Chapter 30………………………………………
Gahwa, realizing her mistake, quickly flailed her hands and offered the hairpin that was hanging around her neck.
“…….”
Yong silently took the hairpin and held it in one hand.
Buzz… a sound came from his hand, and light began to radiate. Tiny clusters of light circled around before seeping into the hairpin, and the sound quieted.
“It’s done.”
Yong opened his palm, revealing the hairpin now glowing faintly.
Fascinated by its self-illuminating quality, Gahwa examined the hairpin from every angle. Its soft glow was reminiscent of phosphorescent stones.
“What did you do to this hairpin?”
“Just a precautionary device. Keep it with you at all times.”
With that, Yong picked up his chopsticks.
Since he immediately began taking food from the plate, she couldn’t ask further. Gahwa looked down at the hairpin again.
‘What kind of device could this be? He should explain it to me…’
With a heavy sigh, she hung the hairpin back around her neck and picked up her chopsticks. The Taoist, who had been waiting for her, was delighted to finally start eating.
Clap!
The Taoist clapped his hands together.
“Wow~ I didn’t expect it, given your small stature, but you look really good in women’s clothing.”
Gahwa checked her outfit again and twisted her body to see it from different angles.
Since it was a maid’s dress, it wasn’t restrictive at all. The Taoist kept admiring her.
“Really, you look just like a young girl. I’d even want to gift you a silk skirt. What do you think, Gong?”
“What are you talking about?”
The Taoist poked Yong’s side with his elbow.
“I mean, Gong. I think a silk skirt would suit you.”
“I’ve already seen it.”
“Huh? Besides me, where else did you sneak off to? That’s unfortunate—I should’ve seen that too! Ah~ so that’s why you so easily decided to dress as a woman?”
The Taoist had concluded everything on his own while drumming and clapping, nodding his head. Gahwa decided it was best to let the misunderstanding deepen rather than correct him.
“…Thank you for the compliment.”
Gahwa adjusted her outfit once more and picked up her small bundle. It contained only a few old clothes and a small writing set, items meant to maintain the illusion of being a maid.
“So, you’re ready then?”
“Yes.”
Gahwa nodded. She had memorized the information about the Pyo family so well she could recite it in her sleep.
From their genealogy to their routine of opening the granary every few months to distribute grain to the poor, she knew it all.
As Gahwa nodded again, Yangyang rose to call someone.
The support beam wobbled, and Soso, who was perched on his shoulder, hurriedly grabbed his neck.
“Whoa! Yangyang, you moved so suddenly, I almost fell!”
“Sorry, Soso.”
“Hmph. I’ll forgive you because I’m generous.”
“Yes, thank you.”
When Soso spread her arms, Yangyang set her down on the table.
“Well, it seems you’ve met some good people after all.”
Watching this, the Taoist pouted and pinched Soso’s nose. When she screamed, Yangyang swatted his hand away. The master and the servant behaved alike.
“What are you doing to a child?”
“What did I do?”
The Taoist rubbed the back of his hand and looked at Yangyang.
Having mentioned earlier that he had gathered information at this inn through connections, the Taoist assumed Yangyang was just another guest and kept his distance.
Yangyang, seemingly uninterested in forming a closer relationship, focused on comforting Soso. He was tender as he soothed her and adjusted her nose.
But Soso’s attention was elsewhere; she immediately turned to Gahwa.
“Gahwa is going into the Pyo household, the Taoist Malco will follow soon, and the scary elder is watching here? Then what am I supposed to do?”
The answer came from Yangyang, who was standing behind her.
“Soso, you can stay here with me and chat while you wait. Didn’t you find the stories I told you about the world interesting? Surely it wasn’t boring. There are still many tales I haven’t told…”
Yangyang looked down at the floor with a bitter expression, and Soso quickly shook her arms.
From a distance, Gahwa, Yong, and the Taoist watched the pair like a scene from a play.
Gahwa, in particular, gazed at Yangyang with a drowsy expression. Seeing how he treated Soso, he seemed better than she expected. Surprisingly so.
“No! Everything was new to me, so it was fun, Yangyang!”
‘Have they gotten close enough for her to call him by name?’
While Gahwa watched them silently, Yangyang had already coaxed Soso into his arms, holding her on one side and smiling happily.
“I have five younger siblings below me.”
Yong, standing beside him, added a word. Only then did it make sense why he liked children so much.
As Gahwa nodded, Yangyang called Jomsoi, who was outside.
“Inha! Come in.”
“Yes, you called?”
Jomsoi entered, bowed to Gahwa, and gestured for her to follow.
Before leaving the room, Gahwa turned back to offer a polite farewell.
“If anything happens, I will send word.”
“Yes, until I enter, be cautious, very cautious, Gong. If it’s urgent, use the techniques I taught you.”
The Taoist mimed a kick into the air, aimed precisely at a man’s vital point.
Having practiced until her ears bled and her feet ached, Gahwa nodded as she mimicked the motion perfectly.
“Do not worry. And…”
Gahwa glanced at Yong. He looked back at her silently before turning away.
It would have been nice if he at least said goodbye.
Sighing, she turned her back.
“I’ll be back.”
“Your name is Nanyeong? Judging by your name, face, and neat appearance, you weren’t originally of noble birth, right?”
The woman who checked the introduction paper looked closely at Gahwa.
She was a thin woman with a large mole stretching from her forehead to below her right eye, giving her a distinctive appearance.
Seeing her scrutinize her face and clothing, Gahwa hurriedly explained.
“These clothes were provided by the inn that served as a midpoint, saying I should dress as neatly as possible.”
When Gahwa deliberately showed her calloused hands, the woman holding the introduction card seemed slightly reassured.
“Well, since you’re entering the Pyo household, some preparation is necessary. Follow me first. I’ll explain as we go.”
Introducing herself as Cheongju-dae, she led Gahwa into the mansion. She closed the front gate and began explaining the layout.
From the front gate, long wings stretched to either side.
The eastern side housed mostly servants, while the western side contained storage and stables.
At the center was the sarangchae (main reception hall), with the inner quarters (anchae) deep behind it. Beyond that were the detached quarters and shrine.
On the east side of the sarangchae was a large courtyard with a small pond.
As one of the influential families in Gang-an, the mansion’s scale was impressive.
Cheongju-dae led Gahwa past the wings and sarangchae toward the inner quarters. The interior was larger and more complex than expected, so Gahwa tried her best to keep up with the explanations.
Perhaps pleased with her effort, Cheongju-dae explained everything without being asked, from the history of the mansion, the prestige of the Pyo family, to the current household members and servants.
“Especially, the lady of the inner quarters is a very good person. She remembers everyone’s birthdays and treats her servants kindly. That’s why the household has always been harmonious, and no one has ever harbored ill will. Moreover, the young masters inherited her generous nature…”
Her pride was clear, though it carried an odd sense of déjà vu. Gahwa considered why and realized:
All the descriptions of the household members were in the past tense.
As she had heard at the inn, it was certain that Mr. Kim’s personality had changed suddenly. Not just him, but the entire Pyo household.
Gahwa nodded slightly, and Cheongju-dae, who was walking ahead, paused.
“By the way, even though you’re an external slave, you must stay in the wings, not the main Garam residence. Did you hear that?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Then unpack later and first pay respects to the lady of the inner quarters. Bow your head from the moment you enter.”
Cheongju-dae whispered this advice and led Gahwa into the inner quarters. After passing one inner gate, Lady Kim stood on the floor waiting for her.
However, the moment Lady Kim saw Gahwa, her face immediately darkened.
