Even If Flowers Bloom on a Broken Branch - Chapter 78

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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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78.
Lee Yeon looked up at the sky as she walked through the palace. Come to think of it, it felt like it had been quite a long time since she had last looked up at the sky.
‘Was the last time when I looked up at it with Jinyul during the Queen’s Celebration Banquet?’
While it had been night back then, it was daytime now. Having found some peace of mind, she finally had the room to spare a glance at the sky like this.
‘I wonder if the sky where he is is just as clear.’
To think a mere glance at the sky could bring such a wave of longing; she must have truly grown attached to him.
Feeling as though those fingers were still intertwining with hers, Lee Yeon tightly clasped her two hands together for no particular reason.
Seeing this, a palace attendant smiled faintly and spoke to her.
“Hong Ran is doing well.”
“……?”
Lee Yeon paused and looked at her, then offered a small smile. She realized the woman had spoken because she thought Lee Yeon had clasped her hands out of nervousness.
“Thank you.”
The woman who introduced herself as Court Lady Han was said to be the one assisting Hong Ran.
“By the way, where are we heading now?”
Lee Yeon, who was walking behind her, suddenly asked.
‘I am following the guidance, but if my memory serves me right, the place we are going to now is…….’
“Ah, Grand Princess Consort, you must not know.”
Court Lady Han slowed her pace slightly. She said softly,
“Hong Ran stayed at Unchaeheon on her first day of Palace Entry, but the next day, by order of His Majesty, she moved her residence to Yeongsongjae.”
“Yeong…….”
Lee Yeon shut her mouth. She had almost bitten her tongue.
Yeongsongjae was the annex of Geonhwijeon. Though it was called an annex, it was a mere four or five steps away on foot, so one might as well consider them sharing the same blanket.
‘This fast?’
Since she had not received the royal concubine cheopji yet, Lee Yeon naturally thought it wouldn’t be Yeonheidang. It certainly wouldn’t be Daehee Palace, the Queen’s residence, either. She had assumed it would be somewhere like Unchaeheon and expected to head toward the edge of the palace, but she asked because they were heading toward the center instead of the outskirts.
Yet, to think it wasn’t just the center, but the annex of Geonhwijeon, the very heart of the palace—it jolted her awake.
And a renewed certainty bloomed within her.
‘She made it in.’
Hong Ran had undoubtedly carved her way firmly into Jinpyeong’s heart.
And indeed, the surrounding scenery was growing increasingly splendid. From a certain point, the walls loomed high, and the bakseok stones beneath were exceptionally even and white. As she stepped upon those stones, her heart beat rapidly.
‘To think I would return to this place.’
The first and last day she had come here had been an exceptionally cold one. On the coldest day of a harsh winter, she had stood outside for a long time, and only when she felt as though her hands and feet were about to break off did she finally receive permission for an audience and cross that gate.
“…….”
Lee Yeon turned her head. For a brief moment, the red gate reflected in her dark eyes. Looking forward once more, Lee Yeon took another step.
Geonhwijeon, the incomparably grand residence of the King, was drawing closer by the moment.
It was a place she had once wished to enter, yet also dreaded; a place where she had envied the one inside, yet also hated them.
A bitter smile suddenly formed on her lips.
‘Now, my situation has been completely reversed with Chae Eun-oh’s.’
The one who had trampled upon and humiliated her was now reduced to that very state, left only to gaze at Geonhwijeon from afar, which was quite an amusing turn of events.
‘Well, they say she is a barren woman.’
Those were the most humiliating words Lee Yeon had ever heard in her life. Of all the slander she had endured in the palace, those words had hurt her the most. The time had come to return them exactly to the person who had spoken them.
‘Ah…… no, perhaps not.’
Since the rumors that they had still not consummated their first night were already widespread even outside the palace, it seemed this would not apply to the current Queen.
‘What a great pity.’
Yet, contrary to her thought of it being a pity, a faint smile hovered on Lee Yeon’s face.
And just as her thoughts came to an end, Court Lady Han, who was walking ahead, came to a halt. Before they knew it, they had crossed the middle gate.
Standing before Yeongsongjae, Court Lady Han instructed the palace maid standing below the stepping stone.
“Inform Hong Ran that I have brought the Grand Princess Consort.”
“Yes, milady.”
The palace maid quickly hurried inside and came back out, opening the door wide for Lee Yeon.
“She says to come in at once.”
It was the reunion she had so deeply yearned for.
* * *
The room was warm.
The warmth rising from the heated ondol floor cozily warmed the entire room. Furthermore, a pleasant orchid fragrance drifted from the incense burners placed throughout the space. The ceiling was high, and the room was filled with furniture.
It was a warm and comfortable place, completely different from Daehee Palace and the Cold Palace where she had once stayed.
‘What a relief.’
Lee Yeon was sincerely relieved. Only now did she feel at peace. She could escape, if only a little, from the guilt of sending her to the palace.
‘Thank goodness.’
She was glad that she seemed to be doing well. She was relieved that she seemed to be favored. A smile arising from the bottom of her heart formed on her lips.
“I greet Hong Ran.”
“Ah…….”
Since she was now the King’s woman, Lee Yeon could no longer speak casually to Hong Ran.
Having almost called Lee Yeon “my lady” without realizing it, Hong Ran caught herself and shut her mouth. She looked at Court Lady Han, unable to hide her disappointment.
“My lady, welcome.”
Court Lady Han, who was watching, nodded. Her expression indicated that this was how she ought to speak.
Hong Ran swallowed a sigh and looked at Lee Yeon. Her eyes, which had dimmed for a moment, sparkled once again.
“Was the long journey here not too difficult for you? The Grand Prince returned safely that day, didn’t he?”
As she spoke numbers of welcoming words, Hong Ran suddenly looked at Court Lady Han.
“Could Court Lady Han perhaps bring some refreshments and tea? The Grand Princess Consort is the only guest who comes to see me, so I wish to treat her with special care.”
While it was a statement that she wished to treat Lee Yeon specially, it was also a subtle way of elevating Court Lady Han in front of Lee Yeon and the palace maids.
Court Lady Han left gladly, saying she understood, and the moment the door closed, Hong Ran looked at Lee Yeon. Lee Yeon nodded.
“He returned safely. Though he has since departed to rebuild the fortress walls by order of His Majesty.”
“My, what a pity.”
Hong Ran said, clasping her hands and placing them on her lap.
“Last night, I received Royal Grace from His Majesty.”
Hearing those words, Lee Yeon immediately adjusted her posture. Her demeanor became even more polite and respectful.
“Congratulations.”
“I am merely grateful to you, my lady, for allowing me to stand in this position.”
Hong Ran looked at Lee Yeon meaningfully.
“Thanks to you, I was able to prepare myself well in body and mind.”
Their gazes met. It meant she was diligently taking the medicine Lee Yeon had given her.
Lee Yeon let out a soft sigh.
‘It wouldn’t matter even if she were to conceive.’
However, she had prepared it out of a desire for Hong Ran not to have an unwanted pregnancy.
Originally, according to the natural order of things, when a man and a woman joined their bodies, a new life was bound to be conceived. Since Hong Ran had carried Jinpyeong’s child in her womb before the regression, there was a high possibility the same would happen in this life.
But what if Hong Ran did not want that pregnancy? That thought had kept troubling Lee Yeon’s mind. That was why she had prepared the contraceptive medicine.
“I am glad to have been of help.”
It was just as Lee Yeon said this and smiled back at her. Along with the sound of hurried footsteps approaching, the doors swung open to both sides, and Court Lady Han entered.
Hong Ran looked at her with a slightly puzzled expression.
“Court Lady Han?”
It was a question as to why she hadn’t brought the refreshment table yet, but at Court Lady Han’s subsequent action, everyone inside and outside the room was rendered speechless.
Court Lady Han folded her hands in front of her forehead and bowed deeply toward Hong Ran.
“I greet you, Sugwon.”
Lee Yeon slowly raised her head.
Two worlds. It felt as though their orbits were aligning into one. Goosebumps broke out across her entire body.
“His Majesty has bestowed the Sugwon cheopji upon you.”
Sugwon Hong.
It was the exact moment Hong Ran officially became a Royal Concubine.

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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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