As the Empress walked, nodding thoughtfully, she came to a sudden halt.
Turning to Sinyeong, she asked,
“Why bring up the marketplace all of a sudden?”
'Sinhui wouldn’t have a clue about such things....'
That unspoken implication hung in the air.
Sinyeong struggled to come up with an explanation, and the Empress tilted her head slightly, a glimmer of curiosity in her expression.
“Is it because of the painting album that lady gave you?”
“...Pardon?”
“Sinhui seemed so absorbed in it that I took a peek myself. There were floral works, yes—but also little notes about everyday life. I wondered if the marketplace was mentioned in there.”
Her guess was uncannily on point.
'Did she actually see that scandal-ridden journal?'
Sinyeong rubbed his forehead, as if trying to ward off a headache.
The Empress resumed walking, her voice calm and composed as ever.
“So I was right.”
Sinyeong figured it was best to just tell the truth.
