Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 47

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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 47
“Then I shall proceed with the next question. Ahem, ahem. Please describe in detail the location where you sought an escort.”
The Investigator had no choice but to begin his questioning.
“It was on the way to Sabi City. Just as I was about to head to the labor market! That’s when I met those people. By chance, as if by fate. A snake came out—a snake, you see—and I nearly got bitten. The people passing by saved me. Isn’t that impressive? It was a snake this big, but its eyes were so frightening. Do you know that snake eyes are good for your health? Anyway, they subdued it perfectly in one move. And then we sat around resting and talking. That’s when they agreed to escort us.”
Samcheon, who had answered in such a scattered way, broke into a bright smile.
Confronted with such disconnected speech, the Investigator felt stifled and breathless. Yet by now he could no longer even express his exasperation.
“So you’re saying you hired escorts active in the vicinity of Jeonghyeon City?”
“No. They said they were just passing through. It turned out they were heading to Sabi City anyway. That’s quite a remarkable thing, isn’t it?”
“Then are they currently within Sabi City?”
“They could be, or they may have already left.”
“Do you know their final destination?”
“I don’t.”
Samcheon laughed brightly.
The Investigator glanced at Hui once, then regained his composure.
“……I shall move on to the next question.”
“So they hired the escorts, and in exchange for escorting them to Sabi City, they offered two Gold Pieces.”
Gyesan, who had been explaining the situation, drew one breath.
Fortunately, she seemed not to have misspoken. Gyesan continued, praising her own memory.
“They happened to discover and dispose of a hidden iron mine, but they feared having done something that went against the Jin Clan.”
Since the Great King neither interrupted nor asked questions, she was able to relay all the prepared content.
“I had been concealing my identity, so it seems they worried about future repercussions. Since they lack the power to protect those individuals, I told them to scatter to prevent any unforeseen calamity. Before we parted, I provided the Gold Pieces, and there is no way to contact them again.”
Gyesan finished speaking and lowered her head.
‘I haven’t missed anything, have I.’
She had memorized what Samcheon had told her and recited it exactly, so there should be no problem.
From now on, all she needed to say was ‘Yes, no, I am ashamed, I shall do my utmost, I dare not presume.’
She waited in tension, but the Great King did not speak easily. So Gyesan had no choice but to keep her head lowered.
Her first meeting with her father, the Great King, took place for the purpose of this report. From a distance of ten paces, he looked down at her as one might regard a subject.
There was no tenderness toward his youngest daughter, who had vanished and returned so dramatically. Only the gleam of satisfaction at having discovered her usefulness.
“It is fortunate that you have returned safely. You have eased my great burden. Cheon Gwannyo made a prophecy that you will become the Undefeated General.”
After a moment’s reflection, Gyesan found the appropriate reply.
“I am merely ashamed.”
“Accomplish results exceeding expectations next time as you have done this time.”
“I shall do my utmost.”
Gyesan answered respectfully while studying the wood grain of the Great Hall floor. She wished this moment would pass quickly.
“Is there anything you desire?”
“I dare not presume.”
“This is an opportunity for you. Think of what you wish to receive and come to me by tomorrow.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Gyesan bowed deeply.
Was she permitted to leave now? She longed to return to Mokseo Palace as soon as possible.
But the Great King spoke again.
“Let her be brought forward.”
Before the words finished, two court servants brought in a woman. It was a face Gyesan knew.
“Court Lady Danhwa is here, Your Majesty.”
Danhwa, her face gaunt, bowed her head.
“This child came to me and revealed all of the wicked deeds of Concubine Hae. I have ascertained who orchestrated the bandits who attacked you, so I shall ensure you harbor no resentment.”
Danhwa had been Concubine Hae’s trusted follower. It was strange that she had made this denunciation, knowing she herself could not escape unscathed.
“When you think of it, you are truly fortunate. Strength can be cultivated, but fortune is something one is born with.”
The Great King laughed heartily.
Ordinarily, when the other person laughs, one’s own heart blooms with laughter as well. That this did not happen suggested his laughter was feigned.
‘Samcheon must be doing well. I just need to manage my part.’
Gyesan too fashioned a smile upon her face.
In Gyesan’s inner chamber, Samcheon, Hui, and Geum gathered cozily. Gyesan lay on the bed with her belly on the mattress, munching on a Boiled Potato, and poured out the story of her audience with the Great King.
Hui, who had listened intently until the end, summarized the situation neatly.
“If that court lady confessed, then Yeonhwa Palace is finished.”
“Court Lady Danhwa will be executed, won’t she……?”
When Samcheon asked, Hui made a small nodding gesture.
“Her head will fly. What conditions did she negotiate to confess despite knowing she would surely die?”
“If you do something wrong, you should face punishment.”
Samcheon’s eyes hardened with conviction.
“Is there no way to follow up on how things proceed? Or if there were other crimes she hadn’t mentioned?”
Geum, who had been listening quietly, asked carefully. She was troubled by the thought that the secret surrounding her mother’s death might also be revealed.
Hui, who had been staring at Geum, stood up.
“Since you’re curious, I should visit the Investigation Office again. Come along if you wish.”
Geum’s downcast eyes suddenly widened.
“May I come with you?”
“Suit yourself.”
Hui turned and left briskly, and Geum hurriedly rose to her feet.
“I’ll take my leave now. See you tomorrow.”
Watching Geum scramble after her, it became perfectly clear.
“The two of you have become quite close, haven’t you?”
“Perhaps. Well, that’s good. They should get along.”
Gyesan spoke while picking up a fluffy Boiled Potato.
“Oh, and listening to the questions, it seems Yong isn’t someone from the Great King’s side.”
“Yes. Seeing how they kept confirming, I think not.”
“A merchant guild clerk I met while buying a sword turned out to be a Supreme Master and saved my life. It would actually make more sense if Yong were with Wolya’s group.”
“Could Yong possibly be with Wolya’s party?”
“Should we send someone to the guild to find out? If there’s a record of her working as a guild escort, then Yong didn’t lie.”
“The Geumtong Merchant Guild has a branch in Sabi City, so I’ll check on it.”
“I hope it was all a Fateful Coincidence.”
Samcheon shared the sentiment. It would be wonderful if they could simply feel grateful, without suspicion or wariness.
But then Gyesan began to devour her Boiled Potato. She had always liked Boiled Potatoes, but now it seemed less like eating and more like consuming them voraciously.
Samcheon peeled it carefully for her and asked, “……Has something troubled you?”
Gyesan, who had been stuffing potato into her mouth, stilled.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yes.”
Samcheon gave a small nodding gesture.
Gyesan set down the potato she had been eating onto the table and rolled over onto her back. The windows, opened wide because of the warm spell, framed a clear blue sky.
“Samcheon, what is your dream?”
“To live peacefully and happily with you in Mokseo Palace. What about yours?”
Gyesan’s was not so different.
Though it seemed a modest dream, finding peace and happiness within a palace required strength. Her safe return to Mokseo Palace and Concubine Hae’s downfall were not the result of Gyesan’s outstanding ability.
Things had simply unfolded well, as if the heavens themselves were aiding her.
That is why Gyesan wished to become the Greatest Sword of Baekje.
“I will become the Greatest Sword of Baekje. That way, I want to fulfill your dream with my own strength. That is my dream.”

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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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