The Jade Qilin's Ordeal
The Dragon Phoenix Assembly was hardly a novel affair. It had been the same in Luoyang, and the same on the road to Mount Hua. Whenever Paeng Daesan was near, women shooting daggers with their eyes was simply part of daily life. Cheong would usually chuckle and busy herself studying their faces, so she had never paid it much mind. Yet today, an odd irritation stirred in her chest.
Why are they making such a fuss when I just want to play with my friend? she thought. These insignificant girls, poking at my nerves.
The old saying went that if someone hated you without reason, you should give them a proper reason. Cheong strode over without hesitation and plopped down right beside Paeng Daesan.
“Aigoo, why are there so many women here? Don’t they have anything better to do? San, I’m thirsty. Bring me some sweet fruit tea with plenty of ice floating in it.”
“Are you all right?”
“Hurry up. I said I’m thirsty.”
“Our Cheong is thirsty. Why are you just standing there with your rear glued to the seat? Go fetch it already.”
Dang Nan-a’s sharp voice cut in. Paeng Daesan’s brow furrowed. They said a meddling sister-in-law was worse than the wife herself, and right now the woman clinging to Cheong’s side and egging her on felt far more irritating than Cheong’s own demands. No—hadn’t this very woman once trailed after him, babbling about being the legitimate wife? Why had she suddenly turned into some foreign spy, sticking to Cheong’s side and stirring trouble?
“You two are treating me like a servant now.”
“Why not? Between us, can’t you even bring one cup of tea to a thirsty friend? With so many spectators watching, it’s embarrassing to be ordered around like this.”
Soft gasps rippled through the crowd once more. Paeng Daesan’s expression went blank for a heartbeat, then a faint smile crept across his lips. If the goal was to provoke the onlookers, he saw no reason not to play along. He had done it once before, and it had been rather entertaining.
“Very well. Between us, indeed.”
When Paeng Daesan returned with the iced fruit tea, Cheong glanced at it and spoke again.
“There’s barely any ice. Don’t you know it’ll all melt and make the drink watery and lukewarm? Do I have to explain something this simple? Hah, all looks and no brains. What are you waiting for? Go get another.”
Sharp intakes of breath echoed around them. Paeng Daesan caught on to her intent at once. He let his eyebrows droop and answered with a sorrowful expression.
“My apologies. I’ll bring it right away.”
Whether they liked it or not, the two of them worked well together. Paeng Daesan also harbored plenty of grievances toward the spectators. The thought of tormenting those women made his mind work twice as fast.
“What is this? You poured fruit tea over ice? This is just a lump of ice, not tea. I asked for plenty of ice, and now you’re protesting? What, you’re upset because I told you to bring another? Don’t you know cold drinks are bad for women? How absurd. Just the right amount—not too much, not too little. You can’t even manage that? Hah, you really are hopeless.”
“A misunderstanding. I merely thought you wanted it cold—”
“Enough! Bring it again.”
Paeng Daesan hurried off once more with the cup. When he returned, Cheong clicked her tongue.
“Too hot. I’ll burn the roof of my mouth. Is there nothing you can do right? Fine. I’m leaving.”
“W-wait, truly, I’m sorry. I was careless. What would you have me do?”
“Then blow on it. Cool it down.”
Cheong lifted the cup and held it right in front of Paeng Daesan’s lips. He obediently blew on the tea, looking for all the world like a man thoroughly henpecked despite the constant scolding. The watching women felt their hearts shatter. Many sniffled, their pure affections trampled underfoot. Several turned away, declaring they could watch no longer, and fled to the upper and lower floors.
“How is the temperature? Suitable?”
“Mm. Not bad. For a mountain, anyway. You should have done this from the start. Use your head, will you? Your head. Anyway, all flash on the outside and nothing inside. Hopeless.”
“My apologies. Will you… stay a little longer?”
“Well. Ah, right. I saw a hair ornament at the market. It was pretty. They said it came from the Western Regions and had two gold pieces attached. Shaped like a flower. Look, wouldn’t it suit me perfectly if I wore it here?”
Cheong pointed at her head, still covered by the veil.
“Two gold pieces for a hair ornament? What kind of—”
“It would suit me, wouldn’t it?”
“Mm.”
“It would suit me, wouldn’t it?”
A chill ran down Paeng Daesan’s spine. Even knowing it was an act, a genuine fear began to creep in.
“……Understood. I shall purchase it for you—”
Cheong shot to her feet.
“I’m going. This is ridiculous.”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“San, don’t you know why I’m acting like this?”
“If it’s the hair ornament, I can—”
“Forget it. You’re always like this. You really don’t understand, do you?”
“That is…… my apologies.”
“Sorry? Sorry for what? Say it.”
“That……”
Sweat beaded on Paeng Daesan’s forehead. Was this still acting?
“Hah. Really. When did I ever ask you to buy it? I just said it was pretty. And you act like it’s impossible? What’s wrong with you? There’s a limit to how heartless a person can be.”
“I—I had no such intention.”
“Then what? If not that, then what? I heard that when Pohee so much as glances at something while walking, it arrives wrapped up a few days later. I’m not even asking for that much. How can someone be this thoughtless? I’m not a beggar. Are you saying you can’t afford two gold pieces?”
“I’m sorry. I was shortsighted.”
“Haa. I can’t live like this. Enough. Let’s drop it. Don’t bother buying the ornament with that much money.”
“U-understood.”
“But that ornament, you know. It had tiny rubies and sapphires embedded all over. What was it called again? A mandala? Even you would say it’s beautiful if you saw it. I don’t usually call things pretty, do I?”
“Mm. I think we should stop here. I’m starting to feel afraid.”
At last, unable to endure any longer, Paeng Daesan raised the white flag. The terror he felt now surpassed even what he had experienced facing Do Gunja’s sword aura.
Cheong clicked her tongue in disappointment.
“What a waste. There was still more to go.”
“You are truly terrifying. So, what was the correct answer? Should I have bought it or not?”
“Fifty-fifty? It could have been a real request, or it could have been just a passing comment. If it was the former and you didn’t buy it, you’re finished. If it was the latter and you did buy it, you might end up crushed under the weight of two gold pieces.”
“Hmm.”
“If I had to pick one correct answer, it would be to just break up. If a woman acts like this, it means she already thinks she’s doing you a favor by meeting you. How could you ever have a proper conversation with someone who thinks that way? Either break up, or if you’re completely smitten and can’t live without her, then… well, you’ll just have to live getting beaten.”
“Mm. I see.”
Paeng Daesan shook his head, looking thoroughly shaken. Cheong snickered and patted his shoulder.
“You don’t have to worry, San. With you, women would never dare act this way. If you lowered your voice and growled ‘I refuse,’ they’d be clinging to your trouser legs, sobbing and begging for forgiveness.”
Then, as she alternated between sipping the cold and hot tea, she suddenly seemed to remember something.
“Ah. You’re surprisingly considerate, so you probably won’t ever get nagged like this. Thanks for looking out for me earlier. I suppose I had a rather thorough moment of reflection yesterday.”
The fact that she had even used his name suggested she had been quite worried about the disgraceful scene she had shown the day before. Paeng Daesan quietly averted his eyes.
“So I’m thinking of skipping the rest of the Dragon Phoenix Assembly and just training at Mucheon Pavilion. Sword Friend said he’d help me with my sword. If you want to spar too, come by anytime. Ah, tell Cho-ryeo to come as well.”
“You mean Nangong?”
“Honestly, Sword Friend’s realm is a bit low, but he’s not easy to beat in a spar. Maybe my fundamentals are lacking. There are plenty of rooms at Mucheon Pavilion, so don’t feel burdened.”
“Hmm.”
“Jegal’s group isn’t coming today, I see. I should invite Hyang-i too. I can send word later. Mm. I think I’ve seen everyone I needed to. Sword Friend, Changbin……”
Just then, a young voice cut her off, and a small figure came running toward her.
“Ah, wait, no—Big Sister Cheong! It really is Big Sister Cheong, right?”
“Oh? Jun-ah! What are you doing here? My, our Jun recognized me right away.”
“Well, your voice is exactly the same.”
Moyong Jun had an uncanny talent for distinguishing voices, thanks to his particular hobby.
“Right, how clever. Have you been behaving and not saying bad things while I was gone?”
“Uh. Well, I did a few times…… They said it was okay if it was for the family. Is that all right?”
“Mm. Family is unavoidable. You didn’t do it otherwise, right? My, you really do listen well. Come here.”
Cheong sat Moyong Jun on her lap. Dang Nan-a’s sharp voice immediately jabbed at her ears.
“Who’s this kid? How dare he sit on the lap I haven’t even sat on yet? Cheong-ah, how could you do this to me? I can sit on laps too—”
“What nonsense. Why are you coveting my lap when there are perfectly good chairs? Jun-ah, this strange and pretty, yet strange big sister is called Dang Nan-a. She’s a bit odd, so be understanding, all right?”
“Hello. I’m Moyong Jun.”
Moyong Jun bowed politely. Dang Nan-a’s eyes remained unkind.
“Moyong Jun? Aren’t you Sword Flower’s little brother?”
“Ah, do you know my sister? Are you perhaps her friend?”
“This kid says the most terrifying things. Hey, there are things you can and can’t say to people. How can you ask if I’m your sister’s friend? Your sister doesn’t have any friends, you know?”
Dang Nan-a declared it flatly. One might have expected her to speak more gently to a nine-year-old, but Dang Nan-a was the type who showed no courtesy regardless of age or gender.
“Huh, really……?”
“Hah. Has your sister ever brought home someone and called them a friend?”
“I don’t think so……”
“See? I told you your sister has no friends.”
“Ah, so Big Sister really has no friends……”
“That’s right. So don’t go around saying—Ow!”
Dang Nan-a received a light flick on the forehead from Cheong.
“This girl, saying things she shouldn’t to a child. Don’t listen to what this strange big sister says, because she’s strange. And this handsome big brother here is Paeng Daesan.”
“Ah, so this is—! It’s an honor to meet you! So you really are the brother-in-law I’ve heard so much about. I—I’ve heard many stories.”
“Ooh, a family reunion. A historic moment. The entire Central Plains wept. A touching true story.”
Cheong burst into laughter. Paeng Daesan’s eyebrows twitched.
“Little one. Brother-in-law?”
“Big Sister said so. Aren’t you the Jade Qilin, Paeng Daesan? Or do you just share the same name?”
“I am that Jade Qilin. It seems your sister was mistaken. There is no such thing.”
“Oh, um. Big Sister Cheong said not to talk carelessly about family matters. Right?”
“My, Jun! How clever of you.”
Cheong ruffled Moyong Jun’s hair. He really was a well-behaved and adorable child.
“I don’t know what your sister told you, but she plans to take in a live-in son-in-law. As the heir of the Paeng Clan, I cannot marry into another family. Your sister was probably just…… joking.”
Unlike Dang Nan-a, who showed no mercy even to a child, Paeng Daesan at least chose his words with some consideration.
“A live-in son-in-law? What’s that?”
“Mm. You know that when people marry, the woman usually goes to live in the man’s house, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Conversely, if the man lives in the woman’s house, he is called a live-in son-in-law. However, as the heir who must carry on the family line, I cannot live in my wife’s household. Do you understand?”
“Ah! I understand. Thank you.”
Moyong Jun bowed his head. Paeng Daesan’s expression was peculiar.
“He’s the complete opposite of his sister.”
“See? He’s quite charming, isn’t he?”
“Quite. For a child, he understands things quickly.”
Paeng Daesan readily admitted it. A child who didn’t throw tantrums and could actually communicate was already among the more endearing of his peers. But why was he alone again? He had always wandered off by himself.
“Jun-ah, how did you come here alone?”
“Ah, I came with Big Sister. She’s with the Phoenix Society people, and I—Ah! That’s right!”
He spoke as if he had only just remembered.
“Big Sister Cheong, do you know who’s been bothering my sister? I’ve been looking for them to teach them a lesson. If it’s all right, could you help me find them?”