Chapter 13
The chief steward of the Seol family residence, Wi Jeong-gon, was summoned by the family head, Seol Won-pyeong.
“Chief Steward Wi, go and check how Young Miss is doing.”
“Excuse me? By ‘Young Miss’…?”
Ah—he’d made the mistake of asking a question in front of the family head. Seol Won-pyeong was not someone who liked to repeat himself.
When he first received the order, Wi Jeong-gon hadn’t immediately understood. Seol Won-pyeong had never instructed him to look after his granddaughter before, and he didn’t even know he referred to her so affectionately as “Young Miss.”
“Un-yeong. My granddaughter. Go see if she’s doing well.”
“Yes, I will do as you command.”
“Don’t say I sent you. Just see if she’s well and if she needs anything.”
“Pardon?”
Failing to grasp the command at once, Wi Jeong-gon made the mistake of asking again.
“Tsk. What kind of chief steward can’t understand plain speech?”
“M-my apologies, sir.”
He bowed low and apologized.
“Never mind. First, check where the child is, alright? Understood?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Watch from a distance. Ask her quietly. Make sure she’s not uncomfortable. Got it?”
“Yes, Family Head. Understood.”
“Hmph. Off you go now.”
“Yes, I will head out to check on the young lady.”
Even as he stepped out of the family head’s hall, Wi Jeong-gon couldn’t help tilting his head in confusion.
He understood what Seol Won-pyeong was asking—but not fully. The instructions were vague.
Still, he began walking toward Seol Un-yeong’s quarters.
Wi Jeong-gon had become the Seol family’s new chief steward the previous year. Born and raised in Honganhyeon, he had exceptional talent. He had entered the Seol Trading Group as a lowly servant and had steadily risen through the ranks due to his capabilities. It was quite unusual for someone so young to become chief steward.
There were two chief stewards assisting Seol Won-pyeong, the head of both the family and the Seol Trading Group. One handled external affairs, while the other—the inner steward, like Wi—handled household matters.
Currently, the Seol household had no mistress, making Wi’s role especially critical.
When the previous chief steward retired, Wi had taken his place. It was a move also intended to prepare for the future, given Seol Won-pyeong’s age.
Though only just over forty, Wi was considered highly competent and well-versed in the ways of the Seol family.
Until today, when he received that baffling order from Seol Won-pyeong, Wi had believed he had a full grasp of all affairs within the household.
After all, the family head never showed much interest in Un-yeong. Even when she had recently fallen ill, he had only visited once or twice.
Most people in the house believed that Seol Won-pyeong wasn’t fond of her—and in prestigious families across the Central Plains, that wasn’t particularly unusual. It was considered the mistress’s role to care for daughters, and Un-yeong certainly lacked for nothing in terms of support.
The family head and heir were always busy, and rarely paid much attention to the daughters’ education.
Still, Wi had to investigate—there must be something he had overlooked.
“I’ll understand once I see her myself. And I should visit the previous steward as well—he might know something.”
When he arrived at Yeonhong Garden, he kept his distance and watched her from afar, as instructed.
Un-yeong was walking through the garden, looking around curiously and smiling at everything she saw.
She looked so well it was hard to believe she’d ever been ill.
Wi quietly followed, planning to approach and ask how she was doing.
But just as he was about to step forward, an unpleasant sound rang out.
“Hey, you half-wit!”
At first, Wi thought he’d misheard. But he hadn’t.
Incredulous, he stood frozen, watching the scene unfold.
Everything happened so fast.
Suddenly, Seol Yohong and Seol Dopung appeared and began hurling insults at Un-yeong.
Their actions were so casual, as if this were a daily occurrence.
As chief steward, Wi was supposed to know everything that happened within the household—but he had never heard of this.
No. This wasn’t something he could just brush aside.
“I’ve been negligent. I thought I knew everything happening in this house…”
At that moment, Seol Dopung raised a fist and struck Un-yeong.
She collapsed, bleeding.
There was no time for self-blame anymore.
“Young Miss!”
Wi rushed forward, lifted her in his arms, and ran toward her quarters.
“This is serious. What am I going to do about this?”
Even in his panic, he didn’t forget to shout orders at the servants trailing behind him.
“You! Go fetch Physician Song! And you—run to the family head’s hall!”
“Yes, Chief Steward!”
“Right away!”
The maids scattered, dashing off in different directions.
Wi had no idea what kind of chaos this would unleash.
And then it came back to him—
The look on Seol Won-pyeong’s face when he had gently asked him to observe Un-yeong quietly, carefully.
Wi closed his eyes tightly, overwhelmed.
“In my house! Of all places, in my own home, the Seol family estate!”
Un-yeong woke to the booming voice laced with fury.
Before she opened her eyes, she sensed the people around her. She could feel Hyang-a, her maid, sitting right next to her. In the main room, there were quite a few people gathered.
‘Hmm… Grandpa’s here. So is Father… Looks like a lot of people showed up. Oho, even the uncle and aunt were summoned. Nice, things are escalating as they should. Heh.’
While she mused, the shouting continued.
“How dare you raise your hand against my granddaughter! What kind of people are you?! Is this how you raise your children? Is this what you taught them martial arts for?!”
“Father, please calm down… Un-yeong is still sleeping.”
“You expect me to calm down now?! Ahem. You’ll all be punished for this. I will hold you accountable. How could you raise your children like this… Tsk.”
It seemed Seol Won-pyeong was furious.
“We’re sorry, Uncle. We were in the wrong, Uncle.”
“I said leave.”
“Yes. We’ll leave now. We’re truly sorry.”
“Enough. Tsk.”
Un-yeong smirked as she cracked one eye open. Then she quietly whispered to Hyang-a.
“Hyang-a, hey, Hyang-a.”
“M-miss! You’re awake?”
“Shh. Keep your voice down.”
“Y-yes. Are you okay? Should I get your nanny? Or the physician—?”
“Hyang-a. Stop. Just listen to me.”
“O-okay.”
Though still young, Hyang-a was sharp.
She noticed the faint smirk on Un-yeong’s lips despite her soft voice, and realized right away—this might’ve all been intentional.
She pursed her lips, leaned closer, and listened.
“How long have I been out?”
“About two hours.”
“Hmm. Quite a while. What happened in the meantime?”
Hyang-a explained everything that had happened over the past two hours.
Seol Won-pyeong and Seol Jadan had rushed over immediately. The physician had stayed with them until just now.
They had summoned Seol Jacheong and his wife, but, as luck would have it, they were out at the time and had only just arrived.
“Wow, they just happened to be away today?”
“Yes, that’s what they said.”
Hyang-a pouted.
“So, Grandpa still doesn’t know everything they’ve done, right?”
“Right.”
“Oho. I see. The chief steward will probably summon you, the nanny, and So-gyo soon. When he does, tell him everything.”
“Wait, really?”
“Mhm. The nanny and So-gyo will stay quiet, so it’s up to you. Just read the mood and tell him everything.”
“Of course! They never say anything—I’m the only one who gets mad. I’ll explain everything!”
She clenched her fists with determination. Her eyes burned with resolve, and her smile grew.
“Good. I’m counting on you.”
“But, Miss… Should I really say everything?”
“Hmm? Like what?”
Un-yeong blinked. Hyang-a hesitated, then asked softly,
“Like… what they said about your mother?”
“Yeah. It’s fine. Say everything. Also, let them know I’ve woken up.”
Hyang-a nodded and left the room.
Un-yeong closed her eyes again, thinking about how to phrase everything later.
“Ugh, ever since coming back to the past, it’s just been nonstop acting. Sigh…”
A few moments later, the adults entered her room.
“Y-Young Miss! Are you okay? Physician, please—!”
“G-Grandfather?”
“Yes, your grandpa’s here.”
“M-me…”
“Yes, speak. I’ll listen to anything you say.”
“I want to…”
“Yes? What is it?”
“I want to learn martial arts.”
With a firm expression and a voice full of resolve—
Un-yeong put on another perfect performance.
