Chapter 2: Coincidence
At dawn the next day—
While combing Onyeon’s hair, Serang thought to herself that the young lady had barely slept for the past three or four days and had seemed half-dazed, her strength not what it used to be. But thanks to a deep sleep last night, she now looked clear-headed again.
Onyeon went to Jangsu Hall to pay her respects. If she continued acting like a loving grandmother and granddaughter for a few days as she had yesterday, the old madam—once bored of it—would surely tell her she no longer needed to come morning and evening. Then everyone would be happy.
Jangsu Hall was even more bustling than when she had returned the previous day.
Seated below Old Madam Gye was Lady Jo, with her legitimate daughter Onhye and concubine-born daughter Onjeong beside her.
The seat opposite was empty.
Onyeon glanced toward Third Aunt, Madam An.
Sitting on a low rattan stool, Madam An gently tapped the old madam with a massage rod. Only then did Onyeon recall that Madam An was the one who handled all the affairs at Old Madam Gye’s side.
Old Madam Gye had Madam An attend to everything—meals, dressing, even combing her hair—and did not allow her to leave her side freely. She often said that the servants’ skill and devotion were inferior to that of her youngest daughter-in-law.
Onyeon greeted everyone.
Old Madam Gye beckoned her closer, took her hand, and asked,
“Did you rest well last night?”
“Now that I’m home, I feel much more at ease. I slept very well.”
Onyeon smiled brightly.
Old Madam Gye asked in a gentle voice about the manor, whether anything was lacking in Huiyuan, and whether the servants were satisfactory—carefully observing Onyeon the entire time…
Onyeon answered each question in detail.
Lady Jo sat upright with a composed smile, responding appropriately whenever the old madam looked her way. In short, if Onyeon needed anything, she could simply tell Lady Jo.
Yet as she listened, Lady Jo thought inwardly that the two sounded warm and affectionate, like a close pair. With such overflowing emotion between the two leads, even she—cast as a supporting role—had to stay sharp.
Glancing at Madam An, who listened quietly, Lady Jo thought her sister-in-law’s life might actually be better. It might take some effort to keep tapping away, but at least there were no worries.
Second Miss Onhye couldn’t sit still. As the conversation between Old Madam Gye and Onyeon showed no sign of ending, she grew bored and fidgeted with her handkerchief, signaling to Onjeong.
But when Onjeong ignored her, Onhye muttered under her breath,
“Coward.”
She then turned and shot Lady Jo an irritated look.
Knowing her daughter’s temperament well, Lady Jo gestured for her to wait a moment and then interjected,
“Old Madam, Yeonjeo hasn’t even had breakfast yet.”
“That’s right.”
Old Madam Gye smiled.
“Since none of us have eaten, let’s all dine here together.”
Before Onhye could stand and speak, a servant woman entered from outside and announced,
“The wife of the Young Count from the Sunpyeong Count’s Residence has arrived.”
At those words, not only Old Madam Gye and Lady Jo, but even Madam An—who usually showed no interest in others’ affairs—looked at the servant in surprise.
To arrive unannounced early in the morning, when most households were having their meal…
It was strange.
Especially since, just half a month ago, Old Madam Gye had failed to gain any favor from Madam Bai and their relationship had turned awkward.
What wind had blown her here today?
It would be improper to leave a guest standing outside.
A kind person like Old Madam Gye would never embarrass her daughter-in-law over a strained relationship—it would be shameful and damage her dignity. So she told Lady Jo to go and receive the guest at once.
Then she looked at the absent-minded Onhye.
“You girls, hide inside the Bisi Canopy.”
With a sigh, Old Madam Gye added,
“Hye-jeo, your grandmother lost face for your sake last time. Don’t think I didn’t try my best—listen for yourself.”
Onhye nodded, her face pale as she bit her lip.
Watching the situation unfold, Onyeon didn’t know exactly what had transpired between Onhye and the Sunpyeong Count’s Residence, but she followed her sisters inside.
There was a small couch behind the canopy. Onyeon sat on one side, Onjeong on the other, leaving the middle seat for Onhye.
But burdened with her thoughts, Onhye remained standing behind the canopy, unmoving.
Leaning slightly closer, Onyeon whispered to Onjeong,
“I heard you came by yesterday, but I was resting. I didn’t mean to avoid you.”
Onjeong was about to reply, but seeing Onhye glaring as if she couldn’t stand it, she simply smiled at Onyeon instead of speaking.
With no way to talk, Onyeon leaned against a pillow and closed her eyes to rest.
Soon, Lady Jo brought the Young Count’s wife before Old Madam Gye.
Though they did not lower their voices, the canopy alone separated them, so everything inside could be heard clearly.
After exchanging greetings, Old Madam Gye spoke first,
“I’ve known your mother-in-law for many years. To come so early—has something happened at home? Speak freely. If there is anything this old woman can do, I will gladly help.”
“About last time…”
“Yes?”
Old Madam Gye said,
“Have you changed your mind?”
Even Onyeon, who knew nothing of the previous matter, could hear the embarrassment and helplessness in the Young Count’s wife’s voice.
Listening from behind the canopy, Onhye’s eyes widened in surprise and delight at her grandmother’s question.
The Young Count’s wife forced a smile.
“My mother-in-law said that our two families have associated for generations and even formed marital ties. She said the previous proposal was a good match, but we declined it out of short-sightedness. Yesterday she realized her mistake, regretted refusing such a good thing, and told me to come quickly and apologize…”
“No need for apologies.”
Old Madam Gye smiled.
“So that means it wasn’t a refusal after all?”
“Yes.”
The Young Count’s wife continued,
“The children have come of age, and since you intend to arrange the marriage, I will inform my mother-in-law and have a suitable date chosen before sending someone over.”
Not only Old Madam Gye, but even Lady Jo’s face lit up with smiles.
“It’s always good for familiar families to become in-laws. Our Onhye is close with the young ladies of your household as well…”
“No…”
There was clear discomfort in the Young Count’s wife’s voice.
“Not Onhye, but the Third Miss of the Marquis Residence.”
“Yeonjeo?”
Both Old Madam Gye and Lady Jo were stunned.
Onhye, who had been standing by the wall, reacted even more strongly. Her previously smiling face twisted as she shot Onyeon a sharp glare.
Opening her eyes, Onyeon looked outside in confusion.
Why me?
But at last, she understood what had happened.
Old Madam Gye had wanted to marry Onhye into the Sunpyeong Count’s Residence, but the other side had rejected the proposal with unpleasant words, causing the old madam to lose face.
Now, after everything had come full circle, the Count’s Residence had returned to propose marriage—but not for Onhye, but for Onyeon instead.
Regaining her composure first, Old Madam Gye adjusted her expression and said,
“As I mentioned earlier, since we know each other well, I will speak frankly. Yeonjeo is a child with no faults in appearance, temperament, or bearing. She served as the princess’s reading companion for five years, and in terms of refinement, not only in Lin’an but even in the capital, there are few young ladies who surpass her. However, you should also know about her parents and maternal family. Yeonjeo is not a criminal, and thanks to the court’s leniency, our household was not implicated—her two uncles still hold official posts. But her parents and maternal grandfather have all passed away. You must carefully consider your son’s future. If this matter is to be discussed further, neither Yeonjeo nor I will agree lightly.”
“How could I speak falsely when you speak so sincerely?”
The Young Count’s wife replied,
“Our Guga is not suited for officialdom. At most, he will receive a nominal post in the future thanks to our ancestors. We elders only wish for him to live a stable life.”
“All elders think the same.”
The old madam smiled warmly.
Their conversation flowed pleasantly. If not for formalities, the marriage might have been settled on the spot.
Seeing Old Madam Gye so pleased, Lady Jo couldn’t help glancing toward the canopy.
Onhye must be heartbroken…
Only after Old Madam Gye instructed her to escort the guest out did Lady Jo snap back to her senses and move.
As soon as the guest left, Onhye rushed out from behind the canopy and stood before Old Madam Gye.
“Grandmother…”
Looking at Onyeon standing behind Onhye, Old Madam Gye grew suspicious of why the Sunpyeong Count’s Residence had suddenly chosen her.
In her eyes, Madam Bai was not someone worth befriending.
Though it was said their families had associated for generations, the Marquis Residence was little more than a name now. Once the old madam passed away, even that would disappear.
The proud Madam Bai had long looked down on their household.
They had once maintained some dignity thanks to Grand Tutor He’s reputation among scholars, but after his downfall, she no longer even acknowledged Old Madam Gye.
Knowing the state of her family, Old Madam Gye had visited a few days ago to find a good match for Onhye, only to be ridiculed and nearly angered to illness.
She had never expected the Sunpyeong Count’s Residence to turn around and switch the match to Onyeon.
Could it be they had heard something from the capital?
Was the He family being restored?
Lost in thought, Old Madam Gye beckoned Onyeon over. When she sat beside her, the old madam asked,
“Do you know the Sunpyeong Count’s Residence?”
Onyeon nodded.
“On my way back yesterday, I happened to meet the Young Count’s wife.”
“You happened to meet her?”
Onhye exclaimed in shock.
“Was it really a coincidence?”
“What else could it be?”
Lifting her eyelids slightly, Onyeon looked at Onhye and said calmly,
“Yesterday, Second Aunt happened to visit the manor, and the Young Count’s wife happened to be out. They met on the road. Since they exchanged warm greetings, I, who was in the carriage, also greeted her. Should I have lost my temper and refused to greet her?”
“You—!”
Left speechless, Onhye couldn’t respond.
Turning her head, Onyeon asked Old Madam Gye,
“Grandmother, was it wrong for me to greet her?”
Patting her hand soothingly, Old Madam Gye said nothing more. Since there was a clear reason, there was no need to assign blame.
Lady Jo returned hurriedly after seeing off the guest, and the old madam asked,
“What did you speak about yesterday?”
Lady Jo replied,
“Because of what Madam Bai said last time, it would have been awkward to ignore each other, so we exchanged a few polite greetings, that’s all.”
—“It’s quite hot for autumn, isn’t it?”
—“I’m on my way back from the estate, bringing my niece.”
—“Yeonjeo, greet the Young Count’s wife.”
—“We must be going now—let’s meet again another time.”
That was all—just a few courteous words exchanged in order.
And yet, who could have expected that the very next day, the Sunpyeong Count’s Residence would do something so outrageous in broad daylight?
But no matter how outrageous it seemed, Lady Jo knew it pleased Old Madam Gye greatly.
Displeased with the declining state of the Wen family, the old madam had naturally begun to consider ways to secure advantageous marital ties.
The Sunpyeong Count’s Residence was a high branch the Wen family could climb. What did it matter which granddaughter climbed it?
Onyeon or Onhye—they were both daughters of the Wen family.
Especially since Onyeon’s marriage prospects had been difficult due to her parents’ circumstances—yet the Count’s Residence was willing to overlook that. To the drowsy Old Madam Gye, it was like being handed a pillow at just the right moment.
As for Onhye, there would surely be other options.
Whether the old madam truly liked Onyeon was another matter entirely.
If something was useful, even what one disliked could become pleasing to the eye.
