As they walked toward the inner chambers to take tea, Counselor Yi suddenly stopped.
He turned his head slightly, as though something important had just occurred to him.
Then he gave a small, embarrassed chuckle and inclined his head toward his friend.
"My apologies for my clumsiness," he said warmly. "In the excitement of seeing you again, I completely forgot to introduce my son."
He gestured quickly for the young man to approach.
Yi Jun-ho stepped forward calmly.
The old counselor placed a proud hand on his shoulder.
"This is my son, Yi Jun-ho. He currently serves as Daesagan, the Chief of the Office of Censors—the Saganwon."
Jun-ho stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"It is an honor to meet you, Scholar Han."
Han Ji-won studied the young man for a moment, his eyes calm and observant—the gaze of a scholar accustomed to reading far beyond words.
Then he smiled.
"What a well-mannered son you have," he said approvingly. "He resembles you very much in your younger days."
Counselor Yi chuckled softly.
"That is true. My son is devoted to his duties."
Jun-ho lowered his head modestly, a faint flush rising to his cheeks.
"My father exaggerates whenever he speaks about me," he said humbly. "Please forgive his enthusiasm. He is simply a father who loves his son too much."
Han Ji-won could not help but smile as the three of them continued walking into the residence.
Han Ji-won soon ordered tea to be brought to the sitting chambers.
Between laughter, compliments, and memories of their youth, the two old friends quickly lost track of time. The conversation flowed naturally, and through the halls of the residence, the sound of cheerful voices echoed as if the years they had lost had briefly returned.
When the sun began to descend and the sky turned shades of gold and crimson, Han Ji-won looked at his friend with warm hospitality.
"This house is yours as well," he said kindly. "I will not allow you to return to the palace after so many years apart. Stay here tonight."
He immediately ordered the servants to prepare the guest quarters.
Counselor Yi inclined his head politely.
"If it is not an inconvenience, my son and I would be grateful to remain here for a few days."
Han Ji-won laughed.
"An inconvenience? Quite the opposite. Stay as long as you wish."
He then called one of his eunuchs.
"Prepare a banquet for our guests," he ordered enthusiastically. "Let there be music tonight. I wish to celebrate the visit of my old friend."
Counselor Yi smiled politely, though in truth he had yet to reveal the real reason for his visit.
Han Ji-won continued issuing instructions.
"And inform my daughter's momjong that we have very special guests tonight."
Counselor Yi raised an eyebrow.
"You never mentioned having a daughter."
Han Ji-won laughed lightly.
"Forgive me. With so many stories being shared, I forgot to say it. Tonight you will have the opportunity to meet her."
Counselor Yi exchanged a glance with his son, intrigued.
Without realizing it, that evening would not only mark the reunion of two old friends…
but also the beginning of a meeting that could change the fate of everyone living beneath that same sky.
Meanwhile, the news spread quickly through the corridors of the palace.
Officials whispered in low voices, eunuchs exchanged uneasy glances, and rumors drifted from courtyard to courtyard like leaves carried by the wind.
Soon enough, the information reached the ears of the man who least wished to hear it.
The arrival of the former Yeonguijeong, Yi Seong-jae, struck Min like a bucket of icy water.
It was something he had not anticipated.
Without wasting a moment, he requested an immediate audience with the King, who still lay ill in his chambers.
When Min's name was announced, the monarch ordered that he be admitted.
Min entered with the restrained elegance of a man accustomed to power. He bowed deeply before the royal bed.
"I hope Your Majesty feels stronger this morning."
The King, pale and weakened, studied him silently before replying.
"My health has not improved… but I am still breathing."
Min remained silent for a moment before asking the question that had truly brought him there.
"I have heard that the former First State Councillor, Yi Seong-jae, was summoned to the palace by Your Majesty's command.
Is everything in order?"
The King adjusted himself slowly against the cushions.
"Yes. I called him because I wished to discuss certain matters of the kingdom with him. In my current state… his experience may be of great help."
Min narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Your Majesty… do you believe I cannot serve as your eyes and ears within the palace?"
The King's expression hardened.
"Why do you ask that?"
Min bowed his head slightly, though tension crept into his voice.
"I have served Your Majesty faithfully until now. I have handled the affairs of the kingdom with utmost diligence.
I do not understand why Your Majesty must rely on a counselor who has already retired from court."
The silence that followed was heavy.
The King looked at him with a gaze that, despite illness, still carried authority.
"Are you questioning my decisions?"
Min lowered his head immediately.
"I would never dare, Your Majesty."
But the King continued.
"The Yi family has served this kingdom for generations. Their counsel has always been valuable to the throne."
Min bowed even deeper.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I had no intention of questioning your will. This humble servant only wishes the best for the palace."
He performed a stiff bow, his eyes fixed on the floor.
"I pray for Your Majesty's swift recovery."
Without waiting for a response, Min withdrew from the chamber.
The doors closed behind him.
As he walked through the palace corridors, his face slowly hardened.
The mask of obedience faded, revealing the anger boiling beneath the surface.
The arrival of Yi Seong-jae was not a simple visit.
It was a threat.
And Min knew that if the old counselor began moving pieces within the court…
His control over the palace might begin to fracture.
His footsteps echoed sharply across the stone floor.
The political game had just become far more dangerous.
End of Chapter
But while Min sharpened his plans within the palace…
Another piece had already begun to move beneath the quiet skies of Cheomseongdae.
And before the next night fell, the daughter of Han Ji-won would unknowingly step into a web of power that could either save the kingdom…
or destroy everyone caught beneath its stars.