Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 62

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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 Sixty-Two
Buyeo Hui sat alone on the second floor of the restaurant and finished his meal. The sound of him setting down his chopsticks rang out unnaturally loud in the quiet space, empty of other patrons.
“What on earth is Mother thinking?”
She had summoned him urgently, but her reason was unexpected.
Jung Buin Baek-ssi had handed him account ledgers and instructed him to take charge of a merchant company.
When Dae Wang married Jung Buin Baek-ssi, he had made a covenant: one of his sons would carry on the Baek Clan. Following that promise, Tae, his eldest son, had been raised outside the palace.
There were assessments of him being shallow-minded and impulsive, but it mattered little. The Baek Clan had many capable talents, and most matters turned in their hands.
So capable, in fact, that even with Jung Buin Baek-ssi—the one now leading the clan—traveling between Sabigung and Ungiin Fortress, operations ran without difficulty.
Therefore, Tae’s lack of aptitude was scarcely a problem.
Until now, he had thought it that way. But the atmosphere surrounding everything felt strangely off. After drinking water, Buyeo Hui turned to look at Ju-hong.
“How many operations is my older brother currently running?”
“None, sir. Crown Prince Tae is not involved in any business ventures.”
Then why would she entrust it to him?
Moreover, Buyeo Hui had inherited a considerable amount of land and wealth in the year he came of age. He had assumed that settled the matter of his inheritance, yet now she had handed over a merchant company.
The Ja-hyeon Merchant Company was not large in scale, but it was choice—profitable. This was no token inheritance meant to keep Tae in check.
“Tell me plainly what you think Mother’s reason was for entrusting the company to me rather than to my brother. Surely there are whispers circulating among those who work there.”
Ju-hong, who had been hedging and reading the mood, finally opened her mouth slightly.
“May I speak without filters, sir?”
“Go ahead.”
“To convey this factually, I’ll need to be somewhat blunt. Please don’t take offense.”
“Yes, go on.”
When Buyeo Hui showed irritation, Ju-hong, reassured, answered.
“Because Crown Prince Tae is a complete idiot, sir.”
Buyeo Hui’s brow narrowed. He had heard whispers from a distance, it was true.
“Is it that bad?”
“That’s a rather softened version of it.”
As Ju-hong hesitated and added her qualification, Buyeo Hui let out a sigh.
If someone as timid as Ju-hong was calling him not merely an idiot but a complete idiot, then he was beyond redemption.
“Are his tutors incompetent?”
“No amount of teaching would help, I think. He’s simply… quite slow. Incapable, filled with inferiority, short-tempered, and he treats the servants roughly. Everyone finds him difficult to serve.”
In short, he was problematic in every conceivable way. He would inherit everything the Baek Clan possessed if he could manage even middling competence, yet it was pitiful.
“I’ve only managed to trouble myself.”
As he began to contemplate what might unfold, he sensed a presence. Turning his head, Buyeo Hui spotted an unwelcome visitor and frowned.
“What brings you here? You won’t die, so why do you keep coming?”
Though Buyeo Hui spoke with derision, Ha-bin seated herself across from him as though indifferent.
“Isn’t a fortune-teller still more welcome than I am?”
“At least a fortune-teller sings a rousing tune when she comes.”
“Shall I perform a verse for you?”
Ha-bin laughed softly. Today, too, her hair was laden with ornaments.
“I already have enough to give me a headache. State your business and disappear quickly.”
“The betrothal negotiations have been stalled for quite some time. You’re being rather stingy about it.”
“It’s your own fault for spouting that nonsense about a Change of Crown Prince.”
“I have no regrets. Though it’s a shame your marriage prospects were damaged by it.”
“Enough. Get to the point.”
“I thought perhaps it’s time to break off that betrothal. If you’ll help me, I’ll provide whatever assistance you need in return.”
To break the betrothal while going against the Crown Prince’s wishes meant Ha-bin had decided to support another prince. As Buyeo Hui turned over the recent contacts Ha-bin had made, he reached a conclusion.
“You’ve settled on supporting Gyeol as your candidate?”
Ha-bin smiled like a flower.
“You’ve been keeping an eye on me, I see. How delightful.”
Since Ha-bin’s prophecy, numerous princes had been mentioned as crown prince candidates, then faded from consideration.
Recently, Gyeol’s name had been frequently discussed—he was said to combine both martial and scholarly prowess and had a reputation for virtue. The fact that his mother, So-buin, enjoyed Dae Wang’s deep favor was equally significant.
“Be cautious. Do you think His Majesty doesn’t know you’re a fraud? You could easily have your neck severed.”
As Buyeo Hui warned her, the smile faded slightly from Ha-bin’s face.
“…Are you actually concerned for me?”
“Even dislike breeds affection. Your neck being severed would leave an unpleasant feeling in my chest. So I’m telling you to temper your greed.”
“That’s even more unexpected. But it isn’t greed—it’s a goal. His Majesty already knows I’m a fraud.”
At this unexpected statement, Buyeo Hui’s mind reeled.
“He knows? Yet you’re remarkably calm about it. Or are you clinging to Gyeol out of fear?”
Ha-bin lowered her eyes and laughed softly.
“I don’t lean on anyone. But I’ll share something amusing: the prophecy about a Change of Crown Prince was His Majesty’s own directive. I’m telling you this because of the affection we’ve built over time.”
Buyeo Hui felt as though he’d been struck on the head.
So that was why—he’d overlooked the disturbance she was creating.
Since the prophecy of the Change of Crown Prince, the palace had been in utter chaos. The number of servants who had died while the princes fought one another was considerable.
Buyeo Hui rolled the ring he wore between his fingertips.
If Ha-bin spoke the truth, then the Ye Clan’s success in Ungiin Fortress was the price of it. Dae Wang seemed to have used Ha-bin to restrain the Crown Prince as he accumulated power.
“His Majesty is quite remarkable indeed.”
As bitterness crept into the corners of Buyeo Hui’s mouth, Ha-bin adjusted her posture.
“That’s how great power is. Will you grant my request? Breaking off the stalled betrothal is surely something the prince himself desires.”
“You and I aren’t the kind to ask and grant favors. If you want me to move, you’ll have to pay the price.”
“That’s cleaner.”
“Then tell me what you want.”
“In due time, hint to the Crown Prince that the prophecy about a Change of Crown Prince was false—that it came from His Majesty’s directive. You won’t need gold or silk as compensation; instead, how about I make a prophecy for you? As long as it won’t harm me, I’m willing to oblige.”
If the Crown Prince learned this truth, his relationship with Dae Wang would grow even more distant. That was likely what Ha-bin was counting on.
“You said it was out of affection, but you were planning to tell him all along.”
“You couldn’t discern truth from falsehood, so you’d have been troubled. I’m telling you it’s real, not false.”
Ha-bin smiled with infuriating prettiness as she added, “His Majesty has already guessed that the prophecy concerning the undefeated general was a transaction.”
“I suppose so.”
“You’re not surprised.”
“Do you think there are no records about the Celestial Maiden in the royal archives? I’m telling you this based on the affection we’ve accumulated so far.”
Buyeo Hui laughed with widened eyes.
[To the east.]
Sam-cheon turned her steps in the direction Irae had indicated.
Darkness had settled over the mountain path, cool and damp.
Tree branches scratched roughly across the back of Sam-cheon’s hand as she led the way. Her body flinched at the sharp pain, but she did not stop walking.
[Hmm? This isn’t the right path. I should have turned a bit west. Sorry, sorry.]
Irae knew only the direction itself. Whether mountains or rivers lay in the way mattered not to her. So it was entirely possible that once they reached the summit, she might say, “Now let’s head back down!”
Sam-cheon glanced back at Arang, who followed a few steps behind, then quickened her pace again.

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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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