Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: The Tilting Scales (1)
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There is a striking anecdote about Consort Mun of the Mun clan.
When she tried to smuggle a child into the palace, Chief State Councillor Lee Jongseong ordered the palace gatekeeper Son Hogwan, with whom he had ties.
"An old woman will come in today carrying a basket. Cut it down in one stroke, no questions asked."
Son Hogwan followed the order without suspicion. Inside the severed basket lay a dead infant.
Thus, Lady Mun's cuckoo scheme was exposed.
Most discerning people would dismiss this as mere rumor.
Starting with the gatekeeper who would just chop it without question (palace gatekeepers aren't mindless slaves like smartphones), and above all, given that Lady Mun survived unscathed until King Jeongjo's ascension, the story simply doesn't add up.
However, viewing it from a different angle reveals it fits together surprisingly well.
First, Lee Jongseong's tenure as Chief State Councillor was brief—precisely during Yeongjo's 28th and 29th years, right now.
Curiously, that aligns exactly with the time Lady Mun was flogged and Yeongjo sparked the abdication uproar, when she was in dire straits.
Moreover, among Yeongjo's many Chief State Councillors, it's oddly specific that Lee Jongseong—the leader of the Soron who should protect the Crown Prince—ends up as the protagonist of this tale.
Lee Jongseong wasn't particularly cruel or tyrannical. Anecdotes about him suggest quite the opposite.
So why would he order the beheading of an innocent newborn?
Dismissing it as sloppy storytelling for dramatic effect is one thing, but it could also be a factual depiction intertwined with Lee Jongseong's terrifying dilemma.
Lee Jongseong had learned of Lady Mun's plot through some channel.
As a Soron, he was desperate to protect the Crown Prince.
But the entrant was a speechless infant. Even if he arrested the old woman, Lady Mun could just deny it, leaving no evidence.
Gambling on such flimsy suspicion was impossible. Given Yeongjo's favoritism toward her, or considering the scandal it would bring upon Yeongjo—the father of bastards—it was too risky.
Since publicizing it would be futile anyway, quietly blocking the "son's" entry into the palace and sending an indirect warning to Lady Mun was likely the best option.
In the environment without Kim Unhaeng at the time, that is.
They say the Noron dominated the court, but in my view, at least right now, that wasn't the case.
First, the pinnacle of all officials, the Chief State Councillor, was Soron Lee Jongseong.
He was on strike, but a Chief State Councillor doesn't handle much anyway. Ah, I want to get there soon myself.
Hanseong's magistrate, who oversaw entry into the capital from all angles, was also Soron Park Mun-su.
Bonus: The head of the Royal Secretariat, Judge of the Royal Secretariat Jo Jaeho, who tried political criminals and serious offenders.
The Minister of Personnel was still in place. The Judge of the Royal Secretariat wasn't a full-time post; it was usually held concurrently by the Six Ministers, Ministers of State, or the Three Councillors.
Normally, this would disadvantage a Noron like me in advancing. It showed how desperately Yeongjo was checking the Noron.
But for this instance, it was perfect.
All high officials potentially linked to Lady Mun's "hunt" were Soron—the faction duty-bound to staunchly defend the Crown Prince.
Park Mun-su, unlike in 21st-century educational comics, was prickly, loved sarcasm, and never held back—which made him uncomfortable.
But when there was solid reason, no one communicated better than Park Mun-su.
So I went to see him first.
"I heard from the Dragon Army commander (Hong Gyehui) that in recently expanding the capital, Your Excellency cast aside factional lines to align opinions, greatly pleasing His Majesty. I've come to congratulate you."
Even if the court was in shambles, essential duties continued.
Of course, no one uttered the idiotic line about ordering the king and Crown Prince to handle all the work.
As King Taejong did, regency or abdication meant handling only the duties the senior king or emperor wanted.
The recent issue was expanding the capital.
And there, old enemies Park Mun-su and Hong Gyehui coincidentally agreed.
The impartiality-obsessed Yeongjo was deeply moved.
He promised to implement it without fail. Probably thinking, "This abdication show's performance is solid."
And Park Mun-su brushed off the excuse I'd meticulously prepared.
"Is that all you came for? I didn't agree with him; I just gave what seemed the right opinion on merit. No, before that—how do you even know about this? You didn't privately lobby the Dragon Army commander for profits on fortress materials, did you?"
He's extra tsundere today.
No helping it. Before he uncovers that Uncle Hong Gyehui and I planted mulberry trees there to siphon the budget, I need to get to the point.
"Forgive my troubling words. It's actually hard to speak of... Lately, through Your Excellency's introduction, I've met the Crown Prince often, and it seems there's something related to treason. I've come to report urgently."
Park Mun-su froze.
"Even at your young age, you know the weight of the word 'treason.'"
I ignored Park Mun-su to flaunt my information's value.
"My family makes a living by taking minor profits from cart drivers and porters. You know this, Your Excellency. So recently, when Palace Maid Mun sent word asking to transport goods, I agreed without much thought."
As Park Mun-su's lips twisted, I quickly added,
"Yes, as you're thinking, I considered she enjoyed the king's favor. What's wrong with that? We carry loads for anyone who pays."
In truth, I'd sent word via Gang Deukhae that "Kim Unhaeng would help" precisely to say this.
I couldn't be sure Yeongjo wouldn't dig into my actions.
From past incidents, he seemed highly likely some high-functioning psychopath.
Better to show a slight opening, then patch it by claiming it was just approving a delivery.
To hunt Lady Mun, I had to approach her gang, and my name would inevitably surface in any investigation.
A controllable flaw could become an advantage.
For dramatic effect, I paused before continuing.
"But the load was an unspeakable abomination. I had to report it."
"Abomination?"
I explained the abomination.
And Park Mun-su snapped the brush in his hand.
Park Mun-su immediately wrote to Lee Jongseong outside the capital, and I classified it as top-grade Chun-sik Delivery cargo for fastest dispatch (Chun-sik Delivery speed varies by payment).
Simultaneously, Park Mun-su contacted Jo Jaeho.
Of course, Park Mun-su and Jo Jaeho weren't on good terms.
Still, better than me contacting him. Jo Jaeho wasn't fool enough to sabotage such a major matter over personal grudges against Park Mun-su.
The court's factions were convenient here. Pierce one properly, and the rest followed smoothly.
What if I kept mingling with Soron?
Well, it wasn't strictly taboo.
Seo Jisoo, the former Royal Secretariat scribe shipped off to Ulsan, whom I met in Hamgyeong Province, was a prime example.
His paternal clan was a Soron house with two consecutive prime ministers; his maternal was the Cheongpung Kim clan.
Yes, that Cheongpung Kim clan housing the Noron leader Ro's kin.
That hybrid of Noron-Soron thoroughbreds got cocky and flew off after Yeongjo's generational diss.
Besides, I had no intention of claiming credit here.
Of course, Lady Mun was most likely to be ousted by court attacks.
But if Yeongjo feigned madness and destroyed the court for her?
Yeongjo casually unleashed AoEs like "all Three Councillors dismissed," "all high officials in this post exiled," or "Three Bureaus sacked" if slightly annoyed.
Not necessarily concubine bewitched—could be filtering potential rebels.
The abdication itself was a sieve for that. Given Yeongjo's perverse preference for multifaceted intrigues, it was plausible.
To avoid fallout, I couldn't be the whistleblower. I had to stay on the periphery.
For that, I added the key line.
"I've frequented the Eastern Palace lately, so if you report I informed, suspicion will fall on you, Your Excellency. This matter..."
"No need to say it. I'm the one who brought you to the Eastern Palace. Would I summon the Chief Councillor idly? If I or the Judge of the Royal Secretariat (Jo Jaeho) arrest them, we'd have to reveal the informant immediately. Best to 'catch them en route to the capital by chance.'"
I stuck out my tongue in admiration.
I'd planned it all, but Park Mun-su's quick thinking was chilling. Was this why he etched his name in history at that age?
Park Mun-su clicked his tongue and left.
Probably to meet Jo Jaeho. Thanking his discretion in not revealing his destination, I slipped away quietly to observe.
He didn't cleave anyone with a sword like in the rumors, but Lee Jongseong captured Lady Mun's brother Munsunguk in nearly folksy fashion.
Honestly, the gatekeeper would have suspected first, even without the Chief State Councillor staging theatrics.
A man bringing three pregnant women in midwinter sweats profusely and acts shifty—who wouldn't find it suspicious?
The gatekeeper searched Munsunguk per protocol and grilled him. And Munsunguk couldn't fathom why Kim Unhaeng, who was supposed to help, was absent.
Like cunning rogues often do, cornered Munsunguk lashed out.
"Who are you, a mere low-rank, to meddle with people and goods entering the High Scholar's Hall!"
He even slapped the rank-6 martial official gatekeeper.
By Joseon combat metrics, Munsunguk hadn't erred. With his sister's influence, he could crush a rank-6 with a finger.
But what if a rank-1 appeared?
Right then, "Joseon's highest official," Chief State Councillor Lee Jongseong, entered the palace with sturdy men who could wield force.
"The Prime Minister is entering on royal command—what bizarre affair unfolds here?"
He brought Chun-sik Delivery couriers, but officially, he'd received no letter from Park Mun-su.
It was solely by royal command. Yi Geum had, as usual, ordered Lee Jongseong back—hardly a lie.
Naturally, the gatekeeper exaggerated Munsunguk's suspiciousness. From the tale, those three ragged pregnant women seemed to carry palace-destroying monsters (not inaccurate).
Munsunguk displayed every symptom of a soul fleeing in terror.
Publicized, the king might shield him, but survival odds were low.
More likely, offer his head to save face for the Chief State Councillor and negotiate a cover-up.
Cooking terrified Munsunguk was child's play.
Noron mocked them for only fleeing the capital, but Lee Jongseong was Park Mun-su's lifelong comrade and friend. Meaning their abilities were comparable.
Knowing the outcome, Lee Jongseong grilled the women, separated them from Munsunguk, and handed them to Jo Jaeho's Royal Secretariat guards who arrived timely.
Jo Jaeho should have been in Hong Bonghan's position.
He was the brother of Crown Princess Hyosun, wife of the late Crown Prince Hyojang.
Like Noron Hong Bonghan forced to side with the Crown Prince, Jo Jaeho—core of anti-king Soron—had to lean king-faction somewhat.
Yi Geum wove ministers this way to "force impartiality."
Hyojang and Hyosun's early deaths derailed full loyalist transformation, but Yi Geum appointed Jo Jaeho Minister of Personnel, meeting him specially at the soul palace to urge factional balance.
Yet Yi Geum's ongoing abdication pressure on the Crown Prince, silence on Lady Mun's scandalous rumors—it dawned on Jo Jaeho.
"The king intends to abandon the Crown Prince after all!"
Seeing the recently measles-stricken Crown Prince rolled in snowfields clarified the intent.
Crown Prince purged, Soron ceases to be a faction. Noron would crush them propping Hong Bonghan's nursling grandson.
This path ruins impartiality entirely.
Not Yulgok Yi I's balancing theory of employing all voices, but a Noron loyalist world obeying only the king.
Jo Jaeho acted swiftly. He secured testimony here.
Including it, his report would nominally seek investigation permission but actually publicize completed probe.
The women, trembling at the ferocious guards, confessed.
"Unable to beat poverty, we came because they said they'd pay to buy the baby as a slave."
"How can a newborn be a slave?"
"W-We don't know well... Just blinded by hunger..."
Munsunguk belatedly raged that the king wouldn't forgive, only amplifying suspicion. Even a favored consort—let alone her maidservant brother—why would the king care?
Even if somewhat clever, she was one palace maid, her brother a nobody. Including traitor Gang Deukhae changed little.
With such personnel, they couldn't rival three renowned high officials of the court—let alone puppet-master Kim Unhaeng.
Ultimately, Jo Jaeho imprisoned the women and Munsunguk, then submitted his resignation to the king.
Having jailed the brother of a maid pregnant with the royal heir disqualified him from office, reason be damned.
Practically, it was no different from swift assassins raiding the palace.
Remarkably, the court achieved Yi Geum's favored impartiality once more.
Noron less friendly to Crown Prince? Still friendly, not hateful. Who sincerely thinks, "Hate him, so kill and replace"?
Desperate Soron led, but Noron agreed on principle.
Not to silence the abdicating king—no, purely for the nation's foundational justice. The justice Kim Unhaeng first resolved was now shared by all.
Like Yi Geum praising Park Mun-su and Hong Gyehui. Former foes united without consultation.
The song of beautiful factional unity echoed through the court.
"Strictly interrogate Palace Maid Mun!"
"Delaying the flogging incident as factional (suspecting Soron) was error. Clearly her doing. Petition the Queen Dowager for expulsion from the inner palace!"
The Dowager's edict was icy.
"Flogging the king's favored maid shames and pains me always. How dare an old backroom dweller overstep? All shall be judged by law."
Peak Joseon sarcasm.
Even Yi Geum of all under heaven was utterly shocked this time.
Yi Geum couldn't recall ever so stunned.
When Mok Ho-ryong informed?
Lee In-jwa's rebellion?
One thing certain: incomparable to Gyeongjong's death shock.
Yi Geum nearly mobilized troops but barely restrained himself.
Even Royal Guard like Dragon Army needed conditions. No signs of force from ministers meant no pretext.
His impression of "ink rebellion" was nearly spot-on.
"These traitorous scum!"
Rationally, Yi Geum's best move was discarding Lady Mun.
But he'd not survived by folding tamely.
Honestly, Jo Jaeho had only pregnant women's testimony; Yi Geum still doubted Lady Mun plotted such.
"Fine. Got it. The Dowager's displeased? Court and Dowager allied?"
Conclusion wasn't wrong. But flawed process made him believe "not backing down to false-accusing villains."
To buy time, Yi Geum used his never-failed tactic.
"I reject the senior ministers' pleas. Forward all petitions to the Eastern Palace."
Dumping on the Crown Prince.
He'd predictably return them: "For Grand Heir to decide; I can't intervene."
Yi Geum never accepted petitions or audiences.
Meanwhile, align story with Lady Mun, minimize incident. Jo Jaeho would take blame, but protecting Soron wasn't priority now.
But that day, when Jo Jaeho's petition reached the Crown Prince, he was burning a letter from the Crown Princess.
Historically, Crown Prince Sado wasn't a loving husband to Lady Hyegyeong of the Hong clan. Records even note severe violence.
But now, her value soared.
In times hard to meet openly, she relayed Kim Unhaeng's secret letters via shaman Yeoni.
Reading and burning the advice, the Crown Prince acted.
Four years after regency mandate, he finally performed true regency.
Handling duties in the king's stead.
Hearing he "rejected Jo Jaeho's resignation" and "ordered Munsunguk interrogated per law," Yi Geum roared, flipping his desk.
An unspeakable edict resounded.
"This wretched bastard dares betray his father!"
This wouldn't do.
Crab faction useless in overt politics. From remaining ministers post-abdication sieve, find opinion-movers. No pretext for seniors; limited to mid-rank.
Among uninvolved, sharp-minded? Controllable, trusted by Crown Prince for double-agent, with handy outer-palace underlings. Ambition a plus.
Fortunately, Yi Geum soon recalled "such a guy."
Author's Note
1. Side note: Cuckoos lay eggs in others' nests (not all do, apparently) because their feathers are few and thin, poor for incubation. They save energy, gaining survival edge. Mystery of life.
2. Per Annals of Joseon-Ming, Crown Prince Sado nearly popped Crown Princess's eye hurling a go board (not portable thin one, but heavy traditional). Later incidents include beating inner servants for noncompliance, then approaching while bleeding—showing abnormal aggression.