Widow Gisaeng Fallen, Hero's Mother Conquered, Mother-in-Law Trained, Stepmother Enslaved
"What... what in the world is this? How could that immature pup, who was just a foolish boy not long ago, pull off something like this..."
Baek Man-hwan muttered in a dazed voice. Watching him from her seat as his concubine, Aero simply maintained her silence, quietly gauging his mood.
The trade deal wasn't a massive loss given the scale of their operations. But the fact that he—the man he'd dismissed as easy prey—had landed a devastating blow on him, the lord of the Baek Man Merchant Group, seemed to deliver a profound shock in itself.
"People can mature, sure, but to this extent... And for him to know all that means information must have leaked from somewhere. Could there be a traitor in our merchant group?"
"..."
Baek Man-hwan's face twisted in utter unease. The defeat stung, but the realization that there was a leak somewhere within the group felt like an even greater threat to him.
To a merchant, information was more precious than gold. The inequality of knowledge directly translated to profit—that was the foundation of trade. A leak was no different from gold pouring out of the group's coffers.
"Who could it be? ...Recently, Do Haengsu botched the market analysis and took a big hit, but could it be him? ...No... no, when it comes to audacity, Im Haengsu has more..."
Listing names that came to mind, Baek Man-hwan desperately tried to pinpoint the traitor.
Meanwhile, gazing at her 'husband's' anxious face...
The very traitor in question, the gisaeng Aero, could only bite her lip and struggle to suppress the guilt writhing in her heart.
...It's too late now to turn back... I... I'm no longer...
She knew Baek Man-hwan's temperament all too well—sharp as a blade. If he discovered she was the betrayer, even his beloved concubine would face swift execution without mercy.
Even if she confessed everything, nothing would change. Worse, it might just put her son's life at risk in Han Taeyang's vengeful hands.
All she could do now was tighten security around her and ensure her betrayal stayed hidden for as long as possible.
It was a mere stopgap... but it was the best she could manage at the moment.
For now, at least.
If he lets this slide, that would be ideal... but he won't. Once this trade with the Central Plains wraps up, Han Taeyang—that man—will demand something more from me.
She didn't know his ultimate goal. But if she kept getting dragged along by him like this... she knew all too well that destruction was the only thing awaiting her.
I have to break free... somehow, from that man's grasp...
By the contract, her body was now bound to obey Han Taeyang's words. Openly defying or opposing him was impossible.
Yet she still had one card left to play.
Once this trade ends, the Baek Man Merchant Group's power will swell even further. If I use that wisely...
It was a plan she'd hatched from the moment she decided to feed information to Han Taeyang. Though the deal had twisted, leaving an invisible collar around her neck, she'd still achieved her goal as a scribe.
In the meeting just moments ago, he'd maximized profits by actively using the intel she'd provided.
In other words, he trusted her information that much.
And that trust would become her dagger to strike him down.
...Once he starts believing once, he'll believe twice, three times over. If I orchestrate it right... I can use the Baek Man Merchant Group's might to deliver the killing blow.
To advance two steps, retreat one now. Even if it risked exposure and a plunge off the cliff...
Aero steeled herself, biding her time for the counterattack.
For her son, suffering somewhere even now.
And... for her own future...
"...Then this girl will take her leave."
"Haah... Sorry. I was planning to share your bed tonight, but things are too hectic."
"It's fine. This girl knows full well how important this matter is. Please ensure its success and bring us great profits."
"Haha, I will. My luck's been rotten, but you give me strength, my lady."
Baek Man-hwan let out a bright laugh, his face beaming with joy and affection toward her. Watching him, Aero felt a needle-like pain stab her heart.
But she had to endure for now. Once everything ended—once she'd toppled the Han family in the name of the Baek Man Merchant Group and reclaimed her freedom—she could reveal the truth and beg forgiveness.
...Forgive this girl's rudeness just a little longer, my lord... Just a bit more. This girl will surely... return to being your woman again.
With renewed resolve, Aero returned to the gisaeng house.
But...
"You're late."
"!"
One man stood before her as she entered the room. The sight of his face made Aero's heart plummet.
"Y-You... how are you here..."
"How? What's there to be so surprised about when your master comes to see his slave's face?"
"...Kh."
Han Taeyang spoke without a hint of hesitation. Yet since she had no ground to argue his words, Aero could only swallow her anger and bite her lip lightly.
But separate from that, she had no intention of yielding to him easily this time.
"...Please leave. The timing isn't good today."
"Hm? And what's so bad about it?"
Undeterred by her words, Han Taeyang calmly poured liquor into the cup before him. Frustration and impatience surged within her at his utter nonchalance, and she stated firmly,
"You know why. After what just happened, my lord—Baek Man-hwan daebang—is furious, rampaging to root out the traitor. If word got out that you and I met in this situation, what do you think would happen?"
Myeonghwa Pavilion was Aero's domain, staffed with her loyal hands blocking information flow. A gisaeng's trade demanded discretion, and it was handled meticulously...
But they couldn't fully evade the Baek Man Merchant Group's watchful eyes everywhere. Just monitoring the brothel's entrance would reveal who came and went.
Yet toward Aero, voicing such anxiety and concern, Han Taeyang replied in a voice of supreme calm.
"So? What of it?"
"...Wh-what?"
"Baek Man-hwan's a smart man. Even if our relationship came to light right now, he'd at least tolerate it until the trade concludes."
With that, he downed his cup in one smooth motion. Setting it down with a sharp clack, he turned a cold smile on her.
"And even after the trade ends, he won't rush to make it public. Instead, he'll seize the opportunity to squeeze out more profit. No matter how enraged, he won't be fool enough to shatter a rare chance with his own hands."
"Th-that's..."
"Of course, that might put you in a tough spot. Betraying him, sleeping with another man, and leaking the group's secrets on top."
"!..."
"Figure it out yourself. Do your best to hide it—if you get caught and kicked out, even I'd feel a twinge of regret."
"Kh..."
Han Taeyang stated facts without a trace of fear. Watching him, cold sweat began trickling down Aero's back once more.
...A terrifying man... How... how did no one notice this side of him until now? ...Not even my lord...
He seemed to hold the entire situation in the palm of his hand.
As she felt that fear anew toward her opponent, Han Taeyang spoke to her in a steady voice.
"With that in mind... how about it? Time to drop the pointless stubbornness and fully switch sides."
"Wh-what are you..."
His words carried an ominous chill she couldn't pinpoint. As Aero began trembling unwittingly, Han Taeyang flashed a serpentine smile.
And