HLCOB C48

Chapter 48

A great upheaval swept through the court.

When the memorial for the Empress’s investiture was submitted, the Emperor appointed officials as factional strife intensified. Jingzoyun and Yangpyo, who sided with the Qingliu, were promoted to regional governors; Cao relatives were appointed Colonel and Captain of the Guards. The court’s important offices and military command were divided between the Qingliu faction and the Cao clan.

Naturally, the existing officials strongly resisted.

And…

“Why am I the Imperial Tutor?”

Even Cai Yong resisted.

“No, I still want to be the Yirang of the Household! I will petition His Majesty…”

Cai Yong rejected his promotion. Yet Jaheon’s lips betrayed a subtle joy watching him.

“This was already approved by His Majesty, was it not, Lord Cai?”

“No! That cannot be!”

But Cai Yong could not accept reality, clutching Jaheon’s robe and shouting,

“There are still mountains of documents for me to copy!”

That was the point.

Jaheon had refused to yield the post of Imperial Tutor to Wang Yun because he intended to make Cai Yong take it. Also because Cai Yong was not one to act foolishly.

“Why should I teach the Emperor and Crown Prince for you? You’ll only hear me in one ear and threaten me.”

But the main reason was to separate from Cai Yong.

Honestly, the Yirang’s duties were just to ask and answer the Emperor. But Cai Yong had overburdened those duties by making Jaheon copy texts under the pretext that the words of the sages were the Emperor’s.

So Jaheon resolved to send Cai Yong away.

“My lord, becoming Imperial Tutor is an honor… you should think it so…”

In truth, it was not so much sending him away.

Moving from Yirang to Imperial Tutor was a promotion. Originally, Cai Yong had a low official rank for his reputation. Imperial Tutor was a fitting post for Cai Yong.

Truly.

More for Cai Yong’s sake than personal.

“Honor my ass! Teaching the Emperor—is that honor? It’s torture!”

Cai Yong complained, discontent with the post, even throwing his cap to the floor. Trying to hold back laughter, Jaheon quietly asked,

“My lord, what if His Majesty hears of this?”

Startled, Cai Yong hastily picked up his cap and wore it again, causing Jaheon to laugh.

Jaheon understood why the Emperor kept Cai Yong around—it was indeed entertaining. After much denial, Cai Yong finally, tearful, accepted reality.

“Yirang Im.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“I ask few things. Should I die while petitioning the Emperor, have my epitaph written in your handwriting.”

Jaheon stifled a laughter and nodded at Cai Yong’s sincerity.

‘I doubt he will die easily….’

Recalling the long life of Cai Yong from history, Jaheon saw him out. Cai Yong turned, regret evident, and asked,

“By the way, who will succeed me?”

“Worried?”

“Yes, whether you will make me copy texts well… or, ahem, whether I might be incompetent.”

“No need to worry.”

Jaheon smiled and answered,

“You are fit to be Yirang of the Household.”

It was not surprising.

A noble’s son naturally progressed from lower office to Yirang and then onto higher posts.

But Yuan Shao was of low birth.

It was unusual to let an illegitimate son be recommended before the legitimate. But Yuan Feng, Yuan Shao’s father, approved his nomination due to the chaotic court affairs.

“Father! That bastard surely spread rumors about my low birth! Why do you approve?”

Yuan Shu’s objections were useless.

Amid scandal and court confusion delaying Yuan Shu’s recommendation, Yuan Feng had no choice. Blood could be more trusted than loyal retainers.

From his father’s response, Yuan Shao realized.

‘They wanted me at the post from the start.’

The rumor was spread by one who desired Yuan Shao’s Yirangship. Dividing the Cao and Yuan houses was secondary. Yuan Shao paused at a door.

“Yirang Yuan, why hesitate?”

A eunuch asked.

Raising his hand, Yuan Shao knew someone awaited beyond the veil.

…

He opened the door hesitantly.

Behind silk flapping to prevent document fading a neat robed figure transcribed old texts.

The handwriting was beautiful.

Having the name Huaseo explained the elegant calligraphy despite being male.

Strangely, Yuan Shao’s eyes focused not on the writing but the pale white hand.

The writer looked up.

“Yirang Yuan?”

He was already watching Yuan Shao.

…

Im Jaheon’s appearance was indeed as rumored. The popular poems about his looks made sense.

Yet Yuan Shao was most drawn not to looks—

But Jaheon’s eyes.

So calm amid the storm of Luoyang. Yuan Shao felt he understood why Cao Cao clung so closely to Jaheon.

“You already know it is me.”

Thus Yuan Shao said,

“…It’s you who made me Yirang.”

Unlike Jaheon, Yuan’s voice was deep and resonant.

“Sending all nearby eunuchs away was to make me understand why, no?”

It was a respectful but sharp question. Jaheon smiled.

“Yes. That is so.”

…

Yuan Shao smiled back.

“Do you mean to ask my father to approve Lady He’s investiture as Empress?”

Jaheon’s plan was clear.

Being Wang Yun’s adopted son, Jaheon was a Qingliu faction member.

That Lady He abandoned eunuchs and sided with Qingliu was well known.

“Then you asked the wrong person.”

Im Huaseo was said to be the sage’s reincarnation saving Han. But to make such foolish requests…

“You should have promoted my father.”

Yuan Scoffed.

Would the high Yirang listen to a low-born? Moreover, the Yuan clan benefited by acting neutral amid the Qingliu and Cao faction dispute.

His father would prolong this as long as possible.

If they wished Lady He installed quickly, it would be swifter just to appoint Yuan Shu and convince him.

Yuan Shao doubted Jaheon.

“Lady He’s investiture is secondary.”

But Jaheon gave an unexpected answer.

“From the start, it was Yirang Yuan.”

…

Yuan Shao was stunned.

Jaheon’s golden eyes calmly met Yuan’s gaze.

‘Me?’

He could not comprehend.

Who would look for Yuan Shao? Only fools thinking they could use a lowborn noble child. They did not want Yuan Shao, but his authority.

Yet Jaheon declared from the start his target was Yuan Shao.

What then was the purpose?

Frowning, Yuan Shao pondered.

“Yirang Yuan.”

Jaheon stood and softly said,

“If you want to seize the Yuan family…”

It was something Yuan Shao thought impossible.