Even My Life Is Yours Chapter 41

At the crack of dawn, what woke Hongyo was none other than the sound of a large gong.

As if doused with water, Hongyo’s eyes shot open, but she remained disoriented for a while even after waking. Staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, she briefly wondered where she was before recalling the events of yesterday and springing up like a jack-in-the-box. At the same time, a voice calling for her came from outside the door.

“If you are awake, could you please open the door for a moment?”

“J-Just a moment!”

It was the voice of that court attendant from yesterday. Hongyo hastily put on the clothes she had taken off and opened the door. There, a senior eunuch stood, holding a wide wooden box in his arms.

“What is this?”

“It is the official attire you are to change into.”

“Ah, but I came wearing silk clothes.”

“The clothes you are currently wearing are valuable, but the official attire bestowed by His Majesty is as precious as life itself.”

“His, His Majesty? He bestowed this?”

His words, spoken with a slight smile, snapped her to her senses. She couldn’t commit the irreverence of refusing clothes bestowed by the emperor himself.

“Then I shall change and come out.”

Returning to the room, Hongyo opened the wooden box presented to her. The neatly folded official attire was as soft as the silk clothes she was wearing now and so light it felt as if it would fly away if she blew on it, but it was not something she could easily put on. No matter how light and fine the fabric, the clothes were a gift from the emperor, so the weight on her heart as she held them was extraordinary.

Why on earth would he give me something like this….

Hongyo fought back the urge to cry as she put on the clothes. Thanks to her grandmother who made clothes, she had touched and sometimes even worn countless fabrics, so she had no trouble putting on the official attire, but a sense of anxiety kept surging up within her the entire time.

Until yesterday, she had managed to fool herself into thinking everything would be fine, but the sight of the official attire made her fear a reality. Though she had entered the palace, she had expected to be doing chores in the imperial palace under the qualification of Mohyun’s adopted son, at best. But the moment she saw the official attire said to be personally bestowed by the emperor, she felt that something was terribly wrong.

They gave her food, a place to sleep, and even clothes. Even for Hongyo, who had no interest in official posts, she could sense that something was amiss. Although she was Mohyun’s adopted son, she was not born into a noble family with a long history, nor had she ever taken the civil service examination. It was obvious that there must be some misunderstanding or mistake. The thought that she might be dragged to the Geumbu for the crime of insulting the emperor if this fact was revealed made her knees go weak.

Unaware of her inner turmoil, the eunuch outside kept rushing her. Because of this, Hongyo had to come out without being able to return the official attire. Hongyo opened her mouth to speak to the eunuch who offered to fix her hair.

“Sir. I apologize, but no matter how I think about it, it seems you have mistaken me for someone else. There is no reason for me to receive something like this….”

“Surely there couldn’t be a mistake in the administrative office that carries out His Majesty’s orders. If so, they would be severely punished.”

“No. I really don’t think it’s me. I know someone here, could you please accompany me to the Hyunjingwan?”

With the situation turning out like this, the only person she could rely on was her adoptive mother, Mohyun. She clung to the last straw of hope that Mohyun, as the head of the Hyunjingwan, could rectify this situation before it was too late. But the eunuch in front of her just kept smiling faintly.

“That is for His Majesty to judge. Servants like us merely follow His Majesty’s commands.”

Ah, it’s over. Hongyo truly felt like crying. Are you saying that because it’s not your problem? But regardless of whether Hongyo’s mind was going blank with injustice and anxiety, she was soon dressed from head to toe in the guise of a young military officer.

And when she finally arrived inside the Daeyeongjeon Hall, Hongyo was once again surprised. To the left and right of the men dressed in the same official attire as her, high-ranking officials she would never normally encounter were lined up in formation. In that solemn and heavy atmosphere, Hongyo could no longer even protest and followed the court attendant who guided her to her place, standing at the very end of the line where the young men were gathered.

Unlike her, the young men dressed in official attire had confident faces, as if they knew why they were here. It seemed this was not a place for her, with their natural air of nobility, and while she was fidgeting restlessly, she spotted someone she had briefly encountered in the front row and her eyes widened.

‘Oh, that person is?’

It was then. The head eunuch who entered through a side door shouted loudly.

“His Majesty, the Emperor, arrives!”

With those words, everyone in the Daeyeongjeon Hall prostrated themselves. Hongyo was no exception, bowing until her forehead touched the floor. She curled her body up as flat as possible so that her face would not be seen, clinging to a sliver of hope that if so many people were wearing the same clothes, one person who came by mistake might be overlooked.

Soon after, the sound of the emperor sitting on the throne was heard. Then, not long after, the august voice of the emperor echoed through the Daeyeongjeon Hall.

“Today is an endlessly joyous day for me, for the officials here, and for the people.”

What on earth could this day be? But what captured all her attention more than the content of his words was the voice speaking them. She had felt it during the hunting ritual, but His Majesty’s voice was so strikingly similar to Senior Brother Kyungrak’s that it gave her goosebumps. However, there was no way Kyungrak, who was said to have returned to his hometown to get married, would be in the imperial palace, much less be the emperor.

Come to think of it, I wonder if Senior Brother Kyungrak is doing well. A random thought popped into her head: if she went to Najeon with Gamyoung this time, would she be able to meet Senior Brother Kyungrak? It was just as she was thinking that she should tell Gamyoung about this if, by any chance, she got out of here safely. Once again, the august voice of the emperor resounded in the Daeyeongjeon Hall.

“My heart is greatly pleased to think that such fine young generals will protect this Won’guk.”

Unlike the emperor’s hearty laughter, Hongyo’s mouth went dry.

“First, all of you here have either passed the military examination or showed outstanding performance in the hunting ritual. Your valor is the source that protects the people and makes this country more prosperous. Therefore, I cannot but bestow rewards.”

The hunting ritual.

Only then did Hongyo think she had a faint inkling of why she had been summoned here. She didn’t know for sure because she had fainted after rolling down a hill while fighting a tiger, but it seemed the emperor had promised some sort of reward afterward. The man in the front row earlier was someone she had also seen at the hunting ritual.

But even so, she was not qualified to be standing here in official attire. Gamyoung, a nobleman’s son, maybe, but…

Her mind felt like it was about to overload from thinking so much in such a short time. Even amidst that, the emperor’s voice continued.

“Thus, the brave young military officers in this very place will today take on the roles to display their valor. Although the troops and agencies you are each assigned to will be different, do not forget that you are the swords and spears of Won’guk. Now, let us first issue the royal decree to Gamgyeong So Jeonghwan, who is appointed to the Hwayeonggyeong with top honors.”

Then, she felt a presence rising from the front row. Judging by his position, it was clearly the man from the front row earlier. The man who had passed the military examination with the highest score had also proven his excellent skills in the hunting ritual and was being appointed as Gamgyeong, overseeing the Gamwis within the Hwayeonggyeong. This was recited over her head. After finishing his congratulatory words, the emperor looked at So Wonbu, one of the ministers standing beside him, and spoke.

“Inspector So, you have raised a truly fine son. Now that he is not only your son but also a member of our family, I am truly fortunate.”

The voice of Provincial Inspector So Wonbu of Hyeongju was heard replying that he was overcome with gratitude at the emperor’s praise. However, to Hongyo’s irreverent ears, none of the contents of the decree registered. If a royal decree was being issued to everyone present, did that not mean one would be issued to her as well?

That meant it would be a huge problem if the owner of that decree was someone else, as she would be punished, and it would also be a problem if, by some chance, the owner was her. She had never once considered an official post. She would rather live her life just hunting; she didn’t want to get involved in state affairs even if it killed her. But why on earth would the emperor do this to someone like her…. How did things end up like this?

Her head was spinning. She wanted to bolt from her spot right away, but all she could do was bow her head to the floor as if nailed to it. Hongyo prayed that the issuing of decrees would end here, but the Dragon God was clearly not on her side. As her turn approached, her hands and feet grew cold, and she was drenched in a cold sweat. She would rather face a tiger again than face the emperor.

But eventually, the decree reached Hongyo. Unable to even lift her head until the emperor gave permission, Hongyo remained with her forehead pressed to the floor, trembling. The trembling was so visible from up close, and as she shivered pitifully, the emperor’s august voice finally descended upon her. A list of her deeds, so astounding it made her feel overwhelmed with gratitude and question if they were truly hers, was delivered through the royal decree. And then, the emperor forcefully spoke the final part of the decree.

“The sacrifice and courage you showed for your friend during the hunting ritual are immeasurably deep and have become an example to all. Though you may be lacking in other areas, you, who know the most precious value, possess infinite potential that others do not. Therefore, I bestow the position of Gamwi of the Hwayeonggyeong upon Yeo Hongyo, the adopted son of Military Commander Ki Mohyun. Repay this nation and its people with your utmost loyalty.”

“…I am eternally grateful for Your Majesty’s grace.”

Her voice came out a little late, her throat choked with emotion. She would have no excuse if someone mocked her for looking like a drowned rat. Her chest felt so tight, as if she were being strangled. It was a miracle she could even produce a voice. Although it was a position she had never wanted or even thought of, it was a position bestowed by the emperor. No one would dare to refuse it in his presence.

“Gamwi Yeo, raise your head.”

A command that no one could defy was given. Hongyo slowly raised her head, just as the people before her had done. It was the moment she would face the ruler of this country, the absolute sovereign, for the first time. It would be less frightening to face a tiger again than this. Hongyo raised her head and slowly opened her eyes.

And she froze. But the real shock came next.

“Now, I shall introduce the Hwayeonggyeongjang.”

At that moment, a lightning bolt struck Hongyo from above.

“I hereby appoint the Sixth Royal Brother, Cha Gamyoung, as the Hwayeonggyeongjang of the Hwayeonggyeong.”