[CYM] 26 – Dismissal

The poor neighbours who lived off the master clung to the high seats, while the family members they brought with them were daughters of marriageable age. The atmosphere among the elders was already one of matchmaking, whereas the commoners were content just to eat their fill at the feast.

Dishes were also placed before her and her mother. The master had called them aside, thanked them for their hard work on behalf of his son, patted them on the shoulders, and handed them a generous sum of money. Then he said,

‘I’m grateful for what you’ve done for my son, but I hope there’s no need to see each other in the future. I trust you understand my words.’

When he first called for her mother, it had been a secretive affair. Her mother was a shaman in the poor village, and the gentry houses that were well off did not want a shaman who carried around spirits crossing their thresholds.

The master was in an uproar trying to keep secret the rumour that his son had received a shaman’s ritual. Since people started flocking in, he had ceased all dealings with them.

They were paid off and dismissed. For some inexplicable reason, it felt as if a small part of her heart was also being chipped away, even though she knew that no relationship was meant to last in her fate.

From a distance, she glanced sideways at the young master, who sat neatly on his knees beside his father.

“How stifling it must have been for you? With quacks proclaiming the illness incurable, the heartache must have been severe.”

“The master, who offers sacrifices to the deity of Soru River every year, seems to be rewarded with such great joy today.”

Even when addressing the adults who constantly spoke to him, the young master’s expression was unimpressed. Had the owner of the beautiful voice from the night before changed? He received his cup of liquor as if he knew not how to smile, his voice was affected, and his eyes were colder than midwinter frost.

At first, they made jokes, thinking the young master was shy, but when there was no response, everyone started to take notice of his mood.

Ha, she couldn’t help but laugh, watching from the sidelines. Yes, she had endured that cold treatment for a whole year.

“It seems the young master is still out of sorts.”

“My son could help with the young master’s studies, master. Even if he’s a bit behind, he will catch up quickly. After all, they say late starters are often the most enthusiastic. And whose son is he, after all?”

“Master, this is our youngest daughter...”

“Please see to my son first. It would be good if he got along with someone of a similar age to the young master.”

She would want to flip the table and run away too, with such tiresome talk. The gentry laughed like jesters. In their midst, they seemed eager to carve up the young master and take a piece for themselves.

The young master didn’t like being bothered by such flies.

That’s when their eyes met. The young master had turned his head to the opposite side and saw her.

The master’s attitude towards the now redundant shaman and her daughter was disappointingly cold, but they were served a hurriedly prepared meal. There were eight side dishes, including seasoned meat and precious fish smeared with sauce. Just as she was about to scoop up a big spoonful and put it into her mouth...

The young master, seeing her plain appearance, lifted the corner of his mouth slightly. He gave a sly smile and gestured. A greeting? She just nodded her head and continued to serve herself rice.

Focusing on her meal, she mulled over tomorrow’s tasks. Now that the young master was better, she and her mother, whose income had been stopped, would be busy.

She had agreed to go with Yunhu to the back mountain to set traps. They planned to dig for valuable medicinal herbs, catch wild animals, and prepare fish traps and harpoons for fishing in the nearby river.

The Yunhu she met today had been contrite, apologising for not being able to stand up for her during a fight they had days ago, acting as if he had committed a grave sin. Carrying this guilt, he had cautiously offered half a dried yellow corvina, and with that, things between them were settled. Although Beodeul had held no grudge against him, it was he who had felt the need to make amends.

She had heard that the young master would start attending school from tomorrow.

‘It seems there will be no more crossing paths in the future.’

That thought suddenly struck her.

“I want to be born as a rich man’s son in the next life. Imagine how happy I’d be.”

Yunhu, scooping out beef from his soup, muttered gloomily. His eyes of envy were stealthily fixed on the master of the Ki family and his sons, seated at the high table.