Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 4

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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 Four
“Who dares speak so? Never mind—don’t answer.”
Hwa-ran’s eyes, which had gleamed with warmth until now, kindled with displeasure. So-hwa, too, crossed her arms with a grimace.
While silent words passed between So-hwa and Hwa-ran, Dae-buIn arrived. The moment she settled into her seat and began offering auspicious remarks, all attention turned toward her.
Yet Hwa-ran’s gaze kept drifting back to Gye-san.
A composure too refined for her years—flawless, unruffled.
She couldn’t tear her eyes away.
“His Majesty placed it around my neck with his own hands.”
Hae-ssi, a secondary consort, laughed like a spring breeze, tucking her hair behind her ear. As her slender, delicate fingers brushed her earlobe, the gold earring—wrought in the shape of a lotus flower—chimed and swayed.
Exclamations spilled from the lips of the other secondary consorts.
“How truly exquisite.”
“His Majesty bestows all his precious gifts upon Yeonhwa Palace.”
Hae-ssi’s eyes widened with satisfaction as she laughed.
While the Queen and the royal children gathered at Nakhwa Pavilion to enjoy the Spring Flower Gathering, the other concubines and secondary consorts lingered in nearby pavilions, conversing freely.
Though Hae-ssi had never borne a son and was attending such a gathering for the first time, she had seized control of the conversation with ease. The King’s footsteps, after all, were turning toward her.
One of the secondary consorts set down her cup and broached a new topic.
“Have you heard the rumors about a ghost haunting Jeongwol Palace?”
“Surely it’s just idle gossip?”
Hae-ssi raised an objection, yet the conversation swiftly shifted to the specter of Jeongwol Palace.
“One of the court ladies returned ashen-faced. She saw a woman in a pristine white burial robe, hair streaming loose, standing in the courtyard of Jeongwol Palace. And there were sounds of weeping.”
“Heavens.”
“Kim-ssi did die unjustly. The killer was never caught.”
“She had only just caught His Majesty’s eye again when it happened—no wonder her resentment lingers.”
“Poisoning, no less. A dreadful business.”
The secondary consorts each contributed their words while casting sidelong glances at Hae-ssi.
Jeongwol Palace was where the King kept a woman of humble station.
For the past ten years, Hae-ssi had monopolized the King’s affection. But his heart was like a reed in the wind, and last autumn it turned toward Kim-ssi of Jeongwol Palace.
On the very day people whispered that Hae-ssi’s time had ended, the woman in Jeongwol Palace suddenly departed this world.
The cause: poison.
The King’s favor returned to Hae-ssi. People suspected she had poisoned Kim-ssi.
“A tragedy that should never have occurred.”
It was then, as Hae-ssi lowered her eyes as if in sorrow, that a commotion arose. One of the court ladies announced:
“The gathering has concluded.”
The ladies exchanged light farewells before departing the pavilion. Hae-ssi straightened her robes and rose to leave.
Spotting Gye-san proved effortless—she was the shortest among them, and her gait commanded attention. None could say when she’d grown so graceful; the effect was unmistakable.
Other secondary consorts who noticed Gye-san spoke up as well.
“The youngest princess has grown quite dignified.”
“My, how she’s changed in half a year.”
“Remarkable.”
Gye-san, who had attended last year alongside her mother, had been a spirited, tomboyish child. Yet in six months, she now wielded perfect Etiquette—it seemed she had become an entirely different person.
At the other ladies’ praise, Hae-ssi’s pride swelled considerably.
“The fruits of good instruction, I see. I shall take my leave now.”
Gye-san offered a graceful bow and stood beside Hae-ssi.
As Gye-san walked, maintaining impeccable posture, she glanced back briefly.
Both So-hwa and Hwa-ran were conversing with their mother.
‘I haven’t slipped up, have I?’
Gye-san reflected on her performance as she continued forward.
After parting from Hae-ssi, Gye-san entered Mokseo Palace, where Sam-cheon hurried toward her. The two exchanged a meaningful glance and made for the inner chamber.
The moment the door closed, Gye-san burst into laughter.
“Their eyes were wide as saucers. They found it so strange that I could perform Etiquette flawlessly.”
“You’ve changed so much in such a short time.”
“I already knew it all. I simply hadn’t bothered to show it.”
Gye-san shrugged off her delicate gauze robe and changed into fresh clothes with Sam-cheon’s assistance, then collapsed into a chair.
Sam-cheon retrieved the items from the discarded robe, folded it carefully, and placed it in the laundry bin.
“Now we wait.”
“Will those two ladies really move?”
“The palace is a place where everyone’s desperate to outdo one another. This won’t simply be forgotten quietly.”
“True. Mother always warned me to be careful. She said this is a place where you can lose your nose while your eyes are open.”
“That’s why Your Highness needs a trustworthy elder to rely on.”
“My court lady is clever indeed.”
Gye-san picked up a handkerchief from among the items she’d set aside. Inside were pastries she’d brought back from Nakhwa Pavilion.
“Eat this.”
“You should have some, Your Highness.”
“I ate plenty. This was the most delicious.”
Gye-san popped a Hwa-jeon into Sam-cheon’s mouth. As Sam-cheon chewed contentedly, she urged:
“Please have some yourself, Your Highness.”
“I’m full. I might not even be hungry for supper.”
“You must stay in the inner chamber. Even if you hear commotion, don’t come out.”
“Why?”
“It’s part of the plan. Stay inside no matter how loud it gets.”
“Understood.”
Once Sam-cheon confirmed that Gye-san was settled quietly, she left the inner chamber and shut the door firmly behind her.
So far, everything had proceeded as planned.
Sam-cheon sat down on the Jjok-maru and caught her breath. As she chewed the Hwa-jeon, her eye fell on a weed poking stubbornly through the flower bed.
Sam-cheon drew near and grasped the weed. With all her strength, she wrenched at the stem—and it came free, roots and all.
The stem was tough enough to make her palm tingle, but she’d succeeded. This cursed weed keeps returning no matter how many times you pull it. Sam-cheon set the pulled weed aside and searched for the next one.
Simply removing the weeds that push through the flowers makes the garden feel less desolate. She gripped the next target with vigor, but this time the sensation was different.
It came away smoothly, and the stem was tender. It wasn’t a weed after all.
“I’m sorry.”
Sam-cheon apologized to the nameless plant and replanted it, drawing loose soil back over it and patting it gently. Now that she thought of it, she remembered a small white flower blooming in this spot.
Perhaps it would blossom again this year.
With dirt-smudged hands, Sam-cheon scratched her nose and fixed her gaze on the gate of Mokseo Palace.
If her calculations were right, Hae-ssi would appear soon.
‘Why hasn’t she come?’
Unease crept in. If another visitor arrived first, the plan could unravel. The tension stretched on, and her stomach began to churn.
As Sam-cheon exhaled deeply, the gate of Mokseo Palace swung open violently. Hae-ssi stormed through like an enraged bull.
‘She’s here.’
Fury blazing to the tips of her hair, Hae-ssi raised her hand and struck Sam-cheon across the face without warning.
Crack!
Sam-cheon’s head snapped to the side and her body lurched.
Sam-cheon reflexively touched her cheek. Before the sting could fade, Hae-ssi’s harsh voice fell:
“What were you whispering to the princess? How dare you have her bring food prepared by your hands?”
“I beg your pardon.”
Sam-cheon collapsed at Hae-ssi’s feet, trembling.
Her mouth tasted of blood. Whether from pain or sorrow, tears welled in her eyes.
To avoid a second blow, she feigned fear and quivered—then heard Hae-ssi’s cold voice descend from above:
“Lift your head.”
Sam-cheon clenched her teeth to avoid biting her tongue and raised her head. As if waiting for this, Hae-ssi’s hand lashed out sharply.
Crack.
Hit on the same spot, Sam-cheon fell sideways. Bracing herself did nothing to lessen the pain. A whimper of agony escaped her lips involuntarily.
“Stop whining and lift your head.”
Just as Hae-ssi gave this new command, the inner chamber door burst open and Gye-san rushed out.
“How dare you strike Sam-cheon!”

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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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