Im Ha-yeon’s cooking skills had certainly improved immensely.
“I made soy beef for the main dish.”
With simple side dishes and a main course that boasted a strong flavor, along with the rice I liked and even soup!
It was a perfect meal to start the day.
“Huh.”
So that’s why I heard bustling sounds in the early morning. Did she really wake up early to prepare this despite being short on sleep?
“This time, I prepared everything myself. I did ask the innkeeper for a bit of advice…”
Im Ha-yeon said to me, fidgeting with her hands, looking a bit shy.
“It’s delicious. Let’s eat together.”
Just a few months ago, she didn’t even know how to cook, yet here she was at this level.
I couldn’t help but admire whether it was the innkeeper’s good teaching skills or Im Ha-yeon’s great ability to absorb knowledge.
“Mm.”
Today, she seemed pleased, enjoying her meal without unnecessary chatter.
“….”
“Miss Zhuge, is something not to your taste?”
Miss Zhuge had tasted a few side dishes and was staring at me without saying a word.
Is there perhaps a dish she dislikes?
“No. It’s… um, edible.”
She glanced at Im Ha-yeon and nodded, albeit cautiously.
“It seems this meal made by Ha-yeon will be the last. From dinner onwards, Miss Sibi will be cooking.”
Lunch at the inn, and dinner will be prepared by Miss Sibi, so this was the end of Im Ha-yeon’s cooking for now.
I exaggeratedly made a disappointed face as I spoke to Im Ha-yeon.
“If you want, I can keep making meals.”
“……I’m looking forward to dinner.”
“Just complain already!”
“The, the taste was fine.”
She has indeed improved, but growing from nothing is still growth.
While having meals made by a woman is a dream, it seems like for daily meals, expert food would be better.
“Ha, I’ll go prepare some tea.”
Did I have something on my face? Or does Miss Zhuge not eat breakfast often?
She ate her food barely touching it and kept stealing glances at me silently until the meal was finished.
“Thank you.”
Miss Zhuge and I decided to finish the meal with tea poured by Im Ha-yeon.
“……?!”
Miss Zhuge took a sip of the tea Im Ha-yeon had poured and looked shocked as she stared at the cup.
“Haha, Miss Ha-yeon brews tea very well.”
I didn’t usually have the habit of drinking tea, but I made sure to drink it as long as it was prepared by Im Ha-yeon.
“There are snacks too, so let me know if you’d like some more.”
As Im Ha-yeon offered the snacks, Miss Zhuge glanced at her with a peculiar expression before picking up a treat.
The meal seemed to be wrapping up, so shall we discuss some business matters?
“I have something to discuss with the ladies.”
—————
“It seems that the branch’s book organization is nearing completion, so let’s discuss promotional matters.”
Living together is great, especially in the mornings.
With the branch owner, the store manager, and the mid-level management all gathered together in the living room of the mansion to discuss.
Of course, having the most beautiful women in Hubei sitting on either side of me was visually pleasing enough; I didn’t even need to mention that.
“Considering the reputation of ‘The Rise of the Tang Family,’ shouldn’t we be able to promote it without much effort?”
Im Ha-yeon set her teacup down on the table, tilting her head at my words.
‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ was a well-known book in Hubei Province, and it was true that its fame had spread even more due to the fake Ho Pil incident.
There were even people inquiring about it at the branch before the opening!
“Perhaps the number of people visiting the Da Seogak because of ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ might be lower than expected. If someone is a book lover, they might acquire and read ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ through various means.”
Although it wasn’t sold in Wuhan, readers might have received copies bought from Yichang or other cities where pirated prints circulated.
“That could be the case. Unlike Yichang, there are many large bookstores like Man Geum Bookstore, hence we should consider the competitors.”
“That’s why I want us all to brainstorm methods to promote Wuhan Da Seogak. Miss Zhuge, do you have any thoughts?”
“……”
I turned my head, and Miss Zhuge had a blank expression as if she was lost in thought.
“Miss Zhuge?”
“Yes, ho…. No! I mean, Master Kang!”
Was she daydreaming? Or is she just sleepy after breakfast?
As I explained the marketing again, Miss Zhuge shook her head.
“Then I suppose it’s time for me to share my plan.”
Of course, it’s unrealistic to expect bright ideas to pop up right after waking.
I looked back and forth between the two women.
“Do you have something figured out?”
I nodded at Im Ha-yeon.
There are readers who have already read ‘The Rise of the Tang Family.’ Those who have heard of it by name but not actually read it too.
I had one strategy prepared for readers who would soon become avid fans.
“For the grand opening of the branch, how about we offer signed copies from the author, Ho Pil, as a prize?”
My strategy was to provide signed editions.
It was a promotional tactic commonly used even in modern times.
“Eh? A signed copy from who?”
“Ho, Ho Pil, the author’s signed copy.”
The two women jumped up from their seats, staring at me in shock.
“When someone buys a book, they get a lucky draw ticket, and then we’ll hold the drawing at the end of the month.”
“Ho Pil’s signed copy…”
“This method would likely increase the chances of existing readers of ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ buying it from our branch.”
“With that, even the members of the Tea and Book Club would come to make purchases.”
“Um, could I also buy one?”
It might be too early for her to be surprised. I smirked and opened my mouth to speak.
“But that’s not the end of it.”
There’s still more to the plan!
“You’re making me anxious with that smile.”
That’s too harsh. I’d like her to look forward to it.
“In the first month, one volume, the second month two volumes, and the third month three volumes will be given as signed copies.”
“Then that means if someone wants to get back their signed copy after buying all the first volumes, they’d have to buy them all again, right?”
“Yes. To obtain all three signed editions, one would have to purchase again next month, even after buying them.”
By having the draw repeated three times over a designated period. To receive the signed copies, they’d have to keep buying ‘The Rise of the Tang Family.’
“Wow…”
“That’s so savvy of you. Why don’t you offer an additional gift for people who collect all three?”
Im Ha-yeon seemed pleased to reunite with the shady merchant Kang Yoon-ho, staring at me as if I was unbelievable.
“Of course, Miss Ha-yeon. You really understand my intentions.”
How did she know?
“Eh?”
“Those who collect all three signed volumes will get a signed copy of the fourth book when they purchase it. What do you think? Is that not enough to make collectors drool?”
Don’t just be satisfied with receiving one signed copy.
If you collect all signed copies, you’ll get the next one for free. If you stop drawing, you can’t get the signed fourth copy. So keep trying your luck until you collect them all.
It was an evil gacha method known as the complete gacha.
“……”
“Haah. I feel I’ve been tainted myself…”
While Miss Zhuge couldn’t seem to close her mouth, Im Ha-yeon sighed softly with a bittersweet expression.
———————-
“It’s a good idea, but there’s a problem.”
Im Ha-yeon heated the teapot again and spoke to me.
“What problem are you talking about?”
“After obtaining permission from Mr. Ho Pil for the signed copies, handing over the signed books to the Da Seogak, and once Mr. Ho Pil has personally signed them, it would be a long process to receive them back and send them as cargo.”
Given that Yichang was as far as Siwon, the distance was comparable to going from Seoul to Busan.
Even though it’s a river route, factoring in round trips, it would take ages before we even opened, let alone receiving the signed books.
That was a valid concern.
“I have a way, so just trust me.”
Actually, I had anticipated such a scenario and had prepared in advance.
When the time is right, I’ll just say that Ho Pil sent them.
“If you say so, then I suppose that’s how it is.”
“……”
Why does Miss Zhuge keep staring at me like that?
Feeling her unwavering gaze, I turned my head to the side.
“Miss Zhuge, is there something on your mind?”
As I turned, she awkwardly averted her gaze and spoke.
“Um, is it that Mr. Ho Pil will be visiting in person?”
No, he’s right here.
“Oh! That’s true. If Mr. Ho Pil comes in person, that’d be great.”
“That’s not the case, but I have my methods, so don’t worry too much. Does anyone else have good ideas apart from mine?”
“……”
Miss Zhuge is a pass, to be honest, she’s not one to assert herself even if she had opinions. I’d have to ask later, perhaps in a diary or something.
“How about distributing flyers?”
As I shifted my gaze to Im Ha-yeon, she offered an idea.
“Just like when we opened the inn?”
“But this time, the branch employees should wear cheongsams while distributing them.”
“……”
Genius.
“Why? Can’t we make them do it together with the guards?”
No need to feel shy. This is definitely a thumbs-up idea.
“Looks like we can conclude the meeting now.”
Seeing her applying my advertising techniques alongside the complete gacha concept was delightful.
I even gave Im Ha-yeon a small round of applause.
“What are you talking about?”
Im Ha-yeon waved her hands, sporting a smile that was a mix of sweetness and bitterness.
“Um…”
“Yes, Miss Zhuge.”
Could it be that Miss Zhuge has come up with an idea worthy of applause? If so, I should give her a round of applause too.
I looked at her in anticipation.
“What’s a cheongsam?”
“Miss Zhuge, it seems you haven’t seen the staff’s cheongsams yet.”
Since we need to tailor expensive silks for the new employees, we haven’t given out cheongsams to the staff yet.
“Shall I show you?”
Im Ha-yeon attempted to rise from her seat as if making a generous offer.
“Wait until the cheongsams for the staff are finished.”
No way.
What time is it for dressing up?
“Eh? Is that really necessary?”
“We have a lot to do today.”
“It won’t take much time…”
“It’ll probably be tight even if we start now, so let’s get moving. I’ll help you clean up.”
Although Im Ha-yeon looked at me with a somewhat suspicious expression, it was true, so she ended up assisting me with the cleanup.
Thank goodness.
That went smoothly.
Honestly, I couldn’t bear to mention that I’d asked for Miss Zhuge’s cheongsam to be tailored to match the Man Geum Battlefield, hoping to see both of them wear them together.
“Ugh, it really makes me feel so inadequate.”
Being a main wife requires excellent skills in managing everything.
Appearance, work, cooking, tea brewing; the more I look, the less I see areas where I fit in.
“I want to help Master Kang like Sister Ha-yeon does…”
What can I, who only has drawing and daydreaming skills, possibly do better than Sister Ha-yeon?
The youngest daughter of the Zhuge clan, Zhuge Hyang, a building owner and idler, murmured in despair alone in her room.
“Miss Zhuge, I see you haven’t cleaned your room either!”
“Huh!”
Suddenly, Sibi barged in. Zhuge Hyang stood up in surprise at the unexpected visitor.
“Here are the personal details you requested about Master Kang and information on Mr. Ho Pil. The Head of Guards compiled it well for you.”
“Thank you!”
“I’ll clean the outside first, so please sort out any items you need to one side.”
Sibi glanced at the cluttered state of Zhuge Hyang’s room and sighed internally, then rolled up her sleeves and went outside.
“Come to think of it, this isn’t the time for that.”
Zhuge Hyang dashed to her desk with the information Sibi provided.
A realization from yesterday.
Why do Master Kang’s handwriting and Mr. Ho Pil’s handwriting look so similar?
Why does Master Kang’s diary sound similar to the prose style of “The Rise of the Tang Family”?
The sense of incongruity I felt during breakfast. She began to mentally lay out the information she had received alongside the new information and the facts she had observed.
“I definitely need more evidence.”
If her reasoning were a formation, she was short of just one line or one stone to complete it.
How could she find the evidence? Zhuge Hyang recalled a room filled with evidence across the hallway.
No, I can’t. That wouldn’t be polite. But the truth is in there. Is there anything more important than that?
After much deliberation, Zhuge Hyang nodded.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been on a mission.”
The master of stealth in the house, an escape artist, a master of formations. Zhuge Hyang took one box out of the corner.
“I won’t get caught.”
I’m getting ready to sneak into Master Kang’s room.
After quickly finishing my work and opening the door to my room, I saw a familiar box.
What is this?
As I opened the door, the box seemed to want to escape as fast as it could. Oh no, crash. I quickly closed the door!
“Ngah!”
A small, barely audible scream echoed from within the box.
‘Why is it in my room?’
When I took my eyes off the box, it looked hazy around it.
Is that the formation that disrupts recognition I saw before?
As I panicked and moved next to the door, the box seemed to realize there was no obstacle to an escape route and cautiously began to move.
Although I could see everything clearly.
“Miss Zhuge.”
“……”
The box shook as if startled.
“You know I can see you in the box, right?”
“Huh? How do you know?”
Ah, that’s called focus. I can see the box too.
“If you have something to say, please take off the box first.”
“Hah! It’s Master Kang!”
The box popped off in one go. Zhuge Hyang looked up at me like a beaver that had its home suddenly demolished.
“What brings you to my room?”
“Um, um, it’s just that… um, this.”
Zhuge Hyang cautiously handed me a familiar book.
The book she handed over was the signed copy of “The Rise of the Tang Family” by Ho Pil.
Did she come looking for a signed edition as she’s a devoted reader of “The Rise of the Tang Family”?
“Master Kang, can I ask you one thing?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
This could be awkward. Was she going to ask why the signed edition was here?
I pondered whether to tell her I received it beforehand and passed it to her or to express my anger for carelessly entering a man’s room.
As a multitude of various thoughts sped through my mind…
Zhuge Hyang, with an utterly serious expression, brought up a question that made me forget everything.
“You’re Ho Pil, aren’t you?”
