Ki-dan, who was fixing Yeon-woo’s outer jeogori, clucked her tongue in disapproval.

“Why do you like that stoic gentleman? He’s just scary to be around.”

“You really don’t understand the charm of a real man. Better than those pretentious men who think too highly of themselves. A solid guy like him is the real deal.”

Ki-hyang continued, her face beaming.

“Broad shoulders, a high nose, and a sharp jawline – do you think such men are common? Just go out front. You’ll see plenty of feeble men who can barely be distinguished from women!”

Ki-hyang’s praises for Gun didn’t stop there.

“He’s generous and dignified, certainly from a wealthy family. You said he’s an officer, right? Perhaps a general riding a black horse?”

It seemed Ki-hyang was unaware that Gun was from Kwang-ho’s army.

Since Yeon-woo wasn’t involved, she just silently listened to their conversation.

Ki-dan tilted her head in confusion.

“But if he’s really from a rich family, why doesn’t he have servants? He wouldn’t need to come here himself.”

“Child, there must be a special reason for the gentleman’s visit.”

Ki-hyang blushed shyly and continued.

“It must be to see this Ki-hyang’s face even once more.”

“Oh my! That’s seriously delusional!”

“Don’t you know I’m quite popular with men in this marketplace?”

Looking at Ki-hyang, who seemed to be around Gun’s age, she was quite pretty with her white complexion and distinct features.

Her lively personality and business acumen could easily charm a man or two.

After finishing the measurements, Ki-hyang turned to Yeon-woo.

“So, should I really make a move on him?”

Thinking about actually approaching a man so boldly.

Ki-hyang’s honesty appeared both innocent and adorable to Yeon-woo.

Yeon-woo smiled as she received her fixed outer jeogori.

“There’s really nothing between us, so you don’t need my permission.”

“Great! Today’s the day I meet my match!”

Buoyed by Yeon-woo’s assurance, an excited Ki-hyang bounced out of the room.

After the measurements, as Yeon-woo left the room, Gun handed Ki-hyang the prepared IOU.

Ki-hyang spoke with her nasal voice.

“My Lord, have you been waiting long? I’ll bring your clothes right away. Hey, Ki-dan!”

“Yes, sister.”

Ki-dan brought out the cheollik Gun had ordered.

As she was about to hand it over, Ki-hyang snatched it away with a glare, as if to say, why would you do that.

Then, turning back to Gun with a smile, she said,

“Would you like to check if it’s well made? Every stitch was sewn with care.”

“No need.”

Gun refused her offer with a firm voice, as if he had eaten a boiled pumpkin.

Undeterred, Ki-hyang covered her mouth with one hand and giggled as she approached Gun.

“Oh, you’re so impatient.”

Then, Ki-hyang’s legs entangled as she stepped forward, an intentional move in her plan.

“Oh my, oh my!”
At the moment Ki-hyang was about to fall into Gun’s arms, he swiftly sidestepped with the speed of light.

Ki-hyang’s plan to be caught by Gun failed, but she wasn’t one to back down easily.

After all, wasn’t she Ki-hyang, the woman who had transformed a small hole-in-the-wall into the leading fabric store in Hanyang?

She was a woman who achieved whatever she set her mind to.

Ki-hyang managed to twist her body and finally landed in Gun’s embrace.

However, her moment of triumph was short-lived. Gun quickly received the cheollik and pushed her away with a swift motion.

Ki-hyang flailed in the air for a moment before regaining her balance.

She then looked at Gun with a pitiful expression.

“How could you, my Lord! Treating a woman’s body as if it’s a contagious disease.”

Wouldn’t it be reasonable to at least ask if a woman, who nearly fell, was okay? Even if her fall was somewhat intentional.

Gun, oblivious to a woman’s heart, coldly replied.

“I dislike anyone touching my body.”

A roadside stone would seem more affectionate than Gun looking at Ki-hyang.

Faced with Gun’s impenetrable demeanor, Ki-hyang was taken aback.

Until now, no man had resisted her charms.

She was confident she could capture Gun’s heart, but she hadn’t expected her plan to fail so easily.

Then, Gun turned to Yeon-woo, who was beside him.

“Do you like the clothes?”

“I really do. I’ve always wished to wear clothes from here.”

Thinking of the pretty jeogori and skirt, a bright smile lit up Yeon-woo’s face.

That moment, Ki-hyang, an experienced romance expert, noticed something – Gun’s gaze lingered on Yeon-woo.

‘See that?’

She observed Gun more closely.

From the moment they left the fitting room, or rather, since the moment they encountered each other in the fabric store, Gun’s eyes had been fixed on Yeon-woo.

His look was distinctly different from when he glanced at Ki-hyang.

Like yin drawn to yang, like a butterfly to a fragrant flower, Gun looked at Yeon-woo with a natural attraction, as if obeying the laws of the universe.

In Gun’s heart, there was already a woman he had taken a liking to, leaving no room for Ki-hyang.

‘Ah, so that’s why.’

Years of surviving in the marketplace had honed Ki-hyang’s ability to discern people’s true nature.

From Yeon-woo’s claim of no interest in the gentleman in the fitting room, Ki-hyang could sense no pretense or hypocrisy.

Yeon-woo’s assertion of having no relationship was probably genuine.

‘But I wonder about that sister.’

Even as they left the fabric store, Gun’s gaze did not leave Yeon-woo.

Ki-hyang watched the two depart with an intrigued look.