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Join the Server“Just leave it be.”
Since every occurrence within the palace was meticulously recorded, finding the information would not be difficult once the dates were known.
However, he wondered if prying into the archives at such a time was truly a wise course of action.
The Emperor was already bound to be sensitive due to recent events.
Was there any need to provoke his attention by digging into the past?
If the Emperor were to appear out of curiosity because of his meddling, would it not be a loss for Haeryeong himself?
“It seems the timing is not right, so let us wait and see for now.”
“It was merely a passing curiosity, so it is not a matter of urgency.”
“If it truly becomes necessary, I can ask His Imperial Majesty later.”
Haeryeong wished to enjoy this peace for as long as it might last, however brief.
Without the Emperor there to turn his stomach inside out, his meals had been delicious lately, to the point where flesh was visibly returning to his cheeks.
“Han Su-yong. Do you intend to report this matter to His Majesty?”
Haeryeong asked because he feared the Emperor would not remain silent if he found out after the fact; Su-yong wore a look of rare contemplation.
“Since His Majesty instructed me to be of help to Your Highness, could it not be considered that I have already received permission?”
Seeing that the man lacked confidence in his own logic, Haeryeong let out an involuntary sigh.
Since he was not planning to order anything that needed to be kept secret, would it not be better if the Emperor knew from the start?
How did the man intend to handle the Emperor’s rage if the truth were discovered later?
Haeryeong gently cautioned Su-yong.
“You might face a severe beating if His Majesty finds out.”
“Go and receive his permission first.”
Su-yong, his face plastered with bewilderment, let his eyes wander before asking back.
“I did not expect Your Highness to use me as a spy, but is it not customary for such things to be done in secret?”
Haeryeong nodded, acknowledging the merit in his words, and then offered a smile.
“But did you not say so yourself? That your loyalty lies with His Majesty.”
“If that is the case, you must not help me behind His Majesty’s back all the more.”
“Go and get permission; then, I shall utilize you within the boundaries of what His Majesty allows.”
“But…”
“I shall be honest: I am afraid of His Majesty.”
“I have heard many rumors of him since childhood, and that makes me fear him even more.”
“If things go wrong, will he not direct his anger at me as well as you?”
Su-yong blinked and asked.
“By ‘rumors,’ do you mean…”
“I heard he ordered a cherished subordinate to commit suicide over military rations and watched as it happened.”
Haeryeong looked at Iryeon rather than Su-yong, who was letting out a long sigh before him.
Iryeon, who had been casting a sullen look at Su-yong’s behavior, noticed his gaze and bowed her head.
“Bring more tea. Having eaten something sweet, I wish to cleanse my palate.”
“What kind of tea shall I prepare, Your Highness?”
“Any kind of white tea will do.”
“I shall prepare it immediately.”
After Iryeon withdrew to prepare the tea, Su-yong shook his head and finally spoke.
“That is a false rumor, Your Highness. His Majesty is not that sort of person.”
‘I wonder.’
Haeryeong smiled to himself, peering into his tea bowl which was half-filled with cinnamon punch.
Was the Emperor not a man perfectly capable of such a thing? At least, he had been toward Haeryeong.
Su-yong spoke as if grinding the words between his teeth in indignation.
“That bastard deserved to die; he was a man who used military rations as a pretext to take advantage of women.”
“And as for being a ‘cherished subordinate’—my foot! No… I apologize, Your Highness.”
Su-yong, who had let a curse slip, bowed his head deeply in apology.
Haeryeong quietly took a sip of the remaining punch and lowered his eyes.
“At any rate, that rumor is incorrect.”
“The centurion who died then was the cousin of a eunuch belonging to the Crown Prince’s palace, and he was a wretch who secretly leaked news of His Majesty to the Imperial Palace.”
“His Majesty knew this yet spared him, but he never imagined the man was committing such subhuman acts…”
Su-yong spoke with fervor, trying to convince him of the Emperor’s innocence, but Haeryeong did not feel a single shred of sympathy.
He acknowledged that the centurion might have been at fault, but he found it impossible to believe the Emperor lacked such a cruel nature.
One thing he did learn was that the rumor had been distorted.
He had thought the man died while distributing rations out of the goodness of his heart, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.
“I understand that the rumor was exaggerated as it spread.”
Su-yong’s expression brightened slightly at those words.
Haeryeong let out a chuckle, finding it somewhat fascinating how the man’s expressions shifted by the second.
He wondered if it was simply his natural disposition or if he was a skilled actor.
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t see what the man would gain by choosing to be on his side.
A brief worry crossed his mind as to whether it was right to be so suspicious.
“I shall leave it to your judgment whether or not to seek His Majesty’s permission.”
He likely wouldn’t have much use for the man anyway.
Still, he might be of some help in understanding the current state of the palace.
Was it not enough to think of it in those terms?
Once Haeryeong made up his mind, Su-yong appeared strangely excited.
“But Your Highness, do you not intend to visit His Majesty?”
“He must be frantically busy; would it not be a nuisance if I were to go?”
“A nuisance? On the contrary, he would be quite pleased if Your Highness sought him out first.”
‘Would he really?’
Rumors were rampant that on the day they returned from their secret outing, the Noble Consort had gone to see the Emperor only to be kept waiting at the door for a long time.
Haeryeong had felt complicated after hearing that story from Jongseon.
He wondered how the Emperor could treat someone he had cherished for so long with such blatant neglect.
If he could treat someone like that based on his whim, what reason did Haeryeong have to seek him out?
“Since we are on the subject, why not visit him this evening? He will surely welcome you with joy.”
Han Su-yong urged him quite persistently.
‘I told you, that is only your opinion.’
He was about to retort when Iryeon returned, cutting the conversation short.
Iryeon transferred the charcoal to the brazier, set the kettle on top, and reported.
“A eunuch from the Great Hall has just paid a visit.”
“What did he say?”
“He conveyed that His Majesty wishes to share dinner with you at the Buyeong Pavilion.”
‘I suppose my digestion will fail me again this evening.’
Haeryeong nodded silently.
Su-yong cut in without a hint of tact upon hearing the news.
“See there? It seems His Majesty has been missing Your Highness.”
Haeryeong fell into thought as he watched the man move the tea tray back to its place and crunch on a cracker.
‘When exactly should I tell this person to disappear so he doesn’t feel offended?’
****
The days had grown quite long, so it still felt like midday even as the dinner hour approached.
Haeryeong hurried so as not to be late for his meeting at the Buyeong Pavilion.
The distance was truly vast; though he walked with brisk steps, his feet were practically sweating.
As he neared his destination and increased his pace, he spotted the Noble Consort loitering in the distance.
Haeryeong swallowed a sigh and stopped the moment he saw him.
The Consort approached with a shorter “tail” of servants than usual and bent his knees.
“I pray for your fortune, Your Highness the Empress. It has been quite some time.”
“Rise. Have you been faring well?”
The Consort let out a deep sigh as he stood.
His intent in blocking the path despite knowing Haeryeong was going to dine with the Emperor was so transparent that Haeryeong almost laughed.
‘Acting so obviously… is he not almost cute?’
He could understand a little of why the Emperor had cherished him.
“Your servant has not been feeling well lately and finds it difficult to keep food down.”
“Therefore, I dismissed my dinner and came out for a short walk.”
“Oh dear. Have you had your pulse checked by the physician?”
“Yes, Your Highness. He said there was nothing specifically wrong.”
“That is a relief. If your body is not ill, perhaps you are simply feeling the spring fever.”
The Consort puffed out his cheeks sullenly and scanned the ground with his gaze.
“Yes, I suppose that is it.”
“I shall tell the Bureau of Food to prepare something to stimulate your appetite.”
“It is a shame we crossed paths after so long, but I am in a hurry and must depart; please enjoy your walk safely, Consort.”
He tried to pass by, but the Consort hurriedly asked a question.
“Do you have urgent business?”
Haeryeong replied with a small sigh.
“His Majesty has summoned me.”
He had intended to pass by without mentioning it, knowing the man was constantly waiting for the Emperor.
He felt stifled, as bringing it up felt like intentional torment, yet trying to decline the man’s attention proved difficult.
Seeing the man’s eyes droop in disappointment only made Haeryeong feel more uncomfortable.
But what else could he do?
“Time is pressing, so I am sorry I cannot speak with you longer. I shall arrange a separate meeting later, so please return safely, Consort.”
Haeryeong passed him immediately.
Time was indeed running out, but above all, he did not want to give the man any false hope.
Whatever the Consort wanted, it was not something Haeryeong could provide.
He thought he might feel a bit of joy if their situations were reversed, but strangely, it only left him feeling more bitter.
The Emperor was sitting at the table prepared in the Buyeong Pavilion.
Haeryeong, his breathing quite ragged from his hurried pace, managed to steady his gasps and offered his respects.
“I pray for your health, Your Majesty. Your servant has arrived too late.”
“That is enough, come here. You could have caught your breath before showing such formality; why are you so lacking in presence of mind?”
The Emperor clicked his tongue the moment he saw his face.
Why was there never a time when he let things pass simply?
‘Instead of blaming someone else’s presence of mind, he should do something about that sensitive temperament of his.’
As Haeryeong approached while grumbling internally, the Emperor pulled a chair close to his side.
The way he patted the seat to tell him to sit was so incredibly irritating.
Finally taking a seat after a deep breath, he found the Emperor peering closely into his face with a smile.
The excitement doesn't stop here! If you enjoyed this, you’ll adore I Just Wanted An Ordinary Life This Time. Start reading now!
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