Chapter 58

The elaborately crafted white gold ornament was a piece of painstaking work. Besides the carved characters, the baekgeumpaesik (white gold hairpin) was also adorned with a peach ornament whose seeds were expressed with coral beads (sanhoju).

The ornament was hung on a hook shaped by connecting two round bracelets. The white gold tips of both hooks were delicately coiled and smoothly finished. At a glance, the white gold hairpin, the hook, the coral bead ornament, and the character, was all precious and not easily obtainable.

“What is this?”

At Yeon-oh’s question, Consort Hyeok nodded and commanded.

“Report to the Gwi-bi.”

“I report to the Consort Gwi-bi Mama. This character baekgeumpaesik was bestowed upon all the palace servants of Chwiho Palace by the late Grand Royal Consort Sun, the owner of Chwiho Palace, in the year of her passing. As you can see, it is extremely intricate and difficult to replicate. Court Lady Dong was in the separate palace until she attended the Consort Gwi-bi Mama, and there are people who saw her possessing the white gold hairpin.”

A Court Lady from the inspection office stepped next to the inspection eunuch and spoke. The inspection Court Lady was a person with almost no expression.

“Is this alone enough for Court Lady Dong to be the criminal?”

“It is a precious item not easily obtainable.”

“I think differently.”

Yeon-oh shook his head slightly. The inspection Court Lady’s expression softened slightly, as it might seem to a Consort Gwi-bi from the wealthy Gyo Marquisate family that the ornament was nothing special.

“Mama.”

He seemed to pity the seemingly naive Consort Gwi-bi a little.

“I know the white gold hairpin is precious. Seeing the character ‘Hui’ (禧, blessing/happiness) here, this white gold hairpin must be part of a set taken from the ‘Bokrok-su-hui’ (福祿壽喜 – Fortune, Rank, Longevity, Happiness), so there would be four characters. If the Court Lady Dong I know were to choose one of the four characters, she would definitely choose ‘Rok’ (祿, Rank/Emolument). The character ‘Hui’ (禧) in this ornament, which means blessing and nobility, or the original character ‘Hui’ (喜), which means enjoyable, happy, and liking, are also excellent. However, I believe the Court Lady Dong would have chosen ‘Rok’ (祿). The character ‘Rok’ (祿) also means good fortune, but it means emolument and salary.”

“Is that so?”

“I also understand that there are people who saw Court Lady Dong with the same hairpin. The characters ‘Hui’ (禧) and ‘Rok’ (祿) in the white gold hairpin, when made with open-carved ornaments, might look similar. I understand that Court Lady Dong was implicated as the criminal because of this evidence.”

Yeon-oh readily accepted the reason for Court Lady Dong’s implication. Now it was time to summon the accused and have him admit guilt. The problem was the person who would hand over the accused.

Just as Consort Hyeok resolved herself and was about to speak, Yeon-oh looked around at everyone and said:

“Consort Hyeok, I have a request. Please command the Court Lady Dong in the Giryung Palace quarters to bring the four characters of the white gold hairpin bestowed by the late Grand Royal Consort Sun of Chwiho Palace. If Court Lady Dong is unfortunate enough to have sold them all for silver and has none left, then so be it. But if, by coincidence, only the ‘Hui’ (禧) character is missing, then she is the culprit.”

“Follow the Consort Gwi-bi’s command.”

Consort Hyeok accepted Yeon-oh’s request and commanded the inspection eunuch. An inspection eunuch and a palace servant quickly exited the Jade Garden.

“Consort Gwi-bi Mama, Court Lady Dong was implicated as the criminal not only because of the evidence. The last word Bong-yeon spoke before losing consciousness was ‘Court Lady Dong.’ Although the only person named Dong in the Imperial Palace is not just the Court Lady of Giryung Palace, the Court Lady Dong in the Imperial Palace is currently only the Court Lady Dong of Giryung Palace.”

Consort Du spoke with effort, her voice trembling with tears.

“Was Court Lady Dong at the site of the accident?”

“That is not certain. Bong-yeon, the palace servant of Seonin-gung, fell from the railing on the third floor of the Oru Pavilion. When people went there after hearing something fall, they said there was no one there except for the collapsed Bong-yeon. However, there are people who saw Court Lady Dong passing nearby at that time.”

The answer came from Consort Hyeok.

“When was that time?”

The Oru Pavilion was a three-story structure. It was a place with a good view, so palace servants often went there when they had time. It was quite close to Seonin-gung, so it was not strange that Bong-yeon was there. However, it was a long distance from Giryung Palace. Yeon-oh had not heard that Court Lady Dong particularly liked Oru Pavilion.

“It was around the fourth quarter of the night (sagyung) until the fifth quarter of the night (ogyung, between 3 and 5 AM). Bong-yeon was found and returned to Seonin-gung toward the end of ogyung.”

It was odd that Court Lady Dong was seen near the Oru Pavilion, which was a long way from Giryung Palace, at that hour of the morning. Although the time for flowers to bloom was approaching, it was equally strange for a palace servant to go there in the early morning.

“Why was Bong-yeon at the Oru Pavilion at that time?”

“That…”

Consort Hyeok, who had been answering without hesitation, glanced at Consort Du. Consort Du wiped her tears and sniffled as she spoke.

“That was because of me. I asked Yun So-hwa to do some sewing and was scheduled to receive it this morning. The Oru Pavilion was a suitable meeting place between Yun So-hwa’s quarters and Seonin-gung, and that is why Bong-yeon was there at that time.”

Consort Du looked a little sheepish as she spoke.

And for good reason. Yun So-hwa was a Rank 3 So-hwa (Beauty), and Consort Du was a Rank 4 Cheob-yeo (Lady), so Yun So-hwa was technically higher in rank. However, Consort Du was from the powerful Du family, and Yeon-oh had never heard of Yun So-hwa’s family. It seemed Consort Du had acted rudely toward Yun So-hwa, relying on her family. Even now, Consort Du was cautious when speaking to Yeon-oh, but she looked at Yun So-hwa with obvious displeasure.

“Yun So-hwa.”

Yeon-oh looked for Yun So-hwa, not attaching much significance to it.

“Yes, Consort Gwi-bi Mama. Yun So-hwa greets the Consort Gwi-bi Mama. May Consort Gwi-bi enjoy great fortune.”

Yun So-hwa, hearing the call, rose from her seat and approached Yeon-oh. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] The woman who paid her respects with a gentle bow was a dazzling beauty who could elicit admiration.

“Please rise.”

“I apologize.”

Yeon-oh had never had an occasion to meet Yun So-hwa separately until now. Yun So-hwa had never flaunted her beauty or significantly displayed her presence, so he only now realized her appearance. In the Imperial Palace, those with low rank always walked with their heads bowed. Yeon-oh’s situation was similar right after entering the palace. After he became the Consort Gwi-bi, he had no reason to approach Yun So-hwa, whom he did not know well, so he had no opportunity to notice the appearance of a person who walked with her face lowered. If he did not stand close enough to talk, he would not see her face.

The thought that it was rude came to him belatedly, but Yeon-oh unconsciously looked at Consort Du, who was seated next to him. Consort Du made a slightly sulky face at Yeon-oh’s glance. If they were close, he would have advised her as if picking a quarrel that jealousy was a bad thing. Yeon-oh was not that close to her.

“This is the first time I have seen Yun So-hwa up close. It is regrettable that I have come to recognize your face due to such an incident. It is my fault for not having acquainted myself with your face sooner.”

“I am only sorry that such a precious person as the Consort Gwi-bi is concerned about me.”

Yun So-hwa bowed her head even lower than others. It seemed Consort Du was not the only one harassing her. Even if they were not harassing her, everyone seemed unfriendly toward her. The expressions of the concubines looking at Yun So-hwa, who was standing in front of Yeon-oh, were unusually cold.

“Doesn’t bowing your head like that hurt your neck?”

“No, I am fine. I apologize for causing you concern.”

Yun So-hwa slightly broke her composure at Yeon-oh’s light remark. Her large eyes, which looked up at Yeon-oh for a moment, immediately looked down.

“It is fine to be a little more relaxed.”

“Hmm.”

Consort Du cleared her throat, giving Yeon-oh a warning glance as he tried to show kindness. Unlike him, who was puzzled, Yun So-hwa backed away a step, looking apologetic. Yeon-oh thought he would have pointed out Consort Du if his situation hadn’t been so awkward.

“I do not mean to treat you badly.”

“No, Your Majesty.”

“According to Consort Du, Yun So-hwa went to the Oru Pavilion this morning.”

“I apologize. As the Consort Gwi-bi mentioned, I left my quarters on time, but I could not reach the Oru Pavilion. I had a problem with my clothes on the way and returned to my quarters. I believe the accident occurred in the meantime.”

Yun So-hwa spoke with a voice full of guilt. As Yeon-oh was unable to speak due to regret, Consort Du’s sharp grumbling echoed from the side.

“There is nothing she does properly.”

“Consort Du, observe courtesy toward Yun So-hwa!”

Consort Bi spoke up before Yeon-oh could.

“I apologize.”

At the sharp reprimand, Consort Du offered an apology with an unjustly aggrieved expression. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] She had a very easy-to-understand personality. She divided people by rank based on their family and acted arrogantly toward those she considered inferior to herself.

“Yun So-hwa, do you remember when you first left your quarters?”

“It would have been around the third quarter of ogyung. The sun had not risen, so I moved only by listening to the time announcement, so it is not exact. My memory is also not certain, I apologize.”

“No problem. By chance, did you see Dong Yeong, the Court Lady of Giryung Palace, on your way to the Oru Pavilion?”

Yun So-hwa carefully searched her memory and answered with sincerity.

“… The surroundings were dark, so it would have been difficult to see clearly even if someone had passed by. I was hurrying toward the Oru Pavilion at the time, so I didn’t have the leisure to look around.”

Consort Du glared at her with a frightening expression, as if she was displeased with Yun So-hwa’s answer. At her dissatisfied sigh, Yun So-hwa lowered her face even deeper.

“Thank you for your help. Please return to your seat now.”

“I am overwhelmed by your grace.”

Yun So-hwa paid her respects and returned to her seat.