TRHWD 09

Chapter 09

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“You don’t need to worry about that. There is no other woman.”

Just as those words were spoken, Haesang stepped in through the open door, wearing a cream-colored silk jeogori that shimmered softly. The sight startled not just Lee Yeon, but Hyun-ae even more, who gasped as if she’d seen a ghost.

“Oh my goodness!”

Hyun-ae had married into the family after Haesang had disappeared. So she’d never seen his face up close.

Though she wouldn’t admit it, a burning jealousy must have been flaring up inside her.

Hyun-ae was a woman who loved to flaunt. Her hairpins, ornaments, rings—every accessory she wore was always the most dazzling and beautiful.

Jinsang’s rather plain looks had always been a deep source of dissatisfaction for her.

She’d only ever heard people talk about the famously handsome Haesang, never having imagined just how striking he truly was.

She probably hadn’t paid him any attention at the government office either, thanks to his beggar-like appearance back then.

She must’ve thought, How different could brothers possibly be?

But now!

The man sitting across from her, close enough to touch, was the most beautiful man she had ever laid eyes on in her life.

Though Haesang’s unannounced visit surprised Lee Yeon, she couldn’t help but feel a certain pride at that moment.

“…Why are the brothers so—!”

Hyun-ae blurted out her inner thoughts before quickly catching herself.

“Ah, hello. Why is it so hard to get the two of you in the same room? Hyung-uk’s father caught a cold, so we couldn’t… Hyung-uk, greet your uncle!”

She quickly lifted Hyung-uk into her arms and presented him to Haesang.

“Well, so you’re Hyung-uk. Let’s see, with that handsome face, you must take after your Uncle Isang.”

“Haha…”

Hyun-ae gave an awkward laugh.

“Yes, our Hyung-uk is rather good-looking, isn’t he?”

“I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but were you discussing this child’s adoption?”

“Yes, Hyung-uk is very bright. He’ll grow up to be a great official, just watch~!”

“Haha. That’s quite odd.”

“Pardon?”

“My younger brother still distrusts and denies me, yet you want to entrust me with such a talented and clever child?”

“Distrust and deny? Oh no, no, of course not, brother-in-law.”

“And besides!”

“Yes?”

“There’s a much easier solution. If a child were to be born between Lee Yeon of the Gong family and Haesang of the Moon family, wouldn’t that save everyone a lot of trouble?”

With that one sentence, Haesang silenced Hyun-ae.

Of course, even for different reasons, Lee Yeon was just as speechless.

Nine years ago, he had vowed never to take up the duty of continuing the family line… and now, he was bringing up the idea of a child between the two of them.

Hyun-ae left in frustration, having failed to achieve her goal, while Lee Yeon remained frozen in place.

---

“Your sudden visit was quite a surprise.”

After Hyun-ae left, an awkward tension filled the room now occupied by only the two of them.

“Ahem. I heard that Sister-in-law was in the main quarters, and So-hwa looked so distraught, so I thought I’d come by.”

“So-hwa?”

“She said whenever your sister-in-law visits, you always suffer from headaches…”

“So-hwa was overreacting. I’m used to it now.”

“I’ll take care of the adoption matter soon. I hadn’t considered it properly. I didn’t expect her to be so openly threatening.”

“In the end, we’ll have to bring in Hyung-uk. That’s what the elders are most anxious about.”

“But as of now, isn’t that decision mine to make?”

“Well, yes, that’s true.”

“Then leave it to me.”

“In the past, you said you had no interest in continuing the family line. Yet just now, you spoke of having a child between us. Has your mind changed?”

It wasn’t easy for Lee Yeon to bring it up, but it wasn’t something she could leave unspoken either.

“Rather than saying my mind has changed, let’s just say the situation has.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“Let’s talk about it later. It’s not something we can resolve tonight.”

As Haesang spoke those last words, a subtle, strange smile flickered at the corner of his lips.

Lee Yeon felt her chest drop.

Get a grip! This isn’t the time to talk about heirs. You need to find answers!

“I have something to ask you!”

“What is it?”

“Four years ago, in the year of Im-O, where were you?”

Haesang’s right eyebrow arched slightly.

“Is there a reason you’re asking specifically about the year Im-O?”

“Because it was the year after you completed your three-year mourning period for our parents!”

“That’s a funny question. Not ‘Why didn’t you come back when you heard our parents died?’ but instead that.”

Lee Yeon flinched. Her fists clenched tightly, damp with sweat.

“I heard about their deaths much later. I was planning to descend from the mountains when I heard you were finishing your mourning.”

“…?”

“But then I was chased by the Left State Minister’s men and nearly died, so I couldn’t. It was the height of unfilial behavior, and I have no excuse.”

“Why were the Left State Minister’s men after you?”

“Well, that I can’t say. I don’t know myself.”

“Who saved you?”

“My herbalists, of course. When I came to, they had tied all kinds of items to me—notes claiming that the Moon family’s Haesang had died in Im-O. They said they thought I’d die and wanted to at least recover my body to return to the family. Ha!”

Then that handkerchief too? But why would the Left State Minister’s people send me that handkerchief?

Her questions piled up with no satisfactory answer.

“I nearly ended up being your husband who died while mourning in Im-O. Haha!”

“Is that supposed to be a joke?”

Lee Yeon glared. The atmosphere turned icy again.

“I meant… if I had truly died, you wouldn’t have had to wait endlessly. Maybe that would have been better.”

“Even if I don’t know when my husband will return, I’d still prefer that over being a widow. At least in name. Widows are easy targets for bride-kidnapping.”

“Ah… I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”

“It’s fine. Most men don’t know much about a woman’s life anyway.”

Her voice was cold, and for a moment, Haesang’s neck flushed red.

The silence between them was broken by the sound of crying outside.

When they opened the door, Steward Jang was holding the hand of a young servant girl, Sun-jin, looking distraught.

He bowed deeply and pleaded urgently.

“Master, please save Sun-jin’s uncle!”

“Master, please save him~! sob sob sob”

Sun-jin burst into tears, leaving both Haesang and Lee Yeon stunned.

About a year ago, Sun-jin had come into Lee Yeon’s household through the recommendation of her nursemaid, Yangpyeong. Despite her young age, she was exceptionally skilled and had a knack for cooking, earning Lee Yeon’s favor and attention.

“My uncle is at the young master’s house! sob sob sob He’s like a father to me. Please save him.”

“Jang, tell me properly. What’s going on?”

“Yes, sir. At Master Jinsang’s estate, today is the day her uncle, Maeng-gol, is to be punished by straw-matting.”

“Straw-matting?”

“Master Jinsang is very strict with the servants. He orders beatings on the straw mat for no clear reason. If someone’s turn comes up, they get beaten nearly to death.”

“Madam, madam! My uncle will die. Please help him. sob sob sob”

 

The child sobbed, pressing her forehead to the ground.

Haesang’s gaze grew cold.

“Where is he now?”

“At the small master’s residence. They say the punishment is about to begin!”

“Bring my horse.”

“Yes, sir!”

The steward quickly rushed out.

Yeon, who had been quietly listening, stepped forward.

“I’ll go with you.”

“It might get dangerous.”

“All the more reason I should go. If something happens to you, who will explain it to the elders of the clan?”

That logic was irrefutable. Haesang nodded without further protest.

The two of them hurried to Jin-sang’s residence.

The inner courtyard of Jin-sang’s house was already a scene of chaos.

Dozens of servants were gathered in a circle, and in the middle, a man with his limbs tied was writhing and groaning. His back, half-exposed under torn clothes, was already bruised purple and red.

A large straw mat lay rolled out beneath him. Around it, a few strong men stood with clubs in their hands, awaiting orders.

Yeon, her expression frozen, immediately recognized the man—Mangol, Sunjin’s uncle.

He was barely conscious, groaning weakly, blood staining the mat.

“Stop this madness at once!”

Yeon’s voice cut through the chaos.

But the servants just looked around in confusion. They didn’t dare act without Jin-sang’s order.

“Where is the master here?”

Then Jin-sang appeared, dressed in his usual leisure attire, lazily fanning himself.

“Oh, what’s all this fuss?”

Haesang stepped forward.

“You’re beating this man nearly to death. What is his crime?”

“No crime, just discipline. The servants have been lax lately, so I decided to set an example.”

“Discipline? Do you even know who he is?”

“Of course I know. He’s just a lowborn who dared speak against me.”

“Is that so?”

Haesang walked straight up to Mangol and cut his bindings with a dagger he drew from his sleeve.

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

Jin-sang’s face twisted in fury.

“I should be the one asking that. Beating a man to death without cause—do you plan to answer to the clan elders for this?”

“Ha! So now the prodigal brother thinks he has authority? You have no place in clan affairs!”

Yeon, who had remained silent, spoke up.

“Even if you don’t recognize his authority, I am still the legitimate daughter-in-law of the clan. I will report this matter to the elders immediately.”

Jin-sang flinched.

“This isn’t over. You’ll regret interfering.”

Haesang sneered.

“Those are words a man says when he’s already lost.”

Then he lifted Mangol onto his back as if he weighed nothing.

“Yeon, let’s go.”

Yeon gave one last look at Jin-sang’s twisted expression before turning away.

---

That night, Haesang and Yeon treated Mangol’s injuries together.

Though a physician had been summoned, much of the emergency care was done by the two of them, working in silence.

When Mangol finally fell asleep, Yeon stepped out to the courtyard to get some air. The moonlight was gentle, casting a silver glow across the tiled roof.

Haesang quietly approached her.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For stepping up earlier. It wasn’t an easy thing to do.”

“I should be the one thanking you. You saved a life.”

“I’ve been away too long. The household has changed far more than I imagined.”

“Yes… the clan has become a place where power justifies cruelty.”

They stood side by side in silence for a while.

Then Yeon said, almost to herself, “The clan may not welcome you, but I’m glad you’re back.”

Haesang turned to her.

“Then let me ask you something.”

“Yes?”

“If the clan doesn’t welcome me, and if staying puts you in danger, would you still want me here?”

Yeon looked up at him.

“I’ve spent nine years living without answers, waiting without knowing. I think… I’d rather face danger with you than endure that again.”

Haesang’s eyes softened.

Under the moonlight, they stood in silence again—but this time, it was no longer awkward.

A quiet understanding passed between them.

Whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.