Chapter 51

A month has passed since the chaos in Beijing began.

During this time, the Imperial Family and government officials have been incredibly busy, barely having a moment to breathe.

The Eastern Depot, the Imperial Secret Police, failed to notice the rebels setting up camp on Manse Mountain, the Imperial Family’s sacred mountain.

Along with the death of Commander Gwak Dan, nearly half of the Imperial Guards, who were protecting Beijing and the Forbidden City, were lost, leaving the guards in shambles.

This was the worst situation since the disgraceful “Tumu Incident,” the greatest shame of the Ming Dynasty.

With the opening of the Ghost Gate, the martial world’s power grew rapidly.

The most threatening enemy, the Oirats, who had caused the “Tumen Incident,” collapsed due to internal strife, but powerful forces like the Mongols still lurked in the north.

If the Oirats hadn’t fallen due to internal conflict, the Ming Dynasty might have lost Hebei and fled, just like the Southern Song Dynasty.

And let’s not forget the constant harassment from the Japanese pirates.

After exterminating tens of thousands in Shandong and wiping out the pirates in the Liaodong Peninsula 50 years ago, it seemed like the problem was over. But now, the pirates are targeting the south instead of the north, which is a major headache.

In this situation, with the Ghost Gate causing chaos all the way to the capital, Beijing, the shock and fear the Ming Imperial Family must have felt is unimaginable.

“Thankfully, His Majesty is wise and managed to put out the immediate fire…”

This was why even the Imperial Family, not just the officials, were so busy.

The Seonghwa Emperor calmed the chaos by showing the people that the Imperial Family stood with them.

He opened medical centers to treat the wounded, sending Imperial Family members to help, and ordered princes and princesses to distribute relief rice to comfort the people of Beijing.

Thanks to this, the people of Beijing, reassured that the Emperor and the Imperial Family were with them, returned to their livelihoods. The Seonghwa Emperor’s decision was truly wise.

Additionally, the Emperor took the unprecedented step of hiring people who had lost their jobs due to the destruction of government buildings, preventing an economic crisis. He also held a memorial service for the officials and people who died in the incident.

Most importantly, Commander Gwak Dan, who was said to have died after capturing the main culprit and sealing the Ghost Gate on Manse Mountain, was even given a posthumous title.

The fact that they managed to decide on a posthumous title and hold a memorial ceremony within just a month shows how quickly things were moving.

Despite showing such a wise and kingly demeanor, Han Gyeran couldn’t help but sigh in frustration.

“How could such a wise Emperor be bewitched by that witch…”

The Seonghwa Emperor favored his concubine more than his Empress. The concubine’s name was Manjeong-ah, and she held the rank of Gwibi (Noble Consort), second only to the Empress, so she was called Man Gwibi.

Despite being 19 years older than the Emperor, Man Gwibi had won his favor because she had been his wet nurse and had comforted him during his turbulent childhood.

As favored as she was, Man Gwibi gave birth to the Emperor’s first son. However, perhaps because she was older when she had him, the child died young.

That’s when it started. Man Gwibi began to go mad.

Despite being a concubine, she used the Emperor’s favor to slander the Empress and have her deposed. Shockingly, she even forced other concubines pregnant with the Emperor’s children to have abortions.

She went so far as to poison the Crown Prince, Zhu Youji, because he wasn’t her child, nearly cutting off the Imperial line.

Yet, the Seonghwa Emperor protected Man Gwibi. He even tried to make her Empress.

It was only because the Emperor’s birth mother, Empress Dowager Ju, opposed it, and Han Gyeran, who had risked her life to protect the Emperor during his most dangerous times, tacitly agreed, that he reluctantly backed down.

But it seemed like he might try to make Man Gwibi Empress again at any moment.

“Right now, with me and the Empress Dowager here, we can still restrain that witch’s actions. But once we’re gone, Man Gwibi will surely cloud His Majesty’s judgment…”

Han Gyeran’s worried words were met with Empress Dowager Ju taking her hand.

“Grand Empress Dowager…”

The signs were already there.

Although the Emperor had managed to suppress Man Gwibi and keep a son by his side, he still fell for her every word.

“That young man should have been made my granddaughter’s husband.”

Han Gyeran’s lament and worries were part of the same line of thought.

The political landscape of Beijing had completely changed after the major incident of Yi Ja-ryong’s rebellion.

During the Ghost Gate Sealing Battle on Manse Mountain, the Imperial Family lost a powerful asset.

Not only was Commander Gwak Dan lost, but the absence of the world’s strongest martial artist, who had guaranteed the Imperial Family’s absolute military power, was a huge blow.

To fill this void, the Imperial Family made efforts on multiple fronts.

The loyal martial family, the Shinchang Yang Family’s head, came to Beijing, and Han Gyeran, who had been living in seclusion due to her age, began to actively engage in external activities.

This much wasn’t a problem.

The head of the Yang Family was a renowned peerless master, just like Gwak Dan. He would surely protect Beijing’s safety in Gwak Dan’s stead for the time being.

The problem was the Seonghwa Emperor.

The chronic occupational disease of those in power—paranoia—had taken root.

He no longer trusted the Eastern Depot or the Imperial Guards. To the Emperor, they were incompetent fools who hadn’t even noticed Yi Ja-ryong building an altar to summon the Ghost Gate on Manse Mountain.

Thus, the Emperor decided to create a new direct intelligence and military organization, surpassing the Eastern Depot—the Western Depot (西緝事廠), or Western Depot for short.

And the person chosen to lead the Western Depot, Wang Jik, was Man Gwibi’s man.

“The leaders of the Eastern and Western Depots don’t need to be strong in martial arts. They are thinkers, after all. But we must prevent the Western Depot from taking control of the Imperial Guards and placing someone loyal to factions rather than martial prowess in charge.”

If only that young man were here, how reassuring it would be.

Not only for his martial prowess, but if he were to succeed Gwak Dan, he could play a crucial role in stopping Man Gwibi’s ambition to control the intelligence and military organizations.

With a little investigation, it was clear that the young man from the Hapbuk Paeng Family was the one. But with Gwak Dan dead, it wasn’t easy to bring him out while suppressing the Paeng Family’s opposition. Even if the Imperial Family united, it wouldn’t be enough.

Thinking of the corrupt officials who only cared about their own interests and wanted to give a token reward and be done with it, Han Gyeran’s blood boiled.

What? They don’t seem interested anyway, and after investigating, it seems they took the Netherworld Horn from the Ghost Gate, so let’s just let it go?

The Grand Empress Dowager must be missing her hometown?

What nonsense is this?

Don’t they understand how important a peerless master is, even after seeing Beijing turned upside down?

If another peerless master were to plot against the Imperial Family again, what would they do then?

Even if the Forbidden City is protected by countless spells, there are clear limits without a peerless master guarding it.

This is why we shouldn’t associate with those who only care about their own power and wealth.

Thinking of the disgraceful behavior of those who sold their own sisters for wealth and glory, Han Gyeran’s long-forgotten family matters resurfaced. She pounded her chest in frustration.

“Grand, Grand Empress Dowager, take care of yourself!”

“Hoo… I’ve shown a disgraceful side in front of the Empress Dowager.”

“Don’t worry. I will also help the Grand Empress Dowager and not spare any effort in advising His Majesty.”

The two great elders of the Imperial Family united in their resolve and shared warmth.

No matter how senior they were, the Empress, as the Emperor’s principal wife, was the head of both the inner and outer courts. However, the current Empress Wang was living in fear, having seen Man Gwibi depose the previous Empress.

Thus, Man Gwibi’s influence was overwhelmingly strong in both the inner and outer courts. While the Empress Dowager had maintained some balance, with the creation of the Western Depot, the scales were tipping in Man Gwibi’s favor.

“Truly… I don’t know how reassuring it is to have the Grand Empress Dowager here. Just like when you protected His Majesty from assassins, please work once more for the safety of the Imperial Family. I will trust and follow the Grand Empress Dowager’s will.”

“Empress Dowager…”

As the two women solidified their resolve with mutual understanding, the door burst open, and a cheerful voice rang out.

“Grandma~ I’m here!”

In the solemnly ruled Imperial Palace, especially in the residence of one of the Imperial Family’s greatest elders, Han Gyeran, there was only one person who could enter so freely.

The only princess who had married but not left the Forbidden City, Princess Gasang (嘉祥公主) Jihyang.

Princess Jihyang, seeing someone else sitting where Han Gyeran usually sat, widened her already large eyes and immediately bowed her head.

“Ah, Em, Empress Dowager!”

She hadn’t heard that the Empress Dowager was visiting!

Princess Jihyang’s face clearly showed that she thought she was in big trouble. It was an expression quite out of place in the palace’s intrigue.

“Jihyang, I told you to always send word before coming, but… Empress Dowager, please forgive her. It’s this old woman’s fault for spoiling her.”

“No, no, Grand Empress Dowager. Princess Jihyang is also my daughter. How could I blame you? And I too…”

The reason Princess Jihyang hadn’t known the Empress Dowager was visiting wasn’t because she was careless.

…Well, that wasn’t entirely untrue, but the main reason was that the Empress Dowager had come secretly to keep an eye on Man Gwibi.

The awkward atmosphere was quickly dissolved by the Empress Dowager’s generosity and Princess Jihyang’s charm.

Despite the high status of those present, Princess Jihyang naturally joined the conversation, sitting between the two women.

“So, what were you talking about?”

Princess Jihyang asked but then quickly continued without waiting for an answer, spreading her hands wide.

“Ah! Let me guess! Hmm… my marriage? Right? Right?”

Seeing the subtle changes in Han Gyeran and the Empress Dowager’s expressions at her lighthearted question, Princess Jihyang leaned in eagerly.

Han Gyeran, familiar with her granddaughter’s antics, pushed her away gently.

“Yes, yes. That’s right.”

“Really! The person you mentioned last time, right? Originally, there were talks with Hwang Hongjin, but then you suddenly changed your mind!”

Princess Jihyang was about to turn twenty.

It was rare for a princess to remain in the palace past twenty, so it was about time for marriage talks.

Originally, the person considered for her marriage was someone named Hwang Yong, but after the chaos in Beijing, Han Gyeran suddenly canceled it.

Princess Jihyang, who had been half-excited and half-afraid about leaving the palace, was puzzled by this turn of events.

“That’s right.”

“Am I really getting married this time?”

“Well…”

Han Gyeran felt guilty and avoided her granddaughter’s bright eyes.

To cancel a marriage that was going well and then have it fall through—how was that any different from interfering with her granddaughter’s marriage?

Unable to tell the truth, Han Gyeran spoke in a roundabout way.

“Something as important as the Princess’s marriage isn’t decided easily. We’re in the process of discussing it with the ministers. Once it progresses further, I’ll let you know.”

“Hehe, okay.”

Princess Jihyang had watched her sisters find their matches and leave, feeling both sad and envious.

Although the Forbidden City was like a small world, living only within the palace walls could sometimes feel suffocating. Getting married would mean being tied to her husband’s family, but it would also bring much more freedom than staying in the palace.

No matter the rules for women, Princess Jihyang was a princess. No family could impose their rules on her.

Moreover, from what Han Gyeran had said, the man’s family wasn’t particularly prominent, so that wouldn’t be an issue anyway.

Since she didn’t need to worry about the family’s background, Princess Jihyang was more interested in the man himself.

“But is he really that strong? Stronger than you?”

“Yes, stronger than me.”

“Wow… then is he stronger than Uncle Gwak Dan?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure. Kang Yonghu might have been stronger.”

“He’s not… like, in his forties or fifties, is he?”

“Would I marry you off to someone like that? He’s not even thirty yet.”

“Gasp… that strong at that age?”

Princess Jihyang was quite knowledgeable about martial arts.

With Han Gyeran, known as the “Invincible of the East,” as her role model, it was no wonder.

To Princess Jihyang, a peerless master in his twenties stronger than Han Gyeran sounded like something out of a martial arts legend.

Empress Dowager Ju also perked up her ears, listening intently to the story of Namgung Woo, who might become her stepdaughter’s husband.

While Princess Jihyang was deeply interested in her future partner, Empress Dowager Ju was equally interested in Namgung Woo as the potential next Commander of the Imperial Guards to counter Man Gwibi and solidify the Imperial Family’s power.

A few days after that cozy conversation about Namgung Woo, Han Gyeran received news from a maid sent to the Hapbuk Paeng Family that Namgung Woo had already left.

“What? He left with the Paeng Family’s eldest daughter on a canal boat? Those Hapbuk Paeng Family members made their move already!”