Moon's Whisper, Heart's Echo

40. The Undoing

The sound of Lord Cho's cup touching the table made Lady Yi flinch.

Just slightly - barely a tremor - but his smile deepened at the tell.

"So," he studied the tea's surface as if reading fortunes, "tell me again about this scholar."

Steam rose between them like unspoken threats. He hadn't offered her any tea.

"As I said before—"

"Ah." He lifted one finger, the gesture stopping her words as effectively as a blade. "Not what you said before. Tell me again. Now."

Her fingers twisted in her lap, hidden by expensive silk. "She lay with a lowborn scholar. I saw—"

"Did you?" His voice carried that dangerous softness. "See it yourself?"

"I had proof."

"Indeed." He set his cup down with precise care. "Then you won't mind sharing that proof at tonight's ceremony. Under oath. Before heaven itself."

Lady Yi's carefully maintained composure cracked just slightly. "My lord—"

His hand shot out, catching her chin. Not roughly - Lord Cho never needed to be rough to make his point. "If I am to stake my life on your claims about that boy's bloodline..." His thumb pressed against her jaw. "You understand you'll be staking yours as well?"

She tried to pull back, but his grip held firm.

"After all," his smile never wavered, "it would be... unfortunate if I were made to look a fool because of your family's indiscretions. Wouldn't you agree?"

Silence returned.

"So tell me once more." He released her, reaching for his tea as if nothing had happened. "You're certain about the boy's parentage?"

Lady Yi touched her jaw, feeling the ghost of his grip. "Yes, my lord."

"Good." He sipped his tea with perfect composure. "Because tonight, we'll both swear to it before the ancestors themselves." His eyes met hers over the cup's rim. "I do hope you're not lying to me, Lady Yi. For both our sakes."

Lady Yi's hands wouldn't stop shaking as she hurried through the morning streets.

The silk of her hanbok felt too tight, too constraining. Each step sent pain shooting through her knees - she hadn't even noticed she'd been kneeling before Lord Cho for so long.

"Such audacity," Lady Yi muttered, her fingers finding the tender spots on her throat as she hurried through the morning streets. "To threaten me... me..."

Her usual precise steps faltered slightly, composure cracking with each corner she turned. How dare he? After all she'd sacrificed to maintain proper order—

"Tsk tsk." The sound cut through her thoughts like a blade. "Not even visiting your daughter-in-law today?"

Lady Yi turned to find a woman blocking her path. Not a common street vendor or merchant's wife - something in her bearing spoke of different lessons learned. She wore simple clothes, but her posture carried more natural authority than most court ladies managed with all their silks.

"Who—" Lady Yi caught herself, remembering her station. "Move aside... I don't have time for mad women."

"Interesting." The woman - Madame Jin, though Lady Yi didn't know it - tilted her head like a bird studying particularly fascinating prey. "Even now, you cling to that pride. Tell me, does it comfort you? When you lie awake remembering all you've lost?"

"How dare you—"

"Oh, I dare many things." Madame Jin's smile carried secrets. "Just as you dared to trust prophecies that served others' purposes. How many nights did you lie awake?" Her laugh held no warmth. "Convincing yourself you were correct."