Chapter 6

The moon, hanging over the mountain ridge, tilted slightly to the right today. The somber palace, as if shyly covering its face, needed to immerse itself even deeper into the dark sleep. The eunuch could barely extend his shadowy path, relying on the torchlight as he walked.

"Oh my, oh my...."

Approaching his twilight years, he walked the stone path with swift steps, matching the agility of a young man. No matter the urgency, the palace servants were never allowed to run. Except for the emperor, very few had the privilege to walk swiftly within the palace walls. Breaking this rule could lead not to just a reprimand but to severe punishment, perhaps even losing one's life.

Though the eunuch was well aware of this, he wasn't in a position to consider minor regulations now. His life was at stake, resting on his next steps. His pallid face flushed with cold and urgency, even his breath became rough.

"Cough, cough...."

He was almost at residence, where the consort resided. The eunuch tightly gripped the torch with both hands, bending at the waist. Servants were always required to walk with their heads bowed, never daring to meet the gaze of those living within the palace walls.

Unless the one being served commands, they were people who had to live their lives always looking down.

The sense of nearing Ahyang Palace was palpable from the tips of their toes. Ahyang Palace was never dark unless it was the day the Chief Eunuch, who served the emperor, was coming. As her loneliness grew, so did the brightness of the fire.

Consort Gui-bi, hoping perhaps the emperor would come today, bathed herself clean, adorned herself in beautiful attire, and sat somewhat anxiously in the well-lit room, awaiting the emperor. When the Chief Eunuch arrived to announce the emperor's visit, she was delighted as if about to fly, and if he did not come, she cried, suppressing her sobs as though it were broad daylight. Though she, being a consort who grew up receiving all kinds of attention and affection, felt deeply jealous of sharing even a fraction of the emperor's affection, she couldn't express it openly, so she had to swallow her tears alone.

The eunuch saw the light creeping over the top of the hill. It was the illusion created by the candles lit in Ahyang Palace. It seemed as though the moonlight knew of Gui-bi's sorrow and depicted it. Though it was clearly bright and beautiful, it evoked unutterable things, causing a lump to rise in his throat.

When that light flickered, a feeling of sorrow surged and gripped the eunuch's heart. But that was only for a moment. As Ahyang Palace drew nearer, a mournful wail reverberated, causing the eunuch to stiffen his shoulders. The dull thud, thud sound, as if something blunt were striking flesh, was unsettling.

Even without looking, it was evident what was happening. Gui-bi, using the excuse of the emperor's absence as she often did, seemed to be striking anyone she could find with a whip. The eunuch listened to the groans that followed the sound of the whip like a melody and said numbly,

"Tell Her Highness I have arrived."

The young eunuch who had been waiting outside conspicuously entered the palace with a face that had clearly loosened up. The eunuch inwardly clicked his tongue. An eunuch barely out of childhood expressing emotions so openly could easily become prey in a palace where such matters should not be taken lightly. Someday, he would likely be caught by Gui-bi and receive a slap on the cheek or perhaps a thrashing on the buttocks.

Shivering in the cold, lost in his thoughts, the eunuch at the door opened it and said to the eunuch inside, "Please come in. Her Highness is waiting."

Handing over the torch to the young eunuch, the eunuch walked as if he were dead. He headed towards the chamber where Gui-bi met with palace staff or those she had summoned. Outwardly, it was a space for sipping tea and chatting, but in reality, it was a sanctuary for discreet conversations.

As they entered, a palace maid, her back exposed and lying on the floor, appeared in the eunuch's sight. Her flesh was torn apart, and blood flowed like a stream. She couldn't even cry properly, her head bowed, trembling hands clutching a verdant green garment.

The eunuch averted his gaze from her. Concealing his hands in his sleeves, he bent his waist and walked with nimble steps towards where a jeweled chair was placed. After a few steps, he noticed the symbol of a butterfly on the floor. It was a jade butterfly with its wings spread wide, embroidered in azure.

Azure was the color symbolizing Gui-bi. Except for the emperor, no one else could wear garments of azure. After the emperor had remarked, "You look truly beautiful in it," Gui-bi ensured that nobody else wore azure garments thereafter, despite the emperor's indulgence of her haughty attitude.

"Your Highness, I have come to fulfill your command," the eunuch said calmly, lowering his gaze from the azure butterfly to the floor. Instead of a response, a blood-stained whip fell to the ground like lightning. The sight of the whip stained with the maid's blood left a gruesome mark on the floor, but Gui-bi seemed indifferent. Leaning her chin on her palm with her elbow resting on the armrest, she looked down at the eunuch with a coquettish pose.

"Raise your head," Gui-bi said slowly, meeting the eunuch’s gaze. Gui-bi was incredibly beautiful and alluring. For the first time in his life, except for his childhood, the eunuch, who had spent his life below as a eunuch, felt a surge of vitality beneath him, causing his gaze to tremble. Realizing his momentary wavering towards Gui-bi, the eunuch quickly lowered his eyes. With a smirk at his pitiful state, Gui-bi leaned back in her chair lazily.

Her jet-black hair, in accordance with the emperor's taste, was partially tied up while the rest cascaded down, settling beneath her prominent chest. The azure silk gown was too thin for winter wear. Her fair complexion was fully exposed under the torchlight, arousing envy.

Contrary to her personality, her round and gently downturned eyes had turned stern. Despite being just past twenty, her hands were smaller and finer than those of other women. She clenched her fists tightly and slammed her armrest hard.

"Who is the wench His Majesty summoned today?"

"She is Lady Borim, Your Highness."

"Lady Borim?"

Gui-bi, pondering among the numerous concubines of the emperor, furrowed her brow and spoke.

"Could it be the mother of the prince rescued by His Majesty that time?"

Afraid Gui-bi might burst into anger again, the eunuch hastily replied. Whether he answered late or quickly, getting slapped was inevitable, so he wanted to get it over with quickly.

"Yes, Your Highness."

At the eunuch’s response, Gui-bi let out a sigh, rubbing her temples with her hand. Her delicate brow furrowed in anguish, and her hand continued to toy with the jeweled armrest.

The news of the prince, lost and rescued by the emperor in the guise of a wolf, and brought to the Cheong Palace, had spread gradually, and everyone knew. Most were astonished by the fact that despite being the transformed wolf, the prince had been left unscathed. Upon hearing this news, Gui-bi flew into a rage and unleashed her fury.

"The emperor has never embraced my son, not even once! Why does he favor that prince…!"

Since the death of the firstborn prince, Yeon Hwang, the emperor had never favored a son even once. His affection was solely directed towards his daughters.

Gui-bi was secretly relieved. Knowing that the emperor did not favor all his sons equally, she was confident that even if Prince Yeon Ju did not receive love, he could still become the crown prince. Gui-bi even had a plan that if the emperor showed great fondness for Princess Yeri, her daughter, placing Yeon Ju next to Yeri would ensure him some favor as well.

However, Gui-bi's relief and plans were shattered by the sudden appearance of the immature prince.

What if that child receives favor and becomes the crown prince? Then, it would be natural for that child's mother to become the empress…. Would I have to live in obscurity forever? Will my son end up just as a prince?

Gui-bi squinted her eyes in thought. She called for the nanny who attended to Princess Yeri. Hearing Gui-bi's command, the nanny hurried over and politely sat on the floor nearby. Gui-bi smiled beautifully at the nanny.

"Undress Yeri and show her to me."

"What?"

The nanny was surprised and asked in bewilderment. Gui-bi's expression turned sour. Afraid she might get slapped, the nanny apologized, "I'm sorry, Your Highness, I have committed a grave sin...." Gui-bi sighed lazily and twisted her fallen hair with her fingers. Her eyes widened mischievously like a child playing a prank.

"Just enough so that she doesn't die but gets a cold. Since His Majesty adores Yeri so much, if Yeri complains of being unwell, he will come to me for care."

Her words were filled with not just concern for her daughter but also a bold demand for the emperor's love.

"Your Highness, may I…. the princess is now…."

The nanny continued hesitantly, clearly frightened. Princess Yeri was her own flesh and blood. She resembled Gui-bi and the emperor, a doll-like beautiful child. Although she didn't receive her mother's love, she considered herself fortunate to have the emperor's affection. There was an implicit assurance that as long as there was the emperor's love, Gui-bi would not mistreat her.

However, contrary to the nanny's expectations, Gui-bi chose Princess Yeri to gain the emperor's attention and interest. Even though she was her own biological daughter, Gui-bi smiled brightly as if she didn't care if she lived or died. Her smile was so beautiful and elegant that it made the nanny's heart flutter.

"After all, Princess Yeri is useless unless something like that happens. She's nothing more than a daughter, not even a son…."

Gui-bi clicked her tongue. The servants in the chamber pretended not to hear and bowed their heads. Only the nanny, who heard the order to expose the child to the cold, looked at Gui-bi with a helpless expression.

Gui-bi looked down at the nanny from her seat and spoke softly.

"My son, Ju, is a precious child who will make me empress, but what use is Yeri? Her usefulness is limited to bringing the emperor's affection to our side. If we can use her to gain attention for Yeon Ju and acknowledge his talent, wouldn't that be a good thing?"

"Your Highness…."

The nanny choked back tears as she thought of Princess Yeri, who was peacefully sleeping in a corner of the Cheong Palace, but Gui-bi showed no sign of wavering. She ordered a court lady to bring incense. The court lady lit the incense and brought it over. Gui-bi leisurely inhaled the scent of the incense and exhaled the smoke, staring into space. Her black eyes softened slightly as she looked at someone in the distance. It was an unattainable gaze. The person at the end of her gaze did not respond to her affection. Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized this. The loneliness of the night when the emperor did not come grew deeper day by day.

"Still, I'm worried. How much will His Majesty care for Yeri if she falls ill…."

She looked at the nanny as she murmured absentmindedly. She smiled gently as she half-heartedly lit the incense. Her smile, blooming like a flower rather than the sour smirk she often wore, was more unsettling, causing the nanny to stiffen.

"Are you truly on my side?"

At this moment of hesitation, her throat tightened. Frozen with that thought, the nanny answered.

"Yes, Your Majesty. My insignificant life exists for your sake."

Though it was a reflexive response, Gui-bi seemed thoroughly pleased, smiling brightly. She handed the incense to a palace maid and descended the stairs. The shimmering of her azure garment caught the nanny’s eye. As she drew closer, her outstretched legs became clearer, causing the nanny to tremble. When the nanny hesitated to look down, she extended her delicate hand to stop her. Like a young girl, her hand, smooth without a hair, lifted the nanny’s chin. As their eyes met, the nanny’s mouth hung open in astonishment.

Smiling radiantly under the light, she was as beautiful as a fairy descending from the clouds. Her swaying black hair and her pure white face gleamed distinctly amidst them. As her hand touched the nanny's cheek, the nanny's composure began to falter. Slowly, imperceptibly, a crack appeared. Confirming the crack, Gui-bi deliberately lowered her voice and spoke gently.

"Can you bring me the records from the archives?"

"Yes...?"

"How foolish."

Gui-bi clicked her tongue and lightly slapped the nanny's cheek. Though intended to snap her out of it, it hurt more than expected. Nonetheless, it had the desired effect. The nanny regained her composure and nodded, her face turning pale.

"I cannot tamper with the records, Your Highness. They are solely the responsibility of the court officials."

"Then make use of the court officials."

Gui-bi spoke with such an air of entitlement. When the chief maid stupidly asked, "Yes?" again, Gui-bi, annoyed, slapped her cheek once more.

"Why can't you understand a simple command? Bring the records. Order the court officials."

"Your Highness!"

"Why are you so surprised?"

Gui-bi asked nonchalantly, gripping the nanny’s jaw as if she might break it. She pulled her forcefully towards herself, causing the nanny to catch a whiff of the subtle scent emanating from Gui-bi's body. Captivated by the fragrance, the nanny stopped breathing.

Gui-bi looked down at the nanny with a smirk.

"You said you could sacrifice your life for me, didn't you? Just once. Find out if the emperor left a seed with her or not. That's all I need to know."

If he left a seed, then it would be enough to ensure it couldn't sprout. Even if he didn't leave a seed, she was determined to ensure the woman wouldn't receive the emperor's love, one way or another.

If I can't receive love, then no one else should either. That's how it had to be.

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