Editor : VCubed
Chapter 103
Yerin barely managed to suppress a sigh that was about to burst out and swallowed it down.
Of course, since Dang Yejun was a despicable character from the start, she didn’t even have the expectation that he would become a decent person.
“But still, can things get even worse from there?”
Oh my, oh my!
From today onwards, Yerin resolved to treat Dang Yejun as something less than human.
Hyuk Min-woo explained further.
“Moreover, Dang Yejun’s activities outside the castle have also decreased significantly.”
Recently, Dang Yejun had withdrawn completely, even from his usual interactions with the noble families within Sichuan Province.
For nearly a year, the only time Dang Yejun had ventured outside was to attend a meeting of the Martial Arts Alliance.
“As a result, these days, Sichuan Province itself feels somewhat stagnant.”
“…So that’s what happened.”
Yerin nodded.
After chatting for a while longer.
“Since you must be tired from the long journey, why don’t you rest for today?”
Hyuk Min-woo suggested.
“Tomorrow, I’ll show you around the farmland.”
“Sounds good, I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Yerin nodded enthusiastically.
—
Yerin, Doyul, and Somi headed towards the detached quarters as guided.
It was occasionally used as guest quarters when dignitaries or external guests visited, and within these quarters, there was a special place.
“A hot spring?”
Yerin perked up her ears.
“Yes. It was discovered during the expansion of the main hall, and it’s popular among the workers and servants.”
The guide explained as they entered the detached quarters.
“Does that mean the workers and servants can’t use the hot spring because of us?”
Yerin asked anxiously, and the guide shook their head.
“No, that’s not the case. There’s a separate hot spring in the main hall as well.”
“I see, that’s good to know.”
Yerin’s face brightened.
The thing she longed for the most during the long carriage journey was a hot bath.
And now, she could soak in a hot spring!
“Well then, please rest comfortably.”
With a nod, the guide left.
At that moment.
– ‘You heartless contractee!’
Somi lifted its head with a glare at Yerin.
– ‘How can you leave me in the hands of that despicable guy!’
Somi lamented mournfully.
But Yerin nonchalantly replied.
“You didn’t seem to mind being held by him.”
– ‘That’s because—’
“Honestly, wasn’t it nice when disciple Hyuk Min-woo was petting you?”
For a moment, Somi flinched.
Honestly, when that pot lid-like hand first touched its head, it shivered all over…
– ‘It was soft.’
And Yerin didn’t miss that brief moment of silence.
Narrowing her eyes, she pressed on.
“Wasn’t it?”
– ‘That, that’s not—’
“Come on, just admit it.”
– …
With that, Somi was silenced.
“Then, I’ll go take a look at the hot spring!”
With a cheerful expression, Yerin disappeared towards the hot spring area.
Left behind, Somi stomped its feet in frustration.
– ‘This is infuriating!’
It had to find a way to release this frustration somehow.
And in the midst of its contemplation.
– Strange, why is the palace lord so quiet today?
Somi glanced at Doyul with narrowed eyes.
– If it were the usual him, wouldn’t he say something when the contractor was harassing him?
Ah-ha.
In that moment, Somi’s eyes gleamed maliciously.
It found its target for venting this boiling rage.
– ‘You, palace lord, are you perhaps pondering whether you can bathe with the contractor?’
And so, Somi began to gleefully tease Doyul.
“What, what?”
Startled, Doyul jumped up.
At his overly reactive response, Somi’s eyes gleamed maliciously.
– Yes, that’s the reaction I was looking for!
And thus, Somi began its merry vendetta against Doyul.
– ’You devious creature! Planning to entangle the innocent contractor!’
“No, that’s not—!”
– ‘Do you think I’ll just let you snatch away my rabbit-like contractor like that!’
What did I even do wrong?
Doyul felt unjustly accused.
Seriously, the one who always toyed with Doyul like a puppet on a string was always Yerin!
However.
‘Ah, of course, it’s true that my wife is cute as a bunny.’
Even in this moment, Doyul’s resolve remained firm.
And then.
“Oh, I just checked, it’s not mixed bathing.”
Yerin, who had just inspected the hot spring, spoke up.
“The baths for women and men are separated.”
– ‘Did you hear that? So wake up from your dream.’
“….”
– ‘Suspicious.’
Facing the silent Doyul, Somi tsked as if urging him to listen.
– ‘This time, I’m definitely going to the hot spring, so don’t interfere, Palace Lord.’
“What? Who do you think you are to decide!”
Doyul snapped.
That insolent creature, even back in Wulinmeng, and now why does it keep wanting to bathe with my wife?!
But oblivious to everything, Yerin innocently suggested to Somi.
“Shall I give you a bath? You seem to have some dust on your fur.”
– ‘Sounds good!’
Somi jumped up excitedly and nestled into Yerin’s arms.
Was that all?
With a proud smirk, it ignored Doyul completely!
“Kiang Kiang.”
“….”
“Kiang, Kiang, Kiang.”
Somi chuckled, making nasal sounds, as if teasing Doyul.
‘Damn.’
Doyul couldn’t help but feel a pang of self-loathing as he rubbed his forehead.
“Huh? Why are both of you suddenly acting like this?”
Oblivious Yerin looked puzzled as she alternated her gaze between Doyul and Somi.
—
Yerin took Somi and headed straight to the hot spring.
As they emerged through the side door connected to the detached quarters, an outdoor hot spring surrounded by lush green trees came into view.
Although they used the same hot spring, it was divided into women’s and men’s baths with bamboo screens in between.
“Look at this, isn’t it amazing?”
– ‘Hmm, it’s tolerable.’
Somi nodded satisfactorily.
And just as they were about to enter the hot spring.
“Why is this guy trying to enter the hot spring without even washing?”
Yerin grabbed Somi by the scruff of its neck.
– ‘Let go! I am so clean that I don’t even need to wash my body!’
“Sigh, noisy.”
Although Somi protested loudly, Yerin paid no attention.
She stood in front of Somi and started pouring hot water over it as if rinsing laundry.
The white fur and dust were washed away in torrents.
Moreover, black water even flowed from the soft pink soles of its feet as they were scrubbed.
Yerin grimaced.
“Look at this, how clean is it?”
Unimpressed, Somi blinked its eyes and grumbled.
– ‘No, it’s unavoidable for a creature like me, who takes on the form of a dog—’
“Didn’t you say you were a noble spirit?”
– ‘The form! I said it’s about the form!’
Somi snapped irritably.
Despite Yerin vigorously washing Somi, it kept protesting.
– ‘Hair! You’re pulling out my hair! Don’t tug on it so recklessly!’
After thoroughly washing and satisfying herself, Yerin finally released Somi.
– ‘Sigh, I can’t live like this because of the contractor!’
Having been given a brief respite by having Yerin wash it, Somi happily leaped into the hot spring.
And then.
“Kiang.”
With half-closed eyes, Somi made a satisfied groaning sound.
“How is it?”
– ‘Ah… it’s good.’
Somi’s voice was so languid as if it could fall asleep at any moment.
Seeing Somi, who was melting like glutinous rice cake, Yerin’s expression turned mischievous.
“You’re supposed to be a winter spirit, yet you love hot water so much?”
– ‘What does that have to do with anything? Even spirits can’t enjoy comfort and warmth?’
…This one is so worldly for a spirit.
Yerin shook her head and settled into the hot spring.
As she soaked her body in the warm water, an unconscious sigh escaped her lips.
“Ah, this feels good.”
It was the sensation of her stiff body loosening up after a long carriage ride.
As she enjoyed the warmth for a while.
Yerin noticed something wriggling in the thick bushes nearby.
‘Huh? What’s that?’
Yerin instinctively stared at it, her whole body shivering with goosebumps.
‘Yikes.’
Orange head, body shimmering with shades of dark red, and numerous legs moving in different directions.
It was none other than…
A centipede bigger than her palm!
“Aaaah!”
Yerin screamed involuntarily.
If it were a wild beast, she could handle a hundred of them.
But!
‘Bugs are too creepy!’
Moreover, perhaps because the weather was warm, the centipede was not only large but also chubby!
Yerin urged Somi with a face on the verge of fainting.
“S-Som, catch that thing!”
– ‘No, I refuse!’
Somi recoiled in disgust.
– ‘What if I accidentally touch it and it bursts? What will you do then?’
“If it bursts, so what!”
– ‘Contractee, are you really in your right mind? It would be a severe blow to my dignity if any venom were to splatter on my noble fur!’
“Even if some venom splatters on your fur, you won’t die!”
– ‘It will be a severe blow to my dignity!’
As one person and one spirit engaged in a fierce struggle, just at that moment.
“Madam!”
Crack!
The bamboo screen burst open dramatically as Doyul burst in.
“What on earth is going on?!”
