Chapter 31
It wasn't Namgung Choomyung, but Namgung Pae who greeted them as soon as they returned to the Namgung Clan.
Namgung Pae was the only younger brother of the family head, Namgung Je, making him Namgung Soyo's uncle and one of the clan's few respected elders.
Like Yeoil, he wasn't one to enjoy going out. It was said that in his younger days, he suffered a crippling injury to his dantian and devoted all his energy to managing the Namgung Clan, assisting the head of the family.
Therefore, he and Yeoil hardly ever crossed paths.
Still, when they occasionally passed each other, he would offer a light greeting first. He didn't exactly welcome the existence of a concubine's daughter like Namgung Soyo, but he didn't seem to find her particularly unpleasant either.
Namgung Pae, stern-faced and dressed in a blue robe, scanned the returning group and spoke bluntly.
"You're back. You're later than I expected. I was worried. Did anything happen?"
"Yes, Uncle. Thank you for coming out to greet us."
"No need for thanks. Jeokmyung, you were with her, so I assume there weren't any major problems. Were you successful?"
Namgung Jeokmyung had said that he followed Yeoil two days after she left the clan and had only revealed the purpose of the outing to Namgung Pae and Namgung Choomyung.
Otherwise, it was known that they had set out to find a famous doctor to cure Namgung Soyo's eyes, so those who came out to greet them with Namgung Pae looked at Yeoil with curious eyes.
"Unfortunately, we didn't achieve what we set out to do."
Namgung Pae nodded, his face still expressionless.
"I see. Well, it wouldn't have been easy. But you said nothing happened; what's with the wound on your arm?"
"Wound? Haha! Some bandits sniffed us out and came after us, you see? They tried to use a pretty woman as a hostage, but what kind of man would I be if I just stood by? I guess I overdid it a little and ended up like this. I got a bit careless, I suppose. My skills are rustier than I thought."
His boisterous voice and nonchalant laughter reminded her of their first meeting a few days ago.
Namgung Huimyeong wore a puzzled expression at his attitude, which showed not a trace of seriousness.
"Hyung! When did that happen?"
As he stepped forward with a dissatisfied face, Namgung Jeokmyung, who had been laughing lightly, patted Namgung Huimyeong's shoulder and stopped him.
"It did happen, Huimyeong-ah. I was too embarrassed to tell you... But now that we're home, I'm feeling better, and it's moving fine."
"Hyung."
Namgung Huimyeong stared at his eldest brother with confused eyes and quietly clenched his fist.
Yeoil slyly opened her eyes, using her sleeve to cover her face under the pretense of smoothing her forehead.
The servants standing behind Namgung Pae were desperately trying to manage their expressions, but they couldn't hide the faint look of disappointment and something akin to pity on their faces.
'He's always been making a fool of himself like this.'
Namgung Pae showed no particular reaction to the Young Master's immature remarks and actions.
He had checked just in case, but there were no traces of an indugup. Nevertheless, he could be in league with Namgung Choomyung, so he needed to be watched carefully.
Namgung Jeokmyung, having dealt with the third son and passed Namgung Pae, quietly looked around, and then suddenly shouted in a booming voice that could have made the clan collapse.
"Choomyung, you lazy good-for-nothing! Your brother is back, and you don't even show your face? What are you doing?"
Even after knowing the truth, his appearance of calling out Namgung Choomyung's name was as playful as usual, and remarkably frivolous for the Young Master of the Clan.
Namgung Pae answered in place of the silent imposter.
"Choomyung has been unwell and bedridden. He's probably taken his medicine and is fast asleep."
"Did he catch a summer cold?"
"So it seems."
"A cold, my foot."
A cold aura briefly settled in Namgung Jeokmyung's eyes and then disappeared.
"...That weakling. Always nagging me...serves him right. Anyway, Uncle, I'm going to go rest. I promised to visit Giyeonru immediately upon my return, and I'm running late. I'll see you later."
Before Namgung Pae could reply, Namgung Jeokmyung headed further into the clan grounds.
Namgung Pae, who had been gazing at his retreating figure with meaningful eyes, soon turned his body towards Yeoil and Namgung Huimyeong.
"It was a long journey; you must be tired. Go and get some rest."
"...Yes, Uncle."
"Get some rest, Uncle."
Yeoil tutted softly as she watched Namgung Huimyeong leave without even saying goodbye to her.
'He can't hide his displeasure whenever Giyeonru is mentioned.'
He was at least managing his expression in front of the servants, but anyone could see that he was greatly disappointed by Namgung Jeokmyung's words.
He was quite perceptive, unlike what he seemed, but he showed no suspicion about Giyeonru. She could see how much effort Namgung Jeokmyung had put into ruining his own reputation.
As the watching eyes disappeared, Jin Cheongak's low laughter came from behind her.
"Something smells fishy here."
Seolyeong shrugged, giving a non-denial affirmation.
"You've got a good nose for trouble, Brother Ak."
"Trouble and I are old acquaintances."
That day, Namgung Jeokmyung did not return from Giyeonru until late at night, so Yeoil went to bed without regret.
No assassins came.
Three days after their return.
He said he would reveal Namgung Choomyung's identity after returning to the clan.
But while Namgung Jeokmyung was nowhere to be found, Namgung Choomyung surprisingly came to see Yeoil himself.
"Cough, cough."
Pale complexion, white lips, and dark, sunken eyebags.
No matter how you looked at it, Namgung Choomyung looked seriously ill. Even the sickly Namgung Soyo seemed healthy in comparison.
So, Yeoil let out a violent cough right in Namgung Choomyung's face.
"Good grief!"
She coughed up a spray of blood.
"Soyo-ya! Doctor, doctor! Go out and call a doctor quickly!"
Thanks to Namgung Choomyung's racket, which was loud enough to shake the whole clan, Yeoil got to rest in her room after a doctor diagnosed her with 'a minor throat injury requiring rest.'
"Ah, Soyo-ya... You must have been in so much pain. Why didn't you say anything? Just rest without thinking about anything for now. I'll come again tonight."
After the overly concerned Namgung Choomyung left that afternoon, Seolyeong approached Yeoil, who was lying down with a perfectly healthy face, and asked,
"What was with the sudden commotion?"
"Commotion? Seolyeong, I'm just doing what needs to be done."
"So, that's what you're calling a commotion."
"There can't be anyone weaker than Namgung Soyo in this clan. He was faking illness in front of me, so I showed him who's boss."
"So that's what I'm saying, what else is it if not a commotion... ... ."
She had to injure the inside of her throat, but she still got quite useful information.
Namgung Choomyung's illness was indeed feigned.
Considering who the opponent was, she could somewhat guess the reason for deliberately pretending to be ill.
'The indugup is wearing out.'
It was time to replace it with a new one.
