HLCOB C46

Chapter 46

“Are you absolutely certain that allowing Im Jaheon to go free is wise?”

At the question from his aide, Wang Yun recalled the Jaheon he had seen in Bingzhou. At that time, Jaheon seemed to act solely to protect his sister. Even now, protecting his younger sibling appeared to be his purpose.

Yet it seemed his means had changed. Once he seized power in Luoyang, Jaheon had attempted to break free from Wang Yun’s grasp and build his own faction. But now, suddenly, he had assumed a submissive stance.

As if Wang Yun must wield the power.

“Let him be for now.”

“But, my lord.”

“…That one is a troublesome fellow if suppressed.”

Wang Yun waved off the suggestion from his aide. Indeed, the moment Wang Yun tried to pressure him, Jaheon had discarded his obedience and brazenly threatened in return.

And surely, Jaheon was a foe to be wary of. He cornered enemies in unexpected ways and tore into them relentlessly.

“Have you verified the rumors about Yuan Shu?”

“They are false. Yet Yuan Shu is arrogant and reckless, so many believe them. Furthermore, several ministers oppose Yuan Shu’s promotion to Captain of Cavalry using those rumors as excuse.”

“Haha. They intend to block Yuan Shu, and by doing so, the Yuan clan itself.”

Indeed, the situation was unfolding intriguingly.

Merely by spreading rumors, the Yuan clan found itself surrounded and trapped. The Yuans had only two choices: either lose military power to the Cao clan and submit disgracefully, or confront them openly and cast off this ignoble scandal.

“Why would Im Jaheon go to such lengths?”

Wang Yun smiled at his aide’s question.

“…To crown a new empress.”

Currently, only Consort Ha was a viable candidate for empress. Yet the Cao clan opposed her enthronement, dragging the matter out. Moreover, it was Jaheon who had used Consort Ha to bring back the Pure Stream faction to Luoyang.

“Then Jaheon intends to ally with Consort Ha to seize the next power.”

But the Emperor was still young.

“His Majesty is still hale and healthy, is he not?”

“That’s precisely the problem.”

Wang Yun clicked his tongue. The Emperor was barely of age. There was no need to consider what would happen after his death. So Wang Yun could not grasp Jaheon’s true intentions.

“I do not know what that man truly wants.”

But one thing was certain.

—So long as what the foster father desires is the power of the Han court.

For Jaheon’s aims to be fulfilled, Wang Yun must hold power.

“Ensure that every move of Jaheon’s is watched vigilantly.”

This was beyond doubt.

—I will never betray you, foster father.

Jaheon, astonishingly adept at drawing power toward himself, had said so directly to Wang Yun.

“When time comes, we must impeach Im Jaheon.”

Thus Wang Yun only needed to abandon Jaheon before then.

Ultimately, Jaheon escaped safely from Wang Yun’s mansion.

“My lord, I did not expect Lord Wang to allow this so willingly!”

Elated after leaving Wang Yun’s estate, Oh Juk-yeop shouted. Jaheon calmly replied while scanning his ledger.

“…The master is preparing to abandon me.”

Wang Yun’s thoughts were obvious. He believed that by sending Jaheon outside the palace, he could more easily find grounds to remove him from office later.

‘He was never the sort to accept disadvantage in a transaction.’

But this made Jaheon certain of Wang Yun’s true aim: power.

The means had become the end. At the start, Wang Yun had spoken of a mission, but now he desired power for its own sake. Jaheon found it laughable.

‘Where has the Wang Yun who sought to restore the Han gone…’

He clicked his tongue lightly.

“In any case, it is a good thing! The master has essentially become the head of the Im household.”

Oh Juk-yeop grinned, moving flower pots to be planted in the garden as he spoke to Jaheon.

“……”

Jaheon paused from his bookkeeping at the words.

“The head of the Im household.”

A life once rootless, wandering without a place to belong. Both Jaheon and Choseon had never had a place to take root—like the flower pot carried by Oh Juk-yeop.

But now, there was a home.

“No longer must we fret over watching Lord Wang’s moods.”

Probably a place they could finally call home.

Before recalling his memories from the modern era, Jaheon had believed fleeing was the only way to protect Choseon, and never considered taking root anywhere. But now, with a place to stay, it gave him a strange feeling.

“Oh Juk-yeop.”

“Yes?”

“Stop speaking nonsense, and prepare a list of the servants whom Lord Wang has mingled in here.”

“What? Already? Not all the servants have even arrived…”

Jaheon scolded Oh Juk-yeop for dawdling.

“Do it even if they haven’t arrived yet.”

“But, my lord! How can I do that if they aren’t here…?”

Then—

“Brother.”

Appeared the person who could manipulate the great Im Jaheon at will.

“…Stop tormenting Juk-yeop for no reason.”

Jaheon flinched.

“Young lady!”

It was Choseon.

“She’s the only one.”

Oh Juk-yeop seized the moment and ran over to complain to Choseon.

“The master suddenly ordered something absurd…!”

At Oh Juk-yeop’s words, Jaheon’s eyes sharpened fiercely. But when Choseon glanced at him, his expression softened. How could he look fierce in front of Choseon? Grinding his teeth, Jaheon boldly decided to step away.

“Choseon, Juk-yeop is only slacking off.”

So shameless and ridiculous were Jaheon’s words, Oh Juk-yeop protested his injustice.

“But my lord! When have I ever shirked work?”

“If I say you do, then you do.”

Choseon smiled at the sight of Jaheon’s old manner that had not appeared since coming to Luoyang. Then she added quietly,

“Brother, but you said today you would entrust housekeeper duties to Juk-yeop.”

Startled by her words, Jaheon turned his head slightly. Oh Juk-yeop looked at him in surprise. Jaheon’s ears faintly flushed.

“Is that not so?”

After a long silence, Jaheon finally spoke.

“…Housekeeper Oh, go finish organizing our things.”

“……?”

“What are you waiting for?”

Calling him housekeeper, Oh Juk-yeop smiled brightly and answered,

“Yes, my lord!”

Jaheon looked at the retreating figure of Oh Juk-yeop with amusement while Choseon lightly tapped Jaheon’s waist.

“Stop tormenting Housekeeper Oh.”

“Never tormented him.”

“You do it to Housekeeper Oh just as you did to Soon.”

“When have I ever tormented Go Soon, little sister?”

“Ask Soon. Her thoughts might differ.”

“…So you prefer Go Soon to Housekeeper Oh?”

Jaheon, looking slightly pouty, handed Choseon the ledger he was reading.

“Here, take a look. If there is anything you don’t understand, ask me or Oh Juk-yeop.”

“…What is this?”

Since the day he realized Choseon felt sorry, Jaheon had continuously thought about how to stop her feeling that way.

“This is the ledger for soap sales.”

“……?”

“I entrusted a merchant who journeys to Suzhou to handle sales. Soon, I plan to acquire the salt monopoly from His Majesty and hand it over to that same merchant.”

Jaheon hated that Choseon felt sorry for him.

“I want you to manage this work.”

He intended to hand over everything he could to Choseon.

“Also, I plan to select some of the clever children in the slums. You will manage those children. If problems arise, you can always come to me.”

Choseon called out to Jaheon with a surprised look.

“But brother, what if I make a mistake…”

“It’s fine.”

He could not hand over his obtained office to Choseon. This was not the modern world. There were limits on what a girl could do.

Thus Jaheon thought long and hard about what he could give her. What he could give so she would not feel burdened by him.

This was the conclusion Jaheon reached.

“People live by making mistakes.”

He gave Choseon the strength she could fully use.

“So if I make a mistake later, you use this strength to help me.”

Seeing Jaheon’s words so plainly, tears welled in Choseon’s eyes, but she pressed her lips firmly together. Calmly, she withdrew a piece of silk from her bosom.

“…I also have something I want to give you, brother.”

Written on the silk piece was a list.

“It is a list of the local lords in Bingzhou who have fallen out with Lord Wang.”

“……?”

“Since you rose in Luoyang, there have been frequent fights between Lord Wang and the lords of Bingzhou. I thought it might be helpful to you.”

Considering how luxurious Wang Yun had become recently, this was quite believable. Bingzhou’s terrain and climate made goods scarce—a place where frugality was a virtue. Jaheon was deeply moved by Choseon’s thoughtfulness in preparing such a list for him.

‘……?’

He could barely contain his gratitude.

“Cho, Choseon.”

“Yes?”

Instead of speaking, Jaheon was overcome by surging anger.

“This name means, that is…”

Suddenly, his chest tightened and his vision blackened. His trembling hand pointed feebly at one name on the silk. Calmly, Choseon explained,

“He is the son of a lord from Owonyu. He gave me a jade token, believing his family would offer help if I showed it… Brother? Brother?!”

But Jaheon failed to hear the rest of Choseon’s words.

“Oh Juk-yeop! Brother…! Brother…! He has collapsed! Call a doctor, please!!”

It was because of the name on the piece of silk.