Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 10

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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 Ten
At the mention of ten lashes, the palace attendants’ faces drained of color.
Even four or five blows would leave scars that never faded. Ten would shred her back entirely. Beyond the agony, infection could prove fatal.
“Please forgive us.”
“We were wrong. We beg you—show mercy just this once.”
The attendants, unprepared for the situation to spiral so far, pleaded desperately. But their entreaties never reached Hae-ssi.
Hae-ssi watched the attendants dragged away without expression, then spoke in a measured tone.
“I merely punished the attendants for neglecting Princess Gye-san. Tell the others it was nothing more.”
Dan-hwa, standing beside her, answered respectfully.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And there’s been talk of a ghost haunting Jeongyeol Palace.”
At the mention of Jeongyeol Palace, Dan-hwa’s shoulders stiffened. She steadied her wavering expression before speaking.
“There are those who claim to have seen it.”
“Spread the rumor wider. Let it grow.”
“I will. This tale too shall die down soon enough. Please do not worry yourself.”
“We cannot simply let this pass. Princess Gye-san and Prince Hui must learn how harsh the world truly is.”
At Hae-ssi’s veiled promise of retaliation, Dan-hwa’s expression grew grave.
“Baek-ssi is a formidable opponent.”
“I have no intention of touching Prince Hui directly.”
Baek-ssi, Prince Hui’s mother and one of Baekje’s wealthiest patrons, presented lavish tributes to the court each year. Whenever disaster struck, she opened her storehouses in the royal name to soothe the people’s hearts. Even the King held Baek-ssi and her children in particular regard.
Hae-ssi harbored no desire to make an enemy of her either.
“I hear Prince Hui holds Princess Gye-san in special affection. It would pain him to watch something precious to him crumble.”
The moment Hae-ssi’s thin, crimson lips curved upward, screams erupted from the attendants. She listened to the sharp cries, then spoke coldly.
“The sound is too faint.”
At a gesture from Dan-hwa, one of the attendants bolted toward the courtyard.
The screams grew louder at once.
“Now that is more like it.”
Hae-ssi savored the wrenching cries as if they were music, turning a thought over in her mind.
She had to find a way to separate Hui from Gye-san, then make the princess the tragic protagonist of her own downfall.
As she considered various approaches, a clever scheme occurred to her. She turned toward the gate of Yeonhwa Palace, with Dan-hwa close at her heels.
“If you leave now, you’ll draw attention.”
“Let them gossip as they will. I must go make an offering to the Buddha.”
Hae-ssi moved forward without a flicker of hesitation.
The scent of cooking rice filled Mokseo Palace. As people hurried back and forth, Samcheon’s eyes opened slowly.
‘I fell asleep again, didn’t I.’
The Medicinal Decoction always left her drowsy afterward.
“The back courtyard needs sweeping too. Could you help with that?”
At the voice from beyond the door, Samcheon’s eyes widened.
That kind, warm voice she had missed.
‘Deok-sim has come back.’
A smile bloomed on Samcheon’s face as the door swung open.
“You’re awake, little one?”
Deok-sim leaned in to ask, and their eyes met.
The people of Mokseo Palace had always called Samcheon the “little attendant”—a name that arose from her arrival at age six, and had since become her familiar epithet.
“It’s been so long.”
Samcheon greeted her warmly, and tears welled in Deok-sim’s eyes. Only then did Samcheon recall how disheveled she must look.
She smiled sheepishly as Deok-sim stepped inside.
“My little one, how much you’ve grown while we were apart.”
Deok-sim smiled faintly, then gently wiped Samcheon’s forehead with a damp cloth.
In the time they’d been separated, Deok-sim’s hair had turned largely gray. Samcheon used to pluck out her emerging silver strands one by one, but there were far too many now for such an approach.
“I’m not a baby anymore.”
“To my eyes, you always will be. Oh dear, I’m being foolish—crying like this. It’s just so good to see you.”
“I missed you too. Welcome home. Her Highness will be delighted.”
At the mention of Gye-san, a faint smile crossed Deok-sim’s lips.
“Delighted? She’s far too busy plotting her revenge.”
“Revenge?”
“She’s been stopping everyone who passes, demanding they tell her who hit you.”
Deok-sim spoke proudly, but Samcheon’s vision swam.
What was she doing?
Gye-san had ordered her to lie still and not move. Yet the princess was out there causing such trouble.
“Hae-ssi won’t stand idly by. We have to stop her.”
Unlike Samcheon’s alarm, Deok-sim remained composed.
“It’s all right. Prince Hui came to visit. Baek-ssi visited as well and sent precious medicinal herbs and beef. Would you like a taste of the porridge we made? Do you think you could manage it?”
Now Samcheon understood that things had changed. Hui was endlessly generous to those he favored, and at least Gye-san remained within his sphere of protection.
Deok-sim’s composure stemmed from Hui’s presence.
Reassured, Samcheon broke into a relieved smile.
“I’m fine. I can eat.”
“I’ll bring it right away.”
“No, I’ll just go eat.”
As Samcheon began to rise, she was gently pressed back down by Deok-sim’s hand.
“You cannot. Her Highness commanded you lie still for two weeks. I cannot disobey the princess’s orders.”
“But the physician said five days of bed rest would be enough.”
“In Mokseo Palace, the princess’s word is law. You rest.”
“……All right.”
Samcheon obediently lay back down.
Shortly after, Deok-sim returned carrying a tray with Beef Porridge.
The soft porridge, studded with generous chunks of meat, was savory and rich. The warmth of it dispelled an old, gnawing hunger.
After watching Samcheon devour a full bowl in moments, Deok-sim’s eyes glistened with tears again. She cleared away the empty bowl and gently stroked Samcheon’s back. “How much you must have suffered. I’m grateful you served Her Highness so faithfully. You’ve done well.”
It was what I was meant to do.
The words were there, ready to be spoken, but her voice would not come.
Ah, my throat is tight.
The realization came, and tears spilled over in a torrent. Deok-sim gathered Samcheon into her arms and soothed her back.
“There now, see? You’re still a baby after all.”
Samcheon wept, following the gentle stroke of that familiar hand.
Mokseo Palace had no power, yet now it held a trustworthy elder.
Clear sky arched overhead, a single white cloud caught within it.
The King lay with his head pillowed on Hae-ssi’s lap, gazing up at the heavens. The fragrance of flowers drifted on the breeze that swept through the Nugak, and his heart grew naturally softer.
A concubine younger than his eldest grandson.
Hae-ssi radiated freshness and charm.
“You always carry the loveliest scent about you.”
“You are kind to see me so favorably. I am merely grateful.”
Hae-ssi smiled like a single Peony in bloom. Then she gently stroked the King’s graying hair.
“Your Majesty, you seem burdened by many cares.”
“Am I so transparent?”
“Perhaps it is the matter of the Jin Clan you mentioned before?”
Hae-ssi broached the subject delicately.
“Yes. That is troubling indeed.”
“Do not concern yourself with the opinions of others. You are the King, after all.”
“You are the only one who speaks to me thus.”
He had devoted his entire reign to strengthening royal authority, yet the Eight Great Families remained as powerful as ever. To accuse them without proof would invite backlash.
Hae-ssi’s eyes suddenly widened, as if struck by a thought. The King’s attention was drawn by her expression.
“What is it?”
“Your Majesty, what if there were a natural way to send troops without suspicion?”
“Do tell.”
Hae-ssi answered in a honeyed voice.

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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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