Chapter 23
- The Queen (4)
“N-No, no, that can’t be…”
The Queen was walking out of the Royal Investigation Bureau, perfectly fine.
Seeing this, Nok-su’s white face and bright red lips were twisted beyond recognition, trembling violently.
The Queen simply wore an elegant smile, watching this entire situation as if she were enjoying it.
Ji-young drove the wedge in with a resolute voice.
“…The Tiramisu presented to the Queen’s Residence did not contain Wheat Flour. Instead, it only contained rice flour and chestnut flour. That is why Her Majesty was unharmed after eating it.”
“It was an exquisite delicacy.”
As the Queen lightly added in a gentle tone, Nok-su’s lips trembled once more.
“Then I made a fuss over nothing. It’s embarrassing, but I’m relieved to know the Queen is safe.”
Yeonsangun, whose anger had subsided, noticed Ji-young bound in the stocks.
“What are you doing? Release that child at once.”
As soon as the order was given, the Guard hurriedly untied the ropes.
Only then did the restraints on Ji-young’s shoulders and limbs loosen, and blood seemed to rush through her body, causing a tingling sensation.
But there was no time to breathe a sigh of relief.
Ji-young still had something to finish.
“Your Majesty, I am afraid to say, it is not ‘nothing.’”
“What? What do you mean?”
Yeonsangun, who was about to leave the Royal Investigation Bureau, turned back with a sharp expression.
Ji-young began to speak calmly and clearly.
“A moment ago, Royal Concubine Jang clearly stated that not knowing is also a sin. Ordering food without knowing is a sin, and making and serving food without knowing is an even greater sin.”
“Y-Your Majesty, no! That’s absurd sophistry!”
Nok-su, realizing what Ji-young was about to say, quickly intervened, but it was already too late to turn the situation around.
Ji-young continued without regard.
“…Your Majesty, there were two people here for whom ‘not knowing was a sin.’ One was I, and the other was Royal Concubine Jang over there. But in fact, I was not unaware of the Queen’s constitution, so I made and served food that would not harm Her Majesty. Therefore, it cannot be said that I am guilty of anything.”
Having said this, Ji-young uttered the next sentence with sharply gleaming eyes.
“…Then now, who is the one who remains guilty?”
“You wench! How dare you wag your wicked tongue!”
Nok-su screamed.
Was it because she realized that the sharp blade that had been aimed at others’ flaws was now pointed directly at herself?
She had already lost her composure and was trembling all over.
“…Upon listening, there is some truth in what she says.”
The Queen, who had been maintaining a silent smile, quietly but powerfully added a word.
“According to Royal Concubine Jang’s words, not knowing is also a sin. Upon listening, it could have been a situation where not only I but also the life of the prince in my womb could have been endangered.”
“Y-Your Majesty…”
“As Royal Concubine Jang herself said, it is right to punish this matter severely.”
“P-Please, forgive me!”
With those words, Jang Nok-su collapsed and prostrated herself at the Queen’s feet.
It was something that had never happened before.
According to the law, it was perfectly natural for a Royal Concubine of the 3rd rank to pay respects to the Queen, the head of the Inner Court.
But until this moment, no one had ever seen that natural act.
Yet Jang Nok-su, who had been so arrogant and presumptuous, was now trembling and kneeling before the Queen.
The Queen’s face, as she quietly looked down at Nok-su, was as exquisitely elegant as Joseon porcelain even in that situation.
But her inner thoughts were probably not as graceful as they appeared.
“Your Majesty, how can the strictness of the national law be upheld if words once spoken are taken lightly? Today, a severe example must be set.”
Those who heard that cold voice could feel more and more certain.
That the Queen would never let this matter pass.
That gentle Queen, who never said a harsh word even to the lowly Water maidens, was now strongly demanding Nok-su’s punishment.
Nok-su’s kneeling body was trembling like an aspen for the first time.
Because the Queen’s clear will to punish her severely was added to the cunning charge that had ensnared herself.
No matter how skilled Nok-su was, it was a difficult situation to escape.
The Royal Investigation Bureau was now filled with a tense atmosphere, as if standing on the edge of a blade.
“…I shall decree.”
Yeonsangun, who had been silent for a while, finally opened his mouth.
Everyone was so careful not to even breathe, wondering what kind of punishment would be handed down.
“Until further notice, I order Royal Concubine Jang Nok-su to be confined indefinitely. She is not allowed to step outside of Chwihongwon.”
“I shall obey Your Majesty’s command!”
As if waiting for it, Royal guard Shin Su-hyeok loudly repeated and bowed.
At the same time, Nok-su, who had been trembling slightly, dropped her head and collapsed to the floor.
“…Thank you for your grace…”
Although she was not given the death penalty, it was a punishment no less severe for Nok-su.
It was the first time that the prestige of her, who had always been attached to His Majesty’s side and acted like a tongue in his mouth, had been cracked.
At that time, the eyes of His Majesty that Nok-su looked at were cold eyes that she had never seen before.
“I will conclude the interrogation here. Everyone, return to the palace quickly.”
Leaving behind Nok-su, who had collapsed like ruins, Yeonsangun turned his body so coldly that the sound of the wind could be heard, and the officials who had gathered at the Royal Investigation Bureau followed him all at once.
“Royal Cuisine Master! You were almost in big trouble!”
As soon as the situation was settled, Jang-geum, who had rushed over, was teary-eyed.
Indeed, Jang-geum’s role in this matter could not be overlooked.
Because the most reliable person was needed to bring the Queen here.
“Thank you, Jang-geum. You saved me.”
“Hoo-eeng. Don’t say that. Let’s go back to the Royal Kitchen quickly. I don’t want to be here for even a second longer.”
Jang-geum hurriedly grabbed Ji-young’s arm, lest she fall behind the returning crowd.
And,
Another person was watching Ji-young.
‘I will never… never forgive you.’
It was Nok-su, lying on the cold floor of the Royal Investigation Bureau, staring at Ji-young’s receding figure without blinking.
Her eyes were filled with a chillingly sharp anger.
Harboring a terrible desire for revenge, like poison, to repay the humiliation she had received today many times over.
“…By the way, you there, don’t stand there blankly and bring a refreshment table. I’m feeling a bit peckish from all the worrying.”
His Majesty, who was leaving the Royal Investigation Bureau and returning to the palace, suddenly gave an order to Ji-young, who was following behind.
“I-I shall obey Your Majesty’s command.”
Surprised by the sudden order, Ji-young hastily replied and bowed her head.
As she glanced at the Queen, she was surprised to see that the Queen was also gazing intently at Ji-young.
Only then could Ji-young feel it.
That the Queen was giving her a thank you with her eyes.
All Ji-young could do there was to respond with her eyes in the same way.
But even that was as good as a conversation.
Although they could not say it out loud, this secret operation that the two had successfully carried out together had allowed them to communicate with each other.
And, there was a quick-witted person who watched this subtle moment and grasped all the context in an instant,
None other than Royal Secretary Im Soong-jae.
‘Oho? Look at this?’
The incident that had just occurred was a kind of victory that the Queen and Ji-young had won together against Nok-su.
What should really be noted here is that the key element of victory was not with the Queen, but with that unfamiliar woman, Ji-young.
Although it was only for a moment, there was no way that the quick-witted Sungjae could have failed to read the eyes of His Majesty, which were shaking uneasily when he saw Ji-young tied to the stocks.
‘…Perhaps that thing might be more useful than I thought.’
Sungjae’s slender eyes, looking at Ji-young, shone like a snake.
* * *
A few days later, the palace garden.
If you go up to the northern end, there is a unique earthen chamber managed by the Office of Royal Gardens, an office that cultivates flowers and fruits for use in the palace.
Building the walls by mixing mud and rice straw was no different from ordinary houses, but what caught the eye was its unique roof.
Instead of roof tiles or straw, there was a wooden frame placed diagonally, and oiled paper was pasted on the frame.
So the sunlight was entering the room as it was.
An even more amazing sight unfolded inside the earthen chamber.
The floor of the room was covered with fine soil.
It looked as if a garden had been created inside the room.
And along the furrows of the field, all kinds of vegetables, fruits, and flowers were growing in abundance.
‘T-This is what I’ve only heard about… the world’s first… greenhouse.’
Ji-young’s eyes widened at the sight of this place, the earthen chamber of the Office of Royal Gardens, which was said to have been built 170 years before the greenhouse in Heidelberg, Germany.
It was the moment when she saw with her own eyes the space that she had only seen in history books as letters.
“The greenhouse floor is covered with heated stones. Even in winter, the inside of the greenhouse can be kept warm, so there is nothing that cannot be grown, whether it is flowers, vegetables, or fruits.”
“Oh my goodness…”
Yeonsangun, who had taken Ji-young all the way here to show her the Office of Royal Gardens, took off her shoes and stepped inside, stepping on the soil barefoot.
The moist, warm, and fertile soil was felt through the soles of her feet.
Despite the rather chilly outside air, the inside of the earthen chamber was filled with colorful flowers and fruits, and filled with a fragrant and fresh smell, as if it were another world.
“It’s really amazing. How can there be a place like this in this era…”
‘In this era…’
Ji-young realized her mistake as soon as she uttered the words, but Yeonsangun did not seem to care much.
“It’s thanks to the dozens of people in the Office of Royal Gardens who manage it thoroughly every day.”
“That’s… It wouldn’t be possible with ordinary effort…”
“Well, if the flowers don’t grow properly, the managers will be torn to pieces.”
To manage this artificial greenhouse, which is full of flowers and fruits all year round, it must be necessary to grind in manpower purely, but it seemed that he had solved it in a way that was typical of Yeonsangun.
“How is it? Do you like it?”
“Y-Yes. It’s really amazing.”
“Then, I will grant you special permission. I will allow you to enter and leave this place at any time, so use it as you please.”
Ji-young’s eyes widened for a moment.
Why is a human being who always has words like kill, punish, and tear to pieces suddenly acting like this?
“You’re giving me permission to use this place? W-Why…”
At those words, Yeonsangun looked at Ji-young with a face as if asking why she was asking such a question.
“That’s how you can get vegetables and fruits that are not in season. Have you already forgotten that if you serve Royal meals that do not suit my taste, you will be severely punished?”
“T-T-That’s right.”
What were you thinking…
All of His Majesty’s orders to Ji-young ultimately come down to one thing.
To serve new and delicious Royal meals every evening.
If she fails to fulfill that mission even for one day, Ji-young’s life cannot be guaranteed.
“…Suddenly, I’m starting to dislike this place a little…”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“A-Ah, it’s nothing. Shall we go back now?”
The figures of the two people slowly walking out of the flower path of the Office of Royal Gardens looked like a painting from afar.
* * *
At the same time, the Office of Special Advisors.
In this place where the scriptures and documents of the palace are recorded and stored, a young official wearing a government uniform was frantically looking for something.
If it is something to be found in the Office of Special Advisors, it must be scriptures or historical records, which are the materials for the Annals.
But this young official does not seem to be looking for ordinary books.
He was rummaging through closets, pencil cases, and bookshelves as if he were on a treasure hunt.
Then, as if he had suddenly found something, the young official’s bloodshot eyes widened.
“……!”
In his hand was a small cabinet sealed with a steel wire.
His face began to turn blue as he broke the seal and opened the cabinet.
Cold sweat was pouring out all over his body, and his fingertips were trembling.
He hurriedly stuffed the cabinet into his arms and quickly came out of the Office of Special Advisors.
After looking around several times to make sure there was no one watching, he hurried to Geonchun Gate, the east gate of Gyeongbok Palace.
“What’s going on? It’s not time for you to leave work yet…”
At the words of the guard guarding Geonchun Gate, the young official responded with a serious face.
“I am Lee Jang-gon, a professor at the Office of Special Advisors. I have to go somewhere urgently by order of His Majesty. It’s a matter of urgency!”
Soon the sound of Geonchun Gate opening was heard, followed by the sound of horses galloping across the center of the capital.
The eyes of Lee Jang-gon, a professor at the Office of Special Advisors, who was riding on a horse with his clothes fluttering, were filled with a determined spirit.
