The Survival Story Of A Fallen Lady - Chapter 56

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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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The Chronicle of the Fallen Concubine’s Daughter — Episode 56
Deep in the night.
Several shadows gathered around a dimly lit room, seated in a circle.
“I can bear it no longer!”
Maeng Tak, the former general of the Western Guard, struck the wine table.
As the cup leapt into the air, drops of wine scattered sparsely across the surface.
“You all know what ruin that one concubine’s daughter has brought upon me!”
Maeng Tak seized his right arm.
Where Seo Heon had wrenched it, the damp weather still made it ache enough to keep him from sleep.
He’d lost his general’s rank over a mere handful of coal diverted from stores.
‘After all the years I’ve sacrificed for the Mugwang Territory……!’
Was that all?
He’d received a beating with cudgels, whipped like a dog, and had been unable to leave his house for months after.
What burned more than his aching body was his dignity, trampled into dust.
“I wondered how a mere concubine’s daughter could hold such sway — now I see it plainly. She’s ensnared Wang Ya with the Night Arts!”
Maeng Tak gulped down his wine.
The men beside him laughed and began to chime in one by one.
“The lanterns of the Wi Wang Territory burn so brightly — isn’t she using pillow talk to bend the whole territory to her will?”
“A Jae In is meant to be a title only, yet she reaches for provisions and military command.”
A sound of clicking tongues filled the room.
Then.
“Enough.”
A low, heavy voice silenced the gathering.
At the center of the room, where nobles sat on either side, sat the seat of honor.
An old man, seemingly in his sixties, surveyed the assembled company.
Though his hair had gone white, his eyes held the fierce keenness of a tiger, and his prominent cheekbones cast an impression strong enough to dwarf even the general.
Geum Seo Ak, the Chamberlain of the Right, the Prime Minister.
He turned his wine cup slowly and spoke.
“Think on this, all of you. By what means did that woman seize hold of this territory?”
“Through cunning artifice——!”
“Through competence.”
Geum Seo Ak corrected Maeng Tak’s words.
The gathering stirred with unease.
None of them had imagined Geum Seo Ak would speak in recognition of Jin So Ah.
Was he not the very man who had regarded the existence of Jin Jae In as a thorn in his side above all others?
“To slander the capable as incompetent is the mark of a fool.”
Geum Seo Ak acknowledged Jin So Ah’s abilities.
From the coal mines to the trade routes with the Ye Territory, to the replacement of Yeon Bing Bridge.
Seo Heon’s trust in her was not without cause.
“Then will you allow that concubine’s daughter to meddle in the territory’s affairs?”
“No. But if the Lord favors her, what good is spreading rumors, no matter how damning?”
Click.
The old man set down his wine cup.
He had acknowledged So Ah’s competence, yet he took no pleasure in it.
“The competent must be made to understand that their very competence becomes their crime.”
Geum Seo Ak smiled quietly, recalling the trap he had laid for So Ah.
“The Lord dealt harshly with his esteemed general Maeng over a mere few cartloads of coal diverted from stores.”
Geum Seo Ak’s gaze turned toward General Maeng.
“If the Lord applies a different measure to Jin So Ah, who then will uphold the law of the territory?”
Once branded a criminal, even favor and justification would be forfeit.
“I hear carts have gathered at Jin Jae In’s residence.”
At that, the nobles exchanged glances with one another.
They had heard it too.
That bribes had been sent to Jin Jae In’s quarters.
“I wondered what shameless dogs would offer bribes to someone like a Jae In……”
It was Geum Seo Ak’s trap.
Like a spider drawing thread through darkness to bind its prey.
He had subtly spread rumors, cultivated the atmosphere to encourage men to send her bribes.
“Truly, the Prime Minister stands apart from the rest.”
By now, Jin So Ah’s eyes would have grown wide at the sight of such splendid gifts arriving at her door.
Her heart would flutter at kindnesses and attention she’d never known in her life.
So she wouldn’t easily refuse a bribe either.
‘Even if she did refuse…….’
Returning every bribe in a single night would be impossible.
Moreover, if she hastily returned the bribes, she’d be cutting off her own roots.
Every one who sent those bribes sought connection with Jin So Ah.
‘A woman from the Wi Wang Territory with no political foundation would have nowhere to stand.’
If she herself took up the knife and drove away those who favored her, that was precisely what Geum Seo Ak desired.
“Tomorrow morning, Wang Ya will conduct a thorough investigation into Jin Jae In’s corruption.”
Either way, Jin So Ah had no escape.
* * *
The morning audience of the next day.
Officials in ceremonial dress stood in the Main Court Hall.
[Wall repairs shall proceed as follows.]
Seo Heon looked up, organizing the agenda regarding the recent disturbance.
Then.
“Wang Ya.”
A man stepped forward from the front rank.
The Chamberlain of the Right, Geum Seo Ak.
“I have something to report.”
The air in the Study Chamber grew subtly tense.
It was rare for Geum Seo Ak to speak directly during an audience.
When he did, someone’s head usually rolled.
【Speak.】
Seo Heon nodded.
“Of late, unseemly rumors have circulated in the palace.”
Geum Seo Ak clasped his hands in formal respect.
【What manner of unseemly rumors?】
“It is said that carriages come and go at Jin Jae In’s residence day and night.”
The hall stirred with unease.
Seo Heon’s brush froze in midair.
“Therefore, I request that the Censorate be dispatched to inspect Jin Jae In’s residence.”
As Geum Seo Ak bowed, the Main Court Hall erupted in turbulent whispers.
The Censorate investigating the Wang’s Jae In?
“Minister.”
At last, Minister of Revenue Baek Ui Seop could not hold back.
“Jin Jae In has only just recovered from her injuries sustained in the recent disturbance. It is hardly appropriate to charge her with accepting bribes.”
“Minister of Revenue.”
Geum Seo Ak turned his head slowly.
“Is there a time when accepting bribes becomes appropriate?”
Baek Ui Seop’s jaw tightened.
While occupied with managing the aftermath of the disturbance, to now level suspicions of bribery against a woman barely awake—
It was transparent maneuvering.
But Geum Seo Ak was the Chancellor of the Mugwang Territory.
No one dared challenge him.
“Wang Ya, several months ago, was there not the matter of Maeng Tak embezzling several cartloads of coal?”
“…….”
“You did not spare him for being a meritorious official. You stripped his general’s rank and gave him severe punishment.”
Geum Seo Ak stepped forward.
“At that time, we all came to understand—that you are without personal bias, and that before your justice, even meritorious officials are not excepted.”
The Main Court Hall fell silent as though water had been poured over it.
‘So he’s been keeping the matter of General Maeng tucked away all this time.’
Seo Heon looked down at Chancellor Geum Seo Ak and reflected.
A truly cunning man.
If he forbade the inspection of Jin Jae In, it would look like private favoritism; if he allowed it, Jin Jae In would stand accused.
“Wang Ya, I too believe in Jin Jae In’s innocence.”
The word “believe” had never sounded so hollow.
“Therefore, an inspection is all the more necessary. If the Censorate comes forward to prove her innocence, Jin Jae In will escape the taint of rumor.”
Thereupon the conservative nobles stepped forward and endorsed Geum Seo Ak’s position.
Then, from the rear, Minister of Works Dan Mok Heum let out a bitter laugh, as though he found the whole thing absurd.
“You mean to say you’ll clear your name and avoid disgrace?”
The mere fact that the Censorate had visited was enough to taint a reputation.
Even if innocence were proven, people would regard the investigation itself as a blemish.
Most didn’t care whether the Censorate actually cleared anyone or not.
“Surely you all understand what a Censorate inquiry means?”
“Minister of Works. Did you perhaps send a bribe to Jin So Ah?”
“Your Majesty! What are you saying?”
“Then you have no reason to object, do you?”
At that moment.
Tap!
The sound of a brush striking slate cut through the commotion.
All eyes turned toward the elevated seat.
Seo Heon slowly raised his brush.
Ink bloomed across the paper.
The Chief Attendant received the characters and read them aloud.
[The Minister speaks rightly.]
“……!”
Baek Ui Seop’s and Dan Mok Heum’s eyes widened, while a faint smile played at the corners of Geum Seo Ak’s mouth.
[Before the law, there must be no private interest. The Minister shall have the Censorate investigate Jin So Ah’s residence.]
Seo Heon set down his brush.
“Your boundless grace overwhelms me, Your Majesty.”
Geum Seo Ak bowed deeply.
* * *
The sharp click of military boots echoed through the palace.
Soldiers in crimson-corded armor filed forward in formation.
A brisk, metallic scent trailed in their wake.
The palace attendants held their breath and stepped aside.
“The Censorate, here in the palace?”
Wherever they appeared, dark tidings followed.
And behind the Censorate soldiers, Geum Seo Ak advanced with hands clasped behind his back, moving with deliberate slowness.
Their procession halted before Jin So Ah’s quarters.
“Surely it can’t be Jin So Ah……?”
“Isn’t she the woman who came from the Wi Wang Territory? Anything’s possible.”
Whispers rippled through the crowd like waves.
Geum Seo Ak listened with satisfaction and gave a nod.
At his signal, the Censorate soldiers kicked the door wide open.
Bang!
Soldiers poured into the chamber in a rush.
And within the courtyard.
‘Just as expected…….’
Treasures lay heaped in the sunlight.
Silk, bonsai, silver pouches.
‘She didn’t even hide them.’
Simply left them unorganized.
Yet the marks of inspection were plain—each item had already been opened and examined.
She’d clearly been curious about what gifts she’d received and torn them open to look.
‘The foolish woman makes it easy for me.’
It was then that Geum Seo Ak smiled thus.
“You’ve arrived, Minister.”
In one corner of the residence’s garden.
Where double cherry blossoms bloomed in profusion.
So Ah sipped her tea and faced them with perfect composure.

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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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