Chapter 40

Cheonghanjeon Yeongseung Academy was the Emperor’s office. Those who visited there were usually summoned by the Emperor’s special call. They were either the Emperor’s closest confidants, chief ministers, or practitioners dealing with urgent matters.

Gwon Hong-yeom, the Pyeongjangsa (Minister of the Second Rank), was both a chief minister and a practitioner. He had to persuade the chief ministers of the Treasury to agree with the Emperor’s will. It was not an easy task. If possible, he wished to avoid a private audience with the Emperor. How wonderful it would be if he could leave court without going to Cheonghanjeon even for a day! He constantly harbored frivolous thoughts.

However, in reality, from the moment he appeared at court, he was being herded by the eunuch at his side and was heading toward the Cheonghanjeon area.

“Does the public know that this body is also a Chief Minister!”

The Chief Minister’s attendant eunuch responded to his lament with a benevolent smile.

“His Majesty seeks you.”

In the Imperial Palace, a Pyeongjangsa was nothing compared to the Emperor’s close attendant eunuchs. As he sadly followed the eunuch like an ox going to plow, a clear, beautiful face suddenly entered his line of sight.

In front of the door of Yeongseung Academy, the Emperor’s office.

There was a handsome man who, although kneeling on a luxurious silk cushion, was clearly seen by anyone as being punished. He had long hair that reached below his elbows, only a portion of which was loosely tied up at the top, leaving the rest flowing down. A silk ribbon, which had an intricate pattern woven with gold and silver threads but did not look extravagant or luxurious, was the only decoration in his hair. The jangpo (traditional Korean robe) with long, wide sleeves that covered the backs of his hands was the attire of the Imperial Family.

It seemed he was wearing several layers of clothing beneath the jangpo, yet he, kneeling with his back perfectly straight, gave a delicate impression, as if he could be blown away by the wind. The light gray jangpo he wore also lacked any special ornamentation. One could only surmise it was expensive from the subtle sheen of the fabric. The waist belt was merely a silk cloth slightly darker than the jangpo.

Gwon Hong-yeom thought that for a handsome man of that caliber, it was to be expected. With that face, even if he wore sackcloth, people would instinctively call him Young Master or Nobleman.

However, the fact that his hair was down was puzzling. Generally, Imperial Family members wore their hair up, regardless of whether they were married.

‘Who is that? Was there such a beauty among the Imperial Family? Is he an Imperial relative from a collateral line? He must be a man, right?’

He thought he was a handsome man because he was being punished in Cheonghanjeon, where the royal offices were, but if one just saw him, he was so incredibly beautiful that one might wonder if he was actually a man. His appearance was enough to overshadow his dignified yet simple attire.

While there were men like the current Emperor, with his imposing appearance, whom anyone could instantly recognize as male, there were also cases where the line between handsome men and beautiful women was so fine, like the person being punished, that it was hard to tell.

“Lower your gaze.”

The Chief Minister’s attendant eunuch spoke sternly.

“W-who, who, who is that?”

Gwon Hong-yeom stopped in his tracks and stared at the face that made his eyes widen. He firmly held the arm of the eunuch who was trying to drag him away and looked at the pure, clear face. The Chief Minister thought his plump belly and heavy backside, thickened with age, were at least useful for this situation.

The impressive face that eclipsed the magnificent beauty of Yeongseung Academy, which was not large but was one of the most splendid in the Imperial Palace, certainly drew attention. But even more surprising was the composure and unwavering attitude that the face maintained while being punished. Being punished here meant one had been disloyal to the Emperor or committed a crime. The current Emperor was a person whose temperament allowed him to verbally corner and exhaust an old minister to death. Weak-willed officials would shrink back, terrified by just the Emperor’s cold voice and downward gaze. Compared to them, the handsome man receiving punishment, though pure-looking, could be said to have great spirit.

“That is Consort Gwi-bi, Your Excellency.”

The eunuch said softly, barely moving his lips. The eunuch exerted force on the arm held by the Chief Minister, attempting to pull him away.

“Dam So-ui…?”

Gwon Hong-yeom whispered, his eyes shining. He had also heard rumors. They said there was a male concubine whom the Emperor currently doted upon. The Emperor, who was rumored to treat any concubine, regardless of family or appearance, out of duty, must favor him because he was worthy of it.

“That is Consort Gyo-gwi, Your Excellency.”

The Chief Minister’s attendant eunuch said severely. He whispered again, barely moving his lips.

“Heek.”

Gwon Hong-yeom had worked under the previous head of the Gyo General’s Household early in his official career. The superior who would scribble black ink all over the documents he had organized as a newcomer and then only say, “Why are you still there?” still occasionally appeared in his nightmares. The current Emperor, who points out one’s shortcomings with harsh words, asking what went wrong, is also terrifying. But compared to his first superior, the previous head of the Gyo General’s Household, the Emperor seemed almost like a teaching master.

“Move along. Do not turn your gaze sideways.”

The attendant eunuch urged Gwon Hong-yeom.

“H-how could such a pure, peach blossom-like handsome man be born under such a devilish and severe person! Are you mistaken! Are you trying to trick me? They say Consort Gwi-bi is arrogant and wicked, relying on the Gyo General’s Household’s authority!”

Gwon Hong-yeom strongly objected as he was dragged along by the eunuch.

“Watch your words. Panwonsa is inside. Minister Gwon Hong-yeom arrives!”

The Chief Minister’s attendant eunuch quietly informed him of the situation inside the hall and then announced it loudly.

The Panwonsa (Chief Administrator of the Council of State) was the focal point of the Gyo General’s Household in the capital. The fact that the Panwonsa was already inside meant he must have come to see his nephew being punished outside. Gwon Hong-yeom shook his head, refusing to enter.

The eunuch abruptly pushed the Chief Minister, who was clinging to him, toward the hall door. Before Gwon Hong-yeom could react, the hall door opened. The Grand Supervisor, who was like the Emperor’s hands and feet, came out and helped the stumbling Chief Minister. Wan Taegam smiled subtly and said respectfully.

“Please enter. His Majesty is waiting.”

“S-save me.”

“Please enter quickly.”

The Chief Minister pleaded, but the Grand Supervisor decisively ushered him inside.

*******

After all the chief ministers had withdrawn, Cheonghanjeon was quiet.

The Emperor had already reviewed all the memorials for the day. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] However, holding the Jupil (red-ink brush), he could only draw lines and could not write. He repeatedly raised the brush to write and then stopped, furrowing his brow. The Emperor’s temper was very inconvenient today.

“…”

Knowing this, Wan Taegam and the close attendant eunuchs were careful even with their breathing. They were always cautious serving the Emperor closely, but they were even more so now.

Seonjae, who had drawn red lines all over the memorials, stopped again just as he was about to write.

Tuk. He lowered the brush onto the brush rest as if throwing it. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] A young eunuch who had come in to change the teacups visibly trembled. The empty teacup on the small table clattered loudly.

“I-I humbly apologize.”

The young eunuch, deathly pale, begged for forgiveness.

The Emperor waved his hand without a word.

Seeing that, Wan Taegam approached the desk. Standing between Seonjae and the young eunuch as if to block them, the eunuch spoke in a gentle voice.

“Be careful next time. Leave quickly.”

The young eunuch bowed deeply to pay his respects and swiftly departed. Seonjae looked up at Wan Taegam with a heavily scowled face. Wan Taegam gave the Emperor a respectful expression.

“Have We ever struck a powerless eunuch?”

At the Emperor’s provocative words, Wan Taegam replied with a face that feigned ignorance.

“That is a misunderstanding, Your Majesty.”

“You blocked me.”

Seonjae pointed to himself and Wan Taegam alternately. It was a very insolent gesture. He had greatly violated court etiquette, but Wan Taegam did not point it out. The Emperor was not someone he could correct. He just maintained a harmless expression, pretending to be a docile person.

“The young eunuchs are intimidated by Your Majesty. Are you not the lofty Son of Heaven? Also, since Your Majesty’s physique is so imposing, you appear as vast as a sheer cliff to small children.”

“Are you saying Our unnecessarily large physique is the problem?”

The Emperor said in a low, biting voice.

“Unnecessarily large? What are you saying? Since Your Majesty is so imposing, Your Majesty’s spirit is high even next to the Grand General, and that is a source of pride for this old servant.”

Wan Taegam spoke smoothly with a respectful smile. Seonjae frowned as much as he could at the blatant flattery. Wan Taegam smiled subtly even seeing that fierce face.

The Emperor’s temper was very, very, very inconvenient today.

Even when reviewing memorials and dealing with the chief ministers, every word he spoke was sharp and barbed. The faint-hearted Chief Minister reported his findings with a face that was almost in tears and collapsed outside the hall.

“That fellow.”

“Are you referring to Consort Gyo-gwi, Your Majesty?”

“Hmm, is he doing it properly?”

The Emperor said, rummaging through the memorials he had finished reviewing. The red ink he had drawn was spreading a cruel red rain all over the documents.

“Yes, he is begging for forgiveness in accordance with etiquette and protocol.”

Seonjae loosely folded the memorial in his hand and stood up.

“We will go to the Su Eo-jae.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Wan Taegam meekly followed the Emperor. There was no need to deliberately pass through the south gate to go to Su Eo-jae from here. However, he was not foolish enough to ask the Emperor why he was going that way.