Chapter 3
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 2.1
Chapter Title: The Lazy Young Master
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"Where on earth could he be?"
A lovely young girl with a voice like a lark was searching every corner of the An Family Merchant House.
She was looking for the young master who had vanished after breakfast.
"I even asked the gatekeeper if he'd left the family grounds, but he said no."
After spending half the day hunting for the young master, she finally collapsed in exhaustion.
But it wasn't her weary body that troubled her most.
'The family head must be so worried...'
It was the family head's concern that weighed on her.
To her, the family head wasn't just an employer.
She was the benefactress who had shown her immense kindness when her family had tried to sell her off to cover her father's funeral expenses.
"Hold up a moment."
An Yeong, An Hoe's mother and the head of the An Family, halted the caravan as she returned from a trading trip.
"What is it?"
"That girl over there catches my eye."
She was a young child.
The situation was far from ordinary.
Her father's body was wrapped in a straw mat beside her, and she had written her pitiful tale on rough wood, offering herself for sale. The story was heartbreaking.
But An Yeong didn't stop just because of that tale.
'This child's talents are no ordinary matter.'
Even though the writing was on crude wooden planks instead of paper, the calligraphy was masterful.
Yet what stood out even more was the content itself.
'If she were a boy, she'd dream of becoming a renowned scholar.'
An Yeong couldn't simply pass by.
She approached the girl.
The girl, who had been staring at the ground, looked up at An Yeong. Their eyes met, and An Yeong feigned sternness as she scolded her.
"You seem like the descendant of a noble house, yet how could you make such a foolish choice? There are no parents in this world who sell their children to live in luxury. This isn't filial piety—it's the opposite. I urge you to abandon such misguided thoughts."
Tears streamed down the girl's cheeks as she replied in a hoarse voice.
"How could I not know that? But the regret of never giving my father a proper dose of medicine in life drives me to this. Please, madam, understand."
The girl's words carried such raw sorrow that An Yeong let out a long sigh.
"Haa... I understand your heart, but for the sake of your late father, you mustn't do this."
An Yeong handed her five silver taels.
"I am An Yeong of the An Family Merchant House over there. Use this to give your father a proper send-off. If you have nowhere to go after, come to the merchant house and mention my name."
"Ah!"
The unexpected generosity left the girl stunned and at a loss. An Yeong climbed into her carriage as if she had said all there was to say.
"...Ugh!"
The girl scrambled to her feet too late, chasing after the carriage, but collapsed after just a few steps.
Her legs had gone numb from kneeling all day.
In the end, Song Hwa was able to hold a lavish funeral for her father.
To repay the kindness, she came to the An Family Merchant House, and An Yeong welcomed her warmly, asking all sorts of questions.
Not just her background, but how far she'd studied, her character, and more. Satisfied, An Yeong smiled.
"I was just looking for a personal attendant for my son, and now I see no one fits the role better than you."
She'd originally planned to hire a male servant, but finding someone suitable to serve her son wasn't easy.
One might say a servant doesn't need to be talented, but that wasn't an exaggeration here.
Her son had spent time in the Jang Family Clan.
Naturally, a servant attending the young master vying for succession wasn't low in status within the clan.
It was a position that could command at least a low-ranking martial officer.
Talent was essential.
The problem was finding such talent outside the clan.
With her son set to leave the Jang Family next year, her urgency had grown—right when she met Song Hwa.
Under An Yeong's guidance, she learned the poise and skills needed to serve as her son's attendant.
After nearly a year of following her teachings and refining her demeanor, she finally met the young master she would serve.
Her first impression wasn't great.
"Haa... So cramped."
He seemed to disparage this place, which was sacred to her.
From An Hoe's perspective, he was judging by Jang Family standards, so it made sense—but Song Hwa couldn't see it that way.
Unlike that first impression, An Hoe's character was exceptional.
"No need for that. I'll call if I need anything, so don't worry about it."
"I see why Mother assigned you to me. Quite an interesting perspective."
"...Thank you."
She'd expected arrogance from Jang Family nobility, but he treated not just her, a mere maid, but even the lowliest servants with respect.
His character isn't the only thing outstanding. What about his talents?
She had only just begun martial arts training, so she couldn't gauge An Hoe's level.
But his scholarship was another matter.
'I was called a child prodigy, to my father's regret, but a true prodigy is someone like the young master!'
Though only five years her senior, his knowledge evoked her own father.
No wonder the family head praised her son so highly and cherished him.
'This must be what they mean by innate genius!'
Yet three months ago, this young master had suddenly started acting strangely.
Three months back.
About ten days after leaving the Jang Family and returning to the merchant house.
His unusual behavior worried the family head at first, then he adopted a completely different lifestyle.
He no longer visited the Thousand Books Pavilion, modeled after the Jang Family's vast library and filled with rare books she'd painstakingly gathered—books he'd once loved.
Nor did he devote himself to martial training.
He spent most days lounging in bed, endlessly snacking. When even that grew boring, he'd vanish without a word like this.
"And he only shows up again late at night."
Song Hwa worried every time.
Whatever he was doing, his clothes were a mess, his face pale—it never looked good.
When she cautiously asked if something was wrong, he'd brush it off, saying it was nothing and not to worry.
'Ah! And don't tell Mother. I don't want to worry her. Got it?'
She didn't know what to do.
She felt she should tell the family head for her sake.
But the next day, he'd be fine as if nothing happened, so she ended up honoring his request.
"...You can't do this today."
Today was special: the family head she served was hosting a rare guest for lunch, and the young master was included.
That's why she'd been searching for him since morning.
"No place left in the family grounds to look..."
So she assumed he'd snuck out.
As she pondered what to do, staring at the dirt, a small shadow crossed her vision.
"What're you doing on the ground like a grown woman?"
A languid young boy's voice followed.
Song Hwa startled, looking up.
"Y-Young Master!"
"Sheesh. Why yell all of a sudden?"
Despite his surprised words, An Hoe scolded her in his usual drowsy tone, but she barely heard.
More pressing matters.
"This isn't the time... Hurry, you need to get ready."
"I know. That's why I came on time. And I'm good to go like this. No more prep needed."
"Pardon?"
Only then did Song Hwa notice he was dressed more formally than usual.
Her eyes spotted flaws, but it met basic standards.
Not improper.
"Come on, up you get. We'll be late."
As An Hoe slyly extended his hand, emotion welled in her chest, but she suppressed it, took his hand, and stood.
She quickly brushed off the dirt and straightened up, then guided him to the pavilion for lunch.
"White Crane Elder, thank you for accepting the invitation."
"Not at all. I'm grateful you sought out this insignificant old man."
The White Crane Elder's words were pure humility.
Normally, An Hoe's mother—a mid-tier merchant head—couldn't summon him so easily.
The White Crane Elder was also known as White Crane.
A symbol of integrity and nobility, and he lived up to it fully.
"Your Highness, you mustn't. Please don't be swayed by those wicked tongues."
When demagogues disrupted the royal court, he'd risked his life to set things right.
"How dare you spout such nonsense! Drag that insolent fool out and execute him!"
"N-No, you mustn't!"
Yet he failed to sway the king, barely escaping with his life before returning to his hometown.
Ten years later, with a new king and stability restored, they called him back—but he refused, saying he'd insulted the sovereign.
Many admired him for it.
Acceptance would have brought high office and wealth.
But he shunned worldly gains, prizing moral perfection.
One thing he couldn't tolerate: failing to nurture disciples.
"As the Three Joys of the Gentleman say, discovering and teaching the world's finest talents is profound delight!"
That was partly why he'd accepted An Yeong's invitation, now a merchant.
—The Tiger Ancestor has gained five tiger cubs.
This rumor about the Jang Family.
The fame of Jang So, the Fierce Tiger Seven Swords, blanketed vast Honam.
The White Crane Elder held him in high regard, for Jang So's path was heroic in its own right.
"A true genius by birth!"
With tiger-like heirs under him, how could he not be intrigued?
An Yeong's request to connect with one was natural.
'Rumors say this house's young master is indolent...'
The Elder paid little heed to such talk.
He found it harsh to label a boy not yet at scholarly age as lazy.
Especially after hearing the circumstances from the family head.
'They say tigers eye sharply and oxen plow steadily, but this goes too far.'
No matter the succession rivalry, tarnishing a boy effectively eliminated from the race was excessive.
He saw it as smears from rival candidates.
Pity stirred for An Hoe—but it vanished upon meeting him.
"Jang Hoe greets the White Crane Elder."
"..."
An Hoe's first impression was intense.
A shock even to the Elder.
Prodigies had limits at twelve.
He'd met and raised many across the realm—his standards were sky-high.
Yet An Hoe left him speechless.
The earlier pity felt foolish.
He resembled his mother, handsome and refined, but not to be underestimated.
Ordinary folk wouldn't grasp why.
It stemmed from his aura or presence.
Usually discerned from gaze, speech, demeanor, confidence, consistency.
At higher realms, one sensed inner profundity.
The spiritual energy within.
Even commoners felt it from master craftsmen or grandmasters.
Their aura was incomparable, instinctively intimidating.
An Hoe was just that.
A pretty boy outwardly, but his presence surpassed most masters.
That silenced the White Crane Elder.