Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Part 19: The Head Maid
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Stewardship Department.
The Luoyang Sword Clan main house had countless large and small departments, and naturally, there were few that weren't busy.
Among them, if there was one considered the busiest, everyone would point to the Stewardship Department.
The Stewardship Department handled the basic training, assignment, personnel management of all the servants and maids in the Luoyang Sword Clan main house, as well as the training of maids and attendants before their assignments.
Being such a department, it never knew a quiet day, day or night.
Right after lunchtime ended, the front of the Stewardship Department's hall resembled Luoyang's bustling marketplace.
Of course, the Stewardship Department also had a main road and back alleys separated, so the main road side was a bit better.
Even so, wait times could stretch over an hour.
As a result, one could gauge a person's power and influence just by seeing how quickly they entered without waiting in line.
"Wow, what an outfit. She must be a maid for someone of high status. I'm so jealous."
"Look at that. She's even wearing a sword. Is she a maid or a bodyguard?"
"You, have you ever seen a bodyguard dressed that flashily?"
Of course, the subject of their chatter was Jeong-a.
She wore a splendid yet beautiful outing robe embroidered with striking red patterns, with a sword sheathed at her emphasized slim waist behind her.
Due to the nature of the Stewardship Department's main road, most people around were maids or attendants.
Thus, Jeong-a's attire, accessories, and sword couldn't help but stand out.
Of course, Jeong-a, who had been called Binghwa from her days at the Reception Hall, paid no mind to such stares or whispers.
Her mind was filled with thoughts of training.
"Oh, hello there."
A group of maids approached Jeong-a.
They were quite beautiful in their own right, but standing before Jeong-a, they seemed somehow lacking.
The one who appeared to be the queen bee of the group stepped forward one more pace.
"Since I've never seen you before, I thought we could exchange names. For maids like us, connections are the most important thing, right?"
Jeong-a's dragon eyes caught the curiosity and faint envy emanating from the maids.
"Yes, hello."
Jeong-a drew a firm line.
It was a clear sign she had no desire to chat.
"Oh, don't be like that. Let us introduce ourselves. We're maids scheduled to be assigned to the Reception Hall this time."
As expected, they were all exceptionally beautiful—Jeong-a's juniors.
"You don't seem familiar from Luoyang's social circles. Might I ask which family's lady you are...?"
Jeong-a sighed inwardly.
The position of maid often attracted those from respectable backgrounds by nature.
Thus, among new assignments, there were bound to be a few 'fools' like this.
"...I see."
Jeong-a slowly approached them.
Just from her walking, an innate dignity flowed out, draining the color from the 'chicks'' faces.
It was a pressure utterly unlike what they might feel in the young ladies' social world.
"Let me give you some well-intentioned advice."
Jeong-a's cold eyes looked down upon them.
"Once you've entered the Sword Clan, forget about your original family."
"O-our family...?!"
Jeong-a whispered into the ear of the chick still mistaking herself for a noble lady.
"Here, no one cares about your petty family background."
Defiance flared in the chick's eyes.
"Do you know who I am...?!"
At that moment, a Stewardship Department attendant's voice came from behind.
"Are you Lady Jeong-a?"
Jeong-a replied without taking her eyes off the chick.
"Yes."
The attendant bowed deeply.
"The Head Steward is waiting for you."
At the words "Head Steward," the chicks' faces turned deathly pale.
It was a name these mere incoming maids could never hope to handle.
The Head Steward of the Luoyang Sword Clan's Stewardship Department was someone even their family heads would rush out barefoot to greet.
Jeong-a glanced at the pale chicks and said to the attendant,
"This batch lacks proper education."
The attendant's face flushed with shame.
"I'm sorry. I'll inform the training supervisor and take measures..."
Jeong-a cut him off.
"No need. I'll tell the Head Steward myself."
Now the chicks were trembling as if doused with ice water in midwinter.
"You're lucky. If you'd done this at the Reception Hall, what do you think would happen? The Reception Hall Master I know..."
Jeong-a flashed a brilliant smile.
"...would have beaten you with a rod until you couldn't walk on your own for a while, then demoted you to privy maid for at least a year."
It was no exaggeration.
"Well then, goodbye everyone. Since this is fate, next time let's exchange names properly."
Jeong-a turned away without waiting for a reply.
"I'll guide you."
Jeong-a shook her head.
"No need. I know the way. Go keep an eye on those chicks instead."
Jeong-a strode purposefully toward the Head Steward's office.
Those who had been watching the scene with interest scattered hurriedly as she approached, clearing a path.
Only after she was out of sight did the attendant, who had kept his head bowed, unleash on the chicks.
"You fools! Do you even know who she is, running your mouths like that?!"
The scolded chicks could only hang their heads in silence.
Then, one of the onlookers sidled up and asked,
"Who is she, anyway?"
The Reception Hall attendant sighed and replied,
"She is the Head Maid of Won-gak Pavilion and the Eldest Young Master's chief personal attendant."
Gasps rippled through the crowd at his words.
It was true that the name Swordless One was openly scorned in the Sword Clan.
Even the underlings badmouthed him where no one important could hear.
But that was merely "cursing the king behind his back."
How could lowly ones dare overlook the position of the Luoyang Sword Clan's Eldest Young Master?
"You worthless idiots!"
The chicks now wore utterly defeated expressions.
The Reception Hall attendant snarled at them,
"You should be grateful for her mercy. If she had demanded punishment fitting her station, you'd already be dead! Got it?!"
And so, the chicks were learning the ways of the Luoyang Sword Clan main house the hard way.
* * *
"...It wasn't easy."
The Head Steward smiled at Jeong-a's sigh.
"Still, it was a model response. Well done. You showed dignity befitting your position."
Jeong-a nodded at his words.
"Am I not the face of my master? I must maintain the dignity and conduct suited to my role."
"Exactly. You're no longer just a Reception Hall maid. Keep that mindset and strive even harder going forward."
"Yes, I will keep it in mind."
"And you should know you showed a bit of restraint."
"Is that so?"
Jeong-a listened attentively.
"If that had been inside Won-gak Pavilion, it would have been internal discipline, and they would all have been deeply grateful for your mercy."
Jeong-a had said she would report directly to the chicks' ultimate superior, the Head Steward.
But apparently, that was only the baseline mercy they deserved.
"But this was outside. In that case, showing a firmer hand was the wiser choice. Seizing the opportunity to greatly uphold your master's dignity."
The "firm hand" he spoke of was certainly not just a simple caning.
It might seem harsh as retribution for rudeness, but this was the Luoyang Sword Clan.
Jeong-a bowed her head in thanks.
"I learned much today as well."
"No. You're doing plenty well; I'm just indulging my old whims."
The Head Steward had once sent a letter to the Eldest Young Master when assigning her, instructing that if she wouldn't bend, she should be dealt with.
Yet there seemed no lingering resentment between the two.
The Head Steward looked at Jeong-a with a pleased expression.
"To earn such trust from him—I'm truly proud of you."
"It's all thanks to my master's favor. I should be grateful to him."
The Head Steward laughed heartily, satisfied by her attributing everything to her master.
Jeong-a now understood his mindset and shared it herself.
The Head Steward was greatly pleased that his own daughter walked the same path as him.
'Everything for the master we serve.'
They were twisted souls born in the Luoyang Sword Clan's labyrinth of power.
"So, what brings you here today?"
Jeong-a got to the point.
"Actually, my master wishes to bolster the manpower at Won-gak Pavilion."
At her words, the Head Steward's eyes gleamed.
"I see. Well, Won-gak Pavilion is quite expansive. You've had it rough on your own."
As he spoke, he pulled over writing materials and dashed off with his brush.
[It seems that one is finally making a move.]
[The Sleeping Dragon awakens from its long slumber.]
"With just me, it's been overwhelming... How embarrassing."
The two faced each other and let out meaningful chuckles: fu-hu-hu-hu.
Of course, Yeon So-hyeon had merely asked for someone to help with cooking.
But no one here cared about such details.
The greatest masters deserved the finest talents at their side, after all.
Emotion swelled on the Head Steward's face.
[So, at last, that one...]
[I can't say details, but my master is far greater than even you elders imagined. A giant of a man.]
"Good, excellent. Then we'll need children skilled in menial tasks."
"Yes, please include some familiar with cooking."
Even as they exchanged words, their hands never stopped.
[Anticipating this, I've kept the best ones set aside.]
[I entrust it to you, Head Steward.]
He rose, erasing all traces of their written exchange.
He confirmed even the last scrap turned to ash in the brazier.
"Now, now, rather than this, we should review and decide together."
"Yes, as you wish."
He opened the door and called loudly for a maid.
"Hey!"
A maid waiting at a distance hurried over and responded.
"Yes, Head Steward."
"A request came from Won-gak Pavilion for reinforcements, so I'll select the personnel myself. Cancel all my subsequent appointments for now."
At the mention of Won-gak Pavilion, surprise flickered across the maid's face.
"Yes, I'll relay that."
"And summon the instructor for the Grade-A Special Class, and have them guide directly."
The maid's eyes widened.
"The Grade-A Special Class, sir?"
The Head Steward bellowed.
"If you understand, move! Do you think the Stewardship Department is that idle?!"
"I'll see to it!"
The maid bolted off as if her tail were on fire.
Once she was out of sight, the Head Steward turned to Jeong-a.
"Just out of concern..."
His gaze went to the sword at Jeong-a's waist.
"You know what it means to carry a sword in the Sword Clan, right?"
Jeong-a smiled.
"A warrior isn't appointed by others— one proves oneself."
He nodded vigorously at her answer.
"Right! Precisely!"