LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 589
Let’s go back to Wuhan and contact each other.
After being recognized as a suitable son-in-law for the Zhuge family and reading Hwa-rin’s reply, it wouldn’t be too late to get in touch. I kept telling myself that, yet I found it hard to leave my desk until night fell, and the door opened.
“Master Kang!”
“Miss Zhuge. You’ve returned.”
“Ah, um, that…”
What could be the matter? Miss Zhuge seemed to hesitate, gauging my reaction.
“What do you want to say?”
Could it be that she heard something from her mother-in-law? It could be a good idea to contemplate together with Miss Zhuge.
As I waited for her to speak, an unexpected proposal popped out.
“Um, would you like to go for a walk tomorrow?”
Gasp!
“A walk?”
Stutter “Um! You’ve been cooped up in your room for almost twenty days now. I thought it might be good to take a walk before a decision is made!”
It’s hard to believe that this homebody would casually make such a suggestion. Miss Zhuge barely managed to explain her reasoning to the startled Kang Yoon-ho.
If it were me, I could easily stay in my room for two or three months. There was another reason behind Miss Zhuge mustering the courage to propose to Kang Yoon-ho.
“Alright. What does Xiang need to do to become the main wife next year?”
She had heard her mother Jang Young-young’s serious advice, after all.
“Are you going to block Master Kang from sending letters?”
“….”
“Um… that can’t be it, right?”
“Just be by my side.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s not just when you’re happy or joyful. It’s also when it’s tough, sad, or you’re troubled. You should always be by the side of the man you love.”
“Will it really be that easy?”
To be the main wife? Honestly, I’m not confident. With her mother’s grave advice, Miss Zhuge could only droop her shoulders.
“You don’t have to imitate other women. What matters is that you can depend on each other. Be a woman he can open up to. Be a woman he always wants to return to. A good marriage can be enough just with that.”
Have confidence. A good marriage is different for everyone. Her mother gently grasped the shoulder of her anxious daughter.
“Mom…”
“If it’s you, Xiang, you can do it.”
With her mother’s sincere encouragement, Miss Zhuge decided to muster her courage.
‘I’ll show Master Kang a dependable me!’
Being a main wife who can support her husband in tough times. How wonderful does that sound?
一 “How could you marry without consulting me?”
一 “Miss Zhuge stayed by my side during tough times.”
一 “What did you say?”
一 “Master Kang. Lady Ha-yeon. No! Don’t be too harsh on the second wife. I may not have had a second wife, but I’ve been supporting two people!”
一 Gasp!
“Hehehe.”
Being the main wife. I really think it’s a good idea.
Lady Ha-yeon. Don’t regret leaving. This is Zhuge Xiang. From now on, if I show my sincerity, I can surely surpass Lady Ha-yeon.
“Miss Zhuge?”
“Gasp?! That, that’s…!”
Imagining a list of 7 things I want to do as the main wife already in front of Master Kang. As Miss Zhuge flustered, Kang Yoon-ho nodded as if he was used to it.
“I’m fine with a walk as well.”
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow!”
I will show him a reliable side of me. Miss Zhuge resolved to leave Kang Yoon-ho’s lodgings.
The next day. I dressed up as soon as I woke up, but I could hardly believe it.
Miss Zhuge asked me out on a date? While she had subtly hinted at it before, she had rarely expressed her opinion so directly.
Could it be that she genuinely wants to go for a walk for my health rather than a date? What if she suddenly says let’s exercise in light clothes? That thought was absurd.
“Ma-master Kang! I’m here!”
“Miss… Zhuge?”
Of course, that thought was mercilessly shattered by Miss Zhuge’s visit.
“Ah! Is it strange?”
Miss Zhuge, unable to meet my astonished gaze, looked down shyly.
Her usually messy hair was neatly arranged today, and she wore luxurious clothes that flaunted her body shape, something she hadn’t worn before.
‘Did she even do her makeup?’
Her lips, which were usually hesitant, were blushing in pink today.
Though her makeup looked light, it was enough to make anyone’s heart race as if an exquisite painting was drawn on her pale skin.
“Ah, no, I was just a little surprised. You look absolutely beautiful.”
Is this really a date? I hadn’t had time to properly take care of myself with how busy I’ve been. I couldn’t help but struggle to keep my grin in check.
“Hehe. Is that so?”
“Let’s go right away.”
Although it was early winter, it was enough to put on a coat and walk. With a fluttering heart, I quickened my steps.
“No, I can’t take it anymore.”
“Pardon?”
“I’ve shown you enough! I’ll change into the outfit I prepared!”
“…”
As if she couldn’t take it anymore, Miss Zhuge darted back into her room.
“Dealing with all the gazes while walking here was… really tough!”
Like, was she an alien from the M78 galaxy? She couldn’t handle it for more than three minutes. Eventually, Miss Zhuge returned after changing into comfortable clothes.
Fortunately, she hadn’t wiped off her makeup or messed up her hair, so it was somewhat of a relief.
And she still looked beautiful.
“Let’s go. Where do you want to go? Outside the Zhuge family or perhaps to Yangyang County?”
“Yes? Ah! If that’s what master Kang wants, those places are nice too!”
That expression is a little strange.
“Do you have a place in mind?”
“If you follow me, I’ll show you a good place.”
The Zhuge family is the birthplace of my fiancée. I decided to follow the local guide obediently.
———
“It seems a bit chaotic.”
“Really?”
As soon as we stepped outside the lodgings, the atmosphere looked distinctly different compared to a few days ago.
“People seem oddly busy. I haven’t wandered much inside the family, but the vibe feels a bit different.”
“There aren’t any events scheduled recently, so perhaps guests are arriving?”
Miss Zhuge responded with a confused expression.
“Guests?”
“When big parties or honored guests are visiting, it gets bustling. Looks like a precious guest is coming in a few days.”
It felt like a military base expecting a commander’s visit. I thought they might be throwing a celebration for son-in-law Kang Yoon-ho.
“Now that I think of it, I guess while focusing on the exams, I didn’t really tour Zhuge family at all.”
Seeing the Zhuge family I had imagined in the novels brought me a sense of wonder as I strolled slowly with Miss Zhuge.
“In the family, a formation is set up, so it’s hard for outsiders to roam around… Huh!”
What happened? Miss Zhuge’s footsteps halted.
“Silver hair? Is it someone you know?”
Not everyone in the Zhuge family has silver hair; however, I spotted a distant figure unmistakably, a silver-haired woman.
“My cousin!”
“Shall we greet her?”
“No! No way! My cousin is very sociable!”
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
“We just met after so long, and now I brought my fiancé! If I’m caught, I’ll end up spending at least half a day catching up! I came here for a walk!”
Isn’t it fine to leave once the conversation ends? I didn’t ask because I knew the answer would be even more troublesome.
“Aren’t you heading towards her? It seems inevitable we’ll bump into each other.”
“Then you have to quietly and just follow me!”
Miss Zhuge looked at me with determination.
“Y-yes, alright.”
Since this was Miss Zhuge’s suggested date, I decided to follow her.
“Let’s take a detour here.”
I moved quickly to match Miss Zhuge’s stride.
‘Is there a side path here? Even though it’s nearby, I hadn’t seen it. It’s better to take longer than face someone annoying!’
Just like that, we swiftly bypassed her cousin. However, another hurdle appeared – another man came into view.
“Huh? Why is my uncle…”
Uncle-in-law. At least he was distracted, engrossed in a familiar book while walking and hadn’t noticed us. However, his steps were slow.
At this rate, if he turns his head, he’ll spot Miss Zhuge.
What are we going to do?
‘Is she slowing down her steps?’
Miss Zhuge’s pace gradually dwindled. So naturally! Even her footfalls touched the ground at the same moment as the person ahead of her, she was trying to minimize any signs.
‘Is she trying to match the speed to create distance? No! She’s slowing down with every step to widen the gap!’
It’s a method used when you know someone but don’t want to acknowledge them!
Fortunately, Miss Zhuge’s uncle soon veered in another direction.
“Wow!?”
‘Now she’s stopped.’
Miss Zhuge peeked out cautiously to survey the surroundings.
At the end of the alley, we had reached a T-shaped intersection. Following Miss Zhuge’s gaze, I noticed a group blocking the right path.
Silver-haired people again. Are they acquaintances?
‘We need to go right. But it’s blocked by people I know. What will happen now?’
Is it time to acknowledge them for real? But Miss Zhuge wasn’t about to give up.
“This way.”
Miss Zhuge followed the group approaching from the left.
‘Joining the line of people coming from the left makes it look like we’re part of the same party. With serious expressions, they won’t suspect a thing and will just let us pass! And straight escape!’
I was genuinely in awe at how smoothly she maneuvered through.
‘Even on a chilly winter day, she’s only moving through shaded areas. Plus, she’s subtly using me as a shield as we walk, since my face isn’t visible!’
Little risks kept popping up, but Miss Zhuge kept turning her head, skillfully avoiding risks without initiating any conversations.
“Is the place we want to go the one guarded over there?”
I could see two guards up ahead. Was this where we wanted to go? As I approached to explain our purpose, Miss Zhuge tugged at my sleeve.
“It is, but hold on. Right about now…”
As Miss Zhuge paused, two people in identical clothing were running toward us from afar.
“People! Is it changing of the guard?”
“It’s now!”
In a split second, Miss Zhuge accelerated her steps.
“Hurry up! If we come before changing time, we won’t hit anything.”
“Sorry, sorry. Huh! Who’s that? Stop! Stop, please.”
“…”
Miss Zhuge stayed silent and glanced toward the guard.
“Why, if it isn’t Miss Zhuge! Open the door and do the ceremonial greeting.”
No way. Is this a method to skip even the smallest conversation by taking advantage of the busy changing of the guards?
“Hehe. Perfect, right?”
Miss Zhuge finally looked at me with a triumphant expression.
“Uh, it’s amazing.”
Perfect.
Could a natural talent and personality reach such a level?
Understanding why it’s so hard for even the Zhuge family’s top operatives to find her was becoming clearer. If she decided to hide, it was indeed hard for anyone to find her.
If Sohee were around, I’d have wanted her to learn a thing or two from Miss Zhuge’s perfect hidden body technique.
However.
‘Is there really a need to use this much effort for a walk?’
I couldn’t bring myself to say that.
———
“Miss Zhuge, where are we going?”
I expected a garden like Man Geum Garden, but upon opening the door, all I found was a thick fog.
“This is a place only certain members of the family are allowed.”
“W-What?”
“From here on, please hold my hand tightly.”
The dense mist obscured my vision. Miss Zhuge kept guiding me, and as I pondered…
“Where are we…?”
We arrived at a completely unexpected location.