Prospective Mother-in-Law, Stepmother-Tutor
"What did you say? Someone from Lord Han Sook-beon's household?"
"Yes, that's correct. They wish to discuss this marriage proposal and have requested that you and the young lady visit in person."
This sudden request from the Han lord's family at such an unexpected time left Seo Yu-cheon, the middle-aged head of the household who had been aggressively pushing this match for years, feeling a tangle of thoughts brewing in his mind.
"Discuss the marriage proposal? What could this be about all of a sudden?"
"I apologize, my lord. I am merely the messenger and know no further details."
"Hmm..."
At a glance, one might assume it was simply the in-laws-to-be inviting his daughter and her guardian for a face-to-face meeting. But Seo Yu-cheon sensed this was anything but ordinary.
Lord Han Sook-beon is bedridden... Rumors say he could pass at any moment. Calling for my daughter at a time like this... Could it mean they're eager to advance the wedding date?
Of course, the truth would only reveal itself upon arrival, but Seo Yu-cheon was convinced his hunch was right. When the family patriarch—especially a parent—passes away, hosting a grand event becomes nearly impossible for a time. Not a full three-year mourning period, perhaps, but at least several months, or even a year, would delay any formal wedding.
In that light, this summons made perfect sense: to wed before Han Sook-beon drew his last breath, tying up loose ends, stabilizing the household. And for Seo Yu-cheon, it was precisely the outcome he desired.
"Very well. Tomorrow at dawn, take Hyo-jeong and visit the Han estate."
Speaking in a grave tone that brooked no argument, Seo Yu-cheon issued what was effectively a command. His wife—Im Jeong-ok, mother to Seo Hyo-jeong—responded with a face etched in deep concern, her voice tentative.
"...Are you truly going to do this? Send our daughter to that utter scoundrel?"
"How dare you call him a scoundrel! He's to be our son-in-law!"
"Isn't it the truth? You've heard the rumors yourself, my lord. All the depraved acts committed by that Young Master Han Taeyang."
"And what of it?"
"My lord!"
"Even if his temper is foul, he's undeniably the real power in the Han family now. Once Lord Han breathes his last, everything falls to that boy. We're talking about making him our son-in-law—do you think some petty personality flaw matters?"
"Of course it matters! This decides our daughter's entire life. How can you treat it so lightly?"
Seo Hyo-jeong, raised like a precious jewel: beautiful, refined, wise beyond her years. To Im Jeong-ok, she was more vital than life itself. The thought of her marrying a man notorious for his brutality filled Im Jeong-ok with dread she couldn't shake.
Though always obedient, she had opposed this match from the start, even gathering evidence of his misdeeds to present to her husband. Yet Seo Yu-cheon turned a deaf ear, pressing forward relentlessly.
"Enough. How many times must we go over this already-settled matter?"
"Will you really... do this? She's your daughter too. How can you—"
"Madam!"
Seo Yu-cheon raised his voice in icy warning. Im Jeong-ok fell silent at last.
"You've grown awfully talkative lately. This isn't like you. Are you hiding some impropriety from me?"
"! How can you say such a thing? This isn't about that—I'm just a mother worried for her child..."
"As my wife, you're defying me repeatedly. Even if I overlook it once, how dare you meddle in family affairs like this? And not just once, but over and over."
"...Kuh."
His words dripped with anger. Im Jeong-ok could only avert her gaze, biting back her fury. No matter how fiercely she resisted, this was her limit. All major decisions rested with Seo Yu-cheon, and she had no choice but to yield. Realizing once more there was nothing she could do for her daughter, a heavy despair settled in her heart.
"Go now. Since it's a visit to your future son-in-law's home after so long, don't forget a proper gift."
"...Understood."
Her voice trembled as she replied, then dragged her feet away. Watching her retreating figure, Seo Yu-cheon let out a heavy sigh.
Well... her reaction is only natural. Even I don't feel entirely at ease...
He pushed the marriage with iron resolve, yet he wasn't blind or deaf to the realities. He knew full well what a wastrel Han Taeyang was. Sending his only daughter to such a man naturally provoked his wife's outrage.
But to gain something, one must sometimes sacrifice. From wealth on the small scale to family on the large. A man pursuing his ambitions had to learn to expend even his most precious assets without hesitation.
King Wen of Zhou had wept blood while eating meat pie made from his eldest son's corpse. Lady Mi had offered her pregnant concubine to seize the world. Seo Yu-cheon, a man steeped in such history and its harsh realities, former Vice Minister of Public Works, had to make this marriage happen.
His rise to Vice Minister had been sheer luck. A relatively minor post, attained by latching onto the right patrons—until a shift in power dynamics forced him out in under three months.
Yet those three months were the pinnacle of his life, a dreamlike era. Countless bowed before him; his word struck terror. The regret of losing it all lingered bitterly. Though still addressed as "lord" thanks to that brief taste, his craving for that seat—of power—only grew fiercer.
If this works out... returning to that dream world isn't impossible!
The Han family: one of Joseon's premier noble houses. True, the son held no office, hadn't even passed the exams, and the dying father sat at power's heart. Yet their influence endured—tendrils in every court corner, vast wealth intact. Marry his famed beauty of a daughter as their lady of the house, and he could reclaim past glory.
I'll return... even if it means sending my daughter to that wastrel. I will reclaim that seat!
In the annex, Im Jeong-ok sat calmly beside her daughter—or so she appeared. In truth, she felt like she was on pins and needles.
The man before them: the household's true master, betrothed to her daughter. Han Taeyang.
His face was strikingly handsome, exuding an odd nobility. Yet she knew his history—a reprobate whose deeds made street thugs seem gentlemanly. Recalling them alone made her grimace.
Frankly, without her husband's iron will, Im Jeong-ok would have avoided even facing him, let alone this marriage.
To entrust our Hyo-jeong to that man... My fate is truly wretched...
She too had become the lady of this modest house for its status, wedding an older Seo Yu-cheon. His poor reputation proved true: soon after marriage, he took concubines, haunted pleasure houses, blackening her heart. And now this match thrust her precious daughter into the same—or worse—misery.
Unable to resist meaningfully, she could only swallow her despair in silence.
Then.
"Ex...cuse... me."
"! Ah... th-thank... you."
A woman appeared, setting tea before her. Lee So-young, the household's lady. As Im Jeong-ok took it, lost in turmoil, she hastily bowed.
Come to think of it... she's in a similar plight to me.
Formality aside, they weren't so distant in private. Childhood friends from the same neighborhood, both wed without love. Feeling a pang of shared suffering, Im Jeong-ok gazed at her long-unseen younger "sister."
But...
"...Madam?... No, So-young. What's wrong? Your face..."
"! N-No...? Ah... no... I'm... f-fine."
Lee So-young denied it in a quavering voice. But Im Jeong-ok saw through it. Her flushed face, beads of sweat on her brow. Above all, her half-lidded eyes, drifting aimlessly.
Even pouring tea seemed agonizing. She looked like a patient on death's door. As Lee So-young struggled to rise, Im Jeong-ok voiced pure concern.
"You don't... look well at all. Are you ill somewhere? If need be, call a physician..."
"I'm... f-fine, I said...!"
Lee So-young snapped suddenly, uncharacteristically hysterical. Im Jeong-ok recoiled in shock.
Then.
"N-No... d-don't... Ah... n-no..."
Lee So-young dropped the teapot she held. Seizures wracked her; her face stiffened. A stark emotion descended—utter despair.
And.