The Survival Story Of A Fallen Lady - Chapter 57

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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 Fallen Noblewoman’s Survival Record — Episode 57
While the soldiers carried a cold, chilling air about them, the teacup in So Ah’s hands released a gentle, warm steam into the stillness.
“Jin Jae-in.”
Not a flicker of concern crossed her face at the sight of the Eosa-dae.
Fear and panic—surely that was the natural response when soldiers burst through the door.
“Might I ask what brings you to this humble place?”
So Ah rose smoothly from her seat, arranging her sleeves with careful grace.
Her measured steps stood in stark contrast to the rough, forceful way the Eosa-dae had stormed inside.
Among them, Geum Seo Ak drew a document from his sleeve and unfolded it.
“A petition has been filed alleging that you have accepted bribes and accumulated private wealth unlawfully. For the sake of establishing order in the Wang Bu, we require your cooperation.”
The document he offered bore Seo Heon’s seal.
At this, So Ah nodded readily.
“How could I refuse? It is for the sake of the Wang Bu, and I shall comply gladly.”
So Ah lowered her head with quiet deference.
Her compliance was so willing that Geum Seo Ak’s eyes narrowed.
“Then we shall begin by examining those valuables.”
“Of course. However—”
So Ah drew a small ledger from her sleeve.
“If you are to count them all one by one, it will take considerable time. Would this not be necessary?”
“…… What is this?”
“An inventory.”
So Ah gestured calmly toward the valuables stacked behind her, extending the ledger.
“Is this not precisely what you seek, Minister?”
Geum Seo Ak’s eyes narrowed to slits.
She had recorded her own crimes in writing?
No—that couldn’t be.
A woman as clever as this would never do such a thing.
‘She’s found a way to minimize her guilt.’
She must have reduced the quantities of goods and already removed anything that might constitute a serious offense.
He smirked at her transparent scheme and took the ledger.
The moment he opened the first page—
“……”
Geum Seo Ak’s hands stilled.
The first page of the ledger.
A title written in neat characters caught his eye.
[Inventory of Charity Donations for Night Disaster Relief]
“Charity donations……?”
Charity donations—did that mean voluntary contributions?
And below that—
A crimson seal was pressed clearly across the page.
It was the King’s personal stamp.
“What is the meaning of this……?”
“Yesterday I petitioned the King for his approval, and this is the finalized list of charity donations,” So Ah replied, her voice ringing clear.
“Surely you have come to inspect this very list, Minister?”
So Ah turned her face toward him with an innocent smile, then toward the Eosa-dae members standing in a line behind him.
Geum Seo Ak’s expression hardened.
It had been only one night.
Barely enough time, even to refuse the bribes.
‘And yet she’s slipped out of this so cleanly?’
Geum Seo Ak’s cheeks trembled with suppressed anger.
Moreover, beneath the seal—
[This inventory is hereby processed as Official Business of the Wang Bu.]
A single, unmistakable line written in Seo Heon’s own hand.
It meant these goods were entirely subject to the King’s disposal.
To question them would be to question the King’s authority itself.
He recalled Seo Heon’s demeanor at the court assembly.
Had he already conspired with Jin Jae-in and merely pretended to be impartial?
‘I never thought I would come to see the King in this light again.’
The Seo Heon he knew was a man of principle.

Straightforwardness over cunning.
Direct methods over deception.
He might fall silent when pressed, but he would never betray a person behind closed doors.
This was no scheme that Seo Heon would weave.
‘Jin Jae In’s doing.’
He’d been careless.
He’d thought her clever enough, but he’d never imagined she would move this quickly, preparing everything in advance.
‘How in a single day…….’
Then.
“Jin Jae In!”
Urgent footsteps echoed through the corridor from outside.
Woo Je rushed in cradling a scroll, breathless and wild-eyed.
He pushed through the soldiers wearing red sashes and halted abruptly.
“……The Eosa-dae?”
“It’s all right. What is it?”
So Ah asked gently, and Woo Je caught his breath, pointing outside.
“People are lined up in front of the palace.”
At those words, Geum Seo Ak’s brow furrowed.
People?
“Those injured in the night disaster. They’ve gathered after hearing there is a charity donation available.”
The rumor had already spread beyond these walls?
“There are already over a hundred.”
The courtyard fell silent.
Even the Eosa-dae soldiers exchanged glances with one another.
They’d come to investigate bribery, only to find themselves witnessing charity.
‘Ah, this cunning creature…….’
She’d clearly orchestrated this situation deliberately.
When Geum Seo Ak looked at So Ah, she answered with a smile.
As if to say: you’re not the only one who can spread rumors and move people.
“As it happens, this works out well.”
So Ah clasped her hands before Geum Seo Ak.
“Minister, as you can see, those goods will need to be moved.”
“…….”
“Since the Eosa-dae soldiers have come, would you see fit to help?”
Geum Seo Ak’s eyelid twitched.
“You’re asking the Eosa-dae to carry luggage now?”
“Not at all.”
So Ah shook her head with proper courtesy.
“I’m merely asking for your inspection.”
These are the Wang Bu’s public property—not even a single bolt of silk can be amiss.
“Who could verify these things more accurately than the Eosa-dae?”
“You……!”
“And if you do so, no one can suspect me of embezzling the public property.”
So Ah’s eyes curved in a subtle arc.
They suspected her of accepting bribes—well then, let her prove herself worthy of the role.
That was what her gaze seemed to say.
There was no way out.
The officials exchanged glances before reluctantly rolling up their sleeves.
Those wearing red sashes took up bolts of silk and lifted the silver chest.
The soldiers had to verify the quantity of each item precisely and cross-reference it with the ledger.
“Search her residence as well.”
Geum Seo Ak had the soldiers turn her quarters inside out, determined to find something to accuse her of.
“That is all the property, Minister.”
Her residence was spotlessly clean—not a speck of dust.
In the end, all the Eosa-dae had managed was to organize the charity donation.
“Five bolts of silk. Correct.”
Woo Je assisted the Eosa-dae with a precise voice.
With each item verified, one by one they left Jae In’s quarters.
“I intend to post this list at the Main Gate of the Royal Palace.”
So Ah unfolded the ledger of the charity donation that the Eosa-dae had verified.
“You’ll put down names?”
“I intend to record the names of those who have contributed to this cause, so that we may acknowledge them as people of goodwill gathered in support of the Wang Bu’s wellbeing.”
So Ah picked up her brush and turned her head toward Geum Seo Ak with deliberate ease.
“Would you care to add your name as well, sir?”
Geum Seo Ak’s lower eyelids trembled for a moment.
Whatever names appeared on that ledger, it was a list of those who had sent bribes to So Ah.
And she was asking him to add his name to it?
“If the elder of the Wang Bu leads the way, surely those below will follow gladly.”
So Ah’s voice was smooth and honeyed as silk.
Geum Seo Ak felt the implication hidden beneath her words and bit his lip.
If he added his name to that ledger, today’s inspection would become a laughable farce.
In fact, it would only add to So Ah’s accomplishments.
Not a single blemish would mar her reputation.
Moreover, those who knew this ledger was a list of bribes would assume Geum Seo Ak had approached So Ah to forge a connection with Jeon Jae-in.
But if he did not contribute to the charity, word would spread that the Wang Bu’s minister was stingy in his relief efforts.
More than anything, just now—
‘There are so many watching.’
It was not only the Eosa-dae.
In the corridor outside the residence where Woo Je had brought word—
People seized by curiosity at the Eosa-dae’s sudden appearance had gathered, murmuring among themselves.
“The Eosa-dae came because of the relief effort? It seems the King plans to address the Night Disaster quickly.”
“The Minister is taking direct action in relief as well, it seems. Even visiting So Ah’s residence.”
The whispered remarks fit the situation far too perfectly.
Crunch.
Geum Seo Ak ground his teeth.
“How could I hesitate in a matter concerning the people?”
“You truly possess a deep heart for your subjects, Minister.”
So Ah bowed deeply.
And there, upon So Ah’s ledger—
Geum Seo Ak’s name was inscribed.
As the carts began to depart from the courtyard—
The inspection had already become something that could no longer be called an inspection.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
Just as Geum Seo Ak turned to go—
“Sir, I have something more to say to you.”
So Ah detained his steps.
“Would you be able to set down in writing what the Eosa-dae examined today?”
“A record, you say.”
“I heard that at today’s assembly, you said that if the Eosa-dae would step forward and clarify the truth, we could avoid further gossip.”
So Ah’s eyes gazed steadily into the old man’s.
Geum Seo Ak finally understood.
So this had been her aim all along.
“I merely wish to fully reveal what the Minister intended.”
It was detestable.
As though innocent of all knowledge, she accounted for every practical advantage he needed.
“Must such a record truly be made?”
“Is it not proper that matters of state always leave a written record? Moreover…”
So Ah met Geum Seo Ak’s gaze directly and continued.
“Would it not appear that you brought the Eosa-dae to my residence with some other intention in mind?”
A cool edge of sharpness flickered across So Ah’s smile.

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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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