Chapter 31 The one who came to receive them the moment they returned to the Namgung Clan was not Namgung Chu-myeong, but Namgung Pae.
Namgung Pae was the only full younger brother of the Clan Head, Namgung Je. To Namgung Soyo, he was her uncle and one of the few elders of stature within the clan.
Like Yeo Il, he was not one who enjoyed going out. It was said that in his youth, for certain reasons, he destroyed his own dantian and devoted himself wholly to assisting the Clan Head in managing the Namgung Clan.
Thus, he and Yeo Il rarely crossed paths.
Even so, on the rare occasions they passed one another, he offered a light greeting first. He did not welcome the existence of Namgung Soyo, the illegitimate daughter, but neither did he treat her with overt discomfort.
Dressed in a blue robe and bearing sharp features, Namgung Pae swept his gaze over the returning party before speaking in a blunt tone.
"You've returned. You are later than expected—I was concerned. Nothing happened, I trust?"
"Yes, Uncle. Thank you for coming to receive us."
"There is no need for thanks. With Jeok-myeong accompanying you, there should have been no great trouble. Was there any result?"
Namgung Jeok-myeong said that two days after Yeo Il left the clan, he followed after her and revealed the true purpose of the outing only to Namgung Pae and Namgung Chu-myeong.
To the rest, it was known merely as a journey to seek a renowned physician to cure Namgung Soyo's eyes. Thus, those who came with Namgung Pae examined Yeo Il with curious looks.
"Regrettably, we did not achieve what we sought."
Namgung Pae nodded, his face still expressionless.
"As expected, it would not have been easy. But you say nothing happened—what then is that wound on your right arm?"
"My wound? Ha ha. Bandits caught our scent midway and pursued us. They even took a pretty young lady hostage to threaten us. As a man, how could I submit? I overexerted myself a bit and ended up like this. I suppose I let my guard down. My skills must have rusted."
His boisterous, shameless laughter recalled their first meeting days earlier.
There was not a trace of seriousness in his manner. Namgung Hui-myeong looked at him in disbelief.
"Elder Brother! When did such a thing ever—"
As he stepped forward with displeasure, Namgung Jeok-myeong, still laughing lightly, clapped his shoulder to stop him.
"In truth, such a thing did happen, Hui-myeong. I was too embarrassed to tell you… but now that we are home, it seems I can move just fine."
"Elder Brother."
Namgung Hui-myeong stared at him in confusion, then quietly clenched his fist.
Yeo Il pretended to smooth her brow, covering part of her face with her sleeve as she briefly opened her eyes.
The servants standing behind Namgung Pae struggled to maintain their composure, but they could not entirely conceal the faint disappointment and contempt on their faces.
So he has always smeared his own reputation like this.
Namgung Pae showed no particular reaction to the Sogaju (Clan Heir)'s reckless words and behavior.
Yeo Il checked subtly—there were no signs of a human mask. Even so, he might still be allied with Namgung Chu-myeong and thus warranted caution.
After restraining his third brother and passing Namgung Pae, Namgung Jeok-myeong glanced around and suddenly shouted in a voice loud enough to shake the clan grounds.
"Chu-myeong, you lazy wretch! Your elder brother has returned, yet you do not even show your face—what are you doing?"
Even after learning the truth, the way he spoke Namgung Chu-myeong's name was as playful as ever, light to the point of frivolity for the heir of the Namgung Clan.
It was Namgung Pae who answered in place of the silent impostor.
"Chu-myeong has been unwell for some time and has taken to his bed. He is likely drinking medicine and sleeping deeply at this hour."
"Unwell? Has he caught a cold in the height of summer?"
"So it seems."
A cold light flickered briefly in Namgung Jeok-myeong's eyes before fading.
"…That frail fellow. He must be receiving heaven's punishment for always nagging me. In that case, Uncle, I shall retire first. I promised to visit Giyeonru upon returning, and time is short. I will see you later."
Before Namgung Pae could reply, Namgung Jeok-myeong disappeared into the inner grounds of the clan.
Namgung Pae watched his retreating figure with a meaningful look before turning toward Yeo Il and Namgung Hui-myeong.
"It was no short journey. You must be tired as well. Go in and rest."
"…Yes, Uncle."
"Please rest well, Lord Namgung Pae."
Yeo Il clicked her tongue softly as she watched Namgung Hui-myeong leave without even a word to her.
He cannot conceal his displeasure whenever Giyeonru is mentioned.
Though he restrained his expression before the servants, anyone could see that he was deeply disappointed by Namgung Jeok-myeong's words.
He was perceptive in most matters, yet regarding Giyeonru, he harbored not the slightest suspicion. It revealed how carefully Namgung Jeok-myeong cultivated his own damaged reputation.
Once the watching eyes were gone, Jin Cheong-ak's low laughter sounded behind her.
"There's quite the smell of family strife in the air."
Seol-yeong shrugged in half agreement.
"You truly do have a sharp nose, Brother Ak."
"I have some experience in such matters myself."
That night, Namgung Jeok-myeong did not return from Giyeonru until very late. Yeo Il retired without regret.
No assassin came.
On the third day after their return.
Though Namgung Jeok-myeong promised to reveal Namgung Chu-myeong's true identity upon returning to the clan, he was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Namgung Chu-myeong himself came to visit Yeo Il.
"Cough, cough."
Pale complexion, bloodless lips, and dark shadows under his eyes.
From any angle, Namgung Chu-myeong appeared gravely ill—so much so that even the frail Namgung Soyo would concede defeat before him.
Thus, Yeo Il gave him a bout of violent coughing in return.
"...Good heavens."
A cough stained red with blood.
"Soyo! A physician—quickly fetch a physician!"
Thanks to the commotion Namgung Chu-myeong raised—loud enough to rattle the clan—Yeo Il received the physician's diagnosis that it was "no serious illness, merely a severe throat injury requiring rest," and was allowed to remain in her chamber in peace.
"Ah, Soyo… You must have been in great pain. Why did you not show it? Do not think of anything and simply rest. I shall come again this evening."
After Namgung Chu-myeong departed, his face full of concern,
Seol-yeong approached Yeo Il, who lay there without a trace of illness, and asked,
"What was that sudden disturbance?"
"Disturbance? Seol-yeong, I am merely fulfilling my duty."
"That is precisely what I meant by disturbance."
"If there is anyone more fragile than Namgung Soyo in this clan, that would be a problem. Since he chose to feign illness before me, I merely showed him who outranks whom."
"And that is not a disturbance?"
Though she injured her own throat to produce the effect, it was worthwhile.
Namgung Chu-myeong's illness was indeed feigned.
Given who he was, the reason for pretending to be sick was not difficult to guess.
The human mask has grown quite worn.
It was time for him to replace it with a new one.
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