Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 70

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

Chapter Seventy
It was a pathetic answer, yet she felt no anger at all. Perhaps it had been foolish to believe anything could change. The lady of the house, Baek, spoke with a look of despair.
“Rather than that, is it not more important to uphold the teachings your father left—to protect the Baek Clan well? I will not stand idle and watch our house crumble in your generation. So, aside from the fact that you are the firstborn, tell me why you deserve to inherit everything.”
Tae’s lips sealed shut. His eyes, unable to find an answer, wavered aimlessly as if chased. He knew well that he possessed not a single advantage over Buyeo Hui.
He was not quick-witted, nor had he applied himself to his studies. Having grown up in Ungjin Fortress, he lacked the deep connections to the royal house that someone like Gye-san possessed, and his reputation among men was wanting. Fortune, too, seemed to elude him.
Even his appearance fell short.
As the lady of the house waited for his answer, she spoke again.
“It seems you have nothing to present. If you find even one thing, come to me again.”
“Yes, Mother.”
As Tae turned to leave, his face was twisted with anguish.
The Baek Clan had always been meant for him to inherit. Why must he endure such an ordeal to receive what was already his? His frustration transformed swiftly into rage.
This was all Buyeo Hui’s fault.
Tae’s footsteps echoed down the corridor with heavy thuds.
Four days after arriving in Ungjin Fortress, Nuri remained at Sam-cheon’s side.
“Is that what you call hiding?” Buyeo Hui asked, as if bewildered.

Nuri peeked out from behind Sam-cheon’s skirts, eyes wide.
The prince was still an object of fear. Even knowing that Buyeo Hui had helped in the rescue, nothing had changed.
Sam-cheon laughed at how adorable Nuri’s shyness was.
Buyeo Hui, oddly irritated by this, spoke with a critical edge.
“Why do you laugh so much, Sam-cheon? Life must be quite pleasant for you.”
“Is a smiling face not better than one burdened by all the world’s sorrows?”
“Well, that much is true.”
Still carrying Nuri, Sam-cheon gathered the Account Book and returned. “This is the only ledger with problems. I’ve marked the sections that need review with a leaf bookmark.”

Buyeo Hui took the Account Book and began scanning it at once.
Sam-cheon stroked Nuri’s hair, still clinging to her skirts, then waited quietly.
She had intended only to deliver Nuri and depart, but unable to locate her father, she found herself settling in Ungjin Fortress.
To pass the time, she occupied herself verifying the ledgers of the Trading Company that Buyeo Hui had inherited. No one had asked her to, yet she felt obliged to earn her keep.
After reviewing the final leaf bookmark, Buyeo Hui set the Account Book down. “It seems cleanly managed overall.”

“Looking at the problematic sections, I noticed one name appearing repeatedly. I believe removing just that one person will resolve matters.”
“I dismissed him on the first day. He caused problems everywhere.”
A broken vessel leaks both inside and out.
Just then, light footsteps sounded on the stairs. Turning, Buyeo Hui saw Arang.
“Nuri, come eat rice cakes!”
“Yes!”
Nuri answered brightly and released Sam-cheon’s skirts, rushing downstairs. Sam-cheon and Buyeo Hui’s gazes followed her, then naturally turned toward each other.
“Defeated by rice cakes, I see.”
“Yes. I am less appealing than rice cakes. I worry—we must find Nuri’s father soon.”
When told he worked at the City Gate, she had thought finding him would be simple once she reached Ungjin Fortress.
But he had taken leave days ago and disappeared. Nuri’s mother had passed away at birth, so there was only her father.
“I’ve sent people to search. It won’t take long. By the way, where is that male escort you used to carry around?”
“I sent him to his home village.”
Buyeo Hui recalled the dream Sam-cheon had spoken of. Had she not mentioned people in hiding?
“You should have told me. If those men are still about, I could have sent troops to capture them.”
“You’ve already helped so much. This time, I received tremendous aid. How could I ever repay such kindness?”
“Let the Account Book review settle it. Have you visited the Public Square?”
“Yes. I went this morning.”
The Public Square was crowded with people. Burlap had been spread in the center, upon which lay the bodies of the criminals.
They announced a reward for anyone with information about the shameless abductors of the child and woman, yet no one came forward.
People merely spat on the corpses or threw stones as they passed.
“Everyone in Ungjin Fortress knows what those men did.”
“I made sure of it,” Buyeo Hui said with a touch of pride.
Just then, Ju-hong appeared at the top of the stairs.
“Your Highness, the lady of the house requests your presence at the Tea House.”
“Understood. I’ll go at once.”
Even as Buyeo Hui answered, Ju-hong lingered, hesitating before adding carefully:
“She… she asked that both of you come.”
Both? The only two people here were Buyeo Hui and Sam-cheon.
“Me?” Sam-cheon asked, eyes widening.

The place Buyeo Hui led her to was a two-story building on the main avenue of Ungjin Fortress. It was called a Tea House, yet it resembled a residence more closely.
To the left stood a fabric shop; to the right, an incense dealer. The clamor of commerce filled the air. The scent of sandalwood drifted from the incense shop, carried away on the breeze.
As they approached, the door opened as if in greeting. Crossing into the courtyard, Sam-cheon saw a line of attendants bowing deeply to receive them.
Buyeo Hui and Sam-cheon naturally ascended the staircase connecting to the second floor.
The first thing to catch the eye was the silver-blue silk hanging in the window, rippling like gentle waves. Beyond the tall window, people moved busily along the avenue below, their movements resembling a theatrical performance.
The spacious room held a single large table, its only decoration a painting that covered an entire wall—a Landscape Painting depicting graceful peaks, with birds rendered in meticulous detail flying between the slopes.
“When Mother wishes to be alone, she uses this place. Sometimes she invites guests here to take tea.”
“Nestled between bustling shops like this, the atmosphere is rather peculiar,” Sam-cheon observed.
Though the surroundings hummed with activity, this room held a serene quietness.
Buyeo Hui pulled out a chair and sat. Then he gestured to Sam-cheon.
“Sit.”
“Me?”
Sam-cheon’s eyes widened, and Buyeo Hui smiled faintly.
“This is not the palace. You are my mother’s guest.”
“Then I shall sit.”
Sam-cheon pulled out a chair and sat. Buyeo Hui seemed to find something delightful in the situation.
“This is a place where truly honored guests are received.”
“Then why was I summoned?” Sam-cheon asked.
“Perhaps to praise you for rescuing the child.”
The moment Buyeo Hui thought there was no particular reason for the summons, he offered another explanation.
“Or perhaps she’s discovered who owns the Tile House.”
Had she uncovered the identity of that madman who had locked people in earthenware jars? It was sooner than expected, yet entirely possible if it was Baek.
“That must be it.”
As Sam-cheon swallowed, a woman who had been standing at the entrance climbed the stairs and announced:
“The lady of the house will arrive shortly. Please enjoy some refreshments first.”
She set Flower Tea and Flower Pancakes on the table. Buyeo Hui surveyed the neatly arranged spread and reached for a cup at once.
“This is my favorite tea. Try some.”
At his offer, Sam-cheon lifted her own cup. The clear fragrance of the tea tickled her nose.
“I think the Crown Princess would enjoy this as well.”
“I’ll have some packed for you on the way out.”
“Thank you.”
Sam-cheon accepted without hesitation, and a smile bloomed on her lips as she pictured Gye-san’s delight.
“Are you truly so fond of Gye-san?”
“Of course I am.”
Her answer was clear and certain, which made Buyeo Hui laugh.
“I like the way you two care for each other. What is truly precious cannot be bought with treasure. Given the depth of your affection, the path ahead shall be—”
Sam-cheon took another sip of tea, waiting for him to finish.
But Buyeo Hui shook his head slightly, his words trailing off. His eyes grew heavy and closed, and his body tilted toward the table.
Sam-cheon tried to catch him in alarm, but her limbs would not obey.
Poison? Who?
The doubt did not linger long. Her eyelids grew impossibly heavy, and the world dissolved into darkness.

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