Even If Flowers Bloom on a Broken Branch - Chapter 20

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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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20.
The entire morning slipped away, spent over a teatime conversation that lasted far longer than anticipated.
Although Lee Yeon politely declined multiple times, saying she was perfectly fine, Lord Seo gave strict orders to the servants to take exceptional care to ensure her rest, and Jinyul departed through the main gate with him.
“Well then, I shall be back.”
“I’ll be on my way.”
It was because both Lord Seo and Jinyul were doing their absolute best, each in their own way, to protect Lee Yeon.
And after they left, Chohee and Jain were keeping a fierce, wide-eyed watch, as if ready to pounce on anyone who might dare utter a careless word to upset Lee Yeon.
“I told you, I’m fine.”
“No, my lady. No one is allowed to get near you. I am going to protect you.”
“Standing guard in front of the door like this makes me feel like I’m the one who’s imprisoned.”
Only then did Chohee relax the tension in her eyes, which immediately brimmed with heavy tears.
“My laaaady…”
“Mouth.”
At Jain’s brief command, Chohee, whose eyebrows had drooped like a puppy that had its food bowl stolen, tightened her gaze once more and firmly clamped her lips shut.
Lee Yeon ended up letting out a chuckle.
‘How cute.’
Their efforts to be of help to her in any way possible were both endearing and reassuring.
Lee Yeon pulled the Mirror from her robe and gently stroked it.
‘To be happy, peaceful, and loved.’
With these words alone, she felt as if she could overcome anything. It was the ultimate spell and a pillar for her heart that would keep her from wavering, collapsing, or breaking.
‘And I want to return this sentiment to others as well.’
Lee Yeon turned her head toward Chohee and Jain.
“Go bring Hong Ran’s mother and brother to me.”
They, too, would be in need of a pillar.
* * *
A moment later, a gaunt woman and a toweringly tall young man stepped into the room with hesitant, halting steps. Their movements were incomparably cautious.
As soon as they entered, they promptly fell to their knees. Before their foreheads could touch the floor, Lee Yeon waved her hand.
“Stop, kneeling is quite enough.”
Yet Hong Ran’s mother kept her hands pressed against the floor, her head deeply bowed. Her heavily hunched shoulders trembled faintly.
“My lady… I have been yearning only for the day I could see you. I do not know how I can ever repay the grace of saving my life and my child’s…”
She spoke through her tears.
“Not only did you save my life, but you even provided medicine for me, so I truly do not know what to do with myself.”
“So, how is your body?”
“It is much better. Thanks to taking the medicine regularly, the physician says it will cause no hindrance to my living now.”
“That is a relief.”
Hong Ran’s brother, Hong Jin, also bowed his head, his voice cracking with emotion.
“If your ladyship had not rescued us, we would have died before long. If our mother had passed away, my sister and I would have had no reason left to live.”
You saved three lives, at those words Lee Yeon hesitated slightly before offering a small smile.
After taking a moment to catch her breath, Lee Yeon spoke calmly.
“I suppose you already know what has become of my situation.”
She was referring to the fact that the King’s Royal Decree had been issued.
Both of them lowered their heads in silence. Chohee and Jain also held their tongues.
There was no one in the Capital City who did not know of that story. Everyone from the noble families above down to the slaves and butchers below was gossiping about it.
“I did not receive the recognition of the Royal Family. Though I am called the Grand Prince’s wife, in reality, my position is that of a concubine.”
“Please do not say such things, my lady.”
Hong Ran’s mother sobbed. Her nose had turned bright red from weeping.
“Even if His Majesty does not recognize it, we know. We know what kind of person you are and what kind of heart you possess.”
“I say this because your body is fully recovered now. I can arrange a place for you to live where no one knows you, so would you care to live there?”
“No, my lady!”
Hong Ran’s mother instantly pressed her forehead to the floor. She spoke resolutely.
“From the very moment your ladyship saved our lives, we became your people. If you cast us out as a burden, we shall depart quietly, but if that is not the case, please take us in.”
Hong Jin prostrated himself beside her.
“If you wish, I will become your slave. I do not care if I am never free for the rest of my life, so please let me repay this debt of gratitude.”
“I do not keep slaves.”
Lee Yeon said as much, looking toward Jain and Chohee.
“These girls merely stay by my side out of their own free will and receive wages. I do not engage in buying people with money and degrading their worth.”
“Then I shall not accept money. I will stay by your ladyship’s side of my own free will without receiving a single coin. Please let me repay even a fraction of the sum you paid that day!”
He was referring to the money she had paid along with the price of the Norigae in the Marketplace that day.
At the steadfast and desperate pleading, Lee Yeon looked at Chohee and Jain. The two girls nodded in response.
“Her cooking skills are exceptionally good. The praises are endless in the Side-dish Kitchen.”
“He also works diligently without shying away from any menial labor. All the servants will be delighted.”
Hearing the words of Chohee and Jain, the two individuals bowed their heads even lower.
Lee Yeon looked at them, then let out a sigh and smiled slightly.
“Well then, I look forward to working with you.”
The tone of Lee Yeon’s speech shifted slightly. Realizing this, the woman snapped her head up. And just as she was about to say something.
“That—there is no need for further thanks.”
Feeling a bit awkward from the continuous expressions of gratitude, Lee Yeon pointed toward her waist. Hanging there was the Norigae she had purchased in the Marketplace.
“Has the person who made this still not arrived?”
“Ah… Yes.”
Hong Jin hung his head low.
“My sister has not come yet. Her whereabouts have been unknown since that incident.”
“Unknown?”
“Yes. Perhaps she thought it was dangerous after hearing the rumors circulating in the Marketplace…”
Lee Yeon’s expression stiffened as she sank briefly into thought.
“Jain.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Go to the Marketplace with Chohee and look into that girl’s whereabouts. Chohee, you should also look into the rumors among the womenfolk and the servants.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
At the firm and rigid voice, unlike anything they had heard before, Jain and Chohee hurriedly rushed out.
And it was not until late evening, after the afternoon had entirely passed, that they returned.
“My lady!”
Chohee came running back, completely out of breath. Beside her, Jain, who would normally have glared at such unseemly behavior, was also running with a grim face.
“We found her. They say the woman named Hong Ran was dragged away by those bastards!”
“What?”
Lee Yeon, who had been taking a stroll in the front courtyard of the detached villa, widened her eyes. While Chohee caught her breath, Jain spoke calmly.
“At first, it seems they intended to coax your ladyship into paying a ransom. But since the Royal Decree has been issued…”
“They must have assumed I wouldn’t deal with them.”
“Yes, that is highly probable.”
Thinking that she wouldn’t have the luxury to look outward when her own house was on fire.
Chohee lowered her head slightly. And Hong Ran’s mother collapsed right there onto the ground.
“My baby, Ran…”
Lee Yeon bit her lip hard.
It had been only a short while since she read her mother’s letter. It was painful to hear the sorrowful wailing of a mother who had lost her child.
‘And it is also unbelievable that I’ve lost Hong Ran like this.’
Should she have waited? Should she have waited until Hong Ran arrived in the Marketplace back then and brought her along?
It was at that moment, while Lee Yeon stood unable to speak, caught somewhere between self-reproach, regret, and rage.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
Rustle, the sound of footsteps treading on the grass was heard. Standing in front of Lee Yeon’s quarters was Jinyul.
“If it’s that matter, I can help you.”
If that is what you wish.
Lee Yeon stared at Jinyul before giving a brief nod. As if that was enough for him, he turned around.
His back appeared calm, but Lee Yeon knew. She knew that he was very, very angry.

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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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