“I spent a long time reading and organizing my thoughts in the library of the Jeongseon clan. After stepping out of the inner palace and returning to being just another woman, countless distracting thoughts about how to live the rest of my life flooded in.”
The sight of In Ha Yeon bowing her head and speaking politely in front of the courtyard felt strangely out of place.
Not only me, but also manager Ha Si Hwa who had come to deliver her report, and even Bi Cheon and Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong, couldn’t help but swallow dryly.
The same went for the vassals of the Jeongseon clan. After all, just until recently, she had ruled the inner palace as the mistress of the Vermilion Bird Palace. Accepting such a sudden change of her position overnight couldn’t have been easy.
Yet, In Ha Yeon showed no sign of concern. Her tone remained gentle as she continued speaking.
“In the end, I too am now someone who belongs to the Jeongseon clan. If this humble body of mine can be of service to the clan, then acting accordingly is only logical. I have received so much from the Jeongseon clan, after all.”
“I… see.”
Even I was not yet accustomed to addressing In Ha Yeon in a lower manner.
As I answered slowly, In Ha Yeon finally lifted her gaze. Her eyes glimmered with red color, like the evening sun.
“This Hwalseong District is the place where the Jeongseon clan has poured its greatest resources and manpower. I thought it would be meaningful for me, as someone from the clan, to personally inspect the situation, offer my counsel, and serve as a bridge between the Jeongseon clan and the Hwalseong District.”
“…Do you fully understand what that means?”
“Yes. My existence will become a shackle tying the Jeongseon clan and the Hwalseong District together on both sides.”
For the Jeongseon clan to send its most cherished daughter to the Hwalseong District was the utmost courtesy they could extend.
In reality, it made her nothing more than a pawn to be used strategically. She had gone from being the crown princess of a country to such treatment overnight. Yet, no sadness or despair could be seen in In Ha Yeon’s eyes.
It was because this was her choice.
When a decision is made with conviction, even if it leads to an unexpected direction, there is no place for regret.
“I’ve heard that the Vice General has faced many difficulties in managing the Hwalseong District. Especially since craftsmen like In Yun and other workers from the Jeongseon clan are all so proud that they are not easily dealt with.”
“So, you are well aware of it yourself.”
“Those from the Jeongseon clan are deeply loyal to their family and rarely heed the words of others. However, if I were to stay in Hwalseong and oversee talks with them, everything would proceed smoothly.”
With that, In Ha Yeon smiled faintly and bowed her head once again.
The intentions behind the Jeongseon clan’s decision to send In Ha Yeon were clear to see.
First, it was to insert someone who could protect the Jeongseon clan’s influence within Hwalseong. Second, it was to check the growing closeness between the Vice General’s faction and the Inbong clan.
Though the Jeongseon clan currently held the greatest power in Cheongdo Palace, they couldn’t simply stand by and allow the rising influence of the Inbong clan, which was becoming increasingly bad for them.
“I am skilled in handling swords and have a certain level of expertise in various martial arts. Though I may be a woman, I’ve fought on equal footing with famous warriors. I will be more of an asset than a hindrance.”
“Having crossed swords with you, I know better than anyone how true your words are. There’s no falsehood in them.”
“You flatter me.”
What In Ha Yeon said next left all the vassals wide-eyed in astonishment.
“Since I am bound to live within Hwalseong, I’ve heard there’s always a shortage of manpower, to the point that even the maids from the Vice General’s mansion are out in the field. In such an urgent situation, how could I, as a daughter of the Jeongseon clan who shares the same boat, sit idly by?”
With her hands neatly cupped together, In Ha Yeon raised her gaze and spoke.
“Since I’ve been the mistress of the Vermilion Bird Palace for a long time, I’ve cultivated a wide range of knowledge, from martial arts to poetry, calligraphy, Confucian and Taoist classics, imperial studies, human resource management, mathematics, astronomy, and practical studies. In addition, I am more qualified than anyone else to lead the people of the Jeongseon clan. There is no one more suitable to serve as an adjutant to the Vice General in Hwalseong District.”
“…What did you just say?”
“I do not deny that the current manager is a capable individual, but there are tasks that I alone am equipped to handle. During my time in Hwalseong, why not appoint me as an adjutant to assist with the affairs of the territory?”
It was a statement that could shake heaven and earth.
Though In Ha Yeon now stood as a free individual, the idea of appointing someone who had once held the title of Vermilion Bird Palace mistress as a mere adjutant under me was nothing short of extraordinary.
It might have felt as reassuring as having an army of a thousand at one’s back, but it was clear the palace officials were swallowing dryly in apprehension.
I shifted my gaze toward manager Ha Si Hwa who was standing in the rear.
As always, Ha Si Hwa was clutching a stack of documents tightly to her chest, but her face had turned pale as she frantically shook her head. She looked like a herbivore on the verge of death.
If someone as favored by the Jeongseon clan as In Ha Yeon became her colleague, Ha Si Hwa would likely spend each day drenched in cold sweat, as if she was seated on a bed of thorns.
“……”
I swallowed dryly and sank into deep thought.
There was no need to further emphasize In Ha Yeon’s abilities and authority at this point. Her vast experience leading countless individuals under her command and being a model figure for half her life was not something anyone could replicate.
Moreover… coincidentally, she seemed like the perfect ally for probing In Seon Rok, the head of the Jeongseon clan.
As the clan’s most beloved daughter, In Ha Yeon was in a unique position to approach In Seon Rok without raising suspicion and could subtly gather information on him.
Her bright smile, paired with her insistence that she be accepted, was as tempting as the whispers of a devil.
At least for now… there was no way I could refuse her.
***
Manager Ha Si Hwa, Adjutant Bi Cheon, Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong, and the former Vermilion Princess In Ha Yeon.
The composition of Hwalseong’s ranks was growing more unusual by the day.
Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong now commanded subordinates of such extraordinary caliber that they far surpassed the deputies of most officials.
When rumors spread that even In Ha Yeon had decided to serve under him, strange whispers began to circulate among the military officers, particularly around the Red Palace.
Some speculated that if Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong ever sought the position of Grand General, it would hardly come as a surprise.
In fact, there were murmurs that he had already been all but guaranteed the position as the next Grand General.
“The discipline of the Red Palace seems to have become much more lax, with warriors spreading idle rumors wherever you turn.”
“Enough of that. Warriors live to have their abilities recognized, to rise through the ranks appropriately, and to contribute to the country. The emergence of a new contender will only inspire them further.”
“But still, how can they discuss the next Grand General while General Seong is firmly seated in his position?”
General Hwang Soo, who was ranked second in the Cheongdo military hierarchy, was a grizzled elder with a thick beard.
He was a successful military officer who had served under Grand General Seong Sa Wook for a long time and someone who had risen to the position of the second General through recognition of his abilities.
He was a figure renowned for possessing both character and skill, but because he often went on expeditions or toured remote military units, his time within the palace was limited.
“Soo-ah, eras rise and fall in endless cycles. A time that fails to recognize when it must end lingers as an old relic and hinders progress.”
“Are you saying that Grand General Seong’s era is now ending?”
“That’s not something that can be denied.”
The once-glorious Grand General Seong Sa Wook, who had strode across battlefields clad in dazzling armor during his prime, now bore a face etched with countless wrinkles.
Even at nearly a hundred years old, he maintained an astonishing presence, one that allowed him to remain the first military figure in Cheongdo.
But now, he had really become an old man.
Gone was the shining armor; a yellowish hemp robe suited him better. Instead of wielding a huge greatsword, he now found it easier to handle a slender saber.
As he ran his hand over his body which was marked by the passage of time, he eventually set down his cup of wine. His once-bulging arms had thinned to resemble withered branches; the passage of years had left its mark on him too.
General Hwang Soo, who knelt quietly before the table of drinks, wore a sad expression on his face. Seeing the Grand General whom he had served and followed his entire life appear so frail brought the flow of time into sharp focus.
One of the Grand General’s arms had been severed by Sun Demonic Spirit Pyeong Ryang, leaving him one-armed now.
It was clear that his limits were drawing near.
“General Seong, no matter how things are, that man is a descendent of the Hwayongseol clan. Surely, you still remember the horrific day when Lee Moon slaughtered everyone in the palace. Of all people—”
“…….”
“Of all people, General Seong, you were the one who personally cut down that Lee Moon. You must recall the nightmare of that time more vividly than anyone else. How can you be sure that Seol Tae Pyeong, taking after his father, won’t suddenly lose his way? Blood is thicker than water.”
The worst traitor to ever drive Cheongdo to the brink of ruin had been Seol Lee Moon.
In the end, it was Grand General Seong Sa Wook, then at the height of his powers, who split his chest open and cleaved him in two. Even in his prime, Seong Sa Wook had to endure serious injuries to bring him down.
Seong Sa Wook, this man who could be described as living history, made Hwang Soo firmly believe that if anyone would drive Seol Tae Pyeong out, it would be him.
However, despite this, Grand General Seong Sa Wook never once defied the Emperor when Seol Tae Pyeong rose to the rank of Vice General and placed him third in the hierarchy of military officers.
At that level of rank, even Emperor Woon Sung would not treat him lightly, yet he did not do anything.
The reason for this was clear.
“It is not the role of military officers to determine palace appointments. We are merely guardians of the palace.”
“General Seong! I beg you to heed my earnest advice!”
“Soo-ah! Don’t you see that mistaking such reckless words for earnest counsel is what makes you the most dangerous of all?”
Seong Sa Wook raised his voice. It was a sharp and steely tone that cut through the air.
Hwang Soo immediately bowed his head under the weight of Seong Sa Wook’s scolding. It was rare for the Grand General to let his emotions show when dealing with his subordinates.
“If the Vice General seeks to claim my position as Grand General, then all that matters is whether he possesses the necessary ability and character to do so.”
“General Seong….”
“We do not judge people. We judge their abilities. Burn that into your heart.”
With that, Seong Sa Wook firmly concluded the conversation and ordered Hwang Soo to leave.
General Hwang Soo remained for a moment in troubled thought with his head still bowed. Finally, he offered a salute and left the room.
The room grew silent, with only the modestly prepared table of drinks left behind.
Seong Sa Wook let out a deep sigh and downed another drink.
He understood in his heart that Hwang Soo’s words were not entirely wrong.
Seol Tae Pyeong’s influence seemed to grow daily and was rising like the sky itself. Recently, his sister had even taken the position of mistress of the Vermilion Bird Palace, a title so coveted that even the most influential officials of the esteemed Jeongseon clan fought desperately to place their daughter in the role.
With the protection of the Vermilion Princess on his back, and the authority of the Vice General, Seol Tae Pyeong climbed higher and higher.
“He’s so young….”
What Seong Sa Wook had only managed to achieve after reaching the age of fifty, Seol Tae Pyeong had already achieved while he was still a young man. Not a single strand of gray hair has yet to be seen on his head.
At such a young age, he had far more days ahead of him than behind.
If his life continued on this trajectory and he one day reached Seong Sa Wook’s current age, what might he become?
As he rose in rank as a military officer, he wondered, if one’s position kept climbing higher and higher, where would it ultimately lead? At an age where he hadn’t even lived half his life, Seol Tae Pyeong had already reached the pinnacle of the path for a military officer.
Typically, people like that began to look toward what lay beyond.
When someone who had reached the summit as a military officer began seeking what lay beyond, what could it be?
“Could it be the Emperor’s throne he aims for?”
Seol Tae Pyeong didn’t seem like the kind of man to harbor such ambitions, but Seong Sa Wook sipped his drink and sank into thought.
***
“Vermilion Princess Seol refuses to leave her chambers?”
“Yes, yes… She said she doesn’t want to meet anyone unless it’s an official matter that she absolutely cannot avoid….”
“I-I see…”
Headmaid Hyeon Dang of the Vermilion Bird Palace sent back the White Tiger Palace maid who had come bearing gifts for Vermilion Princess Seol.
By custom, it was considered basic courtesy for the mistresses of the Four Palaces to at least offer tea to a maid delivering gifts. However, such conventions could not bind Vermilion Princess Seol.
“……”
By now, the rumors about the new Vermilion Princess who had effortlessly seized control over the inner palace were so widespread that there was no one left who hadn’t heard them.
The high officials of the main palace speculated that she would soon begin solidifying her authority in earnest. They believed she would spend some time visiting the other princess consorts to ensure none of them dared to harbor opposing thoughts and to further solidify her position.
However, those speculations were nothing more than the assumptions of officials trapped in a political mindset.
As soon as her duties had been settled to some extent, Vermilion Princess Seol confined herself to the Vermilion Bird Palace and rarely went outside the palace grounds.
For a mistress of the Four Palaces, where modest conduct was paramount, her actions could be considered excellent. Yet, as she turned away all visitors, no one could tell what she was doing within her chambers.
Still, there was no one in the palace who could say a word against her.
Even Heavenly Maiden Jin Cheong Lang was keeping an eye on her.
Who in the world could possibly drag her out of the Vermilion Bird Palace, even if she chose to remain secluded there?
And so, the mistress Vermilion Bird Palace spent her days shut inside her inner chambers and rarely stepped outside.
It seemed as though she was formulating some intricate plan, as occasional sounds of her agonizing in thought or the brushstrokes on bamboo scrolls would drift out from her secluded quarters.
“Ugh, staying indoors too long has made my body feel stiff… But still…”
Sitting alone in the otherwise empty chamber, facing the wall, Vermilion Princess Seol suddenly muttered to herself.
“I feel like my mind has become much clearer.”
The faint bluish light in her eyes was so divine as if she was a Taoist hermit who had honed her skills on a sacred mountain.
She contemplated quietly.
Even if the Azure Princess was the Heavenly Maiden, she was still only performing a temporary role.
If someone more suitable than her were to emerge, she would no longer have any reason to remain in that position.
Because of this, Vermilion Princess Seol resolved to burn the midnight oil and devise a plan to identify someone fit to become the new Heavenly Maiden. She intended to search every corner of the imperial capital to find someone deserving of the role.
However, the darkest place in the room is always right under the lamp.
She had yet to grasp the wisdom of that well-known saying.
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