After leaving the palace, Yunseo headed straight for Cheongugak.
Inkstones could be obtained anywhere, but the items that came out of Cheongugak were on another level entirely.
Not only that—
He could also gather information regarding Prince Jeongan.
Seorin, the owner of Cheongugak, brightened the moment she saw Yunseo.
“Yunseo oraboni, you’ve finally come. This maiden thought… that with all the pretty sisters delivering news to Your Excellency, you had stopped coming here altogether.”
Yunseo burst into hearty laughter.
“How could that be? I am forever deeply grateful for your help.”
His gaze grew a fraction sharper.
“However, today… I must borrow your strength.”
Seorin nodded without hesitation.
“Just say the word, no matter what it is. I will move at once.”
Yunseo rose from his seat and slowly opened his mouth.
“It was Prince Jeongan who ruined the Hoenam relief fund.”
The air sank in an instant.
“Not content with dividing three million nyang of silver among themselves, they have joined hands with foreign powers, plotting treason, and are even attempting to assassinate Her Majesty.”
Seorin’s brows furrowed.
It was the face of someone who had already grasped the gist.
“…Oraboni, do you wish for me to spread this rumor?”
Yunseo nodded.
“I will also dispatch people separately, but before that, the help of Cheongugak, which wields formidable influence in the martial world, is absolutely necessary.”
Seorin could not answer immediately.
For considering the people behind her, this was by no means a light matter.
Yunseo did not miss that hesitation.
“The Commander will take full responsibility for protecting Cheongugak.”
He spoke decisively.
“Cheongugak will never be shaken, so there is no need to worry.”
And without pause, he continued.
“What is urgent now is to let the world know.”
Yunseo’s voice lowered.
“The fact that Her Majesty intends to behead the Chancellor’s relatives to rectify discipline.”
Seorin’s eyes wavered.
“…What do you mean by that?”
“At the same time, we must reveal Her Majesty’s resolute will to fight to the end against the foreign bandits for the sake of the people’s peace.”
Yunseo’s eyes shone clearly.
Seorin soon nodded.
“Understood. I will move at once.”
Yunseo nodded and added,
“And one more thing. I mean to obtain an inkstone. If the Four Treasures of the Study are all of the highest quality, prepare several more sets.”
Seorin smiled brightly and turned around.
A short while later—
She returned carrying five sets of the finest Four Treasures of the Study that Cheongugak could offer.
“There is nothing better than this under Heaven, no matter where you go. If it is insufficient, please tell me.”
Yunseo unhesitatingly took out a silver pouch and handed it to her.
“I have no intention of receiving this for free.”
His voice was calm.
“My salary is not generous, so this is all I have for now, but I will surely make up the rest later.”
Seorin looked at him for a moment, then finally let out a sigh.
“…You truly separate public and private matters to the very end.”
She accepted the silver as if she had no choice and put it away.
“Understood. Then let it be so.”
Yunseo did not stay any longer.
Because he suspected that tonight’s summons would not be a simple matter.
There was also the possibility that the remaining poison had spread again and harmed her body.
He urged his horse and galloped back to the palace.
—
Before the Empress’s bedchamber.
A court lady waiting in front of the door approached urgently.
“Lord Yunseo, Her Majesty has waited for a long time.”
Yunseo furrowed his brows slightly.
It was a different reaction from usual.
This had never happened even when he was late—
With questions in his mind, he entered, and all the court ladies inside withdrew as the door closed firmly.
Wolhwa was sitting neatly before a low table.
Instead of splendid imperial robes, she wore light blue everyday clothes.
In this moment alone, she looked like a shy woman rather than an Empress.
Wolhwa raised her head and looked at Yunseo.
And—
She smiled faintly.
“You’ve come. Come here and sit.”
Yunseo approached, carrying the writing sets.
The moment he tried to speak—
Wolhwa stood up and swept the items from his arms as if snatching them away.
“Foolish man.”
And she rolled her eyes.
“What I sent you out for was merely an excuse to deceive those old men.”
She took a step closer.
“Did you truly believe that and wander about for so long?”
Yunseo smirked.
“Thanks to that, I took care of an important matter.”
He naturally took her hand.
“I dispatched people to spread the word about the large-scale corruption case orchestrated by Prince Jeongan.”
His voice flowed out smooth and unhesitating.
“Together with the rumor that Her Majesty will uncover the truth with lightning speed and execute the related officials in a few days.”
Wolhwa’s pupils wavered slightly.
“On that execution list.”
Yunseo’s gaze pierced straight into her eyes.
“Figures from the Chancellor’s faction are included as well.”
Wolhwa’s eyes deepened.
“…So you intend to behead them after all.”
The smile vanished from Yunseo’s lips.
“Yes.”
Wolhwa already knew.
This man never bent once he had set his mind on something.
And that resolute decision aligned exactly with her own inner thoughts—
Perfectly.
“This Emperor shares the same thought.”
Her gaze grew calm.
“Even if Jang Munyeon coughs up silver, it is merely a single bowlful. It is only natural to set an example by punishing one to warn a hundred.”
Yunseo shook his head.
“This matter contains a deeper meaning than that.”
Wolhwa’s eyes narrowed.
“…I wish to hear the details.”
She pulled him to sit.
And filling the wine cup herself, she whispered.
“Tell me. Does this matter… hold yet another meaning?”
Instead of answering, Yunseo rose from his seat.
He immediately raised his internal energy.
Shhh—
An invisible curtain enveloped the bedchamber.
A space completely severed from the outside.
Now, no matter what happened inside or what words were exchanged, the outside world could never know.
Only Yunseo and Wolhwa could hear the outside sounds while remaining on guard.
The corners of Wolhwa’s lips rose refreshingly.
“Still no gaps, as ever. This Emperor likes that strictness of yours.”
She nodded and sat a little closer to Yunseo.
“Now, are you ready to speak?”
Yunseo took a short breath and opened his mouth.
Joining hands with Cheongugak.
The plan to pressure the impure forces within the court.
He unraveled the entire flow he had drawn up without omitting a single thing.
Wolhwa listened in silence.
She had already guessed to some extent, but—
It was far deeper,
more dangerous,
and more intricate than that.
‘This man…’
Her gaze gradually softened, sinking into him as if seeping in.
In the end—
What she had been unable to accomplish.
This man had done it.
“…Have you said all you need to say?”
Yunseo nodded.
“That is correct. I have told you everything that needed to be told.”
For a moment, silence stretched between them with only their gazes entwined.
And—
“Then.”
Wolhwa raised her cup.
Her eyes shook faintly.
“Now… will you share a drink with this Emperor?”
For an instant, Yunseo made a blank expression.
“I was under the impression that Your Majesty was unwell.”
“You truly are clueless.”
Wolhwa’s cheeks faintly colored.
“How is it that the mind so brilliant when discussing state affairs goes rigid only at times like this?”
She pressed the cup into his hand.
“Tonight, this scene… this Emperor shall never forget even in death.”
In the strange atmosphere, Wolhwa’s eyes grew moist with tender affection.
The cups lightly clinked as a clear sound spread outward.
—
After a few drinks, Wolhwa’s breathing gradually grew ragged.
Finally, she staggered up from her seat.
Her cheeks were flushed red like peach blossoms.
“Your Majesty.”
Yunseo quickly approached.
“Has the poison flared up? How can you overexert yourself when your body is unwell?”
In that moment—
Wolhwa wrapped both arms around Yunseo’s shoulders.
On her face, which radiated a bewitching yet tender air, shyness lingered.
“Yuk Yunseo.”
She stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips close to his ear.
“This Emperor…”
Wolhwa swallowed her breath and hesitated for a moment.
“…wants you.”
In that instant—
The air froze.
Yunseo’s black pupils blazed as they locked onto her.
He reached out and quietly pulled Wolhwa into his embrace.
“If you follow me.”
Yunseo spoke decisively.
“From now on, you must obey only my words. Betrayal will never be tolerated.”
Wolhwa burst into laughter.
“This Emperor does not regret a decision once made.”
Without hesitation, Yunseo lifted her into his arms and headed toward the bed beside the Dragon Throne.
Their ten fingers intertwined, and low breaths mixed together.
That night.
Wolhwa devoted all her heart and soul not as an Empress, but as a lover.
She wanted to become the only woman in Yunseo’s heart, and she wished to bind him forever by her side.
—
Around dawn.
As Yunseo rose to leave, Wolhwa’s voice came from behind him.
“Do not worry. I have already made arrangements.”
She also rose and spoke.
“What happened tonight… all of it has an excuse.”
Wolhwa’s eyes narrowed, and a relaxed smile played at her lips.
“It will be known that we discussed the Hoenam relief fund through the night.”
Yunseo smirked.
“That is not enough.”
“I know.”
Wolhwa caught his arm.
“That is why—”
Their gazes met.
“We must make it together.”
The smile on her lips deepened.
“A reason that everyone can accept.”