Even If Flowers Bloom on a Broken Branch - Chapter 104

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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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104.
One of the items discussed in the first meeting of the Royal Court after Jinyul ascended the throne was the matter of Hong Ran’s future.
Since Hong Ran was a royal concubine of the late king, under normal circumstances she should have left the palace to stay in a separately provided private residence or temple, but Jinyul did not coldly cast away someone who held a special relationship with Lee Yeon.
“Lady Hong is entirely without guilt. Rather, even while being persecuted by the Deposed Queen, she strove to protect the Queen, who was the Grand Princess Consort at the time, and the unborn child, so her hard work must be taken into consideration.”
Thus, after several days of discussions through the Royal Court and the Ministry of Rite, it was decided to move Hong Ran’s residence from Yeongsongjae, a pavilion of Geonhwijeon, to Yeonheidang.
Although Yeonheidang was a place where royal concubines stayed in the past, it was located right next to Daehee Palace, making it suitable for her to attend to the Queen.
Guided by Court Lady Han, Hong Ran entered Yeonheidang and bowed deeply toward Geonhwijeon and Daehee Palace.
“I am deeply grateful for this immense grace.”
There was no way Hong Ran did not know that being allowed to reside here, sharing a wall with Daehee Palace, was a token of special consideration from Jinyul and Lee Yeon.
She had prepared herself to live out her days utterly alone in an isolated place, viewed as a remnant of the late king, but now she was able to live near Lee Yeon forever.
And that evening, Hong Ran headed toward Daehee Palace. It was not her first time walking to Daehee Palace since entering the palace, but it was the first time her steps were this light and her heart so full of joy.
‘Since the first and last time I walked with her was when she was still a young lady.’
How could things change so much just because the master of the palace had changed? Her steps were so light she felt as if she were flying, to a degree that felt almost amusing to herself.
Seeing Hong Ran and Court Lady Han, the palace attendants of Daehee Palace bowed their heads and politely guided them inside.
“Your Majesty the Queen, the Lady of Yeonheidang has arrived.”
“Tell her to enter at once.”
As Hong Ran moved her residence to that place, her title changed along with it. Since she was no longer a Suk-ui, instead of being called Hong Suk-ui, she came to be called ‘Lady Hong of Yeonheidang.’
Hong Ran smoothed her skirt, stepped inside, and bowed deeply to Lee Yeon. A smile played on the lips of the two women as they sat facing each other.
“I am truly delighted to see you again like this.”
Lee Yeon spoke from the bottom of her heart. Her face was as bright and radiant as the sun.
“Those are the exact words I wished to say.”
Hong Ran smiled. Her laughter was clear and bright.
“A thousand different emotions cross my mind seeing you like this in the palace.”
Lee Yeon nodded her head.
She had ended up frequently visiting the very place she had sworn never to step foot in again, and emotions rushed over her anew to sit facing the one she had left behind alone in the palace with a heart like leaving a child by the water.
‘Truly.’
In her first life, she had not even been able to properly look at Hong Ran’s face. No, she had refused to look.
She had stubbornly refused to meet the person who tried to visit her, hating her until the moment she died.
And in this life—
“I feel reassured because you are here.”
She had become the person she trusted most. A person she relied upon and trusted completely.
At Lee Yeon’s heartfelt words, Hong Ran bowed her head with the utmost courtesy.
At Lee Yeon’s subtle glance, Court Lady Han nodded toward the palace maids standing behind them.
“Please help yourself. Lately, I have been craving these kinds of things quite a bit.”
The refreshment tables brought in by two palace maids were completely filled with sweet treats. Since Lee Yeon was someone who would never even touch snacks back at the private residence, Hong Ran’s eyes widened in surprise.
Come to think of it, Lee Yeon’s face, which had been gaunt and haggard due to morning sickness, looked much better now.
Hong Ran picked up a piece of honey cookie and asked.
“Has your morning sickness gotten a bit better recently?”
“The constant vomiting stopped long ago, and now the problem is that I keep thinking about food. It is quite embarrassing.”
Lee Yeon let out a sigh and took a sip of tea. Only crumbs remained of the pressed sweets that had been placed on her personal plate.
“I crave fruit, I crave snacks, and yet, mysteriously, the amount I eat during meals does not decrease either.”
Lee Yeon grumbled.
“The palace attendants, who at first begged me to eat even just a little bit, are now badgering me to reduce my portions even just a little bit.”
“It is all for Your Majesty’s health. Did the female physician not also say that it is not good if the royal baby grows too large inside the womb?”
As Court Lady Im, one of the court ladies of Daehee Palace, spoke solemnly, Lee Yeon’s shoulders slumped slightly.
To put it precisely, it was not that it was ‘not good,’ but rather that it was ‘dangerous.’ The reason was that the more weight the baby gained, the more difficult the labor would become.
“I know. Therefore, you must eat a lot. So that I cannot lay a hand on them.”
Hong Ran smiled faintly. She knew she should not think this way, but somehow Lee Yeon seemed to have become a little more adorable.
Muttering words in her mind that she could never utter aloud, Hong Ran reached for a pressed sweet.
After confirming that she had finished eating a piece, Lee Yeon slowly began to speak.
“The reason I called you here today is because I have something I must absolutely request of you.”
At Lee Yeon’s words, Hong Ran straightened her posture. At the slightly altered atmosphere, the court ladies and palace maids also stood perfectly at attention.
Lee Yeon slowly began to introduce the topic.
“I heard that the Sansilcheong will be established soon. It is because the birth month is not far off. Therefore, I deemed this to be the appropriate time to say this.”
Lee Yeon spoke as she placed her hand over her belly.
“If, by some chance, something should happen to me.”
Hong Ran snapped her head up. Her pupils trembled instantly.
“Your Majesty!”
“It is just a what-if, a what-if. One chance in ten thousand.”
Lee Yeon smiled softly as if to soothe Hong Ran.
“I am saying this because I know that childbirth is no ordinary difficulty. My mother passed away that way as well.”
“…….”
Hong Ran bit her lower lip tightly. The court ladies were also looking at Lee Yeon in dismay.
Lee Yeon spoke softly but firmly.
“Therefore, if anything should happen to me during childbirth, I wish to leave the child in your hands.”
“Your Majesty…….”
Hong Ran stared at Lee Yeon with an expression that showed she did not know what to say. Lee Yeon’s belly was noticeably swollen even beneath the voluminous folds of her skirt.
Lee Yeon smiled as she gently caressed her belly.
“That is why I said I am fortunate to have you here. Will you grant my request?”
“Even if I must risk my life, I will protect the child without fail.”
It was a sincerity completely devoid of any hesitation or pretense.
Lee Yeon smiled with satisfaction at the immediate response.
“Thank you. I was certain that you would grant it.”
“But such a thing will absolutely never happen. For I shall pray to Cheonjisinmyeong every single day starting from today. Your Majesty will give birth safely, and the royal baby will come into the world without a single ailment.”
“Very well.”
“Your Majesty must pray together with me as well. I shall do twice the number of bows, so you only need to offer the prayers. Understood?”
“I said I understand.”
At Hong Ran’s resolute vow, Lee Yeon nodded with a laugh, as if she could not handle her earnestness.
And not long after that very day, the Sansilcheong was established.
The Queen’s delivery was fast approaching.

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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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