The Interrupted Banquet
Baek Ri-myeong arrived at his grandmother's chambers and blinked in confusion at the sight of everyone gathered inside. Not only were his father and mother there, but his aunt and the twins as well. The twins were covered in sweat and dirt from whatever mischief they'd been up to.
Baek Ri-muk glanced at the empty spot where Baek Ri-myeong usually sat, his face puzzled.
"Where's Ri-ri?"
"She said no, so I left her behind."
"She still should have come with you."
"Father, you know how stubborn Ri-ri is."
Baek Ri-muk shook his head with a sigh.
"I'm sorry, Mother. I've spoiled her too much—it's made her ill-mannered."
The elderly woman set down her teacup.
"It's fine. Ri-ri's nursemaid went back just now to prepare her and bring her."
"Yes, ma'am."
The woman beside the elderly lady bowed slightly and withdrew. Watching this, Baek Ri-ran could no longer hold back.
"Mother, why did you call us all here like this?"
Even with the urging, the grandmother leisurely lifted her teacup again.
"I just heard some news. The young lord of the Namgung family has come to visit."
"Young lord... you mean Namgung Wan?"
Everyone in the room looked shocked. Baek Ri-muk's voice even trembled slightly.
"Did... did the Namgung family head come as well, by any chance?"
Namgung Mu-cheol, the current head of the Namgung family—a pinnacle master on par with Baek Ri-paehyeok, one of the Eleven Strongest in the World. He was also the former leader of the Murim Alliance, the union of the Ten Great Families, the Nine Sects and One Sect, and other righteous Murim factions. Though he'd now passed the position to someone else.
"No. The young lord came alone."
Everyone looked disappointed. But soon, their expressions turned expectant—especially Baek Ri-muk's, which brightened.
Baek Ri-muk had been outshone by Baek Ri-gang in fame, martial prowess, and connections, yet he clung to the heir position by the family head's will, who wished to avoid internal strife. Still, within the Baek family, many believed Baek Ri-gang was more suited to the role.
But if he could forge ties with Namgung Wan's friendship and backing...
Baek Ri-muk swallowed dryly.
Excited, Baek Ri-ran spoke up hastily.
"Mother! This is no time to sit around! We need to head to the reception hall...
Clink.
The grandmother cut off her dramatic niece with the sound of her teacup hitting the table.
"He's not staying at the reception hall."
"Pardon?"
"He's not a guest of the Baek family."
"Then... what?"
"He's a guest of Yi-gang."
Baek Ri-ran, already half-risen, asked incredulously.
"...So he's staying at Yi-gang's place the whole time?"
"Probably."
"Isn't that too much? Yi-gang invites Namgung Wan and says she wants to see him alone? Why invite him at all if—"
"Ri-ran."
Baek Ri-muk stopped his wife and soothed her gently.
"Mother called us all here for a reason. Calm down."
The grandmother smiled approvingly at her serious son and lifted her teacup.
"Exactly. I've already sent word to Yi-gang, inviting Namgung Wan to dinner with us."
Baek Ri-ran's face lit up.
"Of course! If she has any conscience after smearing your reputation all this time, she'll have to agree!"
In stark contrast, Baek Ri-muk spoke cautiously.
"But Mother, didn't Father say before not to meddle with Yi-gang's guests?"
Just then, as if on cue, noise erupted outside the door.
The grandmother said calmly,
"Let them in."
The door opened, and Jang Seok-ryang scanned the room before greeting them politely.
Baek Ri-muk averted his uncomfortable gaze.
"Everyone's gathered, I see."
Then Jang Seok-ryang bowed courteously. The grandmother, watching, spoke with a stern face.
"The steward famous for his heavy feet has come all this way. What brings you?"
"You already know why I'm here, ma'am."
Baek Ri-muk swallowed and interjected carefully.
"Steward, Mother was just—"
"Ri-muk, I'll handle the talking."
The grandmother cut him off firmly. Baek Ri-muk hesitated and backed down.
Jang Seok-ryang continued.
"Ma'am, wouldn't it be best to reconsider now? This is the Fourth Young Lord's guest. Don't put him in a difficult spot."
"Difficult? I only suggested a simple dinner together."
"You know what I mean. If the family head hears of this, he'll hold you accountable."
Baek Ri-paehyeok had recently led his disciples to suppress bandits plaguing the region. Jang Seok-ryang was acting as steward in his absence—and now issuing a direct warning.
Baek Ri-muk eyed Jang Seok-ryang and his mother anxiously.
The grandmother scoffed.
"Do you think a mother worrying for her child's future would fear something so trivial?"
Whether Baek Ri-paehyeok returned and scolded them or not, securing Namgung Wan as a connection would make it all worthwhile. And once they had that backing, even Baek Ri-paehyeok would have to acknowledge it.
"Besides, are you closer to the young lord than I am?"
"..."
She meant: Baek Ri-paehyeok might be her husband and family head, but you're just a subordinate.
Even as acting steward, Jang Seok-ryang had no counter if the matriarch was this determined—especially as the mother of the heir Baek Ri-paehyeok favored.
With a sigh, Jang Seok-ryang retreated.
"...Parents are like that, I suppose. In that case, I'll join the dinner too. I need to have something to report to the family head."
"Do as you wish."
Jang Seok-ryang withdrew empty-handed.
Baek Ri-paehyeok had instructed him to prevent any nonsense in his absence, especially watching the twins closely. Lately, he'd grown increasingly displeased with them—a shift that began after Baek Ri-yeon and her father knelt before him.
This incident had nothing to do with the twins, which was why he'd backed off so easily.
But oddly, he felt like he'd overlooked something. Just a hunch. And somehow, this visit from Namgung Wan seemed tied to Baek Ri-yeon. It wouldn't end smoothly...
An ominous premonition gnawed at him.
The garden, blanketed in white like pear blossoms and white orchids had snowed down, glowed with charm under lanterns placed here and there. The open pavilion, perfect for admiring it, was already filled with guests.
"Namgung Wan of the Namgung family."
Namgung Wan offered a flawless cupped-fist salute, smooth as flowing water.
"Please, come in."
Baek Ri-muk welcomed him. The dinner was held not in the inner quarters but in the garden pavilion. The inviting grandmother had excused herself due to poor health after preparing the venue—positioning Baek Ri-muk as host to bolster his standing.
Baek Ri-muk and Baek Ri-ran exchanged greetings with him, as did Jang Seok-ryang standing to one side.
Jang Seok-ryang smiled at Namgung Wan.
"How is the Namgung family head?"
Having met Namgung Mu-cheol a few times through Baek Ri-paehyeok, he knew they were acquainted.
"He's well. I'll pass on your regards when I return."
Namgung Wan replied evenly.
Maids soon streamed in with food, filling the table with delicacies from land and sea. The floral scents gave way to aromas whetting the appetite.
"We prepared hastily, so I regret not hosting more grandly."
"It's fine."
"I heard there was an issue. The gatekeepers were rude, weren't they?"
"..."
Namgung Wan fell silent, his displeasure evident.
Baek Ri-muk chuckled good-naturedly.
"Must've been a misunderstanding. Once I learned the truth, I punished them severely—please put it behind you."
"Well, Yi-gang gave me the gist."
Glancing at Baek Ri-gang beside him, Baek Ri-muk smiled.
"She probably didn't hear everything. I dismissed those gatekeepers myself. They'll never set foot in the Baek family again."
"...You fired them?"
Baek Ri-gang asked, surprised. Even Namgung Wan eyed Baek Ri-muk curiously.
"Of course. Who knows if they'd repeat their rudeness?"
Namgung Wan smirked.
"I like that. Our styles match. But they won't cross my path again, right?"
He meant: You're not planning to reinstate them later as a show.
Namgung Wan's sharp gaze probed Baek Ri-muk—who had indeed planned that, but now composed himself. Truly Namgung blood—keen as ever. With him calling it out directly, reinstatement was impossible now. It'd be hard to explain if Namgung Wan caught wind.
It stung to discard gatekeepers he'd carefully placed. Or perhaps it'd be easier to justify to Father later.
"Haha, naturally. It won't happen."
"Good."
Only then did Namgung Wan's demeanor soften.
Baek Ri-ran, who had been quiet, signaled her handmaid with a glance. The woman slipped out of the pavilion.
The mood wasn't exactly warm but had eased enough for conversation.
Baek Ri-muk said,
"It's a shame you won't stay long. Even a few days—wouldn't a more comfortable guest room be better? Yi-gang's place is fine, but we can prepare a larger one in the reception hall."
"No need. Actually, I came here because there's something I want to say."
As Namgung Wan set down his chopsticks, both Baek Ri-muk and Baek Ri-gang looked puzzled.
"Is that so? As Yi-gang's friend, you're like a brother to me too. Speak freely, as to an elder brother."
Baek Ri-muk laughed heartily.
Namgung Wan paused, then spoke resolutely.
"About your son..."
"The young masters have arrived."
A handmaid interrupted, and four children came rushing in.
Baek Ri-ran, focused on the kids, missed Namgung Wan's face turning icy.
"Oh dear, they insisted on seeing you and came after all. Kids, this is the great hero Namgung Wan of the Namgung family. Greet him properly."
Baek Ri-muk, also distracted by the children, overlooked the shift.
He introduced them.
"The one on the far left is my eldest son, Baek Ri-myeong. The girl on the right is my daughter, Baek Ri-ri. She hasn't been out much, so she's shy."
Baek Ri-ran followed up.
"Next to her are my twin sons—the left is So U-ak, right is Baek Ri-pyo."
Baek Ri-myeong, cheeks slightly flushed, bowed first.
"Greetings, Senior. I'm Baek Ri-myeong."
Baek Ri-ri, clutching the hems of the twins' and Baek Ri-myeong's clothes, joined in the greeting.
"..."
But no reply came.