I Decided to Give the Contract to the Male Vassal - Chapter 20

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

Chapter 20

“Me?”

She calls me a prospective bride, but I’ve been captured and confined, about to marry a scoundrel—what’s there to envy?

“Brother Ryeong will become the young master, and Miss Jeok will marry him and remain in the Yeomhwa Family.”

“I suppose you could think of it that way.”

I didn’t want to stay in the Yeomhwa Family, but from Yeonriri’s perspective, I could understand how she might see it that way.

“When I marry, I’ll no longer be a member of the Yeomhwa Family…”

Before I could even respond, Yeonriri’s body trembled slightly.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Miss Jeok, this probably isn’t a marriage you want either, but I made assumptions on my own.”

Thinking she had shown a thoughtless attitude, she immediately corrected herself. Though I hadn’t really given it much thought.

I silently nodded to accept her apology.

“But… Miss Yeon, do you also have an arranged marriage?”

“I was engaged when I was young. My fiancé is on a long-term mission, so the actual wedding ceremony is still far off.”

Since Yeonriri was the daughter of one of the Seven Great Families, it was natural for her marriage to be arranged. Unless there were special circumstances, marriage would make her part of another family.

Yeonriri’s case seemed to be no exception.

If she had heard about the secret of her birth at Mukheolam today, she must be even more troubled.

Though she held the fine title of being Yeonjo’s precious daughter, the reality was that she had lost her father to her uncle and couldn’t even become a candidate for the family’s succession, facing expulsion.

So her feelings must be complicated, leading her to say such things to me.

“If we eat some sweet refreshments, you might feel a bit better. Shall I get some?”

“Ah…!”

Yeonriri sat up as if something had occurred to her.

“The candied fruits Miss Jeok asked for… I didn’t buy them. I was so distracted that I forgot.”

Her serious reaction made me burst into laughter.

“The rain came anyway, so the street vendors probably packed up. So don’t worry about it too much.”

“I’ll buy them for you next time.”

A slight smile returned to Yeonriri’s lips. Though her thoughts weren’t completely sorted out, it meant she had regained some composure.

We soon boarded the carriage for our return journey.

During the carriage ride, Yeonriri remained lost in thought the entire time.

When an awkward silence filled the carriage, I spoke up.

“Today at Honggeum-heon was really hectic. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in such a crowded place or seen so many things.”

“That makes sense.”

As I continued talking, Yeonriri finally opened her mouth.

“Still, thank you for taking me out.”

“No. I was the one using Miss Jeok. I should be thanking you for agreeing to my request.”

Though she said this, I knew that she had been subtly considerate of me all along.

“Then let’s say we’re even. We’re allies, after all.”

When I summarized it this way, Yeonriri smiled faintly.

“I’m glad you think of it that way.”

The rain had stopped, and the sunset hung over the foothills of Cheonsan.

Today had been a long day for both Yeonriri and me.

The carriage soon reached the main gate of the Yeomhwa Family.

After getting out of the carriage, we exchanged light bows and headed to our respective residences. All I wanted was to go in and rest.

“Miss, you’re back? You must be tired from going out after so long?”

“Yes. I’m exhausted.”

When I patted my shoulders, Sawol looked at me with eyes dripping with regret.

“Here. I picked this up on the way.”

I handed Sawol a small gift.

It was a decorative knot ornament I had received at Honggeum-heon. Though I couldn’t bring back candied fruits, I could at least give her this complimentary item as a gift.

“Miss…”

Sawol looked at me with a face full of emotion.

“This is the first time I’ve received something like this while working here.”

It wasn’t expensive jewelry, but it was quite pretty, made with intricate knotwork. Fortunately, it seemed to look that way to Sawol as well.

“I’ll treasure it! Thank you.”

Sawol smiled brightly as she tucked the waist ornament into her bosom.

“Next time I’ll definitely buy you candied fruits.”

Sawol shook her head.

“Please buy them for me when you marry and become the young master’s wife. You’ll have lots of money then.”

My thoughts were different, but I let it be so as not to disappoint her.

“I’ve heated the bath water. After you wash and have dinner, you’ll be able to rest early.”

“Yes. Please take care of it.”

As she said, the interior of the bathing chamber was warm.

Sawol and Okxiang helped me with my bath.

In the past, I didn’t like having people touch my body, but I seemed to be getting increasingly accustomed to receiving help from others.

After washing, I ate porridge that would warm me from the inside.

Time flew by just telling Sawol about the shopping district, Honggeum-heon, and the tea house.

After sending both Sawol and Okxiang to the bedroom, I came to the study with a lamp.

Since Chung-rin had granted my request, I planned to deliver the first method for making the antidote.

I had to pay the price for moving Chung-rin properly.

I wrote on white paper and put it in my bosom. I planned to deliver it through Okxiang tomorrow.

‘It’s about time I need to meet Yeonhopyeong again.’

He had visited on the first day I became Chung-rin, but hadn’t shown himself since then.

Unlike Yeon Ho-ryeong who had feelings for me, Yeonhopyeong regarded me as his natural possession.

So I couldn’t predict when he would come looking for me.

Two weeks remained until the wedding ceremony.

To draw Wicheonso into the Yeomhwa Family, I needed Yeonhopyeong.

❖ ❖ ❖

The next morning.

I no longer needed to make an effort to find Yeonhopyeong.

Yeonjo, the head of the Yeomhwa Family, and young master Yeonhopyeong had come to my residence.

“I pay my respects to the head of the Yeomhwa Family.”

The maids and I bowed respectfully toward him.

Yeonjo, head of the Yeomhwa Family.

His upper body was as thick as a fortress wall, and his build was larger than even his son Yeonhopyeong’s.

His hair had turned more red than ten years ago, and his eyes had grown deeper.

It meant he had reached the pinnacle of the Fire Demon Arts.

He looked down at me and spoke.

“I heard you’ve been working hard preparing for the wedding.”

His voice froze my lungs like thick poison.

He seemed to know that I had gone out with Yeonriri yesterday.

“Miss Jeok. I heard you fell into the lake and lost your memory. Are you alright now?”

“I’m ashamed to say my memory still hasn’t returned.”

I hadn’t deliberately used formal speech with Yeonriri, Yeonhopyeong, and Yeon Ho-ryeong, but I couldn’t do that in front of Yeonjo. I played the role of an obedient prospective daughter-in-law while observing his reaction.

“Hmm. You’re going to be our Pyeong’s bride, so that could have been a disaster. Still, you seem unexpectedly composed, which is fortunate.”

From his calm tone, it seemed he didn’t care whether I had lost my memory or not.

He looked at Sawol and Okxiang.

“From now on, you two take good care of her. If anything happens to Miss Jeok’s health before the wedding day, I won’t let you off easily.”

“We will pay special attention.”

Sawol and Okxiang bowed their heads with trembling shoulders. For a brief moment, Yeonjo’s gaze lingered on Sawol before turning back to me.

“Miss Jeok. After the wedding ceremony, I hope you will fulfill your duties as the young master’s wife.”

He meant I should quickly focus on producing an heir as the young master’s wife of the Yeomhwa Family.

“I will keep your teachings in mind.”

Though I found it distasteful, I had no choice but to answer that way.

“Pyeong-ah.”

Yeonjo’s red eyes pierced through his son as he looked at him.

“Miss Jeok will soon become your wife. Since the wedding has been delayed beyond our plans, you must not neglect your wife and fulfill your duties.”

“Yes, Father.”

Yeonhopyeong’s voice was low and dry.

Though there was a slight crack in his brow and he bit his lower lip slightly as if displeased, his attitude remained respectful.

In the end, even a scoundrel was no different from a meek lamb before the family head.

Yeonjo nodded as if satisfied.

Seeing the two of them side by side like this, I could tell for certain.

Yeonjo had no great expectations for Sobaek, his own son. Rather, he was only interested in the successor that the son and his wife would produce.

‘That must mean he doesn’t possess particularly outstanding martial prowess.’

If only I could use the secret techniques I learned during my time at Sangteon-dang, I would have been able to confirm Yeonhopyeong’s potential, but unfortunately my internal energy was still insufficient.

I could only speculate through the attitudes of Yeonjo, who didn’t trust Sobaek, and Yeonhopyeong, who harbored an inferiority complex.

“Pyeong, you shall have breakfast together with Miss Jeok. I’ve instructed the servants, so the meal will be prepared soon.”

“Yes, I will do so.”

This time too, Yeonhopyeong didn’t show any sign of displeasure.

I also didn’t want to have breakfast in front of that scoundrel, but I had no choice in the matter.

“Miss Jeok. I’ll come again later.”

At least it was fortunate that Yeonjo wouldn’t be dining with us.

Shortly after, the food was prepared.

Unlike when I was alone, the variety of dishes was diverse and the portions were large. Normally, I would have forced myself to eat more for recovery, but today was different.

The sight of Yeonhopyeong sitting obediently in front of me felt strange, and the fact that he was in my residence together with me was uncomfortable.

Every time our eyes met, my heart raced and sent me warnings.

That this man could kill me.

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