If he remembered even Biyeong’s mother’s name, there was a high chance that he retained memories of that day’s events.

The thought that this man might provide a crucial clue about Makgeum started to invigorate Biyeong’s entire being.

“That’s correct. Do you happen to remember anything about the incident when that woman fled?”

“I remember everything. Even if I forget everything else, my memory is outstanding.”

“Then, tell me every detail about that incident. Depending on the amount of information, I will generously compensate you.”

Biyeong placed a bag of coins on the table in front of him.

Unlike the first bag, the second bag looked considerably more substantial.

Upon seeing the bag of coins on the table, the man swallowed his saliva and began to narrate the story of the incident.

“On that day, a guest came to the palace, and whether it was a noble lady or a court lady like me, a commoner like me wouldn’t know for sure… Anyway, Maksooni brought the prepared refreshments for the guest. She was supposed to take them to the guest receiving area and bring back what was left. When she asked the guest why they left so soon, the guest said they had to leave quickly and didn’t have time to wait for her to bring the food back. Thanks to that, we got to enjoy the expensive refreshments ourselves since they were already prepared.”

At that time, Biyeong’s mother had set up a table with refreshments meant for the guest reception.

As the guest left without touching the refreshments, the servants shared the valuable treats among themselves.

“It seemed like Maksooni’s expression wasn’t too good after bringing the table. She didn’t even taste the precious refreshments. That night, I remember she ran away with her two sons.”

“What happened after that?”

“I don’t know exactly, but I heard that Maksooni and the eldest son died in the mountains, attacked by wild animals. It was such a gruesome sight that they buried them without showing to anyone.”

The supposedly deceased eldest son was standing perfectly alive in front of the man.
There were discrepancies with what he had experienced, but the content Biyeong was waiting for wasn’t about those details.

“Didn’t you mention having another son? What happened to the remaining son?”

“Oh, the newborn? The youngest, is it Makdungi or Makgeumi…”

Finally, Makgeumi’s name came out of the man’s mouth.

The time waiting for the man to continue speaking felt like an eternity.

“Fortunately, only the youngest survived.”

!

A shiver ran through Biyeong’s entire body.

The world that had been filled with ashes began to be painted with the color of hope at the thought that Makgeumi was alive.

The joy of possibly meeting his younger brother Makgeumi after 20 years overwhelmed Biyeong.

With a voice full of emotion, Biyeong asked, “How is the youngest child doing now? Is he well? Is there any trouble?”

“The youngest one is no longer with us.”

“…What do you mean?”

“That’s…”

Seeing the man’s uneasy reaction, Biyeong felt a sense of unease creeping over him.

With the next words from the man, Biyeong’s heart plummeted to an endless abyss.

“That child, has passed away.”

The snow, decorating the world in white, had reached Yeonwoo’s yard.

Although the piled-up snow looked beautiful, if not cleared in time, it would freeze the ground and become bothersome, so it had to be cleared before melting.

Yeonwoo, holding a broom, started sweeping the snow in the yard, and someone who had been watching her closely opened his mouth.

“Why bother exerting yourself for something that can be done by others?”

“It’s not the first house I’ve acquired, isn’t it? I’d rather my hands touch every nook and cranny than someone else’s.”

If she had swept a collapsing thatched house yard before, now she was cleaning her own well-kept front yard, so it was something to be happy about.

In fact, Yeonwoo hummed a tune and seemed to enjoy sweeping the yard.

The person who had been watching her closely approached and snatched the broom away.

“Give it here.”

“Oh! My broom!”

When Geon started sweeping the yard with the snatched broom, Yeonwoo was taken aback.

“What, what are you doing!”

“This is also our house, isn’t it? So, I should sweep too.”

“If the lord is going to sweep the yard, what should I do? Please, let me do it! I insist!”

“What’s the point of having good hands if they won’t be used? Besides, it’s our house now, right?”

Even though he was a prince, how could they let him clean the yard?

Seeing Yeonwoo looking uneasy about Geon sweeping, he chuckled and said, “Give it here.”
“If you’re bored, go over there and play with the snow instead of bothering me.”

“Don’t treat me like a child. I’m also an adult.”

After Geon stopped sweeping the yard, he approached Yeonwoo.

Then, he looked down at her, his voice softening.

“Well, a little one can’t be as lovely as this.”

“…!”

“Is that all? How can lips be so sweet…”

“Stop right there!”

Before Geon could continue, Yeonwoo, her face turning as red as a red radish, covered his mouth like a red radish.