Chapter 56

The interrogation chamber presided over by Consort Hyeok was set up in the Jade Garden (Ok-won), east of Seonin-gung. Seonin-gung was not large, but it was well-located, close to the Empress’s residence and essentially central to the residences of several concubines. Seonin-gung was the palace of Consort Du, the mistress of the victim Bong-yeon, and Consort Hyeok, who would preside over the interrogation.

The Jade Garden was surrounded by charming pavilions and beautiful walls. There were large, central trees scattered throughout, and a stone-walled water channel and garden to the south made for a refreshing sight.

In the courtyard in front of the upper platform of the Jade Garden, which overlooked the beautiful scenery, only the sorrowful weeping of Consort Du echoed.

“Bong-yeon-ah, Sob, sob…”

There was neither an assailant nor a victim inside the interrogation chamber. Court Lady Dong, who was pointed out as the perpetrator, was deep inside Giryung Palace, and the victim was unconscious, barely clinging to life in the Seonin-gung servants’ quarters.

“Consort Gwi-bi Mama.”

The inspection eunuchs and palace servants who had gone to Giryung Palace to bring Court Lady Dong Yeong returned with the Consort Gwi-bi instead of the Court Lady.

Therefore, Consort Hyeok and Consort Bi, who were seated on the upper platform, a corridor-like structure with a back wall and roof but no front wall, hurriedly descended to the courtyard. The concubines who had been sitting on chairs prepared on the upper level of the courtyard also all rose to pay their respects.

“We greet Consort Gwi-bi Mama. May Consort Gwi-bi enjoy great fortune.”

“We greet Consort Gwi-bi Mama. May Consort Gwi-bi enjoy great fortune.”

Consort Hyeok and the concubines had anticipated the possibility of the Consort Gwi-bi coming when they sent people to arrest the accused in Giryung Palace.

“Please dispense with the formality. I have come to hear the circumstances on behalf of the accused, so it would not be appropriate to receive your respects now.”

A flurry of glances was exchanged among the concubines. They had expected the Consort Gwi-bi to come, but not in this manner. They had expected him to either keep Court Lady Dong and remain defiant in Giryung Palace or allow Court Lady Dong to be taken but appear with all his own people.

The Consort Gwi-bi, who entered the Jade Garden, was alone. He had not handed over his own person, the accused, but since Court Lady Dong was not yet definitively convicted as a criminal, it was difficult to take issue with his stance. The Consort Gwi-bi had promised to hand over the custody of Court Lady Dong if, after hearing the circumstances, it was clear that Court Lady Dong was the culprit.

“ Sob, sob…”

Consort Du, the victim’s mistress, who was sitting in the prepared seat inside the corridor, sobbed sorrowfully and rushed out into the courtyard.

“Consort Du.”

“Consort Gwi-bi, stop protecting the criminal! Bong-yeon-ah… I am so wronged that I am powerless to even seize the criminal who harmed that child!” At Yeon-oh’s call, Consort Du let out a scream and burst into tears.

“Consort Du.”

“Observe the proper courtesy toward the Consort Gwi-bi.”

Although the Consort Gwi-bi had not handed over the Court Lady suspected of being a criminal, Consort Du’s attitude went far beyond rudeness. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] Consort Hyeok and Consort Bi quietly cautioned Consort Du, who was emotionally driven and disregarded the position and status of her opponent, caught up in her own situation.

“ Sob, sob, Bong-yeon-ah… I am sorry, Bong-yeon-ah. If anything happens to you, it’s all because of me. Because I brought Bong-yeon into the palace, Sob, sob…”

Those who knew Consort Du’s usual conduct glanced disdainfully at her display.

“…”

“…”

Consort Du, born to a mother from a wealthy merchant family in the south, was born outside the principal wife (seo-chul) but was raised with as much care as a legitimate child (jeok-chul) in her family. Thus, she believed she was different from other seo-chul. In contrast, Bong-yeon, whom her father had conceived outside the home, was not even officially recognized as a legitimate child of the Du family. Consort Du herself had stated when bringing Bong-yeon into the palace that the girl was merely a member of the household, not a sister.

Her attitude of weeping as if she had lost her one and only sister was seen as ridiculous, and those who knew the circumstances frowned.

“Consort Du, please compose your sorrow.”

Consort Neung So-yong offered comfort to Consort Du in a voice devoid of sincerity. Unlike Neung So-yong, who spoke from a distance, Consort Dam So-ui approached Consort Du and, handing her a silk handkerchief, spoke kindly:

“Everyone understands Consort Du’s distress and sadness. I know it is difficult, but the servant who has collapsed would not wish for Consort Du to weep like this.”

Consort Du, who had been nodding and wiping her tears at the kind and warm comfort offered by Consort Dam So-ui, instantly changed her expression.

“That child is not merely a servant. She is my sister’s half-sister!”

Consort Du, who had been shedding tears and grieving, said with a determined look. The extremely firm words sounded like an important declaration.

“I see.”

Consort Dam So-ui continued to comfort Consort Du, who was speaking with a steely expression. It was a known fact that Consort Dam So-ui was also a seo-chul whose mother was not of high status, so his favorable attitude toward Consort Du’s words was not strange.

Few of the concubines here were jeok-chul. The more powerful the family, the rarer a legitimate daughter of the house was. Neung So-yong and Jin Mi-in were also rare jeok-nyeo (legitimate daughters) in their families, but not to the extent of the Consort Gwi-bi. They were from collateral branches, but Gyo Yeon-oh was the current head’s blood brother and the former head’s legitimate son. And the legitimate son of the prestigious Gyo Marquisate family.

“Does the Gyo Marquisate family not understand the horror of murder!”

Consort Du shouted, pointing her finger at Yeon-oh. Consort Dam So-ui was also startled, flinching her shoulder at Consort Du’s completely inappropriate behavior.

Consort Hyeok spoke with a rare, firm stance.

“Consort Du, will you not stop?”

Consort Hyeok’s position, as the one conducting the interrogation, became extremely awkward. When Consort Hyeok first learned of this matter, she had intended to inform the Consort Gwi-bi, who held authority over Court Lady Dong, and ask him to pass judgment. However, Consort Du objected. She wept and created a scene, saying that the Consort Gwi-bi would protect his own person, and thus that couldn’t happen.

This was a situation where there was clearly a victim. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] Consort Hyeok could not side with the Consort Gwi-bi and ignore Consort Du, who relied on her and resided in the same palace. However, this did not mean Consort Du had the right to be rude to the Consort Gwi-bi. It would be a much bigger problem if a matter concerning the concubines could not be resolved within the concubines’ quarters. If the situation escalated that far, she would have to choose between the Gyo Marquisate family and the Du family. Consort Hyeok was worried that her family’s position would also be compromised because of her.

“Consort Du. Your words are too harsh. Although I have come to hear the circumstances to determine the guilt, you must observe courtesy toward this person.”

Yeon-oh understood Consort Hyeok’s situation and did not blame her. He also gave a clear warning to Consort Du.

With a face stained by tears, Consort Du raised her voice.

“If you have come in place of the criminal, are you not in the same position as the criminal!”

Neung So-yong and Jin Mi-in, who had been maintaining neutrality, took a step back, distancing themselves from Consort Du. Consort Bi did not hide her fatigue and cautiously pressed her forehead with the back of her hand. She gave off an air that she would leave the premises at any moment.

“The crime of Court Lady Dong Yeong has not yet been clearly proven. While it is true that I am protecting my own person lest he be unjustly harmed, if he is truly proven guilty, I have no intention of settling the matter. Furthermore, the Gyo Marquisate family is irrelevant to this matter. Do not attempt to drag the Gyo Marquisate family into this case.”

Yeon-oh drew a clear line.

“Since the Consort Gwi-bi is shielding Court Lady Dong, how can the Gyo Marquisate family be irrelevant? Is there anyone here who does not know which family the Consort Gwi-bi belongs to!”

Consort Du shouted, refusing to back down. The concubines who had been comforting her on losing her half-sister, whose life was hanging in the balance, subtly backed away, being cautious.

“Good heavens…”

Even the palace servants let out sounds of surprise at Consort Du’s arrogance. Consort Dam So-ui had also retreated to his original position. Only Consort Hyeok and Consort Bi, who had to lead the interrogation, spoke to Consort Du again.

“Consort Du, will you not stop?”

“Please calm your anger, Consort Du. You must be rational. I am not well, so I don’t know how far I can assist in resolving this case, but this is not the time for anger. The Consort Gwi-bi has not allowed Court Lady Dong to escape, has she?”

Consort Du shook her head with a tearful face, even at the firm words of the two Consorts. A strong sense of grievance was palpable in her voice.

“How can an incident caused by a close associate from the Gyo Marquisate family be entirely unrelated to the Gyo Marquisate family!”

Yeon-oh did not know Consort Du well. He also did not have much interest in the uncomfortable relationship between the Gyo and Du families. He understood that Consort Du was deeply upset and in a difficult situation to maintain composure.

The reason she kept bringing up the Gyo Marquisate family was to prevent Yeon-oh from releasing Court Lady Dong using his authority as Consort Gwi-bi or utilizing his family’s influence. It seemed she intended to completely nullify Yeon-oh’s right to speak if possible. Furthermore, she seemed to want to emphasize that her injured servant was Minister Du’s illegitimate child.

Yeon-oh would not let the situation go that way.

“Does Consort Du wish to make this incident more than a simple accident?”

“A simple accident? It is murder! Is this not a matter of a person’s life? The Gyo Marquisate family cannot be free from this issue.”

“I am curious. Is the Du family prepared to confront the Gyo Marquisate family? Is that why Consort Du brings up the Gyo Marquisate family with every word?”

Yeon-oh changed his stance, which had been limited to giving warnings. If he was to be seen as the arrogant Consort Gwi-bi who relied on his powerful family, he would act that way.