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Chapter 45

Reception Hall

Inside the Cheongok Pavilion, located within the Reception Hall of the Sichuan Tang Family, sat Namgung Taegang and Namgung Cheonghyeon, along with the Tang Family’s eldest son Tang Paejin, eldest daughter Tang Soyong, and second son Tang Jinhyeon.

Tang Paejin’s wife, Hwangbo Riyeon, and Tang Soyong’s husband, Tang Sayuk, were also present.

Tang Ho and Tang Rip were absent, but thanks to the attendance of other cousins, the table did not look empty.

Ah—almost forgot.

Of course, Tang Yeong was not there.

Because he’s locked up.

That was for the best, honestly. Heh.

I gazed at the dining table in the Cheonok Pavilion, laden with a feast of mountain and sea delicacies.

The kitchen maids had filled the table to the point it might break under the weight of Sichuan cuisine, each dish looking more delicious than the last.

None of them looked like an afterthought.

Since this was a dinner prepared to honor a noble guest who had come all the way from Hefei, the cooks had clearly gone all out.

I sat to my father’s left.

From there, if I lifted my head slightly, I could meet Namgung Cheonghyeon’s eyes.

Hi.

When I looked up, I saw Cheonghyeon mouthing a quiet greeting.

“!”

Startled, I blinked rapidly before hurriedly replying with my own mouth,

Hi…!

We’d been chatting cheerfully just a while ago, but sitting across from him in this formal setting suddenly made it all feel strangely awkward.

“I wonder if Sichuan food will suit the young man’s taste.”

Grandfather glanced toward Cheonghyeon as he spoke.

I sneaked a look at the dishes spread before us.

The table was filled with a variety of Sichuan dishes—most of them, true to their origin, looked fiery hot.

Of course, there were a few mild ones, but the majority were unmistakably spicy.

Sitting before them, Namgung Cheonghyeon turned to Grandfather and answered politely in a clear, composed voice.

“They all look delicious. Thank you very much for your hospitality, Clan Head.”

His crisp tone made all the adults beam approvingly at him.

Namgung Taegang, his father, was no exception.

“The Clan Head has gone to great lengths for us, so you must eat plenty, Cheonghyeon.”

As Namgung Taegang affectionately patted his son’s head, Cheonghyeon nodded.

“Yes, Father.”

The sight of the two of them together was pleasant to see.

I wonder if Father and I look like that to others, too.

“You should eat plenty too, Biya.”

Father placed a piece of meat on my plate.

“You must eat well to grow tall and strong. Since you’re small for your age, you need hearty food even more.”

I grinned sheepishly and nodded.

Then, by chance, my eyes met Cheonghyeon’s again.

Why is he looking at me like that?

He was staring right at me, and even when I looked back, he didn’t avert his gaze.

It didn’t take long to realize why.

‘Bi.’

He wanted to talk to me.

Ohh, that’s why he keeps staring.

While the adults were busy conversing, Namgung Cheonghyeon kept sneaking little exchanges my way.

Outwardly, he was the picture of composure—back straight, movements neat and proper like the young master of the Namgung Clan—but inside, he was still very much a boy.

‘The snake?’

‘In my sleeve.’

‘Can you bring it to the table?’

‘It’s always in my sleeve, so it doesn’t matter where I go.’

‘I see.’

Cheonghyeon’s eyes sparkled.

Just then, Tang Paejin—who had noticed our quiet communication—spoke up.

“Dang Bi, don’t chatter while eating. You shouldn’t open your mouth when there’s food inside.”

His tone was sharp, his gaze openly reproachful.

I stared at him in disbelief.

Tang Paejin and his wife, Hwangbo Riyeon, were both glaring at me with frosty expressions.

I blinked at them, incredulous.

So that’s what this is—you were looking for an excuse!

Truthfully, there was no reason for Tang Paejin and his wife to attend this dinner at all.

They weren’t close with Namgung Taegang, and they didn’t get along with my father either!

So why were they here?

To humiliate me in front of the guests?

This was supposed to be a formal meal where the adults conversed.

Getting scolded for exchanging a few quiet words was absurd.

And besides—

I didn’t talk with food in my mouth!

I had swallowed every bite of noodle before speaking!

Though I was fuming inside, I couldn’t openly retort to my uncle.

After all, guests from the Namgung Clan were present.

It would be improper to talk back to an elder in front of them.

Still, unable to swallow my frustration, I glanced up at Father.

He met my eyes, his expression gentle, and patted my head reassuringly.

“It’s all right. Eat your fill.”

At that, Tang Paejin’s hostile gaze turned to my father, sharp enough to pierce.

I glared back at him slightly, careful not to let the Namgung father and son notice.

“About earlier, during dinner…”

“Yeah?”

“Your uncle seemed to scold you for something. Do you not get along with him?”

Back at Sojeong Pond, Namgung Cheonghyeon asked curiously.

I thought for a moment, then nodded.

“My father and uncle have never gotten along. It’s something everyone knows by now.”

“But that’s between your father and uncle. It has nothing to do with you.”

Cheonghyeon frowned slightly as he said it.

“When adults don’t like each other, they usually end up disliking each other’s kids too.”

“That’s not right.”

“You’re right—it’s not. But honestly, my uncle’s a bad person.”

I scrunched my nose.

Cheonghyeon blinked, wide-eyed, listening intently.

This much was fine to say.

You had to warn good people to stay away from the crazy ones.

Besides, I don’t even know all of his schemes yet.

So it was better to warn Cheonghyeon early.

“That’s why he hates my father—and me, too.”

“……”

“There are others who don’t like me either, just because they don’t like Father. Anyway, just be careful. Father says no decent adult hates children for no reason.”

At that, Cheonghyeon suddenly said quietly,

“That must’ve been hard for you.”

“…Huh?”

“It’s painful to be hated when you did nothing wrong.”

His voice carried a faint sadness that made me blink.

“If someone hates you without cause, it’s unfair. I’ve heard good things about Lord Tang before, but now I think they might’ve been wrong.”

Cheonghyeon’s tone deepened.

I sat on the porch, studying him quietly.

“I’ve seen many adults who dislike innocent children,” he went on slowly. “None of them were ever good people, just like your father said.”

His voice was calm and earnest.

“It must’ve been hard for you, Lady Tang.”

I hadn’t brought it up to be comforted.

Tang Paejin’s hatred didn’t hurt me.

If someone who had once loved me suddenly turned away, that would’ve been painful.
But someone who had always hated me from the start? Their hostility didn’t really sting.

So I hadn’t expected to feel comforted.

And yet—

Why does Cheonghyeon sound like the one who needs comfort?

I looked at him silently.

The evening breeze brushed through his neatly tied hair, making a few strands flutter.

After a moment, I asked softly,

“Cheonghyeon.”

“Yeah?”

“Is there something you want to say?”

“……”

“If there is, you can tell me. You sound like you’re holding something in.”

Right now, I might be in the body of an eight-year-old, but mentally I was fifteen.

Even if my mind had regressed a little with my return, I was still old enough to comfort a ten-year-old boy.

For a moment, our eyes met.

Cheonghyeon looked away guiltily, then mumbled,

“I’ll be staying two more days before leaving for Hefei.”

“I see.”

“I want to talk with you again tomorrow.”

“Sure, let’s do that.”

When I had first met Namgung Cheonghyeon, I’d been a little flustered—
it was the first time I’d met a boy my own age, after all.

But now, talking with him no longer felt awkward in the slightest.

The change had come surprisingly fast.

“What is it that Taegang brought with him?”

“The Murim Cheop.”

Tang Cheongi replied.

“The Murim Cheop, you say?” asked Tang Paejin.

Tang Cheongi gave him a glance and nodded.

“It seems the Namgung Clan Head will be celebrating his 80th birthday in two months. The Murim Cheop was an invitation—he wishes for my attendance.”

“Then of course we must attend,” said Tang Jinhyeon.

“We owe the Namgung Clan much. It would be right to go and offer our congratulations.”

“I agree,” said Tang Cheongi. “It has been a long time since I last visited Hefei.”

Then, Tang Paejin asked carefully,

“Then, Clan Head, have you already decided who will accompany you to the Namgung Clan?”