Chao-lieh of (Shu-) Han and Chu Ko-liang, and that this was why he himself had always admired this work. He also told him
various sayings of wise Kings and famed subjects of ancient times in a form of story, to which the Prince responded remark ably well, although he was ill. As soon as the Prince got better, I went down with the measles, probably because I was worried so much over the Prince's sickness not long after my childbirth, thus my symptoms were very serious. The baby (King Chongjo) broke out into a rash at the same time I did. He was then only three months old but the symptoms were mild and he passed through the illness without much trouble. Lady Sonhui and my father were both afraid of my concern over the sick baby
in my illness, and so they did not tell me that he was also infected. I was therefore unaware until they told me that my father had to go backward and forward between me and the baby and had been concerned beyond what words could express. One night he collapsed and had been unable to stand up. When, after I recovered, I heard of his distress and concern for us for the first time, I was very sorry. One of the wet nurses nursed the baby and my father had to look after the sick baby all by himself to his utmost anxiety. Fortunately the baby passed through the illness without much trouble, much to my surprise; he had grown well after the measles and could already understand letters on his first birthday. He was indeed precoc
ious and quite different from the ordinary children. In the early Autumn of 1753 the King personally tortured the Senior Superintendent of Education (Taejehak)1 Cho Kwan-bin at the 1
Court and everyone in the Court was very frightened. The two year old baby waved his hand and said "Don't shout". It was very strange that a two year old baby could be so intelligent. At the age of three he was given a royal instructor and was taught the Classic of Filial Piety (Hyogyong)1 . His young age did not disturb his learning. He loved learning so much that it was not at all hard to teach him. At the age of six when the King invited the Confucian scholars into the Court and held a
lecture, he asked him (King Chongjo) to read the book beside the King's seat. He read it so well with such a clear voice that the Royal Instructor, Nam, Yu-yong said "A child of the immortals has come to read this book". At which King Yongjo was extremely delighted. I do not think there was ever anyone so precocious. When he was still very young he gave so much evidence of his devotion to the Crown Prince that I can hardly recollect it all and put it down. Everything about him was unlike a common
person, and more akin to a heavenly being. This was the glorious son I had when I myself was still young and later I gave birth to Ch ' ongyon^ in 1754 (Kapsul) and Ch ' ongson^ in 1756
(Pyöngja). Ch ongyon had a very gentle and generous disposition and C h 'ongson had a beautiful appearance and a gentle heart, so they were like two beads in my hand. Everyone respected and envied me.
As to my own family, my father was earnest, achieved a great name and shone with prosperity. And also I had many
brothers and sisters which made me feel secure. When my mother visited the Court, she used to come with my youngest sister and
Hsiao ching; a compilation of filial piety doctrines by Confucius (551-479 B.C.) and Tseng, Tsian (505-437 B.C.). An ancient Chinese classic.
See BI. 2
3
61 brother^ ahead of her. My youngest brother was born in the
latter part of my parents' lives and so they loved him especially. Moreover his character was loyal, pure-hearted and generous.
From childhood he showed a spirit which gave promise that he would make a great name for himself later on. King Chongjo
loved him very much and played with him, so I also loved him especially and expected great things of him. My youngest sister was born after I came to the Court at a time when my parents missed me very much. Most people would take more delight in begetting a boy, but my family missed me so much after I came to the palace that when my youngest sister was born, the whole family was overjoyed and I also was glad as if I had left part of myself at home with my parents. My sister's nature was as
flawless as jade and her behaviour was filial. In spite of my parents' and brothers' excessive love for her, she was never haughty. Whenever she came to the Court, both Queens and Lady Sönhüi loved her. At the Royal Wedding reception in T'ongmyong-
jon court maids from all the palaces held her in their arms one after another as if they were enjoying the sight of the moon or lotus blossom. This showed how beautiful her natural disposition was. I loved her deeply not only as a sister but also for what
she was in herself. She always stayed near me (when she came to Court) and when she paid a visit to the palace with my mother in 1750 (Kyongo) at the age of five, and she heard that I was expecting the baby, said "The King will be very happy" just like a grown-up. Everyone who heard her was surprised and Queen
Hyosun hung a pendant jewel upon her (jacket). Later on, when I saw her, she was no longer wearing it, and when I asked the reason, she answered, "Because the lady who gave it to me was 1
no longer h e r e / so I did not wear it." When she came to see me the Autumn after that sad national event of April/May 1752
2
(3m Imsin) , she wept to see me, and again broke into tears when she held the hand of the governess who used to look after the baby. She was only seven then and it was strange to see how she could be so precocious. For the Happy Event of October
3
1752 (9m Imsin) my mother came to Court together with my little sister, who, when she saw the baby said "This child looks so big and strong he will never cause my sister any anxiety." Everyone who was there laughed, but my mother rebuked her instead because her words were not proper for a young child. But I told my mother not to blame her because after all she was right.
At that time, the Court was full of continuous happiness and my home was also prosperous with my brothers and sisters
all doing better than most. So all the court ladies congratulated me on my good fortune. The Crown Prince treated my mother
extremely well, being very respectful to her, just as if she had not been a commoner. My mother loved and treasured him as
few mothers-in-law do, and devoted her whole heart to him. When my mother came to Court, if there was anything which made the Prince upset, my mother would calm him saying "Things are not like that". Then he would soon recover himself. When I had Ch'ongyon in 1754 (Kapsul), my mother stayed in the royal palace for almost 50 days, and all the time the Prince treated her so kindly that my mother was very deeply appreciative of his favour.
1
2
3
Queen Hyosun died 1751. The death of Uiso.
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