Even If Flowers Bloom on a Broken Branch - Chapter 79

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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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79.
The news that Hong Ran had received the Sugwon cheopji spread not only throughout the palace but across the entire Capital City.
People could not hide their excitement over a figure who had emerged like a morning star.
“They say His Majesty favors her tremendously.”
“He even set aside all regulations and laws just to keep her by his side.”
“Bringing a woman who isn’t a lady from a noble family into the palace is unprecedented in itself!”
“Of course! Didn’t she accomplish what even the Queen couldn’t do?”
It was taken as an established fact that the Queen still hadn’t spent a night with the King. In such a situation, another woman receiving a cheopji meant the same as the King spending the night with that woman.
People whispered every time they gathered.
“It seems the problem wasn’t with His Majesty after all.”
There had been such irreverent rumors until now. Rumors that either the King or the Queen had a problem, which was why they couldn’t spend a night together.
At first, it was just a base joke among the public, but as the days, months, and time kept passing without any news, the rumor gradually grew, and now people were adding that it must really be the case, turning it into an established fact.
In the midst of that, Hong Ran had received the Royal Grace.
“Then who has the problem?”
People exchanged meaningful glances. There was only one person left.
“Since His Majesty has proven himself, that is.”
Making it so a man wouldn’t even be aroused was also considered a problem. Some even added that she must have been so unappealing that he brought in a woman from outside the palace to embrace instead.
Rumors without feet grew wings and spread in all directions, reaching not only the palace but also the Seo Family Residence.
“So those are the kinds of rumors going around.”
Lee Yeon covered her lips with her teacup. It was a problem because a smile kept appearing, continuing from yesterday. But it was truly an entertaining situation.
‘To think things would unfold like this without me even lifting a finger.’
As if to soothe the resentment she had felt in the past when she was tormented by the word “barren woman,” the whole world was now stepping forward to discuss Chae Eun-oh’s total lack of charm.
What it meant for a man to find her not even worth embracing, that she didn’t possess a shred of charm as a woman—she was dying to see what kind of face Eun-oh would make if she found out how people were wagging their tongues about her.
‘How ridiculous.’
Lee Yeon wore a bitter smile.
Chae Eun-oh would continue to plunge into the abyss from now on. Her father had died after being tortured, her family was ruined, and she herself would soon become a Deposed Commoner, a situation where she would be lucky if she didn’t receive a Poisonous Drink.
Amusingly, or perhaps bitterly, Lee Yeon hadn’t laid a single finger on any of it.
‘Entering the palace, committing evil against those around her, leaving her father to turn out that way, and even acting so maliciously.’
It was all brought upon by Chae Eun-oh herself, piling hot coals over her own head.
And the same went for Jinpyeong.
‘Because Chae Eun-oh likely won’t go down alone.’
Given her temperament, she wouldn’t step down quietly if her deposition was finalized. And Lee Yeon intended to set that stage perfectly for her.
‘Since I cannot enter the palace myself, I have no choice but to use other methods.’
Lee Yeon set her teacup down and looked at Lord Seo.
“Then does Sugwon Hong have to move her residence again?”
There was only one reason Hong Ran couldn’t go to Yeonheidang: she hadn’t held the status of a Royal Concubine.
All Officials had submitted memorials saying a woman who hadn’t received a cheopji couldn’t dare go to Yeonheidang, and Jinpyeong, declaring he would just keep her close then, had put her in Yeongsongjae. He had caught the ministers off guard.
But now that Hong Ran had received the cheopji and fully attained the status of a Royal Concubine, she possessed the status required to go to Yeonheidang.
“Well…”
Lord Seo tilted his head slightly. It was a meaningful expression. Lee Yeon had a similar look in her eyes.
“Why don’t you tell me what you think.”
Lee Yeon nodded.
“Since she has already received the Royal Grace, Sugwon Hong is fully qualified to become the mistress of Yeonheidang. However, Yeongsongjae can practically be considered a part of Geonhwijeon itself, so if she moves her residence to Yeonheidang after entering that place, some might think Sugwon Hong has drifted from His Majesty’s sight.”
Lord Seo nodded. It meant he shared the same thought. He continued speaking.
“Moving residences is also something His Majesty must approve. Requesting it again when she has only just moved to Yeongsongjae by Royal Decree would only invite anger.”
Lee Yeon nodded.
Those who were wary of Hong Ran rapidly gaining favor would likely be submitting memorials hoping she would leave Yeongsongjae—meaning, leave Jinpyeong’s side. Queen Chae Eun-oh would be hoping for that as well.
But Hong Ran clearly refused.
“I do not wish to.”
It was the first meeting after she received the cheopji. When Jinpyeong asked Sugwon Hong what she wanted to do about her residence, Hong Ran answered resolutely.
“I do not wish to move my residence again. I want to continue staying beneath Your Majesty’s wings.”
Saying she would follow wherever he sent her or whatever he commanded but begging him not to place her far away, Hong Ran’s words prompted Jinpyeong to announce that he would no longer accept memorials demanding the relocation of Sugwon Hong’s residence.
And that caused quite a significant ripple.
“It seems His Majesty’s heart has been completely stolen by Sugwon Hong.”
Then, murmurs leaked out from all over about what would happen if Hong Ran even ended up carrying a Royal Descendant. The number of people trying to connect with her somehow increased, and those who used to look down on her and slander her were now busy trying to erase the words they had spoken.
And Eun-oh.
“…”
She ground her teeth at the news that her wait for Hong Ran to move her residence had been completely thwarted.
Yeonheidang shared a wall with Daehee Palace. If she moved her residence there, it wouldn’t be difficult to feed her the medicine Court Lady Shin had obtained or to take action, but if Hong Ran remained at Yeongsongjae next to Geonhwijeon, even making contact was difficult.
“Fox-like creature.”
Eun-oh bit her lip. The more she thought about it, the more resentful she became, and her insides boiled.
‘If I had known she was such a fox, I wouldn’t have left her be then.’
She was referring to the time Lee Yeon came to greet her.
If she had known she was a person who would scratch at her insides like this, she would have beaten her to death right then, telling her to take the blows instead of Lee Yeon. Not doing so was a lifelong regret.
Eun-oh also knew about the rumors circulating about her.
‘I will tear them all apart and kill them!’
When she found out that mocking rumors were going around calling her a barren woman or saying she lacked a woman’s charm, Eun-oh felt like she was truly going half-mad.
If she could have her way, she wanted to rip out every single tongue that uttered those words. And at the same time, her hatred and murderous intent toward Jinpyeong and Hong Ran blazed even hotter.
She wanted to tear the two people who had made her this way into shreds.
‘Truly, sincerely.’
Eun-oh tightly gripped the object in her hand. A rattling sound was heard.
“How to feed her this, that is the key.”
Eun-oh looked at Court Lady Shin.
“Is there no one in Yeongsongjae who can pass this along?”
Court Lady Shin shook her head with a stiffened face.
“It is dangerous.”
She spoke in a rigid tone.
“You must view Yeongsongjae as identical to Geonhwijeon. The Palace Attendants there consist only of specially selected individuals. On the contrary, you might suffer a great disaster.”
“Then I have no choice but to move myself?”
“I am deeply sorry.”
“Hah.”
Eun-oh clicked her tongue and tightly gripped the medicine vial. It was truly lamentable and deplorable to have fallen into such a state. It was a relief that at least Court Lady Shin was still by her side.
Without giving voice to that thought, Eun-oh said in a cold voice,
“Then watch for an opportunity and approach it when it is alone. And—”
Eun-oh pressed the medicine bottle into Court Lady Shin’s hand. The gazes of the two met secretly.
“I am trusting only you.”

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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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