Behind The Reckoning Shadows: Smile Awaits You Chapter 4

•⟨The Previous Night⟩•

⟨SFX: Moonlight⟩

—Sizzle—

• Near the Nak-dong riverside, men in black had gathered in the place where bulky men wearing straw-hats were waiting for them with fire torches in hand.•

•One of the black cloaked men stepped forth while gesturing the two behind him to open the trunk they unmounted.•

??????

"Keep your promise, you'll get your gold."

—CLICK—

⟨SFX: Dazzling⟩

—OPEN—

•The leader of the bulky men, apparently the bandit leader of Budong, Mok-dal exclaimed with a satisfied face:

Mok-dal

"Considering it already done." «One hand resting on hip»

—Mhhmm—

«Mok-dal inspecting the taels»

•The clients found him to be overconfident. Then the man shrouded in black spoke in a hoarse voice:

??????

"Finish him off by tomorrow. If you fail, forget about the rest of the payment." «stern»

⟨SFX: Ha..ha..ha..⟩

Mok-dal

"It's only about killing one man. Even a small dose of poison can kill the elephant. It's just a man."

⟨Prelude⟩

—Swooooosh—

•Further away in the woods of the Haltia Peak near Nak-dong river in the distant Southern region lived the nefarious bandits.•

•—The Budong Bandits—•

•In the beginning, it started with some poor commoners, beggars and thieves who had no place of their own after the severe famine caused by drought a few decades ago.•

•But a sense of justice and rebellion towards the unfair world where the rich enjoys luxury and the poor suffers with an empty stomach, resulted in the birth of the Budong Hero squad.•

•Yet, even the Budong Hero Squad, the savior of the poor fell into corruption. From plundering to slaughter were committed by these fallen heroes of Justice, blinded by riches.•

•Henceforth, the Budong Hero Squad reduces to the Budong Bandits.•

•A huge portion thieves, smugglers and lowborns from the beggar sect joined Budong in the darkness of the night expanding the network of bandits all over Haltia mountain.•

•The mountain was the Budong bandits' base where they knew the terrains and slopes well beforehand.•

•This knowledge helped these nefarious bandits to loot travellers, cargos and carts on the mountain route.•

•Moreover, They would kill the travellers after stealing their belongings functioning like an organization of criminals with a 99.9% Kill rate.•

—'Kill the men, take the women'—

•' Wine and women were coveted by the Budong bandits. Women once captured by the bandits would become entertainment.•

•Unable to escape, the captive women were destined to bear the bandits' offspring.•

—Interlude—

⟨Back to the Present⟩

||—⟨|The Ancestral Hall|⟩—||

—Hohoho!Haha!!—

•The ladies of other families were socializing through exchanging anecdotes. The hall was slightly crowded.•

—«Cackle»—

•Amidst the crowd, the 3rd madam Han Sian and the guests were chatting on a table.•

•Out of the ladies present , Lady Hyong Woon-kye , General Namdong's wife spoke up:

Hyong Woon-Kye [Wife of General Namgong]

"Madam Sian, it seems the aura about you has changed since your pregnancy."

•A small puffy chuckle came out from Han Sian before she said:

—Hahahaha—

Han Sian [Third Madam]

"Is it? «smile»

•Recently, County magistrate Mu had taken in a Concubine who was a guest, expressed her thoughts by chiming in:

Lady Jia [Concubine of lord Mu]

"I also agree, madam." «Nodding» "You look radiant than before."

•A faint smirk crossed her face full of satisfaction as she caressed her belly to the blandishment.•

⟨SFX: Blowing Wind⟩

Han Sian [Third Madam]

"My child's arrival has alleviated my health." «Affectionate»

Hyong Woon-Kye [Wife of General Namgong]

"Certainly, it seems so. We can just sit and envy you.." «Hohoho»

•Han Sian tittered heartily before jesting:

Han Sian [Third Madam]

"Someone relay this to general Namdong, haha. Your turn will certainly come." «laughing»

•Then madam of the Jang family, Yu-ra, who had remarried her brother-in-law, her ex-husband, deceased clan leader Jang's brother, spoke up:

—Hohoho—

Madam Jang [New Clan leader Jang's wife]

"We all know, lord Jeong-gi isn't an easy catch. It's a miracle he has given you a second child." ['It's just a child, you aren't yet to give birth to it'.]

•Suddenly Madam Gang added from her experience:

—Slurp—

Madam Gang [Wife of Clan leader Gang]

"Getting something out of a cruel man like him is a great feat. Is it that easy for any woman?" «smirk»

•A modest smile crossed Han Sian's face that hid a hint of sweetness from within.•

—Mmmph—

««[Recalling]»»

⟨SFX: Moonshine⟩

«Breeze»

•||—⟨In Patriach's Pavilion⟩—||•

—Swooosh~🍃—

•5 months ago, the sounds of footsteps echoed into the patriarch's quarters as a woman in a thin slick nightgown goes past the security.•

—STEP STEP STEP—

•Her braided wavy hair swayed in the wind. Her robust frame pacing up in perfectly sync with the movements of her nearly visible legs.•

•In the master bedroom, Patriarch Jeong-gi all of a sudden, felt an external weight on his chest.•

⟨SFX: Snap out⟩

—???!??—

—?????—

•A smiling face of his consort Han Sian awaited him full of tricks, who had abruptly mounted on him.•

⟨SFX: Seductive⟩

—«Caress»—

Han Sian [Third Madam]

"My lord, had I known you look so.... Sapid.. when you rest, I'd have frequented my uncalled for visit.♡" «smiling»

•

•Jeong-gi had been while for a while with a slightly darkened face which was unreadable.•

—Glare—

•

•Suddenly—

⟨SFX: FLIP⟩

«⟨Overthrow⟩»

•

«—Haaah..—»

— "Are you shamelessly going to follow Jung-hwa's tricks now, Sianne?"—

•He let out a sigh slowly lifting his fringes up after dominating Sian with an overthrow.•

•His appealing deep baritone echoed throughout the chamber.•

[P.S: Sianne is a nickname Jeong-gi uses to endear Han Sian.]

⟨SFX: Descending Affection⟩

Han Sian [Third Madam]

"I was tempted to disturb your rest, my lord. I yearn for you."

•How direct, any man would be forced to think.•

•And, this was Jeong-gi who didn't value the whims of women, especially a bold one who disrupts his slumber.•

• Abruptly, putting her hands on his chest, she whispered something in his ear with a jolly face which piqued Jeong-gi's interest.•

⟨SFX: Smirk⟩

—"OH?" —

—"What a delightful news you have brought with you tonight that only earns a reward you earnestly crave for." —

Han Sian [Third Madam]

"Yes, everything I do is for you, my dearest."

•In the end, Jeong-gi indulged her allowing her presence in his chamber.•

—⟨Pleasant face⟩—

•For her ulterior motive to be accomplished for the price for what valuable she presented before him.•

•

⟨In the present⟩

•Understanding madam Gang's hints, Sian tactfully spoke up in a calm voice:

Han Sian [Third Madam]

"It must be heaven's will. And, I discourage such discussions on this occasion."

Lady Jia [Concubine of lord Mu]

"Well-spoken." «agreed»

Madam Gang [Wife of Clan leader Gang]

"Truly." «taking a sip of tea»['What dirty vixen! Don't think I don't know you seduced him?!']

‹👉🏻Madam Gang—Someone who has a problem with what the other woman does with her husband.›

•After,Lady Jia changed the direction while looking at Lady Yumi who was still childless.•

Lady Jia [Concubine of lord Mu]

"In the end, it matters that the baby is born healthy. Boy or girl." «Meek»

•Lady Yumi was very dissatisfied since she was yet to be a mother even after several attempts.•

•Her recent miscarriage caused by a servant's mistake left a bitter taste in her mouth though the servant who was later beaten to death.•

Lady Yumi [Niece of Sichuan patriarch]

" Madam Sian has been a disciplined wife in the Lee household. But, age sometimes worries me."

Lady Jia [Concubine of lord Mu]

"Lord Jeong-gi is still youthful as ever." «Admiring»['How can I not admire him?']

•Lady Yumi's next words were conniving modesty which sounded more insinuating:

Lady Yumi [Niece of Sichuan patriarch]

"We all change but, 'He' still looks the same in the body and looks."['If it weren't for you, I'd have been lord Jeong-gi's woman instead.']

•It seemed, not only Madam Gang but Lady Yumi and Lady Jia had an eye on patriarch Jeong-gi.•

•One way or another, these married women were gawking at Han Sian's man. Madam Gang said with a fake concern:•

Madam Gang [Wife of Clan leader Gang]

"it reminds me, old madam Cheong has been thinking about marrying her modest young niece, Yeon-bi to lord Jeong-gi."['Let's see how you take this, bitch. If not me, another will send you a co-wife.']

•Woon-kye jested casually:

—Hihihihihi—

Hyong Woon-Kye [Wife of General Namgong]

"Wouldn't a young concubine be a fun rival? What do you say, madams?" «Teasing»

•With a clue, the flow of the conversation suddenly changed. Han Sian was trembling with rage knowing Jeong-gi's character very well.•

⟨SFX: Seething inside⟩

—"How dare you mock me? I'll never forgive this."—

«Furrowing eyebrows»

•That, he wouldn't hesitate to remarry for power that comes from the Cheong clan. Sian knew it very well.•

•To think these women would mess with Sian when she's with Jeong-gi's child was infuriating. She could gauge out the 'desire to climb into Jeong-gi's bed' in them from their subtle hints.•

•And, how dare they? When he was hers. She clasped her hands with a synthetic smile.•

Han Sian [Third Madam]

['Did you just call me old?'] "Is that so? Well, my lord is more invested in his work nowadays. But, I welcome her if she's brave enough to step into the Lee clan."

•"Come, if you have a death wish."— what it actually meant. A calm threat from Han Sian to any ambitious wench.•

⟨SFX: Satisfaction⟩

Han Sian [Third Madam]

"And, I believe my son will be born before that happens or not." «Confident»" A mother's gut feelings never lie."

• Bearing sons was considered as contribution in this era. Women were held highly for giving birth to sons; as many as possible.•

•Often, it was used as a weapon to elevate in status and social standing keeping the rivals in check within the household.•

•In the bigoted world, the same would occur in the Lee family.•

•Consort Sian was very confident in giving birth to a boy as Jeong-gi's third child from her. She had many physicians check her.•

•And, she had been assured by a well known physician from the West that she was carrying a male child.•

•This revelation from Sian shut these covetous women up. All they could do was curse her.•

Madam Jang [New Clan leader Jang's wife]

"The world is really full of mysteries...I hope, you take it positively, madam Sian, we were merely worried about you."

•Worry? Lies from the snakes. Sian could see through them, their burning jealousy.•

⟨SFX: Relaxed⟩

Han Sian [Third Madam]

"Worry not. I'm a very positive person." «Sophistic»

• All Awaiting a chance to approach Jeong-gi to have him bed them.•

•Sian would never let these pretentious women succeed•

⟨On the other hand⟩

•Sora had entered the yard of the ancestral hall. Hundreds of eyes of the guests fell on her.

•She appeared like a delicate doll that'd break easily.•

⟨SFX: Dazzle⟩

—"It's crowded here." —

Lee Sora [Sung Joo-hee|FL]

"Ummm.." ["Where to go now? Should I ask someone?"]

•With the shift in the crowd, madam Gang's eyes caught her simple appearance and radiant silver hair.•

—Hoh?—

Madam Gang [Wife of Clan leader Gang]

"May I ask, who that is? She looks familiar." «looking in the direction»

•Then Han Sian eyes followed in the direction in which she was alluding to.•

—«Eyes slightly darkens»—

•Meanwhile some guests and servants who noticed Sora were whispering. •

—Is that woman back?—

—I must praise sire's audacious tastes.—

—«Bwahahahahahahaha»—

—How shameful!—

—Maybe,we are next. —

⟨Murmur⟩

•Suddenly, Madam Jang exclaimed recognizing Sora's features:

Madam Jang [New Clan leader Jang's wife]

"Oh, my!? Is that Gyu-sun!.."

•Lady Yumi had on the other hand had assumptions. However she was inwardly displeased.•

•To see the ghost of that woman in a young girl irked her up. She accusingly said in jealousy:

⟨SFX: Annoyance⟩

—I'll teach her a lesson.—

Lady Yumi [Niece of Sichuan patriarch]

"NO! That woman is dead. " ['Has he taken a girl under his wing who's a lookalike of that wench!?'💢].." I must ask lord Jeong-gi this instance!"

•It was talking as if she had some sort of claim on Jeong-gi. Anyone would get annoyed if someone talks as if she knows her husband better than the wife.•

—«About to stand up»—

•

—I must get rid of her!—

•

«SFX: Anxious»

—«Eyes prying to find Patriarch Lee amidst the crowd.»—

—Click—

—«T R I N G»—

•Suddenly, Han Sian clicked the tea cup on the small plate she was holding before speaking viciously:

—⟨Venomous voice⟩—

Han Sian [Third Madam]

"It's just THAT illegitimate daughter of that ruined wench. There's 'NOTHING TO FUSS OVER' a worthless girl who'll disappear sooner or later." «foreboding»

•Sian was deeply irritated by these bitchy women. Her words chilled Yumi's spine.•

•A hush fell in an instance. Sensing the tension, some of the servants by Sian's table moved away.•

•The one to break the ice was Lady Hyong Woon-kye:

Hyong Woon-Kye [Wife of General Namgong]

"My, My, I didn't expect to see that rumored lovechild of Lord Jeong-gi." ['Interesting.']

Hyong Woon-Kye [Wife of General Namgong]

Lady Jia [Concubine of lord Mu]

"She shouldn't be here.." [This is bad...']

•But, Madam Gang cleared her throat before correcting them.•

Lady Yumi [Niece of Sichuan patriarch]

Madam Gang [Wife of Clan leader Gang]

"Aren't you young to perceive the world? Every person in the manors of the Lee clan is said to be present on this day."

•Lady Yumi begrudgingly spoke:

—Humph!—

Lady Yumi [Niece of Sichuan patriarch]

"And it's not 'Lord Jeong-gi's bastard' but that woman's who fornicated with a nobody behind milord's back." «Defensive»

•Lady Woon-kye tittered heartily. She was having a bit of fun with the ladies here. But, she apologized anyway.•

⟨SFX: Slightly embarrassed⟩

Hyong Woon-Kye [Wife of General Namgong]

"Well, I misspoke. Forgive me." «smile»

•Lady Yumi huffed with a sense of superiority. Madam Jang enjoyed it all after instigating Han Sian.•

•But...

•Our Clueless Sora has caught Han Sian's attention now which is no good, all thanks to the foxy women here.•

•Sora Unbeknownst to the danger, that was lurking around her.•

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

⟨To Be Continued⟩