Blooming even in the mud - Chapter 86

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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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Blooming Even in the Mud Chapter 86

“That is correct, my lord.”
A chilling shiver ran down his spine.
‘What if Gyeong Won-ui knew the truth before the Emperor did? Did that young brat trick me completely, even while knowing it was my doing?’
It was a terrifying sensation he hadn’t felt in a very long time.
The cub he had looked down upon and dismissed as a mere child turned out to be a tiger’s whelp with a mind deep enough to deceive even him.
(A tiger’s offspring)
No, he could be called a fully grown tiger now. A tiger would never let go of the fangs that bit into his family’s enemy.
‘Baek-jong, even in death, you remain above my head.’
The inferiority complex he thought he had resolved by killing Baek-jong flared up, churning within him.
‘I will not give up this life easily. The one who survives until the very end is the ultimate winner!’
The desire for survival was Chu Se-gu’s greatest greed.

It was a reluctant step. But it was a place he had to visit at least once. Gyeong Won-ui walked forward as he received the military salutes from the soldiers.
Cowering and trembling in a corner of the Imperial Prison, Chu Sim-yang brightened up.
Unlike Chu Se-gu, who had mobilized private soldiers to flee, Chu Sim-yang had been imprisoned without even daring to resist. His face, illuminated by the torchlight, was terribly pale. Chu Sim-yang gripped the bars and cried out.
“Won-ui! Listen to me. The claim that Father committed the treasonous crime of insulting the late Emperor and falsely accused your clan of rebellion is preposterous. That could never happen!”
“…….”
“You know Father well. Though he is a man of many personal greedis, would he ever drive a close friend to his death?”
“…….”
“There must be a misunderstanding! If we investigate thoroughly, surely…….”
Chu Sim-yang’s voice, which had been endlessly shouting his innocence, gradually died down. He had detected an ominous sign in Gyeong Won-ui’s expression as he listened in silence.
Gyeong Won-ui let out a low sigh and rubbed his face. If the person locked in the Imperial Prison were Chu Se-gu, it would be different, but facing Chu Sim-yang actually made his heart heavy.
“I am sorry, but there is a witness who cooperated in the perjury.”
“Could that person not be trying to falsely accuse Father instead!”
“The one who tried to kill the witness first was the Minister of State Affairs.”
“……!”
“If he did not fear the secret leaking out, would you tell me why he tried to kill a mere Yeongsa of the Jinwu?”
“…….”
“Why did he leave him alone for five years, only to perceive him as a threat and try to eliminate him when I returned alive?”
“…….”
Imprisoned in the Imperial Prison, Chu Sim-yang’s face gradually dropped downward. With a complicated heart, Gyeong Won-ui continued speaking.
“It was difficult for me to believe easily as well. I cannot speak of it now, but it is not just the matter of our clan that is entangled.”
“……Is it truly Father’s doing?”
“…….”
Silence was an immediate affirmation. After being buried for a long time in the silence that weighed heavily on both of his shoulders, Chu Sim-yang muttered.
“……Elder Brother is physically weak. He will not survive if he is locked in the Imperial Prison.”
“I petitioned His Majesty, so your elder brother was not imprisoned and is currently under house arrest at the Gyeong Clan Ancestral Residence. The Doctor’s visits will be no different from usual.”
“Thank you.”
Out of all the words Gyeong Won-ui had heard in his life, it was the most bitter expression of gratitude.
Suppressing his aching heart, Gyeong Won-ui left the Imperial Prison. Behind his receding back, the faint sound of sobbing echoed.

After agonizing over several places, Shengguang was the only escape route Chu Se-gu could choose. He had considered fleeing to a neighboring foreign country, but his remaining wealth was so desperately precious to him that he could not bring himself to leave.
No matter where one went, one needed wealth to build a foundation. What kind of life would it be to barely survive with nothing but breath left and not a single penny of wealth?
‘I tried to dispose of my wealth with the help of the White Head Sect, but……. Those damn bastards.’
Chu Se-gu had a throbbing headache.
“We must not miss this opportunity while the Capital City is in chaos!”
“The tyrant is oppressing our people once again!”
“Now is the very time to drive out the outrageous tyrant and establish the glory of the White Head Sect!”
“Conveniently, the Minister of State Affairs holds great prestige among the people of Shengguang!”
These crazy attendants, who lacked any discernment, were clamoring that now was the time to start a rebellion. He wanted to bark at them and ask if they were insane, but if he did, he would not escape unharmed either.
He had also considered fleeing secretly on his own, but it was difficult right now.
While he delayed in Shengguang, a bounty and Chu Se-gu’s Wanted Poster Portrait were distributed throughout the entire Songyang State. He had to first secure an escape route through a reliable liaison.
‘At this rate, my wealth is going to end up as a funding source for the Rebel Army. Damn it! I must hide and dispose of as much as possible to seize an opportunity to run away.’
Thus began the second rebellion of the White Head Sect, shaking the Songyang State.

* * *

“It looks like the rebellion is going to keep growing. Shengguang is not even that far from the Capital City, so I’m worried.”
The season had already transitioned into summer. Even so, Kkot-bun lightly shuddered her shoulders as a chilly feeling washed over her. A rebellion. It was a terrifying word.
Whether at the private residence or in the marketplace, an anxious atmosphere was rampant everywhere, but Yoo Seo-hwa alone appeared relaxed.
“There is no need to worry so much.”
Yoo Seo-hwa slowly moved her lips while focusing on her sewing.
“It has been less than a year since His Majesty ascended the throne through a Rebellion / Restoration. He firmly holds military power, and he would want to punish the White Head Sect more than anyone else. Yet, the reason the suppression of the Rebel Army is this slow must surely be His Majesty’s intent.”
“So you mean he’s leaving the Rebel Army alone on purpose? Why? Isn’t it better to suppress them quickly?”
“The roots of the White Head Sect have not been completely pulled out. In Shengguang, the remaining remnants from various regions will probably gather, so it will be a good opportunity to clean them up all at once.”
“Aha.”
With a face that finally understood, Kkot-bun nodded her head.
“Furthermore, there is a high probability that nobles who secretly cooperated remain. If the rebellion grows larger than expected, some among them might reach out to the White Head Sect again.”
“No matter how much they cooperated with the White Head Sect, wouldn’t it be better to pretend not to know now? If it were me, I’d keep pretending to be loyal to the ruler.”
“Most would do so. If they waiver because of the White Head Sect now, they must be people dissatisfied with His Majesty’s reign, so he likely thinks of it as a good opportunity to weed them out.”
She offered various explanations, but the reason Yoo Seo-hwa did not worry was simple.

It was thanks to Gyeong Won-ui’s words. It had been a long time since she last saw his face, but even in the letters he sent every few days, not much of a troubled demeanor could be felt.
“Can I tell the other people too? Then they’ll worry less.”
“Do not do that. Those who are contemplating their conduct while observing the situation will also try to probe the atmosphere of this private residence. Gyeong Won-ui is a trusted minister of the Emperor and the commander-in-chief of the White Head Sect subjugation army. If this private residence alone is peaceful while the entire Capital City is buzzing with anxiety, they will be suspicious.”
“Ah, so that’s why the young master hasn’t returned home even once since then.”
“Indeed, so that the situation feels urgent.”
Finishing her words, Yoo Seo-hwa wrapped up her sewing. It was the clothing for the Deposed Emperor and the deposed empress, which she had started in the spring and was only able to complete now that it was summer.
“Wow, you finally finished it. You worked so hard.”
Kkot-bun even massaged her shoulders to congratulate her. Feeling her shoulders, which had been stiff from holding the needle, loosen up, Yoo Seo-hwa let out a languid breath.
‘I think my elder brother’s clothes turned out a little larger than expected.’
It was likely because, instead of the Deposed Emperor, she had unconsciously been thinking of Gyeong Won-ui, the only man close to her.
After stroking the completed clothing for a long time, Yoo Seo-hwa made a request to Kkot-bun.
“Could you ask if there is any navy blue silk left in the Sewing Room?”
“Yes, the Needlewoman will prepare it right away. Are you making something new?”
Thinking of Gyeong Won-ui’s letters piling up box by box, and recalling the time she used to wait for his letters just like during his past expedition, Yoo Seo-hwa replied.
“I think I will try making an embroidered belt pouch.”

* * *

Chu Na-yeon was dumbfounded by Chu Se-gu’s sudden words.
“What? Prepare to flee? Didn’t you say you would hold out in Shengguang?”
Thanks to being driven down to Shengguang, Chu Na-yeon had barely escaped the disgrace of being confined as the daughter of a criminal. Since she had simultaneously become caught up in a rebellion, her days had been filled with nothing but annoyance and anxiety about the future.
She couldn’t help but be shocked by the words Chu Se-gu, whose face had been hard to see because of whatever he was doing, said upon appearing at the Gyeong Clan Ancestral Residence after a long time.
“Right now, they are making a racket because forces are gathering, but do you think they can truly win? That is utter nonsense! I have secured a collaborator, so we must flee quickly before the situation worsens.”
“So you mean you intend to betray everyone who currently shares a purpose with you, Father, and flee alone?”
“Your father has no loyalty to foolishly die together for the crime of rebellion.”
Chu Se-gu suddenly gripped Chu Na-yeon’s shoulders with a serious face.
“Now that it is unknown whether your elder brothers are dead or alive, you are the only child left to this father, Na-yeon. I want to save you at least. Let us flee together, Father and child.”
“…….”
Answering Chu Se-gu with disbelief, Chu Na-yeon bit her lip hard. Looking at his daughter’s eyes which were calming down quietly, Chu Se-gu smiled.
“I plan to pull out four days from now during the Geumeum. Until then, you should pack up your jewelry as well. Focus primarily on things that are as small and valuable as possible.”
“I will keep that in mind, Father.”
Chu Se-gu felt gratified by Chu Na-yeon’s voice, which carried a firm determination. The father and daughter sorted through their household assets again and again, packing bundles to load onto a horse.
And on the morning of the fourth day.
What Chu Se-gu discovered were the disappeared bundles and Chu Na-yeon’s empty room.

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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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