Chapter 86: Words Like Knives

Haeryeong offered no answer.

He stubbornly kept his head turned away from Gangcheon and did not look back once throughout the journey.

Seeing as he did not attempt to descend from his lap, it seemed he had understood the command, so Gangcheon watched the path ahead without touching him further.

He found himself more curious about how Sirak and the Minister of Rites would react to the sight of the favored Empress than he was about the Empress’s own sulking profile.

“Please set me down, Your Majesty. I shall walk on my own feet.”

As the palanquin reached the Hongnyeon-gak Pavilion where the banquet was prepared, Haeryeong pleaded with the Emperor, who had stepped out while still holding him in his arms.

“You truly fail to recognize My heart, which worries that the Empress’s fragile legs might ache. What am I to do with such a heartless person?”

The Emperor hummed his nonsensical response like a melody as he began to climb the stairs of the pavilion.

Haeryeong’s face turned ashen, looking as if he might faint on the spot.

“I beg you, Your Majesty, please, set me down. Your servant is the Empress. What will the officials think if I am carried in by Your Imperial Majesty like this?”

The Emperor cast a cold glance at Haeryeong and gave a crooked smile.

“You truly care far too much about the eyes of others. The thing you should care for most is not the eyes of the hundred officials, but the mood of We, your husband.”

He let out a short laugh and strode up the stairs, whispering quietly into Haeryeong’s ear.

“Sit as beautifully as a flower and match My mood. Since I spared the Minister of Public Works’ head for your sake, you ought to do at least this much for Me. Is it not the way of things that there must be a return for what is given?”

Haeryeong avoided his cold gaze and bit his lip, his eyes darting away.

“Your servant is… not a gisaeng.”

The Emperor wore a look of bewilderment as if he were hearing this for the first time, then muttered languidly.

“Considering your behavior toward Me lately, you did not seem so. You were quite skilled at it. Weeping and begging for My affection with words you did not mean.”

As they reached the midpoint of the pavilion stairs and Haeryeong’s head came into view, the gazes of the officials, already seated in their assigned places, turned toward them.

In the midst of the silent shock radiating from them, the Emperor’s voice reached Haeryeong’s ear with a chill.

“That is exactly how a prostitute acts in a gisaeng house when she intends to empty a customer’s pockets. ‘Please cherish this girl, my lord. Look upon me kindly, my lord.’ It was just like that.”

The blood drained from Haeryeong’s face at the Emperor’s words.

Filled with shame, he glared at the man, but the Emperor looked only forward.

He simply continued walking toward his seat at the highest point of the banquet hall.

When the Emperor arrived, all the officials rose and clasped their hands respectfully.

The Emperor scanned the crowd, then finally looked into Haeryeong’s eyes and rubbed his cheek.

“Today’s banquet is to celebrate the Empress’s recovery, so I hope everyone enjoys themselves without restraint.”

“Your Highness the Empress, we congratulate you on your recovery.”

As the Emperor finished speaking, the officials prostrated themselves in unison.

Watching them lined up on the floor just as they had during his wedding ceremony, Haeryeong managed to shake off his bitter feelings.

“Would the Empress like to say a word as well?”

With his previous cold expression vanished, the Emperor asked with a gentle smile.

“No, Your Majesty. Your servant’s preparations were delayed, making everyone wait; please, let the banquet begin as it is.”

“Very well, then.”

As the Emperor sat upon the jade throne with Haeryeong still in his embrace, court ladies and eunuchs approached to serve wine and food.

“Noble Consort, once the festivities are in full swing later, would you play the zither for We for the first time in a while?”

“If Your Imperial Majesty desires it, how could your servant refuse?”

Because of the Emperor’s position, Haeryeong could not even look toward the Consort.

He lowered his eyes at the meltingly sweet voice coming from behind him.

‘He forces me into this puppet-like state while asking the Consort to play music. What a ridiculous sight I must be.’

While the food was being laid out, the Emperor pressed his lips to Haeryeong’s ear.

He did so with a tender smile, as if he were addressing a beloved concubine.

When the wine ewer was placed on the table, he pestered Haeryeong loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Fill My cup, Empress. On a joyful day like today, I truly wish to receive the first cup from you.”

“Your servant is overwhelmed.”

Haeryeong avoided the Emperor’s direct gaze and looked down.

What choice did he have? If the man asked, he had to comply.

Haeryeong held back his long sleeve with one hand and lifted the wine ewer.

As he filled the cup the Emperor held out, the man raised it high.

“Has everyone filled their cups? Let us drain the first one while wishing for the Empress’s health. Furthermore, as soon as the Empress has recovered, We intend to devote Our efforts to the production of an Imperial heir. Therefore, pray that the Empress may conceive safely.”

As if in response to the Emperor’s words, the ministers took turns speaking.

After various well-wishes for Haeryeong’s health were exchanged, the Emperor drained half his cup.

“The Empress shall share this cup with Me.”

He held the remaining wine to Haeryeong’s lips and whispered.

“I wonder if getting a bit tipsy will make you as clingy and affectionate as before.”

Haeryeong stared directly at the Emperor’s face.

He tried to gauge what exactly the man wanted from him.

But the Emperor merely smiled with a mysterious, inscrutable expression.

The gaze watching his lips against the rim of the cup remained cold throughout.

When Haeryeong parted his lips, the man slowly tilted the cup.

The sweet cinnamon scent of the Gamhongno—the first drink they had shared—swirled in his mouth.

‘How can this sweet wine taste so bitter?’

Even after the cup was empty, Haeryeong could not take his eyes off the man.

He stared as if hoping an answer would appear if he looked long enough.

The Emperor, who had been meeting his gaze steadily, set the cup down and began to fondle Haeryeong’s cheek.

His lips drew close, lingering against the other cheek before pulling away.

“Must I beg for a snack every time before you pick one up for Me?”

It was the same expression and tender tone Haeryeong had seen and heard incessantly before the events of the previous night.

Haeryeong offered no reaction, simply staring at him.

With every slow blink, the man’s face grew closer.

The Emperor acted as if nothing had happened between them, smiling as usual.

Haeryeong felt he finally understood why his mouth felt so bitter.

The act of showing him favor had indeed been a lie.

That was why the man could act so unbothered even after what had transpired.

Haeryeong watched the approaching man and slowly curved his eyes.

He raised a hand, completely hidden within his long, trailing sleeve, and placed it against the Emperor’s cheek.

Staring into the man’s eyes, which narrowed slightly, Haeryeong drew closer to him.

The man’s pupils, which had been scanning Haeryeong’s face slowly, sharpened.

Haeryeong cupped the man’s face with his voluminous wedding sleeve.

As he slowly traced his hand along the angular jaw, the sweet scent of wine wafted from the Emperor’s mouth.

With his hand resting there, Haeryeong embraced the Emperor’s neck and whispered against his cheek.

“Shall your servant place my name upon the gisaeng registry? Would that ease Your Majesty’s heart?”

The Emperor stealthily shifted his head to look at Haeryeong out of the corner of his eye.

Haeryeong allowed a slow smile to pull at his lips as he whispered against the man’s cheek.

“I ask because Your Majesty treats your servant like a prostitute before the hundred officials. It seems you wish for me to undo my sash right here.”

Haeryeong met the eyes of the Emperor, who had snapped his head around.

He stared into those expressionless eyes and let out a short laugh.

It was because he could read the rage within that piercing gaze.

‘Is it fear?’

He felt his face hardening, so he gripped the Emperor’s neck tighter.

“If that is not the case, then please, set me down.”

Unable to tear his eyes away from the Emperor, he swallowed hard in silence.

He felt that if he looked away for even a second, the man might sink his teeth into his throat.

The Emperor likewise glared at Haeryeong without moving, his eyes harboring sapphire flames.

The one who broke the atmosphere between them was, unexpectedly, the Noble Consort.

“Your Majesty, will you not take a cup from your servant as well?”

Only then did they both turn their heads, and the precarious tension finally snapped.

The Consort pouted his small, plump lips and held up a wine ewer.

“Your servant is here as well, Your Majesty.”

The break in that lingering, tense stare made Haeryeong feel as if a sigh might burst out of him.

Seizing the opportunity, Haeryeong rose quietly, but the Emperor only gave him a fleeting glance before holding his cup out toward the Consort.

“Of course We must. My Consort is as beautiful as ever today. Is that not so, Empress?”

Haeryeong sat in his own designated seat beside the Emperor, and while tidying his trailing sleeves, he lifted his head.

When his eyes met the Emperor’s, Haeryeong offered a soft smile.

“Do you even need to ask? The Noble Consort’s fair skin and red silk suit him perfectly.”

The Consort was wearing a magnificent outfit made from an abundance of Yeonan’s red silk.

The color was the same as Haeryeong’s wedding robes, but the red silk of Yeonan possessed a unique luster, sparkling as if pearl dust had been scattered over the fabric.

“You look quite radiant and lovely.”

Haeryeong even directed a compliment toward the Consort.

The Consort smiled shyly as he poured wine for the Emperor, then held the ewer toward Haeryeong.

“Your Highness the Empress, please receive a cup from your younger brother.”

“Thank you.”

Haeryeong received the cup and was about to pour one in return when he paused.

The Consort was already thrusting his own cup toward the Emperor.

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