A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 41

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 41
“Oh dear, indigo dye has stained the white fabric. What am I to do!”
“How did that happen? You’re so careless.”
“I went to the Indigo Field during the day. It’s from the fluid the indigo beetles secreted.”
Remembering those words, Hong Seol commanded the mice to bring her indigo beetles. And the mice faithfully carried out their task.
‘Thanks to their efforts, the mouse family is now feasting on dried meat, rice, and fruit to their hearts’ content.’
Hong Seol glanced sideways at the mice enjoying their banquet before turning her attention back to Nam Goong Mu Young.
“Hmm… there’s definitely business potential here.”
Nam Goong Mu Young examined the indigo beetle from every angle and crossed his arms.
His demeanor suggested he had completely surrendered to Hong Seol.
“You won’t reveal how your information network operates, will you?”
“No, sir. If I revealed it, it wouldn’t be an information network anymore.”
The real reason was that she couldn’t let it slip that she was a ‘cat-human’ who could understand mouse speech.
Hong Seol answered while suppressing a twinge of conscience.
“This is the kind of venture other merchant guilds would covet. Why entrust it specifically to me?”
“Because the Elder Judge’s merchant guild surely operates at least one large indigo farm. If you bring a pair of these beetles there to breed, they’ll multiply rapidly.”
Nam Goong Mu Young’s eyebrows twitched.
“How did you know I own an indigo farm? Did your informants tell you that?”
At his words, Hong Seol looked at him as if he were being unreasonable.
“No, sir. The people of Nam Goong Family Estate favor indigo-colored garments. Where else would all that fabric come from if not from your merchant guild?”
Nam Goong Mu Young found himself at a loss for words.
‘This child truly is a prodigy…!’
Hong Seol’s reasoning was sound.
The colors that symbolized Nam Goong Family Estate were various shades of blue.
Among them, indigo was particularly beloved by those working for Nam Goong Family because it resisted staining.
In Hefei, only the Mu Young Merchant Guild, which operated an indigo farm, could supply such quantities.
‘To think I must watch this brilliant child be taken away by that old man Nam Goong Ho!’
Nam Goong Mu Young felt utterly wronged.
‘If I cannot have Hong Seol as my granddaughter-in-law, I might as well secure substantial profits from this business.’
He cleared his throat and spoke.
“So you’re saying the Mu Young Merchant Guild will have exclusive rights to the dye obtained from these indigo beetles?”
“Yes, but there’s a condition.”
“What is it?”
“Supply the Weaving Workshop with dye at half price.”
“Interesting. What profit does the Mu Young Merchant Guild gain from this arrangement?”
“A reputation as a merchant guild that knows how to help the struggling, and… um…”
Hong Seol trailed off in an uncharacteristic manner.
“What did you say?”
Nam Goong Mu Young leaned in closer, and Hong Seol spoke in a voice barely above a whisper.
“Your… respect, sir.”
Nam Goong Mu Young’s expression grew peculiar at those words.
One moment he seemed to be smiling, the next appearing embarrassed.
Yet the corners of his mouth, twitching as if dancing, betrayed his true feelings.
After managing his expression with difficulty, he covered his lips and spoke with exaggerated reluctance.
“Well, it’s a bit disappointing, but I’ll accept your conditions. Just don’t forget that I’m taking a loss here!”
“Yes, yes! Oh, and there’s one more favor I’d like to ask.”
After hearing Hong Seol’s whispered request, Nam Goong Mu Young sighed.
“I’ve raised a tiger cub!”
At those words, Hong Seol scratched her cheek with her finger and laughed sheepishly.
“Hehe…”
Of course, she could never bring herself to say, “But I’m actually a kitten, not a tiger.”
* * *
A voice filled with emotion burst forth from Hong Seol’s quarters.
“Thank you so much, Miss!”
“You’ve saved the women of the Weaving Workshop! On their behalf, I offer my deepest gratitude.”
As Lady Hong bowed deeply, Hong Seol felt embarrassed and looked away.
“Thanks to you, Miss, we’ll somehow be able to compete with the Myo Water Trading Company’s discounted fabrics.”
At those words, Hong Seol’s mind snapped to attention.
“No, that won’t do!”
“Pardon?”
“Merely competing isn’t enough. We need to win completely! Elder Judge, please show them what we’ve prepared.”
Nam Goong Mu Young let out a laugh.
This little one was already treating him like a subordinate. Yet somehow, her audacity was rather endearing.
“Very well.”
Nam Goong Mu Young gestured in resignation.
The man standing behind him then brought out another porcelain vessel.
It contained a crimson dye. Lady Hong seemed to recognize what it was.
“Isn’t this dye made from cochineal insects?”
At those words, Hong Seol’s eyes brightened.
“Yes! But this is a rather special cochineal dye.”
Hong Seol picked up an empty teacup from the small table.
Then, using her finger, she sprinkled a bit of the crimson powder and a bit of the blue powder into it, added water, and stirred briskly.
Moments later, the teacup Hong Seol held out contained a delicate violet hue.
“Unlike ordinary cochineal dye, this one blends well with other dyes.”
This too was something Hong Seol had recalled from the servants’ conversations at the Myo Family Estate in the past.
She had witnessed a scene where a bird simultaneously pecked at cochineal and indigo insects with its beak, producing an impossibly beautiful violet color.
Of course, it was the Mu Young Merchant Guild that had applied special treatment to the cochineal dye to make it blend well with other dyes.
…
Lady Hong, momentarily dazed, accepted the vessel containing the violet-colored liquid from Hong Seol.
As the afternoon sunlight glimmered across the water’s surface, the color appeared almost sacred.
Hong Seol spoke carefully.
“It seemed we needed new products to compensate for the losses from not being able to sell the iris silk during this time.”
“I have no intention of selling this to anyone but the Weaving Workshop. It’s all because of this fellow’s request, after all.”
Nam Goong Mu Young added a word as well.
“….”
Even though everything seemed to be resolved, Hong Seol grew worried as Lady Hong remained silent for a long while.
“Is something… not to your liking?”
“Miss!”
Suddenly, Lady Hong prostrated herself flat on the ground. The Seamstress standing beside her followed suit, bowing low.
Hot tears streamed down the cheeks of both women, wetting the floor beneath them.
“We shall never forget this grace you have shown in saving our Fabric Shop and the Weaving Workshop. Whenever you have need of us, we shall surely rush forward to serve you.”
Startled by their display, Hong Seol found herself moved to tears as well.
“I am the one who should be grateful… for you stepping forward so earnestly for such a noble endeavor as the Weaving Workshop.”
Hong Seol harbored genuine gratitude toward Lady Hong, who had taken in girls like herself who had nowhere else to go.
Meanwhile, the man standing behind Nam Goong Mu Young ground ink and completed the contract.
The terms stipulated that for the next ten years, indigo dye would be supplied at half the market price, and the special cochineal dye would be supplied exclusively.
Lady Hong signed the contract with trembling hands.
Only after exchanging several more courtesies did Lady Hong and the Seamstress depart.
Nam Goong Mu Young sent his subordinates ahead and remained behind.
“I should stay and share a leisurely cup of tea with you. You can manage that much, can’t you?”
“Of course!”
At Hong Seol’s words, the maidservant Mae Ran headed to the Kitchen of Chang Cheon Pavilion to prepare the tea table.
“The matter of the Weaving Workshop is finally settled.”
It was just as Hong Seol was finally able to relax.
“Miss, Miss!”
Mae Ran, who had gone to the Kitchen, suddenly rushed back inside.
Her face was flushed with urgency, as if bearing urgent news.
“Mae Ran, what is it?”
“The… the Medicine Master has returned, Miss!”
The Medicine Master—the mother of Heuk, Jeok, and the others?
At the news that Bing Yu Hua, whom she had only heard about, had returned, Hong Seol tensed immediately.
“The Family Head has ordered that you be brought to the Medical Pharmacy to pay your respects.”
“The Medical Pharmacy? Right now?”
“Yes, you must go at once.”
“What about… Grandfather Nam Goong Ho? Will Grandfather go with me?”
“The Former Family Head has excused himself.”
“Really? What… what should I do?”
Seeing Hong Seol’s nervous fidgeting, Nam Goong Mu Young chuckled heartily.
“Hong Seol, even for you, winning over the Medicine Master’s favor won’t be easy.”
At those words, Hong Seol’s small frame stiffened even more with apprehension.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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