Surviving as the Sacheon Dang Clan’s Servant - Chapter 26

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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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Episode 26
6. As You Sow, So Shall You Reap
I narrowed my eyes and studied Dang Yeong-ho with barely concealed disdain.
I didn’t know what words had passed between them, but grabbing a guest by the collar in a banquet hall this crowded? That wasn’t the mark of a decent man.
Still, Dang Yeong-ho’s conduct served as a cautionary lesson, forcing me to reassess Namgung Hui.
Hui, you’ve grown up well for someone of clan birth. I hope you continue on that path.
“What rudeness is this, Head of the Dang Family?”
The Jegal Family Head, with his mouth hidden behind a thin smile, laughed with a metallic edge and posed the question. It seemed to rankle him that the man being manhandled belonged to the Jegal Family.
“……My apologies for the offense, Head of the Jegal Family. But let us not sharpen our blades over a children’s quarrel.”
Dang Mu-hyeok’s expression as he forced out the apology was thoroughly strained.
Dang Jung, arms crossed, already wore a look of indignation. If not for propriety, his expression suggested he’d have rushed forward and struck Dang Yeong-ho across the back of the skull.
He’d raged so bitterly when that blockhead was made Small Family Head, but now it seemed Dang Jung genuinely despised Dang Yeong-ho.
“Dang Yeong-ho!”
Dang Mu-hyeok shouted again.
Dang Yeong-ho, who’d been glaring as though he meant to kill, released his grip with a violent tremor running through his hand.
“I apologize.”
Then he stomped heavily out of the banquet hall.
Every eye in the room followed his retreating figure.
The whispers that naturally arose made Dang Mu-hyeok grit his teeth. He clearly felt the sting of humiliation.
The way he’d treated me, his apparent concern for honor and dignity—yet here he was, father to a bastard. The contradiction wasn’t lost on me.
The man left standing alone in Dang Yeong-ho’s wake straightened his disheveled robes without a care. Watching him, the Jegal Family Head snapped his thin smile shut.
“Hyo-gang. Don’t provoke trouble for its own sake.”
The Jegal Family Head spoke with clear displeasure. The man’s name, it seemed, was Jegal Hyo-gang.
“Provoke? That’s a misunderstanding, Uncle. I merely discussed Laozi with the Small Family Head of Dang.”
Jegal Hyo-gang answered glibly with a shrug, and Dang Mu-hyeok’s expression turned glacial.
“It appears the Jegal scholar’s learning is exceptional. Yet it is written: Victory over others requires force; victory over oneself brings true strength. I would prefer you demonstrate such wisdom through action, not words.”
Victory over… what? What did he just say?
My mouth fell open at the procession of erudite words I couldn’t begin to parse. Not a single phrase made sense to me.
I wasn’t even sure who Laozi was. The Daodejing—that came from Laozi, didn’t it?
……Or was it something else?
Sensing my confusion, Namgung Hui leaned close and whispered.
“He’s saying you should look within yourself before trying to overcome others. A true master isn’t someone who crushes others with force—it’s someone who conquers their own emotions and desires.”
Our Small Family Head’s sharp, aren’t you? Much appreciated. Though I still don’t really understand.
Despite Dang Mu-hyeok’s sharp tone, Jegal Hyo-gang didn’t so much as blink, answering with a languid ease.
“I shall treasure the Head of the Dang Family’s counsel.”
Then he narrowed his eyes in an infuriating smile and offered a bow to the assembled guests.
“Forgive the disturbance. Please, continue enjoying the banquet without worry.”
Having bowed respectfully, he departed the banquet hall at an unhurried pace.
Whether he actually meant to remember remained a question, but judging by the mood, it was more “don’t misbehave in someone else’s home” and “yes, and what of it?”
The Jegal Family Head, his expression sour as he watched Jegal Hyo-gang leave, released a deep sigh.
It seemed his nephew gave him headaches too.
They say raising children is the hardest farming of all, and watching each household overflow with difficult personalities, even noble families seemed to struggle with it equally.
Or perhaps everyone simply taught themselves through trial and error.
I scratched my head, surveying the banquet hall now subdued and dimmed. The earlier commotion had dampened spirits; guests were beginning to drift from their seats one by one.
Dang Mu-hyeok, fists clenched beneath his sleeves, drank tea repeatedly as though maintaining composure required it.
The Small Family Head had essentially fouled the waters of a banquet prepared by the Dang Family itself—his pride had certainly taken a beating.
Father, let’s just end this. I want to retire to bed and rest.
As I shuffled in place and muttered under my breath, my eyes met Dang Jung’s. He sent a pulse of Telepathy with clear displeasure.
[Compose yourself.]
But you’re seated, sir. I’ve been standing this whole time.
When I pouted, Dang Jung let out a scoff of utter exasperation.
At that moment, Namgung Hui beside me suddenly leaped to his feet. He looked startled, glancing about wildly as though he’d heard something no one else could.
“Hui, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing, Father.”
To Namgung Sang’s question, Namgung Hui answered awkwardly, then rose cautiously from his seat and tugged at my sleeve.
“Where’s the privy? Show me.”
“Eh? Yes, of course. This way, please.”
At the chance to legitimately excuse myself, the corners of my mouth twitched upward. I led Namgung Hui hastily out of the banquet hall.
* * *
“Small Family Head, the privy isn’t that way—it’s this direction…….”
“No, you don’t need to go.”
Namgung Hui, who’d replied, moved forward with brisk steps.
Seeing how he marched straight ahead without hesitation, it was clear the latrine had been an excuse—he simply wanted out of the Banquet Hall.
Hey, you’re a guest. At least know where you’re going.
I grumbled and hurried after him in short strides, gathering up my flowing skirts.
The servant’s robe Lady Jin had dressed me in was far heavier and more uncomfortable than my usual clothes—the skirt had an extra layer that made me sweat.
As I fanned the perspiration from my legs with the fluttering hem, Namgung Hui glanced back to check on my progress and suddenly let out a sharp cry.
“You, you—! What are you doing!”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“Your ankles are showing! How unbecoming for a grown lady! Cover them at once!”
Namgung Hui’s ears flushed crimson. He shielded his face and spun away abruptly.
…Wait. He grabbed my hand readily enough on first meeting, but now he’s embarrassed about my ankles?
I blinked and lowered my skirts. This boy’s standards made no sense whatsoever.
Namgung Hui bounced on his feet, at a loss, and pointed a finger at me.
“You’ll get yourself into serious trouble. You mustn’t show bare legs to anyone except your betrothed. Do you understand?”
“Is that so?”
“Yes! Ahem—it’s only because we’re alone that nothing came of this. If anyone else had been here, what would you have done? Be more careful from now on.”
Watching him chastise me with that embarrassed cough, I felt an urge to tease him.
I lowered my eyes as if forlorn and spoke hesitantly.
“Does that mean… since no one saw what happened today, we can just pretend it never occurred?”
“Wh—? Er… wha—?”
Namgung Hui stammered and gaped at me. His large eyes trembled visibly—he was thoroughly flustered.
“That is, I… well… wait. So you’re saying…”
He broke into a cold sweat, his lips working soundlessly.
If he agreed, he’d be contradicting what he’d just said; if he denied it, he’d be admitting to something improper. He couldn’t risk opening his mouth.
Watching his anguished expression, I could barely contain my laughter. I giggled and worked my Hand Fan.
Compared to brutes like Dang Yeong-ho and Jegal Hyo-gang, Namgung Hui’s innocence struck me as rather endearing.
“Haha, I was only joking, Small Family Head.”
“What? You really—!”
Realizing he’d been mocked, Namgung Hui’s face flushed red and then purple. I quickly waved my hand at him before he grew truly angry.
“We’re friends, aren’t we? We promised to be friends, didn’t we? Friends can play tricks on each other.”
At my excuse, he pouted and turned away. Good grief, I’d hurt his feelings.
I followed close behind Namgung Hui and asked gently.
“But where are we going?”
“Where do you want to go? I only came out because the Elder told me to take you somewhere for just one hour.”
“The Elder?”
Namgung Hui nodded up and down repeatedly.
No wonder he’d suddenly bolted from the Banquet Hall—he’d heard Telepathy and been startled into action.
Since Dang Jung couldn’t move himself, he’d enlisted Namgung Hui to do his bidding.
Grandfather’s the best. He noticed I was cursing my aching legs, and his granddaughter is grateful.
But I couldn’t think of a suitable place to take Namgung Hui. As I racked my brain, I remembered the garden behind the Guest Hall.
“Um… Small Family Head, have you ever visited Hoga Garden?”
“No. I haven’t. What is it?”
“It’s a private garden made for guests staying at the Guest Hall. There’s a pavilion over a small pond, and it’s beautifully decorated. I’ve only seen it from outside, but would you like to go there?”
“Yes. Let’s go.”
Namgung Hui nodded readily.
* * *
Namgung Hui served as a walking Access Pass quite effectively.
No one blocked our path as we made our way to the garden.
The gatekeepers who normally demanded to see an Access Pass clucked around cheerfully when Namgung Hui approached—they opened the doors to him with utmost courtesy.
One moment they’d chase someone away for lacking proper documentation; the next, the face of the Namgung Clan’s Small Family Head was a free pass.
To be honest, it was infuriating. Damn this Status System society.
In any case, the Guest Hall’s garden, which I was seeing for the first time, was splendid and beautiful.
Peach trees, planted in a ring around the two-story pavilion, were in full bloom, and their fragrance filled the air; beneath the pavilion, lotus leaves pushed their verdant heads just above the surface of the pond.
“Oh…”
Namgung Hui gasped in wonder and reached out his hand; a pale pink petal drifted down and settled gently on his palm.
Gazing at the petal, Namgung Hui murmured softly.
“Flowers drift upon the water, vanishing into mystery—so it’s true.”
Now where was that verse from? The boy’s sharper than I gave him credit for.
We wound our way through the peach blossoms and slowly climbed up into the pavilion.
The garden viewed from the second floor was even more beautiful. The landscapers had paid meticulous attention to detail, arranging plants large and small in harmonious balance.
“What’s that thing? It looks unusual.”
“I’m not sure. Some kind of arum, maybe?”
I replied absently, then froze.
Wait. There shouldn’t be an arum here at all, should there? That’s one of the ingredients used to make poison.
Who plants deadly herbs in the garden where guests take their walks? This household has no concept of common sense.
Does this one have a poison resistance? Should be fine as long as I don’t touch it, right?
I glanced sidelong at Namgung Hui, then settled onto the railing as if I knew nothing, letting my legs dangle between the posts.
A pleasant breeze tickled my cheeks in soft caresses—spring had truly arrived.
Distance from the Banquet Hall seemed to ease the tension from my shoulders.
A nap here wouldn’t be unwelcome at all.
As I yawned widely and leaned back, my shoe slipped from the pavilion and dropped away with a soft thud.
Splash!
With a loud splash, the shoe sank, then resurfaced between the lotus leaves, bobbing gently.
“Oh no! My shoe!”
Watching my single shoe drift across the middle of the pond, I let out an involuntary groan. This is terrible. How am I supposed to fish that out?
In that moment, Namgung Hui swiftly removed his own shoes and leaped lightly down from the pavilion.
Without hesitation, he waded into the pond.

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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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