Camellia 56

By the next morning, the news that the Mad Bride would be entering the Sect Leader’s chambers the very next day had already reached Yuwon’s ears. One of the attendants helping her get dressed had whispered it to her.

She said the bride kept dodging the consummation night preparations and worried that, at this rate, all the sisters of Yeohwa Hall might be punished by the Sect Leader. She hoped nothing would happen to the older sisters she was close with, but she also thought the new bride was being rather heartless. After all, as the Sect Leader’s wife, the bride would somehow manage even if he incurred his husband’s wrath, but the followers wouldn’t be so lucky.

Yuwon gently reassured the child with a soft tone.

“He won’t punish you.”

“But, Physician, isn’t there a clause in the sect laws that says those who fail to carry out the will of the divine must be beheaded? If the bride keeps running away, the sisters will be the ones accused of disobedience.”

“Dahna. Trust me.”

Yuwon smiled faintly, she fastened a jade earring to the girl’s earlobe.

“The Sect Leader’s heart outweighs sect law. His heart is as vast as the sea. If devoted believers like you fail to uphold the law for unavoidable reasons, he’s the kind of person who would rather abolish the law than harm you.”

“…Would he really?”

“Has even one attendant ever been harmed because of sect law?”

The young girl shook her head. Now that she thought about it, while the necks of warriors had been lopped off cleanly, not once had an attendant’s head been separated from their body. It was hard to say whether that was because warriors often disobeyed the law, or because attendants obeyed it perfectly.

As she slipped the earring onto the girl’s other ear, Yuwon gently stroked her shoulder.

The attendants only saw the Supreme One as a frightening and mighty figure, so they couldn’t feel it, but Yuwon could say with confidence. No matter what offense a woman committed, Tang Yujae always responded with indifference. Especially toward women their age, he became even more lenient.

Yuwon knew why, and that knowledge always left a bitter taste in her mouth. It was also why she hadn’t been able to stop Tang Yujae’s path of revenge.

Unlike Yeonhu, where it was always winter, the world outside offered a rich display of changing seasons.

Before winter arrived out there as well, Yuwon had asked to perform acupuncture while gazing at the fresh greenery of the forest. Tang Yujae had agreed to come with her. What else could he do when the practitioner claimed her hands moved better with a vibrant landscape before her?

A refreshing breeze rustled through the trees. Dry leaves scattered over the pavilion’s roof.

Yuwon gently slipped a silver needle beneath Yujae’s ear as he lay on his side, using her thigh as a pillow.

“Does it hurt?”

She asked out of habit, and Yujae curled his lips into a faint smile.

“Yes.”

That too was a habitual response. Wondering if he really was in pain, Yuwon’s expression briefly twisted in concern.

“Where does it hurt?”

“My spleen.”¹

Annoyed by the absurd answer, Yuwon snapped.

“You just can’t help messing with me, can you? You say things like that during acupuncture, and I lose control. I might not be able to treat you properly.”

“It’s fine, noona. You’re only useful up to this point anyway.”

Her hand froze.

“Now that I’ve seen results from the bride, I don’t need Yangcheonju or your medicine anymore. I only brought you out here to enjoy the scenery before you leave Sipman Daesan. So take your time.”

Her fingers trembled. It was clear she couldn’t continue the acupuncture in this state, so she quickly withdrew her hands.

But she didn’t push away the head resting on her thigh.

Yuwon took a deep breath before bringing up what she’d prepared to say. Her heart pounded violently. She knew exactly how much what she was about to say would displease Cheonsin.

“Just in case, don’t move carelessly, alright? The needle is still in. If it hits the wrong point, it could cause issues.”

After the warning, she swallowed dryly and asked,

“…How about postponing the consummation?”

“If you’re worried about him, there’s no need. He’s a blood fiend. His healing ability is excellent. His wounds have mostly healed, and I don’t intend to be rough with him. So stop worrying and leave.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about. You made a promise. That you wouldn’t force someone onto your bed.”

She had expected that any excuse involving the bride wouldn’t work. So she had come with something deeper.

Yu Jae prompted her with a short tone.

“Then what is it?”

“…”

“Ahwon-ah. If a woman draws her sword, shouldn’t she at least slice a radish?”

He teased her with a smile.

“You do remember Hayeon’s memorial day was three days ago, don’t you?”

Just saying the name pierced her lungs. Merely recalling it stirred suffocating grief. She hurried to add,

“Please don’t blame yourself. I’ve been overwhelmed lately and forgot too. You just got married, of course your mind was elsewhere. Let’s hold a memorial for Hayeon first, and then the consummation can happen later… Tang Yujae!”

He pulled out the needle without hesitation and shoved her grasping hand away. Rising to his feet, he walked off. Yuwon scrambled after him.

“Yujae-ya!”

He turned, grabbed the arm reaching toward him, and yanked her close. She was the one who had tried to hold onto him, yet now that she was face to face with him, she wanted to pull away. As she struggled, he silenced her with one phrase.

“…You must be thrilled I forgot about her, noona.”

Yuwon’s gaze dropped in guilt. Yujae spoke through clenched teeth.

“Congratulations. Now that you have been given your chance, so make sure you seduce Si Pungjae and make him yours.”

“Yujae…”

“I’ll give you seven nights. Do your best to win him over.”

Tears formed in Yuwon’s eyes. Yujae didn’t care whether she cried or not. His voice was strained and bitter.

“That worthless bastard… what is it about him…”

“…”

“What the hell does that nobody have, that makes you treat me like this…”

Yujae felt he might lose control of his emotions if he kept facing her, he let go of her wrist, his grip left a red mark. Whatever the case, he was the one who had forgotten. Blaming her would be nothing more than taking it out on her.

Without realizing it, Yuwon pleaded,

“…Just get mad at me instead.”

“Tang Yuwon.”

Yujae had already realized she hadn’t forgotten Hayeon’s memorial day. She remembered it perfectly.

“Do you want me to kill you in a fit of rage and place your memorial tablet right next to Hayeon’s?”

She had likely planned to remain silent until the date was set, and then bring up the memorial to delay the consummation, just like today. She wanted more time. Time to stay on Yeonhu and love Si Pungjae. Because once the bride’s yang Qi took full effect, she’d have no choice but to descend the mountain.

He hoped she made good use of the seven nights she’d just secured.

As he brushed back her disheveled hair, Yujae said quietly,

“Noona’s love is sick.”

A single line exposing her obsession. Yuwon felt her stomach churn. The tears that had been clinging to her lashes finally fell.

“Love always makes people sick…”

She answered in a weak voice, then broke down in sobs.

“When you fall in love someday… you’ll understand.”

After Yujae left, she vomited up everything she had eaten. She couldn’t hold it in. She gagged until bile burned her throat, then shoved her fingers down her own throat when nothing else came out. She hated herself to the point of madness.

The one who came to fetch her as she wept and beat her own body was none other than Si Pungjae. When he said he had been sent by the Sect Leader, Yuwon let out a hollow laugh.

Now she understood why the Supreme One avoided people and feared love.

Love made people sick. And no matter how divine the medicine, it could not cure a festering, broken heart.

Si Pungjae, clumsy but sincere, tried to comfort her. He knelt beside her, wiping her mouth and gently rubbing her back. Yuwon wept all the harder.

And because of that… she ended up saying what she’d sworn never to confess aloud.

“Do you love your god?”

“…Excuse me?”

“I mean not as a believer, but as a person. Do you love him?”

“Physician, what are you…”

“If he ordered you to marry me, could you?”

“…”

“If he commanded you to love me, could you do that?”

Si Pungjae was at a loss for words.

Yuwon, as if expecting no answer, gently stroked his cheek.

“I love you, warrior. Just like you’ve always loved him.”

1. The spleen is an internal organ that isn’t typically felt unless there’s something seriously wrong. ↩︎