Chapter 7

“I have a question, would you throw everything away for a person?”

So-hwa was embarrassed by Woo’s sudden questioning. Her eyes were wide open, and she began to fidget. Woo, however, thought differently,

I’m angry at her dazzling purity; it drives me deep into an abyss. I just want to see through Noble Consort Song’s heart. I want to check if her heart really was more precious than my heart which was abandoned terribly.

So-hwa couldn’t answer. She couldn’t comprehend the question and the reason behind it. So she couldn’t answer. She suddenly had the urge to change the subject without further repercussions. For her, the Empress was a tough opponent.

“Then I’ll ask something else… Do you love Emperor Hee-yon?”

“Yes, I love him. With pure and clean intention.”

The Noble Consort’s proud answer made Woo’s insides twist.

He and this person are in love. I’m only a nuisance to the both of them, then? I can’t cry right now… But my abandoned heart…

Woo’s expression became twisted. But in the Noble Consort’s eyes, it was just the same expressionless face of the Empress she knew.

“Then… is it the life of everyone in this country or the life of your beloved Hee-yon? What would you do if they made you choose? Will you choose your people or the person you love?”

For a long time, Song Gwi-bi couldn’t speak. Woo stared at her crying face.

“It seems like Noble Consort Song can’t choose. Indeed, how can we choose what is precious for us and what is precious for everyone? Isn’t that right, Noble Consort?”

“Your Majesty, why do you tell such a scary story? Did I perhaps offend you?”

The Noble Consort asked. Her voice trembled a little as if she was scared, making the Empress sigh. They weren’t the same after all, because Woo would choose immediately in a heartbeat.

“It’d be a lie if I said I wasn’t upset. I’m the person that’s the most upset with your existence in the palace itself… Did you possibly think that I would be happy and wish you both a happy life?! That’s a foolish idea… Anyways, you still haven’t answered my question yet.”

So-hwa was surprised by Woo’s words; her face burned in embarrassment. This was a new thing for her. The Empress had never shown hostility towards her in the past. She never showed her anger. She always looked down at everything from a distance.

Noble Consort Song carefully answered.

“I can’t choose, Your Majesty. Isn’t everyone’s life precious?”

“Is that so? The rumors are true then that the Noble Consort is very kind… but I’m different, So-hwa. I’ll kill everyone. I’ll throw everyone away for him. If he wanted to, I could start a war and kill. That’s why I left you alone, because it was you he desired… isn’t that funny? He’s holding back because of you… how can it be? Leaving the person who can literally burn the world for you for a girl that can’t even choose between her love and people she doesn’t even know.”

Only at this moment did So-hwa feel that she knew the Empress.

She’s always a distant person because she’s observing. I thought her beautiful appearance, like a flower, was generous to everyone but I was wrong. She’s a woman straight out of books and paintings, but she isn’t fair to everyone. I wouldn’t throw everything I have just for him because he doesn’t want that, and I’ll let it stay that way…

So-hwa was dismissed after that. Woo was left with her crying and aching heart, and she clenched her fists in anger. Tears flowed from her eyes. She immediately wiped them with a spare handkerchief.

Court Lady Park was watching. She was upset that she couldn’t do anything about her weeping master. She knew that Lee Woo was exhausted.

I thought I’d see that girl get scolded but in the end… it’s my master who fell.

*

“Your Highness, are you okay? Empress Lee Woo called, and we thought she called you for something unusual… why won’t you be riding your sedan chair?”

The young Court Lady asked So-hwa with a worried face. The lady was walking without her palanquin and was only following her with a couple of Court Ladies behind.

“It’s better not to use it anymore. Everyone is having problems with it.”

At that, everyone flinched.

I was the only one who didn’t know anything… in the name of loving me, he covered my eyes and ears? Doesn’t he trust me when I showed him my heart?

So-hwa sighed and made her Court Ladies even more worried.

“Why am I the only one who doesn’t know anything?”

The Court Ladies watched as the Noble Consort fell into deep thought. They felt that she’s not really worthy of her status. She was not a match for the Emperor and his Concubines.

So-hwa was aware, however, and thought,

He captured my heart, so somehow, I have to endure everything for that love.

“Your Majesty-“.

“Don’t say anything.”

The Empress’s palace was as quiet as a dead mouse. No one could smoothly bring up the situation that just happened. Even Court Lady Park couldn’t bear the silence. She tried approaching her, but failed.

Court Lady Park thought about the Prince. Desperate times like this needed the Prince to be by the Empress’ side. The only people that could quell the sadness inside the Empress were the Prince and the Emperor. And with the Emperor still acting like trash, Prince Hee-won came to her mind. It hasn’t been long since the Prince left.

It was then when a young Court Lady came to the Empress’s palace. The Court Lady of the Emperor’s palace said that the Emperor was looking for Lee Woo.

Everyone already knew the reason.

Woo left the palace as if she had been waiting in advance. Court Lady Park couldn’t do anything but shake her head. She saw the Empress devoid of emotion once again.

Where had the sadness and anger gone to?

*

“Her Majesty the Empress is here.”

“Come on in”.

What Woo saw when she entered the study of the Emperor was Hee-yon’s furious face.

And a teacup was thrown at her foot.

The crashing sound scratched Woo’s heart.

Woo, who had stopped for a moment to avoid the broken glass, moved forward to the Emperor and greeted him elegantly.

The Emperor beckoned her to sit down. The annoyed hand gestures, eyes, and just everything pushed Woo away and he didn’t show her even a little side of him.

“Do you think I’m a joke?”

“No一”

Bang. 

The Emperor couldn’t take it anymore and punched the desk.

Woo looked at him, who stared at her as if he would kill her without caring about the rest of the broken teacup and the ruined desk.

The tea table, whose purpose was unknown, was ruined by the Emperor.

“No, how can I do that to the Emperor?”

Woo opened her mouth again.

“Right, I’m the Emperor! And you ordered the Noble Consort not to ride the sedan chair? Did I allow it? Tell me. Did I allow that?”

The voice full of anger threatened Woo.

I want to cry.

My heart is inevitably anxious. Why am I like this? Why am I like myself?

Woo wanted to cry; however, it was not tears but words of apology that came out of her mouth.

“It’s already been more than 15 days since I met your Majesty in the palanquin. I thought it was empty. Forgive me.”

Woo’s calm attitude of asking for forgiveness raised the Emperor’s anger instead. He spoke as if shouting, “Don’t ever see the Noble Consort again! Don’t say anything to her. I will not let it go next time.”

Everything of the Emperor and Hee-yoon had belonged to Noble Consort Song.

His words, thoughts, affection, and actions.

There was Noble Consort Song in all of that.

Woo bowed her head.

As she bowed her head, she saw a ruined skirt. The skirt stained with tea looked as if it were wet with tears.

“Your Majesty, just one… There’s only one thing I want to ask you.”

Hee-yoon, who only noticed Woo’s messiness, was surprised and allowed the question.

He was aware of his actions.

What I did, losing my reason due to the Noble Consort incident, was pathetic, and I feel somewhat guilty about it.

“What is it?”

Unlike a while ago, his anger subsided a little.

“What would you do if So-hwa asked you to die together?”

At that moment, anger rose again, but the Emperor shook his head.

I can’t afford to get angry again, especially since the Empress looks like this.

However, he did not understand the Empress who looked at peace while asking such a question.

I can’t understand how she asked such a question in front of me, and I don’t want to answer it honestly.

“She can’t be like that. Even so, wouldn’t that be the most willing death? To be with someone you love.”

Lee Woo left the office crying as if she had been kicked out.

Court Lady Park was waiting outside.

“”

She was happy to see Woo.

It’s because I was worried.

The reason why the Emperor called her was obvious, so I had no choice but to wait.

That’s why I’m glad to see that face.

Fortunately, when she saw the tranquil appearance of Woo, she followed, and the young court lady carefully called Court Lady Park and pointed to the floor.

Red marks appeared on every spot where the Empress walked.

“Oh, my Empress.”

“Your Majesty.”

Woo faltered when Court Lady Park held her in surprise.

She hurriedly called for a palanquin and helped the Empress in as she bit her lips. It was only then that she could see the skirt of the Empress stained in blood.

Aren’t you an Empress?

Isn’t she supposed to be the national treasure of this country?

How can the Emperor treat you like this?

She was angry at the Emperor’s reckless behavior and became sad when she saw Woo.

I wonder if you had that peaceful face even after being humiliated like this.

She is the Empress and the most precious woman in the Qi Dynasty.

Why are you being treated like this?

A selfish heart arose.

Why did you order Noble Consort Song not to ride a sedan chair? However, Court Lady Park knew. That everything eventually goes the way the Emperor wishes.

“Just go. I want to go back and rest.”

“You can’t go.” The palanquin was sent away.

“How can you walk with these feet?”

Court Lady Park eventually couldn’t stand it and made a loud stomping noise.

Woo held Park’s hand tightly.

I’m embarrassed by the shaking and coldness of my hands… She thought.

“Court Lady Park, I don’t want to be here anymore.”

Court Lady Park eventually cried at the mournful words disguised as tranquility from the Empress.

I feel guilty about what I’m doing while my master is holding me like this.

Court Lady Park held Woo’s arm, which clutched at her as if she had made up her mind, and squatted in front of her.

“Get on my back.”

Woo was on her back without any hesitation.

And Court Lady Park made teasing statements about her feet while leaving from the Emperor’s palace.

The other court ladies quietly followed suit.

Court Lady Park felt her shoulders dampen.

Without saying a word of comfort, she hurried to return to the Empress’s palace a little faster.

It was such a bitter day.