Flower Dream Chapter 124

“…The Third Prince suddenly appeared at the Cheongsong Clan’s small stronghold and took someone away?”

Uichinwang, Shin Haeryeong, frowned upon hearing the urgent report that had come in during the night.

“Yes. He gathered all the people there in the square, then left with a wandering herbalist who had been staying at the stronghold as the tribal chief’s daughter’s guest. According to the informant’s guess, it seemed to be one of the wanted fugitives…”

“Without knowing who it was?”

“Well… since the Third Prince did not mention the person’s name, it was impossible to ascertain.”

“Hmm.”

“The Crown Prince left immediately after… and his adjutant spoke briefly with the tribal chief. After that, he warned the people of the stronghold to keep silent about today’s events.”

“So you couldn’t identify the wandering herbalist’s identity?”

“I apologize. Since the appearance of the person the Crown Prince took did not match the descriptions of the wanted fugitives, the informant seems to be confused as well. He said he would look into it further and contact us again…”

The eunuch explained the situation, pressing his head deeply to the floor. If Shin Haeryeong were to lose his temper here, asking why he couldn’t even handle such a thing properly, the informant planted in the Cheongsong Clan’s small stronghold would inevitably face punishment.

“He might have disguised himself to avoid inspection.”

“Your Highness is correct. Above all, if the Third Prince personally sought out and took someone at this point, it is highly likely to be that person.”

“If the Crown Prince moved personally, it must be an important figure among the wanted fugitives. Then it’s highly probable that it’s the one who spent the night with him… tsk.”

Shin Haeryeong clicked his tongue with a hint of regret. Because the Emperor had personally stepped in to control the information, there had been difficulties in grasping the events that had taken place in the Honghwa Clan’s small stronghold, but even so, he had managed to obtain several pieces of significant intelligence.

Based on these, Shin Haeryeong had deduced that Shin Ryuwon was searching for the incense master with whom he had shared a night of pleasure. To confirm that it was not mere rumor, he had kept a thorough watch on Ryuwon’s every move.

After observing his youngest nephew’s actions for close to a month, he was finally able to confirm his suspicions. Shin Ryuwon was not seeking out the wanted fugitives to punish them.

The actions, which the usual Ryuwon would never have taken, bordered on abnormal obsession, and their meaning was singular: that an incense master compatible with him had appeared.

Though it had not yet been revealed which of the fleeing Honghwa Clan incense masters had been the Crown Prince’s nighttime companion, whoever it was, if Ryuwon took them as his consort, the political landscape would be shaken.

Because the decisive reason the Third Prince had not been appointed Crown Prince all this time would disappear.

The Emperor mobilizing his secret intelligence network, and the Empress Dowager being unable to sternly reprimand her son who had not returned to the palace for over a month—surely, it was because of this.

That was why many, including Shin Haeryeong, were on high alert regarding this situation. In his case, in particular, it was a crisis that threatened to topple the tower he had painstakingly built over a decade.

“With the situation being what it is, what on earth is the First Prince doing?”

Shin Haeryeong recalled his inept nephew, who had been avoiding his contact recently, and furrowed his brow deeply.

During the last hunting festival, Shin Sangwon, who had engaged in a verbal battle with Shin Ryuwon, had since shut himself away in his palace, attending only to administrative duties. He had clearly been thoroughly cowed by his younger brother.

“Spineless brat. With that kind of mindset, what kind of emperor does he think he’ll become?”

Because of his spineless inferiority complex, indecisiveness, and timid nature, he had been easy to manipulate according to Shin Haeryeong’s will, making him convenient. But to cause trouble like this at such a crucial moment—Shin Haeryeong, feeling frustrated, picked up his teacup.

“This could have been a perfect opportunity to severely damage the Third Prince’s reputation, yet the one who should become the nation’s backbone acts like that…”

Fool. Another curse aimed at his nephew escaped Shin Haeryeong’s lips. Recently, Shin Ryuwon’s eccentric behavior had become a major topic among gossips. It was only natural, as one who had never shown any weakness before had finally faltered for the first time.

“It would have been good to use this situation to launch a political offensive…”

Thump. Shin Haeryeong set down his teacup roughly and grumbled with regret as he mulled it over.

“In any case, the plan to capture the wanted fugitives from our side first has also gone up in smoke.”

Shin Haeryeong gritted his teeth in annoyance at the situation not going as he desired.

As soon as he heard that Shin Ryuwon had issued a wanted notice and requested cooperation from local officials, he had contacted those connected to him. And he had ordered them to secure the fugitives before Ryuwon could find them.

He had also caused confusion in the proceedings by subtly altering or exaggerating the contents of the wanted posters.

If he could get his hands on the fugitives, he could either make a political deal with Shin Ryuwon or deal him a blow.

Yet, not only had he failed to achieve any results for over a month, but Shin Ryuwon had also stolen a march on him.

“Three of them still remain, do they not? If we capture them…”

“Are you saying that now? The one who spent the night with the Third Prince is only one person. If the incense master captured today is that person, then catching the remaining three is pointless!”

“I-I apologize.”

“Hoo… What is the probability that the person the Crown Prince found today is ‘Dan Yuha’?”

Shin Haeryeong, who had shouted at the eunuch, let out a long breath as if trying to calm his anger. Then, he voiced the concern that had been nagging at him. Another reason he had been so proactive in this matter was that he had learned of a past grudge involving one of the wanted fugitives.

“To be honest… it’s quite high. While staying at the Cheongsong Clan’s small stronghold, he reportedly used the alias ‘Yeongnim,’ and he was highly praised for his extensive knowledge of herbs and his exceptional skill in preparing medicines. Among the wanted fugitives, the only one with such abilities is Dan Yuha.”

“This is getting worse and worse.”

Shin Haeryeong leaned back in his chair and clicked his tongue. He had been so irritated he felt like going mad when he heard that Shin Ryuwon was trying to make Dan Yuha his exclusive incense master, and now he had to even consider the possibility of him becoming the Crown Prince’s consort.

If, as he predicted, Dan Yuha became Shin Ryuwon’s partner and sought revenge for his parents’ deaths?

Imagining the worst-case scenario in his head, Shin Haeryeong’s eyes contorted hideously. It was inevitable that the new incense master would become obsessed with his consort. Even if Dan Yuha did not wish it, Shin Ryuwon would surely step in on his behalf. Then, the incident committed by that scoundrel of a son would resurface.

“What has Yeong been up to lately?”

Shin Haeryeong asked in a low, somber voice, recalling his second son, who caused trouble every single day.

“His Highness Ugunwang… as always, has been frequenting pleasure quarters, gambling dens, and gaming houses. Still, perhaps because his confinement was only recently lifted, he seems to be exercising some restraint…”

“I told him to stay quietly in the palace, and he’s at it again… sigh, I can’t exactly tie him down. Make sure no information about Dan Yuha reaches that brat’s ears. If he finds out, he’ll undoubtedly cause an uproar.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“First and foremost, identifying the person the Third Prince took is the top priority. After that, we will decide how to respond.”

“I will contact the informants immediately.”

“Yes. And send someone to the First Prince as well. Tell him I want to see his face soon.”

“I obey your command.”

The eunuch bowed and went outside to carry out Shin Haeryeong’s orders. Left alone, Shin Haeryeong pressed his fingers hard against his temples, as if suffering from a headache.

∞ ∞ ∞

“Mmm…”

The long eyelashes trembled in the sunlight filtering through the bed curtains. In response, the lips that had been releasing soft breaths also twitched. Soon, the thin eyelids lifted, revealing hazy, pale pink eyes.

Where is this?

As if not fully awake yet, Dan Yuha stared blankly at the unfamiliar ceiling. Though his mind was still groggy, his body felt remarkably refreshed. As he blinked slowly, he suddenly became aware that he was being held in someone’s arms.

Following the body heat felt from beside him, he turned his head, and a handsome face came into his blurry vision. It was Shin Ryuwon.

“…Eh?”

Discovering Ryuwon fast asleep, Yuha let out a small gasp. Instantly, he was wide awake, and the events of yesterday came flooding back like a wave.

Oh my god.

Dan Yuha let out a silent scream and covered his mouth with both hands. As the memory of crying like a child while held in Shin Ryuwon’s arms came back to him, his face burned with embarrassment.

He recalled that his eyes had ached and his head had felt dizzy, so he had closed his eyes for a moment, but after that, it was all darkness. He must have fallen asleep just like that.

Having roughly grasped the situation, he pulled the blanket over his head and groaned. The Crown Prince must have carried him all the way here after he had cried himself to sleep.

After a moment, having calmed down a little, Dan Yuha cautiously lowered the blanket. Shin Ryuwon, breathing evenly, came into view again.

Gulp.

Yuha’s throat bobbed at the close distance, close enough for their breaths to mingle. It wasn’t just their faces that were close. The thick, firm arm was tightly wrapped around his waist, and the long, outstretched legs were lightly draped over his calves, touching him in a crossed manner.

He had been too distraught yesterday to notice, but seeing Ryuwon like this, his handsome eyes looked quite haggard. Not only were the areas beneath his eyes dark, but he also seemed to have lost some weight. Noticing this, Yuha felt a strange emotion.

Just as he had suffered, longing for him, it seemed Ryuwon had also endured great hardship due to his absence.

Why? For what reason?

Naturally arising questions furrowed Dan Yuha’s brow slightly. Recalling what had happened in the carriage, a strange heat bloomed in his stomach.

The fervent kisses that had been lavished upon him, the heat of the body pressed close, even the presence of the heavy mass that had pressed against his thigh.

Recalling those sensations, the embarrassing area between his legs tightened shamefully, and his waist and inner thighs tensed. His toes also curled involuntarily.