Chapter 27
An Unexpected Revenge
Several days had passed, and yet the imperial palace appeared as tranquil as ever. But it was only the surface that was calm—beneath, the air was stretched taut with tension.
“That woman is as good as dead.”
Lady Yi-Ihwa waited breathlessly for Gyeonji to slip poison into Danseol’s cup.
“It must be at the most unsuspecting moment.”
Following Yi-Ihwa’s orders, Gyeonji’s bloodshot eyes searched for the perfect opportunity.
“There can be no mistakes.”
At the same time, Danseol was crafting a plan of her own—one to free herself from Yi-Ihwa’s surveillance and erase the perilous stigma of being accused of carrying the imperial heir.
Whosever plan succeeded meant the other would lose her life. Yet none of the three women revealed their hidden schemes.
“Perhaps I should have gone to Chiwoljeon instead. To summon a woman in her condition back and forth is unkind.”
“It is nothing, Your Majesty. I was feeling rather stifled, so the chance to enjoy the fresh air is welcome.”
At Dan-seol’s graceful reply, the Grand Empress Dowager’s lips curved into a satisfied smile. The more she looked, the more pleasing she found Danseol.
“Her lowly birth is her only flaw.”
If Danseol had been born a noble of Hwangseon, she could have stood as a counterweight to Cheon Yi-Ihwa, and perhaps even bolstered Gyeom’s power. That was why the Grand Empress Dowager regretted her humble origins so deeply.
No—she lamented that Heaven had not chosen Danseol as the bearer of the token. If she had been the destined one, the Grand Empress Dowager would not now be tormented with endless anxiety.
“Your Majesty, the tea and confections you requested have been prepared.”
“Bring them in quickly.”
At her command, the doors opened and two court ladies entered, setting a tray before the Grand Empress Dowager and Danseol. The fragrant lotus-leaf tea, delicate sweets, and a few bright golden kumquats glistened atop the table.
“I heard you have taken a liking to kumquats of late, so I had them prepared.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
When the Grand Empress Dowager offered one, Danseol accepted it politely with both hands. Though the small golden fruit, warmed by the elder’s touch, radiated gentle heat, Danseol’s heart remained uneasy.
She needed to bring this perilous balancing act to an end soon.
“This tea is made from the first tender leaves of the year. Try it.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As Danseol lifted her cup, Gyeonji swallowed hard.
“Just a single drop will be enough.”
Following Yi-Ihwa’s order, she had mixed poison into Danseol’s lotus-leaf tea—just one drop.
“If she dies in Chiwoljeon, suspicion will fall upon me and the Empress.”
But if Danseol were to collapse here, in Huayeongjeon, the Grand Empress Dowager’s own residence—while drinking tea she had personally offered? The blame would fall naturally upon the Grand Empress Dowager.
No matter how much she cherished Danseol and longed for the imperial heir, if poison were discovered in her tea, even she would have no defense.
“If that happens, Her Majesty will be delighted.”
If both Danseol and the troublesome Grand Empress Dowager were eliminated in one stroke, it would be like pulling a rotting tooth. That was why Gyeonji had risked everything today, slipping the poison into Danseol’s tea.
Her eyes, rimmed with red, fixed unblinking upon the woman about to drink.
“Ah!”
“Are you all right?”
The cup slipped from Danseol’s hands and shattered, making the Grand Empress Dowager leap up in alarm. Gyeonji’s shoulders sagged in bitter disappointment.
“My hand was scalded a little, but I am unharmed.”
“Send word to the Imperial Medical Bureau at once!”
“Y-yes, Your Majesty!”
The commotion spread quickly. Eunuchs rushed off to fetch physicians, while court ladies hastily prepared cool cloths and basins of water.
“I assure you, I am fine.”
“No stubbornness—begin the cold compress at once.”
Under the stern command, Danseol complied, soothing her burn with cold water until the palace physician finally arrived.
“Must you really depart without an escort?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. You have already shown me great kindness.”
Once the chaos subsided, Danseol excused herself on grounds of fatigue.
“At least allow me to see you to the gate.”
The Grand Empress Dowager’s gaze lingered anxiously. Since earlier, Danseol’s face had been pale, her complexion wan.
Her concern was soon justified. Just as Danseol stepped out of Huayeongjeon, her body swayed unsteadily.
“Help me down the steps.”
“Yes, lean on me.”
As Gyeonji reached out to steady her—
“Ahhh!”
“Lady Dan!”
Danseol suddenly tumbled down the stairs. It happened so swiftly that even Gyeonji, right beside her, was left stunned.
But that was not the end.
“M-my stomach…”
Clutching her belly, Danseol groaned in agony. Her face turned deathly white, drenched in cold sweat.
“…Blood—blood!”
One terrified court lady screamed. A dark crimson stain spread beneath Danseol’s skirts, soaking the fabric with horrifying speed.
“Lady Dan!”
The Grand Empress Dowager, realizing the dreadful meaning of the sight, forgot her dignity and rushed forward. But Danseol’s hem was already drenched red.
“No… it cannot be…! The imperial heir we prayed so hard for—!”
Her grief was so great she collapsed to the floor. Attendants tried to help her up, but nothing could console her despair.
“You wretch…! Did you push her down the stairs?”
The Grand Empress Dowager’s trembling finger pointed at Gyeonji, her eyes blazing with wrath.
“I did nothing of the sort!”
But no one listened.
“Do you think I did not see? You pretended to steady her only to shove her. Everyone here witnessed it!”
“I swear I did not! I am innocent!”
It was true—she had only slipped poison into Danseol’s tea. She had not pushed her. Danseol had stumbled of her own accord.
“You vile creature!”
Smack!
The slap resounded, snapping Gyeonji’s head to the side.
“Was it the Empress who ordered you to harm her?”
“…No. Her Majesty is uninvolved in this matter.”
Gyeonji gritted her teeth, clutching her swelling cheek. She could not allow Yi-Ihwa to be dragged into this.
“Still denying it? I will ask once more. Did the Empress command you to cause Lady Dan to miscarry?”
“Absolutely not! I swear, I am innocent!”
As she tore at her own chest in anguish—
“Search her!”
“Your Majesty!”
At that moment, Gyeom arrived. The air fell silent as every servant prostrated themselves.
His footsteps echoed ominously across the courtyard until he stood before the collapsed Danseol. His eyes swept over her sweat-soaked brow, her pallid face, and the bloodied hem of her skirt.
Then, slowly, his gaze turned toward Gyeonji.
“You dare lay a hand on my woman? Are you so eager to die?”
The chilling murmur froze the courtyard. Gyeon-ji felt her knees weaken.
Gyeom bent, kneeling on one knee. Carefully, he lifted Dan-seol into his arms. She was far lighter than expected—too light, unsettlingly so.
“As expected… impressive.”
Despite her fragile frame, she had orchestrated such a dramatic scene. That such an audacious scheme came from that small head amused him. Out of appreciation for her effort, he would play along.
“Your Majesty! We found this on the maid’s person!”
“That… that is—!”
The small vial raised by a servant made Gyeon-ji’s face drain of all color. It contained the very poison Yi-Ihwa had given her. No words were needed—everyone present knew it was suspicious, and that it tied directly to this disaster.
“Arrest this criminal who sought to murder Lady Dan and the imperial heir. Bind her and interrogate her until she names her master.”
“By your command, Your Majesty!”
The soldiers seized Gyeonji, binding her tightly with rope.
“I am innocent! Please, believe me!”
“Are you deluded?”
Gyeom’s icy voice dropped like a blade.
“I am restraining my fury only out of consideration for her.”
His deadly gaze bore into her. If this was his restraint, what would his rage look like? Sweat poured down her back.
“The only reason I do not kill you here and now… is because I will not show such cruelty before my woman.”
Those words crushed Gyeonji’s last shred of hope. She understood—her mistress could never win against this man.
“Take her away.”
The soldiers dragged Gyeonji off.
“Taeyeom.”
Ignoring the chaos, Gyeom called his attendant.
“Bring the Imperial Physician to Geoniljeon.”
With that final order, he strode away from Huayeongjeon, carrying Danseol in his arms.
