Blooming even in the mud - Chapter 89
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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 89
“The only reason I am leaving you alive, after you used my family whom you reported dead and even toyed with Her Highness’s life, is for one reason. Because extracting your retribution is Her Highness’s share.”
“…….”
“And this is the share Her Highness has sent.”
“…….”
Yoo Jeong moved only his eyes to look at the clothes Yoo Seo-hwa had made.
Even Yoo Jeong knew to some extent that Yoo Seo-hwa did not have much skill in needlework. Nevertheless, the clothes were neat, and the sewing was meticulously flawless.
The faint remaining soil stains that could not be completely removed seemed to instead prove her harsh life as a slave.
The words he had once heard from Lee Nam-seon came to mind. A deeper sense of shame spread red all the way to the back of Yoo Jeong’s neck.
Even if I were told to apply poison to these clothes and wear them, I would have nothing to say.
As Yoo Jeong hesitated, Gyeong Won-ui let out a low sigh. He spoke of his own greatest shame to Yoo Jeong.
Yoo Jeong was the child of his enemy and someone who had even used the life and death of his family. However, if it was to clear Yoo Seo-hwa’s false name, he could do anything.
“I do not have the right to reproach you. For I too doubted and misunderstood Her Highness, abandoning her in pain for a long time. That is why I am telling you this all the more.”
“…….”
“Should we not return Her Highness’s life, which was twisted due to my faults and yours, back to its original orbit?”
After a long silence, Yoo Jeong spoke heavily.
“What is it that you desire from me?”
Gyeong Won-ui emptied the Capital City for a few days. Since he said it was a mission under the Emperor’s Imperial Decree, she saw him off, telling him to return safely.
It was a day like any other, teaching letters to Kpot-bun and Mang-a. Since Dal-rae had also returned safely without any injuries, Yoo Seo-hwa had nothing more to wish for.
In the midst of that, the Emperor’s Imperial Envoy visited and sought Yoo Seo-hwa.
“Me? For what reason?”
“I don’t know! There’s an uproar outside right now! The Butler is also begging you to please come out quickly!”
She could not guess what the reason was, and her mind was completely frantic.
To Yoo Seo-hwa, who hurried out, Chief Eunuch Gu, the Imperial Envoy, read the Imperial Decree in the sharp voice unique to an old eunuch. To summarize, it was the content that Yoo Seo-hwa’s honor was restored and she was reinstated as a No Rank princess.
“The Imperial Decree is…….”
Even after hearing it with her ears, she sat blankly because she could not understand it immediately, and Chief Eunuch Gu supported and helped her up.
“Her Highness, congratulations. How much hardship you must have suffered during this time. Even though there was the Late Emperor’s Will, this humble servant’s sin for not being able to protect Her Highness is extremely great.”
Seeing the face of Chief Eunuch Gu, who was also a long-time close aide of her royal father, it finally felt real.
It would be a lie to say she was not happy to have cleared her false charge. However, a situation heavier than just clearing her false charge occupied Yoo Seo-hwa’s mind.
The fact that she did not make excuses even while bearing the stigma of being a White Head Sect follower for the sake of Lady Zhang and Gyeong Won-yeong. That fact must absolutely not enter the ears of Gyeong Won-ui and Gyeong Won-yeong.
“How was I able to clear the false charge of being a White Head Sect follower?”
“The truth is…….”
Before replying, Chief Eunuch Gu gave a stealthy glance. The palace attendants, including Court Lady Lee who was dabbing her tears with her sleeve from behind, withdrew.
Only after dismissing all the people did Chief Eunuch Gu explain.
“A Letter arrived from the Deposed Emperor at the Exile Location.”
“From elder brother?”
“Yes, Her Highness. It contained the content that out of a petty and jealous heart toward his sister, he threatened her, extorted her riches, and forced her to contribute them to the Evil Cult. Coincidentally, there was also circumstantial evidence that Her Highness’s honorable name was not on the list of the White Head Sect that General Gyeong seized in Shengguang, so His Majesty also immediately ordered Her Highness’s reinstatement.”
“Was that truly the only content in the Letter?”
“It was so.”
The secret was kept. A sigh of relief burst out. Chief Eunuch Gu quickly supported Yoo Seo-hwa, who staggered as her tension loosened.
“His Majesty is awaiting Her Highness’s audience.”
A frantic time passed. The court ladies, including Court Lady Lee who followed Chief Eunuch Gu, helped adorn Yoo Seo-hwa.
“Since Your Highness has cleared your false charge, this humble servant now has no regrets even if I die.”
Though, throughout it all, Court Lady Lee kept crying, so Yoo Seo-hwa had to continuously soothe her.
Yoo Seo-hwa, who quickly finished preparing for the audience, rode on the palanquin.
‘I thought I would never be able to ride in this palanquin again in my lifetime.’
She had told herself that she did not care about her own honor and the like. However, it seemed that some sorrow had remained imperceptibly. Seeing how her heart stirred with joy now as she rode the palanquin toward the Imperial Palace.
Since the truth that she was threatened using Lady Zhang and Gyeong Won-yeong as a pretext was also buried, Yoo Seo-hwa purely enjoyed the joy.
Feeling the familiar swaying of the palanquin, she closed her eyes.
‘When he hears the news, the young master will be happier than I am…….’
It was a pity she could not deliver this news to him right away. The familiar air of the Imperial Palace was drawing near.
The Emperor and the Empress welcomed Yoo Seo-hwa warmly.
“We should hold a grand banquet, but it is regrettable that there is no leeway due to dealing with the aftermath of the rebellion. I will surely hold a banquet to celebrate your reinstatement in the future.”
“The imperial grace is vast and boundless. Since Your Majesty looks after me with a broad imperial mind, what more could I desire?”
“Forgive me for not being able to take action until General Gyeong brought the evidence, even while suspecting that there was no way you could have been bewitched by the Evil Cult.”
The Empress also followed up on the Emperor’s words. For Yoo Seo-hwa, it was the first time meeting this aunt, but it was a remarkably intimate voice.
“Indeed, I see the reason why Court Lady Lee missed you through nights and days. I have only one princess, but she performed Haga from King Ning’s Residence and is living in Qiheng Province. I am very lonely from not being able to see my daughter, so I would be grateful if you would think of this aunt like a mother.”
After that, various words of blessing went back and forth. As if suddenly remembering, the Empress spoke.
“I forgot to say this. Although the peonies you cherished were transplanted, the Princess’s Palace remains empty just as it was in the past.”
At the words that she could return to the Princess’s Palace starting today, Yoo Seo-hwa paused for a moment. And she slowly opened her lips.
“Your Majesty, I am sorry to report, but…….”
The Private Residence was chaotic due to the visit of the Imperial Envoy. The truth that Yoo Seo-hwa was actually an imperial princess spread much astonishment and shock to the people.
Leaving behind the commotion of the Private Residence which simply could not calm down, Gyeong Won-ui stood silently in Yoo Seo-hwa’s empty room.
‘By now, she must have finished her audience and returned to the Princess’s Palace.’
It was absurd for an imperial princess to stay in the house of a man who was not even married.
He barely soothed the regret of not being able to meet Yoo Seo-hwa right away even upon returning home.
‘Until now, the situation was rather the one that was not right. More than that, it is a relief that Her Highness does not know the truth.’
As soon as he heard Mang-a’s story, he had an intuition. That it was the story of his mother and Gyeong Won-yeong.
Gyeong Won-ui reflected on the disastrous feeling he had felt at that moment. He wanted to run to Yoo Seo-hwa this instant and comfort her wounds, she who had silently endured while bearing a stigma.
However, he could not do so. Because he intuited the reason why Yoo Seo-hwa said it did not matter even if she was not reinstated. She must not have wanted it known.
‘I will never forget.’
Instead of showing any sign to Yoo Seo-hwa, Gyeong Won-ui engraved her sacrifice into his soul. He would not forget. He would live his entire life only for Yoo Seo-hwa.
So that she would never sacrifice herself again. So that she would not shed tears in sorrow. So that blood blisters would not form on her wounds.
Gyeong Won-ui had told Yoo Jeong to reveal the truth without informing him of the real reason he threatened Yoo Seo-hwa. The result of that was today’s event.
Yoo Seo-hwa proudly regained the status of a princess of Songyang State, and her noble sacrifice was remembered by Gyeong Won-ui.
‘It was a relief to receive the Deposed Emperor’s Letter without bloodshed.’
If Yoo Jeong had resisted to the end, he did not know what he might have done himself. Whatever it might have been, it would have become something he could absolutely never let Yoo Seo-hwa know.
“What are you thinking about so much alone?”
He thought he heard an auditory hallucination. The time he spent chasing the traces of the master in the empty room without a master must have been too long.
Gyeong Won-ui, who turned around letting out a hollow laugh, was truly surprised to see Yoo Seo-hwa standing at the doorway.
“Did you not have an audience with the two Majesties at the Imperial Palace?”
“I am on my way back after meeting them.”
“Did you not go to the Princess’s Palace?”
“Ah, as expected, the young master already knew about it.”
Yoo Seo-hwa approached slowly with a small smile.
“My home is here, so where would I go?”
He was happy. His heart thumped harder than when Yoo Seo-hwa first visited the Private Residence. However, it was not a good thing for Yoo Seo-hwa. Gyeong Won-ui barely gathered his reason.
“The circumstances are not such that I can provide a separate residence in the Inner House, so it will cause harm to Her Highness’s honor.”
“Do you truly wish for me to return to the Princess’s Palace? Inside the deep walls of the Deep Imperial Palace, where one must go through a cumbersome entry procedure just to share a single conversation?”
“That is not so.”
Gyeong Won-ui, who ended up confessing his true feelings in his confusion, blushed and took her hand. It was a hand where the traces of her life, which had been harsh until now, still remained.
“Because of my faults, we had to take a detour on a path that was way too long. I do not wish to take a detour on the path to Her Highness any more than this.”
Yoo Seo-hwa smiled brightly.
“I also have a promise to keep to the young master.”
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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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