Chapter 55
“Ahem, um…”
“No, little one. Take some time to think…”
At those words, Hongseol deliberately dropped her gaze to her toes.
“It’s just… I can’t even go to the academy and have to study at home by myself… So I thought if I could go to the ceremony with Master Gaju and Master of the Medical Hall, I’d feel a little better.”
Before she could even finish speaking, Namgung On responded firmly:
“I’ll make sure you go!”
Bing Yuhwa, too, spoke in a softened tone as if conceding.
“Alright, they say even the wishes of the dead are granted, so can’t we grant the wish of a little one?”
“Hehe, I’m so excited!”
Clapping her hands, Hongseol jumped up and down on the spot.
She had been worrying about how she could reconcile Master Gaju and the Master of the Medical Hall.
‘I like Master Gaju, and I like the Master of the Medical Hall… I just want the two of them to get along.’
They were a couple with three sons. Moreover, seeing how carefully Master Gaju had prepared clothes for the baby girl in her womb…
‘They obviously still care for each other; they’re just not being honest about it.’
So, if they spent time together, misunderstandings would disappear, leaving only affection.
Hongseol thought that way.
“Then I’ll go choose what to wear for the ceremony!”
Seeing Hongseol, who seemed as if she had never been sad, Namgung On tilted his head.
“Doesn’t it seem like our Hongseol has changed a lot since the first time we met?”
He murmured this quietly and casually placed a hand on Yuhwa’s shoulder.
“Indeed…”
Bing Yuhwa, having agreed without thinking, suddenly realized what he said and was startled.
“W-What do you mean! Kids change so quickly when you aren’t looking.”
Smack!
Blushing, she lightly slapped the back of Namgung On’s hand on her shoulder.
“Ouch.”
Holding his hand, Namgung On unconsciously smiled. Meanwhile, Yuhwa was already walking ahead alone.
With a quiet smile, Namgung On hurried to follow her.
“Let’s go together, madam!”
“Hehe.”
“Do you really like it that much?”
“Yes! I love it. It’s amazing.”
Hongseol, having mastered the charm technique, kept smiling brightly.
It was no wonder; it was Hongseol’s very first time attending a ceremony.
She was holding the hands of Bing Yuhwa and Namgung On tightly on both sides.
‘Being like this… it feels just like going out with mom and dad.’
Hongseol wiggled her toes to hide the ticklish feeling inside.
A step behind, Namgung Uigyeol, her bodyguard, scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes.
He had also helped with Hongseol’s charm technique today.
‘Indeed, he is truly Master of Changsung!’
Looking at her reflection in a mirror sold by a merchant, Hongseol stuck her tongue out.
It was on a whole different level from the clumsy charm technique she had tried with her opponent before.
At that moment, a lively voice rang out from afar.
“Hmm? Looks like a street storyteller.”
Namgung On muttered casually.
‘A storyteller?’
Thump-thump-thump.
Eyes shining, Hongseol couldn’t contain her excitement and ran forward.
“Whoa!”
“Little one, slowly!”
Bing Yuhwa and Namgung On had to run along the street to keep up with Hongseol.
As they pushed through the gathering crowd, they saw a man with excellent oratory skills addressing the audience.
“Now, the story I’ll tell you today is!”
He scanned the spectators and proclaimed boldly.
“A beauty from the Northern Sea Ice Palace!”
At that, Bing Yuhwa’s face turned crimson.
“Uh… Master.”
She hurriedly shook Namgung On’s sleeve, but the storyteller had already shouted the rest.
“Lady Bing Yuhwa of the Ice Palace! Pride of Hapbi! The love story of Master Namgung!”
Namgung On’s face, hidden under his hat, turned red as a mountain berry.
“Ho, Hongseol…”
He wanted to leave quickly, but…
“Wowaaa!”
Clap, clap, clap, clap!
Next to him, Hongseol was clapping her hands so hard it seemed they might burst.
Caught in a difficult situation, Bing Yuhwa and Namgung On turned their faces away.
“Ahem.”
“Phew, why is it so hot?”
Meanwhile, the storyteller continued excitedly:
“They first met at an inn!”
By the middle of the story, two actors dressed in elaborate costumes appeared and began performing.
“My place is in the blue skies of Anhui Province.”
“The skies of the Northern Sea Ice Palace are also blue, Master.”
One wore a white fox fur on their neck and a white yarn wig, while the other wore a blue martial robe and a sword at the waist.
“I will give up my place as the Master of Soja for you! I will send a letter to my father immediately.”
The storyteller enthusiastically added commentary:
“At that moment, Master Namgung’s body froze!”
The performance reached its climax.
“Ugh, what have you done to me?”
When the actor in blue fell dramatically, the storyteller narrated with flair:
“At that time, the Snowflake-like Lady Bing Yuhwa lifted her hand from his pulse and said!”
The actor in fox fur pursed their lips and said:
“I will abandon martial arts according to the laws of the Northern Sea Ice Palace and follow you, Master. I love you more.”
“Lady Bing!”
“Master!”
When the two actors kissed, Namgung On and Bing Yuhwa among the spectators closed their eyes tightly.
Their faces were redder than could be imagined.
“…And so, the two were finally able to marry.”
If Hongseol hadn’t wiped tears from her eyes in excitement, the couple might have run away long before.
Nearby, Namgung Uigyeol also wiped tears in a silly fashion.
Seeing this, the storyteller, full of energy, shouted:
“Next… hmm. Would you like to hear it with no charge?”
Clink, clink!
Coins poured into the bowl the storyteller shook.
Hongseol, too, threw in her allowance generously.
The love story of Lady Bing Yuhwa and the Namgung family was always a popular tale.
With the bowl filled, the storyteller shouted even louder:
“Excellent! Next is the story of their first night after lighting the wedding candles!”
Excited, a drummer beat enthusiastically beside him.
“This is really inappropriate, Master!”
Flustered, Bing Yuhwa pointed at Hongseol and looked at Namgung On.
At that moment, Namgung On was dazedly listening to the storyteller.
“Master!”
Startled, he turned to her.
“S-Sorry.”
“What on earth were you thinking?”
“Forgive me. I was just thinking about how beautiful you were that day.”
At this, Bing Yuhwa’s cheeks turned crimson.
Namgung On was already handsome, but hearing that suddenly, she couldn’t help blushing.
The two stared at each other for a long moment.
‘Wow…’
Hongseol watched them, mesmerized.
‘So this is what love is.’
The story the storyteller had just told made her eyes well up with tears.
Then suddenly, Namgung Uigyeol’s eyes, sharp as a hawk spotting prey, widened.
“Master, may I step away for a moment?”
There was urgency in his voice. Namgung On nodded calmly, his eyes lowered.
‘Something must have happened.’
Anyway, he had stationed invisible bodyguards around.
“Thank you.”
Bowing, Namgung Uigyeol soon disappeared from sight.
Hongseol, wide-eyed with concern, asked:
“Did something bad happen?”
“No, do not worry.”
Smiling brightly as if he had never frowned, Namgung On looked at Hongseol warmly and asked:
“This is our first time attending a ceremony together. Shall I buy you a gift to commemorate it?”
“Really?”
Hongseol’s eyes sparkled, and she grabbed both Namgung On and Bing Yuhwa’s hands tightly again.
“You look very well suited!”
Namgung On took a step back, pride on his face, looking at Hongseol.
Around her waist hung a small pouch embroidered with peonies.
It was an incense pouch to hold various fragrances.
“How can it look so good on you!”
Bing Yuhwa, her expression softer than when leaving the Namgung residence, admired her.
Namgung On took out a small box he had prepared in advance, filled with well-dried flower petals.
“Here, now it’s ready.”
Filling the pouch with petals, he stepped back with a pleased expression. Hongseol spun around in place, fascinated by the pouch.
Every time she twirled, the small pouch spread a fresh scent in a circle.
“It’s so, so pretty! Thank you so much, Master!”
Bing Yuhwa laughed at the serious way she expressed gratitude.
“That’s not even the right expression for this, little one.”
Her tone seemed scolding but was actually cute and unsure.
By now, the sun was setting. Glancing at the sky, Namgung On said:
“Uigyeol is taking longer than expected. Should we head in?”
“Ah!”
Hongseol suddenly let out a sound. Flustered, she covered her mouth with her hands, but it was already too late.
“Is something wrong?”
“Ah… actually, I have a place I must stop by.”
