Even Though the Supreme Family Head Said So...
"Of course, the Supreme Family Head said to do it, but still..."
That Danmok Cheon-gi was called the Supreme Family Head within the clan was proof that everyone had joyfully accepted the fact that the young Danmok Hyeon-seong would soon become the family head.
Once he had become the Supreme Family Head, Danmok Cheon-gi never sought to be called family head again, even after losing his son. Who among them could match Danmok Hyeon-seong's talent? And where would they draw any lacking talent from? To fabricate what they didn't have, they'd have no choice but to hollow out their insides.
That was exactly what Danmok Seong from her previous life had done. Ryeon was glad she wouldn't have to see that sight again.
"More importantly, Uncle."
"Hm?"
"Didn't we say we'd go see the herb shop outside? When are we going?"
"We were going to go ages ago, but you went and collapsed after smacking that Geum Jongha, so we had to put it off."
"I told you I'm all better now."
"Really? Let me check if you're truly better."
With that, Danmok Hyeon-u scooped Ryeon up in his arms and weighed her like a sack of rice. The white cat in her embrace growled and leaped away.
"Hmm. A bit heavier now?"
"Urgh..."
Watching Ryeon strain her limbs to add some weight, Danmok Hyeon-u burst into loud laughter.
"Let's go, let's go! We'll get permission from the Inner Quarters Lady first."
Danmok Hyeon-u had spoken boisterously to Ryeon, but when he faced Wijicheong, the Lady of the Inner Quarters, his expression stiffened with tension.
"Ah, taking Ryeon outside?"
"Y-yes... that's right."
Privately they were family, and publicly they held the same rank as Lady of the Inner Quarters and Master of the Pharmacy Hall, yet Danmok Hyeon-u could never quite stand tall before her. No one blamed him for it, and it wasn't truly his fault, but Danmok Hyeon-u still carried the events from when Ryeon was just born deep in his heart.
The wounds Ryeon had suffered back then hadn't even left scars, yet it was he who bore the scar in his soul.
"Take plenty of escorts, and keep the route secret from outsiders..."
"I'll leave it to you."
Wijicheong cut through Danmok Hyeon-u's flustered rambling with a soft smile.
"Why not have Seong come along too? If you only take Ryeon, she might feel left out."
"Ryeon said the exact same thing!"
Danmok Hyeon-u's face lit up as he chattered on about Ryeon's thoughtful heart and how fairly he loved his nieces.
Ryeon's progress in learning letters was remarkable, and lately she'd even composed a fine poem—he'd taken a line from it to name Hwaryun's star; her flute playing was exceptional too, with no talent she lacked...
"Next you'll be calling Ryeon the reincarnation of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden."
"Gasp. It could be..."
Seeing Danmok Hyeon-u nod seriously, Wijicheong waved her hands hurriedly and shooed him out.
"I'll be discussing new disciple intake with the Outer Quarters Head all day, so please take good care of our family's futures, Pharmacy Master."
Danmok Hyeon-u beamed. He nearly blurted out, "Just leave it to me!" but managed only a mumbled, "I'll be careful."
Wijicheong watched his retreating back with pity.
When Danmok Hyeon-u mentioned taking Ryeon and Seong out, Danmok Hyeon-yo shrugged it off at first. But the moment she saw Danmok Seong and Danmok Ryeon standing side by side in the inner courtyard, her eyes narrowed to axes, flicking between Wijicheong and Danmok Hyeon-u.
She let out a heavy sigh, bit her lip hard, and furrowed her brow.
"...Won't Ryeon be cold? There was frost on the ground these past few dawns."
"It's not that chilly today, and we've dressed her plenty warm. It's Seong who's a bit..."
"No, no, no!"
Danmok Hyeon-yo cut Wijicheong off with a near-screech of expression, then spoke in a voice thick with restraint.
"I brought a new featherwind cloak from Henan. Seong has so many clothes she hasn't even tried it on yet, but it should fit Ryeon perfectly."
Ryeon and Seong's height difference was considerable—no way would it fit—but Danmok Hyeon-yo insisted firmly.
"Is it really okay to accept...?"
"Of course! Ryeon, come with Auntie."
When Wijicheong seemed about to decline, Danmok Hyeon-yo practically dragged Ryeon to her chambers. There, she made Ryeon change out of nearly everything she was wearing.
The final piece was a featherwind cloak embroidered with silver-threaded white silk that shimmered faintly. A bit large for Ryeon, Danmok Hyeon-yo adjusted the ties this way and that, tailoring the oversized garment to fit perfectly.
Ryeon stared at her reflection in shock. From her simple, modest attire, she now looked every inch the refined young lady.
Meanwhile, Danmok Hyeon-yo grumbled at her younger brother.
"You were going to send Ryeon out like that? What would you have done if I hadn't stepped in?!"
Danmok Hyeon-u scratched his head sheepishly at her low, scolding tone.
"Come on, it's not that big a deal..."
"What will people say? I've been away in Henan, and they'll say I neglected the household while dressing only my daughter in finery!"
"Who's saying that? And Ryeon looks neat and pretty too. Seong's just... your sister dressed her flashily."
"That's the problem—the gap!"
Inside the family estate, outfits didn't matter much, but two girls heading out together—one in fine embroidered silk, the other in plain cotton? Anyone on the street would whisper.
"And it's the same when Ryeon goes out alone. That... uh... those neat clothes are absolutely, absolutely not acceptable."
She'd mustered every ounce of patience to call them "neat."
"The Lady of the Inner Quarters won't accept just anything, so I'm leaving Ryeon's clothes to you—pay attention..."
Only then did Danmok Hyeon-yo notice her brother's attire. Her eyes screamed again as she dragged him off, picking a suitably sized garment from her husband's wardrobe before finally letting them go.
She watched the three depart, forehead in hand, and sighed.
"This damned household."
Danmok Seong wasn't in a bad mood at all. Truth be told, life in Henan hadn't been that fun. Her parents were always busy, and there was no one her age to play with.
Hmph. I can't play with childish kids like that.
What was she supposed to do, holding hands with little siblings all day? Whenever she saw them matching outfits or accessories, Danmok Seong would turn away in secret.
Forcing mismatched colors into the same style—what a sight!
So when returning to Hangzhou, her worry had been as great as the burden of fighting the Geum Clan heir to protect her cousin: what if the awakened cousin wanted to match outfits too?
They were the same age, but born a month later—and after illness, strictly speaking, a year younger. A one-year-old might like childish things.
But seeing Danmok Ryeon in her clothes wasn't bad at all. Their features didn't match, but the pretty face suited the bright garments nicely.
Well, if Danmok Ryeon wants matching accessories, I could buy her one...
"I want to start at the Hoseon Medical Pavilion's herb hall."
When Danmok Ryeon mentioned the herb hall, Danmok Seong swallowed a bursting sigh.
She'd heard Ryeon was interested and wanted to go there, but hadn't believed it. She'd assumed it was an excuse to drag the Pharmacy Master along.
What if she picks up that bitter smell?
Danmok Seong glanced at her own outfit but didn't dismiss Ryeon's request.
"Hm, the herb hall at Hoseon Medical Pavilion?"
"Yes. Didn't you say our family gets herbs from there?"
Danmok Seong noticed how Ryeon spoke differently to different people. To her, it was slow and deliberate. With Danmok Hyeon-u, her voice was lower and a touch quicker. With her little brother Danmok Bi, high-pitched and beaming. With that servant Hwaryun...
"Is that okay with you, Seong? We can stop by briefly?"
Danmok Seong figured it wouldn't be fun, but nodded anyway. This cousin was frail and had never left the estate since waking—everything outside must seem wondrous. Unlike her, who'd gone to markets in Henan whenever she pleased.
"Sure... that's fine."
As she spoke, Danmok Seong glanced sideways. Her cousin, with skin pale as if never touched by sun, blinked her large eyes up at her and smiled brightly.
Can't leave her alone.
Danmok Seong thought seriously, gazing at that innocent face. Like a fluff of white cotton vanishing into the market crowd, Danmok Ryeon looked like she'd blow away on the wind or be snatched if left unattended.