The news of the Inspection Bureau’s arrival at the Inner Court had also reached Court Lady Seomun’s office.
The once vibrant office atmosphere suddenly turned heavy.
A senior steward cautiously spoke up, glancing at Court Lady Seomun.
“…Shouldn’t we go out and at least make a show of greeting them?”
“…Yes.”
Court Lady Seomun nodded.
“It would be good to go and personally assess those we have to deal with.”
The door to the office opened, and a group of stewards, led by Court Lady Seomun, moved in unison.
* * *
At the main entrance of the Inner Court.Kang Ho murmured beside Yeon So-Hyeon.
“…Depending on which department the Inspection Bureau has sent, we can gauge how seriously they are taking this investigation.”
Il-ryeong spoke up.
“Perhaps it will be the 1st Investigation Department? After all, it’s an investigation related to the Grand Young Master’s Wongak Pavilion.”
Yi-ryeong shook her head.
“But they can’t avoid pressure to downplay the incident. Even if the Inspection Bureau is an organization with independent authority from the main house…”
Sam-ryeong pursed her lips.
“Still, the Inner Court’s Accounting Secretary, a top-ranking official of the Sixth Rank, is dead. Even if the 2nd or 3rd Investigation Department starts, there’s a possibility that eventually the 1st Department will step in.”
The Inner Court awaiting the main investigation from the Inspection Bureau was eerily quiet.
Not a soul was seen bustling about, unlike when Yeon So-Hyeon had visited earlier.
It was truly the calm before the storm.
“A group of personnel is approaching.”
***
The side door opened, revealing Court Lady Seomun and her group of stewards.
They neither looked in Yeon So-Hyeon’s direction nor acknowledged him in any way.
One of the court ladies whispered, trying to hide her tension.
“We’ve done everything we could, so hopefully, the 1st Investigation Department won’t be involved, right?”
“Shouldn’t that be the case? It’s likely that the 2nd or 3rd Department will step in.”
“I think the Inspection Bureau, considering external perceptions, might send the 1st Department, but they won’t actively engage in the investigation.”
All of their speculations seemed plausible.
Court Lady Seomun, with a stern expression, gazed towards the main gate beyond the courtyard of the main building.
“They are coming in…!”
Personnel briskly entered through the side door.
Their flawless red silk uniforms sparkled in the sunlight.
None of them showed any awe at the scale of the Inner Court, slowed their pace, or looked around.
There was no idle chatter among them; their gazes were fixed straight ahead, and they even marched in step.
Their demeanor was less like scholars and more akin to a military organization with strict ceremonial training.
The perfectly formed lines of personnel moved along the edge of the Inner Court courtyard.
“Which department are they from? Does anyone recognize anyone?”
At the senior steward’s question, they all murmured, squinting to identify familiar faces.
“…I’m not sure. I don’t see any investigators from the 2nd or 3rd Department that I know.”
“I also can’t recognize any faces.”
“Could they be from the 1st Investigation Department? Since they only emerge for significant cases, their faces aren’t well-known…”
Amidst the speculation, the investigators continued to stream into the Inner Court one after the other.
“Who are these people…?! Does anyone recognize anyone…?! Are they truly from the 1st Investigation Department…?!”
The senior steward whispered these questions, but no one dared to speak up.
Court Lady Seomun broke the silence.
“…They are not from the 1st Investigation Department.”
Her voice was soft, almost like a scream.
All eyes turned to her.
“Then, whose personnel are they?”
She closed her eyes tightly.
“Look over there, everyone!”
As someone shouted, all eyes turned to the front.
After all the investigators had entered, the investigation commander finally appeared.
“White hair?!”
“The White-Haired in Red?!”
“This can’t be… Why… How…”
Even from a distance, the striking white hair, as pure as the first snow, tied together and fluttering in the wind, was unmistakable.
She was a stern-looking middle-aged woman.
Amidst the orderly movement of everyone, she stood in front of the main gate, glaring fixedly at the main building of the Inner Court.
Her irises appeared normal, but her pupils were not black but pure white.
“…A ghost with white hair and white eyes has appeared.”
Amidst the general panic, Court Lady Seomun uttered her name almost like a curse.
“…The Central Inspection Bureau’s Head, Dokgo Yayeon.”
[TL/N: The hanja characters used for Dokgo is ‘Dugu, 獨孤’, referring to the famous Dugu family in ancient China where three of its female family members became Empress of Northern Zhou, Sui, and posthumously honored as Empress of Tang respectively.]
* * *
“Not the 1st Investigation Department, but the Central Inspection Bureau…”
Even Kang Ho, who had conducted the preliminary investigation and submitted a report, could not hide his surprise.
The triplet maids also looked stunned.
“…Is that the Central Inspection Bureau that has the authority to investigate even the Elder Council?”
“The ones who only delve into the most serious suspicions.”
“Does this mean that the matter involving Wongak Pavilion is serious enough for them to step in…?”
As they exchanged these thoughts, the personnel of the Central Inspection Bureau had efficiently lined up at the bottom of the stairs in front of the main building.
The head of the Central Inspection Bureau, Dokgo Yayeon, stepped forward and bowed to Yeon So-Hyeon.
“I greet the Grand Young Master of the main house.”
Following her lead, all members of the Central Inspection Bureau bowed in unison, with a perfectly coordinated voice and movement.
The greeting was neither excessive nor lacking, just formal etiquette.
Yeon So-Hyeon gestured in response, and Dokgo Yayeon climbed the stairs briskly to stand before him.
“I am Dokgo Yayeon, head of the Central Inspection Bureau.”
“I am Yeon So-Hyeon.”
The woman, who seemed to have entered middle age some time ago, wore no makeup and made no attempt to hide her wrinkles.
Her long white hair was simply tied back, devoid of any adornments.
Her expressionless face, along with her distinctive white eyes, fixed on Yeon So-Hyeon.
“From this moment, the investigation related to the budget of Wongak Pavilion will be undertaken by the Central Inspection Bureau.”
It was neither a request for permission nor seeking understanding.
Tall for a woman, she looked down at Yeon So-Hyeon, but her expression remained inscrutable.
“And the reason for telling me this is?”
Her gaze was steady, unflinching.
“Originally, Your Highness was the complainant in this investigation, but now that the Central Inspection Bureau is taking over, you are no longer a complainant but a mere witness.”
“So you’re saying I should not meddle in the investigation.”
Yeon So-Hyeon spoke mockingly, but she ignored him.
“Begin the investigation!”
Her chilling command, filled with internal power, echoed through the courtyard of the Inner Court.
* * *
The special investigative officers of the Central Inspection Bureau seemed to know the complex layout of the Inner Court as if it were their own home.
Without needing anyone’s guidance, they began to carry out their assigned tasks immediately.
A door to one of the offices burst open.
The appearance of figures in red uniforms froze everyone inside the office in place.
“This office will be temporarily used by the Central Inspection Bureau effective immediately. Please exit at once.”
No second command was needed.
Similar scenes unfolded throughout the Inner Court.
The officers quickly separated the staff, isolated them as necessary, and secured all potential evidence.
* * *
“Use all the waiting rooms as interrogation rooms. And the guidance for the departure of guests who visited the Inner Court?”
At Dokgo Yayeon’s inquiry, a special investigative officer immediately replied.
“The departure is in progress. We plan to complete it within this department.”
“Make sure it’s done within this department.”
“At once!”
As soon as the command was given, her orders continued to the remaining officers.
“Have all the high-ranking officials who are subjects of the investigation been secured?”
“All secured. An unusual finding is the discovery of the body of the Inner Court’s Accounting Secretary. Preliminary investigation suggests suicide. We are currently conducting a detailed investigation with those who handled the body.”
“Summon a coroner from the Law Enforcement Court to confirm whether it was homicide.”
“At once.”
Instructions were given and followed up on immediately.
“We have completed securing the targets of the initial investigation, witnesses, and necessary documents.”
“Begin their interrogation now. Ensure that the movements of the subjects under investigation do not overlap.”
A group of officers began to move.
“Hwabok.”
“Yes, Head.”
A man with a pleasant face, called Hwabok, responded to her call.
“Among the targets, there’s a Second Rank female court lady known as Court Lady Bang. Take charge of her.”
“Yes, understood.”
After responding, Hwabok asked with a playful smile.
“What will you do now, Head?”
Dokgo Yayeon, without any change in expression, replied calmly.
“I will now investigate Witness No. 1, Grand Young Master Yeon So-Hyeon.”
* * *
When she burst into Yeon So-Hyeon’s waiting room, he was engrossed in reading, surrounded by a stack of books he had obtained from somewhere.
“I will begin the witness interrogation of the Grand Young Master. Everyone else, please leave.”
As everyone began to rise, Yeon So-Hyeon raised his hand to stop them.
“There’s no need to send everyone out for just a witness interrogation.”
“There could be sensitive matters discussed.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Yeon So-Hyeon.
It almost looked like she was glaring at him.
“Then, I will proceed regardless.”
“Go ahead.”
She stood in front of the table.
“Grand Young Master…”
She was no longer the emotionless person she had been.
Her growling tone startled everyone present.
Anger was vividly evident on her contorted face.
“After hiding away for ten years, what are you suddenly plotting by appearing out of nowhere?”
“Well, they didn’t pay for the books, so I requested an inspection…”
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
Despite her harsh words, Jung-ah did not intervene.
It was not her place to step in.
“Who are you playing games with this time? The Head of the Inspection Bureau? The Chief Steward of the Inner Court? Or maybe the Head of the Elder Council?”
The mention of such high-ranking officials left the onlookers unable to even swallow their saliva.
“Ah, come on…”
Yeon So-Hyeon waved his hand dismissively.
“As if such prominent figures would bother dealing with someone like me.”
She ignored Yeon So-Hyeon’s comment.
“If that’s not the case, then what’s the reason for our sudden deployment here?!”
“How should I know?”
“How could you not know?!”
Yeon So-Hyeon raised his hands, indicating that this conversation was going nowhere.
“Remember this, Grand Young Master. Everyone who knows of your past is watching and wary of you.”
She bared her teeth.
“…Especially if you meddle with my Central Inspection Bureau, I won’t forgive you!”
The threat in her voice was palpable.
Yeon So-Hyeon looked aggrieved.
“No, really, this time it’s just because they didn’t pay for the books. I haven’t done anything else.”
Continuing with gestures, Yeon So-Hyeon added,
“You just do your investigation, I’ll read my books here. My maids can take a break and enjoy a meal prepared by others for a change.”
Dokgo Yayeon’s white eyes blazed as she glared at Yeon So-Hyeon.
“…I have given you fair warning.”
With that, she turned and stormed out of the waiting room.
All eyes were on Yeon So-Hyeon.
Especially Kang Ho, who was still trembling from the aura of her threat but kept his gaze fixed on Yeon So-Hyeon.
Yeon So-Hyeon asked them nonchalantly.
“What?”
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