“How could anyone want to touch a woman that plain-looking? No wonder she didn’t even last a hundred days before being cast off to the Cold Palace.”

“Well, if I were a man, I wouldn’t go near a woman like her either…”

The sharp voices pierced Bu-yeong’s ears like thin needles.

And yet, despite the humiliating words, there was nothing she could do.

Such was the fate of a phoenix stripped of her wings.

Besides, their words weren’t entirely wrong.

Bu-yeong truly knew nothing of a man’s ways.

On the night of the grand wedding, she had drunk a few cups of liquor before the Emperor entered the bridal chamber, hoping to ease her nerves.

But she ended up vomiting repeatedly, and before anyone could untie her gown, she passed out cold.

The aftermath left her bedridden for days with a terrible fever—so severe that the Emperor sent the royal physician to treat her himself.

Even afterward, though Bu-yeong insisted she was fine, the Emperor, perhaps still worried she might fall ill again, continued visiting her quarters each day.

And yet, all he ever did was kiss her or hold her in his arms. He never truly lay with her.

But that affectionate treatment was now a thing of the past.

These days, if a palace maid spat on her robes while passing by, all Bu-yeong could do was brush it off with her hands.

Even when lowly jaenyeo mocked her father, she had no choice but to pretend she hadn’t heard a thing.

And that wasn’t the worst of it.

Once, while walking through the palace, she was drenched with foul-smelling food scraps.

Another time, she’d had to stay up all night chasing away rats that someone had deliberately let loose in her bedchamber.

It hadn’t been like this from the moment she was cast into the Cold Palace.

At first, everyone still treated her with proper respect.

And for good reason, everyone had seen and heard how the cold, ruthless Emperor had once pursued the Empress with almost pathetic desperation, flattering her as intimately as a tongue in her mouth.

Most of the palace staff believed that the Empress would be reinstated as soon as the Emperor had calmed down.

But that prediction missed the mark entirely.

Those who had once brought Bu-yeong clothing or food were severely punished and expelled from the palace.

Those quick to catch on adjusted their attitudes immediately.

The Empress is a criminal.
Helping the Empress earns punishment.
However, ignoring her achieves nothing.

In fact, tormenting her might win the favour of the Gwi-bi.

Consequently, not a hint of guilt could be seen on the faces of those who slandered the empress.

This was justice — punishment for a criminal. What was wrong with that?

All they did was keep a watchful eye on the Gwi-bi, desperately trying to further slander the Empress.

Just like now.

“Look at her, she doesn’t even flinch. She’s not just shameless, she’s got a spine of steel.”

“Even after committing such a crime, she still manages to eat like nothing happened. No wonder she’s still alive. Her face must be made of stone.”

They jeered and mocked her mercilessly, but Bu-yeong remained composed.

After all, if one sings a sad song long enough, they say the sorrow fades.

Seeing no reaction from her, the jaenyeo quickly lost interest and changed the topic.

Some began chattering about a new eyebrow ink recently brought in from the Western regions, while others showed off the ornaments gifted by their parents.

Just as the hall was filled with noise again, a loud voice boomed through the room.

“His Majesty the Emperor approaches!”

At those words, the large inner doors swung open with a flourish.

The jaenyeo promptly closed their chattering mouths, hurriedly parted to both sides, and knelt to the ground.

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

A tall man, more imposing than most seasoned generals, stepped across the threshold.

He wore a ceremonial crown adorned with twelve strings of rare jewels and a black robe embroidered with golden dragons.

His slightly tanned skin, perhaps the result of his many years on the battlefield, paired with his broad shoulders, which looked strong enough to embrace two women at once, gave him an oddly sensual allure.

His neck stood tall, like a crane’s. His long, dark eyes seemed to see straight through a traitor’s heart, as deep as they were. His nose was as high and noble as his exalted status.

With such a magnificent presence and exceptional looks, it was no wonder that the Jaenyeo, who had entered the palace purely for power, ended up falling in love with the Emperor the moment she saw him.

But among the dozens of women gathered in the hall, there was one who did not admire the Emperor:

Bu-yeong.

‘I hope nothing goes wrong today… please.’

Bu-yeong squeezed her eyes shut and bowed her head even lower.

She couldn’t tell whether the nearby presence belonged to the Emperor or one of his attendants.

The mere knowledge that the Emperor was within arm’s reach sent waves of anxiety crashing through her. Her shoulders trembled uncontrollably, her chest tightened, and her heart pounded so violently that she feared it might stop altogether.

Whether he was aware of her distress or not, the Emperor climbed the platform with an indifferent expression and seated himself upon the dragon throne.

Wearing a black gonryongpo and framed by the crimson-tinged folding screen, he resembled a black dragon drenched in blood.

With eyes devoid of interest, the Emperor looked down at the jaenyeo and spoke.

“Rise.”

“We are honored by Your Majesty’s grace.”

Following the others who stood at his side, Yang Jaenyeo rose and placed her hands neatly before her, sneaking a glance up at the highest seat.

‘He’s even more handsome than I imagined!’

The young man reclined slightly, propping his chin in one hand. He radiated the presence of a seasoned warrior who had conquered the Borderlands.

‘I thought my older brother was the most handsome man alive… but I take that back. His Majesty is the very definition of a true, noble man—no doubt about it!’

The Gwi-bi slowly rose and took her seat. Her movements were so graceful they resembled a blue butterfly fluttering down to rest.

The Emperor glanced at her complexion and let out a quiet sigh.

“You’ve grown thinner.”

“If anyone overheard, they might think I’m a jaenyeo who only sees Your Majesty once a month! How could I possibly lose or gain weight in the space of a day?”

The Emperor’s gaze remained fixed on the Gwi-bi, but his voice called out to someone standing farther back.

“Empress.”

Bu-yeong flinched at the sound of her name and instinctively pressed her toes firmly to the ground.

‘What humiliation will it be today?’

According to palace tradition, the Empress and the concubines gathered once a month to greet the Emperor and pay their respects.

Even the lowest-ranked concubines, who usually received little attention, were allowed to show off their beauty to the Emperor on this occasion.

During the previous emperor’s reign, consorts from even the most humble noble families would fill the hall.

But under the current Emperor, there was only one concubine: the Gwi-bi.

Thus, only she and the Empress held the right to attend the monthly audience.

Nevertheless, the Emperor had also summoned the jaenyeo.

Although he hadn’t explained why, everyone in the palace knew the reason: it was another part of the punishment he had inflicted on the Empress.

Bu-yeong lowered her gaze and took a step forward, following the path the jaenyeo had created.

She could feel eyes darting towards her, glaring and scanning her.

It was as if she were being pierced by sharp thorns from all sides.

The Gwi-bi watched Bu-yeong approach slowly, her gaze filled with false pity and her lips curling up into a subtle smirk.

The Emperor stared quietly at Bu-yeong, who trudged forward like a calf being led to the slaughterhouse.

When she finally stood before the Gwi-bi, the Emperor’s long, narrow eyes twisted in displeasure.

“I was wondering where that rotting stench was coming from. Of course—it’s the Empress.”

Upon hearing these words, tension surged through Bu-yeong’s emaciated hands, which were like bones wrapped in skin.

The Emperor glanced down at her pale hands resting on the tattered fabric and issued an indifferent command.

“The Empress will wash the Gwi-bi’s feet.”

Yang Jaenyeo nearly gasped aloud but barely managed to slap a hand over her mouth in time to prevent disaster.

‘Her Majesty may have fallen from favor and been banished to the Cold Palace, but this—this is unthinkable. For the Empress herself to wash a concubine’s feet? His Majesty might as well strike her with a rod—how could he humiliate her like this?!’

She turned her head and scanned the faces of the other jaenyeo.

They didn’t seem the least bit shocked.

Some even looked amused, suppressing quiet laughter behind their hands.

‘No matter how handsome he is… this is beyond cruelty. This isn’t how a person should act.’

The fluttering heartbeat she’d felt just moments ago had already turned cold.

Before long, a palace maid entered carrying a wooden basin.

Steam rose thick from the water’s surface, heavy with heat and humidity.

The basin, which looked scalding at a glance, was placed not before the Gwi-bi—but in front of Bu-yeong.

Bu-yeong’s eyelids trembled as she dropped to her knees.

What she had to do next was painfully clear.

But knowing how much it would hurt made her hesitate.

When she faltered, two maids roughly grabbed her wrists and plunged her hands into the basin.

Bu-yeong squeezed her eyes shut.

‘Too hot!’

As the scorching heat seeped deep into her skin, she felt as though dozens of piranhas were tearing into her flesh all at once.

Bu-yeong gritted her teeth, fighting back the scream rising in her throat.

Even with her hands immersed in boiling water, she could not make a sound.

“Seol Bu-yeong. From now on, you are not to utter a single word in my presence. That is an imperial order.”

Recalling the decree issued three years ago, Bu-yeong stared blankly at her reddening flesh, unable to resist.

Instead of screaming, two slow tears rolled down her cheeks.

Feigning concern, the Gwi-bi glanced at Bu-yeong’s submerged hands and remarked.

“I fear Her Majesty may end up with burns if this continues.”

The Emperor clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed.

“The filthy must first be cleansed in boiling water. That is the proper order.”