I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 185

< Sleeping with the Enemy 4 >

“Why does Consort Yang have to be the one accused of assassinating the Emperor? Surely there are other concubines who could be blamed, aren’t there?”

“If Consort Yang remains blameless, nothing changes, does it? Either way, His Majesty has already declared his intention to appoint the wisest prince as Crown Prince. All the officials are aware of this. I want my nephew to be the only prince considered. If not, why would His Majesty need to suffer an ‘accident’?”

*It seems this is the Empress’s idea, not Wei Zhongxian’s. Isn’t the person who hates her husband the most—for being so besotted with that concubine and her schemes—ultimately the Empress, the legal wife?*

*Eliminating the hated couple and seizing control of the Imperial family is like killing two birds with one stone. And since her son is young, the Empress will rule as regent through a regency, making it the perfect opportunity.*

“A traitor’s entire clan is exterminated. If Consort Yang is beheaded, I’ll be beheaded too. Why would I invite death? Give me another option.”

Zhao Guangyun shook his head at Wei Zhongxian, who was testing the waters.

“Well, I was suggesting we join hands… Even if you can’t accept that, is there another way? If Consort Yang can be made to look like she poisoned His Majesty, you simply have to stand by and watch. Isn’t that right?”

“Then do it that way.”

Zhao Guangyun chuckled as if it were nothing.

“The reason you came to me first isn’t to join hands as equals. It’s because you know it’s impossible without my help, isn’t it? Perhaps Her Majesty the Empress instructed you to do so.”

Wei Zhongxian’s expression flushed as his inner thoughts were exposed.

“His Majesty must be poisoned in the Haan Palace [the residence of Consort Yang] to pin the blame on Consort Yang, but all the food entering the Haan Palace is tasted by the maids of the Sa family first. Those girls are the ones I selected. They’re thorough, so poisoning is impossible.”

“So, you’re saying those girls follow your orders?”

“Of course.”

Wei Zhongxian slammed the table.

“So, let’s join hands. I’ll make it look like you’re dead.”

*What is he talking about now?*

“Even if the entire clan is exterminated, you’re the only one who will be involved. We’ll say you were beheaded, and when your head is displayed, we’ll hang a prisoner in jail in its place. You’ll disappear.”

“So, I’ll become a nonexistent person.”

“Isn’t that great? Even if I hand over all sorts of interests to the Zhao family, there’s no entity to claim them, you see.”

“You’re mistaken. A merchant’s life is his name and credit. No merchant in the world trades with a dead man. If it’s known that I was beheaded, the Zhao family will be torn apart and ruined.”

Zhao Guangyun rose, sneering at Wei Zhongxian.

“Bring a more plausible plan and ask to join hands. If you thought I’d participate in such a clumsy scheme, you’ve underestimated me greatly.”

“H-Hey…”

Wei Zhongxian called out urgently, but Zhao Guangyun didn’t hesitate.

“I’ll proceed with the simple but most certain method of ensuring my nephew’s rise. If you come up with a better plan than this, then I’ll see you again. Goodbye.”

Zhao Guangyun quietly closed the door and stepped outside.

*He’s hooked, for now.*

*Now, all I have to do is perfect their plan. No, just make them believe it’s perfect.*

* * *

“You must be suffering a lot. Your face is half its size,” Zhao Guangyun said with a smile. Hongyan sighed.

“Can’t you control her?”

“The concubines of the inner court come every day and flatter her, so she can’t keep her head straight.”

A concubine who has been promoted to Bin [a high-ranking concubine]. The mother of a son who might become the Crown Prince.

The concubines must be busy lining up and watching each other, vying for her favor.

“Sometimes, she acts as if she’s the Empress. I’ve told her several times to be careful, but she turns a deaf ear. No, now she doesn’t want to hear our nagging and only seeks the company of other girls.”
Hongyan’s lament showed no signs of ending.

“It’s just as the Master said. People’s true nature is revealed when they reach the top. It’s like she’s forgotten everything we’ve taught her.”

“That’s enough. Just leave her alone.”

“Yes?”

“You mustn’t make Ryeo Cheong uncomfortable. In the worst-case scenario, what if she kicks you out of the palace? You have to stay close to her. Just cater to her whims. It’s okay.”

Hongyan examined Zhao Guangyun’s expression at the unexpected reaction.

“Maybe it’s better now that Ryeo Cheong is acting recklessly. It’s even better if people have the perception that she’s a clueless fool who doesn’t know what she’s doing.”

“Do you perhaps have another plan?”

“I’m preparing one. But one thing is certain: your suffering is coming to an end.”

*All the suffering so far is because of Yang Ryeo Cheong. It was suffering to protect, assist, and care for her.*

*That the suffering is coming to an end means there’s no need to take care of and watch Yang Ryeo Cheong anymore, right?*

“Master. Could that plan possibly be…?”

As Hongyan cautiously asked, Zhao Guangyun shook his head.

“Don’t jump to conclusions. We don’t know what will happen yet. But the fact that your work is coming to an end won’t change.”

“Yes.”

Hongyan took it as a sign not to be negligent until the end.

“And I will keep my word. When this is over, I’ll do whatever you want. Whether it’s money, martial arts, or something else. So, just be prepared to finish this perfectly.”

“I will keep that in mind, Master.”

She bowed her head obediently, but Hongyan prayed again and again that it wouldn’t be another terrible thing like switching children like last time.

*Once in a lifetime is enough for such a chilling thing.*

* * *

“Master. There are two suspicious guys hiding around the house,” Gu Seung said as he returned home.

“Is it Seo Ik’s men?”

“Judging by their actions, I think so. They should know that low-level martial arts won’t work against us, so why are they doing this in vain?”

“The guards have to do what they’re told, so it can’t be helped. It’s the Emperor’s solemn order, so they’re doing it even though they know it’s futile. Did you find out what I asked you to?”

“I confirmed that Su Tae-ui left the palace and just entered his house.”

Zhao Guangyun left the room in light clothing.

“Then I’ll be back.”

His figure disappeared in an instant as he stepped down into the yard.

Su Tae-ui’s house was as bright as day.

Special guests who had been waiting for him to leave the palace lined up to get their pulse taken [a traditional diagnostic method in East Asian medicine].

After a while, the gatekeeper came out and shouted.

“Today’s pulse-taking is over. Everyone, please go back.”

As people scattered with regretful expressions, Zhao Guangyun crossed the wall.

He quietly opened the door to Su Tae-ui’s room, and Su Tae-ui was startled, but he didn’t make a sound because he had already experienced this before.

“Give me some warning before you come in. I’ll die of fright at this rate.”

“I apologize for the discourtesy. But…”

Su Tae-ui waved his hand.

“Sit down. It’s a secret matter, so it can’t be helped. I was just saying.”

Zhao Guangyun bowed to him before sitting down.

“Thanks to you, my sister has risen to the position of Gwi-bin [a high-ranking concubine, second only to the Queen].”

“Did you come to repay me?”

“I don’t have the power to do that yet.”

As Zhao Guangyun said with a smile, Su Tae-ui’s eyes changed.

“You say you don’t have power without knowing what I want?”

Zhao Guangyun stopped smiling.

“As I thought about it, it didn’t seem like you were greedy for wealth. Of course, you may be, because you have enough wealth now, but I thought what you really wanted was status.”

“Status? What’s wrong with my status? Su Tae-ui is the highest-ranking physician in the Imperial family.”

“In the miscellaneous department, they call it a minister. But isn’t it a status without inheritance? Your children are commoners anyway. It’s impossible for them to get involved in the court. Of course, I don’t know if your children will take up the needle and follow in your footsteps.”

Su Tae-ui’s expression hardened.

“What you want is to rise in status, that is, to become an aristocrat. That way, you can get involved in the court for generations, or become a local official even if you lack ability. Am I right?”

Su Tae-ui nodded weakly.

“You have to make a great contribution to get rid of your lowly status, but what great contribution can a doctor make? It’s only saving His Majesty when he’s on the verge of death from a deadly disease, isn’t it?”

“But His Majesty is healthy.”

“That’s what I’m saying…!”

A sigh escaped.

“I have a way for you to make a great contribution. Would you like to hear it?”

Su Tae-ui’s bent back straightened.

“As expected, it’s Chief Zhao. I saw that Consort Yang gave birth and showed that she had completely stepped down, but I didn’t think so. I thought you would definitely use the next move. Tell me. I’m listening.”

“Sometime soon, the Empress and the Queen Dowager will clash greatly within the Imperial family.”

“The Queen Dowager?”

Su Tae-ui couldn’t understand what he meant by mentioning the Queen Dowager, whose existence was faint.

“Yes. I don’t know the timing or method, but they will definitely clash. It will be a very important matter involving the rise and fall of the Imperial family.”

“So?”

“At that time, you must side with the Queen Dowager. Then that contribution is no different from saving the Imperial family from a swamp. Where else is there a greater contribution than this?”

“Not the Empress, but the Queen Dowager…”

“Following the vested interests is stable, but nothing changes. But when the crouching tiger rises, great changes occur. At that time, you have to ride on the tiger’s back. I believe you can handle that much risk.”

Su Tae-ui said with a firm expression.

“Chief Zhao will also ride on the tiger’s back, right? I would hesitate if it were just the Queen Dowager, but if Chief Zhao is also on that tiger’s back, I won’t hesitate at all.”

*Su Tae-ui has already boarded. So, he wants to hold on to Zhao Guangyun’s back, not the Queen Dowager’s.*

“I will be the tamer who puts a bridle on that tiger’s mouth and grabs the reins.”

Su Tae-ui’s expression brightened.

“So, if you grant my request, your children will become aristocrats with great wealth.”

Su Tae-ui liked Zhao Guangyun’s last words the most.

* * *

When Wei Zhongxian visited Zhao Guangyun again, he came up with a very plausible plan.

“Let’s forget about involving Consort Yang directly. No matter how much I think about it, if Consort Yang becomes the main culprit in the Emperor’s assassination, there’s no way for you to get out of it unscathed.”

“You should have realized that from the beginning. So, what are you thinking of doing?”

Wei Zhongxian didn’t even notice that Zhao Guangyun was being somewhat rude. He was so impatient. He only thought that he had to win Zhao Guangyun over before Zhao Guangyun killed his nephew.

“What if the Emperor dies suddenly?”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes. He suddenly dies in Consort Yang’s residence.”

“Does it have to be Consort Yang’s residence?”

“Nowhere else will do. It’s difficult to avoid the eyes of the eunuchs elsewhere.”

*Since the eunuchs check from time to time, it’s difficult to poison food or water.*

“In Consort Yang’s residence, even if food and alcohol go in, the eunuchs don’t check recklessly, do they?”

“Even so, poisoning will be exposed quickly. The royal physician will perform an autopsy.”

“When the Emperor dies, the Empress is the highest authority. If the Empress orders not to make a big deal out of it, you have no choice but to follow. If you question it, it looks like you’re framing someone. Everyone will be careful.”

*The dead have no power.*

*The Imperial family listens to the words of the powerful.*

But Zhao Guangyun still shook his head.

“When His Majesty passes away, the most powerful person is not the Empress, but the Queen Dowager, the highest elder of the Imperial family.”

Zhao Guangyun slyly mentioned the Queen Dowager.

< Sleeping with the Enemy 4 > End