章 109: Chapter hundred and nine: You didn't find me, I found you

Prudence, pride, prejudice is sometimes thrown to the winds especially in desperation. It was with such a plan was conceived, an innocent hatchery of idea to put to a stop a calamity as it was foresaw.

A decision was made, one which will change life and unbalance an equilibrium already achieved. The mastermind put to play what has already processed into action and waited patiently for the prey to be caught.

Daejong , the man revered among all, not only because he's the emperor but because he's the man after people's heart walked in solemn silence to his imperial grandmother's palace in honour of her invitation.

Though, he knew she's always up to tricks but he will indulge in whatever song she plays for him tonight. Last time, it was a minister's daughter she offered him, this time around, he wondered if she resorted to a courtmaid. Well, only time will tell. He smirked at the rows of women offered to him in the past and wondered why he never felt attracted to them.

"Imperial grandmother", he called out in a soft and indulging manner after he sipped his tea for a while. "What tricks are you up to or did you really invite me for tea?".

Grand dowager empress played hurt as she dimmed her eyes. Her mouth was pouted innocently as she faked a sobbing voice.

"Hwangje! can I not have tea with my own grandson?", she faked a sniff then rubbed off an imaginary tears. "I'm so hurt I feel needles are piercing my heart".

The emperor chuckled amusingly at the grand dowager's melodramatic display.

"OK I'm sorry grandmother", he gave in helplessly eventhough she was faking it . The reason he keeps coming to her eventhough he knew she sometimes plot against him is because she never hides what she does. Every lady she schemed to make his concubines were all done openly.

"How do I make it up to you", he chipped in still in the act of pacification.

"Really?", she said with such energy that surprised him. "Can I ask for anything?"

The emperor protested immediately to save his own neck. "Not exactly anything!", he said quickly. After all, he won't hand over his throne if she asks for it.

"Drink tea with me tonight, that's all".

He marvelled at the request but just nodded. If it's tea, tea it shall be. But after a while, he begged to leave as he had lots of work to complete.

Grand dowager saw it was totally useless to keep him and reluctantly agreed to let him go.

At the door, he paused with a smile as something matted in his head. Grand dowager was really up to something. "Don't worry, grandmother. Choi Seo-yun is not allowed to bear my offspring", the grand dowager perked up in delight but concealed it with a sip of her tea.

"I'm very well aware of the dangers", he concluded then left rapidly to return.

'Women!', he cursed under his breath.

The moonlight was so silvery and beautiful he fell in trance. He wondered if he would ever walk with his Yoona under it, enjoying it's magnificent and basking in it's light.

Suddenly he heard a sound that startled him, the sound of noiseless footsteps walking in the shadows. None but the quickest ears could have detected them, but emperor Kang was quick of hearing. He made to ask his guards to check it out but saw them few meters away on his trails as he said he wanted to walk alone.

'What is that?', he thought. "Who can it be? Who can be moving around the grand dowager's hallway with those hushed, quiet footsteps. What business or necessity called anyone at this strange hour?".

The next moment, he resolved upon going to see what and who it was.

At the farther end of the hallway, he saw a tall figure moving with a gliding, noiseless step. The figure was clothed in a long dark cloak masking the shape of the body.

The tall figure glided on, down the broad staircase through the path that led to a familiar courtyard. He followed.

At the courtyard's gate, it stopped and he also stopped. His agitated heart beat so quickly and so loudly that he was afraid of betraying himself.

He felt this is a clue to a mystery and that this person, let it be whom it might, was up to no good and that was the reason of the cautious, secret and noiseless movement.

Then, the door of the room in the courtyard opened; the tall figure entered leaving the door open. Emperor Kang followed and concealed himself behind the heavy hanging curtains where he could watch unseen.

The lamp of the room was so dim he could see the architectural design of the room. The tapestries were feminine-like and had a gentle touch of elegance. The room had an easy chair made for the hostess and a visitor.

All this Emperor Kang saw in one glance.

The tall figure leaned for one moment to amplify the light of the lamp.

Then, he saw the woman (he had not yet seen her face) tumble her hair down and the light lamp casted a dark shadow on the table. Then she raised herself up and removed her cloak , her hair tucked behind her ears. There was no more doubt of what the gender was. She raised the light up to read something on a paper she held; as she did so , Emperor Daejong caught the full glimpse of her face.

"Oh my god!", he cried. "It's you!".

She turned her beautiful ghastly face in a startled motion and dropped the lamp . She tried to move, and as she did so, the table with the lamp was upset and they were left in total darkness.

The terrible noise alarmed the emperor's guards who watched him enter the room. They sprang inside with a loud cry but in the darkness they could distinguish nothing.

"Your Majesty! are you OK?", the panicky chief eunuch cried as he reached out to collect their own lamp but he was hushed with a roar.

"Everyone get out!".

Then he lighted his pearls for visual. He saw her trying to escape, he rushed after her, caught her and brought her back. He closed the door . "Can you light the lamp?", he said with a trembling voice. But the woman was too terrified to speak.

Just then there came another sound from the door. The chief eunuch and the guards who had hastened to rescue their master but was kicked out instead looked aghast as they found things strange.

"Everyone leave the compound and guard only the gates. No ant is allowed to crawl in", he ordered sternly, his voice sounded a little bit cracked.

Emperor Kang, his face all in glow of sweat , relighted the lamp and caught her hands firmly. But her face was so terrible, something he has never seen before. Probably due to the shock of having an unexpected someone in the same room with you, her lips quivered in fright.

He held her shoulders so possessively it seemed he was afraid she would escape him.

"Yoona", he called out fondly and with a voice filled with longing. "I found you!"

The fright was not seen anymore, something like mischief replaced it but it was unnoticeable by him. She smirked mischievously in her heart as she silently mocked the man before him.

"You didn't find me, I found you", she said in her mind.