I Decided to Give the Contract to the Male Vassal - Chapter 28
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 28
Yeon Ho-ryeong gently stroked my back as if trying to reassure me, whispering softly.
“It should be fine now.”
His fingertips brushed against my wrist, and before I knew it, my sleeve had been rolled up.
Yeon Ho-ryeong’s gaze lingered on my wrist for a moment.
Though his eyes held worry, there was also an unmistakable hint of unknown desire flickering within them.
Was it because of his interest in me as a member of the opposite sex?
I couldn’t understand the reason, but it felt unpleasant.
“I’ll call for the maids.”
Before Yeon Ho-ryeong could leave, I gently grabbed the edge of his sleeve.
Now it was time to assess Yeon Ho-ryeong’s martial prowess.
I lightly tapped his arm with my fingertips while releasing a subtle amount of internal energy that he wouldn’t notice. Then, a red haze rose from his body.
The flow detection technique succeeded once again.
Compared to his older brother Yeonhopyeong, his color was much fainter. This meant his martial prowess was inferior.
“Miss, what’s wrong?”
As Yeon Ho-ryeong leaned toward me, I whispered into his ear.
“I remembered something about Yuhwa.”
Yeon Ho-ryeong quickly drew in his breath. For a brief moment, a smile appeared on his lips before disappearing.
“Is that so? That’s fortunate. Since she’s a maid you consider family, I really wanted to arrange for you to meet her again.”
If I hadn’t known the fact that Yuhwa was dead, I might have felt favorably toward Yeon Ho-ryeong upon hearing these words.
But now I knew the truth through Chung-rin’s memories.
Now it was time to find out what Yeon Ho-ryeong wanted from me.
“You said I could meet Yuhwa? How can I do that?”
Yeon Ho-ryeong brushed my hair back and made a worried expression.
“Right now, with the wedding preparations underway, it won’t be easy to bring Yuhwa here.”
“I suppose that’s true?”
I slowly tilted my head to the side to appear fragile and asked carefully.
During my time at Sangteon-dang, I had learned the theory behind seduction techniques said to move men’s hearts.
It seemed like attempting it now with my delicate appearance would be effective.
“It’s not that there’s no way.”
Yeon Ho-ryeong’s voice became more subtle. It seemed to be working indeed.
I tried my best to appear as delicate as possible again and slowly looked up at Yeon Ho-ryeong.
“But it would be very dangerous for Miss Jeok. Would you still want to meet her?”
Yeon Ho-ryeong whispered close to my ear.
“It’s fine. Nothing could be more dangerous than staying here.”
I trembled as if recalling the violent situation from earlier and wrapped both arms around my shoulders.
“Indeed, married life with my older brother wouldn’t be comfortable for you. Then how about this?”
Yeon Ho-ryeong sent me a telepathic message so others couldn’t hear.
– Let’s run away from the Yeomhwa Family together.
The moment I heard his words, my eyes widened.
– My violent older brother doesn’t suit you, Miss Jeok. I will… make you happy.
I met his gaze to read his intentions.
Yeon Ho-ryeong’s expression was serious.
The emotion settled in his eyes fixed on me wasn’t love.
It was an obsession with the position beside Chung-rin.
At that moment, I realized.
[A descendant of Seolsan Jeokga will become the Heavenly Demon.]
That prophecy that had secretly emerged from within the Heavenly Sect.
‘Yeon Ho-ryeong knows about that prophecy.’
What he wanted wasn’t something like Chung-rin’s heart.
He was using Yuhwa as bait to force a choice upon me.
But even that was merely a disguised action.
When I nodded as if I knew nothing, Yeon Ho-ryeong’s eyes widened in disbelief.
He probably hadn’t expected me to agree so quickly.
– I’ll prepare everything. I’ve already arranged a way for you to leave this place.
Despite saying this, what Yeon Ho-ryeong ultimately wanted was probably to seize the Yeomhwa Family by relying on the prophecy.
The reason Yeon Ho-ryeong had been so distressed about my memory loss was probably because of this.
Even then, he had already made up his mind to run away with Chung-rin.
– Now, when everyone is busy with wedding preparations, is the perfect opportunity. Please wait just two days.
Instead of answering, I nodded, and Yeon Ho-ryeong smiled with satisfaction.
– And this matter is a secret between you and me, Miss Jeok. You understand, don’t you?
‘Of course. If we’re discovered, Yeonhopyeong will come to kill us, so naturally it must be kept secret.’
When I answered demurely that I understood, he helped me up with a satisfied expression.
“I’ll call for the maids.”
After he seated me in a chair and went outside, Sawol and Okxiang soon entered.
“Miss!”
“Miss, are you alright?!”
Both of their expressions were dark.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
Especially Sawol, worried that I might have been injured, had tears welling up in her eyes.
“I’m fine. Young Master Ryeong helped me, so I survived.”
I pretended to be anxious and looked at them with a pale face.
The maids quickly cleared away the overturned table and brought tea to calm me down rapidly.
I composed myself with Sawol and Okxiang’s care. But I didn’t really have the luxury to rest.
I had to move right now.
So I immediately picked up a brush and began writing a letter to Wicheonso.
I only had two days.
To complete my plan, there was no time to hesitate.
❖ ❖ ❖
Two days remained until Yeon Ho-ryeong would make his move.
When the fourth hour (9-11 AM) arrived, items from Honggeum-heon, particularly clothing tailored to Chung-rin’s measurements, arrived at the residence.
An ordinary-looking woman with no distinctive features greeted Chung-rin and handed her a scroll.
“Miss, this is a confirmation document sent from Honggeum-heon. Could you please review it and sign it?”
She was a maid who had been going back and forth from the sewing room to this place for several days to confirm Chung-rin’s wedding dress measurements.
Chung-rin knew the moment she first saw her. The fact that she was someone from Sanggongja’s faction.
“Just a moment.”
After Chung-rin signed the confirmation document, she approached the woman as if brushing against her collar and handed her a letter she had written in advance.
“I’ve confirmed it.”
The letter would safely reach Wicheonso.
After the woman left, Chung-rin immediately got up.
Because there was something else to do next.
After asking Sawol to organize the items, she went out taking only Okxiang with her.
The place Chung-rin headed to was Yeonriri’s training ground.
Since she had confirmed the two brothers’ martial prowess through the flow detection technique, now it was Yeonriri’s turn.
Yeonriri, who had finished training at the scheduled time and come out, spotted Chung-rin from afar and greeted her cheerfully.
“Chung-rin, were you waiting?”
But Yeonriri’s bright face quickly darkened.
“You’re not sick, are you? You don’t look well.”
“Ah… I’m fine. There was just some trouble this morning…”
Chung-rin grasped the hand she extended and subtly released some internal energy.
Then I noticed the bright red energy flowing around Yeonriri.
Although she was slightly behind Yeonhopyeong, who was surrounded by dark energy, the fact that she, who had only just begun practicing advanced martial arts, could match the martial prowess of Yeonhopyeong who had consumed the Bloodstone Flower was truly surprising.
This was likely possible because the secret manual left by her biological father Yeonjeok was exquisite, and her innate bloodline was exceptional.
‘Good. Things are going as planned with Yeonriri.’
If I just take it step by step, I can move forward to the next stage.
Chung-rin thought this while focusing on acting with a gloomy expression.
“Don’t tell me… did Brother Pyeong bully you? Or did Brother Ryeong come looking for Chung-rin again?”
Chung-rin gave a bitter smile and quietly told Yeonriri about what had happened today. Of course, she left out the fact that she had been acting.
“At that time, Young Master Ryeong helped me.”
When Chung-rin patted her chest as if relieved, Yeonriri’s expression became even darker.
“Chung-rin. You can’t trust Brother Ryeong.”
Yeonriri’s voice trembled.
In her bloodshot eyes, anger, fear, and affection for Chung-rin were layered together.
Chung-rin took Yeonriri’s hand and forced a smile. Yeonriri felt a strange ache in her chest at the sight of Chung-rin like this.
“I looked into your maid, Yuhwa. She committed the crime of stealing something 5 years ago, right? Do you know who witnessed it?”
“…Who was it?”
“Brother Ryeong’s servant. That servant raised suspicions, and eventually Yuhwa was punished.”
From the beginning, Yeon Ho-ryeong had planned to drive Yuhwa away and use her as Chung-rin’s weakness.
“As punishment, Yuhwa was sent to a mine owned by our family. Moreover, that servant personally escorted her there.”
“Still… Yuhwa is alive, right?”
“That place is like hell where people die every few days. There was even a corpse of a woman who resembled her…”
Chung-rin seemed greatly shocked and collapsed to the ground with a dazed expression.
If Yeonriri hadn’t held her hand, Chung-rin’s clothes would have been covered in dirt.
“But you never know. Young Master Ryeong said he would let me meet with Yuhwa.”
“You’d still go even though you don’t know what Brother Ryeong might do?”
“Still, I want to confirm whether Yuhwa is alive.”
Yeonriri looked at Chung-rin with a pitying expression.
“Sister. If I don’t return by morning, could you tell Young Master Yeonhopyeong about this matter?”
“What?”
“Since we two have been close recently, if something happens to me, Sobaek will suspect you. When that happens, you should guide Sobaek… to where I am.”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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