Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 86

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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 Eighty-Six
A faint smile touched Hwaran’s face.
“Thank you for saving me.”
Her voice was hoarse, her complexion ashen.
And yet Hwaran was beautiful. This was the first time Sam-cheon had seen her up close, and the rumors that she was the most beautiful of all the princesses did not seem exaggerated.
Once Ju-hong had finished tidying herself, she approached and bowed.
“I am Ju-hong, a lady of Dongbaek Palace. I serve Prince Buyeo Hui.”
The introduction felt awkward—an odd pairing, truly.
“Yes. I am grateful to you both. I shall convey my thanks separately to my two younger brothers.”
As Hwaran’s voice trembled thinly, Sam-cheon regarded her in silence.
It was an age when one could scarcely choose one’s own path in life. And yet even in circumstances where one had no choice but to accept what was given, there were those who struggled against it.
She could have excused herself and departed right then, but her feet would not obey. Had she not once relied on Hwaran’s help to escape Lady Hae?
After a moment’s deliberation, Sam-cheon released a shallow sigh and spoke.
“I trust this is not what you intended. May I ask why you staged such a performance?”
Sam-cheon’s question made the air turn cold in an instant.
“What do you mean by that?”
She truly lacked talent for deception. Not only Hwaran, but the attendants and guards as well—even the brigands’ eyes wavered.
Well-intentioned people, all of them, but hopelessly clumsy.
It was hard to turn away from such ineptness.
“Had Your Highness been truly resolved to disfigure yourself, you should have had your escort’s arm or leg severed. Only then could you have deceived His Majesty.”
Hwaran’s face, which had worn a guarded expression, flushed red in an instant.
“How dare you speak so presumptuously!”
“If you wish to deceive others, you must first master your eyes. Your Highness was not afraid—you were grieving. And the moment Arang saved you, discomfort crossed every face present.”
Hwaran bit her lower lip. Though color had risen to her ears and throat, she persisted in denial.
“It is a misunderstanding. I was simply unguarded in the shock of the ambush.”
“If it was not a performance, then those attending Your Highness must face punishment. Before that, we dispose of these brigands. They attacked Your Highness—I shall execute them on the spot.”
Sam-cheon spoke coldly and turned away.
Quick-witted Sancho pressed his blade to the throat of one of the brigands he held. Ju-hong, who had not grasped the situation, also drew her sword to another brigand’s neck and asked uncertainly.
“Shall we kill them all? Or leave one alive?”
Hwaran froze. Immediately her eyes began to waver, and her beautiful face contorted.
“Stop! You’ve ruined everything. That’s enough.”
At Hwaran’s cry, all expressions shifted. Not only Hwaran’s palace attendants but even the brigands could not hide their distress.
Ju-hong and Arang looked startled, but only Sancho shrugged as if he had expected it.
“If I may ask—what reason did you have for naming us as witnesses?”
Hwaran opened her mouth with an air of resignation.
“I must return to Silla.”
Hwaran had married a man of True Bone rank in Silla. Her husband, renowned for marital harmony, had fallen in battle, and having no children with him, she had returned to Baekje.
More precisely, the King had sent an envoy to bring her back by force. Because Hwaran remained beautiful. The King had already chosen her new husband.
But Hwaran made clear that she wished to return to Silla even if it meant scarring her face.
“I have a son.”
As Sam-cheon understood it, Hwaran had no children. If she had, the King would never have forced her back.
Hwaran continued, her expression sorrowful.
“When I arrived in Silla, Hoya was not yet two years old. His birth mother, I was told, never held him once and passed from this world. Even when I held him clumsily, he did not cry. He never whimpered once. I promised Hoya I would return to him.”
As Hwaran’s voice wavered with tears, the brigands simultaneously lowered their heads.
They were all in on this together, then.
In that moment, Arang stepped forward and swept back her bangs with a bloodied hand. A scar emerged, running from beneath the corner of her eye across her cheek.
Silence fell.
Even Sancho, who followed her everywhere, wore a startled expression. He had known of the scar’s existence, but she always grew her bangs long to conceal it, so he had never seen it clearly.
Arang, having laid bare her shame, spoke.
“My mother gave me this with a blade.”
Hwaran asked as if unable to believe her ears.
“What?”
“So I would not be sold. It destroyed my value and prevented sale, but every time my mother saw my face, she wept. Would you not weep as well if you learned of such circumstances?”
Her words, devoid of inflection, shook Hwaran.
“Then what am I to do? I must return to Hoya.”
Her voice emerged as though strangled.
“Sancho, release them.”
As Sam-cheon’s command fell, Sancho awkwardly began unbinding the brigands and exchanged strained greetings with them. Watching this, Sam-cheon made a decision.
“I will help you.”
“You will corroborate the story?”
Hope kindled in Hwaran’s face.
“Your Highness may find a way to return to Silla without injury.”
At this theoretical response, Hwaran’s hope dimmed. She had wept and pleaded, yet could not move the King’s heart.
“No such way exists. His Majesty is not a man to be reasoned with.”
Though Hwaran’s response was skeptical, Sam-cheon’s voice carried conviction.
“If no way exists, then we shall create one.”
“What?”
Hwaran asked again, unable to believe what she had heard.
An elderly woman who had been listening quietly stepped closer to Hwaran and whispered in her ear. Something shifted in Hwaran’s eyes, and her gaze turned toward Sam-cheon.
“Are you Gye-san’s strategist?”
“The rumors are exaggerated. I am merely a lady of the palace. Your Highness, might I examine this child’s hand?”
As Sam-cheon indicated Arang, Hwaran nodded.
“Do so.”
With permission granted, Sam-cheon withdrew a handkerchief and stanched Arang’s bleeding hand.
“Have it properly treated when we return.”
“The wound matches the one on your hand, doesn’t it?”
Arang spoke almost to fill the silence, as if embarrassed.
“That is something to be proud of. Take better care of yourself.”
“I couldn’t see anything for a moment. I apologize.”
Sam-cheon could easily discern why Arang had stepped forward. She knew too well how harsh the world’s gaze was upon a woman whose face had been marred.
“You hoped that others would not suffer the same pain you have. You have a kind heart.”
At Sam-cheon’s words, Arang bowed her head deeply.
“You see me far too kindly.”
After organizing her thoughts during the treatment, Sam-cheon stood before Hwaran once more.
“There is a way.”
“Tell me.”
It was simple: make the King wish to send Hwaran back to Silla.
“Your Highness, do you have sufficient funds at your disposal?”
Hwaran’s brow furrowed.
“Are you demanding payment?”
“The Celestial Maiden dwells nearby. Through negotiation, she will provide the Prophecy you require.”
Hwaran had heard the rumors of the Celestial Maiden. But that she would offer a prophecy through transaction?
“Does the Celestial Maiden truly fulfill requests?”
“Only the heavens know the truth. But the people have faith in her, so if you gain her aid, it will be efficient. We shall need to mobilize many.”
At that moment, Sancho, who had been keeping watch, cried out loudly.
“The Celestial Maiden approaches!”

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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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