Spring Snow - Chapter 5 Part 2

“I knew about the adopted son. Twenty years ago, during the war with Hailuo, he was the only son of a subordinate who had been lost.”

“That is correct.”

The man, who had been sniffing the scent of Eun-hwan’s long hair as she slept, raised his head. The eunuch, who had been bowing, glanced at him cautiously. The sharp energy emanating from the man’s refined face was intense. It was a cold energy that only softened when Gabi was asleep. In the end, it had mellowed, allowing her to pass through without any discomfort.

The man, whose sharp edges had been dulled by her tears and coquettishness, had seemed like he would let it go… but the eunuch remembered the Emperor’s orders to investigate everything about Seo Chi-yoon. Seo Chi-yoon, whom Gabi called “Lord Seo,” was a high-ranking military officer who had been close to the late Emperor and had served as the Crown Prince’s tutor.

He was not only skilled in martial arts but also a talented civil and military official of the court. Even the arrogant and demanding late Emperor had recognized his abilities and appointed him as the tutor to his cherished eldest son. The eunuch stared blankly at the Emperor, who was gazing at the sleeping woman.

“Your Majesty.”

“Have you ever thought that Eun-hwan resembles Seo Chi-yoon?”

“Huh?”

“I’m asking if you’ve ever suspected that Seo Chi-yoon might have a hidden daughter.”

The eunuch’s heart raced. He didn’t know how to respond. He rolled his eyes, thinking. He had never considered that Seo Chi-yoon might have a hidden daughter. Moreover, he had never thought that Gabi might be Seo Chi-yoon’s hidden daughter. There seemed to be no connection. But… the Emperor seemed to know something. Perhaps Seo Chi-yoon truly had a hidden daughter, and the Emperor had known about it for a long time. The Emperor was a man who seemed to know everything.

“A man with his family in Hangzhou wouldn’t retire to the southwest for no reason. Especially to a place with no connections. I heard that after his first wife passed away from illness in his youth, he never took another concubine. I heard that the prestigious Hangzhou Seo family had reprimanded him for this.”

“But…”

“Most importantly, I heard that his adopted son regularly visited the inner quarters to check on their lives.”

“That… that is correct.”

“Didn’t Jo Yun-cheol also say that he often offered his concubines to officials?”

“Would Lord Seo accept such things?”

“Then do you think Seo Chi-yoon embraced her out of personal feelings?”

“That could be possible, but… Your Majesty, do you think Lord Seo is Gabi’s biological father?”

The eunuch asked. Yoon-hyuep did not answer. He simply stared at the white woman. Surprisingly, the Emperor’s suspicions had a lot of rationality. Especially if the Emperor had heard something. Seo Chi-yoon was a talented man recognized by the court and the Emperor, a nobleman from a prestigious family who had risen through the ranks. It was surprising that such a man would be interested in a merchant’s lowly concubine, but it was also true that the retired Lord Seo had shown particular affection for Gabi during her childhood.

Moreover, it was true that he had been circling around Gabi’s birth mother, watching over her. There were not a few who claimed to have witnessed their secret meetings after Gabi entered the palace as a court lady. At that level, it was natural to be suspicious.

“It’s unclear whether Seo Gongja and Gabi had romantic feelings for each other in their childhood, but it is said that Lord Seo was displeased with how Seo Gongja treated Gabi. Especially after hearing that Seo Gongja had feelings for Gabi, he reportedly flew into a rage.”

“He cherished Gabi, didn’t he?”

“It seems he disliked Seo Gongja approaching Gabi.”

“I see.”

“It doesn’t seem there was anything else to worry about.”

“I just want to kill every man who has known Gabi.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Of course, I don’t mean I’ll actually do it. If I did, I’d be recorded as a tyrant.”

“That would be the case.”

The Emperor laughed. He spoke again.

“Tomorrow, I will hold a midday banquet at the rear hall where Gabi’s mother resides. Inform Grand Tutor Seo to attend as well.”

“I will see to it, Your Majesty.”

“And what about the schemes brewing in Yangcheon?”

The Emperor, who had been gently tugging at the sleeping woman’s earlobe, raised his head. His sharp gaze was piercing.

***

“Y-Your Majesty, I never imagined you would grace this humble abode…”

The woman, her face pale, kept bowing her head as if she were about to kneel at any moment. Seo Chi-yoon’s expression was stiff, almost uncomfortable. No matter how reserved and sparing with emotions he was, the Emperor hadn’t expected him to be so cold. A faint smile tugged at the Emperor’s lips.

“Raise your head.”

At the soft command, Gabi’s mother lifted her head. Her white face flushed red, resembling a ripe apple. The Emperor gazed at her large eyes beneath long lashes. Her face resembled Eun-hwan’s overall—her facial structure, fair skin, long lashes, and small, full lips. She wasn’t strikingly beautiful, but there was a delicate charm to her.

If her mother had been a dazzling beauty who captivated the late Emperor, this woman before him was pure and youthful. In fact, Seo Chi-yoon, a distant relative of her mother, had strikingly handsome features, almost too refined for a man. Despite being well past his prime, he still looked remarkably young and elegant. The woman, trembling and too afraid to even look at him, seemed to shrink under his gaze.

The Emperor smiled gently at her and whispered, “You must have been startled by my sudden visit. Preparing this midday banquet alone shows your generous heart.”

He turned his gaze to the dining table. Steam rose from the soup and dumplings, and the roasted pheasant was perfectly golden. It was a spread far beyond what this household could afford. Clearly, the dishes had been brought from Seo Chi-yoon’s residence. The Emperor smiled softly at the woman, who looked as if she might burst into tears at any moment. If there was one thing she shared with Eun-hwan, it was how easily she cried.

“That’s enough. It’s improper to shed tears in front of His Majesty.”

Seo Chi-yoon’s stern voice scolded her. At his words, the woman quickly wiped her tears with her sleeve. Seo Chi-yoon briefly placed a hand on her trembling shoulder before turning to the Emperor and speaking softly.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

“Of course.”

With the Emperor’s permission, Seo Chi-yoon led her outside. However, the small and narrow house made it impossible not to overhear their conversation.

“I’m sorry, Lord Seo…”

“How can you cry like this when your only daughter has come to see you?”

“Sniff…”

“Sa-hee.”

“I-I won’t cry anymore, Lord Seo.”

“If you keep crying, Eun-hwan will feel heartbroken.”

“Yes. I won’t cry. Absolutely! I won’t cry until His Majesty leaves.”

“…Good.”

A few more comforting words followed. Eun-hwan, who had been glancing at the door they had exited, bit her lip. The Emperor, seated at the table, smiled warmly at her.

“You look at me as if I’m the Grim Reaper.”

“She… she’s just timid…”

“Has Grand Tutor Seo always been this affectionate?”

“…Yes.”

“I see.”

The Emperor let out a soft laugh. Eun-hwan looked at him and then spoke again.

“He’s a good man. Ever since he retired to the southwest and came here, he’s taken pity on my mother and treated us well.”

“Is that so? I always thought Grand Tutor Seo was a cold-hearted man who lacked human emotions.”

“…Did you?”

“When he led the siege of Hailuo’s city, he slaughtered twenty thousand people, young and old, and burned their homes. Don’t you think that’s enough to earn such a reputation?”

“I see…”

“Since his youth, he’s been a fierce warrior. There are countless tales and legends about his exploits.”

The Emperor played with Eun-hwan’s earlobe. Finally, Seo Chi-yoon and Eun-hwan’s mother returned inside. Seo Chi-yoon bowed properly before sitting down and helping Eun-hwan’s mother to her seat.

“Gabi’s mother is unfamiliar with palace etiquette, so she may make many mistakes. Please, with a heart as vast as the ocean, forgive her.”

“It’s of no concern. I didn’t come here to criticize her while enjoying this meal.”

“Your grace is boundless.”

The Emperor picked up a dumpling. Seo Chi-yoon and Eun-hwan also each picked up a dish. The Emperor, noticing Eun-hwan’s repeated glances at him, smiled and placed a dumpling on her plate. She took a bite.

“Since it’s your mother’s cooking this time, you’ll eat well, won’t you?”

Eun-hwan didn’t respond, her cheeks turning red. Seo Chi-yoon watched them silently before turning to the woman beside him. She still looked tense, her face stiff. She had been crying for days, longing to see her daughter. If Jo Yun-cheol hadn’t allowed her daughter to visit, Seo Chi-yoon had planned to take her to Yangcheon himself. But he hadn’t expected the Emperor to come here.

What expression should he wear? His mind was a tangled mess. Had sending Eun-hwan to the palace been the right decision? The rice in his mouth tasted dry.

***