TMTISTBH CH 9

Chapter 9

Honyoung, who had been furious at a servant daring to defy him, raised his eyebrows with forced generosity upon noticing Inho’s trembling hand hidden beneath his sleeve.

“What are you so afraid of, shaking like that? I’m only doing this because I hold you in special regard. Come here. You won’t need to do hard labor anymore. If you beg for forgiveness now, I’ll let this incident slide. I’ll cover for you with Father as well…”

“That won’t be necessary.”

At the cold tone, Bae Honyoung flinched and withdrew his hand. The force of Inho’s presence sent a chill down his spine.

Inho stood rooted to the spot, glaring at Bae Honyoung. Only now did it become clear that his trembling hands weren’t out of fear—they shook from suppressed rage.

“Though I serve the young master, I am a free citizen of the Taeseong Empire, not a slave. You cannot force me into such things.”

“You dare speak to me like that!”

That cold gaze, that line drawn so clearly—Honyoung’s face flushed red with humiliation at Inho’s unexpected resistance. Enraged that he’d been momentarily cowed, Honyoung ground his teeth and seized Inho by the collar.

“That’s right, you’re not a slave. But then, you must have come here prepared to pay the price for scratching your master’s face.”

With that, Honyoung dragged Inho by the collar and threw him under the wooden floor, shouting angrily.

“Isn’t anyone there? Seize him and tie him up at once!”

At the loud bellow, nearby servants came running. Seeing their young master glaring down in fury and Inho kneeling below, they were startled and tried to stop him.

“Young master, please calm yourself. We’re in the middle of preparing for the banquet. If a commotion breaks out, there will be serious trouble.”

“Let go! I must teach this lowborn a lesson! Administer fifty strokes with the cane—immediately!”

“Oh no, young master! This is truly dangerous. If the distinguished guests hear of it, Lord Bae will not remain silent!”

“If noise is the issue, just gag him while you whip him!”

With Honyoung’s stubbornness unyielding, the servants had no choice but to bind Inho.

Though it wasn’t uncommon for servants to be punished at Lord Bae’s household, everyone was stunned that it was Inho. They exchanged glances in disbelief. He had always been intelligent and quiet since he was a child, never once giving cause for scolding—what in the world had happened?

Inho didn’t utter a single word as he was bound to the punishment rack and gagged. The punishment rod was raised high and came down on his buttocks.

“Kgh…”

As the lashes continued, only the sound of the rod slicing through the air and Inho’s stifled groans echoed through the courtyard. Honyoung, watching and waiting for him to beg for forgiveness, grew even more furious when no sign of repentance appeared. He left the scene after the forty-seventh strike.

Before long, Inho’s pants were soaked with blood. Having endured solely through willpower, Inho tried to stand the moment the servant who gave the final blow hurriedly loosened the ropes—but immediately collapsed.

“Oh dear, Inho! What on earth happened to you?”

“Are you alright? This won’t do. Come rest in the servants’ quarters for a while.”

“…I’m fine.”

His blood-soaked pants felt heavy, and everything below his waist had gone numb. Despite the servants’ attempts to stop him, Inho staggered away, forcing one painful step after another. The path home felt unbearably long today.

When Inho finally arrived, limping and barely upright, he was greeted by Seol, who was snacking inside.

“Seol-ah, where’s Mother?”

“Brother! Mom went to help with things at Lord Bae’s house. Why are you back so late?”

“I see… Is that so…”

Relieved to be home at last, Inho collapsed onto the floor. Only then did Seol realize something was wrong and threw aside her snack to run over.

“Brother! Are you okay? Blood—you’re bleeding!”

“Seol-ah. It’s alright. Just… let me close my eyes for a bit…”

Lord Bae, who had intended to scold his son for arriving late to the banquet, widened his eyes in shock at the red scratch on Honyoung’s face. Lady Yang, seated beside him, also gasped in surprise.

Because they were among guests, they couldn’t inquire further and let it go. Across the table, Jeon Woo-cheong feigned surprise and asked,

“What happened to the young master’s face?”

“I was practicing archery in this fine weather and got grazed by an arrow. I was so focused I didn’t even notice I’d been hurt.”

“Haha, an injury sustained while refining your martial skills isn’t even worth calling a blemish. You’ve raised an heir who excels in both the literary and the martial. Lord Bae must feel very reassured.”

“He’s my only son, so my expectations for him are high. Hahaha.”

Honyoung returned to his seat. Namwon, who had arrived earlier and was sitting nearby, leaned in and whispered,

“Looks like the quiet little cat finally showed its claws.”

“Hmph. All for nothing. What does a brat like him think he can do.”

After the banquet concluded, Lord Bae and Lady Yang summoned Honyoung to the inner room.

“Honyoung, what happened? You said you were hurt practicing archery?”

“It’s nothing.”

Unlike the anxious Lady Yang, Lord Bae spoke with displeasure on his face.

“It was the final banquet for our honored guest. You shouldn’t have been late. More importantly, where is Inho?”

“Why are you asking about Inho?”

“Lord Gyeong took a liking to the boy and wants to take him along when he departs.”

“Father!”

Honyoung burst out in outrage at the sudden statement.

“I told you already! I intend to keep Inho with me!”

“No one said we’re sending him away forever. Lord Gyeong’s second daughter is set to study abroad in the South next fall. He just asked to borrow the boy until then. How could I refuse? If we can establish a connection with their house through this, it could benefit you greatly.”

Honyoung clenched his fists in frustration. His father knew nothing. What if they sent Inho away and the Gyeong household pretended not to know him afterward? Could they even demand his return?

At the very least, Honyoung was certain that if he let Inho go like this, he would lose him forever.

“I won’t allow it.”

“Honyoung. Don’t be like that. If you just send him for a while, it will benefit you too…”

“I will take Inho as my concubine. I’ve already made up my mind.”

“What?”

At Honyoung’s sudden declaration, Lord Bae shot up from his seat.

“What nonsense is this! You haven’t even passed the preliminary civil exam yet!”

“Honyoung, no. You can’t do that. If word gets out that you took a concubine before marrying properly, it’ll harm your reputation.”

Lady Yang, who had been holding her head as though dizzy, tried to stop him as well, but Honyoung wouldn’t listen.

“I’ll just postpone formal acknowledgment until after my marriage. Until then, I’ll keep him by my side. He’s still young and naive, so I ask that you both teach him discipline.”

The scar remaining on Honyoung’s chin stood out starkly as he spoke with a hardened face. Lady Yang gasped in realization.

“That scar on your face—don’t tell me it was Inho’s doing? Have you lost your mind? How could he dare mark his master’s face!”

“Regardless, I’ve stated my intentions. Whether you reduce him to slavery or use his mother against him, set an example.”

With that, Honyoung walked out, as if there was nothing more to say. Lord Bae stood as well.

“Go on ahead. I’ve got a headache—I’ll join you later.”

“…Very well.”

After Lord Bae left, Lady Yang summoned her maid.

“Bring Chimseon here immediately!”

Chimseon, who had been helping in the kitchen, hurriedly followed the maid upon hearing that Lady Yang was calling for her. The place she was led to was the storage shed beside the servants’ quarters.

Inside, where dried firewood was piled high, Lady Yang stood waiting.

“My lady, I heard you called for me—”

Smack!

Before she could even greet her, a slap struck her across the face.

“You wretched wench! I pitied you, wandering with a child on your back, and took you in—and this is how you repay me? Stirring filth into my household like some slippery loach?”

“Wh-what do you mean, my lady?”

“Your brat! Did he charm my Honyoung and dare to covet the women’s quarters?”

“What? No! That’s not true. There must be some mistake. Inho isn’t that kind of child!”

Startled, Chimseon shook her head, but Lady Yang’s expression remained icy. She gestured to a servant, who handed her a piece of paper.

“This is a confession. Put your handprint on it.”

Chimseon held it up to the light and saw that it was filled with false accusations—claims that Inho had stolen things and defied his master. Lady Yang was demanding that she, as his mother, perjure herself.

“I’ll keep you on as a bondswoman for now, and once Honyoung is married, I’ll set you free.”

“My lady, please—why are you doing this? I can’t. How can I lie and frame myself and my son for things we didn’t do?”

“If you won’t sign, then you’re next. Do you think we don’t know you fled after committing a crime?”

“I’m no criminal! I only left my hometown due to circumstances.”

“Then let’s see how boldly you talk at the magistrate’s office. But first…”

Lady Yang jerked her chin, and the servants approached to roll Chimseon up in a straw mat.

“Beat her until she changes her mind.”

“My lady! Please! My lady—!”

Lady Yang left as the door to the storage was shut tightly. The sounds of sticks and merciless kicks rained down upon the straw mat without end.

Footnote:

• Concubine (첩 / 妾): In traditional Korean society, a concubine was a legally recognized secondary wife, often of lower status, who did not have the same rights as a formal wife. This role often involved complex family dynamics, especially in noble households.

• Fifty strokes of the cane (태형 오십 대): Corporal punishment administered with a cane was historically a common legal and disciplinary measure in Joseon and earlier dynasties. Fifty strokes were a very severe punishment, often leading to serious injury.

• Free citizen of the Taeseong Empire (태성 제국의 자유민): This is likely a fictional setting, but being a “free citizen” implies legal rights and protection from being treated as a slave or property.

• Melon seed punishment (멍석 말이): Rolling someone into a straw mat and beating them was a harsh, traditional form of punishment and coercion, often used in secret or informal contexts, especially on servants.