Chapter 6: A Sanctuary of Fragrance

The way Song Hyeon acted, as if he were competing with the Emperor himself over Hwaun, didn’t seem to improve with time; if anything, it felt like it was getting worse. Hwaun, who was likewise no longer flustered by Song Hyeon’s reactions, spoke in a soft, soothing voice.

“Then I shall go to Jinnyeong Pavilion after I visit His Majesty.”

Song Hyeon’s face immediately brightened. Hwaun continued.

“We can share tea, or since the weather is so fine, it would be lovely to take a walk.”

“I’d love that! I’ll be waiting for you, so you must come quickly.”

“Yes, yes. I understand.”

Under the high, clear autumn sky, Song Hyeon wore a radiant smile. Looking at the smile of Song Hyeon, who was now like a biological younger brother to him, Hwaun couldn’t help but smile broadly as well.

A loud shout erupted from within the Great Hall. Since no one would dare raise their voice in the presence of the August Emperor, it was clearly the voice of the Son of Heaven himself.

An untimely flood had struck the Haseo region, causing immense suffering to countless commoners. The Emperor had personally devised countermeasures and issued orders, but several corrupt officials had embezzled the funds meant for relief, making the situation even more critical. The Emperor’s rage was entirely justified.

Since such an event had occurred, it was obvious that His Majesty’s state of mind would be wretched. Eunuch Oh, who had been hovering by the door with an anxious expression, signaled a nearby internal official and spoke.

“Go to Jeongan Palace this instant.”

“To Jeongan Palace, sir?”

“Yes. Tell them I sent you, and inform Jin-bi Mama that while it isn’t lunch yet, His Majesty’s mind is deeply troubled today, so I hope she can come to Anjeong Pavilion as soon as possible.”

“Yes, sir. I understand.”

A sigh mixed with worry and relief escaped Eunuch Oh’s lips as he watched the official hurry away.

Every time something like this happened, he realized how fortunate it was that Jin-bi Mama was here. No matter what unpleasantness occurred in the world, His Majesty would naturally wear a smile on his face the moment he saw that one person. Even on a difficult day like today, Eunuch Oh had found a pillar to lean on.

Recalling how many troublesome situations they had smoothly passed through thanks to Jin-bi Mama, Eunuch Oh bowed his waist again and resumed his guard in front of the Great Hall. This was why he never found the task of moving between the palaces bothersome or unpleasant.

“Isn’t that Jin-bi Mama’s palanquin up ahead?”

Seocheon reflexively turned his head at the voice of his colleague, Il-ju, who was standing beside him at the outer gate of Anjeong Pavilion. The palanquin approaching from a distance was not excessively flashy, but every single ornament was of high quality, clearly having been meticulously maintained. Anyone with eyes could see just how much favor its owner received from the Emperor.

It was, without question, the palanquin of Jin-bi, Yeon Hwaun.

Seocheon’s eyes deepened with longing and joy.

Even when they were both at Jeongan Palace, they hadn’t seen each other often, but being separated here at Anjeong Pavilion made the sense of longing pile up twofold.

In truth, it was an incredible feat for Seocheon, who came from the commoner class, to guard the outer gate of Anjeong Pavilion where the Emperor’s bedchamber was located. When Seocheon was selected as a guard for this post, the commotion both inside and outside the palace was beyond words. There was no success story quite like this one.

However, who could truly know Seocheon’s heart, which secretly hadn’t wanted to leave Jeongan Palace? Seocheon desired nothing more for the rest of his life than to be able to see and protect Hwaun from afar within the Imperial Palace. He didn’t care for success or fame at all.

The reason Seocheon had left Jeongan Palace to come here was partly because he was in no position to refuse a direct order from the Emperor, but also because of the words His Majesty had personally spoken to him. It was a moment known only to the Emperor and Seocheon within this vast palace.

As the palanquin drew closer, the corners of his mouth twitched involuntarily. Although no other concubine except for the Empress visited Anjeong Pavilion so frequently, the time they spent passing each other was always far too short, making Seocheon miss these moments again and again.

When he thought Hwaun was dead, he felt anything would be fine as long as he was alive; but once he knew Hwaun was living like this, he found himself growing greedy to see him more closely. It seemed human hearts were always this fickle.

Finally, as the palanquin reached the front of the outer gate, Seocheon and Il-ju bowed deeply.

“Stop.”

At that soft voice, the palanquin came to a halt. Il-ju bowed even deeper, not daring to lift his head, but Seocheon lifted his gaze for a fleeting moment to lock eyes with Hwaun—now a Consort—before bowing his head again.

It was only a second, but seeing the faint, comfortable smile on Hwaun’s face set Seocheon’s mind at ease. Hwaun spoke from atop the palanquin.

“You are working hard as always.”

“Not at all, Jin-bi Mama. How could guarding the place where the Emperor resides be considered hard work?”

“Indeed, the place you guard is where His Majesty stays. Therefore, taking good care of yourselves is also an important part of serving His Majesty. Do you understand what I mean?”

“I shall keep it in mind. Thank you for your deep concern.”

The one who answered was Il-ju, who held a higher rank than Seocheon. Hwaun looked down quietly at Seocheon, who did not lift his head again, before finally speaking.

“Let’s go.”

The stopped palanquin began to move once more. In his heart, Hwaun wanted to sit side-by-side with Seocheon and chat about trivial things as friends like they used to, but just as Seocheon knew that was impossible, Hwaun knew it too.

If they were caught by others, it would not only tarnish Hwaun’s reputation but also bring great shame to the Emperor’s name, and it goes without saying that Seocheon would find it difficult to keep his life. He could never risk such a danger.

Furthermore, Hwaun knew very well that Seocheon becoming a guard at Anjeong Pavilion was an immense act of grace from the Emperor, done out of consideration for him.

Seocheon was the only friend left to Hwaun, who now had to spend the rest of his life under a borrowed name, having abandoned his original one. No matter how absolute the Emperor’s power was under the heavens, he could not give Hwaun back his original name. Instead, he hoped Hwaun would find some small comfort in the way he treated the only person left from ‘Haun’s’ life.

Therefore, to ask for more after receiving such ocean-like grace from His Majesty would be utterly shameless.

Thus, Hwaun did not look back at Seocheon until the palanquin had completely passed through the outer gate. The myriad of words he wanted to share were sufficiently replaced by that fleeting, smiling gaze.

“Your Majesty, it is Eunuch Oh.”

“…Did you not hear me say not to disturb me?”

He had only spoken one sentence, but the response from inside was incredibly sharp. However, Eunuch Oh, who had looked quite anxious at that very voice just moments ago, now wore a much lighter expression and smiled subtly at the person beside him. Standing next to Eunuch Oh was his most reliable ally, Jin-bi, Yeon Hwaun.

After clearing his throat, Eunuch Oh spoke again in a voice that was almost annoyingly nonchalant.

“Jin-bi Mama is here to see you….”

In an instant, even without seeing it, one could almost picture the Emperor’s flustered expression inside. Smiles appeared on both Eunuch Oh’s and Hwaun’s faces simultaneously. Eunuch Oh finished his announcement.

“Since Your Majesty does not wish for visitors, I shall tell her to simply return.”

Hwaun looked at Eunuch Oh with an ‘I give up’ expression. While Eunuch Oh served the Emperor with the utmost devotion in every matter, at times like this, he treated the Emperor like he was teasing a spoiled nephew.

Hwaun felt a sudden surge of pride, realizing once again how kind and good the Emperor of this nation truly was. Just then, the Emperor’s voice roared from inside.

“Do you even call those words?!”

“…….”

“Tell her to enter at once! Why are you keeping a person with such a frail body standing out there? Just let her in!”

Just a moment ago, he was fuming, telling him not to disturb him even if he just tried to speak. Eunuch Oh, unable to fully wipe the satisfied expression from his face, turned and bowed to Hwaun.

“It seems His Majesty’s anger vanishes entirely the moment he hears Jin-bi Mama’s name.”

As he said, the voice of the Emperor ordering Hwaun to be let in held not a trace of the fierce energy that had persisted all morning. If the ministers who had attended the morning audience heard this voice now, they would be shocked out of their wits. Eunuch Oh continued.

“Please enter, Mama.”

“Thank you.”

Passing Eunuch Oh with a short greeting and a look, Hwaun slowly stepped inside the sliding doors.

The scent of books filling the Imperial Study reached his nose. Hwaun particularly loved this space, filled with the books the Emperor held most often, looked into most frequently, and cultivated with the most heart and care.

It felt as though it contained the wise and brilliant nature of the Emperor, who led this nation into an era of peace and allowed a lowly commoner to drift into the Imperial Palace. No expensive or fine incense could ever smell better than the scent lingering here.

Of course, the best thing about this space was not merely the smell of books.