Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 101

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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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One Hundred Days of Flame
“I’ll take my leave now.”
Ju-hong departed for Ungiin-seong, her eyes trailing reluctantly backward with each step, as though her gaze might pull her back.
The rest of the day yielded nothing of note until the evening meal.
Sam-cheon and Gye-san had claimed their seats early. They set down tea and made a show of conversation while watching the crowd’s reactions carefully. Gold and Yong-yong, Wol-ya and Dam-no had dispersed among the other soldiers, each observing the atmosphere.
When the food service began, the hall filled with the clatter and chatter of eating.
Not a single incident occurred before the first soldier finished his bowl and rose to leave.
Sam-cheon studied the soldiers’ faces one by one—smiling faces, contentedly eating faces, furrowed brows. Not one of them bled or collapsed.
No blood, no screams, no death.
‘Thank heavens. It really did change.’
I-re gave voice to what Sam-cheon felt.
Yet even so, she couldn’t fully release her guard. The thought that there might be an accomplice set her nerves on edge.
During the meal service, no one displayed suspicious behavior. There were only a few soldiers expressing concern that Yeong-hwa had failed to report for duty without notice.
As Sam-cheon examined the dining hall more closely, Gye-san opened her mouth.
“No matter how I think about it, something feels off. Sending the food out of nowhere like that—it’s too convenient.”
“I agree.”
Sam-cheon shared the same suspicion. Having concluded that the person who ordered Tae’s abduction was I-re, she felt as uncomfortable as someone wearing damp clothes in the rainy season.
The soldiers’ prepared meal had been refused under the pretense of military orders, and only food intended for Gye-san had been brought. Testing revealed no poison, but out of caution they discarded everything.
“If that’s not the case, I’m sorry for suspecting.”
“There’s no clear motive.”
Someone who had invested three years of time, effort, and funds had no reason to target Gyeon-hun-gun or Gye-san.
“Yeong-hwa will need to speak before we make real progress. But from the look of her condition, she genuinely seems to know nothing.”
The only clues were Yeong-hwa, the corpse of an unknown man, and Herbal Poison.
“We have to catch them. We can’t be suspicious every time we eat.”
“Yong-yong said she’d track the distribution routes of the Herbal Poison, so we’ll wait. Apparently, even if the transactions happened in the shadows, a quantity like that leaves traces to follow.”
“Does Yong-yong have access to that kind of information?”
“She seems to be drawing on the resources of the Wol-rang-dan.”
The debts were mounting, but the situation was far too precarious to refuse help.
“Yong-yong will be staying, then?”
“Dam-no will take over the training commander position since it has high external exposure. I want to keep Yong-yong directly under me. I’ll announce it when I brief everyone on the spy matter after dinner.”
“Understood.”
Though problems abounded, solving them one by one should be possible.
The evening passed without incident, though the tension had been knife-sharp. It was a relief no casualties occurred, yet peace of mind remained elusive until the mastermind was found.
Sam-cheon watched the soldiers eating contentedly, then rose from her seat.
“It looks like Deok-sim will arrive soon, so I should go meet her.”
Ha-bin returned home during the walking hour, strolling the main road as usual with her attendants. She walked slowly and stopped before a familiar face.
Nuri’s father, Jang-hyeong.
His appearance was still haggard. Though she had confirmed the child returned home safely, she couldn’t fathom why he looked so burdened with worry.
Curiosity stirred, and Ha-bin spoke.
“You found the child. But there’s a problem.”
At Ha-bin’s presumptive remark, Jang-hyeong immediately knelt.
“Celestial Maiden, the child is ill. The first day home was fine, but once his tension eased, he began seeing things that weren’t there and suffering nightmares. I’ve shown him to physicians, but they only shake their heads. I don’t know what to do for him.”
Ha-bin had originally planned to give the child a small dose of poison and send him home. But she had accepted I-re’s request and sent the boy to her instead.
That he was freed before meeting I-re was good fortune, yet judging by his confinement in the jar, he had clearly endured hardship.
It was unfortunate, but guilt did not touch her.
‘It’s not like I did it myself.’
Had Ha-bin not intervened, the family elders would have buried Jang-hyeong quietly. The child losing his father was worse than this outcome.
Why did Sam-cheon’s request for a Protective Talisman suddenly return to her mind at that moment?
“…I’ll write a Protective Talisman for you. It won’t shield against everything, but it should help.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much, Celestial Maiden.”
She passed over him, prostrated on the ground, and moved forward. The common people who had heard the exchange bowed without hesitation.
Ha-bin turned her body.
It was mere scraps of paper with no real efficacy, yet if people believed it to be a Protective Talisman, then it became one. Just as Ha-bin had become a Celestial Maiden.
Perhaps, then, the child’s condition might improve.
If it didn’t help, so be it.
For her walk had a clear purpose. She resumed her steps, scanning suitable locations where crowds gathered. Ha-bin halted before a group of people.
She slowly raised her gaze to the sky before them.
The people’s eyes followed hers of their own accord. With a sigh for all to see, Ha-bin turned her worried face toward the direction of Sabigung and glanced back once.
She sent a penetrating look their way, then her eyelids trembled.
“The rains will hold while the noble lady of Sabigung sheds her tears.”
One final sigh.
As the people rushed to bow, Ha-bin walked on with unhurried grace. Let there be no rain for a few days at least.
As she turned toward home after her walk, a familiar voice reached her ears.
“Your skills grow sharper by the day.”
She turned to see Buyeo Hui and his palace attendant standing there.
Ha-bin greeted him with a smile.
“Your Highness. It is an honor to meet you.”
After the formalities, doubt arose in her mind. This was the first time Buyeo Hui had sought her out before she approached him. And the timing was hardly ideal, given how occupied he must be.
“Coming inside will only create complications. A walk would be better.”
Ha-bin, reading his meaning, quietly dismissed her attendants and followed him.
Something pleasant was written in his expression; his usually sharp features had softened. Though she had found him beautiful even when irritated or sardonic, watching him smile, she couldn’t look away.
As they walked in silence, waiting to hear what he meant to say, they arrived by a pond. Buyeo Hui stopped, gazing at the ripples on the water.
“Was today’s prophecy for Hwa-ran’s sake?”
“The song from Sabigung has already reached Ungiin-seong. My prophecy, too, will arrive at Sabigung before another day passes.”
When Ha-bin deflected with half-truth, Buyeo Hui wore a look of concern.
“You know that continuously going against the Great King’s wishes could result in your removal.”
“I walk the line well. In chaotic times, all the more do people place faith in prophecy.”
This was Ha-bin’s greatest concern.
Whenever she offered a prophecy that defied the Great King’s will, she followed it swiftly with another that would satisfy him—ensuring he would see her as useful enough to keep. It was a delicate balance only she maintained.
Unaware of Ha-bin’s perilous tightrope walk, Buyeo Hui spoke with relief.
“It seems the Great King regards you well.”
“Why do you concern yourself so much with my fate?”
“The betrothal, as you wished, has been nullified.”
Buyeo Hui’s face was light, as though a long burden had been lifted.
A crack appeared in Ha-bin’s composure. The breaking of the betrothal was what she had hoped for, yet something about it felt wrong.
“…Did the Crown Prince agree?”
A gentle wind traced silver ripples across the pond. Buyeo Hui gazed at the glimmering spring light for a moment before answering with a sigh.
“The circumstances have changed, haven’t they? With what has become of my elder brother.”

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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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