Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 15

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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 Fifteen
Samcheon had been bowing her head when she fell, so she swallowed several mouthfuls of foul pond water before she could raise her face again.
The water came up only to her thighs, but the mud beneath was slick, making it difficult to stand. When she finally managed to straighten, her entire body was caked in filth.
Samcheon spat out the mud that had entered her mouth, wiped her lips with her sleeve, and glared at the girl.
“How delightful you look.”
The girl spoke mockingly, abandoning all pretense of formality now.
“Why would you do this to me?”
“Run along to Prince Hui and tell him exactly this—that Habin of the Ye Family picked a quarrel with me for no reason and left me like this.”
What game was this?
Samcheon’s eyes widened, her brow already furrowed without her meaning to. So this Ye Family girl was the one they called Cheonkwan-nyeo.
The same Ye Family that didn’t even rank among the Eight Great Families, yet suddenly there was talk of a marriage proposal.
‘So the marriage proposal that reached the Prince was from the Ye Family.’
The fact that Habin had revealed her own identity while insisting Samcheon report it all suggested she didn’t want this marriage to happen. It was strange that she thought the Prince would call off the arrangement over a palace maid falling into a pond.
Could this be fallout from that incident—”Whoever hit me, step forward”?
The palace was fertile ground for rumors; they grew faster than weeds. A beloved brother’s palace maid could transform into a favored maid, or even a maid the Prince had feelings for.
‘How did the rumor even spread like this?’
And did Cheonkwan-nyeo not know it was all false?
Watching Samcheon’s bewilderment, Habin laughed softly.
“Then run along.”
Having achieved everything she wanted, Habin turned and walked away with light steps. One thing was clear.
‘The Prince and she are fated for each other.’
More than that—they seemed capable of fighting on equal footing, neither one dominating the other.
As for Samcheon, her appearance had become utterly wretched.
She crawled out of the pond and wrung her skirt repeatedly. With each step, water squelched from her leather shoes, dripping steadily to the ground.
It would be better to remove the shoes altogether.
After pulling off her shoes and shaking them, she sensed someone approaching. Ashamed of her appearance, Samcheon lowered her head deeply.
A boy with a fair complexion and freckles covering his face—Yongyong—stood before the palace entrance, peering about.
Five years had passed since he’d left Walrang Village, announcing his intention to travel. As he recalled this long-awaited reunion, his heart soared with anticipation.
At last, the person he’d been waiting for came into view. Spotting Wol-ya among the crowd, Yongyong waved his hands enthusiastically.
‘Our commander looks magnificent today, as always.’
Wol-ya was a man like a monochrome ink painting. His refined features seemed drawn with varying gradations of black ink, and his calm yet profound gaze created an atmosphere befitting such a presence.
That alone was not enough to describe him. His abilities were outstanding, his sense of honor deep, and his command was natural. He could keep the Walrang Group under his control without raising his voice—not merely because of his noble bloodline.
Wol-ya, who stood before Yongyong, spoke with a smile.
“How have you been?”
“All well. I’ve gotten along fine wherever I’ve been.”
Yongyong answered with a brilliant smile, extending the Entry Pass he’d prepared beforehand. Wol-ya accepted it and stepped into the palace with Yongyong.
Yongyong moved close to Wol-ya’s side and asked.
“Which way shall I guide you?”
“Let’s confirm things first.”
“Yes, sir.”
When Yongyong turned his head, his eyes met those of a tall palace attendant. The man approached with eager haste and bowed deeply.
Yongyong asked him softly.
“What about the investigation?”
“The Ye Family girl is currently at the Lotus Garden. She followed a palace maid there. There’s a rumor that she has a sweetheart, despite the marriage proposal in progress. It seems she’s trying to confirm the truth of it.”
“Well done.”
Yongyong quietly slipped a Gold Piece into the man’s hand, and he concealed it in his sleeve before quietly withdrawing. Drawing his gaze away from him, Yongyong took the lead.
“This way.”
Wol-ya followed at a leisurely pace, his manner as relaxed as if he were in his own home.
“They say this Lotus Garden is quite spectacular.”
“In summer it’s worth a good look. Once I leave the capital, it’ll be a while before I see it again.”
“Will you end your travels now?”
“I’ve wandered for over five years—it’s time to return. When Danju arrives, I plan to go with him. I miss the others too.”
“Everyone will be delighted to see you. What’s your impression of the Ye Family’s daughter?”
Yongyong shrugged his shoulders.
“Seems a wasted trip. I’ve never heard of Cheonkwan-nyeo being filled with greed in both eyes.”
“I see.”
Wol-ya hadn’t had great expectations either. He’d come simply to verify the rumors he’d heard about Cheonkwan-nyeo appearing.
“Posing as Cheonkwan-nyeo shows no restraint. Though the prophecy has proven largely accurate, I hear. She must have bought information somewhere, or else fabricated the whole affair.”
Yongyong was convinced the girl was a fake.
“Most likely.”
There was no precedent of Cheonkwan-nyeo awakening her abilities before adulthood. Nor did she see the future in a selective way, choosing only what was necessary.
Ting—.
Then a small bell hanging at Wol-ya’s waist rang out with a crystalline sound. Wol-ya’s gaze fell to the bell as he came to an abrupt halt.
“…The Jamyeongryeong rang.”
Yongyong’s eyes widened in amazement. That the Jamyeongryeong—a divine artifact—had sounded meant—.
“She was real?”
The two began walking faster.
After passing along the Willow Path, their field of vision opened suddenly. In that moment, both witnessed a girl in silk robes pushing someone into the pond.
Yongyong introduced her.
“That’s her. Habin of the Ye Family.”
“…The one who pushed?”
“Yes, that… surely that palace maid committed some terrible wrong?”
“You said she was greedy.”
“If she’s Cheonkwan-nyeo, there must be reason behind her greed.”
Yongyong had immediately reconsidered.
Cheonkwan-nyeo, connected to the future, purifies the present and untangles the past. Because of this, good-hearted people are naturally drawn to her.
With virtuous people gathering around her seeking peace, it was difficult for Cheonkwan-nyeo to lose her own goodness.
“Fascinating.”
The girl said something to the palace maid, then turned and vanished in the opposite direction.
Wol-ya quickened his pace so as not to lose sight of Habin.
In the moment he passed the palace maid who had barely escaped the water, the Jamyeongryeong trembled again.
Ting—.
His gaze moved slowly. Mud was trailing along the path where the young palace maid had passed.
As Wol-ya came to a stop, the corners of his mouth rose gently.
Had the palace maid grown up in the palace from her youth and lived there all along, Wol-ya would never have found her. Had the impostor claiming to be Cheonkwan-nyeo not appeared, he would not have known of her existence at all and would have passed her by entirely.
Wol-ya changed direction and followed the young palace maid. Confused by his sudden movement, Yongyong faltered, and Wol-ya spoke.
“It’s this way.”
“Oh, so the young maid from Mokseo Palace has been harassed again?”
“Could Yeonhwa Palace have made a move again?”
“Pitiful.”
“Speak quietly. She’ll hear.”
Yes. She hears very well.
Samcheon found the distance to Mokseo Palace longer than ever today. Everyone who passed stared in shock at her state. Some retreated as if they’d encountered plague itself.
Did she look like a drowned rat? Or a water ghost?
No. In this condition, she resembled a mud ghost.
When a light breeze blew, her body trembled and shivered. Though Ipchuon had passed, the wind still held a chill for one dripping wet.
The moment she felt the cold and wrapped her arms around herself, a reek of stagnant water struck the tip of her nose.
Samcheon brought her arm to her nose and sniffed.
Sniff, sniff.
It was the smell coming from her own body.
Still water always grows foul, and foul water always stinks.
Terribly.
‘No wonder people kept their distance.’
Samcheon’s shoulders sagged in defeat.

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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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