and Seung Nyang are being collosally stupid.

 

"But..." Emperor Toghon says, "even if it's a room for a Court Lady, it's too shabby for words.  Now, let's see.  Right.  I'll put a dressing stand for her right here, and get a new bed, too."

 

He looks down at her bed, and sees a white handkerchief on the blanket.  "Seung Nyang's handkerchief..."  He inhales the scent and smiles.  "Seung Nyang.  Oh, Seung Nyang smells good, too."  He rubs the handkerchief over his face, and shoves it into his deel, not realizing how obsessive and creepy he is coming across to anyone who might see.

 

******

 

"The bloodletter exists?" Seung Nyang asks.

 

"It's a will written by Emperor Mingsong in blood before he died."

 

"Then the one who killed Mingzong is..."

 

"I'm sure it was Prime Minister El Temur," says Wang Yoo.

 

"That's the reason in Daecheongdo he tried to kill the Emperor."

 

"With this, he will start being suspicious of his closest associates.  I will keep encouraging that suspicion and make him cut off his own limbs."

 

"This is a dangerous place," says Seung Nyang.  "With one mistake, your life could..." The irony of her giving this advice right now is completely lost.

 

"When I was deposed as King, I had already died."

 

"Your Majesty!"

 

"I will make sure I get restored to the throne as King of Goryeo.  In order to do that, I must eliminate Prime Minister El Temur."

 

"I will help you also, Your Majesty," Seung Nyang insists.  "Whatever it is, give me your command so that I may do it."

 

"There's nothing for you to do."

 

"Your Majesty!"

 

"Are you telling me to push you into danger again?"  Wang Yoo asks, completely oblivious to the fact that he's already putting her in danger by secretly visiting her in the Inner Court.

 

"If I can help you restore you throne, I don't care about...my life."

 

Wang Yoo rises.  "Seung Nyang!"

 

"Do you...only see me as a Court Lady serving the Emperor of Yuan?  As before, I am still a subject of Goryeo, and your faithful servant.  So, please don't block my willingness.  Even if I get caught, I will never let any harm come to you."

 

"I though wrong," Wang Yoo whispers, as he realizes the enormity of what he has just done.  "I shouldn't have come to see you."  Exactly.

 

"Your Majesty."

 

"It's an order.  Don't ever get involved in this matter."

 

"It's Hae-Si!"  A servant yells outside.  "It's Hae-si!"

 

"I should get going," Wang Yoo whispers.

 

"Your Majesty."

 

He turns to look at her.  He really shouldn't have been playing with fire in the first place.  Seung Nyang puts his robe on over his shoulders.  He keeps his facial expression stony.

 

"It's done," says Seung Nyang.

 

He turns and walks away as tears stream down Seung Nyang's face.  He should not have put her in a compromising position to begin with, and then get mad at her for pushing it further.

 

She walks toward a side door, not seeing that Wang Yoo had re-entered the building, and he's not too far behind her.

 

I'm sorry, Seung Nyang.  If you get in trouble, neither me nor the Emperor can save you.  Which was why he absolutely should not have been a creep and snuck into the Inner Palace in the first place...

 

*****

 

Emperor Toghon is happily waiting on Seung Nyang's bed.  He comfortably lays down.  He pretends she is happily standing beside his bed.  "Seung Nyang, lie down."

 

The imaginary Seung Nyang rests her head on his arm and smiles sweetly.

 

"Your head is as light as a feather."

 

"Your arm pillow is comfortable," says the imaginary Seung Nyang.

 

Emperor Toghon snorts.  "Is that so?  Now, how about you come into my arms, then?"

 

The imaginary Seung Nyang gasps, buries her head in his arm, and lightly punches him.

 

"Hurry and come into my arms.  Come on, Seung Nyang."

 

The imaginary Seung Nyang lightly hits him in the chest and giggles.

 

"Here," says Emperor Toghon. 

 

She lightly punches him in the chest multiple times.  "Your Majesty."

 

"That's right.  This is the time."

 

"What are you doing?"  The real Seung Nyang asks harshly.

 

Emperor Toghon sits up with a start, awkwardly tangling himself in the bedding.  "Oh...the bed was..."

 

Seung Nyang clears her throat.

 

"H-how dare y-you as a woman...Where have you been that you're c-coming back so late?"

 

"After coming here intoxicated and insulting me last time, was it still not enough?"

 

"In-Intoxicated?  Wh-When did I do that?"

 

"You don't remember?"

 

"I can't remember anything."

 

Seung Nyang sighs.  "Then ask Eunuch Baek about that day, and what happened while you were drunk."

 

Emperor Toghon buries his face in his hands.  "D-Did I make a lot of mistakes?"

 

"Please return to your quarters."

 

"F-fine.  Well...Fine, I'm g-going.  But, Seung Nyang, that day, what did I..."

 

She shoots him the death stare.

 

"I-I-I'm going.  I should go.  Then...sleep well."

 

Seung Nyang sighs as she watches him leave.  Men...

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Do you really not remember?"  Eunuch Baek asks.

 

"I told you, I don't," Emperor Toghon says agitatedly.

 

"You ran into Yang's room intoxicated, and..."

 

"You fool!"  Emperor Toghon pushes him.  "You should've stopped me!  How could you just stand by and watch?"

 

"You were so determined."

 

"So?"  Emperor Toghon looks around to be sure there are no additional eavesdroppers.  "Then...so...did I perhaps...make a mistake towards Yang?"

 

Eunuch Baek grins.  "That I do not know."

 

The two men laugh.

 

"I'm going to kill you!"  Emperor Toghon snarls.  He sighs.  "Seriously.  When Wang Yoo just stands there, with his hands clasped behind his back, people remark how great he looks.  But I don't know why everything I do turns out this way.  What are you looking at?  I look great, too."

 

"Yes," Eunuch Baek bows.

 

***********

 

Wang Yoo unsheathes his sword, ready to practice.  He spins around, slices through the air, and finally slices through the two bamboo posts in front of him.  Moo Song nods his head in approval.

 

I need to enrage El Temur enough to go after his servants.  If I was El Temur with infinite power, what would I get enraged by the most?

 

He jumps up and slices through a bundle of three poles.

 

*******

 

"It's been a long time, Steward Jang," Wang Yoo says to Lord Jang.

 

Lord Jang is carrying a tray full of scrolls.  "I heard you were invited by the Empress Dowager."

 

"Yes.  I'm on my way there right now."

 

"Have a nice time," says Lord Jang.

 

Wang Yoo, Moo Song, and Eunuch Bang take notice of the tray of colorful scrolls Lord Jang is carrying.

 

"What's wrong, Your Majesty?"  Eunuch Baek asks.

 

"It's a petition," says Wang Yoo.

 

"Petition?"  Moo Song asks.

 

"El Temur is said to be using the Royal Seal instead of the Emperor."

 

"The Emperor is said to be illiterate," Eunuch Bang whispers.

 

"If we use a petition well," says Wang Yoo, "we might be able to pour oil in El Temur's rage."

 

"But it won't be easy to get a petition delivered," says Moo Song.

 

"That...I'll take care of," says Eunuch Bang.  "You know that I have connections."

 

"It has to be someone trustworthy," says Wang Yoo.

 

"There's no need to worry, Your Majesty," Eunuch Bang whispers.

 

*****

 

Just a few hours prior, Eunuch Bang had met up with Seung Nyang in the library.

 

"If there's anything I can help with, mark your face," says Seung Nyang.

 

"What do you mean, 'mark?'"  Eunuch Bang asks.

 

"If I see a mark on your face, I'll come here at this hour."

 

"I understand, Seung Nyang."

 

"His Majesty must not know that I'm helping."

 

"If he knows, I'll be dead first."

 

"I can't help it," Eunuch Bang says to himself.  "It's not something that can be done without Seung Nyang's help."

 

*********

 

"What?"  Empress Danashiri asks.  "Empress Dowager is hosting a luncheon?"

 

"Yes, Your Majesty," Court Lady Seo replies.  "She has invited the King of Goryeo, and is having a luncheon with the Emperor."

 

"But I'm being excluded?  She blatantly disregards me.  Tell them to set a place for me, too."  Empress Danashiri takes a seat near her active incense burner.

 

"Your Majesty, it's being called a luncheon, but it's just a little get together.  But you weren't invited.  Why would you--"

 

Empress Danashiri gives her the death stare.  "Hurry up and tell them, I said!"

 

"Yes, Your Majesty," Court Lady Seo leaves Empress Danashiri at her makeup table.

 

"She invited the King of Goryeo?"  Empress Danashiri grabs her incense burner, and deeply inhales the scent.

 

**********

 

Empress Dowager gives Empress Danashiri side eye, while taking a spoonful of soup.  Empress Danashiri beams.

 

Seung Nyang is standing next to a drinking Emperor Toghon.

 

"Wang Yoo," says Empress Dowager.  "May I pour you a drink?"

 

"How could I refuse Your Highness' offer?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

Empress Dowager smiles, and wonders if she could get away with taking him as a lover.

 

Emperor Toghon glares at them as Empress Dowager pours Wang Yoo's tea.  It's like watching his mother flirt with the hottest guy in his highschool.

 

"I heard you were skilled in the military arts, and I thought you would be rough, but your artistry is also extraordinary," says Empress Dowager.

 

Emperor Toghon wants to roll his eyes.

 

"Artistry goes with duty," says Wang Yoo, "and duty is in line with honor.  So, artistry and military arts are not so far apart."

 

"That's very true," Empress Dowager agrees.  "An impudent's sword can't be courageous."

 

"Nothing is more cowardly than artistry without learning," Empress Danashiri pipes up, "and nothing is more dangerous than military arts without knowledge."

 

"That's right," Emperor Toghon agrees.  "You've said it right."

 

Empress Dowager gives Empress Danashiri the stink eye.  "Are you suggesting Wang Yoo lacks knowledge?"

 

"I heard the rumor that he is hot tempered and a womanizer," says Empress Danashiri.

 

Emperor Toghon grins.

 

"Wang Yoo is my invited guest," Empress Dowager says pointedly.  "Watch your mouth."

 

"The Empress is not wrong," Wang Yoo admits.

 

Seung Nyang feels her heart falling.  Was he screwing someone else while we were apart?  

 

"When I encounter an enemy on the battleground," says Wang Yoo, "I become brutal, and when I see a beauty at a drinking table," he looks at Empress Danashiri, "my breathing becomes faster."

 

How can he be so blatant?  Empress Danashiri thinks.

 

"That was a witty remark," Empress Dowager beams.

 

Emperor Toghon clears his throat.  "Enough.  I've been reading poetry at bedtime lately."

 

"You were?"  Empress Dowager asks incredulously.

 

"Your Majesty, do you know how to read?"  Empress Danashiri pointedly asks.

 

He clears his throat once more.  "If I recite a verse, will you respond with another?"  He asks Wang Yoo.

 

"Please go ahead," says Wang Yoo.

 

Emperor Toghon looks at Seung Nyang and nods.  Emperor Toghon beams.  "Jang An Seong Du Du Baek Oh."

 

Seung Nyang tries so hard to suppress her laughter.

 

"Ya Bi Yeon Choo Moon Sang Ho," Emperor Toghon says proudly.

 

Empress Dowager grins.

 

"Ok Jeol Dal Gwan..." Emperor Toghon continues.  "Ju...Ju..."  He looks at Seung Nyang.  "Ah...that is...I knew it until a moment ago."

 

"Thanks for the great poetry," says Wang Yoo.

 

"What does it mean?"  Empress Danashiri asks.

 

"That...is..." Emperor Toghon stammers.  "Right.  The crow...crow...head turned white...Right.  At night it cries and then..."

 

Should I shoot you now or watch you suffer?  Seung Nyang thinks.

 

"What comes after?"  Empress Danashiri sneers.  She enjoys watching her sexually avoidant husband making an ass out of himself.

 

"Seriously!  Everyone here knows what it means, except you!"  Emperor Toghon deflects.  "You respond," he says to Wang Yoo.

 

"Guk Pa San Ha Jae, Seong Choon Cho Mok Shim.  The country is ruined, but the river and mountain remain the same.  the trees in the palace in spring are covered in green.  Gam Si Hwa Cheon Roo, Han Byeol Jo Keyong Shim.  Even the flowers cry, even the birds in the sky weep for our parting.  Bong Hwa Yeong Sam Wol, Ga Seo Jeo Man Geum.  The signal fires of war burn for three months, and news of home can't be heard even by paying 10,000 nyang.  Baek Du So Gaeng Dan, Hon Yok Bul Seung Jam.  The white hair keeps getting shorter, so I am unable to wear a hairpin."

 

A thoughtful silence fills the room.

 

"That poetry doesn't sound right," Emperor Toghon comments.  "You should work on reciting poems some more, Wang Yoo."

 

"Why?"  Empress Danashiri asks.  "That was very fine.  You're very good at composing poems."

 

"That was 'Chungmang,' by Dubo," says Empress Dowager.

 

"It's a poem worrying about the family and the country," says Wang Yoo.

 

"Seeing you are skillful in both literature and marital arts," say Empress Dowager, "I understand why admiring women are lined up for you."

 

"You are over complimenting me, Empress Dowager."

 

Emperor Toghon sighs.  "Dubo?"  He whispers.

 

*******

 

Seung Nyang steps outside the quarters, and stands across from Eunuch Bang.  He has a distinct black dot drawn below his left eye.  As she looks over, he makes it a point to cover it up, and then uncover it.  Message recieved.

 

********

 

Emperor Toghon stands in the full moon shaped doorway, and pointedly stares at Seung Nyang.  "Golta, let's go."

 

"Yes, Your Majesty," says Eunuch Baek.

 

Eunuch Bang points at his mark as Seung Nyang walks away.  She nods her head in acknowledgement.

 

 

...To be continued...