‘Oh God, oh God...’
As she approached the end of her life, she hurried along the stone path, moving as fast as the man from Irip[1]. Palace servants weren't allowed to run, no matter what, except for very few exceptions, like the emperor. Breaking the rules meant severe consequences, possibly even losing their lives.
Aware of these strict rules, she couldn't debate them now. Her survival depended on her speed. The attendant's face turned red from cold and urgency, her breath quickening.
"We're almost at Ahyang Palace, where the concubines live." The attendant held the lantern tightly and bent forward. Palace servants always had to look down while walking, avoiding eye contact with anyone in the imperial palace, unless told otherwise.
She felt the closeness of Ahyang Palace through her fingertips. Ahyang Palace rarely closed, except when the eunuch, who served the Emperor, arrived. The solitude only seemed to intensify as the light grew brighter.
The favored concubine, expecting the emperor today, had prepared herself but was left disappointed. Her initial joy turned into hidden tears, as she suppressed her emotions alone in the brightly lit palace. Though from a noble family and accustomed to beauty, she felt jealous of the emperor's affections being diverted to another woman, minuscule as they were, unable to openly express her feelings.
The attendant noticed a flickering light on the ground, an effect caused by candles in Ahyang Palace. It seemed as if the moonlight mirrored the concubine’s pain and sorrow. While beautiful, it created a surreal atmosphere that revealed inexplicable emotions.
As the light dimmed, pity filled the attendant's heart. They heard distant cries from Ahyang Palace, hinting at something disturbing. It appeared as though the queen1Not officially the empress. Just a title to show being the favored one. I might change this to a consort. What do you think?, in distress, was taking out her frustration on someone, perhaps using it as an excuse for the emperor's absence. Listening to the cries and the sound of a whip, the attendant spoke calmly:
"Tell Her Highness I came."
The young eunuch, who had been waiting outside for the envoy, entered the palace with a notably relaxed expression. The attendant clicked her tongue inwardly. The young official, not even part of it, was displaying emotions too blatantly. In a palace where all joy and happiness were forbidden, youngsters like him could easily become targets. One day, the queen caught him and slap him on the cheek or his backside.
Shivering from the cold and trying to think of other things, the young eunuch opened the door and spoke to the attendant.
"Please come in. Her Highness is waiting."
The officer handed the lantern to the young eunuch and walked away as if lifeless. His destination was the royal palace where the queen met people from Saga or those she had liberated. Outwardly, it was a space for tea and conversation, but in reality, it served as a hideout for secret discussions.
Upon entering, the court lady, lying on the floor with her back exposed and gasping, came into the attendant's view. She had been struck so hard that her flesh tore, blood flowing like a stream. The court lady couldn't even properly cry; she kept her head down, gripping her light green blouse with trembling hands.
The attendant averted the gaze that was directed at her. She hid her hands in her sleeves, bowed, and walked with butterfly steps to the chair embedded with jewels. As she walked a few steps, she noticed an exquisite footwear. Represented on the indigo-colored footwear was a crane with spread wings.
Indigo was the color symbolizing the queen. Apart from the emperor, nobody else was allowed to wear indigo clothing. The emperor once said, "You look very pretty in that," and since then, the queen didn't permit anyone else to wear indigo clothes. Although the emperor heard her arrogant attitude, he simply laughed it off.
"Your Highness, I've come to fulfill your orders."
The attendant glanced down from her indigo shoes and spoke softly. Instead of responding, the bloodstained whip fell to the ground like lightning and rolled. The court lady's bloodstained leather whip left an ugly mark on the floor, but the queen didn't seem particularly concerned. She leaned her elbow on the armrest, rested her chin on the back of her hand, and looked at the attendant seductively.
"Raise your head."
The attendant slowly raised her head and gazed at the queen. The queen was strikingly beautiful and flirtatious. The sight, for Eunuch Ki, who had lived as a eunuch all his life except when young, stirred such lust that his bare backside warmed, and his gaze trembled slightly. Instantly realizing the queen had shaken him, he quickly lowered his eyes. Observing his pitiful state, the queen curled the corner of her lips and smiled, reclining lazily in her chair.
Her ebony hair was partly pulled back, partly left loose, resting below her ample bosom as per the emperor's preference. The indigo imperial robe was too thin for the winter season, exposing her ivory skin under the light, arousing lust.
Despite her demeanor, her round, low, and gentle eyes turned cruel. Despite being just over 20 years old, her hands, smaller and more beautiful than those of other women, clenched into a fist and forcefully struck the armrest.
"Who was the wench His Majesty summoned today?"
"Her name is Yeo So-ui, Your Highness."
"Yeo So-ui?"
The queen, pondering among the emperor's numerous concubines, furrowed her brow and said, "Is she, by any chance, the mother of the prince whom His Majesty saved today?"
The eunuch feared the queen might scream again in anger, so he swiftly responded. Delaying or answering swiftly was akin to receiving a slap, so he wanted to finish this quickly.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Upon the eunuch’s response, the queen groaned and buried her head in her hands. Her lovely brows furrowed as if consumed by agony, her hands repeatedly striking the jewel-encrusted armrests.
The news of the emperor rescuing the lost prince in his wolf form and bringing him to the palace spread widely, known to all. Most were surprised that the prince, unable to transform into a wolf, freely entered the snowy field and was left alone without being scolded. When the queen heard the news, she threw a vase and became violent.
"His Majesty has never embraced my son, My beloved! Why that prince...?!"
After the death of her first son, Crown Prince Yan, the emperor never favored his son. His affection was solely directed toward his daughters.
The queen felt inwardly relieved. Knowing that the emperor didn't favor all his children equally, she trusted that Prince Yeon Ju might still become the crown prince even if he wasn't loved. Since the emperor cherished his first daughter, Princess Ye-ri, there was even a plan that if Yeon Ju was placed alongside Princess Ye-ri, he might also gain favor.
However, the queen's tranquility and plans were shattered by the sudden appearance of the immature prince.
What if the boy is so beloved and becomes the crown prince? In that case, it would be natural for the boy's mother to become empress... Then, will I have to live in the shadows for the rest of my life? Will my son end up just a prince?
The queen narrowed her eyes and lost herself in thought. As she removed her jewelry with her well-manicured nails, she called for the nanny who looked after Princess Ye-ri. The nanny, not far away, heard the queen's words and rushed, sitting courteously on the floor. The queen rested her chin and smiled beautifully at the nanny.
"Undress Ye-ri and dip her in the snow."
"Your Highness?"
The nanny asked, surprised. The queen frowned. Fearing a reprimand, the nanny quickly said, " I've done wrong, Your Highness…" and apologized. The queen sighed wearily and twirled her hair with her fingers. Her eyes gleamed mischievously, like a child up to some mischief.
"You only need to get her wet enough so your eyes won't die or get sick. His Majesty dotes on Ye-ri so much that if she is sick, he'll come to see her."
Her words were confident, seeking the emperor's love instead of just sympathy for her daughter.
"Your Highness, are you...?" The Princess Highness is going to turn into ..."
The nanny continued to stutter, looking scared. To her, Princess Ye-ri was her heart's daughter. A beautiful girl resembling both the queen and the emperor. Although she lacked her mother's affection, she felt lucky to have the emperor's love. There was an implicit assurance that if the emperor had his wife's love, he wouldn't treat her carelessly.
However, contrary to the nanny's expectations, the queen selected Princess Ye-ri to receive the emperor's attention and care. Despite being her own daughter, she smiled cheerfully, seemingly unconcerned. Her smile was so lovely and elegant that it sent a shiver down her spine.
"Regardless, Princess Ye-ri is no more than that. Not even a son, just a daughter..."
The queen looked at the nanny from her seat and spoke softly.
"My son Yeon Ju is a precious child who might make me an empress. But what's the use of Ye-ri? The girl's value lies in capturing His Majesty's attention. Wouldn't it be better if she was used to gain recognition for Yeon Ju's talents and become the crown prince?"
"Your Highness..."
The nanny cried, thinking of Princess Ye-ri, deeply asleep in a corner of the Ahyang Palace. But the queen remained resolute. She ordered a court lady to bring her some tobacco. The court lady lit a fire and handed it to her. The queen calmly stared at the tobacco, exhaled smoke, and gazed into the distance. Her dark eyes softened, looking at someone far away, someone who didn't reciprocate the affection. Tears slowly formed at the corners of her eyes. The nights grew lonelier when the emperor didn't visit.
"Yet, I'm anxious. I wonder if His Majesty will come because Ye-ri is ill..."
She murmured absentmindedly, glancing inside the palace. She smiled gently while smoking half a cigarette. The nanny stiffened, more afraid of a blossoming smile than an angry one.
"You're definitely mine, aren't you?"
The nanny froze at the thought, "Yes, Your Highness. A small person's life exists for you."
Though a reflexive compliment, the Queen beamed as if pleased. Handing the candle to the court lady, she descended the stairs. Her indigo dress caught attention as it fluttered in the air. Every step closer, the eunuch saw her extended legs, and he began to tremble. When the eunuch tried to look away, the queen stopped him with a small hand. Making eye contact, the eunuch was left puzzled.
Smiling gracefully, the queen seemed as beautiful as a fairy descending from the clouds. As she touched Eunuch Ki's cheek, his rationality slowly decayed, cracks starting to appear. Seeing this, the queen lowered her voice kindly.
"Could you bring me the sedimentation record?"
"Yes...?"
"That's foolish."
The queen clicked her tongue and slapped the eunuch’s cheek. She meant to shake him into reason, but it hurt more than she anticipated. Nevertheless, it worked. The eunuch regained his senses, shaking his head and growing pale.
"The sediment record can't be handled by a small person. Records can only be kept by officials..."
"Then use the official."
The queen spoke matter-of-factly. When the eunuch stupidly asked again, "Yes?" the queen grew angry and slapped him once more.
"Why can't you understand? Fetch the records. Make an official do it."
"Your highness!"
“Why are you so surprised?” The queen asked casually, gripping the inner jaw of the eunuch so tightly it broke. She pulled it towards her, causing the eunuch to catch a faint scent emanating from the queen's body. He held his breath as the scent captivated his senses.
The queen looked at the eunuch and smiled.
"Didn't you say you'd give your life for me? It's only necessary to do it once. I just need to know if His Majesty left a seed in that woman or not."
If there were seeds left, all they needed to do was remove them to prevent them from sprouting. Even if there were no seeds, she planned to intimidate in a way that the emperor wouldn't love her.
If she couldn't receive love, she had to ensure no one else could either. It had to be that way.
[1] Maybe a place. Idk
Translator's thoughts:
Prepare for this bitch. She's a pest
