The Granddaughter of the Manhyang Escort Agency Hides Her Magic - Chapter 25

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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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Chapter 25

“Madam! The wind is cold, what are you doing here?”

Baekrim hurriedly approached Dang Mihee, took her hands, and blew warm breath on them.

The fact that he was exceptionally devoted to his wife was well known throughout the Escort Agency.

It was inevitable since Dang Mihee was the youngest daughter of the head of the Sacheon Dang Family, one of the Five Great Families.

So when Dang Mihee and Baekrim’s marriage was announced, many people reacted with surprise.

Even Baekrim, who had met Dang Mihee in Sacheon during an escort mission and naturally promised marriage, thought it was a marriage that favored him. So he expected the Sacheon Dang Family to vehemently oppose their union.

But for some reason, the Sacheon Dang Family readily accepted Baekrim.

And unlike the Sacheon Dang Family’s tradition of treating daughters married into other families as outsiders, this generation’s family head spared no support for Dang Mihee.

The fact that Baekrim, who had mediocre martial arts skills, could build his own power within the Escort Agency while the Biwongak head hesitated was largely thanks to Dang Mihee’s contribution.

The Sacheon Dang Family directed work to Baekrim as the family head’s son-in-law, and the clever Dang Mihee increased Baekrim’s friendly forces through politics within the Escort Agency.

Therefore, while the official head of Yuwon Pavilion was So Baekrim, the real power behind it was Dang Mihee.

She stared intently at Baekrim.

“Where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?”

“Well, you see, dear. I’m going to Biwongak. That Cheonrim fellow dares to take our Mando and mistreat him. So I’m going to rescue my son.”

Dang Mihee raised one eyebrow.

“The Biwongak head did that to Mando?”

A hollow laugh escaped her lips. She clearly didn’t believe Baekrim’s words at all.

“Honey, it’s true.”

Baekrim poked the Captain’s solar plexus with his elbow.

The Captain barely swallowed his groan and felt Dang Mihee’s gaze. Under the cold stare of the chilly beauty, the Captain’s breath caught.

‘That’s right, the madam is also a master!’

The Captain’s mind became confused after encountering masters in succession after a long time.

When the Captain could only sweat profusely without answering, Dang Mihee frowned. Guessing there was a hidden story, she said:

“If the Biwongak head acted that way, I should go see for myself.”

“Y-you, dear?”

“Yes, it’s about time I met Shin Ah too. You stay here, husband.”

Dang Mihee turned around before Baekrim could even answer.

The sickly child now running around energetically, the strange incident Mando supposedly experienced, the news that Cheonrim and Hyeokho had met privately twice – everything bothered her.

‘Is the Biwongak head trying to interfere in Escort Agency affairs? I can’t let that happen. This Escort Agency is mine down to every roof tile. And it will become Mando’s.’

Dang Mihee’s eyes flashed with a sharp blue light as she headed toward Biwongak.

* * *

After laying Mugyeol down in the Biwongak quarters and entrusting Shin Ah to Danmi, Cheonrim entered the Biwongak guest hall.

This was after he had given Mando separate tasks to do for questioning.

Ok Chifung, who had already entered the guest hall, jumped up and warmly embraced Cheonrim.

That was sufficient greeting. They didn’t need to ask how each other had been.

Mugyeol could guess from Chifung’s attire, and Chifung from the series of situations he had witnessed at Bogukgak – they both understood each other’s circumstances.

“Please sit. I told the servant to bring some snacks, so they’ll bring them soon. It looks like you rushed here immediately upon receiving my letter.”

Cheonrim released Chifung and gestured to a seat as he spoke.

“I did. By the way, you remembered well. What I used to say – if you need to contact me, send letters to Heuksa Inn in Habuk.”

“How could I forget? Wasn’t that what you said every time you left people at the Escort Agency when coming and going? Or should I say writing since you left a letter? Anyway, thank you for coming.”

“How could I refuse your request? So you want to entrust children to me? When you say children… all the children I saw earlier?”

Chifung grimaced, recalling Mando and Ilbi’s insolent attitudes.

Cheonrim waved his hand so vigorously that wind stirred from his sleeve.

“No. The children I want to entrust are my daughter Shin Ah and my son Cheondo.”

“Shin Ah – that tiny child with her hair tied up like dumplings? That child is your daughter? Ha!”

Chifung clicked his tongue.

“Why are you so surprised?”

Chifung blinked and recalled past events.

The attitudes of Cheonrim and the child at Bogukgak had been unusual. Still, he hadn’t thought she could be his daughter.

For a child of the So Family Estate, Shin Ah’s clothes were too shabby, and the sight of her wandering alone without even a servant, even within the safe Escort Agency, had been too striking.

How else would he have initially mistaken the child for one of the servant girls?

“Doesn’t she resemble me? I often hear we’re like two peas in a pod.”

Cheonrim scratched his cheek. Chifung stared at him intently, then slowly nodded up and down.

“Now that I look, she does resemble you. She’s exactly like your childhood face.”

He wondered why he hadn’t recognized it.

“Right? She resembles me, doesn’t she?”

Cheonrim grinned happily. Chifung clicked his tongue and asked:

“Where is Cheondo?”

Chifung had seen Cheondo when he was about five years old.

“Originally he should have been at the training ground with Shin Ah, but somehow he only arrived after we left Bogukgak. I told him to do basic training at the quarters for now. Should I call him?”

“Later.”

Chifung spoke firmly. Sensing a negative tone in those words, Cheonrim’s expression darkened slightly.

When the conversation fell into a brief lull, sounds came from outside.

“Pavilion head, I’ve brought refreshments.”

Chifung’s face brightened. Cheonrim smiled.

“You still love eating.”

“Eating and living are human basics, so naturally they should be valued.”

Cheonrim smiled lightly.

“Come in.”

The door opened and servants entered. Steam rose from the food on the trays, and appetizing aromas made one’s mouth water.

He had expected simple refreshments, but it was a fine meal. There were freshly steamed dumplings, Gyeongjang Yuksa, and even alcohol to accompany them.

In an instant, a table worthy of a feast was set.

Cheonrim picked up the wine bottle first. As he poured wine into Chifung’s cup, he asked:

“You probably didn’t have breakfast either?”

Chifung stroked his chin and shook his head. Remembering Shin Ah who had given him rice balls, a warm smile spread across Chifung’s lips.

“I met a kind-hearted child and got fed. So I’m not hungry, but considering your thoughtfulness, shall I try some?”

Chifung picked up his chopsticks. Despite saying he wasn’t hungry, brilliant chopstick work followed.

Cheonrim worried Chifung might choke and refilled his cup whenever it emptied.

When about half the food had disappeared, Chifung put down his chopsticks with a satisfied expression.

After rinsing his mouth with alcohol, he suddenly asked:

“How is life at the Escort Agency?”

Though asked lightly, the content was heavy.

“As you can see.”

Cheonrim pointed to the table. It meant he was eating and living well, but Chifung made a displeased expression.

“Looking at that fellow in charge of Bogukgak education, he’s no good. A subordinate blocking his superior’s path – that’s something that could never happen at Mount Hua.”

“I haven’t been paying attention to Escort Agency affairs, so that’s why. I’ve been hands-off from Escort Agency business for quite some time.”

Even when he pointed out problems, Cheonrim tried to brush it off vaguely. Chifung made a disapproving expression, but Cheonrim chuckled and subtly changed the subject.

“Anyway, please seriously consider my proposal. I’m not asking you to take my children as formal disciples. Just for a short while, please. And there’s one more child I’d like to ask about.”

Chifung tilted his head while holding his wine cup. Cheonrim spoke without dragging it out:

“Mugyeol – the child you carried on your back from Bogukgak earlier.”

“Ah, that little one?”

A smile formed on Chifung’s lips as he recalled Mugyeol. Sensing a connection in that smile, Cheonrim asked:

“Do you know that child?”

“Of course I know him – I’m the one who left him here. It’s been about 3 years? Didn’t you take him in knowing I had left him?”

“No, I had no idea. You didn’t tell me separately and there was no letter either.”

Cheonrim shook his head.

‘When and how did Mugyeol come to the Escort Agency?’

As Cheonrim searched through his memories from three years ago, a fragment of recollection surfaced in his mind.

“Ah!”

“Why? Do you remember? It was you, wasn’t it?”

Cheonrim let out a small laugh and denied it.

“It wasn’t me.”

“Then?”

“Shin Ah brought him.”

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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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