Chapter 254: The Letter Sent By Master
Faced with those fierce eyes, I couldn’t hide the fluster in my voice.
“Um, Lady Mi… why are you here?”
In the midst of it all, I found myself asking Moyong Hi-ah instead of Lady Mi. It seemed that Moyong Hi-ah was just as shocked by my sudden appearance, looking at me with eyes even more surprised than usual.
“Y-Young Master, w-why are you…?”
“Ah, I just… had a little business to deal with.”
In truth, there was no business, I simply came to see her face. Yet, for some reason, admitting that in this situation felt pretty hard.
Lady Mi didn’t react at all and continued to sip her tea, as if she had already known about my arrival the moment I walked in. She must have used telepathy to communicate.
Well, Lady Mi couldn’t have answered, could she?
Telepathy was a skill only accessible to martial artists who had transcended their limitations. Since Lady Mi wasn’t a martial artist, that ruled her out…
As the thought crossed my mind, my gaze shifted toward the wall behind Lady Mi.
So, it’s him.
There was someone behind her, their presence subtle yet palpable. The vibe was distinctly different from the martial artist I’d encountered at the entrance—this one felt thinner and murkier. They seemed like a true shadowy figure.
“It looks like you’ve noticed Eebee as well,” Lady Mi remarked, catching my line of sight. “You’ve changed quite a lot…”
“Lady Mi.”
“Sigh… Whatever worries you might have, I simply came to see Moyong Hi-ah for business reasons.”
“Business?”
“Indeed. If you’re planning to start a business in Shanxi, I can’t just ignore that.”
It was a reasonable justification, but something felt off.
The business has been going for months now; why visit now?
If the White Flowers Merchant Association was aware of the Moyong Clan’s endeavors in Shanxi, then Lady Mi’s interest now seemed rather puzzling.
Is she hiding something?
Although not much was known about the White Flowers Merchant Association, it held considerable influence in the business world. The Moyong Clan was also quite valuable in commerce, so it wasn’t surprising that Lady Mi might be interested.
Moreover, Moyong Hi-ah appeared to hold considerable authority in business matters, which made Lady Mi’s approach seem sensible enough.
But still, Moyong Hi-ah is a guest here.
She must have felt the pressure.
Just then, as I was pondering what to say to Lady Mi…
“Young Master.”
“Huh?”
“Everything is fine, and as Lady Mi said, we were discussing business. Is it alright for me to visit you later?”
Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes implored me to leave.
It was as if she was begging me not to interrupt something significant, so I couldn’t say anything more.
…It seems they were having an important discussion after all.
Technically, I was the uninvited guest here, not Lady Mi.
“…I apologize for the interruption.”
“No, it’s alright. I understand,” Lady Mi said without even glancing in my direction.
I took my leave, giving a final glance at Moyong Hi-ah.
Just a simple business talk, huh?
Though the atmosphere didn’t feel quite right.
It was strange; Moyong Hi-ah seemed to be watching Lady Mi closely as if she were constantly checking her surroundings.
If it was just business, she wouldn’t be so anxious.
Instead, it appeared that Lady Mi needed the cooperation of the Moyong Clan, putting Moyong Hi-ah in a position of power.
Ugh, I just don’t get it.
Whatever it was, I’d have to ask Moyong Hi-ah later once their conversation wrapped up.
After Gu Yangcheon left, Moyong Hi-ah felt her nerves tighten once more. Being alone with Lady Mi was unsettling.
…How unexpected.
Never had she imagined a visit from the Lady of the Gu Clan, nor did she understand her motivations.
What’s even going on?
From her covert investigations—uh, I mean, thorough research—she knew that Mi Hyoran was the legitimate wife, while Gu Yangcheon was the child of a concubine. It was common knowledge that their relationship was quite strained. So, then, why was Lady Mi here?
When Moyong Hi-ah first heard about Lady Mi’s visit, suspicion filled her mind.
After all, there seemed to be no clear reason for her arrival.
Typically, the arrival of a clan’s Lady would indicate discussions about marriage prospects for their children.
Moyong Hi-ah was acutely aware of her own value.
Be it beauty, age, or background, she believed she was unparalleled.
Moreover, as she had no engagement, it made sense that Lady Mi might consider introducing her to her son.
After all, Tang Soyeol, with a similar background, was being bombarded with marriage proposals.
However…
Lady Mi doesn’t have a son.
As far as Moyong Hi-ah knew, Lady Mi had only two daughters: one was the renowned Sword Phoenix, and the other was a girl just beginning to show her talents.
Gu Yangcheon and his younger sister, born of another concubine, weren’t Lady Mi’s biological children.
So, why was she here?
Why is she looking at me like that?
Lady Mi’s eyes wavered with intensity, a look Moyong Hi-ah had encountered before, akin to how the Lord regarded her when she almost got engaged to the Namgung Clan.
It was an evaluative gaze, assessing my suitability for their child.
Few would dare examine a direct relative of the Moyong Clan like that.
Maybe someone like the Azure Heavenly Sword from the Namgung Clan could, but Lady Mi? Yet her gaze was piercing.
Should Moyong Hi-ah feel insulted? She couldn’t bring herself to do so.
The weight of Lady Mi’s scrutiny made even the Lord of the Namgung Clan pale in comparison.
“I’m sorry, my child seemed to have offended you,” said Lady Mi.
Moyong Hi-ah forced a smile. “No, please don’t apologize. He was just worried for me, so I didn’t feel troubled at all.”
“Worried, huh? Oh~ So you and that child are close enough to worry about each other~?”
Moyong Hi-ah had misspoken, and Lady Mi seized the chance, twisting her words effortlessly.
Moyong Hi-ah felt as if she was surrounded by invisible blades, yet her composed mask remained unbroken.
“I apologize, but that wasn’t my intention. I meant to say he was concerned for me as a guest of the Gu Clan.”
“I see.”
Lady Mi merely replied vaguely, continuing to sip her tea without further comment.
Moyong Hi-ah kept her light smile, though turmoil brewed inside.
What were we discussing just now?
She had even forgotten the point of their earlier conversation.
Ah…
She recalled now: they had talked about the Moyong Clan’s business in Shanxi, her stay with the Gu Clan, her favorite foods, hobbies, whether she could manage her annoyance, if she had patience…
…Huh? Wait a moment…
She hadn’t noticed while speaking, but in retrospect, their discussion had a strange undertone.
Moyong Hi-ah silently observed Lady Mi. Her demeanor was intact, but something about her expression felt subtly transformed.
Could it be they don’t share a bad relationship?
It was unusual for a lawful wife and a concubine’s offspring to have a positive rapport.
Considering Gu Yangcheon’s notorious reputation in Shanxi, it was possible that Lady Mi might harbor bad feelings towards him compared to her esteemed daughter, the Sword Phoenix.
But…
Something.
Something gnawed at Moyong Hi-ah.
Her instincts, which had never failed her, whispered that there was more behind this encounter.
Since the moment she had met Lady Mi, she sensed the need to make a good impression, prompting her to send Gu Yangcheon away despite his sudden visit.
She felt that it was essential.
Well, I was disappointed, but still…
She trusted her instincts.
While observing Lady Mi, the lady turned from the window and spoke directly to her.
“Hmm~ He did come to meet you, and mealtime is approaching, so I shouldn’t impose on you any longer, should I~?”
The sudden departure caught Moyong Hi-ah off guard, but she stayed silent.
“Oh… then perhaps, we could share a meal…”
“I shouldn’t pitch that much of an imposition on the Young Lady. Besides, I have plans with my husband later,” Lady Mi politely declined, smiling.
“Thank you for tolerating me. I hope to see you again.”
“Not at all… it was a wonderful chance to converse with Lady Mi.”
With a smile, Lady Mi exited gracefully, as Moyong Hi-ah bowed respectfully to see her off. Once she disappeared from view, Moyong Hi-ah exhaled deeply, finally releasing the tension that had built up.
This encounter had proven far more challenging than she anticipated.
She yearned to sit down and rest, both physically and mentally drained, yet…
“Clothes, makeup…!”
Recalling her promise to visit Gu Yangcheon later, there remained no time for relaxation. Rest could wait until she was beside him.
As Moyong Hi-ah’s servants brought her fresh clothes, Lady Mi exited the abode of the Moyong Clan.
Walking with perfect posture, she suddenly spoke aloud.
“Hmm, not bad.”
—The girl from the Moyong Clan?
A voice seemed to emerge from thin air.
“Yes.”
—The Leader’s positive appraisal must mean a lot to you.
Lady Mi, known for her icy demeanor to others, rarely offered compliments. Thus, her words carried significant weight.
“She knows how to read others’ expressions and excels at concealing her own.”
The girl from the Moyong Clan, Snow Phoenix, was it?
Lady Mi had learned that she had spent over a year with Gu Yangcheon on the frontlines. It seemed her accompanying him was due to personal reasons.
But…
There most certainly had to be another reason for such closeness. It couldn’t merely be that.
When Lady Mi inquired about Snow Phoenix, Gu Huibi frowned—an unusual response. Gu Huibi had claimed that Moyong Hi-ah excelled in cunningness, preferring the girl from the Namgung Clan for her simplicity instead.
Still, she deemed both unsuitable.
However, Lady Mi believed a touch of cunning was vital for a woman to survive in this brutal world.
That child needs to mature already.
The Snow Phoenix had exceeded Lady Mi’s expectations. While she might be a bit peculiar and have different standards, even if she lowered those expectations, the Snow Phoenix still impressed.
Her esteem was high, and she was adept at discerning others.
The ability to praise one’s opponent while maintaining one’s dignity was rare. Moyong Hi-ah had retained her nobility throughout.
However, she struggled to conceal her emotions.
Lady Mi knitted her brow, having noticed it in Moyong Hi-ah’s gaze the moment Gu Yangcheon entered the room.
The girl from the Namgung Clan yesterday, and now the girl from the Moyong Clan.
It seems he has a penchant for women.
Not only was he charming in appearance, but he also matched his father’s allure.
—So, Leader…
As they approached the entrance, Mujin posed a question.
—Are you considering changing the Young Master’s fiancée?
“Speak not of such nonsense. What authority do I possess to do that?”
—…Then why?
Mujin’s curiosity about his Leader’s intentions ran high.
Mi Hyoran paused momentarily as she eyed the entrance.
There stood Gu Yangcheon.
“…A reason, huh?”
With her gaze fixed on him, Mi Hyoran softly whispered, just loud enough for Gu Yangcheon to hear.
“I… I simply wanted to see.”
She was merely curious if his fiancée or the other girl could genuinely care for him. She indeed knew that true relationships weighed more than rational ones.
—Sis, there’s a petal stuck to you!
Mi Hyoran learned this from her life experiences.
“Did you wait for me?”
“Huh? Ah, yes…”
Without an ounce of hesitation, Mi Hyoran approached Gu Yangcheon.
“Hmm, were you worried about the girl inside?”
“…I wouldn’t go that far.”
Mi Hyoran’s eyes narrowed very slightly at his answer. Though she felt proud that he had grown to care for others, guilt gripped her for not actively supporting him during his development.
“Don’t worry. I haven’t done anything harmful to the Moyong’s child.”
“I never feared that.”
“Hmm?”
“I know… I understand that Lady Mi isn’t someone who would act against her word.”
Mi Hyoran’s expression shifted subtly, surprise radiating from her.
“…I never anticipated those words would come from you…”
Mi Hyoran lifted her hand and reached out to Gu Yangcheon.
He hesitated for a moment under her gaze but thankfully did not shy away.
Did he know?
Just how much courage it required for Mi Hyoran to reach out to him?
Gently, she extended her arm and plucked a leaf from his hair.
“…There’s a leaf stuck in your hair.”
“…Thank you.”
Feigning indifference, she concealed her flustered heart. Did he resent her touch? She didn’t dare ask.
With the leaf in her hand, Mi Hyoran walked past Gu Yangcheon without saying another word. She felt poised to leave but directed her path toward where her second daughter awaited.
“…”
Left alone, Gu Yangcheon’s expression fell. It wasn’t due to any discomfort from the preceding encounter. Rather, it was due to the letter folded away in his pocket—the letter handed down from Elder Gu Ryoon.
His composure was merely maintained due to Mi Hyoran’s presence. He hadn’t been waiting for someone; he was merely frozen in place after reading the letter.
Rustle.
He took out the letter and unfolded it once more, hoping it wasn’t what he had first interpreted. Yet, of course, life wasn’t that accommodating. The contents remained unchanged from his first reading.
The letter contained rudimentary scrawls—a mere sentence that was too short to even be categorized as an entire sentence.
—I’ll be coming by soon to take a look at you.
There was nothing else, just that single line.
At first, the meaning eluded him. But when he spotted the sender at the bottom, he instinctively gasped.
—Your master.
“…Damn.”
He didn’t have a master, yet wondered what nonsense this implied. However, the true issue lay with Gu Ryoon handing him the letter and now being referred to with a certain title.
All thanks to that ridiculous recommendation letter Gu Ryoon prepared and the rumors that spread since nobody believed a word he said. The title that stuck was…
The Dishonored Venerable’s disciple.
It was nothing but ridiculous gossip, and Gu Yangcheon sincerely hoped that the Dishonored Venerable wouldn’t take such an interest in him, but…
“Hahaha, damn my life.”
Now it appeared to be unavoidable.
One of the three Heavenly Venerables, the one masquerading as a Young Prodigy in the Bi Clan, known as the Dragon Warrior.
Here he comes…
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