After all kinds of twists and turns, the first day of the Five Great Clans gathering finally dawned.
Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I gathered my hair up and twisted it into a bun that looked exactly like a at dumpling.
It wasn’t a hairstyle I liked, but I didn’t have a choice. If I wanted to stand out less, I had to look as similar to the other maids as possible.
Why do they all wear their hair like dumpling buns, anyway? Is this a trend?
As I grumbled and adjusted my green hair ribbon, Songji hurried along.
“Hey, are you done getting ready? We need to go.”
“Uuugh, okay...”
Groaning like a cow being dragged to the slaughterhouse, I forced myself to get ready to head out.
Up to now I’d used Tang Jung’s na as an excuse to slip away, but even I couldn’t get out of working on a day this short-handed.
When things were so busy they needed even tiny little hands, if I disappeared, I’d only earn resentnt.
If I wanted to blend in quietly among the others, I had to at least show my face for a bit.
When I stepped outside our quarters, I saw servants rushing around under the dim, early-dawn sky.
From the kitchens where the cooks worked, white steam was already rising. Looked like they’d already started on breakfast.
“Hey, over here.”
Songji grabbed as I started to zone out. I followed her absentmindedly, then suddenly realized sothing was off.
I’d assud we were going to the storeroom to move banquet supplies, but before I knew it, we were standing in front of the inner estate.
“Older sister, where are we going?”
“The banquet hall. Madam Jin called you in particular.”
...What?
I stopped dead in my tracks, completely thrown.
“Huh? Why?”
“They’re short on maids to serve the guests. You’re pretty, so I guess she wants to put you in that spot.”
What are you talking about. Just let carry boxes. I’m not supposed to be seen.
My face went pale, and Songji burst into giggles and tugged on my hem.
“You really are sothing. Why are you getting so tense? Madam Jin is thinking of you. Look on the bright side. If you’re lucky, you might marry a handso young lord, you know?”
Her carefree optimism made a headache slam into .
I don’t need so handso young lord. And if I leave the Tang estate, my tendons and ridians are on the chopping block.
Damn it. What do I do?
I wanted to turn and run, but if I did that, it would only make things hard for Songji.
But the thought of walking into the banquet hall made my mind imdiately conjure up the face of that bastard father of mine, looking at like I was sothing he’d scraped off his shoe.
I could ignore Tang Muheok’s gaze, sure. But if my status got exposed in front of the guests from the Five Great Clans, I’d be strapping myself into a roller coaster straight down to hell.
Will anyone recognize ? Sa dumpling bun as everyone else, sa maid outfit; maybe they won’t notice? Should I still run now?
When I didn’t move a muscle, Songji urged again.
“I’m telling you, it’ll be fine. Co on, stop standing there and let’s go. Madam Jin will be waiting.”
“Um, Older sister. Wouldn’t it be better if you went instead? I’ve only ever done cleaning and laundry. I’ve never done handmaid work before—what if I make a mistake?”
Songji shrugged, like I was worrying about nothing.
“It’s no big deal. ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) Just stand next to the guests and keep their teacups from going empty. You serve the Grand Elder just fine, so why are you whining? Let’s go.”
Then she grabbed my arm and pulled.
I was dragged toward the place of execution, clinging to her hand.
This is insane.
*****
By the ti we arrived, the banquet hall was fully prepared. The seats, set out according to the number of people, had been wiped since before dawn and glead from all the polishing.
On the tables sat flower arrangents made of silk, and beside them, silver tableware had been laid out.
They said the owners of the silver tableware were being treated as the honored guests of the Tang Clan.
In plain language: we’re telling you we didn’t poison the food, so eat in peace.
The fact that they had gone out of their way to bring out silver tableware said everything about the Tang Clan’s reputation outside.
There were also all kinds of curious decorations, like lanterns carved into dragon shapes with knives. As I looked around the banquet hall, soone spoke to .
“Madam Jin is over there.”
“Oh, thank you.”
I must have looked like I was searching for Madam Jin. When I turned my head, I saw her giving instructions to Simyang.
With her hair neatly piled up, Madam Jin moved through the banquet hall, checking carefully to see if anything had been overlooked in the preparations.
When she saw , she pointed to a spot by the left window.
“Sohae, you will attend the guests of the Moyong Clan. Serve from this side.”
“Yes.”
I bowed formally, and when I raised my head, Madam Jin had already walked off to give her next set of instructions. In the spot she’d just occupied, Simyang stood there glaring at .
What. Why is she glaring like that?
I stared right back, refusing to look away. Simyang bit her lip and sharply turned her head.
I wondered what her problem was, but I didn’t have ti to worry about her mood. I needed to find a position where I could avoid my father’s eyes.
Glancing sideways at the seat where Tang Muheok would sit, I tried to calculate an angle where I’d be hidden.
If I stand about here, I’ll stand out less. I should probably stay behind a pillar.
About half a double-hour later, people began to file into the banquet hall one by one.
Arriving early, Tang Un passed by and gave a smiling glance.
The way he didn’t openly acknowledge told he knew it was better for if we kept our connection quiet.
Once Tang Un sat down, a beauty in a red palace robe latched on to his side.
“Older brother Un. How did you manage to co all the way here? Are you feeling any better?”
“Thanks to you worrying about , Juhui, I’ve gotten better.”
“Oh, you’re too much. Hehe.”
So that’s Juhui.
I snuck glances at my half-sister, whom I was seeing for the first ti.
Tang Juhui didn’t look anything like Tang Un or . Of course, all three of us had different mothers, so that was only natural.
Her eyes slanted sharply like Tang Muheok’s, but she didn’t give off his cold impression. How should I put it—more like a spoiled young lady with a bad temper.
Sitting beside Tang Un, Tang Juhui chattered nonstop. She clearly adored her half older brother.
I watched the picture of affectionate siblings for a mont, then pulled my gaze away.
This wasn’t the ti to be distracted. The guests were pouring in.
As I rubbed the sweat pooling in my palms against my skirt, soone tugged at my hem.
“Older sister. Is it okay if I sit here?”
When I lowered my head at the young, girlish voice, I saw a little girl with golden hair and blue eyes.
I quickly pulled the chair back so she could sit.
“Yes, young lady. Please sit here.”
“Thank you, Older sister.”
Nodding briskly, the girl walked up and climbed into the chair on her own. Her short legs dangled in the air, not quite reaching the floor.
Her plucky attitude made smile without thinking. And I wasn’t the only one pleased with her.
“Yeye. Why won’t you accept your father’s help?”
A middle-aged man stood in front of her, looking at her with eyes dripping honey. I had to bite back a laugh.
Late baby? Or an only child?
Unlike the girl’s shining golden hair, the middle-aged man’s hair was black. But their jewel-like eyes were the sa color, proving they were father and daughter.
I’d heard that the Moyong line often produced children with golden hair and blue eyes because they had mixed blood from foreign rchants; I guessed she was one of those.
At his words, the girl pouted her lips and answered primly.
“Older sister, could you tell my father my na isn’t Yeye? It’s Moyong Soye.”
Huh? ?
While my eyes rolled in confusion, Moyong Soye’s blue eyes sparkled as she urged again.
“Hurry. Tell him it’s Moyong Soye, not Yeye.”
“Um... Young lady Moyong Soye says so, sir.”
“Yeye, do you hate it that much when your father calls you by your childhood na?”
“Yes. I don’t like it. This isn’t ho. What are people going to think of you? They’ll call you a doting fool.”
Little lady, do you actually know what a doting fool is? You’re sharp.
At his daughter’s firm declaration, the man’s eyebrows drooped.
I had to pinch my thigh to keep from laughing out loud.
From what I heard, the middle-aged man was Moyong Gi, the Young Clan Head of the Moyong Clan. They said he’d had this only daughter late in life and treasured her like a jewel.
Which explained why every word and gesture from Moyong Gi radiated affection toward his daughter.
Parents are supposed to be like that. Unlike a certain soone.
Cursing my biological father in my head, I shifted my gaze to the entrance.
Right then, coming in with the people of the Namgung Clan, Namgung Hwi spotted and waved enthusiastically. He started toward , smiling brightly.
Hey. Don’t act like you know . No.
When I hastily shook my head, Namgung Hwi flinched and stopped in his tracks. He backed away and took the seat prepared for the Namgung Clan.
At least he was quick on the uptake.
Folding my hands politely, I took in the banquet hall. There were hardly any empty seats left now.
Aside from two empty seats for the Hebei Peng Clan and one empty seat for the Tang Clan, all the guests were seated.
I was wondering whom the empty seats belonged to when I realized I hadn’t seen Tang Jung yet.
Is Grandfather not coming?
I glanced toward the entrance—and locked eyes with Tang Jung as he finally arrived.
When he saw , his brows drew together.
I didn’t need to hear him to know what he was thinking. His look plainly said: What are you doing all the way over here?
It wasn’t my idea, Grandfather.
No sooner had I rushed to make excuses in my head than Tang Jung’s gruff voice pierced my ear.
[Why in the world did you co here? You really are hopeless at listening to your old grandfather.]
I shivered, my body trembling in small jerks. It felt like soone had shoved their thoughts straight into my skull.
As I stared wide-eyed in shock, Tang Jung spoke again.
[It’s called sound transmission. Don’t answer—just stay as you are. Sohae, you stay right where you are until the banquet is over. Otherwise that bastard Muheok will spot you.]
Wow. So this is what sound transmission is like.
Rubbing my ear, I gave a tiny nod. It was amazing that you could have a conversation without making a sound.
[I told you not to answer.]
Yes, yes. I get it, so you stop talking to too, Grandfather.
The very next mont, with a loud bang, Moyong Soye slapped the table and shot to her feet.
Standing up on her chair, the little girl declared:
“Father. I want to get married.”
Her sudden announcent made Moyong Gi tilt his head.
“Hm? What are you talking about all of a sudden, Yeye?”
“I want to marry that Tang older brother.”
Silence dropped over the hall.
Everyone turned, dumbfounded, to look in the direction Moyong Soye was pointing.
At the end of her finger stood Tang Jung, hands clasped behind his back.
Feeling all the attention gather on him, Tang Jung raised one eyebrow.
...Huh?
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