Chapter 214
214th Episode
Carts piled high with all sorts of goods lined the walls.
The Golden Dragon Merchant Group's insignia was clearly emblazoned on the carts.
What is Young Miss Jang Mi-ryeo up to now?
As I was bewildered by the endless stream of carts and darted my eyes around, Dang Juyeop, who was passing by, whistled and greeted me familiarly.
"I heard the Poison Butterfly's reputation was soaring, and it seems it's true. Someone's already trying to get on your sister's good side as soon as she returns."
"Brother, just go on your way."
"...Yes."
At my words, Dang Juyeop flinched and scurried away from me with a crestfallen expression.
He started it first, so why is he so scared?
A man, who had been observing my awkwardness, cautiously approached and clasped his hands in a respectful greeting.
"The Pavilion Lord sent me."
He then presented a letter.
I sincerely hope I understood correctly. Please accept this as a token of our friendship.
What does that mean?
I couldn't help but tilt my head at the incomprehensible words, but it didn't seem like something I should ask the man.
"Please convey my thanks. No, I'll send a letter to the Pavilion Lord myself."
Pretending to be nonchalant, I answered loud enough for those around to hear, and slipped the letter into my sleeve.
She's not the type of Young Miss to cause trouble without a reason, so there must be a reason for this elaborate performance.
As long as there's something left to gain from me, she wouldn't do anything that would harm me, so it should be fine.
The man, who had been watching my reaction with a nervous expression, soon smiled brightly and began to recite the list of items Jang Mi-ryeo had sent.
Most of them were precious items that only the wealthiest would be interested in, and not easy to sell on my own.
...Is she planning to have me sell them back through her later?
More than that, how did she know I returned to the Tang Clan? You have to give it to her for being so quick with information.
At the same time, I realized that Jang Mi-ryeo hadn't asked why I had left the Merchant Group without a word, and I felt a little sorry.
It's difficult to explain the circumstances, but I should send a letter to let her know I'm safe.
After roughly examining the items, I said to the man.
"Could you separate the tea leaves?"
"Yes, I understand. Ah, should I sort this together as well? This is a tea set made by the most skilled artisan in Jingdezhen..."
"Sounds good. Separate that too."
I should give it to Grandfather.
As I thought this and watched the man take out the tea set box, I suddenly felt something was off.
"By the way, how did you get into the Inner City?"
"The Seventh Elder guided me."
Uncle Geun-myeong? Why?
My eyes narrowed involuntarily.
It seemed this performance wasn't solely orchestrated by Jang Mi-ryeo.
In any case, regardless of the reason, it seemed the play had successfully begun.
Because there were more than a few members of the family watching and whispering from afar.
"Even the Third Young Master has never received such valuable gifts..."
"I heard she made a name for herself, but it seems it wasn't a false name."
The voices, whispering as if right next to me, were all busy speculating about the days I had spent away from the Tang Clan.
Pretending not to hear, I brought the gifts Jang Mi-ryeo sent into the detached residence.
In the meantime, Dang Seho, who had changed his clothes and rushed over, asked in an excited voice.
"Hey, are you acquainted with the Muk-wol Dae-ju of the Dragon Phoenix Unit?"
"Ji-yoon? I know her. Why?"
"A letter came for you!"
The guy's face, handing over the letter with sparkling eyes, was full of anticipation.
Feeling bewildered, I unfolded the letter, and the handwriting, as if I could hear Peng Ji-yoon's unique hearty laughter, caught my eye.
The letter said that she was sorry, but her schedule wouldn't allow her to go to Sichuan, and instead, she was sending a small gift as an apology.
I don't remember inviting Peng Ji-yoon?
As I frowned, Dang Seho, who had been circling around me, urged me to speak quickly.
"What does it say? Why did a letter come? Is the Muk-wol Dae-ju coming to Sichuan?"
"No. She's busy and can't come."
"She can't come? Aww. I thought I'd be able to see her this time. She didn't come to the last meeting either."
"I guess she's busy with Alliance activities. More than that, why is Brother so concerned about Ji-yoon coming?"
"She's cool."
You like older women, huh? You have a thing for older sisters.
"Open this too. Quickly."
No sooner had I put down Peng Ji-yoon's letter than Dang Seho handed me a small wooden box.
Inside the wooden box was a small note and a piece of high-purity ice crystal.
Say hello to the Poison King. See you again.
"What's this? Is this ice crystal? The Muk-wol Dae-ju sent you ice crystal? Are you close to the Muk-wol Dae-ju? Introduce me!"
I could feel people's attention focusing on Dang Seho's fuss.
I stared silently at the note, which was scribbled in a cool and refreshing manner. Now I felt like I understood the situation.
It's Grandfather's doing.
She was asked a favor.
Otherwise, there's no reason for Peng Ji-yoon to go so far as to send precious ice crystal and flaunt her friendship with me.
She wasn't the type of person who would like doing something like this in the first place.
I felt bad when I realized that Grandfather had brought in an outsider to help establish my position.
He even bent his principle of not intervening unless it was a matter of the Tang Clan's safety and made a move.
...I have to establish myself firmly in the Tang Clan this time.
As I fiddled with the ice crystal, Dang Seho whispered.
"Hey, can I touch the ice crystal just once?"
"No. You can't."
I tried to manage my expression and put the wooden box in my arms.
\ \ *
The streets of Seongdo, which I was walking on for the first time in years, felt as unfamiliar as a place I had never been before.
It was even more so because I had hardly any memories of going outside the Tang Clan before.
As I showed signs of being unfamiliar, Dang Seho asked, puzzled.
"Hey, are you not feeling well? Should we go home if you're not feeling well?"
"No, I was just thinking about something else for a moment. Where did you say the restaurant was?"
"We're almost there. You'll be surprised when you taste it."
Dang Seho, acting pretentious and raising his chin, boasted about the food as if he were the owner of the restaurant.
I chuckled and humored him appropriately.
"How is it? Delicious, right?"
"Yeah, it's good."
"See? I told you it was good. Hey, you don't have anything to do after training tomorrow, right? Tomorrow, I'll..."
I mumbled the twice-cooked pork and half-listened to Dang Seho's words.
Although it was a bit noisy, I didn't mind spending time with him.
The food was also neat and tidy, as befitting a restaurant that had captured the taste buds of a picky Young Master, and listening to his silly nonsense cleared my mind and emptied my head.
That was until I saw the towering Moon Scent Pavilion in the distance.
The moment I remembered Hwahong's existence, my heart began to pound.
The Lowborn Sect might know the whereabouts of Yeon-ryang.
I forcibly suppressed the urge to run out immediately and took a breath.
Not now. There are too many eyes watching.
But it wasn't easy to calm my mind.
As the chopsticks I was holding snapped in half, Dang Seho, his eyes wide, whispered.
"Hey, you're bleeding from your hand."
"It's okay. Keep eating."
"It's not okay at all. What's okay about it?"
Dang Seho, his face serious, pulled down his sleeve and hid my blood-stained hand.
He placed silver coins on the table and naturally got up.
"Let's go."
I didn't argue and followed him.
My steps back were heavy, but I couldn't show others that I was suddenly going to the Moon Scent Pavilion.
Back at the Tang Clan, I waited anxiously until late at night.
"Young Miss, aren't you asleep?"
"I'm going to sleep. Songji, you go to sleep too. Deokju, you can go now."
"Yes, Young Miss. I'll take my leave."
The short time it took to send Deokju away and put Songji to sleep felt like an eternity.
At the end of my patience, when the surroundings became quiet, my heart beat so fast it felt like it would jump out of my mouth.
Changing my clothes and pulling the bamboo hat low, I quietly leaped over the wall.
The Moon Scent Pavilion, with its brightly lit lights in the darkness, was noisy with music and people's laughter intertwined.
I had come without a plan, but once I arrived, I couldn't think of a way to quietly meet Hwahong.
As I was wondering if I should send a message and come back later, I felt someone approaching me.
"Welcome, Young Lady. The Pavilion Lord has asked me to escort you."
It was Ja-gyeon.
I nodded to the familiar face and followed him.
Entering a small room, Hwahong, who had risen from his chair, bowed to me.
"Have you been well, Pavilion Lord? I apologize for today's rudeness..."
"Rudeness? Your visit is always welcome, Young Lady. Please, sit comfortably, Young Lady."
Waving his hand and smiling, he offered me a seat. I nodded and sat across from Hwahong.
He blinked his long eyelashes and spoke softly.
"I heard you had returned, but I refrained from making myself known, fearing it would cause trouble if a mere courtesan were to do so. I can't express how pleased I am that you have come to me."
"I am grateful that you say so."
"I have heard of the hardships you have endured. This Hwahong wanted to help the Young Lady, but when I heard the news, you had already disappeared, so I could not."
"Yes."
"Oh dear. I've been too talkative in my joy. What brings you here that you need my help?"
Hwahong asked gently, as if telling me to speak comfortably. But the words didn't come out easily.
"You said, if I needed help, I could come to you."
As I stammered, Hwahong quickly erected an Energy Barrier and smiled brightly.
"Yes, Young Lady. Please, speak."
"I want to find my brother."
"By brother, you mean..."
"You must know, Pavilion Lord. My biological brother. I want to know his recent whereabouts."
At that moment, Hwahong's smile cracked. He asked in a trembling voice.
"Wollyi... is that child alive?"
