DN18

Chapter 18

An Irresistible Command

At the forefront of the group that arrived at Chiwoljeon, an official stepped forward, holding aloft a golden scroll inscribed with the Emperor’s seal.

Yi-Ihwa’s brow furrowed.

That was undeniably an imperial decree. For the Emperor to send someone in person meant the matter was both urgent and of grave importance.

“Even if it is His Majesty’s decree, does the Emperor not see the Empress standing before him?”

Yi-Ihwa, cut off at such a critical moment, openly revealed her displeasure.
If the court lady rumored to have shared a secret tryst with Gyeom managed to escape now, it would be a disaster.

So, you mean to buy time.

Yi-Ihwa smirked coldly at the transparent trick. Surely, the scroll either contained nothing at all or something utterly trivial.

Did they truly believe this would turn me away?

Once she had been Cheon Yi-Ihwa, daughter of a prestigious family. But now, as the Empress of Hwangseon, she was not someone to be swayed so easily.

“Forgive my discourtesy, Your Majesty. But my foremost duty is to carry out His Majesty’s command.”

The official’s firm voice, unwavering in strength, twisted Yi-Ihwa’s lips into a chilly smile. He was the same man who often opposed her father, Chancellor Cheon Tae-su, at every turn. Naturally, Yi-Ihwa could not stomach his rigid attitude.

“Since, as you say, nothing outranks His Majesty’s will, then carry it out before me at once.”

At her sharp provocation, the official faltered.

If that scroll is empty, it would mean they dared deceive the Empress herself. If not, then they’ve abused imperial authority for their own ends.

Yi-Ihwa’s victorious smile had only begun to bloom when the official unrolled the decree and read aloud.

“I, Gyeom, Emperor of Hwangseon, hereby raise the court lady Danseol to the rank of Concubine Gui.”

“A… a concubine?!”

Gasps rippled through the attendants. A new consort was always cause for gossip, though the rank of Gui-in was not considered especially high. Normally, it would have attracted little attention.

But now was different. The Emperor—who had never kept a woman by his side—had granted favor to a mere court lady. And all while he already had a fated Empress chosen by Heaven itself.

“From this moment forth, the court lady Danseol shall be treated with the dignity befitting her rank as Concubine Gui.”

“While it is indeed a joyous occasion to welcome a new member into the Imperial Household…”

Yi-Ihwa’s voice cut in, deliberately calm, her words laced with hidden sharpness.

“First, it must be confirmed whether that court lady carries the imperial heir.”

No matter how favored she was, a court lady could only rise as a consort if she bore—or carried—the imperial bloodline. Yi-Ihwa seized on that fact.

She has only been entering Chiwoljeon for less than ten days. There is no way she is pregnant.

Though Yi-Ihwa had ascended as Empress thanks to a divine token, she had held onto that throne through her own power. She was not one to be underestimated.

“A valid concern, Your Majesty. That is why we have summoned a physician from the Imperial Medical Office.”

“Physician Tae Seorang, before the Empress.”

Yi-Ihwa’s eyes narrowed.

“One physician? That hardly suffices for such a matter. I shall summon the Chief Physician as well. Let both of them examine her together.”

She would not trust a man sent by Gyeom. If Danseol was to be examined, it would be by her own people.

“As you wish.”

Soon, Chief Physician Han Ju-dan arrived, and together with Tae Seorang, they followed Yi-Ihwa into Chiwoljeon.

“Open the doors.”

At Yi-Ihwa’s command, the papered doors slid open, revealing the inside at last.

The dim chamber bore obvious traces of a man and woman’s union. Clothes scattered across the floor, and there, curled up, sat the court lady Danseol—covered by none other than the Emperor’s dragon robe.

Yi-Ihwa clenched her teeth. To actually see the favored woman with her own eyes made her fury nearly uncontainable. But she forced herself to hold back.

“Physicians, take her pulse at once.”

“At… at once, Your Majesty? Perhaps after she has composed herself…”

Seorang glanced awkwardly at Danseol.

“Do you mean to defy me?”

“N-no, of course not.”

Under Yi-Ihwa’s icy voice, the physicians moved toward Danseol.

“Wh-who are you?”

Danseol clutched the dragon robe tightly, as though shielding herself.

“We are here only to confirm whether you carry the imperial heir. You need not be alarmed.”

At those words, Danseol’s eyes trembled violently.

Pregnant? But… I never…

She had not lain with Gyeom. The most he had done was brush her lips with his, leaving behind only the warmth of his breath and the dragon robe at her feet.

“Today, I have taken you as mine.”

That was all he had said before leaving, his back turned without a trace of hesitation, as though he had never felt desire for her at all.

Still, when his lips had grazed hers, she had sensed a dangerous hunger in his breath. It was instinct itself.

“I have kept my promise. You must now fulfill your part.”

And with that, he had left. Alone, Danseol had followed his command—discarding her jacket, lying beneath the dragon robe in only her undergarments. It was in that state Yi-Ihwa had found her.

Now, faced with the physicians, she trembled.

If they declare I am not pregnant, I may not live through this…

She shut her eyes tight and prayed desperately to every spirit that would listen.

“She is with child.”

The calm declaration stunned Danseol. It was Tae Seorang who had spoken.

So… this was why His Majesty sent him.

It was a lie ordered by Gyeom.

Danseol barely had time to sigh in relief before Yi-Ihwa ordered again:

“Now, let the Chief Physician examine her.”

Ju-dan approached. Danseol’s body stiffened once more. Surely, Yi-Ihwa’s own physician could not be deceived.

His fingers pressed to her wrist. The silence stretched, broken only by a low hum.

“Well?”

“…She is with child.”

The words shocked everyone present—even Yi-Ihwa herself.

“That… that cannot be! Take her pulse again!”

Ju-dan checked a second time, but the answer remained unchanged.

“She is pregnant.”

“Ha!”

Yi-Ihwa’s incredulous laugh rang out. Striding forward, she tore the dragon robe from Danseol’s shoulders.

“W-what are you doing?!”

Danseol scrambled to cover herself, pale shoulders exposed.

Yi-Ihwa froze when she finally saw Danseol’s face clearly.

How can this be? I saw her miscarry with my own eyes!

She herself had given Danseol a deadly abortifacient. Yet here she stood—alive, and pregnant.

But Yi-Ihwa could not voice this.

If it were known I tried to poison her, I would be ruined.

Now Danseol was no longer just a court lady—she was the Emperor’s consort carrying the heir. Even an Empress would not escape punishment if such a crime came to light.