YCHW Ch 64

Yoonso opened his mouth but could not easily bring out any words. Among the concubines present in this room, only this Sowon was from a noble family, and he knew that Hyunbi and Seongbin did not come from any notable families.

He did not know what kind of life Hyunbi had lived before entering the palace as a Yeongchunhwa, but it was self-evident that in her eyes, he would appear to be a pampered, childish young master from a noble house.

He wanted to argue that he had wanted to live freely even if it meant being poor and struggling, that there were people like that, but a certain memory veiled his vision.

The children, emaciated, skinny, and filthy. The people whose eyes were empty, who showed no interest in anything. The young man who would not hesitate to steal just to get a few coins.

It was the first time he had actually seen such poverty. How could he claim that he, too, could endure something he had only truly realized after seeing it with his own eyes? Yoonso lowered his eyes in a sudden rush of self-loathing and powerlessness.

“Your Majesty.”

Hyunbi called to Yoonso in a voice that seemed somehow much softer.

“Yongrin, who are exhausted from visiting a scene of carnage, can be completely healed through consummation in just one night, no, a few hours. It is much more efficient than simple physical contact. Their consummation is different from the sexual relations that take place in the secular world. If one were to consider them the same, how miserable would the situation of the Yongrin be, who must sleep with another in order to live?”

It would also be harsh to ask the Yongrin, who had no choice but to cling to the Yeongchunhwa’s Guardian Star, to wait until the Yeongchunhwa was mentally prepared. Yoonso calmed his roiling insides, which were scattered with complex emotions, and nodded his head.

He was not merely a Yeongchunhwa, but the Empress. In a position where he had to lead all the Yeongchunhwa of this country, how could he project his own circumstances and insist on his own opinions? He also had to carefully consider how he would handle similar incidents that might arise after a single exception was made.

“I understand. However, I will have the noble consort spend sufficient time with the Yongrin she must consummate with for three days, and if she still refuses consummation after that, I will punish her. If she does not break her will even after being confined to the cold palace, she will have to be forced to consummate, so should we not do what we can before it comes to that.”

“Yes, your command is wise.”

After obtaining Hyunbi’s agreement, he was able to breathe a sigh of relief. Yoonso looked around at Seongbin and this Sowon to see if they had any other opinions. When their eyes met, this Sowon wore a crooked smile.

“Your Majesty must hold your own jade body dear, perhaps because you were raised so nobly.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I heard that the Emperor’s poison is as it was. Surely it is not that you have still not offered your Guardian Star?”

He was at a loss for words at the innocent-sounding question. Since entering the palace, they had only shared the same bed; they had neither performed convalescence nor had sexual relations, so there was no way for him to answer. Since silence was as good as an affirmation, conviction filled this Sowon’s mocking eyes.

“Your Majesty does not care about the Emperor at all. The Emperor suffered so much because he could not find a suitable Guardian Star…”

He had thought he could not help it even if this Sowon was hostile to him, but this kind of accusation was difficult to accept. Yoonso hardened his face and retorted.

“I am grateful for your concern, but this is a matter between the Emperor and myself, so it is not for this Sowon to interfere.”

“Are you trying to avoid the counsel that even the Emperor listens to? Ah, I finally understand why the Empress Dowager cherishes Lady Hyunbi. You are certainly different.”

It was a low-level trick to openly compare him to Hyunbi, belittling him while at the same time trying to drive a wedge between him and Hyunbi. As his relationship with the Empress Dowager was not yet amicable, his mood soured, but the childish scheme paradoxically allowed him to calm his anger.

Hyunbi, who had been listening quietly, furrowed her brow and opened her mouth.

“Yi Sowon.”

“When I consider how vexed Her Majesty the Empress Dowager must be, tears cloud my vision. It was not enough that the late Emperor took his own life, but the Empress…”

“Yi Sowon! What outrageous nonsense is this!”

Hyunbi’s face froze over coldly, and she berated him fiercely. This Sowon blinked his eyes as if reflecting on what he had just said, and then his face went deathly pale.

A grim silence fell over the spacious room. Yoonso blankly replayed the remark this Sowon had blurted out, then frowned.

“What does that mean? The late Emperor…”

“Your Majesty. What you know is the absolute truth.”

Hyunbi cut off Yoonso’s words resolutely. Yoonso faced Hyunbi with confused eyes.

“This Sowon has impudently looked down upon Your Majesty’s authority and acted presumptuously, so please hand down a fitting punishment.”

Yoonso slowly surveyed the faces of the concubines sitting in their seats, Court Lady Jo standing behind him, and the other palace maids. Except for this Sowon, who was pale and crestfallen, everyone maintained their composure. But Hyunbi’s response did not seem to be one for a mere slip of the tongue. This was surely not a slip of the tongue, but a confession.

He had thought the late Emperor had died of an illness, but the single suspicion that that might not be the case ignited an uncontrollable flame. All strength drained from his body, and he lost his energy. Yoonso closed his eyes tightly and then opened them, shaking his head.

“I hope that this Sowon will take this incident as an opportunity to be more discreet.”

“…I am overwhelmed by your grace, Your Majesty.”

“You may all withdraw. Let us conclude for today.”

This Sowon and Seongbin paid their respects in turn and then left Jayeongjeon Hall. Hyunbi was still in her seat, so Yoonso looked back at her.

“Is there anything more you have to say?”

“Your Majesty. You are generous and benevolent, and always try to see to the convenience of the noble consorts, so I, too, as a fellow Yeongchunhwa, can only be moved to tears by Your Majesty’s vast and deep benevolence.”

It was a preamble that seemed likely to be followed by contradictory words, so his already troubled heart became even more entangled. Yoonso could not quite hide his somber expression, but he forced the corners of his mouth to lift.

“I am all the more grateful that you think so.”

“However, Your Majesty. Are you aware of the actions of the State Father-in-Law?”

“…What is it about the Vice Minister of Personnel?”

“Since Your Majesty blossomed, he has consistently advocated in the royal court for the expansion of the authority of the Yeongchunhwa and the Empress’s seat. He was more active than anyone in adding his strength to increasing the number of Hwasicheong and moving the Yeongwiwon to be under the direct command of the Empress’s quarters.”

He did not know. But it was such a father-like course of action that he was not even surprised. A hollow breath felt like it was about to escape, so Yoonso pressed his lips firmly together.

“I and the noble consorts would not dare to doubt Your Majesty’s benevolence, but I regret to inform you that the public’s view will be different.”

“…I see.”

The civil officials in general keep the military officials, the Yongrin, and the Yeongchunhwa in check. As the country’s power naturally concentrates on the Yongrin, and the military officials’ power grows along with it, the civil officials inevitably clash with them and take different stances.

His father was probably the same. Until he blossomed. Until he was assessed as being of the caliber of an empress.

He could not add strength to the shoulders of his father, who had become the Emperor’s father-in-law while continuing that blatant course of action. The realization that there was truly nothing he could do as he wished in this place, and that he should not do so, exhausted Yoonso.

“I am grateful that you have listened to my idle talk. Then I shall take my leave.”

Hyunbi gave a polite bow and turned away. Yoonso watched her retreating back and then spoke.

“Thank you.”

Hyunbi turned her body around.

“For the tip.”

He could understand without having to think too deeply about how difficult it must be to give such frank advice at the risk of incurring misunderstanding or anger. He did not know how fortunate he was that Hyunbi had helped him. That someone like her had been by Hwi’s side for so long should have been truly gratifying.

But even in the midst of this, the fact that he was gauging how deep the relationship between Hwi and Hyunbi must have been made him feel so petty and wicked that it felt as if his body were sinking down, down, down.

Hyunbi gave a silent bow and withdrew. Yoonso belatedly pressed his throbbing forehead and turned his head.

“Court Lady Jo.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Should I not know the truth?”

“What truth are you referring to?”

“You heard everything.”

Court Lady Jo, as someone who had spent a long time in the imperial palace, did not betray anything that could be a clue in her expression.

“Your Majesty. The late Emperor passed away because he could not control his rampant sacred power. That is the truth that I, and everyone, knows, and this Sowon’s remark is nothing more than a rumor circulating in the streets, so please do not worry about this matter any longer.”

If a rumor was circulating, would there not be a reason for it? A reason why it was specified as taking his own life, not assassination.

It seemed he would not get any more answers from Court Lady Jo, so he decided to back down obediently. Yoonso looked down at the register and then rose from his seat.

“Your Majesty.”

On the way back to the bedchamber, Huije approached him discreetly.

“Lady Hyunbi is direct and speaks bluntly, so she is easily misunderstood, but she is actually a deep person. From what I have seen, it seemed that Lady Hyunbi holds Your Majesty in high regard.”

It was not an incorrect impression, but it felt out of place to bring it up now, so Yoonso scanned Huije with a look of puzzlement. Huije was usually friendly and good at striking up conversations, but this was the first time he had spoken of another person like this.