TSCSI 03

Chapter 03

“What is it?”

“They’re saying you should start serving meals to the elders tonight. Since you went out, they assumed you’re fully recovered. And from tomorrow, you’re expected to pay morning respects too. What do we do? Miss, you can’t even use being sick as an excuse anymore…”

The man in gray clothes must be her husband.

How childish—snitching like that.

“I’ll do it.”

Being a top CSAT English instructor wasn’t about having a cheat code. It was about constant research, adapting to trends that changed every few months.

Compared to that, serving dinner or greeting elders in the morning was nothing.

Probably.

I had never done it before, but still.

“Are you really okay? You hated it so much before. You even got sick from it last time…”

“I’m fine. If it can’t be avoided, you enjoy it.”

“Huh?”

When my eyes met Mal-soon’s, her “rank” popped into my mind.

Unrankable.

Of course.

The Mu Family, Second Young Master’s Residence

At Minghyeon Hall, where Mu Seon-hu stayed, Paeng-mun stood neatly outside the door, waiting for his master to look up.

Mu Seon-hu was painting orchids for a folding screen requested by his elder brother.

But strangely, his brush kept losing strength. The leaves that should have flowed gracefully turned jagged, like worms crawling across paper.

Was it because of the wound on his hand? It didn’t even hurt.

Frowning, he set the brush down.

“What is it?”

“Sir. The madam has ordered the young lady to start serving meals to the elders tonight, and to pay morning respects from tomorrow. It seems a maid reported seeing her outside, so they assumed she’s recovered.”

“And what did she say?”

“Lady Mal-soon said she agreed without hesitation.”

Impossible.

He had been married to her for nearly two months, and not once had she behaved reasonably. Everything was annoying, troublesome, or refused outright. She acted on impulse like a child.

He still remembered her words on their wedding night.

She had shouted that he shouldn’t act superior just because she came from a wealthy family.

After that, she caused trouble every day, making even his dignified parents clutch their necks.

And now she agreed willingly?

Something was wrong.

“Also,” Paeng-mun added carefully, “she asked in detail what time to come and what she should do. The madam also instructed you not to be late.”

“I understand. You may go.”

As the servant left, Mu Seon-hu stepped out and went up the pavilion.

The spring breeze that had been sharp a few days ago was now gentle.

Golden sunset light fell across his pale, refined face. Beneath dark brows, his long, cool eyes looked into the distance.

He thought of voices far away.

“You must never enter court politics. It’s too dangerous. If someone learns your identity, everything will collapse.”

“Then let me join the military if I cannot serve in court.”

“Absolutely not. Do you not understand who you are?”

That conversation had taken place just before the civil exam.

Afterward, she had still sent him lavish gifts—only to later soften and send even more.

Among them was a pair of coral ornaments.

Meant for his bride.

He had placed them deep in his study without hesitation.

They would never be given to her.

Evening at the An Residence

That evening, An An-yong wore the simplest clothes she had since entering marriage. Her hair was tied neatly back.

To my eyes, it was still oddly extravagant and slightly tacky—but her beauty softened it.

“How do I look?”

Jeong-oh and Mal-soon both looked uneasy.

“If Madam sees you like this, she’ll drag you back immediately,” Jeong-oh said.

“This is the first time you’ve dressed so plainly,” Mal-soon added.

“Don’t tell my mother,” I said.

In my previous life, I had lived alone for ten years after my parents died in a car accident.

I had chased success like a madwoman, because without family, money felt like the only safety.

But today I had met Lady Oh, who was overflowing with affection.

Unlike modern life, I actually had a warm mother here.

That unexpected warmth made my mood strangely light.

I arrived at the main hall, slightly nervous—but I trusted the confidence of a CSAT instructor who had once spoken nonstop for two hours in front of a hundred students.

I helped set the table with the maids and stood waiting.

The first to enter was her sister-in-law, Lady Jang Yang-ran.

A delicate beauty in her early twenties.

I nodded lightly as if we already knew each other.

“Still recovering from your spring cold?” she asked sharply.

“Yes.”

At that moment, her rank appeared.

Grade 7.

Here, Grade 7 was completely different from exam grades in my old world. Since most women were unrankable, Grade 7 was relatively high.

“You say you’re better, yet you still brew medicine every day. Did your family bring expensive tonics? How nice for you—getting constant support. Some of us manage just fine without it all year.”

This kind of scolding was unfamiliar.

So this is sister-in-law bullying?

“Right. I guess I’m just weak,” I said casually.

“You’re weak but still going out so often? That doesn’t make sense.”

Her irritation grew sharper.

I, however, had zero intention of being a diligent housekeeper.

I had lived alone on instant noodles and laundry service.

So I decided not to give her false expectations.

“I find housework exhausting, but going out isn’t tiring at all. Is it different for you, sister-in-law?”

Her forehead vein twitched.

“You are impossible to talk to.”

Before things escalated further, footsteps approached.

The elders arrived.

The father-in-law and mother-in-law entered with two young men.

They were composed and elegant.

The father-in-law looked at me briefly.

And immediately—

A high rank appeared.

That one.

The father-in-law was clearly a high-tier scholar.

I quickly lowered my gaze.

“Sit,” he said gently.

But the mother-in-law cut in sharply.

“No. The elder daughter-in-law sits. The younger stands and serves. That is how it was for a year when she first married.”

So I remained standing.

Fine.

This was manageable.

As silence filled the hall and dinner began, I studied each family member carefully.

The elder brother, Mu I-hu, was a masculine, solid handsome man.

But the younger—

Mu Seon-hu.

He was on another level entirely.

Too unreal.

Even in modern standards, that face belonged behind a screen, not real life.

Dark brows, straight nose, sharp jawline.

A walking “visual fraud.”

My curiosity flared.

Come on, pretty student.

Look up so I can see your rank.

Maybe Grade 4? 5?

With that face, I’ll even allow Grade 6.

Finally, he raised his head.

The moment our eyes met—

BANG.

A number flashed in my mind.

What?

Grade 1?

Even higher than my father-in-law?

Bright, unmistakable Grade 1.

My mouth nearly watered on instinct.

In modern CSAT terms, Grade 1 was top 4%.

But here, Grade 1 meant a genius so rare he could be counted on one hand in the entire nation.

So this was a true prodigy.

Back in my academy days, I had always wanted a star student like this.

But I had never once seen a Grade 1 this bright.

I stared too long.

Mu Seon-hu frowned slightly.

Then, as if amused by something, his long double-lidded eyes curved faintly—

and the corner of his lips lifted just a little.