Chapter 08
“I greet Madam Geum.”
“It’s been a while, Elder Hwang.”
The one called Elder Hwang bent his already curved back even further in greeting upon seeing Geum Danyo.
Geum Danyo shifted slightly from her posture of speaking with Dongbaek to face Elder Hwang. Her expression briefly showed discomfort, but as Elder Hwang straightened his back, all traces of unease vanished, replaced by a serene smile.
“Is it already the end of the month? Time really flies.”
“Tsk tsk, that’s not what you said last time. Back then, you were complaining about how slow time was moving.”
Geum Danyo laughed off Elder Hwang’s words with a chuckle. His words were true though. Many things had changed since Dongbaek came to Geum Danyo.
“Here is this month’s living expenses.”
Elder Hwang pulled out a money pouch from his breast and presented it. The coins filling the strings were enough money for an average family of four to live on for about a month.
Until now, Geum Danyo had been living comfortably with just Housekeeper Wang, as there were only two of them. But now there was Dongbaek. That amount of money would not be enough to provide for Dongbaek.
While Geum Danyo was worrying about this, Dongbaek stood one step behind, assessing the relationship between the unfamiliar Elder Hwang and Geum Danyo.
Elder Hwang spoke to Geum Danyo in formal speech, while Geum Danyo addressed him casually. Yet the subtle dynamic between them indicated that Elder Hwang held the upper hand. Add to that the financial support… Dongbaek’s eyes sparkled as he observed Elder Hwang.
Elder Hwang, for his part, was making his own assumptions about the relationship between Dongbaek and Geum Danyo.
‘A beautiful young man who seems quite intimate with Madam Geum, who has been living in chaste since being abandoned by my lord…’
The boy was strikingly handsome. Even for someone over seventy like Elder Hwang, the exotic appearance was captivating.
The faded hair color, light-colored eyes, slightly upturned eye corners with three tear moles below them were truly bewitching.
He seemed to have mixed blood of the foreigner, but his refined manner suggested noble birth. Given that he was cozying up to Geum Danyo, who was over forty, he probably wasn’t from a very wealthy family.
Having finished his assessment, Elder Hwang smiled strangely and asked Geum Danyo:
“By the way, who is this young man?”
“Dongbaek, give your greetings. This is Elder Hwang, the steward of Changshi Zhang Rang’s household in Jungsang City.”
“Pleased to meet you. I am So Dongbaek.”
Elder Hwang gave an indecipherable smile toward Dongbaek who was greeting him, then slowly opened his mouth.
“I don’t know which noble family you’re from, but are you aware that Madam Geum is a concubine of Changshi Zhang Rang of Jungsang City…?”
He was asking whether Dongbaek was aware that he was touching something that belonged to the famous Changshi Zhang Rang.
‘Has this old man gone mad…!’
Housekeeper Wang was seething with anger, grinding her teeth at this roundabout insult that not only treated Dongbaek as a male courtesan but also smeared Geum Danyo’s chastity.
Geum Danyo was no different. Under her ice-cold and composed expression, her hands were trembling. Although the trembling hands were hidden by the table, Dongbaek, who was right next to Geum Danyo, could immediately sense her anger and shame.
The reason for Geum Danyo’s anger wasn’t because she was insulted by Elder Hwang. It was because she had been hiding from Dongbaek the fact that she was a concubine of Changshi Zhang Rang, and was now living off the money she had earned, so to speak, by selling her body under his support.
Of course, she hadn’t planned to hide it forever. Just a little longer… she had intended to keep it secret just a little longer.
Dongbaek had thought of her as an elegant noble lady. But a eunuch’s concubine? Having her secret suddenly exposed, Geum Danyo was afraid of being despised by Dongbaek.
Some might laugh at how ridiculous it is to fear the contempt of an adopted son she had only recently met.
However, Dongbaek, who had proudly declared, “I want to live as a human being,” was truly appealing to Geum Danyo, whose life had been oppressed by men. She desperately wanted to make Dongbaek her child.
Dongbaek took a long sip of his tea. It tasted bitter. As Dongbaek remained silent, Geum Danyo’s expression grew colder.
Setting the teacup back on the table, Dongbaek spoke indifferently,
“Do you feel proud, insulting a mother in front of her child?”
“This old body was merely stating facts, but…”
Despite having used respectful speech earlier, Dongbaek suddenly switched to informal speech, but Elder Hwang only smiled faintly. However, behind his brazenly smiling face, cold sweat was running down.
‘What kind of young punk exudes such a murderous aura…!’
Seeing the word “child,” it seemed he had been adopted, but that didn’t change anything. The intentions behind a woman who had maintained her chastity for over 15 years suddenly adopting a son were obvious. Of course, even Geum Danyo hadn’t expected this, but as they say, you can know ten fathoms of water but not one fathom of human nature.
Confident in his assumptions, Elder Hwang maintained a bold attitude. But when it came to sarcasm, Dongbaek was one step ahead.
“Speaking of facts… then I suppose it’s also fine to mention the fact that Zhang Rang of the Ten Attendants is an impotent eunuch. Am I wrong?”
“What?!”
Dongbaek’s unhesitant and matter-of-fact statement shocked everyone in the room. To dare call Zhang Rang an impotent eunuch—Elder Hwang abandoned even his fake smile and shouted in anger.
“H-how dare you… what blasphemy is this against Changshi Zhang Rang! Do you not fear for your life?”
“What of it? People even criticize the king behind his back… At least I’m better than you who ran your mouth in front of someone and their child.”
At Dongbaek’s words, spoken without the slightest hesitation, Elder Hwang lowered his head and trembled.
Housekeeper Wang’s face turned ashen. Elder Hwang was the steward of the powerful Zhang Rang. If he were to say anything strange to Zhang Rang, Geum Danyo might instantly find herself thrown out onto the streets…
However, she couldn’t entirely blame Dongbaek’s actions for slapping both Elder Hwang and Zhang Rang on behalf of her master. In fact, putting everything else aside, it was quite satisfying.
Dongbaek showed no hesitation. In fact, the clarity in her gaze as she stared down Elder Hwang was unwavering.
This situation was the first challenge thrown at her in this world.
Someone who insults her. And the oppressive authority bearing down on her.
Should she lower her head and vow to repay this humiliation in the future? Or should she slap the opponent in the face here and now?
The opponent was merely a eunuch’s steward. Dongbaek chose the latter. She intended to test this supposed “luck” that this world had bestowed upon her.
Even if Elder Hwang reported everything to Zhang Rang, there was nothing to lose. Zhang Rang, being the head of the Ten Attendants, must have an eye for people. If she was truly an exceptional being, he would surely recognize it.
Moreover, Dongbaek’s position was that of the adopted child of Zhang Rang’s concubine. How would Zhang Rang judge the value of this sharp sword that had unknowingly entered his pocket?
‘If Zhang Rang truly becomes angry and tries to kill me…’
Then surely, a way out would present itself. Dongbaek had only recently fallen into this world, but she was certain this world wouldn’t let her die so easily.
“Strictly speaking, isn’t Lord Zhang Rang my mother’s husband? Though I spoke out of anger and indignation, that too was unfilial, so I will rightfully endure whatever punishment he deems fit.”
Everyone present knew it was a blatant lie that she had spoken out of anger. Nevertheless, Dongbaek just smiled and continued to provoke Elder Hwang.
Elder Hwang glared at Dongbaek with murderous eyes for a while, then suddenly changed his attitude and began laughing loudly.
“Hahahaha!”
He laughed so much that tears formed in the corners of his eyes. Wiping away these tears, Elder Hwang spoke.
“What a bold young man. The young master speaks rightly. I misspoke. Madam Geum is truly trying to raise you. You’re quite remarkable, Madam. Where did you find such talent?”
Of course, the old man could have reported Dongbaek’s words directly to Zhang Rang.
Given his master’s temperament, he would surely seek revenge against Dongbaek who had looked down on him. What difference would one more ten-year-old’s life make to Zhang Rang’s already extensive record of evil deeds?
But the old man took a liking to Dongbaek. He liked him so much that he even considered secretly recommending them as Zhang Rang’s successor. Elder Hwang continued speaking with a grin.
“However, it would be difficult for a woman to fully understand or raise a man. What do you think? How about entrusting this young master to our Lord of Jungsang? As you say, if you’re Madam Geum’s adopted child, wouldn’t that make you Lord Zhang Rang’s child as well? Lord Zhang Rang would gladly lend his hand.”
At Elder Hwang’s proposal, Geum Danyo’s eyes widened. What could that old fox be plotting? However, it wasn’t an offer Geum Danyo could simply refuse. The point Elder Hwang raised was something Geum Danyo herself had worried about many times.
“I see no reason to refuse such a proposal. Dongbaek, what do you think?”
At Geum Danyo’s question, Dongbaek tilted their head thoughtfully for a moment. Soon, Dongbaek answered with a smile.
“I want to ride a horse.”
At Dongbaek’s seemingly irrelevant answer, all three people present were bewildered and confused. It was an answer that didn’t fit the situation. But Dongbaek just smiled and emphasized once more.
“Elder Hwang, your proposal is merely the thought of a slave, without Lord Zhang Rang’s permission. When you explain today’s events to Lord Zhang Rang and reveal my existence, if he becomes interested in me, then tell him this. ‘I, So Dongbaek, want to ride a horse.'”
-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-
Thank you for reading! ♡
