Chapter 57
The door opened and closed quietly with a soft click-click-click as light footsteps faded away across the stone floor.
Namgung Mucheol spoke without opening his eyes. "Yi-gang has raised a fine daughter."
A figure stormed out from behind the screen. "What the hell is this? That man stole Yeon-i's Pure Green Stone Oil?"
Namgung Wan's face was flushed crimson, veins bulging at his neck.
"Didn't you hear it all? It's exactly as I said."
"Father!"
"My ears still work fine."
Gritting his teeth, Namgung Wan stomped forward and slammed his fist on the table. The ornate edge, inlaid with vivid carp and lotus motifs, cracked with a sharp snap.
"Hand over the Pure Green Stone Oil!"
"What for?"
"We have to give it back!"
Namgung Mucheol narrowed his eyes. "Weren't you the one who wanted to give it to Ryu-cheong?"
"Why would I give that thing to him? Did you see how he acted toward Yeon-i at the dinner tonight? Cold water in his face would suit him just fine!"
Namgung Mucheol nodded toward the cushion, still faintly warm. "Sit."
"Father!"
"Sit down first!"
Snorting in frustration, Namgung Wan dropped into his seat. Namgung Mucheol clicked his tongue at the sight.
"Cool your head. How can you be so foolish? Even that child learned her lesson—why haven't you?"
"What lesson? That the axe you trust chops your own foot? What your sworn brother did...!"
Namgung Mucheol splashed tea from his cup right at Namgung Wan's face. As if expecting it, Namgung Wan dodged, but a few drops still spattered his collar.
He brushed them off irritably. "Don't do that every time you run out of words!"
"I'm trying to knock some sense into you!"
Letting out a deep sigh, Namgung Mucheol continued. "Even if you gave the Pure Green Stone Oil back to that child now, she couldn't handle it."
"What do you mean, handle it?"
"Even if you returned it, if someone else tried to take it from her, she'd lose it without lifting a finger."
"Who would dare lay a hand on Yeon-i here in the Namgung Clan?"
"How do you think my sworn brother knew Yeon-i had the Pure Green Stone Oil?"
"..."
"Rumors are spreading that she survived the Manshin-ui pill refining chamber. Others who know of the oil's existence will surface too. It's too late to let this pass quietly."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Namgung Mucheol rubbed his brow. "It's only been two days since she arrived!"
"..."
"If you're so set on returning it, hold onto it until Yi-gang arrives, then hand it to him."
Namgung Wan's face twisted in anguish. "Would Yi-gang even accept it? Besides, Yi-gang right now...! No one knows what would happen if he took a spiritual elixir in his state!"
"Exactly. Yi-gang doesn't have the luxury to worry about the Pure Green Stone Oil now. You know that well enough."
"..."
"Still, if his daughter found the Manshin-ui pill refining chamber, heaven hasn't abandoned him yet."
The old servant who had escorted me to the inner gate of my quarters bowed and turned away.
I tapped my lips, yawning widely. 'Gotta wash up and sleep quick. Ugh, what a hassle. Do I really have to wash...?'
Hurrying toward my quarters, I froze mid-step.
A dark shadow loomed in the front courtyard. It was Yahul.
Bathed in moonlight beyond the eaves, he stared silently at his feet.
"Yahul? What are you doing here?"
At my voice, he lifted his head. His eyes widened slightly upon seeing me, then curved into a faint smile.
I stared blankly for a moment before snapping to. "Wait... have you been standing here like this since I left?"
"..."
Yahul just gazed at me wordlessly.
I clutched my head. I'd stopped him from following me to dinner, and he'd apparently waited right there ever since.
"Dinner?"
"..."
"You didn't eat?"
"..."
No answer meant he hadn't.
"You should've eaten without waiting! How were you supposed to know when I'd be back?"
"Just... in case something happened."
"What could happen inside the Namgung Clan? Though... there was that bold one. Haha."
I laughed hollowly and continued. "So you were worried?"
"Yeah."
Whew. Swallowing a sigh, I shook my head. "Come on."
"Where? Your quarters are this way."
"Kitchen. Let's see if there's anything left."
"I don't need to eat."
"I'm hungry."
"..."
Sensing a presence, Yahul's eyes flickered open. Light footsteps approached from the courtyard.
In the dim predawn light, before the sun had risen, Yahul rose silently.
It couldn't be a maidservant. Baek Ri-yeon disliked having them in her quarters overnight, so they only came during the day as needed and left by evening. And Yahul knew he'd been the reason she'd dismissed them—to minimize his contact with the Namgung Clan folk, for his own safety. She endured the inconvenience for him.
Yahul slipped soundlessly outside.
A girl was crossing the courtyard. He recalled her from two days ago—Seo Ha-ryeong, the name she'd given.
Seo Ha-ryeong spotted him and paused, then approached.
"Why are you out here instead of Yeon-i?"
"Yeon-i?"
"Yeah! We decided yesterday to call each other by name!"
Seo Ha-ryeong puffed out her chest proudly, then remembered herself. "Oh, right. So where's Yeon-i?"
"Sleeping."
"Still? She said she'd come watch you train today, and she's still asleep?"
Yahul glanced at the unrisen sky. "I don't know. Go back."
As he turned toward the quarters, Seo Ha-ryeong scowled at his obvious dismissal and yelled, "No way! I'm checking myself. Yeon-i!"
Suddenly, she shoved past him and dashed inside. Yahul reached to grab her but hesitated.
In that brief moment, she pulled ahead. He chased after hurriedly.
"Uh... she's really asleep."
Seo Ha-ryeong's boisterous voice shrank to a whisper.
Yahul hissed lowly. "Get out. Now."
"Ha-ryeong came by this morning?"
Good grief. She's an early riser. I'd only mentioned dropping by once, and here she was at the crack of dawn.
Yahul's face held a hint of annoyance. "She even went into the bedroom."
"Huh?"
"She barged in so suddenly I couldn't stop her. I could've grabbed her, but..."
"It's fine, you did good. You're strong. We don't want any more bruises."
Thankfully, he'd remembered my warning not to swing his strength at others recklessly.
"Her eyes looked okay?"
"Eyes?"
"Yeah. Not puffy or anything?"
Yahul thought for a moment. "Don't remember."
I nodded and set down my chopsticks. A maidservant entered soon after, clearing the dishes. Yahul left the room.
When he returned, I was slipping on an outer robe and hunting for my shoes. He handed me a bowl of medicinal tonic.
"Here."
I paused, took it, and set it on the table. As I found my shoes, laced them up, and stood, Yahul was still staring at the bowl.
Feeling a pang of guilt, I spoke first. "I'll drink it when I get back."
He turned to me. "You said that yesterday too. And didn't."
"Did I...? Haha."
"Yeah. You did."
"..."
I pouted without thinking, then brazenly lifted my chin. "Kids hate medicine, you know."
"..."
Yahul fell silent.