Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 480

Chapter 480
“Where should this be placed? It’s far too precious to be stored with the common items.”
“In that case, it must be taken to Master So-ryong’s quarters. Right this way!”
“You heard the instruction. Follow that attendant!”
“At once, sir!”

Two days had passed.
The broad river flowing before the Tang Clan manor—which widened into the docking area of Geumdo.
We arrived at the wharf to embark for the Beast Palace, and the scene was one of utter bedlam.
Fighters were heaving small mountains of provisions onto the resting decks of the Geumdo vessels, and even more stacks remained waiting on the pier.
I had been told the foodstuffs were loaded days prior.
“What is all of this?” I inquired, my expression clearly questioning the need for such an enormous quantity of goods. Hwa-eun and Father-in-law answered from beside me.

“These are reciprocal presents for the Beast Palace.”
“Reciprocal presents?”
“The Beast Palace forwarded gifts to honor your union, so of course, we must send a reply. We accepted a bride-price; it is only correct to offer something in return.”

I hadn’t witnessed it myself, but apparently, the Beast Palace had delivered wedding presents to coincide with our ceremony.
It turned out those were not mere congratulatory offerings—they constituted a formal bride-price.
So it was not just a polite gesture?
I recalled hearing of this in my previous life—the Central Plains adhered to the custom of Napchae, a bride-price, where the groom’s family presents gifts to the bride’s family.
It served as a demonstration of the groom’s household’s affluence and standing. In time, it grew contentious—engagements were sometimes called off if the sum was deemed insufficient to maintain honor.
Broadly, the custom entailed: once marriage discussions are initiated, the groom’s side pledges the bride-price and presents, and upon their delivery, the wedding proceeds. It appears the bride’s family also dispatches return gifts in certain situations.

“I see, so when one receives a bride-price, one sends gifts back?”
I asked, as this was a new detail to me. Father-in-law grinned as he clarified:
“A marriage represents the joining of two houses. Your own family might be of more recent origin, but the fact that the Beast Palace sent a bride-price despite you marrying into our line signifies their desire to forge a stronger bond with us.
Hence, we are answering with equal earnestness.”

This was more than a wedding; it was an alliance between the Tang Clan and the Beast Palace.
In my former life, the marriages of celebrities or business figures were essentially commercial arrangements. The Tang Clan stood among the most influential families in the Central Plains, and the Beast Palace was one of the four great external sects—so it followed that this was not a simple romantic union.
Nonetheless, the scale felt overwhelming.
If this was about symbolic value and political connection, a few significant tokens should have sufficed.
Tilting my head, I asked:
“But isn’t this somewhat too much?”
“Well, the amount we received was considerable—our reciprocation must be of a matching scale.”
“So the Beast Palace sent a very substantial bride-price then?”
It seemed a matter of measuring volume for volume.
I glanced at Hwa-eun, who responded with a tender smile. That smile made me feel that while a person’s value cannot be priced, if anyone ever warranted the highest bride-price in the Central Plains, it was her.
She was one of the Three Blossoms of the Martial World—a beauty comparable to a national pageant winner—and the daughter of a supremely prestigious clan.
As I nodded to myself, comprehending the magnitude, Father-in-law added in a jesting tone:
“Indeed, a great deal arrived. It is actually somewhat regrettable.”
“…?”
I blinked.
He wasn’t expressing disappointment because they sent too little—but because they sent too much?
If the sum had been meager, perhaps he would have been irritated. But this?
Baffled, I shot him a questioning look. He tapped my chest lightly and continued:
“Consider it. If the bride-price had been modest, wouldn’t you feel a greater urge to demonstrate your worth? You would strive more diligently for our Tang Clan out of a sense of obligation, correct?
But since they provided such a lavish amount… tsk. I am somewhat concerned you might become lax in your duties now.”
He adopted a disappointed expression, but his tone was light and playful.
And this Fabre? I never overlook an opening.
I immediately composed my features and responded:
“Father-in-law, that is a truly needless worry.”
“?”
“Needless?”
Hwa-eun’s eyes grew wide, and Father-in-law looked astonished.
With a sly smile, I added:
“No matter the amount they sent, it could never equal the value of Hwa-eun—so isn’t that concern entirely groundless?”
“What is this? Hahaha! This boy certainly knows how to speak!”
Though technically directed at Father-in-law, the words were intended for Hwa-eun’s ears.
Father-in-law patted my back heartily, pleased, and in my mind, I heard Hwa-eun’s voice:
‘So-ryong, children tend to fall asleep early on boats…’
A primal promise.
An arrangement to embrace my inner beast—tonight.
It appeared Fabre’s social prowess was particularly effective today.

***

After all the cargo was stowed and the ship embarked, I settled for tea with Hwa-eun in our cabin.
I waited at the table, observing her prepare the tea.
—Pour.
A fragrant stream filled a delicate porcelain cup.
As I accepted it with thanks, Hwa-eun spoke in a careful voice.
“So-ryong, thank you.”
“However… I believe we must adjust how we speak to one another.”
“How we speak to one another?”
“Yes. Mother reprimanded me before we left. She said it was improper for me to address the family head so familiarly by name.”
“Truly?”
I had been unaware—earlier, Mother-in-law had drawn Hwa-eun into a private spot, and I assumed that was the reason.
Hwa-eun looked contrite.
“I ought to have been more mindful. My apologies.”
“There is no need for apology. Even so… can we not continue to address each other as we did while courting?”
I meant it in a spirit of casual familiarity, but Hwa-eun shook her head.
“We cannot. If we do, I will be viewed as a woman lacking in decorum who ignores propriety.”
“Is that how it is…”
It seemed this was indeed a Confucian society—titles held weight.
“What, then, should I call you?”
“In direct address, you should call me ‘wife’. And when speaking of me to others, use ‘my wife’ or ‘the lady of the house’.”
Wife? The term gave me a slight shudder.
Perhaps because we were still young—the word felt somewhat awkward.
It would not be easy to grow accustomed to. So I asked:
“And what will you call me?”
After a brief pause, her cheeks flushing, Hwa-eun answered:
“I… I should call you ‘my husband’ or ‘master of the house’. Either is acceptable…”
“My husband… or master of the house,” she said.
The titles sounded rather antiquated. *My husband* seemed suited to an older man, and *master of the house* was heavy with traditional formality.
Still, if she had to choose, perhaps *master of the house* was the less uncomfortable option. Just as I thought this, Hwa-eun—her face now a deep crimson—spoke again.
“Well… there is one other. But it is reserved for couples profoundly in love. It is too shy-making to use before others…”
She was visibly overcome with embarrassment. Seeing her thus sparked an idea.
Perfect!
I didn’t know what this final term was, but if it elicited such a reaction every time, how could I resist using it?
Concealing my playful intent, I asked softly:
“And what is the last one?”
She pressed her index fingers together and fidgeted slightly as she replied.
“Then I would call you ‘So-ryong, my love’… and you would call me ‘Hwa-eun, my darling.’”
“My darling Hwa-eun, is it? Like so? My darling. My darling. It has a certain ring. My darling?”
At my teasing repetition, Hwa-eun’s ears turned a vivid red.
Even after all we had seen and shared, a simple endearment was enough to make her blush.
It was akin to saying *honey*, *sweetheart*, or *love* in my previous life.
Then Hwa-eun balled her fists and answered quietly.
“Yes… my love.”
Perhaps the atmosphere was simply sweet today, but—
Had someone slipped honey into this tea?
The tea suddenly seemed exceptionally sweet.
And then—
“So-ryong, Hwa-eun.”
Sister Seol’s voice came from beyond the door.
She had arrived, it seemed.
“Please enter, Sister.”
“Yes.”
Sister Seol came into the cabin accompanied by Gungbong, who was still journeying with Soto.
As Soto was now Gungbong’s companion, I no longer had to mind them, and given we were newly wed, it would have been unsuitable for Gungbong—a man—to share our quarters. Thus, Sister Seol had taken him in.
“Greetings, Master So-ryong.”
“Soto, it is good to see you.”
Lately, Gungbong was seldom seen—only Soto appeared. As they entered, Sister Seol laughed lightly.
“I intended to ask you for tea, but I see you have already begun?”
“Oh, was that your plan? Please, sit, Sister. Soto, you as well.”
Once they were seated, I offered a mischievous grin.
“Sweetheart, would you pour tea for our guests?”
Hwa-eun’s eyes flickered with shock.
“Wh-what?!”
Sister Seol smirked with clear understanding at the term.
Naturally. We were truly siblings.
She had instantly grasped my intention.
Sister Seol added, plainly amused:
“Hwa-eun, your dear husband has given you a direction—you ought to reply.”
Hwa-eun, now so red her veins seemed to pulse, trembled as she responded.
“Y-yes… R-Ryong-dear.”
Heavens, why was it so gratifying to see her so flustered?
Sister Seol sent me a wink. *Well played*, it said.
I returned the wink.
Then voices sounded from outside—the Dragon Brothers.
“So-ryong! Are you within?”
“What are you occupied with in there?”
“It seems we have many callers today. Enter, would you care for some tea?”
“We would indeed!”
“Certainly.”
The moment I invited them, they both hurried in with unexpected swiftness.
And yet… they seemed to be probing me. As if they desired something.
I tilted my head.
What could they want from me?
I seated them and served tea as I inquired:
“So, what brings you two here? Do you require a favor?”
“A-ah? A favor? Us? No, no, we merely came to visit. That is all.”
“Yes. Simply stopped by for some tea, nothing more.”
They were plainly seeking something, but trying far too hard to appear otherwise.
Sister Seol regarded them with mild scorn.
“Oh, honestly. It is obvious you have something to ask. Out with it already—men ought not be so indecisive.”
Finally, they scratched their heads and began, awkwardly.
“It’s… well, you understand, So-ryong…”
“Yes, it concerns…”
They were taking so long, it was as if they were waiting for a pot to boil.
Sister Seol finally lost her patience and exclaimed.
“By all that is good—just say it!”
“Ahem. Very well. It is regarding Lady Gun.”
“Lady Gun?”
“Yes, her. Since we are traveling together, we thought perhaps there should be… a chance to become better acquainted?”
“Certainly, camaraderie is important on a journey.”
They had abruptly raised the subject of Gun Hye-rin.
Officially, she was a solitary martial expert who inherited her grandfather’s arts before he died, then joined us as a Tang Clan guest after we encountered her in the Sichuan mountains during a demon hunt.
To conceal her identity—as frequent encounters with the Dragon Brothers might reveal her—she had been lodged in the Eastern Wing of the guest house with me and Hwa-eun, and on the ship, her cabin was adjacent to mine—Hwa-eun’s former room.
She had only exchanged brief nods with the Dragon Brothers.
But she was a blonde beauty, and clearly, the two were captivated and seeking an opportunity.
This was problematic. If those two drew too near to her, a martial world scandal could erupt.
They had no idea, attracted like insects to a lamp by her appearance.
As I was pondering how to answer, Sister Seol spoke first.
“Honestly? Can you two not sense the situation?”
“What do you mean?”
“Consider it. She resided in the Eastern Wing—So-ryong and Hwa-eun’s nuptial chambers. And now she occupies Hwa-eun’s old cabin. What do you suppose that implies?”
The Dragon Brothers’ eyes widened in shock.
Alarmed, I swiftly whispered to Sister Seol:
[Sister! Why would you say that?! That is a misinterpretation!]
[Precisely. Let them misinterpret. It is preferable to them growing overly curious and uncovering her identity as a demonic cultist.]
She had a point… but then both brothers leaped to their feet and yelled at me.
“So-ryong! From this moment, you are our sworn rival!”
“Without question! A greater foe than the Five Venoms Sect!”
A sigh.
Thanks to Sister Seol… I was now the undisputed Public Enemy No. 1 among the men.