Chapter 70
“The grace that Namgung has received from you will never be forgotten.”
Namgung Yirong said.
He accepted the Soul-Scattering Grass himself.
Then, after exchanging a few short words with Grandfather, he disappeared into the dungeon.
“Now let us return.”
Father patted my head, almost pressing it down.
I looked up at him.
“Will Yeon be alright?”
“She will.”
“I thought I saw some bruises on her body… Do you have any Jinchuang Medicine left?”
“Bruises will not fade simply by applying Jinchuang Medicine. Still, I will see if there is something useful.”
“Was that the nanny’s doing too?”
“If the nanny intended to kidnap the child, then it is likely her doing as well.”
Grandfather, who had been listening to our conversation, spoke.
“I heard that recently there have been frequent incidents of children from prestigious clans being kidnapped.”
“Really?”
“Not only from prominent families, but similar cases are increasing everywhere. It may possibly be connected.”
Grandfather gently patted my shoulder.
“You didn’t use the Myriad Blood Divine Poison because you wanted to capture her alive?”
“Yes, if she died, I wouldn’t be able to get any answers.”
“Well done. But from now on, if it becomes dangerous, use the poison immediately.”
“Immediately?”
“Yes. Coat the Ox-Hair Needle with the poison and throw it. The moment it pierces, the other side will die instantly.”
“But then…”
“Do you value uncovering the mastermind more than your own life?”
Grandfather spoke sternly.
“You got through this time without harm, but do not expect heaven’s favor every time. The thought of ‘keeping someone alive’ recklessly is what will take your life.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
After hearing it, I realized Grandfather was right.
Besides, he said it out of concern for me.
I should take it to heart.
I nodded earnestly.
“From now on, I won’t try to spare people carelessly.”
“Capturing alive is only for when you are absolutely certain the opponent is weaker than you.”
“Yes.”
“Still, well done. I am proud of you. Where did you get the Soul-Scattering Grass?”
“I found it on the mountain road on the way to Namgung last time. The amount I gave the family head was one-third of what I found. The rest is here. I was going to give it to the Medical Hall Master when I returned.”
“You are quite capable.”
“She takes after her father, doesn’t she?”
“No, she takes after me.”
Grandfather declared firmly.
Father pretended not to hear.
Watching the two, I asked,
“And the man who escaped…?”
“He will soon be found as a corpse. The search is ongoing.”
“If he’s alive, please tell them to bring him to me.”
“I already did, but by now he must be long dead, Bi.”
I nodded.
I returned to Cheonmu Hall with Father.
The maidservants brought washing water and prepared my bedding.
At that moment—
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
Was it Father?
“Who is it?”
“Dangbi, it’s me—Cheonghyeon.”
A slightly urgent voice came from outside.
“Can I come in?”
As soon as I heard his voice, I jumped off the bed.
I rushed to open the door.
Cheonghyeon was standing outside.
Sweat was streaming down his forehead and cheeks as if rain had fallen.
“Cheonghyeon?”
“I heard what happened. They said something terrible almost happened to you.”
“You ran here because of that?”
“Thank you for saving Yeon.”
His gratitude was simple and sincere.
Swallowing down his heavy breath, he continued,
“And… I’m glad you’re safe.”
“Do you want to come inside?”
“Yes.”
A maid outside said she would bring some cold water and left for the pantry.
I quietly watched him, then pulled out a handkerchief from my sleeve and handed it to him.
“Here, wipe your sweat.”
“Thank you.”
“Is Yeon alright?”
“She’s sleeping now, in my room.”
Namgung Cheonghyeon said.
“Once, the maids bullied her a bit. Because her motor skills are weak, she couldn’t write or speak properly.”
“…!”
“After that, Father replaced all the maids and the nanny. The new nanny is that woman…”
His expression naturally turned dark.
I listened quietly before speaking.
“Then it’s possible she kept abusing Yeon. I think I saw bruises under her sleeve.”
“She had bruises?”
“Yes. Check later.”
“I will. Thank you.”
At that moment, the maid returned with cold water and warm tea.
Cheonghyeon took the cold water, and I received the warm tea.
We each took a sip.
Gulp.
His throat bobbed as he drank.
After calming himself slightly, he spoke again.
“But those bruises might not be from the nanny.”
“Then who?”
“…It could be from Mother.”
“…What?”
He hesitated.
“Her heart hurts… deeply.”
“Your mother, Lady Sohwa…?”
“Yes.”
“I see…”
“She’s normally very kind, but sometimes she does things like that. Perhaps because of her, the nanny felt even more confident and devised such a scheme.”
“Her heart hurts…?”
“Ever since Yeon was born.”
Namgung Cheonghyeon said.
“Yeon was a twin. There was also a baby boy… but he died the moment he was born. Since then, she has been like that sometimes.”
Was that why Cheonghyeon looked so uncomfortable when called by Lady Sohwa?
“But I don’t hate her.”
“I see…”
“She was originally a very good person. Truly. She always treated me well—like her own son. She is only acting this way because her heart is wounded.”
Pain distorted his face.
It was not physical pain, but emotional.
And emotional pain is deeper—far deeper.
“I don’t even know why I’m telling you so much.”
“Because you needed someone to talk to?”
“Maybe.”
“Yeon is… the sorest spot for all of us. And yet something like this happened. I feel like it’s my fault for not protecting her properly…”
“Why is that your fault?”
I cut in impatiently, unable to wait for him to finish.
“A wicked nanny abused Yeon, and took advantage of the chaos to smuggle her out. How is that your fault? There was nothing you could have done.”
“If I had paid more attention—”
“You were called away by your mother at the time. You couldn’t have done anything. So this isn’t your fault.”
Cheonghyeon was too kind.
He even blamed himself because Namgung Yeon had been kidnapped.
But excessive kindness becomes poison—to oneself.
And emotional poison cannot be detoxified.
Before he could sink deeper, I added firmly:
“Someone doing something evil is their fault. Why blame yourself?”
“….”
“And Yeon would never want you to think that.”
His expression softened slightly.
After a brief thought, I gently placed my hand over the back of his cold hand.
He startled slightly.
“And… even if your mother’s heart is wounded… she is still precious to you, right?”
“Yes. Because she is my mother.”
Hearing that, I recalled something:
In my past life, my uncle opened a clinic near Anhui that treated psychological conditions.
And something happened there, causing him to be expelled from the Tang family.
Come to think of it…
One of the victims was Cheonghyeon’s mother.
The wife of the Namgung family head was ensnared by Tang Paejin’s scheme and took her own life.
Realizing this, I lifted my head sharply.
Then I said confidently:
“You know, my uncle makes medicine that heals illnesses of the mind.”
To be precise, it wasn’t exactly “medicine.”
But anyway.
“So when the time comes, your mother’s emotional suffering might be cured completely.”
This time, there will be no interference.
Because I will stop Tang Paejin before that.
Cheonghyeon’s eyes widened.
He didn’t seem to fully believe it, but his eyes looked like those of a boy who had found comfort.
