Chapter 871: I’m Counting on You, Son-in-Law
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 871: I’m Counting on You, Son-in-Law
Slowly.
Prince Yeon’s eyes fluttered open.
Familiar faces began to drift into his field of vision.
His beloved wife, his daughter...
And that absolute bastard of a brat.
"Your Highness, are you awake?"
His wife, Lady Kang, asked with a face full of concern.
"I... I am fine..."
Prince Yeon waved a hand dismissively as he spoke.
He felt a bit lightheaded, but he didn't want to cause them unnecessary worry.
"Father... I am so sorry... This is all my fault."
Neung So-hwa spoke with a guilt-ridden expression. She was convinced that Prince Yeon had lost consciousness because of her.
"It is not your fault... I have always struggled with my blood pressure."
Prince Yeon waved his hand again, dismissing her apology.
"More importantly... I wish to speak with the Commandery Prince in private. Could you two give us the room?"
Prince Yeon spoke gently as he looked at Lady Kang and Neung So-hwa.
The two women exchanged hesitant glances, looking restless. They were clearly worried about leaving Sun-woo and Prince Yeon alone together.
"I have no intention of causing a scene like before," Prince Yeon added with a hollow smile.
The fiery, aggressive aura he had displayed earlier was nowhere to be found.
Neung So-hwa slowly turned her gaze toward Sun-woo. Her eyes silently asked if he would be okay.
Nod.
Sun-woo gave a small, silent nod. He was agreeing to the private audience.
"......Understood."
Finally, Neung So-hwa and Lady Kang slowly rose from their seats. They turned and walked out of the room.
Creeeeeak.
Thud.
The door closed, leaving only Prince Yeon and Sun-woo in the room.
"............"
"............"
An awkward silence descended upon the room. Neither of them spoke first.
After what felt like an eternity of stifling silence...
"..........Um... Father..."
Sun-woo mustered his courage to break the ice. He decided it was better to try and bridge the gap than to sit in awkward silence.
"Who are you calling 'Father'!"
But the only response he received was a stern scolding.
".........."
It seemed he had made the wrong choice. The atmosphere, already awkward, sank even further.
I should have just kept my mouth shut.
Sun-woo regretted it instantly. He felt like his attempt to speak had only heightened the tension.
Just as Sun-woo was drowning in regret...
"Gyeonghwa was a seven-month baby."
Prince Yeon finally opened his mouth.
"I don't know why she was in such a hurry. She rushed into this world before her nine months were even up. Naturally, her body was underdeveloped compared to other children. It stands to reason, doesn't it? How could a child who was supposed to stay inside for two more months be healthy? ........She suffered from high fevers whenever a cold breeze blew, and she suffered burns if the sun was too hot. She was a fragile, delicate child."
Prince Yeon spoke in a voice thick with reminiscence. Sun-woo listened in silence.
"My wife and I prayed only for Gyeonghwa’s health. We didn't care if she wasn't brilliant or beautiful; we just wanted her to be healthy. Perhaps our prayers were heard, for Gyeonghwa grew healthier and smarter by the day, eventually becoming so beautiful that I could look at her all day and never tire of it. We were happy. Our fragile daughter was no longer frail. And so, we began to wish for something else: for her to find a good husband and live the happiest life a woman could have."
Prince Yeon continued in a calm, steady tone.
"But unfortunately, that dream became difficult to achieve. It was because she was appointed as a general. You must have heard the story from Gyeonghwa—how she suppressed the rebels, rose to the rank of general, and became known as the Shield of the Imperial Family."
"Yes, I am aware of that."
Sun-woo nodded, following along. He knew well that So-hwa was the hero who had quelled Prince Jin’s rebellion.
"At first, my wife and I were overjoyed. For a woman to rise to the rank of general was an unprecedented event in the history of the Empire. But that joy did not last long. We soon realized that her path to marriage had been completely blocked."
Prince Yeon’s expression turned sorrowful.
"Initially, countless matchmakers flocked to us. Any family would soar to the heavens if they could claim the Shield of the Imperial Family as their backing... But His Majesty personally rejected all those matchmakers. Do you know why?"
"I imagine... it was because he didn't want her to be tied down by the ministers."
"Exactly. His Majesty knew the extent of her power all too well. He knew that if any of the ministers took her into their family, their influence would grow so massive they might even threaten the Imperial Family. That is why he turned them all away, saying he couldn't give Gyeonghwa to people who were just looking for scraps."
Prince Yeon’s voice was low and composed.
"And so, Gyeonghwa grew older year by year, and before we knew it, she was approaching the age of thirty. My wife and I worried. We feared our daughter would never know the happiness of a woman and would grow old and die alone. And then, you appeared."
Prince Yeon looked Sun-woo straight in the eye.
"I am truly grateful for that...... That a child who seemed destined for a life of solitude... found such a fine partner... I'm sure I would have liked you, had things proceeded through the proper channels."
"..........."
"Do you know why I flew into such a rage, shouting at the top of my lungs for the first time in my life?"
Prince Yeon’s face grew solemn.
"It was because I felt my daughter was not being treated with the value she deserves."
His eyes began to glint.
"You know well how much the Central Plains values a woman's chastity, do you not? You can surely guess what kind of gossip would surround Gyeonghwa if she were to bear a child before marriage. And yet, you showed no such consideration. You didn't care about my precious daughter's honor."
".......I am sorry."
Sun-woo bowed his head deeply in apology. He realized the Prince was right.
If he had truly cared for her honor, it would have been more appropriate to delay the pregnancy.
But he hadn't. He had simply let his desire for reproduction—the urge to have her bear his child—take over.
"That is what made me angry. To think that my daughter, who is more precious than anyone... my daughter, who is more lovely than anyone... my daughter, who deserves to be happier than anyone... was not even shown basic consideration by her partner... I felt an uncontrollable rage. That is why... I caused that scene. I couldn't just let you be."
"..............."
Sun-woo lowered his head even further. He knew there was nothing he could say in his defense.
"That is why I slapped you with the intent to kill. I knew you were a Murim expert and that my hand would feel like nothing more than a tickle to you, but I didn't care. I felt like I would go mad if I didn't vent my fury..."
"................."
"But then, that child stopped me. That child, who used to follow her parents' words as if they were the laws of heaven, stood up to me. That child, who had grown up early and rarely showed much emotion, became so agitated that she started shouting."
".....I am sorry."
"I'm not saying this to get an apology... I simply realized something. I realized that Gyeonghwa, whom I had always thought of as a premature child in need of care, has become an adult. And I could see just how much she treasures you... She has matured enough to choose her own husband."
A smile touched Prince Yeon’s lips.
"It seems I was still thinking of Gyeonghwa as that underdeveloped seven-month baby. It was a truly narrow-minded way of thinking. But after today, I think I can finally break free from that mold... Thank you... In a way, it was thanks to you that I had the chance to realize this."
"...........Father..."
"However, that doesn't mean all my anger toward you has vanished. While it may have been a consensual act, it is also true that you lacked consideration. So, live a long and happy life with Gyeonghwa. If you do that, I think my anger might soften a bit."
"..Are you... accepting me?"
"Gyeonghwa is pregnant with your child, is she not? How could I not accept you? I am angry, but I am not so cold-hearted as to turn my precious daughter into a single mother... or my precious grandchild into a fatherless child."
Prince Yeon spoke in a calm tone.
".....Thank you.... Truly... thank you."
Sun-woo bowed his head, expressing his gratitude to Prince Yeon.
"Do not make Gyeonghwa cry. If you make her cry, I will never forgive you."
"I will strive to make her happy for the rest of her life. No, I will make her happy."
Sun-woo looked Prince Yeon in the eye, his gaze filled with conviction.
"That is enough, then."
Seeing that, Prince Yeon gave a gentle smile.
"I’m counting on you, son-in-law."
Prince Yeon slowly lowered his head.
For a King to bow his head was an unthinkable act, but he didn't care. At this moment, he wasn't bowing as a King, but as a father with a daughter.
"I am counting on you as well, father-in-law."
Sun-woo immediately bowed his head in return. He couldn't bring himself to face the man with his head held high.
The two men bowed to each other, showing respect for their new relationship as father-in-law and son-in-law.
.
.
.
.
.
A few days later, Sun-woo and Neung So-hwa successfully completed their engagement amidst the blessings of many.
Though dissatisfaction lingered on the faces of a few ministers, no one dared to openly defy the Emperor's command.
*
"........Can you not stay just a little longer?"
Neung So-hwa spoke, her eyes filled with sadness as she looked at Sun-woo. She was loath to let him go.
".....I want to...... but if I delay any longer.... I'll be very late.."
Sun-woo spoke with a troubled expression.
In his heart, he wanted to stay by her side until the child was born. He wanted to properly fulfill his duties as a father this time.
But he couldn't. There was a mountain of work waiting for him that he had to handle while staying at the Imperial Palace.
"Where... are you planning to go?"
Neung So-hwa asked, her gaze still sorrowful.
"First, I'm going to the Uicheon Alliance."
"The Uicheon Alliance?"
"I have to resign from my position as the Alliance Leader."
Sun-woo spoke in a calm tone.
The Government and Murim maintained a relationship of non-aggression. They were not supposed to interfere with each other at all. Therefore, he had no choice but to resign as the Uicheon Alliance Leader. The positions of Commandery Prince and Uicheon Alliance Leader could not coexist.
".........So you are going to Nanchang."
"Yes.."
Sun-woo nodded in response. His destination was Nanchang, the land of opportunity where the new Uicheon Alliance had been established.
".......If you go now, when will we meet again?"
Neung So-hwa asked, her eyes brimming with sadness.
"...........I don't know.... I can't say how long it will take..."
Sun-woo couldn't give her a definite date. He didn't know how long it would take to build and stabilize his forces.
".......I see.."
Glisten.
Tears began to well up in Neung So-hwa’s eyes. The thought of a long separation with no set return date filled her with deep sorrow.
Sun-woo reached out to her.
Stroke, stroke.
He gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"I'm sorry........ for not being able to give you a promise of when."
"No.... Is it not because you don't know that you aren't making a reckless promise?........ I think it is much more... responsible... than making a promise you cannot keep..."
Neung So-hwa forced a smile, holding back her tears as she spoke. She was trying to restrain her emotions so as not to worry Sun-woo.
Hug.
Seeing her like that, Sun-woo reached out and pulled her slender body into a tight embrace.
"Sun... Sun-woo?"
"Sohwa, although I cannot promise a date for our next meeting... I can make you two other promises. One is that I will come to see you before the child is born, and the other is that I will marry you the next time we meet."
Sun-woo spoke slowly, holding her close.
"Can you trust me and wait for me?"
"........I will wait.... for your return.... together with our child who will soon be born."
Neung So-hwa spoke as tears streamed down her face. She was overwhelmed with emotion by his sincere promise.
"Thank you... and... I love you.."
Sun-woo said, pulling her even closer.
"...I love you too.... my one and only... lord."
And so, Neung So-hwa sang of her love, nestled against Sun-woo’s broad chest. Their embrace lasted until the sun went down.
*
"Is everyone keeping up!"
Muyang shouted, looking back.
"Yes, sir!"
The energetic voices of the disciples rang out.
"Jinan is just a little further! Keep pushing!"
"Understood!"
Hearing the words of their Sect Leader, Muyang, the disciples' eyes sparkled as they began to move even faster. The news that their destination was close gave them a surge of energy.
Good kids.
Muyang looked at his disciples with a satisfied expression. Even though they must have been exhausted from the forced march, seeing them still giving it their all made him proud.
They are the hope of Kunlun.
The smile on his face grew wider.
"What are you smiling so unpleasantly about?"
Just then, a clear voice pierced his ears.
He looked to his side and saw his Grand Ancestor, Un-seol, looking at him with a pathetic expression.
"Ahem, ahem. It's nothing."
Muyang cleared his throat as he spoke.
"Nothing? I saw with my own eyes your mouth stretching into a creepy grin."
"......I just thought of something funny."
"How carefree of you. Our sect was burned down and we're fleeing to Jinan like refugees, yet you're giggling because you thought of something funny."
Un-seol spoke in a sharp, biting tone.
...Wait, what did she just say...
Muyang’s face crumpled at her harsh words. How could she say something so cutting?
"Oh, look at that scowl."
"It's not like that.."
"Isn't it? What, did you think of something that made you angry this time?"
".......Grand Ancestor... have I done something wrong lately?"
"No."
"Then why are you being so sharp-tongued? If I have been lacking in my service to you, please tell me."
"I really haven't."
"Then why are you speaking so harshly!"
"Because I'm bored."
Un-seol spoke as if it were no big deal.
"It's a long way to go, so shouldn't I at least have some fun teasing you?"
"............."
Muyang fell silent. He was so dumbfounded that he couldn't find the words to respond.
"So don't take it to heart. You've done nothing wrong. If anyone is at fault, it's me and my twisted personality."
Un-seol spoke with a broad smile.
Damn it.
Facing that smile, Muyang thought to himself: he needed to get to Jinan as quickly as possible.
Just to escape the clutches of this immature Grand Ancestor.