Fake Concubine 86

“You…!”

“Why ​didn’t ​you ​eat?”

Hee-yul ​spoke while looking ​down ​at ​the ​small ​dining table.

“I heard you ​complained ​about the side ​dishes. Did you ​really ​skip ​a ​meal ​just ​because there was ​no ​meat? ​What’s gotten into ​you? You weren’t usually ​like this. ​You used ​to eat ​everything.”

“Moon Hee-yul. ​Unlock ​these ​shackles this instant.”

Moon ​Hae-min made ​his demand clearly, even ​though he knew it ​wouldn’t work. At that, ​Hee-yul’s expression ​shifted. ​He no longer looked like the ​frail and delicate younger ​brother, ​but ​like ​an ​arrogant man of ​power.

“Ha, right. ​Why ​bother exchanging pleasantries ​now? ​Let’s cut to the chase ​and get ​to ​the point.”

“…….”

“How did ​you ​find ​out?”

“About ​what.”

“About ​Grand Prince ​Gwang-han.”

This ​was as ​good as a confession that Grand Prince ​Gwang-han was Moon ​Hee-yul’s backer. The ​suspicion Hae-min had entertained ​just in ​case had been ​correct. ​Before he even ​had time to ​be surprised, ​Hee-yul ​pressed him ​fiercely.

“Why ​aren’t you ​answering? ​I asked ​how ​you ​found out!”

“Actually, I ​didn’t ​know. I ​was ​just ​testing ​the waters… I didn’t think it was actually true.”

“What?”

Realizing only then that he had fallen for the provocation, Hee-yul’s face flushed red. He trembled, his fists clenched tight.

“How shameless…!”

“I should be the one saying that.”

Hee-yul glared at Hae-min. Moon Hae-min met that gaze fiercely.

A half-brother born with everything, unlike himself. Until now, Hae-min had felt a mix of jealousy and affection for him, but no longer. Hae-min could not understand Hee-yul at all.

“If I were you, I would have lived content with what I had. What on earth could you possibly lack to orchestrate something this drastic?”

“…I am going to become Grand Prince Gwang-han’s person.”

Moon Hee-yul spat out the words. He spoke as if he were granting a special favor by informing him. However, Hae-min was equally perplexed.

“What do you mean, become Grand Prince Gwang-han’s person?”

“It means I will stay by his side and share a future with him.”

“You? …I don’t mean to belittle you, but you don’t even hold a government post.”

“Who said I was joining him as an official?”

If not an official, what else could he possibly be? Surely he wasn’t planning to become a servant in Grand Prince Gwang-han’s household.

Hae-min simply blinked. Frustrated by his lack of understanding, Hee-yul frowned and spoke.

“I am going to become Grand Prince Gwang-han’s Eumin.”

“What….”

“I have no intention of marrying some woman and producing children just to satisfy Father’s wishes. I like yang-person men. Especially one who is tall and has a hearty personality, like Grand Prince Gwang-han.”

It was a completely unexpected confession. It was beyond surprising; it was absurd. Moon Hae-min couldn’t utter a single word in response.

“You said before that you were curious about what I was thinking, right? This is my plan.”

“…….”

“I will become his Eumin and raise the status of my house. So, Brother, it would be best for you to stay quiet for your own sake. You are a Moon, after all, aren’t you? Even if you aren’t on the family register.”

Hee-yul crossed his arms and smirked.

“It must be frustrating, but try to endure it for a while. Oh, if you’re bored, shall I bring you a few books? You love reading erotic novels, don’t you, Brother?”

“Who on earth….”

“No need to deny it. When we lived in Hanseong, you worked hard transcribing those lewd books, didn’t you?”

“That was to make a living! Unlike you, I didn’t receive support from the Lord!”

Even in this situation—no, because of this situation—he felt even more wronged. He raised his voice, but Hee-yul didn’t seem to be listening seriously.

“Who’s complaining? You did well. That’s far better than reading some scriptures. Thanks to studying so hard, you even managed to bewitch Grand Prince Byeokran today.”

“…Why, are you jealous? Then you should read plenty of erotic novels and bewitch him too.”

The excessive insult made his head spin. Hae-min snapped back with pure venom. However, Hee-yul responded only with a sneer.

“I have no need to study. Grand Prince Gwang-han and I have already shared a deep intimacy.”

“Wow….”

At this point, all that came out was genuine admiration. It seemed Moon Hee-yul had been intimate with Grand Prince Gwang-han for quite some time. He had been living in hiding for a while; he truly had a talent for finding ways to meet.

And that brazenness. He wondered how he had managed to hide such a personality.

“Now we’re settled, right? I’ve told you everything you were so curious about, so behave yourself from now on.”

Hee-yul added, glancing down at the shackles.

“Though you’ll have no choice but to behave anyway.”

“…….”

“Make sure to eat well. It breaks my heart to see you starving.”

“Nonsense.”

“Haha.”

Moon Hee-yul laughed cheerfully. He had a pretty face, but to Hae-min, he looked like a madman.

“Anyway, take care. If you need anything, tell the servants. I’ve instructed them to look after you well, so they won’t treat you poorly.”

The moment Hee-yul opened the door, the sight of dry, withered trees caught his eye. As he suspected, he seemed to be in some mountain region.

The door closed quickly. However, Moon Hae-min did not despair. It wasn’t just withered trees that he had glimpsed through the gap in the door. He had clearly seen the deep blue sky and the pouring sunlight.

‘Moon Hee-yul has been intimate with Grand Prince Gwang-han….’

As he chewed over that fact, his stomach let out a growl. He finally felt the hunger.

Hae-min dragged his chains and approached the small table. He took a large spoonful of rice, topping it with seasoned spinach.

“…….”

Both the rice and the side dishes were cold and tasteless. However, Moon Hae-min chewed and swallowed thoroughly. He still had no appetite, but he intended to force himself to eat to regain his strength.

After the chief ritual officer offered incense three times, he read the prayer. His solemn voice blended with the sounds of wailing. Afterward, a eunuch burned the prayer in a brazier.

“…….”

Song Seol watched the prayer burn a dark red. It turned to ash and vanished futilely. It felt like Crown Prince Sohae, who had suddenly left the world, and it weighed heavily on his heart.

Soon, the Jojeon (pre-funeral rite) ended.

The King entered the tent, supported by a court attendant. Song Seol wanted to comfort his brother, but no matter how high a Grand Prince’s rank was, he could not enter the tent of the sovereign. Thus, he headed toward the tent where the civil and military officials had gathered.

“How could someone so promising….”

“Perhaps it was the lingering effect of the strange illness he suffered last spring.”

“……Ah.”

The officials, who had been conversing in low voices, fell silent upon spotting Grand Prince Byeokran. They cautiously watched his reaction, fearing he might reprimand them, but Song Seol said nothing.

His head throbbed. Since when had this started? Yes, it seemed to have been like this since the day he arrived in Hanseong. At first, it was a pain so faint it was hard to notice, but it was gradually worsening.

It wasn’t unbearably painful right now. It was just bothersome and irritating.

Song Seol suddenly thought of ‘Moon Hee-yul.’ A man of few words and a stoic demeanor, but upon closer look, one with surprisingly diverse expressions and a cheeky streak. He felt as if talking to him would ease the headache. He just had that feeling, for some reason.

‘I wonder if he’s doing well.’

The reason he thought of him sporadically was because of the expression he had seen last. That moment, when they exchanged farewells at Lord Moon’s residence. Hee-yul had looked ordinary at a glance, but something was different. He was tense, like a bowstring pulled to its absolute limit.

Was he harboring some worry in his heart? It bothered Song Seol, stolen contentbut he was naturally clumsy at comforting or empathizing with others. Besides, he hadn’t had visit our sitethe luxury for a deep conversation at the time.

In the end, Song Seol had left Moon Hee-yul behind. It was only natural, but for some reason, Hee-yul lingered in his mind. He kept thinking of that white, fair face like a magnolia, the soft texture of his hair, and those jade-colored eyes sparkling with intelligence.

Of course, he was likely doing well. He was the precious legitimate eldest son of the Geumcheon Moon clan, so he should be. Though, as suspected, he had seemed awkward with Lord Moon….

“…….”

As expected, he felt he should have a proper conversation with Moon Hee-yul once he returned.

“Grand Prince Byeokran.”

Just then, a woman approached Song Seol. She was an official registered at the Seungmunwon and a distant maternal relative of Song Seol.

Song Seol gave her a slight nod. The woman bowed back and spoke in a low voice.

“My Lord, there is something I wish to tell you.”

“Speak.”

“The thing is….”

The woman gestured hesitantly. It meant this was not a conversation to be had where there were many listening ears.

Song Seol felt a surge of irritation. He had only just finished the rites for Crown Prince Sohae; he didn’t want to be swept up in power struggles already. However, given his position, he could not avoid interacting with the officials.

“Follow me.”

As Song Seol left the tent, the woman followed behind him.

After finding a relatively secluded spot, Song Seol stopped walking.

“What is it?”

“…By any chance, are you aware of the rumors regarding the eldest son of the Moon family, your Lord’s concubine?”

Contrary to Song Seol’s expectation, the woman’s topic was not unauthorized copyabout power. [visit our site]Song Seol narrowed his eyes slightly and replied.

“What rumors?”

“That….”

The woman hesitated, as if unsure why she was stalling now that they had come this far. Song Seol waited patiently. Finally, the woman managed to open her mouth.

“It is said that Lord Moon is secretly searching for a daughter-in-law. He intends to marry his son, who is a Scentless Eumin, to a woman so that he may continue the family line.”