Uncle
Old Master Jeong was unaware of the broken engagement, and by the looks of it, he seemed ignorant of the fact that Jeong Yugeun had struck Gwak Jangyeon as well. Relieved by his demeanor, Jeong Yugeun felt her worries ease. It seemed Jeong Wongyeong had not said anything particular to the old master. She had expected him to speak of many things, but it appeared otherwise.
Jeong Yugeun, relieved, began to speak in a low, plaintive voice.
"I truly do not know what came to pass. Nothing was amiss, I am certain of it. Yet early this morning, Lord Gwak suddenly came calling and, the moment he stepped inside, coldly declared that he wished to break off the marriage. I was so bewildered that I did not know what to do. I went to ask what had happened, only to see—only to see Lord Gwak going to Grandmother…"
Jeong Yugeun felt tears welling up but, unwilling to let others see, she deliberately hung her head even lower as if to hide her face. Jeong Wongyeong watched her quiet lamentation in silence, a faint smile playing at his lips. Of course, a lament only counted if one truly wept.
As expected, Old Master Jeong, looking thoroughly concerned, asked,
"What did he say?"
"Lord Gwak said there was no reason. He simply said he wished to break off the marriage with me. Then he further said that I am a hypocritical, opportunistic woman who would stop at nothing for the sake of reputation. He said that once the marriage with Lord Gwak was annulled, no one would ever step forward to marry me again."
Jeong Wongyeong’s eyebrows twitched, and he glanced at Jeong Yugeun with an expression that could have been a smile or could have been nothing at all. So, this was meant for my ears.
Earlier, Jeong Wongyeong had been on his way in from outside to inquire after Old Master Jeong’s health. However, he had encountered a man and a woman quarreling in the corridor. Jeong Wongyeong, who was fiercely territorial, had stopped in his tracks for the moment, intending to pass once the young people’s fight was over. Chronologically speaking, he had been there first.
He had not expected to witness such an interesting scene.
Even in this very moment, the First Young Lady of the Jeong family was slandering others. The words “a hypocritical, opportunistic woman who would stop at nothing for honor” were indeed spoken by Gwak Jangyeon, but because Jeong Yugeun had subtly reversed the order of events, the meaning felt entirely different. She wanted to appear wronged before her grandfather, and at the same time, she feared that Jeong Wongyeong might expose the truth, so she was deliberately playing with her words.
But was he someone idle enough to interfere in such matters?
As expected, Old Master Jeong flew into a rage and cursed that wretch Gwak Jangyeon soundly. Jeong Yugeun felt a weight lift from her chest and added a word here and there. She rolled her ink-black eyes subtly, casting a gaze sparkling with expectation toward Jeong Wongyeong.
"Lord Gwak is a man who has earned military merit, and even his title was personally attended to by His Majesty. It is only natural that someone with such a bright future would find me displeasing. However, while insulting me is one thing, is there any need to sully the entire Jeong family? Ninth Uncle, is that not so?"
Old Master Jeong glanced nervously at Jeong Wongyeong. The Crown Prince was a being who sat and commanded—who in the world would dare speak to the Crown Prince in such a manner? The old master’s face darkened, and he berated her.
"A grown noblewoman—how dare you be so impertinent?"
Impertinent? Since when?
Jeong Yugeun was utterly bewildered. When conversing, was it not normal to exchange words back and forth? To be called impertinent…
No wonder Grandmother, née Seol, would grit her teeth. This favoritism was far too blatant.
Jeong Wongyeong clearly felt the gaze of the Jeong family’s First Young Lady flickering toward him as if displeased. Though she did not show it outwardly, inwardly she was surely glaring at him with upturned eyes.
Paying her no mind, he asked again,
"Did you say that His Majesty personally took an interest in Gwak Jangyeon’s title?"
"Ah, that matter."
Old Master Jeong quickly explained.
"It is what I mentioned earlier. At the celebration banquet, His Majesty saw Gwak Jangyeon and exchanged a few words, remarking that he was of an age similar to His Highness the Crown Prince. Thereafter, his subordinates settled the issue of the Gwak family’s title."
These words were spoken especially for Jeong Wongyeong’s benefit, but unfortunately, Jeong Yugeun was entirely unaware and continued her speech nonchalantly.
"Strictly speaking, Gwak Jangyeon ultimately benefited from His Highness the Crown Prince’s fortune. It is because His Majesty’s longing for His Highness the Crown Prince extended as grace to the Gwak family. And yet, the Gwak household merely preens in arrogance."
At these unexpected words, Old Master Jeong stared at Jeong Yugeun in astonishment, unable to close his mouth. How dare she speak of the Crown Prince so casually, in such a tone? Furthermore, to brush over it as if it were everyday conversation—was her gall not too great?
Alarmed that she might have inadvertently breached some great taboo, Jeong Yugeun started.
"Did—did I say something wrong?"
Jeong Wongyeong, standing beside her, broke into a bright smile. He had been wearing a faint, pleasant smile ever since Jeong Yugeun entered, but this was different. Now, a laugh truly welled up from within him.
As Jeong Wongyeong laughed, revealing emotion clearly for the first time, Jeong Yugeun became somewhat perplexed amidst her surprise, while the old master smiled as if relieved.
Earlier, no matter how long they spoke, the Crown Prince had shown no reaction whatsoever. Rather, he had seemed unwilling to discuss that topic. Never had the old master imagined that the grumbling words of a young lady would untie his knot and even draw out a laugh.
Having suffered worldly hardships from a young age, the Crown Prince had grown solemn and cautious early on, never revealing his emotions. It was a kind of protective coloring; His Highness the Crown Prince had not laughed heartily in a long time. No one could even remember the last time they had seen Jeong Wongyeong laugh sincerely.
Jeong Yugeun watched her grandfather’s change clearly. Having seemed tense as if facing a formidable foe, the old master now appeared to have set down a great burden, yet his expression turned peculiar. Would one call it sorrowful? She tilted her eyebrows and asked with a smile,
"Grandfather, Ninth Uncle, what is the matter?"
"It is nothing."
Old Master Jeong, seeming lighter of heart, suddenly spoke to Jeong Yugeun with a solemn face.
"Do not speak recklessly of court affairs in the future."
"Yes."
Jeong Yugeun answered respectfully with her head bowed. Having set down his heavy burden, Old Master Jeong felt his whole body lighten in an instant, and his illness seemed somewhat improved as well.
"My boy, now that you have returned after so long, how about paying a visit to the Old Lady?"
Old Master Jeong’s words sounded like a suggestion rather than a command. Jeong Wongyeong truly pondered for a moment before standing and nodding toward the old master.
"I shall go pay my respects to the Marchioness. Please take good rest, Lord."
Old Master Jeong nodded hastily.
"Yes, yes."
Jeong Yugeun narrowed her eyes and watched.
There was something oddly suspicious about the rapport between this old man and young man.
Jeong Wongyeong had already risen, and Jeong Yugeun quickly spoke up.
"Grandfather, I shall accompany Ninth Uncle to pay respects to Grandmother. Please rest well."
Jeong Yugeun soon hurried after him to the door, and Jeong Wongyeong glanced over his shoulder with a sidelong look, as if this were no surprise at all.
From her years of experience living in the manor, when two people withdrew from a room together, they naturally exited side by side and walked together. However, while Jeong Yugeun was putting on her crimson fur-lined cloak and changing her shoes, Jeong Wongyeong went straight outside without waiting for her.
Jeong Yugeun’s eyes went wide with surprise for quite some time. Had he truly risen to the fourth rank entirely on his own merit? With such an unhesitating and merciless attitude, he would not have survived in officialdom, let alone within his own household.
Jeong Yugeun hurriedly put on her shoes, received a small brass hand warmer from a maid, lifted the curtain, and rushed straight outside.
Once outside, a biting wind blew against her face, and the air was filled with the unique chill that follows a snowfall.
From quite far ahead, Jeong Wongyeong’s ears caught the sound of “Ninth Uncle!” being called repeatedly from behind.
Jeong Wongyeong had been the legitimate eldest imperial son from birth and had lived in the palace, where fierce undercurrents flowed, from a young age. No matter how intense the struggle in the rear palace or the court, no one dared to slight the eldest son of the Emperor. At least, not outwardly. Jeong Wongyeong had enjoyed an exalted life from childhood; after turning three, the Emperor had kept him close and personally looked after his upbringing. After he turned five, the Emperor had established him as Crown Prince in accordance with the ancestral system.
No one dared make Jeong Wongyeong wait, and Jeong Wongyeong was not in the habit of waiting for anyone.
For someone to call out to him from behind and, moreover, imply that he should stop, was truly a novel experience for Jeong Wongyeong. So, as if possessed by something, he halted his steps and lowered his gaze to watch the crimson shadow run toward him, step by step.
How rare. She was actually running.
Unaware that the person before her was arbitrarily fabricating her disposition, Jeong Yugeun stopped before Jeong Wongyeong. A woman who always observed proper etiquette when she had a request to make, Jeong Yugeun inwardly muttered without cease, *What sort of person struts about so arrogantly?* Yet she narrowed her eyes and smiled brightly. Her eyes, curved like a crescent moon, were gentle and beautiful.
"Ninth Uncle, your steps are truly swift."
Jeong Wongyeong stared at her, unchanging. When Jeong Yugeun did not say why she had called him for quite some time, His Highness the Crown Prince, losing patience, asked directly,
"What is it?"
Jeong Yugeun struggled to suppress the urge to let her face harden, blinked her eyes, and put on the standard smile of a noble family’s daughter.
"Ninth Uncle, you have only just returned, so I ought to have welcomed you comfortably so that you might recover from your journey’s fatigue… Instead, I have shown you a messy situation."
Realizing why she had chased after him, Jeong Wongyeong smiled faintly and watched to see what she would say.
Maintaining a smile at the perfect angle and flashing her eyes brightly for quite some time, Jeong Yugeun asked as if probing,
"One does not spread humiliating family matters abroad. Moreover, this is not a pleasant matter even within the family. First, Grandmother will worry herself on my account, and Grandfather is unwell—troubling one’s elders with such a trivial matter is truly unfilial. Second, marriage is inevitably related to reputation. I myself may not matter, but Jeong Yonghu is, after all, someone whom the Emperor personally regards. If we speak carelessly of his private affairs, I do not think it will help the reputation of the Uichun Marquis household. Third…"
She was someone who always thought three moves ahead for every one move, and no matter what befell her, she would invariably crush it beneath the weight of morality so that no one could blame her, grandly invoking loyalty, benevolence, and filial piety. While Jeong Yugeun was calmly persuading Jeong Wongyeong with her familiar methods, the latter, who had been listening briefly, suddenly opened his mouth.
"Why is there so much needless talk?"
Jeong Yugeun faltered. As the First Young Lady of the Uichun Marquis household—the most direct beneficiary of the orthodox system that prioritized legitimate birth and seniority—these were words she had truly never heard in her entire life.
Jeong Yugeun, the very model of a noblewoman, flared up in that instant.
"What did you say?"
Jeong Yugeun’s tone worsened slightly. No matter how hollow a shell she might be, she was, regardless, a magnificent shell. So long as Old Lady Jeong continued to hold her up, and so long as Princess Gyeongbok did not hold real power, she was the most exalted First Young Lady in the Uichun Marquis household. No one would dare say, “Why is there so much needless talk?”
When Jeong Yugeun widened her eyes, her two picture-perfectly beautiful eyes went round. It was a sign that her true nature was showing. Jeong Wongyeong thought inwardly that she finally looked a bit better. The way she had first appeared was tiresome to behold.
Jeong Yugeun was furious and at a loss, but the person across from her remained utterly unmoved and continued speaking.
"Do you have more to say?"
Jeong Yugeun’s eyes went even rounder. Jeong Wongyeong read the answer from her expression. With an attitude that showed he did not take her seriously at all, he turned away at once. Jeong Yugeun truly did not know what to do with her anger. When he did not respond to the cold “Ninth Uncle!” called from behind, she could endure it no longer and hurried after him in quick strides to block his path.
The attendants serving close to Jeong Wongyeong were all privy to the inner workings of the court, and among them, a neat-looking man who appeared to be a guard furrowed his brows. How dare she block the Crown Prince’s path. Was her gall not too great?
Thinking as much, the man lowered his voice and opened his mouth.
"First Young Lady Jeong…"
Had Jeong Yugeun been paying a little more attention, she would have noticed that this guard had called her “First Young Lady Jeong.” It was unheard of for a servant to address their master with their full family name.
However, in this moment, Jeong Yugeun could not afford to notice such minute details. She stood before Jeong Wongyeong and looked up at him with a frigid gaze.
Perhaps because she had already shown him her worst side, Jeong Yugeun no longer wore the skin of a gentle, earnest maiden and spoke openly.
"Since I have shown you such an unsightly state immediately upon your return, Ninth Uncle, your impression of me has likely fallen to the bottom. However, you are an elder. Not to mention that you have already entered officialdom and risen to the high fourth rank. No matter what, you would not press an unmarried young niece, would you? You will laugh, but to speak frankly, I have just been abandoned today, and my mind is in turmoil. My words have come out somewhat rough. But while a man may marry another woman, a woman cannot remarry. Gwak Jangyeon will suffer no consequences after the broken engagement, but as for me, whether I can marry in the future is itself in question. I had no choice but to embellish the story a little before my grandfather and grandmother."
Jeong Wongyeong looked at her with an expression completely devoid of agitation. Naturally, there was no tenderness either.
"So? What does that have to do with me?"
Jeong Yugeun smiled brightly and continued.
"It is an inner-court matter, so naturally it has nothing to do with Ninth Uncle. You need only say nothing at all. That is sufficient."
Jeong Wongyeong felt laughter bubbling up. He truly burst out laughing. Strangely enough, in the nineteen years of his life, this was the first time such a thing had happened—that there was someone pointing fingers at him, telling him what to do.
The two were standing very close now. Jeong Wongyeong lowered his head and smiled at her. It was an extremely faint smile, the kind where his eyes did not smile at all, but even so, Jeong Yugeun’s vision blurred slightly.
The wealth and nobility of the Jeong family had endured for generations. Thanks to their luxurious lifestyle and the refinement of their bloodline through beautiful concubines, the appearance of Jeong descendants was generally favorable. Indeed, thanks to the successive ancestors of the Uichun Marquis household, who had ceaselessly striven and been enthralled by beauty, by the time of Jeong Yugeun’s generation, both men and women alike stood supreme among their peers in the capital, overwhelming all others. Yet the finest man in the Jeong family—nay, among all the young noblemen Jeong Yugeun had ever seen—was none other than Jeong Wongyeong.
Jeong Wongyeong was tall, with sharp eyes, a high, straight nose, and a defined facial structure. His jawline was sleek and beautiful, and his bone structure was remarkably elegant. At the same time, his fair skin, sleek brows, sparkling pupils, dense and thick eyelashes, and red, thin lips formed a countenance almost beyond reproach.
A man with such looks could truly be called beautiful. Yet this beauty was not a gentle, feminine beauty, but a remote, untouchable beauty that forbade casual approach.
Thus, the mere act of him lifting the corners of his lips in a faint smile made Jeong Yugeun keenly aware of the distance between them. Even so, she could not help but be dazed.
Thinking she must absolutely not be caught being dazed by his face, Jeong Yugeun quickly came to her senses. Just as she was about to say something to salvage the situation, Jeong Wongyeong, after laughing, passed ruthlessly by her side and strode ahead.
Jeong Yugeun furrowed her brows. What did that mean? Was that an acceptance, or what?
When Jeong Wongyeong did something, he had no need whatsoever to explain himself to others, and even less need to make promises to anyone. He had never intended to speak of Jeong Yugeun’s affairs to others from the very beginning. Each person had their own way of living. While ritual propriety dictated that a woman ought to be obedient and gentle, Jeong Wongyeong found a scheming nature like Jeong Yugeun’s preferable. It was far better than living as his mother had.
Therefore, Jeong Yugeun had no need to chase after him and speak of it. Yet at her words that her future marriage was also in jeopardy, Jeong Wongyeong surprisingly felt the faintest stirrings of pity.
*Very well, I’ll let it pass this time.*
Jeong Wongyeong thought that today he had shown rare magnanimity. Yet the moment he stepped forward, he heard the woman’s voice calling “Ninth Uncle!” from behind once again.
As if he truly could not endure it, Jeong Wongyeong stopped his steps and turned his body to look at her.
"What is it now?"
However, Jeong Yugeun said nothing at all. Merely, she suddenly picked up her pace, swept past his side with a swish, and overtook him like a proud swan.
The guards all wore expressions of shock and alarm. One attendant with an exceptionally smooth face opened his mouth in a low voice.
"Your Highness, this…"
Jeong Wongyeong laughed in disbelief and rubbed the space between his brows. When he raised his head again, his expression had returned to its usual state.
"Enough. Is she not a young lady? Let us go."
"Yes!"
Jeong Yugeun stomped her feet in anger.
*I am the First Young Lady of the Marquis household. I have walked ahead of others my entire life. Why must I endure such indignation?*
And so, she deliberately overtook Jeong Wongyeong, throwing back a neat and elegant silhouette.
Unfortunately, Jeong Wongyeong was tall and long-legged, and his stride was faster than hers, so by the time they arrived at Old Lady Jeong’s Sowan Hall, the two entered side by side.
Old Lady Jeong, whose mood had been wretched since the broken engagement disturbance early that morning, had the corners of her mouth droop the moment she looked up at the maid’s announcement: “His Highness and the First Young Lady have arrived.”
The closer Jeong Yugeun drew to Old Lady Jeong’s quarters, the more on edge she became. Just as women could not intervene in outside affairs, men could not interfere in inner-court matters. While the greatest elder in the rear estate was Old Master Jeong, to Jeong Yugeun, Old Lady Jeong and Princess Gyeongbok were far more formidable.
Noticing Jeong Yugeun’s change, Jeong Wongyeong glanced at her sidelong. As they entered the inner chamber, he could feel her tension grow even sharper.
Even so, Jeong Yugeun smiled broadly and paid her respects to the elders seated in the room.
"Grandmother, I come to greet you. Mother, I hope you are well. Aunt, I hope you are well."
Jeong Wongyeong’s demeanor was far simpler. He merely nodded and opened his mouth.
"Marchioness, I trust you are in good health. Elder Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law."
Jeong Wongyeong had already ascended to an official post. According to the servant’s announcement, he had already risen to a fourth-rank position. In officialdom, a difference of even one rank could crush a man to death. Considering Jeong Wongyeong’s age, it was all the more terrifying. Thus, even when Jeong Wongyeong paid his respects without much ceremony, Old Lady Jeong merely paled and could not say a word. Since not even Old Lady Jeong could find fault, Gyeongbok and Lady Won, who were of the same generation as Jeong Wongyeong, could not open their mouths at all.
Although Gyeongbok was a princess and the wife of the household heir, the heir Jeong Wonhyeon currently held nothing more than a nominal fifth-rank sinceure. He had no real authority and could not fill his own coffers. There was no possibility of advancement in the future. Therefore, Gyeongbok truly could not afford to offend her young brother-in-law.
The fourth rank was a kind of threshold. The children of meritorious nobles or high ministers could, given time through their ancestors’ prestige and bribes, eventually rise to fifth or sixth rank. However, anything fourth rank or higher truly depended on ability. The fourth rank was a level that could not be bought with money.
Thus, at the news that Jeong Wongyeong had come, Princess Gyeongbok’s face stiffened and she rose from her seat. If Gyeongbok reacted so, there was no need to speak of Lady Won. In the entire room, only Old Lady Jeong remained seated, and as soon as Jeong Wongyeong finished speaking, Gyeongbok and Lady Won smiled and offered him a half-bow.
"Your Highness, you have returned—without sending a letter ahead. Had we known, we would have gone out to greet you. It must have been a hard journey alone."
"Thank you for your concern, Elder Sister-in-law."
Jeong Wongyeong continued with a calm smile.
"I am accustomed to roaming abroad. One ought not trouble others with trivial matters."
Princess Gyeongbok, finding her goodwill entirely unreciprocated, did not know what to do for a moment and forced a smile as she smoothed her hair.
"It is fortunate that you see to yourself."
Seeing the haughty, insufferably arrogant Princess Gyeongbok take a hit, Lady Won secretly felt a surge of satisfaction and stole a glance at her elder sister-in-law.
After Jeong Yugeun and Jeong Wongyeong entered together and paid their respects in succession, Jeong Yugeun wore a gentle smile, while Jeong Wongyeong exchanged pleasantries with everyone. At that sight, Old Lady Jeong was swept up by an indescribably strange feeling. A preposterous thought flashed through her mind. These two—why did they look like a married couple?
Old Lady Jeong was startled by the thought that had risen in her own mind. Coming to her senses, she wondered if she was growing senile. Jeong Wongyeong and Jeong Yugeun were uncle and niece—how could such a thought arise!
Yet both possessed outstanding looks and excellent bearing, so standing side by side, they truly suited each other well.
Princess Gyeongbok and Lady Won tried carefully and subtly to win Jeong Wongyeong over, but Old Lady Jeong was cold. She merely batted her eyelids and asked indifferently if he had returned safely.
Jeong Wongyeong answered with a smile, looking as if nothing were amiss.
Old Lady Jeong simply could not smile before Jeong Wongyeong. She barely managed to ask if he had fared well outside for three years and if his official career had been smooth, then found herself with nothing more to say. Seeing the atmosphere turn cold, Jeong Yugeun quickly stepped forward with a smile.
"Grandmother, Ninth Uncle just came from Grandfather’s quarters. Grandfather looked very well today. The moment we sat down, he urged us to hurry and pay our respects to you."
Jeong Yugeun’s words were utter nonsense. Old Lady Jeong, who had spent a lifetime as husband and wife with Old Master Jeong—why would she not know what kind of man her spouse was? They had lived as a couple for long years without affection; at an age close to death’s door, would he suddenly concern himself with her well-being?
Yet knowing it was one thing, and hearing such words from a junior was another; Old Lady Jeong broke into a broad smile. Everyone enjoyed pleasant words. It was precisely for this reason that Old Lady Jeong favored Jeong Yugeun the most. She was thorough and meticulous, skilled in the art of dealing with people, and every gesture was something to be proud of. Taking her out truly brought prestige to the Uichun Marquis household. For instance, a short while ago, when the atmosphere between Old Lady Jeong and an arrogant concubine-born child had been turning cold, Jeong Yugeun had smiled faintly and, with a single remark, praised Old Lady Jeong while also mentioning Jeong Wongyeong’s filial piety in coming to greet her immediately upon his return, effortlessly diffusing the tension.
Separate from her peace of mind, Old Lady Jeong felt another strange sensation. Was it not all the more because of this that they looked like a couple?
Old Lady Jeong herself wondered why she was having such thoughts. Casting aside her confusion, she asked,
"First Young Lady, what has happened between you and Lord Gwak?"
Jeong Yugeun’s smile faded. The Sowan Hall, which had been bustling moments before, fell silent as if doused with water, and every gaze turned toward Jeong Yugeun.
In Jeong Wongyeong’s sidelong glance at Jeong Yugeun, directed downward, there was a rare undercurrent of pity.
Though this niece was calculating and not upright in her conduct, in the matter of the broken engagement, she was the complete victim.
For example, right now, the one who had brought up the broken engagement was clearly Gwak Jangyeon, yet everyone was questioning her as if she had done something wrong, as if Gwak Jangyeon were breaking it off because of her.
Jeong Yugeun had her head lowered, and her eyes were hidden by her long eyelashes, making her expression difficult to read. She remained still for a moment, then opened her mouth in a low voice.
"I do not know either."
"You do not know?"
Old Lady Jeong continued, half in doubt.
"You do not know why Lord Gwak came to break off the marriage? If you truly do not know, then why did you tear up the betrothal document before everyone?"
Jeong Yugeun had torn up the betrothal document herself?
At this unexpected news, Jeong Wongyeong’s eyebrows twitched. He recalled the scene when he had seen her and gradually pieced together the sequence of events.
Lady Won had heard that the Gwak family had come early that morning to break off the marriage. When Jeong Yugeun and Gwak Jangyeon had been betrothed, Lady Won had been happy for the sake of her elder daughter. That was momentary; soon, her heart ached for her ill-fated younger daughter. They were clearly twins, so their fates ought to have been the same. Yet Jeong Yugeun, merely because she was the legitimate daughter, had crushed her own daughter, Yugmuk, at every turn. Even the silk entering the manor was selected by Jeong Yugeun before it was Yugmuk’s turn.
Old Lady Jeong had cited the principle of seniority and order of birth, but Lady Won thought bitterly that the old lady was merely favoring the legitimate wife’s children.
Because of the exceptional wife taken in the main branch, the entire Jeong clan had been bled dry by the main branch. The second son was clearly more diligent and clever than Jeong Wonhyeon, and better at his studies as well. Yet Old Lady Jeong poured all resources into Jeong Wonhyeon, purchasing his offices and forging connections for him. Meanwhile, the second son had languished in a lowly post for five years. He could have risen swiftly if only connections were seized, but Old Lady Jeong was single-mindedly devoted to the main branch as if she did not see him.
Clothing and accessories were one thing, but the marriage was another as well. Lady Won had been unspeakably envious, at first, of the marriage with Lord Jeong Yonghu. Her dear Muk was such a good child, her heart of gold. She did not quarrel, nor did she steal from others. How lovely it was that she thought of her parents before anything else. She had heard that Gwak Jangyeon was a man serving in the military. Should not such a strong man be paired with a woman as gentle and slender as Muk? Jeong Yugeun put on airs in everything, just as she had learned from her mother. She was unlike Muk, a lively and spirited noble lady. Would she be able to win Lord Jeong Yonghu’s favor after marriage?
Lady Won had ground her teeth upon hearing that Jeong Yugeun had secured such a fine marriage thanks to having saved Gwak Jangyeon’s life at the mountain villa. Her own dear Muk had been there at that time too. Heaven itself was partial. Why did such a thing not happen to Muk—
Lady Won had spent two months in conflict, at once joyful and bitter. But this early morning, wakened by a noisy commotion, she rose to find that the Gwak family had come to break off the marriage.
Lady Won was shocked and stunned. What? An annulment?
Old Madam Jeong and the Gyeongbok Princess had both rushed to the main hall, but Lady Won was in no position to go, so she could only wait blankly. The moment Old Madam Jeong returned, she chased after her to Suan Hall to find out what in the world had happened.
Now, with Old Madam Jeong bringing up the broken engagement, and hearing that Jeong Yugeun had personally torn the marriage contract, Lady Won felt tense, then bitter, not knowing what to say. She let out an “Oh my,” looking at Jeong Yugeun.
“Eldest Lady, everyone else is green with envy over that marriage, yet you tore the contract yourself. What is the matter?”
Jeong Yugeun still kept her head lowered. As a woman, it was truly mortifying to be asked such a question before so many people. The Gyeongbok Princess did not care about Jeong Yugeun’s feelings, but when Lady Won pressed the matter, she seemed unable to resist sneering.
“What of it? The Eldest Lady is of different status. She has many to choose from. Unlike someone who, if she tears the contract, can never again find such a fine match.”
The Gyeongbok Princess subtly glanced at Lady Won. The feeling of mockery was strong. Lady Won flared up for a moment, biting her lip, but in the end could only smile weakly.
“Sister-in-law is right. The Eldest Lady is your daughter, her status is high, so of course it is different.”
While the Gyeongbok Princess and Lady Won were in sharp confrontation, grinding their teeth, a frail voice was heard from outside.
“Grandmother, Mother.”
Everyone turned to see Jeong Yumoek standing there, clad in a purple long jacket. Her chin was sharp enough to pierce a person. She coughed with her head lowered, then raised it and smiled brightly at everyone.
“I seem to have come at a bad time.”
Old Madam Jeong glanced at her placidly and spoke.
“My second granddaughter, you’ve come. You fell gravely ill and have not yet recovered. Sit down.”
A maid of Suan Hall brought out a silk chair. Jeong Yumoek glanced at Jeong Yugeun and quickly waved her hands.
“I cannot. If my elder sister is still standing, how could I sit?”
“Has not a weak child like you fallen ill in winter? Sit down at once.”
Old Madam Jeong opened her mouth. When Jeong Yumoek looked at Jeong Yugeun, Jeong Yugeun smiled neatly and refreshingly.
“Grandmother has spoken; why look at me? It is her care for you, so sit down quickly.”
Only then did Jeong Yumoek take the maid’s hand and sit. A sharp-eyed maid brought a wooden chair for Jeong Wongyeong, and one of the women laughed, saying,
“Why is Guya still standing? Why do you not quickly serve tea to Guya?”
This was precisely the food chain of a great house. With one word from Old Madam Jeong, the treatment of daughters-in-law and granddaughters was decided; yet Jeong Wongyeong, returned from the provinces—though Old Madam Jeong despised him as a bastard—no one could leave him standing.
The Gyeongbok Princess and Lady Won had already been married for over ten years and had borne children, yet even now they had to stand behind Old Madam Jeong and attend to her. Whether it was a family banquet or a feast for guests, there was no rule that a daughter-in-law could sit. Though Jeong Yumoek, having gained Old Madam Jeong’s pity from a grave illness, was only perched lightly on a silk chair, because Jeong Wongyeong stood, the servants automatically brought out a chair without Old Madam Jeong even needing to speak.
The law of the jungle was glaringly evident.
Jeong Wongyeong glanced over and remained standing in his place as before.
“Enough. I have come to pay my respects to Madam, so I will not stay long. There is no need for such bother.”
Among men, he was on the taller side, and standing among the women of the household, his lofty stature was striking, like a tall, straight bamboo. He did not budge and stood firmly beside Jeong Yugeun, and she felt strangely safe.
When Jeong Wongyeong made no move to sit, the women felt awkward and secretly peeked at Old Madam Jeong. Old Madam Jeong did not look pleased, but said nothing. Since waking this morning, it had been nothing but vexing matters.
While the women were at a loss for words, Jeong Yumoek clenched her fist, coughed, then lowered her hand and spoke with a smile.
“When I came in earlier, Mother was saying ‘same, not same.’ What is this about?”
Of course, it had been the Gyeongbok Princess and Lady Won having another battle of wills. At those words, Old Madam Jeong glanced at her two daughters-in-law with displeased eyes, as though rebuking them for speaking so before the young ladies. Fortunately, she did not humiliate her daughters-in-law in front of everyone.
“It is nothing. Because your sister broke off the marriage, your mother and your great-aunt were regretful and exchanged a few words.”
“Big Sister broke off the marriage?”
Jeong Yumoek looked at Jeong Yugeun with self-reproachful eyes, stood up, and continued.
“I’m sorry. Sister, I didn’t know…….”
Jeong Yugeun inwardly cast her a cold glare, yet outwardly smiled as gently and magnanimously as ever, looking at her.
“Second Sister, sorry? What do you have to be sorry for?”
Jeong Yumoek faltered. Because she had told Gwak Jangyeon the truth, Jeong Yugeun had been cast off. Having not expected it to happen so quickly, Jeong Yumoek had inadvertently apologized, but when Jeong Yugeun pressed her pointedly, she faltered for a moment.
Before so many elders…… how could she bring up the matter with Brother Jangyeon?
When Jeong Yumoek made no move to speak, Jeong Yugeun thought inwardly, *As expected.* She knew nothing of Jeong Yumoek and Gwak Jangyeon’s affair. In her previous life, if Jeong Yumoek had spoken honestly before she married, she too could have resolved it smoothly without becoming the villain who severed a fated bond. But Jeong Yumoek had refused to speak even on pain of death, and only after Yugeun had married and become pregnant did she torment her as though she had no choice, playing cat and mouse in a sadistic love affair with Brother Gwak.
The reborn Jeong Yumoek had nimbly opened up to Gwak Jangyeon from the start in this life, and Jeong Yugeun had become the wicked elder sister who impersonated another and stole another’s merit. Now, she had given her the chance to reveal the matter with Gwak Jangyeon before everyone, yet Jeong Yumoek suddenly acted shy and fearful, sealing her lips.
Jeong Yugeun had no wish to engage with her.
Jeong Wongyeong noticed Jeong Yugeun’s subtle change and glanced at her again without showing it. The scene he had witnessed today naturally came to mind. Jeong Yugeun had said to Gwak Jangyeon, “Sister Muk of the inner chambers.”
So it had been this “Muk.”
Jeong Yumoek’s face flushed red with shame at Jeong Yugeun’s words. She could not raise her head. The others did not know what Jeong Yumoek had said to Jeong Yugeun yesterday, so they merely thought that Jeong Yumoek was sorry for bringing up the topic, while Jeong Yugeun seemed angry.
Lady Won’s expression darkened. But right now, Jeong Yugeun was the daughter of the Gyeongbok Princess; she had no right to scold her.
Old Madam Jeong swept her gaze over everyone and spoke in a low voice.
“Enough. Everyone stop.”
Then she looked at Jeong Yugeun.
“Eldest Lady, speak honestly. Are you saying you truly do not know the truth behind the broken engagement? You tore the marriage contract before everyone. It is a grave affront to Lord Jeong Yonghu’s feelings. Later, Jeong Yonghu chased after you—what did he say?”
Jeong Yumoek was startled. What? Brother Jangyeon chased after Sister? No, Sister tore the contract herself? The Gwak family was supposed to come to break it off. It seemed like Sister was the one who did not like the Gwak family……
Being asked such a question before so many people was truly uncomfortable. Everyone looked at Jeong Yugeun with blazing eyes. But Jeong Yugeun answered without a change in expression.
“It is nothing. Lord Gwak apologized to me. He said tying a marriage connection with Lord Uichun is a great honor. However, that night it was snowing and the wind was fierce; he had mistaken the one who saved his life, and misunderstood it to be me. He apologized to me personally, and asked me to convey his apologies to you, Grandmother. He said he will come later to make a formal apology.”
“Is it true?”
Though Jeong Yugeun’s words were perfect, Old Madam Jeong was deeply suspicious. If Gwak Jangyeon had intended to apologize, he would not have acted as he did today. Moreover, the expression on Gwak Jangyeon’s face when he chased after her had not looked like a man going to apologize.
Old Madam Jeong furrowed her brow.
“Eldest Lady, you have matured early. Now that this has happened, you surely know how you must conduct yourself?”
Pressed repeatedly, Jeong Yugeun lowered her head. While she was scheming to escape the focus of attention by acting weak, Jeong Wongyeong beside her suddenly opened his mouth.
“The Eldest Lady speaks the truth.”
Jeong Yugeun started in surprise and looked up at him with a startled face. Jeong Wongyeong’s expression was still placid, impossible to read. His voice continued, leisurely and cool.
“On the way back, I happened to meet the Eldest Lady and Jeong Yonghu. The situation was exactly as the Eldest Lady described.”
Jeong Wongyeong’s voice was very pleasant to hear. It was not loud or resonant. Rather, this leisureliness gave an oppressive feeling imperceptibly, a voice that made one lower one’s head and submit without realizing it. He did not say what had happened, only that it was as the Eldest Lady said. Even if it was a lie, it was Jeong Yugeun who had told it.
But that one sentence was enough. The Gyeongbok Princess smiled broadly, and Old Madam Jeong, finding it awkward to press further, nodded calmly at Jeong Yugeun.
“Since nothing happened, let us settle the matter here. Do not do so again in the future. You are a woman; you must not be alone with an unrelated man.”
“Yes.”
Jeong Yugeun answered, lowering her head. Since Old Madam Jeong had reached a conclusion, no one could gossip any further on the topic. The subject quickly passed, and Jeong Yugeun was inwardly relieved.
Jeong Wongyeong listened a while longer, then made his farewells to withdraw. Before leaving, he suddenly glanced at Jeong Yugeun.
“Are you not going to do as the Old Lord instructed?”
Jeong Yugeun was truly bewildered. Something the Old Lord had instructed? Jeong Wongyeong’s voice was not quiet, and with everyone watching, she had no choice but to act as though she had just remembered.
“Thank you for reminding me, Gusuk. I had almost forgotten. Grandmother, Mother, I will take my leave first.”
The maids quickly busied themselves, dressing Jeong Yugeun in a fur overcoat and changing her shoes. While Jeong Yugeun was doing so in the side room, Jeong Wongyeong stood at the entrance and waited. When she emerged, finished dressing, Jeong Wongyeong swept his gaze over her placidly and said, “Let us go.”
While Jeong Wongyeong stood at the entrance waiting for Jeong Yugeun, the others all secretly watched him, a man of outstanding bearing and handsome features. After Jeong Yugeun finished dressing, the two parted the curtain together and went outside.
Once the two left, Suan Hall seemed empty. Lady Won and the Gyeongbok Princess each harbored different thoughts and stood for a moment; then, when Old Madam Jeong showed signs of fatigue, they took the opportunity to withdraw.
After both daughters-in-law took their people away, only Old Madam Jeong remained in the warm room. Only then did she show the frail appearance of an elderly woman of her years, leaning against the backrest and closing her eyes tiredly.
Old Madam Jeong’s dowry maid, Jang Eomeom, quietly approached, supported the backrest behind the old madam, and softly asked,
“Old Madam, what is the matter?”
A long silence followed. Just as Jang Eomeom thought she would not speak, Old Madam Jeong drew out her words.
“Nineteen already. Thirteen years have passed in the blink of an eye.”
Jang Eomeom also fell silent. Though Old Madam Jeong had not said who she meant, how could Jang Eomeom, who had been by her side for over thirty years, not know her inner knot? For a long time, Lady Seol had been the illness of Old Madam Jeong’s heart.
Jang Eomeom quietly stayed still for a moment, then gently persuaded her.
“Old Madam, let it go. No matter how favored she was, you are the legitimate wife; that woman was nothing but an outer chamber all her life. Moreover, it has already been four years since she passed. What is there to quarrel with a dead person over? No matter how much a man dotes, no matter how well the son turns out, she cannot enjoy it while alive.”
Old Madam Jeong sniffed coldly and lifted her eyelids. Her eyes were full of resentment.
“I am saying this because I am angry. At that time, the Seol family was a clan famous throughout the world for their integrity, while my maiden family was but an upstart. If the Seol family had not been embroiled in court strife and exiled, the Jeong household would never have set their sights on me. The Old Lord and Lady Seol were childhood sweethearts, playmates since youth. They were betrothed at twelve and only waited to wed when they came of age. The day before the wedding, disaster struck the Seol family, and my parents-in-law could not go against both families, so they hurriedly broke the engagement with Lady Seol and sent a marriage proposal to my family. I knew from the beginning that the Old Lord was unwilling.”
Jang Eomeom knelt beside the old madam and sighed.
“Old Madam……”
“Enough. How many years have passed? I too have let it all go. Affection, love—all empty. Bearing children quickly and securing one’s position is what truly matters. Still, after we married, though the Old Lord was lukewarm, he maintained my dignity. He did not bring any woman into the house. Two sons, one daughter, all born of my womb. That was enough. I had no intention of fighting the green plum in the Old Lord’s heart. But after twenty years, who would have thought he would find Lady Seol? And bring her back!”
Old Madam Jeong scoffed. In the ninth year of Geonmu, when the twins Jeong Yugeun and Jeong Yumoek were half a year old and the old madam was still steeped in the joy of becoming a grandmother—one day in April, the Old Lord suddenly brought a child from outside. He claimed it was his flesh and blood with Lady Seol, and even said he would enter the now six-year-old child into the family register. The old madam was deeply suspicious. The child was extremely handsome, without a single callus on his hands, and every movement was more dignified than her own sons. How could Lady Seol, exiled to the borderlands with nowhere to turn, have raised such a child?
The old madam was suspicious. She had selfish motives too, and fearing that the Old Lord had been thoroughly deceived, she insisted that the child absolutely could not be entered into the Jeong family register. But the Old Lord, rarely seen so adamant, stubbornly asserted that it was his own flesh and blood. He said he had secretly raised the child outside for several years, that the child had not lacked for food or clothing, but he could not let him wander outside forever, so he had brought him back to enter him in the register.
For a long time, the old madam had constantly doubted Jeong Wongyeong’s parentage. That he was Lady Seol’s son was certain. But whether he was the Old Lord’s son? That was unknown. Lady Seol had been beautiful. A weak woman exiled to the borderlands—what could her situation have been like? It was possible that Lady Seol had foisted another man’s child upon the Old Lord. And the Old Lord, like a fool, had brought the mother and child all the way to the capital, perhaps intending to raise another man’s child.
When she met Lady Seol again after a long time, though Lady Seol’s face and hands had grown coarse, her elegant and gentle bearing was unchanged. Because of jealousy and suspicion, the old madam would rather die than allow Lady Seol into the inner chambers as a concubine. The Old Lord had no choice but to arrange an outer residence for the mother and child, and he covered all their expenses from his personal assets. The old madam had desperately tried to reduce the Old Lord’s silver, but strangely, Lady Seol’s son grew up unwaveringly dignified, and as though raised in wealth, every gesture overflowed with refinement. They even hired a private tutor (*seoseok*, 西席: a literary teacher retained in the household), and he passed the civil examinations one after another, becoming a *jinshi*.
Old Madam Jeong ground her teeth at the very thought.
“That shameless man. Where on earth did all that money come from? Not only did he keep an outer chamber, but he supported the outer chamber’s son all the way to *jinshi*. My son was taught letters from the age of seven and strictly supervised, yet he could not even become a *tongsheng* (童生: a civil examination candidate who has yet to qualify as a licentiate, or one who has failed the preliminary exams).”
Since the old madam was cursing the heir, Jeong Wonhyun, Jang Eomeom could not agree aloud and merely comforted her.
“Old Madam, what is there to fret over? It is the sons of poor, powerless families who sit the civil exams. The Heir has a noble title. Why would he suffer such hardship! Moreover, we are a meritorious noble family. We have grace passed down through generations of ancestors; why must he sit the exams?”
“That good-for-nothing with no promise in either letters or martial arts spends every day in a daze doing nonsense in the concubine chambers. I am so furious I could die.”
At the mention of her son, Old Madam Jeong could not hold back her curses. But Jang Eomeom merely let it wash over her. However harshly the old madam cursed, with a princess as her daughter-in-law, how could the mansion have so many concubines and chambers? It was only that the old madam, doting on her son, had brought them in herself.
Jang Eomeom smiled and said,
“The Heir is still young. It is an age when he still wishes to enjoy himself. When he grows older, he will come to his senses and improve. Besides, do we not have Inoya?”
“The second son is certainly diligent. Since childhood, he was better than his elder brother. He has worked hard all this time.”
At the mention of her second son, Old Madam Jeong showed a faint smile. But she soon furrowed her brow.
“But the daughter-in-law is a problem. She walks about languidly and swaying, speaks weakly—she is not a child one can show off anywhere. And what of the daughter? Look at the Eldest Lady. They are twin sisters, yet the child raised under Gyeongbok is more magnanimous and sensible than the child raised by the second daughter-in-law. Sigh, such a pity. Such fine go stones, ruined by this broken engagement. All those years of devoted upbringing are for naught. I had only waited for the day that child grew up and married into a good family to support her father and uncle in the future. Lord Jeong Yonghu, what a promising match he was. A pity, such a pity.”
This was not something Jang Eomeom could agree with aloud. The Eldest Lady had been an exemplary existence for a long time; with the Eldest Lady there, one need not think long—simply follow her in all things. In comparison, the Second Lady, Jeong Yumoek, was easy to approach and more liked by her siblings, but that was all.
However, all of this had nothing to do with Jang Eomeom, a mere servant. To her, whether the Eldest Lady or the Second Lady was someone to revere. The old madam was silent for a moment, wondering what she was thinking, then opened her mouth.
“I cannot rely on my daughter, and surely I must not have to rely on Jeong Wongyeong for the future of the Jeong family. Upon a bastard son……”
At that thought alone, Old Madam Jeong could hardly breathe. But whether a child turns out well or not is known from the seedling. Jeong Wonhyun was nearly middle-aged yet held a lower rank than nineteen-year-old Jeong Wongyeong. That Jeong boy, whom Lady Won frequently praised for his scholarly excellence, was far inferior compared to Jeong Wongyeong.
When all the men of the entire Jeong clan were put together, there was no one better than Jeong Wongyeong.
Old Madam Jeong ground her teeth, of course, but what could be done?
Jang Eomeom desperately persuaded her.
“Old Madam, you are no longer young either. Your granddaughter is of marriageable age. What good is it to cling to matters from your youth? Lady Seol died of illness long ago. The son of a former outer chamber is now the highest-ranking official in the Jeong family. Even if you do not win him over, you must not continue to push him away.”
“Why would I not know that? Lady Seol died in the ninth year of Geonmu. Truly tenacious of her. To hold on until Jeong Wongyeong passed the *jinshi* exams before closing her eyes. Quite a coincidence, is it not? It was the very year the Seol family’s case was overturned. Lady Seol heard before she died that her son had passed the exams and that her maiden family had been reinstated, so she must have died without regret. If my two sons were in Jeong Wongyeong’s position, I too would gladly die even if told to.”
“Oh my, Old Madam, what are you saying!”
Jang Eomeom quickly spat on the floor and continued.
“Old Madam, do not speak such ominous words. In this servant’s view, there are many ways for you to control Guya. If nothing else, Guya has not yet taken a wife. No matter how much he resists, in the end, marriage talks must rely on you.”
“Hmph. Who knows. If I try to control the marriage, the Old Lord will probably step in and oppose me at once. Come to think of it, it is strange. The Old Lord cherishes this suddenly appeared son as the apple of his eye, so why has he not arranged a marriage for him until now? He is already nineteen; is that not an age where others already have children?”
That was something Jang Eomeom did not know either. Old Madam Jeong mused for a long while, then opened her mouth.
“Enough. I shall sound out the Old Lord’s intentions later when he is present.”
Jang Eomeom answered, “Yes,” then hesitated and asked,
“Old Madam, then what of the Eldest Lady…… what should we do?”
The old madam looked at the incense burner with a dark face, and after a long while answered.
“Let us wait and see. First, spread the word that the Gwak family broke the marriage agreement, and wait to see if a good family comes with a proposal. If not…… this granddaughter, we must consider her raised in vain. What else can be done?”