Soo-min and the Joseon Palace

White

Soo-min's world had shrunk to the steamy, suffocating heat of the laundry courtyard. The grand, curved roofs of the Joseon palace were just a story she glimpsed through the swirling clouds of vapor, a world away from the village she had left behind.

Her small hands, already red and raw, scrubbed the coarse hemp of a court lady's undergarment against the washing stone. The rhythmic thump-thump-thump of the laundry sticks around her was the drumbeat of her new life.

"You're doing it all wrong, stupid girl!"

A sharp slap stung the back of Soo-min's head. It was official apprentice Yang Geonsuk, her face a permanent mask of sharp angles and deep displeasure. "The water for the royal linens is not even hot yet. Are you trying to get us all punished?"

Soo-min flinched, bowing her head low. "I am sorry, miss Yang." She scurried to the large iron cauldron, her arms trembling as she lifted the heavy bucket of water. Everything she did was wrong. The folds were not sharp enough, the scents of the herbs not strong enough, the delivery not quiet enough.

"Do not be too hard on her Geonsuk."

The voice was soft as silk. It was official apprentice Choi Mina, who had the gentle eyes of a doe. Though her smile that never seemed to reach them. She glided over, placing a hand on Soo-min's trembling shoulder. "She is just a newbie, learning her place. Here, let me help you."

Mina took the bucket, her movements effortless. "You must pour it slowly, not all at once, or you will make the water too cold. See? Miss Yang is only strict because she wants you to excel. We all started off learning, everyone makes mistakes, but you improve over time, you become smarter. Just bear with it."

Soo-min's heart swelled with gratitude. In this cold, hard place, Mina seemed like the only warmth. The court of Joseon was a competitive place, at the top the King ruled all of Joseon, his wife the Queen ruled the ladies of the court which included the concubines, and the strict system of palace maids. Yang Geonsuk and Choi Mina were both from middle class families, as apprentices in the wardrobe department of the palace, they were supervising the manual labourers in the laundry to make sure the clothes were washed properly. Though they were the lowest rank of officials, they had one. Soo-min was a commoner, she did not have a rank, she just worked, and it was hard work. But it was still better than starving on a farm married to a drunk. She was lucky they had accepted her even at the lowest position at the age of eighteen when most palace maids began working much earlier.

After Mina had helped Soo-min adjust the temperature, Soo-min's work went more smoothly. She managed to clean the clothes correctly this time, and without Geonsuk hitting her again. Mina tasked Soo-min with delivering a freshly pressed and perfumed hanbok to a mid-ranking court lady. Mina had personally overseen the task. "You did such a beautiful job, Soo-min," Mina had praised, her voice a soothing balm for the soreness Soo-min felt.

Soo-min carefully carried the robe to the residence of the court lady, holding the expensive silk in her hands, which had been cleaned to make sure she didn't stain the robe while carrying it. Brimming with pride on her first delivery to an official, announced her arrival loudly and after permission slid the thin paper and wood door open with one hand while carrying the robe in the other.

Soo-min couldn't see the ground for the silk she carried. She tripped on the way into the dark room. Stumbled and fell, throwing the neat robe on the floor. She tried to regain her balance and ended up stepping on it. The court lady's face darkened. She picked up the robe. With a sneer she twisted it into something more like a whip, then started hitting Soo-min with it.

"Foolish girl! Clumsy idiot! Are you insulting me? How dare you step on my robes, take this back immediately and do it again and send someone worthy of life to deliver it this time!"