TZRMG 07

Chapter: 07

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Episode 7: Rumors

“Hyun-ah?”

It was the voice of the maid, Hyun-ah.

I wondered if something had happened within the clan…

Without hesitation, I stepped outside.

The source of the noise came from behind the training academy, a short distance from the detached residence.

“Say that again! What did you just say!?”

Hyun-ah’s voice rang out in anger.

Several maids stood in front of her.

“The rumor has already spread everywhere. They say the adopted young master is actually Madam Jin’s child from another man.”

“The Zhuge Clan has really sunk to a new low.”

“The Clan Head is something else. He actually accepted some mongrel of unknown origin into the direct bloodline.”

“What did you say!? Take those words back right now!”

One of the maids twisted the corner of her lips into a sneer.

“So you’ve already taken the young master’s side?”

“You’re hoping to get some leftovers if the Third Young Master becomes part of the direct line, aren’t you?”

“You little…!”

Unable to hold herself back any longer, Hyun-ah lunged at them.

In an instant, someone grabbed her hair, and a scuffle broke out.

“Let go of me!”

“You crazy bitch!”

Outnumbered, Hyun-ah quickly lost the fight and was thrown onto the ground.

“The young master has already suffered enough. How can you say something like that!”

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“You’ve started serving someone higher up and forgotten your place.”

“But still…!”

Just as Hyun-ah tried to get back to her feet—

“What is all this commotion?”

…

The scene instantly fell silent at my sudden appearance.

I slowly approached and looked over the group of maids.

They were all around Hyun-ah’s age and worked at the training academy.

Children often fought while growing up…

But what they had been saying was not something I could simply ignore.

I turned my gaze to Hyun-ah.

Her hair was a mess, and her clothes were completely disheveled.

“Are you alright?”

“Young Master… why are you here…?”

“I asked what happened.”

“Well…”

After hesitating for a moment, Hyun-ah lowered her head.

“I’m sorry for causing such a disturbance. We just had a small argument among ourselves.”

The other maids covered their mouths and chuckled.

They were convinced nothing would come of this.

After yesterday’s incident, they probably assumed no one would want another problem involving me.

Just then, one of the maids stepped forward.

“It was only a small misunderstanding. You shouldn’t concern yourself with it any longer. Please return inside.”

Her words were polite.

Her attitude was anything but.

It was not the manner one should show to a member of the clan.

Interesting.

I thought only the Second Young Master would be entertaining.

Apparently, such people were everywhere.

I turned my head and smiled faintly.

“A misunderstanding?”

“Yes.”

“And what exactly was misunderstood?”

The maid thought for a moment before answering.

“It was because of the rumor.”

“A rumor?”

Hyun-ah hurriedly grabbed my sleeve.

“Young Master, you don’t need to hear any more.”

“I was just about to hear something interesting. Wait a moment.”

“Yes…”

Perhaps because my tone carried the dignity of an adult, Hyun-ah instinctively shrank back.

Taking advantage of the silence, the maid continued.

“The rumor says… that you were actually born outside the family.”

“Born outside the family… Hmm.”

I had been introduced as the lost son of the Jin Clan.

This rumor was clearly meant to deny that identity.

Since I showed no reaction, the maids grew even bolder.

“Otherwise, why would Madam Jin protect you so much?”

“And isn’t the Clan Head remaining silent about it as well?”

Only then did I understand completely.

To them, I was nothing more than a stray dog that had wandered in.

Because I looked four or five years younger than I really was, they treated me as a clueless child.

“I see. That’s certainly one possibility.”

“Young Master! You don’t have to listen to this nonsense! And if you don’t stop, I’ll report all of you to the Deputy Chief Steward!”

Even so, the maids only sneered.

“The Young Master asked, so we answered. What’s wrong with that?”

“If the Clan Head changes his mind, you might be thrown out at any moment.”

Now they spoke directly to my face.

Hyun-ah was left speechless and lowered her head.

At this point, it wasn’t something I could simply overlook.

A prestigious family has rules for everything—even how one should breathe.

Yet these girls had forgotten even those basic rules.

I stepped forward.

“Then let me ask you one thing. Do you find that rumor amusing?”

I looked at them calmly, without the slightest emotion in my eyes.

They flinched.

The moment our eyes met, every voice disappeared.

None of them could look away.

What kind of eyes does a child have…?

He was only a little boy who had just entered the clan.

A tiny child who hadn’t even begun to grow.

Yet I spoke again.

“I’m asking you. Is it amusing?”

“Y-Young Master… that’s…”

“It is true that I came from outside, so let’s overlook that part. But tell me this.”

A faint smile remained on my lips.

For some reason, that smile seemed strangely unsettling.

“If I really were born outside the family… then doesn’t that mean Mother committed an immoral act?”

…

“Wouldn’t that mean you’re insulting Mother rather than me?”

None of them had considered that.

Their eyes shook violently.

They finally realized how badly the situation had turned.

“That wasn’t what we meant…”

“We were only shocked because of the rumor…”

“No.”

I interrupted them.

“You sounded far too certain for it to be just a rumor. Go on. Say it again.”

…

Not one of them could open their mouths.

I slightly raised my eyes and answered for them.

“To me.”

My clear, unreadable eyes reflected nothing.

S-Scary…

Faced with the darkness hidden behind them, the maids lost all strength in their legs.

Thud.

All three dropped to their knees at the same time.

“Please forgive us, Young Master…”

“We beg your forgiveness for our ignorance.”

“We were only misled by the rumors.”

They repeatedly bowed their heads.

For a moment, I considered dragging them away and teaching them a proper lesson.

But as I looked down at them, another idea came to mind.

“Hm. Even so, insulting the person who took me in isn’t something I can simply overlook. Still… there may be another way.”

“Please tell us what it is.”

“We’ll do anything you ask. We’ll give it our all…”

“Good. That will make you feel better too.”

I smiled.

“I’ve just thought of a wonderful idea. You’ll do it, won’t you?”

The confused maids slowly looked up.

Not long afterward…

A brand-new rumor began spreading throughout the Zhuge Clan.

It was that the Third Young Master was not Madam Jin’s child at all—

But rather…

The Clan Head’s illegitimate son.

Rumors naturally became exaggerated.

Add a few pieces of supposed evidence, and it was like fanning flames over dry straw.

The Third Young Master is the Clan Head’s illegitimate son.

That also meant…

I possessed the direct bloodline of the Zhuge Clan.

The rumor spread like wildfire.

Before long, everyone’s attention within the clan naturally shifted toward the Clan Head.

With a single sentence, the entire situation had been overturned.

“Hyang-ah, did you hear? They say the Third Young Master is actually the Clan Head’s illegitimate son.”

“Of course I did! I knew someone that perfect couldn’t be ordinary.”

“Exactly. So that’s why he was away from home for ten months every year.”

“I know, right? I guess one wife wasn’t enough for him.”

“Shh! Someone’s coming.”

The moment they noticed me taking a leisurely walk through the inner courtyard, every maid immediately fell silent.

The whispers vanished as though they had never existed.

But after spending so many years living in silent caves, my hearing could not be deceived.

I heard every suppressed breath and every unfinished word.

Looks like they spread the rumor exactly as I intended.

The Clan Head’s affair.

It was such a shocking topic that people couldn’t resist talking about it.

Who was the woman?

Was my identity as someone from the Jin Clan also a lie?

Countless speculations began to circulate.

“Good day, Young Master.”

“Mm.”

I lightly nodded to the maids who bowed respectfully as they passed.

Their attitude was nothing like it had been only a few days ago, when they had called me an adopted child or someone picked up off the street.

Now they were cautious.

Their words carried both wariness and expectation.

Within this family, what mattered wasn’t one’s background.

It was whether one’s blood was truly connected.

Simply because I might become an heir, people’s attitudes had completely changed.

Walking a short distance behind me, Hyun-ah carefully spoke.

“Umm… Young Master.”

“Yes?”

“Is… is this really alright?”

She lowered her voice.

“I mean the rumor. You deliberately shifted everyone’s attention away from Madam Jin and yourself… and redirected it toward the Clan Head.”

“Mm. That’s right.”

I answered calmly.

Hyun-ah’s expression became even stiffer.

“If the Clan Head finds out that the rumor started with you…”

She couldn’t finish the sentence.

Her face was filled with worry.

She genuinely feared for me.

“What? You think I’ll be thrown out?”

“Not that… but you’ll definitely be punished.”

I slowly shook my head.

“That won’t happen.”

“What? But it’s a rumor that damages the Clan Head’s dignity.”

“Exactly.”

I slowed my steps and looked back at her.

“This rumor won’t last long. Like half-burned straw, it’ll soon die out.”

Hyun-ah tilted her head, unable to understand.

Everything had unfolded exactly as I expected.

Because this was a fire that had to be extinguished immediately.

From the beginning, someone had started this rumor to shake both Madam Jin and me.

They had hoped to gain something from it.

But their calculations had gone wrong.

The awl had lost its direction and turned into a dagger aimed at Zhuge Xiang himself.

If they left things as they were, the clan would begin investigating the source of the rumor.

And in that process…

The true mastermind behind everything would inevitably be exposed.

The backlash would fall upon them instead.

I continued walking forward.

“Don’t worry.”

“The one who starts a fire… is always the one who has to put it out.”

With my hands clasped behind my back, I quietly walked away.

For some reason, that small figure from behind seemed as imposing as an adult’s.

A few days later.

Even though the entire clan was still buzzing with rumors…

Exactly one week after I entered the clan, a new visitor came to the detached residence.

“Thank you.”

“Yes. Please call me again if you need anything.”

After Hyun-ah carefully set down the tray of refreshments and left the room, I felt the gentle gaze of the woman sitting before me.

“Have you ever had tea before?”

Madam Jin’s soft voice lingered in my ears.

“Yes. The elders of my former sect occasionally served it.”

“I see. Then make yourself comfortable.”

“Yes.”

I slowly lifted the teacup and appreciated its fragrance.

Without rushing, I took a slow sip before setting it down again.

Madam Jin watched me with wistful eyes.

“You have excellent manners. Did you also learn that… there?”

She was referring to the unorthodox sect where I had once belonged.

She deliberately avoided speaking its name.

Not because it had been part of the Demonic Path…

But because she didn’t want to mention a sect that had already been reduced to ashes.

Perhaps that was her way of showing consideration for me.

I’ve received quite a bit of kindness since coming here.

“Have some of the dried fruit as well.”

“Yes.”

Following her suggestion, I picked up a thin slice of dried fruit from the tray.

The moment I took a bite, rich sweetness spread across my tongue like honey.

Startled, I opened my eyes wide.

As if she had expected that reaction, Madam Jin chuckled.

“It seems to suit your taste.”

“It’s incredibly delicious. The fruit is dried just enough, and it’s filled with sweetness.”

“Hohoho. Is that so?”

She smiled warmly.

“I made it myself especially for you.”

“Your skill is remarkable.”

Still smiling behind her hand, Madam Jin gently wiped the corner of her lips.

“You express yourself much more maturely than children your age.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It is one.”

Yet her eyes remained unusually wistful.

She seemed saddened by the traces of hardship that no child should have experienced.

He’s only ten years old… Can it really be true that he’s only two years older than Seol-ah?

The difference between them was far too great.

Although Seol-ah had grown up surrounded by everyone’s affection within the family…

Could two children really become this different?

While quietly watching me enjoy the refreshments, Madam Jin finally spoke.

“I heard there was an incident with the Second Young Master a few days ago.”

I nodded, thinking,

So the time has finally come.