Chapter 278
Side Story, Chapter 6. Tang Ye-hwa's Test
Min Doyu arrived carrying a stack of boxes and set them down on the table. Just as he was about to go back out to move the remaining items, Haerak spoke.
"It seems more people have been coming by just because I stepped out for a bit."
He appeared bothered by having run into Zhuge In-hwi and Namgung Jin at the door.
"Well, those people probably came to see Young Lady Tang, not because the Young Head was away."
Min Doyu thought that not only would they have had no idea Haerak was absent, they likely hadn't even given his existence a second thought.
"That's not something you can say so definitively."
Still, Haerak seemed genuinely irritated that others had come looking for her while he was gone.
Min Doyu was used to Haerak's mood swings, but this time, he felt uneasy.
'Why does something like this have to happen right when I lured him to the Solar Palace?'
Worried the trouble might somehow splash back onto him, Min Doyu turned the matter over in his head.
Just then, a presence was felt outside.
Haerak's eyes also shifted toward the doorway. As the two raised their senses, confusion spread across their faces. It was because they heard the bright voices of young girls.
"Ye-hwa, I don't think this is a good idea......."
"What do you mean it's not? This is exactly right."
A timid voice mixed with an annoyed one.
Haerak and Min Doyu looked at each other. The Tang Clan Head's twins were heading this way.
Without speaking, the two listened closely as the conversation drew nearer.
"If this goes wrong, I think Elder Sister might get caught up in strange rumors. The Young Head was in marriage talks with Young Lady Zhuge, right? What if people start saying Sister stole someone else's fiancé?"
"Didn't you hear what Young Lady Zhuge said to Brother Hak earlier? You heard her threaten him to send a betrothal letter. It looked like the Young Head was dumped by Young Lady Zhuge first, so what does it matter?"
“Huh? Young Lady Zhuge said such a thing to Brother Hak? Wait, did you eavesdrop again?”
“...Why did you even follow us to the pavilion if you weren't going to eavesdrop?”
"Mother and Father told me to go, so I went. And what does going to the pavilion have to do with it? Brother Hak told me not to eavesdrop this time."
"Tsk tsk, you're the only one there who didn't eavesdrop on Brother Hak and Young Lady Zhuge's conversation."
"Then does that mean Father and Mother heard everything too?"
"Of course. Do you think Father and Mother, who've been so busy lately they can't even sleep, suddenly had free time to take a stroll to Red Radiance Hall? They pretended to play with us while actually listening nearby."
Tang Ye-hwa muttered in a voice full of betrayal.
"...... Don't tell me that's why I was the only one who got on the boat?"
"Yeah. They didn't say a word while watching you board. They were really straining their ears."
Tang Yu-hwa seemed too shocked to speak for a moment.
But Tang Ye-hwa didn't care about her twin's reaction.
"Anyway, it looks like Brother Hak's marriage talks will be decided soon, so we need to manage the Young Head's side quickly, too. It wouldn't do for it to look like Elder Sister So-hwa is picking up someone who was discarded, right? If that's the case, it's better for rumors to spread that she stole someone else's fiancé. For both marriage talks to progress at a similar pace, we need to speed things up. But before that."
Tang Ye-hwa said in a resolute tone,
"I'll see for myself whether the Young Head is a man worth backing."
"...... What are you going to look at?"
"Elder Sister lacks the eye for wealth, so I'll have to evaluate him for her. I'll first check how generous he can be toward his wife. A man who hoards mountains of gold but begrudges a single ring for his woman is no good. Discard him."
"So that's why you gave the Myungcheon Merchant Group Young Head an empty box? You meant for him to fill it on his own?"
"Yeah. From what I can tell, he looks weak-willed, spineless, and like the type who hides behind his father and does whatever he's told......."
"Well, the Young Head is still a child, so it's normal for him to listen well."
"Even among children, the shoots are all different. If he can't read people's hearts, then at least he should know how to fill what's given. I'll decide after seeing what kind of answer he brings back."
"You're really......."
"Really what?"
"Calculating."
When Tang Yu-hwa reproached her, Tang Ye-hwa burst into laughter.
"Hey, do you think people covet us as marriage prospects because you and I are some great beauties or saints? It's because we're direct descendants of the Tang Clan of Sichuan. They rush in because there's something to gain. Do you really think they want to live together just because they like the person? It's a transaction where we hand over the Tang Clan's wealth and martial power, so we need to carefully check what we can get in return. That way, if something happens to the Tang Clan later, we won't be a burden to the family members and can be of help.”
"B-but still, love is supposed to be given without conditions, and they say there has to be love in a marriage between a man and a woman......."
"Tang Yu-hwa."
Tang Ye-hwa said with a heavy sigh.
"When you get married later, you must bring that man to me first. This, this really worries me......."
"I can handle it myself."
"Don't talk nonsense and bring him to me first. Got it?"
Listening to their exchange, Haerak let out a hollow chuckle.
They were at the age to start discussing marriage, but it was hardly a girlish conversation.
It was like a talk between a mud-stained black dog and a spotless white heron.
Of course, to Haerak—whose eyes were well accustomed to filth—Tang Ye-hwa's way of thinking was far more appealing.
'No wonder the Myungcheon Merchant Group Head has his eye on her.'
If that sharp child, backed by a massive martial clan, were to join the Myungcheon Merchant Group, it would be hard to imagine just how much the two houses could grow.
Haerak straightened his robes once and stepped outside.
Min Doyu sensed that Haerak's earlier irritation had shifted.
Relieved, yet uneasy because he couldn't understand why Haerak's mood had suddenly changed again, he followed.
Creak.
Just as the two came out, the twins arrived at the gate of the residence.
Though Tang Ye-hwa was clever, she was still a child. As she flicked her eyes around, counting the boxes, it was all plainly visible to Haerak.
Tang Yu-hwa, moreover, was stiff with intimidation at being in an unfamiliar place.
Descending the steps, Haerak asked in a warm voice,
"What brings the two of you all the way here?"
"We heard that the Young Head has returned and came to pay our respects."
Tang Ye-hwa replied briskly, then raised a finger. Pointing at the boxes stacked on either side, she asked,
"What are all these?"
The Young Head smiled with his refined face and gave an answer Tang Ye-hwa would very much like.
"I was about to depart on a business trip when I acquired some fine items and returned at once. There are things the Medical Hall requested earlier, but most of these are gifts I personally selected for Young Lady Tang."
"Gifts chosen by the Young Head himself? That sounds exciting."
"Would you like to take a look?"
"Yes!"
Tang Ye-hwa answered loudly as if she had been waiting for it, and Min Doyu opened the boxes. The Anguk Merchant Group workers who had come along hurried to open the others as well.
"Hm......."
Tang Ye-hwa looked disappointed. She glanced at the contents of the boxes and frowned.
"They're medicinal ingredients and books from outside that Young Lady Tang was looking for. I heard she was refused when she asked the Medical Hall Lord, so I procured them.."
Tang Yu-hwa nudged her arm, but Tang Ye-hwa's displeased expression did not ease.
The smile etched on Haerak's lips deepened.
"The items that only I could obtain couldn't be left outside, so I stored them inside. Would you like to go and see?"
"Yes, well."
Tang Ye-hwa replied in a voice that had clearly lost much of its anticipation.
When the Young Head went inside, the twins followed after him.
The moment they stepped into the Young Head's chamber, the twins flinched. In that short span of time, Min Doyu had already gone ahead and opened all the boxes.
Jewels glittered and shimmered in the sunlight streaming through the open window.
A gleam lit Tang Ye-hwa's clear eyes. Tang Yu-hwa's eyes sparkled as well. As precious daughters of the Tang Clan, who had lived surrounded by fine goods, they recognized the value of the ornaments at a glance.
Tang Ye-hwa approached a bracelet strung with red beads and asked,
"Isn't this coral?"
"That's right."
As Haerak naturally took a step to the side, the twins moved closer to the table as if it were only natural.
Unconsciously reaching out toward the jewelry, Ye-hwa flinched at the feel of it. It was smooth, like touching water.
"My goodness......."
"I wanted to see that kind of reaction."
A trace of bitterness crept into Haerak's voice.
"In truth, these were items I once gifted to Young Lady Tang So-hwa. However, they were all refused."
Tang Ye-hwa blinked her wide eyes, unable to believe what she had just heard.
"Elder Sister refused all of this? No, why?"
Haerak sighed, wearing an equally puzzled expression.
"She said they were too expensive and didn't want to accept them. Even when I said they were simply gifts, she refused."
Tang Ye-hwa clicked her tongue.
"No, is Elder Sister out of her mind......? Wow, Yu-hwa, I shouldn't have been saying you’re a half-wit.”
"......."
Tang Yu-hwa's feelings grew complicated.
Being teased by Tang Ye-hwa didn't feel good, but at the same time, she understood why Tang Ye-hwa called her a half-wit.
Tang Yu-hwa hesitated, then muttered to herself,
"...... Why would Elder Sister do that?"
“Ah, exactly my point!”
The Young Head exclaimed as if lamenting.
"She probably won't be particularly pleased this time either, but if you young ladies pester me to give them to you, wouldn't Young Lady Tang So-hwa give in and accept them?"
Tang Ye-hwa nodded, looking as though she felt a sense of responsibility.
Since the three half-wits couldn't secure their own share, she resolved that she at least must keep her wits about her.
"Don't worry. This time, I'll do my best to make sure Elder Sister accepts everything."
"I'll be counting on you."
Tang Ye-hwa was about to reply when she narrowed her eyes.
She had spotted a box hidden behind Haerak's back.
As if bewitched, she walked toward it.
Seeing Tang Ye-hwa's gaze stolen away, Haerak wore an intrigued expression.
It was the protective ring that had once captured Tang So-hwa's attention.
Upon the red cloth, a turquoise butterfly rested in quiet stillness.
Every line that shaped the folds of the butterfly's wings was gold, with thin jade set beneath them. Though one knew it was metal and stone, it was so delicate that one worried it might tear at a mere touch.
Tang Ye-hwa couldn't bring herself to place her hand upon the jewel.
At that moment, a long finger rose to the butterfly's back.
Snap.
Tang Yu-hwa gasped in shock at the sharp spike that sprang up from the butterfly's waist.
The Young Head swallowed a laugh and explained,
"It's the only ring that ever drew Young Lady Tang So-hwa's interest. It's suitable as an ornament, but as you can see, it's meant for personal protection."
Tang Ye-hwa murmured as though entranced,
"...... It suits Elder Sister So-hwa perfectly."
"Yes, I think so as well."
Tang Ye-hwa suddenly lifted her head and stared at the Young Head with a solemn expression.
"I'll take responsibility and make sure Elder Sister accepts everything, brother-in-law—no, Young Head."
She corrected herself hastily after speaking along the flow of her thoughts.
Watching from the doorway, Min Doyu's eyes dimmed.
That was because Haerak had begun to radiate a gentle air, as though he had never been angry to begin with.
The smile he wore now was genuine. The expression that appeared only when he was truly in a good mood. It was as if he had even forgotten Min Doyu was standing there.
‘……Is this a relief?’
He felt relieved at the thought that his existence had been completely erased from Haerak's mind, yet he couldn't relax. The man was far too fickle.
For now, Min Doyu decided to keep this atmosphere going a little longer.
With a glance, he signaled to a member of the Platinum Pavilion waiting in the courtyard. It meant to carry the items along with the twins to Tang So-hwa's residence.