TYDS 11

Chapter 11

The Youngest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Clan Was Supposed to Be Hated

News that a clan council would be held spread in an instant.

In other words—it meant Father would be coming.

But just like me, everyone seemed half-doubtful.

“Wow… does that mean the Clan Leader is really returning?”

“No way. Didn’t you hear? It’s tied to a vow. He can’t just break it.”

Voices filled the clan from everywhere—some saying he would come, others saying he wouldn’t.

And yet Tang Gwiheon remained certain of Father’s return.

Even Tang Rim had seemed unsure at first, but after hearing the contents of my letter, he nodded.

“So you wrote that you cry every day? Then he’ll come.”

I still remember how my heart had pounded after hearing that.

‘Does Father still love me? Really?’

Maybe even what happened with the poison cup was just a misunderstanding caused by hallucination herbs.

Memories I thought were clear began to blur, while uncertain truths felt like lies instead.

If Father still loved me like my other brothers did…

‘Ah, I don’t know!’

My chest ached, so I pushed the thought away.

Hoping for something like that was still difficult for me.

But I couldn’t stop my heart from racing.

I hoped the council would succeed. I wanted to see Father.

I wanted to know his true feelings.

Since the meeting was held because of me, I also wanted to help my brothers…

“Miss, someone from Danrok Trading Company has arrived.”

There was something I needed to do first—choosing new maids!

“May I come in and greet you?”

“Yes!”

On the day I first met Elder Tang Seo-oh, I returned to find all the maids in my quarters gone.

Gwiheon had arrested everyone involved in the hallucination herb incident.

They had always been almost invisible anyway, so I wasn’t particularly uncomfortable—but a noble lady without attendants looked improper. So Gwiheon quickly arranged replacements.

He even went so far as to avoid using the Central Plains Tang Clan’s network, instead entrusting the matter to a merchant guild he was affiliated with.

“Pleased to meet you, young lady! I am Jo-man, assistant to the young master.”

Jo-man. Even the name sounded wealthy.

“We manage all trade caravans leaving Sichuan. If you desire any treasure, please tell me. I will search across the entire country to find it for you.”

“Wow. Really? Please do!”

When I smiled brightly, Jo-man’s eyes widened before he returned a confident smile.

“Haha. Leave it to me.”

Soon, women entered in a group behind him.

“They all have clean backgrounds and genealogies. Fast hands too. And of course—they are not outsiders!”

They bowed in perfect unison. The angle of their bows was sharp like blades.

“From today, all of them will serve you.”

I was impressed he had gathered them in just three days.

“Would you like to choose one of them?”

Jo-man tilted his head.

“Choose… what?”

I blinked.

“The personal attendant maid who will stay closest to you.”

Ah, that kind of position existed, I think.

“Hmm.”

Since she would stay right beside me, I should choose carefully.

But they all looked the same to me.

As I hesitated—

Swish. Swish. Swish.

“Huh?”

I heard a sweeping sound.

Swish… swish…

From outside the window?

When I turned, I saw a girl standing outside the rear gate.

About eighteen years old?

For some reason, my eyes were drawn to her drooping gaze.

“…That girl. Can I choose her?”

“Hmm…”

Jo-man looked out the window and fell silent for a moment.

“As expected of your eye. She seems kind-hearted and hardworking.”

He praised me as if it had been prepared in advance.

“But… she is not under my authority like the others…”

Meaning she belonged to Central Plains Tang Clan, and thus was not fully trustworthy.

He glanced at me, gauging my reaction.

I blinked innocently, pretending I understood nothing.

“Ugh! Please don’t look at me like that…”

Jo-man clutched his chest muttering.

‘Oh. It works.’

So this was what Tang Rim meant.

“If you want something from someone, you don’t even need to ask directly.”

“You just blink. And tilt your head.”

I still didn’t fully understand what that meant.

Do noble ladies just request things with their eyes?

“Hm?”

I tilted my head the other way.

Jo-man stepped back.

“B-but… the Second Young Master did say to follow the young lady’s wishes…”

He muttered, pressured.

Finally, he sighed.

“…Shall we call her in?”

“Yes!”

I clapped my hands.

‘It really works.’

The girl was brought in.

She clutched a broom tightly, trembling as she entered.

Her face was pale and fearful like a soaked puppy.

“I-I… did I do something wrong?”

“…….”

“I did not permit you to speak yet.”

“Eek!”

Her movements were slow and timid.

Jo-man looked at me as if to ask Are you really choosing her?

I smiled brightly and nodded.

“…What is your name?”

Jo-man asked sternly.

“Ah… I…”

The girl stammered.

“Gong-myo… I am Gong-myo.”

The moment I heard the name, a strange chill ran through me.

‘What…?’

My feelings were odd.

From the moment I saw her, I had been drawn to her.

If I didn’t take her now, I felt like I would regret it.

I jumped down from the chair and approached her.

Fear filled Gong-myo’s eyes as I came closer.

I took her hands and smiled brightly.

“My name is Hee-yeon. Tang Hee-yeon. Nice to meet you.”

“Ah… yes. It is an honor, young lady…”

She bowed awkwardly.

“Please take care of me from now on.”

“From now on…? Eh?”

She looked between me and Jo-man in confusion.

I turned to Jo-man and nodded enthusiastically—my signal that I had chosen her.

Understanding or not, Jo-man’s expression wavered, then settled.

“…Gong-myo. From today, you are the young lady’s personal attendant.”

“W-what?!”

Her voice echoed through the room.

Wow, she could even scream like that?

She collapsed to her knees in confusion.

“Th-thank you… I will work hard…”

“I trust you!”

At my cheerful reply, she slowly lifted her head.

Jo-man remained calm, but I could tell he planned to investigate her later.

‘As expected.’

But I didn’t worry.

Because I was sure of one thing.

I had met Gong-myo before.

In my previous life—after I ran away from home.

How could that be?

I couldn’t remember clearly yet, but I felt that staying close to her would bring it back.

“Miss, we are back.”

After giving instructions, Jo-man and Gong-myo returned.

Gong-myo looked exhausted, her face pale.

I smiled and stepped down.

“Good work. Let’s eat something.”

I handed them each a sweet.

“Th-thank you, young lady!”

Gong-myo bowed and quickly ate it, as if she had been craving sugar.

“Thank you.”

Jo-man also ate his and bowed politely.

Just then—

“Young lady.”

A voice came from outside.

“A guest has arrived.”

“Ah, finally.”

Jo-man nodded as if expecting it.

‘Another guest?’

A shadow moved behind the paper door.

“The Martial Guard of the Security Unit has arrived.”

A large man’s silhouette appeared.

‘Why is a martial warrior here?’

I blinked and looked up at Jo-man.

He smiled faintly.

“Young lady.”

He continued calmly.

“Your personal bodyguard has arrived.”