Chapter 113

In Sichuan, there’s the Deokhyeon Prince’s Mansion.

A Prince, no less—specifically, the Emperor’s younger brother.

The Prince has never formally shown his face, but as the chief of the Tang family, the biggest noble in Sichuan, he certainly had to pay his respects during major festivals.

And just then, Prince Deokhyeon appeared, opening the door to the mansion.

“What on earth has this crazy daughter been doing all this time?”

A daughter is a daughter, and a prince is a prince.

Tang Tujung, the chief of the Tang family, was just about to bow.

When Yu, grinning, raised a finger to his lips.

At that, the chief froze, almost as if jumping into water.

“Dad? What’s wrong?”

The ‘problematic daughter’ had no manners, casually asking questions in front of the guests.

It was a huge regret that they hadn’t disciplined their lovely youngest daughter.

Though in the end, it was his fault.

“Ahem, ahem. No, no. Didn’t someone say this position is good for your health?”

Tang Tujung awkwardly crossed his legs.

It was quite an uncomfortable position.

In fact, the relationship between the royal family and the Tang family was not good.

Sichuan had belonged to the Tang family for generations.

Even before the royal family suddenly entered the scene, claiming most of the territory in Chengdu.

So one might think a complicated power struggle was about to begin, but since the royal family had withdrawn, they had been slyly siphoning off their interests ever since.

Meanwhile, Tang Tujung’s mind was racing.

What on earth could be the reason for the Prince to visit secretly?

He had lived like a ghost for over ten years.

Was he found out for hiding the newly discovered cornerstone mine?

Why did it have to be the daughter with no manners?

At that moment, it suddenly struck Tang Tujung like a bolt from the blue.

Ah! Of course! The Prince is a man too.

A match for a prince would be a top-tier husband, no doubt.

Not only is he of royal blood, but he also has the character of a gentleman, one who knows compassion and loathes disputes, making him a truly commendable person.

An air of composure spread over Tang Tujung.

Perhaps, against all odds, that troublesome daughter might end up being of help.

The chief feigned ease as he carried on, greeting each guest one by one.

“So, honored guests. Oh, you’re the direct disciple of the Grand Master? How is the Sword Mistress?”

The Grand Master’s direct disciple, Seomun Qing.

As a chief of the Tang family, it was impossible not to see through this farce, and Tang Tujung quickly felt disheartened.

Of course.

The daughter, besides her looks, had no decent qualities, and yet she was the Prince’s future queen? That had to make sense.

After all, the Prince is a man too.

“Ah, and you are. Ah. Yes. I understand.”

Just an old man serving Seomun Qing.

“It’s Choryeo, isn’t it? How could I forget? Yes, I saw you at Lady Muyong’s banquet. Is Lord Pang doing well? What? His mastery is increasing? No, that guy just swings his sword after meals.”

Pang Choryeo.

Honestly, with the decline of the five great families and the disappearance of some notable ones, nobody among the old families wouldn’t recognize Pang Choryeo.

With her size and stature, if you hear the name ‘Beautiful Heron,’ it would be forever etched in your memory.

Even Lord Pang reportedly didn’t expect her to grow this big.

People joked that if they had known, they should have named her Taesan or Taebung.

And finally, it was the turn of the Prince.

“And to you, the esteemed young master…?”

“Dad, this one’s fine. Just a tag-along.”

“A tag-along? This is Yu.”

“Um. Yes, welcome.”

Tang Tujung nodded with a face of relief.

—-

Tang Tujung had two wives and eight children. Concubines were separate.

Out of the two wives, they somehow had seven sons, and then came the shining light, the youngest daughter.

With seven older brothers, the two mothers, tired of the boys’ indifference, would swoon over her every time they saw her, almost falling to pieces.

Moreover, she was objectively a beauty belonging to the Martial World’s Five Beauties.

Do we really need to explain how she grew up?

She was indeed the first in the Tang family’s hierarchy, the cutest little rascal of the clan.

It was only because of the strict upbringing that she remained a little rascal.

Still, when the elders scolded her, she’d kneel and cry like a proper girl, so she wasn’t entirely spoiled.

And that little rascal gathered all seven brothers before dinner.

“Do you have any idea how humiliated I was by that girl in the veil? I can’t take it anymore! I’m not having it!”

Tang Nan-ah gasped with heavy breaths.

The eldest brother, Tang Jin-cheol, looked troubled.

“Oh, come on, but she’s a lady, an esteemed elder from the Dao family. We’re still a family, but if it were anyone else, she’d be the Grand Elder’s daughter.”

“What? Are you saying that after I got humiliated in front of everyone? She made me kneel and apologize before so many people!”

“But for someone that important, how can we retaliate?”

“I was crying and begging in front of everyone! Bro, are you sure you’re my brother? How can you be so heartless!?”

“Hyung, she’s right, isn’t she? No matter how esteemed she is, we don’t kneel to anyone in our family in the market!”

“It’s not about causing a ruckus. I’m just saying that I’m not feeling well and will pretend to, so let’s just pretend it was the food causing our stomachs to hurt since everyone knows the direct line has issues.”

“Ugh, bro, I need to?”

“Bro, you’re my hero! The best for sure! Ugh, what about the eldest brother? Whose side are you on?”

“No, no. I just… ”

“Then the eldest should play dumb. The third and fourth brothers will pretend to be in pain along with the youngest, so no matter what, we won’t be caught even if the gods come.”

“Ugh, bro, do I really have to…?”

“Why not just reveal the veil? I want to see how ugly her face was.”

“Then the youngest can pretend to trip and grab it.”

“No, why do I have to…?”

“Make some noise during the meal! Chat loudly and accidentally spit all over the place! Make ’em serve up the half-eaten leftovers!”

“Isn’t that specialty just for the youngest? If they sit next to her, it’ll solve itself.”

“That’s a bit… I have my dignity too…”

“Fine, let’s do it. But remember—my older brother Jin-cheol didn’t hear anything.”

“Brothers? What about my opinion…? Can you not hear me?”

“Hehe! Best brothers ever! Except for the eldest!”

The Tang family’s underhanded schemes were deepening.

Meanwhile, A-Qing wore a veil for two main reasons.

The first was Grandpa being incredibly overprotective.

The second was it wasn’t actually uncomfortable.

Among the revenues for the demonic sect, there were strange goods traded by foreign merchants over the mountains that took center stage.

Choi Riyong had visited the Sichuan branch of the demonic sect’s auction house and had snatched the most precious veil.

Originally, it was something intended for the princess of Gyeongbok, but it mysteriously vanished. Hearing of this, the merchants foamed at the mouth, but A-Qing was none the wiser.

It didn’t obstruct the view from the outside, but inside, one could see perfectly. Truly a valuable item indeed.

Even during meals, she could simply fold it down to adjust its position at the tip of her nose. She became so accustomed to it that she felt no discomfort while wearing it constantly, except while sleeping.

And a third reason existed.

A-Qing had entered the prominent family, so there was no need to act wary.

No necessity for seeking mental peace anymore.

A second reason means comfort does not mean comfort for the body.

And the first reason.

Choi Riyong also had a soft spot for the Heavenly Flower.

To Choi Riyong, the Heavenly Flower was so lackluster in comparison that she didn’t even reach A-Qing’s little toes.

After all, even a mere cat would boast if it were somewhat cute.

(It’s rough for the territorial cat though.)

Thus, Yu was merely blinking.

“…?”

“What? Didn’t you like what you saw?”

“Friend?”

“What, are you surprised seeing my bare face?”

Yu suddenly recalled a conversation where he jokingly asked if she disliked seeing a prettier woman than herself.

The reply he got was completely misinterpreted.

If Heavenly Flower wasn’t prettier than her, there would be no reason to compete, right?

“Did you really need to hide such beauty?”

“Lady, beauty, you say?”

A chill ran through A-Qing, and she slapped Yu’s arm.

“Ow, ow, okay, okay! Seriously, that hurts!”

Yu rubbed his arm, instinctively sensing he’d wake up with a dark bruise.

“Shouldn’t you mind your tone? How come you’re getting less sincere?”

“Ahem! It’s just a habit, what can I do?”

“Whatever. Let’s go grab some duck. Ugh, I’m starving to death. What time is it?”

And so, Seomun Qing descended upon the Tang family’s banquet hall.

Noticing A-Qing’s figure, Pang Choryeo immediately recognized her.

“Oh, Qing Ah, you removed the veil? Why were you hiding your pretty face? What? You don’t notice your own looks? That makes sense.”

The fourth brother of the Tang family moved first.

The youngest was startled as the fourth brother squeezed in.

“Uh, Hyung? That’s my spot…”

“Ha! How dare you eye the seat next to my sister-in-law?”

“No, it was sudden.”

“Enough, move aside, ugh.”

At that moment, another hand came from behind.

“You move aside instead! There’s a hierarchy—we can’t just leave our older brother behind and go on courting.”

In the end, the second brother took the youngest’s seat, wearing a dignified expression while squirming with delight.

Tang Nan-ah shot a fiery smile at him.

“Looks like big brother is stepping up!”

Yes, though she was a tad flustered by how surprisingly handsome he was, she was ready to give it her all.

Of course, there was no chance she would lose.

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