Chapter 86. A Tael of Gold
"Forgive me, but Platinum Pavilion is not a place just anyone can enter."
The headquarters martial artist spoke with an awkward smile.
"I’m aware. Only those who’ve received a token from the Anguk Merchant Group may enter, correct?"
So-hwa curved her lips as she presented the excuse she had prepared.
"When the fire broke out at the Hubei branch, I caused trouble for the Young Lord of the Anguk Merchant Group. I only wish to pay my respects and express my thanks, so it’s fine even if I’m not allowed inside. I’ll just leave a greeting and return."
"Ah, I’ve heard that the Anguk Merchant Group lent their help when the Hubei branch caught fire."
The headquarters martial artist nodded and did not press further.
He gave a brief set of instructions and then departed.
The retainers entered their lodgings, and So-hwa, along with the Divine Physician and Tang Hae-han, was about to enter the quarters they would use as the Medical Hall.
“You don’t need to go express your thanks yourself.”
The Tang Clan Head, who had remained silent until now, spoke coldly.
“I understand your intent to be polite, but he only acted for the sake of the Hubei branch—not to save you. There’s no reason for the daughter of the clan head to go in person. Sending someone is enough.”
He cut her off at once with clear disapproval.
So-hwa, seeing that only Tang Min remained nearby, quietly replied,
“In truth, I want to go myself.”
“Why?”
Tang Ji-ha’s expression turned even colder than before as he asked.
“I’ve heard much about that Young Lord. They say he’s quite the beauty. However, he is considered a match for Zhuge Cheon-yu by the Zhuge Clan, so don’t waste your heart on him.”
“...?”
So-hwa was at a loss for words.
It seemed he thought she was going because she had fallen for the Young Lord.
It didn’t feel good to be seen that way, but So-hwa soon understood Tang Ji-ha’s reaction. It was because of what she had done at the Alliance of Noble Clans before coming to Hubei.
Had she not acted as if she had fallen for Namgung Hyun, dragging strange rumors behind her?
So-hwa quietly closed the mouth she had opened.
In truth, there was a way to persuade the Clan Head.
He probably wouldn't be able to help but let her go… but it left a bad taste in her mouth.
Still, without the Clan Head’s permission, she couldn’t leave, so So-hwa reluctantly opened her mouth again.
“I’m aware of the marriage talk between the Young Lord and Zhuge Cheon-yu.”
“Good. Then don’t act rashly.”
“I’m not going because I’m interested in the Young Lord. To be honest, I used him as an excuse because I wanted to see the Platinum Pavilion.”
So-hwa spoke while pretending to hesitate.
“The Young Lord once said that the most precious things come to the Platinum Pavilion, and among the finest accessories that arrived there, Zhuge Cheon-yu bought the most exquisite ones.”
Her voice carried a hint of gloom. But since she rarely spoke in a bright tone anyway, no one noticed she had begun to act.
“I heard many comparisons to Zhuge Cheon-yu during the Alliance of Noble Clans. I’ve never doubted my own taste before, but after hearing how lacking I was, I began to doubt myself, too.”
As she said this, So-hwa gently fiddled with the bracelet on her wrist.
It was one of the many accessories Lady Jang had bought in preparation for the Alliance.
“They say the finest goods traded in the Central Plains gather at Platinum Pavilion, so I’m curious. Actually, the Young Lord told me not to mention it, but if I ever visited, he said he’d make special arrangements so I could enter. So, if Father permits, I’d like to go.”
Tang Ji-ha fell silent.
She had touched on what concerned him most, so he had no words.
He had seen firsthand how the Zhuge Clan Head had tried to belittle So-hwa by constantly bringing up Zhuge Cheon-yu throughout the Alliance, so just hearing that name made his anger flare.
So-hwa, pretending to be awkward, lightly dusted off her skirt.
“If Father does not permit it, I won’t go. Honestly, I was a bit hesitant myself. The Young Lord belongs to Zhuge Cheon-yu, and Platinum Pavilion is known to be a place he frequents… It felt like I was greedily reaching for something that doesn’t suit me...”
“Go.”
Tang Ji-ha cut her off and gave permission.
How could it make sense that Zhuge Cheon-yu could go, but Tang So-hwa could not? And what did she mean by it didn’t suit her? How could she say such a thing?
Tang Ji-ha’s expression darkened. He began to wonder if he had made a mistake in taking her to the Alliance of Noble Clans. What had she heard there to so thoroughly shatter the confidence of a child who had once been so resolute?
He had long grown used to hearing his daughters Ye-hwa and Yu-hwa beg for this and that, so So-hwa’s reaction struck him more deeply.
A child who didn’t even show interest in things given to her now seemed to have “awakened” after the Alliance of Noble Clans.
Tang Ji-ha regretted even bringing up Zhuge’s name and inwardly cursed that infuriating Zhuge Clan Head.
So-hwa lowered her gaze, knowing exactly what was running through Tang Ji-ha’s mind.
At her age, she hadn’t wanted to resort to such means.
But what parent could resist when their child begged, comparing themselves to the neighbor’s kid?
He could ignore being belittled himself, but watching his own child shrink under comparison was a different kind of pain.
She recalled the words of the wives of the Namgung Clan, spoken while they embroidered together. It seemed all parents shared the same heart—Tang Ji-ha’s face now mirrored theirs in pain.
So-hwa easily gained the Clan Head’s permission, and was even quietly summoned to his quarters to receive a nyang of silver.
She wasn’t the type to feel guilty over lies, but this one left her distinctly uncomfortable.
***
“What’s in the Platinum Pavilion?”
As she descended the stairs, Tang Min, who had been standing on the landing, asked.
He uncrossed his arms and scratched his ear. Though it sounded like a casual question, it seemed like one he had pondered quite a bit.
“For someone who can’t even stand saying something uncomfortable to her father, to go stabbing right into the Clan Head’s sorest spot—it must be something very important.”
“It is important. They say the items at the Platinum Pavilion can’t be found anywhere else.”
“Since when did you care about things like ornaments?”
Tang Min chuckled.
“Whether it was during the Alliance of Noble Clans or now, you still throw on a few pieces of jewelry over what’s basically rags.”
“...Calling them rags—someone might take offense if they heard that.”
“If the steward grumbled about it for days behind your back, you probably didn’t just buy any random scraps of cloth. And yet, you show up at the headquarters on your first day wearing that.”
Tang Min clicked his tongue as he glanced over So-hwa’s outfit.
“Ji-ha raised you so generously, and yet he’s always watching you like a man guilty of some crime. Can’t understand why he flinches every time you get compared to someone. Even now, anyone can see this cunning child is lying.”
With his hands behind his back, Tang Min walked down the stairs, scrutinizing So-hwa’s face with the sharp eyes of an old man.
“I can’t send you into danger without knowing the reason. So speak.”
“I think only the Grand Elder would call the Platinum Pavilion a place of danger. Unless there’s a tradition in Hubei of risking your life to buy jewelry.”
So-hwa replied calmly, her face expressionless.
However, Tang Min didn’t back down easily.
“Then I’ll go with you.”
“I don’t want that.”
“Oh? Talking back like that—something’s fishy.”
“...What’s fishy about it? I’ve always talked back to you, Grand Elder.”
“Tsk. And you think that’s something to be proud of, being rude to your elders?”
“I do appreciate your concern and care, but I’m fine.”
“Don’t change the subject. I said I’m going too.”
“I’m too old to be walking the marketplace holding a Grandpa’s hand.”
So-hwa let out a small laugh. Then, meeting Tang Min’s gaze as he stepped closer, she said,
“Trust me.”
She dropped her smile and spoke plainly.
“Just like you always have—let it pass, and keep watch. I won’t get hurt. And if something goes wrong, I’ll come to you first.”
“...”
“I’m cunning, not naïve enough to offer my neck. If I’d sensed danger, I wouldn’t be going anywhere—I’d be clinging to Father and the Grand Elder, bothering you both. So there’s no need to worry.”
Tang Min sighed.
He was different from Tang Ji-ha, who wrapped his child up for safety. Tang Min believed one must go through things to grow stronger—and that strength was the true path to safety.
Hearing her speak like that, he couldn’t stop her.
It just left him uneasy.
Whether it was the intuition of an old man, or because he was unsettled by the child’s boldness.
Gazing at So-hwa as if weighing something, Tang Min studied her calm face and sighed again.
“Buy yourself some decent fabric for tying your hair.”
“I’ll buy the most expensive hairpin there.”
“Ha! You really don’t know the ways of the world. Platinum Pavilion is one of the best in the Nine Provinces—do you really think you can afford the most expensive hairpin there?”
Clink.
Tang Min threw something, and So-hwa caught it reflexively.
She carefully opened her hand. A single gold tael lay in her palm. Far too much for mere pocket money—unless she was planning to buy a house at the Platinum Pavilion.
“Don’t spend it. But if anyone tries to look down on you, just flash it. People will treat you better if they see you’re carrying that kind of money.”
He spoke casually, already climbing the stairs again.
So-hwa, watching the figure of the small old man with his hands behind his back, held the gold tael carefully and stepped out of the pavilion.