I’m an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me - Chapter 124

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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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Episode 124

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upon hearing Seoryeong’s words, both Myeongdo and the Tavern Keeper hardened their expressions.

 

“What do you mean by that….”

 

The Tavern Keeper’s face filled with anger as she spoke with trembling voice.

 

Myeongdo set down the spoon he was holding onto the table with a clang.

 

“Don’t mind what this fellow says, please calm your heart….”

 

“There are far too few customers coming and going for the size of this village. I’ve also noticed several guests glancing this way since earlier.”

 

Seoryeong leaned back and leisurely made eye contact with the men around them.

 

Several men whose gazes met hers cleared their throats awkwardly and disappeared.

 

“This village is far too closed off for a tavern to prosper. Since this village is out too, should I go somewhere else to look around? I need to make a decision before the weather gets hotter…. Hmm.”

 

Seoryeong’s words had a power that somehow made people curious. Curiosity had already taken the place of anger on the Tavern Keeper’s face, which had been turning red with fury just moments before.

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

“I was looking for a village where my one and only sister could recuperate. Good water and good air! Even better if it’s safe. And this place is perfect, you see? It was worth coming to scout ahead with my brother-in-law.”

 

“Oh my goodness! Is that really true?”

 

“Of course. It’s absolutely true. You know how much love my sister receives in our household. Do you know what Father told me?”

 

Seoryeong gestured for the Tavern Keeper to come closer. At that cunning expression, the Tavern Keeper unconsciously leaned forward and brought her ear close to Seoryeong.

 

“Even if it’s a remote mountain valley, it doesn’t matter! He firmly instructed me to arrange the environment well so that my sister wouldn’t be uncomfortable.”

 

“Arranging the environment means….”

 

Though she spoke carelessly, these guests were clearly nobles wearing expensive clothes at first glance.

 

Just the fact that wealthy people had set foot in this place deep in the mountains changed the Tavern Keeper’s expression.

 

“What’s the point of saying more? My father is a merchant who finds even Yeomho Kingdom too small and travels from country to country multiplying his wealth. If it means my sister can be comfortable, he wouldn’t hesitate to establish new business here.”

 

“Heavens! How wonderful…!”

 

The more merchants frequented a place, the more taverns prospered – this was natural. Before she knew it, the Tavern Keeper began to see the slender man before her as a benefactor who would bring her money.

 

Seoryeong continued speaking with the swagger of a man who loved to boast about himself.

 

“Not only silk to make my sister’s clothes, but also books to keep her entertained, precious jewels from across the waters, and medicinal herbs good for her health.”

 

Before she knew it, the Tavern Keeper’s body had moved close enough to almost stick to Seoryeong. Seoryeong reached out and patted the Tavern Keeper’s shoulder.

 

“But if we’re going to bring things anyway, would it look proper for a man to bring only a tiny amount for my sister? Since guards must accompany the merchants, it’s more profitable to fill the carts completely!”

 

“Of course, that’s exactly right!”

 

“So the business talk with Father is all finished, and now we just need to decide on the location…. Hmm.”

 

Seoryeong paused for a moment then shook her head.

 

“The people here seem quite wary of outsiders, so we have no choice but to give up. Though the rice soup was excellent and I was tempted, it can’t be helped.”

 

Seoryeong put her feet into the shoes she had taken off, as if her business here was done.

 

“Since the water and air are good, nearby villages will probably be similar. Yes. It would be better to establish our base there.”

 

It was the Tavern Keeper who was burning with anxiety at this carefree attitude showing no lingering attachment.

 

“Let’s go, brother-in-law.”

 

Seoryeong patted Myeongdo’s shoulder with an indifferent touch.

 

“….”

 

Myeongdo stared at Seoryeong in front of him, dazed by the deception technique that flowed like water without giving him a chance to intervene.

 

Finding such a Myeongdo frustrating, Seoryeong pressed down firmly on Myeongdo’s shoulder with her palm.

 

“No, wait there, young master! Don’t be like this, please think about it a little more. Please?”

 

“I wanted to let my sister taste this special rice soup too, but it’s unfortunate how things turned out. Well then, stay healthy.”

 

“Our village people weren’t originally this closed off. You see? That will return to normal very soon. That’s right. Of course it will!”

 

“Return to normal? You mean it was clearly different before?”

 

The Tavern Keeper fell right into Seoryeong’s leading interrogation. After briefly looking around and confirming there were only three of them, the Tavern Keeper hesitantly opened her mouth.

 

“That’s right. Now that Choi Hundo’s eldest son has finally come to his senses.”

 

Clues about the strange incident that had occurred in this village began to emerge.

 

Just as Myeongdo’s eyes were about to sharpen deliberately.

 

“It seems this story will be long. Bring another bowl. I need to listen to this story thoroughly.”

 

Seoryeong, who had been standing and looking at the Tavern Keeper, sat back down and spoke.

 

“…What?”

 

Myeongdo’s brow furrowed as if asking whether he had heard correctly. The Tavern Keeper clapped her palms together making a cheerful sound.

 

“Oh my, look at me! Of course, of course!”

 

Watching the Tavern Keeper hurry into the kitchen, Seoryeong raised the corners of her mouth. In any case, she had succeeded in getting another bowl.

 

 

 

Filming continued. Today they would shoot all the tavern scenes in one go, and when evening came they would film the infiltration of Choi Hundo’s house, then tomorrow they would move the scene forward again to film the transition to Choi Hundo’s house.

 

‘It should be hectic, but everyone’s doing well.’

 

Jjang Director’s face, holding the megaphone, was colored with satisfaction. Especially Kwon Junhyeok, who played Myeongdo, was following along earnestly.

 

Since the training camp, Myeongdo’s vividness had changed.

 

 

 

“Um, Director….”

 

“What is it, Junhyeok? Do you have something to say?”

 

“I tried my own interpretation. I was hoping you could listen to it….”

 

 

 

Kwon Junhyeok’s diligence, ingrained from his long trainee days, also played a part.

 

Before Myeongdo’s filming, Kwon Junhyeok had come to find Jjang Director separately. The scenario in his scarred hands was tattered at the edges.

 

 

 

“I was thinking of using head angles instead of facial expressions….”

 

“Head angles?”

 

“Yes. Instead of widening my eyes or biting my lips, I would basically keep my head angled downward, then turn my head to the side according to the other person’s actions, only lift my eyes, or bow even deeper….”

 

 

 

Kwon Junhyeok’s Myeongdo was approaching perfection since the training camp.

 

 

 

“Since Myeongdo serves a lord and is a retainer, his basic posture would be closer to bowing his head, and action descriptions rather than facial expressions seem more….”

 

“Yes! Junhyeok, you did great! I think so too, Myeongdo is about actions!”

 

 

 

Though he spoke hesitantly as if unsure, Kwon Junhyeok’s judgment was correct. Even without using facial muscles, viewers would clearly understand what kind of person Myeongdo was.

 

From Myeongdo’s gestures, his inner feelings of not wanting to associate with Seoryeong, who was skillfully deceiving the Tavern Keeper, subtly emerged.

 

Myeongdo slightly turned his body and head away from Seoryeong.

 

Without paying any attention to such Myeongdo, Seoryeong picked up her spoon again and focused on the rice soup. Thanks to her deception, even boiled pork she hadn’t ordered appeared on the table.

 

“So. What happened at Choi Hundo’s house? Even though he doesn’t hold a high office, seeing how he controls the village atmosphere, he must have earned quite a bit of respect.”

 

“Oh yes, of course. He even taught the lowborn how to write their names. Heaven is so heartless, taking such a person away so early….”

 

Myeongdo’s gaze slowly fixed on the Tavern Keeper. Whatever else might be said, Seoryeong’s method was always the shortest path. The reason for the strange atmosphere surrounding this village was emerging.

 

“I see. Choi Hundo was such an excellent person…. What about his eldest son?”

 

Seoryeong continued speaking calmly like someone with no particular purpose. The Tavern Keeper shook her head slightly.

 

“Don’t they say the tiger father begets a dog son? Not only was he lazy in his studies, but no matter how much he was taught, his naturally violent nature couldn’t be corrected.”

 

As if even talking about the eldest son was distasteful, she briefly pressed her forehead with one hand. It seemed he had truly been a source of worry.

 

“Because Choi Hundo passed away early, he caused trouble not only for the household but even for Madam, causing no end of worry. Since everyone had received some favor, big or small, from the master, Madam’s concerns became our concerns.”

 

The story had turned heavy. It had changed from light village talk to Choi Hundo’s family affairs.

 

However, Seoryeong just nodded roughly and picked up several pieces of boiled pork to eat.

 

“We thought it was right to at least protect the master’s honor. Since Choi Hundo’s eldest son failing the civil service exam repeatedly, just going to gisaeng houses to drink, was widely known, it wouldn’t be good for anyone….”

 

Now the village’s closed-off atmosphere made sense. In the world of nobles, news about Choi Hundo would spread faster, so they had been wary of Seoryeong and Myeongdo.

 

“But now he really seems to have changed. Seeing how you’re speaking so freely to me.”

 

“That’s right! He’s become a completely new person.”

 

A new person.

 

At those words, Seoryeong made eye contact with the Tavern Keeper and smiled.

 

“How?”

 

“He couldn’t be more affectionate toward Madam. There’s nothing about household matters he doesn’t know! He must have been secretly paying attention even when he was living as a wastrel, right?”

 

As the Tavern Keeper chattered away with a bright voice and beaming smile, Seoryeong’s expression grew serious. It was the gaze of a cat watching a mouse caught in a trap.

 

“And how diligent he is now – getting up at dawn to sweep, constantly overturning the table saying the food tasted terrible, but now he’s not picky about anything…”

 

“If he’s transformed into such a fine man, then previously he must have been terribly lazy instead.”

 

Seoryeong seemed to ponder for a moment, then casually threw out her words.

 

“Like not even cutting his own fingernails and toenails?”

 

“That’s right. Every day it was greasy meat and alcohol, sleeping so much that his belly grew so round he couldn’t see his own feet. When he’d fall asleep drunk, Madam would personally cut his fingernails and toenails for him. How strange. How did you know that?”

 

“I’ve seen countless pathetic men like that. Wandering from country to country, I’ve noticed that worthless fools are all the same – there’s nothing they can do with their own hands! And their courage is no bigger than a bean. They’d tremble in fear at the sight of a single hoe.”

 

Before she knew it, Seoryeong was focusing on the Tavern Keeper’s story instead of her meal. Pretending to sympathize with her words, she began digging into the essence of the matter.

 

“Is Choi Hundo’s eldest son the same way?”

 

“It would be fortunate if he were afraid of animals. He was the type who would kick dogs and cats alike whenever they got on his nerves.”

 

Waving her hand at Seoryeong’s question, the Tavern Keeper laughed heartily. Then she pressed and wiped her now-moist eyes with the goreum of her jeogori.

 

“It’s truly fortunate that he’s come to his senses now. Really…”

 

Her genuine feelings for Choi Hundo’s household could be felt.

 

“Choi Hundo must be watching from heaven too, right?”

 

Seoryeong didn’t answer immediately and made eye contact with Myeongdo. Myeongdo also sensed that the situation was far from ordinary.

 

Though he didn’t possess the same divine ability as Seoryeong, it was through his rational judgment as an aide.

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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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