|
Post by velvet inkbrush of YiSoonShin on Jul 4, 2004 21:50:39 GMT -5
The next few months were a difficult time for ji soon's soon-to-be-elite corps of soldiers. But Im Ho gwon understood the men and over time, though they had initially resented their commander, they began to respect and even like him. In their eyes, he was fearless, graceful under pressure and a skilled fighter - a role model to aspire to.
As the men began to adjust to his demanding schedule, they could see themselves improving. exercises that had been once near impossible to complete became an every day warm up for them. all the men in the regiment were stronger and faster than the other members of the imperial army. Though some might have felt tempted to gloat over their newfound skills or show off their superiority, the other soldiers began to affect what they had dubbed, "the commander's calm". Emulating their new leader, they began speaking in even tones as he did, trying not to speak unless every word was absolutely necessary. They wanted their attitudes to match their superior skills. Im ho gwon thought the time had come for ji soon to observe a demonstration of what his troops were now capable of...
|
|
|
Post by Chung Kyun on Jul 4, 2004 21:50:57 GMT -5
lol now thats what i call training.
|
|
|
Post by velvet inkbrush of YiSoonShin on Jul 4, 2004 21:58:04 GMT -5
Since his eldest son had made his ultimatum, the archfiend was struggling with how to best resolve this situation. Knowing choi bu's history, he had been pleased that his friend had found happiness, but for ji soon to abdicate, it threatened everything that he had worked for. Under no circumstances was ji young to be emperor. It was bad enough that ji soon had pressured him into allowing the drunken disappointment back into the imperial city, but the fact that he would not budge on the issue of his desired marriage was causing the archfiend a great deal of stress. the imperial court had already begun to divide on the issue. the men in the military, with the exception of im ho gwon's, sided with their leader. the ministers and court officials, concerned for the choas that could break sided with the crown prince. The archfiend turned to his friend and apologized, "Choi sang jang goon, I am sorry for what my son is doing."
in typical choi fashion, he answered, "Hwang sang bae ha, please do not apologize. i am an inferior man for my inability to give her up."
the archfiend shook his head. "no, if i were in your position, i don't think that i could do it either, no matter how great my loyalty was." he patted choi on the shoulder, "and i would not think you an inferior man for wishing to retain her." his tone became apologetic. "my greatest concern is that my hands may be forced into taking her away from you."
choi did not meet the emperors eyes, but ui min noticed the vein that throbbed on the side of his head. in a controlled voice, he replied, "bae ha, i know you will do what is best for the nation."
|
|
|
Post by Chung Kyun on Jul 4, 2004 22:00:27 GMT -5
here you go CK. happy now? ;D yes very! ;D
|
|
|
Post by velvet inkbrush of YiSoonShin on Jul 4, 2004 22:02:17 GMT -5
what choi bu found the most difficult thing to bear, aside from the fear that he would not be permitted to take chang bi for his own, was ji soon's continual presence around chang bi. when ji eun was at lessons, he insisted on seeing her, offering her everything that he thought a girl would desire. he sent her jewels, bolts of silk, elegantly carved jade. he'd even imported a beautiful caged bird from china. her polite refusals only seemed to redouble his efforts and since choi had to be at the emperor's side, there was nothing he could do to prevent it. He was confident that chang bi did not return the prince's affections, but the mere fact that ji soon would not desist was starting to wear down even his great reserve of patience.
|
|
|
Post by luvarchfiend on Jul 4, 2004 22:03:11 GMT -5
stand firm choi bu. don't just me hand me over like some old bag of rice. stand firm. and i can't be bought either.
|
|
|
Post by Chung Kyun on Jul 4, 2004 22:09:58 GMT -5
stand firm choi bu. don't just me hand me over like some old bag of rice. stand firm. and i can't be bought either. should everybody start calling you empress now? wife of soon to be emperor Yi Ji-soon. ;D
|
|
|
Post by velvet inkbrush of YiSoonShin on Jul 4, 2004 22:12:49 GMT -5
"chang bi yah" ji soon said to her warmly. They were in his sister's room playing a game with her. Chang bi noticed that he had been spending an inordinate amount of time in the princess' chambers. Ji eun however was delighted to have two of her favourite people in the same room. when chang bi didn't respond, ji soon said her name again.
"yes your highness?" she asked politely.
her recent formal behavior was starting to border on unbearable. "please, just call me yi jang goon if you must."
"it is not proper that i, a mere governess, refrain from using your official title" she said in a quiet voice.
"it's alright unnie!" ji eun chimed in. "it's just because ji soon cares for you so much that he wants you to, right oh lah buh nim?" he answered her bright smile with a nod of agreement.
"ji eun ah" he asked her, "don't you think chang bi unnie would make a wonderful empress?"
ji eun turned her shining eyes to chang bi, "Oh yes! you'd be the most beautiful empress in all of shilla - well after my mother of course" she amended. chang bi smiled wealkly at the princess. "chang bi unnie" she continued, "if oh lah buh nim likes you, why don't you just marry him and come live at the palace?" remembering her uncle, she added, "and your uncle could come too so he doesn't have to be lonely!"
chang bi tried very hard to maintain her composure, but she began to cry softly. "Unnie!" ji eun said in a worried tone. "What's wrong! Don't cry!" she crawled into chang bi's lap and threw her arms around her neck. chang bi responded only by hugging her and crying even harder.
ji soon had never seen her weep before. he hated it. knowing he was the cause only made it worse. he stood up suddenly and walked out of the room, not wanting to see any more. he ignored his sister who called after him. perhaps his father was right. perhaps it was foolish to try to force her into marryiing him.
|
|
|
Post by velvet inkbrush of YiSoonShin on Jul 4, 2004 22:16:00 GMT -5
When ji soon met with commander im, he confided in his aide that he was having doubts about forcing the marriage issue, Im ho gwon answered, I understand taeja chunhwa. I will postpone the demonstrations until you summon them again." thumping his chest in salute he left for ji young's quarters. he could not allow his efforts to be in vain
|
|
|
Post by velvet inkbrush of YiSoonShin on Jul 4, 2004 22:19:05 GMT -5
when ji young heard that his brother was faltering, he tried to find a way to change his mind. "Ho gwon" he asked his servant, "what would you suggest?"
he replied, "if the general sees choi bu together with his lady, i think that will be enough to inspire the necessary anger."
ji young smiled. "good. you find out where they spend time and i will arrange to have ji soon there at that time." Im thumped his chest and left.
|
|
|
Post by velvet inkbrush of YiSoonShin on Jul 4, 2004 22:25:14 GMT -5
after the scene in the princess' sitting room earlier, chang bi was looking forward to seeing general choi. When he met her after her duties were finished, they went for a walk. Watching from a concealed spot, Im ho gwon observed their route.
The emperor had just installed a new pond on the palace grounds. Already stocked with colorful carp, ducks had begun nesting and the lotus blossums had opened. Choi thought that it might please his love. walking to a bench, he took her by the hand and sat her down. "i didn't want to waste time riding" he told her. "but i thought this place would be a suitable change." she smiled and looked down shyly.
meanwhile, im ho gwon informed ji young about the couple's whereabouts. ji young immediately went to find his brother. "i think it's time ji soon and i had a look at father's newly completed project" he told Im before leaving
|
|
|
Post by velvet inkbrush of YiSoonShin on Jul 4, 2004 22:40:10 GMT -5
sitting with her handsome warrior, chang bi felt at peace and watched as the sun dipped past the walls surrounding the palace. Choi looked at her face, lit by the last fading rays of the setting sun. Though ji soon's behavior was infuriating to him, he found that he could not be angry when he saw her smiling. reaching into the pond, he pulled a lotus off its stem and placed it in her hair. she raised a hand to the flower and smiled. "is it my color?" she asked playfully.
Choi held her hand. "you could wear any color and still be no less lovely, my lady" he told her fondly. "she blushed and looked away.
*********
It had not been easy for ji young to convince his brother to walk with him, but his brother finally gave up and followed him. perhaps a walk would do him some good ji soon thought.
*********
chang bi pulled out the text that she had been working on with choi, but before she could unroll it, he placed a hand on the scroll and stopped her. "choi jang goon, do you not want to read today?" she asked.
He smoothed some hair off her face and smiled. "no, today i think i'd rather just speak with you."
"really?" she said feigning disdain, "what about?"
chang bi watched his face as he gathered his thoughts. she loved this man so much. his voice now serious, he looked at her and said, "i would like to ask your uncle's permission to make you as my wife."
both her hands flew to her mouth, and she felt tears of happiness well in her eyes. he smiled as he wiped them away. "does that make you happy?" he asked her.
she took his face in both her hands. "it does! it does!" he covered her hands with his own. "choi jang goon" she began hesitantly, are you certain-"
before she could finish, choi bu smiled and patted the breastplate of his armor.
"NEVER!! I WILL NEVER ALLOW IT!!"
they both turned to face the angry voice and saw ji soon standing next to his brother, his face enraged. he turned his eyes to choi. "so long as i am alive, i will not live to see the two of you wed." ordering ji young to follow him, he stormed off
finding commander Im still training with his troops, ji soon told him, "i wish for you to begin the demonstration first thing in the morning." im saluted.
|
|
|
Post by velvet inkbrush of YiSoonShin on Jul 4, 2004 22:41:45 GMT -5
dum dum dum..... (ominous music plays)
|
|
|
Post by velvet inkbrush of YiSoonShin on Jul 4, 2004 22:42:11 GMT -5
we need a good fight scene between him and choi bu.
|
|
|
Post by luvarchfiend on Jul 4, 2004 22:44:46 GMT -5
we need a good fight scene between him and choi bu. as long as choi bu wins, write that fight VIB. ;D
|
|