Blooming even in the mud - Chapter 85

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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 85: Blooming Even in the Mud

“I used to resent the Saenggaksi.”
“…?”
“Before I formally met you, I bumped into a Saenggaksi and helped her out, didn’t I? I agonized over it until my head felt like it would burst, wondering if helping her was a mistake, if there was a problem with how I helped her, or why you were so displeased. Even now, I occasionally ponder it, but I still haven’t found the answer.”
“Ah…”
Yoo Seo-hwa also slowly recalled the memories of the past. Before meeting the fiancé chosen by her Imperial Father, she had disguised herself as a Saenggaksi to test what kind of man he was.
“Do you remember something from so long ago?”
“I haven’t forgotten a single shred of any moment I shared with you. That is what you mean to me, Princess.”
“…….”
“Even when I was trapped in the foolishness of resenting you, I never forgot you.”
Had he not met Yoo Seo-hwa, he would never have known.
The depth of romantic love melting his heart and flowing toward her, the intense love-hate relationship tearing his soul to shreds, the yearning fondness that could not be reached despite being by her side—all the emotions that comprised the man known as Gyeong Won-ui.
Because she existed, the person he was today could finally exist.
“Even if I were to bring you everything under heaven, it could not dare compare to you.”
There was no need for long, flowing, beautiful phrases. The sincerity of her past lover, weaving together the time the two shared, completely permeated her.
After sitting in silence for a long time, Yoo Seo-hwa placed her Beoseon-clad foot into the shoe Gyeong Won-ui had bought. It fit perfectly.
“…Would you support me?”
“Gladly.”
Holding the hand of Gyeong Won-ui, who smiled like a shy boy, Yoo Seo-hwa stood up.
The walk home was as quiet as before. However, Yoo Seo-hwa did not perceive the vitality or the noise of the streets she had noticed earlier. Only the presence of the man beside her warmly enveloped her.

The walk home to escort Yoo Seo-hwa back to her quarters was far too short. He wanted to savor the lingering aftertaste, but unfortunately, he had no time to spare.
“I must prepare and head back out in accordance with His Majesty’s Imperial Decree. I might not be able to return home for a long period.”
“Is there something big happening in the Capital City?”
Only after looking outside the room and reconfirming that no one was around did Gyeong Won-ui whisper in a low voice.
“I found out who slandered my father.”
When he explained the insidious scheme of Chu Se-gu, who had bribed Cui Shecheng, a former Yeongsa of Jinwu, Yoo Seo-hwa’s face turned pale.
“Did the late General Gyeong not know at all?”
“He did not.”
“I cannot tell if that is a blessing or a misfortune… I cannot believe a close friend betrayed him so cruelly. How could someone who enjoys every luxury and wealth commit such a cruel act…”
Calming her startled, thumping heart, Yoo Seo-hwa looked up at him.
“Are you alright, Young Master?”
Chu Sim-yang was also Gyeong Won-ui’s friend. That was why she was asking if he was alright. Swallowing his bitterness, Gyeong Won-ui shook his head.
“At the very least, I am maintaining my composure. If you had not enlightened me, Princess, I would have hated Chu Sim-yang as well and been unable to bear it. You always guide me.”
With that, he quickly changed the subject.
“Since time is short, I will tell you the details next time, but this target also includes the remnants of the White Head Sect. If we secure the cult’s roster and the testimonies of the high-ranking officials, we will surely be able to clear your false charges, Princess.”
At the time of the Rebellion, several officials had fled with the roster. Furthermore, because there was no one willing to clear Yoo Seo-hwa’s name, they could not secure any testimony either.
This time would be different. Watching Gyeong Won-ui make his resolute vow, Yoo Seo-hwa felt a sense of anxiety instead.
The ones utilized by the Deposed Emperor were none other than Lady Zhang and Gyeong Won-yeong. If Gyeong Won-yeong and Gyeong Won-ui learned of this fact, they would carry unnecessary guilt.
Yoo Seo-hwa did not want that.
“You do not have to do that.”
“Princess, are they not false charges?”
“Whether they are false charges or not really does not matter to me, so you should just mind your own business, Young Master.”
“…I understand.”
His business was also the task of clearing Yoo Seo-hwa’s false charges. However, Gyeong Won-ui had no choice but to answer that he would do so. Because Yoo Seo-hwa’s expression was just so desperate.
“It is not dangerous, right?”
“You do not need to worry.”
“Then, have a safe trip.”
Seeing Gyeong Won-ui off, Yoo Seo-hwa hesitated for a moment before adding softly.
“When you return, I will tell you the story of the Saenggaksi.”

He had been on his way to ask Yoo Seo-hwa if there was anything she wanted to eat for dinner.
“This target also includes the remnants of the White Head Sect.”
Mang-a flinched reflexively and pressed himself tight against the wall beneath the window. The voice was low and hard to hear, but it was clear that they intended to subjugate the White Head Sect.
‘He will soon find out that the Princess is not part of the White Head Sect.’
Squatting beneath the window, he pressed down on his pit-a-patting heart.
That was good. It was a good thing. To clear Yoo Seo-hwa’s false charges, he also had to confess that he had been in the White Head Sect. He would probably receive a terrifying punishment.
Even though he was relieved that it was a good thing, his mind would not settle down at all.
‘The Princess will absolutely never say why she took the stigma of being a member of the White Head Sect.’
Though it had not been a long period, it was more than enough time for Mang-a to understand Yoo Seo-hwa’s character. She was a Princess who considered the pain of others as her own.
She would never reveal the reason she was blackmailed.
‘But if she hides it for the rest of her life, the Princess is too pitiful…’
Both Yoo Seo-hwa and Gyeong Won-ui were different. They were completely different from the nobles who had ruined Mang-a’s family and exploited the people.
If he pretended not to know the suffering of those two, he would become the exact same kind of trash. Just like the Taoist masters who deceived the people, just like Taeguang Zhenren who deceived Mang-a.
Firming up his small resolve, Mang-a went to find Gyeong Won-ui.
“Is that Mang-a? You worked hard taking care of the young lady today as well.”
Even though he had to make urgent preparations, Gyeong Won-ui did not find it bothersome and welcomed Mang-a.
Tense to the extreme, his throat felt parched and his heart thapped away. Striving not to tremble, Mang-a opened his lips. Even if he was punished, he wasn’t scared. Not even a bit.
“Um, My Lord, I have something to tell you.”
“To me? What is it?”
“The reason the Princess kept offering riches to the White Head Sect was because of the Deposed Emperor who was driven out.”

* * *

Reading the secret letter urgently sent from the White Head Sect in Shengguang, Chu Se-gu found it utterly absurd.
“I knew long ago that he was a fellow incapable of discerning right from wrong, but now it seems he has completely lost his mind.”
To summarize the secret letter, it was a proposal to restore the Deposed Emperor at the Exile Location and reclaim the prosperity of the White Head Sect. It declared that they would no longer tolerate the Emperor who was suppressing the resisting remnant forces.
In a word, it was a conspiracy for rebellion. The decisive trigger was the burning of the execution ground in Qiheng Province, which the White Head Sect members regarded as a holy land, by Imperial Decree not long ago.
“I must cut ties with these fellows before it gets any later.”
The reason Chu Se-gu had secretly allied with the White Head Sect was simple. It was to conceal his wealth.
If he indulged his greed for riches openly, there was a risk it would provide grounds for impeachment. Chu Se-gu utilized the White Head Sect to accumulate wealth beyond what was visible on the surface.
By supporting the White Head Sect, he obtained a portion of the riches they extorted by deceiving the people, and he also performed deceptions such as melting gold to create Buddha statues inside temples disguised by the White Head Sect.
“There are still more areas to bleed them dry, but it would be wise not to miss the timing to pull out.”
Chu Se-gu went to bed, firming his resolve to summon his close confidants tomorrow. However, the time he closed his eyes did not even amount to half a Shijin.
“Master! Master! It is an emergency!”
“What is all this racket?”
Chu Se-gu woke up, his face contorted in total displeasure. If they had woken him for a trivial matter, he would have them flogged severely.
“An, an Imperial Envoy receiving the Imperial Decree has arrived to ar, arrest you, Master!”
“What?!”
Shocked out of his wits, Chu Se-gu ran out in his Beoseon feet.
Sure enough, even though it was the middle of the night, the light beyond the walls of the private residence was bright as day.
“What did they say the charge is?!”
“I was in such a panic that I could not hear precisely, but they sa, said it was for forging something.”
He had forged more than one or two things, so nothing came to mind immediately. Among them, while pondering a matter grave enough for the Emperor to personally send troops, he suddenly snapped to his senses.
‘Right now, the reason is not the important issue! Whatever the reason, as long as I have offended the Emperor’s eyes, there is no chance I will be released in one piece. I must buy time somehow.’
“Command the private soldiers and block them!”
“Do, do you mean to say you will defy the Imperial Decree, Master?”
“Then are you saying I should just be dragged away unjustly!”
Thundering at the butler to chase him away, Chu Se-gu frantically gathered his riches as best he could in his haste. Soon, loud shouts and the clashing of weapons could be heard from all over.
‘The private soldiers will not be able to hold out for long.’
He had to escape before then. Fortunately, the siege on the western side of the private residence was loose. Even while fleeing, Chu Se-gu, who greedily packed his wealth, managed to escape the private residence along with his closest trusted lackeys by scaling the western wall.
He did not have the luxury to speculate that they might have left one side of the encirclement open on purpose.
Fleeing all through the night, they arrived at a mountain near the Capital City. When there was no sign of pursuit, Chu Se-gu collapsed heavily onto the ground and vented his resentment.
“How much have I served up to the Emperor, yet he discards me like this?!”
While the group took a rest, a subordinate who had gone to check the atmosphere of the Capital City explained the situation.
“From what I hear, evidence has surfaced showing that during the reign of Emperor Xuanwen, Your Excellency falsely accused Gyeong Baek-jong of treason.”
“Damn it! So Cui Shecheng was alive!”
No matter how much he searched, no trace of him had turned up; it seemed he had fallen into the Emperor’s hands early on.
“Wait, by any chance, was the one who received the Emperor’s Imperial Decree Gyeong Won-ui?”

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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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