“Are you really okay?”
The next morning, Miss Zhuge asked me worriedly as I was heading to the Head Family’s Hall.
“You said to come alone today, right? I’m fine.”
“But you’re going in front of the elders. Shouldn’t I go too?”
Despite her clear reluctance, I couldn’t help but smile at Miss Zhuge, who was forcing herself to muster up courage for my sake. What a great improvement!
“Since this is an evaluation of me, you can come with me next time when I properly greet Father and Mother.”
One disappointing thing was that my mother-in-law had sent a forced notice of absence, stating it was a men’s gathering. It was something I had to endure.
“Master Kang…”
Miss Zhuge seemed to feel guilty for not being able to join me, looking up at me with doe-like eyes.
“I’ve already made all the preparations during my absence. Honestly, thanks to you, Miss Zhuge, I can go with peace of mind, so don’t worry too much.”
It wasn’t hopeless. In fact, it was thanks to Miss Zhuge that I saw a path ahead.
“Right. If you’re worried, just tell your parents that if I pass, I’ll grant you a wish.”
Gilsan tossed a word in Miss Zhuge’s direction, who was panicking.
“Don’t say nonsense.”
“W-wish?”
“Most of what Gilsan says is just nonsense, so don’t take it too seriously. Okay?”
Carefully tugging at my sleeve, Miss Zhuge whispered in my ear, wary of who might hear.
“I-I also want to grant whatever Master Kang desires.”
“…….”
Her bashful breath tickled my ear.
“Hey, Kang Yoon-ho, look at this kid’s face. Saying all that and still having desires of their own.”
“Wha-what? Just let me know whatever it is!”
Miss Zhuge. Anything you want to ask me is all good, but that expression makes me feel helpless.
Before I knew it, my gaze had wandered down to Miss Zhuge’s neck. Pure white… No, this is all because of that cursed Hongcheonmirijin.
The dangerous thing hidden under her loose clothing brushed against the arm she held. It seemed Miss Zhuge was unaware, but it was a touch that couldn’t be ignored.
No! Kang Yoon-ho! Get your head straight. It’s the day of the showdown. What are you thinking about?!
“I’ll tell you when I get back.”
I quickly gave in to desire.
“Yesss! Hehe, I’ll surely grant it. Have a safe trip!”
It was the most important day.
The day I had to be recognized by Father and the Elders’ Council. After greeting Miss Zhuge and another person, I headed to the Head Family’s Hall.
I felt like I could do anything for the white rabbit.
——
Getting recognized by my father-in-law was tough, but gaining the respect of the Elders’ Council was an even bigger challenge.
With my father, I could at least make excuses that it was my mother and Man Geum-jeon’s fault, but to the Elders’ Council, I was nothing more than a foreign worker wanting to marry into a famous family.
A prestigious family over a millennium old. The daughter of a storied lineage marrying a barbarian? There was no way that would go down easily.
“They are waiting for you.”
As soon as I arrived at the Head Family’s Hall with a pounding heart, I was guided to the location by a servant.
“You’ve arrived.”
As the door opened, my father-in-law came into view, seated at the head seat.
On both side walls were elders who seemed like they were about to pounce on me and eat me alive. Looks like there’s a long table set up for a feast.
The unfortunate truth was that there was no food on the table, but rather, it was the black-haired barbarian set for the meal.
“The successor of Man Geum Battlefield. Kang Yoon-ho greets the head of the Zhuge family and the elders.”
I had no choice but to do my best not to get eaten. I walked up confidently and bowed to my father-in-law and the Elders’ Council.
“If you have any questions, feel free to ask without hesitation.”
With an indifferent expression, my father-in-law handed the stage over to the Elders.
“I’ll go first.”
“Please proceed, Elder Lee.”
I had a feeling from the moment I entered that he would be the first to speak. Elder Lee, as if unwilling to concede to anyone else, immediately questioned me.
“I heard you’ve become the successor of the Man Geum Battlefield, pushing aside the grandchildren of Man Geum-jeon.”
“Man Geum-jeon deemed me worthy and granted me the qualification to take the successor exam.”
“Are you saying that without the family’s permission, you’re taking a Zhuge girl as your wife?”
“…….”
Wow, he’s starting off strong.
The engagement between Miss Zhuge and me happened without our families’ consent. I hadn’t expected them to throw the biggest disqualifying factor right at me.
“Elder Lee. Haven’t we discussed that already?”
It must have shown that I was at a loss for words just then, for my father-in-law stepped in on my behalf.
“I’m the one asking Kang Yoon-ho this.”
As Elder Lee spoke firmly, my father-in-law’s expression changed. He engaged in a brief war of wills with Elder Lee, then turned to me with a very displeased look.
“…Answer him.”
“There was a misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding? What type of misunderstanding do you speak of?”
Glares like predator eyes poured down on me.
I needed to choose my words wisely. I had to gauge the situation first. What should I say? Should I list out excuses? That it was a plan from my mother-in-law and Man Geum-jeon? Should I say it wasn’t my fault?
I glanced at my father-in-law.
“Shifting responsibility is not a wise choice.”
My father-in-law wouldn’t step in for no reason. If I tried to shift the blame, it would put my mother-in-law in a difficult position.
Even for my father-in-law, who is very family-oriented, this is a troublesome issue. Since I hadn’t even received permission from my father yet, his previously wavered heart would solidify instantly.
Of course, if I took full responsibility, it would surely flood me with attacks. In the worst case, I’d be ejected from Zhuge family, tattered and torn.
What should I do?
There was a method.
“Is this an important matter?”
“What do you mean?”
“No matter the circumstances, I am here. Does it really matter what type of misunderstanding it is?”
I needed to be bold. And shameless. To deflect the question itself.
“Wawawawa! How brazen!”
“Are Joseon people devoid of manners and respect for hierarchy?!”
Naturally, the heated responses came pouring in.
“Joseon is a nation that learns Confucianism. I may not be deeply learned, but I’ve lived my life with books as my companions, and I’ve kept my education alive since my first business in the Central Plains was selling books.”
“Hah! Does that black-haired, barbarian not understand the law?! Family matters should, of course, proceed according to the law!”
“The person currently overseeing the family matters is right in front of my eyes.”
I gazed at the head of the Zhuge family, Zhuge Geuk.
“What?!”
The one managing family matters isn’t the Elders’ Council; it’s someone else, right? There was no one here who could fail to grasp my defiant words.
“I have already asked for forgiveness from my father. No, from the Head of the Family. He told me to challenge the Hongcheonmirijin.”
I couldn’t lose the upper hand.
“How dare a barbarian treat us like some senile old coots?!”
Before their anger leaped out, I hastily continued speaking.
I needed to guide their thoughts towards my passing of the Hongcheonmirijin.
“Your passing of the Hongcheonmirijin only proves your abilities! It does not mean you can become a son-in-law of our Zhuge family!”
“Yes, I understand. When I promised to pass the Hongcheonmirijin in seven days, the Head of the Family said he would consider me as a potential son-in-law, but he never said I’d be recognized as a son-in-law.”
It was as if he understood my shallow ploy, immediately launching a barrage of attacks. It was fine. I nodded and readily conceded.
I was deliberately absorbing their anger for a moment.
“What’s your point?!”
“What I meant was that all the elders here heard it, right?”
“What are you implying?”
The insolent young man. The audacious barbarian showed a gap. What an excellent prey. One wrong word, and he might swing his cane at me in rage.
Yet, that anger turned into curiosity at the same moment.
Everyone’s attention was on what I was about to say.
“What I mean is, the Head of the Family commended me publicly.”
“What?!”
“What I mean is, there was indeed a misunderstanding between the Head of the Family and me. However, once I fulfilled my promise, he acknowledged me, as someone who might be his son-in-law.”
“Whether you were recognized by the Head of the Family or not is not the question here!”
“No, what I am saying is that this is also an important matter for the elders present.”
“What are you talking about?!”
The brash youngster. The shameless barbarian let an opening show. This was a splendid opportunity, just like a prey thrown into the pit. If I messed up my words, it was certain that I’d be hit with a stick.
However, their anger simultaneously became interest.
Everyone was curious about what I had to say.
“The Head of the Family praised me for my efforts. His acknowledgment of me publicly as a potential son-in-law implies that he has forgiven the misunderstanding. So, if the family elders continue to question something that the Head of the Family has already forgiven, then they will inevitably clash with him.”
“That is a matter that should be highlighted by the elder!”
“Continuing to dwell on something that has been forgiven means questioning the Head of the Family, not me!”
“……!”
Just imagine.
What if the opinions of the Head of the Family and the Elders’ Council clashed explicitly? Wouldn’t that be interesting?
If you’re curious, then go ahead and execute it.
I deflected the arrows directed at me, shifting them towards my father-in-law, seated in the most honorable position. With both factions respecting one another, the arrows flew simultaneously.
“If you intend to pressure the Head of the Family through me and question him, then this very question is inappropriate.”
In truth, I had never received a clear pardon from my father-in-law. But words have the power to amplify others’ intentions, dividing “us” from “them”.
My father-in-law was now a bystander. The Elders were my adversaries.
I was fanning the flames of their complex power struggle while stepping back from the chaos.
“Y’know, I’ve come to be evaluated for being worthy to be a son-in-law of the Zhuge family! But here I am, being treated as if I’ve already become one!!!”
Father-in-law, are you going to stay a bystander? This arrow will hurt.
If you get hit, your wife will be hurt too. So will Man Geum-jeon, my father-in-law. Are you just gonna stand there?
It was time to decide whose side you’d take.
“That’s enough.”
Eventually, the bystander couldn’t contain it anymore.
“Head of the Family…!”
Elder Lee looked shocked and turned to the Head of the Family.
“Stop it.”
“But!”
“You should let this matter go.”
“What? Are you saying that my black-haired barbarian has done wrong, and we should overlook it?”
“Didn’t I just say I allowed it? There was a small misunderstanding, but we resolved it not long ago. Do you wish for more explanations?”
“Hrumph!”
In that instant, my eyes locked with my father-in-law’s.
Father. What I’ve done is protect all of us from a potential attack. You owe me for this. Would you decipher my gaze? While a scoff of disbelief escaped him, I also caught a hint of a smile that seemed to say, “Keep going.”
“…Fine. Then let’s move to the next question.”
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