Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 44

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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 44
After finishing her words, Geum grew timid for no reason and lowered her head.
Hui, who had been scratching the tip of her nose with a finger, answered lightly.
“Don’t be like that.”
“Pardon?”
“What are you so startled about? If you dislike it, continuing to call me that is harassment, isn’t it?”
Geum’s lips trembled.
Had she not meant to harass her all this time? It was bewildering, but somehow she felt she had come to understand Hui a little better.
When they arrived at Yeonhwa Palace, palace attendants had been forced out and were kneeling. Among the gathered, murmuring crowd, soldiers who had finished their search bundled the attendants together like dried fish and dragged them away.
Geum, her face pale, watched the attendants being dragged away and asked.
“What is happening?”
“An investigation has begun by the King’s order.”
Geum recalled what Baek, the senior concubine, had said—that someone seemed to be attacking Hae, the junior concubine.
Her mother’s death and Deoksim’s poisoning. Geum suspected Hae of being the culprit in both incidents.
Or perhaps someone who suspected Hae of being responsible for a different crime was seeking revenge.
Wicked people rarely commit just one wrong.
Geum silently rooted for that unknown person. It was the only thing someone powerless like her could do.
“I wish there were such a thing as Heavenly Punishment.”
It was almost a whisper, but someone answered.
“That’s right. Those who break their promises receive Heavenly Punishment.”
At the bright voice, Geum turned and saw a girl her own age standing there. She was about to ask who it was when Hui’s face hardened.
“What is it? You again?”
“I am Habin of the Ye Family, paying my respects to Prince Hui.”
Though she bowed with graceful bearing, Hui’s scowl did not soften.
“Don’t pay your respects. Just go.”
She waved her hand dismissively, yet Habin took another step closer undeterred.
“I have no choice but to come, as you have broken a promise made to this girl.”
Contrary to her soft, rippling smile, her eyes were taut with displeasure. Yet Hui could not fathom the reason.
“I broke a promise?”
“We agreed to maintain the marriage arrangement. I was told Your Highness shared that intention.”
Her accusatory tone left Hui exasperated.
She had been playing the heaven-blessed maiden, it seemed—she had lost her fear. But since she had been helpful, Hui decided to be kind.
“Do your family elders not share what they are handling? They explain nothing to a mere child and use you like a game piece, it seems.”
Habin felt uncomfortable at the look that pitied her, and her eyes flashed.
“What do you mean?”
“That the talks have concluded—between the Crown Prince, our house, and yours.”
All Habin had heard was a notice to maintain the marriage arrangement for the time being. That was why she had come directly to confront Hui, believing her to have broken her word.
‘If that’s not it—’
Habin switched her manner as if turning her palm over.
“I have been rude. Might I trouble you to explain the situation?”
“My mood is quite good today, so I might just tell you.”
She was being sarcastic, but there was no other choice. Her father would not know the situation, and if she went to the family elders, they would only scold her to do as she was told.
It was better to bow and listen to Hui instead.
“I apologize for my disrespect.”
“…It was out of consideration for the Crown Prince’s dignity. A bride cannot be taken into the household before you’ve even come of age, and if the marriage arrangement with me falters in this state, what would become of it?”
Only then did Habin understand the situation.
It seemed they had agreed to prevent other marriage proposals from entering until she came of age.
In exchange, the Baek Family would have gained something. Since the Ye Family had nothing to give, it meant the Crown Prince had promised something. It was also proof that she had won his favor.
Though the situation itself had unfolded as she wished, the fact that it had proceeded without her own consent troubled her.
The elders wished for Habin to become a puppet that moved according to her family’s will.
‘If I’m careless, I’ll be used like a game piece and then discarded.’
Her father might think surely he would not do such a thing even to his granddaughter, but Habin did not trust the family elders. Her mind grew heavy with thought, yet a smile played at her lips.
“Thank you. I was rude for not understanding the situation.”
“If your business is finished, go. Our deal concluded well, and I would prefer we never meet again.”
“I hope that wish comes true.”
Habin bowed gracefully and withdrew.
As she receded, Geum let out a long breath.
“She’s rather frightening.”
Hui watched Habin’s retreating figure and shook her head slowly. She couldn’t tell how many hair ornaments that girl had.
“Not rather—very frightening. That’s what will happen when she grows up—she’ll become like Hae.”
Because it was said in no small voice, Habin, who had heard it, let out a derisive laugh.
Unlike the junior concubine Hae, she had no intention of staking her life on the King’s favor.
It was merely a means to climb to the position of Queen.
‘Before that, I must devise a strategy to avoid Ungrateful Betrayal.’
As she returned home in thought, someone approached Habin.
“A noble person requests an audience with you.”
As the time of departure drew near, Seonhye arrived with two new sets of clothes. These were not the garments left at Byeolgung, so they seemed to have been hastily prepared in just a day, and they fit Gyesan and Samcheon perfectly.
Samcheon adjusted Gyesan’s garments. After applying fragrant hair oil and combing her hair, she gathered it in a half-knot.
“Yellow truly suits Your Highness.”
“Everything suits me!”
“That’s true.”
Samcheon laughed cheerfully. Thinking of returning to Mokseo Palace made her smile of its own accord. She wanted to go back as quickly as possible.
Gyesan, feeling the same way, smiled broadly and said.
“Let’s go now.”
“Yes.”
There was only Gyesan’s sword, the Speaking Dagger, and the Money Pouch they had carefully brought to gather.
When they stepped outside the barracks, a carriage was waiting. Gyesan and Samcheon climbed aboard. It was not quite as grand as the one they had arrived in, but it looked sturdy.
The carriage departed under the escort of the soldiers who would accompany them.
Many people had already gathered along the road. As Gyesan’s procession approached, they all bowed their heads in unison. Only after the carriage had completely passed did they cautiously raise their heads and speak.
“They say that princess will become the Undefeated General.”
“She single-handedly defeated bandits, they say.”
“No, what I heard was that she rescued the young woman from the lower village who had been kidnapped. She came home just yesterday.”
“You know that hunter who was going around looking for a tiger to take revenge? His daughter came home too, they say.”
“What a blessing she is.”
“She might just be the one to end this miserable war.”
As praise and hope mixed in the voices that continued to follow, Gyesan grew embarrassed and shut her eyes tightly.
“The rumors are being exaggerated.”
“It will die down soon.”
“I hope so.”
It was as Gyesan looked around.
Among the people with bowed heads, the Hunter appeared. He was holding his daughter’s hand firmly, smiling brightly.
Without needing to exchange words, one could see that the two of them were happy.
“Your Highness, this journey seems not to have been without meaning.”
“That’s true. My heart feels rather warm.”
“Mine too.”
We met good people and became good people to someone. For no reason, a soft smile spread across her face when a small voice was heard.
[Can I say something?]
It was a voice so faint you had to strain to hear it.
“Just a moment.”
Samcheon looked around as if admiring the view. Fortunately, there was no soldier close enough to the carriage.
As Samcheon quickly lowered the curtain and nodded, Gyesan answered.
“If it’s quiet enough not to be heard outside, feel free to speak. They’ll think it’s you and me talking.”
[Are you really leaving those bad guys behind?]
“Those men will pay for their crimes.”
As Gyesan spoke with resolve, the voice added quietly.
[Don’t give them even a sip of water. Let them starve to death.]
It was her first truly vindictive statement.
Could it be that she was revealing her true nature the moment she got out?

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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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