The Jang residence
Evening had fallen quietly over the Jang residence. The sky outside was a dark shade of blue, with only a faint orange line left at the edge of the horizon. Inside her chambers, Jang Eun Sook sat alone at a low wooden table, hunched over an old, worn-out book. The candle beside her flickered weakly, the melted wax trailing down the side. Her fingers slowly turned the pages, but her eyes looked distant. The words didn't matter. Her mind was elsewhere.
Behind her, Na Bi moved around the room, gently smoothing out the bedding. She kept glancing at Eun Sook, noticing the stiffness in her back, the way her shoulders rose and fell too slowly, too heavily. The silence between them was strange, heavier than usual.
A few minutes passed before Eun Sook finally closed the book. The sound was soft, but in that quiet room, it felt louder than it should. She stared at the candlelight for a moment before speaking.
"Tell Na Mu to get ready," she said quietly, standing up. Her voice wasn't sharp, but there was a weight behind it. "We're going to Hwa-ryeong Jeong. I need to see Madam Han. I have something to discuss with her."
Na Bi blinked, then gave a small nod. "Yes, My Lady."
The Capital- The Magistrate Office
As the sky darkened further, the streets of the capital cooled. In the southern quarter, lanterns had been lit one by one, hanging from doorposts and corners of shops. The smell of roasted chestnuts filled the air. Somewhere nearby, children laughed while running past candlelit stalls. But none of this reached Seo Jin, who had just returned to the city.
His cloak was dusty from travel, his brows furrowed. He didn't stop anywhere. He went straight to the Magistrate office. The wooden gates creaked as he entered, and the guards quickly stood upright when they saw him.
"Welcome, My Lord!" one of them called out.
He gave a brief nod but said nothing. Inside, the officers greeted him with surprise. He hadn't been seen in days. Still, they made way as he moved swiftly to his office.
The room was dimly lit, just as he had left it. He untied the leather strap of a small scroll, tied it to a bird's leg, and sent it flying into the night through the open window to the palace.
"Call Officer Ki Tae," he ordered one of the guards waiting outside.
Soon after, Ki Tae entered, bowing slightly.
"Get me a map to Hwaju," Seo Jin said, his voice calm but stern.
Ki Tae returned within minutes, laying the map across the table. Seo Jin leaned over it, running a finger down the roads and bends, his eyes sharp and focused.
"I'll be gone for two weeks," he said finally. "Maybe more. Until I return, you'll act as the head of the office."
Ki Tae looked surprised. "My Lord—"
"Don't let anything fall apart while I'm gone," Seo Jin interrupted. He rolled the map back up. "I leave at dawn."
He didn't wait for another word. He walked out, mounted his horse, and rode off into the dark, heading home.
---
Hwa-ryeong Jeong
Hwa-ryeong Jeong was already alive with noise and laughter. The lamps in the courtyard glowed brightly, their lights dancing against the silk curtains. Soft music came from the inner halls — the sound of a gayageum plucking gently, the laughter of Gisaengs and their patrons blending into the background. Perfumed smoke drifted from incense burners, mixing with the smell of sweet rice wine and roasted pork.
As soon as Eun Sook stepped into the courtyard, heads turned. The Gisaengs nearby paused their songs and bowed their heads to her then turned and whispered behind their sleeves. Word moved fast here. Before she could even speak, a servant had already rushed inside.
Moments later, Madam Han appeared, brushing past the other Gisaengs as she hurried to meet her. Her face was tight with concern, her sleeves fluttering behind her as she walked quickly.
"Where have you been?" she said without any greeting. "I had to hear from others what's going on."
Eun Sook didn't answer. Her lips were pressed in a straight line.
"Do you even know what happened yesterday?" Madam Han went on. "Seo Jin searched every apothecary in the capital yesterday, looking for what herb was laced on a dart. And not just here. My sources say he even left the city for a while. He's digging, My Lady. He's close to something."
Eun Sook's hands tightened at her sides. A chill passed through her even though the room was warm. She had even forgotten what she had come to discuss about with Madam Han.
Madam Han's voice dropped low. "Are you sure no one else knows about the Blood Blossoms? Anyone except from us? Anyone left alive?"
"No one. Everyone who knew about it had been killed," Eun Sook said firmly.
Madam Han leaned in closer. "If he finds out even a piece of the truth, everything will fall apart. We can't let that happen. If he keeps pushing—" she paused, lowering her voice further, "—we may need to get rid of him."
The words were heavy between them.
"Go back for now," Madam Han added after a moment. "If anything changes, I'll let you know."
Eun Sook didn't argue. She simply turned and left, her steps faster than before. Her mind was spinning. Every word Madam Han said echoed inside her. Na Bi and Na Mu hurried behind her, barely able to keep up.
---
The Streets of the Capital
The city's narrow bridge loomed ahead. A small river flowed beneath it, quiet and dark. Eun Sook's feet moved fast. Her thoughts were too loud in her head. She didn't notice the sharp corner or the cart rolling down toward them.
A man on the cart shouted, but it was too late. The wheel swerved, almost crashing into her. Her foot slipped, and she stumbled, about to fall off the edge of the bridge.
A hand grabbed her waist. Strong arms pulled her onto a horse.
For a brief moment, she sat there in someone's hold, confused but not afraid. Her breathing was shallow. Her eyes lifted slowly.
It was Seo Jin.
They stared at each other, both surprised, but only he looked shaken. Her face was calm, almost empty, like she wasn't really present.
She climbed down without a word, without even a glance. Her feet hit the ground, and she walked off fast, like nothing had happened.
Na Bi bowed deeply. "Thank you, My Lord," she said, her voice soft and quick before rushing after her mistress. Na Mu said nothing, already sprinting ahead.
Seo Jin stayed still on his horse, watching her disappear down the road. His eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't understand her. He didn't know what it was — her silence, her coldness, or her eyes — but something about her lingered in his mind.
---
The Seo Residence
At the Seo residence, the lamps outside the gate were lit. The servants inside were surprised but overjoyed to see their master return. But Seo Jin didn't smile.
"Prepare a strong horse by dawn," he said to a servant at the gate. "Warm clothes. Dried food. I'm leaving for Hwaju."
"Yes, My Lord!"
Inside his chambers, the air was colder. He spread the map over the floor, his knees on the edge of it. His eyes scanned the roads again, pausing at the paths marked with danger. His hand hovered over a mountain trail.
"Too many bandits here and also are barbarians here too," he muttered. "I'll go around."
The door creaked open.
Maidservant Park came in with a tray of food and clean bedding. She said nothing as she placed the tray gently on the table, then moved to fix his bed.
"You haven't slept properly in days," she said after a while. "You barely eat. You haven't come home since Lord Jo's death… and now you're leaving again."
Seo Jin didn't look up. He broke a piece of the rice cake and chewed slowly.
"I have to do this," he said simply.
She poured jujube tea into a cup. "Drink this before bed. It'll help a little."
He took it without a word.
She stood for a few more seconds, then quietly left the room, her eyes still filled with worry.
---
The Jang Residence
Back at the Jang residence, Eun Sook sat on the edge of her bedding, curled up tightly. Her hands trembled as she brought her fingers to her lips. She had bitten her nails again — a habit she never showed to others.
Her eyes stared at the candle in the corner of the room. She didn't blink much. Her thoughts were spinning too fast. Her chest felt heavy.
Na Bi stood close by, her hands folded tightly in front of her. She didn't know what to say. She didn't ask questions.
The silence in the room was louder than ever. The night felt too long.