Chapter 50: Maid Seol Ran Part 2

Upper Fifth Rank Commander of the Inner Swords Seol Tae Pyeong.

Based on the recommendation of Vice General Jeong Seong Tae and Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun, his merits were carefully evaluated and he was found to be truly worthy of praise.

They conferred upon him the title of Upper Fifth Rank officer and assigned him the duties of the commander of the inner swords, with the hope that he would always strive to manage the discipline and security of the inner palace well.

Additionally, according to the wishes of the Vice General, 150 out of the 800 households that were granted to him were given to his subordinate Seol Tae Pyeong as were the tax rights over the 150 households in the Hwalseong District area of the Black Tortoise Market in the imperial capital.

Even rapid promotions had their limits.

Hwalseong District which was located on the northwestern outskirts of the imperial capital was comprised of dozens of districts.

In fact, it was so far out on the outskirts that it was rather shabby for such a magnificent imperial capital. Most of the land was barren … and the number of households living there was only about 150, which was very insignificant considering the imperial capital’s grandeur.

However, this place was now his land.

It was the result of nearly three years of risking his life as a subordinate of the Vice General to hunt down demonic spirits.

“………”

“Tae Pyeong-ah, let’s continue to stay close in the future.”

Wang Han who had come to deliver him the land documents looked around at the landscape of Hwalseong District with fiery eyes.

As soon as he saw his old friend after several years, he poured a drink and clapped his hands in celebration of his success.

A fiefdom meant having the privilege to freely wield the taxation rights of the people of a specific region.

Vice General Jeong Seong Tae who led the subjugation campaign was granted a fiefdom of 800 households by Emperor Woon Sung. However, the Vice General handed over 150 of those households to him.

Then he patted his back and spoke with a hearty laugh.

– If you want to become the commander of the Red Palace in the future, you need this kind of authority! Yes… You should be able to manage land with 150 households! I don’t think you’re someone who lacks that kind of spirit, so handle it well, hahahahaha!

Indeed, the best way to control someone is to give them so much that it becomes burdensome.

The Vice General understood this better than anyone.

Originally, he was never of a status to receive such a large fiefdom, but with the Vice General and the Heavenly Maiden backing him, even the high officials accepted it without much fuss.

And so he became the manager of a small territory on the outskirts of the imperial capital.

Although the privilege was nothing more than the right to tax, the majority of people living in the outskirts were poor, and the poor often made up for it by working or serving in the military because they were unable to pay taxes, so it is no wonder that it was actually called the right to govern.

Indeed, it was indeed unprecedented for someone at the age of nineteen to receive such privileges.

So… was it good?

“The new lord tax official has come to Hwalseong District…!”

“Oh, Master Seol…! Please consider our situation…! Our child is so emaciated… His stomach is sticking to his back…”

“Master Seol…! We don’t have a single grain of rice at home… Could you please take pity on our situation…!”

Indeed…

No matter how high one’s official rank was, how valuable could the land given to a nineteen-year-old who had just reached the upper fifth rank be?

When I arrived in Hwalseong District as its new owner, countless residents, including the village head, came out, bowed deeply, and started begging.

In essence… they gathered and pleaded for the new tax official to be merciful.

Indeed.

Hwalseong District was the most underdeveloped area on the outskirts of the capital.

It was practically a den of beggars.

To capture the plague demonic spirit, who was also known as the King of demonic spirits, many things were needed.

I must have the Heavenly Maiden who wielded the energy of the Heavenly Dragon as an ally.

I must enlist the help of the crown princess consorts who were vigilant and could respond to any anomaly within the palace.

I must eliminate the high officials who were skeptical about the descent of the plague demonic spirit.

And crucially, I needed power.

Before the plague demonic spirit descended upon the world, there were three special demonic spirits that heralded its arrival.

They were the Sun demonic spirit, the Moon demonic spirit, and the White demonic spirit.

These three demonic spirits were so cunning that they understood human language and could even mimic human forms to infiltrate.

Because they differed from typical demonic spirits, they were called “special demonic spirits”, but in truth, such creatures had rarely appeared in the history of Cheongdo Palace.

Not only was their martial strength immense, but they even had an understanding of the palace’s political dynamics, so they could even cause turmoil within the palace.

Therefore, I needed someone who would be loyal only to me regardless of the political situation in the palace.

I guess receiving the fiefdom of 150 households… it must be because of Ah Hyun’s influence…

I thought so to myself as I looked at the list of names brought by the head of Hwalseong District.

Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun never wanted to send me to the Red Palace or the Ghost Hands.

They not only held a deep respect for the strong but also never wanted to give their talents to others… So once you were entangled with them, it would be exhausting.

Indeed, even before the campaign, it was tiring to constantly receive gifts from Commander Woon Baek of the Ghost Hands and Vice General Jeong Seong Tae of the Red Palace.

If the gifts had been from an equal, it would have been different, but when someone from a much higher position kept approaching me, I didn’t even have the freedom to refuse.

Anyway, looking at the situation, the Heavenly Maiden seemed to want to keep me under her influence… but no matter what, a military officer couldn’t rise beyond a certain point without achieving merit.

That’s why… she made a deal to give me a part of the fiefdom received in exchange for me serving as Vice General Jeong Seong Tae’s subordinate.

– Tae Pyeong-ah, you need to establish a loyal force outside the palace in advance.

– …That’s easier said than done…

– It doesn’t matter if it’s not easy. Surely, you’re not still dreaming of working less and earning more, are you?

– .….

– Forget about trying to secure an idle job. Tae Pyeong, sorry, but you’re meant to be a general.

She declared this and then assigned me several lower-ranking officials to help manage the Hwalseong District territory.

She also sent builders to construct a mansion within Hwalseong District…. and even filled the storeroom with silk, grain, and various treasures. The sheer power of the Heavenly Maiden was impressive, yet I couldn’t help but feel uneasy about how far she intended to push me.

Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun. Former senior maid Yeon Ri.

Once she decided to trust someone, she would shower them with everything she had to elevate them to a high-ranking position. It made them easier to use.

I could almost hear her ominous words as she sat in the pavilion of the Heavenly Dragon Hall and gazed up at the waterfall.

An idle job? Quality of life? Don’t even dream about it.

You are the most important person in stopping the demonic spirits, and you must build your foundation as quickly as possible.

As a result…

Inner Swords Commander Seol Tae Pyeong… He requested not to hunt down the demonic spirits, but it was not permitted…

Inner Swords Commander Seol Tae Pyeong… He tried to return the fiefdom while saying he didn’t need it, but it was not permitted…

Inner Swords Commander Seol Tae Pyeong… He suggested that a position as a guard in Cheongdo Palace would be better, but it was not permitted…

Inner Swords Commander Seol Tae Pyeong… He pleaded for an idle job while promising to help with anything related to the demonic spirits, but it was not permitted…

Only the accumulating records of the lower-ranking officials bore witness to my struggles…

Seeing the crowd lining up to meet this newly appointed commander…. I lowered my head and held back tears.

Please, Yeon Ri, don’t do this…

Please… don’t do this…

Seol Tae Pyeong, a third-rate warrior of the White Immortal Palace, returned to Cheongdo Palace. Under the protection of the Heavenly Maiden and the Vice General, he was recognized for his achievements and properly climbed up the ranks.

Despite many opposing forces due to his affiliation with the Huayongseol clan, he received a large territory that did not fit the rank of an Upper Fifth Rank military official.

Seol Tae Pyeong’s reputation grew considerably among the new officials. News of his rise to power was spreading widely among the palace maids.

Furthermore, it became known that Seol Ran who was soon to be promoted to a senior maid was his sister. This greatly changed the way the other maids viewed her.

“Ran-ah! If there’s anything you’re uncomfortable in work, make sure to say so…”

“Ah… Ran-ah… You’re soon to be a senior maid, why are you moving the food supplies yourself… Let me take it. I’ll instruct my maids to do it.”

“Ran-ah! Why are you sweating so much…! If it’s too hard, I told you to let me know…!”

The senior maids of the Heavenly Dragon Hall started paying close attention to Seol Ran’s condition.

Seol Ran was strong and resilient by nature, so she had no reason to be concerned about such things. Therefore, it was quite difficult for her to get used to the current situation where the senior maids were instead watching her closely.

I just… want to work comfortably…!

She cried inwardly as she blended in with the maids of the Heavenly Dragon Hall.

Many senior maids were now aiming to become the headmaid of some part of the main palace.

If one could obtain the position of headmaid, the salary and treatment they would receive would be on a completely different level. However, becoming a headmaid was not something just anyone could achieve. Beyond merely leading people well and managing the palace efficiently, one also had to earn the trust of those in power.

The more powerful people around, the more advantageous it was… If one could recruit the sister of the suddenly rising Commander Seol, it would be perfect. When he became more successful, he might recommend them for a headmaid position somewhere.

At this point, it would have been better for Seol Ran to simply live under Seol Tae Pyeong’s protection and manage the Hwalseong District mansion or something…. It was actually surprising that she was still working as a maid.

She was someone who naturally liked to work.

“Ran-ah…! Headmaid Lee Ryeong wants to see you after she checks on the maids….! She said she has something to say…!”

Even the headmaid of the Heavenly Dragon Hall called for Seol Ran.

However, this was strange.

It’s one thing for newly appointed senior maids to try to broaden their network long-term by associating with the family members of influential people.

But for someone like Headmaid Lee Ryeong, who was already the most authoritative figure among the palace maids, there was no need for such actions.

Why does the headmaid want to see me…?

Seol Ran tilted her head in confusion… But she finished her work and went to the headmaid’s office in the Heavenly Dragon Hall.

“Court Lady Seol, you won’t need to come to the Heavenly Dragon Hall from three days hence. Pack your belongings from the inner chambers before then.”

Seol Ran was informed of her dismissal from the inner palace.

“…Huh?”

Three days later, Seol Ran packed her belongings and left the inner chambers of the Heavenly Dragon Hall. That room was no longer hers.

“………”

Carrying her belongings tightly in her arms, she stepped out of the inner palace and looked up at the sky with a vacant expression on her face.

“…Was I… really that bad at my job…”

Seol Ran trudged towards the main palace with tears welling up in her eyes.

Since her days as a maid, whenever she found a moment, she would make excuses to visit the White Immortal Palace to see Tae Pyeong.

It seemed the headmaid knew about this and had turned a blind eye to it until now. However, it was strange that she suddenly declared they could no longer overlook such misconduct at the Heavenly Dragon Hall.

Though it was almost an unreasonable accusation, Seol Ran had no choice but to accept it.

Still… I’m just glad that Tae Pyeong isn’t affected…

Where she would be assigned next was up to the personnel officer of the main palace, but she hoped it would be at the inner palace. There was no place like the four main palaces and the Heavenly Dragon Hall where a maid could gain such recognition.

Having lived nearly half her life as a maid, Seol Ran had a sense of pride in her work.

In fact, as Seol Tae Pyeong was gradually advancing to a proper position, she could cling to him and take care of minor tasks for him, but…

How could an elder sister live off the achievements of her younger brother, who was making a commendable contribution to the imperial palace?

Since her younger brother was working so hard…. it was only right that she too should take pride in her work, fulfill her duties, and gain recognition. Only then could she stand proudly before her one and only brother.

As she walked towards the main palace, Seol Ran shook her head a few times before taking a deep breath and regaining her composure.

She couldn’t afford to be disheartened like this.

Yes…! I may have been removed from the most prestigious position a maid could hold, but if I work hard and gain recognition in the main palace, I could become a senior maid and return to the four main palaces or the Heavenly Dragon Hall someday!

I can’t just be discouraged when Tae Pyeong is working so hard! Let’s do this! First, I’ll carefully look at my next assignment… and I’ll try to earn as much recognition as possible!

Seol Ran clenched her fists and encouraged herself.

No matter what, Seol Ran was a girl who never gave up.

Who would have thought that the Vermilion Princess would completely let go of her grudge against the people of the Huayongseol clan… But come to think of it, this was only normal…

Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun was sitting quietly in the Heavenly Jade Pavilion and she lowered her gaze awkwardly.

Indeed, though she had some knowledge of the future events, the story had already started to diverge from what she knew.

Originally, the junior maid Seol Ran was supposed to lose her position at the Heavenly Dragon Hall due to the Vermilion Princess’s schemes.

She would have been expelled from the Heavenly Dragon Hall and relegated to doing menial tasks at the “Great Prison Hall” where imprisoned sinners stayed until her abilities were recognized again.

There, she was supposed to meet the white Taoist An Cheon who was imprisoned as a sinner, receive some knowledge of Taoist magic from him, sense the energy of the heavenly dragon for the first time, and go through a grueling process to go back to the Heavenly Dragon Hall.

Even if everything else could be resolved somehow, she had to meet the white Taoist An Cheon right away. This was because he was destined to become the next White Immortal of the palace and would be Seol Ran’s greatest ally in the future.

Although Ah Hyun who was seated in her position as the Heavenly Maiden could arrange for the two to meet…. building an emotional connection from such a chance encounter couldn’t be forced through power.

However…. no matter how long she waited, the Vermilion Princess showed no signs of trying to banish Seol Ran from the inner palace.

That’s right… after she caught feelings for Seol Tae Pyeong, she completely washed away her resentment towards the Huayongseol clan.

Well first, let’s banish Court Lady Seol and then gradually plan to bring her back. The Great Prison Hall is always short of hands, so it’s certain the personnel officer will send Court Lady Seol there. And as for Tae Pyeong, he seems to be steadily growing his influence, so there’s nothing to worry about…

As she brushed her hand over the teacup, Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun murmured awkwardly. She felt somewhat sorry for Seol Ran, but this was necessary for the bigger picture. Later, she could reward her properly to make up for it.

Yes, everything could still be managed somehow. The story hadn’t deviated significantly yet.

Even though she was the future Heavenly Maiden, she was still just a lowly maid for now.

She planned to release her for a while and then bring her back to the Heavenly Dragon Hall.

Or at least… that’s what she thought.

However, there was a part that Ah Hyun’s thoughts didn’t reach…

That lowly maid Seol Ran.

To the crown princess consorts of the four palaces, what significance could one common maid hold…

The next day, a piece of explosive news dropped like a bombshell at the tea gathering of the princess consorts of the four great palaces.

The junior maid Seol Ran, the older sister of the Inner Swords Commander Seol Tae Pyeong, had been banished from the Heavenly Dragon Hall.

She was known to be so close to her brother that they would ask about each other’s well-being and meet frequently whenever they had the chance.

Seol Tae Pyeong’s most precious relative in the world was his only blood kin… and he cherished her so much that he would cross the walls of the inner palace just to see her from time to time.

Such was Seol Ran… who had now become a person without affiliation in the palace.

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

The crown princess consorts who were gathered around the tea table were all silent.

The headmaids standing behind them already felt headaches coming on.

It was an inexplicable… omen of some impending disaster…