Chapter 41

“…”

Seonjae, stepping out of the hall, walked a few paces and then stopped. He immediately understood the meaning of Wan Taegam’s reply to his question. Gyo Yeon-oh did not look like someone who had come to be punished for a crime. Although his attire was simple and his posture correct, there was no hint of awkwardness in his expression. Wan Taegam often flattered Seonjae by calling him imposing. But when it came to being complimented on looks, he would have to admit the other was superior.

“…”

Seonjae approached the face that was being punished with an upright posture. The downcast eyes did not twitch, even as his shadow fell over his face.

“Consort Gwi-bi, have you cleansed your lack of virtue sufficiently?”

At the Emperor’s words, Yeon-oh’s gaze briefly rose, then calmly fell. The face, exposed to the still-cold air, was quiet and impassive.

“I am following Your Majesty’s command with sincerity.”

A flawless voice replied respectfully, as if the closeness glimpsed last night, or the moment he showed traces of faded affection, had never existed. It was as clean as if he had forgotten everything: snubbing the Emperor, weeping bitterly as if he were the wronged party, and offering the gesture he had long harbored for his true love.

The meaning of that face and voice was singular: Yesterday was yesterday, and today is today. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] The matters of the night are for the night, and the matters of the day are for the day. Woo Seonjae was the Emperor, and Gyo Yeon-oh was a concubine. It was most important to properly fulfill his duty and responsibility, rather than dwell on private matters. Moreover, Gyo Yeon-oh had been tricked into becoming a concubine by his intentional approach.

“How truly noble he is.”

Seonjae turned his face and muttered softly with a frown. Wan Taegam, receiving his gaze, blinked in surprise before bowing deeply.

“…I apologize.”

Yeon-oh spoke cautiously at the Emperor’s monologue.

“Why apologize? We should be thanking you. The Commander of the Left Cavalry will return to the capital within these days, Consort Gwi-bi. Gyo Jin-oh, the Commander of the Left Cavalry, is said to have arrested the criminal and safely rescued the victim before even reaching Sakbang. He has also completely taken control of Sakbang, which tried to shelter the criminal. Since the Commander of the Left Cavalry is said to be completely unharmed, he is truly worthy of being a descendant of the General’s Household, which has produced outstanding military commanders for generations. We are greatly indebted to the Gyo General’s Household. You may return to your residence now. Help the Consort rise.”

Seonjae, having issued the Imperial command, immediately turned his back.

“I am overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s grace.”

Eunuchs helped Yeon-oh, who offered his thanks to the Emperor, up from both sides.

The Emperor, who they thought would simply leave, checked the two silk cushions placed one on top of the other beneath Yeon-oh’s knees and looked at Wan Taegam, who was following him, with a frigid face.

“Your Majesty, the weather is cold.”

Wan Taegam smiled leisurely at the severe face that looked at him intimidatingly. He gestured with his hand in the air, bringing up the weather unnecessarily.

A discreet smile hinted at words like: ‘Do you know how prestigious the Gyo General’s Household is? He is Consort Gwi-bi, Your Majesty. There are many from the Gyo Marquisate family in the court.’

Seonjae let out a short, “Huh,” and quickened his pace. The eunuchs almost ran to keep up with the man’s large stride. As he strode along, he suddenly looked back, and his gaze caught the composed face looking at him. Their eyes met simultaneously.

Seonjae abruptly turned his face away, as if avoiding the unfathomable gaze. In the fleeting moment of turning his gaze, he saw Yeon-oh bowing to the Emperor according to etiquette.

“…”

Seonjae’s steps grew faster. The footsteps following him hurried as well.

“Y-Your Majesty.”

After walking for some time, he spoke.

“Send up a jar of apricot miljeon.”

“Your Majesty. A jar of such sweet things? You are not a child…”

“What does it matter? We don’t have a child to give it to, do We?”

Seonjae said sulkily as he entered Su Eo-jae.

“Of course you do.”

“It is not appropriate to think that only children like sweet things. That is a very narrow-minded way of thinking.”

Wan Taegam flinched at the Emperor’s hostile grumbling. Looking at the closed hall door, the eunuch sighed and pursed his lips.

“What could possibly make him so ill-tempered? Didn’t he have a good time with Consort Gyo-gwi yesterday… He even left his calligraphy. He used his seal that he only used before he was a Royal Prince. I don’t know why the Consort was punished, but he personally helped him up, didn’t he? Who eats a whole jar of miljeon…”

Wan Taegam’s ears already ached just thinking about the nagging of the Imperial physicians and the weeping of the officials who managed the State Archives.

The Emperor looked like he would never drink a drop of sweet liquid, yet he loved sweets like a child. He kept sweets close even normally, but when he was in a bad mood, he would consume an endless amount of sweet things. Requesting miljeon (fruit preserved in honey) by name meant the Emperor’s temper was immeasurably displeased.

“Perhaps. No, no. Uh-huh, no way…”

Wan Taegam, who had a sudden insolent thought, shook his head vigorously to dispel the undesirable suspicion.

******

Young eunuchs were on both sides of Yeon-oh as he left Cheonghanjeon. The hands supporting him from the left and right were respectful. There were also rows of eunuchs following behind them. Yeon-oh realized that while they were helping him, they were also watching him.

Having eunuchs and palace servants follow him was the biggest difference between the Imperial Palace and the Gyo General’s Household. The Gyo General’s Household did not assign close servants to their children for minor errands. However, since they were not without family members, he was taught to call and request help when needed.

“Thank you, Sirs.”

Yeon-oh said, looking at the young eunuchs on both sides and the ones following behind.

The eunuchs bowed their heads deeply, showing respect to the Consort Gwi-bi.

“Mama!”

“Consort Gwi-bi!”

The palace servants of Giryung Palace ran toward Yeon-oh when they saw him come out. At the spot where they were standing was an unfamiliar gyoja (sedan chair without roof or walls). Typically, sedan chairs were carried by four people, two in front and two behind. However, the gyoja waiting for Yeon-oh had two pairs of long poles. With two people standing at each of the four long poles, it was designed to be carried by eight people in total.

Since he was riding a gyoja inside the Imperial Palace, and not outside, if it were too excessive, it could be seen as disloyal to the Emperor.

“The Empress Dowager sent it.”

Court Lady Dong said, taking Yeon-oh’s arm from the eunuchs. Her proud face showed no hesitation.

“The Empress Dowager?”

Following Court Lady Dong’s gesture, Cheong-ryu and So-ha diligently handed a lump of silver money to each of the eunuchs. Just looking at the palace servant’s graceful nod and gesture, one might think she was the favored concubine.

“Yes. Are you not Consort Gwi-bi? The Empress Dowager cherishes you.”

“You want me to ride that back after being punished?”

Court Lady Dong looked at Yeon-oh with an expression that saw him as a frustratingly old-fashioned gentleman.

“Aren’t your legs numb?”

“They are numb.”

He had been kneeling for almost two hours. Although the Grand Supervisor had laid down two silk cushions, he had lost all sensation in his legs shortly after kneeling.

“Please get on.”

Court Lady Dong smiled with an expression that said, ‘I told you so,’ and tried to lead Yeon-oh to the gyoja. Satisfaction flowed across her face as she looked at the eight-man gyoja.

Yeon-oh stopped the palace servant who was trying to lead him and looked at the eunuchs nearby.

“These Sirs have been exposed to the cold wind since morning because of me. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] Your clothes seem thin. Are you alright?”

“Thank you for your concern, Consort Gwi-bi. This humble servant is fine.”

The young eunuch bowed respectfully, his face flushed from the wind.

“Do the eunuchs only like silver money, like our Court Lady Dong? Would it be difficult if I had clothes made and presented them? I don’t know when I’ll see you again, but I wish to repay you for your hard work today.”

At Yeon-oh’s words, Court Lady Dong made a disgruntled face, and Cheong-ryu and So-ha bowed their heads, smiling only with their lips.

“We apologize.”

“We apologize.”

Yeon-oh offered thanks and a nod to the eunuchs who returned the courtesy and turned away. Court Lady Dong served his master and led him to the luxurious gyoja. As he got onto the gyoja, which had a carved backrest of flowers and trees and comfortable armrests, Yeon-oh involuntarily sighed deeply. Even upon a second look, it was an extravagant gyoja.

“Young eunuchs like dried apples or san-yak-go. If you wrap up bite-sized san-yak-go in paper and present it as a gift, they can eat it easily and will likely appreciate it.”

Cheong-ryu quietly said beside Yeon-oh who was on the gyoja.

“I suppose I could give that much. But I don’t think I’ll have the chance.”

San-yak-go (mountain yam cake) was a rice cake made with a filling of dates boiled in honey. Although the ingredients weren’t very common, they weren’t too expensive to obtain. Since it wasn’t overly costly and required sincerity and effort to make, it was a suitable reward.

Court Lady Dong said, looking at Yeon-oh who was on the gyoja.

“Why wouldn’t you have the chance?”

“The Emperor doesn’t visit Giryung Palace, so giving something to the young eunuchs by his side would seem too much like a bribe.”

Yeon-oh said impassively.

“His Majesty visited Giryung Palace three times yesterday.”

Court Lady Dong said, carefully looking up at his serene face. Yeon-oh smiled awkwardly at her words. The fact that the Emperor visited Giryung Palace three times yesterday was because he came to rage twice, and once to keep the word he had spoken while raging.

A fierce wind blew outside Cheonghanjeon. The wind hit the massive palace walls and swirled in the corridor, making a terrifying sound. Yeon-oh’s loosely tied hair fluttered in the wind.

“Let’s go.”

Court Lady Dong shouted toward the workers carrying the gyoja.

“…”

Yeon-oh looked at his hair blowing in the wind and shook off his complicated feelings. He wondered if there would be any gossip about riding an eight-man gyoja, but he chose to ignore that for the moment.