Mother-in-law, I believed in you.
As expected, love from a mother-in-law is unparalleled. I let out a small sigh inwardly.
Focus.
The moment I make even a single mistake, the inevitable catastrophe will arrive. I must use every situation and person to my advantage.
Everyone has gathered here. Before the situation settles and all blame points to me, I need to act faster than anyone else.
First and foremost, I needed my mother-in-law’s help.
When I quickly acknowledged the fact that I have a fiancée, I exchanged glances with my mother-in-law. She absolutely didn’t want this engagement to end in a breakup.
“Madam. Could it be that you knew this child had another fiancée?”
My father-in-law couldn’t hide his surprise as my mother-in-law suddenly spoke up.
“She said he was worth betting her entire life on.”
My mother-in-law sighed softly.
“Is that so, Father?”
“He has potential to be the best investment of your life. But there is one problem—his fiancée has promised to marry him in ten years.”
“Ten years?”
“Hwa-rin contracted a disease when she was young. The Tang Family barely found a treatment, but they said she would need care for nearly ten years.”
The fact that Hwa-rin was toxic was a secret that must not be known to the Martial Arts World. I hurriedly elaborated, making sure everyone could hear.
“The fact that there’s a fiancée in the Tang Family…”
“I thought that was fine.”
My mother-in-law moved a bit closer to her husband.
“Madam.”
“To be a man who can wait ten years for love when everyone else is forming their families… I thought a blind date would be acceptable, if only for Father’s sake.”
In truth, my mother-in-law didn’t know. She found out only after we began living together.
Her gaze landed on me. Don’t interrupt. I’ll take the blame. It was a look filled with determination.
“How can a mother allow such a thing?!”
“Hyang has fallen in love.”
“…”
The father, angry over his daughter’s matter, was left with no choice but to wear a baffled expression, in contrast to his wife’s loving smile.
“The child who used to run away at the mention of blind dates, is now flushing with red over a man. I felt a unique sensation when I heard that she’s trying to be by his side no matter what. Do you know how I felt?”
“Uh, Mom…”
It’s okay. Just listen. The mother, who worries about her daughter more than anyone else, restrained her approaching daughter.
“Then does that mean you let her live with a man who has a fiancée?”
The smoldering voice couldn’t suppress the anger directed at my mother-in-law.
“To melt the heart of a man dragged into a blind date against his will, there was no other way.”
“…!”
The father-in-law’s eyes widened in shock.
It was no wonder. The Zhuge Family had forced Kang Yoon-ho into a blind date and even made him live with her. This meant that the things the Chief of the Medical Department had said until now were somewhat based in reality.
“Father’s judgment was indeed correct. That child has become the successor of Man Geum Battlefield, and I’ve seen the hearts they hold for each other.”
“Madam. Do you know what you’re saying right now?”
“I asked him to keep quiet. That child is trying to tell you. I persuaded him to speak to me when he has children.”
My mother-in-law calmly nodded and sent a worried glance my way.
‘Son-in-law. This is all I can do for you.’
‘Thank you, Mother-in-law.’
“Madam…”
The expression on my father-in-law’s face was clearly one of distress.
The head of the Zhuge Family was now involved in the plans for the Man Geum-jeon. This could no longer be dismissed as a personal transgression of the Man Geum-jeon.
Now that it had become a matter of the Zhuge Family, the Elders’ Council’s condemnation was inevitable, and it was a situation that could escalate into a conflict between families.
“Does this mean what those Tang Family guys said was true?!”
“Lady Jang! This is no ordinary matter!”
At this rate, scrutiny from the Elders’ Council was unavoidable. My father-in-law looked at me in this awkward situation.
“Kang Yoon-ho. Will you continue to keep your mouth shut?”
Of course, I had something to say.
——
“Father-in-law.”
“I thought I had gotten to know you.”
When my father-in-law looked at me, the Head Family’s Hall fell silent in an instant.
“…”
“I thought I had begun to understand you. But now I don’t know what’s true and what is deceit.”
His disappointed voice hurt. The sadness mixed with disappointment made it even more painful.
What should I say?
Don’t hesitate. Let’s proceed as planned.
This was an opportunity crafted by my mother-in-law. She has taken on one of the huge bombs I have. Now, it’s time to defuse the next bomb.
“My name is Kang Yoon-ho. I was born with black hair, and I’ve never doubted that I am Joseon Person.”
The secret of my birth.
“That’s different from what I just heard.”
“My mother, who bore me in pain, is Joseon Person, and my father, who raised me with love, is also Joseon Person.”
I said it loud enough for everyone to hear, without a hint of hesitation. In a firm voice.
“Kang Yoon-ho!”
Of course, I needed everyone who might object to hear it too.
Thank you, Chief of the Medical Department. For reacting as expected. I turned on my heels.
“Chief of the Medical Department. Regardless of what brought me here from the Tang Family, my will to leave remains unchanged.”
Having performed this act once, I could do it again anytime. I looked at the Chief of the Medical Department with a resolute expression.
“Are you still defending them after this ordeal? What they are doing is nothing but disgraceful acting. Haven’t you felt the things they’ve done to you firsthand?!”
It felt worthwhile that I intentionally left the misunderstandings unresolved. I twisted the direction of the explosion of anger from the Tang Family.
“It’s true that I was pressured to write a novel featuring the main character of the Zhuge Family, as per the Elders’ Council.”
About the Elders’ Council.
“Ahem!”
“Cough.”
Even the infamous Zhuge Family Elders’ Council averted their eyes from the Tang Family’s justifiable anger.
“Then…!”
As the rage simmered again, I smiled at the Chief of the Medical Department.
“But in the end, my hand held the brush.”
In the end, it was written by my will.
Don’t blame it too much.
I could see the gazes of the Martial Artists of the Tang Family and the Zhuge Family Elders’ Council shifting.
“You always do it that way…!”
“I wrote for Miss Zhuge. Just as I did for The Rise of the Tang Family for Hwa-rin.”
A lie. My lies for everyone would leave different meanings imprinted on each heart.
“You are not someone who deserves to be treated like this.”
“It’s my fault.”
“I came here under the orders of Tang Family Head.”
“…”
Tang Family Head. Shouldn’t I let go of my lingering feelings? Is the father really furious because he hasn’t taken care of his son for over 20 years?
“The Elders’ Council of the Tang Family agreed to inscribe your name in the family register.”
“…”
Clearly, it was a matter that would infuriate everyone in the Tang Family. Even the Elders’ Council, who had been sensitive about me regarding the successor issue, agreed.
“Everyone is waiting for you.”
I appreciated their concern, but…
“My name is Kang Yoon-ho.”
I drew a clear line.
“Kang Yoon-ho!”
“Please continue calling me that in the future.”
“You really….”
Chief of the Medical Department, there’s no need to be too upset. The truth is, I’m not from the Tang Family; I’m actually a son of the Kang Family.
Annoyed at having to leave the somewhat regretful Chief of the Medical Department behind, I turned again.
“I’m sorry for causing a stir once more.”
I first apologized to the Elders’ Council. There was a reason I intentionally staged this situation.
‘First, eliminate the circumstances where the Elders’ Council opposes me.’
I’d create another debt to the Elders’ Council.
Since the Elders’ Council would also bear some responsibility for having made the Tang Family misunderstandings. By siding with the Tang Family, I wouldn’t allow people who would be most troubled by me to act recklessly.
“Ahem.”
“Everyone has their complicated family matters. Right?”
“Yeah. It looks like even Tang Family Head had some youthful indiscretions!”
Understanding that there’s a delicate situation, the Elders’ Council seemed to take a step back and nodded.
‘Secondly, eliminate the situation where my mother-in-law is attacked.’
Plus, I’d score points with my father and mother-in-law. Since the Elders’ Council had its mistakes, who was pointing fingers at whom? This was something to remind everyone.
Did my father-in-law understand my intentions? I could see the tension in his forehead easing as he looked at me.
“Father-in-law. These misunderstandings might be intricate, but I can certainly say one thing.”
“What is it?”
“My parents have passed away. I am Joseon Person from birth, and I will be Joseon Person until my death. Just as I told you.”
‘Thirdly. Acknowledge my bloodline.’
I wasn’t lying. I am a Joseon Person. By speaking the truth, I’d make everyone more convinced.
‘Kang Yoon-ho is the cherished son of Tang Family Head Tang Baek-ho!’
In this situation where the bomb could explode at any time, I firmly wore my protective gear.
“Yeah. I understand the reasons behind it all.”
I had finally managed to defuse the second bomb.
——
“How much of the rest is true?”
“…”
All preparations were complete.
The issue of the fiancée. The secret of my birth. Now it was time to defuse all remaining bombs.
“Really, did my father-in-law and the Tang Family Lord do such things to you…?”
“Is that really the important matter?”
I’ll start by denying the premise.
“What?”
“It’s my fault.”
Let’s begin by admitting my mistakes.
“……”
“No matter the reason, the decision was ultimately mine.”
In the way my father-in-law liked most.
Ah! I must be meeting with the guy who established a household with my daughter and can’t distinguish him from a merchant!
It’s all my fault. I acted like a merchant trying to curry favor to gain my father’s approval! Of course, I should’ve shown my true feelings to win my father’s heart!
I admitted my wrongdoing.
I didn’t make excuses.
I acknowledged it humbly and apologized.
I had already matched my answer key with my father-in-law’s, so I knew how to win his heart.
“The one who went on a blind date was me. I unilaterally decided to live together without my father’s permission. The issue with the fiancée is not my mother’s fault. I deceived you, Father.”
“Kang Yoon-ho! Ah, Dad! I know!”
“I asked Miss Zhuge to keep quiet. It was me who agreed, even if my mother spoke. I was the one who deceived you, Father.”
Of course, I didn’t intend to bear all the faults.
This is it. Sink with the bomb. There’s no way I’ll take the blame.
There’s no need to make excuses now. Everything has been set up for this moment.
Kang Yoon-ho’s fiancée is undergoing long-term care due to an illness!
I had a fiancée, but because I was forced into a blind date.
I told her to keep quiet about the existence of another fiancée because of my mother-in-law.
Kang Yoon-ho! Ah, Dad! I know!
Miss Zhuge also came to marry me, knowing about this fact.
I showed that I, the son of the Tang Family Head, can calm the discord with the Tang Family.
I don’t even need to defend myself.
I’ve made her defend me instead. Now everyone will know.
Kang Yoon-ho is merely a victim.
“Even if the start was wrong, it was I who walked the path. Thus, I wished to take responsibility.”
“You wished to take responsibility?”
“I found my heart’s song. I found a woman who will see the me behind the mask. I offered her a love that seemed unchanging for a lifetime. Therefore, I wanted to take responsibility.”
“Kang Yoon-ho…”
That man admits his mistakes. He recognizes he’s wrong and seeks forgiveness.
How would my father-in-law see me now?
Now I only have one thing to say.
“Father-in-law, please allow me to take responsibility for Miss Zhuge.”
