Chapter 118
Chapter 118
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Meeting with the Empress
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Yi Hwan and Jo Gwang sat facing each other.
Yi Hwan got straight to the point.
“The Southwest King requested that we send you back. He said he wouldn’t hesitate to go to war if we didn’t.”
“……!”
Jo Gwang’s expression hardened.
He had somewhat anticipated that something like this might happen, but hearing it with his own ears made his heart sink.
Pa Pa let out a sigh and lowered her head.
Jo Gwang asked.
“Have you decided to send me back?”
“No decision has been made yet. I just wanted to confirm the Crown Prince’s intentions first.”
“There’s no way I’m going. If you try to force me, I’d rather bite my tongue and die.”
“I understand the Crown Prince’s intentions.”
“……Is that all?”
“I told you, I came to confirm your intentions. Now prepare to leave. The court officials want to meet the Crown Prince.”
As Yi Hwan stepped outside, Pa Pa comforted Jo Gwang.
“Don’t worry too much, Your Highness. Historically, political exiles have never been forcibly returned, so it should be fine.”
“I know that much, so don’t worry. Bring my clothes.”
“Yes.”
Shortly after, Jo Gwang changed clothes and stepped outside. Yi Hwan and the Golden Army had already prepared a carriage and were waiting.
Jo Gwang let out a long sigh at the sudden wave of sorrow.
“Haa…….”
“It would be best not to show this weak side in front of the officials. As I said before, there are quite a few who don’t welcome the Crown Prince’s exile.”
“Understood.”
“Get in the carriage.”
“Is the Great Prince coming along?”
“Of course.”
Jo Gwang felt a bit relieved.
Soon after, they set off, with Yi Hwan leading the way.
An attendant from the Prime Minister’s Office followed beside Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan casually asked.
“Why doesn’t the Prime Minister’s Office have even one escort from us?”
“They must have reinforced their own guard forces internally.”
“Martial artists?”
“Yes.”
“The Prime Minister’s Office must have money to spare. I hear it costs a fortune to hire martial artists.”
“……I wouldn’t know about that.”
Yi Hwan asked no more.
The attendant wiped his chest in relief. At the same time, unease welled up inside him.
‘No way they’ve investigated our Prime Minister’s Office, right?’
The Golden Army had never investigated the Prime Minister’s Office. Historically, the administrative head of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Golden Army commander had always maintained good relations due to political interests. There had even been cases of marriage alliances in the past.
Rumble!
Thunder suddenly boomed.
Yi Hwan called out lowly to everyone.
“Full speed ahead.”
“Full speed!”
Thud thud thud!
* * *
Pouring rain was already falling on the Imperial Palace.
Gwan Ji-baek waited at the palace gate with two warriors.
As soon as Yi Hwan’s procession came into view from afar, Gwan Ji-baek straightened his attire.
“The Great Prince is coming. Straighten up.”
“Yes!”
Gwan Ji-baek gazed steadily at Yi Hwan charging through the rain at the front. Just seeing him now lifted his spirits for no reason.
Moments later, as Yi Hwan crossed the gate, Gwan Ji-baek bowed his head.
“Welcome, Great Prince.”
“Are all the officials gathered?”
“Yes. They’re waiting for you. Shall we go right away?”
“We need to report quickly and leave quickly, don’t we?”
“Then allow me to escort you.”
* * *
The Six Ministries officials, led by the Prime Minister, vented their frustration at Yi Hwan’s delay.
“Isn’t he too late? Even for the Great Prince, there’s no excuse for making the Six Ministries officials wait like this!”
“Indeed. They say he’s become arrogant since taking command of the Golden Army, and it seems the rumors are true.”
“Heavens, this is ridiculous.”
The Six Ministries officials, who could sway even the Emperor if they wished, still saw Yi Hwan as the weakling from past rumors.
They could not tolerate this situation.
That was when it happened.
Gwan Ji-baek entered first.
“The Great Prince has arrived.”
“Ahem!”
“Hem hem!”
The Six Ministries officials rose with a chorus of fake coughs. Even so, they had to show minimal courtesy before an Imperial Prince.
Yi Hwan entered.
He didn’t even glance at the officials as he walked to his seat and sat, with Jo Gwang taking the seat beside him.
“The rain slowed us a bit.”
Yi Hwan immediately introduced Jo Gwang.
“This is the Crown Prince of the Zhao Kingdom.”
Jo Gwang clasped his hands toward everyone and slightly bowed his head.
“I am Jo Gwang.”
No sooner had the greeting ended than one official interrogated him.
“The Southwest King of Zhao claims you didn’t exile yourself but were kidnapped. We need a detailed explanation first.”
“I went to the Southern Legion on my own two feet and requested exile. That’s a fact. If you don’t believe me, check with the Southern Legion’s Commander.”
“Then why does your kingdom’s Southwest King claim it was a kidnapping?”
“He has to claim that to throw a tantrum and demand I be sent back, doesn’t he?”
Jo Gwang answered steadfastly.
His expression was filled with resolve.
Another official spoke up.
“Your kingdom’s Southwest King threatens war if we don’t return you. Therefore, we Six Ministries officials will conduct a thorough investigation into your exile. Stay in the Imperial Palace until it’s complete!”
“…….”
Jo Gwang turned to Yi Hwan with a panicked look.
Yi Hwan said indifferently to the official.
“When do you plan to start the investigation?”
“It’s a grave matter, so tomorrow at the latest. The Great Prince must agree as well.”
“I agree. However, conduct the investigation at the Golden Army headquarters. The Crown Prince finds the Imperial Palace uncomfortable.”
“……Pardon?”
Another official shot to his feet, raising his voice.
“Great Prince! This is an investigation conducted directly by the Six Ministries officials! It must be held in the Imperial Palace! The Golden Army headquarters is out of the question!”
Yi Hwan slowly stared at the official.
His face was flushed red with anger.
“I’ll say it once more: the investigation will be at the Golden Army headquarters, with Golden Army generals present.”
“Great Prince!”
Thud!
The official slammed the table with both hands.
At that moment, a chill settled in Yi Hwan’s eyes.
“How should I interpret that action right now?”
“……!”
Yi Hwan rose and walked toward the official.
Was the aura he exuded ordinary?
In an instant, the room froze cold. The official who had slammed the table trembled faintly as Yi Hwan approached.
Yi Hwan stood before the official.
[Minister of Punishments Song Yeong-gi, if you act insolently before me one more time, I’ll make sure all the people know you raped girls like your daughters and sold them to brothels.]
“……!”
[No, should I tell your tiger-like wife and your children who revere you first?]
Song Yeong-gi’s eyes widened as if they would tear. Shock made his lips twitch in spasms.
Yi Hwan asked him.
“I hope you’ll consider the exiled Crown Prince’s uneasy state of mind. Is that not possible?”
“Y-yes, understood! If that’s what the Great Prince wishes, we’ll do it that way.”
“Thank you, Minister of Punishments.”
Yi Hwan slowly scanned the other officials. They all showed signs of dismay but raised no objections.
“Then we’ll see you at headquarters tomorrow.”
Yi Hwan said to Jo Gwang.
“Let’s go.”
Jo Gwang came down to Yi Hwan’s side.
The Six Ministries officials could only alternate between staring at Yi Hwan’s retreating figure and Song Yeong-gi’s face in shock and bewilderment.
The Minister of Punishments Song Yeong-gi was the real power behind the Six Ministries. It was well-known that even the Prime Minister and Grand Marshal followed most of his words.
Yi Hwan recalled Go Mi’s words and smiled faintly.
‘Right on cue, throwing a tantrum. Heh heh heh.’
* * *
A woman approached Yi Hwan heading toward the gate. She was a senior palace maid sent by the Empress.
“Greetings, Great Prince.”
“What is it?”
“Her Majesty the Empress wishes to see you.”
Yi Hwan was about to say he was busy but hesitated.
‘It’s a woman I have to confront eventually…….’
Yi Hwan changed his mind.
“Should I go now?”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
Yi Hwan instructed Gwan Ji-baek.
“Escort the Crown Prince to the Crown Prince’s Palace until I return.”
“Are you sure you’ll be all right alone?”
“What, do you think they’ll eat me? Don’t worry and take good care of the Crown Prince.”
Moments later, Yi Hwan followed the senior palace maid to the Empress’s residence. Soon, he crossed a bridge leading to an extravagantly splendid palace.
Palace of Illusory Flowers.
The Empress’s palace had come to be called that at some point.
True to its name, from the entrance bloomed flowers of every kind. In some places, they had hollowed out rocks to plant flowers inside.
It was a scene revealing the Empress’s well-known fondness for flowers.
‘Who came up with the saying that no one who loves flowers is a bad person?’
The leading senior palace maid stopped and turned around.
“From here, you must proceed alone, Great Prince.”
“The palace is this vast, and you want me to find the Empress’s location myself?”
“After crossing the bridge and passing the gate, another guide will escort you. Then this servant shall take her leave.”
The senior palace maid retraced her steps.
Yi Hwan immediately ascended the second bridge. Beneath the beautifully crescent-shaped bridge bloomed all manner of exotic flowers and plants.
‘Now I see it’s a flower garden laced with poison.’
Faint energies emanated from spots in the flower garden. If the Empress gave the order, they would instantly turn into assassins charging at him.
Yi Hwan crossed the bridge unperturbed and reached the gate.
Two female warriors greeted him.
“Welcome, Great Prince.”
“Open the gate.”
“Please remove your sword first.”
Yi Hwan handed over his sword willingly.
Creak creak creak……
The heavy gate slowly parted left and right, revealing a woman standing beyond.
The woman, clad head to toe in pure white, had strikingly Blue—emerald eyes.
The woman bowed her head toward Yi Hwan.
“I shall escort you.”
Yi Hwan looked ahead.
Straight ahead lay a long, straight path of marble stretching to the center of a vast garden adorned with exotic flowers and plants.
The emerald-eyed woman led the way.
Here too, faint energies of hidden presences were detectable in various spots.
‘She’s turned the palace into a fortress.’
Clink, clink.
The peculiar metallic sound from the emerald-eyed woman’s steps grated on Yi Hwan’s nerves.
“How long have you served the Empress?”
“Forgive me, I cannot answer that.”
‘If she’s responding like this, she must hold a high position here.’
Yi Hwan asked no more.
Soon, he entered a grand hall of unparalleled splendor.
It was a vast space rivaling a training ground, carpeted in red from the doors to the opposite dais. At its end sat the Empress.
Yi Hwan stared directly at the Empress.
Their gazes clashed across the void.
‘The Empress in his memories was in her early fifties…….’
It was unmistakably the Empress. Yet strangely, she appeared no older than her mid-thirties.
‘She must have mastered some youth-preserving technique. Well, to hold the Emperor’s favor at that age, she’d need to make the effort.’
Yi Hwan strode forward, stopping about ten paces from the Empress. He then slightly bowed his head wordlessly.
“Though I didn’t bear you myself, I am still your mother. What kind of greeting is that!”
“Apologies, but I’ve never once thought of you that way.”
Twitch.
“What did you say?”
“It’s mutual, so let’s get to the point, Your Majesty.”
Yi Hwan deliberately emphasized “Your Majesty.”
Coldness flickered in the Empress’s eyes.
“Why did you insist the Zhao Crown Prince be investigated at the Golden Army headquarters? Is it the Crown Prince’s Palace’s will?”
“Of course not. It’s my decision.”
“Is that so? Then what’s the reason?”
“The Zhao Crown Prince finds the Imperial Palace uncomfortable. I doubted a proper investigation could be held in such conditions, so I chose the Golden Army headquarters.”
“Even if I order it done in the Imperial Palace, you won’t yield?”
“I believe this is not a matter for Your Majesty to interfere in.”
“……!”
Twitch.
The Empress’s eyebrows curved like blades.
Yi Hwan’s arrogant attitude enraged her, but at the same time, she was deeply shocked.
‘They said he’d become a completely different person, and it’s true. There’s not a trace of his former weakness; it’s like looking at a wolf.’
“Sorry, but I’m a bit busy…….”
“No matter what investigation results the Six Ministries officials produce, you must never return the Zhao Crown Prince. Yielding to an enemy kingdom’s Southwest King would make us the laughingstock of the world. Obey your mother’s will.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Yi Hwan slightly bowed and turned to leave.
Before him stood the emerald-eyed woman who had guided him here. Yi Hwan noticed her demeanor had turned icy.
Staring at the emerald-eyed woman, Yi Hwan said to the Empress.
“What is this?”
“Step aside.”
At the Empress’s word, the emerald-eyed woman moved to the side. Yi Hwan gave her a faint smile.
“If you act presumptuous once more, I’ll gouge out your eyes and make them into a necklace. Remember that clearly.”