Chapter 16
Baek Ri-gang quickened his steps toward his quarters, thinking of his daughter who must already be awake and waiting for his belated return.
As he passed through the main gate and reached the inner one, he encountered his father's old retainer waiting for him. Instead of heading to his own residence, Baek Ri-gang turned toward the Suhyuk Hall.
"Patriarch, the Fourth Young Master has arrived."
"Send him in."
Soon after, Baek Ri-gang appeared with a stern face. But before he could even offer greetings, he spotted the daughter asleep beside Baek Ri-paehyeok and froze in surprise. It was only a slight widening of his eyes, but even that was a rare sight from Baek Ri-gang.
"Ri-yeon?"
As if hearing her name, the girl's small mouth twitched faintly.
"No need to be shocked. She came to see me first."
"Pardon? Ri-yeon did?"
Baek Ri-gang's expression remained rigid, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face. Baek Ri-paehyeok shot Baek Ri-gang a glare.
"What, you think I dragged her here by force?"
"No, it's just... I can't understand why Ri-yeon would come to see Grandfather."
"She turned out better than her father."
"Pardon?"
Baek Ri-paehyeok rummaged in his bosom and pulled something out. It was a familiar handkerchief to Baek Ri-gang.
Baek Ri-gang leaned in for a closer look.
"Isn't that the one Ri-yeon made?"
"Indeed. Her stitches are neat and firm."
Baek Ri-gang stared at his father's face in considerable surprise. It was rare to see his own birth father radiating such evident pleasure.
"I was floored—a martial artist embroidering a rabbit for me? First time I've seen that."
"Pardon? Isn't it a flower and butterfly?"
"What nonsense? Look! It's a rabbit!"
"It... certainly looks like one."
Baek Ri-gang examined the handkerchief with a puzzled expression.
"She snuck it into the academy as thanks for sending her there. I sent all five grandchildren, but she's the only one who thought to show proper gratitude!"
Baek Ri-paehyeok tucked the handkerchief away with a smug air and continued.
"Tch, anyway, I suggested we eat together. My appetite's been poor with age, but watching her eat sparked mine again."
"That's fortunate, then."
"That's all you have to say?"
"Pardon?"
Baek Ri-paehyeok felt exasperated yet relieved at his son's response. If it had been one of his other children, they might have pushed to show off their own kid one more time. He was certain now: the granddaughter making him that handkerchief had nothing to do with Baek Ri-gang. It was purely her own idea.
That fact pleased Baek Ri-paehyeok immensely.
He gazed down at Baek Ri-yeon and sighed. Her flushed cheeks, rising and falling with shallow, even breaths, were too gaunt for a child her age.
"Are you feeding her properly?"
"I'll make more effort."
"And make sure she doesn't touch a needle from now on."
"Pardon?"
"She needs to grip a sword."
"Well..."
"If you're about to spout nonsense like letting her follow her own path, I'll smack you!"
"......"
Whether he'd truly been on the verge of saying it, Baek Ri-gang fell silent with a faintly sullen look. Baek Ri-paehyeok clicked his tongue.
"Enough, you fool. Take her and go."
Despite the sudden scolding, his hands cradled his daughter with utmost care.
"Then this one will withdraw."
Baek Ri-paehyeok nodded curtly, then suddenly asked,
"Her treatment—is it going well?"
"Yes."
"......Since it's the path you chose, I hope you don't regret it."
Time flew by like an arrow.
It felt like only a few days had passed, yet the day to attend the academy had arrived. It was also the first time crossing the main gate since entering the Baek Ri Clan.
She'd never found her routine stifling. But perhaps the rigid schedule had grown a bit dull.
Judging by how excitement kept her awake the night before.
'My condition's been good lately, too.'
She hadn't thought it bad enough to skip classes midway... but since Grandfather had gone out of his way, she'd simply nodded and said yes.
Her father personally escorted her to the academy—and, still worried, even assigned his servant Un-du to accompany her.
The academy was a long-neglected manor on the outskirts, newly renovated. She savored the fresh breeze blowing from the dense forest behind it as she entered the main hall.
Class hadn't started yet, but many children were already there. Most knew each other, chatting animatedly in little groups.
'So this is the atmosphere.'
Having never seen an academy in her past life, she looked around with keen interest. A raised platform held a screen, with a desk and chair in front.
'That's for the teacher... and we sit here, I suppose.'
Low tables bore inkstones, brushes, paper, and cushions.
As she scanned the room, her eyes met the twins'. They glared fiercely with twisted faces, then huffed and turned away.
Soon, a young girl's voice came from near the twins.
"Why are you all here without Ri-ri?"
"She caught a cold."
"What? On today of all days—poor thing. Tell her to get well soon."
"Ah, Ri-ri has a cold? She's really not coming? I was looking forward to seeing her. Bummer!"
The biggest crowd gathered around the Baek Ri Clan twins, a scene that spoke volumes of the clan's prestige.
She took a suitable seat and waited briefly. A servant appeared, clearing his throat repeatedly to draw attention.
"The teacher is coming."
The children hurriedly knelt properly just as the door opened.
After about half a shichen—an hour or so—of introductions, a gak—fifteen minutes—of break time was granted.
She prepared to leave. The teacher had already been informed.
The academy's inner courtyard buzzed with children dashing out as soon as break time started. Most clustered behind the wall, near a massive camphor tree and thick shrubbery.
"Yes! Good... Ah! Missed it! What are you doing?!"
At the center were the twins.
Baek Ri-pyo swung a long stick through the air, as if demonstrating sword forms. Her gaze drifted past indifferently, then snapped back.
It wasn't swordplay. Baek Ri-pyo was swatting at a bird in the empty air.
Soon, So U-ak climbed the wall by stepping on another child's back. After struggling up the camphor tree for a while, he gave up, jumped down, and kicked the trunk in frustration.
'What on earth?'
Looking closer, she spotted a nest high in the branches. That explained why the bird kept fleeing from Baek Ri-pyo's stick only to return.
She turned away and headed out. Un-du rushed over as she exited.
"No troubles, young miss? How were the lessons?"
"Just introductions."
"Makes sense for the first day. Shall we go?"
Un-du, leading the way, turned back curiously when she didn't follow.
"Young miss? Why'd you let your hair down all of a sudden?"
She felt her hair, once pinned up on both sides, cascade down.
'Should've worn some ornaments if I knew this would happen.'
She'd dressed plainly on purpose, having heard the teacher disliked ostentation. Who knew her hair tie would fail?
It was pale jade silk embroidered with gold thread lotus flowers, tipped with a gold ornament. She placed it in Un-du's hand and beckoned him to lean down. Not enough—she cupped her hands to his ear and whispered.
Un-du stared at her, bewildered.
"Please."
"It's not difficult... Understood."
Un-du entered the academy. She waited a moment, then followed.
Crossing the gate, she heard a servant's voice.
"Come in, come in. The teacher will arrive shortly."
The children, who'd been romping noisily in the courtyard, grumbled reluctantly as they filed inside. Once all were in, the servant shut the gate.
Un-du hurried over.
"Young miss, I did as you asked. What's this about?"
She beckoned him to follow to the tree where the twins had been. Looking up, the nest was intact. The parent bird, exhausted, peeked out warily without flying off.
"Good. Let's head back..."
Then—a faint cheep-cheep from nearby.
"What's that sound? Seems from over here."
Un-du crouched, listening. After probing the bushes, he exclaimed,
"Young miss! A fledgling fell here. From that nest, probably?"
Where he pointed, a fluffy chick tumbled about.
"Lucky it landed in the bushes—survived the fall."
She swiftly blocked him from picking it up barehanded and offered her handkerchief.
'Honestly, even the handkerchief's risky... but better than nothing.'
The cheeping chick fell silent at her touch. Watching it wriggle on the cloth, she glanced up.
"Can we put it back in the nest?"
"Tch, haven't climbed a tree in five years or so, but what the heck—I'll give it a shot."
"Won't work."
The sudden voice from right beside them startled her and Un-du. A boy stood there, unnoticed until now.