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Chapter 43
“…What?”
Namgung Cheonghyeon asked again, looking bewildered.
Only then did I realize how ridiculously stupid my question had been.
Oh no, Father, what do I do now?
I fumbled for words, trying to smooth over my ridiculous comment.
“Ah, um… when I asked if you liked snakes, I meant, uh…”
But how was I supposed to explain this to a kid my age?
Technically, I had died and returned, so Namgung Cheonghyeon was about five years younger than me in truth.
Did I get younger mentally when I regressed?
Even so, dealing with a boy who looked about my age felt strangely awkward.
Then he spoke up.
“You don’t have to be so nervous, Lady Tang. Please, speak comfortably.”
“…!”
“And as for snakes—well, I don’t particularly like them, but I don’t dislike them either. I’ve rarely seen one in person.”
So… that means he’s okay with them?
Just then, Manhyeolsa popped out from my sleeve.
“Ah!”
“!”
Cheonghyeon’s eyes widened.
Flustered, I quickly stuffed Manhyeolsa back inside my sleeve.
“Haha… haha…”
“There’s… a snake in your sleeve?”
“She’s my pet. Dangerous, yes, but she doesn’t bite.”
Despite my efforts, Manhyeolsa stubbornly slithered out again,
and after staring fixedly at Cheonghyeon’s face for a long moment,
slithered right back inside.
Why was my snake checking out his face?
It was ridiculous—but I didn’t have the mental space to question it now.
I just prayed Cheonghyeon wasn’t scared.
“I’ve heard,” he said calmly, “that those who practice poison arts sometimes keep venomous snakes close. My father mentioned it once.”
“Ah… I’m glad you’ve heard of that…”
“But to think you’re already raising one at such a young age—impressive.”
His eyes glimmered with curiosity.
Just then, a servant entered with a tea tray.
Sweet confections and steaming cups were placed between us.
Without hesitation, Cheonghyeon picked up a piece of confectionery and popped it into his mouth.
There was not a hint of hesitation in his movements.
I’ve heard some people avoid food from the Tang Clan, I thought.
But not him.
He seems… like a good kid.
As I watched him, I poured myself a cup of the untouched tea and took a sip.
The sweets were perfectly sweet, the tea mild and pleasant.
Probably prepared carefully since it was for children.
We chatted idly as we ate—nothing serious,
but somehow, they were the kind of things I’d never talked about with anyone before.
Feeling a little giddy, I asked,
“I heard the Namgung Clan has a garden as beautiful as the emperor’s— is that true?”
“Have you visited other noble clans too?”
“I heard one clan even has golden pillars…”
He answered each question with calm poise.
“It can’t be compared to His Majesty’s gardens, of course, but yes, we do have fine ones.”
“I’ve been there twice.”
“There are such grand places, yes…”
His answers were steady and composed.
After a while, he suddenly said,
“I’m two years older than you.”
“Two years?”
“Yes.”
Then, as he sipped his now-cool tea, he added,
“But you can call me by name. I don’t mind.”
“…Is that alright?”
“Yes.”
“But you’re still using formal speech.”
“I’m waiting for you to drop the honorifics first.”
“Then…”
After a moment’s hesitation, I carefully said his name.
“…Cheonghyeon!”
The word felt strange on my tongue.
But he didn’t laugh or flinch—he simply nodded.
“Mm.”
That short reply made me smile before I even realized it.
“When you leave this time, when will you come again?”
“I can’t say for sure.”
“Then, Cheonghyeon, you will come again, right?”
“Yes, probably.”
“When?”
“When my father has business in the capital, I can come along.”
Eunyoung, who had been listening nearby, smiled.
“Miss, you and the young master seem to have become close quickly.”
“Mm, it just kind of happened…”
Cheonghyeon had told me that children of martial clans often befriended one another,
and once they became friends, they no longer bothered with formality.
I’d been easily convinced and started speaking comfortably with him—and it wasn’t so bad.
I hope he comes often.
There were no other kids my age in the Tang residence.
Maybe I could find some if I searched hard enough,
but… with my status, that’s not easy.
Direct descendants of the Tang Clan were forbidden from socializing freely.
Meaning—Cheonghyeon was the only person I could really talk to without restraint.
He seemed to understand, nodding quietly.
“I’ll come again if I can.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I’ll ask my father to bring me next time. Or maybe…”
He paused to think.
“In a little while, my grandfather will have his eightieth birthday celebration. That’s actually why we came—to deliver an item from Lord Tang, along with the Martial World Ledger.”
The Namgung patriarch’s eightieth birthday?
It would surely be a grand affair,
drawing powerful martial artists from every corner.
“If you can, ask your lord to let you come too.”
“I…”
Of course I wanted to go.
But would I be allowed?
In other clans, even girls were free to travel, but the Sichuan Tang Clan was different.
Women weren’t allowed to leave the compound easily.
Maybe he didn’t know that.
“I met your lord earlier,” Cheonghyeon said. “He seems to care deeply for you.”
“R-really…?”
“So if you ask, he might say yes. No harm in trying.”
I clenched my sleeve.
Should I really ask?
It made me nervous—asking Grandfather for anything wasn’t easy.
But still…
I do want to go.
I knew it wasn’t wise to move around carelessly right now.
Still…
After a moment’s thought, I said softly,
“I’ll try asking.”
Just then, someone approached from afar.
“Bia?”
I couldn’t immediately tell who it was.
Brother Rip? Or Brother Ho?
The two looked so similar—sometimes even wore their hair the same—
that it was hard for me to tell them apart.
People who’d known them since childhood could, but I hadn’t,
so I still got confused.
“Are you feeling alright? Why are you out already?”
He came closer and patted my head.
Then I realized—it was Brother Tang Ho.
“Brother! Aunt told me to play with Cheonghyeon for a bit.”
“Mother did? But your… wound still…”
He lowered his voice when he said “wound.”
I shook my head quickly.
“I’m fine now. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“Already?”
“Yes, want me to show you later?”
“No need. I trust you.”
He laughed and ruffled my hair again, then looked at Cheonghyeon.
“I’ve heard about you, Young Master Cheonghyeon.”
“An honor to meet you, senior. I am Namgung Cheonghyeon of the Namgung Clan.”
“There’s no need for such formality among clans. You were keeping Bia company?”
“I got lost, and we happened to meet.”
Brother Tang Ho looked him up and down, then smiled brightly.
“I’ve heard you’re quite skilled. It would be good if you two became friends—you’re of the same age, after all.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Then I’ll leave Bia in your care.”
He smiled meaningfully.
…Why is he smiling like that?
I was curious, but couldn’t ask in front of Cheonghyeon.
“Cheonghyeon!”
When Namgung Taegang called, Cheonghyeon—who had been chatting with Tang Bia—looked up.
Standing beside Taegang, Tang Cheongi blinked in surprise when he saw Bia.
“Why is that girl up already?”
“My lord, is something the matter?”
“No, no.”
He watched with wide eyes as Cheonghyeon and Bia walked briskly toward them.
Cheonghyeon stopped before Taegang, and Bia before Cheongi.
“Grandfather!”
Bia’s bright smile melted the old man instantly; his expression softened.
“Why are you up so soon? I thought you were to rest seven days and nights.”
“I wasn’t in pain anymore, so I came out. The wounds are almost healed.”
Her words didn’t sound like a lie.
Chuckling fondly, Tang Cheongi patted his granddaughter’s head and said to Taegang,
“This is my youngest granddaughter I told you about—clever and gifted, so I teach her myself. Bia, this is the Namgung Clan’s young lord.”
“So you’re Bia. I’ve heard much about you from the clan lord.”
Namgung Taegang smiled warmly as he bent slightly to meet her gaze.
Bia, a little shy, hesitated before stepping forward with a small smile.
“I am Tang Bia of the Sichuan Tang Clan. It’s an honor to meet the Young Lord of Namgung.”
At that, Namgung Taegang’s face broke into a pleased smile.
