CRS | Chapter 8.2

“The Empress Dowager?”f88c234034694885

Yoongeon’s face immediately darkened.d1839a70e8e430a2

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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.”5904aec5b350a41b

“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.”fde389f02c7a2ebb

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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.”175f98562991ffc4

“And they say Concubine Seo’s attire was different when he left.”4c8a6e6ff42bfd07

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“His attire?”244b872cbdb27789

The Grand King asked with a puzzled expression. If his attire was different when he left, it meant he had undressed inside…3700f682836c0588

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“Did the Empress Dowager make Seo Hwi her pretty servant boy?”ec27100d1b361f4c

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.6d8e3d2e375e6817

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“Did the spy in the Empress Dowager’s palace say anything else?”7baad08c93f746f8

“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.”41fd6174c342a378

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Chief Eunuch Jeon handed 4e756b96d5 over a note from 1a65150c1c Queen Han.b25dcf46ed07ba82

She warned of the Empress Dowager’s danger and proposed an alliance, but it was refused. Below is the full text.2ae4b12bdeb40a48

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The note contained cdf0e6137f everything discussed with e22c1772d2 Head Court Lady 0cc4145c66 Choi.313508031f01321b

“He likes the rain? Ah…”c1a6f3d8e4a1d624

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The Grand King 894364b2d3 pondered for a d2ad71fa3a moment, recalling their ea71d06f27 names.020b25c081a651c2

Seoryeong (曙零), there was rain 2822115a4c in that name.507357a4a32c5573

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“Sigh…”191647a4aaa98508

So, he doesn’t want to associate with the one who killed his sister.8ac56902fa2f8275

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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.c8a20246ff7872fc

“Summon the ministers and advisors again.”cb9681ecaa3544fe

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He needed to discuss things b7ddca6874 with them again. If he went to see ab36030109 Seo Hwi in this state, 099f42be80 he might not be able 409e9d7ad2 to control his anger and acc881db38 end up killing him.ef5a952ff7ef1798

⟡ ⟡ ⟡1524d8d701066bb9

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‘If they have no intention of hiding, we must play along.’b6ee6d5cc9bf3fc6

‘Indeed. The Empress Dowager will likely downplay it. We can’t punish them just for meeting when nothing has happened yet.’204a3996c178f836

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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.bd42c41400d88214

‘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.’684747e25bb5f9ab

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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.cecfbf590a19e63f

‘If necessary, prepare to evacuate Yusuwon and forcibly relocate the people of Cheongwolmok there.’5cd846acc0ea5b3c

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“……”432d99b6dc5ceec2

In the end, he had eccd137b50 no choice but to prepare 117d4da43f for the worst.fb9d7c3e7e3043b9

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Standing in front 6f04edc218 of Seonhwa Palace, 0fed47c52d Yoongeon let out 82a38116d5 a deep sigh.5a0e20fb562e5396

The room where Seo 3df265016d Hwi stayed was one 8eb9571a6c he had visited before. It was a humble room ad950bf408 closest to the city gates, 6879b7b676 where Concubine Seo resided.1561ee3aaf1ad702

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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.633dcd7eb2ae446e

“His Majesty is here.”cc311c27190b2d76

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As the eunuch announced his 9eea4d18ea arrival outside the door, two 183eeb09ea court ladies nervously opened it.79631b93ca7b9b63

“What is this… Concubine Seo, show some respect!”c9e2e427f42f1215

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It was just as fd52ca234b Yoongeon was about to 7776784aae enter. Chief Eunuch Jeon, following 891b1467c5 him, shouted in surprise. It was because Concubine 77adf2d3d8 Seo, who should have ced30f59e2 come out to greet 9015e28d71 him, was calmly sitting c47a1c7c21 by the window, holding b9db3f9df7 a pipe. His gaze was directed outside.4bb52fba80f9323f

“……”9fc9c6d382fdd0c3

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Seo Hwi turned at the 90f7a80b6c shouting, exhaling white smoke.a2c4d832b4ff2f5e

“You didn’t expect me to come out and greet you, did you?”bd37afc9f8861832

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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.d3e4e7f3dfbeae54

“Enough. Bring the table.”fe40bfd309419371

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“……Yes, Your Majesty.”25ecb2ae2b304937

Unable to hide his 9c043d3aab frustration, Chief Eunuch Jeon dee49ee17c bowed deeply in response.c535e97acdc9e5c2

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“Were you waiting?”143195013a69cac2

“You told me to.”270b37331b824662

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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.41fd6029e313cc3a

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.9fa6c7bfa7955162

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‘This makes me feel foolish for being so on edge.’2b524451b4318751

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.daed53af0b372d74

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“Can’t you dispose of the ashes in the brazier? It dirties the floor.”fb57dd7b52416b5f

“I’m not doing it because I don’t know.”87797995ea857b74

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“You’re doing it knowingly? What, are you trying to dirty my palace out of spite?”f7dca11885ca8b80

“What? Haha!”03d71853233987f3

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“……”0fc1d4796a1488c5

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.d480450fd3ebe7e6

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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.8c7fcafd5025fb97

“The scent is too strong to leave in the brazier, so don’t misunderstand. I don’t take revenge in such petty ways.”1451de2c430e1cce

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“……I see.”78a33e2f00a1fa52

Indeed, the scent of f3d485ebe8 the dawn breeze clung 27f23c8a3e to him. The strong scent db6047d584 seemed to suit b5691a10bf Seo Hwi well. Yoongeon blushed slightly at 666647dd6b the thought. It felt strange to have cc9eb58eea such thoughts about a man.faa6f1a18cb1b20b

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“Your Majesty, shall we bring in the table?”3dab4d460229ac3b

“Bring it in.”f2894105cf4870ad

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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.1d28eb4e2a51cc0a

“Is this the proper table setting?”2c4975f683573d40

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“It is. You may leave.”b1e21a87c1f1d11d

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.53c812c721265b67

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“Is this really the proper table setting?”fe58e3291fb783dc

Yoongeon asked, unable to hide 22088c84a1 his disbelief.0e359fb077111222

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“How can you eat like this?”de25827bdd6da498

“Because this is what they give me.”ac19155eacf30b1b

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“……”6fd9f471980094ad

Since the Grand King hadn’t started eating yet, Seo Hwi also waited, not starting his meal. He spoke with a calm face.6c6bcbc7cda4a7ec

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“Let’s eat. Finish what you have to say and leave.”57c7d66ac1d9054d

“No, wait a moment.”85742bc1515c9d3a

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Yoongeon looked at ede2562926 Chief Eunuch Jeon 377546e2de and spoke.2ac35b9fbb0cd41e

“……Chief Eunuch Jeon. Bring a few more side dishes. Change the soup too.”8580be693d2e6f7c

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“Yes, Your Majesty.”287a828af1c55969

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.5916f798439b07e5

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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.a659bb292d83a1d7

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.63dd138fb7043a77

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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.8799d4be3c1c5074

“I…”a2cdeca90f9dc441

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Despite the discomfort of swallowing his food, Yoongeon couldn’t hold back his words.5e7bdb9198d1f298

“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.”47edd1eb833ce4cd

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“……”d0926d70979bf1d6

“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.”82e53b611296c774

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“Suddenly.”3578132532bcff52

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.a989cc2fb620ad70

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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.”02581d401ffe86a1

“Why not?”cd371b60f2778bae

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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.”e95d6ef8c299a1eb

“……”e4b655f396adbc3b

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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.9688a6aaf15b3123

“Ah… I see.”7052d716ee54d16e

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That was all he 1f206e3391 could say.99417f05370d234c

“Yes.”450c5ffb8c7972ef

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Neither of them df3916fa7b explicitly stated what 4dbb7cf5e2 they were talking 9e936444e8 about, but they 24abc150ae both knew it 663b10e5fa was about the 3756765ad5 siege Seo Hwi 6f1eadf23e had endured for 52f602b08d four months.fe15d39337d064b6

In a situation where they e7a037f237 were being pushed back, there a22783f15e was no room for leisure, c14714608b so Seo Hwi must have d986c67bca endured a very harsh situation.4aa231ababb69a2e

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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.”470bb3dd765544fe

“Suddenly.”1eaaef9081ebf41a

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“Well… maybe you don’t know, Yoongeon. You were a king and general who led countless victories.”f028c408bd5373ed

“Well, that’s not wrong.”73cfb7c51b42ee42

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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.7e57dcd90ad57d70

“It’s a difficult emotion to understand, for me.”30ce842cf2426f10

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