Chapter 50
The Confrontation
All three of the matriarchs were in the backyard tending to the chili peppers. When Go Wol-ah ran up in a hurry, Madame Oh furrowed her brows.
“Who is looking for grandfather?”
Go Wol-ah pointed behind her.
“A stranger came in a large carriage.”
At the mention of a carriage, Madame Oh’s expression changed instantly. She put down the knife she had been holding, wiped her hands with a cloth, and quickly went to the door.
The carriage that Huang Chong arrived in had more horses than the one that had delivered the acceptance papers to Go So-sun previously. Madame Oh quickly calculated in her mind. This person seemed to have a higher status than the head of the academy!
How could such a distinguished person come here?
Smiling, Madame Oh asked, “Who are you? What brings you to look for my husband?”
“I am Huang Chong. I heard that a child born in a temple resides in this house. I wish to know where that child is.”
Madame Oh’s smile disappeared. Searching for that monk… there had never been any good outcome linked with him!
As Madame Oh moved to close the door with a dark expression, Madam Ryu’s eyes sparkled as she approached and asked,
“Are you asking with an empty hand?”
Understanding her meaning, Huang Chong smiled without losing his composure and took a yuanbao (silver ingot) from his pocket.
The eyes of those present widened instantly at the sight.
Ryu reached out, but Madame Oh grabbed the silver first. Ryu clenched her teeth silently.
Receiving the silver, a hint of warmth returned to Madame Oh’s face.
“What would you like to know? Ask anything!”
“How old is the child? Is it a girl?”
“She is fourteen. A girl!”
Huang Chong’s eyes changed.
“What month was she born?”
Madame Oh froze. Who would remember the birth month of such a foolish girl?
Ryu quickly spoke up.
“I-I-I know! She was born in October!”
Since she was pregnant with Go So-sun at that time, it was a memorable month. Everything matched. Huang Chong began to grow excited.
“What day?”
“Was it the seventeenth or eighteenth?”
Ryu didn’t remember the exact day. Apart from Go So-sun, no one remembered Go Gyo’s birthday. The twins had been born on the eighteenth. Based on all the clues so far, it was highly likely she was the switched child.
Huang Chong restrained his excitement and continued questioning.
“In which temple was she born?”
Ryu pointed to a distant mountain with her hand.
“Beyond that mountain. Where else would there be a temple?”
Just then, Go Jang-ru returned home carrying a hoe.
Ryu waved toward him.
“Father Lee Soon, was Go Gyo born on the seventeenth or eighteenth?”
“Eighteenth. Why?”
Speaking, Go Jang-ru glanced at the man and the carriage outside with suspicion.
Huang Chong could no longer hide his excitement. Everything aligned. It had to be that child. To think she would be found in a completely unexpected place!
Go Jang-ru approached Madame Oh and Ryu, while Go Ju also came out to see what was happening. Only the timid Go Wol-ah hid behind the main hall’s door, secretly observing.
Huang Chong could not contain his excitement. Go Jang-ru scanned him up and down and asked Ryu,
“Why are you suddenly asking about Go Gyo?”
Ryu pulled Go Jang-ru aside and gestured toward Madame Oh’s pocket, speaking softly.
“That person asked about Go Gyo and offered silver. Mother took it all!”
Go Jang-ru glared at Ryu. He didn’t like Ryu speaking ill of his mother, yet Madame Oh’s actions weren’t proper either.
He approached Madame Oh.
“Mother, you cannot accept this silver. Please return it.”
Madame Oh gripped her pouch tightly.
“Why can’t I accept it?”
Go Jang-ru looked once at Huang Chong and said,
“He is a person of unclear identity. How can we know his intentions in asking about Go Gyo? If he is a bad person and something happens to Go Gyo, what then?”
Madame Oh was displeased by his words. What did she care if something happened to that monk? If only something happened and he vanished, she might even feel relieved.
Huang Chong spoke.
“Do not worry. I am not a bad person. If it is not inconvenient, may I meet Miss Go Gyo?”
“No.”
Go Jang-ru rejected him immediately without hesitation. If the family did not allow the meeting, how could they bring the child to report to Huya? They could not knock everyone out and abduct the child.
Besides, at this point, they did not even know who the child really was!
Huang Chong assumed that Go Gyo was likely a member of the Go family. Therefore, he could not risk incurring the dislike of her foster parents.
He spoke politely.
“Where are Miss Go Gyo’s parents? I have something to tell them.”
Madame Oh replied,
“Go Gyo’s parents are no longer of this world. I am her grandmother and raised her. If you have something to say, speak to me!”
No parents from her childhood? Huang Chong’s mind grew complicated. After thinking for a moment, he asked,
“May I go inside and speak?”
Madame Oh led Huang Chong into the house.
Huang Chong inquired in detail about Go Gyo’s birth, especially why Madam Seo had gone up the mountain while heavily pregnant.
It turned out Madam Seo was originally not from Cheongcheon Village. She had married far from her family. When she was full-term, she received news that her father was critically ill and intended to return to her family.
However, her in-laws would not allow a heavily pregnant woman to travel far. She had no choice but to go to the temple to offer prayers.
She secretly went to the temple without informing her in-laws, saying she was going to gather herbs, intending to return before dark. But a sudden rainstorm trapped her there, and she slipped, starting labor.
Madam Hu’s premature birth was due to twins, but it was also an accident.
The Go family had no idea Madam Seo had gone to the temple. When she did not return after heavy rain, the third son tried to find her. The two older brothers insisted he should not.
“Thunder is falling! You might lose your life!”
When she returned after two days, she held a newborn in her arms, a girl with red blotches on her face. She was so unattractive that she did not even resemble the third son’s child.
The third son was famous for his handsome looks. Many wished to marry his wife, but the Go family chose Madam Seo for her abundant dowry.
Madame Oh had once suspected that Seo had lost her child on the mountain. She wondered if they had brought in another child in its place.
But Madam Seo was honest. If she said she gave birth, she did. And since the child was born at the temple, anyone doubting could ask the abbot.
So, Madame Oh had the second daughter-in-law, Ryu, ask the abbot. It was confirmed that Seo did give birth at the temple, and the child survived. Many had heard the baby’s cries.
“Not taken in from elsewhere?”
When Madame Oh asked, the abbots laughed.
“Do you know who the donor was that night? She was a noble from Gyeongseong. Who would dare take her child?”
Madame Oh had no words to respond.
Children of the nobility were more precious than gold. Not even a theft could happen.
Huang Chong, having heard the story, was certain that Seo’s child was the one he was looking for. Moreover, it seemed that Madam Seo did not know the children had been switched.
“A Go family child? What a coincidence…”
Huang Chong felt it was fate.
“Did the third son’s household cherish the child?”
What nonsense! Seo and the third son had loved the child so much it was painful!
Madame Oh had many complaints. Seo had a good husband like the third son but failed to bear a proper child. She struggled to give birth, but the child was a daughter, unattractive, and dull.
She only began speaking at the age of three while other children were already running around.
Yet, the third son and his wife loved the child without hesitation.
Go Gyo’s suffering began after the couple passed away.
Of course, Madame Oh did not reveal this.
Huang Chong had too many clues to process, his mind in turmoil. He did not even notice Madame Oh pause briefly.
He bowed politely to Madame Oh and controlled his excitement as he said,
“Let me speak frankly. At that time, the person who gave birth at the temple with Madam Seo was my master’s wife. Your third son’s child and Madam Seo’s child… were switched.”
Madame Oh froze in shock.
“W-What… does that mean? I do not understand.”
When Madame Oh stammered, Huang Chong smiled and said,
“The daughter of your third son’s household is the young lady we have been looking for.”
Madame Oh’s mouth dropped open.
“So, Your Ladyship’s household…”
Huang Chong spoke gently.
“Duke Jeongan’s wife.”
Bang!
The entire household felt as if struck by lightning.
Though they could not comprehend the title “Jeongan,” they recognized the last two characters: “Hu-bu!”
“That… if Hu-bu, is that higher in rank than the magistrate?” Ryu asked cautiously.
Hu-bu referred not to rank but the estate. The marquis held the rank. Huang Chong understood Ryu’s question and smiled.
“Yes.”
He did not specify exactly how high, as they would not understand anyway. If he had said it in Gyeongseong, it could have been fatal.
Huang Chong remained polite toward the Go household since they had raised the young lady. With a gentle face, he said,
“Our master awaits in the town. May we go meet him together with the young lady?”
The entire household was too shocked to speak. To think that this girl had such an extraordinary birth secret. They recalled all the times they had troubled Go Gyo. If Huya learned how harshly they treated his daughter, could they be dragged to the authorities?
As everyone was still stunned, Go Jang-hae returned home.
He first noticed the carriage outside and the flustered expressions of the household.
He glared at Huang Chong, raising his eyebrows, and asked Madame Oh,
“Mother, what is happening?”
“Where is your father?”
Madame Oh glanced behind him.
Go Jang-hae said,
“Father went to the uncle. He told me to go home first.”
“That…”
Madame Oh did not know how to explain to her son.
Huang Chong smiled, understanding, and said,
“Then I will report to Huya first. Please relay the information to the young lady afterward. If it is difficult to tell her, I will explain it myself.”
With such a major event unfolding in the household, it was only proper to give everyone time to process it. Yet, it should not be delayed for long. No matter what, he needed to meet the child today.
