TMTISTBH CH 8

Chapter 8

There was caution and suspicion written in those wide-open eyes. Inho explained what he knew in as much detail as possible.

“If, when observing the bite mark, the scar is circular, that means it was a male centipede, and if it is blurred and spreads, it was a female. If you have another centipede bite the exact spot in search of its mate, and black spots appear on the body, then boil centipedes in water and have her drink that decoction three times, she should show improvement within fifteen days.”

“How am I supposed to believe something like that? If my Yunyeong is bitten by a centipede again, that child will—”

“You don’t have to believe it. It’s just Lady Myeon’s fate.”

I had no intention to beg for his trust. I simply added, my voice cold,

“If she’s at the point of refusing food, she doesn’t have long left. Do you have time for conversation like this?”

As if shocked into his senses by those words, Myeon Yuwon balled his fists tightly beneath his sleeves.

“Who are you, really? Why are you telling me all of this?”

“There’s no reason I need to answer, sir.”

“I… I don’t believe everything you say. I’ll investigate this thoroughly and make certain that Yunyeong suffers no harm.”

“Do as you wish.”

“But if what you say is true, and Yunyeong recovers, I’ll consider you a benefactor and reward you handsomely.”

I meant to refuse that reward, but by then Yuwon had already hurried away.

Now I understood why Yuwon had never taken the small civil service exam in the past; Yunyeong must have died before he could. Though I had given him the cure, whether Yunyeong survived in this life remained to be seen. But now, Yuwon would always carry a question about this for the rest of his days.

“How pointless…”

Biting his lip, Inho ignored the late-arriving regret and moved on.

“Is Inho with Lord Gyeongdae again today?”

Glancing toward the doorway, Namwon asked, and Honyoung nodded.

“He said they needed someone to attend on them, so I sent Inho along. Apparently, Lord Gyeongdae’s second daughter enjoys painting. Judging by how she’s asked for him several days in a row, she must be quite fond of him.”

Pleased at having earned Lord Gyeongdae’s favor through his own judgment, Bae Honyoung laughed happily, but Kim Namwon sighed ruefully.

“You are too warmhearted for your own good. It’s well and good Inho has won Lord Gyeongdae’s favor… but…”

“What do you mean? How can you say that’s a good thing for Inho? Are you saying it’s somehow a bad thing for me?”

“It’s not that. I only say so because I know you care for the child. For a servant, Inho is far too clever. To be honest, I doubt we are the only ones who see that, and it’s much more fitting for someone like him to serve a high-ranking official in the capital than to remain in a remote place like Jamsonggol.”

“When I enter the National Academy and later receive a high office, I’ll naturally live in the capital, so what of it? I know what worries you, but I have already told my father. Even if Lord Gyeongdae desires Inho, he won’t send him away. Besides, Inho is not even a slave, so Lord Gyeongdae couldn’t demand he be handed over.”

“It’s not only Lord Gyeongdae I am concerned about.”

“I can’t make heads or tails of what you’re saying! Just say it outright.”

Bae Honyoung snapped, irritated. Kim Namwon looked at him with an expression that seemed to say, “Don’t you know?”

“It seems the young lord of the Myeon family is also interested. Gukhyang says he’s seen them talking privately several times.”

“Myeon Yuwon? He already left the academy and returned to Sawi County, what does it matter?”

“Sawi County is barren, but being the county magistrate there is by no means a trifling position. Even if Lord Gyeongdae is refused, if the head of the Myeon clan were to speak to Master Bae, do you really think he’d refuse then?”

“What! That bastard Myeon Yuwon, casting covetous eyes on what belongs to someone else!”

Bae Honyoung pounded his fist on the table in a fury, and, unable to calm himself, soon stood up, leaving his books strewn where they were.

“I think I’ll turn in early today. See you at the banquet later.”

Left alone, Kim Namwon picked up the scattered books and slowly turned over the thin pages.

“He’s truly a tempting one, he is…”

Had Honyoung heard, he would not have taken it quietly, but left alone Namwon was unconcerned.

Even in his unpolished state, Inho stood out—a poised and quiet temperament, a capable mind. He was a talent unsuited for the backwater sticks. Namwon had mentioned Myeon Yuwon simply to provoke Honyoung, but it was true—should Inho go to the capital, he’d draw all the more attention there. If that happened, Namwon himself would lose his chance, so he had to find a way to keep Inho bound to Bae Honyoung.

His foolish friend seemed intent on taking Inho as a concubine, but unless he were a member of the imperial family or a ranking official, taking a male concubine as his first would hardly be good for future marriage prospects—Master Bae would never approve. He’d probably just keep Inho living in an outbuilding as a servant for a few years.

Bae Honyoung’s interest would surely wear thin, and Namwon waited for the day his shallow patience would run out.

At the same time, Inho was serving Jeon Aju, Lord Jeon Wucheong’s second daughter, in the southern guest quarters.

“You truly have great dignity. Where did you learn such manners in this small village? Once I go back, I ought to ask Grandfather to scold all our house’s stewards for educating the staff so poorly.”

She spoke, cheeks plump and twitching, but Inho let the words go in one ear and out the other. Yet there was one thing he could not overlook and eventually opened his mouth to say so.

“The second letter of your poem is incorrect.”

“Ah! So it is.”

It was also improper to paint both plum blossoms and chrysanthemums together, but he only gave a light suggestion, recalling his place.

“Even a single kind of flower is enough, don’t you think?”

“But this is pretty, so it’s fine. I like things that are fancy.”

Thinking he had already spoken too much, Inho kept his mouth shut and silently attended to her errands.

By the time Inho stepped out of the southern quarters, he was holding a large basket piled high with fruit and sweets—his reward from Jeon Wucheong for serving Aju so well. Even though the gifts were valuable, he felt uneasy, not wanting to get entangled with anyone connected to Third Prince Taeseon.

But seeing the shiny, rosy apples made him think of Seol. He was crossing the yard on his way home when Yeongswae, one of Bae Honyoung’s household servants, ran up calling for him.

“Inho, the young master is looking for you. Go to the women’s quarters at once.”

“Do I have to go right away? I just want to stop by the house, then I’ll head over.”

He would have to come back to Master Bae’s anyway to help with the evening banquet. Seeing Inho hesitating with the basket in his arms, Yeongswae took it from him.

“The young master asked for you as soon as he returned from Gujeong Pavilion. Going to give this to Yeoseol, aren’t you? I’ll take it for you.”

“Then please do.”

Handing over the basket, Inho headed off to see Bae Honyoung.

As soon as he heard Inho had arrived, Bae Honyoung let him in.

“You called for me, sir?”

“What took you so long? Were you drawing with Lady Jeon all this time?”

“I was summoned for a moment by Lord Gyeongdae himself.”

“…And what did Lord Gyeongdae say?”

“Nothing in particular.”

“You’re telling me you met him privately and he had nothing to say? Are you hiding something from me?”

Bae Honyoung’s unusually sensitive response left Inho puzzled, so he simply reported their conversation. It was nothing worth hiding, but Honyoung frowned, clearly dissatisfied.

Honyoung stared at Inho, who stood quietly by the door, his face revealing nothing. Then he beckoned him forward.

“It’s almost time for the banquet. Help me change.”

“Yes, sir.”

He’d intended to scold Inho harshly for even the slightest mistake, but there was no fault to be found in his attentive hands. Seeing Inho so focused at this close distance—a face turned toward him, brows furrowed in concentration as he secured the knots of the under-robe, brown eyes beneath thick lashes, skin like white jade—the somber mood quietly unraveled.

Without realizing it, Honyoung reached out to stroke Inho’s cheek.

Inho stiffened at the chilling sensation, mid-way through tying the knot. It did not take long to figure out what was happening in the tense, disturbingly quiet atmosphere.

This shouldn’t be happening. Bae Honyoung should harbor such feelings only after the scholar’s exam…

An almost nauseating mixture of disgust and anger surged inside him. Inho, barely reigning in his feelings, stepped back a pace.

He must not repeat the same mistakes as before. He’d tried to avoid it, so how had it come upon him faster, and more violently this time? It felt as if some unknown fate was tightening about his throat.

“…I’ll step out to bring an appropriate pouch for your outfit.”

“There’s no need for that. I have more important matters.”

Honyoung seized his wrist. While Inho froze at the sensation of fingers brushing the tender skin inside his wrist, Honyoung’s other hand slipped around his waist. Catching the intent, Inho’s face hardened.

“What are you doing? Let go of me.”

“And if I don’t? I want to keep you like this—what will you do about it?”

At this distance, their noses nearly touching, Inho saw in Bae Honyoung’s eyes the face of a frightened, vulnerable boy.

‘What can the likes of you possibly do?’

‘Just sit quietly and do as you’re told!’

At the sudden return of a memory from another night, his blood ran cold.

“…Let go of my hand!”

Wrenching his arm free, Inho’s touch left a thin scratch on Honyoung’s chin. Seeing blood well up, Honyoung’s eyes turned icy.

“Inho, you wretch… do you realize what you’ve just done?”