Golden-Haired Prey and the Poisoned Tea
"Then, I'll be off for a bit."
"Please go safely, my lord."
"Have a good trip."
With his mother, wife, and the household servants seeing him off, Han Taeyang lightly mounted his horse. Today was the day of the gathering for the young scions of prestigious families. It wasn't anything truly important—just a drunken get-together where they'd drink and chatter—but as the representative of the Han family, one of the kingdom's foremost noble houses, he couldn't skip it.
Besides, even if the meeting itself lacked substance, the attendees were all from powerful clans that wielded influence across Joseon. From the perspective of building connections, the event held real value, empty talk or not. Especially for someone like him, who had just entered a new marriage; courtesy alone demanded he pay respects to the elders of other houses.
Thus, astride his horse with a few attendants trailing close behind, Han Taeyang headed straight for the meeting place: Myeonghwa Pavilion, one of Hanyang's most renowned pleasure houses.
His mind brimmed with anticipation for the events to unfold according to the original plot—and those twisting off-script behind his back now that he'd derailed the story.
They set out early in the morning and arrived at Myeonghwa Pavilion around midday. Perched on a fairly high hill in a somewhat secluded spot, the lavish pleasure house offered a panoramic view of Hanyang below. No sooner had he arrived than familiar faces—acquaintances from the original novel—came into view.
"Oh! Big brother!"
"You're finally here, brother!"
Two men in flowing overrobes greeted him with bright smiles. One had a plump, pig-like build; the other a slender, sly look. No Yeon-seok and Choi Mun-woo—the original Han Taeyang's right-hand men. They'd followed him since childhood and, in the story, served as his enforcers, relentlessly harassing the protagonist's group. Though they had some martial prowess, one was dim-witted and the other clever but shallow, leading to mishaps that unwittingly contributed to Han Taeyang's downfall.
Of course, that was the original tale. To the current Han Taeyang, these two—who obeyed his every word without question—were highly useful pawns.
"Congratulations on the marriage again, brother!"
"The bride looked stunning at a glance—truly a perfect match, brother!"
"Thanks, Yeon-seok, Mun-woo. Come on, let's head in. On a fine day like today, we ought to drink ourselves silly!"
"Yes, brother!"
"I've prepared a spot for us. We'll start with greetings to the elders, then escort you right away."
Guided by the pair, Han Taeyang entered Myeonghwa Pavilion. As one of Hanyang's top pleasure houses, its interior impressed even him, a modern man—elegant and refined. Above all, the passing gisaengs were no ordinary beauties. They possessed striking looks and refined grace at first glance.
One might assume gisaengs were just high-class whores selling their bodies, but those here were a cut above. In Joseon, gisaengs fell into three tiers: the lowly sampaegi, who primarily prostituted; the ipae gi, who sold only dances and songs to yangban without official prostitution; and the elite ilpae gi, who performed exclusively for the king and high officials. The ipae and above resembled modern celebrities more than courtesans. The ilpae often amassed wealth, commanded troupes of gisaengs, and even entered the palace, their connections rivaling top nobles—practically akin to modern top stars or agency CEOs.
Officially, in this Confucian kingdom, sexual services were banned for ipae and ilpae gisaengs. In truth, they still entertained yangban elites in the shadows.
Myeonghwa Pavilion catered solely to yangban, featuring only ipae and higher. The visible scenes were wholesome(?): gisaengs and gentlemen gathered, dancing, singing, reciting poetry. Of course, debauchery surely unfolded out of sight elsewhere...
Frankly, Han Taeyang had little interest in that. These beauties, extras at heart(?), paled one step below Lee So-young and Im Jeong-ok. More importantly, as a devoted MILF hunter, he only got excited for married women. To him, these gisaengs were mere pretty flowers in vases.
I've heard there are married gisaengs too... but none in sight right now.
His MILF radar—or rather, his arousal meter—detected nothing noteworthy. Weaving past the beauties and their yangban admirers, they reached their reserved room. Immediately, the gazes of those gathered turned to him.
"Oh~ If it isn't young master Han! Congratulations on the marriage once more!"
"Our Taeyang's already wed!"
"Your father must be overjoyed!"
A fresh groom naturally drew attention. Though he'd anticipated it, the intensity fatigued him slightly, but he returned their greetings one by one.
Then.
"Welcome, my son-in-law!"
"Ah... Lord Seo."
"Lord what? A son-in-law's like a son! Call me Father now!"
"Yes, Father."
Seo Yu-cheon—NTR victim number two—beamed, patting his shoulder. Over two weeks later, the man clearly still hadn't grasped the situation. Han Taeyang inwardly clicked his tongue.
How little attention does he pay his wife to miss this...? Or maybe he's just hiding his suspicions?
Whatever; the longer it took Seo Yu-cheon to catch on, the better for Han Taeyang. It would only tighten the noose around the man's neck.
With that pathetic fool—who couldn't even manage his own wife—dispatched, Han Taeyang finished greeting the elders and headed to a lower room.
"You did well, brother."
"Whew... Two marriages might break my back. When do you two plan to wed?"
"Haha, sorry, no plans yet."
"I got a proposal recently, though..."
"Oh? We'll hear the details downstairs—staying here longer feels suffocating."
"Yes, brother."
"This way, brother."
Escaping the elders' area, they reached a quieter room. As expected, exquisite delicacies overflowed the table, flanked by three gisaengs awaiting them.
"!"
"Yeon-seok, your standards are higher than I thought?"
"Heh, it's been ages since we drank with you, brother—this is the least. Please, come in."
"Alright..."
Entering under Yeon-seok's guidance, Han Taeyang's eyes locked on one woman. Hair shimmering with faint gold, eyes a striking blue like a Westerner's. Her features were Eastern, yet blended with an exotic allure. Only one gisaeng in the original story matched this description.
I was planning to track her down eventually... Didn't expect to find her here.
She bowed with a vibrant smile toward his astonished expression.
"I am Aero. It's an honor to serve esteemed guests today. Please, come inside."
Gisaeng Aero. True name Son Nan-hwa. Hanyang's famed beauty—and mother to the protagonist, Joo Yeok-in.
In this unexpected encounter with a prime hunting target, a sly smile crept across Han Taeyang's lips.
*
"...Did you call for me, Mother?"
Some time after Han Taeyang departed, Im Jeong-ok stood before "mother-in-law" Lee So-young at her summons. Guilt over her deeds etched tension across her face.
Then, Lee So-young smiled brightly at her.
"Why so tense? Between us?"
"B-but..."
"Relax and sit. It's just us here, right? Have some tea and let's catch up like old times."
"Sh... shall I?"
Her tone evoked their past camaraderie, easing Im Jeong-ok's nerves. Unaware of the chill smile on Lee So-young's lips as she offered the tea, she sat.
Moments later—clink.
"...Huh?"
Im Jeong-ok dropped her teacup, her mind clouding. In her final clear moment, she saw Lee So-young's face twisted in a sinister grin directed her way.