Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 91

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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 91
Sam-cheon could not understand how she was receiving help from someone impersonating the Celestial Maiden. And to commission a false prophecy at that.
“Does it not displease you that a daughter of the Ye Family impersonates the Celestial Maiden?”
“I wish she’d do it better. If she wants to keep from being found out as a fake, she’ll need to work on her temperament.”
The moment Sam-cheon answered, Ha-bin emerged from the Tea House with fury burning in her eyes.
When their gazes met, Sam-cheon turned her head slightly and glanced toward the Alleyway opening to the right of the Tea House.
Sam-cheon communicated her intent through a look and moved at once. By the time she’d walked far enough into the alley that she disappeared from the main road, the surroundings had fallen silent.
Ha-bin appeared after a brief delay. She stopped before Sam-cheon and smiled softly.
“I nearly landed myself in trouble because of you.”
“I saved you from far worse trouble. There are certainly people in Sabiseong who would recognize Ha-bin.”
Sam-cheon’s eyes narrowed with what might have been feigned innocence. In truth, had the commotion grown larger, it would have been the talk of the streets for some time.
“How gracious. Since you two left, people have done nothing but mention the palace attendant’s companion.”
Ha-bin’s eyes were sharp with meaning, but Sam-cheon pretended not to notice and shifted the conversation.
“Did you come alone?”
“I’m conducting this affair without the family’s knowledge. I rode here on horseback.”
The main road connecting Sabiseong and Ungjinseong was well-maintained, so traveling alone posed little danger. Still, it was somewhat unfortunate that she had not a single trusted companion.
“Please take this.”
Sam-cheon handed Ha-bin what she had prepared.
Ha-bin took the Silk Pouch and withdrew the Letter from within, reading it through. After scanning it twice, she folded the Letter in half, and her brow creased slightly.
“On my way here, I heard children singing.”
Ha-bin waved the Letter gently as she continued.
“Will this truly be enough?”
“If I explain more specifically, it will place too great a burden on you.”
No matter how one looked at it, this was against the King’s wishes. Should Ha-bin be cornered, she would confess everything, so Sam-cheon had calibrated the details to keep the matter from spiraling.
“Every year at this season, there’s been drought. But if rain falls before this plan comes to fruition, it all fails.”
“If you need another prophecy later, I’ll send someone trustworthy.”
“Even so, if the prophecy is only of this caliber, I’m taking on far too much.”
“Discuss that with Princess Hwa-ran.”
Ha-bin’s eyes widened sharply.
“What did the palace attendant receive in return?”
“It wasn’t a transaction—it was a favor.”
Ha-bin’s mouth curved smoothly upward—a smile laden with suspicion.
“Where in this world is there favor without a price?”
Not all favors come with payment. Ha-bin seemed always to assign a value to everything, but Sam-cheon did not.
“Have you never received help or kindness without reason?”
“……Since you’ve confirmed the Letter, our business is concluded.”
Ha-bin tore the Letter into shreds on the spot. She glanced at Wol-ya’s face, then turned sharply and left the Alleyway.
Sam-cheon watched Ha-bin’s retreating form.
“Does the daughter of the Ye Family trouble you?”
“I sallied back at her mockery, but she seemed wounded by it. I felt a little sorry.”
“Ha-bin is far more ruthless than you might think. She stops at nothing. I have made preparations to bring her down whenever you wish.”
Sam-cheon turned to look at Wol-ya. In his toneless voice, he had just informed her that he could obliterate a person’s life entirely.
Because Sam-cheon was the Celestial Maiden.
The Alleyway seemed to have grown dim.
“I don’t wish for such things.”
“Understood.”
He replied still in that affectless voice, as though it mattered little to him either way if Sam-cheon approved.
Sam-cheon found herself increasingly curious about what he desired from her. As the saying went, it was better to strike first than to wait.
“Since there’s time before the ordered goods arrive, why don’t we talk for a while?”
“As you wish. Is there anything you wish to know?”
“I’d like to understand the request you mentioned you’d make when the time came. If it’s not a secret, could you tell me?”
“It’s not a secret, but it will be a long story to explain.”
He had never meant to hide it. He simply had not felt the need to share this long tale.
Sam-cheon shook her head and found a suitable place.
“Where should we go?”
“I know a place quiet enough for conversation.”
Wol-ya moved ahead, gesturing for her to follow.
Sam-cheon blinked at the sight of the Luxurious Feast laid before her.
“I hope it suits your palate.”
Wol-ya spoke with a gentle smile, then lifted his cup and wetted his lips. Once the server had withdrawn, Sam-cheon asked in a low voice.
“Is this place soundproof?”
“It is, and it’s operated by the Wol-lang-dan. Should you ever need assistance when Dam-no or I are away, you need only come here. I meant to show you this place once our business was finished.”
“I see.”
No wonder the servers had seemed excessively attentive.
“Let’s eat first. You haven’t skipped breakfast, have you?”
Wol-ya pressed again.
Sam-cheon surveyed the dishes on the table once more.
There was venison grilled over charcoal, salt-roasted flounder, braised fish strips, vegetables of five colors, and a broth studded with mushrooms—all arranged in harmonious balance. But what caught her eye most of all was the rice, gleaming with a lustrous sheen.
The spread was so meticulously presented that it seemed a shame to disturb it.
She had come to hear a story, but there was no reason to turn away such a feast.
“Thank you for the meal.”
The flounder caught her attention first.
Sam-cheon habitually drew the plate toward her and separated the fish bones from the fine spines. The flounder had few small bones, so she could pick it clean in moments.
She placed the largest piece of meat she’d cleaned onto Wol-ya’s rice bowl.
“I’ve always cleaned the fish for my family. Try it. There won’t be a single small bone left.”
“I’m fine. Please, eat.”
“Of course I’ll eat too. I don’t do this for just anyone. You’re my benefactor.”
“……Thank you.”
Wol-ya concealed his surprise and put the cleaned fish into his mouth. Long ago, there had been someone who cleaned fish for him in just this way.
A foolish sister whose face he could no longer remember, lost to the depths of time.
The mere thought of her stirred feelings that rippled up from the depths of his chest.
Wol-ya swallowed his rice in silence, and Sam-cheon began eating in earnest.
She scooped up a generous spoonful of rice, then picked up a piece of grilled chicken. It was so delicious her eyes flew open.
The food seemed to melt away on her tongue, which made finishing it all the more a pity.
Sam-cheon dispatched her first bowl of rice quickly. As she was carefully selecting a side dish with her final spoonful, Wol-ya gently offered.
“Have another bowl.”
“Should I?”
Shortly after, a fresh bowl arrived.
Sam-cheon approached the new rice with fresh resolve. Wol-ya simply watched her eat with evident contentment.
She emptied the second bowl cleanly and set down her spoon, then drained her water as well.
“I’ve eaten far too much.”
“Thanks to that, I’ve ordered my thoughts. I was uncertain where to begin.”
As he began, Sam-cheon straightened her posture.
“I’m ready.”
“I think it’s best if I start from here.”
Sam-cheon resolved to listen as impartially as possible before forming judgment, and fixed her gaze on Wol-ya. Feeling that she was giving him her complete attention, he continued.
“I am a person of Nangrang.”
So he was not a Baekje man after all, Sam-cheon thought, her eyes widening.
Nangrang was a kingdom that had fallen five hundred years ago.
Nangrang existed only in the old tale of Prince Ho-dong and the Princess of Nangrang, passed down by word of mouth. It was said to be a nation blessed by the heavens and possessed a Contamination called the Ja-myeong-go.
So the Ja-myeong-go and the Ja-myeong-ryeong truly were a pair.
“To be precise, I was the last prince of Nangrang. I was also the brother of the princess who, blinded by love, tore the Ja-myeong-go.”

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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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