The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 341

The Emperor was, in fact, displeased with the current situation.

It was rare for him to feel this embarrassed.

Not only had he failed to assert his authority and instead appeared a fool manipulated by a treacherous subject, but the Minister of Rites, a key figure in the Six Ministries, had also brought about his own downfall by failing to handle a mere boy. The Emperor found this deeply unsatisfactory.

The entire imperial court session had become a farce.

Suppressing his displeasure, the Emperor spoke again.

“Now, it is time to reward you for your service.”

The Emperor’s gaze fixed on Dan Akseon.

“Name your desire.”

“Hmm….”

After a moment of serious consideration, Dan Akseon grinned.

“Could I perhaps examine Your Majesty’s pulse?”

“Mine?”

“I am simply concerned for Your Majesty’s well-being.”

At Dan Akseon’s words, the Emperor’s eyes flickered for the first time.

“Even for Your Majesty, enduring such events for so long must have taken a toll on your strength.”

One of the ministers from the conservative faction rebuked Dan Akseon.

“How dare you! A mere commoner dares to lay hands on the sacred body of the Emperor!”

However, he quickly fell silent.

It was due to the Emperor’s cold gaze, which was fixed intently on him.

The Emperor was well aware that they had been trying to further their own interests by using the Minister of Revenue.

“I will receive my examination separately.”

The Emperor, having婉拒ed [politely declined] the offer, looked at Dan Akseon with softened eyes.

“I will ask you one last time. Tell me what you desire.”

Dan Akseon scratched his cheek, looking troubled, but then his face lit up as if he had thought of something.

“Then, please take good care of Uncle Neung.”

The Emperor chuckled and nodded.

“I already have my eye on Neung, the chief of the village.”

“But please don’t take Uncle Neung away.”

“Is that… what you wish for?”

Dan Akseon nodded at the Emperor’s question.

“It’s good for Uncle Neung to have his abilities recognized and to advance in the world, but the people of Muwi need him. And I want to continue living with Uncle Neung as well.”

Having finished speaking, Dan Akseon carefully watched the Emperor’s expression and cautiously asked.

“Is it wrong to ask for something like this?”

The Emperor let out a soft laugh.

In moments like these, he seemed just like any other child his age.

It was hard to believe that this was the same boy who had cornered the Minister of Revenue right before his eyes.

After整理ing [organizing] his thoughts for a moment, the Emperor finally nodded.

“I understand. I will keep it in mind.”

Then, he cast a glance at the ministers.

“Is there anything else to discuss?”

“……”

“……”

The Emperor clicked his tongue, clearly displeased with the ministers’ silence.

Whether they were from the progressive or conservative factions, the ministers were all anxious, fearing that they might be next to face the music.

They simply wanted to leave this uncomfortable place as soon as possible.

“Then, we will conclude here for today.”

“Your benevolence is boundless….”

“Enough.”

Without even acknowledging the officials’ customary farewell, the Emperor rose from his throne.

“The two of you, follow me.”

Having concluded the imperial court session, the Emperor took Dan Akseon and Han Seolhwa to the inner palace, located deep within the Forbidden City.

After passing through the Imperial Garden, located north of the Kunning Palace, six pavilions appeared to the west.

The Emperor headed straight for the Changchun Palace, where the Empress Dowager resided.

As the Emperor and his guards disappeared into the palace first, Dan Akseon and Han Seolhwa, who had been following at a distance, also entered Changchun Palace.

“Wow!”

A huge 八仙桌 [bāxiānzhuō – a traditional Chinese square table, often used for dining] located inside.

Dan Akseon couldn’t help but exclaim at the sight of the feast of delicacies spread out on it.

It was as if every kind of food in the world had been gathered there.

It was then that the middle-aged beauty, who was seated at the head of the table in the center of the 八仙桌, smiled and approached.

She was somewhat plump due to her age, but her gentle eyes, prominent nose, and still beautiful face retained the charm of her youth.

“Welcome, Aunt.”

With a warm gaze and a gentle demeanor,
The Empress Dowager, Lady Jang, the 興王太妃 [Heungwang Daebi – title for the mother of a deceased king who never reigned], bowed respectfully to Han Seolhwa.

“It has already been seven years since we parted, leaving behind a meeting without a promise. I thought that only the fleeting years were merciless, but in the end, we meet like this.”

Not to mention her friendly and affectionate smile, even the title of “Aunt,” which she naturally used as if addressing a senior member of the family.

Han Seolhwa also wore a faint smile at her 极尽 [jijin – extremely courteous] attitude.

Dan Akseon belatedly paid his respects to the Empress Dowager.

“Dan Akseon from Muwi greets the Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded.

“You have suffered much.”

Confusion flickered in Dan Akseon’s eyes.

Although it was a short remark, he could clearly feel the goodwill contained within it.

Moreover, she seemed to already know what had happened in the 皇極殿 [Hwanggeupjeon – Main Throne Hall of a palace].

‘Ah!’

Dan Akseon could easily guess the reason.

The eunuch from the Dongchang [Eastern Depot – Ming dynasty secret police], who had introduced himself as Yoon Heum.

It was because of what he had said when he handed him the secret agreement between the 金龍商團 [Geumryong Sangdan – Golden Dragon Merchant Group] and the Minister of Revenue.

‘The person who sent him was the Empress Dowager, wasn’t it?’

Moreover, the Emperor didn’t seem to know about the document he had submitted as evidence.

This meant that the Empress Dowager’s influence in the Dongchang was by no means small.

‘Perhaps even more than that.’

Dan Akseon bowed his head.

“Thank you once again for your help, Your Majesty.”

The Empress Dowager, realizing the meaning behind his words, looked at Dan Akseon with admiration.

“You are as intelligent as I have heard.”

As the two took the seats she had offered, the Empress Dowager looked at Han Seolhwa with envy.

“How can you be so beautiful without changing at all?”

“You are the same.”

The Empress Dowager was startled by Han Seolhwa’s reply.

“You can really speak!”

Although she had heard the report from Yoon Heum earlier, she was still surprised to confirm it directly.

The Emperor frowned at the sight.

“Were you deliberately pretending to be mute in front of me?”

The Emperor did not hide his discomfort.

Depending on the situation, it was no different from being mocked.

But as expected.

“Because it’s annoying.”

At Han Seolhwa’s answer, the Emperor 벌떡 [beoljjeok – abruptly] rose from his seat.

At that moment.

“She is my guest, 皇上 [Hwang Sang – Imperial Majesty].”

A soft voice echoed through the room.

It was the Empress Dowager.

“This is the day I have been waiting for so eagerly. So please, understand this mother’s feelings.”

The Emperor paused as he met the Empress Dowager’s gaze.

After a moment.

The Emperor, with a soft sigh, sat back down.

He had nothing to fear from anyone in the world, but the Empress Dowager was the only exception.

It was because he knew of her endless devotion and sacrifice for him.

It was also she who had solidified his position as Emperor.

In the early days of his reign.

The Emperor, who had ascended to the throne due to the sudden death of the late Emperor, lacked everything.

Because he had not studied 帝王学 [Diwanghak – Imperial Studies], he was unskilled in handling his subjects, and the power of the ministers, who had enjoyed a solid position under the late Emperor, had become excessively inflated.

The seasoned ministers, who had traveled to and from the north with the late Emperor and had accumulated a wealth of experience, were formidable opponents for the young Emperor, who was only fifteen years old.

Not only were they skilled in all sorts of schemes, but their ability to navigate the world was truly astonishing.

Just as he was about to be reduced to a mere Emperor in name only.

Suddenly, a fierce debate arose over the imperial rituals.

It was the 大禮之議 [Daeryejiui – The Great Rites Controversy].

Yang Jeonghwa, the 內閣大學士 [Naegak Daehaksa – Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet] who was the center of power at the time.

He and most of the officials in the court argued that the Emperor should become the adopted son of the former Emperor, 弘治帝 [Hongzhi Emperor], in order to inherit legitimacy, as the Emperor was a cousin of the late Emperor.

Because the Emperor’s power came from legitimacy.

But there was a trick hidden here.

If that were the case, the Emperor’s real father would become the 皇叔父 [Hwang Sukbu – Imperial Uncle].

The reason why they did not want to grant the Emperor’s parents the status of 皇考 [Hwangko – Deceased Emperor] and 皇太后 [Hwang Taehu – Empress Dowager] was simple.

By not recognizing the authority of their elders in the imperial family, they wanted to emphasize that the Emperor had not inherited the 嫡統 [Jeoktong – legitimate bloodline].

Naturally, the progressive officials who supported the Emperor strongly opposed it.

The court was divided into two due to the conflict between the two 官僚 [Gwallyo – bureaucratic] forces.

In fact, this issue was not just a matter of titles.

It was a very serious issue for the court officials, whose main ideology was Confucianism, as it was a question of whether the current Emperor had taken the throne as the 嫡長子 [Jeokjangja – the eldest son of the legitimate wife] of the bloodline or as a member of the collateral bloodline.

The Emperor opposed Yang Jeonghwa’s opinion.

Rather, he insisted on calling 弘治帝 [Hongzhi Emperor] 皇伯父 [Hwang Baekbu – Imperial Uncle] and giving his biological father, 興獻王 [Heungheonwang – Prince Heungheon], the title of 皇考 [Hwangko – Deceased Emperor].

And as time went on, the Emperor’s opinion gradually gained strength.

It was thanks to the outstanding scholars who were emerging at the time.

They argued that it was against Confucian principles and human nature for the Emperor to use the title of father against his will.

The person who led the public opinion was Yang So, the Minister of Revenue, who was then a member of the 翰林院 [Hallimwon – Royal Academy].

The Emperor also did not back down, saying, ‘I will inherit the family, but I will not inherit the 嫡統 [Jeoktong – legitimate bloodline].’

In the end, the Emperor finally got his way.

He posthumously honored his father, 興獻王 [Heungheonwang – Prince Heungheon], as Emperor Yejong Heon, and treated him with even greater respect than the late Emperor, Jeongdeok.

And this became an opportunity to strengthen the voice of the Emperor’s faction of officials.

Conversely, Yang Jeonghwa and other court officials were forced to resign.

Only after a large number of officials who followed Yang Jeonghwa were purged was the Emperor able to fully seize power.

His own authoritative way of governing.

He was able to properly lay the foundation for it.

Even the iron-blooded monarch could not help but be weak in the face of his mother, the Empress Dowager.

It was she who had secretly moved public opinion and triggered the 大禮之議 [Daeryejiui – The Great Rites Controversy].

On the other hand, Dan Akseon, who had no idea of these circumstances, could not help but feel puzzled.

It was so different from the Emperor’s 모습 [moseup – demeanor] he had shown so far.

No matter how much she was his mother, the Emperor’s position and power were higher.

But anyone could see that in their relationship, the Emperor was yielding a great deal to the Empress Dowager.

Above all, they were not the only ones present.

Behind the Emperor, the 禦林親衛 [Eorimchinwi – Imperial Guards] to protect him were also present, and the 內官 [Naegwan – eunuchs] and 宮女 [Gungnyeo – court ladies] to attend to him were also present.

Words travel fast.

No matter how much they tried to keep it a secret, there was no guarantee that what happened inside would not spread as rumors.

The Empress Dowager seemed to notice Dan Akseon’s expression, and she smiled slightly, breaking the awkward silence and opening her mouth.

“You don’t have to worry. They have eyes but cannot see, and ears but cannot hear.”

Always performing their duties near the Emperor, their attitude of keeping secrets had long become a way of life.

The Empress Dowager turned her head and met Han Seolhwa’s gaze.

“I received the artificial flower hairpin you sent.”

Then, she gave a meaningful smile.

“I have been anxiously waiting to see when you would use it.”

At her words, a look of embarrassment briefly flashed across Han Seolhwa’s eyes before disappearing.

“Thanks to you, the children of the Dongchang have done quite a bit of legwork.”

Only then did Han Seolhwa realize why those who had purchased the artificial flower hairpin had repeatedly demanded refunds.

From early on, the Empress Dowager had been aware of the location of the artificial flower hairpin.

Nevertheless, in order to keep her promise to her, she had waited patiently and silently without showing any signs.

Han Seolhwa was inwardly pleased with her sincerity.

“It seems that the time has come to settle the debt between us.”

Having said that, the Empress Dowager took out a neatly folded piece of paper from her bosom and handed it to Han Seolhwa.

A piece of paper that was old and faded and looked like it would crumble at any moment.

On it were written the ten characters: 水深波浪闊, 無使蛟龍得 [수심파랑활, 무사교룡득 – Shui shen bo lang kuo, wu shi jiao long de – The waters are deep and the waves are wide, do not let the dragon get you].

It meant that the waves of the 江湖 [Gangho – the martial arts world] were deep and wide, so be careful not to be caught by the 蛟龍 [Gyoryong – a mythical dragon].

“I am now returning the letter you gave me before we parted.”

To Han Seolhwa, who was silently looking at the poem with a sentimental expression, the Empress Dowager said.

“If there is anything you want, please tell me without hesitation.”