Right. The owner of that gold-leaf slip that had left everyone gaping was none other than Chae Yeop of the Hwaan Tea House.
Was I surprised? Not at all. Didn’t give a shit who bought it.
“You’ve made a very wise purchase. I hope you’ll put it to very good use.”
At my thanks, Chae Yeop gave this awkward little bow, face twisted somewhere between a grin and a grimace.
Five hundred thousand gold — enough to buy a modest house smack in the center of the capital. He’d probably spend the next several days ping-ponging between regret and frantic self-justification, totally on edge. No matter how rich you were, dropping half a million gold wasn’t something you did lightly.
Especially since Chae Yeop didn’t even run a proper Merchant’s Guild — he’d just opened up a single tea house.
Watching him sweat buckets, I gave him a lazy grin and stepped down from the platform.
The auction that followed wrapped up almost laughably fast. Everyone seemed drained, not really eager to jump back in. Mostly, the excitement had died off, and with it came that sudden cold return of reason.
And once reason returns, people stop opening their money pouches.
When it was time to close things out, Moyong Sohae stood up front just like at the start, giving a demure bow as she thanked everyone for attending.
But her face was still pale, her expression way darker than it had been before.
“Today’s total proceeds come to nine hundred three thousand two hundred gold. These funds will be used to purchase grain to feed starving citizens and to buy supplies for our soldiers, thereby strengthening security…”
Her voice cut off. Someone had raised a hand.
To be exact, it was because the person raising it was Dang Iheon.
I perked up too, curious what he’d say. He pulled a pouch out of the wide sleeve of his green long robe and rose to his feet. Then he spoke in a calm, clear voice.
“Though I failed to secure a piece at auction, since this is for a good cause, I wish to contribute nonetheless.”
That pouch was obviously pretty damn heavy. Was he insane? Who blew money on shit like this? I stared at him, utterly dumbfounded. If he had that kind of cash, he could’ve just bought me some meat…
Then Dang Iheon added,
“Thirty thousand gold in total. I would like this to be donated in the name of Lady Yeonhwa, to whom I am engaged.”
Holy shit. Was he insane?
Judging by all the gasps and half-choked exclamations around me, I wasn’t the only one thinking it.
“Lady Moyong Yeonhwa has already raised nearly half the total herself… incredible.”
“If I’d known the Dang Clan would jump in, I’d have thrown in a gold-leaf slip too. That’s the kind of connection money can’t buy.”
Moyong Sohae looked completely blindsided, her face flushing red then going pale by turns. For a second I wondered if she’d just faint. She finally pulled herself together and spoke in a steady voice.
“Even your mere participation was more than enough, but to receive such a generous donation… as the host, I am truly grateful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart…”
Her voice quivered a bit at the end, eyes turning red like she might actually cry. That was enough to get the crowd swept up too — loud applause broke out everywhere.
Well… honestly, that tie to the Dang Clan was going to be cut soon anyway. But nobody else knew that. Through this whole storm, people seemed to completely forget how trash my piece actually was.
In the end, it’s always about the final price tag.
Value isn’t determined by what something’s worth — it’s determined by what someone’s willing to pay.
Once Dang Iheon was done with his little money flex, musicians with pipas and ethereal women stepped out to lift the mood. A kind of closing act.
Everyone pretended to be these refined heroes of the Martial Arts World, appreciating the music and dance, spouting off about how meaningful tonight had been. Of course, underneath it all, every word was laced with veiled power plays.
Among all these murmuring conversations, Sahyeon was nowhere to be seen. He’d vanished at some point. While he’d drawn plenty of eyes earlier driving up the bids against Dang Iheon, now nobody seemed to care.
No one even really knew who “Ak Huhyeon” was, and with the gold-leaf slip on top of Dang Iheon’s lovesick theatrics, he’d naturally faded into the background.
Maybe he’d gone back to the carriages. Playing coachman again? I glanced around — and accidentally locked eyes with Dang Iheon. He smiled easily and came over.
“That was a truly… unforgettable piece. I’d hoped to secure it myself, but alas.”
Was he serious or just teasing? I shrugged.
“It went to someone who needed it more. No point blowing money on something you don’t even need.”
“Even so, it would’ve meant something to me.”
Huh. Dang Iheon really seemed to enjoy spending money. Just look where he’d thrown it tonight. Then again, who knows how I’d act if I’d been born rich.
Just then, his sister Dang Choye approached. Dang Iheon’s face lit up.
“Sister, it’s been too long.”
“Yes. If this keeps up, I might forget what you look like.”
“That’s why I ran right over the moment I could.”
They were being polite, but it was obvious how fond and happy they were to see each other. Unlike my family’s loud theatrics, the Dang siblings just had a quieter way of showing closeness.
Dang Choye smiled and gave my arm a light tap.
“I’d hoped to win the piece myself, so it’s a shame. Next time, I’ll make sure to come out on top.”
“So I’ll be competing with you, sister?”
Dang Iheon laughed softly, making what I hoped was a joke.
Either way, it was clear Dang Choye liked me. You could tell just from how she talked to her brother.
“I only came out to get a bit of air — never expected such fun. Might stay for a while, using you as my excuse, Iheon. And while I’m at it, perhaps get to know Lady Yeonhwa better over a meal.”
She gave me a bright, open smile, almost like asking permission. I nodded without really thinking. A meal wasn’t any big deal.
And honestly, I found her pretty likable, so it wasn’t a bad suggestion at all.
“Gladly.”
When I nodded, Dang Choye broke into a smile that looked genuinely happy.
“Women sometimes show off their beauty and use it to charm people, but I’ve never seen anyone introduce a piece so boldly by flaunting her clan’s power. How did you even come up with that?”
“Well, as long as I got the big money, that’s all that mattered. And for people to pay that much, they needed something worth paying for. Pretty obvious.”
A little embarrassed by her praise, I brushed it off. Dang Choye laughed so hard she smacked the table.
“Exactly. Everyone thinks the same way, they just pretend otherwise. This time, they couldn’t — it was so damn satisfying and fun.”
I nodded. Yeah, I definitely got along with Dang Choye.
With the Dang siblings chatting so warmly with me, a bunch of people who’d been hovering nearby finally crept up, trying to strike up conversation. Looked like they were desperate to worm in somehow.
Like swarming gnats, buzzing around with little compliments. Getting real annoying.
When someone trotted out that line — how stunning and spirited I was, how I must be the perfect match for Young Hero Dang — for about the sixteenth time, Dang Iheon gave the same polished reply. That was my cue to quietly ditch him.
Somehow Dang Choye had also slipped far off. Damn, quick on her feet.
I neatly dodged the crowd and slipped out through the tea house door. As soon as it closed behind me, all that noisy chatter faded, leaving peaceful quiet.
God, finally.
I sucked in a long breath of the night air. When I looked up at the sky, fatigue slammed into me all at once, eyes feeling gritty. I’d never get used to crowds like that. Even if I died and came back again, still wouldn’t.
I was thinking I might head to the carriage for a quick nap when someone called out from behind me.
“Um… Lady Yeonhwa.”
I turned to see it was Chae Yeop, the one who’d bought my piece. Still looking painfully awkward. Probably still not sure if dropping that much gold had been the right move.
“I already gave you the piece.”
Playing dumb, I replied. Chae Yeop forced out a twisted little smile. Totally fake.
“Y-yes. I’ve received it and stored it carefully. I plan to hang it right in the center of the Hwaan Tea House so all our guests can see.”
“That’s a bit much. I mean, it’s a fine piece, sure, but still.”
“A-ha… yes, yes. Of course.”
I could practically hear him cursing me inside his head. I bit back a laugh. Still, leaving this pitiful guy with nothing felt a little mean.
“So, what is it you want? Want me to officially introduce you to the Moyong Clan or something?”
Too tired to dance around it, I just threw it out there. Nailed it — Chae Yeop flailed for a second, then drooped his head.
“Yes… truthfully, I’m not from Liaoning. I spent my whole life running an old tea house way out in the sticks, finally scraped up enough to build this place…”
“Ah, stop. Not buying the sob story.”
They’re all the same anyway. None of my business. No point hearing it.
But I did have something worth saying.
“Instead of wasting time begging for pity by announcing you’re broke, try acting like you’ve got money. Especially if you want to make money off rich folks. Only beggars make money by flaunting how poor they are.”
“Uh…?”
“Think about it. If you look like you’re loaded, this place looks more impressive too, and you’ll start running with people who actually matter.”
His eyes went wide. A tiny gasp slipped out. Made me sigh.
“Hold on. Got something for you.”
Leaving the stunned tea house owner standing there, I rummaged through the carriage’s storage. Found a neatly packed little item and brought it back. He just stared, clueless.
“What, you’re not taking it?”
“And this is…?”
“A messenger pigeon. Trained to fly only to the Moyong Clan.”
Yep. It was a cage holding a carrier pigeon.
I usually kept it for when shit hit the fan, but decided to gamble on giving it to Chae Yeop. I could always catch and train another later.
“If something urgent happens, you can send me word. Only if it’s really urgent, though. Otherwise I’ll confiscate the pigeon and beat the crap out of you.”
Chae Yeop’s face fell with disappointment. I’d expected that.
Honestly, he probably didn’t yet understand just how useful this pigeon would be. What he’d actually wanted was…
“You were hoping I’d arrange a dinner with the Young Master or something. But wait. This’ll turn out way more effective and valuable.”
“But… what sort of danger could possibly come from just running a tea house?”
His voice was soaked in reluctant frustration. Made me let out a short laugh.
“Didn’t you just flaunt your money tonight? Now you’ll have bandits or unorthodox clan bastards all over you.”
Chae Yeop’s face went ghost white. Guess that hadn’t occurred to him.
“Once the raiding starts, the Moyong Clan will go out of their way to protect the Hwaan Tea House. Then people will say, ‘Oh, they really must be close to the Moyong Clan.’ Naturally, others will start cozying up to you. Your business will boom — it’s only a matter of time.”
He stood there in stunned silence, like that birdcage had suddenly turned into a hundred-pound weight.
“W-what if those bastards never show up?”
“Then great. No trouble for you.”
“That’s…”
Sure, this probably wasn’t the kind of insurance he’d hoped for when he spent the price of a house. Might even feel like he’d been scammed. But hey — I hadn’t lied.
“If you’d just… maybe speak to the Young Master…”
“Ugh, clingy. If that’s what you’re after, give me the pigeon back. I’ll just take it and—”
“N-no, that’s alright!”
In the end, he’d officially only bought my piece, so Chae Yeop couldn’t keep pushing. Clutching the cage, he turned away with the sourest face I’d ever seen.
Living among orthodox clans had really made me weirdly conscientious. Ugh.
With Chae Yeop gone, I was finally about to take a real breather when I heard this ridiculously fake birdsong from the dark bushes. Anyone could tell it was just a person making that noise.
Narrowing my eyes, I spotted — surprise, surprise — Sahyeon, waving with that sly grin.
“My lady, all wrapped up here?”
That sly, fox-like smile didn’t even faze me anymore. Instead of answering, I stomped right over to him.
“You know what.”
“Yes, my lady?”
“Aren’t you a little too obsessed with me?”
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