On the second day of Jin-Ri's incarceration, she was visited by Lady Hu and Yeng. "Lady Hu! Yeng! Thank goodness you came to see me" Jin-Ri happily exclaimed
"Oh my...what have they done to you?" Yeng exclaimed as she brushed Jin-Ri's hair aside to reveal the bruises on her face.
"They tortured me to admit to the crime, the Queen accused me. But I never admitted to anything, I am innocent" Jin-Ri confessed to her friends
"Tell me what happened, we might find a way to get you out if we know the details," Lady Hu asked Jin-Ri "I was able to bribe the guards to let us in, but we can't stay for long" she explained to her that time was not their friend at that moment.
"The Queen's lady-in-waiting told me to go to the Queen's chambers and get the dragon hairpin, I did what she told me, but all I took was the pin and nothing else. The next thing I knew I was being arrested" Jin-Ri explained to the two ladies "You got to believe me; I did not steal anything"
"We believe you; we just need proof that you are innocent" Yeng assured her, trying to be brave for her friend's sake
"Time is up, you better get out, before you are caught" A guard informed the two ladies
"Can you hold on?" Lady Hu asked Jin-Ri "Just hold on for a little bit more, we will get you out of here I promise." She promised the court maiden. Jin-Ri nodded as she watched her two friends led out by the guards. She went back to the corner of her cell, she sat down on the cold floor placing her chin on top of her knees.
Outside the prison complex, Lady Hu tells Yeng what she thinks about Jin-Ri's situation. "It's clear she was framed by the lady-in-waiting, but we need to prove it," Lady Hu paused briefly and then turned to Yeng. "I'm going to ask you to do something."
"What is it?" She asked inquisitively "I'll do anything to prove she is innocent"
"We will need access to the room of the lady-in-waiting, can you pretend to be a court maiden?" Lady Hu asked of Yeng
Posing as a court maiden, Yeng immediately went to work trying to find proof that would vindicate Ji-Ri
Armed with gold coins, she bribed guards and court maidens that could help her access the quarters of the ladies-in-waiting. She was able to identify the building where they stayed, but the problem was she did not know which room to investigate "There must be dozens of rooms in there...I can't search them all" she pondered.
She continued to look for a way, discreetly she mingled with the other court maidens, listening for any bit of information that could point her in the right direction. Finally, she hit pay dirt, as she passed by the royal kitchen she observed a low-ranking lady-in-waiting, being bullied by an older court lady. She watched as she belittled the woman.
"Are you stupid? You can't even follow simple instructions; the Queen only eats non-greasy meals...this food you are going to serve her is floating in oil" The old woman tipped over the tray spilling the food onto the ground "Prepare new ones for the Queen" she yelled, before turning around to leave
Once the older woman left, she approached the bullied woman. "Can I help you?" Yeng crouched and started to pick up everything that was spilled
"Thank you for the concern," The court lady said "One day, I swear that old fossil will get what she deserves"
"Who is that court lady?" Yeng inquired
"That arrogant old hag is Queen Ji-Hye's lady-in-waiting" The court lady revealed "She thinks she is better than everyone else just because she serves the Queen directly"
"Found you!" Yeng thought "Now how can I ask for her help, without revealing too much?" She asked herself
"So she's the one that did my friend wrong...are you interested in a little payback?" She asked the court lady
The woman's eyes lit up at Yeng's proposal "What do you mean?"
"She stole my friend's family heirloom, and I will steal it back. I need access to her quarters" Yeng told the court lady hoping that she would believe her
"I can't get you access to her quarters, but I can tell you this, as soon as the rooster crows we leave to tend to our stations" the court lady mentioned "Her quarter is the first room to your left when you go into the second floor" The court lady revealed "I wish I could help some more"
Yeng grinned "You have helped more than enough; I will let you know if I succeed" She promised the court lady.
Yeng watched the quarters of the ladies-in-waiting all night, she made her move when she saw them leaving. No guards were surrounding the building and she easily entered the premises. On the second floor, she immediately entered the first room to her left. Inside she started to carefully search the area, making sure everything was in its right place after being searched. "Nothing!" She thought to herself "I searched everywhere" She was about to leave when she heard people talking outside the room.
Cautiously she peeked outside the room, her eyes grew wide when she saw the old court lady talking with someone just outside. She carefully closed the door and scanned the area for a place to hide. Having no other choice Yeng slid under the bed.
The old woman entered the room, Yeng covered her mouth to prevent her from making the tiniest sound. She heard the old lady grumbling about something, "Darn these shoes, such low-quality" The old woman kicked her shoes off. Yeng's eyes widened when she noticed the extra pair was sitting right beside her. The old woman tried to crouch to reach for the shoes "Damn this back, it hurts when I bend over." The old woman used her feet to feel for her extra pair. Yeng carefully lifted the pair and placed it near the old woman's foot. When she felt what she was looking for, she pulled it out of the bed and wore it.
Yeng then heard a clicking sound, she carefully peeked from under the bed and saw her open a secret compartment in her dresser. She took out the Queen's missing necklace, which made Yeng's eyes glisten "Got ya'" she thought. The old woman placed the necklace back and closed the compartment. She left the room after closing her dresser.
Yeng crept out from under the bed after waiting for a while. She then opened the dresser and the secret compartment and she found the proof that she needed. She placed everything back the way it was and after making sure no one was outside; she exited the room. She was about to exit the premises when suddenly "Hey you, come over here!" a woman called to her "I said come over here!"
Yeng turned around and bowed her head as she approached the woman "You called for me madame?"
"What are you doing here?" The woman asked, her tone of voice demanding a clear answer
"Damn it," she thought to herself "I...I came back to change my shoe, it broke so I have to change" She explained hoping it was enough to get her out
The woman looked at Yeng intently "Are you one of the new ones? Didn't they instruct you to be by your station by this time?"
"I'm sorry madame, my shoes broke off, so I need to get my other pair from my room" She informed the woman
"Well go to your station! I am not going to be scolded because of a broken shoe!" The woman then proceeded to inspect the quarters if any court ladies were still sleeping.
Yeng quickly made her way out of the building and out of the palace premises. Once she was out, she ran as fast as she could to the Cherry Blossom.
"You found the missing item?" Lady Hu asked excitedly
"Yes, my Lady" Yeng happily reported to Lady Hu "It is hidden in the room of the Queen's lady-in-waiting. It is in a secret compartment in her dresser" She paused for a bit
Lady Hu grinned as she listened to the specifics Yeng had discovered "I think the Dowager Queen will get some anonymous tip tonight"
The next day, Queen Dowager Eri summoned Queen Ji-Hye. The Queen arrived along with her entire entourage. She was guided by the Dowager Queen's lady-in-waiting to the receiving room. "Queen Ji-Jye, please sit down" Queen Eri offered
Dowager Queen Eri wasted no time, cutting straight to the chase as soon as the current monarch settled into her seat. "I'm fully aware of your actions, and frankly, I find them quite distasteful, especially since they disturb the King."
"Excuse me, Queen Mother, but it seems you're implying I've done something wrong," Queen Ji-Hye replied, her tone a mix of fragility and firmness, clearly bracing for a showdown.
"You've set up that court maiden, haven't you? What's your motive?" Queen Eri pressed, unflinchingly.
"Your Majesty, are you really suggesting I'm capable of such a thing? I know you're not above making wild accusations," Queen Ji-Hye retorted, addressing the elder Queen with a hint of defiance.
Staggered by the audacity of the situation, Queen Eri declared, "You will clear the court maiden's name, or the King's agitation will be on your head."
Queen Ji-Hye retorted, "Excuse me, but I am the reigning Queen now, and I have every right to punish whomever I see fit."
"I am the Queen Mother, and my status eclipses yours. You will heed my commands!" The Dowager Queen insisted, her authority palpable.
"Are you going to protect someone who dared to take the man you hold dear?" Queen Ji-Hye challenged the elder monarch.
Queen Eri was momentarily stunned by the boldness of the inquiry. It forced her to recall the extreme measures she had taken to eliminate her rivals and Queen Min-Ah. "My son's well-being is my priority. Your actions have disturbed him, and as Queen, everything you do should be for his benefit."
"As the current Queen, I will decide what is good for the King, not you!" The younger Queen dared to say to the Dowager Queen
"I tried to be reasonable, you may go" Queen Eri, unceremoniously told her guest to leave
After the young Queen left, she called her lady-in-waiting. "What can I do for you, your Majesty?" the old lady asked
"Give this to the King and tell him what you have observed" Queen Eri gave something as she ordered the old woman
"Yes, Your Majesty" The old lady, bowed and left.
Later that day, Queen Ji-Hye is summoned by the King to the courtyard. "Where is my Lady-In-Waiting?" She asked as they hurried to the courtyard "I haven't seen that old fart for hours now"
"Sorry Your Majesty, we don't know where she is" The court maidens all answered
"After this, you all go find her" She instructed her servants
As she stepped into the courtyard, the only figure in sight was Jin-Ri, who greeted her with a respectful bow. She noticed that Jin-Ri's injuries had been treated, she was taken care of and clean evidenced by her attire—a pink and jade dress adorned with white accents. "Who allowed this thief to roam free?" she demanded, fixing her gaze on Jin-Ri. "And from which noble lady did you pilfer that outfit?"
"I gave it to her!" declared Dowager Queen Eri as she made her entrance. "From now on, that is what she will be wearing in the palace, compensation for the wrong that you did her"
Queen Eri bowed to the Queen Mother, her voice unwavering and firm. "Is this what you meant, Your Majesty, when you spoke of trying to be reasonable?" The tone carried a hint of challenge, signaling her readiness for any dispute. "Aligning yourself and giving gifts to known criminals."
Queen Eri approached Queen Ji-Hye with an air of superiority. "If you thought that was the end of it, then I clearly made a poor choice in selecting you," she mocked, her sneer evident.
"Your Majesty, even if that were true, which I highly doubt, it's too late for regrets," the younger Queen retorted, her eyes glinting like a predator's, ready to pounce.
"Keep that attitude in check when you're in my presence, or I'll have to do it for you," Queen Eri threatened, her voice oozing with venom.
Just as Queen Ji-Hye was about to fire back, a loud voice rang out, "Show respect to the King!"
As King Man-Ju made his entrance, both Queens and everyone in the courtyard bowed in respect. "What's going on here? Your Majesty..." he inquired, turning to his mother. "You summoned me to reveal something." His gaze shifted to Jin-Ri, now looking pristine. "Is she the reason for my visit?"
"No, Your Highness, but I'm pleased to see you smile at her," the Dowager Queen replied. "However, this is the true reason I requested your presence."
Queen Eri gestured behind her, drawing the attention of all. Queen Ji-Hye gasped in shock as her lady-in-waiting, battered and bloodied, was dragged in by two soldiers.
Queen Ji-Hye forcefully pushed the soldiers aside, rushing to the aid of the elderly woman. "What is the meaning of this? She is my Lady-in-Waiting! Who dares to lay a hand on her?" Her voice rang out, searching for the one responsible.
"That would be me!" Queen Eri declared with a mischievous smile, leaving everyone in shock.