“Do not resent Us.”
Wolhwa spoke in a low voice.
She, too, knew that she was testing Yunseo too harshly.
A small sigh escaped her.
“If the situation in the court were not so unstable right now… We would not have wanted to say such things to you either.”
Her gaze dropped.
“This matter is far too grave. If We make even the slightest error in judgment… We will be ruining with Our own hands the kingdom left behind by Our predecessors.”
Even after hearing that, Yunseo merely smiled calmly.
“There is no need for Your Majesty to explain yourself to this subject.”
He quietly lowered his head.
“This subject knows at least that Your Majesty is moving for the sake of the realm. Your Majesty is an excellent sovereign.”
Then he added,
“This subject will simply… do everything in his power to assist Your Majesty.”
The moment she heard those words, something in Wolhwa’s heart twisted strangely.
For some reason, she did not feel pleased.
After a brief silence, she said,
“You may withdraw.”
Yunseo bowed and turned around.
Wolhwa’s eyes wavered as she watched his back leaving the imperial bedchamber.
“…Is that truly all?”
She murmured softly.
“Is what you feel for Us… only loyalty?”
But Yunseo had already left the palace.
—
Just as Yunseo had stepped out.
A memorial from the State Duke arrived.
As Wolhwa read through its contents, her face twisted in an instant.
The next moment—
Crash!
A teacup was hurled to the floor.
“How can there be such an insolent man!”
The State Duke, flaunting his dignity as an old minister, was demanding that a member of his own household be appointed to the position of Vice Minister of Rites.
Originally, that was a post where Wolhwa had intended to place someone she personally trusted.
But that old fox had moved one step ahead and submitted this memorial.
In the end, all of her plans had been disrupted.
“Send someone.”
Wolhwa’s voice rang out coldly.
“Summon Yunseo to the palace at once.”
—
Yunseo, who had just been leaving the palace, was stopped by a eunuch.
“Master Yuk! His Majesty wishes to see you immediately.”
Yunseo halted for a moment.
“What is the matter?”
The eunuch shook his head.
“Aigoo… His Majesty is greatly angered right now. It would be best for you to go and see the details for yourself.”
Yunseo immediately turned and headed toward the audience hall.
—
When Yunseo entered, Wolhwa wordlessly threw the memorial before him.
“Read it. See how utterly brazen this man called the State Duke has become. He is demanding an official post from Us. If it were you, how would you punish this man?”
Yunseo was reading the memorial when he let out a faint laugh.
“Does Your Majesty believe in the phrase ‘karmic retribution’?”
Wolhwa’s eyebrow rose slightly.
“What do you mean?”
Yunseo slowly opened his mouth.
“These past few days, this subject has traveled through various regions to examine the situation. In the process… I heard no small number of unfavorable things about the court.”
He paused for a moment.
“In particular, there was the matter of taxes. Taxes continue to rise everywhere, and the people’s resentment is considerable. This is by no means a good omen.”
Wolhwa’s brows furrowed slightly.
“What does that have to do with the matter that troubles Us?”
Yunseo spoke calmly.
“There is a saying that the people are most important, and the ruler comes next.”
His gaze went straight toward Wolhwa.
“There is ultimately one reason the court ministers are able to act so arrogantly. It is because soldiers are in their hands.”
He took one step closer.
“But if Your Majesty wins the hearts of the people, the story changes. If the people follow Your Majesty… would the court ministers dare raise a banner against you?”
The moment she heard those words, Wolhwa’s eyes faintly trembled.
Only then did she realize.
She had thought only of dealing with the ministers, and had never considered the people as a force in politics.
Yunseo was already seeing one move ahead.
He continued,
“Tomorrow in court, mention the names of several ministers. Then this subject will step forward and say that I will investigate them.”
Wolhwa’s gaze sharpened.
“Investigate?”
“Yes.”
Yunseo spoke composedly.
“If they are investigated and no problems are found, they may be used as they are. However…”
He smiled leisurely.
“If problems are discovered, then there will be justification. Justification to purge the ministers who refuse to obey Your Majesty.”
A brief silence passed.
Then Wolhwa slowly asked,
“Does that mean… you will step forward yourself?”
Yunseo lowered his head.
“Yes.”
Wolhwa’s expression stiffened for a moment.
“That is the same as walking into danger with your own feet.”
Her voice lowered slightly.
“We wish to deal with the ministers. But…”
Her words broke off for a moment.
“That does not mean We wish to lose the person who will become Our left arm and right arm.”
Her gaze turned toward Yunseo.
“Yuk Yunseo. Can you truly bear that danger?”
Hearing those words, Yunseo lightly shook his head.
“It seems Your Majesty has underestimated this subject too much.”
His voice was relaxed.
“Would I have said such a thing without even that much resolve?”
Yunseo took a step back and said,
“In the present state of affairs… someone must take on this task.”
Wolhwa could not speak for a moment.
Soon, she let out a small sigh and nodded.
“…Very well.”
Her gaze softened a little.
“For now, there seems to be no other way.”
Then she added in a low voice,
“For this matter… We are sorry to you.”
—
The next morning, at court assembly.
The State Duke submitted another memorial and stepped forward boldly.
However, Wolhwa was firm.
“State Duke.”
Her voice rang out coldly.
“We know that when you recommend people, you do not usually act out of private sentiment. However, the appointment of court ministers is a grave matter.”
Her gaze turned toward the State Duke.
“It is not something that can be decided so hastily.”
The State Duke clasped his hands and offered a bow.
“I understand Your Majesty’s will well.”
His voice remained confident.
“However, this subject merely hopes that Your Majesty will give it deep consideration. The work of the Ministry of Rites may appear trivial on the surface, but in truth, it is not insignificant.”
He continued slowly,
“If one person’s seat remains vacant, all of that work passes to the other officials. If this continues for long, dissatisfaction will build up, and in the end, it will not be good for the discipline of the court.”
It was then.
“That statement is not correct.”
The State Duke’s gaze flashed toward Yunseo.
Yunseo continued speaking calmly.
“It is true that the work of the Ministry of Rites is complicated. However, the deputy commissioner can take charge of the duties in his stead.”
His eyes shone calmly.
“Since ancient times, both the principal commissioner and the deputy commissioner have been positions that serve the court. If the deputy commissioner proves capable, there is no need for Your Majesty to hurriedly appoint a new person.”
Yunseo added leisurely,
“If that happens, would it not also prevent needless rumors from arising both inside and outside the court due to the introduction of a new appointee?”
The State Duke’s face stiffened in an instant.
“Hah!”
He did not hide his anger.
“From the looks of it… the person refusing to obey seems to be someone else.”
The State Duke’s gaze turned toward Yunseo.
“A man who calls himself an Investigating Censor should do the work he is supposed to do properly. Since when were you allowed to meddle even in the personnel affairs of ministers?”
Yunseo smiled.
“There is no need for the State Duke to be impatient.”
His eyes gleamed firmly.
“I was just about to speak of that.”
Yunseo took another step forward.
“The duty of an Investigating Censor is to hear rumors and set the court straight. No one can avoid investigation.”
His gaze turned toward the State Duke.
“Of course, the same applies to the person the State Duke has recommended.”
Yunseo’s voice rang out clearly.
“If there is no issue with his achievements or character, then naturally, he will be able to take that post.”
He paused for a moment.
“But if there is a problem…”
Yunseo smiled slowly.
“Then that person would have no qualifications to enter the court.”
The State Duke’s body swayed for an instant.
Jang Munyeon quickly supported him.
Then he glared at Yunseo with cold eyes.
“The State Duke is an elder who has served three reigns.”
Jang Munyeon’s voice rang low.
“He is someone to whom even Your Majesty shows full courtesy… Is it acceptable for an Investigating Censor who has only just taken office to behave so rudely?”
His eyes flashed.
“Surely you are not acting as you please because you trust in His Majesty’s favor? How dare you.”
At that moment.
Bang!
Wolhwa struck the table.
“Jang Munyeon.”
Her gaze turned cold.
It was then.
Urgent footsteps rang out from outside the palace hall.
“An urgent report, brought eight hundred li without rest! Your Majesty, please inspect it personally!”
Wolhwa’s face stiffened in an instant.
“Bring it in.”
The moment the urgent report was brought up—
The State Duke and Jang Munyeon moved forward at the same time.
But before them, Yunseo stepped forward.
In an instant, he turned his body and blocked the two men’s path.
The urgent report went straight into Wolhwa’s hands.
The State Duke and Jang Munyeon’s faces flushed red.
But they could say nothing.
If they showed displeasure now, they would only invite suspicion.
The two men clenched their teeth.
They would certainly repay this grudge.
Wolhwa unfolded the urgent report and read it.
The further she read, the harder her expression became.
And the next moment—
Thud!
She sprang up from her seat.
“Those madmen!”
Wolhwa’s furious voice rang through the great hall.
“A flood has occurred in the Huainan region. The court sent three million taels in relief funds… and all of that money has disappeared.”
Her eyes flashed.
“Now, starving people there have risen up, and a large-scale popular uprising has broken out. It is said that several regions have already been occupied by the rebel forces.”
Wolhwa’s gaze turned toward the ministers.
“Who will explain this?”
The ministers merely exchanged glances.
No one readily stepped forward.
After a while, one minister reluctantly came forward.
“Your Majesty.”
He lowered his head.
“This is a case of lowly commoners violating the law and raising a rebellion. We must immediately send troops and suppress them with force.”
“That cannot be done.”
Yunseo’s voice rang out firmly.
“If they are suppressed by the army…”
His eyes shone faintly.
“Your Majesty will lose the hearts of the people completely.”