Chapter 29
The next day, Argana paid an early morning visit to the Khan, then went straight to the Yejong Palace, the residence of Ayulsiran.
According to imperial law, she should have succeeded Ayulwiran—the first queen consort and khatun—and used the palace befitting that position.
However, because Astrahan Khan had not permitted it, Ayulsiran had lived in the same place from the time the empire was founded until now.
Compared to the other empresses or consorts, her residence was quite large and spacious, but still, whenever Argana came here, she could not shake off a peculiar sense of discomfort.
“Welcome, Princess.”
Ayulsiran herself came out to the entrance to greet her.
When Argana clasped both her hands in greeting, she noticed how cold Ayulsiran’s hands were.
“Mother, you weren’t waiting outside all this time, were you?”
“How could I just sit when my daughter was coming to see me after so long?”
“I told you not to do that. Last time you stayed out too long for a walk, you ended up with a long cough.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Come in now.”
The chair inside was warmed.
In winter, imperial women often warmed their seats with hot water bottles or heated flat stones. But Empress Ayulsiran, whose body always ran cold, often kept her seat warm even in summer.
“So, how have you been these days, Princess?”
“The same as always.”
“I wish you’d spend your energy on something other than swordsmanship training.”
By “something else,” she meant adornment and social activities to find a marriage partner.
Argana merely smiled. She wasn’t offended—she knew it was simply Ayulsiran’s habitual remark.
“And you, Mother? You’ve had no illness?”
“Now that I’m older, I ache here and there even when I sit still.”
“Shall I massage your legs for you?”
“Goodness, no. How could I ask the princess to do such a thing?”
“Nonsense. I’m your child too—it’s only natural that I show filial piety.”
A faint smile crossed Ayulsiran’s face—a mask-like smile where the eyes never followed. Argana was long used to it.
“By the way, Ayur dropped by last night.”
At the mention of her son, Ayulsiran straightened proudly, as though simply thinking of him filled her with pride.
“I hear Lady Turegen was punished for overstepping her place. I warned her many times, yet her habits never changed.”
“It’s chronic. Did Brother Ayur not mention anything else?”
“Wouldn’t it be better if you spoke first? I suspect you’ve come here because of that matter.”
Struck right on the mark, Argana felt awkward but quickly reassured herself—perhaps it was better this way. She didn’t enjoy long conversations with Ayulsiran; it might be easier to speak only of her business.
“Since you’ve asked, Mother, I’ll report it. Yesterday, while Father was questioning Lady Turegen’s conduct, one of her maids was found wearing very costly shoes.”
Ayulsiran nodded, urging her to continue.
“That same maid was once caught by me with a finely crafted jade bracelet. She claimed it was a gift from Prince Yoshmut, but I believe that’s unlikely.”
“Indeed, Ayur mentioned that as well. But whether the prince gave it to her or not—do we know for certain?”
“Well…”
“If she stole it, that would be different. But if it were bestowed by a superior, it isn’t much of an issue. The Khan has forbidden maids and eunuchs from indulging in luxury, but if we punished every case, there would be no attendants left in this vast palace.”
Argana knew this was true. By law, maids weren’t even supposed to wear silk.
But how could they endure scorching summers and freezing winters in coarse hemp?
Even the maids serving in Argana’s palace wore silk bestowed by her and made into garments, and in winter they wore padded vests and thick neck-wraps.
If the use of gifted items was punished, her own maids would be no less guilty. That was the point Ayulsiran was making.
In the end, Mother Ayulsiran will never get involved unless it concerns Brother Ayur.
Though she was the head of the Inner Court, Ayulsiran cared only about her son Ayur and securing his position as Crown Prince.
By age, Isuder had been born a year earlier, but Ayulsiran argued that Ayur, as the son of the Ayul clan, should inherit the throne.
“Mother, I understand your reasoning. But since Father commanded me to assist you in overseeing the Inner Court, I instructed those managing the warehouses to check this year’s inventory.”
“You’ve worked hard, Princess.”
“I thought it might be useful to compare with the last record. What do you think, Mother?”
Ayulsiran looked at her in silence, then gestured to her close maid, Ulan.
“Bring the ledgers.”
Ulan moved at once. Argana also had her attendants place the records before Ayulsiran.
As the maids flipped through the ledgers page by page, Argana calmly sipped fragrant tea, waiting to see when Ayulsiran would notice something strange.
No matter how much she focuses on Ayur’s succession, she would never risk Father’s disfavor. She won’t glance through these records carelessly.
Sure enough, Ayulsiran’s expression darkened with each page.
At last, she stopped the maid’s hand.
“Princess, when was this inventory taken?”
“Three days ago, Mother.”
“Three days… And you entrusted it to reliable people? Did you confirm it yourself?”
“Yes, Mother. I verified it thoroughly. Why do you ask?”
Ayulsiran gave no answer, only turned to Ulan again.
“Who compiled the last inventory record?”
“Your Majesty, I did so myself.”
“You, Ulan? And you’re certain there were no mistakes?”
Ulan bowed deeply, looking flustered.
“Your Majesty, I worked with all my effort. I can confidently say I made no mistakes.”
Ayulsiran trusted her.
When it came to meticulousness, no one in the palace could rival Ulan. Which meant there was only one possible explanation.
“Someone has meddled with the Inner Court warehouses.”
“What?”
Startled, Ulan cried out, her eyes going wide. Her stunned look was as though she’d seen a ghost. Argana echoed her in feigned disbelief.
“Surely not, Mother. That can’t be…”
“No, it’s certain. The discrepancies between the princess’s records and the previous ledgers are far too great. They don’t even match the entry logs. Items haven’t just slipped out one by one—this is extensive.”
Ayulsiran struck the table lightly. On her pale face, tightly pressed lips now carried a trace of wrath.
“Who dares do such a thing?”
“Mother, this is a grave crime. To lay private hands upon the imperial household’s goods!”
“A grave crime indeed. Ayur mentioned the matter of the Inner Court’s management to me—perhaps he already suspected something was wrong.”
He knows, yes, Argana thought. But only in part…
To truly ensnare Yoshmut, she had to tighten the noose with her own hands. Ayur’s role was merely to play along.
“Since Brother Ayur may have noticed, why not ask him yourself?”
“That may be best. Ulan, go summon Ayur.”
“There’s no need, Mother. I’ll fetch him myself.”
Before Ayulsiran could stop her, Argana quickly left her residence, heading toward Ayur’s palace. She needed to coordinate their stories on the way.
