The porcelain box at the meeting point was empty. However, the mere discovery of traces of the rendezvous at the location Jang'gyeong Yoon revealed strengthened his credibility within Wicheong Palace. Instead of bringing further evidence, Cheongro returned with the bodies of the sailors Joon had failed to retrieve. Though he must have been exhausted, Cheongro left for Nahmgyo without delay. To Seong, the Emissaries seemed even more enthusiastic than when they scoured Birahng in search of the Guardian of the Crimson Star.
One of the Emissaries Divine came to inform Seong that Ryang had recovered and was on his way back to Wicheong Palace with his servant. Ryang is alive. The relief was short-lived. Another ordeal awaited the barely recovered Ryang, and for Seong, Ryang's ordeal was no different from his own. But that wasn't the only thing weighing on his mind. Two days had passed since the day Joon was expected to arrive, but there was no news. To address that issue, House Myeonghyeon had to take action, but Seong couldn't even fathom how or when to bring it up with Ryang in this situation.
Norahn personally came to inform Seong of Ryang's arrival.
"The High Councilor has arrived," Norahn announced.
"Where is he?" Seong asked.
"He's been confined to his chamber, and the servant has been imprisoned separately," Norahn replied.
He then presented Seong with a letter Ryang had prepared. It was an official document from Ryang to Seong, written in his capacity as the High Councilor, informing him of his recovery. It also detailed the progress made in negotiations with Sung and explained that a Sung official named Baek Ryucheon had treated his poisoning, so he would offer some support for his stay in Nahmgyo.
As Seong's gaze reached the end of the document, Norahn handed him another letter.
"This letter was discovered and brought by the Second Emissary," Norahn explained. "It seems the High Councilor intended to deliver it to you in secret."
Before accepting the letter, Seong examined it. Unlike the first letter, which was carefully mounted, this one was simply a single sheet of paper in an envelope. Seong accepted it and slowly read through the contents.
"...The current situation is due to my negligence, compounded by unfortunate circumstances. I implore the Guardian to show mercy and allow this matter to be concluded with the expulsion of the servant, Dara, from Birahng."
Seong's face fell. If it had been a simple report of the events, it would have served to prove Ryang's innocence. But his plea for leniency was putting Ryang in another predicament. If Norahn had received it from Cheongro, then Cheongro and the other Emissaries must have read it as well. The situation was spiraling out of control.
Norahn pressed Seong. "Why would the High Councilor defend a traitor like this? If his reasons were legitimate, he wouldn't have appealed to the Guardian separately. Many are aware of the contents of this letter. To dispel the suspicions before rumors spread uncontrollably, you must personally interrogate the High Councilor in front of everyone."
"And you have no intention of silencing the Emissaries?" Seong countered.
"It was the High Councilor who always demanded transparency from us," Norahn retorted. "Why do you wish for his mistakes to be kept secret?"
Seong had anticipated some level of opposition from the Ministry of Emissary Divine, but Norahn's hardline stance was unsettling. He exhaled deeply and said, "Bring him to me first."
Norahn bowed and retreated. Instead of fetching Ryang himself, he relayed Seong's order to the soldiers waiting outside. Ryang, summoned, walked towards Seong's chamber, contemplating his and Dara's fate. Dara had been bound since they left Nahmgyo and was being escorted behind him. Ryang couldn't look back. It'll be alright. He had wanted to reassure her during the journey, but both he and Dara knew it wouldn't be.
Ryang entered Seong's chamber and bowed deeply, his face pale. "Your Luminance," he greeted. "I trust you have been well."
Seong gestured for the soldiers who had followed Ryang in to leave. Alone in the room, he embraced Ryang tightly. He held him for a long moment, almost painfully tight, before finally releasing him.
"I was terrified of losing you after sending you off so helplessly," Seong confessed. "If I had heard you were alive, I'd have rushed to Nahmgyo myself to see you... I never imagined I'd summon you back to Wicheong because of something like this."
Ryang bowed again. "I am ashamed to face you."
Seong began to inquire about the events. "I've read all the letters you wrote. Were there any signs you could've noticed before things escalated to this point?"
"I offered to provide her with an escort," Ryang explained, "but she often insisted on traveling alone, and her journeys took longer than they should have."
"Why didn't you sense something was wrong?" Seong pressed.
"I attributed it to her dislike of cumbersome companions and her frail constitution, which slowed her pace," Ryang replied. "I never suspected her, as she had served our family since before Cheon Hwan betrayed Wicheong."
"Why didn't you tell me immediately after you woke up?" Seong demanded. "The servant was still guarding House Myeonghyeon. Seon and even Wicheong could've been in danger."
"I wasn't in my right mind," Ryang admitted. "Besides, I couldn't bring this matter to light based solely on Cheon Hwan's words without knowing the full story."
Despite Seong's sharp questions, Ryang remained calm and composed in his answers. Seong stepped back and sat down at the table.
"Soon, you'll have to be interrogated in front of everyone," he said. "The Ministry is determined to press this matter."
Ryang bowed deeply. "Do as you must," he said. "I have nothing to say in my defense."
Why is Ryang giving up so easily? Is it such a grave offense to trust his subordinate, to consider her circumstances and plead for leniency? Seong was indignant at Ryang's bowed head, his swift resignation.
"Don't talk like that," Seong scolded. "I understand your compassion, but forget about saving that servant and focus on protecting your position. I didn't rescue you with the expectation of repayment, but if you have any gratitude towards me, then be shameless and tenacious, no matter what they say. Understand?"
Ryang remained silent, his eyes downcast.
"Do you understand?" Seong pressed.
"...Yes," Ryang finally replied.
Seong sent Ryang back to his chamber and then issued a summons for everyone to gather in the meeting chamber.
Before the summons reached the prison where Dara was held, Yoon arrived first. Dara looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps and saw Yoon, accompanied by three guards. Seeing his twisted smile, she finally understood why she and Ryang had been brought back to Wicheong Palace without a chance to explain themselves.
"Why are you here?" she demanded.
"Call it revision," Yoon replied with a smirk. He looked down at Dara, her breath quickening with rage, with a pitying expression.
"The Guardian is merciful," he continued. "Both you and I are merely guilty of choosing the wrong lord. However, I suspect that mercy won't extend to you."
"I never served Cheon Hwan as my lord," Dara spat. "He might have been yours, but not mine."
Yoon chuckled. "Shall I tell you how your father met his end?"
Dara's eyes, blazing with fury, froze. Her eyelids twitched, and her eyes reddened. She choked back a scream, her body folding in on itself with the gut-wrenching pain.
"You're going to die soon," Yoon said. "I came to offer my final thanks."
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Dara retorted.
"Think carefully," Yoon said. "About what I am grateful for."
The guards approached, their footsteps clanking, and Yoon, his smile gone, stepped back. One of the guards briefly scrutinized Yoon, then nodded to the guard at the cell door, who opened it.
"Come out," the guard ordered Dara. "The Guardian will begin the interrogation soon."
Dara, her legs numb from kneeling for so long, struggled to her feet and was led to the meeting chamber, her arms held by the guards. She wasn't allowed inside but was made to kneel outside the door. Judging from the murmurs, she guessed everyone who was supposed to be there had gathered. Ryang knelt in the center of the room, his head bowed low, waiting for Seong. Seong arrived last, passing by Ryang and taking his seat. Ryang, who always stood proudly at his right-hand side, was now a guilty man, prostrated before him. Seong felt a pang of sympathy as he looked at Ryang's straight back.
He turned his head towards Yeong's empty seat. If she came and spoke, the interrogation wouldn't take long, but Yeong, who'd remained silent despite knowing about Dara, also had a lot to explain. How many would understand her claim of non-intervention? Believing that only Yeong's integrity could stabilize the restless Wicheong Palace on the eve of their departure, Seong couldn't ask for her help.
He desperately hoped Ryang would clear all suspicions with his wisdom and began the proceedings. "Let's begin."
The interrogation was less Seong's and more the Ministry of Emissary Divine's. As Seong had advised, Ryang maintained a humble attitude and answered all questions as truthfully as he could. As the situation became clearer, Seong wanted to conclude the interrogation quickly.
"Based on the letter the High Councilor failed to send me, the testimony of the servant, and Jang'gyeong Yoon's account, there is no indication that the High Councilor colluded with Cheon Hwan. His innocence has been sufficiently proven," Seong declared.
The Ministry didn't readily agree. Cheongro stepped forward. "Just because he didn't collude with Cheon Hwan doesn't mean he's innocent. Judging from the letter, it seems he intended to appeal to the Guardian and help a traitor escape. Are you saying there's no problem with that?"
Cheongro motioned with his chin, and the Emissaries dragged Dara, who'd been waiting outside, inside. Ryang didn't dare raise his head to look at her, but he recognized her by her ragged breathing. Dara was forced to kneel between Seong and Ryang. Even with his gaze lowered, Ryang could see her thin knees, and he clenched his fists. Cheongro walked over and knelt in front of Dara. He reached into the loosely fastened collar of her robe. Ryang couldn't hold back any longer.
"Get your hands off!" he shouted.
Cheongro ignored him. His hand emerged, holding the ruby necklace Ryang had given Dara. Cheongro pulled on the necklace, breaking the string, and brought it to Seong, presenting it to him. Seong accepted it silently. It was a familiar object. Cheongro looked at Ryang and said, "This is too valuable for a servant to possess. Didn't it originally belong to you? Please answer me."
Ryang glared at him but remained silent. Cheongro sneered.
"I'd thought it might be due to your incompetence and negligence," he said, "but it seems a scandal is brewing."