The atmosphere within the court transformed in an instant, as if into a blood-soaked battlefield.
“I repay grace twofold, and I return grudges to the very end.”
Wolhwa’s voice was cold and clear.
“If you insist on standing against justice until the end—”
Her eyes had already lost all human warmth.
“Then I shall cut off your head myself.”
Cold sweat ran down Jang Munyeon’s spine.
“That man came here to steal information!”
He shouted without hesitation.
“Your Majesty, all the silver I received until now was merely bait to deceive the enemy! I have proof as well!”
Jang Munyeon spoke ceaselessly, his eyes frantic.
“If Your Majesty wishes, I shall present the evidence at once!”
Wolhwa lightly propped up her chin.
“Is that so?”
Her gaze narrowed.
“Then let us hear it.”
Jang Munyeon answered immediately.
“All the silver I received has been sealed away. You may search my estate.”
His voice trembled.
“It is an enormous sum, no less than three hundred thousand taels… I have not touched a single coin.”
Wolhwa’s brow rose slightly.
“Three hundred thousand taels.”
Her gaze turned toward the envoy.
“You mean to say that entire sum came from Prince Jeongan’s side?”
The envoy’s body trembled visibly.
He wanted to live.
But.
The empress before him did not seem to have the slightest intention of letting him survive.
If he was going to die anyway—
He forced up the corners of his mouth and arrogantly lifted his chin.
“Your Majesty would do well to admit it now.”
His eyes held a mad conviction.
“Our Prince Jeongan is the one who has received the Mandate of Heaven. If you surrender even now, we may allow you to keep your position—”
At that instant.
Crack—!!
Yunseo’s hand closed around the envoy’s throat.
“Ghk…!”
The envoy’s eyes rolled back.
He could not breathe.
The pressure felt as though his neck bones would be crushed on the spot.
Death had come right up to his nose.
Deep terror spread through the envoy’s eyes.
And just as his breath was truly about to be cut off.
Thud.
Yunseo released his hand.
The envoy collapsed onto the floor, gasping for breath like a madman.
“Haaah…! Haaah…!”
The momentum he had possessed only moments earlier had vanished without a trace.
Yunseo looked down at him and twisted his lips in a sneer.
“A mere dog.”
His gaze settled coldly.
“You dare bare your teeth before Her Majesty? It seems you do not value your life.”
The envoy realized it by instinct.
This man before him—
If he wished, he could have snapped his neck then and there.
He had spared him on purpose.
Like a cat toying with a mouse.
Wolhwa slowly walked down.
Her gaze turned to Jang Munyeon.
“Chancellor.”
Her chilling voice rang through the court.
“Are his words your thoughts as well?”
“No!”
Jang Munyeon cried out, almost like a scream.
“I have never harbored such thoughts!”
He hurriedly bowed his head low.
“Your Majesty is the true sovereign who has received the Mandate of Heaven! Who would dare covet Your Majesty’s place!”
Because his very life hung in the balance, words of loyalty flowed endlessly from Jang Munyeon’s mouth.
“I shall stand only on Your Majesty’s side and ensure that spies like him never run rampant again.”
At those words, the envoy’s face twisted.
“You old fox…!”
He shouted through gritted teeth.
“You clearly promised our sovereign that you would hand over Geumneung, and now you deny it?”
In that instant.
Killing intent flashed in Jang Munyeon’s eyes.
In the blink of an eye, he snatched the sword hanging at Yunseo’s waist—
Thrust—!!
And without hesitation, pierced the envoy’s chest.
The envoy’s eyes flew wide open.
Blood gushed from his mouth.
“You…!”
His body collapsed powerlessly.
Wolhwa watched the scene without expression, then murmured in a low voice.
“Chancellor. How truly bold of you.”
Her gaze deepened.
“To silence a witness with your own hands before me.”
Jang Munyeon immediately clasped his hands and bowed.
“Your Majesty, I had no choice.”
Through clenched teeth, he forced out his voice.
“That man was deliberately trying to sow discord between Your Majesty and me. If the court were shaken by the words of such a man, that would be a calamity for the nation. It was something that could never be tolerated.”
Wolhwa snorted.
“Is that so?”
The corner of her mouth twisted.
“Then I suppose I ought to thank you instead.”
Jang Munyeon immediately lowered his head.
“I have no intention of evading guilt. Since I killed an important witness, I shall naturally accept punishment. Please punish me severely.”
Wolhwa merely watched him in silence.
To think that the chancellor had been joining hands with the rebels.
When what she had expected became reality, it tasted all the more bitter.
Even so, she did not rashly raise her sword.
Killing Jang Munyeon now was far too early a choice.
Wolhwa’s gaze turned to Yunseo.
Her trust in Yunseo ran deep.
Deep enough to permit him even to move troops and pressure the Chancellor’s Estate.
“Yuk Yunseo.”
Her voice flowed out quietly.
“I would hear your thoughts. What punishment does the chancellor deserve?”
Yunseo stared straight at Jang Munyeon and slowly began to speak.
“The chancellor is certainly guilty.”
Jang Munyeon’s Adam’s apple bobbed heavily.
“However, it is not a crime that warrants death.”
For a moment, Jang Munyeon stared at Yunseo with his eyes wide in surprise.
Yunseo continued calmly.
“Since he says he did not use the bribes for himself, that silver of three hundred thousand taels can be used for the people.”
His gaze turned toward Wolhwa.
“Distribute it to the disaster victims in Your Majesty’s name.”
His voice rang firm.
“If you do so, the hearts of the people will naturally turn to Your Majesty.”
Yunseo’s gaze, which had been calm until just now, turned sharp in an instant.
“Furthermore.”
He let a meaningful silence linger.
“Command over the Imperial Guard must be returned to Your Majesty.”
Jang Munyeon’s expression shook for an instant, beyond his control.
“Chancellor, return the command authority at once.”
It was no different from a declaration that he would cut away the entirety of his power.
Jang Munyeon’s insides churned.
‘So in the end, he means to make me an empty shell.’
Now, if the empress merely willed it, she could take his head at any time.
“What is the matter?”
Yunseo asked with a sneer.
“Did you not say, Chancellor, that you had no intention of using that silver?”
Contempt showed openly in his eyes.
“Then why is your expression so dark?”
Jang Munyeon’s lips twitched.
“…You misunderstand.”
He forced out a smile.
“Your Majesty, naturally, I intended to offer up all the silver.”
Only then did Wolhwa nod.
“Good.”
A bright smile spread across her lips.
“As expected of my chancellor. Since my chancellor is so loyal, I shall continue to trust and make use of you.”
Wolhwa’s gaze slowly swept over the court.
“Let today’s matter end here. No one is to speak of what they saw today.”
Jang Munyeon felt as though his blood were surging backward.
In the end, he had been played in the palm of that young fox of a woman’s hand.
From the very beginning, the empress had had no intention of making this affair widely known.
Her purpose must have been merely to frighten him, extort the three hundred thousand taels, and take away his command authority.
‘…I’ve been had.’
Completely.
Wolhwa spoke again.
“Do you still have something left to say?”
Jang Munyeon lowered his head through gritted teeth.
“I do not, Your Majesty.”
Unable to remain any longer, he quickly left the court.
Watching his retreating back, Wolhwa finally burst into laughter.
“How truly satisfying.”
Deep satisfaction spread through her eyes.
“Did you see the face of that old fox just now? I feel utterly refreshed.”
Yunseo laughed softly.
“If Your Majesty is pleased, that is enough.”
Wolhwa’s gaze returned to him.
“However.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Why did you plot such a thing with General So without saying a single word to me?”
Yunseo replied with a calm expression.
“Your Majesty must focus on great affairs. I could not make you shoulder even such miscellaneous problems.”
His gaze did not waver.
“From now on, such troublesome matters—”
Yunseo lowered his head.
“I shall handle them all in your stead.”
A pleased smile spread across Wolhwa’s lips.
“To hear you say so makes my shoulders feel quite light.”
“However.”
In that instant, Yunseo’s expression hardened gravely.
“Not everything has been resolved yet.”
He took out a document from within his robes and handed it to Wolhwa.
Wolhwa unfolded the document and read it, then soon furrowed her brow.
“…This is.”
It stated that the Duke and the Chancellor were not only in secret communication with Prince Jeongan, but also maintaining close contact with the remnants of the previous dynasty.
Moreover, these traitors were still hiding near the palace, watching for an opportunity.
Wolhwa’s gaze turned completely cold.
“They have grown far too bold.”
Her hand slowly clenched into a fist.
“They dare target my palace?”