Empress Handbook

Chapter Twelve | Uxoricide

"Explain," Yunhee growls as she throws a tablet on the ground.

Yeoreum looks at the news article displayed on the screen that discusses her comment on Jungwol's issue. She lets a silent sigh of relief.

"I apologise, Mother," Yeoreum says.

Yunhee narrows her eyes. "And what is that supposed to change?"

Yunhee takes the empty teacup on the coffee table and tosses it at Yeoreum. A shard of china glides across Yeoreum's calf, leaving a small trail of blood.

Yoongi dashes to stand in front of Yeoreum, guarding her away from Yunhee's fury.

"Your Highness, please refrain from hurting Her Majesty."

Yunhee snaps, "Go away. You have no right to speak to me."

Yeoreum sighs and takes a step forward. "It is fine, Yoongi. Just wait outside of the room," she says quietly.

Yoongi's lips flutter, words of objection totter at the rear of his mouth, but in the end, he swallows his anger into a courteous bow.

"Yes," Yoongi mutters, "Please summon us if you need anything, Your Majesty."

Yeoreum nods, and Yoongi brings the other servants out of the room. The door closes with a click that echoes the sound of Yunhee slapping her hand across Yeoreum's cheek.

Yeoreum has already gotten what she wanted. The media has pressured the Imperial House into requesting an investigation for homicidal possibilities in Jungwol's case, so she doesn't have any reason to tug Yoongi and other innocent people into this mess.

"Jungwol and Yoon Yoojung's death was an accident. You were delirious to deliver such an outrageous speech to the reporters," Yunhee snarls.

"No, mother," Yeoreum utters. "There are so many suspicious things regarding the incident. We cannot just close the case as a mere 'accident.'"

"Fine," Yunhee says. Her gold double-headed phoenix binyeo shines a glisten that is as sharp as the angle of her tilted lips. "Even if an investigation was necessary, it is still incredibly inappropriate for you to publicly declare anything while representing the Imperial House."

"But I exclusively represented myself. I did not—"

"You are a part of the Imperial Family now, Empress. You are no longer Song Yeoreum; you are Empress Yeoreum. You no longer have likes and dislikes, you no longer have emotions, and you no longer have a personality. Every single bit of you is reserved for the Imperial House now." Yunhee grasps Yeoreum's chin and grumbles. "I am very sick of your impulsive, obnoxious tendency to babble false things to the public. Thus, as your mother-in-law, I will issue you some discipline. Courtiers will be here in an hour to closely monitor your behaviour. The internet in Pearl Palace will be unplugged, and the password to the social media accounts will be changed. I will take your electronic devices, and they will be confiscated until you improve your behaviour. You will no longer need to attend your engagements and are forbidden from leaving this Pearl Palace. If you have an emergency reason to leave, you will have to ask your courtier to request permission from me. Now, thank me for bestowing discipline upon you."

"Thank you, Mother." Yeoreum shuts her eyes to force the syllables out of her tightly gritted teeth. She feels like a crushed pile of ashes abandoned on the side of a sewer.

Yunhee wets her lips. "Why are you thanking me, Empress? Tell me the reason."

Yeoreum trembles. "Thank you, Mother, for bestowing discipline upon me."

———

"Empress Dowager, please help me." Soojung drops to her knees and instantly begins to shed tears. "Please!"