Do-yoon realised that the only way to escape Gangseo was to secure an official position by passing the civil service exam. He was determined to do so, and Jung Dae-in did not stand in the way of his son’s determination.

“Prove your abilities and find your way out of here.”

Jung Dae-in had told him.

When Do-yoon left for the exams, he was full of confidence—his posture straight, his demeanor bold and self-assured.

But when he returned, he was a shadow of his former self, utterly defeated.

After failing the exam not once, but three times in a row, his pride was shattered. Desperation drove him to seek other ways to achieve his ambitions.

This was when Do-yoon began what people called “grabbing onto connections.”

He sought out influential people who could secure him a position in the government, showering them with flattery and swallowing his pride in his desperate attempts to gain a position. Whenever rumours of Do-yoon’s actions reached Jung Dae-in, he blamed himself, convinced that he had failed to raise his son properly.

“If only Do-yoon was half like you – no, even a quarter of what you are – it would have been a blessing.”

He often said to Yul-hye with a heavy heart.

Always at Jung Dae-in’s side, Yul-hye spent her days listening to his lectures and poring over the countless books in his study.

She understood that, as a woman, she would never be allowed to take the civil service exam, and that studying held no practical purpose for her future. But she loved reading, and she loved learning.

The hours she spent seated across from Jung Dae-in, sharing thoughts and discussing the books they read together, were moments she treasured deeply.

During those times, Jung Dae-in’s wife would often watch them with a warm, gentle smile, her eyes filled with affection.

“Do you like living here in Gangseo?”

Jung Dae-in had once asked her.

“I love it here.”

“Yes, just the four of us. Let’s live quietly here, free from interference, untouched by the troubles of the world. That’s what your father would have wanted. Live this way for now, and when the time comes, we’ll find you a good match, and you’ll marry and live happily.”

In the beginning, Jung Dae-in had no intention of marrying Yul-hye and Do-yoon to each other. Their marriage had never been part of the plan.

Jung Dae-in had always intended for Yul-hye to marry into another family. Many people, sincerely believing that Yul-hye was Jung Dae-in’s niece, expressed their desire to have her as their daughter-in-law.

Yul-hye vividly remembered how nearly every visitor she encountered would express to Jung Dae-in their wish for her to join their family.

“Do you know the young master from Lord Yun’s family who visits at the beginning of every month? His family seems to be interested in you. What do you think? If you’re not interested, I’ll decline on your behalf.”

Yul-hye was familiar with the young master from Lord Yun’s family. He was a reserved and soft-spoken man who rarely said much.

She had heard that he had passed the state exam and was preparing to leave Gangseo for his new official position.

“I feel uneasy about leaving Gangseo.”

“You’re not leaving forever. You can always return for short visits whenever you like.”

Discussions of a potential marriage between Yul-hye and the young master had been in progress at the time. However, before the talks could come to fruition, tragedy struck. Jung Dae-in and his wife passed away, leaving the matter unresolved and ultimately forgotten.

“Ma’am, I’ve brought your tonic.”

The maid said as she entered, carefully holding the bowl of tonic.

Yul-hye lifted her head.

“Leave it there and go.”

“Yes, ma’am. If you need anything else, just call for me.”

“All right.”

Once the maid had left, Yul-hye sat silently, staring at the bowl of tonic.

‘I’ll take care of this headache first. I’ll need a clear mind if I’m going to end the engagement.’

She picked up the bowl, brought the bitter liquid to her lips, and drank it slowly. Setting the empty bowl down, she wiped her mouth with her sleeve.

‘Still, I won’t leave Gangseo. It’s fine—he’ll leave this place eventually. There’s no reason for me to go too.’

While she might leave this house, she had no intention of leaving Gangseo. To Yul-hye, Gangseo was no different from her true hometown. It was also the resting place of Jung Dae-in and his wife.

She knew Do-yoon would never care for their graves. That responsibility fell to her.

Jung Dae-in and his wife had passed away far too suddenly.

“We’ll go fetch Do-yoon. We’ll bring him back, so you just wait here. It won’t take long.”

At the time, Yul-hye had no idea that it would be the last time she would see Jung Dae-in’s wife.

“That boy needs a good scolding to set him straight. I’ve been too lenient with him and that’s why he’s like this. This time I’ll make sure he learns his lesson.”

Jung Dae-in had said, his face etched with distress.

Do-yoon was their only son, their only blood relative. There was no doubt that they cared for him. Whatever his faults, he was still their child, and that love must have driven them to pursue him.

What they didn’t know was that Do-yoon was involved with the Pae family – a toxic connection if ever there was one.

The Pae family was infamous in Gangseo, known for their role as shady middlemen. They facilitated connections between ambitious but unremarkable local gentry seeking government positions and high-ranking officials in the capital, all in exchange for hefty bribes.

Many had secured official posts through the Pae family’s network, and Do-yoon, spotting an opportunity, had turned to them to buy his way into a position.

But fate had other plans. Around that time, a royal decree from the central court ordered a crackdown on the buying and selling of government positions. The Pae family became the prime target, and everyone associated with them was rounded up and handed over to the authorities.

Among those arrested was none other than Jung Do-yoon.

Fortunately, the Gangseo judge, who had great respect for Jung Dae-in’s character, contacted him and asked him to come and get his son.

It was a day of heavy snowfall.

Yul-hye had pleaded with them repeatedly to wait until the snow stopped and the weather cleared before setting out. But Jung Dae-in and his wife, determined to resolve the matter quickly, left through the front gate that very day.

The next day, they returned—cold, lifeless bodies.

In the blinding snowstorm, the horses pulling their carriage panicked and bolted, causing the carriage to tumble off a cliff. Both Jung Dae-in and his wife died instantly.

The funeral for the couple, who were deeply respected for their integrity in Gangseo, was attended by nearly all the influential figures in the region. Moved by the tragedy, many made efforts to support the surviving Yul-hye and Do-yoon.