Blooming even in the mud - Chapter 69

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Blooming Even in the Mud Chapter 69

I could not offer any response to the words of the Doctor who had left after checking her pulse again this morning.
The memories that had gouged out and torn Yoo Seo-hwa’s heart into shreds were too numerous to count even on both hands.
What in the world had he done the moment they reunited after five long years?

Looking back now, the emotion that had lingered on Yoo Seo-hwa’s face at that time was a vivid, pure joy. Yet, he had raised his blade to slaughter her, utterly trampling even that joy underfoot.
“Do I dare……. Do I even have the right to beg for Your Highness’s forgiveness?”
“…….”
Instead of an answer that would never return, only a hollow silence floated precariously in the air.

News of the fire eventually reached the Imperial Palace as well.
“Is the rumor true that a massive fire broke out at General Gyeong’s residence?”
“It is true, Your Majesty. It is said that the flames could be seen from afar and the Pavilion was entirely ash.”
“That must have been quite an ordeal.”
The Empress quietly stroked her chin. She had just been pondering a fitting pretext to send Court Lady Lee to the Gyeong Clan Residence. Though it was a misfortune for the household, it presented an excellent opportunity for the Empress.
“Summon Court Lady Lee.”
That afternoon, the palace staff visited the residence bearing the Empress’s condolences and gifts. Naturally, Court Lady Lee was positioned at the edge of the entourage.
The last state of the relationship between Gyeong Won-ui and Yoo Seo-hwa that Court Lady Lee remembered was when Gyeong Won-ui had confined Yoo Seo-hwa within the Princess’s Residence.
‘She must still be enduring all kinds of hardships as a slave even now.’
While Gyeong Won-ui hosted a banquet for the palace staff who brought the Empress’s imperial gifts, Court Lady Lee used the excuse of a stomachache to slip away from the gathering.
She slipped some money to a passing slave and described Yoo Seo-hwa’s appearance.
“Are you talking about Yoo Seo-hwa?”
“Yoo Seo-hwa? Is she using that name?”
“The only person who came here as a slave around that time is her. And seeing how a Court Lady like you is looking for her, she must have been of noble birth in the past; there were rumors that Yoo Seo-hwa used to be an aristocrat.”
“Yes, yes. That is exactly the person you speak of. Where is the place where Yoo Seo-hwa works? No. If I go myself, it will only draw unwanted attention, so could you deliver a message asking her to come out here for just a brief moment?”
“Uh, about that……”
The slave trailed off, looking troubled. Misunderstanding that the slave was demanding more money, Court Lady Lee’s face hardened.
“Do you dare let your greed get the better of you?”
“Oh, no! Court Lady! It is nothing like that, but the truth is……. You may have heard the rumors, but a fire broke out here a short while ago……”
Upon hearing what had transpired during the fire in the Inner House, Court Lady Lee was struck with utter consternation. Her face turning deathly pale, Court Lady Lee rushed back in a hurry.
“General Gyeong, I apologize for interrupting your conversation, but there is something I must ask you.”
Since the person who had left the room returned with a face that looked ready to faint, Gyeong Won-ui was also somewhat surprised. The same went for the other palace staff who had received instructions from the Empress to create an opportunity for Court Lady Lee to meet Yoo Seo-hwa.
“Is it true that Princess Sukjeong is currently unconscious due to the recent fire?”
“……You came to see Her Highness.”
“General.”
“I will guide you.”
Court Lady Lee, who had served Yoo Seo-hwa in the Princess’s Palace, and Sangon, who led the palace staff, followed behind him.
Upon witnessing Yoo Seo-hwa sleeping without the slightest movement, Court Lady Lee broke down, weeping bitterly. It was only after quite some time had passed that Court Lady Lee, having been helped out of the room, regained enough composure to converse with Gyeong Won-ui.
“You were the last one to see Her Highness, were you not, General? Did Her Highness attempt to take her own life again?”
“Again? Court Lady, what do you mean by that?”
As Court Lady Lee spoke incoherently without even properly wiping her tears, a belated look of dismay crossed her face.
A few months ago, Court Lady Lee had intended to seek out Gyeong Won-ui to protest his confinement of Yoo Seo-hwa. Yoo Seo-hwa had stopped her.

Because Yoo Seo-hwa’s expression had been unprecedentedly stubborn, Court Lady Lee could no longer offer further counsel. Even after learning that Yoo Seo-hwa had become a slave at the Gyeong Clan Residence, she had to keep her lips sealed.
‘Would it be alright to speak of it now?’
It was a matter she could not consult anyone about.
She had suffered alone in secret for months, but now the situation seemed to have changed. The way Gyeong Won-ui treated Yoo Seo-hwa was not that of a hateful enemy.
Having made up her mind, Court Lady Lee parted her heavy lips.
“I am late in informing you, but it was all Her Highness’s wish. The sin of disobeying Her Highness’s command not to inform you is something I will personally receive from Her Highness later.”
Emperor Xuanwen, who had severed the connection between the Princess’s Palace and the outside world to confine her; Yoo Seo-hwa, who had refused all food and drink before hanging herself the moment Gyeong Won-ui’s death was confirmed; the Deposed Emperor, who had badgered Yoo Seo-hwa and forced her to marry Park Kwon-bok; the disastrous life she led with Park Kwon-bok—Court Lady Lee recounted everything she had seen and heard.
As Gyeong Won-ui listened to the long tale, the color gradually drained from his face until, eventually, even his expressions vanished entirely, leaving only a dreadful silence in their wake.
Court Lady Lee’s tear-choked lament drove the final stake into his heart.
“There is a sin for which I must apologize not only to Her Highness but also to you, General. The sole source of support that kept Her Highness clinging to life was her belief that the Soguk Lady and Gyeong Won-yeong were alive in Ganam Province. Even though I knew the two ladies had passed away, I could not bear to convey it to Her Highness.”

The palace staff returned to the palace. Having suddenly welcomed and then sent off guests, the residence was a bit more bustling than usual. Amidst the familiar sounds of a day drawing to a close, only the space surrounding Gyeong Won-ui remained as quiet as death.
‘Everything was a lie.’
The hatred that had sprouted in the Imperial Prison and bound him more cruelly than any torture, the resentment that had pursued him through countless nightmares—it was all a shapeless falsehood.
From the very beginning, Yoo Seo-hwa had never betrayed him.
The one who betrayed was him.
‘What in the world have I…….’
Without even knowing that Yoo Seo-hwa had been driven to such despair that she would hang herself, he had doubted her simply because no reply came to his letters.
Without even knowing that Yoo Seo-hwa was spending terrible days, he had been pettily jealous of the beast masquerading as her husband.
Without even knowing with what kind of heart Yoo Seo-hwa had written those letters to his mother and sister, he had been blinded by his own stubbornness and refused to even listen to an explanation.
Even while knowing that Yoo Seo-hwa was being wounded and suffering by his side, he.
A wave of nausea surged within him. If there was anyone under heaven whom he ought to curse and loathe the most, it was not Emperor Xuanwen, but Gyeong Won-ui himself.

Not a chance. Gyeong Won-ui bitterly mocked his past self from a short while ago.
He did not even possess the right to be forgiven by Yoo Seo-hwa.

It was a dream.
She thought it could only be a dream. Otherwise, there was no way her physical form could wander so freely like this, completely unburdened by any restraint.
Her lightly drifting body fluttered gently as if swaying in the wind, as if drawn by a melody, scattering into the air.
At the end of her gaze, which fluttered like a falling petal, stood her imperial father.

Was her own yearning projected because it was a dream, or had her imperial father’s soul from the afterlife briefly crossed over into her dream?
Looking decades older than he did at the time of his demise, appearing like a withered old tree, her imperial father wore an extremely labored and pained expression.