If You Claim the Fallen Heiress - Chapter 96

Yun Seonghyeon reasoned that it was probably one of the court ministers. It was suspicious that the palace was too peaceful when even the scholars knew about it, and it was strange that there were no special measures. Therefore, they had started to hold protests by clinging to the death of Grand Minister Han, which would be the most controversial.

Yun Seonghyeon made a worried expression.

“It’s been a month since we started the protest, but His Majesty seems to regard it as insignificant. We need an incident that will make His Majesty feel the seriousness of the situation.”

Mu-yeong had always been the type to only throw clues to the scholars about incidents and then observe. Whether he was waiting for the struggle to come or whether he had a preference for observing was unknown.

But Seonghyeon felt something different about him today. He couldn’t say exactly what, but the atmosphere conveyed that feeling.

It might be because he had entered the palace with his lover. Well, that place was full of only sycophants, so he would have no choice but to be on edge.

Yun Seonghyeon said worriedly.

“I heard you entered the palace with your lover.”

“Yes.”

“I’m all uneasy about it. I’m more worried because rumors are circulating that she resembles Lady Yuseol.”

Mu-yeong answered quietly.

“I should guard her well.”

Mu-yeong was leisurely enough not to know whose lover the woman in the rumors was. Even though he had no interest in other women to the extent that he wouldn’t give women a glance even when going to a gisaeng house, he was like that. Either he could control everything, or he didn’t love his lover—one of the two. Seonghyeon, who had been gauging for a moment, recommended a meal.

“I prepared it as you always have it. I hope it suits your taste today as well.”

The meal began like that. All the vegetable side dishes seasoned deliciously with perilla oil were in front of Mu-yeong. Mu-yeong didn’t eat meat, and he would occasionally eat other foods so as not to make his companion uncomfortable. It was strange that a man with such a towering frame, who seemed like all his desires would be strong, had no appetite.

Seonghyeon carefully asked.

“Um, my lord. Did you visit the physician I mentioned last time? Your complexion is brighter than ever, but I’m worried just in case.”

Mu-yeong, who smiled, picked up his spoon and chopsticks belatedly and answered.

“Even without going to a physician, my lifeline seems longer than yours. I guarantee it.”

Seonghyeon also made a smiling face as if he truly hoped so.

“Of course. I also hope you live longer than I do, my lord.”

Seonghyeon picked up meat side dishes and began eating deliciously. His face was extremely happy with the luxurious meal like a banquet.

Mu-yeong, who had been staring at that sight, looked at the meat side dishes. His gaze wavered for a moment. It seemed like desires that had been fully suppressed were showing.

“My lord, is there a reason you only eat vegetarian food?”

Mu-yeong spoke as if it was natural.

“The more I eat meat, the more I think I’ll want it.”

Seonghyeon asked in a puzzled voice.

“Couldn’t you enjoy it a little?”

Dimples appeared on Mu-yeong’s cheeks.

“I’m very greedy.”

Until the meal ended, he didn’t put meat to his lips. Sometimes he gave off an atmosphere as if his desires would reach their limit and explode, but that was all.

The proprietress cleared the table and set out refreshments. While boisterous laughter could be heard from outside, Mu-yeong took out a bundle of copper coins and placed it on the table.

“Send someone to make contact with the foreign powers selling the blue mysterious medicine. I’d like them to build as much friendship as possible.”

Among the scholars, Mu-yeong’s words were truth itself. Seongyeon put the copper coins in his pocket and picked up a bottle to pour into Mu-yeong’s cup.

“Since a prohibition order was issued among the scholars, I prepared buckwheat tea. I tried it for the first time, and the taste is very good.”

Mu-yeong enjoyed such brief refreshments and left the tavern. He slowly stopped by a bookstore. He purchased a book he had ordered long ago and leisurely entered the palace.

He had only briefly gone to the marketplace, but it was already early evening. He, who suddenly looked out at the quiet scenery, got down from the palanquin before reaching Cheonghweru.

The glances of court ladies who happened to come out of the small kitchen reached Mu-yeong, but he walked along the path without intending to give them a look. He had only felt commotion for a very brief moment, but his head rang. As if cooling his overheated hearing, he listened to the sound of insects crying.

Sounds that were mere noise when doing other things became tranquil music at this time. He enjoyed the feeling of his ears quietly settling and relaxed his eyes languidly.

Since the sun hadn’t set yet, he planned to walk a bit more. But not long after, the path suddenly ended.

It was in front of a thick ancient tree. Mu-yeong, who couldn’t find a path forward, sat on a chair made by cutting wood.

Every path had an end. The journey heading down that path also had an end likewise. He had seen the end of countless journeys while living, and he couldn’t be free from that either. His journey, which had seemed like it would continue forever, was also nearly at its final stage.

However, he had an empty face without any anticipation that he could now rest. It had suddenly begun to be like that at some point.

The sunset hadn’t completely disappeared yet. Mu-yeong, who had been quietly gazing at the scenery all along, opened the old book he had brought from the bookstore.

It was a romance novel written by Chief Secretary Kwon Ujin’s half-brother. It was a story of a king and a daughter from a yangban family—a novel with common content. Because there were many similar stories, it drew no attention from the world. There was also the reason that the selling price was expensive, unlike a work for self-realization.