The Dragon Family’s Beloved Baby Cat - Chapter 85

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 85

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A strange tension filled the Imperial Palace Hall.

It was packed with court ministers deliberately summoned by the Emperor.

This was due to the Emperor’s intention to publicly humiliate the Jinryong Clan.

“The Head of Jinryong Clan and Master Seon have entered the palace escorting His Highness the Crown Prince.”

The eunuch’s voice echoed throughout.

As the doors of the Grand Hall opened, Jin Saheon and Danhwi followed, with Jin Wonbaek trailing behind as if guarding them.

Then a loud roar was heard from outside the Grand Hall.

“What is that sound?”

At the Emperor’s question, one of the Imperial Guards who had followed prostrated himself and answered.

“Actually, the spirit Goseol is making a great commotion outside. Throughout the journey here, it tried to attack everyone without distinguishing friend from foe, so we put restraints back on it. Should we return it to its original place?”

At those words, faint relief crossed the Emperor’s lips.

‘Still mad as ever.’

Goseol was clearly no different from usual.

Indeed, if some connection had formed with Danhwi, he wouldn’t have come so obediently, so there was no need to worry.

The Emperor also knew from recent events that his younger brother hated him.

If he had gained power, he wouldn’t have left himself alone and come quietly dragged to the Grand Hall.

‘I worried for nothing.’

The tension left the Emperor’s shoulders.

No contract had been formed.

Of course not.

He had blocked it perfectly with forbidden arts.

Surely heaven’s will was on his side.

‘Haha!’

The Emperor burst into mad laughter inwardly.

But he didn’t know.

The fact that Goseol was acting.

Since pure spirits were known to be unable to tell dishonest lies, it was a natural mistake for him.

However, what Danhwi had originally asked Goseol was to cause a disturbance outside, not to commit any dishonesty, so it was perfectly achievable.

Because of this, Danhwi could feel Goseol’s heart wanting to faithfully fulfill its master’s request.

‘You’re doing well, Goseol.’

Danhwi looked ahead with no expression on his face.

‘Just bear with it a little longer.’

-Kiiiiiiiek-!

Goseol’s sharp howling could be faintly heard from outside.

It was perfect acting that even fooled the Emperor.

“…Well, fine. At least my younger brother has returned safely.”

The Emperor smiled.

Unlike his gentle voice, his eyes weren’t smiling.

“It is thanks to Older Brother’s grace.”

Danhwi bowed his head.

His voice contained no emotion whatsoever.

The court ministers examined Danhwi with curious eyes.

It had been a very long time since they had seen the Crown Prince who had been kept hidden and raised in secrecy.

The Danhwi they remembered was a very young child who spoke with a lisp, but in the meantime he had grown quite a bit and become a rather tall-looking child.

Though he had a face resembling the Emperor’s, unlike the Emperor’s sinister and cunning gaze, his looked firm and clear, which was impressive.

Of course, there were rumors that the Crown Prince had summoned demons, so they couldn’t openly praise him.

“Hmm.”

When the Emperor, sensing that ominous atmosphere, cleared his throat, the ministers’ gazes left Danhwi.

Soon Jin Saheon, standing before the Emperor with his waist bent, spoke in a sharp but respectful voice.

“Your subject has arrived escorting His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Head of the Jin Family. I am greatly disappointed in your actions of hiding the Crown Prince at your residence and ignoring the urgent summons.”

“There seems to have been some misunderstanding, Your Majesty. My loyalty remains unchanged, and this was a decision for the Imperial Court.”

At Jin Saheon’s words, the Emperor’s neck stiffened.

‘He’s offering up that boy because he ultimately couldn’t hold out, yet why is his tongue so long!’

Just as anger was subtly showing on the Emperor’s face.

“Your Majesty, I was shocked to hear news that demons dared appear in the sacred Imperial Palace and clutched my chest in dismay.”

“Hmm…”

“I heard that one eunuch died and a pavilion was also damaged. How could demons possibly appear inside the Imperial Palace?”

“You are not answering my question.”

“Your Majesty, such an incident could not occur unless someone deliberately summoned demons. Therefore, I too earnestly hope to find the culprit.”

At those words, the Grand Hall fell silent.

The subjects’ gazes turned toward the Emperor.

The Emperor’s hand gripped the armrest of the throne.

“According to the investigation results, there are suspicions that the Crown Prince summoned the demons.”

However, Jin Wonbaek and Jin Saheon’s expressions didn’t change at all.

“If His Highness the Crown Prince had summoned them directly, how could he have been injured himself?”

“He might have pretended to injure himself to avoid suspicion.”

“His Highness has been hovering between life and death all this time. His Highness is only nine years old – how could he summon demons? Do you perhaps have evidence?”

The Emperor was learning for the first time how badly Danhwi had been injured.

Indeed, it seemed more reasonable that there was another culprit rather than falling into mortal danger to avoid suspicion.

The Emperor inwardly ground his teeth and raised his hand.

“There is testimony from someone who was at the scene. Summon Master Sayeom.”

The eunuch hurriedly withdrew.

Shortly after, the doors of the Grand Hall opened.

Rin entered.

Though her face was pale, only her eyes were calm.

Rin knelt in the middle of the Grand Hall.

“Master Saem Lin of Saryeom House greets Your Majesty.”

“Raise your head.”

Rin followed the Emperor’s command.

“Master Sayeom.”

The Emperor smiled as he spoke.

“Master Sayeom surely attended the Crown Prince’s tea gathering together with the daughter of Jinryong Clan. Tell me what happened that day.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Did you see the Crown Prince summon demons?”

The Emperor’s eyes held certainty.

Saryeom House was in his grasp.

‘Jinryong Clan won’t be able to do anything.’

Jin Moa was the daughter of Jinryong Clan who had secretly hidden the Crown Prince, so even if she gave different testimony, he could attack her credibility.

The child’s young age was also advantageous to the Emperor.

However, Saem Lin was the Emperor’s dog with no connection to Jinryong Clan, and was old enough to testify.

If Rin just answered “Yes, it was the Crown Prince’s doing,” he could pin all the blame on Danhwi.

He planned to return him to his original miserable state and exploit him even more.

‘How thrilling.’

The Grand Hall fell silent.

Everyone waited for Rin’s answer.

Rin moistened her dry lips with her tongue while receiving everyone’s piercing gazes.

Since deciding to betray the Emperor, today was the turning point.

Now the Emperor would officially learn that Rin had betrayed him.

On the other hand, Baeksa had not yet received complete treatment.

‘No. There will surely come a day when I think today’s choice was the best one.’

At Rin’s long silence, the Emperor’s smile gradually hardened.

“…That is not so, Your Majesty.”

Rin opened her mouth.

“His Highness the Crown Prince did not summon the demon. To be precise, I failed to observe properly.”

The Grand Hall stirred.

The Emperor’s face hardened like stone.

“…What did you say?”

“At that time, I received word from my home and briefly left my post. When I returned, a demon had already appeared and the situation was extremely dangerous.”

Rin continued speaking calmly.

“His Highness the Crown Prince actually protected Lady Jin.”

“…”

“If His Highness had not shielded her with his body, Lady Jin would have died.”

Murmuring grew louder among the subjects.

The Emperor’s hands trembled violently.

Fierce rage shot from his eyes as if to tear Rin apart.

“…Master Sayeom.”

The Emperor’s voice sank coldly.

“What are you saying now?”

“I am telling you the truth, Your Majesty.”

Rin bowed her head.

But her voice did not waver.

“In the solemn Grand Hall, I cannot dare report that I saw what I failed to see.”

Sparks flew from the Emperor’s eyes.

Betrayal.

This was clear betrayal.

Everyone who saw the Emperor’s obviously angry face understood the situation.

Rin had turned her back on the Emperor.

It was an act far too fearless for a young girl.

“Did you hear, Your Majesty?”

Jin Saheon spoke.

“If my daughter had not received His Highness the Crown Prince’s life-saving grace, she would no longer be of this world.”

“…”

“Rather, it is something deserving of praise.”

Whispers arose among the subjects.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is a hero.”

“Isn’t security the problem?”

“How could a demon appear inside the Imperial Palace…”

The Emperor’s hand gripped the throne.

Veins bulged on the back of his hand.

He had fallen into the trap he had dug himself.

“…Very well.”

The Emperor spoke through gritted teeth.

“We shall clear the Crown Prince of suspicion.”

“A wise decision, Your Majesty.”

Jin Saheon bowed his head.

But his eyes held the light of victory.

“Then withdraw as you are. We shall forgive your daring to disobey Our command, viewing it as loyalty to the Crown Prince.”

The Emperor waved his hand with a weary expression.

When rage at things not going his way burned like a fireball inside the Emperor’s body.

Suddenly, Jin Wonbaek, who had been standing back a step, came forward and cried out as if spitting blood.

“폐하—! 이대로 이 일을 끝내시면 아니 되옵니다!”

The seasoned veteran minister of the previous generation, more experienced than anyone else present.

Everyone’s eyes widened at Jin Wonbaek’s spirit.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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