Chapter 19

“This servant is the sole Court Lady of Giryung Palace. Since arriving here, the only master I have is Consort Gyo.”

Court Lady Dong was also skilled at simple flattery.

“Everyone may rise.”

“We are deeply grateful.”

“Court Lady Dong, please sit here.”

Yeon-oh offered the seat next to the main seat to Dong Yeong.

“I cannot do that.”

Court Lady Dong maintained proper etiquette, her refusal sincere, not merely flattery.

“How long have you been in the Imperial Palace, Court Lady Dong?”

“It has been well over twenty years.”

“Then you must have seen and heard much in the Imperial Palace, and you must know many people inside the palace?”

Court Lady Dong bowed her head at Yeon-oh’s question.

“Although I was away at a detached palace for the past few years, I know enough.”

“Where did the Chief Eunuch from the Empress Dowager’s palace take Geumgye and Jeokju?”

“I apologize. Even we servants find it difficult to know that. The Chief Eunuch of the Empress Dowager’s palace manages all the buildings and servants in the palace. The only ones who know where they went immediately would be Eunuch Gam and his junior eunuchs who took them.”

It seemed the fear of the Empress Dowager was still greater than the appeal of becoming Consort Cheob-yeo thanks to the flower tea.

“Find out.”

Everyone in the building paid their respects at Yeon-oh’s command.

“Yes.”

Court Lady Dong also politely bowed her head.

“It won’t be easy to find out for free, I suppose.”

Yeon-oh opened the mother-of-pearl box he had prepared beforehand. He then smoothly pulled back the silk covering the top of the box with a soft gesture. Court Lady Dong’s eyes widened as she watched the silk being swept away.

“…!”

The mother-of-pearl box, measuring more than a handspan in width and height, was filled with stacked silver coins.

“What do you think? Is this enough to be comparable to the generous kindness one might expect from the subordinates at the ‘gold mine’ known as Dam So-ui’s residence?”

Court Lady Dong’s eyes, fixed on the silver coins, wavered uneasily. Whether what she truly desired was wealth and position, her eyes flickered like a lamp swaying in the wind.

“It is… too much.”

Court Lady Dong’s words were not an exaggeration. Yeon-oh had brought out nearly half of the silver coins the Gyo General’s Household had prepared for him.

“Is that so?”

Yeon-oh pushed the mother-of-pearl box toward Court Lady Dong with an indifferent expression. Court Lady Dong, who was looking at the box offered to her as if mesmerized, hurriedly pushed the box back toward Yeon-oh.

“It is far too much.”

At Court Lady Dong’s refusal, Yeon-oh spread the silk and began pulling out the large silver coins, one by one. When he tried to take out more than half of the silver coins in the box, Court Lady Dong again shook her head.

“Shouldn’t I give you more than what you would get at the ‘gold mine’ Dam So-ui’s residence?”

“Truly, it is far too much.”

Court Lady Dong looked at Yeon-oh as if he were a child who was too incredibly naive. She returned a whole row of the silver coins Yeon-oh had taken out and placed them back in the mother-of-pearl box. Her hand movements were frighteningly fast.

“Is that enough?”

Yeon-oh attempted to hand her one more silver coin that had returned to the box. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] Court Lady Dong covered the stack of silver coins on the silk with her hands to prevent him from adding more.

“One silver coin is enough for an ordinary person to live on for several months.”

Yeon-oh stated matter-of-factly at Court Lady Dong’s words.

“I know.”

The Court Lady’s expression became peculiar. Her face suggested she saw Yeon-oh as a reckless wastrel who would ruin his family.

“…Is that so.”

Her face was trying to look polite, but it was amusing to see her struggling to suppress the scornful smile that wanted to escape, watching a privileged young master who had squandered wealth so carelessly.

“Find out where the two children are as quickly as possible.”

“I receive your command.”

Court Lady Dong performed a respectful bow. In response, the eunuchs and palace servants inside the inner chamber also bowed their heads and raised their voices.

“Consort Cheob-yeo, we receive your command.”

Yeon-oh pretended not to notice the eyes that were side-eyeing the box full of silver coins as he watched them.

“Court Lady Dong, you said you were at a detached palace until recently. But are you familiar with the current state of affairs among the concubines?”

Some eyes looking at the mother-of-pearl box sharpened even further.

“Upon arriving at the concubine ranks, I made sure to learn about the recent trends. Do you have any other instructions?”

“No. Rather, you mentioned that the Yeongsan affairs were delayed. There must be people experiencing difficulties because of the Gyo General’s Household. Are there no complaints about this among the populace?”

“Not yet, my Lord.”

Court Lady Dong glanced at the line of eunuchs and palace servants before answering.

“Everyone may withdraw now.”

Yeon-oh understood the meaning behind Court Lady Dong’s discreet glance at him.

“We withdraw.”

“Court Lady Dong, please prepare the water for the flower tea to steep.”

The eunuchs and palace servants, who were bowing and withdrawing, paused momentarily at the word ‘flower tea.’

“Hmm, yes.”

Yeon-oh placed a small wooden box containing the flower tea on the small table. When he opened the box, a deep, rich scent of jasmine wafted out.

The eunuchs and palace servants leaving the room gathered their heads and whispered among themselves.

Court Lady Dong withdrew with everyone but returned quickly. She did not forget the large kettle of boiling water. Yeon-oh casually shook the tea leaves into the large teapot that had been prepared and presented it.

Court Lady Dong poured a small amount of water, matching the quantity of the tea leaves.

Yeon-oh quickly washed the tea leaves and discarded the water, then presented the spout of the teapot again. Court Lady Dong, who was waiting, poured water into the teapot once more. Court Lady Dong moved the kettle of boiling water aside and prepared the tea sets on the table.

“As I mentioned, the Head of the Gyo Household is neglecting the Yeongsan affairs, causing the large merchants and goods traveling to and from Yeongsan to be halted. People believe that the Head of the Gyo Household is troubled because he sent his youngest brother to the concubine ranks, so there are no widespread complaints yet.”

“Hmm.”

“Since the goods traveling the Eastern trade route also arrive via the West and South seas, there is no major impact on daily life. This is true for most things, but precious items like Yeongsan flower tea and special medicinal herbs entering through the East will soon become a problem. However, even then, people will likely not blame the Gyo General’s Household.”

Yeon-oh selected a large flower petal of the tea and placed it into a bright, wide-rimmed teacup. He then brought the kettle Court Lady Dong had moved aside, poured a little water in, and rinsed the tea leaves.

His sequence of movements was flawless.

“People are not blaming the Gyo General’s Household?”

“Yes, rumors are rampant that the Imperial Family broke their promise with the meritorious noble family and mistreated them, causing the Head of the Gyo Household to fall ill from worry. It seems word is also spreading secretly that the Gyo General’s Household was tricked by the Imperial Family.”

There was no way the Imperial Palace or Imperial Family would have started such rumors. The rumors spread by the Gyo General’s Household and the resulting situation—where the Head of the Gyo Household withdrew his hand from Yeongsan’s affairs—were causing difficulty for the Imperial Family.

He understood why the opposing side, be it the Emperor or the Empress Dowager, had raised Yeon-oh from Consort Jae-in to Consort Cheob-yeo under the pretext of step-by-step promotion. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] However, it was still not what had been originally promised.

“Court Lady Dong, does it seem like the legitimate son of the Gyo General’s Household is well looked after by his family?”

Yeon-oh asked with a faint smile. Court Lady Dong paused as if pricked by his words.

“The Gyo General’s Household seems to have deep affection among family members.”

“That is not entirely true.”

Yeon-oh tilted the teapot and poured the tea into the teacups. He gestured toward the teacup, offering it to Court Lady Dong. The dried flower bud, already placed in the cup, elegantly bloomed in the warm tea water.

“It is beautiful.”

Court Lady Dong offered a rare, sincere smile.

“Drink.”

“How could I possibly drink this?”

Court Lady Dong was astonished by Yeon-oh’s invitation.

“Yeongsan flower tea tastes excellent. This person must make a good impression on our Court Lady Dong so I can find the children who came with me and reclaim my position. Please drink, Court Lady Dong. It is tea made with the most beautiful flowers I brought to offer to the Emperor.”

Court Lady Dong’s face brightened with temptation at the mention of the most beautiful flowers intended for the Emperor.

“I am deeply honored, Consort Cheob-yeo. I will do my utmost.”

Court Lady Dong respectfully bowed, took the teacup, and smelled the fragrance. Once she smelled the fragrant flower tea, she couldn’t pass up drinking it. Court Lady Dong took a sip, then blew on the hot tea and continued to enjoy it.

Dong Yeong knew well of the greatness of Yeongsan flower tea. It was a noble tea that cost several silver coins for just a spoonful of tea leaves. There was a saying that tea containing flower petals was of inferior quality. However, the tea Yeon-oh offered was as wonderful in taste as the beautiful petals that captivated the eye.

The taste of Yeongsan flower tea was even more impressive and moving than the rumors suggested.

“I am skilled at handling Yeongsan flower tea. But you shouldn’t fall for me—I am already the Emperor’s concubine. Besides, I drank Baekhong on the day I entered the palace, so I am not a man anymore.”

Yeon-oh grinned broadly as he watched the astonished Court Lady Dong drink the tea he gave her. Court Lady Dong, who was suppressing her rising amusement at his words, abruptly froze upon hearing that he had drunk Baekhong.

“Cough! Consort Cheop, cough!… Did the Consort receive the ‘Baekhong’?”

Court Lady Dong coughed and choked, her face shocked. Yet, she didn’t spill a single drop of the flower tea she held.

Yeon-oh felt a sense of foreboding at Court Lady Dong’s reaction.

“It seems Dam So-ui, whom our Court Lady Dong wants to side with, did not receive the Baekhong.”

Court Lady Dong clenched her mouth at Yeon-oh’s quiet utterance. She only opened her mouth after taking another sip of the fragrant flower tea.

“…I apologize. That is likely the case.”

Bad premonitions never prove wrong.