Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 37

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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 37
‘Why… why am I here…….’
Gold’s pupils trembled.
She’d assumed they were heading to Hui’s quarters to plan something. Instead, Gold found herself in the shade of a tree overlooking the entrance to the Inner Chamber.
“Th-th-th-this place……”
Her voice shook so badly it came out bleating.
Seeing how tense Gold had become, Hui stated her purpose without making a big fuss of it.
“I’m going to greet my mother.”
“S-s-s-so s-suddenly?”
“Breathe. Just breathe.”
Gold let out the breath she’d been holding and turned to look at Juhong with anxious eyes. Juhong, who always stood behind Hui, let her gaze slip away.
‘Will I really meet the Jungburin.’
She had only heard stories about Hui’s mother, the Jungburin Baek.
As an only child of the Baek Clan, she had received heir training from the moment she learned letters. Had she not entered the palace, she would have taken a son-in-law to lead the family.
But unfortunately, she had caught the former King’s eye, and she entered the palace after receiving a promise that one of her children would be exempted from the duties of royal blood and allowed to inherit the family legacy. That was why Hui’s brother had been raised outside the palace.
Word had it she was fair-minded and discerning. But those were only rumors—she could easily lose her temper and demand Gold be thrown out on the spot.
Then Hui said something astonishing.
“Once we’re inside, act as though we’re close friends.”
“Pardon?”
“I’ll introduce you to Mother as a dear friend, so just go along with it.”
Terrified, Gold shook her head vigorously.
“How could someone like me ever be a close friend of the Crown Prince?”
“I’m not saying you actually become friends. Just play the part.”
Hui gave her an exasperated look.
“The Jungburin will despise someone like me at her side.”
“The moment you came looking for me, the news reached Mother’s ears. If she’d found you unsuitable, she would’ve sent someone to drag me away. You’ve already passed, so don’t worry.”
“Pardon?”
“If you can hold your breath for a moment, we’ll be able to confirm whether it was Hae’s doing or not. But if you’d rather, you can just turn back.”
Hui offered the choice as though granting a favor.
‘Will I really be able to reach the truth if I step inside.’
Gold gazed blankly at the decorative rafters of the Inner Chamber, then made her decision.
“I’ll hold my breath. But… I don’t have close friends, so I don’t know how to behave.”
“What?”
When Hui asked her to repeat herself, Gold dropped her head in embarrassment.
Looking at her incredulously, Hui only then realized a crucial fact about herself: she had no close friends either.
“W-well, that’s obvious enough, isn’t it? Do I really need to explain it in words?”
“If you’d explain, I’d be grateful. I apologize for my lack of experience.”
Seeing Gold’s eyes welling up, Hui faltered for a moment before finding an answer. If the relationship was one of familiarity but different station……
“Do what Samcheon-i does with Gyesan. That should about match the relationship.”
“I wouldn’t dare……”
“‘Wouldn’t dare,’ ‘I apologize,’ ‘someone like me’—those three are forbidden from now on.”
“I’ll try my best.”
Once Hui confirmed Gold’s resolve, she gave an instruction.
“Tell Mother that I’m coming with my friend.”
“Yes!”
Juhong, standing like a shadow, gave a brief answer and quickly walked toward the Inner Chamber. Gold could only stare after her in bewilderment.
Hui let out a small laugh.
“Nervous?”
“……My stomach is churning.”
“There’s nothing to worry about. She won’t be difficult for you. She’s strong with the strong and lenient with the weak.”
As Hui spoke, Juhong returned with her report.
“She says to come in at once.”
Gold swallowed hard and followed Hui into the Inner Chamber. Moving carefully in her tension, an exclamation escaped her lips without her meaning it.
The ornate decorations and elegant paintings of the Inner Chamber caught her eye, but what drew out Gold’s gasp was the stream of water flowing from deeper within. Red and gold fish swam leisurely through it.
Since Gold had only ever seen the Inner Chamber of Mukseo Palace, she was even more amazed. This chamber was less a room than a residence.
“Quite provincial, isn’t it. Come along.”
At Hui’s sharp remark, Gold snapped to attention and hurried after her.
Walking down the corridor and going in quite far, she saw a door where attendants were stationed.
As she timidly stepped inside, the Jungburin Baek welcomed her with a kind smile.
“Welcome.”
Gold offered a proper greeting and went through the introduction before being shown to her seat. In a half-dazed state, she stared down at her own hands when refreshments were promptly placed before her.
‘Is it over now.’
She couldn’t fathom why Hui had brought her here. Since there were no other instructions, it seemed she just needed to stay put, but the tension was unavoidable.
She was glancing around nervously when she reached for the teacup placed in front of her.
“If the Crown Prince threatened or forcibly brought you here, tell me now. If you’re being harassed, I can help.”
“Mother!”
“The Crown Prince, please wait a moment.”
Though caught off guard by the unexpected turn, Gold answered quickly.
“No. She treats me well.”
“The Crown Prince isn’t naturally kind, is she.”
“But she’s listened to my requests, given me advice, and offered me choices. I’m sitting here of my own will.”
Speaking with conviction before letting her gaze fall again, Gold saw a smile bloom on the Jungburin Baek’s face.
“Is that so. Then let me hear why you’ve come to find me.”
Gold turned naturally toward Hui.
“Mother, someone poisoned a palace woman in Mukseo Palace. Gyesan is away, and the only outsiders who came and went were a swordsmanship instructor and myself. I’m afraid of being falsely accused. I’d like you to find the real culprit.”
“This child could be the perpetrator, couldn’t she.”
The moment the Jungburin Baek’s gaze fell on Gold, she shrank back. Instead of the timid Gold, Hui stepped forward.
“She came to me in despair asking for help. Because of her, we were able to call the physician and treat the attendant, so it couldn’t be her.”
Seeing Hui vouch for her so firmly, the Jungburin Baek swallowed her smile.
Clearly, Gold was the type Hui would take notice of. Though she pretended otherwise, Hui was weak for those who were gentle and tender-hearted.
That’s why she’d assigned Juhong as Gold’s guard—because of her own delicate nature. In fact, other guards had found fault within days and been replaced, but Juhong stayed on.
“I’m not the culprit. I understand you’d be suspicious.”
Speaking softly to assert her innocence, Gold dropped her head again. Her eyes wavered—was it with injustice.
“It could be an act. If I’m not mistaken, you’ve only recently formed a connection with this child. Wasn’t it the day you were to spend the night at Mukseo Palace?”
“W-well, Juhong did report that.”
Hui trembled with a sense of betrayal.
“Juhong is my person. You must find someone you can trust among your own people, Your Highness.”
“Then I’ll make Gold my first. Time isn’t what matters in trust, as you yourself have said.”
As Hui spoke stubbornly, the Jungburin Baek laughed.
“Very well. I’ll find whoever used the poison for you. And I’ll make sure you can determine which palace the person came from.”
“That’s sufficient.”
“Th-thank you.”
Gold spoke with genuine gratitude.
The Jungburin Baek lifted the teacup before her, took a sip, and set it down.
“I was worried you might throw a fit about going to find Princess Gyesan. So I owe you this much help.”

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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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