Chapter 72

Yeon-oh was in the middle of trying to thread the loop of his loosened waistband. Seonjae took the waistband from his frantic hands, threaded the loop, and spoke respectfully.

Yeon-oh, startled by the Emperor’s excessive kindness and still in a dazed state, spoke unguardedly.

“Isn’t the point of negotiation to try everything?”

“Should I summon the Panwonsa here?”

“Why would you summon my uncle here!”

Yeon-oh shouted in surprise at the Emperor’s words. He belatedly realized he was sitting on the desk and tried to climb down.

Seonjae pressed Yeon-oh’s shoulder, making him sit back down on the desk.

“According to imperial protocol, a consort whose family member holds an official post may meet him in a designated place. Since Giryung Palace is Consort Gwi-bi’s residence, you may summon a blood relative and meet him if you inform Me of the date and time.”

Seonjae only then realized that Yeon-oh had never summoned a relative since entering the palace.

“I will not summon anyone, as I cannot meet some and not others. Since one of my family members has already become a consort, influencing the family, would summoning them separately not become a detriment to the path of my blood relatives?”

“How complicated. Consort Gwi-bi can manage that on her own, but please tell Me about this ‘negotiation.’ Shouldn’t Consort Gwi-bi, who knows the Panwonsa well, advise Me?”

The Emperor had something to say about a relative’s visit to the consort, but he moved past it for now because he was more curious about something else.

“If it were this concubine, I would first negotiate the issue of the late Empress Sun-tae-bi’s funeral screen that was submitted in the memorial.”

“Continue.”

“You must first acknowledge that the memorial requesting that the screen not be removed for the sake of filial piety is incorrect, as the screen does not fit the late Empress Sun-tae-bi’s rank, and its removal is right. Though filial piety is important, it is correct to deal with the screen according to protocol.”

Seonjae frowned, watching Yeon-oh speak exactly like his uncle. It was astonishing how he pointed out the issue exactly like the Panwonsa, without missing a single word.

“However, it is spring now, and the season when labor is scarce. Protocol is important, but the most urgent matter is farming, so privately mobilizing labor is even more inappropriate. How about stating that the demolition of the funeral screen will be decided after the farming season, setting a date, and discussing it again then?”

The man, who had been relaxing his frown at Yeon-oh’s continuing words, severely furrowed his eyebrows.

“How is the result of what I intended and what Consort Gwi-bi is saying any different?”

“The difference is that you are not permitting the content of the memorial and have confirmed the removal.”

“And promote the late Empress Sun-tae-bi to Empress Sun-hwang-gwi-tae-bi before winter. Then you will not violate the rites. What reward do you want? Shall I suck you?”

The Emperor said, casting his gaze between Yeon-oh’s legs. The man’s mouth was pulled up sharply.

“…”

Yeon-oh, who was about to reply not to say such indecent things, saw the stain of bodily fluid on his clothes and closed his mouth.

“What should I negotiate to play gyeokgu (polo) during the spring hunt, Consort Gwi-bi?”

“Why do you wish to play gyeokgu? It takes an enormous amount of gold just to secure the location. You need extremely superior horses, and it drains the strength of those valuable horses, even causing injury if severe. From the horses ridden for gyeokgu to what you hold in your hands, the clothes you wear, and the protective gear for people and horses; every single thing is on the level of luxury goods.”

“I thought I was talking to the Panwonsa just now.”

The Emperor, sitting decadently in the chair, could not hide his absurdity. Even seeing the man’s expression of disgust, Yeon-oh did not withdraw his claim. In that regard, too, he closely resembled his family.

“Gyeokgu is splendid, fun, and loved by all. If we mingle while doing something people enjoy, won’t the spring hunt, which is held for harmony, flourish?”

“Flourishing is important, but safety is the most important.”

Yeon-oh could tell just by seeing the man’s eyebrows wrinkle. He could almost hear his gentle third uncle’s voice, citing the reasons the Panwonsa had opposed gyeokgu.

“How about compromising by appointing gyeokgu horse inspectors and having all participants ride mid-to-high-grade horses instead of top-grade warhorses? The level of fun might decrease if the quality of the horses drops, but if the purpose is to mingle and harmonize, mid-to-high-grade horses should be sufficient, shouldn’t they?”

At Yeon-oh’s proposal, Seonjae eased his expression slightly.

“Also, if a person or horse is injured, stop the game immediately, and indefinitely suspend the game until the injured person and horse are fully recovered. There will also be people who intentionally injure themselves in a game they are likely to lose, using that rule. To prepare for that, if the victory or defeat of the suspended game is decided by several inspectors voting on the win and loss, it can be somewhat prevented.”

“You are wise, Consort Gwi-bi.”

The man rose with a smiling face.

“I apologize.”

The Emperor, who seemed about to leave the front of the desk, suddenly stopped.

“But the gyeokgu rules are detailed for something spontaneous.”

Seonjae stood in front of Yeon-oh, blocking him as he tried to climb down from the desk.

“I spoke by referencing the rules that the Gyo Marquisate family set for a gyeokgu match aimed at fostering harmony between Goksan and Yeongsan.”

The man’s grin somehow turned chilling.

“The Gyo Marquisate family plays gyeokgu?”

“Yes, we do.”

“Why?”

“Did not Your Majesty also say it? That gyeokgu is splendid, fun, and people are enthusiastic about it.”

Seonjae moved closer to the desk. Yeon-oh, seeing the man’s face approaching, breathed cautiously. His shoulders involuntarily recoiled.

“I forbid Consort Gwi-bi from playing gyeokgu in the future. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] It is an Imperial Order. I shall issue an edict soon.”

The tension momentarily eased at the absurd Imperial Order the Emperor issued.

“Your Majesty.”

“But does playing gyeokgu mean you know how to ride a horse? Gyo Yeon-oh, you knew how to ride a horse? You always rode in a carriage in Goksan.”

Seonjae spoke, wearing a frown.

It was Yeon-oh who wanted to frown. He did not like gyeokgu, but not doing it by his own choice was completely different from being forbidden by Imperial Order.

The Emperor’s subsequent words were also puzzling. He frequently visited Goksan when Yeon-oh was there, but he was not attached to him all day. The man’s certainty that he always rode in a carriage was absurd.

“I mostly rode in a carriage in Goksan. My brothers kept me from riding horses much, saying I would break my head. However, I rode horses quite often. When I was with Your Majesty, I believe we walked or traveled by carriage because there were guests.”

Seonjae nodded at Yeon-oh’s reply. But the man’s subsequent words were completely contrary to the positive nod.

“Consort Gwi-bi is only to ride a horse with My permission. This, too, is an Imperial Order. I shall also issue an edict soon.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Are you not afraid of the performer injuring her fingers?”

Seonjae touched Yeon-oh’s hand, which was resting on the desk, as if tapping it, and spoke severely. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] The man said his piece and turned around, leaving the study.

Yeon-oh slid off the desk and ran toward the door.

“Your Majesty, just a moment.”

The Emperor, who was opening the door himself, turned back to Yeon-oh.

“I will come tonight.”

At the man’s words, Yeon-oh stopped, forgetting what he was about to say. The Emperor gave Yeon-oh a meaningful look with a strange smile and left the Yeongsangjae.

“Why tonight…”

Yeon-oh muttered and bit his lip. The reason the Emperor visited a consort at night was obvious. It was a baffling matter considering what had happened between him and himself, but it was not a matter that could be challenged now.

A peculiar awkwardness lingered in the study where he was left alone.

******

Seonjae, who had emerged from the chamber, walked with large strides. Grand Eunuch Wan quickly followed the Emperor, who had come out of the study after a long while. Eunuchs followed him in a line.

“Tell the Panwonsa to enter the audience chamber.”

“Yes.”

A eunuch bowed his head at the Emperor’s command. The face issuing the order was much more lenient than when he had last seen it. Grand Eunuch Wan looked for the moment to ask when he should summon him.

“Immediately.”

Seonjae turned to Grand Eunuch Wan and spoke softly. As he spoke, he increased his walking speed. The Emperor’s expression was not only lenient but also relaxed. Grand Eunuch Wan pointed to the fastest walker among the following eunuchs and conveyed the Imperial Order.

The dragon robe fluttered sumptuously with the Emperor’s large strides.

The Panwonsa, having entered the audience chamber upon receiving the Imperial Order, concluded many pending issues. The atmosphere was not entirely pleasant. There were fierce shouts, cries of “impossible,” and firm pleas for “understanding” exchanged between the Emperor and the Panwonsa.

However, the matters that had been left unresolved were finished in a short time. Finally, the Emperor issued an order to the Panwonsa to concurrently serve as the Minister of War (Byeongbu Sangseo), a proposal he had made for a long time.

The Panwonsa refused this time as well.

“How do you wish to proceed? We cannot leave the position of Minister of War vacant forever.”

The Emperor, who usually withdrew his words whenever the Panwonsa showed signs of refusal after the proposal, continued softly today.

The Panwonsa had been feeling unsure since entering the audience chamber. He realized who had taught the Emperor how to deal with him when the Emperor’s words, which sounded like an inquiry but demanded help and solutions, came up.

The Panwonsa realized anew that the Emperor had become his youngest nephew-in-law.

“Your Majesty has prevented ministers from holding concurrent positions until now. In that situation, it is burdensome for this humble subject to concurrently hold a position alone. I wish to leave the position of Minister of War vacant and only take charge of the duties of the Minister of War when needed, as is the case now. How would it be to place someone this humble subject desires in the position directly below the Minister of War and look after the Ministry of War?”

The Emperor smiled contentedly at the Panwonsa‘s words.

“I grant your permission.”

His youngest nephew-in-law was the most burdensome among his nephews-in-law.

“I am eternally grateful.”

“Let us end here today.”

The Emperor graciously permitted the Panwonsa to withdraw with an extremely lenient attitude, then he rose even faster and left the audience chamber himself. Grand Eunuch Wan softly spoke to the Panwonsa, who was staring blankly at the Emperor’s back as he swiftly departed.

“He is going to Giryung Palace.”

The Chief Eunuch spoke briefly and followed the Emperor with hurried steps. The Emperor, who usually walked quickly, walked faster than ever and instantly disappeared.