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Chapter 40
The next day, officials from the Central Council came to Seojun’s pavilion.
Court Eunuch Oh explained that their visit was for an interview. He did not say what kind of interview.
When Seojun asked if this too was another test, the only advice he received was to deal with the officials with sincerity and honesty.
“Are you comfortable staying here?”
“Thanks to your careful attention, I am doing well.”
They exchanged light conversation over refreshments.
Once they had grown familiar with each other’s faces, one man asked,
“What do you think is the role of the Royal Secretariat?”
“I believe it is to serve the peace of the imperial family and the happiness of the people.”
Seojun gave a textbook answer.
That was thanks to Yeon’s earlier advice that everyone in the imperial household, from janitors to the Emperor, was stiff and old-fashioned.
Several more questions followed.
Seojun answered without hesitation, and they nodded, listening attentively.
“That concludes the questions we prepared.”
“Thank you for your time.”
After the interview, Seojun planned to inspect the pavilion again. Someone might have installed more wiretaps overnight.
But just as the visitors were about to rise, they hesitated and made a ridiculous suggestion.
“There’s still some tea and refreshments left. Would you mind if we finished them before leaving?”
Were they being sociable, or just typical office workers unwilling to miss a chance to slack off?
Seojun studied them for a moment before replying,
“Go ahead.”
“Since fate brought us together like this, would you care to join us?”
Were they naturally affable?
Seojun gave a light smile.
“My presence might make you uncomfortable.”
“Not at all. Judging by your answers, we’ll likely be seeing you often in the future. Best to get acquainted early.”
The man’s overly casual and friendly attitude made Seojun want to decline and leave, but he changed his mind.
Suspicious. Best to observe.
“Very well. I’m not a particularly entertaining person, so keep that in mind.”
“If someone as handsome as you also had a sense of humor, it would be unfair. That would be massacring us commoners!”
The man’s joke earned a polite chuckle from Seojun.
After that, the man chattered away noisily.
Oddly enough, although he had been so eager to invite Seojun to sit, he didn’t actually strike up conversation with him.
Seojun half-listened to his rambling while turning over other thoughts in his mind.
What was the real purpose of this interview? Who exactly was this man?
His behavior was far from ordinary.
And when would they finally announce the second test scheduled for today?
It was then that Seojun sensed the man glancing at him.
“Have you heard the rumor about Candidate Kim Mujun?”
Kim Mujun—the biology PhD who had lived abroad for a long time. The one who had drawn a carp during yesterday’s test as his clever submission.
When Seojun’s eyes widened slightly, the man, thinking he had piqued interest, leaned in.
“There’s gossip that he has a lover overseas whom he’s been with for a long time.”
Seojun’s brow furrowed instantly.
It was unwise to listen to potentially damaging gossip about rival candidates.
“I think it best we end this conversation here.”
Seojun immediately called for Eunuch Oh.
“Oh dear, I must’ve made a mistake. Candidate, what I said was just a rumor. Please disregard it. They say Candidate Kim Mujun still hasn’t broken things off with that long-time lover…”
Seojun fixed him with a hard stare.
Under the piercing gaze, the man quickly covered his mouth with both hands. Then, laughing awkwardly, he gathered his things and left.
Once they were gone, palace attendants entered to clear away the refreshments.
Soon after, Eunuch Oh returned carrying a tray with chilled omija tea.
“I’ve had more than enough tea already.”
“I thought you might be feeling unsettled, so I prepared this.”
He pressed the matter.
From experience, Seojun knew that whenever Eunuch Oh insisted, it was because Yeon had left some sort of message.
“You’re right, I was craving something cool.”
Only then did Eunuch Oh smile and set the tray on the desk.
Beneath the icy glass lay a tea coaster engraved with a lotus motif.
“That coaster is rather fine.”
“You can buy similar ones at the National Museum, though as you know, those used in the palace are made by artisans and of much higher quality. Would you like to take a closer look?”
He was practically spelling it out—there was a hidden message.
Exhaling softly, Seojun flipped the coaster. On the underside, a note from Yeon was attached.
[Three years deaf.]
So, those visitors just now must have been examiners.
No wonder they had been carelessly spouting things Seojun wasn’t meant to hear.
He didn’t know the exact nature of the test, but one thing was clear:
“I’ll need to forget everything I just heard.”
Setting the coaster down, Seojun remarked,
“Indeed, the craftsmanship is excellent.”
Eunuch Oh smiled.
That evening, Yeon’s pavilion was bustling.
“What color dress would you prefer, Your Highness?”
Sil-an gestured at a rack lined with gowns.
They were dresses tailored with the silhouette and fabric of hanbok, prepared in various colors.
“Nothing too bold.”
Yeon pointed at a pale sky-blue gown.
“This one today. Seojun’s suit is navy.”
“You already know what he’s wearing?”
Sil-an handed the gown to a waiting maid.
Yeon lifted her chin proudly.
“As expected, Your Highness. How do you manage to gather people around you so quickly…?”
She stopped short, glancing around before falling silent.
Yeon chuckled softly.
Of course she knew what Sil-an had meant.
The unspoken question: When did you manage to gather allies in this detached palace? And the amazement at Yeon’s ability to draw reliable people to her side so quickly.
It was indeed impressive—but calling it quick was misleading.
The people working for Yeon now were those she had known since childhood.
There was the kitchen maid who used to sneak her treats. Thanks to Yeon’s feedback—having grown up on only the best food—this maid improved the taste of her confections so much that she became the palace’s star dessert chef, summoned for every state banquet. She even earned enough bonuses to pay off her family’s home loan.
When Yeon returned to the palace, the maid happily told her that she had grown up with only her widowed mother, but now, thanks to Yeon, she could even send her mother an allowance.
There was also Eunuch Oh, who had been banished by the crown prince when Yeon was a child. At that time, Yeon had given him all the jewelry she possessed as a princess, and even asked the Empress to write him a recommendation letter.
She lost contact with him afterward, but upon hearing of Yeon’s return, he reached out, saying he wished to serve in the palace again. He said it was thanks to her help that he had managed to support his family outside without starving—and now it was time to repay the favor.
There were many more who had been fond of Yeon and indebted to her in the past.
These were the ones voluntarily helping her now.
People believed the imperial court was run by the royals and high officials. But in truth, it was moved by seamstresses stitching garments, cleaners scrubbing floors, and others doing menial tasks.
If the nobles and rulers were rivers and streams, these people were underground water.
Invisible beneath the ground, yet sustaining trees and people alike.
Yeon had made this underground her foundation.
It could be said that the little girl Yeon had once been was now helping the grown woman she had become.
While Byung and Beom held the imperial palace above, Yeon was quietly taking over the underground beneath their feet—its roots.
It was a brilliant shift in perspective and deserving of praise.
But it was too soon to rejoice. What she had gained so far was only a fraction.
Eunuch Oh by Seojun’s side, the seamstresses who clothed the royals, and the dessert kitchen.
They were eyes and ears feeding her valuable information, yes—but not enough to stage anything grand.
To bring down the crown prince, underground water alone won’t suffice. The flow of the river itself must be changed.
That was why celebration was premature.
Yeon steeled herself, pushing away the temptation to relax.
The fight had not even begun.
This was still the time to recruit warriors and prepare the battle lines.
