Chapter 69
Chapter 69
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Part 19: The Main Investigation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The news that personnel from the Inspection Department had arrived at the Inner Court reached the Seomun Housekeeper's office as well.
The lively air in the office, buzzing just moments ago, grew heavy in an instant.
The senior housekeeper glanced cautiously at the Seomun Housekeeper before speaking up carefully.
“…Shouldn’t we at least go out and pretend to greet them?”
“…Indeed.”
The Seomun Housekeeper nodded.
“It would be good to go out and personally confirm the identities of those we’ll have to deal with.”
The office door opened, and with the Seomun Housekeeper at the lead, the group of housekeepers moved out as one.
* * *
In front of the main gate to the Inner Court’s central building.
Gang Ho muttered beside Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.
“…Depending on which pavilion the Inspection Department dispatches, we’ll be able to gauge how seriously they’re taking this investigation.”
The first of the triplet maids spoke up.
“Probably the Investigation First Pavilion, right? Even so, this is an investigation involving the One Pavilion Affairs where the main family’s eldest young master resides.”
The second shook her head.
“But they must be under pressure to downplay the incident. No matter how independent the Inspection Department’s authority is guaranteed within the main family…”
The third smacked her lips.
“Even so, a sixth-rank Inner Court accounting secretary—one of the highest positions within the Inner Court—has clearly been killed. They might start with the Investigation Second or Third Pavilion, but in the end, the Investigation First Pavilion will likely step in.”
The Inner Court, with the main investigation from the Inspection Department bearing down on it, was deathly silent.
Not a single person who had been bustling about when Yeon So-hyeon visited today could be seen.
It was truly the calm before the storm.
“A group is approaching.”
The side gate opened, revealing the Seomun Housekeeper and her housekeepers.
They didn’t even glance toward Yeon So-hyeon, much less acknowledge him.
One of the housekeepers whispered, struggling to hide his tension.
“We’ve done everything we could, so the Investigation First Pavilion shouldn’t step in, right?”
“Probably not. I expect it’ll be the Second or Third Pavilion.”
“I think the Inspection Department will care about outside eyes, so the First Pavilion might come, but they won’t investigate aggressively.”
They all made valid points.
With a rigidly stiff expression, the Seomun Housekeeper stared toward the main gate beyond the central building’s courtyard.
“They’re coming…!”
Personnel poured in through the side gate without hesitation.
Their flawless red silk uniforms gleamed in the sunlight.
None of them marveled at the Inner Court’s scale, slowed their steps to look around, or engaged in idle chatter.
Their gazes were all fixed straight ahead, and they even marched in perfect unison.
They resembled not scholars, but a military unit rigorously trained in drills.
The perfectly aligned ranks moved along the edge of the Inner Court courtyard.
“Which pavilion are they from? Anyone recognize them?”
At the senior housekeeper’s question, the others murmured and squinted, searching for familiar faces.
“…I don’t know. I don’t see any investigators from the Second or Third Pavilion that I recognize.”
“No familiar faces here either.”
“Then maybe it is the Investigation First Pavilion? They only handle major cases, so their faces aren’t well-known…”
Even amid this, more investigators kept streaming into the Inner Court, one after another.
“Who the hell are they…? Does anyone recognize them…? Are they really from the Investigation First Pavilion…?!”
The senior housekeeper cried out lowly, but no one readily answered.
The response came from the Seomun Housekeeper.
“…They’re not from the Investigation First Pavilion.”
Her voice was low, but it was nearly a scream.
The housekeepers’ gazes turned to her.
“Th-then who are they from?”
She squeezed her eyes shut.
“L-look over there, everyone!”
At someone’s shout, all eyes turned forward.
The investigators had all entered, and finally, their investigation commander appeared.
“Wh-white hair?!”
“White hair and red robes?!”
“N-no way… Why….”
Even from afar, her snow-white hair—pure as first snow—was clearly visible, tied back and fluttering in the wind.
She was a stern-faced middle-aged woman.
While everyone else moved in orderly fashion, she stood at the main gate, arrogantly glaring at the Inner Court’s central building.
Her irises were normal, but the pupils in the center were not black—they were thread-white.
“…The white-haired, white-eyed ghost has appeared.”
Amid the group’s panic, the Seomun Housekeeper spat out her name like it burned her tongue.
“…Central Inspection Pavilion Lord, Duggo Ya-yeon.”
* * *
“Not even the Investigation First Pavilion, but the Central Inspection Pavilion….”
Gang Ho himself, who had conducted the preliminary investigation and reported it, couldn’t hide his shock.
The triplet maids were stunned as well.
“…That Central Inspection Pavilion with the authority to audit even the Elder Assembly?”
“They’re the ones who dig only into the gravest suspicions.”
“Does that mean the matter involving One Pavilion Affairs is serious enough to warrant them…?”
As the maids exchanged words, the Central Inspection Pavilion personnel neatly finished lining up at the foot of the stairs in front of the central building.
Their leader, the Central Inspection Pavilion Lord, stepped forward and offered a formal bow toward Yeon So-hyeon.
“I greet the main family’s eldest young master.”
Following her, all members of the Central Inspection Pavilion bowed in unison with identical voices and movements.
It was neither excessive nor insufficient—just perfectly by the book.
Yeon So-hyeon returned the gesture with clasped hands, and Duggo Ya-yeon strode up the stairs to stand before him.
“I am the Central Inspection Pavilion Lord, Duggo Ya-yeon.”
“Yeon So-hyeon.”
She appeared to have entered middle age quite some time ago, with no makeup to speak of and no attempt to hide her wrinkles.
Her long white hair was simply tied back roughly, without any ornaments.
Her expressionless face and distinctive white eyes turned toward Yeon So-hyeon.
“As of this moment, the Central Inspection Pavilion has taken over the investigation regarding One Pavilion Affairs’ budget. I hereby notify you.”
It was neither a request for permission nor a plea for understanding.
Tall for a woman, she looked down at Yeon So-hyeon, her face betraying nothing.
“Why tell that to me specifically?”
Her gaze held not a flicker of hesitation.
“Originally, Eldest Young Master, you were the whistleblower in this investigation. However, now that the Central Inspection Pavilion has taken charge, you are no longer a whistleblower but merely a witness. I inform you of this.”
“You’re saying in a roundabout way not to poke your nose into the investigation.”
Yeon So-hyeon sneered, but she ignored it.
“Begin the investigation!”
Her chilling shout, infused with inner energy, echoed through the Inner Court courtyard.
* * *
The Central Inspection Pavilion’s special investigators knew the Inner Court central building’s complex layout as if it were their own home.
Needing no guidance, they immediately began carrying out their pre-assigned duties.
One office door burst open.
Those inside froze at the sight of the red uniforms.
“This office will be temporarily used by the Central Inspection Pavilion as of now. Everyone, please exit immediately.”
No second order was needed.
The same scene was unfolding throughout the Inner Court.
In moments, they had separated the Inner Court personnel, isolated them as needed, and secured all potentially evidentiary documents.
* * *
“Use all waiting rooms as interrogation rooms. And the escorting of the Inner Court’s visitors out?”
At Duggo Ya-yeon’s question, a special investigator immediately replied.
“The exits are in progress. We plan to complete them within this pavilion.”
“Finish within the hour.”
“Understood!”
No sooner had the ordered personnel moved than her next command followed for the rest.
“Securing the high-ranking targets under inspection?”
“Secured. Notably, the Inner Court accounting secretary’s body has been found. Preliminary investigation suggests suicide. We are currently conducting detailed questioning of those who handled the body.”
“Summon the Law Protector Court’s coroners to confirm if it was murder.”
“Understood.”
Necessary orders followed, with immediate compliance.
“We have secured all targets, witnesses, and documents needed for the preliminary investigation.”
“Begin interrogating them now. Ensure no overlapping movements among the subjects.”
One group began to move.
“Hwabok.”
“Yes, Pavilion Lord.”
The affable-looking man called Hwabok responded to her summons.
“Among the targets is a second-tier female housekeeper called Bang Housekeeper. Take charge of her.”
“Yes, understood.”
Hwabok grinned roguishly as he replied.
“Then what will you do now, Pavilion Lord…?”
Duggo Ya-yeon stated flatly, without a change in expression.
“I will now interrogate Witness Number One, Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.”
* * *
When she stormed into Yeon So-hyeon’s waiting room, he was stacked books he’d procured from somewhere and reading them.
“We will now begin the witness interrogation of the eldest young master. Everyone else, withdraw.”
As everyone began to rise, Yeon So-hyeon raised a hand to stop them.
“No need to send everyone out just for a mere witness questioning.”
“There may be sensitive matters discussed.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Yeon So-hyeon.
It was almost a glare.
“Very well, then. I shall proceed without regard.”
“Go ahead.”
She stood before the table.
“Eldest Young Master…”
This was not the impassive woman from before.
Her growling tone startled everyone present.
Her contorted face clearly blazed with fury on the verge of erupting.
“After holing up for a full ten years, what the hell are you scheming now that you’ve suddenly popped out?”
“No, they didn’t pay for the books. So I requested an inspection…”
“Don’t spout nonsense!”
Even at her harsh words, Jeong-a did not intervene.
It was not her place.
“Who are you toying with this time? The Inspection Department Lord? The Inner Court Chief Manager? Or the Elder Assembly Lord?”
The names of the absolute highest officials spilled out, leaving the onlookers unable even to swallow dryly.
“Come on, what…”
Yeon So-hyeon waved it off.
“Would such grand figures bother with someone like me?”
She ignored his words.
“If not, then what reason is there for us to be suddenly assigned here?!”
“How should I know?”
“There’s no way you don’t know!”
Yeon So-hyeon raised both hands in a gesture of incomprehension.
“Remember this, Eldest Young Master. Everyone who knows the old you is watching and wary of you.”
She bared her teeth.
“…Especially if you touch the Central Inspection Pavilion under my command—I won’t forgive it!”
It was a terrifying killing intent.
Yeon So-hyeon put on an aggrieved expression.
“No, this time it really was just because they didn’t pay for the books. I’m not doing anything, I swear?”
Yeon So-hyeon gestured emphatically as he continued.
“You all just do your investigation, and I’ll sit here reading books. My maids can relax for once and enjoy some food provided by others.”
The Central Inspection Pavilion Lord’s white eyes gleamed as she glared at Yeon So-hyeon.
“…I have clearly warned you.”
She turned and stormed out of the waiting room, slamming the door.
All eyes turned to Yeon So-hyeon.
Gang Ho in particular trembled from the aftermath of the killing intent but still stared at him.
Yeon So-hyeon asked them all with perfect innocence.
“Why?”