Chapter 64
Yun-seo opened his mouth but couldn’t easily articulate his thoughts. He knew that among the consorts present, only So Won came from a noble family, while Hyeonbi and Seongbin had no notable family backgrounds.
Though Yun-seo didn’t know what kind of life Hyeonbi had lived before entering the palace as a Yeong Chunhwa, it was clear that in her eyes, he must appear as a pampered young master who had grown up indulged by a wealthy family.
He wanted to argue that some people desire to live freely despite poverty and hardship, but certain memories obscured his vision: severely malnourished and dirty children; people with empty eyes who showed interest in nothing; young men who wouldn’t hesitate to steal for a few coins.
It was his first time witnessing such poverty in person. Having only truly understood it after seeing it with his own eyes, how could he guarantee that he could endure such circumstances himself? Yun-seo lowered his eyes, suddenly overcome with self-loathing and helplessness.
“Your Majesty.”
Hyeonbi called to Yun-seo, her voice somehow gentler than before.
“Yongrim who return exhausted from hell’s landscape can recover completely in just one night—no, even a few hours—through intercourse. It’s far more efficient than mere physical contact. Their intercourse differs from ordinary relations in the outside world. If we were to consider them the same, how miserable must be the plight of Yongrim who must share a bed simply to survive?”
It would indeed be cruel to ask Yongrim, who depend on the Yeong Chunhwa’s Suhoseong, to wait until the Yeong Chunhwa was mentally prepared. Yun-seo nodded, calming his turbulent emotions.
He was not merely a Yeong Chunhwa but the Empress. In a position meant to lead all Yeong Chunhwa in the country, how could he project his own circumstances and impose only his own opinions? He also needed to consider how to handle similar situations that might arise if one exception were made.
“I understand. However, let the noble lady spend sufficient time—three days—with the Yongrim who needs intercourse. If she still refuses afterward, then punishment will follow. If she doesn’t relent even when confined to the Cold Palace, we would eventually need to force the intercourse. We should try everything possible before it comes to that.”
“Yes, Your Majesty is wise.”
Having gained Hyeonbi’s agreement, Yun-seo felt he could breathe easier. He glanced at Seongbin and So Won to see if they had other opinions. When his eyes met So Won’s, he responded with a crooked smile.
“Your Majesty must value your precious body highly, perhaps due to your privileged upbringing.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve heard His Majesty’s poison persists. Surely you haven’t still withheld your Suhoseong?”
The casual question left him speechless. Since entering the palace, they had shared a bed but neither healed nor engaged in intimacy, so he had no way to answer. His silence effectively served as confirmation, and certainty filled So Won’s mocking eyes.
“Your Majesty doesn’t care about His Majesty at all. His Majesty suffered so much because he couldn’t find a suitable Suhoseong…”
Though Yun-seo had accepted that So Won might be hostile toward him, this criticism was difficult to tolerate. With a hardened expression, he responded:
“I appreciate your concern, but this is a matter between His Majesty and myself. It’s not something for you to involve yourself in.”
“Are you avoiding the counsel that even His Majesty would heed? Ah, now I understand why the Empress Dowager favors Lady Hyeonbi. You two are certainly different.”
It was a low tactic—openly comparing him to Hyeonbi to disparage him while attempting to create discord between them. Though his pride was wounded, particularly since his relationship with the Empress Dowager was still strained, the childish scheme actually helped calm his anger.
Hyeonbi, who had been listening quietly, frowned and spoke up.
“So Won.”
“When I consider how furious the Empress Dowager must be, tears cloud my vision. Not only did the Former Emperor take his own life, but the Empress—”
“So Won! What outrageous nonsense!”
Hyeonbi’s face turned cold as she fiercely reprimanded him. So Won blinked as if reflecting on his words, then turned deathly pale.
A tense silence engulfed the spacious room. Yun-seo blankly recounted So Won’s outburst and furrowed his brow.
“What does that mean? The Former Emperor…”
“Your Majesty. What Your Majesty already knows is the complete truth.”
Hyeonbi firmly interrupted Yun-seo’s words. He met her gaze with confused eyes.
“So Won has disrespectfully undermined Your Majesty’s authority and behaved insolently. Please issue an appropriate punishment.”
Yun-seo slowly examined the faces of the seated consorts, Lady Jo standing behind him, and the other court ladies. Everyone maintained composure except for So Won, who appeared drained and defeated. However, Hyeonbi’s response didn’t seem like a reaction to a simple slip of the tongue. This was clearly not a misspeak but an accidental revelation.
He had believed the Former Emperor died from illness, but the possibility that this might not be true ignited an uncontrollable fire within him. His strength drained away completely. Yun-seo closed his eyes momentarily, then reopened them and shook his head.
“I hope So Won will exercise more caution after this incident.”
“…I am deeply grateful for your mercy, Your Majesty.”
“You may withdraw now. Let’s conclude for today.”
So Won and Seongbin paid their respects in turn before leaving Jayeongjeon. Hyeonbi remained in her place, so Yun-seo turned to her.
“Do you have something more to tell me?”
“Your Majesty. Your Majesty is generous and kind, always concerned with the comfort of the noble lords. As a fellow Yeong Chunhwa, I am deeply moved by Your Majesty’s boundless compassion.”
This preamble suggested contradictory words would follow, making his already troubled mind even more complex. Yun-seo couldn’t hide his fallen expression, though he forced the corners of his mouth upward.
“I appreciate your sentiment.”
“However, Your Majesty, are you aware of the National Father-in-law’s activities?”
“…What about the Deputy Minister of Rites?”
“Since Your Majesty’s selection, he has consistently advocated for expanding the authority of Yeong Chunhwa and the Inner Palace at court. He has been most active in increasing the Hwasicheong and moving the Yeongwiwon directly under the Inner Palace’s control.”
Yun-seo hadn’t known this, but it wasn’t surprising given his father’s character. He pressed his lips tightly together to prevent a hollow sigh from escaping.
“I and the other noble lords would never doubt Your Majesty’s benevolence, but I regretfully must say that the world’s perception may differ.”
“…I see.”
Typically, civil officials check the power of military officials, Yongrim, and Yeong Chunhwa. As the nation’s power naturally gravitates toward Yongrim and consequently strengthens military officials’ influence, civil officials inevitably clash with them and hold different positions.
His father probably followed the same pattern—until Yun-seo’s selection, until he was deemed worthy of becoming Empress.
Yun-seo couldn’t support his father, who was now the Emperor’s father-in-law, as he continued such blatant maneuvers. The realization that there was truly nothing he could do as he wished here—indeed, that he shouldn’t—left him exhausted.
“I’m deeply grateful you listened to my idle chatter. I shall withdraw now.”
Hyeonbi paid her respects respectfully and turned away. Watching her retreating figure, Yun-seo spoke up.
“Thank you.”
Hyeonbi turned back around.
“For the tip.”
He could understand, without much consideration, how difficult it must have been to give such honest counsel at the risk of causing misunderstanding or anger. He felt fortunate to have Hyeonbi’s help. It should have been reassuring that someone like her had been by Hwi’s side for a long time.
Yet even in this moment, he found himself contemptibly measuring the depth of Hwi and Hyeonbi’s relationship, making him feel petty and despicable, as if he were sinking lower and lower.
Hyeonbi silently bowed and withdrew. Yun-seo pressed his throbbing forehead and turned his head.
“Lady Jo.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Shouldn’t I know the truth?”
“Which truth do you refer to?”
“Don’t pretend you didn’t hear.”
Lady Jo, having spent many years in the imperial palace, revealed nothing in her expression that might provide a clue.
“Your Majesty. The Former Emperor passed away because he couldn’t control his rampant sexual energy. That is the truth I—and everyone else—knows. So Won’s statement is merely a baseless rumor circulating among the people. Please don’t trouble yourself further with this matter.”
If rumors circulate, wouldn’t there be a reason? A reason why it was specified as suicide rather than assassination?
Sensing he wouldn’t get any more answers from Lady Jo, he decided to withdraw. Yun-seo looked down at the list of names and then rose from his seat.
“Your Majesty.”
On the way back to his chambers, Hui-je approached discreetly.
“Though Lady Hyeonbi tends to speak directly and bluntly, which can easily lead to misunderstandings, she is actually quite deeply thoughtful. In my view, it seemed Lady Hyeonbi genuinely cares for Your Majesty.”
While not an incorrect observation, it felt oddly out of place, and Yun-seo examined Hui-je with a puzzled expression. Although Hui-je was typically friendly and talkative, this was the first time she had spoken about someone else in this manner.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
