Chapter 20

The Empress Dowager’s building, seen three days later, was unchanged. It was elegant, with a false sense of freshness meticulously lined up. The only difference from last time was that it was now night.

It was custom for concubines to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress every morning and evening. However, the Empress had suffered from an incessant cough for two months and could neither receive nor pay respects.

Yeon-oh’s limited morning visit to the Empress Dowager on the first day was said to be consideration for him being new to the palace.

Court Lady Dong prepared him for the evening visit, dragging him there despite his just recovering from illness. Cheong-ryu looked at Court Lady Dong with fear and at Yeon-oh with pity.

“Consort Cheob-yeo, please come inside.”

Eunuch Gam, guarding the front of the Empress Dowager’s building, paid his respects. Yeon-oh walked inside without giving the eunuch a glance.

“Empress Dowager, Consort Cheob-yeo is here.”

The eunuch inside the building announced to the Empress Dowager. Court Lady Dong passed the entrance and quickly withdrew.

“I greet the Empress Dowager. Empress Dowager, may you enjoy great fortune.”

Yeon-oh moved precisely according to the etiquette he had been taught. More concubines were seated below the main platform than during his morning visit on the first day.

“Consort Cheob-yeo, I was worried when you collapsed after entering the palace. Does the Imperial Palace not suit you? Do you not know that a concubine serving His Majesty must take good care of his own body? As a man, I wasn’t concerned about your health. To be this frail, honestly…”

A beautiful voice on the main platform poured out a scolding. Since there was no command to rise, Yeon-oh remained bowed and looked up at the platform.

“I apologize deeply. I had no health issues while in my private household, but for some reason, I collapsed immediately upon arriving at the Imperial Palace. In this concubine’s humble opinion, I suspect it may be due to the ‘Baekhong’ I received on the morning of my entry.”

He hadn’t realized it at all before collapsing, but now he understood the Empress Dowager’s intentions somewhat. The Empress Dowager disliked Yeon-oh being a man.

The Empress Dowager, née Mu, was the maternal cousin of Yeon-oh’s father, the former Head of the House. Since she became Empress Dowager through the position of Empress Gye, the Gyo General’s Household, as relatives, had received minor considerations.

The Empress Dowager’s family, the Mu clan, did not have many descendants. In contrast, the Gyo General’s Household was known for its many descendants.

The Empress Dowager had attempted to arrange marriages between Gyo descendants and Imperial family members several times. Now that Yeon-oh had become the Emperor’s concubine, a Gyo descendant had married into the Imperial family, fulfilling the Empress Dowager’s wish. However, this form was certainly not the marriage she had desired.

The sound of silk robes harshly rustling echoed from the main platform.

“Is Consort Cheob-yeo now blaming this palace for issuing the Baekhong?”

The Empress Dowager spoke with a smile, but everyone noticed the displeasure in her tone.

The eunuchs and palace servants lowered their heads further in response to their master’s anger.

“Empress Dowager, please compose yourself.”

“Empress Dowager, I fear for your venerable health.”

The concubines who had arrived earlier also began to rise one by one and pay their respects. Yeon-oh didn’t need to look to know that busy glances were being exchanged among the concubines paying their respects.

The Empress Dowager, instead of showing affection for her relative Yeon-oh, had issued the Baekhong; this would be unexpected news for everyone. It was unexpected even for the Gyo General’s Household. That was why, on the morning of his entry, his two older brothers had desperately tried to stop Yeon-oh.

“No, I dare not blame the Empress Dowager. This concubine knows well that the Empress Dowager issuing the Baekhong before my entry was an act of consideration; to ensure I would not be subject to any undue misunderstandings.”

Yeon-oh spoke with a soft voice that was incongruous with his somber expression. As he spoke, he subtly turned his face and briefly looked at Dam So-ui, who was also paying his respects on the other side.

Everyone was watching Yeon-oh as he spoke before the platform. Although he maintained impeccable etiquette with his body, all eyes and attention were focused on him. A few concubines glanced at Dam So-ui, who was being looked at by Yeon-oh.

Baekhong was a special medicine.

Unlike risky physical procedures, it was a unique medicine that, by drinking a single vial, made a man unable to “see” women or produce heirs.

In the Imperial Family of Yul Empire, issuing Baekhong was the Empress Dowager’s prerogative.

The respect the Empress Dowager Mu commanded within the Imperial Family stemmed partly from her influence in being able to issue Baekhong to Imperial relatives.

It was said that a previous Empress Dowager, when her own son did not become Emperor, issued Baekhong to her own son to earn the trust of the reigning Emperor at the time.

Baekhong was terrifying and simple, making it all the more special.

“I am relieved that Consort Cheob-yeo understands this palace’s intention. I would have been disappointed if you were foolish or short-sighted enough to misunderstand this palace.”

The Empress Dowager spoke with a radiant smile. Contrary to her smiling mouth, the Empress Dowager’s unemotional eyes intently observed Yeon-oh’s somber expression.

“However, Empress Dowager.”

Yeon-oh maintained his expression and looked at Dam So-ui for longer than before.

“…”

“…”

At his blatant gaze, a few concubines exchanged puzzled looks.

“What is it, Consort Cheob-yeo?”

“I cannot help but resent the Empress Dowager for issuing the Baekhong. Although I know it was for my sake, I have been experiencing continuous headaches and dizziness since drinking the Baekhong.”

Yeon-oh maintained his bowed posture, pressing his hand to his head. He then deliberately cast a questioning look toward Dam So-ui again.

“Resentment, you say.”

The concubines who had been observing the situation with bowed heads were shocked by Yeon-oh’s rudeness in openly expressing resentment toward the Empress Dowager. At the same time, they wondered about Yeon-oh’s continued staring at Dam So-ui.

“I apologize. I know this is a rude request, but please grant me a chance to meet the apothecary who manufactured the Baekhong. Even the one who made the Baekhong would not wish for the side effects to continue.”

While the Empress Dowager of the Imperial Family issues the Baekhong, the one who manufactures it is neither an Imperial figure nor a figure from the Yul Empire.

The supplier of Baekhong to the Imperial Family was the Namcheon Kingdom (Southern Heaven).

In a short time, Yeon-oh had received information about Baekhong from Court Lady Dong. Just as she claimed to have been in the palace for over 20 years, Court Lady Dong knew many things that only people inside the palace would know.

“Namcheon?”

“Do you know of it?”

Yeon-oh had only just learned about Baekhong. Even when drinking it, he had been skeptical of its effects. He only guessed it was a truly effective medicine based on his brothers’ attempts to stop him.

Even then, he didn’t think the Imperial Family manufactured such a special medicine themselves. If there was a candidate, he suspected it might be the Namcheon Kingdom.

As expected, Court Lady Dong mentioned Namcheon.

Namcheon was known throughout the land as a place where mysterious medicines, special preparations, and rare medicinal herbs originated.

“I know a bit about that place.”

Upon learning that Baekhong came from Namcheon, Yeon-oh felt relieved that there was still hope. He also understood why his brothers knew so much about the Baekhong issued by the Empress Dowager.

“Is that so?”

Court Lady Dong seemed to think Yeon-oh knew about Namcheon from a children’s storybook, but he had visited Namcheon several times as a child.

The Empress Dowager on the main platform spoke with a troubled voice.

“Consort Cheob-yeo, you cannot meet the apothecary who manufactured the Baekhong. Since the side effects do not cease, this palace feels unwell. I will soon send someone well-versed in Baekhong to Giryung Palace.”

“I am deeply grateful, Empress Dowager. I don’t know how to repay the Empress Dowager’s kindness. I will wholeheartedly devote myself to serving the Empress Dowager.”

Yeon-oh, whose expression had been somewhat sullen and disrespectful, now smiled brightly and expressed his thanks.

“Why are you all still standing? Everyone, rise.”

The Empress Dowager gestured for everyone to rise.

“We are grateful.”

“We are grateful.”

The concubines paid their respects for the Empress Dowager’s generosity and rose. Yeon-oh also rose and went to sit in his seat at the far end. Seated, Yeon-oh occasionally glanced at Dam So-ui sitting opposite him.

The concubines and their Court Ladies watched Yeon-oh with curious eyes.

*******

The evening visit ended quickly.

“The night path is dark, so everyone may withdraw now.”

The Empress Dowager dismissed the concubines with a generous expression. The concubines rose from their seats and paid their respects toward the main platform.

“Empress Dowager, we withdraw.”

“Empress Dowager, we withdraw.”

Yeon-oh waited for the higher-ranking concubines to leave first. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] Some of the concubines who passed him cast a thoughtful glance his way. Court Lady Dong bowed her head a little further for those concubines, almost invisible, as a sign of respect.

When the interior of the building was empty, Yeon-oh also headed outside. The area in front of the building, which he expected to be deserted after everyone left, was bustling. Warm and friendly voices were praising one person.

“Consort So-ui, the robe you are wearing today suits you truly well.”

“I apologize for the trouble, Consort Hyang-bin.”

“Did His Majesty not seek Consort So-ui continuously for two weeks after you entered the palace? [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] He still visits Consort So-ui most often these days. The robe you are wearing, the ring, and the hair ornament suit you beautifully. The silk the robe was made from, the ring, and the ornament—were they all bestowed by His Majesty?”

Dam So-ui looked embarrassed by the words exchanged between Consort Hyang-bin and another concubine. He seemed unfamiliar with such blatant praise.

“That is…”

Dam So-ui hesitated, unable to answer properly, and only offered an awkward smile.

The favorite who monopolizes the Emperor’s affection.

Dam So-ui’s position was clearly that in everyone’s eyes. His gentle and shy face seemed utterly unaware of how he should behave in such a situation.

The center of attention was not only the concubines.

Dam So-ui did not boast arrogantly. Nor did he show a submissive attitude in preparation for an unknown future.

He simply stood there receiving compliments, like someone who was experiencing attention for the first time.

The concubines’ compliments could be genuine. However, they could also be interpreted unpleasantly if twisted. Dam So-ui seemed completely unaware of this.

“…”

Yeon-oh watched Dam So-ui and the concubines for a moment.