When Yunseo returned alone, the State Duke’s expression instantly stiffened.
“Did you not leave with the Chancellor?”
He glanced behind Yunseo as if to check, then asked with narrowed brows.
“Why have you returned alone?”
Yunseo lightly disregarded the State Duke’s question and bowed deeply toward Wolhwa.
“Your Majesty.”
Without straightening his deeply bent waist, he continued.
“The Chancellor has personally led the army out.”
In that instant.
The air of the court shook violently.
“He said the western vassal state has crossed the line… He could not stand idly by.”
“Nonsense!”
The moment the words fell, the State Duke immediately refuted them.
“The Chancellor would never move in such a manner!”
His gaze pierced sharply toward Yunseo.
“Yuk Yunseo, are you making such absurd slander because of a grudge against the Chancellor!”
“It is the truth.”
Yunseo answered without so much as a blink.
“If you cannot believe it.”
His gaze settled coldly.
“Verify it yourself when the Chancellor returns.”
The State Duke’s mouth clamped shut.
There was not the slightest tremor; it was too unwavering to be a lie.
If that was the case—
Did that mean those words were true?
But Jang Munyeon was not someone who would move so rashly.
His eyes narrowed.
‘Something is going on.’
Without a doubt.
Inside this.
Yet he could not be certain.
“Yuk Yunseo.”
The State Duke, who had been glaring holes through Yunseo, soon opened his mouth.
“Speak honestly.”
His gaze dug in even deeper.
“Did you not use the Chancellor?”
In that instant—
The court fell silent.
All gazes converged on Yunseo.
A relaxed smile hung at Yunseo’s lips.
“Originally, this subject intended to step forward himself to achieve merit.”
He added as if it were no great matter.
“However, the Chancellor insisted he could not yield even if it killed him, stubbornly digging in his heels, so I merely conceded.”
Yunseo lightly shrugged his shoulders.
“Are you saying, State Duke, that had you been in that place, you would have remained still with the enemy before your eyes?”
The State Duke was rendered speechless.
These were undeniable words.
If—
he had been in that position, he too would have moved.
There was no reason not to reach out the moment gain was visible.
Those who hesitate ultimately gain nothing.
“……”
But in the current situation, the losses could outweigh the gains.
Because Jang Munyeon’s impulsive act might not stop at shaking the court’s order but could also provoke dangerous outside forces.
‘Jang Munyeon… this old coot is digging his own grave in this mess for a petty gain.’
“Enough.”
Wolhwa’s voice sliced through the court, falling coldly.
“Now is not the time to waste on useless words.”
Her gaze slowly settled.
“The enemy does not wait.”
The words were not long.
But—
That single phrase was sufficient.
Then.
“Your Majesty!”
An urgent voice burst in from outside.
Instantly.
Everyone’s gaze turned toward the door.
“The Chancellor has slain three thousand western vassal state troops and captured Iman alive!”
Silence swept past like a breeze, and immediately an uproar burst forth.
“Iman…?”
“Unbelievable…”
The court seethed.
A bright smile spread across Wolhwa’s face for the first time in a long while.
“Bring him in.”
Shortly after.
As the door opened, Jang Munyeon, clad in armor from head to toe, entered with imposing strides and immediately fell to his knees.
“Your Majesty.”
And then he bowed his head deeply.
“I have subdued the western vassal state as commanded. I shall leave the subsequent disposition to Your Majesty’s will.”
The court’s gaze converged upon him.
Respect.
Wariness.
And—
Envy.
Wolhwa nodded.
“You have worked hard. I am most pleased and shall bestow a reward.”
Instantly.
Jang Munyeon’s eyes sparkled.
“Regarding the relief funds I previously ordered supplemented.”
She slowly opened her mouth.
“I shall reduce your share. You need only fill the portion that you, the Chancellor, and your clan embezzled.”
And—
She cast her gaze across the entire court.
“Everyone shall share and bear the remainder.”
Instantly.
The air froze.
Jang Munyeon’s expression stiffened.
This was not a reward.
It was shifting responsibility.
In the end, all resentment would fall upon him alone.
‘This wench…’
Though he smiled outwardly, his insides slowly twisted.
Wolhwa’s eyes narrowed.
“Why.”
She asked.
“Do you have a complaint?”
Jang Munyeon immediately bowed his head.
“No, Your Majesty.”
He spoke through gritted teeth.
“I merely thought it fitting that I, as Chancellor, should take the lead and set an example.”
The end of his words subtly frayed.
“I shall take responsibility and make up for all the lacking silver.”
“Do not speak such words.”
Wolhwa lightly waved her hand.
“In this matter, it is the Chancellor who has personally achieved merit.”
Her gaze fixed upon Jang Munyeon.
“If I do not even go this far, how can I properly commend that merit?”
The Empress seemed to allow no room for retreat.
Jang Munyeon looked at her for a moment before swallowing a sigh.
Pushing further would only create a flaw.
“…If that is Your Majesty’s will.”
He bowed his head.
“I shall comply.”
Only then did the corners of Wolhwa’s lips faintly rise.
“That is how you should be as my Chancellor.”
She nodded in satisfaction and concluded.
“You may withdraw.”
—
The moment the court dispersed, the State Duke immediately followed after Jang Munyeon.
“I say.”
His voice was low and heavy.
“What in the world happened?”
His gaze clung persistently.
“For you to take the lead and go out—so unlike your usual self. Do you think that makes sense?”
Jang Munyeon scoffed.
But that smile was not a smiling face at all.
“Did you think I went because I wanted to?”
His face gradually contorted.
“That damned bastard.”
Fury seeped into his voice.
“Yuk Yunseo, that bastard set the board.”
The State Duke’s eyes narrowed.
“…What?”
“You cannot even imagine how cunningly he orchestrated things behind the scenes.”
Jang Munyeon’s brows furrowed in anger as he spat out the words.
“Sigh, I shouldn’t have marched out on that punitive expedition because of him in the first place.”
He clenched his teeth.
“I did achieve merit, but.”
Words cut off for a moment.
“So in the end, you moved according to his will?”
The State Duke asked.
Jang Munyeon let out a hollow laugh.
“Rather than moved.”
The corners of his mouth twisted in fury.
“I was made to move.”
He flicked his hand dismissively.
“What did I gain aside from slightly reducing my responsibility for the relief funds?”
“……”
“Since I boasted that I would go myself.”
Jang Munyeon’s eyes chilled coldly.
“Now I’ve ended up shouldering everything.”
The State Duke opened his mouth, then closed it again.
“Compensation for the fallen.”
Jang Munyeon muttered softly.
His pupils completely lost their light.
“And even the resentment of those court bastards.”
After a silence, the State Duke finally threw out a word.
“…I’m glad I didn’t go.”
The moment those words fell.
Jang Munyeon’s gaze shot up.
“Right now.”
His eyes narrowed sharply.
“Are you enjoying this?”
The State Duke forcibly suppressed a smile and straightened his expression solemnly.
“How could that be?”
But the subtle trace of a smile at his lips did not fade.
“That is not the issue.”
Jang Munyeon hardened his expression and continued.
“Yuk Yunseo.”
The instant that name fell, the air grew heavy once more.
“Even now, he is capable of this much.”
The State Duke’s eyes narrowed.
“What will happen if we give him time?”
Fear settled in Jang Munyeon’s eyes for the first time.
“…He will become a monster.”
Those words were spoken with certainty.
“As long as that bastard sticks by the Empress’s side, the Empress will inevitably grow stronger.”
The State Duke stroked his beard as if lost in thought for a moment.
“Even if we want to drive him out, there is no suitable justification at present.”
“He must be cut down.”
Jang Munyeon said resolutely.
“Whether now or before it is too late.”
The killing intent hidden in his eyes slowly raised its head.
“Without fail.”
—
Wolhwa burst out laughing upon hearing Yunseo’s report, releasing the mirth she had been holding back.
“You’ve done something quite amusing.”
Her gaze turned toward Yunseo.
“I never thought you could manipulate that old fox so perfectly.”
Yunseo stood with an unconcerned expression.
“I was lucky.”
A single calm word.
But there was no one here who would fall for those words.
Wolhwa lightly wiped away the tears that had formed at the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand.
“Luck?”
Her eyes narrowed.
“You expect me to believe that?”
Her laughter subsided, and silence immediately seeped in.
“Be careful.”
Wolhwa’s tone changed.
“Jang Munyeon is not someone who will let this pass.”
“I know.”
Yunseo answered immediately.
“But that is something to think about a month from now.”
A flicker of interest settled in Wolhwa’s eyes.
“…A month from now?”
“At least for a month, he will be unable to act rashly while watching my movements.”
The reason was simple.
Having had his weakness seized, Jang Munyeon, who valued his reputation, would be unable to step forward carelessly.
The corners of Wolhwa’s lips slowly rose.
“Quite calculative.”
“Only as much as necessary.”
She was silent for a while before narrowing her brows and opening her mouth again.
“Even so, you must be wary.”
She continued cautiously.
“Behind Jang Munyeon stands the State Duke. The State Duke is not someone I can control.”
Wolhwa’s gaze deepened.
“With our forces weak as they are now, we have no choice but to watch their moods and keep our heads low.”
Yunseo bowed his head.
“That is why already.”
Wolhwa’s eyes rested quietly upon him.
“I am reorganizing the troops together with General So.”
He slowly continued.
“The elite soldiers I have trained now number over a thousand.”
Wolhwa’s pupils shook.
“……”
“Tomorrow.”
Yunseo raised his head.
“Would you come outside the palace with me and see for yourself how much they have grown?”
A strange silence filled the space between them.
And—
The corners of Wolhwa’s lips slowly rose.
“Very well.”