Blooming even in the mud - Chapter 3

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 3: Blooming Even in the Mud

“Sukjeong must be waiting for quite some time.”
The one who held Gyeong Won-ui back in conversation despite knowing this was Emperor Xuanwen.
Lest she might wither if blown away or break if grasped too tight, Emperor Xuanwen had deeply agonized over the match for his daughter, whom he cherished like a precious jewel in his palm.
He had searched for a man of a similar age to the princess, weighing family status and ability, as well as appearance, before finally settling on Gyeong Won-ui.
‘As the only son of Pyogi Great General Gyeong Baek-jong, who is renowned for his clean integrity, and the successor to the Xichang Gyeong Clan, a martial family of deep heritage in the Songyang State, he will be more than sufficient as Sukjeong’s match.’
He was a prodigy whose reputation for outstanding martial arts despite his young age had crossed the high walls of the Deep Imperial Palace to reach the ears of Emperor Xuanwen.
Barring any unusual circumstances, he would become an excellent official to the Crown Prince, who would succeed him on the throne in the future.
‘Unusual circumstances are always the problem.’
Emperor Xuanwen, whose suspicious nature was exceptionally strong and had driven him to repeat purge after purge, smiled leisurely.
‘Will the Gyeong family and this boy, even after devouring the sweet fruit of being the Emperor’s Buma, crawl beneath my feet like rats and submit?’
The impression from their brief conversation was highly satisfying. Consequently, their pleasant chat dragged on.
It was both admirable and intriguing that a mere boy at the age of Zhi-xue did not lose his composure even before the Emperor during his very first audience, acting as if he were a shrewd, aged minister of the court.
Emperor Xuanwen, who possessed the generosity to forgive any strange answers born of nerves, smiled patiently.
“Have you ever heard stories about our Yoo Seo-hwa?”
“I am deeply humbled, but I have chanced upon a few rumors.”
“How were they?”
Though he had not been overly talkative, Won-ui’s lips, which had answered Emperor Xuanwen’s inquiries without hindrance, stiffened into a halt for the first time.
How on earth was he supposed to beautifully embellish and report the phrase ‘an immature tomboy’?
“I am well aware that Sukjeong’s disposition is by no means gentle, so speak freely.”
Emperor Xuanwen spoke in a generous tone, but answering exactly according to the rumors would surely invite disaster.
After debating, Won-ui barely managed to find a comparable choice of words.
“Praise is widespread that she possesses a spirited and grand caliber.”
“What? Spirited and grand?”
It was an unexpected answer. Emperor Xuanwen, who had expected an answer along the lines of lively or robust at best, burst into a hearty laugh.
Without a single smile, Won-ui bowed his head. It seemed he had gotten through it safely.
However, the imperial words that followed turned his face pale.
“You saw correctly. It is a demeanor too grand to be wasted on a girl. If Sukjeong had been born a male, I would have happily anticipated a future where that child would rule this empire as the emperor succeeding me.”
It was so famous that even Won-ui, who was ignorant of palace rumors, knew that Emperor Xuanwen, having no legitimate sons, looked upon the weak Crown Prince with dissatisfaction.
‘If I offer a dissenting answer, it means I dare to harbor resentment against His Majesty’s opinion, and if I offer an affirmative answer, it means I harbor treasonous intent.’
Given Emperor Xuanwen’s deep suspicious nature, he was more than capable of twisting it into such a malicious interpretation.
Won-ui tightly clenched his sweat-drenched hands inside his sleeves.
‘Upon my single word hangs not just my own life, but the lives of my family, the honor of my clan—everything.’
Taking a breath, he slowly opened his lips.
“When the fate of the nation was endangered by foreign invasions, Empress Dowager Mingwen of the Former Dynasty personally donned armor and marched onto the battlefield, and Yan Liang’s wife, Lady Jia, saved her husband from the slander of political rivals with her brilliant foresight, helping him raise his name as a renowned prime minister. Since there are those who leave their names in the annals of history even in a woman’s body, if Yoo Seo-hwa desires this, I will merely serve and support her with all my heart.”
The flesh of Emperor Xuanwen’s cheeks twitched.
‘I thought he was just a martial artist whose mind was dulled from eating the bread of the sword, but he possesses quite the quick wit and resourcefulness.’
At first glance, it sounded like flattery praising Yoo Seo-hwa, but there was no trace of cunning in his calm, continuous voice. His steady voice, which lacked great fluctuations, possessed a firmness that inspired trust in the listener.
Emperor Xuanwen slowly scrutinized Won-ui while stroking his beard.
‘Gyeong Baek-jong raised his child too well. Far too well.’
His interest faded, and a corner of his chest froze with a cold chill.
‘What if this man becomes not a sword that submits to the Crown Prince in the future, but a sword that opposes him?’
A weak master who could not even use the sword in his hand properly, and a famous sword whose value was far too high to be submissively held in the hand of a weak master.
‘He is a dangerous fellow.’
The suspicious nature of Emperor Xuanwen, who had lived his entire life constantly doubting and checking those around him for the sake of his own power, began to squirm anew.
If he had not seen the minuscule change that occurred in Won-ui, he might have made a certain decision. However, seeing the single bead of sweat trickling down the boy’s forehead changed his mind.
Though he maintained quite a mature posture, he had not completely mastered his tension. He was still a boy younger than the Crown Prince.
‘There will be plenty of opportunities to control him while I am alive.’
Only then did Emperor Xuanwen slap his knee and laugh aloud with joy.
“Our Sukjeong has met a very fine match. Not only does the harmony of their Saju-danja match perfectly, but a husband who holds the center weightily like you fits that child well.”
“Your grace is boundless.”
“I have kept you here for so long that Sukjeong must be resenting me. Go on quickly.”
The gaze of Emperor Xuanwen as he watched Won-ui recede after offering a final bow was full of deep meaning.
If that boy’s temperament seemed poised to become a threat in the future, he could simply clip his wings for the sake of the Crown Prince. There was plenty of time left.
‘If only the Crown Prince did not have such a weak disposition, there would be no need to agonize over this.’
The more he thought about it, the less he liked his eldest son. The sound of a low click of the tongue echoed briefly through the Great Hall from which the guest had departed.

Upon stepping outside, the sound of the drums announcing the Hour of the Monkey reached his ears. Had time already flown like this?
Only then did Won-ui straighten his back, which had been politely hunched the entire time in front of Emperor Xuanwen, and massage his shoulders.
‘I entered the palace steeling my mind, but the oppressive majesty of His Majesty who rules the world is no easy thing.’
If this had been his family’s residence instead of the Imperial Palace, he would have unraveled his tense muscles with his Soft Sword once, but an eunuch approached as if he had been waiting, giving him no room to catch his breath.
“Young Master Gyeong, Her Highness the princess is waiting.”
As the audience grew longer, Yoo Seo-hwa had already sent a Saenggaksi several times to urge him along. Asking if they were still conversing was basic, and there was even an unreasonable demand to try and eavesdrop on what kind of pleasant chat they were sharing.
To the flustered eunuch, Won-ui’s appearance was like a welcome rain during a drought.
“I understand. Please guide me.”
Won-ui, who had no way of knowing the circumstances, politely followed behind the eunuch.
‘In all honesty, I want to return home and rest, but…’
To him, the metallic scent of a sword was more familiar than the direction of a woman.
Among his friends, there were those who already frequented the courtesan houses, but Won-ui was not one of them. Regardless of his will, the Saju-danja had been exchanged with Yoo Seo-hwa, but no special emotion arose.
‘Once we wed, I will do my absolute best for Her Highness as a husband, but can I truly become a sweet lover for her? It is likely impossible.’
Blushing in front of a woman and whispering sweet, tender words was something he could not even imagine himself doing.

“Why is there no news?”
“He will visit shortly.”
“Isn’t his conversation with Father far too long? Was the person marrying Young Master Gyeong Father instead of me?”
Seo-hwa, though she knew it was an absurd complaint, muttered her dissatisfaction, weary from waiting.
Even her imperial father had never made her wait for more than One Tea-drinking Time, so why did that man make me so exhausted? And on our very first meeting, at that.
Just as she was about to send a Saenggaksi to the Great Hall once more, the voice she had been waiting for finally drifted in.
“Your Highness, Young Master Gyeong has arrived.”
“Bri—”
Seo-hwa, who had almost shouted ‘Bring him in at once!’ out loud without thinking, cleared her throat.
“Let him enter.”
In the voice that turned gentle toward the court lady who announced him from outside, there was no trace of her anxiety from just a moment ago.
Before long, the doors opened to both sides and Gyeong Won-ui stepped inside. The silhouette faintly visible beyond the screen embroidered with auspicious characters resembled that of the sturdy man she had collided with while pretending it was a mistake, making her heart flutter once more.
Won-ui bowed.
“Won-ui, son of Pyogi Great General Gyeong Baek-jong, greets Her Highness the princess.”
“Please rise. I am pleased to meet Young Master Gyeong, whom I have only heard of through rumors.”
It was the elegant voice she had practiced repeatedly while waiting for Won-ui. When she glanced back at Court Lady Lee, the older woman nodded her head as if she had done well.
Erasing the rowdiness from when she had disguised herself as a Saenggaksi, her desire to be remembered through a graceful first meeting stemmed from the shyness of a girl who had just opened her eyes to the opposite sex.
The Saenggaksi brought refreshment tables before the two of them one after another. It was a delicacy she had specially ordered Saenggwabang to prepare.
As Seo-hwa raised her teacup first, Won-ui also politely drank his tea. Moistening her lips with the tea, Seo-hwa waited for him to initiate the conversation.
He had kept his head bowed the whole time and now the screen was lowered so she could not see his face, but his voice was exceedingly wonderful.
‘They say men’s voices change roughly like scraping gravel around Young Master Gyeong’s age, yet the young master’s voice flows smoothly into my ears without any discomfort, which is a wondrous thing.’
Perhaps his appearance was as wonderful as his voice. Since it was a voice pleasing to the ear, his appearance would surely be beautiful as well. Seo-hwa’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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