Chapter 120 (1/2)

The imperial family meeting including all the concubines was called.

A cold atmosphere dominated the palace. Even though it was late into the night, the lights were lit up all over the Imperial Palace. All of the paths that were lit led to Daejon. The Queen, the emperor's favorite concubines, the four princes and their wives, as well as the concubines who didn't win the emperors' favor were all gathering at Daejeon. The women who didn't know the situation tilted their heads out of curiosity, but followed the emperor's order. Only one of the women, Oran, walking beside Dukwol, barely holding back the urge to burst into a smile.

Daejon was filled with all the members of the royal family.

Ohyulje was seated on the highest chair, and Queen Taeryong sat in a small chair next to it. Then, in the chairs arranged on the right and left sides of the queen, the first concubine Ye and second concubine Su sat.

At the lower stage the wives of the princes at the four palaces and three concubines sat side by side. As Mu and Dohwan were left at the hands of the nannies, they did not come to Daejeon.

It was a long time after everybody took a seat that the emperor stood up from his seat.

”The reason I called all of you here in one place today was because I heard a reckless rumor for which I might have to punish the person involved under the law.”

Looking around the royal members gathered, he screamed, pointing to the bottom of the stairs.

”Crown Prince and Crown Princess, Prince Ruhae, come out and get on your knees!”

Several women began to whisper here and there.

Unlike Bipaan, who silently followed without changing his facial expression, Kyosul and Ruhae's faces turned white already. The three knelt down with the stairs in between, lowering their heads.

When the emperor was about to open his mouth, Bipaan shouted, with his head down, ”I'm honored to announce to you. I'm worried that your discerning eyes might be blurred by Dukwol's groundless rumors. How dare he doubt Dohwan's biological father? I am suspicious of his underlying intention to make such a false statement. ”

Although Bipaan's actions might be regarded as very rude, the emperor did not rebuke him. Quietly listening to Bipaan with a nod, those gathered in Daejeon without knowing why came to know the reason.

As they came to learn more about the ”birth of Dohwan Taehwangun” and Ruhae's appearance along with Bipaan and Kyosul, they were astonished.

Crown Princess Kyosul and Prince Ruhae?

Only Dukwol and Oran as well as Yomin, Ruhae's official wife, didn't seem to show any change in their facial expressions.

Stopping others' whispering by raising his hand, Ohyuje called Dukwol, ”Come forward, Dukwol.”

He rose from his seat, and Oran, who was not called, followed him. The emperor did not bother to stop her. They kneeled down behind Bipaan, Kyosul and Ruhae.

There was a brief silence. Suddenly, the emperor knocked on the armrest of the throne and yelled, ”You, bastard! How dare you make such reckless remarks before me? How dare you spit out such imprudent words in front of the emperor? Don't you know that although you're my eldest son, I settled for making you No. 2 prince in the succession to the throne because of your frivolous temperament?”

”Calm down, Your Majesty. It's not just a rumor that's getting around for no reason. ”

”It looks like you haven't yet come to your senses!”

In spite of Ohyulje's anger, Dukwol didn't budge a bit. He was too confident before the angry emperor, though he lowered his head when replying to his question.

Dukwol never expected that the emperor would convene an imperial family meeting and get angry before all of them. Things got more complicated than thought. Dukwol put his brain to work quickly. It would be easier for him to take issue with a simple case first than an overly complex one.

So, Dukwol decided to talk about the suspicious interactions between Ruhae and Kyosul instead of arguing that Ruhae was Dohwan's biological father.

”If you're in doubt, please ask Ruhae and Kyosul directly. There must be some reason why this kind of rumor about them is getting around.”

Dukwol brought the emperor's attention to them.

Kyosul was shuddering violently at that moment. In the end, Bipaans's eyebrows wriggled slightly.

”Crown Princess! Prince Ruhae! ”

”Your Majesty, Dukwol's behavior is so rude and…”

”Shut up, Bipaan!”

The emperor's anger was already at its peak. Everybody else was quiet, and only his loud voice resonated through Daejon.

”Your Majesty!”

Finally Ruhae opened his mouth.

He clasped his fists, but his face was white, but his eyes shone as if he was firmly determined.

Everybody turned their eyes toward him.