Blooming even in the mud - Chapter 75

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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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Even Flowers Bloom in the Mud Chapter 75

“Her Highness is recovering smoothly.”
“…….”
Jeong-mun’s shoulders rose and fell roughly a couple of times, and he soon turned around to bow to Won-ui.
Won-ui didn’t bother to look at him. In the unfamiliar silence, the door quietly opened and closed. Only after being left alone did he exhale a heavy breath and rub his face.
‘Was that too petty of an action?’
But then, when had he ever not been a petty man? Had he not hurt Seo-hwa with his base jealousy and possessiveness?
The time he had turned away from Seo-hwa’s wounds, instead inflicting pain and only embracing her body, was by no means short. In the time he hadn’t seen her, Jeong-mun might have actually brought comfort to Seo-hwa.
‘Perhaps Her Highness was even waiting to meet Jeong-mun.’
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.
Infinite possibilities branched out, ensnaring Won-ui. Now, the jealousy within him was clearly visible.
Perhaps.
He murmured inside his mouth.
‘Could it be that the person Her Highness needs is Jeong-mun?’
Even if Won-ui could not give meaning to Seo-hwa’s current life, perhaps Jeong-mun could.
“I must have truly been a wretched human being, Your Highness.”
A hollow laugh escaped him helplessly.
Even if the person Seo-hwa truly needed was Jeong-mun, he was certain that he would never send her to him. No, he couldn’t. Losing her would be no different from death itself.
He could not wish for Seo-hwa’s happiness from afar. He wanted to receive Seo-hwa’s tears by her side.
Over the past few months, the terrible longing and possessiveness that had never been satisfied must have actually been his true nature.
“Your Highness.”
Won-ui whispered to Seo-hwa, who wasn’t listening, who wasn’t trying to listen.
“I will do anything. If only you can live on, I will tear out my chest and offer you my bloody sincerity.”
So please, just do not leave me.

* * *

Around the time breakfast was finished, it was noisy outside.
“Is something the matter?”
Setting down her needlework, she was about to open the window when Kkot-bun stopped her.
“They say they’re remodeling the garden, so it’ll be noisy for half a day. They told us to keep it closed today even if it’s stuffy because dirt and dust will fly in.”
“I see.”
Seo-hwa quickly lost interest. No matter how they tended the garden, it had nothing to do with her.
Once again, the needle and thread busily moved across the cotton fabric. It was her first time making an entire piece of clothing. She made quite a few mistakes, but with the advice of the Chimmo, she was making progress little by little.
Kkot-bun, who had finished cleaning, watched the needlework and let out a deep sigh.
“They say you don’t notice someone’s presence until they’re gone, and it really does feel empty for no reason. Is Dal-rae doing well? The personality of the lady she’s temporarily serving seems like no joke.”
“Dal-rae is clever, so she will do better than if you or I went.”
“That’s a statement I can’t deny.”
Kkot-bun relaxed her expression and giggled.
“But you know, that lady of the Chu Family whom Dal-rae went to serve. Isn’t she the lady who came to see you last time?”
“Hmm?”
“You know, the lady who barged into the servants’ quarters and hit you.”
Tilting her head, Seo-hwa only remembered the incident with Na-yeon after a moment. She had completely forgotten about it, so it took her a while to recall.
Back then, rather than the minor incident of being slapped on the cheek, the fact that there was a Hondam with Won-ui was a greater shock. Though it had become something that didn’t matter at all now.
Since when was it that she had stopped wondering about Won-ui’s Hondam?
‘Come to think of it, why did Chu Nanga try to kill me?’
A meaningless question floated through her mind for a moment before being swept away by Kkot-bun’s voice.
“Dal-rae did show off a bit, but she really was the best in the Banbitgan. Even after she took full charge of your meals, she was better at tasting and adjusting the seasoning than the side-dish cook.”
“Many people must feel her absence.”
“The Butler seems a bit that way too. Dal-rae was at least somewhat literate, so when the Butler was busy, she used to sort the letters coming to the master and even copy the Jobo.”
Indeed. Seo-hwa nodded thoughtlessly. Since it was said she was originally a noble, she must have made an effort not to forget the script she learned in her childhood.
She didn’t know well how Dal-rae had temporarily become Na-yeon’s maidservant. She figured there might have been some discussion with Won-ui.
“Knowing how to read even a little bit seemed amazing. Dal-rae said she only remembered what the mistress she served when she was young taught her out of boredom, but it’s really incredible that she hasn’t forgotten it until now.”
“It is by no means an easy thing.”
If you know the script to some extent, it’s easier to gain the trust of the Butler or the head slave, and sometimes you get assigned less strenuous work. That was probably Dal-rae’s purpose as well.
But whatever the purpose, Dal-rae’s effort was remarkable.
‘If it’s Dal-rae, she must be doing well in her current work too.’
Then a good idea suddenly occurred to her. There was something she could do for the friend who had cherished her.
“By the way, Kkot-bun.”
“Huh?”
“Do you have any desire to learn how to read?”
“W-Well.”
Kkot-bun was flustered by the unexpected words.
“I worked at another noble household in the past, and the mistress there used to call the book-reading maid often. I was a bit envious while secretly eavesdropping……. I also thought it was amazing…….”
Muttering incoherently, Kkot-bun startled and waved her hands.
“O-Oh, no! I mean, that’s just how it was in the past. Nowadays, well…… I guess I’ve come to know my place. I’m stupid, so I don’t think I could even learn, and even if I did, where would I use it?”
“Then would you like to learn from me, Kkot-bun?”
“Wh-What?”
“I am not a very good teacher either, but I should be able to teach you how to read.”
“But you have things to do, and it hasn’t been long since you got up from your sickbed…….”
“If I do needlework for a long time, my back gets stiff and my eyes hurt, so I cannot hold onto it for long. I have no other pastime, and I will not overexert myself.”
“……Can someone like me really learn?”
“Of course. There is no high or low birth in learning.”
A broad smile of uncontrollable joy appeared on Kkot-bun’s face.
A faint smile also formed at the corner of Seo-hwa’s mouth. It was an unwanted life, but it was a relief that she could be of help to at least Kkot-bun.
“You must have a lot of work too, so let us first study for half a Shijin a day starting tomorrow and adjust the time as we go.”
“Yes!”
“How about aiming for a level where you can easily read through a novel like a book-reading maid?”
“Sounds good! Even if I lower the goal later, I should start high!”
As a slave doing grueling work, learning to read every day is not an easy task. Nevertheless, Kkot-bun burned with joyful enthusiasm.
“Come to think of it, I’ve never told you the story of the novel I heard from the book-reading maid back then, right? It was a super interesting story……. Ah, maybe it’s a novel you’ve read yourself.”
“I haven’t read many novels, so I only know a few Yeomjeong-soseol I heard from the palace……. No, from the maidservants. And even if it is a story I already know, I think it will be especially pleasant to hear it from you.”
“Hehe. Hearing you say that, I absolutely have to tell you.”
Kkot-bun’s storytelling skill was excellent.
As she listened intently, the harmonious time passed quickly. It was around the time the sun crossed the center of the sky and was tilting toward the west.
“Doesn’t it seem like it’s gotten quiet outside?”
“The work they were doing in the garden seems to have finished.”
“Shall we open it?”
“I am not particularly curious.”
Answering nonchalantly, Seo-hwa saw Kkot-bun’s gaze heading toward the window.
“If you really want to take a look, go ahead and open it.”
“No, the wind is blowing hard today, so it’s better to keep the window closed. I can just take a quick look on my way back to the servants’ quarters.”
It was a statement that considered Seo-hwa’s health.
“It is fine. What great harm could come from catching a brief breath of fresh air?”
It was just as she was about to step toward the window to open it herself.
“Are you inside?”
A man’s voice was heard from outside the window. It was Won-ui.
Seo-hwa’s face froze slightly, and Kkot-bun quickly stood up from her chair and clasped her hands politely.
“……I am. What are you doing outside the window, Young Master?”
“Would you please open the window?”
She hesitated, but she had been about to open it for Kkot-bun anyway. Seo-hwa gently reached out and pushed the window open.
Whoosh.
A spring breeze carrying the green foliage that had sprouted vibrantly made Seo-hwa’s hair flutter. The spring breeze, fully laden with the scent of spring, wrapped around each strand of her long black hair fragrantly and drifted into the room.
The thick scent of peonies made her head dizzy. Her consciousness shook precariously, swept away by the spring breeze that harbored the scent of peonies.
“Wow. It’s incredibly beautiful, My Lady.”
Kkot-bun seemed to be saying something.
“With His Majesty’s permission, I moved the peonies from the Empress’s Palace exactly as they were. Her Majesty the Empress also willingly granted her permission.”
Won-ui seemed to be saying something.
But it could not be heard. His appearance standing by the window could not be seen either.
The only thing piercing her gaze like a knife slash was redness. Peonies that bloomed red as blood.
A flower that Seo-hwa had never seen at the private residence.
A flower that she had barely managed to see at the Princess’s Palace.
The flower that had allowed her fleeting breath to prolong.
And so, her remaining life became entwined even more fleetingly, she saw the heartlessness of her beloved that she should not have seen, and she was buried in a despair she should not have experienced.
‘Should I have died without smelling the fragrance of the peony flowers?’
Her consciousness blurred turbidly in the fragrance of the peonies. Her field of vision tumbled and flipped upside down. Flustered voices echoed in a jumble. Not a single one reached Seo-hwa.
‘Should I have died?’
Only a sorrowful scream was silently laid down beneath the fragrance of the peonies.

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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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