Episode 9
An Uncomfortable Reunion
“Why in the world would Her Majesty the Grand Empress Dowager summon that girl?”
As the eunuch came to escort Danseol to Hwayoung Hall, the senior court lady blocked his way and questioned him sharply. She clearly disapproved of Danseol being summoned by the highest elder in the imperial family.
“Are you saying you won’t follow Her Majesty’s command?”
“N-No, that’s not what I meant…”
The eunuch’s stern tone made the court lady falter, but she didn’t back down easily.
“She belongs to our laundry quarters. Don’t we deserve to know why she’s being taken away?”
“This court lady saved Her Majesty’s life.”
At the eunuch’s words, the court lady’s jaw dropped.
After all, it was truly shocking—Danseol, who had always been scolded as a useless burden, had actually saved none other than the Grand Empress Dowager’s life.
“Now then, let’s go. We’ve already delayed too long.”
Danseol followed behind the eunuch as they made their way to Hwayoung Hall, where the Grand Empress Dowager awaited.
The atmosphere at Hwayoung Hall was still chaotic. It was like a disturbed beehive.
Court ladies moved frantically around the building, and officials could be seen investigating the incident.
“This way, please.”
At the urging, Danseol quickened her pace.
“Your Majesty, I’ve brought the court lady you requested.”
“Let her in.”
At the deep voice, the folding screens parted, revealing a luxurious interior. Danseol lowered her head and swallowed dryly.
She wasn’t sure if the Grand Empress Dowager would recognize her, but she had to use this chance to plead and escape from the laundry quarters.
“Enter.”
At the soft command, Danseol nervously stepped into the room where the Grand Empress Dowager waited. As she entered, the door quietly closed behind her.
“Come closer.”
At her gesture, Danseol approached and knelt before her.
“I heard you summoned me, Your Majesty.”
“Yes. You’re the one who discovered the poisonous herb and saved my life?”
“I only happened to spot it by chance, thanks to a little knowledge.”
“I admire your humility, not boasting about what you’ve done.”
The Grand Empress Dowager chuckled softly, seemingly pleased.
“Raise your head. Even if you’re a court lady, I should know the face of the one who saved my life.”
At her order, Danseol carefully lifted her head. Deep inside, she hoped she wouldn’t be recognized.
If she questions me about what happened with the Emperor… it’s over.
Everything she had worked for would vanish.
But as Danseol raised her head fully, the Grand Empress Dowager’s expression subtly changed.
“Fate is a strange thing.”
Danseol’s heart dropped with a heavy thud.
The Grand Empress Dowager remembered her.
“I-I beg your forgiveness!”
Danseol quickly bowed low to the ground. But the Grand Empress Dowager simply waved her hand.
“Stand. I’ve brought you here to reward you, not to punish you.”
Her voice was unexpectedly gentle, and Danseol slowly raised herself up. It seemed the Grand Empress Dowager had chosen not to bring up the past. Danseol was truly relieved.
“I’d like to speak to her alone.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At her signal, the court ladies lining the hall quietly withdrew, leaving only Danseol and the Grand Empress Dowager in the room.
The sense of relief didn’t last long. Danseol quickly braced herself again.
“How is your health?”
The Grand Empress Dowager’s voice softened as she asked with a faint smile. There was no hostility in her expression.
“Thanks to your concern, I’ve recovered well.”
“No, it’s I who should thank you. You saved my life.”
“I simply recognized the herb by coincidence.”
“The Chief Royal Physician said it’s a very difficult plant to distinguish. How did you know it was poisonous?”
Danseol stiffened at the question. Though it sounded like praise, she knew it was a subtle interrogation.
She’s trying to see if I’m behind the poisoning incident.
After all, the poison was something even most herbalists couldn’t identify. For an ordinary court lady to know about it was more than suspicious.
“I’ve studied a little medicine and herbalism.”
“Medicine and herbalism?”
Suspicion flashed in the Grand Empress Dowager’s eyes. Even if those fields were looked down on, they were still scholarly studies—hardly something a mere woman could learn easily.
“When I was young, I fell seriously ill—nearly died, in fact.”
It happened when Danseol was around ten. She barely remembered much, but according to her brother Baek Danho, the palace had fallen into chaos.
“I still remember the first time I could eat porridge again. I cried endlessly, just grateful to be alive.”
Even now, the memory was vivid. The agony of the illness had been unbearable.
She would never forget the breeze on her face when she first opened the window after recovering.
It was then that she first realized life itself was a blessing. It was also around that time the plum blossom mark had appeared on her body.
“Since then, whenever I see someone suffering, I see myself. That’s why I became interested in herbalism and medicine. By chance, I got the opportunity to help a village physician and learned a little.”
Danseol had studied properly under the royal physician of Seolhwa Kingdom. Though she couldn’t become a doctor due to her status as a princess, she never gave up.
By the time she turned sixteen, she was allowed by the king and queen to assist in treating the sick at a charity clinic.
That’s why she hadn’t been in the palace during the war with Hwangseon Kingdom—she had been treating wounded soldiers.
“I learned about that poisonous herb during that time.”
“Admirable.”
The Grand Empress Dowager seemed moved by her heartfelt story.
“You’re too kind.”
Despite the praise, Danseol only bowed her head humbly.
What a pity.
Looking at Danseol’s composed figure, the Grand Empress Dowager sighed inwardly.
Her beauty was exceptional, but even more precious was her noble, upright character.
If only she had been the one marked with the symbol, instead of the Empress…
Then they wouldn’t be suffering over the lack of an heir or being manipulated by the Empress’s family.
But that was nothing more than a foolish wish.
“I owe you my life. If there’s anything you want, ask.”
“…Truly?”
“Do you think I make promises lightly?”
“N-No, of course not.”
Danseol had been waiting for this moment. She just couldn’t show how much she longed for it.
“Please… send me to the Royal Pharmacy.”
At her modest request, the Grand Empress Dowager chuckled. Most would have asked for wealth or status, but she asked only for a transfer.
How endearing.
“You could ask for more.”
“No, this is all I need. I just want to quietly pursue my dream there.”
And she meant it. She didn’t care about wealth or status.
That place is perfect—quiet and discreet.
As a pharmacy maid, she could access herbs that would normally be out of reach.
Ironically, many healing herbs could become poisons depending on dosage and combinations.
Danseol, who had learned from the royal physician, understood this very well.
She was going to use this opportunity to kill Gyeom.
Silently. Carefully. Without him ever noticing.
But from the very beginning, her plan hit a wall.
“His Majesty the Emperor arrives!”
At the eunuch’s loud announcement, the Grand Empress Dowager stood, and Danseol leapt up in alarm.
Her face went pale.
Why would Gyeom come to Hwayoung Hall at this late hour?
“Your Majesty, welcome.”
As the door opened, Gyeom strode in. The Grand Empress Dowager naturally offered him the seat of honor. Danseol remained frozen, head bowed.
As Gyeom passed by her—
…Sandalwood?
Just for a moment, she caught the faint, refined scent she had smelled before in the pavilion. Her gaze followed the scent—
To the Emperor of Hwangseon, Gyeom.
…No, it can’t be.
Danseol laughed bitterly to herself. There’s no way it was him.
If it had been, he wouldn’t have left her alone. Not after she had tried to kill him.
It couldn’t be him.
Sandalwood was expensive, but this was the palace. Anyone here could afford it.
As Gyeom took his seat, the Grand Empress Dowager sat beside him.
Danseol, watching for a chance to excuse herself, carefully spoke.
“Your Majesty, may I take my leave?”
“Sit down.”
A heavy, deep voice pinned her in place.
And that was only the beginning.
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Let me know if you’d like Episode 10 next or need a character/plot summary!
