Even If Flowers Bloom on a Broken Branch - Chapter 69

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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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69.
As Lee Yeon adjusted her posture, Jinyul slowly continued speaking.
“To be honest, I was flustered when Hong Ran came out to the audience with His Majesty, but more than that, I considered it a stroke of luck. Because she possessed the object you spoke of.”
Lee Yeon nodded.
That very object had been her greatest source of anxiety. Worried sick over what would happen if it were discovered and how it should be delivered, she had spent sleepless nights waiting for Jinyul.
“However, that audience was meant for reporting to His Majesty, and it was not a conversation appropriate for Hong Ran to hear. Therefore, thinking I had to deliver that object somehow before she withdrew, I gave her a look.”
Clever as she was, Hong Ran caught on immediately. Noticing his gaze, she had made a request to Jinpyeong.
“She extended her hand to me, saying she needed to return the ornament you gave her. She looked utterly certain that there was something to receive.”
It was not a delicate hand that held only needles and thread, but a somewhat rough hand that had weathered all sorts of hardships. What she held was a hairpin inlaid with obsidian, but in Jinyul’s eyes, it looked almost like a dagger.
And into that extended hand, he placed Lee Yeon’s regard.
‘I pass along my regards.’
It was Lee Yeon’s heart, filled with anxiety, worry, caution, and prayers. She had sent this sentiment so that Hong Ran could prepare for any unavoidable circumstances.
“So, I delivered it safely.”
Wishing with all his might for her continued safety, he had passed the small jar containing that heart into the rough hand holding the hairpin.
As if her mind were slightly eased, Lee Yeon let out a soft sigh and nodded.
“There is still more to tell.”
Jinyul adjusted his posture, his expression signaling that this was only the beginning.
“The King asked me if I would investigate the Chae Clan.”
“……To you?”
At Lee Yeon’s slightly delayed response, Jinyul nodded.
“Whether he was testing my intentions or speaking in earnest, I do not know, but he asked how I would feel about leading a full investigation into the Queen’s family.”
“……To ask instead of handing down an order, that is quite unlike him.”
“I thought so as well.”
If he were to command, he would simply command; asking if one would like to try it was completely uncharacteristic of Jinpyeong.
“So I replied that if His Majesty entrusted it to me, I would investigate with all my heart, but.”
Jinyul paused for a moment and looked at Lee Yeon before continuing.
“I noted that due to the relationship between the Queen and yourself, it could potentially raise issues in the future.”
He meant to preemptively block any false accusations that Lee Yeon had interfered out of malice.
“Because if that happened, things would not flow according to His Majesty’s wishes. The Lord Chae Mun I know is a man who would slip away like a loach if given even the slightest loophole.”
“And what did he say when you told him that?”
Did he push forward without bending, or did he actually listen?
When Lee Yeon asked, Jinyul opened his mouth with a peculiar expression.
“He asked me if I resented him.”
He had said exactly that.
“Do you resent me?”
Lee Yeon froze. She looked as though she could not believe her ears.
“You look exactly as though you are wondering if it is time for the King to pass away.”
“I won’t deny it.”
Saying things that would cause anyone else to be severely punished as if it were nothing, the married couple looked at each other with matching, peculiar expressions.
“So, what did you say?”
“Well…….”
Jinyul shrugged his shoulders.
“He didn’t even give me room to answer. Right after that, he asked how the Inspector General was doing.”
“……My father?”
Jinyul nodded. Lee Yeon pressed her hand to her forehead, her expression growing even more baffled.
She couldn’t understand it at all. He had asked after the well-being of herself and Seo Yeo-ro, whom he had wanted to kill so badly. She truly began to wonder if his days on this earth were numbered.
“He certainly isn’t the same as before.”
It was true that he had changed. She felt it clearly, but that did not soften Lee Yeon’s hatred.
Even if he didn’t do so in this lifetime, how he had slaughtered the Seo Family in her past life remained vivid.
How could she ever forgive the sworn enemy who had torn her father limb from limb?
“And then he handed down an order for me to leave the Capital City once again.”
As expected.
Lee Yeon’s expression turned cold. Her face said that even if he changed, it was only by an inch or two, and nothing would truly be different. Yet Jinyul still wore a strange look.
“He told me that since the investigation into the Chae Clan is underway, I should take extra care to ensure our witness does not fall into danger.”
“……Do you mean that man? The one who kidnapped Hong Ran?”
“Yes.”
Lee Yeon blinked. Jinyul slowly continued.
“That man is guilty of kidnapping Hong Ran, but he is also the one who proves that Chae Mun engaged in usury. So, he is telling me to make sure no outside forces harm him. He spoke already knowing that the man is in my hands.”
“But if you leave…….”
By what means can anyone protect him? As if he had heard those unspoken words, Jinyul pointed a finger at himself.
“The King stated that he had read my report about the severe damage to the border fortress walls, and ordered me to go and rebuild them. And.”
Lee Yeon stared at Jinyul’s lips.
“I will be taking Chung with me on that journey.”
The gazes of the two met.
* * *
Hong Ran looked around the room.
The place called Yeongsongjae was considerably different from Unchaeheon, where she had stayed until morning.
Perhaps because it was a detached villa right next to the King’s quarters, its splendor was exceptional, and the pillars and rafters were thicker than two grown men combined. Even the air brushing against her skin felt warm.
‘When did they do all this…….’
Unsure of when it had been prepared, the spacious room was neatly arranged with various pieces of furniture. It was far larger than Lee Yeon’s room and filled with much more luxurious items.
Hong Ran tucked what she was holding into her robes and spoke into the empty air.
“Excuse me, is anyone there?”
No sooner had she finished speaking than the door opened, and a palace attendant spoke politely.
“Did you call for us?”
Hong Ran nodded.
“I am a bit thirsty……. Could you bring me some water?”
“Please command us whenever you need anything. Furthermore, please speak comfortably. You are more precious than us.”
Where could there be precious or lowly when everyone is just a human being? Those words instantly formed at the tip of her tongue, but instead of saying them aloud, Hong Ran smiled faintly.
“Then please bring some warm water.”
The person standing before Hong Ran was a court lady wearing a green ceremonial jacket.
She had spoken down to the palace maid who had been in her quarters, but this was a place where those who served the King resided, and there must be a hierarchy even among the palace attendants.
At Hong Ran’s words, the court lady paused slightly, but soon bowed politely and withdrew. A moment later, she reappeared with a palace maid carrying a water jar and a cup on a small tray.
“Please call us whenever you need anything. We will be outside.”
“Thank you. I am a bit tired, so I shall rest for a while.”
“Yes.”
The court lady stepped backward to withdraw, and Hong Ran, looking around the room which had become much quieter than before, slowly pulled something out from her robes.
It was the item she had received when she met Jinyul earlier.
‘I pass along my regards.’
It was a small box about the size of three fingers. A tiny note was slipped into the snow-white box made of porcelain.
Hong Ran pulled gently at the paper. The paper came away easily without any resistance, and her dark eyes read the characters written upon it.
「 Take when necessary 」
It was a very short and simple message. The moment she saw the neat and elegant handwriting, Lee Yeon’s face immediately came to mind.
Hong Ran quietly looked down at the paper, then brought it to the burning candle flame. After confirming that the small note had burned away completely, she slowly opened the box.
Inside, it was filled with pills about half the size of a pinky nail. Hong Ran tilted her head toward the box and sniffed the scent.
“…….”
A smile appeared on the corners of Hong Ran’s lips.
Should she call it meticulous, or should she call it deeply thoughtful?
‘I am truly grateful that you help me like this.’
Without hesitation, Hong Ran took one pill out of the box and swallowed it with the water.
The scent wafting from the pill was something she had encountered without much difficulty during her days in the marketplace.
It was a medicine for contraception.

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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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