HBPEK C8

EPISODE 8. IT’S TIME TO CLEAN UP

It was at that moment that she made up her mind.

A few gusts of wind swept across the quiet pond. Beneath the clear moonlight, the blue lotus swayed, unable to resist the force of the wind. At a glance, a faint purple glow seemed to hover around the buds that were supposed to be blue.

In that instant, a realization flashed through Won Soye’s mind.

That’s it!

Won Soye gathered the scattered elixirs from the tea table and stepped outside. She found a spot where the moonlight shone clearly, spread them out, and crouched a short distance away.

After staring at them for a while, a deep smile appeared in her eyes.

Among the elixirs bathed in moonlight, several emitted a soft purple shimmer.

I found them!

It was the moment she held three Great Hwandan of Shaolin in her hands.

The elixirs needed to restore her inner strength were now ready.

Now, all that remained was to absorb them and rebuild her internal energy.

But before undertaking something so important, there was someone who needed to be removed quietly.

Jin Seongyeo.

Tonight will be your last night in Yeonhwa Palace.

Won Soye strolled leisurely along the pond of Yeonhwa Palace.

She enjoyed the scent of newly bloomed flowers, brushed pollen from their petals, snapped off small twigs, and spent a long while immersed in admiring the blossoms.

From the outside, her life as the Crown Princess seemed completely relaxed.

But inside, her thoughts were anything but calm.

Jin Seongyeo, who never left her side, was as irritating as a fishbone stuck in her throat.

As long as Jin Seongyeo remains in Yeonhwa Palace, I won’t be able to absorb the elixirs. I’ll waste everything. It’s time to clean up.

With a bright expression, Won Soye called out,

“Seongyeo, I haven’t seen you since sunset. Where do you go every night?”

A calm smile appeared on Jin Seongyeo’s lips as she answered without hesitation.

“To better serve Your Highness, I attend to matters that cannot be handled during the day. Though I am insignificant, I maintain connections with various departments in the palace and receive their assistance.”

“Is that so? You’re quite skilled socially. You must be exhausted—working all day and still unable to rest at night.”

Then Won Soye called again,

“Eunryeong.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I’m going to Suragan. Prepare at once.”

The sudden announcement widened not only Eunryeong and Chaehee’s eyes, but Jin Seongyeo’s as well.

Chaehee asked first,

“Hehe, Your Highness, why are you going to Suragan?”

“I thought of making snacks for His Highness the Crown Prince, who has been busy. And since you’ve all been helping me, I should make enough for everyone.”

“Oh…!”

Chaehee and Eunryeong’s faces lit up instantly.

Eunryeong, unable to hide her happiness, replied,

“I’ll prepare it right away.”

“Oh, Seongyeo, I have another favor to ask.”

“A favor is unnecessary. Just give your command, Your Highness.”

“Then I will. Since you’re acquainted with many departments, go to the Ministry of the Interior and bring the ingredients needed for cooking.”

“…Yes? That is…”

Though reluctant to leave Yeonhwa Palace, Jin Seongyeo could not refuse Won Soye’s eager gaze.

“…I will carry out your order.”

“Thank you. I’m about to begin, so hurry. You can follow what’s written here.”

Won Soye handed her a paper listing the ingredients.

After taking it, Jin Seongyeo left Yeonhwa Palace.

Got you.

The moment she disappeared, Won Soye dropped her smile and urged the others,

“Let’s go as well!”

“Y-Your Highness, please slow down—you might fall!”

Eunryeong and Chaehee followed in confusion as Won Soye suddenly hurried off.

At the news of the Crown Princess’s visit, Suragan fell into chaos.

As instructed in advance, they quickly prepared cauldrons, steamers, and various ingredients.

“Her Highness the Crown Princess has arrived!”

At the eunuch’s announcement, everyone stopped what they were doing and bowed.

As Won Soye entered, the head cook stepped forward and greeted her.

“We greet Your Highness.”

“You may all rise.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Some of the cooks, seeing her for the first time, stole curious glances.

“I’m sorry for coming so suddenly when you must already be busy.”

“Not at all, Your Highness. Please, this way.”

The cook explained the equipment and ingredients she would use.

As Won Soye tied on an apron and washed her hands, Chaehee rushed over.

“Hehe, Seongyeo is back, Your Highness.”

“I see.”

Soon, Jin Seongyeo arrived with the ingredients, breathing heavily as if she had rushed.

While preparations were somewhat hectic, the moment Won Soye began cooking, everyone stopped and focused on her hands.

From the youngest servants to the most experienced cooks, witnessing the Crown Princess cook personally was a once-in-a-lifetime sight.

“Will she be alright?”

“What if she cuts herself?”

“Hehe, this is amazing…”

Whispers spread around.

With swift movements—

This is nothing compared to swordsmanship.

She spun the kitchen knife a few times effortlessly, then sliced the vegetables on the cutting board into perfectly even pieces in an instant.

It was a level of skill even seasoned cooks could not imitate.

“Wow…!”

Exclamations erupted everywhere.

Soon, a refreshing plum drink made from smoked plums and a delicately prepared pea cake were completed.

Chaehee cheered first,

“Wow, Your Highness! It looks so delicious!”

Figures… you’d like it the most.

“Where is His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“At Taegyeong Palace. We’ve already sent word that you will be bringing food,” Eunryeong replied.

“Good. Pack everything carefully.”

The food was neatly placed into a lunch box.

As they were about to leave—

“Give it to me. I will take it to Taegyeong Palace.”

As expected, Jin Seongyeo stepped forward.

Won Soye had been waiting for this.

“No. This is for His Highness. I will deliver it personally.”

“Her Ladyship ordered that Your Highness must rest. I will go in your stead. Please remain in Yeonhwa Palace.”

Jin Seongyeo grabbed the food box from Eunryeong.

Stopping Eunryeong from protesting, Won Soye asked coldly,

“What do you mean by that?”

“As I said. You are in recovery, so I will deliver it instead.”

“So you intend to take food meant for His Highness by yourself? What are your true intentions? Are you harboring treason?”

“T-treason? That is unjust! I merely—”

“Silence!”

Her voice thundered.

For the first time, Jin Seongyeo’s composure cracked.

“What are you plotting with this food?” Won Soye pressed.

“I only meant to run an errand…”

“An errand? Using me as an excuse? You were planning to poison the food.”

At the word poison, everyone in Suragan stiffened.

“Poison? How could I dare—”

“The reason you targeted His Highness can be uncovered later. And given my previous incident, you could easily frame me for attempting to poison him.”

“That is absurd!”

“It’s not something you could do alone. Someone must be behind you. Who is your true master?”

By clearing suspicion from Lady Yeongbi, Won Soye left Jin Seongyeo isolated.

“I am innocent! There is no evidence!”

“Evidence?” Won Soye sneered. “Have the Imperial Guards arrived?”

At her words, Jin Seongyeo froze.

She had been completely trapped.

Only then did she realize she had walked straight into Won Soye’s scheme.

Moments later—

“Your Highness, the guards have arrived.”

“Let them in.”

Two officers in yellow uniforms entered.

Their sharp eyes and imposing presence filled the room with pressure.

Jin Seongyeo finally understood.

The Crown Princess she thought she knew—

was not the same person standing before her now.