“What’s the news?”
Murong Sang-a’s eyes trembled slightly, betraying her anxiety at the mention of important news from Joseon.
It was only natural for her eyes to flutter. For Murong Sang-a, news from Joseon meant the treason incident involving the Kang family and the tragic fate of her husband’s lineage, along with the execution of the Supreme Commander a year later.
However, contrary to her apprehensive premonitions, the words that came from the Great Lord of Spear Peak were joyous news.
“They report that all the women of the Kang family who had fallen into servitude have been successfully rescued.”
Many women from the Kang family had suffered and perished due to the treason incident, but a few had survived and become servants in the process. Murong Sang-a had poured her heart into rescuing them, and now, a promising update had arrived.
“Is it true?”
Murong Sang-a’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected news of their complete rescue.
“Yes, as per the lady’s orders, we managed to recruit those who had been indebted to the Kang family and, through them, we have successfully brought back all the women from the Kang family who had fallen into servitude.”
Murong Sang-a recalled the absurd mistake made by the team she sent to Joseon last year, where they were rejected in their attempts to rescue the women of the Kang family. After that, she organized another rescue party to send to Joseon.
“That’s a relief. Truly a relief.”
A long-lost smile of relief bloomed on Murong Sang-a’s face.
“However, I must report that more funds were consumed than expected, which is quite regrettable.”
“It doesn’t matter whether it was double or triple the expenses. All that matters is rescuing the people of the Kang family who have suffered. Where have you sheltered them?”
With a slightly flushed face, Murong Sang-a asked the Great Lord of Spear Peak.
“We originally intended to shelter them in Yodong Province, but they all firmly rejected leaving the Joseon Peninsula where their families are buried, so we have sheltered them in a safe place. It is a location where they can avoid prying eyes, with beautiful scenery and clear waters, making it a good spot for them to recuperate.”
“It’s a pity we couldn’t care for them more lavishly if we had brought them to Yodong Province.”
The shorter the distance for news to travel, the more frequently one can care for others. Murong Sang-a revealed a hint of regret.
“No one easily leaves their hometown, even if life turns into hell.”
The people of the Kang family and those from the Murong family felt the same. The Great Lord of Spear Peak muttered bitterly as he looked out the window at the landscape of the Murong family.
“It’s because of me that they have suffered. Spend as much as needed. Ensure that their lives are not lacking in anything.”
While Murong Sang-a understood the Great Lord’s words, she intentionally set aside the family matters that required immediate attention and focused on the well-being of the Kang family.
“Surely they would have their concerns.”
“And perhaps…”
A hesitant voice escaped Murong Sang-a’s brightened face as she looked at the Great Lord with troubled eyes.
What kind of hesitation could it be? What concerns could she have? The Great Lord of Spear Peak immediately grasped what his lady was troubled about.
“Do not even think about going to apologize.”
His voice was firm.
“They are people who have suffered because of me.”
“The mental and physical shock has been too great, and they harbor resentment towards the Murong family that has reached the heavens.”
“That’s precisely why I must go myself.”
As the Great Lord urged against it, Murong Sang-a’s resolve only grew stronger.
She must not be sent. If the lady were to meet with the people of the Kang family, it would undoubtedly lead to disaster on either side. The Great Lord of Spear Peak thought about Murong Sang-a, who was determined to go apologize.
The lady was overflowing with guilt to the point where she could not contain it and refused to bend her will.
It had been two years since the Murong family had been split in two.
Had it been last year, it would have been impossible for the Great Lord to dissuade her from going.
However, even in moments when it was difficult to halt her, the Great Lord now knew how to help her reconsider.
“If you appear before them now, it would be like throwing a torch into the fragile peace they’ve just begun to find. If Master Kang were to know that his family and wife are meeting, he would not wish for it.”
The only means to momentarily pause Murong Sang-a was to mention her unforgettable love.
“…It’s because of me that they have suffered.”
The Great Lord’s words struck home.
Murong Sang-a hesitated at the mention of Master Kang. Did he truly feel that way? Would he have said that now is not the time for her to appear before her family for the sake of their well-being?
After asking herself repeatedly in her mind, she eventually expressed a faint, reluctant rebuttal.
“Lady, you don’t have to do it right now. It doesn’t have to be immediately. In my youth, I had an enemy whom I loathed so intensely over a trivial misunderstanding. But as the years went by, we looked at each other’s faces, now marred with more wrinkles than scars, and only then could we share a bottle of wine.”
“It’s not a trivial misunderstanding!”
Murong Sang-a winced at the pain of her own mistakes.
“That’s why more time is needed. When the years have passed and their faces bloom with smiles, when the deep, bloody wounds have turned into past scars, then you may stand before them and ask for forgiveness.”
“…How could I ever ask for their forgiveness?”
“I only wish to at least ease their wounds and resentment, to take their curses upon myself.”
Murong Sang-a could not lift her head in despair.
“The Murong family depends on you. The Changbong Hall where you stand is a place where people are devoted solely to you. So please give each other some time.”
Murong Sang-a could not easily refute the Great Lord’s words.
“Serve them with all your might.”
Before going to the side of the Supreme Commander, one day she would stand before them.
She did not seek forgiveness. She wanted to stand before them without escape, to endure their rage.
After firming her resolve, Murong Sang-a shifted the conversation.
“What news of the Supreme Commander?”
She inquired about the news she had been yearning for.
“Are you referring to Master Kang’s remains?”
“Yes. Have we succeeded in finding them? If there is any news of who retrieved them, where they were buried, please tell me.”
Her voice held a sense of urgency as if she were on edge.
There was no way she wouldn’t be anxious. Kang Yoon-ho’s body had been unearthed and dismembered.
Being the corpse of someone involved in treason, no one dared to recover it, leaving it abandoned on the streets, and all that was heard was that someone had taken it away.
As a wife, the humiliation of being unable to find even one grave for her husband always hung heavily upon her.
“It’s still an enigma.”
The Great Lord replied solemnly, almost as if apologizing for his answer.
“You were told to spare no expense in rescuing the people of the Kang family and finding the Supreme Commander’s body, weren’t you?”
“There are limits to investigations in a foreign land, no matter how much money is spent.”
“Have you found no traces at all?”
“The rumors are rampant.”
“Rumors?”
“There are whispers that someone carrying a load disappeared with the body, suggesting a former servant of the Kang family took the risk to recover it.”
“That sounds plausible.”
“If someone were to be caught while retrieving Master Kang’s remains, that person too would be dragged into the treason and could be killed. So even if someone did recover it, we have no way of knowing.”
“Does that mean we may never find the Supreme Commander’s body?”
Murong Sang-a’s voice was brimming with despair.
Understanding the lady’s heart, the Great Lord sought to bring forth a more hopeful possibility.
“There are rumors that it was someone close to Master Kang who took it away.”
“Someone who was close to the Supreme Commander? Right. He must have had friends too. Perhaps if we inquire with his friends in Joseon, someone might step forward to share news?”
A glimmer of hope appeared for Murong Sang-a.
“It’s not a friend; um, ahem.”
The Great Lord hesitated momentarily, contemplating whether to share this information.
“Speak.”
“There are whispers that courtesans secretly took it away.”
“…Courtesans?”
Her voice took on a chilling tone.
“It’s only speculation. There are orphans among the courtesans, and among them might be one who had a connection with Master Kang and managed to take it.”
“A courtesan who had feelings for my husband has his body… A courtesan who loved him…”
Though the Great Lord tried to mitigate the situation with words, Murong Sang-a noticed all too well the implications.
As she repeated those words, the air grew strangely heavy.
The Great Lord quickly shifted to discussing other possibilities.
“The highest likelihood is that those who moved Master Kang’s body took it with them. They’ve reportedly lost all trace of the guard unit and servants who took the body back to Joseon. They probably kept their loyalty to the end.”
“Then we should start looking into them.”
Murong Sang-a, clearing the surge of strong emotions, spoke with a calm voice.
“Yes, it’s not that there are no leads. So please wait a little longer, and good news will come.”
“Find out who retrieved the body. I don’t care if they are courtesans or servants. They are all deserving of our gratitude. If it takes a fortune, spend it. If they demand a fortune to return the Supreme Commander’s remains, give it to them.”
Her will was unwavering and resolute.
“My lady.”
“The Supreme Commander could be enduring the cold winds somewhere. Find him quickly.”
The voice of a wife who had lost her husband’s grave was filled with desperation.
————————
Murong Sang-a, troubled by the news from Joseon, found herself at the Head Family’s Hall.
“What is it?”
As she entered, she found a doctor she had brought in checking on her father’s condition.
“I came to see my father’s face. How is he doing?”
“All I can do is ensure he sleeps comfortably and sweats less.”
“His face looks better than before.”
Murong Sang-a observed her father. Though he still could not rise, there was a bit more color in his face.
What thoughts would her father have upon seeing her now? Matters about the Kang family, the establishment of the Changbong Hall, the re-exploration of the Sacred Martial Library. What would he say if he could stand?
Though her father’s condition had slightly improved, Murong Sang-a felt as if she were spiraling deeper into a maze with every step forward.
“I’m about to leave soon.”
The words of the doctor jolted Murong Sang-a from her troubled thoughts.
“Thanks to you, I gained some leads. I wish you could stay a bit longer.”
“I’ve done all I can as a doctor. I reported the symptoms in detail to the Sichuan Tang Family’s visiting team, and the doctors affiliated with the Changbong Hall are skilled enough that they’ll understand my symptoms and prescriptions, so they can proceed just like me.”
“Still…”
“Even if I stay here longer, it won’t bring the Head of the Family to his feet. But if I leave this place, I can save many others.”
Determined to treat not just a few high-ranking individuals in the palace but many others, the doctor’s resolve was clear.
Murong Sang-a read the doctor’s eyes, chose not to dissuade him, and offered a respectful farewell.
“Thank you for everything. Thanks to you, I’ve gained a glimmer of hope for my father’s recovery.”
“Such beauty on both sides. One side is a tomboy while the other is so dignified…”
The doctor was amazed by Murong Sang-a’s clean-cut refusal and farewell, recalling someone else with a mumble.
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing. I just happened to think of a certain mischievous girl doubting whether she’d ever get married.”
The doctor muttered in a way that seemed to imply a woman only truly matures through marriage, before bowing to Murong Sang-a and taking his leave.
———-
As Murong Sang-a left the Head Family’s Hall and made her way to the Changbong Hall.
“Ahem. Please wait a moment.”
One of the elders from the Elders’ Council quietly beckoned her over.
