A Dragon Lives In That Scholar's Deep Spring - Chapter 28

Chapter 28

“Goodness, are these legs or a horse’s? We don’t welcome such people in our house.”

The vacated position of the Minister of State was returned to Cho Ik-hwan.

“Now, I am considering catching the fish myself, even if it means becoming the bait.”

The forensic investigators, who had examined the bodies of the deceased parents, concluded that they were all burnt to death. The heartfelt testimony of the young child was not accepted. Despite the efforts made on behalf of a close friend, who intervened to persuade the king and initiate a thorough investigation, it was in vain.

No matter how much effort he exerted, the result remained the same—Do-gyeom had lost both his parents and the unborn sibling within his mother’s womb.

“I understand the potential position within the Shim family. It is natural to refuse, considering the family’s circumstances.”

The determined resolve made Shim Oh-gyun relent with anger. He then tried to persuade him.

“If your only son is risking so much danger, do you think your mother can rest in peace in the afterlife? It’s about parents who want to protect their children, even if it means risking their own lives. You don’t understand that!”

Do-gyeom opened one side of the door and took out a small package from a deep place. Neatly folded inside the silk cloth was a small horse doll stained with blood and charred marks. 

Do-gyeom kneeled and spread out the coat he had worn ten years ago on that day in front of Shim Oh-gyun.

“If I have the opportunity to meet my parents again in the future, I will apologize for my unfilial actions.”

Do-gyeom’s hand, touching the dried bloodstains, trembled slightly.

“If it’s just the unjust deaths of my parents, I may have had to endure it and live my life. But the stability of the nation is at stake. Don’t you see the growing criticisms of the Crown Prince?.”

“Do you think you can intervene and resolve that? Your influence is different. It’s like hitting a rock with an egg; utterly pointless.”

“At least the egg is a living being, isn’t it?”

No matter how weak, being alive is better. The dead always stay where they are.

“You can’t predict what will come out of an egg.”

“….”

“Now, after 10 years, how have you grown?”

“Even if you expose the corrupt, what’s next? It won’t even be breaking even for you. Are you okay with that?”

“If the other party loses significantly, then what I gain would be no less than breaking even. In that case, it’s not a complete loss.”

Do-gyeom had already made up his mind. Shim Oh-gyun looked at his nephew, who chose to stand firm, with a poignant expression.

During this time, how much time had passed? It seemed like only a short period on the surface, but somehow it felt like half a day. And at the end of it, his uncle finally responded.

“Fine. Join us.”

Do-gyeom raised his head in surprise.

“You… you’re allowing me?”

It was unexpected. Wasn’t he expecting to be rejected?

“It’s not just you who unfairly lost family. I, too, lost my younger sister, brother-in-law, and an unborn nephew. It’s not like you’re the only one with grievances. Haven’t I appealed to your conscience long ago?”

Still with a stern gaze, Shim Oh-gyun granted a space for Do-gyeom to rely on.

“… I will do my best.”

“You’re quite a fearsome lad.”

As Shim Oh-gyun looked down at the traces soaked in blood, tongue-tied, he suddenly asked, as if something had crossed his mind.

“Even if you become the bait, you would still need to find a suitable woman to be selected for the Crown Princess, wouldn’t you?”

Being the cautious person he was, Shim Oh-gyun confirmed how well-prepared Do-gyeom was before heading to the front lines.

“Who better to go to the front lines than you, shouldn’t you be in the main house right now?”

“… What?”

Lost in thought, Do-gyeom reflexively glanced toward the inner chambers.

It was time for Farang’s hair to be colored blue.

* * *

“Lady, it’s me, Sun-yi. Are you sleeping?”

Before even asking, she already knew. The sound of approaching footsteps from a distance could only mean that Sun-yi was running towards her, yelling that it was Sun-yi.

“Lady?”

“I’m… still sleeping.”

“You’re sleeping and yet you’re answering? The young master is looking for you.”

Thinking she might have escaped again, he came to check as soon as he got home. Of course, Farang, who found it comfortable to lie down, didn’t budge.

“When a guest comes, it’s fine.”

Above all, the sun had set, and it was quite dark.

“A guest has come to see you. Should I do your hair for you?”

Farang, who only rolled her eyes, glanced at her disheveled hair. Her blue hair was matted like puddles here and there.

Is it okay for Sun-yi to see it? There hasn’t been any agreement with Do-gyeom regarding this aspect, so she was a little hesitant.

“Get inside!”

The door opened from a distance. When she was alone, she never turned on the lights, so the room was pitch black. Sun-yi, who had come in hastily, approached Farang. Farang covered herself with the blanket from head to toe.

“Lady, please wake up. The Lord from Haeju has come.”

“I don’t know that person.”

“He’s the young master’s uncle. Master sent a letter this morning, but I don’t know if he came by himself.”

She felt like she wanted to sleep for a thousand years just like this. Had she ever taken a short nap and stayed awake for a long time? Looking at her life, these past few days had been surprisingly eventful.

“Lady, please greet him and go back to sleep. Yes?”

“I’ll be fine. Go out.”

“No! The young master asked me to dress you up while his uncle has his meal and then bring you over gracefully.”

“Why should I go? Let the necessary person come.”

As Farang turned away and lay down, Sun-yi fearlessly grabbed her and shook her.

“Lady, don’t you know the etiquette for meeting with an important person? Even I, who have poor knowledge of Chinese characters, know that. How can you be like this? When the elderly summon you, you should go quickly!”

If someone else had laid a hand on her, she would have been startled, but Sun-yi, who had never even considered the concept of violence, didn’t evoke any feelings in her. This was also quite intriguing.

“What do I care?”

However, that didn’t provide Farang with a reason to move.

“What’s more, don’t you know that men who live outside the home are not allowed to set foot in the room?”

“…Okay?”

However, a short while later, Farang corrected her thoughts. Of course, Choi Do-gyeom would know. Just last night, he had stealthily covered her head with his outer garment as she returned home late at night.

She wasn’t sure what he was thinking, but for now, she decided to follow Choi Do-gyeom’s decision. After all, he was the one bound by the circumstances of this land to bear all responsibilities. It didn’t matter to her what happened.

“You’ve thought it through wisely.”

As she pulled the blanket away and sat up, Sun-yi brought a comb swiftly. In the dim darkness, she could feel the child fumbling with her hair.

“What are you doing?”

“Lady, you dislike bright and warm things. Master asked not to upset you.”

“Any other words?”

“No, Lady. I’m doing this like a volunteer. I wasn’t sure if it would work well in the dark.”

She doesn’t understand what’s going on. It probably doesn’t require her concern. Farang decided not to worry about it further.

“But, Lady, when I touch your hair in the dark, it feels a bit different from other times.”

Still refusing to turn on the lights, regardless of the child’s discomfort, Farang closed her eyes and stayed still. The child who was touching her hair kept complimenting her, full of wonder.

“It’s as if I’m dipping my hand in a flowing stream. It’s cool and… smooth.”

“Well…”

“It’s like water.”

The words she had said to Do-gyeom came to mind. At the same time, Farang’s eyes opened wide. Sun-yi didn’t see the fleeting blue glint in Farang’s eyes.

“Even without expensive oil, it feels so smooth just being combed gently.”

“….”

The power Farang possessed was what could color the sky with her hue once she became queen. 

The fact that her hair turned blue only at night meant she was less constrained by the land’s restrictions. Of course, compared to the power she had used in her previous life, it was woefully inadequate but relatively speaking, it was like that.

Then why was her hair black during the day? At first, she thought it was simply because she was adapting to the appearance of the humans in this land, but it wasn’t that simple.

During the day when the sun rose, the power of the phoenix became stronger. What would happen when the crimson flames flared up? Eventually, it would turn to ashes, even turning into black ash. That’s how Farang could have hair as dark as burnt ashes.

What about water? As it went deeper and deeper and reached a point where not a single ray of light penetrated, what colors did the surroundings take on?

Moreover, it was black. Farang closed her eyes and began to concentrate.

“… Sun-yi.”

“Yes?”

How long had it been? Suddenly, Farang opened her eyes again and commanded.

“It’s too dark. We need to brighten up the surroundings.”

“Light? Should I turn it on?”

“Yes.”

She always disliked anything warm, but there was a need to check.

“Okay then. Stay here. I’ll go get a light.”

Even in the pitch darkness, Sun-yi managed to run out without stumbling and soon returned, lighting the lantern. As she entered, she cautiously crawled with the flickering flame, afraid it might go out. 

The small lantern illuminated the surroundings, reaching Farang at last.

“Lady, I brought the light…!”

Then, Sun-yi’s eyes widened in amazement when she saw Farang illuminated by the light.

“Lady, what is this about?”

After placing the lantern down, Sun-yi burst into giggles in the next moment.

“I guess it was too dark. I need to fix your hair again.”

Due to the messy and unruly strands sticking out here and there, the hair was all over the place.

“… Is that so?”

Farang examined her hair, which Sun-yi was redoing, under the light.

It was a success. When directly illuminated by the light, it had a blue tint, but it was a dark color reminiscent of deep water.

“Let me do it. I have to comb it again.”

With a tight grip on the comb, Sun-yi meticulously combed Farang’s hair, making sure every strand was in place. 

While Farang remained silent, she was busy calculating how long she could maintain this hair.