Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 16

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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 Sixteen
Samcheon stood before the gates of Mokseo Palace, gauging the stillness. No sound came from within. By now Gyesan and Hae ought to be at the Yeonmujang, so she thought she could slip inside quietly.
But when she reached for the door, she realized her hands were filthy—caked with dried mud. She hesitated, staring at her soiled palms, when a careful voice sounded from behind her.
“Shall I open it for you?”
She turned to find Geum standing directly before her. Samcheon gasped sharply and stepped backward.
“My apologies. I startled you.”
Seeing her discomfort, Samcheon answered quickly.
“No, it’s all right. Your voice just came out of nowhere and caught me off guard.”
“I suppose I don’t make much of an impression. People don’t often notice me, even when I’m right beside them.”
Geum moved past Samcheon and pushed open the great doors of Mokseo Palace.
“Please, go in first.”
“Thank you.”
The moment Samcheon crossed the threshold, she froze. Gyesan and Hae were standing directly ahead of her.
“Samcheon, what’s happened?”
Hae, beside her, furrowed her brow and added her own remark.
“And what in heaven’s name is that state you’re in?”
Samcheon laughed awkwardly.
She’d been certain they would be at the Yeonmujang. Her expectations had crumbled spectacularly.
“My feet slipped on the moss and I fell into the pond at the Yeonhwawon. I’ll wash up and change right away.”
As she offered this feeble excuse, Gyesan spoke with concern.
“Do that quickly. You’ll catch a cold.”
“Go wash. You stink.”
That last remark came from Hae.
How could two people be so different? The look on Samcheon’s face betrayed her resentment toward Hae.
‘And whose fault do you think it is that I’m in this mess?’
She shot Hae one resentful glance, then turned toward the bathhouse.
Geum, who had followed them in, stood hesitantly before offering her greeting.
“Geum of Dongyeongung pays her respects to you both.”
“Geum! So you’ve come.”
Only then did Gyesan notice her, and she smiled brightly. When this unexpected visitor appeared, Hae’s brow narrowed.
“Half-wit, what are you doing here?”
“She’s my guest. Mind your tone.”
Hae closed her mouth, displeased.
That he favored Gyesan was something Hae understood—it was her transparent, artless innocence that made her unable to calculate advantage and loss. Such situations frustrated him, yet at the same time he found them utterly in character for her.
Geum, aware of Hae’s displeasure, opened her mouth carefully.
“Thank you for calling me your guest. I was so worried about the lady-in-waiting that I followed her here. I didn’t come on impulse—I came because I wanted to, having lingered nearby. That person was truly wicked, pushing someone into a pond like that.”
Geum started when she saw the light ignite in Gyesan’s round eyes.
“Who pushed our Samcheon?”
“Yes, I saw someone pushing her with all their might from quite a distance away. Since the Yeonhwawon is so open, others must have seen it too.”
“Perhaps we should begin by asking whether you were the one who pushed Samcheon.”
Hae spoke gravely, turning to look at Samcheon.
Samcheon, her name having been mentioned, was caught with her hand still on the door handle. She laughed stiffly.
She had hoped to let the matter pass quietly. That hope had just been dashed.
Sure enough, Gyesan trotted over and pressed her with urgency.
“Is someone at the Yeonhwagung still tormenting you?”
“No, it’s not that. Yes, someone did push me. But they want me to tattle on them to you.”
Hae, who had sauntered over, added her own displeasure.
“That makes no sense. Explain yourself properly.”
Finding no escape, Samcheon finally uttered the name.
“Someone from the Ye Clan—Habin. She harassed me so that I’d fall into your disfavor. She wanted you to reject the Marriage Proposal Discussions with her.”
Gyesan didn’t immediately grasp what Samcheon was saying. But Samcheon had no clearer way to explain it.
A beat behind, Gyesan’s expression hardened suddenly.
“Even if you don’t want the Meeting for Marriage Proposal, that’s no excuse for her to treat you that way.”
“Exactly! I didn’t want to say anything because I refused to give her what she wanted.”
Anger flared in Hae’s eyes, rising to her hairline.
“How dare she reject me? Only I get to reject anyone!”
“She said she’s a Cheonguannyeo.”
Samcheon added this carefully, but it didn’t cool Hae’s rage.
“A Cheonguannyeo? That’s just a fiction those noble rats conjured up to weaken the crown. Looks like she’s got a little power hunger too.”
Gyesan, curious about the woman caught in marriage negotiations with Hae, asked gently.
“What did you make of her?”
Samcheon recalled Habin.
“I thought she suited you well. Her face is striking and brightly beautiful.”
Hae, her anger suddenly transformed, turned away.
“I’m leaving.”
Samcheon pressed her lips shut.
This marriage proposal was surely doomed now.
Gyesan tried to stop Hae as she headed for the gate.
“Stay and eat. We have Roasted Deer—your favorite.”
“I’ll tell them I met her.”
“Met her? You mean you did meet her?”
“I mean I fell for her at first sight.”
Hae grinned like a mischievous child.
“Wait, what if this leads to an actual marriage? What then?”
“She’s a Cheonguannyeo, isn’t she? I should be able to see my way around marriage.”
Hae laughed derisively and strode out of Mokseo Palace. Gyesan watched her figure recede and murmured softly.
“The Ye Clan is going to have its hands full.”
Samcheon nodded. Unintentionally, she had taken her revenge.
“I suppose I shouldn’t have said anything.”
Geum, who had been standing uncertainly, spoke timidly. Gyesan patted her back enthusiastically.
“No, you did well. Come on, let’s go to the Yeonmujang! The master should be arriving soon.”
Geum’s long lashes fluttered as she glanced away.
“May I really train alongside you?”
“Of course. Samcheon, you go wash and change.”
“Yes.”
The moment Samcheon stepped inside, the gates of Mokseo Palace opened again. A stream of attendants entered and bowed formally before Gyesan at the entrance.
“Seonhye, lady-in-waiting to the Queen, comes before the Princess.”
“What brings you here?”
Seonhye got straight to the point.
“His Majesty has prepared a gift for you. He has set aside a special villa for your use. Please go there to rest and restore yourself, and return refreshed. It should be a most pleasant journey.”
At the mention of a gift, Gyesan’s eyes brightened with interest.
“Where am I going?”
“There is a beautiful villa near Jeongheonseng with its own hot springs.”
“Hot springs?”
Anticipation welled up in Gyesan’s eyes.
“You need prepare nothing. We will come to fetch you in three days’ time. A carriage will be arranged for you alone.”
Seonhye bowed respectfully and took her leave. Gyesan bounced with delight.
“Samcheon! A special villa! Hot springs!”
Once Seonhye had gone, Samcheon appeared and smiled warmly.
“You seem very pleased?”
“It’s the first gift His Majesty has sent me. I’ll boast about it to my brother when he visits tomorrow.”
Gyesan hummed contentedly as she led Geum toward the Yeonmujang.
At last able to bathe, Samcheon entered the bathhouse and immediately stripped off her mud-stiffened clothes. She washed her filthy hands first, then filled the tub with water.
As she moved to step into the full tub, Samcheon paused.
An unexpected gift from the King.
‘The Queen Mother must have arranged this?’
Or perhaps it was the Hae Clan who had seen to it—though that was a far grimmer thought.
Either way, the gift had already arrived. Whatever lay inside, she would have to open it. She could only hope that the Queen Mother’s goodwill was behind it.
The following day, when Hae arrived at Mokseo Palace and heard the situation from the others, she made an announcement.
“I’ve made up my mind. I’ll postpone the Meeting for Marriage Proposal and go with you instead. I need to speak with my mother.”
Hae left with that confident declaration and did not return.

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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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