I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 195

< Treason 6 >

“What are you saying, Great Eunuch…? What do you mean by an incident? And… something not of this world?”

“It is a truly unfortunate matter, but it is the truth.”

“This… this cannot be… I haven’t even offered my congratulations on the birth of the Imperial Prince yet…”

As Jo Gwang-yun staggered, the eunuchs rushed to support him.

“Ah… Could it be…? The Imperial Prince too…?”

The eunuch supporting him whispered quietly. “No. The Second Imperial Prince is unharmed.”

Jo Gwang-yun wept and prostrated himself on the floor.

“Your Majesty, please forgive my disloyalty. I cannot stop crying, I am so distraught.”

He said only this and quietly backed away to the entrance of the main hall.

Jo Gwang-yun’s sobs could be heard from outside, but no one blamed him. Wasn’t he the Emperor’s only family?

Jo Gwang-yun did not miss a single sound coming from inside the main hall. Also, he was prepared to send a telepathic message to anyone if necessary.

At that moment, a man rushed into Jo Gwang-yun’s sight, flustered. Judging by the armor he was wearing, he was clearly the head of the Imperial Guard.

The man glanced at Jo Gwang-yun outside the main hall and immediately entered.

The high-ranking officials waiting for the outcome forgot the pain of their legs going numb while waiting, as soon as the captain of the guard appeared.

Was Seongwon the main culprit of the treason? Or just an unlucky person who appeared at the wrong time? The fact that it took so long meant that a battle had taken place. The possibility of treason was high.

Among the high-ranking officials, those who were quick-witted were already preoccupied with thoughts of the next emperor. In the current situation, the Queen Dowager was in a superior position.

If the Queen Dowager continued this momentum, the Second Imperial Prince would be the emperor. This meant that the Queen Dowager’s regency would begin. How many would accept it, and how many would oppose it?

The high-ranking officials shook off their complicated thoughts at the captain of the guard’s report.

“Reporting in, Your Majesty. The rebels have all scattered.”

The officials let out a light sigh.

“What about Seongwon? What happened to him?”

“I am sorry, Your Majesty. Seongwon had already fled before our soldiers arrived. When we interrogated the captured rebels, they were just vagrants.”

“Vagrants?”

“I believe Seongwon hired them in a hurry with money.”

The Queen Dowager felt drained.

She had expected to gain something concrete from Seongwon’s appearance, but all he did was run away.

“And we found this in Seongwon’s palanquin.”

The captain of the guard took out a letter and handed it to the Great Eunuch.

The Queen Dowager’s eyes began to sparkle again.

*That’s right. The embers were not yet extinguished.*

When the Queen Dowager saw the letter handed to her by the Great Eunuch, her hands trembled.

Not with anger, but with joy.

After reading the letter, the Queen Dowager’s gaze turned to Wi Chung-hyeon.

“Chief State Councilor.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You know very well why Seongwon suddenly came with his private soldiers today, don’t you?”

Wi Chung-hyeon found the Queen Dowager’s expression, which even showed a faint smile, to be eerie.

*Could that letter be…?*

“Why would you ask such a question…?”

“I am asking because you called Seongwon, didn’t you?”

The Queen Dowager handed the letter to the Great Eunuch.

“Any official who knows the Chief State Councilor’s handwriting should verify this letter.”

While everyone hesitated, Maeng-ul stepped forward first.

He took the letter, read it slowly, and then handed it to Yun Ju-seong, nodding his head.

Yun Ju-seong was more curious about the content than the handwriting. And after confirming the content, he knew that Wi Chung-hyeon’s end was near.

The Queen Dowager said to the officials who were passing the letter around.

“The question of why Seongwon tried to enter the palace with his private soldiers has been resolved. It seems he believed that someone inside would open the door wide for him, but what do the officials think? Do you know who that someone is?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Wi Chung-hyeon, and Yun Ju-seong, on their behalf, stepped forward, shaking the letter.

“Chief State Councilor, why did you call Seongwon? And His Majesty misses his brother? I, who have always been by his side, have never heard such words, so how did you read His Majesty’s mind?”

Wi Chung-hyeon’s face turned ashen.

*Why is that letter here?*

Even Yang Ryeo-cheong died, the Queen Dowager appeared, Seongwon showed up with private soldiers for no reason, Do Yeong-jeon lied, and even the letter he wrote was revealed.

Too many unexpected variables had erupted, and each one stabbed at him.

He couldn’t think of a way to resolve all of this at once.

Just as he couldn’t answer, another decisive variable erupted.

“Your Majesty, Hwang-hyo, the Vice-Envoy of the Jyeonghyeongjeopchaesa [Royal Investigation Bureau], and Su Tae-ui request an audience.”

“Let them in at once!”

Hwang-hyo and Su Tae-ui stood in the center of the main hall with hurried steps.

“So, have you found anything?”

At the Queen Dowager’s question, Su Tae-ui spoke first.

“Your Majesty, tragically, His Majesty was poisoned. A deadly poison was found in the wine His Majesty drank.”

In the main hall, where only speculation had been rampant, the fact that poisoning was real made the officials unable to breathe.

Treason.

Now, all that remained was for countless people to shed blood. Everyone just prayed that they would not be the ones to shed blood.

Ironically, treason was an opportunity for the Imperial Family. They could get rid of anyone who was an eyesore by implicating them in treason.

“Wine?”

“Yes. A deadly poison was found in two of the three wine bottles.”

This was Su Tae-ui’s part. He spoke only the facts accurately.

“Are you sure?”

“I did not judge this alone. I investigated all the food His Majesty ate with all the royal physicians.”

“Such a tragedy…! So, have you found out who the wicked person who poisoned the wine is?”

Hwang-hyo stepped forward at the Queen Dowager’s question.

“We have arrested the court lady who prepared the wine, and she confessed who ordered her to do this wicked deed.”

Hwang-hyo raised his eyes and glanced at the Empress’s expression. Her expression was not that of a living person.

“Who is it? Who ordered this terrible deed?”

“I am afraid to report, but she said it was the Empress’s order.”

The moment the word Empress came out, the inside of the main hall turned as cold as ice, and only one person’s roar burst out.

“You villain! Are you now daring to slander the Empress!”

Wi Chung-hyeon shouted, but Hwang-hyo did not flinch in the slightest.

“It is not slander, but the truth.”

“The truth? You must have cruelly tortured a weak court lady to get a false confession! Who ordered you to slander the Empress?”

*It had to be slander, not the truth. Otherwise, his family would be ruined.*

Wi Chung-hyeon tried his best, but he also felt it. The tide had already turned.

“An order? Do not speak carelessly. As soon as we arrested her, she trembled like an aspen tree and wet herself. She confessed everything with one scolding and begged for her life. I was not alone, everyone watched, shall I call them to confirm?”

Jo Gwang-yun, who had heard all of this outside the main hall, quickly sent a telepathic message.

– Your Majesty, this is Jo Gwang-yun. There is no need to hear more. Before the wicked group makes excuses or sophistry, order them to be imprisoned immediately.

The sound echoed in her head.

Fortunately, the Queen Dowager had experienced telepathy before.

She stood up abruptly and issued a stern order.

“Hwang-hyo, listen. Imprison Wi Chung-hyeon and the Empress in the prison immediately! Also, arrest all the servants in the Empress’s residence without leaving anyone behind and guard them tightly so that no one can meet them.”

“Your Majesty!”

Wi Chung-hyeon shouted, but it was already too late.

“You villains! What are you dawdling for? Carry it out immediately!”

At the Queen Dowager’s continuous roar, the eunuchs inside the main hall grabbed the Empress, and the soldiers outside the main hall rushed in and twisted Wi Chung-hyeon’s arm.

The Queen Dowager’s order was not over yet.

“Anyone who contacts the Empress or the Chief State Councilor from now on will be considered an accomplice in this matter!”

The Queen Dowager shouted at the officials.

“Gyeongjo Yun!”

“Yes, Your Majesty. This is Gyeongjo Yun Go Heum.”

One of the older officials bowed his head nervously.

“Immediately release the soldiers of the capital and seal off the Chief State Councilor’s house. Not even a rat should be allowed to go in and out!”

“I obey your command.”

“Seoikgakju!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Quickly arrest anyone who is even slightly involved in the treason.”

“Understood!”

Gyeongjo Yun and Do Yeong-jeon left the main hall like the wind, and Wi Chung-hyeon and the Empress, who were screaming at the top of their lungs, were dragged out of the main hall like cows heading to the slaughterhouse.

Hwang-hyo, who was following behind them, stopped and turned around at the Queen Dowager’s command.

“Vice-Envoy of the Jyeonghyeongjeopchaesa.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You must interrogate the Empress and Wi Chung-hyeon to uproot the rebels. Without missing a single one!”

“I will carry out your orders.”

As Hwang-hyo stepped back, there were several officials in the main hall who were pale and trembling. They were Wi Chung-hyeon’s close aides.

Now, whether or not they were involved in the treason was not important. If their names came out of Hwang-hyo’s mouth, they would become traitors.

Now, under the Queen Dowager’s arrogant gaze, only Wi Chung-hyeon’s opponents could speak. Wi Chung-hyeon’s forces should not speak now. If they revealed a meaning that was contrary to the Queen Dowager’s, they could become involved in treason from that day on. The Queen Dowager could continue the interrogation as much as she wanted until the names she wanted came out of the Empress or Wi Chung-hyeon’s mouths.

Perhaps the most pitiful people now were Wi Chung-hyeon and the Empress. They would have to continue to endure meaningless torture until the Queen Dowager’s list of victims was completed. Everyone was in the dark about when the bloodbath would stop.

The Queen Dowager sat in her chair, calming her thrilling excitement as she gasped for breath.

*It was over.*

She had lived like a dead person for more than ten years, being ignored, but it took less than a night to drive out those who held the power of this country in their hands.

Now, all that remained was to take power and protect it. But she had never had power before, so she didn’t know how to protect it.

After finishing everything, other worries began to creep up.

“Your Majesty, we must discuss the aftermath.”

The Queen Dowager came to her senses when Yun Ju-seong spoke cautiously.

“The aftermath? Ah… That’s right.”

When Yun Ju-seong gestured, one of the officials came out and quietly opened his mouth.

“I will prepare the state funeral.”

“You are…?”

“I am Han Su, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.”

“Yes. Quickly prepare the state funeral so that all the people can pray for the late Emperor’s soul.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Queen Dowager was rather perplexed when everything was settled.

*What should she do now?*

At this time, Jo Gwang-yun’s telepathic message was heard again.

– Your Majesty, order everyone to step down and gather again tomorrow morning. Now we must hold a state funeral. And I will also step down. I will enter the palace early tomorrow morning and give you important words.

The Queen Dowager slowly opened her mouth.

“The Imperial Family is shaking. At times like this, the officials must firmly protect the Imperial Family.”

“I will keep that in mind, Your Majesty.”

All the officials bowed their heads.

“Everyone, step back and rest for a while. We will discuss state affairs again tomorrow.”

“Thank you for your grace.”

As the officials prostrated themselves on the floor, the Queen Dowager got up first and left the main hall. She secretly told the Great Eunuch.

“The Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Personnel outside must also be greatly shocked, so tell him to leave the palace and enter the palace early tomorrow. I will meet him in Uiripjeon [a building in the palace] in the morning. I want to convey words of comfort.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Great Eunuch quietly went outside.

The officials left the palace like a receding tide, and Jo Gwang-yun also returned with heavy steps.

The Queen Dowager’s night was over, but Jo Gwang-yun’s night was not yet over.

He had to take the vacant positions of Wi Chung-hyeon, who had been shaking the court, and the Empress, who had been controlling the inner court.

The one who moves first becomes the owner of the empty house.

< Treason 6 > End