I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 201

< Only Ten Days for Flowers to Bloom 2 >

The Grand Empress Dowager slowly walked over, respectfully bowed to the Great Grand Empress Dowager, and softly spoke.

“I was delayed and troubled you, Your Majesty. Please forgive my discourtesy.”

To the bowing officials, the word ‘troubled’ sounded like a clap of thunder. Was this a subtle hint for them to cease discussing state affairs and depart?

However, the surprised Great Grand Empress Dowager didn’t seem to immediately grasp the Empress Dowager’s intention. She continued to hold the Emperor protectively, remaining near the throne.

The Empress Dowager, without commenting on the Great Grand Empress Dowager’s reaction, quietly took her place on the steps just below the throne.

“Empress Dowager, your health doesn’t seem robust, and it appears difficult for you to even stand. Please return to the palace and take care of yourself,” the Great Grand Empress Dowager said with concern.

At the Great Grand Empress Dowager’s words, the Empress Dowager offered a faint smile and shook her head.

“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s consideration, but I cannot neglect important state affairs simply because I am unwell. Since the Emperor is young, I intend to fulfill my duties as his mother. Moreover, I still possess enough strength to endure what is necessary.”

It was a clear declaration to assume the regency.

The Great Grand Empress Dowager, completely taken aback by the Empress Dowager’s unexpected stance, was momentarily speechless. While she hesitated, the Empress Dowager turned to Hwanghyo and addressed him.

“Jaehyung Cheopjaesa [Official in charge of legal documentation].”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“The Wei family’s treason is an undeniable fact that cannot be refuted, correct?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty. They have all confessed.”

The Empress Dowager’s gaze shifted to another official.

“Daerisi Gyeong [Chief of the Office of the Inspector General].”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“According to the national law, how are those who assassinated the revered late Emperor to be dealt with?”

“All males of the lineage are to be executed, and the women become government slaves assigned to local government offices.”

“Since the assassins were Wei Chung-hyun and the Empress, the Empress’s son would be subject to the same judgment, wouldn’t he?”

“That is correct. Although he is of the Imperial bloodline, he cannot escape death.”

The Empress Dowager paused for a moment, her eyes sweeping across the bowing assembly.

Jo Kwang-yun, standing at the end of the line, subtly raised his head. When he met the Empress Dowager’s gaze, he gave a slight nod.

“Daerisi Gyeong and Jaehyung Cheopjaesa, listen!” the Empress Dowager’s voice suddenly boomed.

“Immediately execute the nine generations of the traitor’s family according to the national law and proclaim the solemnity of the Imperial family to the world!”

“We shall obey your command!”

“Also, tear apart the vile woman who participated in the poisoning as a lowly palace maid to serve as a warning, and execute the palace maids and eunuchs of Jeonghwa Palace as well!”

“We will carry out the order immediately.”

The Empress Dowager’s stern order swept through the assembly like a storm.

The Empress Dowager turned and bowed slightly to the Great Grand Empress Dowager.

“Your Majesty, please inform me if there is anything lacking in my order.”

The Great Grand Empress Dowager looked dazed, almost disoriented.

The current situation mirrored the scene of her confronting the Empress that day.

When the Empress rebuked the officials with imperial authority, didn’t she intervene and strip the Empress of her power? And since that day, she had maintained control of the Imperial family’s authority.

The true holder of power is revealed when they demonstrably wield that power.

Now, the sickly Empress Dowager was displaying that power, and the officials obeyed without question. Despite the presence of an elder, the officials didn’t even glance at her. They were implicitly acknowledging that the true authority resided not with the Emperor’s grandmother, but with his mother.

The Great Grand Empress Dowager regained her composure, determined to reclaim the momentum, and shouted, “Empress Dowager!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Are you daring to humiliate your mother-in-law now?”

The Empress Dowager bowed respectfully.

“Your Majesty, how could I commit such filial impiety? Please retract that statement.”

“Making decisions alone and issuing orders without consultation while the Emperor and your mother-in-law are present on the throne – what else could that be but an act of humiliation!”

The Empress Dowager calmly replied to her shouting mother-in-law, “It is the national law to exterminate nine generations of a traitor’s family, and I have simply ordered the enforcement of that law.”

“Are you claiming ignorance of the fact that I am not criticizing you for ordering according to the national law? I am criticizing your arrogance in handling it alone without seeking permission, even though I, the Great Grand Empress Dowager, am in this position!”

The Empress Dowager maintained her composure and courtesy, even in the face of her furiously angry mother-in-law.

The Imperial family places great importance on etiquette towards superiors, but the court operates according to the national law. The national law favors the mother, not the grandmother.

“Your Majesty, I am afraid to say, but I am now enforcing the national law on behalf of the young Emperor in my capacity as his mother. There is no precedent in etiquette or national law that requires seeking permission from every superior in the Imperial family when enforcing the national law. Please understand.”

“What… what did you say…?”

It was a declaration of war, asserting that her mother-in-law’s permission was unnecessary for discussing state affairs.

As the Great Grand Empress Dowager floundered, unable to offer a convincing rebuttal, the Empress Dowager seized the opportunity.

“Yegwanbusi Gyeong [Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites] and Dogwanbusi Gyeong [Vice Minister of the Ministry of Public Works], listen!”

When the Empress Dowager called out the two officials responsible for overseeing the Imperial family’s etiquette and national law, they stepped forward to the center of the assembly.

“We await your command.”

“When the supreme ruler of the nation, His Majesty, is young and unable to attend to state affairs, who assumes that weighty responsibility?”

As the two officials hurriedly began to answer the Empress Dowager’s pointed question, the Great Grand Empress Dowager interrupted with a shout.

“You vixen! What are you doing now! Are you attempting to humiliate your mother-in-law by invoking the national law!”

The Empress Dowager ignored her mother-in-law’s outburst, focusing her gaze solely on the two officials, awaiting their response.

Jo Kwang-yun, who had been observing the women’s power struggle with keen interest, had to suppress a chuckle.

To resort to emotionally charged insults instead of logical arguments in a setting meant to determine the power of the nation! The moment the word ‘vixen’ escaped her lips, the Great Grand Empress Dowager had effectively lost.

“Your Majesty,” Dogwanbusi Gyeong began, “according to the national law, until His Majesty reaches the age of nine, the mother can assume the regency. Alternatively, if the court deliberates and recommends someone designated by the mother, they can act on behalf of His Majesty.”

As Dogwanbusi Gyeong finished speaking, Yegwanbusi Gyeong continued, “Also, when His Majesty reaches the age of nine, if the court deems that His Majesty is still not sufficiently capable of managing state affairs, they can extend the period.”

With the officials’ explanations concluded, the Empress Dowager bowed to the Great Grand Empress Dowager.

“Your Majesty, I have conducted my words and actions without deviating even an inch from etiquette and national law. I trust you understand.”

Since the raised voices continued to reverberate throughout the assembly hall, it was only natural that the young child would awaken. Right on cue, the young Emperor, who had been sleeping soundly in the Great Grand Empress Dowager’s arms, began to cry.

The Great Grand Empress Dowager needed to soothe the distressed Emperor, but tending to the baby was not her usual responsibility. At the Chief Eunuch’s discreet signal, an elderly palace maid scurried over and knelt at the Great Grand Empress Dowager’s feet.

The baby was the justification for her presence on the throne, but the moment she relinquished the child, the Great Grand Empress Dowager would lose her claim to that position. The more she hesitated, the louder the baby’s cries became.

The Great Grand Empress Dowager resorted to her last remaining option to escape the situation.

Rising from the throne, she announced to the officials, “This concludes today’s assembly. All of you, leave the court.”

She braced herself for the Empress Dowager’s potential objection, but the latter simply bowed her head in silence.

At this sight, the officials sighed inwardly.

The conflict between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, the unseemly spectacle of their power struggle, had come to a temporary halt. Now, all that remained was for them to convene and strategize on how to proceed. But the ultimate outcome was already apparent.

The Great Grand Empress Dowager held onto the Emperor tightly until the very end. Carrying the Emperor, she proceeded directly to Uiripjeon [building/residence] and handed the child to a waiting palace maid.

“Chief Eunuch, summon Minister Jo Kwang-yun immediately.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

One of the eunuchs hurried out to fulfill the order.

* * *

Jo Kwang-yun, who was in the process of leaving the assembly, was guided by a eunuch to Uiripjeon.

“Your Majesty, you summoned me?”

“Minister Jo, what are we to do about this situation?”

Jo Kwang-yun bowed even lower, feigning embarrassment.

“What do you mean…?”

“The Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager! Isn’t that child now opposing me?”

“Indeed. This development was entirely unexpected. I assumed she would remain confined to her residence due to her illness, but I never anticipated her emerging in this manner.”

“Minister Jo.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Is there nothing we can do? With your brilliance, you must be able to devise an ingenious plan. That is our only hope for survival.”

Jo Kwang-yun offered a wry smile.

The word ‘we’ should not be used so casually.

The term ‘we’ is appropriate only when two individuals with comparable abilities and shared objectives collaborate. If there is an imbalance in ability, it merely reflects the mentality of a thief attempting to exploit the superior party. If the objectives diverge, it conceals an intention to manipulate.

“Since the matter is governed by national law and established etiquette, there is little I can do at this moment. I apologize, Your Majesty. However…”

“However? Do not hesitate to speak.”

“If you confront her in the same manner at tomorrow’s assembly, it will not reflect favorably on you.”

“Why is that? I intend to prevent the Empress Dowager from even setting foot there tomorrow…”

“Observe the atmosphere of today’s assembly. Not a single official dared to step forward in your support. Since she is invoking the national law and presenting a reasoned argument, what official would risk defying the law? Violating the national law is a grave offense.”

“So?”

“Your Majesty, once you are driven out, it will be exceedingly difficult to regain your position.”

The Great Grand Empress Dowager’s lips trembled.

“Driven out? Me? Who would dare to drive me out!”

“The united silence of the officials will accomplish it.”

The Great Grand Empress Dowager understood the implications of that silence.

“Someday, the officials will be forced to choose between the two of you. At that time, the officials will side with the Empress Dowager, adhering to the national law. Consider the humiliation Your Majesty will endure at that moment.”

The Great Grand Empress Dowager recalled the Empress being forcibly removed. More precisely, she recalled herself watching the Empress being dragged away.

The ecstasy of the victor she had savored so completely.

She would depart willingly, but the Empress Dowager would experience the same intoxicating triumph.

The Imperial family is a realm where a single defeat can be irreparable.

“Then what course of action should I take?”

“Create the impression of relinquishing the position.”

“Relinquish…?”

“At tomorrow’s assembly, permit the Empress Dowager to assume the regency, but be sure to issue a warning.”

“A warning?”

“Yes. Make it clear that you will be vigilantly monitoring her actions to ensure she does not neglect state affairs or compromise the dignity of the Imperial family through foolish decisions.”

The Great Grand Empress Dowager’s expression brightened slightly.

“Leaving room to challenge her at any time, is that it?”

“Precisely. Your Majesty’s dignity will remain intact, and the possibility of reclaiming your position will remain open. And how long can the Empress Dowager possibly endure? Even the late Emperor frequently suffered from headaches due to the immense demands of the throne. It is doubtful whether the sickly Empress Dowager will be able to withstand even a month.”

The Great Grand Empress Dowager’s demeanor underwent a complete transformation. She had momentarily forgotten in her haste, overlooking a crucial and unchanging fact.

The Empress Dowager is sickly.

Once the morning assembly in Daejeon commences early, she must immediately begin reading and processing the mountain of memorials that accumulate in Uiripjeon. To properly address these memorials, she must summon the relevant officials to verify the contents and solicit their opinions.

And it doesn’t end there.

The court officials bring a multitude of issues to Uiripjeon, voicing their perspectives and pressing for resolutions.

A day that is difficult to endure with a healthy body stretches on endlessly, becoming nearly impossible with a sick one.

If she waits patiently, the Empress Dowager may tire of the burden and voluntarily step down from the throne. In fact, she almost certainly will.

“As expected, Minister Jo possesses the foresight to anticipate the future. My stuffy heart is뻥 뚫리는군요 [뻥 뚫리는군요 is untranslatable here, but it means something like ‘being cleared out’].”

Jo Kwang-yun bowed his head before the Great Grand Empress Dowager, who was now smiling radiantly.

In just one month, that 뻥 뚫린 속 [cleared out heart] will be blocked again, and she won’t even be able to breathe properly.

< Only Ten Days for Flowers to Bloom 2 > End