Chapter 94

Recently, the consort palace had been eventful. One of the topics was the rumor concerning Dam So-ui’s golden phoenix hairpin.

“Dam So-ui lost the golden phoenix hairpin that he was bestowed by His Majesty.”

“Gasp, really?”

“Good heavens, that golden phoenix hairpin looks like the phoenix is truly alive and is incredibly precious. Didn’t they say His Majesty had an Imperial Palace artisan specially make it?”

“At this rate, he will lose what little favor he has left.”

“Oh, come on. How much does His Majesty cherish Dam So-ui? She is the favored So-ui who, far from being severely punished, was even consoled after spilling tea on Gwi-bi Mama.”

The rumors reached even Yeon-oh, who was hard of hearing. This was due to the extraordinary nature of what Dam So-ui had lost.

Cheong-ryu sought out Yeon-oh, who had returned after paying respects to the Empress Dowager.

“Gwi, Gwi-bi Mama…”

The pale face of the young maid was turning blue.

“What is it?”

“There is something you must see for a moment, just for a moment.”

Her white, parched lips moved with difficulty. Yeon-oh followed Cheong-ryu to the side room next to the inner chamber. The room was empty, as if Cheong-ryu had been tidying it alone.

Yeon-oh approached the open wardrobe. Cheong-ryu lifted the hem of a thick, long winter outer coat.

There, lay a luxurious and delicate golden phoenix hairpin. It was the golden phoenix hairpin that was the subject of so many rumors; Dam So-ui’s hairpin.

Cheong-ryu whispered with a crying voice.

“Th-This is… what shall we do about this?”

Touching a precious object bestowed by the Emperor would not end with a light punishment. No matter how many times he looked, it was the magnificent golden phoenix hairpin that Dam So-ui had lost and was searching for.

Yeon-oh did not even breathe for a moment. He, who had stopped without even blinking, slowly returned to reality.

“Did you put it there?”

His questioning voice sounded slightly blunt.

“A-Ah, no…! Mama, Gwi-bi Mama. This humble servant absolutely… no.”

Cheong-ryu hurriedly waved her hands. Her white, pale face instantly lost color, turning so dull that it looked momentarily dark.

“Then, let’s assume Dam So-ui put it there.”

“Pardon? Pardon?”

“Give it to me.”

Yeon-oh spoke with a calm voice. He personally wrapped the precious golden phoenix hairpin in a silk handkerchief. The movements of his hand, carefully handling the hairpin, were cautious, but his face, which had been greatly surprised and then regained composure, was indifferent.

“Court Lady Dong.”

His steps returning to the inner chamber were light.

“Gwi-bi Mama, did you call?”

“Summon Dam So-ui.”

Yeon-oh went and sat down in the seat of honor in the inner chamber, holding the golden phoenix hairpin in his hand. His movements were calm, and his expression was relaxed.

Court Lady Dong, who was reflexively bowing her head and about to say, “I shall summon Dam So-ui,” paused as she belatedly understood the meaning of the words on her tongue.

“…”

Her beautiful face turned her neck with a movement that seemed to creak, looking up at Yeon-oh seated in the seat of honor.

“Summon Dam So-ui.”

Yeon-oh commanded again.

******

Dam Seo-jun, who entered the Giryung Palace, had an unguarded face. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] He seemed to have no clue why Yeon-oh had summoned him. If he had any suspicion, he would not have come alone like this.

“I pay my respects to Gyo Gwi-bi Mama. Gwi-bi Mama, may you enjoy great fortune. Mama, I heard you sought your younger brother.”

Dam Seo-jun paid his respects toward Yeon-oh, who was seated in the seat of honor.

Yeon-oh watched Dam Seo-jun, who was kneeling and bowing, for a long time. In the strange silence, Dam Seo-jun and his Head Court Lady, who was attending him, bowed their bodies even deeper.

“Dam So-ui.”

“Do you have a command?”

“Come closer.”

Dam So-jun, helped up by his Head Court Lady, approached the seat of honor. Dam So-jun’s Head Court Lady attended him for a moment, then stepped back a couple of paces.

“Kneel.”

Yeon-oh said in a calm voice. The tone was as gracious as when offering tea.

“…?”

Dam So-jun reflexively looked back at his attendant, the Head Court Lady.

“…”

Head Court Lady Jin of the Donhu Palace slightly nodded her head while bowing. Dam Seo-jun wore a puzzled and flustered expression, but he obeyed Yeon-oh’s command. The pathetic sobbing look he had worn a few days ago faintly rose on his kind face as he knelt.

“Dam So-ui, you lost the precious golden phoenix hairpin bestowed by His Majesty.”

“Yes, Gwi-bi Mama.”

“Since His Majesty specially commanded it to be made, it must be very valuable, right?”

In contrast to having him kneel, Yeon-oh’s words were gentle and soft. The voice even contained a slight hint of envy and deference.

“I apologize. His Majesty took pity on your younger brother, who was struggling after entering the palace, and bestowed the golden phoenix hairpin upon me. However, Gwi-bi Mama. What, what have I done wrong?”

“Is it true that His Majesty personally commanded an Imperial Palace artisan to make it?”

“I apologize… Yes, that is correct.”

Dam Seo-jun was in a situation where he had lost the precious golden phoenix hairpin bestowed by the Emperor. It seemed certain that it had been stolen. He could be called the victim.

However, being summoned by the Gwi-bi to talk about the lost golden phoenix hairpin meant he had no choice but to continuously lower himself and apologize. Since the So-ui had received something the Gwi-bi, who held a higher rank, had not, every word was spoken cautiously.

“Dam So-ui, what about this Consort did you dislike so much?”

“W-What do you mean…”

“Have you forgotten that when you spilled tea on me, I considered it a mistake, did not scold you severely, and forgave you? Was it not a mistake, after all? I thought Dam So-ui was known to be kind and friendly to the court ladies, but was all of that a lie too? Why are you resorting to trickery?”

Yeon-oh’s voice, as he spoke, became slightly agitated.

“Trickery, Gwi-bi Mama?”

Dam Seo-jun felt wronged.

“What is the reason you wish to frame this Consort as a thief?”

Yeon-oh passed the bundle of silk handkerchiefs in his hand to Court Lady Dong, motioning for her to give it to Dam So-ui. As Court Lady Dong delivered what she received into Dam Seo-jun’s hand, the silk handkerchief bundle unwrapped, revealing the luxurious golden phoenix hairpin.

“…!”

“…!”

Both Court Lady Dong, who was handing over the handkerchief, and Dam Seo-jun, who was receiving it, flinched in surprise.

“I would like to hear Dam So-ui’s explanation as to why that is here.”

Yeon-oh was the only one in the pavilion who was composed.

“Why is this in the Giryung Palace… I, I don’t know why the golden phoenix hairpin is here, younger brother. Please believe me, Gwi-bi Mama!”

Dam Seo-jun looked down at the golden phoenix hairpin in his hand with trembling eyes. Yeon-oh intently observed the face frozen in panic.

“Is that golden phoenix hairpin truly Dam So-ui’s?”

“Yes, yes…”

“Although I have never seen Dam So-ui wear the golden phoenix hairpin, I recognized it immediately upon seeing it. Is the rumor not widespread in the Imperial Palace? There is no one who does not know the appearance of the golden phoenix hairpin that His Majesty specially commanded an artisan to bestow upon Dam So-ui. I am not so lacking as that. Do I look foolish enough to steal a golden phoenix hairpin that is rumored throughout the Imperial Palace and that I cannot even use?”

“There is no way anyone would harbor such a disrespectful thought… There is no one who would think that of Gwi-bi Mama! No one would dare to think that about Gwi-bi Mama!”

Yeon-oh opened his mouth softly at Dam Seo-jun’s outcry.

“Are you saying that Dam So-ui did not bring the golden phoenix hairpin to the Giryung Palace to frame this Consort?”

“No! I did not bring the golden phoenix hairpin to the Giryung Palace! You know I have never been to the Giryung Palace before you summoned me today.”

Dam So-jun genuinely felt wronged.

“Then who brought the golden phoenix hairpin to the Giryung Palace?”

At Yeon-oh’s challenging words, Dam Seo-jun fell silent, his eyes darting around busily.

“…”

Yeon-oh did not take his eyes off the rapidly moving pupils for a single moment. Dam Seo-jun looked extremely distressed by the sudden summoning and the aggressive questioning.

“Do I look like someone who would covet the golden phoenix hairpin?”

“No, no! Although the golden phoenix hairpin is precious, you are the legitimate son of the Gyo House, and the we… wealthy Gwi-bi, I do not believe you would covet it. I spread the news of losing the golden phoenix hairpin because I hoped anyone who found it would return it. I am relieved that Gwi-bi Mama found the golden phoenix hairpin. I was greatly worried about losing something bestowed by His Majesty.”

Dam Seo-jun spoke in a rush.

“…”

Yeon-oh did not reply, only nodding his head. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] And he cast his gaze upon Dam Seo-jun’s troubled face, as if urging him to keep speaking.

“The reason the golden phoenix hairpin was in the Giryung Palace… Is it not possible that someone attempted a trick to sow discord between Gwi-bi Mama and your younger brother? This lacking younger brother truly does not know how the golden phoenix hairpin that disappeared from the Donhu Palace came to the Giryung Palace.”

Dam Seo-jun spoke to Yeon-oh more intimately than ever before. Yeon-oh understood, if only slightly, how Dam Seo-jun had managed to become close to the Emperor and the Empress.

Dam Seo-jun was a person with a stronger will to survive than expected. He knew how to flatter the other party appropriately when necessary.

However, he did not utter words that might cast suspicion on the Giryung Palace court ladies or show any sign of doubting his own chamber’s court ladies. Although it was possible he already knew the mastermind and was choosing not to drag innocent people into it, Yeon-oh also understood why he was well-regarded by his chamber’s court ladies.

“I hope what you just said is Dam So-ui’s sincere feeling.”

“Of course it is, Gwi-bi Mama.”

“Is the golden phoenix hairpin undamaged? Please examine it.”

At Yeon-oh’s suggestion, Dam Seo-jun handed the silk handkerchief to Court Lady Dong, unwrapped it, and meticulously examined the golden phoenix hairpin.

“It is whole.”

“It is fortunate that the golden phoenix hairpin was found. While it is bewildering that it was discovered in my chamber, finding something precious is a good thing.”

“I am undeserving.”

Dam Seo-jun bowed deeply.

“You may withdraw now.”

“I shall withdraw.”

Dam Seo-jun quickly rose, paid his respects, and backed away. Yeon-oh watched him intently, moving in a hurried rush as if afraid of being caught. His face, looking down from above, was fitting for an arrogant consort superior.