Even If Flowers Bloom on a Broken Branch - Chapter 85

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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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85.
While Lee Yeon fought day and night against her morning sickness, Jinyul was on his way back after faithfully fulfilling his duty.
It was around dusk, as the sun was sinking low, when a commotion began just outside the City Gate that guarded the Capital City.
Because it was a distance far enough to require three full days of hard riding, even though they had heard news of their departure in advance, it had been impossible to predict exactly when they would arrive.
However, at their arrival, which was faster than expected, the sentries moved diligently.
“The Grand Prince is arriving!”
The thudding sound of horse hooves could be heard along with a cloud of dust. And soon, soldiers and wagons appeared beyond the hazy vision. The military banners were fluttering in the wind.
The soldiers who had been watching from atop the City Wall quickly dashed down the stairs toward the gate.
Screeech—
As four soldiers pulled the iron chains with all their might from both sides, the heavy City Gate slowly swung open.
Jinyul readjusted his grip on the horse’s reins and swept back his hair. It was a moment he had desired every single day, a day he had been waiting for.
‘Honestly, I thought it would never end.’
Reconstructing the City Wall was no simple task. It was closer to rebuilding shattered trust rather than merely piling up collapsed stones.
The threats and dangers, which the people living in the Capital City likely knew nothing about, had made the people living on the Border harsh and cynical, and the soldiers were also fiercely wary of the strangers named Chung and Hong Jin.
On top of that, the interference of nature was greater than expected.
‘Because of that, we were delayed for several weeks.’
If only it had not rained, progress would have been much faster, but they had been stranded for several days due to unseasonable torrential downpours.
But thanks to that, it also became an opportunity for Chung and Hong Jin to mingle with the others.
The two were truly competent people, and their dexterity was excellent. Especially in the case of Hong Jin, he had a genial impression and plenty of handy skills, so even the civilians who were wary of him at first would easily open their hearts to him.
‘He really is that woman’s younger brother.’
Whether it was their sociability or their dexterity, they were a brother and sister who were extraordinary in many ways.
And Juhwa, who had come along with Hong Jin, was also of immense help.
‘Do not worry about the meals.’
At first, he wondered if it would really be alright. No matter how good a cook someone was, there were so many soldiers that feeding that massive number of people several meals every single day was by no means an easy task.
Yet, Juhwa reliably took charge of those meals every single day without missing a single day.
Whether the military rations were scarce or abundant, she distributed them accordingly and took thorough responsibility for the kitchen. Jinyul was not blind to the fact that her hands had become completely chapped and blistered.
And Chung also played a significant part.
‘Why. What. What do you want me to do about it.’
Those words were always on the tip of his tongue.
He would bark that if they were told to dig, they should dig, and if they were told to do it, they should do it, nagging and pushing the workers who were sitting idly by, telling them that whether they threw a tantrum or whatever, they couldn’t leave this place until the work was finished.
‘If we’re short on stones, we just need to sort through the debris of the collapsed wall and reuse them—ah, can’t you see the kiln over there? What they’re baking in there day in and day out are bricks. My hands are practically turning into dirt.’
Though he grumbled with his words, he carried out his share flawlessly. Even when people shook their hands in refusal, claiming they couldn’t do it, he would plunge right in, carrying stones on his back before anyone else, asking what they would do if they didn’t do it.
‘Anyone who does worse than me doesn’t deserve to eat. Got it, everyone?’
The people stimulated by those words eventually grabbed their respective tools and plunged in, so from Jinyul’s perspective, he was a very reliable asset.
And Jinyul also always stood at the forefront, falling asleep last and opening his eyes first.
The high-rising City Wall was the result of that. A result achieved not alone, but by everyone joining forces.
“It’s…… It’s finished!”
When they laid the final stone and raised the flag announcing the completion, those who were at the site could not say anything for a while.
Whether they were soldiers or citizens, those who had stained their hands with dirt were all happy without exception. They rejoiced as they patted the completed wall with their palms, and they were relieved that they could finally stretch out their legs and sleep peacefully.
Therefore, Jinyul’s return could not possibly be quiet.
“I heard that there was no further support except for the personnel who went together at first.”
“The food rations must have been a problem too.”
“They say the weather was the biggest obstacle. The materials as well.”
It was certainly an arduous task, but it was not a miracle. It was something that could not be done alone, but was accomplished through the cooperation of many people. However, the rumors grew larger and larger as they spread, and while Jinyul’s procession was heading toward the Capital City, the reconstruction of the City Wall had somehow become something akin to a miracle.
As the City Gate opened, the people following in a long line behind Jinyul cheered. In response to those cheers, those atop the City Wall also waved their swords and shouted back.
“Lee Yeon.”
Amidst those cheers, Jinyul murmured inwardly.
The resolute voice of his beloved, who had said she would personally come to the Border once a hundred days had passed, rang vividly in his mind.
“Before you could come, I have arrived.”
A faint smile appeared on Jinyul’s dry lips.
Meanwhile, the news that Jinyul had entered the Capital City was soon delivered to the palace as well.
“…….”
Jinpyeong’s mouth twisted askew.
Accomplishing the mission was something to be commended, but his mind was not at ease at all.
‘He didn’t even exceed the deadline.’
It was not long ago that he had heard reports of him struggling due to the rain.
Thus, he had been waiting, thinking that he would either exceed the deadline or request assistance from him, but instead of a plea for support, a report of completion had arrived.
‘A formidable fellow.’
He truly was.
He had not given him an abundance of anything—not food, nor manpower, nor materials. Because one never knew what might happen at the Border, he had granted him soldiers, which must have also impacted the food supply, and he had inwardly hoped that he would fail to control that number of personnel.
On top of that, since it was said that it rained for over a week, he thought that various setbacks would arise. Yet, he had overcome those adverse conditions and accomplished it.
‘And alone, once again.’
Jinyul was always like that. Rather than asking for help, even if he became drenched in blood, he would ultimately accomplish it alone until the very end.
‘It was the same back then with that multi-headed tiger pack.’
Seeing him faithfully obey the Royal Decree while sustaining severe injuries that left him hovering between life and death, All Officials admired his loyalty and did not dare think of him as someone who would harbor treason.
Since he would accomplish anything as long as an order was given, the individual named Jinyul was a convenient person from the King’s perspective, while simultaneously being a difficult person to control.
‘How much will they praise that fellow this time?’
He was thoroughly sick of the words ‘as expected of the Grand Prince’ by now. He was also disgusted by the gazes that should be directed at himself turning toward him instead. Since he had practically made it that way himself, his stomach couldn’t help but turn.
Jinpyeong tapped the table with his finger, thinking briefly, before he opened his mouth.
“Prepare a banquet.”
Sangseon raised his head. Jinpyeong continued speaking with an expressionless face.
“Since the Grand Prince has safely accomplished his mission and returned upon receiving my command, I shall bestow a corresponding reward. Prepare a gathering to celebrate his return tonight, immediately.”
Immediately after hearing the news that the Grand Prince was returning, that story spread rapidly throughout the entire palace. Since they had naturally been preparing food from that point onward, Sangseon calmly bowed his head.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Jinpyeong looked askance at the spot where Sangseon had withdrawn and sank back into thought. He remembered clearly how the main character had changed during the last banquet.
‘The Queen’s banquet became the Grand Princess Consort’s banquet.’
It was a gathering to celebrate Chae Eun-oh being invested as the Queen, but it became a place where Lee Yeon was officially recognized as the primary wife instead of a concubine.
‘So this time, we must return the favor from this side.’
He intended to drive a wedge in front of everyone so that it could never be refused.
So that whether it was the Seo Family, the Grand Prince, or the Suk-ui, they could never refuse it.

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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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