Surviving the Romance Fantasy

He trudged into the main palace without any armor, carrying only a sword… and cut down anyone who stood in his way.

──Just like that, eleven general-level officials died in one night.

It was the most nightmarish treason in the history of Qingdao, and it was also an incident that erased the entire family of the Hwayongseol family, which was the most powerful, from history.

And, the flow of history has always been beyond human expectations.

The position of deputy general became vacant.

This is because the new person who ascended to that position was the illegitimate son of the Hwa Yong Seol family member.

“…”

Sunset, a large grave in the corner of Eowon.

In one corner of the cemetery prepared to commemorate those who lost their lives while dedicating their lives to the country, there was a new grave.

When Seol Taepyeong went in front of him with a strong drink, a military officer was sitting in front of him and crying.

I couldn’t see his face because he was lying face down and sobbing, but I was able to guess his rank by the sword decoration hanging near the sword.

Hyeongwoljang, 3rd class bell.

Looking at his physique, I could immediately think of a military officer named Hwawol-yong. He was a person who trusted and followed Deputy General Jeong Seong-tae like his own father.

I heard that he followed him as his adjutant in order to assist him in the subjugation of this upper level demon, and eventually, even after losing his deputy general, he fought risking his life and succeeded in cutting off the upper level demon’s head.

In recognition of his contribution, he seemed to have been promoted from the position of Anseokjang, 4th rank, to the position of Hyeongwoljang, 3rd rank.

He rose to the same rank as Seol Taepyeong.

However, Seol Taepyeong will become deputy general when the sun rises tomorrow morning.

After heading to the main palace tomorrow and holding the inauguration ceremony, you will become one of the nine general-level officials supporting this Cheongdo Palace and wield soldiers.

In a way… it was the last day I could sit next to him as a colleague of the same rank.

– Percussion.

– Jjoljjoljol.

Seol Tae-pyeong sat next to Hwa Wol-yong and poured a drink into his glass.

Originally, I brought it to sprinkle some on the Vice General’s grave, but considering the Vice General’s personality, he wouldn’t have complained much if he distributed a little to his generals.

When he heard the sound of Seol Tae-pyeong pouring the drink, Hyeongwoljang Hwawol-yong, who had been sobbing on his face, suddenly raised his head and opened his eyes wide in surprise.

Seol Tae-pyeong didn’t say anything, but pushed him a glass of wine… and drank a glass of wine himself.

Hwawol-yong looked at me for a moment, then wiped my face, which was covered in tears and snot, and took the glass and drank it.

It was quite a strong drink, but the two men gulped it down without saying anything.

During his lifetime, General Vice-General drank even more strong liquor than water.

“General Jeong said a lot. “Among the people holding the position of Chief of Staff, there is one person who is suitable to be a general.”

“…”

“What I now know is that General Jeong has always lived with death in mind.”

Could it be that his appearance of being so generous and cheerful was actually because he was running away from the fear of death day by day?

Even though I feel gloomy when I think about it, I feel relieved because I think that he would have died smiling anyway.

General Jeong Seong-tae was such a person.

“What about Seol Mu-in? Are you afraid of death?”

Since Seol Tae-pyeong was wondering how to comfort him, he couldn’t help but be puzzled by the sudden question.

I don’t know why I was curious about that, but it seemed like the person I wanted to know the answer to was Hwawol-yong, the head of Hyeongwol.

Anyway, the question itself wasn’t anything special… so all I had to do was drink and answer it.

When I close my eyes while sipping a glass of wine, what comes to mind is the life-threatening situations that have come over and over again over the years.

From the time I was an adult until now, there has rarely been a moment when my life was not in danger… and each time, I miraculously escaped the danger of death and survived until now.

I had been through so many near-death crises that I was sick of it, so it didn’t even feel like anything special anymore.

nevertheless.

“yes.”

Seol Taepyeong put down his drink and said.

“I, too, am afraid of death.”

“…”

“There was never a moment when I wasn’t afraid.”

If you don’t acknowledge it, even struggling to survive becomes meaningless.

“…”

When Hwa Wol-yong heard those words, he immediately lowered his head. Eventually, he bowed once more to the grave of General Jeong Jeong-tae and shed tears.

Even as he sobbed, Seol Tae-pyeong just sat quietly behind him.

*

The next morning.

Numerous military officers were lined up in front of me. It was to celebrate the birth of a new general-level official.

With the news that a new deputy general would be inaugurated, numerous rumors circulated inside and outside the palace.

It is said that the person sitting as Vice General this time is so young that it has only been a few years since his coming-of-age ceremony.

Even if you search through the Cheongdo Palace archives, it is rare to find someone who received the rank of general at such a young age.

It is said that his sword skills are so excellent that he can cut down hundreds of soldiers by himself.

As the owner of the active room, each of his closest associates is said to be a person of high reputation in the imperial capital.

──And, it is said that he came from a pragmatic theory.

– Jeopuk, Jeopuk.

Dressed in military uniform, we head towards the royal palace.

As I walked quietly along the neat, stone-paved street, I looked up and saw that the sky was high and clear.

This is truly paradoxical.

This is the road that the weightlifter Seol I-moon took in the rain to kill Emperor Unseong.

Along this road, his descendant Seol Taepyeong was heading to receive a government post.

Some people felt overwhelmed by the sight of the traitor’s descendants who had completely reformed themselves.

Some people criticized him for still harboring a cruel traitorous heart inside him.

What use is that?

In the end, it was Emperor Unseong himself, seated in the lofty main palace, who recognized his path to success.

“The contribution you have made to Qingdao over the years is truly great. “I am entrusting you with this important position in recognition of your merits and abilities, so please beware of dishonest thoughts and always serve the country as a military officer.”

Emperor Unseong, sitting on the throne, said so and presented a silk appointment letter.

The scholar who received the appointment letter checked its contents once again, then came to me, who was lying face down with his head down, rolled it up and held it out.

I accepted the appointment letter and bowed my head again.

-Percussion

Seong Sa-wook, still overflowing with the majesty of a general despite losing an arm, came forward and shook off his clothes.

He handed me a leather strap wrapped around the end of the sword hilt and a large silk decoration hanging from it. The gold thread embroidery of the sacred heavenly dragon was neatly engraved.

It was an object that symbolized being a general-level official of the Qingdao State, and an object that all military officers regarded as a dream.

“Respect Deputy General Seol Taepyeong.”

“yes.”

I took the object and wrapped it around the tip of my sword.

Finally, I became the third-ranking military officer at Cheongdo Palace… Deputy General.

“I understand that Deputy General Seol Tae-pyeong had a connection with his predecessor, Princess Ahyeon, since the days of Tong Seok-jang.”

Since the inauguration ceremony was over, I thought it would be okay to chat for a while and then head back.

However, in this gathering of military officers and dignitaries, Emperor Unseong told a different story.

“yes. That’s right.”

I lowered my head and answered.

Does this mean that it wasn’t an event that would end with just giving him the position of deputy general?

When the story of Princess Ahyeon suddenly came up, I was puzzled but gave a quick answer.

“It seems that Princess Ahyeon was helpful as an internal inspector in examining the situation inside and outside the palace and handling matters at Cheonryongchae.”

Around the time when Sim Sang-gon, a scholar, was kicked out, those in the know already knew that Tong Seok-jang was a stooge under the control of Princess Cheondo. It was worth it since he openly showed off in front of dignitaries.

I had no choice but to swallow dry saliva inside.

In the story about Princess Ahyeon, I couldn’t help but find many parts that were disappointing.

It was Princess Ahyeon who reigned at the top of Cheongdo Palace, wielding the Cheonryongchae, but those words are not good.

In order to take responsibility for the rampant ghosts, she had to be dethroned, and because of that, public opinion toward Princess Ahyeon was not good, both among the officials and the people.

There’s no way I would feel very good about being close to the Princess of Cheondo, and if I were to find out that I was even keeping that Princess of Cheondo in my room as a maid, things would get too complicated.

“Then, you must have been in and out of Tianlongchae often.”

However, if the intention was to grab a book, there would be no way they would have given him the position of deputy general in the first place.

Emperor Unseong’s intention in bringing up Princess Ahyeon’s story was completely different.

He thought for a moment, stroking his beard, then looked at the party officials around him and spoke humbly.

“Recently, various opinions have been exchanged within and outside the palace regarding the selection of the new Princess Cheondo. Perhaps one of the two, Queen Hyeon or Queen Su, will be in charge of matters as the owner of Cheonryongchae. “You probably heard something like that, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Because the previous Princess Ahyeon’s retirement was not in a very good form, it seems difficult for her successor, who will temporarily take charge of Cheonryongchae, to receive proper handover procedures. “You will probably have a lot of trouble adjusting.”

What is one of the emperor’s most important duties?

The purpose is to provide an environment so that the Princess of Cheondo, who is in charge of Cheonryongchae, can perform her duties properly.

As Emperor Unseong was thorough in his duties as emperor, he often paid careful attention to details in these areas.

“The head maid of Cheonryongchae will be happy to help with the little things, but it won’t be easy to take care of everything inside and outside the palace. In that respect, the person who can help the new Princess Cheondo would be the person who helped the previous Princess Cheondo handle the work.”

There are many reasons why he was given the prestigious position of Deputy General, but one of them is that the position of Hyeongwoljang does not fit his weight when assisting Princess Cheondo in public.

The intention is finally starting to become visible.

While Emperor Unseong was thinking of using me as a general-level official, he was also planning to use me as a person to assist the new Princess Cheondo, who would be in charge of Cheonryongchae for the time being, so that she could carry out her work without any problems.

Among the women of Cheongdo Palace, the person who is like the top is Princess Cheondo.

In order to assist such a person, you still need to appoint someone with a position equivalent to a deputy general to make a living.

Those who are military officers usually do not know much about Cheonryongchae’s work because they focus on martial arts.

Since I was the only one who had ever worked under the previous Princess Ahyeon of Cheondo, I was truly the right person for this position.

“Leave the customs inside the Cheonryongchae to Chief Maid Lee Ryeong, and have Deputy General Seol Taepyeong help with communication and escort duties outside of the Cheonryongchae.”

*

The new deputy general, Seol Tae-pyeong, took the position of assistant to Princess Cheondo.

The story goes that Lee Ryeong, the head maid of Cheonryongchae, will help the new Princess Cheondo with internal affairs, and Deputy General Seol Taepyeong will help with external affairs and escort duties.

The number of general-level officials is directly related to the national power of Qingdao.

Since each and every one of them is a talented person who is different from other military officers, assigning a general-level official to Princess Cheondo is an unprecedented treatment.

Recently, the situation inside and outside the palace has been very turbulent, so it was almost like showing consideration to the new person who would take the position of Princess of Cheondo.

And, this news fell like a bomb at a tea ceremony where the owners of the four major palaces were gathered.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

A tea ceremony venue filled with silence.

There was a strange atmosphere between the women as they looked at each other.

What kind of position is an assistant position? It’s close to a position where you have to give up everything, including your liver and gallbladder, for the Princess of Cheondo.

That’s right… if you become the Princess of Cheondo…

It meant that he could have Deputy General Seol Tae-pyeong under his command…….

It’s up to you when you come in (1)

What does it mean to be able to control Deputy General Seol Taepyeong at will?

It just means it as it is.

However, if he is a person who is the owner of the four major palaces, he will not be easily swayed by personal feelings, and will not easily accept a heavy policy like the Princess of Heaven for trivial reasons.

However, being able to have a deputy general under your command means that you can summon him to Cheonryongchae whenever necessary.

If you want, you can keep it by your side and talk to it all day long (of course, it’s about business matters).

The story goes that in times of emergency, the deputy general is the first to rush to protect oneself.

Even if they meet frequently and officially, no one looks at them suspiciously.

What’s in the process! Because we are four people who know better than anyone else that we should not let our selfish intentions get involved!

Because I know very well that personal feelings should not be mixed in carrying out such an important responsibility!

“There is talk among the superiors, it seems like things are progressing towards me becoming the Princess of Cheondo…”

Po Hyeon-bi wanted to cry.

Since Queen Po hated trouble and conflict, she extremely avoided being involved in such matters…

Coincidentally, at the party meeting, there was talk about nominating Po Hyeonbi as the temporary princess of Cheondo.

Actually, it wasn’t that strange. Po Hyeon-bi was an ordinary person who performed his role easily in any situation and did not reach out too much to politics.

First of all, there is no one better than her to hold the position of temporary princess. This is because, since ancient times, political decisions on the big stage have often been stability-oriented.

Pohyeonbi Ramen! I don’t take anyone’s side!

Pohyeonbi Ramen! Focus only on your role as the Princess of Cheondo and do not use your power for personal use!

If it’s a saturation level…!

‘SasaSaSaSa… I have to resign….’

Facing the three women shooting fire from their eyes at him, Po Hyeon-bi could not help but feel scared inside.

In the first place, there wasn’t that much interest in the position of Princess Cheondo. If you tell me not to do something, I am ready not to do it at any time…!

However, the factions of the party are already uniting around Po Hyeonbi. Po Hyeon-bi also vaguely felt that fact.

A magistrate came to visit and gave various items as gifts, a magistrate came to inspect the construction of Hyeonmu Palace once more, or officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs came to inspect the education of the maids.

The story is that each of them began to work hard to avoid being caught by Po Hyeon-bi, who would soon become a powerful person, or to stay in line.

From Noble mtl dot com

It had been a while since the power within the palace began to be reorganized… Now, it was not easy to back down and say, ‘I won’t do it.’

“…”

Po Hyeon-bi had to somehow control his mind from becoming dizzy.

After the tea ceremony, which had such an unusual atmosphere, the owners of the four palaces dispersed and went their separate ways.

The four crown princesses, who were trotting across the floor, each had their faces buried in the collar of their palace robes, their expressions stern, and they were organizing their thoughts.

Queen In thought.

‘Considering General Vice’s position, there is a high possibility that it would be quite embarrassing if another crown prince were to sit in the position of Princess Cheondo. In the current situation, wouldn’t it be safest for him to sit there as I can maintain my senses and treat him fairly in public…?’

‘I owe the deputy general a lot, so I have to step in to help in this ambiguous situation. Now that I think about it, haven’t I almost never kept the promises I made to that warrior…? Only in this way does the name of Jeongseon people cry.’

Just like that… Behind Lady In, who acts with loyalty and compassion as if she has no selfish intentions at all, and thinks that she must somehow take the position of Princess of Cheondo…

Ha Deok-bi follows along, quietly lowering his head and organizing his thoughts.

‘Isn’t that our Inbong-ha, with whom we have been in a relationship since the time of execution? If I can establish a close professional relationship with the deputy general by taking on the position of Princess of Cheondo this time, I think it will have great results in establishing myself as the most solid force within the Cheongdo Palace. Also, it would be convenient for the Deputy General if Seal Haga, a force close to him, was given the position of Princess Cheondo. There’s nothing I can do, so I guess I’ll take action here….’

Ha Deok-bi nodded with a satisfied smile, persuading himself that he was just arranging the situation in a thoroughly calculated manner and that there was no selfish interest whatsoever.

After that, Lady Jin, who was heading towards the opposite floor, was also monologued with her name buried in her sleeve.

‘I want to become Princess Cheondo.’

‘I’m going to Cheonryongchae with the snowman….!!!’

This side was raw and had not even gone through the process of self-justification.

And, speaking of Hyeonbi Po, who is sitting alone in the tea room…

‘Kill me…’

I was shedding tears of sorrow in my heart.

The three women have great talents in their respective fields, and the power they possess is also unusual.

Suddenly, she had turned all the queens, queens, and queens into enemies.

*

The next day, whether Queen In was acting on her own devices, close associates of the Jeongseon family brought up a proposal that the candidate for the Princess of Cheondo should be reviewed once again.

Perhaps Ha Deok-bi was acting on his own, but Ha-ga, who was sealed, also actively agreed with that opinion…

In the end, Lady Jin personally declared that she should become the Princess of Cheondo.

Wasn’t it a party meeting that had reached an agreement not long ago to place Hyeonbi Po as the new Princess of Cheondo?