“Father-in-law? Is the rumor true…? The head of the family said that if the black-haired one passes the Hongcheonmirijin, he’ll give his daughter to him!”
“What? Are you saying the black-haired one is really going to become a son-in-law of the Zhuge family?!”
“Do you not know what kind of formation the Hongcheonmirijin is?”
“Still, he is a black-haired one!”
Thanks to mentioning “Father-in-law,” I just made things lively. The gathered members of the Zhuge family were instantly stirred.
It’s a good setup.
Just passing through the Hongcheonmirijin is enough to be a candidate for Deputy Head of Family. The black-haired one, who came out just like the current head of the family in seven days, confidently says he is here as promised.
“Please acknowledge my status as a son-in-law without hesitation.”
At the same time, I create the right atmosphere.
“Kang Yoon-ho.”
“Yes, Father-in-law.”
Good sign. Our Father-in-law is addressing you, you brat! Not just “the black-haired one,” but by name.
As son-in-law Kang Yoon-ho, I am touched.
“Who said I’d acknowledge you as my son-in-law?”
Forget the touchiness.
“W-what do you mean by that?”
“I said I’d acknowledge you as a son-in-law candidate, but I never said you’d be my son-in-law just by passing the Hongcheonmirijin.”
Sharp as a knife.
Having a good memory can be a problem. The mood isn’t going my way. The head of the Zhuge family is not to be trifled with.
“I-I’m sorry! I was so focused on getting recognized by my father that I might have misunderstood the formation.”
I deliberately stammered and lowered my head. It doesn’t matter if I fail to create the right atmosphere. It’s just a mistake from an inexperienced youth. I can act regretful and flustered.
It’s a bit disappointing. I thought I’d get an immediate approval since I passed in seven days.
“You’ve gone too far. However…”
Why did he stop? As I raised my head, I saw a hesitant expression on Father-in-law’s face.
Father-in-law kept looking at my bewildered face and eventually opened his mouth, seemingly unwilling.
“You did well.”
“…!”
Could it be he’s actually praising me in front of all these people? Even Miss Zhuge beside me seemed surprised, her eyes wide as she looked at her father.
How should I react? Is there a way to score points with Father-in-law? Should I run up to him, shouting, “Father-in-law!”? But if he tells me not to cross the line, that would hurt.
“What’s going on here?!”
Ignoring my turmoil, some busybodies couldn’t bear to watch the progress between son-in-law and father-in-law.
“I can’t watch any longer!”
“Head of the family!”
It’s the Elders’ Council of the Zhuge family. Just looking at their faces, I can tell. They looked furious, as if they’d be ready to swing at anyone if only they had a cane.
Let’s greet them first.
“Ah, esteemed elders of the Zhuge family, from the Man Geum Battlefield…”
“I don’t want to hear it!”
Starting off prickly, huh? Here I am, just trying to make some light, and a giant gate is about to knock me out.
Huh?
As I was trying to continue the greeting, the giant gate cast a shadow.
“Stay back.”
Father-in-law hid me behind him and said.
“What do you mean ‘stay back’!”
“I always value the elders’ advice, but it seems the situation is not good right now.”
His firm voice blocked their raging anger.
Hearing this up close was like an impenetrable wall, but hearing it from behind felt so reassuring.
“Head of the family. Are you seriously defending that black-haired one?”
“….”
Father-in-law’s eyebrows furrow.
Elders, how can you ask such difficult questions at a time when we are just getting to know each other?
If Father-in-law is protecting me, it means he’s acknowledging me as a son-in-law. If not, it means we’ll deal with the one he just acknowledged as a candidate together. There’s no easy answer.
“Hm?!”
This won’t do.
The show isn’t over yet. I should take the stage. I stepped boldly out from behind Father-in-law and bowed once more.
“It’s truly an honor to meet the esteemed elders of the Zhuge family. I am from the Man Geum Battlefield…”
“Ugh, I want to leave!”
I thought I couldn’t take it anymore now, but the elders seemed done with the chit-chat.
“Calm down, elders! I’m sure the child didn’t mean to waste your time like this.”
I quickly cut in, “I just passed the Hongcheonmirijin! I can’t be just standing here for grievances!”
“That’s right! He must have worked hard to get through!”
“Still, he’s a black-haired one…”
“It’s a bit much to say that just because he’s out now.”
“That’s true.”
With the head of the family firmly asserting himself, complaints began to arise from the gathered Zhuge family members.
“Oh dear!”
Elders, you’re in a tough spot, aren’t you? This is precisely what you call a battle of public opinion.
A feat of passing the gate in seven days. The man who ran hard for love and the woman who patiently waited for him. And the adults who are obstructing the love of the youngsters.
It’s obvious whose side we should be on.
“Uh, ahem! If the head of the family says so…”
It seemed the Elders’ Council realized the situation was unfavorable, yielding a little.
“Your name was Kang Yoon-ho, right?”
“Yes, I am Kang Yoon-ho from the Man Geum Battlefield.”
Are they not giving up? Alright. Let’s change the operation to “Please let us love.” What the heck, it seems like we’re making a musical out of today.
I must show the elders what the virtue of charm is. Although Miss Zhuge might steal my spotlight in the middle of it, I can do ventriloquism for a bit.
“Let’s have a draw and let them in.”
“…What?”
“Head of the family! Why are you suddenly so quiet?!”
Kang Yoon-ho had left, but the situation hadn’t ended.
The head of the Zhuge family, Zhuge Geuk, could only sigh inwardly at the elders who had come all the way to the Head Family’s Hall.
“You don’t think they’re really planning to make a black-haired one their son-in-law after passing the Hongcheonmirijin, do you?”
“Father-in-law? That rebellious child called you Father-in-law, and you didn’t scold him!”
“I just can’t sleep because I’m worried about you!”
“Why were those people even in that position?”
What on earth is going on? The elders look genuinely disappointed.
Unable to shake off the worry for their youngest daughter, the head of the family had been trapped in a whirlwind of work and was clueless.
“Ahem.”
“This isn’t really important, is it!”
“Did they really come just to gain a scroll? The elder Oh, who came up here looking the angriest, is not even here.”
The ironic winner of the draw was elder Oh.
“That blasted brat!”
“That kid! I can’t believe he disappeared like that without letting anyone touch him!”
“If they don’t open the door later, let’s smash it!”
The Elders’ Council expressed their rage towards the absent traitor for a while and then turned their eyes back to the head of the family.
“Anyway, it was a worthwhile position! So, you’re not really planning to make that black-haired one your son-in-law, right?”
A stone dropped into Zhuge Geuk’s agitated heart.
Was he going to accept Kang Yoon-ho as his son-in-law? He couldn’t bring himself to answer immediately. He couldn’t think of a proper response.
“You saw him pass the Hongcheonmirijin, didn’t you?”
The father of the daughter spoke of what he had seen firsthand.
“Just because someone passes the Hongcheonmirijin doesn’t mean he can become the Deputy Head of Family.”
He hadn’t thought the black-haired one would pass through the gate, but he didn’t expect the opposition from the Elders’ Council to yield easily.
“If someone passed in seven days, then things would be different.”
“….”
“I passed in seven days too, but in reality, I only came out at night. Meanwhile, that child was let in around noon and came right out at noon, so he truly came out in seven days.”
Only those who have personally experienced the difficulties of passing the Hongcheonmirijin understand how hard it is. To Zhuge Geuk, Kang Yoon-ho passing through the Hongcheonmirijin carried a weight beyond anything else.
“Are you really going to take him as your son-in-law?”
Head of the family, Zhuge Geuk, momentarily felt like nodding to the furious backlash from the Elders. Only for the father, Zhuge Geuk, to rein himself in.
Taking a deep breath, Zhuge Geuk looked at the family elders.
“We should acknowledge what needs to be acknowledged. I think I understand why the head of the Man Geum-jeon has put Kang Yoon-ho as a suitable successor among many grandchildren.”
Why did Father-in-law try so hard to gain Kang Yoon-ho as a son-in-law even when he anticipated the resistance? Zhuge Geuk could only understand after witnessing the outcome before him.
“Are you seriously comparing the successor of a mere merchant to the son-in-law of the Zhuge family?”
“The one counting money is my father-in-law.”
“I didn’t mean it that way…”
He got too heated and slipped up. As the anger of the Elders was no longer concealed, they hurriedly tried to correct their slip-up.
“I just meant that I understood why elder Sam was worried!”
“Ahem! Yes! So, what do we do about this?”
The Elders’ Council had crossed the line first. There was now room for compromise. The head of the family collected himself and spoke calmly.
“We must keep our promises.”
“You said you’d keep your promise!”
“I’m considering that child, Kang Yoon-ho, as a candidate for son-in-law.”
“What do you mean by that?!”
The head’s thunderous declaration was so shocking that the Elders looked like they were about to overturn the hall at any moment.
“Let’s talk about this tomorrow. I will call Kang Yoon-ho, and I think it would be good for the Elders’ Council to also join the conversation.”
“Head of the family!”
“I said I’m considering making him a candidate for my son-in-law, but I never said I would formally accept him as my son-in-law. So let the Council also assess him calmly tomorrow. That’s all I can say for now.”
I made a promise to that brat. If he could pass, I’d consider him as a candidate for my son-in-law.
As the head of the Zhuge family and as a father, such promises aren’t made lightly. Zhuge Geuk proposed a compromise to the Elders’ Council and declared a summons with a determined voice.
——
“We should see tomorrow!”
The Elders had no choice but to heed the head’s demand and leave.
“How troublesome.”
The head of the Zhuge family, Zhuge Geuk, sighed deeply as he watched the Elders depart.
“If I keep hearing their complaints, I feel like I’ll end up in my coffin first.”
With a deep sigh and pressing his fingertips to his forehead, Zhuge Geuk sat quietly in his office.
“Why do I need to think about other matters, too? It’s so frustrating.”
“I’ll make sure the guest reception goes smoothly, required or not.”
“Is it the same reason as last time?”
“I believe so, but maybe he wants to meet and discuss in person.”
“Then, I’ll count on you.”
Regardless of how many tasks still needed doing, the head of the Zhuge family had a lot on his plate. Not to mention an unexpected marriage proposal for his daughter. A new wrinkle formed on Zhuge Geuk’s forehead.
However, what Zhuge Geuk considered fortunate was.
“…….”
“Why do you ask?”
Zhuge Geuk asked the head guard, who was silently observing him.
“You look tired, and yet strangely in a good mood.”
“I’m about to send my daughter off to a black-haired one. Don’t say such strange things, just go back once you’re done for the day.”
Zhuge Geuk gestured for his head guard to leave, saying not to talk nonsense.
“I’ll let Lady Zhang know you’ll be late today.”
An unexpected early end to the day. The head guard did not refuse.
As Zhuge Geuk sat alone in the quiet office, he sipped his tea and stared out the window.
His mood was settling.
The pressures of work, the astonishment that wouldn’t calm down, and the burgeoning annoyance all washed away with a sip of tea.
Zhuge Geuk took another sip.
There was just one thought that seemed impossible to shake off.
“In seven days… To think he really came out in seven days.”
Was it really not a tall tale?
I want to let everyone know that, beyond just being the head of the Zhuge family, the father of Kang Yoon-ho, he is also a father-in-law.
He wasn’t just a damn punk! Zhuge Geuk could only chuckle at the enduring thought in his mind.
——
“I should’ve just stayed half a day longer in the Lust Palace.”
It turns out I could have gone out at night! I was too anxious. Such opportunities don’t come often. How disappointing. So disappointing!
“Kang Yoon-ho, you must be very tired. Do you want to sleep?”
“N-no! I’m fine! It’s just a physiological reaction, I assure you I’m okay!”
“Eh? A physiological reaction?”
“Ah! I got lost in thought for a moment. Sorry!”
I panicked, realizing I spoke just like my fantasy self.
“Are you tired? Have you not slept inside?”
Gilsan leaned against the wall, looking worried.
“I’m not that tired. Did you sleep?”
“Are you really okay? You’ve been acting strange since earlier. You keep avoiding my eyes.”
“N-no, it’s not that…”
I tried to glance at Miss Zhuge, but inadvertently my gaze dropped, and I quickly turned my head.
I knew for sure the kind of allure that lay beneath her loose clothing. How could I not care?
“Kang Yoon-ho. If there’s something wrong, please tell me honestly.”
“Miss Zhuge…”
My heart raced at her worried tone.
I’m such a bad guy. Now that I’m out of that fantasy world, I shouldn’t be having such thoughts. A pure face with a provocative body, a shy expression… what’s so bad about…
No, I can’t think like that. I’m starting to feel all awkward again.
“Y-you can say anything.”
Alright. Since things have come to this, I should just say it. It’s better than regretting it later. Let’s be honest.
“You really do suit being a white rabbit more than a black rabbit.”
Black rabbit, pink rabbit, blue rabbit. Together, we looked like a beautiful painting.
“Eh?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
“Kang Yoon-ho, are you serious…?”
Gilsan might have seen how I was behaving. No, I can’t let him catch on; it’s an emergency exit!
“You announced the Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes, didn’t you?”
I brought up the events from before.
“Yes, I did, and I even brought in a draw as you suggested.”
“So that’s why people have gathered around. Good job!”
I wondered if I could do it as well as Miss Zhuge if I tried; it was truly an impressive plan.
“It wasn’t anything special. Hehe, I just followed what Kang Yoon-ho did.”
Saying it’s nothing while wanting compliments just shows that this is indeed Miss Zhuge.
Yeah, this is the real Miss Zhuge. Even blushing, she unabashedly appeals to her charms; that’s so on brand for her.
“You did really well. Thanks to you, I’ve had an easier time.”
“Hehe! I must work hard so that the baby doesn’t get looked down on.”
“What?”
“Ah, nothing.”
Adding nonsensical chatter is just typical of Miss Zhuge.
“Thanks to you, we can move on to the next step.”
“What step are we talking about?”
“That’s right. My father wants to meet the Elders tomorrow. Is that alright with you?”
I just received a message from the Head Family Hall. Tomorrow, he’ll have a meeting with the Elders. Normally, I would’ve asked for time, but this time it didn’t matter.
“Thanks to you, Miss Zhuge, everything’s ready. Don’t worry.”
I have my fiancée who perfectly executed the tasks in my place.
