Chapter 37 Just before the atmosphere turned awkward,
Namgung Jeok-myeong stepped forward and spoke up for Yeo Il.
"Aunt, Soyo has been gravely ill these past few days. Simply coming to pay her respects has likely drained much of her strength. Would it not be better to discuss important matters later?"
At his voice, thick with concern, Danri Muk-ran nodded readily.
"A frail constitution is no small flaw. At this rate she will not even be able to carry a child properly. Return to your seat."
Namgung Hui-myeong sprang up and carefully guided Yeo Il back to sit beside him. Then he whispered in her ear,
"Don't mind it too much, Soyo. She's always like that."
Yeo Il already knew as much through Changa.
[Lady Danri Muk-ran favors people who are polite and obedient. Ever since the Great Madam passed away, whenever she visits the Namgung Clan she tries, in subtle ways, to act as though she were the Great Madam herself. The maids dislike her for it, and even the guards avoid her. She complains that a household full of men cannot be properly managed and gathers the servants to order them about.]
And the reason people talked even more—Changa had begun to say, before choking on a pastry and pounding her chest, then continued,
[…She seems to bring young ladies connected to her each time. So please be careful, Miss! I'm certain something troublesome will happen.]
Though still young, Changa's information proved highly reliable. The fervent gaze coming from across the room confirmed it.
Yeo Il understood at once.
Is that the man Danri Muk-ran brought to attach to my side?
She lightly touched the bridge of her nose and glanced across.
As expected, among the three unfamiliar faces seated together, he was the only man—and did not appear much older than she.
To speak of marriage at their first meeting, and even bring the candidate along. One could not deny her thorough preparation.
"Um… I have decocted some medicinal herbs from a renowned physician for the Second Young Master. Please deliver them to him."
As one of the women passed the herbs through a maid, Danri Muk-ran exclaimed before Namgung Jeok-myeong could even offer thanks.
"Yes, yes. How lovely. So gentle and wise! A woman grows more fragrant the wiser she is. Is that not so, Jeok-myeong?"
"Haha. Fragrance is something all women possess. Thank you, Miss. I shall see that Chu-myeong receives it."
"You rascal! Saying all women possess fragrance—such smooth words. You've learned how to toy with women's hearts. When did you grow up so much?"
"Thank you for the praise, Aunt. But tell me, is it truly effective?"
"…Pardon?"
The woman looked startled by his sudden question but soon answered shyly,
"O-of course. The physician who provided these herbs has treated our family many times."
"Good. In truth, Soyo's illness is more severe than that boy Chu-myeong's. Would you mind if we shared some with her?"
"S-shared…? O-of course."
With permission half coerced, Namgung Jeok-myeong displayed unfeigned delight.
"You hear that, Soyo? Along with the medicine Aunt prepared, we shall set aside this portion for you as well. Do not skip a dose. Understood?"
"Yes. Thank you for your kindness."
Danri Muk-ran swallowed a sigh at the sight of Yeo Il bowing her head lightly.
"…Such affectionate siblings. A pleasing sight."
It was praise tinged unmistakably with displeasure.
Affectionate siblings. It might appear so to others. But to Yeo Il, Namgung Jeok-myeong's thoughts were transparent.
He dislikes seeing the impostor claim what belongs to the real one.
As everyone added a remark about their sibling bond, Danri Muk-ran suddenly raised her voice.
"It seems I grow weary after such a long journey. …Jeok-myeong. Though each of these children is a proper member of their respective clans, it is their first time forming ties with a great clan such as ours. They must all be terribly nervous."
"I understand, Aunt."
"They are distant relatives of mine, though the distance be great. If you would be so kind as to spare my dignity, could you show them around the inner quarters, if only briefly?"
The women's expectant gazes gathered in one place. Soon Namgung Jeok-myeong's somewhat troubled laughter followed.
"Well… as you know, more than twenty relatives are arriving at the clan today alone. I must act in Father's stead, so I cannot be certain I will have the time. But since you request it, Aunt, I shall do my utmost."
Before she could speak further, he added swiftly,
"Then… let me see. Perhaps I shall first ask Hui-myeong?"
"Me? You mean me?"
Though Namgung Hui-myeong appeared blunt and straightforward, he lacked the heart to refuse repeated requests from an elder.
"…Hah. I can make time, but not for long."
Thus, despite his obvious reluctance, he accepted.
"Haha. Everyone will understand. Do not worry."
He was likely grumbling inwardly that he was already busy preparing for the Martial Alliance Tournament, yet Namgung Jeok-myeong handed him such an annoyance.
Just as the gathering seemed about to disperse—
"Sangbaek, assist Soyo with her movements."
At Danri Muk-ran's words, the unfamiliar man answered obediently,
"Yes."
"My dear Soyo, did you hear? Hehe… Remember that voice well. His name is Go Sangbaek. A steady and fine young man. If only you could see, you would surely—"
Danri Muk-ran's prattling did not penetrate Yeo Il's ears.
She did not attend this gathering to indulge Danri Muk-ran's matchmaking.
"Miss Namgung, if it pleases you…"
Instead of responding to Go Sangbaek, Yeo Il turned toward the empty air and called out,
"Brother Jeok-myeong, are you there?"
Footsteps approached. Namgung Jeok-myeong circled her playfully once and stopped behind her.
"Of course. Your brother is here, Soyo. Is there some problem—"
A problem? Indeed.
"Human mask."
His breathing stilled.
On a day when summer grew heavy and thick,
Yeo Il imagined the icy vigilance that must have flashed through his eyes and continued calmly,
"Did you not say in Hubei Province that you would show me a human mask? I was curious how beeswax could replicate human skin… When might I see it?"
"..."
He seemed to be measuring her intent—why she would utter such dangerous words so suddenly before so many eyes and ears.
But that was precisely her aim.
From the beginning, she intended to exploit Namgung Jeok-myeong's vulnerability in a place crowded with witnesses—to send him a signal.
"Ah! Please do not feel burdened. If it troubles you, Brother, I can wait for another time. I could ask Lord Chu-myeong or Lord Hui-myeong about their experiences instead—"
Namgung Jeok-myeong abruptly seized her hand and sighed.
"I understand. I understand. Come with me first."
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