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The sound of raindrops fell steadily beyond the eaves, and the last bundle of firewood was neatly delivered to Gomo Lee's home.

Gomo Lee beamed with delight, holding onto her relative's arm as she expressed her gratitude. "You've gone through so much trouble. Jungguk, come in and have a drink of water first..."

The young man she called Jungguk appeared to be no older than eighteen, yet he was very tall, his voice carrying a deep timbre. Nearby, a young girl caught the sound of his voice and, unprepared for the sight of his striking features, found her cheeks instantly reddening.

But the young man didn't linger. He rose and left with a crisp decisiveness.

After he had gone some distance, the girl chirped: "Third Imo, who was that? I don't think I've seen him before."

Gomo Lee noticed the girl's curiosity and fully understood what was on her mind. Feeling quite pleased herself, she sat down, ready to share the story. "That young man is named Yeon Jungguk. He's not originally from our village, you know. About five years ago, an old scholar who lived here found him. We don't know where he came from—he had lost his memory, apparently from falling off a cliff. The old scholar's surname was Yeon, and since he had no children of his own, he took Jungguk in as his adopted son. Unfortunately, the old man passed away less than two years later due to illness, leaving all his meager savings to the boy."

"Jungguk, that child, ah. Although he lost his memory from hitting his head, it didn't affect his intelligence or anything else. Apart from not remembering his past, he excels in everything. And his looks are top-notch. l'm not familiar with academic matters, but I talked to the old man a few times, and he was very satisfied with him. Old Yeon's own son was once cruelly framed in the officialdom, so he didn't dare let Jungguk pursue the imperial exams. But, he's young, strong, and capable. That Jungguk is not only obedient but also handsome, hardworking, and diligent. lf he starts a business in the future, he's sure to succeed. If you fancy him, I could act as a matchmaker for you. After all, Jungguk is no longer young either."

Gomo Lee spoke in one breath, then gulped down several sips of water. Girls from the countryside didn't have much experience with the outside world, so the young girl, though inwardly pleased, didn't dare respond. Just the sight of him earlier had her heart racing like a startled deer. Her silence was tacit agreement.

Jungguk had no idea that his brief outing had saddled him with potential "debts"

Carrying water on his own, he returned to the small courtyard. He hastily cooked a bowl of noodles before sitting by the window with a book in hand. Though his Abeoji had discouraged him from pursuing the exams, he hadn't given up the spirit of learning.

His Abeoji had once said, "Learn well for a lifetime, live well for yourself, and don't burden yourself with unnecessary worries."

It was now noon, but instead of taking a nap, he grabbed a bamboo basket, intending to catch some fish by the river. The courtyard where the Teacher had once saved him was situated halfway up a mountain. There were no neighbors nearby and one would have to travel some distance to see signs of habitation.

Thus, the river at the foot of the mountains became a private resource for his household. On days with lighter rain, he would head down to try his luck. Catching two or three fish would ensure their meals were taken care of for the next few days. With this in mind, Jungguk's gaze lowered slightly, the faint glimmers of light after the rain reflecting off his eyelashes, accentuating his features like finely carved jade.

Picking up the bamboo basket, Jungguk also grabbed a fishing spear, tucking an oiled paper umbrella into the basket in case the rain started up again.

He followed the muddy mountain path downward, his green robe becoming damp from the slick ground. However, something seemed unusual about the riverbank today. From a distance, it looked like something or someone was lying there, surrounded by scattered clothing.

Noticing something amiss, Jungguk quickened his pace. To his shock, it was a person lying there!

He immediately set down his basket and fishing spear, striding over in just a few steps. He anxiously checked the person's breathing. There was still some warmth, but the breaths were faint. If left in this state, the person wouldn't survive another two hours.

The figure was slimmer than his own, their white clothing nearly soaked in bl00d. Even their eyes seemed to bear injuries.

The mountain near Wang-ga Village rarely saw travelers, but not far from here was a bandit hideout notorious for ambußhing merchants passing through. The frightened ones would pay a ransom, while the defiant often met a cruel fate. This was Jungguk's first thought upon seeing the scene.

Without hesitation, he lifted the frail young man into his arms and hurried back to his home.

The bamboo basket and fishing spear were left behind, abandoned where they lay.

After all, this mountain was his territory, and he doubted anyone would bother stealing such mundane items.

Yeon Saeng had left behind a considerable stock of dried medicinal herbs before his passing, and for treating superficial wounds, they were more than adequate. However, Jungguk wasn't certain if the injured man had internal injuries. He could only rely on his limited knowledge to conduct a thorough examination, cleaning away all traces of bl00d and applying medicine to every w0und.

The young man before him appeared to be a year or two younger than him. His face was fair and clean, but, unfortunately... his eyes might be beyond saving. Jungguk wasn't exceptionally skilled, and ensuring the man's survival was already the best he could manage.

As night began to fall, Jungguk found himself without fish or any other food. Left with no choice, he boiled some rice water and made do with the leftovers from lunch.

After the rain, the mountain air turned chilly.

Knowing that the gravely ill should avoid drafts, Jungguk closed all the doors and windows. He covered the injured man with a quilt before returning to his spot by the window, where he resumed reading with quiet focus. Reserved and taciturn by nature, he rarely spoke. While the villagers were warm and welcoming, his interactions with them were limited to polite nods in passing.

Unbeknownst to him, families with daughters/gers in the village all viewed him as an ideal match—a coveted prize only.

After reading for about two hours, the night deepened. Jungguk, after much thought, laid a mat on the floor for himself. The household only had two quilts to begin with. Yeon Saeng had lived alone for many years, keeping just two for rotation. It was only after his arrival that a third quilt had been added to the home.

Now that the quilt was used to cover the injured man, Jungguk had nothing left for himself. Relying on his robust constitution, Jungguk decided he could manage without one and lay down directly on the floor.

The wind howled outside nearly the entire night.

Jungguk felt the cold but endured it in silence, making it through the night without complaint. His sleep was restless, and by early morning, he was already up. Breakfast wasn't something he considered worth much effort, so he simply made a pot of vegetable soup.

Just as he was about to serve himself, Jungguk heard a faint, mosquito-like whisper.

Extinguishing the firewood, he bent down to open the door to the room and saw that the young man on the bed had woken up. However, his eyes remained tightly shut. Judging by his refined features, it was easy to infer that he had likely been a pampered young master before. His complexion was pale, but undeniably handsome.

Jungguk immediately asked: "Are you feeling better? Would you like something to eat?"

The young man hesitated, his closed eyes twitching slightly. His voice, weak but clear, sounded: "You are..? Why aren't there any lights in this room?"

His low and pleasant tone of voice didn't give off any threatening vibe, easing the young man's initial fear. However, a trace of wariness lingered as he instinctively tried to sit up, only to be met with excruciating pain.

Before he could do much, Jungguk quickly stepped forward to support him, explaining in a calm tone: "I found you by the riverbank at the foot of the mountain. You were gravely injured."

"Injured.." A hint of confusion flashed across the young man's face. "I can't remember anything."

The moment those words fell, Jungguk couldn't help but feel a strange sense of connection. This young man's plight mirrored his own-he, too, had no recollection of who he was before many years ago. Accepting his fate, he had chosen to settle here and live a quiet life.

The confusion and vulnerability in the young man's expression tugged at Jungguk's heart.

Worried about frightening him, Jungguk softened his tone. "Let it go for now. You're seriously injured. If you can't remember, don't force it. Rest here and try again once youve recovered."

He stood to leave, but the young man suddenly grabbed his hand, his voice trembling with fear.

"Where are you going? Why... why can't I see you?"

Jungguk knelt back down, studying the young man's tightly shut eyes. A strange feeling rose within him. The young man, no older than seventeen or eighteen, had injuries around his eyes that seemed deliberate, as if someone had intentionally blinded him. The bl00d was still fresh.

The pain and adhesion made it impossible for him to open his eyes, but Jungguk hesitated, unsure how to explain this cruel reality. After a pause, he said: "Your eyes are badly injured, likely from someone deliberately harming you. But my foster Abeoji left behind many medicinal herbs. There's a chance they might help.."

"How did you get hurt?" Jungguk's first thought was the bandits nearby, but there could be other causes.

Could it be that he had made enemies and was now facing revenge?

But this person was merely just past his coming-of-age; how could he have attracted such overwhelming hatred? Yet the young man truly couldn't remember. He didn't even know his own name. Perhaps realizing that the person before him genuinely wasn't a bad person, he finally spoke: "I can't remember, not even the slightest bit..."

"Hiss..." As if the effort to recall strained him, he winced, drawing in a sharp breath.

The rain had stopped by now, and the morning air was crisp. Jungguk stood, intending to fetch some food for him, but was surprised to see someone already waiting in the courtyard.

It was Gomo Lee. Without preamble, she called out cheerfully: "Jungguk, my son, I caught a whole lot of fish yesterday. I brought some over for you to eat!"

"Thank you, Gomo. I'll return the favor next time." Jungguk was not adept at socializing and could only offer a simple, polite thanks.

However, Gomo Lee clearly had more on her mind. Following Jungguk to the kitchen, she leaned against the doorframe and immediately brought up: "You know, you're not getting any younger. Before you head off to take the exams, you might want to think about settling your marriage. The girl in my house yesterday was very attracted to you? If you like her, why not make it happen and complete a joyous occasion?"

Jungguk had heard such talk several times over the years. The first time, he'd been flustered and at a loss for words to refuse. By now, he was used to it. From the start, he had no intention of marrying so soon- his Abeoji had passed away less than three years ago. Without hesitation, he declined: "Thank you for your kind intentions, Gomo Lee, but it's too early for me to consider marriage now. I'd also worry about delaying someone else's happiness."

Seeing that Gomo Lee was about to press the issue, Jungguk quickly changed the subject. "Gomo, yesterday I rescued someone-a young man. His eyes were destroyed, his injuries were severe, and he's lost his memory. I don't know how to care for someone in his condition. Do you have any suggestions for what medicine I should use?"

"A person? Oh heavens, how pitiful! Let me take a look and see if there's anything I can do to help.."

Gomo Lee, ever the warm-hearted type, immediately followed him inside.

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[A/n: The story starts as a slice-of-life rural novel and transitions into palace intrigue. The character dynamics between the ML and MC will change after the characters regain their memories, especially the ML. Initially, he is a calm and honest small farmer, but after knowing who he truly is, he becomes a cunning, fierce, and dominant ML in full form. Hope you're eager to read this with me...]

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The room opened, and the person on the bed was struggling to sit up. Gomo Lee went over to help, giving him a few glances up and down. Her face showed a look of tender pity. With some frustration, she quickly said: "Such a fine young man, how did he end up beaten like this... Does it hurt, child?"

The young man she called "child" had slightly reddened ears but remained silent throughout, his entire being seeming as though it existed in a world of its own.

It seemed that because he had lost his memory, he also appeared timid. So as not to startle him, Jungguk took Gomo Lee outside, saying they should discuss things further.

For humans, if one of the five senses is lost, the others tend to become more acute. However, Jungguk didn't deliberately lower his voice; he merely exchanged a few words with her: "Helping others is a duty. If it weren't for my adoptive Abeoji back then, I might not even be alive today."

Gomo Lee hesitated. Though she felt sorry for the boy, the injuries on him didn't look like the work of bandits. "What if he offended someone and that's why they wanted to kill him? Otherwise. look at those eyes- he must have been blinded by poison powder."

But even as she said this, she didn't seem to hold much concern. She wasn't the type to turn a blind eye to someone in need. "Use more herbs to treat his eyes for now. Once the wounds heal, you can wrap them with a strip of white cloth to shield them from light. lf he recovers, there might still be a chance for him to see again. But if you've really decided, you could take him as your dongsaeng. That way, you won't be so lonely in the future. Having a family member could also be a companion."

However, adopting a stranger wasn't something to be taken lightly. Jungguk responded: "Mm, once he recovers, I'll try to help him find his family."

After sending Gomo Lee away, the young man inside seemed to finally let out a breath of relief. Earlier he had feared encountering bad people, but now that he had overheard the entire conversation, he was certain these were genuinely good-hearted individuals. Jungguk noticed the young man's head swaying slightly and sat down beside him to ask: "You're injured and won't be able to leave for a while. Plus, you can't even remember who you are. If you don't mind... I'll take care of you for the time being. Is that acceptable?"

"You saved me, I'm already deeply grateful..." The young man's voice was timid, yet clear and soft.

Since he had no name, Jungguk wasn't sure how to address him. After hesitating, he asked: "What should I call you? Can you recall your name?"

It was undoubtedly a difficult question for someone with amnesia. Faced with the young man's blank shake of the head, Jungguk sighed and casually picked up a book lying nearby.

Whether it was random or deliberate, he decided to use the first character he saw as the boy's name.

Opening the first page, the first character that caught his eye was: Yeon (연) means beauty or lotus.

"I'll call you Tae-Yeon." Jungguk said calmly.

Here, in Wang-ga Village, having just a single name seemed too simplistic. Yan Jingqing gave him a surname as well, calling him Lee Taeyeon. The name was simple yet meaningful, and the young man quickly embraced it. Smiling sincerely, he said: "Thank you. Then, how should I address you, my savior?"

During the earlier conversation, Taeyeon had overheard the woman calling him by name. However, to be certain, he asked the question, worried this person might not like how he addressed him. Jungguk didn't mind such things, he could be called anything. The elders simply called him Jungguk, but since the boy was now like a younger brother to him, Jungguk solemnly said: "You can call me Jungguk hyeong. That way, others will know you're the dongsaeng l've taken in."

Jungguk wasn't exactly a humorous person, yet somehow, his words always managed to make people smile. Even though Taeyeon's eyes remained closed, the corners of his lips were subtly curved upward. Jungguk served him a small portion of food. In this rural place, fine cuisine was out of the question, what was served barely counted as edible.

Still, Taeyeon wasn't picky. As he ate, a faint and hazy memory surfaced in his mind. It seemed like he had eaten this kind of simple noodle soup before, wolfing it down in a frenzy even more hurriedly than now.

After watching Taeyeon finish his meal, Jungguk cleared away the bowls and chopsticks, then picked up some herbal medicine. He had Taeyeon lean against the bed's headboard as he slowly applied the herbs to Taeyeon's injured eyes. The herbs were cool and soothing, seemingly easing the pain instantly. Taeyeon couldn't even remember what he had looked like when he was first injured.

Just as Jungguk was about to leave, he suddenly grabbed his arm. "Jung...Jungguk hyeong, don't go yet."

The boy really did call him "hyeong". With his naturally innocent and delicate features, Taeyeon looked even more pitiful at this moment, making it hard not to soften one's tone. Jungguk let out a soft "hmm" and held his hand. "What's wrong? Are you scared?"

"...Mm."

The sun outside had risen, and rays of sunlight streamed through the cracks, landing on Taeyeon's bed. He stretched out his fingers into the emptiness, as though trying to grasp something intangible. "I can't see anything. It's so terrifying..."

"Don't be afraid. Until you're better, I'll stay with you the whole time." Jungguk sighed softly. Living alone for so long, this was the first time he'd ever needed to fully devote himself to caring for someone else.

Back when he first wandered into this place, he hadn't suffered any major injuries, though he was amnesiac as well. His foster Abeoji didn't need to devote much effort to caring for him, and Jungguk's physical condition was far better than Taeyeon's. Knowing how fragile Taeyeon was now, he exercised extra patience. Still, it wasn't possible to stay by his side all day.

Jungguk spent the morning seated nearby quietly reading a medical book. His soft murmurs filled the air, both keeping Taeyeon company and allowing him to listen while being looked after.

After they had lunch, Jungguk brewed a decoction of medicinal herbs. Taeyeon, drowsy after drinking it, quickly fell asleep. Once Taeyeon was resting, Jungguk took the opportunity to head out and prepare supplies for the coming days.

The firewood at home was running low. Given that Taeyeon was in recovery, he couldn't eat the fish Gomo Lee had brought, foods that could aggravate inflammation were off the table. Jungguk planned to make a creamy tofu soup and get some fresh meat. Hunting was a skill he had spent a full year learning.

There were plenty of wild pheasants on the small hill below the mountain. Their meat was even more tender than that of domesticated chickens. If luck was on his side and he managed to catch one today, there'd be no worries for the next few days. With this plan in mind, Jungguk grabbed his tools and deftly descended the slope, heading deeper into the woods.

Of course, the mountain wasn't without its dangers. At night, one might even encounter a pack of wolves.

Jungguk couldn't afford to waste too much time. He'd have to return home empty-handed if he lingered here too long without a catch. Taeyeon, unfamiliar with the area and unable to see or walk, would be in trouble if anything happened in his absence.

Fortunately, fate seemed to favor him. In the distance, he caught sight of a flash of bright feathers. Jungguk immediately readied his bow and quietly approached. Wild pheasants in the mountains, with their vibrant plumage, were even said to rival phoenixes, carrying an auspicious meaning since ancient times.

Taking careful aim, Jungguk let the arrow fly. The pheasant didn't even have time to react before it fell lifeless to the ground.

Joy filled his heart as Jungguk walked over picked up the pheasant, and tossed it into the bamboo basket on his back. At last, he was returning home with a satisfying haul.

Mushrooms lined the roadside, but Jungguk had never dared to eat them. He didn't even slow his steps as he passed by. Living in a mountain village, far from the county town, most residents grew their own vegetables for sustenance.

The elder at the village entrance had a stone mill, making his tofu the only available source. Jungguk carried a few coins in his pocket. Tofu wasn't expensive, but he only bought two pieces. He wasn't particularly fond of it himself. Though not yet twenty, his body was still growing, and he preferred meat for its nutritional value. After paying Old Hong, the elder noticed the wild pheasant on Jungguk's back, his eyes lighting up. "You caught a pheasant? How about I waive the payment, and you let me have it instead.."

This time, Jungguk felt a bit embarrassed. He replied earnestly: "I rescued a young man yesterday. I've taken him in as my dongsaeng. He's severely injured and needs nourishment... If you'd like, I can try to catch another one for you next time."

Jungguk spoke with an innate calmness and composure that even the elder admired. Old Hong waved his hand with a chuckle. "Ah, this old man was just joking. Still, your home seems to have its share of fateful encounters. First, you showed up, and now you've brought someone else in. I'll come by tomorrow to see if there's anything I can help with."

"Thank you very much." Jungguk said, glancing at the sun. It was already nearing sunset, and he realized he had spent quite a bit of time on the trip. Worried that Taeyeon might wake up before he returned, he quickened his pace back home.

When he arrived, Taeyeon was just waking from a dream, coughing violently. Jungguk immediately went to his side, gently patting his back. "Nightmare?"

Taeyeon nodded quickly, but then his lips curled into a soft smile, his demeanor very gentle, "You're back?"

Surprised, he asked: "You knew I left?"

"Mm..." Taeyeon's response was low, but he soon shifted his tone, adding lightly: "I woke up once and called your name, but no one answered. Still, I fell asleep again."

"I went hunting and got a wild pheasant for you. Wait here- I'II go butcher it." Jungguk didn't notice the slight tinge of grievance in Taeyeon's voice toward the end. Instead, he felt even more pleased, thinking that having something nourishing to eat would help Taeyeon recover faster.

The other party came and went in a hurry. Meanwhile, Taeyeon, moving sluggishly, tried to make sense of his surroundings, though his blindness rendered it futile. He slowly propped himself up, the motion tugging at his wounds and eliciting a sharp hiss of pain.

Leaning back against the headboard, he calmed himself and listened intently to the sounds outside.

The pheasant was just being slaughtered, and its cries were pitiful. Jungguk worked silently, not one to talk to himself. Soon, there were the sounds of water being poured, a knife being sharpened, and eventually chopping and simmering noises from the kitchen.

Time passed, and by the time the meal was fully prepared, the moon had already risen high into the sky.

Carrying the dishes into the room, Jungguk prioritized feeding Taeyeon. He gently blew on a bowl of tofu soup, intending to feed him first.

However, Taeyeon shook his head and gestured: "You've been out for a long time, hunting and rushing around. You should eat first..."

After a pause, Taeyeon stretched out his hand. "If there's a ladle, put it in my hand, I can manage on my own..."

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[A/n: Hey everyone, I know I've been MIA for a bit, but the festive season has been keeping me pretty busy ¿. Don't worry, I'll try to update at least once or twice a week. In this story, the romance between the ML and MC will be built on gratitude and trust, but both characters have complex pasts that shape who they are today. The core of the story is pretty intricate, and romance won't be the main focus, so please don't expect too much of it ♡. Just want to warn you that royalty and vengeful plots are off the table. My goal is to re-edit without messing anything up and keep you all entertained with the updates .☆.]

🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀

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Carrying the dishes into the room, Jungguk prioritized feeding Taeyeon. He gently blew on a bowl of tofu soup, intending to feed him first.

However, Taeyeon shook his head and gestured: "You've been out for a long time, hunting and rushing around. You should eat first..."

After a pause, Taeyeon stretched out his hand. "If there's a ladle, put it in my hand-- I can manage on my own.."

Seeing how insistent Taeyeon was on eating by himself, Jungguk didn't push him further. Instead, he sat nearby with a bowl in hand, watching over him. Taeyeon was cautious, eating slowly, but it was his first time feeding himself. At first, he managed a few sips of soup without issue, but inevitably, his lack of experience caught up with him.

With a slight mishap, the bowl tilted, and hot soup spilled onto his hand. Jungguk's sharp reflexes kicked in as he quickly reached out to catch the bowl, preventing the bedding from being soaked.

Taeyeon hissed in pain but hadn't uttered a word before Jungguk spoke: "Take your time with things like this. I know you don't want to trouble me, but for your safety, let's wait until you're strong enough to get out of bed before you try again."

His words carried the implication that by then, Taeyeon could eat at a proper table, with support to steady his bowl and avoid accidents. Jungguk's thoughtfulness left Taeyeon feeling slightly downhearted. "...Alright."

Noticing this, Jungguk lowered his head and picked up a drumstick he had set aside just for Taeyeon. He handed it over, guiding Taeyeon's hand to grasp the bone, which was nearly all meat. Seeing Taeyeon's slightly dazed expression, Jungguk chuckled inwardly and said with satisfaction: "This will be fine. Just hold onto it and gnaw away. Come on, eat up. Finish the meat, and you can have some soup too. In a few days, your body will recover."

The wild pheasant they'd cooked was large and plump. Jungguk had only prepared half of it today, saving the other half in the kitchen for another meal. With the cold weather, it wouldn't spoil quickly, and they could enjoy it again tomorrow. After all, with just the two of them, even half a chicken could be picked clean.

Taeyeon managed a small smile and agreed, "Okay." Although he didn't have much of an appetite, he didn't want to waste Jungguk's kindness. SIowly, he finished the drumstick.

Midway through the meal, Jungguk concerned 'he might choke,' occasionally fed him some soup. Once dinner was taken care of, Jungguk prepared to reapply medicine to Taeyeon's wounds that night. Most of the injuries were on Taeyeon's back, and by now, Jungguk was almost certain that this wasn't the work of bandits. Those outlaws rarely left their victims alive.

The wounds, though severe in appearance weren't fatal- they seemed to result from a beating! If that were the case, there was only one possibility left: he had been bullied by someone he knew. But those people didn't dare take his life.

As for why he ended up falling in this place, it was probably due to fleeing in a panic, leading him here by sheer coincidence. In the process, he seemed to have forgotten many things. Jungguk formed a preliminary explanation for the situation, but he had no intention of sharing it with Taeyeon. He worried Taeyeon might feel accused or mistrusted.

After grinding all the medicinal herbs into a paste, Jungguk helped Taeyeon turn over to lie on the bed. He reassured him: "I'm going to apply the herbs for a while. As for your upper garment..."

Taeyeon fumbled with the sash at his waist, undoing it himself. His dirty clothes hadn't even been changed. Lying face down on the bed, he allowed Jungguk to lift his clothing for the second time. Jungguk, entirely focused, began applying the herbal paste to every wound with care.

Once the herbs were applied, Jungguk brought a towel and warm water to clean the bl00dstains left on his body, which he hadn't had time to deal with earlier.

When he reached his neck, the fading bl00dstains revealed a dazzling deep red mark beneath. Its shape resembled a flower, though not entirely, and the sight of it stunned Jungguk for a moment. He recalled what his adoptive Abeoji had once told him: marks like this on the neck indicated a "Ssangg'er", a unique type of male with the ability to bear children.

In earlier generations, Ssangg'ers were of low social status and often treated as substitutes for w0men by impoverished families. However, as Ssangg'ers began to appear among nobility and royalty, their standing gradually shifted. Besides their ability to conceive, they were no different from ordinary men. By the time of the current dynasty, Ssangg'ers were regarded as equals.

If a Ssangg'er were a prince(Wang-ja/왕자), they had the same right to inherit the throne as any other male heir. Their spouse would be titled Hwangje Baeuja (황제의 남편) (Emperor's Husband), taking the place of an Empress(Hwang-hu/황후).

Taeyeon's slender figure, combined with his youthful and refined appearance, had initially led Jungguk to assume he was just like himself— an ordinary man.

Only now did he realize the gravity of his actions. It was as if he had acted improperly, like a rogue.

After all, Taeyeon was a Ssangg'er, and customary etiquette dictated that a proper man should maintain decorum and not overstep boundaries when interacting with one.

Flustered, Jungguk immediately pulled the blanket over Taeyeon and turned away to apologize. "I... I'm sorry."

Taeyeon, however, was utterly baffled. "Sorry.. For what?"

"I didn't know you were..." Jungguk stammered, his handsome face flushed red, uncharacteristically embarrassed for the first time.

Taeyeon quickly understood what he meant but found it unnecessary to dwell on such matters at this point. With a calm demeanor, he said generously: "It's not a big deal. Didn't you say you'd be my hyeong? lf you can't help me because of such moral constraints, then what's the point of those rules?"

Throughout history, the division between men and w0men has always been upheld by gentlemen. But in unique circumstances like this, when intentions were upright, even a gentleman could make an exception without compromising his integrity.

Taeyeon even went so far as to reassure him: "No one knows l'm a Ssangg'er. Just treat me... as your dongsaeng. Then everything will feel perfectly natural."

Hearing this, Jungguk realized he truly didn't mind. Since that was the case, there was no point in overthinking it. Picking up the bowl of medicinal ointment, he said: "Alright... I'll treat your eyes now."

And with that, the matter was laid to rest. Jungguk carefully cleaned Taeyeon's eyes, applying the medicine gently to every spot. Taeyeon closed his eyes, already feeling some relief from his symptoms. It seemed like he might soon be able to open them again. But even if his eyes could open, there would still be no light. That unspoken bitterness weighed on his heart, but the person before him was his only source of reliance.

That night, after tidying up, Jungguk deliberated briefly before laying out a bed on the floor. He wanted to stay nearby, just in case Taeyeon felt scared or uneasy being alone. It had only been two days since he had found Taeyeon and brought him back. In such a short time, Taeyeon was no longer afraid of him. Instead, he had already come to see Jungguk as family.

For some reason, faced with his reliance on him, Jungguk felt a deep-seated sense of responsibility.

Previously, no matter what he did, it was always just for himself. Now, even his daily meals had to account for someone else. Jungguk took a deep breath.

The next morning, Jungguk prepared a simple noodle soup, as there was no need for an elaborate breakfast early in the morning. However, with Taeyeon in the house, he added two eggs to the pot.

A thought suddenly took shape in Jungguk's mind.

In rural villages, most households kept chickens. Jungguk, however, had always lived alone and never bothered with such things. The occasional meat he had was only when he felt like hunting or happened to have a stroke of luck. He had grown used to a wild and solitary lifestyle. But Taeyeon was different- he needed proper nutrition.

After some contemplation, Jungguk decided, he would head to the marketplace in the afternoon to buy a few chicks and a hen to raise. The hen would be the most expensive purchase. Currently, his livelihood relied on selling game from his hunts or, if lucky, selling rare finds like Yeong-ji mushrooms from the cliffside. He still had some savings left from his previous sales, as he rarely spent much.

Additionally, Taeyeon didn't have clean clothes to wear. When Jungguk first brought him back, Taeyeon's injuries were severe, and his clothes were stuck to his wounds with dried blood.

Changing them then would have been excruciating. Now that the wounds had scabbed over, it was time to replace his garments. He would need to find someone to help Taeyeon change his clothes and also buy him two more outfits.

Because of the carefree teaching methods of his foster Abeoji, Jungguk had adopted a mindset of frugality--saving money whenever possible and only spending it when absolutely necessary. But now, he was facing a situation where spending money was unavoidable. It seemed his savings wouldn't last much longer.

Next, he had to consider their long-term livelihood. While one person could get by with minimal effort, supporting two required more thought. Money would become a necessity.

Lost in thought early in the morning, Jungguk gazed absentmindedly at the house's front gate. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed an old dried-up trench that the old man had once dug.

Another idea struck him. In the future, he could raise chickens in the backyard. And as for that trench out front...why not dig it out into a small pond and raise fish?

The idea had barely taken root in his mind when he heard someone calling from outside. "Jungguk, I've brought Ling'er with me. Take a look at these vegetables and see if you want them."

He had thought that yesterday's words were just pleasantries, but today Gomo Lee had shown up again with more offerings. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Jungguk hurriedly said: "Gomo, you don't have to give me so much. I caught a wild pheasant yesterday.."

Beside Gomo Lee stood the young woman he had met before, though he wasn't sure of her purpose here today. Gomo Lee waved him off with a hearty laugh, saying: "It's just a few vegetables, not a big deal. Take them! Besides, I came to check on that child inside."

She started toward the house, then turned back, pulling the young woman with her. "Oh, this is my niece, Lee Seo-young. She's learned some medical skills from her Abeoji and came specifically to help!"

Seo-young's Abeoji was a doctor from another village. Previously, he had been too busy treating villagers to visit, and the distance between the two villages meant that their families hadn't connected in years. Recently, however, her Abeoji had fallen ill and needed a place to recover. The tranquil, scenic environment of Wang-ga Village was perfect for recuperation.

As a result, this was Seo-young's first time meeting Jungguk.

Jungguk nodded politely and said: "Thank you, Seo-young-Ssi, for taking the trouble to examine him."

The commotion outside had not escaped Taeyeon's ears. He had heard everything clearly and waited quietly as Seo-young entered the room. In a soft voice, he expressed his thanks and remained still as she began to check his pulse.

Although Seo-young looked a bit bashful, her demeanor when practicing medicine mirrored her Abeoji's seriousness. She observed Taeyeon attentively, her expression growing solemn. After a long while, she finally said: "Your blindness doesn't seem to be caused by external injuries but by pois0n."

"Pois0n...?" Taeyeon murmured, confused.

Before Jungguk could respond, Gomo Lee exclaimed in shock: "Oh my heavens! Who could be so heartless as to pois0n your eyes like this?"

Unfortunately, Taeyeon had no memory of that time, nor of who he was. If he could remember he might have been able to answer that question. Jungguk immediately asked: "If it's pois0n, is there a way to treat it?"

"My medical knowledge is limited. My Abeoji would need to examine him to identify the pois0n. Only then can we administer the correct antidote."

Seo-young's tone carried concern. The young man before her not only looked well-behaved but was also strikingly handsome. It would be a pity if he remained blind for the rest of his life.

Glancing at Taeyeon's bloodstained clothes, she added: "These clothes need to be changed immediately. Although his wounds have been treated, the clothing is still dirty and must be replaced."

Hearing this, Jungguk became anxious. "Yes, I was planning to go to the market this afternoon to buy him some new clothes."

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[A/n: OMG, you guys, I'm DYING over here!!! So, Gomo Lee brings her niece to ML's house, and I'm like, "What's the tea?" Why bring a doctor's daughter and not just another doc? Is she more than just a pretty face?

And can we talk about the MC's injury? Is it connected to his past? Like, did he get hurt trying to escape the powerful or something? And ML, oh ML, can he protect him from the danger? Or will he get caught in the same trap?

I'm literally on the edge of my seat, guys! I need answers! But I guess we'll just have to wait for the next ep. So, silent readers, let's see your guesses! Are you team ML or team MC? Let's get this speculation party started!

P.S. If you're as invested as I am, let's discuss in the comments below! ]

🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀