NABC Book 3: Chapter 19
Book 3: Chapter 19
Book 3: Chapter 19
The news of the Inspection Bureau’s arrival at the Inner Court had also reached Court Lady Seomun’s office.
The once vibrant office atmosphere suddenly turned heavy.
A senior steward cautiously spoke up, glancing at Court Lady Seomun.
“...Shouldn’t we go out and at least make a show of greeting them?”
“...Yes.”
Court Lady Seomun nodded.
“It would be good to go and personally assess those we have to deal with.”
The door to the office opened, and a group of stewards, led by Court Lady Seomun, moved in unison.
* * *
At the main entrance of the Inner Court.
Kang Ho murmured beside Yeon So-Hyeon.
“...Depending on which department the Inspection Bureau has sent, we can gauge how seriously they are taking this investigation.”
Il-ryeong spoke up.
“Perhaps it will be the 1st Investigation Department? After all, it’s an investigation related to the Grand Young Master’s Wongak Pavilion.”
Yi-ryeong shook her head.
“But they can’t avoid pressure to downplay the incident. Even if the Inspection Bureau is an organization with independent authority from the main house...”
Sam-ryeong pursed her lips.
“Still, the Inner Court’s Accounting Secretary, a top-ranking official of the Sixth Rank, is dead. Even if the 2nd or 3rd Investigation Department starts, there’s a possibility that eventually the 1st Department will step in.”
The Inner Court awaiting the main investigation from the Inspection Bureau was eerily quiet.
Not a soul was seen bustling about, unlike when Yeon So-Hyeon had visited earlier.
It was truly the calm before the storm.
“A group of personnel is approaching.”
***
The side door opened, revealing Court Lady Seomun and her group of stewards.
They neither looked in Yeon So-Hyeon’s direction nor acknowledged him in any way.
One of the court ladies whispered, trying to hide her tension.
“We’ve done everything we could, so hopefully, the 1st Investigation Department won’t be involved, right?”
“Shouldn’t that be the case? It’s likely that the 2nd or 3rd Department will step in.”
“I think the Inspection Bureau, considering external perceptions, might send the 1st Department, but they won’t actively engage in the investigation.”
All of their speculations seemed plausible.
Court Lady Seomun, with a stern expression, gazed towards the main gate beyond the courtyard of the main building.
“They are coming in...!”
Personnel briskly entered through the side door.
Their flawless red silk uniforms sparkled in the sunlight.
None of them showed any awe at the scale of the Inner Court, slowed their pace, or looked around.
There was no idle chatter among them; their gazes were fixed straight ahead, and they even marched in step.
Their demeanor was less like scholars and more akin to a military organization with strict ceremonial training.
The perfectly formed lines of personnel moved along the edge of the Inner Court courtyard.
“Which department are they from? Does anyone recognize anyone?”
At the senior steward’s question, they all murmured, squinting to identify familiar faces.
“...I’m not sure. I don’t see any investigators from the 2nd or 3rd Department that I know.”
“I also can’t recognize any faces.”
“Could they be from the 1st Investigation Department? Since they only emerge for significant cases, their faces aren’t well-known...”
Amidst the speculation, the investigators continued to stream into the Inner Court one after the other.
“Who are these people...?! Does anyone recognize anyone...?! Are they truly from the 1st Investigation Department...?!”
The senior steward whispered these questions, but no one dared to speak up.
Court Lady Seomun broke the silence.
“...They are not from the 1st Investigation Department.”
Her voice was soft, almost like a scream.
All eyes turned to her.
“Then, whose personnel are they?”
She closed her eyes tightly.
“Look over there, everyone!”
As someone shouted, all eyes turned to the front.
After all the investigators had entered, the investigation commander finally appeared.
“White hair?!”
“The White-Haired in Red?!”
“We have completed securing the targets of the initial investigation, witnesses, and necessary documents.”
“Begin their interrogation now. Ensure that the movements of the subjects under investigation do not overlap.”
A group of officers began to move.
“Hwabok.”
“Yes, Head.”
A man with a pleasant face, called Hwabok, responded to her call.
“Among the targets, there’s a Second Rank female court lady known as Court Lady Bang. Take charge of her.”
“Yes, understood.”
After responding, Hwabok asked with a playful smile.
“What will you do now, Head?”
Dokgo Yayeon, without any change in expression, replied calmly.
“I will now investigate Witness No. 1, Grand Young Master Yeon So-Hyeon.”
* * *
When she burst into Yeon So-Hyeon’s waiting room, he was engrossed in reading, surrounded by a stack of books he had obtained from somewhere.
“I will begin the witness interrogation of the Grand Young Master. Everyone else, please leave.”
As everyone began to rise, Yeon So-Hyeon raised his hand to stop them.
“There’s no need to send everyone out for just a witness interrogation.”
“There could be sensitive matters discussed.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Yeon So-Hyeon.
It almost looked like she was glaring at him.
“Then, I will proceed regardless.”
“Go ahead.”
She stood in front of the table.
“Grand Young Master...”
She was no longer the emotionless person she had been.
Her growling tone startled everyone present.
Anger was vividly evident on her contorted face.
“After hiding away for ten years, what are you suddenly plotting by appearing out of nowhere?”
“Well, they didn’t pay for the books, so I requested an inspection...”
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
Despite her harsh words, Jung-ah did not intervene.
It was not her place to step in.
“Who are you playing games with this time? The Head of the Inspection Bureau? The Chief Steward of the Inner Court? Or maybe the Head of the Elder Council?”
The mention of such high-ranking officials left the onlookers unable to even swallow their saliva.
“Ah, come on...”
Yeon So-Hyeon waved his hand dismissively.
“As if such prominent figures would bother dealing with someone like me.”
She ignored Yeon So-Hyeon’s comment.
“If that’s not the case, then what’s the reason for our sudden deployment here?!”
“How should I know?”
“How could you not know?!”
Yeon So-Hyeon raised his hands, indicating that this conversation was going nowhere.
“Remember this, Grand Young Master. Everyone who knows of your past is watching and wary of you.”
She bared her teeth.
“...Especially if you meddle with my Central Inspection Bureau, I won’t forgive you!”
The threat in her voice was palpable.
Yeon So-Hyeon looked aggrieved.
“No, really, this time it’s just because they didn’t pay for the books. I haven’t done anything else.”
Continuing with gestures, Yeon So-Hyeon added,
“You just do your investigation, I’ll read my books here. My maids can take a break and enjoy a meal prepared by others for a change.”
Dokgo Yayeon’s white eyes blazed as she glared at Yeon So-Hyeon.
“...I have given you fair warning.”
With that, she turned and stormed out of the waiting room.
All eyes were on Yeon So-Hyeon.
Especially Kang Ho, who was still trembling from the aura of her threat but kept his gaze fixed on Yeon So-Hyeon.
Yeon So-Hyeon asked them nonchalantly.
“What?”