Chapter 57

“C-Confront? Was there some difference between the two houses? Are you saying the Du family is inferior to the Gyo Marquisate family?”

Consort Du immediately bristled at Yeon-oh’s arrogant remark.

“I didn’t say that. Did Consort Du think so all along?”

“H-How could that be? What is the Du family lacking compared to the Gyo Marquisate family?”

“Is the rudeness Consort Du just showed me an attempt to shame the Gyo Marquisate family, relying on the Du family? I am indeed a member of the Gyo Marquisate family and have great pride in it. Everyone in the Gyo Marquisate family would think the same. However, Court Lady Dong Yeong has no relationship with the Gyo Marquisate family. Court Lady Dong is a person who has never crossed the main gates of the Gyo Marquisate family in Goksan and Yeongsan, and has never stepped on a single stair. Why are you trying to place the burden of the Gyo Marquisate family on her?”

Those who became concubines were naturally proud of their family. However, it was rare for someone to love their family or clan enough to speak so openly about it in front of everyone like the Consort Gwi-bi. Consort Du momentarily faltered at Yeon-oh’s intense presence.

“The G-Gyo Marquisate family…”

“I told you to stop bringing up the Gyo Marquisate family. How many times do I have to say it for you to understand? I’d like to ask the same thing. Is Consort Du demanding responsibility from the Gyo Marquisate family because the Du family instructed you to do so?”

“N-No, Your Majesty. That is a ridiculous misunderstanding. Consort Gwi-bi Mama, why would you say such a thing? Do you not know that I am in the concubines’ quarters and the Du family is far away!”

Consort Du seemed to realize belatedly from Yeon-oh’s strong words that her own statements could incite a serious conflict between the families. Consort Du’s face was now clouded with fear.

Yeon-oh did not back down. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] He smiled warmly and continued his aggressive words.

“I understand Consort Du’s suspicion. I, too, am having similar thoughts. Is someone framing my close associate to incriminate the Gyo Marquisate family? I apologize for my undue suspicion since the victim is unconscious, but is the unconscious palace servant truly the victim? Is it possible that the victim harmed herself, or that ‘someone’ sacrificed the victim with the sole intention of blaming the Gyo Marquisate family?”

“Someone!?”

Consort Du burst into tears with grief and a sense of injustice. It seemed to her that the Consort Gwi-bi was determined to use his status and the influence of his family to take the criminal away. She resented the Consort Gwi-bi for trapping her and the Du family with such absurd conjectures.

“Was she the one who usually made the victim suffer the most? Isn’t there someone who harassed the collapsed servant? We should also consider people who had a bad relationship with her or bore a grudge.”

At Yeon-oh’s words, Consort Du collapsed onto her knees on the floor.

“N-No, I am not, not that person. I am truly afraid that something will happen to Bong-yeon. Although I haven’t treated her well normally, or ever… it wasn’t me! I never liked Bong-yeon, but I never hated her enough to take her life. Truly! Although we have different mothers, I thought of her as my sister.”

Consort Du wept uncontrollably, asserting her innocence.

Yeon-oh, who had been intimidating Consort Du and the Du family, looked around at Consort Hyeok, Consort Bi, and the other concubines with a puzzled expression. Consort Bi pretended to be preoccupied, lightly smoothing her forehead with the back of her hand as if tired. Neung So-yong and Jin Mi-in stayed close to Consort Bi, supporting her.

“Please attend to Consort Du. Consort Gwi-bi Mama, escorting you to the seat of honor would be the correct etiquette, but…”

Consort Hyeok approached Yeon-oh and offered an awkward smile.

“Why is Consort Du doing this?”

Consort Hyeok was troubled, seeing Yeon-oh unable to hide his confusion. It was strange to see the person who had just forced her to commit to not openly challenging the Gyo Marquisate family’s influence in front of many people now rolling his eyes like a clueless child.

“Consort Du usually… did that a lot to her half-sister. It’s a common occurrence. It happens in every household, but it might be unfamiliar to the Consort Gwi-bi. I heard the Gyo Marquisate family has good relationships among its members.”

Consort Hyeok spoke in a lowered voice. A hint of bitterness lingered in her tone.

“Consort Gwi-bi Mama, I truly regret forcing Bong-yeon, who was recognized as an illegitimate child in the family and was scheduled to stay for a while before being married off, to be brought to the concubines’ quarters…! Please believe my sincerity. Bong-yeon has not regained consciousness for over five hours. If something goes wrong, I will not be able to forgive myself.”

Consort Du, who was being moved with the help of a palace servant, clutched Yeon-oh’s sleeve and pleaded. Consort Du’s face was again covered in tears.

Her confession, which was not exactly a confession, surprised Yeon-oh the more he learned. Yeon-oh did not criticize or further threaten the shocked Consort Du.

“Consort Du, I know you are sad and distressed. The female physicians from the Imperial Medical Office will help the collapsed servant recover. Let us forget the words we exchanged just now. When Consort Du is composed, I wish to review the details of the incident and find the culprit.”

“Are you forgiving my rudeness…?”

“Of course. I hope Consort Du also forgives the rude words I spoke. However, as I said before, if Court Lady Dong is indeed guilty, I will definitely ensure the Court Lady receives the punishment for her crime.”

At Yeon-oh’s words, Consort Du began to weep heavily. Her face, red from crying, turned stark white in places.

“Y-You promised…”

“Yes.”

Yeon-oh summoned a servant to assist the staggering Consort Du. A female physician entered the Jade Garden through the entrance with quick steps. Yeon-oh recognized the female physician, whose attire and upper garment were different from those of ordinary palace servants, and approached her.

“Consort Gwi-bi Mama.”

“The patient?”

“The servant’s breathing is increasingly shallow.”

The female physician conveyed the pessimistic news.

“Is there absolutely no method?”

“The acupuncturist from Baekha says gold needles must be placed in her head. I have never seen such a gold needle, and would such a precious item not only be used for the Imperial Family?”

The female physician spoke apologetically, with a troubled expression.

“Does the Baekha acupuncturist have gold needles?”

“Not many, but a few, I am told.”

“Tell her to use those first. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] You take one of the gold needles the Baekha acupuncturist possesses and keep it in your custody, and give her this for the cost of the gold needles. Be sure to save the patient.”

The female physician, who received the silk pouch Yeon-oh handed her, bowed her head.

“I will do my utmost.”

The female physician quickly paid her respects and left the Jade Garden. Yeon-oh watched the departing woman with worried eyes. It would be easier to find the culprit if the victim woke up, but he could not voice those words.

“Consort Gwi-bi Mama.”

“Let us leave the treatment to the physicians, and we will examine the case and find the culprit.”

Yeon-oh said, turning to Consort Hyeok, who had approached him. Consort Hyeok had brought down all the seats that had been in the corridor and rearranged the seating. At her gesture, the inspection eunuchs and palace servants guarding the front of the Jade Garden came inside.

“Please take your seat, Consort Gwi-bi Mama.”

Consort Hyeok seated the attending concubines according to their rank in their original position on the upper platform. Consorts (Bi), Consorts (Bin), and Concubines (So-yong) were in the front row, and the rest were seated in the back row. Consort Hyeok’s seat, who would lead the interrogation, was arranged on the left, and the seats for Yeon-oh and Consort Du were arranged on the right.

“Thank you.”

Yeon-oh, seated in his place, looked around at the people gathered here. He was struck by the thought of what a strange relationship this was. So many concubines married to a single Emperor. If his sincerity toward the Emperor had remained, his heart would ache every time he was in this position. He even had the conceited thought that it was better that he had been deceived by the man. He felt that he could only endure this because he had given up on his feelings for him.

“Consort Gwi-bi Mama, where is Court Lady Dong Yeong, who has been named the criminal?”

Yeon-oh answered Consort Hyeok’s question.

“Court Lady Dong is in her own quarters within Giryung Palace. As there were Imperial eunuchs in Giryung Palace, I requested them to have the Imperial eunuchs guard Court Lady Dong’s quarters. Since the Imperial eunuchs are guarding the place, Court Lady Dong cannot leave her quarters carelessly, and no outsiders will be able to enter without an Imperial Decree.”

“I believe that is a reasonable measure.”

Several concubines nodded in agreement with Consort Hyeok’s words.

“I wish to hear the reason why Court Lady Dong was named the criminal.”

“Show it to the Consort Gwi-bi.”

At Consort Hyeok’s command, an inspection eunuch stepped forward. On the wooden tray the eunuch held was a white gold hairpin (baekgeumpaesik). The character for ‘blessing’ or ‘happiness’ (hui – 禧), made of white gold, was intricately carved following the strokes so that the writing could be recognized. Small floral patterns were engraved on the surface of the character.