As Biyeong directed her to the sleeping area, Eun Chae caught the scent of fragrant Maehwaju.
Her eyes landed on the bottle of alcohol on the table.
“Are you drinking? It smells really nice.”
“It’s Maehwaju, a kind of Cheongju made with plum blossoms.”
“Can you make alcohol from plum blossoms?”
Curious, Eun Chae’s eyes sparkled. She had little experience with alcohol, especially after being scolded for a mishap involving it during a previous march.
Though normally indifferent to alcohol, the enticing scent of Maehwaju captivated her.
“May I try some?”
“No.”
Biyeong flatly refused. Despite Eun Chae being a grown adult, he recalled the last incident when she almost got into trouble after drinking.
In the male-dominated Gwangho Army, it wouldn’t be surprising for Song Eun Chae to develop a liking for one of the soldiers.
But the thought of someone close to her being that man was unpleasant.
“Do you know Daebok hyeongnim?”
“Are you talking about trainee Lee Daebok?”
“Yes.”
Lee Daebok, the one always hanging around Eun Chae, had a respectable face and decent martial arts skills.
Was it possible that she harbored feelings for him, given their close bond?
Biyeong’s heart began to race uneasily at the thought.
“Daebok hyeongnim often talks nonsense, but deep down, he’s a good person. I really like that about him…”
Lee Daebok, her favorite? And she liked him a lot?
Biyeong felt as if his heart had plummeted.
Maintaining his composure, he listened to Eun Chae’s next words.
“But, can you believe it? In front of the woman he likes, he becomes silent, like a sack of grain.”
“Is this woman you’re talking about the one who came to pick Wolgyeoncho, named Cho Ah?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Realizing that Eun Chae’s feelings for Daebok weren’t romantic, Biyeong felt his heart return to its place.
Relieved, he asked with a softer expression.
“Is that why you’re so upset?”
“Yes, it’s frustrating. Daebok hyeongnim is a fool. What’s the use of being deep if he can’t even talk to the woman he likes?”
Then Eun Chae leaned closer.
“Orabeoni, have you ever been in love?”
Biyeong felt a tingly sensation, either from the closeness or the word ‘love’.
“Love?”
“Yes. I’ve never been in love, so I wouldn’t know. Do you become a fool when you’re in love?”
Biyeong shifted back a bit, then replied thoughtfully.
“I suppose I haven’t been in love either.”
“Really…”
Eun Chae, defeated by the alcohol, laid her head on the table.
Biyeong caught her head just before it hit the table.
“Don’t be like Daebok hyeongnim.”
Feeling the warmth from Biyeong’s hand, Eun Chae grew drowsy.
“If you get hurt because of this, I’ll be so sad…”
Her voice faded as she drifted to sleep.
“You’re someone I really like, Orabeoni…”
Like a stone causing ripples in a pond, Eun Chae’s declaration of affection created ripples in Biyeong’s heart. His heartbeat accelerated wildly.
‘Why is my heart behaving like this? Her feelings are surely pure.’
Just as she liked Lee Daebok as a person, she must regard me as a good brother, nothing more.
My heart is racing out of gratitude for her consideration.
Reassuring himself, Biyeong gently picked up the sleeping Eun Chae.
Holding her small, light body in his arms, she fit perfectly. So fragile and delicate, he thought.
Carefully, Biyeong laid her on the bed and covered her with a blanket, admiring her peaceful, sleeping face.
He told himself there was no need to understand romantic feelings yet, hoping she would always stay by his side in this innocent manner.
Gently pushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear, Biyeong softly whispered, “I like you too.”
A midsummer night filled with the music of insects and a faint chorus of frogs in the distance. Was it the sounds of the night or his unspoken emotions that kept Biyeong awake?
Dawn arrived, and the bright morning rays heralded a new day.
The chirping birds, usually melodious, today seemed to throb in Eun Chae’s head.
“Ugh, my head…”
Was this the sensation Sun Wukong felt with the tightening golden hoop? She awoke with a throbbing headache, the aftermath of her first drinking experience.
Biyeong, who had been working at the desk since early morning, gently addressed her.
“Awake now?”
Nodding, Eun Chae pressed her temples, trying to ease the pounding pain.
“Yes, but I feel strange. My head’s throbbing, and my stomach’s churning.”
Biyeong handed her a cup of tea he had prepared in advance.
“Drink this.”
“What is it?”
“Hovenia dulcis tea. It’s good for hangovers.”
“Thank you,” Eun Chae gratefully accepted the cup, still embarrassed by the previous night’s events. One drink and she was intoxicated – an unexpected revelation.
The warm tea seemed to soothe her stomach and lessen the headache.
“Orabeoni, you look unwell.”
Biyeong had dark circles under his eyes, clearly fatigued. Despite their close relationship, sharing a tent overnight in a world that strictly distinguished between men and women was a new experience.
Realizing he spent the night awake because of her, she noticed documents on his desk.
“Did you stay up working because of me?”
“Ah, that’s… well…”
Biyeong couldn’t admit he couldn’t sleep because of her presence and found himself at a loss for words. At that moment, a familiar voice called from outside the tent.
“What is this situation?”
“……!”
“Whoa!”
Startled by Gun’s sudden appearance at the entrance of the tent, both Eun Chae and Biyeong jolted.
Gun approached them with a frown, his eyebrows knitted in discomfort.
He had come to Biyeong’s tent early in the morning with a matter to discuss.
While he could have summoned Biyeong to his own quarters, Gun often preferred to personally visit when the matter was of importance.
Like today, needing to deliver important documents, Gun had made his way to Biyeong’s tent.
But upon hearing voices other than Biyeong’s so early in the morning, he entered and found Eun Chae with him.
Eun Chae’s disheveled hair indicated she had spent the night in Biyeong’s quarters.
Biyeong was known for his impeccable conduct, so it was unlikely he would be involved in anything scandalous.
However, Gun was already bothered by Biyeong and Eun Chae’s apparent closeness. The fact that they had spent the night in the same space only aggravated his unease.
Gun, exuding a fierce aura, spoke with visible displeasure.
“I find this situation quite disagreeable.”
His annoyance wasn’t out of jealousy towards Biyeong and Eun Chae’s relationship.
It stemmed from the need to maintain clear boundaries between superior and subordinate, Gun reasoned internally, trying to justify his discomfort.
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
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