HLCOB C50

Chapter 50

A great upheaval swept through the court.

When the memorial petitioning for the Empress’s investiture was submitted, the Emperor made appointments that intensified factional strife. Jingzoyun and Yangpyo, siding with the Qingliu faction, were promoted to provincial posts, while relatives of Cao Cao were appointed Commandant of the Guards and Captain of the Cavalry. It appeared that the Qingliu and the Cao clan divided the key posts and military command between them.

Naturally, the existing officials reacted strongly against this.

Then…

“Why am I the Imperial Tutor?”

Even Cai Yong resisted.

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

Cai Yong even rejected his own promotion. Watching this, Jaheon’s lips betrayed suppressed delight.

“Was this not already approved by His Majesty, Lord Cai?”

“No! Impossible!”

But Cai Yong could not accept reality, gripping Jaheon’s robes and proclaiming,

“There’s still a mountain of documents to be copied by me!”

That was the reason.

Jaheon had not relinquished the post of Imperial Tutor to Wang Yun because he wished to promote Cai Yong. Moreover, Cai Yong was not one to act rashly.

“Why must I teach the Emperor and the Crown Prince for you? You only hear me superficially and threaten me.”

But the greatest reason was to distance himself from Cai Yong.

Frankly, the Yirang of the Household’s duties were mainly to relay the Emperor’s questions and answers. But Cai Yong caused the workload to overflow by making Jaheon copy documents in the name of ancient sages’ teachings being the Emperor’s words.

Hence, Jaheon resolved to dismiss Cai Yong.

“My lord, isn’t becoming Imperial Tutor a family honor? You should consider it so…”

In fact, it wasn’t exactly dismissing him.

To rise from Yirang to Imperial Tutor was effectively a promotion. Originally, Cai Yong’s rank was modest compared to his reputation; the post of Imperial Tutor was appropriate for him.

It was truly so.

More out of concern for Cai Yong than selfishness.

“Honor, my foot! Teaching His Majesty—is that an honor? It’s torture!”

But Cai Yong was unhappy with the post and bitterly lamented, even throwing his cap to the floor. Trying to suppress a smile, Jaheon gently warned,

“My lord, what would you do if His Majesty heard that?”

“…!”

Startled, Cai Yong hastily retrieved his cap and put it on again, causing Jaheon to laugh heartily. He understood why the Emperor kept Cai Yong around—it was entertaining. After much denial, Cai Yong finally, tearfully, accepted reality.

“Yirang Im.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“I won’t ask for much. If I die while petitioning His Majesty, please write the epitaph in your handwriting.”

Jaheon nodded, stifling a smile at the sincerity of Cai Yong’s words.

‘I doubt he will die easily…’

Recalling the long life of Cai Yong in historical records, Jaheon saw him off. With a face full of regret, Cai Yong turned and asked,

“By the way, do you know who will succeed me?”

“Are you worried?”

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

“No need to worry.”

Jaheon smiled in response to Cai Yong’s question,

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

It was not a strange progression.

To rise from low-ranking official to Yirang and then advance to other posts was the most natural path for sons of noble families entering the central government.

But Yuan Shao was of low birth.

It was rare for an illegitimate heir not to be recommended first, yet Yuan Feng, Yuan Shao’s father, approved his recommendation. Amid the court’s chaos, it was important to insert even one more member of the Yuan family.

“Father! That illegitimate one surely spread rumors about me! Why do you allow it?”

Yuan Shu’s opposition was futile.

With scandals and the tangled court delaying Yuan Shu’s recommendation, Yuan Feng had no choice. Blood ties were sometimes more reliable than old retainers.

From his father’s reaction, Yuan Shao realized,

“They wanted me to be recommended from the start.”

Spreading the rumor was secondary to dividing the Cao and Yuan clans. Yuan Shao stood before a door and paused.

“Yirang Yuan, why do you hesitate?”

A eunuch asked him.

Raising his hand, Yuan Shao knew someone awaited behind the curtain.

“…”

After hesitation, Yuan Shao opened the door.

Behind a silk curtain fluttering to protect documents was a neatly robed man transcribing an ancient book onto paper.

The calligraphy was beautiful.

Despite being a man, the name Huaseo was fitting to explain the floral beauty of the script. Yet strangely, Yuan Shao’s eyes fixed not on the writing but on the pale white hand.

The transcriber looked up.

“Yirang Yuan?”

He lifted his head and looked at Yuan Shao.

“…”

Up close, Im Jaheon’s appearance was just as the rumors said. It was understandable why countless poems about Jaheon’s looks circulated among the people. But what caught Yuan Shao most was not Jaheon’s looks —

It was Jaheon’s eyes.

So calm amid the storm that was Luoyang. Yuan Shao seemed to understand why his friend Cao Cao clung so tightly to Jaheon.

“You already know it is me.”

Thus Yuan Shao answered,

“…It seems you made me Yirang.”

Unlike Jaheon, Yuan Shao’s deep voice echoed in the room.

“Removing all nearby eunuchs was to explain this reason to me, wasn’t it?”

His question was polite but sharp. Jaheon smiled at Yuan Shao’s words.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“…”

Yuan Shao smiled.

“You planned to persuade my father to approve Lady He as Empress?”

Jaheon’s plan was clear.

As Wang Yun’s adopted son, Jaheon was a Qingliu faction official.

And that Lady He deserted eunuchs in favor of the Qingliu was well known.

“If so, you have the wrong person.”

Im Huaseo was said to be the reincarnation of a sage who descended to save Han. It was foolish to make such a decision.

“You should have persuaded my father.”

Yuan Shao sneered.

Did the noble Yirang Yuan listen to lowborn words? Besides, the Yuan family’s neutrality amid the Cao and Qingliu factions allowed it to profit.

His father would prolong this for as long as possible.

If they truly wanted Lady He’s investiture swiftly, it would have been quicker to recommend Yuan Shu and persuade him.

Yuan Shao thought Jaheon was wrong.

“The investiture of Lady He as Empress is mere secondary.”

But when Jaheon set down his brush and spoke unexpectedly,

“It was Yirang Yuan all along.”

…

Yuan Shao was stunned.

Jaheon’s golden eyes merely bore the shifting gaze of Yuan Shao calmly.

‘Me?’

He could not understand.

Who sought Yirang Yuan? Only fools who assumed a lowborn noble’s son could be used. They wanted the authority Yuan Shao held, not him.

But Jaheon said Yuan Shao was the target from the start.

What then was the reason?

Frowning and puzzled, Yuan Shao struggled.

“Yirang Yuan.”

Jaheon rose and faced Yuan Shao directly.

And quietly said,

“If you want to have the Yuan family in your hands…”

It was something Yuan Shao thought impossible.