Chapter 28:
Reversal
“Y-Your Majesty!”
When Gyeom entered Geoniljeon carrying Danseol, who was drenched in blood, the court ladies standing guard widened their eyes in shock.
The man who had always looked upon women as if they were stones was now carrying one in his arms. That alone was enough to startle them—but the woman’s clothing soaked in blood left them speechless.
They all knew the concubine Danseol had once received the emperor’s favor, that she had even conceived and been elevated to Consort. But hearing such things as rumors was nothing compared to witnessing it with their own eyes.
“Bring clean clothes, fresh linens, and water.”
Gyeom issued the order curtly, ignoring the gasps behind him, and strode into the chamber.
Inside, he carefully laid Danseol down. Her eyes remained tightly shut.
“You may open your eyes now.”
At his words, Danseol cautiously lifted her lids, peeking around the empty chamber before opening them fully. The timid, almost childlike gesture struck him as oddly endearing.
‘Ha… ridiculous.’
Gyeom gave a quiet, disbelieving laugh. To be having such absurd thoughts in this situation—was something wrong with him? Or was the woman before him simply that beguiling?
Unable to reach a conclusion, he asked bluntly:
“How did you manage it?”
He had not witnessed everything that happened earlier, and curiosity gnawed at him. Just how had this delicate, pale woman accomplished such a feat?
Danseol slowly took out a leather pouch, stained with dried blood. Once plump, it was now limp and empty.
“I used what Your Majesty gave me.”
“So you used the blood inside… to feign a miscarriage?”
“A healthy child cannot be lost so suddenly. I needed a proper excuse.”
“And that excuse… was the maid sent by the Empress.”
Danseol nodded quietly.
For days, she had secretly asked Taeseorang to procure livestock blood, and had requested that certain herbs be omitted from her prescribed tea.
‘In a few days, her monthly flow will begin.’
She had timed it perfectly. With the livestock’s blood, she could stage a miscarriage, and by using Gyeonji’s shove as a pretext, it would all appear natural.
“Ha… remarkable.”
Gyeom let out a faint, incredulous laugh.
Not only had she shaken off the Empress Yi-Ihwa’s spies with her innocent face, but she had also maneuvered the Empress herself into a trap.
This woman was extraordinary.
“Then even the cold sweat—you faked that?”
“…That was—”
Just then, a voice called from outside.
“Your Majesty, the requested clothing, linens, and water have arrived. A physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau is also here.”
Gyeom rose and opened the door himself. Startled, the eunuch holding the garments and the attendant with a brass basin almost dropped what they carried.
“Only the physician may enter.”
He snatched the clothes from the eunuch and returned inside. The attendant carrying the basin followed.
Danseol still lay with her eyes shut.
“It is only Taeseorang. You may look.”
At his reassurance, her lashes fluttered open. When she recognized Taeseorang, relief softened her face—though it didn’t last long.
“Ugh…”
She groaned, clutching her abdomen. Alarmed, Taeseorang set the basin aside and hurried to her side.
“Where does it hurt? Were you injured—?”
When he first heard the news of a miscarriage, he had not been overly worried. But seeing her now, drenched in blood, his chest clenched with dread.
“It’s my stomach…”
Frowning in pain, she pressed a hand to her belly. Taeseorang immediately began taking her pulse.
Gyeom, despite himself, watched closely, unease creeping into his chest.
“Hmm…”
“What is it? Has something gone wrong?”
He pressed, irritated by the physician’s hesitation. Why was he so unsettled over this woman? He could not explain it, yet his eyes stayed fixed on her.
Finally, Taeseorang spoke:
“The Consort is experiencing menstrual cramps.”
“…Menstrual… cramps?”
Gyeom furrowed his brow, baffled by the unfamiliar term.
“They are abdominal pains women suffer during their monthly—”
But before he could finish, Danseol tugged sharply at his sleeve, her face crimson.
“Please… stop!”
The thought of her most private matters being laid bare to her enemy, Emperor Gyeom, was unbearable.
“She needs rest,” Gyeom ordered. “Withdraw for now. If you have medicine to ease the pain, prepare it quickly.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Once Taeseorang left, silence returned. Danseol turned away, mortified. She tried to ignore him—only to startle at his next action.
“W-What are you doing?”
He had soaked a clean cloth in water and wrung it out.
“Be still.”
Without hesitation, he lifted her bloodstained skirts, revealing her pale legs streaked with dried blood. She tried to cover them, but his hand was faster, firm.
As he wiped away the blood, a swollen, bruised ankle appeared.
“As I thought.”
Even amidst her act, she had been truly injured. He had suspected it when she flinched in his arms earlier.
“It’s nothing. Please, don’t trouble yourself.”
She tried to pull her leg away, but his grip tightened.
“Then stop making it my concern.”
He finished cleaning the wound and pressed a cold cloth against the swelling—an improvised remedy, but enough to ease pain.
“Your body is not yours alone. Do not be reckless again.”
His words made her fall silent. What was she supposed to make of such a statement?
Gyeom rose, placing fresh garments by her side.
“I will call for the physician again. Change into these first.”
“I’ll receive treatment back at Chiwoljeon.”
Her tone was firm. Grateful though she was, she could not remain here. This place unsettled her far too much.
“No.”
The single word froze her.
It was no mistake—his voice was iron.
“You will stay here until you recover.”
“…Why?”
“What husband would do nothing after his wife suffers a miscarriage?”
A faint, unreadable smile curved his lips.
“So I will devote myself to caring for you.”
Her eyes wavered, trembling at his unexpected words.
Meanwhile, in another hall, Empress Yi-Ihwa paced restlessly, whispering to herself.
“Stay calm. Do not falter…”
The news she had just received left her shaken: Gyeonji had shoved Danseol down the stairs, leading to the loss of the imperial child.
“They even say the maid carried poison.”
And that poison was the very vial Yi-Ihwa herself had given.
‘Damn it… if she speaks, I’m finished.’
Her greatest fear now was not Gyeonji’s punishment, but her loose tongue. No oath of loyalty could be trusted when death loomed. She needed to silence her before that happened.
Yi-Ihwa turned toward the door—
“The Grand Empress Dowager enters!”
The announcement cut through the air. The doors slammed open, revealing the Grand Empress Dowager, face red with fury.
Even at a glance, her anger was unmistakable. The maids lining the chamber bowed low, trembling.
Yi-Ihwa, however, did not flinch. Instead, she scoffed.
“Even for the Grand Empress Dowager, to barge in unannounced is—”
SLAP!
The Dowager’s hand struck her cheek with a resounding crack, silencing the chamber. The maids stared in horror as Yi-Ihwa reeled, stunned.
