Chapter 53
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Confession
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After the long subjugation of Yang Province, we finally returned to Jinsa.
Governor Yang, true to his word, had sent out men to secure me a Commandery Administrator post. In the meantime, he handed over one of his mansions in its entirety so I could stay comfortably.
The mansion's scale was beyond imagination. Dozens of servants lined up at the gates to welcome us.
"No way, brother! The Governor's so generous! Man, what a house!"
Wei Sok shouted, grinning from ear to ear.
Cheng Lian and Wei Yue simply gaped, staring blankly at the massive estate.
"I... I too... will definitely make it big...!"
Ma Deng clenched his fist, reigniting his burning ambition.
Meanwhile, Zhang Liao and Gao Shun showed no interest in the splendor. They inspected the height of the walls and the surrounding terrain, checking the defenses first.
Amid all the commotion, my heart remained uneasy.
The servants guided me to the largest and most ornate room assigned to me, but as I gazed out the window, my mind was elsewhere.
'Why hasn't she sent even a single letter?'
During my time in Yang Province, I'd made time after every battle to send letters to Lady Chae Yeom.
Filling them with word that I was safe, along with all the trivial tales from the battlefield.
But not one reply had come. At first, I'd thought the treacherous roads prevented letters from passing. But no matter how you sliced it, this was strange.
'Has something happened? Or...'
Ominous thoughts chased one another in a chain.
My subordinates were already caught up in exploring the mansion, making a racket. But I could stay here no longer.
"Brother! This room over here seems even better! Sleep in this one! Or should I fetch a woman for tonight?"
"Shut it. Handle yourselves. I'm stepping out for a bit."
I brushed off Wei Sok and left the room. Zhang Liao immediately blocked my path.
"My lord, where are you headed? With so many following you now, at least take an escort."
"No need. Who could kill me? I've got something urgent—I'll be right back."
"My lord!"
Even Jeonpung looked puzzled as he tried to stop me, but my anxiety propelled me straight out of the mansion.
The grand estate and silk-embroidered streets meant nothing.
Wealth and glory, official posts—none of it mattered. Only one woman filled my thoughts.
My footsteps led to but one place: Lady Chae Yeom's home.
'Please... let nothing be wrong.'
I arrived at Lady Chae Yeom's house.
It looked the same as before, but the atmosphere felt different somehow.
Unlike the lively energy of the past, the entire home was shrouded in heavy silence. My unease deepened.
I knocked on the front gate without delay.
—Knock, knock, knock.
I waited a long while, but no response came.
Impatient, I rapped harder. At last, the door creaked open. But it wasn't Lady Chae Yeom or Chae Jeonghui who answered.
A stern-looking old man eyed me up and down with wary suspicion.
"Who might you be...?"
"I'm Cavalry Captain Lu Bu. Here to see Lady Chae Yeom."
Even after hearing my status, the old man's rudeness didn't change.
"The lady cannot meet outsiders at present."
"I'm no outsider. I'm a disciple of Master Bai Gai, the master of this house. Why block my way?"
The old man replied coldly to my words.
"The lady is soon to wed. Meeting other men would violate propriety. Please leave."
"...Wed?"
My mind went blank the instant I heard it.
'So that's why no reply...'
As I reeled in shock, the old man clicked his tongue and continued.
"It's a match with the prestigious Wei Clan of Hedong. The elders have already discussed it. Someone of a different caliber from a mere warrior like the Cavalry Captain."
At those words, something began to boil inside me. I clenched my fist tight.
I wanted to grab the old man by the collar and storm inside right then. But this old fellow was no ordinary sort.
He quailed before my killing intent yet refused to yield the path.
It was just as I moved to take a step forward. A familiar young girl's voice rang out from within the house.
"Sister! Sister! Brother-in-law... brother-in-law's here outside!"
With Chae Jeonghui's shout came the sound of hurried footsteps from inside. Moments later, Chae Jeonghui appeared.
Spotting me at the gate, her face lit up—then she frowned at the old man blocking me.
"How rude! He's sister's guest—how can you leave him standing outside like this!"
The old man responded with evident difficulty.
"But young miss, the lady will soon be the wife of the Wei Clan. How can she meet an outsider—"
"Outsider?!"
Before the steward could finish, Chae Jeonghui raised her voice.
"Privately, he's Father's disciple, and publicly, a Cavalry Captain who's earned merit for the realm! How dare you call him an outsider and turn him away at the gate! Do you want rumors spreading through Jinsa that the Chae family is too boorish to receive guests!?"
I inwardly stuck out my tongue at her logical rebuttal.
'Who knew this spitfire had a side like this?'
Under Chae Jeonghui's sharp rebuke, the old man could say no more and backed down.
He cleared his throat a few times, then grudgingly made way for me.
"Ahem, Cavalry Captain. My thinking was shortsighted; I was rude. Please, come in. But I trust you won't do anything to stir needless scandal."
With that, the old man withdrew. Chae Jeonghui winked at me where only I could see, then grabbed my wrist.
"Come on, come on! This way, brother-in-law! I'll show you!"
Chae Jeonghui led me familiarly inside.
We passed down the quiet corridor and arrived at the study where I'd always spent time with Lady Chae Yeom.
Chae Jeonghui left with a "Take care of my sister, brother-in-law!" and closed the study door.
Inside was Lady Chae Yeom, her face pale amid the scent of ink. Though it had been so long, she was still beautiful—but a deep shadow lingered.
The look in her eyes as she saw me mixed surprise and joy with profound sadness.
"...Lady, it's been too long."
"Cavalry Captain... whatever brings you all this way..."
She averted her gaze from mine as she spoke. Unable to hold back, I cut straight to it.
"I've heard the marriage talks are underway. Is it true?"
At my blunt question, Lady Chae Yeom's shoulders trembled faintly. At last, she nodded and began to lay bare the full truth.
"After Father went into exile, our family's standing was greatly shaken. The court's enemies still target us..."
The marriage was a political union to protect the family.
The Wei Clan of Hedong was a renowned house of prestige for generations. By forging ties through marriage, they aimed to secure the family's safety—and ultimately gain the power to aid Father's pardon.
It had all been decided by the family elders, with no regard for Lady Chae Yeom's own wishes.
Having confessed the facts, she spoke in a voice of resignation.
"It's the fate of a daughter from a noble house. My feelings... don't matter."
"That your heart doesn't matter? What nonsense is that!"
I stepped even closer to Lady Chae Yeom.
"Family? Noble house? I don't know much about that. But one thing I do know."
I stared straight into her tear-filled eyes and declared.
"I can't stand seeing tears fall from your eyes over an unwanted marriage. Just tell me where this Wei Clan is. I'll go myself and make those talks 'never happened.'"
At my words, Lady Chae Yeom looked up at me. Her eyes shook fiercely with shock and disbelief, and the faintest glimmer of hope.
I left Lady Chae Yeom's house, but my mind was ice-cold.
The Wei Clan of Hedong. A noble house.
I couldn't just charge in sword in hand and smash their heads. That would only backfire on me.
Then, something flashed through my mind.
The token from the Yuan Clan that I'd used as a bribe on the eunuch Zuofeng at Guangzong Castle. And the arrogant golden spoon who gave it to me—Yuan Shu.
'Yuan Shu...'
Without hesitation, I turned toward the most opulent Yuan Clan mansion in Jinsa.
The Yuan mansion dwarfed even the one Governor Yang had given me in size and splendor.
But the gatekeepers' noses were held even higher.
"Don't care who you are—the young master doesn't see just anyone. Be off!"
"Your young master himself summoned me. Why block the way?"
"What gall! Acting without a token—you'll get the rod for...!"
I had no desire to bicker further with the gatekeepers. Instead, I bellowed at the top of my lungs, loud enough to carry inside the estate.
"Yuan Gonglu! You told me to come! Yet your men bar the way!"
"Wh-what voice is that!"
As the gatekeepers clutched their ears, a hearty laugh echoed from within the gates.
"Hahaha! Isn't this the very man who sold my token to that filthy eunuch?"
"Thanks to it, I could earn merit for the realm. That token served its worth."
"Hah, you've got a silver tongue. Fine."
Yuan Shu waved lazily at the gatekeepers blocking me.
"This one's my guest. Get lost."
"Y-yes, young master!"
The gatekeepers scattered in panic. Yuan Shu jerked his chin at me.
"Follow. Looks like you have business."
I trailed silently after Yuan Shu.
Passing endless lavish corridors and gardens, I felt anew just how immense the Yuan Clan's wealth and influence truly were.
In the room Yuan Shu led me to, I explained the matter of the Hedong Wei Clan and Lady Chae Yeom's marriage without further ado.
Having heard me out, Yuan Shu crossed his arms and asked.
"So? You already used the token I gave you. Why should I help with your personal trifles?"
"...Help me, and if you're ever in danger, I'll aid you—just once, anytime."
At my words, Yuan Shu stared blankly for a moment, then burst into belly-clutching laughter.
"Hahahaha! I, the eldest son of the Four Generations Three Dukes Yuan Clan, in danger? Ha! That's a riot! Still, from what I've heard of your prowess, you might prove useful someday. Fine! Consider it an investment—I'll help specially."
Yuan Shu laughed arrogantly and summoned a servant.
"Send word to the Hedong Wei Clan. In my name: 'The Yuan Clan of Ru Nan finds those marriage talks highly displeasing.' Just that. Understood?"
"Yes, young master!"
As the servant departed, I asked in disbelief.
"...And that'll solve it?"
Yuan Shu looked at me like some pitiful insect.
"Hah, if the Yuan Clan of Four Generations Three Dukes finds it disagreeable, who would dare say more! Your business is done—now scram!"
I left the Yuan mansion in a daze.
Really, one letter settles it all?
For some reason, I felt a vague sense of defeat.
I'd half-doubted what result Yuan Shu's letter would bring, but it came in just three days.
Lady Chae Yeom's marriage talks were perfectly erased as if they'd never been.
I headed back to the Chae house. This time, even the stern old man bowed to me at ninety degrees.
Guided by Chae Jeonghui, I entered the study once more. Inside was a Lady Chae Yeom utterly transformed from before.
The deep shadow that had covered her face was gone, replaced by a smile like sunlight.
"...You really... did it."
"What can't I do?"
I found myself smiling back unwittingly.
"How on earth... the Hedong Wei Clan..."
"...Just owe one favor to some arrogant bastard."
"Ahahaha!"
We laughed facing each other. No more heavy words passed between us.
In the peaceful time we'd regained after so long, only the fragrant tea scent filled the space.
An awkward but serene silence flowed. After much hesitation, I finally mustered the courage to speak.
"Lady. Truth is... I had words I meant to say the moment I returned from Yang Province."
"...Pardon?"
Lady Chae Yeom looked at me in surprise.
"...A confession."
"A confession...? What sort of... confession do you mean?"
At her innocent question, I calmed my wildly pounding heart and continued.
"I'm... a man with nothing to his name. Little learning, and all I know is swinging a spear and cutting down foes on the battlefield."
"........."
"But... from the first moment I saw you, there's one thing I've wanted to say."
I rose and stood before Lady Chae Yeom, speaking clumsily but from the heart.
"Will you... marry me?"
At my confession, her face flushed red—but then she bowed her head in sad resignation.
"I already know you're sincere... from the letters we exchanged, and seeing you now. But... I was raised by my family. How could I simply follow my heart..."
As Lady Chae Yeom wavered out of loyalty to her house, the study door flew open.
"Sister! Don't be ridiculous! Where in the world is another man like this—Father would surely approve!"
It was Chae Jeonghui.
Emboldened by her cheer, I approached the hesitant Lady Chae Yeom and gently took her hand.
"Lady. Family and honor—such weighty matters are beyond me. But this one thing, I swear on my life: no more tears from you."
"Exactly! Sister! Look at brother-in-law—he's clearly the type who won't let you cry! A chance like this won't come again! Say yes already!"
To my words and her sister's urging, Lady Chae Yeom gazed at me for a long while with trembling eyes.
At last, she nodded in the tiniest voice.
"...Yes."
At that instant, Chae Jeonghui let out a whoop and clapped wildly.
"Yay! My sister's finally getting married!"
Her answer filled me with a surging emotion utterly unlike any battlefield victory.