Empress Handbook

Chapter Fifty | Red Herring

The cabinet ministers' grim expression adds new weight to the air in Taehyung's office. The middle-aged men glare at each other across the room. They look like a flock of birds nervously trying to decide who to fly out of the nest first.

Yunhee observes their tense faces with a smile playing on her lips. She looks to Yeoreum, who is meekly standing behind her and squints her eyes.

Yeoreum prims her lips to ensure everyone in the room can detect her lack of willingness before stepping forward.

"Good morning, ministers. It is a pleasure to meet you all, and I apologise for gathering you all here so early in the morning on short notice."

"No, it is our honour," the ministers say collectively.

"Today, I want to announce the fate of the late Emperor's projects. As all of you know, my mental state has been deteriorating. Thus, I am no longer fit for that responsibility," Yeoreum utters with just the right amount of rue. "However, we will disappoint the public if I give up on all those projects. So, after careful consideration, I have decided to transfer all the late Emperor's projects and my own for Empress Dowager to take care of them."

"Is this decision temporary?" a man says. His ample voice stops Yunhee's smile from widening.

Yeoreum recognises the man, Ryu Jaehyun, one of Taehyung's biggest supporters in the parliament. After Taehyung cancelled his eviction and provided him with more power, he is now one of the most influential ministers in the cabinet.

Yunhee shoots Yeoreum a look, and Yeoreum obediently raises her voice.

"It will be indefinite," Yeoreum says with her eyes locked on the ground.

"Perhaps we should pass some projects to Prince Jungkook. According to what I know, His Highness barely has any Imperial Engagements on hand. If all the projects are passed to Her Highness, it could—"

"Prince Jungkook is busy with the family's private initiatives," Yunhee hisses.

Another minister steps out of the group. He heedfully examines Yunhee's expression before he opens his mouth.

"But now that Emperor Taehyung has passed without any living children, it would be a reasonable idea to plan for his successor. The most suitable person to take the throne would be Prince Jungkook. His Highness was only transferred to Prince Joonhyuk out of kindness. Now that Prince Joonhyuk has been expelled from the family, it is logical to bring Prince Jungkook back to the main family branch. Additionally, Prince Jungkook is related to Emperor Taehyung by blood, so the Imperial Dignity will also be protected that way."

"No," Yunhee says. She narrows her eyes in a way that can set the poor man aflame. "Prince Jungkook has been happily transferred to the Jeon cadet branch, and he has found great peace in that change. It would be unreasonable to transfer him back to the main branch. We must show our authority and credit through our actions to maintain our dignity. If we falter between our choices, the people could lose trust in us."

"Yes," Yeoreum says. "This is a private matter. Taehyung passed very recently, and both Empress Dowager and I do not feel comfortable with this topic yet, so I would like to ask for your patience and understanding."

Yeoreum heaves a sigh of relief at Yunhee's look of approval. She purposely stepped in to get the opportunity to delay the decision process for Taehyung's successor. At least this way, it would be less convenient for Yunhee to take over Taehyung's power immediately.

The man frowns. "I am very sorry for Emperor Taehyung's death, and I understand the grief and sorrow it has brought, but the monarchy needs a head of state—"