CHAPTER 34………………………………………..
“Are you okay?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I mean… helping the lady of the main house. With Jeomsuni gone, everyone seems so scared.”
Boknyeon asked, glancing around nervously.
“Still, you seem like a good kid, so I hope nothing bad happens to you.”
All the female servants in the kitchen looked at Gahwa with sympathetic eyes, as if they shared the same concern.
But Gahwa was managing better than they expected. Much better, actually.
Suddenly, a strange thought came to her about Jeomsuni’s death. Didn’t the Mirror Ghost kill people to absorb their life energy?
Then why did Mr. Kim strangle Jeomsuni without absorbing any energy at all?
It didn’t add up, leaving her mind tangled in confusion.
“There must be some other reason…”
Gahwa shifted her focus, determined to find the cause.
“What did they say about the Mirror Ghost’s nature again?”
She tried hard to remember but drew a blank. No, she had never actually heard it from the Taoist in the first place.
She had thought she knew everything about the Mirror Ghost, but she had missed the most important part.
Gahwa clicked her tongue.
From her recent experiences, Mr. Kim was sensitive, yes, but not cruel or capricious.
Whether that was the Mirror Ghost’s true nature or not, there had to be another reason for killing Jeomsuni.
“Could it be that Jeomsuni discovered his identity?”
But even that wasn’t certain. She would need to investigate further, but for now, washing up came first.
“I’m fine, so don’t worry about me.”
Gahwa reassured them, then left the kitchen. The slight bitterness in her words slipped out unconsciously as memories from the palace surfaced.
Watching Boknyeon reminded her of Eundan, who had always worried about her. But what had the outcome been? Trusting people had become the hardest thing.
Gahwa tilted her head toward the sky. The sun had fully risen, shining brightly.
After staring at it for a while, she realized she was running late and hurried along.
Fortunately, she wasn’t too late. Mr. Kim washed his face neatly with cold water and immediately summoned Lady Cheongju.
“As I mentioned yesterday, I’d like Nanyeong to go to Yonghwa Pavilion. What about Wolsan?”
“He hasn’t coughed yet.”
“Ah, so not yet.”
Mr. Kim handed over a letter. It was a note to give to the innkeeper at Yonghwa Pavilion.
“If they refuse to open the door or meet the innkeeper, give this to them.”
Lady Cheongju bowed her head and tucked the letter into her clothes.
“…Yes, understood.”
“Make sure to show it. I’ll be at the guest quarters with Wolsan, so go while I stay here. No need to call any other servants when bringing out the table.”
“Yes.”
Gahwa bowed her head and hurried to set out the table. Lady Cheongju assisted, so it didn’t take long to leave the mansion.
Outside, Lady Cheongju led the way, and Gahwa followed closely behind. She walked so fast that eventually, it was almost like running.
“Why are you in such a hurry!”
“I can’t be late, that’s why.”
“You said the lady of the main house is at the guest quarters. Don’t worry about it.”
Lady Cheongju turned her head at that.
“That’s exactly what worries me.”
“Excuse me?”
“No. I have to serve the master myself, so I can’t afford to be late.”
Gahwa remained silent. She understood that, as a former nanny, Lady Cheongju would attend to him, but it was still hard to imagine an adult man being treated like a three-year-old.
Moreover, she had assumed Mr. Kim was Lady Cheongju’s master, but judging by her attitude, it seemed her master was Pyo Wolsan.
Gahwa eyed her suspiciously.
“Isn’t the second master a grown man? Why are you so worried?”
“I’m not worried about the master. Hurry.”
Lady Cheongju cut her off and strode ahead. Thanks to that, they reached Yonghwa Pavilion in no time. It was still early, so the inn was closed.
Lady Cheongju hesitated at the door, then knocked.
After a couple of knocks, a young woman, Jeomsoi, appeared—the same one who had guided Gahwa and Yong a few days ago.
She tried to send them back, saying the inn wasn’t open yet.
Strange. Surely the letter had been sent in advance through the steward. Was it Yong’s mischief? Had the letter not reached them?
Gahwa stepped forward, but Lady Cheongju blocked her.
Glancing at Gahwa, she seemed to be keeping her in check for some reason.
“We came to see the innkeeper.”
“Did you make an appointment?”
“The letter came from Pyo’s house.”
Jeomsoi tilted her head.
“We haven’t received any instructions from above. There’s no letter either. If you didn’t make an appointment beforehand, it’s difficult to meet the innkeeper.”
“But didn’t I say it came from Pyo’s house?”
“No matter the family, if there’s no appointment, it’s difficult.”
Faced with her firm response, Lady Cheongju immediately relented, stepping back as if her part was done.
“If they won’t let us in, there’s nothing we can do. I’ll report back to the lady.”
Lady Cheongju turned, but Gahwa stepped forward. She couldn’t waste this chance. Yong and the Taoist upstairs would understand anyway.
“This is strange. Didn’t we send a letter yesterday?”
“The management here seems completely disorganized.”
“Even so, this is not right. Since I’ve worked here before, I’ll handle it.”
As Gahwa moved forward, Lady Cheongju tried to stop her, but Gahwa spoke faster.
“Greetings again.”
“Yes, greetings again.”
Since they had met before, Jeomsoi returned the greeting. Her gaze suggested she was willing to listen to Gahwa.
Gahwa repeated exactly what Yong had said a few days ago. If blocked, she could find another way.
“We’ve come to taste the special dishes.”
“The special dishes, you say?”
“Yes.”
“Follow me.”
Only then did Jeomsoi smile and open the inn’s door. Lady Cheongju looked at Gahwa in surprise.
“…So there was a reason the lady sent you along.”
“I’ve worked here before, that’s why I was sent.”
“I hadn’t heard that…”
“Seems the lady forgot.”
Gahwa guided Lady Cheongju inside. Reluctantly, she followed. Upon seeing the complex corridor, she clicked her tongue. Jeomsoi quickly warned them.
“This part is easy to get lost in, so stay close.”
Gahwa and Lady Cheongju followed briskly behind. Jeomsoi led them through the twisting halls until they stopped in front of a door.
“The innkeeper, a guest has arrived.”
“Let them in.”
“Please, come inside.”
Jeomsoi opened the door. As Gahwa and Lady Cheongju entered, the door closed behind them. Gahwa surveyed the room.
It was spacious but sparsely furnished—just a large table and chairs—perfect for discreet meetings.
The Taoist sat there, dressed unusually neatly and elegantly, like a nobleman rather than his usual attire.
No, it was a bit over the top. Perhaps to show he was a merchant, his jewelry and waistband were lavish.
‘Looks like he’s enjoying himself.’
Gahwa noticed Yong quietly standing behind him. Judging by his position, Yong was acting as a servant, and the Taoist as the innkeeper.
‘Yong couldn’t have stepped forward himself.’
The Taoist didn’t know that Yong was the actual owner.
How the arrangement came about was unclear, but Yong’s displeasure was evident.
He crossed his arms, furrowed his brows, and glared—especially at Gahwa. She quickly looked away.
“You were looking for me?”
The Taoist broke the tension with a smile, gesturing to a chair. It seemed he had been briefed about what had happened on the first floor.
“Now, please sit. We’ll discuss the matter shortly.”
Seeing Gahwa and Lady Cheongju standing awkwardly, he gestured to the chairs again.
“Ah, and Bihyang, bring tea.”
The Taoist turned to Yong, who only reacted after hearing his name called again. It seemed he hadn’t been assigned a proper name, so the Taoist called out randomly.
“What are you saying—”
“Bihyang, bring tea for an important guest.”
Pretending to scold him, the Taoist glanced at Lady Cheongju. Yong sighed irritably and reluctantly left the room.
Gahwa lowered her head, almost letting a smile slip.
Yong was truly brave to allow himself to be bossed around. Gahwa bit her lip to hold back laughter as the Taoist continued with a sly expression.
“Now, tell me the reason for your visit.”
