Chapter 7 – Conflict
A sudden autumn rain swept away the lingering heat of summer.
After the rain stopped, the autumn sky stretched high and clear, the air crisp and refreshing—perfect weather.
Carrying a thick book, On Jang made his way toward the study pavilion.
Okcheon Academy was renowned throughout the Jiangnan region. Before the late emperor relocated the capital, many aristocratic youths had enrolled there. Even after Lin’an became the former capital, the remaining noble families still sent their children to study at this place.
Of course, there were those who merely “wasted time,” but there were also students who truly pursued learning. The two groups generally kept to their own boundaries, and the instructors maintained strict discipline, so no incidents usually occurred.
Originally, On Jang was not yet of age to enroll.
However, having learned to read early, he possessed a solid foundation and exceptional talent, allowing him to keep up with the lessons. Because of this, Master Ha Taebu—who was fond of promising young scholars—accepted him.
On Jang enjoyed studying. Whenever he had no classes, he would assist the instructors in organizing books.
As he walked, someone suddenly blocked his path.
Tilting his head from behind the book, On Jang was about to speak when he met a pair of hostile eyes and instinctively fell silent.
“Are you On Jang?”
The man spoke coldly.
Two others approached from behind, snickering.
“Who else in the academy looks like such a bean sprout besides On Jang?”
The one in front looked at him with blatant disdain.
“I’ve heard the On family grows poorer by the year. Seeing that you rejected such fine gifts, I suppose you still have enough food to eat?”
Not understanding what they meant, On Jang asked,
“What gifts?”
“Go back and tell your sister this,” the man said. “It’s her fortune that the young master of the Gye family has taken a liking to her. While his patience still lasts, she’d better personally go to Sunpyeong Count’s residence and apologize.”
He sneered.
“A person should know their place. If your grandmother tries to push things through again by bringing your second sister along, she’ll only end up humiliating herself!”
On Jang’s anger flared.
Though he didn’t know what Gye Gu had done recently, he had heard about how Madam Gye had been humiliated in front of Madam Baek not long ago.
Piecing things together from their words, he began to understand the situation.
On Yeon was his biological elder sister. Although he wasn’t close to On Hye, he never treated her poorly either. Having been taught propriety and learning, On Jang could not simply stand by and listen to others slander his grandmother and sisters.
“If everything has already been returned by our family, then our stance should be clear,” On Jang said.
“You say people should know their place—then what does it mean that the Gye family keeps acting like this?”
The man, who had looked down on him for being small, hadn’t expected such a retort. As more people gathered, his anger rose uncontrollably.
……
After a long and refreshing nap, Madam Gye, in high spirits, summoned several servants to play Yeopjapae (leaf cards) and had Lady An join as well.
Lady An hesitated.
“Madam, I…”
“Hasn’t your share from the household funds been given? Or is Third Son forbidding you from spending silver?” Madam Gye cast her a sideways glance.
“It’s just for amusement. The stakes aren’t high. If you keep hesitating, this old woman might feel slighted.”
Lady An’s face turned pale. Unable to refuse further, she sat down.
After about an hour of playing, Madam Gye was thoroughly enjoying herself. Just then, a servant rushed in.
“What is it? Why are you in such a hurry?” Madam Gye demanded.
The servant grimaced.
“Second Young Master and Third Young Master have been injured. They got into a fight at the academy.”
The tiles slipped from Lady An’s hand.
“How could Ming’er get into a fight with others?”
Madam Gye’s cheerful expression turned to confusion.
Not to mention On Min, who wasn’t one to fight—On Jang wasn’t the type either!
Upon hearing the news, On Yeon hurried from Huiyuan to Changshou Hall.
On Min and On Jang had already arrived. On Min had bruises on his arm, while On Jang’s lips were swollen.
On Yeon’s heart pounded.
“Are you hurt anywhere else?”
On Jang quickly shook his head.
Only then did On Yeon calm down and let out a breath of relief. She had been afraid her younger brother had been seriously injured.
Compared to her initial fear upon hearing about the fight, a swollen lip was almost a blessing.
Lady An carefully applied ointment to On Min’s arm. Hearing his pained groans, her eyes reddened.
Madam Jo, who had come upon hearing the news, tried to calm Madam Gye.
“Please calm down. We know our children best—they’re not troublemakers. There must be a reason. Let’s hear it first.”
However, On Jang couldn’t speak due to the pain.
Blocking him gently with a handkerchief, On Yeon turned to On Min.
Madam Gye also looked at him.
“Ming’er, speak slowly. Who did you fight, and why?”
On Min replied,
“Grandmother, it was Gu Ho. He was completely unreasonable.”
On Yeon didn’t recognize the name, but Madam Gye and Madam Jo did.
The wife of Sunpyeong Count bore the surname Gu. When Gye Gu was born, there were no boys of similar age in the household, so Madam Baek brought several children from her natal family to be his companions.
Within the Count’s residence, Madam Baek’s word was law. Though she treated her relatives well, her true treasure was only Gye Gu. The Gu children obeyed him completely, flattering him and forming a tight-knit clique.
That day, Madam Baek had acted recklessly without considering the consequences. Even after humiliating On Hye, Gye Gu had not given up on On Yeon and had only then sent someone to apologize.
What he hadn’t expected was for Madam Gye to firmly reject the gifts.
Gu Ho, one of Gye Gu’s subordinates, had taken his frustration out on On Jang when On Yeon did not appear.
That was how the fight began.
When On Jang talked back, Gu Ho struck him. On Min, who rushed over after hearing the commotion, was also hit several times.
Fortunately, since it was the academy, teachers and students quickly intervened and separated them.
Otherwise, who knew what might have happened to eight-year-old On Jang and thirteen-year-old On Min at the hands of fifteen- and sixteen-year-old Gu family youths?
Madam Gye trembled with anger.
Was Sunpyeong Count’s residence trying to claim a daughter from the On family?
They disliked On Hye but wanted On Yeon—and now that she refused, they resorted to force?
Did they wish to become in-laws—or enemies?
Today they bullied her grandsons—would they try to abduct someone from the streets tomorrow?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Barely restraining herself from losing her composure, she said through gritted teeth:
“The Gu family is rotten to the core! And to let such blood mix into the Sunpyeong Count’s house—the Gye family is no longer what it once was!”
An insult for an insult.
After all, although the Marquis Ding’an’s residence had declined, it had not fallen.
If it were as powerful as before, would Madam Gye even spare Madam Baek a glance?
Lady An turned away, holding back tears, unnoticed by Madam Gye.
On Min’s injury had truly been an unfortunate disaster.
But could one blame On Jang for speaking back to nonsense? Could one fault her son for stepping forward when his younger brother was in danger?
They had done what was right.
And yet, lacking power, they had no choice but to accept the consequences. That was what pained her most.
On Yeon, no less furious than the adults, lowered her gaze and took several deep breaths before speaking:
“Thank you for standing up for your sisters. Especially you, Ming’er—if not for you, Jang’er wouldn’t have only injured his lips.”
On Min looked up and smiled brightly at her.
On Yeon returned the smile.
Kindness must be repaid with kindness. Grudges must be repaid with grudges.
Having expressed her gratitude, it was time to settle matters with the Gye family.
After returning to Huiyuan, On Yeon instructed Nanny Huang to prepare two sets of men’s clothing.
“One for me, one for Serang.”
Nanny Huang asked no questions and went to prepare them.
Serang, however, remained curious.
“Miss, this is…”
“Let’s go to the lake for some fun,” On Yeon said.
Serang blinked, unable to understand what she meant—even when Nanny Huang returned with the clothes.
Without further explanation, On Yeon changed.
When she emerged, she looked just like a young boy.
Lowering her head, she examined herself. Aside from her shorter height, there was nothing amiss.
“Miss…”
Serang was speechless.
“Call me ‘Young Master,’” On Yeon said.
Both Serang and Nanny Huang were startled.
Her voice was no longer her usual soft tone—it was slightly hoarse, resembling that of a boy whose voice had just begun to change.
Clearing her throat, On Yeon adjusted it slightly.
“That will do. Tonight, we are going to tour the lake.”
Serang nodded unconsciously.
When night fell, On Yeon brought Serang to the wall of the residence.
Huiyuan, located in the northwest of the estate, was far from the main courtyard—making it convenient for such matters.
Looking up at the wall, Serang asked,
“Miss—no, Young Master—are you planning to climb over?”
“Can’t you?” On Yeon smiled.
Serang measured the height.
“It’s much lower than the palace walls.”
On Yeon smiled.
They had been together since childhood—through entering the palace, through crises, and even in her past life when returning to the capital.
Nanny Huang, chosen by Consort Hui, had taught them palace rules.
Yet when serving Princess Cheng’an, On Yeon had often behaved demurely in public while secretly climbing trees and walls with the mischievous princess.
Nanny Huang had known but never stopped them—as long as they didn’t cause trouble.
Serang had learned those skills alongside her.
With a single leap, the two landed outside the residence.
Though the Marquis Ding’an’s house was in its final generation, it had once been powerful and occupied a prime location in Lin’an—close to West Lake.
Day or night, West Lake was always lively.
As the full moon approached, lanterns lit up the area, pleasure boats filled the water, and people drank wine or entertained themselves with courtesans.
The pier nearby wasn’t far from Sunpyeong Count’s residence.
Though On Yeon didn’t know the Gu brothers well, and only remembered Gye Gu’s debauchery from her past life, she understood that wealthy young masters often indulged in such amusements—and Gye Gu was particularly notorious.
If she lingered around the pier, she was almost certain to find them.
On Yeon instructed Serang,
“Find a mute boatman.”
Among those who made a living on the lake, there were all kinds of people. Mute boatmen were especially valued—they wouldn’t repeat what they heard, no matter what.
For the sake of a meal, they would only mumble indistinctly and never reveal anything. Ruining their reputation meant losing their livelihood.
Serang waited by the water.
Not long after, On Yeon spotted Gye Gu’s group arriving at the pier.
As usual, Gye Gu and the Gu brothers ignored order. Their attendants pulled a boat closer so the young masters could board first.
Their arrogance made them stand out—so much so that even though they looked slightly different from years later, On Yeon recognized them instantly.
Once their boat set off onto the lake, On Yeon boarded a smaller one with Serang.
“Boatman, follow that boat ahead,” she said.
The boatman looked her over.
Sensing his doubt, On Yeon said,
“Do you think the two of us can attack them? We won’t cause trouble—just follow.”
The boatman chuckled foolishly.
His boat was small and hardly reliable. The boy hadn’t even used the pier steps but had leapt directly onto the boat—without skill, he would have fallen into the water.
Even if they disembarked, they couldn’t possibly fight. The boat ahead was large and full of people. At most, unless they lost consciousness, they might manage a reckless charge.
With that reasoning, the boatman nodded and began rowing.
