Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 243

“Ah, my mistake.”

Cheon-ho’s arrow, which had been hitting the center of the target perfectly until now, missed.

“Hey, you…”

“Then I’m disqualified, so I’ll step aside.”

Cheon-ho put down his bow and returned to my side with an innocent look.

“I lost, so buy me something.”

“…You lost and you’re so brazen. Fine, let’s go.”

“Yes.”

I was a little bothered by the laughter that erupted around us again at Cheon-ho’s words, but we left the area.

‘Am I that untrustworthy?’

Of course, I appreciate the concern, but there’s no need to follow me and become a laughingstock.

As we followed the employee into the inner office, Cheon-ho and Soi, of course, checked to see if anyone was watching and followed me.

When I entered the office, the manager with the familiar face greeted me.

He was smiling brightly, but his face was covered with fatigue, so it seemed like he was having a hard time.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t even know you were here.”

“It’s okay. I know you’re busy. And you don’t have to greet me every time I come.”

If someone keeps coming to see me and greeting me, everyone around will recognize me.

Unlike Siwolgak, where the space is separated and I can pass by quietly, such etiquette is rather uncomfortable here, so I was omitting it.

Of course, most of the employees here knew who I was, partly because many of them were from Siyoungwon, and partly because I had told them separately for my safety.

Naturally, I had also firmly instructed the employees to keep it a secret.

The old Siyoungwon members had a bit of a family-like sense of community, and they were so close to each other that sometimes… I thought they were like the mafia I saw in movies a long time ago.

‘I’m a little worried about what will happen after I die….’

It doesn’t seem like anyone other than me will be able to become the new center, so I think they’ll just fall apart on their own, but then the function of taking care of orphans and unemployed people will weaken.

‘It would be nice to make it a public institution, but I can’t trust anyone.’

Anyway, that’s something to worry about much later.

The manager’s apology to me was just a formality.

I sat down as he suggested, and tea was served right away.

I had already had tea, but I took a sip out of courtesy.

It seemed to be a little more precious than the tea for sale, perhaps because it was for guests.

‘It’s good tea. Should I try tea farming on a larger scale? Boseong is the place for tea farming, after all. Should I contact the branch office nearby?’

As I was lost in thought while drinking tea, I put down my teacup and the manager spoke.

“Were there any 불편하신 [uncomfortable/inconvenient] parts that you saw?”

“Yeah. It was fine while I was watching. How is it these days? No big problems?”

“These days, there are no people coming to interfere with business like before, so it’s relatively smooth. There are occasional commotions, but everyone is used to them now, so it’s okay.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Isn’t it all thanks to Ongju-sama [Princess]?”

Hmm. Everyone attributes everything to me, so it’s a bit embarrassing.

“So, why did you want to see me? You said there are no other problems these days?”

Money problems? Supply problems? Personnel problems? I was thinking about this and that, but the manager said something unexpected.

“Ah, yes. I am sorry to have brought you here… The truth is, people keep coming to me wanting to offer antiques to Ongju-sama [Princess] these days.”

“Antiques? To me?”

“Yes. They even bring them and disappear, which is very difficult.”

“…What are they trying to do?”

“Isn’t it… a bribe?”

“Hmm.”

The fact that I like antiques and collect them is now known to those who need to know, so it’s not new.

There are actually quite a few people who send me bribes.

“But most of the people who want to send me bribes send them to my house, right?”

“Uh… Do they not know Ongju-sama’s [Princess’] private residence?”

“If you say Suyoung Ongju’s [Princess’] private residence, people who need to know will know.”

Even if I like it and receive it, it’s just inconvenient to move.

Are they mistaken that they can meet me directly if they go through here?

“Maybe they’re thinking of promoting something by leaving it here? If collectors gather here, they’ll have a good base among themselves.”

“They should do it at their own homes.”

“Well, they’d think it would be nice if they could form a relationship with Ongju-sama [Princess].”

I don’t know.

“I don’t want it, so send them back.”

“Yes? But…”

“Why?”

“They don’t even say who sent it, and the employees say that those who brought it seemed to be errand runners based on their attire.”

Does that mean only the lower staff will be scolded if they are sent back?

“Besides, maybe there’s something that Ongju-sama [Princess] likes?”

I pouted at the manager’s words.

“I can’t accept something sent by unknown, strange people just because I like it. Then they’ll keep coming in the future, so I have to send them all back from here.”

“But they leave it without permission.”

“Hmm.”

What is it? Why?

I was at a loss, but I couldn’t figure it out, and since there were no CCTVs, it was difficult to find out who they were.

‘In this era, you can’t put bugs or cameras inside, so what is it?’

It was puzzling, but it must be difficult for the store as well.

“Then there’s nothing I can do. Just in case, keep a list of the time they came in and the person who brought it so you can return it at any time. Make sure it doesn’t break or get damaged. I’ll send someone later to explain in detail how to manage it.”

“Yes, Ongju-sama [Princess].”

The manager smiled in relief at my words and bowed his head.

“Hmm. Are you short of people?”

“Yes. There are so many people flocking to Siyoungwon, and we’re hiring people appropriately to just carry food.”

“Hmm. There are constant talks of reverse discrimination, so…”

“But the amount of information will inevitably be different between those from Siyoungwon and those who aren’t.”

If there’s a difference in the amount of information between those from Siyoungwon and those who aren’t….

“It doesn’t matter if they don’t know who I am. It doesn’t affect their livelihood.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Whether they know who I am or not, they can’t treat a noble lady 함부로 [disrespectfully/carelessly].”

This wasn’t something you had to learn through education, it was just too obvious in this era.

“I’m saying this just in case, but it’s going to be difficult if you trust me too much and go too far. Of course, if there’s a nobleman causing trouble and acting like a 진상 [nuisance/jerk], you can use my name.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

With that, I barely got up from my seat.

‘The conversation got a bit long.’

I hope it’s nothing serious.

“Don’t come out to see me off. It’s too noticeable.”

“…Yes, Ongju-sama [Princess].”

The manager, who was about to follow me out naturally, stiffened at my words and bowed to me one last time, muttering softly.

“Perhaps those people are not of a high enough status to dare knock on the door of Ongju-sama’s [Princess’] private residence.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s just, that’s what I thought. Please go in safely.”

“Hmm. Okay.”

The manager smiled and sent me off.

‘If you think you’ve realized something, say it.’

But I thought he would just brush it off if I asked him now, so I asked Cheon-ho and Soi.

“What do you two think?”

“How would we know what 아기씨 [Young Miss] doesn’t know?”

“Soi is trying to get out of things too easily these days.”

No sincerity. No sincerity.

“I don’t know either. It doesn’t seem like they come often, and if they’re sending someone on an errand, it seems difficult to follow them.”

“Hmm. It’s not a bribe, but I don’t even know who sent it.”

I was uneasy, but I was too busy to pay attention to such things one by one.

“Ah, now that I think about it, something like that might be happening at the private residence too.”

“You haven’t visited often lately.”

“Yeah. It seems like it’s a recent thing too.”

Of course, there were also bribes that came into my private residence as gifts.

‘I feel like my influence is getting too big these days. Isn’t this just asking for trouble? It’s annoying.’

And the most frustrating thing is that those things were good.

The world is all about money.

‘Ha. Why are those precious things in the hands of such people….’

Of course, there’s a way to investigate the people who are giving bribes and take back the things by finding fault with them, but….

It was too difficult for someone like me who had lived a virtuous life.

There’s no point in raising my notoriety and making enemies.

“Hmm. Let’s go for today.”

“Yes, 아기씨 [Young Miss].”

As I was about to leave the arcade, I stopped because I suddenly remembered something.

It was because I happened to see people shooting arrows in the distance.

I saw someone’s arrow hitting the exact center of the target again, and the people gathered there exclaimed.

Among them were Cheon-ho’s acquaintances I had seen earlier.

“Cheon-ho.”

“Yes, 아기씨 [Young Miss].”

“Why don’t you talk to them a little more since you’re here? I don’t think you have to worry too much since you’re with Jeok-a.”

“No. I will follow 아기씨 [Young Miss].”

“Stubborn.”

“If anything happens to 아기씨 [Young Miss] while I’m not watching, I’m a dead man.”

“Hmm.”

I can’t deny it either.

“Still, say hello and come. You said you’d introduce them to your uncle.”

“I think he’ll be here anyway… I understand.”

Cheon-ho hesitated and then slowly approached the former 착호군 아저씨s [Chakhogun (Tiger Hunters) Uncles] after I glared at him for constantly arguing with me.

“He’s subtly arrogant.”

“He’s fearless.”

Soi nodded as if agreeing with me.

***

Cheon-ho approached one of the 아저씨s [Uncles] who had spoken to him most intimately earlier and said.

“아저씨 [Uncle], I’ll be going now.”

“I thought you just left when you quit and went with 아기씨 [Young Miss] earlier. You rascal.”

“아기씨 [Young Miss] told me to say hello before leaving. But 아저씨 [Uncle], did you lose?”

“It wasn’t fun without you, so I stopped too.”

“Ah, yes.”

He answered casually and turned his head, and there were still people shooting arrows, which was disgusting.

“Does the 귀하신 아기씨 [Precious Young Miss] not like that we’re acquainted with rough guys like us?”

“It’s not that kind of problem.”

If you knew how much of a troublemaker our 아기씨 [Young Miss] is, you wouldn’t say that.

Well, if things go well, these 아저씨s [Uncles] might all be on the path to re-employment.

“Aren’t you people who couldn’t stand being in the military because you hate being cooped up anyway?”

“Well, it’s because you and 형님 [Older Brother] weren’t born with good fortune.”

“Don’t blame your birth.”

“Why, do you think 저 아기씨 [That Young Miss] will hire us?”

“…She’s someone who overworks people, so I won’t stop you if you’re confident.”

The former 착호군 [Chakhogun (Tiger Hunters)] man looked sullen at Cheon-ho’s words.

“What kind of work does that little missy make you do….”

“Mind your own business. By the way, 아저씨s [Uncles], you were so confident, but you’re losing?”

Cheon-ho noticed that one of the men wearing a veil, whom he had seen briefly earlier, was getting high scores, surpassing everyone else.

‘Somehow, he looks familiar.’