Chapter 190
Chapter 190
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 190
Chapter Title: Buy Me Something Delicious
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The fierce political strife had entered a lull when the Empress halted her movements for some unknowable reason.
But Yi Hwan continued to move swiftly beneath the surface, steadily achieving his goals one by one.
On a certain day after the moon had changed, Go Mi visited Yi Hwan's office.
"It looks like we've almost caught up now."
Go Mi pulled a roster from her bosom and handed it to Yi Hwan.
Yi Hwan unfolded the roster. It was densely packed with information on the ministers and officials who held voting rights.
"We've secured solid evidence on at least six. If luck is on our side, we might get three more."
"So up to nine at maximum."
"Yes."
Thud!
Yi Hwan closed the roster and spoke.
"The Empress has been too quiet. By now, the schedule should have been announced."
"Isn't it fortunate that we've bought some time? We've gathered quite a bit of evidence thanks to it."
"Do you think the Empress is unaware that we're making moves? She may not know the details, but she can certainly anticipate that I won't sit idle."
"Could she be searching for some other ploy? It's not something she can disguise as an imperial edict."
"Since we can't even approach the Palace of Illusory Flowers, all we can do is wait. By the way, how are the preparations for the imperial family's ancestral rites going?"
"The Crown Prince's Palace is handling them. And tomorrow, all the imperial clansmen will enter the palace. The Empress will probably show herself around then, don't you think?"
"Two days left."
"You're really going into the forbidden zone?"
"I have to try, even if it's dangerous."
Yi Hwan asked something else.
"Still no contact from Hwa Ryeong?"
"Yes."
Yi Hwan subtly furrowed his brow.
It was unprecedented, so he was worried about Hwa Ryeong. She had become an indispensable asset.
It was then.
"My lord."
Cheol Mu-ok entered.
Yi Hwan's eyes widened slightly as he stared at him. Hwa Ryeong was entering behind Cheol Mu-ok with a smile.
"I'm here!"
"What on earth happened?"
"Were you worried about me?"
"I'm not in the mood for jokes, so spill it."
Hwa Ryeong sat beside Go Mi and began to explain.
"I was digging for information on the forbidden zone and had no time to come out. Since you're going in, Your Highness, I figured I should at least find out what's there."
"Did you learn anything?"
Hwa Ryeong's eyes gleamed as she continued.
"I've confirmed that ginseng tea from Haedong, dried abalone, white-fleshed fish, and beef tongue have been steadily delivered to the forbidden zone."
"That's all?"
"Do you know what I just mentioned?"
Yi Hwan subtly furrowed his brow. To him, the items Hwa Ryeong mentioned didn't seem particularly significant.
"They're the tea and ingredients His Majesty usually enjoyed. The palace maids drank the Haedong ginseng tea so often it seeped into their skin. Get it now?"
"Couldn't the Empress have brought them in for herself?"
"No. That woman hates the fishy smell and won't even touch fish."
"Hmm..."
If so, it was definitely strange.
The emperor's favorite tea and ingredients were steadily entering the forbidden zone?
"This makes it even more impossible not to go in."
Go Mi asked.
"Did you check for any mechanisms?"
To her, Yi Hwan's safety was paramount.
Hwa Ryeong shook her head.
"There was no way to confirm that. Even this took nearly half a month..."
"Good work."
"Then buy me something delicious. I lived like a beggar for almost half a month digging this up. I've lost so much weight..."
Hwa Ryeong was her usual self after so long.
Go Mi asked.
"Shall we head to the market?"
"When are we going in?"
"I'm not going anymore."
"..."
"I aroused a bit of suspicion during the investigation. The Empress even summoned me just before I left, but I slipped out."
"If there's a limit to what we could learn anyway, there's no need to take the risk. You did well. Really well."
Go Mi was greatly pleased.
"Eek. You're welcoming me so warmly, it's making me teary. Thank you, Moon Lord."
Yi Hwan rose from his seat.
"Where are you going?"
"Didn't you ask for something delicious?"
"What are you going to buy me?"
"Order whatever you want at the inn. Mu-ok, prepare the carriage."
"Understood."
Shortly after, Yi Hwan headed to the market with the two women, Cheol Mu-ok, and Ju Tae.
Clop! Clop!
Go Mi asked.
"Shouldn't we inform His Highness the Crown Prince first?"
"I'm debating it."
"...Pardon?"
"If His Majesty is there, it won't be too late to tell him after confirming the situation. It's clearly not normal, so minimizing the shock might be better."
Go Mi nodded in agreement.
'If the Crown Prince gets rattled, it could cause problems in our fight against the Empress.'
Then Hwa Ryeong's eyes sparkled as she spoke.
"What if they're using a blood curse to control the emperor?"
"Did you say blood curse just now?"
"Yeah? Didn't I mention it before? That the Empress—that woman—tried to implant a blood curse in my head. I think I told you..."
Yi Hwan belatedly recalled.
"It could be possible."
"No way, that far..."
Go Mi trailed off, her face hardening. She too thought it possible.
"Given how the Palace of Illusory Flowers has been using His Majesty's seal to forge imperial edicts all this time, we can't rule it out."
Go Mi's voice trembled faintly.
Controlling the emperor with a blood curse? If true, it would be an unprecedented treason in history.
Hwa Ryeong asked.
"Before entering the forbidden zone, we should find out how to kill a blood curse. Of course, I hope it's not the case."
"I know how."
"Pardon?"
"Really?!"
The two women widened their eyes.
A blood curse, once implanted in the mind, was said to be impossible to kill unless it died on its own. And he knew the method?
"How on earth do you know that?"
"By chance."
"Knowing something that huge by chance?!"
The excited Hwa Ryeong asked in an exaggerated tone. Even in the serious situation, Go Mi couldn't help but laugh.
"I have things to think about, so don't disturb me."
Yi Hwan leaned his head against the carriage wall and closed his eyes.
* * *
At every checkpoint leading into the city center, Golden Imperial Guards were thoroughly inspecting passersby. It was to catch Yang Chan.
In case of emergency, martial artists from the Palace of Illusory Flowers and Hong Wol were on standby at each post, including those skilled at identifying human skin masks.
Mun I-jong sharply observed the passersby through the checkpoint window.
A subordinate asked.
"What if he's already fled elsewhere? Quite a few days have passed."
"We can only hope not."
Mun I-jong took a sip of tea and asked something else.
"Have we stationed troops at the initial sighting location?"
"Yes. But it's near the Golden Army headquarters, so disguising identities is tricky."
From compiling witness accounts, Yang Chan's first appearance was in the Golden Army headquarters area.
Thus, Mun I-jong had deployed relatively strong experts there. Because of this, Yang Chan still hadn't contacted Yi Hwan about meeting again.
'That day, he was definitely trying to meet someone at the teahouse. We need to find out who.'
For that reason, Mun I-jong was scouring the city with Palace of Illusory Flowers support. But no meaningful intel yet.
"Grand Overseer."
A guard entered.
"What is it?"
"The Fourth Prince's carriage is approaching."
"Is that so?"
At the mention of Yi Hwan, Mun I-jong's eyes instantly turned icy.
He finished his tea and stepped out. Sure enough, Yi Hwan's carriage was slowly approaching from down the road.
With only two escorts—the coachman and the passenger seat—the vengeful thoughts toward Yi Hwan surfaced subtly. But today was not the day.
"What shall we do?"
"All are equal before the law. Inspect them."
"...Understood."
Mun I-jong returned to the checkpoint. Instead, a subordinate waited to inspect Yi Hwan's carriage.
"Make it thorough."
"Yes, Grand Overseer."
It was a signal to be as obstructive as possible.
Moments later, the carriage stopped. Mun I-jong watched Yi Hwan's carriage through the window.
"Hey, can you move that eyesore?"
At Ju Tae's words, Mun I-jong's subordinate stepped forward.
"By Her Majesty the Empress's order, we are inspecting all who pass this road. Please cooperate."
"Do you know who's inside?"
"We know it's His Highness the Fourth Prince's carriage. However, Her Majesty the Empress's command takes precedence, so please understand."
As Ju Tae opened his mouth to retort, the carriage door opened, and Yi Hwan stepped out. He strode straight to the checkpoint.
Mun I-jong, watching, showed a flicker of surprise.
Creak!
Yi Hwan entered, opening the door.
Mun I-jong slightly bowed his head.
"Greetings to the Great Prince."
Yi Hwan pulled up a chair and sat. Mun I-jong stood, staring at him.
"Still haven't caught the murderer?"
"Yes. He's moving so stealthily... But we'll find him soon."
"I have something to ask..."
"Please speak."
Yi Hwan stared straight into Mun I-jong's eyes and asked directly.
"Last month, several innocent commoners died at a stable in the market. Do you know about it?"
'Why is this bastard bringing up that incident?'
Mun I-jong replied calmly.
"I heard they were punished for losing an official's horse."
"Since when did Huang Family laborers without formal rank get treated as officials?"
"......!"
"I've been busy and haven't looked into it properly, but send everyone who was at the scene—not a single one missing—to the headquarters by two days from now."
"Why should the Golden Imperial Guards do that?"
"Tell Second Prince Yi Hwan that. And add that if they aren't sent or are diverted and discovered, lawful punishment will follow."
"......!"
Yi Hwan left the checkpoint after that.
Mun I-jong's eye twitched. Just then, his subordinate looked back at him.
Mun I-jong signaled to stop.
He narrowed his brow, staring at Yi Hwan's back as he entered the carriage.
'Does the elevated Golden Army authority include investigating imperial princes?'
He was uncertain. But seeing Yi Hwan lay down such a threat, it seemed plausible.
Then Yi Hwan's carriage began to move.
Mun I-jong bowed his head once more toward Yi Hwan, who was watching him through the window.
'What scheme is that bastard up to now...'
* * *
Hwa Ryeong said incredulously.
"What clowns. Daring to inspect the Great Prince's carriage? Who did you meet inside the checkpoint?"
"The Golden Imperial Guards' Grand Overseer."
"Oh my! He was there?"
Go Mi asked.
"Did you go in knowing he was there?"
"No. I saw him after entering. I was planning to make a fuss if it was some low-rank nobody. For the Golden Army's pride."
"What did you discuss?"
"Just a bit of posturing with the Grand Overseer—or rather, with Second Prince Yi Hwan."
"...Pardon?"
Yi Hwan briefly explained his conversation with Mun I-jong. Once finished, Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong laughed.
Go Mi asked again.
"With the elevated authority, can we investigate the emperor's household?"
"The authority is worded so vaguely it can be nose ring or earring depending on where you hang it. The Empress, convinced I'm dead, gave her crony—the future Golden Army head—a sword of authority to wield."
"So it's possible?"
"Absolutely. If needed, I'll make it a nose ring. But not today."
For Yi Hwan now, the top priority was entering the forbidden zone.
Especially since the emperor's presence there seemed even more likely.
'Blood curse...'