Chapter 278: The Biography of Corrupt Favorites
At the Emperor’s question, Jin Seong-un hesitated for a mont.
He knew that the Princess and the Admiral were behind it. However, reporting that to the Emperor was another matter entirely. After all, it ant accusing a princess of the nation as a traitor.
If things went wrong, he could be punished for falsely accusing her. Even if the Emperor believed him, he could still be punished for withholding the truth until now.
As countless thoughts crossed his mind, the Emperor, who had been watching him, spoke quietly.
“Whatever you say, I will accept it as truth.”
At this mont, it sounded less like an order and more like a plea.
Jang Gyeong and the Divine Physician also waited tensely for his answer.
After a brief pause, Jin Seong-un spoke.
“That is correct. I heard the Princess and the Admiral discussing Your Majesty’s death.”
The Emperor slowly closed his eyes.
The daughter he had cherished all his life had been blinded by greed and sought to kill him.
If he felt no sorrow as a father, that would have been a lie.
Jin Seong-un said nothing further and simply waited as the Emperor suppressed his emotions.
After a short while, the Emperor regained his composure.
A flicker of surprise crossed Jin Seong-un’s eyes.
Once again, he realized that the Emperor was not an ordinary man.
A being who could suppress even despair and betrayal with reason and duty.
That was what it ant to be Emperor.
Opening his eyes, the Emperor spoke firmly.
“The power of the Imperial Court is divided into three factions. Those who value loyalty and righteousness—they believe it proper for the Crown Prince to succeed . On the other hand, there are those who support the Princess, driven by ambition and survival. They are the ones who most eagerly wish for my death. If I were to die…”
The Princess and the Admiral had already attempted to kill him. If he died, it was obvious they would eliminate the young Crown Prince and seize power.
“And then there are the neutral ones. Those who observe, hesitate between reason and ambition, or fear involvent altogether.”
The situation was not simple.
If he moved recklessly against the Princess, her supporters might unite out of fear.
“I do not have much ti left. And all officials know this.”
The Emperor was nearing eighty.
His body had already been greatly weakened by the attacks.
Even if his ridians were restored, his lifespan could not be recovered.
An aging Emperor.
A young Crown Prince.
A power-hungry Princess.
The officials would inevitably sche.
“Thus, I devised this situation. The one who saved would surely oppose the Princess and the Admiral. I expected perhaps soone from the Grand Scholar’s faction… but instead…”
An innkeeper from Uichang appeared.
Even the Emperor found it absurd.
Jin Seong-un nodded.
“I will support you.”
“……”
The Emperor looked disappointed.
He had clearly hoped for more than just words.
But Jin Seong-un was firm.
“I do not wish to involve myself deeply in palace affairs.”
“If you help , I will grant rewards beyond imagination.”
“I need nothing more.”
“Think carefully. Surely there is sothing.”
“There is not.”
The Emperor narrowed his eyes.
Jin Seong-un did not avoid his gaze.
“I truly wish to live quietly. That has always been my wish.”
“And yet you ca here to save ?”
“……”
Jin Seong-un coughed awkwardly and looked away.
The Emperor smacked his lips in regret.
He already understood—soone who desired nothing could not be persuaded.
After a long silence, the Emperor gave up first.
“Very well. Still, saving my life deserves reward… yet you ask for nothing…”
He frowned.
This was unprecedented.
Jin Seong-un spoke casually.
“Your Majesty. The troubles surrounding my inn are my own doing. I will handle them. However, please ensure that the Imperial Palace no longer interferes with my inn.”
That was his only request.
The Emperor nodded.
“That is only natural. Not only your request, but also my duty. You will no longer need to concern yourself with them.”
The Princess lacked the qualities to rule.
The Emperor judged his own daughter coldly.
“If she takes the throne, all officials will serve only power. Those who speak truth will lose their heads. Corruption will flourish. She will be rembered alongside the infamous Daji and Empress Wu as one of the greatest villains in history. As both Emperor and father…”
“Excuse ?”
Jin Seong-un’s eyes widened.
Why had that na co up?
“Why is Daji called a wicked woman?”
The Emperor, Jang Gyeong, and the Divine Physician exchanged glances.
The Divine Physician spoke.
“He is like this sotis.”
The Emperor smiled.
“Jang Gyeong, bring a book.”
Soon, a thick book was brought.
The Emperor explained.
“Daji was a woman who seduced King Zhou and brought about the fall of the Shang Dynasty. She is now rembered as a symbol of wicked won.”
“I see.”
Jin Seong-un drank tea to hide his thoughts.
That kind Daji… a villain?
Impossible.
“Could history be wrong?”
“It is possible, but if so, soone would have corrected it over the past two thousand years.”
“Two thousand years…”
Jin Seong-un fell silent.
How long had she lived in that world?
His mind grew complicated.
The book was handed to him.
『Biography of Corrupt Favorites (孽嬖傳)』
He stared at the title.
He wanted to return imdiately and ask her.
Was it truly her?
What had happened?
Surely, history was wrong.
…He wanted to believe that.
But then—
he recalled her cold expression when speaking of the Imperial Family.
It had been unlike her.
The Emperor spoke again.
“Regardless, I will decide your reward later.”
“Understood.”
Thus, their conversation ended.
---
As Jin Seong-un and the Divine Physician walked out of the Qianqing Palace, the latter spoke.
“Do you truly have no intention of joining the palace?”
“What?”
“The Emperor looked at you like honey dripping from rice cake.”
Jin Seong-un replied calmly.
“I would rather not return here.”
The palace was not to his liking.
Too still.
Too suffocating.
But just then—
a woman approached.
The Princess.
She smiled softly.
“You have done a great deed. Wait here. I will return shortly.”
“Do you have sothing to say to ?”
She smiled.
“Yes. Sothing I must say.”
Her tone was unusually gentle.
As she passed, her presence lingered.
The Divine Physician clicked his tongue.
“Even an Emperor struggles with children.”
“What will you do?”
“I will leave.”
“Are you not afraid?”
“Not at all.”
He had no interest in her.
He had more important matters—
Daji.
He walked away without hesitation.
The Divine Physician muttered.
“n without fear usually die young…”
But sohow—
he felt Jin Seong-un would live a long life.
Just a feeling.
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