PLEASE LEAVE REVIEWS SO I CAN DO BETTER IN NEXT CHAPTER'S
............
Joseon royal palace, courtroom
The minister and other officials are talking among themselves about today's meeting details and the proposals they wanted to make, but the main powerhouses—state councillors, six ministers, and the inspector general—are silently watching everything when the court eunuch declares in a loud voice
"Attention! His Majesty the King is making his presence in court"
*The courtroom felt silent. The king entered the courtroom and sat on the throne.*
" Before starting today's meeting, I have some important things to discuss" said the king calmly.
"We await your order, your majesty" said the ministers in unison.
" Hmm! First, you all know that I didn't visit the Jongmyo Shrine with the royal family after my first son, the first prince, was born"
"We know, Your Majesty," spoke the ministers in unison.
"I was in very poor health at that time, but now my health has recovered greatly,"
"We congratulate His Majesty for his recovery. The heavens and the ancestors are blessing our Joseon," said the ministers in unison.
"Secondly the prince's first dol is coming, and I want to visit the shrine before that" ordered the king.
"A wise decision, your majesty," said the ministers in unison.
"I hereby order the ministry of rites to discuss this matter and report back to me in evening court"
"The servant minister of rites received the royal order"
"Then we should start the official work"
"Yes your majesty"
.......
Joseon royal palace, Queen's quarter
"Mother when will we go to visit the Jongmyo Shrine" asked the young prince queriesly
"His Majesty said he will make preparations at today's court meeting" said the queen
"But how long will it take, Mother?"
"Visiting Jongmyo Shrine is not something that can be done randomly, my child"
"Why, Mother, isn't it a normal visit?"
" We visit the shrine to pay respect to our ancestors and pray for Joseon's peace and prosperity." Said the queen calmly,
"It is a state ritual performed by the royal family, and it will be our first visit after your birth"
"Oo! I didn't know a visit held such an importance, Mother,"
"It holds far more importance then you understand my child"
"After his majesty ordered the visit, the ministry of rites needs to prepare for the rituals and ceremonies," said the queen.
" Your first doll is also coming, many preparations needs to done before that"
"All of this will take time, and we, the royal family, also need to prepare our souls and bodies for this important visit" said the queen with a little serious face.
"Yes, Mother, I understand,"
"Mother, are three of us ride same palanquin"
"I am not going my child"
"Huh! But why mother, you are the mother of the whole country isn't it bad if you don't pray for the country"
"Our Confucianism rules didn't permit women to go and pray in state ritual"
"These state rituals are very bad"
"Prince! You can't say those words this is our culture"
"Remember my prince even if you are young words still holds weight, you are HIS MAJESTYS first born child" said the queen with a serious face and heavy voice
"I understand mother" said the young prince sadly
" i will pray from the palace and someone needs stay in the palace and manage it, right my prince " said the queen in a kind voice
"Yes mother "
.....
Joseon royal palace, courtroom
Evening court,
"Your majesty, I have made the plans for the royal visit to Jongmyo Shrine" said the minister of rites.
"Very good, explain the planning in detail," said the king.
"Yes your majesty,
Ceremonies, rituals, and prayers would take 8 hours in total, starting at 8 am and lasting till 4 pm. The rituals take place on 25 December in this month; I will explain everything one by one.
....
FIRST
A. Palace Preparation (1-2 hours)
- The visit would begin with intense preparation inside the palace.
- The king, first prince, and other royal family members would bathe and dress in formal ceremonial robes.
- Officials would also wear appropriate ritual clothing according to rank.
2. Procession Formation:
- The Ministry of Rites coordinated everything.
- Officials, court musicians, ritual dancers, and guards lined up in a strict order.
- Sacred ritual items like ancestral tablets, incense burners, and offerings were prepared and transported ahead.
3. Departure:
- The royal party departed from the palace in a proper protocol by palanquin.
-Royal guards and soldiers cleared the roads and protected the king.
- Confucian etiquette and ritual order were strictly followed.
.....
SECOND
1. Main Ritual (3-4 hours)
The core of this visit—the actual "ancestral worship ceremony"—was held in the Jongmyo shrine.
2. Entering Jongmyo: The king would enter the shrine slowly and respectfully.
- He would stop at specific points to bow, purify himself, or make symbolic gestures.
3. Offering Ritual (Jesa):*
- Food and drink were offered to the ancestral spirits (former kings and queens).
- Each offering was placed in a specific order and location.
4. Music & Dance:
- Accompanied by the Jongmyo Jeryeak—royal court music and traditional dance
5. Reading Prayers:
- The king or an officiating official would read formal prayers aloud to communicate with the spirits.
6. Bowing and Worship:
- Multiple deep bows were made—sometimes nine times.
- The ceremony followed the strict Confucian ritual structure.
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Third
1. Closing & Return (1–2 hours)
- The ceremony ended with final bows and the removal of offerings.
- The spirits were symbolically guided back to rest.
The royal family will return to the palace, and the state visit will officially end.
This is my plan for the royal visit, your majesty," finished the minister of rites.
" Good very good. You have done a great job; I appreciate it,"
"I am unworthy of such praise, your majesty," said the minister of rites.
"Hmm! Make preparations as you planned," ordered the king.
"The servant received the royal command" answers the minister of rites.
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• END Of CHAPTER.
• I am a new writer and this is my very first novel also english is not my native language so please bear with me, i will try better in new chapters. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT