Chapter 174

The situation where I was caught sharing a sticky kiss with my younger sister, Yeonghwa.

At least, it could be considered fortunate.

“…After tidying up your clothes, come to my room.”

Instead of screaming in shock, my mother somehow maintained her composure and quietly called me aside.

“Ah, I showed a shameful side to you, Mother. Brother, I also…”

“I’ll talk to her first.”

I calmed Yeonghwa, who wanted to come with me.

My mother’s personal room, which also served as a storage and hobby space, was neatly organized with a study and tea set.

There, I knelt quietly and waited for my mother’s words.

Thinking positively, it made my mother understand my relationship with Yeonghwa in one go.

…Though I hadn’t planned to reveal it so dramatically.

I may be shameless, but I do feel guilty and recognize that I made a mistake.

It’s not that my love for Yeonghwa is wrong.

She’s a cousin who became my sister after losing her parents and having no one to rely on, and we became lovers.

Regardless of the era, it’s a bit unconventional.

Even if I put it mildly, it would still be shocking, and we even went as far as sharing a bed. The shock my mother must have felt was immense.

“I plan to ask Yeonghwa separately as well. From now on, answer my questions truthfully.”

I composed myself at my mother’s calm yet stern voice.

Her tone was generally gentle, but the fact that she used formal speech meant she was furious.

“Regardless of whether I trust you as a mother or not, as the lady of the house, this is a necessary verification process, so please understand.”

Jang Chun-hwa bit her lip with a pained expression and then asked Mantian.

“…As the legitimate son, did you coerce and tease Yeonghwa, who is an adopted daughter?”

Strangely, I felt a peculiar sense of relief at my mother’s interrogation.

Because I could feel my mother’s love and concern for Yeonghwa. That’s the kind of person she is.

Of course, it’s not that she doesn’t love me.

When I was young, my mother indulged my whims, but if I acted out, she would always scold me and spank my bottom.

She is strict yet gentle, fair, and affectionate.

Even if I were her biological son, if I had coerced Yeonghwa, she would never forgive me and would protect Yeonghwa.

“No, that’s not the case. Yeonghwa and I only have feelings of mutual affection.”

“…I see. …Sigh.”

At my unwavering answer, Jang Chun-hwa’s expression softened, and she let out a sigh of relief.

But soon, she furrowed her brows again and pressed Mantian.

“It seems that your mutual affection is not that of family.”

“We have both familial and romantic feelings.”

At Mantian’s confident words, Jang Chun-hwa finally couldn’t hold back and raised her voice.

“What exactly have you done to be so confident! As an older brother, you’re sharing love with your younger sister! Aren’t you ashamed as a human being-!?”

I answered without hesitation again. There was no reason to hesitate.

“I am not ashamed.”

“…What did you say?”

Even if the world finds my relationship with Yeonghwa shameful, I should not feel ashamed.

“It is said that one should not drive away a beast that has entered one’s embrace. How much more so for someone who has already entered my heart.”

Would I break off my relationship with Yeonghwa now because I fear others’ gazes?

“I embraced that child who was crying. I promised to spend my life with her.”

That would be the truly shameful and wrong thing.

“I cannot give up Yeonghwa.”

I bowed to my mother while still kneeling.

“The only words I can offer you, Mother, are my apologies.”

“What are you…?”

From the beginning, I didn’t think I could persuade my mother.

Of course not. What parent in the world would allow a brother and sister to be lovers?

Thus, I must bear the inevitable opposition.

“I’m sorry. Please do not forgive this unfilial son who goes against your wishes.”

“………….”

Jang Chun-hwa looked at her son’s back, closed her mouth, and remained silent before standing up.

“…Raise your head.”

When I raised my head, I saw my mother’s back as she took something down from the wall.

It was a staff with one end wrapped in cloth.

“Huh?”

“First, let me make it clear. I love you, my son.”

Perhaps because the topic was about me being scolded, my mother quickly added.

“Of course, as a mother.”

Jang Chun-hwa swung the practice spear in a circle and took a stance.

“The Analects say this: ‘One who truly knows how to love also knows how to hate.'”

Although my mother, Jang Chun-hwa, is a quiet and slender woman, and Mantian didn’t know because she had no contact with her maternal relatives…

Mantian’s mother, the wife of Sima Bu, the lady of the Sima Family.

At thirty-nine this year, though two of her children are adopted, she is the mother of three children.

“Brave enough to be a general, strict enough to be a mother.”

Jang Chun-hwa. A descendant of Zhang He, one of the Five Elite Generals of Wei.

She is not just a quiet and demure woman.

“Take your stance. From now on, I will hate you fiercely. I will beat you fiercely.”

“Yes…?”

“Let me clarify so there’s no misunderstanding. This is not about punishing you for your immoral relationship with Yeonghwa.”

With sorrow and anger, Jang Chun-hwa’s grip on the staff tightened.

“…You said not to forgive.”

Jang Chun-hwa’s eyes trembled.

“Is that what you say to the mother who bore you in pain-!!”

The cloth-wrapped end of the staff swung towards Mantian.

Though the movement was precise.

Considering Mantian’s current level, blocking, deflecting, or lightly dodging it would have been very easy.

But I couldn’t bring myself to block it.

Thwack-!

“Ugh-!?”

“Ah….”

When Mantian was actually hit, Jang Chun-hwa hesitated for a moment but then hardened her heart and began poking with the staff.

“Not forgive! Then are you telling this mother to hate you for life! To cut ties and never see your face again!”

Whack-! Whack-whack-whack-!!

“Who taught you such nonsense!”

“Ouch, ouch… It’s just that there are so many teachers.”

“Shut your mouth! Be quiet!”

Thwack-!

“Ah-!?”

The staff poked in wildly, and I eventually had no choice but to roll around using the Naryeotagon technique.

“E, emergency escape Daechaaa-!”

“Where do you think you’re running!”

My mother chased after me, swinging the staff.

Whack! Whack! Whack-whack-whack!

“I won’t forgive you! No, this mother will forgive you! After beating you fiercely! Scolding you! I will forgive you!”

Jang Chun-hwa’s shoulders and body trembled as she scolded her wayward son.

She exhaled irregular breaths.

“Haa… Haa… So please, just say you’re sorry.”

Tears finally welled up in her eyes as she looked at her son.

“Say you were wrong… That you’ll be normal siblings with Yeonghwa. Say you’re sorry… I’ll forgive you. Please, say it.”

The staff was no longer swung, but I wished she would hit me more.

That would have been easier on my heart.

And the words that would come from my mouth would not be an apology.

“…Can’t you just turn a blind eye?”

Unable to bring myself to admit it, I squeezed out the words, and finally, tears welled up in my mother’s eyes and streamed down her cheeks.

“She’s a younger sister, but an adopted cousin sister, right? It’s not like there’s no precedent…”

“No… No… Yeonghwa is…”

As the tears flowed, the deep, hidden truth in Jang Chun-hwa’s heart came out.

“…Yeonghwa is not just an ordinary adopted daughter.”

Then, the sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Hearing the commotion, Sima Bu hurriedly opened the door and entered, but it was already too late.

“Chun-hwa! Mantian! What’s going on…?”

Sima Bu’s secret was revealed.

Jang Chun-hwa sobbed and told the truth.

“She is your sister, with the same blood running through her veins, though from a different womb.”

Huh… Same blood? Different womb? What?

I slowly turned my head to look at my father, who had arrived just in time.

“……….”

My father’s wide eyes and pale, frozen face confirmed the truth.

And outside,

Jang Sam-i, who had been listening and observing all this, could only close his eyes tightly.

‘This is how it gets exposed… The family’s really messed up.’

He thought the family atmosphere was ruined.

·

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Beloved older brother.

After Mantian was called by Mother.

Yeonghwa tidied up her clothes in her room and covered her embarrassed face with one hand.

“Sigh… I showed a shameful, unseemly side to Mother.”

Yes, Yeonghwa was embarrassed.

Not because of her relationship with her brother, but because she showed an unseemly side to her mother-in-law, Jang Chun-hwa.

…Well, even though they are married, they haven’t officially held a wedding ceremony.

One must be careful with their behavior.

It’s only natural that Mother would call her aside to warn her.

For Yeonghwa, her love for her brother was neither shameful nor wrong.