Iho, who had been overseeing the internal surveillance to make sure nothing went wrong, caught up with San-gyeong.

“According to Samho, Doctor Mok and Lord Gayu only had a brief conversation in the bridal chamber before leaving. No other guests entered.”

Of the group, Iho always had the hardest time during missions that involved mingling with others – because he was exceptionally good at it.

San-gyeong patted him on the shoulder.

“Well done.”

“Oh… are you drunk, my lord?”

Thwack!

“Ow! You’ll dislocate my shoulder at this rate!”

Despite the theatrics, Iho grinned at him.

There were times when San-gyeong’s unshakable calm seemed almost inhuman.

His natural stone-like personality had become even colder under the influence of the medicine.

Iho didn’t think that was a good thing.

No matter how much one suppressed it with drugs, the side effects of the Twenty-Four Dream Blossoms couldn’t be avoided forever.

Eventually, it was a problem that had to be solved.

‘He had changed quite a bit since he met his wife.’

It was a subtle change that most people wouldn’t notice, but Iho felt that the atmosphere around San-gyeong had undeniably changed.

Lately, he seemed more human.

Even small gestures like this one – a little praise – were proof of that.

‘Good. It’s a very good change.’

Still water stagnates. Iho believed the emotions were the same.

“It’s Yushi now.” (19:00)

With the leather mask ready to be worn, it was time to clear the banquet hall and enter the bridal chamber.

The sun was setting in the sky – perfect timing to end the celebration.

And with the Sixth Prince already drunk, they had the perfect excuse to let him rest.

After everything was cleaned up and before sulsig (the hour between 9 and 11 pm), San-gyeong made his way to the inner quarters.

There he happened to meet Hyang-eum, who was carrying a decoction.

She had expected San-gyeong to return late at night and drunk, so she was a little surprised.

“You’re back, sir.”

San-gyeong, who had planned to call her to discuss something anyway, spoke up.

“I want to talk to you for a moment.”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“I want you to take care of Yeonmowon’s household from now on.”

Hyang-eum had expected to be asked to bring food or fetch more wine, so her eyes widened at the unexpectedly important responsibility.

“What? But I can’t even read or write.”

“That doesn’t matter. You’ll be in charge of the servants in the household, and Iho will handle the administrative matters as acting steward.”

This completely excluded Gye-ri, who had previously had full authority over the management of the household.

It was a clear declaration that the structure of Yeonmowon was being rebuilt.

Hyang-eum swallowed dryly.

San-gyeong continued to explain.

“My wife will soon have many people under her. You can’t be the one to take care of her personally all the time.”

It was a sudden statement, but perfectly reasonable.

In fact, it was strange that things had turned out the way they had.

‘He was right. With the number of servants growing, it’s time to change the way things are done.’

“I understand, my lord. I’m honoured and deeply grateful for your confidence.”

“And one more thing.”

San-gyeong took the tray Hyang-eum was holding. This was the real reason he had called her.

“From now on, when I’m in the inner quarters with my wife, limit access to this building as much as possible. Especially after Sulsig (9-11pm), no one should enter the main building except the guards.”

“What? Who will look after my madam then?”

“I will personally look after her from Sulsig onwards.”

‘Is that really okay?’

As Hyang-eum stood dazed and confused, Iho – who had been standing nearby – chimed in gently.

“During the honeymoon, it’s only proper for the servants to be extra discreet, don’t you think, Lady Hyang-eum?”

“…!”

Only then did Hyang-eum realise that she’d been slow to understand.

‘Wait, is this really my business? Even if they are newlyweds, there’s no way they would do this every single night…’

She began to wonder if San-gyeong was exaggerating.

But then again, in a man’s world, manliness was often synonymous with pride and reputation, so she could understand the attitude.

“I understand. I just worry that it might be a bit of a hassle for you to take over my duties, my lord.”

“Is there anything else I need to do besides giving her this medicinal decoction?”

At these words, Hyang-eum immediately began to speak, as if she’d been waiting for the question.

“Yes, please help her with her meals. My lady often skips her meals when no one is around to watch over her. Sometimes she’ll put it off simply because it’s inconvenient. And as her medicine is quite bitter, don’t forget to give her some fruit or something sweet afterwards. But this is the most important part – my lady is extremely sensitive to cold. She often gets sick because of the cold in her body. So unless it’s summer, her bedding should always be pre-warmed.”

“……”

San-gyeong was speechless for a moment.

Dan Woo-hye isn’t a child, so what’s all the fuss about?

But Hyang-eum wasn’t finished.

“Oh, and I used to brush her hair for her before she went to bed. She also likes the warmth of human contact, so she would often hold on to me. Especially when she’s in a bad mood, she really needs…”

“That’s enough. I understand.”

Feeling overwhelmed, San-gyeong cut her off in mid-sentence. He had the feeling that he would have to listen to these ridiculous stories for at least another half hour.

“Is there anything else I should know?”

Hyang-eum hesitated, her lips twitching as if she had much more to say, but when she met San-gyeong’s piercing gaze she shook her head.

“No, that should be enough for now.”

Even then, she made sure to leave room for more.

The thought that she wouldn’t be able to take care of Woo-hye in the evenings made Hyang-eum feel hollow and melancholy.

Would she be okay without her? Would she feel lonely? Could she really get along with a man as unfeeling as a stone?

If Woo-hye had been the kind of person who could live independently, Hyang-eum wouldn’t have worried so much.

But it was Woo-hye.

Dan Woo-hye, who could wither away and die of loneliness if left alone.

Although she looked like a poisonous woman who would stop at nothing, it wasn’t the poison in her body that tormented her – it was the deepening loneliness.

Hyang-eum’s mood darkened.

It was only now that the reality of the marriage, which hadn’t felt real even when she had called Woo-hye ‘my lady’, really hit her.

Not that San-gyeong cared – he just found the whole master-servant dynamic absurd and annoying.

“I will hear everything else I need to know directly from my wife, so you may go now.”

“Yes, sir.”

After sending Hyang-eum away, San-gyeong went to the adjacent bathhouse instead of the main quarters.

In the bathhouse, his subordinates had created a hidden room under the pretext of preparing the bridal chamber. They had installed a false wall to conceal it.

Inside, San-gyeong soaked a leather mask in a medicinal solution and washed his face.

When he removed the Cheong-un mask, a strikingly handsome face was revealed.

“I’ll take care of the cleaning.”

Iho said, and San-gyeong gave a silent nod before taking the medicinal decoction and going inside.

The bathhouse was conveniently located so that he could go straight to the main residence without having to go through the hallway.

‘Whoever built this mansion must have been someone who loved to bathe.’

For San-gyeong, who had to keep his identity hidden, the layout was ideal.

As he walked, he let out a quiet sigh, each step bringing back the events of the day.

‘I don’t even know what to say…’

He wasn’t sure how to face Woo-hye now—Woo-hye, who had so boldly confessed she liked him.

Their marriage had been one of convenience, without emotion on either side.

He had been certain she would turn him down, especially after all the awful rumors she must have heard about Cheong-un.

And besides, wasn’t she already involved with Pungwoo?

He had assumed she’d welcome his suggestion to live like brother and sister.

But instead… she said she liked him.

Even now, he couldn’t quite grasp what she truly meant by that.

‘Could it be that she and Pungwoo are merely allies, not true lovers?’
But he’d heard the same story from those who had fled Doha before it began to flourish—
Every one of them had insisted that Dan Woo-hye was Pungwoo’s lover.
Of course, he’d never fully trusted their words—there had always been room for doubt.

‘If she truly isn’t involved with Pungwoo…’

San-gyeong cut himself off, realizing his thoughts were veering down a path they shouldn’t.
He couldn’t afford idle speculation.

His mission was clear: eliminate all threats to His Majesty’s peaceful reign.
His life, his very existence, belonged to the emperor and the nation.
Even if His Majesty himself turned him away—San-gyeong’s resolve would remain unshaken.

As someone who was born with the blood of a cultist, he had long since accepted that he had to live and die for this cause.

So whether Woo-hye was Pungwoo’s lover or not – it didn’t matter to him.

Really… it didn’t matter.

‘Enough with these useless thoughts.’

After the brief surge of emotion had subsided, San-gyeong composed himself and stepped into the bridal chamber.

The room was warmly lit, with oil lamps casting a soft glow throughout. A low protective barrier had been erected near the lamps so that Woo-hye wouldn’t accidentally hurt herself.

“My lady.”

Woo-hye, who had been sipping tea, raised her head.

From the moment the sun had set and darkness had fallen, she had again covered her head with a cloth so that she could not see – even the flickering candlelight was now invisible to her.

“You’re here earlier than I expected. What time is it?”

“It just got sul-si. His Highness the Sixth Prince was very drunk, so the banquet ended early and I came back.”

“Is that so?”

She replied calmly, putting her teacup back on the low table beside her. Then she picked up her stick and stood up.

“Have you been drinking much?”

“Just a little.”

Woo-hye began to walk towards him. It seemed as if she wanted to take his outer robe.

Between them was a round table and several chairs – if she walked in a straight line, she would bump into them. Although she could probably detect the obstacles with her cane, San-gyeong stepped towards her first.

“Stop right there.”

At his words, Woo-hye obediently stopped. San-gyeong led her back to the seat where she had originally been and helped her to sit down again. He placed the medicine bowl he was holding on the low table.

Then he got down on one knee and looked up at her.

“What are you going to do?”

Woo-hye, unsure of what was about to happen, tensed slightly.

“What I’m supposed to do.”

With that, San-gyeong removed the red cloth covering the bride’s face.