Young Sun even left before dessert, partly because she didn’t want to be with them any longer, but mostly because their gazes towards Soo Yeon were too distressing.
“Since when did they care so much…….”
Young Sun muttered in self-mockery.
It was clear her actions were instinctual, yet upon reflection, they were hypocritical.
After learning Soo Yeon was an adoptee, she felt deceived and despised her, treating her harshly.
Was that all?
Despite knowing it was wrong, she even raised her hand to her daughter-in-law.
Yet, she constantly rationalized to avoid feeling guilty.
She convinced herself that it was Soo Yeon who had first deceived her, and that Soo Yeon was responsible for the entire situation.
With such justifications, her discomfort faded as if it never existed, and eventually, she stopped feeling any guilt.
Indeed, it was so… It certainly was…
Yet now, her feelings had become indescribably heavy.
Young Sun tightly closed her wrinkled eyelids.
A long-forgotten headache intensified.
She groaned, unsure of how to resolve this situation.
It was then that she sighed repeatedly.
Knock knock.
The sound of a knock echoed in the quiet room.
“Madam, may I come in?”
It was the voice of Young Chun, who took care of the housework. Young Sun sat up in response.
Through the slightly opened door, Young Chun appeared, holding a tray.
“What’s the matter? I told you to take care of lunch by yourself today.”
“It’s not about lunch, I wanted to offer you some tea.”
Young Chun, with a warm smile, placed a teacup on the bedside table beside Young Sun.
Young Sun looked at the steaming teacup.
Floating on the yellow tea were chrysanthemum petals.
“What’s this?”
“It’s chrysanthemum tea. I brewed it thinking you might have a headache.”
“Do we have such flower tea at home?”
Caught off guard by Young Sun’s question, Young Chun looked embarrassed.
Usually, grocery shopping was done after consulting with Young Sun, so it was awkward to make up an excuse.
After hesitating, Young Chun reluctantly answered.
“Well… actually, the youngest daughter-in-law brought it last time.”
“……Soo Yeon?”
Young Sun’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Madam told me not to mention it to you… She said you’ve been having more headaches lately, perhaps due to stress, and asked me several times to take care of you with this tea if you ever feel too strained.”
Young Sun blinked silently.
Every time she blinked, the teacup brought by Young Chun filled her vision.
Her heart felt heavier than ever before.
“Madam, I know it’s none of my business to say this, but…”
“…….”
“The youngest daughter-in-law has such a kind and beautiful heart. These days, young ladies find visiting their in-laws uncomfortable and try to avoid it by any means, only showing their faces maybe once or twice during the holidays…”
“…….”
“But this family’s youngest daughter-in-law always leaves with tears in her eyes, and regardless of rain or snow, she diligently comes to greet you. It’s both pitiful and endearing.”
“…….”
“Even though you’re harsh on her, she consistently respects you, Madam. Isn’t her heart so lovely?”
“Do you say… she respects me?”
Young Sun asked, her eyes filled with confusion, as she looked at Young Chun.
Young Chun happily gazed at the steaming teacup and continued.
“I was curious how a young lady knew to get something like this, so I asked. She went all the way to the market herself. She wandered around not knowing what to choose, asking if she had picked well. In today’s world, where can you find such a sincere young lady?”
“…….”
“While saying this, she also stressed that if you ask, I should say I prepared it. She was worried that you might dislike it if you knew she had arranged it.”
As Young Chun’s words continued, Young Sun looked at the teacup with an unprecedentedly troubled expression.
She had never dreamed that such things were happening in her house without her knowing.
When could it have been? She was completely unaware…
“Ah, I’m so foolish to have said all this. But I really wanted to tell you at least once.”
“…….”
“I thought you should know about her kind heart, as you wouldn’t otherwise.”
Young Chun, feeling she had fulfilled her duty, picked up the tray.
“I’ll leave now, Madam. Please have some tea and rest.”
She then left the room with her ever-warm smile.
Young Sun, now alone, was enveloped by the scent of the chrysanthemum tea.
She couldn’t take her eyes off the teacup, ruminating on what Young Chun had just told her.
She recalled something her son had said once.
“There must be reasons for Soo Yeon’s actions. Do you think it was easy for her to keep this secret? So, Mother, please pretend you don’t know. I don’t want to make a big deal out of this.”
“Son, In Ho, what kind of nonsense is that!”
“Mom, what does it matter if Soo Yeon is adopted? We’ve lived well without any issues, and I’ve been able to focus on my acting thanks to her. I’m actually grateful.”
“She’s deceived you and our family. She kept us in the dark for over two years after getting married!”
“There must have been a reason. Enough, please. I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I’ll be leaving first.”
Back then, she felt resentful towards her son who wouldn’t listen to her.
She thought he was being ungrateful, not understanding the reasons behind her concerns.
But now, she started to see things differently.
Maybe, like her son said, her daughter-in-law had her own reasons, too personal to share with anyone.
“Sigh…….”
A deep sigh escaped Young Sun’s lips, heavier than ever before.
Her mind was in turmoil.
She hadn’t noticed at all.
The fragrance of the chrysanthemum tea had filled the room and now was seeping deeply into Young Sun’s heart.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
