Lady Yoo was scowling when her maid brought tea.
"My husband loves Gildong too much!" she said angrily. "He should love Inhyun more—not some lowborn boy."
The maid nodded. "My lady, perhaps you need to get rid of Gildong."
Lady Yoo sighed. "I tried, but my husband sent only Mongdol away."
"Well, there are other ways," the maid said. "But they are not cheap."
"I'll do anything. I just want him gone," Lady Yoo said.
"Of course, my lady." The maid smiled. "I know someone who could help."
A few days later, Lady Yoo was walking with Lord Hong. Her maid approached with a strange woman.
"My lord, my lady. This visitor is here to speak to you," the maid said.
"Who are you?" Lord Hong asked.
The woman smiled. "My name is Choonja. I am a face-reader. I can also tell a person's future by looking at their face. I am here to offer my services to Your Lordship."
Lord Hong grumbled. "I don't believe in such things."
"Husband, why not let her try?" Lady Yoo said.
"Fine," Lord Hong said.
Choonja stared at Lord Hong. "Your Lordship has a most noble face. You will serve the kingdom for many years." She closed her eyes and waved her hands. "I sense an energy from the side of your body . . . bamboo?"
Lord Hong blinked in surprise. "I have a scar shaped like bamboo on my side. How did you know that? Only my wife knows of it!"
Lady Yoo smiled at Choonja. "You are very talented. Please tell us what you see in our son's face."
"Yes, and please read Gildong's face as well," Lord Hong said.
Inhyun came out first.
"This boy is kind and smart," the face-reader said. "He will be an important man, just like his father."
Gildong came out next. "You asked to see me, Your Lordship?" he said.
Choonja turned pale and backed away from the boy.
Lord Hong looked worried. He sent both boys away.
"What did you see?" he asked Choonja.
"I cannot say it out loud, my lord," Choonja said.
"I command you to speak!" Lord Hong said.
Choonja crawled closer to Lord Hong. "There is danger in the boy," she said quietly.
"What danger? Please tell us," Lady Yoo said.
"That boy will become a king!"
"Impossible!" Lord Hong said.
Lady Yoo grabbed his arm. "Gildong is lowborn. To become a king . . . he must commit evil deeds!"