CF Chapter 47

Chapter 47

 

“You’re awake.”

“Um… why am I here…?”

“Dongbaek brought you here without saying a word. That child, really.”

“You know Young Master So?”

“I haven’t introduced myself yet. I am Dongbaek’s adoptive mother. Since Dongbaek left you in my care, please don’t feel uncomfortable around me.”

Geum Danyao greeted Lily with a benevolent smile. However, Lily didn’t dare act carelessly. Dongbaek’s mother! She had to make a good impression on her.

“Please, have a seat. Are you hungry? I’ll have some food brought in. Is there anything you’d like?”

“I-I like everything.”

“Looking at you, it seems you haven’t eaten recently. I should have them bring some bird’s nest soup.”

“Th-thank you.”

When Geum Danyo clapped her hands, servants filed into the room one by one carrying food. The meal was served quickly. Although Lily didn’t feel hungry due to the sudden situation, her stomach growled when the food was laid out. With slightly reddened cheeks, she picked up her spoon.

The smooth, silky soup warmed her entire body as it went down her throat. Lily tried her best to appear as proper and dignified as possible, but she couldn’t help herself with food she hadn’t tasted in so long. When she came to her senses, the bowl was empty.

Lily’s face turned as red as a ripe persimmon at her unseemly behavior.

“It’s good to see someone eating well.”

Geum Danyo laughed softly. Lily turned her flushed face slightly away, cleared her throat, straightened her clothes, and gave Geum Danyo a proper greeting.

“I apologize for my late introduction. I am Lily, daughter of the Dan family.”

Though still young, it was a flawless greeting. Geum Danyo’s consistently gentle eyes suddenly flashed sharply. Her gaze was stern as she carefully examined every aspect of Lily.

Between her rosy cheeks, her small nose was perfectly straight, and her sparkling eyes and ink-black hair were like silk. She was one of the prettiest noble daughters Geum Danyo had ever seen.

Yet she showed no sign of pride in this, and her temperament seemed modest. Her family’s education must have been strict.

Geum Danyo let out a quiet sigh. Then, after collecting her thoughts, she spoke calmly.

“Dongbaek said he wants to make you his wife. But I’m skeptical. This isn’t a marriage born of love for you. He just pities you. Dongbaek… though he seems thorough, he’s actually a sensitive child.”

Dongbaek was endlessly kind and couldn’t be harsh to those she took to heart. Geum Danyo knew this better than anyone, as Dongbaek had been that way with her. She still vividly remembered how Dongbaek had suddenly stepped forward to make a promise to Zhang Rang for her sake.

This small girl must have similarly won Dongbaek’s heart. If so, the best Geum Danyo could do for Dongbaek was to keep this child in check to prepare for any potential problems. Geum Danyo pressed Lily harshly.

“Will you still be Dongbaek’s wife despite this? Are you prepared for that?”

Geum Danyo’s words painfully pierced Lily’s heart. Dongbaek’s words about not loving her echoed in her ears.

But she was still happy. Thinking about it, it was absurd to expect to receive Young Master So’s love completely. He was a brilliant flower, and she was just one of many butterflies entranced by his splendor, following him around.

Yet among the many who loved him, she had been chosen. She couldn’t give up this opportunity. Even if the flower doesn’t love the butterfly, the flower accepts only that one butterfly into its embrace. That was enough for Lily.

“I-I would have been happy even as Young Master So’s concubine. But Young Master So said he would take me as his wife, and his only wife at that. That consideration and kindness is enough for me. I… I don’t expect Young Master So’s love. It would be too much for someone like me.”

“But human desire isn’t so simple.”

Geum Danyo shook her head. Having lived several times longer than Lily, she naturally understood certain things about human emotions.

No matter how pure and noble Lily’s love might be, when she discovers that the person she loves is actually a woman, not a man, that love will turn into a sense of betrayal that pierces the heart.

Lily’s eyes, round and black like hazelnuts, sparkled with pure innocence, as if they knew nothing of corruption. Such certainty in permanence is a blessing possible only in youth. Geum Danyo sighed, remembering what Dongbaek had said when she visited a few days ago.

 

“As long as I’m living as a man, I have to marry. If I’m going to marry anyway, it would be good if it causes a big stir. No one will suspect I’m a woman. That child will make a good shield.”

“This isn’t something to take so lightly! It’s too dangerous a choice. What if that child learns you’re a woman and spreads the word out of betrayal…?”

“Then that would be my fault for choosing Lady Dan.”

 

Remembering Dongbaek’s calm smile as she took responsibility, Geum Danyo continued.

“Dongbaek has circumstances. I wonder if Dongbaek will reveal them to you… Would you still love Dongbaek even if you knew?”

“Y-yes, I would!”

Lily jumped to her feet and shouted. The chair she knocked over rolled across the floor. She had acted without dignity in her urgency. Lily’s face reddened with embarrassment.

But since things had come to this, she had to speak her mind. Clutching her skirt, Lily gathered her courage and cried out.

“Even though Young Master So said I could go to someone else, I won’t! Who do they think would let go of Young Master So? As long as he doesn’t abandon me, I won’t let go of him either. No matter who he is!”

By the end, it was almost a desperate cry that revealed her emotions to an unseemly degree. This cry that fully contained Lily’s heart was too heartbreaking to be from a 10-year-old girl. It was too deep to be just young love.

“I truly hope so.”

The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment. Could this small girl before her truly understand Dongbaek completely? Even if she could understand and protect Dongbaek’s secret, how much could she support that child?

If the day comes when this child learns Dongbaek’s truth, Geum Danyo fervently prays that she will remember her current love and cover up that child’s secret, if only for the sake of their past affection.

-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-

The wedding of Zhang Rang’s adopted son, So Dongbaek, and Dan Liang’s daughter, Lily, was magnificently held under the blessing of the Emperor himself.

Luxury goods, the finest among the tributes, were continuously loaded onto wagons and brought to Zhang Rang’s residence. These were gifts from the emperor.

Even Dongbaek, whose expression rarely changed no matter the circumstances, appeared visibly flustered as she turned to Zhang Rang for an explanation.

“W-What is all this?”

“These are the gracious gifts from the emperor. Accept them with gratitude.”

Though Zhang Rang responded calmly, he, too, was equally astonished. Even Zhang Rang, who wielded absolute power, could not take the items from the imperial palace lightly.

There were always rumors about Zhang Rang’s household being draped in gold and treasure, but in truth, when compared to items from the imperial family, they always fell short.

Of course, this was not due to a lack of money, nor because she couldn’t obtain such items. It was merely a strategy to avoid giving his rivals any leverage. However, the emperor’s gifts this time were so luxurious that even Zhang Rang’s eyes widened in surprise.

The wedding attire for Dongbaek and Lily was also made from silk bestowed by the emperor. The magnificently woven silk seemed as if it had been created in the celestial realm, so dazzling that it was indescribable. The red silk was intricately embroidered with silver threads, and each garment was so elegant and flawless it seemed like heavenly clothing without a single seam.

But even more eye-catching were the young bride and groom. Dongbaek’s noble bearing and graceful demeanor elicited admiration from everyone, while Lily, with her delicate features, was like an unbloomed flower whose beauty was already evident. Her hair was as dark and full as black ebony, her tiny face pure white against the red wedding attire.

Dongbaek’s light-colored hair was neatly arranged in a topknot, adorned with a ceremonial hat. Even at her young age, the official robes and headgear suited her perfectly, with no one daring to mock her appearance. Instead, many young women blushed upon seeing the young Dongbaek.

The wedding was so grand that all of Luoyang was abuzz.

Moreover, while it was customary to offer bribes during an official’s personal ceremonies, Dongbaek instead showed generosity by giving rewards to all thousand of her subordinates.

“What is all this?”

One of Dongbaek’s soldiers asked, pointing to the meat and wine barrels being brought to the camp. A group gathered nearby responded to the question with whispers.

“It’s a reward from the Young Commander. He’s really generous. I guess that’s what comes from a wealthy family…”

“Oh, come on. How many wealthy people actually care for their subordinates like this? And at such a young age. He’s so thoughtful.”

“Hah, are you happy about getting some fat to put on your belly?”

The group poked each other and laughed. The soldier asked if there was a specific reason for the rewards.

“Was there some special occasion?”

“Of course! It’s to commemorate Commander So’s wedding! What, haven’t you heard? It’s been the talk of the town for days now. Where’ve you been?”

The oldest and leanest man in the group was shocked that the soldier was completely unaware.

-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-

Thank you for reading! ♡