Hongso Hall was the pavilion used by the Clan Head when receiving honored guests or conversing with direct bloodline members. It was so luxurious that words could hardly describe it, a building well-suited for display. Especially the second floor was like a paradise. The walls were made of folding windows, and when the ceiling-hung frames were drawn to one side, the garden could be seen in full view. It looked as if a great landscape painting had been hung there, a rare scene that changed like a painting with the weather. Today, it displayed a lake nestled amid blue skies and lush greenery.The Tang Clan had prepared seats in Hongso Hall for the Clan Head and Elders, and arranged seats for the household members in the garden. Thus, any disturbance in the garden could be seen clearly.Before long, all the Clan Heads, Little Clan Heads, and accompanying Elders of the Five Great Families had gathered in Hongso Hall. Those who entered each poured out their admiration.“Hongso Hall is as beautiful as ever. Especially the garden that fits in one’s sight is truly art itself.”Everyone showed satisfied expressions as if agreeing. It was because a long table had been placed across the hall, allowing them to dine while looking at the beautiful lake and the picturesque view that would not tire the eyes.However, Tang Ji-ha, the Tang Clan Head, could not laugh along and gazed at the garden with a tense face.Unable to watch any longer, Tang Hak whispered quietly.“Father, shall I go to the inner quarters and check when it will be finished?”“No. Leave them be.”He wanted to urge them on, but was worried that Madam Jang might hastily finish the adornment.Not only Tang Hak, but also Yehwa and Yuhwa, had often attended the Five-Family Alliance since childhood. However, for Sohwa, this was the first time.Since that child was different from others, it was safer to present her only once she had grown a little older.Once she was around twenty, he could make excuses that the child had a peculiar body because she was a martial genius, or that her physique had changed due to taking the wrong elixir. Unfortunately, because Sohwa’s martial skill was lacking, the first excuse could no longer be used, but thanks to her constant mischief and wandering about, the second excuse could be used.Tang Ji-ha knew very well how Murim became obsessed with those of peculiar constitutions, and how cruelly they fixated upon them. That was why he had tried to hide Sohwa. Yet because of that, strange rumors followed.Rumors such as that she was so ugly she was never shown in public, or that her birth mother had been a servant so she was not treated as a direct descendant—all of them were unpleasant words. However, the Tang Clan Head left those rumors as they were. Better to carry strange rumors than to let it be known she possessed a peculiar constitution.However, this brought an unexpected result.By the time Sohwa reached twenty, not a single proposal letter had arrived. Whereas proposal letters poured in for the fifteen-year-old twins.Tang Ji-ha decided that things could not go on like this and made up his mind.He told Madam Jang that Sohwa would attend the Five-Family Alliance and ordered her to adorn the girl with utmost care. He also gave instructions to purchase expensive jewelry and clothing without any budget limits. The General Administrator even complained that such an absurd expense was as if the young lady were getting married.However, it had to be done.Tang Ji-ha wanted to show her adorned with precious things, regardless of beauty or plainness. It was to let everyone know how preciously this child had been raised, and what one could gain by pleasing the Clan Head.Tang Sohwa was not the illegitimate daughter of a servant, but the eldest daughter of Tang Ji-ha. To look down on this child was to look down on him. He intended to make that clear to everyone.Tang Ji-ha suddenly felt his insides boil, and he drained the wine cup before him in a single gulp.‘No matter what rumors say, how could no one send a proposal letter? Do they think this Tang Ji-ha is a petty man who discriminates among his own children?’His gaze slid sideways, and there he saw the face of his old friend, Namgung An.‘…To be lumped together with that man, how disgraceful.’Coincidentally, Namgung An’s illegitimate child was also attending the Alliance for the first time this year. Yet that man had drawn a line, refusing even to accept a greeting before everyone’s eyes.‘Tsk tsk, what a foolish man. He doesn’t even realize he’s shaming himself.’Though it was bad manners to meddle in another household’s affairs, Tang Ji-ha had always found his friend pathetic.He believed that even if the child were illegitimate, one should raise their dignity so that no one could look down upon them. For a Tang child to be looked down upon was, in a broader sense, no different from the Tang Clan itself being looked down upon.‘The Tang Clan is far different from the Namgung Clan. Of course—it’s only natural, since the measure of the Clan Head differs.’Just then, a warrior of the Black Tiger Unit quietly approached the Clan Head and signaled with his eyes.It meant Sohwa had arrived.Fortunately, it was not long after the luncheon had begun.Tang Ji-ha smiled brightly with anticipation.‘Look closely, Namgung An. See the difference between you and me.’Feeling relieved, Tang Ji-ha straightened his chest and happily drained another cup of wine.However, someone’s sigh brushed against his ear.“Oh ho, I thought this year would pass peacefully, but it seems a fight has broken out again.”“Isn’t that the Namgung table over there?”At the words of the Pang Clan Elders, Namgung An turned his gaze slowly. His expression had hardened.Tang Ji-ha clicked his tongue inwardly and looked at Namgung An with sympathetic eyes.‘A fight at a gathering like this… He should manage his household better.’Feeling pity for his old friend, the Clan Head picked up a piece of meat from the platter before him.“It seems Young Master Namgung has gotten into a quarrel with a young lady from another clan. Hm, if it’s beside the Namgung table, could it be the Pang Clan?”“It’s not the Pang Clan. If such a pretty girl existed, there’s no way I would’ve forgotten.”Everyone checked the faces as though unconcerned so long as it wasn’t their own family’s affair. Yet each clan said it wasn’t their child.Though he thought that couldn’t be the case, Tang Ji-ha chewed the meat and glanced that way.‘My children were told they’d be punished if they left their seats, so they couldn’t possibly be there…’To fight after inviting guests would be the height of disgrace, so the Clan Head had repeatedly warned his household not to wander about. Yet ominously, the young lady arguing with the Namgung warrior was wearing green robes—pale green, like a new sprout.The moment the face of the young lady in green entered his sight, Tang Ji-ha jumped up from his seat.“What! Why is Sohwa over there?!”And what was that attire! Hadn’t he given Madam Jang plenty of money? That woman!Dressed in modest clothing, Tang Sohwa was smiling softly—a gentle smile her father had never before seen.At that moment, Namgung An spoke with a laugh.“Ah, that young lady must be Clan Head Tang’s eldest daughter.”Though he laughed, his tone was cold.Understandably so. To Namgung An, Tang Ji-ha was the mortal enemy who had emptied half his granary and locked away his beloved eldest son in confinement.‘Still, how dare he show that kind of gaze toward another man’s child before her father?’The Tang Clan Head glared at Namgung An with fierce eyes. Yet before he could respond, another Clan Head spoke as if in reproachful jest.“Oh, it was expected enough seeing Yehwa and Yuhwa, but Lady Tang Sohwa is quite a beauty as well. Haha, you must be delighted, Clan Head, to have such lovely daughters.”“Indeed.”The Zhuge Clan Head, sly as a snake, unusually spoke at length, giving Tang Ji-ha some face.‘…That man’s not the type to say such things.’As expected, the Zhuge Clan Head curved his eyes into crescents and continued.“But how frugal she is. I had always thought the Tang Clan’s taste was lavish, but thanks to Lady Tang, I realize that was my prejudice.”The Zhuge Clan Head set down his cup with a sigh.“I too have always taught Cheonyu to cherish and value wealth, but do children ever follow their father’s # Nоvеlight # will? When she pouts and begs, I can’t help but hand over the money. Hoho, during this Alliance, I must learn from Clan Head Tang how to be firm with one’s daughter.”A deep silence spread.In an instant, the Tang Clan Head had become a father who stinted money on his daughter.Those present had already seen Tang Yehwa and Tang Yuhwa, and knew well that Tang Ji-ha spared no expense for his children. Therefore, this was a remark pointing out his discrimination.‘Tsk, so the rich man’s only stingy toward his eldest.’‘So the rumor was true—he really does keep his distance because she’s a servant’s child?’The meaning contained in their gazes was clear, and Tang Ji-ha’s insides flipped.‘No, you fools! Do you know how much effort I spent preparing for this day?!’However, the atmosphere had already concluded that the Tang Clan Head discriminated against his eldest daughter.At that moment, Namgung An interjected with a laugh.“Not everyone can be as good a father as the Zhuge Clan Head. After all, everyone here knows how much our friend cherishes his children.”Namgung An turned his smiling face toward the Zhuge Clan Head.“Why, there’s even a rumor that he loves them so much, when an illegitimate child appears, he quietly kills them for fear it might narrow his heir’s position. Isn’t that so?”After striking back at the Zhuge Clan Head, Namgung An turned his head toward Tang Ji-ha. He smiled gently, as if to say he understood him.‘Damn it! Don’t form sympathy with me! You and I are not the same!’Tang Ji-ha now truly understood what it meant to feel a thousand fires raging within.He looked again at Sohwa.He couldn’t understand why that usually obedient child would suddenly trouble her father. That clever girl could not possibly fail to understand his intent.Then Tang Ji-ha furrowed his brow.For Sohwa, who had been about to leave the place, suddenly stopped walking.

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