The court ladies were whispering outside of Min-jun’s doors. His Highness did not wish for them to start packing his things! “Poor thing,” they said. “He’s in shock!”
They would thank him later. It would be a bother to unpack everything again if he managed to convince the King to let him stay. And if he didn’t manage to do so . . . Min-jun wasn’t sure if he wanted anything from this place.
The doors were still held shut by the court ladies, but he’d found a way to work around that. Getting into the King’s quarters would prove more difficult. Min-jun wasn’t allowed outside of Jangmi Villa, never mind getting access to the King’s quarters. He’d have to be covert about this.
His mother had taught him how to sneak into the strangest places at a young age, just in case, it came up later on in his investigations. The best way to infiltrate a stronghold was to act as if you were meant to be there. That option was out of the question since the entire Palace already knew him as the abandoned consort of the King.
Perhaps he could use that to his advantage.
“I wish to speak with Scholar Ha-jun,” Min-jun demanded through the screen door. “Send him my summons.”
The court ladies discussed amongst themselves, and then their leader spoke in a low voice, “Right away, Your Highness.”
He had expected them to disagree. After all, calling a suspicious man to his room could bring a slew of inconveniences. Perhaps Hye-jin hadn’t expected him to fight back after confining him to his rooms? Did she think he was some passive little consort?
Min-jun sat down behind his desk, tapping his fingers over its surface. Scholar Ha-jun still owed him for not running to the King about his attempts at seducing Min-jun. With his track record, Scholar Ha-jun certainly would agree to Min-jun’s request. He had enough guts to go against the King and responded well to blackmail. Two for one.
. . .
Scholar Ha-jun entered the room quietly, keeping his head down. He bowed before Min-jun. An ex-Consort was still someone not to be trifled with, after all.
“You summoned me,” Scholar Ha-jun said. “May I ask what for?”
“I’ll get to the point then,” Min-jun placed his teacup on the low table. The warmth and earthy scent calmed him somewhat. He gestured for Scholar Ha-jun to take the other cup, and the man did so. “I need a disguise.”
“What sort of disguise?” Scholar Ha-jun asked. There was nothing in his tone to suggest he felt contrary to the notion.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“P klrt ab vgfrr jr j kbwjc. C mbega ijvs.”
“C mbega ijvs!” Vmtbijg Lj-pec gfqfjafv j ilaaif abb ibevis. Ktfs ybat rfca mjealber uijcmfr abkjgv atf vbbg, jcv atfc Vmtbijg Lj-pec ifjcfv lc mibrfg. Lf ibkfgfv tlr nblmf. “Lbk jw P reqqbrfv ab ufa j mbega ijvs’r eclobgw?”
“I’m sure a man of your talents will find a way,” Min-jun reassured the man.
Scholar Ha-jun grimaced, eyes widening in terror. “I can’t sleep with one of the King’s women!”
Min-jun clicked his tongue. “If only you’d shown such foresight when you’d tried to seduce me. Perhaps you wouldn’t be in this situation right now.” He slapped his hand down on the desk. “Aren’t you scholars supposed to be bright? Court ladies have multiple uniforms. It’s been raining the last few days. The weather is now agreeable to wash and dry whatever clothes they have. Sneak a spare uniform out while their attention is turned away.”
“You’re going to sneak out to see the King, aren’t you,” Scholar Ha-jun said, uncertain.
“Yes.”
Scholar Ha-jun nodded slowly, a small smile spreading into a wide grin. “Sounds exciting.”
“Don’t get too excited,” Min-jun warned. “Do not draw too much attention to yourself. If the King or his men notice you, we’ll both be in trouble.”
Scholar Ha-jun scoffed, propping his elbow up on the table. “As if the King would hurt his precious little lover.”
Min-jun shoved Scholar Ha-jun’s elbow off the table with the tip of a fan. “I can’t guarantee the same for you.”
Scholar Ha-jun cocked his head to the side as he pondered something. He crossed his arms over his chest. “Can’t you just cause a scene and draw his attention that way? I’m sure if you did, he’d be forced to see you.”
Tch. Idiot. If that were possible Min-jun would’ve done it already. Min-jun shook his head. “I have reason to believe that Lady Hye-jin will try to keep the information from reaching him. We don’t have enough time to rely on petty gossip.”
Scholar Ha-jun shrugged. “Well then, pray that I keep my head after all this.”
“I’ll vouch for you if you are caught. Perhaps that will lessen your punishment somewhat.”
“I appreciate it.” He didn’t sound very appreciative.
They sat for a moment longer, as Min-jun took another sip of his tea. He put the cup down on the table again and raised an eyebrow.
“What are you still doing here? You’re dismissed. Go now.”
Scholar Ha-jun stood up and hurried toward the door, only to turn back around to speak to Min-jun. “Can I get some more of the tea to take with me? Nothing compares to the tea made for royalty –”
“Go!”
What an infuriating man!
. . .
It did not take long for Scholar Ha-jun to return with a bag full of boxes of sweets, and underneath them, a set of court lady’s robes. Min-jun took them and stepped behind the screen. He undressed himself to his underclothes and then put on the court lady’s robes. He glanced at himself in the mirror. One more thing.
He took the pin from his hair and undid his topknot. He braided it and then tied it into a tight bun at the back of his head, tucking a binyeo into it to secure it in place. Now he looked himself up and down in the mirror. The skirt billowed around him, made of fine silk befitting of the king’s women. Yes, under even the most scrutinizing gaze, one would not expect him to be a man, let alone the ex-consort of the King.
Ha-jun whistled as Min-jun stepped out. He had already helped himself to the sweets he’d bought for Min-jun. “Looks good on you.”
“I know,” Min-jun said, pressing his hair down to get it in the exact position he wanted. He had had more than a few opportunities to dress in woman’s clothing before, both as a Kisaeng and an investigator. Min-jun loved beautiful things, and woman’s clothing was no exception. If he looked good in it, why not experiment a little? Although a court lady’s uniform was so plain that it didn’t suit him very much at all. Ah, what he wouldn’t do to dress in the exquisite silk hanbok of noble ladies. So intricate, such bold colors! Men’s fashion left much to be desired.
Min-jun tightened his robes. Well, that took care of the first phase. Now onto phase two. The attack.
He whistled the tune of a lullaby softly as he drew nearer to the window. He bent down to open the cabinet of his desk and pulled out a small fabric pouch. Deadly poison to slip into the King’s drink just in case the King refused him. Min-jun wouldn’t last long after that but at least his mission would be complete. But what about Su-jin?
Incessant barking filled the corridor outside. The court ladies gasped in surprise.
Chaos created. Now to escape.
Min-jun quietly parted the doors and poked his head out through the gap. All clear. The maids had been dragged to the other side of the corridor, cornered by a fierce Chuchu, whose bark was louder than his bite. Maybe it’s good he’s a little demon when I’m not around.
“Good luck,” Ha-jun sang, popping another honey cake in his mouth. “Go get laid by that handsome King of yours.”
Min-jun nearly choked on his spit. “I’m not going to get laid by him!” he said in an angry whisper.
“You never know.”
He’s right. You never know.
Dammit. Now he’d be thinking about it the entire way there. The King wouldn’t initiate something like that though. He’d let Min-jun make the first move. Goodness, he’d never expected to be the one doing the pursuing in this relationship!
At the gates to Jangmi Villa was Sun. Dusk was falling now, the land tainted orange. He’d waited for him. His stance was not offensive. He only stood there with his arms crossed. Min-jun braced himself for some sort of retaliation but none came.
“Good luck, Your Highness,” Sun whispered, as Min-jun ran past him.
“Thank you.”
A/N: I hope you enjoy the double update! If you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a comment down below! Thank you!
I love so much how sun is always supportive of min-jun 🥲
I’m kind of really worried there’s going to be an Ok-Jeong in there but when he grabbed the poison it helped a little. Am I still afraid to continue? Yes, enough to distract myself thinking that Min-jun could give Domino’s Li Changyu a few pointers on wearing the pretty gowns his emperor tries to give him 😄.
But I would never refuse the gift of a double update! Thanks for that 😊
Seeing Min Jun in noble ladies hanbok would be a delight. Loyal Sun and Chuchu ❤️
Thank you for double update!