Blooming even in the mud - Chapter 45

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

Chapter 45: Blooming Even in the Mud
 
 
 
“…….”
Caressing the scar on the back of his hand, Gyeong Won-ui, who had been lost in thought, shook his head to clear his mind.
It was a rare day when he had left office early before sunset. There were things he had to do.
Gyeong Won-ui reviewed the documents he had received in confidence from Emperor Xuanwen.

These were the investigative materials for the treason case that Emperor Xuanwen had secretly ordered him to undertake.
In truth, investigating the treason case involving the Gyeong Clan was by no means an easy task.
‘If it were an event from the Deposed Emperor’s reign, there would be no burden, but the problem is that it happened during the reign of the previous Emperor Xuanwen.’
To justify the Rebellion, the Deposed Emperor’s lawlessness was emphasized. As one of the methods, the status of the current Emperor was elevated, as well as that of the immediate predecessor, Emperor Xuanwen.
Gyeong Won-ui traced the somewhat frayed edges of the documents with his fingers, having stroked them several times.
‘But the truly important reason lies in the dynamics of the Imperial Court.’
Emperor Xuanwen repeatedly carried out purges. The fact that many officials were removed through purges meant that there were also many who newly filled those vacant seats.
There had even been a round of Meritorious Official titles conferred.
Some were removed along with the Deposed Emperor, but the majority were still alive and well, holding power.
‘Naturally, there are also those who took over the vacant positions left when the people connected to my father were removed.’
Among those who enjoyed the benefits of the purges, there are certainly those who encouraged the purges by exploiting the suspicious nature of Emperor Xuanwen.
‘If we prove that the purge of our family in Emperor Xuanwen’s later years was wrongful, the repercussions will be immense.’
Once doubt is cast on a single event, a pretext arises to expose the preceding events to the light of day.
‘The Imperial Court will fall into chaos.’
Because of those who argue that the purges and conferral of Meritorious Official titles during Emperor Xuanwen’s lifetime must be fairly revealed, and those who refuse to let go of their past sins and the power gained through them.
There was someone who argued the perfectly logical point that those falsely registered on the Meritorious Officials Roster in the past should be removed. Because of that, the Imperial Court was upended and a major incident erupted where countless people were imprisoned or had their heads chopped off.
Even if it is only a part, it is tantamount to completely denying the rule of the previous emperor. It was difficult for even Gyeong Won-ui to guess how large these repercussions would grow.
‘They are absolutely not people who will easily concede that our family was framed.’
It had not even been a year since the Emperor ascended the throne through the Rebellion.
To Emperor Xuanwen, who had not yet completely seized control of the Imperial Court, it was a politically burdensome matter.
Nevertheless, the reason he ordered a reinvestigation was that his imperial mind favored and trusted Gyeong Won-ui that much.
He had to prove their innocence with perfect evidence that no one could deny.
“Sigh. Nothing is easy.”
A small sigh escaped him. It was because he had not yet discovered any clear evidence.
The person who made the anonymous accusation that Gyeong Baek-jong was colluding with the Zhanghou State, and the person who hid the forged Secret Letter in the residence must be the same person.
The anonymous informant could not be found. Finding an informant now, who could not be found back then after five years had passed, was nearly impossible.
‘Then, I need to look around at the other involved parties…….’
There were officials who were quite suspicious.
The person who first received the anonymous accusation and the person who discovered the forged letter at the residence.
The former still remained in office, so he had attached a tail to him, but the latter had long since retired to the countryside.
‘The latter official was a man named Cui Shecheng, who held the office of Youngsa in the Jinwu at the time.’
A man who was so addicted to gambling that he squandered his family fortune and ran into debt suddenly retired to the countryside. It was right after the Rebellion occurred, meaning right after Gyeong Won-ui, who was known to be dead, returned alive.
‘When you’re addicted to gambling, it’s hard to quit easily even if your wrists are cut off. Yet, it’s strange that a man who was frequenting gambling houses in dissipation until the previous day suddenly vanished.’
There was a possibility that he fled because he couldn’t handle the debt, but the timing of all things was suspicious.
‘To find evidence, even if it looks trivial, it must never be neglected.’
He had tracked his whereabouts, but the trail went cold in his hometown. Perhaps around today, he would receive the report of the tracking results.
Before that, Gyeong Won-ui, who opened the door to take a short walk to clear his head, paused.
‘Yoo Seo-hwa……?’
In the distance, he saw Yoo Seo-hwa standing side by side and talking with some man.
He couldn’t hear what kind of conversation they were having because of the distance, but her expression was incredibly comfortable.
It was an expression he hadn’t seen in a very long time.

“…….”
Wang Jeong-mun saw Gyeong Won-ui’s gaze following Yoo Seo-hwa’s receding figure.
‘What is in the General’s mind.’
The question of what she, no, what Her Highness the Princess was to the General, dangled in his throat.
“I was just about to come and see you.”
But the words that came out of Wang Jeong-mun’s mouth were an ordinary greeting. It was a realm he must not touch. Absolutely.
Just as he hadn’t been able to ask Yoo Seo-hwa in the end, this time too, Wang Jeong-mun could not ask Gyeong Won-ui.
Receiving the documents he handed over, Gyeong Won-ui asked before even unfolding them.
“How long has it been since you stayed at the main residence as a retainer?”
“Hmm, I would have to look up the exact date, but it was after the manor was organized to some extent…… so it has been about three or four months.”
“……It has already been that long.”
It was around the same time that Yoo Seo-hwa came to the manor as a slave.
‘Three or four months is a sufficient period for a man and a woman who had no prior acquaintance to become close.’
As soon as he thoughtlessly thought that, Gyeong Won-ui wanted to strike himself.
‘What does a mere slave matter.’
Even as he gathered his mind, Yoo Seo-hwa held in his arms flickered before his eyes.
She was a lowly slave. The person who abandoned her to become a slave was precisely him.
She was in a status more wretched than a courtesan, who was called a roadside willow and wallflower because she was plucked by anyone along the path and beneath the wall.
Only then did he realize the fact that another man could covet that expression, that skin, that fragrance, and that touch, which were not his.
“General? Is there something you are worried about?”
When he remained lost in thought even after receiving the documents, Wang Jeong-mun was puzzled.
“It is nothing.”
Gyeong Won-ui shook his head once and entered the room. There was no way another servant or retainer would be nearby, but it was a matter that required caution.
Reading the reported documents, Gyeong Won-ui’s expression gradually frowned.
Wang Jeong-mun, who followed him into the room, asked cautiously.

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