Chapter 68

Yun So-hwa, unable to resist Yeon-oh’s gesture, reluctantly stood and sat down on the chair.

“Consort Gwi-bi truly does not know.”

“This person has only recently become a concubine, so he does not know much about Yun So-hwa.”

At Yeon-oh’s indifferent words, Yun So-hwa’s eye corners softly crumbled, then returned to their original state.

“This concubine has served His Majesty longer than anyone except the Empress Mama. Even during the days of the Royal Residence, which no one speaks of now, the Empress Mama was frail. This concubine went to the Royal Residence about a year after the Empress became the Military King’s Consort. There were only two of us in the Royal Residence: the Empress Mama and this concubine.”

The more Yeon-oh listened to Yun So-hwa’s words, the less he understood why she was avoided by the other consorts. However, Yeon-oh did not show his thoughts.

“I see.”

“No, Consort Gwi-bi Mama. This is not something to be merely passed over with ‘I see.’ This concubine is that base. Although I served His Majesty alongside the Empress Mama alone since the days of the Royal Residence, this concubine was only a Jae-in upon entering the palace, and it has not been even half a year since I became a So-hwa. This is because this concubine’s status is too low for it to be easy to grant an official rank. This is true even though this concubine was the mother of two children when His Majesty entered the Imperial Palace. Although those pitiful two children are now gone from the world…”

Yun So-hwa explained at length how low her status was. The final words resonated more deeply with Yeon-oh. He nodded to show he understood, but Yun So-hwa suspected that the Gwi-bi had not fully grasped the baseness of her status.

“Yun So-hwa served His Majesty for a long time, and did she not ultimately become a So-hwa?”

Yun So-hwa realized her suspicion was correct.

“A person like Consort Gwi-bi Mama, who comes from a high noble family, is a first for me. Noble-born palace consorts do not regard this concubine as a person when they know of my baseness.”

“Is it because they are all immature?”

“It seems difficult to make Consort Gwi-bi Mama understand this concubine’s insignificance. The lie this concubine told in the Imperial Garden was that I did not go to the accident site. This concubine saw the sight of the maid Bong-yeon suffering the accident. But after seeing it, I did not approach.”

Yun So-hwa’s expression was calm and composed as she confessed the sin. The soft atmosphere instantly darkened.

“Because being at the accident scene would invite suspicion…”

Yeon-oh muttered to himself. Instead of questioning the person who left the injured victim behind, he surmised the predicament that had forced her to run away.

“Du Cheob-yeo avoids base people like this concubine. She cannot understand how this concubine became a So-hwa. Du Cheob-yeo’s half-sister, the maid Bong-yeon, also despises this concubine just the same.”

Yun So-hwa’s face was hideously contorted as she said this.

“…”

Yeon-oh opened his mouth, but closed it again without uttering a word. It was difficult to either offer comfort or blame Du Cheob-yeo or Bong-yeon, who had suffered the accident.

“You may call this concubine a cold-hearted person. Even if I were to return to that moment, this concubine would run away. If I had stayed at the scene and tried to help the maid Bong-yeon, I would have been framed as the culprit and severely mistreated.”

Having finished her words, Yun So-hwa bowed her head and waited for his disposition.

“I thank you for telling me the truth. However, the case has been closed. This person will not take issue with Yun So-hwa having left the accident scene.”

“I am overwhelmingly grateful.”

At Yeon-oh’s words, Yun So-hwa tried to kneel again.

“Please rise.”

“I apologize, Consort Gwi-bi Mama.”

Yun So-hwa sat down on the chair, expressing her gratitude. Her expression was somewhat relieved.

“If Du Cheob-yeo continues to…”

Yeon-oh started cautiously.

“No, Consort Gwi-bi Mama.”

Yun So-hwa spoke sternly, as if reprimanding Yeon-oh for trying to be kind to her. Yeon-oh’s lips, which had been cautiously mumbling, stopped at her firm refusal.

“She does not harass you anymore…?”

“How could that be? This concubine is a person with problems other than her baseness. That is why everyone in the harem avoids this concubine. You should not associate with this concubine. Consort Gwi-bi is the noble legitimate son of the Gyo Marquisate family, and she enjoys His Majesty’s favor. Please do not be kind to this concubine like you were last time. Granting excessive consideration to a base person like me will lead to gossip.”

Yun So-hwa rose and paid her respects with a modest bow. It was impeccable etiquette. Yun So-hwa backed up to the entrance before leaving the Soru Pavilion.

The splendid beauty walked away with light steps. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] She was a remarkable beauty, even upon a second look.

Yeon-oh, left alone, mumbled softly.

“That’s right, he had children.”

The warm spring breeze blew into the silent Soru Pavilion. A cautious presence approached along with the mild breeze.

Yeon-oh turned his head to look toward the sound of footsteps.

“Mama.”

Court Lady Dong entered the Soru Pavilion to attend to him. The face of Court Lady Dong, who approached him, was expressionless. A touch as light as down wrapped around Yeon-oh’s arm.

“Court Lady Dong.”

“You should not associate with Yun So-hwa.”

Yeon-oh’s face, which had been lost in sentiment of an unknown source, snapped out of it. Yeon-oh pulled his arm away from Court Lady Dong’s hand. Court Lady Dong stepped back, assuming a posture of waiting for a command. Her elegant gesture seemed to be asking for forgiveness.

“I am waiting for Court Lady Dong to tell me.”

Yeon-oh did not voice what he was thinking. Although the request must have been sudden, Court Lady Dong lowered her face even deeper and spoke.

“This servant came into the imperial palace as a court lady from a young age. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] Yun So-hwa was also in the palace from a young age.”

Yun So-hwa had confessed to lying in the Imperial Garden on the day of the interrogation. She ran away after seeing the victim at the accident scene. However, those who arrived at the scene immediately after the accident testified that they saw Dong Yeong nearby.

With Court Lady Dong’s brief words alone, Yeon-oh predicted the situation at the time of the accident. Yun So-hwa, who saw the victim immediately after the accident, ran away out of fear of being investigated due to her low status, and Court Lady Dong, who knew such predicaments well from living as a court lady since childhood, pretended not to see it even though she did.

“Please rise. Are you acquainted with Yun So-hwa from when you were younger?”

“I apologize. I would not say we are acquainted. Yun So-hwa is much younger than this servant.”

Court Lady Dong cautiously held the arm Yeon-oh reached out to her.

“Yun So-hwa is much younger?”

“Yes.”

Yeon-oh stopped moving at Court Lady Dong’s answer.

Yun So-hwa had been a concubine since the Emperor’s time in the hidden residence. She had served the Emperor for at least eight, or nearly nine, years. Although it was the custom for imperial family members to marry early, Yun So-hwa was at least close to thirty.

Yun So-hwa was an extremely splendid beauty. Yeon-oh thought she was the most beautiful of the Emperor’s consorts. However, if they were both splendid beauties, Yeon-oh thought that an elegant and pure face with deep-set eyes, like Dong Yeong’s, was more attractive than a distinct face with clear features and a strong impression, like Yun So-hwa’s.

“Court Lady Dong.”

“Yes?”

“I know it is rude to ask a woman, but how old are you?”

Yeon-oh asked with a watchful expression. A slight impudence flashed across Court Lady Dong’s pure yet beautiful face. When Yeon-oh first saw Court Lady Dong’s face, he thought her face was very lovely, contrary to her frivolous way of speaking. He had guessed she was older than the surrounding palace servants, but she did not look significantly older.

“I am thirty-five. The year has changed, and my birthday will soon pass, so I will soon be thirty-six, will I not?”

Yeon-oh was silent for a moment. Court Lady Dong surmised that the guileless face was calculating a subtraction in his head. A long-absent, twisted frown appeared on the Court Lady‘s face as she looked at the innocent expression.

“How old is Yun So-hwa…”

“Thirty.”

Yeon-oh, who had been mumbling whether he should ask for the next part, closed his mouth at Court Lady Dong’s immediate reply. Court Lady Dong stared intently at the innocent face that was looking off into the distance, blinking, seemingly troubled.

“Why are you asking about our ages?”

The sulky voice was tinged with complaint. The fact that Yun So-hwa was thirty, as he guessed, was surprising, but the fact that Court Lady Dong was thirty-five was truly astonishing.

‘Both of them are beautiful and look young, too.’

Yeon-oh swallowed the impolite words he was thinking, keeping them to himself.

“No.”

“No? Did you not just calculate the age difference between me and Consort Gwi-bi Mama?”

“I knew Court Lady Dong was much older than me.”

Yeon-oh spoke, smiling softly.

“Older sister? If this servant had worked hard earlier, I could have had children your age, Mama. But please do not regard me as a mother. I dislike it.”

“Mother? I was born late, so I cannot regard someone only a few years older as a mother. Do not say such frightening things.”

Yeon-oh showed an even stronger refusal to Court Lady Dong’s rejection. As the two bickered and left the Soru Pavilion,

“Mama! Mama! Consort Gwi-bi Mama!”

Seok-wi was shouting loudly, running toward the entrance of Seokgeum-won. Grand Eunuch Beom supported the gasping Seok-wi as they approached Yeon-oh. Seok-wi was still a eunuch belonging to the Emperor’s presence, but to the people here, he was regarded as a eunuch of Giryung Palace.

“Consort Gwi-bi Mama, His Majesty… H-His Majesty has arrived.”

Seok-wi spoke urgently, panting as if he would soon collapse.

“Now?”

It was still midday. It was early afternoon, and today was the day for the court meeting. Discussing large and small matters after the court meeting usually meant the Emperor finished his affairs late into the night.

“Yes. Please quickly return to the palace…”

Seok-wi continued to speak, catching his breath with gasps.

“Is His Majesty at Giryung Palace now?”

“Yes.”

“Did His Majesty look displeased, by any chance?”

Yeon-oh lowered his voice and asked cautiously, and Seok-wi quickly nodded, letting out quick breaths. There was nothing more to find out by asking the eunuch, who had rushed straight to Seokgeum-won as soon as the Emperor arrived.

“Let’s go back.”

Yeon-oh, having shaken off the complex thoughts that had been lingering in his mind, headed for Giryung Palace as quickly as possible.