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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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“Someone from the Zhongli Clan is here to see you, Young Miss. What should we do?”
“…The Zhongli Clan?”
Ha-seol frowned, with a thoughtful expression on her face.
She’d been trying to ignore most interruptions, but this seemed to be a matter she couldn’t avoid.
I watched them, wondering what was going on.
‘The Zhongli Clan… weren’t they just below the Five Great Clans in terms of power?’
I recalled them being described as a fairly influential family in the original story.
They held considerable sway in Xi’an, and Shaanxi as a whole.
I tilted my head in confusion.
‘But what business could they possibly have with Ha-seol?’
It was as if they’d known she’d be at the Jade Pavilion.
Something felt off.
Ha-seol, speaking in a low voice, almost complaining, explained,
“…They’ve proposed a marriage alliance between me and the clan leader’s son.”
“…?”
“Father isn’t keen on the idea, and I haven’t expressed any interest either, so I thought it would fizzle out. But they’re being incredibly persistent. It’s quite bothersome.”
“Then just refuse.”
“It’s not that simple… the Zhongli Clan is very influential in the capital.”
She sighed.
“It’s causing quite a stir within the trading company. Some are eager to expand our business in the capital and see this as an opportunity.”
“…”
I nodded slowly, absorbing the information.
It was her marriage proposal, so I couldn’t really interfere.
I decided to just observe.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps rapidly ascending the stairs.
Thump, thump…!
‘Two people.’
One was probably the Zhongli Clan heir himself.
The other, I couldn’t quite place.
I shifted my attention from the pale-faced manager to the approaching intruders.
“Lady Eun! It’s been a while.”
“…”
“I’m quite hurt that you haven’t come to see me first upon your return to the capital. I’ve been longing for your presence.”
“…It’s good to see you, Young Master Zhongli.”
Ha-seol’s tone was still cold and distant.
He, however, seemed oblivious to her displeasure, greeted us as if he were a welcome guest.
“Hahaha! What a fortunate coincidence!”
“…”
“I hear the marriage negotiations are progressing smoothly. We might have good news soon.”
“…Is that so?”
“With the union of Lady Eun and the heir of the Zhongli Clan, wouldn’t that make us the undisputed rulers of Shaanxi?”
“Hmm. I’m not so sure.”
Ha-seol’s curt reply made me chuckle.
‘He’s completely reliant on his family’s influence.’
Well, in a world where power was everything, being born with a silver spoon in your mouth was certainly a blessing.
I was in a similar position.
But relying solely on that privilege, without cultivating one’s own strength, was foolish.
Even the most powerful family could fall from grace if its members lacked personal power.
Lost in thought, I poured myself some tea.
Zhongli Wen, who had been smiling pleasantly, finally noticed me.
“…And who might you be? I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“…That’s none of your concern, Young Master Zhongli.”
“What…?!”
He raised his voice, clearly offended.
I shook my head.
‘It’s understandable to feel jealous seeing another man chatting amicably with the woman you love…’
But barging in like this and throwing a tantrum was just ridiculous.
Pour~
I filled my porcelain cup with tea and spoke calmly,
“…My name is Eun Ha-seong.”
“…What?”
“Heir to the Silver River Trading Company, and older brother to the Lady Eun you so desire.”
“…!”
Realization dawned on his face.
He hadn’t expected me to be here.
But he wasn’t completely clueless.
He quickly apologized.
“I-I see…! I heard you’d joined Mount Hua. When did you arrive in the capital?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Family business.”
“…M-My apologies.”
He realized he’d overstepped.
But it was too late.
Ha-seol, who had been watching with disapproval, uncrossed her arms and sighed.
“Well.”
“…”
“I don’t think I’m in the mood to continue this conversation, Young Master Zhongli. Normally, I wouldn’t mind, but as my brother said, we have pressing family matters to attend to…”
“L-Lady Eun?!”
“Please leave. Frankly, I find it rather distasteful that you’d use your family’s influence to barge into the Jade Pavilion and bother me. Excuse me.”
She’d tried to be polite, but his continued rudeness, and now his disrespect towards me, had pushed her too far.
I watched the scene unfold with amusement, sipping my tea.
‘This tea is excellent.’
It felt like watching a historical drama unfold before my eyes.
The situation escalated as Zhongli Wen continued to pester Ha-seol.
“Lady Eun, please, just a moment…!”
“No. I’d like you to leave.”
“If you insist…!”
He reached out to grab her wrist.
I’d seen enough.
I flung my teacup at him.
Whack!
“Aaargh…!”
“…What do you think you’re doing?”
“My… my arm…!”
I spoke coldly, still seated.
The teacup, infused with my internal energy, had struck his arm with considerable force, practically breaking it.
He screamed in pain.
“Y-You… Aaargh…!”
“I was trying to avoid this… I was willing to overlook your rudeness towards me. But barging in here and trying to drag my sister away… that’s where I draw the line.”
“B-But…!”
He tried to protest.
A man from his entourage, who had been observing the scene, walked towards me, with his brow furrowed.
“…That was a bit excessive, wouldn’t you say? Such things can happen between a man and a woman.”
“…And you are?”
“Zhongli Chu, from the Zhongli Clan. This boy’s uncle.”
“If you’re his elder, you should be teaching him some manners, not condoning his behavior.”
My cold words deepened his frown.
“…Disrespecting your elders is one thing, but throwing a teacup infused with internal energy is excessive.”
“If I hadn’t intervened, you two would have been ganging up on a defenseless woman.”
“That’s quite an assumption.”
“Hmm.”
This elder, Zhongli Chu, seemed to be a skilled martial artist.
Unlike his nephew, his stance was steady, his internal energy controlled.
He was likely a first-rate master.
“Apologize.”
“…?”
“That should suffice.”
“…”
I broke my impassive expression and a sneer formed on my lips.
“…Don’t impose your personal standards on others.”
“What?”
“Don’t force your will on other people.”
“…You’re quite bold. Do you know who you’re talking to?”
“…”
The atmosphere grew tense.
Ha-seol was watching us nervously.
Zhongli Wen, tears welling in his eyes, cradled his injured arm.
Zhongli Chu, who had been suppressing his anger, finally spoke,
“This won’t do.”
“…?”
“I was willing to let this slide because of the marriage proposal… but I need to see for myself just how skilled you’ve become at Mount Hua, to be this arrogant.”
“…”
I replied, with my tone unchanged,
“Then see for yourself. I have nothing to fear.”
“You…!”
Whoosh!
Enraged, Zhongli Chu lunged at me.
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Thanks for the chapter!