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chapter 2
“Oppaaa, I’m back!”
I stepped lightly into the house. But instead of my brother rushing out to greet me, only the maid, Ye-han, was there.
Strange. Whenever I returned from meeting a man, he would always run over first and question me about every little detail.
Did he go out because of work at the inn?
“Where is my brother?” I asked Ye-han.
“He was here just a moment ago, but the head of the family called for him. Head Lord Son has come to visit.”
Head Lord Son was my father’s longtime friend. He cared for us very much.
“I should change clothes and go greet him too.”
“Yes, Miss.”
My current outfit was a little flashy—chosen to suit Young Master Ji’s taste—so it wasn’t right for a formal setting.
“By the way, what kind of person was Young Master Ji?” Ye-han asked.
“Don’t even ask. He was the worst.”
I had spent all morning dressing up for nothing. I should have just stayed home. I needed to see my dear family and heal my heart. Honestly, life wouldn’t be fun without them.
While humming a tune I had heard in the street, I told another maid to bring the light green outfit Mother had given me before. I asked Ye-han to bring the silk shoes that had been repaired.
“Do I look neat and calm?” I asked.
“Yes.”
As I waited for Ye-han, I sat down. The maid braiding a thin section of my hair tilted her head.
“Miss, are you going out again?”
“No. Didn’t you say Head Lord Son is here?”
It would be better not to wear jewelry. I removed my ring.
“I need to look like a daughter they can be proud of.”
“Wow…”
The maid finished tying my braid and sighed in admiration.
“I always think this, but Miss, you’re truly devoted to your family.”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
“You get along so well with your only brother too. I wish I could be as affectionate to my family as you are, but it’s hard.”
“….”
“My parents complain that their only daughter isn’t very cute or sweet. I feel a little sorry. They must have wanted a lovely daughter.”
She finished brushing my hair and stepped back—or tried to. I grabbed the edge of her sleeve. She looked at me in surprise.
“You don’t need to feel guilty about that,” I said sincerely.
“It’s okay if you’re not a ‘lovely’ daughter.”
“Miss?”
“You don’t have to live like this either.”
There was a brief silence. The maid lowered her head.
“I’m sorry. I’m foolish and don’t understand what you mean.”
I quickly corrected myself.
“I just meant you’re already a good daughter as you are.”
“Oh…”
Her eyes filled with emotion.
“Thank you for thinking of me so kindly.”
“I just said what I see.”
Ah, why did I do that? I was so embarrassed. Just then, Ye-han returned.
“Miss, I brought them. The shoes look nicely repaired.”
Saved! I cheered inwardly.
“You may go now,” I told the maid.
“Yes, Miss.”
After changing my shoes, I stood up. As I walked toward where my family was, my heart pounded with both joy and nervousness. I took a deep breath at the door and smiled.
It’s okay. I can be their proud daughter today too.
Soon I was told to come in.
“Oh, Sojin!”
Head Lord Son stood up happily.
“It’s been a while, Head Lord Son,” I greeted politely.
“Ha ha, don’t be so distant. Just call me Uncle.”
“How could I?”
After smiling at him, I glanced at my family. Usually they would welcome me brightly like he did, but today they were quiet. My brother too.
Were they upset? No… they just looked surprised.
“You’re back, Sojin…?” my mother said.
“You came back early. You could have played longer with Nanhyang,” my father added.
“Come sit,” my brother said.
I quickly sat next to my brother. They still looked stunned, but I wasn’t too worried. It didn’t seem like bad news.
“Sojin,” Head Lord Son suddenly called.
“Yes?”
“You grow prettier every day. No wonder men chase after you.”
“You seem younger every time I see you, Uncle. Is your wife doing well? I heard she caught a cold recently.”
“She took some medicine and recovered. Thankfully.”
After that, he studied me carefully.
Ah. He came because of me.
Instinctively, I put on a polite, interview-like expression.
After a moment, he burst into laughter.
“Yes! You’re definitely good enough!”
“For what?” I asked.
Whatever it is, I can stay calm, I told myself.
But I was wrong.
“Sojin, if things go well, you might marry into the Namgung family!”
“…What?!”
I froze.
The Namgung family—one of the Five Great Families representing the righteous sects. A powerful clan with enormous influence.
Especially here in Anhui, their territory was practically everywhere. Compared to them, our family couldn’t even speak up.
I tried to stay calm, but my arms and legs trembled.
Father quickly stepped in.
“Nothing’s decided yet. Why say it like that and scare her?”
Now I understood their shocked expressions. Of course they would be surprised.
“Well, when a family with several sons of marriageable age wants to see someone’s daughter, the reason is obvious. I’m sure the elder will like Sojin. Has anyone ever disliked her?”
“Head Lord Son,” I finally managed to speak.
“What do you mean? Why would the Namgung family want someone like me…?”
“As you know, I have connections with them. I’ve praised you often, and the elder said he’d like to meet you. So, Sojin…”
He looked at me expectantly.
“You’ll come meet him with me, right?”
“Yes!”
I answered without hesitation.
“Good! I’ll send him a letter right away!” he said excitedly.
“Travel safely!”
“I’ll contact you as soon as I get a reply.”
He left quickly. Only our family remained.
Silence filled the room.
“Sojin…” Mother finally spoke, holding my hand.
“Nothing is decided yet, and we might be getting ahead of ourselves… but marrying into a powerful family isn’t always good. Especially one like the Namgung…”
She couldn’t finish.
I smiled and held her hand.
“I know what you’re worried about. But honestly, I’m not good enough for the Namgung family—”
“What nonsense! There’s no better bride than you around here!” Mother suddenly said angrily.
“I’m sure they’ll like you! I’d even bet our eldest son on it!”
“…Mother, why are you betting me?” my brother protested.
“That’s not important right now.”
“How is that not important?!”
“Like Head Lord Son said, if the elder sees you, he’ll surely like you.”
My brother sighed.
“Give them a good impression. Marriage might be too much, but at least we could build a connection.”
Something warm rose in my chest.
“I think so too, Brother.”
“I’ll go to the fabric shop and prepare a new outfit,” Mother said.
“I’ll find out what the elder likes,” Father added.
Mother gently patted my shoulder.
“Go rest. You must be tired.”
Ever since I was born, I cry so easily. I wiped my tears and returned to my room.
Ye-han stood up quickly.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
After wiping my face with the handkerchief she handed me, I sat on the bed and stared into space.
“Ye-han.”
“Yes, Miss.”
“Why is it so hard to receive?”
She quickly came closer.
“Something happened, didn’t it?”
“No, really. Nothing happened.”
Well… that wasn’t entirely true.
But what I was really thinking was this:
If only receiving were as easy as giving.
