The Beloved Baby Priestess of the Twelve Zodiac Gods - Chapter 8

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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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Chapter 8
From the start, someone who couldn’t even manage Hwan-su had no place in the Hong Sa-ga.
While my own duration maintaining Hwan-su was still short, that would only improve with time.
The gap between being unable to do something and being inadequate at it was vast.
‘You’ll become the future mistress of the Baek Ryong-ga.’
As So So recalled Hong Yi-jin’s habitual refrain, she felt as though she already possessed everything, and her chest swelled with satisfaction.
Then a maidservant spoke up.
“My, what an unusual Daenggi. I don’t think I’ve seen this one before?”
“Oh, that.”
The Daenggi the maidservant mentioned had been found in the Byeol-gwan.
While searching the room in case A-rin might be hiding somewhere, she’d discovered it.
It was far too fine an object to belong to A-rin, so So So had claimed it without hesitation.
“Mother gave it to me as a gift.”
“Oh my, I’m so envious! I’ve never seen such a bright, brilliant yellow before. They must have used some truly precious dye.”
The maidservant held the Daenggi up to the sunlight as she spoke.
“This would suit your dress today even better, I think. Shall I change it for you?”
“Yes, please.”
“Just a moment.”
The maidservant quickly untied the old Daenggi and fastened the yellow one in its place.
Catching her reflection in the mirror, So So saw that it truly looked far better.
An honored guest had arrived, and with A-rin gone, the position of the Hong Sa-ga’s daughter was now completely hers.
Lovely attire befitting a day of satisfaction. Would there ever be another day as perfect as today?
Just then, a voice called to So So from outside.
“So So.”
So So hurried out and gasped when she saw A-hyeon.
“Wow, you look amazing today!”
“You look beautiful too, So So.”
At A-hyeon’s tender words, So So’s cheeks flushed and she laughed delightedly.
Now that affection belonged entirely to her.
The reception was filled with the members of the Hong Sa-ga household.
“Ah, you’ve arrived.”
Hong Yi-jin recognized A-hyeon and So So, then beckoned them forward.
“These are my children. Come, offer your greetings to the Divine Priestess and to the head of the Geum Ho-ga.”
So So approached with composure and paid her respects to Yeo Ryeong and Geum Do-gyeong, who stood before her.
“It is an honor to meet you for the first time. I am So So of the Hong Sa-ga. What a privilege for our house to see the Divine Priestess on such an auspicious day. May the Sipizi stand with you always.”
Having given careful attention to etiquette lessons since arriving in this house, her bearing was impeccable.
So So gazed at Yeo Ryeong with eager anticipation in her eyes.
The Divine Priestess was little short of an idol to the Sipizi.
Simply to face such a person at such close range left her overwhelmed.
Yet the man standing beside Yeo Ryeong, regarding her with a peculiar expression, opened his mouth.
“Your manners are crude.”
At those casually uttered words, not only So So’s face twisted, but so did Hong Yi-jin’s beside her.
“What do you mean by that?”
“You should keep better watch over your daughter.”
“What do you——”
As Hong Yi-jin began to protest, Do-gyeong pointed toward So So’s hair.
“That Daenggi. Is it truly yours?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“That yellow Daenggi I speak of.”
At those pointed words, So So’s heart dropped into her stomach.
It was all the worse because the object had come from the Byeol-gwan.
But she could not speak the truth, so So So’s mind raced quickly for a way out.
“Th-this is a gift that Mother gave to me……”
So So stammered her denial while gazing at Hong Yi-jin with a pitiful look in her eyes.
A child’s tears were quite effective in such circumstances, after all.
Sure enough, Hong Yi-jin moved immediately to her defense.
“Are you accusing my daughter of theft without even properly examining the matter? Apologize to my daughter at once. What sort of baseless slander is this on such a fine day?”
“How do you know it’s baseless?”
“Now see here, Do-gyeong!”
Whether Hong Yi-jin shouted or not, Do-gyeong’s gaze remained fixed on the yellow Daenggi adorning So So’s hair.
So So remained motionless in the unsettling atmosphere, watching the adults’ faces for any hint of what lay ahead.
As whispers erupted, everyone covered their mouths and muttered among themselves.
Then Geum Do-gyeong spoke.
“That daenggi was a gift I gave directly to a child I met yesterday.”
“Now you’re spinning nonsense! Who else in Hong Sa-ga is there besides So So——!”
Hong Yi-jin stopped mid-sentence.
The image of A-rin, locked away in the Byeol-gwan, flashed through his mind.
Geum Do-gyeong caught that momentary hesitation and sneered.
“There’s one more, isn’t there?”
“Now, see here, Geum Do-gyeong.”
Hong Yi-jin tried to silence him, glancing toward Yeo Ryeong.
But Geum Do-gyeong’s anger, kindled the night before while nursing A-rin, could not be stemmed.
“Did you think you could hide the truth from everyone by covering the sky with your palm?”
The celebration had turned as grim as a funeral house.
Everyone present knew So So was not truly his daughter.
Now that the secret kept for the family’s gain had been exposed, all scrambled to find their own escape.
So So’s body trembled at the situation spiraling beyond her control.
‘What do I do—she must have met A-rin yesterday!’
If she was going to leave, the least she could do was go quietly instead of causing this disaster. That useless girl was trouble to the end.
‘This is all because of her!’
So So’s resentment now extended even to the maidservant who had suggested switching the daenggi.
It was merely a pretty thing, something to possess. So So, who had never owned anything truly in her life, could not resist taking pretty things since arriving here.
She had thought it harmless—the object had no owner, after all—but now it threatened to bring calamity.
Sensing the situation spinning out of control, So So suddenly burst into tears.
“Sob, wahhh!”
At the sound of the child’s weeping, the adults’ faces darkened.
“Oh my, what do we do.”
As murmurs spread around her, So So’s sobs grew deeper and more pitiful.
Hong Yi-jin stepped in at the child’s signal.
“Don’t cry. When you cry, my heart breaks.”
He had meant to smooth things over and let the matter fade.
But the tender display between them became poison instead.
Watching the farce between Hong Yi-jin and So So, Geum Do-gyeong spoke coldly.
“This is sickening.”
It was a truly unbearable sight.
A worthless scoundrel who wouldn’t spare a glance for his real daughter, dead or alive, yet treats a fake one with such care. All because she could wield Hwan-su—a mere parlor trick.
At Geum Do-gyeong’s cutting words, Hong Yi-jin’s breathing grew harsh.
“Do you still harbor resentment over what happened back then?”
“What do you mean?”
“That I didn’t help you that day——!”
The moment Hong Yi-jin mentioned that day.
Geum Do-gyeong’s expression turned savage. His eyes widened as he issued a warning.
“Say one more word. I’ll kill you.”
In that instant, the earth shook. The banquet table toppled in moments, and chaos erupted.
Even faced with Geum Do-gyeong’s violent provocation, Hong Yi-jin did not back down.
“Are you suggesting we settle this here and now?”
As the lanterns around them suddenly blazed to life, the atmosphere grew perilous.
Earth and fire were about to collide with terrible force.
“Both of you, stop.”
With a grave voice, the trembling earth stilled and the lanterns all died in unison.
Yeo Ryeong had used Divine Power to neutralize the Sipizi’s strength.
Only then did the two men realize they stood in the presence of the Divine Priestess, and they sealed their lips.
“Household head Hong.”
“Yes, Divine Priestess.”
Hong Yi-jin regarded her with poorly concealed displeasure.
His stubborn face bore the look of someone with nothing to answer for, utterly unmoved.
From the start, Hong Yi-jin’s intention was transparent—mentioning that forbidden day to Geum Do-gyeong.
He meant to provoke the man and obscure what truly lay beneath.
But as long as Yeo Ryeong stood witness, matters would not pass so easily.
“Will you two do nothing but squabble like thunder gods?”
When Yeo Ryeong mentioned her past training days, Hong Yi-jin responded at once.
“But Geum Do-gyeong insulted my daughter first. This matter will not be overlooked.”
He seemed to assume that Yeo Ryeong had taken his side.
Yeo Ryeong’s gaze had settled on So So.
“Come here.”
When So So hesitated, Hong Yi-jin gestured for her to go.
Only then did So So, relieved, approach Yeo Ryeong.
She thought that as the eldest and most respected adult present, Yeo Ryeong would handle the matter well.
But So So could only regret her decision at once.
As So So drew near, Yeo Ryeong, as if for show, untied her Daenggi.

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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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