CF Chapter 45

Chapter 45

 

-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-

Thunder struck the Dan household. Dan Liang’s only daughter, Lily, had disappeared.

The first to discover this was Lily’s nanny, who had gone to check on her lady’s bedroom, worried about whether she was sleeping well. Upon finding her beloved young lady missing, she panicked and woke everyone up.

All the servants of the Dan household joined the search, but the young lady was already gone.

When Dan Liang heard of Lily’s disappearance, he rushed out without even putting on his shoes, in an undignified state. But no one would dare point fingers at him. They all felt the same way.

“She is to be the Great General’s wife! We must find her at all costs! It’s the hour of the Ox now, so the city gates won’t be open yet. Lily must still be within the second gate. Search every corner of this area thoroughly!”

“But this area is filled with noble households. We cannot conduct a search without permission.”

“…Ugh.”

Dan Liang’s face twisted in despair. Though they moved according to his orders, everyone felt helpless. This neighborhood was home to people who could easily outrank a Commander of the Imperial Guards. If they carelessly offended these nobles, even Dan Liang could be in danger.

Moreover, if they caused unnecessary commotion and He Jin became suspicious of Lily’s virtue and called off the wedding, it would be disastrous. They had to handle this as quietly as possible.

“For now, search every corner of the streets! If anyone asks what’s happening, keep Lily’s disappearance secret and say there’s been a theft. If this information leaks out, you’ll all be executed! Understood?”

Just as Dan Liang was berating the servants, a sharp sound cut through the air.

Whoosh, thud!

“Aah!”

An arrow flew and struck the pillar right next to Dan Liang with a dull sound. Having collapsed to the ground from the unexpected attack, Dan Liang stared blankly at the arrow and muttered.

“Are… are they trying to assassinate me?”

“Something is attached to it!”

“Unfold it! Quickly!”

In place of the shocked Dan Liang, the household steward quickly untied the silk attached to the arrow. Just by touch, he could tell it was high-quality silk.

Using such fine silk that would be wasted even as a hair ribbon, merely as paper for a threatening message—but even more shocking was the content written on it. The steward handed it to Dan Liang with trembling hands.

Dan Liang’s eyes quickly scanned the silk.

“A flower must bloom in the hands of one who truly understands its worth. I have sent it to such a person.”

This was, without a doubt, an abduction. Dan Liang’s hands holding the silk trembled.

“Th-this… this… this outrageous…!”

Dan Liang’s fury echoed throughout the Dan household. Beyond his booming cries, a black horse carrying two riders galloped without rest. As they vanished in an instant, only a gloomy darkness settled on the road they left behind.

-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-

Just as the sun was casting shadows over the imperial city and the palace gates were opening—it was early morning.

The Emperor hadn’t even risen yet, and the entire imperial city was quiet, shrouded in sleep. The gatekeeper, thinking no one would visit the palace at this hour, was rubbing his sleepy eyes while yawning.

Then, someone approached from far away. The gatekeeper thought he was seeing things due to drowsiness. But the figure drew closer—150 paces away, 100 paces, 50 paces.

Finally recognizing who it was, the gatekeeper was startled. His previously slouching spine suddenly straightened.

“G-greetings, Commander So!”

“Though it is early, it is still your duty shift. Such laxity is unbecoming.”

Her light hair seemed to melt into the morning sunlight, taking on a reddish hue. Unlike usual, her hair was neatly tied up in a topknot with an official cap placed on top.

The gatekeeper felt his heart freeze at his superior’s stern words. Though she appeared like a beautiful youth who might have descended from the celestial realm, inside she was as cold as an iceberg, or rather, an unyielding iron wall itself.

Chills ran down his spine as those glass-clear eyes swept over him. The gatekeeper froze in terror, anticipating a shout from his superior who was easily more than a decade younger than him.

‘What a bolt from the blue this is….’

But contrary to what he expected, no sharp reproach or severe scolding came from Commander Dongbaek.

“Just ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

She merely left that casual warning before continuing her way through the opened gate.

The gatekeeper only let out a sigh and clutched his chest after Dongbaek had disappeared from view. Was it a dream or reality? Perhaps there was some urgent matter.

Whatever the case, he could have faced disciplinary action or a pay cut, but it ended with just a warning. And this was from Commander Dongbaek, who was notorious for being meticulous and harsh in her punishments.

The gatekeeper quickly relaxed, pleased to have a story to share with his colleagues during the day.

-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-

Dongbaek strode forward with purpose. She knew it was too early. She also knew the Emperor wouldn’t be awake yet.

But what mattered was meeting the Emperor quickly, before others could notice, so waiting wasn’t an issue.

Since Lily’s nanny knew about Dongbaek, she might have guessed that Dongbaek was the one who took Lily.

‘If she revealed that fact to Dan Liang…’

Though the Emperor seemed easily swayed with few opinions of his own, once he made a decision, he rarely changed it. That’s why being the first to present an opinion was crucial.

So if Dan Liang’s message reached He Jin before Dongbaek could meet the Emperor, things could go wrong. Time was of the essence.

Dongbaek’s blue robe (袍) fluttered as she headed decisively toward the east path where the Great Hall stood. The dust accumulated on the grand staircase, which had denied entry to anyone during dawn, scattered softly under her feet.

No one must anticipate it, and no one must be able to overturn it.

Dongbaek smiled alone as she climbed the still-damp stairs in the humid dawn air.

-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-

As morning court time arrived, ministers began gathering at the Great Hall one by one.

Not only the high-ranking ministers including the Three Excellencies, but also the Grand General He Jin attended. They took their seats as usual after entering the Great Hall. Everything was normal up to that point.

As everyone gathered and filled their seats, they whispered quietly about various matters. Some might have been plotting something, while others might have been discussing proposals from their political opponents. As they calculated their gains and losses, trying to figure out how to turn things to their advantage, a eunuch’s lilting announcement rang out.

“His Majesty the Emperor arrives!”

Emperor Ling, dressed in elaborately embroidered imperial robes, entered the Great Hall with his heavy frame. Though people said the country was in chaos because of the eunuchs, imperial authority remained as lofty as ever, like the sky above.

The Great Hall fell silent as soon as the Emperor entered. He sat on the dragon throne that stood alone in the center, adorned with golden dragon carvings. Everything was pure gold! It was an unparalleled throne, with dragons carved in both relief and intaglio, displaying their majestic forms.

Everything up to this point was normal. However, the Emperor’s seemingly pleased expression was something rarely seen.

Usually wearing a frown that clearly showed his boredom with morning court, today he was all smiles.

All the ministers were puzzled by the Emperor’s expression. They exchanged glances, wondering if someone had given the Emperor a substantial gift, but nothing came to mind.

The Emperor grinned and waved his hand to stop a minister who was about to begin the morning court proceedings.

“Ah, ah, before we proceed with court business, Commander So came rushing to me early this morning. He said he had something urgent to discuss in the Great Hall before the assembly.”

What followed the Emperor’s words hardly mattered. It was essentially a one-sided announcement that he would summon Dongbaek to the Great Hall.

‘How can it be proper to meet a mere Commander before morning court!’

But everyone swallowed such complaints. He Jin internally cursed at ‘that damned brat.’

“Tell Commander So to enter.”

“Commander So, you are summoned.”

“Commander So Dongbaek seeks an audience with His Majesty.”

Dongbaek entered and greeted the Emperor with a straight, disciplined posture.

“Yes, yes. What brings you here?”

Despite the intimidating atmosphere full of high officials’ antipathy, Dongbaek held her head high without any sign of intimidation and spoke.

“Your Majesty, I regret to say that I must use today the extremely gracious pardon you granted me.”

At Dongbaek’s boldly delivered words, all the ministers opened their eyes wide and whispered among themselves.

“Imperial pardon…?”

“What could it possibly be for?”

“Using it already?”

“What kind of trouble has he gotten into….”

They were so flustered that they forgot they were in the Emperor’s presence and raised their voices unseemly. Dongbaek didn’t spare them a glance, keeping her eyes fixed solely on the Emperor.

-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-

Thank you for reading! ♡