Even If Flowers Bloom on a Broken Branch - Chapter 46

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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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46.
Unlike when he had traveled to the Queen’s Palace, Jinpyeong walked all the way back to the Grand Hall instead of riding in a Palanquin.
A retinue of numerous eunuchs and guards followed behind him, and every palace attendant who saw the long procession bowed deeply. Into their envious gazes, two people who wore clothing foreign to this place easily caught their eyes.
“Is that not the Grand Prince Consort?”
It was Lee Yeon of the Seo Family, the protagonist of the rumors who had made a splendid appearance at the Queen’s celebration banquet. However, the petite woman standing behind her had a face that no one had ever seen before.
She was a beautiful person with a face like a peach blossom and a fragile, fluttering frame like a butterfly.
The palace attendants whispered amongst themselves.
“But why is the Grand Prince Consort’s clothing like that…”
“The one standing behind her is also entirely covered in mud. Did something happen?”
Due to what had occurred in the courtyard of the Queen’s Palace, Lee Yeon’s and Hong Ran’s clothes were a complete mess, caked in mud.
Walking across the palace grounds behind the King in such attire meant it was impossible not to draw people’s attention.
‘What on earth is his plan?’
Lee Yeon walked on, doing her best to ignore the burning gazes pricking her back and the back of her head.
‘There must be a reason he is traveling like this, as if making a display, without even riding a palanquin.’
Is he trying to humiliate me?
Lee Yeon looked straight ahead. The familiar structures were drawing closer one after another.
‘The Grand Hall.’
Just looking at it choked the breath right out of her.
The vast courtyard of the Grand Hall, nearing closer and closer, sparkled like gold under the late afternoon sunlight. The shimmering light danced upon the blue pond.
Lee Yeon closed her eyes tightly. With every breath she drew, it felt as though something deep within her chest was tightening.
‘This path, this stone floor, and even this scent.’
Not a single thing differed from her past memories. The dark, barren memories she had tried so hard to turn away from continued to drag her down to the floor.
The suffocating silence, the King who had worn a bloodstained smile, the countless gazes fixed upon her, the whispering voices, and even the mocking lips—all of it.
“My Lady.”
Lee Yeon suddenly snapped out of it. When she lowered her head slightly, a small hand was gently grasping her own. It was Hong Ran.
“You look very unwell.”
Hong Ran looked up at Lee Yeon with a face full of worry.
“You are breaking out in a cold sweat too… Is it because you were humiliated for so long in the courtyard earlier?”
Lee Yeon wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. She hadn’t realized it, but her hand was indeed drenched in a cold sweat.
Lee Yeon forced a smile.
“I am fine.”
However, her voice did not sound fine at all. Just as Hong Ran’s expression grew even more worried.
“Would the two of you please come this way?”
A eunuch from the Grand Hall called out to them. Whether the news that the King had personally ordered them to accompany him had already been delivered, their demeanor was exceedingly polite.
Lee Yeon followed behind him, her mind in a state of turmoil.
‘Why did he call for Hong Ran and me?’
If his plan had been to humiliate her, or if his strategy was to cause insidious rumors to spread, he would have dismissed Hong Ran to the Private Residence alone and brought only her to the Grand Hall.
Yet, he had displayed Hong Ran alongside her for all the world to see.
Lee Yeon suddenly looked at Hong Ran. She was swallowing hard, her eyes wide as she looked around the interior of the Grand Hall.
“Wow…”
An exclamation she couldn’t quite swallow escaped her small lips. Lee Yeon followed her gaze and looked up at the ceiling.
On the thick, massive pillars, dragon patterns were carved in pure gold. On the red silk situated beneath them, the emblem of the Royal Family was grandly embroidered.
Palace attendants busily passed by Hong Ran, who had eventually come to a stop while staring up at the ceiling.
“Passing through first.”
“Yes, yes!”
Hong Ran startled, thoroughly surprised, and quickly rushed over to Lee Yeon’s side.
With the many court ladies and eunuchs moving back and forth along the corridors, and the soldiers standing guard before the doors with swords at their waists, Hong Ran looked completely overwhelmed by everything situated in this place.
Having grown so tense that she had even tightly gripped Lee Yeon’s hand, Hong Ran let out a small gasp and raised both her hands.
“I-I am so—no, My Lady.”
Hong Ran’s eyes widened as she touched Lee Yeon’s hand again.
“Why is your hand so cold? It is completely like ice. Are you truly alright?”
Lee Yeon looked down at Hong Ran’s hand holding her own. That small warmth seemed to thaw her frozen body just a little bit.
Lee Yeon squeezed Hong Ran’s hand tightly before letting go.
“I am fine now.”
Yes, she was fine.
She had to be fine. Now.
* * *
Meanwhile, Sangseon, who had been informed of this entire story, was genuinely shocked for the first time in a while.
“His Majesty did?”
“Yes. It is said he rescued the Grand Prince Consort, who was suffering hardships in the courtyard of the Queen’s Palace, and brought her here.”
“Hah.”
Sangseon pressed his throbbing forehead. Concern lined his deeply etched wrinkles.
“I had my suspicions ever since Her Majesty the Queen brought the Grand Prince Consort into the palace, but…”
How could it not deviate even by a single inch? His head ached at the sight, as if they were taking a predetermined course like the tracks of a carriage.
Sangseon was also well aware of the rumors regarding Lee Yeon of the Seo Family and Chae Eun-oh through prior word of mouth. He knew all too well what had transpired during the Queen’s celebration banquet.
Therefore, when he heard the Queen had summoned the Grand Prince Consort to the palace, he had already expected a commotion, but this went beyond that.
“His Majesty the King did so in person?”
“Yes.”
The eunuch who had gone with Jinpyeong nodded his head vigorously.
“It is said he did not even look at Her Majesty the Queen, caring only for the Grand Prince Consort and her attendant. And he personally ordered them to accompany him to the Grand Hall…”
“In front of Her Majesty the Queen?”
“Yes.”
It was becoming an increasingly insurmountable mountain.
Not long ago, he had received a report that six palace maids had died after being struck eighty times with a paddle at the Queen’s Palace. His spine already tingled at the thought of what kind of talk would fly around this time.
‘Furthermore, why did he bring the Grand Prince Consort into this place?’
It was just the other day that he had inquired whether the Grand Prince Consort could be accommodated within the palace grounds. At that time, Sangseon had risked his own neck to resolutely advise that such a thing was absolutely impossible.
‘Could it be that he intends to carry it out regardless?’
From what he had observed over a long period, Jinpyeong was of a temperament that never let go once he coveted or desired something.
Sangseon suppressed and swallowed the sigh rising to his throat, hoping with all his might that, just for this once, his anxiety would not become reality, and asked.
“So, where are the two who arrived with him?”
“They are waiting for their audience. It seems they will head to the Grand Hall shortly.”
“What about Seokban?”
“As you ordered, a meal for three people has been prepared. What shall we do?”
Sangseon paused. Come to think of it, Jinpyeong had ordered today’s evening table to be prepared for three people.
Originally, that table was meant to be shared by the King, the Queen, and the Grand Prince Consort. However, that one person had been excluded.
It was difficult to discern whether this was a good thing or not.
‘For the three of them to sit together and receive the royal table is something I cannot even begin to imagine.’
It was a dining arrangement that made it suffocating just to think about.
Sangseon gave a brief nod to the eunuch who was waiting for his word.
“For now, prepare only two tables. I shall enter with them.”
At his words, the eunuch bowed deeply and withdrew.
Sangseon let out a short sigh and straightened his attire. It was a habit of his whenever he felt deeply troubled.
A moment later, the firmly closed doors of the Grand Hall opened, and palace attendants entered inside carrying Seokban.
There were two royal dining tables.

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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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