Chapter 180
Chapter 180
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 180
Chapter Title: The Fourth Imperial Prince is Dead
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Crown Prince's Palace.
One courtier had come seeking Yi So. Though his rank wasn't high, he was a relative of the Empress and wielded real power among the officials thanks to her formidable backing.
"A busy man like you—whatever could bring you to see me?"
"I have something to report, Your Highness. By the way, what is that fragrance?"
The room was filled with the heavy scent of incense commonly used in ancestral rites—something rarely burned at ordinary times.
"State your business."
The courtier took a breath before continuing.
"At the Six Ministries' Regular Assembly, a proposal has been raised to expand the roles and authority of the Golden Army and Golden Imperial Guards. I have come to ask for Your Highness's stance on the matter."
The Six Ministries' Regular Assembly was a periodic meeting of the heads of the six ministries. It primarily discussed the validity and efficiency of new policies, though the Emperor sometimes attended depending on the agenda.
Yi So leaned back in his chair and asked,
"Not from the Palace of Illusory Flowers, but from the Six Ministries' assembly?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"What does Her Majesty the Empress say?"
"She said that since it arose from the assembly, she would not oppose it."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I confirmed it directly with Her Majesty. If Your Highness agrees, we can put it to a vote at the assembly and proceed immediately."
"Before that, one question. What is the sudden reason for expanding the Golden Army's roles and authority?"
"Her Majesty the Empress said it would allow the Golden Army to better protect the people of the capital and surrounding cities. She also mentioned the need to amend the laws so they can support the military in times of crisis, not just maintain capital security."
"Not Her Majesty's words—I asked for the Six Ministries' intent."
"The Six Ministries feels the same. With over a hundred thousand Golden Army troops focused solely on the capital and nearby cities' security, isn't that a waste of resources? The officials unanimously agree that amending the laws would allow for more efficient deployment."
In truth, this issue had been under discussion in the court not long ago. But it had been unilaterally halted by the Empress's faction after Yi Hwan took command of the Golden Army.
"They halt it at whim, and now..."
Clink.
Yi So tilted his teacup with a displeased expression. The courtier watched him, smirking inwardly.
'The Fourth Imperial Prince is dead, so naturally you'd want to oppose it. And even with appointment authority, there's no guarantee you can place one of your own as the next Golden Army commander. Must be eating you up inside. Heh heh heh.'
Even with Yi Hwan dead, Yi So could simply appoint another ally as Golden Army commander. But the current Yeon Kingdom's imperial palace was tangled in laws as complex as a knotted thread, leaving even Yi So unable to promise success.
That was why the Empress's side was boldly pushing to expand the Golden Army's roles and authority—it could become a double-edged sword.
'Caught between a rock and a hard place, as they say. Heh heh heh.'
As the courtier smirked inwardly in triumph, Yi So fell silent for a long while. The courtier watched quietly, awaiting his answer.
Thud!
"I'll think on it for a day and give you my response, so go for now."
"This is for the safety of the palace and capital—please make a wise choice. I shall return tomorrow."
As the courtier turned to leave, Yi So asked,
"Has a date been set for the military reorganization vote?"
"We are coordinating with Her Majesty the Empress, so it will be decided soon. Is there a preferred date, Your Highness?"
"No. Inform me the moment it's set."
After the courtier left, Gwan Ji-baek approached.
Yi So tilted his head back and gave a wry smile.
"This is no way to act."
"You handled it perfectly, Your Highness. Now they will think you have heard of the Great Prince's death."
"The incense seems to have done its job."
"When he asked about it, that man's eyes were utterly bizarre. I am certain he is completely fooled."
In truth, it had been Yi So's idea to burn the incense.
In Yeon Kingdom custom, when a body could not be found, incense was lit to soothe the departed soul. Yi So had done so to convince the Empress's side, who believed Yi Hwan dead, that it was true.
Yi So brought the teacup to his lips.
Clink.
"It's exciting to think what exploits my little brother will achieve with even greater authority in hand."
"I agree, Your Highness."
Yi So walked to the window and opened it. The Crown Prince's Palace, lush with early summer greenery, echoed with birdsong from all around.
Just then, a yellow-feathered bird alighted on a nearby branch. Its chicks clamored from the nest, begging for food.
When the food it carried dropped, another bird flew in to take its place, mouth full of even more morsels.
Tweet tweet tweet!
After distributing food evenly to all the chicks, the birds nuzzled each other's heads. Watching them, Yi So's gaze darkened somberly.
'Even mere beasts burn with a mother's love for her young. Yet here I am, with a mother scheming to kill her son, and a son plotting against his mother. What a twisted fate my life is.'
* * *
Palace of Illusory Flowers.
The courtier who had visited Yi Hwan bowed before the Empress.
"I have returned, Your Majesty."
"What did he say?"
"He said he would think on it for a day. But to my eyes, he seemed reluctant."
"Hmph! If he knows he can't appoint his own man as next Golden Army commander at will, of course he'd want to oppose it."
"But, Your Majesty. There was incense burning in His Highness's residence."
"Incense?"
"Yes. The scent wafted strongly even outside—it seemed to have been burning for quite some time. Could the Crown Prince know of the Fourth Imperial Prince's death?"
The Empress's lips curved slightly upward.
"You think so?"
"If the Fourth Imperial Prince's death is true, why not expand the Golden Army's roles and authority even further than planned? With Your Majesty's power, we could place it above thorns like the East Depot."
"I'll have to consider that."
The Empress interlaced her fingers and sank deep into her chair. In truth, while planning the expansion, she had kept it moderate in case Yi Hwan miraculously returned alive.
No sense handing a feast to the dogs if he came back.
'The Crown Prince lit incense in his own residence? Could it be that bitch's death anniversary?'
The Empress searched her memory. But it was not the death anniversary of Yi So's birth mother—the previous Empress.
Then she recalled Mun I-jong's report.
'That one's guard visited the Crown Prince's Palace—perhaps he informed him of the death then.'
The Empress's lips curled higher.
"Ha!"
The courtier and guard watched her puzzled expression.
"Fetch the Second Prince. Bring the Grand Overseer as well."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
One guard swiftly exited the Palace of Illusory Flowers. The Empress drained her tea, then rose with a flourish of her robes.
"Tomorrow, only our people here— we'll watch together. You may go."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Then I shall take my leave."
The Empress stared at the departing courtier's back, then turned her gaze toward the Crown Prince's Palace.
Twitch.
Her lips curved again, revealing a glimpse of ivory-white teeth.
"Your end draws near as well. When you die, curse the father who chose me as Empress."
As she turned away, another eerie laugh escaped her lips.
"Ha!"
* * *
'She looks awfully pleased.'
Hwa Ryeong, just entering the Palace of Illusory Flowers, narrowed her eyes at the Empress's receding figure beyond the wall.
Then her gaze sharpened at something glimpsed briefly beyond.
'I didn't know that was there.'
For a split second, she saw a passage like a demon's gaping maw.
It was something even Hwa Ryeong had never seen before. Naturally—only the Empress could enter there.
"What are you staring at so intently?"
At that moment, one of the Empress's guards approached Hwa Ryeong.
Hwa Ryeong turned to look at her.
"Did Her Majesty have some good news?"
"That's none of your business. You don't deserve to know."
Smirk.
"Grown bold, have we? Holding your head high before me and speaking like that. Must be putting in extra effort in bed?"
As Hwa Ryeong licked her lips mockingly, the guard's eyebrows arched like blades.
Twitch!
"Are you insulting Her Majesty right now?"
"What are you talking about? I didn't even mention who you were with. Oh? Unless..."
"Shut your mouth!"
Boom!
The guard's fist slammed toward Hwa Ryeong's chest. No—it stopped short as Hwa Ryeong blocked it with her palm.
Dust billowed as Hwa Ryeong was pushed back.
Swish!
The guard placed her hand on her sword hilt and said coldly,
"One more insolent word, and I'll sever your head."
"Whoa, whoa, why get mad over that? Sorry. Should've respected your private sex life. See you later."
Whoosh!
The guard glared murderously at Hwa Ryeong's vanishing figure, robes fluttering.
Her subordinates then approached.
"Are you all right?"
"From tomorrow, monitor that damned wench's every move. Report to me immediately if she slips up even once. Understood?"
"Yes!"
"Understood."
* * *
Hwa Ryeong rubbed her palm as she headed to her quarters.
'That damned bitch has gotten disgustingly strong. Ow, it hurts.'
The shock had numbed her palm. A split-second slower, and a few ribs might have cracked.
"It's already swelling?"
Her entire hand was puffy. Hwa Ryeong scowled.
Upon entering her quarters moments later, a maidservant greeted her.
"Welcome back, Lady Hwa Ryeong."
"No issues?"
"No, none."
"Draw me a bath. And prepare a bottle of liquor."
"Understood."
Hwa Ryeong strode into her room and stripped off her clothes. Her figure was revealed in all its glory—like a masterpiece sculpted by heaven's finest artisan.
'What was that passage leading to?'
Hwa Ryeong recalled what she had seen. Ignorance was one thing, but now curiosity burned fiercely.
Creak.
She opened the window and gazed toward the Empress's residence. The Empress's chambers were dark.
'Not to her quarters, but somewhere else...'
Hwa Ryeong stared longer at the Empress's room. But no light came on.
Then the maidservant's voice drifted in.
"The bath is ready."
"Got it. Coming out."
'I'll find an opportunity and sneak in next time.'
* * *
The streets of Yeon Kingdom's capital.
Yang Chan sat alone in an inn, tilting his cup.
Already on his third bottle of potent liquor. Yet his eyes showed no sign of drunkenness.
It was late, but the inn held plenty of patrons—mostly martial artists.
Among them were several with unusual auras: the new martial experts summoned by Second Prince Yi Tae-ji.
Glug glug.
Yang Chan emptied cup after cup.
Tempting dishes filled the plates, but his chopsticks never reached for them.
'Dead?'
Yang Chan was utterly baffled.
Shortly after arriving here, he had heard the rumor of the Fourth Imperial Prince's death.
For Yang Chan, who had come seeking him, the shock bordered on rage.
Hearing he was Daye Fortress's heir, he had plunged back into his severed fate—only for the man to die before they even met.
It felt like fate toying with him.
'Damn it...'
Glug glug.
Yang Chan drained the third bottle and uncorked the fourth.
It was then.
Two men in blue robes entered the inn. Yang Chan's eyes flashed sharply as he glanced at them inadvertently.