A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 55

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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 55
“Ahem, well…”
“No, dear. Just give me a moment to think…”
At those words, Hong Seol deliberately cast her gaze downward to her feet.
“Since I’m the only one who can’t attend the Academy and has to study alone at home… I thought my mood might improve if the Family Head and the Medicine Master went to the Market District with me.”
Before she could finish speaking, Nam Goong On cut in decisively.
“I shall certainly go!”
Bing Yu Hua, too, responded in a softened tone as if conceding defeat.
“Well, they say even the wishes of the dead are granted—how could I refuse one small wish from you, dear?”
“Hehe, how exciting!”
Hong Seol clapped her hands and bounced up and down in place.
She had been pondering how to reconcile the Family Head and the Medicine Master anyway.
‘I care for both of them, so I wish they would get along well together.’
They were a married couple with three sons. Moreover, seeing how the Family Head had even carefully prepared clothes for the daughter in the womb…
‘They must still care for each other—they’re simply not being honest about it.’
So if they spent time together, misunderstandings would fade and only affection would remain.
That was what Hong Seol believed.
“Then I’ll go choose an outfit to wear to the Market District!”
At Hong Seol’s sudden brightness, Nam Goong On tilted his head curiously.
“It seems our Hong Seol has changed quite a bit since we first met her, wouldn’t you say?”
He spoke softly and gently placed his hand on Bing Yu Hua’s shoulder.
“That’s true…”
Bing Yu Hua, who had unconsciously agreed with Nam Goong On’s words, suddenly startled.
“What, what are you saying! Children change in the blink of an eye anyway.”
Smack!
Her face flushed red as she struck the back of Nam Goong On’s hand resting on her shoulder.
“Ow.”
Nam Goong On, cradling the back of his hand, unconsciously let a smile play at his lips. By then, Bing Yu Hua had already walked far ahead alone.
Nam Goong On, smiling softly, hurried to follow her.
“Let us go together, my lady!”
* * *
“Hehe.”
“Are you enjoying yourself so much?”
“Yes! I’m having such a wonderful time. It’s amazing!”
Hong Seol, who had undergone a transformation, wore a constant, radiant smile.
And no wonder—this was Hong Seol’s first time venturing into the Market District.
She walked between Bing Yu Hua and Nam Goong On, holding both their hands firmly, with Bing Yu Hua’s bamboo hat pulled low.
‘It feels just like I’m out with my mother and father.’
Hong Seol wiggled her toes to hide the ticklish warmth in her heart.
A step behind them, Nam Goong Ui Gyeol, who had come along as their escort, walked with sharp, vigilant eyes surveying their surroundings.
He had even helped Hong Seol with her disguise today.
‘Truly, the Changcheon Master is remarkable!’
Hong Seol caught her reflection in a mirror the merchant was selling and clicked her tongue in amazement.
It was worlds apart from the clumsy disguise she and Jeok had managed before.
Just then, a spirited voice rang out from a distance.
“Oh? Looks like there’s a Storyteller on the street.”
Nam Goong On let the observation slip out casually.
‘A, a Storyteller?’
Pitter-patter-patter-patter.
Hong Seol’s eyes gleamed as she bolted forward, unable to contain her excitement.
“Goodness!”
“Young lady, slow down!”
Bing Yu Hua and Nam Goong On had to dash after Hong Seol through the street.
As they pushed through the gathered crowd, a man with a gift for words was shouting toward his audience.
“Now then, the tale I shall tell you today is none other than!”
The man swept his gaze across the spectators and proclaimed boldly.
“A beauty from the Northern Ice Palace!”
The moment Bing Yu Hua heard those words, her face flushed crimson.
“Sir, please.”
She frantically tugged at Nam Goong On’s sleeve, but the Storyteller had already launched into his next words.
“The fair Bing Yu Hua! The pride of Hefei! A love story with the Nam Goong Family Master!”
Nam Goong On’s face, hidden beneath his bamboo hat, turned red as a rowan berry in an instant.
“H, Hong Seol.”
He too wanted to hastily excuse himself from this place.
“Wow!”
Clap clap clap clap!
Hong Seol beside them was already clapping her hands so hard they might split.
A predicament with no way out.
When Bing Yu Hua and Nam Goong On’s eyes met, they both simply turned their heads away.
“Ahem.”
“Phew, why is it so hot?”
Meanwhile, the Storyteller gleefully spun his tale.
“They first met at an Inn, so the story goes!”
Soon after, two costumed actors took the stage and began their performance.
“My place is beneath the blue skies of Anhui Province.”
“The skies of the Northern Ice Palace are equally blue, my lord.”
One actor wore white fox fur draped about the neck and a white yarn wig, while the other was dressed in blue martial robes with a sword at the waist.
“For you, I shall abandon the position of heir! This very moment, I shall send a letter to Father!”
The delighted Storyteller interjected with enthusiasm.
“At that moment, the body of Nam Goong On freezes entirely!”
The performance reached its crescendo.
“Ugh, what have you done to me?”
As the actor in the blue martial robe collapsed dramatically to the ground, the Storyteller’s narration rang out with perfect timing.
“Then, the delicate Bing Yu Hua, like a snowflake, withdrew her hand from his meridians and spoke thus!”
The actor draped in fox fur opened her lips with fresh grace.
“I shall renounce my martial arts according to the laws of the Northern Ice Palace and follow you, my lord. For I love you more.”
“Miss Bing!”
“My lord!”
The moment the two actors’ lips met.
Nam Goong On and Bing Yu Hua, mingled among the spectators, both squeezed their eyes shut.
Their faces had turned as red as they possibly could.
“…And thus, these two were finally able to marry, or so the tale goes.”
Had Hong Seol not been wiping tears from her eyes in genuine emotion, the two would have fled long ago.
Beside them, Nam Goong Ui Gyeol, large in both stature and heart, was foolishly wiping away his own tears.
Seeing their enthusiasm, the Storyteller spoke up.
“Next is… wait. Would you prefer to hear it for free?”
Clang, clang!
Coins poured into the ceramic bowl the Storyteller shook.
Hong Seol herself generously tossed in the allowance that the steward Nam Goong Soo O had once given her for sweets.
The love story between Bing Yu Hua of the Northern Ice Palace and Nam Goong On of the Nam Goong Family was always a popular subject.
Delighted by the fuller bowl, the Storyteller raised his voice.
“Excellent! Then next shall be the tale of their first night together after the wedding torches were lit!”
The excited Musician beat the drum enthusiastically beside him.
“This really isn’t appropriate, sir!”
Flustered, Bing Yu Hua pointed at Hong Seol and turned to Nam Goong On.
At that moment, Nam Goong On was listening blankly to the Storyteller’s words.
“Sir!”
Startled, Nam Goong On turned around.
“I, I apologize.”
“What on earth were you thinking about!”
“Forgive me. I was merely thinking of how beautiful my wife looked that night.”
At that, Bing Yu Hua’s cheeks flushed crimson.
Nam Goong On, already blessed with striking beauty, had suddenly uttered such words, and Bing Yu Hua could not help but blush.
The two gazed at each other for a long moment.
‘Wow….’
And Hong Seol watched them with her soul entranced.
‘So this is what love is.’
As the tale she had just heard from the Storyteller overlapped with the scene before her, tears welled up in Hong Seol’s eyes.
Just then, Nam Goong Ui Gyeol’s eyes suddenly widened like a hawk spotting prey.
“Master, might I step away for a moment?”
For some reason, Nam Goong On nodded quietly, his eyes growing distant at the urgent tone of voice.
‘Something must have happened.’
In any case, he had already stationed invisible guards throughout the area, with or without Nam Goong Ui Gyeol’s assistance.
“Thank you.”
Nam Goong Ui Gyeol bowed and quickly took his leave.
Hong Seol then asked, her large eyes brimming with concern.
“Has something terrible happened?”
“No, do not worry yourself.”
Nam Goong On’s expression brightened into a radiant smile, as though he had never stiffened at all, and he gazed tenderly into Hong Seol’s eyes.
“Since this is our first time venturing into the Market District together, shall I purchase a gift to commemorate the occasion?”
“Truly?”
Hong Seol’s eyes sparkled with delight as she grasped the hands of both Nam Goong On and Bing Yu Hua on either side.
* * *
“It suits you perfectly!”
Nam Goong On stepped back with a satisfied expression, admiring Hong Seol.
A small pouch embroidered with peonies dangled from Hong Seol’s waist sash.
It was a sachet—a pouch designed to hold various fragrances.
“How could it possibly suit her so well!”
Bing Yu Hua, her expression noticeably softer than when they had departed the Nam Goong Family Estate, marveled aloud.
Nam Goong On withdrew a small box he had prepared beforehand from his robes, filled to the brim with carefully dried flower petals.
“There, now it is complete.”
Nam Goong On stepped back with a contented expression after filling the sachet with the petals. Hong Seol, fascinated by the pouch, could not tear her gaze away and spun in place.
With each rotation, the small sachet traced a circle, releasing a fresh, delicate fragrance.
“It is so beautiful! Thank you so very much, Uncle!”
Hong Seol’s earnest bow and formal gesture of gratitude made Bing Yu Hua burst into laughter.
“That is not the proper way to express such thanks, child.”
Though her tone carried a note of reproach, it was truly the voice of someone charmed beyond measure.
By now, the sun was beginning to set. Nam Goong On glanced up at the sky and spoke.
“Nam Goong Ui Gyeol is taking longer than expected. Should we not return soon?”
“Oh!”
A sound suddenly escaped Hong Seol’s lips. She hastily covered her mouth with both hands, but it was already too late.
“What is the matter?”
“Ah… the truth is, there is a place I absolutely must visit.”

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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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