Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 316

“It’s the Princess Consort.”

“Sia.”

Unlike Sungwon Seja’s memory, the remarkably grown Princess Consort ran up to Sehwa, blocking her path as if on a mission, and wagged her index finger.

“It seems my brother doesn’t know. If you’re alone with Sehwa like this, His Highness the Crown Prince gets jealous.”

“Wow……”

Sungwon Seja’s lips quirked up at his younger sister’s unexpected words, a stark contrast to his earlier drooping demeanor.

“Oh, Princess Consort.”

Sehwa looked visibly embarrassed, but instead of lingering, the Princess Consort pointed to the young man who had followed her.

“So much so that even Cheonho here gets jealous. It’s absurd.”

The large young man, already familiar with the two, simply smiled quietly and nodded, which only made Sehwa even more mortified, unable to lift her head.

“Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah. It feels a bit strange being so light.”

“That’s a relief, then.”

The Princess Consort circled Sungwon Seja, checking to see if he was unharmed.

Sehwa and Cheonho, watching from the side, turned away and chuckled.

Regardless of what the two were doing, the Princess Consort, having completed her inspection, grabbed Sungwon Seja and dragged him inside.

“Brother, come inside and talk to me.”

“About what……”

“Just do it. Sehwa, go inside and rest. You were suddenly called and put to work; you must have been surprised, right?”

Sehwa shook her head at the Princess Consort’s words.

“Not at all. You are also my benefactor.”

“Benefactor? Ah, from Gangwon-do.”

“Yes. I was grateful at that time.”

“Ah. Ah. Yes.”

Those present knew about what had happened that day, and a brief, warm atmosphere flowed.

Of course, after the greetings, he had to be dragged away by his younger sister.

Before going inside, the Princess Consort spoke to Sehwa.

“Oh, and the news Sehwa is waiting for… it will take more time for my brother to come. He has to deal with the captured rebels first and then handle other matters.”

Sehwa’s eyes sparkled, understanding the meaning of Sia’s words.

“Yes, Princess Consort.”

“Still, since it’s a related matter… it seems like it will end sooner than expected.”

“Yes?”

“It seems to be connected to the guys who committed treason this time. It’s related to the guys caught during the last Yeongcheon-gun treason case, and it seems those guys and the ones caught this time are connected to the treason case from ten years ago.”

Sungwon Seja’s eyes widened at the unexpected words.

***

“Kim Hwoe-yeop finally brought evidence and witnesses from Hamgyeong-do.”

In the midst of suppressing the rebels and arresting them all, the news I had been waiting for returned with even more work, as if my workload had exploded.

‘It’s the news I’ve been waiting for, but it’s hitting me at the busiest time, so I don’t have enough time to verify it.’

Initially, the literary official and Cheonho’s uncle, who had been sent together, stayed behind to verify the remaining matters, and only the *Sung Gyeom-sabok* [a type of royal inspector] returned in a hurry.

It was to convey the information about the treason he had learned while meeting and investigating witnesses in Hamgyeong-do as quickly as possible.

The *Sung Gyeom-sabok*, who had returned alone on horseback, first conveyed the news and evidence of what he had learned.

And then, Cheonho’s uncle, Kim Hwoe-yeop, arrived, practically dragging the witness along.

The Seja, despite being busy, took the time to meet the witness directly, as there were things that evidence alone could not provide.

The witness was someone who had worked with Lord Kim Seon-ik at the time and was someone who could prove that those who had been exiled for being found guilty during the last Yeongcheon-gun treason case had falsely accused Lord Kim Seon-ik.

He had said that he had seen evidence that those who had reported the treason had embezzled public funds.

“You said you collected the evidence and handed it over to Lord Kim Seon-ik. At that time, did you only hand over the evidence of embezzlement?”

“At the time, they had hidden the evidence within the barracks. When I, this humble one, found them, there was surprisingly a lot, so fearing I might be caught, I hastily hid about half of the evidence in a place only I knew.”

“That was first presented to His Highness the Crown Prince by *Sung Gyeom-sabok*.”

“Yes, I confirmed it. The details are the same as when Lord Kim Seon-ik was investigated in the past, and it was said that he embezzled to incite treason.”

“Perhaps they never intended to put all the blame on Lord Kim Seon-ik from the beginning.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps it was a matter of resentment, but in fact, even until then, they didn’t seem to be on such bad terms that they would necessarily shift all the blame onto Lord Kim Seon-ik.”

“Hmm. Resentment between people can arise overnight, so I can’t say for sure, but it seems there’s a need to investigate further.”

Finding the cause seemed like it would take time, but in terms of the charges, the verification itself could be completed quickly, thanks to the efforts of the prior investigation.

Besides him, there were other witnesses who had fled, so it seemed that it wouldn’t take long to clear Lord Kim Seon-ik’s name.

Moreover, the fact that those who had strongly claimed he was a traitor at the time were either involved in the last Yeongcheon-gun treason case or were unreliable individuals involved in this treason case only showed that clearing Lord Kim Seon-ik’s innocence, though it might take time, didn’t seem difficult.

However, what bothered the Seja was that their commonality was that they were forces who had supported the deceased Sungwon Seja.

‘I was being considerate, thinking of my brother, but they were plotting such things behind my back.’

I knew that they were losing their power and collapsing after losing Sungwon Seja, who was their center.

If Sungwon Seja had been alive, they would have enjoyed power, but I had no intention of doing that for them.

Still, because they were people who had ties to Sungwon Seja, I tried to overlook some of their faults, but it was all in vain.

“Haa.”

Perhaps the position of the king was one where you had to watch these guys, who smiled and bowed on the outside but plotted to overthrow you behind your back, without being able to kill them.

‘Perhaps my brother, who ran away, was wise.’

Even so, thinking of my brother, who couldn’t run away properly and was caught up in this kind of thing, I felt like he was foolish, pitiful, and resentful.

But as I told Sia, I had no intention of yielding anymore.

‘So, I have to accept this overwork.’

With a bitter smile, the Seja gathered the organized evidence, entrusted it to Eunuch Song, and headed to the main hall.

Eunuch Kim, who had served His Majesty for a long time, bowed to the Seja as if he had been waiting.

“How is His Majesty?”

“He is waiting for His Highness the Crown Prince.”

It was not surprising, as I had informed him in advance.

After entrusting the Seja with the regency, the King had gradually handed over authority and now had almost completely withdrawn from state affairs.

But even so, the King was still the supreme ruler of Joseon.

If the son were to expose the King’s old mistakes, no matter how much the King had recently withdrawn from state affairs, he might be displeased. Thinking that, the Seja’s shoulders naturally became heavier.

In fact, I didn’t want to shock His Majesty, whose health hadn’t been the same for some time, but there were things that had to be done with his permission.

And contrary to the Seja’s worries, the King’s permission came quickly.

“I delegate the reinvestigation of this matter and all related authority to the Seja.”

“Your Majesty.”

“The same goes for this rebellion. Seeing that the Seja has already dealt with it quickly puts my mind at ease.”

“It was just, good fortune.”

“No matter how much luck follows, there are those who cannot accomplish it.”

The King’s voice was unexpectedly calm.

The King must also know the truth about this matter.

Yet, how could he be so calm?

Like someone who had already received the news and calmed his mind.

‘Sia must have met His Majesty first and given him some kind of heads-up.’

As if noticing the Seja’s unease, the King comforted the Seja with a slightly lamenting voice.

“I have already vented all my anger on Sia, so the Seja doesn’t have to worry so much.”

“Your Majesty.”

“It is my fault that I did not correct it until things came to this.”

I couldn’t be sure exactly what he was talking about, but one thing was certain.

“The Seja must not make such a mistake.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The necessary business was over, but the Seja’s feet did not fall easily, and he opened his mouth once more.

“I am sorry, but I have something to ask Your Majesty.”

“What is it, Seja?”

“Did Your Majesty also, know?”

It was a sudden visit at a late hour, so there were no historians here now. The only one who could hear this conversation was Eunuch Kim outside the door.

He was the one who knew everything about His Majesty, so even if he was there, nothing would change.

His Majesty was not of the age to run around like the Seja himself.

“The Princess Consort has already received an answer about that.”

“Are you referring to Princess Suyeong?”

“That’s right.”

As expected, the unstoppable youngest sister was different.

At the same time as relief, a slightly regretful feeling popped out.

“But the Seja’s worries and the Princess Consort’s worries will be different.”

“!”

“Just keep one thing in mind.”

“I will listen carefully.”

“Once you let go, that’s the end. No matter what the reason, those who abandon themselves will not be given the right to hold it again.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Does it sound harsh? But no matter what happened, that position is not one that a weak person who cannot bear its weight and runs away can dare to sit on or protect.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Being the King’s son and the position of the Seja are different. The Seja also had a time when he was a Grand Prince, so you will know well.”

The King sighed heavily with a tired face.

The Seja thought that the cause of that exhaustion might be his brother.

“Do not forget. Even if I did not want to sit in this position I am sitting in, and even if the Seja’s position is not one you wanted to sit in, it is already rightfully yours, and you do not dare have the right to refuse it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will not forget.”

With those words, the Seja left the main hall with a bow.

There was a lot of work to do, and his body, exhausted from fatigue, was heavy, but his steps were much lighter.

“There are many people I want to see, but I don’t have time, so the position of the Seja is a terrible one.”

It was a position that could never be handed over to someone else, but I couldn’t help but complain.