Chapter 37
Okay, I've analyzed the provided text, focusing on grammar, fluency, naturalness, and consistency with the source material (which, unfortunately, I don't have access to, but I'll proceed based on the English text provided). Here's the corrected version:
Just as things were getting awkward, Namgung Jeokmyeong stepped in to defend Yeoil.
"Aunt, Soyo has been quite sick for the past few days. Just coming out to greet you seems to have taken a lot out of her. Could we save the important discussion for later?"
Danli Mookran nodded readily, her voice full of concern.
"Being so frail is a big problem. She won't even be able to bear a child like this. Go on, sit back down."
Namgung Huimyeong, who'd jumped up, carefully helped Yeoil sit back down next to him. Then, he whispered softly in her ear.
"Don't take it to heart, Soyo. She's always been like that."
Yeoil already knew that much from Chang-a.
[Danli Mookran likes polite and obedient people. Ever since the family matriarch passed away, whenever she comes to the Namgung family, she's been oddly trying to take her place, and that's why everyone, from the maids to the guards, avoids her. Since it's a house full of men, she calls everyone together and bosses them around, complaining about how things are being run.]
And Chang-a, who even mentioned the reason for the extra gossip, choked on a jeonbyeong (savory pancake) and pounded her chest for a while before continuing.
[...Whew. Seems like she brings some of her young female relatives every time. So, Young Miss, watch out! Something annoying's bound to happen.]
Even though she was young, Chang-a's information was usually spot-on. The intense stare from across the room proved it.
Yeoil instantly understood.
'Is that the man Danli Mookran brought here to set me up with?'
She subtly touched her nose and looked across the room.
As expected, among the three strangers sitting together, he was the only man, and he didn't seem much older than Yeoil.
She brought up marriage the first time they met, and now she's brought him along, lock, stock, and barrel. You've got to hand it to her, she's prepared.
"Excuse me... I heard the Second Young Master was under the weather, so I brewed some medicine from a renowned doctor. Could you please pass it on to him?"
As one of the women handed the medicine over through a servant, Danli Mookran interjected before Namgung Jeokmyeong could even thank her.
"Yes, yes, so lovely. And so virtuous and wise! You know, a woman naturally gives off a beautiful scent the wiser she is. Wouldn't you agree, Jeokmyeong?"
"Haha, well, all women have their own scent, I suppose. Thank you, Miss. I'll make sure Chumyeong receives this."
"You rascal! Saying all women have a fragrance, you're such a charmer. You really know how to sweet-talk a woman, when did you grow up so fast?"
"Thank you for the praise, Aunt. But does it really work?"
"Huh?"
The woman seemed surprised by Namgung Jeokmyeong's rather abrupt question, but she quickly answered, her voice shy.
"Oh, absolutely. It is medicine from a doctor whom our family has consulted many times."
"Great. Actually, Soyo's been sicker than Chumyeong. Would you mind if we gave some to Soyo?"
"Sh-share...? O-of course."
Namgung Jeokmyeong, completely oblivious, seemed thrilled with this almost forced agreement.
"She said it's fine, Soyo! I'll set aside your share, along with the medicine your aunt brewed. Don't skip a dose, okay?"
"Yes, thank you for your generosity."
Danli Mookran sighed inwardly, watching Yeoil bow her head slightly.
"...You two are so close. It's a heartwarming sight."
The compliment was clearly laced with bitterness.
A close bond. That's how it might look. But Yeoil saw right through Namgung Jeokmyeong.
'He's probably annoyed that a fake is getting a share of the real thing.'
Everyone was chiming in about their closeness when Danli Mookran suddenly spoke up.
"I'm getting a bit tired from the long trip... Jeokmyeong. These young ones are all from good families, but it's their first time dealing with a great house like the Namgung family, so they must be quite nervous."
"I understand, Aunt."
"They're all my relatives, even if they came from afar. So, if you wouldn't mind, could you show them around the inner grounds, even briefly, to save me face?"
The women's expectant gazes all turned towards him. Namgung Jeokmyeong let out a slightly awkward laugh.
"Hmm... As you know, we've got at least twenty relatives arriving today alone. I'm supposed to be filling in for Father, so I'm not sure I'll have the time, but since you asked, Aunt, I'll do my best."
He quickly added, before Danli Mookran could say anything,
"So... let's see, maybe I can ask Huimyeong to help out?"
"Huh? Me? You want me to do it?"
Namgung Huimyeong might seem rough around the edges, but he's not the type to just flat-out refuse an elder's repeated request.
"...Fine. I'll make some time, but I can't spend all day on it."
So, even though he was clearly annoyed, he agreed.
"Haha. They'll understand, don't worry."
He was probably grumbling to himself about how busy he was with the martial arts tournament and how Namgung Jeokmyeong had dumped this annoying job on him.
Just as things were wrapping up, Danli Mookran said, "Sangbaek, help Soyo get around."
The unfamiliar man's voice answered Danli Mookran readily.
"Yes."
"Soyo, dear. Did you hear? Haha... Remember that voice. His name is Go Sangbaek, and he's a good, upstanding young man. If you weren't blind..."
Yeoil tuned out Danli Mookran's rambling.
She wasn't here to go along with Danli Mookran's matchmaking.
"Young Miss Namgung, if I may..."
They'd be parting ways in a few days anyway. So, instead of greeting the man, Go Sangbaek, Yeoil looked around vaguely and called out.
"Brother Jeokmyeong, are you there?"
Namgung Jeokmyeong walked over, circled Yeoil playfully, and stood behind her.
"Of course. I'm right here, Soyo. What's wrong?"
Problem? Definitely.
"Human skin."
His breathing stopped.
On a sticky summer day, Yeoil imagined his eyes, probably narrowed in suspicion, and continued casually,
"Didn't you say you'd show me human skin in Hubei? I've been wondering how you recreate skin with beeswax... When will I get to see it?"
"..."
He seemed to be trying to figure out why Yeoil would suddenly say something so risky in front of everyone.
But that was exactly Yeoil's plan: to send a signal by exploiting Namgung Jeokmyeong's weakness in front of a crowd.
"Oh! Don't worry about it. If it's too much trouble, Brother, I can wait. Or I could ask Chumyeong or Huimyeong about it..."
Namgung Jeokmyeong grabbed her hand with a sigh.
"Alright, I get it. I get it, so just come with me.”
