Chapter 70 - Finger Pointing
Gyeonghwi nodded. The Worthy Consort curled his fingers, scratching the teacup, and continued. “I know I have wronged you. In any case, even after having a child and entering the Imperial Palace, my situation has not changed much. As high and noble of a position you have risen to, the children now face an inescapable challenge.”
“So?”
“They are still young, but as long as they remain your children, this is an inevitable fight. Meanwhile, the first prince has fallen ill. Who will gain the most out of this situation?”
It was natural for the Worthy Consort to doubt the Virtuous Consort. Gyeonghwi sighed and called Eunuch Jang over. “Bring the Virtuous Consort here.”
“Your Majesty…”
“Your deduction is reasonable. However, I must consult the Virtuous Consort about this as well.”
Not long after, the Virtuous Consort appeared. Having been keeping watch on the Pure Consort and the Worthy Consort, the Virtuous Consort, already knew what had happened in Yeonghee Palace. However, he feigned ignorance anyway. “Greetings, Your Majesty, may you be blessed.”
“Rise.”
“Anyway… why have you asked for me all of a sudden?”
The Worthy Consort burst from his seat. Just looking at the Virtuous Consort was enraging, and if only he could, he wanted to shake him by his shoulders. “You have finally done it! How could you do such a cruel thing?! The first prince is still so young, yet why?!”
Unable to hide his astonishment, the Virtuous Consort just stared. That non-reaction only exacerbated the Worthy Consort’s rage. However, before he could continue, the emperor stopped him.
“Worthy Consort, I understand your feelings, but if you fly into a rage like that, nothing will be resolved.”
“But Your Majesty!”
Perplexed, the Virtuous Consort looked between the Worthy Consort and Gyeonghwi. “Wh-what in the world is the matter?” he carefully asked.
Before Gyeonghwi could interrogate the Virtuous Consort about what happened, they were interrupted.
“Y-Your Majesty, Your Worthy Highness. There is a horrible problem! The first prince—” The servant shouted urgently.
The Worthy Consort turned as white as a sheet, and he rushed out of the room. Overwhelmed by fright, the medic who was looking after the prince was at a loss for what to do.
“What in the world happened?” the Worthy Consort yelled.
The medic knelt on the ground, trembling. “The first prince’s fever suddenly spiked… I beg forgiveness, Your Worthy Highness.”
Gyeonghwi followed in after, and upon seeing the scene, he called for the imperial physician. Then, he went to the child and placed a hand over his forehead. The child was red-hot and gasping for air.
“What in the world…” The Virtuous Consort was frozen at the door, unable to hide his shock. However, the Worthy Consort whipped around, grabbed the Virtuous Consort by his collar, and slapped him.
“This is your fault! You wanted the position of empress and crown prince! How dare you play with a child’s life. How could you?!”
The Virtuous Consort’s cheek must have bled from the slap. He gingerly caressed his cheek, trying to make sense of the situation, but the Worthy Consort tried to slap him again. The Virtuous Consort grabbed the incoming wrist midair and said, “Please watch yourself, Worthy Consort. This is not the time to be flying into a fit while hitting the innocent. You must look after the first prince.”
“Wh-what!”
The Virtuous Consort flung the Worthy Consort’s hand away. The Worthy Consort massaged his wrist before turning to look at his child. Then, weeping, he went to the first prince.
The imperial physician examined the first prince and inspected the medicine brewing at the bedside. Sniffing the dregs of the medicine, she then dipped a finger inside, tasting it.
Concerned, Gyeonghwi asked, “What is happening here?”
“Pardon me, Your Majesty. I believe somebody has intentionally slipped eucommia bark in the first prince’s medicine.”
“Eucommia bark?”
“Yes, it is effective on allergies but harmful to those who are overheating. It is not something that a medic can prescribe.”
Gyeonghwi glared at the trembling medic in the corner. “Did you put eucommia bark in the first prince’s medicine?”
“T-there is no way I would. Why would anyone do something so easy to uncover? I-I would not do that unless I had gone insane.”
Finally, the Worthy Consort spoke up. “It is quite similar to what the in-law did to the Selected Person of Yeon. Did someone try to use the same tactic on my prince?”
Gyeonghwi looked at the Virtuous Consort, who fell to his knees, distressed and upset. “Your Majesty, I am not the culprit. I do not know why the Worthy Consort suspects me, but as a fellow mother, how could I do such a terrible thing?”
“You could because you have a child—for the future of your own.”
“This is a false accusation, Your Majesty.”
Gyeonghwi sighed. “Let us step out so the imperial physician can examine the first prince.” Standing, he turned his attention to the physician. “Save the prince.”
The imperial physician bowed and said carefully, “I must inform you…”
“Go ahead.”
“To save the first prince’s life, I will prioritize easing the fever and then treating the hypersensitivity, but…” The physician hesitated.
“You may continue.”
“His fever is so severe that even if the first prince wakes up, I doubt he will ever be the same.”
The Worthy Consort swayed in shock. However, Gyeonghwi sighed and said, “For now, just save the prince.”
There was no way to control life and death, so the prince’s fate was left to the heavens. Gyeonghwi did not particularly care for the child that was forced on him, but he was firm with the imperial physician before leaving.
The Virtuous Consort prostrated in front of Gyeonghwi. “Your Majesty, I have been falsely accused.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, I have no involvement in this matter. As I said, being a mother, how could I do that to such a young child? The method is too terrible and petty.”
“So?”
The Virtuous Consort swallowed. “To be frank, something has been bothering me. Are you aware of the rumors?”
“The rumor that the Worthy Consort might become the next empress?”
“Yes. I discussed that at the Pure Consort’s palace once, but she was outraged. She concluded that the rumor circulated because of the first prince…”
Gyeonghwi grimaced. The Pure Consort played coy in front of him, but in front of others, she did not hesitate to act tyrannically. Her behavior was bothersome, but she never overstepped her bounds, so he paid no mind. Although he had his own reasons, he also neglected her cruelly.
“According to the Worthy Consort, your court servant sent the plums.”
“There is no way I would openly do such a thing. I never sent the first prince plums. Rather, this is my first time hearing of the allergy. If I had sent the plums, I would have done so unknowingly, so it would be the Worthy Consort’s fault for not being careful.”
“But is this not quite timely?” Gyeonghwi asked.
The Virtuous Consort inhaled sharply, the suffocating atmosphere weighing him down. However, the Virtuous Consort masked his fear and spoke with composure. “Please, inspect the Pure Consort’s palace, at least. If she is behind this, there will be some written evidence.”
“You know her very well.”
“How many years do you think we have known each other? She loves writing, so she enjoys recording everything. You know this as well.”
The Virtuous Consort did not appear to be lying. The Pure Consort’s family was indeed a renowned and prestigious family of scholars, and with her talent in calligraphy, she was a well-known writer in the palace. Additionally, she liked showing off her talents, so she often recorded the deeds she had done.
Gyeonghwi contemplated the suggestion. It would not hurt to investigate. He called for the captain of the imperial guard.
“This is an imperial order. Go to Danwoon Palace and search for any evidence of involvement with the first prince. Additionally, confine the Pure Consort and all her servants to Danwoon Palace.”
Following the order, Gyeonghwi addressed the Virtuous Consort. “Return to your palace as well. Do not even consider capitalizing on this opportunity.”
“How could I do such a thing?”
The wisest and cleverest of the consorts was the Virtuous Consort. Despite his shrewd nature, at the very least, he would not use this exact moment to do something. Gyeonghwi clicked his tongue, waving his hand. He was tired of the Virtuous Consort’s act.
“My head is aching.” Gyeonghwi sighed and left Yeonghee Palace, hoping for a breath of fresh air. Looking up at the cloudy sky, he said to Eunuch Jang, “There is yet another storm brewing in the Imperial Palace. After this, I must resolve the matter of the empress. That aside, did anything else happen?”
Eunuch Jang bowed slightly. “I have not heard of anything.”
“I see that the first prince is still holding up.”
“He has always been healthy, so he will soon recover.”
“Yes, I suppose I must hope for his recovery. Let us go to Danwoon Palace now.”
“D-Danwoon Palace?”
“Captain Yang is searching fervently, so I must also go and assist.”
For some reason, Eunuch Jang felt sweat running down his back. However, unable to dissuade his liege, he merely swallowed nervously before preparing for their trip to Yeonghee Palace.
“Gyeonghwi!” However, the plans were soon interrupted again. The empress dowager held Gyeonghwi back.
