Silver Hair

"At present, I believe this is the only course of action."

An old man dressed in ash-gray robes bowed deeply, leaning on his cane.

"The only way to silence the ministers trying to undermine Your Majesty's legitimacy and seize control of the court is for Your Majesty to witness the Great General's protection with your own eyes."

"I agree with you on that. What puzzles me is……"

Why did this plan require her to leave the Heavenly Capital and meet the Great General in person? And disguised as a courtesan, no less.

"If Your Majesty were to travel openly to meet the Great General, the opposition would be fierce. When we appointed Yoo Hyun, then commander of the Imperial Guard, as Great General, didn't the ministers fiercely object, claiming the border was in danger, and force us to send only an edict?"

"B-but I don't have to be a courtesan, do I?"

"This way, we can draw attention while concealing Your Majesty's identity."

If word spread that she was a renowned courtesan from the Heavenly Capital, the local power brokers would flock to her. She could refuse them without meeting them, exchanging letters with everyone except Yoo Hyun.

Of course, if she handled it clumsily, the men who came looking for her could cause trouble. But although the Heavenly Emperor might be clueless about other forms of entertaining guests, her writing skills were said to be the finest in the Empire...