Han Sangjae said that the father of her child was an official from the Ministry of Rites — a tall man with pockmarks on his face. Although his family wasn’t high-status, they were extremely wealthy.

However, he was found hanged in his home early this morning. He had been married for two years, and his heavily pregnant wife was approaching her due date. Yet he left no s*icide note, not even for his elderly parents or his young wife-to-be.

Amidst all this, a court lady from Yeongchun Palace confessed to everything. Han Sangjae and Okbin were dragged out of the palace.

They were sent to the Cold Palace.

All their titles and ornaments were stripped from them and they were confined there.

When Yeon heard Okbin crying and screaming and calling out to her, she found it difficult to calm the storm of emotions within her. Okbin was one thing, but Han Sangjae was due to give birth in the Cold Palace.

Exhausted, Yeon could not bear it any longer and handed the crying Bam-tteok to the nanny. On days like this, when she was so worn out, even soothing her child was too much.

Just then, the eunuch announced the Emperor’s arrival.

Yeon rose slowly and greeted Ryu with a formal bow. He took their whining son from the nanny’s arms and sat down in front of Yeon. Once the nanny and court ladies had been dismissed, the bedchamber was filled only with the soft fussing of Bam-tteok.

Ryu didn’t seem bothered.

He gently patted the boy’s bottom with a calm hand. Bam-tteok, who had been fussing, began to quiet down once he saw his father.

The emperor placed a light kiss on his son’s soft hair, then looked at Yeon.

“I spared those women, just as you asked. Why the look on your face?”

Ryu asked. Yeon shook her head. If he had decided to end the matter by sending the two women to the Cold Palace, there was nothing more she could say. It was clear that Ryu had decided not to give her any more opportunity to plead.

No matter how much she begged, there were some things she could be granted, and some things she could not. This was one of the latter.

That morning, the Grand Empress Dowager had summoned Yeon. It seemed she had already decided how to handle the matter involving the Emperor and the two concubines.

“I know you have a kind heart, and I understand they had their reasons. But very few people commit crimes without reason.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Those women entered the palace bearing their family names. Disrupting the order of the inner court and deceiving the royal house challenges the authority of the throne. To let this pass lightly would be to make a mockery of His Majesty.”

The Grand Empress Dowager spoke in a stern, commanding voice. Yeon nodded. It was unfair that Okbin and Han Sangjae should escape punishment. She was ashamed that she had allowed her emotions to influence her too much.

Yet the Grand Empress Dowager did not sharply rebuke her for it.

“Your Majesty is right. I was short-sighted.”

Yeon sincerely admitted her mistake.

Suddenly, Ryu gently lifted Yeon’s small, gloomy face.

He called her name softly.

“Lady Gwi.”

“The Emperor’s decision is just. If they were to go unpunished, Geum Dabeung would be the one left suffering unjustly.”

Yeon thought about the women who had tormented Geum Dabeung and even tried to frame her for their own misdeeds. Despite knowing about Han Sangjae’s pregnancy and Okbin’s same-s*x affair, they had still intended to have her killed.

Killing Geum Dabeung wouldn’t have resolved anything, so it was only right that they be punished.

“But I still don’t think I can be free of blame for their wrongdoings.”

“Their families received generous compensation for sending their daughters into the palace as concubines. Living as the emperor’s consort is a tremendous honour. For both Okbin and Han Sangjae, it was a personal honour as well.”

“Still…”

“I understand what you mean. But the crimes they committed cannot be treated any more lightly. That would be unjust.”

Yeon lifted her gaze. His calm eyes gradually helped to soothe her heart. Instead of feeling sorry for those women, Ryu told her to show herself a little more tenderness and compassion.

This made Yeon let out a small laugh. He was right, too. She embraced her husband and whispered,

“I was too narrow-minded.”

“My Seol-yeon has such a good heart.”

Ryu murmured. Yeon rested her face against his shoulder and closed her eyes.

Three days had passed since the two women had been confined to the Cold Palace.

Geum Dabeung had made a full recovery. Citing her poor health, the Emperor had decided to return her to her family.

The fact that she had neither borne him a child nor received his favour had played a significant role in this decision.

On the day Geum Dabeung left the palace, her family arrived in a hurry to collect her things. Her parents, who had come to collect her, had swollen, red eyes from crying.

Yeon believed wholeheartedly that returning Geum Dabeung to her family was the right choice.

Thus, peaceful days resumed. However, the Grand Empress Dowager’s health did not improve significantly; it continued to fluctuate.

Yeon visited her every day to care for her, giving her medicine and serving her meals.

The Grand Empress Dowager smiled and said that she preferred having a granddaughter-in-law to having a daughter.

“Your mother has truly raised a beautiful daughter.”

Having finished half a bowl of apricot blossom porridge, the Grand Empress Dowager pulled her lips into a faint smile.

Yeon looked up at her. The Grand Empress Dowager gently stroked her cheek and smiled. It was the first time she had done such a thing, and Yeon’s cheeks flushed pink. The gesture felt like that of a grandmother affectionately caressing her granddaughter’s face. Her heart thudded in her chest and she bit her lip tightly.

“Your Majesty…”

“I hear the Duke of the Western Kingdom wishes to take your mother as his wife.”

“Pardon?”

“Tsk, tsk. Foolish man. It’s something he should have done a long time ago, but now he’s old…”

“What do you mean?”

Yeon had never heard anything like it before. The Grand Empress Dowager burst into laughter at her stunned expression.

When she asked, “Is that really so surprising?”, Yeon found herself at a loss for words. Her mind was a mess.

How could Soso, who was still a slave, be accepted as his wife?

“But my birth mother is a servant… how could…”

“They plan to make her the deceased duchess’s sister.”

“That’s…”

“She’ll be adopted into the Lee clan. The deceased duchess was born to a concubine, but although your birth mother is adopted, she will be treated as a legitimate daughter.”

Yeon was speechless at the thought. Is that even possible? Did Soso know about this?

But even if she did, Kyung Bohyeon was not the kind of man to change his mind once a decision had been made. Even if Soso didn’t want it, he probably wouldn’t change his mind.

“Why that expression?”

“I just… don’t know what to say…”

“This is a joyful matter, so just be happy.”

But Yeon couldn’t smile.

That evening, after concluding state affairs, Ryu returned and sat opposite her. The two of them shared a warm dinner.

“You look like you have a lot on your mind.”

“Pardon?”

“Tell me.”

Ryu spoke calmly. Yeon looked at him for a long moment, then slowly dropped her gaze. As she gently ran her fingers along the rim of the teacup, she finally parted her lips.

“This is something you already know about, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”
“Is that even possible?”
“What would be impossible about it?”
“But…”
“The Duke of the Western Kingdom has already settled everything.”

Yeon lifted her head. Ryu gently pulled the pale-faced woman closer. She looked up at him from afar, as delicate as an orchid. He embraced her, lifting her light frame onto his thigh and softly stroked her back.

“In truth, this was done entirely for your birth mother. That’s why it was carried out solely by the Duke of the Western Kingdom. Aren’t you happy?”
“Your Majesty…”

Yeon let out a quiet sigh as she called him. Ryu said, “Smile a little.” Yeon couldn’t. She only buried her face into his chest.

Happy? She was overjoyed. So much so that she wondered if this was a dream. Of course she was happy—now, she would forever be known as Soso’s daughter.

But… was it really alright to be this happy? To enjoy such complete happiness—was it truly allowed?
She felt like someone might come and take it all away.

When Bam-tteok turned one, she would become Empress. Ryu had already set the date for her investiture. Yeon no longer argued about it.
For Bam-tteok’s sake, she knew she had to do things even if they didn’t sit well with her.

But still…

“I feel like someone will envy my happiness… and try to take it away.”
“That won’t happen.”

Ryu gently stroked her back. Yeon wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. His large embrace, enveloping her completely, was so warm, so vast.

Drunk on the perfect comfort of it, Yeon nuzzled against him playfully.

“When I become Empress… will you still love me like you do now?”
“Gyeong Seol-yeon.”
“No matter what I’m called… or what I become…”

With slightly tearful eyes, Yeon looked at him. Ryu couldn’t reply with words—so instead, he leaned in and bit down slowly on her trembling lips.

Yeon felt his warm breath as he answered with a kiss.

As he slowly devoured her, his large hands cupped her damp cheeks. Yeon smiled—a delicate, blooming smile—cradled in his hands.

Epilogue — The End.