The Third Prince was dead. It was an unspoken understanding that Taehyung was the unofficial crown prince.
The imperial guards escorted the emperor back to the palace.
The maids and servants cleaned Taehyung’s manor. But they were repulsed by the Third prince’s blood.
Inside Taehyung’s chamber, Seorin hugged Taehyung. Her heart was overwhelmed with happiness and relief. She was happy and relieved that her family survived that dangerous night.
“Taehyung, did we win?” Seorin asked.
“Yes,” Taehyung said.
“Taehyung, when do you think imperial father’s edict will be delivered?” Seorin asked. “He never wanted you to be the crown prince. I don’t think we should accept it.”
Although Taehyung won, he didn’t feel triumphant. He looked out the window and thought of the distant past. He wondered when did he ever care about the throne. Was it when his imperial uncle was alive? Or was it Lee Jonghyeok’s continual persuasion?
Taehyung struggled a lot in the past. He was grateful to the people who silently helped him to build his strengths. For years he hid his real self. If his father or his brothers ever detected his real self then between him and them the first person to die would have been him.
Even though Taehyung’s biggest rivals have fallen, he didn’t know why he felt even more anxious.
The following day the court officials were surprised the emperor appeared in the imperial court after the previous night’s ordeal.
The emperor sat arrogantly on his throne. He wanted everyone to know he was still the powerful emperor that couldn’t be easily defeated.
There were many court officials missing that day. Some were killed during the night and others were locked in the palace dungeon awaiting execution.
Those court officials killed and detained were surprisingly supporters of the Fifth prince. The emperor replaced their positions with ordinary people.
The court officials who were spared shivered during the meeting until the emperor dismissed them.
The emperor Kim Seokjin wasn’t foolish. He eliminated the biggest threats to his survival. As long as Taehyung was alive, the threat of rebellion would exist unless he eliminated Taehyung’s ambitious supporters.
The court officials who escaped death and punishment walked outside the imperial court and were frightened to hear screams of torture.
“Where are the screams coming from?” the first official asked.
“Sounds like it’s from the imperial physicians’ chamber,” the second official said.
“What?” the first official asked.
“It’s death by thousand whipping… the emperor hates anyone who deceives him,” the second official said.
They quickly returned to their manors to protect their heads.
Physician Heo was a gentleman. But he was unrecognizable after a hundred whippings. Each time the flesh cuts because of whipping, the eunuchs were ordered to throw salt onto them.
The emperor knew one of his four trusted imperial physicians had exposed his plan. His imperial guards found secret letters Physician Heo wrote to Consort Jung so he awarded Physician Heo the harshest punishment, death by a thousand whippings.
Consort Jung was fearful throughout the night. She was anxious about his son. She wanted to send her servants to see what was happening at Hoseok’s manor, but the emperor’s imperial guards detained her in her chamber and didn’t let anyone enter or leave her chamber.
In the morning, Consort Jung was the last to know that her son and his men were killed for treason. She didn’t know what happened but she knew Hoseok died because of the trait that he inherited from her and his biggest weakness, his impatience.
Consort Jung thought about escaping. But the emperor’s imperial guards dragged her into Physician Heo’s chamber and forced her to watch Physician Heo being whipped to death. She knew she had no hope of escaping.
The emperor watched Consort Jung silently cry after Physician Heo died.
“I’m rewarding you the Token of Death,” the emperor said.
The emperor glanced scornfully at Consort Jung and left the chamber.
Taehyung and Jimin reacted differently to Physician Heo’s punishment, they were relieved it wasn’t them in Physician Heo’s position.
Jimin followed the emperor outside the chamber.
“It was you!” Consort Jung accused Taehyung.
It didn’t matter if Consort Jung was intelligent, she was deceived for many years by Taehyung’s weak appearance.
“Taehyung, you’re a cruel man!” Consort Jung said, "I should have known that you are not a weak and foolish person when after the death of Consort Lee you didn't even drink the poisonous soup that I send to you in the name of Empress."
“Thank you, Consort Jung,” Taehyung said.
Consort Jung’s throat felt choked.
“I’m only returning the cruelty you showed to my family,” Taehyung said. “You killed Consort Lee, harmed my wife and son, and tried to send me into death’s corner many times.”
“Is this your revenge?” Consort Jung asked.
Taehyung didn’t deny Consort Jung’s accusation.
Consort Jung laughed coldly. “You think I killed Consort Lee?”
“Who else can it be?” Taehyung asked. “You used Blue lotus poison to poison my wife, it’s the same poison you used to kill Consort Lee.”
“Taehyung, the person who killed Consort Lee wasn’t me,” Consort Jung said. “It’s your imperial father.”
Taehyung was shocked but he listened to Consort Jung’s recount of what happened to Consort Lee.
“That year Lee Jonghyeok’s army was becoming too powerful,” Consort Jung said. “Lee Jonghyeok planned a rebellion after Consort Lee became pregnant. Lee Jonghyeok was behind the assassination attempts on your imperial father’s life. Your father survived and knew Consort Lee and her child must be killed otherwise Lee Jonghyeok would rebel if his grandchild lived. Your imperial father's supporters used the Blue lotus poison to kill them.”
Consort Jung laughed at Taehyung’s shock. “Taehyung, now you know who killed Consort Lee. What are you going to do to avenge her death?”
Taehyung’s whole body was cold.
“No one completely won this battle,” Consort Jung said. “But I lost my quite innocent son because your scheme is more treacherous than mine. Look I killed my first grandson by my own hand to change my son’s heart, I manipulate my precious son every time but was never able to win, and now I lost him, so you win and I die. Taehyung, you should be cautious, your imperial father hates to be deceived. If he knows you deceived him, you’ll die more pitifully than us!”
Taehyung regained his composure. “Thank you eomma for reminding me.”
Taehyung left the chamber.
A while later a rope made of fabrics choked Consort Jung to death.
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The emperor visited the empress and the crown prince’s old chambers.
The emperor didn’t love the empress but he never had to worry the empress would attempt to kill him. Out of his sons, he only loved his and the empress’ son the most. Namjoon would never stab a sword at his throat. But the empress and Namjoon were no longer with him. Hoseok’s betrayal was another stab to his heart.
The emperor didn’t understand why whoever he wanted to be the crown prince would die. His Second son and Third son were gone… only his Fifth son was left whom he could give the throne before he die.
The thought of Taehyung made the emperor reminisce about his youth. When he was young he loved to explore new places so he was only allowed to roam the imperial city as he wished.
The emperor remembered that day clearly. The eyes of his young self were suddenly fell on a beautiful woman and his cheeks turned hot; he suddenly felt that spring has arrived untimely. He fall in love with that woman at first glance, and the thing that attracted him most was her eyes, which gives the feeling that they could look at the soul of people. But the most pitiful thing is, though he was able to marry the love of his life as his first wife, he can’t get the same amount of love from her in return. She never loved him wholeheartedly, even her eyes fell so cold to him after the marriage.
Four years later of the marriage he was able to hear the most awaited news, that he was going to get a child from his first love, but still, the coldness of her eyes felled quite heavy for him. He in those four years brought her friends into the palace by forming marriage ties with them to make those eyes lively, but all gone in vain. Once, he was again able to see those eyes becoming lively, but that was not for him, for his brother, who was practicing with a sword at that moment. Though he knows his love and his brother never interacted before but it makes him feel too mad suddenly, and the brother about whom he cares the most before, he starts to destroy his life bit by bit. He even took the position of the emperor by deceiving him, without feeling any regret……….
For the love of his life, his first wife, Seokjin thought that everything will become okay, and she will start to love him after their child will be born. But when the child became the cause for losing his love of life, he couldn’t forgive the child and its entire existence. Whenever even for a little time his fatherly love for his son tried to come out, it instantly stops after seeing the eyes that the child inherited from his mother….
For the emperor Kim Seokjin, Tae Eun, the love of his life was lost only for his fifth son Taehyung. She had to bear a child because of the immense pressure from the elders of the imperial family, as she was the first wife of the eldest prince. He thinks that if Taehyung didn't exist then he never lost his love of life. But he couldn’t kill Taehyung as he is the only memory of her existence. Though as Taehyung grew older, he only became an eyesore for him who killed his mother, the love of the emperor’s life. Each time he looked at Taehyung it reminded him of his mother and that not everything could be within his control.
The emperor felt mentally tired thinking about Taehyung’s mother and the eyesore Taehyung. He sat down on the empress’ old bed and rested for a while. His eyes’ noticed words were written on a wooden corner of the bed… “Taehyung killed me and the crown prince.”
The emperor recognized that the handwriting belonged to the late empress. If Taehyung was the killer then he was deceived for many years!
The court officials and everyone at Taehyung’s manor awaited the emperor’s edict for many days. During those days Taehyung attended meetings in the imperial court in the mornings and afterward he would spend time with his family at home.
Finally, the emperor sent a messenger to Taehyung’s manor and requested Taehyung to see the emperor in the imperial calligraphy room for a private meeting.
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Seorin helped Taehyung change clothes behind a screen.
“Taehyung, what do you think imperial father wants to say to you?” Seorin asked.
Taehyung kissed Seorin’s lips. “Rinnie, you don’t have to worry.”
“Go there quickly and come back quickly,” Seorin said.
Taehyung nodded his head and he traveled to the palace by horse carriage.
Everyone at the palace smiled at Taehyung and they wanted to gain his favor. Taehyung ignored them and he walked toward the imperial calligraphy room.
Taehyung was anxious, he didn’t know if his father wanted to interrogate him or promote him.
Taehyung entered the imperial calligraphy room. His father sat on the highest chair while Jeongguk stood and looked at him cryptically.
“Fifth brother,” Jeongguk said.
Taehyung didn’t expect Jeongguk would be in the imperial calligraphy room as well.
“Seventh son, have you memorized the words your teacher taught you?” the emperor asked.
“Imperial father, I still need to improve my calligraphy,” Jeongguk said with utmost courtesy.
Jeongguk sat and he continued practicing his calligraphy.
Taehyung knew that after their father found out Jeongguk was intelligent and could speak, their father assigned a teacher for Jeongguk. But seeing Jeongguk practicing calligraphy in the imperial calligraphy room reminded Taehyung of the past. Their father supervised Namjoon in practicing calligraphy when Namjoon was the same age as Jeongguk. Taehyung wasn’t given the same treatment when he was younger, their father didn’t care about his education.
“Fifth son, in the future I’ll leave this whole Kingdom to you,” the emperor said.
Taehyung didn’t expect his father would give him the throne in such a direct manner.
“Don’t you want to?” the emperor asked.
“Imperial father, I fear I’m not suited for such heavy responsibilities,” Taehyung said.
The emperor smiled. “If you’re not suitable then who else is left that is suitable?”
Taehyung’s body turned cold, he didn’t understand what his father’s words meant.
“Fifth son, I’m not that young anymore,” the emperor said. “I only have a few days left though nobody ever imagined that after looking at me… seventh son is still young. Fifth son, I’ll leave your seventh brother in your and your wife’s care. I know both of you love your seventh brother.”
“Yes, imperial father,” Taehyung said.
“Seventh son, pour your Fifth brother a cup of tea,” the emperor said. “In the future, you need to listen to your Fifth brother.”
Taehyung was anxious about why his father acted differently than usual. In the past, his father was never that gentle toward him. He wondered if his father truly let go of everything before his father died.
Jeongguk’s face paled. He remembered what he overheard earlier that day.
Jeongguk was playing with the ball Seorin made for him. He accidentally kicked the ball into his father’s chamber. No one was allowed inside his father’s chamber without permission. He looked in all directions, no one was around so he quickly entered his father’s chamber to retrieve the ball. Before he could leave, he heard footsteps and quickly hid under the bed. It was his father’s footsteps. He waited a long time for his father to leave and felt sleepy. When he was about to sleep, he was startled by his father’s words, “Taehyung, I won’t spare you!”
Jeongguk didn’t understand what his father’s words meant but his father’s harsh tone scared him.
“Taehyung, your scheme killed your brothers!” the emperor said. “So I’ll force your brother to kill you! You’re not the only son left!”
Jeongguk was startled. He didn’t know what happened and why his father wanted to kill Taehyung.
A while later Jeongguk left his father’s chamber undetected and his teacher taught him how to write more words. He couldn’t sit still during the lesson. Then his father asked him to practice in the imperial calligraphy room. He couldn’t memorize any of the words he learned because he was worried about how his father intended to kill Taehyung.
Jeongguk thought about what he overhead his father said. He suspected his father poisoned the tea in the calligraphy room and wanted him to be the person who killed Taehyung.
Jeongguk’s chubby little shaky hands held the warm cup of tea that felt too heavy for him. What was he supposed to do? On one side was his father and on the other side of him was his brother. He didn’t want anyone to be hurt.
Jeongguk purposely walked slowly and his eyes silently warned Taehyung not to drink the poisoned tea.
Taehyung thought Jeongguk was acting strange. But he accepted the cup of tea from Jeongguk and move his face lower to drink the tea.
Taehyung raised his head and he was startled to see tears flowing down from Jeongguk’s doe eyes.
The cup of tea fell out of Taehyung’s hand. There was a deadly poison inside the tea.
“It was you who killed them!” the emperor said.
Taehyung realized his father found out about his past schemes. He felt quite relieved as he didn't drink the tea but pretended to sip it.
“You hid your real cruel self for many years!” the emperor said. “You killed your brothers! Did you think you can sit carefree on the throne? I should have killed you from the start!”
“Imperial father, you also killed your brother and stole the throne from your younger brother,” Taehyung said. “Have you ever once sat carefree on the throne?”
The emperor’s face whitened and he clutched his chest.
Taehyung laughed coldly. “Imperial father, who are you to criticize me? Isn’t it true you and your supporters changed the imperial edict to your name instead of my imperial uncle’s name? Your hands are stained with your brothers’ blood too.”
“You!” the emperor said.
The emperor didn’t expect Taehyung knew the truth.
“Did you do this to avenge your imperial uncle?” the emperor asked. He gritted his teeth and remembered how Taehyung was close to his younger brother in the past. “Don’t forget, I’m your father!”
“Imperial father?” Taehyung asked. “I’ve always seen you as my father. But have you ever once seen me as your son?”
Taehyung looked coldly at the broken teacup. “Earlier you intended for me to die. Is this how you see me as your son?”
“You deserve to die!” the emperor said. “You killed your Second brother, the empress and you framed your Third brother!”
“Did you want to kill me because you loved Second and Third brother?” Taehyung asked. “Or is it because you hate being deceived and feeling everything is outside of your control?”
The emperor braced his hands on the table.
“Father, you’re unjust,” Taehyung said. “Why do you hate me?”
The emperor looked at Taehyung’s eyes. Each time he looked into Taehyung’s eyes he was reminded of the woman whom he loved the most. As Taehyung grew older, Taehyung acted gentle and kind like Taehyung’s mother. But the more he couldn’t see through Taehyung the more he hated Taehyung. Taehyung being close to his younger brother intensified his hatred of Taehyung.
“I didn’t kill Second brother,” Taehyung said. “He faked his own death because he hated his life in the palace. I only brought him back to the imperial city and kept him captive. He was tired of living and killed himself. As for Third brother, if his mother didn’t have bad intentions to kill me and my family then he would never have fallen into my trap. Father, you clearly know this kind of battle can only have one winner. I only want to survive and live with my wife and son.”
“Don’t think for a moment that I’ll believe you!” the emperor said. “I’ll never believe you! Someone! Arrest him!”
Park Jimin entered the room. “Your majesty.”
“Where are the imperial guards?” the emperor asked.
“There are no imperial guards,” Jimin said.
The emperor saw Taehyung standing upright and his back turned cold.
“Jimin, you’ve been secretly serving him!” the emperor said.
“Fifth prince is a good master,” Jimin said.
“Do the two of you want to commit treason?” the emperor shouted.
“Treason?” Jimin asked.
Jimin was suspicious of why the emperor isolated himself and didn’t let anyone come near the emperor. After he heard the emperor wanted to see Taehyung privately, he suspected the emperor wanted to kill Taehyung.
Jimin wanted to protect Taehyung so he lied to the imperial guards the emperor wanted them to guard the palace gates. Of course, the imperial guards wouldn’t dare go against the emperor’s orders and they believed Jimin wouldn’t dare to lie about the emperor’s orders.
Taehyung knew his father wouldn’t ask all his imperial guards to guard the palace gates and leave his father vulnerable to an attack from inside the palace. Then he thought it was Jimin’s way of warning him. He didn’t know how his father intended to kill him. Whether his father would stab him like he stabbed Hoseok or poison him like his imperial uncle. After he entered the calligraphy room and saw the teapot he realized his father wanted to poison him.
“What is it?” the emperor asked. “You don’t dare to kill me? If you don’t kill me then how will you climb onto the throne? Even if you want to be the emperor, you shouldn’t dream about it!”
“Father, I don’t want to be the emperor,” Taehyung said. “I only want to be your son.”
Taehyung knelt in front of his father, hit his forehead on the floor, stood, and left the room.
The emperor watched Taehyung’s back powerlessly. He collapsed on the floor and vomited fresh blood.
Jimin wanted to help the emperor stand but the emperor glared at him coldly.
“Park Jimin, have I mistreated you?” the emperor asked.
“Your majesty is really good to me but fifth prince is too good to me,” Jimin said truthfully.
The emperor silently stood but again collapsed on the throne.
Taehyung left the palace. He didn’t know why his father let him leave without killing him. Inside his sleeve was a hidden poisoned dart. Earlier if his father had picked up a sword when he was kneeling then he wouldn’t hesitate to release the dart.
That summer the emperor died.
Taehyung announced the emperor’s final edict, “Seventh prince will become the emperor at the age of eighteen. The fifth prince will rule in the Seventh prince’s stead until the Seventh prince turns eighteen.”
What the citizens of Hanyang didn’t know was that Taehyung was ambidextrous and his left hand is secretly exceptional at mimicking other people’s calligraphy, especially his father’s calligraphy.
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A/N ~~
My Precious Readers, It is the last longest chapter, and I hope you get all the necessary answers to your questions... Hope you will enjoy it, see you all in the epilogue chapter...... :')
