Volume 3 Chapter 19 – The Main Investigation

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Translated by Rain

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The news that the personnel of the Inspection Department had arrived at the Inner Courtyard also reached Butler Seomun’s office.

The air in the office, which had been lively just a moment ago, instantly grew heavy.

The senior butler looked at Butler Seomun and spoke cautiously.

“…Shouldn’t we go out and at least pretend to welcome them?”

“…Indeed.”

Butler Seomun nodded.

“It would be good to go out and personally verify the faces of those we have to deal with.”

The door of the office opened, and led by Butler Seomun, the group of butlers moved as one body.

* * *

In front of the main gate of the Inner Courtyard Main Hall.

Beside Yeon So-hyeon, Kang Ho muttered.

“…Depending on which department the Inspection Department dispatches, we will be able to confirm how seriously they regard this investigation.”

Il-ryeong opened her mouth.

“Won’t the First Investigation Department step in? After all, it is an investigation related to Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment, where the Eldest Young Master of the Main Family resides.”

I-ryeong shook her head.

“But they will surely receive pressure to downplay the incident. No matter how much the Inspection Department is an organization guaranteed independent authority within the Main Family….”

Sam-ryeong smacked her lips.

“Even so, the Accounting Secretary of the Inner Courtyard, who belongs to the Sixth Rank and is clearly among the highest-ranking officials in the Inner Courtyard, has died. Though the Second or Third Investigation Department might step in at first, eventually the First Investigation Department is likely to take over.”

The Inner Courtyard, where the main investigation of the Inspection Department was about to strike, was as quiet as a dead mouse.

Even compared to when Yeon So-hyeon visited today, not a single person busy walking around could be seen.

It was truly the calm before the storm.

“A group of people is approaching.”

The side door opened, and Butler Seomun and her butlers showed themselves.

They did not even look in Yeon So-hyeon’s direction, nor did they acknowledge him.

One butler whispered, trying hard to hide his tense air.

“Since we did everything we could, the First Investigation Department won’t step in, right?”

“Isn’t that so? I expect the Second or Third Department to step in.”

“I think the First Department will step in because the Inspection Department cares about public eyes, but they won’t actively investigate.”

Everyone’s words had some truth.

Butler Seomun stared at the main gate beyond the courtyard of the Main Hall with a stiffly frozen face.

“They are entering…!”

Through the side door, the personnel rushed in without hesitation.

Their red silk uniforms, without a single disarray, sparkled in the sunlight.

None of them marveled at the scale of the Inner Courtyard, nor did they slow their steps to look around.

No one engaged in small talk, all eyes were directed straight ahead, and they even walked in step.

Rather than scholars, it was an appearance closer to a military organization that had undergone strict drill training.

The personnel, who made a perfect double column, moved along the edge of the Inner Courtyard’s front yard.

“Which department is it? Is there anyone among them we can recognize?”

At the senior butler’s question, everyone clamored, frowning to find a familiar face.

“…I do not know. I cannot see any investigator of the Second or Third Department whom I know.”

“I also have no face I can recognize.”

“Then isn’t it the First Investigation Department? Since they only step in for important incidents, their faces are not well known….”

Even in the midst of that, the investigators entered the Inner Courtyard one after another.

“Just who on earth are they…?! Is there no one who recognizes them…?! Are they truly the figures of the First Investigation Department…?!”

The senior butler shouted quietly, but no one easily opened their mouth.

The reply leaked from Butler Seomun.

“…They are not the First Investigation Department.”

Her voice was low, but it was close to a shriek.

The gazes of the butlers turned toward her.

“T-Then, whose personnel are they?”

She closed her eyes tightly.

“E-Everyone, look over there!”

As someone shouted, everyone’s gaze directed straight ahead.

All the investigators entered, and finally, the investigation commander revealed her appearance.

“W-White hair?!”

“White hair and red clothes?!”

“N-No way…. How….”

First-snow-white hair, clearly visible even from afar, was tied together and fluttered in the wind.

She was a middle-aged woman with a stern impression.

While everyone moved in an orderly fashion, she stood in front of the main gate, staring haughtily at the Main Hall of the Inner Courtyard.

Her irises were like those of an ordinary person, but the center pupil was not black, but pure white.

“…For the ghost of white hair and white eyes to appear.”

Amidst everyone being frightened out of their wits, Butler Seomun spoke her name as if chewing it out.

“…Chief of the Central Inspection Department, Dokgo Ya-yeon.”

* * *

“Not even the First Investigation Department, but the Central Inspection Department….”

Even Kang Ho, who had conducted the preliminary investigation and submitted the report, could not hide his surprised air.

The triplet maids also had astonished looks.

“…Is that the Central Inspection Department, which is said to have the authority to inspect even the Elders’ Council?”

“They are those who delve only into the most severe suspicions.”

“Does it mean the matter involving Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment is serious enough for them to step in…?”

While they exchanged conversation, below the stairs in front of the Main Hall, the personnel of the Central Inspection Department finished lining up in perfect order.

The Chief of the Central Inspection Department, who stood at their forefront, bowed toward Yeon So-hyeon.

“I greet the Eldest Young Master of the Main Family.”

Following behind her, all personnel of the Central Inspection Department offered their respects with a unified voice and movement.

It was neither excessive nor lacking, exactly the etiquette of the form.

When Yeon So-hyeon gathered his hands to reply, the Chief of the Central Inspection Department, Dokgo Ya-yeon, strode up the stairs and stood in front of Yeon So-hyeon.

“I am Dokgo Ya-yeon, the Chief of the Central Inspection Department.”

“I am Yeon So-hyeon.”

She, who appeared to have well entered middle age, wore no makeup, nor did she seem to have any intention of hiding her wrinkles.

Her long white hair was just roughly tied back, without any ornaments.

With an expressionless face, her characteristic white eyes directed toward Yeon So-hyeon.

“I notify you that as of this hour, the Central Inspection Department has taken charge of the investigation related to Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment’s budget.”

It was neither asking for permission nor asking for understanding.

She, who was tall for a woman, looked down at Yeon So-hyeon, but nothing was revealed on her face.

“The reason you bother telling me that is?”

There was not a single trace of shaking in her gaze.

“Originally, the Eldest Young Master was the complainant for this investigation, but now that the Central Inspection Department has taken charge, I inform you that the Eldest Young Master is no longer a complainant but a simple witness.”

“You tell me in a difficult way not to think of peeking into the investigation.”

Yeon So-hyeon smirked, but she ignored him.

“Start the investigation!”

A chilling shout containing internal energy echoed through the courtyard of the Inner Courtyard.

* * *

The special inspector investigators of the Central Inspection Department knew the complex structure of the Inner Courtyard Main Hall as clearly as if it were their own house.

Without needing anyone’s guidance, they began carrying out their pre-allocated missions.

One of the offices flung open.

At the sight of the red uniform, those inside the office froze as if turned to ice.

“This place will be used temporarily by the Central Inspection Department as of this hour. Everyone, please vacate immediately.”

There was no need for a second instruction.

And the same scene was unfolding throughout the Inner Courtyard.

In an instant, they separated the personnel of the Inner Courtyard, isolated them as necessary, and secured all materials that could become evidence.

* * *

“Use all waiting rooms as interrogation rooms. And what about guiding the guests who visited the Inner Courtyard to leave?”

At Dokgo Ya-yeon’s question, the special inspector investigator replied immediately.

“The departure is in progress. They are scheduled to finish leaving within the pavilion.”

“Make sure they finish within one quarter-hour.”

“By your command!”

As soon as the one who received the command moved, her instructions toward the remaining ones continued.

“Securing the high-ranking officials subject to inspection?”

“Securing is complete. As a special note, the corpse of the Inner Courtyard Accounting Secretary was discovered. The primary investigation shows it appears to be suicide. Currently, we are conducting a detailed investigation targetting those who recovered the corpse.”

“Summon the coroner of the Guardianship Court to determine whether it was murder.”

“By your command.”

Necessary instructions followed, and implementation of the instructions was carried out immediately.

“We have finished securing the subjects of inspection, witnesses, and materials required for the primary investigation.”

“From now on, start their interrogation. Take care that the paths of the subjects of interrogation do not overlap.”

A group of personnel began to move.

“Hwa-bok.”

“Yes, Chief.”

A good-natured man called Hwa-bok replied to her call.

“Among the subjects, there is a second-class female butler called Butler Bang. Take charge of that child.”

“Yes, understood.”

Hwa-bok, who replied, asked with a playful laugh.

“Then what about you, Chief…?”

Dokgo Ya-yeon spoke calmly without any change in expression.

“From now on, I will interrogate Witness No. 1, Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.”

* * *

When she burst into Yeon So-hyeon’s waiting room, he was in the middle of reading books he had obtained from somewhere, piled up.

“Since we will start the witness interrogation of the Eldest Young Master, everyone else, vacate the room.”

As everyone was about to rise from their seats, Yeon So-hyeon raised his hand to stop them.

“There is no need to send everyone out for a mere witness interrogation.”

“Sensitive stories might come out.”

“I do not care.”

Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Yeon So-hyeon.

It was almost like a glare.

“Then, I will speak without caring.”

“Yes.”

She stood in front of the table.

“Eldest Young Master….”

She was no longer the emotionless woman from before.

At her tone, which was close to a growl, those present were startled.

On her distorted face, the emotion of anger, ready to explode at any moment, was clearly revealed.

“After staying cooped up for ten long years, what on earth are you plotting by suddenly jumping out now?”

“No, they won’t pay for the books. So I requested an inspection….”

“Do not speak nonsense!”

Despite her aggressive words, Jeong-ah did not step forward.

It was not a place for her to step forward.

“Who are you playing games with this time? The Inspection Department Head? The Inner Courtyard Chief Manager? Or the Elders’ Hall Chief?”

At the names of the highest-ranking officials among the highest-ranking officials pouring out, those present could not even swallow their dry saliva.

“Ayy, no way….”

Yeon So-hyeon waved his hand.

“How would such grand figures even bother dealing with someone like me?”

She ignored Yeon So-hyeon’s words.

“If that is not the case, what is the reason we were suddenly deployed to this place?!”

“How would I know that?”

“There is no way you do not know!”

Yeon So-hyeon raised his two hands, making a gesture that communication was impossible.

“Remember, Eldest Young Master. Everyone who knows your past is watching and guarding against you.”

She showed her teeth.

“…Especially if you touch the Central Inspection Department I command, I will not forgive you!”

It was a terrifying killing intent.

Yeon So-hyeon wore an aggrieved expression.

“No, I am telling you it is really because they didn’t pay for the books this time. I am not doing anything, you know?”

Yeon So-hyeon gestured as he continued.

“You guys just do your investigation, and I will just read books here. My maids can eat food provided by others for the first time in a while and rest a bit.”

The white eyes of the Chief of the Central Inspection Department gleamed as she glared at Yeon So-hyeon.

“…I clearly warned you.”

She turned around and left the waiting room, kicking the door.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward Yeon So-hyeon.

Especially Kang Ho, though trembling from the aftermath of the killing intent, looked at Yeon So-hyeon.

Yeon So-hyeon asked them innocently.

“Why?”