◇◇◇◆◇◇◇Drip, drop, patter-patter. Pouring.
I woke to the sound of rain. Turning my head in the humid, stuffy air, I saw the window was slightly ajar. No sign of my maid anywhere.
Couldn't she at least close the window?
My body, which had seemed to be improving steadily after treatment from Elder Seok at Hundred Herbs Hall, felt heavy again with the rain. Grunting, I dragged myself out of bed and shut the window. It must have been raining for quite a while—the table by the window was soaked all the way to the floor.
I should wipe that up...
My head throbbed. My whole body felt off. Clutching my pounding skull, I shuffled to the round table in the center of the room for some water. The moment I lifted the teapot, I sighed.
Empty again.
It had been empty at dawn yesterday too. Wary of waking me, she'd let it slide, but today it was empty once more.
Life was better at Hundred Herbs Hall.
There, the teapot never ran dry. The moment I stirred, a waiting maid would slip in to tend to me. Humans adapt, they say— at first their fussing felt overwhelming, but before long, I'd grown used to the attentive care from Hundred Herbs Hall's servants.
Yawning, I crawled back into bed. When I opened my eyes again, harsh sunlight streamed through the closed window. The table was still damp. My body felt a bit lighter, but my head still ached, so I stayed lying down.
Voices drifted in from outside my quarters.
"Ow ow ow, ah! This is so annoying! It hurts like hell every time I walk."
"Dang-geum! Keep your voice down!"
"Why should I? It's ridiculous. Does she really think she's Baek Ri Clan material? Who does she think she is, barging into the Central Hall like that?!"
My maid, Dang-geum, was passing by my window, chatting with another servant.
The other maid whispered, "It's reached the Patriarch's ears—what can the Lady do? Chun-dol got twenty strokes of the rod and's still laid up flat on his stomach. You're better off than that."
"Better off how? So Chun-dol's resting now?"
"Of course. After twenty lashes, how could he work? He won't be moving for a week..."
The voices faded into the distance until they vanished entirely. Moments later, the door burst open roughly. The door flap billowed, letting in a gust of wind.
"Miss! You're awake!"
It was Dang-geum. No one could sleep through a door flung open like that. Rubbing my head, I sat up.
"I woke up a bit ago. Dang-geum, the teapot's empty—could I get some water...?"
"Miss, look at this! My calf's all torn up from the switch!"
Dang-geum cut me off, dramatically hiking up her skirt hem. Angry red welts looked painful.
"Why'd you have to go to the Central Hall? I got beaten for nothing because of you!"
"..."
Dang-geum shirked chores, but she'd always filled the teapot and brought the washbasin on time. That was pretty much her only duty, so this must be why she'd even neglected that.
I lowered my hand from my head and said, "How's that my fault? You were just being lazy."
"W-what did you say?"
Dang-geum couldn't believe her ears. Up until now, Baek Ri-yeon had just nodded awkwardly with a smile, no matter what she said. Sure, she was direct lineage, but she was trash the Patriarch had washed his hands of. A street urchin playing mistress? Laughable. Even her own father, Baek Ri-gang, hardly stayed at the Baek Ri Clan estate. Having a daughter changed nothing.
Baek Ri-yeon had no one to rely on but her, and Dang-geum exploited that ruthlessly. She'd pretend to scold her harshly a few times to crush her spirit. After that, life had been easy. Just keep it from the Young Master—Baek Ri-gang—and she was golden.
That day, she'd been napping lazily as usual. Then the Lady's maids swarmed in like thunder from a clear sky!
Outraged, Dang-geum yelled, "Miss! How can you say that? If the Fourth Young Master knew you were this inconsiderate, he'd be so disappointed!"
"Sigh, fine. Just fill the teapot and go rest."
"You're old enough to fill it yourself, aren't you? Whatever."
Pouting, Dang-geum snatched the teapot and hurried out before I could change my mind.
Still the same even after a beating.
How long did I have to put up with this? I knew why she acted like that.
She thinks it's just bad luck.
She'd gotten unlucky enough to catch Grandfather's ear and get punished, but she figured no one really cared about a wretch like me.
The other servants think the same.
They'd watch themselves for a while, but soon it'd be back to normal.
I'd barely finished washing up and changing when a maid burst in, making a fuss.
"Miss, Miss! Chief Treasurer Go is here!"
"Huh?"
Chief Treasurer Go managed the Baek Ri Clan's finances—a high position I'd never cross paths with. A long-time retainer trusted by Grandfather, not even Uncle or Aunt could boss him around.
"Why would Chief Treasurer Go come here? Did you hear anything?"
"No idea... Did you summon him, Miss?"
"Me? No."
The maid looked worried, like something bad had happened again. It hadn't even been days since Grandmother's maids had swarmed and chewed everyone out. Now another bigwig shows up, and she's scared stiff. Looking closer, it was the same maid who'd been gossiping with Dang-geum earlier.
Am I really the target here?
If it was to see Father, they wouldn't call for me. I hurried to prepare. I hadn't even changed yet, so even rushing took time. But when I emerged, Chief Treasurer Go greeted me with a bright smile, as if he hadn't waited at all.
Hiding my confusion, I bowed. "Hello."
"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Ri-yeon. I'm Chief Treasurer Go. First time paying respects like this."
I glanced at Father's quarters. Servants had poured out at the commotion, but no Father—must be away.
"I heard you're still unwell. You there."
At Chief Treasurer Go's gesture, an attendant whisked in a chair from somewhere. When another helped me into the plush seat, I was utterly baffled. Then two burly servants hauled in massive wooden crates—huge enough for me to lie down in, and there were three of them.
What in the world is going on?
Chief Treasurer Go nodded at one crate. "Open it."
I tensed slightly. The lid lifted, and I gaped, mouth agape. The surrounding servants looked just as stunned.
Lustrous silks in fine colors, thick jade ornaments, gold-pattied necklaces, lotus-inlaid tea sets, blood-red rubies...
✦ Patriarch's Gifts ✦Priceless TreasuresExtraordinary QualityLuxurious silks, jade adornments, gold jewelry, exquisite tea sets, radiant rubies, and more—items beyond measure poured forth endlessly.
Chief Treasurer Go's explanations went on forever. What was this? Where'd that come from...?
"What is all this?"
"Gifts from the Patriarch for you, Miss."
"Pardon?"
"He always brings such presents for the family after his travels."
He emphasized family—or was that my imagination? Stunned, I scanned the treasures, then looked up. Servants murmuring. Dang-geum, who-knows-when she'd arrived, gawked wide-eyed amid them.
Ah, I see.
This was Grandfather's declaration. Yes, she'd been chased here, but she's direct lineage—you lot had better serve her properly.
I didn't expect him to go this far.
I thought it'd end with punishing the servants. Smiling, Chief Treasurer Go held up a gleaming white fur pelt.
"This white mink fur is exceptional quality—recommend making it into a scarf without much handling."
"Ah... thank you."
Then—
"Chief Treasurer Go, it's been a while."
"You've arrived, Fourth Young Master."
Father had approached unnoticed and scooped me up from the chair like a sack.
"Eek!"
Father checked my forehead for fever, sighed in relief, then turned to Chief Treasurer Go.
"Tell him this unworthy son is sorry for his failings and grateful for the grace. But I'll accept the sentiment alone. Ri-yeon is too young for such precious gifts."
Father? I nearly jumped if I weren't in his arms.
You can't refuse this!
It was Grandfather's olive branch, in a way. Unlike my panic, Chief Treasurer Go seemed to expect the refusal and replied smoothly.
"Haha, no need for concern. We're distributing to everyone. Lady Ri-ri accepted hers—what reason for Lady Ri-yeon not to?"
Baek Ri-ri was my same-age cousin, Uncle's daughter.
Chief Treasurer Go continued, "More importantly, Young Master, look here. Rarities even apothecaries pay premium for. This is fifty-year-old cistanche, this wild ginseng..."
Father hesitated, then stepped toward the herbs despite himself. Chief Treasurer Go's salesmanship was masterful. After much internal struggle—given how many medicines I needed—Father finally accepted gratefully.
"Knew you'd see it my way."
"...You know me too well, Chief Treasurer."
"I've watched you since you were in swaddling clothes. Naturally. Oh, almost forgot this."
Beaming, Chief Treasurer Go drew something from his bosom, handling it with utmost care, like a priceless relic.
That box looks familiar...?
Nah, probably not. All boxes look alike.
I dismissed the feeling. Chief Treasurer Go offered the box reverently.
"The Patriarch sends the Heavenly Mandate Golden Soul Pill."
⚗ Heavenly Mandate Golden Soul Pill ⚗Sent by the PatriarchSupreme Grade"Do as you will with it, Miss."
"...!"
"...!"
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