Chapter 51
After several days and nights of relentless travel, we finally arrived at the Namgung Clan.
Having grown somewhat accustomed to the sunlight over the journey—and out of sheer curiosity—I parted the carriage curtain for the first time in ages and peered outside.
True to their reputation as one of the Ten Great Clans, never once absent from the forefront in any lineup of the Five Great or Ten Great houses, the Namgung Clan was impressive even from afar. The grand gates, reminiscent of a palace, bustled with people coming and going, a scene of utter prosperity.
The Baek Ri Clan was much the same; a clan worthy of the title commanded an entire region like a vast family conglomerate.
The onlookers, who had gathered curiously at the sight of approaching horses and carriages, spotted Namgung Wan at the lead and gasped in admiration.
"Isn't that the Namgung young lord?"
"Ah, as they say, seeing is believing. What a striking figure—tall and handsome!"
Those marveling at Namgung Wan's bearing soon turned their attention to the carriage behind him.
"Who's riding in that carriage for the young lord himself to escort personally?"
"I heard the Namgung Clan has only one son. A nephew, maybe?"
"His sister passed away—where would a nephew come from?"
"Could be from a concubine's daughter."
"Why are her eyes covered like that?"
As the carriage neared the gates, a group of people hurried out from within. Leading them was an elder in a simple blue robe, his waist sash tied in a modest knot. He stepped forward and offered a respectful clasped-hands salute.
"Young lord, you've had a long journey—welcome back."
"It's hardly a long way."
At the elder's nod, those behind him moved with perfect coordination to take the horses and baggage carts.
Watching all this from the window, I caught the elder's gaze fixed upon me.
"This must be the young lady Baek Ri-yeon of the Baek Ri Clan. I am Seop Ja-gang, chief steward of the Namgung Clan."
I'd assumed he'd wait until I disembarked to make introductions, so I fumbled in surprise, preparing to step down and greet him. But Seop Ja-gang smiled and waved it off.
"No need to alight. The young lord has been so eager to see this child—I simply couldn't wait."
Namgung Wan scowled as if the man were spouting nonsense, prompting Seop Ja-gang to chuckle heartily.
Flustered, I offered a greeting through the window.
"Hello. I'm Baek Ri-yeon of the Baek Ri Clan."
"Aigoo, such a tiny thing, and you've endured so much. Thank heavens you're safe. Come, let's head inside."
Under Seop Ja-gang's guidance, we entered the vast compound. It was a far cry from my previous visit. Back then, they'd kept a polite but distant demeanor—not too close, not too far. This time, they were suddenly warm and familiar.
"I've already sent word to the physician, so you can be examined right away once you're settled."
"Before that, I'd like to pay my respects and be on my way. Where's Ryu-cheong?"
I whipped around to stare at Namgung Wan in shock.
"Ryu-cheong?"
He looked back at me, puzzled in turn.
"My son, Namgung Ryu-cheong. I mentioned him before—you can't have forgotten already?"
"Oh, right."
Wasn't Namgung Ryu-cheong supposed to be at his maternal grandfather's estate right now? In the story, when I'd stayed at the Namgung Clan before, he'd been away for half a year and never showed his face. I'd spent about a month there before leaving, without so much as a glimpse of him.
And yet... here, at the Namgung Clan?
As confusion clouded my face, a voice like tinkling silver beads drifted from the right side of the carriage.
"Dear, I'm so glad you returned safely. I worried when you left without even a proper escort."
I turned toward the sound. The woman with her soft, radiant smile drawing the eye was Yang So-ok, Namgung Wan's wife—known in the Namgung Clan as the "little madam," described as a beauty who could make one's eyes pop.
The description felt spot-on. Her ethereal grace, like a fairy descended to earth, made it instantly clear where Namgung Ryu-cheong—the world's top heartthrob—got his looks.
"Where's Ryu-cheong?"
"He's in training."
Namgung Wan furrowed his thick brows deeply.
"Training? He hasn't heard I'm back?"
Yang So-ok pursed her lips in a knowing smile. Reading its meaning, Namgung Wan exploded.
"You...!"
She cut him off with a gesture toward me, then turned back with a gentle smile, leaving the fuming man behind.
"You must be Baek Ri-yeon. We've been waiting for you."
Dazed by her smile, I snapped to and bowed hastily.
"Hello. I'm Baek Ri-yeon of the Baek Ri Clan."
"I heard the journey here was arduous. Well done."
Only after exchanging greetings did I notice the girl beside her. A child I'd never seen before, her hair tied in adorable twin braids, gazed at me with sparkling eyes.
Yang So-ok patted the girl's shoulder fondly.
"Say hello, dear."
The child clasped her hands and offered a proper salute.
"Hello. I'm Seo Ha-ryeong of the Seo Hyang Sect."
I stared blankly as she bowed. Seo Ha-ryeong?
Every male lead has that one girl who's been by his side since childhood, harboring secret feelings for him, convinced she'll be his wife someday. Seo Ha-ryeong fit the trope perfectly—smitten with the protagonist from youth... and utterly despising me, the sudden "master's daughter" who appeared out of nowhere.
Our eyes met, and she beamed innocently.
Namgung Wan shrugged off his dust-caked robe, his voice strained with suppressed anger.
"Why is the Seo young lady here? How long has she been staying?"
"The Seo Hyang Sect Lord sent her for martial exchange. It's been about a week now."
The Seo Hyang Sect was a faction in the neighboring city, long allied with the Namgung Clan.
"The sect lord did? Don't tell me he plans to pair her with Ryu-cheong."
Yang So-ok smiled affirmatively.
"Last time they sent Zhangga Clan's daughter like that, didn't Ryu-cheong beat her black and blue under the guise of sparring?"
Namgung Wan rubbed his temples.
"Forgot how much effort it took to smooth that over? If she'd been crippled, we'd be blood enemies with the Zhang Clan."
"That's why it's a girl this time. Even if Ryu-cheong's a bit rough, he won't strike a girl. They'll naturally grow close."
"You really think it'll go as planned? If it had, that child would've shown up today for 'training'—I sent word ahead that we'd arrive!"
Yang So-ok let out a soft sigh.
"Then, dear, shall we just leave Ryu-cheong be?"
"......"
"You know once he starts training, he won't stop until he's satisfied."
What were two or three hours to him? As a child too young to properly wield a sword, he'd once swung it nonstop for two full days in the training grounds until he collapsed, determined to master a technique beyond his strength. And in the end, he succeeded.
"Other families fret that their heirs won't train, but we're blessed with such diligence. That's why they call him a prodigy."
After a pause, Yang So-ok continued.
"Let's not push Ryu-cheong too hard. He just needs more time to warm up to her."
Namgung Wan exhaled sharply, raising his voice.
"This is exactly why things are like this—you always take his side!"
Yang So-ok tilted her head innocently.
"Is that so? From what your father told me, Ryu-cheong's just like you were as a boy... Hehe."
"......"
Namgung Wan clamped his mouth shut.
"When Great Hero Baek arrives, maybe I'll ask him about your younger days."
"Enough nonsense!"
Her jest lightened the mood considerably. Yang So-ok smoothed her sleeve with a sigh.
"We'd hoped the Baek young lady might help... such a pity. How long will she stay?"
"Depends on when the physician arrives."
"I see."
She approached the table and poured tea from the pot into a cup. Namgung Wan, drawing near, halted abruptly.
"Leave Yeon alone."
Deeming his words insufficient, he clarified.
"Don't force her on Ryu-cheong."
Yang So-ok smiled faintly and slid the cup toward him.
"Would Ryu-cheong take interest in the Baek young lady? You're worrying over nothing."
Even as Baek Ri-gang's daughter, wasn't she a qi cripple? No way he'd care for such a child—that was her implication.
"......"
Sensing his displeasure, Yang So-ok quickly added,
"We'll have tonight's dinner in the Jacheong Pavilion. Invite the Baek young lady too. I'll drag Ryu-cheong there if I must."
"......Do as you wish. I'll go pay respects to Father."