Surviving as Jang Hee-bin's Child Court Lady - Chapter 91

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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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Chapter 91. A Tree Destined to Flourish
By the time the Crown Prince’s Institute came into view, the sun had already begun its descent toward the western horizon.
“I should take my leave here, sir.”
I bid Park Moon-soo farewell.
His face was etched with disappointment.
“I wish there were a way for us to stay in touch. Perhaps I might learn something of your brother’s whereabouts. Ah, what if we arranged to meet on specific dates?”
It was genuinely a brilliant idea.
The problem was that I remained bound within the Royal Palace.
“I wish that were possible, but I’m not free to leave as I please.”
“Ah, I hadn’t considered that. But surely there must be a way?”
Park Moon-soo’s expression suddenly brightened as he pondered.
“Ah! This would work. You asked me to slip letters into the gaps of your home’s veranda, didn’t you?”
“Yes. But what of it?”
“I could do the same. When I learn news of your brother, I’ll leave a letter in that same gap in the veranda.”
Brilliant, truly brilliant.
“Ah… but you can read, can’t you?”
Well… hmm.
What should I say?
Until now, I had maintained the pretense of being an illiterate child who hadn’t fully mastered even the basic Korean alphabet.
But that was only within the Royal Palace.
Now that I had found a way to communicate with Park Moon-soo, there was no need to feign ignorance of letters.
“I can read Hangul.”
“You can? Already? How remarkably clever and quick-witted! In any case, when you’re eventually allowed to go out, come visit my uncle’s house. I’ll do everything I can to search for news of your brother.”
“…”
Even as I thought him a good person, I found myself wondering.
Park Moon-soo and I were merely strangers who had happened to meet by chance.
His connection to Hwang Jin-gi was likely similar.
Yet why was he showing me such consideration?
“Why do you help me so much?”
“Why, you ask? Well…”
Park Moon-soo continued calmly.
“Losing family is a sorrowful thing. I know that well.”
“…”
“If family has already vanished and can no longer be seen, there’s nothing to be done. But when they’re clearly still alive, and you both know it, yet cannot meet… isn’t that unbearably painful?”
Though he was but a ten-year-old boy, his words carried a poignant loneliness.
I found myself at a loss for words.
From the fact that he lived under his uncle’s care, Park Moon-soo appeared to be an orphan.
Judging by his mention of having no siblings, he too seemed to be utterly alone in the world.
I felt genuine gratitude toward him.
I regretted having snapped at him all day and forbidden him various things.
I bowed deeply, pouring my entire heart into the gesture.
“Thank you so much, Young Master. I promise I will repay this kindness someday.”
“Repay? Don’t speak such words. If anything, I’m the one who should be grateful.”
“What could you possibly have to be grateful to me for, Young Master?”
At my question, Park Moon-soo smiled softly.
“The fact that I can help someone with my own strength—that is my greatest joy.”
“….”
I gazed at Park Moon-soo intently.
They say a promising tree reveals itself even from its first leaves.
An apostle of justice, a historical figure of his era who loved the people broadly and received their absolute support.
Park Moon-soo, who would leave towering footprints across history.
From childhood, he was a complete boy born with such an upright spirit.
***
Suk-bin was taking a stroll through Changgyeong Palace.
The reason Suk-bin had ventured all the way to Changgyeong Palace was her fear of encountering the King.
As Suk-bin walked near the Flower Storage House, where the palace’s flowers and plants were kept, her expression remained blank, yet her mind raced with thoughts.
‘I must win back His Majesty’s heart.’
By any means necessary, whatever method it takes.
The King made no effort to hide his distrust of her.
Suk-bin, who had once been praised as an honest, affectionate, and trustworthy woman.
Losing the King’s trust was a fatal blemish upon her.
There was only one path forward.
For now, she must never displease the King.
Becoming entangled in incidents like curse dolls was even more troublesome.
‘Prince Yeonning must help this mother.’
All she could do was hope that Prince Yeonning’s brilliance would help soften the King’s heart.
“Sigh….”
Her head throbbed.
Suk-bin, who had been looking down at the ground the entire time, unconsciously lifted her gaze.
“….”
Her footsteps came to an abrupt halt.
She had spotted Gwi-in Kim standing not far away.
Only then did Suk-bin realize she had wandered into the vicinity of Geonggeuk Hall, Gwi-in’s Quarters.
Suk-bin waited for a moment.
Regardless of their usual relationship, a First-Rank Concubine was unquestionably superior to a Gwi-in.
Yet Gwi-in Kim pretended not to see Suk-bin, feigning indifference.
‘She still harbors resentment about the day of her confinement.’
Even now, thinking of that day brings a hollow laugh.
The day Gwi-in Kim had caused a disturbance against Hwang Bong-bong and received a hundred days of confinement as punishment.
Naturally, Suk-bin knew the situation would only worsen.
Yet she had not stopped Gwi-in Kim, for she had grown weary of her lack of discernment.
‘Of all people, why must I join hands with Gwi-in Kim….’
Whenever she thought of Gwi-in Kim, self-reproach often washed over her.
The reality of having to defer to someone of lower rank than herself was utterly humiliating.
The problem was that Suk-bin absolutely had to form an alliance with Gwi-in Kim.
For Suk-bin, who possessed virtually no political backing, Gwi-in Kim was the only person who could fill that void.
“Gwi-in Kim. It has truly been far too long since we last met.”
In the end, Suk-bin approached her with a gracious smile.
“Indeed, it has been a while, Suk-bin.”
Only then did Gwi-in Kim offer a reluctant greeting.
“What brings you to Changgyeong Palace, Suk-bin?”
“The weather is so lovely. I thought I would stop by the Flower Storage House for a change. I have been unable to visit Changgyeong Palace of late, as it has been so turbulent. And then there is the matter of Sung-gyeong Hall….”
The moment Suk-bin mentioned the Sung-gyeong Hall incident, Gwi-in Kim’s expression darkened considerably.
Suk-bin lowered her voice to a whisper.
“To poison Suk-ui. Whose doing could it be?”
“How would I possibly know such a thing?”
Gwi-in Kim’s voice was quite sharp.
Gwi-in Kim asked in return.
“Then, does Suk-bin have any suspicions?”
“None whatsoever. Only it seems His Majesty continues to gather evidence….”
Suk-bin fabricated the lie with perfect composure.
A flinch.
Seeing Gwi-in Kim’s body stiffen, Suk-bin quickly continued.
“The truth will soon be revealed, will it not? Did you not once say such a thing yourself? That in the Royal Palace, even the walls have eyes and ears, and there are no secrets.”
“….”
Gwi-in Kim’s throat bobbed slightly as she swallowed dryly.
“I have no recollection of such words. Your memory is quite remarkable, Suk-bin.”
Instead of answering, Suk-bin smiled faintly.
As Suk-bin turned her gaze away, her eyes came to rest beneath the wall of Geonggeuk Hall.
“Hmm…?”
Geonggeuk Hall was situated between larger pavilions such as Yaohua Hall and Haewon Tower.
Because of this, sunlight rarely reached the inner courtyard of Geonggeuk Hall.
The only spot where sunlight touched was outside the wall, where many peonies had been planted.
And yet….
“Oh my. The peonies have all withered.”
Suk-bin tilted her head in puzzlement.
“Is this not the season when they should be in full bloom? Yet they have dried up like this….”
Suk-bin was staring intently into Gwi-in Kim’s eyes.
She did not miss the momentary flicker in Gwi-in Kim’s pupils.
“I, I did not know. As for myself. Why the peonies withered….”
“You were unaware of this?”
What was plainly visible even to a passing stranger, yet the mistress of these quarters knew nothing of it.
Suk-bin found it truly peculiar.
“I have never seen flowering trees wither so darkly. Perhaps….”
Suk-bin’s voice grew hushed.
“Could the caretakers at the Flower Storage House have accidentally scattered herbicide? Something poisonous to the flowers, that is.”
Suk-bin’s expression carried unmistakable weight.
Gwi-in Kim visibly flustered.
“P-poison? That cannot be.”
In that moment, Suk-bin suddenly extended her hand.
Suk-bin gently grasped Gwi-in Kim’s hand.
The startled Gwi-in Kim stiffened in alarm.
“How pitiful—why are you so tense?”
“….”
“It seems the death of these flowers has grieved you deeply. Is that not so?”
“…Yes.”
Gwi-in Kim managed a slight nod.
Suk-bin continued in an even tone.
“Flowers are merely flowers, after all. Why would I concern myself with investigating why they died? Whether peonies bloom or wither, I pay them no mind.”
“…I suppose that is so.”
Gwi-in Kim withdrew her hand from Suk-bin’s grasp with an awkward expression.
“However, Gwi-in Kim.”
“Yes…?”
“Remove all of those flowers at once.”
Suk-bin seized a withered peony stem.
With a soft pull, the lifeless stem came away effortlessly.
She cast it to the ground and brushed her hands clean with a pat, pat.
“Clear away everything that is dead. Leaving behind such unsightly things invites needless misunderstanding.”
“….”
“Do you understand, Gwi-in Kim?”
“…Yes, Suk-bin.”
Suk-bin smiled faintly at Gwi-in Kim.

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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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