The Third Murder : Murder Of Queen Dowager

Prime Minister Jung Myeong, seated at the table in his room, addressed his wife, Lady Sang-Hee, stating, "Da Won is more than just a guard; we must replace him. He could pose a threat to us, and we need to eliminate that risk."

Expressing her concern, Lady Sang-Hee replied, "We are arranging our daughter's marriage to the King. If we are discovered, our daughter will be in jeopardy."

Jung Myeong suggested, "We should handle this matter discreetly to ensure that no one catches wind of it."

"Someone outside, summon Il Sung," called Prime Minister Jung Myeong.

"Yes," responded the guard stationed outside.

Upon Il Sung's arrival, he bowed and inquired, "My Master, have you summoned me?"

"Find a reliable person to investigate Royal Guard Da Won."

Il Sung with a bow, "Yes, I understand," and exited the room.

In the opulent Royal Library, King In Hyuk was immersed in reading at a table, attended by Eunuch Byung Ho. Da Won entered the Library.

"I'm feeling thirsty. Go ahead and get me some juice," In Hyuk ordered Eunuch Byung Ho.

"Yes, your Majesty," Eunuch Byung Ho cast a suspicious gaze at Da Won as the latter approached the king, and then exited.

Da Won bowed and took a seat at the table, following In Hyuk's gesture, patiently waiting until the sound of Eunuch Byung Ho's footsteps faded away.

"It is the case as you expected, this month too farmers only received three thousand silver coins instead of the usual five thousand for their grains. These grains were then sold in the market for ten thousand silver coins. No records exist; this is the result of my calculations," Da Won explained, handing In Hyuk some documents.

"Why hasn't anyone complained to the court?"

"They have," Da Won replied, "but they were mercilessly killed on Queen Dowager's orders." Da Won then handed some sketches and wooden name tags to In Hyuk.

"That many people?" asked In Hyuk, anger surging in his head as his hands trembled with the overwhelming sadness while going through the sketches. He felt like his veins will explode.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Da Won confirmed. " There are a lot of others which can't be proven due to lack of evidence "

In the hushed atmosphere, In Hyuk remained silent, his focus absorbed by the weight of the documents before him. After a contemplative pause, he uttered, "Alright, I'll handle it," gently returning the papers to their place.

Turning his attention to more personal matters, "How are the preparations for the marriage proceeding?"

"We're attending to it with due diligence."

The room then resonated with the approach of footsteps. Swiftly, Da Won gathered the papers and sketches, securing them within a bamboo letter holder that found its place on the table.

"Allow me to take my leave Your Majesty," declared Da Won, rising from his seat.

Eunuch Byung-Ho entered, placing juice before King In Hyuk.

"Your Majesty, Da Won, the royal guard, isn't he here to protect you?, Why he's handling matters outside," asked Eunuch Byung-Ho cautiously.

In Hyuk turned, to Eunuch who took a step back in case The King was offended, whispering, "I'm too lazy to work; I've handed half my burden to him."

"Ahhh, yes, Your Majesty," replied Eunuch Byung-Ho awkwardly.

In Hyuk returned to his reading, still contemplating earlier matters.

The marriage ceremony unfolded with grace. Congratulations poured in for both the King and the Prime Minister. Notably Jiho was absent .

On the inaugural night, the bride awaited In Hyuk on the bed. However, In Hyuk, seated by the door at a table, remained vigilant, his gaze fixed on the entrance, anticipating Jiho's arrival.

Jiho entered his camp to find Ki Moon inside. "Your Highness," Ki Moon greeted.

"I am a general now. Don't address me like that," Jiho remarked as he patted Ki Moon.

"Yes, Your Highness," Ki Moon responded.

Jiho chuckled, settling into a seat. "Old habits die hard."

Gulping down water, Jiho inquired, "Did Jung Myeong send you to keep an eye on me?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"General," Jiho corrected him.

"Yes, General Jiho"

In a momentary pause, Ki Moon inquired, "Why did you not attend the marriage?"

Jiho replied, "You understand, the marriage is being held for power control. It's not a matter of the King marrying for personal desire. It's not like he is marrying someone he loved."

**o**

Daylight spilled into the room, casting its gentle glow. In Hyuk remained patiently in anticipation of Jiho, yet no one knocked on the door.

In Hyuk rose and changed attire, finding the bride sleeping, fatigued from awaiting him throughout the night.

Advising the attendants, he uttered, "Allow her to rest, the night has worn her out," before making his way to the residence of the Queen Dowager.

"Your Highness," Lady Mi Cha conveyed, "the king seeks an audience with you."

"Permit his entrance," the Queen Dowager uttered, setting her cup aside and raising her gaze.

Observing In Hyuk's solitary entrance, his courteous bow, and composed seating, she inquired, "Why are you alone? Where is the bride?"

"She is resting after a prolonged night," In Hyuk responded.

The Queen Dowager warmly smiled at his considerate reply, remarking, "That's so caring of you"

"Leave us," In Hyuk commanded the servants, "Don't enter until summoned."

The Queen Dowager, perplexed and uneasy, observed as everyone vacated the room.

In Hyuk presented a bamboo letter holder, placing it before her with a firm gaze.

"Please examine this," he urged.

The anxious Queen Dowager unfolded the contents, her eyes widening in shock as she confronted her misdeeds on the pages before her. Her pupils started trembling, then anger surged through her head.

The Queen Dowager tossed the papers onto the table, her gaze piercing as she inquired, "Are you here to threaten me?"

In Hyuk's smile remained, and he retorted, "How dare I?"

His expression turned serious. "Why did you do that?"

Dumbfounded by his question, the Queen Dowager responded sharply, "How dare you question me? I am the Queen Dowager..."

"Wrong answer," In Hyuk coldly interrupted. "Just because you hold a high rank doesn't grant you the right to trample over the weak."

"Mind your manners," the Queen Dowager snapped angrily. "Go ahead and report me. Let's see if I have any rights or not."

In Hyuk surveyed the sketches strewn across the table, asserting, "Of course, Reporting you would be futile, because you've eradicated all evidence."

His gaze shifted to Queen Dowager as he promptly positioned himself, kneeling on the table, firmly clasping her, and coercively administering poison into her mouth, compelling her to ingest it.

Despite her struggles to break free from In Hyuk's grasp, she faltered, coughing in an attempt to expel the recently ingested poison.

The servants fidgeted at the eerie voices, attempting to enter the room. Da Won extended his left hand, sword in tow, blocking the door, stating, "His Majesty insisted that we wait for his call."

Anxiety painted the faces of Queen Dowager's attendants. Slowly, her tense posture yielded, and she began to hiccup.

In Hyuk released her, smoothly arranging items on the table upon his return.

"That's the poison you fed the people you killed. Its swift efficacy even took me by surprise," he calmly remarked, neatly returning the documents to the bamboo letter holder.