CRS | Chapter 8.2

“The Empress Dowager?”6065464bc6026271

Yoongeon’s face immediately darkened.dfabb36340c8e73b

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“Even if Seo Hwi wanted to meet her, he couldn’t easily do so. My mother must have sought him out first.”ae9a91d5604985df

“Yes. The Empress Dowager’s people took him. We don’t know what they discussed inside, but this morning, the maid who did Concubine Seo’s hair volunteered to serve him. I heard she plans to do so every morning.”e2f48e92b828f4cc

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“Ha! Offering her cherished plaything so readily, they must be plotting something. It’s obvious they intend to cut my life short.”63fba88efd799711

“And they say Concubine Seo’s attire was different when he left.”b49adff45bedc91f

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“His attire?”4e8668a3125faf19

The Grand King asked with a puzzled expression. If his attire was different when he left, it meant he had undressed inside…60f92aa796474f0d

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“Did the Empress Dowager make Seo Hwi her pretty servant boy?”a7d9cf35e2e1d8a0

It wasn’t entirely impossible, but imagining Seo Hwi as the Empress Dowager’s pretty servant boy was difficult. He was a man who didn’t fit that role at all.9e700702581a4fb0

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“Did the spy in the Empress Dowager’s palace say anything else?”c1097ec17a9d5d11

“No, only those with permission could enter. But I heard there was a bit of commotion outside. And… Queen Han asked me to deliver this.”46c44deb67f7886c

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Chief Eunuch Jeon f6dbcab6f3 handed over a 3637e4d5cc note from Queen d63d25adfa Han.fab5b366139d4688

She warned of the Empress Dowager’s danger and proposed an alliance, but it was refused. Below is the full text.e0a2bc9af50efb0f

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The note contained 9f61283cf7 everything discussed with 0ef1b4d11f Head Court Lady 83b3052838 Choi.384dffac01276c60

“He likes the rain? Ah…”f2cb8872d997f004

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The Grand King pondered dd2fbf6f1c for a moment, recalling af8f52feb5 their names.6b899819a2ae1445

Seoryeong (曙零), there was 75a4646778 rain in that name.96246b0d8d0091ea

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“Sigh…”489baf2857661e12

So, he doesn’t want to associate with the one who killed his sister.e70b4d23cd4eb98e

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Neither the Empress Dowager nor Seo Hwi seemed to have any intention of hiding their actions. The Empress Dowager could simply say she met with the Grand King’s inner circle, and Seo Hwi could respond similarly.2972420799b8baea

“Summon the ministers and advisors again.”7189c3a9c778eda5

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He needed to discuss things 873be0a166 with them again. If he went to d37095faee see Seo Hwi in 50d40b387f this state, he might 84780731e0 not be able to 2a74d56108 control his anger and 3ac4c6e532 end up killing him.cfac189b610c95e9

⟡ ⟡ ⟡9e6b22a4a2716e87

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‘If they have no intention of hiding, we must play along.’171e9175c2082200

‘Indeed. The Empress Dowager will likely downplay it. We can’t punish them just for meeting when nothing has happened yet.’30419f472b4a444b

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While the Grand King had the authority to dismiss someone based on suspicion alone, he couldn’t act that way toward his mother, even if it went against his wishes.146eb000ccdf291b

‘Your Majesty, remember, killing Seo Hwi isn’t the best solution. We need Seoro Nation’s port and high-quality salt. Calming the people’s hearts is the priority.’ba95f3af0da7eeb4

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When the advisor said that, Yoongeon, feeling troubled, rubbed his forehead. He knew it was the best course of action. The problem was that Seo Hwi’s devotion to his sister was so intense that he seemed impossible to sway.5e56385135f9cf2c

‘If necessary, prepare to evacuate Yusuwon and forcibly relocate the people of Cheongwolmok there.’a8ea0a7b45b2da7b

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“……”3bfa2e3e72d62c3f

In the end, dc1c9620ca he had no 458155b077 choice but to 0ec9abc3d3 prepare for the 9fb5a1c977 worst.260b608139faafdd

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Standing in front of 2a431cc160 Seonhwa Palace, Yoongeon let d5ab66ef37 out a deep sigh.9cee5690c92dc94c

The room where Seo Hwi 06e94dcae3 stayed was one he had 236cf56c8a visited before. It was a humble 1869a2efd1 room closest to the c55b85e281 city gates, where Concubine 1124bca19f Seo resided.41599edb3e84a7a5

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When news of the Grand King’s visit spread, concubines usually rushed out to greet him, but Seo Hwi didn’t. He hadn’t expected him to. If anything, it would have been more awkward if he had.933676f53dab084b

“His Majesty is here.”eca3ae3fc4c97f55

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As the eunuch announced his 34cf992b61 arrival outside the door, two 66cdc24178 court ladies nervously opened it.cb3b82f402e846de

“What is this… Concubine Seo, show some respect!”cbfe6e0dfb0e2b16

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It was just as 2f06a5b3ec Yoongeon was about to a74f38dd96 enter. Chief Eunuch Jeon, 84261a04ec following him, shouted 5e13772dfc in surprise. It was because Concubine Seo, 3f269c0214 who should have come out 9fae3a843b to greet him, was calmly 69a6e5fc11 sitting by the window, holding 439ef37d99 a pipe. His gaze was directed outside.3950ddd5a0c62b86

“……”cdf86c63336afb12

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Seo Hwi turned at the 87e2447814 shouting, exhaling white smoke.b925932ccda147d3

“You didn’t expect me to come out and greet you, did you?”7c2d6af9efe11887

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At Seo Hwi’s nonchalant response, the eunuch’s face turned red with anger, but Yoongeon quietly raised his hand to stop him. There’s no point in getting angry at someone who isn’t afraid.89958063fcf188f2

“Enough. Bring the table.”6f0080a924fdd60b

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“……Yes, Your Majesty.”f51fcb4d6057b3cc

Unable to hide his frustration, f2d28cdbbf Chief Eunuch Jeon bowed deeply d24efbfe8b in response.89dd9682963fee7d

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“Were you waiting?”5e31dc8c87be5a58

“You told me to.”b1929b5a50a6673d

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Seo Hwi’s face was calm. He looked as if he hadn’t done anything wrong. Somehow, that made Yoongeon feel deflated.47e359465b82f18a

He had expected a face hiding some grand scheme. But it wasn’t. Seo Hwi was as relaxed and nonchalant as ever, his expression so languid it was impossible to read his thoughts. Yoongeon let out a deep sigh.e67acde206e0f0e4

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‘This makes me feel foolish for being so on edge.’1b2ba75a846d5b99

Now, even his informal speech didn’t bother him. Seo Hwi, having finished his pipe, turned it over and emptied the ashes out the window. Yoongeon frowned at the sight.1a5a6f3161815cd6

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“Can’t you dispose of the ashes in the brazier? It dirties the floor.”fe2a017c135cd63e

“I’m not doing it because I don’t know.”70a5ea5653503e82

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“You’re doing it knowingly? What, are you trying to dirty my palace out of spite?”55da3dcba090fa02

“What? Haha!”49a68285d53a2bd1

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“……”a7daadd6124d1369

Seo Hwi suddenly burst into laughter. It was the first time Yoongeon had seen him laugh so heartily, and he stared at him in surprise. His face, more beautiful than handsome, bloomed with laughter, and the word ‘beautiful’ was all that remained.e3f3e7be795f7c32

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But it didn’t last long. The bright atmosphere that had bloomed with his laughter vanished. Seo Hwi returned to his expressionless face, placing the pipe by the window and walking toward him.289bd0b106d3e1e6

“The scent is too strong to leave in the brazier, so don’t misunderstand. I don’t take revenge in such petty ways.”bb92ee5d6d0afd5a

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“……I see.”fc6391c84aaa130b

Indeed, the scent of the a3a8b2efdf dawn breeze clung to him. The strong scent seemed a43e0ab3d9 to suit Seo Hwi 3583d42db5 well. Yoongeon blushed slightly 746302d339 at the thought. It felt strange to b6dddb235a have such thoughts about 311d1c7987 a man.75def493dfb1024d

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“Your Majesty, shall we bring in the table?”3c6ddf9024fd78b0

“Bring it in.”bb545e5c28db23d1

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At the sound of Chief Eunuch Jeon’s voice from outside, Yoongeon turned around to hide his expression and answered. Soon, the door opened, and the table was brought in. Yoongeon composed himself during that brief moment and turned back, only to frown at the sight of the table.459c96a95079577d

“Is this the proper table setting?”cc0c11f51a31bfae

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“It is. You may leave.”be030b695bb5010c

It was Seo Hwi who answered the question directed at the court lady. Yoongeon looked back and forth between their tables with a slightly bewildered expression. Usually, when the Grand King visited, the table was set a bit more lavishly, but it wasn’t like this when he wasn’t around. Yet now, Seo Hwi’s table had only a few vegetable side dishes, vegetable soup, and rice. He seemed unbothered by it.b21ef3f3863ca083

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“Is this really the proper table setting?”4add954db13376fb

Yoongeon asked, unable a04ed3f18f to hide his 46fe18eb94 disbelief.fbb5d82c6bfc9487

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“How can you eat like this?”e8b537f84d8f53f5

“Because this is what they give me.”64f9f5ceea4f76d9

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“……”82502ea51e5c4c00

Since the Grand King hadn’t started eating yet, Seo Hwi also waited, not starting his meal. He spoke with a calm face.c43d16af4c87a459

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“Let’s eat. Finish what you have to say and leave.”2e938a7a6f1225c5

“No, wait a moment.”5fa11908b7e86c2d

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Yoongeon looked at Chief 5e59b38ed0 Eunuch Jeon and spoke.f2a3394d52566df7

“……Chief Eunuch Jeon. Bring a few more side dishes. Change the soup too.”37c1f78697d1f077

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“Yes, Your Majesty.”c0d5581a9fcb95ad

He had no intention of staying long, but he couldn’t eat alone with such a table. It was a matter of pride. As someone who ruled a great nation, he couldn’t tolerate such pettiness. Yoongeon was a man with a strong sense of pride.1b298fe714aae315

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At the Grand King’s command, Chief Eunuch Jeon hurriedly brought a few more side dishes and meat soup. Initially, Seo Hwi had said there was no need to prepare his own, so they had only brought what was left.2c4d9eeecd80566d

Though it was lacking compared to the Grand King’s table, it was much better than before. Yoongeon, still feeling uneasy, began to eat. As he started, Seo Hwi also picked up his spoon, but he had no food taster or attendants.28771a810f941c76

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Yoongeon sent the food taster out after tasting. Normally, he would have attendants throughout the meal, but now he needed to discuss something private. Whatever it was, he didn’t want his conversation with Seo Hwi to leak outside.2350d20013f45141

“I…”e2194669c1b51ce4

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Despite the discomfort of swallowing his food, Yoongeon couldn’t hold back his words.0fd7093b3aacd5fc

“I admit I wanted to humiliate you. I acknowledge everything I did to bring you shame and humiliation. And I will continue to do so.”d45f6f126e452a9a

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“……”755d2e8f7f28f808

“But I had no intention of being petty like this. I’m not a petty man. At least, I won’t let you be discriminated against with food.”8d2f48559b3bdf62

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“Suddenly.”238981602ad3ae55

Seo Hwi chuckled, but Yoongeon couldn’t relax his expression. This wasn’t something a man should do. To put it bluntly, it was embarrassing. Yoongeon had wanted to humiliate him, but he had no desire to be petty, so this situation felt very awkward and shameful. However, Seo Hwi’s expression didn’t change.64da7ab00d200f3c

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“The Grand King wouldn’t have been involved in a mere concubine’s meal. But I didn’t think of it as discrimination.”8adbb0277c6de0d0

“Why not?”797b100f7a04bf7b

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“Because it’s not much different from what I ate on the battlefield. I’ve been eating like this for a long time, and if anything, I’m more accustomed to it.”b0d170e01df8b2c2

“……”3c1c9e56a548738e

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Truly, Seo Hwi’s answer had a knack for easily shutting Yoongeon up. The anger that had been boiling before coming here was suddenly stifled.b52a96cb12e06f8a

“Ah… I see.”5649e92c9da08a85

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That was all 74597aceb0 he could say.1b6774d9333f9883

“Yes.”6fa335d245c4fe59

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Neither of them 7001893267 explicitly stated what 03a432a3c4 they were talking a8b7a00cb0 about, but they 8964f32b0b both knew it aea45a6cfe was about the 590d2241fa siege Seo Hwi 81772a7b2a had endured for 35dc375fbe four months.6b47a401b9e9a61c

In a situation where they 221b9d7d65 were being pushed back, there ba1dccaec3 was no room for leisure, 512a0a8680 so Seo Hwi must have 710c367641 endured a very harsh situation.c69fd5f2fb4d50bc

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“Did you think I didn’t know the atmosphere of defeat was thickening? I could tell just by looking at the soldiers’ expressions, the attire of the messengers, and the meals I received. You know it too. You’ve led many wars, so you must know that sometimes even the smallest things can tip the scales in war.”da84d9591287c1f0

“Suddenly.”7bef9fefac8f1eb7

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“Well… maybe you don’t know, Yoongeon. You were a king and general who led countless victories.”b84e011f79d5bdad

“Well, that’s not wrong.”5c0a3fc276a2fc13

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Yoongeon had never lost a war he led. But the reality was a bit different. He answered as if he were relaxed, but inside, he was gritting his teeth. He had a record of defeat that Seo Hwi didn’t know about.8349d78bad96c300

“It’s a difficult emotion to understand, for me.”d4d0dea62b589051

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