Chaotic Nights — Chapter 101. Rebel

Translator: Atlas

Weekly Chapter 1/6

“Hey! Yoon!”

Choi Youngheung called out loudly to Yoon Shihoon.

It had only been an hour since he had eaten breakfast.

When the assistants looked at the person who had visited Shihoon, they scattered to their respective workplaces.

Choi Youngheung shouted once more towards his quarters.

“Young Master Yoon! Why don’t you appear?”

Only then did the door to his quarters open. An assistant came out with dirty clothes. Choi Youngheung immediately recognised the assistant.

“Aren’t you Yongi from the courtesan house?”

Choi Youngheung, who tried to grab Yongi’s shoulder with a surprised expression on his face, caught a fresh minty scent.

“Choi, why are you looking for me?”

Shihoon, who seemed to have done something, had a damp cloth on his arm.

Choi Youngheung tilted his head as he looked at Yongi’s back.

“That woman isn’t Yongi?”

“So.”

“Huh?”

“So, is there a problem?”

Choi Youngheung, taken aback by Shihoon’s chilly manner, offered a hesitant smile and quickly wrapped his arm around his shoulders.

“Today I’ll show you a nice place.”

“What does that mean?”

“Don’t worry. You are preparing for your wedding, right? It’s a place you should visit at least once to enhance your reputation.”

Choi Youngheung had a suspicious attitude.

Shihoon looked in the direction where Yongi had disappeared. The Young Master was aware of the dreadful experiences Yongi might face upon departing from this house. She might even lose her life before she left Harye.

She was safer in this prison-like place.

She wanted no privileges. Yongi cleaned, scrubbed, and did laundry every day, from early in the morning until late at night. That’s why she had calluses on her hands that were no different from a normal assistant.

“Answer me. Are you coming with me?”

Shihoon opened the door to his quarters as if Choi Youngheung was not here.

“Trouble will ensue if I accompany you.”

“The deposed Crown Prince’s house. Are you really not interested?”

Shihoon’s fingers trembled. Choi Youngheung confidently smiled.

“I saw something curious there yesterday. I can tell you the story.”

***

Early in the morning, the sun was shining brightly. The plum blossom scent reached Eunha’s nose, who had her eyes fixed on a book.

Her harmonious voice matched the atmosphere.

This was the fourteenth book.

It comprised an anthology of poetry that blended lexicons from diverse nations. There were more difficult words than in any other book she had encountered so far.

But the book also had beautiful sentences. She wondered who the poet was.

His relaxed attitude to life warmed her heart.

When she was silent for a moment because there were many words she did not understand, Jihak looked silently out of the window. He explained her earlier words.

“That flower-like appearance, that lovely appearance, it caused chaos in his mind.”

Eunha raised her head with sweaty hands. Then he turned his head towards her.

“Love, love, set me free.”

His eyes looked clearer in the light. His gaze did not seem threatening as it had last night. She didn’t know what those eyes meant, then averted her gaze to the incense burner from which a faint smoke was rising.

She now realized the origin of the plum blossom aroma.

Eunha smiled before she closed the book.

“I will not include this book. I am ashamed that I don’t know so many words.”

She put the book away. She stood up, but when she saw his expression turn cold, she knelt down again.

“Do you want me to read another book?”

“Another book?”

“Or do you want to hug me?”

Jihak smiled in amazement.

“Now you talk like a c#urtesan.”

She took off her clothes, except for her underwear.

Goosebumps rose on her shoulders. Though there was sunshine, the air was still cold.

“Quick. I must finish the letter I couldn’t finish last night.”

If Eunha wanted to kill herself, she would have succeeded. He gathered all his scattered patience as he lit his pipe. He waited for the smoke to distort her face.

“I didn’t know you would act so rudely. Do you want to rebel?”