Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 29

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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 Twenty-Nine
“It seems the young lady has been thoughtless and displeased Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Still, she’s not entirely without perception.
Hui made no attempt to hide her displeasure, folding her arms across her chest. The gesture made clear that while she had no intention of proceeding with this marriage arrangement, neither would she simply give Ha Bin what she wanted.
She wanted this charlatan before her to understand that the world was not so easy to manipulate. Not that she meant to push Sam Cheon into some filthy, foul-smelling pond.
As she was considering how to proceed, she noticed figures approaching Nakhwa Pavilion.
In that moment, Hui understood why the blind date had been arranged here.
Nakhwa Pavilion sat in the middle of the only path connecting the Main Palace to the Eastern Palace, where the Crown Prince resided.
Hui straightened in her seat and drew a faint smile across her lips. She crafted her eyes to shine with affection toward the woman across from her.
If she thought of the other as Gae San, it would be difficult. Ah, her gaze might carry a hint of contempt. Better to imagine she was looking at Sam Cheon instead.
When Hui changed her demeanor, Ha Bin’s eyes flickered with suspicion.
Then came a voice.
“Truly, what a well-matched pair you are.”
A man entered Nakhwa Pavilion without waiting for anyone’s permission.
“Brother!”
Hui’s face brightened considerably, while Ha Bin straightened her posture and feigned embarrassment, lowering her gaze.
“I am Ha Bin of the Ye Clan, and I bow to Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Yes. So you are the girl who will be my sister’s companion.”
His voice was kind, but his eyes that swept across Ha Bin were sharp.
Hui spoke, playing the role of the bashful sister.
“Nothing has been decided yet, brother.”
The Crown Prince’s gaze shifted to Hui, warming as it fell upon her.
“You return to the palace and don’t think to visit your brother even once. How is that?”
“Aren’t you terribly busy? I’ve learned to be a bit more thoughtful as well.”
“No matter how occupied I am, I will always have time for you.”
“Then I shall visit without hesitation.”
Hui replied with easy confidence.
“Do so. Come whenever you wish. I shall have your favorite refreshments prepared. Now, spend a pleasant time together.”
The Crown Prince gazed at Hui with kindness one final time before departing Nakhwa Pavilion. Until he disappeared completely, both Hui and Ha Bin remained silent, their heads bowed.
In truth, Ha Bin was flustered, having realized that the bond between the Crown Prince and Hui was deeper than she had anticipated.
Once the Crown Prince’s retinue had moved far enough away, Hui opened her mouth.
“I’ve been curious what you truly desire. Ordinarily, people want wealth, reputation, or power—no? It seems you’re attempting to gain reputation through deception, you’ve rejected me so you’re not fixated on wealth. That leaves power.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean, Your Highness.”
Ha Bin smiled thinly as she spoke.
“What you’re after is my brother, isn’t it?”
“I would never dare entertain such a thought.”
Ha Bin deflected, but Hui had already made her judgment. The blind date at Nakhwa Pavilion must have been arranged because her mother and the Ye Clan had come to an agreement.
To pass this marriage arrangement to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince had almost certainly consented as well.
Hui’s role here was likely to throw a tantrum about disliking the match, or perhaps to keep the marriage talks dragging on ambiguously until Ha Bin came of age.
Now that she understood her mother’s intentions, her mind grew easier.
“You’re more ambitious than you appear. Tomorrow I shall visit the Eastern Palace and tell him I was captivated by you at first sight. Our brother is not the sort to take a concubine who has won his beloved sister’s first affection.”
At Hui’s declaration that she would sabotage the arrangement, Ha Bin’s demeanor shifted.
“It seems Princess Gae San’s disappearance has weighed heavily on your heart.”
“What?”
Hui questioned her own ears, repeating the words back.
Realizing that Hui knew nothing, Ha Bin’s lips curved upward.
“You weren’t aware?”
“Gae San has disappeared?”
When Hui pressed, Ha Bin answered with newfound ease in her expression.
“There was quite a commotion last night. Everyone in the Separate Palace was killed, and only Princess Gae San and a single palace maid vanished. A dreadful affair indeed.”
Hui turned to look at Ju Hong.
When their eyes met, Ju Hong’s gaze darted away in panic. She broke into a cold sweat and did her utmost to avoid meeting Hui’s eyes, which suggested the charlatan’s words were true.
Hui’s mind began to race.
The Hae Clan?
No. They might have had some hand in it, but they wouldn’t have dared orchestrate something this severe.
“Charlatan, whose doing do you think this is?”
“Some say it was bandits, others whisper it was the Jin Clan, and still others claim it’s all a charade.”
From Ha Bin’s fragmented words, Hui pieced together the situation. Fortunately, she possessed information regarding the Jin Clan’s illegal iron mine trade.
‘His Majesty.’
The King had definitely used Gae San. Just as he had done with her other siblings.
The image of her cheerful sister and the palace maid’s face came to mind.
What sort of situation were they in now?
Sam Cheon was easily frightened.
Hui suppressed the rising anger and organized her thoughts.
The King treats his children like tools, but does not discard them lightly. They are resources to be carefully utilized even in marriage arrangements. Gae San would not abandon Sam Cheon, so both should be safe enough.
What troubles me is that Mother kept this from me. If she was certain Gae San was unharmed, there would be no reason to hide it. So some problem must have arisen.
How can I ensure Gae San cannot be used as a disposable piece? As these thoughts compounded, Hui raised her head.
“I have a commission for you.”
“Will the payment satisfy you?”
Ha Bin replied with sly precision.
“Prophesy that Baekje’s thirty-first princess will become the Undefeated General. That she will bring new territory and glory to Baekje.”
“Pardon?”
“If this prophecy reaches His Majesty’s ears, I will cooperate with your becoming a concubine to the Crown Prince. I’ll even speak well of you to him.”
“I’ve never had such a prophetic dream, so that won’t do. I’m not truly a charlatan—I can’t tell lies.”
“Gae San is eleven years old. A lie that won’t be exposed until she comes of age.”
“Your Highness, that’s impossible.”
Ha Bin answered with an infuriatingly sweet smile, and Hui smiled back.
“If you won’t do it, then you’ll have to marry me instead. I plan to lock you away in my chambers and make sure you never set foot outside. Wouldn’t you like to live that way—cherished and doted upon by someone with deep affection for you? How does that sound?”
Hui leaned back in her chair, feigning composure. Her anxiety ran deep, but she did not lose her smile.
Now, what will you do, Ha Bin?
“Could I have another bowl of rice, please!”
When Sam Cheon raised her hand eagerly, Gae San’s eyes sparkled.
The two were finishing their meal at a Soup Rice Restaurant on Market Street. The broth was made with nothing but sauce and water poured over rice, yet it had an umami taste.
“Oh, eating with such appetite makes you even prettier. Would you like more broth too?”
“Yes! Thank you so much.”
The proprietor smiled warmly at Sam Cheon’s enthusiasm and ladled generous portions of rice and broth into her bowl.
“This soup rice is really delicious.”
“They say it’s been run by the same family for four generations.”
“Is that so.”
Gae San mixed the rice into the broth and ate with relish. She ate so heartily that the bowl was soon empty. As she regretted finishing it, Sam Cheon paid for their meal.
“You two siblings get along wonderfully.”
With her tall frame and martial garb, Gae San was sometimes mistaken for a boy. Sam Cheon made no effort to correct this assumption, simply giggling in response.
“Thank you. We’ll come back tomorrow with Father.”
Sam Cheon turned to leave, waving goodbye.
“Let’s go.”
Gae San sprang up at once and followed Sam Cheon out.
They would need to spend the night in this village, so they had to find suitable lodging. After surveying the area once, they found that the small village on the outskirts of Jung Hyun City had no proper inns.
Yet Sam Cheon could not have Gae San sleep on a tavern’s common floor alongside other guests. Sam Cheon turned her steps toward a storefront she had noticed earlier.
“I’ll ask if we can rent a room and come back.”

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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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