Surviving as the Sacheon Dang Clan’s Servant - Chapter 37

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

Chapter 37
The first thing that changed was where I lived.
I moved out of the servants’ dormitory and into a space of my own.
“This is really all for me?”
“What a silly question. You’re the Household Head’s daughter. Now that you’ve received Official Recognition, you deserve proper treatment.”
Dang Jung shrugged at what I said, as if it were obvious nonsense, and opened the door to the Byeol Dang.
I followed hesitantly in his wake.
The previous owner of the Byeol Dang must have valued practicality above all else.
There wasn’t a single tree or flower planted in the courtyard.
Instead, Blue Stone covered the entire rear garden. From the metal scratches scattered across it, it looked like it had been used as a Training Ground.
Dang Jung tucked his hands behind his back and made a circuit of the Byeol Dang before speaking.
“Geun Myeong.”
“Yes, sir.”
Dang Geun Myeong appeared without a sound and bowed.
“Dig a pond in the front courtyard and move some carp into it.”
“Understood.”
…A pond? Right now?
It was an absurd order, but Dang Geun Myeong didn’t even question it and began preparing the ground for the pond.
Watching the situation carefully, I asked quietly.
“Grandfather? Why a pond?”
“What did I have you do last winter?”
“Fishing with coins.”
“Right. You said you’d been too busy recently, didn’t you?”
“…Yes.”
“Then you’d better keep going until you succeed, hadn’t you?”
“…Of course.”
There was no room to argue back. I swallowed a bitter smile and nodded.
Next came a change in my guard detail.
Like the other family members, I now had a personal guard.
“Introduce yourself. She’s your guard.”
The guard Dang Jung brought was a young woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties.
Tall and lean, the guard wore a Black Martial Robe.
Her sun-darkened skin gave a strong impression, which only made her sharp, bright eyes all the more striking.
“It’s an honor to meet you. Miss. I’m Deok Ju.”
“Hello.”
“Please speak more casually with me. Miss. I’m merely a guard.”
“Oh, right. Yes, um.”
I looked away from her intense gaze, and Dang Jung let out a soft laugh.
“She’s one of the standouts from the Heuk Un Unit. Her skills are solid, so take her along whenever you go out.”
“The Heuk Un Unit?”
“The Secondary Household Head’s direct regiment. You didn’t see Bu Gyeong before? He’s their commander.”
Who’s Bu Gyeong?
Searching my memory, I recalled a middle-aged man with a sorrowful face accepting a broom from me once.
Ah, that’s the man who cleaned the Training Ground for me that time.
“Don’t worry about her skills. Despite appearances, she was even picked as a guard for the Secondary Household Head.”
“A guard for the Secondary Household Head? But how did you bring her here?”
“She was dismissed and idle, so I took her. Apparently that mad fool Young Ho mocked her, and when she talked back, he threw her out.”
Mocked a guard? Is he insane?
My jaw fell open at the unbelievable story.
“Wow. Shouldn’t you have beaten him senseless before taking her?”
Dang Jung answered casually.
“She handled it herself.”
“Pardon?”
“This girl here—she gave her master a thorough beating. I liked her nerve, so I picked her up.”
Dang Jung gazed at Deok Ju with satisfaction, and she responded with formality.
“I simply showed what happens when one treats a warrior woman like a mere plaything.”
…Goodness. She’s no ordinary character either.
A guard with a record of beating and being fired from her master—could I trust someone like that? Well, he certainly deserved it.
But she didn’t seem like a bad person. Dang Jung wouldn’t keep just anyone at his side, so it should be fine, I suppose.
“She’s tight-lipped, so having her around won’t cause trouble. At least she won’t go gossiping to your stepmothers.”
“I don’t make snap decisions.”
“I know. If he’d been flexible, he wouldn’t have ended up in the stables mucking out manure.”
Dang Jung sighed and looked between me and Deok Ju in turn.
“Deok Ju. I assigned you to So Hye to rein her in when she acts out. Don’t go causing trouble with her.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you, So Hye—same goes for you. When Deok Ju gets riled up, don’t throw fuel on the fire from the sidelines.”
“I’ll try my best. But sir… if I cross paths with my eldest brother, is it okay if you tell Deok Ju to beat me?”
“Absolutely not.”
Dang Jung cut me off sharply, then pinched my cheek and pulled it taut.
“I told you not to cause trouble, and already you’re plotting it. If you don’t want to be locked in the Byeol Dang, stay out of mischief.”
“Yes, yes. I understand.”
“Even water knows its place, high and low. What in the world makes you think a youngest would throw a fist at an eldest brother? …Unless it were a proper martial bout.”
Wait. Was that permission? He’s saying as long as there’s justification, it’s fine?
My eyes lit up, and Dang Jung let out a long, heavy sigh.
“You’re going to age me faster. Look, I’m getting more and more gray hairs.”
But sir, I haven’t done anything. You’re at the age for white hair anyway.
I felt wronged, but I lacked the courage to argue before his stern face. So I folded my hands respectfully over my belly and made a show of listening dutifully—at which Dang Jung chuckled softly.
“Dang Geun Myeong’s already moved everything for you. Sort through it at your own pace and take a leisurely look around.”
“Are you leaving?”
“Yes. Once you’ve settled in, come find me at my quarters. We’ll have dinner together.”
“Of course, sir. Oh! Grandfather! Wait just a moment! I have something for you!”
At my cry, Dang Jung’s eyes narrowed.
“What is it?”
“I meant to give it to you yesterday, but things were so hectic I forgot. Please, just wait a moment.”
I dashed into the Byeol Dang before he could leave.
“Hey, slow down! You’ll trip!”
“I’m fine—oof!”
My feet tangled as I hurried, and I pitched forward—but Deok Ju, who had moved close in an instant, caught me and lifted me clean off the ground.
Then she set me down gently on the stone step and quietly stepped back.
Wow. That’s elite bodyguard work.
“Thank you.”
“Honestly, I wonder what we’ll make of you. Deok Ju, you’ll have your hands full watching over this one.”
Dang Jung clicked his tongue and crossed his arms. It was pure and simple foal-wrangling attitude.
I pretended not to hear and laughed foolishly while rummaging through my baggage bundle.
Now where did I put that… Ah, found it! Hopefully it didn’t get damaged.
“Grandfather, this is Mung Bean Cake. I heard it goes well with tea, so I bought it at the Night Market. If it’s not to your taste, I can throw it away.”
I rushed over and pressed the container into Dang Jung’s hands. He looked at me, then at the container, then back at me again—his expression unreadable.
Doesn’t he like it?
I shifted nervously under his gaze and ventured to ask:
“Should I throw it out?”
“…No, it’s just… I’m surprised. It’s been a long time since anyone gave me anything. Everyone’s always trying to squeeze an old man for what he’s worth.”
Dang Jung answered matter-of-factly and opened the container. The sweet scent wafted up, and he smiled softly.
“What little pocket money do you have to be buying an old man’s favorite snacks? You should eat it yourself.”
“I bought it because I was thinking of you.”
Dang Jung patted my head approvingly, took out a Mung Bean Cake, and popped it straight into my mouth.
Then he pulled out another one for himself and took a bite. His brow furrowed sharply.
…Right. He hates sweets.
I realized it too late—he’d already swallowed what was in his mouth.
His expression control was failing; his face twisted sourly as he closed the container’s lid.
“Delicious.”
He looks like he’s about to be sick.
“I’ll save the rest and enjoy it slowly.”
No, please don’t bother. Just throw it away.
Dang Jung scrubbed at his lips as if to erase the sweetness, then tucked the container into his sleeve.
This gift had become worse than useless.
I made a solemn vow: never again would I bring him anything sweet.
* * *
After Dang Jung left, I stayed cooped up inside the Byeol Dang. Outside, Dang Geun Myeong was digging out the pond, and I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about it.
Thud! Thud! Crack!
…I can’t hear it. I won’t listen.
I turned my gaze to Deok Ju, pushing aside the sound of something breaking.
My bodyguard stood motionless in one corner of the reception room, like a stone statue.
“Deok Ju, would you like some tea?”
“No thank you, miss.”
“Then would you sit beside me? Your legs must hurt from standing all this time.”
“No thank you, miss.”
Her blunt response drew a sigh from me. I’d be seeing her face every day from now on, but I had no idea how to handle this.
I was rubbing my eyes and trying to speak again when someone poked their face through a crack in the reception room door.
“Hey!”
“You came, sister?”
It was Song Ji.
At her bright face, I jumped up from my seat. Song Ji waved her hands and hurried toward me in quick, bouncing steps.
“Why didn’t you come in last night? I was worried. Are you planning to keep going out at night? If you’re going to sleep away, at least tell me first. Oh, did you hear? Apparently there was an illegitimate child among the Dang family, and now she’s been granted official recognition. Can you believe it?”
That’s me.
“No matter how I think about it, I can’t figure out who it is. Who looked like the Household Head? So Hye, do you know? I wonder why they called us especially. Well, life at Byeol Dang won’t be so bad. It’ll be better than the servants’ quarters, no matter what.”
It’s me.
Song Ji, who had been chattering without pause, tilted her head in confusion.
“Huh? But So Hye, your clothes are…….”
“Show proper respect to the young miss.”
In the blink of an eye, Deok Ju stepped between Song Ji and me, creating a barrier. Song Ji stumbled backward in shock.
“Oh, a young miss? Who? Eek, surely not……?”
When Song Ji’s eyes met mine, she fell backward on her rear end. I helped her up and laughed awkwardly.
“It just ended up this way, sister.”
“You’re a young miss? Really? This isn’t a joke, is it? The illegitimate child who was granted official recognition is really you? You were of the Dang family?”
Thump!
Before Song Ji could finish speaking, something hit the ground with a heavy thud.
When I turned my head, I saw Gyeong A trembling in front of the door, a bundle of cloth fallen at her feet.
“S-s-so So Hye is……a young miss……?”
Yes, Gyeong A. You’re here.
“Th-this…… what is…… so…… so So Hye…… is a young miss……. That means…… I……. What should……I…….”
“Does this make sense? Does that mean I’ve been cleaning and doing laundry with a direct young miss every day? Gyeong A, you didn’t know either, right?”
“I’m……hearing this for the first time…….”
“Haha, you both go ahead and unpack. I need to use the outhouse.”
Feeling the weight of their interrogating stares, I laughed it off and slipped away.
The moment I hurried outside Byeol Dang, Deok Ju followed after me. Her faithfulness to her duty was admirable, but this presented its own problem.
“Listen, Deok Ju.”
“Yes, miss.”
“Do you really have to follow me when I use the outhouse?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Then how about staying about ten paces back?”
“I cannot let you out of sight for more than five paces.”
…… I’m going to lose my mind.
I gave my face a dry wash.
A premonition crept over me that getting along with these three would not be easy.

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