Rightfully Mine (3)
Lee Seong-hwi, who had achieved brilliant feats in suppressing the rebellion, was appointed Cavalry Commandant by the Grand General's office. Yet his duties changed little. Though the Imperial Guard now fell under his command, he still patrolled the palace and imperial halls under orders from Vanguard Captain Cao Cao—much the same as before.
"Is something the matter?"
"...No, nothing at all."
Lee Seong-hwi finally spoke up at Cao Cao's disconcerting habit of staring blankly without a word, only to jolt away like a startled deer whenever their eyes met. Each time, a faint blush colored her pale cheeks.
"Benchu praised your valor."
"Is that so?"
Lee Seong-hwi nodded at Cao Cao's words. Yuan Shao praising me... It was a positive sign to catch the eye of the woman who would one day dominate Hebei. After all, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were destined to vie for supremacy over the realm. Gaining favor from Yuan Shao while already Cao Cao's aide felt like a satisfying outcome.
"But Benchu is an arrogant, overbearing woman."
As soon as he nodded at the mention of Yuan Shao, Cao Cao began heaping criticism on her with a sullen scowl that betrayed her displeasure.
"If she approaches you and spins her clever lies, let it go in one ear and out the other."
"But isn't Preceptor Captain Benchu an old friend of yours, Lady Mengde?"
"Hmph. Old friend, my foot..."
Cao Cao denied it with a sour expression. Lee Seong-hwi found it puzzling. Their friendship wouldn't truly fracture until they split Hebei and Henan between them. So why was she treating Yuan Shao like an enemy already?
"I'll guarantee your future, so rest easy and follow only me."
"Yes, ma'am."
Her words made little sense, but Lee Seong-hwi trusted this woman implicitly and accepted them without question. Distant as it seemed now... Cao Mengde would one day ascend to a lofty throne. If not her, whom could he believe in? She was a liege worthy of total faith, so long as she didn't pull the rug out from under him.
"Wasn't it you, Lady Mengde, who personally elevated me to this position?"
"Indeed... You're right. I was the first to recognize your worth, not Benchu. Hearing that eases my mind a little."
Cao Cao let out a deep sigh at his response, stared intently at him, then nodded. Though he couldn't grasp her meaning, Lee Seong-hwi found himself captivated by the subtle smile gracing her lips, his eyes widening as he watched. She always wore an impassive mask, hiding her true feelings from the world—but occasionally, that mask slipped into a rare, unguarded smile. Little by little, he felt himself drawn to her.
* * *
Anyone familiar with palace life knew the palace's elite Golden Army units were concentrated in the South Palace. It was basic knowledge, plain common sense. With the emperor residing in Chongde Hall, the empress in Jide Hall, and most key imperial figures—save the crown prince in the East Palace—housed there, the elite guards had no choice but to mass in the area.
"I've heard His Imperial Majesty's condition worsens by the day! And yet you dare block Princess Bohai's path?!"
A female attendant glared daggers at the officers barring the palace gate, her voice sharp with fury. The officers didn't budge. Ignoring the protests as if routine, they stood firm. Though her outraged cries rang out endlessly, they blocked the gate, allowing no one through. Only a handful of servants bearing meals could pass.
"These are the Grand General's orders."
The grim-faced officers invoked He Jin's command. No one was to enter or leave Lecheng Hall. Ever since learning Jian Shi sought to enthrone Princess Liu Xie, Grand General He Jin had sealed off her residence. It was his ironclad resolve: no threats to his nephew's ascension would be tolerated.
"Even the Grand General, head of the military, cannot so brazenly defy the Han imperial house!"
The attendants serving Liu Xie—including her longtime nursemaid, palace maids, and eunuchs—protested vehemently against the officers enforcing He Jin's blockade.
"What's going on here?"
As the two sides clashed, a high-ranking Golden Army officer appeared. It was Cavalry Commandant Lee Seong-hwi. Lecheng Hall was guarded by a mix of He Jin's direct troops and Vanguard Captain Cao Cao's forces, so the commotion had reached his ears.
"Commandant, sir."
The officers blocking the attendants saluted crisply at his arrival. Though they belonged to the Grand General's unit, he was the emperor's cavalry chief. It was only natural for them to bow respectfully before the Bohai Princess's servants.
"Didn't the Grand General order strict control of access to Lecheng Hall? These maids were trying to slip out unauthorized, so we stopped them."
Lee Seong-hwi nodded as the Grand General's officer explained. And he took their side.
"Apologies, but these are the Grand General's orders."
"You officers dare invoke his authority to bar Princess Bohai's way?!"
"Yes, exactly."
Even amid their furious shouts, Lee Seong-hwi shook his head firmly, unmoved. The Grand General's command was absolute. The Ten Attendants had knelt before He Jin himself—who would defy his office? This was for the attendants' own good, too. Defy the blockade, and He Jin's encircling troops would crush them without mercy.
Security's tightened since Jian Shi's revolt. He's openly guarding against the biggest threat to his nephew's legitimacy.
Lee Seong-hwi glanced at the soldiers ringing Lecheng Hall, their sharp weapons and heavy armor gleaming, their air as battle-ready as any frontline. The palace was heavily guarded everywhere, but Lecheng Hall bristled with wartime menace.
"Th-then..."
A small, fragile voice came from behind—so faint, one had to strain to hear it. At the sound, the cluster of attendants parted left and right.
"Pl-please... at least let me send a letter... to Father Emperor..."
Lee Seong-hwi slowly lowered his gaze. The officers behind him did the same. A tiny girl with golden hair cascading to her waist like molten gold. Frail and diminutive, yet she exuded the noble dignity of a Han imperial princess despite her tender age. She extended her delicate hands, clutching a letter meant for her bedridden father, who wandered the brink of death.
"Princess Bohai."
Lee Seong-hwi dropped to one knee in salute. The other officers followed suit, kneeling before the little girl's noble presence.
"C-can't... I...?"
Liu Xie hunched her slender shoulders, her voice trembling on the verge of tears. Lee Seong-hwi hesitated a moment, then replied.
"Entrust it to me, and I'll see it reaches the inner attendants at Chongde Hall where His Majesty resides."
"Th-thank you...!"
The squirrel-like girl flashed a smile, and Lee Seong-hwi returned it warmly.
"And any news from Chongde Hall, I'll relay to you at once, Your Highness."
It was small comfort for a princess caged like a bird—a tiny spark of hope born from pity and sympathy.
"Commandant."
The Grand General's officers eyed him warily, tense with suspicion, as he accepted the letter from Liu Xie. Once she and her attendants withdrew, Lee Seong-hwi half-closed the open Lecheng gate and spoke.
"It's only going to Chongde Hall, where His Majesty is."
"But the Grand General won't allow it."
"Even if it reaches Chongde Hall, His Majesty is too ill to read it. And you've all heard the Chief Physician."
"That's true, but..."
The imperial physician tending the emperor had declared he wouldn't last three days. The letter, penned by those tiny hands, would go unread, sealed away forever. The emperor had but three days left to live.
"The Grand General will be furious if he finds out."
"I'll take responsibility."
Lee Seong-hwi met the officer's concern head-on.
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Bohai Princess Liu Xie, 8 years old (1 year until enthronement as emperor)