Seeding Yun Hye, He Jin's Daughter-in-Law (1)
Yun Hye
Chapter 58
After that, He Ham handled the matter with surprising speed, quite unlike his usual temperament.
He first instructed Yun Hye and Seo Jun to keep the night three days from now completely free.
Then he rented out an entire quiet annex of an inn located between the Eastern Wall's Middle East Gate and the Blue Sheep Gate—the least crowded area in Luoyang—for a full day, ensuring no one else would be allowed inside.
It was all to avoid any chance of running into acquaintances.
This should be enough.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
At the entrance of the annex He Ham had rented, he and Yun Hye were engaged in a quiet argument.
“Husband, are you truly going through with this?”
“We made a promise, my dear.”
Yun Hye looked at He Ham with a trace of reproach in her eyes.
“Even so… I cannot feel at ease about it.”
“This is my most earnest wish. Please, just this once, indulge me, wife!”
“Haa…”
After confirming He Ham’s unwavering resolve once more, Yun Hye resigned herself and followed him with heavy steps toward the innermost room of the annex.
Seo Jun arrived at the promised inn precisely on time.
“My lord, welcome. Have you come to dine?”
“Not for a meal. I was told my companions are already waiting in the annex.”
“Ah, you must be the guest of the gentleman who rented the annex. Please follow me.”
The waiter guided Seo Jun through a door at the back of the inn’s first floor toward the annex.
“You may enter here.”
After leading Seo Jun to the annex, the waiter quickly returned to his post.
He Ham had specifically requested that the innkeeper minimize any traffic near the annex today, so the staff was being especially cautious.
Such private gatherings often involved high-ranking figures, and curiosity or carelessness near them could easily lead to sudden misfortune.
“Ahem! Brother, I’m coming in.”
“White Dragon! Come in quickly!”
Seo Jun cleared his throat to announce his presence before opening the door.
Though he had agreed without much hesitation to strengthen his bond with He Ham, the moment he stepped inside, he found himself hoping the woman would at least be agreeable.
Upon entering, he saw a table laden with abundant food in the center of the room.
Seated at one side were He Ham and Yun Hye, both watching him as he entered.
He Ham wore an expression that said the expected guest had finally arrived, but Yun Hye’s eyes widened in clear surprise.
Seo Jun paused at the threshold, momentarily unsure how to react.
Was the woman he was meant to be with Sister-in-law Yun Hye?
Or was this simply a meal with the couple?
He could not immediately decide how to respond.
“Brother! Come, sit!”
Reading something in Seo Jun’s expression, He Ham rose quickly and guided him to the table.
‘So the man my husband found is the White Dragon Prince?’
Yun Hye felt a wave of relief and was startled by it.
She had been filled with revulsion when He Ham first made the request, yet now she felt relief upon seeing Seo Jun.
“Let’s eat first!”
Once Seo Jun took his seat at He Ham’s urging, the three began their meal in silence.
He Ham, who had always had a small appetite, ate slowly, while Seo Jun steadily cleared the dishes in proportion to his large frame.
One whole chicken, two plates of beef dishes, one plate of pork, and a heaping bowl of noodles…
“Young master, please eat slowly.”
Concerned that Seo Jun might be overeating, Yun Hye offered a quiet word of caution. Despite her words, her face remained unchanged, maintaining its usual dignified poise.
‘She spoke to me first?’
Yun Hye rarely initiated conversation with anyone except He Jin. He Ham felt a small spark flicker in his chest.
“Please excuse me for a moment.”
Yun Hye rose, asked for their understanding, and left the room. Seo Jun’s gaze followed her retreating figure. From behind, her most striking feature was her full, firm hips that seemed to defy gravity.
“Isn’t she beautiful?”
“So the person you asked me to help was Sister-in-law?”
While Yun Hye was away, He Ham quietly explained his situation to Seo Jun.
Seo Jun understood, yet he knew that if he were in He Ham’s place, he would never offer his own woman to another man, even if it meant failing to produce an heir.
‘Well, our circumstances are different, after all.’
After a brief conversation, He Ham also excused himself and stepped outside.
Once outside, he stopped Yun Hye, who was returning to the room.
“Wife, how do you feel? Will you be all right?”
Yun Hye stared at him expressionlessly for a moment, as if collecting her thoughts.
“If it is the White Dragon Prince, I suppose he will do.”
At her words of consent, He Ham felt relief, yet a wave of discomfort and jealousy rose from deep within.
“Is that so?”
Yun Hye met his eyes with a blank gaze.
“Husband, are you worried or regretting this? I can still refuse if you wish.”
At her calm words, the jealousy that had begun to boil inside He Ham quickly subsided beneath the surface.
He Ham had taken many concubines and tried every tonic and technique said to help produce children, all to no avail.
After much deliberation he had considered adopting a son, but knowing He Jin would never accept anyone not of his own blood, he had abandoned the idea.
Did He Ham truly want things to come to this?
When he returned to the room and sat down again, unable to calm his wavering heart, he poured the small jar of wine into their cups and urged them to drink.
“Come, let us drink in celebration of meeting the White Dragon.”
“You too, wife. Have a cup.”
He Ham downed several cups in quick succession. His face soon flushed and his posture grew unsteady.
Yun Hye reluctantly drank one cup at his urging. Her cheeks were already red, and she fanned herself to cool the rising heat.
Seo Jun matched He Ham’s pace for a few cups but remained unaffected.
“This is excellent wine, Brother.”
“Of course~ Keuh~ This is Sobongju, the wine presented to His Majesty. Not just anyone can drink it easily.”
Sobongju, a type of distilled liquor, was potent enough to be offered to the emperor. He Ham’s speech was beginning to slur and his posture had grown noticeably loose.
One drink called for another.
As if trying to drown the jealousy surging in his heart, He Ham kept pouring and drinking far beyond his limit.
Thud!
Suddenly He Ham collapsed onto the table, unconscious.
“Brother! Are you all right? Wake up!”
“Husband! Are you well?”
Seo Jun and Yun Hye rushed to rouse him, but no amount of shaking stirred He Ham.
“Sister-in-law, what should we do?”
“Young master, please lay my husband on the bed in the next room.”
Following her words, Seo Jun lifted He Ham effortlessly and carried him to the adjacent room’s bed before returning.
Yun Hye had watched intently as Seo Jun carried He Ham with such ease. His broad shoulders and solid physique left a strong impression on her.
Glug, glug~
Seo Jun returned to his seat and poured wine into both their cups.
Clink!
“Sister-in-law, let us have a drink.”
They both emptied their cups in one go.
“Keuh~ It’s strong.”
“Indeed. It seems rather potent for someone unaccustomed to drinking.”
“Yes, it does.”
“Sister-in-law, what would you like to do? If you do not wish to proceed, I will take my leave.”
‘Does he find me unattractive?’
Still conflicted, Yun Hye felt a spark of defiance at his words.
She had always been told she was beautiful and charming, and had spent her life watching men vie for her favor. Seo Jun’s apparent lack of attachment actually helped steady her wavering heart.
“No. I promised my husband. Please begin.”
With the courage bolstered by the wine, Yun Hye firmed her resolve.
“Young master, please undress on the bed.”
Seo Jun complied with her request for now. He had no intention of forcing anything. But once things began, the dynamic would shift considerably.
As Seo Jun removed his upper garments one by one, revealing his bare torso, Yun Hye’s lips parted slightly. Before her was a body radiating the raw power of a male that He Ham could never possess.
Rock-solid muscles, finely chiseled and unyielding.
Seo Jun finished undressing, lay down on the bed, and waited for Yun Hye.
P.S. Dear readers, I wish you all a happy new year and hope that all your wishes come true this year.