The Survival Story Of A Fallen Lady - Chapter 33

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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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A Fallen Noble’s Survival Record — Episode 33
The sharp scent of ink hung thick throughout the Administrative Chamber.
Seo Heon’s brush moved without pause, working through documents stacked high as a mountain.
Just then, Chief Steward Noh adjusted his spectacles and exhaled a heavy sigh.
“My lord, we’ve placed Jin Jaein’s family in the finest Guest Pavilion, at least.”
Dissatisfaction threaded through his voice.
When Seo Heon set down his brush and looked up, the old steward cleared his throat unnecessarily.
“Ahem—I saw it with my own eyes, just as you said. The way they ignored our Jin Jaein! I’ve made certain the servants know to attend her without fail.”
Our Jin Jaein?
“I hear Wei Wang’s side wishes to bring Jin Mok-yeon into his household. It seems the Jin Clan is quite pleased to be sending both daughters to the imperial princes.”
At the mention of Wei Wang’s name, Seo Heon found his thoughts drifting to Jaein.
【Had she not been said to harbor admiration for Wei Wang once?】
Because of that, he’d long suspected whether Jaein might belong to Wei Wang’s faction.
But now Mok-yeon was being placed in Wei Wang’s Palace.
‘Jin Jaein must be troubled by this.’
Mok-yeon had originally been destined to become his Jaein.
If fate hadn’t shifted, perhaps it would have been Jaein entering Wei Wang’s Palace instead.
Seo Heon gripped his brush with a bitter taste in his mouth.
Chief Steward Noh spoke again.
“My lord, Jin Mok-yeon has made a request.”
Jin Mok-yeon?
“She wishes to invite a few daughters from nearby noble families to introduce them to Jin Jaein. She says, in the spirit of sisterhood, she’d like to provide companionship so Jaein won’t feel lonely in this distant place.”
Behind his mask, Seo Heon’s eyes narrowed to slits.
He remembered Shin Sang-rok all too clearly.
That woman who’d treated Jaein like a servant, speaking now of ‘the duties of sisterhood’?
Seo Heon picked up his brush.
[Refuse.]
He was about to write those four characters when—
“Then again……”
The steward murmured, almost to himself.
“Since Jin Jaein arrived, she hasn’t had so much as a cup of tea shared with a peer her own age.”
Seo Heon’s hand faltered.
The brush tip stilled.
“Always surrounded by the fierce warriors of the Northern Territory, clutching ledgers day after day.”
“……”
“I don’t mean to speak well of Jin Mok-yeon, my lord, but it does seem true that Jin Jaein has missed out on what she ought to enjoy at her age.”
Drop.
A single bead of black ink fell from the brush tip and struck the page.
Seo Heon stared down at the spreading stain.
‘Things she ought to enjoy.’
Because she’d voiced no complaints, he had failed to notice.
A strange land, found alone.
The Northern Territory, where she knew no one.
She’d lived fiercely all this time, having forsaken the ordinary pleasures that noble daughters took for granted.
“I noticed Jin Jaein’s hands have grown rough. She’s meant to be a Jaein, but I think it best we send her some Ja Un Go.”
Seo Heon reached out and touched the bottle of Ja Un Go resting at the corner of his desk.
Expect nothing, and allow her to expect nothing in return.
That had been the iron rule he’d set when he first brought her here.
So he’d resolved to keep his interest at a distance.
In a few years’ time, she would leave.
But……
【This is merely repaying the debt I owe to Jin Jaein.】
Yes. That’s all it is.
I’m simply fulfilling the duty any person ought to perform.
Seo Heon picked up his brush again.
[Inquire of Jin Jaein as to her wishes, then proceed. Moreover, if she desires it, arrange everything befitting her station.]
Chief Steward Noh’s face brightened at these words.
And the brush, which had paused for a moment, moved once more.
[Serve only the finest tea.]
The old steward’s mouth fell open.
The palace’s finances had never been generous, so Seo Heon himself had grown accustomed to drinking coarse tea.
But to prepare the leaves with such care.
Old Manager Noh dabbed at the corners of his creased eyes, a wetness gathering there.
“The day has come when Your Highness counts out tea leaves for a lady’s refreshments.”
This man who had never fussed over anyone in his life.
Ahem.
At Old Manager Noh’s words, Seo Heon set down his brush and turned away.
【Nonsense.】
Watching the fingers adjusting the mask’s cord, Old Manager Noh smiled with quiet satisfaction.
* * *
The Guest Pavilion’s garden bloomed with peach blossoms scattered like snow.
Two unfamiliar women sat beside Jin Mok-yeon.
“Jaein, you’ve been here all this time without greeting others your age from the noble families. I happened to know some people, so I invited them.”
Jaein studied the faces of those Jin Mok-yeon had introduced.
One was a plump woman with a round, soft impression—Seol Hong-ok.
And the one holding the crimson fan….
‘It’s Geum Mae-hui.’
A daughter of the conservative Geum Clan, who viewed Seo Heon with displeasure.
A faint note of judgment flickered in Mae-hui’s eyes.
‘A mere Jaein of servile origin.’
As the rumor went, such a thing as a Jaein meddling in politics?
“I’ve heard quite a bit about you, Jin Jaein.”
Mae-hui lifted the corners of her mouth delicately, speaking with measured grace.
“They say you involve yourself in state affairs here and there. But they also say that when a woman meddles in the nation’s business, it brings ruin….”
At Mae-hui’s words, Jaein laughed softly.
“I wonder. Isn’t it a ruler blinded by corrupt desires who ruins the nation—not the woman herself?”
A woman’s involvement in state affairs brings ruin?
In the end, it was merely cowardly blame shifted to hide behind a woman’s name.
If a woman had the power to destroy a nation, she would have the power to make it flourish.
But the name of a woman who brought a nation to prosperity would be buried behind her ruler’s name.
As Jaein answered boldly, Mae-hui’s mouth twisted.
“The Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Works are said to be so fond of Jin Jaein. You must be quite skilled at managing older men, yes? Hehehehe.”
Mae-hui waved her fan with practiced elegance.
“Why, yes. I am rather skilled at such things.”
Jaein smiled brightly toward Mae-hui.
“Though it might be more accurate to say I’m skilled at managing circumstances, rather than managing older men.”
At Jaein’s smile, the tip of Mae-hui’s fan, which had been fanning lazily, stiffened.
Just then, Young-gyo entered carrying a serving tray.
“Jin Jaein, these refreshments were personally prepared and sent by His Highness.”
“…His Highness?”
A crease appeared between Jin Mok-yeon’s brows.
Inside the refreshment box lay delicate peach-blossom cakes resembling actual blossoms, and Crystal Pastries with their transparent dough and jeweled fillings of various colors arranged in neat rows.
And the tea was….
‘Geumsa Ra Tea.’
Jaein’s hand paused for a moment as she prepared the tea implements.
It would be quite a precious tea from Muk Wang Palace.
“You’ve caused His Highness unnecessary trouble.”
“How could we show negligence toward Jin Jaein’s affairs?”
Young-gyo spoke thus while casting a sidelong glance at Jin Mok-yeon and the other young women.
Jin Mok-yeon let out a scoffing laugh.
The Crown Prince personally preparing refreshments for some mere Jaein?
‘How ridiculous. Pretending to get along in front of me, fabricating such lies through servants.’
She didn’t even realize that the more she said such things, the more foolish she looked.
Meanwhile, Jaein quietly poured the tea.
Every movement aligned perfectly with Tea Ceremony etiquette.
The moment hot water touched the leaves, a ribbon of gold shimmered like heat waves across the dark russet liquor.
Perfect temperature. Perfect aroma.
The plump woman, who had been staring at nothing but her teacup and pastries, spoke in surprise.
“It is Geumsa Ra Tea! Such a precious variety…!”
“How could we treat the palace’s guests with anything less than proper courtesy?”
When Jaein passed the cup, the plump woman who savored the aroma clapped her hands delightedly.
“This fragrance! The way you brew the tea—not a single gesture out of place!”
Flawless Tea Ceremony, executed with perfect precision.
Mok-yeon laughed at the woman’s unfeigned delight and interjected smoothly.
“Jaein has been serving tea since childhood, so she’s quite practiced at it.”
Then, seeing Jaein lift the cup to drink, she continued with apparent surprise.
“My goodness, Jaein, you’re already going to drink it? You used to only drink cooled tea, didn’t you?”
She laughed, covering her mouth.
Drinking only cold tea—that had been the mark of someone who didn’t understand tea, a transient with no refinement.
Jaein lifted her eyelids.
There had indeed been a time when she drank cold tea.
While serving the Jin Clan.
While waiting for Seo Heon.
But.
“That was once,” Jaein said quietly.
Jaein took a small sip of the warm tea, then set the cup down gently.
“In the Jin Clan, we drank Phoenix Dan Chong often.”
Jaein smiled with elegant grace.
“Phoenix Dan Chong reveals its true fragrance only after it cools—the delicate notes hidden beneath the heat of steaming brew.”
The fragrance of tea shifts with temperature.
The ability to savor these subtle changes—that is the true depth of the Tea Ceremony.
“Come to think of it, you always drank your tea piping hot, didn’t you?”
“What?”
“Next time, try tasting the Cold Aroma when the tea has cooled slightly. You’ll discover the tea anew.”
As Jaein smiled and met her gaze, Mok-yeon’s expression turned icy.
“Cold Aroma? That’s nonsense—!”
“It’s perfect!”
At the moment Mok-yeon bristled, the plump woman sipping her tea’s eyes lit up.
“There’s someone who understands the beauty of Cold Aroma!”
The plump woman’s cheeks swelled softly, round as steamed buns.
Jaein knew who she was.
Seol Hong-ok, daughter of the Seol Clan—one of the wealthiest families in Muk Wang Palace.
A woman with an honest palate, truthful in both taste and speech.
As a true epicure, she was always sincere when it came to food.
“It’s such a shame that you all don’t appreciate the beauty of Cold Aroma!”
At her genuine lament, Mok-yeon’s lips trembled.

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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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