That was probably about fifteen minutes later.

Just as I was getting used to the ear-splitting flute, the door opened.

“Father.”

“Eep!”

Tang Juyeop let out a sharp squeak as he hurriedly lowered the flute.

“Father’s here?”

When I lifted my head, Tang Muheok walked into the dining room with a blank face.

Tang Muheok swept his gaze over the people seated at the table, then frowned.

“I don’t see Hwayeop or Chohui.”

“Brother Hwayeop went to Mount Qingcheng. He said he was meeting a friend. Chohui is probably at the iron workshop.”

Tang Juyeop answered, still holding the flute. His voice was unexpectedly neat and clear.

“And Seho?”

“He went out to play with Jan. He said he was going somewhere with Grand Elder Dang-gak.”

Tang Juhee answered as she poured the venom she’d squeezed out into a small bottle.

“I understand. Juhee, put the snake away. Eat.”

When Tang Muheok waved a hand, the maids began bringing in the dishes.

At the same time, my chest tightened like I couldn’t breathe.

“.......”

“.......”

“.......”

It was supposed to be a gathering to strengthen family bonds. Then why was no one talking?

There were six people there, but aside from the clink of utensils, there wasn’t a sound.

Even Tang Juhee—who’d been so loud—was quiet like everyone else.

Did Tang Muheok hate conversation during meals? Or did they all just hate each other?

With everyone watching, I couldn’t get the food down.

Just as I set my chopsticks down, feeling like I was about to choke on it, the door slammed open.

“You’re late.”

Tang Muheok said it indifferently.

When I looked up, an exclamation slipped out of me without permission.

A girl was walking in with a face that made you think, even if you didn’t know her status, That’s the Clan Head’s daughter.

Was this the mystery of genetics? She looked exactly like Tang Muheok, like she’d been stamped out of the same mold.

The sharp eyes, the lifted brows, the atmosphere of icy wind whipping through the room—one hundred percent Tang Muheok’s daughter.

Where did her mother’s genes even go?

“Sit.”

At Tang Muheok’s chin-jerk, Tang Chohui sat in the empty seat without a word.

“Did you go to the iron workshop again?”

Tang Muheok asked with an annoyed expression. When Tang Chohui didn’t answer, Tang Muheok clicked his tongue like he’d expected it.

“How long are you going to keep playing at being a blacksmith? You are the Clan Head’s daughter. Don’t smear your father’s face with mud.”

“Then kick me out. You’re good at acting like you don’t have a child.”

Tang Chohui shot back in a voice full of rebellion, then flicked her eyes at me. Tang Muheok, struck speechless, had his eyebrows trembling.

I almost spat out the lamb I was chewing.

“Cough.”

...Why was this landing on me?

Noticing my expression, Tang Un quickly handed me a handkerchief. I wiped at my mouth and glanced sideways at Tang Chohui.

Before, her face had been so striking I hadn’t noticed, but now I saw why Tang Muheok didn’t like it.

Her clothes were shabby. If you put it nicely, she was unpretentious. If you didn’t, she looked grimy.

Unlike the other siblings in long robes with wide sleeves, Tang Chohui’s sleeves were tied tight at the wrists.

Her sun-darkened face had no trace of makeup, and the tips of her nails were black with metal dust jammed under them.

Sitting next to Tang Juhee made the contrast even louder.

While Tang Juhee wore a lavish hair ornament, three jade rings, and pure-gold earrings, Tang Chohui didn’t have so much as a cheap bead decoration in sight.

If you knew faces, you’d say, That’s the Clan Head’s daughter. If you didn’t, you’d mistake her for a servant doing rough work.

Honestly, even the servants dressed better than that. The Tang °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° Clan’s servant wages were still decent.

“Tang Chohui.”

“What.”

Even at that warning-tinged call, Tang Chohui didn’t back down, just glared at her father.

As the mood threatened to turn ugly, Tang Juyeop hurriedly cut in.

“Sister. What did you make today?”

“A sword.”

“Were you satisfied with the result?”

“Not bad.”

“Then a throwing knife I could use—”

“No.”

Tang Chohui cut him off before he even finished, stuffed a dumpling into her mouth, and chewed. Tang Juyeop shook his head.

“Our Chohui has such a terrible personality.”

Yeah. It showed.

Not only was her face a carbon copy of the Clan Head’s—her personality was a carbon copy too.

“Get lost.”

“‘Get lost’... what harsh words. My heart aches. Please treat this brother kindly.”

Why was he talking like that?

The way they talked was strange too.

Tang Juyeop was probably older, but everyone treated it as natural that he spoke politely and formally to his younger sister.

Was he always like this?

Tang Juyeop noticed my sideways looks and smiled, eyes narrowing.

“Oh. My greetings are late. I hope the youngest sister spent the night in peace.”

...This bastard’s concept is intense.

Our elegant young master started inspecting me with the eyes of someone who’d found a new toy.

“Does the meal suit your taste?”

“Yes. Yes.”

Don’t talk to me. I’m going to indigestion myself to death.

“Here. Please try this as well.”

Tang Juyeop smiled kindly and placed food into my bowl. Cold sweat broke out from the suffocating “kindness.”

“It’s fine. I’ll eat.”

“You don’t seem to be eating well. Is your digestion poor? If that’s the case, try this.”

“What is it?”

“It’s good for the body.”

Tang Juyeop took out a flask and poured its contents into a small cup. A pitch-black liquid sloshed with an ominous sheen.

That does not look good for the body at all. That looks like poison. Is that poison? That’s poison, right?

At my suspicious face, Tang Juyeop smiled and shook his head.

“It’s a digestive tonic. I drink it often as well.”

“Really?” 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Half-doubting, I accepted the cup he offered. It looked nasty, but it felt awkward to refuse.

Because I thought... maybe this was Tang Juyeop’s clumsy way of showing goodwill, the way Tang Juhee had.

And since no one was stopping him, it probably wasn’t poison.

I glanced at Tang Un. He nodded like it was fine. So I slowly tipped the cup back.

It tasted like bitter tea and mushroom decoction at the same time. My face crumpled on its own.

After rinsing my mouth with plain water, Tang Juyeop stared at me, curiosity overflowing.

“How is the taste?”

“It tastes bad.”

“......You’re honest.”

Tang Juyeop scratched his head like that was unexpected.

What, were you hoping I’d lie and say it was delicious?

His sticky gaze made me uncomfortable, so I looked away. He asked, like something didn’t add up.

“You’re fine?”

“Huh?”

“Hmm. Or did I mix it wrong?”

Muttering, Tang Juyeop looked back and forth between me and the flask, then tipped the flask up and gulped it down.

“No, it is. It’s definitely extreme poi— cough, cough!”

Then he foamed at the mouth and toppled backward.

...What is this idiot?

So it was poison. You fed it to me, I was fine, so you got weirded out and drank it yourself to check?

“Hey—hey? Brother Juyeop? Hey. Are you dead?”

I stared blankly at Tang Juyeop as his limbs twitched and he spit froth with unfocused eyes.

Tang Muheok put his chopsticks down like he’d lost his appetite and snapped.

“How many times do I have to tell you—not a child—don’t take poison out at the table.”

Father, is that really the problem right now? And you knew he was feeding me poison and you just let it happen?

My sense of betrayal hit its peak when I saw Tang Un’s calm face. Even at my resentful stare, Tang Un stayed serene.

“Because Sohae doesn’t become poisoned, we left it alone. What Juyeop does is cute, isn’t it?”

What part is cute? Feeding poison? Or passing out after drinking poison?

“Move him.”

Tang Chohui said sullenly.

The tone was like she was talking about moving an object, not a person—but no one corrected her, which made it feel like they all thought the same.

I watched Tang Juyeop being carried away, completely dazed.

The Tang Clan really was a den of lunatics.

*****

Tang Juyeop was carried to the Medical Hall, but even after he was given an antidote, he didn’t come to his senses.

When the Medical Hall Master brought a medicine bottle to his nose, he opened his eyes for a moment.

“Ah... sect master of med...icine... please... me...”

But then he spewed nonsense no one could understand and passed out again.

Was it really okay to leave him like this? Why did no one care?

Unlike me, who was worried he might die, no one treated Tang Juyeop’s condition as serious.

I was the only one who’d followed him all the way to the Medical Hall.

I hovered around his bed with a jittery face. Someone had collapsed, and it felt wrong to just leave.

The Medical Hall Master clicked his tongue and crooked his fingers at me.

“Spinning around like a puppy that needs to take a shit won’t wake the fainted one. Go already.”

“He’s really not going to die?”

“I told you he won’t. He’ll lie there for about four hours anyway. Don’t waste your time—go do what you need to do.”

Tang Geunmyeong had said he’d oversee afternoon training, so I really did need to get moving. Hesitating, I slipped my shoes on.

That was when someone kicked the Medical Hall door open and barged in.

“Medical Hall Master! Is Brother Juyeop here?”

“Don’t run. I’ve told you a hundred times—keep quiet in the Medical Hall.”

“He’s not awake yet, right? You have to scribble on him while he’s unconscious!”

The boy brushed off the scolding and strode up onto the wooden floor. An inkstone and brush were tucked in his arms.

I hesitated, thinking his face looked familiar—then realized he was Tang Seho, the Clan Head’s youngest son.

“Tsk, tsk. Thinking about drawing on a patient’s face.”

“Last time, Brother drew a mustache on my face. I have to pay him back exactly.”

At the childish nonsense, the Medical Hall Master smacked his lips and turned away.

“I know nothing about it. Do what you want.”

...They play like this? Even elementary school kids don’t play like that.

Judging by the atmosphere, I had a bad feeling that getting entangled with that brat would only bring me trouble.

Amendment: I tried to pretend I’d seen nothing and slip past Tang Seho—

“Wait.”

I failed.

Damn it. I’m screwed.

When I slowly turned my head, Tang Seho’s eyes narrowed as he gripped my shoulder.

“It’s you.”

“Huh?”

“The youngest they say Ancestor Jonghyeon brought in. You, right?”

Tang Seho glared at me with eyes full of wariness.

I rolled my eyes awkwardly.