Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 59

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 59
“Well, I don’t know. Go home and see for yourself.”
Her father spoke while avoiding her gaze.
“You’ll understand once you’re there.”
A transparent evasion.
“Yes.”
Sam-cheon answered and stepped outside. She must have sensed this was goodbye, and yet no parting words came.
‘Why did he tell me to go home?’
Having come this far, visiting her childhood home wasn’t a bad idea. She wanted to take something that would help her remember her mother.
If anything remained, that is.
Before heading back, Sam-cheon sought out the Physician and handed him a silk purse. The coins inside clinked against one another as she set it down.
“I’ve put in enough.”
The Physician’s face brightened considerably as he opened the hefty purse and peered inside.
Someone had brought in a man collapsed on the roadside. His life had hung by a thread, and since he carried an identity token, treatment began immediately—but there wasn’t a copper piece to his name.
He couldn’t very well turn away a patient he’d managed to save, and the situation had grown awkward.
“……Thank you. I’ve noted it on the chart, but his condition isn’t improving. As things stand now—”
“I don’t want to know.”
Sam-cheon cut him off, and the Physician seemed taken aback. He’d surely assumed she’d be naturally curious and concerned about her father’s state.
“Pardon? But surely—”
“Please care for him well.”
Sam-cheon bowed her head briefly, then turned and left without hesitation.
She’d done the bare minimum her duty demanded. That was enough.
The entire walk to the exit was blank, thoughtless. How could she reminisce over memories that weren’t good? She was caught only in the thought that this might be the last time.
Sam-cheon kept her eyes on the ground as she walked and crossed the threshold. When she closed the gate behind her, her chest felt cold. She exhaled slowly, steadying herself.
The moment she raised her head, Buyeo Hui came into view. He stood on the market street in robes of the finest silk—impossible not to notice.
Of course, his face would have caught her eye first even if he’d worn sackcloth.
Buyeo Hui, spotting her emergence, approached with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Did the meeting go well? Nothing troublesome?”
“No.”
Nothing had happened, to her relief.
But then Buyeo Hui suddenly furrowed his brow. She wondered what was the matter when—
“Don’t cry. When you cry, I feel obligated to do whatever you ask, and it annoys me. Besides, you’re dreadfully plain when you weep.”
“I’m not at all—”
Sam-cheon couldn’t finish. She felt tears streaming down her cheeks. She truly wasn’t upset—how strange.
She quickly wiped the tears away with her sleeve and composed herself.
“The wind was strong. Something blew into my eyes, I think.”
“The weather must be poor.”
“Indeed.”
Buyeo Hui, graciously accepting the lie, snapped his fingers absently.
“Hmm?”
“Hold out your hand.”
As Sam-cheon unconsciously extended it, Buyeo Hui produced a heavy purse and set it in her palm. As he withdrew, his fingertip brushed hers.
From that fleeting touch came warmth, and her fingers tingled.
“What is this?”
“Preserved jujubes. I was growing bored waiting, so I bought some.”
“Thank you.”
Sam-cheon gripped the silk purse tightly in her hand.
“Do you head back to Sabi now?”
“Well, I thought I’d stop by my home first.”
“Home? Why the sudden change?”
“It’s only half a day’s journey from here. I’ll stay here tonight and visit my village tomorrow morning before returning.”
“Tomorrow……”
Buyeo Hui showed signs of wishing to accompany her, but Juhong shook his head violently.
They were on their way to Ungjin-seong, summoned by the Secondary Wife Baek-ssi. Sam-cheon was heading in the opposite direction and had declined, yet they’d insisted on coming anyway—already two days behind schedule.
Sensing Juhong’s urgency, Sam-cheon spoke first.
“Thank you. I’ve felt secure with your company.”
“Of course.”
Buyeo Hui examined the faces of the soldiers who’d come as escort.
Sancho, a man of over six feet with a sturdy frame, possessed keen senses and keen perception—he’d distinguished himself as a scout for the Gyeon-hwon Forces. Beside him stood a girl whose face was half-hidden by her hair: Arang. Though slender, she possessed the strength to handle two or three grown men without difficulty.
Both were regarded as promising talents within the Gyeon-hwon army. Yet since Buyeo Hui seemed dissatisfied, Sam-cheon offered quietly:
“I’ve brought Irae as well.”
Only then did Buyeo Hui’s expression ease.
“With Irae, I can rest easy. She’s better than most soldiers, isn’t she?”
Buyeo Hui naturally continued on his way.
Irae, kept in his inner pocket, vibrated gently—apparently pleased by his words.
[See? The prince actually knows a thing or two. But Sam-cheon’s always telling me to sit still.]
Buyeo Hui leaned his body toward Sam-cheon to converse with Irae. Drawing so close meant he was about to say something others shouldn’t hear.
“Sam-cheon nags constantly, yet you do whatever you please anyway, don’t you?”
His subtle tone implied something more.
Surely not.
Sam-cheon’s eyes went wide.
“Has Irae caused trouble again?”
[What did I do now? Nothing!]
As Irae hastily protested, Buyeo Hui’s lips curled with amusement.
From his playful expression alone, it was clear. Irae had struck again.
Of late, Irae had taken to casting minor curses on those who displeased her—typically those who challenged Sam-cheon or spoke rudely to her.
“Who’s the victim this time?”
Bracing herself, Sam-cheon asked. Buyeo Hui’s lips quirked up slightly.
“It seems His Majesty hasn’t been able to use the privy of late.”
[Heh. That’s nothing but affection, isn’t it? I’ve done worse things.]
“I support her fully.”
Good heavens.
Sam-cheon covered her face with one hand. It seemed Irae had cast something rather nasty. Served him right, perhaps, but there was a problem.
“If the symptoms persist, the palace attendants will suffer.”
“They’re suffering regardless. In a few days, it sounds like heads will roll.”
Buyeo Hui’s indifferent manner made Sam-cheon’s pupils constrict.
“That… that can’t be allowed.”
Sam-cheon’s head spun. Innocent palace attendants would lose their heads for nothing.
It might simply mean losing their positions, but there was every possibility it meant literally losing their heads.
[This king or whatever he is, his character is really terrible.]
“He’s somewhat like that, yes.”
Buyeo Hui readily joined in condemning his father.
[Like some petty, narrow-minded fool.]
“That too is accurate.”
[I don’t want innocents to suffer. I’ll lift the curse. Thanks for telling me.]
Sam-cheon, relieved, interjected into the conversation.
“You can lift it from this distance?”
[I only need to cut off the curse flowing from me. Distance is no obstacle.]
From Irae’s response, it seemed the palace attendants’ lives could be saved.
As they spoke, they arrived at an inn with a roof like a whale’s back. It was the only inn in the area.
Sam-cheon stepped inside and spoke to the innkeeper.
“I’ll need two rooms.”
The innkeeper, stroking his carefully groomed mustache with the back of his hand, answered regretfully.
“I apologize, but I have no rooms to offer. A person of noble station is staying with us. We appreciate your understanding.”
Royalty and high nobility typically rented entire inns. If no rooms were available, she might as well stop at her home first. If no suitable space appeared, sleeping in the courtyard would suffice.
As she turned to leave, Buyeo Hui stepped past Sam-cheon and came forward.
“A person of noble station?”
Speaking as though the matter were trivial, Buyeo Hui casually produced the Jade Token that marked his royal lineage. The moment the innkeeper caught sight of the identity token dangling from Buyeo Hui’s hand, his eyes bulged wide.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————