Chapter 82 As she recalled the jade ring kept close to her chest, she became aware that she had spent far more time here than she had expected.
On the day the trumpet creepers first bloomed, she had stepped into the pond garden for the first time. Now fragrant sweet osmanthus bloomed in full.
Namgung Jeok-myeong had promised that if she uncovered the connection between Namgung Pae and Yeonghwang Yuse, he would show her the Killing Register. Even if it required some force, she needed to gain something substantial as soon as possible so that the time spent here would not be wasted.
Rather, even if I must fabricate a pretext close to coercion, it may be better for me to leave the Namgung Clan directly and tail Namgung Pae myself….
At that moment—
"Do you know hwigwangbanjo?"
It was an unfamiliar voice.
When she remained silent without answering, the question came again.
"Do you know hwigwangbanjo?"
Judging from the position of the voice, the speaker seemed to be an elderly person at least three spans shorter than Yeo Il.
She did not respond.
Before long, the gaze that had clung to her face until it stung disappeared without a sound. When she gently opened her eyes, no one stood there but herself, and the pondside lay empty and still.
To think they did not recognize me. Could they be one of Danli Mukran's people?
The voice lingered strangely in her mind.
Yeo Il stood gazing at the pond for another moment before returning to her bedchamber only after the moon had risen.
"The merchants have arrived, Lady Soyo!"
At the Hour of the Dragon.
Through the dim mist laid down by the early morning rain, women carrying large chests on their backs and in their arms entered the west reception hall one after another.
Chang-a bounced in place, her face bright with excitement.
"The items were already inspected in front! The Sogaju (Clan Heir) said that this time he would show even more goods, so he summoned the merchant group! He says it does not matter how many—you are to choose whatever woven goods and ornaments you like, my lady!"
With half-lidded eyes, Yeo Il surveyed the chests opened wide and clicked her tongue inwardly.
Relentless, Namgung Jeok-myeong.
Though the seasons had changed, every single item was as cute and refreshing in color as ever.
Yeo Il wore whatever was given to her, but as always, the taste was strangely irritating—so blatant that it drew a sigh.
"As his only younger sister, Jeok-myeong cherishes you dearly. You were born with at least that blessing."
Danli Mukran appeared without notice, and both Chang-a and Yeo Il bowed respectfully.
"Aunt."
"Are you getting along well with Sangbaek?"
"He is a good man."
"Did I not tell you? He is sufficiently steady and admirable. Continue to get along well. There is no better match for you than that child."
With her chin raised high, Danli Mukran examined the chests spread before Yeo Il.
"That one and that one, and that chest as well—have them brought to my room. I looked earlier, and they are not items that would suit you."
Without waiting for a reply, she left the west reception hall.
Standing faithfully behind Yeo Il, Chang-a puffed her cheeks in displeasure and inhaled sharply.
"Really now. These are items the Sogaju (Clan Heir) showed to you, my lady! How can she shamelessly snatch them away like that? Huh? She's truly taking them?"
"They all appear to be flamboyant ornaments. Do not be too heartbroken."
"Then you should tell the Sogaju (Clan Heir)! I heard from the older sisters that the First Madam's maids deliberately selected only the most expensive items to display. If they secretly disposed of them, they could even make money! What a waste!"
"If I do not regard them as mine from the beginning, there is nothing to regret—"
"Ah, no, this will not do. I must secretly take out at least a few! The older sisters detest the Danli Family, so they will surely help! Trust me, my lady!"
Watching Chang-a hurry off in agitation, Yeo Il shook her head.
"You have trained your younger sister well."
Seol-yeong cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem. I was thinking something similar."
With Seol-yeong's assistance in place of Chang-a, she selected appropriate woven goods and jewels.
When the final open chest had been inspected, the woman who had been holding the most worn chest before the hall approached with steps as soft as walking upon clouds. Soon several large-built men entered and set down three or four new chests around Yeo Il.
The woman whispered in a voice like an ant crawling.
"They were sent by the Head of Chwihyang Garden. Please confirm them."
In place of Yeo Il, who kept her eyes closed, Seol-yeong opened the chests one by one. From the whistle he let out, they must have been quite splendid.
"Oh… so the real ones were all here. Chang-a would be delighted to see this."
Inside the chest lay fine paper folded neatly.
No fewer than five letters.
Returning to her bedchamber, Yeo Il slowly read the letters sent by Seol Seorin. The important matter was mentioned at the very end of content that was extremely personal and long-winded.
<…The Gate Master of Hangryong has summoned you, my lady.In this humble girl's short opinion, it seems to be because of the name Namgung Pae.I will wait at Hangryong.>
Stretching his neck to peek at the letter, Seol-yeong stepped back with a troubled expression.
"Hah. This is inconvenient. They could have conveyed the message roughly through Seol Seorin. Why summon you all the way there? We already lack a pretext for leaving the residence…"
With things like this, the choice could only narrow to one.
Should I send Jin Cheong-ak to Namgung Pae and head to Hangryong myself?
She did not like it. Especially when she considered Jin Cheong-ak's recent conduct.
But the Hangryong Gate Master she knew was almost incompatible with Jin Cheong-ak. If she sent him to Hangryong, he would surely be driven out without gaining anything. Jin Cheong-ak would happily return empty-handed.
Is there no better move?
Late that night—
"Do you know hwigwangbanjo?"
As she looked down at the pond, she encountered the old person again.
This time, Yeo Il spoke.
"Does it not mean briefly regaining clarity of mind just before passing away?"
The old person cackled for a while before clicking their tongue loudly again.
"I wondered who had been born with such a perverse fate… Tsk, tsk. Not the north—this side. It was this side."
The already rough and hoarse voice wheezed like air leaking through wind. She could infer that the speaker lacked front teeth.
"I see two men and one woman. There are a few more… but none compare to those three."
"…"
"Pretty face, but cursed beyond measure. No… not cursed. It is only natural that the insane cling to one another."
It was speech that spoke of fate and sight, so vague that it left the listener with an oddly subtle feeling.
Even if she bore the status of an illegitimate daughter, who in the Namgung Clan would dare address Namgung Soyo with such boldness?
…Was it Nanny Jang of the Go Family?
The maid once said to have been a Heavenly Diviner in the palace, now favored by Danli Mukran. She did not know what circumstances had reduced her to servitude, but if true, her past was far from ordinary.
Yeo Il half-ignored the warning and answered calmly.
"Then must I avoid those three?"
"You cannot avoid them. Even Qin Shi Huang, who called himself Emperor, could not block out the stars in the sky. How would you manage to avoid them?"
Hearing the old person's words, she recalled another elder—Gwangbyeok.
Had he not also spoken of stars regarding Jin Cheong-ak?
"Say anything. Your situation is pitiful, so before I die, I will answer at least one thing."
It was goodwill offered in passing. Thus, she parted her lips just as casually.
"Can you see where Uncle Namgung Pae is going?"
She had expected an ambiguous reply such as "where three stars meet in the Hour of the Ox when it rains."
Instead—
"A mountain that defies the dragon."
As expected, the answer did not disappoint.
But if it was a mountain that defies the dragon… vague as the expression was, the meaning was too clear.
Hangryong.
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