Chapter 19
19
Unlike when Dang-un came to greet Dang Jung a few days ago, he was dressed plainly.
He wore no jade hairpin, nor a long robe embroidered with delicate patterns.
He wore a plain green robe with a pure white overcoat. It was a somewhat modest appearance for a direct descendant of the Tang Clan.
However, it did not hide the Young Master's unique aura. Rather, he looked like a nobleman dressed modestly for an incognito outing.
He's really handsome.
I admired, gazing at Dang-un.
Each time Dang-un moved, his loose hair swayed gently.
The light brown hair that faded towards the ends looked like it would turn milky brown if the color faded more.
The sparse parts were already milky brown. It seemed to be the effect of the Severed Meridians Syndrome.
I can't even take care of myself, so who am I to worry about someone else, but I felt bad.
The first time we met was late at night, and the second time was in a reception room with lamps, so I couldn't see him properly.
Now, facing him in a bright place, I could see clearly.
Dang-un's face was sickly. There was an unavoidable smell of death.
What would happen when Dang-un's hair turned completely white?
There wasn't a single line about Dang-un in <Namgung's Conquest>. He would probably be gone before Namgung Hwi came of age...
I hurriedly shook my head and bit the tender flesh inside my mouth. It was rude to think about a future that hadn't happened yet in front of the person involved.
After choosing my words for a long time, I barely managed to say a word.
"Grandfather has gone out."
"Yes, I know. Grandfather told me to help you with your studies. Come, sit down."
Dang-un, who tucked his fallen hair behind his ear, said as he pulled out a chair. His complexion was pale, unlike the smile on his lips.
"Brother was surprised that you changed your mind. You said you had no interest in studying before."
So-hye, did you?
It seemed that Dang-un had tried to teach me how to read before.
"Ah... I did."
Barely answering, I awkwardly fidgeted with my hands.
Dang-un seemed to think I was intimidated and said kindly.
"Don't worry, I'm not grilling you. I just mean I'm glad that I can now exchange letters with So-hye."
"Ahaha, yes."
"I heard you're learning the Thousand Character Classic. May this brother see how far you've learned?"
"Yes."
"Good girl."
Dang-un, praising me, stroked my head. It wasn't something you would do to a grown-up sister.
It was more like treating a five-year-old child than a fifteen-year-old.
But seeing that he didn't feel anything strange, I wondered if he had been stroking So-hye's head since she was very young.
Like the gift before, Dang-un seemed to have been steadily taking care of his illegitimate younger sister, whom no one cared about.
This is why you shouldn't judge people rashly.
He's a good guy, I'm sorry for misunderstanding. I'll accept the next gift you give me.
While I was reflecting on my hasty past and reevaluating Dang-un, writing tools were placed in front of me.
Dang-un, who put a brush in my hand, said softly.
"Then shall we see So-hye's skills?"
It was a plain voice, but I felt goosebumps all over my body for a moment. I felt a strange madness in Dang-un's eyes, who I thought was only gentle.
I have an ominous feeling. I swallowed hard and picked up the brush.
* * *
Dang-un, who examined the letters written on the paper, showered me with embarrassing compliments, saying that I must be the most prodigious child in Sichuan.
Then he found seven wrong strokes and made me write all the wrong letters twenty times each.
He was an extraordinary teacher who alternated between carrots and sticks.
After writing the character for ink twenty times, my fingers were numb. I put down the brush and called Dang-un.
"Brother, I've finished writing."
"Let me see. Oh, excellent. But wouldn't the writing look neater if this stroke went up a little more? What do you think, So-hye?"
"...I'll write it again."
He even scrutinized the handwriting.
I didn't argue and unfolded a new piece of paper. Even I thought my handwriting looked like earthworms crawling.
If I were to make an excuse, it was because I had never written Chinese characters by hand before. My Korean handwriting wasn't this bad.
"That's right. It's much better now. This time, would you like to rewrite this stroke? It's better to have the ends connected."
"Like this?"
"Try doing it like this. Raise the brush a little more..."
Unlike his gentle tone, Dang-un didn't seem to want to compromise with my crooked handwriting. He pointed out the reasons why it wasn't working step by step and kept at it until it was right.
He was a completely different type from Dang Jung, who just told me to 'just do it' without explaining.
Why is this one scarier? He may only look gentle on the outside, but Dang-un is a person made of the Tang Clan's unique venom and obsession.
But it was impossible to practice writing any more according to Dang-un's wishes. Now my hands were trembling so much that it was difficult to hold the brush.
I glanced at Dang-un and cautiously spoke.
"Brother, just this much for today..."
"Huh? Cough, cough. I didn't hear you well."
"I think today's writing practice is enough..."
"Cough, cough. Ugh!"
Dang-un, who had been coughing for a while, vomited a bucket of blood.
Surprised by the blood dripping down his fingers, I widened my eyes, and Dang-un smiled kindly.
"It's okay, don't worry about me."
How can I not worry about you?
He was so calm that I was confused whether he vomited blood because he was really in bad condition, or whether he vomited blood on purpose to cut me off.
Is hemoptysis originally a symptom of Severed Meridians? Isn't this tuberculosis?
I hurriedly took out a piece of cotton cloth and handed it to him, and Dang-un, who wiped his blood-stained mouth and hands, reassured me.
"It's because I overdid it a bit. I'll be fine if I rest a little, so don't worry."
Seeing that he didn't care even after seeing the blood-stained cloth, he seemed used to hemoptysis.
I silently brought a new piece of cotton cloth and a brass basin filled with lukewarm water to Dang-un. Dang-un, who put his hands in the brass basin, smiled with his eyes.
"So-hye is kind."
Anyone would be surprised and bring something to wipe with if they saw someone vomiting blood like that. I pretended not to hear and asked.
"Shouldn't you change your clothes?"
"If I go back to my residence now, it will be difficult to come back. I don't have the strength to walk all the way here."
"How did you come to the pavilion?"
"Grandfather brought me."
Imagining Dang Jung bringing Dang-un, I hurriedly bit my lip.
It was hard to hold back my laughter when I imagined Dang Jung carrying Dang-un, who was a head taller than him, under his arm and jumping over the wall.
Dang-un chuckled as if he knew what I was thinking.
"As So-hye knows, Grandfather is not good at holding people. Sometimes my legs drag on the ground."
"Ahaha, really?"
This time, I laughed out loud.
I couldn't help but laugh when I thought that Dang-un and I were both being carried around by Dang Jung.
Dragging your legs on the ground is too much, Elder. Motion sickness was nothing.
Feeding people snacks to appease them like giving food, Dang Jung doesn't seem to have a knack for childcare.
Dang-un is a grown man who is well over 180cm, so it's a bit much to call it childcare... but let's just say that.
Perhaps it was because I found an unexpected commonality. I felt much closer to Dang-un than before.
I smiled and reached out my hand.
"Give me the basin. I'll go clean it."
"So-hye is having a hard time because of her useless brother."
"Don't mention it. I'll be right back."
I winked at Dang-un and left the pavilion with the brass basin.
* * *
As soon as I came out of the pavilion, I was blinded by the strong sunlight.
I frowned and stopped walking. The bright light was stinging my eyes, and tears welled up.
While waiting for my eyes to adjust to the light, I heard a blunt voice from above my head.
"I knew you'd be here."
When I looked up, I saw a boy sitting on a willow branch.
It was Namgung Hwi.
My eyebrows naturally rose.
Why is he here again?
Honestly, I wasn't happy to see him. I had received the money I lent him, and weren't we done with each other?
"Young Patriarch. Don't tell me you came over the wall?"
At my question, he frowned and jumped down from the tree. He had an unhappy look on his face.
"So-hye, did you see my letter? Why didn't you come out? I kept waiting."
Did you write where to come in the letter? I didn't see it. Dang Jung neatly burned it.
More than that, do you think the Maid can read?
I laughed and replied.
"Young Patriarch, I can't read."
"Why?"
I can't read because I don't know how. Surely the Namgung Clan Maids can all read and write. There's no way.
"Because I can't read. And Dang Jung told me not to go over the wall. There are traps installed. You could get hurt."
"Ah... I didn't think of that. Okay. I'll use the road from now on. So why didn't you come out?"
It's like reading a sutra to a deaf ear. I said I can't read.
I pursed my lips with a troubled face. I didn't know where to start explaining to this wild horse.
Should I extort him one more time saying I didn't get the money back?
First of all, I have to tell him that he can't just come into Dang Jung's residence.
As I swallowed a sigh and opened my mouth, a calm voice joined the conversation.
"May I ask which family's guest the Young Master is?"
When I turned around, Dang-un, who had followed me out, was standing there with a smile. Namgung Hwi, who met Dang-un's eyes, gasped.
"Uh, that is, I..."
Unlike the day when Namgung Hwi confidently revealed the name of Namgung to me, he couldn't open his mouth.
Although he spoke politely, Dang-un's question was close to pointing out which family he was from that he was wandering around someone else's family without guidance.
Namgung Hwi's face turned bright red.
It seemed that he had finally realized that his actions were against etiquette.
