Chapter 69
Part 19: The Main Investigation
News that members of the Inspection Department had arrived in the Inner Court reached the office of the Western Gate Steward as well.
The office, which had been full of energy until only moments ago, instantly grew heavy.
The senior steward cautiously opened her mouth, watching the Western Gate Steward’s expression.
“…Should we not go out and at least perform the courtesy of welcoming them?”
“…We should.”
The Western Gate Steward nodded.
“It would also be good to go out and personally confirm the faces of those we will have to deal with.”
The office door opened, and with the Western Gate Steward at the lead, the group of stewards moved as one.
In front of the main entrance to the Inner Court’s main building.
Beside Yeon Sang-hyeon, Kang-ho murmured,
“…Indeed, depending on which Pavilion the Inspection Department dispatches, we will be able to confirm just how seriously they are taking this investigation.”
I-ryeong opened her mouth.
“Perhaps the First Investigation Pavilion will step forward? After all, this is an investigation related to Wongakjeong, where the main family’s eldest young master resides.”
I-ryeong shook her head.
“But there is no way they would not be under pressure to downplay the incident. No matter how much the Inspection Department is an organization guaranteed independent authority within the main family…”
Sam-ryeong smacked her lips.
“Even so, a sixth-rank Inner Court accounting secretary, clearly among the highest-ranking officials within the Inner Court, has died. Even if the Second Investigation Pavilion or the Third Investigation Pavilion handles it at first, there is a chance the First Investigation Pavilion will eventually have to step in.”
The Inner Court, upon which the Inspection Department’s main investigation was about to descend, was as silent as a mouse.
When Yeon Sang-hyeon had visited today, people had been moving about busily, but now not a single one could be seen.
It was truly the calm before the storm.
“A group is approaching.”
The side gate opened, and the Western Gate Steward and her stewards appeared.
They did not even look in Yeon Sang-hyeon’s direction, nor did they acknowledge him.
One steward whispered, desperately hiding her nervousness.
“We have done everything we possibly could, so the First Investigation Pavilion will not step in, will it?”
“Would that not be the case? I expect the Second Pavilion or the Third Pavilion to come.”
“I believe the Inspection Department will care about outside scrutiny and send the First Pavilion, but that they will not actively conduct the investigation.”
All of them had reasonable points.
With a rigid, hardened face, the Western Gate Steward stared toward the main gate beyond the courtyard of the main building.
“They are coming in…!”
Through the side gate, people poured in without hesitation.
Their flawless crimson silk uniforms glittered beneath the sunlight.
Not one among them marveled at the scale of the Inner Court, slowed their steps, or looked around at their surroundings.
No one exchanged idle chatter. Every gaze was fixed straight ahead, and they even marched in step.
Rather than scholars, they looked more like a military organization that had undergone strict formal training.
The perfectly disciplined formation moved along the edge of the Inner Court’s courtyard.
“Which Pavilion are they from? Is there anyone among them you recognize?”
At the senior steward’s question, everyone murmured among themselves, frowning as they tried to find a familiar face.
“…I am not sure. I do not see any investigators I know from the Second or Third Pavilion.”
“I cannot recognize any faces either.”
“Then could they be from the First Investigation Pavilion? Since they only step forward for important cases, their faces would not be widely known…”
Even amid that, the investigators continued entering the Inner Court, one group after another.
“Who on earth are they…?! Is there no one who recognizes them…?! Are they truly people from the First Investigation Pavilion…?!”
The senior steward cried out in a low voice, but no one readily opened their mouth.
The answer came from the Western Gate Steward.
“…They are not the First Investigation Pavilion.”
Her voice was low, but it was close to a scream.
The stewards’ gazes turned toward her.
“Th-then where are they from?”
She squeezed her eyes shut.
“E-everyone, look over there!”
At someone’s shout, everyone’s gaze turned forward.
Once all the investigators had entered, the investigation commander appeared last.
“Wh-white hair?!”
“White hair and red robes?!”
“Impossible… Why…?”
Even from a distance, the snow-white hair, as clear as freshly fallen snow, could be seen tied back and fluttering in the wind.
She was a middle-aged woman with a harsh impression.
While everyone else moved in perfect order, she stood before the main gate and coldly glared at the Inner Court’s main building.
Her irises were like those of an ordinary person, but the pupils at their center were not black. They were pure white.
“…The ghost of white hair and white eyes has appeared.”
As everyone lost their composure, the Western Gate Steward spat out her name as though chewing on it.
“…The Chief of the Central Inspection Pavilion, Dokgo Ya-yeon.”
***
“Not even the First Investigation Pavilion, but the Central Inspection Pavilion…”
Even Kang-ho, who had conducted the preliminary investigation and submitted his report, could not hide his astonishment.
The triplet maids also looked stunned.
“…Are they the Central Inspection Pavilion said to have the authority to inspect even the Council of Elders?”
“They are the ones who dig into only the gravest suspicions.”
“Does this mean the matter involving Wongakjeong is serious enough for them to step in…?”
As the three exchanged words, beneath the stairs in front of the main building, the members of the Central Inspection Pavilion completed their deployment in perfect order.
The Chief of the Central Inspection Pavilion, standing at their very front, offered a formal bow toward Yeon Sang-hyeon.
“I greet the eldest young master of the main family.”
Following her, every member of the Central Inspection Pavilion paid their respects in one unified voice and motion.
It was etiquette that was neither excessive nor lacking, performed precisely according to form.
When Yeon Sang-hyeon clasped his hands and returned the courtesy, the Chief of the Central Inspection Pavilion, Dokgo Ya-yeon, strode up the stairs and stood before him.
“I am the Chief of the Central Inspection Pavilion, Dokgo Ya-yeon.”
“I am Yeon Sang-hyeon.”
She looked to be well into middle age. She wore no makeup, nor did she seem to have any intention of hiding her wrinkles.
Her long white hair was simply tied roughly behind her, without a single ornament.
With an expressionless face, her distinctive white eyes turned toward Yeon Sang-hyeon.
“I hereby inform you that, as of this moment, the investigation regarding Wongakjeong’s budget shall be handled by the Central Inspection Pavilion.”
She was not asking for permission, nor seeking understanding.
Tall for a woman, she looked down at Yeon Sang-hyeon, but nothing showed on her face.
“And the reason you are telling me this in particular?”
There was not the slightest tremor in her gaze.
“Originally, Young Master, you were the complainant in this investigation. However, now that the Central Inspection Pavilion has taken charge of the investigation, I inform you that you are no longer the complainant, but merely a witness.”
“You are making it difficult to say that I should not even think of sticking my nose into the investigation.”
Yeon Sang-hyeon sneered, but she ignored him.
“Begin the investigation!”
Her chilling shout, infused with inner force, rang throughout the courtyard of the Inner Court.
**
The Central Inspection Pavilion’s special inspection investigators knew the complicated structure of the Inner Court’s main building as though it were their own home.
Without needing anyone’s guidance, they began carrying out their preassigned duties.
One of the offices was flung open.
At the sight of the crimson uniforms, the people inside the office froze as though turned to ice.
“As of this moment, the Central Inspection Pavilion will temporarily use this room. Everyone, please leave immediately.”
There was no need for a second order.
And the same scene unfolded all throughout the Inner Court.
In an instant, they separated the Inner Court personnel, isolated them as needed, and secured every piece of material that might serve as evidence.
“Use all waiting rooms as interrogation rooms. And the guidance for the guests who visited the Inner Court to leave?”
At Dokgo Ya-yeon’s question, a special inspection investigator answered immediately.
“Their departure is currently in progress. We expect it to be completed within two gak.”
“Finish it within one gak.”
“Understood!”
No sooner had the one who received the order moved than her instructions continued toward the remaining personnel.
“The securing of high-ranking officials subject to inspection?”
“Complete. As a special note, the body of the Inner Court accounting secretary has been found. According to the preliminary investigation, it appears to be suicide. At present, we are conducting a detailed investigation of those who handled the body.”
“Summon a coroner from the Protectorate Court to determine whether it was murder.”
“Understood.”
The necessary instructions followed, and their execution was carried out immediately.
“We have secured the subjects of inspection, witnesses, and materials required for the preliminary investigation.”
“Begin questioning them from now on. Take care that none of the movements of those under investigation overlap.”
A group of personnel began to move.
“Hwabuk.”
“Yes, Pavilion Chief.”
A pleasant-looking man called Hwabuk answered her call.
“Among the targets, there is a second-rank female steward called Steward Bang. Take charge of her.”
“Yes, understood.”
After answering, Hwabuk asked with a teasing smile,
“Then, Pavilion Chief, from now on you will…?”
Without any change in expression, Dokgo Ya-yeon replied flatly,
“I will now investigate Witness Number One, Young Master Yeon Sang-hyeon.”
***
When she barged into Yeon Sang-hyeon’s waiting room, he was in the middle of reading a stack of books he had somehow obtained from somewhere.
“We will begin the witness questioning of the Young Master, so everyone aside from him is to leave.”
As everyone was about to rise from their seats, Yeon Sang-hyeon raised a hand to stop them.
“There is no need to send everyone out for a mere witness questioning.”
“Sensitive matters may come up.”
“It does not matter.”
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Yeon Sang-hyeon.
It was almost as though she were glaring at him.
“Then I shall speak without concern.”
“Go ahead.”
She stood before the table.
“Young Master…”
She was no longer the emotionless woman she had been until now.
At her almost growling tone, everyone present was startled.
On her distorted face, an anger that seemed about to erupt at any moment was clearly visible.
“After keeping yourself shut away for a full ten years, now you suddenly pop out—just what in the world are you plotting?”
“No, they would not pay for my books. That is why I requested an inspection…”
“Do not spout nonsense!”
Despite her violent words, Jeong-ah did not step forward.
It was an appalling killing intent.
Yeon Sang-hyeon made an expression of bafflement.
“No, I am telling you, this time it really is because they did not pay for my books. I did not do anything.”
Yeon Sang-hyeon continued, gesturing with his hands.
“You only need to conduct your investigation. I will sit here and read books, and my maids can rest a little while eating food provided by others for the first time in a while.”
The white eyes of the Chief of the Central Inspection Pavilion flashed as she glared at Yeon Sang-hyeon.
“…I have clearly warned you.”
She turned around, kicked the door open, and left the waiting room.
Everyone’s gaze turned toward Yeon Sang-hyeon.
Kang-ho in particular, while still trembling from the aftereffects of her killing intent, looked at Yeon Sang-hyeon.
Yeon Sang-hyeon asked them shamelessly,
“What?”
It had not been a situation where anyone could step forward.
“Who are you playing games with this time? The Head of the Inspection Department? The Inner Court Chief? Or the Head of the Elder Council?”
At the names of the highest among the highest-ranking figures that tumbled out one after another, the people present could not even swallow their dry saliva.
“Good grief, what are you…”
Yeon Sang-hyeon waved his hand dismissively.
“Would such great personages bother dealing with someone like me?”
She ignored Yeon Sang-hyeon’s words.
“If not that, then what is the reason we were suddenly assigned here?!”
“How would I know that?”
“There is no way you would not know!”
Yeon Sang-hyeon raised both hands in a gesture that said there was no getting through to her.