Chapter 9
“Suddenly? Why?” Layeon’s eyes widened slightly, and she turned toward Yun-gi. He nodded subtly.
“You’ve turned fifteen this year.”
“That’s still too young for marriage proposals. I was going to recommend my humble cousin, perhaps.”
“No!”
Layeon couldn’t help but exclaim. Yehun’s lips curved into a small smile. Hastily, she composed herself and explained.
“The Jang family has produced figures as eminent as the Empress Dowager and the Empress herself. Moreover, they have produced five successive high ministers, including the three-generation and five-generation ministers—truly a prestigious lineage. How could a humble girl dare hope to marry into such a family?”
Her words flowed gracefully. For years, bandits had roamed unchecked. Yehun had traveled across the country as part of the suppression army, so he could not be ignorant.
She was no ordinary girl. Though still young and occasionally unable to hide her emotions, her vocabulary and demeanor could not belong to a child raised in the provinces. She must have been influenced by the capital.
“If I could just, even humbly, attach myself to a household willing to teach me sewing under my uncle, that would be enough.”
“I had no idea your family was so famous. Well, then we must strive to make our name fragrant, I suppose.”
Layeon was not the type to curse; if a vulgar word came to mind, she would simply close her mouth.
“Fragrant name? What nonsense.”
“No, but how shall I address the young lady?”
Turning the topic, he asked politely.
“I was impressed by your words earlier and admired the high reputation of the Baek family. Upon asking around, I learned that you are the granddaughter of the family head and grew up in the Baek household. I thought it would be good to form a connection between our two families through marriage, so I requested this meeting. I didn’t realize you were so young.”
A lie. He had seen her earlier; he must have guessed her age.
“You seem more mature than your age.”
“Oh, you embarrass me. I am poor at guessing a woman’s age. How embarrassing.”
Layeon lowered her eyes without responding. Yehun folded his fan and rose from his seat.
“It’s already dark outside. I apologize for visiting so late. I shall take my leave.”
Yun-gi also stood.
“I will escort you.”
“Thank you.”
Layeon quietly followed behind Yehun and Yun-gi, thinking: it couldn’t have really been for that reason. If that had truly been his purpose, there would be no need to call the person concerned—especially the bride. It made no sense.
“Hmm… here…”
Yehun stopped in his tracks. Layeon, lost in thought, looked up.
“Something must have been hanging here until recently.”
There was only a faint trace. Only the spot he indicated had no dust, showing the wood grain clearly. The difference was so subtle that it could barely be noticed.
This had once been where Layeon’s poem hung. Now it was gone.
Lee Dam must have removed it—a perceptive child. And this man… he was something beyond perceptive. Chillingly so.
“The young lady, even if modestly…”
Before Yun-gi could mention the granddaughter’s skill in writing, Layeon spoke first.
“She often paints. Some of her orchid paintings hung here, but recently, water splashed on them, so we removed them.”
She lied effortlessly, without even wetting her lips. Inside, she was embarrassed by her own skill at lying.
Yun-gi looked slightly surprised but did not correct her.
“I see. I hope to have the opportunity to see them someday. By the way, where is the young lady from?”
They had already reached the gate. Yehun suddenly looked at Yun-gi and asked, expecting him to answer.
“Ah, Yangcheon.”
Her identity had been confirmed several times already.
“How did you come all the way from Yangcheon?”
“A few years ago, bandits terrorized Yangcheon. I took in a child who had lost her parents then.”
“I see. I also went there with the suppression army.”
What now? Every word he spoke sent chills down her spine. Layeon waited for his next words, hiding her unease.
“You seemed familiar to me… perhaps I saw you in Yangcheon.”
Slowly, but clearly.
What was he saying? Was he testing her? Trying to see if she would tell the truth? What should she say? How could she avoid raising suspicion?
If she truly was from Yangcheon, what could she say to this man who had fought the bandits there?
“Then you are her benefactor.”
Another lie escaped smoothly.
“The bandits in Yangcheon killed the young lady’s parents. You defeated them, and I don’t know how to repay this kindness.”
Layeon quickly glanced at Yehun. His expression had lost any hint of amusement.
“I have reminded you of unpleasant memories. My apologies.”
Her apology was sincere, even bowing her head.
“Then, have a good night.”
Layeon watched Yehun’s retreating figure for a long time.
What on earth is that man?
After Layeon was called away, Lee Dam was restless, pacing the room for a while. Finally, Lee Han muttered in irritation:
“Sit down.”
“What can I do? I’m worried.”
“Will pacing the room solve anything? Sit down. You’re making me nervous.”
The cold boy sat, dusting his sleeve. Of course he must be worried about his sister, yet he appeared calm.
At that moment, the door opened.
“Sis!”
Lee Dam jumped up and ran to Layeon.
“Are you alright? Any injuries?”
“Nothing like that. I was with my uncle.”
Layeon patted his shoulder. Lee Han, meanwhile, remained composed.
“Welcome back, sister. What did he say?”
How much should she say? She could tell he suspected her identity, but he had not expressed it. He had not mentioned the arson. Instead, he apologized for reminding her of bad memories.
“I don’t know, really. Why did he come? Not a word about the arson…”
Muttering, Layeon caught Lee Dam’s wide-eyed reaction.
“Arson incident? What?”
“Oh, no.”
Layeon lowered her eyes.
Even Lee Han couldn’t deny it—both sisters shared a striking resemblance, even without blood relation.
“He didn’t mention the arson incident.”
“Then why?”
“Marriage proposal.”
Lee Dam frowned in disbelief.
“A proposal? To you?”
“He said he admired the Baek family for a long time and thought, while in Seochang, they might form a marital connection.”
“Why ask you? You’re not even Baek.”
True.
There was no real reason to connect with the Baek family by marriage. Though descendants of a founding hero, they were now mere local nobles, incomparable to the Jang family.
“He said my earlier words left an impression.”
“The words you said earlier?”
Lee Han raised an eyebrow.
“No, nothing important.”
She didn’t want to worry him unnecessarily. There was nothing certain, anyway.
“Other than that… oh, did you remove the poems I wrote, Lee Dam?”
Lee Dam scratched his head, slightly embarrassed.
“Yes. I worried you might recall the shrine’s revelation if someone saw your poems.”
Even a faint trace made Yehun hesitate. Seeing the poems would surely have made him suspicious.
“Well done. Thank you.”
“Really? I did well? Thanks?”
Her excited voice sounded like a little puppy. Layeon thought Lee Dam was cute. Even in this situation, she could think that—perhaps that made her more grateful.
“Yes, thank you.”
“What will you do for me?”
“Do for you? Nothing.”
Tsk. Lee Dam pouted. Even that looked adorable.
Could things be this peaceful? Regret came too late. Why had she acted that way? They could live peacefully like this. What was the point of revenge? Not even proper revenge.
“‘Three-generation and five-generation ministers…’”
The inn was not far. Though he could have stayed at the relay station on the emperor’s orders, Yehun chose to spend his own money at an inn—better for observing public sentiment.
Sitting in the room, Yehun thought of his younger brother, three years his junior, who had also been fifteen at the time.
“Brother, can I ask you one thing?”
“Ask.”
“Promise you won’t scold me, okay?”
“What is it?”
“Promise first.”
“Alright, I won’t scold you. What is it?”
Hesitant, his younger brother Jehun finally spoke.
