Chapter 17
The atmosphere of the estate exuded frugality, so I thought it might be a modest banquet. However, Moyong Guk turned out to be more generous than I expected.
Each table was densely packed with dishes that looked exceptionally appetizing, and rows of liquor bottles lined up along the centre of the tables.
It was a grand banquet, seemingly designed to flaunt the wealth of the Moyong Family.
“There are people who sometimes mistake the prestige of their family for their own power. Even if you can’t add to the reputation our ancestors built, you should at least refrain from tainting it, don’t you think? Yet, it’s troublesome to deal with those who recklessly use the family name as they please. Just like this time….”
The banquet started with Moyong Guk’s long-winded lecture. He continued, reflecting on the incident involving Moyong Chun.
“Even if it’s my son, there are no exceptions. You all should strive not to bring shame to the family’s reputation. I’ve spoken long enough, so I’ll stop here. Now, let’s all drink and enjoy ourselves!”
It seemed like Moyong Guk was using this opportunity to set an example with his own son and reinforce the family’s discipline.
‘Impressive.’
Essentially, he was publicly declaring to the entire family, “Moyong Chun is an idiot.” Wasn’t Moyong Chun the eldest son?
‘Why bother caring about other people’s family affairs?’
It didn’t concern me anyway. I just needed to enjoy the meal since it was already prepared.
“Young Hero, do you find the food to your liking?”
“Yes, Family Head. There are so many dishes I’ve never seen before that my chopsticks can hardly rest.”
Naturally, my seat was right next to Moyong Guk. It was a rather burdensome position, but at least for now, it was the most appropriate place.
‘What kind of conversation could I have with the Moyong Family members?’
Even though Moyong Guk had apologized with full responsibility, emotional matters were a different story. To me, Moyong Chun was a complete scoundrel, but within the family, wasn’t he their cherished eldest grandson?
“Thank you for saying that. Here, have another drink.”
“Yes, sir.”
And, of course, the seat of honour has its own perks.
All the best food and alcohol are served here.
I accepted the drink Moyong Guk poured for me.
‘Is this the famous Seoljungmae?’
Seoljungmae.
A liquor counted among the Five Great Spirits by connoisseurs.
True to its reputation, as soon as it was poured into the glass, a rich plum scent wafted up. Just from the scent alone, I felt my expectations rise.
“May only good things come your way.”
“I wish you eternal peace and prosperity as well, Family Head.”
We exchanged polite blessings as we raised our glasses.
Gulp.
The plum fragrance tickled my mouth. Ordinary plum wine usually has a sharp taste that hits you, but Seoljungmae didn’t have any of that harshness. The coolness of the liquor smoothly flowed down my throat.
This stuff was the real deal.
“Indeed. The enthusiasts all rave about Seoljungmae being one of the Five Great Spirits, and it certainly lives up to the name. To think that even with plums, the sourness doesn’t overpower the flavour!”
“As expected. I sensed it from the moment I first saw you. You truly know how to appreciate your liquor. Have another!”
Moyong Guk continued to offer me drinks repeatedly. There was no need to refuse.
After all, it’s not every day you get to enjoy top-quality liquor for free.
I indulged in one drink after another with him, and soon I could feel a slight buzz.
‘This feels great.’
I never dispel my drunkenness with internal energy. That’s my philosophy. People who claim they can hold their liquor are just forcing it down with internal energy, but from what I see, they’re just pretending to be drinkers.
You drink to get drunk, not to endure.
‘This is true enjoyment.’
I hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol the entire time I was staying at the Namgung Estate. It was tough to hold back. This was a reward I was giving myself.
“Father, aren’t you drinking a bit too much?”
“Oh, Hye-ah. I’m still perfectly fine, so don’t worry.”
How many bottles had we finished? Four?
The alcohol had kicked in sufficiently, and as I glanced at Moyong Guk’s face, which was turning bright red, I was contemplating leaving the seat when Moyong Hye sat down next to him and spoke.
“Didn’t you end up sleeping in the courtyard last time because of this?”
“Hey, when did I ever do that? Oh, right. Young Hero, this is my eldest daughter. Hye-ah, greet him.”
“Hello, Young Master. This is our first meeting. I am Moyong Hye.”
Moyong Hye greeted me gracefully, acting as if she was seeing me for the first time. Ah, is this some kind of act?
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady. My name is Lee Se-woong.”
I decided to go along with her act for now.
There was no point in acting like we knew each other.
“Since we’ve met like this, let me pour you a drink.”
“I won’t refuse.”
I silently received the drink Moyong Hye poured for me. She met my gaze while pouring, but her expression remained unreadable as ever.
“Are you fond of drinking, Lady?”
“I’m not much of a drinker. But if Young Master offers, I’ll gladly accept.”
“Hye-ah, what do you mean? You drink more than I do… Urgh!”
Moyong Guk tried to say something, but he suddenly yelled, so I couldn’t make out what he was saying.
“Father, it seems like the alcohol has really gotten to you. How about stepping outside for some fresh air?”
As if this was a common occurrence, Moyong Hye casually escorted Moyong Guk away from the table.
What’s this? Are all prestigious families like this? Even the heads of the families can’t go against their daughters?
“Lady, why did you do that earlier?”
“Do what?”
“Pretend not to know me.”
“Does it matter?”
“If you don’t want to talk about it, then never mind.”
I didn’t see a reason to press further, so I said as much. However, Moyong Hye continued speaking with an expression that suggested she was somewhat dissatisfied.
“When a young man and woman meet, it’s easy to become the subject of gossip. And Young Master has a fiancée, doesn’t he?”
“Is there really a need to worry about that? We have nothing to do with each other.”
“Yes, that’s right. I suppose I was just causing trouble for no reason.”
Moyong Hye’s response was oddly stiff.
Did I do something wrong?
“Let’s just drink.”
“Didn’t you say you’re not much of a drinker?”
“I just feel like getting drunk today!”
Ah, I should’ve just had a few drinks with Moyong Guk and left.
I got carried away by the allure of Seoljungmae’s flavor and ended up getting stuck here.
Despite the fact that she sat down, Moyong Hye drank in silence for a long time.
“It’s a bit warm, isn’t it?”
Warm?
She’s drunk, alright.
This is the North. The North! It’s a place where it snows even in the middle of summer. It’s as cool as if an air conditioner is on right now.
Moyong Hye kept saying it was hot and fanned her collar. As her collar subtly loosened, her unhidden curves were revealed without filter. I had nowhere to look.
‘What is this?’
For a child of a prestigious family, her behaviour was excessively rash.
Her movements were awkward, breaking off in strange, disjointed motions.
It was unusual.
Moyong Hye continued to perform actions that made no sense.
“Young Master, your hands are so big.”
“Are they? I thought they were just average.”
“Let’s compare, shall we?”
Suddenly, she started comparing the sizes of our hands.
“The elders seem to be getting quite excited. It’s a bit noisy, isn’t it?”
Claiming that she couldn’t hear me well, she scooted over to sit right next to me.
“Oh my! What is that?!”
She laughed out loud even at trivial comments and kept tapping my thigh.
‘Is she trying to seduce me?’
At first, I thought it was just a bad habit she had when drinking. But as time passed, her words and actions grew more suspicious.
‘This is unmistakably flirtatious behaviour.’
Once I took off my biased lenses and looked at things clearly, everything became apparent.
She repeated my words back to me, tried to maintain eye contact, and invaded my personal space with subtle closeness.
When she claimed that the bottle’s cap was too tight and asked me to open it, I was sure of it.
There was no doubt about it.
This was a deliberate attempt to charm me.
Her attempts were clumsy, making it hard to notice at first.
‘But why?’
What was her reason?
Did she fall for me at first sight?
Fortunately, I wasn’t drunk enough to entertain such nonsense.
For someone who wasn’t a drinker, she was pushing herself way too hard to do this…
‘Could it be?’
I recalled how she lingered around conspicuously since our first meeting. And how Moyong Guk left the room right after Moyong Hye spoke, as if on cue.
A lady of a prestigious family, coming onto a man who already has a fiancée!
‘Are they trying to set me up?’
It made sense if I thought of it that way.
If everything had been planned from the start.
Even her mocking expression when Moyong Chun was humiliated was just an act?
Were they trying to make me pay for offending the Moyong Family!
‘It’s certainly a clever way to ruin me without lifting a finger.’
Just imagine the rumors they could spread: “We sent someone to mediate, but he flirted with their daughter.” “Despite having a fiancée, he tried to have an affair.”
Even with just these baseless rumours, the Namgung Family would treat me like a rat to be hunted.
“If you cheat, I’ll die, and so will you.”
Why did Namgung Yeon-hee’s words before I left suddenly come to mind?
I hadn’t done anything wrong, but I was about to be framed for a crime.
‘The Moyong Family are truly a bunch of conniving bastards!’
Luckily, Moyong Hye had no talent for acting. Not that I would have fallen for it anyway, but I couldn’t afford to give them the slightest opening.
“I think I drank too quickly. I’m feeling a bit dizzy… Should we take a walk outside?”
“Oh my, I’m getting drunk! So drunk!”
Oh, now she’s outright suggesting we take a walk.
Pretending not to hear her, I jumped up, feigning a drunken stupor.
“Where’s my room again? Was it over here?”
I pretended to be overjoyed, shrugging my shoulders, and at the same time, I dragged my feet as if I were limping. The key was to stagger in a zigzag pattern.
“Ah, right! This isn’t the Namgung Estate, is it? How silly of me.”
The hallmark of a drunk person is talking to themselves, as if they’re beating a drum all by themselves.
I even pretended to be lost. It was perfect.
Moyong Hye.
This is how you act.
“Alright then, I’m going to head in now!”
I bowed so deeply that my waist nearly snapped, and I quickly fled to my quarters.
***
‘How long did I sleep?’
It had been a while since I slept so soundly.
No matter how devious a righteous family might be, they wouldn’t try anything while I slept. They wouldn’t send assassins just to ruin one person.
The alcohol had gotten to me, and I wanted to shake off my travel fatigue, so I went to bed early.
But then…
Squish.
As I shifted in bed, I felt something odd against my elbow.
‘What is this?’
It was soft, yet too firm to be a blanket.
“Did you sleep well, Young Master?”
There she was, lying beside me, looking up at me sleepily—Moyong Hye.
Fortunately, she was dressed properly.
What is this?
“What are you doing?”
“I heard men like… these kinds of things.”
“What did you say?”
“Oh, no? They don’t?”
A sudden assassin in the night.
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