The Dahnian troops searched every nook and cranny, from the rear garden to the underground passages connecting each building. Fortunately, Seon had incinerated any potentially incriminating documents after Kyeong'ui's previous visit, but she still felt anxious, wondering if any overlooked clues remained. It was a stroke of luck that Sobi and the two other Emissaries were staying in a separate house instead of the rear garden. If the inflexible official, Mujin, had encountered them there, he wouldn't have let it slide.

  Or is that the only stroke of luck? Perhaps it was also fortunate that she had even returned from Kyeong'ui's encampment alive. Although she had countered every accusation with defiance and left the office, Jin's words resonated. What happened at the encampment was an undeniable mistake. If Ryang returned alive and saw armed Dahnian troops patrolling the rear garden, he would surely lose his composure and become enraged. But as Seon herself had asserted, that was a matter for after Ryang's safe return. Everything was a matter for later.

  After inspecting the passage's structure, some of the soldiers remained at Yeonyahng, while others dispersed within Nahmgyo to search for Ryang. Mujin guarded the rear garden with a handful of soldiers. As Seon, with Dara trailing behind, was about to leave the rear garden, Mujin blocked her way. He asked, "Where are you going?"

  "I'm going to check on the guests staying in the private houses," Seon replied.

  "Aren't they occupied with their own affairs? There wouldn't be anything to check on."

  "Wouldn't I need to confirm whether they are occupied or not?"

  "Yourself, Lady?"

  Seon replied with a subtly twisted smile, "Do you think any random vagrant would use the private houses of this inn? This merchant company and Yeonyahng practically belong to Her Highness now. The guests are the ones who make up most of the earnings. If even one of them leaves, I have no choice but to report the reason to Her Highness."

  Mujin's lips twitched subtly. "Indeed you would."

  He bowed his head and gestured for Seon to pass. Seon brushed off her clothes irritably and stepped past Mujin, crossing the threshold. As she approached the guesthouses, passing through the merchant house, the familiar sounds of passion, now commonplace to Seon, occasionally drifted through the paper windows, a muffled blend. Dara led Seon to where Sobi and the Emissaries were staying. Standing before the door, Seon spoke softly, "May I come in for a moment?"

  A faint voice came from inside. "Come in."

  Seon carefully opened the door. Inside the room, Sobi and the two Emissaries looked up with worried eyes. Their seated postures seemed awkward and uncomfortable. Seon lowered her voice and said to the two Emissaries, "I need to speak with the Third Emissary privately. Would you please excuse us for a moment?"

  The Emissaries exchanged glances and stood. Seon's sidelong glance caught Dara, who also backed out of the room. In the room filled with an awkward silence, Seon cleared her throat and began,

  "I apologize for having to bring the Emissaries who serve Sahngjon to such a chaotic place. I hope you can understand, as the situation is not ideal."

  "It's alright," Sobi said with a strained smile. "The servants, hearing the commotion, hurried us to the guesthouse. Thanks to them, we avoided running into the Dahnian forces."

  "I thought it was a stroke of luck, but it seems they did their part."

  "What happened at the encampment? Why are the Dahnian forces here...?"

  "There were some... complications."

  Seon's abrupt silence was ominous. Her gaze, directed at Sobi, was veiled by tired eyelids. Sobi waited for Seon's words with bated breath. Soon, Seon briefly relayed what had happened at the Dahnian encampment and the office of Nahmgyo. After hearing the whole situation, Sobi felt a chill run down her spine.

  "Shouldn't we inform Wicheong as soon as possible?"

  Seon remained silent, her eyes tightly shut. Sobi pressed her again.

  "The High Councilor's matter, and now the Dahnian forces... Lady, the situation is dire. Please stay here. I'll take these people and return to Wicheong."

  "The Dahnian forces are guarding every exit. Anyone who tries to leave will be under suspicion. It would be even more suspicious if you left this chaotic place in such plain clothes. Both you, the Third Emissary, and the two Emissaries who came with you."

  "Then how..."

  Seon subtly glanced up and down at Sobi's attire, who was frowning slightly.

  "We need to switch roles for a bit," she suggested.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Sobi, not understanding what she meant, furrowed her brow further. Seon had Dara, who was guarding the door, discreetly bring some clothes for the three of them to change into. Seeing the clothes and ornaments Dara brought, Sobi felt her heart sink.

  Seon spoke cautiously, "Third Emissary, I know you might not be keen on this, but..."

  Sobi nodded stiffly. She let out a long sigh and said, "Would you mind helping me? I'm not used to such attire..."

  "Of course."

  Sobi took another deep breath and then took off her clothes. Seon kept her head turned away, her face flushing as she diligently helped Sobi change. Sobi was also equally awkward and embarrassed. After Sobi was fully dressed, Seon styled her hair and applied makeup. Finally, after applying a layer of glossy balm over Sobi's red-stained lips, Seon stepped back and smiled.

  "You look like a different person dressed like this."

  Sobi replied with an awkward smile. Seon carefully examined Sobi's appearance once again from head to toe, then suddenly reached out towards her. Sobi flinched, and Seon, as if asking for permission, nodded her head awkwardly. Then, with her outstretched hand, she opened the tightly fastened collar, revealing Sobi's hidden shoulders and nape. The cold air touched her skin.

  Seon said, "Please wait here for a moment. I'll write a letter to the Guardian."

  Sobi nodded, and while Seon sat down to write the letter, the other two Emissaries finished changing their clothes. Seon quickly finished writing and handed the neatly folded letter to Sobi.

  "The Guardian knows my handwriting, so I won't stamp it with a seal. Stay inside until nightfall before leaving."

  Sobi held the letter and asked, "Aren't you worried about entrusting this to me?"

  "Why should I be worried? Because you're an Emissary?"

  Sobi didn't answer. Seon said, "My brother trusted you."

  "And you?"

  Seon's lips parted slightly and twitched, but she couldn't answer right away. She forced a smile. "My brother is the wisest person I know."

  Seon finished her sentence and let go of the letter she was holding with Sobi. Sobi tucked the letter deep inside her clothes.

  "I'll bring help soon. Please wait," she promised.

  Seon simply nodded heavily without replying.

  After seeing the guests off and leaving the room, Seon returned to the rear garden after making several trips to each of the other houses under trivial pretenses. Dara stood beside her, her head bowed respectfully. Seon's sharp gaze turned towards her.

  "Why are you so calm?" she demanded.

  Dara looked up, startled. "What? What do you mean...?"

  "Why are you so calm? Aren't you worried about my brother?"

  "My Lady."

  Dara's face quickly turned white, and Seon continued her barrage of questions.

  "Don't think I don't know about you and my brother. If I were you, I wouldn't be able to stay still like that," she pressed.

  Dara tightly clenched her hands to hide her trembling. "...There's nothing else I can do."

  "What?"

  "I can't avoid the Dahnian soldiers' surveillance either. They already know my face."

  Seon scoffed. "Do you think I'm saying this without knowing that? You're doing nothing right now. You're not making any effort at all. Honestly, I don't like you staying by my brother's side at all, but at least the feelings I saw from my brother were sincere. I've never seen him act so recklessly and foolishly. What is him to you? Do you even know what that necklace means to him?"

  Dara's tightly closed lips trembled. Her pitiful appearance made it difficult to press her further. Seon didn't push, and with a cold gesture, she sent Dara out. Sitting alone in the quiet room, the clinking sounds of the Dahnian soldiers' metal gear in the rear garden seemed even louder. Will Ryang walk back in through that cacophony? Her eyes stinging with heat, Seon covered them with her palms. Her throat ached as she held back tears she couldn't afford to shed.

  ──────────

  The private houses of Yeonyahng were bustling in the middle of the night. As they stepped out of the house, the two Emissaries hesitated, glancing at Sobi. Sobi instructed them with a stern face, "Do whatever you need to, but don't get caught."

  The Emissary bowed deeply. "Forgive my impudence, Third Emissary."

  He finished his sentence and wrapped one arm around Sobi's exposed shoulder and the other around the waist of the other Emissary, who was also dressed as a courtesan. Sobi's nerves were on edge as she forced a flirtatious expression and pushed through the throng of drunken guests. She wished she had taken a drink. Trying to imitate the appearance of a courtesan while sober made her stomach churn. As they left the main gate of the guesthouse, they could see the Dahnian soldiers surrounding the walls, spaced about twenty paces apart. Sobi was prepared to do whatever it took if they showed any signs of suspicion, but fortunately, their gazes didn't linger on her group with particular interest. Only after leaving the north gate of Nahmgyo and entering the forest path did Sobi lift her cumbersome clothes with both hands and run and walk tirelessly towards Wicheong Palace.

  The group arrived at Wicheong Palace just before dawn. As Sobi was heading towards Cheon Seong without even changing her clothes, her path was blocked by a figure that made her stop in her tracks. It was Cheongro, the last person she wanted to encounter in this state. She quickly bowed her head and tried to slip away, but Cheongro grabbed her arm and stopped her.

  "Why are you here? Weren't you supposed to leave for Soyeol tomorrow?"

  "Something came up."

  Cheongro's eyes scanned Sobi up and down. "I can tell without you saying a word. There must be a reason for you to return in such a suggestive outfit. You look like a different person in those clothes."

  Sobi roughly pushed away Cheongro, who was leering at her unpleasantly. "Get out of the way. I don't have time for useless chatter."

  As Sobi tried to run past him, Cheongro grabbed her arm again. "Hey, hey. You're going to the Guardian, right? You should know where he is before you run off."

  "Where is he?"

  "He's in the meeting chamber."

  Sobi shook off Cheongro's hand and ran in the direction he indicated.