5 Mo Jieun

Chapter Five: Mo Jieun

"Her Majesty, the Empress has arrived!"

As soon as it reached everyone's ears, they respectfully bowed and greeted in a chorus, "Blessings and Glory upon the Empire of Han, Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress!"

Haneul with dignity and head held high, gracefully ambled along the pavement covered with a soft, blood-like cloth especially ordered by the Emperor for the Empress' entrance.

Everyman jack at that time who caught sight of Haneul's face would envy the Emperor for having such a beautiful Empress with an authoritative yet elegant demeanor. Little did they know, Haneul was mentally in a bad shape because of her heavy hair accessories and hanbok. Even lifting a foot is a strenuous task. 

Before taking a seat, Haneul greeted Wangchul, "Your Majesty."

Wangchul looked at her and smiled, "Empress, come and sit." Haneul sat on her respective seat afterward.

When Wangchul raised his hand, An Jiho started to speak as the Emperor's representative. 

The meeting has started.

Both Imperial and Aristocratic factions were present at the meeting. The Harem was also invited and was placed particularly near Mo Jieun's place. They were quiet and carefully making a glance at Haneul who looks like listening attentively while everyone was voicing out but is sleeping in reality.

Sleeping while eyes are open is one of Haneul's abilities in her past life. Taking classes is boring for a person like Haneul who prefers advance self-studying than listening to lectures that is why she learned doing it when she was in high school and graduated in college still doing the same thing.

Being in a light slumber for an hour, Haneul flinched at the sound of a gong collided with a mallet. In a loud voice, Advisor An Jiho announced, "Now, moving forward to Mo Jieun's Public Apology. Mo Jieun, the very recent Concubine of His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor Han Wangchul harassed the mother of the Empire, Her Imperial Majesty Myung Haneul during her stay at the Harem."

"Despite having a rule that states 'should you touch a royal, your bloodline will pay tenfold', you did not heed and proceeded to scheme the Empress." An Jiho continued. Jieun on the other hand is staring blankly at a surface while kneeling.

An Jiho, "You also purloined the Dragon Seal stating that you have no choice but to do so for it was Governor Mo, your father's order. Do you acknowledge this?" 

Jieun in her gaze, kneeled properly and bowed down, "Yes, I acknowledge. Your Majesty the Empress, I was mistaken and ended up upsetting you. I apologize deeply in the name of the Mo Household, please punish me as you see fit." The way she conveyed her apology was emotionless like her soul already left her body. 

Haneul looked at her and said coldly, "Just be careful from now on."

Before she knew it, she already picked the wrong choice of words. Haneul mentally rolled her eyes heavenward.

'What just be careful from now on? She will be executed two days from now you dummy! Of course, that won't happen again what is it that a dead person can do?!'

The Concubines who heard the response of the cold Empress felt goosebumps.

"She never said it's okay." A concubine said while trembling.

The concubine next to her jabbed her shoulder, "Quiet down! Do you wish to die?"

Han Wangchul cleared his throat, "From this day onwards, I, Han Wangchul, hereby declare that Mo Jieun is stripped down of her title as one of the Concubine in my Harem. Furthermore, to set as an example for those who dare to commit an act of treason, a public execution for the Mo Family and their lackeys will be held two days from now."

The meeting ended with Haneul leaving an impression on everyone. Wangchul was pleased with the Empress changing, it was like she was another person but in any way, it was a great improvement.

"Your Majesty, I will retire first." Haneul bowed. Wangchul hesitated for a bit but when he spotted the Empress' forehead drenched in sweat he immediately let her go to rest. 

'Was she still sick?'  is what he wanted to say but he instead replied, "Very Well."

Haneul exited the Emperor's crib and made her way to her crib in a hurry. She wanted to wear a nightgown as soon as possible.

Kyung Mi, on the other hand, handed her a letter, "Your Majesty, a letter came."

Haneul replied without looking, "From?"

Kyung Mi, "From Lord Yoon Yungsoo."

As soon as she heard the name of the sender, Haneul halted. 

She was already in the icy lotus lake. Different kinds of beautiful trees were present despite the cold weather but what stands out the most is the old glowing willow tree separated from everyone. Winter is her favorite season because it reminded her of her pet named 'Snow' but instead of a smile, she was frowning. The place has beautiful scenery yet Haneul did not have the time to enjoy it. 

Her fuming anger defeated the coldness of the winter. It was just yesterday that she met the two male leads yet another one is already making a move? Why are things escalating so quickly? Can she just have a rest with everything?

Wondering what the silence meant for Haneul, Kyung Mi asked, "Your Majesty? Is something the matter?"

Haneul flinched, "No matter. What did that airhead say?"

'Airhead? ' Kyung Mi immediately replied, "Lord Yoon is informing her majesty that he would be arriving a week from now and would love to have a small tea party with her majesty."

'What a demanding piece of chicken!'

Yoon Yungsoo is Myung Haneul's childhood best friend and they are so close to the point of giving each other nicknames.

Haneul continued walking and met some concubines on the way. Some of them respectfully greeted as if they were always on Haneul's side, some of them greeted out of fear and agitation while some of them greeted with hostility.

There are different kinds of attitudes in the Harem and it is her duty to keep them in check. When she got back, she ordered Kyung Mi to fetch her a pair of nightgown to wear but Kyung Mi protested, "Your majesty, you've rested well enough. It is time for you to do your paperwork at the Chrysanthemum Garden."

The original Haneul hates being confined in a room full of books with closed windows, she loves to enjoy the scenery when working. That is why she works in an open place in her personal Chrysanthemum Garden.

Haneul pondered for a moment and sighed, "Then, can you fetch me the lightest hanbok? Also, do a light hairstyle for me so that I can do my work more comfortably."

Kyung Mi bowed, "As your majesty wishes."