One Wrong Word and It's All Over
One misstep here, and I was done for—dead meat with no rice to follow. I chose my words with utmost care.
"...There's this friend I made at the academy, Seok Ga-yak. He's waiting outside the central hall right now. He brought this peony pot as a gift. So, um... I wanted to show it to you together with Grandfather."
"That's all?"
"Uh..."
I hesitated, glancing at the twins and Baek Ri-myeong before my eyes met Father's. His calm gaze steadied me.
"Grandfather, I'm fine. Father even brought the peony back for me, and now I have this pot too."
The deep furrows in Grandfather's brow creased even further. I picked my words to sound as childlike as possible.
"And Brother Myeong was always closer to Brothers Pyo and Ak anyway. Um... it must've been hard for him to stop them."
At my words, Baek Ri-myeong's eyes reddened with emotion. The twins' glares, by contrast, burned with even deeper malice. Pretending not to notice, I pressed on.
"So... I just hope you won't get too angry, Grandfather. We can see flowers again next year."
"Flowers bloom and wither—that's their way. No need to rejoice or grieve over it?"
"Ah, yes! Exactly. Hehe."
I giggled as if thrilled he'd grasped my intent perfectly.
"You think this is funny right now?"
I quickly wiped the smile from my face.
"You haven't done a single thing right either. You think it's enough just not to fight? How noble of you! So considerate—bringing a gift just to show off how they've tormented you. And you shamed the Baek Ri Clan in front of Namgung Wan too!"
I bowed my head, feigning shock.
"No matter what anyone says, my decision won't change! Coming here with such nonsense...! No, actually, it's for the best. You watch closely from over there!"
Grandfather pointed beside Father. When I hesitated, he rolled his eyes. With a sullen pout, I trudged over to Father as if I had no choice. He patted my shoulder reassuringly.
Soon, Grandfather's stern voice echoed through the central hall.
"Baek Ri-myeong, surely you've reflected on this."
"Yes."
"You're the eldest grandson of the Baek Ri Clan. Your only escort brother is So U-ak, isn't he? Isn't Baek Ri-yeon your little sister too? They're both your siblings. Yet you couldn't—or wouldn't—stop them from bullying her, just sat there watching!"
Baek Ri-myeong hung his head.
"And the matter with Baek Ri-ri is your fault! If you hadn't given it to her, you should've just said so plainly—instead, you pulled that ridiculous stunt!"
Baek Ri-myeong thought back to how Baek Ri-ri had been scolded innocently, guilt washing over him. When Namgung Wan asked about the peony, he'd panicked and made the wrong call on impulse.
"You think Namgung Wan would fall for such a lie? Dragging your clueless little sister into it—just smeared mud on your own face! You think Baek Ri-ri will ever show her face around the Namgung Clan now?!"
If he'd just admitted outright that he hadn't given her the peony, things wouldn't have blown up like this. And deep down, he felt wronged. He'd planned to bring one to Baek Ri-ri himself. Sure, he hadn't stopped the twins from pranking Baek Ri-yeon, but he hadn't stooped to throwing away a gift!
Grandfather declared sternly,
"Baek Ri-myeong, I place you under house arrest for half a year. No entering the central hall for a while either. But you may still attend the academy."
"Thank you for your mercy."
Baek Ri-myeong bowed meekly. But inside, he seethed. Fine, no central hall. But house arrest for half a year?! What was he supposed to tell his friends? If word of his fallout with Namgung Wan leaked... he'd never show his face again!
In his despair, he said,
"I swear it won't happen again."
Seeing his grandson seemingly repent sincerely, Baek Ri-paehyeok softened a fraction. Still, he intended to make this a proper lesson.
Baek Ri-paehyeok bellowed firmly,
"Wrongs committed demand punishment. Bring it here!"
A servant had appeared, holding a switch.
"...!"
"Hmph!"
"Gasp!"
The twins let out terrified whimpers. The yellow bamboo switch bent with a whoosh when swung, delivering a pain that could knock you out cold. And how did I know? 'Cause I've felt it myself.'
I really thought I'd faint. Or maybe I did...
Grandfather took the switch from the servant. Baek Ri-myeong's face drained of color.
"Extend both hands and stand straight."
Straightening up, Baek Ri-myeong gritted his teeth and held out his hands.
'Crazy... Grandfather's doing it himself?'
It was special treatment, sure—but I wouldn't want it. The sharp crack rang out as I turned my head away. Not out of pity; he was just paying for his mistakes. Still, I couldn't bear to watch.
Even stoic Baek Ri-myeong groaned and shed tears toward the end. The sight dredged up bad memories, turning my stomach.
My wandering mind snapped back at the feel of a hand on my shoulder. Father gazed at me worriedly.
"Ah, I'm okay."
He checked my forehead, then stepped forward. Standing before Baek Ri-myeong, Father grasped his arm and gently helped him up.
"You endured well."
Baek Ri-myeong swallowed a sob threatening to burst free. Grandfather then turned to the twins. They clung to each other, trembling.
The switch slipped from Grandfather's hand to the floor.
"As for you two... let's see what choice your mother makes."
* * *
Once the adults left, the central hall fell silent save for the twins' ragged breathing. I approached Baek Ri-myeong.
"Brother, are you okay?"
His grimace was slick with cold sweat. I pulled a handkerchief from my sleeve to offer it—then froze at the sight of his swollen, crimson palms.
Light footsteps approached: tap-tap-tap.
Baek Ri-myeong turned, frowning.
"How did you get in here, Young Master Seok?"
"The steward asked me to deliver this."
Seok Ga-yak held out the ointment.
"Ah..."
"Let me see your hands."
Even applying the salve hurt; Baek Ri-myeong winced and grunted. Seok Ga-yak finished quickly, then naturally took my handkerchief to wipe his own hands.
"Soak them in cold water once when you get back, then reapply. Don't leave them in too long."
"Thank you."
Baek Ri-myeong bowed to Seok Ga-yak, then turned to me, hesitating before speaking.
"Yeon... thanks for worrying about me."
"Broth—?" Baek Ri-pyo tugged his sleeve, as if asking what he was doing. Compared to Baek Ri-yeon, who'd spoken up for him, what had the twins done? Nothing but drag him into trouble, leaving him to take the beating alone. He felt furious and wronged.
Ignoring Baek Ri-pyo, Baek Ri-myeong ventured carefully,
"I've shown you my ugly side lately. I'm sorry."
"It's okay."
My breezy reply drew a faint smile from him.
"Let's get along better from now on, us cousins."
"Brother Myeong! How can you say that?!"
Baek Ri-pyo cut him off with a shout.
"That wretch is about to get us kicked out of the clan!"
"Pyo, calm down."
Baek Ri-myeong said, flustered. Grandfather had left the hall, but he wouldn't have gone far. Any more noise, and he might return.
"Calm down? Get your head straight first! How can you—?!"
Baek Ri-pyo's confidence stemmed from knowing he'd never truly be cast out. But So U-ak was different. Unlike Baek Ri-pyo, who might stay depending on their aunt's word, So U-ak's options all led outside the clan.
So U-ak glared at me murderously, eyes bloodshot. I met his stare impassively until a hand tugged me away.
"Let's go."
It was Seok Ga-yak.
"...Yeah."
As I let him lead me away without protest, So U-ak yelled at my back.
"You knew! You knew Namgung Wan was there and didn't say anything on purpose!"
I stopped and turned to the twins. In that instant, Baek Ri-yeon's voice echoed in their minds—telepathy.
「That's right. I knew Young Master Namgung was there at the time.」
I smiled coolly at their wide-eyed shock.
「But so what? Did I tell you to trample the peony?」