Even If Flowers Bloom on a Broken Branch - Chapter 29

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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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29.
“There are none, my lady.”
Chohee collapsed onto the wooden floor with a look of utter despair. Thumping her aching knees with her fists, she began to wail.
“I searched the entire Marketplace and asked around for any women known to be skilled, but they all say there isn’t a single person left to sew a dress.”
Chohee shook her head from side to side.
“Apparently, people from the palace came out yesterday or the day before and dragged every single artisan away. They took anyone who can even hold a needle, so there’s no one left to mend a pair of torn pants, let alone make a dress.”
“Sewing is considered a basic virtue, so any woman can manage a bit of needlework. However, it cannot compare to the skill of an artisan.”
Jain, who was standing straight beside Chohee, spoke calmly.
“It would take far too long, and the craftsmanship would be incomparable. More than anything, this is a garment to be worn at a Royal Family event.”
Even if they offered a fortune, no one might step forward to do it. It was obvious that Lee Yeon would be humiliated if she attended such an event wearing a dress sewn with clumsy skills.
After Lee Yeon returned, people would likely worry about getting caught in the crossfire.
‘Even if they know I wouldn’t do that.’
Since there was always a possibility, they would want to avoid that wrath entirely from the start.
Lee Yeon thought calmly.
‘The Queen took everything.’
Lee Yeon could see all of Eun-oh’s moves.
‘She took not just the fabrics, but all the artisans as well.’
If she could have, she probably would have wanted to snatch away even what was already held in these hands.
“What good is precious fabric if we can’t make a dress out of it? It’s completely useless!”
As Chohee whimpered, her eyebrows forming an inverted V, Jain firmly pressed her foot down on Chohee’s hand.
Letting out a strange shriek, Chohee quickly yanked her hand away and blew on it.
Jain pretended not to notice and said,
“Making one from scratch is realistically difficult, so altering a dress you already own into a ceremonial gown seems like the best approach.”
At her words, Chohee swallowed a heavy sigh. Still feeling frustrated, she kept pressing her fingernails into her fingers.
Just then, the sound of footsteps drew closer. Hong Ran, who had been tending to the flowers blooming along the wall, stepped forward cautiously.
“Um, I am sorry. I did not mean to eavesdrop, but I happened to hear what you were discussing.”
“With voices this loud, it would be impossible not to hear. There is nothing to be sorry about.”
At Lee Yeon’s words, Chohee looked up at her with tearful eyes.
Hong Ran bowed her head deeply and continued.
“By any chance, would it be alright if I tried making that ceremonial gown?”
“How could that be alright!”
Lady Han, who had been sitting beside Lee Yeon and letting out sigh after sigh, rejected the idea immediately.
Just like the other servants, she too had looked like she might faint upon seeing the precious fabrics piled high in the boxes. She had marveled again and again, saying these were things money couldn’t buy.
Lady Han scolded Hong Ran.
“This isn’t just ordinary fabric; it’s a cloth of inestimable value. Do you intend to ruin it completely? It’s not like you’re an artisan—”
“Have you ever made a dress before?”
“Yes.”
Hong Ran nodded. She gently stroked the skirt of the dress she was wearing.
“I made all the clothes for myself, my mother, and my sibling.”
At that, Lady Han swept her gaze down Hong Ran with a skeptical look. Though her eyes were full of doubt at first, a strange gleam gradually appeared in them.
She turned her body completely and lightly felt the fabric of Hong Ran’s skirt.
“……You did everything yourself, from the cutting to the stitching?”
“Yes.”
Hong Ran was wearing a soft, cream-colored jacket with an orange skirt.
The jacket was even meticulously embroidered with flower patterns using white thread.
“Since I was young, I have loved working with my hands. I used to make and sell ornaments, clothes, and even straw sandals. There were people who came to buy from me regularly.”
Lee Yeon looked at Hong Ran.
This was the first time since their reunion that she had spoken with such confidence. She even looked a little happy.
‘No, she looks joyful.’
It was the expression of someone who genuinely enjoyed the work itself. The kind of look that showed she found pleasure just by thinking about it.
“Well…… it is not bad. The stitches are tight and neat.”
Lady Han said, turning her head away. However, her expression remained skeptical.
“But what cannot be done, cannot be done. How could we handle such precious fabric so……”
“Alright, I will leave it to you.”
Lady Han, whose words got caught in her throat, gasped for breath and burst into a coughing fit. She had choked on her own saliva.
With a face turned pale, Jain frantically patted the lady’s back, while Chohee dashed to the side-dish kitchen to fetch some cold water.
Lee Yeon gently patted the back of Lady Han’s hand as she finally calmed down, and looked at Hong Ran.
“You try making it.”
“But, my lady!”
The lady spoke in a voice that sounded as if she were being strangled.
“You know it as well, my lady. That is no ordinary item. How can you so lightly hand over a fabric that would make even an experienced artisan’s hands tremble……”
“The one who made this norigae is none other than this child.”
At Lee Yeon’s words, everyone looked where she was pointing. Beautifully colored norigaes were hanging from her waist.
Seeing that, Hong Ran’s face flushed red. Moisture welled up in her eyes.
“I trust this child. Even if she ruins one, I have plenty of fabric. It is enough to make at least several dozen dresses.”
Lee Yeon turned her head to look at Lady Han.
“Or will you weave a dress for me, Lady Han?”
The lady waved her hands in sheer horror.
“Oh, my lady, please. I can make side dishes, but I cannot make garments. I have never held a needle in these hands since the day I almost poked a hole through my finger.”
“Then it cannot be helped.”
Lee Yeon smiled softly.
“We have no choice but to entrust it to this child. Precious and fleeting time is continuing to slip away even now.”
Lee Yeon looked at Hong Ran. Her gaze conveyed deep trust, while also encouraging her to try her absolute best.
At that, Hong Ran bowed deeply from the waist.
“Thank you, my lady.”
Her voice trembled slightly.
“I will do my utmost so that you will not be disappointed.”
* * *
That evening, Hong Ran gazed at the items laid out before her.
Lee Yeon had not only provided her with everything she needed but had also arranged a space where she could work alone without being disturbed by anyone.
‘Until the dress is finished, let no one disturb Ran. She is doing a very important job, so excuse her from any other chores as well.’
She had even ordered that her meals be left in front of her door. Feeling the deep consideration shown to her, Hong Ran felt profoundly grateful to Lee Yeon once again.
‘How could someone like her come into my life?’
She was not someone special enough to catch Lee Yeon’s eye. She was just one of the countless people in the Marketplace, the kind of ordinary face you would forget the moment you turned away, yet she had caught the eye of the extraordinarily precious Lee Yeon.
Her entire family had been saved by her hands, and they were now able to stay in a safe haven, protected from violence and threats.
Not only that, but Lee Yeon remembered her clearly.
‘The one who made this norigae is none other than this child.’
The norigae hanging from that waist was definitely one she had made. Lee Yeon had not stopped at merely purchasing it, but had actually worn it.
And she had trusted her.
‘Now, it is my turn to repay that.’
She wanted to return the grace and kindness Lee Yeon had bestowed upon her. She wanted to be recognized by her.
Hong Ran looked at the clothing hanging on the wall. It was one of Lee Yeon’s everyday dresses.
“…….”
She rose from her seat and stood before it.
Hong Ran tightened her grip on the ruler.
“I will do my absolute best, my lady.”
So that you will surely shine on that day.

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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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