I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 183

< Living with the Enemy 2 >

“If I can’t find any other way, that’s the only option. If my nephew disappears, I’m no longer related to the royal family, so the Emperor will leave me alone.”

Jo Gwangyun remained calm.

“Are you… are you crazy? You’re out of your mind. If you do something like that, it won’t end with just you dying.”

Wi Chung-hyeon jumped up.

“If my nephew suddenly dies, the safest person is me.”

“What?”

“Who in the world would suspect me? I’m the wise older brother and uncle who even cut off access to the palace for my sister and nephew. Isn’t that right?”

Seeing the slight smile on Jo Gwangyun’s face, Wi Chung-hyeon felt his heart stop.

Until now, this guy in front of him has never bluffed or tried to hide his desires. Perhaps he spoke most honestly, and it’s the other party who gets caught up in his schemes because they don’t understand the hidden meaning within.

If he says he can kill his nephew with a smile now, he’s a guy who might actually do it someday.

If that guy kills his nephew?

Wi Chung-hyeon speculated about what would happen afterward.

He’s not the type to go into the palace with a knife and kill his nephew. He’ll definitely get rid of him without anyone knowing who did it, and he’s not the type to leave any evidence.

If Lady Yang’s son dies mysteriously, the arrow of suspicion will first and foremost be aimed at his own younger sister, the Empress.

Jo Gwangyun in front of him came here today to say exactly this.

“Are you daring to frame the Empress and harm her?”

“No. I’m just getting rid of my nephew. It’s the Emperor or the court officials among the adults who are using my nephew’s death [as a pretext]. They are the ones framing the Empress. That’s completely different, and it’s none of my business.”

“You… you crazy bastard…!”

That’s all he could say. He wasn’t crazy, but he was scarier because he was a guy who wouldn’t hesitate to do crazy things.

“What can I do? I’m in a desperate situation. I can’t think of any other way out.”

“So you’re going to kill your young nephew? Is that something a human being would do?”

“He’s just a nephew who doesn’t share a drop of blood with me anyway. My business is a hundred or a thousand times more important than such a nephew. This whole mess happened because a sister who doesn’t share a drop of blood with me unnecessarily caught the Emperor’s eye in the first place.”

“Thanks to that, your business has been doing great, right? Don’t deny it. I know that officials are now jumping to help when it comes to the Jo family.”

“I won’t deny it, but there’s a world of difference between having some fun and going bankrupt.”

Jo Gwangyun lowered his head slightly and stood up.

“It seems that you don’t have any countermeasures yet, so there’s nothing more to talk about. Anyway, I’m thinking of using the last resort. Then.”

“You evil bastard! You’re truly an evil bastard!”

Wi Chung-hyeon could only shout.

“Isn’t it interesting? Others think that you and I are like oil and water that can never mix, but you and I have become the only relationship where we can honestly tell each other anything without any repercussions.”

That’s right.

The person who never revealed Jo Gwangyun’s plan was himself. The moment he said that Jo Gwangyun was trying to kill his nephew, everyone would take it as slander. Including the Emperor.

Jo Gwangyun smiled at Wi Chung-hyeon, who was shouting.

“Even a dog will jump over a wall when cornered. But sometimes, they jump inside the wall and bite their owner.”

Wi Chung-hyeon felt his heart drop at Jo Gwangyun’s last words.

That guy just mentioned treason.

* * *

“So? What are you going to do, Brother?”

The Empress had a cold expression. She already knew the Emperor’s mind. The child who wins the competition, not the eldest son, will become the Crown Prince.

“We must follow His Majesty’s will now. If we mobilize the court officials to defy him, His Majesty might abandon the First Prince. He’s using that to threaten us now.”

“That must never happen. Do you remember clearly, Brother? How did our child come to be?”

“How could I not remember?”

“So our child must become the Crown Prince and ascend the throne. And you must firmly protect the court, Brother.”

The Empress bit her lip and said.

“The First Prince is only three years old now. He needs to be nine, or at least seven, even if he’s appointed early. There are still four years left. In four years, the court must unanimously petition for the First Prince to be appointed as the Crown Prince. To do that, you must be in the court, Brother.”

I understand the Empress’s earnest heart, but it’s impossible to catch both rabbits [achieve two conflicting goals simultaneously].

Wi Chung-hyeon knelt down and prostrated himself before the Empress.

“Your Majesty. You must listen carefully to my intentions from now on.”

Despite the difference in status, he was like a father to her. She had said harsh things when she was angry, but her brother had never knelt down before.

“Brother…”

“If I don’t submit my resignation, the First Prince will never become the Crown Prince. Also, I must plead with His Majesty to save Jo Gwangyun’s life.”

The Empress was startled by the sudden mention of Jo Gwangyun’s name. Moreover, he had to save him?

“His Majesty is trying to eliminate not only our family but also Jo Gwangyun. It’s to keep the in-laws in check.”

“Then let Jo Gwangyun die. Why are you trying to save him, Brother?”

“If we don’t save him, Your Majesty will be in danger.”

“What are you talking about?”

“He knows very well that his danger is due to Lady Yang’s son. So he might get rid of that child.”

“What? Get rid of his nephew?”

“If his nephew disappears, he won’t be related to the royal family.”

“So he’s going to kill the prince? That crime will wipe out his entire clan.”

The Empress still doesn’t understand Jo Gwangyun’s intentions.

“If the prince is poisoned or dies in an accident, who would suspect Jo Gwangyun? No one. The arrow of suspicion will be aimed directly at Your Majesty. Now do you understand why I’m trying to save Jo Gwangyun?”

The Empress opened her mouth wide and couldn’t say anything.

“Even if I step down now, our family members will protect the court. I will continue to work tirelessly until they seize control of the court.”

“Brother.”

Wi Chung-hyeon preemptively offered words of comfort, fearing that the Empress might shed tears, touched by her brother’s willingness to sacrifice himself for his younger sister and nephew.

“It’s alright. Everything is for Your Majesty and our family, so I can endure any humiliation.”

“No. That may not be necessary.”

“Yes?”

Wi Chung-hyeon looked at her expression at the Empress’s unexpected words. A faint smile could be seen on her lips.

“Your Majesty, why are you suddenly like this…?”

“Isn’t Jo Gwangyun a very clever person? Perhaps he has shown us a way for all of us to live.”

Seeing the Empress’s sparkling eyes, Wi Chung-hyeon realized that his sister was very similar to Jo Gwangyun.

* * *

Wi Chung-hyeon visited Seoik, located in the west of the palace.

Do Young-jeon was not pleased with Wi Chung-hyeon’s sudden visit, but he could not ignore the highest-ranking official in the court, so he greeted him with a smile.

“What brings you here, Lord Wi? Our Seoik is a place that receives the hatred of all the officials…”

“Aren’t we close enough to share a cup of tea?”

“Of course. I’ll have tea prepared.”

As the subtle scent of tea spread throughout the room, Wi Chung-hyeon opened his mouth.

“I don’t know if you know, but His Majesty is trying to appoint me to the position of Chief State Councilor.”

“I’ve heard rumors. You’ll become the highest-ranking official in the country, but I can’t congratulate you.”

It’s not something to celebrate to tell someone who doesn’t want to step down to step down.

“I would have been cursed if you had congratulated me. It’s okay.”

“Yes, what are you going to do? Are you going to accept it willingly?”

“That depends on you.”

“Me? What am I…”

“I’ll ask you just one thing. Please answer honestly.”

“You know that my work has many secrets. Please avoid difficult questions.”

“It’s about Jo Gwangyun.”

“Master Jo… Yes, what are you curious about?”

“Is His Majesty trying to bring down Master Jo?”

Do Young-jeon frowned.

“Why do you ask?”

“I’m a little upset about being the only one suffering. Heh heh.”

Do Young-jeon even felt sorry for him at the sight of his good-natured smile.

“You don’t need to feel so upset.”

That was a sufficient answer.

As Jo Gwangyun said, the Emperor is not trying to eliminate the Wi family now, but to strike at the in-laws.

“I see.”

Wi Chung-hyeon nodded and looked at Do Young-jeon’s expression. He wanted to know the Emperor’s intentions more specifically.

“Master Jo is probably more upset than I am.”

“Why do you think so?”

“His Majesty forced me to resign to eliminate my power, but wouldn’t it be money to eliminate Master Jo’s power? His power comes from money.”

“Do you think His Majesty will take Master Jo’s money? That’s no different from robbery.”

“Really? Then it’s his life. Master Jo only has money and life as his possessions… Or is there something else?”

Do Young-jeon smiled quietly.

“That’s why I said you don’t need to feel too upset. No matter how important power is, can it compare to life?”

Hearing Do Young-jeon’s confirmation, he knew that Jo Gwangyun’s words about killing his nephew to avoid this crisis were sincere.

At this point, it seemed like he could join hands with Jo Gwangyun again. What better reason for an alliance than shared sympathy?

“Thank you for telling me. I will definitely repay this favor someday.”

“What favor… It’s enough if you forget the words that came out of my mouth.”

He must feel uneasy because he spoke about the Emperor’s secret instructions.

“The reason I drank tea here today is because I’m leaving the court soon, so I came to say goodbye. Is there anything else? Heh heh.”

Wi Chung-hyeon smiled and left Seoik, heading back to Uiripjeon.

Now it was his turn to fulfill the Emperor’s wish.

As he stood in front of Uiripjeon, the eunuch shouted.

“Your Majesty. The Chief State Councilor requests an audience.”

“Let him in.”

As the chief eunuch’s voice was heard, Wi Chung-hyeon entered Uiripjeon.

When the Emperor saw Wi Chung-hyeon, he greeted him with a smile as usual, as if he had completely forgotten about yesterday’s events.

“Oh dear, I’m going to get scolded again. Are you going to nag me again for skipping the morning assembly today? Haha.”

“It is our officials’ fault that Your Majesty’s mood is not well and you did not attend the morning assembly. I am deeply sorry.”

Wi Chung-hyeon quickly said, watching the Emperor’s expression.

“Your Majesty. Please forgive my disloyalty yesterday. I have been protecting the court for a long time, and I could not let go of my attachment, so I showed a disgraceful appearance.”

The Emperor began to look at Wi Chung-hyeon, who was bringing up yesterday’s events, with interest. Moreover, attachment…

“I humbly beg you to punish my foolishness for not realizing Your Majesty’s grace.”

“Chief State Councilor.”

Wi Chung-hyeon lowered his head at the Emperor’s dry voice.

“Does that mean you will accept the position of Chief State Councilor? Or do you mean to write a letter of resignation right away?”

“It is my duty to submit a letter of resignation right away, but I would like to consider the morale of the court officials. Following the usual practice will calm the court.”

To raise the white flag in just one night?

The Emperor began to carefully examine Wi Chung-hyeon.

< Living with the Enemy 2 > End