The 31st Piece Turns the Tables

Chapter 254

Cheon Ju and Chi Woo began to shout, as if a switch in their heads had been flipped.

"What? The banquet is in two days? How could Lord Zhe Gak schedule it so soon? It’s such short notice… No, two days will be more than enough!"

Cheon Ju continued to talk to herself, as if receiving a divine revelation from the heavens, while Chi Woo murmured to himself, rubbing his chin.

“Two days won’t be enough to get a custom piece… But it’s not as if we could just dress her in anything… haah….”

Meanwhile, Seol Hong, the person directly involved, could only look around blankly. Though she hadn’t done anything wrong, she felt like she was shrinking.

“Lord Chi Woo, do you perhaps have any servants or maids who could be useful in a time like this?” asked Cheon Ju.

“Do you not know much about things like this, Cheon Ju?”

“It’s just been so long that I can’t remember. I knew this day would come, I can’t believe I had been so lazy! I really…”

“Though I have plenty of servants who are apt at martial arts, none of them are particularly useful for banquets.”

“Argh, tch…. Then I guess we have no choice but to…”

Suddenly, they heard a loud sound outside.

“People who seem to have business with Lady Seol Hong have arrived. They would like to serve Lady Seol Hong as quickly as…”

Cheon Ju quickly stood up, racing to the door.

“What is… huh?”

Cheon Ju quickly turned to face the three beautiful women standing by the door. Each of their actions and attires exuded a hint of elegance. It was to the point that Cheon Ju began trying to recall if they were Dragon’s Flowers or not.

“Elder Gwak Seong has sent us.”

“Elder… Gwak Seong?”

“Yes, please accept this letter.”

Unfurl…

After reading through the letter in its entirety, Cheon Ju raced back to Seol Hong with a smile. She was moving so quickly that the people around her began to worry her joints might wear out.

“Lady Seol Hong! Lady Seol Hong!”

“Yes, who was it?”

“Please read this. Salvation has arrived!”

“Salvation…?”

Sensing something strange, Seol Hong began reading through the letter Cheon Ju handed her.

- It’s Gwak Seong.

“Ah, it’s from Elder Gwak Seong.”

“You shouldn’t call him Elder, Lady Seol Hong! You are in a much higher position than him?”

“You already know that our relationship isn’t one like that, Cheon Ju.”

“That’s… true.”

“Regardless.”

- …as such, I strive to understand the difficulties of the Dragon War. After hearing that you do not have a proper attendant by your side, I, Gwak Seong, could not simply feign ignorance. I have raised and trained these children since they were young, so they will serve you well for the rest of your life, Lady Seol Hong. If you are displeased with them, please let me know at any time.

“......”

The contents of this letter, with Gwak Seong’s seal on it, were likely true.

“Reinforcements! Reinforcements have arrived!” excitedly shouted Cheon Ju.

“Where are they, Cheon Ju?”

“I have told them to wait at the entrance. Shall I bring them in?”

“Yes, please.”

A few seconds later, three women, all of whom seemed to be older than Seol Hong, entered the room.

Though they weren’t extremely beautiful, they were still the type of women that people would remember if they saw once.

“My name is Hwa Ah.”

“Cheong Ah, Lady Seol Hong.”

“My name is Hwi Ah, Lady Seol Hong.”

- It must be Cerberus!

- They’re all named Ah LMFAO!

While it was surprising that none of them introduced themselves in the same manner, they withheld their judgments for now, trusting that Gwak Seong would not send anyone untrustworthy.

Seol then glanced at them with a sharp gaze.

‘All of them learned martial arts.’

Seol was more than capable of discerning someone's strength based on their stance, eyes, and balance.

Chi Woo, who also noticed that the three women in front of him were strong, glanced at Seol and nodded.

“We will do whatever you ask of us,” said Hwa Ah.

“We came from so far away, please don’t send us back,” pleaded Cheong Ah.

“You are so beautiful, Lady Seol Hong!” shouted Hwi Ah.

Seol Hong was shocked after hearing Hwi Ah’s excited tone and bubbly personality.

“Ah… Yes?” responded Seol Hong. “Thank you. More importantly, I would like to confirm that Elder Gwak Seong sent the three of you. Is that correct?”

“It is. I’m sure that old fart sent us here to reduce the number of mouths he has to feed. Wahh… Please don’t abandon us,” said Hwi Ah, pretending to cry.

“Abandon you? I… That won’t ever happen.”

Seol Hong’s three new attendants made remarks after seeing the flustered Seol Hong.

“She really is nice.”

“What Elder Gwak Seong said was true.”

“What did Elder Gwak Seong say?” asked Seol Hong.

“He told us to be useful to the kind Lady Seol Hong and to be dependable allies by her side when difficult times inevitably come.”

Seol Hong paused for a moment, closing her eyes.

It wasn’t to bring out more emotions, but to fully appreciate the sincerity Gwak Seong had sent her.

“Elder Gwak Seong is such a generous man.”

“That old fart?”

“Hwi Ah, shush. Watch your words in front of Lady Seol Hong.”

“Ah! I apologize… Were my words too crude?”

Seol Hong shook her head in response.

“Not at all.”

“Then… are you accepting us?”

Nod.

“Please take good care of me,” said Seol Hong.

“W-We should be the ones saying that!”

“Please take care of us, as well.”

“Please take care of us.”

Cheon Ju, who had been watching carefully, then asked them a question.

“Have the three of you ever prepared for a banquet before?”

“We’ve only supervised them a couple of times.”

“Supervised? I was asking if you’ve ever prepared for them, as a guest.”

Hwa Ah, Cheong Ah, and Hwi Ah exchanged glances before looking at Cheon Ju confusedly.

“Does Lady Seol Hong need help with attending a banquet?”

“Yes! Like clothes, jewelry, and…”

“Ah! So you were talking about that!” nodded Hwi Ah.

“Of course, we’ve learned many things to prepare for such moments. But if you’re asking about this now, then…”

Smile…

It wasn’t just Hwi Ah who had a childish smile on her face, all of the attendants did.

“Will she be attending a banquet?”

“Is it a banquet?”

“It’s a banquet, right?”

Cheon Ju nodded in response.

“Yes, she will be attending a banquet. Unfortunately, the only people available to help Lady Seol Hong are a pair of inexperienced boys and an old woman. That’s why I’m asking for your opinions, but…”

“When is it?”

“Two days from now. Will you be able to do it?”

The three attendants sent by Gwak Seong, who had appeared suddenly, all nodded in unison.

“That’s plenty of time!”

Translator - goguma

Proofreader - Karane

* * *

Seol kept a close eye on each of the attendants’ actions.

‘It looks like Gwak Seong didn’t send only the three of them.’

It appeared that each of the attendants Gwak Seong sent had three or four additional subordinates with them. It also seemed that Gwak Seong was covering all their salaries.

After receiving information from their subordinates and organizing it, the three attendants began dragging Seol Hong somewhere.

“This shop apparently often handles formal occasion clothes for nobles in Hong Yeon.”

“...You seem to know a lot about Hong Yeon.”

“Yes! It’s like my hometown in my heart!”

“Have you been here before?”

“No, this is my first time!”

“......”

“Still, there is no need to worry, Lady Seol Hong. There are many ways to find this out.”

“I shall trust you then.”

“When you walk through the doors, be as bold as possible,” advised Hwi Ah. “Even Elder Gwak Seong used to kick down the doors to make a grand entrance.”

“But that’s…”

“I won’t expect that much! Now, let’s go in.”

“H-Hold on… urgh…”

Like a mother shopping with a shy child, Hwi Ah guided Seol Hong into the store.

“Welcome.”

Like books in a library, various fabrics lined the shop's walls. Everyone moved with elegant gestures, feeling the fabrics and trying on different clothes.

Seol Hong’s new attendants quickly changed their expressions upon entering the store, scanning the room with cold, assessing eyes.

“Is there anything you’re looking for?” asked one of the employees.

“Banq—”

Nudge…

“Urgh…”

“Excuse me?”

As Seol Hong tried to answer the employee, Hwi Ah nudged her side with an elbow to stop her.

Hwi Ah then glared at the employee.

“She needs attire for an important banquet.”

“Are you looking for a specific style or pattern?”

“The most graceful and elegant one. Minimal decorations.”

For an attire to have such an appeal without elaborate decorations, it must be made from a unique fabric.

“I understand. Please wait a moment.”

The employees then brought multiple mannequins dressed in elaborate clothes to Seol Hong. It was clear at a glance that a considerable number of employees were here to assist her.

“Are any of these attires to your liking?”

“Uhh…”

Nudge…

“Urgh…”

“None.”

“Yes, we shall bring out the next attire immediately.”

“She doesn’t need anything gloomy like dark green. Get rid of all of those and bring out something that conveys a different mood.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Seol Hong looked as if she was about to cry.

However, she also sensed that Hwi Ah was right and remained seated because of it.

It seemed that the attendants all liked one of the next attires the employees brought out.

“That one.”

“You have good eyes, Miss.”

“There is no need to flatter me. Could she try it on?”

“Ah, that’s…”

Hwa Ah quickly furrowed her brows.

“How annoying.”

Her brief two-word response was more than enough to cut through the situation, quickly dampening the mood.

“I-It is more than okay if she tries it on. Please come this way.”

Seol Hong was practically dragged into the changing room by her attendants. After a short while, she returned back outside.

Woosh…

A light blue attire that hugged her waist to accentuate her figure. Though there were no decorations, it was a perfect match for Seol Hong’s pale skin.

“D-Does it look weird?”

Seol and Chi Woo exchanged glances before smiling gently.

“It looks good.”

“You look good.”

Seol Hong then turned to Hwi Ah.

“I think it shows a bit too much skin…”

“It will be fine, we will also prepare outerwear. Also, is it not just your arms?”

“Th-that’s true… but…”

Hwi Ah quickly told the employee that they would be purchasing it before Seol Hong could protest.

“That will be a platinum coin.”

Seol Hong was shocked after hearing the price.

“I-It’s okay. We don’t need such an expensi—”

“I’ll buy it.”

“...Chi Woo?”

Though Seol would have bought it for her even if Chi Woo hadn’t, it was a surprise that Chi Woo offered to cover the entire cost.

“Yeah, it’s the prettiest one. You should wear that.”

“...Thank you.”

- My ‘shipping’ system is now active.

- Turn that shit off right now. They’re related by blood.

- Hello, Wor—Failure.

- Ah, right! They are siblings!

After paying for the attire and arranging for its delivery, they quickly moved on to the next location.

With the attendants handling the actions, Cheon Ju managing the operation, and Chi Woo assisting, the group resembled a marching band.

They then rushed through multiple expensive-looking stores at a rapid pace.

- It’s like a robot army, haha!

- More like a black friday crowd…

Seol Hong felt like Cinderella right now.

“Next is shoes! Obviously, we’re buying the most expensive ones!”

“The most expensive ones!”

After buying a pair of beautiful shoes decorated with flowers, they marched once more.

Cinderella had now received her Pumpkin Coach and Glass Slippers.

“Next is jewelry!”

“Jewelry!”

- Arghhhh… Jewelry….

- Zombies! There are zombies!

- They’re already brainless!

While Seol Hong was initially excited, seeing herself change so much eventually made it difficult to recognize herself.

She was draped in all sorts of pretenses.

While those pretenses weren’t bad—in fact, they were probably quite good—they didn’t reflect who she truly was.

None of it seemed like Seol Hong.

Having walked around so much throughout the day, Chi Woo fell asleep in the carriage, completely exhausted.

‘The day felt so short.’

The sun was already beginning to set.

Like a father who was tired after shopping with his daughter, Seol sat on the terrace on the shop's second floor, enjoying the glowing sunset.

He then sensed a presence behind him.

“Are you tired?” asked the voice.

Seol immediately turned to the voice, spotting Seol Hong standing awkwardly with her hair looking like a lion’s mane.

With the extra time, they decided to try out makeup, but Seol Hong ended up looking completely unnatural, her cheeks and lips too red.

“Though it may be tiring, please understand. It’s uncomfortable for me as well.”

The two then enjoyed the sunset while sitting side by side.

As Seol Hong looked down, she saw magnificent carriages going back and forth, prompting her to slowly speak once more.

“In the past… I hated the fact that I was born in the Dragon Palace.”

“Why?” Seol asked in response.

“Because if I wasn’t born into the Dragon Palace… I wouldn’t be looked down upon by the other nobles.”

“......”

“I know that my situation is better than most other people’s. Still, that was my entire world back then.”

Perhaps Seol Hong had matured quickly precisely because she was forced to survive on her own.

"Carriages with nobles and Dragon’s Flowers often pass through the city at this time of day.”

"Where are they going?"

"Feel free to take a guess."

As Seol Hong smiled, Seol could tell the answer.

"To banquets."

"Sometimes, in the middle of the night, I could even hear their laughter. Meanwhile, I was stuck at the Dragon Palace, on an unnoticed hill, watching their carriages race through the city. Cheon Ju scolded me a lot because of it, but..."

Seol could feel the sadness swirling in Seol Hong’s heart.

"I often deluded myself into thinking that maybe someday... I would be able to ride a carriage like that and enjoy a banquet with others.”

“Those aren’t delusions,” said Seol while carefully looking at Seol Hong.

“Nowadays… it feels like I’m dreaming.”

“Dreaming?”

"Yes, and it’s all thanks to you. I feel like I’m walking on clouds. Sometimes, I feel out of breath from how high I’m flying. Their cheers and welcoming eyes shake me to my core."

“That was all because of the effort that you have put in, Lady Seol Hong.”

“I am still so…”

“Enjoy the banquet,” interrupted Seol. “You seem to have a lot on your mind.”

The two then smiled.

“Don’t make fun of me if I act awkwardly,” said Seol Hong. “Everyone has their firsts.”

“Your first was just a little late,” responded Seol. “That is nothing to be embarrassed about.”

“...I will do my best.”

Seol then looked back at the city as the night began to come.

“I will be cheering for you.”

A few seconds later, Cheong Ah and Hwi Ah found them.

“So you were hiding here!”

“Come, quickly!”

* * *

The day of the banquet.

Zhe Gak stood at the entrance of his manor, wearing a flamboyant red outfit. This was not the Dragon Palace, but Zhe Gak’s individual estate.

Creaaaak…

A large man and a woman exited an elegant carriage. As they stepped out, Zhe Gak and Yu Gyeong exchanged words.

“Shin Yo…”

“And that must be Jang Du next to her.”

“Yes, the two that will surely become obstacles in my path if I leave them be.”

Yawn…

Jang Du looked around as he yawned.

“Shin Yo arrived!”

“Shin Yo, over here!”

Jang Du and Shin Yo both considered banquets a chore. In fact, if it weren’t for Zhe Gak’s invitation, they wouldn’t have come at all.

“Have they not arrived yet?”

“Why don’t you look for them with your big eyes, Jang Du.”

“Aren’t our eyes pretty similarly sized, Lady Shin Yo? And it’s not like having big eyes means that you have good vision.”

“That makes sense.”

“What should I do about the flies that come swarming?”

“Leave them be. It is necessary at times.”

“Do you dislike banquets?”

“I do, though I used to like them. My mother dragged me to so many that I eventually grew sick of them. I can’t believe I wasted time saying hello to strangers more than a hundred times…”

“So it was pointless, huh?”

Shin Yo shook her head in response.

“Not necessarily. There was one time I met someone at a banquet who turned out to be extremely helpful to my life.”

“Ah! I think I know who you’re talking about.”

“Yes, my master.”

Though Shin Yo was ranked second among the Dragon’s Flowers for her Daoist spells, she still craved more.

“I guess your mother succeeded in the end.”

“Yes, she did. That’s why I can’t really criticize them.”

“Regardless… it almost feels like they invited every single Dragon’s Flower in Hong Yeon.”

“...I agree. I see a lot of Dragon’s Flowers here. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen a banquet of this scale.”

“But it seems like Tae Yul isn’t participating.”

“There’s a chance he wasn’t invited. He tends to become the main character at whatever banquet he attends, after all.”

Clip, clop, clip, clop…

Then, a carriage pulled by black horses arrived at the banquet.

“Those are fine horses,” said Shin Yo. “I wonder whose carriage that is.”

As Shin Yo had said, the horses were overflowing with energy, and their manes were impeccably groomed as well.

They were more than enough to gather the attention of the people at the banquet.

“They are excellent horses, and not too excessive either. Much better than the idiots who are too gaudy.”

“I agree, I wonder who their owner is.”

“I might be a bit disappointed if it’s just some unremarkable guest.”

All of the Dragon’s Flowers and other notable guests of Hong Yeon, invited to Zhe Gak’s banquet, could not take their eyes off the carriage.

“Who could it be?”

“Why aren’t they exiting the carriage?”

And then…

Creaaak…

The Pumpkin Coach’s door swung open.

Shin Yo’s eyes began to flicker.

“Seol… Hong?”

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