Even If Flowers Bloom on a Broken Branch - Chapter 66

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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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66.
Jinyul looked up at the ceiling of Jeongjeongjeon with a bored gaze. The colorful, splendid paintings caught his eye, but they held no interest for him.
‘I want to leave the palace quickly.’
In his mind, there was only the Seo Family Residence where his rabbit-like Lee Yeon was. In truth, his heart wanted to bring her along today as well, but he had no justification, and he did not want to leave her within the sights of the King and Queen, so he had come alone.
‘The palace, huh.’
Whenever he came to the palace, his heart never felt at ease. It was because of the gazes that watched him.
Some were wary, some were full of admiration. And some were full of pity. He hated those gazes.
‘The gaze that says I have no pride for living like this after losing my place.’
Or the gaze that marvels at how he has managed to keep his life until now. And even the gaze of the one trying to kill him at every opportunity—he hated them all, so he had avoided coming to the palace altogether.
Yet, to think he would end up coming this frequently. A smirk twisted his lips naturally.
‘What is it that I want to do?’
None of his people had ever asked him that.
Whether he would live like this as a sword traveling across the country while being guarded against by the King, or whether he harbored other intentions, no one asked. It was also something that must not be asked. And until now, he had never harbored other intentions.
‘Because I only thought that the position of King would be exhausting.’
Ever since he was young, the scenes he witnessed throughout his stay in the palace were always like that.
The late King always lived amid memorials, causing conflict every single day between Chongbi and his mother. The palace attendants whispered words that turned the two women’s insides upside down, and his only half-brother tried to kill him whenever he had the chance.
The palace was a desolate space where not a shred of human warmth could be felt, a place where one could not attach their affection. Especially for Jinyul, who had no great interest in the throne.
‘But.’
For the first time, the throne caught his eye. It was not for Jinyul himself.
‘I want to make sure that no one can force my woman to her knees.’
When he heard that Lee Yeon had been kneeling for over two shijin in the mud of Unlimwon, a fiery rage erupted inside him.
When he heard that Jinpyeong had dragged her to Jeongjeongjeon after she had fainted once, causing her to lose consciousness yet again, he wanted to tear his own clothes apart.
Lee Yeon’s words, saying that though she had many occasions to look at the sky, she had few occasions to look at the ground, became the kindling for his ash-turned heart.
‘If only my person could become the most noble woman in this country.’
I want to make her rise to the position she rightfully should have held—that desire gradually spread through a corner of Jinyul’s heart.
Just then, along with the presence of someone approaching, a shadow was cast over the Dragon Throne. Jinyul managed his expression and looked over there.
“Your Majesty……”
Jinyul’s lips stopped just as he was about to greet him. It was because there was a small shadow of a person entering behind Jinpyeong.
“……?”
Since he never imagined that he would bring a woman all the way to the Dragon Throne, Jinyul widened his eyes in surprise, even while knowing it was impious.
When Jinpyeong took his seat and Jinyul still failed to finish his greeting, Sangseon let out a small, distinct cough. At that, Jinyul snapped out of it and offered the rest of his greeting.
“—I greet you.”
Whether it was fine to greet only him, why that woman had come here along with him, and whether Jinpyeong had truly fallen completely for a woman—all sorts of thoughts swirled in his head.
Jinyul quickly sorted through his thoughts.
‘They must be sharpening their knives in Daehee Palace.’
They had only been wary of Lee Yeon, but some rolling stone that came out of nowhere had boldly taken the spot.
Moreover, she was neither a palace maid nor a young lady of a noble house like herself, but someone whose shoulder she wouldn’t even brush past in the Marketplace, and to be openly pushed aside by such a person meant the Queen’s insides would never be intact.
‘But the reason she cannot step forward openly must be because of what she has done so far.’
Not only did the Queen disobey the royal decree to reflect themselves several times, but she even presumptionately came in person and raised her voice.
Over there, it was to the extent that it was admirable that her neck was still attached.
‘Though now it seems it will be one of the two: either her neck drops or her position drops.’
Indeed, how far can Hong Ran, that woman, go?
Jinyul slowly opened his lips.
“Have you been well through the night?”
“It sounds as if you wish I had not been well.”
“It is regrettable that you always interpret my loyalty in such a twisted manner.”
Jinyul continued calmly.
“May I report on my rounds of the government offices of each province by your decree?”
“Speak.”
Jinyul glanced to the side. Hong Ran stood with her small body hidden in the shadow of the Dragon Throne.
The sight of her standing upright in the shadow of the Dragon Throne, looking down below, was inexplicably meaningful.
Hong Ran, who had been standing with a slightly troubled expression, leaned her body toward the Dragon Throne.
“Your Majesty, I wish to withdraw for a moment.”
Hong Ran dropped to her knees to lower herself and looked up at Jinpyeong.
“This is not a place for me to be. I will withdraw and wait until Your Majesty comes. Please grant your permission.”
Jinpyeong turned his head to look at Sangseon. Then Sangseon nodded. His expression showed that he was perplexed yet worried about this situation.
He lowered his head and spoke.
“What Lady Hong says is correct. There are many eyes watching, Your Majesty. If the center of gravity collapses abruptly, it will invite disaster. Also, please remember that all of this is being recorded in history through writing.”
It meant that a sudden and excessive favor would invite unfavorable results for Hong Ran.
Jinpyeong fell into thought for a moment. It seemed that the Queen’s court lady coming to fetch Hong Ran earlier was highly bothering him.
Finishing his short deliberation, Jinpyeong commanded Sangseon.
“Then move Hong Ran’s quarters from Unchaeheon to Geonhwijeon.”
“……!”
At those words, Jinyul, Sangseon, and Hong Ran all looked at Jinpyeong simultaneously with expressions of doubting their own ears. It was because they were unexpected words.
Sangseon stammered, which was a rare occurrence.
“To, to move her to Geonhwijeon, what do you mean by that……”
Geonhwijeon was the pavilion where the King’s bedchamber was located. Sangseon could not hide his bewilderment at the words to move Hong Ran’s residence there.
However, Jinpyeong did not even blink an eye.
“It is exactly as it sounds. Move all the belongings in Unchaeheon to Geonhwijeon. So that only my breath can reach her.”
It was an intention to completely hide Hong Ran under his own wings so that neither the Queen nor any other forces could even lay a hand on her.
“But Your Majesty.”
Sangseon composed himself and said.
“That is a set-apart place where even Her Majesty the Queen requires permission to enter. As there are proper places for women called Daehee Palace and Yeonheidang, bringing Lady Hong into Geonhwijeon is highly contrary to the rules.”
“Can she not enter Yeonheidang only after she receives the status of a royal concubine anyway?”
“That is correct.”
Sangseon bowed his head.
“Forgive me, but Lady Hong is someone who has not even received a cheopji and holds no official rank. Please remember that even at this very moment, memorials are pouring in like rain.”
“I……”
“Then.”
Hong Ran closed her mouth. She instinctively sensed that it was not a situation where she could dare to speak.
Jinpyeong spoke slowly.
“Move her quarters to Yeongsongjae.”
Yeongsongjae was a detached villa located right next to Geonhwijeon. Not only was it within the same walls, but it was also a place reached in just a few steps on foot.
He had only changed the words, but it was practically the same space.
“I will not hear any more of this.”
At his stubborn attitude, Sangseon bowed his head in bewilderment, acknowledging the command before stepping back, and Hong Ran bent her waist deeply to bow to Jinpyeong before turning around.
In that instant, the eyes of Hong Ran and Jinyul met.
“Your Majesty.”
Hong Ran, who was about to follow behind Sangseon, hesitated and looked up at Jinpyeong.
“Forgive me, but may I make one request?”
Was it strange that Hong Ran had put the word ‘request’ into her mouth for the first time? Jinpyeong glanced at her.
Hong Ran hesitated before carefully opening her mouth.
“The Grand Prince is someone who came from the place where I once depended upon. Since I will not be able to see him for a while now, I wish to greet him up close.”
Hong Ran spoke with a bit of hesitation.
“Because I must only dwell inside the palace from now on.”
It was neither resentment nor self-deprecation. At that request, which merely held a hint of regret, Jinpyeong paused for a moment before looking down at Jinyul with a slightly displeased expression.
If it were Seo Lee Yeon, it would be different, but making her greet Jinyul was somewhat unpleasant. However, it was the first request made by the person who entered the palace by his command, so it was awkward to refuse.
Therefore, Jinpyeong gave a simple nod, and Hong Ran caught the hem of her skirt with her hands and carefully stepped down the dais.
“Grand Prince.”
With each and every step she took down, Hong Ran’s face brightened. Her somewhat stiffened shoulders relaxed.
Hong Ran stood opposite Jinyul, bent her knees slightly to greet him, and then brought her hand to her head to pull out a hairpin.
“This is what the Madam gave to me when I entered the palace. I kept it on my person because I surely wanted to return it if we ever met.”
Jinyul looked at what was held in Hong Ran’s hand. It was an item embedded with an obsidian as pitch-black as Hong Ran’s eyes.
Jinyul gently pushed Hong Ran’s hand back as he spoke.
“If it is returned, she is someone who will feel even more troubled at heart. Please keep it.”
After finishing his words, Jinyul lowered his head to greet her. It was a head he had not even bowed to the Queen.
“I convey my wishes for your well-being.”
Hong Ran tightly grasped what was held in her hand as she looked at Jinyul, then took a step back and bowed.
With that as the last, Hong Ran exited Jeongjeongjeon, and Jinyul watched her retreating figure briefly before looking back up at the Dragon Throne.
The thought that had been rising bit by bit completely solidified.
‘I do not want to look up anymore.’
And in that place, where Hong Ran had stood, he wanted to make Lee Yeon stand.
To the position she rightfully should have held.

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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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