Chapter 005 – Hansado
The next morning, Makri deliberately chose a silk outfit as white as jade, paired with a light green pleated skirt. Around her waist was a belt of pale jade, and in her hair, she wore only two neat hairpins.
Once fully dressed, she stood before the mirror, staring intently at her youthful yet refined and striking features. In her calm, collected gaze, there was no trace of the innocent girl she had once been.
Makri only broke her composure and smiled when Hongdu informed her that the matriarch had arrived, then stepped outside.
The Mak residence was built in the traditional four-courtyard style, with a shop in front and living quarters in the back. For convenience, a side gate had been placed on the east side of the shop, which servants and family typically used.
Makri assisted the matriarch toward the side gate, but just as they reached the second gate, the matriarch suddenly asked,
“Is Yukgeun at the shop right now?”
“He is. Master Hanya has just arrived, and they are speaking with Noya in the store,” came the reply from Madam Yu.
Makri froze for a moment.
“Grandmother, please go ahead. I forgot my handkerchief in my room.”
“I’ll bring it to you,” Hongdu hurriedly offered, but Makri shook her head.
“It’s fine. You wait with grandmother in the carriage. I’ll be right back.”
“This child wasn’t always so reckless,” the matriarch remarked with a smile, showing no suspicion. She turned back toward the side gate, telling Makri to hurry, but Makri only pretended to retreat.
Once the matriarch’s party disappeared from view, Makri immediately turned toward the shop’s back entrance. Her eyes, cool and resolute, revealed no emotion as she stepped inside.
“Shopkeeper, I’ve been looking for a way to buy time for some time now, but who informed Third Uncle this time…?”
A man’s voice reached her ears. Calm, measured, yet filled with genuine concern, it carried a sincerity that would make anyone trust his words.
At that moment, Makri’s gaze hardened. The fist hidden beneath her sleeve trembled uncontrollably.
Hansado…!
“Sadō, I know this is inconvenient, but the stock has been piling up for months now. Business isn’t going well, and there’s no surplus capital. Could you do something about it…?”
As Makri stepped closer, she saw her father, Mak Yukgeun, bowing slightly, rubbing his hands nervously, and standing before a man roughly his son’s age with an anxious expression. The sight was almost pitiable.
Hansado.
Though a distant relative of Third Uncle, his family had fallen on hard times; his father died early, his eldest and second brothers died young, and his third brother was mentally challenged. Only he had the fortune of both good looks and sharp intellect, along with an unwaveringly loyal character. Within just a few years, he earned Third Uncle’s trust.
By the time Makri married into the family, he was merely a minor steward of the main household. In less than ten years, he had taken control of Makri’s family assets and eliminated those who were of no use—including Makri herself.
No one knew better than Makri how deep and ruthless his schemes could be.
Previously, she had not understood why he had deliberately become close to Seollim. Now, she realized that they were of the same ilk. She had simply discovered it too late, and the cost she had paid was irrecoverable.
“Father.”
Makri’s soft voice drew Mak Yukgeun’s attention.
“What is it? Why have you come out?”
“We’re taking grandmother to the temple to offer incense today.”
Makri approached, concern evident on her face.
“Father, is something troubling you?”
“No, no,” Mak Yukgeun waved his hands hastily, then glanced at her.
“Why didn’t you leave through the side gate? And your mother?”
“She went ahead. I came back after forgetting something and heard your voice…”
Makri’s words trailed off as she cast a glance at Hansado, lowering her eyes slowly.
“I overheard part of your conversation. Did Master Hanya come to press for repayment?”
This crisis marked the first step toward the decline of our household.
Makri recalled how, after marrying Hansado, she had encountered his schemes several times and vaguely recognized the underlying problems. Her father, conservative as he was, could never have imported such large quantities of inferior cloth at once—it had clearly been orchestrated by someone behind the scenes.
But at that time, she had trusted Hansado completely. She could not even conceive that he might be involved. Her naivety had cost her dearly.
“Makri! How dare you say such things!”
Mak Yukgeun scolded her, then turned to Hansado with a smile.
“She still doesn’t understand the ways of the world. Don’t take it to heart.”
Hansado shook his head. His gaze toward Makri was filled with gentle kindness.
“It’s all right. Though it wasn’t my idea, Miss Makri is not wrong…”
Makri lifted her head and pleaded, her large, dark eyes gleaming.
“I know Master Hanya is honorable. Could you help my father this time?”
“Makri!”
Mak Yukgeun shouted in alarm, bewildered.
Biting her lip in frustration, Makri looked at Hansado and lowered her head slightly. Hesitation softened his heart, though he masked it with a wry smile.
“I would help if I could, but this was directly ordered by Third Uncle, and I dare not disobey.”
Makri spoke in a low but clear voice.
“I’m not asking you to report to Third Uncle for my father’s sake. I simply wish Master Hanya could help.”
“Makri, this is your father’s affair. Don’t keep your grandmother waiting. Go.”
Mak Yukgeun tried to usher her away, but Makri gazed at Hansado with earnest eyes.
The sight of this beautiful, desperate girl stirred something in him. His head grew warm, and he immediately spoke.
“Miss Makri, if there’s something I can help with, there’s no reason for me to refuse.”
Makri’s eyes shone with hope.
“Master Hanya now assists the head of the household in managing multiple stores and is familiar with many merchants. In the past, he helped Cousin Makbo with thousands of bolts of fine silk and hemp cloth. My father’s stock cannot be compared, but I am certain Master Hanya will find a way.”
“…!”
She was subtly asking Hansado to take responsibility for her father’s cloth stock.
This was what Mak Yukgeun had been too hesitant to request himself. Hansado’s involvement had always been quiet, so even the simple mention from his daughter startled him.
Makri understood perfectly well that Hansado sought personal gain while pressuring her father through the Mak family. By confronting him openly now, she ensured he could no longer ignore the situation—whether for her favor or his own schemes.
When facing a stronger opponent, one must leverage one’s own weaknesses for maximum gain.
Obsession is a sickness of the heart, and desire exposes every flaw. Seeing through this, your opponent is already in your hands.
These were lessons Hansado had once imparted to her.
Makri stepped toward the door but suddenly turned back to Hansado. Morning sunlight streamed in, bathing her in a golden glow that accentuated her beauty. Her poised, radiant face and parted lips captivated him completely.
Yet, without a word, Makri lowered her gaze and quietly walked out.
This time, Hansado will definitely help my father!
She was certain. Ten years later, she could not be so sure—but at this moment, Hansado was still inexperienced, unfamiliar with the ways of the world, and most importantly, his heart held only affection for her, free of suspicion or caution.
At the side gate, she saw a small carriage covered in a blue tarp, drawn by an aged horse. Makri paused and gazed at the humble vehicle with a calm expression.
Memories of the lavish lifestyle she had once enjoyed as Madam Han flickered in her mind—luxuries that Hansado had acquired by using her family as leverage. Even unaware of the truth, her own assistance had made her complicit.
“Dae-gonang, you’re out. Why aren’t you in the carriage?”
A deep male voice interrupted her thoughts. Surprised, she turned to see a tall, strong man approaching briskly with a parcel wrapped in oil paper. His face seemed familiar, though she couldn’t place it immediately. Only when she noticed a wolf tooth hanging from his neck did recognition strike.
“Asung!”
“You were ill for a few days. Are you fully recovered?”
Asung smiled, unwrapping the parcel to reveal warm, steaming dumplings.
“Have you had breakfast? They’re freshly steamed. Would you like one?”
