Chapter 149
149
The owner of the sundry shop was a middle-aged woman with heavy eye makeup. The woman, who had drawn her eyeliner long and upturned, glanced at me and asked with a bothered expression.
“Are you looking for something, Young Miss? I don’t know if we have anything that suits your taste, but I can show you what we have.”
Her attitude wasn’t exactly welcoming to a customer. Instead of me, who was frowning, Yeon-ryang, who had followed me, cheerfully replied.
“I’ve only come to pick up a letter, Shopkeeper.”
Then, the woman, recognizing Yeon-ryang, spoke in a cooing voice.
“Oh my. It’s been a while, Great Hero Yeon. I knew you’d come since a letter arrived for you. But you’re here sooner than I expected.”
Judging by the arrival of the letter, it seemed Madam’s reply had arrived.
I had been worried whether the letter I sent would be delivered properly, but thankfully it had.
The shopkeeper, who had greeted Yeon-ryang warmly, soon smiled slyly and covered her mouth with her hand.
“They say heroes are fond of beauty, and there’s no lie in that. To be accompanied by such a beautiful Young Miss.”
Yeon-ryang’s eyebrows shot up at the clearly suggestive remark.
“Heroes are fond of beauty, my foot. What kind of person do you take me for?”
“Pardon?”
“Don’t lump me in with those who are no better than dogs in heat. It’s unpleasant.”
The shopkeeper, flustered by the fierce retort, stammered.
“G-Great Hero. That wasn’t my intention…”
“So-hye, say something too. Your brother is being wronged.”
“What is there to say? You’re being treated like that because of your usual behavior.”
“What a hurtful thing to say. This brother of yours is a virtuous and demure man.”
“How laughable. I distinctly remember you going on about ‘adult time,’ what virtue are you talking about?”
As I snorted, Yeon-ryang frantically waved his hands.
“Ah, no, that’s not it, So-hye. It’s really not like that.”
“Sure, it isn’t.”
“You know it’s not! It’s a misunderstanding!”
I burst out laughing at the sight of the strapping man sweating profusely, not knowing what to do. I laughed heartily and wiped away my tears.
“Ahahaha, I know, Brother. I won’t tease you.”
Only then did Yeon-ryang realize it was a joke, and he sighed and pressed his fingers against his temples.
As he glared at the shopkeeper with his arms crossed, the shopkeeper, who had been watching nervously, cautiously took out a bundle wrapped in silk and handed it over.
“I haven’t checked the contents. Would you like me to leave you alone?”
“I don’t doubt the shopkeeper’s integrity. Here.”
The shopkeeper, who received the Silver Ingot Yeon-ryang handed over, grinned from ear to ear.
“Integrity is the virtue of a merchant, after all. I’ll be on my way then. Call me if you need anything.”
He hummed as he disappeared into the back of the shop.
I thought one Silver Ingot was excessive for simply receiving a letter on our behalf, but I wondered if there was some calculation I didn’t know about.
The fact that he didn’t seem interested in doing business, and that he knew Yeon-ryang well, was suspicious.
Is it a branch of the Lowborn Sect? Or the Black Marketeers?
As I suspiciously watched the back where the shopkeeper had disappeared, Yeon-ryang placed the bundle in my hand and feigned ignorance.
“Alright, alright, hurry up and open it.”
His actions clearly meant he didn’t want me to pry, and I clicked my tongue.
Whenever I tried to ask about information that was under a Geumje, he would always try to gloss over it like this.
I didn’t want to see Yeon-ryang’s head explode, so I pretended not to notice, but I couldn’t keep living like this forever.
I didn’t have the ability to deal with the Cardinal who had placed the Geumje on Yeon-ryang… But I couldn’t just do nothing either.
If I wanted to escape from the clutches of the Demonic Sect by playing dead, I had to take care of my conspicuous appearance first.
I wondered if there was a way to obtain the Lowborn Sect’s disguise technique. I should also send a message to Hwahong.
As I filed away the things I needed to do in my mind, I opened the bundle.
Inside the silk bundle embroidered with peonies were a letter and a bank note.
I checked the bank note without much thought, and my mouth dropped open.
One thousand gold?
Not silver, but one thousand gold?
“B-Brother. Am I seeing this right?”
“Huh? How much is it…? Wow. Our Madam is generous.”
Yeon-ryang whistled and pretended to be surprised.
I couldn’t close my mouth at the enormous sum.
In silver, it was 20,000 nyang, or 400 Silver Ingots. It was the amount of money I could save if I didn’t spend my Maid salary for 833 years.
The hand holding the bank note trembled.
Was it okay to receive something like this? Wasn’t it too much?
As my eyes, as big as marbles, wandered through the air, Yeon-ryang chuckled.
“Put it away. It’s Madam’s life insurance, so refusing it would be impolite. Put it away somewhere safe so you don’t lose it. No, it would be better to leave it with Fur Ball.”
“Kit!”
Ju-ryeong also stretched out his short forepaws as if asking for it.
“…Brother. I’ve been feeling this for a while, but it seems like you trust Ju-ryeong more than me.”
“Well. Fur Ball never lets go of anything once he’s got it.”
“That’s strangely convincing.”
After pondering for a moment, I put the bank note in a small pouch, closed the opening, and handed it to Ju-ryeong.
“Ju-ryeong. You absolutely can’t lose this. Even if I sold you, I wouldn’t get this much.”
“Kiee.”
“You have to take good care of it until we go to the battlefield. Got it?”
“Kyoo.”
He nodded, his black eyes sparkling as if telling me not to worry. His solemn gaze made me chuckle. I shrugged and unfolded the letter.
The letter contained news about Empress Hwang’s recent activities after returning to Geumneung.
There was nothing special, as if she was wary of someone opening the letter.
She had gone to see the autumn leaves with the children, had a snowball fight, and cut paper for New Year’s wishes…
The softly flowing handwriting was filled with small joys. It was as if I could hear Madam’s giggling voice.
“What does it say that makes you smile like that?”
“Good news. It seems Madam is living well with the children. I’m glad. You always wanted to see her.”
As I replied, I read the last line and swallowed the scream that was about to come out.
P.S.
I’m pregnant.
The grilled fish I ate by the river keeps lingering in my mind, but no matter what I do, it doesn’t taste the same as it did then. Could you tell me in detail how to grill it?
“Brother. Madam is pregnant!”
“Is that so? That’s good news. If she has three children with the Emperor, her old age will be guaranteed.”
Yeon-ryang replied nonchalantly.
“But it seems like she has severe morning sickness. She wants the fish that Brother used to grill for her.”
“That’s because it only tastes good when you grill it outside over a fire and eat it right away. It doesn’t taste as good if you grill it in the kitchen and bring it over. Have a Maid light a bonfire in the backyard.”
“Yeah. Pregnancy is something to celebrate, but her enemies won’t stay still… Will she be okay? I’m worried.”
“She’s someone who has already given birth to two children in that harsh Imperial Palace. She won’t lose in a battle of wits.”
“It’s different than before. Madam doesn’t have her family to back her up anymore.”
As I muttered worriedly, Yeon-ryang chuckled and stroked my head.
“You’re such a sentimental Young Miss. Why are you worrying about royalty when you’re in trouble yourself? If you’re that worried, send her an Antidote pill or something. It might help. Anyway, would you mind going out for a bit with Fur Ball?”
“Huh? Why?”
“I have something to take care of too. Wait in the carriage. I’ll be right there.”
As I glared at his suspicious behavior, Yeon-ryang winked playfully.
“Brother, you keep having more and more secrets? Just you wait. I’m going to find out everything.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll tell you everything later.”
I poked Yeon-ryang and obediently came out of the shop.
\ \ *
“Young Patriarch. Please slow down. Young Patriarch!”
Despite Jeok-roe’s desperate cries, Namgung Hwi didn’t look back.
‘Ugh, that temper.’
Jeok-roe, swallowing the complaint he couldn’t bring himself to say out loud, hurriedly followed his master.
The dark clouds over Namgung Hwi’s head remained the same until they returned to the camp.
“Hwi, you’re back? Dinner is…”
“I’ll eat later.”
Namgung Yo, flustered by the sharp reply, glanced sideways at Jeok-roe.
At the reproachful look, Jeok-roe shook his head with an aggrieved expression.
He had turned a blind eye to him eating dirty street food, and he had even found the sundry shop and guided him there as he was told.
No matter how much he thought about it, he hadn’t done anything wrong. He couldn’t understand why he had suddenly become upset.
[Jeok-roe, I’ll see you later.]
Namgung Yo, sending a fierce Telepathic transmission, erased his flustered expression and lightly pulled Namgung Hwi along.
“Alright. Then, how about meeting the Alliance members before going into the general assembly?”
“Yes. Sister.”
“It seems the Head of the Dragon Phoenix Unit is passing by. Hyo-gang Oppa.”
“Ah, Young Miss Namgung. It’s been a while. And this person is…?”
Jegal Hyo-gang, who had turned around while fluttering his fan, trailed off as he looked at Namgung Hwi.
“Greetings to Head Jegal. I am Namgung Hwi.”
“Ah, so you’re the Young Patriarch. You’ve grown so much, I almost didn’t recognize you. I look forward to your performance.”
Jegal Hyo-gang, nodding at Namgung Hwi who had clasped his hands, immediately left as if he had no intention of continuing the conversation.
The two, who were well aware of his unpleasant personality, didn’t pay it any mind and moved on.
“Let’s go to the Crimson Moon Unit’s camp. Do you remember the Head of the Crimson Moon Unit? He used to come and play with Ji-yoon Unni sometimes.”
“Yes.”
Namgung Hwi, recalling the Swordmaster of Mount Hua, who was called Dam-cheon and was a man of few words, nodded.
He was a man who could create perfect plum blossoms at the tip of his sword, so perfect that it was hard to believe he was a secular disciple.
Unlike the noisy atmosphere of the other camps, the atmosphere of the Crimson Moon Unit’s camp was calm. The members seemed to follow the Chief’s disposition.
As the two stopped in front of the camp with the Chief’s flag planted, a blunt voice was heard from inside.
“Come in.”
