The Beloved Baby Deer of the Hwangryong Family - Chapter 103

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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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When Su-jeong began to speak, Choa subtly lifted the corners of her mouth.

‘Foolish girl, she’s finally taken the bait.’

Then, as if nothing had happened, she quickly hid her expression and asked back.

“What? A thief? A thief being ungrateful… Oh my, surely it wasn’t someone from the household?”

“Why wouldn’t it be.”

Su-jeong shook her head as if to say don’t even mention it.

“Originally she was my cousin, but my parents specially took her in as an adopted daughter and raised her. But that girl, not knowing the grace of being raised by us, tried to steal my belongings and smuggle them out.”

“Heavens! To do such an outrageous thing!”

Choa covered her mouth with her hand and pretended to be shocked in an exaggerated manner.

“Exactly! I really can’t believe it.”

Su-jeong’s lips relaxed loosely, pleased with the reaction she wanted. It was the moment when her already lowered guard completely disappeared.

Choa didn’t miss this opportunity and asked in an even more interested voice.

“What did that thief steal? Surely she didn’t steal Young Miss’s jewelry?”

“That would have been better.”

Su-jeong let out a deep sigh. Then she revealed the secret without hesitation.

“She stole something called Snow Scale Flower, an incredibly precious medicinal herb.”

“…Snow Scale, Flower?”

For a moment, a strange light flickered in Choa’s eyes.

Several years ago, ‘Master’ had spoken about a special medicinal herb.

‘Little Bird, when you go to the Eastern Territory and infiltrate the Golden Dragon Family, there is one medicinal herb you must find for me.’

‘Master, what kind of medicinal herb…’

‘Four Death Spirit Herbs. There are four medicinal herbs that should no longer exist in this land, called the Four Death Spirit Herbs. Among them, the Dragon Spirit Herb is in the Eastern Territory, so surely the current Winged Dragon, Golden Dragon, must possess it.’

At that time, Choa, who was full of enthusiasm, swore to her master that she would quickly complete her mission and find the other three herbs from different lands to offer them.

Then her master smiled and said this.

‘There’s no need for that. The Jeongdam Herb of the west has no power on its own, the Snow Scale Flower of the south has already dried up, and no one has found the Thousand Year Spirit Herb of the north.’

Yes, at that time he definitely said Snow Scale Flower.

Choa, who never forgot anything her master who saved her said, was confident that her memory couldn’t be wrong.

But for Nok Su-jeong to mention Snow Scale Flower.

“What’s wrong? Why are you like that? Do you know Snow Scale Flower?”

“No! It’s the first time I’ve heard of such a medicinal herb, so I was wondering what it could be.”

Only then did Choa snap out of her recollection and feign ignorance. Fortunately, Su-jeong didn’t mind much.

“I don’t really know what Snow Scale Flower is either. But since the Qilin Family Head was looking for it, it must be an important medicinal herb, right?”

“That person was looking for that herb? But I heard there’s no medicinal herb that doesn’t exist in the Qilin Family’s Heavenly Medicine Forest, so why…”

“That’s why it’s special.”

“So Su-jeong managed to obtain such a precious thing! As expected of Su-jeong!”

When she deliberately put on an envious look, Su-jeong visibly became proud. Choa smoothly continued the conversation.

“For a thief to steal such a precious medicinal herb! You must have been really upset.”

“Fortunately, I managed to get the Snow Scale Flower back. But do you know what’s even more ridiculous?”

Su-jeong’s voice became even more secretive, and her eyes sharpened.

“That girl came back as an adopted daughter of the Golden Dragon Family. She even brazenly entered the Medical Academy.”

What is she talking about now? Why is the Golden Dragon Family suddenly being mentioned?

Cho-ah’s eyes widened at the unexpected words. Cho-ah was so flustered that she even stammered.

“H-how did that happen?”

“Exactly! That’s what I’m saying. What kind of trick did she pull?”

Su-jeong clenched her fist as if frustrated. Just seeing that pathetic Nok Seo-yu acting like a young miss still made her insides twist.

“Didn’t you inform the Golden Dragon Family about this and just let it be?”

“Father absolutely told me not to say anything and is protecting that girl, so what can I do? It’s only eating me up inside.”

Su-jeong beat her chest as if she was dying of frustration. Cho-ah quickly turned her thoughts.

‘This doesn’t seem ordinary. I need to report this to Master quickly.’

She wanted to ask more details, but it might arouse unnecessary suspicion. Just then, Su-jeong changed the topic first.

“Enough of this talk. More importantly, what did you bring today? I want to see it quickly.”

“Ah! Of course. I should show you.”

Cho-ah rummaged through the bundle she brought, pretending to search for items. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she spoke up.

“Come to think of it, Young Miss, are you interested in items that go into the Imperial Palace?”

“The Imperial Palace? Of course I am! But why?”

“You know that glass necklace I brought last time? The craftsman who made it has put out a new work. It should be completed soon… If I go right now, I think I can bring it back before our next meeting.”

“R-really?”

Greed filled Su-jeong’s eyes.

“Yes! But if I go now, it’ll be difficult to show you the items… So unfortunately, I’ll have to postpone it to the next opportunity.”

I wonder if it’ll still be there by then.

At the quietly muttered words, Su-jeong’s body heated up and she shouted.

“Then hurry and go! It’s not like today is the only day.”

“Would that be alright?”

“Of course. I want items that others can’t have even more. I’m not interested in things that just anyone can possess.”

“People with refined taste are truly different. Then I’ll excuse myself.”

Cho-ah immediately stood up and was about to leave the room when she spoke.

“Oh, and also. You mentioned earlier that the maid isn’t doing her job properly.”

“Yes. She’s so stupid and useless that it’s a problem.”

“A maid serving you shouldn’t be like that. So, how about I introduce you to a capable maid I know well?”

* * *

The Imperial Palace, standing tall at the center of Jusang Kingdom divided into four directions, stood majestically as if symbolizing the emperor’s authority.

Within the high castle walls, dozens of pavilions were arranged in orderly fashion, and the red tiles and golden decorations gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight.

Guarding the main gate of the Imperial Palace were four giant Four Spirits statues.

Qilin, Phoenix Emperor, Spirit Turtle, Winged Dragon.

The statues modeled after the four divine beasts that had ruled this land since the beginning of time stood facing east, west, south, and north respectively.

Passing through the main gate and entering the Imperial Palace, a vast garden spread out before them.

Throughout the garden, golden perches were placed here and there. Next to the perches decorated with sparkling jewels, feed containers for birds were also installed.

Crown Prince Gon A-hwil, returning home after a long time, looked at the sight through the carriage window with satisfaction.

‘To care so attentively even for those little birds. Father is truly benevolent.’

Ahwol felt pride in his father and the Phoenix Family.

The Phoenix Family, which had once always remained in the position of advisors, had now been protecting the imperial throne for three generations.

Befitting the descendants of the wise phoenix, Jusang Kingdom ruled by the Phoenix Emperor was more peaceful and prosperous than ever before. Ahwol thought all of this was thanks to his great father.

Soon after getting off the carriage, Ahwol hurried to the office to see his father.

“Crown Prince Your Highness has arrived.”

When the retainer respectfully announced, the door opened along with a response.

“Our Crown Prince has returned!”

Emperor Gon Hak-yeo, who had personally opened the door and stepped out, welcomed his son.

“Father, have you been well all this time?”

Father and son embraced affectionately.

“Yes, how has life at the Medical Academy been treating you?”

Gon Hak-yeo asked as they entered the office.

“Yes, Father. Just as you said, I’ve been able to learn fields I didn’t know about, which has been very enjoyable. I’ve also made many new friends.”

Ahwol answered with a bright smile. Having grown up in the palace, he didn’t have many friends and had been secretly lonely, but going to the Medical Academy allowed him to meet various people, which was delightful.

‘I even met a cute child.’

Thinking of Seo-yu, who used to call him Young Master of the Herb Garden, made him want to smile again.

Ahwol was just about to tell his father, whom he was meeting after a long time, about that story.

“I see. When else would you get to meet such children?”

Ahwol hesitated at the strangely cold tone. But before he could sense anything odd, the Emperor continued speaking.

“Anyway, that’s good. To rule this country in the future, you too must have a broad perspective. All your current experiences will be helpful later.”

At the tone that naturally assumed he would inherit the throne, Ahwol quickly became happy.

“Following Father’s will, I will also strive to continue this glory as a descendant of the Phoenix Family.”

“Yes, your father believes you will become an excellent emperor.”

Gon Hak-yeo nodded with satisfaction.

“You must be tired from the long journey. Let’s go to the banquet hall. I’ve prepared your favorite foods.”

“Thank you, Father.”

It was when Ahwol was about to quickly follow.

Suddenly, the sound of birds chirping came from outside.

Tweet— Tweetweet—

The Emperor, who had been about to go out affectionately with his son, stopped walking. Seeing his father like this, Ahwol tilted his head.

“Father? What’s wrong?”

“Ah, no. Come to think of it, there’s one matter I haven’t taken care of.”

Gon Hak-yeo said with a smile.

“It will be finished quickly, so go ahead first. I’ll follow soon.”

“Yes, Father.”

Ahwol went outside, and the office door closed.

The Emperor hardened his expression and approached the window to open it. A small tit bird quickly flew into the office.

“Little Bird, didn’t you say you hadn’t revealed your existence to Ahwol yet?”

Gon Hak-yeo showed signs of displeasure.

Poof.

Choa, who had returned to human form, hurriedly knelt and bowed.

“Please forgive me, Master. It was such an urgent matter that I had no choice.”

“An urgent matter? Very well, what is it? Tell me.”

“I think I’ve discovered the whereabouts of the child you’ve been searching for, Master.”

“Wasn’t she supposed to have passed away?”

Gon Hak-yeo frowned. At the moment when the air in the room seemed to grow cold, Choa instinctively bowed her head even lower.

Choa swallowed nervously and reported.

“Yes, it turns out she was apparently cast out from the Great Antlered Deer Family. But that’s not the important part.”

“Then what is?”

“They say that child has now become the daughter of the Golden Dragon Family.”

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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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