I Decided to Give the Contract to the Male Vassal - Chapter 58

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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 58

 

Eunyangung existed on the opposite side from Cheonmugung, where Sect Leader Gwon Museong resided.

 

There were rumors that it was the place with the strongest yin energy in Gyojeon, strengthening the yin energy of the Eunyounggong (Silver Shadow Attack) that Mahu had mastered.

 

Eunyounggong contained yin energy that was the complete opposite of the Mugeukgong that Sect Leader Gwon Museong had mastered, and Mahu regularly shared her internal energy with the Sect Leader to enhance his power.

 

Currently, the Sect Leader was in a state where he couldn’t recover his internal energy due to the life-and-death duel with the previous Cheonho Clan Leader, so he still needed Mahu.

 

‘There might have been speculation that he would establish a Vice Sect Leader while losing some of his internal energy, but Gwon Museong isn’t someone who would share power for such reasons.’

 

During my time at Sangteon-dang, my main duty was to verify information about Sadopae and Mageyo, who could be called the main enemies of the Heavenly Tiger Alliance.

 

Recalling the information I gathered at that time, the Sect Leader was someone with a strong obsession with martial arts.

 

Moreover, he didn’t like sharing what was his, even if it resulted in weakening the sect.

 

He was a typical sect leader who believed that only he should be the Cheonjeon of the Heavenly Sect.

 

Because I observed and analyzed his actions from outside Cheonsan rather than from within, I could judge more coldly.

 

Gwon Museong would rather recover his internal energy and regain perfect authority before placing one of the three princes in the Vice Sect Leader position.

 

This was also why I was taking risks to meet Mahu.

 

The only person who could restore Gwon Museong’s martial arts the fastest was Mahu alone. So I had to use this to draw out the Sect Leader’s favor.

 

This was the first gateway to establishing Wicheonso at the center of Mageyo.

 

To meet Mahu, the symbolic figure of the Heavenly Sect, I first had to enter the past where she lived.

 

Eunyangung was the door to the past.

 

However, it was said to be tightly closed and rarely opened.

 

So before the wedding ceremony, I stayed at Cheonyanggung and studied the times when Eunyangung opened.

 

The time I learned with the help of Sawol and Okxiang was sasi (9-11 AM).

 

When I stood in front of Eunyangung with the two maids at that time, an old woman who was just about to enter the door discovered me and was startled.

 

The old woman’s face bore the full weight of years, but her back was straight and her posture upright for her age, giving her an elegant impression.

 

She looked at me with suspicious eyes, probably because my face was unfamiliar.

 

“I am Chung-rin, wife of the Third Prince who held a wedding yesterday.”

 

The old woman with a weathered face bowed before me.

 

“So you are the Third Prince’s wife who newly joined the sect. I am Moren, the head steward of Eunyangung. Please speak informally.”

 

Head Steward Lady Moren was a woman Mahu had brought when she married the Sect Leader. She was also someone who had stayed by Mahu’s side for well over half a century.

 

“I would like to pay my respects to Mahu.”

 

“Mahu does not meet with anyone.”

 

It was the expected refusal.

 

In a situation where she even refused the Sect Leader’s visits, there was no way she would receive me.

 

Still, acting like a woman who had just had her wedding, I pretended to be flustered and hesitated for a moment before speaking.

 

“Then I brought a gift that might help Mahu recover, could you deliver it?”

 

I received a box from Okxiang and gave it to Moren.

 

It was the Jeokseolhwan, a treasure of Seolsan Jeokga that I had received from Eokmu.

 

Even without opening the box, auspicious energy was seeping out.

 

Although Mahu had probably seen all kinds of spiritual medicines while staying at Gyojeon, I decided to gamble on Seolsan’s spiritual medicine.

 

“I will deliver the message. However, it may be returned within three days, so please don’t be disappointed.”

 

Lady Moren was predicting that Mahu would refuse the gift.

 

“I understand. But please be sure to tell her it was sent from Seolsan.”

 

Lady Moren answered that she understood and entered the inner part of Eunyangung carrying the box.

 

The door of Eunyangung closed, and the surroundings became thick with fog.

 

I could feel Mahu’s will to completely refuse visitors.

 

Unable to even enter the entrance and left standing alone, Sawol and Okxiang looked at me with pity.

 

“Let’s go back now.”

 

Meeting Mahu was a failure as expected.

 

And rumors would spread that I had gone alone to pay respects to Mahu and returned empty-handed.

 

This was also what I desired.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

When I returned to the guest hall of Cheonyanggung, there was a subtle scent of agarwood.

 

Even before Sawol opened the door, I could sense that someone had visited the guest hall.

 

While staying at Cheonyanggung for the wedding, I had memorized the appearances and characteristics of the First Prince and Second Prince’s close associates.

 

When the door opened, I saw an elegant woman standing there like a painting.

 

Red embroidery flowed thinly over a dark purple robe, and an agarwood hairpin was inserted in her hair.

 

“You’ve just arrived, Miss Chung. Or should I call you Third Prince’s wife now?”

 

The woman with dark brown hair approached me.

 

Her skin was like cool porcelain, and her eyes were deep gray. Her appearance made it difficult to guess her age.

 

I calmly offered my greetings.

 

“I pay my respects to the Hyeoncheon Palace Mistress.”

 

Hyeoncheon Palace Mistress Yuhwa.

 

She was the First Prince’s wife.

 

It was a title given because the First Prince’s residence was Hyeoncheon Palace.

 

Currently, the First Prince and Second Prince were said to be away on the Sect Leader’s orders. If they had gone to resolve matters in the Central Plains, they wouldn’t return until the Cheonmu Festival.

 

So Yuhwa, the First Prince’s wife, had probably come to assess me personally.

 

To find out whether I was someone who could be a threat or someone who could be won over.

 

“No need for such formal greetings. We’re all wives of the most noble princes in the Heavenly Sect, so let’s be close like sisters.”

 

I invited her to sit in the guest chair and offered her a tea bowl containing tea leaves.

 

“Oh my, it’s Jayunbaengnyeon tea. The fragrance is so wonderful.”

 

She admired the tea’s fragrance to an almost excessive degree and continued talking in a low, refined voice.

 

“I heard you’ll be standing at the altar during this Cheonmu Festival. As a senior, I thought I might help you.”

 

Her lips were smiling, but there was no laughter in her eyes.

 

“If you would teach me, I would gladly receive it.”

 

I answered while raising my teacup.

 

The sect had said they would assign someone to me, but her coming to find me like this now seemed to also have the intention of confirming the relationship between me and the Third Prince through me.

 

“But the Third Prince seems to be busy. To leave a bride alone like this right after the wedding.”

 

Her eyes were reading my gaze and movements, as if testing me.

 

“The Third Prince is away on Cheonjeon’s orders.”

 

“Is that so? That must be disappointing for you.”

 

Yuhwa was trying to read me through my answers.

 

Her method was to draw out others’ thoughts through words.

 

“I heard that the Third Prince rescued Miss Chung when she had fallen into water. According to rumors, he fell in love at first sight that day and proceeded with the wedding.”

 

“Really? This is the first I’m hearing of it… But where did you hear such rumors?”

 

When I asked with sparkling eyes as if curious, Yuhwa stepped back slightly.

 

Her brow furrowed for a brief moment before smoothing out again. She seemed surprised that instead of being flustered, I had boldly asked back.

 

“I’m not well-versed in current affairs. Just earlier, I went to pay respects to Mahu without knowing she would be uncomfortable and made a wasted trip. If I have any questions, I definitely want to ask the Hyeoncheon Palace Mistress before acting.”

 

When I approached her friendly and grabbed her hand like someone who had found a lifeline, Yuhwa was startled and pulled her hand away. A slight crack appeared on her face.

 

Yuhwa might not know about me, but I don’t avoid fights that come my way, especially fights that come through words.

 

“My husband told me to learn about the Heavenly Sect and assigned me a teacher, but if the Hyeoncheon Palace Mistress would teach me, I think I could gain deeper teachings.”

 

I showed my ignorance of current affairs while actively welcoming her actions.

 

There was no one here on Cheonsan who didn’t know that I had been confined here for 10 years, so it was appropriate behavior.

 

Disappointment and relief simultaneously crossed Yuhwa’s face.

 

“My husband was worried because I’m naive, but I should study hard so I don’t become a burden to him.”

 

When I subtly mentioned Wicheonso, Yuhwa’s face hardened slightly.

 

She was from Yohyeonse, which valued discipline and tradition. I knew from the beginning that she wouldn’t like me.

 

Because I was neither from Cheonsan nor from a prestigious Mageyo family.

 

My such inelegant behavior probably felt beneath her dignity.

 

Yuhwa seemed to have changed her plan to probe me, as she put down her teacup and stood up.

 

“I should be going now. I’ll be staying at Gyojeon for a while, so if you have any questions, come visit my residence.”

 

Though she said that, she seemed to not want me to actually visit.

 

Because people from Yohyeonse don’t like doing things without substance.

 

“Thank you, Palace Master of Hyeoncheon Palace. I’ll definitely come visit you.”

 

When I maintained the same consistent attitude, Yuhwa left gracefully without making a sound with her footsteps.

 

She must have thought.

 

That I was truly a clueless youngster who knew nothing.

 

She probably didn’t think she could win Wicheonso’s heart by trying to win me over.

 

Unlike her, I had gained something important from today’s meeting.

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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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