“Master?”

As I was examining the disciple’s attire, the 13th Prince called me with a slightly more distinct smile on his lips.

“Are you so upset that you won’t even speak with this disciple?”

He said this when I couldn’t immediately answer his question about whether I was upset.

Hearing his question, my mind, which had been captivated by Lin Hwa and his attire for a moment, suddenly snapped back.

I quickly put strength into my eyes and answered in a manner similar to usual.

“How could that be? Your Highness looks even more outstanding and handsome than usual today, so my eyes were dazzled and I couldn’t answer.”

Then, as I glanced at him, the disciple laughed lightly… but his expression seemed close to saying ‘I knew it’.

‘What did he know?’

As I was looking puzzled, the disciple opened the book in front of him and spoke calmly.

“Please look at the book I brought. We’ve delayed a lot of time today.”

Is he telling me to stop talking nonsense and just start the lesson?

[This is the timeline separator]

After the lecture ended.

I deliberately walked slowly towards the flower garden, lost in thought about how to make Sun An and the 9th Princess meet naturally.

When they reach marriageable age, unmarried men and women don’t mix well.

But once marriage talks begin, opportunities are naturally created for them to meet or greet each other in passing.

Not just the marriage parties, but parents too, because they’re curious if their children can live well in the marriage they’ve arranged.

‘Don’t focus too much on it being a special situation. Let’s think of this in that way too.’

I racked my brains hard under the assumption that I was the matchmaker.

‘It would be best if the 9th Princess could go out. But that won’t happen.’

She could go out with permission, but the 9th Princess was currently firmly on the bad side of the Emperor and Empress.

They wouldn’t come to hate their own child completely because of this, but they won’t freely grant permission for outings.

Then I’d have to bring Sun An to the palace.

‘What excuse could I use to bring him?’

[This is the timeline separator]

I couldn’t arbitrarily bring Sun An to the palace.

To bring Sun An, who hadn’t entered an official position, here, he needed to be summoned by someone in a very high official position or invited by members of the royal family.

If I had been close with the 13th Prince, I would have asked him to invite Sun An. Even though the 13th Prince was still a mistreated prince, the palace was his home, so he had the authority to invite guests.

However, the disciple and I weren’t that close.

‘But since we know that marriage talks are ongoing and the 9th Princess is trying to interfere, if I explain well, he might help…’

Is it because he’s the one who led me to the highest position and then poisoned me? I’m afraid there might be future consequences even if he helps.

I couldn’t ask the 9th Princess herself either. It’s hard enough for me to have a private audience with the 9th Princess, how could I ask her to bring my friend too?

Putting aside shame and asking the 2nd Prince or 6th Prince seemed strange too, for them to invite my friend and then call the 9th Princess…

‘Ah! No. There’s no need to call the 9th Princess.’

Because she’ll come on her own!

[This is the timeline separator]

I was debating whether to talk to the 2nd Prince or 6th Prince about Sun An, and decided to go to the 2nd Prince.

At first glance, the 6th Prince seemed more lively and good at socializing, but when the 13th Prince called me earlier with the excuse of being sick, the 2nd Prince showed a slightly more gracious attitude. Even though there was nothing to gain for him.

On the other hand, the 6th Prince, despite talking to me properly for the first time, already showed signs of trying to form factions.

It would be troublesome if bringing Sun An made him think the Sun and Yo families were on his side, like a faction.

So the 2nd Prince is appropriate. Besides, I have a good excuse to meet him, don’t I?

‘I can thank him for naturally helping me get out when the 13th Prince called me.’

Start the conversation that way, then find an opportunity to create a reason for the 2nd Prince to invite Sun An.

‘Did the 2nd Prince like archery?’

As soon as I made the plan, I went without delay to Uhyeon Pavilion where the 2nd Prince resided.

“I am Yo Yohwa, the foreign teacher of the 13th Prince. I wish to see the 2nd Prince.”

Fortunately, once I passed the outer gate, the 2nd Prince’s eunuch recognized me, perhaps from seeing me at the 6th Prince’s banquet before, and greeted me with a smile.

“Master Yo. Have you come to see the 2nd Prince?”

“I came to give my thanks. Is His Highness very busy?”

“Please wait a moment.”

The 2nd Prince’s eunuch went inside and soon came back gesturing for me to enter.

“His Highness asks you to come in.”

“Thank you.”

As I entered the room, I saw the 2nd Prince arranging half-finished jewels on a table.

When our eyes met, he smiled and explained the purpose of the jewels without me even asking.

“It’s the Princess Consort’s birthday soon. I want to give her a hair ornament.”

“The Princess Consort will surely be delighted.”

“I hope she likes it.”

The 2nd Prince looked down at the jewels contentedly, then gestured for me to sit and asked:

“So, what brings Master Yo to me?”

“Your Highness helped me the other day, didn’t you?”

“I did?”

“When the 13th Prince was ill. Thanks to Your Highness stepping in, I was able to leave without feeling awkward towards the 6th Prince and 9th Princess. I’m truly grateful.”

“Ah. You came because of that.”

At the 2nd Prince’s gesture, a court lady approached without even making a sound from her skirts, set down tea on the table, and withdrew.

Ah. She’s completely different from our Gi Yang of Wolmugung, whose face is hard to even see.

Well, she’s later revealed to be a spy, so she wouldn’t have any loyalty…

“The thirteenth has nothing. So we should take pity and look after him. But since the Empress has no legitimate children, the princes subtly check each other even if they don’t show it. Because of this, the thirteenth is suffering a lot.”

Watching the 2nd Prince click his tongue, I remembered that the 13th Prince didn’t kill the 2nd Prince before his regression.

Hmm. Right. He didn’t kill him. Is it because of things like this?

Anyway, thinking this was good, I tried various topics of conversation, and became certain that the 2nd Prince was interested in archery.

As soon as I heard this, I thought it was fortunate and quickly said:

“I have a friend who is very good at archery. He can shoot three arrows to hit one target simultaneously.”

It was slightly exaggerated but not entirely false. The success rate was just a bit low, but it was really possible when he was in good condition.

The 2nd Prince, seemingly surprised, asked with round eyes:

“Really? Who is it?”

“He’s a son of the Sun family, he’s only passed the second level exam so far and is preparing for the highest exam. Your Highness probably hasn’t heard his name. His name is Sun An.”

“I know the Sun family. Quite a reputable noble family, isn’t it?”

The 2nd Prince showed curiosity even though Sun An hadn’t taken office yet, then brightly suggested to me:

“That’s great. It’ll get cold soon, and when winter comes, it’s hard to shoot arrows freely outside. Before it gets colder, it would be nice if a few of us could gather to shoot arrows and have fun.”

“That’s wonderful. I’d be happy to.”

I smiled broadly and casually brought up:

“It would be more fun if several people gathered to form teams and play.”

I said this hoping he would additionally invite the 6th Prince.

With just the three of us – the 6th Prince, me, and Sun An – it would be hard for the 9th Princess to come due to the Empress’s watchful eyes, but if a few family members were mixed in, the 9th Princess could naturally come saying she was just watching.

But the 2nd Prince made a completely unnecessary consideration.

“Right. Let’s do that. Ah, it would be nice to invite the thirteenth too.”

I choked on my tea and started coughing.

After coughing a few times, I looked at the 2nd Prince, who burst out laughing and said:

“Why are you so surprised? The thirteenth doesn’t get along with his siblings, does he? But he seems to follow you well, so we should invite him at times like this. If we all mingle together a few times, everyone will start to look after the thirteenth more comfortably.”

Oh my… oh my… oh my goodness.

As I was too shocked to say anything, the 2nd Prince continued to mutter:

“But this way we have five people. We need an even number to split into teams. Should we invite one more person? Who should we invite?”

I waited anxiously for his next words, but the 2nd Prince couldn’t decide on the spot who to invite.

In the end, I was satisfied with being able to bring Sun An to the palace, and bid farewell to him and left.

‘Who will the 2nd Prince invite? …Well. It doesn’t matter who he invites. As long as it’s not the 3rd Prince, but the 3rd Prince doesn’t participate in these kinds of games because his body is weak.’

[This is the timeline separator]

Two days later. I visited the Sun family early in the morning and nagged Sun An as he was getting dressed.

“Don’t you have any pretty clothes? It’s too dull!”

“Why don’t you add some accessories? It’s too plain.”

“That color doesn’t seem to suit you. Try on something else.”

“Why are you being so lazy? The maids dress you anyway.”

“How about tying your hair a bit more neatly?”

“No, it might be better a bit messy.”

Sun An’s maids dressed him according to what I said while giggling among themselves, finding it amusing.

On the other hand, Sun An initially followed my instructions with enthusiasm, but by the time he changed clothes for the thirtieth time, he exploded in anger.

“Stop it! No matter what, my face won’t get any better than this!”

“You lack confidence because you’re comparing yourself to me. Let’s compare you in that outfit to you in this outfit.”

As the maids started laughing loudly, Sun An grabbed his head and glared at me.

But in the end, he changed clothes about five more times, and I was satisfied and let it go.

“Good. This is quite presentable. You’ve become a fine young man.”

After checking the time, Sun An and I quickly entered the palace.

Sun An, entering the inner palace for the first time, seemed curious and looked around while following me.

“It’s truly vast and beautiful. It was impressive from the outside, but the inside is even more magnificent?”

“Didn’t you come for the highest exam?”

“Then I only entered the outskirts. Besides, the area was limited so I couldn’t look around.”

“Just pass the exam. You’ll see it until you’re sick of it.”

“Yeah.”

“You’ll see it until you’re sick of it even if you marry the Princess.”

In Hwaheum, married princes and princesses stay in the palace until their first child turns three. It was to show grandchildren to the Emperor.

When I brought up the 9th Princess, Sun An blushed and didn’t answer.

Meanwhile, we arrived at the archery field closest to Uhyeon Pavilion.

But lo and behold. We came early thinking we were early, but the 2nd Prince had already arrived.

Not only that. As if they had all agreed to come early, the 13th Prince and 6th Prince had arrived too.

“I greet the 2nd Prince, 6th Prince, and 13th Prince.”

Feeling guilty even though we weren’t late, I quickly greeted them in order.

As I glanced at the 13th Prince, fortunately, he didn’t seem displeased by this unexpected gathering. Probably.

‘I can’t tell what he’s thinking because his expression doesn’t change.’

Just as I was thinking this much should be fine, an unbelievable sound was heard.

“The 3rd Prince has arrived!”

“!”

The last guest the 2nd Prince invited was the 3rd Prince?

I widened my eyes and reflexively looked at my disciple. He was also looking at me, tilting his head. With a very chilling gaze,