Chapter 69— Ji wanghao (2)
Just as minhwa and the guard were about to head back, the atmosphere in the market suddenly shifted.
The noise of the crowd dimmed as if an invisible hand had pressed down on the entire street.
People began gathering closer, lowering their voices instinctively as though afraid the words themselves could bring danger.
"Did you hear?"
"Ji Wanghao—the Left Prime Minister—is dead!"
"What?!"
"I heard… he was killed by his second wife."
Minwha stopped mid-step.
Even Vira was stunned. "Host… aren't they talking about Yunluo's father? How could he be dead—killed by yunluo mother?"
Minwha frowned slightly. "I don't know," she replied.
But even as she spoke, her eyes lingered on the direction of the city center, as if trying to piece together a hidden thread.
She turned to the guard. "We're heading to the source of the commotion."
For a brief moment, something flickered in the guard's eyes—quick and unreadable—before he followed behind her.
By the time they arrived, a man was already recounting the story to a growing crowd.
"The Left Prime Minister was killed by his second wife," he said, lowering his voice dramatically. "I heard she poisoned him."
The surrounding people leaned in, unable to hide their curiosity.
"Why would she do that?" someone asked.
The man glanced around before continuing, as if sharing a dangerous secret.
"This isn't public yet… but I heard someone sent proof to the second wife. Proof that her husband knew who killed her child—and that he was bribed to keep quiet."
A ripple of shock and gasp spread through the crowd.
"So she poisoned him," the man continued. "And afterward… she killed herself."
Whispers erupted immediately.
"My God… how terrifying."
"How could a woman do that to her own husband?"
"She's brought disaster upon the entire family."
"Couldn't she forgive him?"
The murmurs spread like wildfire, judgment passing freely between men and women alike.
Minhwa had heard enough. Without another word, she turned away from the crowd and quietly made her way back to Hansheng Ge.
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As soon as they arrived at Hanshen Ge, Minhwa and the guard parted ways without a word.
Minhwa went straight to her room.
A faint unease followed her steps, though she could not explain why.
The moment the door closed, Vira spoke.
"Host… who really killed Yunluo? Before, we suspected Jianhe—but it doesn't seem to be her. She doesn't have that kind of power. And Madam… she wouldn't go that far just to protect Jianhe. We both know that."
Vira's voice carried a rare seriousness, as though even she could sense something deeper moving beneath the surface.
Minhwa remained silent for a moment, her expression unreadable.
"I don't know," she finally said. Her answer was calm, but her fingers tightened slightly on her sleeve.
"But whoever did it… holds far more power than the Left Prime Minister."
She paused, her gaze lowering slightly.
"If I had to guess… it's either a general—or one of the princes."
Vira fell quiet at that.
"And the one who informed Yunluo's mother," Minhwa continued calmly, "is clearly an enemy of the murder. Someone who wanted to destroy that household from within."
A brief silence followed.
"Then, Host… it's better not to get involved for now," Vira said carefully. "It's not the right time to step into palace matters."
Minwha gave a small nod as a sign of agreement.
"You're right." She said
She lay down without another word, her mind still turning with quiet calculations—before sleep finally claimed her.
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Meanwhile, the guard who had accompanied Minhwa made his way straight to Madam's office.
Without knocking, he pushed the door open.
Madam did not even flinch, as if she had already expected him.
"Di Ah, I'm back."
Madam didn't look up at first.The room felt unusually still, as though it had been waiting for this exact moment.
"How many times have I told you not to call me that—and to knock before entering?"
The head guard Ji An only shrugged, completely unbothered. "You know I won't listen, so you might as well stop saying it."
He stepped further inside, his expression turning serious.
"Anyway, that's not important. Let me tell you what happened."
This time, Madam lifted her gaze.
"It's exactly as the Queen predicted," he continued. "The Left Prime Minister is dead."
Madam's eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you certain?"
"Of course I am," he replied. "You should inform the Queen."
"Don't tell me what to do," Madam said coldly.
She reached for a quill, dipping it into ink before writing swiftly across a sheet of special paper. Her movements were precise, practiced—there was no hesitation in her hand.
When she finished, she did not pass the letter to him.
Instead, she turned to the side, where a small bird sat quietly on a perch near the window, as if it had been waiting all along. Madam rolled the letter carefully and fastened it to the bird's leg.
With a single motion, she released it.
The bird took flight immediately, disappearing into the sky.
The head guard watched, brows furrowing. "So… you don't need me to deliver it this time?"
"No," Madam replied curtly.
"Why?" he pressed, unable to hold back.
"Simple," she said. "It's faster. And it won't get caught."
The head guard frowned. "But last time—that was a mistake."
Madam's gaze turned sharp. "It was the Queen's order.
Flashback — One Month Earlier
The Queen stood by the window of hanshen Ge, a small bird perched calmly on her finger.
"The last time Ji An came, he was nearly discovered by the King."
The bird remained still, as if it understood every word.
" I will not allow such carelessness again."
The Queen's expression turned colder.
She extended her hand, and the bird fluttered lightly before settling beside Madam.
"To avoid unnecessary risks," the Queen continued, " From now on, you will use this to send messages to me," she said.
A brief pause
"It is well-trained. No one will suspect it."
Madam bowed her head. "I understand."
End of Flashback
If you have a problem with it, take it up with her."madam continued
That shut the head guard up instantly.
Silence lingered for a moment.
Then Madam waved her hand dismissively. "Ji An, I'm busy. Leave."
The head guard hesitated, something unreadable flickering across his face.
But in the end, he said nothing. He turned and walked out.
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Meanwhile, the moment the bird entered the palace grounds, it's headed straight to the Queen's chamber, a trusted maid who saw it from afar had been waiting nearby , the moment it's stopped,she stepped forward immediately.
Without hesitation, she retrieved the letter tied to the bird's leg and hurried inside.
She bowed then handed it to the Queen before quietly retreating.
The moment she was gone, the Queen Broke the seal, her eyes scanned the contents.
Her hand's paused mid-air as she read.
For a long moment, she simply stared at the words, unreadable.
Only one sentence
The Left Prime Minister is dead.
Her expression remained calm then something shifted in her expression—barely noticeable, like a stone finally settling into place.
Slowly—her lips curved showing a smile.
It widened.
She exhaled slowly, as though releasing something she had been holding for a very long time.
And then, without restraint, she began to laugh.
Soft at first… then fuller, sharper—echoing faintly through the chamber as her mind drifted back to the previous night.
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Flashback — The Night Before
After Hanshen Ge had finished its grand performance.
Inside Madam's office, the Queen, Madam, and Ji Yun stood together.
"The Left Prime Minister intends to raise a matter in court three days from now," Madam said evenly. "He plans to suggest dismissing the Crown Prince—using his age as justification."
The Queen's gaze sharpened slightly.
"The Crown Prince may be the youngest," Madam continued, "but he was raised as the firstborn. That alone threatens certain factions."
"Where did you hear this?" the Queen asked.
"From one of my gisaeng," Madam replied. "The one who belongs solely to the Third Prince—. Jianhe."
Ji Yun frowned. "Then what do we do?"
The room fell into silence.
The Queen said nothing at first, her fingers lightly tapping against the armrest as she thought.
The silence stretched long enough for everyone in the room to feel its weight.
Then—
"Ji Yun," she said, her voice calm, "have you confirmed what the Third Prince used to silence the Left Prime Minister regarding his illegitimate daughter's murder?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Ji Yun replied. "He threatened the Prime Minister's with his eldest son… and then offered him a gold mine."
A faint smile touched the Queen's lips.
"Good."
She turned her gaze toward Madam. "Send a letter to his second wife."
Madam's eyes flickered, understanding immediately.
"Tell her the truth," the Queen continued. "That her husband knows who killed her only daughter… and chose to remain silent."
A pause.
Each word felt like a decision already made long before the conversation began.
Then, coldly— "And include a vial."
Ji Yun stiffened slightly.
The Queen's expression did not change. "She will know what to do."
End of Flashback
Back in the present, the Queen's laughter slowly faded.
Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
The satisfaction in her eyes was not loud—but it was absolute.
Everything had unfolded exactly as planned.