Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 298

‘Ah, but those kids probably know more.’

Since those children lived in Siyoungwon [a government-run orphanage], they were bound to have different basic information.

The men were happy with the positive answer, regardless of what Chunho was thinking.

“So, through you, we can get a message to Princess Jaga, even if it takes a bit longer?”

“Yes? I guess?”

“Why are you so wishy-washy? You’re a young man.”

“What does being young have to do with it?”

“Anyway, you seem close to the young lady. Could you put in a word for us later?”

It seemed like a meaningless remark, but Chunho hesitated to answer.

Close? With Princess Jaga?

“If you ask if we’re close… I don’t know.”

“Ah, why ‘I don’t know’ again! Then, do you have any other high-ranking acquaintances?”

The men were frustrated, but Chunho’s mind was complicated.

‘I used to think we were close, but now I’m not so sure… Am I being disliked? Surely not?’

The thought that he was worrying about unnecessary things because of the men made his reply curt.

“Why do you ask?”

“Oh, no reason. It’s good to have connections with high-ranking people.”

“What kind of high-ranking people?”

He had some acquaintance with the Crown Prince’s aides, but not enough to ask for favors.

He tried to deflect the question as he thought of someone.

“I don’t know much, but why don’t you ask my uncle?”

“Ah, that’s the thing. As soon as that Kim Hoeyeop told me about the person I’ve been looking for, he disappeared without giving me his address! He even left without paying for the drinks!”

After eating so much!

Chunho nodded awkwardly at the furious voice.

“Oh… Your uncle went too far.”

“Right! You shouldn’t live like that.”

“Yes. I’ll be sure to tell him to contact you when he gets back.”

Chunho, not wanting to get involved in the adults’ affairs, slowly backed away.

Since he had already visited Siyoungwon and finished his business here, it was time to return to the palace.

‘I hope there’s some good information among the things I got from Siyoungwon this time.’

But the men, noticing that Chunho was about to leave, grabbed his sleeve and clung to him until the end.

“Hey kid, if we have to leave without a word, we’ll leave a letter here for you to find. Got it?”

“Yes, sure.”

It wasn’t a difficult task, so Chunho readily nodded.

He was eager to return to the palace as soon as possible, rather than dealing with the men.

‘I want to see her happy face if possible.’

Regardless of Chunho’s complicated feelings, the Princess hadn’t looked cheerful lately, perhaps because she had many worries.

And fortunately for Chunho, the Princess’s face brightened when he delivered the information he had gathered through the newspaper and Siyoungwon.

“They found someone who used to be in the Ikwisa [a military unit]. Fortunately, the location isn’t too far.”

“Is it inside the capital?”

“Not quite. Hmm. Maybe about the same distance as when we went to find the court ladies last time?”

“I see.”

Soi’s face darkened.

“Soi, you can rest. The place where you fell last time still isn’t good, is it?”

“No. I will go. Serving Princess Jaga is my job.”

“You have to be careful with your back. They say it doesn’t heal well when you get older. Luckily, Soi is still young.”

“……”

Chunho didn’t know how to respond and remained silent.

“You have to be careful in winter.”

“It’s spring now.”

“There’s still ice everywhere. The forsythias haven’t even bloomed yet, what spring are you talking about.”

Saying that, the Princess sighed.

“Chunho, you’ve worked hard too. You can go now. I think I’ll have to go out again soon, so I’ll let you know the schedule later. Just wait for now.”

“Yes…”

She was talking to Chunho, but the Princess didn’t look at him.

‘She usually always makes eye contact when she talks to me….’

Chunho’s heart was pounding because he couldn’t remember the last time they made eye contact.

‘Did I do something wrong? Is she not saying anything because she needs me right now?’

As Chunho retreated with negative thoughts, Soi and the Princess continued their conversation.

“We shouldn’t delay the date too much. Should we go out tomorrow?”

“Would you be alright to go out?”

“Hmm. I guess I’ll be fine.”

Chunho left the residence, feeling that Princess Jaga’s voice seemed to lack energy these days.

‘Ah, I didn’t read the novel again.’

***

“Young Master?”

“Huh!”

Startled by Chunho’s voice, I quickly straightened myself.

Chunho looked worried as he watched me dozing off on the horse.

“Were you busy yesterday?”

“Ah… no, I’m fine. I must have dressed too warmly.”

“That’s a relief… Ah, we’re almost there.”

The place we arrived at was a small village at the foot of a mountain.

“Are you going to get off?”

“Yeah.”

As I tried to get off the horse, Chunho reached out his hand.

“The road isn’t good, so be careful.”

“I don’t need you to hold me.”

“You’ll fall if you do.”

“Okay.”

I replied casually and landed on the ground by myself.

“……Did I do something wrong?”

“Not really?”

What’s with that face, looking so disappointed just because I didn’t take his hand?

I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep him around like this, so it’s not good to get too used to it.

‘Hmm… but he still doesn’t seem to have read the novel? He really doesn’t listen. Well, he must be busy.’

I’m not asking him to study, just to read a novel! Is that so hard?

Ah, but come to think of it, everyone hated doing book reports when we were in school.

It’s always 싫어 [Shireo – Korean for “I don’t like it”] when it becomes homework…….

‘Does he prefer physical activities over studying?’

The military exam is easy in terms of the written part. You just have to memorize the military texts.

Of course, the practical exam is known to be strangely difficult…….

Well, that’s for later.

Come to think of it, he might end up being a jobless person disguised as a long-term test-taker.

‘Convince Sehwa to give him a job… No, I don’t think Sehwa would let that happen?’

Won’t my sister take care of it later anyway?

So, I don’t need to step in… no, I do.

‘Something feels a bit bitter.’

While I was having unproductive thoughts, Chunho was already asking the villagers for information without me having to say anything.

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but nod.

Well, he’s diligent when he works and knows what to do.

He played well with the children, so how much would he love his nieces and nephews if he had any?

‘Hmm. Let’s stop thinking like this.’

Thinking about the children of a couple who aren’t even married yet is something they would be horrified to know.

Meanwhile, Chunho approached me with a bright face. It seemed he had found a clue.

“They said they’ve seen him around here. And they also saw someone with a scar on their face.”

“Really?”

Yun Seono, Jwaseseuma [a military rank], is with other former Ikwisa people, what are they doing?

‘And why did they go to Gangwon-do?’

“What are they doing in a place like this.”

“Are they living in the mountains?”

At my and Soi’s words, the middle-aged man and woman who seemed to live in this village shook their heads, looking a bit scared.

“……Well, we don’t really know.”

“But what brings you here?”

“I’m looking for someone I know. Someone who helped my brother when I was young, but I lost contact with him and was wondering how he’s doing.”

“Who are you looking for?”

I was a bit uneasy about the way they were talking, but Chunho started explaining with gestures.

“Someone with a big scar on his face like this…….”

“Ah. That person?”

“Do you know him?”

“Of course. Are you talking about the one who’s always with a handsome and dashing friend?”

“?”

Unlike me, who had no idea what they were talking about, Chunho seemed to have something in mind.

“Ah, that’s right. The one with the fair face and strangely elegant, soft voice…….”

“Oh my, yes. It seems you’ve come to the right place.”

I was worried, but I’m glad we found him. I checked on his well-being first.

“Did he seem to be doing well? Was he in good shape?”

“Ah… yes. They all seemed healthy and fine.”

“Okay. That’s a relief.”

“Actually, I didn’t even notice their appearance.”

“?”

“……Because they were handsome?”

“That’s right!”

Soon, the village woman and Chunho were getting along so well, talking about the handsome companion of the Jwaseseuma.

“Oh my. I’ve never seen such a handsome man in my life, I still dream about him.”

“He is a rare beauty.”

At first, I wondered why they were having such a conversation, but it turned out to be effective.

They were wary of strangers and didn’t say much, but when the story about the handsome man came up, their faces brightened and they became talkative.

And conversely, the expression of the man, presumably the woman’s husband, wasn’t good.

“Was there really such a handsome person?”

“How many times do I have to say he’s handsome?”

“I didn’t see him.”

Whether the man frowned or not, the woman continued to talk about the handsome man she had seen.

There wasn’t much great content, but the woman seemed happy, so I decided to just listen to the unnecessary conversation.

“Really, it was a face that made my eyes pop.”

“Oh my, is this person senile?”

“He’s the most handsome person I’ve ever seen in my life. I’ve really wasted my life…….”

Saying that much made me feel a bit sad.

And the man next to her seemed to be sad in a different way.

“Ah, stop it.”

“No. Did I say anything other than he’s handsome?”

“Excuse me. Please calm down.”

We couldn’t let them fight when we hadn’t even heard any proper information yet, so Chunho spoke up with difficulty to stop them, and the woman admired Chunho even as she looked at him.

“But this young man is also…… handsome.”

“Ahahaha. T, thank you?”

We were able to hear that there were more people living in the mountains, and that Yun Seono, Jwaseseuma, was coming and going here with his companion.

And we had to go further into the mountains.

“Phew. I thought a marital fight was about to start.”

“Hmm. But she seems to have a good eye.”

Chunho is handsome. Maybe the companion of the Jwaseseuma I mentioned earlier was also quite handsome?

I mumbled casually, and Chunho seemed to hear it and answered with a start.

“Yes?”