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Chapter 13
Watching So Yeongyeong slowly back away with a horrified expression, Geum Seolha scratched her head.
Did I say that in a way that could be misunderstood?
“The people I’m going to meet from now on are servants and maids. There are a few martial artists mixed in, but it would be troublesome if I stood out.”
Pointing at her bright yellow clothes, she finally saw So Yeongyeong’s eyes light up.
“You’re going to dress as a maid?”
“That way I won’t attract attention.”
“Of course, there are hardly any people who know your face, Miss, so you can avoid notice. But you could still get caught up in unnecessary trouble.”
Geum Seolha looked at So Yeongyeong with approval as the girl cautiously voiced her opinion.
“I know. Even so, this is better.”
It was preferable to endure a little inconvenience than to leak information before she had even begun putting her plans into motion.
“Th-then please wait just a moment!”
“Hm?”
“I’ll go bring another set of clothes from the Medical Hall! People tend to be quite lenient toward the maids who work there.”
“Won’t they stand out?”
At Geum Seolha’s question, So Yeongyeong shook her head.
“The Medical Hall maids have to memorize medicinal herbs and prepare decoctions, so they rarely leave the Medical Hall, Miss.”
Meaning very few people would know what they looked like.
Geum Seolha’s eyes gleamed.
So I won’t get caught.
She slowly brushed her fingertips across the table.
“If it’s unusual for a Medical Hall maid to wander around, is there a convincing excuse for it?”
“We can just say we’re delivering medicine.”
The rule was that people came to the Medical Hall to receive their medicine, but servants and maids alike were always busy.
According to So Yeongyeong, exceptions like this were occasionally made as a convenience.
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
“Yes, please wait a moment!”
After bowing neatly, So Yeongyeong left the room.
Only then did Geum Seolha look around her chamber.
Without Ha Doun or Yu Eunseol, only a chill lingered in the room.
“Was this room always this big?”
It used to feel cozy and lively, but now it seemed strangely empty.
With a bitter smile, Geum Seolha steadied her breathing and strengthened her resolve.
“I’ll make sure they can never do something like that again.”
If necessary, she would use any means available.
After all, they would do the same.
“Miss, I’m back!”
So Yeongyeong entered carrying a neatly folded set of Medical Hall maid clothing.
With her help, Geum Seolha changed outfits.
“The clothes are simpler than I expected.”
“Well, whether it’s medicinal brews or blood, all sorts of things end up getting on them.”
Since they often had to change clothes, the outfits were intentionally simple.
Placing her hands on her hips, So Yeongyeong asked,
“So, Miss, who are you planning to meet first?”
She had already heard all the necessary explanations from Ha Doun.
“The maids of Moran Pavilion first.”
Geum Seolha answered immediately.
Moran Pavilion was the residence of Moyong Huisa, her second aunt, the woman who treated Hong Yeongryeong like her own hands and feet.
“Then we’ll need to move even more carefully. The lady of Moran Pavilion is very demanding.”
As So Yeongyeong guided her along, carefully explaining things, Geum Seolha’s eyes sparkled.
“The lady of Moran Pavilion? You mean my second aunt is really that difficult?”
“She’s strict too. That’s why all the maids and servants are careful around her.”
So Yeongyeong lowered her voice as though afraid someone might overhear.
Geum Seolha silently marveled.
“Doun really is talented.”
How had he managed to become acquainted with those difficult people of Moran Pavilion and build mutual trust with them?
It was fascinating.
“Didn’t Warrior Ha tell you?”
So Yeongyeong tilted her head.
“He only said they were trustworthy people. Nothing more.”
“That sounds like Warrior Ha.”
She let out a small laugh.
“It’s probably not much different from how I became close with him.”
“How did you become close?”
“There’s bullying wherever you go.”
“Ah.”
“Of course, I know it’s unreasonable to expect those of us who weren’t born and raised here to receive the same treatment as people who’ve served Geumrin Merchant Group and the Geum family for generations.”
Shrugging, she spoke as though she had never expected that much to begin with.
“But among them, there are some really nasty people.”
“…”
“They dump all their work on you, deliberately give you wrong instructions or errands, and sometimes… they even resort to violence.”
Geum Seolha’s brow furrowed.
“Has someone ever used violence against you?”
She hadn’t missed the slight tremor in So Yeongyeong’s voice when she mentioned it.
“You don’t have to make such a scary face. Warrior Ha already taught them a harsh lesson.”
Winking, So Yeongyeong smiled brightly.
“Doun gave them a harsh lesson?”
Hearing about an unfamiliar side of Ha Doun, Geum Seolha listened attentively.
Perhaps excited by her interest, So Yeongyeong eagerly continued.
“Of course! It was the first time I’d ever seen someone be so frightening without even raising his voice.”
“What exactly did he do?”
“He said he’d report it to the Head Steward and Madam Baek. He also said their wages would be cut.”
Geum Seolha was just beginning to relax at what sounded like a fairly conventional response when—
“It was also the first time I ever saw a stone get ground into powder like that.”
“A stone… turned into powder?”
“People with habits that bad don’t usually change through words alone. Since he couldn’t hit them, he said this would serve instead and crushed a stone into powder. It looked like there wouldn’t even be bones left afterward.”
Geum Seolha formed a small “O” with her lips.
So he had dealt with troublesome people long ago.
And in quite a spectacular fashion, too.
“The maids from Moran Pavilion we’re about to meet probably have stories similar to mine.”
“I had no idea.”
“He’s the type who never shows that side of himself.”
That was what made him so admirable, So Yeongyeong said, clasping both hands together and shining with admiration.
“So don’t worry, Miss. Whatever happens, I’ll help you with everything I’ve got.”
Watching So Yeongyeong confidently tell her to trust her, Geum Seolha chuckled.
“Very well. I’ll trust you.”
Thanks to So Yeongyeong choosing secluded paths and little-used side roads, they had barely encountered anyone on the way.
After passing through another small gate used exclusively by servants, an elegant and luxurious pavilion came into view.
“From here on, Miss, you’re a new maid who just joined the Medical Hall.”
“Then that makes you my senior.”
“You could say that.”
Laughing merrily, So Yeongyeong walked ahead.
Soon they arrived before a martial artist guarding the entrance.
“Hello, Warrior.”
“A maid from the Medical Hall?”
Recognizing the dark-colored clothing designed to conceal stains and the embroidered character for medicine on the sleeve, the guard asked,
“What brings you here?”
So Yeongyeong smiled brightly.
After all, everyone eventually found themselves indebted to the Medical Hall at some point in life.
Because of that, they were rarely treated poorly anywhere.
“I came to deliver medicine. One of the older sisters still hasn’t come to pick it up.”
Rummaging through her wide sleeve, she produced a small ointment container.
“And the maid beside you?”
“She just joined recently. I’m teaching her the ropes, so I’ve been keeping her with me.”
Answering cheerfully and politely, So Yeongyeong pulled out another small container and casually handed it to the guard.
“Hm?”
“You warriors get scraped up and injured all the time too, don’t you?”
Her warm and friendly manner made the guard smile.
“Very well, go ahead. …The Madam has been in a poor mood lately, so try not to attract attention.”
At the quietly added warning, So Yeongyeong expressed her thanks and bowed.
Geum Seolha bowed as well.
The moment they passed through safely, So Yeongyeong began moving quickly as if she knew the area well.
“Have you been here before?”
“Of course. I have a very wide circle of acquaintances.”
Heading straight to the maids’ quarters tucked away in a corner of Moran Pavilion, So Yeongyeong exchanged a few words before returning with another maid.
“This is her.”
“My name is Dan Suryeon, Miss.”
After checking their surroundings, Dan Suryeon naturally led Geum Seolha to a spot concealed by trees.
“I heard about Warrior Ha’s request from Yeongyeong. What would you like to know, Miss?”
“I want to know Hong Madam’s reputation, both publicly and privately.”
“You’re not asking about what everyone already knows, are you?”
“Anything is fine. But something not widely known would be even better.”
Taking a breath, Dan Suryeon quickly organized her thoughts and began speaking.
“Publicly, she’s praised for her competence. But toward those beneath her, she has no mercy. Her methods are harsh, and she’s the type who makes examples of people.”
Geum Seolha frowned.
So Yu Eunseol hadn’t been the only target of her cruelty.
“Have there been people injured badly enough to suffer permanent disabilities?”
“I don’t know. But in most cases, people like that are expelled from the Geum family estate.”
Geum Seolha’s eyes flashed.
The list of people she needed to find had just grown longer.
“Does she only treat those who truly deserve punishment that way?”
“…She acts that way toward people who back the wrong side as well.”
“The punishments are severe. Yet if she’s praised for her competence, I assume she’s also generous with rewards.”
“Exactly.”
Looking at Geum Seolha with surprise, Dan Suryeon continued her explanation.
At that moment, Geum Seolha’s eyes flashed like a predator that had just spotted its prey.
