Even If Flowers Bloom on a Broken Branch - Chapter 88

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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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88.
“My lady!”
At the soft touch on her arm, Lee Yeon paused and turned around. Upon identifying the person, a bright smile spread across her face.
“If it isn’t Her Ladyship the Suk-ui.”
Lee Yeon greeted her, clasping her hands together. At that, the people who had been lingering around them for no apparent reason watched the two with intrigued expressions.
There was no one who did not know that the two had previously been in a servant-and-master relationship. Though it had been so in the past, their relative standing had now changed beyond recognition.
One was the wife of a Grand Prince, while the other was the favored concubine of the King of this country.
“It has been a long time. Have you been well?”
Hong Ran held Lee Yeon’s hands tightly without any hesitation and smiled radiantly.
“I am so glad that the Grand Prince returned safely after completing his mission. Your worries will finally come to an end today, my lady.”
“It would be wonderful if that were the case.”
Hong Ran blinked her large eyes at Lee Yeon’s meaningful remark. Lee Yeon gave a slightly bitter smile.
“Since we’ve been married, the days we’ve spent together can be counted on one hand. I only hope that he can stay by my side for a long time this time.”
“Ah.”
Hong Ran nodded. She wore a look of pity.
“I shall speak to His Majesty the King tonight. Now that I have a beloved, I think I truly understand that feeling.”
The onlookers exchanged glances with one another. They were freshly surprised by how naturally Hong Ran spoke of the King visiting her at night, as if it were a given.
Lee Yeon offered a faint smile and thanked her. It was then.
“Lee Yeon.”
At the familiar voice, Lee Yeon slowly turned her head. Her eyes widened with delight.
“I greet the Grand Prince.”
As Hong Ran bowed politely in greeting, the people who had been glancing at them all bowed to Jinyul at once.
“We greet the Grand Prince.”
Before they knew it, the Banquet Hall was bustling with people. Tables with food were arranged so that two people could sit facing each other.
Jinyul held Lee Yeon’s hand tightly while looking toward the Dragon Throne. That side was still completely empty.
Lee Yeon felt embarrassed to look at Jinyul for no reason. Her heart thumped wildly.
‘How should I tell him that I am with child?’
Thinking of that made her so nervous that her hands and feet felt cold. Jinyul asked in a slightly puzzled voice, seemingly completely unaware of Lee Yeon’s state.
“Has His Majesty the King not arrived yet?”
“Yes. Nor has Her Majesty the Queen.”
‘It would be more surprising if that side did show up,’ Jinyul muttered to himself, shrugging his shoulders. He was still holding Lee Yeon’s hand.
He looked at Hong Ran and smiled faintly.
“Have you been well too, Suk-ui? Your face seems to grow more radiant every time I see you.”
“Those around me take such good care of me that I want for nothing. Ah, have I introduced the person who looks after me?”
As Hong Ran naturally looked back, Court Lady Han, who had been standing a short distance away, approached with a slight start. She looked as if she wondered if Hong Ran needed something.
Hong Ran pointed to her and beamed.
“She is the one who looks after me day and night. Court Lady Han, greet the Grand Prince and the Grand Princess Consort.”
“I am deeply honored.”
Court Lady Han’s face lit up as if it were glowing. She had just been given the opportunity to greet the Grand Prince and the Grand Princess Consort individually. Moreover, Hong Ran introducing her personally carried many meanings.
Court Lady Han bowed and withdrew after greeting them with all her heart.
“Your skill in managing people has improved.”
“I am truly fortunate to have someone to rely on by my side.”
When Jinyul and Lee Yeon spoke to her, Hong Ran lowered her head as if embarrassed. Jinyul gave a short laugh and said,
“Then let me introduce these people to you as well.”
It was just as Hong Ran looked at him with questioning eyes. The side door opened, and someone walked in with large strides.
“Sister!”
Hong Ran’s eyes flew wide open.
Frozen for a few seconds, she slowly turned her head in that direction. She looked as though she doubted her own ears. And soon, tears welled up directly in her dark eyes.
“Jin, Mother……!”
Seeing Juhwa standing behind Hong Jin, Hong Ran could no longer say anything. The tears that filled her eyes spilled over and rolled down her cheeks.
Stepping forward cautiously, Juhwa pinched Hong Jin’s side out of sight.
“Not sister, Her Ladyship! Do you want to be punished?”
“Ah, ouch.”
Hong Jin rubbed his side, not even able to openly show his pain.
The faces of the people who had been wary upon seeing the sudden appearance of strangers softened slightly.
Hong Ran strode toward them and immediately grabbed their hands. Her cheeks were already soaked with tears.
“How did you come here? I never dreamed that we would meet again like this……”
“These three people here played a very big role in this mission.”
Before anyone noticed, Chung was also standing awkwardly behind Hong Jin. Hong Jin tugged at his collar to make him stand side by side with him.
As Chung scratched his reddened ear and gave a small cough, Jinyul continued.
“Therefore, I requested His Majesty the King to allow these three to attend the banquet, and His Majesty granted permission, which is how you are able to meet like this.”
“Really……”
Hong Ran looked at Jinyul with tear-rimmed eyes. Gratitude, deep emotion, joy, and delight swirled in her eyes.
Hong Ran offered her sincere thanks.
“Thank you so much. It is a great gift that I will never forget.”
As Hong Ran held the hands of Hong Jin and Juhwa tightly, tears also flowed from Juhwa’s eyes.
They were tears of relief, joy, and deep emotion from a mother who had prayed to heaven every single day for her daughter’s safety, wondering if she was doing well in the palace—a completely different and new world from before.
It was then.
“His Majesty the King arrives!”
At the loud voice echoing through the hall, the people before the tables, along with Jinyul, Lee Yeon, and Hong Ran, all bowed their waists at once. Chung, Hong Jin, and Juhwa were practically pressed flat against the floor.
After a moment, Jinpyeong spoke briefly.
“Raise your heads.”
Chung looked at Jinyul awkwardly. When Jinyul nodded at his look that asked if it was truly alright to stand, Chung, Hong Jin, and Juhwa hesitantly raised their bodies in that order.
Jinpyeong looked down at Jinyul.
“The Grand Prince has faithfully executed my command and raised the collapsed barrier high, so I am certain that the hearts of the people who suffered and worried because of this will stand upright once more.”
“Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.”
“Therefore—”
It was at that exact moment.
Lee Yeon’s face turned stark white.
“……!”
Hearing what sounded like a suffocated scream, Jinyul and Hong Ran immediately turned to look at Lee Yeon. She was clutching her stomach.
“Lee Yeon!”
Jinyul reacted first. He immediately approached Lee Yeon and caught her. The moment he grabbed her, her legs seemed to lose all strength, and she sank to the floor.
‘What is this?’
Lee Yeon could not form any reaction to the sudden pain she felt. She heard voices calling her from around her, but she had no time to answer.
The sharp pain felt in her lower abdomen was gradually spreading throughout her entire body. She felt a sudden surge of dread as her stomach seemed to stiffen.
She had planned to pretend to be sick, but the fact that actual excruciating pain had struck made her beyond bewildered—it terrified her.
“My, my lady!”
Hong Ran, her face pale as death, tried to come closer to Lee Yeon. Just then, Juhwa stepped forward like a flash of lightning.
She examined Lee Yeon’s face, which was as white as a sheet of paper, and then looked up at Jinyul with a grim expression.
“We must see a physician quickly. Her Ladyship’s condition is not normal.”
“A physician……!”
Not knowing what to do, Hong Ran snapped her head up to look toward the Jade Throne. Jinpyeong was already halfway out of his seat.
Hong Ran cried out, on the verge of tears.
“Your Majesty, please call a female physician. The Grand Princess Consort’s condition is poor!”
At her cry, Jinpyeong’s eyes narrowed.
‘It certainly does not look like acting.’
Jinyul was uncharacteristically bewildered and at a total loss, while Lee Yeon was practically lying on the floor, clutching her stomach.
‘Could it be poison?’
They shouldn’t have eaten or drunk anything yet.
‘No. If it were the Queen, she might have done something.’
If so, he might be able to completely eliminate her using this incident.
Finishing his brief thoughts, Jinpyeong nodded to the Sangseon.
“Send in the medical officers.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At the Sangseon’s order, a medical officer and a female physician who were right outside the door immediately entered the Banquet Hall.
The people could not form any reaction to the situation that had unfolded in an instant, watching the scene with bated breath. Their expressions showed worry over what might happen if something terrible befell the Grand Princess Consort.
As the female physician carefully checked her pulse, Seo Yeo-ro, who had been watching anxiously, jumped up from his seat. And it was just as he was about to head over there.
“Congratulations.”
The female physician, who had been checking the pulse while holding Lee Yeon’s wrist, rose from her spot and spoke as she bowed to Jinyul and Lee Yeon.
“The Grand Princess Consort has conceived.”
It was a single, thunderbolt-like sentence that sent a thrill through everyone present in that room.

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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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