Chapter 26
The Plans They Don’t Know About
“Your Highness, Lady Gyeonji seeks an audience.”
“Let her in, quickly.”
Ihwa sprang up from her seat in haste, urging the eunuch forward.
As the sliding doors opened, Gyeonji entered and bowed low to the floor. Normally, Ihwa would have received such courtesy seated with dignity in her upper seat, but today she had no such composure.
“Everyone leave us. I have private matters to discuss with her.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The attendants withdrew at once. Ihwa grasped Gyeonji by the shoulders and lifted her from the floor.
“Tell me the news you’ve brought. How is that woman faring under your watch?”
“It seems… she truly is pregnant.”
“…Ha.”
Ihwa let out a hollow laugh at the report.
“You’ve been watching her day and night without a moment’s lapse?”
No. Impossible.
She could not be with child.
Even as she listened to Gyeonji’s words, Ihwa refused to believe them. No—she could not acknowledge them. That woman carrying the imperial heir? It was absurd. Clearly, it must be some trick, some deceit. Ihwa clung to that belief desperately.
“I have obeyed Your Highness’s command without fail, watching her every waking hour.”
Indeed, Gyeonji had done so—not out of loyalty, but to spy on even the most private details of Danseol’s life.
“It has now been two full months since I entered Chiwoljeon. And still, Lady Dan has not had her monthly courses.”
Every woman without child bleeds once a month. Ihwa had made Gyeonji watch precisely for that sign.
“No matter what scheme she contrives, her courses cannot be hidden. That is why I placed you at her side to observe carefully.”
And yet, despite her careful watch, the result was unchanged. Ihwa’s hopes had come to nothing.
Crash!
“Your Highness!”
Unable to contain her fury, Ihwa slammed her teacup down so hard it shattered, shards slicing across her delicate hand.
“Shall I fetch the physician at once?”
Blood dripped steadily from her pale skin, but Ihwa looked down at it with chilling indifference. Like a doll that did not feel pain, her face remained eerily expressionless.
The wound was nothing. What truly stabbed at her was the knife twisting inside her chest.
Danseol.
It was all because of that cursed fox.
“Just a scratch. Do not make a fuss.”
“But if such a fair hand is scarred—what then?”
Gyeonji fretted, nearly in tears. Seeing her distress, Ihwa’s anger eased slightly.
“Gyeonji.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I think there is something you must do for me.”
“Command me. For Your Highness, I would do anything.”
At her firm reply, Ihwa’s crimson lips curled into a sly smile.
Of course. The girl had never once failed her.
I saved her life. Is it not only right that she now gives that life for me?
With a soft tap, Ihwa placed a small sealed vial before her.
“Slip this to Lady Dan without her knowing.”
Gyeonji stared at the bottle. A terrible premonition gnawed at her.
“One drop will suffice.”
Slowly, her head lifted, eyes widening. She understood instantly.
She means for me to kill Lady Dan.
Her hands trembled violently despite herself. Watching was one thing; murder was another. If this plot were discovered, she was already a dead woman.
She had sworn she would do anything for Ihwa, but only because she trusted her mistress would never demand this.
“Why? Can you not do it?”
“T-that is…”
“Ahahahaha!”
Ihwa burst into laughter, the jewels of her dangling earrings clinking wildly with the force of it.
“Your Highness…?”
“Forgive me.”
Wiping tears from her eyes, Ihwa finally calmed her mirth.
“Did you truly think I would send you unprepared into such a task? It was simply amusing to see you so flustered for once.”
“My deepest apologies, Your Highness!”
“There is nothing to apologize for. I shall make every precaution so you come to no harm. You may rest easy.”
Her gentle smile, the wave of her jeweled hand—it made Gyeonji’s eyes sting with shame. How could she have doubted her merciful mistress even for a moment?
“I shall fulfill Your Highness’s command without fail.”
“Good. I place my trust in you.”
As Gyeonji prostrated herself on the floor, Ihwa absently touched her wounded finger. The blood had already dried and crusted over.
“You dare let your thoughts wander before your husband? How utterly insolent.”
“I beg Your Majesty’s pardon.”
Danseol’s gaze flicked briefly toward Gyeom, then drifted back to the moonlight spilling through the window. Her pale face glowed in silver light, serene as ever, yet showing no trace of remorse.
“You seem to be gravely mistaken.”
Her words of apology rang hollow. Gyeom’s brows twitched.
“Remember, your very life lies in my hand.”
“Then kill me now.”
The voice that asked for death was brimming with defiance—because she knew he would not.
Gyeom felt both stung and strangely intrigued.
Unbelievable.
He had lived as emperor, and never once had anyone dared speak to him so boldly. Perhaps that was why her defiance drew his attention all the more.
Even now, she looked away from him, her mind elsewhere. And it infuriated him.
“Someone who tried to kill me should not be allowed such peace.”
He seized Danseol’s arm and yanked her close. Her wide sleeve slipped down, exposing her slender wrist and forearm. She flinched at his touch.
The woman who had not trembled at threats now faltered at mere contact. The sight stirred a strange thrill in him.
“You will die only after you’ve served your purpose here.”
He gripped her chin, forcing her to face him. Her clear eyes wavered, now filled with only scorn and fury.
“Your Majesty is truly cruel.”
He gave a short laugh.
“You should have looked at me when we spoke.”
“….”
“I cannot abide being ignored.”
Memories surfaced—back when the Empress Dowager ruled through him like a puppet. Perhaps that was why Danseol’s disregard stung so deeply now.
But to her, his behavior was simply bewildering.
“Do not toy with me like this—”
Suddenly, he pressed something into her hand.
“This is…”
“The item you asked Physician Tae for.”
She looked down at the leather pouch in her palm, the faint metallic stench wafting from its tied mouth.
“I had it delivered on your behalf.”
Releasing her, he stood. For all his earlier menace, his movements now seemed strangely light.
“Why would you help me?”
Danseol stared at the pouch. Last time, his aid had been understandable—if her false pregnancy were exposed, it would have implicated him as well. But tonight, he had no such reason.
“Because I think whatever you’re planning will be… entertaining.”
How it would shake Cheon Ihwa.
How, through that, the Cheon clan would crumble and vanish into history.
For that reason alone, Gyeom would aid her schemes. Even without knowing exactly what they were, he was certain they would not be dull.
“Just do your part well.”
Do not disappoint me.
With that, Gyeom left Chiwoljeon.
