Episode 86
“Even if I have to sell my printing press, I’ll offer more, so feel free to speak up!”
At those words, Joha-sung opened his eyes wide.
“Him? Whose daughter are you?”
“Well, I am my father’s daughter. But shouldn’t we repay kindness?”
Youngju glanced at her father in surprise.
“Instead of that, father, shouldn’t you at least show some gratitude to the one who saved your only daughter?”
“Oh, come on…”
Joha-sung chuckled dryly.
Meanwhile, regardless of her father’s response, Youngju hugged her sister Dayoung’s arm tightly.
“But sis, let’s go to Dallu today!”
“Dallu? If it’s Dallu….”
It was a place Youngju had mentioned before.
A trendy spot in Hangju, where people enjoy tea and snacks while chatting.
“Yes! I heard they have a new delicious snack at Dallu this time.”
Youngju was very excited and bounced around.
“It’s called Flower-shaped Mooncakes, and I really want to try them!”
“Is such a snack available? Well, I’m curious, but….”
Dayoung subtly looked at Doyul.
“What do you think, Your Highness?”
Upon hearing that, Youngju glanced at Doyul with a resentful look.
“Your Highness, if you’re coming, then come…”
Her displeasure was evident.
Doyul stared back at Youngju with determination in his eyes.
“I’ll go.”
“Yes, yes.”
Youngju, with a gloomy tone, turned to Dayoung again.
“Eat whatever you want. I’ll treat you!”
“Why is Lady Youngju treating us? We have money too!”
Doyul snapped all of a sudden.
“Who said Lady Youngju would treat us? My sister will treat us!”
“Your sister? Lady Youngju is the daughter of the Northern Ice Palace! She’s my wife!”
How did they both become so childish?
Dayoung looked at the two arguing people with a tired expression.
But then, at that moment.
“Clang!”
The sound of a dog barking loudly echoed.
Looking down, Ye-rin saw Man-nyeon-bing-jeong wagging its tail and looking up at her.
Shocked, Ye-rin immediately hugged Man-nyeon-bing-jeong.
“When did you come?”
Ye-rin whispered in a hushed voice.
In response, Man-nyeon-bing-jeong opened its eyes wide.
“Bark! Bark!”
I can’t just leave you guys to enjoy tasty treats among yourselves!
Its voice was filled with such meaning.
Just then, Youngju chuckled and asked Ye-rin,
“Sis, did you bring Somyi too? I didn’t see him earlier.”
Meanwhile, Man-nyeon-bing-jeong perked up at the mention of “Somyi.”
Somyi! To think this majestic spirit is being treated like a fluffy little dog!
Only the contracted party can call me Somyi!
“Bark! Bark! Bark!”
Not understanding, Ye-rin whispered sternly into Man-nyeon-bing-jeong’s ear.
“Quiet, the human is asking.”
“Bark?”
“If you act up in front of Youngju today, there won’t even be broth for your Mooncakes.”
At that threat, Man-nyeon-bing-jeong surprisingly quieted down.
Whether it was to eat the Mooncakes quietly or because Ye-rin’s voice was too stern, who knows.
“Well… um…”
“Yes?”
“As you know, our Somyi is quite smart, right?”
Ye-rin rambled on, patting Man-nyeon-bing-jeong’s head firmly.
“See, I told him to be quiet, and he immediately quieted down.”
Never did I imagine I’d be gold-plating Man-nyeon-bing-jeong’s face one day.
Ye-rin was internally astounded.
“Anyway, let’s get back to the original topic. I told Somyi to wait outside for a while.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Of course. We can’t bring a dog inside to meet the Princess.”
“I see, that makes sense.”
Youngju, who would believe Ye-rin even if she said black was white, nodded obediently.
However, Doyul couldn’t hide his suspicious gaze.
“It’s not because of the snacks, is it?”
Considering his temperament, it’s only natural he would chase after snacks.
Just then, Ye-rin changed the atmosphere.
“Anyway, if the discussion is over, let’s go. I’m curious about Dallu too.”
“Yes!”
Youngju nodded cheerfully. Ye-rin and Doyul exchanged farewells with Joha-sung.
“Thank you for today, Lord Pyo.”
“We are the ones who should thank you.”
Afterward, the group boarded the prepared carriage.
The carriage merrily traversed through the streets of Hangju.
And so, Ye-rin’s party departed.
Left alone, Joha-sung pondered over the meeting with Ye-rin and Doyul that had just taken place.
“…Dang Ye-rin.”
Joha-sung murmured quietly.
As someone transporting goods, he naturally came across rumors from all over Jungwon.
Of course, Ha-sung was aware of the rumors about Ye-rin.
“The lady who suffered at the hands of the Sacred Hall.”
“The girl who, due to pressure from the Sacred Hall, took a seat as a maid in the Northern Ice Palace, not fitting her status.”
That was the extent of Ha-sung’s thoughts about Ye-rin.
In fact, before that, Ha-sung was more interested in Doyul than Ye-rin.
Although he acknowledged Ye-rin’s achievements, he also considered the possibility that those achievements might have been somewhat exaggerated.
Above all, to achieve those accomplishments, a foundation like the “Northern Ice Palace” was needed.
“And the one who has safeguarded and maintained that foundation is none other than the current Doyul, the current Lord of the Northern Ice Palace.”
A boy who lost his father at a young age and took on the heavy responsibility of being the Lord of the Northern Ice Palace at the age of five.
The boy set aside his pride, accepted the humiliating compromise with the Sacred Hall, and ultimately stabilized the Northern Ice Palace.
As a result, the Northern Ice Palace has recently gained considerable momentum, engaging in discussions with the influential families and factions of Jungwon on equal terms.
His skill was quite impressive, and Ha-sung had been secretly observing him.
“It seems that the maids’ side has much more substance than I thought.”
A smile crept onto Ha-sung’s lips.
It was the satisfying smile of someone who had discovered a jewel buried in the mud.
“This is interesting.”
It seemed that he might understand why Youngju, who resembled him the most, had chosen the Northern Ice Palace.
Initially, he had thought it was because she was still young and made somewhat reckless decisions, but… at least this time, Ha-sung himself seemed to be mistaken.
“I didn’t expect her to show such insight.”
And there was no father who wasn’t satisfied with their child’s growth.
“Youngju mentioned that she would establish a branch of the Pyo family in the Northern Ice Palace.”
Hmm.
Lost in thought for a moment, Joha-sung called someone over.
“Do you know about Youngju establishing a branch of the Pyo family in the Northern Ice Palace?”
“Yes, Lord Pyo mentioned earlier that he didn’t think the business efficiency would be that great…”
“No, it’s the opposite.”
Joha-sung shook his head.
“There’s been a change of heart.”
A firm command rang out.
“Make sure to provide support for the Northern Ice Palace branch.”
Meanwhile, at that moment.
After riding in the carriage for a while, Ye-rin’s group arrived at Dallu on the outskirts of Hangju.
“Wow, it’s a place worth saying Youngju is beautiful until her lips wear out.”
“Isn’t it?”
In response to Ye-rin’s admiration, Youngju smiled proudly.
As a renowned place in Hangju, Dallu had a very unique atmosphere in itself. It used a whole large garden, setting up various features like small ponds and walking paths inside.
The most eye-catching feature was a three-story pavilion connected to the lake. It was high enough to offer a good view of the surroundings and was exceptionally beautiful itself.
“Sis, come this way!”
Eager Youngju grabbed Ye-rin’s hand and pulled her along.
In the midst of it.
“Oops!”
Due to accidentally stepping on a long skirt, Youngju stumbled on the spot.
Ye-rin swiftly caught Youngju’s waist to support her from falling.
Then she narrowed her eyes.
“You should be careful. What if you get hurt?”
But it seemed like Youngju didn’t hear Ye-rin’s admonishment even through her ears.
As evidence, Youngju looked up at Ye-rin with flushed cheeks.
“Sis, are you worried about me right now?”
“…”
Ye-rin lost her words to continue.
Well, technically speaking, she was. But…
“Is it such a touching moment for her?”
Though Ye-rin tried to warn her, Youngju didn’t seem to have a happy face.
Ye-rin’s expression became perplexed.
“I’ll be careful from now on!”
“Y-yeah.”
Ye-rin nodded suddenly. Anyway, after such twists and turns, the three people and one dog settled in the three-story pavilion.
Unlike the cold weather in the Northern Ice Palace, Jungwon was currently on the verge of spring and summer. The weather was warm, and water glistened on trees and grass leaves, swaying in a deep green hue. Above the lake visible from the pavilion, pink lotus flowers bloomed abundantly like clouds.
“Are those lotus flowers?” Doyul looked down at the cluster of lotus flowers with curious eyes.
Youngju asked with a slight smile, “What, is it your first time seeing lotus flowers?”
“Well, the Northern Ice Palace is known for its cold climate.”
Doyul replied with a sheepish expression.
Ye-rin also interjected, “Right. That’s why the Northern Ice Palace treasures flowers.”
“Oh, I see.”
Youngju, who had just been cheerful moments ago, quickly softened when Ye-rin joined the conversation.
“By the way, Your Highness.”
Ye-rin glanced at Doyul discreetly.
“If you want a closer look, wouldn’t it be okay for you to go down and come back?”
“No, that’s…”
“We’ll wait here.”
